Author's note: Enjoy reading!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
It all started in her fight with Neji in the previous chuunin exam. It has been a surprise to all that she had still fought with Neji even the result of the fight could be quite evident. No it even started much earlier when she decided to go with her team and start her own skill as a ninja, which her father's interest had died of.
Yes, her little unnoticeable defiance continued when she started her own little bloodline technique practice. Then she grew her blue hair that her father loathes that much.
No, she didn't find herself going through the pattern set for her by Hiashi or by her clan. No, she didn't care of what they say. She'll do whatever she wanted to do. These little acts of defiance that made her feel more and more like herself. The cause of the radiance in her eyes and the grace in the way she moves.
Right now, that is what Neji can see while Hinata is fighting for her chuunin exam. She changed herself gradually that only few can notice.
"The fight is good," he heard someone muttered.
Indeed it is, Hinata isn't just fighting for the chuunin exam but also to establish herself in herself in the village. A fight to show everybody how much she had changed.
"Let us go Hinabi," Hiashi said before they went out.
Hinata is doing a marvelous thing though some can't understand or regard as an act of foolishness.
In the fight the other ninja won but nonetheless she was through of being a genin. She is now a chuunin. The day the result is announced, none of her family is there. So hinata went carrying her new achievement.
Now in the kitchen, she is half dreaming while preparing a tea for herself and if by chance, someone in her family. She also readied the cookies she expected she would eat out of despair but now, she passed the exam and the cookies would be eaten because of self contentment.
She walked with it until she reached the porch where she usually has her little tea. She poured herself a tea and smiled, as a sign of success, before she drank it all up
"Celebrating, aren't you?" his voice chilled her blood.
"Y-yes N-neji-niisan," Hinata replied. Fumbling words never cease to leave her.
Instead of leaving, Neji sat in front of her. She automatically poured him some tea. She felt thankful towards Neji for sharing her success.
"My father and Hiashi told me to protect you," Neji coldly said to her after he sipped his tea.
Trying to get her reaction, Neji looked at her. Hinata didn't speak but her eyes sadden. She just seemed to reach her cookie a little carelessly just enough to break it.
"You didn't need to be protected," Neji told her before he amusedly drank his tea.
A bewildered look is set to her by Hinata thus making him more entertained as he usually eat the same cookies she prepared.
" I can see to myself that you can do that now," he indifferently told her while he whispered to his tea, "you, can almost do anything by now."
Hinata let out a sigh of relief but her face remained puzzled as they continue their little tea. In times where her eyes would suddenly meet Neji , she would just fret. Something on those gray eyes makes her fret.
He sipped the last drop of his tea and hastily stood and turned his back to Hinata but before he was out of earshot.
He softly said, "You are someone just to be loved."
He left the stunned yet very contented Hinata.