When Mercury Mixes With Jade

Alright, now. Thanks to meadows_peak for being my very first review. I completely agree with you, meadow!

I think that maybe I might’ve used too much description of things. I tend to do that because I want the reader to see what I see in my head as I write this. I promise all of the good action between Shino-kun and Sakura-chan will happen, but I don’t rush into things! It would make the story all icky and boring. Just bear with me, there’s a lot more to this story than just sex though.

I’m planning on writing a saucy bit between Kaka-shishou and Sakura-chan. BUT, only if you’re nice about this fic. There’s a hidden surprise that I won’t mention until…well…when it arrives in the story! I think it’ll be nice for a change…Yosh! Let’s move on!

*~Kiyasume~* >.<

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Where we last left off…

Sakura bounced in happiness. She hugged Shino, who flinched at first, but then relaxed into her hug. The closeness of someone other than family would take time getting used to, apparently. Both Shino and Sakura looked up to see a man who was in his mid thirties, wearing sunglasses, a charm hanging off of his left side.

It was Aburame Shibi, Shino’s father.

“Welcome to my home, Sakura-san.”


=*0*=

Sakura looked up to see Shino’s father. She immediately bowed deeply in respect of the older, much more seasoned ninja. Shino bowed as well.

“Chichiue-sama…” Shino bowed deeply as well. Shibi seemed to be scrutinizing Sakura rather closely.

“Aburame-sama?” Sakura asked timidly. Shibi looked like he was in deep thought, his brows furrowed together. He clearly hadn’t heard Sakura’s question, as he walked down the stairs to inspect her. Pink hair...jade eyes...where did he see these jade eyes before? Shibi squinted behind his glasses. She was only a third of his height. He suddenly remembered. Shorter than normal girls. Those infernal jade green eyes.

“You are a Haruno, correct?” Shibi asked in his deep tenor. Sakura jumped slightly. She wondered how it was that he knew her name before it even escaped her lips in greeting. Shino poked Sakura to wake her out of her idle stupor, and addressed the elder Aburame with respect again. Shibi was mentally grinning. ‘A girl-friend eh? A Haruno, no less...hope you know what you’re in for, boy….’ Shibi thought as Sakura answered him.

“Yes, Aburame-sama, I am Haruno Sakura.” Shibi stood there for a few more minutes. Sakura looked at her toes, and then at the colorful koi swimming deeply in the pond. Shibi could see that she was shy, but eventually, she would warm up to Shino. Honestly, if you got the boy started on something he was interested in…he shook his head. A Haruno…..Oji-sama was right about Shino…sure picked up on Shibi’s old tracks.

A previous….acquaintance of his just happened to be Sakura’s aunt, now deceased, bringing honor to the Haruno name by blowing up a rather humongous enemy compound that held thousands of tactless bastards that called themselves shinobi. Had she not, Konoha would have faced themselves within another war, completely open for any other country. He was grateful for that woman…

Once the girl became comfortable, was when, he supposed in mild apathy, that all of hell would break loose, and the devil himself kicked out of his fiery abode. Haruno women were the epitome of spunk, outright loudness, and strength, to the point of insanity. Shibi still remembered the smug smirk that Suika had on her face as she blasted through defense after defense, her sad smile and eyes directed towards him as she set off the near one thousand exploding tags she set throughout the compound.

She died with a smirk on her face, and after they cleared all the rubble, they could not find any trace of her. Shibi liked to think she died painlessly, for there was no other way that he wanted her to have gone. He could see a little bit of her in Sakura’s face. Suika had had a rather demanding forehead as well…it had served her on missions when she was supposed to look cute and innocent. Anko had nothing on her. Damn, how he missed that woman. She was the spunk to his coolness, the loud and outright rudeness to his calm, quiet and polite demeanor.

A small smile managed to make itself known on the corner of Shibi’s mouth. Shino let go of the breath that he hadn’t known he’d been holding. His father approved. He just knew his mother would approve, then. Shibi walked back up the few steps to the outer halls. Shino followed, Sakura in tow. Shibi slid open the door, and walked in, Shino closing it behind him after Sakura walked in.

