- Friendship -

Everyone except Sai and the missing two were on the bus.

Conversations sparked over every little thing as the time dwindled. Some were concerned about having school should they make it back so early. Others wondered how long their teacher would make it before he snapped and flipped the bus. The driver who was here because he got caught smoking, was napping and free of worry. He wouldn't get in trouble for losing the kids, plus he was sure they were alright.

"What if they got eaten?"

"I highly doubt that, Lee." Sakura provided him some comfort by saying, "No animal on this planet would be crazy enough to try."

"Or could catch them," Ino chimed in with an arm back over the seat. "We still don't know where our mascot costume is and I know they did it!"

"It's rare that they denied it though." Since he was the one who stole it then of course he'd say such a thing. This blond's lips remained sealed however as he crossed his arms and sweated like a sinner in church on the inside. He'd taken that fox costume for a prank but he ruined it in the process and has been afraid to return it since. The guilt was immense when brought up. "Maybe someone else did it," he mumbled on the side, catching his seat partner lean forward and peer into his soul.

"Like who, Naruto?" Kiba's speculation only grew. "You always say it's not them but-"

"Oh who cares! We're all just worried about them!" Temari freaked out from the back, shaking the smartest one of the group by default. "What if they really did go into that forest and get eaten by some giant cat?!"

"The forest is quiet." Shino was softly spoken but definitely heard. He'd been staring out the window to the spree of trees across the street on Obito's side. "But alive…"

"Okay, that's it! Why don't we just go find them?! It's been an hour as of now." Rock Lee stood up, determined like all hell but authority disagreed.

"No one else is leaving this group. In fact, as soon as Sai is done painting, I'm moving everyone to specific spots." Iruka was standing the whole time, furious and keeping an eye on things since his other help wanted a nap. The students griped and groaned about it but they couldn't disobey. "Whine all you want but I told you guys before we left that if anyone acts out, misbehaves, or worse… this, then that's it. You'll sit where I want you too."

Hinata didn't mind either way since she got along with everyone for the most part. As far as having a special someone that's worth complaining about when not next to, she had zero on her shelf. That would change for the better hopefully. As she gazed at the house and farm she didn't get to see much of, she thought of that raven more. She wondered where he was and if he'd found them yet.

His parents showed up first and seem to be in deep discussion about something.

"We checked your grandpa and ya parents place. None of the workers have seen them either so they have to be around here." Mikoto had deduced the locations they had left to search. "If not, we'll get Itachi and some horses to expand our search."

"I think we'll have too." Her husband sighed and massaged the back of his neck. He then frowned when the teacher came off the bus excited at first until he saw they were empty handed.

"You guys didn't find them, I'm guessing." Iruka took those nods as double confirmation.

"We didn't find no bodies either so that's a positive."

Fugaku glanced at his wife and shook his head. "We'll keep looking, Mister. Don't worry about it. We're going to check around here first and then we'll get our son."

"What for?" Itachi came out the front door, having been spying on the city folk for a while. "Sasuke's missing?"

"More like your brother's out looking for some missing kids. Mind helping us, son?"

"Sure, pa. He's right there." The oldest pointed over yonder to the gate where his sibling was making his way through. On the horse however were the two kids who looked scared out of their minds but were having fun all at once. "Is that them kids ya'll talking about?"

"Oh my god! Karin! Suigetsu!" Iruka didn't need to help them off the horse since his voice did that by scaring the hell out of them.

Sasuke hadn't even stopped Aoda yet before they fell off. He chuckled and then tried to help them up. "I told ya falling off was the easy part."

"But it still hurts." Sui groaned and dusted himself off with the ginger's help. "It's weird being up high like that too."

"Well I liked it! Thank you, cowb-"

"You two!" Iruka had marched over just to grab them both by the ears. "What the hell were you guys thinking?!"

"We're sorry- ouch!"

"Child abuse!" Karin screamed and got an extra tug for that, but it was all a part of the plan.

"What children? Do you guys mind this?" He consulted the other adults who had absolutely no problem with it.

"Oh you're fine. We do believe in discipline so if you want a switch, I know a good bush." Mikoto put extra pallor on her boys that both hung their heads and stayed out of it. She got a small jolt from her husband too at the word. "Would you like one?"

"Dear, I don't think that's necessary." He saved those troublemakers but he feared there was no hope for their youngest when he started to smile and wave at someone on the bus. "We'll just be holding them up. We do apologize though for all this."

