I'm back! Midterms are over and I finished 4 consecutive papers. Stay in school, it's work but so worth it.

Thank you for the views, reviews, favorites and follows. I appreciate it all.

I usually make a lot of sweets and desserts for Halloween and my sister's birthday on the 27th. If I could give y'all some, I would.


The next school week was just blissful and Itachi's constant teasing couldn't bring him down. Hinata had actually sought him out before classes on Monday to apologize for leaving so abruptly. Not letting another opportunity go by, Sasuke said all would be forgiven if she would have lunch with him. He had only expected one lunch date but it was Thursday and Hinata still waited by his locker holding two lunch meals. He could get used to this.

Sasuke hid behind a corner and closed his eyes. "Remember, Sasuke. Be cool, calm, and collected. Don't be too needy, you'll scare her off."

"Nah, Hinata's too nice. She'll accept your many, many, many, many faults." Yup, Naruto loved getting abused. Why else would he continue to annoy Sasuke?

"Naruto, go to hell."

"I'm just saying, no need to be so hostile. So are you going to ask her to go to the corn maze this Friday? You gotta be quick or else someone else will ask and she'll just see it as a group activity not a Sasuke-Hinata lovefest."

The normally cool demeanor Sasuke was known for was quickly replaced by a furious blush and Naruto roughly patted his back. "Having perverted thoughts?"

"I'm gonna kill you now." They wrestled to the ground and didn't notice Hinata walk up.

"Um… Sasuke?" He froze and quickly got up, straightening out his clothes. "I'm ready. Let's go."

Hinata looked down at Naruto who was rubbing his forehead. "Are you okay?"

"He's fine." Sasuke walked her towards the courtyard. "So what are you doing this Friday?"

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Damn that Shikamaru. He had asked Hinata that same morning and she agreed to go. However, Sasuke's offer to pick her up was quickly accepted and he figured that could indicate certain things about the shy girl. Sadly Neji had heard all about their plans and Sasuke's mood quickly went south which explained his current predicament. The male Hyuuga had taken the passenger seat while Hinata, Kiba, and Tenten sat in the back. Sasuke couldn't even see Hinata as Kiba had shifted comfortably between the two girls.

The dog lover rested his head on his best friend's shoulder. "Sorry I couldn't go with you to the haunted house, but I'm here now."

Sasuke heard her soft voice reply. "It was okay. Sasuke was there and he really helped me." He couldn't stop the grin forming on his face. Hinata promised to not say anything about what actually happened and for that he was grateful.

They don't nickname the Hyuuga all-seeing for no reason and Neji had the sharpest eyes of them all. "Hmph, well I thought I saw a certain somebody needing to be babied by Hinata." Tenten kicked the back of Neji's seat which both pleased and irritated the Uchiha. After all, he had just gotten his car as a gift from his parents.

"Be nice." Neji mumbled some words and glared at the Uchiha before focusing on the road.

The rest of the ride was silent and they finally reached the weekly spook festival. Sasuke quickly got out and went to open her door. "Thank you, Sasuke."

"Yeah, thanks man." Kiba was oblivious to the glare sent his way. They met an overly enthusiastic Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru. The genius rarely liked to put forth too much work but he was already contemplating the easiest way to get through.

Being overly competitive Naruto proposed a race. "The last group to get through will have to take the winning group out for ramen. Shikamaru, you're in my group."

"Screw that! That's a lame prize and you can't call dibs on him. That's not fair." Kiba countered and Sasuke had to agree on all counts.

Sakura offered a compromise. "What if Shikamaru and Neji are team captains? The smartest guys pick the groups and balance them out? Losers take the winners out for a restaurant of their choice."

Neji easily agreed and focused on Tenten and his cousin. Sasuke wondered how cruel fate could be. There was no way Neji would pick Hinata and him. A coin toss was used and Shikamaru called it.

"I pick Hinata." Neji quickly turned his head towards Shikamaru in disbelief. "Choose someone else."

"Nope." Sasuke had hope that he would be placed on the same team yet wondered why Shikamaru chose her.

