Author's note: So to begin, I know how in the anime when Hinata was demoted from the heiress she was taken in by Kurenai. I never felt that was realistic. Even the most competent person can't support two people on a Jonin and Genin salary. Huh, listen to me, speaking Naruto terms. And like I said in the last chapter, it never looks good if a teacher adopts a student. Especially to a council of old farts.

BOTL

Hinata followed Hiroshi and Choza very closely, carrying a simple pack along with Choza, Hiroshi and Hanabi while a number of branch members of the Hyuuga clan follow closely. Choza comments, "I'm surprised Hiashi is allowing them to help."

Hiroshi explains, "I'm his right hand man, meaning that they listen to him first and me second."

Choza thinks aloud, "Wait, so he has an individualistic man who has every reason to lead an uprising against him as his grudging right hand?"

Hiroshi states, "Every ruler has a hungry right hand. He just keeps me because he knows I won't lead any kind of uprising. If he got rid of me, he'd have somebody like Neji."

On the other side of the village, Choza stops in his tracks, and proudly states, "Here we are. The Akimichi Compound."

The compound is a humble place, and is extensive, although not quite like the Hyuuga home. Choza explains, "Here, the Akimichi clan produces the fruits and vegetables of Konoha for decades and decades to come. Here restaurants get top quality ingredients, here the Aburame clan gets supplies needed to cultivate colonies, here the Inuzuka get supplies to feed their dogs, here the Nara clan gets feed for the wildlife of the forests, here the Yamanaka clan gets the seeds to create the flora of the village. And it might be a little hard to believe, but the clan is big enough to staff restaurants and farms with much needed help."

Choji steps out the main gate, calling to the inside, "Mom! I'm heading out!"

He turns to see his father and several Hyuuga clansmen standing in front of him. He smiles, "Hey, dad! Why're the Hyuuga here? Is there a clan meeting I need to attend?"

Choza assures, "No, son. There is no clan meeting, so you're free to go with Ino and Shikamaru to get some Yakiniku (A/N: Basically Japanese Barbecue)."

Choji nods, "Oh, thanks dad. But...Why's everyone carrying luggage?"

Choza explains, "You know Hinata, correct? Well...Her father disowned her very recently, and the Hokage has allowed me to adopt the girl. She's now you're little sister, son."

Choji just blurts out, "Woah. Well...Mom's gonna love her."

He heads off, Choza states, "You'll like him, Hinata. He's a lot like you, actually. He may not show it often, but he lacks confidence due to our clans...Weight issue. At times it hinders him. But I have faith that he and you will be like caterpillars becoming butterflies."

Hinata starts to cry a little, "F-Forgive me...It's just...N-Nice to hear that from a father."

Hiroshi thinks to himself, 'Hiashi, have you ever shown affection to your daughters?'

Choza states, "Well, time to meet the family."

Choza enters the main gate, and calls out, "AKIMICHI CLAN! I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT! WE'RE GETTING A NEW MEMBER IN THE FAMILY TODAY!"

Many chubby men, women, and children come out into the square. They all look at him and the Hyuuga in confusion. Choza explains, "Clan Akimichi, meet Hinata. Earlier today, I agreed to adopt her into the family. I'll go into greater detail at a later time. In the meantime: Mingle!"

Many of them immediately swarm Hinata, each one of them speaking very inconsistently. Hioshi sweats, "Well, Hinata must be having trouble being the center of attention."

"She'll get used to it."

Hiroshi turns to his right and sees a full-bodied woman in a purple blouse with well trimmed hair and yellow markings around her eyes like eye shadow, standing beside him with a motherly smile. Hiroshi nods his head, "Ah, Mrs. Akimichi. Good to see you again. I haven't seen you since the spring festival last year."

Mrs. Akimichi asks, "May I ask why the heir of the Hyuuga clan has suddenly been adopted into the Akimichi clan?"

Hiroshi blurts out, "Hiashi disowned her for talking to Naruto Uzumaki. After making her little sister knock her out."

Mrs. Akimichi looks down, "How horrible. This wouldn't have happened if Hana was still alive."

