so, neji is still in the lead :)

kiba got a vote! BD

and naruto...

any of you going to vote? ;3

It all started at the bus stop.

A downpour began awhile ago. It was so quiet. All anyone could hear was the plopping noise the rain made against the ground. The streets were empty. No one was outside either. And they had every right not to be. It was a smart thing to stay inside when it was raining harder than ever. Taxis didn't even show up much on these days. And if you did find one, it was very seldom. People either had a car or road the bus, like he was planning to.

He watched the news. Almost every morning. Specially this morning. He didn't like who he was working for. The DA. District attorney. Since he started college he had a taste for criminal law. But he never wanted to be a prosecutor. So he was going to his job to quit. And he wanted to look at least decent. But that was ruined when it started raining—hard—on what was suppose to be a bright, sunny day.

The rain was tepid. It made what was happening a little better. He'd rather be standing in warm summer rain inside of the cold winter's. But he knew he'd be cold later. Like when he got on the bus. He looked down the dead street. If it ever got there.

Then, the rain suddenly stopped.

He thought it was just luck, but another idea came to mind when a shadow of an umbrella was beneath him. He cut his eye over to a girl standing on the tip of her toes just so the umbrella could cover him as well. She was being nice to a complete stranger. He wondered if she was a simpleton.

She caught a glimpse of him peeking at her from the corner of his eyes and she faced him and showed a smile. But he just continued to stare, from the corner of his eye. Was he going to say anything? Thank you. No, but thank you for offering. Get away from me. He didn't say a thing. She quickly looked away.

The bus finally came. It felt like ages to her. It was like he was studying her the whole time, yet she didn't even know what type of person he was. Though she figured cantankerous when he walked on the bus first instead of letting her on before him like a gentleman. But maybe she was just overreacting.

She wanted to avoid him. Avoid that staring. But that was pretty hard to do when the bus was overcrowded. And of course, with the luck she has, he would be sitting next to the only free seat. She even thought about asking the guy in the seat behind the cold man if he wouldn't mind switching seats. But that's mean, she said to herself with a frown.

His eyes watched the foolish girl with the umbrella sit next to him. Now, he knows that other seats were available on the bus. So why, out of all the seats open, would she sit next to him? "Why are you following me?" he asked brusquely in his aloof tone.

She briskly turned to him with extremely flustered eyes. She blinked countless times. "E-excu...I...I just...there weren't a-anymore s-seats."

He remained staring forward. Was she lying? Just to sit next to someone on the bus? Typical female, he thought disgusted. His eyes dropped when he saw a black object being handed to him. He, actually, looked at her.

She smiled nervously. "I-I don't need it."

He glanced at the umbrella she was holding. "And what makes you think I do?"

She swiftly veered her eyes away. Her uneasiness grew slightly. "You..." She paused as a tiny blush emerged along her cheeks. "You look nice."

His eyes began to get clouded with confusion. He dressed like this everyday. The only thing is that today he was drenched from head to toe.

Before he got off the bus, he took the umbrella, skipping the thank you part of course. He took a glimpse around the bus before he got off. It wasn't as empty as he thought.

-o-

"Hey," the blonde greeted with a smile as his girlfriend entered the car. She smiled at him. He pulled out of the parking spot and began to drive to her apartment. He showed her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry I couldn't take you earlier," he said.

She glanced from the window at him with her usual smile. "It's okay," she replied.

He grinned but it slowly went away. His eyebrow rose. "Where's your umbrella?"

Her smile disappeared as her eyes slightly widen. "Umm..."

"So you finally quit," the taller man said to his friend as they continued walking aimlessly down the street. He pointed to the onyx item in his friend's hand. "Where did you get the umbrella from?"

He ignored him. Why did he have to ask a brainless question? He could have had this since this morning; it could be his. He could've bought it at a store once it started raining. The answer could've been any of those. Even though it wasn't.

"So where's your umbrella?" he asked again as they stopped at a stoplight.

"It's—" She paused when she noticed a memorable person walking pass with a familiar object in his hand.

"It's where?!" he urged.

She continued watching the man with broadened eyes as he looked at the car but turned away as if he didn't recognize her. A frown arose on her face. He forgot about me, she assumed.

"Hey," her boyfriend called and grabbed her hand. He caught a sight of her sad face. "What's wrong?"

"What are you looking at?" the hyper man asked when they turned at the corner and noticed his friend kept glancing back.

He watched the car drive off. His hand gripped the umbrella when he faced forward. "Nothing."