"Sorry Neji, thems the rules." Neji scowled at Naruto before he chose Tenten. He'd pick Sasuke later as he first needed the only girl who could calm his nerves when handling the Uchiha.

"I'll take Sasuke." Neji face palmed and vowed to destroy the two dark- haired males.

"Sakura, you're in my group." The pink haired girl high- fived Tenten. "You guys are going down!"

Sasuke couldn't care if they won or lost. He was going to be with Hinata again. Attempting to be seen as more approachable and casual, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Let's crush them." She giggled and Neji motioned a death threat.

"I'll take Kiba." Naruto complained about being last but perked up at his realization that he was once again with Sakura. Perhaps this time he could prove himself to be useful as he had left her behind after the killer clown chased them out the haunted house.

They had decided to let one group go ahead and the next group would go after fifteen minutes. The second team's final time would be deducted fifteen minutes. Hinata and Tenten were thought to be the ones with the most integrity and were trusted to make sure that their teams played fairly. It was a wise decision as the others were not above using suspicious means to win. Another coin toss decided that Neji's team would go first. The girls raced ahead and the guys chased after them.

"We need to stay together!" Neji was already regretting his team.

The second team idly stood near the entrance letting other people go ahead as they waited. Kiba was already telling Hinata how he wished he could've brought Akamaru. "We'd be out in record time. Anti-dog policies piss me off so much."

Sasuke took this time to discreetly ask Shikamaru about his thought process behind his choosing. "Well you are much more level headed than Naruto or Kiba. I gave Neji the chance to have Sakura on his team because at least he'd have another smart person in his group. Don't tell Tenten I said that."

"Why'd you choose Hinata first?"

The Nara raised his eyebrow. "She's quiet and will do what I say without question."

"Hn." Shikamaru was scrutinizing the guy next to him before calling the other two over. "We have two minutes left. Just stay close and follow what I say."

Kiba and Hinata reacted like soldiers would to a commanding officer. Sasuke rolled his eyes and mock saluted him.

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They walked mindlessly for five minutes behind Shikamaru who would stop and allow random people through. Kiba was in charge of making sure that no one from the opposing team was watching them. Sasuke didn't mind being relatively useless and he offered his elbow to Hinata who smiled up at him.

Time flew by and soon Shikamaru signaled a stop. "You really need to stop this whole army mindset." The genius ignored Sasuke and motioned them closer.

"I think we are near the end but I need to make sure. Hinata get on Sasuke's shoulders. We need a good vantage point." The other three looked at him with wide eyes.

"His s-shoulders?" Sasuke was already kneeling down.

"Why him?" Kiba shouted, disgusted with the idea.

"He's taller than you."

"You're taller than him." Kiba countered.

"I got hurt when I played with Kenta."

"O-okay. I'll do it." Kiba looked at her like she grew another head.

"Hinata!"

"Close your eyes, please." Hinata had worn a skirt at Hanabi's insistence. She timidly walked behind Sasuke and put one leg over his shoulder. She stabilized herself before putting her other leg over.

"Shikamaru, can you hold on to me so I won't fall as Sasuke gets up?" Shikamaru went over and told Sasuke to slowly get up.

"I see it! You're right we're close!" Sasuke felt her soft thighs and couldn't help the warmth filling his entire body.

"Okay let her down." Kiba was impatient.

Sasuke slowly lowered. He knew that he couldn't delay it too much or else they'd think he was some sort of-

"Pervert!" The sudden masculine shout startled Sasuke who jerked causing Hinata to fall back on the hard ground. "HINATA!"

Sasuke quickly realized what he had done and knelt down to tend to any injuries. He didn't notice that her skit had ridden up a bit, causing some exposure. Kiba pushed him aside and pulled her skirt back down when he was pushed aside by Neji.

"Are you okay, Hinata? Where does it hurt?" He gently positioned her to sit up when she let out a pained expression and soft grunt.

Neji's face was enraged and he stormed up to the Uchiha while Tenten and Sakura helped Hinata up and gently brushed away any dirt.

