Chapter 3.
Kiba looked puzzled and then focused hard at her forehead. Whilst they were walking, he brushed part of her fringe to one side, revealing the curse mark.
"What the Hell! Hinata!" Since Neji and Hanabi had become the heads of the Hyuuga clan, the curse marks were banned and all who had them were given surgery and the relevant jitsu to remove them. However Hinata had it now. It looked red, sore and painful and if it hadn't had been for her thick, long fringe, he would not have noticed.
Kiba held her face in his hands and stopped walking. He was shocked and wanted to treat it for her. "It must hurt like hell! You need to get it treated Hinata…"
"It's fine Kiba-Kun." She smiled at his concern as he proceeded to take out some medicated surgical swabs from his side pouch and began to dab her forehead quickly and gently. Shino stopped, waiting for Hinata to respond to his question and taking her queue Hinata answered. She didn't want him thinking she was ignoring him.
"Shino-kun… I asked them to do this. It was the only security I could give the Clan to ensure that the Byakugan is safe."
"Okay, that looks a bit better now." Kiba announced after examining it again and then letting her face go. Her face shone bright red and Kiba and Shino looked at her forehead again. The red inflammation had gone down now and her fringe now hid it from view. All that remained scarlet was her cheeks.
"Shino… Kiba…" she looked down and bit her lip. "You guys are so important to me. I need Akamaru and you two to be safe and healthy. You are a massive part of me and Kurenai Sensei's child is going to need the help of the best two males in our village."
"I hate Naruto." Shino said and to hear him state something so emotional shocked both Kiba and Hinata. Even Akamaru cocked his head to one side in amazement.
"I second that." Beamed Kiba, hugging Shino's left shoulder and squeezing it affectionately.
"I third that." Hinata said whilst laughing gently, squeezing Shino's right shoulder.
The contact so soon after the previous encounter made Shino freeze again and then gasped as a large Akamaru leapt up, placing his from paws on Shino's back and barked. Shino then broke into a bright grin that made his eyes glisten and the group broke into laughter, carrying on with their journey.