Choji has been neglected in the romance department, both in the anime and to somewhat in fanfiction, so I thought I would give him someone. In this fic, both Choji and my OC are in their early to mid-twenties. Any other questions, review or PM me.

Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine.

Choji headed for the BBQ, intent on the enticing smells wafting his way. But he wasn't so fixated as to notice the young woman in front of him, struggling with a large crate. "Do you want help with that?" He asked kindly, turning to look at the woman. She was a little on the plump side, and had blond hair that hung in curls to her shoulders. Her eyes were a warm brown.

"Oh, no. You don't have to." Her voice was quiet and gentle.

"I insist." He said, taking the crate with ease. "Now, where does this need to go?"

"Around the back of the BBQ, if you don't mind. Thank you." The shy woman followed him to the back door.

"Is there food in here?" Choji was always interested in food.

"These are the herbs and spices used to flavor the BBQ. I grow them."

"That's great. The BBQ tastes better here than it does anywhere else!"

The woman blushed slightly, noticing the concealed compliment to the spices she grew.

The owner of the BBQ greeted Choji as he entered the back of the kitchen. "Choji! My best customer! What are you doing back here?"

"Good morning Hiro. I was just carrying the crate for … um, I forgot to ask your name." Choji turned apologetically to the girl.

"Hachimitsu, but you can call me Mitsu."

"Ah yes! Mitsu is one of my suppliers. She sells the spices for most of the restaurants in the village. Sit down both of you! I'll bring out some BBQ!" the bubbly man cried.

As they ate, the conversation flowed freely about food and spices. Choji was an avid listener, and Mitsu was more than happy to explain how each spice should be used, and in combination with each other. She seemed to come out of her shell a little when talking about her spices and cooking. Her tone took on animated cast, instead of the almost apologetic tone she had used at first. Her smile lit up her face, lending her a beauty that had been hidden before.

Choji was happy to note as they ate that Mitsu was not one of the girls who ate hardly anything, always on a diet, nor did she comment on how much he ate.

"So! My barbeque was good, wasn't it?"

"It always is Hiro." Choji smiled.

"Well you should thank Mitsu. she helped me develop my special recipe."

Choji turned to Mitsu. "Really? Well then, I thank you."

"You're welcome." A blush tinged her cheeks, and she looked at the table. After a moment she stood up. "I should probably get going Hiro. Thank you for the meal."

"No problem. It's the least I could offer since you won't take payment for turning my barbeque recipe into a raging success."

"I didn't do much." She protested quietly.

"Nonsense."

It became almost routine for the two to run into each other. Choji always insisted on carrying the crates, no matter how much Mitsu protested.

I have to find some way to repay him for all he's done. Hmm. Well I know he loves the barbeque. I could make him a spice packet of the secret recipe. If I don't tell him what's in it, just that it is the spicing used in the barbeque, I wouldn't be betraying Hiro's secret recipe. I'll do that. Preparing her spices was soothing, familiar work. When she finished, she placed them in a red cloth bag. There. Now all I have to do is find him. I'm sure Hiro knows where I can find him. But that can wait until tomorrow. The basil and mint still need watering, and there are weeds sprouting in the oregano. I will tend to my garden today. And tomorrow I will find him. She hummed to herself as she worked. The bees were buzzing lazily, frogs were croaking in the pond, and the clouds drifted slowly across the sky.

A/n: Hachimitsu is Japanese for honey, thus the name of this story.