Chapter 3:

ยท This is a complete rewrite, I noticed that a lot of reviews were a bit harsher than I expected but I want to do this story over and I want to do my idea justice. So please be patient with me as I am re-writing from scratch because I lost my original draft.

- I do not own Naruto but I do own a funky hairstyle and a lot of dark make up

Everything hurt. Hinata's hands throbbed from the use of the Hyuuga family style taijutsu that she had used in her spar against Anko, as well as deflecting Anko's attacks, which were persistent and constant. Her eyes felt like someone struck them with branding irons because of the over use of her Byakugan. She had expected the spar to be brutal but Anko had pushed her, even harder than Kurenai had in the past.

Kiba and Shino were sitting next to her as she lay on the grass, breathing faster than usual, as she fought to restore her composure. Kurenai and Anko had just left to getting lunch. "So Hinata how was your first sparring session with Anko?" Kiba always the curious one asked her, Hinata no had a response for him she merely groaned in protest. Shino stared at her, well as much as he could stare at someone with his sunglasses and his high collar. "You will get stronger Hinata that is a fact."

She must have fallen asleep as she woke up to the sounds of Akamaru and Kiba practicing their Fang over Fang. Anko was sitting on the branch above her, eating. "You gotta eat Hime, there's a bento next to you." "H-hai." That was the only response she could muster as she sat up and reached for it.

After eating as much as she could at the time Anko appeared next to her, an excited tingle in her eyes, which made Hinata nervous. "So Hime, we can work on your speed and strength and then after that I want to try and combine your eyes with my taijutsu style. Think you are up for it?"

Internally she was groaning and moaning and throwing a tantrum like a spoilt child but she knew that after all this brutality she would be able to prove to Naru-kun that she was stronger and that when the day comes she could be the one by his side. She nodded at Anko, a determined expression on her face, Anko smiled at her, a site that caused Akamaru to whimper.

"Well then Hime, run home and pack for about a year. You and I have some travelling to do and I need to go get our paperwork so we can head out." Anko then disappeared in a sushin and Hinata sighed, frustrated at the spontaneous Jounin's request.

"Travelling with Anko for a year. Seems like everyone is taking some form of a training trip. Sasuke with his disappearing act last week, Jiraya taking Naruto for three years, Shino and his dad for a few months and now you and Anko. I am so glad I am staying home." Kiba chuckled next to her.

Hinata tiredly got up from under the tree and then made her way to the family compound. Hoping that her Father and siblings were there. She hated to say goodbye but what the crazy sensei wants, the crazy sensei gets.

She finally reached the ornate gates and entered the compound, smiling and waving at the other Hyuuga family members. Ko was standing at the main house entrance, waving at her with a smile. She had heard about the council shuffle and since then life in the Hyuuga compound had gradually seemed to change. For one, Ko was smiling, that in itself was a miracle.

"Hinata-sama, welcome home. Would you like some tea and cinnamon buns before you start packing?" Ah the news must have travelled faster then what she had received it or Anko had informed her father last night of a possible trip. "Hai Ko-san I would. How did you find out?"

Ko seemed happy at her lack of stuttering but he was one of the few people she could speak to without tripping over her own tongue, even though it had become better over the years, she knew that some situations broke her control over the little annoyance. "Anko-san was here a few minutes ago. She loudly demanded your father to allow you to go on the trip, and as we all know how persistent she can be, I think Lord Hiashi was rather terrified of her especially seeing that she was standing on his desk yelling and demanding it." Hinata could feel her eyes widen beyond their already large self.

Her father, the stoic and emotionless Hyuuga Clan Head was bullied into something by a woman? Oh how she wish she could have seen that. A giggle escaped her lips and Ko seemed to shake with his own laughter. "That does sound like Anko-sensei. Well I will go up to my room to pack, do you mind asking someone to bring the cinnamon buns and tea to me while I pack. I would not want to have Anko-sensei yell at me."

Ko nodded and then turned and headed to the kitchen with an amused facial expression. Yes, things would be better in a few years but for now, the small and innocent moments in the Hyuuga clan would always be a treasure to her.

She finally reached her room and pulled out her standard issue ninja travelling bag and started filling it with weapons that were sealed into sealing scrolls and camping equipment. Thereafter she went through her first aid kit and then assembled one for Kiba, Akamaru and Shino.

As she started sorting through her ninja clothing the smell of cinnamon and herbal tea invaded her nostrils. She could not help the sigh that escaped her lips, who knew how long it would be before she could divulge into her beloved treat.

The door was pushed open and her father walked in with a tray set out for two. "Hinata, seeing as Anko literally forced this trip down my throat, I thought that we could spend some time together, you are leaving as soon as the sun sets. We will have about an hour to talk and then I suggest you take a nap." She stood there with her mouth agape and merely nodded at her father in surprise.

The Hyuuga clan was changing and it was clear that it was having a positive outcome.

Stranger things cannot occur in the Hyuuga household then this, of that she was convinced. She folded the final piece of clothing and then sealed it into a scroll as Hiashi was setting out the tray on the tatami mat.

He sat down with his back facing the window of her room and she kneeled opposite him. "I know I have been hard on you Hinata but I have been unfair. Your heart is your strongest gift and now I want to show that I too possess a heart. Your mother would have been so proud of you and yet so heartbroken with my actions towards you. I hope that you can forgive me and that upon your return I hope to start your training as Clan Heir."

"Father, thank you, I do not know what to say." Her surprise in her father's sudden announcement was overwhelming; her heart felt like it was going to explode. She had always loved her father, always wanted to make him proud of her, but this sudden change was more than what she had expecting. She was convinced that Hanabi would be chosen to lead the clan.

Hiashi was focusing on his task of dividing the cinnamon buns and handed her a plate. He then mercilessly dug into it. She could not help the giggle escaped her lips as the sugar coated his cheeks. "What? You think you're the only one that loves these poisonous treats?"

It was more than Hinata could handle and she burst out in a stomach rolling laughter, Hiashi joining in with soft chuckles as he cleaned himself up.

After they regained their composure they proceeded to devour the tray of cinnamon buns between them and the pot of sweet tea. Hiashi then left with the tray in hand and a kiss on to her forehead.

After the surprising but wonderful tea break with her father, Hinata double checked her supplies and placed the backpack by the edge of her bed, she then climbed into her bed and wondered if this would be the last time she slept in a bed for the entire period of her training trip with Anko. She climbed onto her bed and drifted off into a quiet and peaceful nap.

The sounds of a kunai whistling through the wind woke Hinata up and she instinctively activated her Byakugan grabbing the pillow to use as a shield to stop the kunai. "Time to get up sleeping-Hime." Anko yelled from her position on the tree branch outside of her window.

The sun had set about an hour ago so she had at least had a two hour nap. "You better be ready to head out. We are going to be travelling fast." Hinata merely nodded then climbed of her bed and took hold of her sandals. She slipped them on then grabbed her backpack and jumped out of the window and joined Anko on the branch of the large tree.

With a nod they both started jumping from the trees towards the exit of the compound, once outside they jumped down to the street and walked towards the gates of Konoha. "Anko-sensei, if I may asked, where are we going?" Anko just carried on walking and merely motioned for Hinata to stay quiet.

This was going to be a long trip.