Permission To Seek
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Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male › Naruto/Shino
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Category:
Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male › Naruto/Shino
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
65
Views:
3,070
Reviews:
60
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 64 After all the Lies
Chapter 64 After all the Lies
One day before the Uchiha massacre…
“Where is he!”
“I don’t know I think he came this way!”
“There he’s over there! Hey! Get out of the way kid!”
A large Jonin jumped over my head in his effort to get pass me quickly, I dropped to the ground hard dust, and tiny stones flew in my face and hair. I lifted my head suddenly a funny prickly feeling tickling my navel. There is only one person that would have a small army of ninja chasing him all over the village. I leaped up as fast as my short legs would carry me anxious to find Naruto, first before they caught him. I had no idea what they would do to him it did not matter I had to thank him personally, all week he has not been in school. I never got a chance to thank him for being my hero. If it is the last thing I ever do, I will make the Uzumaki be more serious about school. From now on, we would do everything together.
Blue blurs kept flying across roofs; down alleys and shoot pass me down the street in different direction. In the distance I can hear Naruto’s obnoxious laughter and jeering chants, but no matter how fast I duck turned or ran I could not get any closer than the his other pursuers. Defeated, exhausted and angry I made my way home. Will I ever see Naruto again? He is so fast, I would never catch him at my current level, and if he never came back to school, I would never see him again. Do not be stupid he will come back to the academy one day, and then I will make him my best friend.
Walking into my home, I removed my shoes and hung my book bag near the door going into the kitchen, where I knew my mother would be preparing dinner. “Okaasama (mother).” My mother sure enough stood at the kitchen counter, cutting vegetables for dinner her face suddenly shocked by my appearance.
She pulled the hand towel from her apron pocket kneeling on the floor in front of me, fussing. “Shino what have you been up to, look at you so filthy.” She wipes firmly over my face then hushing my complaints for her to stop dragged me to the bath. In a short time, she helps me into my favorite nightclothes, complete with a Yukata (robe) identical to my fathers.
I drop my head as she brushed my hair. “Please forgive me mother, I was playing and we got a little rough, I am sorry.” Glancing at her reflection over me, she quickly hid the deep concern in her eyes; I do not think she believed me. I could not tell her I spent most of my day chasing Naruto’s shadow around the village; she had forbidden me to interact with him at all. She probably thought Uchiha beat me again, I could not allow her to think that. “Casa, I was not in a fight, this is just from playing, no one hurt me, Uchiha has not bothered me since that day, and he leaves me alone and has asked me to join in ninja games at recess.”
“Shino, are you dealing with the Uzumaki?” Her direct question caught me off guard, and I flushed deeply, she had her answer without me saying a word. “Shino I told you not to associate with Uzumaki! He is dangerous; no good can come to you from dealing with a person like that.”
I felt so angry, but I clenched my jaw to keep from disrespecting my mother, balling my hands at my side. Just like before she could see the emotions clearly on my face, but she chose to ignore it since I managed to keep the rage inside.
“Your father is leaving soon on his mission, so you should go down and see him before he goes. I will speak with him about this issue be sure of it.” She admonished, I could not find words to say, even though in truth I did not associate with Naruto, I had tried and explaining that to my mother would not work. I knew she would only storm at me for attempting to circumvent the fact that I had disobeyed her and I knew my father would at least here my side of the circumstances before scolding me for my disobedience. I left the bathroom following my mother down the stairs still angry that she was trying to keep me from making a good friend.
“He is in his office Shino, your uncle is with him.” Her tone changed instantly, colder “Tell Kuni-te we can not have him for dinner since Shibi is taking a mission.” She grinned and hushed my huff in opposition to the lack of invitation. I never understood why my mother disliked my uncle; even through he continued to be kind and pleasant around her.
Sighing I made my way down the wide stair leading to the lower level, my home is situated on a hill over looking the Aburame Clan territory and facing the Hidden Leaf from the east. All I knew of my home is that it is unnecessarily spacious, as my mother would state. Although my father would correct her that it is a privilege, for the Head Family to have the largest dwelling within our clan. I believe my mothers’ influence that had us existing in one small cottage adjacent to the larger mansion. I of course explored the main house out of curiosity and learned of many secret passageways into and out of the home. I considered it my private clubhouse, huge for a make believe hideout but since my mother refused to live in such affluence and my father usually agreed with whatever she wanted I virtually had free run of the place. I wanted to invite Naruto over to that big home and play, I thought of asking my father if he would just meet Naruto he would see he is a nice person, maybe father could change mothers opinion of my golden haired friend as well.
At the bottom of the steps, a lengthy hall passes a large wine collection according to my father stored since the founding. The dusty bottles held little wonder for me, even though my uncle had share the delicious beverage with me on a few occasions, to the disappointment of my parents and embarrassment of my uncle. The hall turned sharply ending at a large elaborate door, carved with various beetles in a circular pattern. A large Kikai adorned the center of the rich mahogany door, with violet eyes with burnt orange color pupils. This monstrosity Kikai our ancestors symbol for the Aburame Clan. When I asked about the founder, Shinto, my father said he has eyes the color of the red sun and the blue dusk. It took me a while to understand he meant violet, like my eyes, I did not know the relation except that my mother and I were the only ones to posses the trait it being extremely rare.
The sound of my fathers raised voice pulled me out of my daydream, for the first time noticing the door stood ajar a few inches. I move closer peering in the small crack, holding my breath as my father stormed at my uncle. As far back as I could remember, possessing an astounding memory even at my age, I do not ever remember my father shouting at anyone especially my beloved uncle.
“You bastard what did you do!”
“Shibi, you are over reacting I merely made some adjustments with the injections, it was a side affect from blending the new genetic code.”
“We are talking about my son not some damn lab rat! Do not speak so casually! Why are his Kikai so sadistic? I want answers now, damit!”
Through the door I could just make out my uncle pacing regally around in front of my fathers desk still with that ever present grin on his face as if none would ever get the humor of the situation. I grit my teeth at the reference to me, I did not understand what was happening but I felt glued to the spot I want answers too and since the adults never gave them to me directly, I decide to listen.
My uncle chuckled then waved his hands around as if asking my father for a hug. “Otouto (younger brother) calm you down, there is no reason to get angry, and you know I treat Shino like a son. I saved his life on more than one occasion; you have not forgotten those hibernations.” His last words seemed bitter.
“Kuni-te I will never forget those hibernations, now it is the exact opposite the boy can go a week without sleep. You are not telling me something if you value your life no more lies, I will start at five.”
My uncle laughs.
My father counts. “Four.”
“You are being unreasonable.”
“Three.”
“Shibi, it is more complicated than you realize.”
“Two.”
My father lowered his hands; his face terrifying it took all my will to stare in his soulless eyes as if only darkness resides in his heart, I wonder if that is the look he gives the enemy before a kill.
“Stop damit! I will tell you so you understand.”
The room fell silent my heart rate continues to drop. “Listen this is going to be difficult to except but we are brothers after all so it is important you allow me to explain why this was necessary.” My uncle began I could sense his unease.
“Shibi, the boy was born rather frail you know this and despite what your wife says having another child is a bad idea for a women like her.” He huffed pacing out of my view; I could see my fathers honey brown eyes following him intently. “She is women not made to bare children it is why I have not conceived with her sister.”
“Stop stalling about the women and tell me about my son.”
“This is not a stall, her genes are important in my explanation.” My uncle paced back in view then stops blocking my father.
“Shino is unique; he is that way due to his mother’s direct connection to Shinto. The gene is strongest in her then any other clan member, even you do not possess as much as your wife.” He sat in one of the chairs facing my father’s desk lazing his arms over the sides.
