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An Awkward Date In Konoha

A Shino Aburame X Gender Neutral Reader Fanfic

Words: 2,457

A/N: This took so long, happy I got it done!

Descrition: Today's supposed to be your first date with Shino, but something comes up...

Under a cool morning sunrise in Konoha, you slowly fold the note into a small square, and devolve into a coughing fit. You had prayed that this sickness would go away through the night, but it had just gotten worse with time. You wished you felt the way you did when Shino Abarame asked you out the day before, all giddy and excited, and able to breathe through both of your nostrils. But now, even getting out of bed and running this small errand hurts everything in your body, there’s no way you could show up, even if it was your first date. Now the pretty, new green dress that you and Hinata Hyuuga picked out for this special occasion (in secret of course) would probably grow stale in your closet for who knows how long until Shino forgave you.

Sighing and holding back tears, you slump your way out of your apartment, and down the hall. Two doors down was the infamous Naruto Uzumaki, a moderate acquaintance of Shino’s. You slid the note under his door and knocked, before retreating to the bacteria-filled uncomfort of your apartment. You grab a glass of water, and head back to bed, wishing to be unconscious and thus free from your thoughts. Crashing onto your bed sends sharp pains throughout your entire body, as if somebody had run into you. Luckily, you fall asleep quickly.

(...)

Under the warm sun of the afternoon, Shino dodged the hands quickly, narrowly avoiding them before getting lightly tapped in the chest. Luckily, Hinata wasn’t using her Gentle Fist jutsu, or he’d be left unconscious at best, and at worst… Well, he didn’t want to picture ruining the rest of his day, or even the rest of the month.

“Good aim, Hinata. You’re getting quicker.” He remarked.

Hinata smiled warmly. “Thank you, Shino!” She posed herself rigidly again, signaling a call to get back to training, when…

“HEEEYYYYY!!!!! SHHIIINNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” called an abrasive voice. Hinata and Shino turned to see Naruto jumping between trees, and eventually down to their level. “Shino, Shino! Y/n left me this note, it says they can’t meet you tonight because they’re super sick. They wanted me to pass on the message.” He held up a folded note as proof of concept.

Shino froze, although this went unnoticed by Naruto and Hinata. How could this be? He had prepared so much for today, how could this happen? His bugs stirred beneath his pale skin.

“Give me the note, Naruto.” Shino demanded.

“Well, okay then.” Naruto said, slightly puzzled. He handed the note over to Shino, who snatched it from his hand. Shino carefully unfolded the note and read to himself,

Naruto,

Please tell Shino that I cannot meet him tonight, I have caught an awful sickness. You may be busy, but please tell him as soon as possible, I don’t want to keep him waiting. And tell him I’m terribly sorry for the hassle.

Y/n

Shino’s hive buzzed with mixed emotions. He knew now that you were being genuine, the handwriting was uncharacteristically large and filled with loops and holes. And the note was blunt and quick, when normally you love to talk on and on about little things, much like he does his bugs. How awful, such a sweet and caring shinobi did not deserve to be infected this badly. He had to do something. He still wanted to make you happy, to see you giggle like you always did. Shino would treat you right. It would be difficult, nerve-wracking, and a little embarrassing, but he had to do this for you.

“Naruto, where does Y/n live?” Shino asked, refolding the note and putting it into his jacket pocket.

“Uh, like two doors down from me, so like 307 in my complex-” Naruto started.

“Thank you.” Shino nodded, and turned to Hinata. “Hinata, I’m sorry, but I must go. Have a nice day.” With that, Shino was gone, rushing through the trees to get back to the village as soon as possible.

“What’s his deal?” Naruto said, as puzzled as always.

“He…probably just wants to see them and re-make plans.” Hinata smiled innocently. She knew what stirred between Shino and you, but kept quiet about her esoteric knowledge.

(...)

Shino shouldered his bag with little effort up to the third floor, and walked down the hall to find your room. In his hands, he held a large cooking pot, fit for a good stew. He stopped before your apartment, and to his dismay, he heard soft sobbing from the other side. The bugs were restless now, he could hardly keep them all together. Are they crying for me? He thought guiltily. Although he would normally knock when visiting another home, this time he just opened the door, desperate to help with any of your issues. You didn’t notice anybody enter, you kept crying as Shino lightly put down the pot, his shoes and his bag before stopping at the doorway to your bedroom. Your floor was home to empty tissue boxes, as you laid on your stomach, crying into your soggy pillow. A symptom of being madly in love, you wished for him always, to be with him out to dinner, or just in the forest cuddling and looking at the wildlife. All those wishes were now delayed for who knows how long, just because your feeble body fell ill at the wrong time. Will Shino ever forgive me? You worried. He is the type to hold lots of grudges. Shino stood in the doorway for a moment, working up the courage to call out to you. He, too, desperately hoped to see you today, and now more than ever he wanted to hold you tightly and whisper sweet nothings to you, you humming into his chest as you fell asleep together in the woods.

That could still happen, Shino had to remind himself. But right now, it’s about making Y/n happy here. Shino breathed deep, tried to compose himself and his bugs, and muttered… “Y/n?”

You jolted your head up instantly, as if your pillow had become magma. You turned around slowly to see the man you had just failed, standing in your doorway. “Shi…Shino���” you stutter, before breaking into painful wails. You felt so disappointed in yourself.

“Y/n…” Shino stammered nervously, rushing to the side of the bed.”What is wrong? Is everything okay?”

“Oh, Shino!” You sob. “I’m so sorry! I know…I know today was supposed to be important and…and I’m so sorry that I’m sick… and…” You break into a small coughing fit.

“Y/n, the day isn’t what’s so important to me.” The hive buzzed almost as loudly as your wails. I have to do this now, for them.

“You are what’s important to me, Y/n. I love you.”

“...Really?” You ask, sniveling and holding your breath, waiting for someone like Naruto or Kiba to undo a transformation jutsu and laugh at you.

“Yes, I want to care for you.” Shino held back, not wanting to express everything just yet. He didn’t want to move too fast for you, or even himself. This is about you right now. “Come into the kitchen, I have things for you. When you are ready, please join me.”

Shino lowered his head, turned around, and went to the kitchen, leaving you alone to process what happened. He loves me? He really loves me? And how can I say it back after he did it so well? You coughed aggressively, hoping to just cough away all your tears. You got up and went to the bathroom to brush your hair and look at least okay to Shino.

Meanwhile, Shino put the pot to boil on the stove, and started chopping some vegetables to distract himself, to no avail. His kikaichū crawled up to his fingertips and surrounded the cutting board as he thought about you, some hovering over the stew, impressed with what their master began to create. Did I do it right? He thought, as more bugs escaped from his protection. That must’ve been so embarrassing. I should’ve waited, I really should’ve waited. But…I just want to make them happy… He slid the vegetables from the knife into the pot, and began to season the stew he prepared.

With a small cough, to politely alert your presence, you step cautiously into your kitchen. Shino turned around, his face lowering once again, now a cute shade of pink, and gathered all his bugs that were on the counter. Shino had made the table, put his mission bag neatly on your couch, and seemingly cleaned the counters, all while you tried your hardest to look even presentable.

“Wow…Shino…” You’re completely stunned. “Everything looks great! This is unbelievable…”

“Please believe it.” Shino blurted as he approached his bag, although he couldn’t quite believe it himself. “I have gotten some things for you while you’re sick, I hope you appreciate them.”

Shino motioned for you to come closer, and unpacked his bag. Your jaw drops as he lays out the items he got: multiple boxes of tissues, many different flavors of tea bags, a thermometer, and a massive blanket, much bigger than your actual bed or couch. Shino’s bag deflated as he turned to you, anxiously waiting for a response. You approached your couch and ran your hand across everything Shino had gotten for you. Oh my…he had gotten all this because I said I was sick? And it’s…real? He really loves me? You thought, as your hand made its way to the blanket. It was incredulously soft, you felt tired even touching it.

“Shino…” You begin. “Shino, this is all so wonderful, it’s hard to believe. Thank you…thank you one thousand times over. It’s all so lovely, and coming from the man I love too…thank you, Shino.” You approach Shino and give him a weak hug, partly to not disturb his standoffish nature, partly because your body couldn’t handle anything stronger. Surprisingly, Shino did not hesitate in hugging back, both of your faces flushing.

“Thank you, Y/n.”

Your body melted into his, attracted to its natural heat. Shino pressed his cheek against the top of your head, kikaichūs humming beneath his skin, before quickly tensing. He broke away from the comfort of your body and noticed some bugs swirling above you. He walked back to the pot and seasoned it more, stirring it lightly, and then taking it off the stove.

“The stew is ready. You can sit down.”

“Oh, thank you Shino.”

You sit down at your own dining table as Shino takes your bowl and fills it, before carefully setting it down before you. The stew is coloured a comforting orange, filled with small green bits of leaves and other vegetables. You take a spoonful as Shino joins you with his own bowl.

“Wow, Shino…this is amazing! So warm, so smooth, do I taste winter melon? You’re such a good cook!” You compliment as the stew flows through you gracefully. It was cooked to perfection, with zings of winter melon that wonderfully coated your mouth.

“Thank you.” Shino said softly, looking down at what he created, a microscopic smile contouring onto his lips.

As you both ate, you continued with light small talk about Shino’s entomology work, but you still felt like you could’ve coughed up an organ or two. As much as Shino’s presence was comforting, he couldn’t quite cure your illness. As coughs shivered down your entire body, making you eat more stew to balance the temperatures, you noticed Shino always grimaced and looked away whenever you did so. You decided not to say anything, but you couldn’t help but wonder if you being in pain also pained him too.

When you both were finished your meals, Shino took the bowls over to the sink and began to wash them.

“Shino, you don’t have to do that…” You start.

“I want to, Y/n. Please, let me.” Shino continued to wash the bowls.

“Okay…but next date I get to treat you, and there’s no escaping that; okay?”

“You considered this…a date?” Shino said cautiously, lightly blushing.

“I liked to think of it as one…is that okay with you?” You ask, his shyness passing onto you.

“If you believe it to be a date, that is okay with me. We were supposed to have a date today anyways.”

“Do you wanna have another?” You say without thinking.

“Yes, please. We can have a picnic.” Shino responds, also without thinking.

Shino drastically raised his eyebrows, and you began to giggle. No way we both just blurted that! That’s so cute! You think as your giggles transform into coughs, and reform into giggles again, all while making you colder and colder. Knowing Shino’s uncomfort, you try to hide it as you respond;

“Oh, that’s a lovely idea! I’ll wear something really nice and formal!”

“Yeah…thank you.” Shino kept his head down and washed the already clean bowls. Did I really just say that? I guess they’re on my mind too much. Shino thought as he ran through the scenario in his head multiple times over, before realizing the bowls were well beyond clean. He dried them off and put them back, all while hiding his increasingly red face.

“I should get going now.” Shino announced, grabbing his bag and slipping on his shoes. “You need to get some rest, you’re cold.”

Of course he noticed, dammit. You grumble mentally. “Okay then, when do you want this date?”

“Well…once you’re better, and whenever you’re free, well, when would you want that?” Shino started for the door.

“Shino, you give me a date. I want to treat you too, remember?” You remind the timid boy.

“...I would prefer next week exactly.” Surprisingly, Shino smiled brightly, seemingly accepting that being treated was unavoidable.

“Alright, I’ll mark it down. All good?”

“Yes, thank you very much, Y/n.” Shino opened the door. “Please get some rest, you need some.”

“I will, Shino, don’t worry. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Y/n.” Shino turned away quickly and closed the door behind him.

(...)

It was a perfect end to the day. The tea was just warm enough, with a perfectly mild melon zest to it. Taking a few pills along with it, you melted into your new blanket on the couch. It was gigantic, much bigger than what your actual couch, but it was just fine anyways. While carefully holding the teacup so as to not burn your fingertips, you were able to feel comfortable and refreshed at the same time, all while looking at a warm Konoha sunset out your apartment window. While enjoying everything that Shino brang to you, you slowly, yet calmly fall asleep thinking of him.

Thanks so much for reading! <3 Feedback is always appreciated, positive and negative!

[dira333]

The Road Not Taken - part 20 (The End)

Shibi x  female reader with a name - arranged marriage

Summary: Airi Nara seems a hopeless case, until her grandmother sets her up for an arranged marriage. But was marrying Shibi Aburame the right choice after all?

Masterlist ; Character sheet (now with Hito)

THIS IS THE FINAL CHAPTER! WE MADE IT!

- 5 years after the Uchiha Massacre -

Natsu hasn’t spotted him yet, too distracted by a flock of birds.

“Oi, Shino!” Naruto points out, as usual too loud for the situation he’s in. “Someone’s waiting for you.”

Most of the kids turn to look at Naruto now instead of Shino, who’s slipping out of the crowd almost unnoticed. His shoulders are tense as he walks over, the tension not letting off even as Natsu does her best at climbing up his leg.

“I missed you!” She tells him. “It was boring at home.”

“Did you do your training?” Shino asks and she pouts.

“Course! I’m so strong I can totally kick your butt.”

“Ah,” you drag a hand through her hair which usually makes her let go of whatever she’s clinging to. 

“What?” She asks, turning back. “I didn’t say ass.”

Shino grins into his collar, you can tell. You sigh.

“What did you do today?” You ask over Natsu’s chatter as you make your way home.

Shino’s classes run later than Natsu’s and although picking him up is a rather untimely break, you don’t mind doing it once or twice a week. Natsu’s easily distracted as it is, and that little break is often what she needs to focus for two more hours

“They told us what teams we’ll be getting into,” Shino tells you quietly, his hand slipping into yours as you make your way through a quiet alley, a gesture reminding him of how little he used to be.

“Really?” Natsu squeaks to your feet. “Who’s going to be your Sensei?”

“Kurenai.”

You furrow your brows. Kurenai’s known for her use of Genjutsu. Not the first choice for an Aburame.

Shino senses your hesitation. “I’ll talk to Father about it,” he replies. 

“Who else is going to be in your team?”

“Kiba Inuzuka.” He pauses. “And Hinata Hyuuga.”

Ah. You can tell by the arch of his shoulders where the problem lies.

