At the Hyuga Estate, Hiashi was standing in Hinata's room with the moonlight illuminating the dark space from the window.

As he looked around the room, his heart felt heavy. More than half of her belongings were gone. Her closets and drawers were half empty and her bed was bare, Hiashi felt like he was standing in an occupied guest room instead of his daughter's.

He continued to look around the room, seeing what she did leave behind and the heaviness on his heart increase as he saw her little bookshelf. She kept her books and scrolls in there like anyone should but it was what was on top that made it special. Hinata kept photos of happy and special moments moments she had with her family there. But the only photos remaining were the ones with him in them.

And all this because of what happened...

(Flashback)

Hiashi walked into the hospital for the third time since he heard of Hinata's and Neji's match. The first time was the day after the exam, he received a message stating that both Hyugas went up against each other and were severely injured. When he arrived, he was greeted by Gai Sensei, who stayed as a favor to Kakashi to see Hinata's progress and to see his own student's. Gai told him what happened during the match, to say that Hiashi was surprised would be an understatement.

The second time was 2 days after his first visit, when he heard both his daughter and nephew were awake. He came the room they shared, both looking better than before. He hesitated at first but told them the truth about his brother and gave Neji the scroll that his father left behind. What shock the teens most was that he was on his hands and knees bowing to Neji, apologizing for what happened.

2 days had pass since then and Hiashi entered the hospital for the third time to check Neji out. Sadly Hinata had to stay for a few more days to be safe. While walking to their room, Hiashi realized that he was so focused on telling them what happened to Hizashi, he never commented on their match. When he heard about Hinata's draw with Neji, a sense of pride came to his chest. Neji was considered a genius, a true prodigy of the byakugan, more so than Hanabi. The side branch and even a few main branch members thought he should be the next heir. So for Hinata to match him like she did, it made him proud. It also made him think in regards to her birthright.

As he came closer to the room, he heard they were in a conversation. Now he knew that it was wrong to eavesdrop but considering the events of the pass week, he needed to know how their relationship changed.

Neji sat in a chair by Hinata's bed, with his head bowed. He was waiting to be released but there was something he had to say before he left.

"I'm...sorry" He said

Hinata looked at him as she sat up and rested her back against the headrest "You don't need to apologize."

He shook his head "I have to. You were right, I hated the main household for so long because of what I thought had happened to my father. I needed to take my anger out on someone, I knew I wasn't a match for your father and I'm not heartless enough to attack Hanabi, she's just a child. You were a perfect target, you are the heir to the clan, daughter to the leader of the clan who should have died instead of his brother, I thought if I aimed my anger at you, I would feel better. I'm ashamed to say I was right."

Hiashi knew he should be upset and part of him is, but the another part understands how Neji feels and decided that his pass actions with Hinata will go unpunished.

He looked at her with apologetic eyes "I attacked you when you didn't deserve it, you are one of the few in the main household who treats us like family, rather than servants and I was too blind to see that." He bowed to her "I am truly sorry, Lady Hinata."

"Please don't call me Lady Hinata." Hinata reached over and sat him up straight "And don't bow, like I said you don't need to say sorry. If anyone should apologize, it's me."

Neji looked at her, confused "I don't understand, what do you have to say sorry for?"

"I'm apologizing on the behalf of the whole main household."

Hiashi stiffens from where he stood.

She's what?

She sat back and looked out the window "What you said during the match was true. The side branch does live in fear because of that mark, whenever I think about it, it makes me ashamed to be part of the main branch."

"You feel the mark shames the main branch rather than the side branch?"

She nodded "All of us in the Hyuga clan possess the byakugan, meaning we all share the same blood, we are all family. Yet we have a caste system that divides us and cause this feud. The main branch doesn't see the side branch as family but as servants there to do as we say." She clenches her hands from the guilt and shame she felt "It's not right! We all have the byakugan, so why is it that the main branch is in charge of keeping its secrets when there are those in the lesser branch who are capable of being keepers as well. There are even those..." She looked at him " who are more suited to be the next leader of the Hyuga clan."

Neji was flabbergasted at what she was implying "Hinata..."

"Neji, I want things to change. I want this feud to stop and to remove this caste system we have. No main branch, no side branch, just one big family."

Neji smiled sadly at Hinata "A change like that would be nice, wouldn't it?" He said before turning his gaze to the floor as he touched his forehead "But that is wishful thinking. As long as we bear this mark, we will alway be lesser than the others."

