It seems these chapters keep getting longer... Read and review please!

All characters belong to Kishimoto-san.

Chapter 4: One Nara Shikamaru

Shikamaru was walking with Chouji and Naruto when Naruto suddenly turned to him.

"Oh, yeah, Shikamaru," Naruto said. "I suddenly remembered, but please don't kill me tomorrow!"

He laughed nervously and ran off. "Today was fun! See you at school tomorrow!"

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes at him but did not stop the other boy.

"What was that about?" Chouji asked as he reached for another chip.

Shikamaru shrugged. "Beats me."

"Anyways, I heard there are exchange students coming over this year," Chouji said. "From the Land of Wind?"

"Yeah." Shikamaru said. He looked up at the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily. "School already starts tomorrow. How troublesome. I wanted to sleep in."

Chouji laughed. "Well, summer was bound to end. Oh yeah, your mom said she's not taking me and Ino to school tomorrow."

Shikamaru stopped walking. "She did?"

"She said something about you having to be at school early or something. I dunno. I guess you'll have to ask her." Chouji nodded his head towards Shikamaru's house, which was right next to Chouji's.

Shikamaru sighed. He had a very bad feeling about this. "Alright. See you tomorrow, Chouji."

.

"I'm home!" Shikamaru called out as he opened the door. He took off his shoes and made sure he didn't leave mud anywhere. His mother would kill him if she found mud around the house.

"Oh, Shikamaru!" Yoshino replied, peeking her head from the kitchen. "Dinner will be ready in half an hour. I expect you cleaned up by then."

Shikamaru sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue. He took a quick shower and went back to the kitchen, where he immediately set up the silverware.

"Is Dad home yet?"

"Your dad is a bit busy these days," Yoshino replied. "The police want to work with the detective agency. There's been a problem with a gang recently."

"Don't tell me it's that one gang Sasuke's brother joined."

"I'm afraid so, son."

Shikamaru turned to see his father standing by the entrance.

"You're home already?" Yoshino asked, placing the dishes onto the table.

Shikaku nodded. "The police have a busy day tomorrow so they wanted to stop work earlier today. The Wind country students are here already, and they'll be going to Konoha High tomorrow. The police are on high alert since the Kazekage's kids are among those students."

"Speaking of which," Yoshino said as the three of them sat down and began their dinner, "Tsunade-sama wants to see you early tomorrow, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru frowned. "What for? School hasn't even started."

"She assigned you as a tour guide for some of the exchange students."

Shikamaru choked on his food. "She did what?"

"Actually, your friend Naruto volunteered you for the job," Yoshino clarified. "He was telling me about it and how he thought you would be the perfect candidate, and so I went up to the office last week and signed you up."

"Naruto did what now?" Shikamaru asked, not believing his ears. "And you just went and signed me up? Without asking me first?"

Yoshino gave her son a disapproving look. "Don't raise your voice at me. You have nothing better to do with your time, anyways. I think it'll be good for you. You really need to work on your social skills."

"My social skills." Shikamaru repeated. "My social skills. I am perfectly capable of talking to people."

Shikaku laughed. "That may be true, but you don't talk much at all, do you?"

"Dad!" Shikamaru protested, but his father did not change his stance.

"I agree with your mom. You really need to learn to talk more."

Shikamaru groaned. "And I suppose there's no way out of this?"

Yoshino nodded sternly. "That's right, young man. I will be taking you to school at seven so you better be up and ready at that time."

"Don't worry about it too much," Shikaku reassured his son. "You just have to show them around campus."

"But I'm only a freshman," Shikamaru protested. "It's my first year there. How do you expect me to show them around?"

"Don't try that nonsense with me," Yoshino scolded. "You can't get away from this. I know you've been taking classes at Konoha High for the past two years. If not, then where did you go for all your advanced math classes?"

Shikamaru grumbled under his breath. His mother made a good point. Although he was only going to be a freshman this year, Shikamaru was no stranger to the Konoha High School campus. When he was younger, Shikamaru hadn't put any effort into school. As a result, his mother had thought that he was falling behind, and not because he was too lazy to do the work, and so had asked Shikaku's friend, Asuma, to privately tutor him. Asuma had then discovered Shikamaru's high IQ, and convinced his parents as well as the school to place him in advanced classes. Shikamaru had been highly against that, and eventually compromised with his parents to only take higher-level math courses at the high school. Ever since then, Shikamaru had been frequently visiting Konoha High, especially when he found an interest in shogi and the shogi club that Asuma was an advisor for. Shikamaru was at the high school so often that the shogi club students at Konoha High considered him an honorary member.

"Fine, I get it," Shikamaru said. "I'll go and do it. Not that I have a choice."

Shikaku smiled. "It'll only be for tomorrow. How bad can it be?"

Little did Shikamaru know just how bad it was going to be.

.

