Butterfly Love
While Ino and Choji are away the ninja's will play matchmaker. Everyone was now bent on getting those two together. Gaara had officially become Anuki's protector, a.k.a. boyfriend, Kiba and Akamaru never left Kitsury and Inari's side, and Lee had calm down some being with Usagi who loved the way he talked and his fuzzy eyebrows. So since Kankurou was a complete lost cause.
" It's time we get Ino and Choji together." Temari said
" But how?" Sakura questioned
" Yeah, Ino thinks Choji won't like her because she chased after me for so long." Sasuke stated
" And Choji think Ino won't like him cause he's not like Sasuke." Hinata said
" You know just set them in a room by themselves and let their hearts do the talking, anything else and it becomes too mendokuse." Shikamaru stated
" Shika-kun that's sweet, BUT IT WON'T WORK!" Temari screamed into her boyfriend's ear
" Ok, so what do you suggest, oh 'Goddess of Couple Making'?" Kankurou said sarcastically
" Kankurou don't make me pull out my fan." Temari said looking over at him
At the time of Temari and Kankurou's little discussion Gaara was having his own with Shukaku.
" Cub, you can't go on this little matchmaker hunt. We need to talk." Shukaku said
Ok, I'll tell Temari Gaara said to him
" Sorry Temari, but I can't go with you." Gaara said
" Why Gaara?" she questioned
" I need to meditate." Gaara told her, he didn't want her to worry.
" Oh, ok." Temari said
With that Gaara walked back to his room and the others started planning.
" Ok, here is what I think we should do…" was all Gaara heard Temari say before he shut the door to his and Anuki's room.
In the living room everyone gathered around Temari to hear her explanation. After Temari had explained the plan they split up. The girls went to find Ino and boy to Choji. Since neither could tell the other their feelings Temari had planed for each group to record why that person liked the other. Then they'd let the other person listen to the tape.
The girls found Ino sitting in the Olsen's garden surrounded by blue butterflies. She was just watching them with a soft smile on her face. She them noticed the girls.
" Hey girls, what's up?" She asked waving her hand
" Hey Ino, can we talk?" Tenten asked
" Sure what about?" Ino questioned
" Choji." Temari stated
" Oh." Ino replied, the smile she once had now gone.
" WHAT DO YOU MEAN "OH", INO-PIG I THOUGHT YOU LIKED THE BOY." Sakura screamed at her friend. This got Ino upset and Temari pressed the record button.
" I DO LIKE HIM!" Ino screamed back, "But he won't like a girl like me."
" Why do you put yourself down Ino-san?" Hinata questioned her
" Listen, I've chased Sasuke for so long, I doubt Choji even thinks I like him. Besides he too sweet, is understanding, thoughtful, and kind for a person like me. Someone who is constantly complaining about her own weight wouldn't have a chance with Choji. I've been such a baka, he never go out with me." Ino explained
" I don't think that's true Ino, you need to ask him yourself." Usagi added
" You think?" Ino questioned Usagi
" Believe me Ino, Usagi knows what she's talking about in these matters." Kitsury said
At the same time the girls were talking with Ino the boys had located Choji. He was getting ready to go into a forest trail.
" HEY CHOJI, WAIT UP!" Naruto yelled
" Oh, hey guys, what's up?" Choji questioned
" Where are you going Choji?" Kiba questioned
" Into the forest to walk around, I think best if I walk in the forest. You see all kind of animals too." Choji explained to the boys
" Mind if we join you Choji?" Shikamaru asked
" Nope, lets go. I've already been through it a couple of times, so if it gets dark we'll be able to get back to the Onsen easy." Choji stated
" Whelp, lets go." Kankurou said
As the boys walked Shikamaru hit the tape recorder
" So Choji, when are you going to ask Ino out?" Shikamaru asked
He was trying to make this a quick as possible. The question of course made Choji's face turn bright red.
" Um… Well… I probably won't tell her Shikamaru." Choji answered
" But why Choji? We all know you like her, I'm sure she fells the same way." Kiba said
" Yeah!" Naruto added
" I don't know. I just don't think she'd like a guy like me. I mean her and Sakura chased Sasuke for so long, she probably likes boys like him. Not a chubby goof like me." Choji said sadly
" Now, come on Choji. You can't put yourself down like that." Neji said, upset that a friend thought of himself like that.
" I know, but Ino is so pretty and thoughtful. When she's upset, she just needs someone to listen to her. I like to do that. But…" Choji stopped
" No, buts man, you just need to tell her." Shikamaru stated
" Maybe you're right Shikamaru." Choji said
At that the boys exited the trail and walked back to the Onsen.
" Well guys I'm heading to the snack bar. I'll meet you back in the suite later." Choji said turning to leave the group.
" Ok, but just think about what we said earlier." Sasuke added
"YES, LET THE BURNING FIRE OF PASSION LET YOU TELL INO YOU FEELINGS." Lee said
" Um, Ok Lee." Choji said and the started to walk away.