"Don't worry about it. It's fine. I'm just sorry about these two and cutting the trip short." Iruka never let them go either while walking them to the bus. "It won't affect anything so you guys will still get paid. Sai, almost done?"

"Mhm." He painted the scene he wanted, not without a mess however. It was a small one with blue and red splotches here and there but it was complete. He got on up off the ground to show the family and get their opinion of it. "Is this alright?"

Mikoto, impressed by the likeness, had to touch her heart in awe for a minute. She stepped closer to pear at the detailed tomatoes all along the base coming out to the field. Even the dirt paths looked detailed enough with intricate marking. The blending of the clouds apart from the bright blue sky overhead was enchanting. This little piece touched her because it made him remember about how it all started and the dream it came from. "This is… beautiful!"

"That is mighty nice. Itachi, what do you think?"

The oldest came down off the porch at his father's request to pass his judgement. He was ready to nitpick every little thing but like momma, he felt so many memories coming back. Like the day his little brother was born and they put him among the tomatoes for a picture because he was a cute red bean back then. Now he's just a grouchy, overripe tomato with hormones flaring but that's okay. That's his little brother and he's going to protect him like he promised to then. This is his family after all and... he is not going to cry. He coughed into a fist instead and crossed his arms thereafter. "It's alright."

"Alright? Boy, stop being proud!" Mikoto smacked his arm playfully before holding her hands out for the painting. "May I?"

"It's for you guys actually. A small gift for allowing us here." Sai handed it over with a small bow, looks and manners really helping him because he did favor the baby of the family a lot if not more void of life in his skin. "And to hopefully make up for any trouble we caused."

"Nonsense, you all are lovely folk!" She smiled and adored this little artwork that was definitely going in the kitchen. "No harm done at all! Thank you!"

"Thanks." Fugaku didn't remark on how his wife just flipped at the drop of a dime lest he be hit with that dime.

Itachi remained silent until his mother smiled his way. "Thank you," he quickly said faster than he could breathe. "It's really nice."

"See! There ain't no harm in showing some kindness. I expected more from your brother." Mikoto turned everyone gazes to the spot where her baby was with his horse. However, there was no Sasuke Uchiha in sight and for some reason she thought blinking would make him reappear. That did not work so she, like the majority of everyone else, started to look around. "Where did that boy run off too?"

"He probably went to put Aoda up."

"The stables are right there though and I don't see him in there." He looked with his son, nearly standing on their toes just to see nothing.

Iruka had a gut feeling. A real bad feeling that if he turned around right now to look at the bus… he'd not see who he bet was missing. So with regret, he set sights down at the two whose ears he almost pulled off and caught them avoiding his gaze. 'Son of a f-!' There was a very long series of beeps going off in his head. They'd just gotten on good terms with the family and now they were about to be back at square one. He pulled the duo off to the side while they debated, leaving his other student like sacrifice to tie them over. "Sai, why don't you tell them why you chose to paint this farm out of the two you've seen? I need a word with your classmates right quick."

"Wait, what?" Sai felt a sweat drop at being thrown on the spot. Every single onyx was suddenly back to him and waiting. "Uhh…" He was not alone though for soon a few more kids came off the bus to help him out because they all knew. "Well I chose the tomatoes because they're really beautiful and um, I," he started to choke and panic inside until that arm came around from his own little crush.

"And they are the first place we got to see! It's only right." Ino aided him with a smile and other hand resting on her hip. "He's always drawing the beginning spot we see whenever we go anywhere!"

"Ohh, like that time we went to the aquarium. He painted the entrance way. Have you guys ever been to the aquarium?" Sakura kicked off the distraction game right then. "Or do they have one down here?"

"No ma'am. I don't think we have that. If we ever want to see a big fish well we just go fishing." Fugaku opened the floodgates by accident then.

Naruto shot this question at the oldest. "Do all of you go fishing or does he sit at the docks? He doesn't look like a swimmer."

"How did you know?" Mikoto marveled at that amazing guess while her big baby started to glare with a twitching brow. "He's been afraid of water since he was ten! Always said he had an imaginary friend who lived there so he didn't want to tred on his home uninvited or eat his people."

Itachi dealt with those giggles from the girls mostly as he tried not to talk back too much. They didn't know what it's like to have limited social reactions. He had to make do. "I am not afraid of water… and he was not invisible."

