Once again I want to thank you all for the phenomenal and super helpful reviews and the awesome favorites and follows. You guys are seriously too cool for school.

On a completely different note, I'd like to beg you all for my forgiveness. I am sincerely apologetic for being so late in updating. I had this entire chapter planned out, but this last month has been so chaotic and busy that I haven't had any time to sit down and write. Hopefully, this chapter will make up for my horrible delay. I'll get better at updating! I promise!

Naruto P.O.V.

Hinata and I were forcefully separated for the second time in my pitiful existence. It took a while for me to honestly believe the same thing had happened once again. Though I had already experienced the loneliness and isolation from the first time, this instance felt worse.

This time, Hinata wasn't just some friend that I couldn't hang out with. I couldn't pretend that the hurt I felt was the same it would have been if it were any other person. Hinata was more important to me now and that pain, which would have been a dull ache for a friend, was now a sharp steely knife that stabbed me right through the heart every time I thought of her. She was the woman I lov-, I mean, really really liked. I begged to see her again or even to just hear her voice. My eyes craved just a look of her hair or just to hold her dainty hands. My dreams tried to make up for the lack of Hinata in my life by torturing me with fond memories but when I awoke she was never there. I felt worse and worse with every passing morning hoping to fall back into a dreamland where we were together. God damn it! I was frustrated with my luck and how it seemed like there was a higher power trying to keep us apart.

But it wasn't in my nature to give up and that meant that I wouldn't stop trying to meet her. I went back to the Hyuuga compound the very next day, then the day after that, and the day after that. Every time I went to check if the coast was clear, those stupid fucking guards were still there like stone gargoyles just waiting for an intruder.

Okay fine then. I couldn't enter the compound. Not a big deal. There were bound to be other places to meet Hinata. I went to search the bazaar every chance I got, determined to find Hinata or even Tenten shopping and chatting with the apple guy like nothing had even happened. I scoured the place looking high and low for any trace of blue hair or two ridiculous brown buns but at the end of each day, I was left to lay in my bed, unfulfilled and unhappy.

No matter how many times I thought about it, I couldn't figure out why those damn guards were there.

I hadn't heard of any attack on the Hyuuga compound so the guards weren't placed at the entrances as a reaction to a threat. It didn't seem as though the Hyuuga knew about my secret meetings in Hinata's room. If I had been caught then those white eye thugs would be after me when I came near the entrance but they just let me be as if I was a passerby. So clearly I wasn't their target. Besides they were stationary guards, not on alert, and from their stance and posture they were more ornamental than attack meaning they could still fight, they weren't a joke, but they weren't seriously guarding something like you would a rare treasure or the heir to a dynasty. So the guard didn't know why they weren't stationed there; They were just following orders. Ugh, just trying to figure it out was giving me a headache. I could barely follow my own line of reasoning as I tossed and turned all god damn night.

Bags started to blossom under my eyes from the lack of sleep. I couldn't eat properly and barely kept my meals down. I was moping and walking around like a zombie, always off in a daze. But what was even worse was the anxiety. The waiting and wondering when and how I was ever going to see her was eating me inside little by little. She wasn't coming to the bazaar and I couldn't enter the Hyuuga compound. Those were the two domains we lived in and now neither was an option.

The worst part of this whole stupid situation is that this has already happened before. It's not like it's a new challenge we have to overcome; It's the same goddamn thing all over again but this time it's harder. This time we've exhausted all other option and have to think, get real fucking creative, about how to meet again.

The first time we were separated was on my side: Jiraiya. This time it's on Hinata's side: Her family. Although this obstacle seemed more difficult to deal with my resolve wouldn't die. Hinata was patient. She waited for weeks, diligently waiting for me to show up, so I promised myself to do the same. I care about her so much and if I really meant how I felt, I would do the same for her. Even if it takes days, weeks, even months, I'll keep waiting for her.

I was walking around the bazaar on my way to the apple guy. He had been giving me updates on Hinata, whether she had stopped by or not though really these updates were just him shaking his head pitifully at me. In the last few weeks, the weather was moving away from a comfortable warmth to the heat of a thousand fires. The sun shot down heat rays forcing me to sweat through the jacket I still wore even on unbearably hot days. My mind couldn't help wondering if Hinata would like the sun and the hot weather or if it burned her delicate skin. I imagined Hinata with the same tan as Tenten and the imagine was slightly amusing.

