HIDDEN MOON VI - CONNECTION

Hidden Moon Village hospital

Shino stands guard over Kashiwama's hospital bed. He doesn't need to, of course; the dangers have passed, but he can't shake the guilt that he allowed his student to be injured to this extent in the first place. He's stood motionless since Shinga's plan was thwarted yesterday and hasn't left the boy's side.

On the neighbouring beds, Genzai, Jiriki, and Hifumi are also recovering from their heavy wounds but they're at least conscious. Bored and antsy but conscious.

Jiriki grumbles under his breath and shifts to the side of the bed to get off, but Shino stops him without even turning around.

"You shouldn't move. Your injuries may be relatively minor, all things considered, but you still need to stay put."

"Well I can't just lie here forever!" Jiriki protests. "Everything went crazy out there and Kashiwama is…" He lowers his gaze. "Kashiwama ended up like this."

"You won't be here forever. Just long enough for you all to heal and for Kashiwama to wake up." Shino explains.

"About that…" Genzai chimes in. "He was acting kind of weird when he ran off on his own. He kept saying… that he could hear 'it'? That he needed to protect 'it'."

"Was he… talking about the Goshinboku?" Hifumi asks. "He went right for it, could they somehow communicate?"

"That, I don't know." Shino says. "There're many questions we need answered but that will come with time."

"He didn't even bother to explain, he just… went all on his own." Jiriki grumbles.

Shino lets out a faint smile. "That must be the Uzumaki part of him."

Before Jiriki or Genzai can question what he means, the door opens for Tambo Sugibashi and Yozora to enter the room. Yozora herself only has light injuries as she took on a more support role to get everyone organized during the attack. Tambo, on the other hand, has his arm in a full cast held up in a sling, along with other more minor patched up wounds.

"How is he?" Tambo asks, motioningto Kashiwama.

Shino shakes his head. "Hasn't shown signs of waking up yet."

"I'm sorry." Tambo bows so far that Shino can see his neck. "It was my responsibility to look after your team during your stay, and I let this happen by not being with them."

"Nonsense." Shino answers bluntly. "Your task was to look after them during missions. What happens in their free time is not your responsibility to carry."

"That's right!" Genzai says. "It was supposed to be a normal day of training, after all. It's not your fault, Tambo-sensei."

Hifumi looks down at her legs. "It was my idea to go so far out of the village. Maybe if we went training somewhere closer…"

Jiriki groans and falls back in his bed. "Is everyone just going to blame themselves? Is that what we're doing?"

"As I said, you've no reason to apologize." Shino nods to the man.

"Still, I can't help but feel guilty." Тambo says.

Yozora steps forward, having waited for Tambo to say his word. "May we have a word in private, Shino?"

Shino looks to her for a moment and then back to Kashiwama.

"I'll stay with them." Tambo chimes in. "It's the least I could do."

After another moment of silence and deliberation, Shino finally nods. "Very well." He straightens his jacket as he stands up and turns to his Genin. "You stay in bed."

"Yes, sensei." Genzai and Jiriki answer back.

Shino walks to the door, exchanges a quick nod with Tambo, and follows Yozora outside.

-x-

Moon-Touched Tower

At the very top of the tower remains a very sad and somber sight. The once powerful and mighty Goshinboku is now reduced to a sickly and thin shadow of its former self. Many of its weaker branches were removed so they don't break off on their own and injure someone, while the remaining form of the tree is held together with a wooden skeleton. The village is still in too much of a shock to fully discuss what future there is for their sacred tree, or what future there is for their village without it.

Some remnants of the Jubokko remain, as well, but much of it has been cleared already.

The only people up here currently are Tsukino and Higure Kuchinashi, with the cleaning crew having been sent away for a rather private meeting. The two greet Yozora and Shino as they arrive at the garden.

Yozora bows and goes to stand by her leader's side.

"You wished to speak." Shino states.

Tsukino nods. "Yes, although another word of gratitude might be in order and an apology that you were caught up in all of this."

"There's no need for that. Have you been able to find out more about this Jubokko that Shinga summoned? If we can find out where he discovered such an existence, we may be able to learn more."

Higure lowers his gaze in embarrassment. "That's… what we wanted to talk to you about."

Tsukino steps forward. "Since we already trusted you, we see little reason to not trust you with this, as well."

