"Thank you, Iruka-sensei," Hinata bowed, "I'm sure these will be helpful."

Umino Iruka smiled at her, "I'm glad to help," he said from behind his desk, "You can keep them as long as you need to."

The stack of books was intimidating by it's sheer size not to mention the titles: An Introductory Guide to Teaching Methods, Classroom Etiquette, Basic Ninjutsu, Beginners Taijutsu Forms, An Encyclopedia of Genjutsu, and even a well used copy of Write it Right- Handwriting and Calligraphy.

So many, she thought, and this was just the beginning, a small sampling of the volumes she would need to understand. There would be more textbooks, journal articles and essays to eventually read. Then exams and observation and practicals.

But that was far into the future and Iruka was looking at her kindly, "I'll return these soon."

He waved her off, "Don't worry about it, Hinata. Although, I must say I was somewhat surprised when you asked for them."

She was surprised herself to be honest, and still wasn't sure how she would broach the topic with her father. But that would keep for another day.

"Then," Iruka continued, "I remembered that this isn't the academy days and this isn't the same little Hinata that hid behind her fidgeting fingers," he smiled at her blush, "This is the kunoichi that the village's number one knuckle-headed ninja has nothing but praise for."

Now her face was ridiculously red, she could feel it, "Ah..."

He laughed, "That's more like it."

Of course nearly everyone had been teasing her good naturedly all week. She didn't mind though, nothing could sour her mood, "I should be going."

"When you're finished I have a few more that would be useful."

"Yes, Iruka-sensei," she called from the doorway before swinging the door open with her hip and heading home. The Academy was in full swing and filled with students, some more bright-eyed than others. They seemed to be enjoying their recess though, if the shouts from the courtyard were any indication. She dodged a few stray cardboard shurikens, smiling at the contrite students who hid behind some bushes.

It was warm with a gusty breeze, but that didn't deter the citizens of Konoha. They filled the streets, running errands or doing some shopping. She paused at a window display filled with miscellany from the coast. Shells and starfish, seaweed and sand.

Across the street, a waiter changed the daily dinner specials on the marquee in front of the café, while another was setting places on the small round tables outside. And further down, the tailor and the bakery she visited.

It was only a little further home, the large Hyuuga compound surrounded by high white walls and roofed by tall trees. The front gate was open, it wouldn't be closed until dusk when her third cousin once removed would light the traditional lanterns outside and one of her second cousins would turn on the more practical outdoor lights.

She passed several of the branch families' buildings before coming to her own. The main family's building wasn't any bigger, but it was the most central and adjacent to the most courtyards, gardens and communal buildings.

Hinata set the books down for a moment while she removed her sandals, then brought them into her room, stacking them neatly on her desk. She sighed and removed her jacket, folding it neatly over the back of her chair.

She turned on the fan in the stuffy room, letting the breeze blow the hair off her shoulders slightly. The cool wind refreshing. She would have to take missions again soon, her leave was almost over.

Hinata frowned slightly and sat down, right when I wanted to start studying. It was her own fault though, she should have started with the beginning of her leave not at the very end of it.

Shaking her head, she dismissed her melancholy and opened the top book, determined to make up for lost time now.

Sunlight slanted through the window, hitting the opposite wall were her futon lay folded up. A ninja dog stuffed animal leaned against it.

Hinata rubbed the bridge of her nose, tapping her feet against the floor to drive away the tingling sensation in her legs. A notebook and highlighter lay in top of the textbook, her neat handwriting filling up the pages.

The chime of her clock drew her attention, and she quickly grabbed her jacket while counting the notes. I have enough time, she thought relieved while putting on her sandals and hurrying out of the compound.

The sun had dipped underneath the clouds, strangely lighting them and making it seem earlier than it really was. The hard packed roads were emptying and shops were closing for the night. But the sake bars' neon signs were flickering to life, and the line outside the theater was doubled what it was during the day.

She turned down the main road to the village gate and saw him. He was carrying a backpack and waving to the chuunin standing guard. She walked faster, "Naruto-kun!"

He turned and met her halfway, "Hey Hinata-chan, I didn't think you would show up."

She flushed, "I got caught up in the books Iruka-sensei gave me," they started walking towards the gate.

"I told you he'd help you out," he said gazing ahead.

"Did you say something to him?"

"Um," he paused then smiled at her, "I didn't really do anything," he insisted, "Just gave him a heads up, you know."

"Thanks," she smiled softly as they reached the gate.

Naruto glanced at the clock mounted behind the chuunin, "Exactly a week," he said triumphantly.

She bowed slightly, "Good luck, Naruto-kun."

"I'll see ya soon," he waved before activating the scroll in his hand, and disappearing in a puff of smoke.

Disclaimer: Nothing has changed since last time.

A/N: A short sweet chapter, the next one will be a long one, plus it's a two parter! A few notes:

Iruka finally makes an appearance, a very short one, but I'm sure he'll show up again.

I'm sure that the teachers at the Academy have to go through training, probably inhouse as there doesn't really seem to be any higher education in the Naruto world.

Just filling up space...

Thanks for reading!