Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto or any of its respective characters. This fanfiction is for entertainment purposes only. (Mostly my amusement.) However, if I DID own Naruto, it would be called "Neji and Hinata: Byakugan Babies Galore!" That has a nice ring to it...

Author's Note:Hey, so I'm back again. Here's another sweet ShinoSaku. ::sigh:: I so love those two! Anyhow, these events occur roughly four days after Pink Love. Enjoy!

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Protocol

Aburame Shino stood outside of Sakura's house, his arms full with the sapling peach tree, and the bag of gourmet, dark roasted coffee beans. He'd had to promise his mother a full month of weeding in her garden just to get her to part with the much coveted items. But after his first early morning at her disposal, she'd happily prepared a batch of his favorite cookies. Oatmeal raisin. Simple, sweet... delicious. His cheeks began to warm beneath his high collar. He'd eaten a couple right then and there, but not nearly as many as his mother was used to seeing. She'd sat him down then, and sweetly but firmly asked him to explain. He should have known he'd never be able to keep a secret from her.

So, after his dear mother had soaked her melted heart back up off the floor, she wrapped the remaining cookies in the cute, frilly paper that held them now. He would give the cookies to Sakura-chan. He glanced down at them, poking up out of the bag. She'd better like them, too, because inside he was having a fit. His mother's cookies were one of the few things he didn't like to share.

Shino took a deep breath, then knocked three times on the door. Three times. Not too loud or too eager, but not too softly, either. He knew Sakura-chan's father had been impressed with him. Now, he had to make certain that it stayed that way. Confidence, he told himself. Confidence...

He heard the kunoichi's mother on the other side. Damn. He hadn't made such a good impression on her.

The door eased open, and Shino was faced with the rigid glare of one angry mother hen. "Aburame-san," she acknowledged, which was more than he'd expected. "Why are you here so early?"

Shino managed a polite bow, despite the packages in tow. "Sakura-chan has accepted my offer to escort her to school today." He held out the sapling. "This is for you, honorable Haruno-san."

She looked surprised, but vaguely pleased. "Thank you," she said, relieving him of the plant. "Won't you come inside?"

The moment he stepped into her home, the Aburame was welcomed by the scent of cherry blossoms. The colors chosen to decorate the house were pinks and deep reds, complimentary colors that hugged the walls like some elegantly wrapped gift. Above the mantlepiece, there was a portrait of Sakura as a toddler, sitting demurely at the trunk of an old, old sakura tree; its thick branches in full vibrant bloom. Her expression could be mistaken for one of calm and reserve, hands resting neatly over her folded knees. But he saw the truth in her jade eyes, striking and shining with temper, no doubt from being made to sit still long enough for the painter to finish the job. And the man had captured her exquisitely, too, from the slight sloping angle with which she held her head, to the subtle drawing in of her lips. A cursory glance might decieve a person into believing she had an adorable pout, but Shino saw what lay beneath the veil.

He wanted to laugh so hard, but that would only ruin whatever good impression he'd just made with her mother. He had to be careful. It was obvious that the woman was proud of her daughter, what with all the pictures of the girl framed and hung up everywhere. And Sakura was smiling big and happily in all of them. They loved their daughter, and she loved them, too. It was no wonder the woman didn't want to part with her little cherry blossom.

Shino turned to face the woman. He saw that same wariness in her eyes, as if she were assesing his reaction to his surroundings, daring him to challenge her claim. He would never. Now, he understood what he could not possibly have known before he'd come here today. She would accept him, if only he respected their special relationship; as long as he didn't overstep his bounds.

"This is for your honorable husband," he held out the bag of coffee beans. "Both gifts," he gestured toward the tree in her arms, "are compliments from my dear mother."

"I see," she whispered. She accepted the bag, looking a bit perplexed at the frilly paper poking up from the top. "And this?" She asked.

Shino fought to conceal his warming cheeks, though he wasn't entirely sure he'd succeeded. "Those are for Sakura-chan. Cookies." He made a nervous sound in the back of his throat. "Oatmeal raisin. They're very good."

Sakura's mother smiled, shocking him further. "I'm sure they are, Aburame-san."

"Ah, Aburame-san," he recognized the approving voice of Sakura's father. "Welcome to our home. It is good to see you here."

"Thank you, honorable Haruno-san," he bowed lower than usual.

"Sakura will be down shortly." He descended the staircase. His wife skipped up to him, offering him a sniff of the dark roast. "In the meantime, would you like to have a cup of coffee with me?"

"I am flattered, Haruno-san. However, I am not allowed to drink coffee," he answered.

