A Place To Belong

Standard Disclaimers Apply


Thanks to the people who corrected me on the Kaiten thing! I didn't know that! (grins) Also thanks to the following people who reviewed. I love you guys, thanks so much for the encouragement!

Junsui Chikyuu, Tig Jones, Aemelia, Shinaka Star, shiawase, saturnova, fried ryce, BlackMoonSky0000, name, Parasite of Raven's Wings, epuneyuiah, kishou, snow child yukiko-chan,kurai, kaiyrah, morgannia, Random Person, Bittersweet Mika

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Chapter Two:

His solitude had always been a condition he enforced on himself simply because he liked silence. In the quiet, he was able to concentrate more on his thoughts and think up ways in which he could kill his brother for destroying his life. He had no time for other trivial and petty pursuits, but it was hard sometimes especially with Naruto and/or Sakura dragging him places. As much as he had fought against it, he had found himself forming attachments however slight they might be.

He really shouldn't, he couldn't afford to.

He had two goals one of which had to be accomplished first before he could proceed to the next one.

First he had to kill his brother.

Then, he would rebuild his clan.

For that, Sasuke needed power and he winced inwardly as he remembered how his obsession with gaining power had corrupted his mind enough so that he had actually sought to escape Konoha and join Orochimaru, lured in by the promise of limitless power that would enable him to fight his brother and end the bastard's life once and for all.

Sasuke lived mainly for two things.

Power.

Revenge.

After that, he would rebuild his clan.

How…well, he never really thought about it in detail because in truth, a part of him doubted he would survive a duel with his brother Itachi who was the real Uchiha prodigy. Sasuke admitted to himself that he only came by that title simply by default.

He was the only Uchiha left aside from Itachi, who really didn't count as an Uchiha at all anymore.

The seal embedded into his skin tingled but Sasuke suppressed the wave of hatred welling up inside of him. He would not let Orochimaru's curse seal take over him. He had made the mistake of being lured into the dark side for the promise of power once and he would never make the same mistake again. What was the point of defeating Itachi when the power he used was corrupt and he wouldn't even be fully conscious of himself when he did so?

No, Sasuke wanted power. His own power, not something that belonged to someone else. Sasuke wanted a clean, clear mind when he faced his brother.

Sasuke wanted to savor each second and every expression that passed through Itachi's face as he died.


.

Hinata didn't really know why she trained continuously when it was obvious that no matter how much of an effort she put in, she will never be good enough for her father or her family. Neji saw her, Neji acknowledged that she was getting stronger…but no matter how she advanced she was always a couple of steps behind.

She was never going to catch up.

Because of that, because she was weak, Neji had been taken away from her.

First Naruto.

Then, Neji…

What next?

Hinata wanted to die…but she was afraid to.

The bark of the tree she was assaulting flew in different directions as her chakra charged fists connected solidly, reducing several layers of the tree trunk into dust and splinters.

How long had she been training? Hinata was not completely certain. She wasn't even sure if what she was doing right now could even be considered training. She was just hitting the tree at random, putting chakra and physical force to strengthen her blows. No, she wasn't really training, she mentally amended; she was venting.

Finally, Hinata stopped and collapsed on her back, her body limp and her breath coming in harsh pants. She looked up at the darkening sky and wondered what she was going to do with her life now that the burden to be heir was no longer planted on her shoulders.

Would they give her the curse seal now?

She was already too old.

To attempt to install it now would endanger her life.

Would her family even care?

Hinata's hand lifted shakily as she traced the seal into her forehead.

What would it feel like to have it branded into her skin?

To Neji, it had symbolized a cage in which he had been born inside.

To Hinata, it symbolized a wall that divided her family…but it also symbolized freedom.

The curse seal would render the Byakugan useless once the one marked breathed his or her last breath. It was the reason why most branch house members were allowed outside Konoha. They would not endanger the family secret. If captured, they would kill themselves first as to not risk the secrets of the Byakugan being revealed.

It was the reason her uncle, Neji's father, died.

