Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto!

I don't own it

Chapter 2

Hinata's nails were digging into his palms, but that distraction made his mind forget the agonizing torment that his head was going through…even if just for a moment. He wouldn't cry out or scream; he would just bite his tongue and bear it. He wanted to show his father he could be brave like him as well. This child's resolve never came undone. He didn't make a noise, and he didn't cry but his mouth was dripping red, and all Hinata could taste was his own salty blood. When the bandages were placed on his forehead, he held his head up high and his gaze never wavered…this would be one of the first moments that Hinata would show absolute courage and resolve in a goal.

"Hinata are you all right?" His mother came out of the kitchen and held her child carefully as if he would break…Hinata was sweating heavily and only managed to nod and hug his mother in return. Her stomach was getting bigger, and Hinata couldn't wait for his younger sibling…if anything he knows he saved that child from a life of suffering and servitude. His mother walked him to his room and tucked him in, "Hinata, I know this is hard...and it's not going to get easier. But I want you to understand that you have a role in this world just as important as those in the main house, just as important as Neji's. I can't tell you what it is, but it's there and along with that role you will also have an important job."

"What's that mama?" Hinata was drifting off and was trying hard to listen to his mother's words. "You will protect your cousin Neji, just because you were born as a girl doesn't mean that you can't protect him. It is a tradition in the branch family to protect those of the main house, and you will protect the heir my darling. You will get stronger, and I'm sure you will be able to hold onto these traditions, even if they seem unfair." His mother smiled at him and kissed his forehead, which now bore the mark of the caged bird, and let her son sleep.

"Don't ever forget this, my dear child." His mother patted her stomach and walked back to the living room, while her son dreamed.


Neji was enjoying his birthday entirely…he had a special birthday cake made by his favorite caretaker, had his special training session with his father, and Kumogakure agreed to be at peace with Konoha. Learning that he had a cousin so close to his age made it all the better. He could already picture them sparring together while getting stronger, working together while training to become ninja. Neji soon fell asleep dreaming of the adventures he and his cousin would face together, of the friendship they would form.


"Do you have him?" A ninja appeared from the shadows and answered, "Yes, it was almost too easy…I'll meet you back at the rendezvous point." They split up and the one in charge, the head ninja from Kumogakure, kept lurking in the shadows making sure he wasn't seen from anyone in the Hyuga clan. He had snuck into the Hyuga household, and whiles everyone dreamt unawares, he had stolen off with heir of the main house. Damn this kid is heavy! But it'll be worth once we get the secrets of the Byakugan…too bad for the kid though hehe. Before he got through the gate though, he was hit. Hizashi was waiting for him and had successfully taken him down. Hizashi grabbed Neji before he had fallen and stared at the masked ninja…to think, they only signed that treaty to take my son behind the scenes. The ninja's headband could be seen after he had fallen, clearly showing Hizashi who was behind the kidnapping.


When the ninja's of Kumogakure found out about one of their own dying by the hands of the Hyuga, they demanded blood: an eye for an eye, the life of the one who killed their own, and if this desire wasn't quenched there would be war. Hizashi was more than ready to sacrifice himself for the well being of Konoha, but his father, a Hyuga elder, stopped him.

"This is the reason we have branch members. You and Hiashi are identical twins; he can take your place."

"Father! How can you even suggest this? He has a small child and a pregnant wife! What about them?"

"You have to understand Hizashi! They refuse to accept that they had any knowledge in the kidnapping attempt yet they ask for recompense…it's obvious that they are after the secrets of the byakugan and if your brother takes your place they will never have it, and their need for vengeance will disappear."

"But father, you have to be reason—" Hizashi's breathing was cut off suddenly…he had been hit in the stomach by his brother.

"Brother!" Hiashi had been listening in the background and he felt it was time to voice his opinions. "This was my choice to make…my first decision for me…and it is also my duty as a branch member to protect the main house, my brother." Hiashi knelt next to his brother who was now lying on the floor, losing consciousness. "Please tell Hinata this choice wasn't made simply because I'm a branch member protecting the main family, but because I want to be able to choose my destiny, to protect my family and my home. I choose this...and please, take care of my wife and children." Hizashi reached for his brother trying to stop him, but he blacked out and when he came to, it was far too late.


Hinata couldn't understand what had happened. A few days ago his father was there with him, with his mother but now he's in the ground and Hinata had never felt so sad. He couldn't stop crying, couldn't stop feeling lost without his dad. He looked over at his mother; she looked so tired, her eyes hollow, and her face deathly pale. Hinata lost his father; he wouldn't lose his mother too. "Mom," Hinata pulled on her arm, she looked down but seemed dazed. "I'm still here, so please don't be sad. I'll take care of you." He smiled. Through his tear-streaked face and puffy eyes he still had the courage to say this, and his mother broke down. She held him to her…her only support to keep her sanity. Her strong, young, soon-to-be three year old son. Hinata patted his mother's back and when they got back home, he lay down next to her in bed, needing to feel the presence of someone close to his heart after losing another so quickly in his life. He cried silently to sleep, dreaming of nothing throughout the night.


