The first snowfall coated Konoha earlier than expected. As a result, winter coats and mittens were pulled out of drawers, days seemed shorter than anticipated, and the bitter cold nipped at cheeks and noses whenever given the chance.
Hinata huffed and watched as her breath created visible puffs before her. She had plans to meet with Shino and Kiba that afternoon for lunch, the pair insisting they get together with Kurenai-sensei. Hinata happily accepted, excited to see Kurenai and Mirai. So excited, in fact, that she left a bit earlier than she should have and made it to Kurenai's apartment before Kiba or Shino.
"Oh, Hinata! You're early," Kurenai said as she opened the door.
Mirai peered from behind her legs and jumped in excitement as she saw who it was, "Hina-chan! Hina-chan!"
Hinata laughed as the toddler let go of her mother and clung to her without a second of hesitation. She smilingly took her into her grasp, lifting her up and groaning, "Mirai! You're growing up too fast. I'm not going to be able to carry you soon!"
Mirai pouted in Hinata's arms, "Hina-chan always carries Mirai."
"You're so spoiled, Mirai. What are we going to do with you?" Kurenai said, shaking her head and motioning for Hinata to come in.
Stepping into Kurenai's apartment, Hinata felt a weight come off of her chest. She had always felt this way whenever she was with Kurenai, but never more than when her Sensei would open her home to her.
There were nights Hinata slept on her sofa, mornings she couldn't quite gather herself enough to make it to the academy after particularly rough training sessions with her father. Kurenai had been there for her more than anyone, so it was only natural Hinata had stepped up and tried to help her sensei when Mirai was born. Whether it be babysitting between missions, or entertaining Mirai while Kurenai took a well-deserved mid-day nap, Hinata enjoyed spending time with Kurenai and her daughter.
"So, I hear from the boys that things are getting rather serious with Naruto. Is that why we haven't seen you around as much?" Kurenai asked curiously, pouring Hinata and herself a cup of tea.
Hinata reddened, "I-I'm sorry I haven't been over. It's gotten rather hectic."
Kurenai waved her off, "I was starting to get worried you and Shikamaru didn't have better things to do than to look over me and that little lady. Honestly, we're alright. I'm just a little upset you didn't tell me how serious things were getting."
Hinata grasped the mug Kurenai placed before her and mumbled, "I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing. If you're truly sorry you can apologize by giving me the details."
"Sensei, there aren't any-"
Kurenai, already knowing Hinata would put up some kind of pretense, decided to fire questions away rapidly, not giving her former student the chance to avoid them, "How long have you two been together now?"
Hinata took a second before answering, "Nearly a year."
"A year!?"
"Last spring."
"And Naruto...he's everything you ever imagined?"
Hinata smiled, "Even better."
Kurenai smiled, "Your heart always did beat for that boy."
Hinata blushed. She had never outright told Kurenai that she had feelings for Naruto, but Hinata would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't know she did. She wasn't the best at hiding what she felt for the boy she so adored.
"Kiba mentioned they picked you up at Naruto's one morning before heading off for a mission...seems like they think you might be living with him already."
"I-I. No, I just...I slept over since we had an early start. I didn't want to go back home in the middle of the night and disturb Hanabi or father just to leave again in a few hours."
Kurenai didn't even take a breath before asking, "You two are making sure you're being safe?"
"Kurenai-sensei!"
"Hinata, I have a baby. I can tell you from personal experience you should definitely use protection if you're not ready-"
"We're being safe! I-I started taking a contraceptive."
"I take it Sakura helped you get it, didn't she?"
Hinata nodded, of course, Sakura had helped her. Hinata would never have been able to obtain a contraceptive through the doctor who treated the main branch.
"And Hiashi knows about you two?"
She shrugged, in recent days her father had certainly taken note of her recurring absences. He knew she was out more than before and later than usual. He even now tended to ask if she had seen Naruto or asked her to send him his regard. She blamed her boyfriend's forwardness for that. She had been under the radar for so long, to now have to actually fib felt wrong.
To make matters worse, Naruto had yet to speak to her father or stop by the compound as he promised he would. Yes, they were busier than usual, the winter clearly going to bring with it missions and training galore. But still, with how Naruto had been talking to her about the future lately, she had expected him to already have spoken to her father about them marrying.
"He, um...I don't think he does. Or rather, he doesn't know how serious it may be."
"He has to know."
"Why would you say that?" Hinata asked nervously.
"It's Naruto...and it's you. A Hyuga dating someone on the outside? Unheard of."
"I-I know."
Hinata looked down and mumbled, "You really think he knows?"
"He's a perceptive man. If he hasn't said anything, perhaps it's because he's waiting for you to bring it up."
Hinata sighed and looked over at Mirai who was playing with her stuffed animals across the way in the living room. She couldn't imagine what that conversation would be like with her father.
Kurenai, having sensed Hinata's worry, got up from her seat to place a hand on the young kunoichi's shoulder, "It'll be alright, Hinata. You've made it so far, you've changed so much. This one little thing isn't going to be what derails all of that. Don't forget who you are now."
