Thank you for your kind words and reviews and favoriting and subscribing, I really do appreciate them!
They motivate me to write more. :)
Sorry for the really really long wait, but I prefer quality over quantity.
I just recently moved into college. So yeah, lots of work for me! Yay.
But in all seriousness I love college life :D
Even with the massive amounts of work. Homework. Labs. Papers. All of it.
FINALLY FINISHED MY FIRST EVER SEMESTER OF COLLEGE! :D
And now onto the Spring semester…
This chapter was edited/extended/re-uploaded. ENJOY! ^_^
A WALLFLOWER'S CURSE
Chapter 3: It's Finally Done
"Just don't deny it,
Don't try to fight this, and deal with it
and that's just part of it"
-Apocalyptica
Aburame Shino woke up, quite literally, on the wrong side of the bed. In fact, he was off it. On the floor.
That's odd. He thought to himself. I haven't fallen off my bed while I was sleeping in about…well, a long time. Of course his memory decides to "fail" him now.
He moved his arm a little and noticed something poking him. He looked around to found his sunglasses, crushed.
"Ugh."
He rubbed his face, plowing over his features with his hands, trying to wake himself up more fully from an uncomfortable night's sleep. (Only uncomfortable because he woke up.)
Lazily, he picked himself up from the hardwood floor, dragged his feet to his dresser, picked out a new, yet identical pair of sunglasses, and placed them on his face, all nonchalantly of course.
He stretched on his way to the bathroom and let out a yawn. Around this time, he would've been returning home from bug-hunting, but today was a day he wanted to make sure he was well rested.
Because today was the day his favorite person in the whole wild world was coming to visit for a week. The joy was practically leaping off his face. (Not really.)
He looked at himself in the mirror and went through his usual morning routine: brush teeth, shave, wash face, and leave hair alone.
Check, check, check, and check.
Usually, shower would be added to the mix, but again, that would be when he returned from gathering more species to study.
He got dressed in time to hear a knock on the door. Dreading the possible person, or persons standing on the other side of the door, he was seriously considering not answering and leaving the house, through a window if necessary.
But then he recognized the knock. He would recognize that knock anywhere.
It was loud and obnoxious, just like the mouth of his fanged canine-like teammate.
He sighed in relief and pursued to open the door.
"I got news!" Kiba grinned and nearly knocked down the front door the Aburame residents just as Shino unlatched the lock. "I did it! It's finally done!"
"What is done?" Signature monotone voice.
"I finally set up Hinata and that numbskull!"
"…" What!? Already!? He was thankful for his sunglasses because his eyes were wide from surprise.
"I told Uzumaki that there's a friend I wanted to set him up with, and it worked!"
"…" That actually worked?
"They're going on a date tonight and of course I'll be following, ya know, just in case he tries anything." He smirked and then looked back to his sleepy friend. "You up for it?"
The insect wielder tried not to let a reaction slip, but his eyebrows raised out of habit. He tried to pass it off for curiosity.
"Don't try to deny it, it's written all over your face!"
Shino was annoyed, but didn't confirm or deny anything.
"Ok, bug freak, I'll meet you back here at your place tonight at six!" He called before running out towards the center of the village in a hurry.
Head a bit spinning, the Aburame trudged back into his room and dropped himself on his bed.
Naruto is going on a date with…Hinata…he couldn't help but want to slap himself to make sure he was awake.
Hinata is going on a date…with Naruto…Asleep or awake, it was a bit of a nightmare either way.
"Wallflowers deserve to be happy too."
SHUT UP!
He tried desperately to rid himself of the thought. Not because he didn't think it was true – he knew it was true – but more so he didn't want to realize yet that his chances might be up.
Hinata was going on a date with Naruto. He had plenty of chances to make a move, but didn't. Especially the times they trained together, alone.
Hinata was going on a date with Naruto. Kiba set it up because he wanted her to be happy. They both wanted her to be happy.
Hinata was going on a date with Naruto. She loves him. She always has.
Then the question of "does Naruto love her back?" popped into his head.
He tried holding onto the hope of a possible "No." but he knew better.
Again, he cursed knowing.
Naruto not returning Hinata's feelings may only devastate her.
And besides. She deserves someone who isn't so selfish. He forced himself to remember.
