"So you want me to watch Akamaru why again?" I ask.

"Because I need to do some training with Hinata and she specifically asked me not to bring him. I don't know why – because I won't be able to get any work done without him. But then again, I'm going to help her train so I doubt it matters." Kiba says as he hands me Akamaru.

"Man what a drag. Watching your dog…" I say as I put Akamaru on the ground.

"Just watch him, 'kay?" Kiba says as he turns and walks away.

Akamaru puts his head in his paws and whimpers. I squat down and rub him in between the ears. I then stand up and say, "Come on, boy."

He picks his head up and jumps to his feet. He runs a little ahead of me and I put my hands in pockets and stroll after him. He dodges in between the legs of people and I watch him, hoping he won't start running off too far. Chasing him would be a drag.

"Shikamaru!" I turn to see Ino running up to me.

"Hey, Ino." I say as she catches up to me. I keep an eye on Akamaru.

"What are you doing?" she asks slightly bit out of breath.

"Watching Akamaru for Kiba."

"Oh. Why?"

"He's training with Hinata. It's such a drag."

"Oh, well I just wanted to tell you that Choji wanted us to get together later today to practice our formations."

"Formations? What a drag…"

Ino looks at me sideways and says, "You think everything is a drag, Shikamaru. Maybe if you had a better attitude, you might actually be fun to hang around with and someone would actually find you cute." She laughs and starts to walks off.

"Wait – what?" she doesn't stop to answer my question. "Man, is she strange…" I say to myself.

Akamaru comes in between my legs and barks. "What is it boy?" I ask.

He starts to run off. "Wait -!" I say as he disappears in between the people. I start running after him, throwing excuse mes and moves left and right. I follow Akamaru all the way to the Village gates. He runs straight through them.

"What a drag…chasing a dog when I could be sleeping." I mutter to myself as I follow him out.

A few miles into the forest, Akamaru slows down. He comes to a stream where he drinks and lays down, going to sleep almost instantly. I walk close to him and park it on a rock.

He looks so peaceful – like he has no problems. Of course he doesn't; he's a dog. I wonder what being a dog would be like. Not having to do anything… Man, that would be the life.

I settle in close to Akamaru, in case he runs off. As I stare up to the clouds, I think I just might take a nap myself.