I entered this story intoa fan fiction contest, and all my entries won me and Hyuuga-Neji "Best newbies" (as we hadn't entered a fanfic contest before). The reason we BOTH won the award was due to our combined efforts on the judge's choice award for that convention, "The All Purpose Yaoi Naruto Fan fiction". It was very popular. You can check that out under the other works I've done. This fic was entered into the "novella" category, and won like second or third place or something.

By the way, because I've been writing this fic in sentence long installments, leaving, then returning weeks later for another sentence completely oblivious to what I was doing last time... this chapter gets a little haywire and basically sucks ass. For this, I apologize, begging you not to abandon me. I'm beginning to lose interest but I'm adamant on finishing what I start. This will all be over soon. Oh, and credit to Tobuishi for her song translation. I didn't ask permission… I hope you'll forgive me…

(Or not. wow, this chapter is long)

Shikamaru

This was only going to get very bad very fast.

His father all day had been giving him this look. Like he knew something. Like Shikamaru had shared a secret with him.

But he HADN'T. His father had jumped to conclusions, the same way Naruto had. They had both managed to jump to the same conclusion and now things were going to get terribly out of hand.

They both assumed that Shikamaru was in LOVE with Ino. Didn't they realize that the very thought of that was ridiculous? It HAD to be ridiculous. Plain, sensible Shikamaru wouldn't fall for an outrageous and unpredictable girl like Ino. It made no sense! The girl was a time bomb, and Shikamaru didn't have the nerves for a girl like that. He couldn't put up with a girl whom everything she did fascinated him.

Err- Irritated. Irritated. Not fascinated. Nothing about that girl was fascinating. Not her deep-sea eyes, nor the sway in her hips, and certainly not her hair.

All right, the hair was fascinating. Every time he saw her lately, he wanted to pull the binder keeping her hair up right out and see once and for all what she looked like with her hair down.

This feeling puzzled him above all others. His burning desire to see her platinum locks in their natural state didn't seem to come from anywhere. It had simply occurred to him one day, and since then, he hadn't been able to shake the thought. It was actually a real pain. He just couldn't keep his eyes off that little blonde bun and his raging curiosity was slowly driving him into the depths of madness. He knew that because of this, someday, he was going to do something very, very stupid.

He didn't know what yet... but there was no doubt in his mind.

But before he could worry about that impending humiliation, he had a matter at hand to take care of. Before, he was fine with just letting Naruto think he knew this "secret", and leaving it at that. But now that Shikamaru's father was taking a sudden interest in his son's love life, it occurred to Shikamaru that this could very easily spiral into a disaster.

His father was Ino's father's best friend. If his dad told Ino's dad, they might try to do something stupid like set them up. Or Ino's dad could tell Ino's mom, who would make hints at Ino about Shikamaru, something lame like 'That nice boy'.

Right. Like anything about Shikamaru was 'nice'. It may have seemed like he was jumping to conclusions about his and Ino's parents, and normally he would have brushed it off as paranoia- if it weren't for something his father said years ago when he first learned that Ino and Shikamaru were to be in a cell together, the same way he and Ino's father had.

He'd said that a marriage between Ino and Shikamaru would be very 'convenient'.

To which Shikamaru had rolled his eyes, but the statement, despite being said in passing, had nonetheless stuck to him like flypaper.

'Convenient'. God. The worst part was, in the eyes of their parents, a union between the Naras and the Yamanakas probably would be very 'convenient', which was why he had no doubt that his and Ino's parents would likely try their hands at matchmaking and successfully ruin Shikamaru's life forever.

Then there was Naruto.

This was ALSO a problem because Naruto couldn't hold secrets if they had handles. If he thought he knew a secret of Shikamaru's, he would probably waste no time telling it to anyone and everyone.

Naruto could tell Sakura, whom he was very close to.

Sakura, being the good friend that she was to Ino, would undoubtedly tell her best friend.

And once again, Shikamaru's world collapses around him.

There was only one thing he could think of to do that didn't somehow involve suicide.

He had to beat them to it.

If anyone was going to ruin his life, by God, it was going to be him.

Now, of course, the hard part- what the Hell was it that he so desperately needed to be the first to say. He was thinking of starting with "You might hear some rumors, but they're not true".

