AN: Well that took a while for me to get another chapter out there but it is me, I did say I'm not gonna try to guess when I'll get a new chapter out. So I been working and trying to get a new job. Also been playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 well mainly the zombies and campaign. Also can't wait for Dragon Valley map to come out for BF4. Besides that I am currently using Apache Open Office 4 for the time being. Spell check is decent and grammar check is non-existent? I don't know haven't figured it out yet. But like I said if I'm making even more errors than usual, you know why. Yes shame on me I've come to rely on technology to tell me when I'm wrong, 21st Century orz Also has been noted that using poorly spelled Japanese words in parts of the dialogue probably will not help my fic along very well. Yeah it's a hard habit to break and some of my favorite authors still do it too...so I don't know what to do about that issue. Anyways here you go, hope I moved this fic along decent without rushing too hard but I wouldn't be surprised if it is seen as exactly that. Also long ANs aren't allowed anymore? Or was that around for a while and I just never knew when I joined this site?
"Talk"- Regular Speech, Humans
'Talk'- Human thought
"Talk"- Symbiote, Venom, Inhuman
"Talk"- Kurama
Talk- Aron, The Rogue Watcher
3: Hitting Back
"Yip! Yip!"
"Ugghhh…Kuro-chan, mou, I don't want to go to school…" A sleepy voice stirred.
"Yip!" Kuro barked just a little louder as the fox started to yank away the blanket of the sleeping woman.
"Fiiiinnnee…" A voice of surrender sounded.
Hinata turned on her bed to face her pet fox Kuro, who in the course of a few more years had grown to a decent size ,for his species. Hinata had come along as well. She was a few years older but it more so had to do with her features. There was something different about her face now as she seemed to lack most of her old timid nature. It in a way made her look older, it gave off a level of mental maturity. Together with her physical changes it was hard for her to be seen as a little girl anymore. It may have had to do with how she spent her days working out and vigorously training. After all she was an Academy student now.
"You're luck you're such a cute little foxy." Hinata teased as she rolled out of bed in her pajamas perfectly landing on the floor with all fours.
Hinata broke out into a series of push ups to warm up and stretch out. Once she finished Kuro barked in approval and wagged his tail. The fox jumped into Hinata's arms as she got up and headed to the bathroom to ready up a shower. While holding Kuro with one hand she placed her other hand in the spraying water. Hinata furled an eyebrow.
"I need to talk to that grouchy old man about the water again. Looks like another cold shower." Hinata said a little annoyed while Kuro just growled with disapproval.
Hinata kissed her pet fox on the head to calm him down. "Guess the good part to it is, I'm not fully awake yet."
Hinata put her fox down and proceeded to undress and shower. It was clear Hinata was fit for someone of her age. She possessed a modest musculature that came from the physical conditioning she subjected herself to. However that was not the only prominent feature to her body. Hinata winced a little as she tried to get the cold shower of water to numb an area of her back. Surgical scarring had adorned her back. Due to her near death experience years back, Hinata had suffered severe trauma to her vertebrae. It was any miracle she had managed to stumble and crawl her way out the hospital room. Even more so was her speedy recovery. But thanks to some choice words of a mysterious benefactor, Hinata had soldiered through.
Flashback
The doctor who had been taking care of Hinata's injuries had just explained severity of the damage done ,to herself and Kurenai. The young Jonin was the one that found Hinata once Hanabi had explained that she had gotten into a quarrel with Academy students. Hanabi had told Kureani that she ran into Hinata and was then forcibly taken home by one of the twin Hyugas that intervened. Before Hanabi could even question her sensei about Hinata's relation to her, Kurenai took off. Obligations be damned, she had hurried to find Hinata, who was face down in her own blood, bruised and beaten, much to her fear and horror. Had it not been for Ayame showing up at the hospital looking for Hinata having heard about the incident, Kurenai would have abandoned her duties to stay by Hinata's side.
The young Jonin wanted justice; she wanted something to be done. Despite her efforts however she couldn't prove that it was Hiwaru that had savagely beaten Hinata. The blame was levied against the Academy students who had ganged up on Hanabi. The team of Hyuga Genin claimed that the students were the ones that beat Hinata, Hanabi was unable to speak any further on the matter by order of her father. Those students were promptly dealt with for attacking the current heiress to be.
Kurenai felt she had failed Hinata once more. She couldn't put Hinata under her own care, no longer a teacher to the girl as well. And now she couldn't even bring justice to Hinata's attackers. Making worse the feelings was that this atrocity happened after she met with Hinata hours before, and now her heart was breaking further as it was just explained that Hinata would be on a hard road to recovery.
"Multiple broken bones and hairline fractures, severe trauma to the pelvis and lower spine, it's a miracle she didn't cause further injury when she ran out of the hospital. It's sheer luck she isn't completely paralyzed."
The words echoed in Kurenai's head as she hugged Hinata and left to get the girl lunch despite the former's insistence that she needed to return to her obligations to Hanabi. As Kurenai left, Hinata painfully sat up on her hospital bed managing not to wake up her pet fox that lay atop her stomach.
"Guess I can't even have a normal life can I?" Hinata asked no one in particular as she gently pet Kuro who was nestled asleep in her lap.
"You can have a normal life but then again you can have anything you want to have." A familiar voice came from the slow opening door to Hinata's hospital room.
"Eep!" Hinata blurted out surprised to see the same boy from her butchered escape of the hospital days before.
"Relax it's just me here to see you again." The boy responded while lightly gesturing for Hinata to calm down.
Something about his body language showed he wasn't so stoic now, he seemed friendlier at the moment. Still dressed in a hospital gown the boy walked over and pulled up a chair beside Hinata. He smiled warmly at Hinata once more seeing that she had her pet fox with her. The smile serving to make Hinata blush once more.
"W-where did you g-go the other day w-when you brought me home I-I didn't even get y-your na…"
The boy brought up his hand in a stop gesture. "I had to get back to the hospital; I'm here for a reason after all, just like you."
"R-right of course…" Hinata felt a little embarrassed, feeling she had missed the obvious. "Etto…I still don't know your n…"
"How did you end up here? Who attacked you?" The boy interrupted with his own questions, it seemed the nature to ask instead of answer, had returned to the blonde.
"W-what m-makes you think I-I was attacked?" Hinata feebly tried not getting the boy involved in her own affairs.
"No one gets that hurt by accident." A response was blankly given.
"B-but why do you want t-to know?"
"I helped you home remember? Least you can do is tell me why it is you ended up here. It is what led to us meeting."
Hinata's head dropped down looking at Kuro who was starting to stir in his sleep. To remember everything that happened to her leading up to that deadly moment in her short life only brought more pain than her current physical aches. A warm gentle hand stroked her face; Hinata flinched and saw that the boy was touching her.
"You might not think talking about your troubles helps but trust me it does. Don't be afraid to tell me alright?"
The same warm smile graced the boy's face. Hinata felt herself at ease all of a sudden. It was strange that this boy could just do that to her, bring a sense of calm with that smile. She also noticed his blue eyes now. She had seen them before clearly but now she really noticed them. They were such a deep blue that it brought a sense of ease to the girl it was like looking at an ocean.
