Dreamcatcher
By Airyo
What Lies in Truth - 2
Hinata paused, her hand hovering inches from the Hyuuga clan head's office door. Her new forehead protector weighed heavily in her pocket. Kurenai had warned her of the situation. Despite passing the genin test, Hinata could only officially become genin with Hiashi's approval. Her paperwork had long expired and would need to be resubmitted.
Was it already too late?
"Come in Hinata." She jumped. She hadn't knocked yet, but it was inevitable that she would be discovered after doddering outside his door for so long. Hinata obeyed and greeted her father with a bow. He nodded from his seat behind his desk.
"Sorry to bother you…" she said. Hiashi shook his head.
"I have a matter I need to speak to you of anyways." When Hinata waited, he waved for her to speak first. Unfortunately, her tongue had suddenly melded itself to the roof of her mouth. Hinata shakily pulled the forehead protector from her pocket and extended for her clan head to see. The silver gleamed bright and new, untested metal for proven mettle.
Hiashi froze.
"I passed," Hinata whispered hastily, alarmed by his silence. "Yesterday."
He stood and exited the room. She felt tears prickle her eyes like needles. What had she been thinking? She would be seven years older than all the other new genin, too old and too clumsy. The Hyuuga would never allow such an embarrassment.
Nonetheless, she had allowed herself to hope, and it hurt so much she thought she would shatter. Until she lost the chance, Hinata had not realized how badly she wanted to prove herself.
Hiashi stepped back in the room with a stern expression on his face.
"Hyuuga-sama, you said you needed to speak to me on another matter," Hinata asked. She managed to swallow back her disappointment. He gave her a strange look and handed her two dusty scrolls.
"You will need to update your information in these forms. I will sign and have them delivered to the Hokage Tower." Hinata stared for a long moment at him before gently taking the scrolls from him with a shocked 'thank you'. Hiashi looked discomfited by the gratitude in her eyes.
"I have not been the best fa-," he cut himself up and coughed. "Congratulations. Kyokki...she would be very proud." She smiled at the mention of her mother. Hiashi rarely mentioned her anymore, so it was mark of his own pride, even if he wouldn't admit it.
They eyed each other awkwardly. "You had another matter…" Hinata asked. Hiashi blinked and shook his head.
"Yes, of course. I am meeting with the Uchiha tomorrow morning. It is about time that two of the strongest clans in Konoha come to an agreement and clear the air of any previous misunderstandings. Since you have ties with both clans, your attendance is required."
Itachi will be there. She can't see him. She can't. She told Hiashi the danger of her further fraternization.
"But...Hyuuga-sama...the Uchiha will figure out-"
"I am very busy with paperwork, Hinata. I will see you tomorrow." Hiashi studiously turned back to his suspiciously bare desk, but the dismissal was clear. Hinata could have sworn that the Hyuuga clan head was smirking as she exited.
AN:
Kyokki = 'rays of the rising sun'
Belated shoutout to aurora0914, who managed to review all my chapters in the span of a hour or something, making me believe that fanficdotnet had developed bug. (Not that I was complaining...haha).
Anyways, please go check out her story, "The Hyuuga Massacre". If the name didn't tip you off, it features a very interesting concept. And it's ItaHina, of course.