Dreamcatcher
By Airyo
The Last Supper - 6
Hinata spent the next morning in a daze, exhausted from nightmares and anxiety, drifting like a ghost down the halls. She didn't notice Hiyoshi approaching her until it was too late.
"Hinata-san," he croaked. She suppressed a squeak as she looked up, barely avoiding a collision with the council elder.
"Hiyoshi-sama," she demured, "I apologize for my inattention." She bowed low and deep, hoping the querulus man will simply huff and move on.
No such luck.
He peered down at her. "My office, if you will. There are matters we should discuss."
The silence only grew heavier and heavier as they walked to his office, until Hinata felt her shoulders curled in as if bracing for a strike. Hiyoshi peered at her over his shoulder before he opened the door, raised a gray eyebrow and cleared his throat in disapproval. Hinata's spine snapped up like released bow.
Hiyoshi settled his lean, wiry frame into his chair with a grace that belied his years. He clasped his hands and eyed Hinata.
"There has been talk of the Uchiha heir," he said tersely. "Is it true?"
Hinata bowed her head, not in politeness but to hide the frown from how he referred to Itachi like he would rank garbage. Her lack of sleep was beginning to affect her emotions strangely.
"What talk do you speak of, Hiyoshi-sama?" she asked cryptically. "There is always talk of the Uchiha." Hiyoshi frowned slightly, suspicious of her tone. Normally, she would have answered him easily.
"Yes, but regarding you and him?"
Fear drew a cold finger down her spine. The glint in Hiyoshi's eyes could only mean he was digging for dirt. It was a glint that terrified Hinata more than she could explain, but she could always recognize it.
A part of her wanted to admit everything, because Hiyoshi always took care of the messes she caused her father. But for the first time in a long while, Hinata's sole goal of making of as little trouble as possible for her family had a rival - protecting Itachi from her family.
It didn't make sense. Though she remained perfectly still, Hinata could feel everything in her tremble, shaking from the tension between nature and nurture and sheer survival instinct.
"If there is anything to do with the Uchiha, you need to tell me," he said almost kindly. "The Hyuuga reputation must be protected after all."
Hiyoshi kept watching, waiting. Hinata gulped, and nodded.
"Everyone knows Uchiha-sama also wanted to try his hand at this puzzle," she answered. "He's losing interest and Mikoto-sama felt the need to at least make the motions of gratitude."
It was in line with what the Hyuuga wanted to think of the Uchiha, so even though Hiyoshi was disappointed by the expected, he nodded and dismissed her.
Hinata fled, barely even breathing until she'd slid door shut behind her. She unfurled her white-knuckled fists, staring at the bloody haif-moons on her palms.
She'd just placed Itachi above her own family. What kind of failure of a Branch member did that?
"I am Branch," she whispered. She cupped her forehead - she could almost feel the seal burn like a brand.
AN: Itachi next chapter, promise. Life's been busy, but I think things have calmed down a little. My co-workers can go to happy hours and I can go home to write fics. Holla.
PS: Thank you for all your kind reviews! So much love it's like I'm filling like a...like a...love-filled balloon?