DISCLAIMER: Do not own Naruto.

A.N. Thanks to all the people who left comments! Hope you guys like this one as well!

I know some of you are aware that I update my stories fast. And for all those who are concerned about the next update, I am so sorry to say that it would be posted in June or early July. My grandparents came home from abroad and so I will be very busy going out in family trips, outings, and all that gory family bonding. Hahahaa.. I hope you guys don't lose interest when I don't update so soon.

And one more thing. I'm not supposed to be plugging this here but what the heck, I'll take a chance. If any of you guys are playing Harvest Moon (yeah, I know it's a dumb game for some), I wrote a fanfic about it. So I hope you guys try to read it. But I don't suggest it to those people who haven't played the game yet.

Disclaimer: Bold and Italic words and title are borrowed from Tori Amos' song, Sleeps With Butterflies.

Btw, sorry for the short chapter.

I like rivers that rush in
So then I dove in…

"Hinata…?" He was more than overjoyed but he could not hide the shock and surprise in his voice. It seems that what just happened surprised the Hyuga herself. Her beautiful face was flushed and the bite she had on her lip was hard. He wanted to tell her it was okay but he was feeling a little rattled. In fact, he was feeling more than a little rattled -he was astounded.

Shino didn't know what to do first. From the window, he could see that the sky was getting dark and it was time to go home. He couldn't stay in the Hyuga Mansion as long as he wants! And what if her father sees them looking so flustered like this? It would be embarrassing and once again… weird. He was supposed to go home but then… as he stared at her blush and moist lips… what happened kept flashing before his eyes. His drumming heart kept him triggered to the memory. He wanted to whoop his way back home but something was telling him to stay. Thinking about it again was delightful, anyway. Because who the hell in Konoha would ever think of what just happened?

Hinata Hyuga kissed him. Take note, people, kissed him. It was unbelievably voluntarily and heavens, was he surprised.

Before the kiss, she was busy tending his truthfully numb bruises while he did his job to observe (admire) her silently. And when they met each other's eyes, that's when it happened. She leaned forward and voila! They actually kissed.

Shino couldn't dismiss it just like that. He was just speechless. A part of him wanted to crack out a joke; didn't he just say he wouldn't steal her first kiss? And now, she stole his and had hers just like that. But it wasn't a laughing matter. Besides, there was no excuse behind it, both of them knew that. She just really did it. He wanted to ask her why but he didn't want to commit suicide once he got home. What if she said, 'there's your kiss now leave me alone!'? Nope, he was too young to die.

Remembering the brittle crunch of his shades as Kiba stepped on it earlier, Shino felt so vulnerable and bare. His protection from human eye-to-eye contact was now gone, and he was left out in the open. Without dark spectacles, he was vulnerable himself because there was nothing to keep her from him. He could see the wondrous crimson flush of her cheeks, the expression of her white eyes, trying hard to avoid him. And now he felt like a moth… attracted to fire. If she dare repeat that kiss, Shino knew he'd kiss back no matter what.

"Shino-kun… I'm sorry!" she finally exclaimed, breaking the silence between them. She buried her blush on her palms, shaking her head furiously. "I know I shouldn't have done that I'm so sorry!"

Shino frowned at her. Sorry? Haha. Now that's one thing he didn't think of. He wanted to ask her if she was okay but… wasn't she one who initiated it? All he did was put a kind touch of hand on her shoulder.

The touch, it appears, gave her all the confidence she needed. "Its just that… I couldn't help but think of what you told me… and I… I felt so bad for not being able to return your feelings so…"

Oh great, she read my mind, Shino thought. Now I really have to die so soon. He didn't show any sign of being sorry now, did he? If he recalled correctly, he faced her like any man would after a hanging proposal of love. Now she wants me to go away. The kiss was her goodbye, I get it. Ah! Women! But before that final goodbye, he probably had to say he loved her one last time and tell her he wasn't expecting the same thing. It wasn't her fault she didn't feel the same. Who'd love a freak like him anyway? "Hinata… please. Don't apologize. I understand that you don't feel the same way-"

"But I want to!" she exclaimed. "That's the problem, Shino-kun… Its not that I'm desperate… I think I do like you."