Hiroshi nods, "I agree. But if that happened then Hanabi wouldn't be here, aiding Hinata in moving in. If Hana didn't have Hanabi, she would've had her health much longer than she did after having her. I actually tried to stop her from keeping her when she told me she was pregnant. I warned how she wasn't healthy enough to have another child after Hinata. But she wanted to hold Hanabi, even if she would be the last person she held. Forgive me for getting nostalgic."

Mrs. Akimichi waves, "It is perfectly fine, Hiroshi. She was your sister, and she was Hiashi's light in a dark world."

Mrs. Akimichi steps in on a group of women gushing over Hinata, stating, "Alright, ladies, leave my new little angel alone and let her get acquainted with her new room real quickly. In the meantime, why don't you gush over tall, dark, and handsome Hiroshi over there."

The women follow the matriarchs words and practically pounce on Hiroshi. He drools, "I'm happy to be gushed over, ladies…"

Then he registers that these women that weigh slightly more than him are dogpiling him, and states, "...Just wish I could breath just a little longer…"

Mrs. Akimichi calls out, "Akimichi Clan! It's time to COOK!"

BOTL

Hinata liked her new room, it was spacious, not quite like her old room, and it seemed more modern, with a western bed, a desk, and a closet. Hanabi whistles, "You scored the jackpot, sis. I'm still trying to convince the elders to update our bedrooms like this. And a personal bathroom, too."

Hanabi starts to leave, "I'll get uncle Hiroshi out of his lovely marshmallow hell to help set up your room."

"Hanabi."

Hanabi turns to Hinata, who is looking out the window, "D-Do you think I should go through with it? T-The blood seals?"

Hanabi states, "You want my honest opinion? I think you should. I mean, I know you're gonna get big boned like those women out there, but at least you'd still be learning how to fight. You can't learn the Hyuuga stance since you're now an Akimichi, father would permanently close chakra off to anyone that does that. I love you, big sis, but not enough to lose chakra. Besides, you can hope that some guys out there will like big girls, hopefully not like Uncle Hiroshi."

Hinata asks, "T-T-To be honest, I'm concerned about...One G-Guy."

Hanabi asks, "Is it that whisker faced boy?"

Hinata gasps, but Hanabi continues, "I see the way you look at him. If I'm being honest, I'm sure father saw it too and was convinced exiling you would save face if gossip went out."

Hinata asks, "W-What do you think N-Naruto will think?"

Hanabi states, "Honestly? The guy will be content with anyone that makes him happy. That's why he makes a fool of himself, so people will like him as a clown. That's why he fawns over people like that Sakura girl, he wants affection."

Hinata admits, "But I want to be sure. So, when teams are being made, I-I-I'll ask him."

BOTL

A few days later after a party so big it could have been a festival, and spending the days mingling with her new family, Hinata is on her way to the academy, to learn whose team she'll be on alongside Choji. She's not wearing the same cream jacket as before, given it brandishes a Hyuga symbol. No, now, she's wearing a cream blouse that hides any and all clan affiliation. As she's walking, she sees a huge blur of two women racing like rockets to the academy. Choji stammers, "What was that!?"

Hinata blubbers, "I-I-I think I-I-I saw Ino and Sakura…"

Choji sweats, "Oh great, they're both racing to see who'll sit next to the elite Uchiha."

Hinata stops walking and asks, "C-Choji? Y-You're friends with N-Naruto...S-So I'm wondering...Does he ever talk about what kind of girl he likes?"

Choji's eyes light up, "Oh-ho, my new baby sister has a crush already? Well, to be honest, he's only ever been gushing after Sakura. I think it's 'cuz of some sort of obsession with being liked by everyone. And I guess that since he doesn't know how to talk to women, that's why he talks to her like he REALLY wants to date her."

They continue walking, with Choji asking, "Are you worried he won't like you if you go fat?"

Hinata asks, "I thought that was a taboo word."

Choji admits, "It can be said in private, and not in an insulting way. But anyway, it can be difficult to find out. Although you're lucky, since you have a choice in the matter. Me, I was born fat, so I can't find any other way."

BOTL

The two make it to the classroom, where Naruto is bragging to Shikamaru about the headband he got for beating a renegade ninja. Meanwhile, every other girl is fighting over who gets to sit next to Sasuke. Choji admits, "I'm envious of Naruto. He's the only other person getting affection that isn't Sasuke Uchiha."

