Mistakes by blackdragonflower

Chapter 4: Cupid's Arrow

Hinata giggled as she looked at her hair. She picked up a brush and got ready to fight. Her hair flew up in tangles and knots. Wielding her weapon Hinata began to drag the brush through her knotty hair. 'Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow.' Finally the tangled mess came to a admitted defeat as it straightened out. 'I have to hurry or I'll miss my date with Shino!… No, not a date, a friend get together… get a hold of yourself Hinata!'

Her and Kira had been playing together all day. Hinata learned very fast about the girl's favorite things to do. Hinata had volunteered to baby-sit since Kurenai had to run errands. Kira was sitting on Hinata's bed very jumpy. Hinata smiled and patted her lap. "Do you want a braid Kira?" The girl jumped up and ran over to Hinata.

"Yeah! Will you give me one onee-chan?"

"Let's go into the bathroom… I'll give you one there." Kira jumped up and grabbed Hinata's hand.

"Let's go onee-chan!" Kira pulled her into the bathroom with a grin. Kira crawled onto a small chair and bounced up and down with anticipation.

"Kira!" Hinata giggled. "You have to sit still!" The girl sat as still as she could possibly could but she still fidgeted. Hinata took Kira's long chestnut hair into her hands and began to brush it out. After it was silky smooth Hinata began to braid the girl's hair into a French braid. Hinata held the end of the braid firmly in her hand and smiled, "So… what do you want me to tie it back with?" Hinata questioned and pointed to a small array of ribbons. Kira put a finger to her lip and grinned.

"I like the red one." Hinata reached over and picked up a rogue cotton ribbon.

"This one?"

"Mhmm! It's pretty and matches mama's eyes!" Hinata smiled and tied the ribbon into Kira's hair.

"There…all done." Down the hallway they heard the door open and close. Kira jumped out of the seat and ran to see who it was.

"Kira sweetie? Who did your hair?"

"Onee-chan mommy! Ain't it pretty?"

Hinata poked her head out of the bathroom and chuckled. She walked down the hall when Kurenai caught her by her arm. Her voice was in a low whisper. "Hinata, thank you for doing this with Kira…She doesn't get to do this kind of girl stuff since I'm hardly ever home."

"You're welcome Kurenai. It's no problem."

"Hinata, still, thank you. I'll keep her busy so you can get ready to meet Shino."

"Thanks." Kurenai let go of Hinata's arm and picked up a yellow ball.

"Kira! Let's go outside and play catch."

"Yay!" the girl squealed and ran outside.

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Shino awaited impatiently at the dogwood blossom. The petals softly fell around him in a tranquil dance. He found himself in another argument with himself.

'Pathetic. Shino get a hold of yourself. This is not a date! She would never even consider it as such. She has eyes only for Naruto and you know this. Why do you still try?'

'Because I love her.'

Never before had those thoughts occurred in Shino's mind. He knew about his affection for her but he had never dared to say, nor even think those words.

'You're a crazy one. Go find another Aburame girl. She'll understand you better than this wallflower ever could.'

It was then when Shino's thoughts became violent upon themselves. 'Don't you ever call her that again! She is not weak and defenseless like everyone makes her out to be. She is a smart, compassionate, young woman with whom I have feelings for… No Aburame girl could compare to her. They may understand the clan history better, but they don't know me…'

'A little selfish aren't we?"

"Um, Shino?" The bugs interrupted softly. They had never seen their host so angry and frustrated with himself. "Shino-sama… are you okay? Is there anything we can do to help?" Shino sighed and controlled his breathing. He knew he shouldn't be getting upset but he just wanted everything to be clear in his mind once again.

"Yes. I'm fine. Don't worry… it's okay… No, nothing that comes to mind… don't worry about it." Shino replied in the insect tongue. The buzzing under his skin strengthened for a moment as if to reassure him he always had friends beside him. "Thanks."

"Shino!" He looked up from staring at his feet to see Hinata running towards him. Running too fast to stop herself she bumped into Shino and caused the two to fall to the ground. Hinata was on top, but both were blushing crimson.

'Hmm… this is nice…I like it.' Without a thought Hinata put her head down on Shino's shoulder forgetting to stutter her apology or plainly get off.

"H-Hinata?" His voice was a little shaky. He had slept by her in the tent on missions many times but this was different. She was on top of him her body pressed on his. It seemed to him as if gravity had just decided to turn on. As did the heat.

"Shino-kun…" her breath floated on the air and seemed to stick to Shino's skin. He smelled the soft scent of flowers in crisp morning dew coming off of her skin. "You know…Naruto doesn't compare to you…" Shino could tell she was absentmindedly thinking all of this forgetting where, and who she was. She got off him and Shino regretted it. He sat up and stared at her through his sunglasses.

"Hinata…you don't know what you're saying."

"Oh Shino!" Hinata hugged herself to him, she was tired of being ordered around and doing what others wanted. Today, tonight she was going to do what she wanted, and she wanted Shino. "Shino that's not true! I know exactly what I'm saying. Please don't reject me like the others… I want to be with you, if only for a little while longer…" Shino smiled wondering if he was having a dream. This would be a nightmare if he had to wake up.

