Chapter 1: WHAT? Shikamaru, a Jounin?

Naruto and the gang (excluding some) gathered at a barbecue restaurant, ready to hear some shocking news. Chouji was munching his food away, as the others waited patiently for him to present the information they all gathered here for today.

"So Chouji, why did you bring all of us here?" asked Rock Lee. He and the others stared at the young, chubby chuunin.

"Yeah Chouji, speak up already! I have places to go, you know?" Ino rushed. She began to tap her feet impatiently.

"Well...," Chouji started as he grabbed another slice of meat. "This new information may be too overwhelming for all of you..."

"Ugh, stop stalling already," Tenten added in as she grabbed a seat. She settled her elbows on the table and rested her head on her hands. She, like Ino, had other things to do too. "My students might start slacking off without my supervision."

"Fine, fine...," he finally gave in, as he licked his fingers clean. "Shikamaru is now a jounin," he said curtly as he reached for another barbecue delicacy. But before he got to it, a loud reaction shocked his senses.

"WHAT?"

"Wow, you guys make it seem like Shikamaru isn't capable of reaching such a rank. Heh (rubs nose), I want to congratulate him man to man for finally joining the rank of most talented!" Naruto said, a while afterwards to the initial reaction. He, too, was absorbing the information in complete shock, but hid it very well. "Where is he, by the way?" He began to look around to see if Shikamaru was among the crowd.

Chouji started eating another slice. As he chewed it, he said "Ease in ab miphin wipe nhow."

"Oh, that's why he's not here...," Kiba analyzed.

"You can understand that...?" Shino asked.

"Hey, if I can understand a dog, listening to any other rubberish is an ease," he replied with a wide grin. Akamaru barked in agreement.

Then, Naruto noticed Kakashi entering the restaurant. He waved his former sensei over, as Kakashi came over with a smile. "Yo!"

"Hi Kakashi-sensei! You must know about Shikamaru's promotion already, right?" Sakura asked.

"Oh..., yeah. So that's what you guys were all loud about. I could hear all of you from outside!"

"Sorry for being disruptive...," Hinata apologized.

"No, no, I was just saying," Kakashi quickly countered. "So yeah, Xin is one of his students."

"Who's Xin?" Naruto asked dumbfoundedly. He was immediately smacked behind the head by the pink-haired jounin.

"It's his son, baka!"

"WHAT? You're married?"

Everybody else just slapped their own forehead because of Naruto's slowness.

"Ummm, Naruto-kun, we went to their marriage ceremony, remember?" Hinata reminded him.

"The one a couple of months after I came back from my training with Ero-sennin? I thought that was my welcome back party."

Everybody just stared at the blue-eyed blond dully.

"Even though you're incredibly dumb (receives evil stare from Naruto), how can you go through all the "I do" junk and whatnot and still end up clueless?" Kiba asked curiously.

Naruto gave out a wide grin as Hinata started to blush. "I was kinda late due to some prior arrangements... But I made it in time when the food was served."

Some of the others began to giggle, while Hinata grew redder. Kakashi, however, didn't seem very amused.

"I'm disappointed in you. You don't see me ever being late, especially in any event of importance..."

"LIAR!" Naruto and Sakura shouted.

The rest started to laugh, excluding the anti-socials like Neji and Shino.

After everyone finished up eating, they said their goodbyes. Kakashi was the first to leave. And next were Neji and Tenten.

"I'm going to be gone for a few weeks because of ANBU business, so tell him that I said congratulations and that it is about time he steps on to the rank he deserved for so long," Neji said.

"Wow, that's pretty rare for Neji to pay somebody a compliment," Tenten joked.

"I say what is true with no exceptions," he defended in his usual cold tone. He left the restaurant with Tenten leaving right behind him.

Shino also left 5 minutes later.

Chouji, Sakura, Rock Lee, Kiba, Hinata, and Naruto also prepared to leave before Ino felt the need to stop them.

"What is it, Ino-pig?" Sakura asked.

"One thing I don't get though...," she started as she turned to Chouji.

"How did that lazy guy finally become jounin? I'm pretty sure he never attempted to be tested for qualifications."

The others turned to Chouji also, now wondering the same thing.

"Well I'm not really sure of all the details, but I was there when it all happened..."