Surprisingly Well

"She's taking this well," Yukio muttered, packing up the sadle of a horse. "Very well... I mean, at first I thought it was just spirit but, well... you don't think she's hidding something, do you..?"

"... why are you talking to me...?"

"We're buddies! Pals!" The blond smiled; after a moment he finished packing the sadle, and hefted it to put on top of a white mere. "Why shouldn't I talk to you?"

"I thought we got over the 'talking' phase a week ago, after you stopped me from killing your brother."

Yukio huffed childishly, before moving to buckle up the straps of the sadle. Shino just rolled his eyes, leaning against the barn door... the fact that there were horses at the estate didn't come of too much of a surprise to him; the fact that him and Hinata were going to be givin a horse to take with them, did.

He's right, too... Shino thought to himself, thinking over the past week. Asides from being kept a close eye on - just to make sure he didn't go and try to find Yuu - Shino found himself keeping a close eye on Hinata. He just didn't understand why she was taking it so well. Sure... I've never seen a rape victim before, though you can never be sure with a father like mine, but I'm pretty sure that they'd be tramatized. He glanced over to where the girl was sitting outside in the snow, idly drawing a design with her finger. ... then again, I could be wrong. There's always the exception; I'll have to ask Hokage-sama.

"Yo, Shino," he looked up in time for a light cloak to hit his face. "You'll probably need that." His response was to throw it back to Yukio. "Hey, I try to be nice and you be cold! Why?"

"Because there's a distinct possibility you're hitting on me."

"I resent that," Yukio glared. "I thought I made it perfectly clear that you weren't my type."

"No... you made it perfectly clear that you hate bugs," Shino rolled his eyes again. "And you're increased chatter raises even more doubts."

"Well, it's not as if you're talking to Hinata," he pointed out.

"Not for any lack of trying on my part."

"Oh, so she starts shaking when she looks at you," Yukio glared at him again. "And there was that one hyperventalation attack... that's no reason to throw a hissy fit."

"I do not throw hissy fits."

"How many times have you tried to kill my brother this past week..?"

"Twice a day, three times when the guards were lax."

They both went silent, Shino going back to watching Hinata and Yukio managing the last strap or two of the sadle. I just... I just want to understand whats going on.

His mind drifted (as did his eyes) to a place where he didn't have to understand... where nothing complicated his and Hinata's so far non-exsistant relationship. Where both of them could be happy. Together.

------

Hinata sighed, tracing another butterfly in the snow... she hadn't been sleeping properly, jumping at the smallest of noises. So she spent the nights daydreaming about butterflies instead, and wondering how the one on her windowsill back home was fairing. Neji-nii-chan better have taken care of her...

She found her thoughts very simplistic and empty, reflecting the snowflakes falling around her. So very, very simple. Sighing again, she looked over to where Yukio and Shino were in the barn.

Her eyes lingered over Shino for a moment, before she was forced to look away... it only brought to mind fake words with an equally fake touch.

... I still can't believe I just let that happen...

She dragged a hand through her hair, a habit she had picked up recently, and fell back into the snow. It felt cool against her the back of her neck, and shedistracted herself from her memories easily. It's so much better to live in simplicity.

The cottony-white flakes littered her eyelashes, and she blinked them away as best as she could. Looking up at the clouds above her, she imagined that the snow was dancing, each with their own partner...

... it was a rather romantic notion.

------

"So..." Yukio stole his attention back with a jolt; Shino could tell the blond was bored. Unbelieveably bored.

"I'm not letting you kiss me."

"I wasn't going to say that!" Yukio glared. Hn. We get along better when he's glaring at me. "Jesus... I think you're getting cocky!" Shino raised an eyebrow at him, waiting expectantly. Three, two, one... The blond blushed, the red hue showing up clearly on his pale skin. "Perve! I didn't mean it like that!"

"Neither did I," Shino said truthfully, shrugging.

"I-" The blond's glare was back. "Bastard. Twisting my words."

"I'm my father's son."

"Ch," the blond's attention was drawn away from the Aburame boy, who followed his vision to see Hinata standing up. The dark-haired girl took the first of several shaky steps towards them.

"Wh-when are we leaving, Shino-kun...?" She looked down at his boots, pushing her fingers together nervously.

Shino frowned. "We'll leave whenever you're ready, Hinata."

"Ah... of course..." She gave him one of her heart-melting smiles, but didn't look right at him. ... I would love to know what's so interesting over my shoulder... "I'm ready right now, if you'd like..?"

He found himself blushing, taking the words the wrong way. Damn it... I am becoming a pervert... stupid teenage hormones... stupid father... she was raped. "Alright."

"Nuh uh!" Shino was reminded of the blond's presence when he oh-so-rudely budged back into the conversation. "You two can't leave until I give you your presents!"

"Presents..?" Hinata stuttered out; Shino saw her blush from the corner of his eyes, and cursed Yukio. You're gay and you've still got more of her attention than me.

"Yep!" Yukio cheered. "One for both of you, and a special one for Shino-kun!"

Shino blinked. "Didn't I tell you not to hit on me..?"