I was watching Naruto from the start, feeling nostalgic for one of the series that I'd grown up with, when I noticed something unusual on the screen. In the background, when Naruto and Sasuke were shoved into a kiss, Hinata had collapsed on her desk. The screen seemed to slow at this, and I leaned closer while I tried to figure out what was going on.
That was when a hand, massive and purple and mottled, reached through the screen and pulled me in.
The world was dark for what seemed like an eternity. Cold seeped into my bones, and eventually my body went numb. Just as I started to wonder if I was hallucinating and dying, my body filled with heat, burning hot after so long in the void. My heart was pounding harder than I'd ever felt it before, a drumbeat in my ears as I gasped for air I hadn't realized I'd needed.
Once I'd settled, I opened my eyes and looked around, and that was the next big shock of my life, though definitely not the last. Instead of my beautiful home… okay, instead of my shoddy flat, I was in a classroom, surrounded by kids that looked far too familiar. Cute blonde in purple, pineapple-hair sleeping in the corner, pleasantly plump meatball lounging nearby. A closed-off boy in shades, a boastful kid in a hoodie with his dog. A rosette in red leading a horde of girls to assault a sunny-haired boy in orange while the class heartthrob sulked nearby.
Why, I wondered to myself, am I in the Naruto world? Checking my own hair and clothes verified where the last of the Rookie Nine was. Why am I in the Naruto world and why am I Hinata?! I was breathing hard, and had to force my breath even as I felt a crushing pain in my chest. The world spun for a moment, steadied again, and I had to focus on breathing slowly as I thought it out. We had time for that; today should be team assignments. I didn't need to pay attention for a while.
Judging by what was going on with Sakura and Naruto, I could guess that not much actual time had passed between what I saw on the screen and my little wake-up. Either I was hallucinating and, by the crushing pain that was starting to fade again, having a heart attack, or I'd actually been put into a world that, just a minute ago, had been a cartoon. Not wanting to be stuck contemplating my own mortality, I chose to think about the other option for the time being. Hinata had collapsed after seeing Naruto and Sasuke kiss… but how could a ninja have a heart attack from something like that? Did she actually die of embarrassment?!
I couldn't help laughing at the thought, which earned me a few odd looks. Shrinking into my coat in as best an imitation of shy embarrassment as I could manage, I started watching the people around me instead. Naruto seemed fine, and I could still understand what everyone was saying, so there wasn't anything immediate to worry about, but the looming problem of being in a world of child soldiers and assassins with superpowers remained. While it wasn't as bad as Tenten, Hinata didn't get much screen time either, so I didn't have the sort of knowledge I could use if I were in any of Team Seven's shoes. At least I wouldn't be stuck with Kurama, or with Orochimaru's unhealthy obsessions.
Confident that I could at least survive for a day or two, and vaguely hopeful that I could figure out what was actually happening, I finally came out of my own thoughts to see Iruka-sensei standing at the front of the class, reading off the lists of teams. Most of the names sounded a little familiar, but at the same time I was certain I'd never heard of them before. Maybe it was just from how used to Japanese names I was, spending so much of my life on anime. Look where that got me, I thought, holding back another laugh. Maybe I should cut back on it and actually go outside once in a while. Just like that, bouncing back and forth between thinking of this as a hallucination, a dream, or a terrifying reality, trying to make light of it all the while, I followed Kiba and Shino as the lunch break was called. On my way out the door I looked back. "Good luck, Naruto-kun," I wished aloud, before continuing on my way.
I could feel his stare at my back as I rounded the corner, almost literally. Given that the people in the show talked about feeling and radiating bloodlust, that probably shouldn't have been as much of a surprise as it was, but marveling at the seeming sixth sense kept my mind busy as I followed the crowd of students leaving the Academy for lunch break. After a while I sat down at a park bench and checked my school bag; to my great luck, I found a bento in there, saving me from having to try and navigate the stalls for good food so soon.
I picked at the food in my bento idly, still thinking about the situation at hand. Once or twice I'd felt like someone was watching me, but in a ninja village that was probably just the ANBU security checking on things. I couldn't see them, but staying hidden was part of their job after all. The mundane but unusual motions of eating with chopsticks and the flavors that I'd never tasted before, in their own way, reinforced the mad notion that this was, in fact, my new reality. That or my subconscious went to a cooking school , I quipped at myself, savoring the taste of some sushi whose name escaped me.