Hinata forced herself to stand up on shaky legs.

It was getting late and Kurenai-sensei might be getting worried about her.


.

Hanabi staggered up towards her room trying to look as if she was not on the verge of fainting. Pain slashed through her entire body with each step she took but she ignored it and walked as if nothing was the matter, as if her entire body was not covered with bruises she'd received while training with her father.

It was usual.

It was her life.

Hanabi had learned to get used to feeling pain at a very young age.

When she was younger, she had been consumed with proving her worth. The fear of the seal had pushed her to want to surpass her sister in strength and prove to the others that she was the worthier one despite the unfortunate timing of her birth. She was meant to be the leader, not Hinata who was nothing but a bumbling weakling.

Hanabi had been secretly elated when she had managed to defeat her sister that first time.

Hanabi had been elated when Hinata had been sent away and she, Hanabi, was the one taken in to start training in the Hyuuga way.

It had been a surprise when, that first night Hanabi had been battered in the dojo, she walked into her room to see a warm glass of milk, pain killers and a jar of medical cream carefully laid out and waiting for her.

There was no note.

No nothing.

Just those three things waiting for her.

It happened again and again each and every time Hanabi sustained considerable damage during her training. Hanabi may have been young but it didn't take her a while to realize who was leaving these things for her. It was Hinata, and Hanabi wondered exactly why Hinata would do such a thing. Was the cream poisoned somehow? Would the milk affect her body in a way that would render her weak?

She did not touch them.

Time and again after each practice, those three things would appear on her nightstand, waiting for her.

One night came when all Hanabi could think about was crying out in pain because of the extensive bruises she had received. She downed the milk, applied the cream on her skin and eaten the packet of specially prepared medication that had been laid out for her. If it was a trap, a ploy to make her weaker, Hanabi no longer cared. All she had wanted was for the hurting to stop.

She woke up the next morning, fresh, revitalized and healed.

Hinata had smiled at her during breakfast but didn't say anything.

Hanabi didn't say anything, she wasn't allowed to talk to Hinata.

She did smile back though, just a little.

She passed by a door on the way to her own room and stopped for a second, inhaling the familiar scent of vanilla, herbs and flowers. It was her sister's scent.

It was Hinata.

Hanabi didn't really know her sister. She hadn't been allowed to spend much time with Hinata because everyone was afraid Hinata would infect her with weakness. Hanabi wouldn't have minded really, as long as she got to know her sister who always watched her.

Hanabi closed her eyes and kept on walking.

This time, there would be no glass of milk waiting for her in her room.

This time, there would be no carefully prepared herbal medicine laid out on her nightstand.

There would be no medical cream.

Hinata was no longer there and for the first time in her life, Hanabi knew what it meant to feel truly alone.


.

He wasn't some sort of breeding animal they could just partner with anyone to produce strong heirs. Neji had always disliked the system under which his family worked but he'd never truly hated it until now. Was everyone he loved going to be taken away from him simply for the 'sake of the clan'?

Hinata.

Hinata was his.

From the moment he had seen her when they were young, he'd liked her.

His feelings for her had gone through different changes from liking, to anger, resentment, hatred, shame, contrition and everything ended up blossoming into love. His own father had asked Neji to protect the clan princess Hinata, and Neji had agreed. As he'd grown older he'd forgotten that promise, had forced himself to ignore the pang he felt whenever he saw the flash of pain in Hinata's eyes whenever he was being mean to her.

When they had become betrothed, Neji had been sickened.

A life with the clan weakling?

But Hinata wasn't weak.

She was strong.

It was just that her strength lie in a different area.

Hinata saw things people often overlooked. Hinata would make a great leader someday because she cared not for the clan but for the people that composed the clan. She would lead not by power of her birthright or her strength as a ninja. She would lead by example and with the loyalty she had already earned through her gentle and kind ways. She would not need to enforce her will to the members of the branch house to have them obey. They did not fear Hinata, that was true, but they loved her and were loyal to her. The members of the branch house would lay their life for her willingly and without a second thought.

