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~Never Forgotten~

The wind whipped across Shino's face as he steadily kept pace with the blond shinobi running beside him. It had been 2 a.m. when the emergency message had been received. Yamato's reconnaissance mission had been compromised. After hearing that his former sensei was in danger, Naruto immediately volunteered to go. Unfortunately, with both Kiba and Hinata out on an escort mission for Sand; Shino was left as the only tracking expert available to assist in Yamato's retrieval. Kakashi-sama was planning to accompany them himself when Gai stopped him cold.

"I know how you feel, old friend," he said, placing a supportive hand on Kakashi's shoulder. "But you are the Hokage now. If this new enemy heard of your involvement, they may target Yamato again in order to draw you out."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes in thought, before releasing a laboring sigh. "You have a valid point. But there are no other available ninja to-"

"With all due respect, Kakashi-sama," interrupted Shino, taking a definitive step forward. "Time is of the essence. I believe sending just Naruto and I will be sufficient for this mission."

Kakashi blinked for a second, momentarily surprised that Shino was speaking out in such a bold manner. But then again, the bug user never shied away from his duty to his fellow ninja and the village as a whole.

"Very well," the silver-haired man finally agreed. "You both leave immediately. And Naruto... Shino is in charge."

"I- but!" the blond began to protest, but Kakashi quickly cut him off. "This is not up for debate. Shino isn't as emotionally attached to Yamato as you are. He will have a clearer head when approaching the enemy."

Naruto appeared ready for a second to argue, but instead took an contemplative gaze at Shino. He could feel the determination and resolve flowing through the chakra of his friend.

"Okay, let's get going," he said at last and the pair sped off into the night.

That had been two days ago. Shino set a moderate, but steady pace for them to run as they approached Yamato's last known location. Apparently, once they were within a certain range the bug user would be able to detect the woodlice larva he had implanted into Yamato before he had left the village. Needless to say, the man had been immensely unhappy with this decision at the time. "I don't want bugs crawling around inside of me! People are creeped out by me enough as it is!" But it would seem that Kakashi's precaution paid off.

As they ran, Shino's mind couldn't help but focus on his blond friend. Naruto was considerably more subdued than he used to be on missions of this nature. But then again, they hadn't been sent on that many together over the years. Honestly, he wasn't entirely sure the blond shinobi considered him a friend at all. Shino always had a rather introverted personality. His... interesting relationship with his insects didn't help matters in the slightest. More and more, the bug user found himself mirroring their traits. He was calm, reserved, and for lack of a better word, withdrawn. He preferred to sit back and observe rather than participate. This was especially true when it came to moments of human interaction. Shino was talented in a multitude of areas, but this one always seemed to allude him. He was the exact opposite of his blond friend in almost every way, except one...

Valuing his friends above all else.

There were as precious to him as his insects, even if he did not know how to express it. Human speech was awkward, unrefined; especially when compared to the language of insects. In a colony, you are constantly reminded that you are a valued member of the collective group. For it is together that you will all either live... or die.

The human relationship known as "friendship" had always fascinated Shino. There was no equivalent to it within the insect world. And as such, the bug user longed to experience it for himself when he was a child. It had taken a great deal of effort, but eventually he had, through his teammates and by the extension the rest of the Konoha 11. And yes, Shino meant 11. He still had a difficult time forgiving Sasuke for his actions. The village had lost a great deal because of his arrogant behavior, and forgiveness had never been one of Shino's strong suits; for himself, or his friends. The insect shinobi was known as a severely loyal person. Betrayal never sat well with him in any form. And it was for those reasons, Shino was incredibly wary of considering Sasuke a 'friend' again.

Naruto on the other hand was an entirely different story. He was like a puzzle hidden within a vexing conundrum. To this day, Shino wasn't certain if the blond considered the bug user one of his "precious friends." And his doubt of it grew infinitely stronger that day, when one of his reconnaissance beetles relayed to him a startling bit of information.

But there wasn't time to address it now, the mission took precedence. Yamato's life was in jeopardy and Shino needed to focus solely on the mission.

"How much longer until we reach the campsite?" Naruto questioned at long last as they rushed through the swaying trees.

"Not long, though I'm uncertain how long it will take for my insects to detect the woodlice. I currently have them searching in a fifty foot radius of our location."

Naruto simply nodded his head in understanding. "Okay, I'll keep trying to see if I can pick up his chakra signature as well. I hope he's okay..."

"Yamato-sensei is a strong and capable shinobi. Have faith in him, we will do our best to reach him in time."

"Hai," Naruto agreed and with that the pair sped faster towards their destination.

