~*****~

"Wow!" Ino and Choji praised as I ruffled at Shikamaru's hair during lunch. "You know, even a guy who's as lazy as you are somehow seems respectable all of a sudden!" Ino praised.

"It doesn't suit ya!" Choji laughed.

That red flush was casting over Shikamaru's face permanently. I had to admit- that vest looked so natural on him. "Are you saying that I didn't seem respectable, Ino?" I ask snidely.

"You're not lazy, Ren, you're always respectable." Ino shot back as I pushed my lower lip out. "It's just funny knowing Shikamaru's gonna have a bunch of responsibilities now~"

"You know, it's not that funny." Shikamaru groaned.

"Funny or not, let's have a toast and celebrate Shikamaru's outstanding promotion to Chunin!" Asuma cheered.

"Yeah! Let's eat!" Choji cried.

"Choji! Hey! Lay off the meat, we're about to have a toast!" Ino scolded as Choji scarfed down ninety percent of the meat.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't want it to get burnt." Choji apologized.

"There's plenty of meat for everyone." I giggled as I propped my elbows on the table. "Asuma finally caved into letting me help pay."

"Don't make me rescind that, young lady." Asuma smirked. "Everyone dig in!"

Choji cheered as I nudged Shikamaru's ribs. "Eat up, Shikamaru, it's your party~"

He just flushed and sunk into his seat. "So tell me Shikamaru, a little birdie tells me you've got a date tonight." Asuma teased.

"WHAT?!" Ino and Choji shrieked.

"Who the heck told you?!" Shikamaru gaped as his entire face turned bright red.

"I did," I mentioned as I took the last piece of cooked rib. "Was I not supposed to?"

"I-It's not that- It's just-" Shikamaru stammered.

"Who're you going to meet?" Ino asked in sudden interest.

"Me?" I say as if it were obvious.

"But you went on a date with Sasuke!" Ino cried.

"And? Ever since that night, he's been acting odd. Especially now. He wont even talk to me." I cross my arms over my chest. "It's not like we were official or anything."

"Man, that sucks. He's so dreamy~" Ino coos as she leans against her hands. Shikamaru and I cast a glance at one another and roll our eyes before chuckling.

"Ah, I gotta get going. Kakashi said he had something to talk about." I mention softly. "Congratulations again, Shikamaru~ See you tonight~" I cooed as I got up.

"Bye Ren~" Ino, Choji, and Asuma chime as they lean into the flushing Nara.

~*****~
Shikamaru's POV

Choji scarfed down the short ribs simmering on the table top grill with gusto, bringing a new meaning to hogging out. My mind wandered to the blonde girl who had just left a while ago. My brain felt like mush every time I thought about her. I sighed heavily as Ino started scolding Choji for overeating again. "You're gonna end up in the hospital again, Choji, and Ren's gonna murder you if she sees you inside for over eating." Ino explained. "Haven't you ever heard of savoring you food?"

"Don't worry, I figure the more bites I eat, the more bites I get to savor, right?" Choji explained with a wide grin.

I yawned tiredly as I twirled my chop sticks around. Choji snatched the last piece of meat. "Ah!" Ino yelped. "C'mon, Choji! That's the last piece of meat and I cooked it!"

"The last piece of meat-" Choji started enthusiastically. "This bite shall be the most sacred bite of the entire meal and must be consumed with utmost care. So back off, sister." Choji threatened. "I'm not handing this morsel over to anyone." He gingerly shoved the meat piece into his mouth.

"Why do you have to act like such an idiot!?" Ino shrieked.

'Uh oh, she's going on a rampage,' I sighed inwardly.

"Choji! Pulling ridiculous stunts like this is why everyone always makes fun of you! You are such a fat--"

"Ino," I warned. "Don't say that word. And Choji, settle down. A meal's not the same as a battle. Stop being such a pain, we're trying to relax here." Choji just chewed slowly before grinning happily at me.

"Choji, you've got to stop thinking about food." Asuma scolded softly. "Do a little training for once." Choji's gaze lowered with a dejected sigh.

