Chapter 17: Photographs of Memories Passed

"Bye, Shino-Sensei! Have a good day," the familiar choir of children's voices called out after the last bell of the day rang.

As the Aburame packed up his materials, ready to move to the teacher's lounge and make lesson plans as per usual, a hesitant voice called out to him.

"Um…Aburame-Sensei?"

The man raised his head towards the owner of the voice, noting how Yuna—admittedly one of the brightest students in this current class—was waiting by the door with her eyes averted.

"... Do you have a few minutes?"

"Of course, Yuna," Shino answered politely. "What can I do for you?"

The young girl shifted, readjusting pale blue bangs with a puff of air. "I know it's still pretty early in the school year," she said, eyes pointed downward. "And we aren't that close to parent teacher conferences yet... but I wanted your advice on something. Do you need to go anywhere soon?"

The Academy Instructor lightly shook his head. "I am available for however long you need me to be, Yuna."

"... Can this please stay between the two of us?"

Shino shifted his eyes to the open door. Quietly, he ordered his kikai to shut it to avoid prying ears. He gave Yuna a comforting smile, hoping it could help calm her distressed countenance.

"Of course, Yuna. Rest assured, nothing you say will leave this room."

"I'm not sure if you were aware, but my family… well my family are primarily civilians." She paused to let out a quiet sigh. "And we own a local tea shop in the village that's been passed down from generation to generation."

Shino nodded quietly along, noticing how Yuna seemed to look more and more troubled, her normally bright green eyes dulled and somewhat clouded over.

"My parents let me join the Shinobi program when I asked before school started, but they just recently started hinting that they want me to drop out and take regular classes instead. And I... I really don't know what to do, Sensei."

The Aburame took a moment to think about his answer. Of course he would want Yuna to stay in the program as his student, but balancing the wishes of family and one's own desires was an issue he understood all too well.

"Hm... well, first thing's first," Shino began. "How do you feel? Not just about the situation with your parents, but with your own current progress in the program? Do you like being here?"

Yuna nodded emphatically, her eyes sparking to life. "Yes, I do! I really do, Sensei. I love all the friend's I've made, and I really do want to become a Shinobi! But I can't just break my parent's hearts by doing what I want, right? I'm sorry, I know this sounds complicated…"

"It is complicated," Shino said with a nod of acknowledgement. "I understand the situation you're in very well. Having to decide between your own individual wants versus those of your family is a struggle I grapple with even now."

The young girl's eyes widened.

"That being said," the Sensei continued. "I suppose I should ask why you feel your parents would like you to switch to the alternative courses."

"Well, there's the tea shop for one thing..." Yuna paused, her eyes dropping. "... But my younger sister seems more fit to take over it than me. And my parents think that I'm not cut out for being a Shinobi, for another thing. They think it's too dangerous and that I'm too delicate to handle it."

Shino took in the young girl's expression, knowing this issue had likely been weighing on her mind for quite sometime. In his honest opinion, if Yuna's parents allowed her to enter the program in the first place with no qualms, they were likely being more protective than anything. He'd had his fair share of meetings with overprotective parents before and this seemed to be a common pattern with many of them.

He nodded, considering his student for a brief moment. "While I can't speak for your parents, Yuna, I have seen firsthand how hard of a worker you are, how passionate you are when you train. You are one of my brightest students, and I assure you that I'm not saying that frivolously. Your parents, I believe, want you to drop the Academy because they wish to protect you."

"You really think so? Not just because they think I'm weak or delicate?"

Shino gave her a reassuring smile. "'Weak' is the furthest thing I would use to describe you, Yuna. In the context of this situation, perhaps it's best to discuss with your parents exactly how much you enjoy being at the Academy. You're certainly more than capable enough."

"I don't know if they would listen to me, though..."

Shino's eyes flickered at the doubt apparent in the young girl's face. She looked truly torn about how to go about the situation.

His voice was soft. "I'll tell you what... I can speak with your parents outside of class, if you would like. Perhaps let them know how good of a student their daughter is."

Yuna's eyes appeared almost glossy at the man's suggestion. She clenched her fist at her sides, crumbling her loose black shorts.

"Would you really be willing to do that for me, Sensei?"

