Hello again! I just wanted to let everyone know that I've been away but I am still working on this story (and the other Naruto fics)! This week many authors are having trouble uploading new chapters- I am one of them, and I've had to use a tricky method just to get this chapter up. If you're reading this, hooray, it worked!
This summer will be the summer of updating, so check back for new chapters soon, and don't forget to review! :) Thanks for everything!
-LovelyWrath
The morning went about as smoothly as she supposed it could, all things considered. Though she caught a few of the glances of villagers as she headed to the offices of the Hokage, she didn't feel particularly watched. However, she did make it a point not to take any of the main roads through the village, and to move quickly, all in hopes of avoiding confrontation with anyone who had attended or even heard about the party of the evening before. Not that there were a great number of attendees, but in Konoha news traveled quickly among otherwise bored and unoccupied citizens. It was a mild day, sunny and comfortable. She would surely find some way to enjoy it when finished checking in with Tsunade.
As she arrived at the office, she sighed a breath of relief as she passed by a snoozing Akamaru before she bushed through the doors. She was immediately greeted by an overly chipper office worker. "Beautiful morning, isn't it Miss Haruno?" Sakura nodded gently, and smiled a smile about a tenth of the magnitude of the one offered by the sly secretary. Weird.
"Crap." Sakura thought to herself as realization dawned on her that they'd heard something... whether they had heard facts or, more likely, some elaborate fiction, she didn't want to know. The office workers had previously never greeted her, nor paid her or anyone else much mind at all. Today was different, however. As Sakura made her way up to the Hokage's main office, she couldn't help but notice how conversations ceased upon her approach and random folks glanced her way. She hurried her pace, and upon finally reaching the Hokage's office door, she found that it swung open all of its own accord before she even had a chance to knock.
"Oh." The familiar voice said as Kakashi nearly collided with his former student on his way out, distracted by his own meanderings. He hesitated, noting her anxious stance, before sliding carefully around her, "Good morning, Sakura." He managed to state cooly before walking on. Of course, he'd seen her the night before, and he was curious, but now wasn't the time to ask, and certainly there were sneakier ways to get the intel. He grinned to himself, idly flipping open his favorite Icha Icha book as he walked away.
Sakura grew more concerned. Maybe he hadn't heard about her date. Maybe he hadn't seen her stumbling through the streets the night before, along side Shino. Maybe, and Sakura was just being hopeful here, maybe Tsunade hadn't heard anything.
Before Sakura could step into the office, another form filled the doorway. It was Kiba, and he grinned absolutely devilishly at her, "Well hello again, Sakura," he nearly sang, then waggled his eyebrows. Sakura's face flushed red at the thought of what he might have assumed happened after she left with Shino the night before.
"Hi, Kiba. How are you?" She managed, noting the glint of mischief in Kiba's eyes.
"Not as wonderful as you." He continued to grin, holding the door to the Hokage's office open for her in a gentlemanly fashion. She quirked a brow at him and strolled into the office, hearing the door shut behind her. Doors were not thick enough to muffle Kiba's snickering out in the hallway, though.
"Sakura!" Tsunade exclaimed, "I'm surprised to see you out and about. It's still a bit early, isn't it?"
Sakura shook her head, "No, not really."
"Oh, I heard you were out late, that's all." Tsunade grinned, Shizune sighed a barely audible sigh and shook her head gently. Shizune moved some paperwork from Tsunade's desk for filing.
Sakura gathered her courage, "Not too late, Shishou."
Tsnunade raised smirked, knowing full-well otherwise. "I've been hearing that you are spending time with Shino Aburame lately." Tsunade stated it with a surprised tone, as she'd never expected Sakura to go for someone like Shino. "Are you two getting serious, perhaps?" Tsunade questioned, casually, causing Sakura to blush all over again, an act that wasn't lost on her teacher.
It was nothing out of the ordinary for Tsunade to get into personal details, though, especially when it came to her student. For instance, Sakura had once enjoyed bubble tea with Shikamaru at a festival stand one spring in Konoha, and Tsunade was talking about it for months as if one snack meant impending engagement. They weren't even a good match in theory. Then there was the messenger from the sand, a ninja not a few years older than Sakura, with his jet black hair and fiery eyes.
He had offered to take her to dinner one time while he was passing through the village, and though Sakura declined, Tsunade had all but picked out baby names for their imagined future family. Sakura felt her heart drop at the thought of hearing Tsunade rattle off random details about Shino for months on end. Then again, maybe Sakura could learn something that could help him further his quest for love.
