TBATB Dinner Date

"I dunno why you're stressing over this so much, man."

Chouji stopped pacing for a second, the house noticeably stiller beneath them. Behind him, his red-marked friend leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. Clearly the Inuzuka was seen the point in his worry. Chouji straightened himself up before facing Kiba's direction. He sighed, hands running through his hair long, spiked hair.

"It's just that everything needs to be prefect for tonight and--"

"When the hell did that happen?"

Chouji cut his eye at his friend before raising an eyebrow. "When did what happened?"

"Become such a perfectionist when it comes to Ino of all people." Chouji watched as Kiba scrunched up his nose at the thought of obsessing over every little detail. He knew that it was beyond his friend's reasoning as to why someone would put that much energy into one event.

Not that he missed a beat with his response of "Because to me, Ino is perfect and deserves the very best." To this Kiba rolled his eyes, training them toe the window nearest his line of sight. There had to be something to make Kiba understand. "Besides don't you think Karui is--"

"The spark of my life, a little roar of thunder that echoes in my heartbeat at the slight mention of her name, a girl who's hair is like the setting sun itself and who's eyes sparkle like the brightest stars?" Chouji watched as Kiba blinked, maybe understanding why he was putting so much work into this. The big guy crossed his arm, wearing a smirk he had picked up more or less from Shikamaru.

The Inuzuka cut his eye, a hand scratching the back of his head. "So what of it?" He huffed, "I never get so frantic over our outings. Why not just take her to that fancy restaurant up the street and--?"

Chouji shook his head with a sigh as he began pacing again. "Can't be done. I try not to take her to the same place more than once. What do you do?"

Kiba gave a shrug as he responded, "Go wherever our feet take us. Keeps things interesting." A slip of a smile, a lot softer than Chouji had scene before appeared, "Not that we don't revisit certain places for nostalgia sake..." Chouji stopped again to admire Kiba's distant look, obviously reminiscing. It was so different to see him like this.   

But in a second it was gone. The guy had a reputation to keep up, after all. "Enough talk, let's go out back so that way you're ready for tonight." Chouji nodded, following behind his friend. He wondered if Ino was as worried as he was? He gave a laugh at the thought. Know her she was fine.

***

"He just hasn't been himself lately, you know?" Karui rested her chin in her right palm, left foot tapping the bag that sit closest to her. Yes, matter of fact, she did know, at least from Ino's point of view. Her blond friend had been going on about all day. And Karui had just about it up to here with it.

Said girl then stepped out of the changing room, causing Karui to sit up straight and examine the outfit she had one. The Yamanaka was flaunting a dress the redhead had specifically picked, so of course she was paying more attention than normal. Floral prints did always work really well with Ino's build, Karui noted.

"Honestly, piglet," She addressed her with her pet name, twirling her finger to get in Ino into a little spin, "I don't know what you're going on about. He looks like the same old fluff ball to me." It was true. Chouji didn't seem any different to her. He was still abnormally kind and generous, still massive but gentle, and still the only person to ever tie with her in an eating competition. Nothing seemed out of place with him from what Karui noted.

"But you're not his girlfriend, Ri." Ino stopped on as she finished her 360, Karui waving her off with a nod that she looked good, "You'd notice if something was off with yours, right?"

Karui barked a laugh as Ino shut the changing door behind her. "I doubt it seeing as something's always been off with that bonehead. S'why I like him in the first place." The Kumo nin shifted back into her previous position, humoring the girl who was changing, "But give me an example, Ino, since you are about to anyway."

Ino sighed as she lifted up her ponytail with her left hand, her right unclasping the dress. "He won't....look me in the eye anymore, or at least not as much. He blushes if we make contact, even when we're holding hands. He's just been acting strange around me lately." Then she gasped loudly, flinging the door open in with panic in her eyes. "What if he's going to break up with me?!"

Karui pushed Ino back into the stall in a flash, seeing as she wasn't thinking straight with only half her clothes on. Karui helped finish taking the outfit of with Ino still chatting. "Seriously, though. I mean I know I can be a bit demanding--" "A bit?" "--but he's the sweetest guy with the greatest patience--" "He has to be to put up with you." "--and what if it's my fault for pushing him away?" "Well I can certain see how you did it."

Ino's blue eyes iced over as she lifted them from inspecting the newest top Karui had slipped her in to glaring at her friend in the mirror. Karui stuck her tongue out at her innocently, before shifting her face to a "you have got to be kidding me" look.

"Piglet, the boy is crazy about you in every way. Honestly!" Ino pouted a little in disbelief as she tugged on the skirt she has put on to match the top. Karui sighed, "Look I was sworn under an oath never to tell you this but seeing as you're so heartbroken about this I'll spill. I almost beat him in one of our competitions." Ino's eyes widened in disbelief, before settling with knowing smile that said her friend was lying.

"I'm telling the truth! It was after one of your dates! He didn't shut up about how much of an angel you are. Now, I'm still looking for the halo," Ino kicked her for that one, "but Tubs obviously really cares a lot about you. Your special to him because you see him for who he is on the inside, as he does with you." Karui gave her friend as twirl with a smile. "Besides who in their right mind would dump as someone as gorgeous as you? I mean sure you don't have my looks, but you charm where it counts." Ino laughed at the backhanded compliment, stopping so she could face her friend.

Karui locked eyes with her friend and put her hands on her shoulders. "Stop worrying so much! It's going to be fine. Chouji loves you for you, as you love him for who he is."

***

Several hours later, Ino ran down the stairs at the knock of the door. "Hold on!" She cried, slipping on her heels. She took a breath and smiled to herself. Tonight is going to go great!

The blond opened the door. "Cho-!" Her smile slipped off her face almost instantly. Standing before her was Chouji, yes, but not hers. The lean young man before her, scratched the back of his head through his short hair, a bouquet of dark purple and red flowers in his other hand. Yes, tonight was going to go great.