HONORED GUESTS
CHAPTER 6
When Hinata got home she was more than surprised to be assaulted by maids. "There you are, Hinata-sama!" they cried, ushering her to the dressing room. "Where have you been? We need to prepare you for dinner tonight."
"W-Why? What's happening?" she asked in alarm.
"Your father is having special dinner guesses and expects you and Hanabi-sama to be present. Hurry now—off!"
Ah, so that's what this was about. "Th-the Hokage?"
"Yes, and a few others."
Others? Hinata couldn't guess who they might be. She wanted to ask, but the maids were like clucking chickens, running every which way and that, tossing fabrics and ribbons like confetti, and snipping at each other over kimono patterns and earrings. Hinata didn't really care which kimono they picked. She could assemble one just as well as any of the servants, which in fact was something that could be done much faster with none of their help.
"I would like to wear the blue one there, with the lotus flowers if you please," she announced. Simple.
"That is one of your mothers," said Reiko.
"I know."
They did not argue with her choice. Despite Keiko's skeptical eye, the kimono turned out to be a splendid fit. When it was done she stepped back gratifyingly. "My goodness, Hinata-sama!" she exclaimed. You certainly have grown, haven't you? When did you get a bust?"
Hinata's face inflamed. "All girls have busts, Obaba. Do you have to be so blunt?"
"And look at that! You even lost your stutter!"
"Wh-what?"
"Oh, never mind!" She laughed, turning herself over to a different employment. Hinata's hair was tended to by Reiko, twirled, braided, pinned, and dressed with golden chopsticks. Hanabi was already dressed (obviously having caught the memo before her sister) and was waiting for Hinata ten minutes later when she stepped out of her room.
Hanabi was dressed in bright lilac silks patterned with bamboo, hair woven and shining with silver pins. Hinata loved seeing her little sister like this. She was so cute. Any reminder which proved that she was indeed a girl and not a machine, as her father was so desperate to turn her into, was a euphoric welcome. "Are you ready, Neesan?" she droned. Ah, if only it weren't for her soldier's indifference. No matter how cute she looked, in speech and composure she was in every sense her father's daughter.
"Y-Yes, I'm ready." Together with Obaba and Reiko they made their way to the dining room. It was customary to present things in twos, and when Obaba and Reiko opened the doors, the two sisters entered by the shoulder, smiling. Hinata didn't much care for it, but Hyuga's did not argue with tradition.
"Hokage-sama, welcome," they said harmoniously, and bowed with grace. The Hokage slid the pipe from his mouth, smiling in that sweet, grandfatherly way that Hinata loved. "Ah, there are my girls; Hinata and Hanabi! A pleasure to see you again, ladies. You look lovely." Gosh, he could light up the room like no one else on earth. Even with her stony father sitting right across the way, there was just no mitigating the warmth of the Hokage. Now that, Hinata had always believed, was talent.
But his refreshing presence did not detract from the surprise she felt at seeing the four other guests at the table. And not just surprise, but horror. It was Gaara and his siblings, and another man whom she guessed was their sensei. Her expression gave away only the tiniest fraction of what she truly felt, as she was forced to smile.
Gaara was sitting to the right of his sensei, who was directly opposite to the Hokage. His siblings were next to him, proceeding one empty seat, that is. There were others there too, ominously dressed figures in masks, whom she recognized were guards for the Hokage. Anbu? Four of them occupied the room, staked at all exits, silent and still like the shadows they mimicked. It was alarming to see them here. Whenever the Hokage came for a visit he either brought one guard or nobody. But then this is the first time Gaara had ever been present.
Hinata faintly remembered passing him and his siblings on the way to the training grounds. Could they have been making their way to the estate? Hiashi nodded at his daughters to take their seats, therefore initiating the introductions. "Baki-san, children, these are my two daughters, Hanabi Hyuga"—Hanabi bowed her head—"and our valued heir, Hinata Hyuga." Hinata, still recovering from shock, bowed her head a little less gracefully. When her eyes came up she saw Gaara staring at her. There was no familiarity in his expression, a familiarity which, under normal circumstances, would have been entirely appropriate since they were in the same class. However, there was a certain . . . intensity there. It kind of scared her.
Hiashi noticed the flux of horror in Hinata's eyes when she saw that there were only two available seats. That is why she didn't hesitate. Even though she had been introduced the heir, she did not dare claim the seat next to her father, where Hanabi sat. Gaara did not acknowledge her when she sat next to him.
Needless to say, dinner dragged. The Hokage talked mainly to Hiashi. Hinata tried to absorb herself their conversation, but she did not have the knowledge about politics and economy that her father did, or even Neji-niisan. That's why, like in class, she found herself getting distracted by other things. Like the fact that Gaara did not touch a single bit of food on his plate. His poached miso salmon looked every bit as delicious as hers, but he did not even look at it. Did he not like fish?
And he was eerily silent. Even his brother and sister joined the conversation when matters of Suna were brought forth. Hinata did not pay much attention to that either. A little belatedly, after looking Gaara's plate for the third time, she caught herself wondering 'does he even eat?' And then, all of a sudden, he was looking at her. It was only a movement with his eyes, but Hinata's shoulders stiffened. She looked away quickly.
