- So sorry for the huge wait...I was on holidays...P...so you want a shikamaru/hinata chapter ehh? Wish granted! -

-Chapter 11-

Hinata gazed out of her bedroom window, her bright eyes searching the sky. She was looking for the first star of the night. She wanted to make a wish. She needed to make a wish.

At the same time Shikamaru was out in his backyard, head tilted towards the darkening sky. He shivered in the cold. He hated the cold but he had something very important to do. Suddenly a voice from inside his house made him jump.

"Shikamaru!" Come help me with the dinner!"

That scary voice had haunted Shikamaru when he was younger. That scary Mother of his nearly put him off women. But that was until he met Hinata. Remembering what he was outside in the cold for he shouted back,

"Just a second, Mother!" And with that he lifted his head up, eyes gazing for the first star.

Hinata and Shikamaru were both very lucky. Not only did they see the first star, but it was a shooting star as well. As soon as they caught sight of the star they both squeezed their eyes tightly shut, bowed their heads and made their wish.

--next morning--

Hinata stirred. Sunlight streamed into her room, landing softly on her face. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up. She was going to find out her second task today, so she quickly put on her clothes and walked sleepily into her bathroom. She stared into the mirror and spaced out for a few seconds, thinking about what had happened yesterday.

So much had happened. Just escaping with their lives, Shino being gay and Shikamaru... her thoughts landed on Shikamaru. He was so manly now, she giggled to herself remembering him as a little boy in the academy that was always sleeping during classes.

Hinata shook her head in disbelief. Looking at the clock she scolded herself. You're going to be late Hinata!! Get a grip on yourself! She stared into the mirror, stared into her face. Despite efforts, her thoughts kept on drifting back to the same topic.

He would never like me, she thought bitterly. I'm so ugly! Her depression sunk in again. Hinata dragged a comb through her messy locks. Brushing her teeth and washing her face took Hinata a long time, because whenever she looked into the mirror, she stopped and cursed herself. 'Why am I ugly? Why can't a look a bit like Ino, or Sakura? Why? Why? WHY?'

Finally ready, she headed downstairs. Her little sister Hanabi was already at the table, spooning out porridge. Standing in the doorway Hinata tilted her head to the side and asked, "Well what's this?"

Hanabi looked up and her face lit up. "Hinata!" I made a special breakfast for you because you past the first test!" She smiled cheerfully. Hinata ruffled Hanabi's hair.

"Well does that mean I get three special breakfast if I past the Chunnin exams?"

Hanabi laughed. "Maybe..."

Hinata looked at the two bowls set out. "Where's Father, Hanabi?" she asked.

"Ohh he went out, he told me to say that he's heard that you made it out alive." replied Hanabi lightly, who was back to setting out the table.

Hinata's face fell slightly, but managed a smile. "That's good then. Well let's have breakfast." She sat down in front of one of the bowls and started eating. Hanabi gazed expectantly at her old sister. "Well how is it?"

"It's lovely Hanabi, thank you."

They ate the meal in silence. Hinata's depression ripped at her even more now. She wanted her Father the say more than, "I heard she made it out alive."

She had tried so hard to change herself just to please her Father. She had gotten stronger, bit by bit. But never had he given her a compliment. As far as she could remember, he had never smiled at her before.

Hinata felt like an outsider. She had always felt that the world had turned its back on her. Ignoring her. Not caring for her. She tried to block out the pain but no matter where she turned it found her again. Ripping her insides out. Little by little.

She didn't even notice Hanabi speaking to her. "Hinata?" Hanabi called, shaking her gently, "I thought you needed to meet up to find out the second test."

Hinata jerked and stood up, nearly toppling the table over. "Ohh, yeah! Thanks again for the breakfast Hanabi! It was delicious!" yelled Hinata was she raced out the door.

-- Ramen Bar --

Naruto slurped his miso ramen, oblivious to everything around him. He didn't even notice when Shino sat down next to him. Shino gazed at Naruto strangely, but he didn't seem to notice.

"What would you like then, young man?" asked the owner of the ramen bar. Shino hesitated then replied, "Miso, please."

Naruto finally looked up from his bowl. "Ahh hey there Shino! Whatcha doing here?" he said loudly.

Shino turned a deep shade of pink and muttered, "I uhh- wanted to try some of the ramen. I wanted to see if it is as good as you say it is. Tha- that's all."

Naruto nodded. "Well then how about make it my treat?" he grinned. Shino shook his head.

"Oh no, I couldn't let you pay for my food..."

"But I insist! Old man! Put his bill on my tab please!" demanded Naruto, thumb pointed to Shino.

"Sure thing Naruto!" replied the man. Then he turned to Shino and smiled. "He doesn't usually pay for other people you know. Are you one of his little friends then?"

Shino was startled at his question and started stuttering, "Uhh...well...ermm..."

"Well of course he is! We're good mates!" Naruto butted in. Casually he swung his arm over Shino. Now Shino had turned red, and felt heat radiating off his face.

