A/N's: Hoo boy, this chapter took me awhile to write! More insight into clan conflict and the big reveal in this one (although y'all have probably guessed what the reveal is LOL). Please make sure to read/follow/fav/review! I'm really interested to know what your guys' thoughts are on the story. The conflict is going to build from here, but aspects within my previous chapters foreshadow details for the future. (*hint hint*)
I don't like introducing conflict abruptly. I like it to all tie in together in a little present for you to uncover as the story progresses.
Special thanks to Nicolaaa and Nolwe for leaving reviews on my last chapters, you provided me my doses of serotonin the last couple of weeks. The world indeed needs more Shino fics (especially ones with multiple chapters). There's so much to love about him :)
Anyway! Onto the next chapter!
Chapter 10: Rain
Shino looked up from his clipboard and jotted down the last score for this exam with a satisfied click of his pen.
"Excellent work, Sora," he commented. "I'm glad to see you in better spirits."
The young boy was currently hunched over, sweat dripping down his short black hair. Despite how heavy he was breathing, that didn't deter the large smile on his face.
"Thank you, Shino-sensei," he huffed determinedly. "I… I really… Hoo, wow."
"You can rest up for a few moments, Sora; I'm not going anywhere," the Aburame said with a light chuckle.
Sora quickly plopped down onto the grass, taking a large gulp of air. He made up his exam first thing after regular classes ended, but that left the young boy especially exhausted. He seemed to be doing much better and actively listened in class today, so the Academy instructor took that as a good sign.
"You've shown quite a large amount of improvement from your first unofficial training examination," Shino commented as he wrote down a few notes. "I'm very proud of you."
The young boy's eyes lit up as he thanked the older man. "I really don't think I'd have performed well if I took the exam yesterday, so I wanted to thank you so much for being understanding, Shino-sensei. It really means a lot."
Shino nodded. "Of course, Sora. It's only right that I be as understanding to the different situations of my students as possible. I not only want to be your teacher, but I also want to be someone that you can hopefully look up to. If I may ask, how did your father's surgery go?"
His smile widened as he jumped up from the ground. "It was a success! My dad's gonna be back on his feet and back home in a few days."
The two began to walk towards the Academy building as Sora continued. "My mom even took the night off so we could go out as a family when dad comes home!"
The Aburame smiled at the boy. "I'm glad to hear it, Sora. Please give your parents my regards."
After giving the Shinobi-in-training a few more passing notes and suggestions for future improvement, the two exchanged goodbyes.
"I'm sure you don't want to spend any more time at school than you have to," Shino explained with a light smile. "So you're dismissed. Hurry home quickly; it looks like it's going to rain again soon."
"Will do, sensei! See you tomorrow," Sora called out as he ran outside of the school's gates.
The Aburame watched his figure gradually disappear in the distance as he looked up at the darkening clouds. It looked like a storm was brewing, and from the size of the clouds, it was likely to be a big one.
Torn between leaving immediately and staying a few more hours at the school, Shino finally made his way back inside. He should have ample time to get a few tasks done and walk home before the storm.
He sighed at the unintentional memory the rain caused and shook his head, willing it away.
It should be fine, in any case. He brought his umbrella this time.
The woman nervously tapped a fingernail against the chipped countertop.
She stared down at the plant in front of her and fidgeted with a stray leaf for the hundredth time. Her little apology gift was now growing happily in the new, roomier pot she transplanted it into. She admired how the pot's decorative glass caught and reflected the light.
She took a deep breath.
If her memory was correct, Shino should be walking down this street anytime now to head home.
She willed herself up this morning and came into the store earlier than she normally did to clean. In her haste to return home on Sunday, she ended up leaving her purchased items scattered about on the shop's floor.
The honey vendor was lucky they hadn't gotten stolen.
She paused at a detail that had escaped her.
If Shino always took this way to work everyday, not to mention that group of Aburame she saw passing by recently, that meant that the Aburame complex was likely somewhere nearby here.
