Neji's so cute...sigh. XD


Neji and Gaara's wrists are still locked when Gai-sensei booms, "All Champions to the middle!"

Neji pauses. "Let's both go."

Gaara stays laconic, but follows him to the center of the gym, a huge green circle with a mahogany desk.

There are four people already there. Rock Lee, Sakura, Kiba, Chouji. Apparently Kiba and Rock Lee tied; they're glaring at each other like there was no tomorrow.

Surprising and rather interesting.

Ino goes crazy. "Yah, Sakura!" she screams. "Show 'em watch ya got!!"

"Cha!" she grins back, looking at me also.

By the time I figure that it's a good idea to smile back, Gai-sensei was in full bloom.

"Dance of the Spring Youth!" he cries. "We'll start with the lady!"

Apparently there are three rather distinct groups of varying enthusiasm through the participants;

Excited: Sakura, Kiba, Chouji

Bored or just seemingly indifferent: Neji, Gaara

Going absolutely crazy: Rock Lee.

Figures.

"Ladies first, Sakura!" he beams, and looks at her, who gulps. "Twirl in the middle in a perfect circle - show off your youth! - and point a finger. He will be your oppponent!"

"Ah - um, okay."

She does so, falling once out of nervousness. The finger points directly at Kiba.

Akamaru barks, looking excited, and Kiba grins.

I lean closer, interested. I'd never seen either of them in action before.

Sakura smiles, her eyes narrowing, sizing him up. "Too bad your dog can't help you now."

Kiba keeps grinning. "Nor your precious Sasuke," he shoots back.

Two bright flames dance in her eyes. She scowls. "Bring it on!"

"Ready..." - Gai-sensei's smile is huge - "set, GO!"

Sakura automaticaly squeezes hard. Something seems to crack.

I wince with Kiba. He moves his arm sideways, pushing his limit.

Ino cheers in her stentorian voice. "YEAH SAKURA!" - the only voice in the gym. It echoes.

Too silent. Just like that night...

When my destiny was circled twice.

Once as the heiress of the Hyuuga clan.

The other as the bringer of death.

Kiba's squeezing back. She lets him, then turns her arm

and

Voila, his hits the table lightly.

Ouch. Not good for male ego.

But Kiba just grins, stretching. "Good job," he says, and Sakura shakes his hand gingerly, "Tough grip you have."

"Gaara! Chouji!"

They take their places. Chouji has a colossal bag of chips, and he sits ther contentedly, waiting for the "go", munching away.

Glutton.

"Ready...set...GO!!"

It's rather quick. Chouji tries his best, but is pushed down slowly.

Gradually. He can't seem to fight.

"You...lose," comes a voice from Gaara, so hideous it echoes like fingernails against the blackboard.

I tremble. Chouji's hand dangles like a linp fish, plainly broken.

Limp...that's what Hizashi looked like..my uncle. Limp

and dead.

A wave of nausea hits me and I double over. My chest seems to crack - that's why I can't get enough air -

A tap on my shoulder. "Are you okay, Hinata?"

"I'm fine," I snap. The pain increases, but I do not make a sound.

I'm strong. I'm not weak. I can prove myself...just...don't make a noise.

Naruto comes forward, his head slightly turned towards me. A look of concern is on his features.

"Hinata...do you need to see the nurse?"

"N-no."

"You sure?"

I face him, and the pain lessens. "I'm fine."

"Okay..." reluctantly he takes his spot behind me. "I'll be checking." His look of severity is ruined by his stupidity.

Right. As if anyone cares about me - as if they want to.

Hiashi does not, taking care of me only because of his role as a father. No other reason. He's made it plain so many times, even kicking me once while I started to cry once in front of him.

I'm five.

"Don't be weak, Hinata! You must be strong. If only - " He reaches across, takes my shoulder-length black hair.

I'd washed it especially for training, wanting to look my best and practice my hardest. It's futile. " - If only I had a son that was strong!" In one slice his Jyuuken cuts it. I'm left with short, mangly, ear-length hair. "Why can't you be more like Neji?" Turns away, never looks back. "You weakling."

I'm left with a bad haircut, a hopeful heart ripped in two, my conscience left in tatters.

I am No One. Later I cut my hair myself, hoping it would look better if I worked on it. It didn't. My hair is ugly, shorter than a boy's. He has achieved but a bad haircut and I hateful daughter.

I hate him.

Just the Gai-sensei rants, "Neji and Rock Lee!" A spark lights up in his mouth.

I wonder if Gai-sensei secretly practices cloning himself.

Rock Lee looks exactly like his miniature Gai-sensei, except slightly thinner brows, buggier eyes, and a scrawnier body. He flashes a smile that's the exact and freaking annoying-same. "Hai, Gai-sensei!"

Tear stream down their faces suddenly.

I try not to gag.

"Into the sunset, my pupil!"

"Y-yes, Gai-sensei!"

"Springtime of Y - "

"I'm over here." Neji stands, hands folded across his chest. "Hurry up."

"I - yes, Neji-san! I shall perform my duties," Rock Lee says seriously, tears still streaming down his face. He takes a seat.

"Go, NEJI!" shrieks quite a few girsl.

Neji eyes the crowd. "Shut up." It grows silent. His eyes meet mine, his face holding a guarded expression.

Even with his Byakugan, he manages to seem like he can read my mind, see exactly what I was thinking of just now...

The death...

I look away first. Crap.

They lock their hands together, Neji indifferent, Rock Lee determined. (A/N: I can imagine his brows together!!!)

"START!" booms Gai-sensei.

The miniature version starts out strong. He has a killer grip; Neji's tendons show as he struggles.

So someone can push him that far...

His hand lowers drastically. A few fangirls gulp.

"You're a failure." Neji's voice, sounding unbroken, untouchable.

Rock Lee ignores him.

It's suddenly gotten silent in the gym.

Neji's hand slips even further. He's sweating.

"Why are you even trying?"

Rock Lee's concetration breaks for an instant, and Neji pushes. Their grip is in the exact middle again.

"Even a hard worker cannot beat a genius." This time his voice sounds strained, but the reaction does not differ.

Rock Lee breathes hard, his eyes widening.

It's difficult to determine who's sweating more. Their grasp stays still, an impasse.

Neji speaks again. "Destinies cannot be changed." He forces his hand down, and he has won.

Destinies...

Everything changes to a violent white before I pass out.


This has got to be my longest chappie ever!

I'm learning :)

Does Hinata still seem OOC? Well, a bit...

God, her first day in school was long! It took more than five chapters (though they're not that long :P)

Bye and happy cookies and chocolate!

Lumberrrrrrrrrrrrrrry