Shikamaru returned home only to find his mother ready and waiting for him. He didn't know that she knew that tonight was the night of 'the event', because to his luck Yoshino had run into Chouji's mom and she had told her all about Chouji's planned 'dating scene'. When she saw him she began demanding he should buy some new clothes.

"Well we're going to have to go get you a new outfit for tonight aren't we?"

Shikamaru was confused, was this a new way of her toying with him to get her own way.

"Don't worry mom, I'll find something old, it's not that big of a deal." he said cautiously.

"No it's alright I'll buy you something new to wear, I'll go right now actually. Did you want me to pick up anything else for you Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru couldn't believe his ears; mom's being nice to me? Has the world spun around without me noticing? Maybe this was a trick she was testing out and I happened to be her first victim. He hesitated to answer her.

"Could you pick up some snacks for Chouji? I'm going with him and some of my friends to watch the eclipse tonight."

She was thankful that he told her the truth and replied "I know all about that sweetheart, no problem, be good, I'll be back in a couple of hours. I love you!"

Shikamaru was stunned. Needless to say he had no words to speak when there was a knock at the door and Shikamaru went to check who was there.

"Hey it's just Chouji. Can I get ready here?"

"Yep. I'm going to be in my room Chouji, just come in when you are rea.." Chouji entered his room before Shikamaru could finish his sentence.

Chouji was happy to be at Shikamaru's house, he had planned to have everyone at the top of the hill watching the eclipse together, hopefully making some magic. He had invited Team Kurenai, Team Yamato and Team Guy to join them on the hill and they had all agreed to. As he was thinking back on the day's events he found himself blushing over the fact that he had gotten a kiss on the cheek from a girl, and not just any girl, it was from the powerful Suna kunoichi Sabaku no Temari. He was shy and smiling to himself when Shikamaru walked in front of him asking what he was thinking about.

Of course Shikamaru knew what Chouji was thinking about, he was thinking about the kiss. Shikamaru could read Chouji like a book and found it quite amusing.

"Hey Shikamaru, do you still not accept your feelings for Temari or would it be okay for you to see her with another guy?" Chouji asked with a gloomy tone.

Shikamaru never expected to her Chouji ask such a question and looked at Chouji with one eyebrow raised

"I'm only asking because if you don't act on those feelings that I know you have for her, she's going to be taken away from you and you will blame yourself forever because you didn't even try to claim her as yours."

Shikamaru thought about the age difference and the distance between Temari and himself and somehow Chouji knew he was thinking about those things and answered

"I know she's a little older than you, but she doesn't treat you like a little child and the distance wouldn't be an issue if you only made an effort! I know Temari has often come to Konoha on official business and has never turned down a mission for our village but you haven't gone to Suna since you saved Temari from that ninja that kidnapped Matsuri!"

Shikamaru felt a jolt in his body, is Chouji reading me like an open book too? Chouji always found a way to tell Shikamaru exactly what he needed to hear. Chouji wanted his friend to wake up and accept his feelings for her already.

He had observed Shikamaru as he visited him hospital for the first time after his team was unable to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha. Shikamaru had changed, become more mature, focused and stronger. When Shikamaru told him he had cried in front of a girl Chouji realized that thanks to this girl Shikamaru's life was spared and was already involved in his life already. He always recognized the signs of attraction for others but never for himself, which was a shame, but regardless of this he never gave up hope.

That was one of Chouji's best qualities, the unshakable hope he had for others. And he knew that one day the one who he had feelings for, would one day return his feelings and he was fine with waiting for her. Patience is one of the things Chouji learned through his friendship with Shikamaru and applied to his everyday life.

"So you will you confess to her tonight?" Chouji asked in a hurry.

"Sheesh Chouji, relax and you know you got her to kiss you first, so maybe you have a chance with her" Shikamaru said jokingly. Chouji replied surprised

"You really think I, me, I have a shot with the Sand Princess?" obviously Chouji didn't get the joke.