I found my way to the booth, grabbed an apple without asking, and sat myself down on a chair he had left out for me. A customer eyed me curiously but the apple man waved his hand in reassurance and the customer paid his due and left. The apple man turned to me.

"Why hasn't Hinata-sama been visiting lately." He finally asked. I was wondering when his curiosity would have got the best of him. He had been very polite about the situation, but I could see his worry growing over time. I told him how we had been meeting at the Hyuuga compounds in secret and how suddenly the guards had appeared. I updated him on where my life was at this point and he patiently listened to me as I complained. And then, as if blessed by some sort of wisdom, the apple guy smiled at me and said:

"Why don't you just go check the grounds?"

"Wh-what?" I said, trying not to choke on the bite of the apple. He laughed as I tried to recover. Wiping juice off of my chin I continued.

"Wait what do you mean check the grounds? There are guards all over the place."

"Well by the way it sounds, there are only guards at the entrances of the Hyuuga compound but the Hyuuga grounds are vast and located outside of the compound. It's where are the training and battlefields are." He said peeling an apple with a small fruit knife. He cut a chunk of the apple off and threw it into his mouth.

"Hinata-sama clearly has academy training." The apple guy started, thinking back to their first encounter. "So, she must be out on the training fields sometimes and since they're just training fields there won't be guards stationed there. Just go check."

I flipped a coin at him before heading off. As I ran towards the Hyuuga grounds I shouted thanks and I could hear the man laughing loudly in the background.

I rushed through the streets and down the side roads, past the main Hyuuga compounds, until finally I found myself onto a spacious field with various carved out training areas. I stayed on the outskirts of the arenas looking for any sign of Hinata or a member of the household. As I skirted around, I noticed someone on a training field in the way back. In the farthest arena was a familiar face.

Standing by himself was that prick, Neji Hyuuga. He was in training attire which was a simple white tunic and loose pants, but he still looked regal. He maintained a fierce aura of royalty even in such plain garb. Although I didn't like the guy, he was bound to know why the guards were there. He was Hinata's cousin after all.

I walked casually towards him until finally I was a good 10 feet away. I knew he sensed my presence, but he refused to acknowledge me. So I walked a little closer and coughed. He then turned to look at me. I noticed there was dirt on the hem of his pants and his palms were red from practice but no sweat on his face.

"Uh, hey!" I said, waving awkwardly at the stoic man. He didn't say anything and just kept staring at me as I moved closer.

"How have you been?" I said, rubbing the back of my neck, trying to strike up some sort of conversation.

"What are you doing on Hyuuga grounds?" Neji asked me in a serious tone. His position moved from a fighting stance to a rigid formation. He stared me dead in the eyes.

"Oh, uh well the thing is-"

"Couldn't get past the guards huh?" He said, interrupting me, as a smirk played on his face.

"Wait so you know about the guards?" He smiled in such a condescending manner I could barely ask the question politely.

"Do I know about the guards? Why do you think they are there?"

It took a few seconds to really process the weight of his words. At first I thought he was implying something entirely different. I don't know what but my mind didn't want to consider the alternative. I reviewed what he said two or three times before it really sank in. Why do you think they are there? He knew about the guards….because he put them there.

On primal instinct alone, I grabbed the collar of his shirt. Since I didn't even realize that I was going to do it, Neji didn't predict the move and was slow to block it. My fist clenched around the fabric as I brought his face close to mine so that our noses were almost touching.

"Why the fuck would you do that?!"

Hinata P.O.V.

It's true what they say. History has a habit of repeating itself and in my case it seems the history was in an infinite loop. I felt hopeless and doomed to an eternity of reuniting with my love and being torn from him. After realizing the guards were stationed at the secret passage entrance and that Naruto wasn't able to come, I spent the first day alone in my room. Surprisingly, Tenten hadn't come by the compound that day. I suppose she wanted to avoid seeing Neji so soon after her reaction to his engagement. So I laid in my bed and cried and cried and cried all day and well into the night. I let all of the emotions out until I couldn't breathe anymore and the tears had dried out. I had not realized how hungry or thirsty I was become all I could feel was overwhelming sadness. Like an unending misery doomed to repeat itself over and over again. When I awoke it was almost noon and I hadn't attended any of my usual duties.

