Straw Saga 4

Definitely Totally Off For Sure

She had said no. She had blatantly refused to go out to dinner.

Naruto could still not stop laughing about it.

"And then, and then -" He laughed. "She ran away. She literally ran away from you."

Sasuke was lying on his couch, eyes closed. He attributed the terrible encounter almost wholly onto Naruto being the fucktwad that he was. If Sasuke hadn't have gotten so completely wasted with his loser friend then he would've actually been able to form coherent sentences. He would've been able to actually hold a conversation. He would've been able to talk her into the redemption dinner.

So when Naruto had tried to sit down with him on the couch near Sasuke's feet, he had kicked him.

Naruto was now crouched in one of the matching arm chairs, his massive body trying to sit in it side ways making it look ridiculously uncomfortable.

Good. Sasuke wanted him to suffer.

"God, though did you see that chicks rack?" Naruto broke through the pseudo silence.

They had the TV on but neither one was paying attention.

Sasuke, who had his eyes closed, resting a hand on the bridge of his nose, praying for his hangover headache to unburden him, finally cracked open an eye.

Hinata getting pumpkin on her college sweatshirt was a major high point of the day. Who knew what lay underneath was so… so…

"Those tits are ridiculous."

Sasuke closed his eye again. "Hn." He agreed.

They truly were though.

"Now I know why you're blowing off Sakura." He laughed.

He ground two palms into his eyes, exhaling hard, almost groaning. "Sakura and I are done."

"Wow." Naruto droned. "I have never heard that one before." His voice was in monotonous mocking.

"Have you heard about the one where I beat your fucking face?"

Naruto laughed. "But seriously, man, you and Sakura are inevitable."

Sasuke was now 110% done with this conversation but lacked the ability to pull himself off the couch and go to his own bedroom. His fortress of solitude.

"I didn't know you knew that word."

Naruto laughed again. "But really. You're gonna fuck around with this little sweetheart, big-tits, school teacher for a week or two and get back together with Sakura like you always do."

The more he described Hinata the more Sasuke wanted to hit something. Something like the blonde fucker currently running his mouth. Not to mention the constant conversations of his irrelevant ex.

"Sakura's crazy."

"You make her crazy."

Sasuke groaned. "You should shut the fuck up."

"It's true. Why mess around with this chick, that is clearly not your type, when you and Sakura are just 'off' right now?" Naruto pressed, finally setting down his phone.

"We're not 'off'." Sasuke tried to talk as calmly as possible. Raising his voice would only make his headache worse. "We are done. We're broken up. Not together. Not dating."

"For now."

"God, man, what the fuck do you want?" Sasuke finally seethed. "I don't want to be with Sakura. She's crazy."

"You want to be with this girl? You don't even know her. You've known Sakura your whole life."

"Why are you even trying to get me back with her? Aren't you in love with her? You can have her."

"That was high school." Naruto dismissed.

"Yes. High school. We've been doing this back and forth shit for ten years. Ten fucking years. I don't need this."

"She's our best friend." Naruto defended.

Realizing that the conversation was going nowhere but a migraine, Sasuke laid his head back down, eyes closed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You might wanna fill her in on that." Sasuke snapped at last, leaving the conversation to that.

Sasuke did not want to think about his constant go around with his ex. That would give him crippling headaches even in peak physical health. The constant back and forth between them, the unhealthy break up and hook ups and reunions that had drove their friendship into the dirt. Sasuke was done. He had been done for a long time.

And even though Hinata was a stranger, Sasuke really was ready to pursue something with someone else. Not just sleep with them until Sakura wormed her way back into the equation.

Especially with someone with a body like that. Naruto wasn't exaggerating. Who knew what that women could hide under those frumpy shirts he had seen her in? Hinata was definitely not the body type he was used to. Sakura and even Ino were more of the tall and skinny, need a cheeseburger, type women. Hinata was something that Sasuke would think about well into the night or during a hot shower.

Not to mention how sweet and quiet she seemed. How long had it been since he had heard a girl not shrieking near him? The way she blushed. Blushed. Real blushing. There was something so innocent about the way she acted.

But paired with her body...

Sasuke wanted to do unspeakable things with this women.

But he also wanted to know why she didn't seem to like him. Besides the disastrous pumpkin carving. Because he knew exactly why that had been terrible.

One; Naruto. Two; hangover.

But she never really seemed interested in him. In fact, almost all of her blushing just seemed to be from actual embarrassment, not coyness or infatuation. She seemed rather indifferent to him altogether.

But why?

Much later into the day, Sasuke prepared for work on Monday like normal. Yes, he was a workaholic. If it hadn't have been for Halloween, he probably would've worked almost the entire weekend. He was the job.

But he could not stop thinking about Hinata.

She had said no. No. Albeit in the kindest way someone could say no. But a refusal nonetheless.

Well into the night, after thinking about that ass, he had time to contemplate things. He needed another opportunity to make a good impression. He needed a way to see her casually again to shift the attitude she held towards him so she would finally agree to a date.

