For a moment, neither of them believed their ears. Itachi as usual, showed no sign of bewilderment or shock even though he indeed was very. He felt his belly flip, which hardly ever happens to the boy. Her face went unbelievably red as she realized what she had just told the stranger.
"A—I—I didn't –" She shook her hands frantically in front of her face as if she were hoping it would blow away her words.
Did she actually just say that?
Itachi didn't even raise a brow at the girl. He just watched her fiddle her fingers and look down at her feet. She started shaking out of nervousness. "May I know... your name?"
She quickly faced him, and nodded. "O-Of c-course!"
She bowed. "Hyuuga, Hinata des," He nodded. "I-It's very nice to meet y-you,"
"It's nice to meet you, Hinata-san." She blushed furiously at his response.
"I should – "
"I-If," Hinata began, stopping him in his tracks yet again.
"I-If you are w-willing,"

"W-w-would you l-like to a-accompany me f-for awhile?"
Itachi remained silent; seemingly emotionless. What... should I do? Would it seem weird for me to just agree? He watched her fiddle with her fingers again, showing obvious signs of nervousness.
"O-of course, i-if you can't..."
"Actually, I do have to get home soon. I have something on."
"I-I see..."
"Maybe... just a few minutes." His eyebrow twitched as he watched her face light up.
"But," She furrowed her eyebrows.
"May I ask, why?"
"H-huh?"
"Why do you want me... to accompany you?" Her blush darkened once again. Her eyes darted everywhere; she looked at every crook and corner but avoided facing him.
"I-I well, y-you see..."
"It's okay, you don't have to..."
"Y-you... remind me of someone." She lifted her hand to the back of her head and ruffled her hair nervously as she let out a weak laughter.
"I-I am s-sorry, I-I must seem s-so odd," You always did seem odd.
"E-excuse me."
"This, someone." Hinata paused.
"Did he... have nice eyes?" He asked; almost whispering. Hinata smiled.
"H-he did." His eyes widened for a split second. What? What is she talking about? Did she hit her head?
"H-he had t-the most b-beautiful eyes I-I've ever seen." She brushed past him.
"Hm," Itachi tried his best not leave any sign of confusion or shock in his voice.
"I-I hope I'll g-get to see y-you again, Itachi-kun."
"Hn." Hinata plastered a smile on her still blushing face before walking away from the boy. Ironically, it was her who left first.
She definitely can't be human. She is too... weird. And yet...
Itachi sighed inwardly before leaving the field as well, his thoughts still fixated on the Hyuuga he had rescued. Though he was sure of one thing; one way or another, he was going to find out more about this girl. That he knew for sure.

"Tadaima,"
"Okairi~!" Mikoto chirped.
"Nii-san!" Sasuke stomped towards his elder brother. "I thought you were supposed to train me today!"
"Sasuke-Chan don't bother your brother too much,"
"But mom, he promised!" Sasuke complained. "How do you expect me to improve without training?" Sasuke folded his arms.
"I thought you usually train by yourself,"
"Yeah, but it's always better to have someone there! Especially if it's you..." Sasuke lowered his tone at the end. "Hm? What's that? I couldn't really hear you..."
"Nii-san!" Itachi chuckled lightly and ruffled his little brother's hair.
"Tomorrow, 6 a.m. Make sure you're up early." He poked his forehead. "Ah – Ow!"
He smiled at his irritated brother and walked towards the kitchen.
"Itachi-Chan, where have you been?"
Itachi pulled up a chair next to his father who's face is hidden by the newspaper held in front of him.
"Just, walking." Itachi sighed.
"Hm?" Fugaku raised his head and waggled his eyebrows while beaming at his son.
"He was probably on a date," Fugaku grinned. Itachi couldn't help but smirk.
"Nothing like that, I was just clearing my head."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he has a secret girlfriend, Mikoto. He's been acting suspicious lately."
"Well he has been out for quite some time." Mikoto giggled.
"Oh, you heard the boy; he was talking a 'walk'. Well whoever she is she must be a really special lady!" Fugaku winked.
Special... not exactly the word I would use.
"Mother, when is dinner going to be ready?"
"If you were this hungry you should've gotten a bite to eat with your girlfriend," Fugaku's grin didn't falter for even a second.
"Father, I really don't have a girlfriend." Itachi exhaled. "Really, I was just walking."
"Stop teasing Itachi-Chan dear, we all know he wouldn't be able to get a girlfriend with his attitude,"
"Mother, you're making it worse!" Itachi grumbled in his usual deep yet gentle tone.
"Haha! You're right! Any girl who would be able to tolerate his Itachi-ness definitely deserves a trophy!" Fugaku laughed and slapped his son on his back. Itachi wondered how he managed to live through the years without entering a comatose state with his psycho parents. The more they rambled on though, the more he started to wonder what the girl was to him.
For some god knows what reason, he felt the need to protect her. To make sure she was safe. It felt like it was his responsibility to watch over her. It was his first mission that required him to take care of a person.
If it was someone else, would I still feel this way? It would be weird if that person was a guy though...
"Here, some tea Itachi-Chan!" Mikoto placed a cup of piping hot tea right in front of him. He looked at the liquid; calm and still. He stared into his reflection, specifically at his eyes.
"I-I don't know who you a-are, Itachi-kun..."
His hands slowly moved towards the cup.
"B-but y-you have nice e-eyes."
What do you see?
He grabbed the cup, forming ripples on the surface of the liquid.
What is it that you see in me?

