The big hand of the clock was moving so slowly, taking far longer than its twelve second trip would dictate. Even the second hand passed it by before it finally lurched forward, and the bell rang.
Cheers from her students accompanied the bell, the sounds of chairs scraping on the linoleum floor as they hurried out the door faster than they ever moved for tests. Hinata smiled at them, saying a soft goodbye while they waved at her.
Sitting at her desk alone, she finished her notes for the day. Her neat handwriting adding to the syllabus and a quick entry in a notebook for further perusal and she was done. Hinata stacked her paperwork and filed it away, locking the cabinets and her desk before pulling on her jacket and grabbing her tote bag.
Walking down the familiar corridors never failed to stir up her nostalgia, ans she smiled. The offwhite walls still littered with notices: Wash your hands! No kunai permitted in the hallways. Ninja Bake Sale next Friday!
"Iruka-sensei?" she asked, peering around the doorway.
The scarred teacher turned, "One minute," he finished chiding one of his students, his stern voice and face lasting only until the boy left, "You ready, Hinata-sensei?" he sighed, grabbing his own folders.
"Yes," she flushed a bit at the honorific, still not quite used to being addressed as a peer, "Let's go."
They walked out of the Academy, the afternoon sun still hanging high in the sky. The trees rustled only ever so slightly, the barest hint of a breeze winding its way through the village. It was hot, even for the Fire Country and the air seemed to stick in her throat.
Iruka wiped his hands on his pants, "How is your class going, Hinata-sensei?" he smiled warmly as they walked through the streets.
"Well," she answered, "I'm enjoying it a lot."
"That'll last until you get your first unruly student," he complained good naturedly, "It's early yet, so you haven't had the time to scope him out. But there's one in every class."
"Every class?"
He nodded sagely, "Every class," he repeated, "But those are the ones you have to work with the most. And the ones that are the most rewarding. And the ones that'll appreciate it the most."
Hinata shrugged her tote higher on her shoulder, "You know from experience?" she asked, a small smile on her lips.
Laughing, Iruka shook his head, "You caught me," he confessed.
They continued on their way, making small talk until they reached their destination. It was a big building, newly built after the attack, and settled in the busy area of the village underneath the Hokage Monument. They walked up to the front door and Hinata ringed the buzzer.
Hello? Who's there? Gah! How does this thing work again?
Hinata smiled sheepishly while Iruka sighed melodramatically, "Naruto-kun?" she asked into the tiny grill, "You need to press the other button."
Hahaha... oops.
A buzz and the door opened. Iruka held it open for her and they started to climb the stairs inside. A blond head peered over the railing, "Hey you guys! Hurry up!" he urged impatiently, a huge grin plastered across his face.
Looking up, Hinata blushed just the tiniest bit. It had nothing to do with the way his blue eyes scrunched up or the way his spiky hair fell around his face, she thought shyly reaching the top landing. She smiled back at him, "Good afternoon, Naruto-kun."
"Hey, Hinata-chan," he stepped over to her, out of his ninja gear for once. He looked different without the forehead protector or vest, but she didn't mind. Not at all. "Hey, Iruka-sensei," he greeted his old teacher, "Come in and check out my new place!"
"Alright, alright," Iruka yielded, clapping his former student on the back, "Let's see it."
Naruto pulled him inside and Hinata followed behind, closing the door after her.
"See this? I have a whole separate kitchen now!"
"That's great."
Naruto pulled the unresisting Iruka around the apartment, pointing at this or that, each more impressive-according to the volume of his voice-than the last. Hinata watched them, a giggle escaping her mouth as Naruto named off all his plants near his window.
Of course it was all rather familiar to her, in fact she had recommended this building to him a few weeks ago when he realized he needed a new place to live. One of the more mundane uses of the Byakugan, the ability to see through walls for pests or leaky pipes. Or cracks in the foundation of houses. Her family pulled in quite a bit of extra income to merely look around for a few minutes.
She trailed behind them, catching a few bits of conversation but not really listening to their banter. Her thoughts were elsewhere.
"One day you will lead this family," he said.
He sat in the tranquil dojo with her, a private and unexpected summons. The late summer cicadas sang in the courtyard garden, maybe she misheard, "What?" she asked tremulously, her pale brow drawn.
Hiashi looked down at her seriously, "There was a time I didn't think so," he explained his gaze drifting off somewhere- sometime else, "You were small and meek. Unwilling to fight back, take initiative. It was hard to watch."
He paused while her heart sank. She had known he didn't acknowledge her, she knew it, but to hear him say so...
"I pushed you," he continued, "I pushed and pushed and you stopped resisting. You withdrew further and further before my very eyes. I couldn't understand it at the time," he confessed, his voice sadder than she had ever heard it and she exhaled heavily, not really believing that he was saying this, "And then your sister was born."
