SPOILERS: Through the current manga and anime.

NOTES: This is set about five years after the war.

When I heard Shino and Kiba appear briefly twice and have no dialog in the Hinata-centric "Last" movie, I was rather sad. They're trying to find someone but leave the rest of the best tracking team behind? I guess teamwork only matters to in the series if you're a popular character. Sigh! I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants Shino to have some love!

Thank you for reading.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto.


YATSUMI AND THE SURPRISING REVELATION

Every summer, Lady Reiko visited her properties where honey and various crops were produced. Ino had decided to remain at the estate while Shino accompanied their client on her tour. He couldn't help being grateful about not being left alone with so many women, even though that had been the situation since he had arrived. Somehow, without his client or mission-mate, it would be different, more socially awkward. Of course, with Yatsumi going with Lady Reiko, everything would have seemed more socially awkward, since Yatsumi spread composure wherever she went. Even as the lady-in-waiting shared the secrets of her skills with him, knowing them and implementing them were not the same.

Shino was watching Yatsumi help load the carriage while he conducted a final perimeter check.

"It's not unusual, you know." Ino joined him on the top of the wall.

How did her teammates work so well with her when Shino found her cryptic tendencies to be occasionally baffling?

When he didn't respond, she lifted her chin toward the wagon. "To have a rebound relationship after a bad breakup." Although Ino's words were sometimes hard to decipher, her tone was usually clear. Yet her voice was so bland that he was unsure of her mood. "So long as she knows you're not serious, you should go for it. A summer fling could be just the thing to get Maemi out of your system." After a snort and a brief frown, she smiled at him, but it seemed a bit off. "The setting couldn't be more perfect—a three month assignment, a charming and interested girl, the warmth of spring turning into summer, dazzling parties, private moments..."

Was she suggesting he have a dalliance with Yatsumi? To sully a client's dear servant as an emotional balm? The idea was repugnant, reprehensible and beneath an heir.

Ino frowned, perhaps in response to his own. "Don't you have any romance in your soul? Why did my cousin date you in the first place?"

Her words were like being doused in ice water, causing him to shiver and his chest to ache with the thought of his failed relationship and its lingering emotional wounds. "That is none of your concern."

Waving away his frigid tone, she turned her own attention to Yatsumi, who noticed them on the top of the wall and waved with a sparkling smile. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Shino. Just be sure Yatsumi knows your intentions. The way she lights up around you, she could fall hard."

Maemi snorted in that way that reminded him of Ino. "I know it's in your nature, but it wouldn't kill you to not over think everything." They had been invited to a birthday party for a cousin of Maemi's, and Shino had been discussing appropriate gifts and attire and what it would mean to others for him to accompany her. "It's just a birthday party, an excuse to relax and have some fun. So try not to take it so seriously. Just relax and have some fun."

If Ino was right, it was all the more reason to be on guard against any interest Yatsumi might have in him. Given how much his breakup had hurt him, it was impossible to be anything less than serious about the possibility. He wouldn't want to unintentionally do to another what had been done to him.


In her infinite wisdom and magnanimity, Lady Reiko had decided Momiji would accompany them on their tour of her farms. "Being around youngsters during summer makes me feel younger!" she had proclaimed, though Yatsumi strongly suspected the choice was a way of reassuring Momiji of her position. No one would waste such an opportunity on someone they were planning on firing.

As enjoyable as it was to have hours filed with nothing more taxing than playing cards and chatting with another girl, what made the trip most delightful for Yatsumi was that Lord Aburame was the one to accompany them.

In farmlands, he would jog beside the carriage, tall and focused, his dark goggles reflecting the bright sun as he constantly scanned the area for threats. In woods, she got to watch him leap from tree to tree with effortless grace, his coat whipping out behind him like wings. He was as lovely to watch in motion as he was when still. If anything, he seemed more vital, like a bird in flight, all power and control, strength and speed. Magnificent!