Sasuke should be able to do that. He basically did it for a living. Getting a judge or jury or mediator to change their opinions and perspectives to shape his narrative was what he did everyday.

He could do this.

Sasuke only had one form of communication with Hinata, so after he woke up at 4:45 am and did his morning jog, he made himself a cup of coffee and tried to gather whatever he had left of his texting game.

Sasuke: I'll bring you coffee today. 5:30 am.

Straight forward as always, Uchiha.

He had been able to take a shower and get dressed before she had texted back.

Hinata: I'll be at work. 6:00 am.

He had, almost reluctantly changed her name in his phone.

Sasuke: There's this crazy new invention called to go cups. 6:01 am.

He smirked at his own cleverness, hoping she would find him funny.

Sasuke: They even come with lids. What time works? 6:01 am.

Hinata: Then you'll know where I work. 6:07 am.

Sasuke: You know where I live. 6:08 am.

Touché.

Sasuke: I could also use my connections in the police force to find your address. Make it even. 6:09 am.

Sasuke paused to muse on if his forwardness could possibly border the line of a soft harassment. He tried to swallow down his regret, but he couldn't stop looking at him phone, praying he didn't say something too stupid.

Hinata: Sounds like misuse of city funds. 6:15 am.

She didn't sound angry at least. Almost playful.

Sasuke: It does. I would like to further discuss economics and politics over coffee. 6:16 am.

Sasuke felt like crossing his fingers but decided against it.

Hinata: 12:15 6:20 am.

Sasuke smirks when she sends the address.

Hinata: Can I change it to cocoa, please? 6:31 am.

Sasuke actually chuckled.

Sasuke: Whipped cream? 6:32 am.

Hinata: Please :) 6:33 am.

Sasuke was a few minutes later into the office then usual, he had been waiting for Hinata's reply before driving to work. Karin noticed and asked him about it, but he shrugged her off. She worked for him, he didn't owe her an explanation. Karin was even more surprised when Sasuke informed her that he would be leaving for lunch. Something he never did.

Sasuke hadn't given it much thought, but he realized that Hinata might live on the side of town where the pancake place was, where he had first seen her two days ago. Because her school was also on the side of town. It wasn't the worst side, there were definitely worse neighborhoods and areas of Konoha, but this wasn't the side of town that Sasuke usually went to without a reason.

Reasons like Naruto wanting pancakes. Or a pretty girl.

Hinata had already sent him her room number, but he still had to sign in at the office. There was a receptionist, a woman unfortunately, who wasn't paying attention and turned in her chair, humming some song. Sasuke had no interest in gaining the women's attention, so he tried to look down at the plethora of clipboards on the counter and find them himself. He had gone to seven years of college, he could figure out how to do a visitors sign in.

"Excuse?"

Damn.

Sasuke glanced up at the receptionist who had noticed him. She looked older, like one of the student's mom. But she was giving him that look that most women did. He suppressed an urge to roll his eyes.

"Visitor sign in." Sasuke would've drummed his fingers but he was holding coffee cups in two hands.

"I think is lunch time for most classes, but which one is your student in?" She smiled at him.

Was she using bedroom eyes. Not that Sasuke was an ageist, but bedroom eyes and crow's feet with crepe makeup made him feel nauseated. It wasn't a good mix.

Sasuke swallowed. "Teacher. Room 307. Her name is -"

"You here for Hinata?" A much younger women popped up from further back into the office.

Sasuke nodded. This girl was probably around 5'6, on the thin side, long brown hair, brown eyes and a smile.

"I'll walk him down." She offered. "I'm headed to Kurenai's class anyways." She told the lady.

If Sasuke wasn't here for a specific reason, a mission if you will, he probably would've just left. But instead, he was handed the correct clipboard, sighed himself in and had to put a visitor's sticker on his suit coat. His very expensive suit coat. And was now carrying one coffee and one hot chocolate down a school hallway following behind this stranger. Who was babbling.

"I'm Tamaki. Hinata and I go to school together." She stopped shaking her head. "I mean, we did. I still do. But she doesn't. Obviously." She laughed, trying to compose herself. "Because she works here now. Well, I mean, I do too but I'm not a teacher yet. Hinata's an actual teacher. But I'm sure you knew that. Of course you would." She laughed again, glancing at him side ways.

Sasuke said nothing to her awkward monologue and focused on remembering the way to Hinata's classroom. He wasn't quite sure if he'd ever visit her again. But if he did, he would make damn sure he didn't need anyone showing him the way.

"How do you know Hinata?" Tamaki asked, breaking the silence.

Sasuke didn't know how to answer that. Because he still didn't really know her.

"We met recently." Sasuke supplied.

A lawyer trick. It was the truth. But didn't really answer her question. Poor girl barely noticed.

"Well, Hinata is probably on her way back to class. She's expecting you, right?" Tamaki asked.

They reached room 307 and Sasuke noted that it said Ms. Hyuga on the door.

