Betting on a Bug

by Meian Tsukino

She's a medic nin who loves sweets and has a troublesome secret. Her annoying summons harass him and act as matchmakers. Plus, she seems to be Neji's childhood sweetheart and hates the Hyuuga of the main house. How could it work? ShinoxOC

14. But it's not chickenpox

Hello.

My apologies for the delay.

I kept switching styles and that was something that I've been trying to avoid. I was also stuck with two scenes because they were important and originally, I was going to make them more important but I decided not to…Also, there were a lot of incoherent things because I wrote this in many separate days and I forgot how to connect a few things with others that will take place in the future. In fact, I had to change the title that I had chosen when I began writing it (it didn't make sense to keep it). I don't like the new one, though.

Also, it's sort of stressful and frustrating because it's like I must have standards for every chapter. It's like "damn! This isn't good enough!" and the "It's been so many days and this is boring and incoherent and noooo! I need to update!" so yeah…

Replies to reviews, alerts, favorites, etc at the end!

Thanks a lot! and Happy New Year!

---

Chapter 14:

But it's not chickenpox

.

Aburame Shino was dead.

Or it was more like he would be wishing for that soon.

Inuzuka Kiba would share his fate.

They would be hunted and subjected to the horrors of a special itching powder that she'd been researching.

Ito Sayuri was thinking of other ways to get even with them as she entered the Aburame compound. She ignored what she assumed were curious or annoyed glances.

Just for that, she'd also sic Itsuki on them.

After making her way to Aburame Shino's home and ringing the bell, she waited.

A tall man with a stern expression answered the door. His hair was short and black and slightly bushy. His attire was almost identical to that of Aburame Shibi's, except that his was dark gray and he also wore a gourd on his back.

There was something imposing about his presence. Something intimidating.

"Good afternoon," she greeted.

"Good afternoon, Ito," replied the man.

Blink.

"You're wondering how I know your name," said the man, "I'm Aburame Shou, a member of the council. I saw your match against the young heir."

Sayuri nodded, slightly annoyed at being reminded that the young man who was going to suffer at her hands had defeated her.

"Judging by your lack of concern, I assume that you are unaware of the young heir's predicament and by default, of the cancellation of your appointment."

"Shino-kun's predicament?"

"So my assumption was correct, not that I doubted it." Aburame Shou made a gesture to let her in and she complied.

"So what's wrong with Shino-kun?"

"Let's say he contracted chicken pox," said Shou and with a hand, he gestured her to take a seat in the living room. "His kikaichu are also sick and right now, he has the mother of all headaches."

Sayuri frowned. "But it's not chicken pox."

"No, it isn't," said Shou. "It's not dangerous, I can assure you that. Like chicken pox, it's better to contract it at a young age."

"So I guess that Shino-kun's in pain."

Shou nodded. "Like I told you, he has the mother of all headaches."

"Can I see him?"

Shou adjusted his glasses. "That illness affects the kikaichu but I ignore if it could also have repercussions on other insects."

"I'll keep my mantises away, I wouldn't do anything to endanger their lives." Sayuri tilted her head thoughtfully. "Besides, they've spent too much time with him lately so if they were sick, they would've told me."

Shou nodded. "Still, I don't know if Shino-kun will want to see you."

Sayuri narrowed her eyes. "Why not? It's not like you're lying to me about his illness."

Shou frowned. "He's the Aburame heir."

"I already know that."

"He asked to be left alone because he doesn't want to be seen."

"Why? Because he's vulnerable right now?"

Shou scowled. "It'd make him uncomfortable, yes."

"I'm his medic."

Sayuri waited and waited.

Finally, Shou nodded. "Follow me."

---

"You sure took your time, Beni Soubi."

"Our apologies, Aki-sama."

A woman with light brown hair that concealed the right side of her face bowed before another that was seated on a throne. Behind her, Daichi, Kaoru and Takehiko were also bowing.

The woman in the throne gave them a cold smile and nodded. A beautiful headdress identified her as the current ruler of Sepia country and after raising a dismissing hand, the rest of the occupants of the room left. Her violet eyes sparkled with amusement when she caught Takehiko fidgeting, obviously unnerved by her actions.

"So…" She tilted her head. "What can you tell me, Takehiko-chan?"

The silver-haired boy gulped. He opened his mouth but no sound came from it.

Fukamizu Aki's eyes narrowed. "I'm waiting, Takehiko-chan."

"I…uh…we…"

Aki raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong? Maybe you were plotting something. If that's the case, maybe I should call Kanae and Takeru to make you talk."

Takehiko widened his eyes in terror. "I…we...we weren't plotting or anything! Really!"

Sepia country's ruler smirked. "Maybe I should remind you what I do to anyone who tries to use boredom as a weapon against me."

"No! Please! I swear…" Takehiko blinked. "Boredom?"

"Beni Soubi, report."

"Yamanaka Nadeshiko wants to investigate," said Beni Soubi. "I interrogated a guy from the T&I Force, some idiot who knew too much."

"An idiot that proved to be useful," pointed out Aki.

Beni Soubi nodded. "I suspect that she will recruit Ito Sayuri."

Aki smirked again. "Sayuri? So she's alive…" She tilted her head. "Hmm…we should tell Takeru, don't you think?" She chuckled when she caught Takehiko shiver.

"Hyuuga Neji will join them," said Beni Soubi. "He's got a crush on Sayuri." She spared a quick glance to Daichi and Kaoru. "They told me that Sayuri's got new friends. I'd say they're the new generation of Ino-Shika-Chou."

Aki frowned but nodded.

"Yamanaka Ino is Nadeshiko's cousin and her father is the leader of the Yamanaka clan," said Beni Soubi. "Also, after changing my appearance many times, Daichi identified the tattoos of another guy who seems to be friends with her-"

"Get to the point," ordered Aki.

"A team with an Inuzuka, a Hyuuga and an Aburame," said Beni Soubi. "The Hyuuga girl must belong to the main house, her forehead lacked the cursed seal."

"So she's not a caged bird," said Aki. "Interesting."

"She's in a tracking team," said Beni Soubi. "And the Aburame could be a problem." She smirked. "Daichi lost against him in a shogi match and he wants to face him in battle."

"So the guy's smart," said Aki. "Hmm…" She shook her head. "Why is the Aburame boy a problem?"

"The members of that clan are excellent for stealth and espionage because of their bugs," said Beni Soubi. "Those damn things can also drain chakra and they're immune to genjutsu."

"The bugs, but not the boy," pointed out Aki.

"Exactly," said Beni Soubi and she glanced Takehiko sideways. The teal-eyed boy blushed in embarrassment.

"Two Hyuuga…that could be problematic," muttered Aki.

"Not really," said Beni Soubi and she licked her lips. "It wasn't that hard to deal with Neji."

"You caught a Hyuuga in a genjutsu?" asked Aki.

"Something like that," said Beni Soubi smugly. "I used something similar on Akira but I thought that trying to kill Sayuri again would be too suspicious. She's skilled at taijutsu and she was able to knock Neji out by pretending to give up."

"You were testing her," said Aki.

"I wanted her to die the first time so that Nadeshiko would be suspected," said Beni Soubi. "Neji could've done something if she had died. He could've even gone after Nadeshiko."

"Only Neji because no one would care too much for Sayuri."

"Exactly."

Aki nodded.

"Daichi told me that Sayuri's a mantis summoner," said Beni Soubi. "He met one of her summons, a mantis who goes by the name of Itsuki."

The ruler glanced Daichi with approval. "What can you tell me about that summon, my dear nephew?"

"He's flirty, small and very lucky," said Daichi at once and he winced when Aki's glance of approval became one of disappointment. "He loves Sayuri." He tilted his head and widened his eyes. "By the way, I think that Aburame Shino also has a crush on Sayuri. He was jealous."

Aki gave him a disbelieving glance. "Jealous of a bug?"

Beni Soubi chuckled. "That isn't so far-fetched."

"He was jealous of me," replied Daichi and he ignored Kaoru's mocking smirk. "You see…when we began playing shogi, I was winning and she seemed fascinated so he glared a lot and…he tried to intimidate me because she kept blushing…"

"She was blushing because of you?" muttered Aki and she glanced Takehiko. "Are you sure it wasn't because of that coward?"

"Takehiko hasn't met Sayuri," said Daichi.

"Well, you're good-looking," said Aki and she nodded. "Continue."

"Shino likes Sayuri a lot," said Daichi. "I think he could be the leader of his team so the Inuzuka and the Hyuuga would follow him if he decided to join Sayuri."

Beni Soubi glared him. "You didn't tell me that."

Daichi glared her back. "I forgot."

Beni Soubi tilted her head but remained silent.

Aki narrowed her eyes. "We must be cautious. I don't want to have Konoha shinobi spying on my territory and if they come, their murders must be seen as a defensive maneuver."

The shinobi before her nodded.

"Beni Soubi, I don't care if you kill Sayuri but Nadeshiko must live," said Aki. "I don't want the leader of the Yamanaka clan getting involved. I don't want Konoha meddling." She inspected her manicured nails. "What will you do, Beni Soubi? Will you kill her or let her live a little more?"

---

Frankly, after hearing from Kiba about his fascination for bugs, (love, according to him), Sayuri had expected Shino to have a futon.

But he had a bed.

And there were no termites.

There was loud buzz and some kikaichu came out from a green rug. They made their way to Shou and Sayuri.

"They're greeting you," said Shou with exasperation.

Sayuri blinked.

Shou scowled at her. "You'd do well to get rid of that tic, it could be used against you."

Sayuri frowned at him but she ended up nodding before making her way to Shino, who was tossing on his bed despite being asleep. His face was covered in what seemed fluid blisters but they were darker than those that were caused by chicken pox. Her eyes traveled downwards and she raised her eyebrows when she noticed that his shoulders were only covered by blisters.

