As much as my friend yes_rhade and I love Kakashi x Iruka – another of our favorite Naruto pairings is Shikamaru x Chouji! So here's our first fic with them. Enjoy!

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Chouji sat in the ramen house anxiously watching the mission room across the street. Shikamaru should finally be returning today from his mission. The red-head hated it when they went on separate missions, but in all honesty, that was to be expected for their age, their rank, and their relationship. Ever since they moved in together and it was public knowledge they were a couple, the Hokage preferred they went on separate missions.

"I don't want a mission jeopardized because you're more concerned about each other. Your feelings for each other could put both your lives in danger. I don't need to take a chance on losing any more valuable ninjas."

Over the years, the two men had taken on different duties anyway. Shikamaru took on more missions for the Hokage when he wasn't working with Iruka-sensei at the academy. And Chouji was at a stage when it was time for him to accept his own team of genins. Knowing that their time together was going to be limited, they decided to move in together. Well...and also the fact they couldn't keep their hands off each other when they were together. Getting caught at the academy on Iruka's desk, by Iruka himself, was NOT an experience Chouji wanted to repeat.

Chouji glanced down the street in the direction of the front gate. A brown blur skirted in and out his vision quickly, but Chouji could always recognize that porcupine pony-tail anywhere. The red-head had to smile. How many times had he pulled loose that band and ran his fingers through that hair? In the shower, the brown hair would fall around Shika's shoulders, framing the face that Chouji loved to kiss.

Shower time with Shikamaru…Chouji began to hum to himself, getting impatient to see his lover.

After mission sex was always good, and this time, it would be especially good. His Shikamaru was gone for almost 2 weeks, leaving Chouji plenty of time to read the newest Icha Icha Paradise books. This time, there were pictures. Pictures! Detailed pictures!! Each glorious image gave Chouji ideas, several ideas, but he had no one to try them out with, so he had to bide his time. He couldn't wait for...

The brown-haired ninja came strolling by the ramen shop, his hands pushed down deeply into his pockets.

Chouji knew his pudgy face was glowing with excitement, but he couldn't help it. And now since everyone knew they were lovers, there was no reason to hold back his excitement for his boyfriend. "Shikamaru!!" Chouji stood up, waving his arm.Shika looks good! he thought to himself, already feeling the desire growing in gut.

"Oh...ah...Chouji..." Shikamaru glanced over at his boyfriend, and then looked away quickly. "Um, I need to go see the Hokage, alright? I'll see you at home later." With that, the young man left.

What? Not even a kiss. Well....It must be important then. I'll catch him when he gets home. Chouji was disappointed, but he was planning a nice dinner for the two of them, which he hoped would turn cold before they had the chance to eat it.

**********

Chouji hummed as he cooked dinner. Shika would be home soon and he was preparing one of his boyfriend's favorite dishes. As he added a few herbs to the dish, he thought of the new shampoo (Mint and Fennel) he bought for Shika. Tonight when they took their "return from mission" bath, he would use the new shampoo when he washed Shika's hair. He wasn't sure who enjoyed it more - him washing Shika's hair or Shika having his hair washed – either way, Chouji always looked forward to their bath together. It was always slow, methodical, both of them touching and caressing, checking each other to make sure they were both still alive and healthy.

He had finished cooking hours ago, and Chouji found himself in bed, alone, his hands cupped behind his head and deep in thought. The stars could be seen clearly through the bedroom window. Shikamaru still wasn't home. Dinner was cold, but not for the reasons Chouji had hoped for. He couldn't decide whether to just stay in bed and go to sleep (tomorrow was going to be busy since he told Iruka-sensei he'd teach a class on "Eating for Chakra Reserves") or go in search of his missing ninja.

Shikamaru is a grown man. He'll find his way home the red-head finally decided. This was NOT how I had expected to spend my evening he grumbled as he turned over and fell asleep.

The sun was rising when Shikamaru finally came home and Chouji was heading out the door to get to his class. "Shikamaru?" He could smell the booze. "You stayed out drinking?"

Sheepishly, the shadow ninja averted his eyes. "Yeah, Kiba and Shino invited me."

"Oh..I thought we..." Chouji stopped his words mid-sentence, knowing that getting into a fight right now wasn't worth it. Shika had to have a reason, a good reason, to stay out all night. This was just a misunderstanding. "Alright, I'll see you tonight then." He reached over to kiss his lover, who immediately leaned into the kiss.

Before Chouji had a chance to think, Shikamaru reached around and grabbed the red-head, pulling him in close. Chouji's body pinned the leaner man's body against the wall. Both men instinctively began to grind against each other, their erections aching to be released.

