One week past flying by quickly. The first thing we did was buy weights, we needed to rise our endurance and stamina fast. Especially me, as I was still trying to get costumed to a female body- which is much more delicate than I would have expected. While Sasuke pointed out the flaws I had on the Academy's taijutsu- flaws from the fact that no one had ever taught it to me correctly- I taught him some chakra control exercises: climbing trees and walking on water. By the end of the week I was already mimicking Sasuke's taijutsu perfectly and he was running to the top of tree before jumping towards a lake, and doing it all over again.

We've also showed each other our own kata, Sasuke the Uchiha one and I the Senju kata. Of course, he did not know it was from the Senju clan. I myself felt bad for practicing this kata, even though it was baachan the one who gave me all her taijutsu scrolls. It's not like I could use the Whirlpool Uzumaki kata, that would be a dead give away of my facade.

Going back to my training with Sasuke, I was capable of making him see a flaw in it: that without the sharingan it will get you killed. The problem with the Uchiha's is that they wait too much. It took me a while to get it through his thick prideful head but I finally got him to train without using his eyes, then he was capable to see what I was talking about and correct it. My kata training was hard too, I only got to see half of the stuff from the scrolls with baachan before she... she got killed by Madara. But surprisingly enough Sasuke was there by my side giving me tip after tip.

"I can't let you slow me down, now can I?" was his answer when I questioned him about it, though his red ears were a dead give away of his true feelings. It still brings a smile into my face every time I remember that moment.

As I walked down the road towards the Uchiha compound I heard some sniffling coming from a bush. Curios I stopped and followed the sound, you'll know my surprise when I found Hinata Hyuga crying. My heart ached at the sight, Hinata has always been my strongest supporter the one I could always count on. I was still ashamed with myself for not having given her the attention she deserved, instead I wasted it on that bubblegum bitch. I shook my head, getting rid of those horrible memories, and stepped forward.

"Hey, are you ok Hyuga-san?" I called out, softly not to startle her.

"I-I-" she began stuttering, barely breathing with all the sobbing.

"Hey, why don't we calm ourselves down first. It's ok to cry, that does not make you weak in the slightest" that was all she needed to hear before crying harder if it was possible, I rapidly took her into my arms and let her cry on my chest. I don't even know how long we stayed like this but I was running lat not my meeting with Sasuke so I had to send a kage bunshin to practice weapon accuracy with him "Now, don't you feel better? Keeping things bottled up isn't healthy, talking things out, on the other hand, is" I told her, giving her a kind smile and caressing her hair "Would you like to talk to me about whatever that's bothering you? I won't judge, no need to be shy"

She stopped, gazing deep into my eyes with such a seriousness and determination that the young Hinata wouldn't had been capable of achieving yet... it seems that "Naruto's" death gave her a wake up call, the same way ero-senin's did to me in the original timeline.

"M-my fa-father w-wants me to fi-fight my si-sister, to see who is b-better to be th-the head of the cl-clan" she confessed, her stutter much better than it was at her age on my timeline, eyes dropping on the floor in shame "I d-don't know wh-what to d-do. I d-don't want my si-sister to be u-used or pr-pressured like t-they did to m-me. B-but I also don't w-want to h-hurt her"

"I get it. Being faced against family is a horrible thing and no one should have to pass through that. Your father is an asshole for making you girls do that" I spat angrily, ignoring her startled expression at my language, I had always hated that stuck up Hyuga "However, you need to woman up Hi...Hyuga-san" I rapidly corrected myself "See this as a spar, a practice session. But do not go easy on her in fear of hurting her. You are protecting her, aren't you? From the elders, but also from the enemy ninjas out there. If you go easy on her she will believe that everyone out there is weaker than her for how big her ego would get. Do you want your sister dead?"

I felt bad for being so mean, especially when she flinched away at my words, but she needs to grow up faster. I recall Hinata telling me that the elders and her father lost faith on her as a lieder during this fight. If we change this who knows what the outcome for the Hyuga clan will be. A better one I hope.

"But what can I do?" she asked softly, no stutter.

I was shocked by the resolve in her voice. Then I remembered how she stood up against Pain for me and now how she's gaining courage for her sister.

"You are not strong enough or courageous enough to stand up for yourself, that's why everyone ends up underestimating you. But it seems like there's a fierce lioness waiting to pounce at those who dare to hurt her precious people" I said, ignoring her look of surprise "I met someone like that once... Naruto Uzumaki" that name caused her to wince but kept silent "It did not matter how much he was belittled or mistreated, he never got angry but when his precious people got involved he used that anger to fuel him, to give him strength and resolve to stand up even against those stronger and scarier than him" I turned my farewell gaze towards her, who was looking at me attentively "I believe... no, I know you have that strength into you" her eyes widened in disbelief, but I could see a fire lit in them- something that gave me great pleasure "So wake up that lioness and show them what you are capable of. Do not stutter, because you have nothing to be ashamed of. Your thoughts will not be oppressed. If you need wait before speaking to formulate the right sentence and gain strength. You know what, here" I gave her my pearl bracelet "Touch it whenever you need the reassurance that you are not alone. Speak out that's the only way something will ever change. Not only with clan business but with family. Bad communication lead to misunderstandings. Do you want to practice with me before you face them?"

