The pitter patter of her dainty feet echoed through the darkened hallways as she made her way to the temple behind the Hyuuga Compound. Walking in a fast pace she neared the steps of the temple. Her long, deep indigo hair caught the rays of the rising sun and she bent down, paying her respects to the ancestors before entering the temple.
"Hinata-sama…" Neji looked at Hinata from the top of the steps reproachfully.
"Gomen Neji-niisan…I woke up late," Hinata's hands intertwined nervously as she climbed the stairs to meet Neji.
"Hn..the ceremony has nearly begun. Take your place, your father is not pleased."
Hinata Hyuuga made her way to the front of the temple and took her place behind her father. With a curt nod to the monk, Hiashi Hyuuga, her father, indicated for the ceremony to begin.
Neji Hyuuga watched his cousin with distaste. She was all of nineteen years old and yet had the prowess of a kitten. How could such a scared being be the next leader of the clan? She lacked courage, motivation, and most importantly pride. Hyuuga pride was known across the villages, yet here was the soon-to-be next liege cowering in fear.
Hinata felt someone's eyes boring into her back, turning around slowly her eyes quickly darted to meet the offending gaze. Soft pale lavender eyes met cold pale lavender eyes. Hinata looked at her cousin in bewilderment and offered a small smile before returning her attention to the ceremony.
Neji's grimace softened to a sigh as his anger at his cousin dissipated. Hinata was Hinata. Yes she was dainty and fragile but she also had a kind soul, it took him all of eight years to realize that. Her gentle, caring nature was only enhanced by her polite demeanor – it had taken a while but she had penetrated his barriers. Looking back at the monk as he chanted hymns, Neji made a vow to help Hinata find her courage and pride.
"Teme!" The usually jovial blonde marched menacingly towards the dark haired shinobi.
"What dobe?" Sasuke Uchiha glanced at the approaching blonde while he continued throwing shurikens at the bull's eye.
"Where were you?! You were supposed to meet me at Ichariku's at noon! YOU owed me lunch!" Naruto Uzumaki was raging. Sasuke promised he would buy him ramen if Naruto agreed to stop pestering him for a WHOLE day.
"Gama-chan suffered because of you- look how little he's gotten!" Naruto stroked his green frog wallet affectionately as he spared fleeting glares at Sasuke. Naruto had waited for a half hour for Sasuke to turn up and had gotten bored. He had eaten seven bowls of miso and pork soup by then. After another hour of waiting, Ayame's old man made him pay up, by then he had eaten twelve bowls of ramen.
"Hn." Sasuke ignored Naruto as he picked up his katana and made his way to the center of the training field. Sasuke began doing his warmup katana exercises, as an exasperated Naruto looked on.
"WHAT!! Is that all you have to say! Get ready teme, my fist is about to beat you shitless until all you can say is "Hn"."
Naruto charged at Sasuke and threw three kunais with fire explosives attached at Sasuke.
"Kage no bunshin!"
"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu"
A battle between the two shinobi ensued.