She gasped sharply as a small wave of anxiety unintentionally coursed through her. The honey vendor felt the small of her back tingle uncomfortably, causing a low buzz underneath that area of skin. The honey vendor shook her head and willed her nerves down.
Looking at her gray surroundings, she continued to wait.
And wait…
And wait…
After about 10 more minutes of waiting, the honey vendor began to wonder if Shino was avoiding her.
With a sigh, she slouched over the counter.
It made sense. In a way, she had been avoiding the Aburame all day yesterday by not coming to the shop and wallowing at home. Shino had absolutely every right to avoid her, especially for how she looked at him at the market. She wished she could will that memory away, but that wouldn't fix her issue, would it?
Nevertheless, it didn't matter how uncomfortable she felt. She had to get her message through any way she could.
Even if he didn't want to talk, she would try with every fiber of her being to make things right. She would throw herself right into the heart of the Aburame compound and knock on each individual house if she had to.
… Ok, maybe she wouldn't do that. But she would do something.
Maybe she could track down Kiba at the police station and ask him to deliver a message?
Her concern grew at the thought that maybe something had happened to the man at work. The honey vendor knew she was most likely being paranoid; Shino was a fully capable Shinobi—not to mention an Aburame—but that didn't stop her worries.
With another heavy sigh, she looked around her. From the clouds in the distance, it looked like it was going to rain very soon.
She quickly turned on the lights, watching her shop illuminate the dark street.
Laying her head tiredly against the countertop, she heard a few raindrops plop down in a light staccato before an onslaught of water droplets hit the pavement.
She hummed wistfully. At least she didn't have to water her plants this week.
After a few more moments, the young woman slowly turned her head before jolting up with a start.
In the distance, there was a tall figure approaching, shielded underneath the protection of a black umbrella. As the figure approached closer, the honey vendor's heart began to race at the sight of dark green clothing and a silver visor.
She stared straight at the man, hoping he would stop in his trek home to speak with her. She nervously rubbed at the surface of the pot next to her as she hesitantly waved to catch his attention.
She didn't want to shout. She didn't think she could be heard over the downpour.
Though he was a good distance away, she saw how the man briefly paused to look at her. He stood in place for a few moments before continuing on his way home, not bothering to approach or even acknowledge her at all.
The honey vendor felt her heart sink.
Shino had every right to walk away now and never speak to her again. Their connection would fade away with time, and come next summer, he would never have to see her again. The honey vendor was completely prepared for that outcome despite how much her heart disagreed.
But she promised herself she would tell him the truth, and she was going to tell him. She owed the man that much.
As his figure began to fade off into the distance, the honey vendor made her choice.
Cradling the plant close to her heart, she ran into the pouring rain.
He saw her wave.
He actually saw the light of her shop illuminating the street corner before she had the chance to see him approach.
While a part of him wanted to stop and wave back, wanted to approach the shabby little honey shop and talk about Sunday, a part of him thought the action futile.
The woman was afraid of him. He was an Aburame, and that was never going to change. He wouldn't bend himself and take lightly of his clan for her. He didn't want Mitsumi to have to explain herself and her fear of his clan and his abilities. He wanted to save her the time and both of them the embarrassment.
It would be better this way.
Before the man could take another step, the gate of the Aburame compound coming into view, he paused at the sound of wet, surprisingly fast footsteps rushing towards him.
He turned around, stifling a gasp, as Mitsumi stood a small distance from him. She was absolutely drenched.
"Please wait," she huffed, shouting over the loud rain around them.
Shino stood quietly, watching as the woman caught her breath. He fought the urge to ask if she was alright and offer her a place underneath his umbrella against his better judgement.
"I… I wanted to talk to you," Mitsumi said, a pleading look in her eyes.
The Aburame shuffled a bit, readjusting his umbrella. "I have quite a bit of work to do today," he answered with a tone of neutrality. "If you could make it quick."
