Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto created and owns Naruto Shippuden. I do not. The anime and manga are property of Shonen Jump and Viz. This fanfiction means no harm and I make no money writing it.

Both the Akimichi and the Yaminaka had been training yet again, while Asuma and Shikamaru were out doing some exercises of their own. Working on their new maneuvers that Sarutobi Asuma said would strengthen team 10 further. The smell of new fallen rain hung thickly on the branches of the trees and clung to each leaf. Most were covered in the heavy droplets of water dripping to the moist muddy ground in places. Clouds scattered in the wake of the sun shining overhead on the two members of the Ino Shika Cho team.

"Let's try it, Ino? You jumping into my head," Choji said with a smile of encouragement on his face as the blonde Yaminaka took a position in front of him.

"Right, are you ready?" she asked, blue eyes gleaming brightly under the veil of their dark lashes.

Choji nodded, dark hair hanging down his back. Was it his imagination or was Ino actually looking him up and down lately? He at least liked to think so because her eyes were trained on him. Years of bolstering up his self-confidence despite his clan's propensity to eating heavily had resulted in a better self-image.

With her fingers, Ino formed a distinctive shape framing her line of sight of Choji before her face. She called out, "Mind transfer jutsu!"

Like a butterfly's wing, brushing his face her mind entered his softly. Choji allowed it, hoping she would not see the thoughts he had for her. The long-standing crush echoing in his thoughts formed of a beautiful image of her. Perfect and immutable. Now this perfect princess of the mind was pulling the strings. He could feel himself move away from a series of kunai shooting towards him from the bushes.

"Awk, that's amazing," he gasped, easily landing while blocking a few of them with his Bo staff.

"You've got the ability to do that yourself, Choji," she reprimanded him gently. He chuckled, swinging the staff around to knock away another volley. Then he felt her guide him to strike one of the targets and disable it by throwing the staff at it.

"I know, but still, I'm not always that agile, not like you," he said with a chuckle.

"Even so, you can do it, Choji," she lightly reminded him, voice echoing in his mind. Over his face came a slight blush at the thought of her being inside him. He trusted her implicitly.

That same light brushing of butterflies wings heralded her exit. Free to move he walked over to help her stand up again. Even though he was used to seeing her crumple or fall because of the mind transfer jutsu it was still enough to make him want to rush to the rescue.

"That was really good, Ino," he said to her admirably holding out a hand to her which she grasped. Gently he pulled her to her feet.

Dusting herself off she then said, "I think it's time for a break."

"I've got some water and snacks if you want to share them," Choji offered before he led her over to a fallen log to sit down. Ino gladly accepted the bottle of water he handed her with a smile, and cracked it open easily.

"Thanks. You're always prepared, one thing I like about you," she said with a grin, sipping her water. The sounds of a bag crackling was welcome and familiar to her just like the fact he still loved those barbecue flavored chips. While he did not eat them as constantly as he did when they were younger, he still loved his favorites.

Taking her own snack, she began to chew on the health bar lightly that he passed to her. "So you figure Asuma sensei and Shikamaru skipped out on their training to play shoji?"

"I wouldn't put it past that lazy butt Shikamaru," Ino commented, flipping her air out of her face. "Besides, Asuma sensei did give us the afternoon off when we finished that new combo."

"If Asuma sensei did that then they ARE playing shoji right now, and he's probably trying to get out of paying for a meal tonight," Choji mumbled, sounding irritated but she could hear the chuckle in his voice.

"His wallet's still trying to recover from last time," Ino said with a shrug, sipping her water. Out of the corner of his eye as he ate Choji watched the muscles in her neck moving and the way she sipped out of that bottle. It made blood rush to his cheeks.

"Not to change the subject, but I really think its great some of the jutsus your dad's taught you lately. You're a real top class sensor now, Ino," the Akimichi complemented her. He wondered if she had caught him looking at her like so many times before.

"That's very kind of you Choji, but it's only natural for a top class Kunoichi like me, and a pretty one…"

"You're as deadly as you are pretty. A rose with thorns that'll take out any enemy stupid enough to take on team 10," the Akimichi agreed, grinning at her. Seeing that gleam in her eyes along with the slight flush to her cheeks just made his day.

"Choji…" she trailed off, and then smiled a bit, setting aside his water bottle. For a full minute, both of them looked more at their snacks then each other. Through the trees, the sun flickered down, shaded by leaves. Their odd pattern of shadows danced over Ino's purple outfit and flawless—according to Choji anyway—figure.

Something wet on the seat of his pants seemed to soak through and ruin his admiration of his teammate. He glanced down to realize that his hand rested on a rather wet log surface. To his horror, he noticed that same liquid must be soaking into her skirt and she did not realize it. Great. That's all he needed; an angry teammate after the session was going so well and they were having a nice quiet moment together.

"Ino, the branch is wet," he blurted out, reaching a hand to her to lift her up.

Ino leapt up from the slightly wet branch the moment Choji realized his backside was wet and mumbled, "I'm sorry… Ino I didn't think to..."

"Eeep…" she managed to get out but Choji was faster, pulling her so she landed into a softer and more comfortable place.

Noticing that she sat crosswise over his lap she blushed pink, at the same time he would turned bright red. They took looks at once another nervously but neither moved. "Uh… I thought it would be better than a wet log or the ground…"

"But I'm only going to get you wet…" she protested.

"Well, better me than you getting sick," Choji rationalized, rubbing the back of his neck. "And it's more comfortable right?"

Ino blurted out annoyed, "But you… me… why…"

"Ahem, because… I… as a 16th generation Akimichi, I wouldn't be brave enough if I didn't admit my feelings for you," Choji said seriously, still resting his hands on the log. Though she sat on his lap, he seemed afraid to touch her if she tried to smack him.

"Your… feelings…" Ino managed to get out, feeling dizzy.

"I really really like you Ino, and my father recently told me I had to toughen up and face truth, and not run away, so I'm not running away from my feelings anymore," he continued, resting a hand on her back to steady her.

"What took you so DAMN LONG?" Ino yelled at him. Startled Choji almost let her drop off his lap but he managed to steady her. She grabbed onto both his shoulders, seeing how his still flushed face took on the serious expression, she had seen not on an awkward chunin, but a shinobi much like his father.

Choji did not know how to answer THAT but his sensitivity allowed him to see that cupping her cheek in one huge hand and bending in for a kiss on the cheek was not out of the question. At least he was confident enough to do that because he heard the gasp of shock and relief from her very clearly. Drawing back, he gave her the most confident smile he could muster.

Stunned from the gentleness of the kiss she managed to return it to one of his marking covered cheeks. Panting they regarded one another with half closed eyes before the inevitable pull brought their lips into contact. Encouraged, he moved both hands to hold her hips as he felt her relax. For a full minute, they just tasted the timid kiss turning more adult.

Seizing the chance she shifted on his lap, making him scared she was moving away but she grabbed the sides of his face enough to keep their mouths together. Both her legs slid on either side of his so she straddled his lap. Breaking the kiss, he panted deeply trying to keep from going crazy. She sensed his hesitation.

"Choji?"

"I don't want to get too carried away," he told her. "Besides, we should get some dry clothes."

"I thought you…"

"I mean not in the middle of things when someone could interrupt," Choji reassured her, slowly getting up as he carried her easily.

"You can put me down," Ino muttered quietly.

"But I like carrying you," Choji insisted. "Besides I don't want people seeing you have a wet backside."