Crystal Inferno: Writer's block...the single most stupidest thing the mind has a defense for the imagination to not go on overload. I finally finished the chapter…a month later. Well, I have to say, now my brain is full of ideas, and to mine advantage.

Kiba: Hmm…more ideas means more chances for me to star, right?

CI: Actually, you're right, you will be featured in quite a few chapters upcoming…

Kiba: Wow, I'm actually surprised.

CI: Yep, me too. See how dead I am? I can't even be funny…anyways, read and review, and the next chapter will probably be up next week, I hope to promise. By the ay, I think this is what some people consider as 'fluff.' Personally, I don't like the word. It's just romance to me. Drama at the end, be prepared. Chapter, start!

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Hinata had had a troubled sleep. Visions of black, gold, and colorless eyes were everywhere among her. She couldn't decide which pair of eyes to stare at, as she could not bear to ignore the other two. Yet, she herself became confused and was swallowed by the darkness of her own heart. She was shattering beneath her own emotions and she could take no more.

She abruptly woke up. Tears had formed at the outskirts of her eyes. She wiped them away, and remembered the events of the following day: Her day with Kiba had been true happiness, her friend and herself, just enjoying each other's company. Then, a letter from Shino, his declaration of love, her confusion…than her first kiss. Yet, a darker event plagued the blissful day. Neji's 'engagement' to her and the forced, stolen kisses he had brought upon her. Kiba coming, her crazed look as she told him the twisted truth, and then a whirlpool of black as she fainted to the floor. Although she did remembered in her half-awake state that someone had caught her.

I can't stay here…I must find Shino…Right now, I want to be with him. Hinata thought, rather determined. She wanted to forget of the previous night's outcome, and she was about to jump out of bed, out the window, and to Shino's house, when she looked down, and saw a horrid sight.

The ring.

It was beautiful, even in her awed terror of what it symbolized. Its band was pure gold, and in the middle was a sapphire, her favorite jewel, with small diamonds surrounding it like a flower. She couldn't help to gaze at its beauty. Yet, it meant she was bonded to Neji, as his wife. She would have his children…

Oh the lords! I will have his children! Hinata thought, the idea sinking in. It made her blush furiously, but it was not one of shyness or modesty. The thought of having a man who she believed her brother, inside of her was both revolting and terrifying. No doubt, the moment the actual wedding ring was placed on her finger, Neji would have his way with her. And she would have to accept, as it would be her duty to her clan.

I…can't. Hinata thought as though finalizing her decision. I will find a way to make father change his decision, and maybe persuade him to marry me off to another clan, perhaps Shino's…She smiled at the thought of her in a white wedding dress, with Shino by her side, in a sleek black suit and his eyes uncovered, showing the whole world his gorgeous face that he no longer would have to hide. She loved the idea…the very thought gave her goose bumps of all sorts.

"That's it. Before I see my father, I must see Shino…to find out if this is the right idea…for both of us," she told herself. She got out of bed, changed quickly into a blue tank top and baggy, Bermuda jean shorts, made her bad, and perched herself on her window. She only prayed that Shino had not left his house yet.

Before she could escape, she sensed a presence outside her room. She used her Byakugan and noticed Hanabi, sleeping on her rooftop. Hinata quickly made a replica of herself, ordered it to sleep, and then snuck out to Shino's house.

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Hinata was almost at Shino's house in no time. Having been to his house many times before for team meetings without Kurenai (which was logical, as Kiba's house was a bit too wild, and Hinata's had a superiority/inferiority complex) she was able to find it through the streets of Kohona. His house was on the outskirts of the village. It was on a dirt road, near the huge gate of the village. However, his room had a glorious view of the forest, as it was three stories, his father being the head of the Aburame clan. She liked his house: cozy, comforting, a perfect place to raise children…

What am I thinking! I'm only sixteen! Hinata thought, but still, although a new age was dawning that couples should wait longer for children, the Hyugga clan had very old traditions. One of them being at the moment of marriage, nine months later a child would be in the couple's hands. She remembered quite clearly that her mother was fifteen when she had her, a year younger than she was. She was quite surprised none of her other friends were getting engaged…but of course their clans either were changing or they didn't belong to a clan at all.

With all her thinking, she noticed that she had arrived at his house. It was a light yellow color, with the windowsills painted a sky blue. Shino's father had once told her (on the few occasions he was at the house) was that they kept it this way due to Shino's mother, who had passed away just shortly after Shino entered the Academy. Perhaps, that was why Shino was quiet and isolated around those who he didn't know…or had he always been that way?

No, something tells me Shino once was a very bright, cheery, and expressive boy. His eyes tell the story. Hinata thought optimistically. Not wanting to disturb his father she leaped up the three stories to Shino's rooms. The window was slightly open, and she pulled the window and white curtains back, revealing Shino's room…and a sleeping Shino.

