Heeeeey

Heeeeey!
I started writing this story quite awhile ago.
It's sort of a challenge, taking two characters who barely know eachother and making them fall in love.
It's tough, but It's also pretty fun.
I chose ShinoXIno.
I think they're both underappreciated characters and sometimes opposites can attract.
There's also a little bit of pairing off since it takes place in the future when the kids are all about 18-20, and some one-sided love on both characters parts.
It switches P.O.V. almost every chapter, and some of it happens simultaneoulsy.
(This chapter is Shino's POV)
ENJOY! :D

--Shino Aburame--

The sun beat down on the three young shinobi, as they passed their favorite training grounds. If this were any other day they would have been running, or jumping through the trees like they did on missions. They could even be practicing their melee skills by trying to go as swiftly and quietly as possible. In fact the quiet boy trailing behind the other two could list exactly twelve much more productive ways they could be heading towards town. He knew it was twelve, because he counted.

His mind worked like a machine, steely, unfeeling, and emotionless. He listed everything out, he thought in words, not pictures, and he never thought of anything normal people would consider exciting or happy.

Because Aburames are never happy.

But like usual, his emotionless train of thought was interrupted by those two.

"Hey Shino, what're you gonna get us?"

Kiba yelled back at him, his arm casually slung around Hinata, his girlfriend of two years. She blushed, and looked up at Kiba like he had just done something amazing, like saved her life, or lifted a car. The couple waited for Shino's answer, but it never came.

"Hey Shino!"

Kiba yelled louder, even though it was obvious Shino was ignoring him.

"HEY SHINO!!"

Shino debated whether or not to just kill Kiba already, but decided against it

…barely

Instead he finally caved and answered the dog boy.

"What."

"What're you gonna get us?"

"What?"

"What're you gonna get us for our anniversary?"

"…"

"Oh, c'mon Shino! Don't tell me you forgot!"

He hadn't forgotten, how could he, with them constantly reminding him with their annoying lovey dovey antics. He was just confused as to why he had to get them a gift. He knew their two year anniversary was the reason they hadn't done any training today. He was already angry enough as it was that they'd taken away his time to train and made him come with them for their anniversary shopping. He didn't want to go and Kiba didn't care either way, but Hinata had asked him to come, so here he was. She'd convinced Kiba that he had wanted to come, but Shino and Hinata both knew the real reason he was invited was to supervise Kiba.

"Shino? Hey, Shino!"

Kiba yelled once again looking back at the strange boy.

Shino sighed and finally decided to answer.

"I thought my coming was a gift."

Kiba cracked a smile, and starting laughing wildly.

Shino glared at him. Why was he laughing? He was being serious; he had gone out of his way to go on this stupid shopping trip with them. Hinata noticed the look on his face and laughed nervously, jabbing Kiba in the stomach.

"Oh, um just ignore him Shino, your coming with us is enough."

She smiled warmly, looking him in the eye. She never used to. She'd changed over the past years; she was no longer as shy and definitely not weak.

Kiba had changed her.

Both boys had figured out she liked Naruto pretty early on.
It was no big mystery after all.
Shino knew long before Kiba for…obvious reasons.
She was crushed when Naruto started dating Sakura.
After seeing them together she became even more sheepish and for awhile, couldn't even find the courage to speak. She slowly became weaker, messing up on some of the simplest jutsus and missions; it frustrated Shino to no end watching Hinata fail, just because her heart wasn't in it.
One day after another failed mission she stopped showing up for training all together. They both worried about her and although Shino didn't show it, Kiba definitely did. When he found out she was considering quitting being a ninja, he feverishly tracked her down.

Shino knew all of this because Kiba had told him many times, always against his will. But no matter how many times he did, he always told the next part with a strange far-away look in his eyes. He said that when he finally found Hinata she was tear-stained and trembling. She looked up with those big watery eyes, and she was so beautiful and sad that he just scooped her up in his arms.

He claimed he didn't even say a word, he just held her.
But the next day, sure enough, Hinata returned to training.
Day by day, regaining her old self, with just one slight difference.
Kiba became the one that she watched admiringly.

Everyday Hinata seems happier than before. She barely even stuttered anymore, and then only when she was uncomfortable. She seemed to have a newfound determination and self-esteem. She'd even stood up to Neji and the rest of the Hyuuga's numerous times. They were so impressed with her sudden change, that they had begun to respect her as the rightful heiress to the clan.
HyuugShe really had changed.

But it wouldn't last.
Or at least that's what Shino always thought.

Any day now Hinata and Kiba would break up.
The Aburame always told himself, but every day they showed up smiling and holding hands…
Not that Shino cared.
Relationships are only for baring children in order to keep the clan's name going.

That's the only reason Aburames get married. His parents never loved each other, he knew this for certain. Shino assumed that they'd never even met until the day before their wedding.
That's the way most Aburames got married, and someday Shino would too.

He remained lost in his thoughts for the rest of the walk. Thankfully the other two were too busy enjoying each others company to bother him anymore. But all good things must come to an end, and pretty soon they tried pulling him back into the conversation. Shino had been so lost in thought he didn't realize they'd arrived at the markets. He scorned himself and made a mental note to pay better attention. Good ninja's always observe their surroundings.

"Alright, um, please get something nice for me Kiba!"

"I'll try, bye Hinata!"

He grabbed her and planted a kiss on her cheek. It wasn't anything major, but it was enough to make her blush fiercely. When Kiba finally released her, they parted ways. Hinata looked back at Shino and mouthed

"Make sure he gets something good!"

