Dreamcatcher
By Airyo
A Missing Piece - 5
He wasn't supposed to be back for another two months. She hurriedly scanned him. Fortunately, he only looked tired, but uninjured. The cruel hand that Hinata didn't even realize had gripped her nerves finally relaxed.
"I'm glad you are safe," Hinata finally said. Itachi stared at her for a moment, before he sighed and took the seat that Sasuke had vacated.
"My students are idiots who do not understand boundaries," he murmured apologetically. Hinata stifled a small giggle.
"They are earnest and good," she said softly. "You taught them well."
The corner of Itachi's mouth lifted, though it quickly fell back to a slight frown. "What were they talking to you about?"
"Return percentages."
Itachi studied her suspiciously. "Of what?"
"Missions." Still giddy from the sudden rush of relief over his wellbeing, Hinata found herself purposely answering in an indirect manner. She had to repress the ridiculous urge to dance around and giggle like a maniac. And even worse, the notion of acting like Hikaru, her boy-crazy cousin, was bubbling through her veins.
Itachi gave her another strange look. "They were talking about cat-chasing," she added, feeling guilty for being difficult.
"I think they were feeling nostalgic of old times," he said cryptically, though the aura around him darkened in a threatening manner. Then he looked up and smiled faintly. "Please don't mind their antics."
"Oh, okay."
They lapsed into an awkward lull. Fortunately, Teuchi and Ayame finally gathered the courage to emerge from their hiding spot and take orders. They ate in silence until Itachi abruptly asked:
"How are your nightmares?"
Hinata nearly dropped her chopsticks as she fumbled for a semblance of poise. Why did a simple question suddenly seem that much more significant? He'd asked the same thing so many times before, but his absence seemed to have desensitized her. The sudden shift back was overwhelming. She could feel her cheeks burning.
Everything was wrong with her and yet everything felt right, like the tumblers of a lock clicking into place.
"Uh...nothing too bad," she managed. "Just residual echoes."
Itachi only nodded.
He was acting strangely too. Normally, he'd launch into another theory or detailed explanation and his words would soothe her nerves. The silence jangled between them like over-bright coins, gaudy and too, too much. Fear filled her mouth with the taste of metal.
Did he want to stop? Did he find something else more interesting?
"Despite that, I missed...the experiments," she admitted.
Please don't leave me again.
This time, it would hurt far worse than any of those others who only sought out her father's approval.