Hinata couldn't sleep. Ken was haunting her mind, and so was the recently acquainted Uchiha. She bit her lip as she went through the similarities between them. His jet black hair was long, seemingly soft and silky just like the masked boy. This boy was beautiful, and she was sure Ken was as well (not that it even mattered). His voice was deep and dark but it felt less... restrained. Most of all, his touch; it was what struck her with memories of the boy instantly. When she grabbed the Uchiha's hand, she remembered how she desperately held on to Ken's; his warmth on her hands... it was too familiar. She kept wondering if they were the same person. But how can he be? He might have pretended not to know her to hide his identity, but she still couldn't accept the fact; there were too many uncertainties. The biggest difference between them was how comfortable she was with Ken, and how UNcomfortable she was with the Uchiha. Maybe there is a connection between the two, just not how she sees it. She felt an urge to find out more about the boy. It felt as if she would get closer to finding Ken, if she did.
Ken-san, will you keep your promise? Or will I just be disappointed again?
I'll work harder. I'll believe in myself. I'll become someone worthy of facing you one day. This is my promise, to you.
She breathed out a sigh before closing her eyes and falling asleep.
I'll find you... someday.

"Hinata!" She flinched as she heard the Inuzuka's scream through the transmitter.
"The bastard is coming in your direction! Get ready! We'll catch him for sure."
"H-hai! Kiba-kun!" She readied her stance; her arms wide open her legs parted. She looked from left to right, up and down. Then finally, out it came; leaping from corner to corner. "I-I won't l-let you get a-away!" She reached for it, but yet again it managed to slip away. "Hinata did you get it?!"
"N-no..."
"We must hurry. Why? Because – "
"I-It's coming!" Once again, she braced herself, waiting for the right time. She closed her eyes as she jumped forward, praying for the best.
"A-ah!"
"Hinata! Did you do it?"
Hinata sighed in relief. "Y-yes Kiba-kun, S-shino-kun. I caught h-him."
"Finally, mission accomplished! Gather!"
"Hai!" The team said in sync. The four of them gathered at the meeting point; Kiba and Kurenai grinning at Hinata who held the surprisingly calm cat in her arms. Shino's reaction as usual, was unreadable. "Wow, Hinata; you must be the cat whisperer or something! He's totally quiet!" Kiba exclaimed while stroking his pup's fur.
"Yeah, seems like it." Kurenai leaned towards the girl watching her pet the cat.
"I-I guess I j-just have experience w-with c-cats. Ne? Neko-san..." Her smile widened and her cheeks immediately tinted red.
"Hinata? You okay? Your face is all red."

She couldn't stop smiling. It was the first time she had ever accomplished something on her own; not only for herself but also for her team. She sat there on the bench at the very edge of the field, holding on to her lunch box while staring straight at the three logs in the middle of the greenery.

