A/N: This is based on how I think the series will end. Anyone who disagrees can let me know in their review.

"Just let me tell you one thing then," he told her. "I love you, Ino." She gasped at his boldness; never had she imagined he would say that of all things so abruptly. She whispered in his ear "I love you too, Chouji."

Not a single day had passed since those words had strayed from his thoughts. Knowing his feelings for her were mutual, that she felt the exact same way about him had been a blessing and a curse. They were two teenagers of the ninja world, a world where the risk of capture, torture and even death made pursuing a relationship difficult. The current situation with their village's youngest missing-nin made it an impossibility.

That traitor, Sasuke Uchiha had shown his true colors and joined the Atasuki, the criminal organization responsible for the death of their sensei Asuma and the one currently hunting down the hosts of tailed beasts. They had nearly killed Gaara and had plans to capture Naruto and extract the Nine-Tailed Fox, which would kill him. The missing-nin was beyond redemption in his eyes. These were the thoughts that were on his mind as he walked down the streets of the Hidden Leaf village.

"Chouji-kun," called a familiar voice. He turned around to see Ino running towards him, her blue eyes full of tears. On reflex, he ran towards her and wrapped his arms around her protectively. Seeing her this upset could only mean one thing, that the Uchiha was dead.

"What's wrong, Ino-chan," he asked, already knowing her answer. However her answer surprised him.

"It's Naruto. He's back from his journey, badly injured, and has accomplished what he promised Sakura." Chouji was shocked at that answer. Naruto's promise had been to bring back Sasuke. "He's really shaken by what he has had to do. He killed Sasuke," she said, whispering the last part. He was shocked to hear that news.

"How is Sakura," he asked, concerned about her best friend. The kunoichi had truly loved him because she had been the few to whom the Uchiha had shown his true colors before he abandoned the village. It was why she had been so desperate to save him from himself.

"She's actually handling it better than Naruto. She hasn't left his side since the battle ended," she answered. "Right now, she's really just trying to protect him. I ran some of the initial diagnostics on his condition when they arrived back here."

"How is he," he asked, equally concerned about his friend. He wondered how much Ino could tell him without crossing ethical boundaries. She was the civilian equivalent of a doctor.

"I cannot tell you the full details, but I will say that if any other medic had been with him, he would not have survived. Sakura's actions saved his life once again," she answered. "When I left, Sakura had his head in his lap and was telling him that his promise did not matter anymore. He was so determined to keep his word and bring him back to her alive."

Chouji involuntarily tightened his grip on Ino. She responded by whispering in his ear, "You are the only guy I want. No matter what happens." She then kissed him, not caring who saw them.

"What happens now," he asked her. They had been very restrained in acting upon their feelings from their confessions until now.

"I don't know," she answered. She then pulled him into another kiss, one so full of passion that neither wished it would end.