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Chance Meetings

#9: Coffee House

It started out with Sakura's concern for her. Apparently, she was getting heavier and darker bags under her eyes as the days past by. Being a defense lawyer was like that, she replied to Sakura's prodding. How could she understand? Hinata thought. She's a doctor…she doesn't have to argue against the diseases she fights! Still, through Sakura's persistence, and Hinata's inability to say no, Hinata found herself forced to "try out this coffee house! It has the best coffee and best service!"

Hinata didn't want to mention how Sakura had sounded awfully a lot like an ad when she said that. Being the docile creature she was, she "tried it out". She didn't like it. It was a nice place, but it wasn't for her. It was better fitting for people like Sakura; outgoing, loud, confident, and independent.

I heard someone say, "If there is love, there is peace." One may agree with that, or not.

To Hinata, the coffee house was a scary, uncomfortable place. It was brimming with business and couldn't be more crowded. Every time she went there, no matter the time nor day, it would be busy, loud, and completely in chaos. Some people liked that, but Hinata wasn't one of them. Sakura was.

If you read along those lines, Hinata was sugar to black coffee. Adding the flavor needed to make the black coffee and acceptable drink, but never really showing its face. Sakura was cream. Cream blended into the coffee like sugar, it mixed and changed the black coffee until it wasn't black coffee anymore. It would be sweet or sour, a latte or not.

How Hinata wanted to be like cream. Cream would always be seen, while sugar was in the background, definitely adding to the taste, but never to the looks.

When I was in pain, you'd hold me close. It was in the warmth of those arms that I felt peace.

In that retrospect, Hinata could no longer go to that coffee house. However, she would continue to drink coffee. She had found that she had become quite the addict. So, she went in search for the perfect coffee house. She did not want a commercial one, like Starbucks, or one of those "vintage" coffee houses that added these weird spices to add the "organic" taste to a typical drink. Hinata wanted a typical drink! She just wanted to be able to drink it in peace.

Shortly after search, she found it. It seemed to pop out of the ground, right in front of her, as if knowing she was on the brink of giving up and settling for store brought bags. It was dingy, it was dark, it was probably a vampire's lair, it was perfect. The coffee was perfect too. The only waiter, Kiba, was doggish in looks and attitude, and his attempts at "wooing" her made her laugh every time. The only owner, Shino, was quiet, and yet, at times when she felt down or needed to vent, he appeared at her table and asked, "Would you like more sugar?" Kiba appeared shortly after to tease Shino about being Hinata's "girlfriend".

But when I stopped talking to you and closed my heart, this love was torn apart.

How two men could make the one home she ever had, she would never know how. But they did, and she loved them for it. The coffee house was always empty, except for her, a regular who was very addicted, and the two men. Never having anyone else to serve, they would often sit at her table. Kiba would chatter, Shino would read. This went on for two months.

Then, someone came in.

This time I won't let go of my heart, because the power of belief sets love free.

He was handsome. He wore suits every time he came in. But he was scary, so Hinata kept her distance. He kept his. Despite the interruption, it was still comfortable. Shino and Kiba would go over to the man's table and talk. They seemed to know each other. Hinata didn't mind. Just because they were the only to customers didn't mean they had to speak.

When you helped me as a friend, I imagined our future together. And though I saw the happiness ahead of us, I didn't see my issues.

Though our said promises would be our compass, we lost sight of the direction this love was going in.

Then, one day, Hinata didn't pay attention. She had gotten too comfortable. She didn't notice him, she was pouring over her case before her. She was defending a young boy accused of raping his teacher. Terribly dark, too dark for such a sweet girl, said Sakura. Hinata shrugged. She had seen worse.

Deep into the evidence, looking over everything, not wanting to miss a chance at redemption, she didn't notice him hovering over her table with a cup.

"Do you have sugar?"

Instead of waiting for a miracle, I want you to hold my hand. Because the power of belief will set me free.

"Wah!" Coffee was spilt all over her folder and all she could do was stare in blunt shock. The man blinked and took bundles of napkins from a compartment on her table and handed them to her.

"Was it something important?"

Hinata blinked out of her daze ("The documents! The evidence!") and realized she had a copy at home. Actually she had four copies.

"Oh, no, I have another folder at home," Hinata replied, laughing nervously at her own clumsiness. He watched on as she slowly mopped up her mess and cleared her table. She glanced around the table and grabbed a small glass container of sugar.

"Here you go. Do you want some cream?" She asked politely. He blinked then smirked.

"No…it's not like you work here, you don't need to give me everything…" he trailed off. Hinata coughed, embarrassed, but being a lawyer, was able to hide it.

"You see, I rather not spoil my coffee with something like cream. I rather have my coffee have more flavor, not just turn a lighter color…" he walked away.

Shino, who was sitting at the counter, reading a book on astrophysics, gave a rare smile.

Hinata's mouth dropped slightly open, a sure sign for a lawyer that he or she was shocked. Beyond belief.

"Huh?" she mumbled. She glanced down at her coffee cup, nearly gone. After all, she poured a hefty amount onto her work. She glanced at the milky contents.

It looked tainted.

"Next, time, sugar," she mumbled thoughtfully to herself, not noticing the three pairs of ears listening to her. She packed her things, bid good day to her friends (not the rude guy in the corner) and headed out the door, a thoughtful look still on her face.

The owner and waiter of the store strolled over to the man's table, who was currently concentrating very hard on mixing the perfect amount of sugar into his black coffee.

"You know, I never would have thought you took the whole 'being nice to someone for one day won't kill you' think seriously," Kiba mumbled, a little embarrassed.

The man ignored them.

You don't have to fear this love.

Shino blinked and looked out the window, at the small speck in the distance.

"I don't think he was being nice."

Hinata needed to realized that being like sugar, to one Uchiha Sasuke, was better than being like cream.

It's not like Sasuke needed someone to change him.

Meeting #9: End.

A/N: Inspired by my love for coffee and romance.

In the italics are the translated lyrics of the Japanese song, "This Love" by Angela Aki.

Thank you for reading!