"I have wondered that for two years, Sir. I may come of as lazy and slightly obnoxious but I would do anything for this village and it's people. "

The small bell that sat above the door to the village's flower shop rang as a raven hair girl walked in with dark glasses to hide her eyes walked up to the desk, which brought a smile to Ino's face.

"I thought you'd be back! Let me guess, you want some chameleon flowers again?"

The girl nodded with a slight smile and a deep blush on her cheeks.

"You know me so well, Ino. I'm going to visit Shino again" Alex's words brought a sad smile to Ino's lips and she nodded.

"I know you never want to leave that room, but you have your duties as with the chunin exams."

It was true, Alex barely left Shino's room in the hospital if it wasn't for her duties. The chunin exams were on it's last legs and with only the final exam to go she would have more time again. With time passing slowly for Alex, even the weeks that Shino has been asleep were a living nightmare for her. It came to hers and everyone else attention how much time she really did spend round him and how much time he spend escorting her around the village.

As Ino collected together the flowers she began talking to Alex with a smile.

"I haven't seen you with a cup of tea, either. Are you sure your OK?" Ino asked sincerely.

"Of course" That was a lie. Alex wasn't fine, on the outside she made it look as if she was her normal self but inside she was slowly dying. It was only since his accident that she had began to put the pieces together and realize that she indeed loved the Aburame. All she wanted was to hear him grunt or stare at her front behind his glasses one more time.

Alex snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Ino walk back to the counter and hand her the flowers.

" I know we have a strange friendship but I do care for you, Alex. Your strong"

Ino's words put a smile on her face as she placed the money on the counter and left. When she got outside she adjusted her sunglasses and began the walk to the hospital. With the time that Shino had spent in the hospital, Alex had come accustom to wearing sunglasses to understand why he wore them. Although she didn't fully understand, it came to her attention that his clan may have sensitive eyes or that the dark is a better environment for his bugs. Her thoughts consumed her as she walked through the busy streets of the village and into the hospital.

Once she got to the desk she took of her glasses and popped them into one of the pockets of her jounin jacket.

"Hello, I'm here to see Shino Aburame" she said pointlessly to the lady at reception and once she had signed in, Alex made her way down the long corridors and into Shino's room. When she entered the room, no one was there to see him.

"Hinata and Kiba must be coming later on" She said out loud before replacing the wilting flowers by his bed.

"I got you some more flowers, I know you find some of them too strong smelling so I got you these again, I know they are your favorite" She said to him, Alex knew that he wouldn't reply to her but she also knew that when she was in that condition a few years back, Hinata's talking helped.

When Alex looked over at Shino she sighed and walked over to him, picking up his sunglasses next to his bed.

"They keep talking these off you, I'll talk to the doctors for you. I know you like them at all times" And with that she opened them gently before placing them over his eyes. Alex glanced round the room a few times before placing her hand over his.

"I wouldn't be able to do this if you were awake. I wish you were but I know you'll wake up soon. It's not like you to be lazy and when you do, we can go for tea again"

A smile slipped onto her lips as let go of his hand and sat cross legged on the chair beside him. Winces of pain escaped her lips as she sat down. Her injuries from using her medical jutsu were taking their time to heal and made her condition a little worse but she didn't mind, she helped save Shino and that's all that really matter to her.

Once she was in a comfortable position, Alex pulled out a small bento box from her bag and balanced it on one of her knees. Before beginning to eat she closed her eyes and put her hands together.

"Thank you for the food"

It was at this point she tucked into her rice. It had come a routine for Alex. Eating in that room. It was the easiest way for her too keep an eye on Shino, in case his condition changed and for her to get some quite. Although Hinata and Kiba sometimes joined her, it was never too over loud. That's where Alex felt lucky for her team. None of them were overly loud. Well Kiba and her used to be, but since then they had matured a great deal, even if they did have their moments.

When Alex was half way through her rice, the door began to open. Alex expected this to be her team but once she saw two shinobi with their faces half covered, she realized who it was and immediately jumped up and put the box on the chair.

"Good afternoon, Mr and Mrs Aburame." Alex politely said as she bowed down to the two older shinobi.

It became clear to Alex very quickly that all of the Aburame clan must share the same silent and mysterious traits as the room stayed quiet for a few minutes as they walked over to their son's side without a word.

"What it you who helped our son?" Were the first words that left his fathers mouth. It took Alex a few moments to gather her thoughts so that she wouldn't sound nervous but her efforts failed.

"Not on the mission, Sir. I have been unable to go on missions with the team since the war but I was one of the medical core to put him in a stable condition"

Alex's nerves caused her to stay in the bowing position throughout her statement and it wasn't until she felt a hand placed on the top of her head that her eyes widened in shock.

"Thank you, my dear. Our clan appreciates your efforts." When his mother spoke it was so soft on Alex's ears. The way she spoke with such compassion and love for her son, it reminded her of the way her mother used to speak and it made a small smile slip onto her lips as she stood up straight.

"I would never of let him die, he is s-" but Alex was interrupted mid sentence by his father. Just like Shino his gaze from behind the dark sunglasses could bore a whole through you.

"You"

With his sudden injection Alex blinked a few times and pointed to herself.

"Me?"

It was a few seconds before he replied.

"Yes, That crest. You are the last of the side branch of the Ohitsujiza clan"

The sadness spread over Alex's face once she heard his words. No one had brought up her clans fate in years. The tragic incident and pain that it caused had not left her heart and with a sad sigh she looked up at him with a nod.

"Yes, that it me, Sir but I would rather not speak of that."

But he ignored her request.

"Your mother and father were wiped out in a fire and left you to take the side branch yourself. That means you were the one who had her chakra networks severely damaged."

The room became flooded with dead silence as Alex felt the two older shinobi's eyes burning holes into her. Alex was trying to hold the tears back from spilling and as they formed in her eyes she looked at Shino's father.

"That is me. I damaged them even further when trying to save your son but I would do it all over again if he was in trouble. I would never let him get hurt or feel pain if I can help it. I may not be the best with many types of attacks but I have a lot of strength and I can do medical jutsu. I also have my kekkei genkai, sure I can't use it right now but I will become better soon and return to my team. Shino is one of the most important people in my life, I understand him more than a lot of people in this village and I would never want him any other way. He was there for me when my family died and when I was wounded during the war. He has done so much for me over the years and I just want a chance to prove that I can protect him too!"

When Alex had finished her spontaneous speech, a light blush came to her cheeks when she realized that she had put her soul into it. The look of his parents told her that maybe she should of held back slightly.

"Many shinobi wondered what came over the Hokage for making you a jounin after the war but now I see. You have the will of fire" Once Shibi had finished his word, Alex's small smile developed into a large one.

"I have wondered that for two years, Sir. I may come off as lazy and slightly obnoxious but I would do anything for this village and it's people. "

Alex glanced over to Shino before walking over to him and adjusting the glasses she had put on him. Through the silence she picked up her bag and walked to the door. As she placed her hand on the door knob she spoke softly.

" It was a pleasure to meet Shino's parents. He truly comes from a lovely and interesting clan. I must get going, I have the chunin exams to over see"