The Bug Queen

Big Strides - Ino / Ino's Fantasy - Shino

Ino awoke from their afternoon nap, feeling strange. It must've been early evening by now: the room was bathed in twilight. She didn't want to wake Shino, so she crept out of bed and snuck to the bathroom.  She was still half asleep as she sat on the toilet, holding her belly.  She felt off.  Not horrible, just off.  A little nauseous, a little bloated.  Just blah.

She hung her head as she peed.  But when she wiped, it all made sense.  She couldn't help but stare at the bloody toilet paper, now wide awake.

She was menstruating again.

She hadn't had her period in two years, and she was starting again.  Her body had gained enough weight over the past couple of months to kickstart her cycle.  She began to cry...

"What is it?  What's wrong?"

...accidently waking Shino.  This had to be a disgusting sight: she could feel the sticky ooze coming out of her body.  She had never been so embarrassed or so happy at the same time.  He knelt in front of her, quickly putting the pieces together.

"Is that why you felt poorly today?"

She quickly shoved the toilet paper into the bowl beneath her.

"Yeah, I haven't had a period in two years.  I didn't expect it to come back so fast.  I'm happy but... wow..."

Shino smiled at her, squinting in the bathroom light.

"You've made big strides, Beautiful.  I'm proud of you."

She was surprised when he hugged her, still sitting on the toilet.  It was a hug that lingered.  She felt him inhale deeply against her, making her giggle.

"You naughty boy, you like my pheromones."

He looked up from her chest, grinning smittenly.

"Of course I do; they're intoxicating."

She kissed his forehead before he got up.

"I'll be right back."

He left and returned a minute later with both his glasses and a box in his hand.

"I hope ex-girlfriend pads are okay.  Someone left them here, and I just kept them for the next person."

She giggled.

"They'll work as good as any.  No explanation needed."

"Oh, you'd be surprised."

She knew he was right: not every girl would be as grateful for, or understanding of, mystery pads.

"Listen, I'm just glad you have them.  Could you get me a clean pair of panties?  You took mine earlier."

He smiled at her, returning a second later with a pair of panties and leaving so she could finish up.  When she returned to the bed, he pulled her into himself and kissed her passionately, whispering into her ear.

"I'm glad you weren't crying earlier because of me..."

She cradled his head on her shoulder.

"Of course not.  Sorry that I've been so emotional."

"Don't be.  You're healing.  And next month, I'll make sure that you have ice cream and ginger chews and a hot pack and sad, girly movies.  You'll be all set."

She giggled.

"How do you know so much about women PMSing, Shino Aburame?"

"I've been shit on by enough emotional women to know what they need.  I'm just glad that you didn't do it, too."