Author Notes: Welcome to the 10th Chapter of Naruto Sempai. I hold you have some delicious snack and drink available, because I want you to enjoy this as much as you can!
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Naruto Sempai: Chapter 10 – Unhappy Endings
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Hinata was barely able to guard. She whirled around in an attempt to block the attack with her Byakugan she saw coming, but was too slow. She found herself flying backwards. Naruto standing facing her, an open palm extended. With a painful thud Hinata crashed into the ground. She wasted no time in picking herself back up again, returning to her stance. Naruto mimicked it.
They had been training like this for hours now. Naruto was actually surprised she could last this long without a break. There weren't many ninja at all after all who could fight using their full strength for such extended periods of time. He resisted the smile he felt coming on. It shown not only endurance, but control of ones own energy and chakra. Even if such a trait was unlikely to help her to pass the Genin exams, it would help her as a kunoichi, and it would definitely help her in training.
Hinata decided to go on the offensive this time. Naruto moved back, dodging her attacks as they each came. He hadn't at all taken any steps to mastering this fighting style, but made up for it with superior speed and equal precision. Though he had no doubt that at some point soon her precision would surely surpass his own. In an instant Hinata kicked off towards him hard. He shot to the side to avoid the blow. Were she serious, the glancing blow she had just managed to land would have been sufficient.
"Integrating our training into your fighting so soon?" he questioned, with a grin. Hinata span around to face him, with a small satisfied smile of her own.
'She was able to combine the Hyuuga style's highly offensive attack pattern with a perfect lunge… Interesting, Hyuuga Hinata. A high risk move, but surely a deciding one in an actual battle.´ he summarised mentally. Again Hinata took the offence, emboldened by her previous success. He continued to stick to dodging as opposed blocking. It would serve her better to try to hit him over getting past his guard. After all, when she became fast enough, her enemies would be too slow to guard. Even assuming they understood how to guard against it.
Naruto could see her steadily working him into a corner. Was she going to lunge again? Suddenly she stopped. He paused, but then he sensed it too. Someone was coming. Hinata deactivated her Byakugan, but what Naruto noticed more was her apparent rise of discomfort. He turned to see a genin approaching them.
He instantly recognised this person as a Hyuuga. Approximately of their own age, perhaps one or two years older. He, unlike Hinata however strongly resembled what Naruto had come to think of as a 'typical Hyuuga'. Stern, cool and collected. Noting Hinata's discomfort he decided he would engage this Hyuuga him. He took a step towards the boy
"Hyuuga-san, you seem to be interrupting our training." He said, being careful to maintain appropriate respect. The boy seemed to look Naruto over before his eyes fixed on Hinata. Naruto frowned, if only for a fraction of a second before he caught himself. Something about how he was looking at Hinata didn't feel quite right.
"Apologies, Hinata-sama" he said giving a curt bow "But Hiashi-sama requests your immediate presence"
Naruto glanced at Hinata. This was out of his hands. Hinata only nodded at the boys words and took steps forward ahead of Naruto, before turning to him
"Th-thank you for today's training Naruto-Sempai" she said with a polite bow. Naruto smiled and nodded back, calculating the relationship out her and the boy out. As clearly there were conflicts present. He decided not to say anything back, given he didn't fully understand all the workings going on. Given that Hinata turned and left, not waiting for one, he took that as a sign he was right in doing so.
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Hinata could only follow Neji all the way back to the Hyuuga estate. Though she longed to simply train, she knew that there was no chance of Neji taking no for an answer, and she didn't want to provoke him further than her mere presence seemed to already.
'At least by the feel of things it's nothing urgent' she supposed, though immediately wondered if she would even be able to tell if something urgent to her father would at all influence how Neji dealt with it. Probably not.
Neji came to a halt outside her fathers private study and simply stood next to the door. Hinata resisted doing anything that might reveal her nerves and politely knocked. After a moments pause she heard her father from the other side.
