Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, blah blah blah…

Author's Note: Someone requested a Hinata/Shino…Sorry but I forgot your name… Anyhow, here it is and I hope you like it. I've never done this pairing before… Or even written about Shino before, so please bear with me. Also the next request was for a Neji Ten, haha my specialty!

Just A Moment

By MT Pocketts

-x-X-x-

"Hinata," she jumped at the familiar voice and smiled when she recognized her teammate; Shino.

"Hello, Shino-kun," Hinata said with a shy smile and turned back to watch what she had been staring at when Shino had surprised her.

He stood there with her in silence, studying his surroundings without a word. Shino had found Hinata here, on a balcony overlooking one of the busiest streets of Konoha. He knew her too well to not know what it was she was watching with that pink flush adorning her cheeks; this particular balcony was across from the Ichiraku.

The blonde ninja that held Hinata's attention so vividly was sitting in the front, ordering bowl after bowl as his friend and sensei Iruka smiled at him. The girl's eyes held admiration, and another emotion that Shino could not deny. He could not help but recognize it, since it was one that he found himself all too familiar with.

"Why watch him so closely?" Shino asked, causing his friend to jump out of her daydream once more.

"It's b-because I a-admire h-him," Hinata's face was now crimson red.

"You know what I meant," Shino said, teasingly.

"I-I know," she stuttered. "B-But that's how it started. I admire him, s-so I t-thought of h-him more…"

"And it lead to your crush on Naruto-kun," Shino finished for her, and she smiled in acknowledgment of his accuracy. They were quiet once again, allowing the sounds of the street to drift up to them. The mothers trying to shop with their children, the friends talking happily, the academy students running around, and Naruto's happy laughter as he spent time with Iruka. It was a typical day for this street in Konoha, it was happy and full of life even as the two genin watched it in silence from above the joyous chaos.

"You know, Hinata," Shino went on, not looking her way and instead watching the street. "At first, you were so quiet and nervous. Even in training you held back. Then something changed; you became more confident. You would train longer and harder than either Kiba or I did. You spoke up more and your stutter began to fade away."

"I've tried," Hinata blushed. "It's easier to relax around you and Kiba-kun."

Shino smiled as he pushed his sunglasses farther up his nose, then went on. "You are an excellent ninja, even though you may be seen as weaker than some."

"Shino-kun…"

"But it was not because of who you admired, rather you found it in yourself. You forged your own ninja way, and you were able to leave your mark on anyone who saw your match with Neji," Shino paused here, noting the slightly sad look in her eyes. "You stood up against all odds… And that inspired others… Including me."

She was silent as her eyes widened and she stared at him in surprise. It was one of the few times he had spoken to her for such a long time, and now he was being so open with her. This was a rare moment.

"I found myself looking up to you; silently wishing you the best. You are the same as Naruto-kun… Except that you are silent while he is loud."

"Why are you telling me this?" she finally asked him.

"So that you know that you can find inspiration in yourself, not just those who cry out for the attention," Shino said plainly and Hinata bit back a laugh at his description of Naruto. Without another word, Shino turned to leave and she watched him go with a feeling of mild surprise. Somehow, she felt like she could not let him leave just yet.

Hinata took a step forward, reaching out and placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him. She slowly withdrew it as his shaded eyes met her pearly white orbs. Shino's gaze seemed to ask for her reason in stopping him, but Hinata was reluctant to explain it.

The sounds of the growing crowd below rose up to them once more, seeming to bring more reality to their fantasy. They just watched each other for another moment, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

With shaking hands, Hinata reached upwards and gently grasped his sunglasses. He closed his eyes as she slid them off of his face with care. She paused once they were off, and waiting for his eyes to meet hers for the first time. Hinata held the folded sunglasses with one hand as she cupped the other around his cheek and gently urged him closer. Shino bent to her will, and felt her soft lips caress his cheek.

Hinata drew back with a slight blush, and handed back his sunglasses. He took them silently, and turned around once more. She said nothing and slowly turned back to watch the street below. Hinata knew that Shino would not look back.

It was just a moment, but somehow after that moment she found no point in watching the blonde boy in the restaurant below.