“We have discussed our connection with the founder before what does this have to do with my son.”
My uncle waved his hands dismissively, the air hitched in my lunges. Even though I have never seen my father angry I had heard enough people comment about his temper to realize my beloved uncle should not take my father so lightly, he would indeed kill him. I closed my eyes hoping my uncle would end his posturing and reveal the details.
“Yes we have.” My uncles tone changed intently calculating and condescending my stomach hurt from the tension. “Little brother that boy would be dead if I had not taken maters into my own hands. The seal Shodai placed on our Kkkei Kane Gai is breaking but not without a cost. This is the reason for Shino’s illness.”
“Explain.”
Uncle stood again pacing. “Well, I needed two people with a genetic code strong enough to break the seal, from the First. That is why I allowed you to marry Aniyome (sister-in-law) of the two of us you possess the stronger trait.” His voice sounded cold and what did he mean ‘allowed’ my mother to marry my father. “Now this is important so try to keep up, even with the two of you the code needed a little boost.”
Sitting back in the chair my father’s face a dark mask of anger, his jaw firmly set glaring at my uncle. “You listen I will hear no more of your remarks about you ‘allowing’ me anything when it comes to my wife. Do you remember her father refusing your offer for marriage and accepting mine?”
Pacing back in view uncle turned on his heels; swing his arms and fading from view once more. “Yes however, I could have impeded that marriage as the eldest and I did not for the benefit of the clan! Keep that in mine as well.”
My father stood slowly his hands spread against the desk leaning toward my uncle. “As I told you the day you attempted, that little interference you are no match for me which is another reason you do not run the clan today.”
The silence stretched again until my father took his seat and my uncle settled in another chair just out of my view. “No need to be angry.” My uncle began, “The fact is I merged a genetic code taken directly from my own blood with a sample of Shinto genetic molecules. Shibi the results are astounding.”
Father closed his eyes taking a deep breath; he folded his hands in front of him staring pointedly at my uncle. “You have asked for a wide range of benefits, but defiling the founders remains goes against our laws. What has this to do with my son?”
“Everything, at birth I noted he possesses the strongest genetic code in the Clan, nearly a perfect match to the founder himself. So I performed an experiment bonding the two samples to determine the effects on his blood at the molecular level.” He paused I could not see his face but my father’s face bowed toward the desk. “Listen, Shibi his blood accepted the genetic rewrite perfectly and I knew we could redesign his body to withstand the seal from the First.”
“You did what to my son?” my father bellows angrily.
“Well initially nothing just genetic test on his blood samples, then I had a break through.” My uncle cackled; my father glowering said nothing. “That sample encouraged me to do a more through test, which helped him overcome those hibernations; he is much stronger now even you can not deny that.”
“Why can he not sleep, and I do not believe you he just sleeps less often but still very long.” My father glanced at a calendar on his wall. “I have been tracking them closer than you realize, he about due for another episode. You have merely prolonged the inevitable Kuni-te.”
A barking laugh scared me my legs began to quiver. “Yes the sleeps, eventually he will over come them all together, he is growing at an enormous rate, soon he will be the first to master that deadly technique and the fire country will know our true strength.”
“Listen to me old man stop talking nonsense we will not do anything against the Leaf.”
They fell silent again then my father challenged my uncle. “They are not getting better, the symptoms may appear less but I know my son suffers far more now than before. You lie I should cut out your tongue for it you have done things that are beyond your capacity to understand. What gives you the right to make my child your personal test subject?”
Uncle stood pacing again. “I have every right to ensure the safety of this clan. Merging that boy with Shinto spirit was the only way to guarantee he has the opportunity to bring a future for the Aburame people.”
I sank to my knees their voices seemed miles away as my mind fought to make sense of this strange revelation merged with the founders’ spirit. My fathers’ voice pulled me back from the brink of complete collapse, although I could not bring myself to peer back in the room, my hands felt wet and would not stop trembling. Something was making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and my Kikai began to swarm, despite my command to retreat.
“You implanted Shinto spirit in my child.”
“It was necessary.” My uncle sounded panicked his voice defiant yet quivering. “If I had not intervened the sleep state would have increased, until he lost not only weeks or months but years!” After several moments, my uncle spoke again. “I know what you are thinking that I may be the cause of the condition, I will not take the blame for that. It was the seal by the First that conflicted with his unique genetic match causing a mutation of the original technique when I tried to break it. So Shino experiences these sleep episodes, and once I introduced Shinto soul the Kikai reacted on their own to absorb the founders energy traces and blend it with the host. It is unique I have yet to understand how they evolve so quickly.”
“Kuni-te you speak as if I am obtuse I know the danger that Shinto life energy will have on a child, my son you bastard! Shino’s body is rejecting the merger that’s what is happening to him.” A crashing noise echoed from within the room as my father got to his feet, I jump afraid to be caught listening. “You will remove it at once, he can not endure that spirit especially at his age, I should kill you were you stand.”
“It is not possible to remove his body merged with the life energy when he slept two years ago. Do not speak ill of our founder, he was and always remains a good man and fearless leader. We will take what rightfully belongs to us! Konoha will know the power of the Aburame people. Shino is the redeemer reborn, now is the time to prepare him for the war ahead!”
“You stupid fuck this has nothing to do with what Shinto desired for our people this is your own scheming desires at revenge against the Leaf! Our fathers did not desire war, they wanted freedom to live by their own choosing and peace with the First and Second. Your thirst for revenge will destroy the beliefs on which we stand!”
“That little brother is Konoha embellishment! Stop parroting the vicious rumors by those that desire to keep our people in obscurity! Once his body evolves…” Uncle stops speaking.
In the wake of shouting utter silence, then my father whispered. “What do you mean evolves?”
Shino stood just behind his six-year-old self, listening this memory only familiar the more he watch, as if slowly turning a page in a book and remembering you’ve read this before. Inducing this trance while he awaited his uncle, thoughts of his golden hair lover force him to seek another alternative some small piece of information that may negate his decision and it’s eventual out come.
Kuni-te voice trembled more as he replied. “This is what I need you to understand. There were a few variants after the bonding; I did not realize until after his second hibernation otherwise…”
“What do you mean evolves?” Shibi repeated in the same whispery base.
“His body did complete the merger however his genetic code has significantly deviated since the union. He no longer matches any of the previous blood samples.” There was a brief pause. “Over the last two years his body has mutated on a molecular level; my conclusion is he is evolving what I have not determined, but I will. You will see little brother that all this…”
“My son.” Shibi growled.
Shino shifted the rasp of his fathers voice sent a chill down his spine.
“You will never touch him again!” Shibi spat a roaring noise erupted in the room. The child covered his ears, briefly then pulled open the door screaming into the dark cloud of black and gold Kikai.
Shino follow several paces behind the child watching although he suspected what would occur. His father on top of his uncle chest his right hand clamped firmly around the old man throat. Kikai pelting off one another trying to defend their host; however, neither would attack either male directly. Instead, the massive swarm turned its aggression on each other, the gold and black Kikai rain down in vast numbers. The small six-year-old child continues to scream causing the swarm to rise swiftly toward the ceiling and clear a path to the struggling pair.
Shibi knuckles bleeding he throws a final punch in Kuni-te bruised face, his angry yells over shadow that of his small child. His right hands still clamped firmly around Kuni-te’s neck as the other hand pulls a large knife out of an ankle holster. The blade spins for a single rotation then buries in his fist aimed for his brothers’ forehead. Kuni-te’s eyes dazed and wide attempts to pull free his face burnt red blood oozing out his broken nose.
“Never will you touch him again!” Shibi bellowed.
