Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 2: Reassurance

After a moment of laughter from the whole panty incident Nadette finally composed herself enough to wipe the single tear from the corner of her eye and looked up at Shino, still holding a slight grin.

"So, I take it you're not going to get my clothes for me from what event had occurred. Heh heh."

Shino still just stood there, blushing and silent.

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. Truly. So you can stop sulking now," She let out a small chuckle and looked out the window again. She noticed that there was a slight breeze out but the weather still looked inviting to her.

"I don't sulk," Shino said, crossing his arms.

"Riiight," Nadette replied. She was still looking outside. The bee clan also had their own little quirks about them, not much surprise to the Aburame clan. They were also insect users and received the same amount of ridicule from outsiders. They were considered freaks, for a lack of better words.

"I will call the nurse to help you with your clothes and I will be waiting in the hallway if you need me," Shino said while already walking towards the door.

As soon as Shino walked out of the room Nadette sighed and muttered, "It seems as though the only time I need your help is only when I am in a vulnerable state. Let's keep it that way." She scowled at her own comment but didn't like to be seen weak, especially to people who cared for her and shared a common lifestyle.

The nurse walked in and closed the door behind her. Nadette had noticed the horror on her face from seeing the Aburame in the hallway and that boiled her up a bit. If it's one thing she couldn't stand it was discrimination.

"Alright, sweetie, could I get you to sit up for me and take off that gown?" The nurse was probably in her early twenties, or so she looked. Nadette could tell that she wasn't that much older than herself.

Nadette sat up, "Sweetie, huh..." The nurse seemed a little bothered by Nadette's last remark but Nadette could care less. With a little struggle Nadette had untied her gown and finally taken it off. Underneath her gown were some soaked, bloody bandages.

"I'll just change these for you so that you don't have to lay down in your own blood anymore," the nurse said.

"Sounds good," Nadette replied. Then she looked down at her legs just thinking about how much of a burden they have become in the last 24 hours. "Nurse?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"I would really like to get some fresh air. Is it alright if I could use a wheelchair for a while?"

"Oh, no problem, honey," the nurse just finished up bandaging Nadette's abdomen and looked a little sickly because she saw bees in the wound. She shook the disgusted look off her face and went to go get her clothes for her. She first put on Nadette's panties and then her bra. They were matching royal blue colors, not really Nadette's favorite but that's what you get when your mother goes shopping for you. Nadette just closed her eyes so that she couldn't make eye contact with the nurse, thinking that this is all awkward. No one had seen her naked before and she knew that she was a nurse, but still, she liked having her modesty. The nurse finally put on the rest of her attire: a white tank-top, black Bermuda shorts and some flip-flops that her mother left for her.

"Oh, almost forgot your coat, dear." The nurse helped out on her favorite jacket. It had a big hood and was brown from the shoulders to mid belly and the color transitioned to yellow as the jacket extended to her mid thigh. It was more like a utility jacket, with a really nice short, soft fur lining as well and plenty of pockets for Nadette to store some of her favorite candies and other items.

"Thank you," Nadette said to the nurse while checking her pockets.

The nurse scowled to herself as Nadette had checked her pockets, thinking that she accused her of stealing something. "I'm sure everything that was left in your pockets should be there from when you were admitted." Nadette had just pulled out a piece of candy, not paying any attention to the nurse, just staring out the window. "I'll go get your friend now." She spun on her heel and quickly walked towards the door," Ugh, you insect freaks give me the creeps," she said underneath her breath.

Nadette hadn't missed a word that the nurse had mumbled but she didn't dare say anything back to her, because, after all, the nurse did help her. But she had all the right to say something, all this time she did, but what would be the point? If she threatened anyone in the least then she would be singled out as a freak and a monster even more so than now. So she just sat there still looking out the window while sucking on the sweet candy that she popped into her mouth.

***flashback***

Nadette ran up to the Aburame residence. The sun had just come up and she only hoped that she could visit her best friend. She knocked on the door a couple of times and finally someone had answered. It was Shibi Aburame.

"Hello, Nadette-chan. Are you here to play with Shino?

