My Little Choji-kun

5. Secrets and Families

Neji waited in the classroom. He was sure that he was on time, but Shikamaru was late.
All of the students had left and the school was now populated only by a few straggling teachers finishing up their paperwork before heading home. This classroom had seen no one for hours.
Neji rested against the teacher’s desk and crossed his arms at his chest. He was thinking and barely heard the footfalls of the shadow ninja arriving.
“Sorry I’m late. Hokage wanted a more detailed report. I live to please.” He said, exasperation evident in his voice.
“You didn’t tell her it would be . . . . ” Neji began.
“Don’t use my word. If I can’t, no one can in my presence.” And Neji was soon enfolded in two strong arms. “Did you miss me?” Shikamaru said, pulling the other close, but not giving in to the desire to kiss him senseless.
Neji blushed and turned away, before admitting quietly, “yes.” Then he pushed himself away from the other and held Shikamaru at arms length. “This is the place to talk?” he asked.
“Yes. Here is where we all started. Me, Choji and Ino, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura, Shino, Kiba and Hinata. This was our class, and here is where we learned about being a ninja and being friends. Here is where I can tell you about what that became.” And he stepped away and looked up at the rows of seats. Neji watched him, not taking his eyes off of the man unless requested to do so.
“I would say that we became a family, the nine of us. We were like brothers and sisters, and we could fight, talk, share meals or do anything else a family did. It took a while before we all got to know each other that well, but it was quite a journey. You, Lee and Tenten joined late, but even you know that we eventually gathered you in. We are more than just teams, do you see that?” and Shikamaru turned back and looked the Hyuuga in the eye.
“I have seen it and I feel the compulsion to join. I will not deny that the rookie nine is a special group even among Ninja’s. The lengths you have all gone for each other, and the challenges you have taken are remarkable to say the least. A family is a good analogy.” And the smile on the genius ninja’s face stopped his words. “What?”
“Don’t exclude yourself so easily. You too are part of that family. And there are some sand ninja cousins to boot. But, in every family there are secrets. Skeletons in the closet? Or bodies lying about, but don’t tell Sasuke I used that one. If you really want to be part of this family, the part that includes me, you will have to accept my relationship with Choji. Therefore you would have to know what it is. Are you really that interested in pursuing this?” and Shikamaru sighed again, before continuing. “Because, if you are, I think it may be something we could make work. And I would like that. But, if you aren’t and you say you are, it could hurt my best friend in the end and I wouldn’t like that. Think it over carefully, Neji.” And having said his fill, the Jounin sat on the front row desk and looked at his hands.
Neji waited as the shadow Nin’s words settled around him. He knew his answer, but the missing information bothered him. If Choji was this important to Shikamaru, he would gladly accept him, but if the Nara man thought it was too much, then Neji was afraid to make a promise he might have to renege upon. How could he answer this, without knowing the secret and yet he would not learn the secret without the promise.
In effect what he was being asked was to decide how deep his feelings for Shikamaru were, and if they were strong enough to overcome any obstacle.
Neji hesitated but not too long. He rose and looked up at the desks that had captured Shikamaru’s attention so recently. Then, he smiled.
“My class was never so close. We had lots of secrets, still do. I will never learn most of them, and yet I accept them as contemporaries, even friends. How could I reject someone you care enough for, to protect to this degree? I think I can handle any secret you want to tell me, and yes, I want to pursue this, to pursue you.” And the pony-tailed ninja looked up. His smile was weak, but present.
“Then, this is a secret you will have to hear from the source. It isn’t my secret to tell, but Choji has already agreed. He thinks we are right for each other.”


The evening fell dark and thick. There was a deep mist that turned to a heavy fog, and the atmosphere was serious.
Neji sat at the table opposite the Akimichi boy, as Choji described for him the Jutsu he had perfected and his reasoning behind it. The Hyuuga made no comment as the other finished, and his face was impassive for some time. Shikamaru sat on the counter that led to the kitchen and waited. Neji looked up at him and back at Choji. He knew they were waiting for his response but he was uncertain if he could properly voice it. He cleared his throat and began. “It seems to be more useful than that Sexy thing of Naruto’s. I admit I don’t understand the need, but that doesn’t negate your reasons. I simply don’t have any experience in this. If it does no harm to others, and doesn’t interfere with missions, I see no reason to avoid it. Perhaps if I were to see it in use.” He was a little afraid of the last part, but how could he understand what it was if he did not experience it in person. He was not one to avoid an issue and this was his chance to prove his sincerity.
Choji looked nervous but Shikamaru slid off the counter and patted his friend gently.
“It is up to you, Choji. No one would ask you to do anything that you weren’t ready for. If Neji is serious, he could stay here tonight and then in the morning we will see.” And the former chubby boy nodded slowly. “Then, do you want to go home and pack some things, or just borrow some of mine?” he asked Neji.
“Why all night?” Neji asked.
“Because the Jutsu lasts for eight hours. It’s the way he perfected it. Once started it will run it’s course and If you are going to see it, it must be the Entire thing.” Neji nodded.
He had to stand the watch in the morning and by his calculations that would leave only a little extra time, perhaps and hour or two. He didn’t like wasting time.
“I will stay. And we should start right away. I can borrow what I need.” And thus said, he leaned back against the wall as Choji rose and went to his room. Shikamaru sat on the low chair near Neji and checked his watch. “In about five minutes we can go in.” he said. “Thank you, Neji. If it doesn’t work out, at least you didn’t reject him. It will help in the long run.” And he leaned back.
Neji tapped his fingers on the table until Shikamaru patted his shoulder and rose from the couch. “It’s time.” And Neji followed him into the next room.
Choji’s room was small. At one end was a bed with a handmade quilt, and next to it a small nightstand. Across from those, were a dresser and a floor lamp. In the corner there was a chair and seated on it was a small child, about one and a half years old. He wore a pair of blue short overalls, and a striped shirt and as he smiled up at Neji shyly, the Hyuuga could see the resemblance to the man he would grow into.
“Come here and say hello, Choji-chan.” Shikamaru said, lifting the child and holding him at eye level with the silver-eyed ninja. “Maybe you should use your Byakugan to verify if it’s a trick.”
Neji nodded and activated his special sight. The child jumped at the sight of Neji with his veins bulging and his eyes so intense, and Shikamaru patted his back gently.
It was definitely Choji, the chakra signatures matched perfectly. In fact, the amount of Chakra used for this Jutsu was amazingly low, compared to Naruto’s invention. It would easily last eight hours and never even leave Choji tired after.
“This is only for when we are home. It does however leave side effects that we have learned to deal with. Now, let’s get this little guy some dinner and get him to bed. Could you get the crib out of the closet, please Okaasan?” And Neji’s eyes went wide at the new nickname.


:::A/N Okay, who can picture the look on Neji's face when he sees this little guy and hears his new nickname???
---- What is in store for the two and what will it mean for them?????
**** Why do I keep typing these strange symbols on this Author's Note???
++The answers to these and many more questions (and a little bit of a lemon) coming up in the next few additions to My Little Choji-kun