Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. It belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Summary: Hinata never went to the Academy. Instead, she is a prisoner in her own home. One night, she comes face to face with a white wolf. But there's more to this beautiful creature than meets the eye. Where will this path lead?


Heart of the Wolf

Chapter One: Unexpected Encounters

She stood on the cliff bank, letting the wind blow through her long midnight blue hair. It was late at night, the full moon shone down brightly. Lady Hinata Hyuga's black kimono sleeves swayed in the breeze.

She had snuck out of her home again, like she did every night. It was becoming a routine for her. Hinata would slip passed the guards and run wildly into the night, just like a caged animal would if it were set free.

If an intruder broke in right now, all they would find would be an empty bed. Someone had tried to kidnap her before when she was a little girl; however, her father, Hiashi, saved her and killed the man. Unfortunately, the abductor was head of the Cloud ninja. To prevent a war, Hizashi, Hinata's uncle, willingly gave up his life in her father's place.

After her sister, Hanabi, was born and her mother died, Hinata's life took a turn for the worse. She would struggle through her father's intense training, but it wasn't enough. He thought of her as weak and insignificant, not worthy of being heir to the Hyuga Clan. Instead, it was promised to her younger sister. The training had stopped, but her father's cruel treatment had not.

She secretly practiced as often as she could, though she spent most of her time buried in her books, working her brain since she was forbidden to train. She wasn't allowed to leave and no one came to visit her, because she didn't have a single friend.

Hinata reflected on those thoughts as her pale eyes stared down at Konoha. The village was so big, and yet she knew no one other than her clan. She could see the Hyuga compound from there. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at it. It was a prison to her.

This was the only place she felt free. Free like the wind against her face. Free from her father's cruel words. Free from the way he looked disdainfully at her every time he saw her. She breathed in the fresh air.

That's when Hinata's thoughts began to stray, as they always did. She looked over the cliff. Such a long way down. If she jumped, would anyone really care? Would her father even shed a tear for her? Her father and sister looked down on her. Even her cousin Neji, who was a member of the branch family was stronger than her. She felt like a failure. She was sixteen now and already through with life. But every night, she couldn't will herself to jump.

She nervously stepped away from the cliff edge, the height of it finally affecting her. "Guess I'm a failure at this too," she said out loud to herself.

Hinata turned around and was about to walk back down the mountain, when she saw a pair of eyes glowing in the dark. They were big and luminous and watching her every move. She gasped out of shock, raising her kimono sleeve to her mouth. She couldn't move. Hinata stared into the eyes of the animal staring back at her. She thought for sure it would attack, but it remained motionless.

She let out a nervous breath and tried to think. Maybe, if I walk very slowly, it will let me pass by without harm.

Hinata kept her eyes on the animal as she slowly and cautiously took a step. She couldn't tell what the creature was, as it remained hidden in the brush. All she could see was its eyes. She was too afraid to activate her Byakugan, fearing it would frighten the animal and attack her. Then again, she really didn't want to know what it was since it looked rather big.

As she took a few more steps, the animal swiftly came out of its hiding spot and blocked her path. Hinata felt an intense fear swelling in her belly. It rose up into her throat, making her unable to scream. She wasn't suppose to be here. Nobody knew where she was. If it attacked her, none would be the wiser. They'd find her body later, if there was anything left of it. Her heart was beating out of control as she squeezed her eyes shut, waiting to be devoured.

When nothing happened, Hinata slowly opened them. She could see in front of her, by the light of the moonlight, a large white wolf. Sharp white teeth protruded from its mouth, causing her to gasp again. However, this time she took a closer look. It was sitting down, panting like a dog happy to see her. Hinata was confused. She thought for sure the animal was going to kill her. Instead, it looked rather friendly.

"H-hey th-there, boy," Hinata stuttered. She tried to sound brave, but utterly failed. Her hand was shaking as she reached out to touch its head. What am I doing? she asked herself. Then, it was like she was talking to her own body. Don't touch the thing. Are you crazy?

But her shaky hand wouldn't cooperate. It kept reaching out to touch the wolf. Surprisingly enough, her hand stopped shaking the moment she felt its fur. The white wolf enjoyed it thoroughly and rubbed its head up even further into her palm.

"I must be crazy," Hinata accidentally said out loud. The wolf seemed to laugh at the comment. Hinata nervously giggled herself. Funny, she couldn't remember the last time she laughed. This was getting more bizarre by the second.

Hinata looked into the wolf's eyes. She never expected them to be a warm shade of brown. They looked so menacing before when they were glowing in the dark.

Suddenly, the wolf stood back up. Hinata quickly withdrew her hand. Her brain began wreaking havoc. Did I do something wrong? Maybe I wasn't suppose to look him directly in the eye. Did I just challenge him without realizing it?

Her fears subsided as the wolf walked over to the cliff edge where she once stood and sat down. The animal was far enough away that she could try to escape. The wolf turned its head to look at her, watching to see what she would do.

Oddly enough, Hinata found herself not wanting to leave. Somehow she knew the wolf wouldn't harm her. Trusting her instincts, she walked over to the cliff edge and stood beside him. They both looked out at the twinkling lights of the village.

