Title: A Little Pain
Summary: At the age of 7, there were a few things Hinata Hyuga was sure of. One, her father, Hiashi Hyuga, was the strongest shinobi she knew. Second, just the thought of her having to one day make decisions for her entire clan terrified her beyond belief. Third, her younger sister Hanabi, at the age of 2, was very easy to impress.
Hinata Hyuga never wanted to lead her Clan and when she is stripped of her title and essentially an outcast in her home, she finds solace in the brief comforts of a pink-haired girl named Sakura. Though little did Hinata know that losing her heiress title would send her life spiraling down a path of self discovery, bravery, and the realization that changing yourself is a possibility is the most powerful jutsu of all. But... perhaps stopping yourself from fainting whenever you happen to be around your crush is a start. And convincing the entirety of Konoha that it's first all-kunoichi team won't be a complete and total failure should be prioritized before any of that.
[;';]
From now on, Author's Notes and Comment Responses will take place at the end of the chapter!
Chapter 6: The Horror Begins
I should start gathering my things, Kurenai-sensei said we would have a mission after we finished training today. Hinata set her kunai pouch on her desk, shuffling through a drawer for her kunai and ointments. It had been two weeks officially since she had become a genin and learned who she would be partnered with for her team.
Hinata couldn't help stopping her search, ointment in hand, to look at the picture frame she had placed next to her huanghuali box. Almost instantly, a warm smile spread across her face looking at it.
The photo might not have had any interesting displays, but to Hinata, it was the most special photo she had taken in a while.
In the middle was Hinata, her cheeks sporting an almost characteristic blush as she smiled nervously at the camera. Directly behind her stood Kurenai, a small smile on her face as well though her shoulders were squared perfectly and she seemed to exude elegance. Directly to Hinata's left, Ino was winking playfully with crossed arms at the camera. Sakura, on the other hand, stood to Hinata's right and she smiled brighter than the sun.
I'm really on a team with Sakura-san. Hinata's entire being felt warm with the declaration.
It seemed like a dream when Iruka had announced it on their final day being at the Academy and yet going on week two, Hinata had yet to wake up from it.
She was on a team with the most inspiring kunoichi in the world, this was now fact.
For now, a cold voice in the back of Hinata's mind hissed.
Hinata's smile fell as a bout of anxiety thrummed in her chest.
"Should we pass, ultimately, they'll allow us to continue and Ino will train alongside her parents in order to continue the Clan tradition." Kurenai had said in regards to the ultimatum that had been given. Pass the Chunin Exams and all would remain the same. Fail and Hinata would be starting all over again and this time, with new teammates.
That won't happen. Hinata reassured herself, placing her tools neatly into her kunai pouch. Today she would train and their mission would be a success. Everything would be fine. I won't have to get a new team. I'll… I'll be able to keep training with Sakura-san.
Hinata's shoulders relaxed as she exhaled, heart skipping a tad.
She would train and become stronger, someone her team could rely on. Someone her family would be proud of. Someone she could be proud of. Then, she'd be able to tell Sakura how she felt.
Hinata set her lavender gaze back onto her photo, eyes landing on Sakura's smiling face.
All this time… Hinata closed her eyes. The day she saw a shy pink-haired girl, coincidentally named Sakura, hunched over in the opposite corner of the room. Seeing Sakura begin to don her ribbon. That fateful day in the snow and the silent cheers Hinata would give when Sakura was able to ace an assignment. All this time, all I've done is watch your back. Now you actually get to see me. Hinata exhaled again and secured her kunai pouch to her right leg.
Now they could be equals.
Hinata nodded firmly.
She would go to the training grounds early and get a head start.
Sure-footed, Hinata stepped out of her room and into the hall. She had already eaten breakfast that morning and she felt more than confident that an extra thirty or so minutes of training would do her good.
Just watch me!
Hinata could have hummed as the image of her and Sakura donning matching smiles and holding hands entered mind. They were off to go and get cinnamon rolls from Tamura's shop and chatting excitedly about training and what each other did well and could improve on. Sakura's eyes were on her and no one else's. Not Sasuke and not Naruto. Hinata could feel herself grinning widely, maybe one day it would be a reality.
