Chapter 11: Birthday Party

Ino’s birthday was a grand affair. Most of the kids in the pre-school class were invited, which meant the guest list included Kiba, Chōji, Shikamaru, Sakura, Shino, a few cousins, and of course Ino. Ino’s parents had asked if she wanted to invite the clan kids that weren’t part of the pre-school classes, but she didn’t really see why she should do that. If the Hyuuga and Uchiha wanted to be all private and elitist then they shouldn’t expect to get invited to parties.

Her parents had organized a scavenger hunt, and then they played capture the scroll, and there was a generally satisfying amount of screaming and laughing had by all. There was a split second where she thought she saw an orange figure watching them, but when she looked back again it was gone. They tried to play hide and seek too but Kiba and Shino were too good at it, so it didn’t last long.

Shino was an unusual kid, and Ino was glad that her parents had warned her not to freak out about bugs beforehand. When she had asked him about how he was so good at hide and seek she could tell he was hesitant to explain, but eventually he showed her one of his kikaichu.

“Can they do any tricks?” Ino asked without missing a beat.

“Ah, Hm.” Shino said. “I apologize, your reaction surprised me. Why? Usually people get scared and call me a freak or try to hurt my family when I show them.” Ino noted that surprised Shino was the same as normal Shino, and probably other Shinos as well.

“Your family?!” Ino exclaimed. “Geez that’s a bit much, who have you been meeting lately?”

“My kikaichu are my family. I still of course have my biological family as well. When I said family last time I was referring to my kikaichu.” Shino said each statement formally, like he was presenting facts at a court hearing. “I have thought of something my kikaichu could do to entertain you. Why? Because you asked if they could do any tricks.” He pointed to the ground.

Ino looked down and was startled to see hundreds of kikaichu had scurried out in front of them onto a fallen log and were now organizing themselves into shapes. After a few moments they spelled out, “Happy Birthday Ino”.

“Cuutee!” Ino squealed. All the kikaichu started jumping around at her reaction and Ino couldn’t help but giggle. “Can I touch one?” She was pretty sure Shino was blushing as he nodded. As she reached out a finger a horde of Kikaichu started swarming towards where her finger was going to land and appeared to be waving their forelegs at her as if to say “Me! Pick me!”

“You can all come!” Ino said earnestly and watched as a few dozen critters began crawling around her hand and wrist. They formed orderly rows, and then got into a single line, spiraling around her forearm. “Wow, Shino, they’re amazing!” She said, slightly more breathily than she had been expecting to. Shino was definitely blushing now. He cleared his throat and muttered something that might have been “you’re very kind thank you very much” and then made a small, strange noise and the kikaichu began scurrying back towards him. Ino put all four fingers on the ground, spaced out from one another and giggled as the bugs formed neat rows and began marching off.

“Hmm… Interesting. Interesting and unusual.” Shino said after a few moments.

You are reading story Princess of the Night at novel35.com

“What?”

He pointed to Ino’s shoulder, saying “It appears one of my family has decided it would rather stay with you than me. Why? I cannot truly say. Perhaps it is because you have been so nice to them. I do not feel offended by this betrayal.”

“Is it a boy or a girl!” Asked Ino excitedly, ignoring the betrayal part.

“99 percent of them are male, in the same way that there aren’t very many queen bees in comparison to male ones.” Shino responded. “If you would like, and if you promise not to harm him, you may keep him. It is your birthday after all.” For the first time Ino caught a hint of emotion in his voice, and she guessed that this was a much bigger gesture than Shino was letting on.

“Yes! Of course! Hello little friend!” She put her finger to her shoulder and the bug crawled on to it. “Do they like flowers? I’m going to get to start working in the Yamanaka Flowers store soon!”

“Yes.” Shino said with a slow nod. “They can be very help—” he stopped and looked up. “Kiba shall be joining us shortly.”

Shino was correct, and seconds later Kiba burst out of the undergrowth yelling “Found you! Hey what are you guys doing we’re supposed to be playing hide and seek!”

“Playing with bugs!” Ino said cheerfully, flashing a brilliant smile at Shino, who froze solid for a moment.

Yes! I did it perfect just like purple-haired ninja!

You can find story with these keywords: Princess of the Night, Read Princess of the Night, Princess of the Night novel, Princess of the Night book, Princess of the Night story, Princess of the Night full, Princess of the Night Latest Chapter