"Why…? Last night…? Shika…" Chouji groaned, he felt his lover's heat through his own clothes. Reaching down between them, the red-head grabbed Shikamaru's erection, roughly rubbing the cloth against Shika's already swollen penis. He felt the wetness begin to soak through the material. Chouji figured he could be a little late for class. Iruka-sensei would understand since there were many times he was late after Kakashi came home after a long mission.

Chouji reached behind his lover to get a hold of the door. The door creaked open, and he started to gently, but assertively, push his lover back into their apartment. Chouji leered at the shadow ninja as they started to back through the door.

Suddenly, Shikamaru pushed Chouji back through the doorway, breathlessly stating he needed some sleep, and closed the door.

The big man stood there, staring at the closed door. He was shocked, stunned, confused, and horny…very horny. His lover left him, escaped into their apartment, and he was left in the hallway with a raging hard-on. Never had this happened before. Honestly, their sex was just as hot and heated as the first time they did it in against a tree during a mission.

He has a reason for this. A good reason, I'm sure. Tonight, I'm sure this will continue. Maybe he has a surprise for me...Yeah…tonight…

A few final thoughts of what his boyfriend might be planning, and Chouji turned around and headed to the Academy slowly. A little walking, some nice deep breaths, and he was ready to teach the power of eating.

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"Man, how does Iruka-sensei do it all day?" the exhausted red-head said as he plopped on the sofa.

His boyfriend smiled and brought him a cup of tea. "I figured you'd be tired, so I made supper. Just rest and everything will be done shortly." The pony-tailed man walked back into the kitchen, but not before Chouji noticed the apron. The "apron" was an anniversary present that, once opened, was immediately put to good use in the kitchen…on the dining room table…across the sofa….

Chouji was already feeling the rush of blood to his neglected manhood. 'If he's wearing the apron, he's in the mood. Maybe dinner can go cold…' he thought to himself as he started to head into the kitchen.

Shikamaru laughed as they almost crashed into each other. "You must be hungry if you're rushing for my cooking. Cooking is a pain." The brown eyes crinkled into a smile, as Shikamaru leaned in and gave his boyfriend a chaste kiss. "Let me say it again – thank you for doing all the cooking for us. Now, let's eat, even though it won't be as good as yours." He placed the hot dish on the table, pulled the chair out for Chouji, and served them both dinner.

"It looks good," Chouji said, sadly realizing that taking his boyfriend across the dining room table would have to wait. Besides, his stomach was growling, and there was always later.

The two men sat comfortably around the table, enjoying each other's company. While Chouji was enjoying his third serving of dumplings, Shikamaru started to clean off the table, gathered a few empty dishes and went into the kitchen.

Returning to the room, he continued to walk down the hallway. Soon, running water could be heard coming from their bathroom. Chouji began to feel a burning ache growing between his legs as he realized that his lover was starting their "return from mission" bath.

"Chouji…your bath is ready." The deep, husky voice called from the bathroom.

The large man hurried towards the bathroom, barely able to contain himself. He thoughts were filled with the lusty visions he would see in the bathroom – his lover already in the bath, hair fallen around his face from the steam, smiling seductively, holding out the new shampoo and asking Chouji to wash his hair for him.

Chouji awoke from his daydream as Shikamaru almost crashed into him. "Uh, Shika? Where are you going?"

"Well…" the ninja ran a hand along the back of his neck. "I figured you might want a nice, quiet bath to relax after your hard day at the Academy."

"But…" Chouji could think of a better way to relax.

"Besides, I already took a bath today. Kiba and Akamaru had a disagreement today, and let me say, I felt it was my civic duty to get Kiba into a bath house as soon as possible. So, yeah…I don't need another bath tonight."

Chouji's disappointment was evident in his posture as he walked into the bath alone. But Shika was wearing the apron…So he has to be in the mood…I don't understand…

Finishing his bath, he quickly wrapped a towel around himself. "Shika…ma…ru… you want to see how dirty we can get now?" He tried sounding even more seductive than usual, but there was no response.

He walked in to their hallway and tried again. "Shikamaru…I'm here…naked…clean…and I'll wear the apron tonight." Normally, when he offered himself up like that, the pony-tailed man would take him right there on the spot. Hard, rough and oh so good!

Again, no response. "What the hell." As he walked into the living room, he saw his partner sound asleep on the sofa. Chouji knelt down next to his lover and stroked his lover's brown hair. "I love you," he whispered into the sleeping man's ear.

2 weeks and now 2 days. Shikamaru, what's going on? Chouji reluctantly headed to their bedroom, to sleep alone again.

**********

Chouji ran his hand across the cold pillow lying next to him.

He never came to bed last night.

