"Give me ten minutes Aburame." Sasuke says lowly, glowering surreptitiously at the pair. "No, even five would work."
Shino flips a page, eyes never leaving his Encyclopedia of Parasitic Insects. "How precisely would I go about doing that, pray tell?"
"Hell if I care!" The boy snaps irritably. "Just keep Kiba distracted so I can talk to Naruto!"
Shino sighs, hearing the smothered pleading under the petulance and starts flipping through the book for a particular article.
"What gives you the idea that Inuzuka would be even vaguely inclined to bare my company?"
Sasuke's voice is biting. "Are you memory impaired or just stupid? He spent the first three weeks of school trying to get you to so much as acknowledge his existence. He'd probably be thrilled."
"Was he?" Shino drones more out of social convention than genuine interest, eyes glancing up just long enough to catch the other boy's incredulous look.
He supposes that he owes Sasuke this much, considering how often they work and eat together.
Admittedly the other boy is more likely than not taking advantage of Shino's innate ability to make people ridiculously uncomfortable, so as to keep away some of his more overzealous admirers, but it's the principle of the thing. Besides, Sasuke is relatively pleasant company when he isn't convinced that the world is out to get him, and the closest thing to a best friend that Shino imagines he will ever have.
"Why in particular do you need Uzumaki alone? If you're just going to taunt him as per usual then Inuzuka's presence is irrelevant." Shino says finally, dog-earing the article labeled Siphonaptera. "Are you trying to confess or something?" He adds in a rare show of humor, though his tone hardly betrayed it.
Sasuke's posture goes utterly stiff. "How did you know?"
"What?" Shino says in disbelief, actually closing the book and looking him in the eye. The other boy's eyebrows furrow, but he relaxes slightly.
"You said—"
"I was joking."
Sasuke seems baffled.
Shino supposes that Sasuke has always seemed a little too preoccupied with the exuberant blond boy, even taking into account that most of it was arguments and mockery. But why he suddenly feels the need to confess to the fact in the middle of lunch is a beyond him.
He takes a quick scan of the area and it dawns on him. They're currently in the midst of Autumn, so the picnic area where they usually eat lunch is fairly deserted because of the cooler temperature. Aside from themselves and the pair in question, there are only two other groups of students (none of which are Sasuke's admirers he notes), and all of them are spread out among the numerous tables. Even if Uzumaki were to react violently there would be a minimum of witnesses, and most would probably assume it was just the two bickering again.
Uzumaki and Inuzuka are seated about fifteen feet from the cafeteria doors. There are usually a few others seated with them, though they are notably absent. The two seem undaunted by the fact and are laughing raucously, Inuzuka's arm slung over the other boy's shoulders in a show of natural camaraderie.
Upon reflection, it appears that it's jealously that Sasuke has been seething in, and not irritation as previously assumed.
Speaking of which it seems the other boy has finally put together the course of their most recent exchange and is glaring darkly.
"I swear to god Shino, if you—"
"Who would I tell?" He interrupts shortly and vaguely irritated, partially because Sasuke is trying to threaten him, and partially because the other boy thought even for a moment that he would be the type to gossip. "Look, I honestly couldn't care less about your romantic inclinations. Do what you will and I'll do what I can about Inuzuka." He says standing and gathering his books.
Shino swears that for a second Sasuke almost looks grateful, but he probably imagined it.
He walks over at a leisurely pace, Sasuke following and looking like there are so many better things he could be doing, as always.
Inuzuka is in the middle of telling a story as he approaches, jerking in surprise when Shino comes up behind him and sets a hand on his shoulder.
"Inuzuka, could you spare a moment?"
The boy blinks widely at him, seeming at a bit of a loss.
"…um …yeah..." Inuzuka gives him a small, confused smile. "Sure!"
Shino turns and starts walking in the direction of the cafeteria. In the reflection of the glass windows, he can see Inuzuka look hesitantly between himself and Uzumaki, the other boy urging him to follow. Inuzuka moves to join him after a moment of contemplation and Shino can already hear the losers and bastards flying as he enters the building.
"So…" Inuzuka says uncertainly beside him, scratching at one of the red triangles adorning his cheeks. "You wanted to talk to me…?"
"Yes." Shino replies flatly, continuing out of the cafeteria and into the hallways. "Your sister works at a veterinary clinic, correct?"