They then watch Naruto start having a staring contest with Sasuke, until Naruto gets bumped into Sasuke...And accidentally kisses him. Everyone's eyes are bugging out of their sockets, with a few laughing their butts off, like Kiba. Choji stammers, "I have nothing against guys liking other guys or girls liking other girls...Least I don't think I do...But now that I've seen that...I'm gonna need to pour some bleach on my brain."

After that, every woman that isn't a former Hyuuga proceeds to beat Naruto within an inch of his life. Hinata thinks, 'If the fact that I'm the only girl that didn't hit him makes him like me, I don't know what will.'

Afterwards, Iruka enters, and gives a congratulatory speech to his former students, while Naruto slumps in his seat covered in bruises, with Sasuke desperately trying to clean his mouth. Iruka concludes by stating, "Now comes the time to assign three genin to a squad lead a jonin sensei. Each squad will have a balance of strength and ability. I will now announce the squads."

BOTL

Iruka continues reading, "Squad 7 will consist of Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha."

While Sakura is cheering, Naruto begins to mope, "I'm doomed."

Hinata is also moping, "I won't be on Naruto's team."

Iruka continues, "Next is Squad 8. It will consist of Hinata H…"

He pauses, reading over it much closer, before continuing, "Um...Squad 8 will consist of...Hinata Akimichi. Kiba Inuzuka. And Shino Aburame."

Everyone just stares in shock at Hinata, who won't stop blustering at so many eyes, it was like being around all those women that is now her family. Thankfully, that was the first five minutes after she became family, so it didn't last long. But this...Feels like eternity. Iruka speaks up, "Alright. Everyone stop staring at the girl like she's the Child of Prophecy. We have to continue."

BOTL

Ino can't stop looking at Hinata, who comments, "Woah, I know dad told me about this the other day. But I thought he was joking."

Shikamaru adds, "I find it to be a drag. No way some stick in the mud like Hiashi would disown her this quickly."

Iruka reads off, "And now, squad 10. Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi."

Ino insists, "We have got to ask Choji for details."

Shikamaru exhales, "Why does gossip have to become a drag with you, Ino?"

Naruto stands up, "Iruka-Sensei, I have two questions: First, why did you read Hinata's last name as Akimichi? And why does a great ninja like me have to be in the same squad as a slug like Sasuke?"

Iruka puts down the note pad, and states, "Well, to answer your first question, Hinata was legally disowned by her father the day all of you became genin. As for the reason why, unless you ask her yourself, it will just be rumors. The patriarch of the Akimichi clan was the first viable volunteer to adopt her, the morning you became a genin, in fact. By common law, she is now an Akimichi, not a Hyuuga. And to answer your second question, Sasuke had the best scores of all the graduates, while you had the worst, Naruto. To create a balanced group, we put the best student with the worst student."

Several of the genin start laughing at Naruto making a fool of himself. Sasuke snorts, "Just don't get in the way, loser."

The two begin a banter between the loudest and quietest. Iruka interrupts, "After lunch, you will each meet your new jounin teachers. This will give you time to socialize and ask questions."

BOTL

Lunch has never been so awkward for Hinata. At school, she would always sit off on her own and mind her own business. But now, while she finds Choji a good relief, and the fact that he is now sitting with Ino and Shikamaru with them, a lot of people won't stop staring at her like she has the plague. Kiba and a boy with a grey jacket and sunglasses approaches. Kiba sits across from them, waving, "Hi guys. You don't mind if we get acquainted with our new team, do you?"

Choji nods, "Not at all, unless you pick on my new sisters family and proficiency in weight?"

Kiba nods, "No worries, Choji."

Kiba, Choji, and Shikamaru begin speaking to each other, almost incoherently, while Shino states, "Nice to formally meet you, Hinata. My condolences for what has happened to you."

Hinata nods, "Thank you, Shino."

Shino asks, "If there's too much on your mind, I don't mind if you don't want to speak."

Hinata bows, "Thank you, again, Shino."

A pink hair girl in a red dress and emerald eyes, Sakura, shows up, "Um, have any of you guys seen Sasuke? I can't find him."

Ino comments, "Lost him already, Forehead?"

