Disclaimer/ I do not own Naruto…

Special Appreciation to kibagaaralover18, Elcarim-Soberian-1222, HinaHime2, 4Evr.-A.-faIlUrE, and HinataMorningstar

I wanted to thank you guys for reviewing…It makes me smile and motivates me to write =)

A little heads up/ Okay, you guys might get a little confused and if so, just let me know. So a little info…Hinata is presently doing an interview on Shaberi but we will be spending most of this story in her past and seeing how she got up to this point in her life. So while Hinata answers her questions, we're taking a look into her past.

Also Kiba, Shino, and Hinata have a…interesting relationship that will be explained as the story goes on…

Alright I think I've rambled enough, and now on to the story! Hope you enjoy!


Kiba didn't return to the lounge for the rest of the night.

Hinata couldn't help but feel guilty. He was mad at her and she didn't know how to fix it. She leaned her head against the window of Shino's car and sighed softly.

"You know how Kiba is, Hinata-chan," Shino kept his eyes on the road while his unoccupied hand reached over and squeezed her thigh.

She gave him a small smile, though he couldn't see it, and grabbed his hand. The bluenette rubbed it absently as she mulled in her thoughts. "I just hope he doesn't do something stupid."

Shino wisely kept his mouth shut. They both knew how Kiba was. Hinata bit her lip worriedly. "Well, I hope he's okay."

The brunette gently took his hand back. "Kiba is going to be fine. By tomorrow, he is going to forget that he was even mad at you. He loves you too much to hold a grudge."

The petite girl tilted her head back on the headrest and closed her eyes. "You always know what to say, Shino-kun."

The rest of the drive was in comfortable silence.


It seemed that Kiba did make it back, but only long enough to feed Akamaru and take him out.

They had found the, back then, puppy inside of a dumpster, apparently abandoned. He had an unfortunate run in with some small boys and when they found him, he was practically bathed in his own blood. They had run all the way to the veterinary clinic where Kiba's sister was interning at. Hinata was in tears, Kiba was trembling, and Shino was the only one calm enough to hold the puppy.

Hinata couldn't help but smile genuinely when Akamaru, healthy and easily reaching her stomach on four paws, bounded towards her happily. She unconsciously braced herself for the impact and laughed when she was knocked down for her efforts. "I missed you too," she smiled softly, running her hands through his surprisingly soft fur.

"Are they done yet?" Kiba asked while kicking his legs back and forth since his legs couldn't quite reach the floor. They had been sitting in the waiting room for about two hours and the little boy's patience was running out.

Shino rolled his eyes in irritation. "Considering it has been five minutes since you have asked that question and your sister has not come out of the room, then the answer is no."

The small boy stuck his tongue out as a retort which was pointedly ignored. The small girl between them opened her mouth to say something when Hana, Kiba's sister, walked out of the room.

Kiba jumped from his seat and ran up to her. "Is he gonna be okay? Is he gonna be okay? Is he gonna be okay?"

"Yes, he's going to be just fine." Hana smiled when she saw her little brother jump up and down in joy. Hinata was wiping her flushed face and smiling and even Shino was smiling slightly.

"So can we keep him? Pretty please?" Kiba clasped his hands together and widened his eyes for effect.

His big sister just rolled her eyes but kept the smile on her face. She ruffled his hair affectionately. "I knew you were going to ask that," she replied ignoring his protest, "so I called Kaa-chan and she said it was fine. So what are you going to name him?"

The three kids looked at each other before Kiba answered for all three. "Akamaru."

She was brought out from her musings by a wet tongue darting across her cheek. I've been doing that a lot lately. She gently pushed the huge dog off her and stood up, dusting herself off. She found herself alone and figured Shino had probably already entered his room.

Deciding to follow his example, Hinata headed towards her own room. She smiled without humor. She came and stayed here so often that Kiba and Shino had just made the 'guest' bedroom hers.

"It's yours."

"What? I-I can't –"

"Hinata, its fine, I promise. Besides why the hell do we need a guest bedroom, anyway? And it's all…girly, since you personalized it so damn much. Plus…this is your home too, okay?"

It was a nice sized room with its own bathroom. A bath sounds good. With that thought, she turned on the water, stripped down, and sat in the bathtub, waiting for it to fill up. Akamaru, who followed her inside, laid down on the carpet as her company. Whenever she came over, the big dog would stick to her like glue, as if protecting her.

