Chapter 51: The Ordinary World

I stood silently beside Reno and Hayner listening to Tsunade say a few words about Asuma feeling my head fall to hide my sadness. Averting my eyes Kurenai stood beside Ren-sensei seeing them both with tears in their eyes watching her put one hand on her stomach seeing the baby bump had begun to show. On the other side I saw Asuma's students seeing Choji and Ino crying while Shikamaru stood with an emotionless face. Hearing sniffling Konohamaru stood beside Ebisu knowing that after losing his grandfather, Asuma was the only family he had left and now he was alone.

Tightening my fist, I grew angry, the life of a shinobi was hard and never ending and when you died so many people you loved are affected by it. It was moments like this I realized I'd be better alone so I wouldn't have to live through the pain nor let anyone else feel it for me.

I could see Shino standing beside his father looking back down, he wanted me to come for dinner tomorrow but what if I was getting too close to Shino, what if I or he died in battle. Would a silly relationship really be worth the loneliness and pain that came after? Kakashi didn't seem to mind being alone so maybe perhaps I didn't need someone either, after all besides Konohamaru no one really liked me anyway.

I walked slowly towards the Aburame compound sighing lightly as dark clouds loomed over head. Last night Shikamaru and his team along with Kakashi had taken off to find the ones responsible for Asuma's death. I was informed that Naruto, Sakura, Sai and Yamato would provide back up while the rest of us were stuck here to wait for their return. Otherwise, another group would be tasked to check on their progress and I hoped it didn't come to that.

Knowing how smart Shikamaru was and how strong Kakashi was I had a good feeling that they'd be fine so I decided to have faith that it would go well in the end. Seeing Shino's house in the main part of the compound various bugs were flying around along with men and women wearing goggles and sunglasses. It made me wonder if there was a reason the covered their eyes, what if they had bug eyes… I hoped not.

Knocking confidently on the door it opened quickly seeing Shino on the other end as I smiled lightly towards him. He opened the door more as I took off my shoes letting him guide me to the living area seeing his father standing calmly.

"It's nice to officially meet you Yuna, Shino has told me a lot about you… and your clan." he said as I bowed respectfully saying, "It's nice to see you too Mr. Aburame."

"Dinner is just about ready, just need to set the table." Shino said as I replied, "I can help if you'd like, it's the least I can do as your guest."

He nodded as I helped him set the table hearing his father say, "I have to say I'm surprised Shino agreed to you coming over, you're the first one who has come to visit."

"Really, your teammates haven't been here?" I asked curiously hearing Shino say, "The Aburame clan are very private and don't really socialize with others."

"I feel so honored." I said surprised as his father said, "You should be, I was all the more surprised when I learned it was a girl he was such good friends with."

"I don't see how that's relevant." Shino said seeing his dad smile lightly replying, "Of course it isn't… now let us eat."

"So, Shino tells me you hated bugs when you both first met." his father said sternly stopping from putting the food in my mouth saying uneasily, "Yes… I had been afraid of them since I was little, but I decided to work on my fear."

"To be a better shinobi?" he questioned as I smiled replying, "Well yes that and so Shino would stop trying to fight me because I was deemed his rival and nemesis."

"Thankfully you realized how foolish it is to have such a fear." Shino said making me cock my eyebrow at him replying, "And thankfully you realized I would still defeat you like I did in the Chunin exams the first time around."

He averted his eyes to me seeing a small smile on his father's lips replying, "I can see why your friends, but I wonder if there is more there."

"No just friends." I said not seeing him look towards his son and saying solemnly, "I see..."

I stood in their living room hearing Shino doing the dishes in the kitchen looking over their family photos smiling. I noticed a woman in one with brown hair and hazel eyes holding who I assumed was a baby Shino seeing his eyes were closed.

"Shino's mother, my wife died a year after that picture was taken." I heard turning to see his father standing beside me frowning.

"What happened?" I asked as he picked up the picture saying, "She was on a mission and became ill, despite the best healers she succumbed to it."

"I'm sorry to hear that." I said seeing him place it back down replying, "Shino does really care about you, but I have a feeling you know that already."

Looking at Shino's back as he cleaned the dishes I frowned saying, "The life of a shinobi is a never-ending battle, Kurenai's child is left fatherless and because of a mission your wife was taken. There is so much pain and death, so who would want to put a person through that?"

He chuckled hearing, "They say the Aburame Clan are pessimistic… you're forgetting all the joy and love that comes from caring for another."

"I know there is that too but is it really worth the bad that could come?" I asked seeing him look at all the pictures on the wall and table saying, "I believe so yes, if I had a chance, knowing how it would end with my wife, I'd still do it over again because even those few years we were together and married would still be worth it."

"I guess so..." I said while he said, "Trust me I'm sure even Kurenai would say the same thing, especially when that baby is born because that means apart of him will always be with her."

Closing my eyes, I knew in my heart he was right but it still made me feel hesitant, besides my teammates for the longest time I was alone. Now with Kakashi, Naruto, Gaara, Sakura and especially Shino they helped shape me into the shinobi I am today.

"This isn't a decision you have to make today but I hope you will at least consider what I said." he said as Shino walked into the room as I said, "I will think about it."