Author's Notes:
Thank you to everyone for being patient while I had to take care of real life.
Now I have a little more 'me' time to devote to my writing, I can finally finish up my stories in progress – which, I am super excited about.
Thanks to folks who posted their votes on which story they wish me to finish up first.
The masses have spoken and "Amongst the Daisies" will be first on the list to be finished.
A sentence in Italics denotes the private thoughts of a character.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the characters but I do know that Kishimoto is a freaking genius. I don't make a red cent off my stories. I write for myself to entertain you. Enjoy, my beautiful people, enjoy.
Into this night I wander
It's morning that I dread
Another day of knowing of
The path I fear to tread
Oh into the sea of waking dreams
I follow without pride
Nothing stands between us here
And I won't be denied
And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away
And after I'd wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear
Possession – Sarah McLachlan
Chapter 8 – Ripples of Change
The group had been tracking the attackers scent for four hours, only for the Inuzuka to announce that the scent had gone cold at the edge of the steep mountain terrain ahead.
"Calm down, Yamanaka-san. This is merely a small delay." Murmured the Aburame clan leader smoothly as the blonde man grit his teeth in frustration.
"I'm not ready to give up on finding these bastards!" hissed out Inoichi.
"I don't believe I mentioned anything about giving up. It just means we have to use another method to flush them out." Countered Shibi calmly before raising an arm out in front of him.
Inoichi took an abrupt step back when the black beetles started pouring out of the sleeve.
"Relax, Yamanaka-sama. They won't attack without their host's permission." Muttered Kiba behind the large blonde man.
"Where the hell are they coming from?" rasped Inoichi, blue eyes wide in shock as the beetles appeared from nowhere.
"I will be happy to answer any questions you have pertaining to my clan's unique abilities at a later date but now, we have more pressing matters to attend to." Replied Shibi calmly as he watched the beetles spread out and search the area.
Ibiki gave his ANBU team the signal to standby while they waited for the kikai to report back.
They didn't have long to wait.
Shibi stretched out a long finger as a lone kikai approached.
"Well?" grouched Inoichi, watching the calculating half smile peaking out of the large collar.
"Our quarry is hiding behind the stone door, which is the main entrance but they neglected to secure the air vents into the cave." Murmured Shibi, reaching behind to pull the cork out of the gourd on his back.
"Yamanaka-san, we need to step back and flank the entrance. If he's gonna do what I think he's gonna do…then they're going to be scurrying out of that cave like rats from a sinking ship." Countered Kiba in warning as the kikai began pouring out of the gourd in quick succession.
Inoichi glanced over at Morino Ibiki in time to see a chilling smile tilt the scarred corners of his lips as he gave the signal for the ANBU team to get into position.
"One word of advice. Don't start freaking out…that will ruin my concentration." Returned the Aburame with a smirk and a side glance over at the Yamanaka Clan Leader.
"Don't worry. I will keep an eye on him." Murmured Kiba with a chuckle as he put a hand on Inoichi's shoulder to keep him still.
"We're in position, Aburame-san. Go ahead." Said Ibiki with a broad grin, already relishing the upcoming entertainment.
"Where the hell are they coming from?" gasped Inoichi in horror as destruction beetles poured out of every opening of the large cloak, shrouding the Aburame in a thick noisy cloud before they shot up into the air.
"Do the countdown now, Inuzuka." Announced Shibi calmly as the beetles reached the vents.
"My pleasure." Replied Kiba with a chuckle and started the count.
10-9-8-7-6-5-4…
The sounds of panicked shouting and scurrying on the other side of the wall brought out knowing chuckles from Kiba and the ANBU team.
"Well?" asked the Aburame dryly as the hidden door slid open and terrified men came bolting out, swatting at the swarm of hissing beetles in hot pursuit.
"Sorry, Aburame-sama….Shino's time still beats yours by two seconds. You will need to pay up when you see him." Countered Kiba with a smile.
"Damn it. I was sure that I was going to beat him this time." Grumbled Shibi, calling back the swarm as Ibiki and his team secured the prisoners.
"Shino and Aburame-sama have an ongoing competition on the fastest time they can clear a room. Shino cleared the men's bathing area at the hot springs in five seconds." Elaborated Kiba for the benefit of his audience.
"Wait. Where the hell are the beetles coming from if he was only wearing a towel…." Exclaimed Inoichi before realization dawned and he fainted from shock.
"I guess he figured it out on his own…pity. I was looking forward to that explanation." Murmured Shibi smoothly, eyeing the still figure in the Inuzuka's arms.
"I'm sure that he will have some questions once he wakes up." Returned Ibiki with a smirk as the ANBU squad disappeared with the prisoners.
