“Oh no. . “ Her voice is soft and filled with concern as she peers at Shino’s open palm. “I’m sorry.”
In his open palm lay a few deceased members of the insect colony that lived within him. While she knew death was inevitable for all lifeforms, it was always especially painful to see something so small and fragile, like an insect, taken by Death’s cold hands. Many a time had Hinata had moments of silent sorrow in her garden over lost butterflies with mangled wings, starved mantises, and crushed beetles. And these had just been some of her favorite species in the garden. The bugs before her were different— part of something bigger, part of her beloved close friend. The loss was different. The sadness was different.
And she realizes this wasn’t something she’d seen before. Not up close, anyway. Part of her feels guilty for never reaching out when something like this had occurred before. Hinata’s pale gaze lifts to peer at Shino’s face, desperately trying to view the eyes that were hidden by dark glasses and thick clothing. Emotion could always be seen in the eyes. But when she finds that she cannot see clearly through the glasses she uses her voice. It’s just as soft and concerned as before. Gently, a hand is placed on his shoulder.
“Are you all right? I-If you wanted, maybe I could-- We could place them in some resin with some flowers to preserve.”
Meta meme time - I tried to think of a few different topics to give you some freedom of choice, so just know that I don't expect you to write for all of this unless you want to. That being said, 1) Tazz's relationship with femininity; 2) the types of traits that Tazz has a tendency to be drawn toward, as someone apt to fall in love easily; and 3) Tazz's self-destructive streak, and her tendency to place others' needs/wants above her own
send me a topic to write a meta about my muse on
//Thank you very much for such interesting topics~! I was very much looking forward to answering this when I got home from work. I decided to answer all of them so I put them under a cut since it’d likely get long
1) Tazz’s relationship with femininity
Tazz is quite the tomboy. She always has been and always will be. She was often confused as a boy before puberty hit her (and boy did it hit her like a truck), and her rough mannerisms and attitude didn’t particularly help. When she started developing, she saw it as a hindrance and continued acting boyish in spite of it. However, when she started being interested in relationships, she began to get a bit self-conscious about how she was more masculine than a typical ‘girl’.
She has the mindset that women should be graceful, beautiful, and have soft skin so her appearance and personality contradicting that makes her insecure. She also sees her scars as major flaws. Even though she is mostly a tomboy, she can be rather feminine when she puts the effort in.
She enjoys wearing feminine-styled clothing from time to time and while she is comfortable with herself to an extent, she does like being seen as a woman before shinobi. While she isn’t too fond of dresses, she will wear skirts some times and they give her a boost in confidence (because she has nice legs and knows it).
She does have a feminine body with curves a-plenty, but she’s also rather muscular so she’s a bit insecure about that.
2) the types of traits that Tazz has a tendency to be drawn toward, as someone apt to fall in love easily
Tazz tends to be drawn towards people that are kindhearted and strong. Living in a shinobi world, strength is essential. She appreciates when someone can look after themselves, though she isn’t opposed to helping people. She likes people that can make her feel safe and bonus points if they aren’t put off by her collection of scars and her not being typically outwardly feminine.
If anyone shows her kindness, she basically becomes interested in them right away and wants to get to know them more. On the other hand, given her liking of strength, she is susceptible to falling for the wrong people such as strong opponents. She truthfully has a thing for pretty much anyone that can beat her in a fight/spar.
She also likes people that don’t treat her like a monster due to her kekkei genkai. She has a soft spot for children and wants some of her own some day, so anyone that’s caring towards kids is an automatic interest to her.
3) Tazz’s self-destructive streak, and her tendency to place others’ needs/wants above her own
Because of her past, such as when she was in ANBU and when she lost her genin team, she has PTSD. This caused her to develop sleep avoidance due to chronic nightmares and she’ll go several consecutive days without sleep. When she does sleep, she’ll get around half an hour at the most. The only time she can sleep peacefully is if there’s someone with her. This in a way is detrimental to her health, but she doesn’t acknowledge it as such.
Another issue her PTSD gave her is occasional flashbacks to particular traumatic events. During these flashbacks, she’ll go into a fit where she starts biting and scratching at her arms/anywhere she can reach on her body. There are a good few scars on her arms that are self-inflicted from episodes she’s had. She isn’t aware that she does this during these episodes, however.
In the same vein, she has hardly any regard for self-preservation and is naturally reckless. Because of this, she’ll throw herself in harms way without a second thought if it means keeping someone else safe, even if it’s someone she barely knows. To her, other people take higher priority than herself.
She’d gladly give up her necessities/goals if she deemed it necessary to help someone else. Using a romantic relationship as an example, she would willingly forgo her own needs and happiness as long as she could keep her S/O content. She doesn’t mind being used for someone else’s desires since she places little value on herself.
She’d also be one of the first to offer food/water to someone else if they didn’t have any. She would also see to other people’s wounds being tended to before her own no matter how badly she’s injured.
@swarm-host sent: "I hope that they will be to your taste." The words are softly uttered, fond and preoccupied around the edges. His kitchen is warm and aromatic, dotted here and there with cooling pans; and as Sakura wanders from one to the next inspecting the fruits of his labors, Shino settles his hip against the door frame and simply studies her, as if even now her presence in his space is a vision he doesn't quite dare to believe. (As if even now some part of him is hesitant to approach her without first being invited.) "I will admit, some of them are more experimental than others."
