Chapter Seven: The Interrogation

The shrill alarm of the clock blared throughout the infinitesimal bedroom, vexing the groggy Sakura. She never enjoyed beginning her day so early, but she had to make an exception for today. Throughout their sessions, Shino has unintentionally revealed pieces of Aburame clan secrets, all of which appear to be related. Mentions of a "plan" and a "weapon" were connected somehow and yet confusing to the befuddled kunoichi. This mysterious plan also seemed to be a missing and vital part of Shino's past. In hope of finding the answers, Sakura resolved that it was necessary to confront the unapproachable Aburame Shibi.

Several times has Sakura passed the Aburame quarters, which were located in the suburban outskirts of Konoha. Never once, however, did the thought of entering that neighborhood cross her mind. As her petite hands gripped the cold, rusting bars of the iron gate, she knew this wasn't going to be an easy task. She tentatively pushed the gate open, the strident and unearthly shriek of the hinges effectively adding to the gothic tone of the neighborhood. Sakura expected to be bombarded by hordes of ravenous insects the moment she stepped into the Aburame territory, but she was pleasantly surprised by the lack of pests. Glancing from house to house, Sakura noticed that each one featured similar Victorian architecture and solemn dark shades. At the heart of the quarters stood the manor of Aburame Shibi.

Of course, the manor did not possess the same size and sense of grandeur as the Hyuuga mansion, but it still towered fiercely before the diminutive kunoichi. Anxiety coursed throughout her body as she slowly trudged onward, taking a deep breath with each sluggish stride. As intimidated as she was, Sakura knew that this prejudicial fear was quite irrational, considering that she had never met the man. As she reached the front doorstep, she calmed herself and vigorously knocked on the mahogany door, the thunderous sound echoing throughout the Aburame residence. The door slowly opened, revealing an insipid clansman.

"What is your business here?" he droned in a monotone. At first, Sakura was befuddled by the presence of the unfamiliar Aburame, but it dawned upon her that the manor also served as headquarters for the clan.

"I am here to speak to Aburame Shibi. I am his son's medic nin, Haruno Sakura," declared Sakura in a professional and urgent tone. Wordlessly, the shinobi beckoned her into the manor. Stepping inside, she was surprised to find the place busy with activity. Sakura felt as if she walked into a bee hive; everyone within the house was completing some sort of task with diligence.

"Aburame-sama is currently discussing important matters with another visitor. He will be done shortly," the Aburame from before informed her curtly. He directed her to wait in the foyer. As her eyes scanned the room, she noticed that not a single family portrait was hung on the walls. She expected this, of course; the Aburame family didn't appear to be a sentimental one.

Twenty minutes later, Sakura was summoned into the office. The uneasy Sakura silently followed another Aburame to said room. Opening the door carefully, her eyes instantly fell upon Shibi, who was comfortably seated behind a large cherry wood bureau. The Aburame leader exuded an encompassing aura of power and authority, and Sakura was once again enveloped in anxiety. Behind him, four portraits were suspended on the pale, bland walls, the one on the furthest right being a picture of Shibi as a young man. Sakura assessed that these were the portraits of the previous clan leaders.

"I assume you wish to ask me about my son," stated Shibi briskly. He gestured to the chair nearest to his desk. "Please, take a seat." Sakura bowed lowly to show her respect. Before seating herself in the chair, Sakura inspected it carefully for any. . . bugs.

"Haruno-san, there are no loose insects in my home, or in any of the other homes for that matter. We have set aside special habitats for our insects," Shibi explained sternly. Sakura winced at his abrupt words. She cleared her throat, readying herself for the "interview." This time, Sakura did not bring her trusty notepad, out of fear of insulting the prestigious Aburame. She also knew that she can't tell Shibi directly that she knew of the clan secrets; she promised Shino that she wouldn't.

"Aburame-sama, you trained your son quite vigorously when he was a small child. Why?"

"Is that a crime?" he responded dryly, coldly staring at the medic nin through his opaque lens, sending shivers down Sakura's frail spine. To calm her nerves, Sakura focused her gaze onto the charm dangling from his sunglass rims.

"Well," she continued, "it is quite peculiar, especially since Shino was the only one who received this special treatment."

"He had a lot of potential," replied Shibi bluntly.

"What did the clan think of this extra training?"

"They agreed."

"And your wife?"

"What does she have to do with it?" Shibi returned uneasily. Sakura leaned closer, shifting her analytical gaze back to the emotionless sunglasses. Her confidence was rising along with the building tension.

"Shino mentioned her a few times, but he was too young to remember much about her," explained Sakura, her innocent tone masking her true intentions.

"She didn't like it."

"Why?" Sakura asked rhetorically. "Did she not want Shino to get 'ahead of the game'? Did she not want him to become a ninja in the first place?"

"She agreed that he would become a ninja before he was born. It wasn't that."

"He was supposed to serve another purpose, then," concluded Sakura. Shibi's tense brows furrowed, intensifying his glare. Insecurity danced across his features, and Sakura could see all of it. After a week with Shino, she was able to read into Shino's subtle actions and emotions, and his father was no different.

"What do you know?" the Aburame asked in an accusatory manner, but Sakura didn't even blink.

"Not much, really," she said coyly, "but I was hoping that you would enlighten me." Out of frustration, Shibi suddenly rose from his chair, and he walked over to the map of Konohagakure hanging on his wall. Staring at it intensely, he no longer met Sakura's cocky gaze.

"She was the only one that didn't like it," he finally said."Wrong," retorted the kunoichi. Her volume increased and her passion fortified as she continued, "Shino didn't like it. Shino, your son, didn't like it. Shino, who almost killed himself, didn't like it!" She paused, waiting for a reaction from the unflappable man. Dissatisfied, she added, "if the two of them hated it so much, then what was this 'second purpose'?"

"He was going to be our weapon. Our tool." Most of the strength in Shibi's voice had vanished. While Inner Sakura celebrated the small victory, Outer Sakura remained collected.

"A tool for what?" she questioned.

"You obviously don't know much about ninja clans, do you?" he snidely remarked, still facing the map.

"No, I don't belong to a clan."

"Then, I assume you know nothing of the Aburame history."

"What does that have to do with Shino being a 'weapon' or 'tool'?" inquired Sakura. She had no idea where the clan leader was directing the conversation. Shibi slowly turned his head towards Sakura, his gaze falling heavily upon her. He was taunting her, as she began to feel subordinated once more."Everything."