"Of course he's shirtless," said Shou. "The kikaichu are more comfortable that way."

"But doesn't he get hurt if they come out?"

"His skin will heal in time."

"And what about his bugs? Will they be okay?"

"Yes," replied Shou. "One more thing, removing his glasses is unadvised."

Sayuri nodded at the counselor. "Where's Shibi-sama? Shouldn't he be taking care of his son?"

"Shibi-sama had to leave the day after Shino-kun's taijutsu exam, but he might be back tomorrow," said Shou. "Yasunori saw the young heir yesterday and after fetching Shouta, they concluded that Shino-kun had contracted chicken pox."

"You said it wasn't chicken pox," pointed out Sayuri.

"It's not, but I've always thought that the real name of that illness is ridiculous," said Shou, "Besides, you aren't a member of this clan so I fail to see the need to give you its name."

"What about the usual remedies?"

"You're a medic nin, you can figure them out by yourself," said Shou. "It's not like he's dying."

"Then, why are you here? You're not even taking care of him," said Sayuri, clearly incensed.

"I'm keeping his fangirls away."

Blink.

"I told you not to do that."

Sayuri gave him a death glare.

Shou raised an eyebrow. "Try to scare someone else, child."

"Has he eaten?"

Shou adjusted his glasses. "Not yet. He told me an hour ago that he wasn't hungry and I'm not the kind of person to coddle someone."

"What about you?"

Shou raised an eyebrow. "I decided not to touch the food that a few girls brought."

"You haven't eaten either."

Shou nodded.

"You don't know how to cook, do you?"

Shou frowned. "My culinary knowledge is very limited. Shibi-sama's kitchen doesn't have ingredients that I can use to make something edible."

Blink.

Shou rolled his eyes. He narrowed them when Sayuri placed the back of her hand on Shino's forehead and then, on his cheek. "Avoid touching his blisters."

Sayuri nodded and removed her hand. "I'll make dinner. He needs to eat something." She raised an eyebrow at him. "And you too. Maybe you'll be more pleasant with a full stomach."

Shou shook his head. 'Yasunori surely likes challenges. This girl knows nothing about diplomacy, she has no tact.'

---

Aburame Shou watched from afar.

He watched Sayuri put on an apron and take out cooking utensils. Before he knew, the pleasant scent of miso soup reached his nostrils.

Shou tilted his head. Her mother had been a failure as a cook, she had never succeeded in doing something more complicated than rice balls.

But there she was, fixing dinner for him and the young heir. She even seemed to enjoy cooking.

Whenever he had tried to cook something in his years as a genin or chuunin, he had only seen a list of ingredients and instructions.

Do this, do that.

Akemi had agreed with him, which was why they never were able to understand why Akira had been better at cooking.

Both were precise and disciplined while Akira was a complete, utter mess…

And yet, his culinary skills surpassed theirs. He simply said something about having style.

Somehow, Aburame Shou was starting to understand what he meant. While keeping an eye on the miso soup, Ito Sayuri was also preparing other dishes. She chopped, sliced, peeled…

She moved with a strange rhythm.

Stir, add more water, check the pot.

For the first time in many years, Aburame Shou decided that Kido Akira was right about instinct being better for something.

.

.

Miso soup. Sukiyaki.

Aburame Shou nodded. "Thank you." He glanced the tray that Sayuri carried. "Is all that for the young heir?"

"No," said Sayuri. "I'll have dinner with him at his room. I don't think he'll mind."

Shou nodded and watched her leave. After thanking again for the meals, he immersed the spoon in the soup and tasted it. He raised an eyebrow. "It's good."

.

.

It was hot.

Shino squirmed under his blankets.

And the kikaichu buzzed weakly, complaining about the discomfort.

A cool sensation on his forehead made him open his eyes.

The kikaichu buzzed again and he winced.

"Sayuri?"

There was a cloth on his forehead, he noted.

"You look awful."

Shino rubbed his temple, only to have his hand pulled away from it.

"Don't."

Shino raised an eyebrow and pulled Sayuri's hand. "You're cold."

"You're feverish," said the kunoichi and she released her hand. "You need to eat something."

Shino nodded and he tried to sit up, only to be pushed down gently.

"Wait a second."

Sayuri began arranging the pillows and then, she helped Shino to sit up. The blanket that covered him slipped and Sayuri frowned when she saw his chest.

So many blisters.

"Does it hurt too much?"

"I'm fine."

Sayuri shook her head. "Let me check you, maybe I can make an ointment or something to help you."

The kikaichu buzzed faintly. Shino winced but he shook his head.

"Why not?"

"I will be fine."

Sayuri sighed and nodded. She took his hand and examined it. "Can't you make your bugs leave your body without touching the blisters? Maybe that could help you to feel better."

"There's still the issue about my link," said Shino, wincing.

"What if I try to make them more comfortable so that they'll stop causing you pain?"

Shino shook his head. "I'll be fine."

Sayuri frowned but she ended up nodding again. She took a glass with a green-colored drink. "Open your mouth."

Shino obeyed and began drinking greedily.

"Easy." Sayuri removed the glass once Shino emptied it of its contents. "You were thirsty. I prepared this, that's why I hadn't given you anything to drink earlier."

Shino nodded weakly.

Sayuri sighed and she pulled the chair from his desk before placing the tray on her lap. She immersed the spoon in the bowl of soup and placed it before Shino's lips. Shino opened his mouth and he raised his eyebrows as he tasted the soup.

"It's very good."

"Of course it tastes good, you're sick," said Sayuri. "Chicken soup is excellent for this kind of things." She continued feeding him and once Shino finished the soup, she pushed him down gently. "I only know that you like vegetables and Shou-san's here so I made sukiyaki."

"Does it have tofu?"

"You don't like it?"

"I hate tofu but I-"

"I also made nikujaga." Sayuri shrugged. "I can have sukiyaki while you have nikujaga."

"You haven't eaten? Why?"

"I didn't know you were sick so I waited for you at the plaza, I thought you had stood me up."

Shino frowned. "I asked Shou-san to tell you about my condition in person." He relaxed against his pillows, feeling much better after having chicken soup. His kikaichu agreed and they began emerging from his skin, being careful to avoid the blisters. Shino scolded them after grabbing his blanket and covering himself, they shouldn't have done that in front of Sayuri.

The young Aburame stiffened when he noticed the change in her posture. He noticed how her arms trembled, how her hands clenched and unclenched, how her shoulders rose and fell. He was careful to avoid watching her face, not wanting to see the aversion that her eyes would show.

He sat up and focused on the door behind her and his eyes didn't stray from the knob.

But he would not show his disappointment. He would not.

He wasn't weak, he would not appear as a house of cards crumbling. He would not show distress or bitterness over something he was used to. As an Aburame, he was supposed not to react in any visible way at the repulsion that other people felt.

And yet…

He had not expected, he had not wanted to see her react like that.

There was something ugly and unpleasant, like a knot of anger and hurt twisting somewhere in his body, clenching and pressing and slamming. He did not want her to stay any longer, he wanted her gone.

"I'll tell Shibi-sama."

Shino raised his eyebrows.

"I will," he heard her say and her tone was as icy and sharp as the gusts of wind that she could summon. "If he had told me that you were sick, I would've come as soon as possible and you wouldn't have suffered like this."

Aburame Shino tilted his head and watched her. Her eyes were shut and her lips were drawn into a tight line.

She was angry.

For a moment, he wondered if his fever wasn't allowing him to think and see things clearly. Maybe he needed more rest and yet, there was something, something pleasant about realizing that she was angry instead of revolted.

Angry because she cared.

"Sayuri?"

The mantis summoner opened her eyes and gave him a nod. "And if he tells me that he agrees with what Shou-san did, I'll tell your sensei and Tsunade-sama." A vindictive smirk appeared on her face. "No…I'll tell Shizune-sensei and Midori-san."

Shino fell back against his pillows.

Sayuri glared him. "And you will not reject medical attention, I don't care all that stuff about being stoic." She folded her arms. "You are a shinobi of Konoha, it's your right and duty to be properly attended." She nodded and filled his glass with the green-colored drink that he'd had earlier. "Drink."

Shino complied.

Sayuri nodded and placed the back of her hand on his forehead. Her glance softened. "You're still feverish."

Shino raised an eyebrow. After a long moment, he nodded.

"You should take a bath."

"I took one earlier."

Sayuri grinned, amused. "Don't tell me that you don't like to shower."

"I'm not like Kiba," said Shino, annoyed. "I told you, my kikaichu dislike getting soaked and I don't want them to complain."

"A bath could help you to cool down." Sayuri nodded. "If you have a bathtub, I could prepare the water while you eat the nikujaga."

"I won't ask Shou-san to help me to undress."

Sayuri frowned. "Don't mention him again or I'll go downstairs and do something unpleasant to him."

Shino shook his head. "You shouldn't fight an Aburame." He flicked her forehead. "He has more kikaichu than me. Don't do anything stupid."

Sayuri glared him.

Shino glared back.

"What about Yasunori-san? He's nice, he could help you," said Sayuri.

"No."

"Why not?"

"I won't show weakness."

"But-"

"No."

"You're sick."

"I'm the Aburame heir."

"And I'm your medic so if I say that you will take a shower, you will."

Shino held his blanket tighter and gave her his best scowl. "You're not seeing me naked."

Sayuri gaped at him.

Shino almost smirked when he saw an unflattering shade of red tinge her cheeks. He watched her tremble with what he supposed was indignation and fury.

"H-How dare you?"

Yes, it was definitely hard to avoid smirking.

Sayuri glared him darkly. "I'm not a pervert."

"I happen to disagree."

Sayuri opened her mouth just to close it and open it again.

Shino tilted his head, entertained. "You like touching me, poking me, pecking me."

"That doesn't make me a pervert!"