"I-I…lost my family…n-no, they abandoned me…" Hinata said immediately correcting herself. "I was supposed to be the Heir t-to lead my clan. They wanted me to learn all our ways e-early on when I was younger…the Hyugas, t-the clan I belonged to or used to. We have, I had special eyes called the Byakugan. They used a seal I didn't like t-to make sure no one could steal the Byakugan…" Hinata paused remembering the day it happened when things fell further apart.
"A-A council member of m-my clan, he wanted me to learn how to use the seal…and place it on other members. He brought in another girl, another Hyuga…and he put the seal on her. He was h-hurting her and I couldn't stand it! I didn't want to see someone hurt like that…so I hit him, I hit the old man and he stopped b-but then he got mad and he hit me hard. He kept hitting me…" Hinata looked directly at the boy tears in her eye.
"T-they said I killed him! B-but he just grabbed his chest and started coughing…he just fell down and kept coughing then he stopped moving…I didn't know w-what to do. T-then they said I was a killer, I killed an important member of the clan…my f-father yelled…other people yelled and they wouldn't stop. Then they told me I wasn't a Hyuga anymore and they put that same seal on me."
Hinata despite better judgment pulled parts of the bandage that wrapped her face to show the green seal markings that adorned her forehead.
"T-this kept my eyes from being stolen b-but also sealed away their power. A-after that I was on m-my own b-but Kuro-chan found me…" Hinata gestured to the little fox on her lap who was now fully awake. The boy decided he would pet the fox, the vulpine instantly taking a liking to the blonde.
"I-I'm…no I was a Hyuga…" Hinata said with remorse. "I u-understood there w-was nothing else for me…n-no family, no clan, no real home…and I couldn't become a Ninja anymore. W-what use was I to anyone?"
"Then a w-week ago…I ran into my little sister Hanabi. I only saw her a few times when s-she was just a baby before I was branded. S-she didn't even remember me b-but she got into trouble with some boys. They tried to hurt her a-and I tried to p-protect her…but I was too weak. T-then other Hyugas arrived; Hanabi was safe…but the leader of the group. T-this boy he knew who I was, what I had d-done, he was the grandson of the old man that they say I-I killed." Hinata cried remembering in vivid detail the relentless beating she received.
Kuro whimpered seeing how torn up Hinata was. The boy's expression yielded true sadness; it was almost as if he felt sympathy for her. Taking a seat on the side of the hospital bed, the boy once more caressed Hinata's face drawing her focus away from the bad memories. He didn't need her to explain further. It was clear now what followed. Hinata could now truly see apology in the boy's face.
Gently placing his other hand on Hinata's face the blue eyed child leaned close to Hinata and lightly kissed her forehead at the center of the seal mark. He then embraced her. The whole thing had Hinata blushing harder than she ever did in her entire young life. But she eventually found herself relaxing into the embrace. The bad memories fading as she just felt her body come to ease.
'H-he's so strange…but I like him…I feel at ease with him…' Hinata thought to herself as Kuro squeezed out from between the two and quietly sat beside the couple wagging his tail.
Hinata hesitantly placed her hands onto the boy's back. She could feel his warmth and she lost herself in the moment. She wanted to stay this way longer, it made her forget everything that led to her being in this hospital bed, hurt and feeling hopeless.
"You did the right thing; don't let anyone tell you any different." The boy whispered into Hinata's ear. "You helped someone in need and you protected your sister."
"B-but I keep getting hurt f-for doing the right thing…" Hinata said feeling her sorrow return.
"Doing the right thing doesn't always keep the bad things from happening." The boy spoke sounding wiser than his age would let on.
"This is a harsh cruel world we live in. Not even kids like us are spared, especially not in a place where we have to fight for ourselves. But you can change that, you can fight it…" The boy said as he broke the embrace and sternly looked into Hinata's eyes.
"You can have the normal life you want or whatever life you choose to live. But you have to be able to fight for it. The clan you once came from, the people that mean to harm your sister, that boy who blames you for something he thinks you did. None of them care that you did the right thing. And it shouldn't matter. They're willing to kick you while you're down and spit in your face. This harsh cruel world will beat you down." The boy said speaking a sad truth.
"W-what are you s-saying?" Hinata was nervous now seeing the intensity in the blonde's eyes.
"This is your life to live but you have to be willing to work for it, to fight for it. Don't let this broken body dictate what you can or can't do. And don't let anyone hurt you ever, fight them and take them down, because they mean to fight you and put you down." The boy said with almost disdain in his voice.
"Are you going to let life just keep beating you down? To continue letting others judge you while refusing to understand you?" The boy asked Hinata with determination in his voice that was laced with a vengeful attitude.
She felt afraid for a moment seeing this side of the strange boy. But she knew something was right in the words he said. And for the first time in her life, Hinata could truly feel the anger and resentment for the harsh judgment she received. Understanding fully now that even when she accepted the punishment for something she didn't do, in fact having done the right thing, that alone was still not enough for others to deal with.
"N-no…" Hinata said hesitantly.
"What was that?" The boy immediately fired back. "You're fine with the naysayers hurting you again?"
"NO! I-I don't want t-to be judged like that anymore!"
"That's right! You're damn right!" The boy yelled out loud. "You get up after you've gone down. You beat back those bastards and you make them take your place on the ground. Don't let anyone misjudge you and write you off again. Become something they can't second guess, ever."
"They only understand force and strength. Recover, heal, and become stronger. It's the only way to live how you want, live the life you want." The boy took a gentler tone at the end of his statement.
The sound of someone coming to the door was heard. The boy embraced Hinata once more and kissed her on the forehead.
"I'll see you soon." The boy said getting off the bed.
Kurenai came through the door drawing Hinata's attention. When she looked back over to where the blonde was. She was shocked to find him somehow gone already. There was no other way he could have exited through. Hinata was left wondering how, but also the words that were spoken to her rung through her head. While Kurenai brought in the tray of food, Hinata felt there was something right about what the boy told her. Bad things happen to even those that do the right thing. But it was about being strong enough to continue on. Becoming strong enough to take on the cruelness of the world and others, the time to be helpless and pushed around was over now.
"Kurenai-san…" Hinata spoke without stutter.
"Yes Hinata-chan?" Kurenai asked as she was setting the food down.
"I-I…" Hinata took a deep breath to focus and force the hesitation out.
"I want to get better…I want to become stronger. I want to be a Ninja." Hinata spoke firmly while Kurenai had to mentally process the new revelation.
Something changed for Hinata that day. She took her rehabilitation head on despite her odds being slim. Kurenai noticed the spark in the girl; she saw a new will ignited in her. But at the same time she could feel Hinata trying to keep her at a distance once more. Hinata refused Kurenai's offer to pay for medical bills and surgery. The young girl wanted Kurenai to go back to her obligations of training Hanabi and not be distracted further. Hinata exhausted all her available funds to pay for what she could. But she was still left indebted to the hospital. She did however work up a deal to pay for the accumulated bills as time went on. The staff was reluctant to work up a deal with a child but Kurenai seeing as she couldn't help pay for Hinata decided a little coercing wouldn't hurt. Hinata would eventually recover but not painlessly as she was still racked with chronic pains but it served to drive her to keep pushing herself.
