"Troublesome."

Chouji looked up at his best friend and sighed. "Shikamaru, it's only for one night. She's lonely."

"There's no way in hell…" Here Shikamaru dropped from the tree and glared at Chouji. "…That I'm letting you set me up with INO. No fucking way." He leaned against the tree. "She's insane."

"She's not insane." Chouji argued, crossing his arms. "She's just a little…well, she's different." Seeing the look on Shikamaru's face, he added: "You said you like different girls. And she's changed. She's not a stingy bitch anymore…"

Shikamaru smirked for a second, then wiped it off his face. "Okay, okay, okay: I'll humor you for a second. Say…she HAS changed. She's nicer. More sane. Less likely to tear my heart out and stomp on it a few times." He pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "I STILL wouldn't go on even one date with her."

Chouji began to pout. "Why not? It's obvious she's really into you. You were the first one she wanted to see." He thought for a moment. "You're still not over Temari…are you?"

Shikamaru twitched. "What a drag. YES, I'm over Temari." He slumped against the tree. "It's just…gah, Ino's one of my closest friends." He sighed. "I can't. I'm not interested in the slightest."

Chouji stared at Shikamaru for a moment. Suddenly, he pulled out his cell phone.

"What are you…" Shikamaru started. "…Oh jesus. I'm not telling Ino over phone that I can't make the date. She'll kill me."

Chouji merely smiled and held up the phone. "Listen. It's on speaker. Just don't say anything."

The phone was picked up on the third ring. "Hello?" Ino inquired. "Chouji?"

Chouji grinned. "Hey, Ino. How's being back?"

"Oh, it's great! I was bombarded by everyone, and Sakura is throwing me a little party." Ino gushed. "It's so sweet of her."

"Cool! But…I'm afraid I've got some bad news…" Chouji started.

"Is it about the date with Shikamaru?"

Chouji and Shikamaru were silent for a moment. Then, Chouji spoke up: "Can you read minds over phone?"

Ino laughed. "Hell, I wish. But no. I just naturally assumed, since you're his best friend. Anyways, could you tell him I can't make it? I'm catching up with TenTen, and she's going to really introduce me to Neji, and Lee and Sakura and Naruto are all going to be there, so…"

Chouji was stunned into silence. He glanced at Shikamaru and almost laughed out loud. "Alright then, Ino, I'll be sure to tell him."

"You're a sweetie. I ask you too much! I owe you for this, Chouji. Talk to you later!" The line went dead.

Shikamaru's eyes were abnormally wide. His mouth was twisted, as if he had a bad taste in his mouth. He abruptly yanked out the cigarette. "…Neji…Hyuuga? THAT'S the best she can do?" Were his first words.

Chouji laughed, and pocketed the phone. "Hah! Odd words for you. You said that you were, 'definitely not interested,'." He thought for a minute. "Ino's probably going to be shopping, so…"

"What are you insinuating?" Shikamaru asked carefully, now brooding.

Chouji shrugged carelessly, walking away. After a few steps, he stopped and turned. "Well, IF you were in town, at, say…" He checked his phone. "Three-ish, then there's a slight possibility that you may stumble across an Ino Yamanaka…but nah. Doubt it. It'd be too troublesome for you." He then continued to walk away, leaving Shikamaru standing alone.

"…Troublesome."