"What makes him the leader?"
Shikamaru kept walking without turning to her. The only indication that he'd heard the harsh edge in her voice was a raised brow. He gave her a short, "Excess,"
Hinata shook her head. "I-I don't understand,"
He sighed and slouched alongside her on their way back. She had an idea about what he meant; the gang shared a culture of excess - excessive zeal, excessive eating, excessive laziness, excessive stupidity, excessive inconspicuousness, excessively bad personality...

"A-Are you saying Uchiha-san is the least excessive of you?" Hinata said dubiously.

"Yeah. Call him Sasuke. He doesn't like formalities,"

Hinata bit the inside of her cheek, a frown brewing between her brows. She wasn't happy about several things. First, she didn't like hearing him calling her "Hinata" so informally and so intimately. She decided then to keep calling him Uchiha-san. He would live. She might not. It was a risk worth taking. Second was the qualification for leader. That it was enough to simply not be something. Not as fat, or mentally unstable, or energetic, or about as energetic as a decomposing corpse.

When they reached the camp site, it was to see Lee wrapped around in the strung up lights like he was trapped in a vortex of fireflies. The fire was out and Naruto was passed out (again), with Kiba beating at the drunk blond's pants. She saw holes with black frayed edges when his hands came away. She wondered when and how Naruto had gone from drooling on Sasuke's back to setting his own pants on fire.

"Uh..."

Kiba kicked a can of beer away petulantly and glared at them. "While you were away, guess which two lightweights got smashed?"

"Just leave him," Sasuke said, stepping over Naruto and slipping into his blazer. "I already took his wallet so he's worth even less now,"

"I doubt anyone wants to deal with Lee right now either," Shikamaru said and followed suit, though he couldn't be bothered to put his blazer on and slung it on his shoulder.

Lee stumbled over and bumped his nose into Chouji's shoulder. He put his fists up and stared fiercely at his bag of chips. "Wanna fight?"

"Whatever,"

"Good answer!"

"Let's just go," Shikamaru muttered.

Hinata lingered at Naruto's prone form. "Naruto-kun passes out a lot,"

"Yeah, he does that," Kiba had his things packed up and walked with her. Shino joined them soon after.

She couldn't help but notice the white patch taped onto the unconscious boy's stomach, where his shirt had ridden up. Her stomach clenched. One of those twins had a knife. She hadn't seen him get hurt. "W-What happened to his stomach?"

"Hm? Oh that," Kiba gave a flippant shrug. "He got cut,"

"I believe Hinata-san can clearly see that he was injured," Shino said dryly. "He was injured in an altercation with the Suna last week,"

"Hmph! They thought they could steal our base. We sure showed those dipshits!"

She swallowed thickly. "D-Did anyone else get injured?"

Kiba gave her a careful look. "Well, yeah, it's a fight. We get hurt all the time,"

Hinata bit her suddenly dry lip. She grew up in an environment with fighters. She was supposed to be one. Martial arts and kendo were sport, not violence. It demonstrated sportsmanship, diligence, and respect to tradition. It was controlled. Violence was chaos, malice, anything-goes. The fighting she knew didn't acknowledge cheap shots or ganging up on an opponent or pulling lethal weapons. She knew of the smooth bamboo of a shinai, not the bloodied blunt end of an aluminum baseball bat.

She didn't know violence but she knew she didn't like it. She also didn't like seeing it on Naruto's stomach or in a matching set of broken hands and wrists.

"We're going this way," Kiba's voice cut through her train of thought and Hinata looked up at him with a start. "You were really zoning out there, huh,"

"Sorry," she mumbled and clasped her hands together in front of her.

"We could walk you home if you want," he said and Shino nodded.

She didn't register what she was saying but whatever she said was returned with two nods and wishes for a good night. Hinata stood and stared at their retreating backs for a beat before her mind joined her body again.

"You're not getting a ride from us,"

Hinata glanced up and regretted it immediately. Sasuke was perched on his motorcycle, brows drawn together and hands tightly gripping the handles.