Wow, he's so calm and peaceful…she told herself, looking at his eyelids shut lightly. She was directly above him, as his bed was right next to the window. His hair covered some of his face, but only his forehead. His look was one of serenity and she couldn't feel any happier to see this side of him. She observed the room and noticed, like always, it was neat and clean. His walls were of a green-yellow color, adding to the theme of the house. The wooden floor was shiny and clean and so was also his wooden furniture. A bamboo curtain drape over his closet and above the closet was a framed set of characters, when strung together meant 'Never fail your comrades.' She smiled at the phrase and glanced once more at her sleeping prince.

"Hinata-chan…" Shino said in his sleep, and caught her off guard. She wouldn't have found sleep talking to be one of Shino's habits, but she knew very little of the boy. No, she did know him very well, but there was a completely different side of Shino, the one without his glasses that was yet to be discovered.

"Shino-kun…can you hear me?" Hinata asked, slightly giggling. Maybe he would talk back to her.

"Of course, I can hear you, my beloved…" Shino trailed, caressing his pillow. Hinata arched an eyebrow. Was that supposed to be her?

"Well, Shino-kun, I was wondering if we could talk, but you need to wake up now," Hinata said sweetly.

"But I am awake, my Hinata-chan. Why would you say a thing like that," Shino said lazily, holding the pillow tighter.

"Shino-kun, you aren't awake. Simply because you're hugging the wrong object. I'm on the other side of you." Hinata cooed, trying to sound urgent, so he would wake up sooner. She had never been impatient before, so it was an entirely different concept.

"Huh…" Shino turned his head and slowly opened his eyes. He saw a blurred image of a goddess, with long, dark purple hair, and lavender eyes. "Hinata…" he slowly began, realizing whom it was. Then something hit him. Hinata was here in his room, in the morning.

"Hinata!" Shino exclaimed, falling out of the bed and crawling as far away as he could. She was here, in his bedroom (technically). She was squatting on the windowsill, a gentle laughter flowing from her mouth. He was too indecent to look at. All he had on were his boxers and his blankets laid forgotten on his bed.

Shino began frantically looking for his sunglasses, and Hinata, realizing what he was searching for, looked around as well. She noticed they were on his bed, and swooped them up, showing them to Shino with a taunting smile. He looked at her with some type of horror, as though he was afraid of this outcome.

"Shino-kun, you can't put these on. How am I supposed to see that handsome face of yours?" Hinata giggled lightly. Shino was still on the floor, near his wall, clinging to the edges. Why was he so…shy?

"Why…did you come here," Shino said rather emotionlessly, trying to take control of his composure. But she could see in his eyes he was nervous, he couldn't hide the expression in those eyes.

"Well, Shino-kun…" she started, coming from off the windowsill, taking off her sandals, letting them fall to the ground below. "I just…wanted…" she slowly made her way off the bed, and fell to the ground, and began crawling towards Shino in a rather catlike matter. She wanted to try to be seductive, she wanted to see how it felt to be Sakura or Ino, see what kind of reaction she would get out of Shino. She noticed he was gripping the closet edges tighter looking at her with pleading eyes, his mouth closed, trying to show composure. He was failing miserably.

"You wanted what?" he asked once more in an emotionless tone, although there was a hint of desperation.

"Wanted…" she continued, finally reaching his body. She let herself sit upon his lap, and he quivered in delight. "…to see…" she trailed her fingers up his chiseled abs and chest, brushing his lips lightly, and stop at the tip of his nose. "…you."

Shino was blushing furiously. He was looking at Hinata with a sudden fascination. Why was she acting this way? So…different. But, he couldn't help and like the fact that she was practically throwing herself at him.

"That's all? You just wanted to see me?" he asked, pleasure in his voice. She came here just to see him…for no particular reason? He wrapped his arms around her loosely and forwarded his weight to gently caress her. He was comfortable with her although he still felt indecent in his boxers.

"Of course, Shino-kun!" she said excitingly. She went into his chest and felt his deep breaths coming from his chest. She could stay like this forever. "However, there are a few issues I wish to intend to, but not at the moment."

"Oh…I see," Shino said, "Hinata-chan, do we have practice today?"

"Considering Kurenai-sensei didn't give us a message, it's safe to say no," Hinata grinned.

"Good, you can stay with me the whole day," Shino remarked, and saw a blush stain Hinata's pale cheeks. "But, I'll have to change first. I'm not as modest as I should be."

Hinata looked him up at down, and laughed "Shino-kun, if you're worried about your appearance, I'll make you feel more comfortable."

I guess, no backward glances…Hinata thought as she took off her pants, revealing her cotton underwear. She would never had done this in public or with anyone else, but with Shino, she felt like he made her stronger, more confident. She then slipped off her tank top, to reveal her matching cotton camisole. When she looked up, she noticed Shino's blush was redder than hers when she had given Naruto those flowers three years ago…

"See, much better, now it looks like I just got out of bed too," She stated, a smile gracing her lips. Shino could take it no longer and plunged in for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around her tighter, and Hinata placed her arms behind his neck. Shino played with her long hair, as he pressed his lips upon her harder, both escaping in their passion. Shino raised himself up, along with his love, and carried her bridal style to the bed. He placed her gently on the bed, and he lay on top of her, still kissing her passionately. They tangled their legs together and Hinata cupped his neck. Shino licked her lips, as though asking for permission, and Hinata opened her mouth, and he explored her caverns. Shino couldn't help but desire his goddess; she was giving herself to him, with the equal desire and emotion. He had waited so long for her, and now he was receiving his just awards.

