Three Years Interlude:

House of Hyuga

Hinata exhaled heavily, throwing another jab at Neji.

Again.

And again.

Sweat rolled down her face as she deflected his punch.

Another hit. That one barely scraped him.

The sky melted into a bright orange hue, their shadows growing longer as they sparred. It was almost night, but Hinata refused to stop. They had been like this for how long? Days, weeks, months? Hinata lost count. Her reflexes were growing sharper and faster even without the need of her Byakugan. She decided to activate her Byakugan, making sure she doesn't shoot too much chakra to her eyes.

Last time he made the rookie mistake, she was left blinded for three days. Three long days where she lost precious time for training.

It was a strange twist in fate. Neji recalled his childhood and how he was forced to be Hinata's sparring partner in the training hall. It was an insult to him, to his abilities and intellect, to train the weakling when he knew his potential was greater. How he loathed the training with Hinata, her slow hits, her pathetic jabs, her poor efforts fuelled the hatred festering in his heart for the Main Branch.

But this was different. He was honoured to teach her, to guide her on a path he believed she could not walk upon. The hate for Hinata had long vanquished, replaced by a feeling he could only describe as familial. A fondness that warmed the ice in his heart when they were together. Whether it was sparring until they couldn't stand, or ate meals on the hills after a training session; Neji finally felt a sense of belonging in the clan. Hinata wasn't the same Hinata he knew as a child. Something within her changed, something Neji could not figure out. For a genius, it irked him that he couldn't decipher the answer.

And it frustrated him. Neji Hyuga was not used to being dumbfounded.

Blue chakra coalesced around Hinata's palms as she struck again, her aim becoming more vicious. Months passed and Neji was forced to focus more on deflection. Still, his reflexes were faster than hers, quickly deflecting the strike that she hoped would finally hit. He pushed her hand, deflecting it with his forearm, redirecting the momentum. The sheer force threw her several feet back until she skidded to a halt. It had been four hours and she didn't make a single direct shot. She sprinted towards Neji again, a fierce yell spilling out.

Neji pulled his hand up, stopping her in her tracks. "Perhaps it is time we take a break, Lady Hinata."

Hinata shook her head vehemently, he hair brushing over her shoulders. Her hair had grown in the past few months. Hinata decided she liked the new look, putting down her scissors for good.

"No, I have to get stronger!" she cried, "I promise I'll do better this time, Brother Neji!"

Her palms were bruised, her hair an unruly mess unfit for someone belonging to an elite family. He watched Hinata breathe hard in a silence and how she shifted her body into an offensive stance. Her stubbornness reminded him of a certain blond. Neji suppressed a frown.

"What is this really about?"

"If I am to take back my rightful place as heir, I have to defeat Hanabi."

Her loss against her younger sister was a major blow to her confidence. When her father informed her that Hanabi will ultimately become the heir, Hinata was shocked, but also gratefully relieved. Hinata saw the fire in Hanabi that she lacked herself. A fire which everyone acknowledged. She thought it was for the best. Even someone wihtout the Byakugan could see Hanabi would grow to be a stronger leader. After all, Hinata was no fighter back then. She had no intention to hurt her younger sister... even though she had a clear opening in their match. It pained her to see Hanabi upset. At first her demotion as sign that she was destined for a different journey. Hinata resigned to the fact that Hanabi dethroned her as the heir to the Hyuga clan.

But Hinata Hyuga surmised that she was the one throwing her destiny aside and was waiting for something to fall her way.

There must be a reason that fate chose her to be the main branch's first born. Not her little sister.

Hinata's naivety diminished as she trained with Kakashi Hatake, heeding his advice and watching his moves. It dwindled when she fought alongside Naruto and Sasuke, inspired by Naruto's unyielding drive and Sasuke's persistence. Her docile exterior slowly cracked with every mission until Hinata found that she too had a burning ember encased within her. And Lady Tsunade's lessons changed that ember into a raging fire. New friendship forged with the likes of Ino and Sakura.

Hinata's vision of her future had never been clearer.

Taijutsu lessons were a painful reminder of her incompetence, of her father's disappointment. Over time, Hinata realised her enjoyed it. The thrill of a challenge, the strength of the Gentle Fist, and the way her brain and eyes worked in sync to figure out an opponent's weakness. Her new-found love for training revealed her mind to one significant epiphany: Hinata Hyuga had to reclaim her title.

