Today was the day of Naruto's wedding.
That means Itachi was going to go with Hinata as his date.
To be honest, Itachi had been interested in Hinata for quite some time now. Unfortunately, the girl was known for going on dates more out of being nice than having an actual interest. So when some one of the poor male population asked her to be their girlfriend they were graciously rejected.
Itachi didn't do rejection.
He had figured that the girl just never had the time to want to actually try to go steady with anyone in an attempt to train harder to become as strong as possible.
As if she wasn't strong already.
Hinata had become a part of the Anbu some time ago so she obviously was capable. That didn't stop her from continuing to focus on her duties to both her clan as well as training and spending time with all of her friends.
Itachi's plan is to become one of her friends and climb His way into her affections that way.
The raven haired man finished getting dressed in his formal Uchiha clan kimono and haori; then proceeded to join his brother in eating breakfast.
"I heard you are going to be Hinata's date to the wedding." Sasuke stated upon seeing his aniki.
"Hn."
The younger brother smirked, "You know she's about as oblivious to guys as Naruto once was to her."
"Hn." Itachi furrowed his brow upon realizing that his brother probably figured out what he was thinking. "I have a plan," he informed his otouto.
"Oh?" Sasuke raised a brow, "Does it include getting her to pretend to date you so guys won't pine after her? Or are you hoping that you don't get friend zoned by gaining her trust and doing 'couple' things?" Sasuke put air quotes around the word "couple."
The question came out more like a statement and so Itachi just shrugged and nodded.
"You're going to have to be more obvious than that. Probably more direct too."
"In due time," Itachi quipped, "I need to gain her trust before I try to push boundaries wouldn't you agree?"
Sasuke chuckled, "Yeah true, if anyone can do it I bet it would be you aniki."
Itachi nodded his appreciation, "Not to mention Okaa-san will probably leave you be until she figures out what you're doing."
The older Uchiha sent his brother a sharp look that screamed 'You better not tell her then' earning him another chuckle, but also a nod in understanding.
Itachi had been right about people not mentioning loneliness to her when she stated that she was going to the wedding as his date.
As a matter of fact, they left her alone completely. That is for now.
Hinata's sister and female friends had specifically requested detailed information about her day with him at the wedding.
As if she would have anything to tell.
Hinata chose to wear her lavender kimono with navy blue blossoms scattering from one side to the other, her long midnight blue tresses were pulled back in a messy bun with her bangs framing her face.
Nodding in approval at her reflection, Hinata received word that her date was waiting for her at the front of the compound.
Hanabi started to accompany her and gave her a knowing smirk, "I'll want details when we get home," she reminded her sister who merely nodded her understanding as she noticed her date waiting for her.
The man before her was the utter definition of handsome.
The eldest Uchiha son was seemingly listening to the loud Inuzuka beside him as they both waited for the Hyuuga daughters.
"Hey Hanabi-chan, Hinata-chan!" Kiba waved eagerly at the two women coming towards them, Hanabi sauntered up and kissed her boyfriend on the cheek before nodding politely at the Uchiha; who inclined his head in return.
Itachi then offered Hinata a small smile upon seeing her which she replied with one of her own.
"Should we walk with Inuzuka-san and your sister since we are going to the same place?" the man questioned quietly, "Oh no thanks! I just realized that I forgot to grab something," Hanabi quickly interjected before Hinata could reply, she then gave her onee-chan a wink and promptly dragged Kiba away in order to offer her sister some "alone time" on her walk with the handsome man beside her.
"You look beautiful, Hinata-san," Itachi complimented quietly earning himself a blush from the woman in return.
"T-thank you, you look nice as well."
The man nodded his thanks. They continued to walk in comfortable silence as they neared where the ceremony would commence.
The couple was mildly impressed when they arrived.
They both knew that the wedding was going to be a traditional one since the village elders felt that the future hokage should show some acknowledgment to traditions. The elders, as well as Tsunade, also felt (much to Sakura's delight) that they should have an extravagant wedding fit for a future leader. In compromise, Naruto and Sakura would have a western style reception that would also hold some of the traditional elegance that the ceremony itself would have.
