Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto; Masashi Kishimoto does. So sue me!

Chapter Ten: The Second New Kunoichi

Meanwhile, on the other side of the village, Shino was waking up from a fitful sleep. He wondered about his lover. What was up with Shikamaru last night? Shino thought. I mean, I understand the fact that the girl from two nights ago was his sister, but why does he have to spend a full weekend with her? Has he forgotten me already? Was this just a one-night stand? Was he lying to me this whole time?

He finally decided that Shikamaru needed time to reacquaint himself with his sister, so Shino made up his mind to stop doubting their relationship. After all, Shikamaru will always love me. Right?

Shino got dressed and hurried out the door to the training grounds where he began his usual weekend training. He had begun target training with his kunai when he shot one and heard a cry of pain. It sounded like a girl's voice, so he rushed over to where he heard the sound.

It was a girl that appeared to be about his age. She had brown hair, white skin, brown eyes and was skinny. She had gotten his kunai in her arm, and she appeared to be in great pain.

"I am extremely sorry, miss," Shino told the girl as he pulled the kunai out of her arm. "I did not mean to do that. Where did you come from? I could not feel your chakara nearby. How did you manage to sneak up like that?"

The girl then stood up, holding her arm to hide the blood. Shino got a better look at the girl. She was wearing a white shirt with a light blue butterfly on it, light blue pants with a small rip in the left knee, and faded gray tennis shoes.

The girl spoke up. "Thanks. I'm new here. I don't know my way around here yet, and-wow! You're cute!"

Shino's eyes widened and he shifted his weight on his feet uncomfortably. "Uh...thank you?" he said nervously.

She chuckled. "I'm sorry if I scared you!" she told Shino. "You are pretty cute, though. At least, in my opinion you are."

Shino relaxed. "By the way," he started. "What is your name?"

"What's my name?" she asked him. "It's Iruka. Umino Iruka is my name. I've lived in the Hidden Cloud for a long time because my mom lived there. She died, and my dad lives out here, so I'm moving in with him."

"What name does your father go by?" Shino asked her.

Iruka chuckled. "His name's Umino Iruka, too!" she replied. "Isn't that funny?"

Shino stared. Her father is Iruka-sensei? he thought to himself.

"Do you know where he lives?" Iruka asked Shino.

Shino nodded. "I will gladly walk you to his house if that is what you wish," he told the girl.

Iruka smiled and gave him her thanks. As Shino led the way to the sensei's house, he couldn't help this feeling that he was having. He described it as butterflies in the stomach, but he wasn't too sure what it meant. He ignored it and arrived at Iruka-sensei's house.

The sensei was sitting on the porch waiting. "There you are, Iruka!" he exclaimed. "I thought you decided to wait another day before setting out! By the way, how did this Aburame boy treat you?"

Iruka looked over. "What IS your name?" she asked Shino. "You never told me."

Shino blushed. "My name is Aburame Shino," he told her.

Iruka smiled. "Well, Aburame Shino," she started. "This is your gift for walking me to my new home." She got closer to him and kissed him deeply.

Shino's eyes widened in panic, but for some reason he found himself deepening the kiss. This feels about as good as when Shikamaru and I kiss each other, Shino found himself thinking. He then mentally smacked himself. WHY AM I THINKING LIKE THAT? Shino yelled silently.

Shino quickly broke the kiss after that. He looked at her and said, "I must get back to my training. I hope you can start school tomorrow, for I think you will be able to make a lot of friends there. Farewell." He bowed politely and then ran back toward the training grounds.

Iruka stood on the porch with her dad. He's still pretty cute, she found herself thinking. He seems like he's got a secret or two locked away, though. I wonder what they might be?

Short, I know, but it's about midnight and I'm tired. Feedback is appreciated. Next chapter, there's that final kunoichi that claims to have relations to Kiba! Wonder what the Uchiha boy will do when he stumbles across her? Check out the next chapter to find out!