A Fanfiction centered on Shino and Hinata

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, only borrowing them for my own twisted fantasies!

A/N: This is my first fanfic that I've gotten the nerve to put online. I really like the pairing! And there just aren't enough Shino or Hinata fanfics out there! So, anywhoo I hope I didn't butcher the characters too much. Oh yeah! I almost forgot! This is pre-shippuden, but I'm not quite sure when XX -. Enjoy!

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The force of her fist connecting the tree vibrated her entire body, sending shooting pains towards her shoulder. Gritting her teeth she swung even harder.

"Hinata!"

The footsteps of her teammates gave her the slightest pause mid-swing. Turning around she smiled hesitantly at the two young men. Who were looking at her with varying expressions of awe and shock.

"Oh, um, hi Shino, Kiba."

Embarrassingly wiping her bloodied knuckles on her pants, she made her way over to them.

Every day she had been getting up hours before dawn to come practice before the rest of the team showed up. Usually she was able to disappear before they saw her, so they didn't know. It was bad to hide things from her team but this was something that she wanted to be able to proudly show them one day. Today though, she had been beating out a rare feeling of aggression and had lost track of time.

"I was just g-g-getting a head s-st-start."

Kiba took in the high flush and bruises on the timid girl. This wasn't the first day that Hinata had been beating tree trunks to death. Grinning widely at her he yelled excitedly.

"Way to go Hinata! I didn't know you were doing extra sessions, Akamaru and I could have stayed and helped!"

Even though being known as such a beast, Kiba really was a loyal friend and member of the team. Even if he was a little wild and short-tempered.

She nodded sweetly at the wild haired teen.

"Thanks Kiba, but I didn't want to b-be a b-bur-burden to you guys."

She glanced at the silent teen to her left, the stoic Aburame. His dark glasses shiny in the morning sun, she couldn't tell if his expression changed or not.

"Hinata, you are not a burden to us but a valuable member of our team and as our friend."

She flushed deeper at the compliment, fumbling worse as she spoke.

"Th-th-thanks S-Shino."

Shino frowned invisibly behind his coat. It bothered him that Hinata got so embarrassed at praise or anything else for that matter. As if she thought she was beneath everyone else. He continued to watch the young lady as they began the day by having Kiba and Akamaru work with Hinata on their one-on-one. This was logical, as Kiba was the most aggressive when it came to that kind of combat. And while Hinata had improved drastically since the Chuuin Exams, she still felt inadequate at physical fighting. Watching the blue sheen hair whip around her as she used her Gentle Fist technique, he ignored the humming under his skin.

Mid-morning when the three fell down in physical exhaustion did Shino finally move towards them. It was a mutual agreement that since Hinata wanted most of the work, that instead of Kurenai practicing with them, that she would take her place and the two boys would take turns training with her.

After she rested she would take him on. For now, he just watched her.

Hinata clutched at a stitch in her chest, gulping deep breathes. Looking up at Kiba she noticed red streaks on his clothing, upon closer inspection it turned out to be blood.

"Kiba! Y-y-you're hurt!"

He blinked at her through a sweaty haze, confusion written on his face. He felt drained, knowing without having to look that Hinata had accidently hit some of his chakra points.

"Huh?"

She pointed a shaky hand at the marks. Blinking down, he frowned at the blood streaks before looking back at her.

"Hinata, those are from you."

Shino watched as Kiba pointed out the scrapes on her hands, resisting the urge to reprimand her on not taking care of herself. He wasn't concerned, they weren't that bad of cuts, but still a fierce protectiveness for her had him curling his hands inside his coat pockets.

Hinata felt Shino's invisible eyes on her as Kiba pointed out the scrapes on her knuckles. Staring down at her knees she felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. She should have tried harder not to get hurt in such a simple way. Shino was probably disappointed too.

"Hey, Hinata?"

The fists inside Shino's pockets imperceptibly clenched till the knuckles were white as he watched Kiba bring a gentle hand up to cup the upset girls chin, tilting it up to show teary pearl lavender eyes. His chest squeezed at the sight. She was being hard on herself again, Kiba and Shino knew the tell tale signs instantly. Still, he didn't like Kiba touching her.

"You did a good job Hinata, look! You closed up some of my points!"

