Cold, ne?

Alwrighty, chapter tooooooo eh hehe

Sai: Am I in THIS one?

Alii-Chan: No, now stfu, slave.

Alii-Chan: And I am SO sorry, I really thought it was Kimimaro he fought ... who in the eff is Kimimaro?

Sai: The bone dude

Alii-Chan: Oh well, forgive me? For that, and for the fact that I don’t really want a pudgy Chouji. It doesn’t work if he is uké, which he so TOTALLY would be.

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Chouji sat dumbfounded in the middle of Naruto’s room. The blockhead was the last they had gathered, and Sasuke, Naruto, Gaara, Lee and Chouji sat in a semi circle around Shikamaru. Naruto was eagerly awaiting instructions, but the others seemed bored. Finally, Lee spoke up. “I am terribly sorry, Shikamaru-san, but I do not see the need to bring so many of us on a mission. It is only a retrieval mission, is it not?”

Shika sighed. “Yeah, it’s supposed to be. But, knowing granny Tsunade, it’s something more to it than just that.” He rolled his eyes as he spoke. “Either that, or the missionaries didn’t want to pay extra for an A ranked mission. As usual.” He rolled his eyes again, until Chouji was sure they would roll back into his head.

Chouji REALLY didn’t want to go. He didn’t have ANY problems with going before, when he was pudgy enough to withstand it. But now he was as vulnerable as any of them. He couldn’t even really do any expansion jutsu anymore. Or that’s what his father said, anyway. Probably why he hadn’t bothered to even try, then. He lightly kicked a foot towards the orange clad ninja, trying to amuse himself.

Boy did that end quickly. Sasuke’s arm shot out from its place resting lightly beside Naruto’s, and blocked his kick before Chou was within a foot of Naruto’s knee. But the orange blockhead didn’t even notice. He just noticed Sasuke’s missing hand. He poked Sasuke lightly, and the vengeful ninja’s hand dropped back into place, a pinkie intertwining with Naruto’s.

Chou noticed this, and felt slightly nauseous. He knew that it wasn’t normal, a strange anomaly that drew men, or teen boys in this case, together. Yet he had seen it enough to know that it looked natural, and wonderful. He sighed, and looked back to Shika, who was now explaining the finer points of their mission, and where they would - or should - encounter the three thieves. Gaara was listening with pointed interest, and Lee was quietly envisioning the fight.

“Shika?” Chou asked quietly, “When do we leave on this mission? And how long should it take?”

Shika stopped abruptly at this question, not for the content, but the way Chouji asked it. He had never heard Chou sound so shy before. He blinked a few times before answering. “We leave the day after tomorrow.” Shika said, “And it should take three or four days.”

Immediately, Chouji twitched nervously. He knew he would freeze to death in half that time.

“You will gather your things tomorrow night, and meet me at the Konoha gates at 7:00 the next morning. I want to work out the formation, and I want us to leave slightly early. I want us to know what we are getting into.” The group nodded, and dispersed. Gaara with Lee, Shika with Chouji, and Sasuke left Naruto’s house last.

“We’ll be ok, right?” Naruto asked, poking Sasuke in the ribs before laughing nervously. “I hate the cold. Believe it.” Sasuke laughed quietly and hugged Naruto.

“I think we will be fine. I hate to admit it, but Shika is a good leader. He really is. No matter how lazy.” Sasuke shifted his feet at the doorway, reluctant to leave. “Did you notice the way he looks at Chouji? He has a lot of respect for that guy.”

Naruto smiled. “But you know Chouji really loves him a lot. He would do anything for Shika. They’re best friends.” He laughed pleasantly and hugged Sasuke gently around the neck. “Just like I would do anything for you.” He cooed.

Sasuke grinned and poked the hyper ninja in the ribs, payment for Naruto having poked him first. “I think it goes far beyond just being friends, baka.” He pronounced every syllable of the last word clearly and slowly in Naruto’s ear, blowing on it gently when he had finished talking. “Now, go get some sleep, you’ll need it.”

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Gaara was staying at Lee’s house for the week, being his first real friend in the village, he felt a certain deep companionship towards the black haired ninja. He truly regretted that he had injured Lee in the first place, but it was over. He had been forgiven, and he was a changed guy. He had a lot of work ahead of him, but those around him were patient and understanding. Especially his Lee.

“Gaara, are you alright in going to a really cold place?” Lee asked kindly, concerned. “Have you ever been to somewhere cold?” Gaara shook his head, and Lee gasped. “Oh my! Gaara, you have not? You might get sick during this outing, perhaps you should just get used to the cold gradually. It may not be good for your body!”

Gaara laughed uneasily, he still wasn’t used to it. But he could never help laughing when Lee amused him so. “I am sure I will be quite alright, Lee. I am a big boy, I can take care of myself, you know.” Lee smiled at Gaara’s sincerity, and suddenly wrapped Gaara in a tight, mind numbing hug. Gaara coffed for air, but Lee didn’t really notice. He was too busy being happy.

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Chouji and Shika left together, too. They had plans that night. Shika was going to stay over to Chou’s for the night. Shika’s mother was too scary to stay with, and besides, Chou’s parents were out. They spent the better part of the night watching corny flicks and TV movies. During a particularly sappy one, Chou fell asleep on Shika’s arm, causing it to fall asleep. Shika was fine for the moment, but he hated the thought of waking Chou. Shika looked down at a peacefully sleeping Chouji, and his heart just about broke.

Chou’s face was slim, tinged with pink, and his eyes were covered in long, thick lashes. He loved Chouji’s hair, and was forever finding an excuse to touch it. However, Chouji was now asleep, and Shika wasn’t going anywhere.
So, gently, he started picking at the poor soul. He tucked a lock of hair behind Chou’s ear before leaning over and nipping an ear. He gently lifted the face up and examined it a bit. Shika ran a few fingers through his hair, smiling to himself. He felt the silky hair beneath his coarse fingers, and drew breath on the texture of his hair. It was gorgeous, honey red and flawlessly cut.

Chouji stirred then, either from the feel of Shika’s touch, or the ding of the microwave. “Popcerrn’s done.” He drawled, half dragging himself out of Shika’s arms, and into the kitchen where he gathered a bowl and dumped the popcorn into it. This was their fourth bag, and as usual, Chouji - even half asleep - devoured most of it.

After the movie was over, Chouji and Shika stripped down and put on their bedclothes. Each grabbing a cover, and scrambling into the double bed from either side, they turned simultaneously and lay back to back.

In the night, Chouji turned over and lay spooned with Shika, his nose lightly touching the nape of Shika’s neck, his legs intertwined with Shika’s, and his arm draped over his best friend. He sighed into Shika’s warm back, and snuggled into him, falling deeper into sleep. Shika woke up only momentarily, to gently adjust his leg position, and to move Chouji’s arm up a bit. Soon he fell asleep again, also.

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Yay! Second chapter DONE! Milestone!

Sai: Am I going to be in it at ALL?

Alii-Chan: No.

Sai: Oh darm ...