Quick update, I know. 24 hour or less turnaround on this- mostly because I already had most of it written. I got hung up in spots, and couldn't figure how to break this down into smaller chapters. So enjoy this monstrous chapter, see you again soon.
Please read and review. 3
-LovelyWrath
Shino went through the usual motions of his day- doing his duty to Konoha as a bug wielder, followed by his routine of checking on the clan and his parents. As always, he found himself at his own home.
At the end of his day, he stood in the foyer of his home, and as usual, he could only see a well-furnished void. He pushed himself further inside to change into something more comfortable, and less confining. He abandoned his dark glasses upon the counter, as the house was dark, even when the lights were on. Many of his bugs dispersed to all corners of his home to rest for the night. It didn't feel like a home to Shino, though he returned there every day. When he slept, it didn't feel warm and comfortable. Each morning felt the same, a repeat of its predecessor, a call to go through the motions again. Something was missing, and he could feel it to the very core of his being.
As he pulled himself from the thought of this endless cycle, he found his hand on a bottle, but he moved on to a somewhat less potent beverage- hard liquor wasn't on the agenda tonight. Drinking wasn't a nightly ritual, but it had gone from an occasional fling to a frequent affair with the liquid.
He was well into that bottle of wine when his clan's bugs delivered the message to him- a young pink-haired woman was at the gate asking for him. Did he expect her? No. Could she enter? He couldn't think of a reason to deny her, but he also couldn't think of a reason that she'd actually want to venture onto the compound. Some part of him laughed it off- he'd call her bluff. After all, beautiful women didn't venture willingly onto Aburame property... and if she did show up at his door, he'd leave the male population of the clan that was so lucky to witness the event in a state of shock, to be sure. So he delivered a positive response, and before he could organize his thoughts or compose himself, he could feel her approaching his doorstep.
Before she could touch the door, it was swiftly opened, and she found herself face-to-face with an athletic man about her height. His eyes were dark and narrow, and his hair fell wildly. He wore a fitted top and loose pants hung low around his waist. His arms and torso were toned, and Sakura blushed at the sudden appearance of the handsome man. She was so taken aback, that there simply were no words. Finally, he spoke.
"Sakura, what a surprise. What brings you here?" The voice was familiar, and it took Sakura a long moment to put two and two together.
"Shino?!" It was a half-question, half shocked accusation that made his eyebrow shoot up and his mouth to form a hard line.
"You didn't recognize me." He said, simply. This very thing had happened before with Naruto, and Shino somehow found it monumentally more disappointing coming from Sakura.
Sakura shook her head and smiled, "I'm so sorry! You look just... so different without your glasses, jacket... Casual you caught me off guard, is all."
He decided not to mention that she should have fully expected it to be him, seeing how she was standing on his porch, about to knock on his door during his off-time.
"What can I do for you, Sakura?" He nodded gently, taking a moment to look her over. She looked fantastic in her form-fitting clothing. Sakura had developed nicely- with full breasts and a slender, toned waistline. Her round hips balanced her out nicely. She was curvy enough to catch a man's eye, but not excessively endowed like her mentor, who Shino regarded as being frighteningly voluptuous.
Sakura smiled again at him, but more vividly. Shino wasn't often the recipient of smiles from pretty girls, so it made his heart skip a beat. He mentally insisted that his body not react to such a simple gesture. Yet, Sakura was the first female, or even friend to ever arrive to his home for a visit- none of his teammates had even dared to approach his clan's compound.
"I overdid it while gathering today. I thought I'd share my findings with you as thanks." She held out a few bags filled with herbs and vegetables.
Hesitantly, he reached out and took the bags from her, and nodded his head gently. Not only was she the first visitor to his home, she brought along gifts. For him. And it wasn't even his birthday or anything, just as a thank you out of the kindness of her heart. Something was definitely off in the world.
Sakura's smile faded as she observed the confused look on his face. "Is something wrong, Shino?"
He shook his head vigorously, "No! No, not at all. I.. I don't often get visitors. Would you like to come in for a visit? I've just opened some grape wine and it's just really delicious." He didn't even recognize his own words, they just came out before he could stop them. The first female to ever drop by, and he was already luring her into his home? Absurd. At least his motives were not bad- what would he ever do with a female in his home? They would both likely feel quite uncomfortable. He was no host, and she was out of her element as well. Add to it the fact that Shino was "bug boy". It was no wonder to him that she would turn him down.
