Yuki KIKI: XD Not sick at all! It makes perfect sense! That's actually the way I viewed it when I wrote it...he's so innocent it makes me just want to huggle him and take all his pain away. But that's Chouji's job. ;)

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT: On Sunday I'm going to be heading up to Canada for the Fourth of July. Daily updates will either cease until I return on Tuesday or I'll get Arashi to do them for me.

These Memories:
A Series About Friendship and Forgetfulness

: Before all things / I had a name / I think it left me long ago / Why can't I remember / Today I have another chance / to step out / I will not rest / until I know / what it all means / I will not give in / until I have you back / where you belong / I will not stop / because this is who I am / Maybe in time / these memories will fade away :

What It All Means
There is no greater danger than that of worrying.
These Memories; Part IX

The Hokage had forbidden them to go.

The mission had been classified as A-class, meaning it was the ANBU who got to handle it. Naturally, A-class missions were supposed to be kept top-secret, which meant Chouji and Ino and Asuma, being the ones to report it, had to keep their mouths shut. Chouji didn't find it as hard as Ino did. He went to Shikamaru's favorite cloud-watching spot on that grassy hill, and watched the white puffs float lazily along for a while.

He wasn't really surprised he hadn't been able to go, but it hurt all the same. Chouji knew Shikamaru better than anybody, except maybe his parents. He knew Shikamaru liked to watch clouds because it was quiet and an easy way to relax. Shikamaru did his best thinking when it was quiet, and he was alone and not required to think.

Chouji's way to relax was to eat. He dug into the bag of chips once more and chewed ferociously. Being a ninja was hard work. First you lose your best friend, then your best friend comes back to life but in terrible condition, and then you have to sit back and let someone else who doesn't know him half as well as you do go and be in complete control of his life.

There was no greater danger than that of worrying, Chouji decided, and ate some more chips.

But somehow he wasn't content. Having to trust people he didn't know, even if they were some of the best Konoha had to offer, with his friend's life didn't make him feel any better.

Shikamaru'd always looked out for him before.

Did it hurt because Chouji couldn't be there for him now?

What did it all mean?