Best Friends
Shikamaru found tears streaming down his face for the second time in one day when he walked into the hospital room. Chouji lie on the bed, nearly as pale as the sheets, eyes closed and hair unbound from the hitai-ate for once. He was skinny, so skinny... Shikamaru's worries increased tenfold just from being able to see his best friend's bones beneath his skin, the red pill having wreaked full havoc on his body. But Godaime had claimed him healed, in bad condition but no danger of dying anymore, so really, there was nothing to be afraid of anymore. Chouji would probably be out and eating to regain the weight he'd lost in no time.
For the moment, though, Ino was slumped against the bed, eyes red and puffy from crying, Chouji's father patting her on the back (even though his eyes were bright with unshed tears as well). They both looked up as Shikamaru entered the room and his guilt turned even worse, feeling that because he had been leader and had let Chouji stay behind, that friends and family should turn all their frustration and fear on him. But neither made any move to be hostile; Ino stood, all but ran across the room, and hugged him fiercely, sobbing against his chest and wailing that they were alive and that they had better not try to leave her behind again; she was so worried. Shikamaru apologized under his breath, hugging her in return, tears dampening her hair as he leaned his cheek on top of her head. Chouza came over and hugged them both after a while, telling them quietly that he was happy his son had such good friends.
When Chouji woke up two days later, Ino and Shikamaru were both asleep, leaning against his bed. He smiled weakly but broadly and woke them up by hugging them just as his father had, echoing the exact same sentiment.
Ino cried again from relief, and Shikamaru came very close to doing the same.
Author's Notes: I like most of this, up until the end. :\ I think I ran outta gas on it. The challenge was "Write about a near-death experience." And yes, I hate the title too.