Natsu, not the least bit attentive, doesn’t. She rambles on, jealous that he’s going to get to be in a real Genin Team now while she’s just started attending Academy, that he’s going to be spending time with an Inuzuka - they have dogs! - while she trains with Kaede of all people.

But you know your son. Sometimes better than his father, it seems.

-

“What’s the problem with it?” Shibi asks after Dinner in the privacy of his office, the kids doing their homework on the other side - or rather Shino’s helping Natsu do hers.

“It’s Hinata. Hinata Hyuuga. He has a crush on her.”

Shibi drops his pen. “What?”

“Yeah, didn’t you notice?” You lean into him until he moves his legs a little apart, lets you take a seat on his lap. Over six years of marriage have not made you long less for his touch but even you’ve noticed that you’ve been exceptionally cuddly these past weeks.

“No,” he admits, pulling you a little closer. “Did he tell you?”

“Well, yeah.” You close your eyes for a second, reveling in the closeness. “I figured it out and talked to him about it. She’s really sweet, but apparently she’s head over heels for Naruto.”

“Poor Shino,” Shibi sighs. “I know that feeling.”

“Excuse me?” You lean back again to eye him. “When did you experience that kind of thing?”

“Well,” he pulls a face. “I did have a life before Zoka. There was this girl in my class… Looking back I can only be glad she never knew I liked her, but she was really into…” He stops, furrowing his brows. “I forgot his name.”

You laugh. “Well, let’s hope Shino will experience something similar. Do you…” You hesitate. “Do you plan on arranging a marriage for him as well?”

Shibi’s head knocks heavily into yours. “I was thinking about it. Chiasa brought it up. It’s too early for that yet, but I might talk to him about it, just so he knows.”

“He might not take the offer.”

“Yes,” Shibi nods. “He might not. But it’s his decision. Why? I won’t force him into something he has no desire for.”

You sigh. Your eyes wander over his desk, not really looking for anything but a distraction until they catch onto the picture pinned to the wall. Natsu, barely six months old, had wanted out of your hold so bad her arms and legs are blurry from the movement, but it’s not her your eyes latch onto. Behind her, body covered from head to toe, is Torune, smiling at the camera.

You still wonder about him daily, but the pain has lessened over time.

Shibi, sensing the shift, leans in to kiss your temple.

“How about we take a nice bath after the kids have gone to bed?” He asks. “Celebrate the fact that you put on some weight again.”

You laugh despite yourself. “That’s not usually a thing to celebrate.”

“It is to me.”

And you know what he’s thinking about, the time of your life you barely remember, when all you did was sleep and cry. 

You suppose he’s right. Sometimes these things are worth celebrating.

- - -

It’s a rare treat to go shopping on your own and not just for necessities.

Shibi’s on a mission that should only last one day, Natsu’s training with Chiasa right after school and Shino’s training with his new Genin Team, leaving the house quiet except for the purring of Okita 

Sure there’s things to do, like there always are. The laundry needs to be folded, the garden needs tending, but nothing is urgent and you’re craving a little window shop.

They say to never go shopping on an hungry stomach, but the same might be true for the opposite. 

You find sweets for you and Natsu, a little trinket Toshiko will cherish, and the most practical gift you could possibly get Shibi - a multi pack of new boxer briefs - until you make your way through yet another store, remembering that you’ll need new toothbrushes soon.

You take a turn to the left and stare at a display of pregnancy tests, all but snorting at the price.

With a little bit of Chakra you can do that for free and since the aisle is empty, you do just so, proving to yourself that you might be a little rusty at the edges, but not that much.

The result has you freeze in surprise, hands still splayed out over your abdomen.

You try again. The result doesn’t change.

-

And it’s not like you changed your mind about having more children after Torune was taken away, but it had not been on the forefront of your mind anymore.

Grief had been. And then getting better.

The tea Chiasa had gotten you had moved to the far end of the cupboard, replaced by other, more needed things. A tea to soothe Natsu’s upset stomach or the fever she ran when teething. 

To find out you’re pregnant again, at a time like this, in a place like this… You can’t help but laugh.

- 

Natsu looks at you weird when she returns from her grandmother.

“Why are you smiling like that?” She asks, stomping adorably through the room to join you in the kitchen. 

“I’m happy. Are you not?”

She harrumphs before taking a seat at the table, launching into a detailed explanation of today’s training, the bugs and birds she had seen and all the reasons why she needed to get a puppy.

Shino, much like his sister, halts at the door to eye you.

“You seem very happy,” he points out, sliding out of his shoes.

“I said that too,” Natsu exclaims, eager to show off.

“I am,” you explain simply, inviting him to the table. “Can you help me with the beans?”

“Did you get to pet Akamaru today?” Natsu asks before Shino’s even sat, disappointed when his answer is no.

You eat Dinner without Shibi, sadly a not so rare occurrence.

Natsu settles on the living room floor after Dinner to play with a lazy Okita while Shino curiously sidles closer on the Couch.

“Did something happen?” He whispers, mindful of his sisters nosiness.

“Yes,” you agree. “But I will have to tell your father first.”

Shino watches you for a second, his sunglasses giving nothing away. Then, just barely visible, his mouth quirks upward before he leans in to whisper even quieter into your ear.

“I hope this time I will get a quieter sibling.”

You snort, waving it off as a bad joke when Natsu perks up immediately.

“I know a joke!” She exclaims at that, sitting upright. “Where do the cows go to have fun?”

“Where, Natsu?”

“To the Moovies! Get it? Because they Moo!”

You laugh along with her, praising her for it. 

She goes back to Okita after a while but Shino sticks close until he falls asleep with his head on your shoulder.

He’s grown so much, but he’s still your little boy after all.

- - -

Shibi takes one step into your bedroom before he halts.

“What happened?” He asks, his coat half open.

You laugh. “Why does everyone ask me that today? Is it hat obvious?”

“You’re glowing,” he comments before flinching back. “No!” He gasps. “Can it-”

“Yes,” your smile turns shy now, a hand pressed to your belly. “I went to the hospital to triple check. I’m two months along already.”

The sound Shibi makes sounds both like a sob and a sigh and he rushes over to cradle the barely there bump in his hands.

“So that’s the weight you put on,” he points out quietly, hands caressing the skin above the new life growing.

You rake a hand through his hair, overcome with too many emotions to talk.

He understands nonetheless.

“Do you want to call him Torune, if it’s a boy?” His voice is quiet, unobtrusive.

“No,” you shake your head, your voice tight. “No, I don’t… I don’t want to replace him. Torune will always be my son. If it’s a boy, he will be his own little person.”

Shibi nods, pressing a kiss to your stomach.

“Welcome,” he whispers. “We’re very eager to meet you.”

“Shino already knows,” you tell him once he’s settled in behind you, one hand cradling your belly.

Shino huffs out a laugh. “He’s too perceptive.”

“Do you want to tell Natsu?”

He laughs louder. “No, I know my limitations. That’s all yours.”

-.- Shibi -.-

Hito Aburame steps just as quietly into the world as he’d slipped into your life.

One day you’re still pregnant, your belly heavy, the next he’s there with you, watching the little carved antlers move above his bed.

You gave birth at night, a quiet, quick affair, Shibi’s hand tight in yours as Chiasa watched.

Hito has his fathers Kikaichu, your eyes and Shino’s quietness, charming his way into everyone’s heart, even that of stubborn Natsu who had been adamant not to like him.

“He’s very cute,” she admits just two days later, carrying him from one room to the next. Every thought of a puppy is forgotten when he blows bubbles at her, holds onto her pinky with his tiny fists.

-

Hito’s presence is sorely needed.

He’d been worried sick these past months.

The third Hokage has been killed, the attack almost taking Shino as well.

You’d watched him for days until the poison left his system, one hand on his, the other on your growing belly.

It had been a new fear, though not unfounded. He’d almost lost you over Torune, he doesn’t want to think what losing Shino would do to you.

The life of a Shinobi is hard, every mission might be your last. 

But Shibi can’t help but think that the life of a parent is harder, knowing that no matter how hard you train your children they might not make it home one day.

And what world, he can’t help but wonder, what village, expects their children to fight the battles of grown ups?

- - -

The years pass.

They celebrate Shino making Chunin by visiting the bath house, a rather ironic celebration giving the fact that both Shino and him have to stay out of the water lest they overheat.

Hito doesn’t seem to mind the heat but you don’t dare risk it at his young age while Natsu dives into the water from every angle possible.

“Torune would be proud of you,” you tell Shino after Dinner, your voice thick with emotion. 

Shino’s hand curls around yours and his, joining them together.

His son rarely smiles but tonight, he seems content.

-

Natsu’s Genin team consists of her, a quiet, massive Taijutsu User named Kenta Akimichi and the stubborn Genjutsu prodigy Umeda Daisuke, a clanless boy Natsu never stops complaining about.

“She’s got a crush on him,” you comment one rainy afternoon after Natsu’s stormed out to train, her tirade over Daisuke still ringing in their ears. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

“Poor Daisuke,” Shino comments from where he’s packing his bag for a mission. “He doesn’t know what’s going to hit him until it’s too late.”

You laugh, both at Shino’s comment and Shibi’s awkwardness, his unwillingness to think about his little girl growing up.

“How about you?” You ask, pinching Shino’s cheek, lifting Hito up so he can do the same, the toddler clinging to you every waking hour. “Any girl worth crushing on?”

Red dusts Shino’s cheeks and Shibi straightens, trying not to pry.

“I’m fine as it is,” Shino points out. “I want to make… I want to make you guys proud.”

“I am proud,” you tell him, conviction heavy in your voice. “So, so proud.”

“Still,” Shino shakes his head. “I’m only eighteen. Who knows what’s going to happen in the next year or so? Naruto just came back and you know how he makes everything…”

“Interesting?” You offer at the same time Shibi mutters a quiet “Complicated?”

Shino shrugs.

“If you want me to look for someone-,” Shibi offers but Shino waves him off. “No, no, I’m fine.”

Shibi catches your eye. He knows that look and sighs. A little looking around won’t hurt.

- - - After the Shinobi war - - -

Shibi finds you at the hospital, not surprised to see you up and working even at midnight, a sleeping Hito tied to your back. He’s too old to be carried around like that, but the times are rough and he knows you wouldn’t leave him to sleep in some room when there might be a new attack any minute.

You pull him in for a hug the second you see him, your clothes just as drenched in blood and dirt as his.

“You’re alive,” you cry into his chest and he nods, eyes closed, relieved to be just for one second.

“Who did we lose?” You ask moments later, voice shaky as you brace yourself.

“Muta,” he watches you crumble at the name, holds you tight as you cry into his chest. All the other names will follow, but this one hurts the most. Toshiko’s your closest friend and Muta nothing less than your nephew, just another big brother of Natsu.

Shibi hasn’t heard of Shino yet, just knows that he’s alive.

-

Konoha does what it does best.

They rebuild itself from the dirt and the ashes, from the tears and the blood.

Natsu is quieter now, a constant companion to a grieving Kaede, sitting hours on end with him and little Hito as she ponders the injustice of the world.

Muta had been a person she knew, one she loved dearly. It’s the first death, the first loss she can really grasp.

Torune’s death hits you much harder, though not as hard as him saying goodbye all those years ago.

So much has happened in so little time that it seems almost comical that their house is still standing, their garden’s almost untouched from all those fights.

-

“Let’s come together,” you ask one Sunday morning, the first you get to spend at home after doing double shifts at the hospital all week. “Under the pear tree.”

The Blanket you spread out on the ground is one he knows well, the one you gifted Torune all those years ago, the one your parents made for you.

Hito settles quietly in your lap, the others following shortly.

Chiasa, Toshiko, Kenji and Kaede arrive as if pulled in by your shadows, settling in the soft shade.

It’s quiet outside, just the rustling of the wind in the leaves, not even Natsu utters a word as she lets Kaede sit close, shoulders brushing.

A shadow brushes past the edge of the house, blindingly blond hair reflecting the sun.

“Hi,” Naruto stands there awkwardly. “I wanted to- Is it okay if I-”

“Sit,” Shino motions toward a free corner to his right and Naruto waves at someone behind him who turns out to be Iruka. 

The blanket is pretty much full now but you look around as if waiting for someone. Maybe you are.

“When I was dreaming in the Infinite Tsukuyomi,” you say into the quiet of the morning. “When I was dreaming, I saw us like this. Sitting together under this pear tree. My parents were there as well. Jurou and Zoka, Torune and Muta.” Toshiko sniffles loudly and you smile at her, taking her hand to squeeze it.

“And we didn’t have to do much. We just were and we were happy like this. And I think we can be like that, still.” Your eyes find Shibi’s and you smile, sad and happy at the same time.

“After all, no one’s truly dead unless they are forgotten.”

- - -

It’s only hours later, in the quiet of the night, that you shuffle close, your head coming to rest on his chest.

“What are you thinking about?” You ask.

“Everything and nothing,” he admits. “Torune, Muta, Shiruko. Zoka, too. The girl… The girl I found for Shino, if he wants it. Who’s going to be Hito’s Sensei when it’s time. Should he even become a Shinobi?”

“I thought you didn’t like thinking about the road not taken?”

“I don’t,” he sighs. “But my mind won’t let it rest.”

“Would it help you,” you ask then, “If we went down it together?”

He considers it for a second, your hand in his, his hand in yours.

“Always.”

THE END!

I am so proud of this story. This took some twists and turns and I'm sure it did not answer every question, not that it needs to. You won't get answers to every question in your own life either, sadly.

I modeled the events of the Shinobi War to what I know from the Naruto Wiki - so I didn't spend as much time on Torune's and Muta's death as I could have.

What do you think, though?

Will Shino accept an arranged marriage like his father?

What side character deserves a long story like this (and why should it be Nagato? 😉)

Or do you have any other thoughts you want to share? I'd love to hear it.

