here's chapter three. thanks for the faves/reviews/alerts! Hope you guys like it!


CHAPTER THREE A Change of Plans.

Shino left the restaurant and began to walk toward the Hokage tower. He had an afternoon meeting with his ANBU team and the hokage. Entering the tower, he sat on the bench to wait for the arrival of his other team members. He was disappointed that with this new mission, he would not be able to have dinner with Sakura. They hadn't had a quiet to themselves evening in over three weeks. Sakura had missions, plus extra work at the hospital. Shino and his team had returned from the Land of Waves a day ago. He let go of the possibility that he would be able to snuggle behind her in bed as he drifted off to sleep. The thought was pushed aside as he sensed Kiba coming up the stairs. Kiba arrived with mud and dirt caked around his sandals. Instantly Shino could imagine the trail of mud that Cocoa would leave in the apartment.

"Kiba, your sandals are filthy." Shino stated.

"Don't worry the dogs aren't like this." Kiba answered. "Damn kids at the academy asked me to kick the ball around with them."

Despite being aggressive and crude at times, Kiba loved kids. He always jumped at the chance to help Iruka sensei, and the kids loved him and Akamaru. Shino supposed it was because Kiba was at best a giant kid himself.

"Good." Shino stood as the other two members of their team arrived. They proceeded up the stairs to the Hokage's office. Shino knocked the door and waited for a response.

"Come in!" shouted a very agitated Hokage.

The ANBU team entered the office. Standing in front of Lady Tsunade, Shino reached into his coat to retrieve the information scroll from their last mission. He had turned a formal report in to the ANBU office, but the Hokage wanted a briefing on the mission also. The head shinobi of Konoha took the scroll. A loud poof was heard, and in the office appeared a medic.

"What the hell?" Tsunade shouted. "I'm in a meeting!"

The entire ANBU team jumped at the outburst of the lady in front of them. Shino regained his composure, and Kiba grinned at the startled look on the medic's face.

"Lady Hokage, please forgive me. You are urgently needed at the hospital." the medic bowed his head before the hokage. "There is a situation."

"Tell me," the blonde laced her fingers together, and placed her chin on her hand. Her focus now turned to the medic.

"ANBU Squad Juuni returned late last night, and all four are in a critical state." He spoke. "Sakura san has requested your assistance, she is close to exhaustion."

Shino's head jerked toward the medic at the mention of Sakura's name. Kiba gave the bug nin a concerned look from the corner of his eye.

"Why the hell wasn't I called sooner!? It's almost three in the afternoon!! Let's go. Shino your team is dismissed." Tsunade said quickly. Her temper was staring to flare. She looked at Shino and gave him a glance that she hoped would calm him. The hokage stood and with a poof disappeared.

"We have been dismissed." Shino stated to his team. He turned and walked from the room. Kiba followed closely.

"Shino man wait up." Kiba knew Shino was headed toward the hospital. The last time Sakura suffered from exhaustion, she collapsed for three days. The bug nin was nearly out of his mind watching her during that time. People were under the impression that Shino was an emotionless void. Those who knew him well, knew he was the complete opposite. Shino had a sense of humor, compassion, and a fire under those layers of clothes. It was a surprise for many, outside their circle, when he and Sakura appeared at Neji's eighteenth birthday party hand in hand.

There had been many situations where Shino had kept Kiba under control and this was Kiba's chance to return the favor. He could already sense Shino's uneasiness. This was added to the nervousness that Kiba felt from his best friend the past few days. He wanted to say something to Shino, but knew Shino well enough to wait until he had regain control.

The pair sped to the hospital. Shino lost in his own thoughts. Exhaustion. He knew Sakura was desperate to call for aid from her master. He calculated the time from where he had sent the first bug out before he had lunch with Kakashi, to now. Had she be going since then? How much chakra did she have left. His pace quicken. He had to be near her.

The jounin arrived at the hospital, and Kiba led the way following Sakura's scent.

"Her scent is faint." Kiba said looking at his friend. "She's getting weak."

They arrived on the second floor and stopped outside the one of the rooms. Time stopped for what seemed like forever. Two hours passed. Then three. Then four. At seven thirty, they could feel the chakra flicker from the other room, and then ceased. Moments later the door swung open, and Sakura emerged. Her face pale and wet with sweat. The rise and fall of her chest, indicated she was crying. Kiba was almost knocked over from the sensation of emotions her scent was giving off.

The medic threw herself into Shino's arms. "I lost them all, they are all gone."

Sobs left her body, and Shino pulled her close. Kiba bowed his head and mourned the lost of the four shinobi.

"I...I fa failed." she mumbled between sobs. "I wa..wass..wasn't strong enough."

It had been unspoken knowledge that part of the reason Sakura pushed herself so hard was being called weak by the traitor Uchiha. Shino's face twisted into a frown, knowing she was still racked with feelings of insecurity caused by Uchiha.