"Enter" he instructed. She obediently slid the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind her. Her father gestured for her to sit before him, again she did as intrusted. She sat waiting for him patiently as she knew she must before he finally spoke.
"The genin exams are now only 2 months away" he said, his very voice ringing with authority "I trust the preparations for your exams are unhindered" he spoke more than he asked.
"Yes, f-father" she stammered. He didn't respond to it, but she knew what he thought of her stutter. Even with Naruto's help there were certain people that she just couldn't help it with.
"I see" he said, pausing. Hinata had to concentrate on not holding her breath "Your past progress reports at the academy revealed that you were expected to fail the exams. Are you saying this is no longer the case?" he asked. Hinata avoided with all of her will not to look away.
"Yes father" she repeated. There was another pause.
"While this pleases me, I will ask how it is you have changed this" It was Hinata's turn to pause. She couldn't tell why, but her mind flashed over the photo of Naruto on the store wall of people who were not welcome. She then realised she was keeping her father waiting.
"I have acquired the help of a tutor, father" she said as evenly toned as she could.
"A tutor you say?" he asked "Are they a classmate of yours?" he asked. Hinata could sense that if that were the case he would not be pleased. The idea of a Hyuuga taking help from someone supposedly at least their equal would not be well received.
"N-No father. He is a Chuunin who has assisted Iruka-Sensei" she explained. But Hiashi's expression narrowed.
"Are you referring to Uzumaki Naruto?" He asked, his voice lined with what she could only conclude was concern.
"Y-Yes father" she answered. Now somewhat confused as to how her father knew Naruto. He closed his eyes and breathed a heavy sign
"Hyuuga Hinata. You may no longer receive training from Uzumaki Naruto" Hinata's world shattered. She was about to blurt out a 'why' before she got the better of herself and held strong. But that didn't go unseen by Hiashi
"You have my instructions" he finished. With that, Hinata she knew she was free to go. But at the same she was back to where she was weeks ago. Completely trapped, with no visible escape. She rose and left the room, walking right past Neji, and headed directly for her own room. She wouldn't let them see her 'weakness'.
Safely behind her door, she leant against it, at the same time she let herself fall, both literally and mentally. She felt the tight knot in her throat to squeeze as the tears rolled down her cheeks. She held her knees up and rested her head on them. Why did this have to happen? This was her chance to get strong. Her chance to escape falling into the same pattern of her entire life; Failure. She had so many hopes resting on it.
But most importantly; she knew she wouldn't be able to spend time with Naruto anymore. That thought somehow made her cry harder.
Just when finally she was starting to feel as though she wasn't alone. The someone did care. Not just for her success, but for her. She found herself torturing herself by thinking of all the times they had gone for Ichiraku's ramen. How Naruto would always ask how she was, how he day was going. Even such simple things meant everything when that was all you had.
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The following day Hinata kept entirely to herself, spending all of her time staring blankly at her academy books in a feeble attempt to distract herself from her reality. As expected it wasn't working in the least. Instead she found herself envisioning the conversation she would have to have with Naruto over and over. The answer to her question never far from her mind.
Last night she had cried because of her own loneliness. Today she found herself crying over what she knew Naruto would have to return to.
So there she sat, staring at the page whilst comparing their solitudes.
Hers was being surrounded by people with whom you could never connect to.
His was being totally alone, the only interaction with his fellow Ninja and potentially clients.
How could we be so surrounded by people, yet at the exact same time be so alone? It didn't make any sense!
With a heavy sigh she closed the book, turning to look out of the window.
'What is the world's problem with you Naruto-Sempai' she thought 'Maybe that is the question I should of asked? But it would be so personal…' She scanned her mind, trying desperately to work it out. She had spent a fair amount of time with him, one would of assumed that anything big enough that every adult seemed to know about could be worked out from her time.
But she came to no conclusions she felt were at all accurate. Anything she could think of that would have both shop owners as well as her father on less-than-neutral terms she couldn't think to be within Naruto's character.