Her father resented her passivity, especially his habit of comparing her to the prodigy that was Neji Hyuga. Hinata didn't remember much about her mother before her death, except her kindness and the way she smiled. It was a drastic contrast to her father's harshness. His tough demeanour that only saw Hinata as a failure, and saw in Hanabi what he did not in Hinata; Hanabi's wit, sharpness and rigid mindset during a battle. She and Hinata were as different as night and day.

Hinata was determined to prove him wrong; to show him that gentleness must not be confused with weakness, but a strength worth more value than stern indifference.

"Firstly, Lady Hanabi is trained exclusively by one other than your own father, Lady Hinata," Neji informed her, to which Hinata visibly blanched.

Hiashi Hyuga prioritized Hanabi's training over her. It was a cold fact Hinata always knew. Though Hanabi was legally the unofficial heir of the Hyuga clan, it was made clear than her father had no expectations for Hinata to lead the Hyuga into the future. Neji's utterance of her fear only made her sadness more palpable.

"Secondly I hardly think of you as a avaricious kunoichi. Why the sudden ambition?"

"I have to change the unfair traditions of this family, and I can only hope to fulfil my goal if I become the successor," Hinata said, her head bowed slightly, "I need you by my side, Brother Neji. You know as well as I do that this injustice cannot continue in the future generations of our clan."

"Lady Hinata..." Neji murmured, his heart touched by the blaze in her eyes.

"I know Father is teaching Hanabi the main branch's special jutsus, but you are the strongest Hyuga the clan has ever seen," Hinata continued, "so please do not be lenient!"

"Will you be able to withstand the pressure?" Neji asked, a hint of harshness in his voice as if to pull her back down to reality. "Defying the unanimous decision of Lord Hiashi and the Elders to compete with against Lady Hanabi for the title is an audacious choice. Are you so sure about your decision?"

"It's my birthright," Hinata said confidently, "I made a promise that I will get stronger an I cannot go back on my word because that is my shinobi way!"

"And are you happy to subject your younger sister to the Caged Bird Seal when she comes of age?"

Hiinata frowned, a contemplative look crossing her face.

"When I'm the leader of the clan, no one will ever be branded with that cursed seal ever again."

A small smile tugging on the edge of his lips.

"If that is what you wish, then I will do everything I can to make this vision a reality," Neji said, her steely determination reminding him of Naruto yet again. "Defend yourself against this!"

'Thank you, Brother Neji' Hinata inwardly said, bringing her arms together to block his incoming attack.

The sloping hillside bordered the outskirts of the Hidden Leaf. Dense thickets of trees sat at the foot of the vast hills, soothing sounds of nature in the fresh air. It was where Neji and Hinata stopped for a much needed rest. Hinata sat down on the prairie grass, leaning against the trunk of a lone tree, relishing in the shade it provided. Dandelions and wildflowers danced in the breeze as Hinata closed her eyes, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

The hundred daily push-ups and morning marathons were not activities Hinata's liked, sorely displaying her lack of stamina. Her chest ached with each pant. She desperately wanted to drink a tall glass of ice water.

"Is this what Guy-sensei makes you do?" she asked after her breathing returned to normal.

Neji sat opposite her, not a single drop of sweat on him. "We ran for five miles, Lady Hinata. Guy-sensei makes us do ten laps around the whole village for a warm-up, and that's if he's feeling not particularly youthful that morning. And Lee runs an extra five out of sheer gratitude."

His casual answer made Hinata shudder. She was grateful for Kakashi's laid-back attitude. She'd happily wait for five hours on the bridge over running a marathon.

"Congratulations on becoming a jonin. I'm sure Uncle Hizashi would be been proud of you."

Neji gave a small smile in response, but didn't speak. There was a discomfort stirring in him as he pondered about their plans for a revolution... or rather rebellion.

"Lady Hinata, I have a question about your intention to become the Hyuga heiress once again."

"What is it, Brother Neji?"

"To become the clan's leader, the heir is expected to marry a member within the clan to preserve the purity of the Byakugan."

"Yes, of course."

"I know that you have feelings for Naruto Uzumaki."

Hinata felt the heat rise to her face. She did not expect Neji to bring up that topic.

"Do you think you can forgo the feelings you have for him for the sake of the clan's future?"

Hinata looked away, an uncomfortable feeling constricted her throat. "Marriage is a long way away. What my feeling are or will be isn't a concern."

"I don't want to see you hurt."

"Thank you, but I assure you my... feelings... won't be a hindrance."

A pensive expression crossed his face. Though he and Hinata had spent time together, he never could ask his burning question.

"Hinata, do you remember when we fought in the preliminaries?" At her nod, he continued, "did your Byakugan feel... different?"

