Ichika Aburame

The Aburame clan's compound looked nothing like the grounds of Konoha's other ninja clans.

There was none of the constant barking heard at the Inuzuka compound, none of the Hyuga clan's white walls and dark-tiled roofs, and none of the Uchiha clan's fan-emblazoned banners on display.

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

Two enormous banyan trees shaded the entrance, their trunks covered in moss and fungi Tsunade couldn't name.

The air was damp and smelled of earth and rotting leaves.

Now and then, wings buzzed in the grass.

Tsunade hopped off Fuga's back and looked around.

To be fair, the environment here really was ideal.

The vegetation was dense, the humidity comfortable, and the layer of fallen leaves thick.

A natural breeding ground for all kinds of insects.

No wonder the Aburame clan had put down roots here.

"Shikuro!"

Yuri Inuzuka called out at the top of her lungs, her voice echoing through the trees.

A few seconds later, a figure appeared soundlessly on the path ahead.

As if he had been standing there all along.

Tsunade had nearly missed him.

The man was tall and thin, dressed in a dark gray high-collared coat zipped up to the bridge of his nose.

Round black sunglasses hid most of his expression.

From head to toe, he had almost no skin exposed.

Shikuro Aburame.

The current head of the Aburame clan.

"Clan Head Yuri."

His voice was even, his pace unhurried.

"Oh? And... Lady Tsunade Senju."

He added the second part only after a pause.

It wasn't a deliberate slight.

He was surprised.

Surprised that Tsunade had come.

Tsunade stepped forward and offered her hand.

"Clan Head Aburame, sorry to drop by unannounced."

Shikuro looked at her outstretched hand, paused, then shook it.

"You're not disturbing me. Come in."

Three short words dispensed with all the pleasantries.

Tsunade followed him inside.

Yuri walked beside her with Fuga, looking relaxed.

She and Shikuro clearly knew each other well.

They reached the main hall.

Shikuro poured three cups of tea without a hint of hurry.

Tsunade went straight to the point.

"Clan Head Aburame, I need to borrow some of your clan's Sensing Parasitic Insects."

Shikuro's hand didn't pause as he poured the tea.

"How many?"

He didn't ask why.

The explanation Tsunade had prepared caught in her throat.

She glanced at Yuri.

Yuri shrugged, as if to say: That's just how he is.

"One pair will do," Tsunade replied. "I'll keep the mother insect with me and place a child insect elsewhere."

"Understood."

Shikuro set down the teapot.

"Sensing Parasitic Insects need to be fed Chakra. A small amount each day is enough. Under normal circumstances, one lives for three to five years."

He held up two fingers.

"One mother insect can be paired with two child insects."

"The sensing range is wide, but the information they convey is limited to strong emotional fluctuations."

"They can't carry messages or pinpoint locations. They're just a signal."

"That's enough." Tsunade nodded.

"Then I'll prepare a pair for you." Shikuro stood. "One moment."

He went into an inner room.

Two minutes later, he returned carrying a wooden box the size of his palm.

Inside were three black insects about the size of beetles.

One large, two small.

Three?

Tsunade looked up at Shikuro.

His voice was as calm as ever.

"Since I've taken them out, there's no harm in giving you an extra child insect. Just in case."

Tsunade blinked.

Buy one, get one free?

Was he really being this generous?

Wait!

She hadn't paid for the first one!

Tsunade accepted the box and suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

She knew exactly why.

Her Women's Mutual Aid Association.

The Konoha Ninja Clan Wives Alliance.

Ino–Shika–Cho, Inuzuka, Hyuga, Uchiha.

She had brought in every major clan.

By now, plenty of people across Konoha knew about it.

Yet she had left out the Aburame.

It really hadn't been on purpose!

She had forgotten!

Completely forgotten.

She had even thought about it while treating Fuga.

But somehow, she had forgotten again!

And now she was here asking for their insects.

Tsunade, what is wrong with you?

