That night Shino had the satisfaction of arriving early for their shift…even if he had to clock in two hours ahead of time. He wouldn't be made to look tardy for a third time. While he waited, he thought back on his day, reflective as usual. When she arrived he stood up, triumphant in posture. "You are late."
She gave him a weird look. "What are you talking about? I'm right on time."
He quickly checked his timepiece. She was correct. He frowned down at her, disappointed that she hadn't accepted her loss, let alone acknowledged it.
"Just how long have you been here anyway?" She asked neutrally as she sprang up to his side.
"That's not the point!" He huffed impatiently.
"And what is the point?" She had the nerve to look innocently confused. He stubbornly refused to answer. It terribly bothered his sense of fairness. It was silent for some time before she remembered her manners. "By the way, I never did thank you for this," she said as she raised her bandaged hand.
He softened a little, grateful that she wasn't going to humiliate him further. "You're welcome," he murmured gently. "If I may be so bold, what caused that injury?"
"Dinner caught on fire and I pulled it out."
"Do you usually catch hold of flaming objects?"
She couldn't help but giggle a little. "No, no that was a first for me."
"You appear to be not only casual with your fate, but downright reckless with it," he said seriously. He startled to hear her burst into a laugh.
"Well that wasn't my intention but why should fate be something set in stone?" She challenged. "Surely you believe that you have some say in the matter."
"There is much beyond our control," he reasoned. "The best we can do is prepare to face it."
"But if everything is already predetermined, then your preparation or lack thereof isn't likely to influence it. In fact one could say that you're wasting your time preparing."
He paused for a moment, reluctant to be bested in this matter. "I wouldn't call it a waste."
"Then you must believe that it has some merit."
"Of course it does," He said firmly, relieved to have come out on top.
"To what end?" She asked with a sly smirk. He was stuck and his shoulders sagged in spite of himself. She was probably gonna hold this over him for an obnoxiously long amount of time – just like Kiba does when he gains the upper hand. Thank goodness it was a rare occasion.
Her gaze returned to the horizon. "I like to think we have a say in our future, and that all preparation is a means to that end." She cocked her head to the side as she smiled secretly to herself.
Shino looked at her curiously. "And what do you see in your future?"
"Oh that's a personal question isn't it? Sounds awfully chummy," she flashed him a mischievous look.
"If I were attempting to establish something 'chummy', I should hope to come up with something a bit more creative," he huffed.
"Fair enough," she conceded.
The dog tag suddenly sprang to mind. "Like I could have asked what your favorite candy is."
"Well that would be a complete waste of time because I don't like candy. And that's not really creative. That kind of question is pretty generic in nature."
"Very well then, what would you consider to be creative?"
She looked him up and down and he winced a little under her critical gaze. He saw wisdom and intelligence in her eyes. "Who do you love?"
"In what respect?"
She face-palmed. "I'm not referring to the parental kind."
"Then you mean romantically." He said straight-faced. "I have no time for such nonsense."
"Oh I wouldn't call it nonsense," she protested. "There's something kinda magical about it."
He groaned softly as he thought of Hinata's crush on Naruto. It seemed so pointless. "There is nothing magical in being out of your senses."
"Hardly out of your senses, it's more like intensifying them."
"Explain."
She looked at him like he was crazy. "It's not something that can be explained. It has to be felt."
"Demonstrate."
She looked startled. "On what?"
"Show me." He said as he turned to face her.
She looked exasperated. "Again it doesn't work that way."
"Then you must know nothing on the subject, admit it," he challenged.
She scowled at him. "Never! You're just sore because you don't!"
"Prove it. Show me."
"Fine," she said as she scooted closer so they were toe-to-toe. "But for this to work you have to remove your glasses."
"Absolutely not," he said firmly.
"Love is about leaving yourself vulnerable. There can be no pretenses, or something to hide behind, so take them off."
He slowly removed them and blinked to adjust to the normal view. It was hard not to squint, it just felt so unnatural. Her eyes widened in surprise. His dark, slanted eyes were handsome; his intent gaze seemed to draw her in. It's a shame that he keeps them hidden, she thought with a gentle smile.
