A Walk to Class

Tired eyes glared at her alarm clock. She had already snoozed the alarm twice, but she knew that if she did it again there was no chance, she would make it on time to teach her class. It's not like she would really get more rest with extra few minutes her alarm would give her. Still…she couldn't help but roll on her back and stare up at the ceiling for a moment.

"Did it go well?" She whispered to herself. Hinata couldn't help but second guess everything from last night and it had kept her awake half of the night.

From the moment she had sat down in his car everything had gone amazing. Naruto had taken her to a ramen restaurant called Ichiraku's that he had apparently been going to for years. The atmosphere was comfortable, the food was delicious and the father daughter pair that ran the restaurant were so sweet and friendly.

The daughter Ayame had teased Naruto relentlessly about his date and then told stories of when Naruto was a kid. He seemed embarrassed the whole time, but always had a smile on his face. Hinata was just delighted to hear all the fun and amazing stories of how Naruto used to get in trouble every time he visited town with his godfather. Every story was so endearing to the heart and the love that was held between the pair and the blonde.

Secretly she wondered if Naruto was actually okay with all of these old stories being told to her. They had only just met, and all of these childhood memories were being shared with her. But when Naruto had to use the bathroom Ayame snuck behind the counter and took the seat next to her. She said that Naruto never brought dates to their restaurant for some reason. The only women that he had brought was after months of dating, so Hinata must be something special for him to take her on their first date.

Hinata blushed and looked down at her lap while nibbling on her bottom lip. Her heart had thumped loudly when she learned that, and she felt elated. But why would he have taken her somewhere so special to him? They had only just met.

When Naruto returned from the bathroom, he started to ask her more questions about herself. What kind of food she liked, that she liked to knit and press flowers, how she got into acupuncture and where she learned tai chi from. She was shy at first, perfectly happy to just listen to Naruto tell his stories, but he eased her into a comfort that felt natural.

She happily talked about how her family had been teaching tai chi classes for the past few years in the park. She would teach Monday's, Wednesday's and Fridays. He father taught classes Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturdays. Sunday was an off day for the family, but Hinata usually found herself going through the park anyway. Today was Tuesday and just happened to be a day that her father had an emergency appointment, so she filled in on teaching his group.

Naruto seemed to soak it all in and really enjoy their conversation. Both of them sat there in the small restaurant and chatted about anything and everything while they drank tea. Teuchi and Ayame seemed more than happy to allow the two to continue sitting there until near closing time. After that Naruto drove Hinata back to her home.

They sat in his car outside her house for a few minutes before he escorted her to the front door. They both stood there nervously until finally Naruto leaned forward to give Hinata a hug and wished her a good night. Before he got into his car he promised to speak to her again soon.

It wasn't until Hinata had snuck inside and collapsed on her bed that she realized that she never gave Naruto her phone number. She shouted into her pillow to muffle her scream of disbelief.

After that she began to second guess everything that had happened that night. Her own self-confidence did not allow her to believe that things had gone so well. What if it wasn't as perfect as she thought? Why didn't he ask for her number? Why didn't he attempt to kiss her instead of hug her at the door?

The last thought made her blush.

So now she laid in bed staring at the ceiling and debating about everything all over again. He may not have her number, but he knew where she lived! Maybe he would come by and visit?

"Then Neji or Hanabi will be all over him again." She whispered to herself with a frown as she sat at the edge of her bed before standing up. She shook her head as she walked over to her dresser to grab one of her tai chi outfits and head to the bathroom. She needed to stop stressing about this, she had nothing to worry about.

They had a great time.

So what if he didn't have her phone number.

He said he would speak to her again soon.

So what if he only hugged her.

It was too soon for a kiss!

Right?

Hinata shook her head vigorously to get the thoughts out of her head. She needed to get to her class and teach, she was already running late. Naruto promised that he would speak to her again soon and he didn't seem like the type to break promises. She had nothing to worry about.

"Heeeeyyyyyyy big sister."

Hinata cringed at the voice that announced its presence as she came out of her room. How long had Hanabi been waiting for her to come out of her room!

"Good morning." Hinata nodded politely before start to walk towards the entrance at a quick pace.

