Disclaimer – I do not own Naruto™ (Hahaa, return of the evil trademark-logo of DOOM)
"Ha-haaa, we're the first here" Kiba Inuzuka had triumphantly yelled at the tower, that was, before they heard the sound of voices, echoing through the empty corridors. All three of the genin froze as some familiar people came walking past. "AWWW, We've already been here for three hours, ain't something going to happen soon?!" a loud voice exclaimed in annoyance. Suddenly, the cold glance of the murderous youth was upon them yet again. He knew them, and they knew he knew them, and he knew they knew he knew them, and… yeah…
Hinata's eyes caught those of the murdered, and instantly, almost automatically, he hand found Shino's yet again, taking whatever comfort it had to offer. She had just asked to Akamaru's wellbeing, now it was her own of which she was concerned. Yet she could not help but to feel the same kind of tickling, sprinkling out from Shino's fingers and into her own. It was kind off like when Naruto looked her into the eyes, except different, this had a warm feeling of safety in it something Naruto never had been able to offer her. It wasn't like she was crushing on Shino, at least not which she knew of, Naruto never failed to make her happy. Shino didn't do that; all he did was offering he comfort. Not that that in it self wasn't a small feat, a homicidal murderer staring at them and all. Suddenly she realized that the boy already had moved on, leaving them standing there, staring. She glanced to look at her team mates. Shino was stoic as always though it did seem as if the blush had snug its way onto his cheeks again. It actually made him look cute in his own kind of way. She quickly forced her eyes away from him before she too had to blush. Suddenly she found that Kiba was missing. She yelped and catching Shino's attention, making him let of her hand, which felt surprisingly disappointing. Shino glared at her a moment through the glasses before he nodded down at the floor were the boy and his canine companion was to be found, obviously fainted.
Shino sighed inaudibly at hauled Kiba up to place him, lying at one of the benches, this didn't seem to be bothering the dogboy had he continue to be sound(ly) asleep. He heard Hinata giggle and Shino couldn't blame her; heck the boy even amused him now and then. As he sat down besides his sleeping teammate he turned his glance to Hinata watching her without her knowing. She was a lot more relaxed around them he noticed, but an edge remained, rendering her a bit uneasy in his company specifically. "Hinata," he said and noticed her flinches visibly, "aren't you going to sit down?" She stuttered some reply which he deciphered to be a 'yes'. He moved slightly, making space for her on the bench which she gratefully accepted. "Sh-Shino-kun… A-aren't glad it´s … over?" her voice broke the silence that had permeated to room only seconds ago. Shino turned to face her and she flinched yet again, he was so close. "Are you afraid of me?" she heard him say, she quickly looked up at his face, was that regret in his voice?
Shino felt disappointed. Even when alone only the two of them, Hinata couldn't relax and it annoyed him greatly. He had asked her if she was afraid of him, though he knew the answer. "no, I'm not" she answered, and even though it was perfectly what he'd expected her to say, he was content in being proven wrong. She had said it perfectly calm which made him believe her. "You're always there for me…" she said and he looked up curious, there was more? "…and what you did in the forest…" a light pink invaded her cheeks and it didn't escape the Aburame's analyzing gaze, "it… it really helped… Thank you" She leaned over and hugged him, ever so gently. It lasted only a couple of seconds but unknown to each other, they both enjoyed it, a lot, and were regretful when she let go of him. Shino was to first to break out of the eye-to-sunglasses contact that had been established right after the hug, he cleared his throat, inwardly shushing his buzzing Kikaibugs who had been alarmed by the shot of adrenalin he had received when she made contact to her. "Hinata-chan..." he started but didn't know how to continue. Just how would he tell her that what happened between them in the forest was something he wanted to happen again? This feeling scared him in all of its newness. He opened his mouth in order to explain but found her hand on his lips. A very shy smile was on her face, "You comforted me when I needed it the most…" she said, still with the mysterious smile on her face. "… i-it was reserved for N-Naruto-kun… but" she was prodding her finger together in that shy way she always did. They quickly broke connection though as she reached up, pulling down the collar in order to slowly lean in. Shino saw her face coming closer to his own, her eyes had closed and everything seemed to pass very, very slowly. He watched her, little strand of hair danced back and forth as she came closer and closer. He calculated her current course and realized that she was going to hit his nose, not his mouth. He turned his head a bit, the second before their mouths touched. It wasn't spectacular, he didn't see any fireworks, but it made him happy never the less. She withdrew, beet red. The kiss had only lasted a second but it was more than enough for Shino. The Aburame couldn't smile, they never did, but Shino sure did feel like smiling now.