"Why is vulnerability so essential?" He grumbled, a bit out of sorts.
"Well it's not so much about being exposed as it is about trust."
"I trust my comrades, with my very life." He said resolutely.
"Not that kind of trust. I'm talking about the kind where you completely open up to another person-no secrets, sharing your hopes and dreams, even your deepest fears."
He frowned. "That sounds sentimental and dull."
She giggled softly. "Well you'll just have to take my word for it, now stop interrupting." She leaned closer, maintaining eye contact. "Love is more than getting to know each other personally. There has to be attraction."
His eyes narrowed. "That is superficial."
"Oh it can be, absolutely, that's why it's essential to get to know them. But I'm not talking about physical attraction."
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What other kind is there?"
"Instinctive."
"That does not involve choice, which seems to be a trait you highly value," he gently reminded her.
She looked a little sheepish. "Yes, well, of course. But this is a kind of connection that I would call instinctive."
"In what way?" He pressed.
"Are you sure you want to know?" She said warily.
He leaned in turn with a determined expression. "You are stalling. It makes me question your knowledge on the subject." He was determined to prove her false. His pride has not recovered from his loss with the discussion on fate and he was determined to victorious.
She bit her lip in hesitation. There was only one way to demonstrate this and she doubted he'd be willing to allow it. She took a breath and slowly cupped his face in her hands. He stiffened, clearly uncomfortable. "Trust me," she whispered as she maintained eye contact.
His mouth hardened at his lapse in composure. There's no need to get all worked up; it was only a demonstration. He nodded. "Continue."
She gently stroked his face with her thumbs. It made his skin tingle and he wasn't sure what to make of the sensation. "Each touch seems to create a spark," her tone was reflective and soft. "It makes the heart race, and creates a desire for closeness. And if two are truly in sync, it creates a bond like no other. And then…" her voice began to trail off as she became distracted. She had never noticed how striking Shino was. She didn't really remember much of him in the academy. He kept to himself, hidden away by high-necked clothes and shades. But here in the moonlight he looked like a dream with his captivating ebony eyes. Who was he really?
His gaze softened curiously as he noticed how her cheeks grew pink. Her eyes seemed to sparkle. It was a most interesting illusion, or had they always been that way? "What an intriguing theory," he murmured as his lips hovered just over hers.
The closeness was intoxicating, something he had never before experienced. Every nerve was on edge and his pulse fluctuated at an accelerated rate. Her scent filled his senses and he abandoned himself to them. His lips brushed against hers like a whisper. She gasped slightly but he pressed his advantage. This time was deliberate as his mouth pressed against hers. The effect was electrifying and he desired more. He pulled her in close to him and her curves aligned with his.
Inuzuka are very sensitive to smell and she was consumed with his musk. She hungrily tasted him in turn; letting out an inner beast that she didn't know existed. The simple curious kiss quickly grew tantalizing and strangely satisfying.
Suddenly an animal cry broke the spell and they sprang apart. They stared at each other, wide-eyed and unable to catch their breath. Shino blinked in shock, completely stunned by this turn of events. She looked equally horrified as her face went beet red. "Oh Shino-kun! I didn't mean to-that is I-Oh!" She dropped down from the branch.
His voice croaked out a weak protest as he reached out for her. She slipped into the underbrush and Hiro followed after her. He leaned back against the tree trunk and rested a hand on his heaving chest. He felt incredibly light-headed and disoriented; what a bizarre sensation! He closed his eyes as he struggled to regain control of himself. As his body began to cool down, he tried to make sense of this turn of events. What happened? What brought this on? It had been like a trance, a spell woven by her words. He flinched as the sun peeked over the horizon and he quickly put his shades back on. He sat there for some time, watching it rise, and trying to make sense of this.
The forest came to life around him and he wasn't aware of it, completely lost within his thoughts. It was approaching mid-day and he still had no answers. Then he rose stiffly to his feet, determined to get answers.