Chōchō strode through the main gate of Konoha with a teasing sway of her hips and an impish grin curling at the corners of her glossy lips. Every confident footstep announced that she was no longer the bubbly girl who used to sneak extra dumplings after missions.
Three relentless years in Kumogakure had chiselled away her baby fat and forged her into a statuesque goddess of muscle and curves.
She had trained till her lungs burned and her eyes stung, spending twelve punishing hours every weekday under the watchful eyes of Uncle Darui, Killer B and the Raikage.
Only one measly thirty minute break split those sessions, and she had cried more than once when her exhausted body begged for mercy.
Now every drop of sweat and every tear felt worth it as villagers stopped mid-conversation, jaws slack, utterly gobsmacked by the vision gliding past them.
Her ginger hair fell to her thighs in loose waves and she swept her fringe to the left so her gold eyes shone unobstructed.
A lustrous golden kimono clung to her hourglass form and ended at mid thigh, printed with scarlet flowers that seemed to dance with every step.
A crimson silk obi cinched her waist tight like a loving yet unyielding embrace. She wore open toed gold shinobi sandals that laced up to just below the hem of her kimono so a tantalising strip of black fishnet peeked out above the tops.
Twin gold katanas rested in a matching red sheath across her back while a utility pocket strapped to her right thigh hugged the curve above toned legs.
She tossed her hair and let out a delighted laugh. 'Embarrassing yet so thrilling having all these eyes on me!'
Not a single head recognised the formerly chubby Akimichi girl who once inhaled chips by the handful. Now a curvy 18 year old she doubted anyone would call her chubby. She spotted a boy in spectacles gawking so hard his neck nearly snapped as he tried not to stare.
Chōchō winked, the sparkle in her eyes firing a crimson flush across his cheeks. Mischief bubbling inside, she stalked straight towards him.
"Deeenki," she sang, dragging out the syllables in a honey sweet drawl.
A squeak slipped past Denki's lips. Certain he faced a drop-dead gorgeous stranger, he stared at his shoes to escape the weight of her golden gaze. "H… how do you know my name?"
Chōchō suppressed an eye roll, amused that even her best mates could not connect the dots. She lifted his chin with two fingers so he had no choice but to look up at the statuesque five foot eight kunoichi looming over him.
"Let's grab a bite together," she purred. Inside she giggled. I'll play along for now.
Denki tried chanting a mantra not to faint. Rubbing the back of his head he forced a timid smile. "I'm meant to meet my friends in the queue for the new console. You could come with us if you want. I'm sure they wouldn't mind."
The brown skinned beauty shook her head and pulled a playful pout. "Nah. Got to see the Hokage first. Papa told me a new café opened and I plan to raid its menu in an hour. You'd better meet me there instead." She glanced at the time then waved jauntily before breaking into a jog toward the administrative tower.
Denki cupped his hands around his mouth. "Wait, what's your name?" The girl vanished down a south-east street. He sighed. "Guess I'll ask her later."
OoO
Moments later Chōchō noticed familiar blue eyes drifting across her figure as she darted along the avenue. She shot a wink at Boruto Uzumaki and broke into carefree giggles without slowing. Boruto subconsciously matched her speed and let his gaze linger on the sway of her hips as he weighed his options.
'Should I swing by Dad's office to meet her by chance or stick with the boys and secure that console?' He groaned in thought 'If I miss the drop I'll be stuck waiting months' Chin low, he veered off toward the electronics store in slight regret.
At the tower Chōchō flung open the polished wooden door. "Been a while, Oji Naru!"
Naruto blinked, confused that a stunning young woman had barged in calling him Uncle.
Auburn like locks framed a heart shaped face and bold eyes glittered with amusement as she leaned on the desk.
"So you did grow your hair like I told you," she teased, fingers stretching toward his blond tufts.
Naruto slapped her hand away and frowned. "You do that to everyone you have never met? Show some respect to the Hokage."
She heaved a dramatic sigh. 'How does one of Dad's best friends not recognise me?'
Resting one palm on the desk she arched a brow. "Not like I'm here to assassinate you." Her other hand drifted toward the hilt of her right sword.
A heartbeat later she squealed. Naruto had whirled around the desk and pinned her chest down, arms captured behind her back.
"Hokage sama it's me Chōchō," she yelped while struggling. "How are you so blind you can't see it's me?!"
