Shikamaru walked up to the old oak gates of the Akamichi compound. A very familiar position for him, since his best friend lived there of course. The gate keepers, were so used to him now that they wouldn't even ask what he was doing there, they'd just let him in.

He grimaced at their willing-ness to give their trust away.

It was the same trust and their friendly demeanor though, that made Chouji and his relationship so strong.

But that wasn't why he was here though, Chouji, of all people, decided to invite him to a game of shogi. Which, now that he thought about it was a anomaly all in its self. Either way, he casually walked through the now open gates towards the double doors of the compound.

Chouji looked out the window to see his friend walking towards the doors of his house.

Normally this would be a cause for celebration, but today, he wasn't to enthusiastic about his friends arrival.

The reason was, that this outing of theirs wasn't Chouji's idea at all, in fact it was Ino's.

Lately the two of them would walk past the Game parlor, only to see Shikamaru playing with himself. Usually this would be of no concern to them, since Shikamaru would often practice alone. But lately, it was getting a bit disturbing in that, he would be seen talking with himself. Almost immediately the name "Asuma" would come to both of their heads. Their late sensei would play with him regularly.

Of course Ino jumped to conclusions.

"He's a nutcase Chouji! A nutcase!"

"Um, Ino, I don't think-"

"I knew he was infatuated with him!"

"…What?"

"Er, uh, I meant…Chouji! You have to take him to the parlor with you to see if he still talks to himself!"

"Wait, why do I have to? I'm kind of busy this week.."

"Oh please, I know all you do is eat chips and watch Indian drama's on your free time."

Chouji was frankly offended.

Not one to make people upset Chouji just obeyed her command, plus, Ino was looking slightly hysterical at the moment.

So, he found himself looking at his closet for something to wear. Now, Chouji isn't one to be obsessive over what he wears, but just like everyone else, as he got older he became more conscious of his body. He knew he wasn't handsome, or gorgeous. But he was finding it harder and harder to find things that looked good on him.

It wasn't so much that they were to small, but to his astonishment.

They were too big.

In all seriousness, Chouji was blown away by this observation. But just like when he was younger, it didn't make him feel any better about himself.

Shikamaru suggested he get some new clothes, but shopping, for clothes at least, was never his forte'. It always ended up in him giving up and just getting hand me downs from one of his relatives.

Pulling on his cargo shorts and buttoning them up, he sighed in defeat to the evil pieces of clothing.

No wonder girls loved them.

Almost on cue, Shikamaru opened the door with a lazy expression plastered on his face. He looked around the floor to see the many piles of clothes scattered across the beige carpet, and eventually bringing his eyes back to the other boy.

"…Wanna go shopping?"

"S-sure."

Shikamaru secretly thanked Ino for giving him that fifteen percent off coupon on the way here.

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Double sided set up by Ino? I think SO! Reviews are appreciated and are delicious to eat-I mean read.