Chapter 34
Kakashi just watched as Hinata explained her life story and then broke down into tears. Fuck, he really had his work cut out for him. All his students had issues one way or another. Naruto was an orphan and abused and bullied for being a Jinchuriki, Sasuke watched his entire family die, and now Hinata was neglected by her father and was abused by the Hyuga Elders.
Shit.
It looked like Hinata was having a panic attack. Kakashi cursed his inability to express his emotions like a normal person. Kakashi kneeled down and awkwardly.
"Hinata, look at me,” he said gently, abandoning his awkward hunch and kneeling, looking slightly up to where her head was tilted towards the ground
Her breath came in short bursts. Kakashi abandoned that tactic and risked urging her to sit on the ground with a gentle hand to her shoulder and her head between her knees. There was probably a better way to do that, but Kakashi was Anbu and no one he’s had experience talking down from an attack appreciated coddling.
Her breathing evened out soon enough. Either Hinata wasn’t too different than his fucked up old Anbu friends or the panic attack wasn’t a bad one.
"I-I don't wanna go back to the Hyuga Compound, but I have no where else to go." Hinata said
"Stay with me then, pup." Kakashi blurted out
"What?" Hinata looked up at him with glossy eyes
'Damn, I gotten attached haven't I?' Kakashi thought
"You can stay with me until you got the courage to confront your father." Kakashi said
"But-But what if the Elders want me back?" Hinata asked
"I'm your sensei, I have emergency custody rights for you and the boys. And since you are one of my students, most won't question." Kakashi said
"I doubt the Hyuga Elders will belive it." Hinata mumbled
"Well they sound like old aged stuck up pricks." Kakashi said
"Kakashi-sensei!" Hinata yelled in suprise
"Come on, I know you were thinking it too." Kakashi smirked at Hinata
Hinata blushed and put on her hood, a habit she developed when she blushed too much.
"Come on, Naruto and Sasuke might be wondering whats taking us so long." Kakashi pulled Hinata up
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"What took you guys so long?" Naruto asked
"Well Naruto, if you must know. Due to Hinata's revealed 'situation', she will be staying with me for the time being." Kakashi said
"What? Why?" Naruto asked
"It is not my place to tell, Hinata will tell you when she wants too." Kakashi said
Kakashi clapped his hands together. "Well that concludes today! Hinata and I will see you two tomorrow." Kakashi placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder and flickered away
"Son of a-"
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Kakashi and Hinata Body Flickered in front of Kakashi's door. Hinata stumbled a bit at the sudden teleport but got up on her own.
"You ok Hinata?" Kakashi asked
"Y-Yes I-I'm f-fine K-Kakashi-sensei." Hinata stuttered shyly
'So I was corrected. Hinata was just using her sudden 'confidence' to hid her true emotions and shyness. Probably to show us she's not a burden.' Kakashi thought
Hinata on the other hand, cursed herself for falling into her stuttering habit again. She was doing so good under her mask until she slipped up. Hinata was just tired and wanted to sleep. With the revelation of her past to Kakashi, she felt her shyness that she tried to suppress came back. This day was an emotional roller-coaster for Hinata. She felt one emotion away from a mental or emotional breakdown, whichever came first.
Hinata looked at the house to take her mind off her growing anxiety, the house was nice. It wasn't too noticeable but stood out a bit. Kakashi opened his door and gestured Hinata to come in. The inside looked homely in a way made Hinata homesick, it was comforting. Hinata took a whiff and smelled something was cooking. Iruka peaked out of the kitchen.
"Oh honey, you're back! And Hinata! I haven't seen you in a while, what are you doing here?" Iruka asked
"H-Honey? W-Wait, K-Kakashi-sensei a-are y-you a-and I-Iruka-sensei m-married?" Hinata asked with all the courage she could
Kakashi and Iruka looked at each other and then laughed. Hinata then felt silly for asking a bold question so suddenly.
"No, we're not. We're dating!" Iruka swung his arm around Kakashi's shoulder and kissed him on the cheek
Hinata blushed at the sudden display of affection. "O-Oh, w-well I-I'm g-glad y-you t-two f-found a s-special s-someone t-to b-be w-with."
"Thanks Hinata. I hope you find a special someone to be with too." Iruka said
"Or someones." Kakashi teased
"Oh, is it young love I hear?" Iruka said in the same tone
"Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke." That was all Kakashi needed to say
Hinata blushed. She wanted to dissappear right now.
