Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Kumo could only watch in horror as Kiba and Hinata brought the mangled body through the gates of Konoha. Her stomach sank like a stone and threatened to spill its contents over the ground in front of her as she realized that the bloody mess had to be Shino. His glasses were missing and his mismatched glassy eyes looked up at the sky uncomprehendingly. Kiba was the first to speak. His voice was hollow, like he needed to cry and didn't. "Kumo." She couldn't bear the thought of what he would say next. Shino couldn't be dead! She stuffed her fingers in her ears and screamed, hoping to drown out reality. He can't leave me!

She sat up in her bed, drenched in sweat, gasping for breath, terror in her eyes and pain in her throat from her screams. In the blink of an eye Shino was beside her. "Are you alright?"

She stared uncomprehendingly at him, eyes still wide and wild. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out and she closed it again. Shino gently placed a hand on her shoulder and her arms clamped around him, her face buried in his chest, tears soaking his shirt. He sat on the bed next to her and awkwardly held her. He was pretty sure he couldn't extricate himself from her grip without hurting her. Her tears eventually subsided, and craning his neck to look at her he realized that she had fallen asleep. But even in her sleep her grip hadn't loosened. Sighing silently, he made himself as comfortable as he could without disturbing her.

Shino awoke in an unfamiliar place, momentarily confused before his memories came rushing back. Kumo had grudgingly agreed to let him stay on her couch, grumbling about overprotectiveness. When she had screamed he had run in. Looking down at Kumo, he realized she was still asleep, her grip as tight as ever. He patiently waited for her to awake.

When Kumo woke up, she opened her eyes to see a pair of mismatched ones looking back at her. All sleepiness immediately left her as she realized that she still had a death grip on Shino. "I'm sorry." She muttered to the blankets, a pink flush settling on her cheeks. "You should have pried me off."

"You seemed to be comforted by my presence."

Her blush deepened. She decided to change the topic and escape the situation rather than try to sort through all the emotions she was feeling when she woke to realize that she was hugging Shino and had been all night. "I'm going to take a shower. There's food in the kitchen if you're hungry." She stood abruptly and left, cheeks still a bright enough red to rival a tomato.

Kumo let the soothing water wash over her as she tried to sort out how she was feeling about Shino. Embarrassment is easy to identify, as is guilt for making him stay. The others are a little harder to pin down. I felt strangely secure in his arms. And strangely happy. Happy. That is a strange emotion. I hadn't felt it very often before coming to Konoha. Come to think of it, I hadn't felt secure very often either before coming to Konoha, or even much after coming here. Maybe security and happiness go together? Maybe I am happy because I feel secure? Shino made me feel secure. Does that mean that Shino makes me happy? She shook her head, scattering water droplets, trying to rid herself of her confusion. I've been in here a while. I'd probably better get out before he decides he has to come make sure I'm alright. That would be even more embarrassing.

Exiting the shower, she was greeted by the smell of cooking. Entering the kitchen, Kumo asked "What are you making?"

"Breakfast."

She rolled her hazel eyes, making sure he noticed the gesture. "I could have guessed that. What are you making for breakfast?"

"Pancakes. Where are the plates?"

"The cabinet to your left." She replied absentmindedly, digging out silverware. He handed her a plate heaped high with fluffy golden pancakes, and their hands brushed. What is this strange feeling? Kumo wondered about the slight tingling that was quickly fading from the fingertips that had gently brushed Shino's.

Shino noticed her staring at the fingers that he had brushed, but pretended not to notice, placing the skillet in the sink and filling it with water.

To distract herself Kumo took a bite of her breakfast and her eyes widened. "I didn't know you could cook like this!"

"I am glad that you appreciate it."

"If you appreciate my appreciation you should show it with a smile like a normal person."

"I am not used to smiling around other people."

"Well, if I have to practice not killing people, you have to practice smiling." She informed him in a voice that allowed no arguments.

When they were seated at the table, Shino reached out his foot to bump into hers. She jumped then narrowed her eyes at him.

"I was simply ascertaining what your reaction would be a touch on the foot since we have only tried shoulders, fingers and cheek so far."

"Well I just practiced not killing you, so now you have to practice smiling."

One corner of Shino's mouth twitched jerkily. Kumo sighed. "That's not how you smile." She informed him. Moving closer, she placed her index fingers at the corners of his mouth, gently tugging them up. The gentle smile on her face and how close she was made Shino's heart rate increase a little, and he remembered which muscles he was supposed to use to smile. The corners of his mouth curved up and he was rewarded with a brighter smile from the girl who was resting her fingers on his face. He had never been this close to a woman who wasn't family except while fighting or training. He tried to slow his heartbeat down but it refused to respond until she removed her fingers from his face and sat down again.

Why does she make me feel this way?