A/N: Yea, the author's note is at the beginning for this chapter due to a matter I'd like to say, it'll be back to normal again. First, I have to apologize with all my heart for the past few chapters, after re-reading them, I realise the chapters were of horrible quality. I was thinking to myself, asking, why was I not as driven as before, and I realised I was unconsciously placing restriction over my writing by tying to follow canon word by word; as much as posible. That was my first mistake. Lack of individuality is a hindrance to me and makes me lose will to write, so I'd like to say from hence forth, all chapters and content are written with a completely different mindset from this chapter on, sure the highlights such as Sasuke using Chidori to pierce Gaara's Ultimate Defense, making him bleed and all, those are in it. But the fight won't be exactly canon, so I don't want someone commenting "Hey, that wasn't how it went" because I know, and I'm not trying to follow it, it makes my writing quality poor.
Furthermore, I'd like to make a point across that Shikamaru is not the decided pairing, pairing is still undertermined. You see, what Shikamaru has is a crush, I'm sure many of yo have crushes on others, but does that always mean you end up liking that person forever? No, exactly what I'm trying to do here. Shiori did have a crush on someone once before (try to guess who :3) and in this case, Shikamaru has a crush on a strong girl who doesn't nag him and plays strategic games, they bond through their common interest and as a result, he developed a crush on her. Of course there is a chance for him to end up with her, but the chance is as good as any other (aside from Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura who are 100% never going to be a pairing). When I say any other, yes, boys and girls alike. I don't limit my characters to one gender. Finally, do tell me what you think of the chapter :D, I look forward to your comment on the chapter.
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Shiori Haruno, or just Shiori if she were to forgo her mother's last name, was by far the most complicating yet simple person Orochimaru has ever read about. When he listened to the report uttered from the mouth of his trusted spy, eyes scanning the Kumo Bingo Entry on her, he knew that once upon a time ago he was exactly like her, and there was a potential she could be exactly like he was.
However, this brought a few things to his attention, was she a treat or a future ally? The way she managed to produce a magnifestion of chakra so easily reminds him so much of a human bijuu he knew once upon a time ago, to his delight, he found out her biological father was not some measly genin but someone of a powerful nature, who, however, he know not of.
"Shall we make a move on her...?" Orochimaru suggested to his trusty spy, lips curling into a maniac grin and eyes gleamed with desire and greed, "Wouldn't she make a wonderful vessel if Sasuke-kun were to be... a disappointment?"
Truth to be told, Orochimaru could care less about the Uchiha, what he coveted was the eyes he held, not body. If he could utilize his eyes while using Shiori's body, so be it. Let it be known Orochimaru was known as the most fearsome of all Sannin because he was not above anything, he was willing to go through anything in order to achieve what he desired.
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"Apologies if we were late," Kakashi-senpai announced as soon as his feet touched the ground and smoke surrounded both him and Sasuke who wore a different attire and had a smug smirk decorating his handsome face. Shiori felt a scowl reaching her face and wondered, briefly, if tardiness was contagious. It was ridicuolous for Kakashi-senpai to continue on with this stupid lateness, much less drag his student in. However, they could have very much done something important before so Shiori held her tongue and watched Gaara. She saw him staring hard at Sasuke, never once looking at her. Something really did change in her friend, didn't it.
