SS, Nina (you are both amazing) – thanks for the comments and I hope you like this Chapter. Jamie, I hope this story is alright for you!

^_^ xxx

Chapter 10.

Everyone was preparing themselves ready. After stopping by the hospital to check on Ao and have a quick meeting with the medical team, they decided to treat them to a meal the following day. The Kirigakure medical-nin had done an amazing job in helping Ao recover both mentally and physically and ever since the day they had all first met each other, Ao was doing amazingly well.

At first, the mood swings Ao experienced really threw them as it felt they could never do the right thing. He'd yell at them over what he was brought to eat, the type of flowers Chōjūrō had brought him, saying that they smelt way too strong and even at how over-nice they were being to him. Hinata explained that this was not to worry about too much as her aunt was almost constantly like this. It actually meant that he was getting better. In time he started to joke with them, making the atmosphere amongst them all feel more like a family than a patient with his doctors and nurses. He even started to pet Akamaru and throw to him tit-bits of food he'd saved him from his dinners.

Happy with the progress that was being made, Hinata asked if they would come around to their rooms the next night for a meal. They were ecstatic, even the serious-faced junior doctor Kiri and his Senior looked happy at the idea.

The senior doctor arranged for everyone to go to the legendary tower where the group stayed the following night and the leaf shinobi, accompanied by a book-wielding Kakashi, went back to their tower.

Hinata decided after looking at the blue and silver kimono she had brought with her in case a situation like this arose to wear her pearl earrings and her hair up in a little bun. When she had finished she placed a small, silver butterfly ornament on one side of her hair and then went into the lobby to wait for the others. Shino, as she had expected, was already there. He was wearing a grey suit with a matching tie, white shirt and shiny black shoes. His lower face was uncovered and he was still wearing the incredibly expensive shade the Mizukage had created for him. Hinata noticed that on the left arm of the glasses was Shino's surname, written beautifully in Japanese characters and a small dragonfly etched beside it. He looked handsome and Hinata smiled at him, making Shino look slightly puzzled.

"Hinata, is everything okay?" He said, sniffing the air around him slightly in case there was a bad smell. She just smiled at him, said no and proudly flicked at a piece of non-existent dirt off his shoulder.

"You look perfect." She said at her friend and he slightly blushed, making her laugh. "Hey, I thought I was the one who was meant to blush?" she said.

"And I thought I was the one who was meant to tease the person blushing?" Retorted Kiba as he and Akamaru came out of their room and closed the door. He wore a tuxedo with a red bowtie that matched the red-triangle marks on his cheeks – the marks of an Inuzuka. Akamaru bounced by his side, sporting a red, sparking collar and his fur had been brushed. They smelt of mint and dog biscuits and Hinata was bursting at pride at her men – they looked perfect.

"If only I had a camera…" she said longingly and within seconds a poof of smoke appeared and a light grey haired man stood in front of her with a camera reached out for her to take. I'll never get used to that. She thought and looking at Kakashi-Sensei, couldn't help but look him up and down before having to look away with a heavy blush on her face. He wore an extremely handsome black suit. Upon his feet his still wore his sandals and she could easily make out from the angular bulge in his left pocket that he had his book. Looking up, she noticed the silk white shirt with thin black tie and coming to his face, he still wore his mask and forehead protector but his spiky hair was combed and it fell down fluidly to his shoulders. He looked like a movie star and she could barely move her hand to take the camera.

"You look beautiful, Hinata." He said smoothly and directing her with his empty hand, led her to stand with her friends. He posed with the camera and when ready, took their picture. After the 'click' of the camera, Chōjūrō appeared. He wore a traditional baby blue male kimono with sandals and had arrived to escort them to the Mizukage's home. Kakashi directed him over to the others and then took a picture of the young men and woman. He couldn't help but notice who he and Hinata almost looked like twins in their outfits but concentrating back on the picture aimed and clicked. Chōjūrō then leapt to Kakashi and taking the camera from him, asking Kakashi to join the others so he be in the next picture. He moved over and stood beside Hinata at the centre of the picture, Shino standing on the other and Kiba and Akamaru crouched on the ground in front of them. Kakashi was attempting to put his arm around Hinata's waist when the camera 'clicked' and at having missed his chance, Kakashi felt slightly annoyed. He then took the camera back from Chōjūrō and after Hinata had put on her glasses, they then made their way to the Mizukage's mansion.