The physical aches and pains only served to drive her further in getting stronger and bettering her training. Kurenai had made good on her word to get the Sandaime to enroll Hinata late into Academy. Though a brief conversation with the Hokage from Hinata helped as well, the old man knew something was different now with the former Heiress.
Present
Hinata finished her cold shower and stepped out. She took a moment to look over herself in the mirror to note the development of her body thanks to her continuous training. Turning around briefly Hinata looked at the surgical scars that adorned her back. It was a reminder of her chronic pains and near death experience. Despite the aches however Hinata refused any prescription painkillers, as it stood she couldn't afford them. It would serve as her reminder to keep pushing.
Getting dressed; Hinata threw on her favorite hooded beige jacket and lightly fitted dark blue pants. The clothing doing a decent job of hiding Hinata's fit body. She prepared herself a light breakfast before heading out to the Academy. Hinata put a few notes and books in her backpack. Before locking her door, she beckoned her pet fox to come along. Ever since the hospital, Kuro stayed with Hinata wherever she went. She no longer cared what others may have thought while she had a fox with her. There was also something she no longer cared for either. Looking at herself in the worn and scratched mirror in her living room. Hinata no longer hid her seal. She cared nothing for what others thought of her branding and desired not to waste any effort to keep it hidden.
As she made her way out of the lobby of the building Hinata could hear the landlord yelling in his office. Hinata sighed to herself realizing the man was in one of his moods again. Talking to him about the water heating was going to be fruitless. Saving herself the headache Hinata opted to just exit quickly as possible while also hiding the Kuro in her backpack to make sure the unpleasant man would not notice the fox , he just give his usual resentful scowls to the girl. He still didn't know Hinata had a pet in her apartment room.
"Looks like I won't be talking to him today, not when he's going on about some other so-called financial hardship he has to deal with. Might as well make sure he doesn't see you Kuro-chan. I'm sure he'd have an aneurysm." Hinata said to Kuro who gave a muffled bark in response.
Just as Hinata got outside she decided to open up her pack to let Kuro out while still walking. Right when the pack was opened Hinata had to stop from bumping into somebody while her pack was still held out.
"Oh my, what a cute little fox you have deary." And elderly voice softly spoke.
Hinata looked surprised at the statement while Kuro had his head poked out of the top of the pack. It was an old woman who was below Hinata in height and had a kind smile. The elderly woman had her long gray hair tied up in a bun and was dressed in a sweater and long dress combination. She also had a rather large hand basket. Her wrinkled face was adorned with a warm smile.
"T-thank you…" Hinata felt hesitant to respond knowing that most people in Konoha had an aversion to foxes and usually gave the girl and her pet a disdainful glance. She had her clear reasons to not let Kuro near the old woman.
"You're quite welcome deary. Here since you're such a sweet girl and your fox is such a cutie." The woman shuffled through her basket contents.
Hinata could smell something very sweet that she felt was familiar to her somehow. Before she knew it the old woman produced a wax paper bag that was filled with freshly baked cinnamon rolls. The former Hyuga was taken aback.
'I-I haven't seen those in such a long time…Okaa-san used to cut small pieces for me…' Hinata thought to herself feeling nostalgic and just a little saddened remembering her mother.
"You two cuties can share it ,I just have much too much for myself." The elderly woman handed with unsteady hand.
Hinata herself had a slightly shaking hand as she received the sweet items. She wasn't expecting her day to start off with running into a villager who didn't seem to have any problems with Kuro nor was she expecting to receive a delicious pastry she had not had in quite some time. Knowing her own financial situation Hinata did not have the luxury to treat herself out to something nice these days.
"T-thank you…I have to go now." Hinata took the bag and let Kuro out of her backpack before hurrying off to the academy.
"Bye now deary don't run too fast now!" The elderly woman smiled as Hinata left.
Hinata arrived at the academy a decent time before the class would start. Some of the students were already there having taken their usual seats. Among them was the young and portly Chouji Akimichi who was enjoying a post breakfast snack. Beside him was a lazily napping Shikamaru Nara. Further in the back was the quiet and calm Shino Aburame, the young Aburame was quite a few times very hard to read. Nearby was the almost equally quiet Sasuke Uchiha. He was the center of attention in class most of the time, being one of the top students and always fawned after by the young women of the academy save for one particular former Hyuga Heiress.
'Well looks like the usual commotion hasn't started yet. Maybe I can have a little bit of peace and quiet to enjoy the cinnamon rolls with Kuro-chan.' Hinata thought to herself while finding a seat in the far corner of the classroom.
"INO-PIG I AM NOT LETTING YOU BEAT ME!"
"YOU'RE ALREADY TOO LATE FOREHEAD!"
'Well spoke too soon…oh bother…' Hinata mentally lamented just as she sat down while Kuro took up a spot on the desk before Hinata.
The source of the yelling was the class' top two fans of Sasuke Uchiha. The young fashionable platinum blonde Ino Yamanaka and the academically gifted pink haired Sakura Haruno. Both young women, were once friends now turned rivals, both of whom were constantly competing for Sasuke's attention. However, Sasuke chose not to spare any interest in them or much anyone in general. All that was on his mind was avenging and restoring his clan to glory.
The Uchihas were known for their powerful Sharingan dojutsu which made them rivals of the Hyuga clan. They had an entire district of the Village belong to them and they had the Military Police Corps under their command, a unique ninja division in Konoha that handled investigation and prevention of crimes committed within the village walls. However, that changed some time ago when Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke's older brother had without warning slaughtered the entire clan. Sasuke was the only one left alive, spared by his brother for reasons yet to be known by others. He was left scarred and vengeful and had proclaimed that he would one day become strong enough to kill his brother and restore the Uchiha clan. Ironically despite the latter, he seemed to have no interest in finding a female companion to help him restore his clan. Clearly he was the case of being narrow minded.
'If those girls could focus all that energy on trying to be some real Kunoichi material, I might just have some good sparring partners.' Hinata thought to herself as she noticed Kuro whimper and paw at her arm.
Hinata had built up a decent record for generally being calm and reserved. Which further contributed to her position as the only female academy student who didn't have any interest in Sasuke, she was focused on her training on being a better Kunoichi. Though this of course made Sakura and even few other so-called love struck women of the class question why for that matter did the former Hyuga strive to be better. Only to assume out of paranoid delusion, that Hinata was trying to take a different approach to get Sasuke's attention. As it was Hinata was one of the top contenders for highest ranked female student of their class. This in part made Sakura her rival and vice versa.
