When Mercury Mixes With Jade

Thanks for the reviews. Y’know, those things are the lifeblood of a fanfiction writer. I would love to see this story get up to about 1000 reviews. While that might sound a bit nuts, this story will be at least 40+ chapters, maybe even more. Yeah, that’s right, I’ve only just hit the tip of the iceberg, and I’ve got so much stuff planned. There may be things that go unexplained in some chapters, but you must be patient enough for me to write the rest so that I can have ample time to explain the rest of the story. It’s supposed to leave you asking questions and wanting more. Just be good little readers and review my stuff. Even give me some ideas that I might be able to use. Who knows, it might actually end up in the story and you’d be proud that you had a say in my fictions. Any who, onward to the next chapter!


*~*Kiyasume*~*

P.S. Yes, there will be smut in this, but it’s supposed to be sort of novel length. We’ll catch them doing the mattress mambo later! Right now, they are just remembering each other, and sex would just be ridiculously awkward so soon.


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Warmth.

She was surrounded by a radiating, comforting warmth. It was a dark void, and it swallowed her welcomingly, wrapping her sensuously in a cocoon of safety and peace. She didn’t ever want to leave it; she hadn’t felt so safe like this in ages. Falling deeper and deeper led her to even greater depths of bliss that she could honestly say she’d never achieved. It were as if evil and pain and death didn’t exist. However, something as good as even that must sadly come to an end at some point.


She opened her eyes to see she was still in the Aburame’s parlor room. Darkness mixed with the silver moonlight spilling into the room, creating monochromatic display over the entire space. Though her eyes were cracked open, she was still in warmth and security. It wasn’t until this warmth and security moved that Sakura remembered where she was, and what happened yesterday evening.


*Flashback to seven hours ago…*

Shino had taken her into the room for tea when her parents’ deaths truly hit her like it should have when she was at the funeral earlier. Sakura was settled into the black sofa, crying her eyes out in the upright fetal position, rocking herself back and forth pitifully. Shino, attuned to the feelings of his newly rediscovered femme friend, took her in his arms, whispering soothing words, and telling her to let it out. Shino was grateful for taking their tea into the living area instead of the parlor; there were too many family members in the area, and Sakura only needed a few people at the most to be around her in her time of weakness. He was also grateful to be one of the few she would trust with something like this.


It seemed like she cried for hours when she was on the verge of sleeping right where she was. Shino tried to turn in her embrace so he could tell her that it was a good idea for her to go to bed, but she held him firmly in place. Shino could’ve easily broken out of her grip, but he knew she needed him, and this was the sign that told him so.


Her face was buried in the crook of his neck, the hiccups after her mourning jerking her enough so that her lips brushed against the nape of his neck right behind his ear. Shino’s breath hitched slightly, his cheeks tinted pink. Her lips felt so soft, so warm against his skin, that he could only imagine what it would be like if they…no. He shook his head mentally to clear his rather naughty thoughts. This was not the time for frivolities. Sakura needed him, true…just not in that way.


But it was hard for him to think of it in other ways as she held him close to her body, sighing in bliss at the added warmth his body provided. Shino wanted to groan out loud, but didn’t for fear of giving himself away. She smelled of the country apple, freshly picked from the orchards, mixed with melon and…cucumber? Shino inhaled again, his lowered lids closing in silent contentment. Yeah…cucumber. With just a hint of some spicy, tropical fruit that tingled his senses. These smells alone might’ve been common, but when mixed together, the image that would always come to his mind would be Sakura.


She shifted in their embrace, laying her head underneath his chin, her cheek on his chest. Shino couldn’t help himself, and began to run his fingers through her pink rose colored hair, the strands falling between his fingers like soft strands of gossamer. Sakura voiced her approval with a small moan in the deep of her throat. Shino’s hands were soft, his fingers long and graceful. They felt so good in her hair. She felt safe and docile in his arms. She was so comfortable, she began to talk softly, almost as if she were afraid someone else was in the room, and she wanted only him to hear her words.


“Shino…I miss them so much. How is it that someone can be happy and so heart twistingly sad at the same time?” she whispered. Shino was a bit confused as to why she’d be happy and sad at the same time.


“What are you happy about, Sakura-chan?” his words were equally as soft as hers. She hugged him a bit tighter. He understood, but he waited for her words.


“You. Our friendship. It’s a bit strange, though.” She laughed, her body shaking slightly with the force of her laughter. “I go from seeing you sometimes on the street, waving a hello, to us being long lost friends, reunited at last after so long, and now in each other’s arms. All the times I should’ve been overly protective of your health, I wasn’t…like when Kankurou attacked you a couple of years ago. You were on the verge of dying before otou-san saved you, and all I was worried about was keeping Sasuke safe from Gaara.” She clutched him harder, snuggling into him further. “I could’ve lost you forever, and that’s something that would’ve haunted me for the rest of my life.” Shino laughed slightly.


