Chapter #1
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Everything belongs to Masashi Kishimoto!
"All around you are spirits, child. They live in the earth, the water, the sky. If you listen, they will guide you."
-Grandmother Willow
"Yukigakure, literally translated as the village hidden among the snow. It's where I live. It's where I was raised. It's where I come from. My name is Hinata, just Hinata. I was born during a rough period of war, bloodshed and massacre. My clan? Totally incinerated. Our homes pulverized and blown to shreds. I'm a lone survivor."
Waking up was a daily reminder how pathetic life was. Her eyes were met with the tattered ceilings of the orphanage she inhabited. She hated it here. Yet here she was, seventeen and still here because no one will adopt a freak. A little inky tattoo was calligraphed on the inside of her wrist, the words *Je suis prete.
They were yet to make any sense.
Rolling out of bed, she stood, midnight tresses falling far from graceful on her shoulders. The sky stared back, dawn beginning to break, and the morning star winked in its beauty through the ceiling hole. Tiptoeing around limbs she scooted to the window, revering in the beauty that was dawn, when the sun began to peak over the horizon.
Sadly, the sound of bells broke her trance, "Morning chores!" Miss Ushiba bellowed, as loud groans erupted in the orphanage. She liked Miss Ushiba, she was the most tolerable of both caretakers. However, living in an orphanage all one's life made it difficult to express sentiments of any sorts for others. A day at Yuki Orphanage was always the same - no one ever spoke to her. Everyone in Yuki had a "normal" look except for the royal family who had her hair color but not her eyes.
Her eyes, she hated them. They hated her for having it - the village. They whispered things about her, that she was cursed, a child of a maid who slept with someone from the Uchiha lineage and was cursed with blindness.
She hated them: this town, her eyes, the Uchiha lineage.
For as long as she had been alive they had been there. In their mansion, mythical beings that ruled Yuki, engulfed in riches, the luxuries of life and she could only watch from afar.
She got used to it however. Learning her place, sticking to a routine that kept her as far from their hateful eyes as possible. Wake up, morning chores, morning devotion, school, 2 hours of solitude, chores and sleep; nothing really changed except for the weekends, when school was out. Before everyone could fully register, she began her chores then showered first - indulging in not being subject to tepid temperatures.
Once done, she grabbed her supplies and with a quick goodbye to Miss Ushiba, exited the home. There was still an hour before the school grounds opened, so embracing the temporary spring feel of Yuki, Hinata ran to the park, her safe place. There sat a ginormous willow tree, its branches falling to the earth, surrounded by a magnificent river that rolled into further parts of the village. The river inhabited a special kind of koi that had adapted to surviving the village's cold winters (which lasted nine months) and as the sun rose, its rays glistened on the water's surface and off the kois backs. An enthralling sight.
She loved the tree, her teacher Mr Yamadera said it was a gift from the first Hokage of Konoha to his best friend Madara, the founder of the Uchiha clan that now ruled Yuki. He explained that the Uchihas hadn't always ruled alone but that had been so long ago, it was considered irrelevant to be taught today.
And though she despised them, she felt at home here, beneath this tree. Here she cast all her worries, as the tree's steady branches shade her and the river performed a melodic symphony for her. The tree felt like a symbol for her, a personal token of strength: though it looked like it was weeping, its stem was strongly rooted. A constant reminder, that she could bend just enough without breaking beneath their scorn. And if she cried along the way, she could always wipe it...
With her moon like pearls closed beneath the willow branches, she soon found herself lulled to sleep by the smooth constant of the water body as it flowed downstream.
Birds begin to chirp in aggravation, and the sound of shoes, chit chats, songs, laughter and shuffles of students awaken her from her temporary slumber. She quickly followed, trailing behind the masses, head hung low, navy hair up in a high ponytail. Her uniform, checkered black and white skirt pale, mudded and frail from three years of wear. She liked school on some occasions - very very few occasions.
Aside from being bereft of friends at the orphanage, she was bereft here as well. It didn't bother her as it used to - she had accepted it. It was junior year and she consoled herself with the hope of leaving Yuki after graduation next year. Walking the halls to her first period art class, she noticed for once there were no snickers nor snide remarks her way. Not one to jinx herself, quickly seated at her corner, melding into the wall.
Mrs Otake walked in, not a Yuki native, her hip length strawberry blonde hair and hippie like fashion a testimony of that fact. She moved from the West and was by far Hinata's personal favorite.
"Settle down." she began as she looked through the envelope she had with her. Her eyebrows curved upwards in interest, scanning the class before settling on a blonde haired student Hinata had never seen before. Many of the female population began to whisper, snicker and she realized that's where their attention had been. "Please, introduce yourself." Mrs. Otake settled
Standing with the air and posture of one well raised, he looked above them all, eyes twinkling with charm on Mrs. Otake as he spoke. "Uzumaki Naruto is the name."