I picked myself up off of my bed and headed to the door, not bothering to fix my attire or cover up the puffiness under my eyes. I walked past the guards, who remained frozen in their place, and towards my father's chambers. After a timid knock, my father called me in. He looked up at me and his face froze in a what could be called a concerned look.

"Father, m-m-may I g-g-go to the b-b-bazaars today." He turned back towards the paper he was reading before I entered the room. I waited patiently for him to finish his work.

"You were late this morning."

"I-I-I wasn't f-feeling w-well."

"Then perhaps you should not leave the compound. Go to your room and get some rest." It was an order.

"F-Father, I p-promised a f-f-friend I would s-s-see them today." Hiashi-sama looked up at me, though not angry like I assumed, but in surprise. It must have been the first time I had ever tried to counter a direct order. He raised an eyebrow and set his pen down. Thinking for awhile, he finally responded.

"Well then, take one of the Hyuuga guards to accompany you. Your cousin has thoughtfully put into place some much necessary precautionary measure for your protection. I must agree with him on these orders. We have been much too relaxed with the degree of protection the family has placed upon you. If you are to go to the bazaars, you are to go with a guard."

"Uh-Uh, Father?" I started hesitantly. He looked up at me with annoyance now. "Wh-What about Te-Tenten? C-C-Could she potentially act as m-my guard instead?"

My father thought about this proposition a little longer than he had the others. He knew Tenten was an extremely skilled kunoichi and she was a trusted comrade of Neji's. A female guard would be more likely suited for the heiress and Tenten would be better at handling situations like entering women's restrooms.

"I will confer with Neji and see what his thought are seeing as these are his measures." My father made a motion informing me that he was done with the conversation. I bowed and turned to leave the room. Upon exiting, Neji passed me and entered the room. I could hear my father greet him and knew he was going to ask Neji about Tenten being my guard. I left before I could hear the verdict, already knowing what Neji was going to say.

I sat on my bed and pondered what my next move would be. I could try to escape through my bedroom window, but I would be caught leaving almost immediately. Then I would have to explain why I was trying to leave so discreetly.

I tried my very hardest not to curse my cousin though I found it very difficult. What had I done that was horrible enough to offend the man? The lengths to which Neji went for revenge were far too extreme for just my actions alone.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. I opened it revealing one of the compound gate guards.

"Hinata-sama. Tenten has arrived in the compound." I nodded my head in thanks for the update and moved to meet her halfway. I walked swiftly down the hallway but stopped when I heard a loud voice erupting from the courtyard. It sounded as if Tenten was shouting at someone. I hid behind a corner and listened.

"What the hell are you thinking placing guards at every damn entrance?! Have you gone absolutely insane?!" She said loudly in the quiet courtyard.

"It's for Hinata-sama's protection."

"Bullshit!" She said quickly. "You and I both know you couldn't care less about Hinata's wellbeing! What's the real reason for this madness?"

"There was a strange person in her roo-"

"You're really going to play ignorant right now? Seriously Neji? You know full well who that was. He wasn't a damn threat to her in any way! You have no right meddling in her business!"

"Well, she had no right meddling in ours. She shouldn't have kept you in her room like that and YOU should have come outside and let our business be our own instead of dragging Hinata-sama into this." He spat my name out as if it were some type of venom. Neji continued on.

"What had gotten into you that day anyways?" Silence followed his question and I could feel the tension and awkwardness even from how far I was.

"You're acting selfishly right now! Don't take out your anger towards me on Hinata! Ugh, you're acting like such a...such a….such a jackass! You horribly selfish and spiteful prick! And those things you said! All those nasty mean things you said about me! Did you really mean them?!"

"Yes." He said with ice in his voice. "And you're continuing to act childish even now. I don't know if I can stand working with someone so immature."

"Fine then! I don't think I can train with someone who is such an asshole. Don't bother calling for me anymore. From now on I'm training with Lee. I'll see you on our damn missions."

"In that case, please inform Hinata-sama that after assessing your current state and emotional instability, I have decided not to assign you as her bodyguard and that if Hinata-sama wishes to leave the compound she has to be accompanied by a member of the clan."