It took over three hours to track Yamato's location after discovering his ransacked campsite. When they found him, he was completely surrounded by a large group of enemy ninja. His right leg was bleeding badly and Naruto could sense that his chakra reserve had reached it's limit. Of course, the second they spotted Yamato-sensei, Naruto was ready to simply dive in and beat the crap out of them. But Shino's outstretched arm held him back.

"There are too many at the moment, Naruto, even for you," stated Shino with his usual calculating resolve. "If they were able to harm Yamato-sensei to this extent it means they must have several high ranking ninjas within their ranks. We must identify them and take them out before we proceed."

The blond's eyes narrowed for a moment, and then turned bright gold as he entered sage mode. "Hai, you're right. There are twenty-three with large chakra reserves, they aren't even remotely tapped at this point. What do you suggest we do?"

"Divide and conquer," he answered, stretching out his arms. "I'll send out a large swarm to distract them in mass, with some chakra absorbing beetles hidden within. They will seek out the ones you identify as being strong. Hopefully, a few will be able to reach their targets and discreetly absorb a portion of their power without being detected. I'll add in a few paralytic mosquitoes to weaken their overall ranks as well. As the chaos ignites, send in a group of your shadow clones to take out as many of the underlings as possible. I'll also try to isolate the stronger fighters so you can take them out one at a time."

"Sounds like a solid plan to me," Naruto agreed with a smirk. "I take it that while this is all going on, you'll be making your way to Yamato-sensei, am I right?"

The bug user gave him a quick nod. "Indeed."

"Yosh! Let's get started then, " Naruto exclaimed as the bug user unleashed his swarm upon the unsuspecting enemy. The cloud of insects descended upon the shinobi army like a plague. When Yamato saw this, he breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that his back up arrived just in the nick of time.

Working together, Naruto and Shino were able to take care of the ninjas in a reasonable amount of time. After patching up Yamato and helping him to replenish his chakra with some of Shino's insects, they traveled for several hours to make absolutely sure they weren't followed.

When night finally started to fall, they decided to set up camp for the night. Yamato used his wood jutsu to create a secure wooden structure as a means of shelter. Exhausted, the dark-haired man released a massive yawn. Both Shino and Naruto insisted that he take an extended rest, that they would stand watch for the majority of the night. It was clear proof of how worn Yamato was from the fight when he barely protested before giving in and allowed sleep to take him.

Shino offered to take first watch, but Naruto said he wasn't tired yet and offered to sit with him for a while. It was odd behavior. Especially, considering that it came from Naruto. But Shino found it rather refreshing, to simply sit quietly by the fire with the blond, watching the fireflies float by...

But it would seem that this reflective moment was destined to be short lived, when Naruto began coughing into his hand.

"Yes," replied Shino, calmly turning to address him. "Is there something you wanted to discuss?"

Naruto blushed a bit that, realizing he wasn't acting the most subtle. "Well... yeah, about a couple of things actually... you know we haven't had much time to talk since the end of the war..."

"It is understandable. We have both had a pressing number of obligations in rebuilding the five ninja nations."

"Yeah..." said Naruto nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just I've been thinking a lot about the stuff that happened back during the war... and I kinda wanted to ask something..."

Shino said nothing in reply. He simply sat there, eerily staring at the blond through his darkly shaded sunglasses.

Naruto took a very audible gulp. "Okay, I'll take that as 'go ahead,' then. Back during the fight... you said to one of my clones that you were surprised I even knew your chakra signature... W-what did you mean by that?"

Shino turned his head back to the fire as he answered. "Naruto, it is quite apparent that you and I have very little in common. We do not socialize often outside of random encounters, and when we do, Kiba or Hinata usually acts as our buffer. To be frank, I was surprised was because you regularly neglect to acknowledge I am even present most of the time. Let alone, deem me important enough to remember a personal fact such as my chakra signature."

"Shino..." Naruto whispered, his voice ringing with hurt. "I-"

"But," the bug user acknowledged with a light sigh. "this is not entirely your fault either. I do not outwardly try to nurture our relationship. And yet... I still find myself hurt by it all the same."

When Shino turned his head back to Naruto, he was met with blue eyes positively shimmering with sadness. "Gomen'nasai. I didn't intent to hurt you this way. I know very well what it's like to feel like you are invisible. I... never meant to treat you like that my friend."

"Friend?" Shino questioned, knowing that asking such a thing would only cut Naruto deeper, but he simply wanted to know, once and for all if the blond considered him as one. "Do you truly think of me that way?"

Naruto took sharp hiss of breath. "Of course I do! You're one of my most precious friends! How could you-"

"Then why have you not discussed with me your intentions to wed Hinata?" he shot back, before Naruto could start on what was most likely going to be a long-winded speech.

"I-" he croaked out, completely taken off guard. "YOU FIGURED IT OUT, TOO?!"