"Yes, please" she answered after a small pause, no stutter but pure determination.

We fought against each other for quite a while, I even had a few bunshins attack her silently in surprise only to find out she already sense them coming. Yes, sense not see.

"Hyuga-san, stop" I called out "I noticed something your taijutsu is perfect but it does not suit you. You are like water, fluid and flexible. You kata is like a tree waiting to break. Not to mention very predictable. Why don't you mix it up a bit? Add your fluidity and flexibility to the kata, that will fix the predictability problem. Also, you have a lot of latent talent as a sensor. You know that there are different ways to 'see', don't you? Your eyes are simply a tool, they do not define you. Ninja use tools, they are not one" Hinata looked at me surprised, it seems that no one has ever told her that before "Wanna go again?"

It seems that things are gonna work out just fine, I thought as I received a shocking strong hit from Hinata.

Hinata's P.O.V:

I smiled to myself as I rushed towards the Hyuga compound, I was dirty, tired and sore but content at the same time. Kaguya Yue, my new friend woke the will of fire inside of me. I was still afraid of facing my father but I knew that I could do this. I touched Yue's bracelet tenderly. No need to cause big changes yet, baby steps.

I rapidly got inside the training room, ignoring the disproving looks for my outside looks and got ready for the fight. It seems like my father took it on himself to make sure I humiliate myself in front of the whole clan. Every elder and their branch servants were presents. Even Neiji-niisan was there.

My nervousness was coming back, I rapidly took Yue's bracelet and calmed down. I was no longer alone I had someone having my back. Also, I was doing this for my sister, not for myself.

Come one lioness, wake up! I screamed in my head.

It was as if something snapped inside and took possession of me. I did not even notice my father start the match, I only sensed my sister come.

So, this is what Yue meant when she said we could 'see' without eyes. I thoughtfully mustered in my head.

I didn't even bother to activate my byakugan, I knew I could win this fight without it. Not to mention I was making a silent statement that my dojutsu does not define me. I used my flexility to fluidly evade her attack, before firming my stance and hit her with hard enough to have her flying towards the wall and knocking her out. I have always been good at controlling chakra, at least now I could put it to good use.

The silence was deafening, you could cut the tension in the air with a knife. As always it was my father the one who broke the silence. Glare set firm in place, surely angry that I hurt her favorite child.

"What was that?" he asked, anger clear on his tone "That was not our kata!"

I schooled myself, I will not flinch. I took my time, like Yue recommended, to formulate my answer and gain courage. I did not allow any of them pressure me to reply when I was still not ready. I grabbed into Yue's bracelet firmly and took a deep breath.

"Our kata is perfect, there is no questioning of that. But that does not mean it's unbeatable or even favorable on most occasions" I took a bit of pride when they seemed startled by the fact I did not stutter "What can we truly do when we face someone who fights in a long range or when our opponent doesn't even use chakra that much. Neji-niisan's sensei is a taijutsu master! The best jounin out there are deadlier because of their own bodies not their ninjutsu or weapons. We perfected something and let ourselves relax, but our dojutsu can do much more than simply block chakra points. We have unlimited potential but we let it go to waste because our pride!" many eyes widened at my passionate declaration "What will we do when we do not wake up the byakugan or when we hurt our eyes during a mission. Will we become broken ninja? I refuse to let the happen! Our eyes are tools but they do not define us, ninjas use tool but that does not turn us into one" I took strength from the looks of understanding and... approval? many members gave me, and continued my speech "To answer your question father, that was our kata. I simply turned it into my own. I won't be a predictable tree waiting to brake because they refuse to bend. I am flexible and my moves are fluid, why don't use that to my advantage and add it to my taijutsu?" I looked at him straight into his eyes, some of my determination dying.

I tightened my grip on Yue's bracelet and tried to calm my meeting heart.

"You are talking about changing rules set by our ancestors since our origins" he said, voice calm but I could see in his eyes the disapproval.

I was about to start panicking when I recalled Yue's words: "It did not matter how much he was belittled or mistreated, he never got angry but when his precious people got involved he used that anger to fuel him, to give him strength and resolve to stand up even against those stronger and scarier than him"

I straightened my back and let all my anger at being forgotten and belated by my father fuel me, and replied: "Well father, you might have let your own brother die but I am not allowing my own sister or any Hyuga clan member, my precious people, to walk to her death for my pride"

That finally seemed to stun him. I ignored his wide eyes, filled with pain and confusion, and bowed. I then turned on my heels and collected my sister to take her to get checked out. Only once I was out I let myself to smile and sigh in relief.

Maybe taking a stand from time to time wasn't that bad.