Chouja Akimichi was not always a voracious eater in fact as a baby and into toddlerhood she was below average in weight for her age. A fact, which caused medic Nin's endless amounts of befuddlement and a belief that she, carried a terminal disease. When all the tests came back negative she was sent back to her worry ridden parents with "she is just a slow developer she will catch her stride soon if she does not gain some weight before she enters the academy then we will worry." Choja's mother took this to mean it was her personal mission to make her eat and eat as much as possible. Sora Akimichi already a great cook became the best chef in Konoha overnight endless hours were spent combing through cookbooks, and the Akimichis library on meal preparation by the time Choja was four she had firmly placed herself in the plump category thanks to her mothers efforts.
Although this caused Sora happiness in the fact that she could restore her daughter to what she deemed the correct size, Sora had a firm belief that bigger was better, as evident in her choice in man it did not do Choja any favors with her peers. In fact at this moment in Chojas four-year-old mind if she could have any wish it would be to make her as small and beautiful as the other girls at the playground.
"Look Choja you can play the wicked witch you fit the part with how fat and ugly you are." This was said with a smirk and a shake of the hair that all girls instantly know to do when they say something particularly bitchy. Looking down she could see that yes her belly protruded while the other girls didn't her legs were wider and worse her arms instead of being small and reed like were rolls of fat, sighing she had to agree that she was most suited to play the part of the witch. "Now you have to be mean and cruel because you're the ugly witch ok"?
Looking up into Risa's eyes Choja nodded ardently the other girls were being nice enough to play with her, even nicer they specifically thought of a role that would most suit her, she had to not let them down. Scrunching her face up in concentration, Choja played the role of the ugly fat witch to the best of her ability until her mother told her it was time to come home. At home after eating two plates, she was not allowed to leave the table until she finished two plates of food, Choja wandered into the kitchen to where her mother was cleaning the dishes.
"Mother why do you lie to me and Papa"? A flash of hair and Choja was graced with Soras glare of death "when and how do I lie to you and your father young lady"? "You tell us that we are beautiful mama but that is not true we are ugly and fat"! Sora was having trouble responding to this because Choja did not yell, she was if nothing else the perfect daughter always automatically doing whatever she was asked to do, no hissy fits at bedtimes, no one more story, nothing. So this was to say the least out of character, and secondly wasn't Choja a little young to be succumbing to issues about her body. She was not expecting to have to give your body is beautiful pep talk, for another ten years so really she should be forgiven for the next thing that came out of her mouth "What the Fuck"!
"Mama"? "Come here dear let's go to the couch Mama is sorry she yelled, sit on mamas lap". Climbing into her mothers lap and digging her nose into her mothers neck Choja took a large comforting inhale of Soras scent. The smell of rice and spices was mama's scent and that smell always made Choja feel safe and loved. "Choja listen to me I am going to take a wild guess and say this was brought on the other kids right"? A slow nod was the only answer that was received.
Taking a deep steadying breath Sora hoped to Kami that Choja would take the next words to heart "beauty is subjective which means everyone sees beauty differently, now I have always believed that you and papa are beautiful your outsides and your insides". "In fact before I met your papa I worried there was something wrong with me because all the guys that were considered beautiful I thought were assholes and ugly". "I worried that I worried that I would never find someone then your papa walked into my fathers shop to buy some kunai and I swear Choja my breath was taken away I fell in love at first sight, as I got to know him I learned I was blessed by Kami, because your father as well as being the most attractive man was also the most kind and attentive man I had ever met."
"My friends did not end up as lucky as me, in fact my friend who landed the guy that everyone was fighting over is miserable in her marriage." "Choja you are the most kind and beautiful daughter a mother could wish for I thank kami everyday for receiving such a gift and someday you will take someone's breath away, and they will thank kami everyday for their good fortune just as I do". Feeling exhausted after such a heartfelt speech Sora waited anxiously for Chojas response it was not long in coming "do you really mean it mama I am going to take someone's breath away"? "Yes my silly girl and until you meet that person you need to work on loving yourself and making yourself into the best Choja you can be, not the best Risa or anybody else, and one last thing it will happen Choja because Mama never lies ok". A sleepy mumble was the only response that was given and lifting Choja into her arms Sora carried her to bed, all the while silently crying at the idea of her sweet daughter already having to face such cruelty.