Crystal Inferno: Hey! How's it going everybody? Fine I hope. So chapter four is finally being uploaded and I'm so happy! The weekend is finally here!
Kiba: You're telling me. I'M GOING TO PARTY!
Shino: You are so idiotic…I have better things to do.
Kiba: Like what? (Sarcastically) Walk and talk with Hinata under the moonlit sky?
Shino: Exactly (begins to walk away.)
Kiba: Wha- I WAS JUST KIDDING! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!
CI: Okay…now with the story…
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Training had just ended. It was near the end of the sun's hours, as it was creeping under the horizon, trying to fall asleep. Shino had just finished sparring Kurenai-sensei, at that was no easy task. She happened to quite skilled in the shiruken and also mastered water-jutsu perfectly. His bugs were blinded in her mist and it was not fun knowing his target was almost impossible to track. Kurenai charged at him with her kunai, slashing his skin and ripping his coat. Yet, in that instant, his bugs swarmed around her, reading her movement and on call, ready to attack. It was a draw.
"I'm very impressed, Shino." Kurenai-sensei said approvingly, "Your skills are becoming stronger each day. Practice almost seems futile for you now."
His face was set in stone and his sunglasses hid the look of dismay on his face. If he didn't go to training sessions he would lose the only time he ever had with her. "No, sensei, I'd rather train. I'm not jounin and I need to become one to advance and be renown. Only then will I consider the option of a free day."
Kurenai only smiled and said, "Perfectly said, Shino. You are as dedicated as ever. If only Kiba had your sense of determination would he to become more capable of reading his canine abilities." Kiba's ears detected this, however, and he sent a scowl towards Kurenai. She merely smirked and stated, "training is over for toady. I expect everyone here at 11am. Am I understood?" All three replied "Yes, sensei!" And as their words were spoken she vanished into the twilight.
"Finally!" Kiba exclaimed, exhausted from fighting Hinata. "That has got to be the longest practice ever! We sparred, was for an hour!"
"I'm s-s-sorry, Kiba-kun!" Hinata stated, flustered "I didn't mean to slow you down-"
She was cut off by Shino's voice.
"You aren't slowing him down, Hinata. You never had. You're merely catching up." She blushed but smiled graciously at Shino. His coat was up, so he was able to hide the pink stain coming across his cheeks.
Kiba, on the other hand barked at Shino, "Oh, yeah! What are you saying! That I'm not improving, that I'm not a challenge anymore!"
Shino, not wanting to fight under Hinata's stare, replied monotonously, "No, Hinata is just quicker in improving and she is focused. If you focused, you would be able to accomplish and soar over many obstacles. Obviously, that has not happened yet."
Kiba face was red with anger, but he didn't do anything about it. He just stood up called upon Akamaru and rode off, as frustrated as he came. Hinata and Shino looked in confusion for a moment, but began to walk home…together.
For most of the time, they walked in silence. Hinata tried to start conversation, but Shino merely stood quiet, and the small talk ended there. As they approached Hinata's house, the sun finally gave out its last ray of sunshine and the moon was allowed to shine.
"It's a nice night, Shino. The moon is such a mysterious yellow. I love when the moon's yellow…it seems so romantic and calm, and the land is lit with the shine of the golden radiance. Oh, it's so exciting!" Hinata exclaimed, and she twirled herself in the breeze of the dusk. Under his coat, Shino flushed and smiled. He loved when she was like this…so carefree, and not thinking of anything else but being happy.
"Hinata…I enjoy this too." He whispered to himself, but Hinata heard the words. "You do, Shino? You should! This is a wondrous feeling, just being the two of us, without any worries, without any heartache, without any-" she stopped mid-sentence and her eyes, in which had held joy only a second ago, was now fading and bringing upon a sense of depression and sadness. Shino, seeing her in this type of agony, knew what she was going to say. She was thinking of Naruto. She thought how she hadn't seem him two and half years, how she didn't know if he was dead or alive, how she didn't know what he looked like, how he felt, how he…
"You should forget about him, Hinata," Shino said coldly, snapping Hinata out of her depression and making her eyes glaze over in confusion. "You shouldn't dwell on him…he never really understood your feelings…I mean it's been…" why was he speaking about this situation to her, why was he even talking. She had this effect on him, and he could never reverse it. It would stay until his feelings and affections faded for her, but that just didn't seem possible.
Hinata gulped but she brought together her courage and said, "P-p-please, C-continue."
Shino merely looked at her through his dark, round sunglasses. He hated them now at the moment. She couldn't see the worry, the fear, the love…but that would only make him seem weak in her eyes, and he had never cared for emotions and boisterous laughs, like Kiba had. Yet, she was the only one who deserved to see her emotions, and the only one capable of understanding his soiled heart.
"It's been…" Shino said quietly, starting where he left off, "…two and a half years since you've seen him. You don't even if he is alive. Hinata, you are bright, cheerful, and caring. You shouldn't waste your affections on someone who can never see the real you…I mean, have you ever looked in front of you?" he asked, his face now more determined then ever. He would tell her affections, he needed to, or else, he feared he would burst from the unusual feelings protruding his heart.
At first, she seemed she confused, but as she was realizing what he meant, a voice echoed throughout the night "I think you should leave." Shino and Hinata, surprised and caught off guard, turn around and noticed Neji. His eyes were filled with anger and hatred. He held a kunai in his hand, and Shino knew he meant battle if he didn't leave.
"Hinata, I think my stay has expired. I'll see you in training." Shino quietly stated but as he was about to leave, Neji flashed before him, their faces extremely close to one another.
"Do not come near this house again, roach. You are not welcomed." Neji's threatened Shino. However, he remained unfazed.
"I will come and go as I please. I escort her to and from her house, as I am her teammate. Her father obviously has no objections, why should you?"
"Because…" Neji growled and whispering fiercely in his ear "She is not for sale and for your pleasure. I shall make sure of it." Then, Neji walked into the house and Shino not wanting to turn back, began to walk in the crystal blue night. Yet, he was caught by Hinata's words.
"Shino…what did you…" Hinata whimpered but her voice left her and forced Shino to reply harshly, "Never mind. Forget everything I said. I was caught up in the heat of our conversation. Go inside, your safe in their…" from me. As he left he heard a sob, and no doubt it was tears running down her face. The last thing he told her was telepathic and he stated Use the handkerchief. With that, he ran into the still night, hoping his feet would not lead him in the opposite direction. Had Neji's threat been just that? Empty words with no significance? Or was there more to it? Would he truly bend the will of his uncle, and convince him to marry Hinata off to him? That would not happen. He would not allow it.
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Crystal Inferno: I'm done! Another chapter finished! Is it cliff hangerish? I hope not. Anyways…you know what to do…
Hanabi and Hinata: Please, Review!
Kiba: Or I'll pummel your ass!
CI: You heard him…Oh! And a bit of persuasion…I found a picture without Shino's glasses on! It's so tight, so anyone who wants the site…review with at least enough insight…and vote and I'll give you the site! Okay?
Shino: Is this forced persuasion or are you blackmailing me?
CI: Both…So Review. NOW!