"You're making a weird face, Hinata-neesama."
Hinata's eyes shot and her breath hitched. "Hanabi!" Hanabi's words finally registered in Hinata's mind and she wanted to kick herself in the foot. "I'm not making any face."
Every strand hair of Hanabi's brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, hiding nothing of her expression of suspicion. Her sister didn't believe that excuse at all. Hinata looked over Hanabi's person, hoping to find a way to change the subject. It looked as if Hanabi had just finished her morning bout of training.
"Are you excited that you're going to the Academy now?" Hanabi had just enrolled not too long ago. Hinata was sure that just like with her, their father told Hanabi why her attendance at the Academy would be vital. There Hanabi would now learn the history of the village, the responsibilities of a shinobi, and dealing with others outside of the Clan. Unlike Hinata herself, Hanabi wouldn't be placed on a team after graduation and would instead continue her duties as heiress.
"I guess it's fun." Hanabi replied and Hanabi almost sighed in relief that Hanabi didn't press Hinata further. "It's weird seeing so many non-Byakugans." Hanabi muttered, brow furrowing slightly. "But my classmates thing my eyes are the weird ones."
Hinata smiled sympathetically. She remembered that feeling, though she had since grown used to it. "It was a shock for me too." Now she looked forward to leaving the compound in search of a specific pair of non-Byakugan eyes on a daily basis. "But you'll get used to it eventually. And your classmates too." At least, her brief bully encounter thankfully lasted that one time with Kenta, Ganta, and Atsushi. Hinata vaguely remembered that outside of the mean trio, the comments from some classmates surrounding her eyes eventually stopped altogether by the end of their first year.
But no one's going to really bother Hanabi. Hinata thought wistfully. Hanabi would be able to defend herself perfectly if anyone tried to.
"Do you have a mission today, Hinata-neesama?" Hanabi's eyes glanced over her.
That's right! I need to get going to train early! "Yes, I do." Hinata did her best to keep herself from fidgeting. It felt like a rarity for her to ever have the opportunity to really talk to Hanabi. "We have to find another lost pet today." All of their missions had been geared to tracking. Kurenai had been very serious with what she had told them.
Hanabi made a face, "I thought going on missions would be more… exciting. I guess I won't really be missing much, after all."
"I should probably get going. I wanted to get to the training grounds early today." Hinata didn't want to waste anymore time. She could hopefully talk with Hanabi later once she got home. "Have fun at the Academy, Hanabi."
Hanabi nodded, stepping to the side. "I have to get ready to leave soon too. Good luck with your mission, Hinata-neesama."
"Thank you. Good luck with your classes."
Hinata left home feeling light, almost jogging to the training grounds. Maybe today would go extremely well considering she left home without feeling like she was suffocating. It was possibly an auspicious omen.
Training would go fine and so would the mission.
Everything would be fine.
Hinata was still certain of this when she reached the padded stumps that were used for punching and kicking. Deftly, Hinata landed palm after palm onto the padding trying to imagine it as a moving foe.
It was an almost hypnotic rhythm as time seemed to become nothing but a concept. Hinata only paused when Kurenai's approach alerted her to her presence.
"Hinata? You're quite early." The raven-haired woman sounded pleased. "Have you been here too long?"
"Not really…" Hinata muttered. "It's only been a little while."
Kurenai set down her bag, "well, sometimes a little extra training goes a long way." She smiled at her student. "Have you been staying hydrated?"
"I…." Hinata paused. She hadn't even packed a water canteen before she left. "... No. I forgot my canteen."
"We've talked about the importance of water breaks many times, Hinata." Kurenai's pleased expression turned firm. She dove a hand into her bag, producing a water canteen. "I'm happy I always pack extra just in case. Make sure to drink some. We're going to be training for a couple of hours before we go on our mission."
"Your abilities combined will be perfect for the most traditional of all shinobi fields. Tracking and Interrogation."
