Konnichiwa konnichiwa, Planeshunter desu!
Found out the other day that there's a Tenseigan Hinata mod for the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. The thing is totally broken and not much fun after you've pounded a couple of mooks into next dimension, but I enjoyed seeing her pulling Kurama Mode attacks. And Truthseeker orbs. And Obito's teleport. And the Suiryuudan for some reason. And multiple natures Rasen Shuriken. And… you get my drift. Long story short someone picked the flashiest moves of each character and mashed them all together in a Hinata-shaped mass of crack.
Now that the blatant suck up is done, Mystic Eyes of Reincarnation 始まります!
Chapter 38: Finals Start
The sun has barely hinted its presence over the horizon when Hinata's eyes open. For once, there's no hint of drowsiness on them as they stare at the ceiling. For once, yeah. Lately there's been a lot of 'for onces' of that kind around her sleeping habits. She blames the fox jerk. The fox jerk that's apparently off somewhere with his great-granddaughter again.
It might or might not have something to do with everything that's due to happen today. Considering what the day has in store, she should be feeling worried, or maybe panicking. Definitively not eager. But that's how she feels, and that makes her feel a bit guilty too, so she's guilty-impatient instead of worried.
It can't be helped, really. Everything that could be done without going into the open has been done already, and she cannot go into the open as long as the Akatsuki, Orochimaru, Obito, Madara, Danzo and, specially, Black Zetsu aren't yet dealt with. She holds back a sigh. That's a lot of problems to deal with.
By now, Shikamaru should have sent a warning to the Hokage, probably through his father. That, on top of Father's own warning and the attack on Hayate Gekko should be more than enough to be taken seriously. If Orochimaru tries to push forward with his plan in spite of the strengthened defenses he's up for a couple of surprises.
For one, Gaara had taken her very unsubtle hints and recently approached Lee, with even better results that she'd dared to dream of. Lee has a very straightforward personality and, besides the very Naruto-kun, was the less likely get intimidated by Gaara's circumstances, but for them to bond so quickly had been a welcome surprise. He might still go berserk, unless she's overestimating him a fair deal, Orochimaru's plan probably has failsafes in place to trigger trigger Shukaku regardless of Gaara's will, but this time around he would be fighting the bijuu instead of giving him the red carpet.
On the other side, Orochimaru's plan to isolate the Hokage will find serious setbacks, namely four very volatile seals hidden weeks earlier at very precise points around certain rooftop. They are one of Kurama's self-declared masterpieces, practically undetectable until cut off from the outside world by a barrier. In other words, as soon as the sound four tries to erect their [Four Violet Flames Formation] everything will go kaboom under their feet.
Holding back what might sound suspiciously like a maniacal laughter at the thought, she gets up for her early training. She doesn't overdo it, happy with just a quiet warm up to shake off any stiffness from the sleep and barely working a sweat before getting ready for breakfast. In consideration for the social event the Finals will actually be she forsakes her usual clothes for a pale-lilac kimono with a momiji pattern, a combat version of her favorite yukata, really. Elegant yet functional.
Haku and Hanabi are nowhere to be seen, but Father joins her during breakfast, implying they had something to do before the finals. To say that's disappointing is an understatement, she was really looking forward to coax some hugs and good luck kisses.
And Haku is supposed to be her bodyguard!
-"Hinata" -Father interrupts her taking her frustrations out on the eggs- "I know we haven't talked much during this month..."
He trails off, clearly uncomfortable. It's true they hadn't interacted that much since the [Tenseigan] revelation, she doesn't blame him. That was a lot to swallow and a Clan Head like him was bound to be especially busy during an event like the Chuunin Exams. It's not like this isn't still better than the tense hostility before a certain drug-induced coma anyway.
-"It was a busy month" -She says diplomatically to fill the silence- "I'm sure Father had a lot on his mind."
-"It was indeed, that's no excuse to neglect my heiresses" -He makes a waving gesture with a single hand that might mean anything, only Hinata's long experience with his Father allows her to recognise it as a guilty reflex- "I plan to pay more attention to both of you after this… 'event' is over."
