"This is where Naruto-kun wanted to meet us for dinner." She stopped at his favorite restaurant. She was sore from standing straight in her uncomfortable heeled dress shoes. She had rubbed her hands raw behind her, and she was about to have a mental break. Despite all that, Kankuro was pleasant to be around and didn't seem to notice her discomfort. His younger brother had been watching her more than the scenery with his steely gaze. She was starting to feel like he didn't like her on a personal level, not just because she wasn't his favored guide. She did her best to take the route Naruto would. She would occasionally point out things he wouldn't think of, but she kept her additional comments to a minimum. The Kage had barely said anything more to her and would respond only to what his brother said.
Kankuro had asked to take a detour or two. She decided against it since Gaara's face only hardened at the suggestion.
"If you would like to be shown anything else while you're here, I would be happy to give you another tour, Kankuro-sama." She gave him a gentle smile, hoping he would understand her discomfort. He had agreed and promised to take her up on the offer before they left. He gave a side-eyed glance to his brother and his worsening mood.
She looked at the time, they hadn't been late, but they weren't early. They sat down and only asked for drinks while they waited. The Kazekage had sat across from her. She could feel his gaze on her without the need to look up. She avoided eye contact to not help him find more reason to dislike her. Kankuro tried to keep a conversation going. It wasn't long before they all understood that Naruto was going to be late.
"Have you eaten yet, Kazekage-sama? I didn't see you eat at the meeting." She hoped that wasn't assuming too much. His eyes narrowed like he didn't understand the point. "If you haven't I'm sure Naruto would understand if you ordered early." She explained. She pinched the hem of her skirt, hoping he wouldn't take offense.
The Kage nodded and waved over the server to order. Hinata let out a sigh of relief while he turned. Her father would have killed her if he had thought she was leaving them hungry.
They both ordered. The Kage knew what he wanted. She was sure Naruto had taken him here before. She held off ordering. She didn't think she could eat right now anyway. Just sipping on her water was making her sick.
"Hinata?" Kankuro asked.
"Yes?" She looked up, then wished she hadn't. He looked nervous.
"You're first in line to be the next Hyuga head, right?" He asked.
She nodded. That was technically true.
"Then why is it your father pointing out your eligibility?" Hinata cringed visibly, closing her eyes. She was worried he would ask.
She opened her eyes, looking over at the Kage, who seemed to be suddenly interested. She guessed the best course of action was the full truth. If her father got hold of them again, he would likely tell them in a much harsher way. "I'm the first heir, but not the best choice." She started. "My sister would be a far better leader, so I am more useful as an..." She paused. It was much harder to talk about to potential suitors than it was to her sister or friends. "Able wife."
Kankuro's eyes were a cross between understanding, confusion, and irritation.
"Your father is trying to marry you off to the most eligible man he can find?" Gaara interjected. He looked irritated as well. It was only then she realized that her father had pointed him out specifically. It was most likely her father had hoped that this outing would be more of a presentation to him. That had failed miserably. "Is that why you offered to be our guide, to seduce us?" His glare hardened on her.
Hinata let out a squeak of shock. She knew he might jump to that conclusion, but she hadn't realized he would be so blunt about it. She gaped her mouth like a fish for a couple of seconds before she forced it closed. Even though it wasn't true, the idea alone made her feel like a simple whore. It was only then she realized how she walked with her hands behind her would press her chest out in this blouse. It wouldn't have in her jacket! Her cheeks burned in embarrassment. She wanted to melt out of this seat.
"Temari asked her to. She hasn't been pushing herself on us, Gaara." It didn't sound as confident as she was sure he meant it to be. The aura of distaste coming off the Kage was piercing them both. His stare shook Hinata to the core with disapproval. She had failed her father and offended the Kazekage. She felt tears prickle her eyes. Even if she said otherwise, he had already made up his mind about her. Any defense would make her look more guilty.
"Hinata-chan, Gaara, Kankuro! Hey!" A bright voice came from the door. She looked up, feeling a tear escape her eye, and promptly got up.
"Naruto-kun is here. Please excuse me. I'm sorry for the day." She bowed deeply and whisked past Naruto and out the door, trying to not cry in front of them.
She could hear Naruto call for her in confusion and ask what happened as he sat down.
Hinata sat stiffly at the next meeting. Her father hadn't let on that he knew about her blunder. She had slipped in and cleaned her face before speaking to him. She told him the bare basics about the outing. She reported she didn't think the Kazekage was an interested suitor. He had scolded her anyway on the grounds she should have worked harder. However, he also cursed that her weakness was likely why he wasn't interested.
Her sister had voiced her worries, but she wasn't going to weigh her down. Hanabi had enough to worry about. Hinata kept her eyes on the speaker and did dare look at the eyes staring holes into the side of her head.
