There was an awkward silence in the vehicle. Hinata had kept her head down, thinking about the possibility that she could be pregnant. It wasn't a concept she was pleased with. Her thought's were shaken when the vehicle turned off.
"We're here."
His voice brought her out of her grim reverie. The bakery was a small hometown one, with "Akimichi" written on the door. Shino held the door open, and she walked in, senses battered with the rich smell inside. The baker was nowhere in sight. Hinata's eyes gazed around at the various breads and pastries. Shino passed her, ringing the bell on the counter.
"Hey, Chou! You got some customers out here!."
There was a crash in the kitchen, and a white cloud wafted out from the door that led to the back. A hefty man stepped out, looking a little irritated, covered in flour. His long red hair was in a long braid; probably to keep it out of the food. Hinata hid behind a rack of bread, pretending to be interested in a loaf of French. She peeked through the racks.
"Hey, Shino. What have I told you about calling out like that?"
"Not to?"
"Exactly."
Silence. Shino didn't usually do tomfoolery of any kind, but Chouji always brought out the best in people, and had badass cookies to boot. The Akimichi took a hand towel off the counter and wiped the flour off his face, and Hinata noted, curiously, that there was a red swirl tattooed on each cheek. Interesting. His dark eyes rested on Hinata.
"Who's your friend?"
He gestured to the said girl, who nervously stepped out.
"This is Hinata Hyuuga. Some…things have happened. I'll be needing an extra loaf of bread this week. Also… you don't think you have any day-old cupcakes to spare, would you?"
Chouji looked as if Shino had slapped him.
"Day-old!? What do you take me for, Aburame, some sort of cheapskate? I'm not going to shove off the leftovers on you and your friend." Chouji beckoned for Hinata to come. "Come over here. Take your pick. I just put these out here ten minutes before you guys came into the shop. And don't worry… it's on the house."
Shino smiled. Chouji had a good heart. While Hinata went to pick out what she wanted, Shino went to get a couple loaves of wheat bread. Hinata returned with a strawberry cupcake after a few minutes, a slight smile on her face. He nodded to her.
"Why don't you take that and head out to the car? I'll be out in a minute."
Hinata hesitated, but decided to listen to him and took the offered keys, heading outside with her baked treasure. As soon as the door closed behind her, the cheerful smile dropped of the baker's face.
"What are you doing mixing up with the Hyuugas, Shino? We both know how her father is. You don't want to get mixed up with that."
Shino didn't answer for a moment, fishing around his pockets for his wallet to retrieve what meager cash was held inside.
"She was in a bad state, Chouji. Beaten, broken, and thrown out. I actually chanced upon her, thank the gods. If it weren't for me… Well, she was raped. If I hadn't come, she'd be dead as well. The only thing I know of her attacker is that his name is 'Uchiha'. The only thing I even had on me to fend him off with was paint."
He shook his head, laying the money on the counter. Chouji picked it up, but paused. He had known Shino since they were both kids. For the artist to have his paints with him… he must have been going to the show. Meaning, he missed it. The Aburame barely had enough to get by as it was; paying for his bills and having a little extra for food and supplies. Now with another mouth to feed…
"Keep it. You'll need it. Consider it a belated birthday gift for when I missed your twenty-third."
He smiled, handing it back. Although the shades prevented him from seeing it, he could almost feel the gratitude shining in the other man's eyes. He nodded and ducked out, going back to the car. When Shino left, the smile fell, and Chouji leaned against the counter.
Uchiha…Where had he heard that name before?
Oh….shit. Chouji quickly moved, rushing out the door.
"SHI…no…fuck."
They were gone.
-
Hinata ate her cupcake in silence, savoring it as if she had never eaten one before. The vehicle passed several shops as he went through town, heading back home.
"Shino?"
He didn't take his eyes off the road.
"Hm?"
"If it's not t-to much t-trouble… Can we st-stop at the flowershop?"
He glanced at her for a moment, features quizzical. The flowershop…? He hit the left blinker, and changed lanes.
"Sure… but what do you need at the flowershop?"
The girl fidgeted slightly, poking her fingers together.
"I'm good friends with the g-girl who works there."
He nodded. She must mean the Yamanaka girl. Ino, he believed her name was. He had heard that here skills in botany were rivaled by none other, but hadn't had the chance himself to see if the rumors were true. He turned, pulling off into a space in front of the building.
"Watch your door; there's a truck."
His warning was merely out of habit. He had nearly lost the passenger side door on many an occasion when he had Kiba with him. He got out and waited, and she soon followed after the truck passed. He let her lead the way.
-
"Ah yes, excellent choice. The white rose of innocence. Lucky girl."
The blonde-haired woman rang the roses up; $6.49 for half a dozen. She waved as the customer left, and turned her head to the door, the ring of the bells alerting her to more customers. Her crystal eyes widened when she recognized who it was.
"Oh my gods! Hinata!"
Ino practically jumped the counter in her excitement. She had already heard about Hinata getting thrown out by Naruto, but didn't know what had happened from there. Or who tall, dark, and… colorful? She noted his hands as she rushed up to them. Covered in paint. He was an artist. Oh well, that wasn't important. She hugged the girl.
"What happened?! I heard some awful things! Did that Naruto really throw you out!?"
Shino winced slightly. The blonde was loud. He tuned out the twitter of questions that Ino asked her. Letting the two talk, he wandered up one aisle, peering at some foxglove. Hmm… attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. And it looks nice. But, he didn't have the money to spare to get it, so he turned…
…and found himself face-to-face with Ino.
"So, are you her boyfriend, then, painter?"
Shino blanched.
"What? No!"
Ino said nothing more, letting her cocky smile do the talking. A jingle at the door signified more customers, and Ino disappeared, long ponytail swaying as she whipped back around behind the counter. She waved at the two, and went back to work. The pair left the flowershop.
"I take it you didn't tell her everything?"
Hinata shook her head.
"I love Ino, r-really, but she's the t-town gossip. Tomorrow, the entire t-town would have known."
"Mmm."
Silence ensued as he drove home, taking the way past the park. He let his gaze wander slightly; it was late spring, and there were still some blossoms on the sakura trees. There was a blanket of pinkish-white petals scattered in the grass. A few petals drifted on the breeze as they fell. Beautiful. Inspiration struck.
"Hey… Hinata? How would you like to spend the afternoon at the park?"
She looked at him, slightly quizzical. They had just passed the park. But still, it would be nice. The springtime was Hinata's favorite season.