Choji Akimichi Oneshot

My Anchor

Choji and I were as different as day and night, but we loved each other so. From the time we could walk to the time we had started school together, we were the best of friends. Nobody understood him like I did. If he was hungry, but was too upset, I'd always found a way to make him feel better. We were two sides of the same coin. He'd always been there for me, even after I'd lost my entire family. I had left alone and isolated for weeks (or was it months?) from the world.

For the first few weeks after the tragedy, people did all they could to get me to eat, but soon gave up. Choji had stuck by my side after everyone had given up. When I began to waste away to nothing and became very sick, Choji had dutifully taken me to the hospital and stay by my side as I feed through a bag. I'd heard him talk to me every day, recounting the day's events to me and everything everyone had said about him or me or us in general. Often, he'd brought me a small box of chocolates or a small bag of chips or small lunch box. Of course, I never ate it.

I don't know what snapped me out of it, but I liked to believe it was his tears. When I managed to snap out of it, things got better. I got better and ever so slowly regained my strength. He'd been my anchor through my sickness and grief shocked self. It took months, but I was released with the promise to not skip a meal ever again. Looking at my boyfriend now, I realize that we weren't so different after all. It took months in the hospital for me to realize that. We were both eaters, though he was bigger than I was. I was stick compared to him, but we loved each other none the less.

We were happy together and disregarded the looks and sneers and rude gestures. Let them think what they wanted. Let them talk all they wanted. All that mattered was our love for each other. I felt a pair of warm hands wrap around my waist. Smiling, I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my nose in his chest. I never tired of smelling him. He smelled sweet and spicy, sometimes like barbeque, but he smiled natural and warm. The ring on my finger only enhanced our love. It was a true sign of our love, acceptance and commitment.

"What are you thinking about?"

"You."

"Is it anything bad?"

"No, I'm thinking of how you've always been there for me. Even through the darkest of times."

I felt him shudder. "You've been there for me too, never forget that part either. You're my anchor."

"You're my anchor too."

"My angel."

"My butterfly." We could only go forward from here, the life inside me a sign of that. I hadn't told him about the baby, but I planned on telling him soon.

"What else are you thinking about?"

I smiled, pulling back to look at him. "Our future." He kissed my nose gently. "What are YOU thinking about?"

"Starting a family with you, raising a boy and a girl together, watching them grow up and find love of their own, while we grow old and fat and lazy."

Taking his hand, I brought it to my belly. "Choji, you get your future. We're going to be parents."

He smiled brightly and held me against him. From childhood friends to high school sweethearts to husband and wife, we were always there for each other. An anchor to the other, holding each other in place when things got too tough. We'd been through a whole lot together. With the past behind us, I knew we'd move on towards a brighter, sunnier future.