Updating a day early because of Mother's Day tomorrow and an announcement.
This story is going on a one week hold while I move into my new house. During that week, you can vote on the poll on my profile page.
I have a new story idea for this category. As some have done before, it is about Konoha High, but there's a twist. To be at this school, you have to have some kind of criminal history because it is a reform school to help prevent teenagers from going to jail. So when sweet, kind, gentle Hinata Hyuga transfers to that school a few months into sophomore year, some fall for her while others wondered what dark secrets she is hiding.
If you think this should be written, vote on my poll. Until then, enjoy this chapter and see you . . . on the 24th.
Partially due to her hereditary ability, Gaara's and Hinata's team broke the record for completing the second round of the Chunin Exams.
Arriving at the tower in under two hours, the two teams now had the rest of the exam time to wait for the rest of their competitors to arrive. During that wait, Hinata tried having conversations with Gaara and his siblings, ignoring the constant protest of her two team-mates. On more than one occasion, Temari and Kankuro would show some interest about Konoha—
So they would know what to expect when it came to the invasion of the Hidden Leaf Village.
When most became disinterested with the conversations, Gaara could spot Hinata gazing out the window of the tower while her Byakugan was activated. She claimed to be watching for any teams that were close to approaching the tower.
But Gaara knew she was searching for him.
After nearly an hour straight of using the kekkei genkai, or bloodline trait, the Sand Siblings noticed Hinata closing her eyes, refusing to open them even after a few minutes. When Kankuro nosily asked what she did that for, Hinata claimed that using the Byakugan for too long strains her eyes and makes her vision incredibly blurry to where she could no longer see. Her team-mates, who were used to the routine, helped guide her wherever she needed in that massive tower—
But, during those times, Gaara still made sure a handful of sand lightly and inconspicuously surrounded her arm, just in case of an emergency.
When the deadline for the conclusion of the second part quickly came upon them, Gaara watched as Hinata looked more focused with her Byakugan activated than she has before. Observing how clearly concern she was becoming, Gaara asked how close his team was to them.
After pinpointing the general direction and distance, Gaara wordlessly sent sand out the window without anyone else noticing.
That swirl of sand quickly appeared before Naruto and his team—who were on the brink of exhaustion from fighting a strong team—morphing into an annoyed clone of Gaara.
Before the opposing team could make a move or attempt to strike, Gaara's sand surrounded every single clone, climbing up their bodies until it made a choker around their necks. Squeezing tighter and tighter, the clones eventually vanished while the original trio passed out from lack of oxygen.
Satisfied, Gaara turned to look at Naruto, warning him that their Byakugan Princess was growing restless and worried about time running out with him no where to be seen. Smiling over-confidently, Naruto insisted that they would be there in just a few minutes.
As promised, Naruto's team made it to the tower with both scrolls with only minutes to spare. Arriving inside the arena hidden with the tower's walls, Gaara watched as the whisker boy made a scene of running toward the moon-eyed girl, lifting her up off the ground in a massive hug as he went on and on about how much he missed her.
After a few moments of their shared reunion, Naruto gazed over at Gaara. With a big goofy smile, the Uzumaki boy thanked him for his help before, claiming they wouldn't have made it on time without him.
"You do not have to thank me," Gaara had claimed. "We are . . . friends."
Temari and Kankuro were among those that were most surprised by the declaration. Baki, their squad leader, wondered what events he missed for that conversation to take place.
The Gaara that stood before him was not the same Gaara from before the Chunin Exam—
And that could greatly affect their plan to destroy Konoha.
Though they were still trying to process the change in behavior, the Third Hokage announced the need of a preliminary round. With twenty-one genin passing the second round, at least half needed to be eliminated to continue the exams. To determine who would qualify for the final round, the genin would spar against each other in randomized matches. The winners of each match would move on.
When it came to observing the fights, Hinata offered to have Gaara and his siblings watch with her and her team. Before they could protest, Naruto exclaimed that it was a wonderful idea.
So, on one section of the raised observatory, Hinata stood in the middle with Gaara, his siblings, and his sensei on the side closest to the stairs. Naruto was on the other side with the remaining Konoha teams. Those few kept glancing over at the Suna shinobi, like they couldn't be trusted.
But really, who could blame them?
As for the matches, Temari and Kankuro won theirs without breaking a sweat or getting a single scratch on them. Their opponents were lucky to be breathing after the match. It was expected since they were raised to be killers.
After half a dozen matches, Naruto finally had a turn to show what he was made of.
Gaara noted the groans of annoyance from a few Konoha genin. One commented about wanting to fight Naruto because it would be such an easy win. Gaara inwardly scoffed, thinking they were all foolish.
They should have never underestimated a jinchuriki.
Gaara wasn't the least bit surprised when Naruto easily held his own against the Ninja Hound user. Gaara knew the massive amount of chakra Naruto possessed helped him create so many clones and manipulate so many transformations on top of one another.
No one should have been surprised by the Uzumaki boy's victory. He rightfully deserved it. His determination from the very beginning made it clear that losing was never an option.
But then it came time for the Byakugan Princess to fight.
Even though he was from a foreign village, Gaara could feel the tension when Hinata became paired against her cousin for the next match. From the limited time he roamed through the village, Gaara heard rumors about the hatred within that family. Considering how caring and friendly Hinata has been toward him, Gaara didn't believe it to be true until this very match.
Before joining her cousin on the main battle floor, Hinata removed her jacket and her ninja headband, so neither could weigh her down. That left her wearing just her under shirt—
And exposing the thin line of a scar on her neck.