The bluenette turned off the water after it filled to her preferred amount. She slid down further into the tub, closed her eyes, and tilted her head back.

"I can't help you, if you won't tell me what's going on!"

Hinata shook her head stubbornly. "I won't bring you down with me, nii-san." She smiled sadly. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I still have the money I saved from working at Shino-kun's."

Neji went from frustrated to confusion. He rarely, if ever, showed his emotions, but that announcement had shaken him. What could Hinata-sama have done so badly that they would go so far as to disown her? "They allowed you to keep your money?"

"What do you mean? It's my money." The former princess furrowed her brows and looked up into her cousin's eyes. She bit her lip in worry. "Th-They wouldn't do that…w-would they?"

Neji looked sadly at her and opened his mouth -.

A large sound jolted through her causing to jump up, splashing water around her and onto the floor. She looked to her side to see Akamaru pacing and whining, he must have barked, sensing her distress.

She didn't want to think anymore. She got out the tub and after drying herself, threw on a tank top and shorts. She looked over towards her queen-sized bed to see that Akamaru had already made himself at home. Hinata shook her head in distress. She didn't want to be alone because being alone meant thinking and she didn't want to think.

Mind made up, she commanded her protector to stay and headed out her room and into Shino's.


He was sitting at his desk doing, what looked like, research. Shino was a famous entomologist. He traveled the world often in his profession but he decided to take a break from traveling. He was still asked for his opinion but he didn't leave the country.

A couple years back, he decided to open a lounge and it had blossomed into a popular hangout. During an interview, when he had been asked what made him decide to open up Kikaichū, he had simply stated that he was bored. Everyone had laughed at his supposed joke but only Hinata and Kiba knew that Shino was dead serious.

Hinata felt so proud of him but there was a hint a jealousy. Everything seemed to come easy to him. She wondered when it would be her turn. She looked up to see said man staring patiently at her.

He stood up from his chair and walked towards her. Reaching out, he gently wiped the tears from his face. Huh, she thought absently, was I crying the whole time?

The bluenette stepped back, trying to hide her face. She didn't want him to see her like this; she didn't want anyone to see her like this.

Once again, she was stopped by a pair of strong arms. Unique lavender eyes stared into hazel. Very few were privileged to see his eyes. Neither moved a muscle as they stared at each other. It is okay. Just let it go. You are not weak.

It was as if a dam broke. More tears fell from her eyes making Shino's face undistinguishable. A heart-wrenching sob came from her throat as she launched herself at the young man. Prepared for the action, the brunette caught her easily and just held her close, not speaking a word.

They stayed a few more minutes in that position and Hinata's cries had only become rawer. Shino gently picked her up and walked over to his bed, depositing her before getting in himself. Her hands frantically grabbed his neck, bringing her face into his chest.

It was going to be a long night but he was a patient person. He was her friend and she had always held so much in; never letting anyone know that she was in pain. They stayed that way for the next couple hours; with Hinata crying, whimpering, and murmuring and Shino holding her and stroking her hair and back soothingly.

Finally her cries slowly changed to hiccups. The bluenette's eyes and nose were completely red, cheeks flushed, and she had a major headache; not to mention she was physically and mentally exhausted. Shino continued to rub her back. She may have been exhausted but she was ready to talk.

Hinata took a deep, shuddering breath and licked her lips. "I just don't understand," she whispered, voice hoarse and eyes half-lidded, "what I did so wrong to make them hate me. I worked so hard to please them but it was never good enough. Am I not good enough?"

Shino remained silent and just listened. "Sometimes I wonder if he loves me. Every time I look into his eyes all I see is open disappointment." She laughed bitterly, "He doesn't even try to hide it and at the dinner, he just stood there while they berated and humiliated me. He didn't so much as bat an eye when they disowned me." She stifled a tired sob. "I am so worthless that my own father doesn't care if I were alive or dead."

Hinata shifted from her position, moving from his side and straddled his lap. Shino placed his hands on the side of her hips but otherwise didn't dare move.

Hinata placed her hands on her best friend's jaws sliding down his neck. "Why are you really my friend, Shino-kun?" she whispered tiredly. "Do you feel sorry for me? I know I'm not good enough to be your friend and I know I don't deserve a friend a like you. I don't -."

"Enough."

The petite girl closed her mouth, too tired to argue. She tilted her head down away from him. "Look at me."

