Slices

A/N: Another time skip YAY! I know this might feel rushed but I'm jumping to get closer to where I want to be while giving small slices of what Hinata's team was like. We already know so much about Naruto to that point after all. I'm only touching on the important parts. So this should be the second before last chapter before we hit the first step towards dating! This chapter takes place just after the Sasuke/Orochimaru bit. (Aka's Sasuke's betrayal) And yes it is just as AU as Slice of Life.

Things hadn't been the same in Konoha after Sasuke had taken off after Orochimaru. Team seven had taken it the worst naturally. Kakashi was constantly out on missions now as if looking for what he had lost, Naruto had taken it hardiest though to be found everyday at the ramen stand moping, and poor Sakura was beside herself with grief. Hinata felt she needed to do something. Naruto had been there for her, even though he'd been unaware, and she couldn't not be there for him. So it was with determination that she had approached her teammates for their help.

She had no doubts that they would help her, they had helped her with so much already. And in her own way she did her best to help them. When she thought about how close the three of them had gotten she found herself very thankful for becoming a ninja. Even if her Father still thought she was failure she couldn't deny her progress in their presence. Or the feeling of family that hung between them unsaid. And they had helped her with words of encouragement, that were left much needed after her defeat in the Chunin exams. She wasn't sure how she would face Naruto with that weighing on her mind but Kiba and Shino had told her that wouldn't' matter.

Stopping outside the ramen stand she gathered her courage, it was lunch time there was no way Naruto wouldn't be there with his team being placed on hold. And looking in she could see the orange of his uniform sitting next to what she recognized as the green spandex of Rock Lee. With one last glance around she dove under the partition and headed their way. Luckily she didn't have to reach them before they noticed her.

"Hinata." Naruto cried out happily to his blue haired friend he was doubly glad to see her today since he had been meaning to check on her since the exams but hadn't gotten around to it. It was kind of nerve racking to visit her in the hospital with her family's eyes staring at him judgmentally. He had just defeated their prodigy Neji after all, even if he wasn't the heir it had grated on their nerves. He waved her over and smiled as Lee greeted her just as happily.

"Hinata." Lee smiled brightly at her. He was more than a little glad for the change of topic she brought with her. It was getting hard to cheer Naruto up while talking about Gaara, who both of them had decided to write in order to help him. They had just been discussing the hospital incident, since Lee himself had not been awake for it, and how that maybe with friends Gaara would find the path of life a little easier. And with his new goal in mind it might help him in the long run.

"We were just about to order want to join us?" Naruto asked looking up into Hinata's white eyes as she came over to them. He wasn't sure why but at that moment she seemed to be a little shy, he'd noticed it last time too. Of course back then that made more sense but here in the ramen shop it was odd. As she sat down next to him he promised he would give it more thought, it would be better to think about than Sasuke. Anything would be better to think than Sauske, even a week later.

"Of course." Hinata smiled so very proud of herself for not stuttering or blushing too badly. Beside the blonde she could see Lee giving her an appraising look. It didn't take a genius to know that he knew what everyone but Naruto knew. "So wha-what were you tal-talking about?" She found herself asking politely while blushing as Naruto looked at her with those perfectly blue eyes.

"Oh just Gaara." Naruto answered non-nonchalantly while waving over the owner to order. "Do you know what you want?"

"Salt ramen." Hinata smiled at him as she listened to Lee and him tell her what their plan was. It was nice just listening to them and when they asked her input it was nice that they seemed to value her opinion. It wasn't until one bowl later that she found Naruto and Lee could really put away ramen. Lee was on his fifth bowl while Naruto was going on eight. "I didn't rea-realize you ate this mu-much ramen in a sitting." Hinata remarked after a quiet lull in the conversation.

"You would be surprised then if you saw them compete." A female voice sounded behind them and they turned to see Sakura standing behind them a scroll in hand. "I'm sorry to interrupt but there is news on Sasuke." Sakura's voice was grave and it didn't sound like she had been crying again. Yet the look on her face said the news wasn't very good.

Hinata frowned and she didn't have to look to know Lee was doing the same. Naruto had just started having a good time and acting like his usual self and now there was news on Sasuke. She couldn't but feeling like maybe she hadn't done anything good for the blonde at all. That was until he turned to smile at her before he left.

"I'll see you around Hinata." Naruto smiled widely at her before following Sakura off. He wasn't sure why but he really hoped it was sooner rather than later. He had just had more fun with Hinata's sharp wit and Lee's determined nature than he had in a week or more. Though he found himself thinking that maybe just Hinata's company would be enough after all she was funny and while he loved Lee's company there was just something about Hinata. "Bye Lee." He waved over his shoulder he was hoping this was good news.

As soon as they were out of earshot he looked at Sakura and asked the only question that mattered. "Is it good or bad news?"

Sakura shrugged non-committally as she continued walking the scroll clutched in her hand. "It seems Sasuke has turned spy."

A/N: That's all for this chapter the next chapter should deal directly with this one and be the last major time skip. Maybe. Next chapter we'll deal with what Naruto never noticed. Be sure to review!