"I," She paused and stared at him blankly. "I didn't say I wanted to,"

As she walked away, she thought about the blood she saw on and around their base. She wondered who struck who, and morbidly, whose blood it was splattered about. Then she heard the purring of an engine. Hinata hissed under her breath and walked faster.

"Just so you don't get any disgusting ideas," Sasuke said, searching her withdrawn face from his motorcycle. "I'm going this way too,"

"..."

"I thought a quiet girl would be nice for a change but it's just creepy,"

"..."

"Hey,"

She gritted her teeth.

He made an annoyed noise.

"Fine. C'mon, Amaterasu,"

With that, he roared off, leaving her ears ringing.

Incomprehensible, moody, annoying, wouldn't leave her the hell alone, she thought irritably.

It wasn't long before there were more loud noises; sirens this time. Hinata stopped under a streetlight as an ambulance tore down the street. She scrunched up her face in confusion. It was going along her way.

At the next crosswalk, the block was barricaded by yellow tape. Hinata could see red and blue flashing lights under her eyelids when she blinked and heard the staticy voices from police walkie-talkies. A crowd of housewives investigating in their pajamas was forming, but before the crowd could obscure the crime scene, she caught a head of brown hair in vaguely familiar twin buns. The rest of the girl's face was covered in an oxygen mask and busy EMTs.

"Isn't she-"

"It was an attack!"

"Eh?"

"I saw it! It was a person wearing a red hood,"

"A red hood? Who?"

"...a student?"

Hinata tried to fish for the girl's name – she was certain she knew her – amongst the gossiping. She peered over shoulders and heads at the barricaded area but couldn't see anything. Soon, policemen were herding the crowd away with shrieking whistles. Hinata fell back from the crowd. She felt eyes on her and stiffened.

When she looked over her shoulder, Sasuke was standing by his bike.

He looked past her. "I'm on your way,"

She was going to ask how he knew where she lived until she remembered that he was a stalker. "Informant" had a prettier ring to it. Without another word, Hinata crossed the street and continued on her way, hearing a familiar purring and irritated click of the tongue from behind her.

He rode silently beside her, glancing sideways at her and twisting his mouth unhappily all the way. Was he trying to look out for her? All this casual violence in one day – it was starting to get to her. Hinata smoothed her skirt with shaky hands.

"I think that girl goes to my school," she said absently, speaking more to herself.

She wasn't expecting a response and she didn't get one. She looked over at him. He had stopped. Hinata stopped just before the entrance to the estate and stood there for a moment, staring at the ground between them.

She hadn't accepted his offer so she wasn't sure if she needed to thank him. And he did keep insisting that it was on the way, which she interpreted as it being no trouble on his part but considering his track record so far, it was hard to believe he was doing this out of the kindness -

"Go inside already," he said.

Well.

"F-Fine." she said, cheeks red as she walked off in a huff.

Kindness her great-grandfather's behind!

"Another thing," he said.

She stopped and turned with her arms crossed. "W-What?"

He tilted his head, dark hair falling to the side. "As soon as you get your bike back, you're out of my gang,"

At the stubborn set of her lip, he added, "That's not up for debate, Hinata."

Sasuke put his helmet on and took off. The roar of the engine rang in her ear long after he was gone.

"Who was that?"

A pair of cool gray-white eyes glowed up at her.

"H-Hanabi," she said weakly. Hindsight is fifty-fifty. She should have made him leave before reaching the entrance.

The younger Hyuuga sister's lip curled up. "Is that your boyfriend?"

"H-He's not! A-And don't tell, please!"

"If he's not, then why can't I say anything?"

Hinata walked up to the door with slumped shoulders. "You know how Neji-nii and Father get about male friends,"

Hanabi got up from the porch swing. "Neji-nii's not home yet,"

That was one storm she wouldn't have to weather. "I-Is Father home?"