He watched the woman carefully move around the contents in her arms, noticing that she was holding a pot containing a plant.
"... I'm sorry, Shino," she said, her words quavering. "I'm so sorry."
He remained silent, eyes closed as he took a deep exhale. Shino noticed how the puff of his breath was visible in the cool air surrounding them, and he instantly thought about how cold the drenched woman across from him must be. Not saying a word, he raised his arm out to offer the honey vendor shelter underneath his umbrella.
She nodded gratefully and stepped underneath, shortening the distance between them.
"I know you're mad, and you have every right to be," Mitsumi began.
"I'm not mad," Shino retorted, cutting her off. "I just… You can spend time with whomever you wish, Mitsumi-san. You don't have to explain your fear of me and my abilities; they're perfectly understandable and unwarranted." He shook his head.
"Shino, no," she replied sadly. "That's not… that's not the problem. Please listen to me."
The Aburame sighed but remained quiet, allowing the woman to speak.
"I..." she began quietly, "... I like you." Steel grey eyes peered into him. Shino was taken aback by the woman's boldness, but he tried not to show that on his face. Where was she going with all of this?
"You're kind and wise and… and caring. But that's just it. That's the problem. Your clan..."
"My clan what?" Shino snapped, his pent-up emotions rushing forward. "This is a rather long-winded way of saying that you dislike my family, Mitsumi. You like every other aspect of me, but you can't get past my heritage and ninjutsu? That's fine. But please..." his voice became hoarse. "Please don't let me raise my hopes. Because..."
"Because I don't think I could stand myself."
"I like you," she repeated, the words firm and clear. "I like you a lot. But I'm not supposed to like you; that's the problem."
The man managed to calm the chaotic state of his emotions. He raised an eyebrow and stared at the woman long and hard. They were locked in a tense eye-staring contest before she finally looked down.
To his surprise, she began to softly laugh. Despite himself, the bell-like lilt of her chuckles filled his chest with an unwanted warmth, confusing him even more. Why was she laughing now of all times?
"You're Aburame Shino," she eventually said as the laughter died, the words hanging heavy in the air. She smiled at him, the same way she had smiled at him the night they met.
"It's nice to properly meet you," the honey vendor continued, "My real name is Kamizuru Mitsubachi."
He ended up walking her home.
In fact, he even accepted her invitation to come inside for tea.
That was how Shino Aburame found himself sitting awkwardly on the floor of a small apartment brightly decorated with small potted plants and shades of yellow, tracing his fingers along the lines of a traditional low-set table.
He found the apartment an accurate reflection of the honey vendor's personality and likes, but the imposing table seemed to contrast with its design. He inhaled, noting how the room smelled faintly of wildflowers.
He looked up as he heard the sound of the bathroom shower stop.
Mitsumi—no, Mitsubachi— had insisted that she would be fine drying herself with a towel, but Shino had insisted that he was fine waiting. He didn't want her to catch a cold.
However, he almost regretted his decision, considering how nervous he was.
Her revelation was quite the surprise to him, but upon further consideration, the Aburame didn't think it was too shocking that she was a member of the bee-handling clan from Iwagakure. He found it appropriate, even. To some degree.
No, what shocked him most was that there were still members of the Kamizuru clan left. He was under the impression that they had died off after his mission with Kiba, Hinata, and Naruto all those years ago in their search for the Bikkochu. Or at the very least, were insignificantly small in numbers and randomly dispersed around the Shinobi Nations.
The clan elders weren't going to be terribly pleased that their rivals were still apparently alive, but it's not as if Shino would say anything. Perhaps to his father, but he would need more background on the matter.
That was why he was here.
His eyes followed Mitsubachi as she walked into the room, dressed in a clean yellow sweater and gray pajama pants.
"I'm sorry I took so long," she said with a small sniffle, taking a seat across from him as she dried her hair with a towel.
Shino shook his head. "No, that's quite alright."
