"Are you excited about Kiba coming back?" Hinata sporting her new shortened hair cut as she sat at a BBQ restaurant with her old teammate, Shino. It had been years after the wedding since anyone had seen Kiba. Now all 30, Shino wondered if Kiba had changed. He didn't like the very idea of Kiba basically running off after all was said and done with the attempted kidnapping of Hinata by a group of Sound Ninjas that had turned rogues trying to sell body parts on the black market. Kiba had left no note or word as to say where he was going, at least none for Shino. Hinata had learned about it, but she had promised she wouldn't tell anyone until now.

Now Shino sat slumped holding his chopsticks in mid air as he was reaching for a small steak to eat.

"Of course I'm excited. Why? Because he's apart of the team." Shino said finally grabbing the little meat and putting it in his mouth. He had grown his hair out after all these years, he didn't have a reason as to why he decided to grow it out but he did. Maybe in truth he wanted to stand out to be noticed but it didn't work. He was to start his teaching job at the Academy soon, he was excited about that as well. He wore rectangular glasses over his eyes, and a short green coat with little red beetle pins on both sides of his collar.

Hinata smiled and grabbed another steak piece. It was Choji's birthday and he had invited everyone to eat with him, as long as no one took the last piece. Shikamaru sat next to him talking to Ino with Sai next to her. An empty spot next to Shino reminded him that Kiba wasn't here. Things were different to say for the years he'd been gone, it seemed everyone got used to it except for him. He took another piece in his mouth, he chewed it over thinking of what Kiba may look like now. He was growing his chin out last he saw him. Maybe he had a full beard now. But one thing Shino was certain, he would be that girl... Whatever her name was.It was only the afternoon, and already Shino felt he wanted to go home. Even though he was talking to Hinata, it just didn't seem as fun as it could be. She was occasionally scolding her son or helping her little daughter use her chopsticks.

Naruto was talking to Sakura next to him. Lee was sitting very close to Tenten and she was smiling widely at him. It seemed everyone had found someone, except for him. Inside Shino could feel his heart sink within him.

And the room exploded into greeting. He looked up to see Kiba. Well, a man that looked like him. Having that jacket he did as a young boy it now seemed to small for him. His dark brown hair had grown somewhat out and was combed back to make pointed long hair. Akamaru was by his side, slower and more older but still faithful as always. He waved to everyone and some stood to greet him. Naruto shook his hand. Choji greeted between eating his rice.

"Hinata!" It sounded like Kiba, he hugged the smaller woman and smiled. He didn't grow much in height, he still seemed short as always.

"And...hey." it seems more of a question when Kiba had finally come to Shino. Kiba just gave a confused smile and sat next to him talking about his trip here. His large white dog sat next to him sleeping.

Shino felt awkward that his own friend would forget him, Kiba of all people. He didn't want to say anything for the rest of the party, he just ate little bits here and there. It was getting later in the day and he did want to go home to... Well just to be at home.

He gave his respects to Choji and walked off back to his home. It wasn't too far when he began to get a growing concern he was being followed. He didn't want to turn around so he just kept his pace. Maybe they'd go a different road. But who it was didn't, it was starting to annoy him, he decided to stop and pretend to window shop hoping the person would leave.He saw the reflection and his eyes opened wide behind his tinted glasses.

"Hey, I didn't catch your name at the party." Kiba asked as he came to a stop. Shino turned around.

"You should be there not here." it was hard for him to not ask why and give an answer. Kiba gave a smile, he was just like he always has been Shino felt.

Shino had taken a nap since he had gotten home. In truth he had gotten home and dropped his large white coat and ripped green jacket as soon as he had gotten home, leaving him in a black shirt that went over his chin. He had cried, he knew it wasn't something to cry over, people cry when sad about anything and he was saddened by the events of the day. He had fallen asleep after a while. He was dreaming of when Kiba came back to the village after so long.

Kiba kept his smile, "You act like I forgot you, Shino. I was playing with you."

Shino felt a little better about it, still it was a cruel way to joke with him. He had been forgotten alot growing up and it was poor taste to do a joke of that way."I didn't mean to, Shino..." Kiba came in to kiss him. Is this what it feels like? He would have never guessed.

Shino's dream began to take a different route and he didn't mind it. It was weighing on him recently, and they usually came out in dreams. This was nice to say at the least. But his dream was cut short by a knock on his door. At first he was hoping it was his dream or something, but he heard it again. His eyes opened, but shut quickly remembering he removed his glasses to sleep. He fished around for them on the nightstand.

The knocking stopped as he got out of his bed. It was odd, he waited a few seconds before opening it. He didn't want the person to come back whoever they were. He then pulled the door open to find a small bunch of flowers. He was very befuddled as he picked it up. It held a mix of roses and lilies. A small little note was on it. Sorry about your loss.Ino, Shikamaru and Choji

Each name was written in different handwritings meaning each took the time to say sorry. He looked down and saw a small pile of pulled flowers under the nicer bouquet. Very crude and dirt still attached to the roots. It was a small bundle of daisies, Shino lifted them off the ground. He looked around for the three that left the flowers but they were gone already. He saw the three InoShikaCho walking back to the market, but he knew Ino would never have dirty flowers being from a florist shop. Choji would never because he would have dirt mixed with his food when he'd eat. And Shikamaru would think picking flowers a drag. Shino held the white daisies in his other hand looking at them with no expression on his face. He brought them into his house and shut the door.

From afar, Kiba had poked his head around the building side. He was glad Shino liked the flowers he picked.