"Oh that sounds really great." It wasn't out of obligation, Sakura found herself very interested in seeing Shino's living environment. The house was so pretty on the outside, surely the inside was amazing as well. And grape wine? That was a luxury Sakura did not intend to turn down if offered. So as he moved aside to let her in, she slipped into his dimly lit living room eagerly.
Sakura seemed excited at the prospect of a drink with him. He wanted to pinch himself. He glanced out the door, and was glad to see nobody watching, though the likelihood of nobody spying on the situation was slim to none- the Aburame clan was close-knit, and everyone knew everything about each other.
"Are your parents home?" Sakura asked curiously, noting the empty sitting room and kitchen areas.
Shino shook his head, moving to the kitchen counter where he deposited the vegetables by the sink. He moved to retrieve an extra glass and poured Sakura a generous helping of the dark liquid previously promised. He also topped of his own glass. Grape wine was not notorious for being a strong drink, though this particular stock was fairly strong. Sakura gratefully took the glass as soon as he offered it, and took to sipping at it gingerly. She noted the line of bottles across the counter shelf- anything from hard liquor to wine, to mixers. Shino's kitchen was stocked.
"I live alone." He said, finally. Sakura's eyes grew wide.
"In this big place? That's a lot of space for one guy..." Sakura mused, glancing around at the wide open area.
Shino felt his cheeks grow hot. It wasn't entirely his choice to live alone and in the large house, but the clan was small and when he came of age, there were ample empty houses on the compound to choose from, and none of them were bachelor pads. This was purposeful, as the next directive for him was to choose a bride, and there were no options within the clan. Outside of the clan, well... nobody was ever attracted to an Aburame. He would have to rely on an arranged marriage, most likely. So far he'd been able to avoid the subject with his parents, but they were growing impatient.
"Heh. It is a lot of space for me. But it's the clan's way of preparing me for the future, I suppose."
Sakura wasn't an idiot- she picked right up on the meaning behind his words, and oh'd quietly. He moved to sit in the living room, bottle of wine in tow, and she followed suit, finding a comfortable seat on the opposite end of the sofa from him.
"So you're expected to marry and start a family soon?" Sakura asked, curiously. "You don't have to answer, I don't want to pry." She did want to pry- his circumstances were more and more fascinating.
"I am, though I'll say my prospects aren't exactly many." He chuckled and swirled the wine in his glass.
Arranged marriages were the commonplace within the clans, so Sakura always assumed that like the Hyugas, other clans would have already chosen who their children would marry. She looked Shino over, grinning. This prompted him to finish his glass of wine and pour another.
"So you're looking at arrangements now?" She poked for more information, still grinning.
Shino shook his head, looked to her, then looked down, shoulders slumping slightly.
"There are no arrangements. I'm on my own. As you might have guessed, my clan has none to offer and we're not particularly good at arrangements outside of our own clan." He shook his head, "That's a really poor situation for me. I'm the least likely candidate to attract a wife from the outside."
Sakura's grin faded and she watched as he drank down the next glass of wine. It then occurred to her what was going on. Shino was planning to drink alone tonight, and Sakura had just arrived at the beginning of it. As he reached for the wine bottle on the coffee table, Sakura snatched it from his reach and held it away from him. He eyed her suspiciously.
"You're not drinking to cope with the situation, are you?" Sakura asked. His expression said it all. Finally, he rolled his shoulders and settled back upon the sofa. He set the empty glass down, and smirked awkwardly at her, feeling warm within his belly. He'd already had a few drinks before her arrival, or he'd never have been able to invite her in. Not wanting her to worry, he carefully explained himself.
"Not really. I only drink every once in awhile, when there's too much on my mind and I need to unwind. Not often at all.." Or so he claimed. In his mind, he counted the times this week and last that he'd unwound with a drink, and he'd be lying to himself if he ignored the fact that it was becoming dangerously frequent occurrence. "But it doesn't help that my family is often traded fine wine, so I could never hope to run out."
She nodded. The wine was delicious, and she didn't often get to partake in such a luxury. "It can't be any fun to drink alone, though.. why haven't you invited your team over?"
Shino sunk into the sofa. "They don't come here.. you're actually the first visitor I've had since I started living alone." Or ever, with the exception of being summoned, which generally happened from the gate as well.
The more he thought about it, the more pathetic he seemed, even to himself. Sakura picked up on it, quite the empath. She drained her glass and sighed happily, her tummy filled with delectable sweet wine. The thought of Shino drowning his sorrows in alcohol didn't sit well with her. He was an odd guy and a bug wielder, but he was still a human being. But somehow, sitting across the sofa from him, he seemed all too normal, and far too lonely for such a nice guy.
