Chapter 8

*Hinata*

I can't believe it has been 2 ½ years, since I last seen Hiei.

He told me he would be back in 2 years, but I guess those were empty words.

I shouldn't have been all that surprised considering the type of person he is.

Hiei was cruel, evil, sarcastic, and very dark in nature.

Compared to him, I was the exact opposite of him.

I was good, kind, soft hearted and very light in nature.

Since that fateful day of us parting, I've been training nonstop in secret.

I had perfected my byakugan and gotten a lot better in my own fighting style.

It was something that took some years to accomplish, but it was all worth it in the end.

The hyuga's fighting style didn't suit me, so I've developed my own technique.

At long last the chunin exams have arrived.

The obstacles were tough and all, but it was nothing my team couldn't handle.

I silently cheered on my team, until it was time for me to step in the arena.

Kiba was telling me to forfeit, but I told him with determination that I would be okay.

I tried reassuring him as he was led away by the medic ninjas.

It was my turn to fight and show everyone that I wasn't a weakling any longer.

Neji was talking down on me and I allowed him his little victory.

As much as it saddens me, I always took this advice to heart.

Hiei once told me long ago to never show my true strength, to let others believe that I was at a disadvantage.

I had forever kept my enemies guessing.

I had let Neji get a couple of hits in, before I decided to fight back.

As I was fighting I could have sworn that I felt his presence in the arena, but that was impossible.

I had to let the past go and forget about him.

My heart is telling me that I can't let him go because he was a huge influence in the way I am now.

My mind was telling me it was useless to hold on to the past, since it held nothing but bittersweet memories for me.

Fighting Neji was getting very tiring because he wasn't even a challenge.

I finished playing with him, before I knocked him unconscious by hitting him in the throat.

The paramedics came and took him away.

Everyone looked at me in wonder, astonishment, and shock.

I could tell by everyone's expressions that they never expected me to fight like that.

That was only a glimpse of my power.

The referee declared me as the winner and before I disappeared I thought I saw a pair of ruby eyes staring at me.