PERMISSION TO SEEK SHINO X NARUTO ROMANCE-B/L ANGST SHOUNEN-AI WIP XGC WARNING
This is where the problems begin; both his teammates have their own objectives with the Nine-Tail-Kid
Konoha – HIDDEN LEAF VILLAGE:
Aburame Shino spent a little over 2 years assisting an adjacent Feudal Lord with rebuilding his country, and then received Chuunin level recognition.
Uchiha Sasuke spends two and a half years working under the elite Konoha Police ANBU and then received Chuunin level recognition.
Uzumaki Naruto just returned to the village after training w/Jiraiya for 3 years. After meeting with the Fifth Hokage, he must reform the team.
This is a love story….
A.N.I did some flashbacks to build up to the present day; so if it gets confusing I apologize, I felt that if I added some history to each of the main characters it would help with expressing the depth of each person emotions. I am new fan-fiction writer so please be gentle and let me know what you think. Thanks for considering my story.
Prologue
Konoha is a peaceful country; along with the residents are some of the strongest ninja Clans in the region. Clans consist of members from the same family unit as well as extended family members. Within each Clan, ninja possess specific talents unique to that family called the BLOODLINE LIMIT TECHNIQUES; not all ninja in the Clan possessed the same level of ninja techniques. In cases were the strength or specifically the BLOODLINE LIMIT of one Clan appeared to surpass that of other families, the Clan are considered elite. Such was the case with the Hyuga Clan whom possessed the Byakugan and the once prominent Uchiha Clan who possessed the Sharingan. Rivalry and discrimination, as with other places, existed within the Hidden Leaf as well; Clans that were not considered elite, desired to prove themselves as worthy of the title.
Chapter 1 –Twist of Fates-
"Stop!" he yelled in a small defiant voice, as more weeds and dirt rain down on his head as he tried to protect his face.
"Bug, boy!" one of them yelled, pushing his head back down in the dirt, then punching him on the shoulder.
"Ow, Ow STOP!" he yelled again as he felt tears sting his eyes. 'Don't cry no matter what.' He put his small arms over his head as they continued to taunt him.
"Heh, heh, he's crying, bugs don't cry!" said a familiar voice.
The small boy looked up at Sasuke, surrounded by his friends; they were really admires not friends. This boy had no real friends. He clenched his teeth to stop himself from crying.
"What are looking at, COCKROACH!" aiming a kick at the boys' face, which barely missed because he hid his face in the ground under his arms. The kick landed on the shoulder instead sending rippling pain through the arm.
Several kids around him laughed. "That'll make him leave those bugs at home, right Sasuke-kun!" They laughed again.
The bell rang everyone scattered, almost everyone. Sasuke stood starring at the boy on the ground that was still covering his face. "You listen well." Sasuke said in a threatening manner. "I don't want to see anymore of your disgusting bugs in my school. Do you understand!" he yelled at the boy on the ground.
The boy was trying to nod his head without looking up afraid of a kick in the face. Then he heard another voice that made him look up.
"You bastard Sasuke, why don't you pick on someone your own size?"
The boy on the ground wiped his glasses with his forearm and looked up at Naruto. He was standing in front of Sasuke with his hands on his hips; blonde hair flying in every direction; and pudgy face screwed up in defiance.
"Hum; get out of my face. You're the bastard!" Sasuke spat. "Remember I got a family!"
Naruto growled then through himself on Sasuke, knocking him on top of the boy on the ground who winced from the pain of their combined weight on his small legs.
"I'll kill you! You freak!" Sasuke yelled, trying to get Naruto off him.
"Oh Yeah! You and what army!" Naruto said back.
The small boy cringed from the combination of the both of them rolling over him. He finally managed to crawl out from under them and get to his feet. He tuned to look as Sasuke kick Naruto off. Naruto landed on the ground near a big tree. He glanced at the boy grinning, "A hero always comes just in the nick of time!"
The smaller boy blushed, starring at Naruto in amazement. It did not matter if he could not beat that Sasuke, he had tried.
Sasuke took that moment to nail Naruto in the face. "You're no hero, you are just a BASTARD!" He added a kick as Naruto fell to the ground. Sasuke turned around to the other kid, "Your next." He said darkly.
The small boy did not wait for Sasuke to come to him. He turned and ran as fast as his short legs would carry him towards his home.
Sasuke took two steps after him when he heard. "Yo." He stopped and turned.
Naruto; standing with blood running down his mouth holding the side of his head where Sasuke shoe had connected. "Are you going to run away now that I'm starting to win?" he spat blood on the ground and grinned at Sasuke derisively.
"What is going on?" The teacher shouted.
That night…
"You need to talk to mom about what happen today Shino." Her soft voice always calmed his nerves. He sat on the side of his bed as she put bandages on some of the small cuts on his arms. She placed a small hand on his cheek to lift his face to hers. "Shino, please tell me what happen, I will go to the school and have the teacher talk to the one who is responsible." She coxed.
He found it hard to look at her for long she is so beautiful. He blushed, "Okaasama (mother), please don't do that, it will only make things worse." He adored his mother above everyone he knew.
She sighed deeply, "Come on down then your father will be home soon." She rose taking his hand and led the way to the dinner table. She guided him to his seat and began to set the table.
Shino was not the least bit hungry; his heart was full of guilt and humiliation. Not just because he got beat up again but because, someone had finally helped him and all he did was run away. That someone happens to be Uzumaki Naruto, who up until today he had thought, was nothing but a troublemaker. He would know because he always watched Naruto. He flinched. "Ow." They were at it again, biting him, and crawling out when he did not tell them.
"Ow, stop biting me" he said in a low voice.
His mother came over. "Kikai do not bite, you must be feeling them consuming your chakra that's all." She looked at the insects and then her son. He looked frustrated with the effort to get his Kikai to listen.
"Shino-kun" his mother said placing her open palm on his chest over his heart. "Try talking to them from here, they are your friends." She winked at him.
"Don't tell my son such nonsense!" a deep firm voice spoke.
His mother stood as his father entered, half bowed to her husband and went to get dinner. The tall man stood behind Shino and stared down at him.
Shino felt a quake inside him; no one in the whole clan could compare to his father. "Otousan (father)." He looked down at the floor the guilt spreading again.
