Sorry for the delay, I was having a major case of writer's block. I know this chapter is boring, but bear with me.

I'd rather take the time to develop the story rather than shove random chappies together.

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween, I have a TON of candy left.

Thank you for reading and your reviews! I appreciate each and every one!

Enjoy!

***

Shibi remained in the soft, tattered, armchair; his eyes were closed in silent mediation. His kikkai hummed faintly beneath his skin. Shino must be getting closer.

His conversation with Tenten was short, he thought to himself grimly as a slight feeling of concern gripping his heart. The elder Aburame grudgingly suspected that his son had most likely acted irrationally in whatever interaction he had with his young lover. This was not how Shibi expected his oft-cool son to behave. It was not becoming of the future heir of the Aburame clan.

A slight smile crept across his face. It's because of a woman, he knew. They were the weak spot in even the toughest man's heart. His son was no exception. Still, he was concerned by Shino's rash reaction to his own confession and the revelation that Shino would be a father. It was a daunting concept, sure, but he expected Shino to be level-headed in regards to both his and Tenten's confessions.

His suspicions were fed as he heard the door open as his son quickly strode across the room. The faint clutter of glasses being retrieved through fumbling hands forced Shibi to open his eyes.

"Ah, you are back," he murmured, his voice low. "How did it go?"

"I gave her seven days," Shino shot back, quickly replacing the glasses he had angrily cast aside during their earlier conversation.

"Seven days?" the older man mused. "For what, may I ask?"

"For the wedding," Shino's reply was curt, his body posture stiff.

So he did not listen to her explanation, Shibi mused. This is not how I expected him to react. "That's not very much time. Isn't that a little hasty, my son?"

"No more so than the two of you scheming behind my back," the younger man spoke through clenched teeth.

"Scheming, you say? We did not...scheme. She was afraid to talk to you, so she merely asked my opinion."

"And was I consulted? No. Therefore, these matters were discussed behind my back," he explained non-chalantly. His anger was evident by the way his brow crinkled as he spoke.

"I see," Shibi spoke softly. "Did you not listen to a word I had said to you earlier?"

"I heard you fine, Father." His posture was stiff. "But have you taken into account my feelings on this issue?"

Shibi looked over his son carefully. Had something happened on his way from the manor to see Tenten? His son's demeanor as he left the manor, earlier, was not alluding to this reaction. He knew that it was only natural that Shino would need time to calm down over the situation-at-hand. But, it was not like is son to react to harshly. Shibi hadn't expected that his son would act this way toward Tenten, either.

"Take your time. I understand," Shibi offered, hoping to ease the thick tension that was spreading throughout the room.

"Hmph," Shino replied, turning on heel and swiftly exiting the room.

Shibi stared in the direction his son had gone. This was going to be more troublesome than the older man had initially thought.

So this is going to be a bit more dramatic than we had anticipated, he mulled over in his head. What to do?

He stood, his joints aching as he did so. Perhaps he would visit Sakura for a short treatment for the arthritis that was beginning to seep into his joints. It would be good to see the little one, as well. He smiled at the thought of the tiny red-headed infant's chubby cheeks. What would his own grandchild look like? he wondered. He quickly sobered at the realization that--in less than a years' time--he would be a grandfather.

Right now, that little being was his very own trump card.

Ah, he thought, so Shino is feeling betrayed, and Tenten is receiving the brunt of that anger. It was not irrational, he supposed. But, it was not....wise. He was sure that Tenten was most likely distraught at the thought of having a week's time to plan a wedding. She did not seem to be the type of woman who could instantaneously put together such an elaborate girl. He had to face it, Tenten was not feminine in that aspect.

The wedding! It wasn't as if Shibi necessarily agreed with the more traditional views of the Aburame Clan, but he did not want to upset those same elders who supported the decisions he had made during his time as the clan leader.

He closed his eyes, hoping that the pain that was creeping in behind his eyes would dissipate. This was no time for a migraine. No, he had bigger issues-at-hand. One was to make his son realize the gift he was being given—instead of fearing the possible consequences.

Shibi had confidence in Tenten's words. There was no curse. Only the future path that each person paved with their own free will. He opened his eyes, his vision more sharp than before. With his anxious kikkai quivering beneath his skin, he formed his resolution.

It might be time to switch tactics, he concluded, shaking his head in disappointment.

Right now, though, it was time to see Tenten.

