"Yo, Shikamaru, let's go! We don't got all day!"

"Meh... I'm coming, chill out…"

"Man, we haven't hung out in forever."

"Idiot, we haven't had free time in forever. Especially now that you have a girlfriend."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't say that just because you're jealous."

"What! That's it, I'm gonna-"

"Kiba, Naruto, will you two shut up? You're giving me a headache…"

"Finally… Took you long enough to get ready. Ok, let's go."

"Naruto, you sure you know where to go?"

"I think I know where to go, Kiba. I've only been living out there since-"

"Will you all shut up? I want to be able to relax without listening to your petty squabbling."

"Neji is right. We should all take it easy so that we may recover our youthful spi- energy…"

"Way to catch yourself, Lee." With that, the group headed off.

"Ahh, this is going to feel so good!" Chouji said to himself as they walked out of the make-shift gates of Konoha and into the forest. He and the rest of the ninjas had been given a couple of afternoons off, courtesy of the Hokage, so they decided to make the most of it. Today being their first break, the guys decided to head out to the lake near Naruto's old camp and relax in the cool water.

"Yea, it'll be nice to cool off," he heard Kiba reply.

"All this work has been troublesome, but I guess someone had to do it," Shikamaru added.

"Well, here we are!" The group walked out into a clearing and small waterfall cascading into a clear lake. "We should put our stuff by the rocks over there," Naruto said, pointing towards some smooth stones by the side of the lake. "The water in that corner is fed by hot springs, if any of you feel like relaxing in something warmer."

"Wow," Lee let out. "This looks great!"

"Come on, let's get in the water already!" Shikamaru said, removing his shirt as he walked over to rocks. The rest of the group followed his example, removing their clothes, folding them into piles, and getting into the water.

Chouji was a little hesitant in removing his clothes. He never really liked being shirtless in front of other guys, let alone being completely naked.

"Chouji," he heard Shikamaru call out. "Come on, the water feels good."

"Yea, and don't worry about how you look," Kiba added. "We're all friends here, who cares about being big-boned?"

Chouji smiled, and began to remove his outfit. "You guys are right." With that, he ran out and jumped out over the lake, tucking his legs in to his chest and shouting out "Cannonball!"

"Shit shit shit!" Naruto yelled, swimming away from where Chouji would land.

Chouji hit the water, and a large wave formed on all sides, washing over the heads of the other guys. He looked around and laughed. "Hehe, sorry guys…"

Time passed by slowly. The cool water soaked into the bodies of the young ninja, soothing their muscles. Soon, though, they all began feeling a bit cold, so they moved over to the heated corner, letting the heat course through them. Because they were all together, they began conversing about what they had done since Pain's attack. Most of the guys just did as the Hokage ordered them to do; constructing new buildings, helping bring in water, distributing rations to civilians, and taking watch were some of the more common tasks. Kiba and Akamaru were often asked to hunt for fresh meat, while Chouji was often requested to help harvest the trees surrounding Konoha. Shikamaru worked with the Hokage a lot, assisting her in making decisions regarding the village's well-being. Neji and Naruto were the only two that had consistent jobs; Naruto using his clones, and Neji directing them. "Sounds like you guys have been hard at work too," Naruto said after hearing everyone's stories.

"Yes, but our hard work has also paid off," Lee commented. Everyone agreed; they had been working hard, but it was not without its results. With constant labor and limited food available, they had all lost a good amount of weight, become leaner and more defined.

"Yea, I know what you mean. Damn, what I wouldn't do for a full meal…"

"I don't know. You still look pretty well fed, Chouji."

"Well, I've been trying to gain some of my weight back."

The guys looked at him with confused faces. "Why would you be trying to gain weight?"

Chouji was about to speak when he was interrupted by Shikamaru, who asked, "Ahh, for your training, right?"

Lee's eyes lit up at the word 'training'. "You have been training! Please, tell us what you have been doing!"

"Well, it's not really training. It's more preparation than anything else."