The branch house loved Hinata because she treated them like family and not subordinates.

It was the main house that did not realize her true worth.

"Neji…"

"Hai, Okaasan?" Neji asked as he looked up from the scroll he was studying.

"Daijoubu desu?"

"Hai," Neji said with a curt nod.

"I'm sorry…" she whispered. "I know how much you liked Hinata. If there was anything I could do to prevent…"

"There is nothing anyone can do." Neji said as his hand lifted to touch the forehead protector that hid the curse seal burned into his skin. Anger churned inside of him like a fever that consumed his blood.

"You would become the leader of the main house by default," his mother said softly as if trying to appease him. "By being Hanabi's husband, you would rule with her. When you are in the position of power, you will be able to initiate the changes you want. For the strength of the clan and its well being, you are needed to make the sacrifice."

Neji remained silent as he stared down at the inscriptions on the scroll. The words were all blurring together as his mind swam with thoughts of outrage.

For the good of the clan?

When did everyone forget that the clan was made up of individual people?


.

Hinata struggled with the purchases she held. Milk, eggs, bread, rice, meat and other foodstuffs were stuffed into the bulging shopping bags she struggled to balance in her arms. She didn't want to be a burden to Kurenai sensei and she did chores in the house like shopping for groceries or cooking once in a while. Hinata knew her sensei didn't expect her to do these things but Hinata liked doing them. It made her feel useful and gave her a nice feeling.

It would have suited her better if she had been born in a normal family instead of one of the oldest and most prestigious clans in Konoha. Hinata was simple and simple things made her happy. She wasn't interested in power and conquest and reputations.

"Oi Hinata-chan!"

Hinata turned and smiled when she heard Naruto's voice. She waited until he had approached her before she greeted him with a soft, "Hello Naruto-kun."

There was a time when she would have stammered and fallen all over herself at being so close to the blonde ninja and having his sole attention trained her way. Those times had long since past however and she had gotten over her crush and now only saw him as a friend and someone she admired.

"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked with his trademark grin.

"J-just shopping for groceries," Hinata asked, drawing Naruto's attention to the hefty bags she was struggling with.

"Here, let me help you out with that," Naruto said as he divested Hinata of some of her burden. "Wow, you guys planning on cooking a feast or what?"

"No Naruto-kun, I just thought we should stock up on supplies instead of going out everyday to buy food," Hinata said with a smile.

"I didn't know you actually did the shopping for the Hyuuga house. I thought you had servants to do that sort of stuff," Naruto commented as he fell in step beside Hinata as they started to walk. He knew Hinata was supposed to be some big shot heiress and he always admired the fact that she was so down to earth and sweet.

"A-Anou, I'm not l-living in the Hyuuga house anymore…"

"Really?" Naruto seemed surprised. "Why not? Did you want to become independent or something?" He remembered hearing Sakura say something about wanting an apartment of her own too.

"Uhm…" Hinata mumbled softly, not wanting to elaborate more on her troubles. She wanted to forget them, not relive and reexamine everything that was wrong with her life. "So, how are you doing t-these days Naruto-kun?"

"Fine Hinata. Actually, I just came from talking with Ero-sennin, that pervert. Kakashi-sensei and him were discussing his upcoming book and didn't have time for training." Naruto glowered. "How am I supposed to get strong and become the next Hokage if my instructors are always slackers?"

Hinata smiled at him, sensing the underlying fondness Naruto felt for both Kakashi and Jiraiya. She had never really understood why people were so mean to Naruto. He was nice and he didn't do anything bad to anyone to merit such treatment from the adults. For as long as Hinata could remember, she'd watched the grown-ups treat him with disdain and she had watched as Naruto grew even more determined to prove his worth. It was one of the reasons why she had gotten a crush on him. She liked how he was always happy and determined to take the world on with both his fists swinging defiantly. He was a marvelous failure, always getting up after each defeat. Always trying to be stronger and better. Because of his strong will, he was becoming less of a failure and more of a winner; a true ninja who didn't give up despite the odds.