"You really think he's all that?" wondered Momiji as they transitioned from pasture to woods, making the interior of the carriage too dark to play cards.

Yatsumi didn't have to guess what the younger girl meant. "What I think is neither here nor there, since he is a guest and my position is so far below his."

"But weren't you born a noble?"

With a frown, Lady Reiko shook her head. "Momiji, consider how you might feel being asked about your own past."

The young gardener blushed darkly and lowered her gaze. "I'm so sorry, Yatsumi."

Taking the other girl's hands, Yatsumi gave them a reassuring squeeze. "It's alright. I don't mind." When Momiji lifted her gaze, Yatsumi smiled. "I love working with you and the others and for Lady Reiko. The only part about my past that still hurts is that my father is gone and I can seldom see my mother, who struggles so."

"Really?"

"Really!"

"In that case, Momiji is right." Both girls looked at Lady Reiko in surprise. "You underestimate yourself, Yatsumi. You are a young woman and he is a young man. All other differences are incidental. After all, didn't your father love your mother, though she was not nobly born?"

The idea that there was a possibility Lord Aburame might someday be able to love her as her father loved her mother caused Yatsumi's cheeks to burn. Momiji giggled in glee. It was the first time Yatsumi had heard the girl laugh so—unrestrained and unselfconsciously. The happy sound blunted her embarrassment and encouraged the corners of Lady Reiko's lips to curve upward.

"It would be one-sided, anyway." Every attempt Yatsumi had made to create a setting or moment that might inspire romance had failed. He seemed to have an iron will set against softer feelings.

"I wouldn't be so sure."

Lady Reiko raised an eyebrow as they both stared in surprise at the younger girl. "What do you mean?" insisted their employer.

Momiji squirmed a bit under their attention. "I know it's kind of hard to tell, with those goggles on, but I've seen him watch Yatsumi." Holding up her hands, she shrugged. "I know he watches all of us, but it's like he's extra aware of her. Even Wakume mentioned it once."

Learning of it made Yatsumi's heart skip a beat in excited hopefulness. She couldn't decide if it was good or bad to know such a thing, for it gave her too much hope. Turning her attention away from the others, she watched him and recalled being told it was a common ability among ninja, to be able to soar through the trees so, especially shinobi of Konoha.

How does any regular girl attract the attention of someone who can move so freely and surely without a second thought? How could someone so capable ever be satisfied with a regular girl?

The touch of Momiji's pinkie-less hand on hers brought Yatsumi's attention back to the interior of the carriage. "I didn't mean to make you upset." The other girl seemed honestly concerned. "I thought you'd want to know, that it might make you happy."

With a mental shake, Yatsumi cast off her glum thoughts. It was summer, and she was having a lovely trip with people she cared about. There was no reason to feel down!

"I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I'm not upset." She gave Momiji's hand another squeeze. "What about you? Did you notice young master Deon's interest?" Lady Reiko had made a point of introducing the young gardener to the heir of the bulb flower and clover farm they'd just left. It had made Yatsumi wonder if she was not the only member of the staff Lady Reiko had plans of marrying off.

Momiji made a sour face. "He compared me to his sister!"

"He is very devoted to his family." The tone of their employer held some encouragement along with a hint of lecturing. "It's a fine trait in a man."

It was Momiji's turn to blush. "You don't really think...?"

Lady Reiko's gaze drifted to the window to follow Shino's progress through the branches. "Who can truly know a man's heart until he makes it known?" Snapping open her fan, she stirred the air around her. "But enough of that. We should be reaching the Hata farm soon. Let us review what I have told you both about it."


The Hata farm was set amidst a field of canola flowers that filled nearly half of the valley it was nestled in with bright yellow. The processing of the flowers into oil and cosmetics provided work to two other families besides the Hatas. The honey from the farm was not as tasty as that from farms that grew other plants, but it, too, was used in cosmetics as well as sweetening the feed of livestock.

As with the other farms, the Hatas made a big fuss over the arrival of Lady Reiko, calling all three families to gather to meet her in their finest—the ladies in bright yukata and the men in dark ones.

