Adoration

Itachi was keeping her away from his brother.

The realization stumped her.

It was done so subtly, too. A hand on the small of her back to guide her down a different path, a nudge here, a tilt of his head there, a brief whisper in her ear to remind her of something she'd brought up weeks prior in mindless passing or to tell her that he wanted to stop by somewhere. Nothing he didn't do before. Only this time, the slight smile on his face was tight. As if forced out of him.

Itachi was the perfect ninja, and in turn, the perfect actor–when he needed to be. So, if something was disturbing enough to make his actions seem forced, especially around her, then of course she'd worry. Truthfully, Hinata had attributed it to herself at first. Was he exasperated by something she was doing? The insecurity died a quick death after a talk with Shino, who reasoned that if he was bothered by something she was doing, Itachi would be blunt enough to say so. Her betrothed was polite, but that didn't mean he minced words. He was still an Uchiha after all.

Hinata pinned it on exhaustion next. Because the deep lines on his face seemed to become more pronounced whenever he came home to her after a long mission.

Is he pushing himself to go out with me?

Kiba called her crazy for even thinking such a thing. But it didn't help that when she confronted Itachi about it, he never denied anything. Merely nodded vaguely or gave her amused hums. So, at her insistence, they'd begun staying in more often. Hinata didn't mind. Flitting about the Hyuga grounds with him there made even the normal things more interesting.

But strangely enough, she wouldn't have known the real reason for his actions if she had actually used to spend time with his little brother. Because the day it dawned upon her was during her monthly dinners at the Uchiha household. Sasuke, having claimed himself too busy to attend for the last six months suddenly–wasn't.

She helped Mikoto cook as per usual, and Sasuke had actually made an effort to talk to her by asking her why–not when or from who–she learned and warning her not to poison him. Hinata had been delighted by his interest... until Itachi said his little brother's name in a voice that brooked no barter.

Sasuke stiffened, before slinking away to another part of the house.

It had become something of a ritual for Itachi to sit on the verandah just a few paces away from the kitchen; which they kept open when cooking to prevent the scent from lingering in the house. He drank tea with a book in his hand, while watching Hinata and his mother decide what to make from the corner of his eye. He was usually there to relax. But the look in his eye seemed more protective that night.

Nevertheless, dinner had been a pleasant affair. They weren't an overly loud bunch, and though they each had their own flaring tempers, their everyday temperaments were calm. Tranquil, even.

Hinata loved it.

But then Mikoto had brought up the topic of a casual kimono for her to wear around the house, and Sasuke had choked on his food.

The glare Itachi sent him then was dark enough to crack glass.

Hinata startled at the sight, caught between wanting to ask Itachi what was wrong and wanting to ask Sasuke if he was alright.

But Mikoto had ignored her two sons, so Hinata had opted to as well. She informed her that the Hyuga's tailor had fallen ill, so being the wonderful, eager in-law with no daughters that she was, Mikoto had directed her to her favorite and demanded she get fitted for a few.

Itachi volunteered to take her because his input on their style was apparently important. A date was set. And Hinata couldn't be happier.

The shop, itself, was a quaint place. Made for only one client at a time, if the circular platform on the side of the room surrounded by mirrors was anything to go by. That kind of focused attention should've been daunting, but having had tailors prodding her all her life, it wasn't anything new. Rather, she liked that the owner was so invested in every client.

"You're too kind," Itachi told her. "If not for the Uchiha clan, they would've gone out of business ages ago."

Garish fabrics hung from the walls, attached by hooks made of pristine steel that her sensitive nose could smell, despite how high up they were. The floorboards below carried marks of age in the form of washed-out stains and old spots. Though it wasn't enough to seem off-putting. There were even seats for accompanying family and friends littered about.

Overall, Hinata could tell that part of it was specifically designed to be both cozy and distracting enough for a man to not feel annoyed if forced to stay for an extended period of time.

But then Sasuke had shown up, as she stood on the platform in a rich blue summer kimono that didn't quite provide the coverage it should in the front, and suddenly the shop felt suffocating with the two brothers inside.

Two pairs of eyes flashed red.

"Sasuke," Itachi acknowledged. Cold, even for him. "What are you doing here?"

The younger Uchiha shrugged. "Mom asked me to drop by and tell you two to come see her after you were done."

"Is that all?"

Sasuke hesitated, glancing at her from the corner of his eye, before nodding.

Not wanting to be rude, Hinata fully turned to address him. "Thank you for coming all the way here, Sasuke," she said with a smile. "I appreciate it."

What she didn't expect was the sprinkle of color to grace his cheeks. His expression was so stony and looked so much like Itachi's when he was embarrassed and didn't want to show it that Hinata couldn't quite contain her giggle.

Cute, she thought.

"Sasuke," Itachi suddenly called. His voice was so guttural that she swore the room's temperature dropped a few degrees. "Tell mother that we'll return before dinner."

It wasn't a request.

And they all knew it.

Still stone faced, Sasuke turned. "Alright."

The door closed softly behind him.

"Are you two fighting?" Hinata asked immediately.

"He's just," Itachi paused to find the words, "realizing some things. A bit late, however. Though I would've preferred it if he'd never found out at all because now I need to set boundaries."

She didn't really understand, but if they were at least trying to work it out, then she wouldn't press him.

Hinata smiled when he stepped up on the platform with her. One of his hands came up to her hips, travelling up and stopping at her waist. As the other fiddled with the fabric just above where her valley began; the loose obi and more modern style of the outfit offered him a nice view.

His sharingan activated for an instant, committing her to memory.

"You're beautiful," he complimented, cupping her face, and delighting at how quickly her cheeks colored. "But the collar is a bit too low, don't you think?"

She gaped.

He was the one that picked it out!