He had shown uncouth behaviour, especially towards Sasuke. However nothing on the scale where her father would rather her fail than to be around him, or be taught by him.
It was a complete mystery. She even wondered about speaking to Sasuke about it. Wondering if perhaps he had discovered if Naruto was disliked, but more importantly why. But she knew she couldn't without raising questions she didn't want to answer. Sasuke had just started speaking to her, and being nice. She didn't want to jeopardise that in anyway.
She felt also forced to realise that even supposing she discovered the problem, there was no guarantee she could do anything about it. It was actually highly unlikely she could.
There was a tap at the door.
"Y-Yes?" Hinata answered, trying to pull herself together if only for a moment. The door slid open to reveal Neji.
"Hiashi-sama wishes to inform you that dinner will be served shortly" he said coolly.
"O-Okay, thank you, Neji-niisan" she said politely. He nodded and reached up to close the door but paused, his arm still extended. His eyes flickered back to her.
"Perhaps you would wish to regroup before attending, Hinata-sama" he said then closing the door.
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Unfortunately for Hinata time stood still for no one. She glanced at the clock above Iruka sensei knowing that now in under an hour she would have to explain to Naruto that her father was denying her permission to train with him. She folded her arms on her desk and sank in her seat, allowing her face to be buried in her arms.
Sasuke noticed this and frowned slightly.
'Even now I am completely unprepared' she thought to herself in despair. 'How could I possibly-'
"Hinata, are you alright?" Sasuke asked quietly. Hinata didn't even have the energy to respond as she knew she should. Instead just groaning in her seat. Sasuke blinked. After it was clear she wasn't going to say anything his frown softened.
"If you want to talk…" he began, but trailed off. Even when he tried he couldn't quite bring himself to say it. But she knew, right? So long as she knew that was fine. Suddenly she rolled her head to look at him. Sasuke found himself again surprised. All of these things seemed very uncharacteristic, or at least for what he already knew of her.
"Say, Sasuke-kun" she began, but stopped to think, her eyes shifting towards the desk, before coming back to him "Did you ever find anything out about Naruto-Sempai?"
'Sempai…?' he inwardly mused. But dismissed it, instead sighing at her question.
"Not much." He admitted "Despite my pushing, people just don't seem to know anything about him. Or, more unusual; they claim they cannot speak of him" Hinata slowly sat up in her seat
"Cannot speak of him?" she repeated, confusion evident. Sasuke nodded
"I don't understand it either. But none of them were about to tell me at any point, so I'm guessing it's a mystery we'll never solve." He paused "Is this in anyway related to how you're feeling?"
Hinata re-slumped in her arms.
"No… I guess not. Sorry to bother you Sasuke-kun" she apologised wearily. Sasuke frowned, she was certainly being strange today.
'Perhaps she had been trying to distract herself from it by talking about Naruto?' he supposed. He turned back to his own work, realising if that was the case, and she wasn't talking about it, it would be something better left alone.
The remainder of the hour seemed to pass by far too quickly for Hinata. Before she was even fully away of it she found herself on her way to Ichiraku's ramen. The place had become something of a meeting point for the pair.
"Hinata!" a voice she had been dreading called from behind her. She turned to see the familiar blonde running toward her. She absently looked down.
"Ready to get to work? We have a lot of catching up to do for…" he paused, noticing her expression. Whatever she was about to say wasn't going to be good news.
"Hinata-san, are you alright?" he asked, leaning forward as though he was trying to get under her gaze. She looked up, her eyes already watery.
"N-Naruto-sempai?" she swallowed "M-My fa-father…" she began, but Naruto hushed her gently with a raised hand, already knowing exactly what she was about to say. He stood then with his hand still raised nodding thoughtfully.
"I see" was all he could say "I hope I did a good enough job with you, Hinata-san" he said with a weak smile. She could tell it was forced "You will become a fine Kunoichi, just as you did student." He said, just as a drop fell down her face
'…and friend' he added mentally, but dare not aloud. It would only add needless pain. He was already wishing he didn't even think it.