Hinata peered at Kurenai through her bangs and gave a weak smile. She knew she wasn't the same scared little girl Kurenai had reluctantly plucked from the Hyuga compound. Thanks to her sensei she had become stronger, more assertive than she would have ever thought she could be. Before her father, though, she felt that she was still the weakling who didn't deserve the title of heir to the head branch. Although the years had healed much, that wound still felt fresh upon her heart.
"Hinata?"
"Yes?"
"I can see the wheels turning in that head of yours."
"Oh, it's nothing. I just...I know I need to talk to father."
"Hiashi has also changed a great deal since I met him. No doubt the years have taught him a great deal as well."
Hinata nodded. Everyone had been saying how her father had grown softer in his old age, that the loss had made him kinder and more accepting. She agreed to an extent, yes, but she also knew him better than most. Where there laid conversations of upholding traditions, her father would undoubtedly be rigid.
One could argue that Hinata would never know if she didn't try, that was for sure. So the kunoichi made a silent resolve to finally sit down and speak to her father. Although she knew Naruto wanted to speak to him as well, she knew she had to have a separate conversation with him before Naruto could approach him. She needed to know where all the pieces laid in regards to the head branch. It was finally time to address the question that had kept her up so many nights.
"And if it isn't okay," Kurenai said, leaning in and wrapping Hinata into a half-hug, "You know you always have a place here with us. That is, if you don't decide to run off with the beloved boyfriend first."
"Kurenai-Sensei," Hinata pleaded, covering her face with her hand.
Kurenai laughed loudly, which made Mirai want to join in on the fun, "I want to laugh too!"
"You're so nosy," Kurenai said smilingly, bending down and pinching her daughter's cheek.
Hinata giggled, she loved the way Kurenai doted on Mirai.
"Alright now, come on little lady," Kurenai said picking up Mirai, "Let's get you cleaned up before the boys—"
Before Kurenai could finish her sentence, a knock at her door let her know that the rest of team 8 had arrived.
"Never mind," She huffed, "If there's one thing I can count on, it's you three always bring right on time."
Hinata smiled, "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"Every once in a while you just need a few extra minutes," Kurenai said, still holding her daughter to her as she walked to the door. She opened it easily with one hand and greeted Shino, Kiba, and Akamaru enthusiastically.
Hinata too got to her feet and embraced her teammates, feeling the rush of familiarity quickly fill the tiny space.
The team she had been placed in, the sensei she had been given to so long ago by her father, had become her family after all these years. Kurenai's apartment was a safe haven for the three of them when things were especially rough. She was grateful they had formed such a precious bond.
"So, was Hinata finally spilling some details on Naruto?" Kiba asked as he noisily sat down in the spot Hinata had just gotten up from.
Shino sat down across from him and sighed, "Why are you so obsessed with Hinata's love life? Day in and day out this is all I listen to. Please, Hinata, put me out of my misery."
"Hey! The least she can do is keep me updated after I had to put up with her pining for all those years."
"W-what?" Hinata asked, her face growing hot by the second.
"Oh, don't you act all shy now," Kiba said, laying back comfortably in his seat, "I've seen the way you act with Naruto. I'm not buying the whole quiet girl act anymore."
"I don't know what you mean."
Kiba smirked, "Yes you do, that's why you're mad."
"I'm not mad."
"Annoyed, then."
Shino sighed, "Kiba, do you have a crush on Naruto? Is that why you're so obsessed?"
"W-what!? Shino, not cool man!"
Kurenai laughed as she set drinks down in front of each of her former students and quickly turned back to the stove to tend to the meal she was making.
"Then...you're in love with Hinata?"
"EH!?" Both Hinata and Kiba said in unison as they looked at Shino.
Shino couldn't help but chuckle, "Okay, maybe that was a tad too far."
"A tad!? Hinata is like my sister, man. Please don't ever say that again."
Hinata gently smiled, "Besides, I think we can clearly see it's because Kiba's been pining for Naruto-kun under the guise of beating him out for Hokage for the past few years."
"You too, Hinata?" Kiba said, rubbing his temples.
"Alright, alright," Kurenai said, starting to serve plates to put on the table, "Enough. You three start bringing this food over to the table so we can dig in. We can do a deep psychological dive on Kiba's obsession with Naruto later."
"Kurenai-sensei!" Kiba pleaded, which only made everyone else burst out into laughter.
Hinata realized she truly needed to do a better job of keeping in touch, of checking in with those who cared about her most. She had so many people worried about her and her happiness, she hadn't even realized.
As she sat at the table, listening to her teammates tell stories and Kurenai chiding them about one thing or another, she couldn't help but think of all the times she had wished she could just fly away and never come back.
Yet there she was, feeling as free as ever.
She had gotten the wind she had needed beneath her wings, all she had needed was one final push before she could fly. And thanks to Kurenai-sensei, she was finally going to try for the first time.