Ohayo!

I do NOT own Naruto, blah blah blah... Shikamaru's still the best!

I do not know for how long your average fanfiction goes, but as far as I have plotted, I have estimated that this story would take about twenty to twenty-five medium-length chapters (and I define medium as going 1000-1500 words). However, I do believe I could make some parts shorter or longer, depending on which ones call for it (like any romance or action stuff). So, I hope you could support this story by giving me your insights. Thanks!

Oh, by the way, if you find some technical inconsistencies in the terms and stuff, I would appreciate it if you could politely correct me on some of those parts.

I hope you enjoy guys! Reviews would surely be appreciated!


Memories

Troubles of a Lazy Shinobi

Chapter One : A Day Like Any Other

Just another fine day in the Hidden Leaf Village…

Yet it was another fine, fair day in Konoha; everyone was going about doing their own business. Women were out on the streets sharing the latest stories around the village, chuunins were all over the place doing routinary activities like patrols and genin lessons, and heck, even the village leaders were going about their business, assigning teams to send out on missions. Well, considering all these, one would not even think that this was the same Konoha that was assailed by the combined Sand and Sound invasion teams three years into the past.

What have happened to that year's chuunin examinees?

For one, Naruto had managed to obtain the status of chuunin, and by the smiles that some of the people in town began sharing with him when he passes by one could tell that he is slowly getting to be appreciated by the people… though his pranks are still the least of all that they liked. For Naruto, recognition has been one of his greatest goals, but I guess the grand title of 'Hokage' is still far out of reach for him, considering that he still has a lot to learn even from Jiraiya.

Sasuke is ever the anti-social heartthrob in town, though by his 'exposure' with Naruto and Kakashi-sensei he is bit by bit growing perverted on the inside. No one could still manage to capture his attention though, as he still is obsessed with the idea of revenge and pride. Oh, and what happened to the seal Orochimaru had given him before? Well, it's still a pain in the neck (err, a bit literally, I suppose) but it still continues to be under control with the occasional intervention of Kakashi-sensei and Tsunade-sama.

Sakura has grown a lot… both intellectually and physically. Studying under Tsunade-sama, she is quick to learn all the medical jutsu she arranges each and every day that she even fears that Sakura could outgrow her capabilities! Sakura has managed to grow some curves of her own, but she still has a long way to go before that could be sexy enough to attract boys her age. If anyone could attest to her looks, Naruto would give her two-thumbs up all the way (though needless to say he likes her in the first place).

Best friend and all, Ino is not one to be outdone by someone as Sakura. This little brat is slowly growing to be a fine lady, learning all the beauty of and meanings behind flowers and getting along with so many people. Her body control jutsu is still not one to underestimate, as for the three years she has been refining her own techniques. As of late, she has even managed to learn parted consciousness body control so that she could at least take slight control of her body while taking advantage of the body of her target at the same time.

Nara Shikamaru (A/N: hurrah!) still is, and most probably will forever be, the lazy bum that he is. In spite of this, with the recent discovery of his intelligence that appears only in one in about a million nins, he has been given the chance (or shall we say forced?) to take the jounin exam. Not to anyone's surprise but much to everyone's admiration, he passed with flying colors! Now, with the jounin title, Tsunade-sama has promoted him to be the village's youngest ever tactical commander, which is, needless to say, too troublesome for him. Poor Shikamaru, all he wanted was to watch the clouds and live an extremely normal life, but now is forced to write down intelligence analyses for tactical missions!

Ah, Chouji… after three years, he has grown… quite literally. Following the advice of Asuma-sensei, he was instructed to learn and master the body size manipulation jutsus of his father. While even every jutsu attempt calls for a huge amount calories in as much as chakra, Chouji makes it a point never to miss meals… Let's just say he's growing to become more of a lean, mean, chubby crushing meatball machine…

What happened to the Byakugan cousins? You'd be happy to know that they're getting along much better these past three years. With Neji having grasped the truth about his family and with Hinata growing more and more courageous, both are managing to face their obstacles together quite well. Of course, that is to be expected of the Hyuuga clan; theirs is, and hopefully will continue to be, one of the strongest clans there is in the land of Konoha.

Rock Lee is ever so lively and youthful, always cheering on the hardworking students in the lower years at the academy. His Gai-sensei still gives him that approving sparkle-smile, which is often more than enough to keep the thick-brows happy. Lee is still continuing his lotus trainings, however, and, unknown to everyone else (under approval of his sensei of course), he had just managed to unlock six of his charka gates. Gai does not want him to go further anymore, fearing that his most loyal student could get more injury than when he had back during the chuunin exams.

TenTen is now considerably the most… developed among the kunoichis of her batch. With the tremendous demands of concentration and exercise that her weapons training requires, she has obtained a sexy physique that is not too slim nor too muscular. She does have that thing for Neji recently, though, but unfortunately she is now part of the league of unnoticed women in this harsh world of love.

Kiba is currently training to become part of the Anbu. Combined with the ultimate tracking skills of his buddy Akamaru, they are currently undergoing serious jungle training, enduring both rain and shine sometimes for days on end. At times, people just wonder if he really wants to be part of the Anbu, or if it is just one way that could hopefully get the attention of this female teammate that she likes…

Bugs? Well, Shino still is the strong, silent type bug lover we've known him to be. However, with his expertise, he has been assigned as part of the research nins that experiment in laboratories all over Konoha to discover more potent antidotes, elixirs and boosters from insects. He now owns an insect breeding grounds were their family grows and cross breeds more powerful and more useful insects. Now, if only his father would be able to teach him some other bug techniques that don't involve freaking other people out…

Everyone is busy with their own lives in Konoha. However, this humdrum of a routinary life is soon to be broken.

Just recently, Tsunade-sama had announced for a meeting of these special chuunins – with one jounin passively complaining – for an important impending mission. It seems that the neighboring countries can't get enough of some Konoha beating. In any case, the Hokage is intent on strengthening Konoha once more and on assuming its authority within its borders. She has devised some three-prong counter to send a strong message to the neighbors that the Fire country is one nation you shouldn't be messing with.

And yes, the future of Konoha and the safety of its people rests in the combined efforts of these special nins and kunoichis.


A/N: Still no progress, ne? Don't worry, I just wanted to tell you how I think all our favorite Konoha shinobi progressed in the short three years. The true action would begin to unfold soon enough. Please review! Arigato gozaimas!