"Yes, I'm sure he will." Agreed Shibi with a chuckle.
-7-9-8-
"You can leave us here." murmured Shino, pausing at the outskirts of the Aburame compound.
"My orders were to..."
Kikai rustled and hummed under the surface of Shino's skin as he quietly broke in, "I am aware of what your orders were, Heron but we will be safe. They will provide escort from this point on."
Shino's lips tilted up in a semblance of a smile as his hive rippled once more under his skin, visibly warning the ANBU operative not to push it and raised a hand, pointing at the forest ahead.
Heron turned as he heard the soft tread of foot steps before a group of hooded shinobi appeared out of the darkness amid a swarm of destruction beetles.
"We will provide escort for the heir and his betrothed from here." murmured the clan member, stepping forward with a slight bow at the waist.
Heron stood, silent and alert, weighing up his options in his heads before finally agreeing and disappearing with a small flicker.
"Stubborn." muttered Shino behind his collar.
Ino nudged Shino with her elbow and replied with a grin, "Stop being so grumpy."
The lull that followed the ANBU's departure was broken up by the low humming and rustle of beetles and night insects.
"It's rare that a clan member receives an ANBU escort." remarked the cloaked Aburame clan member that had addressed the operative a few moments ago.
"I know. We are more than able to protect ourselves but the situation warranted it. The clan leader wants the security patrols to be increased around the perimeters of the compound." replied Shino with a nod of greeting to the team leader.
The leader of the group gave a nod and gestured one of his team forward.
"Alert the elders that we need to double patrols and the Heir will meet them at the compound for a briefing in the formal meeting room."
As the clan member melted back into the darkness as seamlessly as they entered the space, the group leader stepped forward and turned his head to give Ino a small smile.
A warning hum rumbled out of Shino's hive as he heard Ino give a small gasp of surprise and turned in time to see the blush come to his girlfriend's cheeks.
"You are quite beautiful and I agree with you...Shino-chan needs to stop being so grumpy." murmured the leader, a thread of admiration in his tone as he reached out to touch her hand.
"I wouldn't do that, Muta." growled Shino, feeling his hive rolling and hissing inside of him.
Muta paused, gifting his cousin a look and asked, "Why not?"
Muta gave the gorgeous blonde woman another small smile and reached out for her hand once more, only to be halted by the sound of aggressive hissing.
Muta's eyebrow shifted up past the frame of his glasses as the two kikai hovered an inch from his fingertips before a broad smile broke out on his lean features.
Their presence informed him that touching this woman would indeed be a foolish choice.
"Ahhh. I can see two reasons why you would prefer me to not touch her. I would have done the same if I was with her as well." replied Muta with a smile and another incline of his head.
Shino watched his cousin glance his way once more and felt his hive ripple under his skin in agitation.
"Shino."
Shino turned to find Ino looking at him with a mixture of concern and irritation.
"He's pretty but he's not you." replied Ino quietly as she stepped forward and rested her hand against his moving cheek.
Shino's hive rippled under his flesh and hummed as Ino pulled the zip down on his high collar and kissed him before finally pulled away, a knowing smile on her lips.
"You're jealous." murmured Ino with a smile.
Shino's hive rippled under the surface of his skin in reply.
"It's understandable. Your beautiful girlfriend is correct. I am indeed pretty. My mirror does not lie." replied Muta with a smirk as he turned and walked back into the dark wooded area.
"You're also an arrogant, roach motel." muttered Shino under his breath much to Ino's amusement.
"I've been called worse by your father...now, if you're done calling me names, I would like to get back to the compound sometime this century." drifted out Muta's voice in the night air.
Shino's hive hummed and rippled once more, unimpressed by his cousin's smart mouth.
"I like him."
Shino turned to find Ino smiling at him and felt his jealousy subside.
"I am relieved to hear that, koi because he's going to be related to you soon." replied Shino with a hint of a smile.
"Does that mean I am invited over to dinner then?"
Shino's beetles shifted and hummed under his flesh, voicing his annoyance at his cousin's question.
"I guess that is a no, hn?" replied Muta, his laughter drifting out onto the night breeze.
-8-9-5-
Shino let out a low breath as he entered the meeting room, feeling the watchful eyes of the elders on him.
The low hum of the kikai filled the air as the door closed behind him and he nodded for the group to sit.
"Where is your intended?" asked one of the Elders in the hum.
Shino allowed a tiny smile to grace his lips as he replied, "My intended is resting. Muta is on duty...he insisted."
There were some chuckles over that comment.
Muta rarely insisted on anything but for him to do so in this circumstance, was amusing.