Shino raises a brow.

"The Jubokko was at the base of the Moon-Touched Tower, and has been there for a hundred years. Our village originally started as a small settlement dedicated to guarding the Goshinboku and aid it in keeping the Jubokko at bay, but we don't actually know where they came from. Just that they hold immense power. Or, held."

Shino takes a deep breath and looks over the three of them, noting their apologetic gazes. "Why was this information not disclosed earlier? Were you hoping to gain the aid of the Shinobi Union with only half-truths?"

"That's not it at all!" Yozora chimes. "We just… forgot about it until yesterday."

Shino raises a brow. "Forgot?"

Tsukino nods. "When Shinga died, our memories came back to us. Memories that he erased with his jutsu. He made all of us forget about the Jubokko's seed and the true purpose of the Goshinboku, so he could further his plans in peace."

"I know his jutsu involves mind control but I wasn't aware he could erase memories, as well."

"It's likely he grew since leaving his village." Yozora says.

Tsukino chuckles lightly. "You know, it's actually funny in a twisted way. If we still remembered the seed, I don't know if I would've agreed to negotiate with the Shinobi Union. Because he erased our memories, he inadvertently opened the path for you to be here to stop him."

"You say you'd be apprehensive yet the Hidden Moon is known for being the most open and welcoming. If you had such a secret, wouldn't you wish to keep people away?" Shino states what he feels as obvious.

"It's something that started a long time ago." Tsukino explains. "Our grandfathers opened the doors to make our village seem non threatening. If we were hiding some powerful weapon, then surely we wouldn't allow strangers in. I suppose it was bound to backfire eventually."

"The art of misdirection. I can't help but admire the attempt. So what happens with the Jubokko and Goshinboku now?"

"Well," Higure sighs, "The Jubokko is fully dead, and the Goshinboku is…" He looks over the ruined form of their tree, "Not looking that much better, either. I feel this may be the end of our sacred duty."

Shino looks over the tree from top to bottom, noting the very lowest part of the tree has retained some of its whiter colouration. Not all has turned to ash. Specifically, it's the spot where he found Kashiwama being embraced by its branches.

"It may yet survive." He motions to the white trunk at the base of the tree. "It hasn't fully died. It even managed to bring itself back one final time to destroy the Jubokko."

Tsukino turns to him. "That's actually another thing I wanted to talk to you about. The circumstances of the Goshinboku's 'revival', do you think Kashiwama Senju had a hand in it in any way?"

Shino shakes his head. "That, I can't say. Shinga fully prevented me from seeing anything."

Higure rubs his chin. "He is from the famed Senju clan of the Forest. They have a special connection, and if what Hifumi Sugibashi said is true, that he could hear something calling to him…"

"But the Goshinboku has never been recorded speaking to anyone." Yozora says. "If it could do that, why would it call out to the boy in its time of need and not us, its guardians?"

"Another mystery we may never solve." Tsukino sighs. "That said, I presume you'll want to return home now that your mission is over. We'll wait for you and your team to heal, and in the meantime will answer any further question you most likely have for us."

Shino cocks his head. "Is my mission over?"

Tsukino shrugs. "Well, the only reason for the Shinobi Union to want to ally with us was the Goshinboku and its medicinal properties. Without it, we've nothing to offer your alliance that could benefit it."

"I wouldn't say that's the case. The Shinobi Union exists to unite the formerly torn shinobi world. Contrary to what you may think or have heard, it's not about other villages being useful to us. It's about us all working together. If you'll have us, we are the ones who wish to be of benefit for you."

"Those are certainly some fantastical words, Shino Aburame." Tsukino chuckles. "It certainly would be nice if such a world could exist."

"Then help us build it." Shino extends his hand.

Tsukino looks down at his hand and then back to Higure and Yozora who give reaffirming nods. "Let's." She takes his hand and the two shakes.

"Then we should finalize these negotiations, with our full memories." Shino says with a straight face. "I'll send word to the Hidden Leaf to send support and get the Hidden Moon up and running again."

"Thank you."

2 days later

Hidden Leaf Village - Hokage's Tower

Tsunade flips through a folder with great speed and annoyance, with many of the pages get bent and twisted as she moves on to the next after only a brief scan.