As distracted as I was, I jumped at the sound of a dog barking next to me. It was Akamaru, who evidently had managed to hop up onto the bench next to me, and I gave him some of my food before patting his head. The puppy ninja barked again, happily, before eating the offered food. I gave him a few more pieces, and when I looked around it seemed like Kiba wasn't there. Strange, but maybe he'd decided to let his partner wander around for a bit.
"Well, if Kiba-kun… or, was it Kiba-san?" Akamaru was looking at me with some confusion now, and I sighed. I'd have to try to guess what Hinata actually called everyone at this point. "If Kiba-kun isn't around, we can keep each other company for a while."
That got an affirmative yip from the puppy, and I gave him another piece of food before finishing what was left in my bento. It was a filling lunch, not too much and not too little, so maybe Hinata had been planning to share with someone already? My mind immediately went to Naruto, and I looked around again. Sure enough, there he was, doing his ridiculous attempt to hit on Sakura as Sasuke. Which was more pathetic? That he thought it would work, or that it had for as long as it had? If his milk hadn't been spoiled, he would've gotten his kiss from Sakura long before Sasuke showed up to deal with the imposter. Sakura had fallen for it too; probably just too eager to get any attention from Sasuke to notice that he wasn't acting right.
That thought led me back to my own situation. Hinata probably wasn't too close to anyone in class, but there were still people who might recognize her acting differently. This isn't going to end well, I thought with a long-suffering sigh, one hand resting on Akamaru's head and petting him gently. I didn't have long to think about how I'd deal with the rest of the Hyuuga clan. Would they notice? Hinata was the heir, but at this point she wasn't exactly the favorite for anyone. Unworthy heir or Main Family princess, I was probably in for a lot of hate either way.
Another yip from the dog at my side, and I noticed some of the Academy students that I could recognize heading back toward the building. Guessing that the lunch break was over, I let Akamaru free and got to my feet. It wasn't a long walk back to the Academy, but I didn't want to be late, and making Kiba worry about Akamaru wouldn't be a good way to start the team off either.
Another short period of class time came and went, without much getting said or done. All the lessons were done, after all; aside from meeting up with the Jounin-sensei, today was a formality and a farewell. Naruto was looking at me cautiously, and I gave him a friendly smile before hiding behind my sleeves. Damn it, I'm supposed to be shy around him, I recalled with a wince. Before any comments could pass, Kurenai arrived and called for Team Eight. We left the classroom, and I moved just a bit faster than a casual pace as I tried to avoid any questions from the blonde boy.
Kurenai brought us out of the Academy, moving to a couple of benches by the river. Familiarity itched at my memories, and eventually I figured it was probably where Itachi fought with Kurenai, Gai, Asuma and Kakashi. I tried to imagine that battle for a moment, but was startled out of my thoughts by a hand on my shoulders.
"Hey, are you feeling alright?" Kiba asked as I turned to look at him. "You've been spacing out a lot today, Hinata-chan. Not like you usually do around Naruto, either." He chuckled a little as he poked fun about Hinata's crush, but he still looked concerned.
I shook my head as I tried to figure out what to say. "N-no, Kiba-kun, I'm fine. It's nothing to worry about. I just… have a lot on my mind today, since we're finally starting as shinobi."
The skeptical look on his face showed that I hadn't really convinced him I was fine, but he shrugged it off for the time being. Shino had been watching the exchange, but didn't say anything either, and we all turned our attention to Kurenai when she cleared her throat.
"I can see you already know each other, but since we're meeting as a team for the first time today, we'll still be introducing ourselves. I'm Yuuhi Kurenai, your Jounin instructor starting today. I like going out into town with my friends, and my favorite phrase is 'Glory like a violet blooming every day.'"
How did you manage to tell me less than Kakashi, I thought incredulously. Sure, she actually said something, but what that phrase meant, I couldn't begin to guess.