That was more incriminating.

Shit. This really sucks. Maybe he could just go crawl into a hole and die. He should have botched the jounin exam after all.

All right, all right. Don't panic. Think. Have a walk. Fresh air does wonders for the brain.

Shikamaru decided that that sounded like a very good idea. Without a word to his parents, he pulled on his shoes and left the house.

The streets of Konoha Village were bustling, as usual. The sun had finally broken out after a succession of rather dreary days, and only a few puffy white clouds were left drifting through the sky.

It was a perfect day for thinking. He could go to the field, sit back, watch the clouds drift across the bright blue sky as the sun rose higher and then fell behind the mountains, covering the land in a blanket of darkness as dusk began to settle, counting as each little star made its stage debut in the performance of the night.

And while he was there, he could ponder exactly what it was that he needed to tell Ino. Because if he didn't say something, someone else would.

(Idly, he wondered to himself if it made him a really lousy ninja that he could let so many people know about a thought he didn't even know very much about- or if it made them all very good ninjas for being able to read him like a book.)

Unseeingly brushing past the people on the street as they went about their daily business, he wandered his way towards the field to lie in the sun. There, he could be alone, and if someone needed him- well, generally, they knew where to find him. The plan was perfect.

Arriving at his destination, he was pleased to discover that no one was there. The grass was tall and warm from the afternoon sun, inviting him to come lay down (an invitation to which he readily accepted). As the wind slowly wafted the long grass around him and pushed the clouds across the sky, he stared up and found himself thinking once again about her. This time he rather accepted the thought process, as that was the reason he was here. Lately, he discovered that he spent much

time trying NOT to think about her, trying to rationalize his addling emotional turmoil, denying fiercely up and down that he

could ever be attracted to her. After all, they were teammates, and it would be far easier to keep it that way.

But laying here, under the sky the color of her eyes, in the grass as soft as her skin, and the wind as gentle as her touch... he didn't feel like denying anything anymore. He could try, but his attempts were becoming more and more desperate. It was just too much of a bother.

All right. He was ready to admit it.

He was a little attracted to her.

All right, fine, shut up. He was OUTRAGEOUSLY attracted to her. He was ridiculously, unreasonable, and damnedably attracted to her. And he couldn't seem to make it stop, despite his efforts. Reason didn't work. Logic didn't work. Judgment didn't work. In fact, his intellect as a whole was more or less entirely useless. He was stuck with relying on his weak, worthless, and sad little heart. So now, having finally come to the inevitable conclusion that he did, in fact, appreciate her feminine qualities, and that he also, however regretfully, had to tell her... there was the matter of composing what exactly he should say. Here, perhaps, his intelligence might at least be of some use.

Let's see... perhaps he should write her a letter? Or was that too impersonal, and school boyish? Or do girls like that? If only he had a sister to ask... Maybe a poem or something. Pfft! Like he could ever compose a poem. He could analyze them to death, but writing one required an amount of personal effort that he wasn't prepared to put forth. Then perhaps he should just tell her outright?

Damn, this was hard already, and he'd only gotten as far as in what format. The actual confession was a whole nother tangle. God, this was such a bother, and he knew it wasn't going to worth it. She was just going to laugh at him. She was going to laugh right in his face, and tell everyone. Training and missions from then on in would be impossible. He'd probably have to start leaving her out when he picked his teams. Then she'd get all pissed about THAT... On the other hand, training now wasn't very easy. He found that she was very distracting allot of the times, for whatever ungodly reason (he had already memorized her face and body, did he really have to keep glancing back out of the corner of his eye?). If he told her, and she politely declined (which was the most he could hope for), then maybe he could get over her, no problem. What's done is done. He could continue with his life, and his interest in her would gradually fade, like the light of a candle.

That's good. That's very good. It was a risk, but he had to take it. The alternative was too agonizing. She would never accept him in the way that she would have accepted Sasuke... but at least she might reject him nicely. Then he could get over her at last.

So... meanwhile, he still had to...

In a flash, Shikamaru quickly laid himself flat against the earth; body tense and fingers at the ready above his kunai pouch, letting the grass hide him.

Something was coming. Making himself disappear was probably an overreaction, but it was also involuntary. Something he had picked up during the jounin exam. Anytime something moved- HIDE. He became rather good at it.

