A/N – Keep the lore, ya filthy animals.

Further timeline is as follows:

Hinata made Genin in September. Her first teacher is only Kurenai. 2 months later (November), a request for the new Byakugan seal is made. Her adoption by Kurenai happens in November as well. 4 months after adoption, new sensei is needed (February). New Byakugan seal is made six months after request (April). Obito starts teaching her from February. Chūnin exams happened when Hinata was 13 (November) (Konoha crush). It was a tie. She was later made Chūnin in May at 14. Then she got the Tiger Summoning Scroll at 15. Third Ninja War happened when she was 16. Then she left for training with Isao for 2 years. At 18, she came back and was promoted to Sannin by Minato. Was recognised as Sannin by the Five Great Nations when she was 19 and the Toneri situation happened.

Kurenai walked back from the Hokage's Office, lost in thought. It had been 4 months since Hinata had become a part of her family, and although things were mostly going great, there was one glaring issue that had cropped up.

Hinata needed another sensei.

Her adoption had solved their Hyūga problem. She was now definitively not a Hyūga, which meant that her getting the Caged Bird Seal was well and truly out of the question (unless the Hyūga wanted to give some explanations to her and the Hokage). Kushina and Tsunade were working on creating a new seal that would seal her Byakugan on death and nothing else. It was slow going, but so far, the progress was promising.

Hinata had also taken an interest in learning Uzushio seals from Kushina, who was more than happy to teach her alongside Naruto (who was something of a prodigy at seals and took to them like a fish to water) and Tenten (who had shifted her attentions fully to seals after she found out she didn't have the necessary chakra control for medical Ninjutsu). Kurenai suspected it might be to spend more time with Naruto, but Hinata was actually doing well at seals, and so she let it slide. The Hyūga had been conspicuously absent since the adoption went through (good fucking riddance), and it looked like it would stay that way (if they knew what was good for them).

However, a new problem had come up (one-and-a-half, truly).

Kurenai was having trouble teaching Hinata, and it was not because Hinata was slow or Kurenai couldn't teach. The problem was something more mundane (and honestly, heart-breaking).

Hinata took criticism too harshly. On the bad days, even a kind suggestion was enough for her to shut down in a spiral of self-loathing. Understandable, given Hyūga Hiashi's stellar parenting, but not good for her career as a shinobi (or as a living, healthy person). The fact that she had started to see Kurenai as an older sister meant that any criticism that came from her was taken as seriously as death itself.

Kurenai couldn't teach her like this.

She had spoken with Asuma about it, not exactly asking for advice, but he had been helpful regardless. His advice had been to get her another teacher. He suggested that advice coming from someone not close to her would be digested much more easily than someone whose good opinion she cared about.

Another problem that she needed to consider, was that she couldn't teach Hinata everything.

Hinata was used to Jūken, and as such her strength was in Taijutsu. Most importantly, now that Hinata was experimenting with, but not actively learning, Jūken, Kurenai wanted her to have other skills to fall back onto. Unfortunately, they happened to be skills she did not really have.

She could teach Taijutsu, and Hinata was already working on creating a form of Jūken different from the standard Hyūga form that would suit her better. Her Ninjutsu was mostly kunai and shuriken based, which was good enough for Hinata's current use, but it wouldn't be forever.

Her Byakugan was good at increasing the effectiveness of her Genjutsu, but she found them difficult to cast, which nullified any advantage her eyes could give. It would get easier with better chakra control, but that meant that Kurenai's strongest ability was, at the moment, useless to her.

Thankfully, when Kurenai had spoken to Hinata about it, the girl had understood and agreed to learn from whatever sensei Kurenai chose, although it would depend on whether the Hokage allowed it or not (he did. He was a big advocate of learning as much as you can), and, more importantly, whether the person she had chosen would agree.

So now, Kurenai had the task of figuring out who to entrust with her student.

Kakashi? The man already had his hands full with Team 7 (which was turning out to be an almost exact replica of his Team 7. Kurenai did not envy him). Also, if he got her sister addicted to erotica, she would grab him by the neck and shake him like a baby's rattle.

Gai? Not with Neji on his team (Also the idea of Hinata in a green jumpsuit with a bowl cut had given her inspiration for a truly horrific Genjutsu that she was sure would be classified as forbidden).

Asuma? He was already incredibly hands-off with his team and had no idea what to do with Ino. Giving him another girl to train might just make him cry.

Who else is there?

