Dreamcatcher
By Airyo
The Breakthrough - 4
He tugged her hand until she stopped.
"Hinata." Itachi studied her, pinpointing the half-formed idea in her eyes. "The Inuzuka will have no means to verify your claim. Though Hikaru will likely be reinstated under probation, she will be forbidden to speak of any occurrences here on pain of death."
She didn't give herself time for second thoughts. "I need this. For me." However, she didn't release her white grip on his arm until they reached the lowest level of the ANBU headquarters. An ANBU ninja waved them through the gates after a careful perusal of their chakra.
Anxiety coated her veins like oil, slick and cloying and Hinata's courage faltered when she looked through the one-way window of the interrogation room. Hikaru sat inside, hands folded, head bowed. Though she wasn't chained to the desk, chakra suppressors on her wrists peeked out of the sleeves of her grey prisoner's uniform. Her cousin looked small and helpless , yet Hinata could only remember the intruder of her nightmares.
Itachi pushed her with a gentle hand at the small of her back.
"You need this," he reiterated. "But I will not think less of you if you decided otherwise." Hinata nodded jerkily, and then she was smoothly stepping into the room. The door shut behind her with a soft click.
Hikaru didn't look up, her features schooled in a careful expression of disinterest. "I already told you everything I know," she said crisply.
"...H-how are you?"
The other girl's eyes flicked up, then widened when she processed exactly which Hyuuga had come to visit her. Hikaru stared at her for moment, and then sunk down further in her seat.
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to."
The other girl huffed and looked away, chin lifted defiantly. She will not apologize, not when she dared to follow orders of a leader she had trusted.
"If you want closure, you're better off gloating over Hiyoshi."
Hikaru twisted her lips to one side, a grimace disguised as sneer. But she gave herself away when she crossed her arms, hugging herself like a child.
It was stupid, Hinata realized. She was afraid of a child soldier - two roles known for helpless obedience. Hikaru was only following orders. Hinata had forsaken her order the day she allowed Uchiha Itachi to intrude on her routine, her familiar, comfortable everyday.
Hinata shook her head, feeling as if she were waking from a long deep sleep. She brushed away the final cobwebs fogging her thoughts. The lucidity was startling - was this the same luxury that everyone else took for granted? Hinata glanced at the blank mirrored window where she knew Itachi was waiting for.
"I didn't come here to gloat," she said. "And you didn't answer my original question. How are you? Are they treating you well?" Hikaru remained silent, looking more rebellious than she had ever seen her. Hinata smiled slightly, and then tilted her head haughtily. "You are Hyuuga," she declared, mimicking the same arrogant tone as the Hyuuga elders. "Even if everyone else has forgotten, a Hyuuga will be treated with respect and dignity."
Hikaru tensed and then looked away, blinking quickly. Hinata pretended not to see the glint of tears in her eyes.
"Hyuuga, Hyuuga," the other girl muttered. "What a terrible and wonderful name."
Hinata hummed in agreement.