His father reached out an extra large hand putting it on the top of Shino's head lifting the child's face to look at him. "Shino your Kikai are not your friends, or pets they are your soldiers. To control them you must use this." He put the pointer finger of his other hand against his temple. "That is what you do; make them understand you are in control." He nodded and glared pointedly at the boy then took his seat.
Shino followed him with his eyes enthralled with his father's presence. 'Will I be like him one day? I hope I can be as brave and strong.' He thought. His mother served dinner and shifted her eyes at her husband.
"Otousan, are you going to ask Shino how he received those injuries?" she prodded.
Shino's father looked at her blandly, he had no desire to ask his son questions that he was not ready to reveal. He gazed back at his small son; he did notice the bruises on the boy and he wondered about it but he had an idea that the same people were responsible. Shino had not shared on the other occasions there is no point in expecting he would share now. Shino was twitching in his chair pushing the food around on his plate not eating a single bite. The Kikai were again coming forth without permission; his father sighed deeply. He had believed it was too early to send the boy to the ninja Academy. Keeping him home another year would help him gain better control; but his mother felt Shino had developed a bad habit of being too reclusive. That he tried to point out to his wife is a trait of the Aburame Clan we are not truly welcome here in the Hidden Leaf. It is a character flaw, we have honed after years of rejection by its citizens. Now Konoha is our home we will not be removed, they will learn to tolerate us if not accept.
"Shino, do you have anything to say?" His father asked, continuing to eat his own dinner.
"…."
"Shino! Otousan is speaking to you." His mother snapped.
"…."
His father sighed again, and pushed away his remaining dinner. Shino looked up at him immediately knowing he had gone too far in his silent treatment. Sure enough, his father was eying him darkly; he cringed, and snapped inwardly at the Kikai to stop biting him now!
"Give me your arm." His father said plainly.
Trembling slightly he extended his small arm to his father. He then pushed up the long sleeve to gaze intently at the Kikai that roamed around. There were several pinprick red marks on his arm left by the Kikai bite. His father lifted the arm closer, while lowering his head to get a better look at the injuries between the bruises on his son's arm. 'He's trembling, this must be very painful, and I see why Okaasama is so worried; the boy really hurt him this time.' He plucked one of the Kikai off Shino's arm and eyed it closely on his fingertip. 'It has pincers that are slightly different from most of the Kikai.' He thought. Releasing the boys arm he with drew a small vile from inside his pocket and placed the Kikai inside. It tried to bite him as well; it is unusual for Kikai to bite the host or for that matter a direct member of the host family. His father carried the original line of Kikai introduced to Shino on his First year of birth. He would need to speak with his brother regarding this change in Shino's Kikai.
"What is it Otousan." His wife asked. Looking perplexed; unaware of the silent messages the two were sharing now.
Shino looked at his father's eyes and nodded; he was in a lot of pain but his mother kept looking horrified he did not want to worry her. "Uchiha Sasuke." He said in a small deep voice.
"He did this to you?" his mother shifted up straight in her seat.
Shino nodded, casting his eyes back on his uneaten dinner. "Uzumaki Naruto helped me; he stopped Uchiha and got hurt himself trying to help me." He added hoping that would take the worried look off his mother's face, he was very wrong.
"Uzumaki!" she snapped.
Her husband put up a hand to silence her, while fixing his eyes on his son intently. "That boy is in your year at the Academy?" his voice sounded in control but Shino sensed some urgency in the undertone.
"Yes." He said looking back at his father whose face was unreadable, and mother who looked horrified. "He doesn't come to school very often, just every once in a while. But he showed up while Sasuke was threatening me and jumped on him." He felt a blush heat his face as he remembered Naruto's words: 'A hero always shows up in the nick of time.' He looked down at his plate not wanting his father to see him blushing.
'Why is he blushing;' his father thought as he considered the Nine-Tail-Kid and his son's words.
"You must stay away from that boy." His mother stated firmly. Shino looked into her bright eyes. "That boy is dangerous; do not deal with him under any circumstances." She added leaning across the table to emphasize her point. "I will have a word with that Uchiha's mother, your aunt knows her well, and we will go see her at the end of the week. I'm sure she will have a talk with her husband about his behavior towards you." She stood and gathered the dinner plates, "I'll get tea." She left the room, glancing at her husbands face as she walked out.
Shino looked down at the empty spot on the table. 'I want to make Naruto my friend, now Okaasama says I must stay away from him.' He felt a mixture of sadness and despair filling his tiny chest.
"What did you do when Uzumaki and Uchiha began to fight?" his father asked.
Shino looked guilty, the thought of how he had run away made him feel queasier. "I uhmm…" he looked up at his fathers eyes. "I ran after Sasuke knocked Naruto down, he came after me." He could feel the disappointment from his father long before he spoke.
"Tell me Shino, did Uchiha catch you when you ran away?" he leaned in closer reading every gesture in his boys face.
"No." Then wondered why, 'Sasuke is fast.' "No he did not I don't know why." He did not understand the significance but he knew there was something in that question.
His father sat up straight as his mother entered the room with tea. She poured everyone a cup then took her place at the table.
There could be only one reason that Uchiha boy did not catch Shino. Uzumaki; his father sipped his tea and gazed at his son with a mixture of pride and disappointment. The boy should understand by now what a friend or comrade represented only the worst type of people would turn their back on either. Even if that comrade was the Nine-Tail-Kid, he needed to get the message through to his son. Putting down his tea, he gazed darkly at the boy until he lifted his head to face him.
"Shino, I would prefer you not associate with that Uzumaki." He started; "however, it is a very shameful thing you did running away from a comrade." Shino looked guilty, his father felt the message was sinking in. "Listen carefully; Okaasama is right, Uzumaki is a dangerous boy, that is all we can say about him; however, he has proven himself reliable by assisting you in a time of need." He eyed his wife, meaningfully for her not to interrupt. "Any person that would do such a thing should not be left behind; even if it cost your life, never leave a comrade behind, never turn your back on a friend and always help those in need even if they are an enemy." His father continued to gaze at Shino; hoping his son would understand the kind of man he would like him to become. "I'll add this as well, perhaps you realized, the reason Uchiha did not catch you is because more than likely, Uzumaki stopped him."