Hinata paused, her mind rewinding to the time. "I suffered from chakra exhaustion, I suppose that's why my Byakugan hurt a lot."

"Complete chakra exhaustion from a Gentle Fist match?" Neji scoffed, "that's absurd."

"I thought so too..." Hinata hesitated, deciphering the contemplative look on his face, "do you think otherwise?"

He exhaled slowly. "Your Byakugan turned blue."

"W-What?"

"Of course no one else noticed but I. You were in front of me, and I watched you with my own Byakugan. It was nothing like I had seen before."

"What do you mean?"

"The power from the blue Byakugan unblocked your chakra points," Neji explained, "I was certain that if you struck me there and then I would have lost the match."

"That's impossible... the Byakugan can't transform."

"I believed the same too. Perhaps that's how you expended all your chakra reserves," Neji mused, "has anything of the sort occurred recently?"

Hinata grimaced, absentmindedly touching her temples. "... it still does from time to time, but Lady Tsunade assured me that there's nothing wrong with the Byakugan and she's the best healer in the land."

"If my speculation is correct, it may very well be the Tenseigan."

"Tenseigan?" Hinata echoed, "but that dojutsu is of ancient Hyuga legend. It's a myth, isn't it? No one has ever achieved it... y-you don't possibly think I... could have it?"

"I believe you may very well be the first Hyuga to do so."

"Even if I did, I can't use it. I-I can't risk it," Hinata shook her head, "It takes too much chakra. I can't control it without hurting myself."

"If using the Tensiegan depletes your chakra reserves then we must create a technique to counteract its disadvantage."

"Like an absorption jutsu?"

Neji smiled at the idea. "Exactly! If we can somehow drain chakra directly from an opponent's chakra network and harness it, then it could work."

Hinata nodded in excitement. In theory, she wouldn't suffer chakra exhaustion if she stole an opponent's chakra and would allow her to tap into that power again. Hinata could feel it festering, bubbling inside her, and when she feared it would explode, she'd mentally reign it back in. But to use that power would no doubt confound her enemies. A secret weapon. Hinata wondered about her new absorption jutsu. What could she base of of? An element? An animal?

She did like cats.

Spring arrived again in the Leaf Village. Cherry Blossom trees bloomed on the streets, a warm breeze drifting in the air with the promise of warm summer. Hanabi Hyuga was now eleven years of age. In the family dojo, she stood up once more, ignoring the ache in her back as her father watched her failed attempt.

"The chakra must flow from every point in your body," Hiashi instructed her, "maintain it as you move."

"Rotation!" Hanabi cried, chakra flowing out of her small body.

Sweat dripped from her face as she tensed her body, forcing the chakra to hold. She spun, but the immense momentum forced her against the wall, losing all control of her chakra. She staggered back up, moving her sweaty hair from her face. Mito cut her hear into a shot bob, but now she wished she kept her long hair. It would have been easier to tie and stop it from inferring with her training.

"We'll try again later," he father stated, stone-cold disappointment in his colourless eyes. "You can take a short break."

"It is unusual that Lady Hanabi is having a hard time," the Hyuga Elder stated.

"From a technical standpoint, she should not be having any issues," Hiashi agreed with his father.

Hanabi frowned at the comment, gritting her teeth. She walked out of the dojo, heading to the estate's training ground. It was a secret habit that became a routine. She sat on the ground, watching her older cousin Neji and older sister Hinata spar.

Hinata's hair had grown long, dark locks reaching her waist. Hanabi was surprised that her hair didn't bother her as she fought. Hanabi's gaze flickered nervously to Neji. Her older cousin had reached a towering height, his strength even greater than before.

Her cousin's hatred of the main family was no secret. His brief responses to her father and his aloofness towards Hanabi unnerved her. She preferred to stay away from him. Neji Hyuga's skills and prowess was well-known in the Hyuga clan so it was no surprise when Neji graduated from chunin to jonin in a matter of months. Many members frequently citing that it was a shame Neji wasn't part of the main family. He would have made the perfect heir of the Hyuga empire. Hanabi bit her tongue; after all being the heir was solely her place now and no one could take it away.

The strangest thing was how Neji helped Hinata, a member of the main family. Hiashi Hyuga gave up long ago trying to teach Hinata, and Neji took his place. The members of the branch family raised their eyebrows at a member of the superior family being taught by the lesser family. Lord Hiashi and the Elders stayed quiet on the predicament. It wouldn't make a different to the overall structure of the Hyuga clan. Their priority was training Hanabi.