“I’m not going anywhere, Sakura-chan. I do hope you realize this.” She looked up from her comfortably blissful spot to stare him in the face sleepily. She yawned.


“Good, ‘cause I don’t plan on going anywhere either…” she drifted off in her words, falling asleep in his arms. He couldn’t bear to wake her, so he held her until he fell asleep himself.


*End Flashback*


Sakura shifted in her position slightly, but not hard enough to awaken the kikaichu user. Their positions in sleep had changed a bit. Before, Sakura had her right cheek pressed into the top of his chest, his left cheek buried in her soft, pink rose colored hair. Shino had his arms around her, her left hand flat on his chest, the right in a fist, tucked underneath her chin, the back of her hand flat on his chest. They were sitting upright.


Now…now was a completely different story. While before it seemed as if Shino were holding her protectively, this time, it was as if Sakura held him lovingly. This time, they were lying on the left side of the couch, facing away from the moonlit windows. Their heads switched, hers buried in his surprisingly soft and unruly hair, his cheek a few inches below her clavicle. Her right hand was buried along with her cheek in his hair, the left hand wrapped around his shoulders. His arms were wrapped around her middle, bringing her closer to him than before. She smiled wistfully, looking down at the male in her arms.

Her mother once said that she and Kisetsu would go to sleep separately, as Kisetsu would always be given the more difficult chuunin missions that would often last until the sun had long set in its peaceful sleep beneath the skyline. But sometime during the night, they would subconsciously find each other and cuddle, every time. Her mother explained that the way you sleep with a person (no pun intended) was affected by the relationship you held with them. If there was mutual attraction of any level between two people, the first time they slept in the same vicinity, it was highly possible for them to resemble the feelings they most wished after one or both woke up.


This caused Sakura to forcibly come to terms with the real way she felt about Shino. Sure, he was a friend to her, and Kami knows that she could always use more. But ever since that one evening at Ichiraku with Naruto, she realized just how lonely she felt when it came to the matters of love. Lee and Ten-ten began dating a couple of years ago, and Ten-ten was sure the green-clad bushy-browed youth was going to propose to her sometime around their eighteenth year. Ino and Shikamaru were going out on and off, but it was clear it would be on from here on in, after a rather heated argument Ino had with Shikamaru about not caring enough about her. Just the other day she spoke personally with Hinata-chan at the bakery about Naruto, and was all smiles and blushes when she confessed to Sakura that it was possibly the best thing that had ever happened to her.


Tears fell down Sakura’s cheeks silently as Shino slept in her arms. She fought to keep herself from shaking with the force of her weeping. She was tired of it. She was afraid of loving Shino, because all it seemed was was that the people she loved were disappearing from her life. Even Shino had left for a long period of time. The ninja life was not something to trifle with when it came to living. Only one-third of those that become ninja ever make it to old age, and your expectancy to live increases if you were a medic nin, or was close friends with one. Sakura knew the risk was there when she first became a ninja, but she never really wanted to take that risk. It was one of the harder decisions she had to make in life. Looking back over her brief time of being a fully fledged ninja, she decided that it was worth it.


Shino moaned in his sleep lightly as her fingers continued to sift through his dark chocolate colored hair. Sakura blushed slightly at the thought of him being so close. She felt nothing less than safe in the bug master’s arms, and it made her wonder. The way she held him told of her having to protect him…just like the way he held her earlier. Sakura smiled. At least someone should be close to the bug master. She knew that he said he had Kiba and Hinata as well as his whole family, but she knew he felt at least a tiny bit lonely. She knew there was a reason the Aburame wore those sunglasses, and she promised to never tell a soul why. She could see his emotions so clear and true in his eyes, that no one could mistake how he felt. Recently, she’d been able to feel his emotions as well, and that had her mind reeling too. Ninja were only supposed to be able to sense the intent to harm or kill, but Sakura could feel his remorse for not being the friend he knew she needed when the Uchiha left. But more so than that, she could feel his never-ending waves of loneliness. Only after they reinstated their friendship, did these feelings of sadness seem to exponentially decrease, and Sakura was happy that she was the reason for that.


Looking down at him, she realized that in the milky moonlight, Shino was a beautiful creature. His hair turned darker in the limited light, his skin soaking up the gentle rays of the moon, only to reflect it back out as his skin glowed the same color. His lashes were long, and rested on his high cheekbones, his soft lips looking like the tips of pink rose petals. His eyebrows were relaxed from their usual intimidating slant downwards. His left cheek was pressed into the top of her chest, and Sakura giggled quietly at the cuteness. Shino would never live this down had she been someone else. She was honored that he would let down his guard so much in her presence, it made her feel important, and it also made her feel happy that he could be so comfortable around her.


