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

The walk was quiet, Hinata being left with Shino as Kiba – unable to stand still in the worst of times- was bounding ahead of them with Akamaru. It was nice to see that they kept up their energetic optimism in spite of her daunting news. Those two just simply could not be solemn in the sunlit mission-less day.

Shino walked besides her, and if she hadn't been mistaken he was purposefully crowding her as they lagged behind the abounding duo. It was setting her on edge.

When his arm bumped into hers again, Hinata finally turned to meet him.

"Why are you doing that?"

For some reason she felt at a disadvantage and sought to equal it by raising her chin in an expression that clearly meant 'I'm not intimidated by you'.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

The question made her snort in a very unladylike fashion. Turning away with concealed agitation, Hinata focused her precious eyes on the rear end of Akamaru as she replied in what she hoped was a cool voice.

"Shino, I should be the one asking you that – you run away at the earliest opportunity. And it's usually after something significant is said."

She had planned on walking ahead of him, perhaps giving him a taste of how it felt by being walked away from, but was stopped with his cold fingers wrapping around her wrist. The touch should have made her shiver, and subconsciously she knew that other girls would have twisted away in discomfort.

But all Hinata wanted to do was leaned into the coldness, to be surrounded by it because at least then she would know that it was real and not some passing fantasy.

This wasn't how things were though, so instead of throwing herself into his arms, she stayed facing away – allowing him to touch but not allowing herself to be distracted by what she so dearly wanted. She had to protect her family, even if it meant putting their rocky relationship on the back burner.

"I…do not handle these…situations well…"

Hearing him hesitate caused Hinata's heart to clench with want to turn around and comfort him, but she gritted her teeth. If he wanted to change then she couldn't be the one to break down first. Even if listening to the shaky insecurity in his voice made her tremble in response.

"Hinata…I..don't think I could stop once I start.."

Shino paused in attempt to swallow the nerves that were making his voice waver like a child's – taking another deep breath before looking up to try again he was surprised by the dark head turned so her fathomless pale eyes stared straight into his. He was mesmerized, not feeling her warm touch as she detached her hand from his before speaking.

"Shino…I never said I want you to stop."

This kiss was the first that Hinata ever fully initiated. His mind swirled with unfamiliar warmth as sweet soft lips brushed against his- finger tips lingeringly brushed across his chest – the touch burning through the thick material to his racing heart. A familiar humming vibrating his chest as he fought for breath.

He hadn't even realized that his eyes had drifted shut until Kiba's distant voice brought him crashing back down to earth. Her footsteps had been so light that he didn't know what had happened until he was opening his covered eyes to see her retreating form as she went to catch up with the others.

So, despite all the warnings he had tried to say, all the chances he gave her to walk away – this was her answer.

Slowly walking towards the appearing clearing ahead of him – the three ahead of him small in the distance – Shino brought a slightly trembling hand up to stare at it.

He only prayed that she knew what she was doing.

………………………..

"I can't believe the old farts would do that! I mean, I thought they had some sort of compassion!"

Kiba's outrage gave voice to all of their thoughts, as Hinata sighed in silent relief at having gotten the burden off her shoulders. It was still there, it just was now shared among the three, and that was a comforting thought to her.

"Yes, well they were never known for their k-kindness."

They were seated in the middle of three craters; Kiba sprawled alongside Akamaru on one side, leaving Shino and her to share the other side. There had been an awkward moment of awareness, where they each acted like they didn't notice that the other noticed, but it quickly subsided as Hinata began to speak.

"Even this is too cruel, there has to be something else behind the council taking his eyes."

Uneasiness was developing between her shoulders the thought and Hinata unconsciously shifted to try and ease the feeling.

"…why was he exiled? Or why is he so disgusted by the branches of family?"

Kiba's thoughtful voice echoed all their thoughts as they fell into silence – each trying to sort all the information out. Feeling her head begin to pound, Hinata sighed before straightening up.

"I – I must find out..for Hanabi and..Neji…If there are others who were subjugated to such a treatment than something must be done."

The boys nodded in agreement. There was a pause after her declaration before Kiba spoke up again – a hand soothingly petting Akamaru's large head.

"The Hokage should know about this."

This was where Hinata's confidence became shaky, and she chewed on her lower lip before making a decision to speak only to have Shino cut her off.

"If the Hyuuga was as unstable as he was when we caught him, then the Anbu or interrogation shinobi units will get the information easily. If they can't then there is no doubt that Tsunade will get it herself."

He watched through his shaded glasses as Kiba's expression lightened considerable while Hinata simply dropped her head to hide her face.

"Hinata?"

Suddenly fierce eyes were staring at him.

"I cannot simply let these elders deal with it on their own! They need change, and since the one person who can change anything is not here, then I will have to be the one who puts an end to this terrible secret!"

So focused on her thoughts and ambition, Hinata didn't notice the darkening of the shinobi next to her. He might like Naruto but not in sharing something he had thought was untouchable for so long.

...........

A/N: Ah so short! So akward! I feel like I should write a scene where a bug user throws a eye user against the wall in a moment of heeaaattteeed passsssiiioooon...

=3