Dreamcatcher
By Airyo
Lessons in Wishing - 7
She was still waiting for him.
He didn't realize he'd been hoping, wishing, that she was waiting for him until he saw her, leaning against the post of the streetlight. The amber light made her dark hair gleam against the pale fabrics she always adorned herself in. Her head was lowered down - she didn't notice his presence - and her hands clasped loosely in front of her.
The strange unease inside his chest faded, replaced by swelling that ached in a wonderful sort of way. Routines formed so quickly, and what was unfamiliar just a few weeks ago was already missed.
"I was late this time," he admitted as he stepped into that small circle of light. She looked up with surprise.
Before Itachi's eyes, her expression seemed to bloom from neutral apathy to unadulterated joy. It was strange to see such a sweet expression on her face, when she'd only shown him ones of dislike before.
It was only for a moment, before her pale eyes widened. She turned away with a strained smile, curling into herself again like a withered flower.
"That's understandable," she said simply, effectively shutting down any further conversation. She look away awkwardly as Itachi tried to think of something that was acceptable to say.
Instead, a piteous gurgle filled the still, night air.
Hinata clutched her stomach, and glanced back at him. Her luminous eyes were wide with shocked humiliation. The whole scene was of a horror movie badly juxtaposed with slapstick comedy.
Itachi frowned. Hinata always had dinner before they met.
"How long have you been waiting?"
"Things got busy today, and I would have been late," she admitted.
Itachi twisted his lips, but he couldn't suppress his slight smile. Her mortification over a minor stumble was endearing, and it was telling how closely she observed the rules. Even after he'd warned her of his possible tardiness, she'd been sure to be on time. Be it due to a sharp respect for schedules or a deeper reason, she'd waited for him.
"Come with me. It would be remiss of me to leave a young lady hungry after she'd skipped dinner for me." Itachi motioned for Hinata to follow him. Her eyes widened and she quickly shook her head when she realized that he wanted them to venture into inner city.
"N-no, thank you. People will talk if they see us together. It will appear improper." She shrank away from him, clutching her ubiquitous scroll like a weapon. Hinata edged to the far side of the warm circle of light, and Itachi got the odd sense that she would disappear from him if she stepped into the dark night.
He looked at her - really looked at her, this time - and saw a young woman who was shrouded in layers upon layers of old family politics and expectations. Just like him, except it appeared someone had never given her the chance to fight for herself. There were many unjust stories in the world, but this moment in particular, made him uncomfortable and just a little bit angry.
So Itachi smirked, even though he knew he looked like Sasuke (but it was really Sasuke that resembled him).
"So? It would be rude to reject my offer."
Miraculously, she nodded.