Apparently, they were in the main family room. Sakura saw a beautiful woman with the same frizzy hair as Shino’s in a curly-like afro ponytail situated on top of her head. There were a pair of chopsticks in her hair the same color as her yukata, a turquoise blue with sea green and white flowers. Under her yukata however, she could see the telltale long sleeve net shirts that were pretty much standard for shinobi to wear, the same being for her legs. She wore square black specs instead of the more rounder ones her boys wore that made her look feminine. She had on a light sheen of cover up, and a little lip gloss. She was clearly an older woman, but she looked younger because of her wide smile. Shino reassuringly bumped against Sakura’s shoulder slightly. Shino bowed before the lady slightly. She smiled, shaking her head at his politeness…

“Shino-chan…..I’m your mother.” She sighed lightly and suddenly turned to Sakura, grinning from ear to ear. For an Aburame, she was very emotional. She motioned for both Shino and Sakura to sit at the table. There was another woman, much older than Shino’s mother. She was dressed in a khaki colored yukata, and had her frizzy salt and pepper hair tied back at the nape of her neck instead of Mrs. Aburame’s more stylish do’. She had half-moon sunglasses on her eyes, and had a kind face, albeit a bit emotionless. She sat there, drinking her tea quietly. Shino turned and bowed towards the old woman.

“Hi, obaa-san…” The old woman slowly put down her cup of tea. She looked at Shino.

“Shino, you may relax the honorific around the house. This is your friend, is it not?” She saw him nod slowly. His grandmother looked at Shino’s mother. “Aibiko, I find it a bit odd for Shibi to accept such a girl, or any girl for that matter so quickly. He usually would have asked a few questions.” Aibiko looked back at the old woman, nodding slowly. A smile slowly crept up her face.

“There is something he knows about her that we do not. However, I did hear your name, Sakura, is it? Welcome. I am Aburame Aibiko, Shino’s mother. This is Aburame Shiori, his grandmother. But I’m sure she may let you call her Nana, ne, Shiori?” The old woman nodded, pouring herself another cup of tea. Aibiko looked excited. She was grinning from ear to ear. Sakura was vaguely reminded of her Inner.

“So, Sakura-chan, tell me a little bit about yourself, and how you met Shino-chan here….” The older woman set her chin on her hand, waiting for the story to begin. Sakura explained how she was always made fun of because of her forehead. She explained the entire conversation when Shino was in the tree, and how his glasses fell, and she saw his eyes. Aibiko’s glasses flashed at that little bit of info. She told of their lunch together, and the promise that they made to each other. On the outside, Aibiko was calm, but on the inside she was squeeing at the insane cuteness of it all. Her grin came back full force.

“Shino-chan, is this true, hon? A promise to be friends forever?” Shino nodded. Aibiko’s glasses flashed again, a wistful smile pursing her lips. Aibiko looked down at sakura, and noticed her hair was tied back in a cute red ribbon, showing her pretty face. Aibiko smiled.

“Where’d you get that pretty red ribbon, Sakura-chan?” Sakura instinctively touched the red cloth holding her hair back, and smiled weakly. “A girl named Ino. I can’t tell if she likes me, or if she wants everyone to see my forehead.” Sakura looked down. Aibiko held up her chin. She smiled, and Sakura felt better.

“Anyone can see she did you a tremendous favor. I can see your pretty face now.” Aibiko looked at both of them in finality. “Friends…yes…friends.” She sighed and got up, and led them towards the door.

“That is good. You both needed a friend, and here, you’ve got one! Then,” she started, pushing the two towards the door, “I suggest that you two go outside and play. I’ll inform Sakura-chan’s mother that she will stay for dinner tonight.” Shino took Sakura’s wrist and led her out the door. As soon as the door closes, both Shiori and Aibiko look at each other.

“How will I break it to Shino that we leave in a couple days for Grass Country? This will break his heart! I know that we’ll be gone for at least a few years…and finally...finally he finds something good for himself! This isn’t fair!” Aibiko looked worried. Shiori sipped her tea, unaffected.

“It may not be fair, but such is life, my dear. I completely agree with you. But if they are strong enough friends, I know that one day that they will overcome this separation. Sakura is a very well brought up child, I can see it in the way she respects those around her. Do not fret, Aibiko. Just pray that they remember. The key to friendship is the remembrance. He will be sad, of that I am positive, but it will make him grow.” The old woman set her empty teacup on the coaster. Aibiko sighed, her face in her hands.

“I know, Shiori….it’s just, well, it’s been ages since I’ve seen such a brilliant smile grace my baby boy’s features. I don’t want him to get shot down so fast….” Shiori placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Sometimes children exert more wisdom than we give them credit for. Watch, and pray. There is no need to interfere.” Aibiko still looked worried. The old woman gave a rare smile. “But just in case Sakura-san forgets about Shino…” Aibiko looked at the old woman in surprise. “….I suppose it would not be the worst thing to do if we coaxed them along.” Aibiko smiled again.

