The atmosphere in Amekage was abuzz with the emotions of everyone in the village. Many of the people who had travelled to come and see the Chunin Exams were excited at the opportunity to scout villages with talented shinobi, but on the other hand, many of the participants were anxious.

"How are you so chill Shikamaru?" Naruto asked, pouting childishly.

Shikamaru shrugged. "I just am."

That wasn't entirely true, Shikamaru was quite nervous, knowing that members of his clan had come just to watch him in the tournament. Normally, he wouldn't care all that much, however, last year he didn't even make it to the tournament, having been eliminated by the very girl who helped organize the Chunin Exams this year. Despite how he wanted nothing more than to take a nap, he couldn't just give up now that he made it this far.

"I am not nervous either," Shino quietly said. "Though I'm not sure how well my insects will fare in this rainy weather."

"What about you Neji?" Shikamaru asked, glancing over at the Hyuuga. 

"I feel adequately prepared," He curtly replied. "The weather won't interfere with my fight at all, it's just a little rain."

"I feel like I have the advantage now," Naruto smirked. "The rain is my ally now!"

"Quite hosting Naruto," Shikamaru scoffed. "Let's just hurry up and get to the arena already, we'll be late at this rate."

"I agree," Neji nodded. "Let's go."

The four of them took off at lightening speed, their feet sloshing through puddles that the endless rain had created.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Hokage-sama, it's so nice to see you again," Kana greeted the Hokage, leading him to his seat next to Pein. "I'm glad to see that you're doing well."

"Only thanks to you and your friends," The Hokage replied, glancing at the empty seat to his right. "Who's that seat for?"

"Well we invited the Kazekage and the leader of the Land of Sound, however, I later found out that there is no current Kazekage and the leader of the Land of Sound declined my invitation." She sighed. "So I'm afraid that it is only you and Pein-sama who chose to attend. I invited plenty of other Kages as well, none of them replied to me though."

"Kana, do not worry about that," Pein said, not looking away from where the participants were seated. Just ensure that we will be ready to begin soon."

"Of course," Kana bowed politely. "I'll be right back."

With that, Kana vanished.

~~~~~~~~~~

Azumi stepped out onto the field, almost instantly gaining the attention of everyone, however, it was obvious that there were still a few distracted people. From behind her, Kana grinned, whispering something into her ear with a giggle. Azumi nodded and Kana began making handsigns.

"Lightning style: brilliant flash!"

Accompanying her words, a bright lightning bolt struck the ground behind them, casting long shadows and enveloping the crowd in light. Many of the shocked crowd blinked away the temporary blindness, now riveted to the girls on the field.

"Welcome everyone, to Amegakure's very first Chunin Exams Tournament!" Azumi exclaimed, getting some cheers and claps from proud villagers. "The first match will be underway in just a few short moments, so could Shikamaru Nara of Konohagakure and Temari of Sunagakure please come down to the field?"

Temari smirked, flourishing her fan and elegantly riding down to the field on it. Shikamaru took a much more boring way down, walking down the staircase with his hands shoved into his pockets. He wore what he usually wore, the only difference being that he draped a black cloak on top to protect himself from the rain. Temari remained stubborn, not bothering to shield herself from the rain.

"Your going to get a cold dressed like that," Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome woman."

"I'll be out of the rain in five minutes top," Temari boasted. "Since this match won't take anymore than that."

"Yeah, you will," Shikamaru agreed. "No guarantee you'll be the winner though."

"Why you-"

"Both contestants ready?!" Azumi interrupted.

"Yeah." Shikamaru yawned.

"Let's go!" Temari exclaimed. 

"Then begin!" Azumi said.

Once she gave the word, Azumi jumped onto a platform higher up to observe.  Temari was quick to put distance between them, sending gusts of wind towards him with her fan. Shikamaru stayed low to the ground narrowly dodging her attacks and closing the distance between them.

"I hate hand to hand combat," He mumbled. "But with no sun, neither of us have a shadow, so I have to touch her."

"Get back!" Temari exclaimed, swiping her huge fan at him again.

Shikamaru narrowly dodged, using the split second her fan was in front of her to get even closer unnoticed. Temari braced herself on her fan for a moment, eyes going wide when she didn't see Shikamaru in front of her. She whirled around just a moment to late, her body freezing up.

"Shadow possession Jutsu complete," He smirked. "Now surrender."

"No... way!" She struggled to protest.

"Suit yourself then," Shikamaru replied, narrowing his eyes. "Shadow strangle Jutsu."

Tendrils of black snaked their way up her body until they were at her throat, slowly wrapping around her neck and increasing the pressure. She could still breathe, but panic was setting in as her airway was slowly being restricted and the shadows increased the pressure on her windpipe. 

"One more chance," Shikamaru warned her. "Surrender."

Temari bit her lip, choking a bit as the shadows increased the pressure threateningly. Her whole body trembled as she struggled to break out of his grasp, her whole body beginning to go numb with weakness. Her hands instinctly tried to grasp her throat, however, they were frozen in place at her side.

"O...kay..." She gasped. "I...surrender."

Shikamaru released his shadows hold on her in an instant, shoving his hands back into his pocket. Temari grasped her neck, coughing for a few seconds as she tried to calm herself.

"Shikamaru of Konohagakure advances to the next round!" Azumi announced. "Can the next two contestants please come down to the field? Gaara of Sunagakure and Shino Aburame of Konohagakure?"

Temari and Shikamaru walked off the field, passing Gaara and Shino.

"Good luck man," Shikamaru said. "I'm rooting for you."

"Kick his ass Gaara," Temari huffed. "For Suna."

Neither of them replied. They weren't the talkative type.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Wow, seeing the Nara clan in action really is impressive," Kana marveled. "He's gotten stronger than I remember."

"That's right," The Hokage chuckled. "You fought Shikamaru once before, didn't you?"

"Yes, six months ago at the Chunin Exams," She replied. "But he's greatly improved since then."

"I think being defeated by you lit a fire under him," The Hokage chuckled. "He's been working hard ever since."

"He doesn't seem like the type," Kana giggled. "But I'm glad to see that I've inspired someone to become stronger."

Pein almost made an audible chuckle. "You seem to have that effect on people."

"You think so Pein-sama?" Kana asked.

Pein nodded.

~~~~~~~~~~

Shino and Gaara stood across from each other on the field, neither of them saying anything.

"Well you two sure make my job easy, no banter and all," Azumi chuckled. "You both ready?"

"I am ready." Shino said.

Gaara just nodded.

"Then begin!"

A/N

Sorry that it's a bit short, but I hope you all liked it nonetheless!