“Look… at… them!” Kuni-te gagged.
His younger brother paused for a fraction of a second then the bright eyes narrowed with a death glare however, his child claps two tiny arms around his wrist screaming. Shibi turns astonished his son is present. In one blink all anger vanished, his face collapsed humbly releasing his brother and scooping up his son in his embrace.
Kuni-te turns on his side coughing and gawking at the ceiling, “Shibi look at the Kikai, look what Shino did!” he rasped, cradling his neck and crawling to his knees.
Shino stood entranced by the site of his father’s tears cradling him to his large chest, pacing further away from Kuni-te. He did not remember his father being so gentle with him, or nearly as affectionate. The man Shino remembers is disciplined, emotionless and direct. However, this man melted at the mere sight of his child’s tears. Now Shino realizes the route of his devotion to this male, his father is indeed loving toward him and surprisingly gentle.
“Don’t cry Shino it is over, my son.” Shibi said softly holding his tiny child tightly and leaning against his desk his back to his brother.
“Look at the Kikai!” Kuni-te now on the opposite side of the office pulls up against a long sofa.
“Get out of my sight! I never want to see you again, you will be charged for the corruption of our founders’ remains.” Finally, Shibi stands turning to face his brother, “If you ever breathe one word about my son I will make the road to death a long and painful experience.”
Now his uncle stood, pressing a hand to his bleeding nose his gold eyes narrowed. “Look at the fucking Kikai! Look what Shino has done to our Kikai!” He pointed toward the ceiling.
Shibi glanced upward quickly; he never took an enemy lightly. However, at the first glimpse his eye shot back upward, staring disbelievingly. The horde now docile although confused by the duel orders from their host and the child. “What? How? This is not his doing.” Shibi eased the now silent child from his shoulder. “Shino did you make the Kikai.” He looks up as the bushy brown head nods. “Can you allow them to return, they are hungry after that battle.” Once again, the small head nods, still gripping his father the head lowers and the Kikai as well returning to both hosts.
His brother cackles insanely. “What did I tell you? He has the founders’ technique at such an age he will master the Angel of Death, before he reaches puberty!” He laughs at the ceiling, as if the two had not just fought bitterly.
“I will do everything in my power to prevent that. My son will not be the killer you wish.” Shibi said darkly, Shino now resting limply against his shoulder once more, as if sleeping. “He will not be your seed to mold, do not speak so quickly I will never teach him that dark technique.”
Kuni-te continues with a wide grin on his sweaty bruised face. “Little brother you can not prevent his evolution. He will evolve regardless of your wish, and he will become a dark shadow feared by all. What will you do to prevent the next evolution? The answer is nothing! You cannot stop the tide of time no more than you can control the ocean current. He will eventually merge with the founders’ true energy once that occurs he will be undefeatable and you foolish little brother will see that I am correct. Shino will do as I ask.”
“Not if I cut out your tongue and bury you alive.” Shibi hissed dangerously, his body tensed for another strike.
“Otousan. (Father)” The small child lifted his head staring at his father, caressing Aburame leaders’ square jaw. “Please do not kill uncle, father.”
Shino shifted at the pitiable small voice finding it difficult to except that he is this small weak person. Perhaps this is why his father relented and soon sent Kuni-te away with the warning not to return. The memory still only flashes in his mind until his father pulls out a long scroll from a hidden chamber behind his desk. Suddenly the events began to clear as he crouched near the desk to hear his fathers’ gentle whispers to his son about this forbidden technique. Shino mouthed the incantation as his hands made the movements staring at his father closely while his younger version rested against the powerful chest.
Muttering the signs with swift hand movements Shibi nipped his thumb and then placed the bleeding hand on the scroll, marking it before revealing more of the lengthy document. White vapors wafted up from the dusty parchment after several moments repeating the complicated jutsu. His son now breathed deeply lounging over the crook of his arm, while the vapors turned a misty violet, then darker purple color thickly billowing up toward the ceiling. Rousing the small child, Shibi carefully rested the boys head under his chin speaking softly while the boy blinks slanting violet eyes and yawned.
“Shino you will not remember this technique for many years, let me explain what I am doing, there are three stages, this first stage will be the most painful so you must bare this son, and the discomfort will not last long.” At these words, the boy sat up straighter rubbing his eyes and staring at the parchment. “Now by the time I complete my mission I will perform the additional stages, this will suppress these changes in your body until I can discover a means to reverse their effects.”
“Father what if your mission is very long; will uncle be able to perform the other two phases?”
“Do not allow that man to touch you; I will have words with your mother. If my mission is extended.” He fell silent. “Well, we may need to start again. Just in case I will reinforce the technique, your will is important, use your mind to prevent the change until I can complete the technique.”
“I do not understand father, how will I know my body is changing?”
His father glanced at the calendar then grinned at the irony. “Your body changes with the lunar cycle, I noted that it happens not during a certain time phase the Blue Moon, do you understand that Shino?”
“Yes that approximately every three years or just under that time, what will it feel like, what if I forget to track the Blue Moon?”
His father pressed a reassuring kiss on his forehead. “Well I think the most obvious change is exhaustion, now you have trouble sleeping. As the change, approaches you will not feel rested after several hours of sleep or you will feel as if you only closed you eyes briefly. Do you understand what that could be like?”
“I think so; I don’t feel tired now I didn’t feel tired until after the Kikai listened to my voice.”
Shibi stared at his son, his eyes glowing with pride. “Listen I need to perform the technique, I will suppress your memory so you are not concerned and your uncle will not be able to pull this information from you. I will try to extend the period so you will not need to worry if my mission keeps me a little longer. Your will is important, once this technique weakens the sleep will come and your body may seem strange to you, just always remember who you are and that we must protect our people.”
“Father please tell me what you desire for our clan, uncle told me before that this land belongs rightfully to the Aburame people and we need to recapture it from those who stole it from us.”
The teen stood staring closely at his father his mind echoing the words he knew the elder would say, as he mouthed each word silently.
Shifting his son on his lap, Shibi looks intently in the violet gaze. “This is my will for our people; we are honorable rich in traditions and loyal to the death. I would have our people form a new nation away from the Fire Country; rebuild the glory of the Aburame Clan to its prosperous heritage. Someday after we recreate our lands and build our wealth and strength, it will be time to form an allegiance with the descendants that exist in Konoha, until that time we will have peaceful dealings but they will not be allies. Currently I have several feudal lords that have built ties with us. One will welcome our people, and there we will reclaim the glory of our ancestors. I believe you will play a major part in leading the people one day, it is your destiny as my son, protect our people with all your strength. Remember gladly give your life for the Hidden Leaf, you are their tool until the time of our departure, you must maintain your allegiance.”
The tiny boy nods his head then rests against the strong shoulder his father hugging him warmly. “Close your eyes this will be painful. The only draw back of this suppression my child is it will compound and multiply every Blue Moon by a third times the number of years. Once I complete the technique we will find a cure, so you will not need to endure an extended hibernation.”
Speaking softly from his fathers shoulder, he asked the question that still plagues him. “Will I die if I sleep too long? What about my family when can I see them again?”
The Elder face darkens he swallowed hard and then. “You are gifted like your father, understanding nature is the key to finding a solution. Shino your family may be long gone when you wake, if that happens remember the kind of man I would like you to become and protect our people.” His son sniffed gripping his shirt tightly in a tiny hand. “One more thing my son, there is a way to bring your most precious person with you, I will teach it to you when I return. You surprise me, controlling my Kikai, so you are ready for the secret jutsu.”
