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Chapter Text

Shino was at a complete loss.

He prided himself in his logic. He recognized both his strengths and his weaknesses objectively. He was proficient at his clan’s jutsu, at tracking, at maintaining a cool head.

He was not proficient at dealing with other people.

He was most especially not proficient at reassuring others or being comforting in any shape or form.

Usually, Shino would have accepted these facts and moved on to the next problem. He knew that both of his teammates, Kiba and Hinata, were more adept at dealing with emotional matters than he. They could take care of it in his stead, and he would focus on something he would be of more use at. It was a logical and efficient distribution of resources. Usually, this is what would have happened.

But nothing was usual about this case.

Despite his lack of intrapersonal skills, Shino sincerely wished to express his sympathy for Naruto’s past – personally. He wished to comfort him, to alleviate the blonde’s burden, even if by only a fraction. He wished to ensure that Naruto was aware that he could call on the Shino at any moment, and the Aburame would be there.

It was a novel experience for Shino.

Usually, Shino was one of the best at analyzing a situation without the bias of emotion.

So why was he so constantly consumed with rage?

Ever since he had heard Naruto’s unwitting revelations, all he could feel was a fervent and utterly illogical desire to hurtmaimkillthebastardswhodidthis-

Usually, Shino could push past the emotion to make the best, most rational decision. Hinata was oftentimes too compassionate to do so, and Kiba was entirely too reckless and emotional. As such, rational decision-making was a skill he had cultivated through the years of being on Team 8. And yet, that skill completely escaped him at the moment.

And so Shino was at a loss. He was bereft of his usual cool-headedness, consumed with rage and the intense desire to comfort a friend, despite it being one of his weakest attributes.

He used several logical arguments to attempt to convince himself otherwise, but they were fruitless. Shino wanted – no, needed – to help Naruto somehow.

No man should bare the burden Naruto did alone.

And what a burden it was.

Shino was no stranger to rejection. Ever since he was small, he was often considered “that creepy bug kid”, and the image had not completely dissipated with the passage of time. Shino was not bothered by such things. In the Academy, he analyzed the children who called him creepy and rejected him, and judged most of them to be incompetent. True ninja would not be bothered by his methods, so long as they were useful. He deemed them unworthy of his time and efforts. Shino knew that, as with the Aburame before him, his teammates and the Konoha nin as a whole would learn to appreciate his bugs when in battle, and that the others would recognize and accept him eventually.

Shino could admit, however, that a large part of being able to judge these things so steadily, and accept them, was having a family to support him once he came back home alone again.

There was an odd ache in his chest when Shino realized that Naruto did not have such a luxury. The blonde dealt with a worse form of rejection than the Aburame, yet managed to overcome it without the aid of a family, or even friendly acquaintances. It was a feat worthy of admiration.

Shino concluded that Naruto should hastily be reminded that there were those that would now support him. That the entire world could reject the blonde, denounce him a demon, and his friends would not care. They would become his family and support him, the way he should have always been supported.

And then they would proceed to cheerfully murder those that had dared to insult Naruto.

Shino would personally grant them a gruesome death via kukakibichou.

Ah, he was allowing his emotions to dominate his thoughts again. Truly, how unusual. He supposed this was one of the reasons Naruto was the number 1 most unpredictable ninja. Unusualness seemed to follow him.

But first, Shino had to find him.

Shino found the subject of his search (and the source of his unusual emotions) sitting cross-legged on top of the Hokage monument. Much to Shino’s surprise (it would have been astonishment, but such strong emotions typically eluded him. The fervent rage he felt at Naruto’s treatment was unusual, as everything else about this situation), Naruto appeared to be meditating.

Shino was struck by how powerful Naruto looked, sitting cross-legged at the edge of the monument. There was something about his posture, or his expression, or perhaps his mere chakra presence, which calmed Shino from his unusually turbulent emotions. For some inconceivable reason, Shino felt reassured by the sight. It felt like home, like strength, like an uncontrollable force of nature, as big as the sky, both threatening and welcoming. Shino felt he could stare at the orange-clad ninja for hours and not get tired.

