Taking notice of Naruto's sullen face after taking on the seemingly still living Akatsuki, Hinata takes courage to approach her crush that night. Little does she know that Obito has business with the Jinchuuriki as well. Dragged into the tsukuyomi with the blonde shinobi, Hinata's counterpart takes her place, and it isn't long before chaos ensues. [RTN movie re-imagined/Hinata-centric] (T for cursing, like a lot, so be warned)
A/N: The jump from one universe to the other will be labeled as [Menma-verse] and [Naruto-verse].
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-[Menma-verse]-
Hinata woke to the welcoming warmth of the morning sun. As her vision cleared, the familiar ceiling of her room gave her comfort.
Unfortunately, as she got up to sit, the state of said room brought her back to the reality that this was not truly hers. Scrolls and weapons were scattered about across the floor, and her small vanity had a lot more makeup than she'd remembered. Sighing at the memories of the day before, Hinata felt defeated by how hopeless her situation was. But she also reminded herself that she was not alone. Naruto was by her side. She could not fall into such negativity. They would work through this together.
Gripping her fists in determination, Hinata decided to start by cleaning her room. Well, not really her room, but the other...No, if she was going to find out information, she needed to become this Hinata. Embrace her identity.
Starting with making her bed, Hinata quickly straightened out the scattered items. Though they were vastly different people in regards to their personality, it was quite fortunate they had the same ideas about where to put what they needed. Still fired up with her newly made resolve Hinata opened her closet door with purpose. As her white orbs looked at each of the articles of clothing hanging in display, the flames slowly minimized to nothing.
Everything was short from pants to shirt to even her uniform. If it was long, the fabric looked much too tight for her figure. The formal kimonos were the only feasible outfits, but she couldn't wear that on a regular day...
Closing her closet door with slackened shoulders, Hinata mentally crossed off her earlier idea of becoming this world's Hinata. Just observation and info gathering it is. But what would she wear?
The loud resonating sound of her shoji door sliding open called her attention.
"Hinata-sama! You must wa...you are awake? And your room...it's clean..."
It was Hinata's personal maidservant, Chikako. Hinata happily greeted her, "Ohayou-gozaimasu {Good morning} Chikako-san."
"Hai...go...good morning Hinata-sama..." Neji had told Hinata's close family members and her personal servants about her temporary situation. Chikako hadn't thought too much of it beyond a few ticks, but this was a completely different person.
"Ano, Chikako-san, do you happen to know the whereabouts of my attire from yesterday? I was wondering if I could wear it again today."
"Of course, Hinata-sama. I will bring it right away." She had been the one to change the heiress and put her to bed when Neji had come home with her unconscious body. It was a daily routine for her to wash and dry Hinata's uniform for the next day as needed.
As it was also her job to fix the fabric if it was damaged but repairable, she had wondered if she should cut the similar, but longer clothes, but it seemed she had determined correctly when she'd decided not to. Her lady seemed to fidget in embarrassment as she tried to pull down her much too short pajama shorts.
Now comfortably shielded by her own apparel, Hinata walked to the dining room for breakfast. As she sat in what she hoped was her usual spot, Hinata waited for the rest of her family to join her.
"Hinata, I've never seen you up so early. It seems Neji was not exaggerating when he told us you had changed."
Hinata forgot her etiquette as she took in who was standing before her. Mouth opened in awe of the person who should not exist, her jaws opened to speak but her voice was lost.
"Are you feeling alright my dear? I was told you were fine by our nurses, but you look so pale..." Delicate hands reached out to carefully cup and caress Hinata's white face.
With shaking hands Hinata grabbed the hands upon her, and lightly squeezed them as if to make sure what she was feeling, who she was looking at was real. "O...okaa-san...?"
"Yes, my dear? I thought for a second you had forgotten me as well."
It was her mother. Hinata's mother was smiling at her as she had always remembered. She didn't stop to think about why, or if it was out of character for her to suddenly act in such a way; Hinata simply embraced her mother and let down her tears.
Hisae held her daughter until she calmed down. When Hinata pulled away to silently stare, she in turn wiped away the moisture on her daughter's damp face. Worry took over her features as she quietly said, "I always wondered when you would break down from all the pressure of being the heiress to our clan."
Hinata wondered if she had heard correctly. Heiress...?
"Hinata, you don't have to shoulder the weight of the world. You act out all the time so people never get to see how delicate you really are, but I know...You can always lean on me. I may not be strong, but I am still your mother." Hisae continued to pamper her child as she absentmindedly added, "Your father would be so proud."
Why was her mother saying that as if her father was not alive...? Before she could come to a conclusion, Hinata's question was answered by the next person to enter the dining room.
"Hinata-sama, I came as soon as I heard you were awake. Are you feeling better this morning?"
