Hinata stepped into the compound, determined. The confrontation between her and Hanabi forced her to think long and hard about the clan head position. More and more she felt like she was being pushed in that direction no matter how much she tried to fight it. Her only focus was to hone her skills but she couldn't ignore the problems in the community. The unity in the clan was corrupted. Of course this was an ongoing problem because the clan has always been segregated but it didn't mean that was the right way to coexist with one another. She had always believed that the joining of both the main and branch houses would bring forth more success for the clan as a whole. As a result, the only way to implement such a plan would mean becoming the head. She also had to consider the fact that even with the position, this would not be an easy feat. Nevertheless, change is inevitable. The oppression of the branch house will at some point cause an uproar. It was time to teach everyone that they can get along with one another. Hate and prejudice would definitely bring an end to them. For now though, she would have to keep her opinions to herself. The main goal was to gain trust and the only way to do so would be to win the favor of the elders.

After a few minutes she made it to the main house. The place she resided in before she claimed her freedom. Nothing had seemed to change. It was just as frightening as it was when she was lived there. As she gazed at it, bad memories started to flood her mind. They made her feel like running but she had to remind herself that she wasn't the timid little girl anymore. This place would have no hold over her. With that assurance, she entered but found herself frozen in the hallway. As she looked down the path she could feel her heart start to race. Doubt took over. What if she was just putting herself back in a prison? Could she really trust her father just because he seemed nice now? Each step she took was heavy. Her body was resisting but she knew that if she went through this and endured, the payoff would be great. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of her father's office. With a deep breath she gave the door a few knocks, "Father?"

"Come in" said a monotone voice that only served to unnerve her even more.

She entered at its command, closing the door behind her. He seemed focused on the task before him, so focused that even while she had stood there for a moment, he still hadn't looked up. She figured by now that he would at least ask what she wanted but there was still silence. "I would like to discuss something with you Father" she'd say firmly as she invited herself to sit.

Hiashi finally looked up when he heard the tone. Honestly, he was surprised to see that it was Hinata and not Hanabi. Hanabi was usually the one that sounded like that when she spoke to him. "Ah good evening! Didn't expect that I would be seeing you here." It was a pleasant surprise. One he had anticipated but he didn't realize it would be so soon. "I shall get some tea for us" he added before ringing the little bell on his desk.

Hinata cringed at the ring of the bell, watching as the servant made their way into the room. She wanted to protest but she wanted this interaction to go well. Therefore, she just smiled. "I apologize for not sending a message first. I imagine this is a bit inconvenient but it couldn't wait."

"It's not inconvenient at all my child. I'm delighted to see you" he'd say genuinely as he moved the scrolls to the side. He looked to the servant telling them what he needed before looking back to Hinata with a smile.

"I'll get right to it then."Him smiling made her more uncomfortable than he wasn't. This was a man that barely ever showed his emotion, especially to his children and to see him now being this...honest... was a bit frightening to say the least. She would have appreciated this disposition more when she was a child. "I've been thinking about the clan head position."

Hiashi perked up when she mentioned his offer. He knew that the position would make her regain her honor in the community. It was her birthright. More importantly, it offered an opportunity for him to have another chance with his child. His wife would be able to truly rest in peace if he succeeded. "Yes?"

Hinata nodded, even adding a smile as she looked at him. "I would like to be considered." She loathed telling him what he wanted to hear but she needed to keep her focus on the bigger picture. Her sister could not this title. There would just be more hatred under her rule.

The man tried hard to keep his composure after hearing those words. He felt great pride. This was all he ever wanted and he knew Hinata would be the perfect candidate. The tea arrived just in time. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, shooing the servant after the tea was poured. The only reason he asked was to give the impression that he cared about whether she was comfortable doing this. He wanted to appear supportive even though if she changed her mind it would most definitely crush him.

"I'm absolutely sure. Although, I worry about whether the clan will accept me" she'd say. Her intentions were to beguile him into thinking that he was winning. If he became her biggest supporter, she wouldn't have to work very hard for the trust of the elders. "I believe they're going to question my loyalty, which is understandable. I did leave but I just feel like I'm meant for this" she explained, now looking up at him.

Hiashi stood up, pacing his office for a moment as he thought about her concern. It was definitely valid but he was the head. He would have a lot say in this. For him the problem would be the elders. Either way he was still excited that Hinata even considered this. He moved to the seat next to his daughter, reaching for a cup to offer it to her. "There will be opposition, I can't do anything about that. All I can say is once they see how much you have grown, they will understand my decision" he explained. "They will question you and some will even say horrible things. Will you be ready for that?"

