The following day Shikamaru, Ino, and Chouji were at their favorite restaurant waiting for Asuma to return from the Hokage Tower.

"This time Chouji and I are becoming Chunin." Ino said excitedly. "Do you think the exams will be just like the last ones?"

Chouji shuddered. "I don't want to go in the forest of death again!"

"Relax Chouji; I'm sure the tests will be different this time around. I mean that whole tenth question thing wouldn't really work this time now that we know the trick. Besides I asked my dad and he says the tests are always a little different each time."

Chouji looked at him. "Speaking of tests tomorrow's the big day for you isn't it?"

Shikamaru nodded glumly. "Unfortunately, I'm scheduled to take my first Jonin exam starting at ten."

Ino looked at him. "What do you mean first?"

Shikamaru sighed. "I mean I probably am not going to pass and I'll need to keep taking it. Man what a drag."

Ino glared at him. "Don't be so negative! You made Chunin your very first time out. Why wouldn't you make Jonin?"

"Ino, do you know what the Jonin exam involves?" He was not surprised to see her shake her head. "It's a two part examination, one written test, one field test. The written has a hundred questions and you must get at least ninety of them right."

"Hey, you're a genius. That should be no problem for you."

He shook his head. "That's not the part I'm worried about. The field test involves going to a training ground and facing three Jonins. You have to avoid capture for eight hours in order to pass." He shook his head. "It's almost impossible and usually you have to take the test multiple times to pass it. My dad took it four times and Asuma had to take it three. The last person to pass it on the first try was Uchiha Itachi. I don't expect to pass on my first try but I need to make sure I have enough time to take it as often as I need to so I can pass it by the time I turn sixteen."

"Why sixteen?"

"Oh, no reason, it's just a goal I have." He lied blandly.

"Well I can see why you're worried." Ino said. "I wonder who the Jonins will be?"

XXXXXXXXXX

Unknown to him or the others the three Jonins who would be testing him were meeting at that same time.

"I want everything to go exactly as planned tomorrow. The Hokage asked for us specifically." Their scarred leader told them.

His two fellow Jonins nodded. "We should thank the Hokage for allowing us to do this." One of them said.

The other agreed. "We've been given the chance to make Nara Shikamaru's first Jonin exam something memorable."

"First and last," their leader smiled wickedly. "When we're done he won't be coming back for a second try." His two compatriots nodded their agreement. "Now let's go over the plans one last time and make sure we have all the supplies we'll need."

XXXXXXXXXX

Gaara stood back and watched as Matsuri threw her bolas at the targets. He watched as all five hit the, 'necks,' of the straw dummies and wrapped tight around them. Gaara nodded, pleased at how far she had come in such a short time. When he had met her along with the other students he'd been surprised to have her request him as instructor. But he'd decided to do his best for her, as a sensei should. When she told him she feared swords and other killing weapons he'd introduced her to the jouhyou, a simple weapon made for disarming. From there he had gone on to discover she had a talent for the bola. It was an elegant and simple weapon. Two polished stones connected by thick wire, used to capture or strangle an opponent.

He had also worked on her confidence and tried to show her that weapons were merely tools. Not inherently good or evil. They could be used for harm but could also be used to protect. He had told her stories about his own life and about his experiences in the Leaf village. She had listened and slowly was coming to see that it was the warrior and not the weapon itself that mattered. She still needed to work on her confidence and develop her chakra, but she definitely had the makings of a fine kunoichi. Looking over to his siblings he saw them gathering their students around them.

"That was very well done Matsuri."

"Thank you Gaara-sensei!" She was pulling the last bola back from around its target. "Shall I do it again?"

But Gaara shook his head. "No, I am afraid it is time to go."

She looked terribly disappointed. He was not used to seeing that on people who were about to say good bye to him. He was also surprised to find himself a bit sad at the prospect. "You have been an excellent student Matsuri and if you continue to put such effort into your studies I know you will do well." He paused. "I would like you to know I am very proud to have had you as my student."

She gasped and quickly bowed to him. "Gaara-sensei, thank you so much! Hearing that from a powerful ninja such as yourself means a great deal to me. I promise I will work hard to try and make you proud of me."

Gaara noted she would need to work on hiding her feelings. He was feeling a bit saddened himself, but you would never guess it to look at him. There were not many people willing, and fewer still who were eager, to be around him. He liked her and would miss her. He thought about something. "Matsuri?"

"Yes Gaara-sensei?"

He hesitated. "Matsuri… would you like to remain my apprentice?"

A look of complete shock covered her face, followed by a huge smile. He really was going to have to work on that with her. "Really? Gaara-sensei I would love to stay as your apprentice!"

He nodded. "Very well then, I will inform the academy. Do you have any plans for lunch?"

She again looked at him in surprise. "No, I don't."

"Would you like to join me and my family?"

She blushed. "Yes, I would. Thank you Gaara-sensei."

XXXXXXXXXX

The three of them were walking home from the restaurant where they'd eaten with Matsuri. Gaara could not help but notice the two of them exchanging glances.

"Is there something wrong?" Gaara asked.

Kankuro smirked and answered with a song. "Gaara's got a girlfriend."

Gaara frowned at him. "That is ridiculous; I am her sensei and nothing more."

Temari beamed. "Of course, and why would you want to be more?"

Kankuro nodded. "I mean it's not like she's cute."

"Or sweet." Temari added.

"Or devoted." Kankuro said.

"Or kind." Temari spoke.

"Enough," Gaara sounded mildly annoyed. "I happened to ask her to be my apprentice simply because I believe I can help her become an excellent ninja."

"So you don't like her at all on a personal level?" Temari asked.

He hesitated. "She is not afraid of me. I enjoy being with someone who does not fear me."

Temari and Kankuro shared another look. "So are you going to ask her for a date?" Kankuro said.

They could hear the sand in his gourd begin to move about and decided it would be a good time to stop.

XXXXXXXXXX

Shikamaru looked at the clock on the wall. "You know I wonder if Asuma will be bringing our new member with him."

"What?" Ino asked. "What new member?"

He looked at her in surprise. "Isn't it obvious? The exams can only be taken by a three man squad."

"So? We've got three you, me, and Chouji."

Shikamaru shook his head. "Ino, I'm already a Chunin. I can't take the exams with you and Chouji."

"Why not?"

He rolled his eyes. "It wouldn't be fair to the other Genin squads."

This was news to her and of the most upsetting kind. "Well then what happens to us?"

"Relax, I'm sure there will be some Genin who need a team and will be assigned."

"So we have to take the exams with a total stranger?" Chouji chimed in.

Shikamaru shrugged. "It's the only way."

"But how are we supposed to work with someone we don't even know?" Ino complained.

"Well you have two weeks to get to know him."

"Who do you think the Hokage will assign us?" Chouji wondered.

Remembering yesterday's meeting Ino suddenly slapped her forehead and took on a look of sheer misery. "Oh no, she wouldn't!"

"What?" Chouji asked.

But right then they saw Asuma enter the restaurant with a familiar someone right behind him. As was his habit he came right up to their table and shared his thoughts with them.

"All right! Baachan told me I was working with you guys for the Chunin exams! With me here there's no way we can lose!" He grinned at them and they could feel his absolute confidence radiating off of him.

Shikamaru took one look at Ino's despair and smirked. "Welcome to team ten Naruto."