Pressed firmly against the ground, he listened intently. Someone was moving around... they were talking. He perked his ears, trying to hear their words.

It was very faint... he was beginning to make out a woman's voice...

"... The skies... are limitlessly blue, that's the way they should be...

All the seas... are fathomlessly huge, that's the way they should be..."

She was SINGING! Shikamaru relaxed his guard, dropping his hand from its position near his weapons. The girl's voice... she was singing. It was sort of lovely. He laughed at himself for having jumped when he heard her. He should have known it'd be something innocent like that. He sighed.

"...Even you... should always wear a smile, it's the way you should be, please...

...And if you don't... I'll be crying for you..."

Hmm. She was getting closer. She was likely to stumble across him at this rate. Damn, that was annoying. He didn't want to have to move. He was just getting comfortable. Why do people always gotta come up and bother him? He lay still for a while, hoping she would just go away, but also rather enjoying her song. It was sort of funny; the things people do when they don't think anyone's around. If he moved now, she would stop, and probably yell at him for not making himself known before she embarrassed herself.

Well, maybe if she were Ino, she would do that. It would really be best if it weren't Ino right now. Wondering now who she actually was, and if maybe he could recognize the girl by her voice, he closed his eyes and listened.

"When we're together, you don't have to look around now... you know it's alright...

You know that I'm in your heart... and when we're apart... you're still in my arms..."

Shikamaru's eyes flew open as a horrible sense of dread shot throughout his body. Oh, God. That voice.

He bolted upright and turned to face the source of this despair, praying he was wrong.

No such luck. He was right. It WAS Ino.

"Ino!" He started in an almost panicked voice. The girl, whose back was to him, jumped, dropping an armload of whatever she was carrying.

"ACK!" She shouted, startled, turning to face her assailant while holding a black eyed Susan defensively in front of her, as if it were a kunai. Recognizing Shikamaru, she sighed and dropped her botanical guard. "Don't DO that!" she shouted, "What are you doing, popping out the grass like a dandelion, trying to scare me? What the hell are you doing here?"

"I was just... sleeping," he started, "when I heard you coming. What are you doing here?"

"I... I was... for the shop... I was, er... flowers... you... HEARD me coming?" A hot blush swept across her face. Shikamaru raised a curious eyebrow. What was she so embarrassed about?

Ohhh... that's right... he heard her singing...

He couldn't help but to smile a little. Was it possible? Was fearless Ino a little bit SHY about her singing voice? He raised himself to a standing position and took a step closer to her, a slight smirk on his face, his hands casually in his pockets.

"Yeah," he started coyly, "I heard you coming. I was awoken by the sound of someone's voice. When I listened to it, it was a girl. She was singing."

Ino was speechless with humiliation, her face as red as a tomato. She quickly turned around and scooped up the bundle of wild flowers she had previously dropped. "I'm... gonna get these back to the shop..." she said quickly with her back to him. She began to walk away.

"It was very pretty," he said smoothly. She stopped, and half-turned to face him.

"Don't be dumb," she blushed. "I just- I didn't know there was anyone around."

"Ino, have you ever known me to be 'dumb'?..."

(What she didn't know couldn't hurt her...)

"Well, I... I just..." she stammered, blushing hot. This was so cute. Shikamaru had never seen her so flustered before. She attempted to regain her composure, a stern look on her face. "Don't tell anyone, okay?"

"I won't," he held up his hands defensively, a smirk on his face. She scowled, and again turned to leave.

"Wait," Shikamaru started, and she stopped to face him again, and then it occurred to him that he had said that out loud. Now HE began to blush. He didn't want her to leave, but had no real reason for her to stay... She was getting impatient. He had to think of something, quickly.

"Just... stay with me for a bit, okay?" The words came out before he had a chance to stop and consider them. She cocked her head curiously. Was this what they called 'acting first, thinking later'? He had never been a victim of that...

"I... I wanna ask you a question..."

His face was turning red. Damn, just a moment ago he had been so cool, so together... How could things to quickly turn from being in his favor? She wouldn't stand here in silence for too long. He would have to do it now. There was no need to waste this chance. Even though he had no idea what he was going to say... even though he wanted to dismiss the whole thing and walk away... there was no turning back. One word could sum up what he was about to do.

