Chapter 23
"Shino! I thought I told you to be ready!" I squealed when I walked through the gates and saw him inspecting a bug.
"Hai, but I got caught up in my research," he replied, I sighed and shook my head,
"You and your research, you'd think that the Aburame Bug Clan would have found out everything about the bugs," I muttered
"Oh such a cynical outlook," said a voice I turned and saw Reika smiling, my face faulted and I started stuttering
"Ano…g-g-omen!" I stumbled
"Its okay we share the same thought," she said waving as she walked off. I sighed heavily and Shino grabbed my hand.
"Come on your making me get ready and your not done yourself," he said, I nodded and we went off to get ready. I pulled out my long kimono that was light red now and had a white obi. It was just plain except for the embroidered ivy pattern at the bottom corner. I shrugged my hair out of its bun and left it down. I walked out my room and down the hall. Many of the children were running in and out of the parents of the clan and screaming as they played. Even in the Aburame clan, Christmas was a special time. I noticed Shino by the exit with his glasses on but without his high collar. I smiled and walked over to him.
"Ohayo handsome," I said smirking,
"Hey," he replied smiling, "Let's go it's almost 7," he said smiling
"Hai, Hotaru are you and Cho coming?" I called to them, they nodded and waved bye to their parents. They ran ahead out the compound and started skipping. We made it to the Yamanaka Flower Shop.
"Meet us here after the fireworks," said Shino "Or I'll tell your mothers you ran off," he added threateningly, they nodded hesitantly and I added quickly
"He's only joking, but do be careful and come here after the fireworks okay?" I said smiling
"Hai Aiko-san," they cheered running off.
"Your too nice to them," said Shino,
"I know but they're adorable," I replied smirking, I grabbed his hand and dragged him off to where we were meeting everyone. We slowed as we saw everyone chatting around the outskirts of the dance floor. Chouji was munching, Kiba was dancing happily with Sakura and Hinata along with Lee, Tenten and Neji, Naruto was talking to Ino and Shikamaru.
"Hey everyone!" I called dragging Shino over.
"Hey Aiko, Shino," waved Shikamaru. Ino was holding Inoki on her hip and Shimai was asleep on Shikamaru.
"Well it seems Shimai will take after her father," I said laughing at the lazy baby asleep soundly on her dad.
"Hmm can't be helped," said Ino smiling
"Suppose," I replied "Hey look Naruto aren't you angry Kiba's taking your girl, go dance with her," I said pointing to Kiba and Hinata as they were dancing pretty close. Naruto glared and raced off to Hinata.
"That was harsh," said Shino
"Heh he wants to keep her then he's going to have to fend off Kiba," I replied evilly grinning,
"Hey I've seen that look before, get whatever dark thought your thinking out your head," said Shikamaru.
"Ugh fine whatever," I replied sadly bowing my head in depression. "I had a really good plan," I muttered
"Sure you did," said Shino kissing my cheek.
"Hmmm, yes you want something?" I asked
"Why would I want anything?" he asked
"Because you're kissing me in public," I said flatly
"Fine, I want to eat," he said
"Well we could go get food," said Ino smiling, "I think Inoki wants some too," she added. I nodded and pried myself away and went with Ino ahead. We sat down and Ino whipped out a jacket and put it over her front over Inoki.
"Err…Ino what are you doing?" I asked hesitantly looking out of the booth we were sitting in. Ino leaned across to me and whispered.
"Its embarrassing feeding them in public, so I cover myself." She said, I turned bright red knowing what was happening. She was breast feeding Inoki. "She won't take it out the bottle like Shimai so that's why Shikamaru is probably feeding her now." She added. After 5 minutes she fidgeted and moved away with a sleeping baby in hand.
"All done," she cheered happily and on cue Shikamaru and Shino rounded the corner with the twin. Shino was lightly tinged red and I guessed Shikamaru told him what happened. I smirked at him and then suddenly Naruto came bounding in with Hinata and the others behind.
"So much for a quiet dinner," I said sighing and shaking my head. They sat down again and were talking, passing the babies around and eating was what was happening.
"Life is good," I muttered
"Oh I forgot to ask, how was visiting Sasuke," asked Shino quietly
"Oh, Ibiki is doing something to him, he is weaker then before and I wish never to see him like that again. He doesn't deserve what I saw," I replied sadly
"Who's this?" asked Sakura cheerfully
"Nothing," I said quickly
"It has to be something if Shino's interested," she replied
"Aiko went to visit Sasuke today," said Shino seriously, Sakura gasped and the table went quiet.
"I went for Christmas to give him his presents," I replied nonchalantly,
"You what?" asked Tenten
"I said I went to visit Sasuke today!" I said annoyed now "It isn't a big deal, he's worse off then you've ever seen him, scrappy hair, thin as a stick, no longer strong like you remember," I added getting angrier,
"But why? You know what he did," said Sakura getting upset,
"Hai, I know all to well, you forget I was one of the Anbu who found Neji years ago after the retrieval mission." I said "But he deserves better then what's happening," I added
"No he doesn't, he deserves to rot in that cell," shouted Naruto standing up and thumping the table,
"Shut it Uzumaki!" I screamed at him "If you had seen him you wouldn't even recognise him, you haven't seen him since the last time you and him fought. Even still he beat you then but now he's as weak as an academy student, if you don't believe me then go see him!" I screamed again at him, the whole restaurant was watching and I could tell Naruto was loosing it.
"After everything he's done to Konoha and everything that he did to me and Sakura, you forgive him, I could go so far as to call you a traitor!" He shouted "Not worthy of the heritage to the Hokage!" he added, everyone gasped. Ouch that really hurt…..more then when Shino said he didn't believe in love…..There was a silence until he finally realised what he said. He opened his mouth to speak but I stopped him.
