"WAKEY WAKEY EGGS AND BACEY! WAKEY WAKEY EGGS AND BACEY! WAKEY WAKEY EGGS AND BACEY!" His arm struggled to tear its way out of the fabric cocoon he made. The young chuunin then raised his arm with great exaggeration and a bear-like arch. "WAKEY WAKEY EGGS AND BACEY! WAKEY WAKE-"

He sent his hand crashing down against the head of the Naruto figurine alarm clock, silencing its sharp, digitized song. He never understood why he had an alarm clock of Naruto standing with his hands to his hips. He didn't know where it came from, but he never questioned it. It was too troublesome to worry about it.

Shikamaru grabbed the borders of his comforter, and fiercely threw it onto the floor. The morning chill hit his exposed skin hard, and forced his weary eyes open. It was a technique he had mastered that made sure he didn't doze off when the "Narularm" stopped ringing.

"uuggghhh..."

Just as soon as Shika's eyes were wide open he had to shield them again. The stupid light had invaded the room through the huge window. The sun was in a very pissy mood it seemed, with such obnoxious brightness...

"Tch, why does this window have to be so big? And why does it have to be facing right in front of my bed? The way this room was built is annoying as hell... The positioning of everything in here is such a pain in the ass. Stupid sun..."

Not only was the sun annoying, pissed, and stupid; but it was a pervert. It was probably only shining so brightly so it could see Shikamaru in nothing but his underwear. The birds that flew by the window would surely blush as they saw his lean, almost-puny flesh laid out listlessly on his mattress. He slowly lifted both legs up at the same time, and swung around to the side of his bed. With a senior citizen's groan, Shikamaru raised his torso upward so that he was now sitting on his bed. He sat there for a moment, habitually playing with his fingers as he went over what had to be done today.

- Breakfast with Paps.

- Shogi with Asuma Sensei.

That was the fun stuff. But, Shikamaru also recalled...

- Disciplinary sessions for all Chuunin, taught under some random Jounin (he had a feeling it would be that Anko woman. She was loud and demanding, like Ino. Tch, troublesome females.)

- Jutsu training with Asuma Sensei (What a drag! One moment Asuma was cool, the next he was troublesome)

- Recreations class with the academy students...

"Ahhh... Not today."

Shikamaru whined aloud at the thought of having a class of academy students of his own. Of course, later on today it wouldn't be a thought, but a reality. Even though it was just a recreations class, Shikamaru's fear was that the brats he was watching would be just as rowdy as THEY were when they all were in the academy. Shika swore to himself that if there was a tiny Naruto, Kiba, and Chouji in his group that he would quit being a Chuunin.

After planning his day Shikamaru stood to his feet, stretched, and scratched the right side of his backside. He continued satisfying that itch for a moment while smiling.

"Shikamaru! Your breakfast is getting cold..."

His father had a way of yelling outside of a room that made it seem like he was speaking to you inside of a room. He had that manner of voice. Shika broke the hand/cheek connection, turned the knob to his door.

"AND DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT COMING IN THE KITCHEN WEARING ONLY YOUR UNDERPANTS, YOUNG MAN!!!"

His mom's voice, on the other hand...

"Tch. A woman nagging at this time of the morning. SO troublesome."

He scratched his right butt cheek once more while making his way to the closet, parallel to the head of his bed.

The sun wasn't only mad at Shika, but it had a grudge with everything in the Hidden Leaf Village all morning. Its harsh rays prevailed against the morning breeze, leaving the air parched and filling it with heat. Its harsh rays prevailed against sight, causing everything in the village that had eyes to squint them in pain. Its harsh rays prevailed against the trees and plants, nearly sucking the green life from their thirsty roots. Its harsh rays definitely prevailed over the animals of Konoha, causing them to cower under shades with their exposed tongues tasting the humidity. The sun even had the audacity to war against the nearby lakes of the land, greedily licking up almost an inch from the top. Why, this angry heat had even made the water thirsty! Though the sun was some kind of beast this Tuesday morning, there was one thing that the sun was not able to take down. Try as it did, the heat could NOT break the spirits of the people of Konoha.

