Well, after nine chapters in a romance story, I'm finally putting some romance in it. I like the slow burn stuff, and even I thought I took me sweet ass time getting to it. Well this chapter is going to have some Shino/Mori in it. Having Shino being romantic isn't really a very believable thing, so I will do my best to make it good, but keep it in line so people aren't thinking he's OOC. Don't worry, there will be no drivel love confessions, or triple X sex scenes. I don't operate that way, especially with Shino.

And thanks to Amura, who is betaing this for me.

Okay, disclaimer. I don't own the Naruto concept. But I do own the Daimyo, Setsuna, Mori, Hosaki and Mouretsu (may these last two rest in peace). I also own Kekkon, who hasn't made any major appearance but will eventually. Though if Masashi Kishimoto wanted to use these characters and story line, I would let him happily. Then I would wake up from my dream because I know that would never happen in real life.

Good joke though.

Chapter 10:If This Isn't Love...

It was a curious feeling, to be in love. Mori had never experienced it before, at least in the sense she was thinking of it now. She loved her father and Setsuna. She loved her people; but the feelings that were beginning to bubble up because of Shino, they were different. He made her feel secure and good about herself. She wanted to be near him, and just spend time with him. Perhaps they really weren't different, just intensified to higher degree.

So here she was, sitting in her room with him not too far from her, wondering just exactly how it was that she would tell him.

He was being quiet, more so than what she was use to, and leaning out the window as if looking for something.

"What are you doing?" she eventually asked, just to break the silence.

"Having some of my insects wait outside, incase someone tries to approach the house," he answered as he drew back inside. "I want to make sure that all of the possibilities are covered, just to reduce the risk of being caught by surprise."

"You really think somebody might come after me here?"

"It's a small chance, but it is there," he told her. "But don't worry, it is highly unlikely. The Hokage would not have suggested the plan if she thought it would have failed. And I will be here, so even if something does happen, I'll keep you safe."

"Thank you," she said softly then bit her lip. Would now be a good time to tell him? She knew the longer she waited the more nervous she was going to get. "Shino?"

"Hm?"

"Do you... do you think I'm doing the right thing?" she asked. "I mean, about marrying a ninja and forming an alliance with this country so we can create a new Hidden Village. Or do you think that I'm making a mistake?"

Shino didn't answer for a moment, but seemed to think about his answer.

"You want only to help your people," he said after a little while. "And there is something you should know about this Village. The Hokage we follow, we follow because we want to. There is no one in this Village that is forced to respect her. We do so because we believe in her. The same will be true in your land. They will not join the Village Hidden in the Plains if they do not want to. But I believe they will be accepting of the idea, because I think that your people would respect and follow you for the same reason that we follow our Hokage, because they want to."

"You really think so?" she asked him.

"I would not have said so if I didn't," he assured her.

She smiled.

"I think they would need a man they would also respect and be willing to follow," she commented softly. Fingers played nervously with the hem of her skirt. "Have you considered going to my land?"

"The Hokage said that mostly Chunin would be there temporarily. I highly doubt I would be sent," he answered her. "Although, a few younger cousins of mine are Chunins, so they may very well be chosen."

"Shino," she said as she stood, gathering her resolve before she decided against what she wanted to say. "I've been thinking about a lot of things since I was kidnapped. I've thought about my father, my country and people, about the situation I'm in, and I've been thinking about you and how you make me feel. I want to with you, because I think... No, I know I'm in love with you. So, would...would you please exchange wedding vows with me, and have me become your wife?"

Shino didn't give a response at first, but Mori didn't advert her eyes, determined to look him straight in the face, showing him everything. In reality, she was terrified that he would reject her, but she forced herself not to say anything else and give him time to gather his thoughts. After all, she had been rather sudden, blurting out her feelings like she had.

"You should get some rest," he told her. "This day has been hard for you. And you haven't had any food either. There are still people around. I'll have one of them bring you food."

"It's okay if you don't love me," she lied after he turned away from her. "I can accept that. But won't you tell me?"

Shino paused for a second, and looked back at her.

"Such a thing should be asked of my father, not of me. I'll be gone for a moment, but I'll leave a few of my insects here for you."

Mori watched him go and heard the door shut with a soft thud. She sat back on her bed and wished he would have had at least the courtesy to say no to her face.

It would have hurt a lot less.

---------

Shino hadn't known what to say when he heard Mori's request. Usually he knew his words so well, well enough where there where times that he did not even have to use them. He knew how to express himself and his thoughts in the simplest explanations, the fastest way to get someone to understand. And he could use that to show what he only wanted other people to see, and keep the rest to himself.

