He had been gone all day, and she took the time to go out to buy trays for Kuro and Shiro, one black and one white.
She had to label them herself, though, and with nothing more than copy paper and translucent tape she'd gotten the job done.
After a few hours of playing, around midday, the twin kittens had exhausted themselves.
Kuro had curled up on the floor behind the curtains, and Shiro was at the foot of the bed.
And, now it was quiet.
She was chopping vegetables, her hand moving as fast as time flowed slow, when the first knock sounded from the front door.
Her first reflex was to look through the door to see who was there, but...
"No Byakugan inside."
A second, stronger knock echoed throughout the quiet house.
Turning on the faucet, the Hyūga ran her hands under the cool water before wiping them on her apron, switching the water back off before walking around the bar to get the door.
As soon as she unlocked and opened the door, a familiar voice rang out loud and clear: "Hey, teme!"
She smiled slightly, bumping the raised fist with her own as the blond watched her with a look halfway between confusion and disbelief.
"Hinata..." he squinted at her, before a second, softer voice spoke.
"What are you doing at Sasuke's house?"
She didn't know why she hadn't expected that question, but rather than panicking, she composed herself and answered smoothly, the way she knew Sasuke would have.
"Uchiha-san asked me to house-sit while he's out. He's got kittens, now, and they can't be left alone."
Tucking stray strands ink-blue hair behind her ear, she offered: "Would you like to wait for him, inside?"