It looked almost like a castle with large towers and turrets. The walls were made from stone and then plastered and painted to match the colours of the towers in Kirigakure. Two guards outside the entrance noticed the people approaching and after inspecting them and having a quick chat with Chōjūrō, allowed them to enter. The Mizukage was in the main foyer, wearing a white casual dress and her usual shoes with shin-guards. She still looked absolutely stunning and they could see Chōjūrō almost look at her dizzily. She smiled at the attention Chōjūrō had given and looking at everyone, welcomed them and urged them to sit with her in the front drawing room.

The floor was marble, in fact, MOST of the home was made from beautifully polished white marble. She took them to a row of comfortable looking chairs were they all sat and she asked her servants to get them some drinks. They brought in trays of delicious smelling teas and bottles of sake. Talking one of trays, she offered her guests personally some tea first.

"It helps in preventing the cold mist from affecting your health too much." She advised and everyone took a cup, tasting a very refreshing and warming fruit tea. After they had finished drinking, she then continued to talk. "My medics are incredibly impressed at the progress Ao-Sama has made. I… we all were very worried and to know he is doing so well is fantastic news." She had felt a great pressure lifted from her when she knew Hinata and her companions had within a matter of days improved Ao's condition more than it had been that whole past year. "He is more than just my bodyguard, he I my friend. And when you all saved him… you saved me too." She meant every word and the group started to look embarrassed at her sentiment.

"Mei-Sama, thank you. My friends and your medical-nins deserve all the credit for Ao-Sama's progress. He is genuinely now not as frightening as I originally thought." Hinata told the Mizukage. "He certainly seems to be so different to how he was last week."

The Mizukage nodded and taking a bottle of warm sake filled some small white cups. "He certainly has changed." She said smirking and as she was handing out the cups to each person she continued to talk. "I went to see him yesterday and he was babbling like an old woman. It was great to see him tuck into the dishes I brought over and boy, did we have a good talk. I didn't even threaten to kill him, Chōjūrō. He actually showed tact… TACT, Chōjūrō! I never thought I'd see the day when we'd be chatting together over anything and everything… it was amazing. And you all helped that happen."

She looked at the Konoha ninja again and raising her cup, toasted them. "Here is to our amazing fellow ninja from a fellow land. To friendship."

Chōjūrō jumped up and rose he glass quickly to join his Mizukage, light shining in his eyes brightly. "Well said, Mei-Sama." They smiled at the way he addressed her and he then added. "To friendship!"

Everyone then stood, raised their cups, chorused happily "To friendship" and drank the sake together. They then sat down, truly happy and then started to talk in a relaxed and good state of mind.

"Is there any chance that Ao could relapse?" Asked Mei pensively.

"Sadly yes, but that is why Kakashi-Sama was asked to come. He, above anyone we all know, is able to understand what Ao is going through." Hinata replied.

Though the conversation was slightly serious, the atmosphere was not tense. Mei indeed was the Mizukage and everyone knew the need to speak respectfully but they could be honest with each other. This is one of things that made Mei, Naruto of the Land of Fire (where the Leaf village was based) and Gaara of the Land of Wind so alike and so different from the older male Kages. She liked honesty above politeness and believed everyone had the right to have and voice their opinion with being ignored. Tsunande (Naruto's predecessor and the former 5th Hokage of the Leaf) said that above all the Kage, she respected Mei most - a fellow strong woman who did not appreciate lies or disrespect being shown to others just because they were different.

Kakashi saw the worry across the Mizukage's voice and adding to Hinata's speech, tried his best to convey what could be done.