"Then we'll just have to get rid of it."

Neji almost got whiplash at how fast he lift his head.

"Get rid of it? Is that possible?" He asked hopeful.

Hinata nodded, looking determined "If there are jutsu for creating seals, there has to be some on removing them. With enough resources and help, we'll be able to find a jutsu that removes the mark for good."

From where he stood, Hiashi had a frown on his face, he refuse to hear anymore and decided to make his presence known. He stepped in front of the door and opened it, cutting off the teens conversation.

"Hello, Lord Hiashi." Neji greeted

Hiashi kept his eyes on Hinata as he spoke to Neji "Are you ready to go?"

Neji looked back at Hinata and she smiled, giving him a look at said they'll talk later "Yes, I'm ready."

Hiashi nodded "Gather your things and wait for me at the entrance."

After Neji left, Hiashi and Hinata remained in the room with a heavy tension in the air. During this silence, Hiashi tried to collect his thoughts. His daughter wanted to completely change the order of the Hyuga clan without a second thought on the consequences.

Before he could get his thoughts straight, Hinata spoke "How much did you hear?"

Hiashi's eyes narrowed sharply "I heard enough. Hinata, the monarchy of the Hyuga has been like this since the clan was first founded and it will remain as such."

Hinata's hand tighten into fist as she looked at her father with a frown "This monarchy is the reason why this blood feud in the clan started. It's not right, they're our family and yet those in the main branch seem to forget that and treat the members of the side branch like servants. And the side branch goes along with it in fear of the curse mark they've been branded with. I know that Uncle Hizashi made his choice but what if that wasn't the case? The elders would have forced him to do it regardless of what he or you wanted. If he refused, they would used the mark on him until he said yes."

Hiashi's eyes narrowed at the possibility. He recalled how the elders reacted when he refused to allow his brother to take his place. They were all against it and tried to convince him to reconsider. Looking back at it, he knew there was a strong chance that if both brothers refused their decision, the elders would take matters into their own hands. Even so...

"Hinata, you are too kind hearted and naive to see that this idea of yours may possibility have the opposite effect you want. I will admit you raise some fair points however like you've said, we have been in a blood feud for years. If we go with your plan and remove the curse mark, there is a good chance that side branch will rebel, causing a civil war within the clan. It is a chance I am not willing to take."

"You're wrong about them!" Hinata raised her voice in frustration "I know they're upset and angry but most of them have lived through the third ninja war and seen what it brings. They don't want a war, they just want to be free!"

Hiashi was getting as frustrated as Hinata "You don't know if that's only what they want!"

"And you don't know if they will rebel!"

"Hinata, the side branch will now and alway be there to serve the main branch. It is their destiny."

"That's not true, they can change their destiny!"

"ENOUGH!" His voice boomed through the room. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. Never in his life has he felt lost his composure like that. He looked down at his daughter and found that her head was bowed and she was slightly trembling. "You are my daughter and I am telling you as both the Hyuga clan leader and your father to drop this now."

Something snapped in Hinata at those words.

"Daughter?" She whispered as her trembling increased "Now you call me your daughter?"

"What are you-"

Hinata faced him and he was shocked to see thick tears flowing from her eyes as she looked at him with hurt/angry expression on her face "Where was that you're my daughter statement years ago?!" She yelled

Hiashi was stunned from both her risen voice and her words.

"You had basically disown me after I lost that fight with Hanabi almost 3 years ago! You refused to look at me for more than needed, acknowledge me, train me, and even love me! You called me worthless, a disgrace, a lost cause and during then you seem to have forgotten I was your daughter! I'm the way I am now because of my team, they stood by me even when I fail and they don't degraded me for not succeeding!"

The Hyuga leader stood there, lost for words. He wanted to say something but Hinata wasn't done with her outburst.

"When I said I was participating in the chunin exam, you told me I was not ready and that I would be wasting my time!" Hinata started coughing, all that emotion flowing out of her was putting a strain on her heart "A father is suppose...to love his daughter... no matter who she is or what she does but instead of...I can't get that from you...the one who treats me like..."

"Hinata, you're straining yourself." Another voice said

Both Hyugas saw Kakashi standing at the door with a nurse besides him "You won't get any better if you have outburst like that."

"K-Kakashi-sensei..."

Hiashi narrowed his eyes "What are you doing here?"

Kakashi nodded to the nurse, gesturing her to look at Hinata's coughing before answering Hiashi "I came to check on how she was doing. After all she is my student and my ward or did you forget you gave me guardianship over her when she joined my team?"