"Kiba told me that tying me with strings to your bed was a perverted thing to do." Pause. "I think he called it kinky."

"I did that so that you were forced to rest!"

"And now, you are somehow offering to help me bathe."

"Y-You're insufferable!"

"And you're a pervert."

Sayuri clenched and unclenched her hands.

"Also, you wanted to see me shirtless the other day."

Sayuri rolled her eyes. "Oh, pleeeeeeeeease…I told you, I've seen many shirtless men…" She tilted her head and smirked. "You're nothing special, you're fit and toned but…" She shrugged and gave him a bored glance. "You wouldn't make anyone drool, your fangirls would be so disappointed…"

Shino's eyebrow twitched.

"Maybe you should strip for them, they'd finally leave you alone…"

Shino scowled.

Sayuri nodded and took a piece of nikujaga. "Now, eat."

"You've seen Hyuuga Neji shirtless."

"You already knew that." Sayuri shrugged and glanced the piece of nikujaga. "Open your mouth."

Shino complied and after swallowing, he leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. "Did you like what you saw?"

Sayuri tilted her head. "I guess so…he has a nice body."

Shino's eyebrow twitched again.

Sayuri shrugged. "But Tenten-san and I think that Lee-san's must be better."

Shino raised his eyebrows, almost horrified. "You were comparing Hyuuga Neji with Rock Lee…"

"We think that he must have the best body out there. The second place belongs to Kiba-kun and Neji." Sayuri shrugged and took another piece of nikujaga. "Eat."

Shino complied, not sure if he wanted to listen more about the hobbies she shared with Tenten. He kept eating, distracting himself with the ceiling or the door or his bookshelf.

Anything to keep himself from musing.

He heard a knock and maybe for the first time in his life, he was glad to see Aburame Shou.

"You look better," the counselor commented. He blatantly ignored the dark glare that Sayuri sent him.

"It isn't thanks to you," snapped Sayuri. She feed Shino another piece of nikujaga. "He needed to eat and hydrate."

Shou raised an annoyed eyebrow at her before giving Shino a disgusted glance. The Aburame heir scowled at him, challenging him to say something. Shou might have considered staying silent if the mantis summoner hadn't removed the remnants of nikujaga that were at the corner of Shino's lips.

"That's inappropriate," he said.

"Of course not," replied Sayuri and she gave Shino the last piece of nikujaga. "Open your mouth."

"Young heir, this is embarrassing," scolded Shou.

Sayuri wasn't pleased in the slightest and she glared him. "Leave him alone. Remember that he's a Konoha shinobi."

After sighing exasperatedly, Shino opened his mouth.

Shou glared the mantis summoner. "You have no insight, Ito. Akemi would've understood that-"

"I don't care," interrupted Sayuri, glaring him. "I don't care if this is some stupid test of strength and endurance or if you're just being stubborn. Shino-kun needs to be treated and as his medic, I'll do everything in my power to make his recovery as comfortable as possible."

"This is not lethal, he can endure this," said Aburame Shou. "You are a kunoichi and a medic nin, surely you noticed that this sickness isn't torturous."

"But I don't like to see him in pain," replied Sayuri.

Shou rolled his eyes. "Then, leave."

"No."

Shou tilted his head. "Ryuutaro-san wouldn't have liked his only daughter to be so affectionate with a patient."

Blink. "You knew my dad?"

"He was an understanding man, but I'm sure that even he would've disliked the way you deal with this," said Shou, answering her question in a roundabout way. "You're such an unprofessional medic nin, I should tell Shizune-san how you harass Shino-kun."

"W-What?"

Shino could feel a horrible headache making its appearance. "Sayuri, ignore him."

"He insulted me!"

Yes, it was very horrible headache. He could hear the kikaichu buzzing and complaining and demanding to be let out so that they could deal with the counselor. He could feel them feeding off his chakra frantically, anxiously, without considering the repercussions of their actions.

There was a frantic, frenetic buzz.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

"Shino-kun?"

Aburame Shou narrowed his eyes as he watched Ito Sayuri apply chakra to the young heir's temples with her hands, her eyes focused on his face alone. He could hear her voice murmuring him apologies that he should also offer. His hands twitched for a fraction of a second and he found his eyes turning to the ceiling.

It was only after he heard the distant sound of a kiss that he returned his eyes to Shino.

Somehow, he wasn't too surprised to find the mantis summoner pressing her lips to his cheek with a gentleness that he never saw in Ito Akemi. No, what made him raise his eyebrows was the fact that the kikaichu began calming down and relaxing and buzzing with approval.

The counselor stared and stared and stared. "I think I'll throw up," he muttered.

Sayuri sent him a sideway glare before she planted another kiss on Shino's cheek.

"Why are you being so…affectionate?"

"Shino-kun freezes whenever I kiss him like this," explained Sayuri. "I thought his bugs would do the same and it worked."

Shino gave her an annoyed glance but nodded. He closed his eyes and began calming down the kikaichu, commanding them to be quiet.

"You're feeling better, aren't you?"

Shino nodded, focusing on his task.

"Maybe I should stay to make sure that you're fine."

Shou rolled his eyes. "I can already picture you giving him a goodnight kiss…" He grimaced. "How nauseating…"

"Maybe you should leave," suggested Sayuri.

"Fangirls," muttered Shou with distaste. "I told you, I'm here because of them."

"What about Yasunori-san? Maybe I could make a deal with him to replace you," said Sayuri.

Shou shook his head. "Yasunori is unavailable, he told me that he had an urgent business."

---

"Yay! I win again!"

Aburame Yasunori tilted his head. "You're really good." He shrugged. "I think you could beat Shibi-sama."

"Shino-chan's dad?" Itsuki hopped. "I'd like to play against him…"

"Did you like him?"

"He seemed nice, much calmer than Shino-chan."

Yasunori nodded as he began shuffling the cards. "I agree."

"Does Shibi-sama like Sayuri-chan?"

Yasunori tilted his head. "I don't know…he's hard to read."

"Aww…"

"Well, I want the rematch."

"Yay!"

---

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you have a calming effect on Shino-kun's kikaichu?"

"I don't know," admitted Sayuri.

"They've been acting like Itsuki for some time," muttered Shino, grimacing. "I think they've spent too much time with him." He closed his eyes. "I fear it won't be long before they start asking for cookies…"

Blink. Blink. Blink.

"I didn't know your bugs were so malleable," said Sayuri. "That could explain their change of heart, though."

Shino raised an eyebrow.

"They're being nicer," said Sayuri. "They don't tickle me anymore."

Shino tilted his head.

Aburame Shou shook his head at him. "It's strange for you to lack control, young heir. It's true that you're sick but they should remember that you're the one in charge." He got a glare in response, which he ignored. "I wonder if your taijutsu training has to do with that."

"Shizune-sensei told me that his performance exceeded expectations," said Sayuri. "Besides, it's not easy to punch Akira-sensei."

"I know," muttered Shou with a hint of envy. He made his way to the door. "When will you be leaving? It's late."

"I told you that I'd like to stay," said Sayuri and she glared him. "Shino-kun needs me."

Shou sighed exasperatedly. "As a friend or as a medic nin?"

Blink.

"I've told you not to do that…"

Sayuri gave him an annoyed glance. "As a friend. I'd like to stay as a friend."

Shou rolled his eyes. 'Wrong answer.' "I think you can sleep in one of the rooms that-"

"I plan to stay here, in this room."

Shou narrowed his eyes.

"You cannot sleep here."

"I won't, I'm just going to take care of Shino-kun."

Shou shook his head. "Leave."

"Why do you insist on making our lives difficult? He's sick, I can take care of him and you can take a nap."

"I make your life difficult?" Shou rolled his eyes. "You're complicating mine."

"Why?"

"You're not supposed to be here."

"But I am." Sayuri took Shino's hand. "I could ask him, it's not your house anyway."

Shou tilted his head. "You're not an Aburame."

Sayuri turned to Shino. "We were going out today and you stood me up. Besides, Shou-san owes me. Can I stay?"

The young Aburame nodded at her.

"I'm allowed to stay," said Sayuri after returning her glance to Shou. She gave him a small smirk. "And I want to."

Aburame Shou raised an eyebrow at her. For a moment, he didn't know if he read between lines.

But oh, Ito Ryuutaro had been a man who liked to show cleverness in the least expected moments. The medic nin hadn't been very strong or powerful but he could be annoyingly smart when he wanted to, he had enjoyed debating or pointing out loopholes in his arguments just to irritate him.

Shou still remembered how Ryuutaro would scold him for fighting Akira and not controlling his temper. Shou still remembered how he would call him immature and childish and foolish every single time Yasunori forced him to go to the hospital.

He still remembered.

So when he stared back at Ito Sayuri, he couldn't help but wonder if she knew what she was doing by choosing the words she used. Somehow, she asked the right questions.

She didn't ask the young heir if he wanted her to stay. No…she asked him if she could stay in a way so that Shino wouldn't appear as weak, in a way that suggested that she wanted to beat him in something, in a way that suggested that she was the one who needed to stay…and somehow, she had warned him what she was planning to do.

Aburame Shou hated underestimating people but there was something strangely bittersweet about the way Ito Sayuri smirked at him…something that he couldn't explain…so he opted to nod and concede defeat…

But before he leaves, he silently promises her that he will get even.

---

"So Shino-chan's sick?"

"Yes, he never got chickenpox when he was a child."

"You told me it wasn't chickenpox."

"Hmm…I prefer to call it that," said Yasunori. "It sounds better. It isn't so similar to chickenpox, though." He glanced his cards and began plotting. "I'm glad that you're not sick, I really wanted to play with you."

"We are healthy, strong insects," said Itsuki. "We rarely get sick…" He tilted his head. "Unless it's for eating too much or drinking too much…"

"Do you like drinking?"

"I prefer cookies."

Yasunori nodded. "What about Sayuri-san?"

