Chapter Three

'You're weak!'

'Hahahahahah!'

'Weak, weak, weak… you're weak.'

It's what they said on that dreaded day. The day they made her fight Hanabi. 'How cruel of them. Didn't they see the pain I was in?'

'Can't even beat a girl five years you're junior.' Her father had told Kurenai when she came to the compound.

'The clan doesn't need someone like her.' Again they said. 'We don't need you.'

You'll only infect us with your weakness. Had become their mantra. 'It's what they all thought. Were they right, am I contagious?' Her mind never let her forget.

'She's superfluous.' You're superfluous. Do you understand the words that are coming out my mouth?'

'No, no, no… please stop saying that.' Had she really begged like that she wondered. Maybe they didn't hear or pretended not to.

'Father! Why are you giving me away? Please, please don't send me away.' Could he not see how much it was hurting her or didn't he care. She regarded her father that day like she'd never before. A cruel man who had shattered her heart into tiny pieces and then stomped on them.

'Faaaaaatttttttthhhhhheeeeeeeeer!' Her voice broke but she kept on screaming.

Keep screaming girl. Scream louder. Maybe they'll hear. Then again, maybe not.

Pathetic! Begging them to keep you, when they've already discarded you.

Have you no self-respect girl.

She started to run, as fast and as far as her legs could take her. She had to get away. Away from all this. It was too much to bear.

Yes, run away. Run away from it all. Hahaha! The laughter followed her but she kept on running.

"Hinata! Are you still with me or have you journeyed somewhere else?" It was Naruto's voice that snapped out of the day mare. Her head snapped towards him and before she could catch herself the unthinkable happened.

"I'm weak and a failure."

"Huh?"

"I said, I'm weak and a failure." She said this in earnest.

They were out behind the forge, sitting on the grass having lunch. They'd been quiet for a while when her mind started wondering. The sad thing…she really believed the mantra of her father and cousin.

"Nah, you're not weak nor are you a failure, far from it. Failure is me, who couldn't even make a clone to graduate the academy. Weak are people who can't help themselves like newborns, old people and cripples." That's how he'd always viewed weakness.

"You don't understand, my father stopped training me as the heir because I'm weak and therefore a failure. I couldn't even beat my sister. She's five years younger. That is what makes me weak and a failure."

"Sounds to me like your dad's the failure."

"Naruto!"

"What? I might not know him, but he doesn't seem really intelligent if you ask me."

"Well, he's the clan head and very strong."

"Okay, if you say so.' A thought popped into his mind, should he ask her. Maybe not. 'Chicken! What could it hurt?' He was hurting himself with his own thoughts so he just said what was on his mind. Before it exploded. "Umm, you wanna train with me? I might not be able to make a clone, but I could spar with you. How good is your weapons throwing?" There he'd said it.

"I'd love to and my throwing is okay I guess." It had never crossed her mind that he'd still be interested in training. Maybe she could help him out as well.

"Naruto?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to learn to make a clone still?"

"Well sure, I mean it would be good to just give it one last try you know."

"Okay, then I'll help as best I can."

"Thanks Hinata. Tomorrow same time then."

Just then the door opened and Muso stuck his head out at them.

"Sorry to disturb your down time Naruto, but perhaps it time your friend heads home. Don't want to keep a young lady out late."

He looked at her askance, but she shook her head. "I'm okay Naruto, it's not so late. I can manage by myself. Thanks for offering though, see you tomorrow."

"I'll walk you out still."

They gathered the eating utensil and went inside. She left shortly thereafter.

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"Oi! Old man! Where's the tong at?"

"At the chakra metal shelves, boy!"

"I told you not to call me that!"

"Once you stop calling me old, maybe, kid."

"Dammit old man!"

"Suck it up and get to work! These blades aren't forging themselves!"

"Do it yourself, you old goat! I have plates to finish!"

"What! Kid, don't tell me you are still working on the order from three weeks ago?!"

"Like you're one to talk! All you did was make these knives for Asuma!"

"Oh? Kid, if you would stop forging the long sword for Hayate you would be finished ages ago!"

Today was a flurry of movements for Naruto. Since he decided to become Muso's apprentice, it's been nonstop lessons on the art of being a smith. He'd never in a thousand years expected to like the craft so much or be good at something this important, but he'd taken to it like fish to water.

"Slow down kid. Breathe for a minute or two. I know you're excited for your upcoming playdate, but you still have time." Muso chuckled at his pout, but it was good to see his young apprentice so lively. "I'm excited for you as well kid. It will save me having to hire ninja escort when we go on supply runs."

