Distracting Addiction

Summary: She said she would be his distraction, she didn't know she already was.

Walking pass the gates, he only saw his old friend greet him.

"Hey Chouji," he waved as he ran to him.

"Hey, welcome back!" he said cheerily and it made him a bit happier.

They walked in silence down the streets of Konoha, but his mind was off in another faraway place. To say he was disappointed was an understatement. He was downright angry. Why was Chouji the only one who greeted him? He sent word letting the village know he was returning just so he could see blonde hair waiting for him. See her bright smile welcoming him home.

He received none of those.

Letting out a sigh, he turned the corner with his friend in tow.

"Oh Shikamaru," Chouji waited for his friend to turn to him, "… Ino said to welcome you back too."

"Where is she?" he questioned finding room to speak about her.

"She had a mission," Chouji answered, "… she left early this morning."

"Hm," he grunted as he stuffed his hands in his pocket.

He took out his pack of cigarettes and grabbed a stick before taking out his lighter. Burning the end of the stick, he stuck the lighter back where he usually places it. Taking in the nicotine, he exhaled slowly.

"I thought you were going to try and stop," his friend frowned at him.

"I am," he replied nonchalantly.

"She is going to kill you," Chouji shook his head before stating, "… let's go to that hill you always go to."

Shikamaru shrugged and led the way. Once there, he lay down with the cigarette hanging off his lips.

"What is with you two?" Chouji decided to ask after finding his curiosity got the better part of him sitting beside the genius.

"Nothing," he eyed his friend as he sat up.

"No, don't lie to me Shikamaru," Chouji said sternly, "… you like her," he paused, "… a lot."

"It doesn't matter," he inhaled into his death stick.

"Look," Chouji sighed, "… I know our parents are happy about it," Chouji looked up into the sky, "… but I'm not. I don't like seeing you smoke to death and Ino…" he thought about what he was going to say before looking at his friend, "… she seems to have given up too and we both know Ino NEVER gives up."

"It's a losing battle Cho," Shikamaru explained, "… whether or not we see something more," he sighed, "… it won't happen."

"But why won't it?!" Chouji threw his hands in the air for emphasis, "… you're a strategist. Find a way to get around this family drama. Ino is one of the most driven people I know. Why do you two just throw in the towel and give up?"

"Cho…" Shikamaru looked away and took the stick out of his mouth before pushing the tip into the grass to kill it.

"Ino is a driven person," he let out a soft smile, "… her drive is not for anything between us to happen."

"What do you mean?" Chouji questioned confused.

"She is Ino," Shikamaru looked over at his friend, "… she cares too much. She loves her father and our fathers. She cherishes the bond we all have. She isn't willing to let it all go with a chance."

"Shikamaru," Chouji gave him a sympathetic look, "… you're right. Ino is Ino, but you forgot one thing," he sent him a smile, "… she never lets opportunity pass her by."

The lazy shinobi chuckled at that notion.

"Well," Shikamaru stood, "… she did and it didn't happen," he gave an appreciative smile to his friend who stood as well, "… thanks Chouji."

"I'm sorry," Chouji couldn't help hating the reason behind his two friends not being able to show any form of love for one another, "… I wished things were different."

"So do I," Shikamaru turned to leave, "… all the time."

-o-o-

Chouji is known as the kind food loving man. He gave respect where respect is deserved. He cares for his family, his friends, and the people of Konoha. He would gladly give up his life for anyone and everyone. He was an emotional man. He felt pain, hurt, love, happiness, and every emotion one can name.

What people do not know is Chouji had times when he hates, hates with his entire being that it almost suffocates his heart. This was one of those times. Why two people cannot love and be free to love made everything he learned about respect dwindle on a fine thread. Glancing at the two most important persons in his life, they looked somewhat foreign in his eyes but seemed as perfectly normal to everyone else. It made that hate grow. The hate he felt wasn't to these people he found he loves. No, these two were those who had made him a stronger person, a wiser friend.

"Chouji," azure eyes looked at him, "… can you believe what he just said?!"

"It's the truth," his eyes glanced across the table to the genius of the group.

"What?!" the female screeched back and their bickering began.

Chouji, a man who avoids arguments and fights found himself wanting to start one. He found himself wanting to through caution to the wind and fight for this love that his two precious people have. Glancing at the two of them, he could see they weren't happy and yet, they weren't sad either.

Like a switch, he understood.

The fight for their feelings would always end up failing. The risks of their family connections were too strong for feelings to get involved.

He found himself smiling sadly.

"I get it now," he commented as the two stopped their arguments to look at him.

"Get what?" he saw her confused expression.

"Nothing," Chouji smiled before placing a meat into his mouth.

"Chouji," Ino frowned not liking that he is keeping a secret from her.

"Now what was it you two are talking about?" Chouji changed the subject glancing at the genius who sent him a smile.

"Shikamaru was saying how I'm too skinny!" her lashing went to the dark haired male who seemed to be ignoring her retorts.

You only smoke when she isn't around. It's the only way for you to keep your mind off of her, off of the feelings you have.

"What are you doing?" Ino screeched, "… Shikamaru! If you pull out one of your death stick I will beat the crap out of you!"

"Like you can even get close," Shikamaru murmured.

I know now Shikamaru, why you pick fights with her. It's the only way you can be closer to her, Chouji sent a sympathetic smile to the genius.

"Are you taunting me?!"

"No… GEEZ WOMAN! No need to hit me!"

"If YOU WANT TO DIE then let me kill you instead of that disgusting thing!"

It's the only way to put you apart from everyone else.

"Fine, I'll put it away."

"You probably smoke like a chimney over in Suna! Am I right?!"

"I didn't… WHAT THE HELL WOMAN!"

"Don't you dare lie to me Shika… you know how I feel about that damn thing…"

It's the only way to keep her from forgetting you.

"Here… hold it for me."

From forgetting your habit and your addiction even when we both know your addiction isn't the cigarettes, is it Shikamaru?

"You promised to try and quit…"

"I know… I'm sorry."

It's Ino. Always has been.

Author's Note:

And This is the end! I'm sorry for the super late update to this. I was actually contemplating on putting it up or not, but I figured it would only be right to have Chouji's feelings in this story. Thank you for the support.

love,

kiwi4me