You know, I have no idea how this chapter got so long. I was just writing, and I added a few things, suddenly the thing's over 4,000 words long. Oh, well. I like longer chapters anyways. The rest of them probably won't be as long, though. Or maybe they will be, I don't know. I've thought out how all the chapters will work in terms of plot, but as to specific material and length, I'm playing it all by ear. Anyways, enjoy.

Confessions are Troublesome

The hairs on the back of Chouji's neck bristled. He immediately put his guard up. The mass ninja began trying to assess the situation, and find the safest course of action. He didn't bother trying to act normal; he had no reason to hide his apprehension from his adversary, and the more he could put them off balance, the better.

Ino, however, just scoffed. "Give it a rest, Chouji. I just asked if you want to go out for lunch."

Chouji didn't falter. For all his years of training in the art of the shinobi, there was one simple, solemn yet unwritten rule that had been beaten into him: never trust Ino. Not that he didn't like the girl. Ino was a good friend and a reliable comrade. Chouji would trust her with his life in a heartbeat. He just didn't trust her with lunch.

Ino rolled her eyes. "C'mon, Chouji. It's not like it's a date or anything, just lunch."

Chouji's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"Oh, please. Do I actually need a reason to invite a friend to lunch? What, you don't trust me?"

"No."

"Tsk. Look, I just thought that, without Shikamaru around, you'd be getting lonely, and I'd thought I'd give you a little company, that's all."

Chouji was still weary. Ino didn't usually figure these kinds of things out herself. She'd be too busy caught up in what she wanted to notice how others felt until someone actually told her. Besides, she was part of the reason Shikamaru was so busy now. Not that it mattered to him anymore…

Ino sighed internally as she saw her heavy-set friend falter in depression. Okay, so maybe mentioning Shikamaru wasn't the best idea, given their current state of affairs. "Okay, look. I know that I've been kind of ignoring you with this whole Shikamaru thing going on, and I've been feeling a little…well…guilty about it."

Chouji thought about it. Ino may not have done compassion, but she did do guilt. Currently, she was clutching her arm and refusing to meet his eyes as if she were too ashamed. She certainly looked sincere. Then again, she was a kunoichi. Looking sincere while plotting the best way to kill a target was a part of the job.

Ino looked off to the side and scratched her cheek. "And besides, it would probably make Shikamaru feel better if you weren't by yourself all the time."

Ah, so that was it. Good intentions and guilt aside, this was yet another attempt for Ino to get a shot at Shikamaru. This time, she seemed to be trying to get to her crush by going through said crush's best friend. Actually, now that he thought about it, he was a little surprised she hadn't tried this already.

Chouji sighed. Even though he was being used and knew it, Ino had struck a sore spot. Ever since he'd basically run away from his best friend a week ago, he had been by himself. Of course, he knew that he had been foolish, but what after Shikamaru had said, he just couldn't stand to stay there anymore, and now he was too ashamed of his behavior to talk to the shadow user. He couldn't deny that he felt lonely, and Ino was decent company. Besides, she was asking him out to lunch.

"…Hang on a minute. I'll go get my wallet."

"Slow down, Chouji. The food isn't going to get up and leave."

Chouji made no indication that he had heard Ino's chiding. Over three years of listening to her talk about how much of a glutton he was allowed him to ignore the insults, even if they were a little less biting and more friendly now. He did slow down a little, though. After all, he was eating lunch with a lady, and his parents had made sure to drill in some table manners when he was younger. Sure, if it were just another guy like Naruto, he'd eat like it was going out of style. Women, however, he had been taught to be a little more polite to.

Ino just lazily poked at her salad, having a hard time finishing it. Chouji had made her get a large one. She could make fun of his overeating all she wanted, but the mass ninja wasn't going to let his friend turn anorexic just because she was on one of her crazy diets. Still, it was a good salad, and Chouji seemed to enjoy his barbequed pork. Then again, he'd probably enjoy barbequed pork if it came out of a trashcan.