"You are one of my students, Yuna," he replied. "And I would do whatever to ensure you all move forward with nothing but confidence in your future path. If you desire to stay in the program, I will do whatever I can to ensure that happens."

The young Shinobi let out a large breath of relief. "Thank you so much, Sensei!"

"Perhaps I'll make a quick visit to your parents' tea shop? Speak with them there?"

Yuna blinked at the casual suggestion. "Oh! Yes, that works! Our store is called Village Hidden in the Tea Leaves. We're about a block down from Yakiniku Q if you're familiar with the barbecue place."

The man nodded quietly, trying to remember if he actually walked past her family's tea shop before. While he wasn't typically the biggest fan of straying from his normal haunts and frequented tea shops, breaking his well-established habits was a much easier feat if it was for his students. Who knows? Perhaps he would end up liking the change.

"I see. Well, I will try my best to speak to your parents by the end of the week or— at the very latest— at the beginning of next week. Does that work for you, Yuna?"

The young Kunoichi gave an emphatic nod in response, gratefully thanking her Sensei for taking time out of his day to speak to her, even going so far as to meet with her parents outside of his normal work hours and likely his pay range. The Aburame continued with a normal reply that it was really not an issue.

"That's because helping my students is part of my job."

As the young girl was about to leave the almost empty classroom, her Sensei left her with a few parting words.

"I understand that following tradition and the will of your family seems to be the best and most logical answer for the happiness of everyone," he said quietly. "But try not to feel as if you're at fault for wanting something for yourself, Yuna."

She paused by the door, nodding lightly as she pondered on her sensei's words. It was somewhat strange to her how his words sounded uncharacteristically faraway. If she thought about it, Aburame-Sensei even looked a touch happier during his lessons today, significantly more than he usually did.

Maybe something good happened to him recently?

"Thank you, Sensei," Yuna finished brightly, bowing out of respect. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Staying late again, tonight Shino-Sensei?"

The Aburame turned to find the friendly face of Anko about to leave for the day. It looked like most of his other coworkers were just about to leave or had already left.

While Shino would usually stay for a few more hours—even if he didn't have much work or grading to do—his chest raced with anticipation at the warm smile he would get to see on his way home.

"No," he said with a reserved air, hiding his internal giddy. "I think I'll head out in a few moments, as well."

"Well, that's new!" Anko said, blinking at the unexpected change of plan. She smiled. "You're always working so hard, Shino-Sensei. It'd be nice to see you out and about, enjoying yourself more."

Shino smiled at the off handed comment, vaguely reminded of Kiba. He gave Anko a small wave and a pleasant goodbye before the older woman exited the teacher's lounge, leaving him alone to pack up.

He found himself packing up faster than usual, growing more and more excited to see his girlfriend.

As he exited the Academy doors, his shoulders perked up at the sight of russet-brown hair near the gates. The young woman had her arms crossed casually behind her as steel-grey eyes perused the large building.

"Mitsubachi," Shino called out, his reserved expression breaking into a light smile.

The Kamizuru's eyes brightened noticeably as she saw the Aburame approach. Her lips broke into a wide grin and Shino felt his heart swell.

"There you are, Shino!"

He fought the urge to wrap his arms around the woman and envelop her in a long, welcoming hug. It was a bit embarrassing how he was still coming to terms with the fact that he cared for physical contact more than his outward demeanor would suggest.

If only his past self could see him now.

"You always visit me at my workplace," Mitsubachi began, knowing the man would have asked anyway. "So I wanted to see where you worked! I hope that's ok with you."

Shino nodded. "Of course it is. I'm very happy to see you."

Mitsubachi looked up at the Aburame then looked away, her cheeks warming at his honest words. She gave him an affectionate nudge with her elbow.

"You know, the Academy's so much more modern than I had pictured in my head," Mitsubachi commented as she gazed at the white, almost intimidating building. "It looks like a maze on the outside!"

"Perhaps I can give you a tour one day," he answered with a slight hum. "It's not too difficult locating where everything is once you've been accustomed to the building's layout."

The two began walking back towards Mitsubachi's shop, engaging in light conversation about how the other's day went, whether or not anything interesting had happened, if they'd seen anything of note.