The village moved on in angry rebellion toward the weather, going through the motions of their everyday lives with that much more vigor. Those who worked in the ramen shop did so with the sweat stinging their brow, trying hard not to let it drip into the soup and hoping to God that the customers didn't taste it if it did. The training Genin took off their head protectors to pour full basins of water onto and into their bodies. The mother of Tenten had a fight selling her fish as well. Her ruffled hair was beginning to show damage, the large bun starting to resemble a splat of black ink. The bangs to the sides of her face wouldn't stay where they were supposed to stay, and she had to tie them into her messy bun (which she hated to do, as she felt the bangs made her look young) to keep them from blocking her vision. To look on the bright side, at least she didn't have to worry about sun burn. The family she had came from had a honey complexion (which he passed on to Tenten), which was naturally resistant against the sun. Wiping the perspiration off of her simple facial features with her apron, she pressed on.

Not only had the sun failed to stop the people, but it actually activated them. Konoha hadn't been so loud and alive since Orochimaru's forces last invasion. The aggravated conversations added to the frantic activity in the atmosphere, filling the village with the sound of life. It was days like these that reminded people that they were alive. Everything was moving so quickly... Everything except this slug of a cook! If she had been moving any slower she would begin to move backwards! Ino was sick of it!!!!

"HEY, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, OLD LADY??? WHERE IS MY DUCK??!?!? MOVE IT!!!"

Ino had not forgotten her manners. She simply laid them aside. She would feel bad about rushing an over-weight elder later. As of now, however, she lacked the time. The dumplings and rice she had made were getting cold, which was a feat in itself under such weather... The duck was done roasting! Ino could smell it from where she was!

"AARRRHHH!!! MOVE. YOUR. ASS, LADY! MY DUCK BETTER NOT BE BURNT!!!!"

"okay okay..." The old lady managed to release those mousey words, which Ino didn't hear.

The blonde-haired kunoichi sighed and sucked her teeth almost simultaneously as she watched the old lady waddle to the back of smoke-filled enclosure, which lay behind a hanging green blanket. Ino just stared on in utter disbelief as the old cook struggled to lift the blanket! It was like she was TRYING to make her late. She pressed her hands down tightly, almost pushing the basket lid into the woven-basket itself. Noticing this she released the pressure on it, not willing to smash the food she had prepared inside. She, however, refused to release the pressure she was putting on the cook. She hoped the old fart could feel her icy stare on the back of her neck.

"Hey, Ino..."

"Hi, Shikamaru." Ino shot back quickly, hoping the speed of the response would give her teammate a hint.

"This heat is such a drag..." And, of course, he didn't get that hint. "You know we have to train with Sensei today, right?"

"We have to train with Sensei everyday. WHY would today be any different?" She turned her head away from the food-stand to look the annoyance in the face. He was standing there with his hands, linked together by his fingers, on the back of his head. It was a usual stance for Shikamaru. Again, she didn't try to mask her impatience with him.

"Tch, we are liable to pass out if we train under this blazing sun. I may not train today... it's too troublesome."

"I have no time for this. I can't talk right now. I'm busy." Hearing that stupid word "troublesome" had forced her to make it plain to him. Offense had attacked Shikamaru's face.

"Tch, whatever... I gotta go to disciplinary sessions anyway." He then turned and walked away, with his hands still folded behind his head.

Ino turned her head back to the food-stand to see that the old lady was carrying her roast duck. Her face, glistening with sweat, had now been illuminated with relief. Ino never thought she would be so happy to see the golden-brown corpse of a bird. She reached into the food-stand before the lady made it to the opening, grabbed the hot black rod which the duck was roasted on with her bare hands, threw down the two gold coins, and took off.

"DON'T YOU WANT THAT DUCK WRAPPED?"

The cook's cry received no answer. The dust left in Ino's wake caused the people of Konoha to gag as she jettisoned toward her destination. She nearly ran through her pink-haired friend.

"SORRY SAKURA. CAN'T TALK NOW. SEE YA LATERRRR!" Ino called back.

It took Sakura a second to process what just happened, as she coughed from the dust.

