"Okairi – " Mikoto chirped, seemingly unaffected.
She stole a glance at the Hyuuga girl and wasn't surprised to see that she'd turn the palest of pale.
They are pretty much well, to put it lightly... in dipshit.
Sasuke's grip on the dining table went white knuckled, while Itachi just remained still.
What could they do anyways? Throw her out the window?
Tell her to henge?
Trap their father in a genjutsu?! Actually... that isn't such a bad idea. But no!
He is the clan head for god's sake!
All they could do now was pray for the best.
The foursome seemed to brace themselves as they heard spirited footsteps coming their way. Hinata nearly fainted.
"I see dinner has begun with – "
Pin drop silence.
Fugaku's face froze in an awkward grin.
Hinata's eyes were bulging out of their sockets, the two brothers stared at each other.
Honestly, Mikoto found this situation quite amusing.
And to spice things up...
"Surprise, honey!" Mikoto chirped.
Itachi closed his eyes and sighed.
Hinata was freaking out! Itachi's father – the man who is a total anti-Hyuuga – came home only to be practically slapped in the face with a Hyuuga visitor.
He was quite the character though, she expected the man to be as expressionless and stoic as his sons, but he seemed like quite the opposite.
It didn't make this situation less distressful.
Hinata's breath hitched as she felt something cold grasp her hand.
She was too scared to show any sign that she was alive, so she merely glanced at Sasuke from the corner of her eye.
Sasuke squeezed her hand to reassure her, sort of like he was making a silent promise to her.
But she was too scared to think right now.
Maybe if she pretends to be a doll, he would ignore her and just get on with his day...
The second time she glanced at Fugaku, his face was schooled into the usual 'Uchiha' expression, which was downright freaky for Hinata.
Intimidating, pants soiling leader or not, manners were manners.
"Good evening, Fugaku-san."
Sasuke and Itachi mentally applauded Hinata for her act of courage.
Fugaku nodded in reply and turned his attention to his smiling wife.
"Mikoto,"
"Yes dear?"
"A word."
"Alright~ Excuse me for a bit!"
After Fugaku was gone from the kitchen entryway, Mikoto turned to Hinata winked and mouthed 'I'll handle this' before joining her husband outside.
"Before you say anything," Mikoto started the minute she saw her husband open his mouth.
"Let me explain."
Thankfully Fugaku adhered.
Judging by his facial expression, he isn't very pleased with the presence of their visitor...
But, heck! Her son should be allowed to bring his friends home for dinner if that's what he wants! And this girl is cute!
"Sasuke brought her here."
Fugaku's eyes widened.
"Only," she quickly said,
"Because she was hungry and complaining."
Poor old Hinata.
"Why?"
"I told you why – "
"Why do those Hyuugas' have to barge in to my family's lives?!" He said a little too loudly.
"Shh! She can hear you!"
"Like I give a – "
"Fugaku, please." Mikoto sighed.
"It's just one dinner. She will be out of this house and out of your hair after."
"But she will still be in my sons' hair! She will still leave her mark on my family!"
"Don't be so dramatic,"
"That damned Hiashi, first it was him who stuck his nose in our family's business, then it was his meddling wife,"
"Fugaku!"
"Now his daughter is trying to claw her way into my family again! How do you expect me to react?!"
"This is not her fault. Neither is it Sasuke's or Itachi's. It is nobody's fault. What's the wrong in having a Hyuuga friend? Aren't we supposed to be relatives?"
Fugaku shot her a warning look, and Mikoto sighed.
"Just, please. Don't embarrass yourself or your children or that girl. She is a sweet girl."
"Heh," Fugaku scowled.
"Anybody from Hiashi's family, can never be classified as sweet, Mikoto."
Mikoto shook her head. Her husband is truly incorrigible.
"You said you weren't coming back today."
"Just because of that you think you can invite some Hyuuga over?"
The two venomously stared at each other.
"Whatever, I just want to eat right now."
The awkward silence between the three was well... awkward.
Itachi was poking at his food the entire time, Sasuke ate silently and tried to take note of Hinata's reactions.
Hinata, sat still.
Her eyes, watery. Her nose, red. Her face, pale. Her heart, dead.
She always managed to get herself into sticky situations, but this was beyond bad.
She heard a few noises coming from outside, probably the couple arguing, undoubtedly about her.
She sat there, silently cursing herself, Sasuke and Itachi.
Today was the first time she had been genuinely upset with Itachi.
It was like she didn't exist!
She hadn't seen him in a long time and he acts like he doesn't care.
She missed him so much and he acts like she's not there.
She is hurt, and she is not sure why.
Hinata was on the verge of getting up from her seat and excusing herself from the dining table and their house.
She couldn't sit here knowing that she is causing trouble for their family and she couldn't sit here with Itachi pretending like she didn't exist.
It hurts too much.
Just as she tried to rise from her seat, Mikoto came in smiling as though everything had went well though obviously it did not.
"I am back~" Mikoto smiled.
All of them kept silent, Hinata flashed a wavering smile at the dark haired woman.
Just after her arrival, Fugaku entered with his face as calm as still water and his posture radiating with the indescribable Uchiha-ness.
