A/N: And now: a oneshot! I had a lot of fun writing this one. This was actually inspired by a random fan art I found.

I don't own Naruto.

An Unexpectedly Positive Influence

Hinata Hyūga was never loud, never boastful, never outspoken, and never stepped too far out of line. In a word, she was timid. She was committed to doing her best as an academy student and later as a genin, but her self-confidence stayed as low as it had since her days in the academy. She tried to act as a mediator for her teammates; Kiba was often too hot headed for his own good, and was involved in many a spat with Shino.

It was a bit of a strange arrangement, but Kurenai Yūhi agreed to take Hinata under her wing after Hiashi all but spurned her from her position as heiress of the clan. While Kurenai lamented that she could not further refine Hinata's Gentle Fist technique, she was at least able to help her refine her fundamentals and mold her into a competent shinobi. Her efforts weren't for naught, as Hinata did improve markedly in both her ability to coordinate with her team and her basic shinobi skills outside those taught within the Hyūga Compound.

Fate, it seemed, had a bit of a sense of humor. It was unusual for Kurenai to need to ask for help with training her own student, but Hinata didn't quite have the same aptitude for genjutsu despite her Byakugan giving her the ability to see through a good majority of it. Perhaps if she had a Sharingan, Hinata would have been more suitable to inherit the title of Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha. As such, Kurenai felt that she didn't have terribly much left to teach her after a certain point, and enlisted the help of one of her friends.

Anko Mitarashi was a bit unusual, even by shinobi standards. Some would call her eccentric, others would call her a bit unhinged, and others would simply say she was strange. Her propensity for mischief and love of scaring prospective genin were some of her more well-known traits.

Her tutelage under Orochimaru was something that wasn't talked about much, on account of it being a bit of a sensitive subject. Kurenai was never a fan of the way she was ostracized for her past association with Orochimaru. They'd been friends since their days in the academy, and they kept that friendship despite everything that happened with the traitorous snake.

Anko was one of the best trackers that Kurenai knew, and although Kiba and Shino both had enormous potential to be excellent trackers, she felt that Hinata could also be a valuable asset for reconnaissance. Her Byakugan was all but perfect for intelligence gathering and tracking, and combined with her teammates' respective abilities, there was potential for a deadly trio that no enemy would be able to hide from.

However, even though Kurenai was a jōnin with plenty of experience in combat and tracking down various targets, she was not as much of an expert as Anko was. She felt a bit odd asking Anko for help with one of her own students, but Anko was never one to deny a request from a friend. And so, after approval from the Third Hokage, Anko was introduced to the shiest member of Team 8.

"You know, Hinata, I still remember the day we met," Anko reminisced before taking a bite of hanami dango.

The Hyūga in question cocked her head after finishing a sip of tea. "What about it?"

"Just how surprised you were to meet someone like me. Made me wonder if I scared you at all."

"I mean, you kind of did. I'd never met someone so…"

"Gorgeous? Fabulous? Perfect?"

Hinata snorted. "I was gonna say 'out there'."

Anko stuck her tongue out. "I guess my sass must've rubbed off on you."

The midnight-haired Hyūga shrugged, taking a bite of her cinnamon roll. "You were the one who taught me to not be afraid to speak my mind, big sis."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know I'm awesome, don't gotta tell me twice," Anko sneered.

Hinata let out a small gasp. "I said that?" she innocently asked, widening her eyes and bringing her hand up to cover her mouth.

An empty skewer suddenly flew towards her. Hinata giggled and dodged it as Anko wore an exaggerated pout. "You must drive Hanabi up a wall, I swear," she muttered.

"Sometimes. She just never expected me to be able to dish out to her what she does to me. I think she kind of respects me for it."

Anko hummed as she chewed on another bite of confection. "Gotta hand it to you, though. You really have come a long way. Honestly, I'm kinda glad you didn't decide to go into ANBU. You would have wasted your abilities."

"Why do you say that?" the Hyūga princess wondered.

"Between us girls, ANBU is a bit weird. They do some of the dirty jobs that us regular shinobi can't do so easily. There's a lot more red tape and a lot less consideration for teammates. The mission always comes first. Or so my idiot fiancé tells me." She met Hinata's lavender gaze. "You're not like that. You always cared about Kiba and Shino, enough that you would do damn near anything to make sure they turned out okay."

"Well, I mean, I guess…" Hinata conceded, shrinking slightly.

"Oh no ya don't," Anko admonished. "You and I both know you've got a big heart, almost to a fault. Almost. You care about your teammates, which is a good thing."

"Kakashi-sensei really cemented that idea for you, didn't he?"

"And?"