Thank you for all the support you've shown this fic. Shibi, Shino and the whole Aburame Clan are, after all, side characters. Often forgotten. But our love for them unites us in this corner of the interweb.

taglist: @burningbluegalaxy @sammieshuttle97 @mellophoned @theferretkids

@diamondtrashbag @sarisfae @elliotintgewoods

@c-cozylove @f1girlie @cutiepattotie @neonrogueraven @sage101

@gloriouschaosprincess @urgaeheh @kitty262 @gacha-gods-hate-me

@hey-ginger-pyro @imeatingyourfloorboards @theshortmuffin07 @oldanimefan @shadowwolf202101blog

[old-danmei-fan]

Holy crap, I wrote this way faster than I thought I would. It started as just some Shino drabbles and morphed into a kinda fic? I'll get it rewritten into a fic with better dialogue since I didn't have any in the first half lmao

Anyways, no warnings besides a little bit of alcohol and bets. It is also sfw. I tried to make it gender neutral and there's no description of the reader's physical appearance. I am open to feedback so please let me know if you've got tips or suggestions for me!

Enjoy ☺️

When you meet as kids, shino is standoffish. He figures you're going to be grossed out or scared of his Kikaichū so he's a little shocked when you don't run away the first time you see them.

You keep coming up to him to just stand next to him and talk even though he doesn't respond much or volunteer any info of his own. You figure he's not telling you to go away so he must not mind your chatter.

You'll tell him about the most mundane parts of your day, about the flowers you saw starting to bloom, or even how you're craving a certain treat your mom made when you were a child. Shino will just stand or walk quietly with you, absorbing every little detail you give up to him.

You only realize Shino is actually listening and not just humoring you when he brings you your favorite treat after he notices you're having a rough day.

After that, you become inseparable from each other outside of missions and other duties. When you aren't training with your team, you go find Shino to train with and vice versa. Whenever you both have time, you'll go grab something to eat together when you're done with training.

Now that you two are friends he doesn't stop talking as long as you show interest in what he's saying. He still makes sure to pay attention to you when you're talking as well and will now interject with questions to keep you talking, no longer making you have a one way conversation.

As you get older and become older teens and even young adults, Shino becomes more and more protective of you. He's not sure why he feels the need to do so, but he figures it's because you're his best friend and that's what friends do.

Realistically, he knows you're a skilled and strong Shinobi, so why does he always feel the urge to step in for you when he knows you don't need him to?

All of your friends can see how close you and Shino have become over the years. They all know you two aren't actually dating, but there are most definitely bets going on about when it will actually happen.

When the Konoha 12 get to go out together, you two find that you gravitate to each other. Even when you drift away in separate conversations, you end up next to each other again eventually.

Shino is always the one that makes sure you get back to your house and in the door safely. As soon as your door starts opening he tells you to have a good night and off he goes.

He really wants you to ask him to stay so you can just hangout together and talk more outside of the noisy bar, but he doesn't want to be rude and ask you to come in.

One time while you're away on an extended mission, Shino and the rest of the of the 12 still in the village, go out to their usual bar for drinks. After a few rounds, Kiba decides to do a little light hearted goading and ask Shino if you two have decided on a date for the wedding.

Shino is more confused by this question than any other question in his life. Why would you two be getting married? You're best friends and he's positive you don't see him that way since no one else in the village ever has.

Kiba apologizes and explains everyone has just assumed you were dating since you're always together and have never shown romantic interest in anyone else throughout the years.

The rest of the night continues on like normal, Shino staying sober and keeping an eye on the rest of the group as they continue drinking. It's not as rowdy tonight as it normally is though so Shino finds himself thinking about your friendship over the years.

He thought about how he always looked forward to your training sessions together, walking you home everytime he could, the way he could tell you were having a bad day by the look in your eyes and how you slightly slumped your shoulders, the way he knew that surprising you with some chai or pastries would bring a smile back to you face.

A face that he just now realized that he misses terribly when you or he are away on missions. A face that brightens his day when he sees you crest the hill leading to the training grounds.

It's like a lightbulb goes off and Shino's eye grow wide behind his glasses with the understanding that not only are you his best friend, you are also the only person in his life that he ever really wants to see. That he has ever really cared for besides his clan. That he is in love with you and never knew it.

While Shino is completely oblivious to the conversations going on around him, Shikamaru leans over to Kiba to ask "Did he really just now figure out he's in love with them?"

Kiba with a smirk on his face responds "He sure did. I bet you 20 he'll be waiting by the gate when they return from their mission."

With that Shikamaru reaches his hand out to Kiba to shake on it.

A few days later as you're starting to see the gate of Konoha, you notice a tall figure leaning against the wall. As you get closer you notice it's Shino and your breath hitches since this is the first time he's been waiting for you at the gate.

As you reach him you frantically start asking what's wrong and if everything is ok since it's not normal for him to be waiting for you. Shino let's you get everything out before telling you nothing is wrong and that he simply missed you and wanted to see you.

Your blush is immediate and you stammer a little as you think of what to say. You've always harbored a crush on your best friend but never thought anything would come of it. Shino never showed any sort or interest or attraction outside of friendship.

However

As you start walking together you think about how he doesn't spend as much time with anyone, outside of his team of course, as he does with you. You abruptly stop walking and as Shino stops and turns to you, you ask him why.

"Why what?" He responds with a look of confusion on what little you can see of his face.

"Why after so many years of us being friends do you decide to wait for me after this mission? It wasn't particularly dangerous. There was no need to worry yourself over me." The question you really want to ask doesn't come out though.

Shino is quiet and contemplative for a moment before he says "Because I have come to the realization that I want to be the first person you see everytime you return from missions." He paused to grab your hands and his voice is a little softer when he continues. "Because after years of you being my best friend, I have come to the conclusion that I'm in love with you."

You stare wide eyed at Shino, extremely surprised, but elated at his confession. You squeeze his hand as you say "Shino, I have been waiting for you to say that to me since you let me talk your ear off as a child."

With that shino surprises you even more as he lifts you from the ground in the tightest hug you've ever experienced. As he puts you down, he grabs your hand to walk with you to give the mission report. "Let's go get dinner after your done giving your report." Shino says as you start the walk to Hokage Tower.

Neither of you noticed Kiba and Shikamaru in the shadow of a near by building watching you walk away. "What a drag" mumbles Shikamaru as he pulls a 20 out of his wallet to give to Kiba.

[iambilliejeanok]

🌸💗Enjoy some Shino Aburame

[mayhemscorner]

Rising sun

Shino x f!reader

🔞minors DNI🔞

Warnings: ⚠️familial issues/abuse⚠️ angst, SMUT, kinky slight dom Shino, swearing, violence

Summary: (this man is almost 6ft tall and I still FIRMLY believe Shino is a VERY kinky man. Prove me wrong)

Reader is struck upon for using a forbidden jutsu during a mission. Her father retaliates as they play only by the book and threatens to strip her of her shinobi status. Shino has ideas on how to distract her

The pulsating pain against my cheek as my head reels to the side, is a realization that I’ve just been struck upon in my fathers blind rage. I can only manage in my own fit of fury, to place my own hand above the quickly rising marks. If it were a nicer day, it would make me think of when we just finished pouring the foundation of our house, how I placed my much smaller hand inside the imprint he had just made with his own. The same prints I had just fallen upon from the sheer force I was knocked back with,” forbidden jutsu is to not be used so long as you are still my child.” 

A kick to the stomach. If we didn’t live the life of shinobi, most would consider this abuse, to us, it’s only another lesson…. No matter how uncalled for. 

“It was to save a teammates life! Don’t tell me you wouldn’t have done the same thing.” I spit in his direction, grasping at my ribs and trying to roll over to stand. 

“Not if it would cost me my own life or my dignity that comes with using something forbidden. Your chakra is still depleted. Get up.” He replies with no emotion. After several seconds of trying, I knew he was right. My chakra was shot. 

He lands one more kick as I reach for anything to pick myself up with,” come back inside when you’re ready to be a real shinobi.”

“Fuck you.” I cough out, finally managing to roll to my back and wheeze air back in to my lungs. 

“Or don’t come back at all. You have siblings with the same kekkei genkai. You are replaceable.” His last words echo as the stars finally dissipate from my eyes. He couldn’t truly mean that, he’s just drunk. He had to be. 

I could only ponder and force myself to believe my father was drunk as I slowly mosey to town, the forest, anywhere but here. I ignored the fact the smell of alcohol wasn’t present, maybe my senses are just off. Maybe I’d gone noseblind in a time of panic. The treeline was welcoming, silent enough to rest and gain my composure, maybe pass out from lack of chakra and a beating. I’d welcome passing out at this point, I could use the nap. The spots quickly return to my vision as my body sways,” yeah, this looks like a nice spot for a nap.”

And with that, my body buckles, swaying as gracefully as a sack of bricks to the ground. 

The last conscious thing I register is a voice calling from the treetops,” Y/N, I got you.”

Coming to was almost worse than passing out, my body aches and my head isn’t fully on the ground. My body is covered in a blanket… no. A jacket. It carried the faint smell of pollen and fresh morning dew. I knew the jacket and the scent to well, as the owner of the jacket had no smell, unless the flowers were blossoming. As soon as my head turns to look up, he becomes still as the doldrums at sea. 

“Shino.” I mutter, seeing the eyes behind his glasses turn down to meet mine,” Y/N.”

He exhales sharply, trying his best to not move his legs that lay under my head as a makeshift pillow.

“How long have i been out?” I mumble, reaching down to burrow further in to his green over coat and hope it engulfs my embarrassment.

“Only a few hours. What happened? You look worse than when I left after the mission.” He replies, picking a cool hand up from his side to rest against my now tender and swollen cheek. I sigh, leaning in to a usually gentle touch that now stung like a bee against the side of my face,” chakra was depleted too much. As a result, I ran in to my fathers hand.” 

Shino’s hand twitches against my face as his body becomes taut. 

“Word reached him that I used the forbidden jutsu before I had a chance to say it myself. Doesn’t matter if it was to save a teammate, what matters to him is that I used something forbidden.” I continue, lifting a hand to rest against his that lay on my face. He instinctively threads his fingers between mine, the closeness to Shino I’ve always craved only comes in times of pity. But I still find myself clutching to it like a newborn puppy to their mom. 

“I don’t see why you haven’t just come to stay at the Aburame compound. The offer has been extended multiple times.” Shino mentions his offer once again. 

“Im an adult now, I should just get my own place.” I mutter, squeezing his hand before pulling it down to rest against my chest knowing both of our arms were tiring. He only answers with placing his other hand at the top of my head, weaving his free fingers through the roots of my hair and tugging slightly. The sensation sends a jolt, awakening my senses and my body. 

“Get a place in your family compound so you’re still stuck with your father. Great idea, Y/N.” He monotonously shoots back before continuing,” for saving my life with a strong forbidden jutsu… you sure are clueless in anything else.”

“I wouldn’t call it clueless. He was just drunk. I’ll go back home after dark and everything will be fine.” I defend, knowing it might not be, but at least my chakra has time to build and I have time to create a bluff for Shino. Shino drops his hand, pulling the other away,” I’ll walk you back then.”

The walk is silent, save for Shino’s long jacket flapping around my much smaller frame in the wind. His right arm drapes over me to shield the wind away. Being touch starved, my knees threaten to buckle at the multiple signs of affection tonight. It had almost gotten me to forget the quickly bruising areas on my body until a sharp pain blooms in my ribs. I hunch forward, regaining my breath from my bodies surprise attack. Shino stops walking abruptly to turn us towards each other and immediately pulls the zipper of my vest down, followed by lifting my shirt and exposing my lower midriff. Shino shakes his head and grumbles,” I knew it.”

With no further word, he scoops me up as I’m still frozen, processing he has just lifted my shirt, and going even more senseless as my upper half comes to a rest against his heaving in anger chest. His steps quicken, becoming more pronounced as he stalks closer to my house.

“Shino, slow down. I’m fine.” I plead quietly, tugging at his own leaf issued chunin vest. His face is hard as stone, refusing to give any reply until we reach the gates,” give me my jacket and stay behind me.”

“Stop it. We don’t need to start a fight at this time of night.” I murmer, yet still shrug his jacket off and watch as his arms flex to put it back on. He pushes the gate open furiously and stalks to our house that sat dead center of the compound. I dig my heels in to the dirt and tug at the back of his jacket upon seeing a figure hunched over on our porch,” I’ll just go stay at your house. There’s a jug of sake next to him. He’s drunk Shino.” 

It was too late, I can barely see around Shino’s frame as my father tilts his head and sets his gaze upon the man that shields me,” the hell does an Aburame want at this time of night. Shouldn’t you be sleeping in your cave or something?” 

“I was actually coming to talk to you.” Shino puffs out, the tell tale sign of half a smile frightens me. He was confident, he was ready for a fight. 

“He was just dropping me off, was all.” I bluff, stepping out from behind him and being held back from walking any closer. 

“Bold of you to come home with a man this late. Did you not learn earlier?” He raises his voice, stalking closer to me as Shino tries pulling me back once again. I manage to dodge the first drunken swing at my already bruised ribs but the second connects just before Shino finally succeeds to pull me forcefully to the side, grasping on to the next drunken fist and stopping it dead in the air. Shinobi are scary enough sober. But when the sake hits our veins, we become almost invincible in our own mind… scary even. For the third time tonight, the wind knocks from my lungs as I hit the ground. 

“Damn these men.” I mutter, rocking back on impact and launching myself forward on to my feet, trying to charge in to the altercation. I brace myself as my father signs with one hand in an attempt to knock me back with a wind release jutsu. The wind whips around the three of us as Shino reels an arm back, and sending it flying tactfully against his opponents temple. I cringe at the sight of my dad folding in on himself and dropping to the ground, already snoring. Shino is expressionless and doesn’t move as I stomp furiously to the door trying to gather even a single thought. In an attempt to slam it shut, I feel defeated when Shino catches the flimsy door in an instant. Even behind his glasses, his eyes bore in to mine intently, unblinking. He leans against the doorframe, engulfing me with his large stature as he places an arm directly above me,” I don’t give a fuck what’s forbidden to your family, I’ll make you scream my name until even that’s forbidden.” His hands dance just above my hips as the anger rises,” Shino, what the fuck was that?” My hand instinctively shoots upwards for his throat, pinning him against the wall in an uncontrolled fit of rage, but the heat only climbs against my now flushed face at his words catching me off guard. He lets off a soft, barely even audible moan, taking his turn to lunge at me and quickly reverse our roles. My thighs were now wrapped against his torso and tangled in his long jacket as his breaths quicken so close to my throat while his hands pin my shoulders to the wall. I quickly add my other hand to his throat in case he’s gone crazy. He lets a soft chuckle out as I tug at his jacket,” that was me saving your life, would it kill you to at least say thank you before trying to tear my clothes off?” 

