AN: Okay…I don't know what happened the other day…I was trying to upload the edited version of the chapter and instead got a pilot for another story. I'm sorry about that but here is the next chapter to The Bird and The Bug. I hope you guys are enjoying this.
Messages and/or reviews are very welcome. I would like to hear from the people who read this…However few.. I'm in the middle of a theatre production but I managed to get this chapter out quick enough. I'm hoping to have the third chapter done soon, but I will not make any promises for the fear of breaking them. Anyway, enjoy Chapter 2: Questions.
Sono Tori Ken Sono Konchuu
Chapter 2: Questions
Mizuki bowed and rose after Shino introduced her to his father but she never quite made eye contact with him. "Hatake-chan needed a place to stay so, to take stress off the Hokage-sama, I offered to allow her to stay here with your approval." Shibi thought this over. It was not like his son to bring home strangers. He would question her before he made his decision.
"You do not mind answering a few questions." In the same manner as his son had inherited he delivered this question as a command.
"No, sir." Mizuki replied with a flutter of her lashes. What is he going to ask me? How should I respond? Hatake-san and Hokage-sama spoke nothing of this!
"Who are you?" Mizuki kept her face calm despite her confusion.
"My name is Hatake Mizuki. I am the cousin of Hatake-san." Her voice was level. There could be no speculation that she was lying. Shibi frowned.
"Why do you address him as Hatake-san?"
"Is it wrong for me to respect my cousin who is my senior in both age and wisdom?" The tone of her voice was innocent enough to smooth over her word's implied meaning. Shibi was silent for a few moments.
"No…Where did you come from?" His pause had made Mizuki worry and she made a mental note to be more respectful to this man.
"I came from a small village outside of Konoha's borders."
"What is the name of this place?" His curiosity seemed genuine.
"It had no name, Aburame-sama. It was simply a collection of houses and farms."
"You are a ninja, yes? Who taught you the skills?" His insight to her ability once again surprised her, though she did not show it this time. I know I do not have the appearance of a ninja, so how do they know?
"My parents." A shadow passed over Mizuki's face momentarily. Shibi and Shino still noticed it.
"What are their names?" Mizuki waited before answering this one.
"I do like to speak of the dead." Shibi nodded his understanding.
"I figured as much. What are your skills?" Mizuki hesitated again. How much should I tell him? Can I even trust him?
"I am an archer, sir. My hands are precious to me for that reason. I use long-range ninjutsu and genjutsu. I am a sensor as well."
"You seem fairly valuable. It will not be a burden to have you live here. Shino, show her to her rooms. It was nice to meet you, Hatake Mizuki."
She gracefully bowed in respect. "The same for you, Aburame-sama. And thank you for allowing me to stay." She then followed Shino out through a door to the left of the building.
Shibi raised an eyebrow after they had shut the door. The left wing was the family quarters. Why did Shino not take her to the formal guest rooms in the right wing? Shibi was slightly concerned about his son's behavior. He hoped that he was not becoming ill.
Shino showed Mizuki to a small bedchamber. The walls were stained a honeysuckle brown and the floors a deep mahogany. The furnishings included a twin sized bed with side table, a wardrobe, and a freestanding full length mirror. The only other objects in the room was a window to the other side of the bed and two doors. It looked great to the travel weary Mizuki. She took a step forward then hesitantly looked back at Shino. He raised an eyebrow.
"There is a bathroom behind that door in the corner." She glanced at the door in question. She wondered why he had pointed it out but decided not to worry about it. There were only two door to begin with.
"Thank you…For everything." She said calmly. "You did not have to go out of your way for me." She was about to continue on in when he spoke.
"I did not do it for you. I did it for the hokage." This confession froze Mizuki. Shino did not seem to notice and continued on. "When she is under stress, it puts stress on the village. This is unnecessary and should be avoided. It will not take you long to get out on your own. This is only temporary." Mizuki fought to get her confusion and frustration under control.
"Well, when you put it that way. Yes, not trouble indeed." She turned to face him. "I would like to rest now." He nodded. That was obvious.
"Dinner will be at six. A servant will come and fetch you." With that he shut the door and walked away. Mizuki sighed. So he didn't do it for me after all. I don't know whether I'm relieved or upset. Might as well unpack my things.
She grabbed a scroll from her bag. It stored the few clothes and shoes she had along with her other effects for personal hygiene. (AN: i.e.- a brush, toothbrush, ect.) She summoned the clothes from the scroll and placed them in the wardrobe on the hangers. She then summoned her few pairs of shoes and placed them in one of the two small bins at the bottom of the wardrobe. After summoning the last of the items to their respectful places in the bathroom Mizuki took out the second scroll. On it she had stored her precious bow and her quiver full of arrows. She summoned them and gently placed then on the shelf in the top of the wardrobe before summoning various other weaponry supplies.
Mizuki placed the scrolls back in the pouch and placed the pouch in the empty bin with the other equipment. She then closed the wardrobe took off her boots and violet over shirt and climbed into the bed for a good long nap.
A few hours later a knock resounded on the door. Mizuki failed to stir from her slumber. A moment later…another knock. Mizuki rolled over and sighed. The door opened to reveal a slightly irked Shino. He looked at the jumbled heap on the bed. He knew it was improper of him to be in her room while she was sleeping but he had no other choice. Dinner was in half of an hour.
He believed that she would appreciate the warning. "Mizuki." His voice was firm. "Mizuki." He reached for her shoulder. "Mizuki, wake up." He shook her lightly and his kikai swarmed under his skin at the sudden heat. She moaned her protest and her eyes squeezed shut. He retreated from the room and shut the door. He leaned against the cool wood. A faint blush tinted his pale cheeks. His kikai still swirled just beneath the surface.
Mizuki slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. She was certain there was someone in her room just a moment ago calling her name and the confused expression she wore reflected that. Dinner is in thirty minutes? There was not a clock in her room so she made a mental not to ask for one. Mizuki made up her bed before walking into the bathroom.
She left the bathroom still damp and refreshed. Her hair cascaded soft waves down her back. She let the towel she had draped around her slip to the floor as she rummaged for a clean pair of undergarments. Mizuki then grabbed her favorite yukata from the wardrobe and put it on slowly. The yukata was a jade green that matched her eyes and had a chrysanthemum print in vibrant plum. Mizuki put on a pair of white tabi. She pulled her hair back with her mauve colored ribbon and viewed herself in the mirror. She took the ribbon out. That's better. She smiled at her reflection.
After smoothing out her yukata Mizuki picked up the fallen towel and took it back to the bathroom. While she was putting it away there was a knock at her door. "Just a minute!" She rushed back into the main part of the chamber and smoothed her yukata once more. "Come in."
-To Be Continued-
An: I know this chapter is really short but the next one will be much longer. I really would like some reviews -- if only short ones -- so I know how you guys feel about this story and whether I should continue or not. I find it easier to write when I have encouragement.