Permission To Seek

CHAPTER 5 The Confession

Several weeks later Shino crouched down in front of the Konoha main gate carefully reviewing the trail they would take for their next mission. His teammates presented their ninja supplies once again so that he could make certain they had everything they need for the journey. Shino’s attention to detail was a catalyst to conflict with one of his teammates on a regular basis. Hyuga Hinata was painfully shy, introverted yet determined to prevail. Inuzuka Kiba, for lack of a better word was a ‘Wild Child’. Kiba is loud, arrogant, obnoxious, confrontational and rude. The true reason he lingered longer that usual was that he was in a bad mood. He had not seen Naruto since he took him home in addition to that; he heard Naruto left the village on a mission the next day. By the time Naruto returned, Shino would be deep into his own mission and they would continue to fail to see each other.

Shino’s mind stormed over the situation again. ‘Kuso!’ gripping the map tighter, as the reality set in he did not want to leave the village before he spoke with Naruto.

"Shino, we got it," Kiba said in his usual impatient voice. “Stop going over the same information, a dozen times, it's giving me a headache, bug nerd." With that, he stood up from where he was crouching and walked over to talk to Hinata and his dog Akamaru.

That was his other problem; there seemed to be no point in expecting Kiba would make this mission any easier, Kiba enjoyed the hunt, Shino thought darkly. Rolling the map carefully, still crouched on the ground, he turned an icy glare on Kiba. Teams contained different ninja to balance out the individual strengths of the members. He concluded it is his tolerance of Kiba’s impossible personality. The more he considered his dislike for Kiba the more intently he stared.

Kiba paused in his low grumbling about Shino’s tedious, habits as he shot a glare in his direction. His brow broke out in a sweat. "Sorry Shino, can we just get going?" he said in an apologetic voice, flashing a false smile.

"Oi, Shino!" Naruto called. "You're Aburame Shino, right?" he said as he ran to join the team at the exit.

Shino glanced over his shoulder in Naruto's direction as he heard Kiba suck his teeth impatiently. "Chee, what does he want, baka." Kiba growled, glaring at Naruto like cat he wanted to chase.

Shino’s ears twitched at the insult; he turned back to putting away the supplies and map.

"Hi Kiba, Hinata." Naruto said with less than his usual animation.

Hinata stammered. "Na, Na...ru.to-kun." in a soft breathless voice. She had a deep infatuation with Naruto.

Shino’s heart slip into a slightly higher rate as Naruto stepped closer with a wide welcoming grin on his face. Despite the fact that his appearance looked welcoming, Shino inwardly prepared for a rightfully deserved attack. He could sense Naruto was anxious as he greeted Hinata and Kiba quickly before he turned his attention to Shino. It was obvious something was clearly bothering him. Shino had a good idea what that involved.

Shino continued to innumerate and gather his supplies methodically; "Yes, I am Aburame Shino" He said without facing Naruto, biding his time to calm his nerves, ‘Ochitsuita’ he thought desperately "and you are Uzumaki Naruto."

The last of the supplies carefully put away he stood pushing his glasses up and giving Naruto his full attention. Naruto face flushed slightly, his sapphire eyes widened taking Shino into full view. Shino stood nearly a foot taller than Naruto. He felt a small gleam of pride, as the Kikai began a low hum, thinking ‘he’s impressed with me.’

"Uzumaki Naruto,” he spoke carefully, to mask his emotions, "how may I assist you?" 'I hope he’s assigned to join our team, or just tell me he's here to replace Kiba, anything but that day in the forest.’

Naruto glanced nervously at Hinata and Kiba; "uhmm... may I have a private word with you?" his large blue eyes looking directly into Shino’s face.

Shino glanced back at the others that watched with wondering looks on their faces, "Just give me a moment," he said to Kiba and Hinata; "this shouldn't take long." Looking back at Naruto inwardly not concerned how long he took. "Very well, Uzumaki," Shino replied.

Naruto lead the way a short distance from the main gate. He was careful to go down wind of Kiba, but not so far that they were out of sight. Naruto did not want the others to hear the conversation. He did not intend to deny the truth if Naruto confronted him although he did not feel ready to go that far. He reasoned it would be his chance to confess his true feelings, no matter what the outcome.

Naruto looked around to see if anyone was nearby, before he turned to face him. "Shino, was it you who took me home the other day?" His eyes got big as he spoke in a lowered voice. “I remember a little about that day;” he said looking up at the sky. “I asked a few people if they knew anyone who fits your description and finally I was able to get a person who said they saw you carrying me home so it all sort of connected.” He continued in a lowered voice.

Thank goodness, Shino thought. Images of Naruto’s slightly parted mouth flashed in his mind. "Yes" he said flatly while pushing his glasses back in place; the sensation of those perfect lips echoed over his mouth; warming his heart. He gazed captivated by the blue eyed golden hair ninja.

