The Road not Taken - part 8
Shibi x female reader with a name - arranged marriage
Summary: Airi Nara seems a hopeless case, until her grandmother sets her up for an arranged marriage. But was marrying Shibi Aburame the right choice after all?
Character Sheet - Masterlist
Taglist: @sammieshuttle97
Shibi has started dreaming about kissing you.
Ever since your first - albeit small - victory against him in hand-to-hand combat he can’t get it out of his head. The curve of your mouth as you grin triumphantly, the color of your lips…
All he wants is your lips pressed against his but he does not know how to ask for it.
The fact that he’s offered you daily training sessions and you’ve accepted the offer does not help his predicament.
Nor does seeing you with Shino.
There’s hardly a day where he does not find you napping, Shino wrapped in your arms.
His son is not happy about the fact that he has to share you even more, that training time cuts into playtime.
Shibi can see himself in that, can’t fault Shino for feeling it or his youth for emphasizing it.
Shino has not yet learned to hide his wishes for the sake of others.
And while his Kikaichu can translate seamlessly what he wants, he’s less willing to put it into words for you.
Shibi can see himself in that too, can only hope that your influence will change that about Shino before he turns into a copy of his father, unable to voice his wants or needs in relationships.
It’s been about three months now since you’ve gotten married.
Fall has turned into winter, the training field covered in a blanket of snow.
Shino still prefers being out with them, now working on a family of snow people and only occasionally looking over at them.
Shibi knows that soon he's going to be training too, but he enjoys the quiet time he gets with his son until then.
When they walk back, noses red and cheeks burning from the biting wind, clothes damp from the melting snow, they feel like a family. Even more so when Shino walks between them, holding a hand of each parent.
Shino is inherently jealous.
It's a trait that Shibi can see mirrored in himself, but he's gotten better at hiding it.
You, however, are a woman of many passions.
You're knitting, sewing, baking or grinding antlers, care for the elders of the Clan with frequent visits or the orphanage with a mountain of altered clothes and new mittens.
He knows now that the latter has another motive, that there's a reason you wrap the set of bright orange mittens and scarf separately. But he doubts that Shibi understands why he has to share your attention with a set of knitting needles.
It's a good thing that Shibi is not a loud child, nor a very active one. He does not mind knitting with you, or reading you a book as you mend clothes.
It's entirely different however when he has to share your attention with another child.
Shikaku has come for a visit, mixing work with pleasantry.
There’s something brewing in Konoha and the upcoming meeting - coupled with the yearly celebration of Konoha’s founding - might shed some light on it.
But where Shikaku and him are sitting in the kitchen, quietly conversing about the problems that might arise, Shikamaru seems to have decided that you are his new favorite person.
He’s leaning on you, insisting that you carry him, play with his hair.
And Shino, bless his little heart, is fuming.
He’s holding himself together very well, probably remembering their talk beforehand about visitors from other Clans.
Shibi sends his Kikaichu, trying to calm his son’s frazzled nerves.
“You have her every day,” he reminds him calmly. “Shikamaru rarely gets to see her. Please try to share.”
All is lost, however, when Shikamaru nods off against your chest and you lean down to press a kiss against the top of his head, something you’ve surely done many times since he’s been born.
Shino is up in a heartbeat, Kikaichu swarming around him like a cloud of darkness.
“No.” He says, his small voice dampening the force of his anger only a little bit. “No.”
He storms past you right after that, up the staircase with quick steps until you hear the slam of a door, presumably his own.
Shibi gets up in a second and so do you, handing the sleeping Shikamaru to his mother who’s watching all of it with raised eyebrows.
“Just a minute.” You tell her and follow Shibi up the stairs.
“This is unacceptable behaviour.” He mutters under his breath. You nod.
“Unacceptable but understandable, I guess.” You tell him quietly and put a hand on his arm as he reaches for the door. “Don’t be too hard on him.”
Shino has curled into himself, his Kikaichu forming a moving wall around him.
You take a seat on the bed next to him, either not scared of the Kikaichu or not showing your apprehension.
“You know, Shino,” You start quietly, “I love a lot of people. I have a very big heart. But there are some people that are most important to me. Can you tell me who that is?”
