Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine.

01. Target

The first time Sasuke really notices the shy Hyuuga, she is spying on Naruto, hiding behind a tree. She probably thinks that she's doing a great job of it too.

The entire class is outside, doing target practice with a kunai. Last week, it had been for senbon, to which Sasuke admits that he isn't very good at. But kunai on a straight target he could definitely do even with his eyes closed. He still has a lot of ground to cover but it's nothing that a little practice couldn't improve.

And speaking of improvements, that white-eyed Hyuuga girl (he couldn't remember the name of), could definitely do with some practice on stealth. Sasuke is a little baffled that someone as mousy as her could even fail at such an exercise.

Obnoxious shouts coming from the front of the target make him turn around. He snorts.

Of course. If she is spying on someone as knuckleheaded and stupid as Naruto, sub-par skills would probably do. An idiot like him wouldn't notice if an elephant follows him home, let alone if a timid girl watches him from behind a tree.

Sasuke frowns in thought. What is she even doing hiding in the first place? She could observe Naruto in plain sight if she wants to. No one will find it strange. Everyone knows she has a crush on Naruto. And it's not as if the moron would even notice.

Could there be people this shy? He wonders. Maybe this is some kind of disease that he could catch if he isn't careful.

Just then, the girl's eyes shifts to meet his and blushes, probably finally getting a clue that she's being watched as she watches the idiot. He smirks at her. She ducks behind the tree and disappears from sight completely. A frown replaces the smirk, unsure if that's the result he wants.

Whatever.

"Uchiha Sasuke," Iruka calls his name. It's his turn for target practice.

Girlish shrieks erupt as he makes his way to the front. "Sasuke-kuuuuun!" A girl with a wide forehead yells near his ear. He tries not to cringe as his ear smarts from the assault.

"Shut up forehead!"

"You shut up, pig!"

"What's so great about him anyway? Ne Sakura-chan, you can always cheer me on!"

"Shut up Naruto!"

"Okay, settle down you three!" Iruka reprimands the three stooges.

Sasuke sighs in resignation, testing the weight of the kunai in his hand before he aims. He only has a few more years to endure before he finally gets out of this circus. Until then…

He throws the kunai. It lands perfectly in the middle.

Iruka's "Good job Sasuke-kun" mingles with screeches from 'Forehead' and 'Pig', along with boos from the moron.

Sasuke ignores them all in favor of looking at the very back of the class, towards the hiding place of the shy Hyuuga he still couldn't remember the name of.

She's still hiding apparently and Sasuke feels a twinge of disappointment that she didn't see him making the bull's-eye.

Next, Iruka calls on Naruto. It's like she heard her own name called because she immediately pokes her head out to watch as Naruto misses the target completely and consequently makes an idiot out of himself by saying "That's just me warming up!" and throwing more kunai (and missing).

Sasuke frowns in consternation, unable to figure out why she has a crush on such a loser. The Hyuuga notices him watching her again and ducks out. Again.

His lips curl up in disgust. Whatever. She's a loser like Naruto. Only a loser would like another loser.

And he is anything but.

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A/N: Those of you familiar with the quote found at the start of the story would find that I took liberties with it to suit my needs. It's for the story, so I hope you don't mind :) Anyway, reviews are greatly appreciated!