Shino dropped his head feeling bitter shame in his stomach. 'So Naruto did that for me; I thought Sasuke finished him off and now it's obvious the reason why Sasuke didn't catch me was because of Naruto.'
It just made him feel worse; he made a silent vow never to turn away from a fight especially when a comrade was involved. "Otousan who are my comrades?" He wanted to remember them so he would never forget whom he must protect.
"Uhmm… it's a very long list;" his father looked at him amused; "let me say everyone in the Aburame Clan as well as everyone under the Hidden Leaf and all of the allies across the continent." He smiled at his son, it had never occurred to him that his son did not understand comrades and friends, it made him feel his own measure of guilt; he is only 6 years old, perhaps his expectations were too high for this small boy.
"Otousan;" Shino began; "that would include Uchiha, I don't like him, he is not nice to me."
"Well, he is under the Hidden Leaf, so he may not be a friend, but he is a comrade and you must never turn your back on him as well. It's not difficult if you just consider it your duty, to protect everyone with your life." He reached out a large hand and put it on his son's bushy hair. "However, you can not help anyone unless you control your Kikai with your own will; not wish; your will. Command them to obey or suffer the consequences; they will respect you and seek to serve you, that's how it is; so do your best." He smiled at the bright eyes of the boy, filled with pride at the potential he could clearly see.
There was a loud bang on the door; his mother sighed beginning to rise but her husband stopped her. "It's for me I'm sure." He left the table. His mother walked around the table to kneel next to Shino.
"Shino-kun; you can use your heart as well, just remember they are your soldiers first and friends second. It's a nice compromise you should try it also." She winked at him. Then looked towards the living area as she heard a familiar voice approaching, her gaze darkened.
"Ha, ha, you don't say," said the voice to his father; it sounded excited, full of zest. "Let me have a look." They both entered the dining area, his father followed by his uncle who was several years older and one of the lead member on the council.
Shino sat up straight he adored his uncle. He rose from his seat to give the Elder a hug, and received a firm pat on the back and head as a reward. "Oji (uncle); youkoso (nice to see you)!" he smiled up at the old man with a blush in his cheeks. His uncle was the funniest man in the entire Aburame Clan (as least according to Shino and his uncle).
An eccentric man in his late fifties, he had no children of his own. He assumed Shino as a godfather and treated him like a son. In return, Shino regarded him highly and felt surrounded by those who cared and loved him much. He did not realize yet that being a descendant of the head family he is royalty among his Clan and highly regarded. His uncle stared at the Kikai given to him by Shino's father with interest. He is a medical specialist in the Aburame Clan any deviation from the norm; referred to him, to research and record the findings. He has studied Shino from birth, noting the child has significant differences that have only the original founders possessed; this knowledge he kept classified. He is highly secretive often using his dark humor to distract from his true purpose.
His uncle tipped the Kikai in his hand as Shino took his seat at the table. The tiny Kikai crawled over the palm of his hand then tried to bite him, attempting to force it is pincers thru the older mans skin; unsuccessfully. He eyed it intently; 'It will definitely become a serious problem to his enemies when he's older;' he thought enjoying the vindictive intent he sensed in the tiny insect. "You are correct Otouto (younger brother)." He looked at Shino's father who had taken his seat again.
"I know I am Aniki (older brother), please have a seat." He gestured to an empty seat next to the enamored Shino.
Shino's mother glared at him with distaste, "What do you know about this Ossan (old man), and don't tell me it's classified." She said darkly.
"It's always a pleasure to see the eternally beautiful Aniyome (sister-in-law)." He stated with an enlightened look on his face.
"Aniki, don't say useless things to my wife." He snapped. They often started their introductions in this manner. Shino suppressed a snicker, he enjoyed the way his uncle started every meeting with a complement followed by his father chastising him; next his mother would say something to the old man. He looked at his mother ready to laugh at her next remark.
She frowned at the old man. He always says worthless things; this time I am not going easy on him. "Have you given my sister a child yet?" she smirked at the blank look on his face. "We are considering our next, perhaps a girl. The least you could do, is give her one before I have two." She said with a conniving smile.
"Shino, go to bed." His father said.
Shino did not think what his mother said was funny; it was a touchy subject as his uncle had explained to him one day. 'I would like to have children, but it seems I am destined to only have my Shino; I am very proud of you.' He looked from one adult to the other not understanding why his uncle was getting pale his mother was still grinning and his father was looking exhausted. "Good night." He said as he left the room; thinking what was going to happen.
Uchiha home….
"Sasuke, let me see those bites again;" sitting on the edge of his bed.
Sasuke blinked his eyes; he was tired they had talked all day about that bug nerd. Now he wanted to see the bites again. "Aniki, why?" he sat up and held out his arm, to his brother.
"Were you sitting so close that they could just crawl on you?"
"I told you I always sit in the front, and the cockroach sits in the back." What was this all about? "I also told you I'm the only one that got this bite, and he tried to say it was an accident." He looked darkly at the window, wishing he could have kicked that kid one more time.
His brother stared at the red pinpricks on his arm; it was strange because as far as he knew Kikai did not bite, in this manner; even if they consumed the chakra, they would not leave any trace behind. He narrowed his eyes he hated that Clan. "Well, it's just so strange; I wanted to see it again. I've come up with an idea that can help you get rid of that kid once and for all; at least his bugs anyway." He added as Sasuke shifted on the bed.
"How," he looked at his brother.
"Well, are you really willing to go thru with it; because it will be a big waste of my time if you don't'." Itachi eyed him intently, with a smirk on his face.
"Yeah, I'll do anything, tell me please let me know what to do." Sasuke said in excitement.
Itachi had an evil grin on his handsome face; he stood and walked over to the window to gaze out his mind in another place, vaguely considering how far his little brother would go. "You just need to befriend him, you know, make him think you like him; oh most important you need to apologize for being a little ass." He turned and looked at the stunned look on Sasuke's face.
"Befriend HIM!" he snapped. "You got to be kidding, I hate him."
"Well, I bet he's a really nice person." Itachi said turning back to gaze at the setting sun, while watching his brother reflection in the window. "Nice people are so easy to fool." He half turned to his brother then lifted his hand gesturing for him to come. Sasuke jumped up to hurry over to where he stood. Itachi reached his had out and poked him in the forehead.
"Ow." Sasuke said, "Why did you do that."