"Lord Hiashi" The nurse came up, interrupting them "I think it would be best if you leave. Whatever happened before I came is not helping her heart."

Hiashi looked between Hinata, who was trying deep breaths to calm herself, and Kakashi, who went over to his student's side and started rubbing her back. He wasn't going to get anywhere with her today, they were both upset, she needed her rest and Neji was still waiting for him.

"Very well. Hinata I will be leaving for today, rest up well." He made his way to the door "But I still say that our previous conversation is over."

Hinata didn't even look up as he left. Why couldn't he understand how she felt? How this was all wrong? He is the head of the clan, he could change things for the better, but instead he wants everything to remain the same.

A warm hand placed itself on her head, she looked up at her sensei. He was giving her a comforting and supporting look. With that, she threw herself at him and started sobbing into his vest.

Kakashi didn't say nothing, he knew she needed someone to hold her as the years worth of sadness, anger and frustration poured out. He sat on the side of her bed and let her cry into his shoulder while he patted her head in a loving fatherly way.

Hinata cling to him the whole time. This was one of things she alway wanted from her father. Just to hold her when she needed.

Unknown to them, Hiashi was still standing behind the house with his byakugan activated. His face hardened and his fists tightened as he saw Kakashi hold his daughter in a way he never did.

Before he left with Neji, Hinata's doctor informed him that when she's released, she would need to stay in an stress-free environment for a while. They said she had chosen to stay with Kakashi Hatake, who agreed to the idea.

(Flashback ends)

And that's how he found himself in her half empty room. It had been a week since their argument and she was released four days ago.

Ever since then, Hinata's words had plagued his mind. He would like to say that it wasn't true, that he was just a very strict father but he himself wouldn't believe that lie. She was right, he had neglected and shunned her. Back then, he was so disappointed and ashamed in her loss to Hanabi, he said such harsh words to her, it caused Hinata to run from the scene. He believed that after that loss, she would never be the heir they needed. He was so caught up in that belief, it blinded him to the obvious changes in his daughter.

She was stronger, less timid, more confident in herself and her abilities. She was the kind of daughter that any father could and should be proud of.

But now because of his behavior towards her all those years, she found a father figure in Kakashi.

He sighed then a certain picture caught his eye. It was a photo of the day Hanabi was born. Hiashi kneed next to a five year old Hinata with one arm around her and the other arm holding baby Hanabi. Both father and daughter were smiling happily in the picture.

At that moment, he decided it was time for him to change. He couldn't promise her to remove the caste system that divides the clan. But he could promise her that he would be a better father and look at her for what she was today and not what she was years ago. That's when or if she decides to return home.

At the same time, Hinata was sitting in the lavender room that Kakashi had painted for her at his place. She thought it was sweet that he cleared all his things, painted the room and placed furniture in there just so she would be comfortable. She was surprised that it's been like this 2 months after she became his ward.

After deciding to stay with her sensei for a while, Hinata had asked Tenten, who visit to her, to gather half of her things and bring it here. She would have done it herself but she didn't want to see her Father at the moment.

She sighed.

It's true what people say 'you can't hold everything in'.

And that's what she was doing for years. Now that it's all out, she felt lighter, like she could breath fuller. Now that she had this confidence, she didn't want to be a doormat any longer and all thanks to her team.

My team...

Hinata looked at what she was doing. She decided to get something for each of her teammates as a way of thanks.

For Naruto, she got him 2 six pack of limited edition spicy curry ramen. Before the exams, that was almost all he talked about.

For Kakashi sensei, she got him a new set of kunai knives with a ninja tool cleaning/sharpen kit. She noticed that some of his weapons were dull and covered in dirt and blood. So she knew he really needed the kit.

Now Sasuke, Hinata did get him two new demon wind shurikens, along with her homemade ointments, one for the burns he cause himself when he uses his Fire jutsu and another for his wounds. But she want to give him something else, something special.

That special item was what she currently had in her hand; a necklace with her clan's symbol as the charm. She saw it as a piece of her that would alway be with him. Sasuke would be what she thought of when things got tough and Hinata hope this necklace would do the same for him.

She blushed. Ever since the middle of the exam, she would think more and more about him, it was like when she used to think about Naruto. Her feeling have changed so much since The Land of Waves. She knew that her crush on Naruto was just admiration, not love. But with Sasuke, it was different. Yes, she admired him too and wanted him to acknowledge her strength. But she also want to stand beside him as his equal, to hold his hand when she wanted to or when he needed it, to hold him like he held her when she was upset.

