Hinata/Shino (this is my first shot at this paring, so tell me what you think. Even if you think it needs work or you don't like it, don't sugarcoat your opinion.)

Warning: will eventually be rated M.

Shino's POV

That morning as usual, I entered the empty chemistry lab and dropped my backpack into a chair at the back table. I turned on a microscope and retrieved the plastic slide from my pocket that I had been carrying with me since the night before. Excitedly, I slipped it under the clip on the microscope and adjusted the light, before lifting up my sunglasses to peer through the lens. I inspected the strange insect, furrowing my brows at the strange patterns on its wings.

What a strange thing, I thought.

It looked like a moth, but had a small, almost unnoticeable horn between its eyes. Maybe it was deformed or a hybrid…

"H-hi, Shino-kun!"

My heart flipped down into my stomach, and I quickly yanked my sunglasses back down to cover my hideous eyes.

I looked up to see Hinata standing in the doorway and I swallowed nervously. Over the past few months, though it had taken me about two months to realize it, I had begun developing feelings for her. I had never really given girls much thought. I never looked at them sexually or even with heightened interest; I suppose I thought of them like boys; just like other people. My libido didn't rage and flare like other boys my age (and younger). In fact, I didn't even think I had one until my eyes saw that Hinata was becoming a woman. As her close friend I had noticed that she started out slow in puberty. And of course I had noticed when it finally took over sometime during last summer. It those three months, she had, well… fleshed out.

"Good morning, Hinata-san," I said gruffly.

She frowned slightly as she walked over. "Why have you been calling my san, lately, Shino-kun?"

I felt a blush crawling up my neck that was thankfully hidden by my high collar. I only used san because I didn't want to appear as though I was too comfortable with her.

Hinata giggled cutely and shrugged. "Whatever. It's okay."

She hopped onto the stool next to me, her boobs bouncing slightly as she did so. She was wearing a tight T-shirt, too.

I quickly averted my eyes and turned back to my insect slide in hopes of distracting myself from the dark-haired girl.

"So when do want to work on our science project?"

"Hmm? What project?"

Hinata gasped, feigning shock. "Shino-kun! You forgot something about science?"

She pressed her palm to my forehead. I tensed.

"Do you have a fever?" she teased.

I was grateful when she finally pulled away and I was able to compose myself again.

"I guess I've been busy lately."

"Well, we could work on the project this weekend," Hinata offered.

I shook his head. "I can't. I have research to do."

"Research? On what?"

"To observe insects in a forest nearby. Every time this year, many new insects are born while many plants re-grow almost simultaneously. I want to understand why. I have a feeling that the insects are special to the area. I think they have some sort of effect over the flora, but I have no idea what they do. Most etymologists don't."

"Etym…ologists?"

"People who study insects."

"Oh," Hinata replied, blinking. She cocked her head to the side. "Is that what you want to be when you're older?"

"Yes," I said flatly.

Hinata nodded and began fiddling with her fingers; a habit I knew she relapsed into whenever she felt uncomfortable. Was I so horrible at conversation?

"Well you know," I started awkwardly, "The flowers are really quite pretty when they all bloom at this time. You…you could come with me and see them if you wanted to."

I stared at the insect slide, my ears burning with embarrassment.

"Really? That sounds like fun!" Hinata said happily.

I smiled, although she couldn't see it.

"I was going to leave on Friday evening and come back Monday afternoon, since we have the day off. Is that okay?"

Hinata nodded. "Yeah, that's fine. S-should we meet somewhere or…"

"Meet me at my house at 5:30."

"Alright."

"Don't forget your sleeping bag. I'll take care of everything else."

Hinata slid off the stool and headed towards the door. "We'll probably have some time to work on the project over the weekend as well. I'll see you then, Shino-kun!"

I smiled to myself. Just two days…

When Friday finally came, and we were let out of the ninja academy, I went straight home to pack, avoiding Kiba's pestering and playful banter. I was anxious about the imminent trip with Hinata, but I was glad to be able to spend more time with her. Especially since I could teach her about something I loved.

I finished packing, and by then 5:30 had rolled around.

The doorbell rang and my heart did another nervous back flip. I gathered my things and went down to meet Hinata. She was wearing black Capri pants and her typical gray sweater that she'd owned since she was twelve. Her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

"Hey Shino-kun. Ready?"

I nodded and pushed up my sunglasses. "Yeah, let's go."

She shifted the large backpack she was carrying and we headed off, jumping through the trees.

"Oi, Hinata-chan," I called, as we leapt from branch to branch.

"Yeah?"

"I was thinking that you could practice your training while we're out here."

She smiled. "Yeah, that sounds good!"

It took us about 20 minutes before we were deep enough in the woods to consider it camping. We stopped for a break or two, before finally reaching the site I had marked as our first destination. We set up our little camp site relatively quickly; I put the tent up while Hinata arranged stones and wood for a fire.

"Shino-kun?"

"Hmm?"

I looked up at my companion as she combed out her hair. Hinata had abandoned her gray jacket, revealing, much to my stress, the tight, black tank top underneath.