"Hizashi-ojisan..." There was no doubt that it was her uncle...and if her uncle was alive, it meant her father, the one who had died on the day of the Hyuuga Affair...No, she could not cry again. This was not real. Her father was alive. She was no longer the heiress and...and her mother, her uncle...they were no longer with her...
Taking a moment to gather herself, Hinata looked at her uncle and replied, "Yes, thank you." She didn't know why this was happening or why all the people close to her were the way they were, but this moment...she would cherish this moment.
"Hinata-sama!" Neji ran past his father to sit by Hinata's side. "Are you alright, Hinata-sama?"
"Hai...ano..." As she was about to invite them all to sit for breakfast, Hinata's body shivered at the touch of Neji's hand upon her own. A sudden flashback to the bathhouse reminded her of something she had yet to figure out. "Neji-niisan...at the bathhouse...did you..." She didn't know how to piece together a sentence to ask what she was about to ask. The eyes that had followed her from beyond the wall could only be from someone who could see past solid objects. She as a Hyuuga knew what it felt to be under the gaze of a Byakugan, but she didn't want to believe it...the possibility that Neji, loyal, serious, mature Neji...And yet, he was the only one who fit the profile and with how everyone was so different in this universe...it was a possibility.
"Ah..." Neji could not confess, but his face could not hide his thoughts as he blushed with a silly grin that elongated his face at the recalled memories of that day.
Hinata's own expression changed from disbelief, to horror, to embarrassment, and then anger in just a few seconds. She'd never hit anyone as hard as she hit Neji in the next split second.
SLAP! BAM!
Neji's body rolled away with great speed to meet with the wall across the room.
"Well look at that. And here I was worried for no reason. It's good to know not all of you has disappeared Hinata-sama." Hizashi eyes shined with pride as he stared at his son's unconscious body. "I will of course do my duty as his father to teach him the proper use of the Byakugan. Please accept my apology on his behalf."
Indeed, Hinata's father would be proud.
-[Naruto-verse]-
The tension in the air remained and no one stepped up to speak first. Hinata could smell, she could taste the mix of the fear, uncertainty, hate, resentment, and sadness wafting in the air. Ever since Akamaru and Kiba had become adversaries, she'd taken on the part time role of the pup's on-and-off partner. As far as her other teammates knew he was a far better partner than the two combined and multiplied by 100. She would never be able to be a true soul mate as Kiba would have been since she was not an Inuzuka, but maybe years of training together had paid off.
The excitement died with the unending silence and Hinata was losing patience. "Either I find out from you guys or I just ask the clerk from the market we passed by. I'm guessing here, but I think everyone in the village knows. Whether it's the truth mixed with lies or a convoluted explanation is up to you."
A moment later, Sakura spoke up, "He left Konoha...to avenge his clan."
"So, he left to kill Itachi..." Hinata's eyes sparkled at the news. "Good for him."
"What?! How can you say that?! We should be stopping him!"
"The f*** are you saying? His whole clan was killed by his brother in one night. What else should he do? Chase girls around like some kind of animal in rut?!" Hinata grit her teeth. "Pathetic. If Neji did the same thing, I would not hesitate to rip him limb from limb."
"..."
"What would you know? The loss of all your family members. The bloodshed. Not by some stranger or even an enemy, but your own brother. I don't know what you remember about Sasuke when he was younger, but if there's one thing I know he treasured Itachi. He looked up to him and he wouldn't shut up if he started to talk about him." She'd had the displeasure of listening once in a lifetime when she'd asked out of curiosity. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before the annoyance turned to pity... but again turned to anger with what the Uchiha decided to do with his life. But whatever, to each his own.
Who knows, maybe they didn't know. With how flipped this world was Hinata wouldn't be surprised if even that was different but... "The betrayal...if not for vengeance, then to protect the village, the people close to me, I would take his life."
Sakura, no, the whole gang was at a loss for words.
"I think that's enough excitement for one day. I'm tired. Neji, take me home."
Looking at Neji's dark solemn face Hinata was a bit discomforted by this new version of her cousin. Back home, Neji would have been the one trying to get her to feel better with his own f***ed up ways, but in the end it always worked out. Her less stressed and him beat to a pulp. Hinata guessed she could return the favor by breaking the ice. "So, you're not a pervert?"
"Hinata-sama! I swear with..."
"Alright, alright. I got it." Too easy. "Are you scared 'cause I said I'd rip you apart?"
"..."
"Just don't go on a crazy killing spree. I won't enjoy it, but I'll do it." Hinata continued, "And if I become some mass murder, I give you permission to kill me."
"I will not kill you."
Hinata burst out in laughter at his all-too-serious countenance. But then again her Neji would probably say the same. He could be quite serious in the weirdest situations...It was probably why she hadn't gotten rid of him yet. Getting back to business, Hinata asked, "So, since we all know I'm fine, when do my duties start again?"
"You're duties?"
"Yeah, you know, as the clan leader to be, there's a sh** load of things to do."
