ACGOMN: Heh, back with another chapter. Shino needs some love, so I had to put someone with him.

I don't own Naruto or any of its characters but I do own the OCs.

One Shot 3

Help

"Shino, I begging you," asked Naruto.

"I don't think it is my place," replied the ever calm Shino.

"Miki is leaving with Gaara, she won't talk to anyone else. You are the only one that didn't try," said Naruto. "Hoku needs someone who can relate to her."

"It's not my place."

"Would you stop saying that? Even Obaa-chan thinks it is a good idea for you to try," said Naruto.

"..."

"Don't give me that Shino," snapped Naruto. "Is it because you think that she won't talk to you because you are creepy?"

"I'm not exactly a normal person."

"Like I am or Sasuke or any of us are normal. You have bugs living in you, I have a demon, and for cripes' sake Hiroko is a demon!"

"Maybe Hiroko-san should talk to her." Naruto stared blankly at Shino as he said that.

"If you didn't realize this Hiroko isn't the best person to do that. She is quiet blunt at times and doesn't want to make her feel worse."

"Alright. But you have to stop bothering me, if I fail."

"Deal, now go," said Naruto, shoving the Aburmane boy off in the direction of the hospital. Shino glared at the blonde ninja and walked off to the hospital. Shino didn't even know how to deal with a girl who refuses to talk to anyone. She possibly could breakdown crying any second from Kiba told him. He finally reached the hospital to be greet by Haruno Sakura.

"So Shino, it seems Naruto convinced you to talk to Hoku-san," said Sakura, who was one of the main people taking care of the girl. "Just to let you know, I don't if she will respond to you. Miki-san is the only one to get through to her, but Hoku had told her to go with Gaara."

"I'll see what I can do," said Shino to the pink haired medical ninja. Shino sighed internally and entered the room that Hoku was confined to for the time being. When he entered, Hoku didn't move from her position on her bed. She had her knees bent and was hugging them. The purple haired girl stared at the hospital's white wall. Shino pulled a chair up to the bed and sat in it. Where the hell was he suppose to begin?

Silence radiated from the room. Maybe she would talk if he didn't say anything. No, that wouldn't work.

"Hoku-san?" Her head turned slowly and looked at him with soulless like eyes. "It's going to be okay." Hoku's head jerked and she fully sat up. She stared at him. What else was he suppose to say?

"I don't really know what I'm suppose to say," said Shino. "I don't think telling you just to get over it would work or try to convince you what Hachimata-san did was for your own good."

"Aburmane-san," asked Hoku. She spoke. Her voice was hoarse from not talking for a while.

"Ah, yes," said Shino.

"Is it really going to be okay? I have always had him with me, it's just so..."

"Depressing that someone you known for so long is gone."

"I guess I'm being stupid."

"No you aren't. It's normal for someone in your position is. Orochimaru isn't fairing too much better you know."

"Ah," said Hoku. "Will you come back tomorrow?"

"Sure," Shino found himself saying against his judgement.

The following day, true to his word, Shino went to visit Hoku in the hospital again. This time they sat in silence and spoke not a word. That was good for Shino, he spent too much time talking yesterday.

It was like that for two months. Shino would come and sit next to the her bed. Either they would talk about random things that didn't evolve her health or they sat in silence. Sometimes if it was nice out they would take a short walk. Sakura was quiet relieved to see her go outside and walk. Hoku was getting better. Once she was better she would go back to Ame.

"Well, Hoku-san," said Sakura. "It seems that you are healthy enough to go back to Ame."

"Is that so," sighed Hoku.

"What's wrong," asked Sakura.

"I fell comfortable here."

"Well, I don't know what say about that," replied Sakura. She had a pretty good idea what happened.

"That's okay."

"I think Shino's here. Remember a few more days and you'll be able to sleep in your own bed again," said Sakura, smiling at Hoku. Sakura left and Shino came in.

"I suppose Sakura gave you some good news," said Shino, calmly.

"Hai, she said that I could start heading back to Ame tomorrow," said Hoku, smiling.

"I see," said Shino, "I'm glad that you are feeling better."

"Thank you. But I couldn't have gotten better on my own without your help."

"I did nothing. It was all you."

"Don't be modest Shino-san," said Hoku.

"Ah."

"Um, Shino-san? Since I would like to repay you, but haven't had time to get you anything."

"It's really okay," started Shino.