"Cheap old goat, is that all you want me for?" Naruto accused, but with no really bite to his statement. The only response was the deep chuckle of his master.

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They had just finished sparring. For Naruto it had proven very painful. He'd never had the Hyuga's gentle fist used against him before and could safely say, there was nothing gentle about that technique. However, he had observed Hinata during their fight in an effort to identify her flaws. He was now ready to give her his verdict.

"Hinata, we need to talk."

"Okay, sure."

"I've figured out your problem."

"You have, what am I doing wrong?"

'You're hesitating in your execution. You had ample openings during our spar to finish the match, but never took them. I want to know why?"

"Well umm. I'm not comfortable hurting others?"

"That's a faulty excuse Hinata. Your opponent won't do or feel the same for you."

"I know that." She said quietly, looking away.

"Do you Hinata, do you really?"

"What! Yes of course I know that. It's just that when I'm sparring with my friends it's different. It's hard to go all out with them. What if I hurt them?"

"Then they get hurt. It's simple as that. It's not like their defenseless you know."

"What! How can you say that. Aren't you ever afraid it might happen?"

"Afraid, no. If you hurt me it just means that I need to work hard to fix whatever whole is in my defense. You can't be afraid to get hurt or hurt others in your line of work. Hesitation gets people killed."

Her lips trembled, eyes shone with tears, but she never let them fall. "I know. 'I just…not always decisive."

"Well that's got to change. You, Hinata Hyuga have got to become ruthless on the battlefield. No ifs, ands or buts. Duty demands it and your comrades will thank you for it."

Clap, clap, clap… this caused both to jump, they'd been unaware the old man was there.

"Well said my boy. You, young lady need to listen to his advice. Its sound and will likely save your life."

Naruto looked towards Hinata with a smile, but found her countenance downcast. Not backing down from his stance he spoke. "Look Hinata, what I said might sound harsh, but I stand by it. I'm your friend, we won't always agree on everything. What I say may not always be what you want to hear, but it doesn't mean I'm not gonna tell you. I suggest you get used to it." He turned to go back into the shop, but called over his shoulder to her.

"Let's take a break for now."

They'd eaten a snack, but said nothing to each other. 'She probably needs time to digest what I said so I won't push.' He'd just wait to see what she did afterwards.

Hinata observed him from the corner of her eye. All manner of things running rampant in her mind. 'Everyone's right I'm weak and a failure and now Naruto knows as well. I hope he doesn't stop being my friend. He's the only one I've got.' She just had to push forward she thought. With more determination than ever.

Finished they headed back out. Time to train some more.

Pushing her issues aside she addressed him. Her voice firm and even. 'I can do this, a little hard talking won't scare me away.'

"Alright Naruto try to make a clone." She said this while activating her byakugan. It had plagued her mind the night before, that chakra control was at the root cause for the poor quality of his clones. Now as she looked on and observed she was right. "Aha!"

"What?! What?! What?!"

"You're generating too much chakra to begin with, but you waste it. It's not leaving enough for the jutsu."

"That means what exactly?"

"You need to practice control."

"Not the leaf exercise!" He protested. "That never worked for me."

"Nah, we'll do it by climbing trees. She smirked at him, then turned toward one of the trees. "Without hands."

"Is that even possible Hinata?"

"Of course Naruto, just watch." Just like that she walked up the tree, hands behind her back.

'Oh! I've got to try that.' He thought giddily. He attempted to do the same, but slid off immediately.

Unknown to them they were being watched by observers from just beyond the tree lines.

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"Report." One simple command.

"Lord Danzo, the jinchuriki is training with the Hyuga girl.

That caused a pause in his actions. "Why am I only now hearing this?"

"Sir, they only started this week."

"Be that as it may, I need you to keep close watch. Observe his skills in detail and report back."

"Yes Lord Danzo."

"Well now, seems the boy hasn't given up just yet. Good, I can work with that, perhaps offer some unsolicited advice and recommend a few skillsets for him." With that he pulled a scroll from his drawer and began to write.

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"What are you reading this time?" Muso inquired from his place at the table.

"The fundamentals of scrolling." This was the reply, but nothing else.

"You're very talkative tonight. Did something happen between you and Hinata?"

"I think I might have been too, erm, direct in my approach. Honestly, I don't know. This friendship thing is still new and maybe I'm not as good at it as I thought."

"Well I'm sure that once Hinata digests what you said, she'll see you meant well."

"I hope so because I wasn't trying to be mean." His hand went to its usual spot when thinking. "I've always said things how I saw them."