Hinata bit her lip after she took a considerable sip of water. "... Kurenai-sensei, do you really think we can do those sort of missions?" Hinata doubted she had an intimidating bone in her body. "T-tracking I think I can do but…"
"I think you'll do just fine with those sort of missions." Kurenai smiled reassuringly. "Just have confidence. Interrogation doesn't always include torture. I'm told that chakra often fluctuates when someone is lying, your Byakugan could serve quite well during questioning and seeing if an enemy is telling the truth. I believe you girls will be able to produce fine results as a team as long as you cooperate."
"I made it here first!"
"I was already at least a few footsteps in by the time you even made it to the gate!"
Kurenai sighed; the timing was almost comical. A pair of blonde and pink heads were swiftly approaching them. "Ino, Sakura! What did I say about petty arguments?"
"Sorry, Kurenai-sensei!" Sakura called almost immediately, brandishing a nervous expression. "We weren't arguing just… debating!"
"Yeah, debating!" Ino repeated. "Hi, Hinata!"
Hinata's smile was small as she tightened the cap of the canteen, placing it beside Kurenai's bag. "Hello, Ino-san." She said pleasantly as Ino and Sakura came closer, setting down their respective bags. Now Hinata felt quite unprepared. She should have thought so far ahead as to remember she would need water to stay hydrated during training. "H-hi… Sakura-san."
"Morning, Hinata! You're always so early when we have to train." Sakura wrapped a hand around her chin, jade eyes widening. "I don't know how you do it. You must be pretty tough."
Hinata flushed, her fingers squirming as she clasped her hands together to ease her nerves. "Not- not really!" Hinata winced internally at her squak but she felt so light that if a breeze passed through, she was sure she would go tumbling into the unknown. The blue-haired girl was sure she could combust from the happiness she felt. "I haven't been here that long… y-you're impressed over nothing."
"I don't know, you're taijutsu is still pretty good." Sakura chirped pleasantly. "You've been training pretty hard."
Hinata couldn't find any words to say but turn her lips upwards as she twiddled her thumbs.
Kurenai clapped her hands together, "Alright, now that we're all here, let's start on the debriefing."
"Yes, ma'am!" The girls all called in unison.
Hinata smiled once more to herself after sparing Sakura another glance. I hope I can impress her again. Hinata glanced quickly at her other teammate, surprised to find Ino was already staring her down with a curious look. What is it?
Ino didn't give anything away, only smiling with a small wave. "Sorry, just thought I saw something."
"Ahem." Kurenai cleared her throat. "Well your taijutsu will certainly improve the faster we start training, Sakura. We should stretch and we can begin. I want us to cover some light sparring before working on the formation I taught you last time." Kurenai looked at Sakura, wasting no time with her summary of what their day would hold. "Once Hinata spots an enemy, it's your job to distract them with genjutsu long enough for Hinata to disable their chakra and Ino to get them in her grasp with her ninjutsu. If you're quick enough, even without Ino's mind transfers, Ino and Hinata should be able to dispatch enemies before they even notice they've been trapped.
Sakura, expect some longer hours of training with me. You've been great dispelling genjutsu and small illusions, but I want you to try something bigger. I'll be showing you my Tree Binding technique again so you can practice it yourself. You'll hopefully be able to do it within the next week or so if we're lucky. We'll work more on your taijutsu technique, remember what I said about keeping your thumb untucked. You can break it, otherwise.
Ino, while your technique is fine, you have a tendency to recycle the same moves when you're sparring. What you practice with your teammates, you ultimately take into real battles. If your opponents are able to notice your pattern of attack, you're done for. Your style of fighting is lovely, but that's something to keep in mind in order to advance in your skill. We'll try that sweeping kick of yours again today.
And Hinata. You still hesitate when we're sparring, try to be a bit more assertive. Yes, you should observe your enemies in battle but it does more harm than good to continue on in stalemates. Being a bit more aggressive in sparring won't hurt anyone. But, over all, you've been doing very well and I can see your putting in your best efforts."
Hinata nodded at the critique and bit her lip. She still hesitated in sparring after all. But Kurenai-sensei says I'm still doing my best. Hinata let out a brief sigh. So long as she did what Kurenai told her and she kept training, she'd improve and become the kunoichi she was aspiring to become.
