Disclaimer: Are these still a thing? Either way, I don't own Naruto.

Hinata could hear quiet whines and buried deeper into bed. The whining followed her, getting steadily louder until Hinata felt a sudden weight on her chest, knocking the breath out her lungs and surprisingly sharp claws digging into her skin.

"Ah, ok ok, I get it, let's go for a walk." Hinata semi-whispered into the dark. There was a series of happy barks until Hinata turned her bedside lamp on and suddenly came face to face with a wet nose, long whiskers, and startling green eyes. The overly large puppy closed the distance between them and began eagerly licking her face. Hinata giggled despite herself and slid out from the warm covers.

"Let's find that leash of yours…" Hinata muttered mostly to herself glancing around her room, wincing at the cluttered mess her beautiful loft had become. She was normally a neat person but Ramen was a mini tornado. The dog gave a small yip, dove headfirst into a pile of clean clothes, making Hinata wince again, and came out of the pile with her leash clamped in her mouth.

She barely had time to brush her teeth and grab a granola bar before the dog had her out the door and into the morning chill. Ramen patiently waited for Hinata to clip on the leash and then set off towards Ramson Park, used to her daily ritual and thus knew the way quite well. Barely hanging onto the leash, Hinata searched her pockets for earbuds before remembering she'd left them on the night stand next to her phone…which was also not in her pockets. Sighing in resignation to the quiet, Hinata gave one last thought to her warm bed and pulled her hood over her head, to try and battle the cool air.

It was still dark, with the sun just beginning to rise. Hinata stifled a yawn, unused to being up so early, even after a week with the canine early riser. She glanced up at the dark blue hues of the night receding, giving into the bright pinks of morning. It was a view she rarely got to see. Ramen stopped every once and a while to sniff at a tree but otherwise they walked at a steady pace and were soon at the park entrance. Hinata waited a beat while Ramen sniffed the air and then sighed when the puppy chose Ronway Road, her usual hiking path that would circle the expansive grounds.

Hinata glanced back at Valley View, a much shorter hiking path, "Um Ramen, maybe we could go to that one? I have a lot of work to do later today..."

Ramen glanced back at her current human, gave a dismissive sniff, and kept walking forward.

Tha-Thump. Tha-Thump. Tha-Thump.

Sasuke let a deep breath in…and then a deep breath out. The beat of his heart was as steady as the thumping of his feet against the asphalt. He concentrated on his breath, watching it puff out every few seconds. In, out, in…out. With every breath, his headache subsided, until it was merely a dull ache at the back of his head.

There was something beautiful about the quiet of the morning. The reverent hush as the night sky gave way to the orange blush of the rising sun. Before the cars began their morning commute, before the birds commenced to sing, before the world demanded anything from him. The morning world belonged to him and only him.

Since taking over the family company while simultaneously trying to keep his criminal brother out of prison, Sasuke was plagued with headaches and migraines. He tried everything, from medications to (at Sakura's insistence) yoga but nothing worked. Then one day, Naruto showed up at his doorstep at an ungodly hour with that stupid dog and insisted on going for a run together. Sasuke almost chopped his friend's head off with the nearest knife (he was not a morning person) but at the blonde's insistence and the dog's barking, Sasuke joined him…and had been running every morning ever since then. It was the only thing that eased the pain and was the closest thing to meditation he could tolerate.

The trees around him on the edge of the path curved as he rounded a corner. The cool wind whipped through his hair and Sasuke closed his eyes, taking a moment to feel a rare second of peace.

His eyes flew open as he sensed a sudden movement, but it was far too late. A yellow blur came running at him at a full speed and knocked him back to the ground. Slightly stunned, he opened his eyes to see a wet nose, blonde fur, bright green eyes, and a pink tongue that was currently assaulting his face.

"Ramen?!" he asked, uncertainly. The pup barked joyfully at the sound of her name and continued licking his face as if her life depended on it.

"No! Oh my goodness, bad dog! Bad dog! Get OFF!" On the word 'off', Ramen was lifted off of him and into the air. Sasuke sat up to see a girl around his age holding the large dog face to face and giving her a stern talk on acceptable behavior. He was surprised to see the petite woman show such strength.

"When I say stop, you have to stop! You can't just run into strangers and attack them!" Hinata said sternly. The golden retriever whimpered and apologetically licked Hinata's face. Her lips quivered as she tried not to smile, but Ramen saw the softening in Hinata's clear eyes and began to lick in earnest.

"Ah, ok you silly puppy, you're not so bad. But no treats when we get home." Hinata put the dog down, wove the leash around her wrist a few times for good measure, and turned to crouch down in front of Sasuke.

The Uchila blinked as those clear eyes came inches away from him. He had momentarily forgotten he was, embarrassingly, still on the ground.

"I'm so sorry sir, are you ok?" Hinata asked. Sasuke quickly looked down and began to get up when a sharp pain shot through his leg. He stilled and stayed in the awkward, crotched position.

"She didn't," Sasuke said, trying to discreetly move his leg. It didn't feel as bad as a fracture but definitely more than a sprain.