Naruto leaned close and examined her face. Recognition exploded in his blue eyes. Mortified he released her and scratched his hair. "Sorry Chōchō. You look great! I barely recognised you."
"Oji," she grumbled.
A soft voice interrupted. Sasuke stepped through the doorway, dark eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. Chōchō beamed. "Oji Sasuke. Bet you recognised me straight away."
Sasuke nodded then shot Naruto a deadpan glare. "Of course the idiot didn't. You are lucky someone else did not walk in. That pose was questionable."
Both red faced, Naruto and Chōchō shuffled apart. She excused herself with a cheerful wave. "Catch you tomorrow Oji Naru. Bye Oji Sasuke." She dashed out.
Naruto's eyes followed the sway of her figure and he blurted the first thought in his head. "They're nearly as big as Lady Tsunade's!"
Sasuke smacked his friend upside the head. "Shut up you moron."
OoO
Across town Boruto and his friends were queued outside the new café with the new console in hand. Thanks to Boruto's status, they were able to get in early and get it before anyone else. The blond crossed his arms and glowered at Sarada who looked more bored than usual.
"What are you doing here?" Boruto demanded.
Sarada adjusted her glasses and sighed. "I don't have time for your childish ways Boruto. I'm meeting someone obviously. I'm assuming you guys are as well?"
Metal Lee bounced beside Boruto. "Yeah we're waiting too."
Sarada tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "Who?"
Boruto clamped a hand over Metal's mouth and grinned wryly. "None of your business."
Inojin piped up. "Denki's hot new friend. Who are you meeting?" His playful grin mirrored Sai's.
Sarada lifted her chin with a grin. "Someone important to me."
A cheerful voice rang out. "Me." All heads swivelled toward the newcomer.
Sarada's eyes flew wide in disbelief before she hugged the girl tight. She couldn't belief that the woman in front of her is indeed her best friend.
"I missed you," Sarada blurted.
A majority of the boys exchanged baffled looks. They knew all the same people so how did Sarada know this stranger? Sarada linked arms with the girl and led the way inside.
Inojin and Boruto elbowed each other for the seat beside the mysterious girl but Mitsuki calmly slid in first and offered a sly grin. "Mind if I sit here?"
"That bastard," Boruto muttered to Inojin, then the two grudgingly took the next spots. Shikadai and Iwabe filled the remaining seats.
Mitsuki smiled kindly. "How have you been? Its been a long 3 years."
Iwabe, Metal Lee, Denki, Inojin and Boruto's mouth widen in disbelief. How could someone like Mitsuki know a beautiful woman like the one in front of them.
Shikadai chuckled at their disbelief. "Seriously you still don't get it?"
Boruto slammed a palm on the table. "Don't get what?" he snapped.
Sarada rolled her eyes. "Take a proper look and you'll figure it out."
"I have been staring this whole time and I still don't know who she is."
"That's because you're a fucking dumbass Boruto." Sarada sighs in disappointment
Chōchō burst out laughing and drew her obi forward to reveal a familiar crimson packet. She dangled the bag of Wasabi Hot Chips in the air. The boys' jaws dropped and simultaneously exclaimed her name.
"No fucking way," Inojin spluttered. "That's you?"
Chōchō folded her arms with exaggerated offence. "Why the hell not?"
Inojin reddened. "Because you're… well… an Akimichi. I have never seen an Akimichi that slim naturally!"
"We have now" Iwabe gapes
Chōchō sighed theatrically and rested her head on Sarada's shoulder. "I get it. You guys secretly loved the bigger me and now my upgraded beauty has blown your mind."
Every boy swallowed hard and looked away, cheeks flaring. They mumbled bashful welcomes while Iwabe lifted an eyebrow at the dual swords on her back. "Never pictured you as a katana girl." She drew one blade and traced a calloused fingertip along the red orange steel. The faintest pressure sliced his skin and a bead of blood blossomed.
"Whoever forged this should craft mine," he breathed.
"I made them," she crowed proudly.
Iwabe whistled. "Colour me surprised."
Inojin gaped. "Since when did you even care about swords?"
Shikadai leaned back with a lazy smile. "She was probably forced into it."
'I bloody hate how right he is.' Chōchō groaned internally.
Boruto laughed. "Food must have been involved."
Metal Lee's hearty chuckle echoed around the table and soon everyone joined in. Chōchō gazed at her friends through a soft blur of nostalgia. Only now did she realise how deeply she had missed these idiots. Every teasing jab warmed her chest. Every familiar voice felt like home.