Everyone took their seats as they awaited the beautiful bride to be escorted down the aisle with her father.
Sakura's hair was pinned up with pearl ornaments to match her white kimono and a green butterfly comb to match her eyes. Her bangs fell to frame her gorgeous, smiling face.
She looked like the perfect blushing bride as the wind blew cherry blossoms from the trees and around her and the aisle. Her eyes sparkled with untainted joy as she looked at the man that she would forever spend the rest of her life with.
Hinata couldn't help the feeling of delight as she watched her two friends share a modest kiss after reciting their vows, and then leave the shrine to head to the reception area.
Of course Hinata and Ino rushed to help Sakura change into her western style wedding dress for the reception.
"You look amazing!" Ino gushed as they quickly led the bride back to the reception area to her waiting husband.
Naruto's eyes widened with wonder at the sight of his wife.
She wore a white Cinderella style ball gown that had a sweat heart neckline and a princess waist that was emphasized with a green obi style sash with pink cherry blossoms scattered across. Her hair was down and curled at the ends and her bangs were pushed to the side using the purl pins and her green butterfly comb.
"You look beyond wonderful." Naruto blushed as Sakura smiled brightly at her husband's obvious attraction.
Hinata and Ino watched her eyes sparkle with all the love and happiness in the world as she and Naruto thanked their guests for coming to celebrate.
"I can't wait for that to be me and Sasuke," Ino dreamily stated, the woman next to her nodded her agreement, "I think you will look absolutely wonderful on your day Ino-chan."
"Maybe you and I could have a double wedding if you and Itachi-kun hurry and seal the deal," the blond woman joked making the bluenette blush and glance away.
"I'm not sure marriage is in my near future," she replied only for Ino to roll her eyes and smirk.
"I doubt it! I see the way Itachi-kun looks at you." Lavender eyes widened at her friend's retort, "W-what are you talking a-about?!" Hinata exclaimed, but Ino only shook her head and smiled at her fiancée as he headed towards them.
"Talking about me I presume," Sasuke teased, "No otouto, they were most likely talking about me." Itachi smirked only to raise a brow in question as his date reddened even more.
"You really were talking about me?" he asked, "N-not really," his date quickly denied only to earn a confused look from both the brothers.
Hinata sent a panicked look to Ino who tried not to laugh at the turn of events, "Well Sasuke-kun I'm thirsty so let's get a drink," she quickly led her boyfriend away from the other couple.
Hinata took a calming breath before smiling at her date who was still looking at her expectantly, "D-don't worry about it. She was just talking about how her wedding will be and she was wondering when you will get married." She hoped that telling most of the truth would get him off her scent and it worked. Itachi just nodded and handed her a glass of water.
"I noticed your face turning red before I came over so I thought you could use a drink of water to help cool you off," he explained while looking away impassively.
Hinata smiled and gave her thanks as she took a sip. He was right; she did need to cool down a bit. The couple stayed silent as they looked around. Maybe going outside for some fresh air might be better, the woman mused.
It was mentioned that Tsunade and the elders had made sure that the reception was extravagant right?
That meant there was a lot of booze as well.
This was also a main reason for Hinata's thought.
Tsunade was dancing drunkenly with a couple of jounin who looked just as plastered. Not to mention as everyone got more and drunk, the more bold people seemed to get with their provocative dancing.
Speaking of which… was that Anko trying to make out with a seemingly indifferent Kakashi?
Hinata began to blush again as she noticed Anko grabbing Kakashi's buttocks only for the latter to puff into smoke.
Guess that's just a shadow clone she was messing with…
Noticing his date's flustered appearance, Itachi lightly held onto Hinata's elbow.
"Let's get some fresh air," he whispered into the blushing woman's ear.
Once outside the couple found themselves in a small garden. There was a small bench near a rose bush that was angled in just the right way to be able to watch the now setting sun.
The pair made their way to the bench and sat down.
"I'm not one for crowds." Itachi explained to the midnight haired beauty beside him, "Me neither," she responded, "It's not that I don't like the people, it's just that sometimes being around so many of them at once can be a bit… much." Hinata added.