From an outsider's perspective, the two looked to be merely a pair of good friends or colleagues, meandering slowly through the bustling Village Hidden in the Leaves. If one was careful enough to notice, the taller man was walking noticeably slower than he usually did as the shorter woman moved faster so their steps aligned.

As they approached the outskirts of the village, reaching the privacy of the quiet trail towards the Aburame compound, Mitsubachi turned her focus entirely on the man.

Steel gray eyes darted from left to right, ensuring that the two of them were indeed alone, before stretching on the tips of her toes to give the man a kiss on the cheek. Shino spent no time waiting to wrap his arms around her.

He placed a tender kiss to the top of the woman's head, taking a small inhale of the familiar scent of honey and flowers. He heard the woman in his arms let out a satisfied sigh at the action, her chest inhaling and exhaling as she leaned into him.

The Aburame had spent far too long being kept at a safe distance from everyone, past love interests and dates evading his touch solely due to his insects and demeanor. Now that he truly cared for someone—and that someone truly cared for him back—Shino didn't want to let go.

Mitsubachi rested her head against his chest, feeling Shino's heartbeat underneath his green jacket.

The Aburame didn't have a strikingly pungent aroma to him, but being in such a close proximity to the man, Mitsubachi was able to take in his clean, woodsy scent with a content sigh. She vaguely smelled something else as she savored their embrace. Pine maybe?

Even more interesting to the Kamizuru woman was the fact that she could actually hear the man's kikai if she pressed her ear close enough. The insects almost sounded like the drone of her automated fan on the lowest setting, letting out a synchronized hum as they moved about underneath the Aburame's skin.

Mitsubachi felt their embrace loosen, but she pulled back to hear more of the noises coming from the man's body.

"Wait, wait," she whispered, pressing closer to him.

Her eyes peacefully shut as she tuned in on the hum. It was so fascinating!

"Don't pull away yet, please."

Shino blinked in surprise, looking down at Mitsubachi as she laid her head against his chest. He ran gentle circles along the small of her back with his palm, complying with her request.

"It's so interesting hearing your kikai," she commented, finally pulling her head away to look up at the man. Her steel gray eyes looked almost sleepy. "It's like they're all talking to each other underneath your skin. Does your body constantly hum like that?"

The Aburame nodded, slightly flustered. No one outside of family members had ever pressed themself closely enough for long enough to register his kikai's sound beneath his skin. His face warmed at how intimate the action now seemed.

"Mostly a low drone," he eventually answered. "They actually become more active at night, so they're far quieter during the day. In all honesty, I've become so accustomed to their presence that I've stopped registering the noise they make."

"It's so relaxing," Mitsubachi commented with another peaceful sigh as she pressed her ear to his chest once more. "My entire body doesn't hum like yours does. Just the length of my back where my bees are housed."

Shino paused, his interest taking hold of him. He blinked in thought, unsure of how to phrase his desires to the woman. How would one go about asking if they could press their head to another's back without sounding like... well, like a pervert?

Mitsubachi looked up at Shino, slightly confused as to why the man suddenly went silent. Though it was still a bit difficult to understand what the man was thinking with how reserved he usually was, the honey vendor had a feeling that she knew what Shino wanted.

She pulled away, a gleam in her eyes, gently ushering for the Aburame to take a seat.

"Sit," she ordered with a bright smile.

Shino complied with the direction, not quite sure of where this was going. His eyes flickered with realization as Mitsubachi inched closer to stand before him, turning away so that he was face-to-face with her back.

The honey vendor smiled to herself, feeling as the Aburame ever-so-slowly leaned in to press his head against her back. She bit her lip, feeling the metal of Shino's visor lightly push into her back.

The sound of the insects was near immediate once Shino was able to press his ear close enough. The Kamizuru's bees were noticeably louder compared to his kikai. Whereas his own insects let out a low drone, her bees made a higher-pitched buzzing sound.

The noise was muffled underneath Mitsubachi's long sleeve and of course, her lovely skin, but it was hard to miss with how close in proximity they were. If he could compare the noise to anything, it was most similar to the buzz of the fluorescent lights in the teacher's lounge at the Academy. Shino had almost fallen asleep to that noise grading papers late at night more times than he could remember.

