Define Destiny

A/N: Chapter 5! Have I ever mentioned how much I love reviews? They encourage me to write the next chapter. I'm so eager to start the next part of the story that I even posted this chapter up early. Nothing much happens in this chapter. I guess I could say that it ends the first part of the plot and now we're moving onto the next. I hope you like it!

Oh, before I forget: some reviews wanted to know where exactly the story takes place in the Naruto timeline. It takes place a few years after the time skip so that is why Hinata isn't extremely shy around Naruto. She had gotten used to him being around as opposed to how she reacted at the beginning of Naruto II. Hinata has changed since she is no longer the young girl she used to be, though she is still very insecure. They are all between 17-18 years old.

Remember to review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Hinata, or any other character.

Chapter 5

Hinata stood in the bathroom, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Her skin was paler than usual, contrasting horribly with the blood on her lower lip. The dark bruise on her cheek was painfully noticeable. And she had thought her day was going to be perfect. Fate had definitely screwed her over.

She stripped from her kimono and stepped into the shower. She turned on the water, basking in the warmth it cast over her. She only hoped she didn't catch a cold. That was all she needed now.

She stayed under the water for over an hour, gazing blankly at the white tiles, trying to keep her mind blank. She left the bathroom wrapped in a soft blue robe, feeling calm. Her body began trembling the moment she stepped out. Apparently she still hadn't gotten over it all. She doubted she ever would.

"Hinata-sama?"

She jumped in surprise, a gasp escaping her lips. Her heart was racing. She had completely forgotten her cousin had been in her room. "Are you alright?"

"Y-yes, Neji-nii-san," Hinata replied, her voice shaky. "The b-bath was r-refreshing."

Neji shook his head and tapped the space in front of him. Hinata walked to him and sat down, legs crossed. Neji shifted and sat closer to her. He opened the first aid kit on his lap and put some ointment on his index finger. With his left hand, he tilted her head up, towards him. Hinata flinched away.

Neji sighed and pulled her forward. He gently spread the ointment over the bruise, murmuring 'sorry' when she cringed because he had pressed too hard. Suddenly, her head snapped backwards. Her face contorted with pain.

He winced and said, "Try to not move too much."

Hinata nodded and settled back into position. Neji silently continued applying the medicine. They were both quiet for some time until Neji spoke.

"I won't say anything to Hiashi-sama about this."

She looked at him with surprise. "Y-you won't?"

"No, but we do need to talk about it." He replied calmly. They settled back into the silence.

"Finished," he said. Neji stood up, closing the kit with a loud snap. Hinata nodded, wrapping the robe around her tighter.

He walked to the bathroom, disappearing behind the door. She heard him open a drawer, some shuffling, and the loud noise as he shut it. He reappeared and he sat down again.

"Why did she hit you?" Neji asked.

Hinata flinched. "I was d-disrespectful." she whispered. Her stutter was more pronounced as if this event had pushed her further back into her shell.

There was a knock on the wood and she glanced sharply at the door, her eyes wide. "It's just a servant." Neji said. He stood and slid open the door. A young woman stood there, a tray with two cups and a small pot in her hands. She bowed and said, "The tea you asked for, Neji-sama." Her gaze flickered to the bruised Hinata and back to him.

"Thank you." Neji took it from her and promptly closed the door.

He handed a cup to Hinata and took one for himself. They sipped in silence for a minute.

"She's gone." Neji said suddenly. Hinata glanced at him, eyebrows raised.

"Some servants like to stay behind and listen in." he clarified. "Now we can speak. What exactly did you say to her?"

Hinata raised the cup to her lips with shaking hands and took a long drink, gulping it down. "I said," Her voice seemed to fade as she spoke. "That I c-couldn't wait until I-I was head so I c-could fix some things, like h-her being an elder."

A rather uncharacteristic snort escaped Neji. "I would completely back you up if you ever tried. Stupid hag just couldn't handle the truth and decided to take it out on you."

"But t-that still doesn't make what she did r-right!" Hinata exclaimed. Her eyes welled up with tears.