How she wanted to be like him.

"So where are you staying right now? Did you get a new apartment? I can help you with moving in if you need me to carry some stuff for you."

"I'm fine Naruto-kun," Hinata answered with a shy smile. "I already moved in a few weeks ago. I'm staying at K-Kurenai-sensei's house."

She fell silent as she stared back down at her shoes, not wanting to elaborate more. She was shy and nervous around people. She may not have a crush on Naruto anymore but she was still shy around him. Hinata was shy around a lot of people. Well actually, she was just plain shy. It was in her personality after all and it probably would never change. Aside from that, Hinata was a deeply private person, an introvert who didn't like her inner most thoughts and musings brandished to the entire world.

Naruto shifted beside her. Hinata was always quiet and gentle so her silence didn't really bother him. What bothered him was the fact that she looked sad even though she had tried to smile at him. He wasn't really as close to her as he was with Sakura and didn't get to spend so much time with Hinata but he did remember her as having determined eyes. Now she just looked…forlorn.

"Neh, Hinata-chan, how about we go have lunch at the Ramen shop? My treat even!" Naruto offered generously. He was Chuunin now and he got a more pay in missions. Besides, Hinata had always been so nice to him and he wanted to do something for her to cheer her up since she seemed so down.

"You don't h-have to do that N-Naruto-kun."

"That's okay Hinata! Come on, let's go!" Naruto said as he grabbed her hand with his free one and dragged her after him before she could protest further. Hinata hesitated only for a while before she followed him.

On their way to the Ramen Shop, Hinata and Naruto ran into Sakura and Hinata watched as Naruto blushed and perked up in the other kunoichi's presence. It had always pained her before to watch Naruto bend over backwards for the pink haired girl but the ache in her heart was no longer there. No, Hinata wasn't jealous anymore. She just felt bad for Naruto because Sakura so obviously didn't see him as anything except a friend and a teammate.

The blonde ninja had grown up in the past few years. He was taller now and he was still growing. His face had lost some of it's baby-fat roundness but he still had the same brash charm that had attracted Hinata those years ago. She smiled inwardly as she listened to him invite Sakura for a meal at the ramen house and watched as Naruto beamed when Sakura accepted the invitation.


.

"Hey isn't that Naruto?" Lee said pointing over to the orange clad boy walking between two females. "Whoa, Naruto with Sakura!" Fire ignited in the taijutsu expert's eyes as he assumed one of his infamous poses and declared that he would not be bested when it came to winning the heart of his pink haired angel.

Ten-Ten, already used to the spectacle Lee made, still felt embarrassed for her teammate. She glanced over at Neji who looked as if he had been chiseled from marble. She sighed inwardly, wondering for perhaps the millionth time, why she had been assigned such weird teammates when she had been gennin.

Neji hadn't behaved like this for a while now. Sure, he was never one to be all talkative and friendly but the past months or so, he'd started to at least be a bit sociable…now he was back to his 'ice-block' mode.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lee dash over to where Sakura and Naruto was. Ten-Ten attempted to make a grab for him before he embarrassed himself further but Lee was too fast. Contemplating knocking him out with one of her handy weapons, Ten-Ten concluded it wasn't worth the clean up she'd have to do to rid her weapon of Lee's blood.

"Well, let's go join Lee, I guess…just to make sure he doesn't humiliate us by association," she joked as she took a step in their group's direction. A flash of dark black hair and pale skin caught her eyes. "Oh hey, it's Hinata."

"Where?"

Ten-Ten raised an eyebrow at Neji's tone.

"Where?" he demanded once more.

"Over there, with Naruto." Ten-Ten answered. What was up with Neji? She thought he'd already made peace with his whole vendetta against the Main House and his dislike for his cousin.

He'd even started actually being a slight bit nice, for Neji, towards Hinata. Ten-Ten had noticed how he sometimes walked accompanied Hinata when the girl went out.