Ibiki Morino, Shizune Umino, and Kakashi Hatake stand at attention, not making a peep, as she does very little to hide her annoyance.

"Is this it?" She looks up at Ibiki Morino. "These are all the men you have available?"

"Well, yes, I sent most of them to the Hidden Dream Village. We had to scan every shinobi there to weed out the traitors and conspirators, which takes a lot of time and effort." Ibiki explains. "I didn't think another village would be attacked in the same week."

Tsunade throws the folder onto her desk and rubs her temple. "We have two dead and one in captivity. If anyone would know about allies, it's them. Ino Yamanaka's returned from the Hidden Dream, correct? Get her to scan the minds of the two deceased and you," She points at Ibiki, "Get the other one to talk."

"I'll assemble a team and leave right away."

Tsunade raises her hand and on command, an ANBU [Flicker]s down by Ibiki's side. "Sai, assemble a team of your own to help with the Hidden Moon's defence. Shizune, you too, get a team of medics ready."

"Wh- Me?" Shizune stumbles over her words. "But you need me here to coordinate."

"No, I need you over there yesterday to organize the relief efforts. This is a disaster that now affects the Shinobi Union and the ninja world at large. I can't afford to send anyone second best, do you understand? With Sakura still in the Hidden Dream, you have to go to the Hidden Moon. Kakashi will stay behind."

Shizune nods with a bit of apprehension but it's not like she can defy direct orders, especially in such a time of crisis. "Yes, ma'am."

"I'm aware we're spreading ourselves thin." Tsunade explains. "But now's not the time to hold back. I need my best to deal with all of this in a timely manner and that's you lot. So get to it."

"Yes, ma'am!" They all say in unison.

Sai disappears as suddenly and quietly as he appeared, while Ibiki and Shizune head for the door to make their own arrangements.

With only Tsunade and Kakashi left in the office, the Hokage leans back in her chair and sighs. "Why did it have to be us?" She rests her elbow on her armrest and rubs her temple in a desperate attempt to rid herself of the headaches. Unfortunately for her, the headaches are emotional.

"Hopefully we won't also be attacked while our best and brightest are away." Kakashi says with a completely straight face.

Tsunade looks up at him narrowed eyes peeking through her fingers. "Now why would you go and say something like that?"

Kakashi gives an innocent smile under his mask. "Well, Naruto is already back so we should be fine."

Tsunade shakes her head.

It's then that someone knocks on the door. "Lady Hokage, I've returned from my mission." A muffled voice comes through just before the man opens the door. Yamato steps through. "I'm here to deliver my report on-"

"Yamato." Tsunade interrupts. "Excellent. You're to join Sai's team to the Hidden Moon Village and help them rebuild."

Yamato stands by the half-open door and blinks. "Wh-why?"

"They suffered a plot to destroy them, as well, and have suffered many casualties in the process."

Yamato hangs his head. "Another one?!"

"Sorry. I know this isn't the kind of grunt work the head of ANBU should be doing but with your unique talents, you're the only one who can do it."

"So, what happened this time?" He asks.

"Find Sai, he'll brief you while you prepare."

"At least I haven't unpacked yet…" Yamato laments as he turns around to walk back out.

"Hang in there, Tenzō." Kakashi gives him a reassuring thumbs up.

Yamato gives a halfhearted wave before closing the door.

Hidden Moon Village

With aid from the Hidden Leaf Village dispatched with utmost haste, the people and shinobi of the Hidden Moon are able to breathe a sigh of relief and feel the benefit of allying themselves with the rest of the nations.

Shizune immediately takes over the hospital and gets things in order, placing some of the more severe cases in the few capsule units they were able to pack- the result of Tsunade personally working on upgrading the Hidden Rain's technology to better serve their function of serving as a small portable healing station.

Sai makes himself and his team available to the Hidden Moon shinobi and they set up a patrol on the off-chance that someone or something decides to take advantage of the weakened Hidden Moon Village, or if Shinga had any other associates that remained hidden.