That sounds like he's talking about the exams in his usual 'everything that happens in the village is beneheart us' tone, but she knows he's hinting at the invasion, so she just nods, wondering if there's more to the conversation.
-"I expect you to make the clan proud today."
The next bite freezes halfway from her plate. Father frowns, rightfully assuming he's about to hear unsavory news. Hinata puts her chopsticks down and squirms uncomfortably, she really, really, should've broken this news onto him a while earlier. But there was no easy way to do it and he was being unapproachable, so she kept telling herself there was enough time and now the day is literally upon her.
-"I… plan to forfeit the first match, Father."
Yes, that's a vein bulging in Father's forehead, and yes, that's a ceramic vase cracking in his hand. But all in all she's witnessing an incredible display of self-restraint. He just stares at her during a long minute, only his brows hinting at whatever he's feeling. First outrage and then disappointment, if Hinata isn't wrong. Finally, he lets out a long breath.
-"I expect to hear a very good reason for that, Hinata. Is it related with the conversation about Clan secrets after the second exam?"
-"Only marginally, it's more about our conversation about prospect Kages"
That should be enough for Father (and nobody else in the entire world) to understand she knew the outcome of the test and it was unfair to Naruto-kun. Really, with all he had done the first time around there was absolutely no reason to hold back his promotion. But if the judges wouldn't play fairly, there was no reason for her to either.
-"That won't work."
-"Father?"
-"The Chuunin Exams are more about displaying strength than winning, things might've been different if you still had the reputation you had in the Academy, but by now people has expectations on you. People won't forget the Hyuuga Heiress refused to participate and will elucubrate, maybe even protest about it. The entire finals may get tainted and, depending on other factions' agenda, it could become a thorn at our side later on."
In other words, if she throws the match against Naruto-kun, people will wonder why a big name like her refused to fight a no-name like him and, since they're in the same team, draw their own conclusions. She'll have to throw the match in a subtler way then, but Naruto-kun is really good at reading people and not so grand at subtlety, so that risked him noticing what was going on and calling her subterfuge in the middle of the match. At least things are never boring around him.
With a nod, she accepts Father's point and ends the conversation, focusing back on her breakfast while wracking her brain about how to go about her fight. If only that stupid fox was around she could at least talk it out with him...
In any case, she politely declines joining the Hyuuga retinue to the test, still feeling guiltily restless and opting for leaving early and taking a stroll, getting Neji to accompany her as substitute bodyguard just out of spite. If at least Kurama was with her today she could complain properly, stupid doting grandfather.
During her stroll she cautche herself checking out the village's defenses, wonder how exactly the security has been strengthened since she can't notice anything. Then again anything obvious enough for her to notice would've been noticed by Orochimaru too, it's probably something subtle.
The wandering ends in a certain training field with three logs, where she reminisces her first Exams. Back then, Neji-niisan made a number of her. It took her the entire month to get back into walking shape, and even then some strong emotions during Naruto-kun's match were enough to have her coughing blood again.
Really, she doesn't regret what she did back then, but she's glad she hasn't gone down that path again. What she needed the most back then was the self-confidence standing up to her cousin gave her, but all the health and time to train she sacrificed in exchange was a close second…
-"Neji-niisan, what would've happened back in the preliminaries, if I still was my weak self?"
-"I would have defeated you without hesitation."
-"Even if that would've displeased Father?"
-"Specially because it would've displeased Hiashi-sama, branch members don't have many chances to rebel."
-"I could have used the seal to force you to surrender."
-"Hinata-sama would never do that. Strong or not, you are too gentle for that."
-"You are awfully honest lately, Nii-san."
-"I have no reason to lie to a leader I can respect."
A soft warmth extends through Hinata's chest. 'Respect', that single words means more to her than Neji can possibly guess. Then again, he's awfully good at reading people when he's not busy drowning in spite, so maybe he actually can.
She thinks about her match with Naruto-kun, and how there's no way Neji will just accept her defeat. What's more, besides Naruto-kun himself, he's one of the few who could possibly notice she's not fighting at the top of her capabilities.
