Hyuuga Hinata; 1 Year Later

Age 13

-Just For Shino-

The past year had been quite interesting. Last month we had another chuunin exam and Kurenai once again nominated us to participate. I was hesitant about doing so but I couldn't let Shino and Kiba down.

When Kurenai told us that Shino had passed the Chuunin exam and that he was going to be promoted a chuunin, I was very happy for him. We weren't allowed to tell him though, and keeping the secret was killing me. I wanted to congratulate him for doing so well. That's when Kiba suggested that we throw a party for him.

While I don't think Shino will be very enthusiastic about a surprise party, I didn't want to put Kiba or his idea down. I hastily agreed and Kurenai agreed as well with an indifferent shrug.

It's a wonder Shino didn't notice us on his way out from his house on his way to the Hokage's office to get promoted. He was probably too wrapped up in his thoughts concerning whether or not he received his promotion. I felt a little silly hiding behind the bush with Kiba and Kurenai, but if that's what it took…

Finally, when Shino was out of sight, Kiba beckoned for us to follow him to the front door.

"This is going to be great!!" Kiba said as he reached for the doorknob.

"Wait…" I said, and Kiba stopped immediately. I didn't think it was very nice for us to just barge in on the house. What if Shino's father was inside doing something that he would be embarrassed about if we just walked in on him? "Shouldn't we knock first?"

"Good idea, Hinata!" Kiba said with a slight laugh. Kiba's so nice to me, but sometimes I don't know if he thinks before he does things. I never hold it against him. In fact, it's kind of funny and makes me laugh sometimes.

Kurenai stood idly by, probably assuming we'd solve the whole issue of whether to knock or not on our own. I was very lucky to get a teacher like Kurenai since she cared for me… all three of us. She was very kind to us and trained our abilities individually. I can see why it would be a hard job for her since we all come from very unique clans that require certain attention in different fields, but somehow she's managed. I was hoping to make her and everyone else proud by at least making it to the tournament, but there's always next time I suppose.

We waited for quite a while but no one answered the door.

Akamaru barked something. "I know." Kiba said in response to Akamaru. "But he's not coming to the door."

"What did Akamaru say?" Kurenai asked.

"He said someone's inside." Kiba answered.

I must admit I was a little surprised, maybe even a little disturbed, at the fact that Kiba can interact so freely with his dog. The mere thought of being able to connect with Akamaru so easily still makes me wonder. But now we've all grown accustomed to it and even come to accept Akamaru as apart of our team.

"I don't think anyone would mind if we just let ourselves in…" Kiba said slowly. "We have good intentions!"

Kiba was right. I don't know if Shino would be bothered or not, but we couldn't just stand out here for very much longer. There had to have been a good reason as to why Shino's dad was not coming to the door to let us in. It was still early. Perhaps he was still sleeping.

So we went in and began setting up.

I stood up on top of a chair and quietly tried to tape some yellow streamers across the wall. Everything had to be done quickly because Shino would be returning home any minute, but also carefully because this was a very special and important event for Shino. But it also had to be done quietly because I was pretty sure that Shino's dad was around…

Suddenly, I heard the sound of a balloon popping. I almost fell off the chair, I was so surprised! I looked at Kiba who was holding a broken balloon and looking as though he thought it was funny, but I suddenly caught someone looming over us out of the corner of my eye. Once again, I was so frightened and so surprised that I thought I would fall off the chair.

"Mr. Aburame!" said Kurenai. I gave a sigh with relief as she went over to explain everything to him. He didn't really object to what we were doing so I finished taping up the streamers. I hopped off the chair and looked in the bag to see a stack of party hats.

I thought those would be fun, but then I noticed that they said Happy Birthday on them. I pondered over that for a moment, and then decided to ask Kiba since this had all been his idea.

"Should we wear these party hats?" I asked.

"Of course!" Kiba said as if I was silly. "That's why we got them!"

Apparently he didn't notice the fact that they said Happy Birthday. "But they say 'Happy Birthday' on them…" I pointed out.

"Well… they do…" he said, looking at the hats. "But Shino's not going to notice! I'LL make sure he wears one." Before I could respond, Kiba suddenly ran over to the window and looked out it. Then he turned around back to us. "Guys, Shino is coming!" he said in a hushed voice.

"That was quick." Said Kurenai. "Hide!"

We all got into our hiding place except for Shino's dad. I wasn't going to say anything, but no one else did either. So Shino opened the door, Chuunin vest in hand, and we all jumped out.

"SURPRISE!!" we shouted.

"Congratulations on becoming a Chuunin, Shino!" Kurenai said immediately.

"We threw a surprise party for you!" Kiba said as he put a hat on Shino.

I had to say something too, but they had kind of already taken what I wanted to say. So I quickly thought of something else. "Do you feel any different?" I asked.

"From what?" Shino said.

"From when you were a genin." I replied.

"Oh. No."

"They were here when I woke up." Said Shino's dad.