As smaller meetings started, she tried to keep busy to avoid focusing on the rotting feeling. She decided to eat nothing. With how nervous she was, she doubted she could keep it down.
She went through the entire meeting without much of a hitch until it was time to leave. Her father told her to go back to get paperwork he had sat down. She cringed, knowing the only ones who hadn't left were the Kage's and Naruto. She nodded, heading back into the meeting room, finding the folder her father had spoken of. She tried to ignore the conversation, but Naruto was whispering far too loud.
"See? There she is. Go on, Gaara." She froze, and her heart sank. All hopes of not having to confront him today were crushed.
She felt him come toward her though she could not hear his light steps.
"Hyuga." She tried not to flinch, but she did. She hesitated to look up, not wanting to see his furious glare. She forced it. Instead, he looked highly uncomfortable. His crossed arms and his back were stiff. She stared as he stood there, waiting for her to acknowledge him.
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She cleared her throat and opened it again. "Yes, Kazekage-sama?"
"It has been brought to my attention that I owe you an apology." She didn't know if he could grumble, but he was getting close.
"There's no real need." She tried, she didn't want him to think wrong of her, but she didn't want him to believe he 'owed' her anything either.
"I have been told I was wrong, that you are far from a common whore, and are rather the victim of your family decisions." He continued like she hadn't spoken. She held the folded to her chest, avoiding his eyes as her cheeks reddened. Did he need to say it like that? "That you are a 'lovely' person or potential partner, and I should attempt to befriend you." The words coming from his mouth sounded so unnatural. It made her twice as uncomfortable as he looked. "So, I apologize for the offense and insult, and wish to take 'your' tour and will be paying for dinner." She cringed for him. He was uncomfortable and forced to apologize by the likes of his brother and friend.
"That's not necessary, Kazekage-sama. The apology is more than enough. I should be getting these papers home to my father." She fidgeted with the corner of the folder. She hoped he would take the way out though she was sure Naruto wouldn't feel it was enough.
"Then I will come with you, and we will go after." He decided, assuring her she was not getting out of his apology. It was likely at the avoidance of another lecture from Naruto.
"I..." She couldn't think of a good enough reason to say no, so she nodded. Maybe she could change shoes, she still had blisters from the day before, and they were making it hard to walk.
He looked back at Naruto, who gave him a thumbs up. "I'm sorry, Kazekage-sama." She tried.
"I do not believe you have anything to apologize for." He answered.
She disagreed.
He followed her out of the building and across the village to the Hyuga compound in a heavy silence.
"Please come in. You are welcome to my home, Kazekage-sama." She offered, stepping in. Before she could ask him to sit, she had hands in her hair, pulling out the pins that had held it up.
"Hinata-sama, welcome home." They spoke as they worked before realizing he was there. When they did, they all hastily bowed. "Kazekage-sama! Welcome to the Hyuga compound!"
"Please wait for me here. I won't be long." She promised as she headed down the hall, followed by women pulling pins from her hair. She asked one of them to get her a quick change of clothing that would be more comfortable. She had the feeling it would be far fancier than she liked.
She knocked on her father's door and came in when he called. "You were delayed." He demanded.
"Yes father, Kazekage-sama has asked for another tour." He sat up, straighter at the new information. "He's waiting for me in the main hall." She shrunk as his face twisted.
"Why did you inconvenience him by bringing him here and having him wait?" He stood from his desk as she placed the folder on it.
"He insisted, father." She tried knowing it would bring her no points. He was out the door swiftly to greet him.
As soon as she left the room, hands were back in her hair, and she was pulled to her room to change. A more comfortable but still formal dress was presented to her, but with comfortable flat shoes. Her hair was pulled back into a more comfortable hairstyle. She was then ushered back down the hall where her father was standing with the Kage. She could immediately see he was tense. She feared what her father had said to him while she was gone.
"You have kept the Kazekage waiting." He scolded.
"I'm sorry." She bowed. "I'm ready, Kazekage-sama." She set her shoes down and slipped them on. Her father's disapproval was burning her back as she faced away from him.
The door was opened for them, and Gaara was the first out, likely trying to leave the atmosphere. She followed suit, coming to a step behind him. This time she allowed her hands to come together in front of her.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting." She said again more softly. She hoped the apology had more of an impact now that it was not being forced on her.
He didn't respond.
"Where would you like to go today then?" She asked, trying to break the bitter, uncomfortable silence.
"We will have lunch first." He answered without looking back at her.
She paused but nodded, then realized he couldn't see her. "Okay..." She bit out.
"You didn't eat at the meeting." She hadn't needed any more proof he had been staring at her the entire time, but now she had it. She was taking after her from yesterday though she wasn't sure if that was a good thing.