Dreamcatcher
By Airyo
A Missing Piece - 3
It was already a month in, and even though Hinata was well aware of the source of her problem, she still found herself antsy after dinner. After several minutes of reluctant pacing in her room, Hinata finally gave in and threw on her shawl.
"I'm going out for a walk," she informed Neji when he gave her a questioning look as she passed through the courtyard.
Neji looked like he wanted to protest, but after a beat, he merely nodded and returned to his kata. It was the fifth set the most difficult eight.
Hyuuga liked to work in eights. Sometimes, Hinata had the sneaky suspicion that it was due to completely superficial reasons - the numeral eight resembled an infinity sign. And if there was something the Hyuuga liked more than looking down on others with practiced disdain, it was forcing obscure symbolism on inane subjects.
As any marginally acceptable ex-heir, Hinata had all Jyuuken kata committed to memory, even if she could only successfully complete about half of them. She'd actually been the best at learning the theory, earning begrudging praise from the surly elder who oversaw her tutoring. But her body, and eventually, her mind, both failed her.
It was fate, as Neji used to say. He'd stopped with this mantra some years back, though Hinata secretly still continued it for him out of the belief that he had a great future ahead of him and she wouldn't accept any other outcome. As for her own future, however...
She wondered what Itachi would think about such a depressing thought pattern.
Hinata quickly shook her head at her silliness. She had stopped caring of others' opinions of her, for therein only lay the path to more disappointment. Her goal was to get return back to the comfortable, quiet existence of she'd carved out for herself after this nonsense with Itachi was over. She was a curiosity, nothing more. She needed to prepare herself for the eventuality of her novelty wearing off.
Hinata ignored the twinge in her chest at the thought of going back to a place without the steady presence of Itachi by her side.
She wandered through the village, drinking in the sights. Eventually, she smelled the salty hint of ramen broth and looked up in surprise. Her feet had directed her to Ichiraku Ramen. The stall was mostly empty now that the dinner rush was past, but a single occupant still lingered.
Hinata stared.
Naruto looked up, grinned, and waved almost shyly - for him, anyways. It was only then she finally made the connection between the scrawny, scrappy blonde who was in her Academy class for a few short weeks and the tall, confident leader who will lead their village.
She wasn't surprised, though Hinata was no longer sure if it was due to her belief in his teacher or in him. Either way, she found herself smiling slightly as she bowed.
"Rokudaime-sama," she greeted. "Good evening."
He studied her and suddenly scowled. "You're late, Bastard!"