A/N: I'm so thankful that there are people who like this fic. I know most like stories that are lighthearted, so I'm pretty glad that you guys enjoy this piece of writing too:)

Shino… Could it be possible? Does he…does he really like me?

Hinata pondered over the question as she walked towards the training grounds where her team had promised to meet. Her mouth was set in a frown. She would never hurt Shino or Kiba, they were her best friends. She'd rather die. Perhaps Neji nii-san's sources were wrong, she told herself. It had to be. Casting those thoughts aside, she hurried to where she knew her friends would be waiting for her.

"Hinata-chan!"

"I'm s-sorry that I'm l-late, Kiba-kun."

"That's fine, you probably had your own reasons."

Hinata smiled. They were so understanding. "T-Thank you." Looking around, she noticed that Shino was not around.

"W-Where is Shino-kun?"

" I don't know. He said he might be late. Let's wait."

"A-Alright."

There was a pause where a comfortable silence fell upon them. They trusted each other, and enjoyed each other's company. Still, it became apparent that Kiba could not keep still for long. He was fidgeting nervously.

"Kiba-kun?"

"Hinata-chan…did you know that… what I mean is… Well… Hinata-chan, can you keep a secret?"

"I-I'd try."

" That's good enough. Well, you see, Hinata-chan, Shino appears to…how should I put this?"

"It's o-okay if you can't t-tell me…"

" Hinata-chan, I would never! It's just that… Shino told me he liked someone."

Suddenly awake, she sat upright and stared at him with those large eyes, imploring him to go on. He sighed, not knowing what if he should break his promise to Shino. Yet, perhaps his two teammates would find happiness in each other. Perhaps… perhaps they would be happy where he could not. He had to tell her. Shino would never do so, and they might have missed out on a perfect opportunity.

Taking a deep breath, he told her, "I suspect that the person he likes is you."

Hinata looked away, preferring to stare at the grass, telling herself that if she didn't take notice of it, the blush on her cheeks should soon fade away. The grass glistened with dew.

"K-Kiba-kun…"she spoke at last, never taking her eyes off the ground, "I hope t-that this is not t-true…"

"What?!"

"I c-care for Shino-kun, b-but…"

"Yes, we all know that you like Uzumaki, but he doesn't return your feelings."

"Even so… even so… I c-cannot stop myself from loving h-him."

She wondered why the blush was absent from her face. Didn't she always blush when talking about Naruto? Perhaps she had finally grasped her feelings and understood that love was not about being shy. Yes, that had to be it.

" A-And you, Kiba-kun?"

"Me?" he asked, inclining his head to the side. "Where do I come in?"he questioned, even though he already knew the answer.

"W-Who is the llucky girl that K-Kiba-kun likes?"

Kiba only shook his head. "Someone who will never return my love. Someone who already has too much love," he replied softly. "Oh, look!" he yelled, voice returning to it's natural volume. "Shino's back!"

It was almost as if they never had this conversation.

"Shino-kun."

"I'm sorry I'm late, Hinata-chan," Shino muttered, blushing. " And you, too, Kiba."

"That's okay. Let's train!"

As they walked, Kiba smiled brightly.

Their lesson had finally ended, and Hinata left. On the way, she met Kiba. As hers and Kiba's house were rather far from each others, she knew that this was no mere coincidence. He had something to tell her, and it was obviously bothering him.

"Hinata-chan."

"W-What is it?"

"I just had a thought."

"Oh?"

"This morning… I have to ask. Does Neji still bully you?"

"N-No. He's really nice t-to me… He cares about m-me, Kiba-kun."

"Really?"

"Y-Yes. He is m-my nii-san…" She replied

.Hinata was not as worried about her dream as she had been yesterday, but still she felt inclined to get someone else's opinion. Yes, she would have to talk to Kurenai-sensei. It had to be done.

"Kurenai-sensei…"

"What is it, Hinata?"

"L-Lately, when I dream, I d-dream of s-someone."

"Is that so?"

"Y-Yes. He l-looks like Neji nii-san, but he's n-not. And o-once… once he tried to c-cut me, but when I w-woke up, I still had those injuries. It's almost a-as if he cut me in reality, but he c-couldn't have because the r-real Neji nii-san was there at the time."

" It might be a genjutsu. Have you tried dispelling it?"

"Yes, I have. I have also tried to get Neji nii-san to dispel it for me in mid-dream."

"Have you considered that it might be your cousin who had hurt you?"

"I'm sure t-that it is not him… I k-know it in my heart," Hinata replied. Still, she couldn't help but let the seed of doubt in her heart germinate. After all, there seemed to be no other explanation, and she did not truly believe that a dream could do so much. It was indeed easier to believe this.

"I know… it c-cannot be him."

"Anything is possible. Keep an eye on unusual circumstances, Hinata. Keep me informed."

Hinata resolved to lock the door that night. She could not suspect him… not anymore. He was the only person she could trust, and she did not want to. She could not afford to suspect him. No, she had to get out of the compounds. It wasn't as if her father would worry. Yes, tonight, she would go to Kiba's house to hide out. She was very close to Kiba's sister, and the girl had told her it would be fine to be there. Furthermore… if she were alone, she could die.

Yes, that was exactly what she would do, she told herself, as she abruptly changed her direction, leaving a pair of surprised pearl-white eyes staring after her. He decided not to follow her; she would probably be back soon. He had already invaded her privacy one too many times.

A/N: What do you think?