The other boy halts suddenly. "…What?"
"Your sister." He repeats impatiently. "She works at a veterinary clinic. Or perhaps I've been misinformed?"
Inuzuka shakes his head in something that resembles self-derision and starts to follow again.
"N-no, no, that's right. She's getting experience so one day she can start her own clinic eventually… Why do you ask?"
Shino opens up his book to the article he marked and passes it to the other boy.
"I've been considering doing a science fair project relating to fleas and other parasitic insects." He explains, finally stopping at his locker. "Her insight and possible cooperation would be highly beneficial should that be the case." Reaching in, he retrieves a piece of paper and pencil and hands it to him. "Could I have her number?"
Inuzuka looks from the book, to him, to his hand incredulously.
"Um…" The other boy hesitates for a moment, eyes searching they're surroundings as if in consideration. "You do realize how utterly creepy it would be to get a random call from someone, like, five years younger than you that you don't even know …right?"
"Would it? I didn't realize." Shino says unaffectedly. "What course of action would you propose then?"
Inuzuka starts scratching at his tattoo again. "Well I dunno… I guess I could ask her when she's free and then introduce you…?"
"I see. If it's not an inconvenience for you, I'll keep that in mind should the need arise." He says closing his locker again.
"Here." The other boy takes the previously offered piece of paper, jotting something down before handing it back in a way that almost seems embarrassed. "That's my number. I'm usually free to talk. You know, just in case you need to get in touch."
Shino nods his head in appreciation, folding and pocketing the paper before heading in the direction of his next class.
"Um…" Inuzuka starts nervously. "Was that… all you wanted to talk about?"
"Yes." Shino replies simply, not even turning to look at him. It's been about eight minutes, and by the time the other boy reaches Uzumaki again, it will have been well over ten.
"Oh… 'kay. Guess I'll see ya around then." He calls after him, heading back towards the cafeteria.
Naruto is laughing his ass off and Kiba is sorely tempted to deck him once on principle alone, and then a few more times because of his sour mood.
"He asked for your sister's number? God, you really know how to pick 'em Kiba! What is it with you and the freaks? First Kankuro and now some recluse with a sister complex!"
Kankuro had been an old boyfriend of his back when they had started high school, and while he had some unorthodox hobbies, he was still a nice person. However, in the end they both mutually lost interest and decided to stay friends, but the guys still razz him about it despite the fact that Kankuro's not the perv or freak that rumor makes him out to be.
Kiba cuffs Naruto over the head. "Shut your damn mouth before I shut it for you. He only wanted it for some science fair thing because she's a vet!" Then after a moment. "And there's nothing wrong with Kankuro! He's a good guy!"
Naruto gives him an incredulous look. "Puppets Kiba, puppets. And don't even get me started on the make up."
"Says he who lusts after the guy with the eternal stick up his ass." Kiba retorts.
"Hey, hey! Didn't I just tell you I made some progress? This is huge!"
"He smiled at you Naruto." Kiba says dryly. "That's nothing. I gave Shino my number."
"For a Science Fair project. That's pathetic." Naruto bites back.
"Fuck you! At least he doesn't hate my guts!"
"Yeah, well at least Sasuke actually gives a flying fuck about me!"
"What part of hating your guts isn't getting past that thick skull?"
"Hey! Love and hate are two sides of the same coin man! It's all about passion!"
"Are you retarded or something? That's the dumbest—!"
"Ladies, ladies. Keep your voices down would you?" Comes a monotone, drawling voice from behind them. "You two could give a deaf man a headache, I swear."
"Ah! Shikamaru! Chouji! Where have you been?" Naruto asks, all previous anger forgotten. "Lunch is almost over!"
Chouji swallows a bite of a sandwich he's munching on. "Mr. Umino was worried that Shikamaru had narco-something—" "Narcolepsy" Shikamaru interrupts. "—yeah that, and made him go to the nurse to get checked out."
Shikamaru sighs and slumps down lazily. "I guess it never occurred to him that his class is an utter drag. Who wouldn't fall asleep?"
"Watch it Shikamaru or teacher's pet over here might jump you." Kiba jeers.
"Screw you Kiba, Mr. Umino is amazing even if his lessons are boring."
"Ah, speaking of teacher's pet—" Shikamaru starts tiredly.
