Changes - 変更

It was late afternoon when Hinata and Neji Hyuuga were coming back home from their usual routine around the village. They were me by another Hyuuga who bowed before them upon entering the newly restored compound

"We're back" announced Hinata

"Welcome" the man acknowledged and started to inform them

"Hiashi-sama wants to speak to both of you now; he awaits you in his room. The two immediately crossed the courtyard and went towards the main house section. Hinata was first to enter and politely greeted her father as she slid the shouji door open.

"Father, you requested for us" Hinata bowed before a stern looking man in dark robes seated before a low table full of books and scrolls, he held an ink brush in one hand. A strong ambiance of authority vibrated from him, his presence commanded both respect and fear among those who came across him.

Neji entered after his cousin and made a low bow as he arrived, both quietly knelt before the serious looking man.

Hiashi Hyuuga raised his head up revealing a stoic face with eyes paler than the two Hyuugas before him; he began to stir neatly putting aside the ink brush in his hand. The atmosphere of uneasiness hung in the air as the clan leader regarded both of them wordlessly as if making an assessment.

"I hope everything had gone well for both of you" he said, breaking the silence in the room. Hinata was about to speak when Hiashi suddenly interjected

"I need the two of you to make time for training and think about your clear path in life, our clan needs its strength back" the two were taken aback, although it was forthcoming for them to seriously pursue their goals, its proposition was earlier than expected especially since the war had barely ended.

"Many events happened and I must say much have improved from you my daughter" Hiashi turned his gaze towards Hinata who looked pleased upon hearing such words from her father.

Hiashi continued, crossing his arms hidden beneath his long robes.

"In a few years, I wish to retire from my position as a leader" a small gasped escaped from Hinata while Neji remained expressionless.

"Both of you have displayed great courage and nobility not just for our clan's but also for the village's welfare, I believe it's time for the succession of leadership to be slowly handed down to the next generation"

He looked at both of them solemnly, the finality of his decision resonated in his eyes.

"Both of you" these words had particularly caught Neji's attention, suddenly recalling unforeseen episodes during the war:

Obito eventually had a change of heart and made use of rinne tensei to revive people who died in battle. It was in this moment when Neji Hyuuga had suddenly gained consciousness, slowly it dawned upon him that he had escaped death; friends and clanmates loomed before him rejoicing his resurrection and even more startling as one of them pointed out - the caged bird seal was no more. It had disappeared upon his death but failed to reappear in its usual place when he was brought back to existence.

Indeed, this second lease of life has brought him good fortune, a new life free from the vile mark that plagued him for most of his being.

"Is he entrusting the leadership to both of them and defying clan traditions?"

"I understand that although the village is still recuperating" continued the leader, "The jounin examinations is still going to take place in six-months' time, I want you to pass it Hinata, I will personally supervise your formal training, I have also spoken to Yuhai–san to assist you" Hinata remained silent, the anxiety of all this news was creeping through her rapidly.

Hiashi went on to explain the arrangements made for her training; it was going to begin the very next day and would not only include learning various jutsu but social graces as well.

"You are to be at the dojo early morning for your briefing," Hinata tried to keep her composure; Neji gave her a brief look of concern as he sensed her distress. Hiashi finishing with Hinata had dismissed her, the young girl was flustered as she took her leave while Neji was told remain.

Shifting his position to face Hiashi directly, Neji waited for him to speak, he already had a vague idea about his uncle's concern and it was a delicate issue that the whole clan has been skirting around for quite some time now. Hiashi briefly cast his eyes down as if momentarily lost in his own thoughts; finally he looked up, letting out a deep sigh

"My nephew, though I have not directly addressed this matter about the removal of your seal, I am very happy and relieved that you are free of it" a small smile came to Hiashi's lips. Neji felt an elation within him; he was worried about the clan's reaction for being an unsealed branch house member but having the leader's confidence relaxed him a bit.

"I am grateful for your support, truly this is an unexpected turn in my life, and I have no intention of causing any disturbance within the clan" assured Neji, Hiashi raised an eyebrow detecting some tension in his nephew's words.

"I know that you will cause no trouble by taking claim of the leadership"

"And the council is in agreement not to put back the seal but…." Neji braced himself, sensing the shift in Hiashi's voice.

"Hinata will remain the successor and this is only if she has proven her worth for the position." Hiashi's voice softened, his eyes had become gentle as he continued

"If she fails to do so…there was silent pause, then you will takeover."

"This is not about following our traditions, I have my selfish reasons, I want to give Hinata one more chance to take her place, but as a leader I need to be objective, you are the most sensible choice to rule our family, and thus you will have the opportunity if she fails to meet expectations."

Hiashi's display of wisdom and candour astonished Neji, he was breaking traditions for logic and fairness, and it was done not just to serve the demands of their clan but also that of a caring father and uncle.

Truly, Neji's life has drastically turned around; he was getting much more that what he had hoped for, silently he thought about his father and how happy he would have been to see how different fate had become for the branch house.

"I am indebted to your kindness and the opportunity you have given me, but I wish to continue my development as a shinobi regardless of who is selected as the clan's leader"

Hiashi had expected such an answer from Neji, he understood this young man's mind was above the politics of the family. Neji started to speak again, catching Hiashi by surprise with his words

"I also want to inform you, I intend to join the ANBU" his voice had the same tone of finality earlier used by his uncle. Hiashi remained impassive and turned his head away, closing his eyes for a few seconds; this was another expected choice from his nephew. Although it would make some complications in the succession of the clan's leadership if serious harm or death happens to this young man, he would still give his blessing.