Sakura frowned. There was still so much about Shino that she didn’t know, and she wanted to change that desperately. But for right now, she was still warm, and was safe in the arms of one Aburame Shino.


And for right now, that was all that mattered to her.


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Sunlight filtered gently through the trees, making its way into the sleepy eyes of one tired young Aburame heir. His eyes opened slightly, bits of silver shining in the light behind those eyes.


Shino awakened slowly, sitting up from his strange accommodations. It seemed as if he slept on the sofa last night. But wasn’t Sakura sleeping with him? He looked down at himself. He was still dressed in the clothes from the funeral yesterday evening. He stood up, and slid the door open, walking down the inner halls of the Aburame estate. He walked past the family room, past the dining room and kitchen. He could hear bustling around in the kitchen, so he was sure it was either his mother, or Sakura whipping up something in there. He walked slowly up the stairs, towards his room to change into some fresh clothing. He smelled a strong scent of country apples and other enticing smells from Sakura’s room. He stopped and searched for her chakra signature within the room, but there was none, meaning she was somewhere else. He was about to open her door and peek inside when Shikkei (again) came flying out of nowhere and clung to his aniki. Shino sighed, looking at the huge silver eyes grinning back up at him.


“Aniki, Sakura-neechan isn’t here. She left earlier, saying she had a few things to take care of. She knew that you’d come looking for her so she said it would be okay for you to look around her room. I’m so bored! Can I go with you? I’ve never been in a girl’s room before!” Shikkei nearly got lightheaded by saying all that all at once. Shino shrugged and slid her door open. The sight that greeted him was one that was awe worthy. Here was his chance to learn something new about her. There was a note that lay on her bed, and it was addressed to Shino.

Hey Shino-kun!

I knew you would come looking for me, so I figured I should at least finish unpacking so you wouldn’t have to see all those boxes. Go ahead and look around. But I get to look in your room too! I figured this would be a good way to learn things about each other, and visiting the other’s room is a lot quicker than asking questions. If you have any, I’d be more than happy to answer them when I get back. I should be back around noon or so. So, happy hunting, and don’t open the drawers. Seriously.

Sakura ^ _ ^

Shino smiled, shaking his head. He didn’t want to peek at her clothes; there was plenty to look at without touching a thing. It was obvious that Sakura loved pictures. They were hung on the walls, and sitting in frames on every available surface…her dresser, her windowsills, even her large vanity. The first one that caught Shino’s eye was the one that was quite similar to one of his photos in his own room. The team pictures. She only had two of them, but from those two alone, you could learn a lot. The first one was the picture of them as genin, with Kakashi at the far top, placing his hands on both the Uchiha and Naruto’s heads. Apparently, they both looked uncomfortable in the picture, Naruto glaring at the Uchiha, the Uchiha staring off to the side. Sakura was the only one smiling other than Kakashi, her hands brought up to her face in a playful version of happiness. The Sakura he knew now never smiled that way anymore, and he wanted to make her smile this way again, as if life hadn’t already jaded the innocence surrounded by her in this captured moment.


The second picture reflected one of the major things that Sakura had to deal with…Sasuke’s betrayal of not only the entire village, but of a team bond that had been broken severely. The picture reflected this, but it was after they’d all found their happiness once again. Shino realized that Kakashi-sensei was timeless. He looked the same as he did when his students were young genin. This time, it was only Sakura and Naruto, and as Kakashi stood behind them with two fingers in his customary copy-nin wave, Naruto had an arm around Sakura, as she smiled a small, rare smile at the camera. Sakura had become a chuunin, and Naruto, though still a genin, was only so because he trained outside the village, under one of the Sannin, as Sakura had. Besides Tsunade and Shizune, Sakura was the most powerful medic nin the village had to offer, and growing stronger by the day. Naruto’s strength was climbing higher than anyone would think, and it was clear that while he was outranked by most of the ninja population, his power outclassed more than half of Konoha’s best. Despite his young age, Naruto had already made it into a few bingo books from enemy countries.


Shino stood and looked at a picture of what he assumed was Sakura with her parents. He’d never seen them before the iei that was placed on the table full of flowers. He looked closely, and noticed that she resembled her father much more than her mother. She had her father’s eyes, and his facial structure, but she had her mother’s smile, and full lips. He also noticed that both her parents had normal hair colors. Where had Sakura’s pink hair come from?


Shino’s eyes searched around the other pictures until he found something unusual catch his eye. There was a much older picture, nearly two decades old, give or take a few years. Shino’s eyes widened. It was a group picture of two males, and three females. They were all seated at a patio table. Shino recognized his father and mother in the picture, but at the time, Shibi was holding a pink-haired woman close to him. His father looked exactly like he did, and dressed exactly how he did when he was a genin, except for the brown pants; he wore black shorts to his knees.