"So everyone," Kurenai started once more, scanning her students over. "let's keep up the good work. Hinata, you'll be partnering up with Sakura for sparring today after stretching. Your fighting styles are different but I feel that you'll be able to learn from each other. Ino, you'll be with me so we can work on that sweep of yours for a bit."
Hinata's face bloomed scarlet, unaware of keen blue eyes that flashed over to her side before shouting, "alright!" Ino pumped a fist and took a step forward. "I'll have that kick nailed before we're even done with the first hour."
"Not until after you're done stretching." Kurenai chuckled seamlessly as she fell into a lunging position. "Let's not waste any time so we can hold you to your word. Maybe after our mission, I'll treat you three to dango."
There was a curtain of pink as Sakura leaned over, turning a playful smile at Hinata. "Looks like we're partnered up for sparring today. Let's do this and get that dango, huh?"
Hinata pressed her lips together with a nod before stepping away. "I-I'll stretch first!" As she walked away, Hinata was sure she heard Sakura sigh. Great now she seemed like a weirdo again. Hinata made it a point to look anywhere but Sakura as she stretched away excessively. She needed to calm her heart before she could do anything properly for their training.
It would be fine.
It would be fine.
Besides… she can tell I've been working hard. Hinata could barely stop a pleased giggle from escaping her. Today really was shaping up to be a good day.
Hinata still felt light and airy when she and Sakura stood across from each other, Sakura falling into her starting stance. Both fists curled carefully around her face, something Kurenai had been reminding Sakura to do for quite a few training sessions. Hinata smiled, happy to see even a small improvement.
"Ready, Hinata?"
"R-ready!" Hinata crouched, left arm extended forward and her right closely guarding her side closely.
"Hinata." Kurenai called. Hinata looked to her left where Ino and Kurenai had been settling for their own sparring. "Use your Byakugan this time. You should get in the habit of seeing the chakra pathways while you spar. Like I said before, you go into battle usin Just no pushing your chakra into Sakura's internal organs, alright?"
Hinata felt frozen in place. "...My Byakugan?"
"This is for everyone to get used to working with it, Hinata." Kurenai placated as she could read right through Hinata's discomfort. "We won't start training to avoid your chakra attacks until later on, once we truly have a semblance of each other's styles. I think training to avoid the true for of a Hyuga's attack should be saved for a later time. But for now, practicing with your Byakugan will help with improving your range of vision."
Hinata bit her bottom lip before looking at her designated sparring partner. "I-is… is that okay?" Using her Byakugan for their lost pet missions were one thing, but to use it on teammate was another. Most of all, using it on Sakura seemed like it would leave less than stellar results. Hinata felt like a hypocrite. Just this morning she had told Hanabi her classmates would get used to her eyes and yet Hinata still worried over hers.
Sakura stance remained but she shot Hinata a gentle smile. "It's fine, Hinata. Let's kick some serious butt! I'm just worried I'm not going to be able to land a single hit on you if you can see all of my movements." The pink-haired girl didn't seem scared or put off, crouching down further. "But I'll totally win!"
… Alright. Hinata positioned her hands into a Horse seal. She could do this. Horse, Tiger, Boar, Horse, Rat, Dog, Horse, Dog, Horse, Rat, Boar, Snake.
Just like that, Hinata could feel the familiar bulging of her veins around her eyes as the lovely shades of pink, jade, and red faded away into nothing but chakra pathways connecting in a body.
She could do this. Hinata wouldn't be expending any chakra in this spar.
I can do this!
Sakura stepped to her right, Hinata stepped to her left.
A heartbeat later, Sakura was on the attack readying a fist that Hinata blocked, immediately following with a parry to Sakura's shoulder. Sakura jumped away before coming back with another punch.
Hinata blocked once more, right palm misdirecting the blow.
The two had fell into a rhythm, Sakura's punches coming consistently though she managed to switch it up with an occasional kick. Hinata deftly pushed the leg away lightly, unable to hold back a small smile when Sakura regained her balance.
"See, you've got this!" Sakura called, sounding pleased. Hinata didn't want to disillusion herself, but she hoped that she was right in imaging that Sakura had a pleased expression on her face.