"Teaching you." He said with an amused smile. "If someone trusts you they will do whatever you say; just start with 'I'm sorry for what I did the other day.' But you need to mean it or he'll never trust you and our plan won't work without trust." He smiled at Sasuke derisively surveying the look on his face. 'He just might have some potential, he thought.
"What do I need to do;" he asked, his eyes full of intention. Sasuke listened to his brother well into the night finally; I can get back at that cockroach.
Uzumaki…..
Naruto was sprawled across his bed at three in the morning sleeping deeply; a soft snore similar to a purr from his half-open mouth. Shino looked at him with admiration, he is a hero after all, he thought. He looked around the small room; still sitting in the window; the tiny room a complete mess. Everything from empty Ramon cups to dirty laundry and scrolls littered the floor. Shino was surprised to see anyone lived in this condition, but also he was aware Naruto did not have a family. He jumped down lightly on the floor and watched several cockroaches run for cover at the intrusion. He did not mind cockroaches; they were just another bug to him, although he did not find them the least bit interesting.
He twitched as the Kikai began to bite him again. He felt anger swell inside him as he lifted his wrist to glare at the one responsible. It was wiggling back in forth, digging its pincers deeper in his skin. Shino felt tired of the constant assault on his body and remembered something his father had told him earlier. '..They are your soldiers...make them understand you are in command….''If I can't do that what kind of comrade will I be when I'm needed' he glanced at Naruto sleeping in the bed. He wanted to make up for running away; he was determined to protect all his comrades when they needed him. He looked back at the Kikai that decided on another spot to sink its pincers; he plucked it up on his fingertips. "This is unacceptable." He said darkly in a low whisper; then crushed it between two fingers. 'You will do what you are told with out hesitation from this moment on; we will be one.'
Several Kikai thought to challenge the threat he made; each crushed as he continued to send the message, 'obey, now'. It did not take long before all were moving within him docile and obedient waiting for orders. He looked around the dirty room; 'ok let's get rid of the free loaders,' he thought as he raised his arms the Kikai swarmed out a tiny dust cloud about three feet wide, shooting off in different directions to kill the cockroaches that were too slow to escape. 'Where is the cleaning stuff;' he thought, as a Kikai landed on his wrist to tell him where to find the supplies. He unlocked the door to the main hall; he needed a chair to reach the top lock. He found what he needed in a small broom closet and brought it back to the room. Trying not to make too much noise, he filled a bucket with water and cleanser. He gathered all the dirty laundry and took it to the washing machine; being familiar with domestics from his mother's teachings, he quickly moved through the small room organizing and cleaning until everything was in a proper place. He just finished hanging the last of the laundry as the sun was beginning to turn the sky a lighter shade of blue.
Shino looks at the clock the display reads four thirty. 'Wow, it took that long in this small place.' He had several bags of garbage already taken out to the dumpster; the kitchenette that consisted of a tiny stovetop; small icebox and sink now sparked with the clean walls and fixtures looking almost new. The curtains taken down cleaned and replaced; windows and floor scrubbed clean. The tiny room has not this level of clean since Naruto moved in at age 4; since then he was on his own with an Elderly women making sure he had the basics.
He looked again at Naruto, 'thanks for being a hero.' He smiled at him then looked more intently at his face. Naruto did not have one bruise on his face, nor could he see any on his exposed skin. Shino moved closer to the bed and peered at him from six inches away, no marks of the fight visible and he was sure Sasuke had hit him at least once in the face. "Wow Naruto-kun you are amazing." He said aloud in his astonishment. Unfortunately, Naruto heard.
"Yes I know Sakura-chan, you are amazing too." He grinned stupidly in his sleep, and turned over hugging his pillow.
Shino put both hands over his mouth to stop from laughing. Then left a note for Naruto on his bedside table and left the way he came in, through the window.
He sat on the swing again talking silently to his Kikai about what he learned in the morning session, when Sasuke appeared a short distance away looking back and forth. Shino felt his gut tighten but remained where he sat, telling the Kikai to be ready; he did not intend to let the Sasuke hit him again. Sasuke turned toward him then started over quickly joined by his friends, they closed in on Shino on all sides.
"Uhmm…Shino, I want to tell you I'm sorry for what I did to you yesterday, and if you want you can join our ninja game." Sasuke said in a sincere tone.
Shino sat up straighter on the swing, watching the Uchiha warily. 'What is he talking about? Sorry no way I will fall for that!' He looked at him blandly.
"Well I just wanted to say I'm sorry and try to make friends with you, if you want, but anyway I won't bother you anymore. I overreacted yesterday, my brother told me that when you guys (Aburame Clan) are young it is difficult to control the Kikai and he said I should be more understanding. I was wrong and I am really sorry, if you change your mind; just join my team in the game." He smiled his best Uchiha grin and walked off with his friends.
Shino watched him until they started their game. Does he really want to be my friend? He said he was sorry three times, does that mean he really means it. The Kikai were restless they wanted to attack Sasuke; he told them to stay calm as he watched the game from a safe distance. 'If I play they will do something to me and I'll end up hurt again; thinking of hurt, Sasuke had a bruise on his face.' Shino brightened inwardly Naruto must have clobbered him. He suppressed a snicker, as he scanned the yard for Naruto wanting to thank him in person and apologize for leaving. However, Naruto never showed up that day or the next, and Sasuke kept his word about not bothering him and asked him again if he wanted to join their game.
By the end of the week, Shino felt emotionally strained; Naruto who he had kept looking for never came to the Academy; Sasuke did not bother him but he still was afraid to trust; on top of that, his uncle came by every day that week to poke at his Kikai with a very unnerving gleam in his eyes. He was happy finally to be able to go home.
"Shino-kun." Said the teacher.
He looked over at her; she was always nice to him and a great teacher. "Yes Sensei?"
"Can you help Sasuke-kun with some things I need put away, I have a trip and I'm already late to start." She looked apprehensive.
"Sure," he said moving forward.
"Ok, he'll tell you what to do just take your time and don't get hurt; I'll see you next week." She smiled and left the classroom.
Shino felt strange, something he could not put his finger on it, he thought he should go ask her if she was all right when Sasuke came in the room. He cringed slightly then remembered not to show fear, and not back away. He stood his ground glaring at Sasuke, since no one was around he expected him to do something, all this week he suspected was a joke of some kind.
