Shadow of Hinata Ch 7

Shadow of Hinata Ch 7

Now set after the Chunin Exam Arc Episode 46ish Hinata and Neji’s match. This is in between that time and the Bikochu Filler Arc Episodes 148-151 (I know it‘s a big time span just image Hinata training the whole time or somewhere in between) Hinata’s POV and some unrequited affection (maybe…hehehe). A bit more Shino POV and some Kikaichu POV (sorta hopefully all in character.

This chapter kinda takes off from the canon, but who knows it could have happened. My own personal filler <winks> yummy fluff

I do not own Naruto…but you knew that already…
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Shino knew that Hinata was crying. The insects he was host to were an extension of his own senses. The destruction bugs had keen eyesight and hearing, their sense of smell rivaled Kiba and his nin-dog.

She was crying and she was confused. “Confused?” Shino knew she was confused. He felt it. It was more then an assumption; he was certain. “How do I know this?” Shino’s brows furrowed at his internal question. A feeling of deja vu washed over him, but he was unable to concentrate as the dull ache in his chest was accompanied by a sick feeling in his stomach.

He had walked away from Hinata. As the distance between them had grown, the kikai’s agitation grew. They began to swarm around under his skin in confusion. They had just settled down from his illness earlier and now they were irritated.

He felt nauseous. The kikaichu were Shino’s internal compass, allowing him to be very aware of his environment. (His team’s unique abilities made them prefect for tracking and reconnaissance. Kiba often sulked about being denied any credit during the second task of the Chuunin exams. They had survived the Forest of Death arriving at the tower in the center of the forest in record time.  

“FIRST!!! WE WERE THERE FIRST!” Kiba would scream. “Not any team had accomplished the second task in the history of the exam as fast as we did!” He would exaggerate. Shino wasn’t sure if that was true, but he knew the first declaration was.

“And those f****ing sand siblings get all the credit.” Kiba would continue his rants. Hinata would giggle and Shino would sigh. It was a sore subject with Kiba and Shino would try to tune him out every time it was brought up.)

The Aburame bug user excellent sense of direction betrayed him now. All that his kikai wanted to do was return to Hinata’s side and were focused only on her. It was like they set up a coup d'etat against him. Ever since he was host to his insects they had been in agreement. They had respected his commands and never disobeyed him. Yet, they were acting of their own accord, again. This was the second time since he became host to them, that they had acted without Shino‘s direct command.

Two kikai left the hive assigning themselves to monitor Hinata. The remaining kikai continued to swarm around inside of him in agitation.

He doubled over, his hand clutched his stomach, he was going to be sick. Propped up by his other hand, he fought back dry heaves.  

“She’s not in her right mind…This is just a phase…She was just trying to help…She thought I was sick and she was trying to help out…help out a friend…a teammate…She would have done the same for Kiba…(would she?)…She loves Naruto…Her heart beats so fast when he’s near…(like when I was near)…I want her to like me and I’m seeing things that are not there…(but she came so close to me…looked me in the eyes, smiled at me…me!)” Shino’s thoughts stammered in his mind.

A soft hum of two kikai brought Hinata back to her senses.

“Shino?” She thought, wondering if he was still near by. She followed the kikai with her eyes as they landed on her bare arm. If it had been a few months ago she would have shuddered. But training with Shino had allowed her to overcome her fear of insects. She had watched the close interactions between Shino and his insects; and learned to respect them in a way. It was easier to accept the kikai because they were a part of Shino.

Shino’s insects were able to read peoples emotions. It was useful for detecting lies. (You cannot lie to an Aburame clan member.) The kikai used the same technique they used to detect Shino’s varying moods to read Hinata. Sensing chakra allowed the insects to decipher her emotions.

The kikai on Hinata’s arm sensed her feelings of confusion and loneliness.

The kikaichu knew that there was no reason for Hinata to cry or feel confused. They knew how Shino felt about Hinata. In many respects the kikai and Shino shared many similarities. They were both logical and decisive.

Hinata was upset because of Shino’s actions, but it was unwarranted. He did not reject her. (He was acting out of fear of rejection.)   

The logical action would be to retrieve Shino to Hinata’s side so that she was no longer in distress and so that Shino could achieve the same.

It was like the tip of a feather brushed her skin. She remained very still as she observed the two destruction bugs survey her. She knew that the kikai were communicating with each other and watched as one of the kikai flew back in the direction that came.

“So I guess you are going to keep me company?” She said aloud to the small insect that remained on her arm. Her knees were hugged against her chest and her arms rested folded on her knees. She reached for her jacket without thinking and stood to put it on. The kikai had instantly read her movements and momentarily flew up and replaced itself in the cuff of her sleeve. A small smile touched the corner of her lips.

