Red Roses2: Yes, something's caused me to add to this. You can think of this as connected to the first story or not because it doesn't really matter. Hinata is in the shoes of another friend of mine, and Shino's still in mine.

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Hinata was quiet. More quiet than usual. Kiba made a joke and said she was Shino quiet. Shino didn't think it was very funny. But they both agreed something was wrong. She wouldn't talk about it, though. Kiba had tried to get her to open up and tell them. She said she wasn't ready. She said she needed it to sink in. Shino made Kiba stop pestering her.

Days passed. Hinata opened up a little more. But she still said she wasn't ready to say what was bothering her.

Missions came and went, as did days. Kiba made the entire team have a victory meal after a particularly long mission. Hinata and Kurenai agreed and Shino nodded. Kiba cracked jokes and praised their efforts on the mission. Kurenai and Hinata held a whole conversation about literature in between Kiba's jokes. Shino just sat at the table, listening and watching Hinata. She seemed happier. Maybe whatever it had been wasn't so bad.

Hiashi had walked by as they sat there. Shino's eyebrows shot up. He had AGED. What had been the last time he had seen the man? Just last year? How would he look THAT old? Kiba's jaw dropped and Shino could tell he was fighting the urge to point and ask what the hell happened. Even Kurenai showed her disbelief at the sudden change. And she had seen him more recently than the two boys. Hinata just put a smile on her face and acted like it was normal.

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A few days later, Hinata said she could tell them. Kurenai had left before this. Shino and Kiba gave her their undivided attention which, for Kiba, was quite something back then.

"M-My father has a-a disease that's a-affecting the a-area of the brain that controls movement. I-It's killing those brain cells. It started just w-with him not being a-able to talk properly. But the medic nin say that h-he'll gain paralysis a-and – and – die."

Neither Kiba nor Shino said anything after that. They let it sink in for a few moments. Hinata started to cry.

Hinata suddenly found herself enveloped in a hug – or two. She blinked and looked up at Kiba and Shino.

"I'm so sorry this happened, Hinata-chan," Kiba said.

"We're sorry this happened," Shino corrected.

Hinata closed her eyes.

"Thank you, Shino-kun, Kiba-kun."

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Red Roses2: Don't really give a crap if you review or not, but if you see something wrong with it (artistically, not plot-wise), do leave a comment.