Author's Note: Chapter 2! sigh As I said, this is my first fic. No flaming people, just constructive criticism! puppy eyes Ahahaha… Did I get to you? XD

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. But I own a poster. :D

I wonder why he agreed to come, Yuuhi Kurenai thought to herself that evening as walked the streets of Konoha alone. Antisocial Uchiha Sasuke, assenting to come to a welcome home party! And it was Hyuuga Hinata's party, for heaven's sake. They weren't close, were they? Maybe he's coming because he wants to get inside the Hyuuga mansion and maybe learn the Byakugan's secret. Kurenai shook herself. She really had to stop letting her imagination take flight with her. Even if Sasuke came to learn of the Byakugan's secret, he still wouldn't be able to know by coming to a party. Kurenai sighed. Maybe she was over-reading body languages. He wasn't that grumpy anymore, anyway. He had changed a little since entering the Ninja Academy. Before, he was a grumpy, antisocial kid who didn't talk to anyone and refused to take orders. Now, he was less grumpy and was more willing to take orders from Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage. But he was still antisocial. Well, maybe he's coming out of his shell now.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't take heed of her surroundings before she bumped into someone. "I'm sorry," she said, and then stopped. "Kakashi!"

"Good evening, Kurenai," Hatake Kakashi said, without glancing from his book. It was Icha Icha Paradise. She sighed. Lately, Jiraiya's stuff had been mainstreamed, and even kids who were still out of the Ninja Academy knew about it.

Should I tell him about Sasuke? She thought. I should. "Kakashi, tell me if I'm overreacting here. Sasuke had just agreed to come to Hinata's welcome home party. There's something amiss…"

Kakashi looked up from his book, and cocked his head, interested. "I should think so. He didn't come to Sakura's birthday last year, and he sees much more of her than he does of Hinata."

She sighed, relieved. She wasn't off in reading the lines, then.

"Why was Hinata in the hospital in the first place?" Kakashi asked.

"She was almost poisoned to death when she sucked poison out of an injured shinobi she saw while patrolling. It turns out that the poison was from a highly toxic plant that grows on Konoha's borders. Hinata didn't have her special medicine for poison then, so she just sucked it out. She got scrapes and bruises from carrying the poisoned nin. Of course, she was getting weaker herself." Kurenai smiled, thinking of her student's selflessness. She was unlike the other Hyuugas who were cold and ruthless.

Kakashi shrugged. "Makes sense if it was Hinata." He paused for a moment then started walking. Kurenai matched his steps. "But I wonder why Sasuke was willing to come…"

They went inside a small restaurant. "That's what bothers me," Kurenai agreed. They took a seat. "I don't even know if they had exchanged any words at all."

"I don't think so." Kakashi pocketed his book. He stopped when he saw a glint in Kurenai's eye, and a mischievous look. "What are you planning?"

Kurenai smiled wider. "Well, they compliment each other, I think. Kind of like ramen noodles and hot water. One needs the other to be delicious."

Kakashi cocked his head. "What are you driving at?"

Guys are so dense! "I think we ought to give them a push."

"What push?"

Kurenai gritted her teeth. She opened her mouth to speak, but Kakashi cut her off.

A waiter came, and they both ordered. "Don't tell me you're going to play matchmaker between Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuuga Hinata."

Kurenai smiled. Finally! "Exactly."

"I haven't heard of a more farfetched pair anywhere."

"Why not? Hinata-chan isn't so shy anymore. She can talk to anybody who talks to her. And Sasuke, he needs somebody to talk to. Hinata needs someone too. Look at how Naruto's ignoring her for Sakura," she said with an injured sniff, displeased at the injustice thrust upon her student. "Those fangirls of him are… Well… Say, devoid of substance. Since Sakura's returning Naruto's affection­—"

"Stop. Sakura is returning Naruto's affection?" Kakashi was obviously surprised at this piece of news.

"Don't you notice?" Kurenai asked, shocked. "Sakura's not berating him anymore, and she enjoys Naruto's company. She doesn't decline when Naruto asks her out, and she's always smiling when she's around. She's given up on Sasuke a long time ago."

"Oh? I wonder why I don't see that…"

"You need a woman, Kakashi," Kurenai pointed out.

A tinge of pink appeared on what was uncovered of Kakashi's face. "Not at this moment."

"Anyway, as I was saying… Hinata-chan will do wonders on Sasuke, I should think."

"What kind?"

"For one thing, her gentleness might rub off on him. Hinata has a way with people." Kurenai winked at Kakashi. "You never know. I think they look perfect together."

"When have you thought of all this?" Kakashi wanted to know.

"Just now."

For some reason, Kakashi chuckled. Kurenai was really amusing.

"That's a good plan, isn't it?" she asked.

"I wonder how you'll pull it off."

"Oh, you'll be there to help me, won't you?" she smiled at Kakashi.

"Ohohoho, old lady. You're alone in that."

"WHAT?! You're not convinced?" Kurenai felt the blood rise to her cheeks.

"Sure, after what you said, I think that they would look good together too. But, matchmaking has never been my thing."

Kurenai shook her head. Sasuke was Kakashi's student. He would be able to do the job from the inside. He knew Sasuke well, and Sasuke trusted him, so Kakashi would be an asset for her plan.

"Please say yes, Kaksashi."

"I can't. Why do you want to do this anyway?"

Kurenai bit her lip. Why, anyway? "I love Hinata like my own child. She's a sweet girl, and I'd do anything to help her. I know she feels alone, without anyone to give her affection. You know her mother died when she was young, and her father… Well. Even Neji, her cousin, doesn't give her at least brotherly affection. And that's what Hinata needs."

"And you're sure Sasuke can give that to her?"

Kurenai paused for a moment. Somehow, she had faith that her plan would work if she pushed through until the end. "Yes, I'm sure. Look, both of them are alone. At their age, that's very difficult."

"What if they outgrow this stage? What will happen to your plan?"

"They're becoming men and women fast." Kurenai sighed. "This is not a stage anymore."

"I see." Kakashi nodded. "I can see you're serious about this."

Kurenai nodded. "So you'll help me?"

"Still no."

Kurenai clenched her fists, feeling frustrated. She so wanted to throw a kunai at him right now. She needed him if she was to succeed in her operation. Talking to him was a washout. An idea formed in her mind. If she couldn't talk Kakashi into helping her, then somebody could force him to do it. And force needs power. Who would have the most power in the village more than Hokage-sama? She hid her idea behind a glare directed at Kakashi. "Fine." She stalked out the restaurant, eager to carry on with her plan.