"Excuse me," I sigh and go to the bathroom.

I yawned tiredly as I washed my hands after using the bathroom when Ino's voice carries through the bathroom. "Oh, Choji. You're so lucky that you don't have to worry about what or how much you eat." Ino sighed. "Let me tell you, being on a diet can be pretty tough."

"Well, then why are you on a diet, Ino?" Choji asked curiously.

"We diet for one very important reason, Choji." Ino retorted. "So we can look as cute as we can for the boy we like!" Ino cooed.

"But, what if the person you like isn't into super skinny girls?" Choji asks. A snort escapes my nose as I think about how much Ren hated diets.

"Hm, well, in the first place, most boys aren't as fat-- I mean, most of the boys I know like girls who look fit." Ino narrowly explained. "And that's true the other way around as well." Ino sneered. I rolled my eyes at her comment. "You might think about taking a little better care of your body, Choji, or you won't get any girls." Ino strolled away.

I stepped out with a slight scoff. "She has no clue. Despite what most women seem to believe, men don't always go for the skinny girls." My mind wanders again to Ren, and it veers into something perverted. God, what kinda guy am I if I think about her like that? "Most guys I know, they like girls with a little meat on their bones. It just looks healthier." I explained. "Oh, yeah, and the reverse is true too, you know? I'd bet anything she'd be twice as popular if she'd put on a few pounds instead of starving herself. She should eat." I prove my point by dramatically biting the air.

Choji guffawed, his spirit immediately lifted. "You're one hilarious guy, Shikamaru! And you're kind of a genius, too." I hummed in confusion. "That's right. Just think about it, even I can see that you're way more amazing than Sasuke or that Neji guy ever dreamed of being."

I hummed again. "I never really thought about it like that before. I'm just being me." I explained sheepishly.

"That may be so, but you and Ren are the only students who actually became a Chunin in the Chunin exam this time." Choji retorted.

"But I'm probably not as good a fighter as you are." I mentioned. "I mean, really, if I'd been facing off against you, I probably would have given up the fight."

"But earlier, you heard Sensei tell me all I do is eat and I should be training hard--"

"Like I said before," I cut him off. "I'm just being me, and you should just keep being you. It's stupid to talk about all the things that you're not." I stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Asuma says a lot of things, but don't take him too seriously. Just live your life, eat your food, and take things easy." Choji smiled happily. "See ya later. I'm heading home. My dad's been making me nervous about how he actually wants to teach me a new jutsu or something." I started walking away from my friend.

"Shikamaru," I hummed in confusion as I turned my head to gaze back at him. "Um, just good luck with your training..." I didn't respond, but I shot him a smile before continuing. "And your date with Ren! It's no wonder she likes you so much!" That's it. I stumbled and felt my entire face get super hot.

'Man, why's he gotta get me excited like that?' I moan inwardly before covering my face and keeping my head low.

~*****~
Ren's POV

"What'd you wanna see me about?" I ask curiously as I meet Kakashi on the academy roof.

Kakashi smiled under his mask and palmed my head tenderly. "I wanted to put together a training schedule with you."

"Training schedule?" I cock my head as I sit on the railing.

"I feel that you're ready to teach you some of the jutsu I know. For instance-- the Lightning Blade." He ticked off various jutsu that made my gut start swirling in excitement. "And of course, we'll be improving your taijutsu, and your resilience to genjutsu."

"Awesome! It's about time!" I cried happily. I leapt forward and wrapped my arms around his neck. "You're the best!"

"H-Hey! Don't mess up my vest! I just got it cleaned!" Kakashi warned as we twirled around. I let go and started bouncing in my spot. "So, can we start with the Lightning Blade? I've been dying to learn it since we found out I could do lightning release techniques!" A weird feeling flew up my spin. I turned my head, and gazed up in curiously. "Somethings wrong," I mention softly.

"Yeah," Kakashi agreed. "Come on, let's go see what's going on." I nodded and followed after him.