"Your message indicated the matter was urgent, Heir." murmured one of the male Elders.
Shino turned his head and a low rippling warning hum echoed out of his hive.
"It is. My intended's apartment was broken into this evening and her possession's destroyed. They had left her a message on the wall – 'Vermin Whore'. It was apparent to me and my father that someone is not happy about her plans to join this clan." replied Shino with a hint of menace in his tone.
There were quiet murmurs of concern over this news before one of the Elders raised her hand.
"What does the Clan Leader request from us?" she asked, not bothering to hide the concern from her voice.
"He wants the patrols increased around the perimeter of the compound until we can eliminate the threat to our clan." replied Shino grimly, rising to his feet.
An angry buzz resonated throughout the room before an Elder got to his feet and replied with a slight bow, "Consider it done. We can provide an escort for your intended when you are unavailable."
Shino shook his head.
"That won't be necessary. Muta has already appointed himself for that duty. He was very persistent." grumbled Shino, more than a little irritated with his cousin.
Stubborn.
Shino got to his feet, returning the man's bow and stepped away from the table, moving rapidly to the exit.
He had done his duty to the clan.
He now needed to go back to his other duty – protecting his family.
-6-7-8-9-
Shino lay awake on his bed, his arms cradling Ino's sleeping body gently against his lean frame.
He was secretly relieved that Ino was able to settle into a dreamless slumber as soon as they got home and he put her in his bed.
The ferociousness of the attack on Ino's apartment had shaken him to the core and left him with a feeling of helplessness that didn't sit well with him.
He refused to dwell on what would have happened to Ino if she had been there when the group had struck.
For the first time in his shinobi life, he was worried about whether he was strong enough to protect the ones he loved.
Shino turned his head as the sound of the rustling of tiny wings caught his attention.
He glanced down and was surprised to find Spike perched on his arm.
"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
One corner of his mouth tilted up in a semblance of a smile as the kikai ruffled its wings once more and let out a low chirp.
'It's ok. I wasn't sleeping. I can feel your fear. Why are you afraid?'
"I'm worried that I won't be able to protect her and the children from this threat…I don't want to lose her."
Shino watched the tiny destruction beetle beat his wings in understanding.
Mercurial eyes caught the glimmer of another kikai beetle flittering in the air before it landed next to the one already perched on his arm.
Spike tilted his head to one side and let out a low hum.
'Our host is worried about the threat.'
'It's okay to be worried but life mate will be fine. We will protect her.'
Shino reached out a finger and gently stroked the two little beetles.
"I think my father may be right about you two."
Both beetles purred and rustled their wings.
'Yes, the clan leader is right. We are mean little bastards. We are proud of this.'
Ino stirred slightly as Shino laughed softly.
"No, I meant my father's comment that you two are the fiercest kikai our clan has ever seen."
Shino watched in amusement as the two destruction beetles visibly preened at the compliment.
'Go to sleep, host. Do not stress.'
'Yes, we will protect life mate.'
Mercurial eyes tracked the two kikai as they flapped their wings one more time before returning to the sanctuary of Ino's collar bones.
Shino felt strangely at ease after his conversation with the two destruction beetles but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something not right about this situation.
-8-8-8-
"What happened to spending a quiet night at home?" asked Sakura casually as she flicked through the chart in front of her.
"I got a summons from Shino that my services were required. I wasn't about to refuse." Returned Kiba with a smirk as he watched Sakura through half-closed eyelids.
"Oh? It wasn't serious, was it?" countered the medic nin, wheeling the treatment cart closer and picking up a bottle of disinfectant and a cotton ball.
"Someone vandalized Ino's apartment. Fortunately, Ino was safe with bug freak and everything that was trashed can be replaced." Muttered Kiba in an undertone.
The loud clatter of the tweezers hitting the tray reverberated in the room.
"You dropped something."
Shocked jade green eyes blinked a couple of times before Sakura let out a low growl and countered, "Thanks for the observation…baka dog breath."
"Does Morino-san have any new leads?" continued Sakura as she picked up the tweezers and resumed swabbing at the scratch with the cotton ball.
"Not yet… the information Ino managed to pull out of one of the guys who trashed her apartment yielded a little to get the investigation started but knowing how pissed Yamanaka is going to be when he wakes up – they should have some more data to work with after he's done messing with their heads."
"Oh? Did he get knocked out during the raid?" countered Sakura with a frown, putting the tweezers down and picking up the medical chart.
The medic nin glanced up, her face going slightly pink when she heard Kiba laugh.
"No, he fainted after he realized where Aburame-san was hiding his beetles." Replied the man with a toothy grin.
