Chapter 3
The week went by accordingly. Hinata trained from dawn to dusk, sometimes on her own and sometimes with team Asuma. The only breaks she saw were when she was playing a game of shogi with Shikamaru, if that could even be constituted as a break. She mastered the Mind Transfer Jutsu and could now hold the Shadow Possession Jutsu for for a bit over a minute on Asuma-sensei - a big step up from the horrendously terrifying chipmunks she had previously been going up against.
It was now time for her last bout of training until the Chunin Exams in less than three weeks.
This would undoubtedly be the toughest training yet, which was saying something when she dealt with an entire month of Gai-sensei's 'youthful' training regimen. Hinata knew that this training would be psychological as much as it was physical, because, in order to receive the most out of her training, she would need to keep her mask up the entire time she was around the man she used to love. The man that broke the last shard of her heart that was somehow remaining after she lost everything.
It seems petty now, to be overwhelmed by the loss of unrequited love, but at the time it felt as if the one constant from her past life was removed. She always hoped, that one day, something would change in the way that he saw her, then they could finally be together. They would meld together effortlessly; he would be the hope that she never could muster, and she would be the support he always wanted. Hinata thought it would happen too. When she was about to fall apart he was there, saying the words that she always longed to hear; 'Hinata, I will always be here for you. You'll never be alone.' The knuckle-headed ninja clearly did not know the effect and implications of those words, because a year later - a month ago - he did leave her.
Hinata stood out of bed abruptly, the cold floor stinging her tiny feet. No more wallowing in my own self-pity. I have training to do. She quickly manoeuvred her way to the closet pulling on the newly purchased navy blue t-shirt and black capri leggings, that may or may not have been purchased to spite Naruto.
The outfit was casual, but flattering. The dark colours brought out her pale complexion, like the moon in the night sky, with the tinge of blue on her shirt and in her hair complementing perfectly. Tying her hitai-ate around her slim neck she was no longer that frightened little girl, she was Hinata, the Leaf's protector.
Zooming through the front door Hinata was, as usual, using the trek to Training Ground 3 as a warm up. She jumped up and onto the nearest stable tree branch pushing chakra into her feet. Rebounding effortlessly, using any even footing she could find, the wind flew by her, providing her with the perfect morning rush. Hinata loved the feeling of the wind combing through her hair, it reminded her of when she was younger and her mother would do the same.
Lost in her thoughts she was forced to skid to a halt when she finally arrived in the familiar setting. Unlike where she usually trained there was a freely flowing river that crossed this area with its crystal blue water splashing playfully. Unsurprisingly, no one had arrived yet so she quickly threw herself into her regular warmup.
After nearly thirty minutes of running, jumping, aiming, and throwing the snap of twig disrupted her attention. Hinata swivelled on the ball of her feet while subconsciously throwing a kunai at the sound.
"Ahhh! Hinata-chan, it's me, it's me!" a voice screeched.
Hinata relaxed immediately, recognizing the voice of the intruder. "Hello, Naruto-san." She gave a curt nod as Uzamaki Naruto entered the clearing. "You really should not sneak up on people when they are in the mindset of a fight."
"Y-yeah. Hehe, sorry about that. I-I though it was Sasuke-teme, I was gonna try and scare him," Naruto stuttered sheepishly.
Hinata almost smiled at the reversal of this scene, but kept her stoic appearance in place. Any moment now and I'm going to see Sasuke-san walk in mooning over Sakura-chan. "I understand. My apologies for unintentionally attacking you."
"It's not really her fault though based on the impression Sasuke gave her last week."
Both heads turned to the new voice.
Naruto was the first to react, "KAKASHI-SENSEI!"
Kakashi's visible eye rose above the orange book that was plastered in front of his face to see the look of shock on his eccentric student. "Yes?" he questioned in mock innocence.
"Y-y-you're never hear early!" Naruto exclaimed while pointing an accusatory finger.
Kakashi sighed dejectedly. "You know Naruto, I couldn't very well leave little Hinata-chan here to deal with all of you alone" he explained, patting her on the top of her head while taking note of her change in persona from when they last met. She's not showing anything. No emotions. No mannerisms. No indication of what she is thinking. Interesting.
Naruto pouted and whined, "What do you mean Kakashi-sensei?"
Taking this wonderful display as a distraction, Hinata slid off to the side where she noticed the Uchiha Avenger appear moments ago.