She ignored his request. Shino ran his fingers, always gentle, through her hair, lightly tugging her head in his direction.

He hated Hinata's family. He despised the way they made this beautiful, intelligent woman doubt herself and her abilities, especially her father. Hyuuga Hiashi was a selfish bastard that only cared for himself and the people that benefitted him. Shino knew the real reason for Hiashi's treatment of Hinata, and for that he deemed the man a coward.

"I am going to say this as many times as you need to hear it. And after you finally believe it, I am going to keep repeating it. Do you understand?" Hinata didn't respond but he wasn't expecting her to. "You are a beautiful, intelligent, and strong woman. Men want you and women wish to be you. You are a kind, caring person who does not have a mean bone in her body and I wish, although it is not very logical, with all my heart that you would see what everyone else sees in you."

"Your cousin and your sister love you very much as well as your friends." He continued to stroke her hair as she nodded almost mechanically. Shino sighed sadly. "I see you do not believe me."

"I believe you, Shino-kun. You love me too, right? You won't leave me, will you?" she asked.

Before the brunette could answer, Hinata closed the distance between them placing a light kiss on his mouth and then hugged him tightly. Shino returned it just as tight. "Of course I love you, Hinata, as well as Kiba. And no, I will not leave you."

"Promise?"

He couldn't help the small smile on his face. "Yes, I promise. Now you should get some sleep, we have been up for a while." The young man looked at the clock to see that it was almost three in the morning. He turned his head back to her only to see she had already fallen asleep.

It was expected. It's been hard day for her. The bluenette still had her arms wrapped tightly around Shino and though the young man tried to move her, she wasn't budging. Sighing, Shino kissed her on the forehead affectionately before settling deeper into his bed.

Shino laid awake for about another hour just simply watching her features before succumbing to sleep as well.


Both occupants in Shino's bed jumped when they heard a loud bang followed by barking. They both just stared at each other and then at the door as they heard heavy footsteps coming towards them. The door burst open revealing Kiba with a feral grin on his face.

"Get up," he stated not even bothered by the scene before him. "Get up and get dressed, we've got places to go, things to see, people to do."

All he got for an answer was a couple blinks and a sleep-induced stare.

He sighed impatiently before walking determinedly towards the bed. "It looks like we need to do this the hard way." Kiba grabbed Shino by the shirt dragging him roughly on the floor before throwing Hinata over his shoulder and walking out the room.

Shino, now fully awake, rubbed his shoulder and sighed when he heard a feminine scream and the sounds of the shower on full blast, followed by excited barks.

Kiba always knew how to make the mornings interesting.


"Where are we going, Kiba-kun?" Hinata asked as she suppressed a yawn. She was still a little tired after her ordeal last night, but she didn't want to complain.

True to Shino's word, Kiba was acting like his old self again and she was more happy that he wasn't mad at her than she was tired. Kiba turned his head towards her as they continued to walk towards their unknown destination.

After the very eventful morning followed by a quick breakfast, Kiba herded the crowd, including Akamaru, out the door and down the street saying that they didn't need the car today.

"It's a secret," he said.

"Well, you could have at least let me stop by the lounge to set things up," Shino stated flatly.

"I told you guys, everything is taken care of. Today, you guys belong to me so shut the hell up and stop complaining!" Kiba whistled loudly, bringing Akamaru up to his side.

Shino closed his eyes as his fingers twitched. Hinata couldn't help but laugh lightly. Her friend didn't usually resort to violence but Kiba always seemed to know what buttons to push. The day had barely begun but she was already feeling much better. The sun was out and the wind was blowing gently. A perfect summer day.

The bluenette couldn't help skipping down the street a little. Both Shino and Kiba were amused and relieved to see her acting this way. They were glad that she was feeling a little bit better.

Kiba narrowed his eyes slightly and turned his head to the front. He was determined to make this a...productive day although Hinata might try to kill him first. She was sweet and kind but you did not want to piss her off. Kiba cringed at the thought but pushed it away.

"Kiba!" Hinata shouted. "Look out!"

"Huh?" was the response before Kiba became close friends with a lamp post. He groaned as he fell to the ground in pain. Why had no one said anything?

He looked at Hinata and saw that her cheeks were cherry red and it looked like she was trying really hard not to burst out laughing. Shino had a smug smile on his face as he had a gentle but firm hold on Akamaru's mouth. He released the dog and walked over to him.