"Oh….oh, dear." Murmured Sakura, her jade eyes round with dawning realization.
"Yeah…well, he's going to be even more pissed when he finds out that I carried him back to the village draped over Akamaru's back and he wakes up smelling like wet dog." Returned Kiba with a knowing laugh.
"You're terrible." Muttered Sakura, biting her lip to prevent herself from laughing over the image of Ino's father draped over the large nin dog like a hunting trophy.
"And you find it as amusing as I do." Countered Kiba with a nod at the medic's hand.
"Yes. Yes, I do but I think you enjoy telling me these outrageous stories." admitted Sakura with a smile.
Kiba placed a hand to his chest, a look of mock shock on his face before he broke out into another wide grin.
"You may think they are outrageous but it's all true. Akamaru would be upset with me if I was telling you tall tales." returned Kiba, sincerity in his hazel brown eyes, reaching out to capture one of Sakura's hands, wrapping his fingertips gently around her wrist.
Sakura felt her pulse speed up as Kiba's thumb brushed softly over the underside of her wrist, causing her flesh to break out into a myriad of goose pimples.
Kiba smiled, slow and predatory as he heard her sharp intake of breath and smelt her sudden rush of arousal, sweet and intoxicating to his senses.
She wanted him...badly.
Kiba's eyes dilated in shock as he felt it...a sharp tingling in his jaw and bit back the curse forming on his lips.
Hell, he had known that it would be sudden but now.
Kami, the timing was lousy.
It was too soon for that...
Kiba pulled away, regret in his eyes.
Now wasn't the moment to press his lips against Sakura's soft pink lips and taste her a kiss at a time.
"Uh, Sakura...are we done here? I should think about heading home." murmured Kiba gruffly, hating himself for spoiling the mood.
As he watched the hint of hurt and confusion flit in and out of Sakura's expressive eyes, Kiba wanted to kick himself because Sakura still didn't understand.
Still, he wanted to make amends, even if he couldn't tell her why he pulled away when that was the last thing he wanted.
"Sorry, Sakura...I'm just tired. It's been a rough night." added Kiba, silently hoping she would realize he wasn't rejecting her outright.
Kiba felt the relief wash over him as he saw her smile, warm and understanding before she reached for a band aid off the tray.
"Of course. I'm sorry. I should have realized..." replied Sakura putting the bandaid on the scratch on Kiba's hand.
Kiba felt her fingertips lightly pressing the bandaid in place and grit his teeth, willing himself to not react.
"Uh, Sakura...after things are situated with Shino and Ino, would you like to go out?" asked Kiba tentatively, breathing a sigh of relief as she stepped back and took her hands off his body.
"Are you asking me on a date, Kiba?" asked Sakura, her cheeks flushing pink.
Kiba smiled as he watched the young woman blush.
He had flustered her...good.
"Yeah, I'm asking you on a date, Sakura. Is that okay?" countered Kiba with a wide grin, watching Sakura's face.
"Um, yes...that would be great...I mean, I would like that a lot." replied Sakura, getting even more flustered as she stepped away from Kiba and walked over to the table.
"I'm looking forward to it, Sakura." murmured Kiba as he slipped off the table and walked out the room.
Oh yes...he was looking forward to being alone with her.
-h-h-h-h-
Inoichi woke up on a strange bed with a nasty headache and feeling like he had spent the night locked up in the Inuzuka kennels on a rainy night.
"Careful. You hit your head on a rock when you fainted." murmured a voice.
Inoichi winced as he lifted his hand and gave it a tentative sniff.
He reeked of wet dog.
"You came back to the compound draped over the back of the Inuzuka's dog." confirmed the voice.
"Great." grunted Inoichi, trying to sit up.
"You really shouldn't be moving." murmured the voice.
Inoichi turned his head and immediately regretted the movement.
"Where is my daughter?" asked Inoichi, his blue eyes narrowing on the form in the doorway.
"Ino is safe. Sleeping. Shino is making sure she is resting." returned the voice.
Inoichi let out an aggrieved sigh and reached up, pushing a hand through his hair.
"Why am I here if your clan has given my daughter sanctuary?" asked Inoichi,dropping his hand to the bed to sit up.
The movement hurt but he was done resting.
"You wanted to talk...so we're going to talk but on my terms, in my location of choice. Besides, your lovely wife would be upset with me if I dumped your smelly carcass onto her sofa." replied the man still standing in the shadows.
Inoichi felt a reluctant smile come to his lips as an image of his wife chasing him through the house to the bathroom with a broom in hand.
"Yeah, you're right. I would get another knot on my head. My wife's aim with her broom is true." returned Inoichi with a low husky chuckle.