"H-Hinata?" Shino ran his fingers through her hair. "I-I've never said this b-but, I love you."

Hinata buried her face into Shino's black shirt. She inhaled the scent of trees at dusk and a light sprinkle of rain, and it was all what he smelled like to her. She looked up at him smiling, her eyes watered but not with sadness. "Do you… want to go on that walk now?" Hinata grinned.

"Very much." Shino stood and offered his hands. Hinata took them and pulled herself up. She boldly took Shino's hand in hers and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I'm ready to go if you are." Shino's fingers entwined in hers.

"Let's go…" The two walked at a decent pace, not too fast, not too slow. Shino led Hinata to a beautiful thirty-five story high waterfall. The setting sun gave off a glistening sparkle to the water turning it a strange orange and pink.

"Wow…" Hinata breathed out. She yelped when she felt something crawl up her sleeve. Shino's gaze snapped to her, he knew what had happened but he wasn't expecting what he got. Hinata fell to the ground laughing. "S-Shino! M-m-make them s-st-stop!"

"Guys… please stop. Um… thank you for your, uh, help."

'You're very welcome!' The kikai screeched with giggles. They crawled off of Hinata and flew to underneath Shino's shield of a collar and sleeves.

"I don't know what to do with you… please behave."

'Hey! Go on! She likes you! Go ahead make a move." The mass of insects buzzed contently from within him.

"They sound awfully happy."

"They like you." Shino tensed as Hinata moved in closer to him. She took his collar in her hands and began to unbutton the first of two buttons. "Hinata? What are you doing." 'snap'The second button came undone. "Hinata?" His gaze was settled onto her lips. His eyes trailed over them in secret behind his glasses and they were getting closer. Her pale lips were getting closer. And much to Shino's surprise he was also leaning in closer to her.

The two instantly pulled away when they heard a loud howling. A large white dog crashed through the undergrowth of the woods and barked recognizing who he had come across. "Akamaru! Wait up!" Kiba emerged from the clearing with a smile. "Hey guys! Didn't expect to see you here! What're you guys doing out so late?"

'Great…Kiba… what great timing he has…' Shino frowned forgetting his collar was unbuttoned.

"Oy! Why are you scowling at me bug freak? All I asked was what you were doing!"

"K-Kiba-kun…w-we were um…" Kiba pulled Hinata close to him defensively as a big brother would.

"Hinata he hasn't touched you wrongly or anything did he?!"

"No." Shino stated annoyed, "I would do no such thing Kiba." Akamaru looked at the two males his fur bristling with the tension. The kikaichu in Shino's body could sense their host's anger and were ready to attack if the need be. Shino turned around and left. Just like that. He called out softly as he left, "Goodbye Hinata. I'll see you later." Hinata squirmed her way from Kiba's grip and looked up at him with big eyes. "Kiba-kun? What w-was th-that for?"

"I'm sorry Hinata-chan. I don't know what came over me… I just got this feeling. I'm really sorry."

"I don't think it's me you should apologize t-to." Kiba let out a sigh.

"You're right… like you always seem to be." He ruffled Hinata's hair smirking, "I'll get to it eventually. Do you want me to take you home?"

"N-no thank y-you…"

"Okay! See you later Hinata-chan!" Kiba ran off with Akamaru to do who knows what. Hinata let out a deep sigh. She was confused with herself at the moment. She began to walk back to Kurenai's the stars were beginning to softly shine upon her.

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Shino was angry with dog boy. He was mad at himself for what he was about to do but the accusation Kiba had made was making him boiling mad. His hands shook in their protective pockets. The kikaichu crawled from his skin and rubbed up against his cheek in a loving manner.

'Don't listen to him Shino. You know he's always jumped to conclusions. We know you would never do that kind of thing.' The insects continued to rub up against his skin to cheer him up. 'Smile. She likes you Shino-sama!' Despite his efforts not to, Shino found a smile creeping onto his lips. He chuckled softly as they gave off a purr-like noise.

"Thanks. You guys are the best." The bugs giggled and retreated back under his skin. Shino stepped up onto the porch of his home and opened the door. Bugs chirped their greetings as they continued on with what they did. Shino sighed, his home was empty without his father there. Shino worried slightly about Shibi. His father had been away for a few weeks now on a mission and Shino had heard no word from him. He closed the door softly.

Kikaichu swarmed around him and a soft booming laughter rang in the house. Shibi stepped out of the shadows. From the position of his cheekbones, Shino could tell his father was smiling. "Dad!"

"Son." The kikai dropped from Shino and returned to their respective owner. "The house has really become a dump!" Shibi teased. The only thing out of line was a spare pair of sandals laying at the end of the couch.

"Yeah, it's a real dump…" Shino laughed, "but it could never be as bad as when I left on the bikochu mission! It was a mess!"

Shibi gave a defeated cock of his head smirking behind his collar. "Just because there was a few pieces of trash on the floor…" Shibi pulled his son into a playful hug. "So did you miss me Shino?"

"Yeah. I always do."

"It's nice for an old man to know…"

Shino rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Yeah, dad, you're really that old…"

"Don't take that snappy tone with me. Come on. I want to have dinner with my son." Shibi grinned, "Plus I have news for you. It's very important."