Dreamcatcher

By Airyo

House of Glass - 1

Hinata wondered if there was something wrong with her. She was supposed to refuse.

Mostly so she could rush home in an attempt to reduce her utter shame. She was sure gurgling stomachs broke some form of etiquette. And even worse, when she saw him, half-hidden in the warm glow of the street lights, she'd smiled at him like an idiot.

But when he faced her so straightforwardly, without the sideways glances and the sideways words. Only a sideways smile that was so unexpected but somehow fit him so well.

Hinata couldn't reject him this time. He wasn't mocking her, nor trying to use her, nor any other ulterior motive. He was asking her, Hinata.

And such a small thing was enough.

So here she was, walking placidly next to Itachi as he directed them to one of the busiest streets of Konoha. A voice in her head reminded her harshly that people will see, and people will talk. Her primary goal of trying to keep a low profile would be completely blasted to pieces.

Itachi looked at her, and then pointed them to side-street. Hinata really shouldn't continue to follow him, but that's what she did. They ended up in front of a small, but welcoming ramen stand.

"Ichiraku Ramen is the favorite of one of my students when he's feeling less than energetic," Itachi offered with a mysterious smile, as if he was showing her the beginnings of a private joke with her. He didn't explain further, however, and waved to the chef, an old man with a peaceful smile. He turned to look back at her expectantly.

Hinata bit her lip. Sitting down would cement her acceptance of this strange adventure. She looked to the left, and then the right, and there was only the dark, lonely streets with pockets of light from the streetlights in either direction. Hinata found herself reluctant to traverse it alone, to be alone, and so she braced herself. She stepped forward into the warm sphere of the ramen stall and took the seat next to Itachi. The scrape of the chair's legs seemed loud to her ears.

"Small vegetable miso ramen, please, Teuchi-san," the Uchiha ordered. Again, he looked expectantly over at her, and Hinata was beginning to rather detest that expression - sideways glance, face angled so the sharp line of his jaw was prominent, dark eyes calm and observant, and one arching eyebrow slightly higher than that other. It was an expression that challenged her, judged her, disassembled her every secret. And not Hyuuga Hinata, the failure, but simply the person who sat next to him.

That was more terrifying than simply being unseen.

For the sake of something to do, she perused the menu intently, eyes glazing over at the multitude of choices squeezed in neat row on the menu behind the stall owner.

"Um..."

Teuchi smiled slightly as he began cooking Itachi's

"Take your time, dear," he said. "New customers are always overwhelmed by our selection." She watched him drop the noodles in boiling broth. The rich, salty scent filled her, and her stomach sharply reminded of just how hungry she was.

She'd deviated this far from her plans, there was little use in trying to resist further.

"I'll take a small miso ramen, please."

Edit: Thanks to mariarassie. I completely forgot that Hinata dislikes shellfish and originally had her ordering a seafood ramen. She's not that flustered yet!