Back in the garden
" Well girls, I think I'm going to head over and get a snack. I'll see you back in the suite." Ino said and walked away from the group.
" Ok, Ino see you later." Anuki said
Ino and Choji were now depressed because of talking about how the other would never accept them. So, unbeknownst to them both they headed to get some chips. Neither noticed the other as they entered the snack area. They both reached for the last bag of BBQ chips at the same time and …
" Oh, sorry." Ino said
" No, it's my fault." Choji replied
" Choji?" Ino said looking at the body to the other person's hand
" Ino?" Choji said stunned she was going for a bag of chips. At this Ino smiled
" You wanna share Choji? I know a great place to go to eat." Ino said
" Yeah that sounds good." Choji replied
With that the two headed back to the gardens with the butterflies.
Once Gaara had entered his room, he got onto his bed and started meditating. This was the only was he could talk to Shukaku face to face. Inside his mind the once pitch black room had now turned into a lavish forest. Gaara was standing in front of a giant cave.
" Shukaku?" Gaara called out confused about where he was
" In here cub." Came a voice from the cave.
Gaara started to walk into the mouth of the cave and was meet by Shukaku.
" What happened here?" Gaara asked
" Oh, I changed the scenery. This reminds me of home." Shukaku said smiling sadly
" Oh, Ok so, what did you want to talk about?" Gaara asked
" Oh! I think you know what this is about cub." Shukaku replied
" About what you told Naruto in the Ramen Stand." Gaara answered
" Bingo, I think it's time we come to a compromise." Shukaku said
Gaara was leery about compromising with a demon. It isn't good unless you know what he wants in return.
" Ok, spill it! What do I have to do and what's in it for me." Gaara said to Shukaku who just smiled.
" You will be able to sleep and I won't try to take over you or erase your mind. You will also be able to access my chakra easier and as I said before you can now use demon jutsu's." Shukaku answered
" Ok and what do you want me to do in return?" Gaara asked waiting for the next part
" Just, watch over Anuki and Leaf." Shukaku said
" And…" Gaara said waiting for more
" What "and", that's it." Shukaku said looking at Gaara confused
" NANI!" Gaara screamed
I was expecting more. Something like sacrifices, blood, or something bad, but all he wants is for me to watch his daughter and former fiancée. There got to be more than that. Gaara thought to himself
" Oh and one more thing…" Shukaku started
" I KNEW IT! WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO KILL A VILLAGE, LET YOU EAT NUMEROUS SACRIFICES. WHAT?" Gaara yelled
" What are you talking about cub? The only one of us demons that does that stuff is Manda, that stupid snake of the Sannin Orochimaru. We're not all bloodthirsty killers. I was only like that because that stupid Suna priest tried to absorb my powers, but corrupted me. When we fought Naruto, he and Kyubi were able to end the jutsu." Shukaku explained to the now jaw-dropped Gaara
The Shukaku was stunned; his container thought he was that evil. But, of course he hadn't let him sleep for the last 13 years and asked for blood almost hourly.
" Oh! Sorry, so what else." Gaara said now embarrassed for his outburst
" Just…. MarryAnukisoshe'llbeprotectedalways." Shukaku said so fast he hoped Gaara didn't understand it.
" Wait, wait did I hear that correctly. You want me to do WHAT!" Gaara said
Unfortunately for Shukaku Gaara had understood what he said.
" Well… basically since I can't marry Anuki now, she has no one. Leaf also needs someone to watch her and help her get strong. If they're both with you I won't have to worry about either. I'll be able to turn into a Sand Shukaku and train Leaf and you can train with Anuki. I know you like her; she's the first one that has made you smile. You've also been protecting her from Kitsury and the others even though you know she'd be all right. So, why don't you just spend some time with them and see if you like it. If you don't it's alright and I'll still let you sleep without being harmed." Shukaku explained his earlier request
" Well, ok. I'll spend more time with them and see if I can stand being around them. I'll give you my answer before we leave." Gaara answered
" Good, now I think you should return. The troops are coming back from the hunt." Shukaku said smiling
" Baka Tanuki." Gaara said and with that disappeared
" Hump, I think he has changed more in these last two days than in his entire life." Shukaku said and with that walked out into the field, curled up and went to sleep. Anuki came running into their room with Leaf behind her.
" Gaara-kun, we're back!" Anuki said loudly
" Anuki he's still meditating. Leave home alone!" Leaf said angrily
" Oh, your just mad that you didn't get to see you Otou-san because you were asleep." Anuki replied
" Yeah! Well someone could've woken me up, you know!" Leaf said
" Will you two stop, please!" Gaara said turning around to face them.