Shino step back then closed his eyes he remembered vividly the pain, after a few moments he lifts his gaze staring across a private room his uncle leaning over the same bushy brown hair child lying across a bed. This event nearly half a year later recovering from the spider attack, Shino folds his arm across his chest watching his uncle intently, feeling the attack must have altered his body, forced him into a premature sleep state in order to heal the injury. Shino stood up straighter. ‘This variation in the Blue Moon cycle altered my life and the reason I have held off sleep for so long.’ Staring down at his hands, they feel numb, his body slowly engulf by the sensation he realizes is the hibernation onset and inevitably, sleep would take him. Kuni-te chants holding up a silver object, Shino shifts, so this is where the hypnosis began. He nods closing his eyes releasing the technique; he could not bare the sight of his uncle, manipulating his frail mind.
--------------
Shino leaps down from the dark trees staring at his fathers’ grave; every step toward the open crypt seems heavy. No longer under his hypnosis, his mind accepts the darkness and the path set before him. Regardless of his decision, the hibernation would claim his mind and body, so close to happiness yet now it would be out of his grasp; he hope Naruto would join him. The situation with Kuni-te requires he put an end to the Aburame medic; he is far too dangerous and unpredictable to remain in the Hidden Leaf. Shino kneels near the stone thinking, the sun lightens the sky, and a cackling laugh pulls him out of his thoughts.
“So you come after all.” Kuni-te chuckles darkly, his deform body a horrible monstrosity. Two long appendages similar in appearance to the legs of a prayer mantis erupt from the Elders back. However, this extends nearly ten feet long, folding forward over his shoulders and crossing over his heart.
Rising slowly Shino glares at his uncle silently. Everything the Elder told him a complex lie, leading them to this moment, death for one and glory for the other.
“Take off your glasses I want to see your eyes.” The old man said smoothly with an odd grin on his deeply line face.
“…”
The appendages lift like additional arm raking the air menacingly. “Take them off now!” Kuni-te roared taking a step forward.
“Why did you kill my father? Do not try to deceive me; I know the nature of his death; as you will learn how he suffered intimately.” Shino lowered his head, fixing Kuni-te with an icy glare.
“Ha!” the medic laughed. “I did not kill Shibi, time and decay killed him!” A hysterical wheezy laugh filled the hidden graveyard.
Shino hissed. “So the threat to cut your tongue and bury you alive provided a basis for my fathers’ torment?” One hand waves in front of him.
Kuni-te moves in a blink, avoiding the gouge opening in the ground. “Ha! You will need to do better than that!” He cackled madly, his insect arm waving in the air. “Shibi, that idiot never would listen to my solid advice. You are the one to redeem the clan, you must take your place among the Hokage in this village. I have groomed you from the beginning now you will show them all; kill me if you can Gaki!”
“You are well aware I am nothing like you. I am the son of Aburame Shibi he is the only man I follow, he alone has groomed me for this day. My judgment will be swift and I promise you Kuni-te painful.” Shino hissed darkly. “Things will not go your way; I will do everything in my power to prevent your twisted desires.” Aiming a hand at his uncle, Kikai pelted, from one dark sleeve, moving in a drilling funnel at a high rate of speed. “Since you ask for death allow me to oblige.”
Kuni-te laughs both extra appendages move to shield him instantly; he then dashes off daring Shino to follow taunting. “We need a bigger audience! Besides since the evacuation there is little time.” The surrounding forest swallows him from view his last echoing words fill the clearing. “This time boy, you will not hesitate, or they will all die.”
‘Shit!’ Shino glowers after the old man, then crouches spreading both hands over the soil, summoning some old friends.
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Tsunade sits rigidly in her high back chair listening to Haku’s account, her eyes reviewing the report on Genma’s remains. The result of a technique ‘Zero Body Temperature’ caused the Jonin’s body to freeze rapidly, inside out. ‘Absolute cold.’ The Fifth stares at the young ninja, confessing and ready to face his punishment. ‘This could not have occurred at a worse time.’
“How horrible.” Several heads turn staring at the brunette Chuunin. “How is Sasuke?”
Morino bowed his head; standing on the left of Haku. “That boy is unbelievable.” The Jonin nodded at both Kakashi and Iruka. “Kimimaro is caring for him however when I arrive the brat actually attempted to fight Haku. Not that he could possibly succeed in his condition.” Staring at the side of Haku, shadowed face, Morino put a firm hand on his shoulder. “See this kid did not want to hurt that brat even though at the time it was for the best. He needs medical attention although it seems his friend did not want Uchiha to return.”
“This is not the place for my Sasuke.” Haku spoke forcefully. “I agreed to return and accept my punishment, on the grounds Uchiha is not returned to this village until he heals completely.” Haku stares at the Fifth taking a deep breath. “This is my fault, I should not have convinced Sasuke to return to the Leaf, this senseless attack may have been avoided.”
“I know what you mean, however a ninja can face danger at any time.” Kakashi sitting in the window, with his arms folded over his chest address the young Shinobi. “Sasuke knows this he, correct me he fought you to return here; is that correct?” Haku nodded silently, and then lowered his gaze to the floor.
“We just do not have the resources to deal with this now.” The Fifth leans back in her chair now the sun brightens the sky already the afternoon light warms the day. What to do about that crazy old man and Shino she had no idea. “Fine, I will allow you to assist with the evacuation level one.” She leans forward crossing her fingers on her desk, silent until Haku lifts large brown eyes on her. “You are to remain in Morino’s charge you will follow his order completely as a new solider in the Konoha army. Understood?”
Iruka sitting at a small desk near Tsunade his eyes making a final sweep of the medical report, his complexion pale. “Hokage-sama I can assist the women and children that will enter the mountain.”
She nods then directs her next order to Kakashi. “I need you to find Naruto; where ever he is Shino will not be far. If you do see Shino before ANBU stick to him, like glue I do not trust that wrinkled bastard Mitokado. I know he will have his men after the kid, before I have a chance to confront him about that fiasco last night.”
Several in the room stare in dumb disbelief as she filled them on the previous night’s events. “Dam that boy!” Morino roared, turning his scare face toward the daytime sky.
The other Jonin shook his head. “I would never have imagined.”
“I am going to break both his legs slowly for that prank.” Morino growled.
The door to the office open several young ninja enter while Kakashi began to speak. “You don’t truly believe Shino did that?”
“What the fuck else should I believe, that the Fifth is lying?” Morino roared.
Kakashi chuckles as Kiba answers. “That Shino ordered those bugs to put on a puppet show for the head honchos so he can guarantee himself a death sentence.” His sharp eyes fixedly on the scar face Jonin, arrogant smirk in place.
Several soft gasp and Neji responded firmly above everyone. “Shino has no desire to become the martyr his uncle is seeking. He knows the council seek to impede the growth of his people, and he use that ‘trump card’ against you last night! Now the council will try to eliminate him and Kuni-te quickly; free from the head family reflection the council will allow his people to migrate out of Konoha. With a thankless good riddance; then his people with grow make a difference and revive the Clan.”
“Please Hokage-sama.” Hinata step forward next to her cousin. “He feels there is no recourse besides eliminating Kuni-te him self and die at the hands of the Leaf, so the people do not look towards the Clan as a center of strength. Which if they did, then Kuni-te’s would win, avoiding recognition in light of his uncle’s betrayal is his ultimate goal.”
Tsunade glares at the ninja each has something good to say about the kid, ‘he earned their acknowledgement long before his uncle’s treachery; he should have explained this to me.’ “How has the evacuation gone so far?”
Kiba grins wider. “What do you expect ninety percent of the civilians have entered their designated safe havens, we are just about done.”
“Does anyone know where Naruto is, I have a hunch but any thoughts.” Kakashi address the young ninja.