"Don't cry, Hinata" he said softy, raising his hand up to brush the tear away, causing her to snap her head up to him, a faint rosy colour on her cheek.
"We will still see each other." He assured, forcing his smile larger. Hinata tried a brave smile of her own. Naruto grinned, putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Now, you have training to do. Be sure you pass Hinata-san. Because I look forward to working with you"
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Naruto found himself more irritable in the days following. Finding that things that he would normally brush off he caught himself thinking things normally he knew he never would. Whenever inconveniences occurred he found himself letting loose a curse before he could catch himself. Even in his own training did he feel more agitated. To the point where in his last spar again his tajuu kage bunshin no jutsu he even had used that ability.
"Gahh, What's wrong with me?" he muttered to himself.
"Problem?" a familiar voice came from his left. Naruto glanced to his left to confirm the identity of the voice.
"I don't even know" he almost laughed. Kakashi looked at Naruto through his usual half-open eye.
"Then what is wrong with you?" he asked leaning his elbows on the table, cupping them together. Naruto looked back at his untouched ramen.
"Well for starters I don't even feel like eating that!" he ranted. Kakashi resisted a smile
"Well then that is serious" he half joked. But in truth Kakashi hadn't actually known a problem that could get between Naruto and ramen.
"Well what has changed between now and when you were not… 'wrong'?" Kakashi asked, emphasising the final word. Naruto grunted and scratching his head as though it might fall out of his hair.
"Nothing!" he whined, but stopped for a moment. "Except…" Kakashi was all ears
"Well, I stopped training Hinata" he mused aloud, as though it was the first time he had even considered it. Kakashi on the other hand was surprised that even Naruto could be that dense.
"Is that the first time you've even considered that?" he asked, almost in disbelief. Naruto just frowned as a response.
"…I don't know, I just…"
Kakashi let out a sigh, and looked upward in one of his rarer moment of thought.
"Did you enjoy training with her?" he asked, already knowing what was to come.
"Yeah, of course I did. It was nice to finally be with someone as dedicated as I am!" Naruto replied almost snappishly "She was a good sport with some of my jokes too." He said smiling fondly of the memory of making her faint for the first time.
"She was my friend" He said after a moments notice.
Kakashi allow himself a small smile at the thought. Given his age and rank, most people assumed he would be a snobby child. Others saw him in a different light regardless. But Naruto never really had friends. Just sensei's and subordinates. There was no one his equal of the same age, that much was a given. And even his own genin team he had grown more distant than most with. He was only a replacement for their former member who had passed before them anyway, however, even so he did manage to become friends. Staying friends with people with such an age gap while so young was a large obstacle to overcome. Perhaps too large.
But then something Kakashi did not expect happened. Naruto wiped his eyes.
"Naruto…?" he questioned. Naruto just looked up at him with his usual grin
"Something in my eye" he said. Kakashi looked forward again, and the two sat in silence with Naruto's ramen slowly getting cooler by the minute.
"This is a first" Kakashi mused out loud. Naruto, who had been staring into the abyss, jerked back into reality.
"You mean the ramen?" Naruto suggested. Kakashi shook his head
"Yes, but that's not what I'm talking about" he answered "I've never seen you not fight your problems head on. You're probably the only person I can say that for. Or you used to be anyway…" Naruto opened his mouth to protest angrily but stopped, instead directing his attention behind them. Kakashi was half tempted to turn himself to see if there was someone there.
"You're right Kakashi-sensei." He snickered with a grin "You're exactly right"
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As the week continued Hinata found herself falling back into the place she had been before she had found Naruto. She and tried to keep up with his training schedule. She had even seen him come to watch her sometimes, which only inspired her further. But without the pointers, and the way he pushed her to her limit every time in spars she didn't feel as though she want moving at all anymore.
It was as though without his immediate coaching her entire development became stagnant.