Improvise.

"...So? ...What's your question?..." Ino asked, a quizzical look on her face. Shikamaru swallowed his breath. Then, gathering up all his courage, he masked on a very collected countenance.

"... Can I see you with your hair down?"

Ino looked at him like that was the stupidest question she ever heard. On the inside, Shikamaru died of humiliation. Of course she would make that face. It WAS the stupidest question ever.

"... Why?" She asked slowly, curiously. Shikamaru shrugged, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Just 'cause I never have before." At least he was covering this up quickly and with little show of his inner turmoil. "I just want to see what you look like."

Ino seemed to ponder this question for a moment. Finally, with her most stuck-up face, she replied.

"No."

And then she walked away, brushing right past him back towards town.

Shikamaru was stunned. Literally stunned. 'No'? Was that it? Was that all he got? No explanation, not even a 'sorry'? He hadn't really expected her to say 'yes', but... Was that really all he was worth? Shikamaru began to seethe. That haughty little bitch. There was no way he could be satisfied with that answer. She couldn't even say it in an apologetic way; she had to be a snot about it. He had taken allot of abuse from her over the years, but this was the straw that broke the camel's back. He may have been lazy, impassive, unmotivated and dismissive, but his self-esteem was not for shit, and he was going to prove it.

From behind her, where Shikamaru was standing, Ino heard one thing.

"Kagemane no jutsu!"

She gasped, but it was too late. She had been too off guard. His shadow stretched behind him and caught her own. Unable to move, she stood in place, as her hands were forced to move to her side where pockets would have been.

"Shikamaru!" She started angrily, unable to face him, "What do you think you're doing!"

"You're a real piece of work, you know that?"

His reply was slow and a little exasperated, as if he were really very tired. He sighed, and turned to face her. She was forced to do the same.

"This isn't funny!" She yelled, a little panicked, "Let go of me!"

"Not yet," he replied coolly, and was a little surprised at his own bravery. "First, you're gonna listen to what I have to say."

Ino was stunned speechless. She had never seen Shikamaru like this. He seemed so resolute and determined... He didn't even look like this allot of time in battle. Was this really important?

"All you ever do is brush past me," he started slowly, "ignore me, and take advantage of me. I only asked you to do one thing, Just one. But you brushed that off as well. You must not think very much of me at all."

He tried to read the look on her face, but all he could see was absolute shock. He didn't blame her... he was just as surprised at himself. Acting this aggressive was very out of character for him. But if he was always passive... nothing would ever get done. He set his teeth before his bravery was lost. This would happen very seldomly.

"Sh...Shikamaru..." was all she could stammer out. She couldn't even tell if she was angry or not, her shock was so overwhelming. He took a step forward, and she was forced to do the same.

"This is such a bother," he said irritably, turning his head from her as she did the same. "Don't think I like doing this or that it's gonna happen a lot. But I didn't like the way you brushed me off just now. And if I let it go, like I have been for some four years, things will never change. How can you respect me, if I let you just keep walking all over me?"

"And you think this will earn anyone's respect?" She raged at him, "Using your techniques against me!"

"No, of course not," he replied casually with an infuriating smirk. "I'm not stupid. No, this is for my previous request. Afterwards, you can rail at me all you like and I'll take it."

"YOU BETTER BELIEVE YOU'LL TAKE IT!" She bellowed. Shikamaru winced slightly. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. This was gonna hurt. But when it was over, and she beat him into a senseless pulp, he could finally get over his bizarre little obsession and eventually she would get over her humiliated rage, and things would be just like they were before. Yes, just like they were before. There was no turning back now.

Shikamaru raised his hand up to his head. Ino fought, but was soon forced to do the same.

"You won't get away with this!" she seethed, fighting with her own involuntary movements. "I'm gonna make you sorry!"

"Don't worry, you already have," he replied coolly, watching her as her hand moved to the binder keeping her hair upright. Finding his own ponytail, he pulled it down, and watched as her own hand was forced to release her blonde locks from their bindings.

As the silky platinum strands fell helplessly around her face and tumbled just past her shoulders, a hot blush spread across Shikamaru's cheeks. He was right. She was beautiful. Her shining, uneven hair framed her lovely pale face, blowing gently in a slow breeze. This moment was worth all the pain he was going to receive for it later. This image would never leave his memories.

