Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Had it been mine, the ending would've turned out differently.
...
It was nearing midnight and yet the sounds of palms hitting a post could still be heard. Frustrated grunts and finally a defeated sigh broke into the silence of the night. One exhausted Hyuga Hinata laid next to a well-beaten post with her eyes closed.
Still not strong enough, she thought. In her mind, she could see how Kiba and Shino have improved a lot over the years. Their team has become one of the most sought after when it came to reconnaissance missions. Each member of the cell has its own unique abilities and skills. For that main reason why the team has been consistently successful in every mission they undertake.
But she couldn't shake off the feeling that she will always be the weakest link to their team. When enemy nins target her, either Kiba or Shino goes to try to help her while fending their respective enemies at the same time. They didn't comment on it and neither does Kurenai-sensei but she can't help but feel like a burden sometimes. Hence her current predicament. Almost every night, she tiptoes out of the Hyuga compound to train until dawn. Only Neji, her cousin and Koh, her childhood guardian know about this little secret. At first, they forbid her but over time, her stubbornness won them over.
It has been almost three years since Uzumaki Naruto left the village to train. Almost three years of not seeing her inspiration, Hinata missed him a lot. "I wonder how he is," she mumbled. "Have you become stronger too, Naruto-kun, just like the rest of the Rookie 9?" she added with a thoughtful sigh. "Oh, but I'm sure you have," she giggled slightly, face becoming a little red just thinking about her longtime crush.
Finally, she stood up and dusted her pants. She brushed away the stray hair that clung on the sides of her face. Puberty has been kind to Hinata. While seemingly oblivious at her outward appearance, mainly due to her insecurities with her skills as a kunoichi, other people have started to notice her more than average beauty and figure. Long, straight dark hair swished as she jumped unto a tree branch and started her trek back to the Hyuga compound.
.
.
Quietly, she crept back into the compound and ran as lightly and swiftly as she could praying she won't be able to alert a few Hyuga shinobi assigned to patrol their compound. As she was nearing her room, she breathed a sigh of relief and finally walked towards where her room is.
"I almost haven't noticed you, Hinata-sama," a quiet voice told her from behind.
"Ah, you scared me Neji-niisan. Sorry for interrupting you. And I'll try my best to mask my chakra next time. How was your last mission, by the way?" Hinata asked in concern. She looked at her cousin worriedly, seeing a few scratches and bruises marring his once perfect skin. While proud at knowing her cousin has become a member of the ANBU, she couldn't help but feel worried every time Neji is sent on ANBU missions.
"There's nothing to worry about Hinata-sama. The mission was successful and everyone in the team has safely arrived. There was a slight run-in with a few Kiri missing nins while on our way home though but they were quickly overpowered. Hmm, I just remembered, those missing nins were quite weakened too." He told he this with a slight frown on his face. Suddenly, looking like a new thought just occurred to him, he added, "They probably had a fight before they encountered us."
"That reminds me, you should really stop this nightly training. You're a great kunoichi and one of the best medic nins of our generation. What you simply lack is confidence and your hesitation to kill the enemy." Neji looked at her seriously and realizing he has said too much in the span of a few minutes, he decided to keep silent after that. Intelligent eyes continued studying her tired profile.
"Ah, that's really nice of you Neji-niisan but I have to disagree with you though. I know my skills aren't on par with my team but I'm grateful for the good words," she told her cousin earnestly. Neji huffed and decided this debate won't really end. So with a sigh, he bade her good night and walked in the direction of his room. Just after taking two steps though, he winced and paused slightly so as not to injure further his bad leg.
"Ahh, niisan, are you alright? Gomen for not taking a look at your injuries earlier niisan but here, let me see t-that," Hinata panicked and approached him suddenly. Her stutter at the end meant she was truly troubled at her cousin's current condition.
"No need for that Hinata. This isn't serious and besides the Hokage already made sure that I have my injuries checked before dismissing me," Neji told her grudgingly. She gave a slight smile at that. Really, her niisan is probably more stubborn than her. Her cousin scowled upon seeing her reaction but decided to keep quiet.
"Well, if you say so." Hinata gazed at her cousin, her face still looking slightly worried. She simply shook her head and gave him a slight nod and a smile.
"You really should sleep now. I believe you have hospital duties tomorrow, right?" Her cousin reminded her.
Hinata slightly colored at that statement upon remembering her last stint at her previous shift at the hospital few days ago. "Hai niisan. Well, good night and you have a good rest too," cheeks coloring a bit more, she bade her farewell and quickly walked towards her room. Neji simply shook his head after hearing the closing of a sliding door.
I wonder what happened back there. Really, his cousin acts weirdly sometimes. No, scratch that, most of the time, if I were to be honest, thought Neji as he silently went to his own room.
.
.
.
This is gonna be a multi-chapter SasuHina story. Next chapter will be posted soon and Sasuke will make an appearance!