In this week's Shinobi Weekly!
Shikamaru and Temari; Where did it all go wrong? The Claws come out as Kiba reveals all!
Konoha Exclusive! Ino Yamanaka speaks! Her life and many loves in our in depth, emotional interview.
PLUS! The Kunoichi Quiz; which feisty fighter are you?
Only in this week's Shinobi Weekly!
It's been almost a week since Shinobi Weekly! broke the exclusive news that ShikaTema was no more after a series of earth shattering fights between the two notoriously stubborn ninjas. As our devoted readers may remember, we ended last week's issues with the scandalous news that both shinobi had moved on to new yet not entirely unexpected relationships.
But in this issue we are taking it back to the start of the relationship that shook the shinobi world on both sides of the border to look at the ups and downs of what was last year's most exciting hook-up.
Our back track begins three years ago with a glance back to that years' chunin exams, where as everyone knows, the infamous pair made their first contact. Paired off against one another, no one was quite sure how the match would turn out.
"For one thing, this was the first time any of the Konoha 11 had ever seen anyone from Sunagakure," our chunin exam reporter at the time, Amaya Ito, recalls. "Everyone was curious to see not only who would be fighting who but also what sort of ability these shinobi possessed."
"But it wasn't only the fact that these never before seen teenagers were new and exotic," our fashion correspondent Fumiko Yoshida suggests, recalling Temari's unique dress sense and style, "they had a whole new attitude about them. Everybody knew Sunan's were supposedly tough nuts to crack, but no one quite predicted the sheer magnetism the Sand Sibling trio would bring to the arena. Temari in particular had most of the girls gossiping within ten minutes of her arrival."
Subscribers may remember the Shinobi Weekly! chunin exam special edition, pictured above, where the Sunan princess graced our cover for the very first time.
"Two days after her arrival, I remember walking down the streets of Konoha only to be surrounded by showers of girls all with four ponytails adoring their heads," Yoshida continues, pointing to our special edition supplement; 'how to get this summer's Sunan look'. "So if we were all noticing, I'm sure Shikamaru was."
"The fight between them was notorious," Ito adds, her notes of the fight printed the day it took place, "no one expected anything less than a hell-raising fight, given Temari's performance against Ten Ten, but there wasn't a person around whose jaw didn't hit the floor when Shikamaru Nara surrendered."
Nara's shock submission left the shinobi world reeling. Within minutes of him throwing in the towel, analysts were pouring over the reasons behind it.
"He claimed a lack of chakra," Ito recollects, "but several of the ninja specialists I interviewed believed this to be a lie. At the time there was speculation that the genin just plain bottled it in the face of such a fierce opponent!"
"Of course now we all know the truth behind it," our ShikaTema correspondent, Emi Ishikawa, points out, waving the exclusive Shinobi Weekly! pics of the pair at the Konoha border as they returned from the ill-fated Sasuke Retrieval mission, featured upper left. "No one quite knows why or what happened after that final battle, but at some point, the pair connected. The mission ended with her saving him and accompanying him back to the Konoha infirmary to check on Chouji Akimichi."
"Temari overall has a very attractive personality," Yoshida interjects, "she was voted the number one kunoichi our male readers were most likely to date. It's not surprising that Shikamaru was attracted to her 'female first' attitude; it's not something that's often seen in Konoha."
Even though Shikamaru was known to dislike women he typically considered 'troublesome', like our Sunan princess, Temari's 'can-do' style and persistent approach is sure to have won him over, as it did with so many shinobi.
"The thing that is most likely to have encouraged him to make a move is the realisation that if he didn't, someone else would," Ishikawa divulges, recalling the two year old photos of Temari and Kiba pictured cosily together in a booth after Hana Inuzuka's birthday party. "She always was a popular girl and the Nara realised that he had to get a move on."
And get a move on he did. After several more missions together during which the pair cemented their love of fighting on the same team, Shikamaru was given a surprising new job as the Sunan ambassador's escort around Konoha. And it was this very position that got tongues wagging about the nature of Shikamaru and Temari's relationship.
"For one thing, he actually took the job seriously!" Ishikawa jokes. "That was a first for the young Nara; getting up early in the morning to meet her at her apartment, bringing her to Ichiraku's for lunch and at her side as soon as all her meetings finished- it was as though a new Shikamaru emerged. Even the notoriously obtuse Naruto Uzumaki noticed the change as he commented to me after one of the Hokage's host parties;"
"Shikamaru? No, Nara never comes to these things. Not that he would anyways- he's with Temari. First time I've ever seen him take anything this seriously!"*
*Naruto Uzumaki speaking two years ago
Readers can turn to page 5 for a collage of ShikaTema during the 'escort years'.