The silence was palpable. Neither woman backed down as they stared at each other, both chewing a bite of their respective confections. After a small eternity, Hinata shrugged. "I just want my friends to be safe."

Anko hummed again. "You fight like hell, too. You surprised all of us at the Chūnin Exams."

"I just…wanted to prove myself to everyone. Neji was just…troubled," Hinata remembered. "I still don't blame him for being so angry. He had a lot going on at that time—we both did."

Anko nodded sagely. "You did, you definitely did. Speak of the devil, how is he?"

"He's good. He's been one of the most vocal representatives for the branch family in clan affairs. He's pretty much the de facto head of the branch family, at this point."

"What about your dad and Hanabi?" the violet haired kunoichi continued. She dug into her third skewer of dango.

"Hanabi is fine, she's just been training quite a bit. Father is…good, I think," she hesitated.

"You still talk to him, right?"

Hinata gave a small nod. "I do. He's a lot better than he used to be. I still remember how vehemently against me being taught by you he was."

Anko shrugged. "Not a big deal, now that we look back on it, don't you think?"

"I…guess? I don't know, I thought it was weird that he was so…against me improving. I wouldn't know half of what I know now about tracking and information gathering if it wasn't for you." Hinata gave a small, warm smile. "A-And I wouldn't have such a great big sister, either."

"You know I'm like, ten years older than you, right?" Anko quipped.

"So? Naruto calls Shizune his big sister all the time," Hinata retorted.

"Really? You're gonna use Naruto to justify you calling me your big sister?"

"Well, you never objected in the first place, so…"

The dango-loving kunoichi stuck out her bottom lip, furrowing her brow. "Well, you're not wrong," she huffed. "But still." She finished another bite of dango before she spared a glance at Hinata. "Hey, speaking of, have you talked to Naruto since…you know?"

"Since he rejected me? Well…some. B-But not a ton. He's been spending a lot of time with Sakura." She shook her head. "I-I mean, I'm not surprised. Have you seen the way they look at each other? Who am I to try and just…shove myself between them?" She let out a sigh, averting her eyes. "It's not like I'm good enough for him anyways."

A sharp pain spiderwebbed from Hinata's forehead, making her jump. As she rubbed the spot, she saw Anko pulling her hand back, her face set in a neutral expression, save for her slightly furrowed brow. "Don't talk like that, Hina. You know you're more than good enough. Besides, I thought you were over him?"

The Hyūga sighed, noting the use of Anko's nickname for her. "I am over him. T-To be honest, I got over him quicker than I thought I would. B-But, am I really good enough? I-I mean, I confessed to him, I t-tried helping him during the war, I-I even knit him a scarf to show him how I feel, a-and he still rejected me," Hinata lamented. "I wonder if…if he even wants to be f-friends with me anymore."

Anko couldn't help but heave a sigh. "Hina, you and I both know Naruto is the last person who would just ditch someone he considers a friend, no matter how awkward things get. And I've never known that idiot to hate anybody. I seriously doubt he hates you or wants to stop being your friend. Have you talked about it?"

Hinata opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by Anko raising her hand. "Other than the time you confessed to him again with that scarf."

"Well, n-no, we haven't," Hinata quietly conceded. "B-But I just figured I would end up being awkward and making things awkward and then he wouldn't want to see me anymore and then I would really lose him and I would feel guilty and—"

"Hina, you're rambling again. Take a deep breath," her pseudo older sister instructed.

She did as she was told, closing her eyes and centering herself. "Thanks. But, I mean, am I wr-wrong for not wanting to make things any worse than I already have?"

"No, not really. I know how much you hate messing things up, so it's sort of understandable. However, if there's one thing I've had to beat into Kakashi's skull, it's that communication is key to any relationship; platonic, romantic, or otherwise," Anko explained. "Look, I know it really sucks that Naruto rejected you. I mean, for as long as I've known you, you've had such a huge crush on him that it was almost sickening."

Hinata's cheeks flushed pink as she pouted.

"And I know it sucks to not have those feelings reciprocated, but don't blame yourself," the older kunoichi reassured. "You know pretty much more than anyone that the heart wants what it wants. And you said it yourself, the way Naruto and Sakura look at each other speaks for itself."

A beat of silence passed as Hinata fidgeted, staring down at her now empty plate.

Anko couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes. "Seriously, just try talking to him. He's the kinda person who would rather get stuff out in the open, anyways. Aren't you the one who always mediated between Bug Boy and the mutt?"

"It's different with them. They're my teammates. Naruto is…"

"A cute boy?"

Hinata let out an exasperated noise. "Do you have to tease me so much?"

