Markus89 – Sorry about the short chapters, but my average is 3 to 4 pages but hopefully this chapter is longer.

FF8cerberus – I love you! You always know how to brighten my mood when I am not sure about a chapter. See I do not think I am very good at writing fights and you just told me that you loved it. That makes me feel great. Do you think that fight was Chunin worthy?

Rose Tiger – Thanks, hopefully this one is longer.

N9tjhl – sorry for the short chapters, hopefully this one is longer.

Jacob Kennedy – This review was painful because I get the feeling that you did not read my entire story. If you had, you might have noticed that my writing has drastically improved. I have tried to get a beta but I have not heard back from anyone.

God of all – Thanks. I think you are the only one not to comment on how short it is.

WeirdGothGirl – Yeah, I am not very good at writing the fight scenes. I was thinking that because Naruto is older and more experienced, it should have been easier for him to both beat Neji and get the whole fate is like a river thing through his thick skull.

Heather XD – thanks.

Commanderbarker – Thank you.

Main Characters: Naruto, Gaara, Shikamaru, Kakashi, Tsunade, Jiraiya

Pairings: Naruto/Hinata, Gaara/? Shikamaru/Temari, Sakura/Lee (Later), Neji/TenTen

Chapter 18

Shadows of the Leaf

Naruto arrived in the waiting area just as Shikamaru was going to leave. Naruto reached out his arm and stopped Shikamaru. "Remember Shika, I want a win for our team." Naruto said looking Shikamaru in the eyes. "So, I really hope that you took this month and trained because if you didn't you're going to get your ass kicked twice."

Shikamaru nodded. "Of course. I took what you said before you left to heart. I have been training both with Asuma Sensei and my father."

Naruto nodded and let Shikamaru make his leave. Sasuke glared at Naruto, he had let Naruto get too far ahead. Naruto walked over to Gaara and looked down at the match.

"One hundred ryo on Temari beating Shikamaru," Gaara said out of nowhere.

Naruto laughed, "Okay you are on because Shika is going to have her in his shadow so quickly it won't be funny."

"We'll see. Temari is smart she figure a way out." Gaara said.

"Yeah right, you only wish you could vote for Shika without being dubbed a traitor to your village." Naruto said. "We all know when Shika's told to do something, he may complain but he does get the job done."

Gaara grunted and watched the battle of the minds going on down in the arena.

With Shikamaru

Shikamaru looked at her. Why did she have to be so damn beautiful and so troublesome? Better question would be why he had to beat her. It was not fair.

Shikamaru looked up to see Naruto and Gaara talking. He than looked over to Temari.

"The match between Shikamaru Nara and Temari of the Sand Village will commence. Are both candidates ready?" Genma asked and both Shikamaru and Temari nodded. "Begin!"

Shikamaru just stood there, knowing that it would get Temari worked up. Temari charged at Shikamaru when he did not make any movement. Shikamaru, who was standing in the shadow of the wall moved quickly and manipulated the shadows. Temari noticed that their was a thin shadow stretching towards her and she stopped her attack.

She jumped back as Shikamaru's shadow narrowed out and stretched towards her. Shikamaru stopped his two feet short. He watched as Temari brought down her fan and marked the range of his attack.

"I know the range of your attack," Temari said. "No matter how thin you stretch the shadows, they will only extend so far."

Shikamaru did not say anything. Temari held her huge fan up with one hand and swung it down causing razor sharp wind to blow towards Shikamaru. Shikamaru hid behind a tree and began to think.

Five minutes passed when before Shikamaru came out from behind the tree and manipulated the shadows. He spread the walls shadow around the arena. Temari didn't give him much time to do anything else with his shadows when she swung her huge fan for a second time.

This time Shikamaru didn't move, he stood his ground. With one hand, he reached into his weapons pouch and pulled out five kunai. He threw them around the arena.

Temari was confused, why didn't he try to hit her with the kunai? Well, if he was going to do useless things than she would end this now. She was about to reach and grab her fan when she found she couldn't move.

How could she not have seen it? The kunai were not just a useless pass, they were a part of Shikamaru's plan. He had used each kunai's shadow to extend his reach and now she was caught.

Shikamaru walked towards Temari and her body was forced to meet him half way. Shikamaru however was not done with her. "Temari of the Sand forfeit the match or you die." Shikamaru threatened. Temari was stunned, how had she allowed him to catch her?

"Shikamaru!" a voice yelled from the waiting room that both Temari and Shikamaru recognized. It was Gaara. "If you kill her I kill you!"

Shikamaru turned his head to look at Gaara and then over to Naruto with a questioning look.

"Do what you have to Shika, Gaara won't lay a hand on you." Naruto said surprising the entire crowd. "He has to go through me to get to you. You have my word."

Shikamaru nodded his head and perform the hand signs necessary for his next jutsu. "Shadow Strangle Jutsu," Shikamaru said and a shadow hand appeared on Temari's body.

The hand moved up her body towards her neck. Temari started to panic; there was no other way she would make it out of this alive. She had to forfeit the match if she wanted to live.

"Proctor!" Temari yelled as the hand reached her throat and started to tighten. "I forfeit the match."

Genma nodded his head and said, "Winner by forfeit, Shikamaru Nara."

Shikamaru released his jutsu and held out a hand for Temari. Temari looked at his head before taking it to shake. "Good match," Shikamaru said with a gentle smile. Temari blushed and nodded. They both left the ring and headed to the waiting area.

"Next match…" Genma said, "Shino Aburame and Rock Lee."

Been awhile since I have updated. This chapter is was hard to write but not as hard as I think the next chapter is going to be. Next is a completely original match. At this point, I have no idea who's going to win or even how the fight is going to play out. You might have to wait awhile while I determine skills, process thoughts and possible scenarios. I am welcoming any suggestions so please review.