Assassin

Shino x Hinata

Coauthored by Blackdragonflower and Moonwitch

Chapter 15

"Well we know that Hinata is the target." Kiba stated firmly. Shino nodded in agreement.

"Don't remind me." Hinata buried her face in Shino's back letting out a loud groan.

Shino gave her hand that was still wrapped around his waist a reassuring squeeze.

"Who ever did these attacks knew exactly where she would be."

"Shino everyone knows where I train, so that is no big secret." She said looking over at Kiba who was scratching the back of his head thinking.

"Only five people knew about the picnic." Shino stated as he put his sunglasses back on. Kiba stared at him confused.

"Think about it Kiba only you, Hinata, Hanabi and myself knew about the picnic and I am assuming so did her father Hiashi. Also Hanabi conveniently left right before the explosions. I would not have thought anything of that except for the fact that she never came back. She must have heard the explosions, yet she failed to run back to see if her sister was okay. "

"Hmm… I think you bring up a valid point, Shino. That makes what Sakura told me even more troubling. She informed me yesterday that no one from the Hyuga family had asked if Hinata was okay or even asked Lady Tsunade to investigate the poisoning and the explosions incidences. Doesn't that….well, seem rather odd to you. Even for the Hyuga family?" Kiba looked up to see Hinata's stunned face. "That and the day you were poisoned your father showed up, demanding your body be released. The nurse tried to tell him you were alive… when he heard that he grew very angry."

Shino quickly turned to Kiba. "You never told me that."

Kiba shrugged. "At the time I just thought it was her father being his typical jackass self."

"S…Shino…K…Kiba… y….you are n…not thinking m…my family is b…behind…this?" Her voice growing soft .Shino cringed inward hearing the nervous stutter was back. That was definitely not a good sign. Hinata pulled her arms away from his waist and moved away from him, slipping down to the edge of the bed. She stared out the window, her face stricken with grief, at the thought of her own family wanting her dead. Kiba and Shino looked at each other and back at her.

"Hinata look at me." Shino sighed. She shook her head no as a soft sob came from her lips. Shino knew that his words had hurt her deeply but the facts were adding up against her family. Reaching out he pulled her back his hand gently turning her head to look at him. Tears slid down her pale cheeks. He felt her heartache as those wet tears touch his hand.

"Hinata, I know you don't want to think badly of your family but…" He paused feeling like his heart was being torn by her grief. "Hinata, we need to look at all possibilities." His thumb brushing away the tears from her face.

"Shino is right Hinata. I know this is horrible but the facts are all there. Even you have to admit your sister never coming back…no matter what a evil little brat she is…well it is just odd ." Kiba reached over, patted her hand reassuringly.

"Hinata you might not have realized since you were sleeping but, Neji and I noticed very odd behavior coming from your father. Add your sister's sudden friendly behavior." Hinata nodded slightly.

"Shino w…why?" Her voice barely a whisper.

"Only one reason I can think of…in six months you will be taking over the clan." Hinata gasped her hand going to her mouth. Shino was right in just six months she was to take over the clan. No matter what she did, she could not make her father proud of her. Deep down she knew her father detested her and the idea of her running the clan. If she was gone Hanabi would be able to take her place. Hanabi was always her fathers favorite. Just thinking of that made her heart fill with a deep bitter sadness. She had come to fully realize no matter how hard she tried, no matter how much stronger she had become these last few years. She would never be as good as her sister, in her father's eyes.

"Listen Hinata, this is just one thought we have to consider, it might just be a coincidence your families odd behavior. We need to look further into it."

"He's right Hinata, so please don't worry." Kiba looked at Shino they both knew this was more than a mere coincidence. They knew how much her father detested her.

"So what do we do know?" Hinata whispered.

"Maybe Akamaru and I should scope out the Hyuga compound for a few days, see who is coming in and out. See if we can detect any unusual scents. I also think neither of you should go back there." Shino nodded in agreement.

"Kiba…Shino…I have no where else to go." Here eyes staring at her trembling hands, unable to look at either one of them.

"We need to inform Lady Tsunade about what we have discussed and as for Hinata's protection. I will ask her if we can stay in one of the guest apartments used for visiting diplomats."

"I agree with Shino." Kiba stated as he got up. "I am going to go now with Akamaru and see what is going on at the clan house. Shino you take it easy okay." Shino just nodded. Leaning over Kiba placed a small kiss on Hinata's cheek. "Hinata don't worry. We will protect you and you will always have a place to go to with Shino and me." Hinata smiled softly, but the smile never reached her eyes. When Kiba left she curled into Shino's arms, her head lying on his chest. The sound of his heart beating calming the turmoil running through her mind.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

Well the pieces of the puzzle are falling together now.

Please review!!

Chapter 15 written by Moonwitch