With how loud her insects were, Shino found it somewhat hard to believe that he had never registered their sound until now. He felt a twinge of temptation to lift Mitsubachi's shirt so he could see the beautiful pattern inked on her skin once more, but he shook his head, knowing that would be entirely inappropriate—and downright rude— to do.

For now, he contented himself to listen to the symphony of buzzes resonating underneath the skin of the woman's back, discreetly taking in her sweet smell while he had the chance.

After a few more moments, the Aburame finally pulled away, the sudden desire to lie down and take a warm nap briefly coming over him. He gently brushed his hands down the woman's arms, feeling the soft brush of her long sleeve against his fingertips.

"Thank you, Kamizuru-sama," he whispered to her, briefly laying his head against the middle of her back before setting himself in an upright position.

Mitsubachi turned around, reaching her arms out to bring Shino close to her. A wave of happiness coursed through the Kamizuru woman now that she was finally taller than the Aburame, albeit only for a brief while. She gently cupped the sides of the man's face, staring down at him with fond tenderness before planting a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Of course, Aburame-sama," she whispered back.

Shino watched the small trinkets and items accumulate on the counter as Mitsubachi rearranged the storage area behind her store. He had asked earlier if she wanted any help, but the woman gratefully declined his offer. The reasoning fell along the lines that she actually enjoyed cleaning by herself.

A few small flower vases here, some old pots and pans there, art supplies, and even a silver cookie tin filled with items for sewing.

The old sign Mitsubachi made for the store rested along the counter, the previous title painted over in white, awaiting a new name to be printed on. She still hadn't thought of one yet, but was currently making a list at home, from what she told him earlier.

One object placed on the counter, however, immediately caught the man's attention. Wordlessly, he reached over.

It was an old photo, fraying at the sides, carefully held inside a simple wooden frame. The photo depicted a man and woman dressed in simple yukatas for the summer. Not just a man and a woman, Shino noted as he focused in, but a family.

The woman looked strikingly familiar with calm, gray eyes and pinned up russet-brown hair. She looked rather serious compared to the more jovial man next to her, but she held a peaceful smile on her face nonetheless.

She was sitting for the photo while the man stood, his arms cradling a young girl while the woman cradled what appeared to be a small baby. The man had jet black hair and a very familiar grin on his face, accentuated by a light dusting of freckles along his cheeks and nose.

His focus shifted to the young girl in the man's arms. She looked almost exactly like her mother, the same eye and hair color and face shape, but seemed to have inherited the freckles, and apparently, the smile of her father. The two of them were grinning widely for the photo.

Shino slightly jumped when he found Mitsubachi staring quietly at him from behind the counter.

He gently placed the photo down. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snoop."

The Kamizuru woman smiled and reached out to squeeze his hand reassuringly.

"Don't be sorry, Shino. It's ok," she replied softly.

She quietly moved to the other end of the counter where he sat and took the open spot next to him, having left her mission to clean for a few moments. The Aburame gave a light smile as she laid her head against his arm.

"If you hadn't already guessed, this is my family," Mitsubachi finally said as she stared at the old photo, eyes faraway in remembrance.

Shino carefully wrapped his arm around the woman's side, placing a chaste kiss to the top of her head as he stared at the photo with her.

"You have your mother's eyes and the color of her hair," he commented. "But you have your father's smile."

Mitsubachi took a long pause before continuing. "... I think this is the only one we have together as a family. My dad left a few weeks after this was taken."

Shino turned his full attention to Mitsubachi, noticing her unreadable expression and the distant look in her eyes. Having forgotten about the photo, he slowly reached out to embrace the woman, her head tucked comfortably underneath his chin.

"Your father missed out tremendously," Shino said quietly, hearing Mitsubachi sigh as she pressed herself close to him. "That's because he had one of the most amazing daughters one could ever ask for."

The woman stayed quiet, allowing Shino to continue his small praises in an effort to make her feel better. "A beautiful, kind, loving—"

His compliments were interrupted by a pair of soft lips on his own. He closed his eyes, enjoying the tender, fleeting moment. Mitsubachi eventually pulled away, her eyes filled with warmth as she stared at her boyfriend. She embraced him once more.

"You're so good to me, you know that? Thank you, Shino."

Shino ran small circles into her back, feeling the buzz of her insects becoming active as he did so. "You're welcome."