I feel my cheeks prickle and the anger die in my throat, only to be replaced with embarrassment,

“I-I wasn’t- That’s not-! I don’t know what to do right now. I should check on my dad.” I stutter out, the anger mixing with other, stronger, emotions as I adjust my hands around his throat so I don’t lose my grip. I can feel his jaw muscle clench and vibrate down to his throat. I find my own self impulsively mimicking his muscle twitch with my thighs, half bucking against him. A smirk once again creeps to his face before swooping in to hover his lips above the side of my ear,” Calm down. I’m only looking out for my teammate. Your father will be fine. I could’ve done much worse.”

The gentle wind against my ear as he enticingly whispers makes my eyes unfocus and my body slacken until he pulls his head back as far as my arms will reach. My hands then move on their own, leaving a playful tug at his throat before trailing to the collar of his jacket and gripping tight. He nods his head, encouraging me until sense washes back in to my body,” good girl.”

Good girl. Those two words would drive almost anyone insane. And after a while of not receiving praise, it could’ve drove me feral. It did. And I could tell Shino knew too.

“S-Shino. Please say it again.” I blush, slowly droning my hands inwards and pulling him closer to me.

“Say what again?” He questions, sliding his hands from my shoulders, causing me to slightly fall forward in to him, as his hands rake slowly down my body and settle underneath my ass to balance me back against the wall.

“I think you know.” I hint, batting my eyelashes slowly and resting my thumb against his pouty lower lip, rubbing it side to side until he playfully takes it in to his mouth with a quick circular motion of his tongue and a soft nip from his teeth. I bite hard in to my own lip to catch the gasp in my throat. Catching on with satisfaction, he hums around my thumb,” take my glasses off. I want to look at you with my own eyes.”

Another jolt shocks my body to life, unfurling my balled up fist and my other hand from his mouth to de-shade him. His eyes adjust to the darkness around us fairly easily, and they shimmer with multiple emotions. It’s crazy the eyes are what give us away. All our emotions, our lust and want. They trail patiently, almost lazily from my eyes to my lips, my lower one still caught between my teeth. I’m so lost in the sight of his eyes that I don’t notice his movements. He lifts a knee to maneuver one of his hands upwards, grasping against my jaw and hovering his lips just above mine,” good girl.” 

I sharply inhale as my head tilts forward in an attempt to connect our lips. I’m denied with a soft tug back at my jaw and a mischievous smile. His head dips down to my neck making my heart race and stomach flip. I was expecting a kiss, but instead receive his tongue tracing where he would sink his teeth in to soon after. My bottom lip curls back under my teeth, but the moan still escapes. I pull away slightly, pushing a hand against his chest,” what if my dad wakes up?”

“He won’t.” Shino huffs against my neck while tugging at my jaw once again, finally bringing our lips in to a lazy, drawn out kiss. One kiss becomes two. Three, then four. I’ve lost count how many times the presence of his lips graced my needy ones. His teeth draw in my lower lip, nipping slightly and letting go to catch a breath. My tongue acts on its own accord, darting in to find his. Shino doesn’t bother to hide his moan, only readjusting the hand that holds me up as my thighs grip around his torso tighter. My fingers wrestle away his hood, then tear away his forehead protector, releasing his quickly growing hair to tug to my hearts content. He groans at the sudden pull, bucking us both back in to the wall we’ve drifted from. 

“We should move this somewhere else.” I huff while pulling away for another breath of air and trying to wrestle his jacket off for real this time. Shino nods, falling backwards and over the back of the couch behind us effortlessly. I find myself on top, straddling a smirking Shino. I smile, finally able to tear away his vest and jacket in a sloppy and haphazard manner before I wrestle at his tight training shirt. My hands quiver with giddiness as his tightened skin flexes under my fingers in an effort to help. When I barely manage to coax the compression shirt to his shoulders, he grasps both of my hands in one of his and finishes his shirt off, exposing his upper half. Shino leans up to a sitting position and uses his free hand to pull me down further by the nape of my neck, tugging at my now tousled hair to hungrily guide our lips together once again. I feel my hands being released, followed by my vest being tugged at and shedded away. He’s gentle while lifting my shirt over the sickening bruises, his tender fingers ghosting over the lightning strikes of purple and disconnecting our lips to throw my shirt away. My aching core reignites at every twitch I feel against my pelvis from down below. 

“Fuck this.” I mutter, sliding down to grapple with the knot holding his pants at his waist. He arches slightly at the intimate touch of my hands dragging his pants downwards, then reaching up to drone lazy circles around his rising bulge. 

“I never got to properly thank you, Shino.” I whisper, slowly sinking my head downwards to place a kiss on his still clothed member. He twitches slightly and his hand once again feeds its way in to my hair as I place intentionally sloppy kisses on his hips while shrugging down his boxers. 

“That’s oka-“ Shino begins to talk before being cut off with his own moan at the feeling of my lips wrapping around the tip of his cock. His hand clenches deep at my roots and tries to follow the quickly erratic pace of my head. His hips soon follow, becoming a sloppy and unreadable pace until he pumps fully in to my mouth, causing me to slightly gag when I’m held there for a few seconds as he squirms beneath me. When he can’t handle the feeling anymore, I’m being thrown backwards to the other side of the couch and my pants have been effortlessly wrestled off during the process. All while I’m still trying to force myself to breathe air again. The circles being rubbed in to my thighs distract any sense I have, his head burying between my thighs going unnoticed at first. I can’t help but gasp, clawing up his back at the wet pressure kneading slowly at my clit. One finger slips in, shockingly cold against my rising body temperature. My hips try to move, but his other hand holds me down forcibly, making the pleasure even greater. I can feel him smirk against me, followed by a quick flick of his tongue to send me over the edge. My scream silences against the quick grasp at my throat from Shinoto aid him in sitting up,” if anyone ever lays their hands on you again, it better be me.”

“B-but we’re shinobi.” I stutter out as he crashes himself inside of me, pushing further and further until I squirm.

“Even in war, I’d go out of my way to be the last man to ever have his hands on you.” He grunts, thrusting quickly again and stopping. He holds inside of me for a few more seconds,” I wouldn’t just fight for you. I’d kill for you.”

Sex was an odd time for a love confession, but I wasn’t complaining. My thoughts were filled by the building pressure coming to a climax and focusing on not passing out from pleasure. The old couch was as close to breaking as my limit was. I grasp at his hand around my throat as the splotches of ecstasy bubble and obscure my vision like an old time cartoon,” Sh-Shino. Please, Fuck!”

“Y/N, shit.” Shino growls, pumping even sloppier and rougher than before. My head tilts back, brain shutting off and a scream of pleasure threatening to ring off. His hands clamp over my agape mouth, stifling what could’ve been an ear shattering, and dad waking shriek. The convulsion starts in my legs, ecstasy causing me to shake like a leaf in the wind and it was only building with every motion Shino made. With one last slam in to me with all his might, I see he’s reached his limit too. After several seconds, maybe even minutes of catching our breath, it’s a game of who will look at the other first. The walls and floor around us had suddenly become interesting, even though he was hovering directly above me. Shino takes a shaky breath, wiping away beads of sweat that threaten to spill from his forehead. I find myself fanning at my flushed face and finally looking in to his uncovered and nervous eyes,” was that… too far?”

“No. Was it too far for you?” He huffs out between gasps.

“N-no. I should probably go to bed… and you should get home. It’s getting pretty late.” I stumble out, trying to avoid the awkward after first time sex talking while fumbling around to put some clothes on and lay back down.

He hovers above me once again, then slides down, and I’m almost worried I may have to go for a round two. But he stops at my bruised ribs peeking out from my wrinkled shirt, kissing softly at the damaged skin,” I’ll leave if you come with me.” 

I ponder the challenge, knowing I definitely didn’t want to be home when my father regained consciousness, let alone having the man who knocked him senseless in the house. I nervously card my fingers through Shino’s hair and wait for his eyes to look towards me,” please?”

“Okay.” I mumble, quickly tiring with fatigue. My eyelids become heavy with the weight of todays events, I could sleep for days. I feel Shino’s weight disappear and I can’t help but twist to my side and curl in on myself like a cat taking a mid day snooze in the sun. As I drift off in to the waves of sleep, I feel an arm sliding below my head and the other under my torso.

The birds were singing jovially from the open window that let in a soft breeze. The side of my face pounded with my heart at the rising anxiety. Birds never sang at our compound, not for years. I turn to the unfamiliar landscape around me, seeing it was almost like a terrarium, the massive windows lining two of the walls looking out to the countryside of the hidden leaf just before sunrise. The nightstand held my neatly folded vest and a single lily that stood proud in a vase with a beetle crawling zigzags on its outstretched leaf. The pack I usually use for missions rests on the floor, stuffed full with my clothes. In my weak attempt to stand, an arm darts lazily around my waist to pull me back against a comforting heat,” We rise with the sun here, Y/N.” 

I trace his arm downwards to find his hand resting against my hip and entwine our fingers together. I force my eyes to close once again to break my family’s brutish habits, and as long as the sun droned lazily against the horizon we were both safe in each others embrace. Shino’s chest rises and falls in a melodic rhythm, coaxing me back to a sleepy serenity I could get used to feeling. All worries washed away with the excitement and anticipation of sleeping in and rising with the sun. 

[verminwormin]

Hi! I’m alive! Now that I’m obsessed with Naruto again it’s time to write! I have an oc named manya.. he bassicly grew up with shino and they are in love I don’t make the rules.. here’s a tiny one shot with them! (More manya content soon)

Warnings:none! Just fluff!

Characters: aburame shino/ manya wani(oc)

cold.

manya felt cold.

he shivered slightly as he walked down the narrow path in the hallway of his home. A small, leaf and vine covered, home. He walked forward and was met with a cold living room. the walls dusted with dark greens and greys, same with the couch and other tiny trinkets he had in his home.

It was odd living alone at 17, slightly to young to be living alone, not yet old enough too live alone. A very odd in-between. He’s been living in this home for three years now though, he isn’t complaining.

He continued with his needs and he grabbed a heavier jacket, along with his headband. Manya turned his head and looked out his window, the breeze slowly making the autumn colored leaves fall to konaha’s ground. He looked up at the sky, checking the time.

he snapped his head, to his door, claws digging into his big jacket that’s barley keeping himself warm. his bottom fangs nipped at his top lip as he left his home, walking too the designated place a special “someone” told him to go to.

~

manya looked forward and sat at the small bench, it had started to warm up so he tied his jacket around his waist. He looked around untill he saw a familiar green jacket. He waved and waved his hands for the figure to come closer.

“Shino!”

manya grinned as his fangs poked out from the curve of his smile. shino continues to walk closer to manya only to stand in front of him. a small smile was seen under the collar of his jacket.

“Hi manya. Are you ready to go?”

Manya eagerly nods as he sits up, following behind shino to the nature trail they promised to walk together on. Manya smiled as he looked at shino, smiling gently.

shino walked further down the trail, slightly ahead of manya. They made small talk, mostly about the different types of organisms that thrive in winter weather, as well as the types of plants and bugs that do so.

Manya looked at shino, mostly his glasses. gently speaking in his gruff tone.

“Shino.. no one else is here, can you take them off?”

as many times as manya has seen shinos eyes, it never gets old. He’s fascinated with his compound-like iris’s. The golden brown and orange hues that could make manya drown in them for hours on end. he gently pleas’ to shino as he makes eye contact with manya.

Shino sighs and grabs manyas hand instead, knowing that would suffice until they were not outside, and fully alone.

“I will hold your hand for now. The reason is because, i know you like looking at me as much as you like touching me.”

Manya’s cheeks turn a slight red, nodding as his claws tangle with shinos fingers. being careful not to prick the paler man’s skin. shinos hands are long and boney. very cold to the touch.(not even Because of the weather)

They eventually arive to this mid-way point, a few benches and overlapping trees above them, shielding the sky from their view. the edges of the earth seemed to turn a slight pink hue as the sun went down.

Shino turned around, manyas figure captured by the sky’s colors as they ran through the trees, hitting the edges of manas form. He looked at shino, cocking his head to the side. Shino stayed still as he walked towards manya again, standing in front of him.

“Are you cold shino?”

Manya slowly lifted his arms, asking for a hug. Shino never really was the type to enjoy physical affection. But with manya. It was different. he only allowed a handful of people to touch him. And manya was definitely one of them. He slowly lowered his head into the crook of manyas shoulder, wrapping his arms around manyas waist as he holds him.

Manya smiled as he pressed his face into shino’s jacket. Enveloping in the warmth his body was giving. shino gently pulled back to stare at manya. manya only smiled in responce

“Something on your mind?”

shino almost stuttered, his tongue caught in his throat.

“You look..”

He paused

“You look really pretty right now.”

Manyas heart skipped a beat, his stomach fluttered as he held onto shinos shoulders with his hands, gently clawing at the fabric.

“Thank you, i could say the same about you”

Manya’s head spun as he spoke. His eyes wandering across shinos face, his lips, his nose, everywhere.

Shinos heart beat, gently brushing a piece of manyas hair behind his pointed ears. he smiled at manyas as he hugged him again, gently tightening his grip like manya was going to run away.

manya giggled as he wrapped his arms around shino’s neck. His Smile wide as he shoves his face into shinos jacket, nudging the crook of shino’s neck. his peircing slightly tickling shino’s bare skin.

they sat there for a minute. Enjoying each others warmth. Until manya spoke.

“Do you want to come over? You could stay the night. Plus it’s supposed to be super cold tonight.. i dont want you walking out in the cold.”

Shino thinks for a moment and nods.