Ino and Ibiki each get with their own forms of intelligence gathering, with Ino and a few of her subordinates from the Analysis Team going through Shinga and Hakui's memories. Shinga's mind proves far too fractured to get an accurate reading, most likely either a side effect or a defence mechanism of his [Jibaku] mind-controlling jutsu. She figures she may be able to get a read on it but it would take time. Hakui's mind offers a few more answers, such as when Shinga concocted this plan, how they infiltrated the Hidden Moon Village, and how they manipulated everything, but there doesn't seem to be anyone else to worry about at the present. As far as Hakui knows, only the three of them knew about this plot. Ibiki gets pretty much the same out of Dōshin. The boy doesn't know much of anything, just that they were going to destroy the village and threaten the shinobi world which he saw no problem with.

Yamato, while the main reason for his inclusion was to help rebuild, is also tasked with checking in on the Goshinboku's state. He examines it with an appraising eye and tries to revitalize it with his Wood Style but the tree doesn't respond to his chakra. It's like it completely rejects his influence, or he's possibly not strong enough to influence it in any meaningful way. If this truly is some sort of offshoot of the Divine Tree, then it would make sense.

When even Yamato's efforts prove fruitless, the Hidden Moon leaders make the difficult decision to fully cut down the Goshinboku's trunk and finally lay it to rest. It's a painful process to them, an end of an era and a duty they'd welcomed with open arms and now they no longer have that. They do end up leaving the very bottom of the tree intact as it still seems to be holding onto some life despite the trunk and most of its roots having rotted away. Much to their surprise, when they fully and entirely clear the dead parts of the Goshinboku, they find a very small stem sprouting from the base of the trunk. A small bulb on the top gives them hope that maybe the Goshinboku will restore itself to normal, although that would take many many years.

Hidden Moon Village hospital

When the relief teams arrive from the Hidden Leaf, one of the first things done is to check up on Kashiwama Senju. Shizune herself tends to Tsunade's cousin after getting everything else in order and she does manage to speed up the healing process enough to where he wakes up soon after.

When Kashiwama opens his eyes, he spends the first few seconds in a state of confusion. His blurry half-open eyes dart around the white ceiling and white walls, and the room filled with beds. He rolls over on his side in an attempt to get up but is stopped by a hand holding him on the shoulder.

"You shouldn't move." Genzai's voice comes through.

At least his ears are still working, if not his eyes.

"Genzai?" Kashiwama mutters in a weak, dry voice. "What… happened? Where are we?"

"We're safe. We're in the hospital right now. You took some heavy hits." Genzai helps him lay back down and grabs a glass of water from the stand next to the bed, helping his friend get some much needed liquids in his system.

Kashiwama coughs and clears his throat.

"You had pretty damn worried, you know." Jiriki says from the opposite side of the bed as he walks around to join Genzai's side. "Running off like that…"

Genzai taps him on the shoulder. "We can give the lecture when he recovers."

"What about- THE TREE!" Kashiwama shoots up but both his teammates hold him back.

"I said we're safe." Genzai reminds him. "It's over now, Shino-sensei took care of it. The tree's… a different story, but it's all good. You can rest up. We even got Hidden Leaf shinobi here to help."

"I see…" Kashiwama calms down and lies back down. "I see." He closes his eyes.

Genzai reaches over to a panel just above Kashiwama's bed and presses a button. Soon after, a team of Leaf and Moon medics enter the room to check up on the awakened boy. They check his vitals, the equipment he's currently connected to, and change his bandages after tending to his wounds again.

Not long after, Shino also comes to the hospital room after being informed that Kashiwama's woken up. He sits down on a chair next to the bed while the mostly healed Genzai and Jiriki sit on the neighbouring empty bed.

Tambo and Hifumi Sugibashi come out of concern, as does the village head Tsukino, oddly enough. Tsukino stands further back than everyone else as to not overwhelm the poor boy and let him be surrounded by the people he's closest to.

"How are you feeling?" Shino asks.

"Like a tree fell on me." Kashiwama tries to joke through the pain.

"I realize you're still recovering, but I have to ask. Do you remember anything of what happened?"

Kashiwama thinks hard for a moment and shakes his head. "Not really. I just remember… fighting that big tree thing and my headache getting worse and then… I woke up here."

"You don't remember the Goshinboku… doing anything? Don't remember it protecting you?"

"No, I don't. I... remember it being in pain, though. It was hurting so much."

Tsukino steps forward, only now joining the group gathered around Kashiwama's bed. "So, you really were hearing the Goshinboku?"