"Yes. I told him your friend had an emergency so you had to go out. You should stick to the script,"

"Ah, th-thanks," Hinata said, bewildered by the sudden benevolence. Not that her sister was particularly cruel to her, just ambivalent.

"And thank you, nee-san. I have some good blackmail material now."

Hinata gave her a betrayed looked. She was getting tired of people in her life trying to broker information from her.

lllll

This year's cake was an improvement from last year's. The first one had been the texture of stale bread and the cream had been beaten to the consistency of cement.

It had been an upsetting occasion for many reasons. Hiashi set the china down on his desk. He had gotten used to seeing her at home every day and more used to seeing her timidly approach him with cake to wish him a happy birthday every year since she could start using an oven without supervision.

The cake was fluffy and the cream sweet and whipped to perfect stiff peaks.

Hinata was finally home. He had ended up eating another slice during his wait. Neji arrived moments afterward. It wasn't long before his nephew quietly entered his office, having seen the light on.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Keep an eye on her after school,"

Neji gave him a look. "That's – you are acting strange,"

"I am not acting strange,"

The younger Hyuuga frowned. "You want me to spy on her? With all due respect-"

"I don't want your opinion on this, Neji. She came home late two nights in a row,"

"She's in high school now,"

Hiashi's stare drifted to the empty china dish.

"I won't repeat myself."

lllll

Dark undereyes, persistent (and contagious) yawning, white-blonde hair sticking out all over the place -

"Ino-chan, you don't look so good,"

Ino blew a lock of hair out of her face as she looked up from her phone. "Thanks. Didn't you hear what happened last night?"

Hinata stopped mid-sweep. "W-What happened?"

"Tenten got attacked," Ino drummed her fingers on the counter. "I was volunteering at the hospital when they brought her in. From what I saw," She shook her head. "She got hurt really bad,"

"Tenten," Hinata said, still trying to connect who she was.

"She's my senpai. Captain of the kendo team?"

"Oh," No wonder the girl had seemed so familiar to her.

"I ended up staying up waiting with her family," Ino let out another yawn. "That's why I'm so damn tired,"

Hinata hummed in thought. "Is that also why you've been on your phone all morning?"

"Sakura's over there now keeping me posted on her condition,"

Hinata nodded and turned her full attention on her sweeping. The sharp spike of jealousy she felt over Ino's friendship with the other girls made her hate herself for being so selfish. There was nothing to be jealous over a girl who had been assaulted and hospitalized.

"I-I heard that someone wearing a red hood did it," she blurted out.

"Mm, I heard those rumors too," Ino said, twirling her ponytail. "I also heard some conspiracy theories,"

"Like what?"

"Like someone did it on purpose so Tenten couldn't compete in the tournament. There's one person that comes to mind when I think of who could do something like this," she said grimly.

"Um, is it that scary girl with the hair?" Hinata gestured to the back of her head.

Ino gave her a small smile. "Yeah," It abruptly vanished and her expression darkened. "Temari. She has an alibi though," She tugged at her ponytail agitatedly. "She's not supposed to be here until today from what I've heard,"

Hinata quietly continued working. Ino stretched her arms out and yawned again. "It'd be scary if someone was targeting us. If this person could take Tenten out then the rest of us are dead meat,"

Hinata frowned. "Don't say that,"

"I don't want to keep talking about this either," Ino grumbled, rubbing her drooping eyes. She perked up as a thought came to her. "Say, have you heard about the flower tradition?"

Hinata stopped with a puzzled expression. "Hm? No,"

Ino grinned. "It's for the kendo tournament! People can give people on the kendo team flowers as like, a favor. I wonder if anyone will give me a flower to show off on the battlefield!"

Pearly eyes brightened. Hinata pumped her fist in determination. "I-I can give you one, Ino-chan!"

"Sure you can," The blonde winked. "I didn't think you liked me like that though, Hina,"

"H-Huh?"