Sakura snaps, "At least I've had him longer than you, Ino-Pig."

Hinata stands up, and looks at Sakura in determination, "M-M-May I-I-I ask where N-N-Naruto is? I-I-I have a question I-I-I want to ask."

Speak of the devil, Naruto walks up, "Hey, Sakura! Since we're in the same group, I thought that we could have lunch together. What'dya say?"

Sakura asks, "Why would I eat lunch with someone so annoying?"

Choji stands, "Woah, woah, woah. That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

Sakura turns and is about to speak, when she sees Hinata, looking scarlet red, looking like she might explode. Sakura asks, "Hinata?"

Hinata swallows hard, "N-N-Naruto...Can I ask you something...In private?"

Naruto opens his mouth just a little, before speaking, "Uh, sure, I guess."

They both go inside, with Sakura asking, "What just happened?"

Choji smiles, "That is my new sister. Taking action."

Kiba asks, "Taking action in what?"

Choji doesn't answer, so Shikamaru asks, "You have no idea either, do you?"

Choji exhales, "Yeah, you're right."

BOTL

Inside on of the many classrooms, Naruto finally asks, "Okay. We're more or less out of earshot of every person in the academy, what's up?"

Hinata stammered, "W-Well, when I joined the Akimichi Clan, my new father was curious about me learning their techniques. A-And it requires...W-W-Weight."

Naruto nods, "Okay."

Hinata explains, "A-A-And I just wanted your opinion on that?"

Naruto asks, "What, my opinion on weight? Hm...I dunno, I mean as long as you're healthy, that's fine with me."

Hinata comments, "B-B-But will everyone think differently of me?"

Naruto admits, "I don't think so. No amount of numbers on a scale will make anyone different. Look at Choji, if he were skinny, he'd still be the same. So I don't doubt the same with you. Besides, I saw some women in Choji's family looked kind of adorable. And if anyone says otherwise, saying mean things to you about it, I'll kick their ass."

Hinata smiles very kindly, "T-Thank you, N-Naruto. I needed to hear that."

She then bows and goes back to the cafeteria to join hers and her brothers teams. Both are unaware that the last Uchiha was listening. He swallows his lunch, 'So she has a crush…'

He snorts, "Whatever."

He has no idea Naruto heard him. With a sinister smile on his face.

BOTL

Hinata returns to the table with the others, as bright as a tomato, with a wide smile on her face. Kiba asks, "What was that all about?"

Hinata continues to look like she's in her own world, before stating, "He didn't mind."

Everyone in Squad 8 and 10 looks at her in confusion. Shikamaru states, "I don't know what frightens me more. The fact she didn't stutter or the fact that didn't really answer Kiba's question."

He looks across the balcony and blurts out, "What's Naruto doing now?"

Everyone looks at where he's looking, and sees Naruto sneaking across some roofing to a room where Sasuke is sitting by the window. Ino screeched, "What does he plan on doing!?"

Shino states, "Whatever it is. It's trouble."

Hinata turns white, "T-T-T-That's the room next to where I asked N-N-N-N-Naruto...Oh, no...H-H-H-H-He heard us…"

Choji asks, "Heard what?"

They watch Naruto enter the room, knocking Sasuke to the ground as the shutter falls, blocking their view. As Ino continues crying out, Hinata blurts out, "NarutosaidhedidntmindsoChojiIlltakethebloodseals."

Choji drools, "Say wuh?"

Shino explains, "She said 'Naruto said he didn't mind so Choji I'll take the blood seals.' Although if you ask me, the Uchiha is going to skewer him soon."

Suddenly, Sasuke leaves through the window, with a confidant smirk, while Shino deadpans, "Case in point."

Hinata begins to mope, but she admits, "I-I still want to go through with it, C-Choji."

Kiba asks, "Can somebody tell me what's going on?"

Shikamaru explains, "Hinata just agreed to get the tattooed blood seals of the Akimichi Clan. In other words, she just agreed to have an appetite and metabolism like Choji."

Ino's eyes go wide, "Woah. You're basing the fact that you'll never be skinny again, because the guy that made it by the skin of his teeth said he wouldn't mind?"