"Yes he was." Momma disagreed with a self conforming nod. "Or we would have seen him. Just because he trusts you doesn't mean he can't trust us. What was his name again, Fugaku? Kitome or something. "

"Ah, you mean the shark boy. Kisame, I reckon that's what it was." He helped tease his kid who could definitely be embarrassed a bit more. "Let's not forget the group they made together where they went around hunting large beasts. Sasuke always wanted to join but he'd never let him. Said it was, 'too dangerous'. You know you promised he could play when he got older. What happened to that?"

"... Kisame had to move away... He got married." He loathed every single one of their snickering faces but he had to say something.

"Ain't he precious!" Mikoto hugged her big bean and pinched his cheek. "A ten year old can't get hitched but maybe they just do things differently under the sea or something. Your brother found it suspicious too and vowed to never get married when he saw how much it hurt you." She kissed his cheek and just made everything worse for him against the audience they had.

"Speaking of which, where is our boy-"

"I had an imaginary friend once!" Naruto stopped their wandering eyes with his eagerness and an off the wall lie. "He lasted until I was ten too actually and was one of those beasts you guys hunted. That would explain why he ran to me all the way to the city to hide!"

"Really?" Itachi looked him up and down and seriously asked, "What kind of beast was he then?"

The blond dry swallowed upon that death defying gaze like if he answered then that was it. He glimpsed at his friends for some advice and they each shook their head, coming up with nothing. He had to improvise and went with the thing he was guilty of destroying, the theme of their school and the icon on his uniform. "It was a... fox. A orange fox."

Sakura face palmed on the side and pretended she was rubbing her face.

"How many tails does it have then?"

'What do you mean how many-?! It's a fox!' Naruto caved and went with the number which he was given. "Nine."

That must have been good because the raven looked impressed. "Huh, so that's where he fled."

"Yeah, totally." He thought he was in the clear. The parents were smiling at him and glad he was being a good sport about it..

Itachi then hit him with the dozy of all dozies. "If he stayed there, that means he gave you his name."

'Fuck.' Naruto wasn't the only one to feel that brick hit their head. He'd just have to suffer through it and hope Hinata would make it back in time from her little date. Sui and Karin looked to be keeping their teacher guessing and pissing him off all at once so here goes nothing. "His name is-"

- Their First Ride -

So, Hinata just broke a rule. Not only that but she was on a horse and back with him. The funny thing was how all this happened. He'd motioned her out to talk and she thought he was going to ask her right there. That was foolish on her part since he could have asked from the bus or came onto it. But no… he wanted her to come off the bus so he could get her on the horse and now here they were. He didn't even say anything really the whole time even when they were a good bit away. Aoda had to be stopped for that to happen, which left her quite confused about the action.

"I do apologize for the secrecy, Miss Hinata. Hold right here for me." Sasuke eased on up and down off his horse, leaving her up there to further be dazed. "You see, I just couldn't decide how to do this without everyone getting in the way."

She smiled and nodded in agreement, still nervous regardless. "That's o-okay."

"I hope so because this is harder than I thought." He patted Aoda's side for him to get going with a soft walk. He followed along next to him and confessed to the failings. "At first, I wanted to ask you out my way and then they said I talk funny. So I tried doing it their way and it felt bland. Then towards the end I realized… why. Why am I listening to them when I don't even listen to my parents?"

"They just w-want what's best for you." Like her dad does for her when he plans her college and lifestyle out. He's pushy but he means well in her eyes.

"True." Sasuke smiled up at her and put that warming color on her face. "But you have to take time to think about what you want. What I'd like is a chance with you. I know I'm not as clean cut like yer classmates are but that ain't so bad and… I'd like to show you why."

Hinata snickered at how being bashful looked on him. It was oddly cute and he utilized that hat well to hide it. She pretended to give it some thought and looked ahead, spotting him on the side staring at her hopefully. "Well only if you're sure. After all, you d-don't know much about me."

"Then tell me. I'm a real good listener, ma'am."

Aoda whinnied back at him like that was a bold-faced lie.

"Oh hush you. I don't understand half the time what you're puffing about anyway." What he did get was that her happiness was a precious thing. Hearing her laugh brought joy again to this farmer because his momma always said he wasn't funny. "Don't laugh, Miss. You'll just encourage him."

"I c-can't help it. I'm easily amused s-sometimes," Hinata admitted over tiny chuckles behind her palm before calming down to relax. "I'm also a bit shy…" A bit? A bit- She corrected herself very soon. "Or a lot… a lot."