Strangely she found the singular insect comforting. She felt protected. Not alone. She did not really know how to explain it. It was more a feeling then anything else, one that was soothing and… “warm.” She exhaled.

“This must be what Shino feels…at least a little bit.” Hinata reflected on Shino’s “relationship” with his insects. It was similar to Kiba’s bond to Akamaru, only much quieter. She cared for her teammates very much. Being able to understand what was important to them helped her feel even more connected to them.

She allowed the kikai to remain hidden where he (most of Shino’s kikaichu were male, only using females for tracking purposes) was. She took another deep breath and wiped her cheeks dry.

Hinata’s confusion was replaced with embarrassment. She had never acted so bold in her life. (Moving so close to Shino being able to feel his breath on her cheek. She wanted…she didn’t have words to describe what she had wanted.) She had admitted to wanting to know what a kiss from him would feel like, but this was different. Before she only thought of what she wanted to do. But when she moved so close to him she was not thinking, just acting. She only realized what she was doing when Shino spoke. His detached voice sounding somehow forced but indifferent.

“Of course he isn’t Naruto. I wasn’t even thinking… let alone thinking of Naruto…What was I thinking?” Hinata shook her head.

“Naruto..” her mind repeated. No blush flushed her cheeks, she did not fidget or tap her index fingers together.

Regaining her composure she set out to find the truth.

The light smell of ramen and heavy scent of hairspray flew in the breeze. She knew he was near. The ramen bar was just around the corner.  

“Naruto.” She said aloud.
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The wave of nausea had left Shino and he was able to stand up again. One of the two kikai that had sought out Hinata after his departure from her now returned to him with a report.

“No shit she was crying…” he nearly huffed at the kikai. It was me that made her cry.
“Return to her. Comfort her. Apologize.”  
The kikai made it sound so simple.

The hive was imprinted on her and would always know her location, if she was happy or in distress. Shino finally regained his sense of composure now that his kikai were not rebelling against him. And so he decided he would go to her.
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Hinata looked Naruto in the eyes though he did not notice her. “Nothing…”

The sun was at her back and she did not stare at the dirt at her feet. The kikai in her sleeve cuff began to stir in satisfaction.  

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Hinata does not love Naruto. Shino’s pace quickened.

“Hey Shino! You look better. Where are you going?” Kiba, could distinctly sense annoyance in his teammate. (It was something Kiba was quite used to.) “Guess those flowers worked.” Kiba flashed Shino a toothy grin. “Hey where’s Hinata? I need one of her ointments, Akamaru cut his paw.”

“Arf!” Akamaru had found Hinata’s scent before Shino could find an excuse to leave uninterrupted.

“Kuso.” Shino whispered under his breath. He wanted to find Hinata…alone. Shino wasn’t sure but he had the feeling that Akamaru was glaring at him.
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Hinata spotted Akamaru trailed by Kiba and Shino. She felt a little light headed.

Kiba clasped Hinata’s hands in his own. Shino flinched at his teammates actions. He was the epitome of a hormone driven teenager. (Shino indulged himself to an internal joke regarding this. Yes Kiba was a dog.)

Kiba was a flirt, but why couldn’t he turn it off for a few seconds. Shino suddenly found himself thinking.

“Hinata-chan, Akamaru cut his paw do you have some spare ointment?” Kiba asked never letting go of Hinata.

She placed a small jar in his hand and Kiba was side stepped by Shino who in turn took her hand from Kiba’s.

“Excuse us Kiba, we have some business we need to attend to.” Shino’s voice was it’s usual calm and deep tone. “We will continue our training next week and allow Akamaru’s paw to heal.”

Shino’s touch was so warm and they had continued to walk about block’s distance before Hinata felt that all too familiar feeling. Her finger tips begain to tingle and the blood rushed from her cheeks.

She fainted.

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Hah! Another chapter. Be warned prolly oooey gooey fluff in the next chapter.

Oh yeah the Kikai are more of a collective then a group of individuals (able to share same thoughts simultaneously - like the borg *yeah I went there* *yes I’m a naru-tard trekky got a problem with that?* So no names or individual personalities for them.

Another note. The song “Think Twice” by Eve 6 reminded me of Shino and Hinata. I think this is what Shino is thinking as he walks away from Hinata thinking of her and Naruto.

EVE 6 LYRICS  "Think Twice"

When all is said and done
And dead does he love you
The way that I do
Breathing in lightning
Tonight's for fighting
I feel the hurt so physical

Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around I'll let you feel the burn
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around come around no more
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around I'll let you feel the burn
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around no more

She spreads her love
She burns me up
I can't let go
I can't get out
I've said enough
Enough by now
I can't let go
I can't get out….