Protection Crow

Hinata had never considered Sasuke beautiful. Or handsome. To be fair, she had never really considered him. She knew he was generally regarded as good looking, but she had never seen the appeal.

She knew she was being unfair. She remembered the happy child he was before starting the academy.

She couldn't really hold against him his attitude after the Uchiha massacre.

Tall, dark and handsome. Maybe he never had had an effect on her because she already had one of those at home? Still, she had always knew her cousin Neji was good looking, even when he hated her.

She also knew other handsome boys.

Shino and Kiba, for exemple. They were amazing and reliable friends.

Kakashi sensei had always kind words for her and even with his face half covered she could call him well-favoured.

Hinata realised she wasn't being objective. The people she loved and admired were always beautiful in her eyes.

But what did she really knew about Sasuke?

He had always been eclipsed by Naruto's mere presence in her life.

"What do you think about this one?"

"S-sorry?"

Sasuke was still checking the red orchid.

They had met by chance at the Yamanaka's flowe shop, browsing the same aile for a while.

"For Sakura's birthday. Girls like plants, right?"

"Some of us do." She deadpanned.

Sasuke froze for half a second.

"What."

She couldn't contain herself.

"You are not buying something for an abstract girl, you are buying a gift for a teammate you have known since the academy. Shouldn't you put a little bit more effort in it? Something from the heart?"

"I don't want to give her the wrong impression."

"Then some random flowers that mean beautiful are just as bad."

"Right."

He put down the flower pot as if it had burned him.

"What do you suggest?"

"M-me?"

"Yeah, you seem to have it all figured out." he said looking her in the eyes.

"There's no need to be sarcastic Uchiha-san."

Sasuke's eyebrows shot up.

"I wasn't being sarcastic. And call me Sasuke."

She wasn't sure he believed him.

"Sakura-chan really like cosmos flowers, but you can only buy the seeds at this time of the year. You could add a packet to the actual gift. Did she mention anything she needed? Books, ninja gear, clothes-"

"Gloves. She did say something about needing new gloves."

"Well, there you go." She said flatly.

He smirked.

"Thank you for your help, Hinata." And without another word he disappeared.

She was still pondering about the whole interaction when she went to pay for her things a while later. Ino's mother handed her an additional bag.

Perplexed, Hinata tried to say something, but the woman explained: "Uchiha-kun said it was a gift for you."