To the Beep of My Heart

[endless_scrolls]

Title: To the Beep of My Heart
Type: Fanfic
Fandom: AU!Naruto
Character(s): Tenten, Aburame Shino; brief mentions of Inuzuka Kiba
Pairing(s): Shino/Tenten
Warning(s): Fluff. Adorable fluff.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but these words.
Note: ...Because this is what happens when you feed the plot bunnies too much with cute and love. 8|... ♥ Takes place in the same universe as last_stretch
Dedicated to: semchance. They can be cute together any time you want. ♥

Expect the unexpected. It was a principle of thought that a number of people had taken to practice on a daily basis. Those who prepared for times when life simply would not allow for things to go according to plan. Tenten was one of those people. Because life was nothing if not filled to the brim with potential and endless possibilities when it came to the unknown. It was what made her a good strategist in Kendo. What made her an excellent swordsman and one of the top students in her kenjutsu classes.

But nothing could have prepared her for this.

It began with a simple text sent to her phone. A message that merely asked her to meet him in the park in their usual spot. A fairly secluded area where very few could or would disturb them. Not an all too uncommon request considering the days they enjoyed spending at the park watching Itoshii scamper around in the green and lush grass. But their trips had been scarce since the winter months had settled in the city and there seemed to be a fresh blanket of snow covering the ground every few weeks. Still, just because the kitten could not play outside did not mean that they had to keep their activities indoors as well.

But then she had spotted the sign marking the path. The chord of lights trailing alongside the cobblestone walkway. And by the time Tenten managed to register the soft music playing -- a familiar tune and one she had heard many times -- the young woman's eyes had already fallen on the scene mapped out before her.

"Oh my..."

The white picket fence boxing in the area was not all that overwhelming. Neither was the flower arch standing as a doorway to the area. Or the canopy of lights strung out overhead. No. What stole her voice and breath away stood at the center of it all. There he was, in all his glory. Dressed in what could only be described as a tailored, old-fashion suit -- the best description of 'Sunday Clothes' she ever remembered seeing -- complete with a matching straw hat. Paired up with an utterly confused, uncomfortable, and very wary expression.

Stepping up to the source of the music, she promptly stopped play and merely stood there a moment to gather her wits. All the while, thin and slender fingers pressed lightly against the woman's mouth. Because although it was a very sweet gesture, it was also very difficult to immediately speak or react without having a lingering trace of Tenten's amusement come out in the words. So a little extra time and help to compose herself was necessary.

Finally, with a slight shift of her head, she spoke. "...I have a feeling Kiba played a part in this."

"He suggested I watch this," came Shino's response, picking up a DVD case from where it sat beside the sound device and handing it over to her, "According to him, I was similar to the main protagonist."

"Well... Wall-E is really cute, so I could see that."

"Kiba said it was your favorite movie."

"It is..." And in that moment, Tenten could not stop the smile from spreading across her lips at the thought. "You... you did all of this for me?"

There was a pause. A split second of hesitation from the young Aburame before he gave a nod -- a small movement of his head that would have gone unnoticed had Tenten not been looking directly at him for an answer -- in reply. To which she responded in kind by taking a step closer.

"So... does that make me Eve?"

The corner of his mouth twitched, the only sign of any irritation he held. "...You are finding too much amusement in this."

"And you're not?"

"I do not share in your sentiment, no."

Here, she pulled out her phone, the smile still ever present. "Then maybe this will make you feel better."

And then Tenten proceeded to quietly and wordlessly punch in buttons before snapping the device shut. A quiet little tune rang out from Shino's pocket seconds later signaling the arrival of her text to his phone. When he finished reading the message, there was no denying the small little quirk of a smile at the corner of the young man's mouth. Or how it spread just the tiniest bit after she easily glided her fingers between his in a light and meaningful gesture.

"...Perhaps I should start listening to Kiba more often."