It is a known fact that Shino, Kiba and Hinata were friends since the academy. There is also the fact that, as a child, Shino was more open and less… Tree-like.
Thus this story takes place of when team 8 was nine years old…
--
Shino walked down the road to the playground, humming slightly. The sun was shining, the skies were clear (somewhere, Shikamaru was complaining), and he was going to meet his friends on a play date. That was, until he saw it.
On the side of the road, a small beetle lay, dead. Shino gasped and quickly went to it's side, carefully picking it up and letting it rest in his hands as if it were made of glass. Tears welled up in the eyes behind his sunglasses and he made a slight detour, going to an empty area before digging a hole in the ground and gently placing the bead bug in. Silently, he filled the grave and paid his respects, picking a flower and placing it on the mound.
"May you rest in peace…"
Now he headed to his original destination, in lesser spirits than before. Upon reaching there, Kiba immediately spotted the small Aburme. "HEY! Shino! You finally got here! What took ya?" He asked, running up with Akamaru and Hinata following behind. A Hyuuga carefully watched before returning to his book, making sure to keep an eye on Hinata.
"I'm sorry, but I had to make a grave for someone…" Hinata gasped and immediately ask who, being the kind girl she was. "It was a beetle, I found him lying dead on the side of the road…" Shino said mournfully, and Hinata was sad because she didn't like it when anything died. Kiba, on the other hand…
"That's it? A dead bug? Dude, that' no big thing! Bugs turn up dead all the time!" Shino froze and turned to the boy. "…They do?"
"Yeah! I mean, people are always smushing them or stomping on them, so its nothing new!" Shino seemed to darken as the boy went on. Hinata and Akamaru noticed, backing away slowly.
"-So that's why you shouldn't care. Its no big deal!"
Shino murmured something under his breath so quiet that even Kiba, with his heightened senses, couldn't hear.
"What was that?"
"…It's no big deal…?" Came the dark, ominous whisper from Shino. Kiba nodded, not understanding the danger.
Shino flipped out.
"NO BIG DEAL!? THAT'S MURDER! MASSACRE! A MASSACRE I SAY! KILLING DEFENCELSS CREATURES! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS ALLOWED! WHAT KIND OF WORLD IS THIS!? WHY DO THEY HAVE TO DIE!?"
Kiba was now huddled with Hinata and Akamaru as they leaned away in fear from the exploding boy. "Uh-"
"THAT'S IT! I SHALL NOT STAND IDLY BY ANY LONGER! I'LL HAVE TO TAKE THIS INTO MY OWN HANDS!" Shino roared, and then stomped off. Hinata and Kiba stared after him before turning to each other.
"U-um… I-is h-he going b-be o-o-o-okay…?"
"Eh, I'm sure he'll be fine. He probably won't do anything."
--
"Hokage-Sama…?"
"Yes?"
"Why is there a kid going around in circles in front of the tower entrance, screaming about something having lives too and carrying a sign that says, 'Stop the Massacre'?"
"I have no idea, Kakashi, I have no idea…"