Though student rankings were all Hinata saw in the rivalry, Sakura took it as their being more to it all. Sakura was academically superior to Hinata, if only slightly. The differences in score were only minor but Sakura was quicker on the response. Hinata however had a natural proficiency in chakra control and was a far better fighter. Thanks to some training and tutelage on the side from her yet to be named benefactor, Hinata had the prowess in hand to hand combat to hold her own, her developed quiet confidence and tenacity that accompanied her in a spars only made her a more proficient fighter.
On top of which a fair amount of the student body was wary of Hinata. They had heard the rumors behind Hinata's exile from her former clan. Hinata never bothered to comment on her faithful night years ago so many took up speculation. And much like Hiwaru, they had come to believe that Hinata really did kill one of her own clan elders. In a way Hinata and Sasuke were the most notorious students in the class. Only Sakura's drive to be with Sasuke would make her feign such rumors to openly engage with HInata.
"Sorry Kuro-chan I know you don't like seeing petty squabbles." Hinata said to her pet fox while giving an annoyed glance.
"What was that Hyuga?" Sakura said abruptly breaking from her argument with Ino to stomp over to Hinata.
"I said "petty squabble," Haruno. Either you're hard of hearing or this is a rare moment where you don't grasp the concept of something so simple." Hinata replied back only making Sakura more irritated.
"Petty? You have no idea what you are talking about. You might have everyone fooled but I know you only put up this front so that you can get Sas…" Sakura couldn't finish her sentence once she realized Hinata was no longer paying attention to her.
Hinata wasn't planning to have an argument and wasn't in the mood to continue one either. She took out the cinnamon rolls and decided to share with Kuro while they were still warm. Kuro happily accepted the sweets and quickly chewed away at the soft treat.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Sakura yelled out, by now everyone in the class was focused on the one sided conversation accept for Sasuke.
"Hi cutie!" Ino yelled over Sakura before she could further antagonize Hinata.
The platinum blonde girl seemingly forgotten about her banter with Sakura once she caught glimpse of Kuro adorably chewing a cinnamon roll. The black fox noticed Ino and smiled wagging his tail. There was not many in the class Kuro got along with, his attention and affection focused on Hinata. But every so often the fox was happy to see Ino. The young Yamanaka girl had taken quite the liking to Kuro and didn't harbor paranoid delusion that Hinata was another rival for Sasuke's attention.
"Hello Ino-san." Hinata greeted a little unenthusiastically.
"May I?" Ino asked gesturing to Kuro.
Hinata sighed as Kuro was already excited to see Ino. "He's already happy to see you and I can't say no to him."
Ino joyfully picked up Kuro and planted a peck on the fox's head before her cheek was affectionately nuzzled. Hinata didn't mind this too much, she was glad there was at least some people out there who didn't have an aversion towards Kuro. And for the most part Hinata tolerated Ino since she did not make false accusations to her about going after Sasuke.
"Grrr…" Sakura gritted her teeth, seeing as it was she in the middle of a heated argument and now her rival Ino had undermined it all. She was ready to bring this conflict back to full fire until another interruption occurred.
"Oh don't bother with her. I can't believe you were about to accuse her again of trying to get the Uchiha's attention." A male student said with some level of disdain towards said Uchiha while taking a chance to interrupt Sakura. He wore a large grey fur lined hooded jacket and had a distinct red fang tattoos on his face, sitting on his head was a small pup.
This students name was Kiba Inuzuka. And he was the loudest and brashest male student of the class. Often times challenging Sasuke for Alpha Dominance of the classroom, he had also developed an interest in the former Hyuga. As noted by the wink he shot to Hinata, the former did not return the favor at all.
Kiba had developed an interest in Hinata being as it was she was the only young woman in the class not trying to get Sasuke's attention. Feeling like there weren't any other option, Kiba started showing some sort of interest. Though his justifications were further reinforced as time went on with Hinata quickly proving that even with a handicap of having not started the academy at the same time as everyone else, that she was a capable fighter, that prowess attracted Kiba more. But Hinata was not interested a single bit. None of the males in the class or anywhere save for one in particular, interested Hinata at all and she certainly wasn't in school to look for a boyfriend. Not when she had spent enough time catching up and now nearly leading the class on the women's side.
"Sides Hinata-chan knows a real man when she sees…"
"Grrrrrrr…!"
A growl cut off Kiba, the moment he had started approaching Hinata, Kuro had shifted focus away from the food, Ino, and Hinata. The black fox was now fiercely growling at Kiba as he hopped out Ino's arms and back on the desk in front of Hinata. The decent sized fox had such ferocity in his aggression it completely broke the mood of the classroom. Students were actually feeling nervous now and Kiba had stopped in his place. Since day one of Hinata's late enrollment, Kuro didn't very much like to be near any male students, especially Kiba when he would try to get near Hinata.
"Arrff!" Kuro quickly barked in Kiba's direction.
It took a moment for Kiba to realize Kuro was not addressing him but his dog partner Akamaru. And being able to understand what the vulpine could say only annoyed the young dog handler. Akamaru himself merely looked nervous knowing that his human partner wouldn't appreciate what was just spoken by the fox.
"Tell your less intelligent half to stay the hell away from my master."
Hinata didn't know exactly what Kuro said to the boy and dog duo, but she knew her fox well enough and could tell from the situation to know that Kuro wasn't very happy with Kiba trying to flirt with Hinata, again.
"Jeez you two fleabags deserve each other." Sakura bitterly spoke lobbing insult to Kiba and Hinata for both having a species of canine with them
Hinata had become more annoyed, however at the implication that Sakura made, that there could be anything in possibility between her and Kiba. She wasn't attracted to him, not by a long shot. And she didn't need anyone to think there was anyone in the class she would be attracted to. She just wanted to be there to get stronger. Hinata was ready to give a rebuttal until door to the classroom burst open.
"Hey what are all of you doing standing around?! Get to your seats!" A male Nin with a scar across his face from cheekbone to cheekbone barged in.
"Hai Iruka-sensei!" Most of the students said together.
The nin now identified as Iruka Umino came in and took charge of the class. Any bit of squabbling left among students was quickly evaporated. Everybody took their seats. Hinata felt some relief that the scarred teacher was finally here in the classroom to teach. She would have rather not gone through with rebuking Sakura knowing full well it would have just given the pink haired girl more reason to escalate the situation.
"Ne, Iruka-san you don't need to be so strict with our students you know? They're just still kids." Another nin with somewhat long gray hair dressed in the same uniform as Iruka followed in.
"Mizuki you and I both know these students have to get past that kind of immaturity if they want to be good Shinobi and Kunoichi. Now come on we need to get the lessons started." Iruka said sternly.
Hinata liked that Iruka was very professional despite his occasional outbursts. But she took it as his way of settling order to the classroom when things were starting to get out of hand like the moment before. She had noticed however that like the Sandaime and the Ichirakus. Iruka had a sort of emptiness to him. Though unlike the others Hinata wasn't sure if it was because of her own presence that reminded him of something from his past or if it was something in the class, but she knew that look on his face. She had seen it before with the others.
