"Hinata-chan, are you coming too?" Sakura asked as soon as the lessons for the day were over. It's the third day of classes, and so far, everything had been working out just fine with Sakura. It was still weird having a female friend to share her lunch time with, or the desk, but Hinata was more than happy.
Hearing her question, she tilted her head, a little confused. "W-Where? Home?"
"No! To kunoichi classes!" she answered, confusing Hinata even further. Seeing her furrowed brow, Sakura closed her mouth and frowned as well. "What's going on?"
"I… w-what are kunoichi classes?" she asked, making Sakura gasp.
"You don't know? But how? This is your third year at the academy…"
"I… I'm sorry" she said, lowering her face with a bit of embarrassment. Sakura shook her head.
"Don't apologize for that. I was just surprised. How come you don't know about kunoichi classes? They're mandatory for all girls."
"I-I don't know. No one ever t-told me about them…"
"Mm, weird" she said, putting a hand under her chin. "Come to think of it, I never saw you there. There aren't a lot of girls studying in the academy, so all the girls from the year go together… That's why I've never met you before!" she exclaimed, as if she had just realized something of great importance. Hinata gulped, playing with her fingers.
"W-What are kunoichi classes, exactly?"
"They teach us things in order to better blend in on missions in the future. Things like the culture of other countries, or flower arrangement and tea ceremony" Sakura explained, folding her arms. "Apparently women tend to be more on the forefront on infiltration missions than men, and because of that, we need to learn things they don't."
"I d-didn't know… I wonder w-why I never went to t-those classes…" Hinata wondered, frowning. Sakura shrugged.
"Well, do you want to come with me? Since you're a student of the academy already, I'm sure no one's gonna say anything if you attend" Sakura offered as she took her backpack. Hinata thought about it for a second, before shaking her head.
"I can't. Ko, my caretaker, always comes to pick me up. I-I don't want to keep him w-waiting. M-Maybe next time?" she asked, unsure.
Sakura smiled. "Next time, then!"
When she arrived home, she pondered asking her father about kunoichi classes. Hinata was sure her father had something to do with her not even knowing they existed, and so she asked to talk to him later that afternoon, when he was finished with Hanabi's training.
Hiashi made a face when he heard her question, and answered, a bit petulantly; "you don't need those types of lessons. Things like the 'womanly arts' are useless to you and your development as a shinobi. You'd better use the time to train here at home. That's why I asked the academy not to include you on the program."
"B-But…" Hinata tried to complain, but the words just wouldn't come out. Hiashi looked at her with raised eyebrows, as if ordering her to continue now that she started. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, fisting her hands on the fabric of her pants. "I would like to g-go. M-my friend… she's there and…"
"You don't have the time for that kind of thing" he answered smoothly, cutting off the conversation at once. Hinata's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Watch your posture. A Hyuuga does not ever look down, do you understand?" he chastised. Hinata raised her head, making eye contact with her father.
"Yes."
"Good. Now, since you have enough free time to ask useless things, come. We'll train" he turned around, and Hinata followed him back to the dojo, trying to keep her head up.
She will have to tell Sakura there would be no next time.