Naruto is my motivation. My teammates are my strength. I've watched Naruto for many years now, trying to be as determined and strong as he is. I can only hope that someday, he'll watch me with the same awe I have for him. My teammates encourage me. They help me practice, develop my techniques, and grow strong. I am not a physically strong person. I could never properly use the techniques of the Hyuuga family. But I do have my own strengths, and I must learn to build off of those.
I am finally learning that I am strong. I have come to realize I can be more that what everyone expected of me. I have changed so much in such a short time. Perhaps it was those low expectations that kept me from growing strong. Perhaps it was my fear of hurting someone I love, the way that Neji was hurt because of me.
He apologizes repeatedly for the way he once treated me. But I wonder, would I have felt any differently than he? Would I have been strong enough to let go of my father's life that easily? People think my father doesn't care about me, but he really does. He just never learned how to train me, to bring out my full potential. And that perturbed him. He grew more stressed with each passing day. Now that I have learned how to train myself, he has one less thing to worry about. But I can understand how, to an outsider, it might look like our family is loveless.
We Hyuugas are a quiet family. Are strength lies in our chakra control. To control our chakra, we must control ourselves- our emotions, thoughts, and actions. We don't celebrate often. We are happy, of course, but that happiness is kept to oneself. That's why we've learned how to read other people so well. At the Chuunin exam, Neji was able to analyze me, and stated my feelings to everyone. I was embarrassed. And I was angry. I knew he was right, and I did not want to be so… so weak! I refused to be scared. I knew I had to change, and what better time to start, than by standing up for myself. Of course, it was easier with Naruto cheering me on.
Naruto is much more like me than he ever could have thought. We have both spent our lives looking for acceptance. We both strive to be recognized for the good points within us. And we both cheer each other on, even though I am a bit quieter about it than he is. It is outspoken nature that I admire most. Coming from such a quiet family, it was a great shock to meet someone like Naruto. No matter how many times people put him down, or how mean they were, he just laughed back and told them how strong he would become. No one believed him. Except me, that is.
I am a Hyuuga, and as such I can see things better than others can. I saw Naruto's strength and determination, and I believed that he would rise above all of us. He was a goof who no one respected. Now look where he is. He defeated Neji, fought valiantly against the Sound Five, trained with a legendary Sannin, and all before becoming a Chuunin. He gained the respect of the village when he saved us all from Shukaku, the demon within Gaara. It makes me happy to know that people finally see Naruto the way I do.
Naruto is not the only person I admire. My teammates have given me my strength. They have been training me nonstop, helping me improve me technique and control. Their faith in me makes me stronger as well. When we searched for the Bikouchu, and I was fighting those three Stone ninjas, Shino wouldn't let Naruto step in. He knew I needed to prove to myself that my techniques were truly battle-ready. A team is only as strong as its weakest link, and I refuse to be the weakest.
I must be strong if I plan to lead my family. I will most certainly make changes to the Hyuuga family. I want very much to destroy the Branch and Main houses. I can't stand the thought of causing anyone else the hurt that Neji endured. We are a family. We are blood. We are not just some military tool designed to protect our eyes.
But I must protect my family too. Not everyone in the Branch house is as strong as Neji. If word got out that Branch members were no longer getting seals, they would be in extreme danger. The seal, you see, is a way of protecting the family. People know that if they kill a Branch member, the Byakugen is destroyed. The only worthwhile dead Hyuuga is a Main house member. Attackers would much prefer to face only Main house members, trying to limit the number of Hyuugas they must fight. It is, of course, also meant to give the Main house protection as well, being able to control the seal on the Branch members. But that aspect is something that I want to do away with. I don't want certain family members to be elevated above the others.
I know it will take much more work to become strong enough to achieve my goals. But I will not stop working, no matter how difficult the journey becomes. I will work harder. I will try more.
More.
More….