"I wonder what would make Ino rush like that on such a hot day?"

You had to wonder what would make someone eat like that. In some countries, it had to be illegal to be so gross. The tiny bones breaking, sinew snapping, the "rrrssshh!!" noises of flesh being stripped from the bone, oil and liquid fat being slurped like broth. A gluttonous musical was being performed right before the large wooden table, and it looked like it was a solo effort.

"Mpmhmmm,...mppmhmmm...mmm"

The boy squealed with glee in his own way. The heat of the day didn't dampen his determination one bit. Sweat dropped in bulk from his chunky face, like butter being melted over a flame. Of course, the sweat drenched the dumplings and rice as he tore into the roast duck, adding a light "salty" taste to the equation. There was nothing cartoonish or funny about the way this boy devoured his food. It was actually quite horrifying and sad. There was no break in between his feasting. No talking... no breathing. His digestive system was like a lusty assembly line, working on making him fatter no matter what obstruction came up. He couldn't even keep up with his appetite. He began to eat slower, but he didn't eat any less. People couldn't eat around him for long without feeling a strange mix of disgust and sympathy.

Truth be told, a piece of Ino wanted to just jump out of the seat, smack him for being so nasty, and run out of the humid house. But, the joy and relief of seeing her teammate survive a mission he should have died on was more then enough to keep her glued to her splintering seat. It was stronger then the sickening display. Yes, that joy and relief could cause her to just smile and stare, as though she was witnessing a dream come true. And that is exactly what Ino did.

"You like it? I made the dumplings and rice myself."

Chouji gradually nodded his head, eyes still focused on what he was shoveling in his mouth. No one ever knew how much she worried about Chouji after he was brought back from the mission to retrieve Sasuke. No one knew that she couldn't sleep until she knew he was taken care. No one knew how much she loved her teammate. No one knew how much she loved the team... No one. Not even she knew it. He licked his plate of all traces of the dumpling sauce and duck juices. Ino continued to stare at him, her eyes wide with care and satisfaction. Only now Chouji was paying enough attention to be embarrassed by those eyes. He focused his eyes on the plate he had just cleaned with his tongue.

"I'm glad you liked it." She spoke in such a heavenly tone that no one would believe Chouji if he told it. This couldn't be Ino.

"Ummm..." Chouji spoke. "Ino... W-why have you been doing this for me?

"Doing what?"

"You have been bringing me food and saying nice things tome for months now."

Ino giggled, and got up out of her seat.

"I'm... just glad your okay." She admitted. Ino walked over to his side of the large dark-brown table, and placed her hand firmly on his shoulders. Chouji giggled himself at the contact. "Come on... we have to go train with Asuma Sensei."

"OOKKKAAAYY!!!" His sudden outburst had taken Ino back a bit. The young shinobi has found new motivation in training ever since he defeated that fat member of Orochimaru's Official Guard. He genuinely wanted to become stronger. "DAD, I'M GOING TO TRAIN NOW!!!"

"Fine. I'll see you later." His dad was meditating in the other room.

The two headed out of the large household. They headed toward the meeting place.

"Is Shikamaru gonna be training with us?"

"He told me he may not come. 'Too troublesome'" Ino tried her best Shikamaru impression.

"That's just like him... The lazy bastard."

The two burst out into full laughter, even though his comment wasn't that funny. They walked on, laughing. Kiba passed by, and raised his eyebrow.

---------------------

"Okay, everyone LISTEN UP!" His sleek, laid-back voice was too sensitive for yelling. He always despised doing it. "I'm going to be your new recreation teacher. My name is Nara Shikamaru. Shikamaru Sensei is fine."

All the little academy students shielded their eyes, attempting to screen out the sun's glare while staring upward to look their new instructor in the face. It was a small bundle of children, and Shikamaru was thankful for that. He was still a little cranky that the board of education denied his request to have recreation class indoors today, but at least he didn't have to overwork his eyes by monitoring too many kids. He continued...

"Basically, this is a class where you're allowed to run around, play games, and practice the shinobi techniques you've learned in class. You have this entire area to yourselves."