He scratches his head. "I wasn't really… hearing it, but… feeling?" He searches for the right words. "If that makes sense. Like, you know when your friend is stressed about something and you just kinda know they are without being told? Like how Jiriki always has this constipated look."

"Don't you drag me into your nonsensical answers!" Jiriki protest.

"So what did you feel?"

"Pain." Kashiwama answers somberly. "A lot of pain, and fear. But also… a fighting spirit. It didn't want to give up and let you all down. It wanted to fight."

"And somehow you were the answer." Tsukino says more to herself as she goes deep into thought. "Well, whatever happened and whyever the Goshinboku spoke to you, I'm thankful you were able to help. You can consider yourself an eternal friend to the Hidden Moon Village."

Kashiwama grins. "Hehe, really?"

"Don't let it get to your head." Shino says.

"Too late for that." Genzai laughs.

"As interested as I am in talking about your experience, I think it's best you rest for now." Tsukino smiles. "Alright, everyone, let's get out."

Genzai taps Kashiwama on the shoulder as he gets up to leave. "Glad to have you back."

"You know I can't leave you two alone, you'd never get anything done without me."

Genzai chuckles.

Outside of the room, everyone parts ways to go where they're needed. Tsukino still has to manage the rebuild, Tambo and Hifumi go to help their fellow shinobi in whatever ways they can, with Jiriki and Genzai also doing some minor gruntwork now that they've recovered a bit.

Shino lags behind a bit when he sees one man in particular making his way to him just as he exits the hospital.

Yamato waves to him. "Hello, Shino."

"Captain Yamato." Shino nods. "I was actually hoping to run into you when you're not busy."

"Oh? What can I do for you?"

"I'd like to ask you to check up on Kashiwama, check how his chakra has been developing."

Yamato scratches his chin. "I suppose I could but there's people much better at that than I am."

"For this specific thing, it has to be you." Shino states.

Yamato's expression turns serious. "Is this about what happened with the Goshinboku? How it seemed to react to him."

"Yes. I have my suspicions but with Kashiwama going unconscious, he can't confirm them. I believe this is also a conversation Lady Tsunade and Fusuma should be a part of."

Yamato nods in understanding. "I think I get it and if you're right, this may change… well, everything."

"I agree, that's why we must first verify."

"Right. I'll do what I can, then." Yamato

Over the next two days, Kashiwama recovers under Shizune's care and is up and running in record time. Somehow he even looks better than Genzai and Jiriki who weren't even unconscious and were recovering at a normal pace.

Beyond that, nothing much actually happens.

Shino and Tsukino finalize the negotiations and the Hidden Moon Village agrees to join the Shinobi Union, after meeting with other representatives from the Hidden Leaf to make everything official.

The only thing left after that is for Team Five to go home.

The four of them gather at an assigned spot around the centre of the village, not far from the ruined Moon-Touched Tower, with the people they've made friends with there to send them off. Yamato and a small group of shinobi who've completed their tasks are also present to get back home.

Hifumi has a heartfelt farewell with Kashiwama and Genzai, with Jiriki standing just behind.

"I hope we can see each other again." Hifumi says.

"Of course we will!" Kashiwama gives a thumbs up. "We're allies now, right? So we'll definitely get to work together soon."

"I don't know if your village will take part since you follow a different system, but the Chūnin Exams aren't that far off. If we can convince Shino-sensei to let us participate, we might run into each other there."

"I hope so." Hifumi grins.

Kashiwama raises his hand, palm facing her. "Then, until then!"

Hifumi high-fives him. "Yeah!"

Genzai smiles and offers a high five of his own, then they all turn expectantly to Jiriki. He stares them down for a few seconds but ends up losing the showdown.

He sighs and raises his hand, as well, although not as high as his teammates. "Yeah, I guess… it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. All things considered."

Hifumi high fives him with greater intensity than he would've liked.

Kashiwama laughs and drapes an arm over his shoulder. "That's him saying he likes you."

"I've said no such thing."

To the side, Tsukino and Shino exchange a handshake.

"Once again, thank you for everything." Tsukino expresses her gratitude.

"And thank you for the opportunity. I realize it was one made possible as a side effect of Shinga's jutsu but, but…"

"Given how else it could've ended?" Tsukino smiles. "I'd say it turned out well."