"It was nothing serious, Shishou." Sakura said, knowing full well it didn't matter what she ha to say, Tsunade would assume romance was in the air.
Tsunade rested her elbows on her desk, and her chin in her hands, propped up and staring at Sakura. Tsunade had considered that Sakura might not think it serious. But Aburame clan members didn't spend time alone with members of the opposite sex outside of a professional capacity. According to history, Aburame clan members tended to be very private, which made it obvious when one was pursuing a relationship because suddenly things would change. The Aburame in question had made more public appearances outside of work in the last few weeks than Tsunade had ever heard of. Additionally, it had gotten back to Tsunade that Sakura was allowed on the family property without even so much as a prior invitation or arrangement, which was unheard of unless she was a potential mate. Even Kiba and Hinata had not been on the Aburame property beyond the public entry area.
Sakura began to feel uncomfortable at her Shishou's staring. By her expressions and responses already, Tsunade had gathered that Sakura didn't understand the depth interest and trust that the clan had already invested in her, even if she'd so far only spent a small amount of time with Shino.
"Aren't you interested in him, Sakura?" Tsunade pressed.
Sakura pursed her lips feeling on the spot with no escape. She didn't know what to say. Interested? On one hand, she wanted to help Shino as much as she could, to find some happiness that wouldn't allow him to sink into alcoholism or worse. That was what a true friend would do, and that was her original intention. On the other hand, however, she had opened herself up to giving him a real chance, and she'd be lying if she said there wasn't a lot to desire in the boy. Shino was smart, had a veiled sense of humor, serious, hard-working, and when he wasn't hiding behind glasses and layers of clothing, he was revealed to be an actually attractive specimen of a man. He was enjoyable to be around, and she found herself thinking about him often. Lost in her thoughts about it, Sakura began to get scared. Commitment to an Aburame? Could Sakura do this? Was this something she was ready for? She wasn't sure. She wasn't even sure what it could all mean. The rules were definitely different with a clan member, something that she had yet to fully consider.
Realizing how she was not used to not being in complete control of her own emotions, let alone her own life, Sakura shook her head vigorously in response to Tsunade's questioning, although unsure and a bit startled and afraid of the thoughts in her own head.
Tsunade had seen the change in the look in Sakura's eyes as she thought it through. It was a lot to think about, and Tsunade could understand Sakura's position. In the past, Tsunade had poked fun at Sakura at any given opportunity on the subject of relationships. It was fun to make Sakura uncomfortable, and at the same time it was enjoyable to play a motherly figure in Sakura's life, as Tsunade had no children of her own. Still, Tsunade could tell this was definitely serious, despite Sakura's response to the negative.
"Well, Sakura. I would recommend you take time to think about things, and let things take a natural course. Don't be too hasty to turn away from him. You'll never know unless you give it a chance." Tsunade smiled, waving Shizune over to help diffuse the conversation. Shizune, though her expression showed shock at how maturely Tsunade was handling the conversation, complied by handing Sakura a folder of paperwork to read over, likely intel and research information, as was the norm.
Sakura nodded gently, "Yes, Shishou."
"Read those. You'll need to know some of that for your next mission. Be sure to enjoy your time off, you'll need to return well-rested for your mission in two days. "
Tsunade stated with a smile.
Sakura thanked them both before leaving, and once the door clicked shut, Shizune turned to shake her head a Tsunade. Tsunade responded before Shizune could reprimand her for meddling, "It'll be fine, I'm sure. She'll be fine, I think." Tsunade shrugged.
There he was! It hadn't taken long to sniff him out, Kiba thought as he approached his Aburame teammate.
"There you are, buddy!" Kiba announced his presence nad plopped down unceremoniously on the remnants of a fallen tree next to Shino. Shino seemed to be concentrating on controlling some insects from a long distance, and thus he was not quick to respond. Akamaru padded slowly to a nearby sunny spot on the training field and stretched out in the grass for a nap.
Kiba eyed his teammate carefully and noted Shino had finally donned his jacket and glasses again, and was sad to see them back as Kiba was extraordinarily difficult to read with all of his coverings. It was a wonder Shino would ever go without those things- the obvious catalyst was Sakura. Other than that, he appeared to be the same old Shino. Kiba couldn't help but wonder what events had taken place regarding Shino and the ever-so-lovely Sakura, who seemed just a tad bit abrasive for the likes of Shino, in Kiba's opinion.
"Sooo... what's up with you lately?" Kiba was all grins. Shino knew Kiba well enough to know what he was after- information. Shino was having none of it.
