Tea Time

.

.

Shikaku leaned lazily against the outer walls that acted as the perimeter of the shinobi academy, hands tucked in his pockets as he watched with little interest and a tiny pinch of envy at his nephew that decided to just plop on the grass under the shade of the tree. His hand was itching to light a cigarette but with all the children around, it wasn't a choice he wanted to take, but it definitely couldn't stop him from bringing the unlit cigarette in his mouth.

He dismissed the disapproving looks, settling all his attention on to the woman that had stepped into the academy grounds following a tiny Hatake. Shikaku watched as the redhead smiled at everyone at the academy that had called her attention, as she trailed behind the little boy ― Shikaku could see that the boy did not remain as oblivious as the beautiful foreigner, with the attention she was garnering, his little glare losing its full effect due to his size and his face being half covered. Shikaku chuckled as the boy resorted to staring down a rather attentive Hyuuga, Harianna managed to usher the boy away from the Hyuuga, with a little bow, a smile and a sweet apology, Shikaku was sure it was not necessary as there didn't seem to be any wrong she could do by that particular Hyuuga.

He strolled towards the pair, with each step he could hear her voice much clearer as she tried to instill some manners into the arrogant ― genius the little Hatake may be, but definitely lacked any appropriate social skills ― shinobi in training.

"What was that all about?" Harianna fussed over the little Hatake.

"He was staring."

"Was he?" Harianna's lips pouted, doubtful, as she threw a quick glance over at the Hyuuga who had their back turned to them ― Shikaku knew that didn't stop them from seeing anything, but Harianna drew comfort from not being seen from stealing a glance.

"He's still staring." Kakashi stared down the back of the Hyuuga's head.

Shikaku chuckled as he noted the minute twitch of muscles in the Hyuuga's shoulder, before the man stalked off to where he was supposed to keep watch over the Hyuuga children as they waited for the academy to start.

"I think he heard you." Harianna gave a pointed look at the little Hatake who looked completely pleased at his accomplishment. "It wasn't nice what you said Kakashi, you should be nice to your elders."

"But I was telling the truth."

"Maybe he was curious."

Shikaku stepped up beside them, amused at having startled the shorter girl, which earned him a rather frightful glare from the little Hatake. Guard puppy. "A little more than curiosity there."

The redhead stood straight and cast him a weary look. "You."

"Me." Shikaku quirked a brow at the puppy that stepped between him and Harianna. Ignoring the little Hatake caused the boy to raise his hackles. "So you've taken up baking instead of gardening?"

A delicate brow raised as her green eyes widened in surprise. The puppy, barely passing his knees would've growled if he could. "How―"

"My cousins had a taste of the treat." Shikaku cocked his head to the side, his black eyes roving about her to see if there were any, causing the girl to frown her cherry lips. "None today?"

"No."

"I thought you were advertising?"

"Yes, but no brownies at this hour."

"Later then."

Harianna shifted her weight to her left hip, head tilted back to look him fully on the face. "You're coming back?"

Shikaku gestured his head towards the lazy boy that continued to sleep under the shade of the tree. "Have a nephew to pick up ― I'm guessing you are picking up the guard pup here later on?"

The little Hatake glared at him, little paws in fists.

"His name is Kakashi."

"I know."

Her green eyes were expressive, no words needed to be said to get her message across. Use it.

"Doesn't he look like a guard pup?"

Harianna tugged on the boy's shoulder, trying to stop the little Hatake from staring down the older man. "Don't antagonize him ― I don't really know what got into him today."

Maybe because he's seeing what you don't see. Shikaku didn't miss the looks from the men around him during their conversation. The redhead did not see it, or completely misunderstood the meaning behind it.

A kick was delivered at his shin. He stopped a grimace, not wanting the little puppy to know it had hurt, and with a controlled face just smiled at the little tyke.

"Kakashi!" she drew the boy towards her, pure shock on her face ― her cheeks flushed and face flustered as she looked up at him apologetically. "I'm sorry ― Kakashi that wasn't nice."

The boy just continued to glare at him.

"It's okay." Well it really wasn't, but it got him curious as to why the boy was so protective of the woman.

"He'd never been like this before." She cast a disapproving look at Kakashi, green eyes stern. She turned her attention to him, an apology on her lips. "I have a bag of brownies―"

A brown paper bag was shoved into his hands, a strong smell of brownies wafting from it, and the bag clearly was marked Kakashi in bold letters.

Shikaku quirked a brow."Peace offering?"

"And a bit of punishment ― you don't kick people for… no reason." Harianna floundered at the end of her sentence ― probably realizing that a student attending a shinobi academy was trained exactly how to hurt people that they considered enemies.

The little Hatake looked scandalized either way ― from the brownies being offered to him, or from the girl being oblivious to what he was protecting her from.

Either way it got him curious.

Hatake narrowed black eyes at him.

Shikaku met the stare.

The bell rang.

"Kakashi you are going to be late." She pushed the little puppy towards the school doors with a gentle hand.

Shikaku tossed the bag to Kakashi, who caught it with eager hands, glare present with mild curiosity. He smirked at the kid and turned towards the pretty redhead beside him. "I think I want the fresher batch."

"It will take a few hours."

"We can talk then ― still need friends?"

Green eyes looked at him wryly. "Not lying ones."

"I technically didn't lie, the owners of the shop are very close family friends." Shikaku fell in step beside her as they made way out of the academy ― dismissing the fact that his nephew was still napping under the tree, and noting with mild amusement that the Hatake was glaring at him from the academy doors. He wondered if the boy would skip school for the first time.

Curious.

"Truth: I want to know you."

"Really?"

"Truly."

Harianna accepted the answer, her head nodding in acceptance, red strands of hair falling out of the loose braid. It was after a few moments of silence in their walk that the petite girl interrupted their peace.

"You happen to know any women?"

"Why?"

"I seem to only be making male friends."

"Really…" Shikaku now understood why the little Hatake decided to break the rules and play hooky; silver tufts of hair could be spotted at the corner of his eye, sneaking peeks behind market stalls and hiding behind buildings as he followed them to her home.

"I may know a few."

"Oh, good."

.

.

I had written and rewritten this so many times. How do you like it?