Bubbles
Author's note: I do not own anything about Naruto. Hopefully this oneshot may suffice as a contestant for Rel's ShinoxTenTen AU contest. This takes place 7 years before the start of Naruto. Shino is 5 years old, Tenten 6.
Bubbles, he enjoyed blowing them into the air, watching as they fly away. Sitting on a rock in the forest, the young black googled Aburame watched their course once again, savoring the moment. The other kids did not like to spend time with him, all because of these rumors about his clan. Solitude was usual for him; some others though spent time with him, but it was rare. Those moments were his freetime alone, he could feel carefree, losing himself a little...; opposed to his developing rational self taught by his clan and an armor against the others.
Sighing he blew once more, enjoying the bubbles on their way towards the horizon. But this afternoon he would not be alone, as a young girl with her brown hair tied in two buns had to practice throwing weapons for the academy.
Despite her strong will and her dawning talent, the others made fun of her poor background, her style and her being among them in the girl's classes. Tenten had enough for today, but it still hurt her. What was wrong about her barely able to remember flowers' meanings but liking to hit targets bull's eye while racing through a forest? Her clothes are just fine for this; a simple pair of black shorts with a brown touch for weapons, a dark red t-shirt with a yellow Konoha sign on the front and a blue pair of sandals. 'This is just not fair! They suck at weapon training and don't listen, but still make fun of me. Gosh, why do they do this?', the brown eyed girl thought, not understanding children's cruelty. Academy started only one month ago but she still had not befriended anyone, most tries failed soon and the others did not end much better. Some acquaintances were the result, not friends she hoped for, to ease the solitude she was so adjusted to.
When she saw a few bubbles flying towards her, she followed them, amazed by their colours. The origin a boy sitting on a rock creating these fragile orbs, wearing a high collared jacket and sunglasses. When he blew another round, he saw her, a girl with brown hair in two buns, a dark red shirt and a cute amazed look on her face. She saw him, remembering about having heard about those people but she was not afraid. Steeping towards him, she was certain, that this boy was harmless and felt lonely enough. "Hey there, how do you make those?", she called out to the pale boy.
"Hello. My name is Shino. May I asked you what is your name?", a controlled voice politely asked. He blew another round and waited for her answer. "Tenten", was the answer he got as she sat down beside him and looked at him with big eyes, "now show me how you do this, please?"
An ever so slight blush covered Shino's cheeks, rendered speechless he looked down at the bottle and applied the liquid in it once more onto the looped wire. He had problems to remain calm as no female outside his clan came this close to him. Focussing he blew the demonstrating round of bubbles, then handed them over for her to try. Tenten took them and her hands brushed over his cool and slender ones. Blowing bubbles was easy, but she enjoyed the sight; lapsing into a comfortable silence. A few minutes later they started to talk about theirselves, relaxing as they saw the sun began to set. When Tenten started to throw some of her weapons at the bubbles as a practice, Shino had the idea to put strings at the end to recollect them easier when they started working at the aspiring weapon mistress' homework.
They learnt a lot about each other, both understood each other's lonliness, found consolation in being accepted by each other without conditions, felt at ease and really enjoyed their time together, as odd as it has been at some moments.
Just like bubbles this free afternoon was wonderful yet it had to end sometime, so when Tenten started to leave, the rather shy Shino hold her back; not wanting to let go of a friend who accepted him right away and he liked so dear after such a short time. There was just a lot of moments he wanted remember, knowing they just happened once in his life. Now he wanted to add one more thing, on impulse he gave Tenten a peck on her left cheek. Shino really liked her, it was wonderful; but now he felt guilty despite his feelings towards her, he wanted to start to apologize fearing that he had done something wrong. Looking up he saw a serene profile of Tenten's face, illuminated by the rays of the almost red sun, a little blush covering her adorable face. The brown eyes girl thought, it felt somehow like one of those bubbles settling on her skin, the colours of it shinning in her vision and was far to quickly gone. No one has ever kissed her, being an orphan and no one showing her affection caused her feeling unloved, albeit her attitude to never back down and show them her vulnerable inside. And now she was sitting next to a boy who knew solitude in the village like her, had a good time and even got her first kiss. Confused was the only way to describe her inner trumoil, they just met today but she felt so secure with him, totally at ease. Looking into each others faces, they saw themselves turning red, but it wasn't shame; no, they did not knew what to do with these new feelings.
Her spoken words: "Shino, I... like you. I hope we'll meet again soon...", ended his chain of thought about apologizing. He was astonished of having been accepted so fully outside his clan by a female, now just arguing inside whether to pinch himself or not, to confirm this was no dream or keep on dreaming just a little longer. The shock of feeling her lips against his would have woken him up anyway, only to have her pulling away, about the time an intact bubbles has contact with skin. It is just a tiny bit of time, but you feel and remember it.
One last squezze of her hand covering his, she stood up. Waving as she said goodbye, Shino knew on some level, that he does not have to voice his feelings towards her. "It is always easier to act than to speak. Words could be misinterpreted, sentences not structured well enough; but some actions can not be missunderstood. You must really like her to fight for her heart with all you have got.", a somehow amused Shibi said as he entered the clearing. Shino's father had seen enough to draw his own conclusions, but said nothing more. A still blushing Shino gathered up his belongings and jumped of the rock to walk home with his father. After a few minutes the younger Aburame tucked the coat of his father to get attention. His question was simple but had an ulterior reason: "Can you teach me how to command fireflies?"