"First you look up her skirt then you assault her?! I should kick your ass right now!" Sasuke was livid at the accusation and looked solemnly to Hinata who was hunched over in pain.

"It was an accident that you caused! If you hadn't startled me then she wouldn't-" Neji was done with words and launched a fist which was quickly dodged. Naruto and Shikamaru stepped between the two.

"Sasuke's right. I told her to get on his shoulders and she was okay with it." Neji redirected his glare at Shikamaru.

"You're blaming her for this? How dare you-" Hinata slowly walked towards her cousin and his fury was replaced with concern. "Do you want to leave now?"

Hinata shook her head. "They're right. No one pushed me to do something I didn't want to do. I wanted to help and Sasuke was a complete gentleman. He didn't do anything. It was all an accident and I'm embarrassed that it's caused so much trouble. Let's just forget it and continue, please? I was having a lot of fun."

Seeing Neji's face form in disagreement, Tenten quickly spoke up. "Well if Hinata's alright with it, I don't think anyone can disagree with her, right Neji?" The pale- eyed male sighed loudly but nodded.

Sasuke gave Hinata a small smile which she returned but kept close to Kiba who she was leaning against as she walked.

The rest of the walk out of the maze was relatively quiet except for Shikamaru's directions. The mood was definitely more awkward. It didn't take long before they exited the corn maze.

"Well we should be going. Shikamaru can we get a ride home?" Sasuke knew that Neji would rather eat dirt than get a ride from him. The genius looked at Naruto and Sakura who shrugged; they knew it would be best if they switched drivers after their heated confrontation.

"Alright, but first my team and I need to decide where we want to dine- out as a reward." Everyone looked at him in confusions before it dawned on them that Shikamru's team did technically win. He signaled to his team members and they huddled together. Once again Sasuke was in close proximity to Hinata and he couldn't care less what was being said by their leader. "Everyone agree?"

Sasuke felt Kiba nudge him. "What?"

"Do you want to go to Akimichi's or not? You haven't said anything and you keep staring at Hinata. Let it go, it was an accident and she doesn't blame you. Stop being such a jerk." Hinata blushed at what Kiba said. Sasuke glared at Kiba before turning to her.

"Do you want to go to Choji's place?"

"I don't mind. I've never been and Shikamaru says it's pretty good. But do you want to go?" Kiba rolled his eyes at their interaction.

"Well I guess it's Akimichi's." Shikamaru nodded and began to walk away when Kiba called him back. "What?"

"Put your hand in the middle. I want to rub it in Naruto's face that we won." Shikamaru sighed but complied. Hinata placed hers above his and Sasuke reacted automatically. He'd be damned if he let this opportunity pass him by. "On three, we shout Naruto's a loser." Kiba really was a sore victor.

"What if we just shout Shikamaru's name? He was the reason we won." Sasuke's gaze shifted from Hinata to Shikamaru who was sporting a small blush. "Whatever."

The losing team scowled at their attempt to glorify their victory, well Naruto and Neji were. Tenten and Sakura just laughed and shook their heads.

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Sasuke wasn't really expecting to see Hinata still waiting to have lunch with him on Monday. They hadn't exchanged many words on the way to the parking lot except for his apology and her insistence that it wasn't warranted. Neji pulled her away before anything else could be said.

The next day they both attended Choji's family restaurant. He arrived late thanks to Naruto and Sakura so he wasn't able to be seated next to Hinata. Kiba sat directly across from her while Shikamaru and Neji sat beside her. He didn't enjoy his meal and didn't join in on the conversation. It didn't bother him that he wasn't getting her attention as much as the fact that she was laughing while talking to Shikamaru.

They were speaking in low tones and passed her phone back and forth as if they were trying to keep things secretive. "Are they an item?" Apparently even the usually oblivious Naruto had noticed their interaction. Sasuke shrugged his shoulders but the question loomed over him all weekend long.