It dawned on the man in that moment, as they embraced like lovers do, that perhaps they were meant to meet that night in the rain. Perhaps he was meant to forget his umbrella despite his usual tendencies to bring it with him "just in case."

They would likely never get to meet each other in their youth or teenage years. Mitsubachi would never get to fully see Shino in the height of his standoffish character, always isolated from everyone yet desiring to be acknowledged and wanted at the same time.

It was a sad thought to him that If someone had told him when he was younger that he would meet a person who cared for him and had no issues embracing him just as he and Mitsubachi were right now, he would have been more than just skeptical.

His heart swelled at how much affection one person could possibly inspire within him despite not having known each other for too long.

"So," Mitsubachi said, pulling away to gaze at Shino.

"So?"

"Do you," she began with a glint in her eyes. "Have any photos you can show me of when you were younger?"

Shino tilted his head in amusement. "I don't look too noteworthy, Mitsubachi."

"Please?"

With the tiniest smile on his face, the man finally acquiesced and reached for his bag. He pulled out his favored Team 8 photo, which he usually always had on him for safe keeping. It was like his good luck charm.

He showed it to the honey vendor. Her smile immediately widened at the sight of his younger self, with his bushy hair and the ever-present furrow of his eyebrows.

She placed a hand across her chest. "Aw, look at you! You were so cute! Look at your hair!" She giggled in delight, her knees bouncing with excitement. "Aw, and you had a little baby face too, with those cute cheeks. And is that Kiba in the photo? You were all so young!"

Shino smiled at how much the photo was amusing his girlfriend. "You're far more excited about this than I would have expected."

"Why wouldn't I be? This is a side of Shino Aburame I'll likely never get to see."

"Perhaps it was for the best that we met as adults," he said offhandedly. "That's because younger me was quite off-putting. A frankly a bit creepy."

Mitsubachi gasped in offense, covering the photo of younger Shino. "Don't listen to him, you're still very cute to me," she whispered to the image.

Shino quirked a playful brow, rolling his eyes beneath his visor. "You don't think I'm cute now?"

Mitsubachi got up to finish her work, but not before planting a sweet kiss on her boyfriend's cheek. "Aburame-sama, you're downright adorable."

After walking Mitsubachi back to her apartment, helping her carry a few boxes of spare items she didn't need at the store, Shino made his way back home. A smile crossed his features as he remembered the way Mitsubachi kissed him goodnight.

As he approached his home, Shino was surprised to see his father waiting patiently on his front porch.

"Dad?"

"Hello son," Shibi greeted. "Welcome home."

Shino stepped forward to unlock the front door, holding it open for his father. "You could have gone inside if you wanted, dad," the younger Aburame commented.

"I may be your father Shino, but you're still entitled to your right to privacy."

Shino moved about his home, putting away his work materials and donning his casual sunglasses before heating water for tea. A few moments later, he re-entered the living room where his father was patiently waiting for him with two tea cups and a small pitcher in hand.

The younger Aburame carefully poured his father some tea before pouring his own.

Shibi blew into his hot drink. "You may be wondering why I'm visiting you, Shino."

"That thought did cross my mind, yes."

His father nodded. "I suppose I should get right to the point then. There's really no need for alarm, but I felt I should tell you now. You may or may not be aware, but this Saturday marks our anniversary in regards to the Aburame's final victory against the Kamizuru clan."

Shino blinked in surprise. Was it that time of the year already?

"I had almost forgotten," Shino admitted quietly.

"It is an outdated tradition," Shibi acknowledged. "But it is tradition. As you know, the clan elders host a formal gathering and small banquet to celebrate, and the Head Aburame is required to be in attendance. It took a bit of convincing on my end, but the elders are finally allowing you to participate this year."

Shino looked up in surprise. He placed his tea cup down, unsure of how to feel.

On one hand, a rush of pride briefly settled in his heart that he was finally given an opportunity to take steps towards becoming the leader of his clan. If he were given this opportunity five years ago, Shino would have been nothing but pleased.

On the other hand, being in attendance of a celebration solely based upon the downfall of the Kamizuru—the clan of his wonderful girlfriend—left a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew a few clan elders would do nothing the entire evening except talk down on their believed-to-be-deceased rivals.