Sakura pursed her lips in thought, and tucked a stray strand of pink hair back behind her ear, actions not unnoticed by Shino, who'd never had a female visitor the likes of Sakura before.
"You know, Shino... you don't have to hang around here all alone. You can come out with us and stuff. You're never uninvited. I know I'm busy a lot, we all are. But I'd love to do dinner with you sometime."
Shino looked away from her with a sigh. "Please. I know this. I don't need your pity.."
"It's not pity! Really. It's just... seeing you now." She shook her head, "It's really a shame for such a good looking guy to spend all of his evenings cooped up alone and drinking. If Ino could see you now,"
Sakura lifted an arm to motion at him, up and down, ".. she probably wouldn't leave you alone."
Sakura couldn't help but grin, nor could Shino. If anyone would be the first to notice his less-covered state, it would be Ino. And it was very likely that appearances would help her overcome any number of the awkward issues that her target might have, like being a bug wielder. Sai was a prime example of this- socially awkward and often downright insulting, Ino always seemed to revert back to flirting with the guy, regardless of his disinterest in her, and his fake smiles that Ino seemed to almost take as the genuine article.
Shino chuckled, "Are you saying I should come hang out with you guys... and wear less clothes? Is that a suggestion.. or a request?" The alcohol made him bolder, of course, but it wasn't that he was curious to know. After all, for Sakura to bring it up at all she had to have noticed herself. Could it be that she'd been admiring the view.
Oh geez, she thought as she averted her gaze and bit her lip. She worked herself into a nice little corner, conversationally. Sakura hadn't imagined that Shino would pick up on any of that.
He laughed again, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I've been drinking, you know." She knew. "But you know I'm no good with the ladies... so all bets are off in that arena."
"No way! You just need a little push, that's all." Sakura turned back toward him and scooted closer on the sofa. "I think you're just out of your element, is all." She paused to think, then grinned.
"You know, a lot of us usually try get together on the weekend for ramen. We always end up drinking and sometimes it turns into a real party at someone's house... why don't you come out this coming weekend, Shino?"
He shook his head vigorously, "Knowing it's not my strong suit, your answer is to throw me out into the middle of the fray?! No... just. No."
Sakura noticed his discomfort as he shifted in his seat. She scooted closer, and Shino looked suddenly much like a wild animal about to flee. Then it struck her... it wasn't just the social situation that Shino couldn't handle. It was women!
"No, of course not, Shino. I wouldn't leave you hanging out to dry like that." She tilted her head and he watched her warily, having pinned himself against he armrest of the sofa.
Wide-eyed and desperate for an escape, Shino watched her eyes gleam as she calculated some grand scheme in that pretty little head of hers. He wanted to run, but really, where would he go? She was in his house, his sanctuary. There wasn't much of an escape to be had, so at the very least, he could hear her out.
"What are you plotting at..?" He asked slowly.
She smiled vividly, batting her eyes at him flirtatiously, "You need practice, and someone by your side to make you feel comfortable, and to help direct you."
Shino swallowed hard. He didn't like where this was going. He could feel the blood rush to his face at the thought of what she was suggesting.
She hadn't thought it completely through, but it seemed much like all the times in the past when she'd helped Sai by being good company, and hanging by her teammate's side until he was more comfortable in the social environment alone. This was a little different, though. Shino could potentially survive a social situation, but it would be far easier to render him useless. Unlike Sai, Shino would likely wallflower himself, or even escape entirely.
"So, I think you should go out with me a few times. I think it will be good." Sakura nodded; Shino's mouth fell open.
"This... this is a dumb idea. I won't have you pretend dating me to make me socially acceptable." He frowned finally, avoided her gaze and turned his head to look away.
It was Sakura's turn to frown, and she reached over to place a near empty glass container on the coffee table. Sakura had never been turned down for a date, regardless of the circumstances. That is, if you didn't count Sasuke, and since they were kids at the time, she didn't count Sasuke. Regardless of the reason Shino would deny her, it still came as a blow to her pride, and she didn't intend to take it.
Aware of the alcohol in her system, she paused for a moment to consider her next move. Her first instinct was the bring out the heavy artillery, and somehow convince Shino that he was making a mistake in denying her. What did he have to lose? Sakura considered herself to be excellent company. Worst case scenario, they hang out and have a blast. Best case scenario, Shino comes out of his shell, and/or finds a girlfriend... there was simply too much potential to list. As for Sakura, she wasn't attached to anyone- she rarely was, so there was no negative aspect to her enjoying the company as well. Besides, whenever she dated someone, even casually, the jealous crushes always came out of the woodwork. As annoying as she recalled that could be, she hadn't been on a date in several months. It couldn't get worse than it was already, could it?
