Hey, lovelies~! It's been a long time coming but I'm here bearing good and great news!
Good news first: I'm borrowing a friend's laptop since she got a tablet so I'm now officially able to write again *Hearts*
Great news! MY MOTHER IS GETTING ME A NEW LAPTOP SO I'LL BE ABLE TO WRITE MORE. WOOOOOTTTTTT

Also, I'm working 40 hour weeks at work, my car's almost paid off, I survived the car wreck I was in like... six months ago, I'm moving out (!), annnndddddd I'M GETTING MY OWN BRAND NEW LAPTOP WOOOTTT

Anyways. Disclaimers: I do not own Naruto yada yada yada.

The apartment was a small two story building; immediately through the front door was the stairs to the second story- she wasn't sure what was up there yet. Off to the left was a small living room that had a two-person couch pressed against the window; a small round wooden coffee table holding a brass bowl, a few books with the binds facing away from the young woman, and a half empty glass of water; a bookshelf resting against the far wall where more books rested on the four cramped shelves; and an oddly dead looking plant between the couch and bookshelf.

"Is your plant dead, Nara-san?"

"Probably, don't remember when I watered it."

"That's rather unfortunate."

Silence fell back on the two young adults as the male of the group made his way to the kitchen. If the living room was small the kitchen was smaller. Once moving past the living room a three stool-ed bar separated it from a small kitchen that held only the essentials. Kyoui followed her new house mate, stopping next to another dead potted plant. She absently noticed that following the line of the bar led into a short hallway where another bookshelf was built into the wall; there were also two doors, one leading into a bathroom straight ahead and the other lead to- probably- the bedroom.

"Are you just bad with plants or do they die on purpose?"

"Neither." Shikamaru almost sounded offended. Almost. "My ma insists on getting life into the apartment but can't grasp the concept that I'm away on missions half the time and can't care for them."

"Aha…" She watched the man with half closed eyes as he dug out food from the fridge and tossed it into the microwave.

"Oh…" Glancing at her he turns to lean against the counter, it seemed like he just remembered his manners. "Right, you want some food?"

"No thank you, I ate this morning."

"Troublesome," A lazy scowl pulled at his face. "Neji told me you didn't eat."

"I don't recall him saying that." She had been by his side the whole time.

"We're ninjas." Obviously.

"Well it doesn't matter or not if I've eaten."

"Whatever."

Once again they fall into silence, the quite buzz of the microwave and a far off banging noise the only sound drifting through the apartment. The sword mistress, her arms folded in the sleeves of her new kimono, drifts back to the meeting in the Hokage's office. If she wanted to leave the village she should gather as much information as possible.

"Hokage-sama," Neji uncharacteristically spoke out. "No mean to disrespect, but are you sure that's wise?"

According to everyone in town, apparently, it was well known that the Nara boy was lazy and if they were going to keep the rounin bound they needed someone with more vigilance. Kyoui watched the long haired, white eyed man stand tall before his Hokage as he stated his concern; maybe he thought she might punch him for calling her out but it was possibly for the best interest of the village that he did so. Unsurprising she could feel his team mates stiffen behind him. Even his former teacher had an air of worry around him as they all held their breath for the Sanin's reaction.

"I understand your concern, Neji," Calm, pleasant, and completely not acting her short tempered self Tsunade gives the Hyuuga a small smile. "And I think they're irrelevant. Nara is extremely lazy-"

Any normal shinobi would be offended at her comment but Shikamaru was too lazy to do so; Kyoui thought it was amusing.

"But must I remind you that he was the first in his class to become a Chunin? His intelligence is off the charts and I'm sure he'll be able to keep a single girl in the village." Here she finally went back to normal and her soft smile turned predatory. Sharp amber eyes turned to stare down the swordswoman- as if she was challenging the young woman to test her statement.
Challenge accepted.

"Stop thinking about it." Nara's voice, accompanied by the sound of the microwave's timer going off, caused the raven haired woman to open her eyes with surprise and stare at him. "I know what you're thinking."

"Impossible, Nara-san." Smiling gently she moved a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Improbable, you mean." He counters, retrieving his leftover food from the microwave. "Impossible is for people without imagination."

"Irreverent," She counters his counter, "If I remember correctly you are a shadow tamer, not a mind reader."

"I've been known to be both." He gave this half shrug that was too lazy.

"And I've been known to not follow ordinary train of thought." Smiling she leans against the archway into the kitchen.

"Whatever," Obviously done with the conversation, Shikamaru motions towards the bathroom-bedroom with his chopsticks, "That'll be where you're staying."

"And what about you?"

"Bedroom's upstairs. Don't think about going up there." Obviously it was a no-go zone. Interesting.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Kangaroo."

"Also, stop calling me that."

"Don't think I will."

"...You're a troublesome woman, aren't you?"

"Only if you admit to being a bothersome man."

"What a drag..."