Note: Requested by Jaguar in the Shadows. Why Shino wears sunglasses. I've thought about this one for a while, and started coming up with explanations ages ago. I still like to think that his eyes are so dazzlingly beautiful that everyone would get transfixed just by looking at them, but this is a more realistic idea.
Warnings: None, unless bugs frighten you to the point of seizure or something...
Pairings: None
Character: Shino Aburame
It is no small secret that the Abruame clan gets a healthy serving of respect from each and every citizen of the Leaf. However, a lot of that respect is derived from a fear that the clan members tend to find offensive. The clan's main weapon, a special species of chakra-sucking insects, is well-loved and well-cared for among the clan, but most other people tend to harbor fearful, if not disgusted, feelings for the Aburame's treasured bugs.
The high-collared, long-sleeved coats and hoods of the Aburame therefore serve two purposes. One: they hide the movements of the insects crawling out of Aburames' bodies as they utilize the bugs in battle, and two: minimize outbursts of panic from their comrades, who would no doubt become slightly uneasy if they were to see masses of bugs crawling over their host's arms and necks, as the little things have a habit of doing.
The customary, circular sunglasses worn by the Aburame serve a similar purpose as the coats and hoods. The glasses make it impossible for opponents to read their eyes and therefore, their next attack. However, that was not the sole reason that the Aburame traditionally chose to wear them.
Shino discovered just how important it was to wear the dark spectacles at a young age, when he visited the local playground with his mother. It was a bright, warm, summer day in the Leaf Village, and Shino wanted to go to the park. But when his mother held up his usual glossy black glasses, he suddenly hated the idea of wearing them.
"But I don't want to wear those sunglasses." He crossed his arms.
"Put them on, Shino," she insisted as she gestured with his thin black glasses in her hand.
"NO!"
His mother sighed, and dropped the subject. Shino, triumphant to have won an argument with his mother, ran ahead to play on in the sandbox, where three other kids were busy constructing a haphazard sandcastle.
"May I join?"
"Okay," one boy said. The boy looked up and froze when he met Shino's eyes. The other two children lifted their heads and did the same.
"What is it?" Shino asked, confused.
Within the following five seconds, the three other children had fled to their parents, screaming. Shino trailed back to his mother, tiny bugs leaking out from his eyes along with his tears.
"Mom?" He looked up at her, pulling the hem of her shirt. Insects were crawling down his cheeks and flickering along his sclera, turning the whites of his eyes black.
"Yes, honey?" his mother said, looking sad.
"I want my glasses back, please," he muttered.
She wordlessly pulled his sunglasses out of her pocket and gently settled them onto his nose bridge. She then pulled him into a tight hug.
"Don't worry, Shino. They just don't know what a lovely, kind person you are," she murmured.
Shino sniffed.