When given the ChouIno prompt by Anne Camp aka Obi-quiet, I started writing something that was going to end up closer to a one-shot than a drabble. But then I wrote a single line that put this in my head, and I then combined and compressed the two. So this is the story of how Ino and Chouji got together. Sort of. Enjoy!
I do not own Naruto.
Tapestry
---Seven: Shallow---
"It isn't fair!" Ino complained loudly. Though Asuma was long gone, the former Team Ten tried to continue certain traditions by going out for barbeque after each successful mission. The difference on this particular day was that Temari had accompanied them at Shikamaru's request. Chouji accepted the facts as they were, but Ino was less-than-pleased and had no qualms about showing it.
"Everyone has a boyfriend or girlfriend except for me!" she cried, earning at least three strange looks from other patrons of the restaurant.
Chouji looked up from the food briefly and raised an eyebrow. "Do I not count as a person?"
Ino ignored him and continued her rant. "Naruto's finally noticed that Hinata exists, Sasuke and Sakura have been inseparable since he came back, Neji and Tenten were seen making out at their old training grounds, and Shika's always running around with this Suna girl!" She gestured wildly at Temari, who gave Ino a warning glare.
"I have a name, you know."
Shikamaru sighed. "Don't worry about it. If she hadn't known Sakura since they were kids, she wouldn't use her name either."
"I just don't get it," Ino concluded, still not paying attention to the interruptions. "I'm pretty, right?"
"Of course," was Chouji's automatic answer. However, his mouth was half-full and the words were slightly unintelligible.
Lucky for him, Ino correctly assumed he'd agreed with her. "Then what's the problem? Why can't I get a hot guy to like me?"
Temari snorted. "You think Naruto's hot?"
"Of course not!"
Chouji swallowed his mouthful of food. "I like you."
Ino shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, but you're…"
Shikamaru groaned. Temari laughed. "The problem isn't the boys, Ino. The problem is you."
"What?!"
"You're shallow, and most guys find that annoying."
Ino gaped at the other blonde girl. Shikamaru put his head down on the table. Chouji reached for more food.
Suddenly Ino's eyes narrowed. She grabbed Chouji by the lapels and kissed him firmly. The restaurant became completely silent as everyone stared at them. When she released her former teammate, Ino turned to Temari with a triumphant smile. "Would a shallow girl do that?"
Temari smirked. "She wouldn't do it twice."
As Ino attacked Chouji again, Shikamaru looked at Temari. "You enjoyed that, didn't you?"
She didn't have to think about it long. "Yep."
Shikamaru shook his head. "Troublesome."
---Owari---
A little bit of semi-ShikaTem with your ChouIno, but I'm extremely pleased with this result. I have to go learn my lines for House of Atreus now. I get to be a blind Fury!
And while I'm still accepting requests, please give me a plot idea, not just a pairing! Thanks for reading, and please review!