'Forgive and Forget'

The soft humming of ongoing conversations filled the somber restaurant, as did the steam from the warm green tea that sat on the coasters of every table. Sunlight slanted through the flaps of the building, casting blurred shadows on the black and brown tiled floor.

It was, to Hyuuga Hinata, a lovely summer day. And from the number of happy customers filing in the restaurant, they thought so, too. With a content smile, Hinata went back to drinking her sweet tea. As she did this, she wondered absently what she should make for dinner when she gets home, what TV show to watch before bedtime and other ordinary chores that needed completion.

"Oh," she blinked when a young man slumped in the empty barstool beside her, his appearance tired and wary. Cold, seething obsidian eyes glared at her through his long, black bangs. Hinata inwardly cringed at this anger and hostility directed at her, but maintained a stoic, uncaring expression.

"Hinata...don't be that way. It was just a stupid argument," the man sternly said. "Come home; you're being ridiculous."

Hinata straightened in her seat, imitating the haughty Hyuuga stance her cousin used often and ignored the brooding man seated beside her. A incoherent mutter reached her ears, sounding very much like a curse and she blushed at the choice of his angry words.

"Damnit, what's it going to take for you to listen to me?"

Hinata glanced at him, her eyes narrowed into a inquiring glare that said, 'Lose the attitude and maybe I'll listen'. When she was sure he got the non-verbal message, she picked up her cup of tea and took a long sip. Hinata tried her best not to smile at the young man's infuriated expression. She failed miserably.

He heaved a long, exasperated sigh, "Fine, I'm sorry. There; will you come home now?"

Hinata shook her head.

He scoffed in utter disbelief, "What do you want me to say, Hinata?"

"A-Admit it..."

"Admit what? I--" his words trailed off into nothingness as realization dawned upon him. His eyes widened to the point that they looked like huge ramen bowls. Hinata covered her mouth to stifle her bubbling laughter. He twitched, feeling utterly humiliated that he lost yet another battle of wits with her.

"I..." he struggled to conjure the words she wanted to hear with difficulty. He felt his pride and arrogance dwindle into nothing.

"Y-yes, dear?"

He blushed at the affectionate word. "Hinata..."

"Mm-hm?"

"I was wrong," he whispered softly, almost inaudible. Hinata heard him, but she couldn't help but tease him even more.

"What w-was that? I didn't hear you..."

"You heard me!"

Hinata feigned innocence. "I-I swear I didn't h-hear you."

"I WAS WRONG! OK?!"

Startled by his loud outburst, everyone in the restaurant turned around and stared questionably at the embarrassed young man. Some laughed, some stared at him like he grew a second head. Hinata's shoulders quaked with laughter at the poor man's reaction.

"I-I'm..." Hinata tried to contain her utter amusement, "I'm sorry, S-sasuke-san."

"Yeah, yeah," Sasuke's blush now rivaled Gaara's hair and he never felt more embarrassed. "Will you come home now?"

"Y-yes," Hinata smiled sweetly and leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek. Sasuke's lips twitched in surprise.

"Does that mean you won't make me sleep on the couch tonight?"

Hinata erupted in a fit of giggles once more. "I don't forgive and forget, Sasuke-san."

Sasuke glowered. He was sleeping on the couch tonight...