The pink haired woman, who looked like an older version of Sakura, was blushing, but clearly enjoying his father’s embrace. His mother grinned in her own right, her hair in two fluffy afro-pigtails, dressed in a white tank that only reached just below her breasts, red binding taping up her chest and disappearing in her purple with red and white Indian triangle design on the border pants. Her legs and arms were bound with white bindings to her knuckles, black fingerless velvet gloves strapped to her hands. She had her ninja hitai-ate tied around her waist, and he saw that his mother was not from Konoha originally. She was a Cloud ninja. He was a bit confused, for his mother now wore the Leaf ninja hitai-ate proudly, and was more than happy to tell someone she was a Konoha ninja. He’d have to ask about that later.


Then he saw younger versions of Sakura’s parents smile at each other as if they were the only two that existed. Shino knew that there must’ve been a lot of love in that household, and was even jealous of Sakura for a split second, when he realized that much of her early life was sheltered. He then caught himself, telling himself that Sakura liked him for who he was on the inside, not what was inside of him. Sometimes he wondered what kind of stuff she was made of. Usually, a girl would run screaming at the sight of his bugs…unless it was Hinata, who were so used to them.


But Sakura, to his surprise, talked to them, and even gave them little names! Being in the Aburame household, there were many of them that would just fly around freely and sometimes on their walk yesterday, one of his would be sent to the main house for information exchange, and when it came back, it would fly around Sakura first, sometimes landing on her finger and she would coo at the little bug, give it a name, and run a finger delicately over its shiny black shell. Shino was downright jealous of his own bugs…that had the nerve to purr whenever in close vicinity of the roseatte! He knew his bugs were acting the way that he could not bring himself to, but he needed to keep it under wraps, or his father would find out. Shino sighed audibly.


To an outsider, and for the most part, Shino’s father was a quiet man who led a noble and dutiful life. However, being his son, Shino knew many things about his father, some of those things even his mother knew nothing of. Oh, if his father caught wind of his attraction for Sakura…well, that was something that he did not wish to think about. Shino took one last glance around Sakura’s room, when he noticed one of his father’s kikai buzzing softly by Sakura’s door. It made an impatient noise, so Shino knew that his father wanted to see him right away. Shino sent one of his kikai ahead of him. It was around eight in the morning, so Shino expected to find his father on the Aburame training grounds. But when he walked downstairs, he found his father standing by the clear glass sliding windows in the parlor. Shibi had his back turned, but Shino knew that he was aware of his presence. He stopped a few steps inside of the door.


“Take a seat son. There is something I have waited sixteen long years to discuss with you.” Shino took a seat on the sofa, wondering what his father had to say to him. His father rarely took time out to be private and serious with his words. His father, although an Aburame, did not continue to conform to the quiet strength to guide his path, and for those subordinates under him. He realized that there was a time to be the perfect ninja, and also that there are times when the only medicine that can cure a soul is humor. Shibi noticed his son was always on edge with him before he came to this conclusion, and silently wondered if this was the way he reacted to his own father’s presence.


Shibi turned from the window, taking a seat across from his son. He looked straight into his sons’ eyes, and the intensity of his stare had Shino finding that he could not look away. It was a long moment before Shibi could say anything.

“Shino. Today is your sixteenth birthday. I want you to enjoy this day, but you must also realize that this is a milestone in your life. You are a man now. I am proud to call you my son; you have exceeded all expectations required as a child of the Aburame clan’s leader. As this is the day that you become a man not only in the eyes of the shinobi world, but also this clan, you, as the heir to the line of Aburame, now have new responsibilities to uphold as of this day on. The Hokage has recognized this tradition for as long as Konohagakure has existed. From tomorrow into this day, one year from now, you and I will travel to the foot of the mountains behind our home, to train you in the ways of the head of this clan. After this time, you will receive formal education from the Aburame council in tactics and special techniques reserved only for the clan leader. You will also receive extra teachings from your mother about the social rings, and manners in the presence of other nobility. This training will take two years. Are you ready for all of this?” Shibi scrutinized Shino closely, trying to decipher what was going on in his head. As a true member of the clan, his emotions did not show through his countenance. His voice was sure and determined.


“Yes, Chichi-ue. I, Aburame Shino, accept these responsibilities to the complete and utter fullest. I am ready to train to hold the high responsibility, as well as honor of running this clan.” Shibi smiled at his son knowingly, ready to drop the ball. Shibi did something he did not usually do…he sat back, his hands crossed behind his head, his lips curled in a lazy smirk, not unlike that of one Nara Shikamaru. Shino did not betray his inner turmoil, but he was nervous. His father was never this laid back in his presence before.