"Sayuri-chan also prefers cookies and cakes and pastries and things with chocolate," said Itsuki and he hopped. "She loves chocolate ice cream!"

"Do you know if she likes flowers?"

Itsuki hopped again. "Of course."

"Lilies?"

"Obviously," said Itsuki, "But she also likes roses and tulips and violets and…"

---

Shino stared and stared. He repressed the urge to remove his glasses and rub his eyes.

"Are you wearing a dress?"

He hadn't noticed because she'd remained seated all the time and he was sure that it had been another off-the-shoulders blouse with long sleeves. And yet, he hadn't noticed that this blouse wasn't baggy or made for comfort like the ones she wore to train or fight. No, this one was formfitting and he could bet that the fabric was of excellent quality.

But it wasn't a blouse, he was sure of that. It was too long to be one, he supposed.

Sayuri finally answered him.

"Yes," she told him and she glanced him from the door with uneasiness. "It's a sweater dress."

"So that's why you're wearing leggings."

Sayuri nodded. "Do you like it?"

"Yes," said Shino.

Sayuri sighed in relief. "I'm glad."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you wearing a dress? You hate them."

"Well, Ino-san told me that I'd look nice in this," said Sayuri.

Shino raised his eyebrows. "You asked Ino for help?"

"Something like that," admitted Sayuri. "I met her and I told her that I…had a date with you and that I wanted to buy nice clothes."

"You told Ino that you were going out on a date with me," muttered Shino.

That changed things and the worst of all was that Kiba was right and he would know thanks to Ino.

The kikaichu buzzed and Shino rolled his eyes.

Flowers.

He would have to give her a very nice bouquet.

Shino frowned. A very nice bouquet and something nice, anything but chocolate.

"Did I do something wrong?" asked Sayuri.

"No, it's just…that was…unexpected…"

Sayuri shrugged. "Kiba-kun went to visit me yesterday and he told me that you considered it a date. He also told me that because it would be your first date, I had to do my best to make it special."

Shino's eyebrow twitched. "Kiba told you that?"

"Yes…"

Shino scowled. "Kiba lied, Kiba's dead."

"What?" Sayuri almost dropped the tray. "Kiba-kun lied to me?"

Shino nodded. "I never considered it a date, I thought I had made that clear the other day. However, I appreciate your interest and efforts. Thank you very much for your consideration."

"So I didn't have to buy a dress? So I could've avoided all the stares?" Sayuri narrowed her eyes. "Inuzuka Kiba is dead."

Shino almost winced on his behalf. "I think his intentions were good, he didn't mean to prank you."

Sayuri frowned. "I guess he lied because of you." She nodded. "It's not like he told me to buy a dress, he just told me to make it special." She sighed. "I guess I won't have to hunt him." She tilted her head. "So…the thing about you never going out on a date before…was that true?"

Shino nodded.

Buzz.

"What about you?"

Sayuri blinked. "Well…"

Shino narrowed his eyes. "Let me guess, you went out with Neji on a date."

"No."

Shino began recalling things and pieces of information. "The guy with water ninjutsu, the one who's good-looking."

"Wrong again," said Sayuri. "Hmm…well…"

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

"Itsuki."

Shino raised an eyebrow at her answer and his kikaichu buzzed approvingly.

"Does Itsuki count for you? It was a bit after I got my contract," said Sayuri, "He asked me out and we went to a café that sold delicious pastries…" She grinned at the memory. "Then, he took me to the movies and he paid for one ticket because he hid in my backpack."

Shino rolled his eyes. "Your first date was with Itsuki."

"It was special," said Sayuri defensively. "We also played poker and just before going to sleep, he told me more about mantises." She smirked. "I'm sure you would've liked to learn more about them. I bet you're jealous because he told me things that you'd like to know."

Shino remained silent.

"Oh, and he pecked me a lot and told me that I was the cutest girl alive," said Sayuri. "He also told me that he wanted to be my personal summon because I was nice and cute and sweet and amazing at baking pastries and because I didn't mind losing to him in poker and because I accepted to go out with him…" She shrugged.

Shino nodded. "You seem happy."

"It was a nice date." Sayuri grinned. "The only one I've had but it was great." She frowned. "I asked Shou-san about your disease and he told me that he ignores if you could've passed it on the mantises. Itsuki hasn't complained and I don't trust Shou-san but…"

"Don't worry," said Shino. "This only affects the kikaichu."

"So Shou-san wanted to get rid of me," said Sayuri.

"He can be a difficult person."

"He knew my parents," commented Sayuri. "I wonder why…maybe I should ask him."

Shino raised an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't like talking about them."

Sayuri shrugged. "I don't think he'd lied to me about them and I'm too curious about why he knows them. Besides, he'd answer my questions, he wouldn't be questioning me."

Shino frowned. "He told me that he fought a few times beside your mother and I suppose he met your father at the hospital."

"Maybe he can tell me more," said Sayuri, "I'll wash the dishes so you can sleep or take a bath. I'll try to be back soon."

.

.

"He was a medic nin."

"But you mentioned that he was understanding."

"He was also infuriatingly smart sometimes," said Shou. "He often beat me at poker."

Blink.

"Don't do that, it makes you look stupid," snapped Shou.

Glare.

The bell rang.

Shou frowned.

"Is something wrong?"

"It could be Yasunori or…" A kikaichu flew towards him. "Return with the young heir. I'll take care of the visitors, they just want to importune."

"Fangirls?"

"Just go back with the young heir."

"But-"

"Go."

Sayuri gave him an annoyed glance and left the living room. The bell rang again and Aburame Shou sighed in exasperation before going to answer the door.

"Good evening, Shou."

"Osamu." Nod. "Hanako."

"We came to visit Shino-kun."

"It's late and he needs to rest. I'll tell him tomorrow morning that you came to visit," said Shou.

"You should rest too," said Osamu. "Hanako will prepare something, you must be hungry."

"I've already had dinner, but the sentiment is appreciated," replied Shou.

Aburame Osamu raised an eyebrow. "You can't cook to save your life, Yasunori told me." He turned his eyes to the staircase.

"Shino-san cooked?" asked Hanako.

"I highly doubt it." Osamu adjusted his glasses. "The mantis summoner?"

"That woman is here?" hissed Hanako.

"Shino-kun had an appointment with her and when he failed to show up, she came to demand an explanation," said Shou with a scowl. "Shino-kun allowed her to stay because she's his medic." He adjusted his glasses. "That girl…she knows nothing, she understands nothing…so unlike her mother, she's a disgrace…"

Osamu nodded, satisfied with his answer. "We could persuade Shino-kun to make her leave."

"I doubt that's a good idea," replied Shou. "His kikaichu are acting like one of that girl's mantises. They're feeling a bit protective towards her and I wouldn't advise acting against that…girl."

Hanako grimaced. "The kikaichu are protecting her? Her?"

Osamu nodded at her and his daughter nodded back.

"You're not seeing Shino-kun, he needs to rest," said Shou.

"That woman is with him," hissed Hanako.

"She's his medic and he's authorized her to take care of him," said Shou. "She threatened to tell the Hokage because Shino-kun has duties with Konoha."

"So she's not as stupid as I thought," said Osamu.

Shou rolled his eyes. "Or maybe, she has experience handling this kind of situations." He adjusted his glasses. "The tone she used with Shino-kun was that of a mother scolding a child for not taking his medicine."

"I'd like to see Shino-kun," insisted Hanako. "I'm sure that I can convince him to let me stay and take care of him in that woman's place."

Osamu nodded and he turned to Shou.

Shou adjusted his glasses and tilted his head. "Good luck."

Hanako grinned at him before departing.

"I knew you'd approve of my daughter," said Osamu.

"She has many things that the mantis summoner lacks," said Shou.

"Obviously."

'Like an ambitious father…' Shou adjusted his glasses and gestured him to take a seat.

"Maybe I should take your place so that you can rest," said Osamu.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline your generous offer," said Shou and he sighed exasperatedly. "I was the one who was assigned to this unsavory task."

.

.

"Shino-kun, I assure you that I can be of more assistance than her."

"I bet you can."

"I'm talking to Shino-kun."

Shino rolled his eyes. "Sayuri's an accomplished medic nin."

"But-"

"Your offer is appreciated but unnecessary."

"But-"

"Please leave."

"But-"

"You heard Shino," said Sayuri. "He needs to rest."

Hanako glared her and a small cloud of kikaichu emerged from her clothes.

Shino's kikaichu buzzed menacingly, ignoring Sayuri's request to calm down.

Hanako clenched her fists. "So it's true…they're protective of this…woman."

Shino shook his head and called his bugs back.

"It's not fair," hissed Hanako, "I've always…we…she…"

"Please, leave."

"But I've dealt with this disease! I can be of more help! I've taken care of little cousins and-"

"Sayuri's my friend," said Shino, he repressed a wince. "Please, leave."

"It's not fair," hissed Hanako, "This…woman…she has no right to-"

"That's enough," interrupted Sayuri and she began applying chakra to Shino's head. "He needs to rest and you're tiring him."

Hanako pursued her lips. "Is it because she's pretty?"

Shino sighed exasperatedly. "Hanako-san, leave before my patience runs out."

Hanako stiffened. "A-Are you threatening me?" More kikaichu came out from her sleeves when Sayuri placed her fingers on the back of Shino's head and began massaging it. "Stop doing that!"

"You're upsetting his bugs," said Sayuri. "You aren't making him feel better, you're worsening his condition by angering his kikaichu. I doubt that you can take care of him if you keep doing things that only make him suffer."

Hanako scowled. "Stop touching him."

Sayuri rolled her eyes and bit her tongue to keep herself from retorting. It wouldn't do to have an argument like the one she had with Shou.

"Hanako-san, leave."

"But it isn't fair," muttered Hanako.

