Kiss

Shino stoically endured a wound he received during a mission. It wasn't anything too serious, but enough to cause slight discomfort. However, as an Aburame, Shino bore it all with admirable stoicism. He detached himself from the pain—he acknowledged it, yet he didn't allow it to consume him. He simply let go of the pain and convinced himself he would let go of his feelings for Hinata Hyuuga as well. His feelings only grew stronger for her during their missions together as Team 8—and Shino was careless and allowed a stray kunai to scratch his shoulder. He pretended it never happened, though Hinata's Byakugan can see everything. She noticed his wound when they were scouting for insects for Shino to collect and Kiba was practicing his Dynamic Air Marking technique with Akamaru.

"Shino-kun," Hinata said as she presented a salve towards him. "I noticed the wound on your shoulder and…I made some medicine to help ease any pain."

"I'm all right," Shino said in that detached tone of his. "There's no need to concern yourself over me."

"Ah, but Shino!" Hinata said as her gaze went downwards and she looked anywhere except his eyes. "You're always looking out for me. I know you do. I know that you kept some of your bugs out on patrol so that I wouldn't be by myself, scouting that village. And you've…always supported me and believed in me. I didn't have to prove anything to you or Kiba. You two just…accepted me as I am. And I…I really appreciate that."

"You're our teammate," Shino said simply. "It's only natural that we look out for one another. It's to build camaraderie with one another."

"I know, but," Hinata bit her lip, wondering if she should say more. Her cheeks flushed prettily, and Shino found it harder to detach from his emotions and romantic longings for the pale girl with lavender eyes. "I just feel that I should thank you."

Shino said nothing, though his heart thundered in his chest and the hive scattered and collected together in their frenzy. He wanted her, but he could not touch her. He could not tell her what he felt. So he would let go of his emotions for her, he told himself, but it was getting harder and harder to resist.

"Um," Hinata said, blushing a little as she averted her gaze. "Could you…take off your jacket, Shino-kun? I need to apply the medicine."

Shino's mind went blank and everything about him short circuited. He knew the reason behind Hinata's request was for medical reasons, though asking him to strip off his jacket in front of her was something that his mind couldn't compute. None of them saw the other stripped down before, and Shino felt achingly vulnerable with his jacket to cover his body and to cover part of his face, shrouded in mystery. Everything seemed to become more suffocating.

Then, Shino slowly removed his jacket, exposing the bare shoulder where the kunai had slashed into him. Hinata then applied some of the medical cream on his shoulder, and the wound disappeared with a slight hiss. She really did have a talent for making medicines and salves—perhaps she could be a Medic one day, if she really applied herself. Then again, Shino knew that Hinata would grow up to become a fine young woman. He had faith in her. He knew that she would become more confident, strong, and sure of herself—she needed some guidance along the way, though Shino could help her become the woman that she always wanted to be.

Before Shino could even react to say thank you, Hinata leaned forward and kissed the spot where the wound had been. Shino flushed the slightest bit, and the hive within him hummed approvingly.

"Hinata?"

Hinata smiled pleasantly towards him. "My mother always used to say that if you kissed someone's boo boos, they would heal faster. It…sounds silly, I know."

"No, thank you," Shino said, quickly recovering from his flustered state. "I appreciate the gesture and sentiment. You're very thoughtful."

"Say, Shino-kun…" Hinata said, poking her fingers together. "Close your eyes. If you would…"

Shino closed his eyes, complying with Hinata's request. Something that startled him was feeling lips brush against his own, and Shino was flustered once more. The hive only seemed to hum and murmur with happiness, sensing their master's elation. Hinata blushed as well, before she poked her fingers together .

"Um…that was for good luck," Hinata said, her cheeks a solid red. "So…that you won't get hurt on the next mission. I don't want to see you hurt like that again…"

"I'll be fine," Shino said, before he inwardly reflected on his first kiss. His first kiss with Hinata; the one that he cherished and loved. An innocent, chaste kiss, but even that was enough for him. Just being with her was always enough.