Chapter 6: Aburame Hunter: Deception
It's so cloudy today. I think I'll bring an umbrella ,but I don't know if I should even go to the training field. Oh forget the umbrella. I'll just bend the water until I get home if no one is there. I walked to the training field and there was Shino. Shino huh? "What are you doing here Shino?"
"Same as you. Though I guess training was canceled today because of the clouds." Shino was looking at the sky.
"I guess. What now?" I looked up too and saw that the clouds were getting darker. It would rain soon.
"I guess I'll head home. What will you do?" Shino was looking at me now. I didn't really know. If I went home their would be nothing to do.
"I'm not sure." Then I thought of an idea. Obviously Shino didn't want to go home right away. "You want to go get something to eat?"
". . ." Shino was looking at the ground at some insects who were getting ready for the rain storm. "Sure." We both headed over to Ichiraku to get something to eat. Thank god Naruto wasn't there. I really don't want another talk about how he wants to look for Sasuke. I ordered two bowls of ramen. While we waited for ramen we talked.
"So your training is going well. I heard you took out the Katama brothers with your dad." I was on another mission that day or I would defiantly would have went. I don't know why I'm so interested in his progress or anything that involves him.
"My father did most of it. My training has been doing well though." Shino was looking at the table. I wonder what he was thinking. Shino turned his head and looked at me. "How about your training?"
"Its at a dead end. No one wants to help because its to dangerous for them." I was thinking about the many people who said they would ,but then ran away.
"What is it?" Shino had a raised eyebrow.
"A trust exercise. I guess trusts me enough yet. Though Kiba and Hinata are always on missions for me to ask them and you just got back." I didn't want to ask him right away. He just got back from a mission is probably tired.
"I'll do it." Shino was looking at the sticks in my hand. "That's what comrades are for, right?" He was right of coarse.
"Really? Thanks Shino." I took the bowl that was just plopped in front of me and slurped some ramen. Shino is a good friend. He always helps me when I need it and I do the same. After we finished our ramen we walked to his house under his parasol. It was raining now. It was funny. The parasol seemed so small compared to the other time we walked together. We were close together to make sure we didn't get wet. So close that I thought if I leaned my head back it would hit his chest. It was a calm rain, almost romantic rain. I just looked away from him. If what I was feeling was anymore than fondness. I would never get any in return. My thoughts were interrupted by the parasol being ripped by shrunken. I came out from under the parasol and was struck down by a net.
"Who here is the Aburame?" He had put both of us under that net. I looked at Shino then clamped my hand over his mouth when he was about to speak.
"I am." I can't believe what I was doing. It was working though. I the guy picked me up in the net and threw Shino into a pole. He ran of and I went on my merry way cutting the ropes. This guy was a Aburame hunter! They look for food for this monster that only eats bugs. What better way to get a lot of insect then to feed it a hive? A human hive to be exact. I was almost done with the ropes when he threw me off his back onto the ground. I ripped the ropes of and flipped myself onto my feet. I looked over in his direction to make sure he was still there and dusted myself off.
"You are a weird Aburame, aren't you? Giving yourself away like that. A ninja would never do that." He took out a weird looking kunai.
"Maybe I am weird ,but a human hive is all the same to you hunters." I took out my kunai as well. Wait! Now I know why it's a weird kunai. It's a poison kunai. There's a hidden compartment for poison in it. I had to be careful. I took three steps away and he took three steps toward. This guy was paranoid.
"Well your right about that. Our master will think you taste delicious all the same." He snuck up behind me and slashed at me with his kunai. I dodged all ,but one. He stabbed me in the shoulder. I could feel the poison rushing into my blood. I kicked him off and took the kunai out of my shoulder. I held my wound. My eyes? There blurry. I can't see hardly anything. I shook my head and stood up. Man am I dizzy. Got to sit down. I took a knee again.
"That poison? What did you do?" My insects are trying to get the poison out but they can't. Great time for that. Not!
