All Naruto properties belong to Masashi Kishimoto and Viz Media. I'm just futzing with the world and characters for a bit.
Title: Chasing Pavements
Summary: Drabble series (10 of 60). All of my drabble prompts were taken from Tumblr.
Rating: G/K
oOo
1:Self-deception
Hinata is an expert at lying to herself and faithfully believes all her various untruths. She is slow, she is weak, she is a terrible kunoichi.
Itachi is an expert at lying for people and faithfully believes all his various untruths, especially when they come to Sasuke. Sasuke is sane, he is faithful to Konoha, he is the Uchiha clan's only hope.
And when the two meet on the field of battle, their deceptions are exposed to one another. But they are enemies. So Itachi cannot compliment her juken and she cannot beg him to control his brother.
2:Manipulation
The graceful twists of Hinata's fingers hide how mechanically she is moving. She serves tea to the Lord and his companions with a smile hidden behind her lips. Her empty eyes meet those of the Lord's hired ninja bodyguard and the muscle's chakra pulses.
"She's under a genjutsu!"
The Lord's entourage jump into action, ushering him down the stairs and out of the inn. Sounds of a large scuffle drift up to her ears, before everything silences. She remains still.
A figure slides in from the balcony.
"Are you alright?" Itachi leans in.
She nods and slips her contacts out.
3:Overbearing
If Itachi was Hinata's jonin sensei, he would be tempted to tell Hiashi where to stick it. Kurenai-san is close to doing that herself, he notices with subtle amusement.
The problem lies with Hinata's self-confidence. Chunin are required to be confident in their decisions. Yet, all of Kurenai's lessons are undermined when Hinata goes home and returns in the morning with shaking hands.
Itachi sighs and peers down at his brother at his side. At least Sasuke is protected from their father...
"Come, Sasuke." He prods before walking towards Hinata.
4:Deluded
Itachi follows Hinata's gaze over his water glass. His eyes return to her face and observe how her mouth turns down.
He wants to give her advice but she never listens. Instead, Itachi is forced to watch his friend wallow in misery as Naruto slips deeper into a love for another woman.
"You should go talk to him." The words sit heavily on his tongue. He swallows and both his drink and his urging slip down his throat.
He does not know what is worse. That she thinks she does not deserve Naruto, or that she will not even try.
5:Mechanization
The Research and Development Department is shrouded in so much mystery that even shinobi cannot break through. Itachi and Hinata have been specially invited for some reason.
"What is it?" Hinata quietly asks. The silence in the compound suffocating.
"The future." The technician grins.
"Goggles?" Itachi raises a brow.
"Enhancers." The technician breathes.
Itachi and Hinata share a dubious look. Their eyes and chakra have always been enough to overcome any obstacle. This new technology is not something they need.
Hinata blinks before something horrifying occurs to her.
It occurs to Itachi too. "No."
No one is touching their eyes.
6:Comatose
Hinata volunteers at the hospital when she can. She likes it and sometimes she picks up tricks and tips that she uses to nurse the small injuries her clan members pick up here and there.
Her volunteer work is nothing extraordinary. She works in various wings; bringing patients water, restocking the supply room, delivering mail and flowers.
She is carrying a bouquet when she almost spills water all over the person standing in front of her.
"Itachi-san!" She gasps.
"Hinata-san, are you alright?"
She nods before lowering her voice.
"Your mother?"
Itachi's lips tighten in the only answer she needs.
7:Belief
"I'm doing this for the good of Konoha." He grounds out.
Her eyes flash. "I'm sorry but I don't think you are. How will this help anyone?"
"You know my reasons."
Hinata sighs and steps closer to her friend. "I know but I still don't understand."
Itachi stands impassively in the hall, even though her words hit him like a punch to the stomach.
I know but I still don't understand.
That is how he feels about the whole situation. His shoulders loosen a bit. He is glad someone is arguing with him.
"I don't know what else to do."
8:Impulse
Hinata gasps and turns to Itachi. "Would you like to get dango?" She asks, before wincing. "Oh, I'm sorry."
Just because they have gone on a couple of missions together does not mean they are friends. He probably does not want to stick around and suffer her presence any longer.
"You probably want to go home and-"
Itachi uses his height advantage as he peers at the small shop behind her. A smile tickles his lips. "I would enjoy dango very much."
Hinata brings her hands down from her mouth to reveal a grin. They head to the door together.
9:Eagerness
"How goes the paperwork?" Itachi murmurs.
His question is already half-answered answered by the way Hinata is face down on the table, her hair splayed around her.
She sits up and sighs, pushing hair out of her face with her palms. Her fingers are ink-stained.
"Impossible. Between the marriage certificates, birth certificates, birth and death announcements, weapons and supply forms, checking the receipts from our accountant... There is so much."
Welcome to running a clan. Itachi hums and sets down the bakery box before moving to the sink for tea. Hinata peers into the box and gasps, her energy returning with force.
"Cinnamon rolls!"
10:Tears
The only person Hinata feels safe crying around was Itachi. Tears are forbidden around her father and Neji desperately tries to make them stop, neither understanding the necessity of expressing emotion. Kiba becomes edgy and extremely upset. Shino becomes even more impassive but his bugs will be hum loudly, agitated.
Itachi offers comfort if it is needed, but he simply offers space. She is in a safe place around him. She does not feel bad for being a woman or being emotional.
And when Itachi needs to shed tears for the death of his mother, he does so with Hinata.
oOo
If there is a prompt you would like to see, please let me know! I hope you enjoyed!
Title credit goes to the Adele song of the same name.