Tenten stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to look at him with a look of horror. After a moment's silence, I heard the 'whoosh' of Neji' signature move block what I assumed was probably a kunai from Tenten.

"How dare you try to attack me in my own home!" Neji said trying to maintain his stoic mannerism, but the outrage couldn't be hidden.

"My apologies Neji-SAN however I was trained to attack the enemy."

With that final statement, Tenten began walking towards me and I rushed off back to my room to pretend like I hadn't heard the conversation. By the time I reached my door, Tenten was in my line of sight. I pretended as though I had just left the room to go meet her and as I moved forward to greet Tenten she pushed me back into the room only after a moment's hesitation when she stared angrily at the guards placed by my door. Once we were inside, she yelled a primal scream at the top of her lungs.

"THAT SON OF A BITCH! HOW FUCKING DARE HE!" She shouted to no one in particularly. Tenten turned to me, a tear streaming down her cheek and grabbed my hand.

"Hinata I'm seriously so sorry. This whole thing is all my fault. How is Naruto going to hang out with you if there are those stupid guards outside of your room? We can try to break you out"

"It's futile." I stated.

"I know." She whispered. Tenten held me in an embrace for what seemed like an hour as I cried into her arms.

The fight between him and Tenten had a noticeable impact on Neji's behavior and mood. It only increased his determination to make my life miserable. He added more stringent rules as to what I could and could not do even in my own home. It got to the point where there seemed like no possibility of safely meeting Naruto outside or within the compound. His rules restricted even my own movement in the compound. In fact, I could barely take a step outside of the inner walls without asking permission in advance from my father, who approved of all the measures Neji had in place. The only safe zone of freedom was my own room though Neji had tried to place guards in there as well. Luckily, Hanabi had intervened stating that the measure was an invasion of privacy and more likely to be a threat rather than protection.

Hanabi, my beautiful and surprisingly caring sister, noticed my second depression. This time she was quick to act and forgot all awkward pretense. She came every day after her rigorous training and schooling to sit and ask how I was doing. At first Tenten was confused and taken aback by the sudden gesture of sibling love but over time she become used to Hanabi's stoic mannerisms. Tenten said that the rigidity emitting from Hanabi was probably because she only ever spent time with my father or the other Hyuuga's and according to Tenten, 'they all had a stick up their ass'. Tenten was positive Hanabi would loosen up and become as wild as she was.

Though I was not quick to tell Hanabi the situation, she could figure out enough to know that something had happened between me, Tenten, and Neji and the added protection was a result of Neji's rage. She was a smart girl who easily picked up on the subtleties in human interactions. With only a few hours she realized Tenten was in love with Neji and made it a point to ask her about it. Tenten's face turned bright red and said that her feelings were a mistake and that Neji was not someone Tenten could ever see herself with anymore.

Hanabi had also noticed my fidgety behavior and picked up on my need to leave the compound. Though she didn't know the reason behind it, she also understood the feeling of being cooped up. She tried to encourage us to go into the courtyards or living rooms, but Tenten refused to enter any common area where Neji might be and I secretly agreed. I had managed to avoid him the last few days and I wasn't sure if I could contain my rage if I saw him in person.

"I think we should go for a walk at least." Hanabi said sitting at my writing desk, flipping through a few pages in an old text book I owned. Tenten, who was sprawled on the ground, raised her head onto her hand, using her arm to keep her head up, and looked at Hanabi.

"Yeah, but we're going to be accompanied by a guard." She pointed out. Hanabi closed her book and placed it back onto the shelf.

"Yes, but even so, it would be good for my older sister to get some air and leave her room once in awhile. Father is also starting to get worried."

My ears perked up and I turned to look at her. Was my father worried about my behavior? Before I could pry more, Hanabi had quickly moved over to me and placed a hand on my arm.

"How about we go for a walk then? Wouldn't that be nice?" She said with worry in her eyes. I smiled at her trying to mask my own fatigue and nodded.

"Yes, that would be lovely. Tenten, would you care to join us?" Tenten had already pushed herself off of the ground and went to open the door, Hanabi and I following behind her. Once she left the room, Tenten turned to one of the guards.

"We want to go for a walk around the grounds. Come with us." Then she grabbed my hand and forced Hanabi and I to walk with her, a confused guard following suit.