"What are you doing here?" Hinata was at a loss for words. "I mean, I doubt your cousin would be pleased to see you waiting for me." Or your boyfriend, what game is she playing?

"Neji was being unfair. Do you not want to have lunch anymore? It's okay if you don't want to, I can give this extra lunch to Shino or Shika-"

"Hinata!" They both looked at an approaching Shikamaru. "I need to talk to you about you- know- what." Sasuke looked back to Hinata who looked elated to see him and he frowned. He put his books in his locker and slammed it shut, drawing their gazes to him. She looked startled as he hurried down the hall.

"Sasuke! Do you still want to have lunch? Sasuke!" He ignored her and went to find Naruto. He wasn't one to follow a girl around like a puppy.

The next day he was surprised to see that Hinata waiting by his locker but it didn't make him feel any better. He didn't know how to approach her about her intentions and her secretive relationship with Shikamaru without looking like an idiot. She obviously wanted to spend time with him but lately she spent a lot of time talking to Shikamaru. He figured he could hold on to his books until lunch was over and went to his usual spot with Naruto.

Finally on Wednesday she no longer waited by his locker.

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"So what's the plan for Halloween? Are we going or not?" Sasuke wasn't in a talkative mood and focused on completing his homework. Frankly he didn't care for Halloween. He didn't like to eat sweets and he thought dressing up was childish. However, Obito and his friends were throwing a huge party at his mansion.

"I'm not. I have stuff to do." He really didn't but he figured with Itachi out the house and his parents at a charity event he could have some time alone.

"C'mon. It'll be fun. A bunch of people are going like Sakura, Ino, Choji, and Sai."

"That's the hook you go with to convince me? Yeah, I'll skip it." Sasuke wouldn't admit it but if he had said Hinata's name then he'd probably go. Unless a certain Nara was attending as well.

"I know you'd go if she was going but she's not. I already asked her." Sasuke focused intently on the same math problem over and over as Naruto spoke. "She said something about having plans already." Sasuke scoffed. Probably with Shikamaru.

"With Shikamaru." His pencil broke and he looked at Naruto with a murderous gaze.

"Well she didn't tell me that specifically, but Ino did. Apparently they're going trick- or- treatin-"

"Really? That's what Ino told you? That's obviously a lie. It's too much work for the lazy bastard. He's not even that smart if you ask me." Naruto grinned at his jealous best friend.

"Well that's what she told me. They're taking some little kid they both know. Kenny, Kenji? Anyways, Ino was going to take him with Shikamaru but she really wanted to go to the big Halloween party. So Hinata offered to take him. That's sweet of her, don't you think? Maybe we should let them know about some places that offer generous amounts of candy. Houses that they know are safe and know the people inside them." Naruto wiggled his eyebrows.

Sasuke couldn't help but feel hope building up at the possibility that the lazy Nara and sweet Hinata were not an item. Then he realized how cold he had been to her to the point of driving her away. He doubted they would be making a stop at his house during Halloween.

He coughed and tried to look nonchalant. "I hear Obito is going all out with the decorations and food. I think he can spring for more candy if I ask him. Since his friends aren't kid- friendly, I guess I'll have to be the one to hand out candy. It's for the kids, after all. We can't let them down."

Naruto felt giddy at convincing his friend to go while at the same time playing cupid. He wasn't as stupid as most people thought him to be. "For the kids…. and seeing Hinata in a skimpy costume." Yes, Naruto wasn't stupid but he couldn't help but tease is friend. Either he loved getting Sasuke riled up or just had a disturbing need to be hit every now and then. It's how they showed each other affection.


AN: So I decided to keep any other random supernatural or Halloween themed one-shots in a different collection, separate from this one. I think it'll be weird to have sweet ones and then bring you to a dark place afterward, throwing your emotions all over the place. It won't be going up for a while though as I'm editing stuff and have other obligations.

Once again, I was supposed to go to a corn maze but school assignments kept me busy. So I had no experience to draw from, that's why its so brief. I'll have more fun with the next chapter which I hope to have out by Halloween. Fingers crossed.