Sasuke was leaning casually against a tree at the edge of the forest with a bored look plastered on his face. His eyes darted towards her, and he acknowledged her presence, "Hinata."
"Sasuke-san" she countered with just as much indifference.
His eyes narrowed fractionally before flashing with understanding. He was not as blind when it came to Hinata's old feelings towards the dobe.
"Would you like to participate in a warmup spar, Sasuke-san?" Hinata inquired.
"Hn" he nodded in acceptance.
They both leisurely walked to the middle of the field and crouched down into their fighting stances. It was this scene that called the blabbering Naruto to attention.
Naruto was shocked when he saw the shy stuttering girl, who was afraid to hurt a fly back in their academy days, hold her own against his rival, Uchiha Sasuke. The two in battle complimented one another; Sasuke's strength stemmed from brute force, where as Hinata's strength appeared from a majestic fluidity. She side step with ease and prevented attacks with a flick of her wrist. Naruto didn't even notice his new girlfriend walk up beside him with an equally surprised expression.
Kakashi eyed the two bystanders with an amused look before placing a hand on each of their shoulders and explaining "She has been pushing herself beyond all limitations for the up coming Chunin Exams."
"Ch-ch-chunin Exams!" Sakura spluttered, sounding more like Naruto everyday.
"Um-hm" Kakashi confirmed.
"But, but, she's still only on par with Sasuke-kun. Shouldn't she just stay with the same pace as the rest of us?" Sakura mentioned quickly feeling a sense of female-female jealousy surge within her.
"Oh, that. Well, you see, she's holding back" Kakashi divulged nonchalantly walking away from the gaping mouths and towards the clashing shinobi. "Ok. let's begin."
Sasuke and Hinata both stopped mid stride, eyes peering at one another, but ears curious to what the Copy Ninja had in store.
Kakashi continued, "It appears that my little students need a lesson in humility today. So, we are gonna do a friendly competition - a tournament. Since the Hokage ordered us all to help Hinata-chan, she will start first and face off against… hmmm… Sakura-chan."
"Ya! Ok! You can do it Sakura! Believe it!" Naruto rambled excitedly with his fist pumping.
Hinata just stood in quiet acceptance waiting for Sakura to meet her in the middle of the field. However, it was Kakashi that arrived first, whispering in her ear, before disappearing from site to settle off on the side once again.
Moments later Sakura joined Hinata, both exchanging the proper pleasantries before settling down into their proper stance. The words Kakashi-sensei had just said were fluttering through Hinata's mind, To actually win you must finish each fight within five minutes. Don't hold back.
With the sound of "Go!" echoing through the field Hinata darted forwards with not a moment to lose.
Sakura shocked was still able to block the incoming kunai that flew with the wind knocking it to the side. She ducked underneath the rounding kick throwing a counter punch to have Hinata drop to the ground and appear behind her with a kunai pressed against her neck.
The Sakura in Hinata's grasp 'poof'ed in mind air, a log in its place. Not allowing for a second of surprise, she sent her chakra into her eyes causing her veins to bulge like a spider's silky web. Jumping up in a blur she disappeared from all of the Genin's watchful eyes.
Mere seconds passed by before a rustle in the bushes alerted the bystanders. Walking out was Hinata, carrying an unconscious Sakura.
"SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto yelped running towards the pair before roughly yanking his girlfriend into his own arms. "What did you do?!" he almost growled out.
A hand on his shoulder drew his attention back.
"Relax Naruto." It was Kakashi-sensei. "Hinata just used a pressure point in Sakura's neck to make her pass-out. It probably prevented her from actually getting injured if the fight were to have continued."
Naruto's head lowered in a conceded fashion, but he still wore a look of irritation on his face. "I want to go next Sensei."
Kakashi warily agreed taking the sleeping Kunoichi into his arms.
Naruto looked up with a look that would have made her weak in the knees not to long ago, but there was nothing. "Hinata, I will win this match for Sakura-chan! You better believe it!"
"You know Naruto-san," Hinata rebuffed, "Everyone has something to prove. Just because you vocalize your determination, does not mean it is any stronger; just because you scream yours the loudest, does not mean yours in anymore important."
Naruto froze. He was about to respond, but he clamped his jaw shut, contemplating what he just heard - a monotone voice that was drenched in wisdom. The rest of Team Seven just watched in interest.
Hinata concluded, "If you want to prove yourself, then fight me and win."
A minuscule smirk appeared on the lips of the two holder's of the Sharingan.
