"I'm so sorry." He muttered sincerely as he pushed himself to his knees and offered his hand to the coffee-covered character.
The quiet voice then exclaimed softly, "N-n-no! I-it's m-my fault!"
The customer clutched Gaara's hand delicately, slipping into the latté puddle in the process. As he grabbed the customer's forearms to keep her from slipping she lifted her face to glance at him. He then noticed her porcelain skin that contrasted with her indigo hair and her lavender pearls that stared into his sea-foam irises.
"Whoa. She's beautiful."
The girl then proceeded to turn crimson (not unlike the tint of Gaara's hair) and lose her balance again.
"I'm sorry!" the petite girl blurted as she tried desperately to regain her balance.
"Gaara!" Shikamaru and Yiko ran, bucket of water and rags in hand, to verify their condition.
"Hinata?" Shikamaru muttered confusedly.
"Hinata!" Shikamaru was shoved to the side as Yiko squealed, dropping the bucket and towels to hug her friend.
"Yiko." Hinata smiled warmly and laughed as Yiko's arms encompassed her neck.
"It's been too long! Where have you been? What have you been doing? What are you doing here?" Yiko rapidly fired questions at her friend in curiosity.
"Gosh, Yiko." Shikamaru uttered, "Don't scare her."
"I-It's okay! Yes, it has been a l-long time." Hinata giggled at her friend's antics. "I've been t-training with Neji and my f-father."
"I see…but you forgot one." Yiko pointed out playfully.
"Oh! I-I actually came here to a-apply."
"For a job?" Gaara gently inquired.
Everyone turned to him as Hinata nimbly answered, "Y-yes."
"Two job applications in two days?" Shikamaru smirked as he itched his pineapple-shaped crown, "I think that's a record, huh Yiko?"
"That's right!" Yiko beamed as she helped Hinata out of the puddle and began to wipe up the mess.
"Well, I'll introduce you to-" Shikamaru started.
"Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no." Yiko wagged her index finger calmly, "You need to help me clean up this mess."
Shikamaru sighed as he kneeled down beside her, "Gaara, you'll have to talk to Choji's dad for Hinata."
Gaara nodded and started the walk to the tiny office, looking back at Hinata to make sure she was following.
She was.