Team Harmony

CE30: A Date

Minato sat at his desk after having dismissed his assistant for some time to himself. He slowly pulled out a scroll and unsealed it to look over the notes he'd already memorized in case something new magically appeared, sighing when that wasn't the case. He had been tormenting himself on who he could possibly entrust with such a mission, but his mind either went to Kakashi or no one else.

He reminded himself that he'd be putting Team 7 at risk if he were to do that. He'd be violating Hinata's trust in him and putting her family in danger through her, which she stressed she did not want. He sighed again, his eyes burning a hole in the scroll of information Hiruzen and Hinata had given him.

When he first looked everything over together, it became clear that the Third Hokage wanted to avoid internal conflict and he wholeheartedly supported that. His methods, however, were distasteful. Letting a young shinobi they were meant to be protecting take the fall and give up the life he had was something he never imagined Hiruzen doing. He was aware of the not-so-pure things being the Hokage entailed but he hoped to never find himself in a similar situation. And to make a different choice if it did happen.

Resting his chin on his hand, he looked over the scroll once again, the sun just beginning to rise.

*

"Daughter, remember that you represent our clan while you are out," Hiashi said as Hinata was putting on a blue kimono. Hinata smiled at him with an innocence that made his chest squeeze.

"Yes, father. Sasuke-san is a gentleman," she assured him. "He would never touch me inappropriately, especially on a first date."

"Very well, then. Enjoy your date and be home at a proper time." He waited for Hinata to agree before leaving back to his office. He noted that while his daughter was engaged to someone at twelve, she was still his daughter and seeing her go on her first date made him feel sadder than he thought. She was growing up fast, technically an adult when she got her ninja headband but still just a child to him.

Hinata tied her hair up in a high ponytail before putting the clip Shisui had gifted her back in its usual spot. She stood and looked at herself in the mirror, turning this way and that, to make sure everything looked as it was supposed to. Her face held a light blush as she thought about going on a date with one of her best friends.

Earlier in the week, Sasuke had sent Hiashi a request to take Hinata out on a date to formally mark the beginning of their courtship. Hiashi had brought it up to him briefly that Hinata deserved a fiancé who would go above and beyond for her, especially after Itachi had also abandoned her. Sasuke eagerly agreed, ready to prove himself as better and more of a man than his elder brother.

Mitsuki knocked at her door before sliding it open. "Hinata-sama, Sasuke-sama is waiting for you," she said.

"Thank you. I'm coming," she said, straightening out her clothes and checking herself in the mirror once again. "I look...okay?"

Mitsuki smiled gently. "You look very pretty, Hinata-sama. I think you'll find that he will be unable to take his eyes away from you."

Hinata giggled, blushing harder as he followed Mitsuki to the front door. "I think you're giving me too much credit."

Mitsuki wished her luck and left her side just before getting to the front of the house. Hinata took a deep breath before turning a corner and smiling at Sasuke, who was also wearing a summer outfit. They had unknowingly matched colors, though she suspected that had something to do with knowing what the other liked.

Sasuke bowed his head and offered her his arm as she slipped her sandals on. "You look beautiful," Sasuke mumbled just loud enough for her to hear. Hinata stared up into his eyes and giggled at the soft blush on his cheeks.