Contrition [Itachi Uchiha x Reader]

#34: Contrivance

Sunday
9:02 a.m.

"There must be at least two hundred books on this list! We'll be here all day!" TenTen whispered, glancing at the piece of paper in her hand.

"Actually we've got until seven p.m. when the library closes," Hinata corrected. "Unfortunately for us, the library isn't as up-to-date with its inventory as it should be. And [Name], I think you owe Dean Hatake an apology for giving him such a scare. The poor man looked like he'd seen a ghost."

"That was for the extremely premature vigil he hosted," [Name] retorted. She found the librarian, a man named Iruka Umino, hunched over a stack of papers at his desk. "Alright here's the deal, the library is open only to students and teachers so we're telling Mr. Umino over there that you'll be joining us in the next term. Okay?"

"Like I would ever want to go here!" TenTen mumbled under her breath.

"I'll let that comment slide. I am grateful for all your help lately, after all," [Name] remarked, approaching the librarian with a cautious smile. "Mr. Umino, how are you?"

He looked up from his papers for a brief moment before resuming his activity. "Dr. [Surname]."

"We're giving Ms. TenTen here a tour of the campus. She'll be joining us soon and she's absolutely smitten with the library. Would it be alright if she stayed for a while? She's helping us look for some books."

His eyes travelled from [Name] to Hinata and finally fell on TenTen and the vibrant tattoo of a thorned rose on her neck. "I'll have to talk to the Dean about thi-"

"We just met him," Hinata declared. "Please, Mr. Umino. We're in a bit of a hurry."

There was a pregnant pause.

"Don't touch anything you're not supposed to."

"Thank you!"

His eyes followed the women until they disappeared from his line of sight.

"He's suspicious," Hinata spoke, once they were out of earshot.

"Doesn't matter," [Name] said, impatiently. "We have less than ten hours to go through three floors of books. Leave no stone unturned. TenTen, you take the second floor. No one will bother you there. I've got the first. Hinata, you take this one. Fugaku Uchiha was a smart man and he wouldn't have made this easy."

TenTen groaned as she studied the colossal indoors. "You're lucky that I loathe Danzō almost as much as you love Itachi."

"I can't say I'm going to miss your witty remarks, TenTen."

*

12 hours ago

"How have you been?" Hinata asked, placing her hand on [Name]'s back. TenTen returned from the kitchen with a glass of water, which she handed to the woman before plopping down on the couch.

"Mostly sane," [Name] replied, taking a sip.

Hinata frowned. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have pressured you into taking that book deal. If you hadn't-"

"I would have done it anyway. Besides, I have no regrets."

TenTen regarded her with a perplexed look. "None?"

"None."

"See? I told you!" TenTen rejoiced, playfully slapping Hinata's forearm, prompting the latter to roll her eyes.

"What's happening?" [Name] asked, still not fully comprehending the unlikely friendship that was blossoming in front of her.

"TenTen has this crazy theory," Hinata carefully chose her words. "That maybe...you..." Her eyes darted rapidly around the room, seeking an escape. She found none. "...like Itachi."