The chuunin stretched out his hand to the field behind him. It was a wide open space of green grass with patches of parched brown here and there. The weathered field just outside the back parts of the Academy served as the recreation area since the days when the late 3rd was a student. The children looked at the empty and quiet field and then lamely looked back at their sensei with scrunched faces, awaiting more instructions. Shikamaru wasn't sure what to do or say next.

"Ummmm..."

He scratched the back of his sweaty neck, and closed his eyes for a moment... OH YEAH! He almost completely forgot.

"There is only one rule..." Shikamaru leaned downward to the children's level to show that he was serious. "... Don't ask me to join in any games today. This heat is a drag, and I'm going to lay down somewhere until time is up. Okay?"

A single sneeze from the crowd was his only response.

"Good. Now, before I let you guys go and run around in this troublesome sun, are there any questions?"

Shikamaru thought he would get the same zombified agreement as he has been getting when a hand went up among the crowd.

"Yes."

"I gotta go make doody."

Shikamaru sighed long and hard, and spoke with boredom.

"I already told you, Tetsuo. Iruka sensei said you're not allowed to use the bathroom anymore today."

"But I gotta make doody!"

"I doubt that."

"My tummy hurts, I swear!"

"Are there any more questions???"

It became silent once more, and then a sickly-looking boy with glasses stepped forward. He spoke like his throat was full of more snot then what was running down his nose.

"Aren't you Naruto-kun's friend?"

Shikamaru paused for a moment. "Yes, you can say that..." He opened the attendance files that were in his hands to match a name to the face he saw. "Udon."

"Where is Naruto-kun? I miss him!!!" A little girl with rosy cheeks and orange hair that shot upward exclaimed with anxiety.

Again, Shikamaru referred to his files. "Moegi, is it? He went away to train with one of the Legendary Sanin, Jiraiya... he should be back soon."

Moegi dropped her head, having her question answered with no satisfaction.

"It's been about a year and a half since you left... Time's almost up. You better be a lot stronger when you return."

"Will Naruto nii-chan take your job when he gets back?"

Shikamaru didn't have to see him to know exactly who that was, but the child made his face to be seen nonetheless. The grandson of the Sandaime Hokage stepped forward with trademark goggles about his forehead and blue scarf around his neck.

"No, Konohamaru, Naruto is still a genin. He's not allowed to have students yet."

"Aww man!" Konohamaru pouted while folding his arms. "So were stuck with you for the whole semester. This stinks!"

Shikamaru gasped a little. He then closed his eyes to try and contain his anger, but the anger escaped via a vein on the side of his forehead. He spoke sharply through his teeth.

"IF there are no more questions, you can all go and play now."

No sooner then those words had left his mouth, Shikamaru's quiet and agreeable students exploded into a mad stampede toward the field, screaming and laughing the whole time.

"REMEMBER MY RULE!!!" Shikamaru called out to his students in the distance, which was somewhat blurred to his vision by reason of the intense heat waves. He marveled that they could run and jump around so freely despite the weather. Even he, an experienced shinobi, found it hard to move around in training today with his team... Ah well, it was their funeral.

The chuunin turned around to find a place with shade, and jumped back with shock when he saw Konohamaru standing with his arms still crossed, his "Konohamaru corp" members Udon and Moegi on either side of him.

"Ummm... I said you guys can go play now".

"When is Nii-chan coming back." Konohamaru was determined not to be swayed by anything. He stared at Shikamaru with an attitude.

"I said he'll be back soon."

Shikamaru walked away from the 3 to a shady spot near the Academy building. He laid down there, put his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes... He yelped aloud when he opened his eyes to see the 3 kids standing over him.

"How soon?" said Moegi simply.

"A-about another year." Shikamaru answered, still shaken by the children's 'surprise visit'.

"How do you know?" Udon continued the questioning.

"Because he told me!"

"Why didn't nii-chan tell us that?!?!?"

"I don't know!"

"Psshh, I think your lying."

The chuunin sighed and put a hand over his face as though he was hiding from a nightmare.

"Only 55 more minutes to go, Shikamaru. Only 55 more..."