A consensus of gasps and squeals escaped the room, as even Mrs. Otake stood in awe, "As in next in line Hokage of Konohagakure?" she smiled.
"One and only." he winked. His charm was not as repulsive as Hinata wished it had been. Yet, he carried an air of excitement and happiness that did make her uneasy and cautious. No one could truly be that happy? Could they?
"Well we are pleased to have you here your highness." Mrs. Otake smiled before opening the floor to finish up any incomplete pieces.
Hinata left her favorite class that day less than enthused. Women threw themselves at Naruto from all directions. He was pleasant as could be and that repulsed her even further. The only thing she loved about his being here, was that all eyes were finally off her.
Having study hall next, she headed straight for the roof, her place of refuge. Very few people knew of the spot, fewer were brave enough to risk their necks on it's rickety rails. Being here, she relished in its peace as she contemplated the plethora of options at her fingertips: what village she'd move to, where she'd work. As she fantasized, the door swung open, quickly alerting her. The sun faced her and for a bit, her vision was distorted till it settled on glistening blue eyes that sparkled and blonde hair that exalted in the sun.
"May I join you?" he looked just as shocked to see her, but smiled nonetheless
"It's public space." she quietly responded
"What's your name?" he sat beside her, a firm grip on the rusty rail as his legs swung over the edge as well
"What is it to you? You don't know me, I you. I'd rather we keep it so." she stood, dusting off her skirt as she turned from him
"Hey," he smiled, and she felt enraged at the sight. This smile must have gotten him everything, favor, fans, girls throwing themselves at his feet for nothing, "I remember you from art. Your work was phenomenal, the contrast in color, the dove's visible expressions of pain, the build of darkness in the skies." he sighed, leaning back into his hands.
Flabbergasted was not an accurate description of how she felt. No one beside Mrs. Otake had ever paid her enough attention there, let alone to observe her piece with such praise. Her scowl softened, slightly. "Let's be friends, em, I still don't know your name." a light chuckle escaped his lips, and her heart jolted in confusion, a light blush rising as she kept her back to him.
"I don't know what it's like to be a prince in Konoha...but here, flirting doesn't garner friendship. Just a new head to wake up under." and with that, she left, leaving a confused Naruto in her stead.
He followed behind her after a while, still lost at the accusation, but being himself, thought little of it. Her eyes kept him coming, those eyes were Hyuga eyes and Hyugas lived in Konoha. But hers were different somehow - like she had the eyes. So seeing her here, intrigued him immensely. In his pocket were letters from his father and best friend, the latter of whom was to arrive in a week.
Alerted to a commotion of students bustling past, loud ringing from the hallway, Naruto followed. The sound of head to locker hastened his steps in time to see navy hair scattered over the floor, blood slowly dripping as she stayed bent on the ground.
"Nothing to say?" a voice taunted, and he turned to meet a girl with brown eyes, her brunette hair neat in place as she blew her filed nails.
"It's public space." was the tiny whisper that barely made its way up.
"Freaks like you belong in an asylum, not in our schools. The audacity to even cross my path."
"Was that it?" blue eyes locked on brown doe like ones in anger as the air tensed, the circle parting to give him room. "She walked in front of you so you hit her? You're fucking standing in front of her class." his voice rose cold, sending shivers down their backs
Hinata buckled under herself, the pain from the injury overwhelming her. "Uzumaki-san." Yamasaki stammered as she backed away from him.
"Leave" he whispered, and she quickly left, the hallway dispersing with her
"Are you okay?"
"Can I join you?"
"What is wrong with you?!" Hinata snarled, the dizziness barely easing her tongue
"What do you mean, I just saved your life, you could at least act grateful!" he stood shocked
"it's public space."
"That would be dishonesty on my part! This happens every day! Your interference has only made this worse!'
"I'm sorry... I didn't think..."
"What is your name?"
"I know you didn't think! Way to go your highness,"
And with that sarcastic remark she turned around ready to leave, stumbling on her feet
"Let's be friends. I'm really not a bad guy."
"I don't know what it's like to be a prince in Konoha...but here, flirting doesn't garner friendship."
"The humor you have is impeccable! Don't come anywhere near me...please" her voice fell from anger to pain with the last syllable, hand on her head to minimize the pain
As she turned to leave, he held her hand, wrapping it over his shoulder to steady her. "Sorry, I was just trying to help you."
She ripped her hand away from him with strength he was sure she didn't have.
"Stop being stubborn." he gritted through clenched teeth, grabbing her wrist, as his eyes landed on her tattoo
"Stop being helpful." with that, she yanked her hands out and walked away.
AN: *Je suis prete - I'm Ready