"No it's not. You helped me a lot and now I feel that I can go home by myself ready to face the world without any help," said Hoku. Before Shino knew it, he was in an embrace with the girl. Yes, Hoku hugged the bug infested boy. Shino had not had contact with any human in years. She's warm. And what startled Shino is that he liked her hugging him. She hugged him softly.

Shino was about to actually hug her back, but she pulled away before he had the chance to. He sighed internally.

"I'm sorry. I should have asked first."

"No, it's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. You should rest you have a long trip ahead of you. I'll take my leave now."

"Uh, sure. See you Shino-san."

"Likewise Hoku-san," replied Shino. Before he knew it, Shino arrived at his home. His father was in the kitchen sitting down drinking coffee.

"Good afternoon son," said Shibi.

"Good afternoon father," said Shino, who just sat at the table with his father.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"No reason."

"..." A skeptical glance at his father, that only his father could decipher threw the sunglasses.

"You seem down."

"..." A glance that said where's the difference in my normal behavior.

"Where have you been going the past two months?"

"The hospital to help Hoku-san, a friend of Naruto's, out."

"I see," said Shibi, understanding. He, of course, already knew all this. "She's that girl from Ame."

"Yes. She will be returning home tomorrow."

"I see," said Shibi. "Did something happen between the two of you."

"What do you mean?"

"Should I have to tell you?"

"..." What was he father getting at? People of the Aburmane clan never seem to give people straight answers, especially if you are apart of the said clan. Shibi was telling his son to figure it out on his own. Shino sighed internally. A straight answer right about now would really help.

"Well, I'll just let you ponder about that," said his father, getting up leaving the kitchen. Shino glared at his father's back. He loved his father, but sometimes he wished that he had a normal family.

He tried to understand what he father was talking about. Two months spent with Hoku, talking and taking care of her. Then, he thought about the hug that she gave him today. He could feel his face beginning to get war. What was this? He wasn't suppose to get embarrassed.

"Knock-Knock," yelled someone from outside. "Anyone is te Aburmane house home?"

"Naruto," grunted Shino. He went outside to see what the blonde ninja wanted.

"Shino," said Naruto, with a big grin on his face. "Thank you for helping Hoku!"

"Ah," said Shino.

"I don't know how you did it," said Naruto. "Maybe it was the fact that— Oops not suppose to say that."

"What do you want Naruto," said Shino, somewhat grumpily.

"Oh I just wanted to say that," said Naruto, his grin getting bigger by the minute. "Anyway, I'm just glad Hoku can go back to Ame to meet with her teammates and grandfather again."

"Ah."

"You don't seem too happy."

"..."

"Alright, stupid statement I know. But seriously, I think you are going to miss her." Naruto grinned and sped away, seeing as how he had to meet Sasuke and Sakura.

"Naruto's the only boy that would actually approach the Aburmane house," said a female voice. It was one of his girl cousins.

"That's him for you," commented Shino.

"So I know what you problem is," said his cousin. She was one of the most blunt Aburmane clan members, so maybe she would give him a direct answer.

"Well?"

"Impatience."

"..."

"..."

"Could you tell me?"

"But it would be more fun to watch you struggle to find the answer."

"..." Glare at his cousin, told her that she better talk.

"You are in love."

"Love? With who?"

"Idiot," sighed his cousin, taking her leave.

In love? Me? Aburmane Shino? In love with Hoku-san? Wait she didn't say who I was in love with...Don't tell me. I am in love with Hoku-san.

The following day, the day of Hoku's departure. Shino woke up from only a few hours of sleep. He could not just get to sleep. He got ready, which took a while because of all the clothing. Shino ran out of the house, didn't even stop to say good morning to his father and some cousins who were eating breakfast. He finally reach the front gate, he saw Sakura, Naruto and Tsunade speaking with Hoku.

"Sakura-chan, look who finally showed up," grinned Naruto.

"Oi, Shino," said Sakura, telling him to get over here. He calmly walked over to where they were. "Naruto and I are taking Hoku-san home to Ame."

"Ah."

"He probably came to see her off," said Naruto, with a smirk/grin on his face.

"Shino-san, I'm glad you came to see me off," said Hoku, with a small smile.

"Um, I wish you luck in Ame," said Shino. He could see Sakura and Naruto look at him like he was an idiot.

"Anyway, Hoku-chan," said Tsunade, who remained quiet for the time. "If you ever need anything you can come back to Konoha."

"Thank you Hokage-sama," said Hoku.

"Come on Hoku," said Naruto, "I can't wait to see Taki and Umi again."