Tenten paced in the tiny studio, angrily kicking her once-organized scrolls. The door that Shibi had once so lovingly whittled was littered with nicks from the repeated barrage of Tenten's kunais.

How could Shino give me seven days? Seven days? And not even ask if I wanted to marry him? Once she had gotten over her initial shock, the rage took over. How dare he? she had fumed to herself in the minutes following his departure.

For a brief second, she imagined herself in a white kimono, trailing down the aisle of caring onlookers as she took her place next to Shino. The flowers, the hair....

The nausea quickly eradicated those thoughts, replacing them with resentment. How dare he punish me because of his prejudices? she had thrown another kunai over her shoulder as she furiously paced the small perimeter of the apartment.

She suddenly stopped, realizing there was no impact of weapon with target. She spun on heel, finding Shibi standing in her doorway. In his hand glinted the familiar weapon as he gingerly spun it on his finger. He stiffly turned to look at the door, arching an eyebrow in...amusement? Tenten felt her stomach sink as she instantly regretted destroying the property—his property, no less.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, the shame reddening her face.

Shibi simply shrugged as he studied her behind his dark glasses. Tenten shivered, remembering Shino's tortured eyes. "It happens, does it not?"

Tenten narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She may not be entirely familiar with Shibi, but her years with ANBU have given her the ability to tell when someone was lying, or, in this case, wanted to share something.....

"You did not visit for idle chit chat," she replied blandly, quickly swooping up her remaining kunai. Thank goodness I didn't start with the blades, she told herself. That may have upset him! She held out her hand as Shibi stepped closer, a smile tugging at his lips. She had guessed correctly, she surmised. He placed the tiny instrument in her hand; the metal was warm from his touch. Tenten closed her fingers around the small handle, avoiding Shibi's gaze.

"My son came to see you." It was more of a statement than a question. Tenten answered with a curt nod. "His request seemed unreasonable to you?"

This time, Tenten met his gaze. Again, she nodded without speaking. The tears threatened, but she had promised that she would shed no more tears. She was a kunoichi. A damned good one at that!

"This is not the reaction I had anticipated," the older man admitted, rubbing his beard thoughtfully.

"You and me both," Tenten grumbled as she plopped into the tiny armchair. Shibi stood silently, as if in contemplation.

Tenten looked up at him, hope in her eyes, "Did he say anything? About me?"

He silently shook his head. "He merely informed me that he had given you seven days. He was still quite...disturbed. I expected him to be short with me..." Tenten sighed, closing her eyes. "But not to you," Shibi finished.

Tenten's eyes shot open. "You are upset by his reaction?"

"I am," he admitted. "I thought that perhaps telling him about Hotaru would change his mind. Mabye," he took a seat on the small futon across from Tenten, "it's too much for him to handle."

The kunoichi chewed her lip. "But you aren't sure?"

Shibi studied her from behind the dark frames. She was much more astute than he had given her credit for. He should have known—she was second-in-command in ANBU, after all. That's an astounding feat for anyone, more so for a kunoichi. Especially one without living, accomplished relatives. He nodded his head, "No, I am not. I am hoping that in a few days, he'll be calmer and more rational in his decisions."

"And if he's not?" she asked, her eyes betraying her disinterested tone. Tenten was aware that Shibi was not visiting her for idle conversation. He had something on his mind. An idea, maybe?

"Then..." he gazed at the woman who was carrying his unborn heir, "we may have to take a different approach."

More angry pacing. Three days! She was going to have to wait three days to see if Shino's behavior and attitude changed?

"What did I get myself into?" she asked herself as she threw her scrolls into the leather bag.

She thought about Shibi's plan. No, she reminded herself, his plot. His scheme. That's what it was, a scheme. Even Tenten had been surprised at the clan leader's suggestion. It was not something she expected from the reserved Aburame. Sure, it was something she could see Sakura or Ino suggesting—but not Aburame Shibi.

"What the hell?" she growled as she collapsed onto the lumpy bed. Her hair scratched her face as she stared at the ceiling. A faint buzzing in her ear caught her attention. She glanced to her right, finding a tiny beetle fluttering its opaque wings as it gently landed on the comforter next to her head. Tenten stared at the insect, squinting to get a better look.

"Are you spying on me?" she hissed as she recognized the insect. She may not be a genius when it came to entymology, but she could recognize the jeweled insects that her lover controlled. They were unique to him--information he had shared with her.

