Date Night

Sakura felt apprehensive as she followed Shino through a messy trail in the woods. Now feeling a little anxious was a hardly uncommon phenomenon when it came to dates, but Sakura's nervousness was because of an altogether different reason. Shino had been fairly cryptic about their destination and when she had hazarded to ask if it involved insects, his answer had been a placid 'yes'.

Sakura liked to think that she had greatly overcome her initial aversion towards the insect community in general. Shinobi or not, she was in no way obligated to stamp down the feelings of repulsion that arose when your skin wass graced by the slithery, succulent underbelly of a cockroach. But dating Shino had been really effective in unlearning the reflexive reactions of disgust when it came to the itty bitty and not so itty bitty crawlers and fliers of the animal underworld.

But insects and dates? Yeah, Sakura was not so sure about that. Her instinctive predilection towards learning had led to many hours worth of conversation with her rather eccentric beau who, contrary to popular opinion, could be really forthcoming when it came to his most cherished subject. No wonder people thought he was the silent kind; there weren't many non-Aburames who would willingly listen to how insects not only made highly potent weapons, but were intriguing even in their most basic functions. Like, butterflies using their feet to taste food! Or, water striders literally walking upon water! Not only shinobis could do such seemingly impossible things, then!

As much as Sakura liked watching Shino talk with so much passion(it was infectious; he'd make a good teacher someday, she realized), she would have preferred not knowing certain facts which did nothing to alleviate the familiar recoil. Knowledge was power, yes, but she really didn't want to know anything about traumatic insemination or incestuous insect couplings. Eww. Typical of Shino to relay such disturbing information without the slightest hint of discomfort. Boy did he love all those critters.

There was almost something maternal about his affections - he didn't discriminate between cute little ladybugs and the aesthetically challenged dung beetles. It was endearing, actually, but then Sakura couldn't really claim to be objective when she, certified anal freak, found herself deliberately leaving breadcrumbs and other remnants for the rather mild-mannered ant family that occasionally inhabited her kitchen. Sometimes she was herself horrified by her sentimentality. Haruno Sakura and love had been historically not a very good combination.

But even with her newfound feelings of generosity, Sakura had trouble conflating insects with anything romantic. If Shino was taking her to see the crepuscular courtship ritual of cicadas or something, she was going to-

Oh.

Sakura's internal monologue came abruptly to a stop as she realized that they had finally reached their destination. She took in the vista that greeted her, eyes dilating with wonder.

Fireflies.

Thousands and thousands of fireflies glittering in sync, forming ethereal patterns against the darkened sky.

Sakura felt as if she had suddenly stepped into a fairy tale.

"I knew you'd like it. Why? Because collective bioluminescence is apparently considered romantic by humans."

Sakura turned her head distractedly.

"Shino... You... This is perfect. Thank you."

Sakura was too enchanted to do anything more than squeeze her boyfriend's fingers.

Eyes fixated on the magical scene unfolding before her, she missed that it was not the dazzling fireflies that Shino was watching just as enraptured.

A.N: First of all, I am absolutely overwhelmed by the love heaped by you guys upon this story. Really, people, your words made me as lightheaded as a lovestruck teen! I wish I could keep up with your expectations for this story. There's hardly going to be proper character development, thanks to my non-existent writing skills in that department:( Light-hearted standalone snippets are all I can do. So my apologies in advance to all those who hoped for a sturdy plot. I'm really sorry, guys!

I found myself looking up interesting facts about Shino's one true love (apart from Saku-chan, obviously) and it was... enlightening. There's some really cringeworthy facts out there regarding insect mating rituals. Like certain insects practically coercing females into the mating process. It's literally "fuck me or die"(check out the mating rituals of water striders). Then there are bedbugs practising something called "traumatic insemination" where the males rip through the abdominal cavity of the females with their genitalia. Ugh. And I thought the praying mantis dude had it rough!

Once again, thank you so much for all the love! It means the world to me:)