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Kakashi, Iruka, and Hinata all ate after Kakashi's and Iruka’s teasing. Iruka is a really good cook. Hinata oftered to wash the dishes but Iruka kept refusing.
Hinata sat awkwardly on the couch, unsure what to do. Hinata then saw one of Kakashi's swords hanging on the wall. Hinata got up to inspect it, Hinata had a deep fascination with swords ever since she read about them in her books.
"Like it?" Kakashi suddenly spoke behind her
Hinata jumped a bit. Hinata turned around to see Kakashi standing over her, she didn't even hear him. She hoped he didn't see her eyeing his sword.
"I noticed you looking at one of my swords."
Never mind, he did.
Kakashi decided to speak in a more gentler tone. "You have an admiration for swords I noticed. I also noticed you took Zabuza's sword after we left Wave."
Crap, he noticed that too.
"I would be happy to teach you how to use your new sword if you want."
Wait, what?
Hinata looked at him with wide eyes. Teach her?
'Hinata what have I said about reading about swords? It's unbecoming of a Hyūga heiress.' 'Swords are not lady-like.' 'Hinata! What did I say about playing with sticks as swords!?'
Hinata longed to use a blade. They looked so cool like the samurai in her books. "Really?"
"Of course, your one of my students after all. Why not teach you?"
"O-Ok." Hinata couldn't believe this, she was finally gonna wield a sword. A real one and properly
A few hours after they talked, Hinata laid down in Kakashi's guest room. It was weird sleeping in another person's house when you only slept in your own. Hinata tried to think of it as a sleep over, a extended one if you will, to try to calm her anxiety.
It felt weird not using her mask. She had created it a month ago, a little after Team 7 had formed. Despite not having it for long, Hinata quickly grew into it. When she she told Kakashi about her childhood, her mask dropped and it's been hard to put it back on. Hinata supposed it was for the best in the long run, she would probably grow dependent on her mask in the future if she kept it up. Maybe she gain some really confidence and self-esteem while she stayed with Kakashi.
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Since Hinata was staying with Kakashi, which started yesterday, she learned a few things about Kakashi.
One, he liked to sleep in late.
Hinata had woken up and saw her sensei still in bed.
Two, he had nightmares that kept him up.
When Hinata tried to wake him up, he kept saying 'I'm sorry'. Over and over again in his sleep.
Three, he was a preferred carnivore with his Hatake heritage. Hinata had found out the the Hatake Clan was in close relation with the Kiba's clan.
Hinata had made Kakashi breakfast as payback for letting her stay, Kakashi said it was fine but Hinata needed something to keep her busy with her anxiety. Kakashi had taken most of the bacon though...
Anyways. As promised, Kakashi would teach her how to use and fight with her sword properly.
"Offt." Hinata splat on the ground, her sword is heavier than she thought
"Let me see." Kakashi asked for the sword
Hinata handed Kakashi the sword, whoch he handled with ease.
"The Kubikiribōchō, meaning Decapitating Carving Knife. One of the Seven Ninja Swordsman of The Mist. Zabuza's old blade right?" Kakashi asked
"Y-Yes." Hinata said
"It weighs a lot. It'll only tire you quickly if you don't train to handle the blade properly."
"I-I'll train! I-I'll t-train t-to handle m-my n-new s-sword!" Hinata promised
Kakashi looked impressed with her determination. "Alright then."
Kakashi made Hinata use her Shadow Clones. Then he told her to come at him with her sword and not stop until she hit him. Hinata tried to hit him but was knocked back easily. Kakashi then corrected her stance and told her to come at him again.
Widen your feet. Center yourself. Move with your sword, not against it.
Hinata kept trying but the weight of the sword was starting to wear her down. Kakashi then moved onto strength training so Hinata can handle the swords weight better. Hinata was so glad she learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Hinata was exhausted by the end and Kakashi had to carry her back, which made Hinata blushed in embarrassment. He cooked dinner and made sure Hinata ate at least some of it.
It was weird having one of his students live with him for the time being but it was... nice in a way. Something to get up out of bed for, something that makes him care more. It was nice to care about someone other than himself.
Dammit, Kakashi had grown attached to his students did he? But it was nice. He was forced out of his comfort zone to teach these kids but he didn't mind. He would rather teach these kids so they can protect themselves then keep his distance from them.