Man am I falling behind in this story… Please bear with me!

Chapter 7- The Big Party Welcoming Inoichi

They drove to the Ino-Shika-Cho restaurant and took them around seven minutes to get there. As soon as they arrived, the glass doors were opened by two of Choji's beautiful waitresses. And inside were Naruto, Sasuke, Sai, Kiba, Neji, Shino and Lee.

"Yoshaimase!" they all said in chorus, "Welcome to the Konoha Host Club!"

(For those who watch Ouran High School Host Club, wouldn't it be cute if the Naruto characters had a host club as well? OOH! I am inspired to write another fanfic! Shino would make the perfect Morinozuka!!! Bohahahahaha! Hmmm, maybe a Bleach Host Club would be nice too…Ü)

"Idiots…" Shikamaru muttered, "Baka-baka-baka-baka… How troublesome."

"Tama, what are they doing here?" Choji asked.

"They said that they wanted to join you in welcoming Ino-san's father." Tama replied, "And I must say this host club idea is cute!"

"Thanks! I came up with the idea, actually…" Naruto said, scratching his head. "Heheh…"

"Great… More people from other anime shows…" Ino said.

"I've prepared a great course today!" Choji said proudly, "First, we'll have California Maki for an appetizer, then we'll have potato salad, then the main course: Roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and corn!

"If you want soup, I've made creamy asparagus! It's really tasty!

"And for dessert, Tama-chan made us a delicious ice cream cake! Isn't she great?"

"Choji-sama, you didn't have to go that far…" Tama said, blushing.

"Uh-huh, I can see who's gonna get married next…" Shikamaru kidded, "Hehehe…"

"Oh, shut up, Shikamaru!" Choji laughed. Then, he snapped his fingers, commanding a group of waitresses to come and serve their meal(s).

Everything that was placed fancily onto the long, rectangular table made everyone's mouths water like hell. The California Maki seemed fresh and the nori wrapping the riceball looked so tasty. The potato salad smelled like mayonnaise. The roasted chicken smoked as its savory aroma circled the table.

"Are you guys eating?" Choji asked Naruto and the others.

"No, it's okay!" Naruto replied, "We just had some of Tama's ramen!"

"Well, what can you say about her ramen?" Choji smiled, "Good, huh?"

"It's not just good…" Naruto replied, "IT'S OUTTA THIS WORLD!!! I'm coming here everyday!"

"Oh, Naruto-sama!" Tama giggled, "You flatter me! Thanks."

"Tama, remind me to increase your salary by 70 starting this month!" Choji said, "You've been a good girl!"

"A-arigatou, Choji-sama!"

"Well, let's start eating!" Choji said, "The food's better when it's hot!"

"Then let us entertain you as you savor your meal!" said Lee, who was very excited to once again grab the microphone and attempt to beat Sai in a karaoke challenge.

"No." Shikamaru said, "It's okay, we…"

"Come on!" Naruto insisted, "It'd be really boring if you guys just ate without any music! Let us sing you all a song to make your day!"

"You're not going to make my day!" Shikamaru yelled, "You're gonna ruin it, for god's sake!"

"Are you ready to get yer ass kicked again, Lee?" Sai smirked, "I'm ready."

"It's your ass that's getting kicked this time, pretty boy!" Lee shot, "Don't underestimate the power of Konoha's green beast!"

Suddenly, Gai pops from under the seats.

GAI: YEEEEEEEAH!!! GOOOO, LEEEE!!!

LEE: OKAAAAAAAAY, SIR GAAAAAAAIIIIIIII!!!

KIBA: They look kinda drunk, don't'cha think?

SHINO: Yep.

Shikamaru sighed. "How troublesome." He said, "I was wanting a peaceful meal and here these guys show up to sing for us… Urusai…"

"I'll sing the first song if you don't mind!" Naruto exclaimed, "Now, let's see here…"

AUTHOR'S COMMENT: Shinobi are all karaoke freaks just like me! Ü Dattebayo! Ü

Before Naruto could find a song to sing, Shikamaru stood from his seat and said, "I'm going out. I'm not that hungry at the moment."

"But the food's great, son!" Shikaku said trying to stop him, "You're gonna miss a meal of a lifetime!"

"Nah, that's okay." Shikamaru replied, "I could ask Choji to cook for me anytime."

"Ya know, he does have a point!" Choji said. "But WAIT! Aren't you gonna try Tama's cake for dessert?"

"That's okay." Then, he looked at Tama and said politely, "I'm sorry, Tama-san. Not that I don't want to try some of your delicious cake, it's just that those guys over there are quite distracting…"

"It's okay, Shikamaru-sama." Tama replied, smiling. "I understand."

Then, Shikamaru walked out of the restaurant. Ino immediately wiped her mouth, stood from her seat and went to the door.

"Where are you going, Ino? We were just about to have some fun!" Sai said.

"Huh? Oh, I'm full already… Heheheh…" Ino replied, smiling at him. "Just go on with your little show! I'm pretty sure dad would be happy to watch you guys perform, right dad?"

"Oh yes!" Inoichi replied, "I'd be delighted to watch Ino's friends sing!"

"Then in that case," Naruto said, "Let's get this thang started!"

FIRST SONG: Sexy Back

Meanwhile, outside, we find Ino following Shikamaru to an alley. As soon as he stopped there, she followed him in and soon they were surrounded by the darkness of the walls' shadows. It was just the two of them, in between alley fortifications, unseen by many and all alone.