My Resolve

Hello fanfiction fanatics! It's been awhile since I've written anything on this site. I thought I would give it another shot. This one has been on my mind for a long time but I wasn't sure how to go about it. So I'm attempting to write this in hopes that it will be something well received by everyone. I am a review whore so I will only post if I get some reviews. I know a lot of you out there like to favorite or follow but leave no reviews (I'm guilty of that myself from time to time) but I need to know what you guys think. I promise to give shout outs in each chapter in exchange fair enough? Ok guys without further ado…enjoy.

Disclaimer- I sadly do not own Naruto or profit from this story. Sesuka is my OC though.

Hinata POV

"I've given you time to improve, but all you've done is disappoint me further. You are so weak it disgusts me. It is my decision that from this day forward Hanabi will be my successor and you are hereby exiled from the Hyuuga clan. A special seal will be placed upon your forehead to prevent outsiders from obtaining the secrets of the byakugan. You are to report to the Hyuuga temple to receive the seal. Once that is done, you are to pack your things and leave at once."

I lost whatever confidence I had left at this moment. I can see the smug expressions on my grandfather's and sister's faces. My heart is crumbling to pieces. If I could somehow find my voice, I would beg for my father to reconsider but I am stunned silent. All those months I have spent training with Neji was for nothing. All I can do is bow and leave. As I walk to the temple, I can hear everyone practically cheering at my exile. If I thought I knew pain and anguish before, there are no words to describe my feelings now. The seal is painful but it's numb compared to my feelings on the inside. I know that I'm packing to leave but everything feels like slow motion. As I make my way past the gate I feel the tears flowing but I'm not sobbing. My heart is broken. As I walk through the village looking at the civilians I feel as though they are mocking me and my situation with their obliviousness and happiness. Can't they see I'm suffering? Do they care? Of course not. Oh my gosh! I just realized I have nowhere to go. I don't want to burden anyone with my pathetic existence more than I already have. The only place I know of that I would be welcome is with my best friend Sesuka. She won't ask too many questions. I just hope I don't get in her way or anything. I know she moved in with her boyfriend Shikamaru. I just hope she doesn't read my mind with her psychic powers or anything. She and I are a lot alike. She is shy and quiet just like me. She doesn't stutter like I used to do. When I and she get together, we have a lot of fun. I can see her and Shikamaru's home in the distance. Even now I can't help but to think about my clan. My father has hated me for as long as I can remember. I cannot recall him ever saying he was proud of me or that he even loved me. He only showers those words upon Hanabi, his golden child. My whole clan has never seen me as a leader or as an equal for that matter. I have only been seen as inferior. Is that all I am? Am I just an inconvenient, weak person? Perhaps my father was right…I am worthless. I'm not sure when I got to the front door or knocked on it. Sesuka opens the door.

"Hinata? What are you…"

I see her look down at my bags. I can't hold back anymore. I break down.

Sesuka POV

Somehow, I don't need to read her mind or ask her anything to know what has happened. Curse the Hyuuga clan! The nerve of Hiashi Hyuuga. If he were in front of me right now, I would rip his mind apart. I take Hinata into my home. I can only watch as she sobs uncontrollably on my living room couch. I simply gather her things and place them in the spare bedroom down the hall. As much as I want to comfort Hinata I know I cannot. I want to tell her that everything will be alright but I try not to make a habit of lying. Exile is the worst thing that could happen to someone in a clan. Her father has brought shame and disgrace upon her by doing this. It is not something that will just Passover…no, it is a brand she must wear for the rest of her life. My heart is bleeding for her. Out of all the people in the world, she is the last person who deserves this to happen. Fate has been very cruel this day. I'm glad Shikamaru isn't here. It would be a pain to have to explain this to him though I know I will have to in three days. I go to the kitchen to make some much needed tea as she continues to cry. After a few minutes of rummaging around I notice she has calmed down. I look up and I finally get a good look at that ugly red seal on her forehead. Such a thing contradicts her ivory skin. Her eyes look empty and lifeless. I can almost feel her spirit crumbling. I fear the worst for my best friend. I can only hope to console her enough to at least get her on the path to healing. I try talking to her. It's the only way I can get her to express how she feels.

"Hinata…"

She jumps a little as if I pulled her from her innermost thoughts. I am certain for her sake, that's a good thing.

"Hinata…I am not going to sit here and pretend that I know what you are going through because I don't. I know that you want to throw in the towel and I can hardly blame you for feeling that way, but you must not give up –"

"How? I've lost everything I'd ever hoped for! I just wanted to unite my clan. I told Neji that I would ban the cursed seal. I told him that the branch house would be free…I let him down." Hinata cried.

I let a sigh escape my lips. Just what was I supposed to say to that? Hinata always relies on me for my honesty. I can only say what comes to my mind.

"Hinata, your father and those before him run the clan through fear and control. You have made it no secret as to your plans once you were to take over. They feared your change because they would lose the power that they hold dear. As a result, your father used your flaws to make you look weak in front of the clan. It made them doubt your ability to lead. The branch house rejected the one person who could have saved them because they are used to being considered inferior and correlated control with strength. The main house isn't ready to accept branch members as equals."

I can see her thinking about what I just said. I know most of the in's and out's of the Hyuuga clan not only because Hinata and I have been friends since we were little, but me and Neji also used to be an item. Ok…I cannot allow myself to stray from my purpose. Ah yes, she finally says something.

"Sesuka, how could they see me as weak for wanting to free them?"

"Simple…you are talking about dissolving centuries of tradition. People tend to reject drastic changes like that because they fear it."

"But my purpose was to free my clan. If I can't do that, my purpose is defeated." She cried. I sigh once again.

"Hinata, sometimes it doesn't take you going through with your plans to succeed in them." Ok…she looks confused, so I elaborate as best I can.

"While you cannot bring your plan to fruition due to your exile, the seed has been planted. I know that doesn't sound like much but so little can go a long way. For now, take this time to focus on yourself. You are a wonderful person. There are many others who would appreciate your helping hand. You are going through a hard time right now and while I'm not saying it's going to be easy, just know I'm here and we will get through this together."

I look up in time to see her smile. Hopefully things will get better from here. I go to the kitchen to put our tea cups away.

"We should get some sleep. Our friends will be here in the morning."

"Oh? How do you know that?" She asked amused.

"By then they will know what has happened and will come storming to my house like a herd of cattle. Man…what a drag." Damn! I couldn't stop myself fast enough. Hinata chuckled.

"It seems Shikamaru is rubbing off on you more and more."

I can feel my cheeks heat up when she said. Indeed my boyfriend of two years has rubbed off on me. He is in the land of corn and will be back in a few days. Oh I hope he will be able to help me. Listen to me…I haven't even told him the situation and I'm already depending on his help.

Hinata POV

I turn in for the night. I feel so out of place in this bed even though this is my best friend's home. The moonlight shines into my room. I know what Sesuka said about moving on is true, but I can't help but to feel cheated and robbed. Everything I trained for and worked towards is gone in a flash. I'm not even 18 yet. It's like my legs were cut out from under me. How do I move on? Where do I begin? All these questions consume my thoughts as I turn in for the night.

Ok folks that is chapter one. I know I should have did this earlier but here are the pairings I have so far: Hinata/Itachi, Shikamaru/OC (Sesuka), past Neji/OC, and Sasuke/Naruto. The Uchiha massacre did not happen in this story. If you don't like yaoi I'm sorry because it is in this story but it's not the center of the story. I'm sorry Shikamaru/Temari fans but I simply do not like that pairing so it won't be in ANY story I happen to write. Please review and tell me what you think.