"Preparation for what?" Naruto asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Well, it's an Akimichi legend of an ultimate technique that has the power to change a person forever," Chouji said. "Only the founder of the Akimichi family has even been able to use it."

"I had heard about it before," Neji added. "It was indeed a very strong technique, but also very dangerous if the user tries it, but does not complete it."

"That's right. Every member of the Akimichi family dreams of being the one to perfect it, but very few try. My father tried it when he was younger, but he…" Chouji paused looking down at the reflection of the sky in the water. "He couldn't do it…

"Then how are you supposed to be able to do it if you can't practice it?" Naruto asked.

"This technique is only to be attempted by the most powerful members of the Akimichi family. We are only allowed to try it under one condition: there must be no doubt in our minds that we can do it."

"So," Lee began, "if you are even a tiny bit unsure, you're not allowed to try it?"

"Well… Yes and no. When my ancestor first perfected his technique, he had no idea he was going to do it. You see, he invented this technique while… he was trying to kill himself."

"No way…"

"So the other condition is… if you have nothing left to live for…"

"Chouji, we're behind you 100% of the way!" Naruto said.

"Yea, we know you can do it!"

"You have the power of youth… I mean, lots of power."

"You've got nothing to worry about," Shikamaru added, patting him on the shoulder.

"Thanks, guys," Chouji said, giving off a large smile. "It's getting dark, though. I think we should start heading back."

"Yea, I want to be able to get a good sleep over these next few days," Kiba said as he and the rest of the guys got out of the water and were drying themselves off. Once they were clothed, they began their walk back to Konoha.

"See you guys later," Chouji called out as he watched the other guys begin to walk back to their camps. He and Shikamaru turned and began heading towards their own tents.

"So Chouji," Shikamaru asked. "You planning on going to the Festival of Roses?"

"I don't know. I'll probably go, but I won't be with anyone, just a group of friends."

"Oh, come on. You don't have anyone you want to ask to go with you?"

"Well… I do, but… I'm pretty sure she wouldn't accept."

"I wouldn't say that. Ino's changed a bit."

"Wha-? How did you-?"

"Relax," Shikamaru said, putting his hand on his friend's broad shoulder. "I'm just trying to help you out; this conversation is between you and me."

This seemed to loosen Chouji up a bit. "I still don't know how to ask her."

"Hey, don't look at me for romantic inspiration. You'll think of something. Just be yourself."

"Thanks, Shikamaru. I'll think about it."

"No problem," Shikamaru said as he turned to his campsite. "See you tomorrow."

"See ya." With that, Chouji continued on his way to his family's camp.

"Hey, you done for today?"

"Yea, I just finished. How about you?"

"Yup, I just finished with the last one for the day. You wanna get some lunch?"

"Sure, let's get all the girls together. We haven't had any 'girl time' in a while."

"Sounds great! I'll get Hinata, you find Tenten. Where do you want to eat?

"Hmm… How about by the old training grounds?"

"That sounds good. We can eat by the lake Yamato made when he was training Naruto. Ok, I'll see ya later."

"Bye Sakura." With that, the blond girl and the pink-haired girl went their separate ways. After finding the other girls, they all headed to the training grounds, where they set up a blanket and ate a simple meal next to the lake. Although the area had been pretty badly damaged during Pain's attack, there were small shrubs and grasses growing on the ground, forming patches of green amidst the dirt.

"Wow, I haven't seen you all in forever," Tenten was saying as she pulled her lunch out of a bag and set it on the cloth beneath her.

"Yea, it was really nice of Tsunade-sama to give us these days off, even if they are only afternoons," Sakura said.

"We've all been working hard; I say it's about time!" The other girls nodded, agreeing with Ino.

"Hey Hinata, how's your work with Naruto going?"

"Oh. I-it's going f-fine," She muttered. She was still a bit jealous that Naruto was going out with Sakura. "I-It's a lot of work… B-but we get a lot done."

"I'm sick of seeing Naruto everywhere. It was bad enough with just one!" The girls looked at Ino and, seeing from her smile that she was joking, giggled with her.

