One of the most beautiful things in my opinion is falling asleep with someone you love, holding them and feeling perfectly safe.
-Anonymous
Kurenai had always been a mother figure in Hinata's life. After Hiashi had disowned her, it was Kurenai who took her in and looked after her as it she were her own.
Indeed, it had been Hinata's arms in which she had cried about Asuma and she had been the first one to know about Mirai.
And now, looking at Hinata's son, she couldn't help but hate her for not going the same. But, as quickly as this hatred came, it was gone.
Kurenai had known Hinata, as she'd known herself. She was kind, sensitive enough to feel even those who had wronged her. She was confident in her abilities, yet shy enough to blush when they were acknowledged by others. She was easily afraid of of a danger, but despite that fought against it with everything that she had. She was strong but humble, fragile yet fierce.
And yet, there were limits to her bravery and courage, for this time she had been scared to the bone. It suddenly occured to Kurenai, that had Hinata not run away, the Hyuga clan head would've probably struck her the moment her going out that she was carrying a child--no less of a criminal.
Criminal, Kurenai shuddered at the word.
It was hard to believe that a man who had neither any trouble nor qualms to brutally massacre his whole clan, would hesitate before forcing himself on a woman. For a second, Kurenai had doubts if Kakashi was telling the truth. She shook such thoughts out of her mind.
No, Kakashi wouldn't lie to her about something like that.
She only stared at the boy--no Kazue--as she saw, instead of his innocent face, the face of his father: Cold, merciless, dangerous.
She was suddenly broken out of her thoughts, when Kiba stepped forward.
He stared at the child, his eyes completely blank. Then, to everyone's surprise, he grinned, revealing his canines.
"Hi there, Kazue! I'm Kiba and this is Akamaru!"
His introduction was accompanied with a bark.
Kazue's eyes lit up, his jaw dropping at the sheer size of the dog in front of him.
"Aka-maru?" He said in awe, as Kakashi let him down. The dog, in response barked again, sniffing around the boy as he giggled.
While Kazue was distracted by Akamaru, Kiba turned towards others.
"You all idiots." He growled, his eyes narrowing, "Looking at the kid like that. How do you think he'll be feeling? Right after watching his asshole of a grandfather attack his mother?"
There was silence as the others gaped.
Kurenai suddenly felt ashamed for being afraid of the boy and judging his based on what she knew of his father. Others, however, didn't seem as accepting.
"Did you not hear what Kakashi-sensei just said?"
It was Ino, her voice holding a disbelieving tone, as if not quite understanding why she should even think of befriending that boy.
Kiba glared at her, his fists clenched, as he exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself. And yet, despite that, he felt anger, red hot, bubbling up his chest as he cursed a man long dead.
That damn Uchiha bastard. How dare he lay a hand on my teammate?! How dare he even think of doing so?!
Realizing that his thoughts weren't helping, he gritted his teeth, reminding himself of the fact that had made him approach the boy in the first place.
"I don't give two shits about who the father is. Hinata is the mother, and that is all that matters to me, and that is all I need to pledge loyalty."
"But-"
Kiba growled again, once again his thoughts getting louder, trying to deter him from his decision.
Shut up! Shut up! ShutupShutupshutup-
"Look at that kid! Do you not see Hinata in him more than that damned Uchiha."
He practically spat the last two words out. Kakashi flinched, torn between the urge to defend Itachi, and keeping his secret.
Unbeknownst to him, Kurenai noticed. All eyes turned to the child in question.
As if on cue, Kazue shrieked in delight as Akamaru took his collar between his jaws and placed him on his back, barking as Kazue snuggled in his soft fur.
Suddenly noticing all the eyes on him, Kazue turned towards them, his face ranging from faint pink to robust burgundy; an interesting trait of his mother. In response to all the attention, he puffed up his cheeks, burying his face deeper into Akamaru's fur.
Tenten giggled softly, her heavy heart now consideribly lighter. She stepped forward, introducing herself to Kazue who shyly responded to the 'pretty lady' infront of him.
The softness of Akamaru's fur made the exhaustion of everything that had happened came down on Kazue, as he yawned, scrubbing his eyes right after.
Kakashi picked him up again, amusement reflected in his eyes.
"Sleepy?"
Kazue only hummed in response. Then, Kakashi turned to Kurenai.
"You think you can take him in for some time?"
Kurenai looked at the child, her eyes softening consideribly, as she nodded in response. Turning to Kazue, Kakashi ruffled his hair.
"From now on, you'll be staying with that lady over there. Is that okay with you?"
Kazue nodded, extending his arms towards the lady. As long as they had a bed, he was willing to go with anyone.
Kurenai took a hold of him, as his tiny arms wrapped around her neck, his face buried in her shoulder. A few minutes later, he was snoring softly, the exhaustion taking its toll.
He looked peaceful while sleeping, and Kurenai took a second to marvel at how much he looked like his father. Despite herself, she shivered at the comparison.
Once again, she was struck at the situation and how an unlikely couple Itachi and Hinata were.
Walking home, she told herself one thing, again and again, so that she could somehow find it in herself to understand. She glanced at Kazue.
Hinata chose this. She wanted this. It was her choice.
Hinata was pure, innocent and kind to a fault. She had a warm aura around her that put to ease all those who came close. Hinata was home.
Kurenai stopped, suddenly realizing that to fugitives and criminals like Itachi, who were considered outcasts and monsters, and were constantly on the run, Hinata was the taste of good they could've had in different circumstances.
And as absurd as it sounded, she could suddenly imagine the kind of atmosphere their relationship would've entailed. She could imagine Hinata happy in his arms, as he held her as close to him as possible.
She could imagine them laughing together, encased in each others warmth, enjoying it while it lasted. She could imagine him kissing her forehead repeatedly as she slept, knowing he won't get the chance to do so again.
The only wrong he'd done to Kurenai was a broken wrist and a few scratches in their fight. So, she forgave him for the harm he'd caused upon her. Although, it may not have seemed like much, it was one less person who hated the Uchiha.
For a second, she tried to put herself in Hinata's shoes. How would she have felt had Asuma been a criminal? Kurenai concluded, that regardless, she would've still been as happy about Mirai as she was. And for Hinata, as someone who wouldn't lay a hand on her sister, even though said sister had no problem hurting her, Kazue was surely her everything.
And thinking of the way Asuma looked at her, she suddenly wondered if Hinata had been Itachi's everything too.