"Oh!" she exclaimed suddenly, snapping her fingers. "I almost forgot I invited you in here for tea!" She laughed nervously. "What a terrible host, I can go get that for you right now—"
"—Mitsubachi-san," he interrupted slowly, still unused to her actual name. He gave her an uneasy smile of assurance. "It's alright."
With his words, the woman slouched over, hugging her knees close to her chest. A tense silence filled the room, neither really knowing what to say.
Shino slowly looked around, hoping something would give him the inspiration to speak. His eyes discreetly roved around the shelves of her apartment until he focused on a peculiar item resting in the corner.
It wasn't so much the item itself that caught his eye, but its intricate design.
"You were right," he said, drawing the woman's attention. She stared in confusion until he pointed to the distance. "That is a nice design of a carpenter bee."
She turned to briefly look at what the man was talking about and saw that he meant her purposeless laptop case. The honey vendor almost forgot she told him about that embarrassing purchase on their outing with Kiba and Tamaki.
The two locked eyes for a moment, facial expressions unreadable and emotions ungaugeable. To the Aburame's surprise, the Kamizuru clan member let out a soft giggle that quickly turned into a full-blown laugh.
Shino's eyebrows raised at her hysteria before he gave a low chuckle of his own. It really was ironic, wasn't it?
"Look at us," she exclaimed between giggles. "We're so awkward around each other now."
"Well I was awkward from the start, so that change lies with you," Shino retorted with a lilt in his voice.
Once Mitsubachi's laughter calmed, she exhaled. She briefly looked down before gazing at the man, regret in her steel-grey eyes.
"I really am sorry, Shino," she said softly. "For Sunday."
The Aburame slowly nodded. He let out a quiet sigh. "I understand why you reacted the way you did. Well, I understand more clearly now. Believe me, it… it wasn't my intention to inform you of my clan heritage in that manner."
"What, Mr. Big-Shot?" There was a twinkle in her eyes. "By saving all those people in the market?"
He looked away. "... Yes, precisely," he coughed out.
"You were a hero," Mitsubachi commented truthfully. She shook her head. "You are a hero."
Shino felt his chest warm at the compliment, but reserved those feelings to the backburner. At least, until the situation was fully sorted. He didn't want to do an interrogation on the honey vendor, but his clan's safety may be on the line.
"I guess you have some questions for me then?" There was a hint of sadness in her tone, and Shino didn't like how sunken the honey vendor's face looked.
"I suppose I do," he replied in a professional manner. "However, I have a request to make first and foremost."
She looked up, confusion crossing her face.
He gave the woman a calm smile. "Would you mind making that tea after all?"
"So," Shino said, blowing his hot drink. "May I ask how there are still members of your clan left? I thought most of its members were…" He trailed off, not knowing how to lightly phrase his words.
"Dead?" She answered plainly, taking a sip of her own tea.
"To put it in layman's terms."
He watched as Mitsubachi looked down at her hot drink. She hummed thoughtfully. "What exactly do you know of yours and my clan's history?"
Shino recalled the knowledge passed down to him quite easily. "From what I've learned from my father," he began. "There was a long series of conflicts between our clans shortly after the first major battle between the Aburame and Kamizuru, with Iwagakure's attempted attack on Konoha."
He focused quietly on the woman in front of him. "It was an all-out brawl between insect handlers that spiraled into a mini-war that lasted for quite some time. My grandfather was actually involved with the very first battle, but apparently the conflict didn't end until some time before I was born."
"Really?" Mitsubachi tilted her head up in interest. "So was my grandmother! She was involved with the first battle, I mean. Well, she wasn't just involved," Mitsubachi paused with a light snort. "She was the leader! Oh wow, imagine if she could see me now? Having tea with an Aburame..." the woman started to laugh.
Shino paused in deep thought. His eyebrows furrowed. "...Your grandmother?"
