Once, in the age before the great ninja villages, there existed a clan by the name of Hyuga. Their power was once so great that the mighty Uchiha and Senju clans marveled at their strength. Legends arose of their immense power and none dared try to oppose them.
However, in the shadows, a conflict among the Hyuga arose, tearing the clan apart from within.
One faction of the clan, those who possessed the great Byakugan dojutsu, continually attempted to segregate the others, the ones who specialized in water techniques. The water faction continually opposed the restrictions the Byakugan imposed upon them. No longer did they want to stand being treated like trash, always being thrown aside when they were deemed unworthy to be Hyuga, always being forced to give their lives to protect the Byakugan lineage when they too shared their blood.
Peaceful compromises soon proved unable to halt the mistreatment of the water faction, every attempt simply laughed at and pushed aside, deemed as useless as the lives of those who fought to protect their brothers and sisters. Soon the water faction decided that force was the only way to prevent more suffering of further generations and a battle began.
The conflict stole several lives of both factions. Years passed and both factions soon agreed to halt the needless fighting in order to prevent it from consuming more lives and causing much more suffering. An agreement was reached to live in harmony while remaining separate entities, hopefully preventing another tragedy from reoccurring ever again. Demonstrating their separation, the water faction took the name of Mizuno and became their own clan, no longer showing reliance on those of the Byakugan, who held strongly onto the title of Hyuga as the years passed onward.
Several years passed and the name Mizuno became an unfamiliar one to all ninja. Soon even the conflict between the two clans was referred to as a legend. However, the Hyuga remained a prominent people as years passed. Several knew of their name and abilities of their kekkei genkai. Though it was impossible for the Hyuga to attain the status they once had alongside the Uchiha and Senju clans again.
The Mizuno split off into several, smaller groups, each settling in several areas across the lands while a larger group chose to reside in the newly founded village of Konohagakure along with the Hyuga clan, their ever-present distrust leading them to continually keep watch over them.
While not considered a powerful people, the Mizuno still manages to bring forth several accomplished ninja, all male. However, one kunoichi defies this pattern and seeks to forever change her clan.
This is her story.
Once she awoke, the first thing she noticed was that someone was shaking her.
"Amaya? Amaya, wake up."
Lifting her head up, Amaya's teal eyes squinted against the light. Rubbing her eyes, her gaze soon landed on the girl sitting next to her.
"What's going on Hinata?" Amaya drawled sleepily as she sat up and stretched her arms behind her.
Hinata gestured towards the front of the classroom, where Naruto sat on the floor tied up while Iruka-sensei lectured him… again.
Amaya sighed and shook her head, what could Naruto have gotten himself into this time? Didn't he know that the graduation exam was tomorrow? Even Amaya wasn't dumb enough to skip class at a time like this.
"I'm at the end of my rope Naruto. You failed the graduation last time and the time before that. Tomorrow you've got another chance and you're messing up again!" Iruka scolded at the blonde boy.
Naruto turned his head away with an hmpf, not considering responding to the lectures he was so used to receiving.
Iruka smirked and pointed towards the class. "Fine! Because you missed it Naruto, everyone will review the transformation jutsu!"
The entire class responded with a groan. Amaya sighed as she practically dragged herself out of her seat and followed Hinata to the front of the room. That idiot, they always had to pay for his mistakes. Shoving her hands into the pockets of her knee-length black shorts, she leaned against one of the desks in the front row.
In all honesty she did not hate the blonde, actually she considered him a cool guy most of the time. Though he did have the tendency to get on her nerves at points, it never stopped her from treating him to the occasional bowl of ramen or even skipping class together. Amaya knew that the kid didn't have many friends, if any at all, and she hated seeing how the other students treated him as if he had the plague. After all, everyone needed to have some friends.
Looking up, Amaya saw that she was standing in between Kiba and Hinata. Kiba glanced over and smiled, a gesture that she quickly returned. He was one of Amaya's closest friends since the early days at the academy, though she was constantly berated by the other girls for such. The black-haired girl never gave their looks a second thought; it wasn't her fault she would rather train than talk about boys. Rather she found it hilarious that these very girls thought that they could be ninja.
Once all the students were situated at the front of the room, Iruka called them up one by one. The first one was Sakura Haruno, a girl with pink hair and light green eyes.
"Alright, let's do it. Transform!"
The pink-haired girl's appearance then changed to that of Iruka's.
Iruka nodded before making a quick note, "Good."
Dispelling the jutsu, Sakura bounced up and down with glee, "Yes! I did it!" She then quickly turned to another student. "Sasuke did you see that?!"
