Disclaimer: I Don't Own Naruto.
Author's Note: Is a slight AU, not an expert in Naruto or Japanese customs please forgive any stupid mistakes. Beta is welcome.
Summary: "He should be thanking me. In fact, I should be made chuunin because of that. If it wasn't for me, nobody would have thought Shikamaru was any good."
Pairing: ShikaIno

POV: Sakura

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Nara Shikamaru – there wasn't very much you knew about him.

You've learnt many of his supposed faults from Ino who complained about him more then you talked about Sasuke, which was really saying something. Apparently he was lazy, inconsiderate and completely lacked self-motivation but you, knowing Ino for as long as you have, have noticed that she did tend to exaggerate at most times.

But it seemed Ino may have had a point in this case as you remember his match in the chuunin's 3rd exams. It wasn't as heart-pumping as Naruto's and neither was it as highly anticipated as Sasuke's but it had its own subtle way of captivating the crowd. Nobody expected much and you had to admit, neither were you, the only person that seemed excited was Ino. But as Shikamaru reluctantly moved onto the grounds, after being pushed, and the match began you couldn't help but feel yourself being drawn in.

There was something about him and his nonchalant demeanour…

You remember Naruto jumping in after his bout, screaming and yelling as he ran towards Shikamaru, who was slowly stretching and watching the skies. You sighed and rolled your eyes, wondering why Naruto couldn't just mind his own business. So you were a little surprised when Shikamaru simply looked at him and murmured a few words which stopped Naruto in the middle of his outburst.

You were mildly impressed; there were few people that could shut Naruto up without resulting in physical violence.

And you had to admit, despite the circumstances in which the match ended, Shikamaru was worthy of the chuunin title, no one could have possible foreseen that strategy he had come up with, let alone counter it.

But there were times when you couldn't help but wish that Shikamaru wasn't a chuunin…

*

…like this one.

"Why is Shikamaru a chuunin and I'm not?" Naruto whines while you, Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei head towards the training grounds. "He didn't even win his match!" he pauses "I won my match! And technically," he points to Sasuke "you didn't win yours either. Gaara ran"

Sasuke, being not much of a talker just glares at Naruto.

"And he's so lazy" he continues, oblivious to Sasuke. "He didn't even want to be in that match, I had to motivate him."

You mean push…

"He should be thanking me. In fact, I should be made chuunin because of that. If it wasn't for me, nobody would have thought Shikamaru was any good."

"How many times do we have to go through this…" Kakashi-sensei sighs, "It takes more then power and strength to be a chuunin. What is the point of being the strongest ninja when you have nothing up here" he taps his temple.

"Wah?" is Naruto's reply.

"I think you just proved his point" Sasuke finally says and you can't help but laugh.

Naruto frowns, his forehead furrows as he is, apparently, in deep thought. And for a few moments you are blessed with his silence but unfortunately for you such sanctions never last long.

"Oi! Shikamaru!" You look up; following the direction of Naruto's out-stretched hand.

The latest chuunin addition was just exiting the village's hospital when he was spotted.

"Have you been injured?" Naruto erupts, excited by the idea that the chuunin may have failed at his mission. But as you and the rest of the team move closer you notice that there is not even a scratch on him.

Not one to easily abandon an idea, Narutp pokes and prods at the slightly annoyed looking Shikamaru who lazily bats at the flailing hands. "No"

"Liar! Then why were you leaving the hospital?"

Shikamaru sighs like it conveyed a great deal of energy to participate in this conversation, "There was this female ninja" and Naruto nods, waiting for him to continue "and… she was….injured"

"You picked up some random female ninja?" Naruto exclaims like Shikamaru had committed a terrible crime. "What if it was a decoy in a trap?"

"She wasn't"

"But what if it was!"  Naruto continues, his voice getting louder.

"…She wasn't"  Shikamaru continues in that same bored tone, his eyes glancing up to look up at the sky.

"But…"

"She was injured…"

"So?"

" I couldn't just leave her," and Shikamaru shrugs and the conversation apparently ends as he is already walking away.

"Wow, that's so… noble. Damn him!" Naruto says, more to himself then anyone else.

And you figure it isn't worth the effort in pointing out that just a few minutes before Naruto was complaining about him.

So instead you watch, amused at Shikamaru strolling casually away, like he had all the time in the world and you think idly to yourself that you wouldn't mind having someone like Shikamaru in your team. A composed, thinking personality between hot-heads.

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A/N:

RurouniGochan, I know you dislike my POV because it's hard to follow at times but it is a technique I'm use to and I think it may be a little too hard for me to switch now. But maybe if you gave it some time for you to get use to, I know this isn't a POV used often you may be able to work with it but if you can't, I might change to first persons. Thank You for reviewing.

Thank you also to Anra, Distant Soul and The Prime Minister. Your comments and feedback were great!