"Kirabachi Kamizuru," Mitsubachi answered with an affirmative nod. "'Queen of the Kamizuru' is what they used to call her. Although, I never did get to meet her. Considering the circumstances now, maybe that's a good thing!" She tapped a nail nervously against the table.
Shino considered his words carefully. "My grandfather led our clan to victory that day until he eventually passed away a few years later," he said with slight hesitation. "... Making my father the new clan head."
The honey vendor looked up at the Aburame with wide eyes, as if a large revelation had hit her. "You're the next head of your clan... Shino-san?"
The man nodded quietly. He swallowed, trying to take in the heavy information. "From what I've gathered, you're most likely in the same boat as I am, so to speak?"
Mitsubachi looked away, as if torn. Shaking her head, she sighed. "I know I don't have the right to ask this of you, but…"
Shino took in the woman's countenance. "This information doesn't leave this room, Mitsubachi-san," he said firmly. "You have my word."
She smiled at the understanding man before her. She let out a light sigh after continuing. "After the death of my grandmother, the role of clan head was briefly taken up by my uncle, Kumabachi Kamizuru. Our names are so long, don't you think?" She stopped to giggle to herself. "In any case, it was a temporary setup; I think because my mother was too young to take over."
"Why temporary?"
The woman leaned back as her arms supported her weight. Her eyes gazed at the ceiling as old memories filled her mind. "My clan is an established matriarchy. Positions of leadership have always been held by women, and women are typically the more capable fighters and battle strategists. The position of clan head has always been passed along the lines of the daughters."
Shino's eyes widened beneath his visor as realization hit him. When he fought with those three Kamizuru clan members all those years ago, the two men listened dutifully to their female lead compatriot.
He remembered how crafty she was; had that Kamizuru woman not interrupted his team and Naruto in those final moments, there might have been a chance for their mission to succeed and find Sasuke.
"Like a bee hive," he commented quietly.
It was a stark contrast to the Aburame. Although it has never been explicitly mentioned that the head of the clan had to be male, it somewhat embarassed Shino to never recall an instance where a woman was in charge. The population of women in their clan always tended to be much smaller than that of their men, and more often than not, women were usually outsiders that would marry in (either by choice or arranged) and became homemakers.
Even all of the elders that he could recall from memory have been men.
Across from him, Mitsubachi nodded, her tea having grown cold ages ago. "It sparked a lot of controversy within our clan when my uncle became leader. The issue was that our clan elders hadn't fully accepted him— or ever planned on accepting him—but we were pressed for time. Innter turmoil sparked within my clan while we were still in the midst of our battle with the Aburame. Initially, my uncle planned on launching a full-scale ambush on your compound, but support for the idea fell through because he wasn't our official leader."
"But in the dark of the night," Mitsubachi continued, eyes faraway. "My uncle secretly gathered his supporters capable of fighting—the majority being our men—and went through with the plan. But with their small numbers and poor timing... " Mitsubachi looked down. "... All of them had died, including my uncle."
Shino remained quiet. Hesitantly, he reached out to give a comforting pat to the woman's hand. To his surprise, she placed her other hand on top of his and looked up at him with a gentle smile.
"My mother became the leader out of desperate necessity," Mitsubachi eventually continued, pulling her hands away. "So she took what remaining numbers we had and hid us away."
"To the mountains," Shino answered in slight awe. Everything was falling into place.
Mitsubachi nodded. "She felt the best option for all of us was to live under the pretenses that the Kamizuru clan was no more. Now, for the majority of our time, my clan lives peacefully outside of Iwagakure, selling honey products and mead to those aware of our quiet existence."
The Aburame looked down, strangely finding that he missed the warmth that her hands previously provided. He felt a pang of pity for her small clan, having to hide itself away out of fear.
Looking back, Shino supposed that the actions of those three Kamizuru members all those years ago had some justification. In the end, they acted out of a desire to aid their clan.
"I apologize."
The honey vendor looked at him in surprise and blinked. "Why?"