Hinata gulped as he walked towards the table, pulling up a chair next to Sasuke, not even sparing her a glance.
Mikoto gave him a filled plate with some silver ware, and he began eating even more silently than Sasuke.
"You're back early, dad."
"Hn."
Sasuke held back a smirk.
It was always funny watching his dad act like this in front of people.
He couldn't believe that he could still put on the act after that entrance.
"What was so important at the station?"
Fugaku stared at his youngest then glanced at Hinata before going back to finishing his meal.
Getting the message, Sasuke leaned towards the table and did the same.
There was tension and discomfort in the air, the only one who seemed okay with the whole thing was Mikoto and Sasuke is sure that she was kicked out of the ANBU because she was a psycho, and not because she 'resigned'.
Hinata stared at the plate before her as though she wanted it to swallow her.
She lost count of the times she pinched herself to keep from crying.
Big girls don't cry Hinata, stay strong, you're a kunoichi!
"Eat."
Hinata flinched.
Sasuke put a hand to his forehead and sighed.
That idiot...
"I don't like food to be wasted."
Hinata gulped.
"H-Hai!" She said a little too loudly.
She grabbed her spoon and started filling her mouth with the food.
Itachi looked at her sympathetically. Poor girl, forced to stuff her face.
She is so nervous she is gorging down all the food like she hasn't eaten in ten years.
Mikoto looked at Fugaku who seemed to be shaking his head in disgust as he watched the girl gorge down on the food.
Mikoto sighed. The cutie is just nervous! Cut her some slack!
If only he knew how he ate when no visitors were around.
Sasuke wanted to kick her in the shin.
Not only is she embarrassing herself, but she might just choke on something and die!
In the end, Hinata was the first to finish.
Sasuke was a jerk, leaving the table early to go to the toilet. Leaving her alone, that meanie!
She gave Mikoto a pleading look as she finished her meal, she obviously wanted to get out and quickly.
Mikoto nodded with a confident expression and turned to Fugaku.
He seemed to be done with his meal and his elbows were now propped on the table.
His eyes closed, probably contemplating how harsh the punishment of burning a Hyuuga alive with a katon jutsu would be.
Mikoto's lips parted, in an attempt to speak up but Fugaku beat her to it.
"It's getting late. Perhaps the lady Hyuuga should head home now."
That was exactly what Hinata had wanted to do, but the fact that he said it as though he wished to chase her out was... hurtful.
At least she could just go home and forget all about this terrible day.
She nodded and stood up slowly, when she was caught by surprise by Mikoto's words.
"Itachi-Chan, please could you be darling and escort Hinata-Chan home."
Pink dusted her cheeks and she immediately shook her head.
Fugaku narrowed his eyes at his wife, but Itachi sat still with his usual impassiveness.
"No, no it's quite alright I can go home myself." She insisted.
"Mikoto, the girl is a kunoichi after all." It made Fugaku sick to his stomach to think that he had just agreed with a Hyuuga but, to heck with that.
There is no way that sly minx is getting her claws on his son!
"Nonsense! Kunoichi or not, you can never be sure! Though with Itachi-Chan there it gives me relief." Mikoto waved her hands.
Fugaku curled his lip at Mikoto and his wife held up a butter knife.
Hinata stared at Itachi, who didn't agree nor object.
She was starting to get really irritated.
"No, it's okay," she began.
"I wouldn't want to trouble Itachi-san."
Itachi furrowed his eyebrows.
What did she just call him?
"It's no bother! Right Itachi-Chan?"
"Hn." He said, trying his best to avoid eye contact with his father.
He got up from his chair and looked at Hinata.
Hinata lowered her head in defeat. She looked at Mikoto's smiling face and sighed inwardly.
She agreed to let Itachi bring her home and greeted Mikoto and Fugaku and told Mikoto to tell Sasuke she is sorry for leaving in such a hurry.
Fugaku almost rolled his eyes.
She couldn't stop stealing peeks at Itachi, feeling a little anxious and a little irritated that he is going to walk her home.
Itachi though, seemed to just not care.
She really disliked it. Really.
He didn't know what to say so he kept quiet, unaware of how much the silence bothered the Hyuuga in front of him.
He wanted to speak up, asking her if she was okay or if she was upset, but he couldn't.
As he was in deep thought he didn't realize they had already reached the compound.
He blinked at Hinata as she stopped in her tracks.
"T-Thank you for walking me home."
She said, bowing her head.
"Hn."
She inhaled to hold back the tears and turned on her heel to head into the gates when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
She sighed but didn't turn back. She didn't want to face him tonight.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Hinata."
"Mm." Was her reply.
Sasuke was very annoyed but most of all, confused with himself.
What is his problem!?
Itachi had walked her back yesterday, so what? It was not like HE was the one who kissed her.
Yeah, it wasn't him. He did, Uchiha Sasuke.
He should really stop getting annoyed at his brother, it wasn't like he and his brother were competing for her.
And besides... she... liked his kiss... right?
He swallowed and told himself to stop thinking of absurd things while the girl was sitting right next to him on the same bench, licking an ice-cream.
Mother of pearl...