He continued to lay on his bed and stream thoughts through his head until his father called him.
Aburame Shibi was the source of which Shino inherited these perks of being a wallflower. Thus, he knew from the moment he entered the living room that his son was not fully himself.
All observation of course: looking downward in thought instead of being alert, allowing his glasses to slip off his face enough to see the edges of his eyes, eyebrows nit together. They were not unusual characteristics for Shino, but very unusual if all at the same time.
Shino didn't wake up early to collect new specimens, but Shibi knew his son wanted rest to be able to deal with his cousin.
But it was clear to him that the clan heir had something else he had to deal with. But whether it was in or out of his head was something he figured not to ask. At least not yet.
Shino was always the confident type; only asking for help if necessary. Similar to how he spoke: when necessary.
He dealt with his problems like all Aburame men: in silence and, in most times, in solitude.
He took a seat next to his father on the couch.
"Good, you're sitting." That can only mean one thing. One dreaded thing: "They're here."
"…" He looked around, but saw no one. "Unloading?"
"Yes, they decided to take the larger carriage this time."
That can only mean one thing: they needed more space for luggage. "…Why?" Please…no…
Shibi looked away, out the window. The Aburame heir's irritation was evident in the restlessness in his Kikaichu.
"Please don't tell me…"
"Sorry, but they're going to need to stay more than a week."
I knew it…and I wish I didn't… "…How long, exactly?"
"A month."
"…"
There was a knock on the door that saved Shibi from some intense glaring from his son.
"Hello." He greeted his sister, her husband, and her son. He tried not to sound monotone, but he wasn't sure how to, so it didn't work out.
"Shibi!" Anci jumped on her brother to hug him, followed by a hand shake from Aoki, and another hand shake from Aito.
"Shino, say hello to your aunt, uncle, and cousin." He practically elbowed him in the stomach trying to 'nudge' him.
He composed himself in time to answer with a generic "Hello. How nice to see you again. It's been a long time."
"Too long!" Her aunt cheered and hugged her nephew. "It's been a whole year!"
"Shino. Show your cousin to your room, where he will be staying." That last part left a small painful echo in his ears.
Without even looking at Aito's face, he had spun on his heels and headed towards his bedroom, forcing his cousin to follow in step, hesitantly.
They both remained silent, glasses high at the bridges of their noses.
"Here." Is what Shino said by the gesture of pointing at the futon parallel to the bed.
Without a word Aito placed his bags at the end of the bed. He then proceeded to take out a bottle of some sort of cleaning solution and rag and scrub the thin mattress. "Hope it's not too dirty." He said by the gesture.
Shino left, giving the response: "Fuck you."
"Where are you going?" Shibi asked as he caught his son try to walk out in a bit of a hurry.
Shino turned to him and thought for a moment trying to find the right way to phrase what he wanted to say, but thought better of it and decided to lie. "I'm training with my team today. I will be home late after sunset."
"Alright." He nodded, giving permission for his son to continue out the door.
"Really, Shibi." He heard his aunt try to lecture his father. "Allowing your son so much freedom. It's not good for a boy his age."
Of course, his father remained silent. He knew she didn't understand and didn't bother to try to explain it. Neither she, nor her husband, nor her son were shinobi, so she wouldn't truly know the responsibilities of a ninja. She was an odd Aburame in more ways than one. She was not included in the tradition of the Bug-users for some reason and did not allow her son to participate either. They were Kikaichu-free Aburame to say the least.
This being the reason they never really understood the ways of living with the Kikaichu.
This being the reason Aito never understood Shino.
This being the reason Aito resented Shino so much as family; being a part of the family all together.
And Shino resented being related to Aito because he is a proud member of the Aburame clan. And not only that, but the heir.
It was all one vicious circle.
But they dealt with it. In their own ways.
Walking around the village seemed so much more appealing than being near his cousin at the moment. He much preferred thinking of what to expect when spying on a certain Hyuuga and a certain Uzumaki during their date later in the evening.
He didn't expect to run into Hinata as he was walking, though. Well, it was more that Hinata bumped into Shino, which is not surprising considering the size difference.
His breath stopped at the warmth of the tiny form on his chest.
"Sorry!" She looked up and relaxed when she realized it was him. "Oh! Shino! Good morning!"