"Well," Mrs. Haruno said. "I'm sure I have a glass of chocolate milk with your name on it," and she walked into the kitchen, taking the accepted courtship offerings with her. His father had indeed been right. Follow protocol to the letter, and the cherry blossom would be his.

Mr. Haruno chuckled. "Gave you a hard time, did she?"

"No, sir," Shino answered immediately.

This time, the man laughed out right. "Come now," he said, patting the boy lightly on the back, while leading him to stand nearer the staircase. "I know my wife is an intimidating woman. Sakura is much like her, you know." His eyebrow raised. Then, his voice dropped significantly. "Are you sure you can handle her?"

Shino shoved his hands inside his pockets to keep from fidgeting. "Yes, sir," he said. "I hope so, sir."

"Good." Sakura's father looked quite pleased, indeed.

Not long after, the kunoichi in question poked her head out from around the corner at the top of the stairs. "Dad? Have you seen my sandals?" She asked. Then she noticed the Aburame, quietly watching her from below. Her eyes widened; first in surprise, then from excitement. "Shino-kun!" She ran down the stairs.

"Good morning, Sakura-chan," he offered her a slight bow.

"Good morning!" She beamed. "I wasn't expecting you until a little later, but I'm glad you're here." Her subtle, pink blush did not go unnoticed by either male in her presence. "So, um..." She worried her lip, nervously.

"You're sandals are right by the door, dear," Mr. Haruno kissed his daughter's cheek. "Do try not to leave them laying around," he said, before disappearing himself into the kitchen. When he arrived, his wife had two mugs of coffee prepared, along with a sampling of Oatmeal raisin cookies on a small plate, and two tall glasses of chocolate milk. "Playing hostess, I see."

His words could almost be accusing, but she didn't miss the amusement in them. "I'm not spying. I'll be good, I promise." She placed the glasses and plate on a tray, then shook her head, smiling lightly at some amusing thought. "I prayed for this, you know. Just like I prayed for our little Sakura-chan." Her eyes were glossy. "The Gods do answer prayers."

"I know," he smiled. "We are very blessed." He took a sip from his steaming mug. "Mmmm... Excellent."

"My new little tree will be heavy with fruit soon. I'm going to plant it as soon as they're off to school."

"Very good, dear," her husband mused. "But, you'd better get going. It's almost time for them to leave."

"Oh, yes!" Then, she sauntered back into the front hall with the cookies and milk.

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Haruno Sakura munched lightly on one delicious cookie, while Shino watched her with much interest. They sat on the small porch out front, side by side, enjoying his mother's delectable treat. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Then she blushed, so she looked away.

"Shino-kun?" She asked, quietly, still too nervous to face him.

"Yes, Sakura-chan?"

"A-Arigatou..." Her gorgeous hair fell over her face, and the Aburame was compelled to brush it back, revealing her blush-stained cheeks. She gasped, but didn't tell him to stop.

"You are very welcome," he said. Then he closed in on her, her heavy breathing a compelling invitation. "May I kiss you again, Sakura-chan?"

Her blush deepened, and she shivered a bit before answering. "Hai," she whispered, her head down.

She was breathless when his lips pressed against her hot cheek, burning him from the inside out. It was better this time, the anticipation she exuded as delightful as the feel of her skin beneath him. He pulled back, and her jade eyes were locked on his.

"I... I've never done this before," she told him. "No one has ever..."

"It's alright," he said. "Neither have I. But, I believe it would be worthwhile for us to continue." He slowly stroked her fingers with his own, leaning closer. "Wouldn't you agree, Sakura-chan?"

"Yes..." She trailed off, clearly taken by his approaching mouth.

"Ahem," Mr. Haruno interrupted them, and they halted-- lips merely a breath away. "Time to leave, children," he said, with much emphasis on the final word. They stood, returning the empty glasses and plate to the tray. Sakura handed the tray to her father, then curtseyed, while Shino bowed respectfully. "I shall expect my daughter home no later than nine-o-clock. Is that understood, Aburame-san?"

"Hai!" Shino answered. Things were progressing much better than he had expected. Much better indeed.

"Thanks, dad!" Sakura grinned. Apparently, it was better than she'd expected, too.

The kunoichi grasped his hand then, and they were off to the Academy.

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"Shino-kun?" She squeezed his hand as they walked along the winding road, a road that would take them both to unknown destinations, with time.

"Hmm?" He returned the squeeze.

"Will you come again tomorrow?"

The Aburame almost died right then. Oh, he would come. As long as she welcomed his company, he would come.

"If you so desire," he answered. "Do you want me to come again?"

The kunoichi rested her head on his shoulder. "Of course, silly. I wouldn't be asking if I didn't."

Shino smirked, for the first time since beginning his courtship of Haruno Sakura. Yes. The cherry blossom would definitely be his...

End