All this made her she think back to her conversation with Tenten and Ino in the Forest of Death.

(Flashback)

The girls were in the hollow space of the tree, taking care of Ino and Hinata's wounds while the guys were waiting for them from a distance.

Tenten had just about finished applying ointment to Ino's wounds "There you're good to go."

"Thanks, but we started with you first Hinata..." The blonde looked at the bluenette, who was leaning against the tree "You need it way more than I do."

Despite her injuries, Hinata smiled "It's ok, t-they don't hurt too bad."

"Who are you kidding? You look like you were someone's punching bag." Tenten said before she and Ino came over.

"Tenten, you get her back, I'll get her face and stomach." Ino instructed.

The brunette was above to ask Hinata to take off her jacket, when I thought came to her "Wait..." She eyes Ino, suspiciously "How do you know the exact places she needs looked at?"

Ino's body stiffen at the question. She looked at Tenten, who had her hands on her hips, then at Hinata, who looked back at her with a curious expression.

"I-I..." She kept her head down "My team...was sort of...hiding behind some bushes in the area and...we saw the whole fight."

"What?!" Tenten exclaimed angrily "You mean to tell me you guys just sat there while she and Lee fought those crazy sound ninja on their own?!"

Ino continued to keep her head down as her shame increased. She let her personal feelings get in the way and because of that Hinata and another person were injured more needed.

"Tenten, please s-stop. It's alright."

The two girls looked at Hinata, they were surprise to she wasn't upset. Instead she had this look of understanding.

"But Hinata..."

"We're in the middle of the Chunin e-exams, that means we're all enemies. She was not obligated to help me, neither was Lee but they did anyway and I'm very grateful."

Ino was shocked by how understanding Hinata was. If she was in the same position as her, she probably would have never forgive them. Well she would have forgave Sasuke, of course. It just made her feel more guilty.

Tenten sighed, rubbing the back of her head "You're way to forgiving sometimes. Come on, let's get you looked at."

After having her wounds taken care of, Hinata thanked them and started redressing herself. Tenten, who was beside her in case she needed help, looked at Ino, who had grown silent for a while. When she saw her staring at Sasuke the way she was, a light bulb clicked in her head.

So she didn't help soon because she's in love with the Uchiha and Hinata's got a good lead on her. Tenten sighed. Love sure make people do stupid things.

"Ok, I'm ready." Hinata said

"Good but you still need to take it easy." Tenten advised

"Right."

"Hinata..."

Both girls looked at the blonde as she kept her back to them "I'm...sorry. I know you said I shouldn't be but I am. I let my feelings get in the way and because of that you could have been killed."

"Ino."

"We're leaf village ninja, we need to stick together."

Tenten and Hinata smiled "Yeah, you're right."

"But..." She suddenly turned and pointed her finger at Hinata. Her face filled with determination "Don't think that just because I feel guilty that means I'll let you have him! I still have a chance and in the end, I'll win!"

Hinata was so confused, she had question marks floating around her head "I-I...what?!"

"From this day forward, we're rivals!" With that said, she went back to her team with her head held high.

Hinata just stood there for a minute before turning to Tenten "What j-just happened?"

Tenten giggled "I think you got yourself a rival for the Uchiha's heart.

"W-What?!" She faced exploded in red color.

"Don't worry..." Tenten patted her shoulder "You've got my support, 100%!"

"B-B-B-B-But..."

"I guess the other saying they say is true too." She said while walking back to her team "Love changes a person."

Hinata froze at those words. Her gaze fell on Sasuke as the word echoed in her mind.

Love?

(Flashback ends)

Love...

You look fine just the way you are...

Love...

You have a nice smile too...

Love...

Remember I'll be here if you need me...

Love...

Hinata kept looking at her feet, but looked up when she felt a hand gently patting her head, to see Sasuke giving her a gentle smile.

Love...

He get on his knees and gently put his arm around her. Hinata flinched in shock at first but slowly leaned into him. His warmth, his scent and the way he patted her hair relaxed her, replacing her fear with the feeling of warmth and safety.

She held the necklace to her chest as both her heart and cheeks became very warm.

His hand grabbed hers and he gave her proud smile "Way to go, Hinata. You proved you truly have changed."

She looked out, at the moon and said

"I'm in love with Sasuke."