"My Most Cherished Comrades! How fares your day?" Lee says exuberantly, returning from his daily laps around the school.
"Great! Sasuke actually smiled at me today!" Naruto says unabashedly.
"Oh! How excellent Naruto! I knew your Youthful Energy would someday melt his Icy Heart!"
"So how many laps was it today Lee, don't you have a game tomorrow?" Kiba says, sipping at his drink leisurely.
"Indeed!" Lee says brightly, giving him a 1000 watt smile. "Coach Guy told me to limit myself to only twenty laps today so I'll be in Top Condition!"
"Only twenty he says." Shikamaru grumbles disbelievingly. "I'll never understand how you've stuck with football for so long. The training sounds like such a bother."
"Not at all Shikamaru! The—"
"The bond between teammates, the power of hard work, and all that. We got it the first five times Lee." Kiba cuts him off, sparing them all about five minutes of youthful ranting.
"Indeed! The Spirit of Sportsmanship is A Truly Beautiful Thing to behold!"
"Hey, has anyone seen Gaara today?" Naruto pipes up suddenly. "I wonder if he's skipping again…"
He shudders subtly, remembering the last time a teacher had gotten on the boy's case about his attendance.
"I'm wounded by your lack of confidence." Gaara says lowly from behind them, startling them. "I said I wouldn't."
"G-Gaara! It-It wasn't anything like that—!" Naruto said nervously. The disgruntled boy claimed to be their friend, but it never hurt to be safe. "I was just worried because you hadn't shown up yet!"
The boy Hned and sat down silently. A thick silence ensued.
"So…" Shikamaru starts, eyes quickly scanning the area for a change of topic to diffuse the situation, and notices a flyer taped to one of the cafeteria doors. "…it kind of seems like girls are being even more bothersome and gossipy than usual, anyone know what's up with that?"
Kiba and Naruto look to each other cluelessly and Lee gives an enthused. "I have no idea!"
"Homecoming Dance." Gaara says tersely.
They all turn to look at him inquisitively, though no one has the courage to ask why he of all people knew, and Gaara merely stares back ominously.
"Ah… That would explain it." Shikamaru says finally. "Well, it's not as if any of us will have to worry about it."
He gets a few glares for the remark, but it's sadly true. Lee is too absorbed with his sports, most girls are terrified of Gaara, Chouji might as well not exist, the whole thing was far too bothersome for Shikamaru to so much as think about, and Kiba and Naruto are gay. (Well, bi technically, but they both like guys at the moment, so who's counting?)
Thankfully, the bell chose to ring at that moment, dismissing the depressing subject, and they all headed to their respective classes without bloodshed.
"Hey Shino, did you understand any of that?"
Shino does not curse on principle, because it's crude and problematic where other words will suffice without chance of reprimand, but had he been the type, he might have chosen this point in time to use some colorful vocabulary to express the magnitude of his discontent.
Since Sasuke had brought it up, he has begun recalling some vague incidents around the beginning of the school year in which Inuzuka had tried to talk to him. Of course all of these incidents had been dealt with shortly and impersonally, which apparently had put the other boy off enough that he had ultimately stopped trying.
The difference between now and then is that now, it's necessary that he be slightly more indulgent, what with how Sasuke had failed to convey his romantic intentions to Uzumaki and would be needing Shino to distract Inuzuka more. And seeing as it will be infinitely easier if they are on good terms, such a curt dismissal would be inconvenient.
So now, instead of a brief Yes and a suggestion of reading the relevant chapter in the book, he has been dragged into trying to explain indefinite integrals in a way that Inuzuka might actually have a chance of understanding, with all the nonexistent social skills he never had, has, or ever will have.
"So you just add one to the exponent?" Inuzuka asks, chewing on his pencil frustratedly.
"No, you have to find the anti-derivative." Shino replies as encouragingly as his demeanor will allow.
"Of course… anti-derivative… right…"
Shino gives him a heavy look.
"What we've been using for the past two chapters."
"…oh… um… yeah, about that…"
Shino, in full indulgent mode, allows himself to sigh.
AN: Er...yeah, so another random AU that is slightly less involved than my Band AU. Yay vapid high school drama? Once again, no idea if this will ever be updated. (See profile page.) Hope you enjoyed it a little regardless. :D