sunshineverse | [open] April Catch All

It wasn't unusual for Hinata to be found in a tea shop, a fresh cup of some herbal blend clasped between her hands. It was a nice way to unwind to her mind. Allowed her mind to wander and process the day. It was almost like a form of meditation for her, the way the solitude and quiet contemplation allowed for her put things into perspective.

She didn't always do so at a tea shop; some events required a certain level of privacy. Today, was a normal day though, and she was enjoying a cup of the new blend the owner had just got in when she spotted her former sensei from the Academy enter.

It's been a while since she last even a hello to Iruka-sensei, so she waved in greeting and offered a smile. It was a quiet gesture and there was no expectation of company behind it. Hinata just thought it was good to see the man, especially given how long it'd been since she'd last stepped foot in the Academy.

He noticed the gesture, stilling thoughtfully for just a moment before making his way over, waving questioningly to a chair. "May I?"

"Of course sensei." She says with a hint of surprise that he wanted to join her at all. Not the outcome she anticipated but she wasn't upset about it either.

He noticed the look and a touch of amusement came to his face as he settled, making himself comfortable across from her. "It's been quite a while since we've spoken, hasn't it?"

She nods, "It has. How has teaching at the Academy been?"

"Ah... unfortunate for a few students, and this year's graduating class was... intense." He sighed softly. "I still have until this autumn before I can graduate out the other half. We've been a bit shorthanded since one of the longer term instructors left."

"Unfortunate?" She wonders at that and takes another sip of her tea. Were these students behind?

"I was handed over another full class in the wake of a mess, and since then there have been some family deaths from among my students. It's made things rather difficult for them, especially given the sudden change of teachers." He ordered a tea for himself when the waiter came by, then turned his attention back to Hinata.

She frowns, "Those poor students." She feels for them, having to deal with so many sudden changes in such a short period of time. That probably wasn't helping them any. "It must be making adjusting to their new circumstances and maintaining their academics difficult for them."

"Just so, but I've been doing my best. I don't want them to be more troubled than they already are, and with my class graduated, I can focus on the one I inherited now." He nodded once, smile wry. "I don't want them to feel neglected."

"I'm sure they don't feel that way. You're always so good to your students even when we don't always deserve it." He was a good teacher, patient, and she'd really enjoyed his lessons when she'd attended the Academy.

He blinked, clearly somewhat taken aback. "My students will always deserve my full attention Hinata-san."

"Well yes but sometimes I would think that it was amazing you were still so patient."

He blinked, then laughed and shook his head, nodding to the waiter as he set down his tea, then setting about getting a cup for himself. "Hinata-san, you forget that I yelled at you all more than once."

"But you never made the effort seem pointless or hopeless." She looks down at her hands. For all the time that she'd been enrolled early, Hinata had greatly enjoyed her time at the Academy.

He was quiet for a moment then, examining her face and expression before a soft smile overtook his face. "I have never once had a student who couldn't grow under a bit of diligent care. Some have come further than others. You're one of those."

She can feel her cheeks heat. That wasn't why she'd said any of what she had. "I didn't..." she trails off her hands curling almost defensively around her cup. She'd gotten okay with accepting a good job when she rose to Iruka's notice, but she'd always been more comfortable as a wallflower.

"I know." He laughed and nodded to his tea. "When you finish that cup, try mine, it's their newest blend."

"I'm actually already drinking it." She laughs a little her hands loosening into a more comfortable grip as she lifted the cup to her lips again.

He blinked, then leaned a little closer, laughing as he realized his mistake. "Ah! In that case we clearly have more than adequate tea, now don't we?"

"Yes we do." She smiles over the rim of her cup and then lowers it back to the table.

"I probably should have asked what you were drinking before asking for a whole nother pot shouldn't I?" He shook his head on a small grin though, clearly amused with himself. "Tell me about how you've been doing?"

"It's alright. I'm sure we can drink at least one of the pots." If the worst of the damage done was that they both ordered a pot of the same tea, they were in good shape. "I've been doing well. Training mostly and mission where I can." She shrugs like this wasn't remotely out of the ordinary.

"Has Obito-sama been a good choice of sensei for you? That team wasn't the one I initially had in mind for you." Though, he could admit that it seemed to have treated her well.

The way she nearly lights up should probably be all the answer he needs on that subject, but she nods quickly. "He's been great. I've learned so much that another sensei probably wouldn't think to teach me." And he's kind of sort of her other best friend but that wasn't something she needed to voice publicly, even in Konoha now was it?

Closed to Iruka, April 5th

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