/ A/N: This is going to be an ongoing multi-chapter fic. Main pairing will be ShinoHina, with sprinkles of GaaraLee, ShikaTem, NejiTen, ChoKarui. Rated M for future violence & lemon. Yes, it's 100% ShinoHina despite the end of this chap. Promise!/

Shino, Kiba, and Hinata ran swiftly through the canopy as they made their way back home. They had just finished tracking and gathering intel on a group of rogue ninjas, who threatened to attack the Hidden Leaf Village. The mission was a success, the team having learned many valuable facts to bring back to the Godiame Hokage.

"If we keep a steady pace we should reach the village by sunset," Shino informed his teammates.

"I think we need to take a break," Kiba disagreed, "we can still make it back in time if we stop for a little while, come on."

Shino ignored him but came to a stop, against his better judgement. He settled down on a fallen log while Kiba and Hinata sat on either side of him.

"Thank you, Shino-kun," Hinata said as she reached for her canteen, taking a drink.

He simply nodded, staring forward, as he thought back to the last time he spoke with his father.

/ Shibi sat at the dining table, staring across at his son. He didn't want to have this conversation but, unfortunately, it was unavoidable. It was Shino's duty to marry and produce his own heir to the Aburame clan.

"Shino, is there a reason you have yet to choose a mate?"

"No one would willing marry me, father," Shino sighed. He knew for a fact no girl would willingly wed him. He couldn't even blame them.

"If you don't pick a woman, I will be forced to do so on your behalf."

Shino did not reply, instead simply nodding his understanding. He knew this was coming, he knew he should have complied and chosen a mate. He just couldn't bare to put anyone through it. Nobody wanted him, the creepy bug-boy. At least, if his father made the choice for him, he would only have to bare half of the guilt. /

"S-Shino-kun?" Hinata's voice disturbed his thoughts then.

He looked up to see her standing in front of him, a look of worry settling over her face. It was then he realized that he had been stuck in his stupor a little bit too long.

"Yes?"

"K-kiba-kun and I w-were saying we that we should head back now," She replied, pushing her forefingers together.

"Hn." He nodded once in agreement and stood from his spot on the tree.

"Shino, what's up with you? You're acting a bit strange, even for you." Kiba questioned, squinting his eyes as he looking him up and down.

Shino considered ignoring Kiba altogether but figured he won't drop it until he gets an answer. Still, he used the least amount of words possible.

"Father has arranged for me to wed a woman of his choosing," his monotone voice wavered slightly as he spoke, giving away his hesitance on the matter.

His teammates stared at him in shock before collecting themselves, letting the information sink in. Shino. An arranged marriage.

"What?!" Kiba yelled.

Hinata was staring at Shino with wide eyes, afraid for him. It wasn't that it was unheard of, in fact it was a rather popular practice. She was afraid of who his father would choose. She knew how people felt about the Aburame and their beetles.

"Don't act so shocked Kiba, arranged marriages are commonplace among noble clans." Shino sighed inwardly.

Kiba knew this, but that didn't mean he didn't like it. He knew Shino would never be happy with marrying someone he may not even know. He was furious, but for Shino's sake, he calmed himself to the best of his abilities. It would only make him feel worse, he could be angry later.

"W-who?" Hinata asked.

"I don't know yet. I have a meeting with father upon our return."

They were all quiet for a few moments, the air felt tense.

"I'm sorry," Kiba was the first the speak, breaking the silence, as he patted Shino on the shoulder.

Shino nodded, jumped back up into the canopy above, and resumed the race home. Though going home was the last thing he wanted to do, he just wanted it to be over with. He could feel his stoic charade slipping as he was hit with waves of anxiety. Surely his father wouldn't choose anyone too bad.

Kiba and Hinata joined him, running behind him in a triangle formation. If they kept the pace, they would still arrive home by sunset as planned. Then, they could question him further.

/

Team 8 had delivered their intel to Tsunade just before sundown. She was please with the information they had given her. The rogues turned out to be a group of group of outliers set on getting revenge on the society that had cast them out. They had no real resources or completed ninja training. They would be easily neutralized.

