CHAPTER 3: The Dove and the Deer.

Naruto was on his way back, wondering what on earth could Shikamaru's motives be to especially ask for him to be an instructor. He decided to pay him a short visit to find out his reasons. He knew that Shikamaru was easily the smartest ninja in all of Konoha, and if he had asked for Naruto, there would be some strong reason for it. Besides, he actually found himself looking forward to these new Genins. It wasn't like there were a truckload of missions waiting to be tackled. The entire Akatsuki mess and the Orochimaru mess had been swept under the carpet. All the different angles, Orochimaru's, Akatsuki's and Konoha's had smashed into each other in a major war in a bid to enhance their strength, and Naruto had been caught right in its midst. And when things had finally sorted themselves out, he found himself short on a couple of teammates and a sensei.

On the other hand, he had grown much closer to Tsunade-baa-chan, Ero-Sennin and a certain pretty white eyed girl. Though he would never think of admitting it, the fact remained that some of his sensei's interests in members of the opposite sex had rubbed off on him. Even Tsunade-baa-chan had commented on how he seemed to become more and more like Jiraiya every day. And this had something to do with his noticing of Hinata initially.

However, her sensitivity and spirit had worked its way into his heart and held him captive. But he wasn't sure what she felt about him, as was her case, and when it came down to it, neither of them had had the guts to open up to the other, and Tsunade had to intervene to prevent two of her valuable Jounins from daydreaming during important missions. Her matchmaking had paid off, and Konoha's new insanity and the Hyuuga clan's heir were now officially together, and everyone who knew them agreed that they had to be the cutest couple in their part of the world.

"Ah yes, Tsunade-baa-chan did mention that Hinata-chan is also going to take up a position like mine, and so is that loudmouth Kiba." He paused, he was at the Academy gate already, and as he walked into the place, nostalgia swept upon him. It had been so long since he had been to this place. Right now it was deserted, but it seemed like it was sleeping, and not dead. The academy was probably taking a break after withstanding a few hundred hyperactive ninja wannabes.

"Naruto! What are you doing here, come to visit me at long last, eh?" said a voice from further down the hallway, as Shikamaru stepped into the light with a smile on his face.

"Well, I had a chat with old lady Tsunade just now and …" started Naruto,

"and… she let slip my name in the conversation, did she?" asked Shikamaru, letting a small sigh escape his lips. "Don't take this the wrong way, Naruto, but these kids in your team are, well, I'm sure they would come along beautifully if you were to be their teacher. I would rather you found out yourself why it is that I think so. Sheesh… do you really think I would do something as troublesome as going and talking to Hokage-sama about this if it weren't a very good reason ?"

"…Well, knowing you, guess not!"

"Hehe… well, that's settled then. Well, give my regards to Hinata and don't forget to turn up around 8 'o' clock here tomorrow morning."

"But, you still haven't given me any reasons" yelled Naruto at his retreating friend's back.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine, I'm sure" Shikamaru called back.

Authors note: I'm reposting this chapter as I'm not really happy with the way it was… still am unhappy, but never mind.

Also, I request you guys to put up with another couple of short chapters as I need them as a base builder without revealing too much about what happened etc…