Naruto Fanfiction Series 1: Kitsune's Mission

Phase 9: Pinky-Trouble

Third Person POV

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the training field.

The air, still warm from the day's training, carried the scent of sweat and the lingering energy of the students who had just dispersed.

Shikamaru, perched atop a sturdy tree branch, watched the sky, his gaze lost in the swirling patterns of the clouds.

He was content to simply observe, letting the world around him unfold at its own pace.

Below him, Choji was sprawled on the ground, his face buried in a bag of chips, his hands working tirelessly to replenish his dwindling supply.

Lee, ever the energetic one, was seated beside Choji, his eyes wide with excitement as he watched Choji's impressive consumption.

"Choji" Lee exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration. "How do you eat so much?"

Choji, his mouth full of chips, simply grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischievous glee.

"It's a gift," he said, his voice muffled by the chips.

"A gift from the gods of deliciousness."

Lee, his eyes widening with awe, nodded, his admiration for Choji's appetite growing with each passing moment.

"So, where's Kiba?" Lee asked, his gaze scanning the field. Then groan inwardly as he found Kiba seated under a shade of a tree talking to Shino "He's been talking to Shino for ages."

Shikamaru, his eyes still fixed on the sky, sighed. "He's probably just trying to impress him," he said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "It's a hopeless endeavor, but I suppose he's entitled to his delusions."

"He's been acting weird all day," Choji added, his voice muffled by another mouthful of chips. "I think he's finally realized that Shino actually likes him back."

Lee, his eyes widening with surprise, gasped. "Really? I thought Shino was just being nice."

Lee. shifted his weight, his gaze fixed on the distant figure of Kiba and Shino. "Come on, Kiba," he muttered under his breath. "Hurry up!"

Choji reached out and patted Lee's shoulder. "Don't worry, Lee," he said, his voice muffled by a chip. "We'll wait for him. He'll be back soon."

Lee, still fidgeting with impatience, sighed. "I hope so," he said. "I'm starving."

Choji, with a mischievous grin, offered Lee a handful of chips. "Here," he said. "Have some of these. They'll hold you over."

Lee, his eyes lighting up with gratitude, accepted the chips, his hunger momentarily forgotten.

"So, what do you think?" Lee asked, his voice laced with a hint of excitement. "Do you think Shino would be okay with joining us for dinner?"

Shikamaru, his eyes still fixed on the sky, simply shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "He's not exactly the most social butterfly."

Choji, his mouth still full of chips, nodded in agreement. "He's more of a silent observer," he said, his voice muffled by the chips. "But he's pretty cool."

Lee, his patience wearing thin, tapped his foot impatiently. "Come on, Kiba," he said, his voice laced with a hint of frustration. "We're starving."

Choji, his face buried in his bag of chips, mumbled something unintelligible. Shikamaru, his eyes still fixed on the sky, simply sighed.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kiba finally approached his friends, a wide grin plastered on his face. Shino, his expression as stoic as ever, walked silently behind him.