Hinata smiled as she placed a plate in front of the little girl as well as a glass of lemonade.

"So I'm saying, I was trying to beat my kill record but here comes this asshole running down the hill with a rocket launcher and he kills me!" Naruto spoke loudly as he followed her behind the counter.

"I'm sure it was very hard." Hinata began wiping the counter space as well as taking care of the pastries that were displayed.

"It is hard; you wouldn't understand since you don't play those types of games." Naruto leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed. He watched her walk past him into the kitchen where she pulled some fresh cakes out of the oven. "I think you should play with me one day, as a little date."

"Shooting games aren't my favorite." She laughed and grabbed the tools she would need to frost and decorate the cake. "How about you come gardening with me?"

"You're lucky that I'm not against planting things or I would immediately refuse." He turned back to the front of the shop once he heard the chime on top of the door ring. "I think you have a customer."

She perked up and dropped her piping bag. Pulling her gloves off and smiling widely as she threw them away the moment she got to the cash register; she watched as a man with silver hair and round glasses walked in. "Hello, welcome to Sunny Baked Goods! How may I help you?" Hinata waited patiently for him to check out the things they had.

His dark eyes found her own and he smiled, "Can I have the upside down pineapple cake please?"

"Is that for here or to go?" She tapped the screen of the register.

"To go." He pulled his wallet out and got ready to pay.

"That would be—"

He handed her a fifty dollar bill. "Keep the change."

"Oh! That's not needed, we have enough to give you—"

"I insist." He shook his head and stepped to the side in case someone else arrived to order as well.

"Thank you." She bowed her head gratefully, "I'll get that done for you right away." Hinata handled the money well before washing her hand and putting on a fresh pair of gloves.

Opening the display case, she grabbed a small round pineapple upside down cake carefully. Placing it on the disposable container, she sprinkled some honey on top of it and closed it. Adding a sticker with the bakery's name on it, her smile returned as she served it.

"I hope you find it to your liking."

"I'm sure I will." He winked at her and turned to leave.

Sasuke locked his car as he patted his pockets to make sure that he had his wallet. Sighing once he felt it in the inner compartments of his jacket, he reached to open the door but someone walked out first. Bumping into the man, he was about to apologize but the glasses wearer was already long gone. Shrugging at the strange interaction, he walked into the bakery.

"—And we should get something to eat after. Oh! Hey, Sasuke." Naruto waved to him lazily.

"Hn." The Uchiha stood in front of the display of sweets Hinata had. "Where is she?"

She poked her head out of the kitchen, flour dusted her cheeks faintly. "You decided to visit me today? What's the matter? Do you need a job?"

He rolled his eyes and pointed at the plain donut in the display case — it was the only thing she had in shop for today that wasn't overly sweet. "I needed to pick up something to eat before my lunch shift finishes." He explained briefly.

"You could have given me a call this morning and I would have made you lunch." She put the donut on a plate after washing her hands.

"I didn't want to disturb your kissing session with the blond dumbass over there." He pointed to Naruto as he mumbled quietly. He couldn't help but mumble some more seeing the stupid face the blond made as he occupied himself with a game on his phone. "How have things been?"

She handed him his donut and began preparing a cup of coffee for him. Hiding her flustered face with a sly smile, she crossed her arms and waited for the coffee to finish brewing. "If I didn't know better, I would think you were jealous that I have a boyfriend and you don't have anyone." She teased.

Sasuke raised his eyebrow, "since when have I ever been envious of your relationships?" He bit his donut and nodded in satisfaction.

"Fair point. I would have made you lunch regardless if you asked." She poured the hot liquid into a mug, knowing that he would be staying for a moment longer since he didn't seem to be in too much of a rush. "I would have made you lunch regardless if you interrupted my secret time with Naruto." She handed him the mug.

"I've never had to ask you to make me lunch, you usually do that even if I say I don't need it." He stirred his drink and took a sip. Sighing as the hot liquid made his muscles relax, Sasuke couldn't help but keep glancing at Naruto. "Has he been here all day? Doesn't he have a job?"

"Naruto works from home." Hinata defended quickly, knowing that Sasuke would have gone on a very long and quiet trip of just insulting her boyfriend to make himself feel better. "What's got your panties in a twist this time?"

"Why do you think I have a problem?"

"You came in here and insulted him right away, barely said a 'hello' and now you're glaring at nothing." She pointed out as she served a new customer.

"Fugaku is coming back home this week; which means the company is in disarray trying to finish everything he gave us to do before he left."

"So?" She handed the woman her boxed cake with a smile.

"The workload is worse and somehow I have to help clean it up even though I'm finished with my end of things."

"Are you on your lunch break or are you running away from your job?" Naruto interjected and put his phone into his pocket. "I could have heard you the entire time, by the way. What did you say about me being a dumbass?"

"It was a fleeting comment." Hinata said as she glanced between the two. "When Sasuke's like this, he gets annoyed at everyone. Don't take it to heart."

"That's very…"

"Very what?" Sasuke turned to him, his short meal finished.

"That's what assholes do." Naruto grinned and flung his arm over his shoulder. "Ya'know, I know the perfect way to de-stress."