"Good morning, Shibi-sama," she smiled sweetly and nodded to his question. Shibi had let her inside and Shino had come downstairs from his room. She had noticed that he was wearing some sunglasses. "Hello, Shino-kun! Happy Birthday. Did you get those for your birthday?"

"Thank you and yes." He smiled at her. She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows, looking a little confused.

"So, what are you two going to do today?" Shibi asked, smiling down at them.

"We're going bug-hunting. See, I even brought my equipment." Nadette lifted up a small cage and a considerable-looking butterfly net.

"Alright. Have fun you two," Shibi said chuckling a little. "And stay out of trouble."

"Yes, dad!"

"Yes, Shibi-sama"

Shino and Nadette had made their way out of the house and started walking towards their destination.

"So how does it feel to be ten years old, Shino-kun?"

"It feels the same. How does it feel to still be nine?" He asked her teasingly.

"Hey! I'm only a couple of months younger than you, I'm not that young." She chuckled to herself and then quickly remarked," At least I'm not a small pipsqueak like you."

"Whatever," Shino replied gloomily.

"Oh, stop sulking, Shino-kun."

"I don't sulk." He turned away and blushed.

They walked on a little more and met up with a group of kids about their age, possibly a little older but not by much. "Hey, look it's the freaky bug kid!" The children were laughing at pointing towards Shino.

Shino just kept walking but Nadette had stopped and scowled at them, "Hey! That's not nice. He isn't a freak!" She held up a fist at them.

"Oh! Looks like the bug freak has a little girlfriend. She must be a monster too!" One of the kids yelled and pointed at Nadette. She was now glaring at them and stepped closer. Shino had now stopped walking and turned back to check out the situation.

"Don't you dare call him a freak! You don't even know him!"

The group of kids got even closer to her. "Whatcha gonna do about it, bug-lover?" Nadette just held her ground and still tried to explain herself. The leader of the group had walked up in front of her now, trying to be intimidating.

"Nadette, just leave them. They aren't worth your time," Shino said, sounding a little tense.

"Oh, he thinks he's better than us, huh?" The leader bellowed, "We'll show him!" He suddenly pushed Nadette to the ground and the rest of the gang followed behind him.

Shino released his Kikaichu on the boys just before they could strike at Nadette. The boys ran off within an instant. "Don't you dare touch her!" Shino shouted and quickly helped Nadette get up from the ground. He noticed a small, bloody welt just beside her right eye. "Nadette-kun, are you alright?"

She nodded and placed a finger on her face and lifted it up again to discover blood. She had a shocked look about her and cupped her face again with the same hand.

Shino quickly grabbed an old cloth from his backpack and some disinfectant. He started to poor some peroxide on the cloth to clean her wound and she noticed what he was doing and finally said," No. I will be alright. I don't need that."

"Yes, you do. You're bleeding," Shino sounded worried but didn't understand why she refused.

"No, I will be alright. Besides, you'll hurt my workers."

"You're workers?" Shino was very confused at this point.

"Yes, they help me recover from wounds faster than normal. See?" She lifted her hand from her eye and a few bees were crawling out from underneath her skin, rushing to the wound and repairing it slowly.

Shino was wide-eyed and just stared at Nadette. Now he understood. "You too? All this time?"

"Yes. See you're not a freak," she said smiling, "In fact, those other people are freaks because they don't have this gift that we do."

Shino paused for a moment and then looked up to her and smiled back.

***End Flashback***

Shino had just walked back into the room pushing a wheelchair and Nadette smiled at the idea of going out for some fresh air. "I take it you want to get out of here for some time?"

"Yes, if you don't mind." Nadette smiled up at him.

He moved the wheelchair towards the bed and braced himself to carry Nadette. She frowned, "Am I really that heavy?"

"No, I am just thinking how to best go about this without hurting you or making you feel uncomfortable."

Nadette just threw her hands up in the air and looked at him. He raised an brow at her action. "Well, go on. Under my arms is fine."

He hesitated for a second then finally went for it. He lifted her up under her arms and as he did so she snickered a little from being ticklish. He didn't hesitate to sit her in the chair though, tickling her would not be very appropriate and he didn't like human contact much, especially considering that she is a woman and is a good friend of his.

