Hey everyone!! Sorry it took me so long to update; I was updating several of my other stories… I know… You're all just like "Sakucherryblossoms just finish one damn story and move on to another."

I really should, but I can't help myself. :) I love teasing you all.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 3: Shino Aburame

Hello Sakura-san,

I would very much like to ask you a question. Would you like to escort me on an outing this evening or the next? Please answer back.

Shino Aburame

Name: Shino Aburame

Sex: Male

Birthday: January 23

Age: 19

Appearance: I am tall, have brown hair and wear sunglasses.

Current Rank: Jounin

About Me: I enjoy bugs.

My mouth dropped to what seemed to be the floor as I reread the message, again. "Ino… please tell me you're reading this?!"

"Shino?" Ino asked with a raise of the eyebrow. "Quiet, little, 'I love Bugs' Shino… asked you out on a date?"

I nodded my head vigorously as I tried to comprehend what just happened myself. "What should I do?"

"I dunno, Forehead," Ino replied while thinking wistfully. "To tell you the truth, I always thought Shino was gay… and then again he did say he wanted to take you out on an 'outing' and not a date."

"Stupid Pig," I commented as I threw a flower vase at the blonde's head. She narrowly dodged, but her mouth was shut nonetheless. "I think I'll say yes."

"Are you sure, Forehead?"

"I already told you I'd go through with all the dates from this silly little website; I promised you."

Hello Shino-san,

I wanted to let you know that I would love going on a date with you. I get off work around four-thirty tomorrow night, and would enjoy your company. Give me a few minutes to change; let's say four-forty? I'll see you outside the hospital then.

Sakura

I walked into the changing room at the hospital. I read the clock as I entered and noticed it was exactly four-thirty. Walking over to my locker, I grabbed a casual strapless green dress, and a black sweater.

I smiled and walked back outside; it was lovely outside again. The sun was shining and there was a light breeze that made the air feel completely comfortable. Walking down the hospital steps, I noticed Shino already waiting for me at the bottom.

"Hello, Shino," I said with a slight wave and a smile. Walking up beside him, I saw him wearing his long trench coat and matching high collared shirt; I could barely see his face, but he appeared to be smiling… I think. "It's so beautiful outside today."

"Indeed it is, Sakura-san," Shino commented as he took my hand. I was a bit shocked to say the least, as Shino did this, but I said nothing as I descended the bottom step.

I smiled at the warmness of Shino's hand, he always seemed so cold.; not completely cold just stand offish… "Where are we going?" I asked as my smile seemed to grow. I think this was going to be a better day than I thought.

I could see the cheeks on Shino's face lift up, like he was smiling under his collar. "It's a surprise."

"Guys and surprises," I muttered under my breath as Shino gave my hand a light squeeze. "I'm at least properly dressed, though, right? I'm not too overdressed or anything, am I? I really wasn't sure what to wear, and this-"

"No," Shino said with a glance over to me. It was hard to notice when he did though, glance at me I mean; his sunglasses prevented me from seeing his eyes, and even seeing his reaction. "You look quite appropriate."

I had to blush at his wording; Shino really did know how to make a woman feel appreciated. "Thank you, Shino."

I saw Shino's cheeks uplift again, and knew he was smiling; at least a little bit. "We'll be there soon."

"Where?" I asked; I couldn't help but be excited. Shino was so mysterious… it seemed like everything he did was mysterious.

"Here," Shino said as we came to a building. It appeared to be in a deserted area, and I was starting to feel a little nervous. I had never been in this part of Konoha before; I had not even known it existed..

"Where is here, Shino?" I asked him with slight apprehension in my tone. "Or why are we here?"

"You'll see," Shino said as his cheeks uplifted even more. I watched as he opened the door in front of me, and turned again toward me. "I haven't really shown this to anyone…"

I could see Shino still read the apprehension in my eyes. He grabbed my hand again, and slowly walked me into the warehouse-like building.

My eyes were shut as a sudden heat zipped through my body. Opening my eyes, I had to gasp. Before me stood the most beautiful garden I had ever seen. There were thousands of different colors of flowers laid out before me… beautiful pinks and blues; yellows and greens; and purple and orange.

"This is beautiful, Shino," I said softly as he held my hand gently. Shino slowly guided me inside the green house; I couldn't prevent the smile from coming to my face. "Why haven't you shown this to anyone else?"

I saw the tips of Shino's cheek's grow into a deep blush, and I could not help but let my smile grow. "Not many people know I'm so into flowers," Shino stated as he took me down a particular beautiful row of flowers. "It should be obvious though… flowers and insects; they go pretty hand in hand."

