[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]

"Afternoon?" Kureno repeated, arching an eyebrow. "It's well into evening, Hinaji."

The boy looked nervous, and while Hinaji had a way of looking nervous nearly all of the time, after years spent with him Kureno had learned there were certain degrees of it. (Just like how his team had learned the certain degrees of seriousness with him.) So really, today Hinaji looked exceptionally nervous. It was probably best to let him calm down some first.

"Come inside, I'll make us some tea," he invited leaving his front door open behind him for his student to enter. After taking his shoes off he headed straight for his kitchen to put a kettle on the stove. "Have you been waiting very long?"

[hyuuga_hinaji]

"Not long," Hinaji said softly as he shut the door and removed his shoes. And hour and forty-two minutes. Not long at all. He followed Kureno's voice into the kitchen and stood about, glancing left and right. "...Is there anything I can help with?" Helping was good. He knew as well as Kureno that he needed to calm down.

It was hard, though, when he would start to relax and remember what he wanted to ask and then his stomach would knot up again. Maybe this really was a mistake. He was an adult now, right? Did he need to go to his sensei for everything?

...In this case, yes.

"How are you feeling?" Shifting the subject wasn't exactly running from what he needed to ask, and he did worry about his sensei.

[yuuhi_kureno]

Hinaji was given some zuccini bread to cut, as it was the closest thing to sweets or cake that Kureno had in the house right now.

"Better," he said, getting the tea powder and cups down. "It's good to be back to my office and my real work. And in another week or so, I'll even be on the field with you, Kiba, and Hoshino again. I'm looking forward to it."

[hyuuga_hinaji]

Hinaji smiled at that as he began to slice the bread. Now that it was guaranteed that Kureno would be back to train them, he didn't know how he had managed to go so long without their sensei.

"We are too." He cut half the bread into semi-thick slices and carefully set them aside before washing the knife. "It's been much too long."

[yuuhi_kureno]

Guidance? That was rather vague too. But...Kureno supposed he could try. He wanted to try; he wanted to be able to know what to say and how to help Hinaji not just as his teacher but as...a friend, a man, someone who could be depended on for things that didn't really fall under his obligations as a sensei. And this certainly didn't fit under any sensei duties.

Kureno set down his tea and placed his hands on his thighs, head bowed in thought and looking every inch the thoughtful and disciplined mind.

"Hinaji, I don't want you to take this as criticism, just an honest, simple question. You do know that becoming serious with Kiba could create...difficulties. Not because of her or you, but your families. Have you thought about the problems that might cause? And if you have, are you truly prepared for them?"

[hyuuga_hinaji]

Hinaji licked his lips nervously. He knew his family would disprove, but he had tried not to think about it. He was no longer the heir, so technically it wouldn't matter much what he did. But the Hyuuga were jealous of their bloodline, and to go with an outsider, even Kiba...

"...I don't care about the problems with my family," he finally said, looking up at his teacher slowly. "And if they really cared I'm sure they would have said something by now." His mother knew about him being with Kiba and had said nothing. Even if that changed, he wouldn't abandon Kiba.

"I really like her, sensei."

[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

[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?"