I think ff. net is also eating my italics. It might be too late to eat the plot. I think I lost hold of that a while ago. I want it to be the weekend now.

80 words

The daimyo's palace is filled with light and sound, barely containing the crush of fine brocade and people. Every now and then Hinata can taste hostility beneath the heavy perfumes. She has no idea how much of is it directed at what she is and how much at who. Her mother explained a long time ago that most of the aristocracy viewed shinobi as tools, useful at best and dangerous at least. The idea of tools having wealth and connections grates nearly as much as the necessity of employing them.
What happened three years ago supports those arguing for the complete dismantlement of the Hidden Villages. What happened three years ago supports those arguing for their preservation. What happened three years ago terrifies them all.

Sasuke sees faces paling the moment they become aware of him, but he never accords them more than a glance. He saw more than enough of them during the wait for the daimyo's decision. It would have no bearing on the Hokage's, but he could sense what an important stepping-stone he was.
Those who wanted the Hidden Villages abolished and burned to the ground for harboring homicidal freaks wanted him dead. Those who wanted the Hidden Villages vacated so they could hire the best homicidal freaks for themselves wanted him penniless and adrift. Those who believed in their fathers' system wanted him to be Konoha's problem. In the end it was some kiss-ass who reminded the daimyo that Uzumaki Naruto was unnaturally fond of the last Uchiha, and Uzumaki Naruto played far too important a role in history to risk offending.
With the lord being as pathetically wishy-washy as he is, even an Inuzuka could see the necessity of spies within the court.

They find a relatively peaceful vantage point where they can look over the crowd to find their target. They are not expecting her to find them first.
Sasuke is more impressed than he thought he would be, but not by much. Tomiko's footsteps are lighter than other women's, but next to Hinata she moves with the stealth of a cardboard box. Her instincts are keen at least. More than Tsunade gave her credit for.
"Back so soon, Uchiha-san?" she murmurs behind her fan.
"Good evening, Tomiko-sama." Hinata bows with precisely the right amount of deference.
"I see this isn't a social visit," she sighs. The words are almost inaudible under the thrum of music and chatter. "Perhaps you'd like to view the garden?"

Hinata is desperately chatting about the weather, waiting for the unknown signal. Sasuke simply stands, fixing his gaze on the exposed balcony. She resents him a little for this, even though she knows this is how he is. She likes him despite it.
They all feel it, a sharp whine right inside the jawbone. It sets every dog howling, and the birds settling down for the evening take flight with a rush of wings.
Tomiko's reflexes are good, but not nearly good enough. She only has time to note Sasuke's eyes going red before she is trapped in the illusion.

Hinata's first instinct is to activate her byakugan. Her second is to stop because security will notice. Finally she realizes it would be suspicious not to react naturally and by the time a woman in uniform shows up, Tomiko is tucked between the wall and Hinata like a good little civilian. Sasuke is nowhere to be seen.
Hinata steps aside but doesn't dismiss her blood limit.
"Where is Uchiha?" demands the guard.
"On the roof, moving east. Ah, it looks like he's coming back," she reports truthfully. "May I help?"
"That won't be necessary, Hyuuga-sama." The guard bows stiffly. "Security measures. You understand."
"Trained in protocol if nothing else?" asks Sasuke with a hint of a sneer. "The guy following me was a rank amateur."
"With all due respect to a guest of the daimyo," the guard allows her lips to curl in satisfaction, "we had three men marking you the second you left this balcony." She turns smartly and dissolves into the crowd.
"They could see me, but they couldn't have caught me," Sasuke mutters.
Hinata allows herself to giggle at the irritation in his words. A soft groan recalls her to the job. Tomiko's thick layer of make-up readily conceals her drained pallor. Hinata moves to help, but she is waved away with a weak 'not as bad as giving birth'.