Ino laughed. "It's a romantic thing,"

She deflated. "Oh,"

Ino sighed and leaned her elbows against the counter. "I remember seeing students buying flower favors when I was in middle school. It's kind of weird that I can be part of that now,"

"I suppose," Hinata mumbled to her broom.

"Why are you sulking?"

"I-I am not,"

Ino gave her a long look. The chimes above the door rang as a customer entered.

"Huh? I-Ino? Why are you here?" Chouji stood in the entrance, cheeks pink and eyes wide.

"I should be asking you that, Cho," Ino switched her attention to the flustered boy. A cunning look passed her face and she smirked. "Oh. You're here to buy a favor aren't you? I'm flattered!"

His face went flaming red. "I-It's not for you!"

"Your loss. Who is it then?"

"Not your business," he said, crossing his arms, cheeks puffed. Chouji glanced over and groaned miserably. "Hinata, you're here too?"

"I-I'm sorry?"

Chouji glowered at the smug blonde. "I thought your parents would be here today,"

"You thought wrong! Now spill!"

Hinata stared at her shoes. "I-I won't say anything,"

"Just give me flowers, damn it! I don't need the third degree,"

Ino conceded. "Do you know what she likes? Favorite color?"

He rubbed his chin. "Red, probably. Or yellow?"

"Okay, so not Sakura. Or Tenten," Ino scribbled on a notepad, brow furrowed. "Oh, that reminds me. I should make her a bouquet,"

"It's not anyone from your team," Chouji said with a pout.

She tapped her chin in thought. "How about sunflowers?"

He nodded. "That would work,"

"Give me a sec," she said and dashed off.

Chouji and Hinata stood silently together. She tried to look busy and swept over the same spot eight times.

"I've never seen you work here before," he said.

"Oh, uh, I-I help out sometimes," She smiled faintly. "We must have missed each other,"

He nodded and an awkward silence descended upon them. Hinata went to wipe the windows. Ino never lacked for friends and people. There were always childhood friends to tease and bouquets to make for school friends and friendly rivals to make fun of. If Hinata weren't around, there would be someone else to take her place instantly. She cleaned until her arms and shoulders ached.

"Here we go," Ino arrived with the sunflowers.

Chouji's relief and nervousness showed plainly on his face. "Thanks. And don't say a word, okay? I have embarrassing stories of you too, you know,"

"Whatever, lover boy."

He gave her a sour look before paying. He held the bouquet of sunflowers carefully, fussing with them on his way out the door.

Ino shook her head. "That Cho,"

Hinata wasn't sure if her smile was convincing. Either way, her friend went about cheerfully putting together a daffodil bouquet for Tenten. The Hyuuga stared out the window absently, brow tensed.

She blinked away her spaciness when she spotted a tall blonde with her hair in four ponytails. The girl was walking with a boy wearing a black hoodie and purple facial markings. Sharp blue-green eyes darted to her from the other side of the window.

With her rag still in her hand, Hinata bowed to the new customers. The boy glanced up when the bells chimed at the door then looked at her.

"W-Welcome," she said.

"Give me your most expensive flowers," the girl said.

She had grown and matured from the last time she'd seen her, but this was definitely Temari. Speak of the devil.

"Y-Yes. Just a minute, please,"

Hinata scurried to the back where Ino was. "I-Ino-chan, i-i-it's Temari!"

"What?" She turned her head and her eyes widened. "Why is she here?"

"U-Um, sh-she said she wants the most expensive flowers," Hinata said quickly.

"Alright, keep them company then,"

"R-Roger,"

She pursed her lips and sighed quietly as she trudged back to the front of the shop.

Temari was standing with her feet apart and arms crossed as she scanned the shop. Piecing eyes came to a stop on Hinata.

"You're the older Hyuuga girl?" she said. Her voice was low and had a slight accent.

"Y-Yes,"

Temari narrowed her eyes. "Will you be participating in the tournament then?"

"I-I'm afraid not. A-Are you here for the tournament?"

She scoffed. "What other reason would I have to come to this shithole of a city?"

