happy birthday ch 2

Happy Birthday (2232 words) by Flannigan
Chapters: 2/?
Fandom: Naruto
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Aburame Shino/Tenten
Characters: Aburame Shino, Tenten
Additional Tags: Pre-Shippuden, Shino is awkward, Tenten is everyone's friend, Dai-hachi-han | Team 8 (Naruto)-centric, Shino is ruthless, Casual mention of murders
Summary: Shino's lot in life goes hand in hand with death. He kills children his own age, grown men and women, anyone his village points him towards. He kills because he was born for the purpose, has no choice, together with his teammates. Their sensei taught them to be shinobi.

Tenten grew up as a struggling orphan of Konoha. A weapons specialist in training and gifted at Sealing Jutsu, she devoted her life to fight in the stead of those who can't. As a student of hard work, she and her team are taught to believe in themselves, the beauty and kindness of the world, and to protect life.

Nourished by blood and anonymity, a clan history of mass murders, Aburame Shino and Tenten, nourished by hope and love, become unlikely friends.

Preview of Ch 2 Read on AO3

Team Gai sent word to Konoha explaining their situation, requesting extra hands with finishing their mission. Lady Hokage had sent word to find a skilled tracking team, and someone had remembered Yuuhi Kurenai's genins: Team 8.

Their mission was to assist Team Gai in tracking down and securing bandits in a large area. Kurenai-sensei had promised the Lady Hokage they would finish the mission. Shino felt the weight on his shoulders. Their sensei's honor was on the line now. One look on the determined faces of his teammates told him they felt the same weight.

All five of them had travelled non-stop, only resting the bare minimum and eating rations, except for Akamaru who was still growing. They were getting close now, journeying through the branches of tall woodlands, when Kurenai-sensei raised her arm.

Read on AO3

fic talk 2

On one hand I want to change the title of the fic currently named Happy Birthday, bc it doesn't sound bloody and complicated and poetic enough. But I have no idea to what.

On the other hand, I want to lean into it and have it make sense as a title.

On the third hand, I suppose I could add a subtitle once I know more abt how it'll turn out. Like: Happy Birthday: [Awesome Edgy Subtitle Here]

I have rough ideas for the next few chapters, and their relationship is going slow. I enjoy writing that. I wish I found more fic to read where characters figure out each other, whether or not they like or hate the other.

I have vague ideas written out for end game stage of their relationship. I'm looking forward to getting there, but I want to take my time. I can only write as fast as I am able. :/

Also I checked out the AO3 tag for Shino/Tenten. ...It's bad. It's barren. I have my work cut out here. I do have a 2nd fic I have a bit written for with this pairing too, but it's not the focus of the story. I'm pretty hype for that one, tbh.