"Thank you," Nadette said in a bit of a lower tone.

Shino just nodded behind her and started to wheel her through the hospital. They of course had gotten a few unpleasant stares from both the hospital crew and patients. Shino was probably expressionless but Nadette glared at each person who dared to look her in the eyes. They all turned away quickly as soon as their gazes met. Shino's eyebrows lowered in frustration. They finally exited the hospital and Nadette took in a deep breath and then released it. Ah, the month of June.

"Where would you like to go?" Shino asked as he looked down at her.

"Hmm..." Nadette looked around, not really sure of where she wanted to go. All she knew was that she just wanted to go. "Places. Wherever," she finally said.

Shino was now gaping at her request. "I thought that since I wheeled you out here that you wanted to go somewhere specifically."

"I never said such a thing, now have I? Do your job and take me somewhere or I will tell your father."

"You plan to blackmail me?" Shino sounded irritated.

"No. Your father will simply ask me how my time was with you. I won't lie to him," Nadette looked smug.

"..." Shino paused for a moment, sighed and then started pushing her. While he had just started walking Nadette pulled a hair-tie out from her pocket and threw her hair in a somewhat loose bun with a few, long strands of hair sticking out with bangs covering her right eye.

Shino just looked ahead, not paying attention to her actions and noticed a booth with sweets and candies in it. He wheeled her towards it as she was just enjoying the stroll, oblivious to where they were going. He had stopped her next to a bench close to the booth and walked over to talk to the man inside. Nadette was curious but tried not to show expression. She reached inside her jacket and pulled out a pair of sunglasses with orange-yellow tint and put them on. Shino was done with his business and walked over to Nadette with a small bag in his hand. He had noticed that she put on her sunglasses but didn't give it any second thought.

"I didn't know you like sweets," she said with her eyebrows raised. Shino handed her the bag of sweets and sat down on the bench next to her. She was just about to say something before he interrupted.

"I know that you like sweets and I don't have much of a sweet-tooth but I bought these for you, considering it's your birthday. But don't ever expect me to get you any sweets any other time. They're bad for your teeth," he fixed his glasses with a single finger, "You're lucky it's your birthday otherwise I wouldn't be pushing you all around Konoha either."

"Thank you, Shino-san," she looked at him and smiled. He nodded back at her, said 'you're welcome' and crossed his arms. "Are you sure you don't want some? It's really good. Nice choice." She rustled in the bag some more until she pulled out a chocolate covered candy of some kind. She had a huge grin across her face just before she bit into the sweet morsel. He saw her take the first bite and was glad to know that she did enjoy it. Afterwards, he just looked straight forward and did a little bit of "people-watching".

Nadette suddenly remembered something and bolted up from her wheelchair. This action surprised Shino enough to make him flinch. "What are you doing?"

She looked him up and down with a smirk on her face. "Apparently I am standing. Wow, my workers are fast."

"You should still sit down."

"I should, shouldn't I? But I need to summon Artaois so that he wont be so worried about me. I will sit down afterwards."

Shino just shrugged. He knew that he couldn't stop her anyway so it was no use to try and sway her decision.

Nadette bit her thumb so that a miniscule amount of blood seeped out and she made a few hand signs, "Summoning Jutsu!" And with a cloud of smoke and a banging noise Artaois was summoned. The cloud of smoke had disappeared to reveal a brown bear cub who happened to look more like a black bear cub than brown.

"Oh, Nadette! You're alright! Thank goodness," the bear cub had a rather deep voice, that of an adult human. It was quite comical actually.

"I'm hangin' in there," she said while smiling and petting the cub on his head.

Shino was a slight bit confused. "Wait," he said. Artaois and Nadette suddenly stopped exchanging welcomings. "You are Artaois? I thought Artaois was a larger, full-grown bear that my father and I had seen last night."

"You are correct, young man. I am Artaois and I am capable of growing up to 20 feet standing. I came in this form just for convenience. Besides, I don't want to scare off all the children around here. That wouldn't be very nice, now would it?" He settled himself in Nadette's lap as soon as she made herself comfortable in the wheelchair yet again. "And happy birthday, hon!" Artaois hugged her and then backed up to where he was again, noticing that her wounds haven't healed much since the night before. He turned his head around and seemed a little worried, "How's Auberon doing? Where is he?"

