Hinata reflected on what happened later that night, during dinner.
It was always a quiet time, with only her, her father and Hanabi, as well as a few servants standing nearby, attentive to anything their lieges might need. Her little sister was always well-behaved during these occasions, contrasting with her usual bombayant personality, though it was at force of routine, rather than actual respect. Even the most excitable of children would grow tired of constantly being reprimanded for playing around while eating.
And so, in the silence interrupted only by the occasional clink of ceramic, Hinata had a lot of room to think. Sasuke was… he was really angry, wasn't he?
Of course, it was far from the first time he became angry with her, but this time, for some reason, felt different than the others. Not quite like that first time she intruded upon his district, a year after the tragedy that erased his clan took place, but more like when… like when he called her out for allowing Neji to treat her badly.
Except it wasn't quite like that either. Something about this was more… well, personal was not the word she would use, but… intimate, maybe? Sasuke's anger felt closer to his heart in a different way than any other time.
Like this, you're really no different from all my stupid fangirls.
What did he mean by that? Was he suggesting her feelings for Naruto were as superfluous as those of all the other girls that pined after him without really knowing him? That was… cruel. Of all people, Hinata would have thought Sasuke would understand her better than anyone to know she wouldn't develop feelings towards someone so half-heartedly.
And yet… and yet she could tell that wasn't truly it. It also went beyond Hinata simply 'taking Naruto's side' as he put it…
She was confused. She couldn't understand why Sasuke was so angry this time. If only she could elucidate his reasons, she would be able to formulate a proper apology and seek not to repeat her mistakes, but like this…
"Hinata" her father's stern voice cut through her thoughts, startling her. It was in that moment she realized she had stopped eating, her hands frozen with the rice bowl on one and her chopsticks halfway to her mouth. Hinata quickly put the two utensils down, gulping nervously.
"Yes, father?"
"I can tell there's something on your mind… while I do hope it's not something serious, I would like to ask you to refrain from getting lost in your own thoughts while in company. Dinner is an important part of our day, and it won't do to have you so distracted" he chastised with that tone that, despite not being loud or angry, still cut firmly.
Hinata nodded, lowering her eyes for a moment before remembering she was not supposed to do that. "I… yes, father. Forgive me, father" she said as she grabbed her bowl and chopsticks once again.
Hiashi nodded, continuing with his own meal, while Hanabi looked at her with her head tilted, childish curiosity behind her eyes. She didn't say anything though, as had come to be expected of them during this time, and so, dinner ended a few minutes later in the same fashion as always: quietly.
The next day, still swirling with thoughts as to how to approach Sasuke despite not knowing what she had done wrong, Hinata was startled when, in one of the recesses, Ino stood up and walked towards him, all confidence and self-assurance, and sat right next to him, loudly calling his name with that intonation that Hinata knew got on his nerves…
…and Sasuke let her.
Not only let her, but actually engaged her.
"Then! Sasuke-kun! What about doing the next project together? Between the two of us I'm sure we can get the best grade in the classroom!" Ino exclaimed happily while pushing her chair closer and closer to his, being careful not to actually touch him, as she must have rememembered how little he liked that from that time years ago.
Sasuke shrugged, his eyes poised in front of him, towards the blackboard. "I don't see why not."
"Ahhh! You're the best!" Ino was beyond herself, preening under the meager attention and shooting the rest of the girls in class an arrogant smirk. While she was occupied with this, and their other female classmates were busy fuming, Hinata caught just the slightest movement from the boy at her side.
It was so quick, so subtle she would have missed it if she was anyone else, if she possessed a normal set of eyes and not the all-seeing Byakugan.
Sasuke turned to her, and, catching her eyes, elevated one corner of his mouth in a mocking grin, before quickly looking at Ino and then, once more, to the front of the classroom.
Hinata… she must have imagined it. There was no way…
Confused, and hurt for reasons she could not understand, she concentrated in her own books for the rest of the day, all while Sasuke continued paying the barest of attentions to Ino and any other girl who got enough courage to approach him.