"You have some incredible students on your team." Tambo steps by Tsukino's side. "I dare say they could've done well even without my guidance."

Shino smiles. "They're indeed very gifted. They may very well soon outgrow me, as well."

"Oh, I'm sure that's not going to happen." Tambo laughs.

After Yozora and Higure say their farewells, as well, other shinobi and people from the Hidden Moon say their goodbye and thanks to Shino whose contributions they were informed about. It's an odd sensation for Shino to put in the spotlight in such a way. A part of him can't help but enjoy the recognition but another part of him also prefers to remain in the background.

Thankfully for him, he doesn't have to endure for much longer as a pitch black portal opens up behind them.

Tsukino is slightly startled by its sudden appearance. "So, that's what you were talking about."

"Everyone." Shino calls out to his students. "We're going home."

"See ya soon, Hifumi!" Kashiwama waves as he jumps through, followed by Genzai and Jiriki.

Shino, Yamato, a couple of Hidden Moon shinobi jump in after just as the portal closes behind them.

-x-

Hidden Leaf Village

On the other side of the portal, they find themselves on top of the Hokage Tower and are greeted by the nostalgic sight of their home after being away for over a week, and the somewhat tired face of one Sasuke Uchiha.

"Is this what I've been reduced to?" He laments.

Yamato pats him on the shoulder in sympathy. "Hang in there. We'll get through it." He fights back an imaginary tear.

Hinata steps forward to greet the Hidden Moon shinobi that came with. "I'm Hinata Uzumaki, representative of the Shinobi Union for the Hidden Leaf." She bows.

One man steps forward and bows back. "My name is Kaiki Tenmondai. I was assigned to the Hidden Leaf as representative."

"If you follow me, I can help you get accustomed to the village." She motions for him and the ones with him to come with her. Before she leaves, she turns to her former teammate. "It's good to see you back in one piece, Shino. Welcome back, all of you."

Shino smiles. "It's good to be back."

Jiriki bows to her. "Thank you."

She leads the new members of the Union away, to meet with the rest of the ever-growing representatives.

Shino turns to his Genin. "Why don't you all go home and rest? I'll handle the mission report and have your pay sent to your homes."

"Yes, sensei."

"Except for you, Kashiwama." Shino interrupts him just as he's about to depart.

"Huh? Sure." Kashiwama looks to him in confusion as to why he can't go home. "See you guys later, okay?" He says to Genzai and Jiriki.

"Yeah, see ya." Genzai waves to him.

"Just try not to make your injuries worse." Jiriki says as they head off.

Shino and Yamato exchange a look and a confirming nod and go to the Hokage's office along with Kashiwama. It's an extremely short walk but to the young Senju it feels much longer. Shino-sensei isn't explaining why he's walking with them to the Hokage's office and he's getting a little worried.

With a knock on the Hokage's office's door, they're allowed in and are met by the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade Senju, sitting behind her desk as usual and by her side are, oddly enough, the head of the Senju clan, Fusuma Senju, and her husband Shōji.

"Mom? Dad? What're you doing here?" Kashiwama walks over to them.

"That's what I'm wondering, as well." Fusuma pats him on the head. "You called for us, Shino?"

"I did, yes. Concerning something I omitted from my initial report as I wished to discuss it in complete privacy."

Tsunade raises a brow. "And what precisely is this about?"

"It's about Kashiwama's powers."

Shino walks through the streets of the Hidden Leaf, having finished reporting every single detail to the Hokage and the Senju. He takes a moment to enjoy the fresh air of home that's like no other, carried gently by a breeze that causes his green cloak to billow.

Initially, his mind is preoccupied with thoughts of home, to sit by Shiho's side and hold Shichi in his arms. He missed his wife and son more than he realized, especially once things began looking dire in the fight against Shinga.

His attention is drawn elsewhere, however, as his eyes lead him up to the very top of a post where a very familiar orange cloak billows in the wind. He sees Naruto apparently smoking from a pipe which is… odd, he doesn't remember Naruto ever smoking.

He decides to [Flicker] up by his classmates side, focusing chakra to his soles to stick to the side of the pole just next to Naruto who doesn't even flinch at his arrival.

"I didn't think of you as the smoking type." Shino says in place of a greeting.