Once again meeting at the centre of the training ground, a still distracted Naruto faced an impassive Hinata.
Like the crack of a whip the two began, with Naruto being the first to attack. His attacks were wild and irregular; a show of passion and lack of control. He threw a right hook aimed towards Hinata's face, but she caught it easily with her left hand and countered with a swift knee to the ribs. Naruto jumped back a few feet after the impact.
Intuition taking control, Hinata activated her Byakugan.
Immediately Naruto made his signature hand-signs, yelling "Shadow Clone Jutsu!", before thirty identical Naruto's appeared from thin air surrounding the composed Kunoichi.
Sensing the immediate threat, Hinata formed the Hyūga stance; the stance that she had not used since her promise to Lee1. She pushed chakra to the tips of her fingers preparing to use the Gentle Fist Technique. This technique was not her forte, but in result of training in it her whole life, she melded into the old method as if riding a bike. Her increased chakra reserve, stamina, strength, and speed made her attacks more powerful than they once were.
One by one the clones began to be replaced with white puffs of smoke. The last one vanished leaving only the original standing in vexation.
Knowing that her time was running out her brain started running and formatting different plans of attack. Hinata jumped up to the nearest tree swinging around behind it momentarily before hanging off the opposite side of the trunk with one hand. She teased, "You know Naruto, the supposed future Hokage should be doing much better than that."
Getting the reaction she desired she met him half way, with a kunai in hand, when he leaped towards her in blinded anger. Sparks flew when they collided while pushing off against one another to land harmoniously on the ground beneath them. They flew at each other once again.
Hinata threw a punch with her right hand, but Naruto caught it a hairs breath in front of his nose. Twisting her arm behind her and bringing her to her knees.
"Haha, Ya! That's for Sakura-chan!" Naruto cheered not loosening his grip on the girl in his grasp.
He went to release her seconds later but found that he could not. The girl he had in a death lock then disappeared leaving the familiar white cloud in its place.
"You lose Naruto-san" a calm feminine voice informed him from a few feet behind. She went on to explain, "You are trapped in the Nara Clan's Shadow Possession Jutsu. In my right hand is a kunai. If I were to throw it, you would become incapacitated."
"I'll never give up! Because that's my ninja way!" Naruto screamed proudly, still unable to move, though desperately trying.
Kakashi sighed before affirming Hinata's deduction, "She's right Naruto, you lost." This girl just continues to surprise me. She could have finished him off, but realized that she couldn't do it in the time frame given - perhaps she even took into account Naruto's stubbornness. So, she distracted him slightly, causing him to act without thinking and not realize he was attacking a clone while the real Hinata waited for the correct opportunity to trap him… I'm impressed. Kakashi smirked behind his mask while looking down discretely at the stopwatch that read '3 minutes 45 seconds'.
The shadow restricting Naruto retracted towards its source, a slightly out of breath Hinata.
"Good job, Naruto-san" Hinata complimented indifferently. "That was a very interesting match."
She went to walk away, but was stopped by his booming voice.
"I will beat you one day! You better believe it!"
Hinata smiled inwardly, "I am looking forward to it."
A small coughing fit brought them out of their moment, they both looked over to see Sakura waking up from her slumber.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto hollered, immediately rushing over to where she was laying.
Hinata followed at a leisurely pace. However, she stopped when she sensed a pair of eyes blazing through her. When she glanced around they turned out to be the eyes of an Uchiha. She waited for him to come to her this time.
After what seemed like ages Sasuke finally sauntered over with narrowed eyes. He still refused to speak much to Hinata's hidden amusement. The staring battle ensued, eyes filled with anger - and perhaps curiosity - bored into blank pools of nothingness.
"Hn" was all he said before turning and demanding, "Hey, Kakashi-sensei. Let's start already."
"Hm?" Kakashi inquired before putting it together in his head and continuing. "Ya, ok. I thought you'd at least give Hinata-chan a bit of a break. No matter though, let's begin."
Both Hinata and Sasuke jumped away from one another, allowing for a few meters of distance between them.
Excitement laced the air as the two readied; one with orbs bleeding red and the other with protruding veins surrounding them.
They barely heard the starting shout as the two had already began to clash. From a far it could have almost appeared as beautiful dance with the twists and turns their bodies where naturally taking in order to avoid connection.
Knowing well enough to not hold back even slightly when facing this particular opponent, Hinata pulled out two kunai and placed one in each hand while ducking underneath a round-house kick. Chakra surged into the blades and they became engulfed in a beautiful blue flame.