As far as Mizuki went Hinata had no strong opinion on this man, neither good nor bad, he just seemed rather lenient for his position. He just did his job and joked around with Iruka on occasion teasing about his seriousness. Hinata figured it was just the nature of their work relationship.
'Well glad that's over with now. I don't like dealing with those two and I don't like being in a conversation or argument with those two in it even less.' Hinata thought to herself as she reached for a cinnamon roll while Kuro started to cuddle up with her free arm. The former Hyuga felt herself distracted by the cooling cinnamon pastry.
'Really wasn't expecting this to be given to me by someone I don't even know. I haven't had one of these in a long time…Okaa-san was the one that introduced these to me when I was still so very little…" Hinata thought to herself as she started eating a piece of cinnamon roll.
The day went on with the usual assortment of history lessons, theories on combat applications of various weapons and techniques, as well practice of Genin level jutsus. It wasn't anything new to Hinata as she had taken whatever free time she had to study and train as much as possible. Hinata was sharp, and as the scores for the class have shown was one of the top female students. Though it was argued that the overall top student would be Sasuke, it wasn't anything Hinata seemed to want to bother too much with. Hinata was determined to become stronger and better than those that meant to do her harm. But she understood that didn't necessitate having to be number one student. She wasn't looking for notoriety. She just wanted to be able to handle anything, ranking was almost irrelevant to her.
The school day wrapped up and Hinata was in a hurry to leave, Kuro right behind her. Hinata did not want any sort of resumption of either of Kiba's poor attempts at flirting or Sakura trying to make her out to be another girl after Sasuke. Heading towards the lone swing in the academy yard. Hinata hoped there would be a chance that her blonde friend might be waiting for her there. It had been the case in the past when her yet to be named friend. He would drop by unannounced to talk to her or even offer to train her. But as she circled the tree and looked around she found no one waiting for her.
'Guess he's not here today, he will turn up though. He always does…and someday I'm going to know your name.' Hinata thought to herself determined.
After all the time gone by Hinata still wasn't any closer to knowing the boy's name, but her trust in him was strong. After all he had helped her find Kuro and given her the drive to go through with rehabilitating and joining the academy. But she was left with many questions however. Among those things was the fact that the boy wasn't an academy student but clearly knew about the ninja ways and had even gone as far as to spar with Hinata. He demonstrated incredible wisdom and maturity for his age. And she had no idea where he came from or where he lived. She wanted to know more about him and yet she felt that she couldn't ask around about him. Somehow it seemed like the boy always knew when Hinata wanted to know a little bit more. He would offhandedly mention something about himself. In a way Hinata had enough trust him to know that eventually he would tell her everything about himself.
'I don't even know your name and you're the only boy in my life I have any interest in. Guess the mystery adds to the attraction.' Hinata thought to herself, feeling just a little disappointed to not see him again.
"Come on Kuro-chan let's not be late for work. I know Ayame is looking forward to seeing you as always." Hinata said to her fox while the vulpine smiled back.
Hinata was still indebted to the hospital for quite a bit of money since she had refused Kurenai's offer to pay for any of the surgeries and treatment. It was her way of pushing Kurenai back to her duties and worrying less about her. Hinata cared enough about her sister Hanabi to want her to be able to take care of herself and knew that Kurenai would be able to help. At the same time, she also felt this would help keep Kurenai from getting into any more trouble of her own with the Hyugas. They were not ones to be trifled with. Between studying and training, and the academy, Hinata continued to work for Ichiraku. It was how she made enough money to keep paying for what she owed the hospital. With the allowance she received from the Hokage, it was altogether enough to keep her head above water.
As Hinata started to leave the academy grounds she noticed someone peeking around a nearby wall. It was clear this person was watching Hinata. She was certain it wasn't her blonde friend since he was not one to be spotted ahead of revealing himself. Deciding she didn't like being spied on she would confront this person.
"You can come out from over there. No point in hiding." Hinata said loud enough for the watcher to hear.
The person watching Hinata gave a sigh before stepping out. It was a girl with long dark hair and a familiar pair of unique eyes. It was Hanabi just a few years older now to this day. Hinata had a moment of surprise but quickly let it fade.
"I wasn't hiding just making sure you were still there so that way I don't waste time coming onto the academy if you weren't there is all." Hanabi said coolly but clearly was making up an excuse.
"Why do you want to see me then?" Hinata shot back; she didn't want Hanabi to get any closer than needed.
As much as a part of her wanted to reconnect with her sister. Recalling how painful things were the last time she was with Hanabi and knowing that the Hyugas wouldn't want the association of the two, Hinata would have rather push away to protect.
"Well you're alive…" Hanabi said rather blankly, the words baring a sting to Hinata. "I-I mean, I heard you were pretty badly beaten after I was taken away…heard you weren't going to make it. I wanted to say something but my father I mean…"
"Get to your point already." Hinata snapped back.
"L-look I heard what Hiwaru said when they were taking me away. You're my, well you were my sister right? We have the same father. But I just wanted to kn…" Hanabi answered hiding most of her nervousness at the conversation she was looking to have. But Hinata already knew where it would go.
"We had the same father. Hiashi is not my father anymore; he's just your father. If you want know why I'm not with the clan anymore, I was accused of doing something that I didn't do. You want the details ask your father. I'm going to be late for work." Hinata said coldly as she started to walk past Hanabi not giving her a chance to say or ask anything else.
"Something you didn't do? You killed my grandfather you scum; do not dare play it off as anything less." A familiar voice bitterly said. "Now get away from Hanabi-sama."
A familiar trio of Hyuga Genin was standing before Hinata. The group had arrived the moment Hinata had decided to leave. Almost a repeat of history, the same Hyuga who nearly beat Hinata to death was once again on the search for Hanabi and now had found Hinata once more.
"Hey wait, no not this again!" Hanabi quickly turned around and got between the group and Hinata already knowing where this would lead, a hint of guilt in her voice knowing that she had once again gotten Hinata into a mess.
"Hanabi-sama clearly you are being harassed by this peasant of ill refute. Let me finish this problem once and for all." Hiwaru said cracking his knuckles threateningly.
"No dammit, you are not doing this again. I came to see her she isn't bothering me!" Hanabi angrily stated.
The Hyuga looked back at his teammates. "Take her out of here."
One of the twins behind Hiwaru nodded and made his way over to grab Hanabi. This time Hanabi was just a little bigger, a little quicker, and wasn't going to be as easy to pick up and run away with. She struggled in the grasp of one which warranted the other to assist in restraint. Hinata didn't like what she saw.
"Get your hands off Hanabi now." Hinata said coldly, Kuro took up position before Hinata growling and ready to pounce.
The look that Hinata gave was cold. Unlike years before Hinata was no longer the shy and defenseless girl. She was ready to fight despite the odds. The two Hyugas were thrown off a bit by the now fiercer former heiress.
"So you're eager to be beaten again? Maybe this time I won't be as easy going . Maybe this time I won't just leave you to lie on the ground in your own blood." The leader stated as he walked past Hanabi and his teammates.
"Keep her back." Hiwaru said to the others.
