Dreamcatcher

By Airyo

An Absurd Proposal - 4

Dinner was always complicated.

Though the menu was not much different from that of breakfast, there were far more people in attendance. The delicate balance of a family dinner was far more precarious at the end of the day when people's tempers were shorter. And while attendance wasn't required, hunger was far more motivating than any mandate.

Branch members were not slaves - Branch Head Tsuru had been quite vocal about that distinction - and do not deliver meals or clean rooms for those are capable of doing so themselves. Branch Hyuuga were still Hyuuga, and the council could not refute the fact. In this case, a victory for dignity culminated in awkward celebratory meals for all.

As usual, Hinata gathered a tray for her dinner and headed back for her room. Technically, she was supposed to dine in the main dining hall, but everyone knew her preferred routine, and let her pass with a muted greeting. However, tonight found her door blocked by a member of the Main family.

Hinata halted.

"Good evening, Hanabi-san."

The younger sister frowned and crossed her arms with a little sniff. "Don't call me that." Hinata smiled slightly.

"My apologies, Hanabi-sama." That seemed to anger the girl more, and she leveled Hinata with a glare. Hinata bowed, an awkward action given the tray in her hands. "I mean Hyuuga-sama. It won't happen again."

Hanabi looked at Hinata for a long moment. Then she sighed and twisted her mouth in acceptance. "What does Uchiha-san want from you?" she asked suspiciously. "I saw him talking to Father and your name came up."

Hinata had yet to come a decision, and instead made sure to avoid that intersection that connected the paths to Uchiha and Hyuuga. She had presumptuously breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't keep showing up.

But it seemed that Itachi had grown impatient and decided to go behind her back straight to her father.

How rude. Hinata wondered how anyone could possibly like Itachi, when his personality was so terrible.

"I am unaware of any dealings between them," Hinata answered truthfully, though cryptically. Shinobi kept secrets, and Hanabi was a genius shinobi. But ironically enough, her little sister was possibly the worst gossip on this side of Fire Country. Add in her skills in reconnaissance and the Byakugan, and the result was truly frightening.

When (not 'if') it got out that Itachi had requested such a strange thing from her, her veil of relative anonymity will be ripped to shreds. Likely by the swarms of Itachi-fangirls that infested Konoha.

Hanabi raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe you."

"You will have to ask your father, Hyuuga-sama," Hinata repeated firmly. Hanabi pursed her lips to hide the flash of hurt in her pale eyes, and then nodded.

"Fine, thanks."

Hinata watched her little sister go with a mixed expression. She knew Hanabi hated it when Hinata acted so servile and treated her like a stranger, but it better this way if they remained distant.

It was hard to miss the sideways glances the others gave them when they conversed. Wouldn't want Hanabi to be tainted.

Hinata let out a small sigh and retreated to her room. She missed the time before Itachi when dinner was a simple affair, when she didn't have to worry about evading nosy little sisters without hurting their feelings.

Or begging her father not to accept ridiculous proposals from rude, absurd geniuses.

AN: B.I. = 'before Itachi'

B.U.I = 'before Uchiha Itachi' or 'Byakugan under the influence'...

I have a problem.

Anyways, having a 'Happy Thanksgiving' to everyone! Even if you don't celebrate, you are still ordered to have a good day. :D