Hinata smiled, "T-thank you. You're doing good too!"
"You try attacking me this time, alright? I'll be able to block everything!"
"R-right." Hinata paused, looking for an opening.
"Hinata, you're still hesitating." Kurenai's words seemed to echo in her mind.
With squared soldiers, Hinata ran forward. Her heart pounded as she readied her attack. Sakura crossed her arms in a hasty block, leaning back to go on the counter.
Hinata blocked accordingly.
"See, that wasn't so bad?" Sakura panted, hands on her knees.
"Girls, remember what I said about lying still after you've finished heavy exercise." Kurenai never seemed to be far away with her quick-timed assessments, already walking small circles around the padded stumps. "It's best to walk it out until you've feel less winded."
"Yes, sensei!" Ino and Sakura whined in unison, quickly shooting each other a glare before Sakura sped up to Kurenai's side. Their sensei leaned over to say something Hinata couldn't hear but it must have been good praise as Sakura was smiling brightly, holding up a V for victory.
Smiling just seemed to come naturally when it came to Sakura. I'm really happy for you, Sakura-san. Hinata slowly caught up. Training went fine, even with the hiccups.
Sakura looked over her shoulder, "that Byakugan of yours really is something, Hinata."
Hinata hunched over, hand over her lips. "It isn't…"
"Oh come on. I'm pretty jealous. My family has nothing like that." Sakura sighed, crossing her arms. "I was actually reading about it not too long ago. It's amazing! To think that there really are ninja out there that can see the chakra network and attack it directly."
Ino, who fell in place beside Hinata, snickered, "Billboard Brow, talk about creepy. You were reading about her entire Clan's kekkei genkai?"
Hinata's face felt warm and she looked at her feet.
"I just thought it would be good to know more about my teammates since we would be working together, Pig!" Sakura snapped, sclera more than a bit pronounced. "Don't make it sound so weird, you're gonna give her the wrong idea!"
"Ino, Sakura." Kurenai clipped expectedly as she had whenever the two girls found themselves exchanging jeers. "Petty squabbling."
"Er… sorry, Kurenai-sensei."
Kurenai hummed, pleased. "Still, Sakura had the right idea in mind. You'll be working closely together in training and missions and even outside the battlefield." She looked over her shoulder, wavy black hair obscuring the lower half of her face. "So it's best to know about each other's lineage and persons, knowing those small things can help with discerning genjutsu or enemies using the Transformation Jutsu. If you're able to know even the smallest things about each other, it's easy to avoid being duped. So you should learn more and share more about each other."
"I already know enough about, Billboard Brow." Ino muttered.
"I can say the same about you, Porker." Sakura squinted.
Kurenai cleared her throat and Ino let out a loud laugh, "I just love the color purple! What's everyone's favorite color? We're supposed to be learning even the small things about each other, right? Haha!"
"Wonderful ice breaker, Ino." Kurenai said, amused. "I'd have to say that my favorite color has always been red. So I like incorporating it into the clothes I have to wear for missions."
"My mom says purple is the color of royalty and I'm her Little Princess, so I think purple suits me just fine!"
Sakura snorted though she didn't say whatever she was thinking. Hinata fiddled with one of the drawstrings on her hoodie. Her head felt a little dizzy. She wanted to learn more about me.
"I guess, I really like…" Sakura hummed thoughtfully. "I really like the pearl colors. My granny has a really pretty pearl necklace, she says she'll give it to me when she thinks I'm mature enough. But red's really nice too. And jade. I guess I don't really have a favorite." She turned around, walking backwards. "What about you, Hinata? What's your favorite color?"
Hinata began fiddling with her drawstring even more, wondering what to say. She had stared at Sakura's hair long enough over the years to come to the decisive decision as to what her favorite color was. I should say it… No, it might be weird… No you should say it. Hinata closed her eyes as she smiled, hoping that she would appear as unbiased as possible. "... Pink. I really like the color pink."
"Eh really?" Hinata opened her eyes in time to see Ino's surprise. "I always thought maybe you liked beige or blue."
Hinata shook her head.