"So," Ino began, stirring up the conversation again, "how'd that mission go? The one in the Land of Flowers?"

"Pretty good, I think." Chouji had been sent about a month ago on a mission to rescue a young lord from brigands. "It wasn't that hard. Shino had scouted their hideout with his beetles, and Tenten took care of all the perimeter guards. All I had to do was rush in, grab the lord, and get out in one piece. I did get in a few good hits, though." Even if it had been a while ago, he still hadn't told Ino the story, so he didn't mind repeating it.

"That's not I heard," Ino said in a singsong voice.

"Hmm?"

"Sakura let me read the mission report. You didn't just rush in and out. You bulldozed in out of nowhere, beat up several ninja, then Super Expanded yourself and carried the kid out in the palm of your hand. Have to say, Chouji, I'm impressed. That boy said he felt like he was in a storybook, sitting in your palm like that."

"Well, I…Wait a minute, why did Sakura let you read the mission report? I know those are supposed to be confidential."

"Well, she said that she wanted my opinion."

"Opinion on what? Proper handwriting?"

"No, you dunce, on weather you'd make it as a jonin or not."

Chouji's jaw dropped at that. "You don't mean…"

Ino waved her hand in dismissal. "Don't get too excited. It's still way too early for you to be promoted. But, according to Sakura, Lady Hokage was discussing potential candidates with Genma and Raido and your name came up. They aren't really considering you yet, but apparently, since jonin are the ones that responsible for training genin, being able to install safety into your charges like you did for that lord is important."

Chouji didn't know if he should jump for joy, blush in modesty, or grin like an idiot. Instead, he just sat there, shocked expression still set firmly on his face, and his food all but forgotten. He was actually being considered for a jonin position! He knew it wouldn't happen right away, he was only sixteen, after all, and had become a chunnin less than two years ago. Still, it looked like he could actually make it in a few years. He really couldn't have been happier. He could feel the corners of his mouth slowly rise on his face.

Ino smiled inwardly. She could tell from the expression on her friend's face that she had just made his day. Good. Chouji really hadn't had much good news lately, so seeing him smile that same dopey grin he usually wore put Ino a little more at ease. A depressed Chouji could make anyone feel guilty, even if you hadn't done anything.

"They did mention that you didn't have a lot of high-level jutsu, though, just your standard clan techniques. Maybe you should try learning some new moves."

Chouji pulled himself out of his stupor, and thought before answering. "Actually, there is something that I've been working on…" When he saw that he had piqued Ino's interest, he continued. "You know what happens when I eat one of my chili pepper pills, right?"

"The red one?" Chouji nodded. "Your body converts its mass into chakra, and you get super powerful. But isn't that dangerous? The last time you used it, you nearly killed yourself."

"That's what I've been working on. You see, the reason it's so dangerous is because the pill can't think for itself, so it doesn't stop working, even when there's nothing left to convert. But, if I can find a way to control the transformation on my own, I should be able to activate that state without the pill, then stop it before it starts causing me any real damage."

Ino stared at him, eyes wide. She had hardly ever seen Chouji use the Akamichi pills because of the tremendous strain they put on the boy's body. She hadn't even seen him take the final red pill before, due to its almost guaranteed fatality to the user. The only way that she knew what the pill did was by what Chouji told her and the large depression that had been left in that large sound ninja's corpse. But, if Chouji could harness that power whenever he wished, he could very well become as powerful as Kakashi or Lady Hokage herself. "Can you actually do that, Chouji?"

Her friend lightly shook his head. "That's the problem; I don't know if I can or not. There's no record of anyone in my family ever trying to use it before. Of course, the obvious plan of action would be to train by taking the pill and getting used to it's effects, but…"

"You can't use that pill safely even once, let alone the number of times you'd need it to train," Ino finished for him.

"Right. Besides, those pills are actually very hard to make. My dad told me that, between gathering the rare materials for it and finding a skilled enough apothecary to make the pill, it could take up to two years to make. Normally, it isn't a problem, since the side effects usually prevent someone from taking more than one. After all, you can't use another if you're dead."