Unperturbed by the nonsensical quote, Kiba barreled along with his own introduction. "I'm Inuzuka Kiba, nice to meet ya. I like spending time with Akamaru, no matter what we're doing together. Heck, his name's my favorite thing to say." He demonstrated, saying the dog's name a few times and getting barks in response.
I nodded to Shino, letting him go ahead. He hesitated for a moment, before stepping up. "My name is Aburame Shino. My hobby is the study and collection of new specimens of insects. My favorite phrase is 'trump card.'"
Like when he fought Zaku? I considered this for a moment, but it didn't really matter. The odds of that fight repeating had to be pretty slim. "I'm… H-Hyuuga Hinata," I started, having to stop from saying the wrong name. I didn't have Hinata's information memorized, so I decided to fill in with what was true from my own life. "My hobbies include singing and dancing, even if I'm not very good… and I suppose my favorite phrase would be 'The world is not beautiful, therefor it is.'"
Kiba barked out a laugh. "Never thought you'd be the dancing type, Hinata-chan!" He didn't hold back his amusement, and I felt my face heating up in genuine embarrassment. Like I said, I wasn't very good at it, but I had to say something that wouldn't be too out of place. I couldn't exactly say My hobby is watching your life over and over like a cartoon show.
Kurenai cleared her throat again, shooting Kiba a sharp look before she spoke. "Now that we all know each other a little better, I need to explain something to you. Tomorrow we'll be doing a training exercise; you all did good to graduate, but before we go on any missions I have to make sure you really have what it takes to be Genin."
"Oh come on, Sensei," Kiba scoffed, "we just passed the test yesterday. Doesn't that mean anything?" Looking over to Shino, I could see even he seemed just a bit confused by the raised eyebrow peeking out over his sunglasses. I shifted to look at Kurenai again as she answered.
"It's not really my choice, but even if it was I'd want to take the time to see what you can really do. If we put shinobi on the field with nothing but what you need to graduate, we'd be getting you back in a body bag. If at all." She paused, letting her words sink in. While Kiba wasn't happy with it, he didn't protest either. Seeing that, Kurenai resumed her explanation. "If you don't do well enough tomorrow, I'll have to send you back to the Academy for more training. Since you all should have had the support of your family, though, I'm expecting good things." She listed off a training grounds location and a time, just after noon, before wishing us luck and going in her way.
"Well, guess I'll see you guys tomorrow, then," Kiba said, grumbling to himself about the stupid second test as he left before either of us could reply. Akamaru yipped at us again before chasing off after him.
Turning, I smiled to Shino. "Then, have a good day, Shino-kun. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Indeed. Hopefully you will be in better condition. It would be a shame for this recent case of absent-mindedness to inhibit your future, Hinata-san."
With that less-than-friendly farewell, we parted ways… and I realized I didn't actually know the way home. Maybe I'll see someone else from the clan if I explore for a while? I can't just ask for directions. Since I didn't really have any better options, I started walking along the river, looking around as I searched the city.
I walked around aimlessly for a while, occasionally seeing a familiar landmark from the series. Nothing really pointed me in the right direction, though; really, in the show you only saw small snapshots of the so-called 'Village' Hidden in the Leaves. Konoha brought to life was every bit as big as I imagined it. The more I explored, and the more lost I got, the more dismal my chances of actually finding another Hyuuga seemed.
After a while I stopped paying attention at all, and started focusing inward instead. While it was lucky that Hinata didn't use any techniques that needed hand signs, I'd need a grasp of my own chakra before I could even hope to pass the test tomorrow. Since it seemed like I really was stuck in this world, I had to keep working as a ninja. I didn't know if Kakashi's little declaration about being forced to drop out of ninja training entirely was genuine, or if it applied to all failing teams, but I couldn't risk disappointing Hiashi that badly. At best I'd get the clan's slave brand across my forehead, and Hanabi would be pushed forward as heir; I didn't even want to consider the worst possibility. More than that, I'd need all the power and skill I could get to survive what was coming if the plot held true.
So, chakra. The show didn't give an in-depth explanation of how it was used, but it was a mix of physical and mental energy combined within a ninja's body. Every ninja had a strong chakra network, oddballs like Rock Lee not withstanding, so unless that disappeared when I came in it should still be there; if it did disappear, I was right back to being afraid of Hiashi's wrath. Stupid Byakugan, I grumbled mentally, before trying to imagine my own chakra. A system of blue fire running through my veins, reaching around and through every part of my body, concentrated along key paths.