"Hi, Shino." Sasuke said distractedly, "there are these old textbooks we need to put in storage, Sensei said you might help, is it ok?"
Shino looked at him in slight disbelief; "yes I'll help," he said flatly inwardly thinking not to let his guard down.
Outside the building, his Sensei arrived at home; before she entered her front door she saw a pair of red eyes, blinked and remembered nothing about the boys.
They worked for about an hour moving old textbooks to a storage room in the basement of the school. Shino kept expecting something to happen but after fifteen minutes, he began to relax realizing that the only thing Sasuke wanted to do was to finish. He wondered if this is what the teacher used him for when he stayed late during the week.
"Sasuke." He was tired of not talking while they worked together.
"Hum…" Sasuke said looking at him as he pushed another stack of books further against the wall.
"Is this the kind of stuff you do for the teacher after school, usually?" Shino asked.
"Yeah, this and grade papers, or clean the blackboard." He shrugged as if it was no big deal.
"She let you grade papers?" he must really be smart for the teacher to allow that.
Sasuke smiled inwardly, 'prick is impressed; you just wait I will show you something.' "Yeah it's no big deal it's usually the stuff the underclassmen are working on or something that I did very well on. She always goes behind me to make sure I was fair in the grading." He turned away smirking 'Itachi-san was right, he's so easy to fool.' "We only got one more trip, and then we can get out of here, you ready?" He looked over at the stack Shino worked on, it was not as high as his was, and he kept going further back to make more room.
"Yeah I'm ready." He said looking toward Sasuke, he followed him out and back to the main level. He felt strange inside, but Sasuke had not done anything wrong. Why did he feel like he should be afraid, it seamed to increase every time he went back in the room, it was as if the Kikai did not like it in there.
Sasuke grabbed the biggest stack, he was strong; "you get that box that's it and we're done." He walked toward the stair not waiting for Shino; he kept a certain pace the whole time they worked. He did not want to make it seam anything was out of the ordinary 'now if I can just get him to stay in there while I finish-up.' He smirked, suppressing a derisive laugh, 'wait till I tell Itachi-san about this.'
Several miles away the entire Uchiha Clan is eliminated….
Shino grabbed the last box, it was bulky; he had an idea what shelf to put it on. He followed Sasuke down to the storage room, lagging behind do to the size of the box. Sasuke, almost done as Shino walked past him to the shelves. He pushed it in place as his Kikai began to swarm out in attack mode; at the same moment, he heard the door slam shut.
"Shino-kun." Sasuke simpered thru the door. "Or should I say Bug Nerd." He heard him laugh evilly.
"Sasuke please open the door." He tried to keep the fear out of his voice; the message he sent to the Kikai to stop swarming, reversed to defense mode. Somehow, he did not feel locking him in this room was all that the Uchiha had in mind. In addition, he felt as if something was watching him, getting ready to attack.
"No, bug nerd;" Sasuke said. "There are some of my friends in there that want to have a word with you about those dam bugs." He snickered.
Shino screamed.
Sasuke banged his hand against the door and yelled at the door "Yeah, you cockroach! Yeah! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Shino ripped his glasses off so he could see the room more clearly, grabbing the spider that had bit him off his arm and crushing it. He yelled again running at the door, slamming into it. "Please Sasuke let me out! They are biting me! Let Me OUT!" he clawed at the door, his screams becoming incoherent as panic took over. The Kikai were only babies they could not protect him from the multitude of spiders that pounced in attacking then jumped back.
Sasuke laughed at his wailing; leaning against the door he said "I got to go, now my mom's making dinner for me, see you tomorrow, or not!" He ran out of the school, anxious to tell his brother the trick had worked.
"Awh!"
Outside the building, no one could hear the child in the basement screaming.
The Aburame Home...
"Where is he?" The Elder asked the house cleaner who had come to help Shino's mom do some cleaning. "He should be home by now." His uncle looked over at the clock it was nearly 8 pm school let out at 4 pm his nephew should have arrived hours ago. On top of that, his mother had not returned with her sister, the Elder's wife; from the Uchiha Village, he was worried.
"Elder, perhaps his mother took him with her to the Uchiha Village." She offered.
The Elder looked at the clock again, that was possible. He had come by to see if Shino wanted to spend the weekend with him since his father had left a few days ago on an important mission. It would give him time to study the Kikai unique to Shino; he was impressed Shino had learned to control them finally informing him they stopped biting. He reasoned he should wait a little longer to see if they arrived soon; if not he would head to the Uchiha Village personally to find them. He began to pace around the living area waiting.
The Uchiha Village...
Several miles away, Sasuke fainted from the images his brother put in his head of the villagers death; leaving him to suffer in the middle of the deserted street, with dead bodies lying all around.
The Academy...
Shino looked up thru cloudy eyes; he could not see very well. He tried to move his hand to wipe his eyes but his body only twitched. He could not move and breathing felt difficult. 'Otousan (father)? Okaasama (mother)? I'm sorry I didn't listen.' He drew another labored breath. 'Kikai? I can't breath…' his vision swam out of focus. He saw Naruto grinning at him, he was talking about heroes but he could not hear the words. 'Yes Naruto, I'm going to be just like you and help people in need.' He drew another labored breath he was sinking. He saw Naruto again facing Sasuke, and then he heard him say something that he did not see him say before. "Hey you aren't going to get any stronger like that, Baka!" 'You are right Naruto, I am not going to die here; I am going to get stronger and kill Uchiha Sasuke I swear.' His mind held onto the images of Naruto and the thought of revenge on Sasuke as he began to fade deeper into unconsciousness.
The Uchiha Village...
The Elder stood at the Uchiha main gate looking in disbelief at the carnage; several dozen ninja were swarming around looking for survivors, others were bringing bodies out of buildings lining them up along the street. He felt his heart fill with despair as he saw his wife and sister in law side by side on the sidewalk. He fell down on his knees and lifted their heads in his lap, as he wept silently. The gifts packages they bought with them lay by their side never delivered.
"Who was the only survivor?" someone yelled
"Uchiha Sasuke!" another asked back.
"His brother is nowhere to be found, where is that bastard I want to talk to him!" a third person yelled.