"Hn." Itachi agreed as they both turned to continue to watch the sunset.
The silence that they continued to sit in felt absolutely peaceful. Almost as if they were in their own little world.
If only it could stay like this, Itachi thought to himself.
He glanced over to the woman beside him. Her features seemed to radiate warmth in the setting sun's rays. He noticed a blush began to bloom on her cheeks as she noticed him staring.
"I-is there something on my face?" Hinata turned to look at him questioningly and he gave her a small smile.
"Just admiring the view." Itachi smirked as her blush darkened.
"P-please d-don't tease me!" Hinata cursed her stutter as the man before her looked at her with unhidden humor in his eyes.
"Forgive me, Hime," dark eyes pierced light ones as Itachi caught a loose strand of hair that fell from her messy bun. He gently tucked the strand behind her ear and allowed his fingers to linger longer than necessary.
She looked utterly mesmerized by his actions. Hinata couldn't help but enjoy how his fingers had grazed her ear, their eyes still lock on one another, and neither noticed that there were other eyes on them nearby.
"I don't like how he's touching her," Neji growled to his wife, they had noticed the couple enter the garden to watch the sunset and Tenten wanted to gain a closer look. Now the poor pregnant woman was all but trying to keep her husband from ruing his cousin's seemingly romantic moment.
"Oh she's not a child anymore Neji-kun." Tenten eagerly pulled her husband further away from the two on the bench so they would not disturb them, "The look relaxed and I doubt that Itachi-san is the type to do anything out of hand."
Neji just gave his wife an exasperated look. "They still address the other too formally to be considered a couple anyways." Neji rolled his eyes at the brunette's comment. Doesn't stop him from trying to claim my cousins affections in an unseemly way, the man thought to himself then voiced it to his wife who clucked her tongue in annoyance.
"Everyone's got to start somehow," she retorted. Her mood was beginning to sour now and her husband sensed it. Her moods would change with a blink of an eye and because of this; Neji used it as an excuse to take her home. She needed as much rest as possible and this will also give him time to think of a way to confront his cousin about a certain Uchiha the next day or so.
Neji began to lead his wife passed the couple who looked up upon noticing their presence.
Hinata blinked owlishly at noticing her two grumpy cousins.
"Is everything alright?" She inquired, "Oh everything is absolutely fine!" Tenten grinned broadly; she really thought that the couple before her looked absolutely made for one another. The thought helped lighten her mood almost instantly, that is; until she noticed her husband glaring daggers at the man in front of him.
She knew almost instantly that Neji wanted nothing more than to confront the Uchiha about his intentions towards the Hyuuga female.
Her mood turning sour once again, Tenten quickly grabbed Neji and bid the couple farewell.
"Neji-niisan will probably want to interrogate you later." Hinata looked back at Itachi with mild amusement, who in turn, nodded thoughtfully.
"It is to be expected," he then stood up and offered the woman beside him his hand.
"Shall I escort you home for the night then Hime?"
The woman blushed at the nick name and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.
The couple walked in silence as they both admired the scenery on their venture to the Hyuuga compound. Neither of them has ever been very talkative anyways.
Once they arrived, Hinata quickly bid farewell and turned to leave only to be caught by her wrist.
The woman looked up questioningly at the man before her. "I wanted to tell you that I had fun being in your presence," he said, his gaze growing more intense as the woman before him looked into his eyes.
"I was also hoping that you would be willing to accompany me on a real date tomorrow evening if you are free. I think it would help our observers to think that something is up."
Hinata bit her lip in thought and then quietly agreed as she felt a strange twinge in her chest when Itachi had tried to rationalize an actual date. It's just so onlookers will leave us alone! She quickly reminded herself.
Itachi allowed his hand to slide to hers before parting ways, reluctantly stifling the urge to take her hand and pull her into and embrace. In due time… He let out a breath, "Until tomorrow then," the raven haired man slightly bowed his head and left unaware of the woman's lavender eyes following him in mild confusion.
I really love the nick name "Hime" for Hinata I think its perfect for her! Thanks for your support!