"On Sunday, after the market incident, I was..." He looked away. "Frustrated with what happened. More than frustrated. I jumped to the hasty conclusion that you were afraid of my insects, that you were afraid of me, and I suppose I wanted to close you out. If you hadn't run out into the rain today... I wouldn't have stopped."
"Truth be told," Shino continued softly. "Others have been rather 'put off' by my abilities and my clan's appearance. I simply thought you were... displeased with me at face-value, similar to everyone else."
"Disgusted" is what he really wanted to say.
Mitsubachi looked at him sadly. "Oh, Shino…" She shook her head before rising to her knees and shuffling over to sit next to him. Steel gray eyes peered at him earnestly, and the Aburame was tempted to look away.
"You are a good man. A great man, in fact," she said reassuringly. "From the moment you helped me, I knew that you were nothing but kind and compassionate and... and wonderful. Please don't think I would ever be displeased with you over your ninjutsu. I wish I could take back how I reacted at the market, but the truth is that a part of me is still... unsure. For as long as I can remember, I've been taught to fear your clan."
She looked down, frustration growing in her chest that she'd been spoon fed biased contempt and encouraged to accept that as the truth for most of her life. "I was taught that the Aburame were monsters," she said in a hush. "That as long as your clan existed, mine would be destined for failure and ruin if we weren't careful. Fear is all I've really known..."
Shino stayed in place, silent as a grave. He had to admit that when growing up, he always felt a sense of pride at the fact that his clan remained victorious against the Kamizuru. When his clan used to celebrate the defeat of the bee handlers from Iwa, Shino couldn't help but celebrate with them.
He accepted that hatred towards the Kamizuru would never be resolved, but a part of him wishes that he had tried harder to reason with the clan elders against their disdain. That he had tried to do more.
"I used to be proud of the fact that my clan was victorious against yours all those years ago," he quietly admitted. "I used to accept the words of my predecessors that the Kamizuru were meant to be reviled and seen as inferior. While part of me has always wished for a reunion when the topic arose in a conversation, I would always brush off the idea thinking it was impossible."
He looked straight at the woman from beneath his visor, hoping she could understand the sincerity of his next words. "I don't want you to fear me, Mitsubachi-san. And the last thing I would want is for your clan to look at mine with fear. The Aburame may look intimidating on the outside, but my clan is generally quite…peaceful."
"I'm sure," she grinned with a dramatic hand gesture towards him. "Their ill-ustrious clan heir is an Academy teacher. I don't think it gets any more peaceful than that."
"And the Kamizuru clan heiress is shirking off work to avoid someone," he sipped into his tea cup. "But I suppose that isn't any of my business."
Mitsubachi pouted. "Touché, Aburame-sama." For a moment she looked at the man before her, an unreadable expression on her face. She pondered the amount of distance between them, not simply in the present moment.
Shino observed the way her eyes lit up as a thought crossed her mind.
"... What if we could do that?"
"Pardon?"
"Yes!" she exclaimed excitedly, leaving the man even more confused. "What if we could do just that! What if we bridged the gap between our two clans?"
The Aburame leaned forward with interest. "With a treaty?"
"Or something along those lines!" She gasped, clasping her hands together. "Look, we're both the next heads of our clan. We have somewhat more leeway into clan affairs and issues. We," Mitsubachi gestured between the two of them, "can be the ones to initiate peace between our two families."
Shino's eyebrows furrowed. He shook his head. "As much as I dislike the notion, I actually have little say in the actions of my clan. Those decisions fall along the lines of the Aburame clan elders and my father. They likely wouldn't agree to signing a formal peace treaty simply because I was the one who brought up the idea. Not without a strong argument for it, at least."
"That's what we have to do then!"
Shino nodded his head, gesturing for Mitsubachi to continue.
"We have to make an argument! We could take the time to learn about our clans and highlight the benefits it would bring if we were able to work together, to not have to be at odds with each other all of the time."