She caught the flash of anger in Neji's narrowed eyes and the hard set of his jaw but it was gone so fast, she wondered if she just imagined it. His features were already their usual stoic expression once more.

Why did he seem so upset at the mention of Hinata's name all of a sudden?


.

"Hey thick brows get away from Sakura-chan!" Naruto blared out as he and Lee glared at each other, sparks flying.

Sakura rolled her eyes at Hinata. "These guys are so embarrassing!"

Hinata smiled, feeling a bit shy around Sakura. The girl was the Hokage's apprentice and she was beautiful enough that two strong ninjas were fighting over her. Sakura, in Hinata's eyes, was the perfect girl. She was funny and energetic and confident. She got good grades and was not afraid to speak her mind. She was also very pretty with sun-kissed skin, pink hair and beautiful green eyes. No wonder, Naruto liked her.

"So, what have you been up to lately? Are you getting ready for the upcoming Chuunin exams?"

"H-hai," Hinata answered with a nod. She remembered how she still hadn't mastered the Kaiten yet. Shin was a member of the branch house so of course he wouldn't know how to do it. Hinata had forgotten that the only reason Neji had figured it out was because he was a genius and he had taught himself how to perform the technique only people from the main house were supposed to learn. "W-will you be taking the exams too, Sakura-san?"

"We've known each other a long time Hinata, Sakura or Sakura-chan would do and I'm not sure if I would be taking it this time around. I'm not concentrating on my advancement that much. I'm trying to learn as much as I can from Tsunade-sama."

"O-oh…" Hinata fiddled with her fingers. "Is being a medic-nin hard?"

"Well, a lot of the jutsus require us to spend more chakra than normal jutsus used for combat. It's much harder to heal a body that to injure it," Sakura said thoughtfully. "That's why having good chakra control is so important so that you only spend as much as needed and don't drain yourself unnecessarily."

"Hn."

"Hey, I remember you gave Naruto some medical cream before, a couple of years ago right? I was wondering why you didn't follow through and just study how to be a medic?"

That was another thing. Hinata was uncomfortable with hurting other people and she would have preferred to study medicine but her goal to become a ninja had been to get stronger and more powerful so that her family would be proud of her. The Hyuugas were a family of warriors first and foremost so Hinata figured she'd have to be a warrior too, a good one, to earn her family's respect.

Kiba and Shino had commented that she wasn't following through with her attacks. That she was hesitating and that it was dangerous for her if she continued to be like that.

Neji had gotten angry with her about it.

"In a real fight, it's either their lives or yours Hinata and believe me I would much rather they die than hurt you, understand?"

Everything just went back to Neji, didn't it?

"Hinata?"

Hinata blinked and looked at Sakura. "Hai?"

"Look, Ten-Ten and your cousin are coming this way."


.

Hinata turned and almost dropped her groceries when Ten-Ten and Neji came into view. Sounds of Lee and Naruto's argument faded and all she saw was Neji's eyes trained at her, a blank look in his eyes.

Hinata had truly been hoping to avoid seeing him. The few times she had seen him, he was been escorting Hanabi to and from the ninja academy. Each time Hinata had seen them together, a piece of her heart broke apart.

It just seemed so wrong to see him with Hanabi.

"Hi Hinata, Sakura…" Ten-Ten greeted with a nod. "Geeze, aren't those two finished bickering yet?"

Sakura sighed. "I don't think they'll wind down until someone bonks them on the head."

Hinata studied her shoes, painfully aware of Neji presence a mere few feet from where she was standing. Hinata was not a masochist and she did not relish seeing Neji and being reminded of all the things that could have been and would never be.

"A-Anou, I have to go now, I remember there's something I need to do…" Hinata whispered to the ground.

"You're going already?" Ten-Ten, who had heard her, asked.

Hinata nodded. "It was very nice seeing you again, Ten-san," she said with a bow as she started to walk away. "Just tell Naruto-kun that I had to go."

"Sure thing."