“There is one more requirement to being the head of this family. You must have a wife before or on the day that you get inaugurated…preferably before. She must know all about this family, and must not be afraid of the kikaichu, not even in the slightest. Any slight fear in your wife of your kikaichu will confuse them, for they do not know who to protect. You are their master, but it is their duty to also care for your spouse, and causing chaos within your inner network of kikai may cause damage to you.” Shino nodded. He knew this, and it was the reason he could not outwardly show his emotions so freely. His kikaichu reacted to how he reacted to things.


“She also must love you completely. Once she is married to you, she cannot divorce you, unless there are extenuating circumstances, which we have been adamant enough to leave out of this clan. As the males of this clan, we are fiercely protective of the females, regardless of how capable they are. It is part of the instinct of the bugs. Loyalty has always been a strong point in our characters. I trust your judgment son, so I know that you will not marry a woman that is after our wealth.” Shibi scratched his chin thoughtfully.


“It would help if you knew each other first as well, so that there is no discomfort in your marriage. She must understand that becoming the wife of the clan leader will result in many responsibilities for herself as well. She will be infused with several of your kikaichu and will be able to use the family technique. You will brief her on all of the benefits and disadvantages of these insects, and help her learn to adapt.” Shibi sighed.


“Son, I’ve been very lucky to have Aibiko love me. I noticed that you have a hard time getting close to any girls in the matters of romance. However,” Shibi grinned, and Shino swallowed very audibly. “I know for a fact that it is only one-sided. Do you think you can hide what is so obvious to your old man? I only confirmed it when I sent one of my kikai to find you and he told me that you were sitting in Sakura-chan’s room. I remember very clearly the friendship you two had so long ago. I knew it was only a matter of time before you wanted her for your own. How long has this been, Shino?” Shino’s eyebrow twitched. Damn, his old man was still as sharp as a katana.


“It’s been around one year or so, since Naruto’s return from training with Jiraiya-sama. This was before I remembered our previous friendship. I saw her on the street, dressed in her ninja clothes, and I remembered thinking that it was completely different from her nurse uniform.” Shino growled lightly when blood ran out of Shibi’s nose. Shino stood and pointed to his father in accusation.


“Father, why do you insist on being a pervert? Sakura-chan may potentially become my wife, and…and…I can’t believe this!” Shino knew it would come to this. It was well known amongst the higher ups and the Hokage that Shibi was best friends with Jiraiya, and influenced some of Jiraiya’s naughty novels with some artwork of his. It was a secret well kept within the clan that their current leader was a pervert. Shino knew that his mother knew of his perverted ways, but she thought that his wild streak was gone, and that was the way Shino preferred to have it.


Shibi only grinned at the chastisement from his own son. “Don’t get all prude on me boy. I heard you the other night you know. I was walking back from the restroom, and it was faint, but I definitely heard you moaning her name. You have it much worse than I do. Besides, I knew she was going to be a handful. Her anger is most likely to be legendary.” His father dropped his grin abruptly, a small smile gracing his features.


“Don’t take it the wrong way, Shino. I just really like nurse uniforms at the hospital. I know a woman’s love when I see it. It’s too bad for you that it’s indiscernible to me which kind of love she holds for you – the love of a woman’s friendship, or that amazing love that only a woman who loves a man can give. Just think about what you’re going to tell Sakura-chan…remember that we leave tomorrow morning.” Shino thought about it, and remembered the picture in Sakura’s room. This time he grinned at his father, and his father had the grace to at least look a little surprised.


“Oh? I didn’t know you could grin, son. I do believe this is the first time I’ve seen you do that…” Shibi shook his head but Shino barked out a small laugh.


“You are not going to distract me from this topic. I saw something interesting in Sakura’s room. There was a picture of you and Mother, but you two weren’t together. You were hugging all up on this pink haired woman that looked to be the spitting image of Sakura-chan, and Mother was a Cloud nin. Mind explaining some Aburame history I haven’t yet learned about?” Shibi couldn’t say he was surprised at his knowing about Suika so soon, Suika did leave her personal belongings to her niece, and it was no crime to hang pictures of your family up. He was, however, surprised it took him this long to ask questions about what happened before his mother. Shibi sat forward and ruffled his son’s hair, much to his displeasure.


“I’ll tell you when Sakura-chan comes back. She needs to know this as well, and I don’t wish to tell this story twice. Go get cleaned up, Nana is home, and she wishes to see her grandson on his birthday.” Shino got up and walked out of the room tiredly. Maybe a nice hot shower and a bit of breakfast would do the trick.


______________________________________________________________________________


One Hour Earlier…


Sakura wasn’t on any missions for the next month due to her parents’ deaths. Tsunade thought she needed time to recuperate her mind, even though her body was in tip top. It was on these rare off-duty days where she could truly act like she was a citizen, rather than a ninja. She wanted to be comfortable, so she decided to wear a simple sky blue yukata. She pulled her hair back into a low ponytail, her bangs framing her face. She decided she would grow it again.


