I am extremely happy with this chapter. I think I did pretty well. And I used two *very good* songs.
I can't take the stuttering (writing it all)…so I eliminated it. It should make it easier for you to read anyways.
During the training, there's the phrase 'jyuukan stance' and 'tenketsu points'. I'm not sure if it's right, but I used it anyways. (I put this up here because I didn't want to ruin the ending with this. I like the way it ends, and putting this would ruin it.)
Chapter 3 —Drama/Angst—
And sometimes I think that I'm not any good at all
And sometimes I wonder why, why I'm even here at all
But then you assure me
I'm a little more than useless
And I never knew I knew this
Was gonna the day, gonna be the day
That I would do something right
Do something right for once
"More Than Useless" by Reliant K [lyric order changed]
"Get up."
She was training with her father, and losing horribly. Add in all the insults thrown at her, and she felt depressed. Why wasn't she good enough for him? She tried her hardest and did everything she could to be a model Hyuuga, but it just wasn't in her to be like them.
She positioned herself back to the jyuuken stance quickly. And just in time, too, because he attacked her mercilessly. Each block, each dodge felt like a huge strain to her already exhausted body. They had been training for hours. And they would probably continue for hours, until he deemed her tired out enough to rest. Meaning at the brink of passing out. And he probably wouldn't let up for anything.
A particularly hard blow sent her tumbling to the ground. She was lucky he wasn't trying to block her tenketsu points or she would be in a lot of pain. She took a deep breath and struggled to get back on her feet.
He stared at her with a bored yet disgusted expression in his eyes, which was one of the few expressions he actually showed. The rest of his face was blank.
He struck again and again, and she just managed to keep up. She felt as if her energy was draining quickly with every passing second. Like she could barely even move without feeling tired.
She collapsed to the ground, feeling ashamed. But that feeling was overtaken by the need to just sleep—or pass out, whichever came first.
He scoffed loudly.
"That's it?"
She forced herself to stand back up, her lips curling with anger she never knew she possessed. Her previous exhaustion seemed to have disappeared.
This time, she initiated the first blow.
And it seemed to catch him off guard, because he took a few seconds to react.
"I can do much more."
His eyebrow raised a fraction of a centimeter, but it was enough to spur her on. She felt liberated. It felt exciting, like nothing ever before.
A good hour later, and they were both worn down.
"Why do you hate me?" she blurted out. Her mouth seemed to work on its own. She slapped a hand softly over her mouth, wishing it back. That was a stupid way to ask.
"What?" He seemed surprised.
"What do you mean, 'what'? You know exactly what I'm talking about." She was not in control today, doing so many uncharacteristic things.
"I treat you fairly."
"Do you know how many times I've passed out from these 'training sessions'? How many bruises and broken bones I've received?" Her voice was very soft, with just the tiniest hint of accusation and sadness.
His eyes were filled with guilt. She was taken aback.
"Being the Hyuuga heir—or heiress, means that you will one day take over the entire clan. It's hard work, and many times you might just feel like nothing is right.
"I wanted you to be able to be a great leader. A strong leader. I know you have the potential. I train you like my father trained me. I guess I just didn't realize that it doesn't work for someone like you.
"And through all that, I think I forgot the most important thing. I should have been a father to you. Instead, I just treated you like a bad student."
She was silent. She had never heard this side of him, the guilty and worn down side.
"You remind me so much of your mother. Sometimes it's painful, I'll admit. I miss her so much."
She knew it was an arranged marriage between them, and yet they both fell deeply in love. And that the death of her mother was probably the worst thing that ever happened to him.
"I just wanted you to be the best that you could.
"I probably ruined Hanabi, too." He turned towards her. "Could you spend time with her? Fix the mistakes I've dumped on her?"
Her tear-filled eyes said it all. She was sorry for him.
She gave a small nod, and all the tension fell away from his body.
She could see him as he really was. Exhausted, strained, guilty. Filled with sadness and hurt, both over his dead wife and over his children that he was never able to connect to.
She never imagined him to be like this. All she had ever seen was the cold, unemotional side of him. She remembered when she was young, wondering whether the man before her was actually human.
Now she knew.
And she felt better.
But she couldn't stay. Something in her told her that she needed to start afresh.
"I'm leaving."
She was gone before he could react. He sighed. Seemed he had made a bigger mess than he had thought.
She packed her clothes, sealing everything into scrolls. She smiled, thankful that there was this type of packing. What would she do if she had been a regular civilian? Cramming everything in a huge clunky bag. She estimated that she would probably have had at least four bags if she did that, but with the scrolls—just four neat scrolls. How convenient.
She carefully placed them at the bottom of her small bag that she had chosen.
She gazed around the room. It was empty of all her clothes, but her other belongings were still scattered around.
She didn't have many other things. Just a few pictures on her desk.
She picked up the two pictures in her room. One was of her mother and her, when she was very little. When her mother was still alive.
The other was more cheery; her team picture. It brought a smile to her face. She placed them carefully on top of the scrolls in her bag.
Underneath her bed, she came across an old-looking box—it was covered with a layer of dust. She wiped it off curiously. She didn't remember this box.
Inside were a few scrolls, tied neatly with a lavender ribbon. Also, there was a box that looked suspiciously like it held a piece of jewelry.
She opened the scroll marked '1' first. There was neat calligraphy writing in it. With each word she felt a lump forming in her throat, and her eyes threatened to cry.
At the very end, she nearly broke down.
I love you, Hinata.
I'm sorry.
Love, Mom
She was apologizing for not being there.
Her hands fumbled with the jewelry box. In it, she found a necklace—the same one her mom was wearing in the picture.
'She gave me her favorite necklace.' She choked back a sob.
She exited her room after splashing her face with cool water to calm down, only to run into Neji.
"Hinata? Are you okay?" He saw into her room. "Where are your clothes? Did uncle kick you out?" He whispered the last part. He was cold, but not that cold. And he wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he actually did really care about his cousin.
"No. I'm moving out."
He stood there in stunned silence. She hugged him gently.
"Thanks for everything," she whispered.
She walked out to the front door where she found her father and Hanabi waiting.
"Are you really leaving?" Hanabi asked sadly. She was shocked. She really didn't expect her to care. She actually thought that Hanabi would be a bit excited. She smiled, seeing the concern in her eyes.
"Yes, Hanabi. But I'll visit sometime."
She gave Hanabi a hug, like she did to Neji.
She stepped outside. The cool air felt refreshing.
Then she turned around to add something.
"I love you, otou-san. I'm sorry." Only he would understand the apology.
She turned away. She didn't see the tears in his eyes as she walked away from her only home.
That was the first time she had said that in years. He felt a strong sense of relief.
Tell my mother, tell my father
I've done the best I can
To make them realize
This is my life
I hope they understand
I'm not angry, I'm just saying...
Sometimes goodbye
Is a second chance
"Second Chance" by Shinedown