Nadette was wide-eyed at this point. 'How could I forget about Auberon?' She frowned and her face turned white. "I-I don-"

"Auberon is doing alright. My father had taken him home last night. I imagine that he is with my father at the moment." Shino sounded as reassuring as an Aburame could.

"Thank you!" She turned to Shino, slightly shaking and was on the verge of tears, "Thank god he's alright." Nadette happened to be very protective and fond of her little brother. He was only ten years old and half her size but he was a very good person in her life. She pulled herself together as soon as she heard the good news about her brother.

Shino frowned behind his modest clothing but he nodded at her with confirmation. Nadette pulled out a tissue from her pocket and wiped her hidden emotions from her eyes.

Artaois then nodded and hugged Nadette to comfort her. He turned back at Shino, "Thank you, young Aburame for coming to her rescue. I am eternally grateful to you because of your actions. If anything were to happen to Nadette I don't know what I would do." Artaois bowed before Shino.

"Yes," Shino nodded at Artaois. Nadette was looking in a different direction now, focusing her gaze on a shinobi who was walking towards the three of them. He had a huge dog walking alongside him. Nadette was curious but hadn't shown interest in the other ninja. Shino then had noticed his comrade right after Nadette had and he just stared in his direction.

"Hey! Shino!" The ninja yelled, now jogging up to see him. Shino had said hello back to him and both Nadette and Artaois stared at the stranger. The dog walked up right next to him and got even closer to Nadette, sniffing her from a distance. Artaois growled, causing the dog to back up a little.

"Akamaru, you know better than that. Leave that woman be." Akamaru whined and tucked his tail between his legs.

"Humph, dogs," Artaois huffed at Akamaru's action which then made Akamaru growl at his statement. Kiba just stared at the bear cub, almost about to crack a smile from hearing it's manly voice.

"Are you with Shino?" Kiba turned towards Nadette.

"Yes as a friend of course. Otherwise, why else would I be sitting here beside this creepy looking Aburame?" Shino glared at her, "You have to admit you look like an exterminator." She looked in Shino's direction and then towards Kiba who had just been amused at this whole little conversation. He was smiling due to Nadette's little remark and then noticed that Shino looked a little irritated so he just focused his attention back on Nadette. "My name is Melissa Nadette. I am from the Mellifera clan," she replied almost sounding monotone.

"Inuzuka Kiba. I'm Shino's teammate. It's nice to meet you," he put out his hand so that she could shake it. She just stared at it for a moment.

"I'm not big on the whole hand-shaking thing. No offense of course," Nadette finally said. She bowed instead.

"Oh, it's alright. Everyone's different." He then noticed that she was sitting in a wheelchair, much to his surprise. "So what's up with the wheels?"

Both Nadette and Shino glared at Kiba through their sunglasses but they both appeared somewhat aloof. Nadette then pet Artaois on his head and said, "First of all, Kiba, such questions are quite uncomfortable or trivial for the party receiving that kind of remark and second, you may want to ask if it's alright to then continue on with your question, as the person you are speaking with may feel a little discouraged. It may bee a touchy subject for all parties involved." She then relaxed a bit after that and noticed that Kiba held an apologetic expression. "Relax," she said and then continued, "I wont bite, however, I will not answer that question at the moment considering that I have just met you."

"I-I'm sorry, Nadette-san. I didn't mean it that way."

"Yes, I know. It's alright."

Shino was beaming from what Nadette had told Kiba and began to compose his usual facial expression behind his high collar and black sunglasses. "Kiba, what brings you here anyway?"

"Oh, I'm just out for a walk after some training I did with Akamaru. Can't wait for tomorrow's mission, heh. We finally get something excited to do." Kiba jumped for joy and Akamaru barked along his side, also showing his excitement.

"Awww, so I won't have a personal slave tomorrow then, huh? Bummer." Shino knew that Nadette was being sarcastic but glared at her anyway and crossed his arms. Kiba just stared at the scene. "Aw, what's wrong, Shino-san? Were you looking forward to spending some quality waiting on hand an foot tomorrow?"

