AN: This is my first author's note ever and it is addressed to all the people who read my fic from the beginning before I went on a long unexplained hiatus. I would like to apologize to you who decided to come back and continue reading. Thank you for the support!

A few days ago while cleaning out my inbox, I came across an unread comment about this story. In truth, I hadn't really forgotten about it, but I hadn't had the initiative to work on it for a long time... But reading the comment made me realize the numerous times I have really gotten into reading another story only to find that halfway though the author leaves it incomplete. And it makes me sad thinking that my story could end up like that.

Thus, I have decided to tackle this story with a renewed effort in an attempt to finish it so I may move on and stop feeling guilty.

Besides, I pretty much have the entire story planned out in my mind anyway.

So without further ado, I present to you chapter 16:

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Chapter 16: Phonecalls

Ring, ring.

The phone rang. Causing Shino to look up from his homework.

It rang again. Shino realized that if he didn't pick it up no one else would, since his father was on a mission and rarely picked up the phone anyway even if he was home.

He sighed and made a move towards the phone. Ever since he obtained some friends, the phone was ringing more and more frequently. It was getting to the point where he wanted to unplug the thing.

He picked up the receiver and put it to his ear. "…Hello?" he said after a few seconds.

"Hello. This is Mr. Hyuuga, I was hoping to have a word with your father. Is he in?" asked the family head in short clipped tones. He was sounding even less pleased than normal, which is saying a lot.

"He's on a mission," Shino replied, hoping that would end the conversation.

"I see," he said. Shino could just picture his eyes narrowing and mouth tightening. "Well, could you kindly inform him when he is back that I wish to speak to him in person about the criminal activities that you and your pesky Inuzuka comrade have been involving my daughter in. As heir to the Main House of the Hyuuga family my daughter cannot have a criminal record, as it would forever tarnish the Hyuuga family name. Do not contact my daughter outside of school. Good day." The phone was hung up with an audible slam. Apparently someone was not having a 'Good day'.

After a few seconds Shino hung up the phone. If he was going to tell Shino directly over the phone, then what was the point of asking to speak to his father in person? I mean really.

Shino turned to go back to his homework and decided to conveniently forget to tell his father about Mr. Hyuuga's phonecall. The sole purpose of the call was to ensure that someone 'talk to Shino about his criminal ways', but really, he had already been disciplined by his father. He remembered it none too fondly…

"Shino," said Mr. Aburame simply when they got home, "You should know better." Then he stared at Shino for a few moments before walking away, leaving Shino standing there alone in the front hall of their house. He may have only said a grand total of five words, but it was five more words than he usually says. These words were more effective than the hundred he would possibly receive from Hinata's father. They really hit home. Only in the Aburame family could a reprimanding be given with less than ten words.

The Aburames were firm believers that actions spoke louder than words, but they still believed that sometimes, words were more effective. And being one who is known to rarely speak, when Mr. Aburame did speak, it was only when it was of great importance and could not be conveyed with a simple facial expression (or lack thereof).

Shino sighed and returned to his work. Scratching absentmindedly at the back of his neck. That was another form of punishment not so easily forgotten. His bugs had exacted revenge upon him by giving him numerous painful and itchy bug bites. That was definitely a lesson he would not soon forget.

Ring, ring.

Shino sighed. After this call he was definitely unplugging the phone.

He reached over and picked up the phone hoping to god it was not—

"HELLOOOOO?!" shouted a very familiar voice from the end of the phone. Kiba. Great.

"Yes?" said Shino, sounding slightly more irritated than usual. He was talking to the cause of his recent near death experience after all.

"Shino my bestest buddy!!!" he shouted obnoxiously into the receiver, even though Shino could here him just fine. Shino held the phone a foot from his head, not wanting to go deaf before his time.

"…"

"I have come up with a SUPER AWESOME PLAN!"

"…"

"Guess what it is!!!" he shouted after Shino's lack of response.

"…what?"

Shino could hear excited dog barking in the background.

"YOU'LL HAVE TO COME OVER AND FIND OUT!!!" and then Kiba slammed the phone back onto the hook.

Shino continued to hold the phone in shock until he heard it start beeping at him. Then he slowly hung up. He couldn't believe his ears. Did Kiba still think of him as his 'bestest buddy' even after the pool incident? Could he really be that forgetful or …no wait, yes he could. This was Kiba we are talking about after all. Shino thought back to the snot incident and how Kiba forgot that Shino punched him thinking that evil ninjas attacked him in his sleep. He easily could have forgotten.

He also noticed that everything they did ended in an incident.

Would this time be any different? 'No,' thought Shino sadly, shaking his head, 'most likely not."

But would he go anyway? 'Most likely yes,' hethought as he unplugged the phone to prevent future incidents of talking in his quiet home. They were 'bestest buddies' after all.