Wedding Dress | Prologue

Everyone knew that in the Academy, Inuzuka Kiba had been a loser.

Everyone also knew that Aburame Shino had graduated second only to Uchiha Sasuke.

But no one knew that Aburame Shino had been jealous of Inuzuka Kiba.

Kiba, who hung out with the other losers: Uzumaki Naruto, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji. In their case, hanging out equated skipping class and slacking around.

Shino had…well, he had his insects. As dear to him as they were, however, bugs simply could not make up for having friends of the same species, and Shino didn't have any. He had acquaintances and classmates, but not friends who would play with him or cry with him or laugh with him.

It wasn't only because of the insects, although that had probably played in large part in his friendlessness. The Aburames—all of them—were simply socially awkward. The entire clan was reserved, preferring to keep to themselves. Or perhaps they were just resigned to their friendless state.

On the first day of school, a blonde-haired boy had bounced enthusiastically up to Shino and yelled in his face, "Hey! I'm Uzumaki Naruto and I'm going to be the Hokage someday! What's your name? Why are you wearing sunglasses? Aren't you hot with that thick coat on?" His blue eyes were wide with excitement—needless excitement, Shino felt. Shino never found much to be excited with in life.

"Aburame Shino," Shino had replied politely. "I don't want my bugs to escape so I keep them in my coat." He beckoned Naruto a little closer before opening a side of the big hooded overcoat he wore, revealing thousands of black insects teeming over his body and the inside of the coat.

Naruto leaped back with a shocked yelp. "Ewww! That's so gross!" Like most little boys, Naruto liked spiders and worms and other creepy crawlies, but a million bugs swarming on a living person was too much, even for him. He had dashed away in tears to find Iruka-sensei.

After that unfortunate incident, Shino didn't get many more chances to make friends. The terrified girls flatly refused to approach him, and the other boys masked their childish fears with snide remarks.

Unfeeling as he appeared to be, Shino was, nevertheless, slightly hurt. He didn't let it show, nor did he get unduly upset, nor did he speak to his father about these incidents. He merely worked harder than ever in class, determined to meet his goal of graduating at the top of the class.

Who needs friends? I'll prove that I'm better than all of them. So much better.

Yes, Aburame Shino was just a little bitter.

Unfortunately, Uchiha Sasuke claimed the top spot at the Academy that year. Shino was disappointed, mildly annoyed, and became more bitter. He looked around at the rest of the class calmly, critically, appraising each of them in turn. Two of these nine would be on the same three-man team as him.

I'll prove that I'm better than them. So much better.