"Next: Sasuke Uchiha."
Rolling her eyes, Amaya glanced at the other girls in her class. Besides Hinata and herself, all the girls were practically staring at the dark-haired boy. Truth be told, she was unable to see what they all saw in that kid. It seemed as if all of them were enamored with him just because everyone else was. He was nothing special. Once he performed the technique, Iruka had Naruto go next.
"This is a total waste of time Naruto," Shikamaru complained.
"We always pay for your screw-ups," Ino interjected.
Naruto shrugged their comments off, "Like I care."
The blonde then walked forward and brought his hands together in the necessary sign, but instead of transforming into Iruka-sensei his appearance changed to that of a nude woman. Amaya smirked before letting out a low whistle, which caused the other students to look over at her. Kiba raised his eyebrows at her shortly before shaking his head and smiling.
Naruto chuckled, "Gotcha! That's my sexy jutsu!"
Unfortunately though, Iruka did not find that little stunt as amusing at Naruto did. The chunin-instructor proceeded to yell at the boy for several minutes about how he should not use degrading jutsu such as that. While listening to the lecture Amaya closed her eyes and leaned back against the desk behind her again. Part of her wondered when he would learn and grow up a little for once, of course then he really wouldn't be the Naruto she knew.
Once Iruka-sensei finished his review with the rest of the students, class was dismissed for the day. All the students were reminded once more to prepare for the exam the next day as they rushed out the door in their pursuit of returning home to their families.
Picking up the rear of the mass of students, Amaya stole a glance behind her. Seeing that Naruto was told to stay after class for the mischief he caused earlier that day. Shaking her head slightly, the girl walked down the hallway and exited the building. The warm sunlight caused her to squint briefly as her teal eyes adjusted to the sudden change. She could hear the cries of the younger students as they were let out of class as well. Among those gleeful screams another voice reached her, making her turn to her right and smile.
"Onee-chan!"
Amaya waved as her little sister ran up towards her, wrapping her arms around Amaya's waist. Following right behind the girl, Kiba waved as Akamaru yipped. Soon her little sister's grip loosened as she took a small step backward, still smiling up at her older sister. At the tender age of eight, Kaori was five years Amaya's junior. Her pale face was framed with locks of lavender hair that reached a couple inches past her shoulder blades, practically shinning in the sunlight. Her large, white eyes lit up with delight as Akamaru approached her while yipping happily. Oddly enough, Kaori inherited the Byakugan. Amaya had heard of legends of how the dojutsu managed to surface periodically within the Mizuno clan, though it still seemed surreal to see it with her own eyes.
While Kaori busied herself with petting Akamaru, Kiba glanced over at her and smiled.
"Excited fer the exam tomorrow?"
Amaya nodded in response, "You bet I am." Looking down, she chuckled while watching Akamaru lick Kaori's hand, who watched the small ninken with fascination. Her teal eyes then rested once more on Kiba, who also smiled at the young girl. "Hopefully you pass," she smirked, "Don't wanna leave you behind."
"Hey now," Kiba said while crossing his arms. "Don't be tellin' lies." He gestured towards Kaori, "Can't make me look bad in front of the kid."
"Excuse me? I'm the one that's supposed ta look good. She is my sister." Amaya retorted while mimicking Kiba's present stance, a glint of amusement in her eyes.
Kiba chuckled and shook his head as Akamaru walked over towards him. "Sure, just make sure you pass tomorrow. What do you think your girlfriend would say if you failed?"
Amaya widened her eyes, "You know I was kidding!" She disputed as she shuddered slightly, "Like I would ever." The girl cringed again.
"Sure you wouldn't," Kiba replied as Akamaru yipped at his feet.
Kaori then looked up and walked over to her sister. "Onee-chan, do you have time to help me train today?"
The elder Mizuno ruffled her sister's hair, "Of course." She smiled warmly at her as the young girl grabbed her hand. "Well we should head on home."
"Yeah…" Kiba replied before patting the top of Kaori's head. He looked up at Amaya, "See ya tomorrow."
Amaya smiled back, "Yeah, see ya."
Once they reached their home, Kaori quickly ran inside.
"Oba-san! We're home!" she called out while taking off her shoes and dropping them at the entrance.
Following her sister, Amaya also removed her sandals and walked towards the small kitchen, where their aunt Suzuki was busy preparing dinner and from what Amaya could smell it seemed to be the beginnings of ramen, Kaori's favorite food. The kunoichi turned to face them, her deep blue eyes shining.
