The Bug Queen

Mystery Date - Ino

Ino picked up her bag on the way out the door and they headed toward the north side of the village. Shino was very excited by the idea of a mystery date that she had planned, and she hoped that he wasn't disappointed.  

The late March weather was finally getting warmer, and she wanted to make good on a promise she made to her fiancé a while ago: she wanted to learn all about bugs.  She also wanted to plan a date with him that would try to rival the one he gave her six months ago.  She didn't have horses, but she had a few tricks of her own.

They stopped on the outskirts of the tree line on the north side and Ino put the bag down on an old picnic table. Opening it, she pulled out two plastic bug enclosures and two nets. The sun was beginning to set, creating a brilliant scene over the trees.

"I was hoping that you'd catch bugs with me in the twilight, and then tell me about them?  It's not the most exciting date-"

"R-Really?  I'd love to show you some bugs! Are you sure that's what you want to do tonight?"

"Yes! Tonight, I get to be the Bug Queen."

He straightened his sunglasses, pushing them up further on the bridge of his nose.  The smile on his face was one of the biggest she had seen.  Ino came up, straightening his jacket and smoothing it out.

"You look excited.  I must've picked a good date idea."

"Nobody's ever wanted to know about bugs before, and especially no one I've dated.  This is very thoughtful."

"It shouldn't have taken me this long to ask. It was just that by the time things calmed down, it was winter-"

"March is the perfect time to go twilight bug hunting.  All of the bugs are appearing just in time for spring."

She cradled his face and kissed his cheek.

"I'm very excited for this date. I want to know all about your favorite things. And maybe we can make a bet."

"A bet?"

"Yeah! How about whoever catches the most diverse box of bugs gets to pick what we do tonight in the bedroom?"

It wasn't a bet she'd make with anyone but Shino; she knew he would make the night fun. There was no way she'd win this one. He chuckled as he pulled out the telescoping handle of his bug net.

"Sounds like a deal."

They picked up their boxes and put the straps over their shoulders before heading into the tree line.  Ino wasn't very good at this kind of thing, but she was determined to try her best.  Checking the trunks of the trees, she was hoping to find some beetles.  Looking over at her lover, he was already crouched down, examining a bug on the ground, speaking to is softly and hoping to coax it into the plastic box.    If he could talk to bugs, then she was definitely in trouble-

That's when she spotted it: a big beetle on the tree.  Now how was she going to get it into the box?  She couldn't talk to it, nor did she want to, but she did have the winter melon in her bag...

Taking a little piece, she moved slowly and held it up to the beetle's pincers.  He surprisingly didn't move, and actually accepted it.  She watched in amazement as the beetle ate the melon.  It was huge!   Maybe she could whisper to it, just a little.

"Psst.  Hey, Mr. Beetle.  Would you mind taking a ride in my box?  I'll let you go in an hour; I just want to show you to my fiancé."

And he walked right into the box!  Maybe she really was the bug queen!  She put a few leaves and sticks in to make his trip more comfortable.  She didn't even put the lid back on, whispering her gratitude to him as she gently picked the box up and carried it.

Bug hunting was really fun!