"For the cute girls," The boy wiggled his brows at her. "So whatcha think?" He flexed his arms and struck some poses. "Hot, right?"

"Uh..."

He shrugged. "Can't hurt a guy for trying,"

"I can," Temari said and decked him in the face.

"You fucking hedgehog!"

"Hello," Ino breezed in. "Would these flowers do?"

Temari gave them a quick glance. "How much?"

After paying, the pair went and stopped by the doorway. Temari looked between Ino and Hinata. "I'll be seeing you, Yamanaka,"

Her lips twisted up in a facsimile of a smile as she faced Hinata. "And you, Hinata,"

The wild, terrifying promise in her expression stopped her cold. Temari left with a sneer and a wave of her hand, the boy following behind her.

"I didn't know she called you by your first name," Ino said after a long pause.

"I didn't know either."

lllll

Whatever Hinata imagined what going for a run with Ino would be like, this certainly wasn't it.

"Th-This is your idea of stretching?" she gasped, curled up into a ball on the grass.

"Aw, c'mon, Hina. Is that all you got?"

"Y-Yes, ma'am,"

Ino bounced on the balls of her feet. "Up and at 'em!"

"I want to go home and eat sweets," she whined.

Ino crouched beside her. "Sit up. Here,"

Hinata accepted the water bottle gratefully. She dabbed her sweaty brow with a handkerchief. "You know, it's pretty rare to be able to meet up twice in a row on weekends,"

"That's true," She smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry that I haven't made time for us to hang out,"

"I-I didn't mean it like that," Hinata ducked her head to her knees. "I-I'm just happy that you're my friend,"

Ino grinned and jumped to her feet. The sunlight brightened her fair hair and light eyes as she reached her hands out to her. "Don't sound so gloomy, Hina. Let's run!"

Hinata managed a shaky smile. She took her friend's outstretched hands and got up.

"You might as well be able to run fast if you can't fight," Ino said.

Hinata stopped, shocked. "W-What?"

"You got your cellphone back, didn't you?" She found herself on the receiving end of shrewd blue-green eyes. "Be careful. You can't depend on those stupid monkeys to help you,"

"I know it's stupid. I-I'm being stupid,"

They slowed to walking. "Those guys are stupid but they're not all bad. I can vouch for Shikamaru and Chouji anyway,"

"I – I'm sorry,"

"Just be careful," Ino smiled. "Remember, I got your back,"

Ino blinked in surprise when the girl fell silent. Her surprise grew when she caught sight of her face. "Are you crying?"

"N-N-No,"

"Oh my god, Hina, you crybaby,"

"A-Am not!"

"Race you to the end of the block?"

"Y-You're," Hinata sniffed and dried her eyes. "You're on!"

lllll

Creampuff was its name. Creampuff was the perfect candidate for the empty, sunny window sill at the Rookie's base. Hinata was walking from the flower shop with the potted cactus in her hands, sighing and cooing at it at every stop sign.

"You - You are so cute!"

There were some strange stares her way but Hinata couldn't be bothered to notice. Creampuff would grow big and beautiful and maybe even blossom! Cacti of Creampuff's species were notoriously difficult to flower. Hinata was breathless with anticipation of the challenge. She was making her way to the base when a two big paws lunged for her knees.

"A-Ah! K-Kami-chan, good afternoon,"

The dog's ears twitched at the sound of her name. All was right in her world when there were cute and precious creatures to coo at.

"So...so cute," she whispered and petted Kami's soft white fur.

A rumble of thunder in the distance took Hinata out of her daze. Kami dislodged Hinata's fingers from her fur and ran off.

She stayed in a crouched position for a few moments, hand suspended in the air. "Maybe if I bring treats with me she'll stay longer," She beamed at the cactus in her arms and said, " Let's go, Creampuff,"

"That is a Suna cactus,"

Hinata looked around in surprise, her hand over her chest. "Sh-Shino-kun?"

