Shadow of Hinata Ch 6

Now set after the Chunin Exam Arc Episode 46ish Hinata and Neji's match. This is in between that time and the Bikochu Filler Arc Episodes 148-151 (I know it's a big time span just image Hinata training the whole time or somewhere in between) Hinata's POV and some unrequited affection (maybe…hehehe). A bit more Shino POV hopefully all in character.

This chapter kinda takes off from the canon, but who knows it could have happened.

My own personal filler (winks) yummy fluff ;p

I do not own Naruto…but you knew that already…

Ch 6

Hinata began to tip toe lightly, raising herself gently in Shino's warm embrace. His strong arms gathering her up into him. But before she could tilt her chin upwards so that their eyes would meet, Hinata realized what she was reaching for. Her sudden impulse surprised her. She had desired to feel the kiss that she had sensed Shino wanted to share with her months ago. That was the day she was so close to death, and contemplated her life laying injured in the medical tent of Kohona. It was after her match with Neji and it seemed to be a lifetime ago; but now that day was fresh in her mind. She exhaled slowly trying to suppress the feint feeling that spread from the tips of her toes to the top of her head.

Hinata and Shino were completely wet and Hinata couldn't suppress a small shudder from the cold despite Shino's warm hold. It was late and she knew it was time to return home. She lifted her head from Shino's chest to look towards her house.

"I better get going… thank you for… walking me h-home." Hinata allowed the space between them grow. Finding the forgotten flowers on the ground. She bent to the ground and gathered them up once again.

"A-a-nd f-for th-the f-flowers." She cursed herself for stuttering so much. She had rid herself of the insecure and nervous tendency when with her own team. Yet she had found herself fumbling over her words with Shino, when not more then ten minutes ago, she was talking freely with him, even teasing him.

She felt a warm vibration radiate off of Shino before she completely separated from his touch.

"Your welcome Hinata. I will see you tomorrow." Shino responded.

Hinata turned towards her home and took a few hesitant steps. Her jet black wet hair slapped against her cheek as he turned her head towards where Shino had stood. Hinata used an index finger to put her wet strands back into place. Her bangs delicately framed her face which had formed a small frown. He was gone.

The rain had stopped as quickly as it began. A soft breeze had taken it's place. Hinata inhaled deeply. The smell helped relax Hinata's confusion. God it smelled so much like Shino.

Finally the dull aches in her body returned and the cool air on her wet skin caused her to shiver. Her eyes were fixed on her home and she walked silently towards the onsen in the estate. The Hyuuga household was privileged to have their own private hot spring to bathe in. Taking in the beautiful blooms that were in her hands, Hinata gently floated the flowers into the bath. The fragrance soothed her senses even before she entered the water. She stripped away her wet clothes and carefully untied her hitaiate from her neck and placed it neatly on a table near the onsen. She noticed the silver plate of her hitaiate shone softly in the dim light. The leaf village symbol etched in it allowed her to feel a bit of pride being a part of her village and being a shinobi. The lavender and hot spring water melted away the day of hard training and even eased her mind.

She found herself in bed after her bath. Although she didn't think it was possible, dreamless sleep claimed her.

Shino lay staring up at his ceiling relentlessly repeating the days events. He silently berated himself. "I'm an idiot. I lingered to long…I held her too close…She was just joking around and I wanted to kiss her…again." He was disgusted at himself the first time it happened and now he was appalled with himself again.

While she lay in the medical tent that day she looked like she was suffering so much, but all he had wanted to do was press his lips onto hers. He wanted to help her. He wanted to comfort her, tell her she had achieve what she wanted, and for her to feel that his words and comfort was all that she had wanted. He was unworthy of her. Unworthy of the kiss he guiltily wanted. Everyone was unworthy of her. He knew that even she did not realize her own worth until she decided to change herself. Shino always knew who she was and what she was capable of, he was so glad when she realized for herself what he knew all along.

She was stuttering less. If her back was to the sun, her eyes were no longer trained on the ground but held high in confidence. The more she had found herself, the happier he was. It was a feeling he was not used to.

It wasn't like Shino was devoid of happiness or a sense of humor. He often liked to "sneak up" on people, appearing seemingly out of thin air. It "freaked people out," and though Shino's outward expression was nondescript, he would snicker internally. He was the "ultimate straight man," as Kiba put it. Even his teammates would need time to consider Shino's "jokes," often wondering if he was serious or joking. Shino's found Kiba's continuous attempts to get reactions out of him at least a bit amusing. Even Hinata's new found sense of humor brought him internal chuckles. He found it interesting how Hinata's humor had sometimes mirrored Kiba's (in an innocent and feminine way.) Shino's dark sunglasses and his attire were often subject of their teasing.

Shino had preferred being covered behind a bulky coat and hidden behind dark glasses. Being a bug user, he was misunderstood, feared and ridiculed. The childhood teasing he endured were nothing like the friendly teasing of his teammates. It was mean and cruel. As a defense his clothes became a protective shell from the world. It kept his kikai and himself close.

He had crossed a line with his teammate and he was at a loss for what to do.