Sasuke knew not to get remotely close to this attack and that pulling out a kunai of his own would be pointless based on what happened last time. This attack looks stronger than the last time she used it against me. He jumped back to get away from the threat, but to his surprise she threw the blade with the flame of chakra still twirling around it. In midair all he could do was torque to the side allowing for the kunai to slice his left arm, but avoid any vital spots. Crashing to the ground he clutched his newly formed injury to prevent more blood from trickling down.
"Sasuke-kun!" was screeched through the training grounds by the pink headed Kunoichi earning a quick glare from the Uchiha.
Using this distraction Hinata bent down and pulled up the cuff of her pants to reveal two weights tied to her petite ankles. She removed them in a haste before throwing them off to the side leaving two craters where they lay.
Hinata lifted up one of her legs as if testing the new feeling of weightlessness. The only way to beat the Sharingan is to move faster than the owner can block and counter. Let's see how this goes. Hinata surprised herself with her speed while secretly thanking Lee-kun for his training.
She moved like a leaf in the wind overwhelming Sasuke. Sasuke would feel a swift kick his side, then almost immediately an upper cut to the jaw, and a knee to the back. His Sharingan could barely follow Hinata's movements let alone allow time for him to protect against them. Becoming frustrated, Sasuke flashed through the hand-signs for the the Fire Ball Jutsu and rotated in a circle creating a momentary shield of brilliant orange flame.
Hinata bounced backwards from one foot to the next in order to avoid the ferocious flames, however, it still managed to tinge her right arm causing a light blister to bubble over. The pain did not show on her face, almost like the injury didn't even register. Never show your pain to your enemy; that would be like begging them to exploit it.
This is exactly what Hinata planned to use to win this fight.
Hinata lunged towards Sasuke aiming for his wounded left arm. As expected he used his right arm to block, but by doing this putting his body at an awkward angle. She quickly dropped to the ground swiping at his disheveled stance with her leg and bringing him to the ground. Hinata pounced laying a knee on his chest and a fist an inch from his face. "I win Sasuke-san."
"Hmph" was all that escaped his lips as his body finally relaxed against the solid ground.
Rolling off of Sasuke, Hinata followed his lead and let her body collapse on the ground, the only movement being her rib change up and down with shallow breaths.
Their temporary reprieve was abruptly ended with Naruto and Sakura running up to their injured teammate.
Taking that as her cue to leave, while trying to ignore that sickening feeling of remembrance in the pit of her stomach, Hinata got up to go to where she abandoned her ankle weights.
Ignoring that feeling didn't seem to be working.
Making it across the field, Hinata was beginning to bend down to pick up her weights when a large hand gripped her elbow pulling her upright. She was eye level to a well toned chest.
"Kakashi-sensei?" she queried.
Without saying a word, and still griping her elbow, Kakashi wrapped white gauze around the blistering burn that developed from her spar. Hinata looked down with blinking eyes, realizing that she had completely forgotten about giving herself first aid.
Kakashi put a comforting hand on her head while contemplating what to say.
'It never goes away, but over time you get used to it.'
'I know how you feel.'
'I'm sorry.'
He decided to settle for "Good job" and his signature smile2. For once, Hinata didn't feel so alone.
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The rest of the training day was, well, awkward. Perhaps Kakashi didn't really plan out destroying his entire teams confidence in a time span of less than thirty minutes, then having the cause stay with them for the rest of the day. And also the next thirteen days.
It was already sunset when the training day was officially over, with the beautiful colours once again painting the night sky.
Kakashi-sensei had been incredibly eager to end his - forcibly extended by the Hokage - day. No doubt he wanted to go home and read his Icha-Icha Paradise book. How can one of The Leaf's greatest ninjas be so lazy…
Dragged out of her thoughts Hinata jumped to the side. Turning her head she got a sense of deja vu when she saw a shiny kunai in the place of where she was once sitting. "Is this going to become some sort of tradition Sasuke-san? To throw a kunai at me every time I don't immediately notice your presence?" Hinata asked in monotone.
"I want a rematch" he demanded while ignoring her sarcastic comments.
Hinata didn't even need to think, "Hai, I want one as well."
Sasuke was about to bound forward when a sense of realization hit Hinata and she stopped him in his tracks with her words. "However, I have just remembered I have something to attend to. I will be coming back to train in half an hour, we can continue then if you would like."