A short boy with red hair and black ringed eyes stepped out from under the awning of an old store. His face was expressionless but a small twitch about his eyes gave away his puzzlement. "Is that what it is called in Konoha?"

"N-No, I-I mistook you for someone," she said. "Who are you?"

He stood there silently, jade eyes cold and opaque. And people thought Hyuuga eyes were strange. Panda-eyes aside, his blank face was unsettling. There was something doll-like about his face, with the fair-skin and shocking, colorful features.

"Abundant sunlight is crucial for it to flower. Its flowers have many medicinal and therapeutic uses," His voice was monotone and he spoke as if he was chanting a spell. The boy shifted his gaze to the cactus. "I have also heard that speaking to it encourages growth,"

She bit the inside of her cheek, wanting to be polite but also wanting to distance herself from this stranger. "Th-Thank you. I'll try that out,"

He nodded and abruptly walked away without another word or glance.

And she thought her social skills were lacking. She rubbed her arms and felt goosebumps. As innocent as the encounter had been, she had no interest in meeting that boy again. Something was not right with him. Big, empty doll eyes appeared in her mind. She shook her head as if to get rid of the image.

Hinata continued her way to the base from memory and from the brown specks of old blood on the sidewalk like following breadcrumbs in a fairytale. She pushed open the glass door. The cameras followed her on her way to the elevator. She exhaled slowly, hoping that no one would be there – no one being the Uchiha.

Hinata picked her way to the window past the office, noting that the base was unexpectedly clean on the inside despite belonging to a group of teenage boys.

"Safe," she said with a triumphant smile. "There. This is your new home, Puff,"

The little cactus looked even smaller against the enormous window.

"Why are you decorating?"

Sasuke approached from his office while removing his red glasses and folding them into his shirt. His hair seem more blue in the sunlight. The disbelief and deadpan tone of his voice made her frown.

"P-Plants produce oxygen and I'll have you know, U-Uchiha-san, that this cactus' flowers have many medicinal and therapeutic uses as well," She finished with gusto, pleased that she'd remembered what that strange boy had said.

He stared at her and then slowly blinked. "Why do you want me to breathe more oxygen and have better health? And don't call me 'Uchiha-san,'"

"Please don't call me 'Hinata'. It's r-rude,"

He moved next to her where Creampuff was. He touched its spikes, brows furrowed. "You were talking to it,"

Hinata's cheeks flushed. "Y-Yes, I was. This is Creampuff,"

He shot her a flat look. "You already gave it a stupid name,"

"Y-You named your bike,"

"Yes, but I gave her a good name,"

"D-Do you have a better one?"

He gave her a smug look. "Hinata Jr.,"

"That's..." She heard scribbling. "What are you writing?"

He had a pocket-sized notebook he was writing in, red glasses perched on his nose. "An update on your data,"

"D-Don't! That's so creepy," She frowned at him. "And why would you do that in front of me?"

His pen stopped. He leveled his stare to hers. "Old habits die hard,"

She nodded approvingly but peeked at the page anyway.

He snapped it closed and gave her an offended look. "You were the one who called it creepy,"

"I-I was just curious about what you wrote!"

"Don't be,"

"Easier said than done," she said under her breath.

"Whatever, nosy. We have work to do,"

"'We'?"

"You have time to bring a cactus here," he said, still in disbelief. "You could spend your time wisely with me,"

"Doing what?" she said, brows furrowed.

He opened his office and gestured to the mountain of papers. "Paperwork," he said drolly.

"W-Why is there so much work and – and I'm not your secretary! Un-Unless you pay me,"

He arched a brow, then said, "Okay,"

Sasuke had returned to his chair with his hands poised over his laptop. The piles of paper had some semblance of order. There were brightly colored post-its on each.

"You can read, right?" he said. He pointed to each pile. "Homework, filing, and finances,"

Hinata closed her gaping mouth. Finances? "Y-You are a high schooler, right?"