Shino instantly knew that Kiba wasn't helping; her face fell even more as she realized that she actually hit the marks. Frantically searching into her pockets, she pulled out her ever-handy medical lotion and began rolling up Kiba's sleeve to apply it. Profusely apologizing all the while.

Staring down at the ground as she bitterly berated herself, she froze when a blazing hand cupped her cheek. She always forgot how her teammates had unique traits that came from their clan's association. Kiba was like a huge heater, no matter how cold the weather became. While Shino skin was abnormally cooler, his body adapting to hosting the Kikaichu.

Looking at the chakra points that were visibly bruised, Hinata felt horror at what she did to her teammate. Stuttering incoherently as she fumbled for the medicinal lotions she carried. Gently grabbing his unresisting arm, she rolled up his sleeve and began to softly massage the lotion on the hit spots. Feeling two pair of steady eyes on her the whole time.

"Kiba, I'm s-so s-s-sorry."

He grinned at her.

"Hey don't sweat it! That just means you're getting better!"

The two on the ground looked up in surprise as Shino abruptly turned away, walking towards the trees. Sharing a glance at each other, they both silently agreed to leave him alone. Although uncommon, Shino occasionally did that. Despite the cold indifferent exterior he had, they both knew that he was full with the same emotions as any other human. Even if the reason for these bouts were a mystery.

Not wanting to see the way Hinata gently rubbed lotion on Kiba's arm, he turned away. Although they hugged when they passed the Chuuin exams two years ago. He wasn't as physically affectionate as Kiba. He knew what people thought of him and his Kikaichu.

A bug freak. Creepy guy.

He knew Hinata wouldn't want to ever touch him the way she touch Kiba or Akamaru.

"Shino?"

Her small voice came right behind him. Tensing up, he slowly turned to look into her large concerned eyes. The urge to wrap his abnormally cold arms around her was overwhelming. Another reason for people to stay away from him; the cooler body temperature to host the Kikaichu.

"Hinata, I'm fine."

His quiet voice betrayed nothing, even if he actually felt terrible. Never about his hive, but about the way people perceived him and his clan.

Looking away he seriously thought about leaving training for tomorrow and go hang out by himself when a small hand grabbed his. Controlling himself not to spin his head back, he slowly moved to look first at the petite hand that barely wrapped around his and then up to the furiously blushing girl.

Watching an almost imperceptible expression flash across Shino's face, Hinata felt something tighten in her chest. It was so easy for everyone to forget how hard it was being different. Kiba was put down as a beast, a monster, while Shino was feared as inhuman because of his clan's connection with insects. Shino definitely got put down the most simply because most people dislike or hate bugs.

Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed his hand. This wasn't wrong, she was helping a teammate. They were always there to help her right? Even if he wasn't as open about it as Kiba, she knew he would be there for her just as quickly if not quicker. Her best friends. Tightening her grip she was surprised at how his felt: cool and smooth, like marble. Hinata smile sweetly up at him.

"R-ready?"

Without even realizing it, Shino closed his eyes as the tiny hand tightened around his. It was like a child's, but only that it was dead capable of causing severe pain. Outside his clan, nobody has ever touched him before in a gesture of affection. How many times has he wished for a simple brush of her hand, let alone a full clasp?

Opening them, he glanced up to see Kiba watching them with a smirk on his face. He had known for a long time that Shino was attracted to Hinata, even if the silent shinobi never showed it. Kiba was attuned enough to his two friends to notice the littlest change. Akamaru leaned against him with a happy sigh.

"Yes, let's start now."

Reluctantly letting go of her hand, he braced himself to go against her. This was for her own good, so one day she can show everybody that she was not weak or worthless. Even if seeing her hurt from his attacks made him sick.

Walking to the middle of the training grounds, they faced each other.

While Kiba did most of the physical practice, that didn't mean Shino didn't. But his attacks were more cunning, more thought out. Not as thoroughly planned as Shikamaru's but close enough to help Hinata practice unsure attacks.

She closed her eyes briefly, visibly straightening herself up for the sparring. He nodded with approval when her eyes opened up with determination.

She was sore. Everywhere.

Collapsed onto her knees, she heaved oxygen into her lungs. Her shoulder length hair fell around her face, shielding her pained expression from the boys.