Shino doesn’t give an audible reply but his Kikaichu carry his thoughts and feelings and Shibi translates them for you.
“He thinks it might be him.” He says quietly, “But he’s not sure.”
“You know, that’s normal.” You nod even though Shino can’t see you. “I’ve just come into your life three months ago. You still have to learn the language in which I love you. But you see, Shino, even if I kiss Shikamaru’s head or hug someone or spend time with someone that’s not you, that does not mean I love you less.”
You think for a second, chewing on your lower lip as you do so.
Shibi can’t help but stare at your mouth as he, too, starts to think differently about this topic.
“Shino.” He starts quietly. “Do you ever question my love for you?”
The bundle on the bed shakes as Shino moves, the Kikaichu slowly moving off his face.
“No,” he answers quietly.
“Why?”
Shino’s mouth opens but he closes it again, realizing that he does not have an answer for it.
“Do you question your mother’s love?”
Your eyes fly to him as he speaks but he looks at his son. Shino, who’s slowly but surely drops his wall of Kikaichu and starts climbing into your lap again, head hanging low in shame.
“No.” He mutters low. “I just don’t want to share it.”
“You don’t seem to mind when I spend time with your father.” You tell him softly.
His breath catches at your words but you don’t elaborate, instead you softly kiss Shino’s head.
Then, you go for his heart.
“What would happen if you’d get a sibling?”
All the Kikaichu in Shibi’s body stop moving. He’s not sure if he’s still breathing.
A sibling. A child. A child from you and him?
Shino does not seem to care about his father’s sudden apprehensiveness.
“Would I have to share you?”
“Yes. Especially in the beginning when they are very small and need a lot of care.”
“Would you love them more?”
“No.” Your answer is sure and steadfast, a stark contrast to Shino’s timid words.
“I’d try to love you all the same but it would be different. You’re the only child that chose me after all.”
Somewhere along your words he’s gotten a shaky breath in. Then another.
Shibi feels like he’s swallowed a handful of Kenji’s Chakra eating worms and they’re wiggling around in his belly, sending shock after shock up into his brain.
A Child. He cannot stop thinking about that. You were the one that brought it up.
“I could be okay with it.” Shino offers softly, a lot more open to the idea now that you’re rubbing his back in soothing circles.
“That’s good. Could you be okay with me hugging Shikamaru too? Or Naruto?”
He tenses immediately but your hand keeps rubbing his back, your nose buried in his hair.
“Do you have to hug them?” He whines.
“I like hugging people. And in Naruto’s case he doesn’t have much people hugging him.”
It’s quiet for a moment before Shino gives in.
“You can hug them. But you can’t kiss them.”
“Fine. I’ll try and not kiss anyone outside the family.”
Shino giggles as you tickle him.
When you look up at Shibi, he’s just started regaining his composure.
“Now, how about we get back down?” He asks, glad that his voice stays even. “We’re almost done with the meeting anyway.”
When all is said and done, Shikaku has left and Shino’s in bed, he brews tea.
It’s more for his own sake than yours, as his hands need something to occupy them.
“What you said today…” he starts, focused on the water that’s heating up slowly, “About a sibling…”
He can hear you move but is still surprised to find you next to him a moment later, a small smile on your lips.
“You never talk about what you want.” Your hands are folded in front of your belly and he can’t help but look at it, the thought still ringing through his head. A child….
“What do you mean?”
“Since I moved in you’ve notified me of the usual Clan rules. You told me what your mother likes and dislikes, what Shino does not eat and what he prefers. But never once have you told me what you want.”
He does not know what to say to that, so he directs his eyes back to the stove only to hear you laugh softly.
“What?” He asks, confusion lacing his voice.
“Do you want children?” You ask.
He swallows.
“If I am allowed to tell you what I want, you’re allowed to tell me the same.”
He swallows again, takes the water off the stove and pours it over the tea leaves.
“If you want children,...” he starts but you cut him off.
“Do you want children? Take me out of the equation for the moment and consider the question, Shibi.”
“There’s no taking you out of the equation.” He answers truthfully.
You misunderstand.
“If I am not your type,” you try again, “Things can be arranged. I just want you to be happy too.”
“You are my type.” The words are out before he can stop himself. He has lost his self control. Again.