"That poison will start shutting down all of your motor functions. It can't be broken down by insects it's so strong. Try helping that Aburame." This guy is getting annoying. I stood up and took my position. I here foot steps coming from the village. They must be coming to help me. I got to finish this quick. I took my kunai out again and charged at him. We exchanged blows ,but I could feel my body almost going in slow motion. Then a surge of pain went through my body and I stopped and got a fist in my face. I flew back and slammed into the ground hard. I was more concerned with the pain in my body. It was the poison no doubt. I tried to get up ,but I felt like I was glued to the ground. The guy jumped up into the sky and drew a kunai. I knew I wouldn't be able to dodge. I was doomed if a miracle didn't happen.
"Fang over Fang!" Kiba hit the guy and sent him flying. Hinata and Shino helped me off the ground. Shibi came up behind me.
"You alright?" Shibi was watching Kiba and the guy fight.
"I'm fine. Why are you here?" I didn't want any help really. I wanted to be able to help myself. But I was glad they were here.
"That's what comrades are for, right?" Shino. Always a way with words. Even if he doesn't talk a lot.
"Right." I thought my smile would go all around my head and never stop. My joy was interrupted by a shock of pain. " Gah!" I took a knee. I breathed heavily. This poison was getting worse and I needed to stay put as much as I could.
"Get out of my way you mutt!" He pushed Kiba aside and went for me. Shino went in front of me and summoned his insects.
"What? Your. Then who is she?" He was confused. He knew that only one of us could be the Aburame. Jig is up.
"My name is Rose Wolf. A traveler ninja." I looked at him and smiled.
"I am Shino Aburame. Of the Aburame clan." Shino stood prepared for an attack and ready to attack himself if needed.
"So you lied. You little snitch. Oh well. I'll deal with you after I get food for my master." He disappeared into the woods then came up behind Shibi. Shibi of coarse dodged and the guy went into woods again. This time he made no sound. We looked around trying to find out were he was. When I turned to face Shino the guy was on his blind spot.
"Shino! Behind you!" I watched as Shino turned around and got thrown through the air into a tree. I couldn't move to help as much as I wanted to. Shibi tried to move his feet were stuck in a green goop. Kiba was unconscious and Hinata was tied to a tree. I was forced to watch as Shino got kicked in the stomach. The guy jumped back as Shino's bugs came at him then retreated. The guy was drawing a poison knife and charged at Shino. No! I can't let him die! I gathered my strength and dashed in front of Shino.
"Die!" He stabbed me in the chest. I took his hand and held him tight. I charged my chakra.
"Lightning slash Jutsu!" I slashed him in the chest and sent him into a tree. I stumbled and fell back. Shino caught me before I fell and pulled my head to his chest. I was breathing heavily and I could not move.
"Rose! Are you ok?" Kiba was up and about again and Hinata was right next him. Shibi finally got out of the goop and stood by his son's side. Shino had taken a knee and put my head on his chest so I could breath easier. Even though the poison was streaming through my body, I could still feel the warmth of his chest. I opened my eyes and looked at the faces of my teammates.
"I'm…fine. Huff….huff." I was lying of coarse ,but I knew if I said no Kiba would panic and Hinata would lose her senses and worry. Shino wasn't fooled. He picked me in his arms.
"We need to get her to Lady Tsunade as fast as we can." Shino looked at me then looked at his father who was picking up the hunter.
"I'll take this guy to the anbu black ops." Kiba decided to help Shibi and Hinata decided to come with Shino. My breathing became heavier ,but my heart kept beating. The thought that was going through my head was why did I protect him. Though when I looked through my head for the answers I knew I was looking for something I already knew. Though I did not bear the thought.
"Rose? Are you awake?" Shino did not look at me. He simply kept running.
"Yes. I am." I didn't open my eyes. I simply murmured the words, making sure not to move.