"It's so beautiful, isn't it?" Hinata asked, knowing very well it couldn't answer her. "In the dark, you can't see how much someone is suffering."

The wolf looked up at her and whimpered. It was like he knew what she was saying. Hinata looked down at the animal and smiled slightly.

"Guess you saw me earlier. I only think about jumping. I never would actually go through with it." Hinata spoke as if she were explaining herself to a person. "My life is just so empty. I don't know why I'm even here. This is the only place I feel alive."

Hinata sat down beside the wolf. She told him all about her painful life. The animal was easy to talk to. He just sat there listening to her every word. It was like he could understand her, even though she knew that was impossible. Nevertheless, she spoke till early morning. Hinata never talked so much in her whole life.

"I need to be going soon. It's almost sunrise." Hinata had a sad look on her face as she gazed at the horizon. The wolf glanced up at the sky and jumped to its feet. Hinata, puzzled, looked over at him. "What's wrong boy?"

The wolf seemed sad as well. Then, to her surprise, it licked her cheek and fled. All she could see was a white blur as it ran back through the brush and out of sight.

"Was it something I said?" Hinata asked out loud, touching her wet cheek. She knew it wouldn't last forever. She had to get back too before someone spotted her missing.

She raced down the mountain as fast as she could. As she was running, Hinata wondered if she would ever see the beautiful white wolf again. Deep within her heart, she hoped so.


Hinata snuck back into the Hyuga compound, unnoticed by the guards. She had their pattern down and could easily avoid being detected. She opened the door to her solitary bedroom. The sun was beginning to rise, slowly lighting up the darkened room. She walked over to her bed and slipped under the covers. Servants would be coming soon to wake her up. She wanted to rest for a little while before they arrived.

The instant she closed her eyes, Hinata heard a male voice in her room. "Finally going to sleep, I see."

Hinata jerked up into a sitting position, her covers falling down into her lap. Her breathing became erratic as she frantically searched her bedroom. Her pale eyes rove across the bookshelves that lined the walls. At last, they settled on a man sitting in a chair in the far corner of her room. How did she not notice him before?

Neji Hyuga sat there with a rather stern look on his face. His brown hair was pulled back into his familiar ponytail. He was already dressed for the day in his robes and he didn't look pleased at all.

She couldn't figure out why he was in her room. Her cousin had never been there before. As a matter of fact, he steered clear from the head family as much as possible. The only time she ever saw him was when he occasionally trained with her father.

Hinata had a hard time breathing and her whole body began to shake. If Neji told Hiashi about this, she would be severely punished.

"You know if you get caught, the branch family, who are assigned to protect you, will be punished." Neji said it more as a statement than a question.

Of course his concern was for his side of the family. Hinata couldn't speak. Even her pale eyes trembled with fear.

Neji noticed her reaction. "I won't tell your father, if that's what you're worried about. It will be our secret."

Hinata started breathing normally. She shook her head in confusion. Was she hearing him right? He wasn't going to tell? Hinata always thought Neji held her responsible for his father's death. If it wasn't for her, he might still be alive.

"Where exactly do you go every night anyway?" Neji asked curiously.

So, he knew this wasn't the first time she snuck out of the house. Since he wasn't going to tell her father, the least she could do was try to answer him as best as she could.

"U-up on the mountainside." Hinata finally found her voice, but it was so low it was barely audible.

"I see." Neji contemplated her words. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "And why do you go there?"

Neji seemed very interested, but Hinata couldn't understand why. Unlike her, he had went to the Academy and was already a Jonin-level shinobi. His skill with the Byakugan far exceeded her own and his intelligence levels were off the charts.

Hinata looked down at her hands. "I.. like the view."

"Is that right?" Neji asked, but didn't expect an answer.

She could tell the wheels were turning in his head. Hinata swallowed hard, suppressing the lump that was forming in her throat. She twirled her thumbs, trying to relax her nerves.

"The view, huh?" Neji continued, eyes watching her like a hawk. "That cliff at the top is pretty steep. I hope you watch your step. You might slip."

Hinata's head snapped up, her eyes wide. She unintentionally sucked in a breath. Neji's similar pale eyes narrowed. He had gotten the reaction he was waiting for. It was like he knew she thought about jumping off the cliff. Hinata marveled at Neji's talent to deduce the situation. Unfortunately, his talent was being used on her.

"I.. I..", was all Hinata managed to get out before she gave up and looked down at her hands again.

"I think I'm going to have a talk with your father." Neji stood up from the chair. He made his way over to her bedroom door and opened it. Then, he looked back over his shoulder at Hinata, who had a panicked look on her face. Something flickered in his eyes. "Don't worry. Your secret will be kept safe. You should try to get some sleep."

Hinata relaxed once again as Neji left the room, closing the door behind him. Was that pity she saw in his eyes? She couldn't be sure.

She laid back down and pulled up the covers. Hinata anxiously wondered what Neji was going to talk to her father about. She didn't know how she was suppose to sleep after everything that just happened.