Hanabi, she thought, his pride and sorrow showing on his face, "I gained a daughter and lost a wife on the same day..." he trailed off, sighed, and then spoke, "I promised her that this one would be a shinobi. One that would surpass even your prodigy cousin, one that I could safely hand over the family to. And then she died."
Hinata clasped her hands together until her knuckles were white, forcing them still. A shinobi? A shinobi to lead the family, the clan, to honor and respect. That was what he had wanted, but...
"But your sister is wild," he said sharply, "Unpredictable. Intractable. Interested in nothing but the killing arts. She makes a fine ANBU member, but to lead the family? Hold the clan together? I have failed to train her properly for these tasks."
Her stomach in knots and her palms sweaty clasped together, Hinata listened quietly but inside her mind was racing, He failed? Father failed and is telling me? she shook her head, the failure?
Hiashi closed his eyes briefly before opening them and continuing, "I was... disappointed. In her, in myself. And then you made chuunin."
Hinata looked up, her eyes widening as he spoke more and more.
"The daughter I thought would drop out of the academy made chuunin," at her frown he backstepped, "Do not get me wrong, I have seen your progress from your first attempt. A timid girl went to that exam and a focused one returned. One determined to strengthen herself. I do not know what caused you to change when I had failed. I can only applaud the results."
She was blushing now, praise from her father and the knowledge of the catalyst contributing equally. What would he say to that? she worried, that the daughter he discarded found inspiration in someone. That a grin and a promise to never give up, to never go back on your word had such an affect on her.
That she found the strength to change what she didn't like about herself because he had such an impact on her heart.
"You have come into your own, daughter," Hiashi nodded towards her, something she thought to never see aimed at herself on his stern features. Pride. "I realize that now."
She gaped at him, anxiety and triumph both curling up in her, "Thank you," she whispered, hardly trusting her own voice.
And then he said it again, "I have chosen you to be the heir, to lead the clan when I eventually step down," and her chest tightened around her racing heart, "It will be announced when you come of age to the whole of the family, but your training will begin then. No more teaching at the academy, it would be unsightly for the heir," she breathed out heavily, her brow furrowing, "And soon I will teach you the caged bird seal, Hanabi will have to be placed into the branch family," no, she thought mentally screaming, not me. Not Hanabi. What had she done to deserve it? What had I done not to? "I will start looking through the branch family for a suitable husband for you as well. The marriage itself can wait a few years, but your future and the clan's will be secure."
She sat stricken, still and silent. What was he saying? Why? Did she have no say in it? Or was it all planned out for her? A single decision that changed so many lives.
Had she changed for nothing then?
Hinata shook her head, just a fraction of an inch that went unseen by her father, and her hands clenched in her lap. Not in an effort to stop fidgeting, but due to something that rarely welled up in her, anger.
Anger and determination.
"Hey, Hinata-chan?"
She snapped out of her daze to see Naruto looking at her, a bit put out. Blushing, she realized he must have been calling her for some time because Iruka seemed worried, "Y-Yes?" she stuttered out, immediately regretting her lapse in speech.
Naruto frowned, crossing his arms, "You haven't been listening!" he accused, pouting.
Ah... what should she say? But Iruka answered in her stead, "Hinata-sensei has seen your new apartment before, Naruto," he mediated.
"I'm sorry," she bowed slightly, "Please continue."
Naruto opened his mouth and shut it, sighing in resignation, "Alright," he scratched the back of his head, then beamed at them, "Wait til you see my bathroom, it's huge!"
He led them down the hall, chatting away, "There's a tub and everything. It's so much better than my last place."
"Sounds like you really like it," Iruka said amiably.
"Yeah," he answered distantly, gazing for a moment at the doorway. Then he turned and smiled, "It's good that I'm not going to leave for a long long time!"
It was growing late, the sun had dipped below the horizon hours ago. The apartment was dimly lit, a single light bulb swaying overhead. The small table was covered with smashed peanuts and empty cans. Hinata sat giggling, a glass of water held in her hands.
Naruto had banged his head on the table, his face bright red while Iruka had told his story, "That's not how it happened!" he muttered miserably.
But Iruka was laughing too hard to pay attention, "Then- then he asked, 'Who's wig is this?' and held it up in front of the Third!"
Hinata held a hand up to her mouth, trying unsuccessfully to stifle her laughs. Naruto groaned next to her, not looking up from his spot face down on the tabletop, "Don't listen to him!" he pleaded rather sadly.
She patted him on the back, "Don't worry, Naruto-kun," she consoled, "I'm sure it wasn't so bad."
Laughing, Iruka leaned back in his chair. A bit too far, because he fell backwards, crashing into the linoleum floor. They snapped their heads towards him while a pitiful groan came from under the table, "Ugh..."
This cheered Naruto up, "Ha!" he laughed, pointing, "Serves you right!"
"Are you alright, Iruka-sensei?" she asked.