Hinata gingerly took the cup from her father, taking a small sip as she realized what she would have to go up against. Fear started to grip her but then she remembered her promise. Her son's face flashed in her mind and it immediately restored her strength. "I'm ready."

The Afternoon...

Sai stepped into building, smiling when he saw Hinata sitting at a table. He made his way over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder before sitting in the opposing seat. "Hey there" he greeted. "I was scared I wasn't going to be able to see you again. It's been a while."

Hinata smiled, a tinge of sadness gracing her face as she nodded in agreement. She had purposely been staying away from him. It was more because she feared how compatible they were. The divorce was still fresh and she was still holding a lot of hurt. Hurt that she needed time to get rid of. A new relationship was not on the horizon right now. She had work to do and she just didn't know how to communicate that without hurting him. "There has been a lot going on and I just don't even know where to start" she explained.

"Well you can always start from the beginning" he quipped.

"Ok smartass" she joked, letting out a light giggle. "First off, I found out a friend of mine has...well I promised her my discretion so I won't go on about that" she explained. "The point is that she's in a serious situation right now. She is the one of the strongest people I know so it saddens me to see her like this. I just feel helpless you know? I can't even figure out my shit and here she is..."

Sai noticed how heavy that was for her. He wished he could be more helpful. "Well all you can do is be there for her as much as she'll let you."

Hinata nodded before sighing heavily. "I know and I absolutely will be. Talking with her made me realize that I need to live life to the fullest. I need to start building" she'd say, her voice implying that she was desperately serious. "But then I know all this, and I see my ex with the girl he cheated on me with" she recounted, swallowing hard as she remembered the scene. "They were at the flower shop picking out flowers for a wedding...their wedding Sai! Then I think to myself about the time and love I-I wasted on him."

Sai looked at her for a moment, understanding how that must feel. He knew that realization must've been unbearable. "I'm sorry to hear that Hinata. You have to try and focus on the now. You're here...and you're beautiful and strong" he gushed.

"Thank you, I really appreciate that. It's not a tragedy. I guess it was to be expected. He knew her longer anyway" she'd say taking a nervous sip of her water. "They had a bond that could never really end." She wanted to tell him more but she didn't know how to really deliver it. "I never told you this but I was once pregnant...I ended up having a stillbirth that I never really got over. I mean who could get over the death of their child right?"

"Oh Hinata..."

She dropped her head for a moment as she felt the tears welling up. There was no way to control her emotions when it came to this subject but she was glad she was able to talk about it now. "Yeah..." she breathed, wiping the tears away. "I finally had the courage to visit his grave for the first time since the day I lost him. Best decision I ever made because now I made a promise to visit as much as possible."

Sai reached a hand over to rest on top of hers, admiring her strength. She didn't deserve any of this, yet she was still going. "I'm glad you can finally do that."

"Me too" she'd say, resting her other hand on top of his. "Gonna need another sip of water after that" she laughed, reaching for the cup to take a long drink. After she swallowed the last bit of the drink, she looked back to him. "After the visit, I've been thinking about the clan. I'm a lot stronger now and I realize that I need to deal with the source of all my anguish. The place that tortured me as a child. I've made the decision to become clan head."

The next one surprised Sai a bit. He definitely wasn't expecting that, especially with their past conversations about that place. "Are you sure that's the best decision? You have so much going right now...the stress of that would be just...insane."

Hinata sighed heavily, understanding exactly what he was saying but she knew this was the right decision. "I'm sure. I had a confrontation with my little sister that caused me to realize I need to change the division we have within our community. I'm going through all this and this...family has given me no support. I've watched my father abuse his own brother. It needs to stop. We are too strong and we need to grow. Grow away from this prejudice."

Sai nodded, understanding her cause. He never really had a family but he imagined changing the dynamics would serve to be quite difficult. Honestly, he was sad because he knew all of this would be a lot of work. Consequently, that would even more time away from each other. This was no time to be selfish though. Instead, he was going to support her because he could see how important all of this was. "I know you're going to face some harsh barriers but I have no doubt you'll be able to handle yourself" he'd say as he gripped her hand softly. "I'm going to miss you though."

"Miss me?" she asked tilting her head to the side. She was a little confused at that comment. Did he not want to see her anymore? "Where am I going?" she asked curiously with a giggle.