All he wants to do is run away, just like Shino did hours ago. He wants to curl into a ball, hide from the world behind a wall of trusty Kikaichu until it all makes sense again.
“What’s the problem then?” You ask and then, to his utter frustration, your hand touches his.
He’s frozen on the spot, pulled into two directions.
He wants to keep his distance and pull away - but that might insult you.
He wants to stay right where he is, wants to hold your hand and feel sure of your affection - but that might pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do.
You take hold of his hand and press it slightly.
“Shibi. We encourage Shino to tell us how he feels and what he wants. Even if it might sound ridiculous it gives us insight on what he’s feeling. Why shouldn’t you be allowed to voice your desires? I promise with all my heart that I will not laugh nor judge.”
There’s nothing but sincerity in her eyes.
He doesn’t know what it is, that opens his mouth. Is it the darkness outside that makes him feel like they’re the only ones on earth? Or the touch of your hand, your skin rough beneath his fingertips? Maybe it’s the stretch of your lips, the truthfulness playing around your mouth.
“I want to kiss you.” He says. The words are spoken quietly but they ring in his ears.
He does not look at your face when he speaks, too invested in the steeping tea. It makes talking easier and he follows up with the next sentence, hoping it will ease the weight of the first.
“I want you to want to kiss me.”
He falls silent after that, his mouth dry, his tongue in search for more words.
“Do you want me to love you?” You ask and he marvels at your wording, the question carefully crafted.
He nods quickly and reaches for the tea again but you’re already in the way, hugging his side.
Your head lands right below his chin, your ear against his chest.
“Shibi.” You tell him, your voice earnest, “I’m not yet there. I’m not yet able to say it with meaning, but I… I can say one thing for sure. You are very important to me. Do you understand? Very important.”
They stand like this for what feels like eternity. He can feel tears burning in his eyes, can feel his heart stuttering at your close proximity. His mind is reeling, trying to grasp the full extent of your words.
“Hold me if you want to.” You whisper and he does.
Shibi is not a hugger. The Aburame’s are not a touchy Clan.
He’s starting to see the error of his ways.
A part of him fears letting you go again. That you will step away and everything will fall back into the place it was before.
But when you do step out of his hug, your hand lingers and it feels as if you’ve taken a part of him with you and left something of you behind.
“I’m really feeling a glass of wine right now.” You tell him honestly, “Like, Wine and Chocolate? But that’s probably not your thing, if you’re not into sweets.”
“Aburame’s cannot consume alcohol. The insects have no way of metabolizing it. But we do have some wine. It was gifted to me some time ago from the Inuzuka Clan.”
“Tsume gave you wine?” You ask, surprise evident in your voice. “Why?”
He clears his throat pointedly. “I’d rather not say, as it was a private matter concerning her now ex-husband.”
“Oh.” You nod in understanding, “I understand. He was quite a handful.”
By the time you have made it to the living room with wine, chocolate and some gummy candy, he has already taken the first sip of his tea.
It has steeped too long and turned slightly bitter. He’s ready to get up and pour it away when you sit down next to him, your free hand already moving towards his and his resolve melts away.as your fingers tangle.
Your skin is rough and calloused, but your touch is soft.
Your presence sweetens his tea.
And then you lean back, look at him over the rim of your wine glass and smile.
“Tell me about your day, Shibi. What did I miss?”
- - -
In the two weeks leading up to the annual celebration Shibi has had to bid you goodbye on two separate missions - they went well but they were barely meeting Chunin-Level - as well as make food for two more people each day.
You’d finally caved and told him that many of your Bento Boxes end up in the stomach of Naruto and maybe Iruka, who’s taking Naruto out of the orphanage on the days where he’s not out on missions or training.
Shibi’s going to have to talk to you about this.
There’s helping people and killing yourself trying to help everyone. Surely there are other ways to help these two than to gift them your food.
Shino is clinging a bit less to you at the moment, now somewhat dividing his attention between his parents. But in the understanding that all Aburame’s have, he’s only doing it at home, Chiasa the only person who witnesses his growing touchyness with raised eyebrows.
“Where is Airi?” Shino asks from the living room where he’s put up little glas boxes filled with different kinds of insects.
Shibi does not answer, instead he sends out a few of his Kikaichu in search for you.