"But what if she…?" One of the other Hyugas asked but was cut off.
"Doesn't matter her father won't do anything and the clan doesn't care." The leader whispered.
Kuro started growling even louder and was ready to charge in at the Hyuga trio. Hinata gestured to her fox as she stepped ahead of him. "Down boy, just stay back."
"This is going to be different from last time; I'm going to return the favor. You're not going to be able to step over me." Hinata said with cold determination.
By now the commotion had attracted the attention of the academy students who were all by now dismissed. Many had heard the rumor that it was a Hyuga that almost beat Hinata to death. But since the clan was powerful and influential it was unwise to make accusations or claim the rumors true.
"This isn't a good idea there are students watching." The other Hyuga twin said making sure only the leader heard.
"Then I won't kill her but she is going to get what she deserves." The leader said quietly with venom in his voice, he then gave his teammate a glare that said to follow through with what he ordered.
Without saying anything else further, the leader took up a fighting stance. It was clear he would use the Hyuga clan's signature fighting style, Juken. The others struggled to restrain Hanabi and move her out of what would be the fight area. They integrated into the decent sized crowd that was now gathered to see what would come of this conflict.
'I'm not even going to show this scum my Byakugan. It would disgrace our clan to do so. She's nothing, less than that.' The leader thought bitterly as he chose not to activate his dojutsu.
Hinata dropped her backpack to the ground where Kuro pulled it aside and waited obediently for his master to finish what was started long ago, despite how much the fox wanted to rip Hiwaru's throat out.
Hinata dropped into the Hyuga fighting stance as well. It surprised many of those watching. Up until this point Hinata had used a very basic academy taught fighting style. She had proved her efficiency in the simple style and was able to best those of her fellow students she sparred against. Many knew Hinata was expelled from her clan at an early age and assumed she was not taught the fighting style of her clan. In actuality she had a very short time spent being taught Juken and the very basics were instilled in her. But it took the help of a particular blonde boy to get her become better with the fighting style she felt was lost forever to her.
Flashback
"W-wait, you're going to teach me Juken?" Hinata stuttered, something that was rare for her to do nowadays.
"Yeah isn't it your former clan's signature style?" The blonde asked casually as he assumed the Juken stance.
"Eto…I mean h-how do you know it?" Hinata asked back unsure of what to do.
"Oh…well I don't know that much. Let's just say I've had my eye on a few Hyugas. And well a former Hyuga as well."
The wink of an eye followed after the statement and before Hinata knew it the blonde took the first step forward in the unexpected spar. Hinata knew for some time the blonde was stronger than he appeared and she assumed he was also fast, otherwise how else to explain his disappearing acts. Her assumptions were proven right at that immediate moment. His first step exploded into a flash of movement. If not for a last second slowdown in movement Hinata would have surely suffered a finger jab to her shoulder, the movement slowed down just enough at the last moment to give Hinata the chance to sidestep away.
The boy smiled before following up with an equally fast but timely restrained open palm strike. "Come now don't have me hold back all day. How are you going to get stronger then?"
Hinata dodged the attack that was purposely slowed down at the last moment. She did her best to retaliate by returning her own finger jabs and open palm strikes. But Hinata's sparring partner was clearly faster at movement and faster at the counter. Every move of Hinata's was met with a faster strike that was only slowed down just a moment before impact to avoid any serious injury.
'He's good, he's really good. How did he learn this much from just watching? Unless he's been…' Hinata's thoughts were cut short as unexpectedly instead of palm strike, a punch connected through to Hinata's chest.
Choking out air Hinata stumbled back, the boy stepped to the side of Hinata and maneuvered his right leg to trip Hinata. Just as she was about to hit the ground the same leg used to trip was also used to support Hinata up while a single arm was reached out hand grab her jacket collar. She was being held up just above ground.
"Sorry you left yourself open to be taken advantage of. Like I said I'm not good at Juken. But it has its benefits." The boy pulled Hinata up onto her feet.
"I know you think, what's the point in practicing this style if you can't use your Byakugan anymore? And that's what everyone else thinks too. Others will underestimate or overestimate you, take advantage of that. Don't give away anything until you have to. You are training to become a Ninja after all."
"Ahhh!"
A battle cry rang out. One strike after another was thrown at Hinata. She sidestepped and spun out of the way of each hit, deflecting with her own palm strikes. Everyone watching cheered on, not for any of the two fighting in particular. But the cheers were merely out of the joy and amusement of seeing people fight each other. It was a spectacle to them.
'Stay on your feet, keep moving and keep him going.' Hinata thought to herself as she narrowly dodged a succession of finger jabs that were aimed at her chest.
'Just wait for your chance to strike back, finish it in a few good hits.'
Hinata continued to dodge and deflect while doing her best to remain calm. She wasn't looking to expend as many blows as possible on her opponent. She knew well enough that would be costly if a mistake were made. All she needed was an opening, the wrong time for him that would be the right time for her. It was clear the genin was becoming frustrated as his efforts didn't seem to affect the former heiress. The pressure of his attacks weren't getting to her despite the multitude. Hinata maintained her distance and defense. Her opponent not realizing she wanted him to keep on attacking.
"Just go down already!" Hiwaru yelled as he ran forward trying to get closer, figuring it would increase his chances of hitting Hinata and lowering her odds of dodging.
Rather than continue dodging and deflecting just as she did from the start, Hinata applied her own pressure. She stepped forward into her opponent as he struck. Pushing her way towards the male Hyuga while dodging another jab, Hinata moved her head. Another palm strike shot out of the genin's other arm. Hinata dropped to a near squat getting below her opponent's second attack. The whole time she still pushed forward until she was too close for him to effectively strike again.
'My turn to hit back now.' Hinata declared to herself.
She had maneuvered into the Hyuga's proximity, too close for him to backup or strike back. And without the knowledge of much more advanced techniques of Juken or the advantage that would entail from activating his Byakugan, he was now open. Hinata thrust forward with a finger jab. Her opponent thought nothing severe of it. Knowing full well that Hinata could not close any tenketsu, but that was not her intent at all. The jab turned into a closed fist, the closed fist collided fully with the side of the boy's neck.
"Aaaarrgghhhh!"
Some of the academy students flinched at the sickening meat packing noise. The choking gag was what made the rest cringe. It was just one hit that had the Hyuga stagger back fighting for air. That wasn't anything traditional to Juken. It was the simple act of hitting someone where it hurt.
Hanabi was impressed by her sister's unconventional counter attack. Hinata made it out to be something the Hyugas were known to do but instead turned it into a brutal sneak attack. Hiwaru was coughing up a storm, saliva dripping out of his mouth as he breathed in hard.
"You bitch! I'll end you! Byakugan!" Hiwaru declared.
Angered and irrational, the Hyuga brought about his clan's prized power. He looked to end it all, there was nowhere Hinata could go he wouldn't find her. But Hinata was not looking to hide. She knew he had brought out his trump card but she also knew he was going to get sloppy. Hinata watched the area around her opponent's eyes protrude with prominent bulged veins, his irides becoming visible. Backing up from her opponent like as if acting precautious, Hinata gave the genin a false sense of advantage.
