Evening was coming slowly, but the sun still hung in the sky, painting it orange. The young shinobi of team 8 were lying amid the tall grass, watching the setting sun and enjoying each other's company.
Hyuuga Hinata, had her eyes closed and was smiling softly as the sun warmed her cheeks. Inuzuka Kiba had his head resting on his crossed arms. He was babbling loudly, not really noticing that the other two weren't listening.
Aburame Shino, the last of the three was lying on his belly, observing some insect crawling in the grass.
The two boys traded half meant insults for the mere fun of it, and Hinata giggled as he heard their cat calls. Rarely did the feel so at piece. Suddenly Hinata's soft laugh stopped. Shino noticed at once. He raised his head.
"Hinata-chan. Are you all right?"
Kiba threw both of them a surprised glace.
"Why shouldn't Hinata-chan be all right? Hey, we were just laughing, bug-brain. Besides…Oh…"
Kiba too noticed their teammate's white eyes staring thoughtfully at the sky. She had a very, very sad smile.
"Hinata-chan…" Kiba tried, then hesitated.
"I'm all right, Kiba-kun, Shino-kun. I just…Well I was thinking…It's a nice evening, isn't it?" the two boys glanced at her curiously, "And…well, it's nice, lying here, in the grass. Together."
"Hinata-chan, please tell us what is troubling you!" The hyuuga heiress didn't reply right away. Finally, without looking at either of them she whispered:
"I just can't help thinking that one day this will end. That this might be the last time we spend time like this. That any day you Shino, or Kiba-kun can die in a mission. I can die on a mission. And…I'm afraid of this.."
Kiba was taken aback. Shino however, still lying on his stomach, with his head raised to look at Hinata's face seemed to consider. He gazed at her from behind his glasses. He then turned around to lie on his back and stared at the clouds for a few seconds.
"Hinata-chan. It is true, none of us knows how much longer we shall live. That is the fate of shinobi. But Hinata, you have to know that both Kiba and I, we care for you, and we know you care for us. All of us, we know that if we have the chance, we will spend future evenings like this. Together!"
Kiba stared at his teammate. This was unusual, such a long speech from the usually quiet Aburame. Kiba, an impulsive person, was touched.
"That is why we have to spend each time we are together like this as if it is the last! Fully!" he said suddenly. The bug master nodded. Hinata didn't reply. She sighed softly, and stretched herself more comfortably.
She seemed to be thinking their words over. Then suddenly she smiled, and a blush crept along her cheeks.
"Shino-kun. Kiba-kun, Yokata!"
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o--o-o-o-o-o
AN: Not much to say about this one. I think it speaks for it's self. For those who don't know "Yokata" means "I'm glad" or something along the lines.
DISCLAIMER: Team 8, all characters of Naruto, and the world they live in belong to Masashi Kishimoto, author of the manga "Naruto"