“I don’t think my father would mind. He would know where I am. That’s becuase, im always with you.”

manya nods as he gently lets go of shino, turning his face to gently leave a small kiss to his cheek. Then turning on his heels and grabbing shinos hand to walk home. Their hands intertwined as they walked together.

Shinos face heated up, he felt loved, he felt appreciated. He loved manya.

[keisukebajimipatron]

I feel like this is very Shino 🥺

Bother | Shino Aburame X GNReader

Masterlist

| REQUESTED, being fed up with Ino, unedited

| "Hey, sorry to bother you." "You're not bothering me! Why would you think that?"

Word Count: 792

“Hey, sorry to bother you.”

You look up with wide eyes from the garden bed. You quickly shake your head upon seeing who it is and smile reassuringly at him. "You're not bothering me! Why would you think that?"

You sit back on your heels, pulling your hands out of the dirt and brushing your hands off rather unceremoniously on your pants.

He doesn’t look as if he believes you, taking in your slightly startled expression as annoyance. He’d been sent to gather some herbs and simply hands you the list Ino had passed him. “I seem to bother everyone else…” He clears his throat and nods to the list in your hand now, “I can help, I just… I’m unfamiliar with two of those herbs there.”

Your heart aches at his answer but with his change of subject, you don’t really have time to think or react to what he’s said. You glance at the list, only for your face to contort in confusion.

“What?”

“These two don’t exist… At least now in our region. We can’t even recreate the climate here that they need to grow. That’s how fickle they are.” You look up at him, expecting him to be indifferent only to see that he was rather annoyed.

“Oh now I see why she sent me here.” It was like a lightbulb had just gone off in his head. The real reason Ino had been asking specifically him to hand everything the last few weeks. She’s made excuses that Shikamaru refused, which he probably had, and that Choji would taste test everything, which he probably would.

He couldn’t blame her for asking someone else, but he now realizes the real reason to choose him had a lot to do with his crush on you. On someone he didn’t get along with at first because you’d threatened to spray pesticides in the greenhouse if you caught anymore of his bugs munching on your precious flowers. But over time, he grew more fond of you and you of him and his bugs.

“Huh?”

“Ino. She sent me on purpose this time. She has to have the knowledge that you wouldn’t have these two.” He runs a hand over his face before taking the list back from you, turning to leave the greenhouse without another word.

The next time you see him is days later. You’re tending to one of the hanging plants in the back of the greenhouse when you hear his footsteps on the gravel behind you. You sigh, expecting to see anyone else but him after he’d stormed off. “Oh, Shino!”

“Sorry to bother you.”

“You’re not a bother. I really wish you’d stop calling yourself that.” You glance at the folded up strip of paper in his hand. “Let me guess. Another wild goose hunt from Ino?” You smile and hold a hand out for the paper, expecting him to hand it over. When he doesn’t, you tilt your head confused. “What’s wrong?”

“I couldn’t… I know I wouldn’t be able to find the words to explain this to you. So I wrote it down, but Ino said my handwriting was too sloppy so she rewrote it for me. I’m not good with words, I hope you understand. But I want you to wait to read this. Wait until I’m gone. I’ll be back in two weeks from my mission and I hope to have a positive reaction from you.”

He hands the note over and leaves without a word. You’re stunned. He never usually talks that much during a visit. Then again, that’s not where your focus should be. It should be on the note in your hand.

Just like he asked, you don’t open the note until he’s left the Village. You sit on a dirtied bench in the greenhouse, unfolding the piece of paper and gasping as you read the confession from the man.

On the day the man was set to return, you’re waiting at the gates, pacing back and forth for the most part, awaiting his arrival back home to the village. You’d taken the day off from the greenhouse, opting to dress nice for the man despite the fact that he’d probably be in a less than favorable condition, smelly and covered in grime.

In his letter, he’d asked you to wait at the gates on the designated date and time he would return if you felt the same way about him that he felt about you. So when he sees you standing there, bickering quietly with Naruto who’d attempted to get into the basket of treats you prepared for Shino twice now, he can’t help the smile that forms on his face. The first of many during his time with you.

[devildomresidentt]

𝐌𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨…

(Naruto cast Edition)

Featuring - Kakashi, Kisame, Gaara, Juugo, Yamato, Obito, Might Guy, Asuma, Itachi, Iruka, Jiraiya, Konoha 12 males, & Anyone else you see fit <3

Rating - Lovey-Dovey Cutesy-Wutesy Fluff

Song Choice - My Girlfriend (TV Girl)

Men who love you unconditionally as if it's a second nature to them. They lived the majority of their life with the idea that they're undeserving of the love they see on display in public, but you changed that for them. You mean the world to them and they'll do anything in their power to make sure you never feel the way they felt before they met you, your smile is worth more than any amount of Ryo in the world to them. (Kakashi, Choji, Kisame, Gaara, Juugo, + Anyone you see fit)

Men who will remember every single detail and aspect of you and your life. They'll easily be able to list your likes and dislikes perfectly without a single detail missed, some may even say they know you better than you know yourself. They just cant help it, seeing you happy and content means everything to them and being the cause of those feelings are a huge bonus to them. (Shikamaru, Shino, Neji, Rock Lee, Yamato, Obito, Might Guy, Asuma, + Anyone you see fit)

Men who are adorably romantic in their own unique way. Although they aren't the lovey-dovey romantic type, they still show you just how much they absolutely adore you, even if the world doesn't see it. Instead of expensive dinner dates, they prefer spending time chatting about the future you see having with each other while helping you prepare dinner. They appreciate the time they spend with you above anything, even if it's something as simple as tagging along with you while you run errands or the extra 2-5 minutes you two spend with your limbs intertwined with each others before the alarm goes off. (Naruto, Sasuke, Sai, Kiba, Itachi, Iruka, Jiraiya + Anyone you see fit)

[puddii-ng]

honey zombie card redraw 🎀

[bennyb0i0]

random shino sfw/nsfw headcannons!

Sfw

-Honestly, it’s hard for him to touch you

-like, he wants to hold you close, but it’s hard for him. He’s not used to emotional intimacy.

-but when you kiss him goodbye, pat his shoulder, or just do simple couple-y stuff, his walls start to break down.

-Needs reassurance a LOT, and doesn’t like asking for it. Communication is hard, and he’s already convinced himself you should know when to love on him.

-When he gets comfortable with you, he’ll hold you more. Specifically you’ll be resting your head on his chest, and he’ll rest his chin on your head -loves you so much please be nice :(

NSFW

-okay so I feel like he (LET ME COOK NOW) wants to see his bugs on you

-not TOO MUCH, but seeing you not phased by a bug crawling on your neck or something makes him feel like you aren’t scared of him.

-he loves you so much. Just wants to kiss you the whole time!!

-says “Gonna make you cum..” over and over. He just wants to make you feel good! He’s so into it he doesn’t even realize he’s saying it.

-“tight, fuck, mm..”

[musicfueled]

hihi ignore if you want or if you dont write him but if you perchance write for shino aburame (naruto or boruto version idm which) then could i maybe get a little something with him anything is fine thank you and please have a good day :3

Of course!! I'll include some general headcanons, relationship headcanons, then a little story :D I kept it sfw for now but if you'd like nsfw you can ask for that too! (You can dm or submit another ask, either is fine! I also kept the reader gender neutral, so if you want that to be changed you can also add that)

Thank you so much for the request! <33

Rolly Polly | Shino x reader

Shino Aburame x reader SFW

Contents: Headcanon bulletpoints, story, established relationship, neurodivergent Shino, reader is also implied neurodivergent but it's not brought up much, mention of bugs, mention of Hinata having a crush on Naruto

Headcanons

-This man is absolutely autistic no doubt about it. Probably doesn't like stuff touching his face and his eyes are sensitive to light which is why he covers so much

-Feel like he's gender apathetic or agender but comfortable with he/him pronouns or just his name

-Scary amount of knowledge of bugs. Obviously as a bug user he knows a lot, but like, he knows more than the rest of his family. Full on studies even bugs that he has no need to know of. Probably his special interest

-Speaking of bugs, perhaps an odd headcanon but I think his bugs will choose you if they think you're right for him; a type of blessing. They'll occasionally hop onto you when you and Shino are hanging out, or sometimes Shino will send some with you to make sure you're safe. Of course, if you tell him you don't like the bugs being on you, he'll stop doing it/have the bugs not move to you.

-Not a fan of excessive pda. I think maybe he'll hold your hand often but no kissing in public or anything. He's a more private guy.

-In private though, I think he'd be quite touch-clingy. Even if it's just a hand on your arm while you're sitting next to each other doing your own things, he appreciates being constantly affectionate. However, I think he'd get overstimulated if it's too much for too long. Doesn't like a bunch of cuddling when you're going to sleep. I can imagine him liking your head resting on his chest, your arms being intertwined, legs touching, or holding hands while falling asleep. Something to make you guys feel close, but not enough to feel overwhelming.

-Probably has one or two special petnames for you

-Big on formal dates. He likes taking you out to eat at fancy restaurants, however I can't see him getting super dressed up. Probably more neat than usual, but not super divergent from his usual look.

-But also is down for more casual dates like fast food/more informal food places, parks, amusement parks, etc. as long as they're not too loud

-Also hates loud noises. I think overall he gets overstimulated easily

-Not a fan of his body/showing much skin. If you guys were ever to be intimate,

-You have to like his friends; although he isn't super outgoing towards them, they mean a lot to them, especially Hinata and Kiba. As a team they've become so close that it's one for all.

Short story

You were lounging outside of your home, enjoying the sunlight. You were expecting Shino to come by, but weren't sitting out here just to wait. You wanted to indulge in your surroundings and relax a bit, to get a break from the monotony of your room. You look down and see a rolly polly walking by near the leg of your outdoor bench. You smile at the little guy, since you've formed an interest in bugs through extension of your partner.

You hear someone walk closely, thinking nothing of it, since your place is near a main street. However, the footsteps stop.

"Ah, an Armadillidium vulgare. Do you like those?" You hear Shino's voice from behind you, causing you to turn back and face him, smile still plastered on your face. You nodded. "Yea, I think they're neat."

"Did you know they have gills? They're crustaceans." He said, sitting down next to you.

"No, I didn't! That's interesting."

You guys fell into a comfortable silence as he intertwined his fingers with yours. You sat there together for a bit, enjoying the company.

After a while, you break the silence.

"What type of day is it hun? We staying in, going out?" You look at him.

"Perhaps we could go on a walk?" He proposed.

"That sounds like a good idea. Let me get a better outfit on and we can go, 'kay? You can either sit out here or come in, up to you!" You smile.

"Alright, I'll sit inside and wait."

You two walk inside and he sits down on your couch. You find your way to your room and change into a comfortable outfit, putting on your shinobi sandals and konoha headband. You finish off with the perfume/cologne that you knew Shino liked the most; it wasn't very strong but prominent enough to smell, which he liked. You grabbed your wallet and phone just in case, tossing the former in your back pocket. Entering your living room, you see Shino attempting to brush what you assumed to be dog fur off his jacket.

"Hung out with Kiba recently?" You ask, grabbing your lint roller and handing it to him.

"Yea. He wanted me to see a new jutsu he created for him and Akamaru. It needs work, but it was a good idea. You should ask him about it sometime." He said, tone as flat as ever, but you could tell he was admiring Kiba's work.

"I will! I'm always excited to see what Kiba's up to, he's a pretty cool guy. What about Hinata, what's she been up to?" You ask, intrigued.

"The usual. Lots of training, lots of gushing about Naruto. I don't get how he doesn't see right through her, she's so painfully in love with him, it's clear."

"He's... a bit of an airhead."

"That's one way to put it."

"Pff- anyway, you ready?" You ask.

"Yea. Let's go." He replied, getting up.

You both exit your home and you lock the door before you both interlock hands again.

You enjoyed a nice walk around the surrounding woods, allowing him to share information about any insects the two of you encountered. This was you two's favorite activity- it was a great way to bond, given Shino's difficulty having normal conversations due to his autistic lack of social skills. You also got times to talk about interests, though. He made sure it wasn't just him talking about things he enjoyed; he wanted to know you just as much.

As the sun set, you guys headed back to your house. You assumed he was walking you home, but when you were near your destination, he spoke.

"Can I stay with you tonight? I'd like some affection."

You look at him and smile, pleasantly surprised by his request. "Of course! Do you wanna go by your place and get something to wear? If not I might have some stuff you could fit" You offer.

"No need to walk all that way, I can either take my jacket off or borrow something."

"Alright!" The smile was evident in your voice.

You were practically skipping as you completed your walk home together. You unlocked the door and slipped off your shoes, eager to decompress after being out for so long. He does the same, for the same reasons. He takes his coat off and folds it neatly, laying it on the arm of your couch, same place he always does. You both gradually find your way to your room after grabbing a snack. Nothing messy, because he often got on you for having crumbs on your bed.

He ended up asking for a different shirt, which you happily obliged. Knowing Shino wasn't a fan of tight clothes, you gave him one of your bigger shirts.

He didn't bother stepping out of the room to change, feeling plenty comfortable being in the same room while he did. You didn't see him shirtless much, so you got flustered when he did, admiring him wholesomely. He noticed, getting a bit flustered himself. Shino isn't particularly proud of his body, so its heartwarming to know you like it. He tosses the shirt on and joins you in bed.

"You're so handsome." You say as you snuggle up to him.

"Thank you, my lunar moth." He chuckles nervously, but in a good way.

You both lay down, and you rest on his chest as he puts on some documentary about something you both like. You quickly fall asleep, happy it was with him.

[dira333]

The Road Not Taken - part 16

Shibi x  female reader with a name - arranged marriage

Summary: Airi Nara seems a hopeless case, until her grandmother sets her up for an arranged marriage. But was marrying Shibi Aburame the right choice after all?

Masterlist ; Character sheet

Taglist open if you want to be added

The change in your household is subtle yet obvious. 

Tsume smiles every time she sees you, a knowing, teasing smile that dances across her lips. So far you’ve managed to keep her silent, but you doubt her self-restraint will hold much longer.

Yori has yet to reappear on your doorstep, giving you some time to come to terms with your conflicting feelings toward her.