"Too much to drink..." he pulled himself up gingerly, "I think that's my cue to leave."
"Eh? Already?" Naruto complained, "I wanted to get some ramen."
"It's 12:36 in the morning," Iruka pointed out, rubbing the bump on his head, "And I have to work tomorrow."
"You mean today."
"Whatever," Iruka sighed irritably, "I'm an old man, it's past my bedtime."
"You're just a killjoy," Naruto sighed melodramatically, shrugged and turned to her with a grin, "Well, Hinata-chan? Ready to go?"
She looked over to his expectant face, "Um... well..." she nodded, "Alright."
Iruka smiled at them, "Have fun!" he waved from the doorway, "And you'd better behave yourself, Naruto," he warned before leaving.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto called after him, but she couldn't hear any answer. He frowned, but shook it off quickly.
Hinata picked up her tote and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, "Naruto-kun?"
"Huh?" he turned around, his confusion still evident on his face.
"Ichiraku closes at 1:30, doesn't it?"
"Oh crap!" he bounded across the room, grabbing his sandals and wallet, "Let's go."
They left the ramen stand, the gates closing after they ducked out. Teuchi waved a hearty goodbye as they stopped in the middle of the road.
"Do you want me to walk you home?"
Hinata blinked, "Um..."
"Well, it's late," Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, and wasn't quite looking her in the eye, "And you shouldn't be walking around this late, it's dangerous. Not to say you can't take care of yourself!" he pointed out, "But, you know, I asked you out so it's the least I can do."
"That would be nice, Naruto-kun," she said softly, a blush on her cheeks, "I would like the company."
"Really?" he asked quickly before catching himself, "Of course!" he puffed out his chest, "Heh, let's get going."
They started walking, a comfortable silence descending around them. The streetlights lit the ground with a golden glow and the day's heat had disappeared, a cool breeze taking its place. A few stragglers were down the street, a few notes of their bawdy song drifting by before they went around a corner.
Hinata glanced sideways, then down at her feet. They took dainty steps, she noticed shifting the tote on her shoulder and sighing. She need to stop looking at her feet, but why is it so hard? She frowned, not coming up with an answer.
"You've been really quiet," Naruto said, looking over at her, "You know, more than usual."
She paused, "I don't know..."
"Is something wrong?" he asked earnestly, his blue eyes intense before he turned away scratching his nose, "I mean, you don't have to tell me, but I'll help you out."
She blinked a few times at him before looking back down, hiding the blush across her cheeks, "It's nothing," she assured him, a nervous laugh escaping her.
Naruto crossed his arms, "I don't believe you," he said, stopping in the road.
Trapped, Hinata wrung her hands, unsure under his scrutiny.
"You've been acting funny all week," he continued, "Like you're somewhere else or something. You're never like that," a shrug, "So I'm worried."
A flutter spread from her chest and her pale eyes widened. He could tell? Was she really that transparent? "It's nothing," she lied, feeling horrible but not ready to tell him about her family, not even sure she wanted to. She wasn't even sure what she wanted to do. "I'm just concerned about my students," she nodded, pleased with her quick thinking, "Am I a good enough teacher for them, you know?" she asked sweetly, with a little smile.
It disarmed him, "Hmmm," he considered rubbing his chin, "Then you have nothing to worry about!" he proclaimed with a grin that dissolved all her anxious nervousness, "Iruka-sensei taught you himself and he wouldn't say you weren't ready if you weren't. And," Naruto pointed out, "He says you're doing great anyway. Besides," he scratched the back of his neck, "I don't need him to tell me, you're an awesome ninja," a pause, "I bet if I was your student I wouldn't have slept through so many classes!"
Hinata was blushing, enthralled by every word out of his mouth. He was grinning at her, a breathy laugh escaped him and she realized he was nervous. Nervous? she thought incredulously, watching him glance down and shuffle over, "Don't worry so much about it," he coaxed, raising his bright blue eyes to her own, "You'll figure out what to do."
He was very close, she noticed, but her thoughts kept going back to his words- You'll figure out what to do. Would she really? Would she really be able to? She frowned, a tiny sigh to breathe out the uneasiness.
But that wouldn't do, she thought, I have to do better. Hinata looked at him and decided then that she would. She wouldn't let him down, she would figure it out, a solution.
"You're right," she said softly but strongly, a smile on her face, "Thank you, Naruto-kun."
He blinked, "Sure! You always manage to cheer me up, so it's the least I can do," he stepped away, "We should get going," he said, motioning down the street, "I've kept you long enough."
Disclaimer: Still not mine... but soon... not really...
A/N: Sorry it took so long (I seem to be apologizing every chapter now...) But I have legitimate excuses. Really. Ahem... A few notes:
Hinata is teaching now. How cute!
And the Hyuuga plot finally starts. Mwahaha...
I need more fluffiness.
As always thanks for reading!