3rd person pov

It was now Kankuros turn to fight shino, but before the battle began,
"I forfeit!" Kankuro yelled

"Ok, whatever. The winner is Shino Aburame by forfeit." The proctor sounded bored. This was going to be over way too quickly if this trend continued.

"It is now time for the next match. May Shikamaru Nara and Temari Sabaku get down here, please?"

"You were amazing, naruto!" Yuki said, still a little bit in shock, as the blonde-haired boy walked up the stairs to join the other Genin.

"Yeah, how did you learn how to do that explosive clone thing?!" Sakura added.

Naruto smiled. "Its a Secret, believe it."

Shikamaru cut them off as he walked in between the two.

"Looks like it's my turn," he yawned. He shot a glance towards Temari, who stared right back at him. "That woman seems a little crazy, not to mention troublesome... if she tries to kill me or something, help me out, alright?"

"You know we have your back, Shikamaru!" Naruto replied enthusiastically.

Shikamaru smirked and nodded, choosing to take the stairs down into the arena. Temari instead jumped down from her position. The two opponents looked towards each other.

Temari had a determined expression, while Shikamaru was staring at her like she was the most boring thing in the world.

"Alright, pineapple, let's get this going."

"Pineapple?" Shikamaru frowned.

Temari smirked.

"What a drag," Shikamaru sighed. "I wouldn't have given those up to you if I knew you would come up with a stupid nickname."

"Are both Genin ready?" Genma nodded. "Begin."

"Let's see what you've got, pineapple!" Temari roared, getting out her fan. She'd read about the Nara clan. They manipulated shadows to fight. All she had to do was avoid his shadow.

She uses a fan as a weapon, so let's assume her attacks are based on wind, Shikamaru thought, jumping back into the shade of the trees. He leaned against the trunk and stared up towards the clouds. Ahhh. So carefree.

"Is he really staring at those clouds at a time like this?" Ino growled.

"Calm down, Ino," Asuma chuckled. "Perhaps he's thinking of a strategy."

Shikamaru placed his hands into the Rat seal.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu."

The lazy boy's shadow shot forward.

"Too easy," Temari scoffed, jumping back. The shadow soon refused to move any further, and she marked the spot with her fan. "Looks like your shadow can't reach me here, so I'll just have to attack from this spot!"

"Temari is a long-range fighter, too," Baki smiled. "That shadow boy has met his worst opponent."

Shikamaru withdrew his shadow, fixing his lazy gaze on her.

"Since you look so bored, I'll end this quickly," the blonde kunoichi boasted. Waving her fan, she called forth her attack. "Wind Scythe Jutsu!"

Shikamaru was forced to move from his position, as the attack meant for him soon demolished the trees he was originally crouching under. Grunting, he ran forward and did the Rat seal again.

This time, his shadow passed the spot Temari had marked, due to his change in position.

"Tsk." Temari jumped back again, until the shadow stopped moving.

"I just have to keep moving forward," Shikamaru yawned again.

"I'll defeat you before you catch me in that shadow," Temari replied confidently, waving her fan again. "Wind Scythe Jutsu!"

Racing away, Shikamaru only managed to dodge his opponent's attack slightly. He charged forward and swiftly released his clan's secret technique again. The shadow shot forward.

Grumbling in irritation, Temari leaped back and swung her fan.

"You won't be dodging this one. Cyclone Scythe Jutsu!"

A violent air current knocked Shikamaru off his feet, and he suddenly felt what seemed to be invisible blades slashing at his arms and legs to leave scars. He collapsed to his knees.

"What a drag," he mumbled, inspecting his new scars. I need to formulate a strategy quickly...

"Ready to give up yet?"

"I would, actually." Shikamaru sighed, getting up on his feet. "But my teammate will be spending her entire day tomorrow screaming at me."

Swiftly, his hands were back in the Rat seal, and the shadow raced forward eagerly. Temari's eyes narrowed as she continued jumping back.

"It is no use," she grinned at him. "This is a useless technique. No matter how much you try, your shadow will never reach me!"

"You're already looking exhausted," Shikamaru chuckled, watching as a bead of sweat rolled down Temari's cheek. "Looks like all I have to do is just exhaust you, huh?"

He noticed it already? Temari growled. It wasn't much of a surprise anyway. Dodging the shadows continuously had made her perspire profusely.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"

Temari continued jumping back as the shadow attacked. Shikamaru's eyes narrowed as he concentrated. The shadow eventually reached it's limit again, but without taking any form of rest, the Nara boy raced forward a meter and proceeded to repeat his technique.

"You're irritating, you know that...?" Temari continued her back-jumps.

"And you're troublesome."

"What did you say?"

"Crazy woman..."

The shadow stopped again.

"Trust me, I find this as frustrating as you do," Shikamaru walked forward again, and repeated his clan's technique.

"Fuck off," she said angrily, and did another backflip.

This time, she slammed into the wall of the arena

What is ut with blondes and getting mad at me? INI and now this chick ... What a drag... Shikamaru thought

Shikamaru smirked.

"I forced you to keep going back on purpose," the shadow manipulator grinned.

"Asshole..."

"There's no time for you to say things like that!" Shikamaru's hands were in the Rat seal. "Shadow Possession Jutsu, success."

Temari's eyes widened as she realized Shikamaru was crouched in a similar position as she was. He got up, and she did as well. Growling, the fan-wielding Sand nin glared daggers at her opponent.

"You made me knock into the wall, and used your jutsu when I was distracted. Back-handed bastard."

"You like to swear a lot," Shikamaru commented. "Here's your punishment." He turned, and jerked his head forward. Temari wondered what he was doing, until she turned and jerked her head forward as well, resulting in her slamming her own head into the wall.

"Owww!"

"Hurts to be under my troublesome jutsu, doesn't it?" Shikamaru turned again, so he and his opponent could face each other.

"Shikamaaaaaruuu!" Ino shrieked. "Go get them, boy!"

"Where's the dog?" Kiba muttered

"Ino, pipe down," Asuma said in embarrassment as some of the audience cast hateful looks towards his blonde student. His attention went back to the battle. "That Temari girl didn't give Shikamaru any time to think, but he still came up with a quick plan. What a typical Nara."

"Although this is a drag, I better not waste any time..." Shikamaru formed a series of hand seals, and ended it with a Rat. "You're the first to see my new troublesome technique... be thankful."

Temari growled.

"Ninja Art: Shadow Strangle Jutsu!"

Temari gasped as she felt something snaking up her body, and finally the shadow of a hand appeared on her neck.

"This thing is just a shadow... why can I feel it?!"

Shikamaru shrugged. "I don't know either, but it works."

"Let me go, pineapple," she threatened. "Or I'll kill you when I'm out of this bind."

"Let's try something different," said Shikamaru, undeterred. "Either you give up... or I execute my jutsu."

The shadowy hand on Temari's neck tightened a little, making her cough.

Swallowing hard, Temari considered her options.

"I... I give up," she growled.

"Great decision." Shikamaru released the jutsu. Temari shot him a glare, and he returned it with a lazy smile.

"It is now time for the third match." Genma spoke. "May Sasuke uchiha and Gaara sabaku come down to the arena please?"