"But bugs help the flowers grow don't they?" I asked as we kept walking; Shino's hand was still in my own. I figured that his hands would be cold, but they weren't. They were surprisingly warm, and I think they felt almost perfect against my own slightly chilled ones.

"Yes," Shino commented with a nod. I could see that he was smiling again, and it made me smile. I had never seen Shino smile before; I had barely even noticed Shino since the Chuunin exams. It was hard to; Shino tended to blend into the background, but I couldn't help but notice him now.

I noticed Shino's smile grow. "This is my favorite spot," Shino commented as we came to what appeared to be the middle of the green house. There was a large cherry blossom tree surrounded by a small river.

I couldn't even breathe, the sight before me was too beautiful. I glanced over at Shino who now had a remote control in his hand. Without looking at me, he clicked a button, and the roof of the building began to open.

I could not stop another gasp as I noticed the sun had started to set, and I could see the start of some stars in the sky.

"If you do not close your mouth, Sakura," Shino stated in a casual tone, "I believe my bugs will start catching there."

I could help the slight laugh as I turned toward Shino. "Was that a joke?" I asked Shino as a large grin grew on my face. He nodded, and I couldn't help but hug him. He was so cute and I just couldn't help myself.

"We should start on dinner, Sakura," Shino spoke softly even though his arms were still wrapped around me, and mine him.

"Dinner?" I asked as I slowly detached myself from his grasp. "I didn't know we'd be having dinner here."

Shino smiled and nodded toward the blanket located next to the sakura tree. Two picnics within two days; I was a lucky girl. Shino smiled again, and took me by the hand. Slowly, he pulled me over to the blanket where we both sat down.

"Did you make this yourself?" I asked as I looked into the picnic basket with surprise; the food looked really good…

"Yes," Shino stated as he began unbuttoning the top of his high collared shirt. He didn't stop unbuttoning it until it was just below his chin. I smiled as Shino smiled back at me; his face was sharp, but still he looked handsome. "Even since I moved away from my home I've been having to cook for myself."

"When did you move out?" I asked as Shino passed her a sandwich.

"Two years ago," Shino said as he chewed his sandwich softly. "I didn't want to depend on my parents for too long."

"I can relate," I said with a nod. "After I became Jounin I needed my own place; it was just too complicated to be coming home in the wee hours of the morning, and even if I tried not to, I always seemed to wake up my parents... It's really not their fault; I kept running into things in the dark."

"So you're a shinobi, yet you're not graceful?" Shino asked with a sly smile. This was the first time I had seen his smile; it was almost crooked, but it still held a bit of tease in it.

"I am," I said with a slight pout. Setting down my sandwich I stood, and walked over to the small river. Placing chakra into my feet, I walked on top of the water and motioned for Shino to come join me. "Come dance with me; I'll show you how graceful I can be."

Shino smiled and stood. He walked over to the river I stood on, and also placed chakra into his feet. Grasping one of my hands, Shino placed his other on my hip as he began to hum a soft tune.

Smiling, I closed my eyes as I leaned against Shino; this date was turning out to be surprisingly romantic. As Shino's song ended I opened my eyes and slowly leaned away from Shino. "That was really nice," I stated with a sincere smile on my face.

"We should get back to eating," Shino commented as he took my hand again. I smiled and we both turned to our blanket only to stop dead in our tracks.

"Shino," I commented as my eyes widened. "Do you still like bugs?"

Before me was our picnic, or what was left of it. What appeared to be thousands of bugs were now scattered across our blanket, and our food was completely devoured.

"I guess they were kind of hungry," Shino stated with a slight bit of disappointment. "I'm sorry… this was probably the worst date you've ever been on."

"Don't worry about it, Shino," I said as I squeezed his hand lightly. "The food was really good, and this was really quite wonderful."

"Thank you," Shino stated to me with a serene smile on his face. He in turn squeezed my hand lightly and walked me to the door of the building. "This was amazing, Sakura."

"I enjoyed it too," I said as my smile widened slightly.

"Would you ever consider going on another date with me?" Shino asked as he stopped at the door. I glanced back at him, and gave him a smile.

"Of course I would, Shino," I said as I gave him a tight hug. "This date really wasn't a disaster; I really did enjoy myself."

"I'm glad," Shino stated as he gave me another slightly crooked smile. "I'll email you later then, Sakura."

"Sounds good, Shino," I said as I started to walk away. "I'll see you later."

I sighed as I walked back to my apartment; I really had wished Shino had walked me home. Smiling slightly however, I really did enjoy that date with Shino. He had been romantic, and that was something I was unaware Shino could be.

I came to my apartment as I allowed my mind to think about the next potential boyfriend. Ino really did want me to find one... What if all these guys turned out to be amazing? I really wouldn't know what to do with myself if that was the case.