Adding to his distaste was the fact that Mitsubachi and Shino had already made plans to visit the conservatory on Saturday morning.

Noticing his son's hesitation, Shibi sighed quietly. "In all honesty, I would rather not go," he admitted, surprising Shino. "But such is the responsibility for leaders like you and I, son. It can't be avoided."

"... Dad," Shino replied after a long moment. "Do you think reconciliation between our clans would ever be possible?"

Shibi placed his teacup down. His words were laced with resolute finality. "The Kamizuru are no more, Shino. The last members believed to have been alive were those three that you took down all those years ago."

"Perhaps they might still be alive—"

"—It's done, Shino," Shibi replied, uncharacteristically bitter.

Shino's eyebrows furrowed in concern. He had never seen his father look so troubled. "Dad? Are you alright?"

Shibi shook his head. "Believe me when I tell you, Shino, that I have committed unspeakable actions for the sake of this clan. Everything I do, that we must do is for the sake of the Aburame. What's done is done, and that cannot be changed."

Shino's eyes flashed in confusion. Why did his father sound so pained with those words?

Noticing the expression on his son's face, Shibi managed a light smile. "This meeting marks your first unofficial step towards becoming the leader of our family. This is a time to celebrate, son. No need to look so concerned over your old father."

Not pressing for more, Shino inched forward to give his ailing father a pat on the back. Shibi leaned on his son, his features evening out as he sealed away years of pent-up emotions that threatened to leak out of the cracks of his noble façade.

Shibi had sacrificed and done more for the Aburame than anyone would ever realize or know. Even his own son would never know how the "Pride of the Aburame" could feel such utter shame and regret towards a victory that he led them to.

Shibi Aburame entered the silence of his home, an ache in his bones which only appeared when he dwelled on the past for too long.

He slowly walked past the mantle above the faux fireplace, eyes focusing on the assortment of photos neatly hung there. One of his favorites showed him, Shino, and Torune during a small picnic they had in the forest. Another of him cradling Shino after he was just born, happiness apparent on his young face.

And of course, there was his most treasured photo, carefully shielded in a metallic frame. He took great care of this one the most, hoping to one day bring back to life the bright color and fix the frayed edges.

"You'd be so proud of him, my moon," he said in a gentle hush, gazing upon the warm smile and playful gleam in honey brown eyes.

He carefully placed the photo down, focusing on a brick in the mantle slightly displaced from the others. He slid the brick out, revealing a tiny box that no one else knew about except him and the insects he was host to.

It had been such a long time since he's read this letter. It always pained the head of the Aburame to see the beautiful kanji, knowing the great tragedy that would occur after its delivery.

Aburame Shibi,

I hope this letter reaches you well, before it's too late. You may not entirely be aware of my existence, but I am entirely too aware of yours. You are the next head of the Aburame. You are the next in line to be the leader of the clan mine desires to pummel into oblivion, and I am the next in line to be the leader of the one yours wishes so desperately to destroy for the sake of your village. That being said, I wish to communicate openly with you, as two members caught in the fray of a war. My nights have been nothing but restless, and the ache in my chest grows with every dispute the Kamizuru and Aburame have.

I hope with every fiber of my being that you might feel the same.

I would be hanged for treason for trying to appeal to your humanity, but it must be said: my brother and the men of my clan are planning on ambushing your compound in the upcoming days. When the next full moon is hung in the sky.

I beseech you with everything I have, to spare the men and my brother. I bow on my knees with this request. They are not strong enough to launch an attack on their own, and I say this with utmost confidence. If the members of the Aburame fought seriously against them, they would all perish. And I know, undoubtedly, that the rest of my family would eventually fall with them.

If you find it in your heart to spare them, I will move forward and attest to a treaty of peace between our clans with no questions asked. I will offer everything I have, everything that I am for an ounce of your sympathy. Please, spare my family.

From one future clan ruler to another, please give us—me—a chance. Thank you.

—Kamizuru Ashinagabachi.

AN's: Just an FYI, once I post chapter 20, I'm likely going to be pretty inactive bc of family/school issues.

Thank you to everyone that's followed/faved/reviewed! You all mean the world to me :) See y'all next time!