Dreamcatcher
By Airyo
House of Glass - 2
It was a quick, silent meal. While Hinata maintained perfect table manners, her chopsticks moved just an iota faster than was considered elegant, a testament to her hunger. Itachi was beginning to feel quite badly about dallying to listen to Ibiki's strange theories. She'd skipped dinner for him, and it was more of a favor for him than for her.
The underlying guilt stilled his tongue as he escorted her back to the Hyuuga estates. There were several questions he wanted to ask about the circumstances surrounding her condition. The last impression he wanted to give her was that everything he did was to manipulatively gain her favor. While that was partial consideration to his actions, it was not the sole reason.
Itachi was realized that while he could garner his desired reactions from most people through firm guidance, he had to step back and let Hinata control the pace of their interactions. Any amount of push yielded wildly inconsistent behavior. It was as if she didn't know how to react at all.
Either way, it resulted in a silence that hung over them until they reached one of the Hyuuga side-gates. She removed a small key from her sleeve and unlocked it. With her hand on the handle, she smiled politely up at him.
"Thank you for the ramen. I've always heard it was delicious."
Itachi cocked his head slightly. "So you've never tried it before?"
She shook her head.
"Unfortunately, there was never an occasion for ramen."
Itachi had to chuckle at the serious way she explained herself, as if ramen were epitome of fine dining. Though it was a telling example of Hyuuga culture. And Uchiha culture.
"My first taste of ramen was when I first became a jounin-sensei," he admitted. "One of my students - Naruto, actually - insisted we celebrate their graduation."
"That sounds lovely," she commented. Itachi decided not to reveal that the only reason he'd agreed to Naruto's suggestion was due to the silent, angry disapproval emanating from his little brother. For all his titles and achievements, he was still a big brother who loved to tease the younger Uchiha.
"So I'm glad you enjoyed it." She gave him a shy little smile. "Good night, Hinata-san." She returned the courtesy with a bow and she stepped through the gate. She paused. Then Hinata peeked back over her shoulder.
"Don't be late tomorrow, Itachi-san," she added, a faint spark of mischievousness in her pale eyes.
Itachi chuckled. "I will try not to be, Hinata-san."
Then she closed the door behind her with a soft click.
Itachi turned and stared up at the sky. The cool night air cleared his head, making him feel lighter than he had felt all day.
He smiled slightly to himself and started back towards the Uchiha district.