"What for? You're as pretty as a sunflower and sweet as you can be."

She got all in a fever and shook her head. "I'm not… I can't say things like that without..." The struggle was real but she was going to make it through. "I overthink stuff a lot so I-I'm not as bold… like you."

Sasuke understood that and could see her shy-self shrink a bit. "Ma'am, I don't think enough as you know so I get too much might be bad too, but why? That ain't nothing to be ashamed of and it's better than not thinking at all. We have a lot of growing to do too so there will be plenty of time to find a balance to be comfortable with."

"You sound like my father."

"I don't know if that's a good or bad thing." He hoped for the former naturally, looking up to her to see she was smiling still.

"It's a good thing. He's all I've got right now b-besides my little sister."

"What happened to your mom?"

Hinata sighed, gazing at the field of wheat with a small dip in her lips. "My mother was very sick after she had my sister…. She never got better."

The raven understood death, departure, and mostly how it affects others. He spoke from experience with a drop of regret in his voice. "Auntie Rin was the same way. I'd always heard about family members leaving and such but it was never anyone I knew well at the time. Death is very unfair though with who it takes, ma'am, so I can imagine you must still have some heartache too."

"Mhm." Her nod was enough to confirm with a hug around herself.

That sadness among them was fine. Remorse and longing are natural emotions that Sasuke was taught to deal with well given his shrinking family. "Well there ain't nothing wrong with missing them. What was she like?"

"F-Fun." Hinata remembered that first fact with great detail. Her mother had a more active but subtle personality compared to her father who was more reserved and quiet unless he had something to say. "My m-mother liked picnics. We'd go every Saturday and I'd a-always drop something." She chuckled at the old memory that even her father could smile at. "I swear she gave it to me on purpose just so I could. I still drop things sometimes regardless."

"Ah, so you're a klutz and shy?"

"Y-Yes," she mumbled and blushed in guilt, tucking a bang behind an ear.

Sasuke thought it was the perfect excuse to hold her hand one day. "Well that's quite cute, Miss."

"No it's n-not." She shook her head in denial. "It can g-get quite embarrassing."

"That's been my middle name since you've arrived here so I can agree there." This farmer boy really was never going to forget their first encounter. "Pushing through though has been rewarding."

Hinata had to ask since he was just the most complimenting guy ever. "How do you… flirt so easily? Have you had a g-girlfriend before?"

"No." And he had no problem saying that and explaining himself. "I've never had a crush before either. Having trouble deciding what I want though was never a problem because my parents could get a bit impatient. What about you? Anyone I should check over my shoulder for?"

"Not really… I had a crush before but I waited too long." She didn't feel so bad about it now and the way he looked so interested made her smile too much. "I lost him b-but it's alright."

"Are you sure? How come he didn't talk to you first?" Sasuke was struck then with confusion and his first taste of jealousy. "What was he like?"

His worrying was so needless. "Nothing you need to c-compare yourself too. He didn't necessarily see me like that anyway so it was never going to happen."

"Do you still… sort of like him?"

"Sasuke."

"I'm just asking." In his defense he didn't know how to handle it so he tried to smirk it off but it was strange. "I feel like I have to know though to prove I'm better." His honesty was what helped him get through this with her. "Which is ridiculous but… I don't know. Do I know him?"

Hinata giggled, shaking her head with a comforting grin his way. "I don't think that'll h-help you if I tell you. I like you for you the same way I liked him."

"But does that mean him and I are differe-... Wait, you like me?" He actually had to point at himself to make sure that sprinkle of pink on his face was for a good reason. He'd actually heard an inkling of a confirmation just then that she had some feelings for him too. Her nod and smile towards him was near heart stopping for a minute.

"Yes and we're different too." Hinata wanted him to get that if they did date, whatever he was looking to happen might not go that way. "I'm not bold l-like you or really adventurous… I like board games when it's raining versus playing in it. I'll take the safest option the majority of the t-time so I might not keep you e-entertained for long…"

Sasuke didn't think about how their hobbies didn't quite mix. That shouldn't be a problem so he asked, "Well, have you ever tried it?"

"No." Her quick response shocked him more than anything.

Sasuke was sure she probably just wasn't allowed to get out there. "Did you ever want to and your pa said no?"

"Not really."