Naruto P.O.V.

"I see you are upset." He smiled in the most condescending way imaginable. I moved my face closer to his.

"You're damn right I am!" Neji swiftly pushed me off of him and straightened his collar. I was getting angrier and angrier with every second he took to brush off the 'dust' on his clothes. Neji finally turned to me.

"It seems as if you do not understand the might of the Hyuuga household or else you would never dare to lay a hand on me."

"Do I look like a give a rat's ass about your stupid clan? Tell me why those guards are there in the first place you prick!"

"No."

"What do you mean no?" I said through gritted teeth. I moved to lunge at him, but he was too quick and moved out of the way.

"It seems like you're keen on a fight."

"I'll fucking beat you to a pulp if you don't tell me what's going on." I snarled at him from on the ground. I picked myself up and through my body at him once more. Yet again Neji dodged.

"Let's make this interesting shall we?" He said ignoring my comment. "Since you seem like you want a fight, we'll spar. If you win I'll release the guards from their stations."

"And if you win?"

"You leave Hinata-sama forever."

"Fine. Let's fucking fight." I jumped back a few feet preparing myself for the battle ahead. Neji didn't even move from his spot but instead kept smirking at me.

"Are you that excited to stop seeing Hinata-sama."

"What are you talking about. I'm going to win!" I charged at him with a kunai in hand. Neji's eyes strained and veins popped out as the trademark Byakugan appeared on his face. One arm was behind his back while the other was pointing in my direction, palm facing me. It was clearly a stance he had practiced the position thousands of times before. Neji's form and posture were perfect and deadly. He moved my hand away and proceeded to jab a bony finger into the crevice in my shoulder. I felt my arm fall numbly to my side.

"Fighting me is futile. The battle is won before it has even begun." He said as I moved away trying to avoid his hands. Whatever he did messed up my left arm. I tried to pour more chakra into the arm, but nothing fixed it.

"How can you be so sure?" I said while simultaneously trying to analyze any openings he had. His 360-degree vision would surely cover all openings.

"I know because all of our fates are decided before hand."

"What the hell are you babbling about?"

"Our fate, the very path our lives take, have already been predetermined. I am fated to win this battle as you are fated to lose it. There is no escaping that inevitable defeat."

"Oh shut up. You don't know how this is going to end." I said throwing a flurry of shuriken at him. My arm had miraculously recovered due to a surge of chakra. But to my surprise, and horror, Neji began to rotate and create large chakra orb that covered him in all directions. The weapons hit the wall and flew back flimsily onto the ground around him. He continued with his strange rant as if he wasn't just pelted with sharp objects.

"I was born into the Hyuuga branch house, a sect of the clan built only to serve the main branch. I live only to protect that weak child you adore. Having been born into one of Konoha's most prominent family, I was trained since birth. I am stronger and more skilled than you because of my birth. I have always had the training and the tools to overcome a weak opponent like you. My path, my fate, has been one that will lead me to beat you because of what I was born into. In a battle like this, I will always win against someone who clearly hasn't had the same caliber of training or practice I've had. Even after one hundred attempts, I will still always beat you. Because that is your fate. My background will always win against your pitiful lineage."

"SHUT UP!" I screamed rushing towards him.

Hinata P.O.V.

I felt my chest become a little lighter once I had stepped foot outside of the compound walls. Though my situation hasn't changed, the weather gave me hope. The dazzling sunlight and warm air rejuvenated me. I took in a deep breath and gave Tenten a weak smile.

Hanabi and the Hyuuga guard were walking ahead of us while Tenten and I walked slowly behind them. I forgot the smell of the fresh outdoor air and the feeling of wind blowing through my hair. Tenten grabbed my pinky with her own and I almost skipped down the lane, hand in hand. We took a left on the fork in the road. My feet were about to betray me and run to the right which would have led me to the bazaars. But that would have caused more trouble than necessary. I wasn't going to be able to explain to my father why I had tried to leave and knowing Neji, the restrictions would become tighter. With a heavy heart, I followed them down a different route. I look behind me and watched as the path to Naruto moved farther away.