She should just cut it, since it was easier to keep clean and out of the way during battles. But growing it out was showing everyone that she was not the little girl who Neji had beaten.

Looking up through her bangs, she saw Shino calmly standing twenty yards away. Rarely did he ever show his exhaustion like her and Kiba. But this time she knew that she had successfully hit him at least four times, blocking four of his tenteksu.

Sitting back, she looked up into his covered face. Smiling.

Shino felt his responding smile. The oddly numb spots in his arms told him that she had gotten better. With the irritated buzz of his Kikaichu telling him the rest.

Hinata flushed when Shino's quiet voice whispered in her ear.

"Well done...Hinata."

Her embarrassment faded as she looked over her shoulder to smile at the crouching shinobi.

"Th-th-thank y-y-you Shino."

Seeing the happy look in her eyes, he resisted the urge to take his hands out of his pockets and wrap them around her. Getting up he did something that surprised them both. He hesitantly held his hand out.

Hinata's smiled grew when Shino held out his hand. He's never done that before! Did that mean that she had gotten stronger and that he was not disappointed to be part of her team anymore? Shyly she placed her hand in his, the blush deepening when his closed around hers and pulled her up easily.

"Th-th-thank you."

Her heart fluttered rapidly as she looked up to see him directly looking at her. With the sun behind him, she could easily make out the outline of his eyes.

"Hurry up you two! I'm starving!"

The wildly thumping heart was suddenly lodged in her throat as she jumped at Kiba's voice. She had almost completely forgotten him as her and Shino worked out. Her stomach, however, agreed with the sentiment. Growling loudly in protest at being neglected for too long.

Shino's eyebrows rose high at the sound.

Hinata let go of his hand to embarrassingly clutch her protesting middle. Turning away, she laughed quietly at Kiba and Akamaru, who grinned at her.

"Hungry Hinata?"

She shrugged good-naturedly, getting a loud bark of a laugh from him. It was so easy to be comfortable around Kiba.

"Wanna go get some-"

Trailing off, Kiba and Akamaru simultaneously sniffed the air. Hinata smiled, knowing what they just caught the scent of. Kiba turned wide eager eyes at her.

"Hinata! You did, didn't you!"

She couldn't help but laugh at the excitement that he and his nin-dog were not bothering to hide. Jumping they appeared in front of her, ignoring Shino.

"Where?!"

Giggling at the matching puppy dog looks, she walked towards the rock that she had used to hide the four bentos she had made before coming to train. They loved her cooking, and she simply loved making things for them. It was nice to be appreciated for something that didn't matter to most people.

"Here you go."

She reached out to hand the boxes off, but blinked when two were already gone. Raising her eyebrows in surprise, she turned to watched Kiba and Akamaru already woofing down the extra filled bento.

Feeling timid, she turned back to where Shino was still standing. Going up to him, she slowly held the box out.

"W-would you like to eat w-w-with us, Sh-Shino?"

After a few seconds, he reached out and gently took the box from her. They walked together to sit nearby the other two. Out of the corner of his eyes, he watched the young shinobi tiredly sit down, leaving her legs out in front of her. He slowly started to eat the delicious food, watching her out of the corner of his eye. She wasn't terribly thin or big, a perfect middle for a girl. Even though her skin was very fair and soft looking, he knew that it was not soft in a weak way. Hard earned muscle lay underneath all those baggy clothes.

Hinata did sometimes shed the heavier jacket and pants for lighter outfits, if she was water training or the day was really hot. He secretly loved those days. The first time he and Kiba saw Hinata practice her water justu, they stared in awe.

Her body had developed perfectly from the shy awkward girl to a beautiful young woman, but that didn't stop just there. The graceful and shockingly sensual way she moved on the water was so seductive that Shino flushed with desire, his Kikaichu vibrating beneath his skin with the spike in his emotions and chakra. He could have silently stood there watching her for the rest of his life, and he did.

Until Kiba cat called out to her in admiration. The poor girl looked like she died of

humiliation, losing control and falling into the water.

Shino never forgot though, he woke in the middle of the night, tormented by the image of her untouchable silhouette.

"Shi-shino?"

Mentally shaking away those thoughts, he looked up to see Hinata looking at him with concern.