"Okay, Naruto," said Hoku. "See you around Shino-san." Sakura smiled at the two of them. Hoku left with Naruto and Sakura out of the village.

"YOU ARE SO FRIGGING STUPID," yelled Kiba at his teammate. "You are in love with her and you just let her go like that!"

"I knew I should not have told you."

"Good thing you did actually," said Neji, who was also there.

"YES YOU MUST GO AND SWEEP HOKU-SAN OFF HER FEET," yelled Lee. Shino twitched. Why did he have friends like this?

"Lee, don't get too excited," said Naruto, who was laughing at the bug boy. "I don't think that's Shino's way of getting a girl." Naruto was back from Ame a few days ago. So, this is about a week after she left.

"Actually," said Ringo, who is now a ninja of Konoha, "I don't think Hoku fell in love with Shino because of his romantic ways."

"Exactly," said Naruto.

"I know I'm going to regret asking this, but what do you presume I do," sighed Shino.

"Go to Ame, tell her and bring her back," said Naruto.

"You make it sound so simple," said Ringo. "He might not want to do that."

"If I'm not mistaken," started Neji, "Hoku should be back here in a month for a check up with Sakura."

"And how would you know this," asked Naruto.

"Sasuke told me, and Sakura was the one who told him," said Neji.

"You actually talked to Sasuke and I thought Hyuugas and Uchihas hate each other," said Ringo.

"Anyway, back to Shino's problem," said Kiba.

"If she comes back in a month, I'll tell her then," said Shino.

A month passed and Shino was waiting patiently. As per what Neji said was true, Hoku was coming today. Shino was for the past month avoiding everybody. Hell, even Itachi was being a busy body, when he was in town. They think he needs their help. None of it would work. Shino needed to do this by himself, no matter how nerve wracking it was. Shino decided to wait for her outside the hospital.

As he waited, Shino went over in his what wanted to say. Hoku stepped out of the hospital, followed by what he figured were he teammates. He vaguely remembered them from one of the past chuunin exams.

"Shino-san," greeted Hoku, "It's nice to see you again."

"Aa, Hoku-san. I hope you are well," said Shino. The purple haired girl nodded.

"So, your Shino," said the guy. "I'm Taki, and the girl is Umi."

"We are Hoku-chan's best friends," said Umi. "Thank you so much for helping her."

"No problem," said Shino.

"Well, Umi and I are going to wander around for a bit," said Taki, "Hoku-chan, didn't you say Naruto-san was coming to get you?"

"Yes," said Hoku. "Have fun on your date."

"Hoku-chan," said her teammates in embarrassment. Hoku shooed them away and it was just the two of them left.

"How have you been Shino-san," said Hoku.

"Fine. So where is Naruto taking you?"

"Oh we are going to visit Itachi-san and help him with unpacking," said Hoku. Itachi and Hiroko are moving into the Uchiha district, because of Itachi becoming an Konoha ninja again.

"Shouldn't Hiroko-san help do that," asked Shino.

"Well, Hiroko has a lot of precious items that she wanted to bring," said Hoku.

"I see," said Shino. "Do you have time to spare? I need to talk to you."

"Yeah, Naruto shouldn't be here for a few minutes," said Hoku. "What's on your mind?"

"Do you remember the day before you left," said Shino, waiting for her to say yes. Hoku nodded her head and blushed. "Well...I'm not really good at saying this. When you hugged me, I..." and the boy trailed off.

"Felt weird right? Well, not a bad weird, but like you belonged," said Hoku. She took the words right out of his mouth.

"Er, exactly. I don't want you to go back to Ame," said Shino, feeling quiet sappy right now. He was feeling strangely out of character.

"Truthfully I don't want to go back either," said Hoku. "After we fought in the exams, I sort of got a crush on you. But, um, yeah. I think I'm in love with you now."

"I am in love with you too," said Shino.

"KAMI THANK YOU," yelled Naruto, coming out of his hiding place. Shino twitched. Hoku's hand jerked. "Man, I thought you guys would never say it."

"Na-ru-to," growled out Hoku.

"..." was Shino's reaction. Both were embarrassed that someone actually spied on them in one of the most important moments of their life.

"Hehehe, I better be off now," said Naruto, noticing the killer intent from the two. "Later." Naruto ran off with lightning fast speed, with both Shino and Hoku after him.

ACGOMN: Well, I'm not really for mushy endings so it didn't wind up like that. So please review! Next would be Gaara and Miki.