That made me feel like we were unwelcome. It made me feel uncomfortable. But Kiba and Kurenai didn't seem to mind. Most importantly of all, Shino didn't appear to mind either so I wasn't going to let it bother me either.

"So what else do we have planned for today?" Kurenai asked.

"I figured we call all just have a pow-wow shindig and chill out!" said Kiba enthusiastically.

I looked at Shino. I never thought in a million years he'd go for something like that. But he didn't really say much…as usual.

"I'll leave you three to hang out by yourselves!" said Kurenai. "You don't need an old lady butting in on you! Come on, Mr. Aburame, let's give the kids some space!"

She pushed Shino's dad out of the house. I had to admire Kurenai's bravery to do something like that.

"What is a pow-wow shindig?" Shino said to Kiba after Kurenai and his dad had left.

"THIS is a pow-wow shindig." Said Kiba. "This wonderful surprise party that we planned for you."

Shino didn't say anything at first. "How come no one else is here?" he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It's only the three of us." Shino said.

"FOUR!" said Kiba, pointing at Akamaru.

"Whatever." Said Shino.

"Well…we didn't know who else to invite…" I said nervously. I never imagined Shino would ever concern himself with something like how many people were attending his party.

"They're probably all at…" Shino began but then he trailed off. "No, never mind."

"What?" I asked.

"Neji's a chuunin too." Shino answered.

Kiba laughed out loud. "Yeah, like ANYONE would go to HIS surprise party!" he said. "I bet not even his own teammates did. Shino, doesn't it make you feel good to know you have pals like us?"

Shino didn't move.

I didn't really agree with Kiba. While I don't think Neji would have gotten many people at his party, I would think at least Lee and Tenten attended… if there even was one.

"Don't worry, Shino, we ALL know that it was just a weird fluke chance thing that Neji beat you!" said Kiba. "Same with you, Hinata! He must have cheated or something!"

"Wow, Kiba, that's so nice." I said even though I knew it was the opposite of the truth.

Kiba could try to state something as ridiculous as Neji beating me was only a fluke, but everyone knew he beat me with great ease. I wasn't in denial. I wondered if Shino believed that it was a fluke Neji beat him. I suppose it doesn't matter though, since they're both chuunins.

"It doesn't matter that he beat me." Shino said. "We're both chuunins."

"I was just thinking that!" I exclaimed…but Shino didn't look like he cared, so I cleared my throat hesitantly.

"So what should we do?!" Kiba said randomly. He had probably let his mind wander and was confused as to what we were talking about. Kiba does that more often than he should, because then he just ends up sporadically changing the subject. It doesn't annoy me since he usually does it when something embarrassing or awkward is going on.

"I'll walk you both home." Shino said.

"HOME?!" Kiba demanded. I expressed my surprise as well, but not quite as in an animated fashion as Kiba.

"Yeah." Said Shino. "We could have our pow-wow shindig on the way back to your houses."

"Oh Shino." Said Kiba with a slight tone of laughter in his voice. "You saying 'pow-wow shindig' has just made my day."

Shino didn't look too happy at that comment as Kiba did. I have to admit, though, it was pretty funny and couldn't help but laugh… but just a little bit. I didn't want to look like I was taking a side on the matter. Even though there wasn't really much of a side to take.

Since it WAS Shino's party, we had to do what he wanted to do. And, since he wanted to walk us home and have his pow-wow shindig like that, then who were we to not allow him to?

Naturally the two guys took me to my house first. I hoped Neji wouldn't be home. Not for any particular reason… mostly because he just scares me out of my mind and it's always better for him not to be there as opposed to being there.

"Bye guys!" I said to them. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Bye Hinata!" Kiba said, waving. Shino only nodded. I went inside the house and closed the door behind me. I had hardly shut the door and turned around to see Hanabi standing there.

"Oh, hi Hanabi!" I said. "You scared me!"

"Dad wants to talk to you." Hanabi said.

"Oh, okay." I said. I quickly walked past her and hurried off to my dad's room where he usually stayed. I knocked on the door and heard my father beckoning for me to come in. Slowly, I opened the door. "Father, you wanted to see me?" I asked.

"Yes, I have something to speak with you about." He said. "Close the door behind you."

I stepped inside and closed the door.

"Yes?" I said.

"You probably already know this, but your cousin Neji is a chuunin now." He said.

"Yes, I heard." I replied.

My father didn't say anything for a long time.

"I want you to become a chuunin as well." He said finally.

"I'll try." I said.

"Hinata, we can't have a member of the Branch House surpassing our Main House heirs so easily and quickly." My father went on. "I expect that you will enter the next chuunin exam and succeed."

"I will." I said.

I knew I couldn't make a promise like that, but I would definitely try. Not because I was afraid that Neji was going to surpass me… since he kinda already did that, but so my father wouldn't be disappointed in me.

"That's all." He said.

"Okay." I said, taking a deep breath as I left the room.

Hanabi was there.

"Did he tell you to get stronger than Neji?" she asked me.

I nodded.

"He told me that too." She said with a smile.