The next morning Shikamaru was up and ready to leave by the time Shikaku came outside to start the car.

"I'll take you to school today," Shikaku said. "The boys and I have some work to finish so I have to be there early."

Shikamaru shrugged indifferently. "Why, though? Aren't you guys in charge? Can't you decide when to start work, and when not to?"

"That's not how a business should be run, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru shrugged again. He looked outside. There were no clouds in the sky. This was surely a sign that today was going to be troublesome.

"Alright, we're here." Shikaku parked the car and watched as his son got off. "Have a nice day, Shikamaru!"

"Yeah, sure," Shikamaru replied, waving. "Bye, Dad."

Shikamaru sighed and made his way to the office, where a small line had started to form. Judging from their attire, they were all Wind country students. There were more students than Shikamaru had thought there would be and he wondered what type of people he would have to deal with today. He shook his head to clear his mind of such thoughts. It was pointless to wonder now; he would be seeing them soon.

"Ah, Shikamaru," Tsunade greeted as Shikamaru entered her office. "Glad to see you're on time."

Shikamaru shrugged. "Just tell me what I'm supposed to do, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade nodded and handed him a piece of paper.

"This is your schedule for the year. As you know, the last class is your mandatory elective-club, which I'm assuming is the shogi club?"

Shikamaru nodded.

"Well, you'll be working with Sakura today."

Shikamaru looked around the room and it was only then he spotted the mass of familiar pink hair. Sakura was someone he knew, though not too well. Like Shikamaru, Sakura also took advanced classes at the high school, though for her it was in the medical field and not the mathematics field.

"Good morning, Shikamaru," Sakura said.

"Morning."

"Now, I want you two to be aware of who your guests are," Tsunade continued. "They are the Sabaku children. In other words, they are the Kazekage's children."

"The Kazekage's children?" Sakura said, her eyes widening. "No disrespect intended, Tsunade-sama, but why are you putting us in charge of such important people?"

"I'll admit there might be better qualified people than you two," Tsunade said. "However, the two of you are in the same grade as the Kazekage's most potential heir, and the two of you have the most classes with them. Furthermore, I know you are perfectly capable of doing this, Sakura, and as for Shikamaru, his family's status isn't that far down. Besides, do you two think I could have asked Naruto to do this instead?"

Sakura shook her head and Shikamaru smirked. He could just imagine Naruto getting the Sabaku children lost within the first minute.

"However, you are right, Sakura. They are very important guests, and I expect both of you to keep them company the entire day and to not be disrespectful. Try to make them as comfortable as they can. It is their first time in Konohagakure, after all."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama," the two freshmen chorused.

Tsunade stood up. "I see they've arrived. Why don't you two take a map each and wait in the other room while I get them registered first?"

Shikamaru and Sakura watched as she made her way to three children: two boys and a girl. The older boy, who Shikamaru assumed was the oldest of the three, had on some weird face paint, as well as some strange shape wrapped in bandages by his side. He stood a good deal taller than the other two. The girl was next in height, the middle child, Shikamaru guessed; with blond hair tied in four pigtails. She seemed the most normal of the three. Lastly was the younger boy, who had red hair and what looked like a tattoo of some sort on his forehead, and a terrifying expression. Shikamaru swallowed nervously. He wasn't excited to be leading these three Sunagakure citizens at all.

"Shikamaru? Will you please come out now?"

It was Tsunade's voice, and Shikamaru forced himself to walk outside and face the three foreigners, with Sakura following behind him.

"Hey," Shikamaru said, hoping he didn't sound as anxious as he felt. "I'll be your guide for today. My name's Nara Shikamaru."

"And I'm your other guide, Haruno Sakura."

The boy with the red hair nodded and stepped forward. "I am Gaara, and this is my brother, Kankuro, and my sister, Temari."

The two mentioned siblings acknowledged them with a nod.

Sakura smiled warmly at them and Shikamaru hoped they weren't expecting him to smile at them, too. "Welcome to Konoha High! If you have any questions at any time, feel free to ask us. Now, why don't we take you guys on a tour, and show you where your classrooms are?"

The three siblings handed Sakura their schedules. Shikamaru noticed how they did it automatically, and in an organized way, with Gaara first, then Kankuro, and lastly Temari.

Sakura showed Shikamaru the papers and he compared them with his and Sakura's schedules, quickly memorizing it in his head, before handing them back to their owners.

"Let's head over to the history building first since it's closest," Shikamaru suggested. The others voiced their agreement and Shikamaru led the way, contemplating his life and how he had gotten stuck doing this job.

"History is usually taught by either Kurenai-sensei or Mizuki-sensei," Shikamaru explained, grateful that Asuma had talked endlessly about Konoha High before. "Kurenai-sensei teaches the freshman and juniors, and Mizuki-sensei teaches the sophomores and seniors. Though when it comes to you guys, you'll be grouped with the freshmen since you're foreigners."