"Yes?"

How long had he been spacing out? Glancing around he saw Kiba and Akamaru taking a quick nap in the sun. Looking back he saw that Hinata was fumbling with her chopsticks in her lap.

"Y-y-you w-weren't e-eating so I..I thought m-maybe you didn't l-like it?"

He blinked down at his barely touched food, feeling guilty at making her sad.

"No Hinata," he watched her face fall, "I do like it, but was just thinking."

Looking up at him with those pearl soft eyes, she smiled and began eating again.

They ate together in companionable silence for a while, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

Though Hinata thought he was silent just because he didn't want to talk to her. The thought bothered her more than it should. Of course people as talented as Shino wouldn't want to talk to her, she was boring and timid. Nothing like Ino or Sakura, who had boys follow them around. She admire them so much,not because of their looks, but because of the self-confidence that surrounded them.

They were comfortable in their own skins, while she was struggling to not be ashamed of herself. They were a lot like Naruto.

The thought of him made her blush, he had so much love for himself that he looked beyond other people's opinions and even changed them. She wanted to be like him so much, that it drove her to get up every day and strengthen her body and mind until well past night fall.

She wanted to make someone proud.

Glancing over at the bowed head of Shino, her flushed got darker. Most of all, she wanted to be an asset to her two teammates, and not a burden.

Shino was thinking of her.

Always of her.

Sometimes he thought he'd go mad if he thought about her anymore, making him act more indifferent and cold towards the reason of his pain. Watching her as usual out of the corner of his eye, he saw the display of several emotions. It fascinated him on how many different shades of red she could turn in a matter of seconds.

Her eyes unknowingly met his before shooting away with the darkest shade yet.

Shino stared agape at what just happened. Was she thinking of him? The knot of hurt inside him loosened as he replayed the last few seconds in his head.

Thinking this sent hundreds of spiderwebbed ideas through his mind. Maybe he did have a chance .

"Hinata! Wanna go another round?"

Watching her nod and get up, his light mood darken considerably. Quieting his Kikaichu, he contemplated on an infuriating blonde who was oblivious to Hinata's feelings. It's been a few years since Naruto left the village to train with one of the sanins, but that didn't mean she wasn't in love with him anymore. Hinata was not as fickle as the other girls, like Sakura or Ino. She chooses for definite reasons.

Reasons unknown to him.

Getting up from her spot, she felt Shino's chakra spike momentarily before returning to normal. Looking back she found him facing towards her, though the glare of the sun off his glasses made it impossible for her to see his eyes. Still, she thought rather than saw, a frown on his face.

"Hiiiiiinata!"

Kiba's whine had her scurrying off towards the center of the field. Activating her bloodline limit, they were about to start when the sun was blocked out by angry clouds.

Kiba blinked up at them in confusion.

"When did those get here?"

Hinata looked up and unconsciously smile, those were storm clouds. Thunder storm tonight. She loved storms, even if that meant she wouldn't be able to practice her water jutsu.

"Let's stop for today, there's going to be a bad storm."

Shino's voice of reason had both nodding. Kiba shivered with apprehension.

"Good idea, we're going to leave. Akamaru doesn't like thunder."

With that, they bounded away in a flash, leaving the two alone in the field.

Shino waited for her to say her goodbye, but was surprised to see her still looking up. She had such a peaceful look on her face that made his heart ache in longing. Feeling his eyes on her, she turned her head and smiled at him.

"Storms are so pretty."

They stood there staring at each other. Then Hinata walked over towards him, he widened his eyes at what she said next.

"W-w-want to..to s-s-stay for awhile w-w-w-with m...e?"

Almost feeling the heat from her face, he smiled at her obvious discomfort. She probably thought that it was beneath him to say yes to her idea. She didn't know how much he wanted to say something like that, to take make him feel as if he wasn't a monster.

"I will stay."

The smile she gave him almost stopped his heart. It was at him, and only him.

Walking towards the trees, they easily jumped onto the same sturdy branch. Sitting a few inches apart they watched as the heavy rain began to fall.

"Sh-Shino?"

He tilted head to show her he was listening. She nervously plucked at her coat.

"D-do y-y-you r-really think I i-i-improved?"