Shino has treated her like an absolute princess the moment they started dating.
He spoiled her with attention, and food. He always checked on her. He was there to walk her to work and back. Sakura always felt a bit more excited for the end of the day, just because she got to see him and spend time with him. Everyone could tell she seemed so much happier lately. Even though many didn’t understand her attraction to such a stoic man. But to her he was far from stoic. He was so easy to read. It made Sakura so happy that she could tell he was happy to be with her too.
Their first official date was something she really wanted to remember. It was so perfect. A simple picnic under the tree she asked him out at. Sakura has dubbed it their special spot. It had a nice view and it was away from everyone so they could just be together. Sakura took a picture of them together. She knew it was silly but she wanted to hold the memory close. She even gave Shino a copy. She decorated a picture frame and gifted it to him. It pleased her so much to see he had it on display in his home. It just said to her that the memory was just as meaningful to him. He could have just as easily put it in a drawer somewhere and forgot about it. Shino really was so sweet.
“Shino, you’re going to make me fat with all of this.”
Sakura softly jokes. It seemed her sweet tooth was not missed by him at all. Specifically her love of freshly baked sweets. There were so many spread out across the counter. Cookies, brownies, pound cakes, and some things she couldn’t name. Probably the experiments he was talking about. It all smelled so wonderful. Made her wish that she made him more than just a box of chocolates. But she was so nervous he was going to reject her at the time. She feels silly about it now.
Sakura turned to look at him with a bright smile on her face. She wanted him closer, so she closed the space between them. She knew he was just trying to be respectful. They only just started dating. Sakura, though, was very much a physical affection kind of person so she happily wrapped her arms around him. She looked at him with a grin, “This has been the best white’s day I’ve ever had. Best valentine’s too. And it’s because of you. I’m so happy you gave me a chance.”
“Hakuryuu, I’m sorry. I’ve asked so much of you.” Hakkai looked down with concern at the little white dragon in his arms. They’d been travelling for quite a while through unfamiliar terrain, near exhausted their supplies, and Hakuryuu even more so.
The dragon gave a weary chirp in response. Now if Hakkai didn’t know any better, his dear companion was trying to reassure. It did bring a smile to his face, all the more determined to continue onwards.
They should be nearing a village soon. And he hoped they’d get there before nightfall, for he doubted it’d be ideal to camp out here considering—
“...”
While he maintained his pace, he was on guard. Could’ve sworn he had that distinct feeling of being watched. They weren’t alone, were they? For how long exactly, he couldn’t be entirely sure. But since he had yet to hear anything from the other party, Hakkai thought to make the first move, ready to channel his chi should the situation call for it.
“Pardon us, but we’re only passing through. If there are no issues whatsoever, we’d be on our way.”
“Just sit there. I’m going to make you something to eat.” ...Says @swarm-host ‘s Shino to Kurenai, selected from the affectionate prompts list. Accepting!
“Thank you, Shino.” Kurenai gives an affectionate smile in her former student’s direction, for he’s already turned his back to her and is busying himself in her small kitchen.
He knew his way around the space, as the rest of Team 8 did. Kurenai had made sure it was a space that they could feel at home in, especially considering one child that had been under her care did not have a loving home. But her thoughts don’t linger on Hinata’s childhood for long as crimson eyes continue to study the back of her tallest former student. She knows he can probably feel her eyes on him, but she continues to look anyway.
How is he holding up? She wonders to herself. Both Kiba and Hinata had always woren their emotions on their sleeves and Kurenai could easily pick up on how they were. But Shino was different. He’d always been the calm and collected one. Always. And part of her had expected that to change following a war. . But it hadn’t. And that concerned her.
“Make something for you, too.” She remarks as she twists in her seat to more fully face his back. “And tell me how you are.”
“Shino-san!” Lee’s voice is filled with relief as he calls for the other’s attention.
Oh, and what a relief it is that he’s caught Shino out and about. As brave as Lee was, the idea of journeying onto Aburame land to seek out his acquaintance sounded utterly nerve-wracking (for he knew little about Aburame; Did they loathe unexpected guests?), especially when his concern was so. . Peculiar. Roaches had made themselves comfortable in Lee’s home after having travelled across the great plains that were the walls of the noodle shop that Rock Lee lived above. Lee wanted to get rid of them- But how? He had pets and didn’t want to endanger them with chemicals. Having to ask something when Shino’s family was potentially around. . What if they thought he was an idiot for not knowing how to get rid of a common species like the cockroach?
Though Lee hadn’t the slightest clue if the Aburame knew anything about insects outside of their own colonies; He was just guessing they would. This thought is in the forefront of his brain as he approaches. It’s apparent on his face, too, for his lips twitch with nervousness and sweat beads his brow. Even if Shino didn’t know anything about roaches, it was still a good guess on his part to ask someone who housed insects, right?
“H-Hi.” Lee breathes the greeting out nervously, forcing his lips to form a smile. “I was hoping that I could get your assistance with something. But before I continue, please— Do not tell anyone. It is slightly embarrassing.”
Soot sprite child HERE!! Shiki gets the resting bitch face and his height from his daddy, but he’s a sweet goofball like his mama. Like Shino, Shiki’s eyes are sensitive to light but they have the same coloration as Tazz’s, as well as some bits of orange randomly in his hair.
