Neji was waiting in the breakfast room for Hinata. It would be the first time he had seen her in a week because she was too ill to get out of bed and was banned from visitors. He was still very annoyed that it included him. He was her cousin not some stranger off the street! Still he told himself calmly. That was all in the past now he had to think of the future. Hinata's future.
Hiashi had called on him the day before. He told Neji to inform Hinata that Sasuke would be visiting the next day and to prepare her for lunch with her future husband. Of course this was not good. The last time someone mentioned Sasuke and Hinata getting married she had disappeared for the whole day. Not good.
A timid hand knocked on the door lightly.
"Yes?" Neji asked even though he knew it was Hinata. No one was as gentle and graceful in there everyday movements like her. She peeked round the door nervously then was hurried in by Tenten. Tenten of course already knew what he was about to do. He had told her the other night when…….
"You wanted to see me" Hinata said shyly. Neji looked up and got a proper look at her. Her cheeks were a bit too sharp for his liking but having been deprived of proper nutrition and sleep for a whole week does make one very thin. Her skin was as ghostly pale as ever but she looked alert and curious and not at all tired. Her hair had been put up into a bun and she was dressed in a plain cream dress that emphasized her innocence.
"Are you feeling better? I heard you were very ill"
"Yes I am much better thank you" She said happily.
"Can I get you anything to eat or drink? The doctor told me you need to replenish the nutrients you lost."
"Tea please. The new kind Tenten got me if possible. I have grown very fond of it"
"Of course" Neji snapped his fingers and the maid outside came in curtsying.
"What can I do for you sir?"
"Tea please. The new kind for Lady Hinata and a plate of small nibbles"
"Of course" She left and Neji turned his gaze back to Hinata curiosity burning inside him.
"Is the tea Tenten got you that same you were talking about with Uncle? The one you tried in town?" Hinata smiled lovingly.
"Yes. It's delicious! You should have some Neji. It really helps you relax" Neji just nodded. Obviously her attachment to he town had not gone just yet. "Neji" she said quietly he saw she had the nervous look on her face like before.
"You wanted to tell me something?"
"Yes. I was talking to Uncle yesterday and he told me that we would have a visitor today and that he wants you to join him for lunch." She just nodded deep in thought. "That visitor happens to be Uchiha Sasuke" She didn't respond just kept on nodding while looking out the window. A flash of irritation washed through him. "Hinata are you even listening to me?"
The door behind him opened and the maid came back in with a tray. Hinata looked and her eyes fixed on the tea. The maid placed it down and Hinata quickly snatched up her tea and started to sip it slowly. The maid curtseyed and left. Hinata just returned to looking out the window her eyes clouded over.
"Hinata" He said a little stern this time. She jumped.
"I'm sorry what?" Neji just looked down at her disapprovingly. A look of guilt came over her face. "I'm sorry Neji. I just find it difficult to concentrate. Can you please repeat what you said? You were going on about visitors and lunch. Who are the visitors?"
"There's only one visitor. Uchiha Sasuke"
"Oh. How nice" but the words didn't reach her eyes instead he saw panic. Neji cleared his throat nervously.
"He will be arriving around 1 and Uncle has bought you a new dress for the occasion. Here." He handed her a big white box. She balanced t on her knees and opened it to find a beautiful pale blue dress with dark blue embroidery on it. She smiled forcefully.
"It's very beautiful" she said hoarsely.
"Yes" He replied awkwardly. After a minutes silence of her unmoving still staring at the dress Neji couldn't stand it anymore. "Well I better go. Be ready before 1. I shall meet you in the dining hall later." He quickly strode from the room trying to get away before any tears started to shed. A crying Hinata was Tenten's responsibility.
"Well that went well" Tenten's voice came from behind him. Her sarcastic tone annoyed him. Neji just stared waiting for her to continue. "Of course it could have gone worse. Lucky the tea came just in time."
"About that tea. Where did you get the idea to get it?" He was very suspicious now a days. Hinata's and Tenten's relationship had grown rapidly over the last two days. They were hardly ever apart. He was sure they were both keeping something from him.
"The tea there is quite famous."
"I see." He would be checking the shop out for himself later. There was something strange the way Hinata snatched it up. Almost like an addictive drug of some sort.
"Sir" a servant came up to him "Lord Hyuga has asked you to start preparing for the visitor. He wants everything to be ready an hour before hand." Neji sighed. Today was going to be a long day.
After 3 very hard very stressful hours everything was ready. Apart from Hinata but one of her maids had come down to tell him that they were just finishing her hair. That was half an hour ago which left Neji extremely nervous making him pace the hall like he always did. Oh why did women always take so long to get ready!
"Neji! Is everything ready?" Neji turned.
"Yes apart from Hinata but she should be ready any second now." Hiashi pushed up the sleeve of his dark suit and consulted his watch. A frown crossed his face.
"That's not good Neji. Sasuke is always very early! Go upstairs and fetch her."
"It's okay! I'm ready now" Hinata was hurrying down the stairs flanked by two maids making sure she didn't fall.
"Good! Go inside and read. You can't stand around waiting for him" Hinata just nodded. Neji couldn't help notice that she was very pale. "Is someone outside ready to recive his carriage?"
"Yes uncle"
"Have you arranged the lunch with the kitchens?"
