"Phew…"
Shin crouched by a small stream, cupping water into his hands to splash over his face. He let out a long breath, as if trying to wash away the fatigue of the day.
He stood up and glanced around.
This stream was not far from the place where he usually practiced with shuriken. He had followed the sound of running water and ended up here.
By now, the sky had darkened dusk had fallen. Shin had already packed up and was ready to head back.
Huh?
Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound. Something was weaving through the underbrush, stirring the grass and leaves.
Something was coming this way.
Shin tensed slightly. The sound was growing closer. He turned his gaze sharply toward its source.
A white blur burst out of the trees.
It was Akamaru.
The pup was carrying a cloth bundle in his mouth, running straight toward Shin.
Shin blinked in surprise, then crouched down and scooped Akamaru into his arms, taking the bundle from him.
"Akamaru? What are you doing here?"
"Woof!" Akamaru barked, nudging the bundle with his head.
"This is... from Kiba, isn't it?" Shin guessed.
"Woof!" Akamaru barked cheerfully, wagging his tail excitedly.
"Good boy," Shin said with a smile, ruffling the pup's fur. He set the bundle on the ground and slowly unwrapped it.
Inside were several pieces of pastry. Shin thought for a moment and figured they were probably the ones Kiba mentioned that morning brought over from the Land of Water by Irie's older brother.
He picked one up and took a bite. To his surprise, it tasted pretty good. He picked up another and held it to Akamaru's mouth.
Akamaru happily gobbled it up.
Shin rewrapped the bundle, picked Akamaru up again, and stood.
"Where's Kiba? Is he nearby?"
"Woof!" Akamaru gestured with his head toward the forest's edge.
"Let's go," Shin said, carrying Akamaru and the bundle as he walked in that direction.
"Woof!"
———
As Shin reached the edge of the forest, he saw a lone figure sitting on a stone at the clearing's entrance, staring absentmindedly at the sky.
Shin chuckled softly. Before approaching, he set Akamaru down and patted his head.
"Go on."
Akamaru dashed forward like a streak of white.
"Woof!"
Kiba snapped out of his daze just in time to see Akamaru rushing toward him.
"Akamaru!"
"Woof!"
Kiba scooped him up into his arms. Akamaru stuck out his tongue and began licking Kiba's face enthusiastically, making him burst into laughter.
"Alright, alright, you little rascal! That's enough licking!"
"Woof woof!"
"I know, I know. You did great. I'll give you something tasty when we get home."
"Woof!"
"I said stop it! That tickles! Hahaha…"
Shin stood nearby, watching the boy and his dog with a warm smile, making no effort to interrupt them.
Eventually, Kiba noticed Shin standing there. He gave him a glance, but instead of greeting him, he turned away with a huff, still cradling Akamaru in his arms.
Shin couldn't help but laugh softly and quietly followed behind.
———
The next day.
"Shino, are you heading out?"
The voice of a woman called out from inside the Aburame household.
Shino stood at the doorway as his mother came rushing out.
"Don't forget your lunch."
She handed him a package. Shino took it and noticed it was heavier than usual. Curious, he opened it to take a look.
Inside were two bento boxes.
Shino glanced at his mother, puzzled.
"I made extra today. It's pork-wrapped rice balls. You can share them with your friends," she explained. "You're always talking about that classmate Shin, right? Let him try some. And also Kiba, from the Inuzuka family."
"Pork... wrapped rice balls?" Shino echoed, hesitating. He then took a moment to seriously consider his mother's cooking.
"What is it, Shino?" his mother asked when she saw him freeze up.
"Nothing, Mom. I'm heading to school now," he replied, snapping back to attention and turning to leave.
"Be sure to get along with your classmates," she called after him with a cheerful wave.
"..."
Not long after leaving, Shino changed direction. Instead of heading straight to school, he veered down another path.
He stopped by a utility pole along the roadside and waited silently.
After a short while, he spotted two familiar figures appearing at the far end of the street Shin and Kiba.
"Yo, Shino!" Kiba waved, carrying Akamaru in his arms. Akamaru also barked twice in greeting.
When they got closer, Shin spoke up.
"How long have you been waiting?"
"Just got here. I was passing by," Shino replied.
"Let's go."
"Yeah."
The three of them walked together in the direction Shino had come from.
"What's that you're carrying?" Kiba asked, noticing the cloth-wrapped bundle in Shino's hand.
"Lunch."
"Where's your bag?" Kiba looked him up and down. Aside from the lunch bundle, Shino wasn't carrying anything else.
Shino stopped suddenly. After a pause, he said with a tinge of uncertainty, "…I think I forgot it."
Kiba: "..."
Shin: "..."
"Just put it in mine," Kiba said with a sigh, opening his sling bag.
Shino silently handed over the bento without saying a word.
"…Why is it so heavy?" Kiba muttered, surprised by the weight.
"Pork-wrapped rice balls. My mom made extra for you two."
"Really? That's so thoughtful of her," Kiba grinned.
Akamaru's ears perked up at the mention of meat. He barked in excitement.
"..." Shino considered saying something about how the taste might be a little odd, but decided against it.
As they walked, Kiba took out another bundle and handed it to Shino.
"Here, I brought you something too."
"What is it?" Shino asked, taking it with a curious look.
"It's a specialty from the Land of Water. Super tasty. Irie's older brother brought it back. I stopped by their place yesterday and brought some home."
"Thanks."
"Hmph! Shino's so polite. Some people don't even know how to say thank you," Kiba huffed, throwing a sideways glance at Shin.
Shin: "???"
They continued chatting casually as they strolled toward the academy.
"Morning, Kiba! Shin! Shino!"
"Morning!"
As they entered the classroom, they were greeted by multiple classmates. The room was already lively with most students present.
"Morning, Shin!" Naruto waved enthusiastically, his grin as bright as ever.
"Morning, Naruto," Shin replied with a smile.
The three walked toward their seats. As they passed Sasuke's desk, Shin noticed him sitting alone, chin resting on his hand as he gazed out the window. He threw a sidelong glance at Shin.
"Morning, Sasuke," Shin offered politely.
"Hmph." Sasuke gave him a glare before turning back toward the window.
Shin: "..."
"Is today the first ninjutsu class?" someone asked nearby as soon as they sat down. Iruka had mentioned it before today they'd officially begin learning ninjutsu.
"What are we learning?"
"No idea. Maybe Fire Style? I've seen my dad use it - it's super cool!"
"They wouldn't teach something like that right away."
"Probably Transformation Jutsu or Clone Jutsu. That stuff was in the textbooks."
"Huh? That's boring. I want to learn something powerful!"
Shin listened to their chatter in silence.
"Ninja Academy doesn't teach elemental jutsu. It only covers the basics, like the Three Basic Techniques," Shino said, noticing Shin's interest.
"Why not?" Shin asked.
"My dad says the Three Techniques are way more useful than flashy jutsu. If you can master them, along with taijutsu, shuriken skills, and some essential ninja knowledge, that's already enough to qualify as a proper shinobi."
"Even the most powerful jutsu is useless if you can't land a hit. All it does is waste chakra. And genin barely have any chakra to begin with. Teaching them high-level jutsu would just be sending them to their deaths."
Shin thought about it carefully. It made sense. The Academy had been around for years they probably had their reasons.
He was a bit disappointed, but didn't complain.
Before long, Iruka walked into the room.
"Today marks your first official ninjutsu class. We'll begin by learning how to harness chakra to perform basic techniques."
_________________________________
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