Thank you to my great reviewers and my fantabulous readers! Here's the final chapter... finally. Epilogue... well, I could always write a (or a few) one-shot(s) about them. I like one-shots. Tell me what you guys think.
Disclaimer: Sadly, I won't ever own Naruto or the characters (other than my OC's,)
Please read on and thank you!
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"He-he's gone… he's gone…" Hanna whispered to herself in the empty room.
Shino really had left… without even saying goodbye. Hanna burried her face in her hands and began to cry uncontrollably. All she wanted to do was to see him once more-- to see him smile; his kind warm face-- just to see his face.
She tried to calm her tears. If someone were to come in-- well, what would they think? But… she realized she didn't care. There was an eerie emptiness in the entire mission all of a sudden. Hanna rubbed her forehead She could do it-- she had to stay-- she had to be strong for them. For all of those kind people who were counting on her. She had to stay for them.
But why no farewell? Didn't he at least think of her as a friend? Why would he leave without saying goodbye?
Maybe he just didn't see her the way she saw him-- the way she wanted him to see her.
That must be it, she thought. That must be it. He didn't love her. So... so she just had to convince herself. Hanna just had to convince herself. She had to convince herself that... she didn't love him.
Something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. She looked up and her breath caught in her throat as she spotted a single pink butterfly gliding about above her head. Tears welled up in her eyes as the Lady remembered how Shino had calmed her.
He was so kind… drat her eyes for watering! How horrible-- her mind taunting her with beloved images of yesterday. Such a beautiful, calming butterfly.
Hanna reached out to touch it, but it only fluttered a meter farther. She struggled to her feet in tears and wearily, almost as in a dream, to the open window.
The sun had finally broken through the clouds and the butterfly flew through the open window.
"Please don't leave..." She mumbled as another tear rolled down her flushed cheek, "Don't leave... like he did..."
The butterfly hovered there, just out of reach in the air outside. Soon, though, it was not alone. It was joined by a second, then a third. Soon, dozens of beautiful pink butterflies were outside her window.
"So beautiful…" she whispered, as she held out a hopeful hand. A single butterfly landed on it and she smiled sadly, "You're all that's left of a memory… or a dream." she said tearfully. Her attention was brought back to the other butterflies, though, when they began flying in formation.
The butterflies flew into a perfect heart.
"For a beautiful singing bird. Hanna-chan." Startled, Hanna's gaze shot down to where a certain young man stood, arms crossed and a blush on his face.
The floodgates of her tears shattered and released the waters held inside,
"S-Shino!?" She cried. Hanna had but a moment to think. With a bit of faith, she climbed hastily onto her windowsill and with a deep breath, leapt out the high window and into his waiting arms.
As he caught her in his warm embrace, he fell backwards onto the soft wet grass. The tearful girl clung to the Aburame's body as she sobbed into his shirt. Shino sat up and wrapped his arms protectively around her,
"Shh… Hanna, shh…" he said softly.
She pulled back and looked up into his eyes, her lip wavering.
"Wh-why did you… why d-d-didn't you say g-goodbye?" She asked, as her tears continued to stream down her pretty face.
She smiled warmly as he carefully dabbed away her tears,
"Because I didn't leave."
"But why--why didn't you leave?" She asked. Her heart skipped a beat as he pulled her flush up against his firm chest and ran a long hand through her messy orange locks.
Shino hesitated and was silent for a moment,
"Because I couldn't bear the thought of leaving you."
"But," Hanna whispered from inside his embrace, "But I don't understand... why?"
Shino pulled back and removed his dark glasses,
"Because I love you." Hanna took in a sharp breath and her heart began to pound in her ears
Had he said that? Had he really SAID it?
Hanna shook her head,
"N-no… this is just a dream!" She said, trying to pull away from him, "No! I'm still in hospital… it must just be some sort of side effect-- I--"
"Be quiet." Shino ordered as he took her glowing face in his hands,
"I love you." He repeated, heartfelt. More tears ran down onto his hands as the girl began to shake.
Shino raised an eyebrow,
"I… are you upset? I apologize--"
"No!" Hanna whispered, "No, Shino, no!" She took a shaky breath, "I-- I love you-- oh, I love you so much, Shino!"
Shino smiled shyly down at the blushing girl as he gently wrapped an arm around her thin waist and lay a warm hand on her cheek,
"Hanna…" He mumbled as he pressed his warm lips against hers. Hanna let out a faint gasp as he pulled her closer.
They pulled apart, both breathless and red from head to toe. Shino tucked a loose orange strand behind Hanna's ear,
"I love you. Oh, I love you." He mumbled as he lifted her into his arms.
Hanna bit her swollen lip, "Shino-k-kun…?"
"Yes, Hanna-chan?" Shino said, kissing her pale forehead lightly.
"Are you going to go back… are you really going to… to leave?" Hanna asked, averting her tearstained eyes
Shino chuckled,
"What do you think?"
From the shadow of the Kage's tower, Donym and Pakin smiled knowingly at one other,
"Mission complete."
LLA SREUQNOC EVOL EURT
Three months later…
Tsunade sat down at her desk and shifted through her paperwork when a letter caught her eye. She lazily tore open the envelope and pulled out a small paper.
Dear Lady Tsunade,
As you know, I, Shino Aburame, have decided to remain in the Hidden Mist Village. At one time, I remember you saying something along the lines of "Go wherever you are needed most."
Well, I am needed here. I have, since I left Konoha three months ago, fallen in love with former client Hanna Mori. She is the bright bird in my life. We are to be married in two months, you are invited if you please.
Do not blame me of treason, I have fulfilled my duty-- both to bring Hanna-chan to her destination for Konoha, and a man's mission. The Mist is flourishing with my fiancé's plans underway and the village now has a true hope.
Thank you, I am forever indebted to you for choosing me for this mission. Hanna-chan and the village both send their deepest respects.
Shino Aburame.
Tsunade chuckled as she handed the letter to Shizune,
"It seems that Mori Hanna has gotten over her phobia of bugs-- her Shinophobia."
Shizune raised an eyebrow,
"Her Sino-what-ia?"
"Yes, indeed." The blonde said, "Things have gone just as I planned. Like they always say, the early bug catches the bird."
"But-- But, Lady Tsunade! They don't say--"
THE END, (but really a whole new beginning…)
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Thank you all for reading! I really enjoyed making this… even if it was a bit tedious… heh… better this than homework XD Please PLEASE review. Also, let me know if you think I should make a sequel, what it should be about, etc. Thank you so much again!
Signing off for now!
Mysteria Pearl