"Bye, Hinata…" Sakura said with a wave.

"Oi Hinata-chan! I thought I was going to treat you to Ramen today!" Naruto said when he noticed Hinata walking away. He ignored Lee's last jibe at him and his 'lack of fashion sense' (as if someone wearing a green Lycra jumpsuit had any room to point fingers in that department) and concentrated on Hinata instead. "I was going to treat you and Sakura…"

"M-maybe next time…" she murmured. "You can still go with Sakura-chan if you want, Naruto-kun," Hinata said. "I can get home by myself." She started to take the shopping bags from Naruto but he shook his head. "Nah, I'll see you home. Hey Sakura, let's take Hinata home before we eat Ramen, would that be fine?"

"Sure," Sakura said with a shrug. "But why are you guys headed that way? The Hyuuga compound is over in that direction…" she pointed to the opposite side of where Naruto and Hinata had started walking.

"Hinata doesn't live there any more, she moved out," Naruto answered.

"You're leaving on your own? How cool!" Sakura gushed as she ran up to catch up with Hinata and ask her questions.

"Sakura, my beautiful flower! Wait for me…!" Lee cried.

Ten-Ten sighed and followed after them.

Neji pushed his hands into his pockets and walked the other way. He'd had enough. The council had forbidden him to seek Hinata out. He was supposed to have the barest minimum contact with her, if possible then none at all. It was practically as if Hinata had been disowned already and Neji hated the fact that he was being party to her isolation. He hated the fact that the curse seal on his forehead subjugated him. He hated the fact that Hinata was avoiding him.

His hands fisted inside his pockets and he kept on walking.

His Byakugan was activated and he could see Hinata smile and laugh at something Naruto said.


.

Wasn't it just a few minutes ago that he was telling himself he shouldn't form attachments…and now here he was in a Jounin's home because he'd allowed himself to be dragged here by Sakura and Naruto. Sasuke sighed and shifted in his seat, half-listening to the banter between the four other people in the living room with him.

Naruto and Lee were still arguing over Sakura and the other one, Ten-Ten was having a conversation with Sakura over the stupidities of men.

Sakura kept glancing his way.

She liked him.

He wasn't blind; of course he knew that.

Why though?

Why would other people say that they liked him, loved him, when they didn't know him at all?

After his stupid phase when he'd gone after Orochimaru, people had avoided him for some time but Sakura had been steadfast in her stand that she liked him. Her friend, the blonde, Ino, was the same. So many of the girls after him had supported him and defended him.

It was only the curse seal that drove him to commit such madness.

But Sasuke knew it wasn't just the curse seal. For that brief moment before the insanity descended, he'd allowed it. He'd welcomed it. He'd felt the hot pulse of power thrumming in his veins and he'd relished it. Would they still like him even after they knew exactly how dark he was? He hated with a passion, he hated his brother and it consumed his existence.

No one would ever be able to understand the depth of his emotion, no one would know how it felt to wake up and suddenly find everything you loved and believed in was gone.

He stood up. "Where's the bathroom?"

"Hinata's in the kitchen, she might know where," Ten-Ten said with a shrug. "I've never been to Kurenai-sensei's apartment before."

"Hn…" he muttered as he went towards where Hinata had disappeared. On his way there, he heard snatches of conversations coming from the four.

"Well, I heard something about them throwing her out…"

"WHAT!" Ten-Ten, Sakura and Naruto blared loudly.

Lee blinked at them, taken aback by their reaction. "Shhh, we don't want Hinata to hear!"

"What do you mean you heard about them throwing her out?" Naruto hissed angrily. Damn those Hyuugas always ragging on Hinata-chan! Naruto had promised Neji he'd change the system of his family when he finally became Hokage and Naruto's determination was further fueled by this outrage.

"I'm not exactly sure, but I overheard some of the Hyuuga servants talking about it when I went with my mother to one of the stores. They were talking about 'poor Hinata-sama' and something about an engagement but the girl who was talking was shushed by her companion before I could hear any more."