Hinata admits, "I-I can't learn the H-Hyuga stance anymore. I-If I don't find a new style, I-I'll be the new dead last. I-I just needed somebody that would answer honestly."

Shino adds, "She has a point. Out of every graduate, Naruto has the least bias towards anyone. Each one of us would have looked at it emotionally, analytically, or not even answer at all."

Ino nods her head, "I never thought of it that way. Sorry, Hinata."

Hinata pinches her index fingers together, "I-It's alright."

Kiba asks, "Say, why don't we go get Naruto? I'd say he could use some help."

Choji stands next to him, "I'll go with you."

The two jump to the other side and go into the room, and suddenly, everyone hears Kiba and Choji scream, "WHAT!? SASUKE!?"

Ino asks, "But if Sasuke's in there, then who did...NARUTO UZUMAKI YOU ARE DEAD!"

Choji and Kiba bring Sasuke over to their group, who quickly asks while staring at Hinata, "Can somebody explain to me...What the hell Naruto was thinking? Besides him thinking I care about what him and you were talking about?"

Shikamaru shrugs, "If I'm honest, he wants to walk around like the coolest guy here. And he wants to talk to Sakura without being called Annoying."

Sasuke starts running after wherever Naruto is, with Hinata following. Choji blurts out, "Hinata!"

Sasuke screams behind him, "Stay out of this, Hinata! He's going to make a fool out of me!"

Eventually, he stops, seeing Naruto-as-Sasuke about to be kissed by Sakura, while Hinata looks on in horror. Suddenly, they hear what sounds like an upset stomach, and Naruto hunches over in agony, and starts running for the main building. Sakura calls out, "What's the matter?"

Sasuke is about to run after him, but Hinata stops him, "L-Let him go. I-I may no longer be a H-Hyuuga, but I-I still have the B-Byakugan. H-He drank expired milk. H-He'll be in the bathroom all day."

Sasuke calms down, "Alright. But what about Sakura?"

Hinata asks, "C-Could you let her down gently?"

Sasuke asks, "Define gently?"

Hinata explains, "D-Don't crush her hopes and dreams."

Sasuke admits, "You're strange, Hinata. You see a girl about to kiss a boy you moved mountains to speak to, and you want me to go easy on her."

Hinata tells him, "I-I'm being compassionate."

Sasuke snorts, and just as Naruto is completely out of sight, Sasuke takes a seat next to Sakura. Sakura begins gushing. Before Sasuke asks, "Where's Naruto?"

Sakura waves him off, "Why bother with Naruto? He just picks fights with you. He's so annoying because he wasn't raised right. He has no mother or father to teach him right from wrong. He just does whatever comes to his head. If I did things like him my parents would get mad and I'd get in trouble-"

"Will you please stop talking like that?"

Sakura looks at him shocked, "If he doesn't know right from wrong then why don't you teach him instead of just beating him up? And to top it off, he's only acting out because he's alone...Like me. It has nothing to do with parents, you have no idea what it's like. And unless you prove to me otherwise, truly, then you're annoying."

Sakura asks, "I'm...Annoying?"

Sasuke adds with a smirk, "But to be honest. It's like I said. You could prove otherwise."

Sakura blusters, "How?"

Sasuke smiles, "Simple. Show that you aren't just another fangirl."

He walks off, and Sakura just slumps into her chair. Hinata asks, "I-If I-I may, S-Sakura...D-Do you think that you can treat N-Naruto a little bit better now?"

Sakura nods, "After this. I don't think that's going to be a problem."

Naruto walks up to them, "Man. I don't know what's worse, the fact I can't stop going to the bathroom, or the fact Sasuke doesn't even want to fight me anymore."

Sakura smiles to him, a bit forced, but she smiles and waves, "Hey, Naruto. Let's go meet our sensei already!"

Naruto is wide eyed, before Hinata bows, "T-Thank you, N-Naruto. F-For your answer."

Naruto wipes the back of his head, "No problem."

Suddenly, his stomach growls violently, and hollers, "OHMANNOTAGAIN!"

Hinata bows as a vein in Sakura's forehead starts popping up, "Y-You have to forgive him, he drank spoilt milk."

NEXT TIME: EACH SQUAD MEETS THEIR NEW SENSEI AND ARE GIVEN A SURPRISE TEST