Feeling content sitting so close to her, he let his guard slip just a little.

"Yes, I do..Hinata."

She blushed with pleasure at the softened tone, hoping he wasn't just being polite.

"T-thank you for training me."

He looked to find her finally looking at him, and froze. Right then he wanted to tell her everything. That he did it only for her, that he was so proud, that she didn't need to fear him or his Kikaichu. How it hurt to think that she might fear him.

"Are you afraid of me?"

Unlike her usual timid self, Hinata heard something that she never had heard in Shino's voice before.

Hesitation.

Looking straight up at him, seeing his eyes through shaded glass, she answered without stammer or breaking contact.

"Never."

Before he could control it, a smile appeared on his face. She was close enough to see it, responding with a smile herself. To think that it bothered Shino if she was afraid of him sent happy bubbles into her stomach.

"Good, cause...cause I'd never hurt you."

Rubbing a hand on a sore spot that was recently from him, she couldn't help but raise a skeptical brow at him. He grinned in a rare moment of teasing.

"You know what I mean."

A shy giggle escaped her mouth. Shino was rarely if ever playful with her, always serious and quiet. He only ever showed a warmer side towards Kiba and that was only to provoke him while they were sparring.

Maybe he was beginning to like her more. The thought brought a blush and pleased smile to her face.

Falling into silence again, they watched lightening flash across the sky as the storm moved closer to them. Shino was just wondering if he should ask her anything else when her soft voice broke the silence.

"This is...is nice, Sh-shino. W-we've n-never spent c-casual time to...together." she glanced uncertainly at him before bravely continuing.

"You are s-so q-quiet and d-d-d-distant, that I th-thought y-you d-d-didn't l-l-like me."

Losing her courage she fell into an awkward silence, hoping that she didn't upset him. He was always in such control that she jumped when his arm shyly settled onto her shoulders.

Shino never felt braver then now, after hearing her stuttered speech, his body went ahead without his permission. Now as she blushed furiously at her pants, he took a moment to calm his raving Kikaichu and feelings before honestly answering.

"I thought you were dis...disgusted with my Kikaichu."

With unusual feelings of anxiety he waited impatiently for the young woman to reply. Maybe she was trying to find a nice way to tell him that it was true and that she didn't want him to ever touch her again. Or maybe...

"Why would I be disgusted Shino?"

It was the first time that she ever said his name without butchering it. In response to his feelings, the Kikaichu hummed underneath his skin in eagerness.

"Most people are."

Hinata heard the slight reservation in his voice as he answered. So is that why he is always distant with everyone else? Because they thought he was disgusting? Anger unburied itself as she thought of how her teammate was treated by other people.

"They are a part of you Shino, I've never been disgusted or afraid."

The fierceness in her voice gave him pause, was she defending him to...him? Something hot rushed through his veins as she glared at him accusingly.

Hinata was..well...hot when she became angry.

"Don't you d-dare let p-people m-make you feel d-d-d-d-disgusting!"

Shino stared astonished as her tiny fist clenched tightly on her thighs. She was really worked up about it. Did she really...care that much?

She couldn't believe they were having a two sided conversation that wasn't about a mission or training. For the second time that day she felt the rare feeling of anger as she heard him admit that most people thought he was disgusting. Tears welled up in her eyes as her mind brought up the image of a small child in a large coat, eyes hidden behind sunglasses- standing away from all the other children.

Alone.

A quiet sniff caught his attention.

"Hin..ata?"

Suddenly the strong smell of flowers overpowered his senses as Hinata launched herself into his arms. He sat there uneasily for a few moments, unsure of what to do to comfort the crying girl. Why the hell was she crying? Shaking from the quiet sobs that were soaking his coat, he let more of his guard down. Shyly, he raised his arms.

And with his heart and bugs thumping out two wildly uneven beats, he wrapped his arms completely around her.

He thought he was going to die.

Not even hesitating, the small young woman had simply snuggled deeper into his embrace and wrapped her own arms around his mid-section. Her quiet sobs decreasing as the Kikaichu beneath his skin hummed soothingly in her ear. She was surprised at how the sound calmed her. She hadn't lied to Shino when she said she wasn't afraid or disgusted by them, but she never thought they would be comforting.