"3000 yen an hour, Hinata,"

"Th-That's reasonable, actually," she said, surprised by his civil behavior. She carefully rolled a chair up to the adjacent axis of the desk and scooped up the homework pile. "I'm not busy so I guess I'll do it,"

"If you mess up my homework, I'll light your family and your house on fire," he said, without skipping a beat.

"Understood," she said glumly. "Y-You don't have to threaten me,"

He glanced over at her over his lenses. "No, I don't. I will, though, because it entertains me,"

Sadist. She looked over his assignments. "Um, you have a ten-page paper due tomorrow. There's a group project for Calculus, and extra credit for Japanese-"

He gave her a downright evil smile. "Sounds tough. Good luck,"

Sadist!

The door burst open and Naruto barged in. "Yo! You called? Oh, Hinata-chan's here too,"

"Hello, Naruto-kun," she greeted. "Are you okay?"

He hopped on to the desk, ignoring Sasuke's glare, and gave her a curious look. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Y-You passed out yesterday a-and we left you there," she trailed off guiltily.

"I'm great! Sasuke protected my wallet so it's all good,"

"You're disrupting our work," Sasuke said, pinching his nose bridge.

"Hm? You're doing his homework?" Naruto squinted down at the papers in front of her. "How much is he paying you?"

"3000 yen an hour,"

He nodded. "Not bad. I'd pay you to do my homework too if I wasn't broke off my ass,"

Sasuke sighed. "What do you want?"

He mock-saluted. "I have confirmed the situation, sir,"

The Uchiha's expression tensed. "Good. Any leads?"

"Nope,"

He ran his fingers through his dark hair. "Fine. Keep your eyes and ears open,"

"'kay," Naruto's face took on a mischievous turn. "You know who else blew into town?"

"Why do you want me to care?"

"Cause Cho's making his move!"

Hinata looked up from a difficult math problem. "Chouji-kun? With who?"

Naruto latched onto Hinata's interest. "Kumo's number one girl's kendo captain, Karui!"

"I think I've heard of her before," she mused.

"Well, Cho's going to go talk to her today,"

"Ah, he did come into the shop yesterday to pick up flowers for someone,"

"Ooh! You hear that, teme?" He nudged Sasuke.

Sasuke glared at them. "Both of you are nosy. Get back to work or it's 2000 yen and a knife to the face for you, dobe,"

"Fiiiiiine. I'm going to go spy on them! See ya,"

"Good riddance,"

"Naruto-kun's so energetic," Hinata said softly as the door closed.

Sasuke gave her a look. "Don't aspire to be like him, please."

Three hours passed without her realizing it. From time to time, she could tell he was watching her. Whether to check if she was still working or for his own creepy reasons, she didn't know or care to know. His eyes would always be glued to the screen whenever she raised her head. It was quiet, save for the ticking clock, the tapping keys, and her scribbling. It wasn't as uncomfortable as she thought it would be. Probably because she had been completely focused on her work.

"I'm hungry," she said, breaking the silence. She did a double-take when she noticed what time it was. "It's gotten late,"

He looked at the clock and did the same. His expression changed subtly when he looked over at her. He might have been impressed. "You got through a lot of it,"

She nodded. The homework pile was near complete, which filled her with a sense of accomplishment. She had finished her own homework last night, so she wasn't worried about scrambling to finish it tonight.

It was silent between them again, though it wasn't punctuated by the sound of work this time. It was charged with some kind of tension that made her actively avoid his stare. She reached for her phone but nearly dropped it when there was loud ringing.

It wasn't her phone though. He picked his phone up, eyes on her. "Hello?"

Hinata hadn't realized how relaxed his face had been before the phone call until the tension hardened his features. She could make out frantic buzzing coming from the phone.

There was a long pause before he said, "I'll be there."

He ended the call and immediately rushed around the room, grabbing his coat and keys. Before she could ask, he said, "I'm going to the hospital,"

"What happened?"

"Are you coming or not?"

"O-Okay."

She gathered her stuff as quickly as possible and ran out after him.