She was so busy. She woke early that morning to get ready to go shopping for Shino’s birthday. She had plans to carry out, and she wanted for Shino to have the best birthday ever. Aibiko-chan told her that he always went on missions or avoided parties for his birthday. Sakura let Kura’s typical evil grin show on her face. She would trap bug boy, and he would have his birthday party, and like it. If he insisted that he not have one this year, she’d break out her perfected girly pleading pout.


Sakura didn’t like to be completely controlling, but not ever having a birthday party was horrible. Sakura began to throw birthday parties for Naruto after he came back from his training. She’d do the same for Shino. Sakura pulled the list out of her shoulder bag. She needed to make his cake, rent a small hall, hire entertainment, and caterers. Sakura was even better with connections than she was at being a ninja. She knew everyone who knew anybody, and was willing to call those people to get the job done. Working in the hokage’s office for a few years worked well towards her advantage.


She first sent invitations to all of the noble families in Konoha to celebrate his party. Shino was to become the clan leader of the Aburame line, and it would seem only fitting for Shino to invite all of his fellow nobles. The rest of those in the rookie nine and team Gai that weren’t of noble clan blood were invited as well. They all grew up together, and was sort of like a small family all their own. They invited the proctors Genma, Kotetsu and Izumo, and also Anko, Iruka and many other Jounin that they knew. Shino had just recently passed his tests and became a Jounin. He’d made different acquaintances along the way, and since it was Sakura’s business to know as much about the ninja as one of the Hokage’s right hands and an elite medical Jounin, this was a walk in the park. All of the medics in the hospital are supposed to know at least the basic information on the noble ninja families, and since Shino’s family was one of the oldest in the history of Konoha, it seemed only fitting to memorize all of the Aburame family’s reaction to most medical attention. Although that newest bit of information she learned was a bit unsettling. It made sense, but it WAS kind of awkward.


After she sent out the invitations with the Aburame family seal on them by the traditional bird carrier, she decided to walk into town to take care of the rest of the business. Since the bakery Hinata-chan worked at was the closest thing on her list, she figured she could spend some time at the bakery.


Sakura walked through the door of the quaint bakery, a strong sweet smell of cinnamon and frosting wafted throughout the small shop. Hearing the small silver bell, Hinata hurried through the door from the back. Her pearly eyes grew happy when she saw her pink haired friend. Hinata dusted off her apron and the girls hugged each other.


“Ah, Sakura-chan, it’s so good to see you! What can I assist you with?” Sakura smiled secretively, and Hinata knew that no one else was to know about what she was going to tell her. They walked to the back of the store, and into the kitchen.


“Oh, Hinata-chan, I need to ask a huge favor of you. I need to use this facility to bake Shino-kun’s cake. Not only do you have the necessary equipment to bake the kind of cake I want, and the accessories for it, baking it at home would give me away, and I don’t want Shino knowing that I’m throwing him this party. A formal invitation has already been sent to the Hyuuga compound, but I personally want to ask you if you will come.” Sakura took the apron that Hinata handed her, and pulled it over her head, tying it around her waist.


“He is my teammate and good friend, Sakura-chan!” Hinata looked as if she were scandalized. Sakura grinned.


“I take it as a yes then, ne? Good! I knew I could count on you, Hinata-chan!” Sakura clapped her hands together. Hinata just shook her head.


“Sakura, there is something you aren’t telling me. Why go through all this trouble for Shino-kun? I knew you two are friends, but I was under the impression it was only a distant friendship, even though you two live together now.” Sakura blushed slightly, caught in her misleading ways. She was as good of friends with Hinata and Ten-ten as she was with Ino-pig. She supposed she could let Hinata in on it as well.


“Hinata-chan, it’s a long story, are you sure you’re ready for it? I’ll tell it to you while we are making the cake.” Hinata nodded, pulling out eggs and flour while Sakura went for the confectioner sugar and the powdered cocoa and chocolate chips to melt down in a small saucepan. As they began to blend the ingredients, Sakura began her tale.


“It all started about eight years ago, and I was in the schoolyard….”


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Shino stepped out of the shower, sighing at the cool air that greeted his skin. He was unable to stop thinking about Sakura. He was sure that he was in love with her, but how would he break it to Sakura that he’d be leaving her again? He smiled as two small kikai bugs zipped into his room from his window. He held out his hand, and the two bugs made impatient noises as they landed. These two were the ones he placed on Sakura to make sure she was okay. He rolled his eyes when she named them Butch and Killer, and began to stroke their wings and coo at them gently. She treated them as her pets. She talked to them constantly, and Shino knew that she had control over them because they would tell him that she was fine, but would not tell him where she was, or what she was doing. Killer fiercely protected Sakura, buzzing in people’s faces whenever someone annoyed her, or when someone made her mad. Butch protected her too, but was much more even tempered than Killer. They buzzed around on his hand. Butch stopped and fluttered his wings at Shino. He heard the tiny voice in his head.