"Welcome, Lady Reiko!" The weathered but hale head of the family bowed deeply to them, and the others followed suit, chorusing, "Welcome!"

"Master Hata, how good to see you again." Lady Reiko nodded regally in acknowledgment. "I am pleased everyone seems well."

"And you also." After another bow, Master Hata noticed Lord Aburame. "Good heavens, is that Lord Aburame?"

If the ninja in question seemed surprised, he didn't show it, but Lady Reiko was. "I thought you said you'd never taken a mission in Honey before."

"I have not."

Master Hata drew closer and squinted at Lord Aburame. "But it can't be...you wouldn't have aged a day."

It pleased Yatsumi that someone was paying so much attention to Lord Aburame. He had seemed to fade into the woodwork at the other farms they'd visited.

A frown creased Lord Aburame's brow, then he seemed to willfully dispel it. "I am afraid you have me mistaken for another Aburame. This is the first time I have been here. I look forward to visiting your lovely farm." It was the kind of complimentary comment she had taught him to say. He gave a half bow. "Thank you for your hospitality, Master Hata."

"Of course, of course! We have refreshments for you all inside." As he led the way into the house, he continued to stare. "Please forgive my curiosity, Lord Aburame, but are you by any chance related to Lord Shibi Aburame?"

For some reason, Lord Aburame's face shifted toward Yatsumi before he quietly replied. "I am his only child."

Master Hata bowed again. "Such a special day to have two such venerable guests—Lady Reiko and the heir to one of the great clans of Konoha! We owe much to your father, who eradicated an insect that threatened to wipe out every plant in the valley."

"Did he?" Apparently Lady Reiko was surprised by the revelation.

Master Hata continued to heap praise on Lord Aburame's father, but as much as Yatsumi wanted to learn more, it all became a distant buzz as the shock of being smitten with not just a clansman of Konoha but the heir of a revered and powerful clan sunk in. What chance did she have with someone like that?

"Yatsumi, are you alright?" Momiji took her hand and tugged her along in the wake of Master Hata and his revered guests. "Did you not know?"

After shaking her head, Yatsumi took a deep breath and let it out in a huff. "Ah! What does it matter?" The attempt at denial didn't diminish the sting in her heart. As much as she tried to objectively accept it was his own business whether or not he told people about how important his clan was, she still felt deceived.

"It only matters if you let it matter." Momiji's tone was chastising, rather than consoling. "Isn't that what Lady Reiko tries to teach us all? Look at me." Touching her chest with her three-fingered hand, she smiled brightly. "I was hardly better than a slave in a pit, but now I'm traveling with a wonderful noblewoman, seeing beautiful places, and living in a fantastic estate. Lady Reiko didn't limit me to my circumstances but saw who I was inside and all I could be. If Lord Aburame is remotely worthwhile, he'll do that, too."

"Girls," called Lady Reiko from the entrance of a room nearly as large as the dining room back home. "Don't dawdle."

"Yes, ma'am!"


It was not his imagination. Yatsumi's smiles for him were not as bright as they had been. Neither did she hold his gaze as long as usual when they spoke, as though she was no longer confident enough to look him in the eye. Although she was still just as polite and attentive, she seemed less enthusiastic. For some reason, it bothered him, and he found himself contemplating it as he followed the carriage.

Thinking back, he determined the change had occurred at the Hata farm, and the only reason that came to mind was that the significance of his heritage had been revealed. Why that might alter Yatsumi's demeanor, he didn't know, but he felt compelled to address the situation. He had been enjoying the comfortable quality of their interactions too much to not try to amend the situation. Besides, it would be good practice for dealing with others in the future. He knew full well not everyone was as understanding as Hinata or as thick-skinned as Kiba, so he couldn't expect others to respond to him as they did.