Kankuro scowled. "What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying we don't know anything about the Land of Fire just 'cause we're not from here? Well, let me tell you this, kid, we learn plenty back in Suna. I can name all the Hoka-"

"Kankuro." Gaara said quietly and Shikamaru noticed how the older boy immediately shut up. The three siblings exchanged looks before Gaara turned to the two guides.

"I apologize for my brother's rude manners."

"It's fine," Sakura said. She frowned, wondering why his apology sounded so familiar. "Wait a second. Aren't the three of you the ones who were at the Leaf yesterday? The ones Konohamaru ran into?"

Shikamaru had no idea what she was talking about but by the looks on their faces, they understand what she meant.

"Oh!" Kankuro exclaimed. "Yeah, that's right! You're that rude kid's friend! No wonder you looked familiar! You and that one idiot kid. Man, I should-"

"Kankuro!" Gaara said, for the second time. Shikamaru didn't like the direction this was headed and was relieved when Gaara bowed his head towards the two Konohagakure citizens.

"Once again, I apologize. Kankuro, don't bring it up again. It was your fault for overreacting."

Kankuro growled. "This is why I hate kids."

Shikamaru stared at the sky, watching as a lone cloud slowly drifted. This was going to take forever.

.

Shikamaru and Sakura had introduced all the buildings by now and it was almost time for school to start.

"I think it's about time to wrap things up," Shikamaru said. Sakura nodded her head in agreement.

"The first class is homeroom, and all three of you have Kakashi-sensei with me, so I'll be taking you there." Sakura said. "We'll be seeing each other throughout the day and we'll meet up with you during lunch."

Shikamaru sighed. "Yeah, bye then."

Shikamaru left as quickly as he could and made his way to Asuma's room.

"Yo, Shikamaru!"

Shikamaru had never been so glad to see Chouji in his entire life.

"What did Tsunade-sama want this morning?"

Shikamaru sighed and took a seat next to Chouji. Knowing Asuma, Shikamaru figured there wouldn't be a seating chart. "She assigned me as a guide for some of the exchange students."

"The exchange students?" A new voice asked. "How are they? I'll bet they're cute!"

The two boys turned to see their third friend, Ino.

"I don't think Shikamaru is the best judge on looks," Chouji grinned. "Anyways, don't you have a thing for Sasuke?"

Ino shrugged and took a seat near them. "So, how was it, Shikamaru?"

"It was horrible," Shikamaru said. "They were so scary, especially the youngest one. He's in our year."

"Who are they?" Ino asked curiously, leaning forward.

Shikamaru sighed. "Tsunade-sama just had to give me the hardest group of people to handle. They're the Kazekage's children."

"The Kazekage's children?" Chouji said. "You weren't rude to them, were you? I hear they're pretty scary people, especially when mad."

Shikamaru shuddered at the thought of the three siblings trying to kill him. "I don't think I was. But anyways, I have to spend the entire day with them, as per Tsunade-sama's orders. She'll kill me otherwise."

"Wow, that sounds tough," Chouji said, putting a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder. Shikamaru wondered how he had managed to get stuck with all the troublesome women.

"Oh, come on, Shikamaru," Ino said. "They can't be that bad."

Shikamaru shook his head. "You have no idea. Remind me to murder Naruto for this when I see him. Anyways, I don't want to talk about them anymore. What are your schedules?"

The three friends took out their schedules and compared them.

"It seems we all have history together," Shikamaru said. "Though that's all we have."

"That's because you're too smart," Ino said. "You're taking all the more advanced classes. See, I have two more classes with Chouji than with you. Though, I do wonder if Sasuke-kun will also be in the same class!"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "You literally saw him two days ago."

Ino pouted. "Yeah, but Sakura was also there. She always ruins everything."

Shikamaru sighed and didn't argue.

"Hey, I don't see any of our other friends here. Are they all in other classes?" Chouji said as he took out a bag of chips. "Asuma-sensei won't mind if I eat, right?"

Shikamaru shook his head. "Nah, he won't care. Just don't make a mess. If it's Naruto though, I won't be surprised if he overslept."

Ino rolled her eyes and poked Shikamaru in the arm. "Hey, isn't that Shiho?"

Shikamaru followed her gaze and saw a familiar girl walking towards them. Shiho was another freshman who had taken advanced classes at Konoha High before.

"Hi, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru nodded his head in greeting. "Hey."

Although they had taken plenty of math classes together over the past few years, Shikamaru wasn't exactly close to her and didn't really know what to say. Thankfully, he was saved by the bell ringing and Asuma walking in.

"To all the freshmen in this class, welcome to Konoha High! I will be your homeroom teacher, Sarutobi Asuma. I don't really have many expectations for this class. I just want you all to be respectful and keep the noise to a decent level. Alright, I'll be taking attendance now."