For several moments everyone fell silent then Neji responded. “We are out of time, the fight has begun.”
One day before the Uchiha massacre…
“Where is he!”
“I don’t know I think he came this way!”
“There he’s over there! Hey! Get out of the way kid!”
A large Jonin jumped over my head in his effort to get pass me quickly, I dropped to the ground hard dust, and tiny stones flew in my face and hair. I lifted my head suddenly a funny prickly feeling tickling my navel. There is only one person that would have a small army of ninja chasing him all over the village. I leaped up as fast as my short legs would carry me anxious to find Naruto, first before they caught him. I had no idea what they would do to him it did not matter I had to thank him personally, all week he has not been in school. I never got a chance to thank him for being my hero. If it is the last thing I ever do, I will make the Uzumaki be more serious about school. From now on, we would do everything together.
Blue blurs kept flying across roofs; down alleys and shoot pass me down the street in different direction. In the distance I can hear Naruto’s obnoxious laughter and jeering chants, but no matter how fast I duck turned or ran I could not get any closer than the his other pursuers. Defeated, exhausted and angry I made my way home. Will I ever see Naruto again? He is so fast, I would never catch him at my current level, and if he never came back to school, I would never see him again. Do not be stupid he will come back to the academy one day, and then I will make him my best friend.
Walking into my home, I removed my shoes and hung my book bag near the door going into the kitchen, where I knew my mother would be preparing dinner. “Okaasama (mother).” My mother sure enough stood at the kitchen counter, cutting vegetables for dinner her face suddenly shocked by my appearance.
She pulled the hand towel from her apron pocket kneeling on the floor in front of me, fussing. “Shino what have you been up to, look at you so filthy.” She wipes firmly over my face then hushing my complaints for her to stop dragged me to the bath. In a short time, she helps me into my favorite nightclothes, complete with a Yukata (robe) identical to my fathers.
I drop my head as she brushed my hair. “Please forgive me mother, I was playing and we got a little rough, I am sorry.” Glancing at her reflection over me, she quickly hid the deep concern in her eyes; I do not think she believed me. I could not tell her I spent most of my day chasing Naruto’s shadow around the village; she had forbidden me to interact with him at all. She probably thought Uchiha beat me again, I could not allow her to think that. “Casa, I was not in a fight, this is just from playing, no one hurt me, Uchiha has not bothered me since that day, and he leaves me alone and has asked me to join in ninja games at recess.”
“Shino, are you dealing with the Uzumaki?” Her direct question caught me off guard, and I flushed deeply, she had her answer without me saying a word. “Shino I told you not to associate with Uzumaki! He is dangerous; no good can come to you from dealing with a person like that.”
I felt so angry, but I clenched my jaw to keep from disrespecting my mother, balling my hands at my side. Just like before she could see the emotions clearly on my face, but she chose to ignore it since I managed to keep the rage inside.
“Your father is leaving soon on his mission, so you should go down and see him before he goes. I will speak with him about this issue be sure of it.” She admonished, I could not find words to say, even though in truth I did not associate with Naruto, I had tried and explaining that to my mother would not work. I knew she would only storm at me for attempting to circumvent the fact that I had disobeyed her and I knew my father would at least here my side of the circumstances before scolding me for my disobedience. I left the bathroom following my mother down the stairs still angry that she was trying to keep me from making a good friend.
“He is in his office Shino, your uncle is with him.” Her tone changed instantly, colder “Tell Kuni-te we can not have him for dinner since Shibi is taking a mission.” She grinned and hushed my huff in opposition to the lack of invitation. I never understood why my mother disliked my uncle; even through he continued to be kind and pleasant around her.
Sighing I made my way down the wide stair leading to the lower level, my home is situated on a hill over looking the Aburame Clan territory and facing the Hidden Leaf from the east. All I knew of my home is that it is unnecessarily spacious, as my mother would state. Although my father would correct her that it is a privilege, for the Head Family to have the largest dwelling within our clan. I believe my mothers’ influence that had us existing in one small cottage adjacent to the larger mansion. I of course explored the main house out of curiosity and learned of many secret passageways into and out of the home. I considered it my private clubhouse, huge for a make believe hideout but since my mother refused to live in such affluence and my father usually agreed with whatever she wanted I virtually had free run of the place. I wanted to invite Naruto over to that big home and play, I thought of asking my father if he would just meet Naruto he would see he is a nice person, maybe father could change mothers opinion of my golden haired friend as well.
At the bottom of the steps, a lengthy hall passes a large wine collection according to my father stored since the founding. The dusty bottles held little wonder for me, even though my uncle had share the delicious beverage with me on a few occasions, to the disappointment of my parents and embarrassment of my uncle. The hall turned sharply ending at a large elaborate door, carved with various beetles in a circular pattern. A large Kikai adorned the center of the rich mahogany door, with violet eyes with burnt orange color pupils. This monstrosity Kikai our ancestors symbol for the Aburame Clan. When I asked about the founder, Shinto, my father said he has eyes the color of the red sun and the blue dusk. It took me a while to understand he meant violet, like my eyes, I did not know the relation except that my mother and I were the only ones to posses the trait it being extremely rare.
The sound of my fathers raised voice pulled me out of my daydream, for the first time noticing the door stood ajar a few inches. I move closer peering in the small crack, holding my breath as my father stormed at my uncle. As far back as I could remember, possessing an astounding memory even at my age, I do not ever remember my father shouting at anyone especially my beloved uncle.
“You bastard what did you do!”
“Shibi, you are over reacting I merely made some adjustments with the injections, it was a side affect from blending the new genetic code.”
“We are talking about my son not some damn lab rat! Do not speak so casually! Why are his Kikai so sadistic? I want answers now, damit!”
Through the door I could just make out my uncle pacing regally around in front of my fathers desk still with that ever present grin on his face as if none would ever get the humor of the situation. I grit my teeth at the reference to me, I did not understand what was happening but I felt glued to the spot I want answers too and since the adults never gave them to me directly, I decide to listen.
My uncle chuckled then waved his hands around as if asking my father for a hug. “Otouto (younger brother) calm you down, there is no reason to get angry, and you know I treat Shino like a son. I saved his life on more than one occasion; you have not forgotten those hibernations.” His last words seemed bitter.
“Kuni-te I will never forget those hibernations, now it is the exact opposite the boy can go a week without sleep. You are not telling me something if you value your life no more lies, I will start at five.”
My uncle laughs.
My father counts. “Four.”
“You are being unreasonable.”
“Three.”
“Shibi, it is more complicated than you realize.”
“Two.”
My father lowered his hands; his face terrifying it took all my will to stare in his soulless eyes as if only darkness resides in his heart, I wonder if that is the look he gives the enemy before a kill.
“Stop damit! I will tell you so you understand.”
The room fell silent my heart rate continues to drop. “Listen this is going to be difficult to except but we are brothers after all so it is important you allow me to explain why this was necessary.” My uncle began I could sense his unease.
“Shibi, the boy was born rather frail you know this and despite what your wife says having another child is a bad idea for a women like her.” He huffed pacing out of my view; I could see my fathers honey brown eyes following him intently. “She is women not made to bare children it is why I have not conceived with her sister.”
“Stop stalling about the women and tell me about my son.”
“This is not a stall, her genes are important in my explanation.” My uncle paced back in view then stops blocking my father.
“Shino is unique; he is that way due to his mother’s direct connection to Shinto. The gene is strongest in her then any other clan member, even you do not possess as much as your wife.” He sat in one of the chairs facing my father’s desk lazing his arms over the sides.
“We have discussed our connection with the founder before what does this have to do with my son.”