"GAARA-KUN!" Anuki said as she jumped and caught him in a hug. Gaara smiled until…
" Anuki…can't breath!" he managed to say while turning blue
" Oh, sorry." She said while letting go. Gaara soon returned to his pale white skin color
" So, did you talk to my pops?" Leaf asked
" How did you know?" Gaara asked the Tanuki
" Figured that's the only reason you'd go to meditate." She said
" Yes, we talked, but I'll explain about it later. Before we leave." Gaara said
" So, did you guys get them to talk?" Gaara asked Anuki
" Yep, everyone's in the living room right now. We're getting ready to fix the tapes, so they won't hear our voices." Anuki explained
" Who's going to do that?" Gaara asked
" Me silly! I have a knack for these kinds of things. Wanna come with? You can watch and listen to the master at work." Anuki said, now pulling Gaara out of their room.
" Sure, I don't really have a choice though." Gaara said smiling now keeping pace with Anuki.
They then came to the living room. Were everyone was gathered, but rather upset.
" Um… What's wrong guys?" Anuki and Gaara asked
" We have a major problem!" Temari said frantically
" Yeah, we didn't get either ones answer." Kankurou added
" But both of our groups recorded them. How can that be?" Anuki asked confused
" We did, but we had no tape in our recorder." Sakura said
" And we didn't have batteries in ours." Sasuke added
" So, just go back and ask them again." Gaara said
" If we do that they'll know something's up." Tenten said
" So, what now?" Kitsury asked
" Plan B." Temari said
" Which is what exactly?" Neji asked
" I don't know." Temari said
This caused everyone to sweat drop.
" Shika-kun, you think of something!" she added
With that everyone turned to Shikamaru.
This is too mendokuse. I shouldn't of gotten out of bed this morning. He thought to himself with all eyes still on him.
" So Ino, where are we going?" Choji asked
" To the Onsen's Garden, I think you'll like it." Ino replied smiling at him
" Why?" he asked turning blood red from Ino's actions
" You'll see." was all she said
With that the two continued walking until they reached the garden.
" Ino, it's so beautiful!" Choji said surprised at how beautiful the garden really was.
The garden was comprised of a bamboo grove to the right and Zen garden to the left. They continued to walk on a wooden walkway until they came to a waterfall. This area was a Japanese style garden. It had a pond that a waterfall fell into, a couple of cherry blossom trees, fire flowers, and wildlife walking about. An occasional deer and boar were seen, but what fascinated Choji the most were the butterflies. These weren't ordinary butterflies; they were a bright blue with black decorating them.
" Akimichi Butterflies?" Choji questioned Ino
" Yeah, I thought it was unusual too. Also, they keep on following me around." Ino said
" They're doing what?" he asked, " That's strange they only stay with family members." He added
" That's what my father said too. I wanted to ask you, but haven't had time to." She said
Choji blushed, he knew why the butterflies were following Ino around. But had didn't have the courage to tell her what he thought.
" Guys, come here." Choji said
With that all the butterflies gather around him. There were so many that Ino couldn't see Choji anymore. Then they dispersed and flew into the air.
" Aw, they're leaving." Ino said upset
" No, they're not, just watch them." Choji told her
With that the two watched the butterflies as they started to make different forms. First an I then a heart and the last were a U.
No that can't be I have to be dreaming. She thought
Choji was patiently waiting for an answer, but Ino was just standing there.
I knew I shouldn't have done that. She'll think I'm a total jerk now." He thought
" Choji…" she finally spoke
" Yeah." He answered
" Did you tell the butterflies to do that?" she asked
" Um…yeah." He said
" Is it true?" she asked getting upset
Choji just nodded his head; he had made her upset. She didn't like it. Since he was lost in thought he didn't see what Ino did, but the end result. Which was her hugging him and crying on his shoulder.
" Ino, you ok?" he asked confused
" You b..ig goof ball, w..hy could..n't you of t..old me so..oner?" she asked him while crying.
" Sooner?" he was shocked, " So that means you like me too?" he asked her
" I swear you've got to be the stupidest, but sweetest guy in all of Konoha." Ino replied looking up at Choji smiling
With that Choji smiled at her and then returned the hug. Soon they moved to a near by tree and sat down under it to watch to wildlife.
" Man, I'm glad I took Shikamaru's advice." Choji said to Ino.
" What did he say?" she asked leaning her head on her boyfriends shoulder.
" He told me just to tell you. I guess the butterflies followed you because they knew how I felt about you and I let them do the talking." He explained smiling
" And I heard it loud and clear." She said hugging him
" I'm glad, I don't know what I would of done if you hadn't of understood." He said joking
" Akimichi Choji! Are you calling me stupid?" She asked sounding upset, but she knew he was joking
" No, no! I didn't mean that." He said now worried she was mad at him
" I know I was just playing." She said laughing at him
" Ino, sometimes I don't know if you're mad or playing around. I'm going to have to be careful around you." He said
" I could never be mad at you Choji." She said
With that they sat in the gardens for the rest of the day holding hands. That's how the group found them. When they hadn't returned for dinner everyone started getting worried. When it got dark they went out to look for them. The new couple had fallen asleep under the tree with Ino leaning on Choji's shoulder. They carried the two back to the suite and put them in Choji's room. They'd ask them the details in the morning.