Breathing deeply, I pictured these key paths, trying to usher the energy along, but lacking any idea of what to do with it. Instead of just getting a feel for it, I let out a little yelp as I felt a jolt of electricity across my body. Lightning chakra? Or is that just what chakra feels like? Wary of my chest pains from before, I decided to experiment a little more carefully. I found an empty training ground and focused inward again. Instead of just shoving my chakra around, I concentrated on the energy in my arm. Now that I was more aware of it, I realized that the heat that had flooded my body wasn't just life, but was actually my chakra flowing through me. Moving that heat around came with surprising ease, and I stepped forward, twisting my torso to add speed and power to the palm strike that my instincts called for. Pushing the heat out, I could feel it burst into the air, even if I didn't see anything.
Yes! I can do this! I jumped with joy and relief, before sliding into my best guess at a fighting stance. Letting my body do the work, I moved from strike to strike, almost like a dance, pushing chakra into the air with every attack. As I moved, my instincts came through more clearly, and the motions themselves became more fluid, more… right. As if my body, Hinata's body, still knew what to do to fight. Maybe I retained some muscle memory? It was, along with so many other things, my best guess. The motions weren't really what I remembered from Neji and Hinata's fights as Gentle Fist standard, but it still felt right. Maybe I was making my own style as I went along; I'd just have to hope it wasn't full of holes and weaknesses. I didn't limit myself to hand and finger strikes, though. It was a dance, and that meant making full use of my entire body.
Once I'd tired out my limbs, I sat down under a tree. There was still one last thing to try before I could go back to trying to find the clan compound: the Byakugan itself. I was feeling lucky after how well the pseudo-Gentle Fist style came to me, and I hadn't even had another scare with whatever damage Hinata left on her heart for me. So, I tuned into my chakra again. It still took concentration, especially since I wanted to be careful with the chakra in my head, but I had a better feel for my chakra after practicing with it so much.
Grasping the chakra in my head by my will, I gently nudged it along the path into my eyes, a little bit at a time. Just a few seconds in I could feel my eyes reshaping themselves. They flattened from the egg-like shape the eye normally had to a ball, barely-distinct irises broke apart white nigh-invisible pupils stung, taking on more distinction as parts of the body I couldn't name changed purpose and function. I lost color vision, but the world started expanding, growing, flying away. Sights I couldn't comprehend filled my eyes, zooming in and seeing things no naked eye could, vision swiveling around at dizzying speeds and in impossibly wide arcs as I tried to comprehend what was going on. I had to stop before I got sick, cutting off the chakra flow to my eyes. They pushed back to normal, settling back in the position they should be in. Taking some deep breaths, I sighed quietly. That's going to be horrible to practice with. I resigned myself to a late night of training my eye control before I could go to bed tomorrow. At least Kurenai's answer to the bell test was scheduled late enough that I could sleep in.
A rustle of leaves caught my attention, and I looked up to see Neji scowling down at me. "Hinata-sama, Hiashi-sama sent me to get you." I looked at the sky, realizing that the sun was going down. Was I really out there that long? It seemed so. "I will take you to see him," Neji added when I didn't answer, irritation dripping from his voice.
Right. I'll have to step lightly with this one. "Th-thank you, Neji-niisan," I answered belatedly, rising to my feet and brushing the dirt off my clothes. "I apologize for making you come find me."
Neji grunted, not quite acknowledging the apology. He jumped down from the tree, turning away from me immediately and leading the way. I followed after him, having to match his hurried pace. He was quiet for a time, but just as I started to relax, he asked, "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
He was watching that? My face heated up again as I realized that, wondering how long he'd been spying on me. "N-nowhere. I was just trying something new." I couldn't keep the nerves out of my voice, worried that I might have somehow blown the game right then and there. I wasn't sure what to make of it when all I got was another grunt in response.
He didn't say anything else on the way home, thank whatever gods may be watching, and time seemed to fly by until we arrived at the massive group of traditional Japanese buildings that were my home now.