Ice

Chapter Seven

Either Hanayo only distrusted the current leader or she was better at hiding it around past ones, but she was distrustful all the same.

Hinata couldn't deny her helpfulness, though. In a week, the branch member had canceled clan meetings for the next month, organized the main office, and started furnishing her own.

The explanation was this: everything was unorganized. The Hyuugas were making deals and trying to fix other clans while their own was divided and broken, and they had to worry about themselves first. Hinata pointed out that those contracts were important, made by other clans that would exchange such things as money for protection, but was immediately shot down when the response was that they'd wait for a major clan like the Hyuugas.

Hanayo also encouraged Hinata to spend more time around the branch part of the compound.

"You hide yourself. How are we to trust someone we can't see? Yes, the branch loathes the main, more than you can imagine, but sitting in your office all day doing who-knows-what won't help the situation. Get out there, talk to them, understand them, or at least try. And, if you actually try and not give up as soon as someone says something awful, things will be a bit smoother from now on."

"I've been busy," Hinata tried to defend herself. She'd grown out of letting people say whatever they wanted about her. "It's not fair to hold that again-"

"I very much doubt you've been extremely busy all your life," Hanayo said nastily, cutting the leader off. When Hinata flinched and fell silent, the other woman sighed and her posture lost the angry tension.

"Look. We have a clan to fix. That means less excuses and more getting our shit together. It isn't going to be easy, Hinata-sama. As much prejudice as I have against the main house, I want to have a clan."

The conversations continued like that for the next few days. They really didn't get along, but Hanayo knew what she was doing. Hinata couldn't help but have the thought that if she demanded something, it would have to be done.

She did wander around the compound, though, greeting branch members. They all bowed to her deeply and mumbled monotone greetings. If she asked a question, the answers were short and uncomfortable, as if they expected to be punished for them. Another week passed, full of these conversations, and Hinata walked into her office one day hoping to talk to Hanayo about one that was sticking out in her mind.

"Hello."

The man flinched and, turning, bowed deeply. "Hinata-sama."

She frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing at all, don't worry."

"I… alright. What are you up to?" Her tone was gentle, politely curious, but the man still flinched.

"Nothing at all… Nothing at all. I d-don't mean to bother you…"

She opened the door to her office and called out for the woman, only to see her sitting in her chair, next to none other than Uchiha Sasuke. He had a new forehead protector, and a katana was at his side. He didn't glance up at the leader, merely grunted.

Hanayo spoke, also wearing a forehead protector along with an outfit Hinata had never seen before. "Milady, I've received a mission."

"Oh." Hinata glanced at Sasuke, seeking an answer for his presence.

"He is coming along. I decided to wait and tell you. We should be back in a week, a week and a half."

"Of course." Hinata's stomach gave a nervous churn. Uchiha Sasuke, the avenger, the one who had to have an escort with him at nearly all hours of the day, was going on a mission with her assistant? The thought was bizarre. She couldn't believe they were allowing him to go with.

"Well…" Judging by the way Hanayo sent a look at him, she didn't like him at all. His handsome features did nothing for her, apparently. "I'll see you later, Hinata-sama."

Really?

Okay, so, my air conditioner broke and it was so hot I couldn't sleep, so I asked my mom to get me a fan. She did, and five minutes after I set it up, my stepfather fixes the AC. Why

Anyway, I love you guys. The reviews I get are so heartwarming and lovely and make me feel all gushy and warm inside. I'm free for the next two months, so there may be more fanfiction coming your way. If I don't get distracted by video games. Also, I'm going to promote one of my favorite video game soundtracks here, if not my most favorite. It's called Ori and the Blind Forest, and by God, that music. I listened to it writing this chapter, it's amazing.

Thanks for the reads, and, as always, I hope you have a great day