"So w-when does this thing all happen? Is it overnight or does it last longer?"

"I'm almost 100 percent sure that it will happen tomorrow during the early evening. That will leave us time to observe the plants and insects before hand during the day."

Hinata nodded and glanced up at the sky. "It's getting dark," she said, kneeling down by the small stack of dried leaves and wood.

She performed a quick fire jutsu, causing a spark in the leaves to grow to a large, crackling flame.

She sat back on her haunches and exhaled. "So, what'd you bring to eat? I'm starving."

After setting aside our used dishes, we lied on our backs and talked before finally going to bed. When I had first retrieved the ramen from my backpack, Hinata had laughed and joked that we should have brought Naruto with us. That comment had left me feeling a bit uneasy since it was well known that Hinata had carried a torch for the blonde for years. Well, known to everyone except Naruto. He only had eyes for Sakura, and by the time we started high school, Hinata had finally given up. But did she still have feelings for him?

I rolled over and sighed heavily. Nighttime was the only time when I took of my sunglasses, and seeing as how I would definitely wake up before her, it wouldn't risk Hinata seeing my hideous face. Hinata was curled in her own sleeping on the other side of the tent, breathing softly.

This was supposed to be my time with her, but what good was it if her thoughts were still stuck on Naruto? I felt a small surge of jealous anger. How could that idiot not even see what had been right in front of him? Lucky bastard. And he wanted Sakura? That, I would never understand.

Next morning

"Shino-kun, isn't it a little early to be training?" Hinata asked tiredly, rubbing her eyes.

Well, we have to get it in now, since I was planning on observing the insects today before the evening event."

Hinata nodded tiredly and yawned. "If y-you say so."

"C'mon Hinata-chan. Put 'em up," I teased.

The girl giggled and fell back into a stance. She curled her fist and bit her lip before giving a hesitant, light punch to my shoulder. I let her land it.

"Hinata-chan, you must be serious if you want to get stronger. Don't worry, I won't break."

Hinata activated her Byukugan and hesitated again for only a brief second before attacking. I easily dodged the first two jabs at my chest and whacked her arm aside. She aimed a half-hearted kick at my face, which I commanded my insects to catch. Small black bugs swarmed out of my sleeves and caught her foot in midair. She squeaked in surprise.

"Hinata-chan, stop holding back. What? You think you're too much for me to handle?" I egged, raising an eyebrow.

To my satisfaction and mild surprise, Hinata scowled and yanked her foot back before slamming it right into my chest with a cry. My insects were too slow to grab her ankle. I choked as the wind was knocked out of me and I flew back at the sudden force.

"SHINO-KUN!"

Hinata ran over to me and fell my side. "I-I'm so sorry, I thought you'd dodge that! Are you okay?"

I coughed and looked up at the girl, whose eyes widened in surprise.

"Shino-kun…."

My stomach dropped in realization. No…

Hurriedly, I covered my eyes. "Don't…don't look at me," I whispered harshly.

"W-why? What's wrong-"

"What do you mean: 'what's wrong'? My eyes! You saw them; my eyes! They're so ugly. Why do you think I wear sunglasses all the time?"

I felt like crumbling on the inside.

"I-I think they're gorgeous," Hinata said softly.

"What?"

Gently, she pried my fingers from my face, and I let her, looking up to meet her wide eyes. She smiled genuinely and cocked her head to the side.

"I said 'I think they're gorgeous'. I d-don't understand why you keep them hidden all the time. The color is so unique. It's amazing."

True; I had strange colored eyes. But I always thought them to be freakish and unattractive, so I covered them with my sunglasses. I guess I had been wrong all that time.

"Really?" I asked hopefully.

She nodded. "Mm-hmm. A-and you know what else I don't understand? Why you always cover your face."

I tensed slightly as she reached out, but allowed her to unzip my jacket below my chin and fold it back like a collar. She sat back and stared at my face with a curious, awe-like expression. I shifted nervously and looked her right back in the eyes, waiting for a response. Did she find me ugly? I had never been so exposed in all my life. It felt…strange, yes. But I could feel the cool morning air brushing my skin, and somewhere, part of me wanted Hinata to see me.

I cleared my throat.

"Well?" I asked nervously.

Hinata suddenly blushed and looked down. She fiddled with her fingers. Uh oh.

"What? What is it? You think I'm ugly, don't you?" I questioned with a sinking feeling.

Hinata's head shot up. "What? No! I-it's just…"

She looked at me shyly. "You're so handsome."

I gaped openly at her. I had not expected that.

"R-really?"

I felt a smile spreading on my face.

Hinata nodded, and suddenly did something shocking. She leaned forward and gave me a light peck on the cheek. I gasped in surprise.

"Yeah."

The poor girl was blushing so much now, she could give any tomato a run for its money.

"W-well, come on," she said standing up and dusting off her pants. She offered me a hand. "We s-should get that research done before it gets dark."

I smiled and took her hand.

"Right."

Ok, there's part 1 for you. Please review! Reviews make the world go 'round!