The Right Choice

This story is completely finished. I am just going through and doing some final proofreading, but I will be uploading at least once daily. There are over ten chapters and the story is a little over 45,000 words. I've never actually posted a story of mine before, and I'm a little nervous so be kind. If there's a lot of bad feedback from this one I probably won't post any more of my stories in the future, but no matter what I will have this one posted in completion hopefully by the end of next week. I hope you enjoy it, I usually write for my own pleasure, but this one I enjoyed so much I thought it might be nice to share. Please let me know if you like it, I am hoping for at least ten good reviews once I finish. I know it's a high goal considering most people are lurkers (me included), but I would appreciate knowing that at least a few people enjoyed it. Thanks, and enjoy!

WARNING: Naruto is in several other pairings before he gets to Shino. The story works through a failed relationship and a comfort relationship before we get there so don't freak out when Naruto doesn't jump straight into Shino's arms. It will happen, but like the description said this is the story of their struggle to come together so just wait for it.

Chapter 7

Shino had tossed and turned all night long. He’d had such an amazing time with Naruto, and his mind just couldn’t slow long enough for him to sleep. Naruto hadn’t been angry at him for spying on him, and he’d even invited him to a movie. They usually spent quite a bit of time together lately, but the movie was different. It was more like a date. Their usual time was spent between the training grounds and the Aburame complex. Naruto seemed to enjoy talking to Shibi about the past. It seemed that most of the parental figures in Naruto’s life spent a great deal of time avoiding those subjects with Naruto, but Shibi had no reason to follow their example and shared stories of all kinds with them. Naruto hadn’t been around for the three days that Shino had been avoiding him, but with the secret out he could pursue Naruto without fear of accusation. Naruto would now know that his mission had nothing to do with the time they spent together.

He decided that he’d visit Naruto today and see if he wanted to train with him and have dinner with Shino’s parents. They could spend the day together, and maybe Shino would work up the nerve to flirt back instead of avoiding. Maybe Naruto wasn’t just playing with his head. He strolled casually through town toward Naruto’s building where he could sense the blonde’s chakra was, and climbed the stairs to the second floor. He was about to knock on the door when his kikaichu started to push. They wanted out, and Shino was suddenly worried. He was about to break down the door when they convinced him to let them investigate. He released some of them to make their way into the apartment and Shino was shaking with impatience and worry. They had never reacted this way to Naruto before. They were as possessive of the blonde as Shino himself was and if they sensed something was wrong he would let them deal with it.

As they made their way back to Shino they didn’t speak to him. Usually they were very forthcoming with the information they gathered, but this time they were blocking their thoughts. They convinced Shino to go back home before they would tell him what was going on. He was angry, but they were a part of him, and he knew that they would never do anything to hurt him. They were being protective and cautious so Shino did what they asked. When he was back to the complex they finally let him feel what they had sensed. Shino was furious in an instant and he lost control of his chakra long enough for his father to come out of his office to see what was wrong. Shino couldn’t tell him though. It would mean revealing something about his kikaichu that he wasn’t ready to have known.

Instead he reigned himself in and convinced his father to go back to work in his office. When he was alone again he made his way to the second row of houses on the right. Five houses down was the one he was looking for, and when he stepped up to the door he didn’t hesitate. He pounded hard on the surface until the man he was looking for opened the door. His kikaichu had been right. He looked flushed and happy and he still had the scent all over him. He paled a bit at the sight of Shino on his door step, and Shino read the guilt in his suddenly open expression. Shin opened the door wide to let him inside.

As soon as the door closed Shino’s kikaichu rushed out of him and clashed with Shin’s own hive. It was a battle of wills, and Shin was more experienced but Shino was more powerful. Shino relaxed his attack a bit when the kikaichu told him he should listen. Shin was glad that Shino could at least be reasonable enough to let him speak. It wouldn’t help any of them if Shino wasn’t able to understand.

“How did you find out?” Shin asked in a calm voice that only infuriated Shino more.