Groggily the red-head climbed out of bed, and stumbled down the hallway to retrieve his lover from the sofa. The smell of fresh brewed coffee alerted him that Shikamaru must be up already, so he quickly headed for the kitchen. On the counter was half a pot of hot coffee, the sugar bowl, one lone coffee cup, and a note.

Huh? Chouji reached down to read the note.

Sorry about last night. Guess I'm still tired from that last mission. Had to leave early this morning. The Hokage needs me to look over some scrolls today before Team 4 heads out on their mission. I'll be busy all day, so I'll see you tonight.

Love,

Shika

"Damn it!!" Chouji grabbed the first thing he could reach. The wall never saw the coffee mug coming.

**********

Chouji had too much on his mind to give his genins the proper training they needed, and as distracted as he was, it wouldn't be long before he wouldn't be able to dodge a flying shuriken. So he decided individual chakra training was a better idea, and dismissed his students to go build their skills.

After dismissing his genin for the day, Chouji absent-mindedly headed to the store to pick up a few items for supper.

What the hell is going on? They were fine up until this last mission.

What's happened? The night before Shika left had to have been some of the best sex. Shika wouldn't stop, saying how he was going to be gone for 2 weeks, so he needed as much Chouji as possible. Hell, neither of them could walk the next day. Honestly, they weren't young anymore, and 3 times in one night PLUS once in the shower in the morning made them both raw.

But now, Shika wouldn't even kiss him. Why?? Chouji had to reasonably and rationally look at what happened and figure this out. His lover wouldn't suddenly dump him. Would he? There were no signs prior to Shikamaru leaving for this last mission. Their relationship has always been open, honest and strong. If you wanted to be all mushy and gushy (as Ino would say), they were soul-mates, partners from the very beginning when Shikamaru would come to the roof with him to eat snacks and watch the clouds.

So…the last mission he went on was to the Hidden Sand Village for a diplomatic treaty between the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Mist Village. So everything pretty much would have been treaties talk and negotiations, and as much as Shikamaru would complain about it, Chouji knew his boyfriend loved talking politics. To him, it was like a game of Shogi, but with real people.

What could have happened there that made Shikamaru change? Cloud ninjas? Mist ninjas? Sand ninjas? Treaties talk? Sand ninjas… Chouji came to an abrupt stop. "Aw fuck, Temari." He could have hit himself for not thinking of it sooner. Shikamaru had been with Temari on a mission for 2 weeks…TWO weeks…with no one around to watch them. They could have done anything, anything, and they wouldn't have been caught.

Temari…Chouji's competition. Temari, the beautiful Sand Village wind ninja that still made it very obvious that she wanted Shikamaru. Did something have happen? No matter how you looked at it, Chouji was a man, an overweight and not particularly handsome man. Maybe Shikamaru finally decided he wanted to start his family, the one he always talked about when he was younger. He could do that with Temari. She was more than willing to help him with that.

Chouji shook his head to clear his head and to stop thinking of all the possible ways Temari could seduce his lover. When he got home, he would just ask Shikamaru what was going on. If their relationship couldn't handle the truth, then it was never meant to be. He swallowed hard to get rid of the lump beginning in his throat.

He trudged up the stairs to their apartment, not looking forward to the discussion he and his boyfriend were going to have. As he placed the bags down in order to open the door, it swung open. The smiling face of Shikamaru greeted him. "Umm…." Shikamaru mumbled as he grabbed the bags.

Entering their apartment, there seemed to be a party going on.

"Chouji! You're here!" Naruto jumped up, giving the bigger man a hug. "It's about time. I'm starved. Could you make some of those great pan-fried pork dumplings you do? Man, I've wanted those for ages."

"Sure?" To say that the red-head was confused was an understatement. He looked around the room and saw several of their friends sitting, standing, leaning…

"Come on." Shikamaru whispered, leading them into their kitchen. After placing the bags down, the shadow ninja clapped his hands together apologetically. "Naruto and Sasuke just got back in town, and I saw them at the Hokage's office, and Naruto grabbed me and asked if you'd make him dumplings, and then we saw Neji and Lee, and then before I knew it they were all here…"

"Breathe Shika, it's alright. I wasn't expecting to come home to a party, but it's understandable. Everyone wants to see Naruto and Sasuke. I'll start cooking if you'll help set up. Alright?" Chouji smiled as his boyfriend nodded. After a quick hug, kiss, and "Welcome Home", Chouji started cooking.

Several hours later, the guests were finally gone, the apartment was finally quiet, and the two lovers were finally alone in their bed. Rolling to his side, Chouji reached over and pulled Shikamaru closer to him. Shikamaru's boxers rubbed against Chouji, making him even harder.

