Sir Chouji and Ino were in the basement entertainment center in Lady Sakura's house. Lady Sakura was Chouji's cousin and Ino's boss. Chouji had invited himself and a guest to stay over.
"What's up with Sakura?" Chouji asked. "Why's she so pissy?"
"Be glad she puts up with you, Chouji," replied Ino. "You eat so much and stay up so late, I'd have kicked you out a long time ago."
"She's still sad about her hair, isn't she?" asked Chouji.
"I don't blame her," replied Ino. "She lost both her parents last year, and now the bad haircut! You can totally see her huge forehead. I fixed it a little for her, though, so she looks a little better."
"She sure doesn't look like she feels better," said Chouji.
"That's because you eat too much and stay up too late." Ino pointed out. "Since you're a guest, it would save as all some grief if you toned it down a bit."
"Never!" Chouji yelled. "I live to party!"
"I'm warning you. Lady Sakura's not happy. And she's especially upset with your baka friend that you brought in to court her." Ino said.
"Who, Shikamaru?" Chouji grinned. "Putting the moves on her already, eh? He's as good as anyone else in Konoha."
"You've obviously never met Duke Naruto's servant, Sasuke." Ino got a dreamy look on her face. "Sasuke totally beats Shikamaru in everything hands down! Shikamaru is a stupid, drunk, whining idiot!"
"Hey, watch it. Here he comes," Chouji warned her.
"Walking downstairs is so troublesome." Sir Shikamaru complained. "Hi Chouji."
Chouji greeted Shikamaru back. Ino made a contemptuous sound. Shikamaru turned to her.
"Who're you?"
"This is Ino, Lady Sakura's chamber-maid." Chouji told him.
"Yo." Shikamaru opened the fridge and rooted around. He took out a can of beer. He flopped down on the couch, flipped on the TV, and opened his beer.
"Ugh! You are so annoying!" Ino exclaimed, and left the room.
Chouji got a beer as well and sat down beside Shimakaru. They watched TV in silence.
"So? What do you think of my cousin?" asked Chouji.
"Courting her is such a pain." Shikamaru replied. "She's always crying about her hair. You'd think the fact that it'll grow back will make her stop crying, but noooo it doesn't and she's just such a pain!"
"But you like her, don't you?" asked Chouji.
"She is really pretty, kind and rich." Shikamaru stroked his chin. "But I've got no chance. Duke Naruto likes her, too. This is so bothersome. I might as well leave."
"No, no, no, no!" Chouji said. "Come on! Don't be so hard on yourself! You have so many things Naruto doesn't! Like, for example, a brain that works!"
"You're right…" Shikamaru nodded. "Okay. I'll stay for one more month. I'm sort of broke right now, anyway."
"Sweet!" exclaimed Chouji, going over to the fridge and returning with an armload of food. "Let's eat! To freeloading!"
"To freeloading!" Shikamaru exclaimed, and they turned the stereo up full blast. They stayed up till the wee hours dancing and drinking. Somewhere upstairs, Ino sharpened her kunai, swearing she'd get them back the next morning…