This time he took his hand back. "Well you know...that's going to make you really busy. We already don't hang out as often these days so I just know that's going to get worse" he lamented.

"Sai..."

"No, don't worry about it. You know where I am if you need me" he'd say as he picked himself up from the table. He gave her one last smile before walking over to place a kiss on her head. "I'll see you later." He stopped mid-walk to look back at her, wondering if he should really go. There was something that wanted to fight for her, but he was too afraid of the failure and hurt that would bring him. He walked in having every intention of telling her how he felt but he couldn't do that now. It would be too selfish and she had a mission. He could never get in the way of that.

Hinata sat there for a moment, looking back to see him walking out of the restaurant. She wasn't expecting that reaction but yet at the same time she didn't try to stop him. He made it clear that she could still see him but she could tell he was hurt at the fact they were going to see each even less now. There was no doubt that she liked him but she wouldn't allow a crush to get in the way of her ambitions. This would just have to be something she deals with later.

Later that evening...

Hanabi stormed into her father's office after hearing what he was trying to do with Hinata. She worked herself to death, her whole life, making sure that he approved of her in order to give her the position when the time came and now he wanted to give it away to Hinata? No way she was going to let that happen. "How could you do this? You know she isn't right for the clan. She could never fulfill the plans you have. I've been loyal and I'm a worthy candidate. I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT DESERVES THIS!"

Hiashi sigh heavily as he heard Hanabi's voice. He understood her frustration but it wasn't her decision. He was the one that decided who would take his position. "I owe you nothing. In fact, the scrupulous training I put you through was for your own good. You're welcome. The oldest will always take the seat...this is nothing new. You are aware of this" he'd say, having not skipped a beat with the work he was doing.

His daughter swelled with anger as she looked at him, feeling as though she's wasted her time. Her life, all for nothing. "She left Father! She showed us where her loyalty lies. I would never even dream of doing that because I know the Hyuga way. I live and breathe it!" Her voice was raised and she knew it was risky talking to her father that way but she wanted to emphasize how she felt about this position. Hinata could never be as passionate as she was.

"HANABI." Her father's voice boomed over hers making her immediately go silent. "I will not condone your insolence any further. You have no say here. Leave my office at once."

Hanabi stood there for a moment, almost tearing up from her father's final words on the matter. Usually she would turn away but this was her life. She trained even harder everyday that Hinata was away. "I'll fight her for it."

Hiashi stopped his work for a moment, looking up from the scroll he was reading. His face was like stone for he did not want her to misinterpret anything in this moment. "You will do no such thing."

"I will' she'd say firmly. "I know for a fact that once you present Hinata to the elders they will not agree with your idea due to her disloyalty. In that moment,I will step forward with my solution. There is nothing you'll be able to do about it if they agree."

This was not something he had anticipated. Hanabi had never been this disobedient. Once again he was at fault for driving both his daughters to become this way toward him. Hinata was coming back and Hanabi was now moving away. Out of his grasp. What was he to do?"You would be so horrible to betray your father like this?" he asked, a little nervous that she was going to call his bluff.

"Well you didn't hesitate to betray me. Therefore, I will give you the same courtesy" she retorted, immediately turning to walk out of the office. A lifetime of slavery in this place for that position and he thought he was just going to give it to someone like Hinata? He was sadly mistaken. She would kill her before she would ever let that happen.

That night...

Hinata sat in meditation on her back patio, deep in thought about what she told her father. She knew well that there was going to be trouble. Her sister's anger surprised her but she could understand why. They were in competition all their lives with one another, this was no different. It did sadden her to be at odds with someone she knew she was supposed to be close to but there was no helping it. All would be better in due time. No one was going to steer her away from what she wanted.

A few minutes had gone by and Hinata had fallen deeper into her meditation. She couldn't get completely comfortable though, something was off. She felt as though she wasn't air was too quiet. Her ear tried to focus on any movement that was not the norm, all while remaining perfectly still. THERE! "Byuakgan!" she exclaimed as she looked in the direction. In a second, she noticed something flying toward her and would catch it right beside her face. Her eyes went back to searching but it seemed that whoever had thrown the kunai, quickly took off. "So this is how this is going to go" she whispered to herself, noticing there was something like a note attached to the weapon. When she opened the rolled up paper, it read: 'You'll never get it.' Hinata looked back to the trees before moving into the condo, closing the doors behind her. The fact that someone would threaten her like this must mean that they must be scared enough to want to send a message like this. Unfortunately for them, she wasn't going to give up that easily.