However, as they were unleashing their love for one another, Shino felt a hard object on one of Hinata's fingers keep hitting the back of his skull. He slowly broke off their intimacy and as they laid their, panting from their kisses, he brought Hinata's hand around to his face to see the object. Hinata was too tired to notice that he had picked her left hand, which held the ring of dismay.

He noticed it was a ring. He looked at it incuriously. It had a sapphire in the middle of the band, with diamonds surrounding the jewel. Who had given this to her? This resembled an…

"Engagement ring," he breathed, suspicion held within in his voice. As the words entered Hinata's ears, she gasped, and pulled away her hand, terror in her eyes.

"Shino-kun…I-I ne-need t-to tell you so-someth-ing…" she trailed, her voice filled with guilt and shame.

"I'm listening, Hinata-chan," he said coolly, his hand grazing her cheek. Nothing, nothing could stop him from loving her.

"Neji-sama…forced…an engagement upon me…I'm to marry him," she said rather quietly but guiltily. She felt so ashamed. What would he think of her now that she was engaged?

"I see…" Shino said, no expression in his voice…or in his eyes. That brought Hinata true horror. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, and she needed to get to him before he pushed her aside.

"Shino-kun, I don't want to marry him, you know I don't! If I were to marry anyone Shino, it would be you and only you, because I realized I lo-!" she nearly shouted desperately, but she clasped her hand to her mouth. She was just about to admit, something she wasn't sure existed. She wanted to wait until it was real. But, it seemed so real, so right…

Shino's look was still expressionless, but there was a small hint of sympathy. Yet, that wasn't what Hinata needed…she needed his guidance and support. "I think…I'm going to change," he said in monotone fashion. "I'll be back." With that, he got off the bed, and went to his bathroom to change and his other necessities.

Hinata looked at his retreating figure with terrible sadness "Shino…" she said, barely audible and not picked up by the great ears of Aburame Shino. She didn't know what to do? Should she leave? Or she should discuss the issue first with him?

I don't care…Shino-kun Hinata told him in her thoughts. I want to be with you. I want to be yours…. I will get out of this wedding, and that's final. I will not have my choices taken away from me. Fate will not guide my life, as it has not guided yours, or Kiba's, or Naruto's…

Hinata was interrupted from her thoughts as Shino reentered the room. He wore one of his coats that were a sleek black, his face still visible as the collar only reached his mid-neck. He wore black pants as well. Something told her they wouldn't be spending the day together.

"Shino-kun…" she stated, her arms wrapping around herself, and her knees tucking herself up for her insecure mode. She didn't know to do…and what would he say.

"I don't like seeing you so uncomfortable, Hinata," Shino stated, his eyes showing extent concern. "However, I know that we cannot be like this if you are engaged. The only way is to pull of the engagement, which I highly doubt that Neji or the other members of your clan will allow."

"How can you be so calm, Neji!" she practically screamed at him. "I'm getting married to Neji, someone who you despise, and all you can do is logically think things through! I need a friend, and you're one of my best friends, you, Kiba, and Kurenai-sensei! Why are you like this! Why?" Hinata had had enough. She did not need the anti-social Shino. She needed the Shino she had seen last night, caring and gentle. Was he only acting this way so he could push her away if she was to get married to Neji? Yet, if she could not find comfort here, she would find it somewhere else.

Before she could leave however, Shino's voice snapped her out of her frantic thoughts. "Hinata…" he began, going to the bed and wrapping his arms around her stiff and tense body. "You must understand…I…I can't be like this if you are to marry Neji. I can't have these feelings. Even if he wins by force, he still would have won, and I will be forced to let you go."

"Won? Am I some kind of prize?" Hinata asked, shrugging Shino's arms off of her. "I have to go, Shino. I need to sort my mind out." She walked off the bed, slipped her clothing on, and walked back. She saw the turmoil on Shino's face, trying to decide what to do. Hinata kissed his cheek lightly and watched his eyes gaze in her direction. "Please, Shino, visit me tonight after my clan meeting, I'll need all the support after my declaration of bondage." With that, she went out the window to retrieve her sandals, and began to run in a random direction, hoping she would discover Kiba along the way, but after the tears had dried from her eyes.

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Crystal Inferno: Okay, this chapter might be a tad boring, but I was coming out of writer's block. I didn't know where to finish, as I told you before, I revised it FOUR times. Anyways, I'm thinking about changing my pen name, simply because I have seen to many 'Crystal' blah blah. Although it was entirely coincidental as my name, Crystal Inferno was made in like five seconds. I thought it was cool name; I think of the darkest ring of Hell, you know with the frozen lake and where Lucifer lurks in darkness…as inferno literally means Hell. Okay, so I was just wondering if I should change it, as I would love my readers' opinions. Review if you wish, as I always enjoy your commentary. Next chapter, I'll probably be responding to all in my actual story. Anyways, adios, mon ami!