The Kamizuru sighed. "I am so tired of having to live a life of secrecy, to always be in fear of a clan when there isn't any need to be."
"And I am quite tired of seeing unnecessary hatred be passed along with mine," the Aburame added with a nod.
After a few long moments, he finally spoke up. "... I think it may work."
"You do?"
"If we play our cards right," Shino expanded. "First and foremost, we have to agree to keep an air of professionalism as we learn about our families. It won't do us any good to be too emotionally invested while we formulate our argument. My clan elders would be able to see right away if there was emotional bias on my end that would blind me to the negatives of bringing your clan into light."
"So… we would really be representatives for our families," Mitsubachi said with a tone of slight disbelief that this conversation was actually happening. She shook her head before giving a vigorous reply. "Yes! We can do that! Formulate a professional peace treaty, I mean. A professional air. I can do that."
She held out her hand for a handshake. "To the Aburame."
Shino looked down at the proffered hand before giving it a firm shake. "To the Kamizuru."
The woman gazed up at him. "You... you will still come by the shop to talk, though? I know we need to be professional about this, but I don't want us to not be friends."
The Aburame looked down at her. He forced down the feeling of regret building up and gave her a calm smile. "Of course, Mitsubachi-san."
He paused for a moment. "I do have one additional question. Why are you here, in Konoha specifically?"
Shino watched as he ran her fingers through her drying hair.
"My mother was testing the idea of expanding our honey industry outside of Iwa," the young woman explained with a hum. "She was originally going to send one of my sisters to set up a sort of 'guinea pig' shop in one of the neighboring villages. Before this trip to Konoha, I never really had the chance to see the world outside of my home, so I bargained… well—begged really—with my mother to let me be the one to start one up. And I was given the green light on the condition that after a year, I would return home and fully take on my duties as the next head of our clan."
"Duties?"
"Getting married," she said with a sigh. Her shoulders slightly dropped. "I suppose it's time. I just turned 25, after all."
The Aburame froze, unresponsive. He fought the urge to turn away when Mitsubachi placed a concerned hand on his shoulder, shaking it.
"Shino?" she asked worriedly. "Are you ok?"
"... I'm fine," he managed to croak out. "I simply... I didn't realize you were that young."
Mitsubachi gave him a look. "How old are you?"
"33."
"What'd you get all quiet on me for," she responded immediately with a small laugh, giving him a nudge on the shoulder. "33 isn't old!"
"It feels old compared to 25," he said with a slight huff.
She quirked an eyebrow in amusement. "Have you never been friends with someone younger than you?"
"I suppose my younger cousins and the siblings of my comrades. It still feels inappropriate," he replied stubbornly, shaking his head.
"Those feelings lie solely on you then," she replied with a light snort. "33 is not old. My parents were good friends before they got married and they were 15 years apart!"
After she verbalized those words, it occurred to the honey vendor that that may not have been the best comparison to make considering her parents separated quite some time ago...
Shino eventually sighed, realizing the argument was moot. He tilted his head, a lilt in his voice. "I suppose you'll understand the feeling when you're older."
Mitsubachi's jaw dropped in disbelief as she gave him an incredulous look. She gave another nudge to his shoulder, harder this time, and laughed. "Oh, no! Don't you pull that with me, old man! Keep making comments like that and I'll have to give you a cane for a present instead."
"Instead?" Shino looked up in confusion.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, knocking at the base of her skull. "That reminds me, I completely forgot to give it to you."
Without saying a word, the woman quickly rose up from her sitting position and gathered the item patiently waiting in the other room. Shino watched in surprise as she brought it out, finally recognizing that it was the plant from earlier.
"It's nothing big," she said, drying off the pot with her sleeve. "I just… wanted to get you a little something for being so kind to me. I'm sorry, I would have given it to you earlier, but it took me some time to find a place that actually sold the little guy."