Hanabi stopped suddenly and if wasn't for Tenten's arms, I would have bumped into her back. I moved quickly in front of her to see what was wrong, but there was nothing immediately in our sight. I looked back towards Hanabi to see she had activated her Byakugan. Our guard did as well but whatever it was that Hanabi saw, he couldn't. His range was not as far as hers was. Hanabi walked faster and I had to take long strides to keep up. She missed the path that led towards the gardens and practically ran towards the training grounds.

Then they came into view. When we reached the edge the most shocking scene unfolded before us. All the way in the far corner of the expansive field was a sparring match between Neji...and Naruto. Hanabi pulled me swiftly towards the forest edge and we skirted around the sides, moving closer to the battle. We tried to get a better view by moving closer to the battle, but the guard stopped us before we could reach them. He was unsure if he was supposed to intervene in the fight or if was a scheduled training session so he motioned for us to stay put and watch the match from where we were. We were stationed at a distance that was close enough for us to hear the shouting words but far enough so that Naruto would at least be unable to see us.

Tenten grabbed my hand firmly and looked at me as if trying to confirm that I was also seeing what she was. Before us was Naruto charging at Neji who had skillfully dodging the attack. Hanabi pulled me under the shade of a nearby tree, never taking her eyes off of the two men. Naruto had moved back and was racing around Neji, looking for an opening most likely. Neji didn't move an inch. He didn't even move his head to watch Naruto. Neji began speaking, loud and clear for everyone to hear. I think he knew we were there and I think he wanted us to hear what he was saying.

"You must have had a miserable life living in the Ruts. I hear it's a disgusting place. Were you in constant poverty? Did you even have any friends? Does anyone even know you're here? Does anyone miss you back home? Could you even call that place a home?" I could hear Neji's cruel words as he smiled menacingly at Naruto. Naruto had stood still for a second trying to process the words.

"H-How did you know I'm from the Ruts. Who told you?"

Neji smirked as he moved into a more casual stance. He stood straight up, arms to his side, shoulder relaxed. The ease of his posture scared me. Neji looked ready to land a heavy blow even though he wasn't in fighting mode. I was worried for Naruto. Naruto had always told me he was a tough fighter but from my own experience, I knew Neji was most likely stronger.

"No one told me. I just figured it out on my own."

"How?" Naruto asked now rushing towards Neji with a kunai in hand. Even though Neji seemed relaxed, he was still on alert and easily dodged the attack, moving a few feet back. Neji looked Naruto in the eyes, an evil smile playing on his face.

"Where else would they keep the fox demon?"

I froze. My hands fell to my side as I let go of Hanabi's. I watched as Naruto stood there in horror, the same look of mingled fear and surprise that mimicked my own facial expression. How could Neji have known? I felt Tenten move to look at me, her eyes begging to see if I had known that Naruto was, in fact, the Fox Demon's host. I refused to look at her and kept my eyes on Naruto.

"H-How?" He said in a quiet voice that was barely audible from where I stood. I could see his body shake.

"The byakugan allows me to see your chakra. I can see your own natural chakra flowing through your body but when you tried to mend that arm you couldn't with your own. I saw a hidden chakra that looks as if it were locked inside of you flow out and into your arm. It's a chakra much too powerful to belong to you. I'm not a fool. I can put two and two together."

Neji moved closer while Naruto stood paralyzed. Naruto made no movement, allowing Neji to keep moving closer and closer to him. Neji began to circle around him like a vulture waiting for its prey to die.

"Let me guess what life was like for the demon boy. You had no parents so you lived as a poor orphan fending for yourself. No one dared come near you because you were dangerous. Less human and more monster. You made no friends and the children around you hated you because their parents taught them too. You were feared and looked down upon and no matter what you tried and how hard you worked, you would never be accepted."

"You're right. They did hate me."

"Of course I'm right. Like I said, our lives are decided the moment we are born. Your fate was sealed like that fox inside of you and there is no changing that. There is no changing your future."

"You're wrong." Naruto said with his head still looking towards the ground. I couldn't see his eyes, but his fists were clenched.

"HA! Am I right or am I wrong? Which is it?"

Naruto looked up at Neji who had stopped circling around him and now stood before Naruto patiently waiting for his reply. In almost a second, Naruto had thrown a fist at Neji who barely managed to dodge the surprise attack. Neji leaped back a few feet and stared at Naruto in disbelief.