Ino had a thoughtful expression on her face as she processed everything Chouji just told her. "So, basically, you can't really train with the pill, since they're too rare to use enough in training, and even one will most likely kill you, and to train you'd need to use it who knows how many times."

Chouji nodded. "Exactly. I was going to ask the Hyugas for help, since they have so much information on manipulating internal chakra. Unfortunately, they're all pretty tight-lipped about their information. The only one that would probably be willing to help me is Hinata, and right now…"

Ino nodded in understanding as Chouji trailed off. "Hinata's not exactly…together right now. Can't say I totally blame her, though. This whole thing with Naruto and Kiba probably almost killed her."

Chouji just nodded in agreement. He wasn't totally comfortable talking about the apparently first two gay people in Konohagakure, since he would probably be considered the third, but talking with Ino usually meant talking about gossip. It was also a little more lighthearted with her. It was as if Ino could make even the most somber subjects feel trivial, and considering his current problems and how they related to 'this whole thing with Naruto and Kiba,' he could use that right now.

Ino took a sip from her water glass, and thought before she spoke again. "Still, I suppose she should have seen it coming. I mean, looking back, there were signs and all. Like one time, I saw Kiba at Ichraku, and he was ordering this huge thing of ramen to go."

Chouji groaned and rolled his eyes. "Naruto's not the only person in the village who eats ramen, Ino. In fact, there are probably only four or five people at most who don't eat it. And Kiba always gets big orders of food so that he can share them with Akamaru. The only reason he got it to go was probably because the dog's too big to eat on the counter now."

Ino looked a little shocked at how quickly her observation had been shot down, and Chouji continued before she could think up another one. "Face it, Ino. No one noticed the clues because there were none. When Naruto wants to hide something, it stays hidden, trust me."

Ino relented with a sigh. "I suppose you're right," she said, twirling her fork absentmindedly on a piece of lettuce. "It just bugs me that those two of all people managed to put one over on me. Anyways, about your training, I think you should to talk to Lady Hokage. I think Sakura mentioned once that she can manipulate the cells in her body somewhat, and that sounds kind of like what you're doing. She's also an expert on human anatomy, which could also help, and you really should have some sort of medic on hand for this kind of thing, anyways."

Chouji thought about that. It actually sounded like a good idea. "I think I'll do that. Thanks, Ino."

"No problem," she responded. Then, because she'd probably never get the opportunity to say this to Chouji again, she added, "Now hurry up and finish before your food gets cold."

Shikamaru sighed as he looked up at the clouds. Today was perfect. Temari was back in her own village, Ino was probably off somewhere, reminiscing about the "date" that they had been on the day before, and the rest of his fans seemed to be preoccupied right now. Apparently, Inuzuka Hana had told one of her friends that Naruto had been over for an "observed date" with Kiba, and that had got all the girls focused back on those two again. The whole thing had been just too troublesome for him from the time he had barged/crash landed in that damn apartment.

Still, it had gotten him another day of freedom, and now he was sitting in his special spot, looking up at the clouds overhead. Behind them was a beautiful azure sky, and the temperature was just right. Yes, today was absolutely perfect.

Or it would have been, if Chouji wasn't still mad at him.

Shikamaru sighed again. He really wanted to write off this whole thing between he and his best friend as troublesome as he would usually do but couldn't. That would imply that it was all someone else's fault, and although he didn't want to admit, this time it was all on him. He was the one who had opened his big mouth and hadn't considered his words. Chouji, as sensitive as he was, had every right to be angry with him right now. Shikamaru had never once in his life considered himself a bigot, and it actually kind of hurt to be seen as one.

What he really wanted to do right now was go and grovel at Chouji's feet, begging for forgiveness. Okay, so he wouldn't actually be groveling. More like give an offhanded hello. And the begging would be more of a sullen "sorry." Still, it would get his point across. Still, Ino had told him to wait a few days first, so wait he would. And this left him in his favorite spot, looking at the clouds and, for the first time in his life, getting bored with it.