Meanwhile, Ino herself couldn't get over the sight before her. Time and time again, she had wanted to rip that ridiculous topknot right out of his hair once and for all... she didn't think he would do it willingly. And she never thought it would be under these conditions.

Ino was surprised speechless. Shikamaru looked... totally different. She never knew how a change in one's hairstyle could affect their looks so much. She never knew that his coal black hair shone like feathers, and cascaded down to his shoulders, hanging loosely around his dark eyes in thick winding locks, swaying slightly from the blowing wind. She never knew until now how much she had wanted to see that, and she never dared to imagine that she might have been attracted to the sight.

Shikamaru took another step forward, and then another, approaching her slowly as she involuntarily did the same. She was trying to reason with herself to be angry, that he had offended her, but she was still mesmerized by his face. He seemed so calm, so cool... so out of character. Where was the grumpy, irritable Shikamaru she was used to?

They were now within a foot of each other. Both had a blush across their faces as the wind tousled their hair. The moment just seemed to go on and on...

"All right," Shikamaru finally said, "I saw it. I'm done." And just like that, he released his technique. Ino was so surprised by his abruptness that she didn't move when he turned and walked away, until she realized she wasn't doing the same thing.

"You wait one minute!" She hollered, and Shikamaru stopped, dreading the inevitable. She was going to stay angry for a very long time, no doubt, if the rage in her voice was any indication...

He turned to face her as Ino marched angrily forward. All the actions she had been forced to suppress now came back at him full-force as, let loose like a gunshot, she opened her hand and struck him hard across the face with a resounding slap.

With his cheek stinging and burning, he stood there, motionless, without making a sound, without turning to face her. He accepted his punishment without batting an eyelash, because he knew he deserved it.

Ino scowled furiously at him, then turned on her heel and stormed away, tying her hair back up as she went.

He watched her go until she was completely out of sight. Then, with a sigh, he pulled his own hair back into its topknot and turned towards town.

Not particularly feeling like being alone, yet at the same time not wanting to talk with anyone, he decided to go to a public place. And ended up, as many do, at the Ichiraku ramen shop. As he sat down, he was not surprised (but sort of disappointed) to see Naruto there. He was with Sakura.

Shit. Sakura. Ino would tell Sakura what he did, no doubt. Sakura would probably tell Naruto. And Naruto, who didn't know how to shut up, would tell everyone. Maybe that wasn't such a great idea. What had compelled him to do that? What did he think he would accomplish?

On the other hand, he had finally seen Ino with her hair down, as he had wanted to do for so long. He was right... he DID feel better, now. About that, anyways.

But it didn't make him any less attracted to her. In fact, it might have made him more. Somehow he hadn't expected that. It was confusing and humiliating, to have done something stupid that resulted in something even more stupid... How could this be happening? Wasn't it supposed to go back to normal, now? Now he was faced with a brand new problem. He had enraged her to no end, and there was no way she was going to forgive him any time soon. Maybe if he just stayed away for a while...

"HEY!" He was broken out of his thoughts abruptly by the sound of Naruto's voice. He turned to face him, not bothering to hide the irritation on his face. Naruto didn't notice, or didn't care. Instead, he grinned broadly. "You owe me a bowl of ramen!"

For the life of him, Shikamaru could not figure out what Naruto was talking about. He stared at him blankly, trying to figure out where that would have come from.

"...What?" He finally asked when he couldn't seem to reach a conclusion.

"The BET we made!" Naruto laughed, "Remember? You bet me that I couldn't get Neji to admit that he looked at Tenten, but I DID! Now pay up!"

Holy shit. Shikamaru had forgotten all about that bet. There was no WAY Naruto won.

"I also said you needed to have a witness," he scoffed, glad to have his mind off Ino for a moment at least. "I don't trust YOUR word."

"I have a witness!" He pointed at Sakura proudly. "Tell, him, Sakura-Chan! He owes me ramen!"

"Is he telling the truth?" Shikamaru asked Sakura, and was sort of surprised to discover that he was actually interested in the answer.

