Well, here we go, day three! I found this one to be rather challenging, not because of the prompt itself, but working out where I wanted the story to go and what I wanted to be included and not included. Eventually, I decided on this :). This is the longest free-write I've done for this challenge so far, and the first one involving a pairing, which, if you couldn't guess, is ShinoSaku, a pairing I've never written before. So, enough of my talking, enjoy!

Day Three: Piece of Mind: ShinoSaku

Shino was not worried.

He was not a worrier, nor would he ever turn out to be one. It was not in his nature, nor would it ever be. While he loved his family and friends, he did not obsessively worry about them as if they were valuable pieces of china, able to be broken at the slightest touch.

Then, why was he perched on the dining chair in the kitchen, arms pointed upwards and hands clasped together, staring at the calendar?

She was meant to be back yesterday night.

But she wasn't.

Shino sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as he tried to take his mind off his girlfriend. He cast it back to earlier today, when lunchtime was fast approaching.

"This is some good stuff Shino!" Kiba Inuzuka, wild brown hair and maniacal eyes exclaimed, stuffing a multitude of meats and other foodstuffs into his gaping maw. Akamaru yipped in agreement, scoffing down a piece of bacon that his master had unceremoniously dropped on the floor during the frenzied feeding.

Hinata giggled softly at her teammate, as she tucked into her food with a bit more grace than the man and dog. "This is really good Shino!"

The Aburame man nodded in thanks, pulling down his collar and taking a drink from his cup. He surveyed his two teammates, and smiled warmly. What an interesting trio they had made in their genin days, and still made now. Such fond memories of when Kiba would proudly charge into anything head on without using his rather thick head, or when Hinata would blush profusely at the mere sight of Naruto Uzumaki, and then faint if he so much as looked at her. And, of course, his own stoic musings as he watched his two teammates and their odd ways from behind his sunglasses and heavy coat. But, well, he wasn't allowed to wear it as much outdoors anymore, nor was he allowed to wear his sunglasses indoors either. The only reason he wore them in the first place was due to his eyes hypersensitivity to sunlight. But she had all changed that. Speaking of which...

"Kiba." Shino's voice was soft and surprisingly warm, as a smile gripped at his face. "How is Ino?"

Kiba grinned wolfishly as he gobbled up another morsel of meat. "She's great! Pregnant with another pup currently-"

"Another?" Shino asked, as he struggled to keep the hint of incredulity out of his voice. He failed.

The Inuzuka Clan Leader nodded happily, his grin growing with each passing moment. "Yup! This'll be number five!"

Hinata shook her head lightly, a small smile gracing her pale face. Shino, on the other hand, merely shook his head. Kiba had gotten Ino pregnant at age sixteen after a drunken outing. They'd somehow not torn each other apart, and were together ever since, producing another four (now five, Shino corrected himself) offspring. Kiba was only twenty one years of age, and had a family of that size already? Shino honestly didn't know whether to be impressed or not.

"Hey, Hinata." Kiba steered the conversation away from his family and towards her. "Has Naruto knocked ya up yet?" And so, with the subtlety of Naruto's former bright orange jumpsuit, his male teammate had asked the question that had been on the edge of his lips, albeit in a nicer and far less crass way. She smiled, rather brightly in fact.

"Sadly no. I-I mean no!" She added, with a cry of horror as a lecherous grin grew over the Inuzuka's face.

"Oh really? 'Sadly', eh?" His white teeth shone as much as his brown eyes, fairly well versed in mischief. "Have you two been having some 'fun'? Hitting the hay together, doing the hanky panky, starting up a conga line, playing top and tails, just plain fuc-"

"That's enough Kiba." Shino tried to calm his amused friend and the utterly horrified and blushing heiress. "Let Hinata have her privacy."

Kiba chuckled in reply, and continued to wolf down his meal with the table manners of a, well, dog.

As Hinata's blush receded, she turned and faced Shino, fixing him with a curious glance. "And how're you and Sakura doing?" She inquired.

A genuine smile crossed the Aburame's face, and he launched into a speech. "We're doing... fantastically. She's by far the smartest woman I've ever met. Her skill with Taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu surpasses even Lady Tsunade and Gai-sensei. Not only that, but she's probably the kindest person I've ever met. And, a phenomenal cook. And-"

Kiba raised up his hand. "Chill bro, we got it! You're really hung up on her, ain't ya?"

"I would say I am 'hung up on her' as you most eloquently put it, Kiba, yes."

He grinned.

"Well then, when are you gonna start making babies?"

Shino felt a blush ride up his neck. "When we're ready. We can't all be like you, Kiba."

"What, you can't be a lovemaking machine!?" He laughed, confidence glowing off of his tanned skin.

The Aburame man fixed him with a glower. "I was thinking more along the lines of a hormonal dog."

"Hey-"

"Anyway." Hinata wisely cut across the conversation. "We should probably be going now, right Kiba?"