"Good morning." He returned as she pulled away (much to his dismay).
"What are you doing in town?"
"Avoiding my cousin." He uttered in slight disgust.
"Oh…Aito's visiting?"
"Unfortunately."
Shino and Hinata had already talked about Aito during one of their duo training sessions when the subject of people not understanding the strange ways of the Aburame clan was brought up. Of course, Shino didn't say too much on the subject – not that he says much on a regular basis – but Hinata didn't need to hear too much to understand.
"Oh…well I'm sure things will be okay. Just spend a little less time in the house. That's all." She gave a cute smile that lightened his mood. Spending less time in his house was the first thing on his mind anyways. It was like she read his mind.
A few moments of silence passed. Silence between them was never really awkward. They just knew how to appreciate each other's company.
"You have something on your mind." He looked towards the sky, avoiding eye contact for the conversation he knew would follow.
"Oh…" It didn't surprise her he knew that she had something on her mind. He usually did. "…I was just thinking…" She bit her bottom lip. "about tonight…"
"Your date with Naruto?"
"..oh…I guess Kiba already told you…"
"You are nervous?" More of an observation than a question.
"Well…yeah…" He could see the doubt in her eyes. Hinata was afraid of rejection more than anything.
"You doubt yourself. Again."
She looked up at him. And then looked down in disappointment in herself. "I know I shouldn't…"
"You are only human." He pointed out blatantly as-a-matter-of-factly "Humans are destined to make mistakes. It is a matter of what you do with them."
Her frown turned upside down. She was always able to take comfort in his quirky words of wisdom.
"It's just…sometimes…I wonder if I'm making the right decisions…"
Was she having second thoughts?
A sudden change of heart?
Is there a chance that she's gotten over Naruto in the time she's spent silently pining for him?
Has she noticed his lack of observational skills?
"But I think I'm making a good decision now."
He could only hope.
And sometimes he wished hoping was enough.
But he knew better.
"What are you doing in town?" He was curious.
"Oh…I was waiting for Sakura. We were supposed to eat lunch together, but she got called into the hospital last minute."
He looked at her, and then shifted his eyes to the adorable little restaurant across from them. Then, looked back to her.
He jerked his head once to the direction of the restaurant and she smiled to accept his invitation and followed his lead.
"I've actually never eaten here before."Hinata stated as she ducked under the tarp Shino held up for her. The restaurant was busy, but not too crowded.
"It just opened a few weeks ag – "
"Hello! Table for two?" A peppy waitress popped out of nowhere.
"Um, y-yes, please."
"Alright, right this way." She led the two to a secluded table in the corner with a single red rose and a single pink rose in a vase on the table. "Here are your menus, I'll be back in a moment to take your order." She smirked at the two.
Hinata watched as Shino poured the tan liquid into her teacup, then his. "Thank you."
He watched as she looked the menu over. More observing: she was wearing a different type of lip gloss. Either that or it was chap stick. It was a different shade than her usual coat.
Whatever she was wearing, Shino kept staring at her lips.
His eyes then shifted upward.
Her eyes were free of make up as they always were. He was careful not to look into them, though. Looking into her eyes would only enthrall him. He wanted to avoid that as much as possible. (Though a part of him wanted to be even more enthralled by her than he already was.)
"Have you eaten here before?" Hinata asked.
"No."
"What do you want to eat?"
"I have no preference other than that it – "
"Doesn't have a strong smell." She smiled cutely as she kept her eyes on the menu.
"Am I that predictable?"
"Well, if you say it every time we all go out to eat, you'll eventually notice the pattern."
"So I am that predictable?"
"It's not a bad thing."
He thought for a moment. "Wouldn't it be boring?"
Now she thought for a moment. "Only if you want to think of it that way."
"And it's not like you're always predictable." She added as her delicate lips curved.
He had to catch his breath at that smile.
I'm not always predictable. Hinata got him thinking. And even if I'm predictable, it's not always a bad thing. And he couldn't help but smile at the thought.
"Point."
"Thank-you. What's the score now?"
"Ten to fifteen."
"I'll catch up, don't worry."
"Perhaps."
She giggled at his cockiness. "Just you wait."
"For how long?"
"As long as it takes."
"…Point."
"See, I'm catching up already."