"You can't be serious, Hon..." Artaois was frowning at her comment.

Kiba faintly blushed and just gaped.

"I'm sure there are plenty of things that my father and your brother could find for you to occupy yourself with while I am away," he said while fixing his glasses. "Besides, you wouldn't want to get sick of being around me for a while. You know that I won't pamper you, instead, I would have you work."

Nadette just stared straight ahead, not looking at either Shino nor Kiba. Kiba was still as confused as he was before about who she was and how they both know each other well. He had to ask. "If you don't mind me asking," he said, trying to seem like he was reprimanding himself from asking ignorant questions, "how do you two know each other?"

Instead of saying anything to Kiba she had just released a couple of workers from underneath her skin. Kiba stared intently, looking a little surprised as Shino decided to speak, "We've known each other since childhood. Our clans are great allies."

"Wow, I didn't know that there was a bee clan living in Konoha."

"That's because generations ago, my clan had started falling apart and branching off with other clans. The biggest issue is that only females of my clan are considered 'hosts' for the bees. Less and less of our clan members through generations had produced females to actually carry out the bloodline limit. Our kin have also perished in battles, so that cut down a significant amount of bee users." She called her workers back to her and they made their way back inside of her. "As a result, both my mother and I are the only true members left."

Kiba looked down and felt somewhat sorry for Nadette. Shino just sat there, emotionless, as usual.

"It's alright though. I am basically the last one left to reproduce. My only option at this point is to also branch off with another clan and see what happens from there. There is no cure-all for genetics." She smiled and pet Artaois on the head again.

"No children anytime soon! I absolutely refuse!" Artaois crossed his arms and then looked over at Shino, "And you. Don't you even think about settling down with my Nadette. Not just yet. You have to talk with me first, young man. I mean it."

"I wouldn't dare to do such a thing," Shino said, now focusing his attention on Artaois.

"Hey, be nice to Shino. He's above that and you know it." She pulled on Artaois' ear to scold him. "And what do you mean 'I wouldn't dare do such a thing'?" Her voice had gotten a little louder when she questioned Shino's statement. He just sat there with is armed crossed, not saying a word. Nadette mentally frowned at his statement.

Kiba stood there, sweat-dropping and confused as ever. He then looked at the sky, noticing that the sun was close to setting. "Heh. Sorry to interrupt but I have to get going now. It's almost dinner time." Shino and Nadette nodded, dismissing him and Artaois just turned the other way. "You ready, buddy?" Kiba looked down at Akamaru as he barked back at him. They headed off after saying their final goodbyes.

"Well, now that I can stand I think it would be a great idea for me to exercise my legs a little bit and walk to the hospital." Nadette set Artaois on the ground and got up to stretch her arms and legs.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Shino asked while also standing up.

"Yes, you should take things easy with that wound, Hon," Artaois agreed with Shino.

She mentally kicked herself for being so stubborn but she knew that she had to get things going really quickly. "I can handle it. Don't you two worry your little heads." She had a slight head start from the two and seemed a little hunched over as she was walking. She was a little down in spirit, after all.

Shino grabbed the wheelchair and pushed it behind Nadette so that he could return it to the hospital. Artaois then jumped on the wheelchair seat expecting a free ride.

"Lazy bear," Shino remarked.

Artaois ignored his statement and sniffed the summer air. Oh how bears were cheery during the summer time. He was definitely not looking forward to winter though, he wouldn't be able to visit Nadette because he would have to hibernate. His cousin could always be summoned, however, because he was a polar bear and they don't hibernate. He was jealous of that fact but grateful that Nadette had called on him the most.

Just before Nadette had reached the hospital corridor someone was calling her name from a distance. She as well as Shino and Artaois turned around to see a young blond boy with golden and blue eyes. Nadette had walked closer to the boy, realizing that the boy was her younger brother.

"Auberon!" Nadette called out to the boy as she started to pick up her pace. Both Shino and Artaois had turned around to catch up with her and that was almost impossible considering the fact that she had just began to run and they both knew that there was no stopping her now, not when she was sprinting as powerful as a charging rhino.