Kushina? She was already teaching Hinata, and doing it well. But Hinata was intimidated by her being the Hokage's wife. On top of that was the fact that she was the mother of the boy she had a crush on, which led to Hinata wanting to get everything right on the first try to impress her. She hesitated in asking questions to not seem stupid, and it hindered her learning.

Anko?

Hmm...

It could work...

Anko would definitely whip Hinata into shape one way or another, although Hinata would absolutely come out of it more traumatized than she had begun. It would also take an immense amount of bribery and cajoling for Anko to take a student.

Maybe as a last resort. Kurenai had a couple of favours she could pull, as far as Anko was concerned.

Most of the other people she knew who might take a student were Tokubetsu Jōnin and didn't need to (or want to) take a student.

'Who else could... Oh!'

Obito!

It's been a few years since his team was promoted to Jōnin and Tokubetsu Jōnin, so he had experience teaching. He had experience with Dōjutsu (albeit completely different from the Byakugan), and he had a greater variety of Ninjutsu that he could teach her.

'And most importantly,' Kurenai thought to herself as she entered her apartment and took off her sandals. 'He knows how it feels to lag behind a genius.'

_

The next day, Kurenai only had to wait for about 40 minutes ('Sorry, Kurenai! An old lady needed help crossing the street and I decided to walk her back home!') before Obito met her at Ichiraku's, and they both put in their orders. The hot ramen would be nice on a cold day like this.

After some pleasantries, Kurenai decided to bring up the elephant in the ramen shop.

"Obito," Kurenai began as Obito looked at her, sensing the gravity of the situation. "You know of my sister? Hinata?"

"She's Sasuke's little bosom buddy, isn't she?" Obito continued as Kurenai nodded in agreement. "Somewhat. I know that you adopted her and that Mikoto-sama is sure that she and Sasuke will end up married by the time they're 20."

Kurenai furrowed her brow at that unexpected bit of information, then shook the thought out of her head as Obito gave a shrug conveying 'not really my business'. "We'll come back to that later." She pointed at him with her chopsticks. "I need someone other than myself to teach her, and I was hoping I could ask you to do that."

Obito slurped his noodles thoughtfully, silent for a long moment. Kurenai had an argument prepared for all of the questions she thought he might ask, so she was sure he would accept in the end, but what the middle what look like, she didn't know.

"Why me?" Obito asked, then clarified. "I get that we both have Dōjutsu, so that might be a reason, even though both the Sharingan and Byakugan are very different. What else?"

Well. She wasn't expecting that question right out of the gate, but now that it was out...

"Both of you are very alike." Kurenai took a sip of the broth as she considered her words. "You were considered a failure, so is she. You know what it feels like to be in constant competition with prodigies. You had Shisui and Kakashi. Hinata has Neji and Hanabi. You fought your way to becoming one of the strongest shinobi of the Village, and I would like for you to help Hinata become that as well."

The words sounded a bit harsh, now that they were out, but they were the truth. Hopefully he wouldn't mind. He had heard that and worse in his time. The only thing to wait for now was his answer. They both looked out as they heard Team 3 pass by, loudly arguing and laughing.

"You think I'll be a good Sensei for her?" Obito sounded nonchalant in a way that was simply not believable for someone who had known him for a long time.

Kurenai thought of Hinata taking inspiration from a loud blond who refused to give up (even when he should, some would argue), trying to surpass his father, and thought of another loud brunet who had done the same thing, trying to prove himself, and succeeded. She smiled widely.

"I think you'll be great for her, actually."

_

Hinata nervously tore apart a blade of grass, sitting down at Training Ground 5. Kurenai had told her that she would meet her new – not new, other – Sensei, here. Uchiha Obito.

She was incredibly nervous. Obito was a well-known, well-regarded shinobi. He was the Yondaime's student and he had an illustrious career as an Elite Jōnin (Hinata had heard that he had been offered a position in ANBU, which he had rejected).

He was also an hour late.

Hinata had no idea how Kurenai had convinced him to give her a chance, and now she was wondering whether he had changed his mind. Surely he would let them know if he had? Maybe he talked to someone who told him how pathetic she was, maybe he talked to her – Hiashi-sama – and realised that she was going to be a terrible student?

Her breath came faster, and she could feel her leg shake restlessly. Maybe he just decided to cut his losses and not show up, and when she got back Kurenai would tell her that –

"Good morning, Hinata-chan!" She heard a voice call out to her. She looked up and saw Obito waving at her. "I'm so sorry I'm late! Old Man Shinji's roof was leaking and it took a lot longer than I thought it would to fix it."

