Author's Note: I had three different versions on this chapter prior to this one. Three. How long does it take to take all of those versions and form it into the one before you? Answer: about halfway to forever. In any case, please enjoy the newest chapter of Brave New World.
Chapter Summary: Hinata had never stopped to consider the prospect of godparents and the curiosity tingled in her mind.
Prompt: #2 deep fried vegetables (50shinobi)
Word Count: 1,000
Chapter Ten:
A Helping Hand
Hinata stood fixated in the doorway unable to believe what she heard. "My godmother," she repeated in wonder. Her fingers tapped the wood restlessly as she thought over the possibilities. She had no aunts left and her only uncle passed away years ago; she had never even stopped to consider the prospect of godparents. The curiosity tingled in her mind.
"W-Would you like to come in?" she asked with a hesitant smile.
Hinata could hear the warmth in the woman's voice when she answered. "I would love to."
As the woman walked by, a tasty smell drifted to Hinata's nose; it reminded her of evenings spent with her mom in the kitchen. "Tempura?" she asked, her stomach letting off a low rumble at the smell.
The woman laughed, low and husky. It reminded Hinata of apple cider at Christmas– warm with a hint of spice.
"You've got a good nose," the woman replied, "I figured with you just moving in and all you might not have had a chance to stock up on food or unpack your plates."
Hinata smiled, quietly closing the front door without latching the lock.
"You guessed right," she said trailing behind her curiously. The woman headed to the kitchen with ease… and without Hinata's guidance. Hinata leaned against the doorway to stay out of her way. Listening quietly to the clacking of the dishes as the woman began to serve up the food, Hinata thought over all the different questions she wanted to ask. There was one thing she needed to know first…
"What exactly did you say your name was?"
"Kurenai Sarutobi," the woman said with a laugh, "at your service."
The name didn't sound familiar but Hinata had been young when her mother died. Most of her memories of her had faded since then. Still, the fact the Kurenai knew her was a welcomed surprise. No one talked about Haruko Hyuuga anymore, not even her own family.
Hinata slipped into a seat and placed her elbows on the table, her chin resting casually against the cup of her hand.
"...how did you know her?" The words slipped out of her mouth as soft as a sigh and filled with endless longing.
Hinata waited as the woman paused in thought. Hinata wondered if she had upset her, but then Kurenai spoke. "I was her neighbor when she lived here," she said, slowly resuming the task of dishing up the food, "we were best friends growing up. I even saw you a little bit when you were young."
"We used to come here in the summer," Hinata said, the memory making her smile. "Mom would take us to the lake just outside of town. We would spend all day there."
"Hanako loved the water. Back in high school, she was the captain of the girls' swim team."
The corners of Hinata's smile dipped down at the edges. "I never knew that," she confessed. In the few memories she had left, her mother always sat on the shore watching them splash around in the lake. She didn't remember her actually getting in the water.
A hand touched her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about it. We'll have plenty of time to talk later," she said giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze, "but first, let's eat."
Hinata nodded gratefully. "Sounds like a plan."
When she heard Kunerai pick up her silverware, Hinata began to feel slightly nervous. Tempura was delicious but sometimes locating things like silverware and dipping bowls could be a challenge without help. Her fingers found the smooth metal of her fork with ease, but she would have to guess if she wanted to have any of the dipping sauce.
"A little more left," Kurenai chimed.
Hinata smiled, dipping her shrimp into the tentsuyu, before popping it into her mouth. Then she grinned with delight. "You are amazing."
"A real saint among mere mortals, right?"
"But of course."
"Mind if I ask you something?"
Hinata shrugged carelessly but mentally prepared for the worst. Too many people beyond her father's walls were curious about her condition and while telling the story wasn't painful, it brought up memories she wanted to leave forgotten.
"I can kind of understand why you're here. But how exactly did you manage to connive your father to let you go?"
Hinata's fork crashed against her plate with a clatter. Her mind raced for an answer. "I… That is…W-well…"
To her surprise, Kurenai burst into laughter. "Little devil," she exclaimed between chuckles, "You snuck out, didn't you?"
Hinata ducked her head as Kurenai continued to laugh. "You're definitely Haruko's daughter, that's for sure."
Hinata fidgeted nervously. "You're not… upset?" she asked slightly bewildered.
Kurenai snorted. "You might be a little foolhardy but if you didn't have a plan in that pretty head of yours, you would have never made it this far.
Hinata smiled. "Thank you."
"Now let me see to these dishes."
"Not a chance," Hinata said rising to her feet with a dish in each hand, "When one cooks, the other person cleans."
Kurenai chuckled again and Hinata tilted her head in hopes of capturing more of the rich sound. It was rare to hear such open laughter inside of the Estate and she had forgotten what it sounded like. It was beautiful. "Well I can't argue with that logic. Have at it."
Hinata smiled and gathered the plates up and brought them to the sink. She nodded politely when Kurenai placed the glasses on the counter to show that she knew they were there.
Then the facet began to run. Or in Hinata's case, it gurgled and groaned while nothing came out. "Ah," Hinata said, realizing what had happened. Cheeks coloring, she twisted off the faucet and turned to face Kurenai "the water hasn't been turned on yet."
"Huh," Kurenai replied. "Well, when does it get turned on?"
"No idea," Hinata confessed, head tilted to the ground, "I haven't managed to call them yet."
"I think I can help with that."