But what she had said, it had just short of baffled him.

He hadn't shown his shock of course, though he knew it had come at the price of sounding cruel. He had not allowed her a shred of hope, just crushed her heart and not spared it a second glance, like it had just happened to be under his foot at the time.

If Shino had meant to make himself to feel guilty with such a thought, he had succeeded pretty well.

But as much as he wondered at the guilt, he thought more on why he felt it.

Considering the conversation he had just had with her, it wasn't all that hard to figure out. He cared for her, in some fashion or another. It would not even be a stretch to say that he liked her. Her company was enjoyable, and she made pleasant conversation, but it had never meant more than that. And maybe that was because he had never thought of it as a possibility.

He had known she was to marry someone else before he had even known her name, or what she had looked like. Even if Shino had been the romantic type, he would have known that it would be a pointless venture. As Shino was, he had never thought about it period. After all, as far as he knew, he had never even been eligible for the marriage. He was the heir of the Head of the Clan as his father's only son, but his family didn't work politics in such ways. They would not have jumped at the Daimyo's offer like everyone else had. It was more of his clan's style to wait by the sidelines, and only get involved when needed or asked.

To have become attached to her in such a way would have been a foolish thing to do, more up Kiba's alley than his own. So he had stayed in the back, protected Mori as he had been ordered to, and had never given a thought to the fact that she seemed so much easier to get along with than most people.

He had thought it had been working, but there had been the flare of ill comfort when he had heard of her announcement. He had thought that it had been because of Sasuke. It wasn't that he disliked him or anything like that, but he had learned to be wary around the man, for he was a cold one and had betrayed the Village once.

Shino sighed softly as he knew that he could have gone his whole life without coming to this realization. What he felt for the Princess was certainly not the typical feelings he had for his friends either. But was it really love?

She had sounded so sure of her own feelings, and so hopeful for his. But what could he really have told her?

"I thought you were suppose to be watching me," Mori said from the open door. She was not looking at him, but he was pretty sure she was wondering why he was standing there.

"I am," he said. "That's why I haven't left. I was just waiting for someone to pass by so I could-"

"Don't lie to me," she said to him. "You just don't want to be here. And after what I did, I can't blame you. I was being selfish."

"Why did you come out here?" he asked.

"Because I knew that you wouldn't leave, that you'd stand out here feeling awkward so you could think and I'd still be safe. You are not that difficult to figure out." She sighed. "Shino, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to just jump this on you. But I wanted you to know so badly."

"I was surprised," he admitted. "It was sudden."

"I kind of just figured it out myself," she explained. "Will come back inside? I'm not really that hungry."

Her stomach rumbled at this, and Shino could not help himself. He laughed. Softly, but he still laughed. It was amazing how warm this girl could make him feel on inside. He saw her pouting and placed one hand under her chin to tilt her face up.

"Go back in your room Mori," he instructed.

"Will you come back in too?" she asked.

He nodded and she obeyed hesitantly with him following behind.

"You don't have to worry about this," she said as she turned around to face him. "I don't-"

He cut her off by placing a hand gently to her face, his fingers just barely grazing her lips. He could feel her sudden intake of breath, and see the confusion in her soft eyes

He knew his answer. If this wasn't love, than there was not a word for how he felt for her.

"Let me talk to my father," he said softly but he knew she could hear him clearly. "I'm sure I can work it out."

The surprise on her face would have been comic if not for the seriousness of the situation.

"Really?" she asked. "You're saying yes?"

"I am."

He was prepared this time as she threw herself at him and hugged him. He pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her and knew just how precious she really was. His commitment was serious, and he was more than sure that his father would say yes.

Minutes passed by before either of them moved.

"May I ?" she asked as her hands trailed from his back and up to his face, fingers resting on his glasses. He nodded once and she slowly slipped them off and tucked them into his pocket. Biting her lip, she pulled his collar and hood down as well, her trembling fingers tracing the sides of his face.

"Shino," she breathed softly, wondering at the feeling that was suddenly burning in her and warming her insides. She felt light in his arms, and yet so desperate to stay this close to him. Eyelids fluttered closed, even though she was so happy to see his face, and she felt him kiss her in such a sweet way that it made her insides melt.