He glared at her stubborn self and how she looked so cute being so sure of her answer. "How come? You never know till you try."

"Nah, I'm good. Curiosity killed the cat," Hinata said with a digit up, thinking of her father who gave them tips to keep them safe. She then laughed at how in utter disagreement he looked under that hat.

The farmer boy even stopped Aoda so they could talk about this more straightforwardly. "Woah now. Curiosity might have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. There's fun to be had in the unknown, Miss. I promise it's worth it." He tried to convince her but she kept shaking her pretty head in complete and utter refusal. "So you just want to sit inside all your life?"

"You want to nearly g-get killed all yours?"

Sasuke put his hands on his hips and held this funny little stand off against her. "Okay, Miss. I think you're being a little silly. There's nothing wrong with some excitement in your life."

"I have it... Just n-not in the way you think." She sat up tall herself to stand her ground in what she liked. "Is that a problem?"

"Ma'am, how you live your life is yours. I do have to ask though how yours even works?" He couldn't wait to hear this excuse that left him eyeing her skeptically. "What's thrilling about board games when you can ride a horse?"

"Why ride a horse when you can play checkers?" Twenty one questions doesn't work when both parties just reverse and counter each other. "It's a fun and safer past time."

"So is riding a horse though." Sasuke gestured to Aoda who did not comment. He wanted to stay out of this argument starting to cook up. "Falling off is part of the experience."

"For you it can be."

"And for you it can too."

Hinata shook her head and swung a leg over to sit sideways before she got down. She needed to get face to face and he was more than eager to help her with that. He held her waist and she touched his shoulders, glowing a bit at the distance between them now cut. She had to remove her hands in a fluster and he did too with a fix of his hat. "A-Alright Sasuke, I… I don't think I'm the girl you had in mind."

"In truth, Miss Hinata, all I knew was that you're sweet and lovely. Personally you're different but nothing surprising. That's okay though because like ya said, I am too. I still like you even though we don't do the same things." He had his father's can do spirit and was set on making this work. "We can find some common ground. "

"Y-You think so?" She kind of doubted that because he had no idea how things would work in the city compared to here. This open space where he got to move around and explore was reduced to a park. Anywhere else and it could be more dangerous than fun which is really why she stays inside most times. Some places just aren't practical to go wandering around by yourself. "Where I'm from, it isn't like this place you're used to."

"I think I'll adapt just fine." He'd never really know until he went there. Thinking it was going to be a piece of cake was a fool's dream at best. "So, what do ya say? I'd love to argue with you more on this."

Hinata rolled those eyes out of amusement and bit her lip a bit as she crossed her arms. "You know what, o-okay, but only if I get to stay down here sometimes."

"Yes!" That raven had to quickly cough and hide that premature outburst. "I mean yes. Yes, that'll be fair for both of us." He wanted to die inside over how she hid a giggle behind a palm but at least she knew now. What's more perfect is that she said yes which meant now he had to figure out how the hell he was going to get up to there. How do they go from here? What's he supposed to say? Can he call her darling? Would that be too soon? While she was getting all tickled by his excitement, he started to panic about the very next step.

He didn't have a phone, license, or supportive parents. 'Crap.' He'll just have to find a way. "Miss Hinata, I have to tell you something…"

A/N: OMG! Yes, a little suburban farm! I want them to get the idea from spending time together in each other's world. That's why it went this way. Ooohh the notebook! I watched a scene from that and was like… T.T I saw the 'what do you want scene,' and curled up. As for Sasuke and Hinata though, I can promise you that they're going to be fine. Nothing dramatic from the parents is going to happen. Words hurt still so that's as far as it'll go. Actions from the main two will have the most effect.

And yes, Sasuke is out of the massacre stage. He seemed like such a happy kid when he was little that I had to give him his family. But don't worry. I did plan to rip his heart out without warning to trigger his angst self.

Another idea was to twist him slowly a bit into the stoic one from just plain teenager experiences. This way when they get older and their kids want to know what they were like, Sasuke would refuse to share in a comic sense than a depressing one about his childhood. He'd prefer his more tempered and quiet personality than his adventurous and smiling one because he was such a fluffy boy then. He would hate to look soft in front of the kids.

Leaning more towards not hurting him T.T.

~ Thank you all for any support. Voice your concerns, spite, theories, advice, frustration, and etc to your heart's content at your will. Have a good one. Take care. Stay safe. And have a spectacular read. *Internet Hugs! *~