"Oh, wow, I thought I was losing it, thank you for taking care of me that day." Naruto said in a relieved tone, scratching the back of his head, his grin spreading across his face making his eyes slant at the corners. Naruto looked at the big ninja, feeling relief. The morning after his training, he found himself in his own bed with no recollection of how or when he came home. Jiraiya had said that as he grows stronger, he might begin to have blackouts and not remember what happen to him because it may mean that he lost control of That Damn Fox. That morning he awoke in his P.J.’s to a clean apartment, clean laundry hanging to dry; with a basket of fresh fruit, and several cups of his favorite instant Ramon. It looks like this person did all that for me; I wonder why? Naruto glanced away feeling slightly embarrassed that someone had actually cleaned up his messy room.

He has a beautiful smile, Shino thought; I hope this is not all he wanted from me. "Of course," Shino added wanting to prolong the conversation, "you could have asked me that over there, with my team. Unless this is something you would like me not to mention?" looking at Naruto more intently, still managing to keep the emotion out of his voice. He intended to keep his hard fought information regarding Naruto private.

Naruto face looked even more relieved. "I've been on so many missions since the day after you helped me Shino; I haven't had a chance to ask you if you could keep it under wraps. I understand if you already told Hinata and Kiba, but if it is not too much trouble. I just don't want people to know what I'm up to; if you know what I mean." Naruto's face had a slight blush as he spoke, his eyes dancing between Shino and the other two behind them. ‘Man this guy is tall’, Naruto eyed him indirectly; Shino’s stare was making him nervous.

Along with his tall stature, Shino also had large hands and feet, tended to ware clothes oversized because they made him feel he would attract less attention. He had thick bushy dark brown hair with auburn splashes throughout; that he secured back with bands and his forehead protector; he also had a somewhat pointy nose and prominent forehead. When he stood to his full height, it allowed the collar of his coat to reveal his long neck and strong jaw line; it was evident that he was all lean muscle and projected an image like a Greek statue.

Shino looked at Naruto calmly; it was true they both had served on numerous missions, since the forest. He shifted slightly so he was leaning more towards Naruto considering if he should undo his jacket to allow him a better view. It was good to see him doing so well; most Jonin level ninja would need more than a week to recover their strength after reducing it the way Naruto had. Could it be the herbs were extremely effective on him, and if so why. Pushing his glasses up again, Shino studied him closely.

Naruto looked from the main gate and caught Shino glaring intensely confusion, entered his wide blue eyes, "What, what is it?" He said with a slightly worried voice as the blush deepens in his cheeks. ‘Why does he keep looking at me like that its unnerving?’

"You recovered quickly to have a mission the next day." He watched as Naruto’s eyes, slide a little side ways then went back to stare at him. ‘Something about that,’ he thought, ‘what was it?’ "Uzumaki Naruto, you can count on me to keep this information confidential." Shino wanted to say something more, anything to keep Naruto talking. "There is more to you Uzumaki than what one would presume." His mind raced ahead of him as he kept his eyes fixed on Naruto’s face, adoring the beauty.

I had better change the subject, he knows something; I wonder if he is the one that has been following me around? "Thank you Shino for taking care of me.” Naruto said, anxious again. “You did a lot for me; you shouldn’t have troubled yourself. I usually end up like that when I train; it’s no big deal.” He glanced over at the gate, while Shino shifted at his words.

“It IS a big deal, Uzumaki. You are incorrect.” Shino said firmly.

Naruto looked back at him alarmed; a thin sweat began to break out over his forehead. “What are you talking about?”

Shino looked into the blue eyes wondering how to explain chakra control properly to Naruto. “When you reduce your chakra in that manner on a regular basis it puts a great strain on your chakra circulatory system.” Pushing up his glasses, he wanted to make sure Naruto understood clearly. “You weaken your ability to regulate the chakra; in other words, you may use too much when you do not need it. If you have a rapid depletion in a poorly regulated circulatory system you could die.” He gazed intently at Naruto, please understand, he thought.

He remembered someone told him he has poor chakra control. ‘This cannot be true, and I can still make plenty of ninja moves, my system isn’t messed up. Considering that Fox’s red chakra would compensate for what I need, I will be alright.’ “Shino that won’t happen to me, I got plenty of stamina and my circulatory system is in perfect health.” Naruto looked at him with assurance; grinning. “I always feel much better after I sleep.”

Shino felt a quake of panic; he just did not get it. “Uzumaki Naruto sleep does not improve your chakra health!” he snapped, more forcefully then he intended; he felt guilty instantly, but his desire not to see Naruto bring himself harm overshadowed the explosion of his temper.

Naruto cringed, taking a step back away from him. Shino’s height and deep voice made his temper seem even more intimidating when provoked. ‘Why is he so angry? What a temper.’