Neji's gaze softened. "I never said it did, Hinata-sama."

She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself. "That wasn't all that h-happened."

Now, Neji raised an elegant eyebrow. "What else?"

"S-she saw me w-with Naruto-kun and was upset."

"Why would she get angry?"

Hinata flushed and shook her head vigorously. "I-I don't know!"

He peered at her curiously before sighing. He knew that although Hinata was shy, she wasn't an idiot. She wouldn't tell him why, but Neji believed he knew. Neji stood and collected both their empty cups. "Just take care of yourself, Hinata-sama." Neji walked towards the door and stepped out of Hinata's bedroom.

"Thank you, Neji-nii-san."

"I'll see you in the morning." He closed the door behind him and walked away.

&&&&&&&&&&

She was all at once aware of a falling feeling so deep that she gasped. She had apparently rolled out of her bed and was lying on the cold, wood floor, her bruised cheek pressed against it. Hinata rolled back onto her bed and forced her eyes open, rubbing the palms of her hands into them.

Dim rays of sunlight filtered into her room through the door, creating a wonderful effect across the ceiling, making it seem like the small particles of dust were falling towards her. She lay there for a few more minutes, her breathing even, her thoughts scattered.

She sat up, her body feeling heavy, and pushed back her covers. She stood and walked to her bathroom. She stepped onto the cold floor, a shiver running through her. She turned on the lights and glanced in the mirror. A scowl distorted her face.

The bruised seemed to have gotten worse over night, all though Neji's ointment had lessened the swelling. She thanked him silently for that. Her dark hair was wild, the crease of the pillow on her cheek.

The seventeen-year-old slowly washed, lingering under the hot water. She walked back to her room, leaving a trail of jasmine scented air behind her as she did. Hinata picked out her usual outfit: black pants, black shirt, and jacket. She slid her feet into her shoes, strapped on her shuriken holster, and loosely tied her headband around her neck. She brushed her hair, letting it frame her face. Her bangs slightly hung over the bruise, but they didn't really help.

Hinata sighed and turned, leaving her room. She walked outside and left Hyuga grounds without even bothering to go eat breakfast. She didn't want to see her father or sister. She knew they would ask questions. Questions she did not want to answer.

She traveled through Konoha, arriving at the Ichiraku Ramen Shop just as it was opening up for the day. She knew from several other times that she had left early, going on a mission or some other thing, that Ichiraku served breakfast as well as ramen. She sat on a stool and rested her elbows on the counter, her head held in her hands.

"Ohayo!" was the cheerful greeting from Ayame. "What can I get you this morning?" The woman's eyes glittered with energy, her smile full of warmth. Hinata looked up at her and muttered, "The regular breakfast."

Ayame peered at the Hyuga heiress with concern, her eyes instantly spotting the bruise on her cheek. "Are you alright?" she asked.

Hinata dismissed the question with a slight wave of her hand saying, "Just f-fine. I went a little overboard with t-training, that's all." It was her first lie of the day.

Ayame smiled at her before turning around and handing her father the order. The sounds of cooking filled the air.

Soon, her breakfast was placed in front of her, the aroma completely enticing. She thanked Ayame and began eating, realizing that she was starving. She had not eaten anything since lunch the day before, unable to eat dinner because of…certain things. She finished quickly and left, leaving the money beside the empty plate.

She found herself just walking around as Konoha began to awaken, as villagers filled the streets going about their daily lives. Not one glance was spared for her; she fit right in amongst the roaming ninja.

Her thoughts strayed to Hikari and images of the previous night began to replay in her mind. The undisguised hatred in her pale eyes, the indifference with which she spoke, the fool she made of her.

A claustrophobic feeling began to settle over her. Hinata closed her eyes, trying to control her breathing. She felt there were too many people around. She couldn't have a fit in the middle of a crowd. Word would get around to her father and it would be hell. She had only one option…

To run.

And she ran.