The pairing was never confirmed by either but given the nature of the relationship thatis hardly surprising.
"She's from Suna," Emi adds, "where inter-village relationships aren't exactly encouraged, so we never really expected them to make it public."
But that didn't stop Shinobi Weekly! bringing you all the latest information on the pair from the photos of them cloud gazing together to the comments of Konoha village.
"Shikamaru and Temari are just friends...and if you believe that I have twenty indestructible kunai to sell you!" – Kakashi Hatake.
"I'm sorry I can't comment- I promised them I wouldn't say anything...Oops!" – Naruto Uzumaki.
"Konohagakure and Sunagakure remain committed to a close, diplomatic relationship but officially we discourage any of our shinobi from becoming involved in inter-village relationships. Now if only they would listen to us." – Tsunade, Godaime Hokage.
"They seemed happy," Emi continues, "but it all went downhill after the tragic death of Asuma Sarutobi."
"Asuma's death changed their relationship," Ito adds, "Temari wanted to be there for him but she couldn't get away from her mission at the time. By this stage I had moved onto Shinobi Weekly's! Special Sunan correspondent and I remember the turmoil she was in- the whole embassy was in uproar trying to organize who was going to represent the family at the funeral. In the end, only her brother Kankuro could show up."
It was two days after the Nara returned from vindicating his sensei that Shinobi Weekly! published exclusive pictures of the distraught shinobi in the arms of his teammate. Reprinted upper left, the pictures show the pair leaving Konoha's most infamous 'hook-up' bar, 'The Lusty Kunoichi'*, with their arms wrapped around one another.
"Ino understood what he was going through; after all she lost Asuma too," Ito suggests, studying the pictures. "He needed someone to be there for him...and in the end, it was Ino, not Temari."
*Readers will remember this bar as the place Asuma and Kurenai were pictured leaving shortly before they announced their relationship and as the place Neji was seen escorting a less than sure footed Ten Ten home from after a particularly raucous girl's night out.
The pictures sent the Sunan Kunoichi reeling. It was another two months before she returned to Konoha and readers will remember that this particular time, it was Naruto who greeted the diplomat, instead of her lover.
"That hinted to us all that something was definitely wrong," Emi reminisces, "Shikamaru never shirked his duty before for anything. The fact that he didn't show up to greet her, especially given the fact that it was Temari's first visit in two months, revealed the couple's true problems."
Following the pictures, things continued to go badly for the couple.
"They spent a lot of time apart," Ito acknowledges. "I spent a lot of time studying her schedule as part of my job- hardly any of it involved diplomatic missions to Konoha- in fact most of her missions took her further away from Konoha."
And while Temari was virtually unseen in Konoha for more than half a year, much to the chagrin of our ardent ShikaTema fans, Shikamaru was moving closer to other females.
"Shiho entered the picture and everything got harder," Emi recalls. "Shinobi Weekly! ran several exclusives detailing the code breakers love for the lusted after Nara heir. That can't have been easy for Temari to see, especially since she was so far away from him."
And now it appears that the pair have decided to take an indefinite break following on from the months of uncertainty surrounding their status as a couple.
"I'm devastated," Emi says honestly, "for me, they were my favourite shinobi couple. Having followed them for three years, I really thought they would go the distance."
Shinobi Weekly's! Exclusive interview with Ino Yamanaka- our favourite blonde Kunoichi!
So, Ino, it's been almost six months since we last spoke.
"I know! It feels like forever! But I've just been so busy with missions and the shop. I've barely had time to get a manicure!"
You have had a busy couple of months; we hear you're busy training for your jounin badge?
*She gasps*
"Where did you hear that? No one was supposed to know that!
A little butterfly told us!
"I'm going to kill Chouji!...but yes, I am training for a promotion. But that's not the only reason I've been busy."
Yes, we also hear you're busy working on a line of fragrances?
*She laughs*
"You guys know everything! They should be released in about six month's time; I want to do a combination of scents- one you can wear from the high street, to the training field, to the night club."
Any names yet?
"I've been toying around with a couple but I'm not going to give anything away! I want it to be a surprise."
So apart from all the hard work, how's life been treating you? Any new romances for us?
*She laughs*
"There is a new boy...no one you know!...he's a close friend who has been keeping me company during these past few months but we're taking it slow."
And no word from Sasuke?
