It was Friday.

The ending of the week and the start of the weekend. A joyful occasion to those who dread their work lives.

People loved this day.

It was like a weekly holiday. The majority of the population would drag themselves through the tortures of employment, getting through it with only the hope that Friday will soon approach and they will have that freedom they strive for. No matter how short-lived it was.

This fact was lost on Shikamaru.

To him Friday was a day. Nothing more, nothing less, it was just a day. He saw no reason why he should look forward to a day when it will end and the process of returning to work on Monday will take on shortly after. It was a waste of energy.

So, he would go to team ten's restaurant and eat with his best friend Chouji. Just like how he did last Tuesday, last Sunday and the Thursday before. The meetings were nothing special according to date and that was the way both Chouji and himself preferred.

It was five past six.

The usual time he would arrive at the eating establishment. The bell that rang when he opened the door had the same chime. The hostess that greeted him had that familiar smile. The artwork he viewed as he made his way to team ten's table was hung crooked as always. Everything was similar and well-known to him. Everything except what he was now witnessing.

There was a mountain of food, a delicious feast that was neatly arranged on a long table. Appetizers, meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables, sweets all cooked, fried, grilled or boiled to perfection. It was made for a king. And this royal feast sat in front of his long-time friend.

And he wasn't eating any of it.

Briefly, dark eyes glanced out of the window. No, no apocalypse.

He would be worried, concerned at his friend's unusual behavior, but he had a fair idea on what was the causer to this bizarre scene. Taking steps forward, he felt himself grow tired. Love problems did not interest him.

"Chouji."

Said man took a break from writing on a small white notepad to look at who addressed him.

"Shikamaru."

He had been so engrossed in his research on the edibles of the world that his brain had lapsed. He had chosen this restaurant for more than one reason. A fragment of guilt got to him for forgetting about his friend.

"What are you doing?"

Upon closer inspection, Shikamaru could read hints of what was written on the pad of paper. Names, names that they know as well as a variety of foods were messily written. Despite his aloof appearance, he was curious about his friend's life.

"I made a bet with Ino."

It was a simple statement, but Chouji knew his friend would know the extent behind it.

"You do realize that's suicide."

The black-haired man felt himself smirk at Chouji's declaration. He knew for some time that his teammate harbored deep feelings for the bubbly blonde and there were no words needed for Chouji to know that he knew.

"Ino isn't that bad."

He always felt like a chiding mother when he scolded Shikamaru for poking fun at Ino. But his sense to protect his blue-eye friend was too strong. The Nara's smirk only grew wider as he took a seat. After a short, comfortable silence the genius spoke.

"So, you think you have a shot."

A large hand tightened its grip on a pen. Chouji studied the words below him wordlessly. That sentence was a double-edged sword. He could say this or that, but in the end life was never certain. There was only one truthful answer.

"I don't know."

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Emerald eyes glanced at the clock for the fifth time that night.

"What about this one Sakura?"

Sakura had to restrain herself from sighing. She had been critiquing Ino's "flower identities" for the last two hours. It didn't make sense to her why her friend was constantly asking for her advice when she kept repeating how Chouji could not beat her at her game. This opposing nature of Ino's was granting at her last nerve.

"Ino, what is going on?"

Clear blue eyes turned to her comrade in question.

"What do you mean?"

Taking a deep calming breath, Sakura readied herself for the fight she knew would come.

"We've already been through all the names, why do you keep going back?"

"I'm just rechecking my work."

"No, you're obsessing with it."

Immediately taking offence, the blonde felt the need to defend.

"I'm not obsessing!"

Sakura knew the screech was coming and it only provided her with more fuel to her suspicion.

"You are and I'm beginning to suspect something."

For some nameless reason, she felt like she was about to be accused of something she rather keep hidden. But Ino shook the feeling off, knowing that she had nothing to hide.

"What?"

"That this bet that you made with Chouji means a lot more to you than you want me to think."

"What are you talking about?"

"That you're doing this because you care what he thinks."

"What do you mean Sakura?"

The medic felt her jaw clench. She just wanted a straight answer damn it! But Ino was giving her that clueless act and it just made her want to shake the blonde so she would come straight out.

"That you care what he thinks."

Ino's normally beautiful feature screwed up in confusion. Just what was her friend implying?

"I care about what all my friends think."

Sakura finally felt her anger boil over.

"That's not what I meant Ino!"

She instantly recoiled from her friend's rage, but then let the words sink in. It was at that moment she felt clarity.

"Oh, no that's ridiculous Sakura!"

Coming slightly down from the adrenaline rush her anger gave her, she contemplated the words said to her.

"Why?"

Ino felt herself stumble over the next words.

"B-because it's Chouji, he's just so…so…well you know."

The pink-hair girl studied Ino. She was flustered, twitching and avoiding eye contact while faltering in her poor speech. It was then that Sakura realized that her earlier anger was misplaced. If Ino couldn't even admit her feelings to herself, then how could she reveal them to her best friend?

"Yeah I guess you're right."

Ino let out a breath she did not realize she was holding. She returned to her research, happy that Sakura let the issue go. It was a silly notion anyhow. Her and Chouji? Like that would happen. Where does Sakura come up these things? Doesn't matter, she has more important things to concrete on like the bet.

If only her heart would stop beating so fast.

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