"No my love, you didn't." he whispered into her hair. "You are not weak, you did everything you could."

"Could...have...done more, too...fuckin weak." The words came out barely above a whisper and her body began to shake from the emotion she was holding back.

Tsunade exited the room that Sakura had left. It reassured her that she had made the right choice of naming Sakura as head of medics for ANBU. Her apprentice was dedicated to the patients and seeing her so emotional let Tsunade once again know Sakura cared for her fellow shinobi. The girl had not become accustom to death, and as a medic that made her fight harder to keep her patients alive. Tsunade knew that life meant something to Sakura, and she would continue to push herself beyond her limits to protect the lives of her patients.

"Shino please take her home. As always she was hard headed and felt she could treat all four squad members without a break." Tsunade said. "She came in a eleven last night and has not stopped."

"Hai Hokage sama." Shino he scooped his girlfriend into his arms, and took off toward her apartment. It was closer to the hospital than his. Shino thought about the words Tsunade had spoken. He had been exhausted the night before and went to bed at eight. Sakura must have stopped by with the miso soup before eleven. In his mind he cursed himself for not being awake to hear her voice.

He looked down at the woman in his arms. Her face was beautiful, her mind sharp, and her heart was caring. A feeling of warmth crept over him as he thought of making her his bride.

"Oi Shino, don't you think your apartment is better?" Kiba asked. "We have a meeting at nine and a mission tonight. Ino and everyone else will be able to check on her better at your apartment."

Shino thought about Kiba's words and agreed. Sakura was sobbing into his chest as he carried her. He changed his direction toward his apartment. Once they arrived Sakura had slipped out of consciousness. He was not sure if she were sleep or simply drained of her chakra again. He knew rest was what she needed.

Kiba unlocked the door, and left to go downstairs to Neji's. Shino laid Sakura on his bed, and began to undress her. He took her into the bathroom and a gave her a bath. He knew she would rest better clean and in fresh clothes. Neji entered the apartment with Kiba. He gave the kunoichi a look over and frowned.

"She's done it again. All of her chakra's gone." Neji assessed. He shook his head.

Shino pulled the blanket over her and kissed her lips. Kiba scratched his head.

"I'm going to get ready for our mission." He turned to leave. Kiba knew that Shino would like time alone with Sakura, even if she weren't awake.

Any mission could turn dangerous, especially at their rank, the quiet time with loved ones before they left was important. Shino had insisted that each of his squad members spend time with their family before a mission began. This quality time gave his team perspective of why their jobs are important and remind them of the people waiting for their safe return.

"That's fine." Shino answered. "Neji thank you for checking on her."

"Not a problem. She's on my team, so her health is also my concern. I just wish she knew when to back down and let someone help her in the hospital." Neji spoke. "I will understand if you want to withdraw from this mission."

"No, it will not be a problem. I will make sure Ino can sit with her, and of course Cocoa will be here." Shino really did not want to leave her like this, but duty called.

Neji excused himself and left. Shino went to shower. He changed into fresh gear and sat next to Sakura on the bed. He lifted her and pull her into his arms. The whole day was ruined. He remembered he had not returned to the market for his package. Neither had he trained. This though, holding her in his arms was far more important.

It gave him time to think of how they first came together. He smiled and chuckled softly. Kiba was determined to get Shikamaru to notice him. The local bar was holding a spades tournament with a five hundred dollar first place prize. Kiba convinced Shino to be his partner, after hearing Shikamaru and Sakura had entered as partners. The day of the tournament arrived, and Kiba and Shikamaru were called away on a mission together. Sakura was determined to win and asked Shino to partner with her, saying with her portion of the prize money, she could buy a new pair of boots. Shino looked at her like she was crazy.

"Two hundred and fifty dollars for shoes?" he quirked an eyebrow.

"Not shoes, boots. And they're adorably hot." she answered. She was sitting on his couch leafing through a magazine.

"That's still too much for boots." Shino replied. "Or any article of clothing."

"Shino, have you ever been shopping with a woman?" she laughed. "I will admit it is a lot of money, but shoes are my weakness, and maybe lingerie."

Sakura blushed deeply at the last words that escaped her mouth. Truly she had not meant to say that in front of Shino. Her hand covered her mouth as a small giggle escaped. For a moment she felt like a twelve year old school girl. The pink haired kunoichi was not ready for Shino's response.

"Lingerie, seems pointless if it's going to end up on the floor." Shino replied. A dirty smirk crossed his face.

"Shino!" Sakura exclaimed. Her blush deepened. "So are you in or out of the tournament?"

"I guess we need to help you get those boots." Shino smiled.

"Right, plus it will drive Kiba crazy if you and I win together." Sakura teased. "And you can go with me to buy them."

"I'd rather go help you pick out the lingerie." Shino smirked. It was at that point, Sakura said a year into their relationship, that he had officially peaked her interest.

