The Bug Queen

Ino's Care- Shino / Team 8 - Ino

Shino awoke in the morning to an empty bed and rain pouring down in sheets outside.  Ino had tucked him in snuggly, but the chill was back. He was just trying not to tremble, which made the pain worse.  He couldn't have gone in today; he couldn't have taught.

 He didn't even think he could move. He hurt terribly; his arm felt swollen, and his body was stiff.

"Ughhh..."

Which meant he would be stuck in bed today: something he never did.  Ino appeared in the doorway, making her way to the bed.

"Hey, Love. How are you feeling?"

"Glad I didn't go in."

She chuckled, tucking him in tighter.

"Let me take care of you today?"

"Okay."

She leaned in, kissing his forehead.

"I love you. We'll get you well again."

"I love you, too."

She touched his face gently, caressing his bruised cheek.

"Are you hungry? I'll make you something to eat."

"No, just very sore.  And shaky. And really sleepy."

She leaned forward and kissed him gently.

"I'll bring you an extra blanket and some more medicine in a little bit.  Go back to sleep.  I'm finishing patching your jacket right now; I'll be done soon."

"Okay. Sounds great."

He closed his eyes, drifting off again. quickly.

***

Ino returned to the kitchen table, sitting back down and picking up where she left off with his jacket. Shibi was still across from her.  Tsume was also still asleep in Shibi's room.  They had been chatting about the previous night, which Ino needed to take her mind off of the traumatic events of the previous day.

"Is he okay?"

"Yeah, he's sore, which I expected he'd be. He's already asleep again.  I'll give him another dose of anti-inflammatory soon, but I bet he'll feel better when he wakes up."

She gave Shibi a little smile. Thunder boomed overhead.

"If you weren't here, he would've gone to the Academy."

"I know. I fought him on that last night. I even told Iruka he wouldn't be in. He needs to rest. You should've heard the way he screamed when I popped his elbow back into place. It was awful."

She shuddered as Shibi frowned.

"He's lucky to have you, Ino."

She gave him a smile, concentrating on the jacket again.

"I'm lucky to have him. He's a wonderful guy-"

Knock, knock.  She got up, answering the front door.

"Ino!"

"Is Shino okay?"

Hinata and Kiba were here, checking in on their teammate. Akamaru stood by nervously, whining.

"He's okay. Come in."

They stepped in and immediately headed down the hall to the master bedroom: they both knew where he was and were familiar with the house. She heard his weak voice as she grabbed an extra blanket from the linen closet in the hallway.

"Hey, guys."

"Man, those kids fucked you up."

"It was the river. I saved the kids."