[Master, Mistress is fine.] Shino smiled softly. ‘You still won’t tell me where she is, will you, Butch?’ The bug fluttered its wings again, turning to face the window.


[We promised Mistress we would not disclose any information on Mistress’s whereabouts.] A small, angry buzz filled the air, coming from Killer.


[Mistress is a kind human! Why will Master not mate with Mistress? Mistress is not afraid of us! Mistress loves our company, and pets us lovingly!] Shino had the grace to look surprised at his kikai’s admission. Shino knew there was nothing he could say about that that his kikai didn’t already know about.


[It is difficult for Master to think about Mistress. There are problems. Will these problems be solved by Master?] Butch fluttered his wings again, Killer already having taken flight to Sakura in impatience. Shino sat on his bed, and sighed.


‘It won’t be that easy, Butch. Let us just hope that she loves me as much as I love and desire her. I have already decided to ask her to be my mate a year from now. Remember that we will be going to begin training at the foot of the mountains tomorrow. I don’t even know how I’m going to tell Sakura-chan this.’ He checked his watch. It was only nine in the morning.


[Master, even Mistress will not let us know of Mistress’s inner thoughts. It is apparent that Mistress cares for you. Master desires Mistress, so why will Master not try?] Shino smiled at Butch ruefully.


‘This is part of the problem, Butch.’ Shino sighed. ‘She is fine, and that is all that matters I suppose. Well done, Butch. You may return to Sakura-chan.’ Shino let the small bug fly away as he dressed himself. He had three hours to wait for Sakura to return. He decided to go back downstairs to see who was downstairs in the kitchen.


He made his way in the large open area to sit on a stool at the island in the middle of the kitchen. His grandmother was sitting there, sipping some tea, his mother sitting there as well, pushing a plate with all of his favorites on it. He said grace and began to stuff his face in the most impolite way, having missed his last few meals. Aibiko and Shiori shared a look. After Shino successfully inhaled half his food, he slowed down substantially. His mother and grandmother knew something was on his mind, and was waiting for him to ask his questions. They knew Shibi had given him ‘The Speech’ already, and that it was the reason for his spacey behavior. He polished off the last bit of food.


“Gochisoosama. Mother, I have a question. I recently saw a picture of you before you married Father. You were a Cloud nin.” Shino saw as his mother smiled a small, faraway smile.


“This goes way back, Shino, before I was even aware of Konoha.” Shiori took Shino’s dish as Aibiko led him to the living room to sit. Shiori sat across from him, Aibiko sitting next to him. Shiori smiled. There was a bit of Aibiko and Shibi in Shino. Aibiko started her story, her blue eyes caught in the throes of reminiscence.


“I was born in Lightning country, and grew up there for a small amount of time. I was in the academy back in Cloud, when my parents were both murdered by some rogue Mist nin that decided that they wanted to pick a fight. I was in school at the time, and was in hiding with the teachers in the Sky Pillar, the one safe haven that was barricaded with genjutsu after genjutsu. I was safe after the Raikage killed the band of ninja. But, it wasn’t the first time I’d been attacked. I showed some special ability to be able to read what a person was doing to the point that I could copy them, just like the Sharingan. But it wasn’t a bloodline limit, or a technique, it was just something I was gifted with. I was obedient to those who ruled over me, but I still caused them trouble anyway. I was constantly being attacked. The only way to get rid of my enemies was to bring me completely out of the country. I was only ten at the time, so they placed genjutsu on me until I became a fully fledged ninja. I was given a long term mission to reside in Konoha as a consulate of Cloud; however I could not live alone. I was adopted by a woman from The Aburame clan.” Aibiko gestured to Shiori, who nodded in reply, finishing the story.


“Yes. I adopted Aibiko as my daughter, much like Aibiko has adopted Sakura. She remained a Cloud ninja until she was married to Shibi, where she requested to become a Konoha ninja. Cloud was reluctant to let her go, but decided it would be best if they just let her do as she wished. She was only a genin when she married Shibi, but that quickly changed when she was transferred from Cloud to Konoha. She was bumped up to Tokubetsu Jounin after just a few weeks. She specializes in disguise and reconnaissance missions. This was why she was gone for so many days at a time before she returned. Aibiko has been a rare jewel to this family, bringing us much recognition and honor. Because of her sharp eyes, she has an entire map of the five main countries in her head. She notices the small things that other ninja would easily pass over. As an Aburame, her skills only increased when she was infused with Shibi’s kikai. She and Shibi are on equal footing when it comes to power, and nothing makes him happier to be married to someone who is his equal in all things.” Shiori shifted in her seat slightly.