Shrugging his hold off, Sasuke grumbled and pulled out his card to pay Hinata, completely ignoring her declining his offer. "I'm not stressed."

"And I have a small dick." Naruto rolled his eyes, "it's obvious that you are. Tell you what, how about I set you up with some lovely people who will help you!"

Hinata watched her boyfriend, she could see mischief flash through his eyes for a second and couldn't help but hide a laugh.

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Come on."

"No."

"You sure?"

"Very."

"Well, I tried!" Naruto walked behind the counter and patted Hinata's head. "I don't know how you deal with that loser over there."

"What did—" Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

"Nothing!" Naruto laughed and held his hands up in surrender. "I'll get out of your hair, I have to stop by the mechanic to get my car. I'll see you tonight?"

She nodded and kissed his cheek, "Stay safe."

"See you later, asshole." Naruto waved as he grabbed his things and left before Sasuke could say anything else.

"I don't like him." He told Hinata now that it was just the two of them.

"You've never liked anyone I've dated."

"For good reasons."

"What's the reason this time?"

"He's dumb."


"You look great." Naruto handed her a bouquet of flowers with enthusiasm. He couldn't help but keep looking at her outfit. It wasn't anything crazy; just a dress with black heels but Hinata looked lovely in anything. "I'll have to make sure people don't stare for too long." He joked as he led her to his car.

"Oh shush." She blushed and smelled the flowers she was given. "Thanks for taking me out tonight. I thought you'd be too busy today."

"Nonsense, how could I possibly leave you feeling alone at home? I'd be a dumbass if I did such a thing." He entered the car and put his seatbelt on.

Hinata laughed, the way he said 'dumbass' sounded a lot like Sasuke and she wondered if he was doing it on purpose. "I wouldn't mind waiting for the right time. Whenever you do get the time to take me out, it's always amazing." She kissed his cheek.

"Now that you say it…" He grinned and itched his cheek slightly. It was a habit that Hinata had found adorable — he did so whenever he was complimented. "The place we're going to has the best food in town; I guarantee it." He drove carefully, not wanting to frighten her. Naruto tended to speed just a little bit when he was alone but whenever Hinata was in the car, he always took his time.

"Is it ramen again?"

"Awe, I was trying to keep it a secret." He playfully feigned sadness. "No, it's something just as good. Well, maybe not that good but it can put up a fight."

"Now I'm excited." She clasped her hands together and rested them on her lap. "If the food is good, and it's being compared to ramen, then I know you're telling the truth."

"See, you understand it! No one understands how good ramen is." He parked the car and made sure he had everything he needed before exiting the car to help her out. "I'm sure you're going to like it; just make one promise."

"A promise?" She held his hand and followed him to the entrance of the restaurant.

"Mhm!"

They stood face to face for a moment, Naruto refused to open the doors until she agreed to his terms and conditions.

"Alright."

"Don't tell Sasuke about this place." He smiled, "it could be our own special restaurant."

"Why can't I tell Sasuke?" She giggled. "Are you trying to conquer the culinary world before he does?"

"You two have been everywhere before; this is the only place in town that I'm absolutely sure you've never been to." He opened the door for her.

"I thought you said that you didn't care about all of those places."

She remembered their earlier dates; he took her to the places he liked whilst thinking that she had never been there. Instead, he was shocked to see the staff greet her as if she was a regular customer. Turns out, during her younger days, she and Sasuke would scour the entire city to try to one up each other with their food knowledge.

To be honest, Narututo tried not to care too much about Hinata's relationship with Sasuke, and he understood that they've been friends since before he came into Hinata's life. It was just that he did feel slightly awkward knowing that Sasuke — a good looking, wealthy man — was a staple in her life. He couldn't help but compare himself with him once in a while.

He declared Sasuke a rival since the first couple of times Hinata had found herself talking about her friendship with such adoration. He was curious to know if she also talked about their relationship that way.

"I don't! But, I don't need him hogging all the attention if he finds this place. Imagine I walk in here and they're like 'oh my god some other hot guy eats here, do you know him?' Then I'd have to explain that he's an asshole so they shouldn't like him." He partially joked with her.

She hit his shoulder in a fit of laughter, "fine, I won't tell him, but that means you can't entertain the waitresses anymore."

"Are you jealous?" He helped her sit down and did the same across from her.

"A little bit. You're too likable; what if someone falls for you?"

"I'll tell them that I have the most amazing girlfriend." He reached for her hand and squeezed it. "Now let's see how much you can eat this time."

The two continued talking and laughing as they ate their food. Naruto was right; this place really did have amazing dishes. Hinata loved absolutely everything that they were served. Even the dinner rolls were amazing and that was just plain bread!

"As I was saying; the way they let the pork cook makes the soup even more delicious." Naruto explained. "You just dip the bread in here a little bit—" He demonstrated as he talked.

Hinata watched him lovingly, her smile never leaving her face. Just as she was about to say something, the fleeting silhouette of someone caught her eyes. Staring at the man who passed beside their table, her eyes widened in familiarity. "Oh, hello!" She called out, apologizing to Naruto for interrupting his speech.