“It doesn’t matter how I found out. My kikaichu asked me to listen to what you have to say, but when you’re done I will kill you.”

Shin just shook his head and sighed. He remembered when he was young and lead by his emotions. Shino was no different, but the boy needed to understand what happened. Shin had to make sure that this didn’t come between these two boys. He offered Shin a seat at his table, and he took it, but sat stiffly, waiting for an explanation he was obviously dreading.

“I’ll keep it as short as I can, but there’s quite a bit to tell you, and you need to hear it all before you jump to any conclusions. It will be hard to listen to at times, but I promise neither of us had any intention of hurting you, quite the contrary in fact.

“I went to the baths last night. I know that you know about me so I don’t need to tell you why. I was there about an hour when he came in. When he saw me he lit up. He sat beside me and we talked a bit. He used a henge so I didn’t know who he was. I offered something simple, but he insisted on more. The kind of more that requires a room. He seemed to really need it so I agreed. It had been ages since someone showed me any kind of attention of that sort so I was more than willing.” Shin got up then to put tea on. Shino needed time to take in what he’d just told him before they went on.

When the tea was done Shin served them both, and continued. “When we got to the room I told him he might as well loose the henge. I assumed he was only wearing it because he was new to the onsen. Most of the men that go there hide a bit the first few times they go so I didn’t think anything of it. He became nervous then. He asked to see my eyes first. He needed an even trade so I gave it to him. You can imagine my surprise when he seemed completely unaffected with what he saw. I knew then that whoever he was he had seen Aburame eyes before. When he revealed himself I was instantly put off, but I’d promised him I wouldn’t run away.

“I asked him why he wasn’t doing this with you. He was horrified that anyone had noticed his interest. He told me he wanted you but he didn’t want to ruin your friendship. I tried to convince him that he had the wrong idea, but he insisted that you would hate him. He told me he just wanted to know what it would be like. He wanted to pretend I was you. He was so endearingly sweet. I couldn’t refuse him. I was gentle with him, and he was a consummate lover.

“He called your name.” Shin whispered meaningfully.

Shino took of his glasses and wiped his eyes before replacing them, he wouldn’t meet Shin’s eyes. He’d been so broken when he’d realized what all the panic was about, but now all he could feel was guilt at leaving Naruto in such a state. All of the ‘what if’s’ kept running through his head, but there was nothing to be done now. It was over, but Shino didn’t know how to deal with it. He didn’t regret the time he’d spent loving Naruto, only the chances wasted on foolish insecurity.

“Was he happy? Do you make him happy?” Shino muttered.

“What do you mean?” Shin had a feeling Shino had misunderstood.

“Don’t play with me. I’ll have your word that you’ll treat him how he deserves before I leave.” Shino was suddenly fierce in his need to protect the one he loved. If this was the man that Naruto wanted to be with then he wouldn’t stand in the way, but he wouldn’t stand for anyone using him either.

“Shino, you’ve got the wrong idea. He wanted me because I look like you. We even have a lot of the same mannerisms and we’re from the same clan, we’re family. It was a one time thing. He and I both knew it. We had sex, had several long conversations about many things especially you and went our separate ways in the morning. He’s truly an amazing person and I would love the chance for more with him, but he wants you.”

Shino felt anger and jealousy rush through him. Naruto had sex with someone else instead of coming to him. Naruto should have come to him.

“Why didn’t he come to me? How could he think that I’d turn him away?”

Shin could see Shino’s pain and confusion. He wanted so much to ease it, but there was only one person out there that could do that. “Where is Naruto?”

Shino didn’t want to answer. He didn’t want to tell anything to this man about Naruto, but he’d been honest so far so Shino offered him the same courtesy. “He’s in his apartment asleep.”

“Then how did you find out about last night?” Shin really needed to know. They hadn’t been seen together without Naruto’s henge and he knew that Shino didn’t find out from either of them. Naruto wouldn’t have told him.