Shino stood up from the seat and took his coat off the sofa where she treated him. All the pain in his muscles disappeared, all the pain covered by feelings of depression and… rejection again. "You don't have to say things just make me feel better, Hinata. Don't worry, I'll be okay." He slid his arms in his coat and gave her a bow. "Thank you so much for your kindness. And don't worry about that kiss, consider it a friendly one so you could still say you're still waiting for your first." Before he could turn around, he was surprised to see the heiress on her feet, clasping his hand.

Hinata held his hand with hers, looking up into his eyes. "No, Shino…! Don't say that…" She looked away. "I'm sorry if I stole your first kiss."

"It was a pleasure, believe me," he whispered, unconsciously brushing his thumb back and forth across her knuckles.

Hinata pressed her palm harder against his. "Don't say that it wasn't our first kiss. It was. And it was me who initiated it." Her blush glowed. "I liked it too. I couldn't think of anyone to share it with anyway."

Shino had to snicker. The name came automatically from hislips: "Naruto?"

Her eyes widened, the blush dying down a little. She only shook her head and he was thankful she said nothing. "But I really liked the kiss, Shino-kun."

Shino nodded. His thought drifted back again to what happened… they kissed. He still couldn't believe it. And she said she liked him! He was supposed to be more than happy but he couldn't help but wonder if they were something in particular. He shook his head and turned to the door, forgetting that their hands were still entwined. "I have to go home."

Hinata pulled his hand. "Will you kiss me again?"

Shino's eyes widened. He looked at her. "Are you serious?" he croaked. "You do know that kissing is for boyfriend and girlfriend, right?" He wasn't one to settle for labels but... it would be awkward to kiss her again but...

"Will you?"

"Hina-chan… Your father might come. Besides, aren't you bothered by kissing your friend?"

"Will you-"

Shino took the opportunity before him. He seized her lips with a kiss, wrapping his other hand around her waist and trapping their joined hands between their hearts. Was she aware of what she was doing? She was like a Venus Fly Trap. Or worse, a Black Widow. He indulged himself with the kiss, postponing his harakiri for another month if they would kiss again like this for some other time.

Unknown to both friends, the door of the room slid open and there stood a very shocked Hiashi Hyuga. "Hyuga Hinata! Who is this young man!"

Startled they jumped off each other, their linked hands the last thing to separate. Both had flushed faces.

"Hinata, didn't you hear me?" Hiashi stormed.

"My name is Aburame Shino, sir," he confidently announced. Giving Hinata one last knowing look, he gave a bow and excused himself. As he exited the mansion, he hated to leave Hinata alone to face her father but he knew it was the best thing to do.

It took a while to tell her father that they were just kissing and that they were just friends. Of course Hiashi wasn't as convinced as any father who caught their eldest daughter kissing and holding hands with a teen-age boy. And she said what any sane girl would say, 'I'm not sleeping with him, tou-san.' Having said that, the storm that Hiashi was calmed down into a sigh. But he left her with a warning about 'hormone-driven boys.'

Hinata sighed as she settled herself on her bed. It was a contented sigh, she knew. She intentionally played back how Shino kissed her. Her heart gave loud beats each time she remembered how they moved their lips accordingly. She took a pillow and embraced it hard, burying her face against the softness. It felt so good to kiss Shino. She wanted to kiss him again. Who'd ever know that Aburame Shino a.k.a Insect Freak was such a good kisser?

Even though her father's anger was supposed to make her feel down and low, Shino's kiss was enough to bring her spirits back up. Her heart gave a loud beat when something entered the window of her room, and only one person could have sent them...right?

There were about three white butterflies flying on the corner of her bed.

A.N. This is not the ending. Leave a review, please! Ahahaha…

For all those lemon-lovers out there, ho-hum… oh well… let's see…

Till the next update! See you guys soon!

Love lots,

Goshikku Seirei