"No Naruto you were right. But get one thing straight. Sasuke did do everything to everyone, I understand, it was hard on my team back then as well, but mark my words you would be ashamed to see him as he is now!" I shouted at the end "If you were so much as a decent comrade or…or a friend to him you would have visited him when he was first taken in. Not being a coward and wait until he was released. Also I do not care for my relation to Nidaime, its not like I asked for it. Be at Ibiki's office, probably eating ramen there," I said walking away from the silent restaurant. I heard padding behind me and saw Ino and Shino following.
"What do you want?" I demanded
"We know you're going to go visit Sasuke and we want to come," said Ino smiling gently, I sighed and shook off my anger. I smiled and nodded. Ino handed me Shimai to hold as she took hold of Inoki from Shino again. We arrived and saw Ibiki half passed out drinking sake with Anko and Genma passed out on the office floor.
"Ibiki?" I asked. No answer "MORINO IBIKI!" I screamed and he woke up
"Huh? What?" he asked
"We're visiting Sasuke, I'll buy more ramen tomorrow for you," I added
"Hai," he said waving his hand before passing out,
"That's quite gross," said Ino quietly, I nodded and walked past nodding to the Anbu.
"Hey Sasuke you asleep?" I asked
"Hm? Nani?" he asked quietly sitting "No I wasn't its Christmas Eve what happened to the festival?" he asked, there was a soft gasp and Sasuke tensed.
"Who's here?" he asked
"Its me Sasuke," said Ino quietly
"Ino?" he asked
"Hai and Shino," she said, he gulped visibly and backed away, and I reached forward and grabbed his hand. He flinched when I brought him to the light. Ino's and Shino's eye widened as they saw him. I smirked inwardly knowing they now knew what I told them was true.
"Hey Sasuke have you eaten?" I asked
"No, Ibiki passed out before and Anbu won't listen to me," he said, I sighed and walked to the door and stuck my head out.
"Hey Ryo-san, can you do me a favour?" I asked
"Hai," he said
"Can you go get lots of food and bring it here," I said smiling
"Hai Aiko-Taichou," then the other Anbu stopped him.
"We aren't aloud to," said the other
"I'll take blame for it," I said waving, "I'll say I brought it for him," I added waving again and closing the door.
"Anbu's getting some," I said. Sasuke was sitting on the floor again with Ino and Shino. He was holding Inoki and smiling slightly.
"So you married Shikamaru?" he asked
"How did you know?" she said
"Aiko is a gossiper," he replied smiling again,
"Hai this is Inoki and Aiko's holding Shimai," she said
"They're beautiful," he said "I just wish now I had a family," he said
"You do we can be there to support you after," said Ino, Shino nodded and I sat down on his lap.
"Ahem, what are you doing?" asked Shino
"Well do you want my beautiful kimono dirty?" I asked laughing
"Nope," replied Shino, I nodded my head. There was a silence until Sasuke broke it.
"I'm sorry for causing so much trouble," said Sasuke sadly
"Its okay, just get strong again," said Ino cheerily, Sasuke couldn't help but smile at her.
"Did you hear anything about getting out?" asked Shino
"Hai, on the 26th I get out but I am partially getting punished, I have to work assisting the teaching of the five element genin." He said flatly, "It's going to be fun," he said, I sighed and shook my head. There was a knock on the door and it opened and in walked Shikamaru, Neji and Tenten. All holding food. Tenten gasped when she saw all of us.
"Hey guys," said Ino, Sasuke handed Inoki back and looked at Shimai as I handed her to him. He smiled and Shikamaru looked slightly nervous.
"Anbu told us to deliver this," said Shikamaru, Ino nodded and patted the place to her. All three sat down and stared at Sasuke. I could tell he was getting nervous. I handed Sasuke some rice balls and he started eating quickly.
"Stop eating so fast or you'll choke," I said just as he started choking. I laughed and Shino sighed shaking his head.
"You've changed," said Neji solemnly, Sasuke looked up,
"Well Hyuuga being prison for 6 months does that to people," he muttered darkly at the glaring Hyuuga. He turned to Tenten and smiled slightly
"Congrats on living with the Hyuuga," said Sasuke smirking now, Tenten's eyes widened "Hai I know everything about you guys now, as I explained Aiko's a gossiper," he added. I growled and whacked his head. Shino took my hand and kissed my cheek. There was another odd silence.
"I'm getting out on the 26th if you're wondering," he said quietly eating, "I have a request Neji," he asked
"Hm? What?" asked Neji suspiciously
"If you could help me train again, I doubt Naruto would even like that I'm out, Sakura hates my guts and from our last encounter and what Orochimaru told me she has Tsunade's punch. Aiko's got genin to teach and you are strong enough," the prodigy asked the other. Neji started thinking for a minute then nodded.
"Hai I will and I won't be easy," he said, Sasuke nodded and smiled.
"Arigatou," he said everything was quiet. There was light flashing and banging. I stood quickly and looked outside.
"Hey it's the fireworks!" I squealed, everyone stood up and crowded around the window,
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" I shouted outside, everyone was smiling and I felt arms wrap around me and I snuggled back into Shino watching the explosions of colour decorate the dark and gloomy cell we spent Christmas in. Sasuke seemed happy. Neji had a new sparring partner much to Tenten's happiness; Ino and Shikamaru were finally enlightened and happy. Shino was just happy I think because there was a soothing humming noise I associated with being happy. I smiled and carried on watching until I think I dozed off while standing. Tonight was fun……
Please rate and review………dejection…….also I'm coming to the end but REVIEW if you want a sequel to this story because it can be done……..