The Bug Queen

Mirai's Healing Kiss - Kiba / This Won't Break You - Shino

Kiba had honestly never seen his best friend so upset over a girl before. Ino left the room with Hinata and Kurenai, and Shino was actually trying to get up.  Idiot.

"Man, lay down!"

It wasn't hard to get him back down: just a quick push to his good shoulder. It sounded as if Kiba had knocked the air out of him.

"She's upset-"

"She's fine. She's just been alone for too long. Hinata and Kurenai are out there-"

"She needs me-"

"You can't save her."

Shino promptly shut up. His bottom lip began to quiver.

"I know. But I want to, more than anything."

"You couldn't save the last three, and you can't save her. But she's doing a lot better on her own. She has to want to save herself."

"I think she does.  She has moments of weakness, but I think she does."

Kiba sat back down.

"She does. Shes gaining weight and she looks happy. And she's really into you, Man."

Shino gave him a little smile.

"She is. I'm really lucky."

Ino reappeared, heading straight for the bed.

"Come here, Ino."

Shino spoke to her gently as she ticked herself under his uninjured arm, putting her head on his shoulder. Hinata and Kurenai stood in the doorway, watching her sadly. Akamaru was suddenly boosting Mirai up onto the bed. Kiba was careful to keep her withing arm's reach.

"Careful, Mirai. Shino's pretty beat up."

Mirai was four now, almost five, and they were close to her. His entire team had watched her grow up. They were their own family, and a family that Kiba couldn't imagine not having. 

He really did feel for Ino: she had no one. Even now, she only had Shino, it appeared. And Shino was great, but she couldn't solely depend on one person. She needed to let her friends help her again. 

But Mirai curled up between Shino and Ino, looking up at her.

"Don't cry."

Ino was trying to hide her tears, but she couldn't hide them from Mirai. She moved to Ino's side, facing her and touching her blonde hair.

"Why are you crying?"

Ino sat up, wiping her eyes.

"I...I can't stop being sad. I think I'm broken."

Kiba watched this break his best friend silently, the tears silently streaming down his cheeks after her comment. Mirai looked all around Ino, inspecting her as only a four-year-old could.

"You don't look broken; you look fine."

"It's in my head."

"Come here."

Ino leaned forward as Mirai asked, and Mirai kissed her forehead loudly and sweetly.

"It's better."

Even Ino had to smile at this.

"Thanks, Sweet Girl."

Kiba picked her up, cradling Mirai playfully as she laughed.

"Come on, we'll get out of here and give you two some time alone. But I'll be back tomorrow to check on you."

The couple clearly needed some space right now, and the rest of his team needed some early lunch.  Ino was crying again as she spoke softly.

"Thanks for coming by to check on him. Sorry, I'm such a big baby-"