I really liked the interaction in this one. Good job.

I'm glad Shikamaru got Naruto out of his funk and that he isn't blaming Naruto for the attack. Shika and Naruto seem to balance each other quite well when one is down the other cheers them up and Shika can calm Naruto a little bit.

Have to say, this story is definitely original. Looking forward to future developments!

what's skika going to train in with his injuries?

great story so far. it's nice to see naruto getting some help in training from shikamaru. i hope shika will be ok and that naruto can forgive himself for hurting him.

I can tell that Shikamaru and Naruto are going to make a great team.

Shika jealous of someone else progressing faster than him? O.O What is this world coming too?

lol Choji comparing Shikamaru to Kakashi.

you certainly do deserve more reviews

irritates me that decent fics get ignored when some of that poorly written preteen romance dribble gets tons of reviews from the boy band crowd.

Do you have any idea how much time I've wasted starting fics with high review counts only to find out I landed in the hormonal hell that is middle school angst?

Plot is interesting as is the dialog. If I were going to change anything, it would be the way you have characters address each other. The whole Sir after an adult's name thing is annoying. If you don't want to use the Japanese honorifics you should simply drop them all together.

Shikamaru would either call Kakashi -san, -sempai,taichou if he is acting as Shika's commanding officer, or perhaps -sensei. Kakashi's students wouldn't call him anything but sensei while they are still his genin students. Think about it. Even Jiraiya and Tsunade still referred to Sarutobi as their sensei and they were in their fifties.

Sakura would never call Kakashi taichou (captain). She did call Yamato taichou. But that was because he was her team leader after she made chuunin. He was never her teacher.

You got Sakura's pre-shippuuden characterization spot on.

excellent

There are a few minor typos but over all an excellent start. I'm looking forward to reading the next chapter.

awesome

I have to say that Naruto and Shikamaru have always been one of the most potent, not to mention frightening combinations in the Naruto series. So far, I am definitely LOVING what you've done with the story- a very good explanation of how he may have been forced to leave the village, and I commend you on getting the characters down pretty well.

Shikamaru wouldn't be one to leave any of his friends in the situation from the beginning of this story, and I like how the story digs into some of the inner workings of Konoha (i.e. the council meeting and Shikamaru realizing an actual reason for his promotion). It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the Konoha 12/Rookie 9 react to this turn of events.

As for the Shikamaru/Naruto team, I can see this having a LOT of potential. Naruto always has displayed a level of respect for Shikamaru that he doesn't give to a lot of people- Kishimoto doesn't show it very much, but I think he's one of the ONLY people Naruto doesn't totally mouth off to- he always listens to what Shikamaru has to say. Shikamaru I think is also one of the only people who will be able to figure out the best way for Naruto to work towards his potential. Now if only the two can meet up with Jiraiya...

One of the strongest aspects of the teamup I can see would be their talents. Shikamaru is an obvious strategist with a massive IQ for planning things out ahead of time. Naruto has shown multiple times to be a prodigy (or close to it) on the battlefield when it comes to combat tactics, enough that even Sasuke has recognized it. Shikamaru can come up with the initial strategy, and Naruto can implement any sudden changes and adapt to the battle conditions.

All in all, a good teamup here. I love what you've done with it so far...hahahh figure it'll take everything they have to outwit a Hyuuga, but if anyone can do it, it'll be these two.