“ I suppose you are right, Shiori. I feel a little better about it, but I must break the news tonight. They must know now, to spend what little time is left before we leave together.” Aibiko rose to start dinner. Shiori followed her with the empty tea kettle into the kitchen.

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Shino and Sakura walked along the path leading around the back of the house. There was a medium sized lake that had swans and loons swimming quietly. The dark purple-orange sky of early evening accentuated the stars that began to come out one by one. There were some woods behind the lake, and a small path that led back. They began to walk back behind the lake into the wooded area.

“Sh-shino…..it’s dark…” Sakura whimpered, sticking closer to Shino. He smiled, looking back at her.

“Don’t be afraid, Sakura-chan…I have a surprise for you.” Shino laughed lightly at the way she perked up after hearing ‘surprise’. They walked a little ways into the woods, and stopped at a silver bush. They took a sharp left and Shino led her through underbrush, and twigs and soft dirt. After walking for five minutes, they came into a clearing. There was a single eastern redbud tree growing out of some smooth rocks in the medium distance. There was a small gurgling brook swishing softly next to it, a large down slope following that, as the tree was on a large hill. Shino began to run towards the tree.

“Come on Sakura-chan!” they chased each other up the steep hill, across the brook, to come to a large, flat rock under the tree. Shino sat, and Sakura at next to him. Shino looked really happy.

“Where’s the surprise, Shino-kun?” Sakura looked around her to see nothing out of the ordinary. Shino shook his head.

“Be patient, Sakura-chan. It will come when it’s completely dark.” Sakura looked over to the clear horizon. She could barely see above the trees to see the other end of Konoha, where the Hyuuga estates would most likely be located. The sun dipped below the edge of where the sky met the earth, and the land was completely shrouded in darkness, the stars plenty in the sky. Sakura sighed in pleasure. It was really nice up here. She looked at Shino, who had a calm look on his face.

“I go up here to think all the time. Right here in this very spot. I was the only one who knew about it, and now you know, too.” Sakura smiled. A light flew past her eyes and made her gasp. It disappeared! All of a sudden, thousands and thousands of tiny lights flickered all over the place. Sakura gasped.

“Fireflies! Oh, Shino-kun, they’re so beautiful!” Sakura ran around playing amongst the little light bugs. Shino was content to watch her, her face shining with the light of so many fireflies surrounding her. A black butterfly flew and rested on Shino’s shoulder. It opened and closed its wings in a weird pattern. He looked at it, and then at Sakura.

“Understood. Tell father that we are coming.” The butterfly flew away and Shino stood, dusting off his pants. “Sakura-chan, come on. It’s time for dinner.” Sakura looked up at Shino, and was reluctant to leave her new little friends. They walked back into the woods towards the house, talking and laughing the entire way. The memories that have taken place sealed themselves into the very earth.

It would be eight years until Sakura and Shino would walk into that little haven again.

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Sakura and Shino walked into the house laughing and talking together. Shino suddenly stopped. The entire family, it seemed, was waiting just for them. There was his father, mother and grandmother, but there were also his aunts and uncles, and a group of his cousins, all younger. They all had their glasses off, the color of their eyes from deep steel to swirling molten mercury, like Shino’s. She noticed that some of the women did not have silver eyes, a sign of outside marriage. Shino looked around, smiling. The Aburame clan never took their glasses off in front of strangers. Sakura was already a part of the family. He took off his own and placed them in his shirt.

“Oi, Shino-chan! Sakura-chan! Come and sit, we’ve been waiting for you!” Aibiko waved them over, Shino sitting in his usual place next to his father at the head of the table. Aibiko led Sakura to the front of the entire family, standing next to her.

“Everyone, this is Sakura. Say hello, dear.” Sakura smiled shyly, putting a hand in the air timidly, waving to the entire family.

“Konban wa, minna-san!” her voice carried over the entire family. Many declarations of ‘hello’, ‘hi’, and ‘good evening’ were made, little babies blowing spit bubbles or giggling madly, their silver eyes creased in mirth. Sakura sat next to Shiori, her kind old eyes showing a love for Sakura that one could call grand-motherly. Sakura enjoyed her meal immensely, and Shino and she stole knowing glances to each other, sometimes just grinning madly. Sakura suddenly began to cry, out of no where. Shino and a few of the relatives looked concerned, while Aibiko and Shiori exchanged knowing looks, their faces a bit grim.