Grumbling under his breath, The Inuzuka stood up, purposely wiping the crumbs off his shirt and onto the floor. Shino's eye twitched.

Whether Kiba noticed this or not, he said. "You sure you don't want to come with us? It's been a while since we've all done some training together."

"Yes, it would be nice." Hinata added, smiling at him with her pretty lavender eyes.

Shino shook his head in response, before adding. "No thank you. I'm awaiting Sakura's arrival home."

Hinata and Kiba shared a look, smirking at one another, before turning back to the Aburame. "Fair enough." The Inuzuka added. "Have fun!"

"Wait." Shino stated sternly, fixing his teammates with a steely glare each. "What was that look for?"

"What look?" Hinata asked, bringing a finger to her chin and tapping it lightly. "I don't remember a look. Do you Kiba?"

The father of five shrugged his shoulders, reaching down and patting Akamaru's head. "Nope. Must be your imagination Shino." He winked. "Anyway, see ya later!"

And, with that, the two ninja and ninken escaped out of the Aburame Clan Leader's House as fast as they could, leaving him alone.

And that was where Shino had remained seated for the past two hours, taking turns staring at the wall clock and the calendar, as the world began to grow darker and colder.

He grumbled lightly to himself. Not thinking about Sakura had ended in utter failure. He drummed his fingers on the table, waiting for any sign of his pink haired girlfriend.

After another hour, he let out a long, heaving sigh.

He still wasn't worried, though. She was very capable, more so than himself, when it came to battle. She was fine, no doubt, merely taking her time getting home. Of course. She was totally fit and healthy, and not injured, not on the verge of death, not captured in an enemy prison, and not fornicating with another man.

Why did that last thought even cross his mind. Why did any of those thoughts cross his mind? Sakura was fine, and he was not worried.

The sheer notion was ridiculous.

Or was it?

He was so confused.

"Sakura." Shino leveled with his girlfriend, standing from his desk and looking her in the eye. "I've told you, I have work. And it's very important I deal with this clan business."

Sakura Haruno's jade eyes stared scornfully at the Aburame, her hand crossed over her small, but decent bust. Her pink hair was done impeccably, as was her make-up, and the red dress she was wearing was most form-fitting.

But Shino was a bit pre-occupied. Much to her chagrin.

"That's what you said yesterday." She snapped. "And the day before that, and the day before that, and the day before that!"

Shino's mouth contorted into a frown. "I understand that." He stated evenly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "However, important clan business has just come up, and there is nothing I can do, Sakura. I am sorry, but-"

"The clan business is more important than us? Is that it?" Tears began pooling in the corners of her eyes, but her mouth told a different story, morphed into a forced scowl. "You know what, fuck it."

And, with a piercing glare that Shino was pretty sure actually ripped open an internal organ, Sakura stomped away, slamming the door with a loud crash.

He was pretty sure that hadn't helped at all. Sakura had quickly taken an escort mission that would take her out of the village for at least two weeks.

With a sigh, he slammed his head on the table. Dammit, was this what love did? Turned you insane. He ached for her. That's how badly he missed her, his body was physically aching. What the hell was wrong with him.

He needed to make it up to her, that was for damn sure. But how? She could turn up at any moment, he didn't have time to plan out something elaborate-

The front door opened, the sound of footsteps entering the hallway.

Shino was pretty sure his heart had just died of shock. She was here! And he hadn't done anything to make it up to her!

He raced out of his chair, at such a speed that even The Fourth Hokage would've been impressed with.

He stopped in the doorway to the hall that led to the front door. Sakura was taking off her cloak, ruffling her pink hair and shaking away a stray leaf. She turned and saw the panting Shino, and cocked her head to the side in confusion.

"Why do you look so tired? You know what, never mind... listen, I wanted to say I'm really sorry for when I got angry with you last time we spoke. I understand you're clan leader now, and you've got lots of work to do. And I know how stressful paperwork is, and I shouldn't pressure you, so-"

Her jade green eyes widened as Shino practically pounced on her, shoving her against the door and capturing her mouth with a passionate kiss. Sakura let out a squeak of surprise as Shino grabbed at her buttocks, pulling them upwards so soon her legs were wrapped around his waist, as they continued kissing against the door.

"What are you doing?" She panted, after they broke the lip-lock.

"I'm saying sorry." He answered, and without waiting for a reply, began to vigorously kiss her neck, twisting around on his heels, and heading up the stairs.

"Shino, wait! I need a shower, I need- OH MY FUCK! We can do this later, hon-HHGNFFF OH MY KAMI MO- At least let me take my boots oFFF HOLY SHIT!"

And so, Shino made it up to her all night long.

*Insert sensual music*

Shino's my favourite character, by the way. He may appear a lot, but we'll see what the prompts entail and if they allow me to work with a character such as himself. Anyway, have a great morning/afternoon/evening/night!