Dreamcatcher

By Airyo

The Last Supper - 4


Itachi wondered if he should still follow through with Danzo's secret mission. There was still time to save Konoha from the disease that was the Uchiha. Even if there was no Akatsuki, he was more than capable of forming his own group. Though he might need an army to help him if he couldn't convince the future Rokudaime that killing his best friend was a wholly necessary and justified act.

Hm, maybe he should leave his foolish little brother alive after all...but certainly not uninjured.

A light squeeze of his arm pulled him from his murderous reverie. He looked down to shy, violet eyes, and all anger fled his mind.

"Itachi-san...are we going to see the wisteria after all?" she asked hesitantly.

"Of course," he muttered. They walked to the side door to the gardens in silence, both all too aware of their linked arms but also wary of drawing even more attention to the fact by withdrawing either.

Hinata gasped softly in awe as she took in the view. The warm glow of lanterns filled the garden path, casting soft shadows among the wisteria flowers. The trees themselves were so heavy and full of blooms that they leaned in over the stone path like welcoming friends. It was picture out of a fairy tale book.

Itachi remained silent and let her enjoy the scene in silence. That was one thing he was coming to appreciate more and more about Hinata. Like him, she did not feel the need to fill the air for the sake of noise.

If it weren't the fiasco at dinner, Itachi could ever say he was enjoying the evening.

"I hope dinner was tolerable," he said. Hinata paused and turned towards him.

"I...like your family," she said softly. "They were different from what I expected, but no less wonderful."

Itachi blinked. "Thank you, that is kind of you to say. But please let me know if they have offended you in any way."

She chuckled lightly, hand hiding her mouth. Itachi stared, for he had never seen her laugh, and even though he couldn't see most of her face, her whole visage seemed to transform and brighten, centered around those lovely, pale eyes. And he could only stare as the lantern light illuminated her hair and the soft lavender petals drifted around them, curtaining them from the rest of the world.

"Itachi-san?" she asked. One petal turned in the breeze and landed in her hair. Itachi reached down to remove it. The heady scent of the wisteria flowers filled his senses, pressing in like a tangible force and he leaned in -

"Hey, Bastard! Y'there?! Baaastard~ oh Basty-asty-bassstard~!"

Both of them jumped at the dulcet tones of one future Hokage. Even if the jinchuuriki was Hokage-level, he shouldn't have been able to sneak up on Itachi so easily. Itachi berated himself for forgetting Naruto's penchant to appear on the Uchiha compound at odd hours, yowling like a freshly-bathed tomcat. In fact, he'd forgotten all else.

And he only found himself ever more irritated for the reminder. Was it the residue of her strange genjutsu?

Or something else entirely?

He shook his head of such thoughts. He will analyse it later. "You must be tired. I will walk you home."


AN: Poor Itachi is starting to feel very stabby.