I'm really trying something totally different with this story. I hope you guys can give me some feedback on this one. I'd be interested in finding out what you think about this.

EDIT (1/01/2010): I basically went back and corrected some various spelling and grammar issues, as well as tightening up the narrative a bit. Also, I've decided to make this story be part of the same continuity as "Call it a Date".

.o.o.o.

EBB and FLOW

Part 1:
"Reflections by The Lake"

.o.o.o.

A faint spring breeze passed through the branches overhead. The lush green forest was calm and quiet, and provided a safe, comforting environment for anyone who happened to be in it at the time. For one particular youth, this was was the ideal place for some quite reflection.

Shino Arubame stood before the secluded lake, watching as countless images were mirrored in the pulsing surface. The twinkle of light on the water was reflected in the dark round lenses that covered his eyes. These sunglasses- a pair of dark 'John Lennon' shades- were only a single piece of the clothing he wore to deter the prying eyes of others.

While the glasses made his eyes unreadable to most, the high collar of his dark gray jacket covered up the lower half of his face (up to the base of his nose). In addition, he also sported a gray overcoat that came down below his knees... the hood of the coat cast the rest of his face in shadow.

For the time being, he had discarded the heavy overcoat. He spread it out across the soft grass and sat down on it. He leaned back and his hands and tilted his head back slightly to breath in the cool air around him. Shino enjoyed the encompassing silence of the forest... No boorish voices of the drone of machinery to spoil the atmosphere.

The only tangible sound came from the faint hum of the insects around him. For him, it was a comforting sound... He could relate to it, as it was not unlike the gentle hum he felt within his own body.

They know me…

The harmonized buzzing of the crickets and cicadas within the forest almost seemed to sync with his own Ki-Bugs. The members of his clan were colloquially referred to as 'Insect-Users', but that was something of an oversimplification...

You see, Shino was never truly alone. As a member of the Arubame Clan, he didn't 'use' insects... He formed a life-long bond with them. His Chakra became nourishment for the insects, and the they intern became his allies in battle. To wield insects, the 'host' must fully give his body to them... making then inseparable from himself.

They're part of me- part of 'who' I am…

Shino snapped to attention when he heard a noice. He cast his gaze towards the center of the lake as tiny ripples spread outward. He kept calm as he quietly approached. He realized that it was likely just a fish- otherwise, the bugs would have reacted accordingly to any actual danger.

Still, there was something odd about this... something that nagged at him. And the more he thought about, he began to realize that it it wasn't really a 'splashing' sound. It was actually more like the sound of bubbles rising to the surface

He cleared his head and stared intently into the dark depths of the lake. Eventually, he briefly glimpsed a dark form flitting through the waters. This cinched it! It was too big to be a fish... "A human shadow...?" He mused.

Something odd was going on, he fluctuated his energies just enough so that his bugs were alert. He began moving closer towards the lake, reaching a small dock that jutted towards the center. "It's been over a minute now... surely they would have come up by now?" He told himself.

Despite his nature, he found himself being overcome with a sort of morbid curiosity... He stealthily walked across the small wooden structure. He knew that impulsive actions like this were dangerous, but he still found himself unable to fall back.

He eventually reached the end of the walkway- an 8x8 foot wooden platform, tethered to small plastic drums. The thing shifted slightly as he stepped onto it, but he remained undeterred. Shino reached the far edge and kneeled down. Once on his hands and knees, he gripped the edge tightly and leaned further in.

He wasn't sure what had come over him, but he was determined to figure out what was going on! He continued scanning the dark blue waters in an effort to spot the shadow again. Shino sighed and furrowed his brow. "Seriously, something is going on..." He muttered to himself.

He began to consider the possibility of something more sinister going on. After, the rabbit who carelessly stuck his head out for a look was the one who got caught in the snare! Yet here he was, investigating the unknown- and headfirst, no less!

Then- without warning- something emerged from the water amidst a glistening flurry. Hundreds of shimmering droplets were sent flying in all directions!

Suddenly remembering his ninja training, Shino pulled back- droplets splattering against him. However, in the confusion, his dark glasses slipped off- only to go flying in a neat arching motion and then plunge into the depths of the lake!

He brushed his hand across the exposed portion of his face, as if to confirm his loss- and cringed in realization. Still, he quickly changed into a defensive stance and readied his bugs for his mysterious assailant...

Shino froze- the reality of the moment sinking in with all the subtly of a smack to the head! The figure before him began striking little strands of memory in his mind. With even less grace, he skidded to a halt and landed on his but with a audible grunt.

Without his glasses, the insect-user was able to take in the figure before him. He instantly locked gazes with the pair of pale yellow eyes now looking directly at him. His flustered look with in sharp contrast with calm one before him.

It certainly had been a while since the last time he'd thought of her, let alone actually seen her...

The figure before him was totally covered in a layer of smooth scales of varying shades. Two long 'fins' hung down on either side of the slender face, like pigtails. Also, a spiny slanting fin ran from the top of the head down across the back.

Clawed, webbed hands calmly pressed down on the platform for support as the figure leaned forward. Soft delicate lips gently curved into a smile. "Hi Shino." She spoke simply, her crossed arms supporting her as she smiled at him.

Shino was at a complete loss as he frantically swiped drops of water away from his face and looked at her for a moment in total silence. Eventually, he slumped back into a sitting position and managed a weak smile. "Uh… hey, Isaribi…" He managed to offer in reply.

(- End of Part 1 -)

.o.o.o.

This was a rather simple first installment, but you can only do so much with two characters in one scene. I'll try and make the next chapters longer, but for this one- I felt that it was more important to end on this scene.

Also, I'm really trying to get into the head of Shino; he's probably one of the more vague characters. I honestly don't recall reading a fanfic where he was in it… or at least where he stood out enough. And, based on my very limited knowledge of the filler episodes, I've really taken a liking to Isaribi as a character.

Later,

-Bojack727