-"I might… lose your respect today, Nii-san."
-"Bullshit! If he stops respecting you for losing to me I'll wipe the floor with his ass!"
-"Naruto-kun!"
-"Please, as if Hinata-sama would have trouble with a scoundrel like you."
Neji's reaction is funnier than it should if only because that's the first time he's acted protectively towards her since the jump back. This is the Neji-niisan she remembers and missed. Watching him quarreling with Naruto-kun has it's own appeal, it's like an overacted boke/tsukkomi duo, with Naruto-kun's temper quickly rising in front of an (apparently) unflappable Neji.
They only stop after finally noticing she's fighting hard to hold back her laughter.
-"I'm sorry about that outburst" -She says after straightening herself, ignoring the indignant glare both boys are sending her way- "Nii-san, could you please tell Father I'll be cutting it close to the event? I'll be having a word with Naruto-kun and don't want him to worry."
He leaves with a nod, and she rests her back in one of the posts before saying anything, somewhat hoping Naruto-kun would break the silence first. But for once her favorite orange ninja seems to be perfectly content with silence.
-"This is where we really became a team, isn't it, Naruto-kun?"
-"Yeah, we really showed him! 'We are a team now, Kakashi-sensei. We don't split.' That was badass!"
-"Everyone worked together for the first time then, I was afraid you would try to trip each other."
-"Hey, I resent that!" -Naruto-kun complains with a big grin- "I can hold until the test is over to trip the bastard! 'Sides, Sasuke is not that bad if you don't mind his gloom… or all the rabid fangirls after him… or how everyone puts him on a pedestal… you know? I don't know why I used to be envious of him, it living like that has to suck big time."
His smile disappears halfway the list, and they fall silent again, looking at the clouds. It's again Hinata who has to break talking.
-"We're supposed to fight next."
-"Come on, Hinata-chan! Don't tell me you're scared?"
-"I… I don't like fighting with my friends, or watch my friends fighting. And this will be different from a sparring, we'll be seriously trying to take each other down."
-"I guess I hadn't seen it like that…" -He scratches his head- "But it can't be that bad! We are still friends so we won't be overdoing it! Come on, Hinata! Smile a bit! I'll feel like a fool for being so pumped-up about this!"
-"Can you promise" -Hinata smiles mischievously- "Sasuke-kun and you won't be overdoing it?"
-"Well... I can promise we won't overdo it too much."
That prompts a soft giggle as she finally stands away from the log, getting ready to leave, Naruto-kun right behind her. Neji disappears with some excuse and that's really sweet of him. As they jump from roof to roof making way to the stadium she feels a slight annoyance at Naruto-kun apparently not noticing her choice in wardrobe. A different girl in different circumstances might've tried to garner attention one way or another, but Hinata didn't even think about it, so she didn't regret how roof-jumping didn't exactly give a chance to be alluring.
They finally reach the place, exchanging smiles before entering. She would've liked to be more direct with Naruto-kun about her intentions, but the way the conversation has gone should be enough. He now knows her stance about friends fighting and shouldn't be surprised if she doesn't go all-out.
-"Face the customers. In this main tournament you guys are the stars."
In spite of his words, they only stand there for a brief moment before everyone but the first contenders are sent to the waiting platform.
-"The first match will be Hyuuga Hinata against Uzumaki Naruto! Let the best shinobi prevail!"
It was on.
The plan was for Naruto to convince Hinata she shouldn't forfeit, but then Father appeared! Really, It's a bit freaky how he took control of that first scene and got me out of ammunition for the NaruHina moment. Stupid meddling parental figure… Not that I complain, I'm pretty happy with that first scene, and that's a nice break from how I've felt about the chapters lately so whatever. Then I found a better place to use some of the other ideas and practically ran out of ammunition. Woe is me.
Oh, I also wanted to know if you guys get story alerts when I update an old chapter, there was one this Friday. I do so from time to time to fix spelling or format mistakes I didn't notice before, but if you're going to get an alert every time I change a 'them' for 'their' in an old chapter or something like that then I'll hold back.