"You have my acceptance on this; perhaps your time in ANBU would also hone your skills further and your progress will benefit the clan if you are to become the next leader"

"And most importantly…" Hiashi's voice became gentle, almost fatherly.

"Whoever becomes leader in the end, I only ask that you take care of Hinata's well-being, I am thankful that your relations have improved, please look after her even after my passing" with these words, Hiashi moved slowly in front of Neji bowing before him until his temple touched the floor.

"Onegaishimasu" the leader finally said full of pleading.

Hinata had quietly left the compound after the meeting with her father; she was going to see Kurenai Yuhi that day but decided to go outside earlier to clear her mind. So many questions bothered her as she felt a deep heaviness inside her.

Lost in her thoughts, she walked aimlessly in the street unaware of her surroundings until she ended up in the village center.

Much of the village was levelled by Pain's attack and the rebuilding was slowed down due to the preparation for war. Hinata found herself in the middle of a bustling street, people around hurriedly passed by as the loud noises from the construction could be heard. Rows of building, houses, shops, the academy and the Hokage's tower were now slowly taking form as the rebuilding went on.

"Hinata!" a loud voice called from behind followed by a rough but friendly tap in her shoulder. It was the village hero himself, Naruto Uzumaki joined by another fellow shinobi, Sakura Haruno.

Both had been spending more time together especially after Sasuke Uchiha's return to the village and showed much support for their teammate's homecoming. Their bond was closer than ever. Like everyone else the war had changed them, pushing them as individuals and teammates to a more positive direction, Naruto has taken complete control of the Kyuubi, while Sakura emulated her mentor's strength of a Hundred Seals as evidenced by the diamond shaped seal in her forehead.

"Naruto kun" Hinata said, her face turning a deep shade of red.

"How are you Hinata" greeted Naruto, both hands at the back of his head, a smile plastered across his cheerful face.

"I'm fine, where are you two going?" she inquired trying her best to hide her shyness. It was Sakura who answered her,

"We're going to meet Sasuke at Tsunade-sama's office, we're waiting for the council and Hokage's final decision regarding Sasuke's status here in the village" the kunoichi sounded worried, her concern for Sasuke was well known to everyone. Naruto turned to look at his teammate, his eyes registered sadness and hope at the same time

"Don't worry, I'll do everything to help Sasuke, it's going to be okay" he placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder. A moment of awkward silence wrapped them as the mutual sentiment of deep care for the Uchiha was unknowingly expressed between the two.

The day has been a series of shock and disappoint for Hinata, seeing the person she loved the most had remained oblivious, despite her obvious affected manner in his presence, despite her impromptu confession- then it dawned upon her, he knows- he simply refused to acknowledge it, perhaps too preoccupied with the pink haired girl he has been in love with from the very start. She can never take her place, the two had an exclusive connection built and tested since their time together from childhood, growing and sharing, through thick and thin - emerging together as better people.

With nothing else to say and with this realization in mind, Hinata held back tears that threatened to fall

"I should go now, I need to see Kurenai-sensei, please send my regards to Uchiha-san" she said, turning to walk away as the heavy feeling inside her started to come back.

Kurenai Yuhi's home was a modest house surrounded by trees with a small cleared path leading towards it, Hinata arrived to see her old sensei sitting in one of the wooden benches in front of the house, she was cradling an infant, mother and child facing each other, locked in a serene moment.

"It's good to see you Hinata" smiling red eyes greeted her, the bliss of motherhood radiating from her face. Hinata smiled back but failed to deceive Kurenai's sharp eye, traces of sadness and anxiety still showed in Hinata's face.

"I'm okay, how's is the baby?" she approached to take a peek at the small infant sleeping in her mother's arms, feeling a bit relaxed to see such tranquillity. Kurenai slowly stood up, taking the child inside the house. "I'll be back".

Hinata sat at the wooden bench looking into the horizon, it was almost dusk and the remaining daylight was clashing with darkness painting the skies with a spectrum of colors. Kurenai had returned with a tray laden with two cups of tea.

"I can see from your worried face that your father has already told you about the training" Hinata remained quiet as she took the cup that kurenai offered her.

"Sensei…." Her eyes were far away, "I know I have improved since, but it seems that everything around me is rapidly changing again and I- I feel l'm being left behind"

Kurenai gave her an appraising look. She turned to face her student

"Hinata, change may not always be easy and it's inevitable...we should learn to live with it and create positive things from them. I have lost Asuma but in his place I now have our beautiful child to cherish." Hinata was surprised by her sensei's candour to open her memories of her late partner, she was cautious not to remind Kurenai of her lost, but her sensei merely continued, not a hint of sorrow in her voice.

"If you want a wider perspective, just look at the village….Pain had made a clean slate of it and people are trying hard to rebuild it, but it will never be the same as before, this is change. The war itself has ushered many things, we lost some comrades but some have also returned." Sasuke suddenly came into Hinata's mind with Kurenai's words.

"I suppose you think you're inadequate because you see much improvement in your friends' abilities". Kurenai directly looked at her student, Hinata's heavy ache had reached its peak, tears started to fall down uncontrollably while Kurenai reached out to embrace her. She gently stroked her head as the muffled sounds of Hinata's cries echoed in the quietness of their surroundings.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity"

― Sun-Tzu―