She'd walked this way a few times before, usually with Shino showing her the way so she didn't step anywhere she shouldn't. But when she stopped by after class let out for the day, Shino wasn't home. His father had said he was out in the fields, and it only took a few moments for Hinata to find him with her byakugan. Her small bag slung over her shoulder as she followed the winding path with careful steps.

"Shino-kun?" she murmurs as she edges closer head tilted in curiosity at what he's looking at this time. Unlike their classmates, she was generally unperturbed by his interest in anything with six legs. It was interesting to hear him explain what he already knew about the insect species in question.