"Why are they fighting?" I ask worriedly as we land on a high peak above the hospital.

"I'm not sure." Kakashi retorted softly.

"Should we stop them?" I ask. My belly starts tightening in concern. "I've only just finished his treatments!"

The fight continues, and I feel as if I'm going to puke. It was only a matter of time before they did fight, but this was getting out of hand. "Those hand signs--" Kakashi barked.

"Sakura!" I shrieked.

Kakashi and I didn't waste any time. My hand wrapped around Naruto's wrist that wielded the Rasengan, and threw him towards a nearby water tank as Kakashi did the same to Sasuke. My heart was thumping wildly against my rib cage as I fought from screaming at the two of them. "What do the two of you think you're doing up here?" Kakashi asked in exasperation. "That was a little intense for just a sparring match, wasn't it? What's wrong with you two?" Kakashi shot me a look as I glared up at the two. Using those two jutsu against one another? That would've shook the foundation, and wounded many. "What were you thinking? We're you really going to kill him, Sasuke?" Kakashi asked as he sat on the water tower above the Uchiha. "You've really got to watch this sense of superiority you have. That Chidori, it was not the size you'd aim at a comrade from the Leaf Village." Sasuke just glared up at Kakashi from the scolding. "When are you finally going to grow up, Sasuke?"

Sasuke just scoffed and leapt off the roof. "Sasuke..." Sakura sighed in concern. She started to sob. I turned my gaze on her and pulled her to me. She accepted the embrace and sobbed onto my shoulder as I patted her head tenderly. "R-Ren...." She sobbed.

I sighed outwardly and leaned my cheek against her pink locks. "It's okay, Sakura. It's okay," I cooed softly. "It'll be all right. We'll have them back to their usual, bickering selves again." I promise softly.

"She's right, you know." Kakashi leapt down, and patted my head. "Just leave it to me, all right?"

Sakura sniffled softly as she pulled away from me. "Thanks..." She sniffed. She turned her gaze on the blond behind me. "What is it, Naruto?" She asked curiously.

"Listen, you guys, this is between us. Stay out of it." Naruto snapped as his gaze remained lowered to the ground.

"I get where you're coming from, Naruto," I snapped at him. He raised his gaze in a glare, but I cut him off. "But it's utter crap, you dimwit. The next time you want to talk, think about an apology to your team mates. Your thing is our thing, too." I snapped and brushed passed him.

~*****~
Third POV

After Ren left Sakura and Naruto on the roof top, Sasuke sat on a large tree in the city with memories playing through his mind. The memory of his last meeting with Itachi still bringing the fresh pain to mind. The only solace he had from the internal war was the blonde girl he'd held so dear to him, and even now, he felt their bond starting to weaken. He'd been distancing himself from her. He thought she was the sun, and in turn, he felt as if she deserved someone better than anything he could give her. Anything better than the road of blood he had planned. Someone so pure could not be drawn into his world. Rage swirled in the Uchiha's heart.

When the boy was distracted, wire's shot out, and coiled around the Uchiha, and pinned him to the tree. Kakashi leapt down and stared down at the boy, his hand holding the wire tightly so the boy would listen to his lecture.

"What's this all about?" Sasuke snarled.

"Sorry, but I knew you wouldn't want to sit still for a lecture, so, I figured I had to pin you down." Kakashi mentioned. Sasuke scoffed at his mentor. "Let it go," Kakashi ordered softly. "You've got to forget about revenge."

"What?" Sasuke snapped back.

"Believe me, in this work, I've met a lot of guys who feel the way you do. Trust me, for those who follow the path of revenge-- it never ends well." Kakashi explained. "You'll only tear yourself apart, and even if you succeed, and you get your revenge, what will you have then? Nothing. Emptiness--"

"Shut up!" Sasuke cut him off. "What makes you think you know anything about it? It's easy for you to talk. You have no idea!"

"Easy," Kakashi soothed. "Just try to calm down--"

"Maybe if I was to kill the most important people in your life, everyone who's ever meant anything, maybe then I'd listen to you." Sasuke snarled. "Because, maybe then you'd have some idea how I feel."