“Sakura-chan, what’s the matter?” Shino asked quietly. Sakura sniffled; her face was covered by her hands, tears leaking through them. When her hands moved to wipe the tears, a big smile was on her face.

“Ara, gomen, I didn’t want it to look like I was sad…I’m actually very happy. You see, I’ve always wanted to have siblings, and cousins and family like this at dinner… but it’s just me and my okaa-san and ‘tou-san sitting at the table. I feel all swallowed up, but it feels nice.” Sakura smiled as reassuring smiles, as well as some decidedly sadder ones graced the faces of her friend’s family.

“Oi, Sakura-chan…there is something that I cannot withhold from you for much longer…please, do not be saddened by this news.” Aibiko stood quietly, along with Shibi to announce this to the entire family as well. Aibiko looked into Sakura’s eyes, so she understood the seriousness of it all.

“The entire Aburame family is to go to Grass for diplomatic treaty associations. We could be gone for months, but more likely years, since the entire mix up with the Kyuubi had never been settled. It may be a while before we return. We leave this Saturday.” Shibi announced. Aibiko saw the pain flash in Sakura’s eyes before disappearing. They were leaving in two days. Sakura looked down at her plate, not knowing what to say. She stood, a smile on her face as she uttered,

“May I be excused, please?” Aibiko could tell that the child was struggling not to break down and cry. Aibiko nodded, and Sakura quietly slid open the shoji door to enter the cool night. Shibi motioned for Shino to follow her, and with haste, he did as beckoned. Shibi had no facial expression, but his clear steel colored eyes gave him away. He looked into Aibiko’s warm blue eyes.

“Let us hope that she will not forget.”

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Shino followed Sakura to the end of the outside hall, where she stood looking at the colorful illuminated lanterns situated around the dark grounds. She saw him coming out of the corner of her eye, but made no move to acknowledge him. Her eyes reflected the glow from the underwater lighting that made swirling patterns on the walls of the outside of the house, shadows caught by the overhang of the outdoor roofing. Tears streamed fresh down her cheeks, this time in sadness. She didn’t understand at all. She didn’t understand. She turned to Shino; her brilliant jade eyes alight with the pond lights.

“Shino, but we just became friends! Now you’re leaving me…” Shino grabbed her to his chest. Sakura gasped. Shino never initiated the physical contact. This was serious.

“Sakura-chan…I did not know. I didn’t. They did not tell me.” He let her cry into his shirt, getting it all wet and messy. He didn’t care. She needed this comfort, and he was reluctant to say it, but he did too. His had absently brushed the strands of hair from her high forehead. He smiled, remembering that her forehead was the circumstance of their entire meeting. Without thinking, he kissed her forehead chastely, a warm sigh escaping his lips in thanks for her having such a prominent feature. Sakura looked up at him in confusion, but he was lost in thought. He looked down at her.

“I will be at your house tomorrow, okay?” she nodded slightly, shifting in his loose embrace. She looked at her toes.

“Will it be okay if I see you off on Saturday afternoon?” she asked quietly. Shino nodded into her hair. The sloshing and trickling noises of the water calmed them both immensely. Shibi saw the entire exchange, but he wouldn’t be a very good ninja if the two knew he was there. He did not want to break his son's heart, but what must be done will have to be done. He turned to go back inside the house as the two stood there like that for a bit.

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Everything was tense. Their talks, their questions…even when they ate lunch together that day, nothing could break the tenseness, not even Aibiko’s famous chicken dumplings that Sakura liked so much. Shino noticed the sad sideways glances that she would sometimes give him, and Sakura noticed that Shino was less talkative as of late. Shino kept up his part of the deal, and walked Sakura home, intent on spending his last hours in Konoha with his only friend. They walked into her home again, a note left in the kitchen on the table next to a big plate of chocolate chip cookies.

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Hey there, Sweetness,

I just thought that you and Shino would like some cookies before we left on our next mission. We won’t be back for a week. Keep the house clean, and follow the procedure, okay? You’re my little girl, but you’re growing up, and I think you can handle it.

