A/N – A new fic appears!

The basic idea behind this was, 'KakaHina fluff, but things get a little fucked', and that's about it.

"Have you had the pleasure of witnessing the Swan fountains, Hatake-san?" Oda Mamoru asked, sneering in a (barely restrained) self-satisfied manner. "I would not be surprised if you have not."

Hinata winced a little at the question. The second-hand embarrassment from Oda's little barbs was more than she had ever felt before (or was willing to ever feel again).

Her family had been hosting the man for the past week, and Hinata was getting more and more certain that the Elders intended for him to be her suitor.

Only they could pick someone who was insufferable in every manner of the word, even for her.

"I've never had the opportunity, Oda-san." Kakashi replied easily. His face remained buried in his book, not showing any inkling that he might have taken offence.

Not that that meant much. He was hard to read at the best of times, keeping up an affable, if detached, air about him.

When Hinata had first found out that she would be on this mission, she had been quietly excited. It was not often that she got the chance to spend time with him (it would be hard to explain exactly why she wanted to spend time with Team 7's Sensei, of all people).

'Having a crush is exhausting!'

"Hinata-san, you must allow me to host you!" Mamoru asserted, waving his arms dramatically. "I know! You can stay a few days once we reach the Capital!"

"I'm afraid that will not be possible, Oda-san." Hinata replied apologetically, not feeling very apologetic. "I have to return to Konoha immediately once the mission is complete."

"Come now, Hinata-san. Surely you could spend a few days before you leave?" He insisted, nearly tripping on flat ground. "After all, we are to be betrothed soon!"

'That is certainly news to me!'

On a mission with her crush that she has no chance with and she's spending her time fending off advances from a pompous civilian.

Someone up there really hated her (or maybe it was solely the Elders and not some higher being responsible for this).

"F-Forgive me, Oda-san, you think we are to be betrothed?"

"But of course!" He replied flippantly, not clocking the distressed look on her face. "The Hyūga Elders have assured me! What else could be required? If you are so worried, Hatake-san can inform them about the change in plans when he returns."

Hinata felt like her face was going to get stuck in a very unflattering cringe, and she had to wrench her hands to her sides to stop herself from covering her face. Unfortunately, much as she was sure her father would not sell her to a civilian family, she could not outright refute Oda without talking to him first.

"She's owned by the Hokage first and foremost, Oda-san, then her family." Kakashi piped up from ahead. Something about his tone seemed... off... but Hinata was not sure whether something was actually wrong or if she was imagining it because of Oda's nonsense. She concluded that it was her imagination when his affable air returned quickly enough. "As are all shinobi, that's just a fact of the life we live. Hinata-chan can't leave the Village even temporarily, let alone permanently, without the Hokage's permission."

"Is that so?" Mamoru mumbled thoughtfully. Hinata hoped he would stay quiet for the rest of the journey, but the chances of that happening seemed slim. "Well, I suppose it is just as well that you will be giving up this distasteful business, Hinata-san. A lady must not sully her hands with shinobi's work, after all!"

'What did they tell him about me?' Hinata wondered incredulously. It was like he was not hearing a single word she was saying!

Hinata wanted to remind him that she was no lady, and was, in fact, from a clan of career shinobi who looked down on civilians like him (at best). She caught a discreet sign, thrown her way by Kakashi, out of the corner of her eye.

Continue.

Hinata sighed.

This was going to be torture.

A/N – Oda Mamoru (annoying guy I made up) had no chance at all! Not only is he a civilian, but he's also annoying, which is worse.

This was a prologue of sorts. We see Mamoru looking... different... in the next chapter.