The pain he feels... (Chouji )

Disclaimer- i know, i know... disclaimers suck and i do not own Naruto

I put myself in Chouji's shoes for this....simply because I'm a fat guy myself, after.... I know all too well, the pain that Chouji feels is more introverted.

He didn't want her pity, he wanted her love.

Somehow, she would always walk on by, as if he never existed. The only time she would ever acknowledge his existence was when they were training, on a mission or at lunch and even then, she was complaining e.g. "LOSE SOME WEIGHT CHOUJI!" or "go on a diet Chouji"

Either way it was always the same, but after he left to rescue Sasuke..... Everything changed.

And now she sits there, completely still. Before, she didn't even know he was alive.... and now, she prays for his life...

"He's stable, but I can only let one of you see him" a nurse popped her head out of the door, Shikamaru shook his head. Chouza, the boy's father shook his head also. Ino stood up and walked into the room...

She fell to her knees, gently sobbing. What she saw could only be described as both a gift and a curse... "Ino? Is that you?," a weak voice came from the operating table, she picked herself up, and walked towards Him, looking at the weak frail body on the operating table "I-I'm sorry you have to see me like this" she then looked into his brown eyes, tears trickling down her soft cheeks, she smiles. "Chouji... why?" she asked him, speaking ever so softly

"well....you said I should lose some weight"

Hearing that, she finally realized what had happened. "Chouji, I... I'm sorry, so sorry," she had never felt like this before, she didn't even see him for who he really was either. "Sorry? For what.... at least I'll be able to tell you now" The girl dried her eyes and looked up,

"Tell me what?" he lips quivered as she spoke, close to tears. She watched as the boy moved his arm, motioning her to come closer

"I love you, Ino" He whispered in her ear, and like a wave, it crashed down on her

"Since when?," she asked, trying to hide the sorrow in her voice. "Couldn't you have said something before you left?"

"Always have, always will...." he trailed off, not knowing what else to say, after all, wasn't it obvious, she was still pining over Sasuke, but even then, Chouji risked his life to rescue him. Ino looked down at her feet trying to think, she remembered all those times he defended her, laughed with her, how he didn't get angry when she called him fat. She looked him in the eyes, she didn't know what to do or say... she opened her mouth, but then she stopped, knowing that this could be the last she had to say it, those three little words.. "I haven't been truly honest with you Chouji," she whispered in his ear "I love you" she then walked out of the room

"hurry up and get better ok?"

Chouji knew he would, if not for his own sake, then at least for her.

He didn't get her pity, he got her love

Save the world get the girl? yeah right,

I say you get the girl regardless.