Not even the creamiest beige or most vibrant of blues would change her mind.
Pink would always be her favorite color.
"I'd say the mission, over all went well." Kurenai announced as they left the Hokage's office. "Hinata, you're doing better but you need to trust what you're seeing more and not second guess yourself."
"... Right." Hinata dejectedly replied. I could have messed up the whole mission. If it wasn't for Sakura's minor genjutsu of a squirrel stopping the dog in its tracks to bark and Ino's mind transfer technique to supplement Hinata's last minute announcement of where Kiyi the Missing Dog had been heading.
"Remember, I still said you're doing better." Kurenai repeated.
Hinata barely heard her.
"Hinata, there's no point in being sad." Ino said with the flick of a wrist. "Even I mess up sometimes and it wasn't even something that couldn't be fixed."
Sakura nodded, "you were a big help."
Hinata's smile was forced, but she felt a small sliver of relieve that her teammates didn't blame her. Yet she still knew she could do better.
"I think this is the perfect time to get mitarashi dango." Kurenai added, smiling. "We were definitely paid enough to buy at least three sticks per person. What do you all say?"
Ino whooped almost immediately. "Oh yeah!"
Sakura held her arms up in excitement.
Hinata's stomach, tipped in its excitement as well.
Ino and Sakura let out matching snorts as Hinata's buried her face in her hands. "Well I guess we don't even need to ask you." Ino patted Hinata's shoulder. "And I thought Naruto was a glut- oh my god, what happened to Naruto's face?!"
"What are y- Naruto?!"
Hinata peeked through her hands to see what Sakura and Ino were talking about and her hands fell to her side in horror. "N-Naruto-kun?!"
The boy in question looked absolutely ragged . His face, with red streaks running vertically down his face. Hinata could even spot red lines running across Naruto's face that certainly weren't the characteristic whiskers she knew him by. Beside him, Asahi chuckled nervously and Sasuke looked two seconds away from rolling his eyes in annoyance. A gray-haired man covering all of but his right eye let out a few chuckles of his own.
"I guess you could say… our mission went a little awry." The man said, lifting up a carrier containing a hissing brown tabby cat, a small ribbon on one ear.
Naruto stepped forward, glaring heavily. "Keep that demon away from me!"
The cat only hissed, reaching its claws between the metal holes of its container. 'You're lucky this thing is holding me back!' The cat seemed to be saying. 'Or I'd destroy you!'
Naruto winced, stepping away even further.
"You got all torn up from a cat?" Ino snorted. "This is classic!"
"Sh-shut up!" Naruto jeered. "I was just doing my noble duty as a shinobi and-"
Ino only roared even louder, clutching her stomach. Even Sakura had hunched over, unable to contain herself. The giggles began to crawl through Hinata's throat and she slapped a hand over her mouth, but Naruto had heard. "Hinata-chan, Sakura-chan, you guys too!? I'm in pain over here!"
"I-I can't!" Sakura gasped.
"S-sorry, Naruto-kun!" Hinata tried to look apologetic. Naruto's look of utter betrayal told her her attempt was unsuccessful. "It is a little funny."
"You're only saying that because the missions you have don't have demon cats that try to kill you only because you're trying to do your mission!"
"It probably would have helped if you didn't aggressively hold it as if you were preparing to give it a Iwagakure Suplex." The one-eyed man said airily, looking away completely unbothered when Naruto turned his glare onto him.
"You're on thin ice, Kakashi-sensei."
Hinata managed to hold back another row of giggles and reached into her kunai pouch. "Here, Naruto-kun." The healing ointment was needed after all. "This should help with your wounds."
"Wounds? You're giving him too much credit, Hinata." Sakura snickered.
"Sakura-chan, you're destroying my confidence here…" Naruto mumbled.
Sakura placed her hands on her hips, shooting Naruto a pleasant look. "Just take the medicine alright? Hinata makes them all on her own." She gave the girl in question a nudge forward. "She also has pretty big parts in our missions thanks to her eyes too. You should be impressed."
Hinata directed her gaze to the medicine immediately. "I-I'm not really-"
"Don't be modest!" Sakura beamed. "Try not to use all that ointment on cat scars, alright?"
