Chapter 5: Changes

Hinata's P.O.V

"Thank you Ino-san for letting me stay here," I said in a grateful tone of voice.

"Hinata! Come on now, you don't have to be so formal with me! After all, what are friends for?" She said smiling.

I nodded my head.

Throwing herself on the couch, Ino-san motioned for me to sit down, but I didn't see it. Instead, my eyes wandered around the room, taking in the amount of space I predicted it would be able to provide. The limited amount would be one or two.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a small photo encased in a frame, sitting on the top of a work desk. I examined it, looking over every detail it held. It was Ino and her father. In the picture, she appeared to be at least four or five years old. She stood proudly with her two fingers positioned in the victory pose, showing off a toothy grin. Her father stood behind her with the same facial expression, but instead, he had wrapped his arms around her neck, his chin resting on the top of her head. They both looked so happy, as if without a care in the world. I had always wanted Father and me to be happy like that someday, but…..

I knew it was a day that would never arrive.

At the moment, a sound snapped me back to attention.

Ino stood in front of me. I saw that she had placed the photo face down, her hand resting atop.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled.

Steam arose in puffs, fogging the showers' glass door and bathroom mirror. I rested against the wall, letting the warm water wash over my tensed body, relaxing the aching muscles. Sighing inwardly, I let my mind play back to what happened only hours ago.
I hoisted the knapsack over my shoulder, slipping on my sandals, and ready for the departure I was about to make out of this hellhole known as home. Just as I was about to take a step outside, a sudden jolt ran throughout my body. It was the feeling of a presence behind me. Turning around, I came face to face with Neji nii-san. His eyes stared right into mine as if searching for something. We remained silent.

He knew already.

Flashback:

I seated myself on the tatami flooring, poking both my index fingers together. It was a habit of mine whenever I felt nervous. And right now, I was feeling it. The lamp in the corner of the room provided little light. It was as if a dark shadow had cast itself over the room, but I knew the real reason was that the light bulb would eventually burn out later. Father had not arrived yet, so I amused myself by braiding a bit of my hair. I wrapped it carefully to make sure no knots would be seen. After what felt like endless hours of waiting, I was about to give up and fall to the ground in a deep slumber when the bamboo door on my right slid open. My father stepped in with his cold, uncaring eyes. He walked over to the front of the room and seated himself in front of me. I bowed my head low to show respect. I heard an approved grunt. Realizing that he had motioned for me to sit up, I did so quickly.

"That is enough," he said waving his hand in the air. "You no longer need to do that here anymore."

"Huh?" I was confused by what he had said. All Hyuga's showed respect towards anyone. If not, they would be punished for their rudeness.

"Hinata…..your behavior yesterday was most unacceptable." "To run out during the ceremony was very childish of you," he stated. "I would expect better of a woman twenty years of her age."

That moment, I felt like melting into a puddle and disappearing from the world. I always knew that he would be upset with that runaway. "Gomen, father," I said bowing my head low once again, then rising up to meet his eyes. "I don't know what came over me."

That was a lie.

"Nor do I, he said in that cold voice of his, but you have gone too far this time." His eyes bored into mine, that if possible, I could be burned with the gaze. "I have spoken with the Elders, he said, not tearing his look away from me. "To make sure you will never shame this family again, it has led to one conclusion."

I gulped, afraid of what he would say next.

There was a tense silence that followed after that.

"I will ask you to move out of the Hyuga household by tonight," he stated promptly.

I stared at him.

Keeping my head low, I stared into the ground, as if it led into a never ending abyss. I knew that he had planned to get rid of me one day, but….I didn't think it would be today. My hopes were too high, thinking that he would forgive me for my stunt. Let's just say I was a believer. Though, I had nothing to believe in anymore. My family, my father, was going to throw out the Hyuga heir, me. I balled both my hands into fists, clenching them tightly at my sides.

I hated being in this family.

"Hai….Otousan."

I got up, ready to leave the room and pack my things. As I slid open the door, their on the other side, stood Neji nii-san. I stared at him for a few seconds looking over his figure.

"You have returned from your mission already, Nee-san?" I asked smiling up at him.

He nodded his head.

"I'm glad you're safe."

"…...Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I bowed slightly and walked away, leaving Neji nii-san standing at the doorway. Before I left, I had noticed something in his eyes, as he stared at my father.

Pure hatred.

End Flashback:

After the staring had been put aside, I turned away, not wanting him to see me anymore. It was embarrassing.

"I'll be leaving now, Neji nii-san," I said quietly.

Taking two more steps into the cold night, I stopped short when he called out to me. Turning around, I felt a pair of arms around my shoulders.

Neji….was embracing me.

I heard a snapping sound, but decided to ignore it. My body sank into the embrace. Again, I felt like crying. What a baby! I scolded myself.

Standing there, he released his hold on me. I stared up into his sharp eyes, eyes that held confidence, and blazing determination.

"Goodbye….Neji."

Finally, I was able to stop myself from using the suffix.

A/N: I….am so sorry! I just couldn't post up early enough for two reasons. One was writer's block, and two was that I had class projects from all four of my core classes. They took me forever to put together. I had to even pull a bunch of all nighters for two weeks! I'm sorry about this chapter being short, but I just don't want anyone to wait so long. Don't worry, I only have one more week of school, and then I can stay up all night and type away. MWAHAHAHA!
To all who have reviewed:

Satoko-hime: You love me? Lol just joking too! You're so sweet! Thank you!

Hibiyuru: Thank you! I'm glad I'm getting more reviews too. There will be many sasuhina interactions in later chapters or possibly….the next.

Shanice Miharu: I'm glad you liked the lemon, but it was a pretty sucky lemon if you ask me. Glad you liked it though! You're waaaay too nice. You've reviewed my story a lot, I appreciate that.

mUcHaChAnGiStAriRaY: Yeah I know, sorry bout that. It's just that we have too many projects determining our final grade. And all and all, I'm not too good of a student. You think this is aKibahina hint hmm? Well wait and find out!

xxMizukixx: I'm hooked on your story way more than you're hooked on mine! Speaking of which, please update that one soon, it's one of the stories that I love to death. Thank you for your nice comment!

Lems: It's a good thing you like sasuhina, but for narusaku? I don't wanna disappoint you, but I'm still considering whether or not to make this a narusaku. Thank you for the long review, I just love reading long ones!

Krn-kimbap: I'm really happy that someone actually appreciated the small parts of humor I tried adding in, thank you so much!

ShikaruTo: Well, he does deserve to be hit for what he did. And sorry. No Sasuke in that chapter or this one. He will be back in chapter six though. Yes, I really thought making Kiba jump into Hinata's room would be cute too. Yes, Hinata will learn of Sasuke's kissing her later.

Fractured wings 01: Well it's true, you are a good writer. I'm sure you already read what Hiashi wanted to talk to Hinata about.

Hokai Amplifier: Oh I'm so sorry! I knew about your birthday when you mentioned it in one of your chapters. I wanted to email you something, but the next day, the damn server was overloaded! I'm glad I was able to change your opinion of Naruto. I love the guy, but in this fic for the sake of sasuhina, I have to make him a bastard.

YumYum-Chan: You're the author that wrote "Never give up!" Please update that story soon, I love it! Thank you!

Nekema: Yeah, I did feel sorry for Sakura when I was writing that part, but I feel even more sorry for Kiba almost taking that two story plunge. Lol Thank you for the nice comments!

All of you guys are so nice, but don't hesitate to criticize some of my writing. Everyone has flaws, and I really need to know mine. I'll probably update a week from now. Final grades are coming in, so i don't want to screw up. Khmer loves you all for the nice reviews!