The wind whipped past her at the speed she was going. She rushed through the open gates of Konoha and disappeared into the forest on the outskirts of the village. She found a clearing and stopped at the foot of a tree. She collapsed on the ground and curled into a ball, tears streaming down her face. She was emotionally unstable, that was confirmed. Her encounter with Hikari had left her weaker than before, more insecure.

She just cried, sometimes loud sobs that echoed in the forest. Sometimes soft cries only she could hear.

After a while, her tears dried up. She just lay on the ground like a broken doll, tear tracks marking her face.

There was a rustling of leaves and the green foliage was parted. She heard a familiar bark and felt a cold nose pressed against her cheek. "Akamaru, where are you?" She shut her eyes tighter, wishing for him to go away, wishing to be invisible.

"Hinata!"

She forced her eyes open and found herself staring into the concerned eyes of Inuzuka Kiba. She knew he was assuming the worst. Even a slow person could put two and two together and assume the worst. She was crying, probably had dirt smears on her face, and had a bruised cheek. She knew he was on the verge of setting out in a fit of rage to find who ever did this to her.

The sad thing was that she had done it to herself. She had brought all of this onto herself.

"K-Kiba-kun…" she said weakly, sitting up.

"Hinata, what happened to you? I'll kill the bastard who did this!"

Yes, she knew her teammate well, too well.

"It was n-nobody, Kiba-kun. I-I just h-had an accident."

He helped her up and brushed the dirt off her face gently. "Some accident," he muttered under his breath.

"You found her?" It was Shino. He stepped into the clearing, as calm as ever. At least there was someone who was stable in her group.

"Yeah, I don't think she's all that well." replied Kiba in a low voice. It wasn't low enough. She heard him.

"Hey!" She protested. "I t-told you I h-had an accident!"

Kiba and Shino glanced at each other before looking back at her. She crossed her arms and eyed them suspiciously. "What?"

"Neji told us you would say that." Kiba said.

Her mouth fell open, her arms dropping to her sides. "H-he told you what e-exactly?"

"Everything," They said in unison.

She felt faint and her knees gave out. Kiba caught her and held her up, supporting her with an arm around her shoulders. "F-forgive me for n-not telling you earlier,"

"It's alright." Shino said. "Yeah! Though we were worried," Kiba added.

Hinata had to admit that she was feeling a tiny bit angry with Neji. Why would he go telling to her teammates? The last thing she needed was them going psycho on her family.

As if reading her mind, Kiba pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, "We won't interfere with family matters unless your life is at stake. But that bruise does look nasty. Don't let her push you around like that."

"We're here for you if you need help. Just ask." She always accepted Shino's calm logic.

She blushed and smiled. "Thank you, Kiba-kun, Shino-kun."

They settled down onto the ground, not talking, simply enjoying each other's presence. She needed to just be around people who cared, who wouldn't judge, in order to slowly heal. And she knew that she would heal with their help.

Kiba and Shino sat back to back with Hinata leaning against them. She held Kiba's hand in her right and Shino's in her left. It was all very familiar, as if she were reliving a scene from when she had been a genin, when everyone was still so simple.

She knew she could trust them. She could count on them to be there for her. They would help.

"What's so fragile that even saying its name can break it?" Kiba asked suddenly.

"Uh…I don't know." Hinata tried.

Shino glanced at Kiba and sighed, shaking his head. "Just tell us."

"Silence!"

"That you broke." Shino said.

Hinata began laughing, soon joined by her two teammates. Once they were done, their ribs hurt. She cupped her cheek, pained. "Kiba, you m-made my cheek hurt!" She playfully punched him in the arm before falling back to lean on them again.

A comfortable silence fell over them. The only sounds heard were the twittering of birds and their breathing. This time she was the one who broke the silence.

"I'm okay now." she stated happily.

"'Cause we're here, right?" Kiba was sure of the answer. His confidence made her smile.

"Y-yeah…"

They remained that way for the rest of the day, reminiscing about things they did as a genin team. Their laughter filled the clearing every few minutes.

Maybe things did happen for the best.