"Hinata, you're not going back?" Shino slowly brought the stick closer to his face. Hinata giggled at the way he reluctantly took a bite out of it.
"N-not yet."
"These are really great Hinata! Kurenai sensei should've had some before she left! You're a really good cook!" Hinata lit up.
"T-thank you! B-but don't f-finish it all." Hinata chuckled and looked down at her lap.
"Ohhh~ you're saving it for someone eh?" Kiba raised his brow mischievously.
"N-no I am not!"
"Eheheh, you're easy to read, Hinata."
"K-kiba-kun!"

I doubt he'll show up anyways.
She sighed and lowered her head. Even though the chances weren't at all high, she waited. The sun had set, but she was still there on the bench holding on to her lunch box.
Her head immediately shot up as she heard footsteps in the grass. "I-Itachi-kun!" She waved, her cheeks showed an obvious blush. "Hinata-san?"
Her face was practically shimmering with joy. "What are you doing here?"
Be brave. Talk to him. Tell him.
"I-I w-was waiting for y-you." She tried to keep her smile plastered on as her cheeks started heating up.
That's... to the point.
An awkward silence filled the air. Hinata's heart pounded, it wasn't because of his presence; it was because of whom he had reminded her of. She stood up and bowed her head as she offered him what was inside of her lunch box. "H-here," She lifted the box.
"D-dangos."
"Dangos?"
"Y-yes. I m-made them m-myself." Her toes clenched on to her sandals.
She made them herself? How do I know it's not poison?
"I-I wanted t-to thank y-you for y-yesterday."
"There is no need, Hinata-san." He waved his hand.
"N-no! I-I insist please!" She looked at him, wide eyed. He saw a burning determination in them, and he just couldn't refuse. He reached out to grab one of the dango sticks in her lunch box and felt a tug on his lips as he saw her smile ear to ear. "Uh, itadakimasu..." Please, please don't be poison.
He bit into one of them and was surprised of how delicious it tasted.
"H-how is it?" Her blush intensified.
"It's good, Hinata san."
"R-really?!" She leaned towards him, making him jerk back slightly.
"Really." He smiled lightly.

"Why don't you sit Hinata-san?"
"P-please, sit f-first." She felt dizzy from all the blood gushing to her head.
A few moments after Itachi sat down resting his arm on the edge, she slowly sat down a few inches away from him. He looked at her from the corner of his eye as she giggled.
"What is it?"
"Y-you – " She stopped herself from continuing, reminding herself of how embarrassing it was when she had complimented his eyes.
"Hm?" She lowered her head, thinking of what to do. Slowly she lifted her hand and gestured him to come closer. Itachi raised a brow but slid closer anyways. He lifted his head slightly as if to ask the girl "What's up?"
She responded by holding up a finger, this time gesturing him to face his back towards her. He shrugged and obeyed quietly, wondering what she plans to do. He immediately stiffened when he felt tiny digits on his back, tracing out letters. If he had turned he would have seen a girl with a tomato for a head. Her whole head had turned red at this point. He tried focusing on what she was tracing (despite how hard it was). He could feel them trembling as she traced his back; it was... jolting, and yet it felt nice.
His eyes moved as if they were following the movements of her fingers. He smirked slightly, upon deciphering her message. He can't say it surprised him anymore though.
'You have a nice smile.
Is that her hobby or something?
He glanced over his shoulder only to find a completely red faced Hinata. He inhaled deeply trying to hold back a chuckle. "Hinata-san,"
"Y-Yes!" She sat up straight. "Only a few people got to see it you know."
She tilted her head and stared at him for awhile. "S-see what?"
Good lord.
"My smile." He got up and brushed himself off before looking back at the puzzled Hyuuga.
"Consider yourself lucky." He smiled again. It was slight, but it still made her eyes widen.
"For some reason, you make me want to smile, Hinata san."
He found himself surprised by his own words. But around her, everything seemed to go upside down. He never really wanted to be around people like he did with her; unless of course it was his odd ball family or Shisui. He felt like he immediately accepted her in his circle.
Hinata's expression was laced with shock. It wasn't hard at all to see how she reacted to things. That just made her more interesting to him. She was shy, grateful and very weird; though the trait that attracted him the most was that she looked at the good side of people before noticing anything else.
He felt like he had known her for years.
"I-Itachi-kun!" She called out.
"Hn?"
"I-I'll see y-you tomorrow then?" she poked her forefingers together.
This girl,
"I'll be here." With his back facing hers he waved before leaping into the wall of trees behind them.
Is really something.