Luckily his sunglasses and high coat hid his face from view. Naruto had already turned back to his ramen. The old man, placed a steaming bowl in front of Shino.

"Here you go." Shino nodded thanks and picked up his chopsticks. Naruto was eating his second bowl of ramen, when Shino finished eating. He just sat there and watched Naruto eat. At last he slurped up the soup and asked for his bill.

When he paid Naruto turned to Shino. "Well then...shall we go meet up with the others?"

Shino could see a droplet of soup on Naruto's cheek, which he didn't seem to notice. He had to restrain himself, from reaching across and wiping it off. He knew that if he did, his feelings would be let loose and he would have told Naruto.

Then Naruto, (who was a bit of a bigmouth) would shout out in surprise and then the whole of Konoha would know he was gay. Shino couldn't risk that. He had told Hinata but Shino, who had worked with Hinata over the years, knew she wasn't the sort of person to tell a secret.

"Uhhh Naruto," he said instead, "you've got something on your cheek..." Naruto wiped his face with the back of his hands and asked "Is it gone?"

"Uhh ye- yeah..." stuttered Shino.

Naruto grinned. "Well then, let's go!"

When Hinata got to the Hokage's office, she looked around. This was the first time she had been inside Tsunade's office and she was quite surprised. The well renowned female ninja had the place in shambles.

There were opened scrolls scattered across her desk. The ink and brush were drying out and some of it had spilt. Books of all sizes were either opened up or stacked up untidily on the ground. Hinata even spotted some empty sake bottles behind some pot plants, that Tsunade had hidden in haste.

After inspecting her surroundings, Hinata looked around and spotted several people. Tsunade was sitting behind her desk, eyes flickering towards the hidden sake bottles, once awhile. Hinata's sensei, Kurenai was chatting with Asuma, who was the teacher of cell 10. Of course, Kakashi wasn't there yet, and Hinata expected to wait at least a couple more hours before he arrived.

Sasuke had also arrived, and of course Ino and Sakura were standing on either side. Sakura kept frowning and looked distracted, then smiling sweetly at Sasuke again. Kiba has trouble controlling Akamaru, as he was bouncy around the room, sniffing everything.

Then she saw Shikamaru crouched in the corner next to the door.

'His mind seems very far off... I wonder why', pondered Hinata, as Shikamaru was determinedly staring at the ceiling. Hinata desperately wanted to walk over and start talking to him but she knew she didn't have the courage.

Shikamaru wasn't staring at the ceiling anymore, Hinata followed his gaze.

Then she bit on her lip hard, to swallow her disappointment. Shikamaru was looking at Ino and frowning.

'He's probably wondering why Ino likes Sasuke', thought Hinata bitterly. 'I knew he would never notice me.'

(Shikamaru's P.O.V)

I had noticed Hinata's presence even before she had entered the room. I watched her carefully as she entered and looked around. I was concealed in a corner with stacks of books, so she couldn't see me unless she turned around. When Hinata finished looking around the hokage's extremely dirty office, she began to turn around. I tore my gaze from her and stared at the ceiling. I could feel her looking at me and so I deliberately avoided her gaze. I wondered what it was like to be Sasuke, having so many girls chasing after him.

It would be quite troublesome, especially with HER on his tail, I thought looking at Ino. I could tell that Hinata wasn't looking at me anymore, so I took a chance to peek at her again.

I was surprised to see that her expression had changed from a moment ago. Before she looked a bit nervous and distracted at something, but now...

'Why did she look as though she wanted to cry?' I wondered in utter confusion. 'What happened?'

Just when Hinata decided to turn away from the doorway, Naruto and Shino appeared. Naruto walked towards Tsunade and began talking to her. Shino blushed when he saw Hinata. He gave her a questioning look. Hinata gave him a small smile and shook her head. She hadn't told anyone of Shino's secret.

Now it was Shikamaru's turn to hide his disappointment. He had seen everything. He now knew why Hinata looked so disappointed before. It was because of Shino. Hinata was looking for Shino and when she saw he wasn't here she looked sad. When he came in, she immediately starts smiling at him, thought Shikamaru angrily, watching Hinata and Shino looking at each other.

Shino walked over to Kiba and Akamaru and started talking. Shikamaru knew it was troublesome but he knew he had to tell her. He had to tell her that he loved her and wanted to be with her or his life wasn't worth living. Plucking up his courage he walked up to her. Hinata had his back turned to him and was talking to Naruto.

Naruto was flirting with Hinata really obviously and that made Shikamaru a little jealous. "Uhhh...Hinata?" he said softly. Naruto gave Shikamaru a death stare.

'What the heck did he think he was doing? Getting in my way...' Naruto's thoughts trailed off.

Hinata stepped back in surprise to see Shikamaru standing so close to her.

"Ye- yes...Shikamaru-kun?"

- hehe...that was a long chapter to make up for the delay. lol well please review, and give me more idea's on my story if you can. I really, really appreciate it. . thanX -