Sayuri frowned when Shino's kikaichu buzzed again and she felt him tensing again. "Leave or I'll make you."

"You can't beat me," hissed Hanako. "I know about your weakness against the kikaichu." Smug smirk. "You wouldn't last a minute."

Silence.

Sayuri narrowed her eyes, she opened her mouth when she suddenly felt something warm soak her fingers.

Blood.

Blood and kikaichu.

She ignored the harsh buzzing sound coming from the kikaichu that began emerging from Shino's body and focused on repairing the damage to the blisters.

Hanako paled. "Shou-san! Father!"

"Calm down, Shino," said Sayuri, "Calm down." Strings emerged from her sleeves and began wrapping themselves around his body.

But Shino couldn't hear her.

There was only the buzzing sound of his kikaichu in his head.

And the pain.

The feeling as if hot knives stabbed his skull repeatedly, the feeling as if something grabbed his hair and pulled it violently, the feeling as if sharp claws gripped his head and tore skin.

And everything was spinning.

Everything was a blur.

And then, he was cold.

And the pain began fading away.

It was then when he realized that his throat was sore and dry and aching.

"Shino?"

He closed his eyes.

Inhale. Exhale. Just Breathe.

"Shino?"

He was cold.

And darkness claimed him.

.

.

"I thought you weren't supposed to allow fangirls," muttered Sayuri as she applied more chakra.

Shou scowled. "Hanako's father is a member of the council."

"So?"

"I admit that my attempts to keep her away weren't-"

"You will apologize."

"Excuse me?"

"She upset him and his bugs," said Sayuri and she turned to see him with a glance full of indignation. "She made him suffer."

"You really are a child, aren't you?" Shou took a seat. "If you had left, I would've been able to keep her away. It would've been easy to convince her to leave." He shook his head and sighed. "If Shino-kun had contracted chicken pox when he was child, this wouldn't have happened."

"Why?"

"There are many reasons," said Shou. "Children usually tell their parents that their kikaichu are behaving strangely so they get attention in the early stages. Also, because their colonies aren't so big and because the link with their kikaichu isn't that strong, it's possible to remove a relatively big percentage of their kikaichu. Let's say that having a bigger colony provokes more stress."

"Doesn't Shino-kun know about this disease? Shouldn't he have suspected that he was sick?" asked Sayuri.

"He must've forgotten or merely thought himself invulnerable," said Shou emotionlessly. "Like I was telling you before you asked me that, children have it easier. Their headaches aren't so terrible and sometimes, their kikaichu see their parents' kikaichu as their role models. I think that because he's spent too much time with your mantis, they decided that Itsuki would be an excellent candidate."

Blink.

Shou rolled his eyes. "They began viewing him as someone whose behavior was worth of imitating, I suppose it was because he's a strong bug and that often happens." He adjusted his glasses. "Usually, the kikaichu that are sick see healthy ones are the ones whom they should imitate. I've heard from Yasunori that Itsuki's a very lively mantis."

Sayuri grinned. "That's right."

"Shino-kun isn't in charge right now, Itsuki would be if he were here," said Shou. "But I suppose that since your mantis is smitten with you, they're doing their best to protect you. Those bugs aren't feeling well right now and in their haste to protect you, they consumed Shino-kun's chakra too fast and without caring about his welfare. Just like Shino-kun, they aren't thinking clearly. Fortunately, once Shino-kun and his kikaichu get better, they'll behave like they used to."

"What do you mean?"

"They won't be as fond of you as they are now," said Shou smugly.

"What?"

Shou smirked. "I hope you didn't get used to the young heir's kindness."

"But you said that the kikaichu were the ones who were imitating Itsuki."

"Yes, but they can influence their wielder's thoughts," said Shou. "I think that Shino-kun's been too lenient with you just to please them."

Sayuri frowned. "Shino-kun's a resolute person. He's not someone who'd allow someone else to order him around."

Shou tilted his head. "Imagine thousands of annoying voices telling you to do something and whining if you don't agree with them. Wouldn't you just give in?"

Sayuri sighed.

"That's what I thought," said Shou.

"But Shino-kun likes me," replied Sayuri. "I'm sure he does and maybe…maybe you're lying."

"You can ask Yasunori," said Shou.

And he left with a very smug smirk. Revenge was a dish best served cold.

---

Something changed.

Aburame Shou raised his eyebrows and he glanced the ceiling. He pushed up his glasses.

"The mantis summoner really complicates my life."

..

.

There was something off.

Ito Sayuri narrowed her eyes and she glanced the door sideways. She returned her glance to Shino and got up as silently as she could.

Earlier, she had turned off the lights and scattered an enormous pile of candies on the floor in case another fangirl tried to disturb Shino's slumber. However, she was almost sure that the intruder was not an admirer.

The fact that Aburame Shou wasn't there to tell her that the stranger wasn't a threat or a walking irritation that decided to visit at three in the morning made her uneasy. Besides, she doubted that no one knew that there was an intruder.

With Aburame Shibi away and his only son in a vulnerable state, many accidents could happen.

Sayuri glanced the door again and waited.

Nothing happened.

A few kikaichu buzzed faintly and made their way to her arm. Sayuri shook her head at them and placed her index finger before her lips, as if asking them to be quiet. She raised her other arm and waited again for something to happen.

A sheet of paper with strange characters was slid under the door.

It glowed dangerously.

But Sayuri was ready and a dome of chakra was created almost automatically around her and Shino.

To her surprise, there was no explosion.

Click.

Someone turned the knob and opened the door.

A tall, cloaked figure entered the room.

Sayuri narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?"

"I think you should question my purpose, girl."

Sayuri blinked. "You're a woman."

The figure nodded, not caring in the slightest that her voice had given Sayuri information.

"But you're not a fangirl, are you? You sound a bit old to be one."

The intruder tilted her head. "I still think you should question my purpose."

"Why would I want to? I bet you're here because you want to hurt Shino-kun." Sayuri narrowed her eyes. "But I'm not going to allow you to even try."

"This is the Aburame compound," pointed out the intruder. "Do you think anyone could break in easily?"

"I suppose that one of the members of the council is your accomplice," said Sayuri. "Anyway, your attitude and attire is very suspicious."

"Isn't that hypocritical? I've heard you like wearing cloaks."

Sayuri blinked.

"See? You've got no right to judge," said the cloaked figure. "Now, be a good girl and don't interfere. I've got a pending business with Shino."

"Shou-san…" Sayuri applied more chakra to the dome. "Is Shou-san your accomplice?"

"No, but I'm sure that he already knows that I'm here," said the intruder. She shrugged. "He can't come so don't expect him to come and aid you."

"I don't need him, I can deal with you alone," said Sayuri.

"I doubt it, but I'm glad that you're not expecting reinforcements because no one can come to help you," said the intruder. She tilted her head. "I suppose you sedated Shino or he'd be awake by now." She nodded. "You must be excellent at making poisons and medicines. It must be a very strong sedative."

Sayuri frowned. "Why do you say that no one can come?"

"A barrier," said the cloaked figure. She nodded and hummed. "Mine's much more impressive and powerful than yours. You're just wasting chakra, you know."

The intruder stepped forward.

And the scattered candies glowed before they flew towards her.

Sayuri frowned as she watched them tear the cloak, noticing the lack of blood.

"How aggressive…" said the intruder.

Sayuri turned around and saw a woman with Aburame attire smirking at her.

"But like I told you, your barrier isn't very efficient," she said. "Game over."

And a black curtain enveloped the chakra dome.

The woman's kikaichu began consuming the chakra frantically.

And so, Sayuri gave Shino an apologetic glance. The dome glowed again but this time, it was infused with wind chakra, killing the kikaichu instantly.

The intruder raised an eyebrow. "I suppose that makes this more interesting." She jumped away when senbon were thrown towards her. Her kikaichu took advantage of the interruption of Sayuri's dome to attack but they were swiftly killed by more gusts of wind.

Sayuri shook her head at Shino's kikaichu when they buzzed. "Calm down. I'm fine."

"They like you…" The Aburame woman tilted her head. "So if I hurt you, I could give Shino a terrible headache."

Sayuri frowned when Shino's kikaichu buzzed. "Ignore her. If you give Shino-kun a headache, you'll distract me and I don't need that right now." The kikaichu buzzed again and Shino stirred. Sayuri sighed. "If you calm down, I'll peck him." The kikaichu buzzed again. "I'll also bake cookies."

"The kikaichu don't eat cookies," pointed out the Aburame woman with a hint of amusement.

Sayuri rolled her eyes and glanced Shino. "If you protect him, I'll bake lots of chocolate cookies." And then, she bit her thumb and slammed her hand on the floor as fast as she could.

---

Midori tilted her head, rejecting Sayuri's summon automatically. She glanced the clock and shook her head.

"What's wrong? Is your teammate giving you trouble again?" She hopped. "You should be able to deal with her, Sayuri."

---

"Is something wrong?" asked the intruder.

Sayuri widened her eyes.

Midori had rejected her.

Shino's kikaichu buzzed faintly.

Sayuri shook her head and applied more chakra to the wind dome, concealing her exhaustion. She had wasted chakra for trying to summon Midori while keeping the dome and if anything happened to Shino, she wouldn't forgive her.

"Your name's Sayuri, right?" asked the intruder.

"Ito Sayuri."

"Listen, Shino will die anyway," said the Aburame woman. "If you give up and let me take him, I'll let you live. It's obvious that you can't keep that dome for much longer because you'll run out of chakra." She nodded. "Besides, your mantises must be angry at you because you couldn't summon them."

"You're not going to hurt him," said Sayuri.

"You're not very smart, are you?" said the Aburame woman. "You'll run out of chakra and then, my kikaichu will attack you." She pushed up her glasses. "They'll drain you and I'll slit his throat."