Being as stubborn as always Sasuke plopped down where he stood and sat in a way similar to Shikamaru's cloud watching pose. "Hn" he grunted in acceptance.
Hinata made her way hastily towards her destination never once looking back; the wind that assaulted her face didn't even slow her down. Approaching, a sense of foreboding washed over her; the feeling increased exponentially when her eyes made out the vast Hyūga Estate.
Hinata used the trees on the edge as shelter as she snuck up on the familiar sight of the Hyūga training ground. It may have just been her imagination, but it seemed as if all colour was drained from this particular area; it was a barren waste land that held only the necessities. It was at these times when she silently thanked God for her father's pride, when he refused to activate his Byakugan when sparing against Hyūga Hanabi - her sister by blood, even if no longer by name. That was the only way she could hope to avoid detection when dealing with Byakugan users.
The sight always sickened her. Her sister, panting and exhausted. Her sister, dark circles under her eyes matching the finger shaped bruises on the rest of her body. But, worst of all was the filth that escaped Hyūga Hiashi's lips - she will never recognize him as their father. No father would treat their children in this way.
The next words Hinata heard from Hiashi almost destroyed her rock-hard resolve. "You are pathetic. Just because you were better than the original heir doesn't mean you're even close to being strong enough to lead this clan. You're a disgrace."
It wasn't the words themselves that began to break her, but the look on her sister's face.
It was then that Hiashi moved like lightening across the grounds to attack Hanabi and disable all of her chakra points. He left her laying motionless on the ground, blissfully unaware of the sound of teeth grinding together and a pulsating killer intent.
All of the anger that Hinata contained immediately washed away when she once again laid eyes on the crumpled form of her sister; a form that she had been in too many times herself. She jumped off of the tree branch she was perched on and over the large fence enclosing the prison to run to the side of the Hyūga's Heiress who was face down in the dirt.
Hinata carefully rolled Hanabi over to reveal a look of sorrow that tore her poor heart in two. She tenderly placed her hand on her forehead brushing her dirt encrusted bangs to the side.
Time passed before Hanabi whimpered almost silently, "You shouldn't keep coming Hinata-oneechan. Father will find out one of these days."
Hinata didn't respond - it was taking all of her strength to hide her true emotions from the young girl. All she did was scoop her up into her arms and stealthily make her way to her sister's bedroom. I don't have a father.
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Hinata left the same way she entered the compound, except now she was immersed in the pitch black of night. Finally getting over the gate all of her previously contained emotions began to seep out. She trudged forward with her head hung low until she came in contact with the rough bark of one of the surrounding trees.
"So you actually haven't changed."
Hinata's breath caught in the back of her throat at the sound of the intruding voice. She turned around hesitantly, with wide teary eyes, to see the angered face of her temporary teammate. "S-Sasu…"
She was interrupted when Sasuke's arms slammed down on each side of her trapping her to the tree; she didn't even see him cross the distance. She tried again, "Sasu…"
"This is the same girl that beat me earlier today" he continued with rage lacing his tone and his breath tickling her senses.
"I-I" she half expected him to interrupt, but when he didn't she took an instant to compose herself before continuing. "I did not notice your presence. My apologies for aggravating you." Her impassive voice contrasted her tear streaked cheeks.
If possible his scowl deepened.
They stayed there unmoving, both locked in unbreakable eye contact, seemingly unaware of how close there bodies were to one another. He stepped back abruptly and turned away with clenching fists brought down to his side.
Sasuke was the first to speak. "I know to be a ninja, one must learn to control their emotions. Mask them by whatever means necessary." He paused, I can't let her turn out like him, "However, it's important to release them sometimes. This can prevent a ninja from losing the precious sanity that still remains."
"Sasu…"
"Let me finish," Sasuke interjected. "If you can't do this with others, you can do this with me." He eyed her from over his shoulder, "Hinata. You never have to wear your mask around me."
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Author's Notes
1 - In chapter one, Lee made Hinata promise train in his style when he trained her, and she has been focusing on it ever since, even after they stopped.
2 - I know this part is a little cryptic / confusing but it will be explained in later chapters… some readers may be able to guess though
I really hope you liked this chapter :) I know it may a been a little confusing so if you have any questions ask away. Also there were a lot of fights in the chapter so let me know if they were weird too; I tried to be clever but it may have been confusing :P
Ps. To the guest that reviewed, I will not be making Itachi the villain... I love him too much :D :D
Thanks for reading! Please review!