"You were right about my past, but you're dead wrong about my future."

"Excuse me?"

"My fate! Our lives aren't predetermined or whatever. Our choices right now shape our future not just whatever the hell happens when we're born."

"You're a fool." Neji spoke in a harsh tone. "The choices that were made for us at birth shape our entire life. You wouldn't understand because you're too naive."

"Then try to explain. Enlighten me."

"I'll use my own life as an example, shall I? When I was born, a cursed seal was placed on my forehead forever brandishing me as a lesser Hyuuga. Being born into the branch house meant I was entitled to less and obeyed all of the main house's laws. The decision of the Hyuuga main house to subjugate me and my father to servanthood to their cause has impacted everything I ever do. My every action is based on the foundation that Hiashi-sama has laid. I cannot be my own person without thinking about how my actions will affect the Hyuuga clan. I am merely a slave, a bodyguard, to that pathetic girl they call the clan heiress. It is because of Hinata-sama and her family that I am bound by duty to this clan. It is because of your precious Hinata that I have no freedom. It is because of her that I am marrying some woman I have never known. She did this to me. Her father and her family determined my very life and my father and I were just pawns of their game. It is because of Hinata-sama that my FATHER DIED!"

SMACK.

Neji was too caught up in his monologue to realize one of Naruto's clones had come up behind him and hit him on the side of the head. Neji's face was flushed as he tried to recover but before he could Naruto, the real Naruto I think, slammed right into Neji causing him to fly backward. Neji was able to recover himself mid air and landing on his feet.

"YOU'RE THE FOOL!" Naruto shouted. "YOU'RE A FOOL IF YOU THINK ANY OF THAT IS HINATA'S FAULT."

My heart stood still while my breathing elevated. All of Neji's anger and resentment towards me was coming out. He blamed me for Hizashi-san's death. He blamed me for all of the cruelty and unfairness he endured. Neji blames me for his arranged marriage. But before I could continue to think about Neji's words, Naruto picked up again.

"You thought that because I was born with the demon fox inside of me that I was doomed to a life of misery. My fucking fate was decided that day, huh? My fate said I wouldn't make friends and everyone would hate me, is that right? Well, then your logic is wrong. I LIVED WITH FRIENDS. I HAD PEOPLE WHO LOVED ME. In a life that was supposed to be filled with isolation, I found people who could see past the demon and who cared for me. I have a father and a mentor and a family AND A WOMAN WHO CAN SEE PAST MY FLAWS. If you think Hinata is to blame for your misfortunes then you are dead wrong! Hinata is the kindest, most gentle, most beautiful, and caring person I have ever met. She would never ever willingly hurt someone else. I don't know what the hell happened in your past or what the main house did to you but whatever it was had nothing to do with Hinata. You're freaking delusional."

"You sound as if you love her!" Neji threw at him as it were a weapon.

Naruto P.O.V.

"MAYBE I DO! MAYBE I LOVE HINATA! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT?!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I responded to his taunt without thinking and I looked at the shock on his face. The words were even a surprise to me.

"HINATA CARES ABOUT ME!" I continued to shout. "HINATA SEES THE GOOD IN ME BECAUSE THAT'S HOW HINATA IS! SHE'S PATIENT AND KIND AND THE MOST LOVING PERSON I HAVE EVER KNOWN AND I WILL DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT HER! YOU LIVED WITH HER YOUR ENTIRE LIFE! HOW CAN YOU DENY HER KINDNESS? HOW CAN YOU EVEN THINK TO SAY THOSE HORRIBLE THINGS ABOUT HER?! THAT'S THE WOMAN I LOVE YOU FUCKING IDIOT!"

A cold and sinister laugh escaped Neji's lips. He threw his head back and chuckled and the action looked like something a psychopath would do. I could see him starting to break and fall apart.

"Isn't that something! Konoha's very own fox demon is in love with the Hyuuga princess! You realize you will never marry her because you were not fated to be with her!"