"Why didn't you tell us until now?" Ten-Ten demanded, annoyed.

"What, you want Neji to kill me? He would hate for us to gossip about his family's affairs."


.

Hinata wasn't exactly sure if Kurenai-sensei would appreciate having so many people inside the house…but Hinata didn't have the heart to send them away after they had escorted her at home so she invited them in for lunch. She promised Naruto she'd make him some ramen and sandwiches for the rest of her 'escorts'. That was the reason why could be found preparing the meal in the kitchen with the sounds of Naruto, Lee, Sakura and Ten-Ten's conversation drifting in from the living room. Sasuke was in there too, having been dragged by Naruto and Sakura to go with them, claiming that he was acting like a hermit and it was a ninja skill to try and blend in with people too.

Hinata smiled a bit at the look that had crossed Sasuke's face. It was a queer cross between disbelief, disgust, annoyance and resignation. Sakura had shared with her that it was normal for them to try and drag Sasuke to other places so he can be a bit 'normal' sometimes. It was obvious Sakura still had feelings for the stoic Uchiha heir, something Hinata had never been able to understand. Every girl in class had thought themselves in love with the dark haired Sharingan user. They had clamored over him and had chased after him, but he always acted like he was annoyed with them and that they were not worth his time. He was arrogant and anti-social and truth be told, Hinata had been both scared an annoyed with him.

Now…it seemed like very little had changed. He still acted the same and Sakura was still in love with him. Hinata sighed as she prepared the sandwiches while Naruto's ramen was stewing in the pot. It seemed like she had been quite occupied with her own life these past year or so that she had failed to pay attention to others except those in her team. It was nice catching up with her former classmates. If only it was under the auspices of a better circumstance.

She had no family now.

Her father obviously didn't want her and the council didn't see her as worthy. She needed to find her own way in life. She'd been operating under the need to get strong and prove her worth that she had had no time to stop and think if it was what she truly wanted. Her ninja way was to never give up, never go back on a promise. But what is her promise, what did she want for her self?

To prove her worth…

She was worthy of the air she breathed and the space she occupied on the planet. She was not just some simpering ruin of an heir. No, she was Hinata and she wanted more out of life that just what was being offered her.

Nothing.

She would show her family that they had made a mistake in labeling her as weak and forsaking her. They had pushed her around so hard for so long.

She would show them…

She would become Chuunin.

Jounin.

She would be strong.

She would make them see their mistake…

She'd show them…

Hinata's lower lip quivered as pain lanced through her chest. She no longer had a family. She was no longer a Hyuuga. All she had a goal to be strong and to prove that she was worthy to be alive. There was nothing in her future. Neji was no longer there, she had no pillar of strength to lean on any longer. She would have to rely on herself. She didn't want to be the weak, down-trodden one any more.

"Where's the bathroom?"

Hinata looked up and turned, her white eyes colliding with black.

"Uchiha-san…"


.

Sasuke was startled.

In that brief moment when his eyes had locked with hers, he felt a jolt run through him.

RECOGNITION.

He knew that look in her eyes.

Fierce Determination.

Pain.

Resentment.

"Uchiha-san…"

Sasuke blinked. "Bathroom?"

Her eyes were back to normal, without a trace of the emotions he'd seen therein only a few moments before. "O-over there…"

He grunted and walked over to where she directed.

Hinata Hyuuga.

The look in her eyes.

It was like his own.


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A/N: So, did you like this chapter? I'm not sure about it, seems more like Naru/Hina there for a while but it's Neji/Hina/Sasu love triangle. Anyway, please don't forget to review and give me feedback if you think my attempt at writing this story is good enough or if I should just drop it.

Also, please read Our Circumstancea SASUHINA fic that I am also currently writing. It's about Sasuke being forced to marry Hinata for nine months and teach her how to be strong. He thinks she's useless and weak but finds out exactly how strong Hinata could be! (grins) Please give it a try! Thank you!

REVIEW PLEASE!