"I must say," Gaara said quietly, "this is a surprise. I knew you were a Hyuga, but I had no idea you were the heir." Hinata's shoulders dropped. Then she caught herself and fixed her posture. No slouching at the table. Or ever.
"Y-Yes," she said. Yes she was the heir. A shame, but true. He asked nothing else. From across the table Hanabi looked at her. Hinata noticed, but concentrated only on eating.
When the plates were cleared away the Hokage finally addressed the question which Hinata had been aching to hear all evening. "Well, Baki-san," he said, lighting his pipe. "You have not told the company why you are here in Konoha."
"I believe Hiashi-sama is already aware," he said. There was reverence in his tone and mannerism, indication a true soldier.
"As am I," the Hokage returned with a puff of smoke. "But this is what we are all here to discuss. Proper manners, you see. Did you enjoy your dinner?"
"Yes."
"So did I. Thank you, Hiashi-sama." Hiashi nodded with that stern smile of his. "Anyways, you are here for the tournament, yes? I'd like to ask the children how they've acclimated to the village."
"Very well," Temari answered for them. "It's a nice change from sand, I have to say." The Hokage laughed.
"I do enjoy the cherry blossoms myself." He took a few more puffs of smoke. It was done deliberately, it seemed, to give him time to process a thought or two. When he spoke again he was entirely serious. "To be frank, I am aware of your reputation in Suna." Though he was addressing Baki-sensei, it was obvious that the words were meant for Gaara. "As the Hokage, my primary concern is and will always be the safety of my citizens. Forgive me if I raise a little too much awareness to your presence here." Surprisingly it was Temari who responded instead of her sensei. It seemed like she was desperate to offer some reassurance.
"We are extremely grateful for your permission to partake in the Cross Academy Tournament. We understand your concern, believe me. We are trying to maintain as low a profile as we can—that goes without saying—but we are ultimately proud representatives of Suna. We worked hard to overstep the competitors in our own village."
"More like overshadowed," the Hokage said gruffly. "From what I hear it was the shortest tournament your village has ever had. But it's not so much your profile I'm concerned about, young one, it's my village. I'm only here to ask that you do not cause trouble." With that he finally allowed himself to smile. He tipped his cap at them with another puff of smoke. "Do you understand?"
"We understand," said Baki.
"Very good. You are honored guests of Konoha, therefore you deserve an honored guest's treatment. You in particular, Gaara-san, son of the Kazekage."
"I am happy to lodge you for the remainder of your stay," Hiashi said. "I only ask that you please abide by the rules I have laid down, and that you do not take advantage of your freedom."
"We accept your terms," Baki said. "We will respect your house as if it were our own. We thank you, Hiashi-sama, Hokage-sama. You have been most kind."
Hinata had stopped eating long ago. Panic was ripping through her. As if it wasn't enough that Gaara and the others would be joining their tournament, it turns out that they'd also be staying in her home. How had such a development happened without her knowing? A large part of her father's career revolved around keeping her in the dark, but this . . .
The double doors slid open. Someone had come to escort the guests from the table. Hinata couldn't hold her surprise when she saw who it was. "Neji-niisan?"
"Good evening Hinata-sama," he greeted flatly. He bowed to Hiashi and the Hokage with supreme reverence. "Good evening Hiashi-sama. Hokage-sama, it is a great pleasure to see you."
"As I am you, Neji." The Hokage's eye sparkled. "You've grown, boy. Looking more and more like your father every time I see you." Neji's mouth twitched into a smile. "Thank you. Are our guests ready?"
"They are," Hiashi said. He smiled again, nodding. "Have a nice evening. Everything will be ready for you in a number of days, so please bring whatever you have." Temari and Kankuro gave their thinks after Baki. Along with Gaara, the four of them headed out with Neji. Hinata and Hanabi were next to leave, as the Hokage still had things to discuss with Hiashi.
"That Gaara didn't say much at dinner," Hanabi said on their way to their rooms. "I can tell he's dangerous, though." Hinata only nodded in agreement.
Neji was silent during the walk to the gate. Baki was a little ahead of them, so Temari was the one to flip out her gratitude. "Thanks, kid," she said, ushering Kankuro along.
"I hear you will be staying at our estate for a while." His eyes drifted purposely to Gaara.
"That's right," Gaara replied.
"Know that it is only because the Hokage aims to keep aims eye on you. A man in his position uses courtesy as a social tactic."
"As if this is something we don't already know." Temari scoffed.
"Baki can't actually refuse his hospitality," Kankuro said with the same impertinence. "How would that look?" Neji kept his eyes on Gaara.
"Before you do anything I want you to know something," he said coolly. Fire burned in his white eyes. "I am Hinata's protector—her guardian—and have been ever since childhood. If you take heed to anything you have been told tonight, let it be this: If you hurt her I will kill you."
Temari and Kankuro's eyes went wide. They both looked at Gaara in breathless fear. He did not emote much, the only reaction being the drop of his arms. "Then you'd better keep an eye on her."
He left the gate with a turn of his heels. Temari and Kakuro glared skeptically at Neji, but did not waste any time following after their infamous little brother.
*AN*
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