Hinata felt jittery, and it was showing in the way her fingers were twitching on the ground in front of where she had been hunched over for the last fifteen minutes.

This was bad, girls generally over analyzed everything anyway and given an unlimited amount of time in the presence of the object they were analyzing was always bad news.

She knew she was being overdramatic, guys probably had their bad days too especially ones who have taken life, but Hinata wasn't in a very charitable mood and finally snapped when he stood up in what seemed as a casual way.

"Where are you g-going?"

It took her longer to get to her own feet, part in trying to not hurt herself and part in trying to hide the fact that she was hurt. She was able to cover the small pause by frowning heavily at the covered man.

"Home."

Like Hell he was, not if she had anything to do about it. Ignoring the soreness and discomfort in her side, Hinata stepped in his line of path. Placing her hands on her hips in what she hoped was an intimidating posture.

"Running away again Shino?"

They were both surprised at the strong voice Hinata spoke with, and for a moment Shino had a vision of a much more confident woman. It was appealing and scary.

Then her words registered and he frowned behind his protective coat.

"What?"

She tossed her head in a surprisingly haughty gesture before answering, and his frown deepened at the small wince that twisted her mouth before disappearing.

Hinata's momentary burst of confidence melted away under his quiet voice and the new wave of pain. Dropping her stance, she forced her hands to stay at her sides instead of coming up to fidget together.

"E-everytime you b-b-become uncomfort-fortable with u-us, you avoid me."

Damn, and she had been doing so well. Frowning at her stutter and depleted courage, Hinata abruptly sat back down on the ground. Not bothering to cover up the small hiss of pain that escaped her lips when the fall jolted her side.

Shino remained where he was, though it was a fight to stay planted to the spot when he heard her gasp of pain. He knew he had to though; Hinata was a woman of strength, even if she didn't fully know her potential. And he was not going to ruin it by treating her like a fragile flower, even if she did remind most people of frailty.

After thinking this, Shino did want to stab himself with a kunai.

"I'm not running away. I'm simply-"

Hinata cut him off before he could finish with a quick head shake. When she spoke her voice was quiet, lacking its usual timidity but having a certain resigned sadness that had Shino stepping closer.

"You are, you run because it's new and scary. I understand Shino. You can go; I won't get in your way or stop you."

Her eyes had closed, in response to what she was saying or to the physical hurt he wasn't sure, but all the same he responded by dropping down to his knees in front of her. Pausing for only a second, he reached up to slip off the dark glasses from his face before tentatively reaching out to touch her's.

When her pale glistening eyes opened and met his, Shino took a deep breath before plunging forward.

"Yes, it's scary and new but mostly it's because I need my control."

He saw the confusion in her eyes and hurried to explain, bringing up his other hand to match the one cupping her cheek.

"I'm a bug user, we need unbreakable control or else. It's always been that way, but when I'm with you, when we….I feel my emotions start to break through my control. Hinata, I can't let that happen."

She blinked at the intensity in his eyes and felt an instinctive tug of emotion in her chest. With her face cupped in his hands, the feeling was a mingling of the comfort that his touch brought but also a deeper emotion that hinted at apprehensive caused by his words.

"What…would happen?"

But Shino didn't answer; instead he dropped his hands to rest lightly on her shoulders. Despite their discussion, Hinata felt her body shiver in response to the cool touch. Instead of wanting to lean away, she leaned closer in attempt to get closer to the stoic man, even if it was only physically.

She pressed on, tired of not being told honestly, bluntly.

"Shino, please."

Hinata felt as if this was a make or break moment, as if his answer could either destroy or cement their already wildly erratic relationship. Honestly, she had thought that when it came to her finally entering into a relationship that it would have been smooth and boring. It had always been her thought that all the other girls would have the wild relationships.

She rarely seemed to be right these days.

So, when he leaned back and seemed as if he was collecting himself Hinata did not speak again. Instead she leaned back herself and stayed quiet.

And waited.

..........................................................

A/N: Alrighty folks, this is definitely too short, especially after such a long wait, but I'm not giving uphahha no matter how much homework is thrown at me. X_X