"No use worrying over spilled milk." Muso advised. "Now tell me what has you so fascinated with scrolling."

"I'm designing daggers for Hunter Nins and melee fighters." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a paper to show his designs. "I want them to be functional, but also desired by everyone."

"Well now, that's good goal to have my young apprentice." Muso patted him on the head, a show of affection. "When you're famous don't forget the old man."

"As if that would ever happen." Which of the two he meant was left unsaid, but both knew he spoke of the becoming famous. It was no secret that the villagers feared and hated the boy. The saddest part was, to this day Naruto had no idea why. Muso laid that squarely at the feet of the old Hokage.

There were days it was on the tip of is tongue. Days where they had been in the village, where mothers would gather their children to them when Naruto passed or when the harsh whispers seemed to be too much to ignore.

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Weeks following her talk with Naruto, Hinata had tried her best to move past her reservations, but…

…She was conflicted.

So much so… She did not know quite what to make of Naruto's frank assessment of her. Now she sat in the training ground awaiting the arrival of her sensei and teammates. But Hinata was hesitant like she always was. Hiashi, her father, had discarded her for Hanabi and was quite content to have his little ninja genius. There was no place found for her. She had to forge one for herself. Naruto was willing to help her that much she knew. She also knew his words were nothing like her father's belittling words and Neji's condescending insults. 'If only I could execute my moves as effective and decisive all the time, then maybe they would stop seeing me as weak and accept me back. Maybe father would train me again.' These thoughts consumed her constantly as does her love for a father that cast her aside so long ago.

"Hinata it's your turn to spar with Shino." Kurenai informed.

Again, she was startle. Not paying attention to her surroundings was becoming a habit. She needed to concentrate more, especially in situations like these.

"On your mark, get set, start."

An attempted palm strike from Hinata to the torso was evaded, but was followed by a kick to Shino's head. Consecutive strikes aimed at Shino's shoulders failed to connect, but Hinata continuously pressed forward. Their spar was unlike past ones, Hinata was not willing to give an inch and continuously pushed Shino back, testing his defense until finally getting the opening. This time she took it, taking him down with a heel palm strike to the abdomen.

"Wow Hinata! That was great. I've never seen you so aggressive in our spars. You were great. Can we spar next?" Kiba's enthusiasm

"Most definitely a difference in her normal attack mode. A welcome one I must admit." Shino's dry tone add his brand of compliment.

"Well done Hinata. I see you've been putting in extra work." Kurenai was pleased to see her student finally relaxed and unhindered by the weighted expectation of her clan. Maybe now the potential she suppressed can be freed.

'Was it really that impressive, all I did was not hesitate like Naruto suggested.' She was at a loss. They'd never commented on her lack of aggressiveness before. Were they just waiting for her to do it on her own? Strange.

With the new resolve blooming in her. Hinata found doing missions easier. There was no giving in because things got too tough. Instead she kept her nerve and allowed her team to support her when she waivered until she could regain her strength.

Yet she was no were near what she wanted to be as a ninja or as a person. That she knew would take time, but she was willing to work for it.

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"What the hell is that thing doing here?" Declared the unfamiliar ANBU. "I thought the demon was dead." The man was at the workshop collecting the usual departmental order. Muso had quickly handed the man a package with a note and ushered him out the doors.

He'd like to think his apprentice didn't hear the man, but he'd be lying to himself. The boy had hearing as sharp as a bat. There was no doubt he heard the comments. However, Muso would make sure that man and others like him did not bother the boy.

"You don't need to shield me, I'm accustomed to hearing that and more.' Naruto said from the back. He was hammering out a sword. "Just haven't in a while that's all."

"Well you shouldn't have to hear it at all and especially not in my shop."

"You gonna stop people from coming here old man?"

"Listen to me Naruto. You're a fine addition to this here business and I won't trade you for the world." Naruto's skills were blooming under the tutelage of Muso the master smith. He was allowed to work on his own projects. What he produced was of good quality and were often sold off long before they were cooled.

"I'm fine, you don't need to worry. I'm not gonna quit over some stupid no name ninja."

"Good cause you're the best apprentice I have."

"I'm the only apprentice you have old man."

"Your quite right my boy. Doesn't mean you aren't the best. Now I need to do inventory this week so get your list together when you're finished with that there sword."

"Aye! Aye! captain."

"Cheeky brat."

