The Bug Queen

Be Careful / Tanooki - Shino

"I'm surprised to see you."

Shino slid into the water, wading next to him and resting his arms on the rocks beside him.  The last four days had flown by, lying beside Ino.  She had mostly slept, whimpering in her sleep, and he had read or just watched her and let his mind wander.  She was beautiful, and she needed his help.  It had gone on so long that Hana had officially switched rooms with him, instead staying with her little brother so Shino and Ino could have some space.

"Ino's sleeping and I wanted to make sure we got to hang out."

Kiba rolled his eyes.

"Okay, thanks."

Shino grinned.

"Don't be like that. She needs help. Besides, it's why we're here."

"Is she doing that badly?  I thought Shikamaru was annoying her more than anything."

Shino frowned.

"It's not good. She's cried and slept a lot over the past several days. I guess it's been four years of no one being there. Shikamaru's gone with Temari and who knows where Choji's been."

"That's not your fault, Shino."

"I didn't know she was suffering."

"You've been taking care of your family and your team. And mourning your brother. Everyone's been handling their own trauma and the trauma of their loved ones. You didn't know a classmate was hurting.  You can't save everyone.  Besides, what about Choji? He didn't show up for her?"

Team 10 lost Asuma, and there wasn't a way to measure grief, but two of Choji's teammates had their entire clans decimate, and Choji had simply disappeared. Shino had seen him around recently with a woman from the Hidden Cloud, looking smitten. With his parents. He assumed by that, Shikamaru and Ino were okay. He never could've imagined that Choji was ignoring the misery around him.

"That's on him, and no one can speak for his choices."

Kiba had been through hell as well, losing his father in the war. The grief had almost killed his Mom. But one bright spot that had occurred over the past three years for the Inuzuka clan was Kakashi Hatake moving in with them a year ago. He and Hana had been together for a couple of years, and Kakashi had been a balm to the Inuzuka clan's collective soul. He made Hana happy, and he was a good fit for their family. Even Kiba liked him living there. And it was a relief to have him there on these long missions, so Tsume wasn't in the house alone.

"The only person I have any control over is me, and I hate to see her suffer like that. She was always kind to me when we were little. Besides, there's chemistry-"

"Dude, you shot your shot and got close to her.  You got to spend the night with her.  I know your type, and I never would've suggested it if I'd known she was that sick.  But... don't. Don't let some desperate, hurt woman break your heart again. Please. I like Ino, but right now she's no different than anyone else you've helped and who's hurt you."

Kiba was right about that, as annoyed as that made Shino.

"I'm just helping her. That's it. I'm just saying, it's nice to interact with a woman that I'm not completely awkward around."

He felt Kiba watching him sadly. He wasn't expecting anything romantic to happen with Ino past this trip, but it felt nice to be comfortable around another person, and to know that she wouldn't hurt him. Hopefully.  He continued.

"I'm still going to treat her like a queen, just friends or not. She needs it."

"Just be careful. I hate to sound like an ass, but I hate seeing you get hurt more."

***

Shino returned to the room, bringing takeout with him as well as a surprise for her. She was asleep but woke up as he shut the door.

"Hey, Shino."

She looked happy to see him, a sleepy grin appearing on her face as she sat up.

"Hey, are you hungry?"

"I'm never hungry."

"I brought you food in case you were. I think you should at least try to take a few bites. And I saw this guy and he looked like he'd be happier with you."

He pulled a stuffed tanooki from his jacket and gave it to her. It wasn't a very big stuffed animal, but you would have thought he'd given her a rare treasure.  Her face was pure awe.

"Shino! He's wonderful! Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome."

He turned on the tv and made her a little plate of noodles and pork cutlet, cut up small. He'd do anything to increase her chances of eating. However, when he turned around, she was once again crying.

"Ino..."

She was still hugging the tanooki tightly, sobbing silently into its soft fur.

"You're... so...kind..."

He sat beside her and hugged her tightly.

"Ino, you deserve someone being kind to you. You're a good person who's seen a lot of atrocities. Besides, you're my friend."

He pulled her into his lap, kissing her cheek gently.

"I... didn't even ask you... how your time at the hot spring was..."

He smiled gently at the polite woman.

"It was great. I got to spend some time with Kiba and hang out."

She sniffled, turning and facing him so she could hug him, still holding her stuffy. She buried her face into his shoulder.

"I'm glad you got to see your friend. I know I'm keeping you from him-"

"Shh... you're not. He hopes you're okay. Maybe we can all get together tomorrow."

She nodded, holding into him tightly.

"I'd like that."

He kissed her forehead.

"You're not keeping me from anyone. I want to be here. With you."