Eventually, Naruto opened his eyes. Shino realized he had simply stood staring at Naruto for the past forty minutes. How unusual. Shino moved to announce his presence, but was once again brought to a halt by the image before him. Naruto was overlooking Konoha, the village that had shunned him and rejected him, with a small, peaceful smile on his face. For some reason, seeing Naruto like this filled Shino with warmth and anger. They did not deserve such a kind smile.

It was this village, and the people in it, that made Naruto suffer throughout all these years. That warped his sense of self-worth. That made him think he was expendable. Shino was quickly reminded of his purpose for coming here.

Schooling his visage into its usual stoic expression (at least one thing should remain constant, or Shino feared he might lose himself), Shino called out to him.

“Naruto”.

Naruto looked up, serene expression gone, and in its place one of surprise at seeing Shino there.

“Cease such thinking immediately.”

“Eh?”

“You are not expendable. Why? Because you have friends who care for you deeply and would mourn your loss.”

“Shino, what are you talking-“

“Your thinking of yourself as expendable therefore makes said friends sad. It makes us act in ways that are most uncharacteristic, my present self as an accurate example. Why? Because we worry for you and rage at the past that you have had. We wish to spend more time with you. Why? Because we wish to prove to you that we would all heavily mourn your loss should you perish. Or get injured. Physically or emotionally. Neither are acceptable”.

Shino progressively got more agitated. He was irritated with himself. He may not have been good at understanding emotions, but even he could tell that he was making little to no sense. Naruto would not understand what he was attempting to convey. This was a foolish endeavor. He knew that he was not adept at communicating his emotions, or thoughts related to emotions. He should have continued to simply protect Naruto from afar, leaving the actual comforting and emotional helping to people like Ino (who dealt with emotions and the mind every day through her clan training), Kiba (who seemed to understand Naruto’s actions and had no problem at all in loudly announcing his feelings), or Shikamaru (who was a genius and had a strangely close bond with Naruto). Even Hinata, despite her stuttering, would have been better. She had a soothing quality to her person that would have doubtlessly aided Naruto. Choji also possessed a calming, affectionate characteristic that would have made him more suitable. In fact, as Shino looked back upon all the options, he could not help but conclude that, of their group, he was the least suited for the position of comforter. Shino was feeling quite foolish – it was not something he felt often. He should desist of this foolhardy self-imposed mission and find something better suited for his talents. Yes, he would leave Naruto’s emotional wellbeing to those that actually possessed the ability to help him cultivate it in a healthy manner. Well then, he should quickly apologize and –

“Thank you”.

Shino’s uncharacteristic rambling thought process was brought to a halt.

“What?”

“I said, Thank you.”

Naruto looked directly into Shino’s eyes. The sunglasses were not enough protection against the weight of his gaze.

“It means a lot that you came all the way here to tell me you care. I think of you as a friend, too, Shino”.

And then, Naruto flashed a small, heartfelt smile. It was beautiful in its sincerity, and all Shino could do was stare. He felt he should immortalize this moment somehow, Naruto smiling with the entirety of the Konoha village behind him. Shino was not sure what he was feeling, perhaps a mixture of awe and affection. He was not good at emotions – he couldn’t quite tell. He just knew it was a powerful sensation.

This man – Naruto – would accomplish great things someday, already had. And Shino would be sure to be present to witness it, and support him should he ever need aid. Naruto would never feel alone again.

As Shino moved to leave the clearing, he noticed Neji leaning against a tree, near both Naruto and the Aburame. Had Shino honestly been so agitated that he had not noticed the Hyuuga’s chakra signature? This was most shameful. Truly, usually he did not let his emotions impede his judgment, or his shinobi skills.

As he looked at the Hyuuga, the latter gave him a discrete nod. Neji seemed… grateful? For talking with Naruto?

Ah, Shino realized. I was acknowledged. And thanked. I helped Naruto, even if by only a little.

But then, Shino knew best how something little, the size of an insect, could carry great power. He would ensure that he would help Naruto little by little, so that one day the blonde would realize how important he actually was.

Perhaps Shino was not so ill suited to matters of emotion after all.

But this would only apply to Naruto. All of the other cases necessitating human communication, or dealing with emotions, he would leave to his capable teammates.

Naruto was the exception. After all, it was he who caused the unusualness.