Assassin

Shino x Hinata

Coauthored by Moonwitch and Blackdragonflower

Chapter Ten

Shino groaned slightly as he woke. His memories of last night prodded at his brain putting him in an already frustrated mood. He stood and stretched, with a crack of the neck he went about getting dressed. He looked up hearing a knock. It was a soft voice.

"Shino-kun... may I come in?"

The kikaichu swarmed from his fingertips and opened the door to reveal a shy looking Hinata.

"Hinata... I want to apologize for my outburst yesterday." Hinata smiled shyly and hugged him. It was rather short but both enjoyed it very much.

"I forgive you Shino-kun...I-I was w-wondering..." her face tinted up with blush, "w-would you l-like to c-come with H-Hanabi and me?" Shino cocked his head then nodded.

"I'm on a mission; it is my duty to protect you." Shino picked up his olive colored coat and slipped it on. Hinata blushed as she realized she had been staring at his gorgeously muscled chest and stomach. Hanabi's harsh voice cut through the silence.

"Hinata! Are we going to go?! What's taking so long?!" Hinata sighed. Shino awkwardly gave her a one armed, around the shoulders, hug. It had caught her by surprise but it made her feel better. "HINATA LET'S GO!" Shino motioned to the door with a nod of his head. His glasses were of course framing his nose where they belonged. The two met up with Hanabi who gave Shino an almost disgusted glare.

"Why's he coming?"

"Hanabi... h-he's s-suppose to p-protect m-m-me..." Hanabi smirked putting two and two together.

"Alright, fine. Let's go I'm hungry." They strolled together to the woods. Large trees made you seem small, like a tiny insect, like an ant. Hanabi and Hinata were walking a little ways in front of Shino. In a whisper low enough for the kikaichu master to supposedly not hear, Hanabi began to tease Hinata.

"You like the bug boy don't you? Want to have him engulf you like a tsunami, kiss you through the night?" Hinata's face was redder than any red ever imagined. Shino hearing all of this also blushed but hid his face deep into his collar so no one could tell. How many times had he wished to do exactly those things to the beautiful heiress he was now sworn to protect?

"H-Hanabi!" Hanabi quit for the moment and put her finger to her lips.

"Oh! Silly me I forgot something! Just keep going up ahead sister, I'll go grab what I forgot and be right back." Hanabi handed Hinata the small basket. Once she left Shino lengthened his stride so he could catch up and walk beside Hinata. They both remained silent. They stepped into the clearing and immediately both sensed something was wrong. Shino found the danger first. He pushed Hinata to the ground and lay on top of her, as a shield, as explosions were triggered. Explosive tags had been rigged all over the clearing. Yukionna had set one off and disappeared as the chain commenced. Hinata looked up at Shino tears in her eyes. His body was being bombarded full of shrapnel from the trees, he grimaced with the pain but said nothing to complain about it. His glasses slid off his nose to reveal his beautiful emerald jeweled eyes, they were so full of pain and from somewhere else a determination. Shino leaned forward and whispered, "I love you." His lips gently pressed against hers and Hinata wished the kiss could be under better circumstances then the one they were faced with now. He pulled away the light in his eyes starting to dim. He continued to be a shield until the explosions, and shrapnel stopped.

Shino fell to the side; he was riddled with branches imbedded into his skin, burns that would turn to scars if not properly treated. He began to close his eyes.

"N-no! NO! Shino... do-don't die p-please! I-I need you!" Her next sentence came out in little more of a whisper, "I love you too..." She weakly pulled his body onto her back and stumbled forward. A determination burned passionately inside of her but would that passion be enough to save the one she loved from the freezing cold hands of Death?

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Hope you enjoy and please review!!

Chapter 10 by Blackdragonflower