"This is new," he whispered in his lover's ear. "You usually come to bed naked. You have something in there you're hiding?" The red-head slipped his hand under the waistband of the boxers, firmly grasping the taut, silky erection.

Shikamaru let out a small gasp of pleasure as his erection was being stroked. "Chouji…not…tonight. I'm…sorry..." he panted out, taking and pulling Chouji's hand away.

"Why? You are more than ready." Licking the precum off his hand, Chouji began running his fingers along his lover's muscular back.

"Sorry. I really am. But I'm still exhausted, and I have to work on those scrolls again first thing in the morning." The smaller man rolled over, facing his lover, and planted gentle kisses on each check. "I promise you another day, and I'll make up for it."

Chouji grabbed the other man's firm ass, and pulled their bodies closer together. As their erections rubbed against each other, they both let out a groan. "You don't have to do a thing." Chouji whispered as he flipped Shikamaru under him, and began to inch down his boyfriend's powerfully-built body while planting kisses and nipping at the exposed skin. "I'll take care of both us." He leered, as he reached for the boxers and began to pull them down.

"I said NO, damn it." Shikamaru quickly grabbed at his boxers and jumped out of bed. "You obviously can't control yourself, so I'll sleep on the sofa!" He grabbed a pillow and blanket and stomped off to the living room. As he left the room, Chouji noticed a small bruise on his back, near his left shoulder blade. He quickly sat up hoping to get a better view, but his boyfriend had already slammed the bedroom door closed.

Was that a bruise? Or a bite mark? A hickey? Temari? She'd leave a mark. I know she'd leave proof that they were together.

**********

The sunlight filtering into the room is what finally woke Chouji up from his fitful sleep. He'd had unpleasant dreams all night. Temari. His mind was working overtime, even in his sleep.

Walking through the empty apartment, he found a note on the table. Shika apologized for his behavior last night, and he had a very busy day so he'd be unavailable until this evening.

Chouji's shoulders sagged and he let out a huge sigh. He thought maybe he'd have lunch with his boyfriend, and they could talk. He knew that the longer this went on, the worse his thoughts would make it. When it came to Shikamaru, the red-head still had a few insecurities (primarily revolving around Temari), and if he let his imagination run wild, then that would made it worse.

When Shika suggested that they move in together, Chouji had been surprised. But it was the shadow ninja who said they needed to make their relationship official and open, so living together was their next step. They then proceeded to make love in every room of their apartment. He smiled remembering how adamant Shika was about "scenting" every room. His lover could be a pervert.

So…something big had to have happened to make Shikamaru act like this. Chouji offered to suck him off last night, and the brown-haired man NEVER turned that down before. And the only BIG thing Chouji could imagine that could cause the change would be a new lover.

It was almost 1:00 p.m. when he remembered Rock Lee wanted a copy of his famous Kabocha manju recipe. The younger green beast found the dessert was one of Sakura's favorites and that Chouji's was her ultimate favorite. Chouji smiled as he walked down the street toward Rock Lee's dojo. His Kabocha manju was also Shikamaru's favorite.

As he was passing the new Yakiniku restaurant, he glanced inside. He loved barbeque and could hardly wait to try the place out. Shikamaru had promised to take him there once he was back from the mission from the Sand; they hadn't gone yet.

He came to a dead stop when he spotted Shikamaru seated with Kakashi at one of the tables. Kakashi threw his head back, laughed and slapped Shikamaru on the back. Shikamaru turned a light shade of red.

What the hell? He told me he was unavailable all day, but now he's having lunch with Kakashi?? He lied to me?

The chubby ninja was about to cry when he was distracted by a hard smack on his shoulder.

"Great red-headed cook, did you bring the recipe my pink-haired love adores? I have heard you can win a woman's love through a good meal. And it will be tonight when I shall make my move and attempt to win her undying affections."

Chouji turned to face Rock Lee, whose smile was almost blinding. Chouji swore that the green spandex suit kept the oxygen from getting to Lee's brain. "Uh, yeah. I was just heading to your dojo to give it to you." He handed Lee the recipe, which he had written out this morning.

"Thank you for your hard work." Lee stated as he took and looked over the recipe. "Your love seems to be eating lunch in that new barbeque restaurant on this gloriously beautiful day. I hope I did not disturb your rendezvous."

"No, you didn't disturb anything." Chouji turned around quickly. He wasn't in the mood to talk or be social. In the past three days, his lover has avoided having sex with him and now he had lied. The only thing Chouji planned to do now was to go home and wait, wait for Shikamaru to come home and explain what the hell was going on.

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Authors' note: Part two will be posted soon. Hope you like this so far! We appreciate comments/reviews! Thanks!