My uncle waved his hands dismissively, the air hitched in my lunges. Even though I have never seen my father angry I had heard enough people comment about his temper to realize my beloved uncle should not take my father so lightly, he would indeed kill him. I closed my eyes hoping my uncle would end his posturing and reveal the details.
“Yes we have.” My uncles tone changed intently calculating and condescending my stomach hurt from the tension. “Little brother that boy would be dead if I had not taken maters into my own hands. The seal Shodai placed on our Kkkei Kane Gai is breaking but not without a cost. This is the reason for Shino’s illness.”
“Explain.”
Uncle stood again pacing. “Well, I needed two people with a genetic code strong enough to break the seal, from the First. That is why I allowed you to marry Aniyome (sister-in-law) of the two of us you possess the stronger trait.” His voice sounded cold and what did he mean ‘allowed’ my mother to marry my father. “Now this is important so try to keep up, even with the two of you the code needed a little boost.”
Sitting back in the chair my father’s face a dark mask of anger, his jaw firmly set glaring at my uncle. “You listen I will hear no more of your remarks about you ‘allowing’ me anything when it comes to my wife. Do you remember her father refusing your offer for marriage and accepting mine?”
Pacing back in view uncle turned on his heels; swing his arms and fading from view once more. “Yes however, I could have impeded that marriage as the eldest and I did not for the benefit of the clan! Keep that in mine as well.”
My father stood slowly his hands spread against the desk leaning toward my uncle. “As I told you the day you attempted, that little interference you are no match for me which is another reason you do not run the clan today.”
The silence stretched again until my father took his seat and my uncle settled in another chair just out of my view. “No need to be angry.” My uncle began, “The fact is I merged a genetic code taken directly from my own blood with a sample of Shinto genetic molecules. Shibi the results are astounding.”
Father closed his eyes taking a deep breath; he folded his hands in front of him staring pointedly at my uncle. “You have asked for a wide range of benefits, but defiling the founders remains goes against our laws. What has this to do with my son?”
“Everything, at birth I noted he possesses the strongest genetic code in the Clan, nearly a perfect match to the founder himself. So I performed an experiment bonding the two samples to determine the effects on his blood at the molecular level.” He paused I could not see his face but my father’s face bowed toward the desk. “Listen, Shibi his blood accepted the genetic rewrite perfectly and I knew we could redesign his body to withstand the seal from the First.”
“You did what to my son?” my father bellows angrily.
“Well initially nothing just genetic test on his blood samples, then I had a break through.” My uncle cackled; my father glowering said nothing. “That sample encouraged me to do a more through test, which helped him overcome those hibernations; he is much stronger now even you can not deny that.”
“Why can he not sleep, and I do not believe you he just sleeps less often but still very long.” My father glanced at a calendar on his wall. “I have been tracking them closer than you realize, he about due for another episode. You have merely prolonged the inevitable Kuni-te.”
A barking laugh scared me my legs began to quiver. “Yes the sleeps, eventually he will over come them all together, he is growing at an enormous rate, soon he will be the first to master that deadly technique and the fire country will know our true strength.”
“Listen to me old man stop talking nonsense we will not do anything against the Leaf.”
They fell silent again then my father challenged my uncle. “They are not getting better, the symptoms may appear less but I know my son suffers far more now than before. You lie I should cut out your tongue for it you have done things that are beyond your capacity to understand. What gives you the right to make my child your personal test subject?”
Uncle stood pacing again. “I have every right to ensure the safety of this clan. Merging that boy with Shinto spirit was the only way to guarantee he has the opportunity to bring a future for the Aburame people.”
I sank to my knees their voices seemed miles away as my mind fought to make sense of this strange revelation merged with the founders’ spirit. My fathers’ voice pulled me back from the brink of complete collapse, although I could not bring myself to peer back in the room, my hands felt wet and would not stop trembling. Something was making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and my Kikai began to swarm, despite my command to retreat.
“You implanted Shinto spirit in my child.”
“It was necessary.” My uncle sounded panicked his voice defiant yet quivering. “If I had not intervened the sleep state would have increased, until he lost not only weeks or months but years!” After several moments, my uncle spoke again. “I know what you are thinking that I may be the cause of the condition, I will not take the blame for that. It was the seal by the First that conflicted with his unique genetic match causing a mutation of the original technique when I tried to break it. So Shino experiences these sleep episodes, and once I introduced Shinto soul the Kikai reacted on their own to absorb the founders energy traces and blend it with the host. It is unique I have yet to understand how they evolve so quickly.”
“Kuni-te you speak as if I am obtuse I know the danger that Shinto life energy will have on a child, my son you bastard! Shino’s body is rejecting the merger that’s what is happening to him.” A crashing noise echoed from within the room as my father got to his feet, I jump afraid to be caught listening. “You will remove it at once, he can not endure that spirit especially at his age, I should kill you were you stand.”
“It is not possible to remove his body merged with the life energy when he slept two years ago. Do not speak ill of our founder, he was and always remains a good man and fearless leader. We will take what rightfully belongs to us! Konoha will know the power of the Aburame people. Shino is the redeemer reborn, now is the time to prepare him for the war ahead!”
“You stupid fuck this has nothing to do with what Shinto desired for our people this is your own scheming desires at revenge against the Leaf! Our fathers did not desire war, they wanted freedom to live by their own choosing and peace with the First and Second. Your thirst for revenge will destroy the beliefs on which we stand!”
“That little brother is Konoha embellishment! Stop parroting the vicious rumors by those that desire to keep our people in obscurity! Once his body evolves…” Uncle stops speaking.
In the wake of shouting utter silence, then my father whispered. “What do you mean evolves?”
Shino stood just behind his six-year-old self, listening this memory only familiar the more he watch, as if slowly turning a page in a book and remembering you’ve read this before. Inducing this trance while he awaited his uncle, thoughts of his golden hair lover force him to seek another alternative some small piece of information that may negate his decision and it’s eventual out come.
Kuni-te voice trembled more as he replied. “This is what I need you to understand. There were a few variants after the bonding; I did not realize until after his second hibernation otherwise…”
“What do you mean evolves?” Shibi repeated in the same whispery base.
“His body did complete the merger however his genetic code has significantly deviated since the union. He no longer matches any of the previous blood samples.” There was a brief pause. “Over the last two years his body has mutated on a molecular level; my conclusion is he is evolving what I have not determined, but I will. You will see little brother that all this…”
“My son.” Shibi growled.
Shino shifted the rasp of his fathers voice sent a chill down his spine.
“You will never touch him again!” Shibi spat a roaring noise erupted in the room. The child covered his ears, briefly then pulled open the door screaming into the dark cloud of black and gold Kikai.
Shino follow several paces behind the child watching although he suspected what would occur. His father on top of his uncle chest his right hand clamped firmly around the old man throat. Kikai pelting off one another trying to defend their host; however, neither would attack either male directly. Instead, the massive swarm turned its aggression on each other, the gold and black Kikai rain down in vast numbers. The small six-year-old child continues to scream causing the swarm to rise swiftly toward the ceiling and clear a path to the struggling pair.
Shibi knuckles bleeding he throws a final punch in Kuni-te bruised face, his angry yells over shadow that of his small child. His right hands still clamped firmly around Kuni-te’s neck as the other hand pulls a large knife out of an ankle holster. The blade spins for a single rotation then buries in his fist aimed for his brothers’ forehead. Kuni-te’s eyes dazed and wide attempts to pull free his face burnt red blood oozing out his broken nose.
“Never will you touch him again!” Shibi bellowed.
“Look… at… them!” Kuni-te gagged.