Hiashi taught Hanabi throughout the day. At night, with her Byakugan Hanabi could see Neji training Hinata until the moon appeared. Stars lit the night sky ad Hanabi watched them spar. Worst of all, her older sister matched Neji's strike for strike, his power that she used too cower from, Hinata now faced without fear. Hanabi saw a different side to her sister, one that deep down scared her for some reason.

This wasn't the same person Hanabi fought when she was five years old. That girl Hanabi fought then was a failure who would have never become a chunin. And yet, though Hinata didn't wear the green vests, Hinata was a fully-fledged chunin while Hanabi wasn't even a genin.

"Is Big Sister mastering a new jutsu?" Hanabi murmured to herself in awe.

"Try to change the shape of your chakra again," Neji instructed.

Hinata dodged Neji's jab, jumping back several feet. Neji held his hands up, readying for another strike. The blue chakra in Hinata's hands intensified to form shape of a feline animal. In the darkness, her chakra had fluorescent aqua hue.

"Gentle Step: Twin Lion Fists!"

Ten-year-old Hanabi Hyuga stood across her older sister. Both wore the Hyuga's black training gear. Her dark top fitted loosely over her narrow shoulders while Hinata's black shirt hugged the curves of her torso. Hanabi was not yet a genin; a student at the academy and her sister was a famed chunin. No longer a failure, but a decorated kunoichi.

Resentment pooled inside her small body as she saw the determination in her older sister's eyes. The ferocity of her Byakugan made Hanabi hesitate for a split-second. This was nothing like the time they fought as children. Still, Hanabi desire to be the heiress of the Hyuga was unshaken. She would not let Hinata steal her title.

"I admired you, Elder Sister. I wanted to be just like you!"

"Being the heiress of the Hyuga clan was never yours to begin with," Hinata replied.

Hanabi ran ahead, her hand straight as wisps of chakra surrounded it.

Hinata deflected the strike automatically, shifting her weight as she slammed a palm against Hanabi's chest. A small smile quirked on Neji's expression at the exchange, restraining the unHyuga-like desire to cheer her name loudly. Despite her training, he didn't expect Hinata to hit first. Hanabi always took an offensive approach just as he did. The similarity meant Hinata knew exactly what to do.

The young girl recoiled at the attack, skidding several feet away. A flash of guilt crossed Hinata's face, mustering all her inner strength to not falter at the sight of her spluttering little sister. With her Byakugan's 360-degree vision, Hinata saw her father's shock. Hiashi was like all Hyugas, seldom freely showed their true emotions. For once, he looked at her with something other than scorn.

"How could you do this to me?" Hanabi whispered, "you know how much it means to me..."

Hanabi collapsed to the ground, falling into a fit of coughs. Her hand clutched her shirt, fear of failure plaguing her mind. Hinata had struck her chakra point and the fight had only just begun. She gritted her teeth, stumbling back onto her feet. Hanabi could feel the title slipping from her fingers. She glared at her older sister, whose calm, somewhat pitiful expression riled her up.

Hanabi fell back into the Gentle Fist stance. Her father and all the elders of the clan were watching the match, watching her lose to Hinata, the disappointing failure of the Hyuga clan. With a vicious cry, Hanabi charged again.

Equal blows exchanged in quick succession, Hinata deflecting Hanabi's strikes and Hanabi barely dodging Hinata's rapid jabs.

The Chunin suddenly ducked, swinging her leg across the floor, tripping Hanabi onto the rough ground.

"I'm sorry Hanabi, but it's best if we finish the match as soon as possible."

"I am the heiress of the Hyuga, Elder Sister!" Hanabi cried, jumping back on her feet. She ignored the ache in her spine, putting her hands back in the air.

"Gentle Step: Twin Lion Fists!"

Hanabi's eyes pulled wide open, fear crystal clear in her milky white eyes. It was that new jutsu she saw he practise with Neji! Panic seized every inch of her being as Hinata rushed forwards, glistening blue chakra forming the heads of huge creatures.

"Rotation!"

Neji stood up, surprise clear on his face. A dome of chakra enveloped Hanabi. He wasn't worried about Hinata; the Twin Lion Fists was an absorption jutu that could penetrate a weak chakra field like a hot knife through butter. No, it was the fact that Hanabi learned the rotation technique at the mere age of 10. He was 14 when he mastered it all by himself.

The spin of the rotation was too fast. Hanabi felt her chakra pushing against her instead of protecting her. She bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to maintain the circular shape. One eye pushed open, a gasp escaping her throat.

