I sit quietly beside Shikamaru on the hillside. There aren't many trees here, and we have a great view of the sky. I guess that's why he picked this place to be his.

I'm in a shocked state. You can't see it on the outside, but if you stare into my eyes I bet you could see the turmoil going on inside me. Of course Shikamaru being chosen was inevitable. He is a genius, and despite what he always says about himself, he is a great ninja.

But me? How could that happen? Yes, I had one of the stronger Kekkai Genkai, and I would sacrifice my own life in sake of a mission, and I'm a fast leaner, and can think on my toes and . . . well I guess I can understand a little bit. But when you placed me next to Shiky, you knew who was better.

I look at him. He's lying on the ground, both hands behind his head, and gazing at the clouds like they are the world's biggest mystery. And maybe, to him, they are.

I don't want to disturb him, just like when he plays Asuma Sensei in Go; I don't want to break his concentration.

I have to though, so I look at him and ask quietly, "Shiky-kun?"

He turns to look at me. Something in my expression must have gotten his attention, because he props up his shoulder and holds his head in his hand.

"Yeah, what is it?" He asks looking curious, but mostly bored like always. How those lazy dark brown eyes could turn into such analytical ones, I would never know.

"This is going to sound stupid but . . ." I hesitate and sigh. I glance to his face to see a smirk playing on his lips.

"Just tell me will you?" I fight a smile that is creeping to my own mouth. His tone is teasing, but I can tell he wants to know now that I've brought it up.

"Well," I begin, "I was just wondering . . . Why do you think they chose me to be a Chunin? I mean, of course they picked you. You're brilliant and a total genius and just perfect." I blush as the last word slips out. That was an unexpected admittance.

For a moment, he just stares at me. Then he blinks and shoots me a smile; a rare, honest-to-God Shiky-smile. "Well I don't know about the Third Hokage," He sits up and turns so he is eye-level with me. Our faces are inches apart and I can feel the blush below my cheeks deepen. "But I think it's because you're quite brilliant yourself, Popori."

His words hang in the air, and there is electricity passing between us that has nothing to do with my Kekkai Genkai. I look away, and he lies back down. Whatever that feeling was, it's gone now.

"I see," I say awkwardly. I turn my gaze to the sky where the big white fluffs pass overhead. "Well I guess . . ." I begin, not knowing how to end my statement.

Shiky stands beside me staring straight ahead. I look up at him while shading my eyes so I can see him speak.

"I should get home before my mom hunts me down and starts nagging me." He sighs, and in traditional Shiky style says, "What a drag."

I smile to myself as he helps me up and we walk together to his home.

When we get to Shiky's house, before I can turn and toss a goodbye over my shoulder, his mom is in the doorway. "Shikamaru, where have you been? Are you aware–" she breaks off when she sees me and then smiles.

I blink.

"Well hello there young miss," she says, still beaming at me. "Has my son been with you this whole time?"

I blink again then find my voice, "Uh . . . yes?"

She giggle then clasps her hands together. "Wonderful." She doesn't hesitate to usher us both inside. "He's always saying how women are so bossy and hard to be around. You must have changed his mind, right?"

I glance at Shiky who has face-palmed himself twice already and has decided just to sigh defeated. "I really think that's up to Shiky, I mean – Shikamaru." I bite my tongue. Sorry Shiky. At least I didn't add a '-Kun' to the end . . .

"Shiky?" his mother seems to roll it around in her mouth, tasting it. "Oh how cute! Is that your pet name for him?"

Shikamaru looks at his mom like she is a lunatic, "Mom, what are you getting at?"

She looks at him then back to me and says, "You two are together, aren't you?"

I choke on air as he sighs. "No mom. Popori is just a friend; she's been made a Chunin like me." As he walks into the dining room I swear I can hear him mutter something that sounds like, "She's taken anyway . . ."

His mom watches him leave while giggling, and from the sound of it, she isn't buying into his words. "Of course. Why don't you eat with us this evening, Popori?"

Shikamaru's head pops into sight from the dining room, "Mom–" he starts to complain.

"She's eating with us whether you like it or not!" She snaps at him.

I've shrunken, trying to stay out of it. Shiky sighs again then goes back into the dining room. His mom guides me by the shoulders to the kitchen. I help her with the rest of the cooking. She put me in charge of the sukiyaki. I'm proud of my dish like a father would be of his newborn child.

I sit my creation on the table with a smile lighting up my face. Shiky looks up at me and asks, "Did you make these?" pointing to the dish.

I nod, and he smirks, his father commenting, "Cooking skills are a good quality in a wife Shikamaru, remember that."

We both blush a deep red crimson. I sit down, then load a bowl with rice and top it with my sweet sukiyaki. They taste even better than they look.

"These are delicious, Popori." Shikamaru's father says, while the other two members of the family nod in agreement. I beam while thanking him heavily.

After we have finished, Shikamaru's dad asks, "Are you any good at Go?"

I shrug, "I've never played, I wouldn't know."

Shiky smirks at me, "I'll teach you, come on."

I follow him up to his room and watch as he pulls out a board and places little pieces on it. I listen intently as he explains the rules and how to win.

"Do you get it?" he asks smirking at my determined face.

"Yes, let's do this."