"May I ask…Why did you save me?" Shino's heart skipped a beat. He to did not want to bear the thought. Though I knew I couldn't just not answer Shino.
"I did it because that's what comrades are for, right?" I smiled a little on that one. Shino was smiling too, but he shoved his face into his collar.
"Right." Shino was running as fast as he could. We finally made it to the medical corp. and medical ninja took me to the emergency room. I didn't want to leave the warmth of Shino's embrace. It seemed so comforting to be in his arms. Though I let them take me away none the less. I opened my eyes as we turned the corner to see the last glimpse of Shino's face. He seemed worried.
"Sh-Shino." I whispered and passed out from the pain. The next thing I saw was a medical ninja drawing the poison from my body. How it hurt! I looked up at the girl who was holding me down.
"You need to stay calm. Go back to sleep." She put her hand and pulsed chakra through my head and I fell back to sleep. The next thing I saw was Shino? He was sitting next to my bed talking to Kiba. Let me correct myself. Arguing with Kiba.
"Will you two keep it down? This is a hospital." I said it in a weak voice. I was still recovering from the poison.
"Rose!" Shino and Kiba said almost simultaneously. I looked at Kiba first to see a smug grin. Then at Shino who was looking at my shoulder where the guy first stabbed me then looked at my chest wound where I was stabbed by the guy from protecting him.
"It's only a scratch Shino. I'm fine." I closed my eyes and smiled at him. When I opened my eyes Kiba was chuckling. "What's so funny?"
"Shino got you something." Kiba turned his attention to Shino. Shino looked over at the desk. I eased my head over to the desk and saw flowers with a card. The card said To a comrade From Shino. I smiled and looked at Shino.
"Thank you Shino." I grabbed his hand which was resting on my bed side. I felt a little jerk of his hand. I guess he was shocked that a girl was holding his hands. I didn't mind holding the hand of a bug tamer. I let go of his hand and tried to lift myself up.
"Don't move!" He put his hand on my shoulder and tried to keep me from moving to much. I leaned myself on the backboard of the bed. A medical ninja came into the room.
"I need you two to leave soon. We need her to get her rest." She then left the room without hearing another word.
"All right time to go. Meet you at the training field Shino." Kiba gave me a knuckle clap and left the room. Shino got up when I noticed my jacket was off.
"Shino before you leave. Could you help me with my jacket?" I watched as Shino looked over his shoulder.
"I'll help." Shino came over and picked up my jacket. I turned around and he slipped my left arm in the left sleeve. Then the right. I felt my skin crawl when his hand skid on my skin. Then I turned around and he zipped my jacket up slowly. I saw the sunset reflect in his glasses. I twitched a little when his hand skid across my chest. His face was burying itself in his collar. We paused and I felt his breathing become unsteady. He turned his body and went to leave when I grabbed his hand. He turned once more and I got up from my bed. He held me up so I didn't fall. I looked into his glasses. To try to get a glimpse of what he was thinking. I moved my hand up to his face and held the side of his glasses and pulled them a little forward. "Rose." He touched my hand to tell me not to.
"Shino." I moved my hand to his collar and pulled it down a little. I closed my eyes a little and moved my face toward his. When our lips touched it felt like a cosmic moment. There was a little sun left ,but other than that it was dark. I felt as his arms wrap around my waist. I decided to return the gesture by wrapping my arms around his neck. I felt like I was floating on air. I heard a sound coming from the hall and our lips separated. Our eyes locked and we both breathed heavily surprised of what we had done. My body was tightly against his.
"I have to go." He drew his eyes away from my gaze. He was still breathing heavily. He turned to leave again.
"I won't tell anyone if you won't." I looked at the ground and sat on the bed to be sure I don't fall.
"Right." I looked at him. He was still in shock ,but he turned and left. I thought I saw a little smile on his face when he shut the door. It was as we feared. Shino Aburame was in love with me. I, Rose Wolf, loved him back.