"I don't know if it counts towards your bet," she replied impassively, concentrating on her ramen bowl. "It was sort of stupid, really. He came right up to Neji and asked if he was attracted to Tenten. Just like that! Honestly, Naruto, you have no tact."

"You'd never guess what he said! Tell him what he said, Sakura!" Naruto pressed excitedly. Sakura rolled her eyes.

"He said 'That's a stupid question, considering she and I are dating'."

Shikamaru's mouth fell open. Naruto snickered.

"You see?" He laughed, "He MUST be attracted to her, if they're dating! So I win the bet! Pay up!"

"Doesn't count!" Shikamaru turned from him. "The bet was to get him to say that he's attracted to her. All you got him to say was that they're dating."

"But they WOULDN'T be dating if he WASN'T attracted to her! So it DOES count! Tell him, Sakura!"

"Don't drag me into this," she snapped at him.

"It still counts," Naruto continued, immediately giving up on Sakura, "so pay up!"

Just as Shikamaru was about to concede, all three of them were startled by Naruto suddenly being pulled off his stool by the collar of his coat and thrown violently to the floor. Sakura and Shikamaru stood up and turned abruptly in shock as Naruto pulled himself off the floor, rubbing his head, to face his assailant. He was surprised to find himself staring into the enraged face of Kiba.

"You may have beaten me once before in the past," Kiba started in a fury, "But you won't beat me THIS time! I swear it!"

Before even giving Naruto a chance to be confused, Kiba's fist suddenly met Naruto's jaw, sending the fox boy sailing painfully a few feet behind him, before storming away, leaving everyone to in a state of horrified confusion.

Kiba

Punching Naruto in the face had made Kiba feel a little bit better, but still not completely satisfied. Because unfortunately, not everything could be solved with violence. Which sucked, because Kiba wasn't any good at reason or emotion. He really only had brute force. He'd never trained for anything else. He'd been making it up as he went along, and now everything was a disaster.

He ran his hand through his hair in frustration, sitting back against a tree. In the distance, he could see Akamaru merrily chasing butterflies. Kiba sighed, watching. Oh, how he envied Akamaru. Dogs didn't have to worry about romance, or anything silly and useless like that. They only knew what was important. They went on instinct.

When Kiba tried to go on instinct, he ended up alone in the rain.

But what was he supposed to do? He told a girl his feelings. That's what people did, right? Was there some method to it he didn't understand? Anybody in his situation would have done what he did, right?

Or... maybe he WAS wrong. Maybe he shouldn't have kissed Hinata. He should have waited for some sort of invitation. Some sign that she understood and accepted his feelings for her. Would that have been the right path? Would it have gone better, then? Would he still be on speaking terms with Hinata? Would he have seen her at all in the last few days?

Then again, probably not. Whatever he did do, whatever he could have done, whatever he did not do... she had eyes for Naruto. And nothing he could do would change that fact.

And that SUCKED.

He pressed the back of his head against the rough bark of the tree, hoping God would send him the memo he was apparently supposed to get on this subject matter. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking. When he opened them again, he was surprised to Shino standing over him.

"What are you doing here?" Kiba asked, obviously a bit startled by his teammate's sudden appearance. Instead of replying, Shino took a seat beside him. He didn't say a word, didn't face Kiba, just sat there. And so Kiba waited patiently, not expecting an immediate response from Shino anyhow. The two of them sat together in silence, watching Akamaru in the distance digging a hole in a garden, then quickly losing interest in it and bounding away after a dragonfly.

As Kiba expected him to, Shino spoke first.

"So," he began slowly and emotionlessly, without turning to face Kiba, "Which one of you do I stop assigning to missions with me?"

"What?" Kiba turned abruptly to face him, horrified. What would bring him to say such a thing? "What do you mean, stop assigning? What are you getting at?"

"I mean, you or Hinata," was his cold response. "It's obvious you can't work together anymore. So who stops coming with me on missions?"

Kiba turned from him, his face hardened and regretful. "So... what did she tell you?"

"Nothing," Shino replied. "And I didn't ask. But she's been acting strange the last few days, and the mention of your name seems to make her very uncomfortable."

