Originally I meant to do a lot of oneshots of ShinoIno, but over time I got caught up in other fanfics and never updated again. This is the last update for this story (at least for now) Somewhere down the road I might visit it again to explore the relationship between Shino and Ino the way I wanted to, but that isn't right now. Sorry folks.

He was so quiet she wondered if she should breathe. He was so still… she wondered if she was allowed to fidget.

Instead Ino continued picking at the flowers around the hill just outside Konoha. Shino stood silently by her. His thoughts were a mystery. Hell, his feelings were a mystery.

What did he think about her?

Ino's blue eyes skillfully followed her fingers as they trimmed a flower bush. She peeked at him. He was even harder to read than Sasuke. Maybe it was the glasses. Still, she wondered… Did he think she was pretty? Did he ogle her like so many men? Did he like her company?

She snorted. No one liked her company. She was a raging case of 'hard to handle' mixed with 'I must get my way at all times'.

Shino seemed to tolerate her more than the others of their group. He hid behind his sunglasses and his clan abilities ran off any suitable girl.

One of his beetles landed on the flower she was holding. Ino turned to glare at the quiet man. Shinobi life didn't prepare her for liking someone like him. But who was she to complain? She had the worst taste in men anyway stemming from Sasuke to Sai; both of which cared nothing for her.

Did Shino care about her?

Nah, Ino thought. He was a hardened warrior. He killed to protect the village every day.

Well, except for days like today, when he was apparently free and had nothing better to do.

"It's nice today, isn't it?" She stated.

"…" He turned slightly towards her.

How many times have they had these moments where he never spoke to her no matter how many questions she asked?

Ino dropped the flowers. "I get it! I'm just not good enough for you to speak to. I'm too weak, I can't do half the things everyone else in Rookie Nine does, so why not feel bad for the pretty girl? Well, screw you!"

As the blond girl was stomping away she heard his quiet reply. It made her stop.

"You can stand on your own."

"What?"

"Your mental abilities make you capable of standing with us on your own." He clarified.

Ino stood there shocked. She wasn't sure she had ever heard that much from him before. "You…You have faith in me?"

"It doesn't take faith." Shino replied. "It takes your own skill."

How was she supposed to say anything to that? Ino slid her gaze away from him. She watched as his insects lazily wove their way around the hill doing their own little insect things.

"…It's peaceful."

She smiled at his admittance. Ino sighed softly when he placed the fallen bouquet into her hands. Boldly she held the flowers in one hand and grabbed his in the other. She had never weaved her fingers with another boy's before. Ino liked how their hands fit together.

She blushed. Maybe this time she picked the right boy to have a crush on because Shino never pushed her away.