"It's never easy to change, especially when it's not wanted or when you are old." Mei smiled at Kakashi's worded and nodded at the truth in them.

"He told me he was finding it extremely hard and although he's not sharing Lady Hyuuga's memories (how happy it made her feel when Mei said 'Lady Hyuuga' rather than a term like 'donor' to describe her aunt), he is finding the process very frightening. He still won't tell me what had happened though I am confident if he does, he will get better even quicker."

Hinata's heart skipped a beat at what Mei-Sama had said. The Mizukage wanted to know the truth as well but Ao refused to tell them. Why was he being so obstinate? If only he could try to tell them anything, it could mean that her aunt's resting place could be found and she could ask for at least some of the earth where she was buried so she could take it home for the sake of her family and help them find some closure.

"Hinata-Sama…" Mei bit her lip and paused for a moment. "..I am truly sorry I couldn't get him to tell me anything. You've been put in a stupidly hard position because of me and I want you to know I will try to get you and your family some answers. Would stay here as intended for the next few months so we can see if he can open up to us?" She didn't need to say this. But she did because she meant it. She hadn't expected this Hyuuga to have been so understanding, unselfish or able to deliver results so quickly. Mei wanted to repay the person who saved her friend's life and wanted to know that Hinata was welcome to stay … but rather than being politically pressured to stay, to want to stay on her own accord and to leave whenever she wished.

"Mei-Sama, I would like that." Hinata smiled at her host and at that the sound of a bell rang.

"Mizukage-Sama", a pretty maid a small black dress with long, sleeves, a white laced apron and a little white lace hat called. Shino's ear tips went pink and blushing slightly at the reaction, the made continued. "Dinner is ready for you and your guests in the front dining room."

"Thank you Nina." Acknowledged Maid curtsied and left the room. Shino's eyes followed her out the room and Mei saw Shino copy the name of the girl with his lips quietly.

"Nina is actually my niece." The Mizukage said and showed the guests were to go to begin their meal.

The table was filled with a LOT of food – everything from steamed fish, roasted meats, boiled and cooked vegetables and various types of sushi and dim sum. It was incredibly stunning to just look and smell the dishes … let alone eat them. The Mizukage instructed them to sit and begin, and so they did. Whilst they ate, they noticed that Nina had come to join them, her apron and hat had vanished and Shino looked variably shaken up.

Nina introduced herself to them all and you could tell she and Mei were related. Their gentle, almost suggestive way of moving and speaking were identical. She had her aunt's red hair and light green eyes. The only real differences between the two were that Nina was a little shorter, less curvy and had a more normal sized bust. She wore her hair in a tight bun and when she took hold of a bottle of Champagne, wrapped it in a white cloth and prepared to open it, both Kiba and Kakashi noticed Shino had grabbed the table cloth tightly in front of him. Thankfully, Mei was deep in conversation still with Hinata as they were talking about Ao.

"I would like you to start visiting Ao alone." Mei stared hard at Hinata's poker faced expression, trying to see any physical changes in Hinata's face … but she saw none. Hinata may have felt shocked on the inside but decades of training helped her to not show it. Mei-Sama was certainly bold and she could understand why.

"As long as Ao is happy for me to do that, I will be happy to do that." Hinata said. She knew it could make that patient feel more stressed and though she could not forgive his past, she could not forgive her spiteful past behaviour and wanted to make sure it didn't affect him further. "Mei-Sama, could Kakashi-Sensei also visit Ao to see if he could impart some advice to him?"

Mei smiled at the suggestion and nodded. The sudden popping noise of a cork was then heard and with it a small grunt from Shino, who appeared to have taken his napkin and had gently dabbed his forehead at the sight of bubbly white foam spouting from the green-necked bottle. Nina liked her lips and then proceeded to pour the bubbly into champagne glasses; Kiba and Kakashi looking at each other with a shared, shocked smirk on their faces.

