A/N: Time for my weekly update.

"Neji nii-san? Are you s-sure you'll be f-fine on your own?"

"Yes."

"You've j-just been released…so I t-thought…"

"I'm fine," he told her, more gently this time. "Don't worry, Hinata-sama," he continued in the same manner. She smiled softly, not entirely convinced but satisfied enough to let him walk on his own.

As they reached his door, he decided to tell her what he had spent a lot of time on.

" I'll protect you, Hinata-sama," he said, as he closed his doors, making sure that she was still there. It was now or never. He gathered his courage silently. Waiting until there was but a small crack of space between the doors. "I love you, you know," he continued, voice in a much softer tone.

Hinata stood there, dumbfounded. What did her nii-san mean by that?

Ordinarily, there wouldn't have been any doubt. Didn't he tell her that he loved her as a sister? However, they way he spoke… she could not help but wonder what he meant.

"Nii-san?" she called, even though she knew there would be no answer.

She stepped softly on the cement floor, wondering why she felt torn between her choices.

It should have been an easy choice.

She should have loved Naruto best of all.

Shino's ready smile told her that she could tell him whatever was bothering her. However, this time, she knew instinctively that she could not rely on him. It was private. She did not want to share that part of her life with him, no matter how much she loved him. She decided to smile in return, knowing that she would appear rude otherwise. She wished that there was somewhere where she could work out the tangles in her life. However, she decided to do so. There were too many problems associated with that now.

"Hinata. What's wrong? You look upset."

"I'm not upset. " It was the truth. She was not upset at the latest developments in her life. Con fused, yes, but certainly not upset.

" S-Shino-kun, have you ever loved someone?"

His eyes widened as he wondered if she was trying to confess to him. No, it could not be. She and Naruto were together. She would never cheat on him. He decided to answer this honestly.

"Yes. The one I love is you, Hinata," he told her gently. "I understand if you do not accept my love, but please do not distance yourself from me."

Hinata's hands flew to her mouth, shocked. Was this a trick? No, Shino did not play trics the way Kiba did.

There was only one logical conclusion.

He really did love her.

She wondered what she was going to do.

"Shino-kun ... I would never d-distance myself from you. I d-do need to… think about t-this, though.

"I understand, Hinata," he told her softly. Of course, she loved Naruto. Only Naruto.

At least, that was what he thought.

Hinata sought out Naruto. He was nowhere to be found. She didn't know why she hoped he wasn't in the ramen shop. Oh well, she knew he was definitely going to be there. She walked in, her steps loud and clear on the teak flooring.

"Hinata-chan?" he asked, a little uncomfortable to be seen sitting with Sakura.

"Naruto-kun…I n-needed to ask you s-something."

"I'll get going, then. I do want to know how Sasuke is getting on,"Sakura told them, a grin on her pretty face. "I know you two want to be left alone," she said, win king at Hinata as she left. Hinata smiled back.

"Hinata-chan?" Naruto questioned again.

"I'm s-sorry for disturbing you, Naruto-kun… I n-needed to ask you s-something…"

"Go on…" he told her, concerned.

"Do you…? Do you love me?"

Naruto fidgeted in his seat uncomfortably. He couldn't answer this question. Not now, anyway. Sakura had confused him. He stared into her pearl-white eyes. "Hinata-chan, what brought about this question?"

"I was just curious."

"Well, I… I can't be sure, Hinata-chan," he told her, apologetic. He did care for her, but he did not know if he loved her. He wished he could love her and take away the seed of doubt Sakura had planted in his mind. Sakura loved Sasuke. Hinata needed his love. He should love her and only her.

"Naruto… C-Can we break things off f-for a while? Until you f-find out whether it's me or Sakura that you l-love," she murmured, eyes cast downwards.

"I'm sorry, Hinata!" he called out.

"It's fine. W-We can't help the ones we love," she replied, smiling brightly.

She wondered why it felt like a great burden was lifted off her heart. Letting Naruto go should have been an extremely painful experience, but she felt nothing. Perhaps it was because this was only temporary. Perhaps the agony would come when he chose Sakura, as she had always known that he would. All of a sudden, hot tears poured down her cheeks. Yes, it would be that.

"I love you," she murmured.

She still wanted him to be happy.

Neji flipped the pages of the book impatiently. Worried, he turned on his byakuugan. Good, there was no one in sight. He was not supposed to be here, after all.

There! The object of his quest.

He found himself staring at a red katana. Quickly, he memorized the words and dashed out, making sure to leave the room as he came upon it. Perhaps it was fate that he did not notice the other page stuck behind the first.

It did not matter.

He would be back soon.

With Hinata…

A/N: I gave you a taste of what is yet to come... Hope you enjoyed!