"No escape for you!" Hiwaru bolted to Hinata.
'That's what I was waiting for. Come at me as if you intend to end it all now.' Hinata thought as she knew it was time to end the fight.
"Eight Trigrams!" The Hyuga yelled out ready to unleash a fierce barrage.
Before he could fully deploy his attack, Hinata stopped backing up. She went straight in at her opponent. Anyone else observing would think it was a foolish decision to get closer to a Hyuga on the warpath. Hinata knew what she was doing. Once more Hinata got closer but dropped lower than before. The sudden quick and low shift caused the Hiwaru to launch a kick with his left leg. It was what Hinata wanted him to do. Hiwaru felt confident, thought that no matter what Hinata did, he would see it and stop it. He only saw what Hinata wanted him to see.
Hinata was low to the ground, low enough to be a near crouch, she brought up her arms and blocked the attack, pushing the leg back still getting closer to the genin. There was a momentary sense of panic knowing he couldn't unleash his main attack in time. The Hyuga kicked with his other leg with full force feeling that Hinata left herself open, he played into her game.
"Others will underestimate or overestimate you, take advantage of that. Don't give away anything until you have to. You are training to become a Ninja after all."
The nameless boy's words echoed in her head for just the moment before she struck back. She didn't block the oncoming kick. Instead with all her strength, Hinata punched with her right hand. The balled fist crashed head on into the knee of her adversary. She could feel the pain jolt up through her wrist but it was nothing compared to the pain that plagued her body since the day she almost died nor did it compare to what Hiwaru would feel very soon.
CRRRAAACCCKKKKK!
Everything played out frame by frame, everyone who watched this fight. Their faces had changed from accepting things were over, to confusion, to a sickening realization. Hinata with a well timed fist shattered a joint and possibly knee cap and now her opponent's right leg was bent inwards like a snapped tree branch. The noise of bone shattering echoed throughout the open yard.
"AHHHHHH!"
A wretched bloody scream echoed, Hiwaru was collapsing but Hinata had one more move to play. She clenched her left fist and immediately smashed it into Hiwaru's face breaking his nose. Attention on Hanabi was dropped as the teammate of the Hyuga twins were now by their comrade's side trying to figure out some way to help him. The gathered crowd of students cheered on the unexpected display of brutality. Hinata stood before the crumbling Hyuga.
'That felt good…better than I thought…I liked that, I like seeing him in pain. This is what he deserves for what he did to me.' Hinata thought as she rubbed her sore wrist.
She was reluctant to admit it but seeing the one who had nearly beaten her to death years ago, seeing him suffer. Hinata liked the moment, feeling she may have liked it more than she should. But she wouldn't have much more time to enjoy her own accomplishment as Iruka and Mizuki had finally arrived to see what the commotion was all about. Hinata was not in the mood to explain her actions to anyone. She beckoned for Kuro to follow and pushed her way out of the crowd and headed away from the academy.
'How's that for irony, I was exiled from my clan because I tried to stop someone from being tortured, because I didn't like seeing that person suffer. And here I am admitting that like making someone suffer.'
"What heck is going on here? What happened to that boy?" Iruka started questioning while checking on the injuries the genin suffered.
Hinata didn't get far as she noticed Hanabi standing in her path just outside the academy, the younger girl huffing for air as she sprinted to get ahead of her sister. Hinata had still intended to keep her distance from her younger sister. As well as make as quick of an exit as possible or risk being nearby when someone of authority fanned out to find Hinata. She started to walk past Hanabi with Kuro by her side not saying anything to the little girl.
"Why do you do it?" Hanabi asked before Hinata could walk past her, sister and sister were side by side now.
"It's clear you're not some failure. Why not ask our father to come back to the clan? Why stay trapped in a life of insignificance away from those you belong with?" Hanabi bluntly asked.
Something in Hinata snapped. The questions asked of her seemingly displayed an accepted assumption about her. It was true she lived a hard life, but it was her life to choose what to do with.
"What makes you think I'm trapped? Because I have this mark that was unfairly placed on me by the ignorant? Or that I am no longer part of a clan that was never a family to me, that didn't want me." Hinata bitterly fired back.
"I'm more free than you are. I am not surrounded by fools that would blame a child for something that was not her fault that was out of her control and would so quickly condemn. You're the one that's trapped Hanabi, not me!"
Hinata's response was far colder than the dark haired girl expected. It was clear the former Hyuga's mind was made up. Hanabi felt like a fool for even bothering to ask such a question. The girl clearly upset barged off away from her older sister.
'I didn't think you would understand Hanabi but I had hoped you wouldn't look at my situation so simply.' Hinata thought still upset and not wanting to waste any more time on the matter.
Hinata was on her way home in a hurry, deciding to skip work now. What had started off as such a typical day turned into an emotional thrill ride. She realized for the first time ever she liked seeing someone who hurt her be hurt. And despite Hanabi, despite her age would end up asking questions so bluntly that it felt almost callous. It was draining for her and she just wanted to disconnect from the world. She needed time to herself. Producing the key to her apartment room just as she arrived home, Hinata started to turn the key just as she sighed to herself.
"I wouldn't think you would be this upset over having taking down the fool that almost killed you." A familiar voice spoke nonchalantly.
Letting go of the key and doorknob Hinata looked down the hall to see her nameless friend. She ran over to him and wrapped her arms around him. She needed him now; she needed another person to be with her who understood well enough about her life. The blonde returned the hug for a moment before breaking the embrace to look at Hinata eye to eye.
"What's wrong?" The boy asked a clearly upset Hinata.
"I-It's my little sister Hanabi…I know she doesn't understand my situation but to misunderstand that much. She just wrote it off like I'm nothing without the clan."
The blonde reached out and caressed Hinata's face gently. "Then help her understand, don't push her away."
Hinata was taken aback; she looked back at the boy wide eyed.
"It's alright to be upset about it. But she is your sister, though the rest of your clan can take a hike. But she wouldn't have come to you if she wasn't concerned about you. She means well if she's thinking of a way to solve what she perceives is the root cause of your problems. She is after all still just a child." The blonde said observantly.
Feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over, Hinata realized now she had let her upset emotions get the better of her. She wanted to keep Hanabi at distance to protect her of any retribution from their father. But she didn't want to drive her away just because she was mad.
"I know this day has gotten you quite riled up. You didn't even notice Kuro is not with you." The boy pointed out somewhat teasing Hinata.
The former heiress proceeded to do a double take realizing that it was in fact true she did not notice her pet fox was not present at all. Her embarrassment and shame only tripling at this point, she couldn't believe that her anger would lead her to misjudge her sister so badly and lose track of her precious pet fox. Hinata felt herself on the verge of tears.
The boy noticed this in Hinata rather quickly; he reached over and gently pulled Hinata's hand. "Come now, I have a good idea where Kuro will be. We might just find your sister on the way as well."