As a Clan-elder, you’re expected to show her respect. But, as both Shikaku and Shibi have pointed out, you’re no longer part of the Nara-Clan. 

You owe her gratitude, for bringing you up when no one else would and for arranging the marriage that has brought you so much happiness, but you no longer owe her your blind obedience. Maybe you never did.

-

Shibi has started to get up later in the mornings. 

He quite enjoys staying in bed as long as he possibly can, awake yet unmoving, holding you close until one of the boys or both start making noise.

You’ve been trying to make him see the sweet joy of taking a bath together, quietly planning a short trip to the Onsen for when Shino’s advanced training officially starts. It’s slow progress, but it’s progress.

You started working one week after your return from the mission, your leg still in a brace. It’s only two mornings a week so far and you can take Shino with you if you want, though he seems less interested in the hospital every time you take him with you.

Rika’s been a godsend, never once batting an eye when you flinch at loud noises or Iruka comes in with Naruto for a private check-up that’s mainly just a chat and a shared lunch box. 

Even Akane stops by once, her face still pretty pale.

“I heard you started working again.” She looks at your leg brace that’s peeking out from under the table. “How are you doing?”

“It’s good.” You nod at your little office. “Quiet, too. But I think I owe you a thanks. I’m sure I wouldn’t have this job without you.”

Akane shakes her head. “I didn’t do anything for you. I know your husband. I knew he’d pull the necessary strings. The Hospital can’t operate without the generous donations coming from various Clans. I’m not an expert on that matter, but I think the Aburame Clan donates quite a substantial amount.” 

You narrow your eyes at her. “I don’t believe you.”

“Then don’t. I did what I could do for Iruka. He deserves it. Tell him so when you see him next.” She gets up again. “Oh, by the way… did you take a look at the scroll when you had it?”

You furrow your brows. “No? Why would I? I don’t even know what it was supposed to be.”

“Hmm.” Akane doesn’t look convinced. You sigh.

“Don’t tell me I got the wrong scroll.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because that would be typical. Going through all the hassle of getting that scroll and then I didn’t even check if it was the right one. Not that I would have been able to make sure of it anyway with my limited knowledge.”

“Well…” Akane clears her throat. “I’m no expert either. But I was questioned about it this week. I did take a look and from what I could tell I thought it was the right scroll. But Danzo’s convinced it’s a fake.”

You sigh. “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now, right?”

Akane nods, the movement tight. 

“Are you okay, though?” You ask. “You’re still very pale. Are you getting the rest you should?”

“Oh, yes. I’m fine. I’ve always been rather pale.” She sends you a tight smile. “By the way, Rock was asking if he could come over sometime and meet you and your kids. I told him a bit about you.”

“Oh, of course. Shino’s not that keen on making friends and Torune’s not to be touched for various reasons, but I’d love to meet him. I’ll talk to Shibi and get back to you, is that okay?”

She nods, taking one last look at you before she leaves with a wave of her hand.

There’s something strange about her visit, but you can’t put your finger on it.

Two days later you hear about her departure. All you know is that she’s sent out on another mission.

“Much too early,” her husband bemoans when you talk to him. “But you’ve met Akane.” He tells you with a smile. “She can never sit still.”

You only hear of her death a week after it has happened. There’s no more talk about Rock Lee visiting. 

-

“Have fun today,” you brush your hand through Shino’s hair, wondering absentmindedly if you’re clinging to him for his comfort or yours. “I’ve got a surprise for you later.”

“Can you come with us?” Shino asks. He’s very proud of the new coat he’s gotten, he’s told you all about it three times today.

You look at Shibi for input, but he shakes his head. 

“Today it’s just us.”

“You can tell me everything when you come back, okay?” You press a kiss to Shino’s temple. “I’m very curious. I still remember my first training with my Dad.”

“Can you tell me about it?” Shino asks. You can tell he’s trying his best to waste time.

“Sure, when you come back. Come on, give me a hug and then it’s time to go.” 

He hugs you tight, sniffles a little into your neck. 

“I’m very proud of you.” You tell him when you see him off. 

Twenty minutes after he’s left there’s a knock on the door.

You half expect them to be back already, that Shino’s stubbornness won out in the ned.

It’s Chiasa instead.

“Shibi took Shino out for training,” you explain. She nods and points in the direction of the kitchen with her chin.

“Oh, sure, come in if you need anything-” She sidesteps you and you bite back a sigh.

Chiasa is never rude, but her quiet assertiveness is sometimes hard to take. You suppose you could have worse mothers-in-law, but you often wonder what she sees in you. If she likes you or just deals with the fact that you’re here.

“Ah,” another voice calls out, sending a shiver down your back, “You’re home.”

You turn to see Yori march up the path to your house. You haven’t seen her since that dreaded mission. It’s been almost a month but you could have taken a longer break from her.

“Hello, Yori.”

“Your leg’s all healed, I see?” She asks. “Can I come in?”

Considering her usual way of greeting, that’s almost nice. 

“Sure,” you say, because there’s only Lunch to prepare today, as well as the laundry and you can’t run away from her forever, “Chiasa is here too.”

“Ah,” Yori pushes past you with the grace of a hungry deer sniffing food. “How nice. I was wondering when we could all have tea together.”

“Chiasa?” You turn toward the kitchen. “Yori is here. Would you mind having tea with us?”

“That’s not the way to ask, Child!” Yori points out. “Aburame-san, how nice to see you again. How’s your health?”

Chiasa nods instead of speaking, her dark sunglasses reflecting Yori’s forced smile.

“I’ll make tea,” you rush forward, eager to get your hands busy. “Does anyone want something sweet? I’ve made Honeyglazed Apple.” 

“I suppose it’s understandable that you’ve got a sweet tooth with your condition.”

Chiasa’s eyes flick over to you at Yori’s words. You can feel sweat forming at your collar. Right, just what you wanted. Your grandmother and your mother-in-law discussing your fertility.

“About that,” you start, unable to look one of them in the eyes, “I’m not actually pregnant. It was just a silly rumor.”

“Well, just because you’re not pregnant now doesn’t mean you won’t be pregnant soon.”

You tense. Somehow Yori’s even worse to handle when she’s trying to be supportive. All you feel is dread as you wait for the other shoe to drop.

“Maybe we could talk about a different topic,” you ask quietly, not daring to raise your voice. 

“Please speak up,” Yori orders immediately. Chiasa must have heard you, however, because her eyes are on you. You can feel her stare despite the sunglasses hiding her emotions.

“How is work?” Chiasa asks so suddenly you almost drop the teapot you just picked up. 

“It’s uh, nice.” You swallow thickly. “Plenty of stuff to do. They’ve asked me to come in two more mornings if possible.”

“Well, why wouldn’t you?” Yori asks. 

You think about the disappointment you’d felt days prior when you’d gotten your period. You think about Shino showing off his new coat he got for training. You think of Torune’s who’s going to be home in a few hours, trailing after you like a shy cat. 

You lick your lips and say something else.

“It’s going to be Spring soon enough. I need to talk about it with Shibi first to make sure I won’t leave work here unattended.”

“Sure, sure,” Yori huffs, clearly displeased by your answer, “You need to talk with your husband. But your job at the hospital is a prestigious one. You shouldn’t swap it with playing housewife.”

“No one said I was.” You point out, hurt clawing at your throat. Maybe you’d love to play housewife. Would that be so wrong?

“And don’t forget about your Clan,” Yori soldiers on. “Ayame just asked yesterday when you’d be back around. There’s no one as talented as you when it comes to her therapy.”

You blink in surprise. Next to you, Chiasa seems busy with her plate of apple slices though. You wonder if this is a test. At least on Chiasa’s side. She’s just letting you blunder on, judging you silently behind those dark shades.

But even if she wasn’t there, you’d be hard-pressed to say something.

You can’t go on like this forever, with Yori. You have to put up some boundaries someday. 

Your heart beats thunderously as you take a seat.

“Yori,” you start, focusing on a stubborn stray hair in her eyebrows to keep safe from her stare. “I am no longer a Nara. I am an Aburame now.”

“Nonsense,” Yori waves her hand around, “You’re both. That’s what this marriage was for. To bring our Clan’s closer together.”

“Maybe. But I am also human. I cannot fulfill the duties of two Clan members. I have to prioritize one. If Ayame wants to continue her therapy through me, she’ll have to see me at the hospital like everyone else.”

Yori falls silent. She has been remarkably well-behaved up until now, probably because Chiasa’s in the room with you. But how far does that self-control go?

“Are you really this ungrateful?” Yori’s voice has turned cold. Your already tense body stills completely, the muscles in your neck screaming in pain. “You wouldn’t be married at all without me, still hoping for some fool to notice you. And how are you repaying me for all the work I took on, for all the good I did for you? Just because you can play mother and wife now doesn’t mean you’re suddenly someone new! You’ve always been lazy, good for nothing, like your father-”

“Leave.” Your mouth is dry and your voice sounds rough around the edges, but there’s enough determination in the single word to stop Yori’s lecture. 

“What did you say?” She asks, her face full of surprise. Chiasa next to you is silent. Your hands are shaking, but you know you can’t go on like this. Should she be opposed to your decision, there’s nothing you can do about that but trust that Shibi will have your back.

“I am grateful. You have brought me up when I had no one else and you were the one who pushed for this marriage to be possible. But I will no longer let you treat me like a doormat. Leave. You are no longer welcome here.”

“I-” Yori’s speechless, a rare occurrence. She grabs her coat and storms toward the door nonetheless, something you’re incredibly thankful for. You don’t know how long you’ll be able to keep up the strong facade, how soon you’ll break down crying. 

“Shikaku will hear about this!” She crows and slams the door shut.

Silence fills the room after her departure. 

You can feel Chiasa’s eyes on you just as the first tears trickle down your cheeks.

“Did I do the right thing?” You ask before you curl into yourself at the table. 

Chiasa does not speak for a while, but she rests one hand on your shoulder. It’s the most reassuring she’s ever been since you moved in.

“I was the one who approached Yori,” Chiasa eventually says when your tears have dried and your hands no longer shake.

“What?” You turn to look at her, but her face does not betray any emotion.

“Shibi was very lonely. He’s still young enough to have more children and I remember how it was when my husband died. It’s easy to settle into a quiet life, but it’s not necessary.”

“But Yori said…” You trail off. It would be on brand for Yori to present someone else’s idea as her own.

“It doesn’t matter in the end. To me, at least. Shibi would not have acted on it without Yori pushing for it. Why? He does not listen to his mother as much since he’s become a father.”

“He listens to you a great deal,” you tell her and you might be wrong, but you think you see her lips twitch into something like a smile.

“You are trying to get pregnant?” Chiasa asks after a few more minutes of silence. “Right?”

“How… How do you know?”

She raises her hand to show off a few of her Kikaichu. You’ve seen them before but never up close like this. They are more of a reddish color, different to Shibi’s stark black ones or Shino’s with their blueish tint.

“There are no secrets when you’re an Aburame. If you have trouble conceiving, there is a tea I can recommend. Why? It has helped me conceive Kenji after I’ve had trouble.”

You can feel your cheeks heat at the topic but you swallow down your embarrassment and nod. “That would… that would be nice, thank you.”

-.- Shibi -.-

Shino’s hanging off him like a sack of potatoes.

Every person they pass sends him a knowing smile. They’ve all been there.

They meet Torune just shy of the front door.

“How was it?” He asks, peering up at Shino. The younger boy does not answer. Shibi suspects he’s fallen asleep.

“He did very well,” he says, a quiet pride coating his words.

Torune pushes the door open for him and there you are, hands already stretched out to welcome them all.

He could get used to this, coming home to your smiling, eager face - he could do without the dried tears on your cheeks he will have to ask you about later -  and the way you pull him in for a shy little kiss.

“I packed some things for us,” you declare, “So we’ll just have a quick snack and then leave for the Onsen.”

“The Onsen?” Torune asks, clearly confused. “What are we doing there?”

“It’s a family trip. Like a mini vacation. Come on now, I made us some salad. Does anyone want tea?”

-

You’ve already settled in the steaming water, a little too quick for his hungry eyes, laughing at the way they’re all standing there, peering cautiously into the water.

“I am wearing so few clothes,” Torune complains, keeping a safe distance from the others.

“It’s fine,” you tell him again, “I talked to Chiasa and some of the other elders. Your bugs don’t like water. So as soon as you settle in it, everyone will be fine. You can even sit on our lap if you want to.”

“Really?” Torune’s face lights up and he climbs into the pool, dipping down for good measure too.

“Do I have to?” Shino sounds less pleased at the prospect.

“How about you put your legs in first?” You offer. “You too, Shibi.”

He swallows a sigh. This is just like taking a bath, he reminds himself, just a little hotter.

As he takes a seat at the edge, legs dipped into the hot water, Torune climbs into your lap, arms slung around you like a little monkey.

“You all look really cute in your bathing trunks. I wish I could have taken a picture of you, all lined up there before. But that would be a little weird, wouldn’t it.”

Shino settles into his side. He’s tall for his age, but slender, which is often forgotten under those bulky coats.

-

Eventually, they both make it fully into the water.

But it doesn’t take long for the heat to get to them, especially Shino.

Shibi picks him up and lifts him out of the water, lays him onto the cool stone tiles.

“Everything okay?” You ask, worry in your voice.

“It will be. We’re not used to this kind of heat,” he explains. “We’ll just be taking a break.”

“Oh, you point at the paper screen door he had noticed before. “This door should lead into a small garden. Don’t stay out too long, but I guess you both will find something of interest in there.”

And you’re right. It doesn’t take Shino long to find two different kinds of beetles and one fat caterpillar who curls up on his palm as he shows it to you and Torune.

The older boy doesn’t seem to mind the heat. It’s not hard to tell that he would endure much more than a little heat if it meant being able to touch and be touched without risk.

After an hour or so Shibi slips back into the pool. 

“If you want,” he offers Torune quietly, unsure of it himself, “We can sit together a little as well.”

Torune nods shyly and climbs into his lap, folds his long legs to fit perfectly, not unlike Okita who’s spotted a new, albeit small box to sit in. His head rests perfectly on his chest and even though it breaks his heart in a new, fresh way, Shibi can’t help but think that this might be the first time someone’s got to touch him like that since his father’s death. 