Then, partially out of boredom, partially out of curiosity, and partially out of sheer serendipity, he looked down at the street below just in time to see his two teammates. They were chatting happily. Chouji had a satisfied smile on his face, so Shikamaru guessed that they had just eaten. Ino was smiling too, and the two seemed very animated in their conversation.

Shikamaru frowned at this. He had just told Ino about the problems between the he and Chouji, and now she was hanging out with him? This just didn't seem right, and it suddenly dawned on the young genius that the girl telling him to stay away from Chouji for a few days may have just been a ploy to talk to the mass ninja without interference. Still, Ino wouldn't do anything sordid or cruel to Chouji of all people, and she wouldn't risk pulling something that could hinder her current romantic pursuits…right?

Shikamaru couldn't shake off the feeling of suspicion, and right as they began to disappear from view, quickly jumped down from the rooftop and followed after them. He wasn't close enough to actually hear anything they said in the din of the busy street, because if he could, that would be akin to stalking, but he stayed close enough behind so that he could intercede if anything actually happened, like if a vat of honey and feathers suddenly poured over Chouji.

Still, nothing happened. There were no pranks, and by Chouji's expression the conversation was entirely pleasant. It actually occurred to Shikamaru that, if Ino wasn't so obsessed with him right now, she and Chouji would actually make a pretty good couple. For some reason that he didn't feel he had the time to explore right now, this thought seemed to agitate him, and he began to quicken his pace to eavesdrop a little.

The two stepped off the main street and began walking into an alley. Perfect. Without the noise of the busy street, he could hear them better.

"He misses you, you know."

Chouji looked at his companion in confusion. Whatever Ino just said had come completely out of nowhere.

Ino elaborated. "Shikamaru misses you. He told me what happened last week, and how you've been avoiding him ever since."

Chouji didn't like how quiet it seemed all of a sudden. Weren't they in a crowded street just a second ago.

Ino carried on. "He's not a homophobe, either. He didn't even realize that he said anything wrong. I actually had to explain it to him."

Chouji stopped in his tracks while Ino kept walking down the alley. "W-What did you tell him, exactly."

Ino stopped now and looked over her shoulder at her suddenly somber friend. "I explained that he had basically insulted Naruto and Kiba for being a couple and that you, being sensitive to others being bullied, got mad at him for it."

Chouji let out a sigh he hadn't realized he'd been holding. So he hadn't been exposed after all.

"Don't worry. He doesn't know how you feel."

For a brief second, Chouji's heart stopped.

"W-What are you talking about, Ino?" Chouji tried to play it off nonchalant, but even he could tell he was failing miserably.

Ino, on the other hand, looked like the cat who caught the canary. In a clearly faked sweet smile, she answered. "I'm talking about how you're in love with him."

Chouji's was shaking now, and he knew it. "That's nuts, Ino. I don't know what the hell you're talking about." He brushed past her and continued down the alley. He had a very sudden urge to lock himself in his room for the rest of the year.

Ino let him take a few paces before she spoke. "Is it nuts?" Chouji stopped at that, facing away from her, stiff as a board. Ino continued, "You confront people when you think they're insulting someone, Chouji, not run away from them. If you heard what Shikamaru had said, you wouldn't have just ran like that. You would have said something to him about it, like you always do when you two disagree. The only reason why you would just leave like that is if you were afraid of confronting him, and the only reason you'd be afraid of confronting a supposedly homophobic friend was if you were gay yourself.

"Figure that out, and then it becomes painfully obvious who you would like. After all, you spend almost every waking moment with Shikamaru, and you don't really hang out with any other guys. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard you talk about girls the entire time I've known you."

Chouji just stood there, silent as the grave. Ino sighed, and here voice softened into a more caring tone. "Look, Chouji, it's only you, me and the trashcans here. Anything you tell me, I promise I'll keep quiet. It's not like I can really blame you for falling for him. After all, what's not to like about Shikamaru? With all the girls suddenly monopolizing his time, I'd say it's natural that you started to develop feelings for him."