Hinata could only blush at the reassuring blonde. This day was still proving to be a roller coaster of emotions for her.
Hanabi had returned to the Academy grounds after the crowd had disbursed and Iruka and Mizuki took the Hiwaru to the hospital to receive care for his broken and dislocated leg. She didn't want to return home; she didn't want to deal with anyone. Not her father, Kurenai, or anyone from the clan. She took up a seat on the wooden swing that hung by itself on the only tree in the yard.
"Guess all I am is just a kid who doesn't understand anything, just waiting to be told what to do." Hanabi said quietly to herself.
Unbeknownst, Kuro had wandered off from Hinata after the sisterly quarrel. The black fox had followed Hanabi around until she had decided to stop back at the Ninja Academy grounds. Figuring she wasn't going to move anywhere else soon. The fox would introduce himself to Hanabi. Quietly crawling to the dark haired Hyuga, Kuro started to paw at Hanabi's dangling legs.
"Huh? What is that?" Hanabi asked feeling the small paw of Kuro touch her leg.
Looking down she could see the black fox now sitting obediently before the young Hyuga girl. Hanabi looked back at the fox confused. Kuro tilted his head expecting something to be said or done.
"Umm…hi…" Hanabi said slowly, still unsure of what to say or do. "You're my sister's pet fox right? I mean my former sister…" Hanabi said her voice taking a sad tone towards the end.
Kuro only tilted his head more looking quizzical to Hanabi at her statement.
"What don't understand what I mean by that? I don't expect you to understand you're just a fox." Hanabi said almost begrudgingly.
Taking it up as a challenge Kuro quickly leaped up to Hanabi, the fox surprising Hanabi had gotten high enough into the air to land in her lap. Taking up a seat in her lap, Kuro started to paw at Hanabi again, almost beckoning the girl to explain.
"Jeez you're persistent…" Hanabi said sounding annoyed, Kuro took it as a compliment and barked before giving his best impression of puppy dog eyes.
A sweat drop went down the side of Hanabi's head before face panning. She couldn't resist the adorable features of the fox no matter how much she didn't want to admit it. Giving a sigh of defeat she petted the fox.
"Can't believe I'm going to be confiding in a four legged critter…"
Unknown to Hanabi, Hinata had been led back to the Academy grounds by her blonde friend. It was another perplexing moment for Hinata. She had to wonder how he would know where Kuro would be, let alone how he always showed up at the right time. He was never around for anyone else besides Hinata to see. Not knowing his name added to the questions she had for him. But what she did know was that he always meant well, always helping her.
'Always helping but never answering my questions, I still don't know your name but you know so much about me now.' Hinata thought to herself as she glanced to his hand still holding hers.
'I don't even know your name and that doesn't bother me nearly as much as it would with any other person. You're the only boy I know that interests me at all, am I falling for someone without a name?' Hinata blushed at the thought before suddenly being stopped by the blonde she was thinking about.
"See look there he is and look at who else is there." The blonde said pointing off to the lone swing.
Hinata could see Kuro keeping company of her younger sister. As she was about to step forward and call out to Kuro and Hanabi, Hinata felt her hand being gently pulled back. The blonde had stopped Hinata from going any further. She looked at him and saw that he had his index finger held out before his mouth gesturing a shush. He then pointed to Hanabi.
"I have been told to stay away from her ever since that day by my father…he's her father too. But he won't acknowledge that at all. The council keeps telling me she's a murderer but even I know that's not true. That old man was past his time and his heart gave out when he lost his temper. But they all decreed she wouldn't be a Hyuga anymore, that she isn't my sister or a daughter of Hiashi, my father." Hanabi explained to Kuro.
"But it's unfair all of it. I know she didn't do anything wrong. And I'm sure she knows that too…" Hanabi looked down at Kuro. "So why doesn't she try to come back from her exile? Why doesn't she come back to her family…? No, what family? They are just a clan." Hanabi took a more somber tone.
"Maybe she is right, I am trapped. With a clan that's only concerned about grooming a new leader that will keep its own people in check and a father that only cares about honor and tradition. Yeah I am trapped and she's free from it all. I don't want to be alone anymore." Hanabi said nearly breaking down in tears, Kuro saddened by the sight, began nuzzling into Hanabi.
Stepping out from where Hanabi had been hiding earlier in the day. Hinata started to make her way towards her sister. Kuro snapped from his comforting Hanabi, his ears perking up in excitement to see Hinata. Hanabi looked to see her sister coming towards her. She felt a level of embarrassment since Hinata may have seen her crying and had most likely heard everything she had said to the black fox.
"Hanabi, I'm sorry for what I said earlier."
As Hinata got closer to Hanabi, she did something to her sister she had not done since Hanabi's infancy. She embraced her sister, holding her close and comforting the younger girl. Hanabi flinched, such a form of affection was foreign to her. She pushed away embarrassed from the contact.
"W-what a-are you talking about?" Hanabi glanced away pretending that she had not just been talking out loud to a fox. It was clear that despite her intelligence, Hanabi was still very young and being articulate with her feelings was not something so simple.
"I was upset when I said what I said, and it's no excuse but you have to understand it's not something so simple as to just return to the clan." Hinata spoke truthfully.
"You could always just kick everyone's ass like you did that bastard." Hanabi said bluntly.
Hinata blinked for a second surprised at the bluntness displayed and the choice of words used by her younger sister. She then giggled a little which only served to further embarrass Hanabi.
"H-hey it's true! All they care about is having strong fighters in the clan. Show them you're not weak and just come back. That way I don't have to be…" Hanabi paused still unwilling to acknowledge what she had said aloud earlier.
"So you don't have to be alone right Hanabi?" Hinata asked, Hanabi nodded her head slowly in response.
"I wanted to keep my distance from you Hanabi because I felt it was the right thing to do, to keep you from being punished for associating with me. But I know that was wrong to do, to leave you all alone. I can't come back to the clan Hanabi. But I can still be your sister. I will be there for you when you need me imouto." Hinata said with a reassuring smile.
Hanabi didn't say anything further she hopped off the swing and hugged her older sister. Kuro barked happily seeing the two sisters reunited. While the sisters bonded another woman was watching the whole conversation unfold. It was Kurenai Yuhi, who had been dispatched to find Hanabi by the Hyuga Clan.
"I'm so happy to see you two reconnecting, you did the right thing Hinata. Hiashi can wait for Hanabi to be done."
AN: Hey look another long AN! /sweats /alot /shot orz Alright well pretty sure my heavily but poorly worded narration texts that interrupt everything in this chapter besides flashback sections will be among many reasons to heavily criticize me. Then again what don't I do that doesn't garner criticism right? Hahaha oh well when I deserve it, I deserve it. But yeah hopefully I can have this story pick up some real steam soon. I feel writing the chapter this way will help me push faster to the better parts soonerish. And in case you're wondering about the Hinata vs Hiwaru fight, I kinda recycled the Naruto vs Neji fight I wrote years back in Shinku Arashi _ Anyways until next time, I say this Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Don't get hurt on Black Friday!