We go at it for a solid thirty minutes. He finally beats me and tells me where I slipped up.

"You were good for your first time, though." He compliments.

"Maybe I could beat you one of these days." I tease.

He smirks back at me, "Keep dreaming, woman."

I laugh; I love a good challenge.

The next day we've both been issued on the same mission, along with Gontei. Shoji is training to be a medical Shinobi and he isn't available right now. I love that he is pursuing what would be best for him, but I would have enjoyed his attendance, to my surprise.

The objective of our mission is to hunt down a rouge ninja and bring his captives home. I love this; it's my first mission as a Chunin, being leader no less.

I turn to my team, "Alright boys, we have two days to get those kids back home. From what I've been told, they were taken from a small clan right on the border of The Land of Tea." I look to Shiky. "Is it safe to assume that the capture would camp out somewhere close to collect his reward?"

He nods to me, "Yeah, he wouldn't go too far."

I smirk then turn around, "Let's head out."

When we get to the clan, I send Gontei to scout the surrounding area to see if he can come upon something. Besides his father, he's the most observant person I know. Take away speech and your eyes get real sharp.

Shikamaru and I gather information from the locals. The rouge used some kind of grappling hooks to attack with. Also, he could manipulate trees and plants around him to do his bidding.

"Hm, a mid-range opponent." I mutter. "I think Gontei and I should attack up close and give you openings to capture him in your jutsu. Sound good?"

I know he doesn't like taking orders from a girl, but he agrees with me. "Yeah, it's fine."

A bird-like whistle sounds above us. We look up to see Gontei crouching on the tree limb above us. He gestures for us to follow and we comply.

We find two unconscious children lying on the ground on the outskirts of the village. We rush to help them, crouching at their sides and checking their pulses.

Wait, I think. Why would the rouge just leave them? I thought he wanted a reward.

A sharp intake of breath from Shikamaru tells me that he got it, too. A trap. A long vine wraps itself around Gontei and binds him to a tree. I get dragged under the ground by the earth itself. It's swallowing me whole.

"Gen jutsu!" I yell.

"Release!" I hear Shikamaru say desperately.

We end up lying on a flat plain, without any children in sight. I hear something and stand quickly. I spin to the side as a grappling hook flies past my nose. It's a spear-like weapon until embedded into something, it them spreads out its four arms and latches on. What is hard to see is the small almost invisible string connected to the end. So when the enemy called back his weapon, how was I to know?

Something connects with my side and I fall to the ground. I hear Gontei grunt in pain and I look up to see what happened. Gontei with his alert eyes saw the string and played the protective card again. The weapon has taken a huge chunk of skin from his shoulder, and blood spurts everywhere.

I hop back up and growl almost animal-like, "Spread out."

The boys do as they're told, Gontei heading towards the left as Shikamaru falls into the right side of the forest. I hear the snap of a twig and swivel on my feet just to be punched in the jaw, making me fall to the ground.

I can hear the snickering of my opponent and growl in annoyance. Once I find my attacker, Gontei is already on him, flinging poison needles at him and throwing punches quickly. The rouge laughs manically as he blocks and dodges. I glare at the ugly man, trying to figure out how to get an opening for Shikamaru.

I get one. I use my Lightning Fist and send a bolt flying at the man. He dodges again and sends one of his grappling hooks at me. It goes right through me. It hits above my ribs, but below my chest. The pain erupts through every nerve in my body, and I can see dark spots in my vision.

Shikamaru rushes to my aid, crouching next to me. His face is filled with pure terror. The ugly man snarls and asks for my last words. I manage to spit blood at his feet and place a hand on Shiky's shoulder, looking into his eyes willing my plan to him. As I wanted, Shiky knows what to do. He uses the shadow from my arm and from the tiny string to capture the rouge in his Shadow Paralysis.

I smirk, and with a last burst of energy, I cut the string with a kunai and send it flying at the rouge. It hits him square in the chest. Gontei appears behind him and snaps his neck for good measure.

I yank the grappling hook out of my chest from the back then look to Gontei panting, "Where are the kids?"

He nods then disappears then reappears with the two children in his arms. I smile; I've completed my mission as always. Then I pass out from blood loss. Seems my mission completions always come with a price.

It's the next day after my first mission as a Chunin, and I feel great. I look to Shikamaru, who insisted on walking me home to make sure I didn't try anything foolish.

I look at him, the sun is shining brightly today, and it bounces of his features beautifully. "We're a good team, Shiky-kun. You're a good actor, too. Your face was so believably horrified when that rouge got me."

He furrows his brows at me, "You think I wasn't really worried?" I give him a look. "Popori, it's my duty as a man to protect you and make sure you don't get hurt."

I roll my eyes at him, "I've taken worse blows, Shiky-kun."

He sighs, "So stubborn." He stops me by putting a hand on my shoulder. "But seriously, Popori I was worried." His dark eyes smolder me and I'm speechless for a moment. He smirks at me. "It's nice to have someone to watch clouds with."

I smile at him; those words mean a lot to me.

AN: did you guys like it? you get to see a little bit of new feelings blossoming in this chapter. I like it, it took me a time to figure out this mission and all the strategies and stuff, but it was worth it I think. What do you guys think?