A/N; No one can possibly hate this pairing. It's just too damn cute.

Disclaimer; I do not own Naruto, nor am I making any profit from this work of fanfiction.

Blue Sugar

She remembers.

She has retained memories of even the littlest things, the tiniest moments, the most insignificant events. What are hazy recollections to others are picture-perfect photo shots in her mind. It's gift she has—a talent she keeps to herself. Because she is not one to brag. Because she is not one to speak up. Because some memories would make her the center of unwanted attention.

Cue orange mask, black hair, and red clouds.

She remembers that day very, very well. Two years ago, just months after Naruto had left Konohagakure, Team 8 had been sent on a C-ranked mission. They had completed their duty, and when setting up camp for the first evening heading back, and it was her designated chore to collect firewood.

She knew she wasn't out of earshot, because she could still hear Kiba yelling nonsense and Akamaru barking back. It was one of their unspoken rules that she wasn't to go farther than Kiba's voice could travel, just to be safe.

She remembers the armful of firewood and twigs almost blocking her view, and loosing her footing over a large root protruding from the earth. With a squeak, she landed on her hands and knees, sticks flying everywhere. "Oh…" she murmured, beginning to gather them again.

She remembers hearing stumbling footsteps somewhere nearby, and a voice exclaim, "Is that a little girl?"

She jumped to her feet, striking a defensive stance and scanning the perimeter. "Sh-show yourself!" she cried softly, making sure her form did not falter. She hardened her eyes when a head peeked out from behind a tree.

She remembers him holding up his hands as a way of saying he meant no harm. "Tobi did not mean to scare you, Miss, but Tobi was surprised to see a girl out here." He stopped in his tracks, and she took a good look at him. Everything about the man was normal-looking, save for the orange, spiral mask on his face.

She remembers deciding that he couldn't be so bad if he wore orange.

"T-Tobi… kun?" she said, allowing herself to relax slightly. He nodded his head, and she tried to picture a reassuring grin of some sort behind his mask.

"What is your name, if Miss doesn't mind me asking…?" he said, and she remembers that she couldn't help but find the question incredibly adorable. It would be rude to simply ignore him, but it would be foolish to give him her surname. Though, she thought to herself, if he really wanted to find out, he'd only have to inquire someone about a family with white eyes.

"H-Hinata," she said quietly. His head cocked slightly to the side.

"'Sunny place'? You don't look 'sunny' to me, Miss Hinata-chan." She hung her head, and he jumped. Oh, please don't take that the wrong way! What Tobi meant was that you... look more like a 'moon' person."

"O-oh?" she stuttered, glancing shyly up at him. He nodded vigorously.

"Yes, yes! You're very pretty." She blushed darkly at his words, and wondered why, even though she felt flushed and hot, that she didn't feel faint like she did around Naruto-kun. He jumped again. "Ah, Tobi said the wrong thing again! What I meant that time was that you are pretty like the moon, and not beautiful like the sun."

Hinata took a step backwards-- she was used to being put down by her father, but it hurt even so. Tobi smacked himself on the mask. "Agh! I'm so sorry, Miss Hinata-chan. I didn't say it right again." He paused, and she figured that he was collecting his thoughts. "I meant... the sun is beautiful and bright, boasting itself to the world. It makes its beauty known. But the moon is pretty, like you. quiet and cool and dark and breathtaking."

Hinata's own breath was taken. His words were so... inspiring. But the affect was ruined when he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "That was really poetic, wasn't it Miss Hinata-chan?"

She gazed at him for a long moment before smiling. "I-it was. Thank you."

He laughed again before crouching suddenly. Hinata was immediately on her guard, and ready to strike a defensive stance when she realized what he was doing-- collecting the sticks that she had dropped.

"Oh!" she cried, flushing pink, "Please, I d-don't want to trouble you--"

"It's no trouble!" he chirped, gathering them swiftly in his arms and standing. She mimicked his movements, murmuring continuous thank yous. The Hyuuga heiress held her arms out for the sticks, but he shook his head. "Are the loud ones your teammates?" he asked, and she blushed once more, nodding feebly. "I'll go with you halfway."

He set off before she could squeak a protest, and she hastily scrambled to catch up with him. Tobi seemed to walk with a spring in his step, and she found it nearly contagious if she watched him for too long.

"This is where I must leave you," he said, halting so suddenly that she almost crashed into his back. He turned, leaning down to let the wood roll safely into her arms, before giving her head a light pat. "Don't trip again, pretty Miss Hinata-chan!" he called, leaping into a tree and disappearing from sight.

Hinata was sure to keep her footing until she returned to camp.

- 0 -

Written while listening to 'Shanghai Honey' by Orange Range and 'Vintage People' by Eisley

... should I continue?

-Bya-chan