And even before that… was Shiruko a man who held his son close? He doesn’t know and he doesn’t want to pry. All he can do right now is offer to be what Torune needs.

---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---.---

taglist: @burningbluegalaxy @sammieshuttle97 @mellophoned

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[kakashixhatakesxwhore]

hc/short story/blurb?? for shino with a girl that specializes on plant jutsu? I like thinking of them as sort of like in nature. (I had to look it up lol) mutualism! 🌱🪲

Also whenever shino (attempts) to talk, she takes all of it in. When shino’s not around, she notices and remembers him. Shino and her go back and forth about all sorts of stuff; she asks about Shino’s bugs and his favorites and she actually listens. Shino finally reciprocates and asks about her plants and all that.

She vibes well with most of the teams though so she’s got friend groups up the wazoo. Shino’s petty as fuck so I’m getting some jealous vibes from him too. But he shouldn’t feel that way over someone he’s not even in a relationship with, he thinks…. Not with the first person that’s actually remembered him, no……

(Also, shino’s canonically packing so do with that as you will, my friend. I just need something for our beloved bug boy.)

this request had me in a chokehold for two whole days - i really ran with this, it's pretty long, but sets up well for the last part of your request - i hope this hits your marks, thank you for the request!!

The Art of Mutual Growth

Pairing: Shino x f!Reader

Summary: Shino meets his perfect match while on a mission, and he quickly finds out that his solitude was dust, compared to the castle of your company.

W/c: 4.3k

Warnings: Swearing, talk of suicide (Shino's terribly dramatic about you), self-loathing

Notes: i was imagining Shino a few years post Blank Period in this, but this could work for Boruto era Shino too if y'all are in to that top knot - if you want a smuttier part 2, i got that shit lined right up, just lmk

Masterlist💿

He was used to being overlooked, discounted, alone. It never bothered him - even in love, his parents were solitary people, raising him to be unbothered by a sullen lack of attention. Being left to his own devices, Shino turned to his bugs for solace, and they provided as much as they could. To his knowledge, he was perfectly happy, alone with his insects.

But then you danced into his life, a trail of flowers in your wake.

You were his perfect match; a woman who could use Plant Release technique. Your kekkei tota was a gift of your Kiso blood, but too powerful for you to ever have full control over. Still, your control was wildly impressive, and your technical fighting skills were more precise than any Shino had seen before. Unlike him, you hailed from the Land of Flowers, but you couldn't reveal any further personal details at the time. It was a shame that the mission that brought you to Shino didn't allow him the time he so desperately needed to talk to you.

Side by side, you and he had fought together. Your snaking vines fed Shino's bugs chakra, and allowed them to infiltrate places on your vines with a much greater speed and accuracy than they ever could when Shino was alone. His bugs found your chakra delicious, almost as distracted as he was by you and your power. The recon mission went without hitch, mainly thanks to your immense amount of pure chakra and will to prove your capabilities. It was a shame.

Upon the mission's completion, Shino merely listened to your cracking conversation with Kiba and Shikamaru, resigned to the fact that he had missed his chance, already moving on in his mind.

When the team returned to the Hidden Leaf, Shino was ready to be the first to leave, already peeling away from the group until...

"I'm sorry," your sweet voice said timidly, behind Shino.

He stopped in his tracks, and you did as well, staying right behind him. The bugs' chakra told him you seemed nervous, which arguably relaxed him. Clipped, he asked, "What for?"

"We never got the chance to get to know each other," you grinned, coming around Shino to face him with a placid smile. Extending your hand, you gave him your name, and with a charm to your tone, asked for his.

Clearing his throat, Shino couldn't find his voice for a second. He had never seen such a pretty smile, let alone been the receiver of one. Your bubbly attitude caught him off guard. He couldn't fathom what you were doing, why you would be wasting your time, talking to him. You could've stayed with the team, striking up any number of conversations with one of them... but you didn't. You chose to talk to him.

"Shino Aburame," he said finally, taking your warm hand in his.

"You're wonderfully strong, Shino," you hummed, shaking his hand slightly. "The chakra control you possess is to be envied. I'd love to know more about your insects, if you have the time."

Staring the gift horse right in the mouth, he scoffed, "You must be joking."

"No." The expression you wore quickly became confused, but your tone genuinely despondent. With a twitch, you let go of his hand and Shino could feel his heart plummet. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

From behind, Kiba's strong voice cut you off. "Hey, Y/n! Wanna take a tour of Konoha?" He came bounding up to the pair of you, Akamaru by his side, stealing your attention from Shino. "I'm free to be your guide, unless...you two..."

Looking back at Shino for a moment, you seemed to mull something over thoroughly in your mind. Your eyes were full of expectation, and Shino could feel his palms dampen.

"Go with him," Shino said, as casually as he could, though his words came out rather harshly.

He wished he could take it back as soon as he said it. The feeling that came when he saw a sharp sparkle in your eye, followed by an overbearing dullness, made Shino feel empty and so very stupid. Your lips drew straight, and your air became serious - everything about you became stony, frigid. The exact opposite of your demeanour before Shino had opened his stupid mouth.

Maintaining eye contact with Shino as you took Kiba up on his offer, he could feel his heart leap from his chest and into your palm. You squeezed it then, and when he watched you walk away with Kiba and his ninken, you crushed it.

In the aftermath of the successful recon mission, you were invited by the Fifth Hokage to stay in Konoha and train under her. You took her up, of course, and became an active member of the society within the Hidden Leaf. Everywhere Shino went, there you would be, talking to swarms of people at a time.

It was Promethean punishment, that he didn't deserve.

You would never speak to him again, because he was born with his foot in his mouth. He would be cursed to see you everywhere he turned, but you would never speak to him again.

A week had passed since you came to Konoha to stay. Shino had been tantalized, shown exactly what he wanted but couldn't have, for seven days, and he was sick to death. His solitude had never felt so solitary, watching you bop around the village with an onslaught of people.

It was made even worse by the fact that he had consistently been catching you, staring at him. The bugs would be abuzz, begging Shino to ask you to sprout one of your vines, telling him that you looked ready to approach him, yourself. He ignored then dually, thinking they were exaggerating your apparent willingness to speak to him. Why would you ever leave a full entourage, just to speak to him?

With the sun sinking lowly over Hokage Mountain, Shino decided to wrap up his meditation and just go home. His body was alight with energy, but his soul begged for rest and reprieve, something that Shino could not provide. As such, he left the sanctity of his neck of the woods to make a medial dinner and have a long sleep. Maybe that would fix him, though it hadn't seemed to work for the last week. Shino felt restless, completely unable to settle in a way that even resembled himself before you came along.

He would just have to get over you. The chance you served up on a silver platter had been spit on, and you would surely never serve it again. Shino had to move onward and upward, he couldn't stagnate.

But then-

There you were. In his hallway. In front of a door. Fiddling with your keys and hissing curses under your breath.

And all Shino could think was, I am going to make her my wife. I need to marry this woman.

"Hi."

You looked up, startled, but quickly smiled and looked back at your keys, still pulling and shoving. Slowly, you said, "Hey...Shino, right?"

He had never heard his name like that before. It dripped with silver and gold as it left your pretty lips, and Shino never wanted anyone else to say his name again. Only you. Only you, forever.

Looking up at his lack of response, you seemed nervous but tried to smile. "You're my bug boy, aren't you?"

"Yes," he said a little too quickly. The nervousness vanished from your expression as embarrassment became his. He cleared his throat, trying again, "Yeah. That's me. Shino."

She remembered. Her bug boy. Her's. She knows. I need to make her mine. Someway, somehow.

"I didn't think I knew anyone in the building," you said, finally procuring the key you wanted from the tangle. You slipped it into your door, the smiled at Shino, the nervousness coming back to you. In a light voice, you asked, "Would you...would you like to come in? Have a tea? With me?"

Shino thought he had died and gone to Heaven. There was no other plausible reason for him to have been getting another opportunity with you, this one infinitely more golden than the last.

The lock clicked and you opened the door, still awaiting his answer. A rush of cool air came over Shino, standing near your door. Leaning back, Shino tried to bite back his forming grin, before saying,

"I would like that very much."

You mumbled something under your breath and stepped into the apartment. Shino followed in after you, welcomed by the scent of lavender and rosemary. As you let him look around the living room, you went to the kitchen to prepare the tea.

Shino had never seen such a beautiful little place, especially not one that reflected it's inhabitant so well. Plants sprawled across every wall, their pots interconnected through a series of braided vines that wrapped and weaved around the others. All of the wooden things in the apartment were birch, the coffee table, the bookshelves, the chairs. To boot, all of the pillows and cushions were a pale, dusty green colour. Books and journals laid all over, accompanied by a myriad weapons and solo-practice materials. The feeling of peace was abundant in the small apartment, Shino found himself actually start to relax.

So, he would be letting you decorate the house when you eventually became his wife. This was useful information to Shino.

"Sencha or matcha?" You asked him, poking your head out of the kitchen.

You cared. "Sencha."

"Okay, give me another minute." You ducked back into the kitchen, your hair flowing so nicely behind you.

Feeling his bugs growing anticipatory, he began to try and suppress them. The last thing Shino wanted right now was for his bugs to take advantage of your hospitality. But his refusal only made them angrier. With your vines so near, it was like holding a lollipop in front of a child and saying no.

Coming back into the living room with a tea tray, you smiled at Shino, making him neglect his control over the bugs. Almost immediately, a swarm of insects came from Shino's body and flocked to the nearest vine before Shino could do anything about it. He swore and started trying to wrangle them, only stopping when he heard your melodic laugh.

He never wanted to hear anything else again. Not even the way you said his name could compare to your laughter - no sweeter sound had ever been produced.

"I don't mind, Shino, let them be," you hummed, setting the tray onto the table almost silently. Shino turned to you slowly, unsure if you were just letting your hospitality speak for you. You laughed, "It's fine. I promise."

"Whatever you say," Shino replied faintly, still not convinced but not willing to argue with you for even a second.

He came around to the couch as you picked up the jade teapot and poured both cups. He thanked you, taking up his teacup while you sat down on the couch. Sipping the steaming beverage, Shino hummed,

"This might be the best tea I've ever had."

"I'm glad," you grinned, sipping your tea before patting the cushion beside you. "Sit with me. Please."

Without hesitation, Shino sat on the furthest edge of the couch, giving you the space you deserved. You just giggled softly, collecting your legs onto the couch and shifting your entire body to face Shino. He smiled absentmindedly, heart thumping inside of his chest.

"So, I have to ask," you started. Shino turned more toward you, giving you his full attention. "Why did you get all aggro when I asked you about your bugs, the other day?"

Oh. No. No, this wasn't what he wanted. No.

"It...erm, it was... I don't..." Stars above, wasn't he pathetic? Couldn't even speak to the only person he wanted to speak to. He sighed deeply, "It wasn't the bugs, I just... I thought you were making fun of me when... when you... you know...?"

Furrowing your eyebrows as he blathered, you looked at Shino like he was crazy. He had never had so much trouble stringing together a sentence, and he didn't even finish the thought. The silence that followed was thick and heavy, just making Shino feel worse about his inability to talk to you.

"When I complimented your chakra and your control?" You asked finally. Shino nodded, just thankful that you spoke and he didn't have to. To his surprise, you smiled that sweet smile of yours and asked, "Why?"

"Who are you? The police?"

"Oh, n-no... I'm sorry."

Fuck, he could've killed himself. Only Shino Aburame could make a joke that wipes the smile off of your face. It was his voice, it wasn't jovial enough. No, it was his face, he looked too mean. No, no, it was his brain.

"No, I'm sorry," Shino sighed, setting his cup on the coffee table before rubbing his eyes under his sunglasses.  "It's the fact that you're as powerful as you are... and I'm not..."

"We don't have to talk about that."

Letting a short chuckle fall from his lips, Shino looked at you from the side of his glasses, getting a fully coloured vision of you in his peripheral. He took a breath, then felt a small bubble of laughter as he asked, 

"Then what do you want to talk about?" He sipped his tea, letting it warm his hands. "I'm a much better listener than talker, if you haven't caught on."

"I could've guessed." Narrowing his eyes, though you couldn't see them, Shino turned his head to you slowly. You laughed freely, "I talk too much as it is. I've got some innate need to chew the air. Aren't we a lovely pair?"

The church bells ringing, everyone's chatter falling to a hush as the organ begins-

"Hm, you've got such a nice voice, Shino - it's a pity you want to deprive me of it."

And here you are, coming down the aisle, right into his arms.

"W-what do you want me to say?" He asked quickly, chomping at the bit to make you happy. He didn't even have the mind to question your sentiment, just elated that it existed.

You sipped your tea, saying, "Tell me about your bugs."

"You're not making this easy for someone born to be a mute," he joked, watching your reaction intensely. Shino prayed his tone was humorous, that the small smile on his lips would support him.

And, to his joy, you laughed. Warm and rich, each soundwave landed on Shino's ear like a butterfly's kiss. You hummed, "I'm sorry-"

"And, please, stop apologizing to me - you haven't had a thing to be sorry for," he added.

"Okay," you said softly, looking at Shino with a matching expression. "Who's your favourite, then?"

That was a hard question for Shino to answer, especially given the bugs were in the room. But they were distracted, and so was he - both parties too under your influence to care.

Shino was still stumbling over his words and forgetting the most important ones, but you remained patient and attentive. It seemed you either were enchanted by his voice, or you were genuinely interested in what he had to say. Either way, Shino felt confidence bloom within him, and he started launching into great detail about his insects.

With rapt attention, you listened to every word that came from his mouth. Here and there, you would interject valid questions into the lulls of his speech, and he would answer them fully. As the two of you gradually finished the entire teapot, Shino found himself talking, and talking, and talking. He suddenly couldn't shut up.

"Fuckin' pot's empty," you grumbled, letting the final drop drip into Shino's half-full cup. "Want me to put on another, or do you fancy something else?"

"It's getting late, and I've already taken up enough of your time," he declined politely, finishing off the swig in his cup.

