Going in no particular order: Crusanite's Naruto Pairings! Yay! 8D

Unless specified, these all take place in the Shippuden Universe.

First off the bat, we have a thoroughly under-appreciated ship: KibaHina! Because I am lazy, this story will be partitioned into parts. Behold, part one.

Enjoy!

Kiba stopped midstride, and snapped his fingers. His companions trailed ahead of him for a few steps before slowing to a stop. They turned and blinked expectantly at their fellow, whose eyes were wide with sudden realization.

"Dango Shop," he said clearly. He paused to consider the words, before nodding proudly, as if he had just solved some universe-unravelling debate.

Hinata stared.

Shino sighed. "Dessert for dinner?" he asked irritably.

Kiba sniffed loudly and crossed his arms.

Shino jammed his hands into his pockets. "I hate dango," he muttered darkly, retreating deeper into his hood. "The scent upsets my insects... And me."

"Well, I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas! Besides, I'm sure we can rustle up you and your bugs up a nice plate of sticks."

Shino's sunglasses glinted dangerously in the electric light. "I've told you before, we don't eat sti-"

Kiba turned to Hinata, and his expression brightened. "What do you think?"

Hinata pondered the idea. She eyed Shino uncertainly, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Well… I don't see why not-"

"Perfect!" Hinata squeaked as Kiba lunged forward, seizing her hand and dragging her after him. In panic the kunoichi seized the front of Shino's jacket, and the three of them stumbled down the lamp-lit street in a bizarre conga line.

Akamaru, who had paused someway behind them to scratch an irritating itch behind his ear, watched the rest of Team Kurenai wobble back past him. The nin-dog hesitated only a moment before trotting after them, wagging his tail.

Team Gai, who were shouldering their packs, paused in the middle of the street to stare at the strange procession.

A few hours later, they shuffled out of the Dango Shop in a much lighter mood.

Shino cleared his throat, and Hinata quickly hushed Kiba to listen. "That," declared the shinobi solemnly. "Was actually quite-"

"Holy shit, he's going to say it!" babbled Kiba excitedly, pulling Hinata's elbow enthusiastically. "Listen, Hinata, listen!"

Shino, paused, eyeing the shinobi coldly.

"Well, not now I'm not," he said stiffly, proceeding to march out onto the dark street.

Kiba laughed haughtily. He folded his arms behind his head and stalked after Shino in a very Naruto-like fashion, Akamaru at his heels. This wasn't missed by Hinata, who blushed deeply and trotted after her teammates.

"I knew you didn't have it in you," pressed Kiba. "That word just isn't in your vocabulary, is it Hinata?"

The kunoichi was started out of her thoughts by her sudden inclusion in the conversation.

"S-sorry, Kiba-kun, which word? I wasn't paying attention…"

Kiba grinned nastily. "Fun."

Shino's pale cheeks flushed a light shade of pink. "It most certainly is!" he grumbled.

"Oh really," said Kiba slyly. He prodded his companion square in the chest. "You don't even know the definition of the word, buddy!"

Shino stopped in his tracks, fuming. "Just because I don't roll around in my own shit like an animal doesn't mean I don't have fun, Inuzuka."

Kiba growled, curling his fists. His eyes narrowed.

Burying her fingers in Akamaru's fur, Hinata bit her lip, watching her teammates fearfully. Squabbling between the two shinobi wasn't a rare occurrence, but occasionally the playful picking turned very nasty, very quickly. They were conscious enough of her presence not to hurt Hinata, but it was always she who had to explain to a thoroughly unimpressed Kurenai the next morning as to why Shino and Kiba looked as though they'd been trampled by a herd of elephants.

And Hinata really, really hated seeing her friends fight.

As if on cue Akamaru whined pointedly, and Kiba's dark eyes snapped to the nin-dog. They travelled up to meet Hinata's startled gaze, before he fixed them on his feet. She could have sworn she saw a flicker of shame pass over his face.

The shadowed expression vanished so quickly she was surprised she caught it. Kiba barked a laugh, and punched Shino in shoulder. Not hard, but with enough force to make him stagger a little.

"Whatever," said Kiba loudly, roughly wrapping an arm about Shino's neck and ruffling his friend's hair through his hood. "Bug-watching isn't really what I'd call "fun", but I'll let it slide."

Shino grunted in surprise, gingerly removing himself from Kiba's iron grip.

"Fine," he consented. "And it's called entomology, not bug-watching."

Kiba grinned.

"Right! So, now that we're all one big happy family again, what's next?"

"What's next?" echoed Hinata, puzzled.

Kiba spread his arms wide, and spun about in a little circle.

"Well," he said in a matter of fact tone, winking at her over his shoulder. "It's summer in the Hidden Leaf, we're shinobi , and the night is young! We could go to a bar, or for a bowl of late-night ramen, or back to my place for a game of something, or…" He frowned, struggling to think of another option, since none of his teammates had voiced any interest so far. "Or… Uh… Hey, Shino! Any ideas?"

"I thought I didn't know how to have fun."

"Aw, don't be like that!" said Kiba hastily. "Listen! Maybe-"

"Um, actually…" Hinata twiddled her thumbs anxiously, slowing to a stop. Shino and Kiba turned to face her curiously. "I think I'd better get home…"

"What? Are you sure? It's not that late, and I'm buying..?"

"You might as well, Hinata. I'm sure we'll decide on something interesting to do, even if we have to have Kiba along too."

"Yeah, he's- Hey!" Hinata giggled.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Shino-kun, Kiba-kun… M-my parents might worry…" Hinata shot her companions an apologetic smile, shyly raising her eyes to meet theirs in turn. "Goodnight."

And with a final scratch behind Akamaru's ears, Hinata Hyuga turned on her heel and walked away into the night.

Kiba sighed heavily, watching her retreating back wistfully.

"Bad luck," said Shino after a moment. "No one can say you didn't try though."

Kiba mumbled something under his breath, rubbing the back of his head bashfully.

"Anyway," drawled Shino, turning around and beginning to walk. "If you're still buying, perhaps the evening won't be wasted."

Kiba snorted, but remained where he stood.

"Who said I was buying?"

"You did. Not five minutes ago."

"Not for you…"

"How kind," remarked Shino dryly. "Hurry up, Inuzuka. I believe that Ichiraku's ramen is still open. Perhaps I can actually have some dinner…"

While Shino spoke, Kiba's eyes suddenly brightened. He looked up, grinning. Akamaru cocked his head curiously.

"…after all, there's no reason to-"

"Hey, Hinata! Wait up!"

Shino stopped, whirling about to see Kiba running after Hinata, waving his arm. Shino stared at Akamaru, who had remained stationary. The nin-dog stared back.

"Well?" asked Shino grumpily. "Are you going to abandon me too?"

The offended Akamaru picked himself up and loped after the others.

"Fine," growled Shino. "I guess I'll go then…" He turned around and continued his pace up the street. "… By myself…" He slowed his step. "… Alone." He stopped. "Again."

Shino hung his head, standing dejectedly under the light of a street lamp.

Baw. Poor Shino. His life sucks.

Not much KibaHina in this bit... BUT THAT'S WHY THERE'S MORE! BWAH HA HA!

...

... I never get reviews... *joins Shino under the street lamp of rejection*