Those Quiet Things That No One Really Gets

by

Cloud N9ne

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! ;3 -hinthint- And yes, it is fluffy for now, but I promise some angst in future chapters....some.

Part Two

"I'm Here For You"

Hinata was at a complete loss for words. Her hands were stuck to their respective sides, stiff as boards, and her eyes were on the brink of popping straight out of her skull because of the intensity of which she was was gawking. Where was she staring? Straight ahead, over someone elses shoulder. A man's shoulder.

Who is this? Was her initial thought, as would be anyone elses in the same position.

It ended as quickly as it began, the man pushing the girl away in such a mechanical fashion; his hands gripping her forearms firmly before him. His pale face stared with a ghostly smile into hers, they being at almost level height. Why did her face feel so suddenly warm? The intimacy of the situation finally sunk in. Her eyes adverted and she blinked repeatedly, taking a step back.

"U-uh...." Hinata's mouth opened but no words came out.

What could she say? What was going on? She hardly even spoke to Sai!

"S-s...."

Obviously not noticing how uncomfortable he was making the Hyuuga, Sai blinked once before his mouth worded an "O" and he gazed down to examine his hand for a moment, closed in a fist around something. They then looked up, bringing the object to eye level.

"I read in a book that when a girl is distressed, it's best to offer assistance...and give her gifts."

It was a white flower, the shape similar to that of a six pointed star and its yellow center extended out, moving lightly in the breeze...although she wasn't looking at the flower. Hinata froze, their eyes meeting. Her mouth opened and closed for a moment.

"I suppose it's best to say 'I'm here for you' or something of that nature." His lips curled into that other-worldly smile again, his eyes closing lightly, breaking their connection and snapping the girl back to her senses.

That did it.

She slid to her knees as if her legs had gained the consistency of noodles, her face beet red. She passed out there, uttering a soft "Ahh..." Sai's right hand still gripped her forearm. He stood still, face shifting into puzzlement.

But who was even more shocked was Kurenai, who had watched the spectacle with amusement at first, but who now rushed to Hinata's side.

"Hinata."

"Hm...I was certain I did that right." He let go of her arm, furrowing his brow. He allowed her slump the rest of the the way onto the street and flipped out a book from his pouch.

Kurenai shot him an unemused look but kept silent and lifted Hinata to her feet.

---

Hinata awoke minutes later, eyes bleary and blinking slowly. She was sitting. Above her was a roof but she was still outside. She could see the sky past the overhanging ornaments adorning the cafe's entrance. She looked to the right, towards the source of a small breeze hitting her face. It was Kurenai, her former teacher. She stopped fanning the girl with a white paper fan and sighed.

"Oh, you're awake. What have I told you about falling asleep in he middle of the road?" She joked, trying at some rarely seen humor from the red eyed kunoichi.

Hinata didn't reply and sat up, flinching when she noticed the darkly clad figure standing at the entrance. The boy, as if feeling her eyes on his back, shut a book sharply in his right hand and turned around.

She unconciously backed away in her seat, swallowing in her throat as he marched towards her in another mechanic motion. Usually, whenever she saw the guy before, his actions could only be described as graceful. Now, it was as if he were in the military following some very strange orders. As if his body was not used to the actions he was portraying.

He bended down before Hinata and sat his elbows upon his knees, which made the softly spoken girl shift uncomfortably in her seat. Kurenai opened her mouth as if to speak only to shut it after a moment's pause. The two women noticed that his smile had returned and that the shinobi quickly placed the flower from before into Hinata's lap. She stared at it as if the thing fell from another planet.

Sitting up straighter, a light blush fomed on her cheeks...reminiscing on what had happened. He smelled good...oddly enough for a guy, it wasn't too strong of a scent, but bitterweet like a spice...why was she thinking of this again?? Anyways, what was really making her blush at the moment was not the fact that he had so suddenly, and without explanation, approached and hugged her...no, embraced her, in pure daylight. It was the fact that just the night before he had seen her cry....he must have known. The feelings of the night before dawned on her once again, making the flower in her lap feel heavier than lead.

"Here, I gave you this." He interrupted her thoughts. "I looked it up....It seems I was too soon." Sai's head tilted. "Physical affection is only to be shared between someone who you have gotten to know. I realize that now."

"A book? Oh...umm..." Once she regained her composure, Hinata cleared her voice and uttered in an uncertain voice; "Thank...you..." She tried to appear as if she understood.

He nodded. "That is why I look forward to getting to know you better."

Hinata spluttered, confusion growing deeper. "Wh-what? Uuum..."

Contemplating between the two, Kurenai sat back in her chair amused.

I thought he was just a friend

sitting in the seat next to me

To tell the truth, I had little interest in him

Cupid's love shot through me

and pointed at the person of my destiny

-Yoko Ishida