"THERE IT IS AGAIN! This fate business! What the hell is with you and thinking that your life is already set. You know what I think? Believing in a predetermined fate is a fucking cop out for weak men like you to blame someone else for their own cowardice. FATE is YOUR EXCUSE for not even TRYING to fix your situation. YOU would rather sit back and cry than do something about it. You think I won't be able to marry Hinata?! WELL FUCK YOU! If I try to, if I put all of my effort into it, then there isn't anything is this entire world that can stop me from being with her. If you honestly love someone, the way I love Hinata, you wouldn't give a fuck about the obstacles. You wouldn't care what people thought or who you have to disobey to be with that person because if you truly loved them then you know it's all worth it in the end. Fate has nothing to do with how hard you tried to be with a person because your effort is on you. Fate sure as hell has nothing to do with all the shitty things you said to Tenten last week. That wasn't a predetermined force making you act like a dick. It wasn't fate, or your clan, or Hinata, or whoever else you're choosing to blame that made you treat a person you care about like shit. That was all you. If my fate is determined like you think it is then I shouldn't be able to win this fight. But here I am about to kick your ass. This is for how awful you treated my friend. Tenten is your teammate, someone you hand picked to support you, and no one should treat their teammate, their closest friend, with such disrespect. But mostly this is payback for your misguided resentment towards the most wonderful woman in this entire world!"

Hinata P.O.V

"You said even after a hundred attempts I wouldn't be able to beat you? Well how about one hundred and one."

Suddenly an army of shadow clones that covered the entirety of the Hyuuga grounds surrounded Neji. At first he fended them off easily but as more and more flung themselves at him, Neji began to slow down. I saw Hanabi activate her Byakugan and like her I could tell Neji was starting to lose a lot of chakra very quickly. He was tiring out, but Naruto's clones weren't slowing down. A few minutes of various barrages went on until finally there were only 20 clones and Neji had stopped spinning around He instead began using hand to hand combat to try to fight off the clones. Finally, there was only one, the original, left.

"Got you." Neji said moving to close his hand around Naruto's neck. But just as he wrapped his finger around his neck, Naruto vanished with a puff of smoke. Neji's eyes widened in surprise as the ground beneath him shook. Naruto came bursting out from under him and landed a hard hit to Neji's chin that sent him flying.

"Don't fucking assume you know the future!" Neji fell to the ground but this time he wasn't able to land properly. His body was too tired and weak to catch himself. His back hit the earth and he laid there motionless.

For a few seconds, the world stood still. We were all in complete shock as we waited for the Hyuuga prodigy to pick himself back up off of the ground. After 10 seconds had passed, I felt a rush of air fly past me and saw Tenten sprint towards where Neji had landed. Once she was above him she fell to her feet.

She tried to pick him up by his shoulders, but Neji pushed her off of him and motioned for her to stop. A few minutes passed by as he laid there silently looking at the sky.

"You didn't win. So I've proved that there is no such thing as predetermined fate. Now remove the guards like you promised." I had completely forgotten about Naruto in my shock. He was standing 10 feet back trying to catch his breath. Neji didn't respond. Instead, he motioned for Tenten to lean in closer to him. I strained my ears to catch what he was saying.

"I'm sorry." Neji's eyes closed as he fell to the ground, body becoming limp. He had passed out from exhaustion. Tenten quickly flung his arm around her shoulder and picked him up. Without even looking back in my direction, she sprinted away to help the injured man.

"Hinata?!" I heard my name being called from across the battlefield. Naruto had spotted us and his faced showed undeniable happiness upon seeing me. He started to run towards me and I felt my body move to meet him. But before I could take a step closer, I felt someone grab my arms and I was whisked away out of the clearing. Within seconds, I was back within the Hyuuga compound seated next to Hanabi inside the courtyard. She too looked surprised by the sudden change in setting. Hanabi looked at me for an explanation, but her answer came in the form of our guard. His hands were still positioned in a transportation jutsu. He had moved us from the scene before I even had a chance to speak with Naruto. In one final act of desperation, I tried to run back towards the gates. But I only reached a few feet before I felt a calloused hand close in around my elbow and pull me back onto the bench.

"Hanabi-sama. Please escort Hinata-sama to her room. I must report Neji's condition to Hiashi-sama immediately." The guard vanished into smoke.

Hanabi dragged me to my room and I spent the rest of the evening in silent sadness.

History was to repeat itself once again.

Once again, sorry for the delay in updating! I had a lot of trouble trying to write the fighting. Action is not my best.

Be sure to leave a review! THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH!

-AC