His younger brother paused for a fraction of a second then the bright eyes narrowed with a death glare however, his child claps two tiny arms around his wrist screaming. Shibi turns astonished his son is present. In one blink all anger vanished, his face collapsed humbly releasing his brother and scooping up his son in his embrace.
Kuni-te turns on his side coughing and gawking at the ceiling, “Shibi look at the Kikai, look what Shino did!” he rasped, cradling his neck and crawling to his knees.
Shino stood entranced by the site of his father’s tears cradling him to his large chest, pacing further away from Kuni-te. He did not remember his father being so gentle with him, or nearly as affectionate. The man Shino remembers is disciplined, emotionless and direct. However, this man melted at the mere sight of his child’s tears. Now Shino realizes the route of his devotion to this male, his father is indeed loving toward him and surprisingly gentle.
“Don’t cry Shino it is over, my son.” Shibi said softly holding his tiny child tightly and leaning against his desk his back to his brother.
“Look at the Kikai!” Kuni-te now on the opposite side of the office pulls up against a long sofa.
“Get out of my sight! I never want to see you again, you will be charged for the corruption of our founders’ remains.” Finally, Shibi stands turning to face his brother, “If you ever breathe one word about my son I will make the road to death a long and painful experience.”
Now his uncle stood, pressing a hand to his bleeding nose his gold eyes narrowed. “Look at the fucking Kikai! Look what Shino has done to our Kikai!” He pointed toward the ceiling.
Shibi glanced upward quickly; he never took an enemy lightly. However, at the first glimpse his eye shot back upward, staring disbelievingly. The horde now docile although confused by the duel orders from their host and the child. “What? How? This is not his doing.” Shibi eased the now silent child from his shoulder. “Shino did you make the Kikai.” He looks up as the bushy brown head nods. “Can you allow them to return, they are hungry after that battle.” Once again, the small head nods, still gripping his father the head lowers and the Kikai as well returning to both hosts.
His brother cackles insanely. “What did I tell you? He has the founders’ technique at such an age he will master the Angel of Death, before he reaches puberty!” He laughs at the ceiling, as if the two had not just fought bitterly.
“I will do everything in my power to prevent that. My son will not be the killer you wish.” Shibi said darkly, Shino now resting limply against his shoulder once more, as if sleeping. “He will not be your seed to mold, do not speak so quickly I will never teach him that dark technique.”
Kuni-te continues with a wide grin on his sweaty bruised face. “Little brother you can not prevent his evolution. He will evolve regardless of your wish, and he will become a dark shadow feared by all. What will you do to prevent the next evolution? The answer is nothing! You cannot stop the tide of time no more than you can control the ocean current. He will eventually merge with the founders’ true energy once that occurs he will be undefeatable and you foolish little brother will see that I am correct. Shino will do as I ask.”
“Not if I cut out your tongue and bury you alive.” Shibi hissed dangerously, his body tensed for another strike.
“Otousan. (Father)” The small child lifted his head staring at his father, caressing Aburame leaders’ square jaw. “Please do not kill uncle, father.”
Shino shifted at the pitiable small voice finding it difficult to except that he is this small weak person. Perhaps this is why his father relented and soon sent Kuni-te away with the warning not to return. The memory still only flashes in his mind until his father pulls out a long scroll from a hidden chamber behind his desk. Suddenly the events began to clear as he crouched near the desk to hear his fathers’ gentle whispers to his son about this forbidden technique. Shino mouthed the incantation as his hands made the movements staring at his father closely while his younger version rested against the powerful chest.
Muttering the signs with swift hand movements Shibi nipped his thumb and then placed the bleeding hand on the scroll, marking it before revealing more of the lengthy document. White vapors wafted up from the dusty parchment after several moments repeating the complicated jutsu. His son now breathed deeply lounging over the crook of his arm, while the vapors turned a misty violet, then darker purple color thickly billowing up toward the ceiling. Rousing the small child, Shibi carefully rested the boys head under his chin speaking softly while the boy blinks slanting violet eyes and yawned.
“Shino you will not remember this technique for many years, let me explain what I am doing, there are three stages, this first stage will be the most painful so you must bare this son, and the discomfort will not last long.” At these words, the boy sat up straighter rubbing his eyes and staring at the parchment. “Now by the time I complete my mission I will perform the additional stages, this will suppress these changes in your body until I can discover a means to reverse their effects.”
“Father what if your mission is very long; will uncle be able to perform the other two phases?”
“Do not allow that man to touch you; I will have words with your mother. If my mission is extended.” He fell silent. “Well, we may need to start again. Just in case I will reinforce the technique, your will is important, use your mind to prevent the change until I can complete the technique.”
“I do not understand father, how will I know my body is changing?”
His father glanced at the calendar then grinned at the irony. “Your body changes with the lunar cycle, I noted that it happens not during a certain time phase the Blue Moon, do you understand that Shino?”
“Yes that approximately every three years or just under that time, what will it feel like, what if I forget to track the Blue Moon?”
His father pressed a reassuring kiss on his forehead. “Well I think the most obvious change is exhaustion, now you have trouble sleeping. As the change, approaches you will not feel rested after several hours of sleep or you will feel as if you only closed you eyes briefly. Do you understand what that could be like?”
“I think so; I don’t feel tired now I didn’t feel tired until after the Kikai listened to my voice.”
Shibi stared at his son, his eyes glowing with pride. “Listen I need to perform the technique, I will suppress your memory so you are not concerned and your uncle will not be able to pull this information from you. I will try to extend the period so you will not need to worry if my mission keeps me a little longer. Your will is important, once this technique weakens the sleep will come and your body may seem strange to you, just always remember who you are and that we must protect our people.”
“Father please tell me what you desire for our clan, uncle told me before that this land belongs rightfully to the Aburame people and we need to recapture it from those who stole it from us.”
The teen stood staring closely at his father his mind echoing the words he knew the elder would say, as he mouthed each word silently.
Shifting his son on his lap, Shibi looks intently in the violet gaze. “This is my will for our people; we are honorable rich in traditions and loyal to the death. I would have our people form a new nation away from the Fire Country; rebuild the glory of the Aburame Clan to its prosperous heritage. Someday after we recreate our lands and build our wealth and strength, it will be time to form an allegiance with the descendants that exist in Konoha, until that time we will have peaceful dealings but they will not be allies. Currently I have several feudal lords that have built ties with us. One will welcome our people, and there we will reclaim the glory of our ancestors. I believe you will play a major part in leading the people one day, it is your destiny as my son, protect our people with all your strength. Remember gladly give your life for the Hidden Leaf, you are their tool until the time of our departure, you must maintain your allegiance.”
The tiny boy nods his head then rests against the strong shoulder his father hugging him warmly. “Close your eyes this will be painful. The only draw back of this suppression my child is it will compound and multiply every Blue Moon by a third times the number of years. Once I complete the technique we will find a cure, so you will not need to endure an extended hibernation.”
Speaking softly from his fathers shoulder, he asked the question that still plagues him. “Will I die if I sleep too long? What about my family when can I see them again?”
The Elder face darkens he swallowed hard and then. “You are gifted like your father, understanding nature is the key to finding a solution. Shino your family may be long gone when you wake, if that happens remember the kind of man I would like you to become and protect our people.” His son sniffed gripping his shirt tightly in a tiny hand. “One more thing my son, there is a way to bring your most precious person with you, I will teach it to you when I return. You surprise me, controlling my Kikai, so you are ready for the secret jutsu.”