Maybe I should scoot away a little...
He slowly scooted towards her, his knees slightly knocking against hers.
What is wrong with you?!
He watched her from the corner of his eyes; she seemed dazed, staring out in to the open while her tongue darted in and out of her mouth.
Stop it.
He placed his hand on top of hers and leaned a little closer.
Stop it you fool.
She snapped out of her thoughts and turned to him, blushing as she realized how close they were.
"Y-Yes?"
"So, you're going to be a drag and leave early today because of Itachi right?"
"Um..."
When she didn't answer he sighed and leaned back on the bench, though his hand stayed put.
She gave him an apologetic look and went back to eating her ice cream.
He hated the way she made him feel.
He hated wanting people to give him attention. He was getting plenty of it. But...
"Hey,"
"Eh?" She flinched slightly.
He gestured to the side of his lower lip.
"You eat ice cream like a frog."
He found it utterly amusing as he blush intensified.
It was almost... cute?
"I guess that's what happens when you watch shows like "Gero-Gero Taiicho."" He rolled his eyes.
"S-Sorry!"
What are you apologizing for idiot?
He watched her wipe away the chocolate from her mouth and laugh nervously.
"I'm not used to licking things..."
Well maybe he can get her used to...
Ah, shit.
Sasuke! Snap out of it.
"Hinata."
"Hm? Anymore?" She gestured around her mouth.
He shook his head.
"Come here." He commanded.
Hinata's face grew redder and she bit her lip.
"H-Hai?"
He eyed her like a hawk and sighed.
He sat up, and leaned towards her.
Her breathing started to quicken and she backed away slightly.
"A-Ano... what are you..."
"Shut up." He growled before getting a firm grip on her nape and pressed his lips against hers.
Down went the ice cream.
This wasn't Uchiha Sasuke.
Uchiha Sasuke did not want to kiss a girl, girls want to kiss him. And maybe even Naruto, he wouldn't know.
But he wasn't the one who craved attention, or the touch of some weird girl.
He wasn't this person, and yet he couldn't help him.
Stupid Hyuuga Hinata.
Her squeak was muffled and her hands were up in the air, her eyes went wide to the point that it actually got a little scary and her whole face was scarlet.
Sasuke was... The Uchiha Sasuke was...
He parted his lips from hers for a moment.
"S-Sasuke – " She gasped and his lips were on hers again.
This time her hands found their way to his chest and pushed.
Her sounds of protest were all swallowed by his deep kiss.
He didn't seem to bother about her hand pushing him away, in fact... he liked where they were.
There were many voices in his head screaming, telling him to stop but he couldn't.
She was addictive.
Without him realizing (though Hinata was aware of every move) he was straddling her on the bench.
His lips, not tearing from hers even once.
Her eyes were about to roll to the back of her head, this was too much.
Is this some kind of new game he come up with or something?
What is he doing?
She was sure her heart had stopped when she felt his tongue on her lips, seeking entry.
She couldn't let him go on.
She started slapping her hands on his chest and struggling more violently.
Irritated, Sasuke backed away, leaving her breathless which seemed to make him glow with male pride.
Her hand went to her forehead and she looked away, her other hand stayed on his chest trying to keep him from continuing what he was up to.
"Wh-What are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
She squeaked and flinched.
Her hand pushed him back as she felt him lean towards her again.
Sasuke was nuts.
"What is it?" He growled.
"Stop it, Sasuke..." She swallowed.
"Why?"
"W-We can't do this! It's wrong!"
"Why? You didn't complain the last time."
Mentally, he was cursing himself.
He wasn't a pervert! He didn't push people to let him have his way! What the hell is this?
She froze.
The last time?
When did they...
She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and was grateful that he was now sitting up.
She gripped the bench as she sat up as well, and eyed him warily.
He seemed quite irritated with the whole situation.
She was downright embarrassed.
"Maybe...you should head home now."
He glared at her, and she shrunk back in to her jacket.
"I should go meet up with I-Itachi-kun."
"Itachi, Itachi, Itachi!" Sasuke roared.
Hinata backed away instinctively and grabbed on to the bench.
Sasuke got up and glared at her furiously.
"Why is everything about him? Why do you care about him so much?!"
Hinata went wide eyed.
Why did she care about him so much?
"Just what is he to you?!"
Hinata's lips parted. She wanted to tell him that he was a friend. She wanted to convince him that he was nothing more.
But she didn't. She couldn't.
"I..."
Before she knew it, she was staring at his back as he stomped away angrily.
"Sasuke!"
She called out, her eyes watering as she realized she had hurt him.
She couldn't make an effort to move, she felt as though she was frozen to the bench as she watched him walk away.
Everything was going wrong. Things weren't supposed to be this way.
She wasn't supposed to be Itachi's friend and she wasn't supposed to get close to Sasuke.
She wasn't supposed to go to their house and she wasn't supposed to be kissed by Sasuke.
Most of all she definitely wasn't supposed to realize that she thinks of Itachi more than just a friend.
What the two didn't know was that behind them hiding in the bushes was an awestruck Naruto getting convulsions and foaming in the mouth after what he had just witnessed.
Hope you guys liked it :)