His eyes widened as the pot was gently placed into his hands. "... You got me a Chameleon plant," he said, a touch breathless.
Mitsubachi cupped her face bashedly. "I remembered how you said it was your favorite. I eventually found the jar and the plant that day in the market, and I've wanted to give it to you since..."
Shino rose up, the gift gently cradled next to his chest. "Thank you, I..." He nodded. "... I like it quite a lot."
"Of course," Mitsubachi replied with a warm smile. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers. "Ooh! This can be a learning moment!"
The Aburame nodded, waiting for her to continue.
"In my family, flowers are one of the highest forms of gratitude you can give to someone," she explained.
"That's quite interesting," Shino said with a nod. "But don't most people usually gift floral arrangements and the like regardless when they're appreciative of someone?"
"Yes," Mitsubachi replied truthfully. "But in my clan, flowers have always had a traditionally deeper meaning. For example, let's say a man's wife is angry with him. He doesn't want her to be angry with him, so he buys her flowers to placate her."
The Aburame nodded along slowly.
The honey vendor made an x gesture with her hands and frowned. "In my family, you're not supposed to do that. It's seen as taboo to give flowers to someone without emotional depth behind the action. If you give flowers to someone because you're expected to, then they lose their meaning altogether."
"If you find that you need to placate someone," Shino began curiously. "What would you give them instead of flowers?"
Mitsubachi hummed thoughtfully. "... I guess anything else would work; chocolate, jewelry, a stuffed toy. Just don't give flowers if you want to placate. It's seen as disrespectful."
"So…" she continued, looking away bashfully. "... I suppose I just really want to say 'thank you' with this gift, Shino Aburame. For everything. Maybe this plant can symbolize the start of a beautiful new friendship between us? Or something..."
His eyes widened slightly behind his visor. "I hope you can teach me how to properly care for it then," he said.
"Truth be told," Mitsubachi exhaled through her teeth. "I'm not quite sure how to properly care for it myself; this one's truly unique from all the other plants I've grown. I was a bit worried when I had to transfer it."
The man smiled down at her, his words clear and deliberate.
"I suppose we can simply learn together then."
The Aburame chatted with the Kamizuru a few moments longer as he waited outside of her apartment door.
"Are you sure you'll be fine carrying everything home?" Mitsubachi looked up at him with concern.
He nodded, readjusting his work bag onto his shoulder. "I'll be fine, Mitsubachi-sa–"
The woman raised her hand, pausing him. "Just Mitsubachi," she said with a grin. "If you could."
Shino gave a light smile. "Of course. And don't worry about my journeying home, Mitsubachi." He paused to take a look around him. In that moment, the world suddenly felt a lot smaller.
"It looks like the rain finally stopped."
A/N's: This fic won't make ANY sense unless you've seen the Bikkochu filler arc in the OG Naruto series (it's one of the best arcs by far, so I'm begging on my hands and knees for y'all to watch it). Y'all have no idea how much effort went into making the time line of conflict between their two clans make somewhat sense. The battles between their two clans didn't happen one after the other in my story, they spanned for years upon years, with big breaks in between. I wanted to make a stark contrast between the clan dynamics/hierarchy of the Aburame and the Kamizuru, but still make them similar enough to be able to understand the other. If that makes any sense lmfao. I based this story on Romeo and Juliet when I thought it up, so ig the Aburame and Kamizuru would be like the Capulets and the Montagues.
And I hope y'all liked that layer of complication I added between Shino and Mitsubachi's relationship ;). I gotta keep y'all on your toes LOL. As always, thank you so much for reading! Please, please, please review! I love to hear your thoughts :D
And here's a breakdown of the names, for anyone curious!
"Kirabachi" can be translated to either "Light" bee or "Killer" bee. "Kumabachi" is the Japanese word for carpenter bee, and "Mitsubachi" if you haven't already guessed means honey bee! There's definitely going to be more names in the future, and I do put a lot of thought into them and how they integrate into the characters!