“We sense any differences in Naruto. We are especially in tune with him because we’ve been together so much, and when I went to see him this morning something was different. I was forced to leave before they would tell me why. When they did I came here to kill you, but they refused.”

“I can understand your ability to sense that something was off, but I can’t understand how that led you to me.” Shin was going to push, and Shino wasn’t going to budge. He’d held onto this secret for too long, and he wouldn’t be revealed now.

“It’s none of your concern how I knew, I just did, and you’ve confirmed that I was correct. I will leave you now.”

“Sit down! I haven’t said all that I need to say. There are things that you need to hear before you go.”

Shino had made to stand, but obeyed the command, all be it resentfully. He was barely able to listen to most of what had been said so far it hurt so badly, but if it was important then he would endure.

Shin relaxed when he realized that Shino would stay. He’d never realized before how scattered this boy could be, but he had a feeling that he wasn’t. This was just what Naruto did to him. He imagined that at that age he’d have been even more insane over the beautiful young man he’d spent the night with.

“I need you to understand some of what Naruto told me last night. It’s very important that you never let on that you know what happened. He wants you in such an unreasonable way that he can’t see the situation for what it really is. He see’s you as unattainable. You are strong, in control, and unemotional. He sees himself as the exact opposite of you, and he perceives that as undesirable. He wants very much to earn your respect, but he doesn’t know that he already has it. He also doesn’t know that you’re in love with him, and he won’t admit, even to himself, that he’s in love with you. I don’t think he’s aware of what real love feels like. He’s damaged, and fragile so you need to handle him with care, but he is all yours if you’ll just let him know what you want.”

Shino did want him. He’d wanted him for so long that finding out he could have him seemed surreal, but if this was what would make Naruto happy, he was more than ready to risk his heart.

“I appreciate your candor. I apologize for reacting without hearing you out first. I will consider everything you’ve said. I need to go now… I have much to think about.” Shino stood and bowed respectfully to his cousin.

“I’m just relieved that you were able to be so understanding. I hope that in the future you will not hesitate to speak to me about anything if you feel the need. My door is always open to you.” Shin bowed in return, and he led Shino to the door. They said polite good byes and as Shin closed the door he noticed that there were several members of his clan hiding in shadows hoping to get an idea of what was going on. He’d not be the one to inform them, but he knew that the odds of someone asking him were very low so it wouldn’t be a problem. He watched Shino through the window as he made his way down the nure'en and sent out a silent prayer to whoever might be listening that Shino would help Naruto understand love and all it has to offer.

ooOOoo

Shino didn’t see Naruto for the rest of the day. Instead he went to Shikamaru to ask what he thought about what he’d done. Shikamaru was doing a harvesting ritual when he arrived. One of the older deer had died in the night, and all of the deer in the forest had gathered around to watch as Shikamaru and his father took all that they needed from the old one. The antlers were already gone as well as most of the internal organs. Shino assumed that they were already being used to make medicine. According to Shikamaru, when the deer died of old age the potency went up exponentially. It had something to do with the age of the antlers and the bones, but at the moment he wasn’t really in an inquisitive mood so he just stood to the side and observed. They were very respectful and the other deer seemed satisfied. When the ritual was finished, the few remains were piled on the pyre that had been built, and set ablaze. All the deer bowed in respect, and Shino was struck with awe at the implied intelligence of these animals.

Shikamaru lead him back to the house as his father finished up. “So what’s got you so edgy Shino? You look like you could use a drink. Naruto making you that crazy?”

Shino couldn’t put what he was thinking into words. “You have no idea. I need to ask your opinion about something, but you have to give me your word that what I tell you will not ever go beyond you and I.”

Shikamaru nodded seriously. “You have my word, Shino. You know I’d never say anything.”

“I know that, but I need you to understand how delicate the information I’m about to tell you is. Naruto did something last night that I’m not dealing with very well and I need someone unbiased to help me understand why.”

Shikamaru lead them to a picnic table under one of the larger trees along the back of his parents house and they sat down across from each other. “I’ll do the best I can to help you Shino. It can’t be that bad though. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

“He went to the baths and spent the night in a room with my cousin.”