He saw the man's head move in the affirmative and then heard the rustle and hum of bugs.
"My late wife was proficient with the mop and scrub brush. If you are truly fine to move, then I suggest we get you cleaned up so you don't offend my kikai and we can have our chat." murmured the man before he turned and left his spot in the doorway.
Inoichi stared at the empty space for a few moments before he started smiling widely.
Any man who admitted that his wife took a swing at him with the mop wasn't bad in his books.
-u-u-u-u-
Inoichi glanced down at the clean yukata he now wore before he looked over at the man sitting across the low table, calmly sipping his green tea, a colorful charm swinging slowly off one arm of his glasses.
Inoichi roughly cleared his throat and murmured gruffly, "Thank you for the change of clothes. I wasn't expecting anything so...elaborate."
There was a rustle and hum of kikai before Inoichi saw a hint of a smile on the other clan leader's face.
"We don't often receive guests here...so it's a big deal. I am merely extending the full hospitality of my clan, nothing more, Yamanaka." replied Shibi, reaching for a stick of dango.
Inoichi glanced down at the richly embroidered yukata he was wearing.
When he put it that way...it seemed silly to comment on borrowed finery.
It wasn't as though Inoichi wouldn't do the same if the shoe was on the other foot.
"Stop that, you little pests."
Inoichi looked up in shock, in time to see the Aburame frowning at a small cluster of bugs crawling up the stick towards the dango.
"Those are..." started Inoichi, breaking off as he watched the man curse at the beetles once more.
"These are kikai but right now, they are little sneak thieves. They have a sweet tooth and can't help themselves. Here...take it, greedy shits." grumbled the Aburame, breaking off a piece of dango and placing in on a small plate.
Inoichi stared in wonder as the kikai stopped climbing the stick and then flew over to the small plate.
"I wasn't expecting..." began Inoichi, watching the little beetles climb over the sweet dumpling piece.
"Beetles to be so demanding and opinionated? They are an extension of us, so they adopt human traits that can be both endearing and annoying." replied Shibi with a nod at the humming kikai.
"Those two beetles that are with Ino...they seem overly aggressive." muttered Inoichi, reaching for his green tea and taking a cautious sip.
"Ahh, yes. Those two. Mean, evil little beasts." murmured Shibi with a sage nod of his head.
"I know she is expecting but is it normal?" asked Inoichi with a frown, leaning across to snag a red bean bun from a plate.
A low rippling laugh filled the night air, accompanied by the hum of beetles.
"No. Those two are a special case...thank kami. They just adore her. They would die protecting her. I got the impression from Morino-san that they would be a welcome addition to his department." replied Shibi with a small smile.
Inoichi groaned as he recalled the malicious look of delight on his superior's face.
"He's thrilled. Just another way to extract information from prisoners as far as my boss is concerned." muttered Inoichi, taking a bite out of his bun.
"And they are more than happy to provide the necessary incentive for them to give up their information." countered Shibi with a decidedly evil chuckle.
Inoichi paused, mid chew and stared in wonder at the man laughing across the table.
"You seem happy that they are vicious. Why?" asked The Yamanaka, not bothering to hide his curiosity over the answer.
"It means that our grandsons will be protected from harm. Knowing that, I can leave on missions without worry for their well being." returned Shibi quietly as the kikai let out a low hum.
Blue eyes widened in understanding as Inoichi comprehended what the other man was trying to tell him, not missing the emphasis the clan leader put on the word 'our'.
The man was right.
These children would be his grandsons also.
Kami, he was stupid but thankfully, he had friends who didn't act with their hearts and emotions first and their heads last.
"Shikaku said you would negotiate to ensure the boys both received the kikai." husked Inoichi.
Shibi nodded and replied, "Yes. It's the only way I know to keep them safe. These two kikai will ensure the boys will be able to protect themselves confidently but as the Nara probably informed you, you can prevent one of them from having his breeding pair and he knew that I would negotiate heavily to ensure that wouldn't happen."
It was Inoichi's turn to nod and murmured, "Nara said that they would be stronger as a team."
"Twins usually are more effective working together as a unit." agreed Shibi with a half smile.
Inoichi stared at the other clan leader in silence before he slowly shook his head and remarked, "Kami, Aburame...I'm an idiot. Can you forgive me for my stupidity?"
Inoichi smiled as he heard the man chuckle.
"Yamanaka...you are here. We are talking. I would take that as a good sign, wouldn't you?" replied Shibi with another half smile.
Inoichi nodded in agreement.
Yes, he took it as a good sign. A promising sign of the future relationship between him and this man.