"Where ya going to fast?" Hanabi giggled as she ran forward and caught up to her older sister.

"It's Wednesday Hanabi." Hinata said quickly, never breaking her pace. "I have class to teach."

"You didn't even have breakfast!" Hanabi smirked. "Were you trying to hide away this morning?

Hinata's cheeks had a tint of red. "I just didn't sleep well."

"Uh huh." Hanabi hummed as they reached the foyer and started to put their shoes on. "How did your date with Mr. December go?"

Hinata's whole face turned red as she avoided her sister's gaze. "Good."

"That it?" Hanabi asked incredulously as she followed her sister out the door and down the driveway. "Just good?"

"Yes." Hinata responded before stopping as they passed through the gate and looked at her sister curiously. "Where are you going?"

"What?!" Hanabi asked innocently. "I can't walk my sister to her class and catch up with her?"

Hinata huffed and rolled her eyes. The only thing she wanted to discuss was her date last night. Deciding she would rather not argue with her this early in the morning she turned and started walking towards the park again.

"So are you going to go out again?" Hanabi asked.

'I hope so.' Hinata thought.

"I don't know." Hinata answered honestly.

"Why not?" Hanabi asked as she sped up and turned around to walk backwards and face her sister as they walked. "Didn't you have a good time?"

"I did." Hinata said.

"Didn't he have a good time?" Hanabi asked.

"I think so?" Hinata answered timidly.

"What do you mean you think so?" Hanabi put her fists on hips. "Did he say he wanted to see you again?"

"Y-yes." Hinata nodded. "He said we would speak again soon."

"Okay. You had me worried there big sis." Hanabi giggled. "He will probably text you soon th-"

Hanabi stopped when she saw the cringe on Hinata's face.

"What wrong?" Hanabi asked pointedly.

"We…umm…sort of forgot…to exchange numbers." Hinata cringed even further at her sister's disbelieving look.

"Are you kidding me?!" Hanabi shouted as they entered the park. Hinata tried to shush her sister from being too loud but was failing spectacularly and they were getting looks from people. "Getting that hunks number and socials should have been the first thing you did!"

"I-I'm not on s-socials…" Her sister just narrowed her eyes at her. Hanabi had criticized Hinata plenty of times for being too old fashioned and not with the times. Was that something Naruto would have liked?

"Hinata…" Hanabi whined. "I should have prepared you better. This is all my fault."

Hinata sweat dropped a little. Hinata was the older sister, so why was Hanabi always treating her like a child in situations like this. Hanabi continued to rant about needing to teach Hinata the ways of the modern dating scene when they came to the center of the park.

Hinata was surprised to see her class all standing and surrounding something.

"What's going on?" Hinata asked softly as she left the sidewalk and walked on the grass to greet the class. Hanabi just shrugged and followed along, curious about the situation as well.

The class was all talking animatedly and laughing with one another. They seemed to be gathered around someone telling a story. Hinata's stature not letting her see over anyone's shoulder.

"Umm good morning?" Hinata said loud enough to get everyone's attention. The group turned around and greeted her with good mornings and some strange smirks. Hinata smiled at the group. Her class was made up mostly middle aged women, with the sporadic husband sprinkled in amongst the older couples. Her own private tutor, Kurenai, from when she was a young girl was a part of the class. She also had a strange look on her face.

"Hinata!"

Thump

Hinata's heart thumped loudly in her chest, and she could feel the heat bloom in her cheeks at the sound her name being called. The same voice she had spent hours with last night and had been thinking about ever since. The group parted slightly and revealed a familiar blonde-haired man wearing a form fitting sleeveless top and sweatpants moving to the front.

"N-N-Naruto!" Hinata stuttered, suddenly feeling lightheaded at his appearance. "What…what are you doing here?"

Naruto's smile was almost blinding. "I wanted to try your class! The way you talked about tai chi last night. You sounded so passionate about it, I just gotta try it!"

Hinata's mouth gaped open slightly like a fish at Naruto declaration. Hinata could feel the looks coming from the housewives in her class, knowing smirks about her and Naruto spending time together last night. Her sister had a wicked grin on her face at her sister's embarrassment.