Shino step back then closed his eyes he remembered vividly the pain, after a few moments he lifts his gaze staring across a private room his uncle leaning over the same bushy brown hair child lying across a bed. This event nearly half a year later recovering from the spider attack, Shino folds his arm across his chest watching his uncle intently, feeling the attack must have altered his body, forced him into a premature sleep state in order to heal the injury. Shino stood up straighter. ‘This variation in the Blue Moon cycle altered my life and the reason I have held off sleep for so long.’ Staring down at his hands, they feel numb, his body slowly engulf by the sensation he realizes is the hibernation onset and inevitably, sleep would take him. Kuni-te chants holding up a silver object, Shino shifts, so this is where the hypnosis began. He nods closing his eyes releasing the technique; he could not bare the sight of his uncle, manipulating his frail mind.
--------------
Shino leaps down from the dark trees staring at his fathers’ grave; every step toward the open crypt seems heavy. No longer under his hypnosis, his mind accepts the darkness and the path set before him. Regardless of his decision, the hibernation would claim his mind and body, so close to happiness yet now it would be out of his grasp; he hope Naruto would join him. The situation with Kuni-te requires he put an end to the Aburame medic; he is far too dangerous and unpredictable to remain in the Hidden Leaf. Shino kneels near the stone thinking, the sun lightens the sky, and a cackling laugh pulls him out of his thoughts.
“So you come after all.” Kuni-te chuckles darkly, his deform body a horrible monstrosity. Two long appendages similar in appearance to the legs of a prayer mantis erupt from the Elders back. However, this extends nearly ten feet long, folding forward over his shoulders and crossing over his heart.
Rising slowly Shino glares at his uncle silently. Everything the Elder told him a complex lie, leading them to this moment, death for one and glory for the other.
“Take off your glasses I want to see your eyes.” The old man said smoothly with an odd grin on his deeply line face.
“…”
The appendages lift like additional arm raking the air menacingly. “Take them off now!” Kuni-te roared taking a step forward.
“Why did you kill my father? Do not try to deceive me; I know the nature of his death; as you will learn how he suffered intimately.” Shino lowered his head, fixing Kuni-te with an icy glare.
“Ha!” the medic laughed. “I did not kill Shibi, time and decay killed him!” A hysterical wheezy laugh filled the hidden graveyard.
Shino hissed. “So the threat to cut your tongue and bury you alive provided a basis for my fathers’ torment?” One hand waves in front of him.
Kuni-te moves in a blink, avoiding the gouge opening in the ground. “Ha! You will need to do better than that!” He cackled madly, his insect arm waving in the air. “Shibi, that idiot never would listen to my solid advice. You are the one to redeem the clan, you must take your place among the Hokage in this village. I have groomed you from the beginning now you will show them all; kill me if you can Gaki!”
“You are well aware I am nothing like you. I am the son of Aburame Shibi he is the only man I follow, he alone has groomed me for this day. My judgment will be swift and I promise you Kuni-te painful.” Shino hissed darkly. “Things will not go your way; I will do everything in my power to prevent your twisted desires.” Aiming a hand at his uncle, Kikai pelted, from one dark sleeve, moving in a drilling funnel at a high rate of speed. “Since you ask for death allow me to oblige.”
Kuni-te laughs both extra appendages move to shield him instantly; he then dashes off daring Shino to follow taunting. “We need a bigger audience! Besides since the evacuation there is little time.” The surrounding forest swallows him from view his last echoing words fill the clearing. “This time boy, you will not hesitate, or they will all die.”
‘Shit!’ Shino glowers after the old man, then crouches spreading both hands over the soil, summoning some old friends.
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Tsunade sits rigidly in her high back chair listening to Haku’s account, her eyes reviewing the report on Genma’s remains. The result of a technique ‘Zero Body Temperature’ caused the Jonin’s body to freeze rapidly, inside out. ‘Absolute cold.’ The Fifth stares at the young ninja, confessing and ready to face his punishment. ‘This could not have occurred at a worse time.’
“How horrible.” Several heads turn staring at the brunette Chuunin. “How is Sasuke?”
Morino bowed his head; standing on the left of Haku. “That boy is unbelievable.” The Jonin nodded at both Kakashi and Iruka. “Kimimaro is caring for him however when I arrive the brat actually attempted to fight Haku. Not that he could possibly succeed in his condition.” Staring at the side of Haku, shadowed face, Morino put a firm hand on his shoulder. “See this kid did not want to hurt that brat even though at the time it was for the best. He needs medical attention although it seems his friend did not want Uchiha to return.”
“This is not the place for my Sasuke.” Haku spoke forcefully. “I agreed to return and accept my punishment, on the grounds Uchiha is not returned to this village until he heals completely.” Haku stares at the Fifth taking a deep breath. “This is my fault, I should not have convinced Sasuke to return to the Leaf, this senseless attack may have been avoided.”
“I know what you mean, however a ninja can face danger at any time.” Kakashi sitting in the window, with his arms folded over his chest address the young Shinobi. “Sasuke knows this he, correct me he fought you to return here; is that correct?” Haku nodded silently, and then lowered his gaze to the floor.
“We just do not have the resources to deal with this now.” The Fifth leans back in her chair now the sun brightens the sky already the afternoon light warms the day. What to do about that crazy old man and Shino she had no idea. “Fine, I will allow you to assist with the evacuation level one.” She leans forward crossing her fingers on her desk, silent until Haku lifts large brown eyes on her. “You are to remain in Morino’s charge you will follow his order completely as a new solider in the Konoha army. Understood?”
Iruka sitting at a small desk near Tsunade his eyes making a final sweep of the medical report, his complexion pale. “Hokage-sama I can assist the women and children that will enter the mountain.”
She nods then directs her next order to Kakashi. “I need you to find Naruto; where ever he is Shino will not be far. If you do see Shino before ANBU stick to him, like glue I do not trust that wrinkled bastard Mitokado. I know he will have his men after the kid, before I have a chance to confront him about that fiasco last night.”
Several in the room stare in dumb disbelief as she filled them on the previous night’s events. “Dam that boy!” Morino roared, turning his scare face toward the daytime sky.
The other Jonin shook his head. “I would never have imagined.”
“I am going to break both his legs slowly for that prank.” Morino growled.
The door to the office open several young ninja enter while Kakashi began to speak. “You don’t truly believe Shino did that?”
“What the fuck else should I believe, that the Fifth is lying?” Morino roared.
Kakashi chuckles as Kiba answers. “That Shino ordered those bugs to put on a puppet show for the head honchos so he can guarantee himself a death sentence.” His sharp eyes fixedly on the scar face Jonin, arrogant smirk in place.
Several soft gasp and Neji responded firmly above everyone. “Shino has no desire to become the martyr his uncle is seeking. He knows the council seek to impede the growth of his people, and he use that ‘trump card’ against you last night! Now the council will try to eliminate him and Kuni-te quickly; free from the head family reflection the council will allow his people to migrate out of Konoha. With a thankless good riddance; then his people with grow make a difference and revive the Clan.”
“Please Hokage-sama.” Hinata step forward next to her cousin. “He feels there is no recourse besides eliminating Kuni-te him self and die at the hands of the Leaf, so the people do not look towards the Clan as a center of strength. Which if they did, then Kuni-te’s would win, avoiding recognition in light of his uncle’s betrayal is his ultimate goal.”
Tsunade glares at the ninja each has something good to say about the kid, ‘he earned their acknowledgement long before his uncle’s treachery; he should have explained this to me.’ “How has the evacuation gone so far?”
Kiba grins wider. “What do you expect ninety percent of the civilians have entered their designated safe havens, we are just about done.”
“Does anyone know where Naruto is, I have a hunch but any thoughts.” Kakashi address the young ninja.
For several moments everyone fell silent then Neji responded. “We are out of time, the fight has begun.”