“Fuck…”

“Yeah…” Shino let Shikamaru take his time; he’d ask anything he needed to and tell him what he though, but it was always in his own time. He was so lazy even in a conversation.

“How much do you look like this cousin?”

Shino narrowed his eyes at that. He’d heard this earlier, but he didn’t like to think about it. If Naruto had wanted him why hadn’t he just said so? “A lot. Same eyes, same hair, same build, a little darker skin tone, and older. He’s probably what I’ll look like in ten years.”

“What kind of shoulders?”

“What does that have to do with it?” Shino was starting to get irritated.

“Naruto told me a couple of weeks ago that he thinks your dad is hot. He said something about broad shoulders and strong arms. He also said you looked exactly like your dad. It was just a round about way of admitting he thinks you’re hot so I was just wondering what his shoulders were like, because if they’re like yours and they were at the baths, I can imagine Naruto didn’t waste any time.”

Shino was suddenly flushed with an angry blush. Naruto seemed to be hot for all the Aburame men. It didn’t seem to matter which one it was. Shino just happened to be the only one available at the moment that he had access to.

Shikamaru called his name several times before he gained his attention back again. “Shino! He’s not interested in your dad. You asked me for an unbiased opinion, well I’m giving it so listen up. He is attracted to you, and he sees your father as a representation of what you’ll look like in twenty years. He sees you as more than just an itch he needs to scratch. He’s obviously contemplating a long future with you. He’s serious and you should be too. I’ve been watching the two of you together. You’ve given him no indication that you’re interested in anything more than friendship and he’s practically gagging for it. He told me you showed him your room. I was wondering, why is it that your kakebuton is the same color as Naruto’s eyes?”

Shino just glared at him, but the effect was muted since the glasses blocked most of it.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Anyway, he’s just come out of a relationship where he was probably getting it at least once a day; Gaara is a teenager after all. Suddenly his sex life has all but dried up, and you strut around him in your bedroom with your coat off with your broad sexy shoulders, his words not mine. It’s a wonder that he hasn’t jumped off a cliff yet, or on you for that matter. Cut the kid some slack. He’s confused and frustrated, and he probably went to the baths to get a hand job when your doppelganger happened to be available in the one place in town where men go for a good fuck with no strings. I’m not saying it’s your fault, but you can’t blame him for doing it. He’s nineteen. You’re going to have to learn to live with it or do something about it.”

“I know damn it!” Shino held his head in his hands. He was suddenly developing a headache. This was beginning to be more trouble than it was worth… on second thought Naruto was worth it, but he needed the drama to end. He was a quiet person, and this was too much excitement for one day. He’d been so happy yesterday. Why couldn’t things have stayed like that?

“Well there is one good thing about it. You can act like it never happened. Tomorrow, meet him for ramen and if he offers more take it. The longer you wait the more likely it will be that he’ll do it again.”

Shino nodded. He’d already figured that part out. Naruto wasn’t promiscuous, but he was a very physical person, and he wasn’t having that need fulfilled right now. Shino would change that though. This was his chance, and he’d be damned if he was going to let it slip by him now. He’d waited to long.

“I can see that you’ve made some progress, you’re not nearly as stressed as you were when you got here.”

“Yes, thank you. I need to get a few things done before tomorrow so I’ll see you later.”

Shikamaru nodded and waved and Shino got up to leave. “Hey, let me know when you’re ready for that game.”

“I will.” Shikamaru could be such a pain in the ass sometimes.

I am actively seeking a beta, but I don't want to slow down on posting the story, so I'll have it looked over when I get one, and make any changes that need to be made as soon as I can. If there are any noticeable problems with my story that need immediate attention feel free to let me know, and I'll take a look. Thanks.

All the information for this fiction was either taken from actual episodes, manga, or one of several Naruto information sites. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments on any of the info I use, I'm trying to stay in line with the actual story as I can. Thanks.