"T-that's…not a problem, right?" Naruto sudden stutter caught her off guard and snapped her attention back to him. He seemed to have realized that she was embarrassed by the suddenly shy look on his face. The class looked at her expectantly and she gathered her nerves.

"It's fine." She swallowed thickly and nodded her head. She would be professional.

Everything would be fine.

OoOoOoOoO

It was not fine.

Hinata was a blushing mess the whole time.

Naruto wasn't even doing anything wrong to make here that way!

He was doing his best to follow along and have the correct postures and move the correct way to follow along. It wasn't his fault that he was new and needed her to correct him several times. It wasn't his fault that his eyes were the color of the noonday sky. Or that the rising sun was making hair have an ethereal golden glow. Or that he had just the lightest sheen of sweat on his tan skin.

Or that her cursed sister wouldn't stop texting someone and snapping pictures from her seat in the grass away from the group! She didn't even silence her phone and they could hear every camera snap!

"T-that's it for today!" Hinata said as she finished her routine, and the class did as well. She bowed to the class, and they reciprocated back to her. Naruto smiled widely the whole time. She couldn't help but smile softly.

The class started to break apart after giving their thanks. Some leaving the park, some of them gathering to talk about life. Hinata saw Kurenai walk over to Hanabi, hopefully to give her an earful about her behavior. Naruto just stood there, waiting to make sure everyone had said their thanks. Hinata walked over to him slowly.

"D-did you like it?" She asked.

"It was awesome." He grinned and she felt her heart flutter. "You are so amazing."

She blushed prettily at the praise and felt the urge to hide her face from him.

"I-It was okay for me to come right?" Naruto said, rubbing the back of his neck with his good hand. "I wasn't trying to distract you or embarrass you with your class. If…if you don't want me to. I don't have to come."

"N-no!" Hinata stuttered out quickly. "It…it was fine. I didn't mind."

"G-great!" Naruto had what looked to be a soft relieved smile on his face. "I…umm…kind of forgot something last night."

Hinata blinked, puzzled about what he had forgotten. He looked cute though as he scratched his cheek with his finger.

"Can I have your phone number?"

Both blushed and smiled happily as they exchanged their phones.

OoOoOoOoO

"So how was Mr. December." Hanabi grinned with one hand on her hip, looking as smug as possible.

Naruto was only able to stay a couple of minutes after they exchanged numbers, apparently having a doctors appointment that he needed to make it to that morning. He promised that he would text her later and attend her next class. It made her heart flutter as he gave her another hug before dashing off. Hinata noticed that some of the housewives that had been meandering around looked disappointed as he ran away.

Hinata pouted as she walked over to her sister and former mentor. To Hinata's shock Kurenai was also sporting the same knowing look on her face. The betrayal…

"He was fine." She said softly.

"He's quite the looker." Kurenai grinned as color exploded across Hinatas face.

"Not you too!" Hinata whined. "You can't tease me."

"I haven't been your tutor in almost a decade." Kurenai laughed. "I can do whatever I want."

Hinata puffed out her cheeks in indignation.

"Set up another date?" Hanabi asked as she showed Kurenai something on her phone. The older women laughed softly and glanced up at Hinata. Hinata stood on her tip toes to peek and saw a picture of her trying to help Naruto adjust his form slightly.

"N-no." Hinata admitted. "We exchanged phone numbers."

"Well, it's a start I guess." Hanabi sighed loudly, causing Kurenai to roll her eyes with a smirk. "Better be careful though!"

Hinata's eyebrows furrowed with curiosity at the statement.

"You best try to lock him down soon!" Hanabi smirked at her sister's new blush. "A man like him attracts a lot of attention. Who knows what might happen."

Hinata stood there confused as her sister and Kurenai walked away whispering to each other.

What did they mean?

OoOoOoOoO

"Oh Naruto! How often do you workout to have muscles like that." An annoying voice cooed.

Now Hinata understood what they meant, and she couldn't help but send a small glare at her younger sister and former mentor.

When Hinata got to class that morning, she was surprised to see that the class had suddenly grown. New women that Hinata had never seen were there, but they seemed to be standing with some of the women that were regulars to her class. She even recognized two Kurenai's friends Yugao and Hana that seemed to be looking Naruto up and down.