"Yes Uncle"
"Is the lunch table ready?"
"Yes uncle" Hiashi nodded approvingly. It took Neji several years to perfect his planning strategy. He learnt from his uncle who always made sure to triple check everything and if Neji missed something Uncle had a way to make him feel very ashamed.
The clatter of hooves could be heard outside.
"That's him! Everyone to stations NOW!!" Hiashi ordered. Servants were running round everywhere hiding themselves. Neji and Hiashi made their way outside. They could see not a carriage but a herd of horses. "You there!" Neji called out "Make sure that all the horses are properly looked after o watered and fed and if needed cleaned too!"
"Yes sir" The servant bowed and hurried away. Hiashi gave another approving nod.
They both stood patiently on the porch till the riders were up close. In front was Sasuke. The rest of people seemed to be servants only there to carry the animals they had hunted just before. Sasuke dismounted and walked up the white marble stairs.
"Welcome Sasuke to the Hyuga estate" Hiashi shook his hand. Sasuke examined the area very carefully.
"Thank you for inviting me. You have a beautiful home" Sasuke then looked at Neji sizing him up. "I do not believe we have met" He said coolly.
"Yes this is my nephew Hyuga Neji."
"I did not know you had a brother Hiashi"
"Yes sadly he died when Neji was still a child. I have been his keeper since."
"I see" A flash of irritation flashed through him. The way Sasuke spoke of him made Neji look like a child who couldn't speak for himself but Neji pushed his negative emotions way. There was no use starting a squabble.
Hiashi led Sasuke inside and was taking politely to him. Neji observed that Hiashi didn't talk about business. That would come later when all topics of conversation failed.
When they entered the drawing room Hinata was sitting on the couch reading, sitting in an angel-like position. She stood up gracefully as they entered but did not stride forwards to meet them instead she stood patently till she was needed.
"Sasuke I would like you to meet my daughter Hinata. Hinata this is Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke took Hinata's and into his own and gently kissed it "It is an honour to meet you Lady Hinata." Hinata blushed slightly but did not remove her hand. "You are too kind Lord Sasuke." She smiled but Neji could see that it was forced. It left the atmosphere very tense. No one spoke. Neji glanced at Hiashi to see that he was staring intently at Hinata. "I hope your journey here was pleasant" Hinata finally said.
"Yes it was. I was hunting earlier with a good friend of mine." Bad move Neji thought to himself. Hinata never liked the thought of hunting as a sport. It made her sad and sometimes a little angry but it was very rare for her to be angry. More slightly irritated.
"I believe lunch is now ready" She said politely. "If you would please follow me to the dining room." Hinata lead the way out confidently with Sasuke close behind.
The lunch was delicious. The servants had cooked almost every dish they could not knowing what Sasuke liked. The hole 10 meter table had been full of the most beautifully prepared dishes. But Sasuke hardly ate anything. He had taken 3 bites of sushi and a little bowl of soup then had finished. Neji knew however that Hinata would not be disappointed. All the food they never ate was given to an orphanage in the town. Hinata thought it was greedy of them to have so much food and not share it and Hiashi almost gave Hinata anything she wanted.
After the lunch they had returned to the drawing room again. Hinata had not said much. She had answered the few questions asked by Sasuke but apart from that had refrained from sharing her opinion on any subject. Some people would think she was quite for either being very shy or being very obedient but Neji knew better. She considered herself in hell. He knew she did not like Sasuke but was almost forced to marry him. If Neji were in her position he would be quiet too.
"That was a very tasty meal. Give my compliments to the chef."
"Thank you. Our chef had been working here for almost 50 years and is at the moment training his son to cook so that we will have a chef after he passes away. His father did the same. It is somewhat of a family tradition."
"I see that is very interesting." Sasuke paused and looked over at Hinata who was sitting silently hands in her lap. "Did you enjoy the lunch Lady Hinata?" Hinata looked up
"Yes it was delicious." And she returned to gazing out the window.
"So how is business going?" Hiashi had returned to his lat resort. Business. Always a favourite topic of his. But son enough it was time for Sasuke to leave. When he announced his departure Neji tried had not to smile or laugh at the happy expression Hinata wore.
"Thank you Sasuke for coming today." Hiashi said
"It was my pleasure but it is I who should that you for making such a beautiful lunch." Hiashi smiled gravely. "It wasn't a problem at all." Hiashi turned as a servant girl came up to him a whispered in his ear. His face turned grim. "I am sorry I must go. Something is of need of my attention." He turned and left Hinata, Sasuke and Neji on the marble stairs.
"Thank you for coming" Neji said emotionlessly taking Sasuke's hand. Sasuke simple nodded irritating Neji again.
"Have a save journey home" Hinata said as Sasuke kissed her hand again but instead of Sasuke letting go like last time he pulled he forwards into his chest and whispered something into her ear. It took all of Neji's self-control not to snatch Hinata back and punch Sasuke but he stood frozen as Sasuke turned around and left laving a shocked Hinata still frozen in place. Neji pulled her inside when he met a mumbling Tenten
"……complete cow to act so……doesn't deserve Hinata……should go work in the brothel" She took hinata by the arm and lead her upstairs grumbling all the way.
"Tenten" Neji called out. She looked over the banisher at the top of the stairs.
"I agree" He saw Tenten smile with glee before he turned around and headed towards his room.