The man turned around and smiled at her. He approached the table and looked at the two. "You're that lady from the bakery." He noted. "And you must be?"

"I'm her boyfriend." Naruto sat up straight and smiled.

"I was curious, how was your cake, was it alright?" She asked. "Feedback is always welcomed."

"I don't want to be interrupting your date." He laughed nervously and pushed his glasses up against his face. "But it was rather nice. It wasn't too sweet or bland. The added honey was even better. I'll definitely drop by to try some of your other things."

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Naruto interjected. "Her other cooking is just as great as her pastries. I keep telling her that she should open up a bigger restaurant or something."

"That would be great!" He nodded in agreement.

Hinata laughed nervously and waved them off. "I'm glad that you liked it. Please stop by at any time, you can also call in advance if you want to order and pick up later."

"I will remember that. Please, enjoy your date. I'll see you some other time." He excused himself and left quickly.

"I think you just earned yourself a frequent customer besides myself." Naruto gave her two thumbs up. "Soon, you'll have the whole town addicted to your treats."

Hinata blushed and shook her head as he continued showering her in praise.

They continued their previous conversation for a while. By the time they were ready to leave, the sun had already begun setting. They thanked their server and left a nice tip before leaving. She kept laughing as he made more jokes and pretended to be Sasuke. He made the Uchiha seem very silly and clumsy, and that was probably because he really loved making fun of him much like she did. Though, Naruto's jokes were probably meant to be offensive whereas hers were always playful.

"He does sound like that!" She nodded enthusiastically as Naruto drove and spoke.

"I still don't get how you put up with him." He sighed after laughing. His phone buzzed in his pocket, making him glance at it momentarily while driving.

"We didn't like each other when we were younger."

"I would never be able to tell because of how natural you two act around each other." He came to a stop light and finally picked up his phone. "One second."

Hinata nodded and let him pick up his phone call. She pulled her phone out and checked all her notifications. She tuned out Naruto's conversation, it was a private matter from the way his aura changed. Once he hung up, she turned to him, "is everything alright?"

"It's my mother." He frowned. "I have to go back home right away…"

"That's in the opposite direction."

"I need to drop you off at home first."

"No." She shook her head, "you can drop me off at my street and I'll walk home."

"Are you sure? It's very late, the sun has settled already." He frowned.

"My house isn't that far, I'll be alright. I'll call you if anything."

"You promise? You need to call me as soon as you get home." He took a quick shortcut to Hinata's neighborhood.

"I promise."

He slowed down at the lights and let her unbuckle her seatbelt. "Please be safe?"

"I will! Don't worry about me, get to your mother quickly, she needs you." She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Call me if things get crazy, alright?"

He nodded. "Goodnight, Hinata."

"Goodnight. I love you." She smiled.

"I love you too."

Naruto watched as she started to walk away. He waited for a moment before making a U-turn. His palms were sweaty as he held the steering wheel. He just hoped that his mother was okay — and that Hinata would be fine walking alone.


Hinata stared at her phone screen as she walked. Her feet were hurting already and part of her regretted not carrying an extra pair of shoes to change into. Sighing as she stopped for a moment to take a rest, she stretched and looked at the distance she had walked. Perhaps it was a bad idea to have Naruto drop her off at the main road instead of further into the neighborhood; she's been walking for ten minutes and there was still another ten minutes to walk.

She would have called her father but she didn't want him to get out of bed if he was already asleep. Hanabi didn't have her driver's license yet either, so she was left with just walking.

After her short break, she continued walking and connected her bluetooth headphones thinking that music would make the walk seem faster than it was. Singing under her breath, she tapped her fingers against her leg and looked back as the lights of a car came zooming past.

"If only I knew you so I could get a ride." She mumbled with longing as the car disappeared.

As her music paused for a moment, Hinata glanced over her shoulder. Taking off her headphones, she listened carefully as she walked. Swearing that she heard another pair of footsteps, she frowned once she realized that no one was there.

Skeptical, she stopped her music and dialed Sasuke's number. Still singing in case she was really being followed — her paranoia worsened as her call went to voicemail.

She was sure that she was being followed.

"Come on, Sasuke." She called again with shaking hands.

Those footsteps were in sync with her own. Whoever it was — they were hoping that she didn't realize how they hid their steps in the echo of her heels. The call went to voicemail again. Turning around, there was no one there again but she swore that there was.

Her steps quickened. She held her arms close to her body as she kept calling Sasuke's number to no avail. Texting him with shaking hands, she kept glancing behind her to make sure that her stalker was far away.

"Please, please." She mumbled, her eyes filling with tears.

It never crossed her mind to call Naruto. He would be too busy with his mother. He was too far, he couldn't get to her in time.

"Sasuke, please." She pressed the voice note button. "Sasuke, wake up." She cried. "Sasuke—"

Her vision was obscured and it got hard to breathe. Dropping her phone, she thrashed around in the hold of her captor. She felt lightheaded, her body was moving as if it wasn't her own until she couldn't feel anymore. Hinata's body went limp.

Her phone vibrated against the soft blade of the grass. His name flashed on the screen accompanied with a picture of him and her side by side as children.