Hinata quickly stood up and brushed the pieces of grass off of her jacket, trying to look like she wasn't going to shake into nothingness with anxiety. She mutely nodded at his explanation, although she was sure her relief at his appearance was palpable. Obito adjusted his goggles, same as the ones Naruto wore.

"G-Good morning, Sensei." Hinata bowed, silently cursing her stutter. This was the worst first impression she could be making.

"Have a seat, we're just going to talk a bit first, okay?"

'Kami help me, he wants to talk! He is going to find out that I am completely useless, this is mortifying – '

Obito clapped his hands as he sat down cross-legged on the ground. Hinata followed, folding her hands together and pulling them into her sleeves to hide their trembling.

"Kurenai has asked me to teach you, and I'm going to!" He quickly reassured Hinata when she furrowed her brow in concern. "But before that, I would like to know more about you. I'll start. I'm Uchiha Obito. I'm 30 years old. I was part of Team 7 under Namikaze Minato. I like dango and helping people, I dislike pointless conflict and selfish people who think themselves better than others."

His bright grin reminded her a little of Naruto, and she felt herself relaxing a little. "W-well," Hinata poked her fingers together within her sleeves, then cleared her throat. "I am Y-Yūhi Hinata, I am 13 years old. I am a part of Team 8 under Yūhi Kurenai. I-I like cinnamon buns and flower pressing and I dislike shellfish a-and people who are mean to others."

"Glad to meet you, Hinata-chan!" Obito twined his fingers together, resting his head on his hands. "Now, what have you learned already, and how much?"

"I am learning Taijutsu from O-Onee-san, and some Genjutsu, although I am not very good at it." Hinata was determined to not feel self-conscious as she listed everything. "I have previously learned Jūken," 'I was not very good at that either'. "I am currently learning Uzushio seals from Kushina-sama, a-and that's about it."

"I see." Obito hummed thoughtfully. "No Ninjutsu?"

Hinata shook her head. "Just kunai and shuriken."

"Alright. Do you know your chakra nature?"

"Fire." Hinata offered, then added. "Onee-sam said she believed that I-I might have lightning at some point as w-well."

"Hmm."

Obito was lost in thought for a while, concerning Hinata. He looked at her the entire time, which increased the concern exponentially. She wasn't sure if it was something she had said or something else he was thinking.

"What about your Jyūken?" Obito asked, looking at her curiously. "Is there anyone who will teach you?"

"O-Only the H-Hyūga can be taught Jūken." Hinata's head hung low as she shook it lightly.

She wondered whether she should tell him. She was supposed to. If he was going to be her sensei, he would need to know all of her abilities. But Hinata was still uncertain. Would he tell the Hyūga? Probably not, considering the rivalry between both clans. But both clans understood the importance of secret techniques. It wouldn't be entirely out of question...

Obito was waiting patiently for her to gather her thoughts, with an encouraging look on his face. Hinata decided to take a chance.

After all, the last time she had done that, she got a new family and the beginnings of a new seal.

"I-I," Hinata breathed deep. "I-I am attempting to e-evolve my Jūken from what I have been previously taught. The H-Hyūga cannot teach me, b-but t-they cannot take away what I already know."

Obito grinned as she spoke, and laughed out loud when she had finished. Hinata blinked in surprise. That was unexpected. "I've found that spite is the best way to improve, Hinata-chan!" He stood up, prompting Hinata to stand as well. Then, to her immense surprise, he bowed to her. "It would be an honour to teach you, Hinata-chan. I think you have the makings of a great shinobi!"

Hinata stood there dumbfounded. "R-R-Really!?" She was aware she sounded incredibly childish, but she couldn't bring herself to care. Uchiha Obito thought she could be a great shinobi!

"Yeah, Really!" Obito came up and tousled her hair. "Let's begin! First order of business, learning how to use elemental chakra."

A/N – Naruto and Obito are pretty similar to their canon counterparts, personality-wise, with a couple differences. Naruto is still bright, cheerful and optimistic, although he's not as annoying about it since he has parents to shape his manners (and he's also not considered a demon to be either hunted or ignored, that's a big factor).

Obito is still a bit jaded by the shinobi world, but not enough to become a nuke-nin or something (not to mention, he was not mentored by Madara here). He apprenticed as a field medic after the mission where Kakashi lost his eye. He was later offered a position in ANBU, which he refused.