You only remembered them when you needed something?

She cursed herself inwardly.

Her expression grew awkwardly stiff.

But Shikuro said nothing and gave nothing away. He simply stood there in silence.

That only made Tsunade more uncomfortable.

At least complain a little!

Make a pointed remark!

I can't respond when you're like this!

Then again, maybe he doesn't know about the Women's Mutual Aid Association?

With that thought, Tsunade put away the box and cleared her throat.

"Clan Head Aburame, thank you. One of these days, let me treat you to—"

"Lady Tsunade."

Shikuro suddenly spoke.

Tsunade stopped.

"I have one... small request."

Tsunade paused, then nodded.

"Go ahead."

Shikuro was silent for two seconds.

"I heard... that you've recently organized a gathering, Lady Tsunade. Wives from the various clans have been attending."

Tsunade felt sweat break out across her back.

"My wife spends most of her time at home. Aside from caring for the insects, she has little to occupy her."

"If possible, I'd like her to... attend one of your gatherings."

He paused.

"And ideally, join that... Women's Mutual Aid Association."

Tsunade froze.

So you knew everything?!

Even word of the association reached you?!

She turned to Yuri.

Yuri was sipping her tea with a smile. Noticing Tsunade's stare, she set down her cup and said frankly,

"Oh, I told him. I mentioned it once when we were on a mission together."

She paused, then added, "I meant to bring Mrs. Aburame along sometime. There just... wasn't a chance."

Her eyes drifted slightly as she said the last words.

Wasn't a chance?

Tsunade gave a bitter laugh inwardly.

You had plenty of chances.

You were just like me!

You forgot!

But Tsunade couldn't call her out.

The two women who had forgotten exchanged a knowing glance and silently moved on.

Tsunade turned back to Shikuro and nodded solemnly.

"Of course. I'll come invite her myself to the next gathering."

Shikuro's shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

"Then I'll fetch my wife."

He turned and went into the back courtyard.

A moment later, he returned with a woman.

She was around thirty, of average build, with a round face and pleasant but unremarkable features.

She wore plain ocher house clothes, and her black hair was tied simply behind her head.

Tsunade's impression of her came down to one word.

Ordinary.

Very ordinary.

So ordinary that she could vanish into a crowd in three seconds.

The woman bowed to Tsunade and spoke softly.

"Hello, Lady Tsunade. My name is Ichika Aburame."

Ichika Aburame?

Even her name is plain.

Tsunade kept the thought off her face.

Smiling, she stepped forward and patted Ichika on the shoulder.

"Ichika, right? I'll remember."

Her tone was brisk.

"I'll come get you for the next gathering."

Ichika nodded quickly. "All right! Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"

Tsunade waved off her thanks.

Then she said goodbye to Shikuro and left the Aburame compound with Yuri and Fuga.

Their figures disappeared at the end of the forest path.

Ichika stood in the doorway, watching them go for a long time.

Then she turned to her husband.

Worry showed plainly on her face.

"Do you think... Lady Tsunade will really remember to invite me next time?"

Shikuro Aburame fell silent for a moment.

"...She will."

"Really?"

"Don't worry."

Ichika Aburame sighed and leaned against the doorframe.

"Ever since I married you, my old friends have forgotten me one by one."

She counted them off on her fingers.

"Last time the Akimichi House held a banquet, they left our family off the guest list. And at the last Konoha Ninja Convention, they didn't save us seats in the family section."

"...Even the man who sells takoyaki next door can't remember my name. Every time I go, I say, 'The usual,' and every time he asks what flavor I want."

Shikuro Aburame listened in silence.

"This time..." Ichika Aburame gripped the hem of her clothes, her voice growing quieter. "I hope it won't happen again."

Shikuro Aburame raised a hand and gently patted his wife's head.

"It won't."

He sounded certain.

But if anyone could have seen through his dark glasses, they would have noticed.

The eyes of the Aburame clan head held the very same worry.

I hope it won't happen again...