The next few months found the foursome sharing dinner, games, and movie nights. Sakura and Shikamaru had gotten to know Shino in a way only Kiba and Hinata had known him. She found him not only smart, but funny and slightly dirty. One night Shino was helping Sakura in the kitchen. Shikamaru and Kiba had left to go pick up a movie. Shino could not hold back any longer. He pulled her into his arms.

"Sakura, I'm sorry if this seems forward, but I am by nature a man. I have to say this before my courage fails me, I find you attractive and smart, and I would like to go on a date with you." Shino said.

He looked down at Sakura. Her cheeks were a nice shade of pink. "Shino, I was wondering if you would ever ask."

Over the next four months the two 'secretly' dated. It was a secret that at least Kiba and Shikamaru were willing to keep, since they had their own. Sakura was not ready for the public pressure a relationship required, and Shino just enjoyed the privacy.

It wasn't an easy task either. The two were falling for each other fast, and found it hard to refrain from messing with each other while in public. During a briefing with his team, and Sakura's team, Shino sent one of his bugs to land on Sakura's ear, whispering dirty words and promises from Shino. The girl's attention was completely taken away from the meeting, and her face steadily becoming pinker and pinker.

"Sakura!" Tsunade pounded the desk and yelled her apprentice's name. "What is wrong with you child?"

Sakura taken completely off guard, snapped to attention and screamed, "BUG!"

When she realized what she said, the kunoichi, fanned the air above her master's head, "You had a bug over your head."

Shino tucked his head inside his collar as a huge smile came across his face. A sensitive Kiba looked between the pair, having picked up on the nature of their scents. He laughed out loud and received another glare from Tsunade. When Shino finally looked at Sakura, she mouthed the word, 'deadmeat.'

Sakura wasn't just a victim. She played her fair share of tricks on Shino. Having found out the one herb that is an aphrodisiac for the Aburame clan, she placed a few springs under her mesh gloves for a week straight, while the pair trained. Shino could barely concentrate on training while his bugs were going into a lustful frenzy.

On the fifth month of their secret courtship, the pair showed up hand in hand to Neji's eighteenth birthday party. Mouths dropped and whispers crossed the room. Shino became every Sakura fan boy's rival, and others wondered how Sakura could break past the Aburame barrier to become Shino's girlfriend.

The clock read 8:40, and Shino laid Sakura down on the bed. He kissed her forehead and went into the living room. Cocoa was sitting on the couch looking at tv.

"Watch her. If anything happens I'm at the hokage tower." Shino said to the dog. Cocoa returned his instructions, with a loud bark.

Dating the apprentice of the hokage has it's perks. The mission was reassigned due to Neji's report to the hokage of Sakura's collapse. Tsunade knew that Sakura would be better taken care of of Shino were there. Shino was then given the 'unofficial' mission of nursing Sakura back to health and not letting her near the hospital for a week after she woke up. Shino and Kiba walked back to the apartment. Kiba was light hearted because Shikamaru was due to return the next day. With Shino on the 'Sakura' mission, Kiba would also have a week off. The dog nin was chatting how he couldn't wait for his first chance to sleep in that week.

Shino listened, but like always had mental notes of other things going on in his head. He had a week. A week to prepare and propose to Sakura. The idea made him nervous all over again. Kiba turned his head to the side at the sudden change in scent.

"Shino, what's wrong?" Kiba asked. "You seem almost nervous?"

"I'm fine." Shino responded. He was quickly trying to regain his composure.

"Bullshit. I've never sense this from you." Kiba continued. "What the hell is wrong?"

"There are a few things I have to accomplish." Shino stated. He hoped this would satisfy his friend. Although Kiba and Shino had been friends for so long, Kiba didn't need his sense of smell to tell him more was going on than Shino let on.

"Hn." Kiba replied. "Keep your secret for now."

"Thank you."

"I said keep it, but that doesn't mean I still don't want to know." Kiba pouted. They had arrived at his apartment. "Oh the market dropped off your stuff here, since you weren't home."

Kiba went inside and returned with two bags. A large smile crossed his face as he looked behind Shino. Shikamaru was strolling down the hallway to the apartment.

"Thank you Kiba. I'll see you tomorrow." Shino took the bags from his hand. "Good evening Shikamaru."

"Yeah, hey." Shikamaru greeted. He was tackled immediately after by Kiba. Shikamaru didn't have time to respond as Kiba pulled him into an embrace and kiss. The two had been apart for a month, and from the looks of it Kiba was going to make up for it in the hall.

"Kiba, take your boyfriend inside." Shino stated. He turned and walked back to his apartment. He changed into his pajamas, and crawled into bed beside his love.

"In one week my love, I'll make a promise to give you the world." He said softly into her hair. He kissed the crook of her neck and fell into a deep sleep.


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terri