"Pollination and fertilization." Shino said, matter of factly. It was true- in fact, he'd finished with most of his assigned crops surrounding Konoha and had turned his attention to making the remaining soil more rich. He'd called in all manner of earthworms to build the soil fertility in the area. It kept him busy, concentrating and exhausting his chakra orchestrating the events- it was a true work of art to behold, or at least Shino thought so. Throwing himself into his work was also an excellent distraction from his thoughts of Sakura.
Kiba leaned in, laughing wickedly, "Oh-ho-ho, I bet you have been a busy little bee. Pollinating this and that." Kiba accentuated his comments by flipping his palm around in the air.
Shino hmphed as his skin did tinge a deeper shade of pink. Leave it to Kiba to turn his response into something dirty. Shino shook his head, "You know what I meant."
"Oh, come on, Shino! The least you can do is share some of the details..." Kiba pleaded.
Shino quirked a brow, "There are no details to share..."
"Lies. I hear you've been hanging around Sakura. That you've been to her house. That you went on a date. And.." Kiba glanced around, lowering his voice to a near whisper, "She's been on the Aburame property."
Shino was stoic, "So you've heard. It's nothing."
Kiba wanted to punch him, or pull out his hair. Something, anything. "That's not true and you know I know you know it. Spill the beans, already, because I'm not going to leave you alone until you give me something."
Shino remained silent.
"How was dinner?" Kiba asked.
No response.
"How wasted was she after the party? I know you walked her home." Kiba prodded.
No response.
"Did you stay the night?" Shino's teammate was starting to sound a little desperate for intel, and definitely was clear across the line.
Shino turned to look at Kiba, who smiled disarmingly. This agitation added to sexual frustration was not what Shino needed today, when all he wanted was a distraction from his current conundrum, not a constant reminder of it.
"You're deplorable." Shino stated with an even tone that was his staple.
"Oh." Kiba responded, picking up on the unsaid answer. "So you're not hittin' that?" Kiba audaciously prodded.
"No. We're friends." Shino responded grudgingly, although for more than just the fact that Kiba was getting under his skin.
"Okay, that makes absolutely no sense. I mean, Sakura was hot last night. Incredibly hot. She was all done-up and she's never shown up to a party quite like that before, not that I've seen. And you're saying she did herself up to hang out with you as friends? Yeah, I'm not buying it, pal, and you shouldn't be either." Kiba relaxed back against a twisted branch, shifting until a comfortable place could be found.
Shino didn't care what Kiba was buying, but he did make a valid point. Sakura had dolled up for him. The only other person he'd ever seen her concern herself with her appearance for was Sasuke, and that had been long, long ago. How Sasuke had managed to turn down Sakura's charms for so many years was a mystery to Shino.
"Her attention was all on you during the entire party, too." Kiba noted aloud. "And you were constantly aware of her, as well."
Shino turned a stinging glare at his comrade, and Kiba could feel it even through his comrade's glasses.
Kiba threw up his arms, "What? It's not like you two were any good at hiding it. It's obvious something's going on. Honestly if I didn't know you any better I would have guessed you took her home for an all-night private party. It's a shame you couldn't, being so shy and reserved as you usually are. Women don't generally go for that. They like a bad boy. At some point you'll have to man up and take what you want or that pretty pink butterfly is going to fly right away from you. Honestly, I wish I'd known Sakura was looking for lovin', I wouldn't mind giving her a shot." Kiba paused, "Maybe I will."
Shino 's eye twitched and his ire was fueled the more Kiba rattled on. Although Shino knew he was a quiet and reserved man by nature, it stung to hear his best friend claim that Shino might be incapable of taking what he wanted, and assuming he would fail. Kiba's outright declaration of an interest in pursuing Sakura left Shino's blood boiling, and he stood suddenly, startling Kiba as he began to walk away. Akamaru sat up and barked what seemed like a warning, and it reached Kiba a little too late.
"What's up, buddy?" Kiba asked quickly, feeling off-balance reclined on the log suddenly. The sudden shift in gravity was for good reason, too, because suddenly Kiba found himself sprawled on the ground, that comfortable log that he'd been perched upon completely decimated by a swarm of termites that scattered once their meal was done.
"Ow. Come on, that's not cool, Shino." Kiba said, collecting himself from the ground as his friend vanished back into the village.
Shino had never really attacked Kiba during conversation or argument before. Generally Shino just remained silent and took whatever was being said. Kiba thought it over, grinning. It seemed like Shino was easily angered at having his manhood called into question, and quite overprotective of Sakura. "Well this is entertaining," Kiba announced to Akamaru.