Though Sasuke seemed to only become more open with her, at the same time he had never felt so far away, especially when she saw him during their physical tests. His strength seemed unreal. She could barely seem to keep up with him with her eyes; she had no doubt her body could not.
All the while she could never seem to distract herself from the absence of Naruto. It gnawed at her night and day. She didn't feel it ease with time either. In fact she felt herself go quite the opposite. Each day it felt like more of a burden, as though her mind was deteriorating as quickly as she felt her skills were.
'I wonder how he's doing´ she thought on her way home from the academy. She nearly walked into the person standing waiting for her. She fortunately noticed just in time.
"Oh, Neji-niisan" she gasped, backing up "I'm sorry, I was distracted" he apologised with a bow.
"Hiashi-sama has been waiting for you. He wishes to speak with you immediately" he said, ignoring her apology. Again Neji lead her to her fathers study. As she was invited in she comforted herself by reminding herself that there wasn't much else that she could worry about.
She took her seat and again waiting patiently for her father to talk. This time she noted he was looking at her with an expression which wasn't fully suppressed by the Hyuuga mask. But it was so faint she couldn't read it. She had only hoped it was not anger.
"Tell me of your training recently" He spoke, his voice not affected by whatever emotion he could not control visually, which only made Hinata more intrigued.
"It has not been progressing as well as in times past, father" she answered truthfully. Hiashi closed his eyes and bow his head
"I see." He said, regaining his composure. "Perhaps this will be of interest to you then" he said producing a scroll. He offered it to her. She gingerly took it, then opened it and read its contents.
Dear Hyuuga Hiashi-sama
It has come to my attention that my former student Hyuuga Hinata-san has begun to suffer from not receiving the additional help I provided. Due to this I would like to urge you to reconsider and allow me to once again train her.
Uzumaki Naruto
Hinata looked up at her father surprised.
"I did not accept" he said, answering her unspoken question. She resisted her inward deflation.
"So it seems young Uzumaki wishes to challenge me to the right to train you" he said, the emotion she saw before rising through the mask once again.
"Wh-What?" Hinata gasped. Hiashi closed his eyes, again trying to regain his proper composure
"Indeed" Hiashi spoke, his voice torn by several tones all being suppressed.
"However much of a nuicense as this may be, the fact of the matter is that I have been challenged, Hinata" he informed her "He is due to arrive tonight"
Hinata could only sit there, using every once of her own will power not to express any of the emotions that were bubbling up inside her. Hope, fear, joy, concern, excitement, anger, as well as many more.
"Hiashi-sama" a voice came from behind the door.
"What is it, Neji?" Hiashi responded. The door slide open.
"Uzumaki Naruto has arrived, claiming he has an appointment" Neji said with a respectful bow.
Hinata's blood ran cold. She turned to look at her father who seemed unfazed by the news.
"And so it is. I shall return with you." He said standing "Come Hinata, as this concerns you most of all."
Moments later she came face to face with Naruto once again.
"Greetings, Hyuuga Hiashi-sama" Naruto greeted with a low bow. He then turned to Hinata, and his expression softened into one of a warm smile
"Greetings, Hyuuga Hinata-san" he greeted, again giving a low bow.
"Good evening Uzumaki Naruto" Hiashi responded sternly "Am I to understand you are here to make good on your challenge to me?" he asked. Neji's eyes went wide.
"Yes, Hyuuga Hiashi-sama" Naruto replied, his expression solidifying. Hiashi sighed.
"So be it, Uzumaki Naruto." He gestured to the open courtyard "If you please" Naruto nodded, and took his own place, Hiashi standing opposite. Hinata held her hands up, nervously twiddling her fingers, her heart beating ever faster.
She didn't know what to think. One the one hand she could not believe Naruto had challenged her father! The very though she found horrifying.
But at the same time she found herself happy about it. Not that in anyway she wanted him to fight her father, but that he was standing up to him. He had the courage to say no! And in the end, it was all for her. When that thought entered her mind she felt her cheeks heat up.
Hiashi lowered into his stance.
