Surprise, Surprise

Shino shouldered his pack and headed out the front door just as his father turned to walk up to it... it was a happy coincidence, and both of them stared at each other for a moment, before Shino fell in step beside Shibi and they headed towards the gates.

"So, we're going on a mission," his father said casually.

"What kind of mission," he asked, adjusting the straps and double checking his kikai bugs.

"Just gathering information," Shibi grinned. "... would you like to say goodbye to your girlfriend first..?"

"No!" Shino blushed, and almost stumbled over his own feet... but he regained his balance before his father could suspect anything. "... I don't even have a girlfriend."

"Che. You're both just in denial," Shibi chuckled.

Shino bit his tongue to force himself not to respond... and for a few minutes, father and son walked in silence. It was almost peaceful too, until both father and son stopped in their tracks, a noise alerting their senses.

They looked around, both deathly aware of what could happen if an enemy managed to sneak up on them... but they both relaxed when the sound became more distinct. More like barking and hurried paws.

Akamaru came into sight within seconds, and didn't hesitate to jump up onto Shino, sending him to the ground. The massive dog proceeded to lick his face, before gently wrapping his jaws around a wrist and tugging him in the general direction that he had come from.

"I think Kiba sent his messenger to get you," Shibi laughed at his son, who glared at him and pushed his glasses back into place.

"I have a mission, Akamaru," Shino sighed, trying to take back his hand; when Akamaru refused, he released his kikai bugs into the dog's mouth. He let go rather quickly after that. "Go back to Kiba, okay?"

Akamaru whined, and he petted the dog's nose before standing back up.

"Come on, brat," his father laughed again, and pushed Shino in front of him. "Tell Inuzuka that he'll see his broody friend in a week, alright mutt?" Akamaru growled at Shibi, but left to return to his master.

"You're polite," Shino said sarcastically, rolling his eyes even though they were hidden behind his glasses. His father swatted the back of his head playfully, not nearly hard enough to hurt.

"This coming from my beloved son, who's inherited most, if not all, of my character traits..?"

"Lets continue, Father."

------

Kiba held his breathe, watching Hinata intently. She has to say yes... she just has to.

"I... I..." she looked away from him, pushing her fingers together in that cute way he admired so much. "Well... I... I d-don't know..."

He frowned, and edged a little closer to her. I know she likes me... why else would she laugh at all my jokes, and smile so cutely all the time..? "Are you going with your family or something?"

"N-no," she shook her head, looking up at him. He watched as she chewed her bottom lip, and resisted the urge to kiss her. She'll want it to be cute and romantic... not in the middle of the training grounds. "I... I... I d-don't..." she looked away for a moment, then looked back at him. "I d-don have an-anything, to w-wear..?"

She's worried about clothes..? He laughed, glowing at her. So she wants to impress me, too! She doesn't have to do that... she's already the most beautiful woman in the world. What else could I want?

"Wear anything!" The grin didn't want to leave his face. "I don't care... just please go with me..?"

She continued to look pleasantly confused, and that made him proud of himself. She wasn't expecting it... now I can sweep her off her feet! He opened his mouth, ready to say pretty little nothings into her ear... then Akamaru came back.

The massive white dog ran into the training grounds, barking at the both of them. "Hey buddy!" Kiba laughed, and Akamaru lay down beside him, resting his head in his master's lap. "Back already..? Hows it going?"

"Wh-where's Shino..?" Hinata asked, a slight pout to her lips; it made his hormones go wild, and he had to close his eyes for a moment just to keep himself seated where he was. Heh... Shino must've spouted off some of his 'teamwork' lectures to her while I was gone.

"Well Akamaru, you heard the lady... where's Shino?" He listened carefully while Akamaru told him, and rolled his eyes. "That show-off Bug-Freak... he went on a mission with his dad. He'll be back in a week."

"Oh..." she looked away, chewing on her lip again for a few moments. "Ki-Kiba-kun...?"

Hearing her say his name put butterflies in his stomach... he was glad he was already sitting down. "Yes Hinata?"

"I..." she looked up at him slowly. "I'll... I'll go w-with you..."

------

Hinata ended up home much earlier than she had wanted, saying telling an overly excited Kiba that Neji had wanted to train with her, and that she would see him tomorrow.

She dragged her feet up to her room, shyly saying hello to the lone housekeeper she came across. Opening her door, she saw her cousin dozing on her bed. Rolling her eyes, she walked over and yanked her pillow out from under his head.

Neji's eyes snapped open, and he sat up with a glare. "What do you want..?"

"Y-you're in my r-room..." she giggled, sitting beside him. "L-Lee 'wow' Sakura-ch-chan..?"

"I defeated him, if that's what you're asking," he rolled his eyes.

"Th-then..." she smiled at him. "... w-why do you l-look so upset..?"

"I'm not upset," he snapped, glaring even more. "... I'm just curious as to why she calls him 'bushy brows' one moment, then agrees to go to lunch with him the next."

Hinata giggled. "W-why don't y-you just... just a-ask her to the f-festival.."

"You and I go to the festival, remember?" he rolled his eyes. "I make sure you don't get kidnapped, you win as many teddy bears as your heart desires."

"I... I'm going w-with someone e-else this y-year..." she muttered, refusing to make eye contact... not that it mattered. This was Neji after all.

"Oh..?" Neji grinned. "Let me guess... the Aburame boy?"

Shino... she chewed her lip, trying not to feel hurt. We were supposed to train today... he said he would come. But I guess... I guess he's not the type to keep his word.

"Is that a no..?" She could hear the worry in his voice, and looked up to give him a smile.

"I... I'm g-going with Ki-Kiba..." she said, trying her best to sound happy. 'I'm going with Shino' just sounds better.

Neji frowned, and did something he rarely did. He hugged her.

------

They had left the gates maybe an hour before when Shino fell back on his old routine of scanning the tree branches overhead for any bugs or beetles. He and his father had lapsed into silence a while back, used to the tranquility needed to detect any approaching enemies.

He noticed a butterfly, and smiled to himself as he thought of Hinata...

The butterfly got caught in a spider's web; the more it flapped it's wings, the harder it was for it to escape.