The week went by fast, there was no Hinata for sparring. Team eight was on a C-ranked mission outside the village. However, Naruto continued to train. He'd moved on from the tree climbing to water walking and now balancing kunai on the tips of his fingers. These days his thoughts were on how ironic life was. Now he couldn't become a ninja was the moment he had someone to help him train. 'Am I having regrets for wasting so much time in the academy?' These thoughts sometime plagued his mind when alone. 'Sometimes I do, but I love working here. It's satisfying to be really good at something.' While he liked having someone to train with he was not willing to give up the life he'd built with Muso. And for what, to prove my existence to people that hate me unjustly. No thanks."

He'd asked Hinata her reasons for wanting to be strong. It was one of the many conversations they had about themselves. What drove them, was their dreams, aspirations and overall responsibility to loved ones? He knew he'd made peace with that aspect of his life, but wanted to hear what drove her.

Flashback

"Why do you want to become stronger?" The question wasn't unexpected, but still it caught her off guard.

"Huh? Oh, umm. Well I want my father to acknowledge me again." As usual, she was hesitant to talk about her family life. He was beginning to see why the more time they spent together.

"I know what that feels like you know, wanting to be acknowledged. It nearly drove me crazy."

"Oh! I didn't know that part. You would always be smiling whenever I saw you."

"Yeah, I was on a path designed in part by myself and in part the Hokage to have the villagers see me. No matter what I had to do. So I pranked and acted out. Then there was the constant declaration of being strong and of wanting to be the next Hokage."

He pause as the memories flashed.

"I would train until I dropped, but it was never enough. It never made a difference." He sighed deeply, it still hurt deep down. "Iruka-sensei just thought I was lazy and stupid. Sure he never actually said it aloud, but I could tell he thought it."

"What changed?" She asked. Even though she suspected it had to do with not becoming a ninja.

"Failing the academy for the last time. It made me stop and analyse my life and where it had gone wrong."

"Did you figure it out?"

"Yes, it was painful, but I did."

"What did you conclude?"

"That it wasn't me being unskilled or lacking motivation; it wasn't that I didn't train hard enough or study my lessons. It was that I was doing it all alone. I needed someone there. Someone who knew what to do and could demonstrate or tell me where I was going wrong. I needed the encouragement of someone when I felt frustrate or didn't feel like I could go on."

"I needed someone to understand who I was. Not wish I'd be more like Sasuke or anyone else." He shrugged off the melancholy thought once again and pushed forward. "In the end it was all for naught, I was simply doing it for the wrong reasons."

"What about now Naruto?"

"Now I'm happier than I thought possible because I've realised that if I accept who I am and what I can or cannot do then I don't need to worry about what others think. They will eventually see me." A sincerely smile spread across his face as he concluded.

Hinata became quiet. Perhaps in retrospect of her own situation.

"I've never thought about it that way. I just figured if I got strong like father wanted me to be then he'd be proud of me and start training me again."

"Then I wouldn't have to see the disappointment in his eyes every time he looked at me. Nor would he always admonish me not to embarrass the clan."

"He certainly wouldn't think I would infect the clan with my weakness anymore."

"All I ever wanted was my father back. I love him so much, it hurts."

Both fell quiet, but Hinata's mind was in turmoil.

'Is it the same with me? Am I going about getting strong for the wrong reasons?' The usual voice at the back of her mind answered. Of course silly girl. I've been saying that to you for years. Ignoring it she pressing on. 'No wonder I'm still so weak.' You got that right. Now what would she do. Only time would tell.

~End Flashback~

A few days later Hinata had informed Naruto that she'd made the decision to ask a fellow clan member to train her. Something he was happy to hear. He believed that if she wanted to advance her skills in the gentle fist then only another practitioner of such technique could help her. Talk about help, Naruto was in search of his own master who seemed to have disappeared from the workshop.

"Oi! Muso! Where the hell are you? He bellowed. "Wonder were the old fart got off to." He then mumbled to himself as he continued to search. Just as he made to open the back door, it opened for him and in walked Muso.

"You were calling me, my boy?"

"Who else would be calling you old man?"

"Oh, perhaps some fair maiden in need of my services."

"Yeah right, like that'll ever happen."

"One can never tell. On a serious note. What can I do for?"

"I want you to take my training up a notch."

"Oh, my boy. That is music to an old man's ears. When do you want to start?"

"Now would be good as any time."

"Alright let me get dress and we'll start with adding sealing to weapons. How does that sound?"

"Excellent! I'll be by the forge waiting."

The training lasted well into the night until Muso finally call it a day. Words could never express how proud he was of his apprentice. He thanked the gods daily for sending him such a dedicated individual. It had long been his fear that he'd die without having passed on his knowledge and skill, but now he need not worry.