"Hello, how was everyone's day?" she asked while Kaori sat down at the nearby table.
"Good," Kaori replied with a smile. "We worked on how to use cloaks today."
"Oh really?" she asked as she started to begin a pot of green tea for the three of them. Once she began to heat the water, she removed a silver clip from her hair, releasing her flowing purple waves from the clip and allowing them to softly frame her round face.
Kaori nodded, "Yeah, you gotta remember what way the cloak goes or it won't work." She said before smiling and chuckling to herself.
Amaya tilted her head to the side and smiled. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Kaori shook her head, still smiling as she looked up at her sister. "It's just that this kid in my class can't figure it out." She chuckled again. "Everyone can see him."
Amaya smiled back at her sister, fondly remembering some similar incidents occurring within her class. "Dare I ask who it is?"
Suzuki placed two cups of steaming tea before both girls before sitting down, her own cup of tea sitting before her. "Well whoever it is, I am sure he is trying very hard." She sipped the hot liquid, "Just give him time, I am certain that he will figure it out eventually."
"Yes Oba-san, I know," Kaori replied with a small nod. "I heard that he has a jonin sensei that helps him after class. He always talks about how he's going to be Hokage someday."
Amaya blew on her tea before taking a sip. "Oh really? Wonder how his parents can afford that… must come from a noble clan or somethin'," she reasoned.
Kaori shook her head, "He's the Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru."
"Huh, that makes sense." Amaya replied. She shrugged before nudging her sister's arm. "Still want that help?"
Large white eyes looked up eagerly as Kaori nodded, "Uh-huh!" she replied before sliding off her chair. "Lemme get my cloaks!"
Sitting on their back porch, Amaya's teal eyes gazed up at the stars, grateful to see that the moon had finally decided to emerge tonight. She knew without a doubt that she would need the sleep tonight. There was no way she would allow her brother to best her when she had so much to prove…
The door behind her slid open, "Not hungry?"
Looking back briefly, Amaya shook her head before returning her gaze to the stars, still seeing Suzuki sit down beside her from the corner of her eye. The medical ninja placed a warm hand on her shoulder, hands that probably saved the lives of so many ninja. Her services were normally in high demand with the higher-rank missions the ninja had to undergo and very few were available due to the hard training, only certain ninja had what it took to become part of the medical-corp. This was one of the few times she was home for more than two days.
"You need to eat something Mei-chan. You have a big test tomorrow remember?"
Amaya shrugged, "I'm fine…"
"Alright then," Suzuki said in response, not making any indication of planning to return inside. Her gaze turned towards the stars as silence loomed between the two of them.
Suzuki was not blind, she knew her niece all too well. She was once again pondering the strict regulations of her clan, the same regulations that forced her at the tender age of eight to flee her home in the dead of night, clutching her sister's hand as if life depended on that very grip.
That night was forever ingrained upon Suzuki's memory. How Amaya feverishly pounded upon her door, gasping for air. The way her whole body seemed to shake and tremble after she rushed into her arms, clutching onto her as tight as she possibly could, as if she were afraid of what would happen if she let go. She could still recall the tears welling in her eyes and threatening to spill over down her cheeks, but she knew Amaya was preventing them from escaping for Kaori's sake. She did not want to frighten the child more than she already was that night. After all, that was just the way Amaya was, always protecting her younger sister from the cruelties of life. The medical ninja believed if it were not for her sister, Amaya might still be residing within the Mizuno compound.
How often did Suzuki wish she realized what was happening sooner! Perhaps she could have done something to help those poor children and spare them from what they were forced to endure. To think grown men would treat a little girl in such a manner for something she was unable to control! It still angered the kunoichi to think of it. Yet it also made her question the actions of her older sister, Kiyomi. She was their mother, was it possible she was also blind to what was occurring? Suzuki would hate to think that she knew but chose to do nothing, that was not who her sister was. Kiyomi would do anything for her family… for her village.
Upon hearing a yawn, Suzuki turned to face Amaya, who was rubbing at her closed eyes. The purple-haired kunoichi smiled as she rubbed her niece's back as she gently urged her to stand up before sleep consumed her.
"Come on, let's get you to bed."
Amaya nodded, rubbing at her eyes again. "Mhm, okay…" she leaned forward slightly before starting to stand up, stifling another yawn as she turned towards the door behind her. Sliding the door open, she turned to face Suzuki and offered her a small smile. "G'nite."
"Good night, Amaya. I know you will do well on your exam tomorrow."
"Thanks Oba-chan, I hope so."