Neji stopped in his tracks as he looked at Hinata with regret.
"Well, spit it out."
With hesitance he slowly said, "Hinata-sama, you are no longer the heiress."
Not the heiress...hmmm...less work, less pressure. Awesome! If this was her world, she would have fought tooth and nail to get back her position, but seeing as how it was a genjutsu, Hinata planned to enjoy some freedom. But, seriously, how incapable was her other self to not be heiress. If Hanabi wasn't some all-powerful Hyuuga soldier, Hinata was going to be pretty pissed off. "Was I weak as sh**?"
"You are not weak, Hinata-sama. You are the nicest, the most empathetic, most thoughtful..."
"So weak and boring." Great. If she grated her teeth any more today she'd have none by the end of the day. She would have continued doing so, if Neji hadn't decided to grab her arms.
"You are not weak! You are the strongest kunoichi that I know."
Hinata highly doubted that, and she suspected her double would most likely agree, but Neji looked quite earnest. And so, she let him continue.
"In more than one aspect you are above me. I...I envy you. So, please, do not put yourself down."
Yeah. This guy was not the Neji she knew. She was almost sorry she called him a pervert. Almost. "Fine, I'm sorry." With some thought Hinata figured she would have been upset if anyone called Ino weak and boring. The closest example of the person this universe's Hinata seemed to be. Unfortunately, her acceptance didn't seem to discourage Neji's speech.
Neji was on a roll, he'd been feeling guilty about not giving more reassurance to Hinata and turning her into...into this completely different person. Perhaps if he let down his sincere thoughts, something inside of her would bring her back. "My resentment of you...your title, your position...you may think that a big part of that was because of Naruto, and I do not deny he was important in helping me see, but you, Hinata-sama, you were the biggest tide to push me in the right direction. I do not blame you, and you should not blame yourself for my father's death."
"What...?" Hizashi-ojisan was dead. Then... "Then my father..."
"Yes. He was the one who showed me the truth. But it was you with your compassion, your perseverance and courage that pushed me to go beyond. I strive for strength to protect you." There was no change. No spark of recognition. Neji didn't know what he was expecting, but a small part of him was glad he could at least tell her the truth. "I would gladly give my life for you."
"Thanks." Well, this whole confession thing was nice bordering on creepy, but it clearly wasn't meant for her ears. Hinata felt bad, but she had more important things to do. "Now, let's go home." I have to see my father.
"Otou-sama." It was true. Standing in front of her was Hyuuga Hiashi, her father. The reason for her chase of power. Hinata wanted to make him proud. Be a leader of the Hyuuga no one could look down upon, so that his sacrifice was not done in vain.
Hiashi on the other hand, while he had been given the details on Hinata's condition, he was not ready for the most inappropriate attire. "Hi...Hinata..."
"Father, if you would allow it, I would like to spar with you." Hinata did not like entertaining the impossible but deep down, it had always been her wish to spar with her father. To show how much she'd grown. This was not real. But if she could remember, then this memory was valid.
The clan leader could not hide his surprise. Had Hinata ever asked him to spar with her? "If that is what you desire." He would reprimand her about her choice of clothing afterwards.
It did not last long. There was a clear gap in abilities. Hinata had held back after it became apparent the fight would quickly end. Had she used the all the skills she had consumed, it wouldn't have lasted beyond the first minute, no, second.
Hiashi was proud, or at least he would have been if this was not a creation of his disinterest in his daughter. In Neji's report, his nephew had made no mention of his involvement, but Hiashi knew he was the one to blame. The one who had pushed her so far as to change herself completely.
She looked so happy. How long ago had it been since she'd looked so happy in his presence. What could he do? He didn't know what to do or say, but he needed to start somewhere. Better now than never. "Hinata..."
In her still exhilarated state, Hinata had failed to hear the whisper of her name. "Father, where is Okaa-san?" Hinata had been so excited she'd forgotten to invite her mother to watch. Well, she could still tell her, and as long as she was here, there was still time.
Had they not been sitting in rest, Hiashi would have fallen to his knees. He'd been told her memories were also in a disarray, but what cruelty was this?!
Her father had not spoken, but his posture, the expression on his face was enough. So drunk on happiness she'd forgotten the possibility. She always did stupid things when she got carried away. Just like with Menma... Hinata struggled to say, "I'm very sorry, Father. May I excuse myself."
"Hin..." Hiashi, though he wished to comfort his daughter, assure her that it was alright, he knew he'd get it wrong somehow. Opting instead to give himself time to think as well, Hiashi bided by her wish. "You are excused."
Neji may have been right. If this is was the reality her counterpart had lived in, Hinata was not weak or boring.
A/N: This chapter came out pretty quickly, right?
I know it's pretty serious, but it's necessary for character growth and background story. I was going to add another part with Menma-verse to end on a much lighter note, but I thought this seemed appropriate.
Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed.