3
It was a pleasant Saturday morning and Shikamaru was not sleeping. The sun had fully risen only twenty minutes ago, the breeze was moist and soft, and Shikamaru was not cloud watching. His tennis partner, Sai, was lightly huffing next to him and pushing his pointy elbows into his side every time Shikamaru tried to slow down to a walk. He would have glared at his teammate, but he was too focused on not tripping. How could Shikamaru have so much agility and grace on the court but be so inadequate at something as natural as running? Granted he was exhausted as they had been running for…oh, only fourteen minutes and twenty-eight seconds.
The instigator of this little shindig was about ten feet ahead, keeping pace with a sweaty Sasuke (who had the most angered, determined look on his face Shikamaru had ever seen). Naruto was loping along, hands loosely curled and shoulders straight as he led the three other boys downtown. He was not as antsy as Shikamaru had seen him before, probably because all of his twitchy-ness was channeled into running, but he was no less glowy than usual.
Why did I let Sai convince me to go on a run with his roommates? Shikamaru internally groaned. His brain supplied him with the benefits of running: his stamina and endurance would increase, his legs would work different muscles than when playing tennis, his heart would become more efficient at pumping blood, Shikamaru would become a better, well-rounded athlete overall, and this would in turn make him a better tennis player. What a drag.
Naruto let out a shout. "We're almost there!"
Up ahead, the neon pink and blue lettering of a Braum's was beaming. The four boys sped up; their destination in sight and their motivation (or desperation) pushed them faster toward the finish. Once they reached the parking lot, however, Naruto suggested they walk around the building a couple of times until their breathing returned to a more normal rate. Shikamaru just wanted to collapse and lay with his back on the ground. But he also wanted to eat; Naruto claimed he knew just what to order after a quick (3.46 miles, ugh) run.
The three still-slightly-breathless boys piled into a large booth in the corner while Naruto went to order. Shikamaru put his head on his folded arms, getting sweat all over the table. Sai sat upright, his annoyingly pleasant smile still somehow on his face, and Sasuke looked simultaneously irritated and constipated. Naruto returned with two trays of food, which turned out to include four tall cups of water, four Spinach and Mushroom Bagel Omelets with a sausage patty, and four banana splits.
Even Sai managed to look disconcerted. "We're not going to run back to campus are we? I think I might throw up if I eat all of this and the head back."
Naruto shook his head. "No, no we'll take the bus! Don't worry, it may look like a lot of food, but this is the perfect meal after a run. Take it from the chef-in-training!"
"Dobe, we've only been in class for a week." Sasuke grumbled.
"I'm serious; it's all down to a science! You've got your carbohydrates in the bagel, proteins in the eggs and sausage, calcium and vitamins A and C in the spinach and fiber and vitamin B in the mushrooms, potassium and more carbs in the banana, and sugar for a quick energy recovery in the ice cream!"
Shikamaru gave the blond a blank stare. "Well you're not wrong."
With that, they dug in. And…Shikamaru had never tasted anything so heavenly. For once, his mind was not wishing he was sleeping or cloud watching or chaotically strategizing new tennis plays, it was solely focused on shoveling the too salty and too sweet food but still magical food into his mouth as quickly as possible.
Hinata honestly couldn't figure out how she came to be in this situation. She was sitting at the wooden table next to Karen-sempai in the athletic dorm's shared kitchen, watching as Naruto and Chouji practiced making their first recipe for their cooking classes. Lee-sempai was also in the kitchen, supervising.
She had met Karen in the stairwell on her way back from class, when the redhead grabbed her elbow and asked if she wanted to go spy on Naruto. Hinata couldn't remember if she had said yes, or nodded her head, or simply froze, but Karen had dragged her to the kitchen and suddenly they were less spying and more blatantly staring.
Karen had evidently just returned from cheerleading practice and still adorned her tank-top, and small black shorts with the traditional low-cut white cheer shoes that just accentuated her long legs. She kept making gooey eyes at Lee, who was in fact, oblivious. Hinata supposed that this would count as spying, for Karen. Lee had no idea how closely he was being watched (or ogled). Hinata and Naruto on the other hand, were making fools of themselves, but getting the chance to watch Naruto flit about the kitchen in sweatpants and another faded race shirt topped with an apron covered in cartoon toads was definitely worth it.
Naruto kept smiling at her over the counter and making mistakes as he was so distracted. Chouji had to constantly correct him.
"That's the sugar, Naruto-kun. We need salt."
"Ah! Thanks, Chouji!" Cue blinding smile.
"The pasta is about to boil over, Naruto-kun, please stir it."
"Right! That would make a mess." Cue sheepish grin.
"Don't pour that much chili powder in! Pay attention, Naruto!" Cue a surprised look of growing horror.
This time, when Naruto turned to Hinata, he was not smiling. "Hinata, I've ruined the dish and now it'll be too spicy for you to taste! I'm so sorry!"
"Ah…i-it's okay, Naruto-kun." Dang it her stutter was back.
Chouji grumbled. "What are we going to do with all of this food now? What a waste!"
Lee decided to comfort his underclassmen. "Don't worry, Chouji! I am sure it tastes fine, I will be glad to eat something made by my kohai!"
Lee took a large bite, his black eyes growing wide and filling with tears, his face turning red and his cheeks puffing out. The two freshman chefs stared with surprise and apprehension. Karen leaned forward in her seat.
"YOSH! This is the most youthful dish I have ever had! I can feel my muscles quivering with renewed strength and vigor!"
It was true, Lee was quivering. Karen eagerly leapt from the wooden chair. "I'd like to try some, Lee-kun!"
After both of their faces were sufficiently red and they looked about to pass out, Chouji took control of the situation and dragged them to the back freezer for some mochi.
Naruto let out an amused huff before sharing a fond glance with Hinata. "Let me clean up, Hinata-chan, and then how about we go out for ramen? I know just the place."
Hinata sat feeling light headed for a second before nodding. "Sure, Naruto-kun! I can help clean too."