“Uzumaki, please listen carefully.” He stated in a more subdued tone, glaring at the blue eyes. “I am aware that you have extensive stamina;” he paused knowing he was confessing to have watched; “however, the depletion damage can only be reversed by improving the control of the system. If you do that, you will be hundreds of times stronger than you are now. The combined effect of your stamina and mastering your chakra control will make you undefeatable.” Shino concluded hoping the message sank in. “One more thing Uzumaki, I would not want to see you come to any harm.” He shifted, feeling the heat rise in his face, ‘Ochitsuita’, he thought.

Naruto eyed him warily, ‘so he has noticed my stamina, what else; and how long has he watched me, why? Besides that, this person is blushing; he really said some nice things. Most of the people I asked about him, said he was a total jerk and never had anything nice to say, if he said anything at all; they said he was just creepy. He seems alright to me, except for that temper.’ “Oh, I …uhmm.” he stuttered; ‘why am I blushing now,’ feeling stupid that he had not learned to control his chakra. “I am an idiot.” He said finally, “you would think I would be so much better by now.” Naruto did not realize that the Nine Tails made his control difficult; the Fox had its own agenda with Naruto’s body, since it planed to be free of him one day. “I train all the time; I should be stronger by now.”

“Please do not insult yourself Uzumaki.” Shino said pushing his glasses up. “You are an excellent ninja as I have watched your growth for sometime.” Shino shifted his position so shade fell across his burning face, from the trees nearby. “I believe your growth is astounding, you should be proud of how far you’ve come. I would be honored to assist in your training.” His heart jumped into his throat, the Kikai humming a chorus; he wanted to know if Naruto would allow him to get closer. He had several dreams of that day in the forest that involved a very different outcome, than reality. Those dreams persuaded him to want to connect with the blue-eyed ninja, desperately.

‘Just as I suspected.’ Naruto thought, ‘he has been following me during my training; I thought it was Sasuke.’ He felt a little disappointed, Naruto believed if Sasuke seen him as a rival he would keep trying to see what training he was doing. More because he could not think of anything to say he asked, “Why, would you want to help me?” His mind on Sasuke.

Shino gazed at the sad blue eyes feeling his hope dieing; ‘Naruto really could care less,’ he thought as his heart burned hot with despair. ‘There should be a way to get him to notice me.’ “Well Uzumaki, I am interested in seeing how well you stand up against my Kikai.” He said with a slight edge, ‘I hope this works.’

Naruto looked at him, slight interest shining in his bright eyes. “Kikai?” he said.

“You may not be aware of them, but I am certain they would prevail against you; unless you are afraid to accept the challenge.” He glared at him darkly his heart holding onto this one chance.

Naruto eyes darkened menacingly, as his grin spread across his bright face. “Oi, Shino, you will be sorry you challenged me, I fear nothing.” He added darkly, “Are you really that strong to take me on?” his voice full of mock arrogance.

“Yes, I am very strong” Shino said, his mind jumping up and down. “It will be a good lesson for you.” He chucked darkly; eyeing Naruto; remembering his fantasy conversation with the blonde and overjoyed how well he had estimated Naruto’s reaction.

Naruto looked at him with wide eyes; I think he really is strong, although to challenge me like that, he must not be too smart. “Oh yeah, I accept your challenge and as a treat for taking care of me, we will have lunch after the match. That is if I do not beat you to a pulp and need to carry you home on my back; I am not cleaning your house, hanging your laundry, or any of that stuff. Expect to be dropped on the door step, like a wet newspaper.” Naruto voice had risen slightly; eyes showing the happiness he felt at the acknowledgment. He fixed Shino with his fake evil grin although his blue eyes were full of joy.

‘Lucky,’ Shino thought overjoyed. ‘What an honor finally we will have an opportunity to make a connection. This is what I hoped for; I thought I would need to find a way to take the first step, but you Naruto-kun have done it for me; you have already surpassed me.’ The thoughts kept playing thru his mind as his heart began to swell at the possibilities he could make of a simple lunch with this person.

"Your appetite precedes you Uzumaki." He stated lightly; amused after all nearly everyone in the village knew of his addiction to ramen.

Naruto brow furrowed, as the slight blush went to rapid red. "Oh NO Shino!" His voiced raised; Shino raised his eyebrows in wonder at the sudden change in his mood. Naruto continued. "It’s my treat so you don't need to worry about how much I'm going to eat!"

It suddenly occurred to him that maybe Naruto had too much taunting about that issue. He regretted the insult immediately and was prepared to apologize when Naruto fumed on his anger accelerating by the moment.

"You know if you don't want to go that's ok I just thought..." someone yelling cut across his words.

"Oi donki-!” (Jackass) Shouted Uchiha Sasuke at the top of a tree not far from where Naruto and Shino stood talking.

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