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Deep beneath the earth were the roots of the great tree dwelled. The protectors laboured tirelessly. Every accomplished deed only served to strength the great tree and ensured its continued survival.

'You called, Lord Danzo?"

"Your task." He handed the masked ninja a scroll. "Ensure the boy receives this. It is our duty to ensure the weapon gets sharpened. Dismiss."

"Yes Lord Danzo."

Alone, the mummified man returned to his task at hand. Becoming the Hokage of the great tree.

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As tasked, the scrolled was delivered to the shop by anonymous means. Addressed to Naruto, to be opened by him alone.

"Hey Naruto, you got mail."

"What! From who?"

"Doesn't say.'

"Give it here." He took and examined it. Then he opened it. "Wow!"

"What is it, what does it say boy?"

"Someone sent me a training schedule and a list of techniques to try. One is a clone jutsu called Shadow clone. Never heard of it though."

"That's very strange. Who would be sending you such things now?"

"I have no idea old man, but it is indeed very strange that now I'm no longer involved in that profession, I'm being offered help.

"What are you going to do?"

"Not sure, but the clone technique sounds interesting. I'll read it thoroughly later." Rewrapping the scroll he stored it the desk draw and returned to his work. His mind would however, constantly stray towards it, which forced him to admit his curiosity.

'Why, why now of all times?' He thought. 'This would have done wonders for me back in the academy, yet no one offered or seemed to care I was struggling.' He couldn't understand the reasoning behind the action. Couldn't fathom what would motivate someone to offer this seemingly unselfish gesture. Something wasn't adding up.

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Hinata was back and they'd resumed training sessions. More than that she'd requested their service as smiths to construct a weapon for her.

"Hey Hinata, what you got there?" Naruto asked suddenly, as she unwrapped her package "Is that orichalcum by any chance?" Before she could answer, Muso hit him over the head.

"Of course it is! Brat, did I teach you anything at all? Look at the structure! The color! The shine! It's obvious! Sheesh, kid, you better go back to the books..."

Naruto jumped off the table and jabbed a finger at the Forge master. "To hell with you old man! I knew what it was! I just asked to be certain!"

"Go back to finishing the blade! It's been in the heat long enough!" Mosu told him and dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

Naruto pouted. "I'll have you know that it has a minute more in there!" Still, he walked back to the oven." Stupid old man," he grumbled just loud enough for Muso to hear.

"I heard that, kid!"

"I know!"

"Ahem! My request?" Hinata was amused, but didn't let it show.

The old smith laughed just as loud as before. "Of course, of course! Now, what exactly is it I can help you with?

"I'm thinking knives or a bow-" Muso raised one of his enormous hands and Hinata fell silent. The man smiled broadly at her,

"I see where you're going with this," he told her. "A multi-functional bow. How exciting! Kid! Make room in the workshop! We have a special order!" When Naruto heard special order, he sprang into action to finish his current job.

"Give us an hour, we'll need to sketch out the designs for you to choose from. Make yourself comfortable." Muso immediately got to work.

Hinata watched as the enormous hand with the tiny pencil moved so fast over the paper she could barely follow it with her eyes. She didn't know how long she had been watching Muso, but at some point Naruto must have entered. She looked around and saw him at the smaller table at the opposite side of the room, also sketching at an incredible pace. She observed him over the shoulder and saw he was drawing arrows and something that looked like a shield. One of the arrowheads she could make out from beneath his arms was long enough to be used as a knife while another was attached to some kind of chain instead of the arrow shaft. Before long, Muso clapped his hands, producing a sound far louder than one would expect, and stood up with multiple sheets of paper in hands.

"Well, sketches are completed, some refining will need to be made." He turned and gestured for her to have a look at the many sketches in his hand. "If you would give us about a week, we will have two or three prototypes to test and fitted for you."

Hinata nodded. "Of course. In a week then. Thank you, Muso-san, and you too Naruto."

"Have you ever used a bow before Hinata?" Naruto inquired.

'Yes, we have a few at home and it's used when practicing distant spotting. We usually try to hit targets a distance away from our location." Satisfied with her response both Hinata and Naruto when out back for their normal training session.

Naruto had chosen to push past his reservation regarding the anonymous scroll. He had learnt the shadow clone jutsu. The technique much to Hinata and Muso's surprise, seemed made for him and his vase chakra capability. He'd also recommended that Hinata attempt to increase her chakra capabilities to help her with the Hyuga's rotation technique which she was attempting to learn.