She sighed, slapping her hand over her eyes. "Tell him to grow up!" As if it was satisfied with the message, the bug softly lifted off and buzzed out the partially-opened window.

"Great!" she moaned, "It's really going to tell him that." She sat upright. "Well, maybe he'll get the message," she concluded, shrugging her indifference. At this point, she didn't much care. She wanted to be understanding with all that Shibi had shared with her in regards to Shino and his mother. She really, truly did. But, the way he reacted was not one that emanated with maturity and grace. He could have spoken with her, surely? They could have discussed their options and feelings on the issue. They could have gotten through this together.

"Stupid, stubborn, Aburame!" she tossed a pillow across the room. It slid along the hardwood floor, stopping as it collided with the far wall.

"I'm a kunoichi! A damned good kunoichi!" she hissed, glaring angrily at the pillow. "I don't need his acceptance!" She knew she was being ridiculous, but wasn't she allowed to be angry as well? She was, after all, the one that was pregnant. At least he could walk away.

Well, so could you...her mind screamed. Think about it!

NO! she silently replied with vehemence. She would not do that. She had no family, and only a handful of close friends. She would not deny a child that would be of her own flesh and blood. She could never do that.

"Shino!" she whistled through clenched teeth as she retrieved the fallen pillow. She marched toward the bed, where she climbed under the covers.

"Three days," she murmured, thinking back to her conversation with Shibi.

She should be planning a wedding, but she had no intention of doing so. Not when that damned boy refuses to talk to me. He'll have to deal with it! It was far too late for Tenten to seek out Sakura's advice. It would have to wait until tomorrow, she concluded.

She had grown close to the young mother since their mission to retrieve Naruto. She had never been interested in a friendship with the medic-nin, but once she got to know Sakura better, she found her to be a valuable ally. Years ago, she would have considered the pink-haired kunoichi her competition. She was another block between Tenten and her goal of becoming one of the most gifted female ninjas in Konohagakure. Now, however, that ideal was a distant memory.

Years of close male friendships had made her realize how she longed for a female companion. Sure, Neji was invaluable, but sometimes Tenten wished she had girlfriend in her life.

She smiled fondly, it was that same mission that brought her closer to Shino. He was often aloof and awkward, something she found endearing about the bug-nin. But, she really had a chance to get to know him during that fated mission—and she liked what she learned. Random encounters led to a dinner. Dinner lead to more dates. More dates led to....well, er....

Tenten shook her head. "No good memories, you're angry too, remember?" she chastized herself.

Back to Shibi's suggestion. Could she do it? Could she honestly do it?

She was a kunoichi. A strong kunoichi. An independent woman who had climbed the ranks of ANBU in under a year. She had accomplished her wildest dreams, even falling in love along the way. That, alone, should be enough to satisfy her hunger for accomplishment. She had proven herself. Now, it was time to think about her. What did she want? Tenten rubbed her stomach, thinking about the future of the child growing within her womb. Would Shino come around? Would he cradle this baby in his arms as she had seen him do so many times with Kushina? Would he be there for the child's first steps?

She did not want Shino to marry her out of a sense of duty. No, not because he had to. She disliked the snooty traditions that Shibi had spoke of--they were outdated and unrealistic. But, she would not speak against Shino's clan, though she would willingly disagree with his decision for a shotgun marriage. As much as she cared for him, she did not want a marriage to be surrounded by these circumstances. Pregnancy, alone, was not a reason to rush into a marriage. She could survived just fine as a single mother. No one had to know it was Shino's child, if the situation necessitated it....

Tenten's eyes grew heavy as she contemplated Shibi's plan as well as her own needs. She would speak to Sakura tomorrow, she determined. And she would give Shino the three days that Shibi suggested. She would see how the few days fared on the man she so strongly desired.

Three days, she told herself sleepily.

"Give him three days," she drawled. "After that....it's my turn.

Soon, the room around her faded into darkness as her pounding thoughts gave way to soft, shimmering dreams.

A/N: my goal for this chapter was to show that Shino (as expected of someone who had NO clue) is still harboring a bit of resentment, and is uncharacteristically taking that out on Tenten.

Shibi is concerned by his son's reaction, and has decided that if Shino does not act more maturely, he will intervene on his son's behalf. How that may be, I won't share...just yet ;)

Tenten, however, is becoming more resolute in her determination to not allow Shino to marry her out of tradition and duty. She wants him to accept their child first.

Hopefully, I'm getting that across to you guys and gals!