---------

The Hyuga compound was impressive, even to Setsuna who had grown up in a palace. Servants and ninja were everywhere, and she could not help but feel self-conscious. Even Sakura, who looked like she knew her way around somewhat, seemed to be daunted slightly by the obvious show of wealth and power. But while the kunoichi was just smiling and doing her best to seem polite, Setsuna went rigid, and looked straight ahead, knowing by upbringing the proper way to act in such a place.

Eventually they had reached what Sakura told her was the main household and went inside.

"Sakura. How nice to see you."

The two were greeted by a young man with long brown hair in a white robe and black pants. As he approached them, his eyes swept to meet Setsuna's. She held the gaze, and saw the silent challenge in it. His pool-like eyes seemed to pierce her body and made her feel as if she was being left defenseless somehow. Yet she saw in him as well, saw the soul of a warrior, so much like her own. She felt immediate respect for him, and not just because his presence seemed to demand it. It was like on some strange level they were alike, though she did not even know his name, and could not figure out how she felt such a way.

"Hello Neji," Sakura said in her chirpy manner, seeming oblivious to what was passing between the two, or perhaps just ignoring it. "We're looking for Hinata. Have you seen her?"

Neji finally broke the contact between the samurai and himself to regard the other ninja, and Setsuna suddenly found the wall opposite of her very interesting. Somehow in their silent exchange she had forgotten how to breathe.

"Lady Hinata is currently getting ready for the celebrations that will be happening soon. Why?" he asked.

"Mission from Tsunade," Sakura said, careful about her choice of words since there were others around. The fewer people who knew the plan, the safer it seemed to be. "We need Hinata's help."

"I'll collect her for you. But first, who is she?" he asked as he indicated to Setsuna.

"My name is Gisei Setsuna, a samurai from the Land of Meadows," Setsuna replied, refusing to let Sakura talk for her. "I'm also the bodyguard of Lady Zenkon, the Princess from that country. She is why we need Hinata."

Neji regarded her for a moment longer, taking her in, until he nodded and turned away.

"Wait here. I'll get her for you."

The two women watched him walk away. Sakura looked over to Setsuna, questionably.

"You okay?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "You were giving him a pretty intense look."

"It's nothing," she replied. "I take it this Hinata girl is someone important?"

"Heiress to the Head of the Main Branch," Kiba said from the doorway, Akamaru following behind him. The man walked in, whistling a tune, showing off how comfortable he was here. "Just about as important as anyone can be around here."

"You're in a better mood," Setsuna commented, not really wishing to get into it.

"You sound disappointed," he shot back, but not with any of his usual heat in his comeback.

The two looked at each other for a moment, decided it was a draw, and looked away to ignore the other. Akamaru on the other hand, padded over to Setsuna and rubbed his head against her leg. She looked down at him curiously and then awkwardly patted him on the head. His tail thumped against the floor as his tongue wagged, happy with the attention.

"He likes you," Kiba noted, actually a little surprised.

"I suppose," she said back. She didn't really have much experience with dogs, or any other animals for that matter.

"Kiba!"

The happy cry caught the attention of all three people and made them look up to see Hinata smiling and running to them over a long hemmed white kimono. She gave her friend a hug, who happily returned it as he intentionally ignored the whispers of the other Hyugas around. She then stooped over to give Akamaru the same treatment.

Kiba looked back at Setsuna, who was now staring at him, nearly trembling. But when he looked up at her, her eyes snapped over to Neji who was walking up to them at a slower, and more respectful pace.

"Perhaps you should inform Lady Hinata and I about what is going on," he said. "We should talk somewhere else."

---------

"Well, that's about it," Sakura finished up. Setsuna had not wanted to talk so she and Kiba had taken the time to fill in the two Hyugas about the situation and what was being asked of Hinata after they had gotten to a smaller and more private sitting room.

"I'd be glad to help," Hinata said to the group. "If the Hokage thinks that I'm best for this mission then I'd be proud to do so. I'll be meeting the princess soon I take it?"

"Soon as we get back," Kiba informed her.

"I think I should go too," Neji said suddenly. "If you're going to be a target, than I insist on being there to ensure your safety, Lady Hinata."

"You saying we couldn't handle it?" Kiba growled at the man. He had never really liked Neji, even after he and Hinata had been able to get over their differences and started to get along. Kiba had always thought he was smug dirt bag.

"I'm fine with it," Setsuna spoke up suddenly. "Personally, I think it'd be a good idea. Any kind of force could strike at the party. The more prepared we are, the better." She did not add that she understood how this man must be feeling, to want to protect this Hinata woman that seemed special to him for some reason. She did see Kiba looking at her in a way that screamed shock and anger. A little thrill went through her, the part of her still feeling sore about her forced confession gloating in her petty revenge.