“I’ve heard something interesting from Aibiko, young one. Is it true that you wish for Sakura to become your wife?” Shino looked at his mother, who was once again whistling as though she had nothing to do with the entire slip-up. He sighed. He was too frustrated lately…perhaps something good would come out of his training in the mountains.


“I never wanted it to be that fast. I eventually would like to ask her, but for right now, I just wanted her to be my girlfriend. It would be a lot of pressure on Sakura to just ask for her hand in marriage right now. I am barely old enough to be married, and she isn’t quite of age yet. We are close friends, but I don’t want to break that bond with her just yet. I haven’t the slightest clue what her true feelings are towards me, and it unsettles me. Not only this, but the fact that I will be training in the mountains for the next year. It’ll be like leaving her all over again, and it’s not something we’ve completely recovered from yet.” Aibiko tousled Shino’s hair lovingly.

“Then I guess this will be one love that will need to withstand the test of distance. Sakura is a loving and patient young woman who has a fiery spirit that suits her. She knows that ninja business is ninja business, and would do anything in her power to see you find your limits in life. If she loved you at all, she would let you go, knowing that you would come back to her. She’s been through several hardships. Those hardships are what made her into the young woman that you are so besotted with. She has dealt with death, heartbreak, and heartaches in her short time on this planet. A year apart knowing that you will come back and will never forget her will be a cakewalk compared to the rest of the bad experiences she has gone through. Just remember to tell her that you are leaving. It would not do for you to tell her any other way than to her face.” Shino smiled. He knew where his common sense and logic came from.


“Thank you mother, grandmother. I will tell her these things. I think I need to go on a walk to clear my mind before she comes back.” Shino stood and walked out of the room, and the two women waited until Shino was out of earshot. They looked at each other.


“We must keep this to ourselves, Shiori. Shino must not know that Sakura loves him until she is ready to tell him.” Shiori nodded, walking slowly out of the room.


______________________________________________________________________________

“…his glasses fell off, and I saw his eyes. Everything came back to me in those few seconds, and it was quite overwhelming, to be sure.” Sakura finished her tale, as they began pouring the fresh batter into several different sized pans. Hinata’s eyes welled up with emotion and tears. Sakura wondered why she was crying, and went over to console the normally quiet and placid young heiress. Though she was wiping the tears from her eyes, Hinata smiled a small rare smile that let Sakura know that she was just fine.


“Sakura-chan, Shino is like the elder brother I never had, next to Neji-nii-san. He seemed to understand my problems, and was always helping me fix them. Shino has had a problem with loneliness for as long as I’ve known him, and just to see that his shoulders are a bit lighter is more than enough for me. But the fact that you love him makes this even more wonderful, Sakura-chan.” Hinata sat on a stool, to explain herself. She wiped more tears out of her eyes.


“You see, Sakura-chan, the Aburame family is a small clan not by choice. Not many women or men would willingly be friends or fall in love with a literal walking bug nest. Anyone born into the Aburame family is that much more susceptible to loneliness because of those kikai. People outside of the clan’s ties do not seem to see them for the wonderful people that they are, but for the bugs that they carry. Most people are terrified of that clan. So when Shino makes friends outside of his team, I am most overjoyed. It is rare for a woman to willingly be as friendly with Shino as you are, and I guess loving him really makes things that much more complex.” Sakura sat quietly, contemplating what Hinata just told her. Shino has dealt with rejection his whole life as Naruto had, but openly to his face. The girls slipped off their seats to put the cakes into the ovens. Sakura sat at the telephone, ready to make a few phone calls to tie things up. Her hand was on the receiver, but her mind was far away. She suddenly turned to Hinata.


“While it is true that I love Shino, I think it may be rushing things a bit too fast. I’ve barely begun to be friends with him again, and me lusting after bug boy won’t solve any problems. I know my misgivings, and I need to see if it really is love or only lust that addles me. I will always be his friend, but I want to make sure we don’t take any steps we’re not ready for yet.” Hinata nodded, making chocolate frosting while Sakura made phone calls to reserve the hall, decorations, entertainment, and the caterers. Being the assistant to the Hokage, who was most definitely the biggest party animal in the entire village, she had special ties for stuff like this. She dialed a number, the phone ringing.


“Shinobi Chefs…may I ask who is speaking?” a male voice kindly spoke over the phone. Sakura grinned maliciously.

“Oh, Tsuname-kun, I finally know how you can repay that favor you owe me for saving your ass in Kumogakure last year.”

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Oh, you must hate me right now. What will happen next, you say? I want some reviews. Gimme. This is only part one of birthday plans. Catch the next chapter chock full of slicing and dicing ninja caterers, a kick ass cake, and one drunken Hokage! *giggles madly*