The morning sun crept uninvited into Shino's room. He had not slept the whole night and his body felt heavy on his bed. He raised his head and noticed his chest ached. He coughed repeatedly as he raised himself out of bed. His clothes were still damp from the rain. Finally reaching his closet, he fumbled through its contents pulling out an identical outfit to the one he was wearing. The only difference was the clothes in his hand were dry. His usual warmth was replaced with a chill. He decided to take a shower before he would have to meet up with his team for another practice.

Shino had tried to ignore his kikai's demands on chakra. He was tired and had a throbbing headache. It was like his brain hurt. They suddenly began to call out to a female scent. Shino ran his fingers through his thick hair. He had not remembered sending out any female kikai.

Although Shino felt hungry he had no appetite and decided to meet his teammates without eating breakfast.

Hinata had arrived at the training grounds before her other teammates and was practicing a technique she had developed on her own. She was not yet confident in her form and only practiced alone. She circled her arms around her, bending and molding chakra from her palms. She had created the jutsu while perfecting the Eight Trigrams Palm Heavenly Spin in water. She noticed how the water had circled around while training her gentle fist style. The more flexible and faster she became the wider the circle of water became. This realization allowed her to perform Protection of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-four Palms.

Practicing on land allowed her to move faster and gain more momentum without the resistance of the water. Suddenly she felt tired and as though a weight was placed on her chest. She completed her jutsu and sat down for a drink of water.

Shino neared the training ground and several of his kikai rushed ahead of him trailing the scent of a female. Through their eyes they saw Hinata performing a new technique. Shino inhaled a raspy breath, he felt like his lungs were being pressed as he exhaled. He couldn't believe he got sick from standing in a rain that only lasted a few moments. The kikai that preceded Shino now waited patiently for him to arrive. Meanwhile they intently watched Hinata as she sat.

Nearing Hinata, Shino felt some of the warmth he lost return to him.

Hinata rose to her feet instantly at the sight of him. Her brief weak feeling earlier was emanating from him.

"Shino." She gasped.

Shino managed a slight tilt of his head. "I'm fine."

Kiba bound in Akamaru trailing at his heel. "Hey Shino you look like shit." Kiba made a quick glance at Hinata. "Your not sick too are you Hinata?"

"Arf!" Akamaru barked lifting his head into the palm of her hand.

"No, I'm fine… maybe we should train another time." Hinata replied while she petted Akamaru softly on the head.

"Heh, I don't wanna catch what he got anyway…come on Akamaru lets go for a swim." Kiba pat Hinata on the back. "I'll catch you later…if you feel better bug boy maybe we'll train next week."

"Ummm… I can pick some chamomile for you, a tea might make you feel better." Hinata almost whispered.

"Gah, you guys and your flower picking. So boring. I'm gone." Kiba wined.

"Thank you." Shino voice was low. "This cold is affecting my kikai, if I could gather some healthy bugs I think that would also help."

The two shinobi searched the ground for insects and herbs. Crouching down near the same spot Hinata noticed that Shino did not radiate his usual warmth.

"Shino are you cold?" Hinata questioned.

"Yes, the Aburame clan experience chills, where others would experience fevers while sick. It is…unpleasant." Shino's hands were out of the safety of his pockets searching for "healthy bugs" while Hinata plucked herbs from the ground.

"Closer." Shino's kikai called out to him. Without thinking Shino leaned into Hinata their hands grazing each other.

Hinata noticed Shino's cool hand warm slightly at her touch. She felt a sensation close to relief and let out a small breath she did not know she was holding.

"If you make a fire, I'll prepare the tea." The kunoichi requested.

"Of course." Shino agreed.

The kikai that had originally sought Hinata out were resting on a nearby tree watching her. She moved quickly making a herbal tea bringing a pot to the fire that Shino had started.

The tea had an instant effect. His breathing eased and his headache disappeared. Shino was uncertain as to how much was because of the tea and how much of it was because of Hinata's presence.

"Shino you should eat." Hinata removed a rice ball from her lunch bag and handed it to him. They ate together in silence.

"Thank you Hinata I feel much better." Shino began to question if he was ever really ill to begin with.
Hinata slid closer to Shino and brought her soft gaze into his. She could sense her affect on him. It made her heart flutter a bit. It brought confidence in her movement towards him.

Her heart beat increased and her breathing slowed.

It was just like when she would expect Naruto to be near. The thought caused Shino to flinch.

"I'm not Naruto. I can not be a substitute for the one you really want." Shino spoke evenly his voice betraying none of the emotion behind his words.

The sun stung Hinata's eyes. She brought her milky opal eyes to the ground, her shadow was encompassed in Shino's. The name Naruto caused Hinata to jump a little. It was an action not lost on Shino.

Shino pulled himself into the standing position he looked at Hinata and said, "Thank you for the tea and lunch, I will retire to my residence now. Good bye Hinata."

Hinata was stunned and stared at him blankly while he walked away.

"Sh-shino. Shino wait!" Her own voice startled her. The tears that threatened to fall finally streaked her cheeks after Shino disappeared from view. Her hot tears warmed her cool skin. Her blurry eyes focused on the shadow that formed at her feet. She wanted it to be engulfed by Shino's form again.

Ok a bit of a cliffy for you…