"CHA!"

That was the first thing that popped open from Sarada's mouth as she won a bet against Boruto. The rest of the gang cheered as Boruto failed to hit a bullseye on the last target. Part of the bet was that Boruto had to treat everyone to burgers, although it sounded fun and exciting, Shikadai was in slight denial as he backed up and walked away from the group.

"Hey, Shikadai, aren't you coming?" Boruto asks, noticing his escape.

Shikadai shook his head, making up a reasonable excuse. "Nah, I promised my mom I'd help her make dinner today,"

Boruto shrugged it off, "Alrighty then." He says as he walked alongside the rest of the gang. Everyone seemed excited and Shikadai played off as happy, as he turned he then realized Metal was standing in front of him.

"Dear friend Shikadai! I realize you are upset!" Metal exclaims, however not loud enough for the gang to hear.

'Man, what a drag.' Shikadai would once again scratch behind his neck. "Ahh, no, nothing is wrong. Why? What makes you think something is wrong?"

Metal examines his body language, "You-"

"ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! I've gained a couple pounds, alright?" The green eyed boy would spit out.

"I was.. not going to say that, Shikadai. However, now that you point it out, I can see why!" Metal comments, he then runs in place. "Come! Shikadai! We will run through this village ten times! And if we cannot do it ten times then we will make it twenty times! And if-"

"Yeah, I get it! Fine, I'll run with you."

Metal smiles, "That's the spirit!"

0o0o0o0

"Trouble in the household?" Naruto looks out the window from the Hokage building.

Shikamaru arranges a stack of papers around Naruto's desk, "What? No, I think Temari and I hit it off on a usual schedul-"

Naruto cringes, goosebumps forming around his body in disgust. "N-NO! That isn't what I meant! I mean about Shikadai! He's literally running around the village with Metal."

The advisor turns red, "O-Oh!.. Wait, did you say running around the village with METAL?" Shikamaru immediately drops the stack of papers he was holding and runs to press his face on the window. Scanning through the faces of the citizens, he sees Metal excitedly running next to a struggling and tired Shikadai.

"... and so I asked, trouble in paradise." Naruto repeats, facepalming.

Shikamaru's face of shock turns into one of seriousness and worry, he sighs, scratching behind his neck. "Well, this morning Temari and I kind of made it obvious to our son that he's got to lay off the burgers and train a bit more," Closing his eyes, he sighs again, "Maybe we were just a bit too harsh on him."

Naruto smiles lightly, "We're all new to this world of parenting, I'm sure a smart boy like Shikadai knew what his parents had to tell him, he just had to take it into consideration." The Hokage places a reassuring hand of support on Shikamaru's shoulder.

The same sigh escapes from the shadow user's mouth, "I'll get back to work."

0o0o0o0

Metal and Shikadai begin to walk as they finish their last lap around the village. Metal slaps Shikadai's back as a sign of 'good work,' and rewards him with a bottle of water.

"Oh come on! Can't we go eat some burgers or something?" Shikadai complains.

Metal shakes his head roughly, "My dear friend! If you keep telling yourself that, you will not return to your regular shape. You must eat some hearty food! Unless, if you do go get a burger, you must run again..."

Shikadai waves a hand, "Yeah, yeah, I got it. No way am I doing that again. I'm going home, thanks for the workout."

The boy in green bows gracefully, "You are welcome, friend Shikadai!" He says as he watches Shikadai sore-fully walk away, "Oh! And just so you know, you have to watch out for how much you eat too!"

'What a drag!'

0o0o0o0

Approaching the green house, Shikadai becomes excited as he opens the gates and slams open the door. "I'm starving!" He exclaims.

Temari raises an eyebrow, placing two plates of vegetable and meat dishes on the table. "Shikadai! That is in no way a proper entrance when coming into this household."

"Sorry mom, I'm just-" Shikadai stops in his tracks. He realizes if he keeps talking about how hungry he is, he's going to let his parents wonder why he isn't eating much. As Metal said, watch out for what you eat.

"Never mind," Shikadai takes a seat. As he watches his mom fill up his rice bowl, he immediately pauses her. "Wait!"

The sand shinobi glances up, "Huh?"

"Mom, don't fill up my rice bowl all the way, matter fact, just give me half the amount of rice you usually give me." Shikadai requested.

Temari then realizes what was happening, "Shika-"

Shikadai interrupts her, "Please mom."

She sighs, but does as her son requested. She uneasily places the bowl of rice in front of her son, watching him thank for his significantly small meal. Soon after, Shikamaru walks inside, seeing that Shikadai has already started to eat.

"Oh, Shikadai, I see you have already eaten a lot."

Shikadai smiles, "No, dad, I just started eating."

Shikamaru raises an eyebrow, looking at his bowl of rice. He then looks at his wife, then again at the rice bowl. "Shikadai, a little more rice won't hurt."

"It's okay," The young Nara lies, "I'm full anyway." He walks away from the table, up to his room.

Temari and Shikamaru watch him leave, staring at each other with expressions of worry.

0o0o0o0