Gaara's temper flared at seeing such an imperfection on her flawless, pale skin. Although he only knew her for a few days, he believed Hinata didn't deserve the constant reminder of what happened that dreadful night.
Once she arrived on the main battle floor, Hinata's cousin—Neji Hyuga—tried convincing her to just give up the match before either one of them could make the first move. As expected by only Gaara and Naruto, Hinata refused because she wanted to prove to everyone how much stronger she had grown. Her cousin ridiculed the idea by reminding her that he was the 'better' taijutsu user between the two of them.
As though she had an idea, Hinata rifled through her leg pouch before throwing something at her cousin and dropping one at her feet.
Smoke bombs.
Gaara thought the action to be odd. Naruto, having actually trained with her before, knew exactly what she planned. He loudly praised her for coming up with such a brilliant idea. Gaara had to admit—
He wasn't expecting to see two Hinatas emerging from the smoke, one holding a kunai while the other had the Byakugan activated.
With having attacked Neji first, it was quite impressive to see Hinata fighting in a completely different style than her double. Gaara could tell one was fighting in the traditional Gentle Fist style—which he learned consisted of blocking chakra points—but the other was swinging her kunai like it was the only way she knew how to fight. It really looked similar to that Uchiha boy's fighting style, who fought in the first match of the preliminary round.
As the match stretched out longer and longer, more praises were given for Hinata because she was making Neji struggle so much. Even though he managed a few simple hits here or there, Hinata was the one to cause the most damage the moment she created the gash on his arm and grazed his cheek. Anyone could see that Neji was growing more and more frustrated by the second—
But, sadly, Gaara sensed his malicious intent too late.
Knocking the kunai wielding Hinata away, Neji charged at the Byakugan activated Hinata, believing her to be the real Hinata. Before she could defend herself, Neji struck her in the chest as hard as he could—
Causing her to disappear in a puff of smoke.
Gasps rang amongst the entire arena, nearly covering the sound of Hinata's gagging cough. Although sat up from where she fell, Hinata was now hunched over on her knees, hands on her chest as she tried to regain control of her breathing. Every couple sips of air created a coughing fit, resulting in a few spits of blood.
Gaara knew he should have done something to help her at that moment, but he couldn't move. The monster inside could smell the scent of fresh spilled blood. The only reason Gaara hadn't lost control yet was because the monster knew it was her blood that was spilled—
And he was furious.
While Gaara trembled from trying to keep his temper and the monster under control, he watched as Hinata finally managed to breathe normally again. However, it was obvious that she didn't have the strength to move. All Hinata could do was gaze at her cousin, who glared at her so ruthlessly.
Is that what Gaara looked like when he glared at those he didn't care for?
Neji warned the Hyuga girl to say down, if she knew what was good for her. He claimed her to be foolish by trying something so stupid and impossible like fighting him.
Gaara couldn't help his surprise when Hinata smiled warmly at her cousin the same way she smiled at him and Naruto. She claimed the stupid one was Neji because he was so blinded by his hatred toward the main branch that he made his own conclusion about what happened so many years ago. Hinata acknowledged that he blamed her for the death of his father, when she was just the sleeping victim.
Gaara spared a glance over at Naruto, who looked just as tense as he felt. They never told him that part of the incident.
Did they not trust him?
Either angered by the truth of her statement or the mention of his deceased father, Gaara couldn't tell. All he knew was Neji ran toward her with the intent to kill in his eyes.
Naruto reacted first. Jumping down from the stands, Naruto stood partially in front of Hinata with a kunai drawn. His normal electric blue eyes were now a deep blood red with black slits for pupils. His lip was curled into a vicious snarl, teeth turning into fangs.
But he was not the only one that wanted blood for the Byakugan Princess's condition.
THAT BASTARD!
Before he could make it half the distance, Neji was forcefully stopped by what felt like a magnetic pull. Gazing down at himself, Neji was just as astonished as the spectators when he noticed hardened sand covering his hand and feet. He tried to move, but the slightest adjustment only caused the sand to squeeze tighter.
Eyes widening, Hinata gazed up at Gaara, who radiated such immense anger and hatred. His green eyes were replaced with yellow irides and pupils in the shape of a black four-pointed star with four black dots around it.
HOW DARE HE HURT OUR BYAKUGAN PRINCESS!
With his hand outstretched, Gaara slowly began to close his hand, which caused the sand to grow tighter around Neji until he groaned in pain.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Hinata muttered something under her breath, but Gaara didn't care to hear. He moved his hand further into a fist as the monster urged him to do more:
KILL HIM!
"I said 'stop'!" Hinata shouted. "Shukaku!"
. . . What?
Everything paused once the named was called out. While a majority of the Konoha shinobi appeared confused, all those from the Suna flinched from habit. Gaara seemed the most surprised, his eyes returning back to their normal green hues.
How did she . . .
"How did you . . ." Gaara trailed off in uncertainty. "I never said his name before . . . how could you possibly . . . ?"
Scrunching up his nose in momentary confusion, Naruto returned to his normal self when he made the connection. "Gaara . . ." Naruto began cautiously. "You have one too?"
Gaara didn't care to take notice of Konoha shinobi's reactions, especially the higher ranking ones like the Third Hokage. He was too busy staring into the moon-eyed girl, whose eyes narrowed slightly.
"You and Shukaku," Hinata warned sternly, "are not to hurt my cousin."
. . . you handle this.
Holding her gaze for just a moment, the sand found its way back to the gourd as Gaara calmly vowed, "As you wish, Hinata Hyuga."