After leaving the Hokage's office, the team split up to head to their homes. Kiba and Hinata bid Shino goodnight, making him promise to tell them everything as soon as he spoke to his father. He tuned out Kiba's angry yells, proclaiming that it's bullshit.

Shino gave a "hn", followed by a slight nod as he took off in the direction of the Aburame compound. He was running as fast as he could despite his brain telling him to relax. Delaying the issue wouldn't make it go away, he knew this. This was the price of being an heir. He would accept his fate no matter the outcome.

With a heavy heart, Shino reached the entrance of the compound. He took in a breath as he entered, expecting to find his father waiting for him. He wasn't. Looking around for his father, Shino found a note addressed to him.

Shino,

I have some business to take care of.

Don't wait up,

Shibi

Not knowing whether to be slightly relieved or even more anxious, Shino crumpled the note and tossed it into garbage. At least he wouldn't have to deal with anything yet. Although, the suspense was now killing him.

'Maybe I should have taken Kiba's advice and ran', he thought to himself. His kikaichu vibrated throughout him, sensing his displeasure, willing him to calm.

'I know, I know…'

Figuring it best, Shino settled down for the night. Tossing and turning until he was finally able to fall asleep.

/ Shino stood in font of a large crowd, surrounded by family and friends. He watched as his bride-to-be made her way down the isle. She was wearing flowing white robes, her veil covering her face as she now stood in front of him. He registered the official conducting the ceremony or their spoken vows, all he could do was think of was lifting her veil and uncovering her to the world. When the moment finally came, he lifted his shaking hands and slowly but surely pulled up on the edges until he looked into the beautiful face of… /

"NARUTO!"

Shino woke from his nightmare with a start sitting up straight, covered in sweat and panting slightly. The idea of marrying Naruto was truly traumatizing. He let out a breath of relief, that it was indeed just a dream, and slumped back onto his bed.

Shino remained like that for a few more moments until he recovered. He got up, went into his adjoined bathroom to relieve himself and go about is morning routine of showering, brushing his teeth, -trying- to tame his hair, and dressing.

Once finished, Shino headed into the kitchens to fix breakfast for himself. As he drew near, the scent of something delicious entered his nostrils. How strange.

Entering the kitchens, Shino saw his father, Shibi, setting two plates onto the table. It appears he had been cooking quite a meal. His eyes scanned the dishes of food. Fried eggs, miso soup, white rice with salted wakame, natto, toast.. His favourite things. Definitely strange.

"Shino, You're up! Join me for breakfast, I made your favourite." Shibi announced, an odd smile on his face.

"I see, may I ask why?" He asked as he sat down across from his father and began filling his plate.

"Now, now, just enjoy your meal."

Shino was suspicious of his father, he knew that something was about to happen and he wasn't going to like it. Probably the news of his engagement, but if he can delay the blow just a little longer then he will. He let it slip without further comment.

He began to eat as Shibi asked him questions about their recent mission, his teammates, and if he had slept well. Shino shivered at that and gave a simple 'no'. Shibi just figured it was because of the looming marriage arrangement so he didn't push it.

They had almost finished clearing their plates when Shibi cleared his throat, gaining an eyebrow raise from Shino. He paused for a moment, figuring out how to bring up the topic as gently as he could.

"Just spit it out father," Shino grunted, know what was about to come.

"I have found you a bride, son."

He gave a small nod of acknowledgement, feeling a wave of anxiety flowing through him.

"Well, don't you want to know who it is?" Shibi probed.

"Who, father?" Shino's voice gave away his dread.

Shibi felt the guilt hit him then. He didn't want to force his son into marriage, but he had given him no other choice. The Aburame clan needed their heir to fulfill his duties, and he wasn't.

"Hanabi Hyuuga."

Shino's chopsticks clattered as they hit the table, slipping through his fingers. He sat in shock, staring at his father as he froze, unable to breathe. He was utterly horrified.

"W-What?" For the first time, Shino stuttered.