"Yes. Now quit being such a wimp and just talk to him. He's not gonna hate you just for bringing up something that should be talked about. If anything, it'll clear up any and all misunderstandings," Anko reasoned. A thought popped into her head as she took a sip of tea. "Besides, you never know who might catch your eye. It could be someone you don't expect. Maybe even someone you already know…"

"Someone I already know?" Hinata echoed, tilting her head.

Anko hummed as she sipped on her tea. "Yup. Haven't Kurenai and I told you that the perfect guy can come from the most unexpected places?"

"I-I mean, of course, but I'm more curious who you're talking about," the younger kunoichi stammered.

Anko leveled an incredulous look at her pseudo younger sister. A stunned silence took her as Hinata's curiosity and trepidation grew with each passing second. Anko waited for Hinata to give some sort of indication that she knew who could be the boy in question, but was floored when she was met with silence.

"Holy shit, you really don't know, do you?" Anko gasped. "Is it really not obvious?"

"No? Should it be?" Hinata wondered. "Is it really that obvious or are you just saying that to get a reaction out of me?"

"Oh you poor baby. You're almost as oblivious as Naruto is, you know that?"

"Anko!" Hinata squeaked, her face flushed with indignation.

The older kunoichi's raucous laughter rang out. "It's never not fun to push your buttons, Hina." She took a breath, wiping a stray tear from her eye. "But seriously, it should be pretty obvious. I'll be nice and give you a really obvious hint. Who are the only boys that you talk to on a regular basis?"

"Well, there's my team, Neji, Father—"

"Guys your age," Anko interrupted.

Hinata stuck her bottom lip out. "Neji, Naruto, Lee, Sai, Chōji, Shikamaru—"

"I said on a regular basis." The tokubetsu jōnin vexedly pinched the bridge of her nose.

The younger kunoichi harrumphed. "Shino and Kiba."

"Finally we get somewhere. And between them, who talks to you the most and spends the most time with you?"

"Kiba does, but I don't—" Realization hit Hinata like one of Anko's serpentine blows. Her face immediately flushed crimson, and her lavender eyes widened to the size of ramen bowls. With a squeak, she slapped her hands over her mouth. Anko merely waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Took you long enough. Seriously, though, Hina. He has it bad for you. Guy's practically head over heels for you. I'm really surprised you haven't picked up on it, what with you being so emotionally aware and sensitive and all that."

Hinata regained her composure, taking a deep breath and willing her face to cool down. "I-I just, er, well, never figured K-Kiba saw me that way."

Anko snorted. "Yeah, well, go figure. He's been pretty obvious about it, too. What, did you think he was just being nice?"

"Of course not!" Hinata cried.

The older woman arched a dubious eyebrow, a wry smirk plastered on her face.

The Hyūga's blush deepened. "Maybe a smidge," she muttered.

"You're adorable. But the question remains: do you feel the same way?" Anko poised.

Hinata opened her mouth to answer, but she found no words. She averted her gaze, bringing her hands up to cup her own cheeks. "I'm…not sure. Kiba's very sweet, that much is certain. A-And he's really protective of me, and he checks up on me to see how I'm doing. He's offered to walk me home on more than one occasion, and even asks about Hanabi and Neji…"

Anko let out a knowing hum, taking another sip of her tea. Another wave of realization crashed over Hinata, giving way to mild panic. "Oh gosh…I like him, don't I? Is that what this is? I like him back? Have I liked him for a little while? And I'm only just now realizing that I like him because I haven't actually thought about how I feel about him?"

She was met with a silent shrug from her older sister figure. "Probably. But you won't know for sure until you go and talk to him yourself. Remember: communication is key."

Hinata sat for a moment, absorbing Anko's words and processing her own thoughts. Anko watched on in case the younger kunoichi short circuited and fainted. She was confident that such a thing wouldn't happen, but even though Anko had taught Hinata to be more confident in herself, she still had her moments.

Finally, after a few moments of weighing her options, Hinata met Anko's caramel gaze, her own brimming with determination. "I'm gonna go talk to him."

Anko broke out into a full-on smile. She reached across the table and ruffled Hinata's hair just a bit, being careful not to mess it up too much. "That's my girl. Go get 'em."

"Thanks, big sis," Hinata beamed.

With that, she finished her drink and marched out of the tea shop, making a beeline toward the Inuzuka Compound. Anko felt a sense of pride well up within her. It was all so arbitrary, in hindsight. Kurenai could have asked anyone to help Hinata, but if she had asked anyone else, Anko wouldn't have had the chance to connect with her, and she wouldn't have found the younger sister she never had.

A/N: If you ask me, this would make for a seriously cool AU idea. The possibilities for how exactly Hinata would turn out if Anko was her mentor/big sister figure in her life are practically endless. Thanks so much for reading!