Kakashi hummed. "It's an interesting theory, but I'm afraid you're a little late to put it to the test." Kakashi mentioned. "Everyone you're talking about, aside from Ren, has already been killed. And I don't think you want to hurt Ren." Sasuke's heart panged as he stopped seething for a moment. Of course- Kakashi would only care about the one person he cared for. The only girl he wanted to protect from himself. "I've been around longer than you have kid, and I've seen my share of troubles. You're not the only one who knows what it's like to lose somebody." Sasuke lowered his gaze. "So, it looks like neither of us has led a charmed life exactly, have we? Still, we're not all the bad off," Sasuke's mind wondered to his teammates. Sakura, annoying as she was, she'd always made him felt welcome. Naruto, for always pushing him to be the best he could be so he couldn't lose. And Ren, the one girl he would ever love. And it scared him to realize that he did indeed love the Yukimura. As aloof, and dense as she was, he loved her. "At least you and I have been lucky enough to find new comrades to help fill the void." The wire finally loosened. "Anyway, I do know how you feel. With the Chidori, you've been granted a gift of awesome power. It's not a power to be used against your comrades, or to seek vengeance. I think, in your heart of hearts, you know what its for. Okay, end of lecture. You decide whether what I'm saying hits the mark, or not." And with that, Kakashi left the Uchiha to stew.

~*****~
Ren's POV

Shikamaru and I met outside my house that evening. "Do you want to grab some ramen?" Shikamaru asks as I remain silent. "Ren?"

I hum and shake my head quickly before answering. "Oh, sorry. Yeah, let's do that. I'm kinda hungry, to be honest." I explain. Shikamaru just stared at me before discretely slipping his hand into mine, and nervously leading me forward. We passed the chakra stand, and I stared at the back of his head curiously.

"You seem like you need to get something off your chest," Shikamaru mentioned to me.

We stopped at the bridge, and I bit at my lip nervously. "Well.... Something happened today... Something that I need to make sure will get resolved." I explain. Shikamaru cocked his head as I rubbed at my head nervously. "Sasuke and Naruto nearly killed each other today, and I need to see if everyone is still good. I'm really sorry to bail on our date, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru waved his hand with a smile. "Hey, you have to make sure your squad members are all right. I understand, but you owe me another date tomorrow, yeah?" He grinned.

I smiled sweetly, and leaned up. His composure broke immediately as he closed his eyes quickly when I pressed my lips against his. I pulled away and leapt onto the roof behind us.

When I found Sasuke again, something seemed off. "Hey!" I cried as I landed besides him and slid my hands behind my back as I peered up at him. He didn't respond. He just stared at the ground before him. "Sasuke?" I hummed curiously.

"Come to Training Ground Seven at midnight." Sasuke said quietly. I cocked my head and felt a slight flush crawl up my neck. "There's something I want to tell you."

"Why do you look like you've been in another fight?" I ask curiously. He didn't make any move to prove me wrong, but remained silent. "I guess I'll see you later then." I sighed softly and nudged his shoulder with mine. "Don't make me wait, got it?" I giggle.

A weird feeling blossomed in my belly as I walked away from him. Training Ground Seven was quiet. Even with the subtle rustling of the leaves in the wind. I sat on the post Naruto had been tied to, and looked up at the clear sky, and the big bright moon.

Sasuke arrived right on schedule. He sat on the other post, and remained silent. "You wanna talk about it?" I ask softly.

"No." Sasuke retorted softly. "I just want to tell you that I love you." He said quietly. My breath hitched in my throat as I nearly fell off my stump. "I want you to be by my side. No matter what." Sasuke mentioned softly.

"S-Sasuke..." I started stammering. "What-What brought this on?"

Sasuke just stared at me before shaking his head. "It's nothing to worry about." He mentioned, then, my world goes dark. The last thing I see is Sasuke's emotionless gaze staring down at my face.