Chapter 12: Her Fear

"This is really nice of you to throw a Christmas party for us in your shop," Hinata said. "You're the best Airi."

Airi giggled. "Hinata, don't be silly." Akamaru barked as he sat happily on Airi's head. "You comfortable up there, Akamaru?" He barked once more.

"Hey Airi," Kiba called out sweetly.

"Mm-hmm?" She looked up at him.

"Mistletoe!" He put the plant above his young lover's head and kissed her full on.

"Mmph!"

Hinata blushed. "Oh my, Kiba!"

Kiba pulled his lips off of Airi's lips. "What?"

Airi blushed. "Kiba, save that for when we're alone."

"Sorry, I've been waiting all day to do that!" All three of them laughed.

Airi looked over at Shino. "Shino? You alright? You haven't said much this whole time."

"I'm fine," Shino responded.

"Is…Is everything alright?"

"Yes."

"Okay then…" She walked over to Hinata. "Hinata, can I speak to you outside?" Akamaru jumped off of her head and onto the table near her.

"Oh, sure." Hinata got up and walked outside. "What is it Airi?"

"It's about Shino."

"Shino?"

"Yeah. It's so strange. After Kiba and I got together, Shino's been acting differently. He hardly talks to me and I don't see him much." She looked down. "I'm…I'm worried about him."

Could it be that Shino…? "Shino has been acting different lately, you're right. I'm not sure what's wrong though."

"I care about Shino. I know something is wrong and I don't like seeing him like this. I don't want him to be sad."

"Maybe you should talk with him in private."

"Yeah…maybe. But…does he even want to talk to me?"

"I don't know. I could try to talk to him myself."

"Really?"

"Yes, but if he doesn't want to talk to me, then there's nothing I can do. The first thing you should do is talk with him, though."

"You're right. Thank you Hinata."

"You're welcome."

"Come on, let's go back inside." They put on happy looks and went back inside.

"Hey Airi," Kiba began, "while you and Hinata were outside, I noticed that a little black spot on the ceiling is moving."

"What?" Airi gave him a curious look. "What're you talking about?"

He pointed up. "Look."

She followed his finger. "Oh? Hey, what is that?" She looked back at Kiba. "Can I have a boost up?"

"Sure thing beautiful!" He picked her up. "Hey, you're kinda heavy Airi."

"Bite me jerk," she laughed playfully.

"Okay-"

"I was only kidding!" Hinata giggled. "Alright, what is this?" She looked closely. "Hmm?" She froze. The eight-legged arachnid moved closer to her. She tried to speak, but nothing came out. It moved right above her face. "KAHH!" She pushed herself backwards when it fell on her face.

"Airi, what the hell are you doing?" Kiba shouted. "Stop moving!"

"AHHH!"

Hinata and Shino jumped up. "Airi, what is it!"

"AHH!"

"Airi!" Kiba fell backwards onto the floor.

"Shit!" Shino dove under Airi and caught her.

Hinata gasped. "Airi, are you alright!"

She started to cry. "I'm begging you, please! Get it off!" She screamed when the spider moved onto her nose.

"Calm down! It's just a spider!" Shino pulled it off and put it on the floor. "Airi! Airi, stop crying! It's just a spider!"

"It's gone!" Hinata shouted.

"Airi, what's wrong!" Kiba asked as he jumped up. Akamaru started to bark frantically.

"Did it bite you!" Hinata asked.

"Please don't let it kill me!" she screamed.

"Kill you?" Shino shook her gently. "There's no way that spider could kill you! It's not possible!"

"Please stop crying!" Hinata begged.

Kiba pushed Airi's hair out of her face. "Airi, it's alright, calm down! If Shino says that it can't kill you, then it can't!"

"Wh-What?" Airi looked at them.

"Yes! Yes of course!" Hinata agreed. "Shino knows all about types of bugs and such."

"B-Bugs?" Airi repeated shakily.

"Yeah! He's an Aburame clan member," Kiba added. "He has millions of bugs living inside of him. I mean sure they're the Kikai bugs of destruction, but Shino knows how to use them. They can't hurt you unless he tells them to-"

"That's enough Kiba!" Shino hissed. "Now are you okay Airi?"

Airi blinked in horror. "Bugs…live inside of you?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I…I hate bugs!" She started to cry again. "Bugs are the reason why I'm so miserable now!" She shoved Shino away. "I…I hate you Shino!" She ran out of the shop.

The three shinobi stood there in shock. Hinata slowly began to speak. "Something…Something must have happened to her as a child…That must be why she fears bugs…"

"But she just said that she…hated…Shino," Kiba said. They looked at Shino. He just stood there impassively.

She…hates me? Hate. She hates…me…