The Bug Queen

A Mother's Love / The Journey - Shino

Shino was sore, but he was okay. And he felt pretty good with Ino curled up against him, her long legs across his lap as they people watched at the park. She talked animatedly and he hung onto every word as he watched her, completely smitten.

He wasn't so swollen that he couldn't move today, and his arm seemed to be improving greatly.  Even though his bruising was darker than it had been, he was on the mend.  Yesterday was what he needed: being in bed with his lover, touching her and talking to her.  Teasing her.  It was the best day he ever had being injured. Hot soup and lots of steamy kisses.  It was the perfect day of rest that his body needed.

This morning, the rain had stopped, and it was just cold out.  Ino had opened the curtains, turned on the tv, and lit the hearth. It was another quiet morning of rest until she suggested that they get some fresh air.

And Shino felt pretty good with Ino curled up against him, her long legs across his lap as they people watched at the park. She talked animatedly and he hung onto every word as he watched her, completely smitten.  She had on a green fuzzy coat and black leggings. And long soras. She was so sexy-

"Hey, Shino Sensei."

He was practically yanked away from the goddess in his lap who was playing with his hair when he heard the voice of one of his students.

"Hey, Enkai. How are you doing?"

The boy was the first one he had pulled from the river. A woman was with him that Shino recognized her as his mother. Ino pulled her legs back and sat up, smiling at the little boy.  The boy, in turn, looked ashamed.

"I'm fine."

His mother spoke emotionally from behind him.

"Are you the teacher who saved Enkai?"

Shino looked up at her.

"Yes, I am."

She bowed deeply, suddenly bursting into tears.

"Thank you for saving my little boy!"

"Mom!"

Shino sat up straight as best he could, nodding to the woman.

"Of course.  You don't need to bow.  It's alright."

Ino watched the little boy instead, speaking gently.

"You didn't get hurt, did you?"

He shook his head no, but still looked upset.  He rubbed his eyes as if he could cry at any moment as well.

"Shino Sensei was hurt..."

Ino smiled at him.

"Shino Sensei will be fine."

"He missed school yesterday. He had to leave school on Thursday.  His arm is in a sling and his face is bruised."

Enkai began to tear up. Shino was about to tell him that he was fine, but Ino smirked as she leaned forward.

"Shino Sensei missed school yesterday because I told Iruka Sensei that he did such a good job that he was taking Friday off. I get special girlfriend privileges to do that sometimes."

Shino knew that it was a thinly veiled lie: he only had one arm in a sleeve, the other in a sling, and he was clearly visibly bruised. But Enkai was now preoccupied with this new information.

"You're Shino Sensei's girlfriend?"

Ino nodded, making Enkai blushed. Shino looked over at her, grinning.

"Yep, this is my Ino.  She's also been my healer this weekend."

Ino put a hand out to shake his.

"It's nice to meet you, Enkai."

He shook her hand, blushing harder. And then she stood up.

"You must be Mom!"

Enkai's mom hugged her tightly and the two women whispered for a moment.  Ino looked as if she were comforting the woman.  It was a moment of obvious emotional strength from his lover; something that he was seeing more often from her.  Ino was a loving and strong woman, but he already knew that.  They parted and the woman turned back to Ino.

"I'm forever in your debt-"

"You aren't.  I'm his teacher, and that's what I'm here to do: keep them safe.  I'm only sorry I can't get up to greet you.  I'm having trouble getting up and down still."

The woman fell to her knees and put her hands on the sides of his thighs gently.

"Thank you so much, Shino.  You're a great teacher, and a great protector.  You saved his life, and I'm forever grateful for that."

He gave her a smile as Ino hugged the little boy as well.

***

Shino laid in bed as he watched Ino entered the room in big, fuzzy pants and a tight little crop top. She was still skinny but beginning to fill out. But he had meant what he'd said: even at her thinnest, Shino found her beautiful. Fifteen pounds or so heavier and he was salivating over her. She had a beautiful smile on her face.  She made her way to the bed and sat down next to him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Mmm... not well enough to go to the Academy tomorrow."

The smile disappeared from her face.

"What hurts, Love?"

She put a hand on his chest. He wrapped his fingers around hers and slid her hand lower, moving it to cup his erection, making her roll her eyes.

"Here. Especially in those fuzzy pants and that little shirt. Holy fuck, it hurts."

She giggled.

"You're horny tonight.  You must be feeling better."

"I'm horny all the time when you're around. Especially since you're happier and healthier. And bossy-"

"I'm not bossy!"

"He won't be coming to the Academy tomorrow..."

He mocked her gently, making her laugh. But then he felt himself in awe of her as he continued.

"I fucking love it. All of it. I love how hard you love me, Ino-chan. And I love when you get protective. And I love how well you're doing, because half a year ago, I was so afraid I'd lose you."

"I wasn't going to leave-"

"I was afraid you wouldn't wake up.  We had nights where I would wake up often and make sure you were still breathing.  You were so skinny, and you were so sick.  And now you're healthy, and that's amazing."

He reached out a hand, touching her belly gently. She put a hand over his.

"You saved my life."

He shook his head no.

"You saved yourself. You were the only one who could. But I told you I'd take the journey with you. I love you."

He watched her face crinkle into tears.

"I love you, too. You've never let me down."

"I'll try to never let you down.  Come on, let's watch some shitty tv and get some sleep.  It's been a very comforting four days, and I'm sorry it's over."

"Do you think you'll be okay to go in tomorrow.  I'll talk to Iruka if you want-"

"No, no.  I'll be fine.  I'll just let my students know that they need to take it easy.  I have the feeling they'll be pretty compliant after what happened Thursday.  I'm expecting an easy week since I'm visibly injured."

He yawned and she giggled as she kissed his cheek.

"Come and curl up next to me.  And if you're a good boy and get through the school day tomorrow, then this body is yours.  Or your body is mine, depending on how tired you are."

"Then I'd better get some sleep."

He curled up against her, finally able to put his head on her shoulder.  She held him as he fell asleep, not ready for tomorrow, but glad to be able to get back to his normal routine.