"Welcome to the team," she said to Neji and shot a look back at Kiba that clearly said, 'I don't need or want your permission so shut up.'

"Well, this isn't good," Sakura mumbled.

"What isn't?" Hinata asked.

She sighed. "Tell you later. I'm going to need your help with this anyway."

Hinata just looked lost.

---------

Mori had long since been fed by Shizune, who had the foresight to pass by with some food, and was resting in bed when the others came back. She greeted Hinata with a smile and the two immediately took to each other as both Kiba and Shino had somehow known they would. Eventually Shizune came back to collect the others for a quick meeting right before the party, and all left except for Shino, Mori, and Setsuna who declared that she would stay until she had to leave.

The princess didn't object, despite her sleepiness, though she wasn't much company as she was soon slumbering peacefully in her pillow.

"I take it you don't care if she's not awake," Shino commented from where he was sitting close by to her in a chair.

"I'm fine," Setsuna replied from her place on the floor, legs crossed and head leaning against the wall. She was actually just enjoying the peacefulness of the quiet room, and didn't care to break it. "Thank you for protecting her while I'm gone."

"It's my duty," he told her. "Though I can understand your frustration about tonight."

"I don't mean just that," she said, not even looking over at him, but instead just keeping her eyes lazily on the ceiling. "I meant this entire time that we've been here. I haven't actually been with her as much as I should have, running off on my own more than once, and then letting her get kidnapped. I've been horrible to her."

"I'm sure she doesn't think so," he supplied.

She said nothing, only shrugged. Shino took this as the invitation to just let silence reign and he gave it to her. This had really been the first time they had ever talked, besides the little thing that had happened in the forest, but they both understood that there was not always time for words.

"She seems to trust you a lot," Setsuna finally commented, if only to get the thought out loud. "And I'm happy to see her smile. At least I know she's safe with you, and not that man Sasuke."

"You dislike him." It wasn't a question.

"He made Sakura cry," she answered, as if it was just simple logic. "Though other than that, I really had no opinion. I can't imagine Lady Zenkon was too fond of him either, considering she asked the Daimyo to break it off."

"She did?"

"For Sakura, she said. I must admit, it seemed a little surprising to me, to do it for one girl that she had never even really met. But that's just the sort of person Lady Zenkon is," she said. "If there is a wedding, there are always more suitors."

"She asked me," Shino informed her, not seeing the point in lying about it, or trying to keep it hidden.

"What?!"

Setsuna's reaction had been no less than what he had been expecting, though he had hoped she would have been able to keep it down to a volume that was suitable for indoors. He causally looked back over to Mori to see if she had awoken, but her eyes were still shut and her face still peaceful. She must have really been exhausted.

"You don't approve?" he asked, though he hardly cared. It would be easier if the samurai gave her blessing, but it was not at all required in his mind. It was only for Mori that he even bothered to ask.

"No," she said with a shake of her head then caught herself. "I mean, I don't know. You two did spend some time together without me around, so I don't know what happened. Still, it's just... rather out of the blue."

"I thought so too," he said.

"How did you answer?" she asked, and she knew she sounded far too interested, but he was tactful enough to let it slide. She had long since lost her relaxed pose, and was sitting straight up and staring at him.

"I said yes. Of course, I will have to speak with my father about it. I don't see any complications in this though," he informed her. "He's a reasonable man."

"Do you love her?" she asked.

"She said she loves me. I believe feel the same for her," he said.

Setsuna seemed to ponder this for a moment and then shook her head.

"If that's true, then I have no objections." She paused. "Who else knows?"

"Only you so far. I'm sure the others will learn of it soon enough. I plan on taking her to meet my father if all goes well tonight."

Setsuna stood and adjusted her coat.

"Well, then I should make sure everything goes as it is suppose to then. Take care Shino."

"Take care, Setsuna," he replied as she walked out, not missing the fact that the samurai was smiling faintly.

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I just LOVED doing this chapter. I'm so proud that I was able to write an in-character romantic Shino. It's there, no matter how small it is.

Though I have to admit I was surprised with Neji and Setsuna. It just came out that way, I swear, and I liked it so I won't change it. Does Sakura think there's a possible love triangle? Yes. Will she try and fix it? Yes. Will Kiba get pissed off at Setsuna, Neji, Sakura, and the world? Oh, hell yes.

Will you review? I certainly hope so.