"If Sasuke contacts anyone in Konoha, it's not going to be me! I would be lying if I said I didn't think about him anymore, but I'm getting there. He will always be a big part of my life but now I'm moving on to bigger and better things!"
So, speaking of better things; how is Shikamaru Nara?
*She glares before laughing*
"Shikamaru is perfectly fine. Same as always, preparing for an upcoming mission and keeping his head down...and away from any of your reporters!"
You're not going to give us anything?
"He's my friend, so I'm not going to tell you what it is you want to know!"
Then a comment on Shiho?
"Shiho is a lovely girl; a good person with a great heart."
Do you think she suits Shikamaru as a partner?
"I think Shikamaru is great by himself. As he always has been. He's a young guy who needs to stay single and enjoy being free."
Still nothing there?
*She smiles widely*
"He's my best friend...and that's it!"
Ino Yamanaka was talking to Haruka Ikeda, our Konoha Kunoichi correspondent.
Ino was wearing a purple, silk flower halter dress by Chika Gato (¥81,000), paired with Christian Louboutin Altadama platform pumps in lilac (¥54,000). Purple orchids in her hair are available to purchase on request from Yamanaka flowers.
QUIZ; Which Kunoichi are you?
Shinobi Weekly's! Quiz devised with the help of several personality experts helps you decipher which tough, independent kunoichi you are!
It's a typical one, but what is your favourite colour?
a) Yellow
b) Red
c) Blue
d) Pink
e) Purple
f) Black
g) Green
h) White
You're allowed to date any shinobi you want. What type of guy do you choose?
a) The one who has always been there for me.
b) Do I look like I have time to date?
c) I'm happy by myself for the minute.
d) Em...Can I choose two?
e) A bad boy any day!
f) Someone similar to me who likes my taste in things.
g) One who won't get himself killed. Know anyone like that?
h) Someone I can rely on.
Desert Island fashion or make up accessory- choose!
a) Probably hair pins! Couldn't live without them.
b) Powder- I train a lot ...I sweat a lot.
c) Mascara- I like to make the most of my eyes.
d) Lipgloss- I'm never on a mission without it.
e) A hair brush!
f) my fishnets- you're not a shinobi without a set!
g) Jewellery.
h) eyeliner- my eyes look odd without it!
How do you feel about your family?
a) I don't get to see them a lot but I'm always thinking about them.
b) They're who I live for.
c) I owe everything I have to them.
d) I make my own family.
e) I have an odd family- it's made up of a lot of people but I love them all.
f) I'm more focused on my missions.
g) I don't have time for a family.
h) I could never be without them.
What's your least favourite word?
a) Temari
b) Surrender
c) Regret
d) Choose
e) Ugly
f) Betrayal
g) Death
h) Loss
And your opinion on Sasuke?
a) He's good-looking but nothing you can't find elsewhere.
b) He'd look better stuffed and hanging off my mantelpiece.
c) I guess he's alright.
d) I may be in love with him.
e) I'm not sure at the moment.
f) Who?
g) I have nothing against homosexuals.
h) I hope he will find his way back.
Who should be the next Hokage?
a) I think the next Hokage should be another female.
b) Someone who knows what they're doing.
c) Naruto.
d) I wouldn't mind a shot at it.
e) Whoever! I'm not fussy.
f) Someone who hands out missions fairly.
g) There is nothing wrong with stability and consistency.
h) I'd like to see someone younger come through.
Finally, choose your own theme music.
a) One Girl Revolution by Superchick...it reminds me of me.
b) Hysteria by Muse...or anything with a heavy baseline.
c) Uptown Girl by Billy Joel- it puts me in a good mood.
d) Disturbia by Rihanna...I can relate to it.
e) Toxic by Britney Spears...I listen to it before every mission!
f) Fighter by Christina Aguilera...self-explanatory.
g) Fire and Water by Free- this song has stuck with me.
h) Tapestry by Carole King- I feel like it tells my life story.
If you chose mostly A
Congratulations! You are Ten Ten!
Fiesty and funky, you set trends but never follow them. You fight for what you want but are able to take a backseat or a defeat when you need to. If any shinobi wants to get with you, he'll have to be able to play the game your way!
If you chose mostly B
Congratulations! You are Temari!
We're moving away slowly now- we don't wanna get hit with that giant fan if we accidentally say the wrong thing! A truly independent woman, you don't take any answer that you don't agree with. But once won over you are fiercely loyal to those you love and would die for them if need be. The one we'd most want around in a sticky situation.
If you chose mostly C
Congratulations! You are Hinata!
