Dreamcatcher

By Airyo

What Lies in Truth - 6

It was a week later before Hiashi called Hinata to his office again. This time, Hiyoshi joined them.

"Good morning, Hyuuga-sama, Hiyoshi-sama," she greeted them. The older man's eyes lingered on Hinata's new choice for a necklace and frowned. The lines of his face appeared even deeper for it. Hiashi didn't seem to notice as he gestured for Hinata to take a seat.

"I have no doubt you are wondering about your status," Hiashi said. Her hand automatically flew up to her forehead protector to keep them from taking it. He shook his head at her gesture. "I've been working with Tsunade-sama and Kurenai-san. While your exam is valid, you are in a unique situation where one, it is the middle of the Academy year, and two, you are significantly older than the other genin."

Three, Hinata realized in relief, was that they would never put a Hyuuga, no matter how lowly or weak, with genin who have remained so seven years into their career. Even she had her pride.

"So...what does that mean?" she asked.

"You will be placed in an apprenticeship instead," Hiashi told her. "It is a great honor, as your teacher will be focused solely on your development. Due to the personal nature of it, it is a stronger contract than even a genin team. Your genin team are your closest comrades, but in an apprenticeship utilizes all those roles through two people." Hiashi smiled faintly, as remembering old times from his youth.

Hinata remembered that he had been in the same genin cell as Uchiha Fugaku and Aburame Shibi. Then she wondered how that combination could have ever worked - did the Aburame have to use his bugs keep her and Itachi's fathers from killing each other? Suddenly, she was very thankful she wasn't at risk something like that. Just imagine if she had been on the same genin cell as Neji back when he hated her…

"I understand, Hyuuga-sama," she gratefully. "I will give Kurenai-sensei the respect she is due."

He nodded approvingly. "Of course, it would behoove you to continue your training with the young Uchiha Itachi as well."

Hinata flushed, but managed a steady 'I will, Hyuuga-sama.'

Here, Hiyoshi coughed. "While Hinata may have demonstrated trustworthiness in the matter regarding Hyuuga Yami, I don't think it wise to continue her exposure to a security risk."

Hiashi gave the elder a stern look. "We've discussed this several time before, Hiyoshi-san." The clan head glanced at Hinata, but decided to continue speaking despite her presence. "She is an important member of the clan and deserves the best resources available to her. Furthermore, Uchiha Itachi will be the clan head of the Uchiha, and it is to our benefit to seek a strong relationship with him. And on that front, Hinata is our strongest asset."

Was that how he thought of her?

She looked down at her hands, her scars blurring from the tears. She'd always kept her distance out of shame. To stay out of the way, she stayed small and quiet and pressed to the corner. To not bring trouble, Hinata had suppressed as much as she could - her soft personality, her genjutsu sensitivity, herself…

Hinata hadn't known how much she needed to hear such acknowledgement from her father until now.

AN:

I posted a cover for this fic (only after 80-some chapters in…). For your alternate-device readers, flip over to the normal site and check it out! Also, a larger version is on my Deviantart.