The Bug Queen

A Future - Shibi

"Thanks for bringing me with you."

"Of course, you're my girl."

He was surprised to hear her giggle as she held onto his arm tighter, giving his bicep a little squeeze.  After Hana and Kakashi's baby news the night before, Tsume had invited him back to the Inuzuka compound for the night.  He'd spent the night kissing every inch of her skin and nibbling at the insides of her thighs, making her moan.  He never thought he'd touch another woman after Kaede, but Tsume felt right in his hands.

He opened the door to the bar, and the group was already raucous.  A dozen figures in coats standing around drinking, and beautiful women nearby.

"Shibi!"

Izumi came up to him first, hugging him tightly.  And then she realized what was happening.

"You brought Tsume!  Welcome!"

She hugged Tsume as well.  Shibi answered as he reached for her hand.

"She's my date."

Izumi's face lit up.

"Oh!  That's wonderful!"

Shibi could feel himself blushing.

"It is.  If you'll excuse is, we're going to grab some drinks."

Tsume took his arm again, smiling as she excused them as well.  Shibi leaned in, speaking to her softly.

"Let's get a couple of drinks and then we can find Shino and Ino."

They weren't hard to find, Shino was standing at a table with Ino, laughing as he spoke to his cousins.  Ino was speaking with a couple of the wives.  Shibi took Tsume's hand and lead her through the sea of Aburames to his son.

"Shino!  Happy birthday!"

"Thanks, Dad."

And then, Shino pulled them aside for a moment. Ino followed, smiling as she hugged Tsume.

"I got what I really wanted this year, but we haven't told anyone yet."

Ino discreetly showed them the engagement ring that was Kaede's. It struck him deeply to see her wearing it, but he also felt an overwhelming sense of pride.  His future daughter-in-law was wearing his late wife's ring.  It had a future.  He hugged her.

"Welcome to the family, Ino.  Not like you haven't been part of it since the summer."

She giggled.

"Thanks, Dad.  But I'm not there yet.  We were hoping for a June wedding."

He kissed her cheek.

"You're already my daughter."

He let go of Ino and scooped up his son.

"Congratulations, Son."

"Thanks, Dad.  I can't wait to make her my wife."

They excused themselves, not wanting to keep them away from the family any longer, and took their drinks to a quieter table in the back.

"Congratulations, Shibi.  You're gaining a daughter.  That's wonderful."

He took her hand again from across the table, holding it in his own and kissing it tenderly.

"Thanks, Grandma."

She laughed.

"A lot has happened over the past 24 hours.  I'm going to be a grandma and your son is getting married.

He leaned over the table, picking up his drink.

"I know, incredible, right?  And that was Kaede's ring.  I gave it to Shino because it has a lot of life left in it."

Tsume scooted closer.

"Shibi, that's beautiful."

He looked into his beer, smiling.

"It wasn't doing much good sitting in a box in my dresser.  It looks much better on Ino's finger than hidden away."

He looked up from his beer to find her smiling at him.  She was stunning in her red lipstick, as always.

"You look gorgeous tonight, Tsume."

He watched as she blushed.

"I'm not wearing anything special-"

"You're always beautiful.  I love you."

Now she was really blushing.

"Thanks.  I never thought I'd hear that from another man again in this lifetime."

He beckoned her around the bar table and into his lap.  She put an arm around his shoulders as he snuggled into her.

"I know this relationship isn't what we intended it to be, but I'm so happy it's growing into this."

He looked up at her as she cradled his face with her free hand.

"I love you too, Shibi-kun.  So much.  I never thought my heart would feel a love like this again... but it is."

He buried his face into her shoulder.

"Me too, Love."

He felt her giggle as she rubbed his shoulders.  She listened as Ino grabbed everyone's attention.

"I want to share what Shino got for his birthday!"

She raised her hand with the beautiful emerald engagement ring, continuing loudly.

"ME!"

There was a cry of delight that rose from the crowd, mostly from his nephews' wives.

"Ino!"

"Congratulations!"

Shino put an arm around her, dipping her and kissing her deeply, making everyone scream excitedly.  Shino laughed.

"He's a lot more open with Ino by his side."

Tsume was beaming.

"They're a good pair, and Ino is such a nice girl.  Inoichi would be proud of the woman she's become."

"Especially over the past six months.  She's like an entirely different person."

As Ino clung onto Shino, she no longer resembled the skeleton-like woman that had joined their household six months ago.  She had filled out well and looked beautiful in a skirt and sweater.  She also looked like she really belonged with the other Aburame wives.  He felt Tsume rest her head against his.  Shibi's heart began to race.  He loved Tsume deeply.

"Would you ever... be open to marriage again?"

He couldn't believe that he asked it, but it finally came out.  The thing that had been on his mind since she told him that she loved him.  She looked shocked, looking down at him from his lap. He felt like a fucking idiot-

"Yeah, I'd be open to being married again.  Someday.  I'd have to sit on the idea to tell you when I'd be comfortable with it."

She looked a little nervous as well, but he smiled.

"That's an amazing answer to hear.  Nothing anytime soon.  I just wanted to know if we could ever go that way."

"So you'd like to be married again?"

"I didn't think I ever would, but yes. I'm probably rusty as a husband by now.  It's been a long time, and I didn''t get to do it for very long.  But someday I'd like to try it with you."

She leaned in and kissed his forehead tenderly.

"I'd like to talk to you about it more."

Shibi felt so warm, holding Tsume in his lap as he watched his son have fun with his fiance and family.  He had more hope for the future now than he'd had in years.