By: Anoja P.
Working Title
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
Hinata glanced anxiously at the large clock that stood intimidatingly at her left. It seemed to glare at her reproachfully, mimicking the actions of almost all of the clan members that lived in the Hyuuga compound.
It was time.
Pale, lavender eyes wide with the nervous anticipation of those who knew that unsavory things awaited them not far beyond the thin wall of emotional safety they had created for themselves, suddenly blinked in confusion.
'W-wha…what's wr-rong with…with me?!?' Hinata wondered, stuttering even in the privacy of her own mind. Fear began to sink into the deepest depths of her body, freezing her into a state of shock. Her eyes were so blurry…
"O-oh n-no!" Hinata gasped out loud, the stage-whisper her shy, meek version of a shrill scream. The worst nightmare of any Byakuugan wielder was becoming her reality-she was blind!!!
But then…oh. The cause of the Hyuuga heiress's false alarm was a waterfall of tears, each one of the crystal drops unconsciously cascading down a pale, porcelain-smooth cheek. Though it had been beaten into the indigo-haired Gennin as a young girl that such signs of weakness were unacceptable, Hinata felt relief steep into her as she realized that she still possessed her almost 360 degree vision.
Once again, she stiffened; carefully molding her features into a mask of indifference, waiting with apprehension for what she knew would certainly come.
"What do you THINK you are doing, girl!?!" a familiar yet unwelcome voice boomed, the words spoken drowning in disapproval and anger. ''How many times have I told you that Hyuuga's do not display such pathetic acts of vulnerability? This is why you will never be fit to lead the clan… you are a disgrace to the shinobi of Konoha – to all ninja in general!'' with this, Hinata's father proceeded to point out each and every one of his daughter's failures and imperfections in an hour-long bashing of the self-esteem that was practically non-existent.
Hiashi didn't call the gentle 12-year-old by her given name even once.
Hinata didn't speak, except to meekly murmur "Hai, Hiashi-sama," as was expected of her.
And then, she went on with her day, hands in her over-sized sweater, face toward the ground, tears flowing freely from bangs that shielded her from the residents of Konoha, apologizing to anyone who pushed past her or got in her way.
As was expected of Hyuuga, Hinata.