Naruto gingerly took the jar from Hinata's hands. "Well if you say so. Thanks, Hinata-chan!" Naruto grinned. "So… what do you say about a da-"
Hinata's heart fell into the pit of her stomach, more than grateful when Kakashi interrupted. "Naruto, I hate to interrupt but we do need to deliver Tora to our client."
"But-"
"Now, now, let's go so we can focus on tending those wounds later." Kakashi used his free hand to grab Naruto by the back of his collar. "Later, everyone."
Just like that, the storm passed as Naruto released protest after protest as his team dragged him off to the Hokage's office.
Hinata felt like she was suffocating as Sakura scowled. "That guy never quits."
"Maybe you should marry him." Ino winked. "I mean, you were all caught up with him you didn't even say 'hi' to Sasuke-kun."
"I didn't! Oh no."
Kurenai held up a hand, "no chasing after them just to say 'hi', they're reporting back from a mission."
"I wasn't…" Sakura pouted. She looked over at Hinata. "But don't worry, it'll go better next time. He's just really dense but you'll look so cute together!"
Hinata blinked, looking Sakura dead center in her eyes. Those beautiful jade green eyes. "... What?"
"You and Naruto!" Sakura clarified cheerily though she quickly rolled her eyes with a crossing of her arms. "I don't know what you see in him though, he's such a dork. But since we're teammates I'll support you! I think he'll be really impressed with talking about your training since he's all gaga over being the strongest."
"M-me and-" Hinata felt utterly petrified. She felt her eyes grow hot. "I-I'm not- Naruto-kun's just a friend!"
Sakura didn't seem to notice, only smiling playfully. "I can tell how relaxed you are with him, Hinata. Don't deny it. I'll help you to the end! Maybe we can go on double dates together."
Suddenly, Naruto being dense seemed outright impossible. Silly as he could be, he at least knew for a fact who Sakura had a crush on.
Almost failing their mission suddenly seemed light years away.
Sakura thought Hinata had a crush on Naruto.
Author's Note: I honestly planned on updating this in two weeks but I stayed up most of the night writing enthusiastically and well, here we are! Chapter 6 in the flesh! I hope that you all like it, I actually uploaded this yesterday to Ao3 but it was right before I had to go to work so I didn't have time to upload and edit in order to place it here.
I know I said this last chapter, but this chapter was fun for me to write too. I enjoy writing scenes with Hanabi in them. And I had fun with the bit with the training. I felt that in training, Kurenai would be a rather strict teacher. She'd approach her students firmly and tell them the areas they need to improve on, but she'd never forget to tell them what they did well in order to keep their confidence. (And unlike Kakashi, Kurenai's focus would be on all her students ahem ahem. I love Kakashi and Team 7 OG and New will always be my favorite Naruto team, but I'm definitely the first to admit that Kakashi had a clear favorite with his students in how he placed all his efforts into training Sasuke and leaving Sakura and Naruto scrambling to find their own teachers to further their abilities in the end.) I also liked adding the bit with Hinata arriving early as I remember Kurenai saying in the Chunin Exams arc that Hinata would give her all in training sessions but became easily discouraged when she messed up in any aspect during her missions.
But no horror is greater... than when bae thinks you like someone else. Thanks, Sakura. Sakura's flop aside, I hope you guys liked the incorporation of Team 7's Land of Waves arc. That cat fucked Naruto up so bad, he might as well become a jonin.
Let me know your thoughts!
But here's a previous of the almost complete Ch7:
Ino bit her lip, nervously. "... So Sakura, huh?" She hoped she sounded as nonchalant as she was aiming to be.
Hinata's fingers tightened her hold on her scarf before relaxing, finally she nodded. "Yes…" Her gaze was glued to the floor. "Since the Academy."
Ino felt her jaw drop. "Since then?!"
Comment Response:
Npsouls1: Thanks so much for the review! While the story will be a slow burn, in regards to crushes new and old there and complicated feelings in between... There will be quite a bit of that in the upcoming chapters! I want to avoid major spoilers but Ino will be playing a big part in all of it!