"What about you? I'm sure you'll also have to run out of chakra," said Sayuri. "I'm sure that if your barrier is much stronger, then-"

"No," interrupted the woman. "It's also much more efficient." She took out what Sayuri thought were exploding tags and her kikaichu took them, they aligned them around the dome and the tags glowed red. Crimson beams came out from them and formed a barrier outside Sayuri's dome that resembled a pyramid.

Sayuri widened her eyes as she felt her chakra being drained.

Buzz.

"I'm fine," she muttered with a very false smile. She glanced Shino and sighed in relief after making sure with one of her strings that he was fine.

"It's a great jutsu, ne?" said the Aburame woman. "My kikaichu help me to activate it. I might teach it to my son one of these days."

Sayuri dissolved her wind dome and slammed her hand again on the floor.

Nothing.

"What did you do to your mantises? Did you insult them? Did you let one of them die?"

Sayuri felt her chakra being drained at a more frantic pace but she kept herself from wincing to avoid worrying Shino's kikaichu.

"What did you do, Sayuri?"

"Piercing Palm!"

But the Aburame woman didn't even have to dodge for Sayuri's attack was very weak and the crimson barrier absorbed it quickly.

"It's useless." The Aburame shook her head when she saw the candies moving slightly and glowing faintly. "No, girl. That won't work."

Sayuri slammed her hand on the floor repeatedly. She took out a blue tag and applied chakra to it.

Nothing.

"Shino-kun's in danger! Help!"

The Aburame woman raised a very amused eyebrow. "I told you, no one can come."

"I've been to many places, I'm sure that there must be something I can give to you," said Sayuri. "Maybe you'd like scrolls with amazing jutsu? How about jewels? Or maybe some rare artifact?"

"You sound desperate," said the intruder. "And yet…" She shook her head. "You keep applying chakra to that blue tag and you haven't tried to wake Shino." She sighed. "Is it because the sedative is too strong? Or maybe because you don't want to see him in pain?"

Sayuri covered her face when she felt the leech moving, trying to break free of its cage.

"So…" began the intruder. "You offered me things in exchange of his life."

"Yes!"

"Hmm…" The mysterious woman shook her head. "I don't think so." And her kikaichu began draining chakra at a faster rate.

Sayuri couldn't repress a wince but she walked to the border of the red barrier and she winced again when she touched it.

Buzz.

"Calm down and protect Shino."

Sayuri took a deep breath and thrust her left palm towards the barrier. Strings came out from her fingers and they glowed faintly when they touched the barrier.

The intruder raised an eyebrow when her kikaichu told her that Sayuri was absorbing the chakra of the barrier. She sent more kikaichu to their aid and frowned when they told her that the mantis summoner was draining the barrier much faster than they thought. "That's an interesting jutsu you have." She tilted her head. "That's good, but not good enough."

And the kikaichu drained chakra faster and faster.

The leech struggled and tried to act to act as a vacuum, absorbing the chakra of the barrier frantically.

It was almost like a tug of war where the rope was chakra.

The Aburame woman narrowed her eyes.

And more kikaichu fell over the barrier.

Sayuri gritted her teeth and smeared the blue tag with blood. She applied chakra with her right hand but nothing happened. She pushed the leech even more and it increased its absorbing pace. In that moment, Sayuri thrust her right hand and a small hole appeared on the barrier. She applied chakra on the blue tag again and threw it out of the pyramid.

The intruder nodded and dissolved one of the walls of the barrier and the kikaichu entered. "Secret Technique: Insect Sphere."

Sayuri was caught in a black globe and she fell to the floor.

The Aburame woman pushed up her glasses. "Game over." She began to walk calmly towards her and she raised her hand. Her kikaichu lifted Sayuri so that she could be to eye level and nodded at her. "I'll have to drain all your chakra to prevent interruptions."

Shino's kikaichu buzzed faintly.

"Oh? Really? You aren't making sense," said the woman. She shook her head when she let Sayuri fall to the floor and watched her thrash, trying to get rid of the kikaichu. "It's useless."

And then, there was a puff of smoke.

"Oi, Sayuri-chan, Midori-" Itsuki stopped in midsentence when he saw a figure thrashing on the ground and it took him only a moment to recognize Sayuri.

"A mantis," muttered the Aburame woman.

Itsuki hopped and before she could even contact her kikaichu, he flew past her and began poking Sayuri repeatedly and blowing the kikaichu away.

"Sayuri-chan?"

Itsuki pecked her cheek and poked her again. He glanced the Aburame woman. "Remove your kikaichu, you're hurting Sayuri-chan! She can't even speak!" And he blew more gusts of wind at her.

"Calm down, my little friend," said the woman.

"Your kikaichu are hurting my Sayuri-chan! Leave her alone!"

"I think I should've chosen another battleground," muttered the woman. She tilted her head and her kikaichu began dragging Sayuri away from Itsuki. "If you calm down and promise to listen to me, I'll release your summoner."

"No!" said Itsuki and he hopped. "And I bet you also want to hurt Shino-chan! He's my friend, I won't let you!"

The Aburame sighed. "Secret Technique: Insect Sphere."

And her kikaichu attacked Itsuki but the mantis spun. "Fuuton: Whirlwind!"

"If you don't calm down, I'll hurt your summoner," threatened the woman. "One order and they'll suck her dry." The kikaichu that were covering Sayuri buzzed menacingly.

"What? Nooooooo!" cried Itsuki. "Leave her alone!"

"Itsuki, get Shino," muttered Sayuri. "I'm fine..."

"Surrender, mantis," said the Aburame. More kikaichu emerged from her sleeves and surrounded Sayuri. "Or I'll kill her."

Itsuki's forelegs glowed.

And he launched towards her.

"Enough."

A cloud of kikaichu stopped Itsuki midair.

"Shibi-sama!" cried the mantis. "Shibi-sama, help Sayuri-chan!"

The leader of the Aburame clan nodded and adjusted his glasses. He turned to the woman that had imprisoned Sayuri. "Kabocha, release her at once."

Aburame Kabocha glared him but her anger faded away when she noticed that Shibi was frowning at her with utter disapproval.

"Aburame-sama, Ito Sayuri can't fight against members of our clan," said a male voice. Aburame Shou entered the room and frowned at the mess that was Shino's room. "She has a problem with her chakra system, that's why Shino-kun took his time when he fought her. He even used water ninjutsu and a bit of taijutsu to defeat her."

"I ignored that," muttered Kabocha and her kikaichu returned to her.

Sayuri winced. "What's going on?"

Shibi went and rolled up her left sleeve. "Do you want a chakra pill?"

"No…I don't think that will help this time." Sayuri winced again. "Who's that woman?"

"She's my wife."

Blink. Blink. Blink.

"Eeeeek! That meanie is Shino-chan's mom?"

---

Aburame Shino opened his eyes.

His kikaichu buzzed in greeting.

"You're awake."

A woman with brown hair that was tied into a bun nodded at him.

"Mother."

Aburame Kabocha tilted her head. "You seem much better."

Shino glanced her and then, studied his surroundings. "This isn't my room." He frowned. "Where's Sayuri?"

Kabocha raised an eyebrow "Sayuri?"

"Mother, my mind is clear now," said Shino. "I'm not feverish. I know that she was taking care of me." He folded his arms. "Besides, you haven't let me enter your bedroom since I was a child."

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to take care of my only child."

Shino raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Mother…"

"You know, before I heard about her, I honestly thought that Kiba was right whenever he said that you were asexual."

Shino rolled his eyes. "Where's Sayuri?"

"I'm sure that your grandfather can rest in peace now that we know that you're showing interest to continue the family," said Kabocha and she put a tray on her lap.

"Mother-"

"And she's fairly attractive," said Kabocha, forcing rice into his mouth. "I always thought that you'd prefer a girl with green eyes, though."

Shino swallowed the food. "Mother-"

"Or maybe with green hair," said Kabocha and she was ready with more rice. "If I had known that you had found such a pretty girl, I wouldn't have wasted so much time looking for one. You should've tried to contact me."

Shino swallowed the rice quickly and he glared her. "Mother, I-"

"Shino, don't look at me like that, it's disrespectful," said Kabocha and she put more rice in Shino's mouth. "You'll have to explain me later what you saw in her because I can't see it and I know you're so picky. I think she's fairly interesting because of her mantises but I'm not sure if she's smart." She sighed. "Oh, well…if I can't have smart grandchildren, at least I'm sure that they'll be cute."

"Mother-"

More rice.

"Don't interrupt me, Shino," scolded Kabocha. "I want at least two grandchildren, you know. Hopefully, one of them won't be your clone. Maybe-"

"Mother, your tricks to embarrass me won't work."

"I taught you well," said Kabocha with a sigh. "Your friend's downstairs playing strip poker with Yasunori and Itsuki."

"Sayuri would never play that."

"Fiiiine, it's only poker," said Kabocha.

"I'm not convinced."

"You're calling your own mother a liar?"

Shino remained silent. A lone kikaichu emerged from his cheek.

"Fiiiine. I'll ask her to come," said Kabocha.

"If Yasunori-san and Itsuki are downstairs like you claim, they'll act as translators," replied Shino.

Kabocha fed him abruptly. "You're much better, you're thinking clearly."

Shino swallowed and nodded.

.

.

"You look much better, Shino-kun."

"Why are you wearing one of my jackets?"

"Shino, don't be selfish," said Kabocha. "I lent it to her."

"Sayuri is also pale," said Shino with a frown. "She's leaning against the wall because she's tired."

"I'm sleep-deprived."

Shino adjusted his glasses. "I want the truth."

"I'm sleep-deprived."

"The whole truth." Shino glared Sayuri. "I want to see your left arm."

"You're seeing it."

Shino raised an eyebrow. "I'll find out and you know it."

"How? Do you plan to send one of your bugs to spy on me?"

"There are bugs in my jacket, in case you don't know." Shino narrowed his eyes after a moment. "Why does it look that way? Who attacked you?"