"We'll see."
"Yes. We will."
They both smiled at their own little game of who can prove more points.
Shino would always take the lead, but Hinata was always right there behind him.
(Not that he let himself get too far from her.)
During their game, Shino almost missed that Hinata had ordered for him. And he could smell his bowl of soup before it was placed in front of him.
"You know I dislike foods with strong smells."
"Yes, but you also said you did not have a preference and last week you said you wanted to try new things, even if it smelled strong, remember?"
"...Point."
"I believe we're tied."
"We are. And I believe you're trying to kill me with this food."
"Really? Becaue I believe you enjoy dying with the way you're eating it."
"The things you do to me." You have no idea.
"I try."
"You suceed."
"Win!"
"Not yet, we're still tied."
"You know what I mean."
"Indeed." He always knows.
He knew a lot of things.
Their lunch date was forced to an end because a certain someone had to get ready for their date later in the evening, much to another certain someone else's displeasure. They parted temporarily for they would meet the next day for training.
With dusk just a few hours away Shino decided to preoccupy his time at Kiba's house to meet him sooner rather than later.
"Hmph." He heard a voice from a familiar tree.
"You again?" He felt her presence before she even made that sound.
"Yup. I'm not that easy to get rid of."
"I'm not afraid of a challenge."
"Look, I'm just trying to help."
"...With?"
"Like I said before: 'Wallflowers deserve to be happy, too.'" She quoted herself.
He sighed in slight frustration.
"You're a smart guy. I'm sure by now that you've noticed that she doesn't even stutter once around you. Nor is she as quiet as when she's around other people."
"What's your point?"
"My point is that you are someone special to her, believe it or not, but you probably don't. Because you keep thinking that you don't deserve her."
"She has another."
"You didn't deny my point."
"..."
There was light tension in the air.
Tamari let out a sigh. "In my opinion, regarding relationships, it's better if the guy loves the girl more than the girl loves the guy. That way, the girl is loved, and the guy is closer to feeling like he deserves her. Just saying."
"Are you done, yet?"
Sensing his Kikaichu, she decided to drop the conversation.
"Okay, I'll back off. Just remember what I said, okay?"
She picked up her giant fan and left with a leap, but added in "you know where to find me" before disappearing.
'In my opinion, regarding relationships, it's better if the guy loves the girl more than the girl loves the guy.' He was processing what she said. 'That way, the girl is loved, and the guy is closer to feeling like he deserves her. Just saying.' And it might have given him a little hope.
And Kami knows he needs it.
On his way to Kiba's house, he couldn't help but remember his dream from the night before.
It was raining, pouring in fact.
He was in a forest that encircled a lush meadow.
In the meadow was a feminine figure.
He stood there in the rain, watching.
He watched her dance in the rain, soaked to the bone.
He watched her skip through the delicious green foliage around her.
He watched her and watched her and couldn't stop watching her.
He didn't know who she was or where she came from.
But he didn't care. He just continued watching.
Because she was graceful and beautiful.
Because she laughed a sweet laugh.
Because she enjoyed the simplest of nature's treats.
And appreciated it.
But he couldn't tear his eyes away, most of all, because she seemed familiar.
Familiar to someone very precious to him.
Then he woke up.
And that's all there was to it.
That is, until probably the next time he sleeps, for this dream has been reoccurring for a while now.
"Dude!" Kiba saw Shino approach his house and ran to the door before Shino could even knock. He tried to surprise Shino, but it never really works. In fact, he fails. "I got Sakura in on this and she's gonna make Hinata look so hot, that there's no way Naruto could say no to her!"
"…"
Shino loved Kiba like a brother (although he'd never admit it), but at that point, he was very close to slowly strangling his oblivious teammate.
"…And you are the same one who said to follow them in case he wanted to try anything? Well, I don't think that Hinata wearing something skimpy will help." (Although, Shino didn't exactly protest the thought of Hinata in something that showed off more of her curves, but nothing too inappropriate.)
"I know, but if we want this to work, we gotta get his attention on her."
If we want this to work…Shino thought to himself.
"Besides, I've always wondered what she actually looked like under that jacket…"
"You mean her female anatomy?"
"Yeah, that."
(Awkward silence)
So there you have it.
Review if worthy! It's appreciated! :)