"Yeah, I don't think I am, either." Naruto coughs to clear his throat. "You back from your mission in the Hidden Moon?"

"I am," Shino nods, "And already I'm hearing you've caused quite the commotion with your own mission."

"It... didn't quite go according to plan."

"Then we share that in common."

"Yeah?" Naruto raises a brow. "Wanna share what happened? And I'll tell you what happened on mine."

Shino chuckles. "Swapping stories might be fun. Just… don't smoke. My kikaichū are sensitive to smoke."

"Can't smoke at home, can't smoke outside…" Naruto sighs and puts away his pipe. "Come on, first drinks are on me." He stands up and pats Shino on the shoulder.

"And the next- on me." Shino says. "I believe we may have a long evening ahead of us."

-x-

Later that evening

Yamanaka Flower Shop

The Hidden Leaf Police Force make regular patrols around the streets to ensure that there's no wrongdoings going on. For the most part, teams of two go around a set route and are in charge of their own sectors.

The Leaf saw it as a way to help bring the people and the police closer together by creating a sense of community; have the patrolling officers feel more like part of the scenery and people who belong there, rather than strangers who only pass occasionally.

This specific section is technically patrolled by three officers. Kiba Yamanaka, his partner and close friend Akamaru, and his official partner Ami Aburame, a woman as one would expect of the Aburame clan- thick coat that mostly hides her form, darkened glasses that make her expression more difficult to read and is an ever quiet and stoic presence. Kiba can't help but wonder how he keeps getting assigned to Aburame; they're the exact opposite of him in terms of attitude.

While on their patrol, Kiba makes an abrupt stop in front of one shop in particular. "Ah, just gimme a second, will ya, Ami?"

Ami nods. "Be swift. We've our patrol to finish."

"Yeah, yeah." Kiba waves her off, and Akamaru sits down by her side.

He opens the door to a dinging bell hung just above it, placed to sound off whenever someone enters. As it's nearing the end of the working day, the flower shop is empty save for the one woman behind the counter whose expression turns from bored to happy when she sees Kiba enter.

"Excuse me, Ms. We've received multiple complaints of a gorgeous woman breaking and stealing hearts around these parts. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that?"

Ino giggles and leans over the counter, batting her eyes. "Why, officer, I would never."

Kiba walks over and leans on the counter. "Theft and destruction of private property are serious crimes, I'll have you know. If I find out you're hiding something from me..."

"And what would the punishment be, precisely?"

"Well, for such heavy crimes, she'd have to be put under constant and very close observation. A task I'm more than willing to take on to keep our streets safe."

Ino laughs and pulls him in for a kiss. "Are you that bored at work?"

"It's been a day." Kiba laughs with her. "Shift's almost over, though, so there's that. How's the shop?"

Ino peaks over Kiba's shoulder, "Hi, Ami!" And waves at the woman outside who nods as an acknowledgement. "Been normal. It's good to have days where I can tend to the shop myself. I need the change of scenery."

"I feel ya. Say, how about we ask sis to babysit for a bit longer and we can go out to town." Kiba smirks.

Ino shakes her head. "We can't just spring it on her last minute, Kiba. If you want to take me out and woo me, you'll have to plan it better and in advance."

"And here I thought you liked the spontaneity."

"I do, but we also have to actually take care of our daughter, big guy. She comes before everything."

"Yeah, I know." He sighs.

"Kiba, Ami." A staticy voice from Kiba's waist interrupts their moment. "Come in."

Kiba presses a button on his radio and speaks into the microphone strapped to his headband. "We're here, what's up?"

"We've received a complaint from Shushu-ya in your sector. Two unruly drunks are disturbing the peace."

Kiba sighs. "Guess this evening won't be ending peacefully, huh?"

Ino chuckles and pats him on the back. "You got this."

Ami opens the door and peaks her head in. "Let's go."

"Yeah, I'm going!"

-x-

Shushu-ya

When Kiba and Ami, and Akamaru, arrive on the scene, they're immediately met by a group of onlookers, some of whom are visibly displeased with one man in particular. From this distance, they can only assume it's clients complaining to a manager or someone similarly in charge.

When the man sees them approach and notices their Police Force armbands, he immediately breaks free from the crowd and runs to them.

"Oh, I'm so happy to see you! You have to do something about them, they're infesting my whole establishment!"

