AN: Long overdue, I know. Sorry! Hope you guys can forgive me? Anywho, on with the story.

Fireflies

By KawaiPanda

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When I woke up, it wasn't in my own bed, and because I was a high ranking kunoichi, and a very freaked out one at that, I immediately reached for my weapons pouch, only to find it missing. I felt my throat constrict a bit in fear and began to undo my hair to use one of my lesser known weapons, I had wire able to cut through pretty much anything in the bands of the hair ties, when I realized that my weapons pouch was placed right next to my face on an endtable next to the bed in which I had slept in. Frowning, I sat up and yanked it to me, the panic nearly gone, but not completely. After all, I still did not know where I was and I was definitely going to rectify that situation.

The room in which I was in was spotless, save for a few books here and there. I realized I must be in someone's room, because it just gave off that feel, and slowly crept to the only door.

Surprisingly, it was unlocked and I hesitantly stepped through the threshold to go out into the hall, unless it was a trap, and before the thought even formed in my mind, I had a kunai out, clenched in my palm.

"Tenten-san." Startled, I tossed the weapon in the direction of the voice, and flipped back several feet to put some distance between me and them. Only as soon as I got a good look at who the owner of the voice was, I blanced and everything clicked.

"Aburame-sama! I apologize." I bowed at the waist, arms by my side. At his chuckle, I dared glance up at the head of the Aburame clan, Shibi, Shino's father.

"No need. I'm sure you were just protecting yourself. No harm, no fowl." He held out his palm, the kunai resting atop it. Hesitantly, I took it back into my possession.

"Forgive me, but why am I here?" I asked, wanting to know exactly why I was here in the Aburame's clan compound instead of my small apartment.

"My son brought you in last night, claiming you had fallen asleep where he was researching, and did not want to break into your apartment."

"Oh..." Makes sense... After all, the last thing Iclearly remembered last night was the fireflies... and being warmed by someone who smelled very good. He started walking away, and because I was unsure of what else to do, I followed him, and was led to the kitchen, where several people sat, silent, eating, and staring at me, the intruder. I hesitantly lifted a hand in greeting, and most of them went back to their various forms of breakfast.

"Tenten-san." Startled, I glanced at the older man, whom looked exactly like his son, a blush staining my cheeks.

"Y-yes?"

"Would you do me a favor and wake my son from his slumber. He is in the den, just down that hallway." He pointed at one of the various doorways and I nodded. "I will start preparing a meal for the three of us."

"O-okay." Slowly, I walked in the direction he had given me, and wandered around, looking for the bug shinobi that happened to be a year younger than myself, and just as strong, if not stronger. I finally found him on the sofa, his arm drapped over his forehead, legs slightly jutting from the arm of the sofa.

He was one of the tallest in her age bracket, only an inch or two shorter than his teammate, Kiba. he wore standard ninja garb, a black shirt, and black ninja pants. his jacket was neatly folded over a chair in front of a desk and his sunglasses on top of said desk.

Speaking of sunglasses, I got a bit curious, and wondered a bit about the man laying down in front of me.

He was so mysterious.

After all, like all Aburame, he wore an oversized jacket and sunglasses. no one really knew why, but like the mysterious mystery that was Kakashi Hatake's mask, there was a pot on what they wore them for. I assumed it had something to do with his jutsu... the beetles.

Bugs were not my strong suit. I mean, I didn't hate them, in fact, some of them were pretty cool, but the ones that bite and sting, and were just overall gross, I couldn't stand.

Clearing my throat, I waited for Shino to wake up, only he didn't. And after waiting a few long moments, I stepped a bit closer and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Shino-san..."

His eyes flew open, unfocused only momentarily. I was startled at the clarity of the yellow eyes staring at me.

"Tenten-san." He stood and grabbed his sunglasses, once more keeping the world from viewing them. They were eerily beautiful too. Rivaling the Hyuuga in how unique they were. He sighed. "I assume my father has sent you to find me."

"Y-yes. Shino-san..."

"Yes."

"About your eyes-"

"I would rather you forget you saw them."

"A-alright." Oddly, since last night, I could keep from stuttering, and it was about to piss me off that this boy who was a year younger than me could inflict it. I didn't know him. I saw him on occasion, and trained with his team, but I did not know him. And who was he to cause my heart to flutter about wildly in my chest? No one did that! Not even the icecube I had as a teammate, Neji. I was long over the stupid crush I had on him years ago and Shino Aburame was not going to take his place.

I refused to be like the other girls, my heart taking presidence over my training.

He walked out of the room, pulling on his jacket as did so, and I followed several feet behind.

When we came into the kitchen, everyone was gone save for Shibi.

While Shino sat down at the table, I stood awkwardly, clearing my throat to get the clan leader's attention.

"Anything wrong Tenten-san?"

"N-no. It's just I need to get going..." I scratched my head hesitatly, feeling bad for lying to the man. After all, he let me stay here overnight, and made me food! But it felt weird being here... I felt so out of place, a stranger in their home who didn't belong... who would never belong.

"Please, stay for breakfast."

"Really, I can't. I would love to, but I have to meet with my teammates." A blatent lie, but hopefully he couldn't tell.

"Alright. Son, escort Tenten-san home." My eyes widened, I was trying to get away from the beetle host, not spend even more time with him.

"Yes father."

"Really, it isn't necessary!"

"Still, I would feel better if he walked you home." I hung my head and nodded. I gave up really, there was no reasoning with him from the tone in his voice.

"Alright."

Shino stood and walked away, leaving me to follow him.

He didn't speak to me the entire time we walked to my place, which was almost halfway across Konaha. Before we were halfway there, we were stopped by several of our friends, Naruto freaking out and pointing at both me and Shino in shock, asking us if we were dating.

Shino didn't even bother to answer, walking away quickly, while I shook my head at Naruto and his antics. I knew that a few years ago he had accused Shikamaru and Temari of the same thing just because Shikamaru was escorting the Suna ambassador around Konaha.

It wasn't long after our encounter with Naruto that we reached my apartment.

"Thanks for walking me."

"..."

"You didn't have to though... I'm sure nothing would have happened to me on the way here."

"..."

Fed up with the silent treatment, I glared at the man in front of me. "Look Shino, I didn't mean to see your eyes, I was only trying to wake you up."

"Understandable."

"So you accept my apology?"

"No."

"W-what? Why not?"

"..." He said nothing, and turned around, walking away, leaving my question unanswered. I felt my eye twitch in annoyance, but proceeded to head into my apartment. I had no plans of chasing after him for an answer. Nope. It's didn't matter to me what he thought. In fact, he could take my apology and shove it for all I care.

AN: Reviews are much appreciated!