Books- Part II

Itachi did change what was going on at the 'Library' which was now named 'Raven'. Even so the back shelf the one furthest away was still intact and had books on it. The others were disposed of and replaced by chairs and tables even a few couches.

Itachi turned it into a café of some sorts…they even have board games, such as chess, scrabble and who knows what else. They served both coffee and tea, sometimes even lemonade and freshes. Itachi talked to the bakery down the street so they also have countless types of sweets to do with your drink.

Despite it being in a quiet place far away from the busyness of the central town the café always has at least a few customers inside. Of course from 7 when she gets out of work to 9 when she goes home Hinata is there, doing her homework, reading even playing scrabble with Itachi when he is free.

"Why is she always here?"

Sasuke asked. He started working there as well, he had another short chat with Hinata after the café opened and they finally introduced themselves.

"She always came here before it was a café, she'd just sit around and talk to me, now I guess it's a hang out place"

Half listening to Itachi Sasuke was watching Hinata learn to play chess from an older man. She'd frown when something didn't make sense and nod when she understood a part. Near the board was her tea, she never ordered coffee and so far she had made her way through the collection of tea they had on the menu.

The following day Hinata arrived at 3 rather than 7. The place had a few customers around. A group of teenage girls eating cake and laughing at whatever story and gossip they were telling. 2 old men playing chess and a mother with a little girl, somewhere in the back was a collage guy looking through the books.

"You're early."

Sasuke said as he placed a cup of tea in front of her, she didn't even order, he just brought her the next tea on the menu. She smiled at him when he sat down. Everyone seemed to have everything they needed so he was free. Itachi was nowhere to be seen. That was how it was most of the time. He probably worked out in front when Sasuke was at school.

"Yea…I got fired. I wanted to look for another job but I was too tired"

Hinata said with a sad smile. She liked working at the Pet Store but the business wasn't going well lately and they had to let people go, so they decided they didn't need part time jobbers anymore.

Sasuke felt bad, she looked genuinely upset, he didn't know if it was because she liked working there so much or just because she needed to work, but he could only help with one of those so he offered.

"You can work here"

"Really?"

Her reply was instant, her eyes were sparking and Sasuke was taken aback by how beautiful she looked in that moment.

"Yea…you spend most of your time here anyway at least do something productive"

She nodded and giggled.

Later that night when it was already closing time Itachi finally walked downstairs. He was living in the apartment over the café. Sasuke just finished cleaning everything up.

"I hired Hinata today." He said.

"What, why? The 2 of us are more than enough"

Itachi's respond was just as he expected, and it was, well, true. But there was surely something Hinata could do to help around.

"She was sad. She got fired. I don't know. I felt bad"

After saying that he looked at Itachi and his older brother was grinning at him like an idiot. Sasuke rose a brow and Itachi started laughing.

"Fine she can work here. Just find something useful for her to do. She has all the shifts you do, from noon to closing time since you both go to school"

Sasuke nodded. Sadly after talkig some more with Hinata he found out they were going to different schools, he would have liked to spend time with here at school too. Her company was nice.

Since the shop was rarely crowded they had quite a bit of free time. Hinata took the orders and took the drinks and sweets to the tables. Sasuke was preparing the drinks and placing the sweets on the plates. It really wasn't a 2 men work, he knew that and he was thankful that Itachi didn't make a big fuss about it. At the closing hour it always took less time to clean up since they were 2. Hinata was cleaning the tables and Sasuke was taking care of everything behind the counter, such as placing the remaining patisseries in the fridge, counting the money and everything else. Before that they loaded the dish washer and when they were both done they unloaded it and put everything in its place.

Usually from 6 to 7 it was the 'dead hour' so during that time they were doing their homework together helping each other and if they finished faster they'd just talk.

"Starting today for a few days after the closing I'll be staying behind if that's all right."

Sasuke looked at her puzzled.

"It's fine, but why?"

"My dad's house is close by so I can walk home but I'll be staying at my mom's for some time so she needs to pick me up and her work ends after the closing hour"

After they finished cleaning Sasuke sat with her and they started playing scrabble.

"I didn't know you parents were divorced"

"Yea…are your parents together?"

"Yes they are. But I live with Itachi. When he moved here they let me choose who I wanted to stay with. I decided to move here too"

For a moment it was silence. Hinata was trying to form a word with the letters she had, but nothing came to her mind. So she groaned and let her head fall back. Sasuke chuckled.

"Don't make fun of me. I'm good at this game. I just can't concentrate now"

"Sure, sure"

After a few more failed attempts to form a word Hinata gave up.

"Itachi said you were always here before it was a café, so I'm guessing it wasn't the tea that brought you in. Why did you enjoy coming here?"

"I walked in the first day and I found this place strange, than I met your brother and he was so…weird, I guess he caught my interest"

Hearing her talk like that about Itachi made him hurt a little.

"But now I'm here for the tea, and well…when we met for the first time I also thought you were strange, I still do. I like spending time here it's relaxing and I enjoy your company a lot. Even if we're not talking. Just being in the same room is nice. "

Sasuke had to look another way, he couldn't meet her gaze after hearing that, plus the chances of him blushing were very high.