"I'm sorry?" Hinata watched his movements carefully and added concussion to the list of possible injuries, including the bruised elbow and a badly twisted ankle. She watched him struggle for a bit before he sat down again, putting his weight off of his bad ankle.

"She didn't attack a stranger. That's Ramen, right? Naruto's dog." Sasuke said, glancing at the pup, who was now curled up behind Hinata, snoozing. At the mention of her human she looked around and not seeing him, went back to sleep.

"O-oh? You know Naruto-kun? Yes, I'm baby-sitting for him while he's on his honeymoon-Oh! From the wedding! You were the best man." Hinata said, suddenly. Remembering her manners, she gave a slight bow, "A pleasure to formally meet you, Uchiha-san. I'm Hyuuga Hinata."

"Hm. You were one of the bridesmaids. Well, I'm fine so you two can continue your walk. Goodbye," Sasuke needed her to leave now. The pain in his leg was getting worse and he needed to crawl to the nearest bench, not make small talk with some lady. Even more embarrassingly, a Hyuuga. Her family's company was one of the top syndicates that was currently trying to buy out his own. He delicately pulled out his phone from his pocket and sent a quick text to his assistant, instructing him to come pick him up.

Hinata was trying desperately not to roll her eyes, "Sasuke-san, can you stand?"

"Of course I can, I would just…rather not."

HInata stood up and clipped Ramen's leash to her belt loop, thus freeing her hands, "I see. Did you drive here? Or do you live close enough to walk?"

"That would be none of your business," Sasuke sneered slightly. Years of suffering from stalkers had made him cautious and more than a little wary of women, especially from opposing companies, "As I said before, leave me. I'm fine."

This time Hinata really did roll her eyes. Checking on the leash once more, she called to Ramen, who awoke and sat up at Hinata's side, yawning.

The woman smiled at the sight, "Now you know how I feel every morning."

She turned her attention to the sullen man on the ground, "Sasuke-san, I know we've really just met so please excuse the intrusion."

Sasuke tensed, "What do you mean?"

Quick as a snake, Hinata slid one arm behind Sasuke's back and one arm underneath his knees, trying to be as mindful of his injury as possible, and lifted him into her arms, bridal style.

Sasuke's mouth opened in shock and then closed as Hinata shifted his weight and began walking forward as if he were as light as a purse. Ramen followed and when Sasuke glanced at her in surprise, he could swear the dog was smirking.

"Wha-I don't-How?"

"So did you drive? Luckily we're close to the exit. But since we met coming from opposite directions, it seems you just started your run. I'm so sorry again," Hinata said looking down at him. Sasuke could feel heat rising to his face, both from embarrassment and their…proximity, and tried with all his will power to keep the blush off of his face.

"I don't…I can't…How?"

Hinata sighed, ruffling Sasuke's hair in the process. She smelled of vanilla and lavender. He was losing his inner battle against the blush.

"Why are men always so surprised to see strong women?" Hinata asked Ramen. The golden retriever barked in female solidarity.

"I'm a former MMA fighter. That's actually how I met Sakura. She's the primary doctor at my gym. I'm the one who got her to take some classes as well." Hinata smiled at the thought of her newly-wed friend.

Sasuke's mouth once again flew open, "Saukra fights? She never told me."

"She's actually quite strong, once she focuses her energy. But I think she just likes the classes as a stress relief. She hasn't told Naruto yet either. She wants to surprise him at next month's beginner's tournament."

She watched him struggle mentally with this new information but she was used to it and diverted her attention back at the path. They were close to the parking lot and hadn't seen anyone else yet (of which she was sure Sasuke was grateful for) so it was easy to spot his car. She glanced down at his right ankle, which was turning a nasty shade of purple. No driving for him.

"Can you at least carry me on your back? This is degrading," Sasuke asked with a hint of desperation in his voice.

"But isn't that your car? We're here," Hinata nodded towards the sleek BMW.

Sasuke sighed in relief and then tensed again when Kabuto rushed out of the vehicle.

"Sir! I came as soon as I received your text, I- Oh, my, hello Hyuuga-sama. Congratulations on the new position as head of your Clan."

Kabuto bowed to hide his smile. If only he had a camera.

Sasuke looked at Kabuto and then back at Hinata, the woman whom he assumed was a minor member of the family.

Hinata nodded in return and walked over to the passenger seat, which Kabuto hurried over to open for her. She let Sasuke down onto the seat, "Keep off the leg for the next few hours. I doubt you'll need a doctor but if the pain worsens, please see one."

Sasuke nodded gruffly but then Ramen gave a low, growl in warning.

The Uchiha locked eyes with the canine and after a few moments, gave in, "…Thank you for your help," he said in Hinata's general direction.

Hinata gave a small smile in response. She bowed and turned away, before hesitating and turning back, stopping Sasuke from closing the car door.

"…I don't want to blindside you in the board room later today. You should know as the new head of my family, I don't plan on buying out your business. I would rather see the Hyuuga family go in a more positive direction than weapons manufacturing. Good-bye Sasuke-san. I'll see you in the meeting later today." Hinata turned and walked away from the car, dog in tow.

Sasuke felt his heart skip a beat.

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