Hinata's fists ploughed through her defences, her unstable chakra seeping into the lion's mouth. Hanabi pushed more chakra out of her tenketsu, but to no avail. The rotation jutsu was using up more chakra than she possessed, and Hinata's new jutsu drained whatever power she had left.

Hanabi closed her eyes, a stray tear falling from them. Hinata's fists struck her head-on.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

With a harsh crash, Hanabi hit the ground. This time, she was unable to get up.

"The decisive winner of the match is Hinata. The outcome is the change of position. As decided beforehand, the victor will claim the title of heiress. The title of the next leader of the Hyuga clan has been reclaimed by Hinata Hyuga, first born of Hiashi Hyuga."

A hand rested on her shoulder. Hinata glanced up to meet Neji's commiserating gaze.

"Don't worry, when Lady Hanabi finds out the truth, she will forgive you."

"Hinata!"

She turned around at the call of her name, a warm smile as she recognised the caller.

"Shino, Kiba. Nice to see you," she greeted with a small bow.

"Nice to see you too," Shino replied, his handd tucked firmly in his long jacket.

"What're you doing?" Kiba asked, eyes the envelope she held.

"I'm taking this letter to Lady Hokage."

"It's for Naruto, isn't it?"

Kiba sighed in a melodramatic manner as Hinata blushed at the guess. Her affections for the absent blond was painfully obvious, but that didn't stop him from his efforts. Plus, teasing Hinata was kinda fun and even though she rebuffed him (in probably the most politest way he didn't know was possible). Seeing her fluster was a special kind of adorableness.

"H-How did you know?"

"Hinata, we might not be on the same team, but your affections for Naruto are quite obvious," Shino commented as-a-matter-of-factly.

Hinata squeaked in surprise. At least he didn't compare her to a female wasp during mating season. "Does e-everyone know?"

"Er... pretty much," Kiba said, scratching his face in thought. Akamaru barked in agreement.

"You too, Akamaru?" Hinata mumbled, eyes widening. Her feet suddenly felt unsteady... was the floor shaking?

"Though, I assume it hasn't circulated among the Hyuga household," Shino added, hoping it would calm the girl, "otherwise I suspect serious talks would occur considering your new status within your clan."

"I haven't even thought how the elders would react to it!" Hinata cried in horror.

"Wait a go, Shino!" Kiba said sarcastically.

Shino cleared his throat. "It may not as serious as you make it out to be, Hinata."

"Maybe you're right," Hinata mumbled.

"You know, we could surprise everyone and go out," Kiba suggested with a flirty wink, "what do you say? Go on date with me?"

Shino sighed, as if he possessed the exasperation Hinata struggled to convey. "Kiba, we talked several times about your pointless attempts to seek Hinata's affection."

Kiba waved him away, standing proudly as he pretended he didn't hear the bug-user. "Aw, come'on Hinata, one date? I promise I'll be a gentlemen."

"Kiba... my answer is the same as yesterday," Hinata said, albeit apologetically.

"We want to congratulate you on becoming the Hyuga's official heiress once again. It's the only thing the entire village has been talking about it all week," Shino said, changing the subject which Hinata was grateful for. "We'll try our best to come to your party tonight, but Kiba and I have a meeting with Kurenai-sensei. If it's a mission brief, we unfortunately will not make it."

"Man, we already missed Tenten's birthday party, now Hinata's party too?" Kiba groaned, "this totally sucks!"

Hinata's party was all Ino's idea. The girl had it all planned even before the match. The faith her friends had in her abilities really uplifted her confidence.

"We're all chunin now, what did you expect?" Shino's rhetorical question was met with a petulant grumble from his team-mate.

"I'll save you some cake," Hinata offered.

Kiba grinned. "And a date?"

Shino slapped Kiba's head in one swift movement, a gesture he'd learned from Sakura that proved to be effective. Although instead of a brutish smack, it was an reprimanding whack. Kiba shot him an annoyed look that seemed angrier because he bared his sharp canines. Hinata hid her laughter behind her hand as Shino merely looked at him through his shades, poker-faced as if nothing happened.

"Bye Hinata," Shino said, taking one hand out of his pocket to wave.

Maybe in another universe she'd be on Team 8. Kurehai would be her sensei and Kiba and Shino her teammates. Hinata wondered for a moment how different her life would have been.

A/N: In this story the Twin Lion Fists is Hinata's own jutsu. Because it's a time-skip the main three characters won't be interacting yet but I hope you see the change in character as they grow older.

Please review!