The Elder looked at the rising sun; when he heard the name Sasuke, it reminded him; carefully he lowered the head of the two women. He stood and began to scan all the victims looking for Shino. He was not the only mourner there; the village had become crowded with people trying to help gather the bodies for burial; looking for loved ones and assisting with trying to determine what happen.
The following day he entered the hospital to confront the only survivor.
The Hospital...
The Jonin looked at the sleeping boy with a worried brow; he knew to well the damage of the Sharingan. He wanted the boy to survive, he had to; he was the last. The hospital room door opened a nurse entered with one of the Elders from the Aburame Clan. Kakashi walked over to prevent him from entering further; he was suspicious of everyone since the boy's attack.
"You see Elder he is in no condition to talk." The nurse informed; "he has had a powerful Nin-jutsu placed on him there is no way to determine when he will recover." She added.
"Ojisan, (older man) is there anything I may help you with; Sasuke-kun can not answer any questions." Kakashi said.
The old man looked at the Jonin; he knew the brat. He turned his eyes on the last person to see his nephew alive. He had visited every child in Shino's class as well as the teachers. Only one confirmed Sasuke and Shino were at the school when she left. The teacher said all the students had left the building before her and she did not remember seeing Shino in class that day. He needed to ask that boy a few questions.
"Ojisan, is there anything-"he was cut off.
"I need to talk to him now, my nephew is missing and he is the last person to be seen with him." The words came out desperate; he wanted to sound in control but it had been more than twenty-four hours since anyone has seen Shino he was afraid.
"I am very sorry Ojisan; Sasuke can not answer any questions; as you can see he is unable to wake." Kakashi repeated. "Please leave." There was an edge to his voice now; the old man was giving him the creeps.
The old man turned his dark shades on the Jonin; "Nurse please leave so you don't get hurt." He said it very calmly; the nurse did not have time to register the command. A swarm of gold colored Kikai with marking like a hornet suddenly, attacked in a mini tornado throwing them out of the hospital room. Kakashi grabbed to prevent her from hitting the opposite wall. The Kikai swarmed menacingly then as if a vacuum retreated into the room with the old man slamming the door in their wake.
The Elder walked over to the boy in the bed Uchiha Sasuke. There was a dark malice in his heart, he wanted to kill the boy quickly but if he did that, he may never find Shino before it was too late. He leaned over the boy removing his glasses; pointing a finger at him commanding the gold Kikai to land on his forehead. More began to follow absorbing the Nin-jutsu placed on him by Itachi.
The door crashed open; Kakashi stood with Sharingan displayed and a kunai in his hand. "Get the hell away from him you Old Bastard." His voice was deadly, full of intent to kill.
The Elder turned around revealing Sasuke's face, covered in Kikai. He looked blandly at the Jonin, "No." he stared at Kakashi without any hint he intended to move or leave.
Kakashi eyed the insects crawling over Sasuke's face; 'what does he think he's doing?' "I'm not going to tell you again he raised his hands prepared to attack.
"It would take me one 100th of a second to order them to kill him, is that what you want? Perhaps I should add I could kill you just as quickly." He looked at him as if things had already been determined, attacking now would do no good. Kakashi did not move. "He knows something about my nephew; I've seen every person that attends that school personally. He is the last, the very last to question."
"He cannot answer you stupid old bastard." Kakashi spat.
"When my Kikai are done he will be well enough to tell me it won't take much longer." He said it dismissively, as if death was not looking him in the eye.
"What are you doing to him?"
The Elder surveyed the Jonin; "you are not smart enough to understand and I don't want to explain." He ended turning his back on Kakashi.
What is he a fool! Kakashi thought darkly, "We won't always have the boy between us; you need to sleep sometime old man." He said darkly.
"It's amazing how many times I have been threatened in that manner." He laughed but did not face the Jonin. "I haven't gone to sleep in 30 years, so I don't' imagine you will be catching me with my pants down, hey Gaki." He laughed again as the Kikai on Sasuke took flight, to join the others on the ceiling.
Kakashi followed them with his eyes, shocked by the vast number on the ceiling; he had not sensed their presence at all. They were completely silent as the hovered there waiting for a command. He glared back at the old man he had those waiting for him to do something the old buzzard may have really been able to kill him before he knew what was happening. He was leaning over Sasuke's face talking to him. Sasuke's eyes remained closed.
"Where is Shino, where is Shino, Where is Shino." He kept repeating it in a monotone firm voice. Sasuke's face began to twitch. His eyes opened, dolls eyes.
"Stop it old man, he's not out of it yet!" Kakashi snapped
"He's awake enough!" The Elder shot back, not bothering to look at Kakashi a mistake most people never made if they know anything about him. "Uchiha Sasuke!" he yelled at the boy; grabbing him by the front of the hospital gown "Where Is Shino!" the Elder felt his patience waning, he needed to find his nephew, he felt time was running out.
"You bastard!" Kakashi yelled throwing the kunai he held at him aiming for the man temple.
The ceiling collapsed in an ocean of Kikai, Kakashi got one glimpse of a hand of Kikai catching the kunai in mid-air before another swarm washed him out of the room in a wave of bugs. His strength was sucked out of him almost instantly, when suddenly they retreated into the room; he could see them hovering over the bed.
"A man ought to know his limitations Kakashi-san." The third said. He walked over to the room to look at the Elder standing over the last survivor of the Uchiha Clan.
"Uchiha Sasuke! Tell me where is SHINO!" he was yelling in a firm voice, trying to keep himself from panic. He had to get this boy to tell him now.
"Elder, the boy is unable to answer." The third said entering the room and walking over to the bed; "I cannot allow you to treat him in this manner release him at once." The window of the hospital shuddered as the Elder released the boy and looked at the Third with desperate anguish in his eyes.
"I must find my nephew Hokage-sama; my Kikai can reverse the effects of the Nin-jutsu if you will give it time." His voice was controlled but the madness in his eyes was obvious.
The Third looked down at the youngest survivor of the Clan; his eyes were half-open and vacant. He did not look like a person who was coming out of anything; he looked trapped. The Third looked back on the Elder, he was a very strong man denying him the opportunity could be bad for the village if some peace were maintained by allowing him to try, that would be the best course. "I am not confident you are in your proper mind, Elder. However, I will watch you try your best, you must remain calm and not hurt the boy under any circumstances is that understood." The Third eyed him closely as some reason began to flick back into place in his bright eyes.