Nadette had finally met up with Auberon and she crouched over him. "Nadette! Are you okay?" Auberon, unlike Nadette and Artio, was prone to express more emotion. Nadette suddenly picked him up and threw him up in the air and caught him and did this about three more times. Auberon was laughing at his sister's playful side.

"Of course I'm okay! You should know that I will live for a while as long as you're here," Nadette set Auberon back on the ground, grinning wide. She was once again tearing up.

Shino and Artaois had just caught up with Nadette and stopped a couple of feet away from them to let them greet each other. Shino was smiling behind his high collar and Artaois was wagging his little stub of a tail.

"Lets get into the hospital room. I need to lie back down because I think I may have exerted too much strength from running to see you."

Auberon nodded and noticed Shino and Artaois. "Hello, Shino-sama!" He walked closer to Shino so that he stood in front of him. "Thank you for looking after my sister, I know that she can be stubborn sometimes."

Shino nodded, "You're welcome."

Nadette had just smiled and began walking towards the hospital. Auberon walked by her side and was smiling contently while Shino and Artaois followed closely behind.

They finally arrived in the room and Shino had helped Nadette lie back down. She thanked him and he nodded back at her. Shino had let Auberon sit in the chair so that he could visit with Nadette without standing. Auberon had reached into his bag and was looking for something.

"So how was your day, kiddo?" Nadette took off her glasses and coat to get more comfortable.

"It was good. Shibi-sama and I made you something. Here!" He handed her something wrapped up. Must've been food of some kind. "It's sweet cake. Happy birthday, Nadette." Auberon smiled sweetly. Shino had looked a little surprised.

"You've gotten plenty of sweets for your birthday. I will have to restrict you from sweets for the whole week," said Shino who now moved closer to Nadette.

"Yes, only you would be the one to take away my fun, eh Shino-san?" Nadette smiled at Shino and he nodded in agreement afterwards. She smirked at his action and began to become occupied with Auberon's rambling.

Shino had just stood back to look at the loving scene between siblings and he crossed his arms and just pondered. He was glad to see her after so long from being separated from her father. He was feeling happy and content that she was feeling happy after such a tragic event had just happened to her. He was also glad that he could spend more time with her because, after all, she was his best friend and he did miss her all those years that she wasn't allowed to see him. He was unsure, however, of how things would be while living with her. He knew that she hadn't changed much, temperament wise and that's something that he could probably work with, but he was really unsure about her life aside from family and being the Jonin that she was.

Shino just realized that it was time for him to leave to prepare for his mission tomorrow with Kiba and Hinata so he said his goodbyes and brought Auberon back home with him. On their way back, Auberon suddenly looked up at Shino and he looked back down at him with raised eyebrows.

"Shino-sama. Are you dating my sister?" Auberon smiled up at him.

Shino looked back up and it almost looked like his eyebrows were receding towards his hairline. "No. What would give you that idea?"

"Well, the way you take care of her. Not even Mum is that patient with Nadette." Auberon looked forward and then he looked a little confused, "Shibi-sama had also told me that you touched one of her panties earlier today. That's what boyfriends do, right? The touch their girlfriend's panties!"

Shino gawked and turned extremely red, "Don't be ridiculous. She simply asked me to get her clothes for her and that's what a went to go and do." He looked the other way from being embarrassed for having to explain the incident to her younger brother nonetheless.

"Heh heh. It's okay. I am just teasing you," He chuckled and looked up at Shino, "And besides, I wouldn't mind if you two were together. Nadette has told me many stories of when you guys were little and how you two always stood up for each other and protected one another. That seems like a really good companionship to me."

Shino stared straight ahead and he did think about it, but thinking was all he could do at the moment. 'Why would my father even mention that to him?' Shino had face-palmed himself mentally at that point.

End Chapter 2

Thank you everyone for reviewing and for the hits! Much appreciated.

Notes: I tried to make chapter 2 a bit longer than the first one so that I could get my school work done. I'm extremely sorry if it seems really long and drawn out and I must admit that I didn't like this chapter as much.

I also added two new characters to the story and I plan on using them as much as I can.

It was a pleasure to write for you guys and don't forget to review so that I can see what needs to be done to make my work even better. Thank you.~