"You're not fooling me again," said Sayuri. "I'm fine."

"Was it Hanako-san?"

"There aren't any bugs in your jacket," said Sayuri.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"You're moving weirdly."

"Itsuki put itching powder on me earlier," said Sayuri.

"You would've taken a bath if that had happened." Shino adjusted his glasses and pushed the sheets that covered him to get up. "I'll ask Itsuki."

"Wait," said Sayuri. "Don't get up."

"I attacked her the other night," said Kabocha.

"The other night?"

"Yes," said Sayuri.

"So Hanako-san wasn't here last night," said Shino, "It was…today is…" He frowned. "Let me see your arm."

"No."

"My mother has more kikaichu than me," said Shino. "I want to make sure-"

"Stop worrying about me, I'm fine."

"Shino, Sayuri's a kunoichi," pointed out Kabocha. "I suppose you're not thinking as clearly as I thought. You need to rest."

"Why did you attack her?"

Kabocha glared him. "You'll finish your meal and take a bath. Then, you'll go back to bed."

"You're changing the topic again, mother," said Shino. "And what happened to my room?"

Sayuri winced. "Itsuki and I used wind jutsu."

"But don't worry, I got you a new rug before coming back. Unlike the other, this one is nice."

"What happened to my collection of bugs? Are they fine?"

"Your father's been taking care of them," said Kabocha.

Shino frowned. "Mother, why did you attack Sayuri and why did you choose to fight in my room?"

"You were there and Sayuri never left it," said Kabocha. "We'll remodel it. In the meantime, you can sleep in one of the guest rooms."

"Mother…"

"Everything will be fine," said Kabocha. "Now, finish your meal. You need to take a bath, you stink."

"Mother…"

"More rice, dear?"

---

"Shou!"

"What?"

"You're taking me with Sayuri-chan right now, she hasn't slept in her apartment for days, one of her neighbors told me," said Akira. "And I haven't seen her in town. If something-"

"She's playing poker with Yasunori and Itsuki."

"What?"

"You heard me," said Shou with a bored expression. "By the way, you're acting like some kind of stalker."

"She wouldn't play poker for days!"

"She's camping," said Shou, unfazed. "I heard she even baked cookies."

"Shou…"

Aburame Shou sighed exasperatedly. "What do you want?"

"I want the exact location of Sayuri-chan." Akira smirked. "Shizune's also looking for her because she was supposed to go to the hospital this morning."

"It's not my problem."

"Shou…"

"Sayuri met Shino-kun's mother the other night, they're bonding and making the young heir's life miserable right now," said Shou. "Please, don't interrupt them. Yasunori hasn't had so much fun in ages."

"Sayuri-chan met Shino-kun's mom and they're bonding?" Akira grimaced. "I'm not going to allow them to fool her and make her sign another marriage contract! Sayuri-chan deserves better!"

"Shino-kun's a better option than the Hyuuga prodigy," replied Shou. "Think about it."

"You!" Akira narrowed his eyes. "You planned this to happen! You plotted with Shino-kun, didn't you?"

Shou rolled his eyes and slammed the door of his house in Akira's face.

"I knew it!"

---

"Are you mad? If Aki-sama finds out that you-"

"I'm bored."

"But Takeru…"

"Shut up, I agree with him."

"Kanae…"

"We heard from Takehiko and Beni Soubi that there are some worthy opponents that might come."

"We want to fight them."

"Besides, Takeru wants to see that Sayuri girl again."

"I'll finish her off."

"But if they don't send her…"

"Then, I hope that I can get a strong opponent."

"Beni Soubi told me about the Aburame guy, he's mine."

"I thought Daichi wanted to fight him."

"I don't care what that wimp wants, the Aburame will be my opponent."

"What about Beni Soubi, Kanae? Didn't she say that she wanted to fight him?"

"Hmm…"

---

"…and your mom's a meanie!" Itsuki snuggled against Shino. "I don't like her! Her kikaichu absorbed the chakra from Sayuri-chan's legs so fast that she couldn't even stand!"

"My mother told me that you're a magnificent mantis."

"I know! She also told me that I'm cute but I don't care! She hurt Sayuri-chan!" Itsuki poked him. "It's her fault that Sayuri-chan's bug moved a lot, Sayuri-chan had to get rid of all that chakra with more than one Dokugiri."

Shino frowned.

"I think the only one who's really nice in your family is Shibi-sama, he isn't a meanie like you or your mom," said Itsuki. He hopped. "And he's much better at poker than you! I could only beat him twice!"

Shino's eyebrow twitched.

"Even Yasu-chan was surprised!" Poke. "I also like Yasu-chan!"

"Have you met Shou-san?"

"Yes! He's a meanie! He called Sayuri-chan stupid when she blinked and he said something about Sayuri-chan's mom," said Itsuki. "I don't like him! He's a meanie!"

Shino and Itsuki heard the bell ring. Itsuki hopped and when they arrived to the living room, they saw Kido Akira glaring daggers at Yasunori and accusing him of plotting.

"Crazy man!"

"Hello," said Akira. "Where's Sayuri-chan?"

"She's talking with Shibi-sama," said Yasunori.

"What? Why?" demanded Akira. He widened his eyes and shook his head. "You want to marry her with Shino-kun! I can't allow that to happen! I must stop her!"

Shino rolled his eyes.

"They aren't talking about marriage, Akira-kun," said Yasunori. He adjusted his glasses. "Here they come."

Akira frowned when he saw Sayuri. "Why are you wearing that?"

"Sensei…"

"He's your sensei? His face is familiar," said Kabocha.

"He's Shou's best friend," said Yasunori.

"Yasu, that's not true," said Akira.

"Ah, I remember how they liked sparring and ending up at the hospital," said Yasunori.

"Sayuri-chan, you don't look well," said Akira.

"Of course she doesn't! Shino's mom-"

Itsuki was covered instantly with kikaichu, courtesy of Shino.

"Shino-kun, leave him alone!"

Akira frowned. "Shizune's been looking for you because you were supposed to be at the hospital today."

"I forgot. I'll talk with her later."

"I'll tell her that you're here."

"That's not necessary," said Sayuri. "I'll visit her later and apologize."

"And you will tell her who attacked you," said Akira. "I'd have to be blind to take no notice of the way you're moving. Show me your arm."

"Sensei…" Sayuri sighed. "Look, Shino-kun got sick so he lost control of his kikaichu and…" Shrug.

"Sick?"

"Chicken pox," confirmed Shino. "It seems that I've been in bed since the day before my appointment with Sayuri."

Akira nodded. "Yeah…I can see that you still have some blisters…"

"As you can see, it was an accident," said Sayuri.

"Why didn't they take you to the hospital?"

"You know that that would've been useless and I didn't want Shizune-sensei to know." She went and took Itsuki in her arms, Shino removed the kikaichu and she pecked the mantis. "Besides, Shino-kun was sick and I wanted to make sure that Kabocha-san took-"

A spike of killing intent surged.

"Aburame-sama hates her name," explained Yasunori. "I think that Shibi-sama is the only one who can be in first name basis."

Blink.

Itsuki hopped. "Hmm…I think I can come up with some freaky nickname for her."

"Itsuki, don't even think about it," said Sayuri.

"Aww…"

"So Aburame-sama was the one who attacked Sayuri-chan, huh?" The mantis hopped and Akira shook his head. "Why?"

"Your student told you that it was an unfortunate accident," said Kabocha.

"She's been lying and hiding things from the people who care about her," said Akira and he gave Sayuri a disappointed glance. "Neji and I have a pending conversation with you. Shizune also wants to talk about that."

"I've already talked with Neji."

"And I'm telling Shizune about this," said Akira, "She may be interested to know that the Aburame matriarch attacked you. Knowing how things work here, I bet she was testing you to see if you're good enough for her son."

Kabocha frowned. "You're delusional. It was an accident because my son's been sick."

"You spent too much time with a certain genjutsu mistress, your imagination is crazier than I thought," said Yasunori, smirking.

"Aburame-sama, did you know that Yasu pitied you for having to gain the approval of the previous matriarch before you married your husband?"

"Yes, you've lost your mind, Akira-kun," said Yasunori but he sounded slightly hesitant when he noticed Kabocha frowning at him. "You're still sore because Shou chose me to be his son's godfather."

Akira shook his head and went to ruffle Sayuri's hair, only to be poked by Itsuki. "And, young lady, we need to talk about why you've been plotting with Nadeshiko-chan behind my back."

"What?"

"And maybe you'd like to tell Shino-kun the real reason why you wanted to postpone your appointment with him," said Akira.

Blink.

"Your eloquent speech at the tournament didn't work after all, Shino-kun," said Akira and he poked Itsuki. "I think her mantises also know about their plan."

Shino frowned.

"Nadeshiko-chan and Sayuri-chan want to go to Sepia country to find Soujiro's murderers," said Akira. "Nadeshiko-chan couldn't convince Tsunade-sama so she asked Sayuri-chan to help her."

"Sensei, I-"

"I know everything, Sayuri-chan." And Akira rolled up her sleeve abruptly, making her wince. "Look at this."

Shino raised his eyebrows. 'No wonder Itsuki dislikes my mother so much…'

"That's enough," muttered Sayuri as she covered her arm and she glared Akira. "You didn't have to do that, sensei."

"I spent too much time with two Aburame, they're good negotiators and Yasu should remember that I know that the kikaichu who get chicken pox only attack if provoked," said Akira. "I want to know what they offered you in exchange for your silence."

"Cookies!" said Itsuki. "Sayuri-chan, why don't you ask for their fridge? Shino-chan gets lots of cookies and desserts! The other day-"

"Itsuki…"

Akira shook his head.

"So, what did they offer you?"

---

"I can't believe Akira-sensei made me do this."

"Now you know how I feel when you tie me with your strings."