"Yes Hokage-sama, I understand I will be gentle." He replaced his glasses; and observed the boy; the Nin-jutsu was strong. Itachi, from what their research had discovered is a gifted Gen-jutsu user a powerful form of mind control. Sasuke may suffer an eternity in this state. The Elder stood up, the Third watched him closely. He did not want to use that technique on the boy and reveal the medical advancements their clan has achieved however, his nephew took precedence. He was at the end of all hope he wanted his nephew back, even if he was already dead. He pulled a small scroll from his pocket and unrolled it; placing the seal over Sasuke's forehead.
"What kind of technique is this you are performing?" The Third asked.
"It's very powerful;" he began "it will seal away the Nin-jutsu and free his mind from the effects. He will still need to regain his strength, the technique only lifts the spells not heal. If I may please, let me continue." He placed his hands together and made several seals then "Nin-Po-Darkness-Deliverer!" in a firm voice.
Kakashi stood in the doorway as the two old men stood at the side a Sasuke's bed. He saw a seal scroll over Sasuke's face as the Elder made a spell to release the Nin-jutsu. He did not trust the old bastard; if not for the Hokage, he would be dead. Black smoke swirled up from the seal; the Elder was concentrating on the technique. 'He doesn't care what happens to Sasuke-kun as long as he could get what he wants.' Kakashi limped into the room vowing to pay the bastard back one day.
"Kakashi, cool yourself." The Third said; "He is trying to help despite what you think."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the old man; 'I'll believe that when I give up porn!'
The Elder forced another large amount of chakra into the seal as darker smoke rose from the center; it glowed brightly as intricate lines formed on the surface of the scroll. He picked up the scroll rolling it quickly and put it away, while he eyed the boys closed eyes. He felt drained, more because he was worried and the trauma of losing his sister in law and wife his mind was in agony.
The Third looked a Sasuke's face. "Uchiha Sasuke, it is time to help us find a fellow classmate, if you know anything, please speak now his family if very worried." He glanced at the Elder's face to see he looked pale; he wanted answers. 'I hope this boy had nothing to do with the child disappearance.' He thought.
Sasuke eyes opened full of tears and fear, he looked over at the two that stood by his bed his eyes focusing on the one in the dark glasses. More fear welled inside him; is he dead yet?
"Uchiha Sasuke where is Shino?" the Elder asked in a firm voice. Sasuke cringed and the old man leaned closer knowing the boy knew something.
The Third put up a hand so the Elder did not get too close; "clam yourself give him a chance to respond." He eyed him closely; there was great discontent between the two Clans, although neither would say why.
Sasuke opened his mouth with a horrified look. 'this man is going to kill me' he thought; his brother told him that Shino was from the head family in his Clan and more than likely they would hunt him down for what he'd done. Itachi's derisive laugh echoed in his ears. "Closet." He whispered in fear his voice gone from the previous day.
"Where!" said the old man. Where is he SASUKE?"
"Closet!" he chocked "School. Closet!" his voiced cracked and he only could mouth mutely what he just said.
The Elder did not wait for further confirmation; he and his Kikai went thru the window at wind swept speed.
The Academy...
'Yes, you go. Get uncle hurry up! Go!'
The school was vacant do to the enormity of death in the Uchiha Clan; and fear that the perpetrator was still at large. That was a good thing, (the school was empty); all the windows imploded as millions of Kikai crashed thru the building searching every corner for the missing Aburame child.
The Elder stood at the front of the school as two dozen clansmen joined him waiting for the Kikai to complete there search. The Elder lifted his hand as a tiny black Kikai landed on his palm. He stared at it intently for several seconds then raised a hand in the air; recalling most of his Kikai to him. He walked boldly into the building stepping on the glass and storming thru the building towards the basement. As the door came in view, he saw his remaining Kikai trying to find a way in the taped seams of the door. It allowed only a few in at a time some being stuck in the adhesive. Several of the clansmen closed in the door quickly ripping off the tape and pulling the lock out of the frame.
The door swung open reveling a spider's nest. From ceiling to floor, the whitish web hung thick covering everything in sight. "Shino-sama!" the clansmen yelled starting to push their way into the room. The first to touch the web received a bite, and snatched his hand back in alarm. "It bit me!" he yelled then collapsed on the floor gasping for breath. Spiders began to hop out of the room trying reach more victims; everyone began to retreat pulling the injured clansmen out reach. All except the Elder, Kikai swarmed out stunning any spider that escaped the room and advancing forward to immobilize all that remained. With a wave of his hand, the Kikai sliced thru the net of web in the doorway, further revealing more spiders that the Kikai instantly stunned.
A few feet from the door lay a small swollen mass of web; his uncle fell to his knees slowly removing the thick netting away from his nephew. He lifted the small child in his arms, fearing his death; he wanted to hold him for a little longer tell him something; let him know that everyone was fine and how desperately he wanted to find him before it was too late. He pulled the boy to his chest as so much meaningless things happened around him. The clansmen were collecting the spiders; three had taken the one bitten back to their village where he would later die from the bite. The Kikai where searching the area for more spiders, they could sense the presence as a few of the men with him knelled in somber remorse for the passing of the heir.
"I love you like a son Shino." His uncle voice; "you are a great man, I want to join you too, we will be together." Uncle, where are you, its dark in here; do not come here; 'go tell him not to come here and that I am not far from him.' He felt sick in his stomach and he could not move.
He eyed the boys' swollen face, how could anyone do this to a person, lock him in here like this. He wiped the remaining web from the boy's eyes; they were swollen shut as well; his face had a bluish hue. Dark red-blue bruises where there as well from the direct spider bite. There was some dark substance on his cracked swollen lips twinkling in the light from the hall; he presumed blood.
"Elder-sama, we should return him to the village, we are ready when you are to do this."
He glanced over his shoulder at the young ninja. "Did you know he had unique Kikai?"
"No, Elder-sama, I was not aware."
"Yes, very unique; and he was born with a special blood type, that has not been seen in the Clan since the founders."
"I was not aware."
His uncle stared at Shino's face, 'I want them all to know how special you are; and then I will join you.' He hugged the boy to his chest resting his chin in the thick hair, as a sob tore from his throat; he took a deep breath to steady himself before looking back at the boy's face. The dark substance on his lips quivered then several baby Kikai flew up at his nose.