"You should really pay attention to your surroundings, Kiba," Shino said with a smug tone in his voice. And with that he continued onward.

"Bastard," Kiba muttered as he rubbed the front his head. He felt a hand on his shoulder and smiled as Hinata helped him up. The brunette gave her a sad look. "Why didn't you say anything, Hime?"

Hinata just giggled before answering. "I'm sorry, Kiba-kun, but Shino-kun told me not to say anything and I thought it would be funny."

"You guys are evil."

Kiba's face sobered when he grabbed Hinata's hand and continued towards the unknown destination, this time with Shino leading. I knew he would figure it out. Kiba looked at Hinata. But he hasn't figured out everything.

"Did you tell him?" he asked. Not expecting the question, Hinata jumped at the sound of his voice. She wanted to fake ignorance but knew that Kiba wouldn't appreciate it. If there was one thing that Kiba hated, it was being lied to, and she did not want to start fighting again.

"How did you find out?" she asked in defeat.

Her best friend sighed. "I was really pissed at you, Hina." He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to apologize again. "No, listen. I'm sorry that I yelled at you but I don't take back what I said. I was angry at the fact that after all these years; you still keep your feelings to yourself, its fucking frustrating." He took a deep breath and ran his left hand through his hair. "I wanted to kick someone's ass so I went to Neji's."

"Kiba, please tell you didn't –,"

Kiba barked a laugh. "The bastard explained everything before I started swinging which is why I'm not fucked up right now."

The bluenette nodded understanding. She pulled her head down though she couldn't really hide her face this time considering her blue locks were in a tight ponytail. "So, why didn't you come home last night?"

He shrugged. "I was still pissed at you."

"O-Oh."

Kiba sighed pulling her close and gave her a quick hug. "But I'm not anymore so stop pouting. Now back on the subject, when are you going to tell him?"

"I-I will just not now," the petite girl's eyes pleaded with the young man when he opened his mouth. "Please, not now, I-I don't want him to think that it was his fault, but I will soon, I promise!"

Kiba eyed her warily. "Alright, Hinata, but you need to tell him soon. He's my best friend as he is yours."

Hinata nodded rapidly, grateful that Kiba was willing to drop the subject for now.


The walk lasted for about half hour including the detour Akamaru had decided to take. They had run to the place after that due to angry family that looked like they wanted to murder them. The trio had retrieved Akamaru and tried to apologize to the family for ruining their picnic, but that obviously did not turn out to well.

"Well," Kiba huffed trying to catch his breath, "that was a fun little adventure, right guys?" Shino and Hinata glared at him as they both tried to catch their breath as well.

"I thought you taught Akamaru not to do that anymore!"

Akamaru wagged his tail and barked at the sound of his name.

Kiba laughed sheepishly. "I did but you know Akamaru just doesn't listen sometimes. Look we're here. Let's go."

Shino looked at the place unsurprised but Hinata was speechless. In front of them was the most famous recording studio in country, Sannin Records. "K-Kiba, w-what are we d-doing here?"

Kiba smiled softly and tilted his head towards the door. "Your surprise is inside. Come on."

Shino held the door open, letting Akamaru run in. The brunette remained that way while Hinata stayed in her position a little longer. After a gentle push from Kiba, Hinata reluctantly made her way through, followed by Kiba and Shino.

The bluenette couldn't help but take a deep breath as she grabbed both of her best friend's hands in comfort. She allowed a small smile when they squeezed back.

"Alright, Kiba-kun," she turned towards him, "Lead the way."

Kiba just gave her a grin as he began leading them down the hall towards a room. There was achingly familiar music leaking through the door and it seemed as though whoever was inside had already let Akamaru in.

"Relax, Hime," Kiba stated in amusement. "You ready?"

Hinata closed her eyes and then nodded her head in determination. Whatever this surprise was, she had a feeling it was going to change her life. But maybe that was what she needed. So with that thought in mind, Hinata opened the door and took a step inside.


AN/ We will get to the bet soon but it's taking a little longer than I thought =) But you will definitely find out next chapter

I would really, really appreciate it if you guys would leave some feedback please… *puppy eyes*…If you hate it, love it, confused, I'm giving away too much, I'm not giving enough…Just let me know, I'm all ears…eyes.

For all of those who have read, reviewed, and alerted to my story, I truly appreciate it =)

Until next time,

Tw33ty JR.