Shino looked like he needed to go to the bathroom and had actually tried to leave the table 5 times since Nina had arrived… but he couldn't seen to move his legs. They refused to obey him and so he was forced to stay there and watch her more. He didn't know how much more he could take until, well… he wasn't sure. He hadn't felt like this before and when Nina then walked over to him and handed him a glass, he slowly reached for it and just before he could say thank you, his fingers touched hers around the stem of the glass. It shocked and stung him as if he had angered a hive full of bees and they were group attacking his stomach. He thought he was going to vomit but then he saw Nina smile and his jaw dropped.

"Th-Thank yo-you, Nina-Sama." Spoke the short breathed Shino as Nina winked at him and returned to her seat. He felt his heart race and it made his queasy so he sat down hard, catching Mei's attention.

"Aburame-Sama, are you okay?"

"Me-Mei-Sa-Sama, I'm sorry. I-I-I'm fi-fine." The stuttering was getting worse and his cheeks were burning.

Kakashi had a small tear coming from his right eye as it was creased so much in amusement; it was hurting him to see. Kiba stood up and bowing to the Mizukage, spoke to her apologetically.

"Mei-Sama, I think Shino is feeling a bit unwell. If you do not mind, I'll take him back to his room so he can lie down."

Nina looked absolutely stricken with worry, which seemed to make Shino's heart race more in guilt.

"Please don't go when Aburame-Sama is so ill, moving him too far could make him worse… he could rest here before you are due to leave and then that way you can all stay to enjoy the meal." She looked sweet and vulnerable; Kiba looked at the young lady as did everyone. Hinata felt moved by the young girl's care and Mei nodded in agreement.

"Nina that is good idea. Chōjūrō, could you help Nina prepare the guest bedroom and Aburame-Sama can rest there."

"I-I…"Shino looked like he was turning green and before he could faint; Hinata and Kiba together ran to their friend and caught him before he landed face down on the table. They helped on Akamaru and together they helped escort him upstairs to where Chōjūrō and Nina were quickly preparing the four-poster bed for him to lie on. After he was safely lying down on the bed, Chōjūrō went to go back downstairs to rejoin Kakashi and Mei. Bless them both! Thought Shino. He knew Kakashi knew if he had joined the others it would have made Shino feel even worse and Mei merely treated the matter lighter and told him not to worry about anything and to just feel better soon. Nina started to tuck Shino into the bed with quick, gentle movements and could not understand why it seemed Shino seemed to look worse the more she tried to help.

Hinata then smiled at the overly-kind girl and seeing Kiba nod his head, went over to Nina and placing her arm around Nina's shoulder, hugged and thanked her, then move her arm down to take her arm, escorting her out of the room to rejoin the others downstairs. Akamaru jumped on the bed and lay around Shino's feet and Kiba than sat on the bed near his friend and smirked at him.

"What's wrong with me, Kiba?" Shino asked, factually. He just didn't understand at all what had happened but realised he felt a little bit funny in his stomach but a lot better than he had been. "Is it wind?"

"I don't think a fart is going to help you this time." Kiba said, smiling and he helped take off Shino's dark glasses. Shino had very unusual looking eyes that resembled those of a spider or fly. Dark, almost black made up from lots of hexagonal shapes. He squinted as he eyes adjusted to the slightly dark room and then sighed loudly.

"What's wrong with me?" Shino almost whispered, sounding afraid … which he was. Kiba smiled at his friend and then, when Shino turned to face him, he said what the cause was.

"It's not wrong to love and lust at first sight." Kiba felt like a dad, guiding a child through one the big life experiences. "You are going to be fine, especially as she certainly likes you."

Shino started to sweat and Kiba helped loosen his tie. The Aburame clan leader looked ill again, trying to deal with this information.

"How do you know all this?" Shino asked and Kiba, chuckling slightly, replied teasingly.

"Now, that WOULD be telling, wouldn't it?" He couldn't stand seeing Shino hurt so much and so he decided to tell him. "I'm in love with a friend of ours back home …"