After another generous meal at the latest farm they were touring, Shino ran into Yatsumi as he made his way to the ofuro. Like the other farms, the members of this one insisted their guests bathe first. Unlike others, there wasn't one for each sex, so he had to wait until Lady Reiko, Yatsumi and Momiji were done.

"Yatsumi, may I please speak with you?"

She seemed briefly startled by the request before her usual pleasant demeanor resettled itself over her countenance and she bowed. "Of course, Lord Aburame."

"Is something wrong?" Lady Reiko's tone was mild with a hint of concern.

"Nothing is wrong, but if you need Yatsumi to attend you..."

His client looked at them both for a long moment then shook her head. "Come along, Momiji."

"Yes, Lady Reiko!" With a big grin that seemed strangely satisfied, the gardener took the bundle of Yatsumi's clothes from her. "Meet you back in our room."

Once they were alone, it seemed oddly awkward, in a way it had never been at the Zeniya estate. Perhaps it was the simple yukata she wore, tied with just a sash. Without the garb of her station, it was as though she was different, perhaps more vulnerable.

As he tried to figure out why there was a difference, she cleared her throat. "My lord?"

Although there was no one near them just then, someone could come by at any moment. "Would you mind walking with me?"

Blushing, she lowered her gaze. "Not at all."

Together they made their way to the end of the veranda and borrowed geta to walk between the apple trees of the farm's orchard. When he felt certain of their privacy, he turned to her. "Have I done something to upset you?"

She blinked at him in surprise. "No, Lord Aburame."

"Yet your interactions with me have changed since our visit to the Hata farm."

Following a bow, her gaze remained down. "I apologize if I have offended you in any way, my lord."

"I am worried I have offended you."

At last, she looked at him fully, not a quick glance or skimming gaze. Her mouth hung open in apparent surprise.

"Why would I think that? Because I did not tell you about my clan." Before she could respond, he held up a hand to silence her. "I can only conclude, once you learned the importance of my clan, you became upset because I did not tell you before. If there is another reason, please tell me."

It took a moment for her to collect her thoughts. Then she lowered her hands to her side and leaned slightly forward, an earnest gleam in her eyes. "I was shocked to learn you were the heir of a great clan, but it is your right to decide when or if to share such information. I felt...wrong about having been so casual with you, that I should have been more formal in my interactions with someone as elevated as yourself."

When she lowered her gaze again, it bothered him, though he wasn't sure why. "Please look at me, Yatsumi." After she did, he continued. "In battle and life, it has never mattered that I am an Aburame, let alone the heir. All that has mattered is whether my comrades and friends can rely on me."

She seemed surprised by his words.

"Have you ever seen Ino act differentially toward me?"

After a moment's contemplation, she shook her head.

"She never has and never will. Why? Because we are both shinobi of Konoha." The breeze picked up, shifting the dappled shade around them and reminding him of their first walk in Lady Reiko's pleasure garden. "I had considered telling you the day we met, but it is not something I would usually mention. I thought I would sound pretentious."

Cheeks coloring, Yatsumi covered her mouth with her hand. "I hadn't considered that."

"Although some clans are larger and more powerful than others, we do not discriminate the way they seem to here. It is frowned upon to act superior to others due to your clan." But that was not what he wanted to say. "I am not used to my clan being an issue in this way. I would very much like it if you would consider returning to the way you had treated me before. I enjoyed the comfortable way you interacted with me."

The sparkle in her eyes returned, and her smile practically glowed. "I would be more than happy to do that, Lord Aburame."

As they made their way back to the farmhouse amidst amiable conversation, Shino felt pleased with himself. He had not only identified the problem but addressed it correctly and sufficiently enough to have achieved the outcome he'd desired. Perhaps Yatsumi's instruction was finally bearing fruit.

Within him, his hive shifted in a pleased manner. With the lovely weather, good food, and the return of charming company, there was every reason to be pleased.


DETAILS

Ofuro = traditional Japanese bath

Yukata = lightweight kimono usually made of a single layer of cotton

Geta = traditional Japanese wooden clogs—Jiraiya wore red ones