Love,

Mamma and Poppa

~~~


Sakura looked at Shino, and beckoned him to take a cookie. Shino’s eyebrows raised clear off his forehead when he took, and bit into the cookie. A pleased ‘mmmmmnnff’ escaped his throat as he chewed the baked piece of heaven. Sakura grinned for the first time since yesterday night. Shino looked like he was on cloud nine.

“Mom’s famous Chocolate Chip Sugar Blasted cookies….guaranteed to keep you wired.” She laughed as he grabbed another one, and she got him some milk.

“Shino, what would you like to do?” Sakura watched him as he swallowed another cookie. He looked at her intently.

“I don’t know…watch a movie?” Sakura thought it was a great idea. Shino was dragged unceremoniously into her room. He looked around her room, and saw a typical female abode. Pink. Lots of it. There were frilly pillows and stuffed animals, and girly items everywhere. She dug through her DVD collection and pulled out a movie, showing it to Shino.

“How about ‘Spirited Away’? I think that’s a good movie.” Shino agreed, and Sakura put the movie into the player. Sakura lay on her bed, facing the TV, while Shino sat on the floor, leaning against her bed, his head next to hers. Sakura got into the movie, crying at the sad parts and laughing at the comedy parts. Half the time, Shino would just wait for her reaction to the movie, instead of watching it on his own. Before Sakura knew it, it was dinnertime.

“Want to go to Ichiraku, Shino-kun?” Shino sat up, a little drool escaping his lip. He was wearing his glasses, but she could tell he was bleary eyed. He seemed to be considering it, and he nodded. She smiled as they stood, and went downstairs. They walked out the door, talking and laughing. The very air seemed much sadder every second that passed, for every second that passed brought them closer and closer to Shino’s departure for Grass country.

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They sat on the stools at Ichiraku, and noticed that Naruto was sitting there, slurping his miso ramen, as usual. Shino turned to Sakura, after they ordered their ramen. He smiled slightly…as much as Shino would allow himself to smile in public and turned to Sakura, his eyebrows telling her he had an anguished sort of look on his face…Sakura knew then that he wanted to say something, but he couldn’t, he knew there wasn’t enough time to say everything he wanted…so she put her hand on his shoulder. Shino looked at her with vague surprise.

“Shino-kun, daijoubu….wakarimasu…..” (It’s alright…I understand) Sakura smiled as Shino took her hand in his and squeezed it. He wanted to hug her, but he wasn’t allowed to overly show affection in public…it was the Aburame’s strength. Sakura understood. She placed her other hand on top of his. She knew what he was feeling, because she felt the same.

“Shino-kun…I overheard them talking about us later yesterday night. They hope that we will not forget. If I am able to forget you in the time that you are gone, remember that I never really will forget. I just wish…I want you to stay. But…well…” Sakura trailed. She looked at the already darkening sky. She looked back at him. She smiled, and even though it was quite genuine, it broke Shino’s heart because she tried to take it so well.

“…it’s official ninja business, and who can argue with that? I can’t, I want to be the best kunouichi ever. I can’t disagree with something that is ninja business. I want you to be the best ninja that you can be. I will miss you, but you’ll be back, right? So I won’t worry.” Sakura and Shino ate quietly, the sounds of Naruto slurping his fifth bowl of ramen completing the setting.

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Sakura woke early the next morning. She got dressed, and left the house. They were to be leaving in an half an hour to the west, heading towards Grass. She ran to the Aburame household, and made it in time to see them exiting the gate. Apparently, it was the main family that was leaving, just Shino, Aibiko, Shiori and Shibi. Shino’s little brother, Shikkei was too young to travel, so he was left back at the house with one of the aunts. Sakura walked up to them, and bowed. Tears were flowing in her eyes, but she kept a straight smile, and her voice wavered slightly, the tears blinding her sight slightly.

“Aburame-hime, Aburame-sama, thank you for everything!” she then turned to Shino. Only a moment passed, but it felt like an eternity. “Shino-kun…” she began to bawl and she ran to him and hugged him tightly, crying hard. Shino fell to his knees with the weeping girl, and soothed her tears.

“It’s alright, Sakura-chan…I’ll be back one day…it’ll be like I never left…ok? I promised you, remember?” Shino held out his left pinky, and Sakura stopped crying. She took her left pinky and tightened it around his, a fleeting pact of promise bestowed upon that childish ritual. As they let go, Shino’s hands slipped out of hers, and they turned around, never looking back. Sakura waved, and cries of goodbye left her lips until she could no longer see them.


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Did ya like it so far? Come on!! Review! I like reviews! Constructive criticism would be nice, too! Anything! I only got one review up until now! I love you people! You can even e-mail me or whatever! Just request it in your review! I don’t know when the next chapter will be finished…depends on what kind of work my professors give me….sheesh! No time to myself, I swear! Anywho, once again Read Rate and Review! Shannaro!