"Whenever you are ready Uzumaki Naruto" he called out coolly. Neji leant forward, clearly absorbed into the event unfolding before him.
"Kage bunshin no jutsu" Naruto said, performing his signature seal. Several clones appeared around him. Hinata leant forward, eager to see exactly what Naruto was going to try.
The clones shot forward, at speeds greater even than Sasuke. Hinata watches as her father defeated their attempted surround attack pattern without difficulty. This would be her first time watching him take on a serious opponent too. Not that should could bring herself to admit it, but she was curious to see what both of them could do.
More clones appeared. This time a lot more.
Hiashi was mildly impressed. He knew this ability was taxing upon the reserves, but it had barely affected what he assumed to be the originals pool. He was told stories of the boy the suggested it was no fluke that raised him to chuunin level. Perhaps he could test that out first hand now.
He easily defeated their attack patterns. Gliding between them, his superior range, speed and skill were resulting in an enemy far beyond the clones capability.
All the while Naruto merely stood there a secret smile upon his face as he absorbed all the information his clones were providing him.
"This is pointless, Uzumaki Naruto" Hiashi called out "Kaiten!" In an instant the courtyard was cleared of all but a few clones, and the original Naruto himself. As the final clones that attacked were then destroyed, Naruto got into his own combat stance. After a brief pause, both Hiashi and Naruto leapt at each other.
Hiashi shot forward a palm, Naruto deflected it, Hiashi twisted to strike with his other, forcing around to cross his arm to deflect it with his other arm. As he did so Hiashi's first strike soared up, from it's deflection, Naruto barely hand time to move his hands.
He took a step back.
'A glancing blow was that effective?´ he asked himself mentally. He looked up to see Hiashi in his stance once more. 'I know what you're thinking' he smirked. Hiashi attacked. This time Naruto stayed on the defensive, prioritising dodging whenever possible, blocking whenever he could.
It seemed to be working, but at the cost of any attack at all. Like he expected Hiashi was far faster than he was. He could not even hope to win this fight unless he started using something else.
Hinata was thinking similar thoughts. Though missing every occasional moment she was aware that even in just the short time that had elapsed, Naruto was no match for her Father.
Neji who had been standing silently grunted and walked away, apparently confident he knew the outcome.
Naruto took a direct hit, resulting in him falling to the floor.
"Your bravery was admirable Uzumaki Naruto, but you lack the strength to defeat me" Hiashi said dismissively
"I know" Naruto said, weakly, but rising "I know you're far stronger than I am" He attacked immediately after saying so. Hiashi hesitated putting him down the second time, allowing Naruto to stay on his feet longer than he should of. But again, Naruto found the floor. Hinata looked away, unable to bear the sight of Naruto taking a beating for her.
He struggled for a moment, before rising again.
"Uzumaki Naruto, you are defeated" Hiashi repeated. Naruto just smiled.
"The only time I ever lose, is when I stop giving up" Hiashi blinked at the boys naivety. In a quick strike, Naruto was slammed back into the ground. He didn't move after that.
"Naruto-Sempai…" Hinata whispered, gripping her own hand tightly. Hiashi sighed, before turning away.
"N-Not done… Yet" Naruto breathed, loud enough for Hiashi to hear him. The Hyuuga head looked shocked to say the least.
"Uzumaki Naruto, I admire your persistence, but you have lost" Hiashi insisted. Hinata couldn't help but notice at the absence of anger in his voice. He was not that patient with her.
"Still… Standing aren't I?" Naruto said with a grin, as he struggled to his feet again. Hiashi paused.
"You won't stop until I kill you, will you?" Hiashi concluded.
"I expected… nothing less… from a man… of your… intellect" Naruto said, through painful breaths. Hiashi nodded, and paused in thought.
"Then you leave me with no choice Uzumaki Naruto" Hiashi said regretfully.
Hinata's eyes went wide in horror.
"I forfeit"
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Author Notes: Another chapter done! I hope you all enjoyed it, and have a great Friday!