It’s not uncommon that you come home a bit later from work. Sometimes things get crazy just when you’re about to leave and you get pulled back in.
But today is important. The Aburame Clan may be a noble Clan but they’re not liked very much and the fact that he’s married into the Nara Clan has already led to some unhappy comments. They have to make a good impression.
His Kikaichu return to tell him that you’re still at the hospital, arms deep in blood.
He sends them back again.
And again.
And again.
By the time you stumble through the front door they have about thirty minutes to spare before they have to leave again. Your hair has fallen out of it’s usual style and the exhaustion is visible in your eyes.
“I’m sorry.” You mumble, “I’ll get ready.”
“Did you eat something?” He asks but you’re already past him, climbing up the stairs.
“Hey Shino,” He can hear your voice call out, “Do you want to help me get ready?”
When you come back down you’re dressed in a traditional Aburame Coat, the collar shielding your lower face. Toshiko must have lent you Kenji’s old sunglasses, they are big enough to cover even most of your scar.
You look like an Aburame, like you’ve always been part of their Clan. You are wearing his Clan signs.
“We’ve got ten more minutes before we have to leave.” He tells you quietly, glad that his voice didn’t break from emotion. “Do you want to rest until we have to go?”
You nod and sink onto the Couch, Shino immediately climbing on top of you and snuggling into the folds of your Coat.
-
Just like every year, they offer Sake at the celebration.
Just like every year, Shibi pointedly declines.
“I am not allowed to drink alcohol.” Everone knows that. But there’s still no alternative for people who’re not drinking.
When the waiter - some poor Chunin who picked the shortest straw - turns to you, you wave him off just the same.
“Me neither, thank you.”
It gets them the first weird look, but it’s from Fugaku Uchiha, a man who gives everyone weird looks.
Just as they round the corner, they’re spotted by none other than Inuzuka Tsume.
As fellow animal users they are on good terms with the other Clan but Tsume is still a bit of a wild card. And he’s right again.
“Airi, you sly dog!” She moves to his wife instead of him, pulling her into a rather rough hug.
“You didn’t tell me you were getting married.”
“Neither did you and I did not make a scene about that.”
“She was probably ashamed about it.” A third voice interjects and Shibi turns to see Haruno Mikio stand beside them, somehow balancing three cups of Sake in his hands.
“A drink, ladies?”
“Not for me.” You decline yet again. “What are you doing here, Mikio? You’re not a Clan member.”
“Oh, sweet little Airi, did you forget?” He’s pulling her cheek. “I’m still the Representative of the Non-Clan Shinobi.”
“He just needs another excuse to get away from home.” Tsume has snatched two of the three cups of Sake, downs one and takes a sip from the other.
“Hey!” Mikio glares at her but if it’s because of the insult or that she took two cups, Shibi has no idea.
“Shibi.” You turn to him with an apologetic smile. “Mikio, Tsume and I were Team 8 back in the day. I think you were already Chunin by the time.”
Mikio clicks his tongue. “He was already Jonin. Made it one month before our graduation. I know because we went to watch the exam.”
“Sake?” Another waiter pops up, interrupting their conversation.
You must have noticed his apprehension because you link your arm through his and smile at your old teammates.
“I will see you in a minute, I think we need to get some introductions in first. Have you seen Shikaku by the way?”
“Over by the snacks. He’s with his Team.” Mikio supplies helpfully.
-
Your hold onto his arm is surprisingly strong.
“You’re okay?” He asks softly as they make their way over to the representative of the Lee Clan.
“Just tired.” You whisper and stumble over your own feet the next moment, barely catching yourself.
“Do you want to sit?”
“I’d probably fall asleep instantly.”
“Hold on tight, then.” He puts his hand on yours, reveling on how much easier touching you has become.
He’s hugged you three times in the last two weeks, has hold your hand multiple times. And everytime he’s starting to feel insecure about it, to question and doubt it, he can hear your voice tell him “You are very important to me.”
“What are you smiling about?” You ask but he shakes his head, nodding into the direction of Takeo Lee.
“Do you want to see a picture of my grandchild, Rock Lee?” The old man asks proudly. “He’s just turned five and has so much energy! He’s going to be a great Shinobi one day!”
