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After sneaking multiple glances at the bride and the bride’s entourage, Sasuke had deduced that Hinata was as unwilling a participant in this as he was. Hinata looked ill, Hanabi looked like she was itching to use her Gentle Fist on him, and Neji was behaving more icily than ever. Hiashi was the only one who looked composed, however he hadn’t said a single word to any of them the entire way to the shrine and back.

Currently, they were all sitting around a low table waiting for the food to be served. Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi were sitting on the same side as him, while Hinata sat across from him with her family. With his face turned away from everyone, he watched her from the corner of his eye. She sat stiffly with her back straight and her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her eyes hadn’t looked up from the table since they sat down. In fact, her eyes had been glued to the floor ever since she had been whisked away from her friends. She hadn’t even spared him a glance when they were standing face to face during the ceremony. Sasuke let out a small scoff. Did she think this was all his fault? He scowled. Well, maybe if he hadn’t agreed to marrying her, they wouldn’t have been in this mess. But could she really blame him for wanting to get out of eleven more years of jail time?

Sasuke heard a clatter from his right and turned towards the sound.Kakashi’s nose was buried in his book, but Sakura’s mouth had dropped open in horror while Naruto was scratching the back of his head with a guilty smile on his face. One of Naruto’s chopsticks were missing. He looked across the table and found it on Hiashi’s plate. Sasuke wondered why he had bothered bringing anyone along from his side. Kakashi still hadn’t looked up from his stupid porn book as Sakura apologized profusely on Naruto’s behalf; Naruto had already moved on and was trying to convince Neji to spar with him. It was at that moment that the food was brought in, diverting everyone’s attention. 

“Finally! I’m starving!” Naruto began reaching for the food to serve himself but shrank back when he saw Hanabi’s glare. The girl rose to her knees and piled as much food as she could fit onto her plate, and then, to Sasuke’s surprise, switched her plate with Hinata’s. Still glaring, she sat back down and crossed her arms. Neji sighed.

“Please, help yourselves,” he said with a stiff nod.

“Um… thank you for the food…” Sakura said with a sweet smile, unsuccessfully trying to defuse the hostility. She grabbed Naruto’s plate and served him herself, and then continued to serve Kakashi and Sasuke as well. 

Looking over at Hanabi, Sakura asked, “Would you like me to put some in for you too?”

“No, that isn’t necessary,” Hiashi said curtly. They were the first words he had said in front of them.

Grump, Sakura thought sourly as she put food in her own plate before settling back down. 

The rest of the meal passed by in awkward silence. Once again, Sasuke couldn’t help but steal glances at Hinata. He hadn’t expected her to finish her food, but her plate was empty save for a few slices of tomatoes she had picked out.

What a waste, he thought.

Hinata slowly put her chopsticks down so as not to make any noise. She placed her hands back in her lap and tried not to fidget. 

He’s staring at me again…

Hinata had felt his eyes on her since she had been talking to the girls back at the reception. She’s sure he doesn’t realize she knows since he was still trying to be sneaky about it. When she had whispered to Hanabi about it, her sister told her she had noticed as well and she should just ignore him. So Hinata continued to do just that and kept her eyes fixed on her plate.

While the dishes were being cleared away for dessert, Hiashi cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. 

“Sasuke Uchiha, from today my daughter will be your responsibility.” Hanabi opened her mouth but Hiashi raised a hand warning her not to interrupt. “I trust that you will give her the respect worthy of her status.”

Hinata frowned. She was sure her father had meant well, but the way he had phrased his words did not sit right with her. He had made her sound like a burden that he was now passing on to Sasuke. Seconds passed without Sasuke responding in any way. Hinata risked glancing up at him only to look right into his eyes.

“I’ll give her the respect she earns.” He replied haughtily. Sakura groaned and buried her face in her hands.

Hinata furrowed her brows. Was he implying that she currently held no respect in his eyes? She narrowed her eyes at him and lifted her chin. “I could say the same for you, Sasuke Uchiha.”

She saw his eyes widen for a second before he matched her glare with one of his own. 

“Ok!” Kakashi snapped his book shut and smiled with his one eye. “Let’s get you two lovebirds home.”