A real sweetheart if there ever was one. Popular and pretty, you get along with everyone and will never do anything that your conscience doesn't agree with. Dedicated, you work quietly in the background to get what it is you've set your heart on.
If you chose mostly D
Congratulations! You are Sakura!
The leading lady in every sense of the word, you rule over your world with a tough but fair hand. Always there when anyone needs you, you will help anyone out but aren't afraid to stand up for yourself! Success is your number one goal in every area of life and nothing will stop you achieving your goals.
If you chose mostly E
Congratulations! You are Ino!
We can see you and your deadly heels coming from a mile away! A killer kunoichi in Manolo's, you won't sacrifice your hair, heels or happiness for anything. Slightly bossy but with a good heart, you control everything within your sphere and reach for anything you can get- whether that's designer clothes or shinobi!
If you chose mostly F
Congratulations! You are Anko!
Strength and ambition all rolled into one- you'll fight against the odds in every situation. Determined to the very end, you have no end of energy or stamina and will always hold your ground. With a few quirks to boot, you're the most interesting one at the party; guaranteed to entertain!
If you chose mostly G
Congratulations! You are Tsunade!
Tough and practical, you have no qualms seeing things as they are. You hold your own vices but will never let anyone else forget theirs. But your success is always achieved by your own hand and once where you need to be, you'll work hard and work others harder to make sure you succeed.
If you chose mostly H
Congratulations! You are Kurenai!
Graceful, elegant and admired, you are proof you can be both a kunoichi and a lady. As a person you are respected and well-liked but you can hold your own on the battlefield. No stranger to adversity, you are the dark horse who no one expects to dominate but who always does in the end.
Shinobi Weekly! talks to Kiba Inuzuka about his pups, his missions and those rumours.
So when Kiba Inuzuka called into our offices to show off his clans new breed of pups, pictured above left, Shinobi Weekly! finally got the chance to question him about all those rumours regarding him and a certain Sand Kunoichi!
Here's what the evasive nin had to say;
"She's a great girl," he admitted, with a big smile on his face, "and we get on well. She's fun to train with."
But does he see a relationship with her?
Our tapes sound out the laughter of our reporter, as Kiba Inuzuka is apparently blushing!
"I'm not really a relationship guy...but I think if any guy was ever going to be with Temari, he'd have to be fully committed to her. She's the kind of girl that makes a guy want to do that, I'd say."
And is she making him want to do that?
"No comment," is his answer but our reporter assured us that his grin stretched from Konoha all the way to Suna!
*The Inuzuka's new breed of ninken will debut at the annual Inuzuka dog show later this month- full dates to be released. All twelve pups are currently white with black markings and in the process of beginning the Inuzuka's patented regimen of training.*
Shinobi Weekly! Exclusive! The Annual Kunoichi Charity Calendar!
Shinobi Weekly! can exclusively reveal that this year's calendar will be a swimsuit theme!
No pictures for our devoted readers as of yet but we can say that Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno will both be wearing two piece bathing suits while Ten Ten will be showcasing a 'very special' one piece.!
As with last year's calendar both Hinata and Temari declined to appear so archive photos from Shinobi Weekly! will be used to fill their places. And we can happily tell our male readers that we have several saucy photos of the girls in their bathing suits!
*The Kunoichi Calendar will be released at the beginning of July.*
Shinobi Weekly! Retraction
In our issue entitled 'Kakashi's crumbling credibility', we interviewed a woman who claimed to have had sexual intercourse with Kakashi Hatake. The article claimed that he had failed to satisfy her in the bedroom. Shinobi Weekly! would like to acknowledge that our source was not credible following contact from Mr. Hatake with our offices and several letters from a number of women assuring us of his sexual prowess. Shinobi Weekly! is happy to set the record straight.
And the winner of our draw two issues ago is; Congratulations Keyai-chan! Your request for a profile on the Kazekage is in the works!
In next week's Shinobi Weekly!
Shikamaru Nara Exclusive! A full, in depth profile from the people who know him best! US!
We publish never before seen pictures of a secret new couple that will SHOCK you!
AND- Emi follows Kiba and Temari on their latest mission. What does she see?
Only in next week's Shinobi Weekly!
Ok, so it is currently 3.47 am where I am- I'm staying up to watch NHL Playoffs- I am an ardent Ducks fan, lol- so while I was waiting I typing up this.
Few notes; as you have probably noticed there will be a retraction in every issue- they're the most fun to write. The quiz was impromptu- but I hope it came off ok. And Ino's Louboutin's are real and to die for! lol
Hope you enjoy!
REVIEW!
SP7 :)