Chouji stayed still, and then after a few minutes let out a defeated sigh as his shoulders fell. "Ino," he said in a tired sounding tone, "you're wrong."

The blond girl just sighed. "Chouji…"

"I'm not lying, Ino. I didn't get feelings for him because of all of those stupid girls." Chouji finally turned around, his eyes welling up and a sad smile on his face. "I fell in love with him long before that."

Ino blinked. "Before? Chouji, how long before?"

Chouji looked down at the ground instead of at Ino. He just couldn't take watching someone judge him right now. "I don't know. Maybe after our first chunnin exams? Definitely before we had gone out to find Sasuke."

Now Ino's eyes were widening. "But-but Chouji, that was over three years ago!"

"Yeah, I know, but even back then, he believed in me when no one else did, and everything that you, and Temari, and every else is noticing about him now, I saw years ago. But I was okay with him not liking me back. Really! As long as he let me stay near him and hang out with him, I was happy..."

Ino's face became concerned—real concern—as she looked at the young man who looked as if he was about to cry. "Chouji…"

Shikamaru didn't move. He couldn't. His entire body refused to budge. He had hidden himself behind a garbage can so that he could listen in on their conversation. Of course, since they had stopped moving, it was easier to hear them. Now, though, he wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse.

When Ino had first started telling Chouji about what they had talked about on their date, he had been glad that he had followed them. Apparently, his hunch was right, and Ino had been plotting something. She had told him to wait a few days, not to give Chouji more time to settle down and be more apt to listen, but to corner Chouji before Shikamaru could get to him. Still, he didn't get why Chouji had suddenly become so nervous.

Then Ino provided an answer. When Shikamaru heard her reasoning, he thought that she had gone insane. Chouji? In love with him? That was impossible…right? Then, he heard Chouji confess to the girl. Shikamaru had frozen after that. His best friend's words echoed in his head, and he found that he couldn't focus on anything else but those words and the scene in front of him. So of course, he hadn't noticed the cat.

Said cat had decided at that moment to leap down from a windowsill onto the lid of the trashcan that Shikamaru was using for cover. Unfortunately, the cat had a little too much forward momentum, and the tin cover had been placed on the can rather haphazardly, so when the cat landed, the entire can fell over with a large clang, while the unlucky feline added it's own yelp to the noise.

The sudden sound managed to snap the shadow ninja out of his trance. Unfortunately, it also got the attention of Chouji and Ino, who could now see him as plain as day. Both of their faces were covered in shock, but Chouji's quickly changed into one of pure terror. He quickly turned away and ran down the alley.

Shikamaru's brain was still a little dazed, so his body was mostly running on autopilot, and right now it was telling him to catch his friend before he left. Shikamaru quickly wove a few hand seals, and directed his shadow to chase after Chouji. The formless shroud managed to tag the chubby young man before he could escape and held him in place. Shikamaru relaxed, only now realizing that he had become tense when Chouji had run.

Suddenly, Shikamaru doubled over in pain. He felt as if his right arm had just exploded. He felt his shadow snap back to him, and looked up from where he was on the ground just in time to see Chouji, his right arm now four times its normal size, disappear around the corner. Then he blacked out.

Just so I'm clear, I have NO idea how Chouji's powered up state works. All I know is that he takes the red pill, thins, grows wings, becomes godly powerful, and then dies. Pretty much everything I wrote here about it is conjecture on my part. Still, Back during his last fight in Part 1, he could only use partial and super expansion after taking the pills, and in Part 2 he could use them without the pills, so I thought that it seemed possible.

Hopefully, this chapter had all the emotion that I really wanted it to. I've had the scene in the alley planned out since I started this story, so I hope it turned out okay. Kudos to anyone who can figure out how Chouji escaped Shikamaru's hold, and I promise it'll be explained in the next chapter. Until then!