Hi! I'm Nikkie! This is my second fanfic, and I wanted to try using a pair that you didn't hear quite so much about. To any fans who are reading my other story, Moondance, don't worry. I'll still be updating that story too. R&R, and tell me what you really think! Thnkx! Enjoy!

Chapter 1:

A Shoulder to Cry On

"Chouji, would you put down the chips for once?" Ino nagged for the umpteenth time. "No girl is gonna fall for a chubby guy like you. Honestly, I don't know one single girl that would."

"Oh, would ya give it a rest, Ino!" Shikamaru sighed. "You're always nagging on him. Let him be!"

" You're one to talk! You're always complaining about everything!"

"Women are so troublesome." Shikamaru muttered.

Ino's face turned bright red. "What did you say!?" Ino was fuming. "That's it! I'm leaving!" With a swish of her ponytail, she left the training ground.

Chouji crumpled up the empty bag of barbeque chips he was holding. "Thanks Shikamaru. She was really starting to get on my nerves."

"You know how she is. Ino always has to be right about everything." Shikamaru chuckled as he thought of all the times Ino had fumed.

"Hey, you wanna go get some barbeque pork?" Chouji was always in the mood to eat. He had to; all Akimichi's had to, so they would have enough energy and chakra. Ino just couldn't get that through her head.

"Nah. I gotta get home. If I'm late, my mom'll kill me."

"Allright. See ya tomorrow!" Chouji beamed at his best friend. He watched as he slowly walked down the road, looking up at the clouds.

Chouji headed the opposite way to get some food. It was almost dusk, and the streets were almost empty. Suddenly, someone turned the corner, running. Her indigo hair flapped behind her in the wind. Tears streamed down her face. Suddenly Chouji wasn't hungry anymore.

Chouji immediately grabbed the sleeve of her jacket, stopping her run. "Hinata, what's wrong?" His face filled with worry at the sight of the Hyuga crying.

Hinata broke down, more tears poured from her moonstone eyes.

Chouji pulled her into a hug. The heiress continued to sob, laying her head on Chouji's shoulder. He waited for her to stop crying. Finally, when she did, she knew he wanted answers.

"Sorry about breaking down like that. I just couldn't hold it in any longer."

"It's okay." He whispered soothingly. "Now tell me what happened."

"Well, I was on a date with N-Naruto tonight. Our f-first date. I was r-really excited. I couldn't believe he-he'd finally realized that I l-liked him. Ev-Everything seemed to be going g-great and all, but then he said something about only g-going out with me to make S-Sakura jealous." Hinata was on the verge of tears again, and was having a hard time of not stuttering. "H-He was using m-me! He didn't r-really want to date me!" Hinata wailed.

"I'm so sorry Hinata!" Chouji told her as he rubbed her back. "That Naruto really is a jerk. He's such an idiot!" Chouji tried to show his sympathy.

"Here, let me walk you home." Chouji helped the Hyuga to her feet.

They walked in silence to the Hyuga compound. Soon, they were at the gate entrance.

"If you need anything, you can just come and find me. I'll be at my house." Chouji told the girl.

Hinata gave Chouji a tight hug. "Thank you so much Chouji." She whispered.

"No problem." He whispered back.

Hinata walked through the gates toward her home. Chouji smiled as he watched her.

So no girl could ever like a chubby guy like me? Well, I hope that's not true, because it'd be really great if this one girl liked me. I think I'm starting to like her…