Disclaimer - I do not own Naruto and hopefully I never will or I would probably mess up the whole thing. Oh and this should have been on the other chapters as well so I'll add them on later, hopefully no-one will sue me lol.

To reviewers (all two of them) thanks for reviewing! I've fixed up chapter 8 so thanks for telling me about that error. Neji is in this chapter and will have a pairing later on so be patient!

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The next morning Hiashi, completely ignoring the fact that Hinata was still weak from her coma, organized another training session with his daughters. So Hiashi, Hanabi and Hinata gathered in the Hyuuga mansion training room. First they practiced their jyuuken and shuriken throwing on moving targets. Then came the general physical training with laps and pushups and all the rest. Hinata struggled badly in this part because of her weak state but Hiashi took no notice. By the time the last part of training came along, Hinata was already out of breath, her arms and legs sore and panting heavily. The last part was a spar between Hinata the elder and Hanabi the younger, but even so, during past spars Hinata had always lost. Hinata took a moment to catch her breath, then she stepped out into the arena, the platform where their spars took place. As she got into the ready position and gathered chakra around her hands, she once again prepared to lose again to her younger sister. A whistle blew and the match was started. Hanabi threw a palm at Hinata, which she dodged, then sidestepping she threw her own palm to her side. But Hanabi had already slipped away, and Hinata barely managed to block her next attack with her left hand. Hinata knew she was losing, she was getting slower and slower, and eventually Hanabi would get through her defences.

Then she thought of Naruto and his way of the ninja, to never give up or admit to losing. She remembered the confidence he had given her just yesterday, and realized that this match was a chance to show the confidence she had gained. Suddenly, she knew she could win.

She concentrated her mind solely on focusing her chakra in her hands, and anticipating Hanabi's every move. She began to see weaknesses in her movements, and drew her this way and that, making her uncover more weaknesses. Every time their palms met Hanabi was pushed slightly off by the larger amount of chakra being used by Hinata, and Hinata anticipated all of her attacks, countering them viciously. Then during a clash Hinata pushed Hanabi off more than ever, revealing a weakness in her left shoulder. Without hesitating, she focused her chakra solely on her left hand, bringing it in with blinding speed to hit Hanabi at the tenketsu just below the shoulder blade, and forcing her chakra in, causing Hanabi to fly backwards and fall heavily on the floor. Hinata stared at her for a while, unable to believe that she had won. Then her compassion kicked in and she rushed over to Hanabi.

"Hanabi, are you alright? I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to hit so hard..."

"Hinata-chan, that was a good hit."

"I'm so sorry, here...this ointment can help with chakra wounds..."

She focused healing chakra in her hand and touched Hanabi's shoulder for a while, allowing the healing to take place.

It was then that Hiashi chose to speak up

"Hinata, you've become stronger somehow, even with the hospital time you had. That was an impressive display of skill, for you anyway, much more worthy of a Hyuuga family successor than before. How did you do it? Does it have something to do with that fox kid perhaps?"

"He's not the fox kid, he's Uzumaki Naruto, a normal boy who's at least no worse than anyone else his age!"

"So you do know about the fox in him...I guess he must have told you himself. Well I'll tell you this now, Naruto would never have defeated Neji without that damn fox inside him."

"He beat Neji because of his strength of character and his determination, not because of some stupid fox!"

"Much as I hate to admit it, Hinata-chan is correct"

Neji had just walked in, and was looking straight at Hiashi.

"If he didn't have the fox in him, strength and determination would have counted for nothing."

"The fact is, Hiashi-sama, that he did have the fox in him, and his determination not to lose brought it out in him."

Neji suddenly turned to Hinata:

"I think that she has the same determination as well. If you let me train with her, Hiashi-sama, I can promise I will make her strong, and I will protect her just like my father told me to before. And Hinata-chan...I'm sorry about the preliminary match, I let my frustration control me."

Hiashi looked angered "Fine, it'll give me more time with Hanabi anyway"

He walked out of the door and Hanabi, who had not spoken because she was the youngest, walked out obediently with him.

Neji studied Hinata's face for a moment.

"You've definitely changed...for the better. I guess people can change after all, all they need are other people to help them. Naruto changed me as well. I think I understand people better now."

He looked out of the window for a moment

"I want to help you, Hinata. I don't know why exactly but I will help you become strong."

"Neji nii-san, do you think you're stronger than my father?"

"No...but I think I can be a better teacher. Plus it won't be long until I reach his level."

"Neji...thank you for what you did"

"Thank Naruto, he's the one responsible for all this? So, shall we begin?"

And Hinata, tired as she was, was able to train harder and better than ever before.