Focusing all his energy, Shino desperately fought to control the erratic beating of his heart. It had literally halted when she slipped her arms around him.

She hugged him, without shuddering.

With a small sigh of uncharacteristic happiness, Shino rested his cheek on the top of her head. It didn't matter if it took her the rest of the day or night to calm down; in fact he was secretly hoping it would. He was willing to stay there forever if she wanted.

When did he become such a romantic, sad, sap?

"I-I'm s-sorry, Shino."

Opening his eyes, he leaned back to see her puffy eyes looking up at him with shame. And frowned.

"For what?"

Please, don't regret doing this; please...don't say it was bad.

"F-for c-c-crying and u-u-using you."

He tensed slightly, unsure on how she'll take what he was going to say. And praying that she would not faint.

"It was...pleasant."

Pleasant? What a joke, it was amazing! He felt warm, her small body producing an incredible amount of heat. He resisted the urge to move her even closer.

Hinata blushed with pleasure at this. She had thought that he would drop his arms the moment she was okay, but found that he was still holding her. A thought occurred to her.

Was this the first real hug he's had with anyone? Besides family that is. The thought troubled her greatly, in the way that it was sad that he didn't have the friends that were affectionate with him. Another feeling she shocked herself at discovering, was that she was happy that she was the only girl that he has ever hugged.

They both jumped when a clap of thunder crashed unnervingly close to their tree. A flash of lightening quickly followed, whitening the entire sky before being followed by another crash.

Hinata flinched. Sure she loves storms, when they were at a distance.

Shino was about to ask Hinata if she wanted to move somewhere else when he felt a familiar chakra presence coming towards them. Gently pushing Hinata away, he tried to ignore the questioning and slightly hurt look on her face, to turn to the trees on their right.

It didn't take long for Shibi to show up.

Walking in a leisure pace, the older man had come looking for his son when the storm was becoming increasingly worse. Not that Shino couldn't handle himself, but he knew his wife would worry to no end if he didn't bring his son home. Misao was terrified of storms and always wanted her entire family there when one was close.

Finding his chakra signature, he crept up on what he thought was Shino alone, not noticing the other presence with him. When he got close enough to see his son, he silently rocked back on his heels in shock.

Shino was hugging (and rather tightly) a girl!

The normally reserved ninja, actually smiled widely at the content expression on his son's face. It was a tough place to be, an Aburame with a hive. No one wanted to be close to you because of the bugs, while that's all you yearned for. Not that the family was distant, no, quite the opposite.

Shino looked up into the face of his 'hidden' father, who was smiling widely at him before replacing it with a neutral expression. A plan formed in his head that almost had him smile again; instead he straightened his back and walked towards them on the branch.

Hinata was looking at Shino, wondering if he was sorry he did or said anything to her, when a figure stepped out of the trees.

Recognizing the similar, well exact style replica of Shino's clothing. Hinata felt her face lose all its color, feeling cold with fear. His face was expressionless as he took in the scene, glasses too dark to even tell if he was looking at her.

Resisting the urge to hide her face in Shino's chest, she frantically scrambled backwards on the branch. Stuttering and stammering multiple things at once.

Shino has never seen her lose all color, and had to admit it was frightening to see. Her lavender eyes widen with fear as Shibi made his presence known. Pushing away from him, he frowned at the loss of warmth, she was attempting to scoot away from both of them as fast as her current position would allow. Sharing a glance with his father, they both turned back into time to watch the scared girl's mouth form a silent 'O' in surprise before completely losing her balance.

He didn't even think, just launched himself towards her.

Hinata was not a weak person; in fact her determination and consistency proved that she was extremely strong. Physically.

Mentally, emotionally, the girl became so easily flustered and embarrassed that she was sad to say that fainting was a common occurrence. Even if Naruto wasn't present to cause it.

As she was falling now, the thought of putting chakra into her feet and planting them on a passing branch didn't cross her mind. She looked up to see Aburame Shibi, the Aburame clan leader, watching her over the branch she just slipped off of. Mortification along with dead fear at what Shino's father must think of her , she felt a familiar and at the moment, very welcomed feeling of darkness tunneling her vision.

Just when the loudest clap of thunder roared in her ears, Hinata promptly fainted.