"Very funny."

"Shizune-san told me earlier that you can leave the hospital tomorrow," said Shino. "Besides, Itsuki told me that you're happier here." Shino frowned. "Why didn't you tell me about your plans?"

Sayuri sighed.

"You asked the mantises for help," said Shino.

"You wouldn't have helped me, you would've told Shizune-sensei and Tsunade-sama about our plans."

"You don't trust me."

"You worry too much, Shino-kun," said Sayuri.

"You're one to talk, you could've gotten yourself killed the other night to protect me," said Shino. "What do you think about my mother?"

"I don't like her."

Shino frowned. "You must've been in too much pain."

"She never apologized," began Sayuri. "And she put your health in danger and she attacked Itsuki."

"Your sensei attacked us too and what happened to Midori-san was-"

"He was under a genjutsu, your mother attacked me willingly," interrupted Sayuri. She frowned. "It's strange for you to offer such a weak argument. You're still a bit weak, I guess." She pulled his hand. "You should go home and rest."

Shino shook his head. "Now, about Sepia country…"

"I want to go," said Sayuri. "I need to go."

"I've never had the feeling that you care too much about Soujiro's death," said Shino. "What did Nadeshiko tell you to convince you?"

"It's not about him," said Sayuri and she began inspecting his hand.

"Then why?"

"I want to see if I can find the person who wreaked havoc with my chakra system."

Shino frowned. "Neji told me that your sensitivity increased but I didn't know that you were that worried."

"I'll be fine," said Sayuri and she pulled his other hand to inspect it.

"I think we should tell Shizune-san," said Shino.

Sayuri frowned. "No." She sighed. "Shou-san told me that your kikaichu might be influencing your actions and thoughts. Please, don't do anything. I know that they like me a lot right now so they aren't letting you think clearly."

"My kikaichu aren't imitating Itsuki anymore," replied Shino. "Actually, they expressed annoyance when he began gossiping with your sensei."

Sayuri widened her eyes.

Shino raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

"So they…" Sayuri glanced the ceiling, her lips parted.

"Sayuri?"

Ito Sayuri let herself fall back against her pillows.

'They don't like me anymore…they could attack me…'

"Sayuri?"

'But Shino-kun wouldn't allow that to happen…'

"What's wrong?"

'But his control isn't perfect…'

"Why are you scared?"

Blink. "What?"

"You squeezed my hand," said Shino, frowning.

"Sorry," mumbled Sayuri and she released him.

"That doesn't bother me," said Shino. "But I suspect that you reacted like that because of what I told you about my kikaichu." He adjusted his glasses. "You had never reacted like that."

"I'm just a bit jumpy."

"Itsuki told me that you were covered with kikaichu," said Shino. "I think that my mother must've used the Insect Sphere to seize you."

"Yes, I think that was what she used," said Sayuri and she sighed. "She used that on the dome first, she covered it completely."

'And everything went dark, but that was only the beginning.'

"And I supposed you must've counterattacked with wind jutsu."

"That's right."

"Shou-san said that he was unable to warn my mother about your problem with my clan's jutsu because of a barrier that she created," said Shino. "That's why I suppose that after you used wind jutsu, she used another barrier to drain your chakra."

Sayuri nodded.

'And after that, everything was useless.'

She turned her eyes to the window.

"You're upset."

Sayuri shrugged. "I tried to summon Midori-san many times, she kept rejecting me. It was frustrating and I thought your mother would slit your throat but then…Itsuki arrived." Pause. "I was so happy to see him…I was sure that he could do something to stop her, he wouldn't have to hold back because she was a threat."

"So Itsuki held back in our match."

Sayuri turned her head to him. "We didn't want to cut you in pieces."

Shino nodded. "I'm glad that my father knows a few tricks to disrupt my mother's barriers. If he hadn't arrived in time…"

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

"Tenten-san, Neji, hi," greeted Sayuri. "Lee-san didn't come today. I suppose he's training."

"We asked Lee and Gai-sensei to take care of Akira-sensei's request while we came to visit you," explained Tenten. "Hello, Shino."

Nod. "Tenten."

"Shino."

Nod. "Neji."

"We heard you were sick," commented Neji. "That that's why Sayuri ended up here."

Sayuri shook her head. "I told you that it wasn't his fault. Leave him alone."

"It was just a comment," replied Neji. He sighed. "Anyway, Tenten wanted to talk about Akira-sensei's idea."

"Gai-sensei was…excited when he told him about it," mumbled Tenten. "So was Lee."

"Yes, I remember," said Sayuri. "After all, Lee-san saw the photos where we appeared wearing dresses and he was enthusiastic about Akira-sensei's suggestion."

Shino frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"We want to have photos of Team Akira and Team Gai together during a picnic," said Neji. "Sayuri hangs out with us often and Akira-sensei asked us to try to include Nadeshiko-san."

"I see."

"Maybe we should invite the other teams too," said Tenten.

"Perhaps," agreed Neji. "I think it's a good idea, Tenten."

Shino raised a surprised eyebrow.

"That way, Gai-sensei can focus on other people," explained Neji. "Akira-sensei too. He might leave us alone for a while."

"I second it," said Sayuri.

"Then, we should tell Gai-sensei," said Tenten.

"He'll be ecstatic," said Neji a bit appalled.

---

"Are you nervous? Do you think you'll make it?"

"Kiba…"

"Because if you don't, we can go and beat-"

"Kiba, stop it."

"I think Kiba-kun's the one who's nervous," commented Hinata.

"What? Why would I be nervous? It's Shino who can be promoted, not me," sputtered Kiba indignantly.

"You are too noisy," pointed out a chestnut-haired man. "Be quiet."

"Another grumpy person," muttered Kiba and he folded his arms behind his head. "You better become jonin, Shino. I don't want to have to come again to give you moral support." He glared Shino. "I shouldn't have come after you sic your bugs on me the other day."

"You deserved it, you tried to trick me into thinking that you were right about my appointment by lying to Sayuri," replied Shino.

"It's not my fault that Sayuri's so naïve and-" Kiba jumped when something sharp poked him.

A senbon.

"Hi, Sayuri."

"Hi."

"Neji-nii-san."

"Hinata-sama, I assume you came to give Shino moral support," said Neji.

Hinata nodded.

"Lee and Tenten didn't come with you?" asked Kiba.

"They should be here soon," said Neji. "Lee was very anxious so Tenten resorted to painful tactics to calm him down."

Kiba winced and he heard Neji mutter something about Tenten knocking him out.

"Hey, there's Tsunade-sama!" cried an anxious girl. Beside her, Noriyuki, the chuunin who had been trying to convince Kido Akira to take him as his apprentice, paled.

The Hokage had what seemed a big poster rolled up under her arm. Behind her, walked the examiners.

At last, she stopped walking and cleared her throat. "Yes, these are the results." Pause. "In case you weren't promoted, you won't find your names. Yes, you're free to ask why you stayed as chuunin." She shrugged and searched for something in her pocket. She frowned and she turned to Shizune. The Hokage's assistant shook her head and took out something from one of her sleeves.

Finally, Tsunade used a few senbon to post the poster with the results. She stepped aside and began taking on the anxious faces of the participants as they surrounded the poster and scanned the list.

"You know, you can use your Byakugan, Hinata," suggested Kiba.

"Shino-kun?"

But Shino was already towering over some purple-haired girl. Hinata activated her bloodline and watched him frown.

"Hinata?" called Kiba.

But the Hyuuga was scanning the list with her bloodline.

"Shino-kun made jounin!" she exclaimed. She kept reading. "Neji-nii-san too!"

And at last, she understood why Shino had frowned.

"What about Sayuri?" asked Kiba.

"Sayuri-san was promoted too but…"

"Tokujo?"

Hinata nodded.

Kiba winced. "Ouch. It must hurt to find out that the rest of your friends were promoted while you weren't."

"Kiba-kun, here they come!"

But only Shino came back and he apologized from leaving abruptly. Neji was being congratulated enthusiastically by Maito Gai while Tenten tried to wake Lee by slapping him repeatedly. Not too far from them, Yamanaka Nadeshiko was congratulating the Kurama brothers. A few meters away from her, Kido Akira was trying to get away from Noriyuki, the anteater summoner.

Kiba scanned the crowd.

"Hey, where's Sayuri?"

---

"More ice cream!"

"Finish that one and I'll buy you more."

"Yay!"

"Sayuri-san is really nice," said Midoriko. "My friends envy me for being able to eat so many sweets."

"We can buy a big bag of candies later," said Sayuri. "Or I could bake cookies."

"Auntie Midori wants to talk with you," said Midoriko and she tilted her head when she noticed that Sayuri frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"That's what I'd like to know," said the mantis summoner. She petted Midoriko. "So, what do you want to do now?"

"I don't know," admitted Midoriko. "But I'd like to go to that picnic that you're organizing."

"Sure."

Itsuki poked his summoner.

Sayuri poked him back. "You can go as my date."

"Really? Yay!" Itsuki hopped. "Take that Neji! Take that Shino!"

Sayuri nodded and pecked him.

"I wonder if Shino-kun would like to go with auntie Midori," said Midoriko.

"Eeeek! Noooooo!"

---

Please review!

---

And yeah, I didn't know how to end this chapter. I'll admit that. I tried to write most of the chapter the day after I was free from finals. However, for the reasons I told you at the beginning of the chapter, I couldn't advance that much. I kept erasing and I think I deleted like 5000 words. Oh, and now that I'm home, my family doesn't let me write that much. I'll see what I can do.

Signed reviews: (I sent you PM's)

Thanks a lot again to Katerina Wolffe, InnerFan, SerbiaTakesCntrl, FallenAngelFox, valkyriegorbash, nightchildx, CinnaStix, Sania Katilette, ShadowAngelBeta, IssaV, DamnBlackHeart.

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