"Alright, chill." Kiba waves him off and just continues walking to the front door. "It's just a couple of drunks, what's the big deal?"

Ami turns to the manager. "What do you mean when you say 'infesting'?"

Before she can be given an answer, she sees it. When Kiba opens the door, the entry is crawling with, oddly enough, kikaichū.

"That's what I mean!" The managed points.

"Woah!" Kiba steps back. "What the hell is all this?"

Ami walks over by him. "They're erratic. It's as if they have no guiding force behind their actions."

"This is just what I needed, geez…" Kiba complains. "Think you can do something about 'em?"

"I can attempt to." Ami sends out her own kikaichū to try and guide the aimless kikaichū that have overtaken Shushu-ya.

By sending out only a few that excrete a certain pheromone, she's able to at the very least clear a path for them to move through and not injure any of them. While everyone else is outside, there's still the very distinct sound of jovial laughter coming from one of the stalls at the very back.

As they walk past the empty tables, many of them with scattered plates and bottles left behind or knocked over in the rush to get out, they reach the very last set of tables.

One of the men laughs. "So you barely keeping him in check, huh?"

The other man laughs back in a more subdued manner. "Just barely. It must be something from the Uzumaki side of his lineage."

"Hey, don't you pin this on me."

There, they see a very boisterous blonde man wearing a thick green coat and opposite of him- a more laidback but still jovial man in an orange cloak.

"L-lord Shino?!" Ami says in surprise, one of the very few times Kiba has actually seen her flustered.

"And Naruto?" Kiba raises a brow. "What the fuck, guys?"

"Oh, Kiba!" Naruto turns to them. "Whatcha doin' here? Sit down and join us!"

"Yeah!" Shino readily agrees. "We're drinking."

"Yeah, I can see that…"

Ami bends over by Shino's side. "Lord Shino, you have to recall your kikaichū. You're causing a disturbance."

"Ehh, why should I? They need some fresh air, too. You should know that, Emi, I'm very disappointed in you."

"My name's Ami, sir."

"That's what I said, wasn't it?"

"Okay, get up, you two." Kiba grabs Naruto by the arm and pulls him away from the table. "And why did you swap clothes?!"

"Aww, boo!" Naruto protests as he wobbly hops as he's being dragged. "When'd you get to be such a stick in the ass."

"He's right." Shino nods. "You need to learn to relax, Kiba."

Kiba looks between the two of them in disbelief. "I can't even believe this is happening right now… Okay, Shino, you need to get home, right? You just got back from a mission. Does Shiho know you're here?"

"No." He presses his index to his lips. "And don't tell her."

"Oh, I think she'll figure it out somehow."

"Come, sir, I'll help you." Ami offers to help him.

He immediately brushes her off. "I don't need help. I'm in complete control of my body." He barely manages to take two steps before his legs give out under him and he falls on his butt. He looks up to Ami. "I seem to not be in complete control of my body."

Kiba looks around at the hundreds of kikaichū in the place. "What're we even supposed to do about these?"

"I have it covered." Ami goes to speak into her radio. "This Ami Aburame. I request back-up from an Aburame at Shushu-ya. There are kikaichū running wild, I need aid in getting them out."

"Copy that." Comes a voice from the radio. "Sending someone right away."

"I'll wait here for back-up to arrive, you take Naruto home." Ami says.

"You sure you don't want me to wait." Kiba asks.

Ami shakes her head. "I believe it better to separate them."

Kiba chuckles. "Yeah, you're probably right. Alright, Naruto, let's get you home." Kiba wraps his arm around Naruto's back to support him and leads him out.

Ami stays behind and commands her kikaichū to run damage control and try to round up Shino's much more numerous kikaichū. She'll do what she can for now.

Shino, still sitting on the ground, leans his back against the bench. "You're doing a good job. I'm proud of you."

"Even though you were just disappointed." Ami sighs. "Did you enjoy your evening, sir?"

Shino thinks for a moment and smiles. "Yes, I believe I did."

Name meanings

Kaiki Tenmondai (天文台 カイキ, Tenmondai Kaiki) - 'kaiki' - 'total eclipse' ; 'tenmondai' - 'astronomical observatory'

Ami Aburame (油女 アミ, Aburame Ami) - 'ami' - 'to knit'