But Shino's shaded eyes did not stray from Naruto's face. He wanted an answer, now! "When we were trying to pinpoint Yamato-sensei's location, one of my beetles discovered the ring box residing within your pocket."

The second the insect had relayed this information to him, Shino knew the only thing the blond could be planning to do was propose.

Naruto immediately paled as the bug user continued, "Hinata is my teammate and one of my closest friends."

"I-"

"So if you truly do consider me to be important, why did you not tell me?" Shino accused, his bugs swirling around him like an angrily brewing storm.

"H-Hold on..." came a yawning voice from behind, as a groggy-eyed Yamato walked onto the scene. "So wait... You're planning to propose to Hinata-chan? You didn't tell me that either!"

"Oh, hell!" the blond swore as his face became red as fire. "What are you doing up?"

Yamato rubbed at his deeply circled eyes. "Some stupid, *yawn* c-crow cawing woke me. So why are we the last to know?"

"I- YOU GUYS AREN'T THE LAST TO KNOW, OKAY!" Naruto yelled in defense, as the two creepy men ganged up on him.

"~PROVE IT~" Yamato demanded, his face taking on a scary look like he was about to steal Naruto's soul. "~Yes, Naruto, PROVE IT!~" Shino added, his bugs encompassing both men like a pair of vengeful demons.

The blond cowered under their gaze for a moment, before shaking it off.

Defiantly, he stood up to them with an irritated yell, "FINE! Shows what you know! I didn't tell- wait no, I told Kurenai-sensei privately after I got permission from the Hyuga Council... But then there's also! Wait no... Temari already spilled the beans to Gaara and Kankuro..."

As Naruto listed off each person, Shino and Yamato become progressively more depressed as shamelines appeared over their heads.

When the blond finally resorted to counting people with his fingers, it really became sad. "And then- no... Gama-chan already told everyone on Mount Myoboku... Oh yeah! Bee-sen-! I- no... I had Choji deliver that letter to him a few days ago..."

It was then that Naruto noticed the words: SHAME! ALWAYS FORGOTTEN! THE LAST TO KNOW! Literally hovering over his deeply shadowed friends.

"Now, now," he said with pacifying hands and a sweatdrop. "I'm sure there's... OH! YES!" he said at last, puffing out his chest in victory. "KIBA! Kiba does NOT KNOW! I'm sure of it! There, see! You guys aren't the last!"

This revelation snapped Shino and Yamato out of their stupor. Sharing a skeptical look, they quickly huddled together for a whispered meeting. "Kiba, huh?" "He is a person..."

The two then stopped and turned as one to glare at Naruto. "Does, Akamaru, know?" Shino asked in a matter of fact tone.

"I- uh..." he stuttered in reply, not expecting such a question. "Don't think so..."

This response caused further hushed discussion that sounded like, Akamaru's smarter than Kiba so that probably means he doesn't...

Suddenly, the pair stood straight up as Shino extended Naruto his hand. "Very well, we shall accept this."

"Yeah, great..." he answered, nervously shaking Shino's hand while privately wondering how bad Kiba was going to react if these guys were taking it this badly.

"So anything else you wish to tell us? I have been gone a while," inquired Yamato, sitting down with the boys for a nice chat.

The blond then briefly explained how he started fixing his parent's old house and how that led him to his decision to marry Hinata.

"Uh... Naruto..." Yamato pointed out with a sweatdrop. "You do realize that if you had just waited until I returned, I could have recreated the entire structure for you free of charge, right?"

The blond blinked at his sensei for a second before dramatically slapping his forehead. "GAHH! Duh! Wood powers, right..."

Shino let out an undignified snort and Yamato broke into robust laughter. Ruefully, the blond shook his head and joined in as well. From there, Naruto told them all about his engagement plans and how he was trying to find a way to fit all his friends in.

"In that case..." the bug user declared, his sunglasses flashing with a glint of light. "I believe it is time... to reveal to you my most treasured secret."

Both Naruto and Yamato shared a confused glance. Neither having a clue what the dark-haired man was talking about.

Suddenly, the fireflies hovering outside flew to Shino and began flashing in sync with one another. "Over these past few years... I have been cultivating, an alter ego if you will."

"Oooo-kay," Naruto answered nervously, wondering where the heck this was leading. "And that would be..."

"I am known throughout the five great ninja nations, as an up and coming musical talent," he stated as the fireflies put on an elaborate light show around him. "For you see, I am... DJ BeaTallz!"

The bug user struck a dynamic pose and moved his head back and forth saying, "Unce, unce, unce."

His friends simply stared at him dumbfounded. "Um... Shino? I have no idea who that is," Naruto admitted with a sweatdrop, causing the bug user to once again hang his head in shame.