Neji also couldn't understand what had happened. He had seen his cousin crying and felt bad for not being able to comfort him. Hinata's face was red and puffy and when they left he was sticking close to his mother. Neji looked at the tombstone and felt sorry for Hinata and his mother. Felt sorry that nothing could be done. When he went home he crept into his father's bed. His father didn't scold him for he too was feeling the loss of his brother and let Neji settle next to him, for he too needed the comfort of those close to his heart, knowing how close he was to his brother's fate.

Eleven Years Later

"The next opponents are…Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga!" The Chunin exams had started and all the Genin were facing each other to advance to the next level. Naruto Uzumaki, from team 7, had just defeated Kiba Inuzuka, from team 8. The former children who now made up the rookie nine had grown. When these children came of age, they joined the Ninja Academy. Sasuke Uchiha, the heartthrob of the academy, Naruto Uzumaki, the prankster with the big dreams, Sakura Haruno, pink-haired beauty. These three made up team 7. Shino Aburame, the bug expert, Kiba Inuzuka, wild and lovable just like his companion Akamaru, Hinata Hyuga, quiet and shy, but trains hard to overcome his weakness. They make up team 8. Shikamaru Naru, a lazy genius, Choji Akimichi, chubby food-lover, Ino Yamanaka, blonde-haired beauty. These kids made up team 10. Then there was Team Guy, who waited a year before entering the Chunin exam, and their members were Tenten, weapons expert, Rock Lee, taijutsu expert, and finally Neji Hyuga, the prodigy. Each grew and had to prove their worth, and the time has come for them to do so.

"I never thought I would have to face you." Neji had grown into a serious, young man, his hair now reached his back, and his eyes were hard, but not cold. He had grown even stronger during the years, and his reputation as a genius hasn't faded. He was still the star pupil in the Hyuga household.

"Nor I, brother." Hinata had also grown but his hair hasn't. It was still in the short hime-style that he had as a child, and he wasn't as tall as the other boys. But his eyes had a daze to them, as if keeping his distance from everyone. He wasn't cute anymore though: he was beautiful. Even with his withdrawn personality, all the boys (Neji included) and some girls could see his beauty. For Hinata this was a curse. Being bullied because of the way he looked; constantly being compared to his cousin; being called a failure and being looked down upon further because he was from a branch family, only made it harder for him, for his secret. As Hinata grew, his body also started changing, and the need to wear bandages and baggy sweaters became a necessity. He wouldn't leave his mother and sister alone, he wouldn't die because of the sex he was born into, it would be unfair to them and to him. He wasn't allowed to train with Neji, so all the abilities he learned were from observation…but he would prove his worth today.

"Those two are brothers?" Naruto's voice could be heard in the tense atmosphere, but Kakashi, his sensei explained it to him. "Actually Hinata is from a branch family while Neji is from the main house…kind of like how a branch is connected to a tree trunk, so they're more like cousins."

"You may begin!" Neji and Hinata just stared at each other. Neji taking pity because he knew Hinata could never win, while Hinata was prepared to fight with all he had to show Neji he wasn't weak.

"You should forfeit now…I don't want to fight someone who doesn't have a chance." Hinata froze on the spot. He looked at Neji, yet couldn't meet his eyes. He felt useless at the moment, How could one sentence make me feel so pathetic? "You know what the outcome will be; you can already picture yourself losing…the way your crossing your arms right now is your useless attempt to put distance between us," Hinata uncrossed his arms just as quickly as Neji noticed. "And how you're avoiding eye-contact shows that you are picturing all the possibilities of how you're going to lose, and you can't change that. Forfeit now Hinata, I don't want to hurt you." Hinata started to panic. Besides the fact that Neji was already a chunin, he was also the Hyuga heir…What hope do I have against him?

"Who are you to say if he can or can't change?" Neji and Hinata were thrown out of their little world. Naruto, having heard enough, decided to defend Hinata, who he considered a friend. "Hinata are you just goonna take that? Show him he's wrong!" Neji was shocked by Naruto's outburst that he didn't notice Hinata's change in stance. Thank you, Naruto.

"Prepare yourself, my brother." Neji couldn't believe the change in him, how much his confidence grew from a few words. "I won't be held responsible for my actions, Hinata." Neji took his stance…and attacked.

(A/N) honestly about neji already being a chunin...i wasn't really sure, all i know is that their sensei made them wait a year, but they were to the level of chunin i think...not sure sorry if that caused any confusion ^^)