"Yea, he's really helping out. Everyone is."

"It's nice to see everybody working together."

"Yea, but I wish I had more time to see Naruto."

"Just be happy you have a boyfriend, forehead-girl."

"Well, the Festival of Roses is coming up soon. Any of you have someone in mind?"

"Well," Tenten started. "Sorta. I'm not sure if he'd like me back, though."

"Yea, Neji can be like that sometimes."

"What? W-who said anything about Neji?"

"Oh come on, Tenten. We've seen they way you act around him."

Tenten let out a sigh. "You're right. I just don't know if he'll ever like me."

"Tenten, you never know," Hinata's voice came in. "He may be a bit hard and emotionless at times, but he's really thoughtful and considerate once you get past that outer shell."

"See? You have nothing to worry about."

"I guess you're right," Tenten said, smiling. "Thanks."

"No problem," Sakura replied. "You'll get him for sure, you just watch."

Tenten smiled for a bit longer before turning her eyes to Ino. "So how about you? I'm sure someone like you has guys all over her."

"Humph…" Ino crossed her arms and frowned. "They won't leave me the hell alone. Yea, all the guys want me, but I can tell they only want my body."

"Ouch, that sucks," Sakura said, sympathizing with her friend. "Do you have any interest in anybody?"

"Eh, not yet. I'm not giving up hope, though. Asuma-sensei told me to not lose to you, and I don't plan on doing so now."

"I'm sure you'll find someone," Tenten replied.

"Yes, it's just a matter of time."

"Someone's going to recognize you for you, and not just a body."

Ino nodded and gave them a "thanks", before turning back to her food. The other three did the same, and they changed the subject to other things, such as what they had been doing recently and who the best looking guy in Konoha was. After a while, they had finished their meal, packed up, and said their goodbyes before going their separate ways. Sakura and Ino walked back to their campsites, where they would relax themselves before another half-day of work tomorrow.

"So, you don't have anyone you want to ask to the festival?" Sakura asked.

Ino looked up to the sky. "I don't know. I mean, I guess I've always thought that some guy would come to me."

"Well, sometimes, you have to go out and get what you want yourself."

"Ok, so who'd you have in mind?" Ino asked, stopping on the side of the path.

"Hmm… Let's see… Naruto's taken… Neji is going to be taken soon. Oh! How about Shikamaru?"

"Eh, he's nice and all, but I think his eyes are set on that Suna girl, what's-her-name…"

"Temari?"

"Yea, that one. Besides, I don't know if I could live with someone that lazy."

"He's gotten better about it. I'd say don't count him out yet."

"Fair enough. Anyone else?"

"Hmm… Oh god, not Lee… or Shino… that'd just be weird," Sakura said, laughing. "Well, how about Kiba?"

"You're joking, right?"

"You don't like Kiba?"

"Don't get me wrong, I don't hate him or anything. I never really talk to him, though. And he's got that weird-ass face paint or whatever."

"I kinda thought it made him look better."

"Next person, please."

"Are you judging him because of how he looks?"

"I said, next person. Don't tell me you're out of ideas already."

"Well, I was going to say Chouji, but…"

"Chouji! You've got to be kidding me!"

"On the contrary, Ino, I was being completely serious. He's probably one of the nicest, sweetest guys around."

"Yea, but look at him! He's a fat-ass!"

"Don't put him off because of how he looks."

"Says the girl dating Naruto. Now there's a fine hunk of man."

"Err…" was all Sakura managed to get out after hearing the awkward comment about her boyfriend. Going back to the matter at hand, she continued, "Well, that was a bonus. I'm going out with Naruto because he is the most thoughtful and considerate guy I know."

"Sakura, I know Chouji's a nice guy; you forget, I'm on his team. But I don't want to go out with someone that would think about food more than he would think about me."