A contemplative look graced Yamato's face, before snapping his fingers in surprise. "Oh! I think I do though! A lot of the younger kids in the village have been talking about a guy in a beetle mask playing new music at the school dances. His work seems to have caught on with the new generation in a big way."

"Really?" asked Naruto, surprised he hadn't noticed. "I'm impressed Shino, good for you! But... you don't like being in the spotlight very much. Why did you do it?"

"Yes, well," he confessed shyly, stuffing his hands back into his jacket pockets. "I have always loved music. It is an interesting form of expression and communication. I had been helping Iruka-sensei with a lesson one day and overheard that the DJ they had hired for the school dance quit. I offered my services to fill in and it just grew from there... I wear the beetle mask so that I can be a bit more removed from the situation. And well, also to keep the somewhat rabid fan girls at bay..."

Naruto snickered at the gentle blush gracing the bug user's cheeks. "I think that might actually be making it worse, man. Girls are drawn to guys they consider 'mysterious.'"

"I suppose, honestly I don't have much experience in that area," he explained with a quick cough, then decided to change the subject. "Regardless, I am offering you my services. Make of them what you will, I wish to help in anyway that I can."

The blond lightly smirked, reached out and gave Shino a brief hug. "Thanks, that means a lot. And I'm sorry if I ever made either of you feel invisible or forgotten. I never meant to... everyone just started finding out and it all snowballed from there. I know I get caught up in what's going on in my life a lot, and that I sometimes forget to listen to others. It's something I need to work on, Hinata's been helping me with that."

Shino smiled under his collar. That was something he was immensely glad to hear, for both his and Hinata's sake. "Apology accepted."

"I concur," Yamato replied with a tired grin. "Now, I don't know about you boys, but I'm going to rest for a bit more. Have a good night, and remember I want us on our way before dawn."

And with that, he left the young men alone with their thoughts. As Naruto lay down to get some sleep as well, his mind drifted to a few other things they had discussed.

"Hey, Shino... that day... during the war... that bug user guy, he was really important to you, wasn't he?" the blond asked wistfully, staring at the back of his friend's head.

"Hai..." he confirmed, "His name was Torune, and he was like a brother to me..."

"Oh, sorry I brought it up again," he mumbled feeling stupid. "Didn't mean to open old wounds."

"No... it is alright," the bug user answered in a contemplative voice. "You are my friend after all. Your worry is understandable. Hinata-chan has taught you a great deal about empathy since you began dating, hasn't she?"

Naruto couldn't help but smirk to this. "Yeah, she sure has."

"You have done her a lot of good as well. Hinata-chan is one of strongest people I know. But she has never be able to see her own innate power. She's confident now, secure in who she is... and it is all thanks to you. Always honor and love her, Naruto. That is all I ask, because you are everything to her."

"I will... if she'll have me," he whispered in response, drifting off to sleep. "I promise."

"Good..." the bug user responded to Naruto's now lightly snoring form. "Because I believe when Kiba does know, he will be far more abrasive in driving this point than I..."

And so, more of Naruto's precious people have uncovered his secret. There is only one person still remaining, who is unaware of Naruto's intentions. How will Kiba react to being the last person to know?

As always, only time would tell...

To Be Continued...

Author's Notes: AUGH! That took forever! It was really a hard chapter to write. Hopefully, I got the balance of funny vs. serious right. Shino is a very hard character to focus on, but he's also really interesting too. I thought Yamato worked as a good go between for the two, being as he's a little like Shino in the creepy department. But Kiba's chapter, oh now that is going to be fun! I've got some great plans for that one. How will he react to being the LAST TO KNOW?

"The Alpha Wolf" next time!

So, one more chapter to go before the big event! More to come soon!

And as always...

Please remember to read, fav, and review! Feedback helps fuel the muse! Feed the fanfic muse!

Japanese Word Key:

Dobe: Dead Last or Idiot

Teme: Bastard

Nii-chan: Brother

Nee-chan: Sister

Hai: Yes

Itadakimasu: It's a traditional Japanese phrase that means: "I thank you for the meal."

Otousan: Father (formal)

Tou-chan: Dad (informal)

Kaa-chan: Mother

Oba-chan: Granny

Ero-kage: Perverted (or Ero in japanese) Hokage

Arigato: Thank you

Kami: God or spirit

Chibi: Short, cute style of drawing

Baka: Idiot

Gomen'nasai: I'm sorry

Gomen: Sorry

Bento box: the Japanese term for a lunch box, or a boxed lunch of some kind.

Shogi: Japanese chess

Kunoichi: Female ninja

Shinobi: Ninja (not sure if it's just used for males though)

Sensei: Teacher

Dattebayo: Naruto's catchphrase in Japanese. It doesn't actually translate to "Believe it!" It's just an exclamation like: Yippee! or Huzzah!