[Thread] Oh Those Wacky Adolescents [Hinaji, Kureno]

[hyuuga_hinaji]

Hinaji was pacing near Kureno's home well before 6pm. He couldn't stop his nerves from snapping, and everytime he managed to remain still he was jolted into moving again. He hadn't even planned what he was going to say, what this conversation would really be about. You didn't just go up to your sensei and ask these kinds of things

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[yuuhi_kureno]

His lips thinned at hearing Hinaji's resolution. He didn't care about the problems with his family? That seemed highly unlikely. While Hinaji's ability to improve his self-esteem and determination had improved on many levels, he still tended to become more mild under the rules and authority of the Hyuuga, particularly his mother. And just because Hiashiko hadn't said anything about the relationship didn't mean she wouldn't have her final say in the matter. That idea worried Kureno most.

Looking at Hinaji now, Kureno could believe the boy's feelings to be real. He didn't doubt that Hinaji cared for Kiba as much as he claimed. But past experience had shown that starting strong wasn't really Hinaji's problem, it was finishing that way.

......But a lot of time had passed, and experience had also shown that of his team, Hinaji was the one with the greatest ability to change.

"I believe you, Hinaji," he said at last, shoulders relaxing an inch. "I'd still like to talk with Kiba, but if the two of you are fully aware of the problems you can face and still wish to see each other, I'm not going to tell you it's wrong to."

[hyuuga_hinaji]

"Thank you, sensei." It felt good to know he had the support of Kureno. If their teacher had disapproved, Hinaji wasn't sure what he would do.

And he really, truly hoped his words had been true. He told himself they were, that what his family thought didn't matter. Naruko had taught him that believing in yourself and hard work paid off. He needed to believe that now.

"Um..." he started shyly after a few moments of silence. It was good to have support, but that didn't mean Kureno necessarily thought what happened was a good idea. "Does that mean you think we're really ready for, um. Things?"

[yuuhi_kureno]

Kureno didn't ask what "things" entailed, partially because he was sure Hinaji's cheeks would explode if he did, mostly because he already had a good guess and didn't need the details.

"That's not something I can tell you," he said instead. "Only you and Kiba can decide when you're ready for the next steps in your relationship. I can only advise you to be ready for the consequences they'll bring, and how to proceed with them carefully when you now you are ready."

[hyuuga_hinaji]

Hinaji nodded. Kureno made sense. This was something he was going to have to talk over with Kiba.

"Thank you, sensei." He bowed his head politely. "You've already given me a lot of advice." Now he just had to figure out what to do with it. First things first would be to get together with Kiba and discuss things. And then to treat Kureno to something because really, this wasn't exactly something he had to have helped with.

...Maybe that should be first.

"Um. The next time you want to go out to eat or something, it'll be my treat, alright? For helping me..."