"Is that truly what you believe?" Ino looked surprised. Those words did not come from Sakura. The voice was coming from beside her. As the girls were talking, they neglected to notice that two men had stopped next to them and were listening in. 'I recognize that voice,' Ino thought. She slowly turned to see the face of Shikamaru. Next to him was the subject of the last part of their conversation. "Ch-Chouji…" Ino managed to get out. "How long have you been…?"

The broad shouldered ninja looked at her with an expressionless face. "I came over when you called out my name earlier."

Ino felt horrible. Not only was she talking poorly about Chouji, but he heard her do so. "Chouji… I'm so sor-"

"Don't worry about it, Ino," he said. "If that's what you think of me, I have no right to disapprove." Turning to the other girl, he bowed slightly. "Thank you, Sakura, for arguing in my defense." With that, he turned and walked away.

"Hey, Chouji," Shikamaru called out to him. "Where're you going?"

Chouji turned around to look at his best friend, a veil of seriousness sprawled across his face. "I'm going to do it. Tonight."

"Chouji! Are you sure you can?"

The wind started blowing, making the Chouji's long hair ruffle. He stood there for a minute, before uttering one final statement.

"I don't know…"

With that, he turned around and walked away. Ino was devastated. 'What have I done?' she asked herself.

"Ino," she heard Shikamaru's voice call out to her. This puller her out of her trance, and she looked up at him. "I know you probably feel bad for him right now," he continued, a somber look upon his face. "But if you don't do something quickly…"

"If I don't do something, then what?" Ino asked desperately.

"Ino, do you know what it is he said he was going to do tonight?"

"Wha- N-no…"

Shikamaru let out a sigh, and looked Ino straight in the eyes, his gaze mixing elements of concern for his friend and anger towards her. "He's going to attempt what he's been training for his whole life."

"Shikamaru, what are you tal-" That's when it hit her. He was going to do it. The Akimichi ultimate technique.

"Ino, Shikamaru…" Sakura asked, outside of the loop. "What is he going to do?"

"He's going to attempt his family's most powerful technique," Shikamaru told her. "One that will either change him forever… or potentially kill him…"

"What kind of technique is it?"

"Sakura, do you know how the Akimichi family's justus work?"

"A little bit. Don't they convert their chakra into body mass?"

"Yes, they do. However," Shikamaru added, catching Ino's attention. "This conversion can also work the other way around. The Akimichi family can change chakra into muscle mass, but can also turn their own bodies into chakra."

Ino opened her eyes in shock. "Wait, so that's why he was always eating?"

Shikamaru turned to his teammate. "When he said he was eating so he could use his jutsu, he wasn't lying. He can use ninja moves without converting body mass into chakra, but this skill is incredibly powerful if mastered."

"I-I never knew… So, this ultimate technique… What does it…?"

"Basically, it tests their chakra transfer skills to the maximum. They must use all of their chakra and convert large amounts of their body to chakra as well. The dangerous part is that often times, the amount of chakra required is so great that those who try it run the risk of converting their entire bodies into chakra, leaving them exceptionally frail if they fail to complete the move."

"So… so when is he… going to try it?"

"I would guess sometime tonight. And he'll be," he said, gesturing towards the Hokage mountains, "up there."

"So… if he can't do it, then he'll…" Ino looked down at the ground, tears forming in her eyes.

"That's why you need to talk to him. Tonight."

Ino said nothing. Her conscious was heavy with guilt. 'God, I'm such an idiot…' She thought to herself. 'I can't believe I said those things out loud.' Turning her attention back to Shikamaru, she said, "Ok. I'll talk to him. E-excuse me…" With that, she ran back to her tent.

"Poor Ino…" Sakura found herself saying. "She must feel horrible right now."

"Yea, but you forget she's the one that got herself into this," Shikamaru replied. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he added, "Also, thanks for sticking up for him. I don't know how he would have reacted if you hadn't."

"Chouji really is a great guy. It's unfortunate that Ino doesn't see past his looks."

Shikamaru smiled before walking away. "I think she'll come around," he said over his shoulder.

"I hope so… I hope so…"