When they stepped in, Sasuke had flooding flash backs of his own Kindergarten classroom and he wondered if they were all the same.

"I can wait with you if you -"

"No." Sasuke said too quickly, watching the girls face fall.

Usually he wouldn't care. If he wasn't a lawyer, his day job would've been curving bitches. But Tamaki seemed like one of Hinata's friends, and he was trying to make a good impression.

Before he could remedy the situation, he could hear laughter right outside the door. Hinata walked in, standing particularly close to a man, whom she was giggling with.

Whatever he said couldn't have been that funny.

She stopped quickly, noticing Sasuke, and he was happy to note that she seemed impressed with his attire. He was sure he looked better in his expensive suite then some teacher in cheap slacks and rolled up white button up and glasses.

"Oh, hello." She breathed in greeting.

"See you Hinata." Tamaki mumbled, probably still mad at Sasuke dismissal.

Hinata stopped staring at Sasuke's tie enough to bid farewell to the girl. "Bye Tamaki, bye Shino."

The guy, Shino, purses his lips, looking at Sasuke, but still turned on his heels and left with Tamaki.

"Sorry, did you have to wait long?" She asked.

"Not at all."

Sasuke offered her the drink and she smiled. It was a pretty smile. Her teeth were straight, white and she had a dimple in one of her round cheeks.

"You remembered my name." He teased.

She blushed, hard. "I'm so sorry about that."

"So, this is your class?" Sasuke asked.

Obviously, idiot. He was just trying to show interest in her. Because, he was interested in her. But he could've come up with something better than that.

He really just wanted to change the subject. He liked her blush but he didn't want her face to burst.

Her face brightened and some of the redness faded. "It is. This is only my first year working here, but I really like it."

Sasuke nodded, recalling how young she was and how much it had startled him in his hangover fog. He didn't think he had told her his exact age, but she knew he was a lawyer and she could do the math.

At least he hoped she could do math. She was teaching the future after all.

She chatted with him for a couple more minutes about random things and Sasuke got to observe her some more. She was wearing black, tapered leg slacks that he could still appreciate her ass in, and clogs. Yes, mom clogs. And as always, a sweater with a white button up shirt poking up underneath.

They decided to sit at Hinata's desk after some more mindless chitchat.

"You really didn't need to bring me this. Though it's much appreciated." She smiled.

"It's an… apology." Sasuke suffered out the word. "For yesterday."

"So, an apology coffee?"

"Cocoa." Sasuke pointedly corrected.

"Of course." She smiled. "You seem to enjoy apologizing."

Sasuke tried not to glare at her. She was cute after all. "I wouldn't say that."

She laughed. Sasuke like it.

"Well, I think you are completely caught up on all the apologizing. In fact, I think these are the most over the top apologies I've ever received."

"How so?"

"Well, you helped me carve pumpkins just because you mistook me for a waitress. Tenten sends her thanks for that by the way. I think she has crafting PTSD."

"Crafting PTSD?" Sasuke wanted to laugh.

"Apparently," Hinata's face became deadly serious. "People can get tired of crafts."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Oh no." She smiled again. "You have it too, don't you?"

Hinata turned and shuffled through some papers on her desk. She was much more playful then Sasuke remembered her being. Though she still blushed like she was a little shy. It was endearing. Sasuke also liked that she didn't seem to be obsessed with his opinions, teasing him even. Not many women did that.

She finally brought out a piece of paper that had glued pumpkin seeds on the front, in the shape of a pumpkin. She was looking at his face, scrutinizing his expression.

She was still messing with him.

"It's cute."

He wasn't talking about the pumpkin.

She smiled. "I think you're safe. These are the pumpkin seeds by the way."

He rolled his eyes. Hinata giggled and he smirked into his coffee cup in another victory.

"From our pumpkins."

Yes, he said 'our'. Like some pathetic girl, already trying to form some awkward pumpkin carving memory bond.

She smiled and nodded.

It was nearing time for her students to return and Sasuke was surprised to find that it was her only break during the whole day. But he was more surprised to find that he still hadn't closed the deal about a date.

"So, dinner. This Saturday?"

"What do you have to apologize for this time?" She giggled.

"Nothing." Sasuke scoffed confidently but then berated himself.

She hasn't said 'yes' yet.

"Hopefully."

She giggled again.

"I just want to take you to dinner."

It made Sasuke uncomfortable with how honest he was being.

Hinata looked at him evenly, biting back a smile. "Okay, sure."

Not the type of reaction he usually got asking a girl out, but definitely better than the rejection he got yesterday. And staring at her, biting her plump bottom lip, he found he didn't really mind as long as she agreed.

Children started flooding back into her classroom. Some of them taking their seats, a couple of little girls grouping together in a corner to giggle, but a few swarmed Hinata.

"Ms. Hyuga, who's that?"

"Is that your husband Ms. Hyuga?"

Sasuke watched Hinata's cheeks turn bright red, trying to corral her students back to their tables. She really was adorable.

"Ms. Hyuga, is that your dad?"

That was his cue to leave.