Shino nodded, even though he knew he wouldn't have to help. He never did, and as much as Hinata couldn't believe it, Kiba always picked her gifts out himself. He knew what she would like, and all year around he saved up money for all kinds of things he wanted to get her.
Shino never would have pegged Kiba as the romantic type.

The boys watched her walk away, and when she was out of earshot Kiba spun excitedly around to face Shino.

"Check this out!"

His hand dove into his pants pocket, and when he found what he was looking for he proudly thrust it at Shino's face.

Shino cocked an eyebrow

"Worm pills?"

"What?" Kiba pulled the pills away from Shino's face and laughed.

"Oh, oops that's for Akamaru. Haha, wonder what Hinata'd say if I got her those huh? Hahaha!"

"She'd probably dump you."

Shino said in his dead-pan.

"Wooooah, Shino you just made a joke, awesome!"

The dog boy gave him a hearty pat on the back. Shino cringed.

"Oh yeah, Hinata's present!" Kiba suddenly remembered, diving back into his pockets for her gift. He pulled out what looked like something that had once been edible.

"No, wait, that's not it…" He pulled out a few other odd and practically destroyed items before he found what he was looking for.

"Aha! Check out this beauty!"

He gently slid out a small velvet box. Shino watched as he carefully opened it. He smiled broadly as he held it up for Shino to see. A little too close for Shino's comfort.

He stepped back a little and scanned the ring. Even Shino had to admit it was nice.

"What do ya think? Do you think she'll like it?"

Kiba said energetically, his eyes wide with excitement.

Shino took a closer look at the ring. The band was made up of three different shades of silver interwoven in an extremely intricate pattern. The silver bands met in the front where there were five stones, each in different shades of pastel purple and white. Very fancy, it was even fancier than an engagement ring.
Shino had no idea Kiba had that much money

"It looks very expensive." Shino finally said

"Damn right, I've been saving up forever to get this! That's why I've been going on all those missions lately!"

Shino handed the ring back to him

"If you already have her gift, why are we shopping?"

"To get flowers! Duh, Shino!"
Kiba said as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.

"God you don't know anything about chicks, do you?"

"Not really." Shino admitted.

Kiba laughed at his confession, which inadvertently angered Shino.

But he trudged along beside his hyper companion anyways. The dog boy was being especially annoying today. As they neared the flower shop, he started acting strange.
He didn't even seem to be aware that his tongue was lolling out of his mouth, and he was making sounds much like a nervous puppy. Shino glanced around and sighed when he realized he wasn't the only one who had noticed. He lagged behind the crazy dog boy, trying to lose him in the crowd, but Kiba made sure that didn't happen. He dove into the crowd, knocking several people over, and dragged Shino out by his arm. Several bystanders laughed, but Kiba didn't seem to hear them. As they neared the flower shop Kiba seemed lost in his own thoughts, which was a welcome change for Shino. He had some thoughts of his own, such as where Akamaru was. But he didn't say anything, at first.

A few minutes passed, and Shino started to feel uncomfortable. He looked over at Kiba, whose face looked rather pale.

Say something.

Shino thought, not believing that he had actually just wished for Kiba to speak to him.

Say something!

He thought again, sliding his hands into his pockets. He never realized how uncomfortable it is when someone who is constantly talking finally shuts up.

He couldn't believe he was doing this, he took a deep breath.

"Akamaru..."

Kiba stopped and looked back at Shino with a strange look on his face.

"What about him?'

Shino shifted nervously "Where is he?"

"Oh, I left him at home; I wanted this day to just be about Hinata and me, and with his size, he kind of gets in the way of our dates."

They just stood there for a second. Shino hating himself for trying to start a conversation, and making things even more uncomfortable. Kiba still weakly staring off into the distance.
When suddenly Kiba spoke again.
"Aha! We're here!"
He said with less enthusiasm than he usually had.
What was wrong with him today?
Shino looked up at the store front.

Yamanaka flowers.

Kiba pushed past him while he paused to think.

Yamanaka?
He knew he had heard that name somewhere before.
He tried to remember, but was distracted by Kiba pulling him inside. When he got over the shock of being forced into the store, he looked around; the shop was positively brimming with all kinds of flowers. Their smells intermingled into a sickeningly sweet aroma.
Shino frowned.
He hated strong smells.
Especially sweet ones.

Kiba rang the service bell at least twenty times before finally noticing the sign on the desk.

"BE BACK IN 10 MINUTES, SORRY FOR THE INCONVIENCE!"

He read uncomfortably loudly.

"Well that sucks! I'm supposed to meet Hinata for our Anniversary dinner in like thirty minutes, I can't wait that long!"

"The sign says 10 minutes…" Shino reasoned

sigh "God Shino! Everyone knows that when one of those signs says 10 minutes it always takes at least an hour and 10 minutes for the person to get back. Some ninja you are."
Kiba retorted, as if this was actual common knowledge.

"That makes no sense…"
Shino replied, but was cut off by Kiba's bitching

"GOD THIS SUCKS! Oh I wish I could wait here…."

He pouted, obviously hinting around for Shino to wait here for him.

"…"

"God, I really want to get her some flowers too…."

"…"

"If only someone could wait here for me…."

"…"

Shino shifted uncomfortably, he didn't want to wait in here, and the smell was already making him nauseous.

"Well….I-I guess we should j-just go…."

Kiba sighed, obviously trying to drum up sympathy.

"Ok."

Shino replied, flinging the door open.

"Oh C'mon Shino! just wait here, pleeeaaaase!?"

Shino frowned, one way or another it would just be less difficult if he caved…like always.

"Fine."

Kiba smiled excitedly and darted out of the flower shop.

"THANKS SHINO! YOU'RE A GREAT FRIEND!"

Shino grimaced

Aburames don't have friends.