Kiba sighed. This just kept getting worse and worse. It had never occurred to him that kissing Hinata would affect Shino in any way, directly or indirectly. He didn't consider that it would influence his missions at all. But it was probably true... unless he could come to terms with Hinata again, they would have a hard time working together, and Shino would not be able to assign them to teams together. And that was the last thing Kiba wanted. Why wouldn't it be like it was before? Why did he have to succumb to irrational emotion like that? And moreover, what should he tell Shino? Should he tell him about that day in the rain?

Kiba set his jaw, his eyes still turned from his silent friend. "I made a mistake," he said in a rush. "And now she's... upset with me, I guess. But I can't find her to apologize. Is she..." he turned awkwardly towards Shino "...Hiding from me?"

Shino continued to stare coldly into the distance, offering no condolences. Kiba sighed. Would it KILL him to be a little supportive?

"...Yes," he finally replied, to Kiba's shock. When his words set in, Kiba's heart sank. So he was right all along. Things could never be the same now. He wouldn't even give her a chance to apologize.

"...I kissed her," he said sadly, studying his hands. "It was a mistake. I... told her... I offered her my heart. But..." fighting back his emotion was becoming more and more difficult "...she didn't want it. So she left. I haven't seen her since." He turned away from Shino so that his long time rival could not see the turmoil on his face. If felt awkward, opening up to Shino, but at the same time a little comforting. He knew that Shino would listen at least, if not reply, and never tell a soul. It was not his business to do so. Besides, Shino was the closest thing Kiba had to a best friend. They had been working together for a long time.

And so the two boys sat in silence, side by side, watching Akamaru trying to tear a low branch off a tree to bring to his master for a game of fetch. Shino did not tell Kiba he was right or wrong, did not offer his sympathy or any useless advice; simply offered his support through his presence alone. And that was really all that Kiba could hope for. Shino was worse with people than even himself. What could he ever expect the Aburame to say? So he accepted the silence as the most emotion Shino could produce and contemplated the situation he had created.

"Did you know that I'm engaged to be married?"

Kiba's mind suddenly shattered. His eyes flew open in shock, his jaw slackened as he turned quickly to face his friend. Had those words really just come from Aburame Shino? He was still trying to figure out if he had imagined them when Shino continued quietly.

"It's an arranged marriage. The ceremony is to be held when she turns eighteen. I've met her only on three occasions."

He fell quiet again, and Kiba's surprise could not be outmatched. Shino? Marriage? Ceremony? Was it possible?

"...ARRANGED?" Was all he could manage to spit out, his shock still overwhelming his senses, not only at the news but also at Shino's sudden decision to open up to him. In all these years, he had barely gotten three words out of Shino. What was with this sudden outpouring?

"Most Aburame marriages are arranged," he explained, "and generally within the clan." He turned slightly towards Kiba, a very serious look on his face. "It's hard to get anyone to willingly marry into a clan whose skin encompasses insects."

Kiba nodded slowly, still a little rattled by the news but very understanding of the situation. He would never marry into the Aburame. He had a hard enough time getting rid of his and Akamaru's fleas every summer.

"So... is she pretty?" Was all he could think of to say, with a halfhearted grin. Shino had never said so much to him, and he found he didn't really know how to react. Shino responded by glaring at Kiba and ignoring his question. He could find out at the wedding.

"I can help you with training and fighting," Shino began, "but I can not and will not help you with romance. I don't pretend to know anything about it. All I can suggest is that you patch this matter up quickly. I don't want to have to break up our team." And with that, He rose and stepped away from Kiba, back in the direction he came. A few paces away, he stopped, his hands in his coat pockets.

"She's supposed to meet me tomorrow at the edge of the forest. Why don't you go instead."

It was more of a command than an offer, and he said it very firmly, without turning to face Kiba at all. He then continued on his way, leaving Kiba alone.

Kiba smiled slightly and shook his head. It was very much like Shino to tell Kiba he wasn't going to help him, then in his own offhandish way, do it anyhow. He must have regarded the Inuzuka in the same way that Kiba viewed him. A very subtle best friend. And it was good to know that he didn't want to break up their team. Kiba now knew for certain that he had to find Hinata, for the friendship of all three of them.

Akamaru bounded gleefully forward with a large stick in his jaws, having finally dislodged it from the tree that held it. He dropped it at Kiba's feet and wagged his tail, panting expectantly.