The first to land bit him, wiggling its pincers deeper the others began to talk to him. He ignored the one that was biting and turned to the clansmen behind him. "He's alive." He looked at them in disbelief. They all watched him warily at first then one jumped up and said. "Quickly let's get him back to the village!"
The Elder would not relinquish Shino to anyone. He walked out of the school carrying the child tightly in his arms; ordering the clansmen to have the school repaired at once, clean all evidence of the incident and do not leave even a spider leg behind.
The Aburame Council….
It took more than two weeks before Kuni-te (master doctor A.K.A Shino's uncle) would attend any of the council meetings; he stayed at Shino's side.
"Kuni-te, please tell us the status of Shino, as you are aware he is next in line to take up the head family position, since his father is no longer in this world." The chief representative addressed Shino's uncle calmly.
He shifted, he did not want to give them information that they did not need; besides, he had his own plans for his nephew that were much bigger than to head the clan. "He is stable, or I would not be here, and I do not want to stay long. His body is rejecting the venom of the sixteen different species that attacked him and the Kikai are recovering as well."
"Kuni-te, this is encouraging news, however the Third is insisting we give more information; such as how the child became injured; and he would like a full report on the his medical condition;" another Elder said; eyeing him intently.
He looked at all the dark frames focused on him; digging for information on his son. He stood, "it is none of his concern." He walked to the window that only showed the vast sky.
"We cannot refuse to give the Third information regarding an investigation; he was attacked the one responsible should be held accountable for their action, according to Konoha laws." He finished.
"Why?" he chucked, everyone became uncomfortable.
"We are guest after all, you are aware of the agreement we have with the Hidden Leaf, this is an investigation; Shino was mistreated, why should we refuse to give information regarding his condition, to assist with the investigation?"
He tuned his back on them all looking towards the vast sky, 'are they just stupid or just pretending he had need to give them something to agree with him. He laughed again, they shifted, "What became of the clansmen that received the bite at the school?"
"It is not a laughing matter Kuni-te!" the chief snapped.
"I know it." He added darkly in contrast to the jovial face he showed. "Shino, received 16 different species of highly toxic spider bites, not only is the boy alive but the Kikai, are alive as well." He turned to face them directly. "To make it plain, he is unique. I have seen to it that no evidence remains of the incident and unless that Uchiha wants to confess or we allow our Shino to give statement; we could keep the little facts about the attack to ourselves. I could do a report that he is in a mild state of shock from an incident regarding a closet and just needs some rest to recover. We do not want them to know too much information; its bad enough I had to show them we could dispel that devilish jutsu. We need to keep his growth classified, he was born this way but now he will; more than likely, evolve to someone much greater because of the venom." He glared around at them with a look of contempt on his face, daring them to disagree.
"Oh, I see." The chief said, eying him with dislike. 'He always has his own objectives; instead of sharing the path he would like to lay, we need to walk blindly until he chooses to share.' "Well I disagree." 'Let's see what he'll do now.' "We are guest we need to be forthcoming and provide the information we are asked, we cannot lie to the Third."
"It is not a lie to withhold information; just consider it classified that should hold the old man off. We'll give information as needed on a need to know basis." Kuni-te said dismissively.
"If Shino dies what then! Go to the Third and demand justice after we would not provide the facts in the beginning!" Elsa had nearly as bad a temper as him; he liked him.
"The ever beautiful Elsa, I am charmed and I don't want to be." He grinned at him.
"Stop saying useless things and respond to my concerns." He stormed.
"Well, I don't want anyone to be offended;" he said lightly in an amused tone, "if my Shino dies from this injury; before I take my own life I will personally dissect that Uchiha Sasuke." He chuckled, pacing around the room as several of the Elders shifted, more at the laugh than the words. When information that his brother had died during a mission had come to the Clan, Kuni-te, had announced he would take Shino as a son; no one objected. Many under the impression none loved the boy more and Kuni-te would probably kill any one who stood in his way. Despite the fact that the council presided over the primary functions of the Clan, the head family always had final say in the workings if there was a disagreement; like Shino's condition and how much information to provide.
Elsa looked at him; 'when will enough time of mourning go by so I can ask him out?' "You are an arrogant bastard." He said flatly, Kuni-te turned and looked at him with a grin. "You say you will kill this Uchiha, then yourself, what makes you think you could get that close to him; after all that copy ninja has him on a short leash." He smirked.
"Elsa-sama that copy ninja would already be dead if the Third hadn't intervened when I was gathering information on Shino's location. You don't' really think I'm that weak do you?" Gazing into his beautiful eyes, he almost never wore his shades. "Oh but even the Third was reluctant to stand against me, now I know some of you do not believe this but; if he stopped me from my questioning we would be at civil war now." He added darkly his face a death mask "I would have broken him like dead grass." Thinking about dissection, he chuckled.
The council shifted uneasy in their seats again. Elsa eyed him pointedly. "Oh Kuni-te, you say the most amazing things; sometimes I don't believe a word of it." He paused thinking how he would love to watch him scream in passion under him. "However, its times like these that you make me squirm with those evil thoughts of yours. We cannot go against the Third; but we must find a way to appease him; we wouldn't want them to become suspicious."
What a perfectly wretched young man you are he thought, he has swayed the council by disagreeing then agreeing. I should treat him to lunch when Shino is well.
The chief looked from Elsa to Kuni-te; 'those bastards are stealing the spotlight.' "How will you appease them?"
"I would be happy to assist." Elsa chipped in; "I will work closely with Kuni-te over the next 2 days and bring a written proposal to the council." He leaned back in his chair. "I will not let him off too easily, I assure you."
Shino's uncle walked back to his chair casting a maniacal grin at the Chief Representative who did not like the way the council was leaning. After several nods, it they agreed an acceptable proposal would be provided after council review; also, Shino's condition would remain classified, not to be discussed outside of the nucleus council.
The Elder felt he got a nice compromise; as well as, he looked over at Elsa reviewing notes he provided regarding some information he did not mind sharing. (All false). He caught his eye, noted a blush, and then turned by to look at Shino. Things were going his way, for a change, now if he could just get this boy to open his beautiful eyes.