-o-

He resumed taking the bus; taxis were a bit expense. He wanted to save money since he was without work. Work at my law firm, Kisame suggested. He would think about it. As long as the firm was decent, he'll work there. And that firm that his friend worked at was very popular.

It hasn't rained since last week. But he still carried that umbrella around. It might rain again. He might see that girl again. She was strange. Who shares their umbrella with complete strangers then gives it to them like a parting gift? But then again, he knew he wasn't the nicest of people. However, that was overly rare. She was too polite, he thought and almost grimaced.

She stared absently out the window of the bus. She was just thinking about everything. Her sister. Her job. Her boyfriend. And last week. I wonder what he did with my umbrella, she asked herself. It didn't matter. Hopefully he put it to good use. But she thinks he threw it away. He didn't even remember her that day and it was only—at the most—two hours later. How could you forget about someone so fast who showed hospitality towards you? She never knew she could meet someone so cruel.

She stopped gazing out the window when she felt someone sit next to her. She turned to catch a peek at them but quickly looked away when she noticed it was the guy from before. She couldn't believe he actually sat next to her. But why? He didn't remember her. Or so she thought.

He slowly handed her the black umbrella that was hidden in his other hand. She was surprised, he noticed. "Thank you," she said softly and took it back.

He was a bit taken aback from her kindness. After the way he treated her? But every girl he meets didn't pay his rudeness any mind. But every girl he meets doesn't avoid eye contact with him. She's shy, he pointed out and glanced at her seeing she was staring at the umbrella in her lap.

She lightly clenched onto it. He actually remembered her. But how? The way he acted last week sure made it seem he didn't acknowledge her. She leisurely looked at him from the corner of her eye. But he obviously did recognize you, she told herself. Her eyes rapidly descended to her lap when he caught her looking at him. A tiny smirk became visible on his face.

They got off at the same stop. And this time, he let her walk in front of him. Others got off at the same stop. Teenagers, adults. And like routinely, they went about their business. But not these two. When they got off the bus, they just stared at each other. Like one was waiting for something from the other. But they just stared.

They had quite the distance between them. Like one was going one way and the other was going another way. Though neither moved. "Where are you going?" he spoke indifferently.

Clouds began to peer over the big city, veiling the sun. Neither noticed the sudden dimness. "To meet my cousin," she said. "Umm, what about you?"

Thunder began. He didn't know what to say to that. He didn't have anything to do today. He believed that he just took the bus for a ride. He didn't have anywhere to be. Or did he? He forgot. "I—" He stopped when a cloudburst arose.

It made a swooshing noise as the rain started to hit it instead of the ground. Pairs of foot steps walked at a steady pace against the wet ground. A splashing sound occurring here and there. One pair of foot steps was heavier than the other.

He made sure he was holding the umbrella just right. Making sure not a single drop of rain landed on her. Being a gentleman.

She was awfully closely to him. She didn't want to get wet, but this proximity was making her heart beat. Fast. As close as they were, people would think they were going out. She looked up at him. He seemed real mean when I first met him, she thought, but now he's different. Maybe he wasn't the cold person she thought he was. Her heart began to beat faster.

He knew she was looking at him, but he didn't mind. If he wanted her to stop all he had to do was look at her back or even glare at her. But he didn't mind it. He looked at her—she looked away—and asked, "Where do you have to meet your cousin?"

"Oh, at Seiyaku Street," she said after making eye contact with him.

Does she know? She must've been out of it like he was. He could almost laugh. He stopped and so did she. "We passed that street."

She glanced behind her and breathed out, "Ohh."

She didn't sound that disappointed. He immediately flagged down a taxi. He opened the door for her as she got in; she understood. He continued to eye her in the cab.

"Where to?" the cabdriver asked.

He reached into his pocket and, to her surprised, gave the driver money and said, "Seiyaku Street."

Her wide eyes narrowed and she smiled at him. "Thank you."

He nodded and began to hand her the now closed umbrella in his hand but she put her hand up indicating him to stop. "It's okay, you can keep it," she said. Her smile slightly diminished. "Bye."

"What's your name?" he questioned.

"Hinata."

He bobbed his head and closed the door before she could ask for his. His eyes followed the cab as it turned around and drove off. He knew they may never see each other again. It's doubted highly that they will. So many people in this city. Too many places. But he has a good feeling about it. He smirked.

The clouds disappeared as the sun came out again.

ha! i only used names when they were needed! :D

that was my goal and it was accomplished!

i'm hot! XD

good feelings and bad luck are back X/

R3view.