That caused her to glare even harder at her mentor.

Her sister had been the worst though. She had a small crowd of girls from her college that were sitting with her just watching and talking loudly amongst themselves. Hanabi had posted some of the images of Naruto to her social media feed.

That caused her to glare at her sister, who once again brushed off her kitten level glare.

Naruto seemed to be taking things in stride, but he kept sending Hinata anxious looks. Hinata quickly tried to settle everyone in and started the class even with the new additions. She shut out the comments that were coming from her sisters group from behind and just focused on teaching and keeping Naruto comfortable.

Once class was over a small crowd formed around the heroic fireman and they kept asking him questions. Naruto, with his charisma, and his personality was answering things in stride, even if he looked slightly put off by the attention.

"I haven't really worked out much since the incident! Only just got cleared for light activities." Naruto replied to the woman.

"Oh wow." She hummed. "So, these muscles were even bigger before?"

Hinata felt her lips pucker as the college girls and housewives crowded in and admired him. She was standing just outside the circle.

"I guess? It has been a while now." Naruto chuckled with a grin. "Hopefully I get cleared for my regular workout in a couple of weeks."

"We hope so to." One Hanabi's friends said.

Hinata's eyes narrowed. They were looking at him up and down like a piece of meat!

"Yeah!" Naruto cheered, apparently oblivious to the comment's innuendo. "I gotta be in good shape if I want to get back in the house."

"Oh?" The girls all questioned and muttered to each other.

"Are you going to be able to continue to be a fire fighter with your prosthetic arm?" Yugao asked.

Naruto's smile seemed to drop slightly, and he rubbed the back of his head. "I uhh…I'm not sure. It's never happened before."

"We believe in you!"

"You're a hero!"

"You're hot!"

Hinata frowned at the last one, these college girls were getting a little too loose lipped. Naruto was blushing, but still had an uneasy look on his face.

"It's okay if I can't." Naruto said as he tried to calm the girls around him down. "I will find something where I can keep impacting the community."

Hinata's heart swelled.

The women swooned.

Her sister snickered.

"We can help you!" One of the housewives said.

Hinata eyes narrowed.

Naruto looked confused. "How?"

"We can help you practice!" One Hanabi's friends said.

"Yeah." Yugau said as she sauntered a little closer to Naruto. "I can help you with your CPR."

"What do you say Naruto." Hana said as she closed in. "Want to fireman's carry me?"

Hinata had enough. She could hear Kurenai snickering behind her, but she ignored it as she pushed her way through the women. There were some cries of protest, but she quickly reached Naruto and grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the group. Red faced the entire time.

"What are you doing Hinata!" Hana cried out with a smirk on her face.

Hinata whirled around and looked at the group of women still holding Naruto's arm.

"Naruto doesn't need your help…he…he already has help." Hinata said to the girls.

"I do?" Naruto asked.

"Umm." Hinata bit her lip slightly as she turned to look at him. "Yes."

"Who?" Naruto quirked an eyebrow and looked down at her with a grin.

"M-me." She said and Naruto smiled broadly.

"You don't have a claim on him!" One of the girls yelled and the others agreed.

Hinata frowned as she looked down at the ground slightly. They were right, she didn't have a claim over him. Not yet.

"Ladies it's mmph" Naruto was cut off wide eyed as Hinata pulled him down by his collar and pressed her lips to his.

She could hear the girls behind her gasp and shout at her, but she didn't care right now. Maybe she had pushed it a little far, but Naruto reciprocated quickly and eagerly. When she heard her sister laughing, she broke apart quickly.

Naruto looked dazed with a silly look on his face. Hinata was blushing up a storm. How did she let her emotions take control of her like that!?

"What was that?" One of the college girls said.

"W-what?" Hinata stuttered, her heart beating rapidly. "W-were dating!"

"Yep!" Naruto shouted as grabbed her hand again and intertwined their fingers. "Were together."

The girls groaned and complained to each other.

Hinata smiled prettily and looked Naruto in the eyes.

"You want to go on a breakfast date?" Naruto asked.

"I would love to." She said as they walked to the exit hand in hand.

Neither one noticed Hanabi, Kurenai, Hana and Yugao gather together and fist bump each other to a job well done.