Shino stared hard at her as she internally weighed the situation in her mind. Her bottom lip poked out as she sighed wistfully.
"So, you're saying... that you wouldn't enjoy going on a few dates with me?" She canted her head, leaning in to stare him directly in the face.
Shino's mouth became a hard line. At this point, he could even smell her. She smelled of some faint floral scent, rice flowers, lavender, sweet cream. It was maddening, and it took all his concentration to fight back, "I'm not saying that. I'm saying that you wouldn't really be giving me a chance." It was his only card to play, and it made her blink several times.
She hadn't considered that. Shino was an accomplished ninja, a clan ninja. He was renowned for his skills on the battlefield. All accomplishments aside, she had to admit he was a nice guy- he had to be, to have been innocently drinking in this close proximity to a woman after not having any companionship pretty much ever. An added bonus- he was mysteriously handsome without his normal gear. What harm would there be in giving him an actual chance? She couldn't think of one, other than Naruto losing his shit all over again, as he always did when Sakura dated someone else. That was normal.
"You're saying, then, if I were to request a date with you seriously, then you wouldn't say no?" She asked, her voice softened, "Because I'm willing to give it a shot."
Ugh! This was an impossible situation. What was the word Shikamaru always used? Troublesome. Shino detached his gaze from Sakura's only to find his gaze wandering to her neck, traveling over her shoulder, down to her delicate collarbone, and further still to her amble cleavage. Trouble was an accurate word for it. He felt his lower stomach tighten as he forced himself to breath, told himself to look away. Damn, why did she have to be so gorgeous, even in such dim lighting? When his gaze returned to hers, she seemed to be regarding him through half-lidded eyes. He felt his shoulders slump.
"Fine, have it your way." He managed as he tried to calm himself.
Expecting her assault to ebb, he was surprised as she lingered for several seconds, a smile creeping over her pale pink lips, "We have a deal, then?"
"Yes." He said, too quickly. Her proximity to him was taking a severe toll on his mind and body. By this point, the hardening of his groin would be obvious in normal lighting- thank goodness he'd neglected to turn on more lamps! He could feel her leg shift, and brush his own. The heat radiated from her body as she simply refused to move away from him. His mind screamed, why is she still so close?
"Then let's shake on it." The warmth in her belly from the alcohol was one thing, but the warmth below was something else entirely. He consented to a handshake, and lifted his left hand, expecting what? That she actually meant a handshake? How cute. Was she playing a trick on herself, noticing that Shino was downright attractive in this light? He seemed nervous, his dark eyes flickering occasionally away from her own to admire some other part of her body, before being controlled back to meet her stare. She knew exactly why. She'd placed herself so dangerously close to this innocent man.
Sakura reached out to take his hand withing both of her own, slid her fingers around his hand and rested several digits at the pulse point of his wrist. "Your pulse is racing, Shino."
He wasn't stupid. He knew that she was a medical ninja, and could likely read him more than he'd ever want her to. Still, he somehow managed to control his breathing for a moment.
She noticed his struggle, naturally, and gave his hand a gentle squeeze before releasing him. As she rose to her feet, he realized the sudden impact of the lack of her body there next to him- it wasn't as warm. He shivered, and hoped not visibly.
"I should be going." She said, smiling sweetly.
He nodded, clearing his throat before rising to his feet to follow her to the door. He opened the door for her, and began to thank her for visiting. Before he could get the words out, she turned to face him, halting him in place.
"Shall I look forward to seeing you on Saturday?"
He could only nod.
Almost as an afterthought, Sakura took a step toward him, rising to her toes and planting a quick kiss on his cheek that seemed to him to set his entire world on fire.
"Good night, Shino." She pivoted and strolled away into the night. He stood in place to watch her until she rounded the corner of a neighboring building, and moved out of sight. He couldn't help but notice her shape, the roundness of her hips, and how they moved with every step that may or may not have been carefully planned.
As Shino closed the door the world seemed to move around him. It took him a moment to realize that it was because every bug he was bonded with seemed to be active along the inside walls of his home, affected by his own arousal, and the presence and scent of Sakura within his home. "Really? I have to deal with this now, too?" He couldn't control it now any better than he could control his own body's reaction, so he decided to let the bugs wear themselves out and resigned himself to a shower and tension release session before a good night's rest, which he seriously doubted he would be capable of.