You sighed, "You say that like I've not been enjoying myself over the last-" Glancing at your watch, you gasped, "-three hours. Jumping Jehovah, I'm so sorry, I totally sucked up your night under the guise of tea."

"I would've just been sitting around, wanting to talk to you anyway," Shino chuckled lowly, feeling rather bold after having spent so much time with you.

Both of you stood from the couch with bashful smiles, each too shy to look at the other. Shino walked to your door and you followed after him.

"Do you want me to walk you to your door?"

He laughed lightly, "I don't expect that of you, but I'd have to be insane to turn down your company."

Opening the door wide, Shino motioned for you to go through. You thanked him kindly, then walked beside him in the hallway, five whole paces, to his door.

"Thank you for the tea, Y/n," he murmured, getting out his keys.

Your hand found purchase between his shoulder blades, making Shino freeze in his motion. His eyes darted to your face, finding the beautiful crescent of your smile in full bloom. "Anytime. We should make it a thing."

"We should."

"Goodnight, Shino."

"Goodnight, Y/n."

The breeze floated down the street with Shino. Today was the day, and it seemed even nature knew it. Nothing could slow him down, nothing could stand in his way.

Today was the day.

He had decided last night, today was going to be the day. It was an easy decision to make, but the gathering of courage tested Shino's resolve. But he was ardent, he was determined. Even if he did stutter, you would find it endearing, just like you had for the last six months. Even if he did say something wrong, you would understand, just like you always did.

Today, he was going to make you his. And he would finally be yours.

The plan was simple; show up at your door with something you would enjoy and deliver a great, long monologue that perfectly encapsulated every emotion he felt for you, then you would jump into Shino's arms and promise yourself to him.

The issues immediately became obvious; you could've hated the gift, he could've (and probably would've) screwed the monologue up to high Heaven, and, scariest of all, you might not have been so quick to jump into his arms. 

Shino could have potentially been planning on destroying the only relationship that ever particularly flowed naturally for him. He didn't want to think about that, not at all.

Not when today was the day.

The act of getting you a gift turned out to be more of a tribulation than Shino had imagined it to be. Nothing was grand enough, nothing meaningful enough. He needed something that would blow your socks off, something that would reduce you to the babbling fool that he became around you.

After spending an hour scouring the market squares, Shino moved to the trading post. Even longer was spent there, looking through stalls and trying to picture your reaction to each thing that struck him. But nothing was good enough. Nothing would ever be good enough for you.

Settling on a pricey collection of teas before the trading post closed, Shino haggled with the old man selling the tea. Just trying to get the price down to the amount he had in his wallet, Shino eventually left the trading post, coatless and penniless.

It didn't matter. Today was the day.

Stars, he wondered how nerve-wracking the ring shopping would be in a few years if this little trifle was causing so much strife.

Rounding the corner of the main street, Shino mulled over what to say to you. He just wanted to say I love you and kiss you, but that left you no agency. Even though it was becoming abundantly clear that you were interested in him, Shino still wanted to give you the chance to say no.

One thing that Shino hadn't taken in to account, though, were your other relationships.

And, as you came out of a restaurant with Kiba and Akamaru, Shino realized how grave of a mistake he had made.

Your face shone with a smile, ear to ear as you laughed at some witty quip Kiba delivered. He smiled back proudly, looking at you hungrily. The three of you began to walk toward Shino and he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

"Oh! Shino!" You exclaimed brightly the second you saw him. Tearing away from Kiba and his ninken, you quickened your pace to Shino. He took a step back as you approached, otherwise frozen. Your happiness faded to worry as you asked, "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

The fact that anyone else could be graced by your laugh was wrong. The fact that you just finished what looked a lot like a date with Shino's former teammate was wrong. The fact that you didn't know what was wrong, was wrong.

"Shino, sweetheart, talk to me," you commanded gently. Kiba and Akamaru loomed a few paces behind you, trying to look like they weren't intensely listening. It aggravated Shino monumentally.

Everything about how today was becoming was aggravating him. Shino couldn't even enjoy his name on your tongue, let alone the pet name you had given him. It all felt like lip service.

"I got this for you," he said weakly, offering up the wooden box in his grasp. You looked down and cocked your eyebrow, before looking back at Shino. "I wanted to... to... nevermind." His heart was shattering. "Just take it."

Even if the gift wouldn't have the same effect, Shino wanted to see your reaction. He truly thought you would like the tea, potentially more so now that his unrequited feelings weren't attached. Cautiously, you took the box from Shino but didn't open it.

"You just wanted to what?" You asked, still so concerned over the man before you. "Where's your jacket? Shino, please, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's not important."

"Something is clearly bothering you, and it is important," you rebutted, acquiring a slight edge. "What's bothering you? If you don't tell me, I can't help."

Fuck.

"I love you!" He shouted, putting every single emotion he felt into his words.

Fuck.

Feeling like he was going to cry, Shino turned on his heel and walked. He didn't want your reaction now, he just wanted to save face, if that was even at all possible, at this point.

"Shino," your sweet voice said timidly, right behind him.

Stopping dead in his tracks, Shino hung his head lowly. The bugs were no help, just saying your eyes were as glossy as his.

Slowly, you came around to face Shino and bent lowly enough to be in his view. You smiled up at him and he couldn't help but smile back, taking in the odd posture you assumed as you let the wooden box rest beside your feet. Everything felt so silly. So trivial.

"Yeah?"

You straightened out, making Shino's head follow you as his eyes stayed glued to your face. Your beautiful face.

"Before I make myself look stupid-" Your sentiment made Shino scoff a laugh, because no one could look more stupid than him. Sweetly, you just smiled, continuing, "Do you love me platonically, or romantically?"

He took a deep breath, blinking slowly, before answering, "Every single way under the sun."

"Good," you beamed, taking a step forward and taking the lapels of Shino's flak jacket into your hands, pulling him forward. On your toes, your face came closer to his than it ever had been before, your petal soft lips brushing against his so gently as you said, "I love you too."

Not wasting a moment, not getting in his head, Shino knew that this was it.

He leaned down, closing the small gap, and met your lips fantastically. Not even Shino's wildest, wettest dream could've prepared him for the utter decadence of your kiss. His hands found your hips, pulling you as closely as he had needed you to be for months. But it wasn't enough, for either of you.

Leaning even lower, Shino's left hand cascaded down your lower back and you got the message. Immediately, you jumped up and he caught the bottom of your thigh, squeezing your tender flesh with his left hand while his right explored your back, sitting you atop his hip bones. Your legs locked behind Shino, squishing his waist in a way he didn't know he craved so badly. Warmth exuded from your being, a warmth that Shino longed to be blanketed under and hidden within.

"Come back to my place," you said between kisses. Shino just smiled and started to walk, but then you stopped kissing him, making him stop on a dime. Running your fingers up his lapels and allowing his neck the sweet contact, you laughed, "What's in the box, if you can just leave it in the middle of the street?"

With a chuckle, Shino turned around. He noticed Kiba had left, and he felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him. Not putting you down, Shino knelt and picked up the heavy box with his right hand, holding it behind you.

You groaned, scratching his neck lightly, "My stars, you're strong."

"You never noticed?" Shino joked, though a feeling of pride surged through him.

"I've noticed you're impressive in a few different respects," you replied with a teasing lilt. Moving your hips, Shino felt a friction that was positively dream-like and you purred, "Don't you want to impress me?"

"More than anything." And he meant every syllable.

"Good," you hummed, placing a lingering kiss to Shino's lips. You looked at him, eyes more obviously filled with desire than Shino had ever thought visibly possible. "Take me home."

By his lucky stars, Shino would gladly do so for the rest of his life.

Part 2 - The Art of Mutual Pleasure

[sunstaar]

Sweet Creature

Shino Aburame x gn!Reader

Word Count: 1k

Ao3

Summary: Shino introduces you to his Kikaichū.

Aburame Shino stood in a quiet and secluded clearing in one of the many forests of Konohagakure, the high grass surrounding him covering a part of his lean frame. The stoic expression on his face was partially hidden by the high collar of the jacket he always wore, the same one casting a shadow on his face.

Opposite him stood his partner, you, with a smile on your face, your head cocked to the side as you watched him with growing interest. A little adventure deep into the Konoha forest by the Aburame clan compound was most definitely not on your schedule today, but heading there with Shino was something you didn’t mind. When he told you earlier today that he had something to show you, your curiosity had spiked so much so that on the way into the forest, you could barely keep it to yourself. And since your boyfriend was not the most talkative of men, it was not like you had many hints and clues to work with to come to your own conclusion.

So, as you watched Shino hold out his hand for you to see, you sucked in a breath. Familiar bugs wriggled on his hand, almost as though they were letting out pent-up energy or some sort of emotion. “These are my partners,” He said, his voice slightly muffled from behind his collar. After having known him for so long, you have gotten used to it already. “The Kikaichū.”

As his partner and, before that, friend, it wasn’t like you didn’t know of his clan’s insects. In fact, you had encountered them plenty of times before already, but you had never truly been introduced to them in the way the Aburame see as fitting. That was an honour you had yet to be allowed to participate in, until now, that is.

“They may seem a bit intimidating at first, but they won’t harm you,” Shino always seemed to know the right words to speak to put you at ease. He knew you too well. “Trust me.”

As though wanting to demonstrate, Shino flexed his hand and watched the insects begin to scurry all over his skin, their tiny legs tickling him as they crawled. He was used to the sensation already, but still watched the insects go about with interest in his eyes.

You, on the other hand, watched with fascination, your gaze practically glued to their black little bodies wandering about.

“The Kikaichū feed on chakra,” You already knew that, but hearing Shino talk about his insects always caught your attention. He was never the big talker, preferring to stay quiet instead, but when he did talk, Shino’s voice came out in a lull that never failed to mesmerize you. “They are capable of draining an opponent’s energy in battle. They can also track scents and detect enemies.”

You leaned closer to his hand and the insects, peeking at them with interest. Then, you looked up at your boyfriend, “You know, Shino, I admire your knowledge about bugs. It’s so extensive, it’s impressive.”

Behind his high collar, Shino’s lips stretched into a smile, his cheeks feeling warm. “Would you like to hold one?”

For a moment, you said nothing as Shino moved one of the bugs over to his other hand. It wasn’t that you were scared of holding one of his trusted bugs, you knew that from the bottom of your heart, you could trust Shino, and yet this was a big step. He was trusting you with the safety of one of his bugs, which wasn’t exactly an everyday occurrence for either of you, and you were determined to treat it as such. 

“Sure?” Almost tentatively, you reached out your hand. Shino moved his hand with the singular bug toward yours, the two of you watching as the insect crawled from his hand over to yours.

At first, the sensation of the little legs leaving a faint tingle behind left you shivering as you got used to the feeling. But then you watched the bug move around freely, almost as though it got used to the new space it got to occupy. It reminded you of the other bugs you had encountered already, but knowing that this specific one was one of Shino’s made holding it much more special.

“What a cute little bug,” You commented, your voice filled with wonder. As the bug moved toward the back of your hand, you turned it, so it wouldn’t be upside down. “Fast too.”

Shino chuckled softly. “That they are.”

He was well aware that to some, the Kikaichū can be unsettling companions to have. To see your fascination with the bugs that were so important to him and his entire existence as a Shinobi, to see you smile as his little companion moved all over your hand, made him happy, too. Shino could barely keep the smile off of his face as he watched, a warm feeling of contempt washing over him.

“Does it have a name?” You asked while turning your hand so that your palm would face upward again. Almost like a child captivated by their new toy, you didn’t even lift your head to look at your boyfriend as you continued, “He looks like a Shino Junior.”

At that, Shino raised a brow. “And how do you know it's a he?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know, he just feels like a he.”

“Well, the one you’re holding is a female, actually.”

“Oh,” Your gaze moved to look at the beetle-like bug again. “How do you know that? Which ones are female and which are male?”

“Female kikaichū like the one you’re holding right now can be placed on a target during a mission. They will then release a pheromone that the males are able to home in on,” Shino explained. “Growing up, I spent hours trying to find differences between them.”

With a newfound spark in your eyes, you lifted them to look at Shino. “Can you tell me more about the Kikaichū, please?”

There’s nothing he would love to do more.

[salyby26]

Shino x reader

Warning: g/n reader, cute shino

Word count : 362

Characters: shino, you

Note: here’s some live for my sweet love shino, if you have any ideas or requests don’t be shy ! Next one will probably NSFW~ish. I’m sorry it’s short…

You were walking through the forest, enjoying the peacefulness of your surroundings. Suddenly, you heard noises in the bushes. You tensed up, ready to fight if necessary. However, a familiar figure appeared - it was Shino Aburame.

"Hello, [Name]," he said in his usual monotone voice.

"Hey, Shino. What brings you here?" you asked.

"Taking a walk with my bugs. What about you?"

"I was looking for my necklace, I lost it during my last training" you replied.

There was a moment of silence between you two until Shino spoke up again.

"My bugs found it earlier today, while I was walking ?" he said holding it for you to take.

"Thank you ! Want to take a walk with me ? " You thanked him, feeling a smile creep onto your face. You and Shino had been friends for a while, but you had always admired him from afar. Now, you had a chance to spend some time with him alone.

As you walked, you talked about various things - missions, friends, and even your hobbies. You were surprised to find out that Shino had a passion for gardening. You could sense his excitement as he talked about the different plants he had grown.

"Maybe you can teach me how to garden sometime," you said, smiling up at him.

"I would be happy to," he replied, turning to face you.

You two stopped walking, and you found yourself staring into Shino's dark sunglasses. You couldn't read his expression, but you felt a strange sensation in your chest.

Suddenly, Shino leaned in and pressed his lips to yours. You were taken aback at first but quickly melted into the kiss. It was soft and gentle, yet passionate.

When you finally pulled away, you were both breathless.

"I've wanted to do that for a long time," Shino admitted, his voice slightly shaky.

You smiled, feeling your heart swell with happiness.

"I'm glad you did," you replied.

From that day on, you and Shino started dating. You learned more about him every day and fell deeper in love with him. You couldn't believe that the quiet and reserved Aburame ninja had stolen your heart.

Thank you for reading !