Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

Hyuga Time: Hiashi is a Dad and it's Great

The weather was nice enough for a walk, sunlight filtering down over the rooftops warming up the air to a comfortable temperature to be tempered by the occasional breeze. I had to be thankful for it given that the decision to walk was not my own, but I wasn't exactly in the position to make demands with Neji at the moment.

My little stunt a few days ago had understandably shaken him, but I wasn't quite sure how much of the blame for his change in attitude fell on me. He seemed more assertive now, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but I certainly thought it was when he came into my room and told me that he wanted to go on a walk, that not being a notification but an assertion that I was going with him.

My reluctance certainly wasn't out of laziness, but yet another thing I had to come to accept. That was what I kept telling myself as I tried not to focus too much on the occasional stare from the passing pedestrians as we walked down the street, or how the occasional passerby would actually cross the goddamn street to get away from me. I suppose I deserved it; I had a reputation after all, but it didn't mean that being treated like a ticking time bomb felt any better.

I glanced at Neji to see if he had noticed the behavior, but if he did he didn't show it. He gazed purposefully ahead at the road, giving off an air of confidence that I didn't quite recognize from him and it took me a moment to realize that his perceived disinterest was indeed a result of the stares.

"I know it can be difficult," he suddenly said, "But you just need to try and ignore them. They don't know anything about you, and their opinions don't matter."

With a sigh I glared at the ground, "I appreciate the advice, I really do, but being treated like a monster hasn't gotten any easier over the years."

He frowned at that, "I guess I have forgotten how long you've had to deal with that."

"It's nothing you have to worry about." I shrugged, "I should get over it eventually."

"You shouldn't have to though." he replied softly, "But maybe what I should be reminding you of is that you don't deserve to be treated this way, and you shouldn't feel like you do."

"You don't know what I've done." I chuckled.

"And they don't either." he stated flatly.

That made me pause. I suppose the only concrete information the villagers would know would be what I did to Sasuke, and the rest would technically be hearsay, "That's actually a pretty good point."

"Of course it is." he scoffed, "because I'm right."

I let out a laugh in disbelief, shaking my head, "God, Sakura has really gotten to all of you, hasn't she..."

"I don't know what you're talking about." he replied.

I gave him a teasing nudge before we both stopped in our tracks, looking down the road to see that Hiashi... my father was walking towards us with a smile strained by discomfort and uncertainty. He stopped in front of us, hands behind his back and clearly uncertain of himself.

"Is there something wrong?" Neji asked after an uncomfortable silence.

"Oh no, nothings wrong." Hiashi quickly answered, his hand moving from behind his back to be clasped in front of him, "Are you two busy?"

I was going to answer that we were on a walk, but before I could get a word out Neji quickly answered, "No, we aren't."

"Excellent," Hiashi's smile lost some of its tension, "If it wouldn't be an inconvenience, Hinata, I would like to invite you to tea."

"'Tea'?" I echoed, Neji seeming to be similarly surprised by the request.

"Yes, it is about time for tea, and I would like you to join me." Hiashi restated, his expecting smile not wavering in the slightest.