Author's Note:
Hey guys! I'm sorry this isn't a new chapter, but there will be one really soon! This is just a little clarification I guess. I know authors don't usually do this type of thing, but I felt the need to clarify because even I was getting confused on where I was going with this. But if you're not interested feel free to look forward to the next chapter.
So, first off, I know Hinata is way out of character. I know she's kind, and she stutters and everything. And I love that about her, but what I was aiming for as I was writing was a new character completely affected by her cousin's death, her father disowning her, and, of course, Naruto choosing Sakura. I guess I was trying to make the whole Naruto choosing Sakura thing the breaking point for Hinata's entire ordeal. So, now, as Naruto comes around about a year later, of course Hinata has changed. Different people handle death very differently. For Hinata, to a point, feels guilty for Neji jumping in front of her during the war as she was protecting Naruto. Which, of course, resulted in his death. The moment Hinata realizes that Naruto still chooses Sakura while having knowledge of Hinata's feelings is the moment where she wishes Neji didn't save her. She wishes Neji was still there because Neji cared for her, and she felt like Naruto didn't. So in return, she decides to make a new self where she no longer wants to grow attached to people in fear that they'll leave her again. So she is now someone who is cruel and heartless. She is blaming herself for Neji's death because she cared for Naruto in the first place. This is why she feels the need to hurt Naruto. (I'm sorry, does that even make sense?) She also blames herself for not being strong enough. She tells herself that this is why Neji died, and this is why her father disowned her. Though the ladder may be true. This is why she becomes cruel and heartless. To her, the first step was to take on that kill mission she had refused so long ago. When her injuries affected her chakra, she sharpened her skills. She found her stuttering as a sign of weakness, and trained herself to stop. She even found that being kind was a sign of weakness, so she became cold-hearted. Anything to make sure another death doesn't happen because of her.
As for Naruto, of course he's the dense character we all know and love. I guess I pictured him not giving a single shit. But then I suddenly gave him this past with her, which is a little contradicting on my part. How does he go a whole year without noticing? Honestly, I haven't figured it out yet. When I first started, I didn't know how I was gonna go about bringing Naruto to Hinata again. Also the whole "not letting anyone reach her first" thing, was on a whim. (For both me and Naruto, I think.) Honestly, I don't know where the hell anyone else was. I'm sure I'll figure it out along the line, but for now I'm about as clueless as you when it came to comfort. But don't worry I intend to finish this story, and not leave you guys hanging.
Then there's Sakura. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Sakura, but I do respect her. (Am I contradicting again?) What I mean in terms of "respect" is that I understand that she's trained herself not to be the one her teammates have to look after, and she's strong in her own way. When she decided to confess to Naruto, I guess I wrote her to finally understand that Naruto's feelings for her are real (as much as I hate to admit). She tells herself to finally move on from Sasuke to someone who actually cares for her. At the end of the relationship, she finds herself caring for Naruto romantically, and then he goes and calls it off. Even though they rarely saw each other alone, and when they were alone they usually fought, she still loves him because he protected her all these years. So when Sasuke thinks that Hinata wants revenge, it's only natural that she wants to protect him.
By the way, Sasuke is starting to fall for Sakura, heehee.
Well the reason being that he's seen how she's grown stronger and more confident. She brought him back (with Naruto), and fought for him not to be executed. He's doing everything he can to make up for his mistakes. The heaviest crime, for him, was that he left Sakura when she told him not to. All for petty revenge, that's why he helps, I guess. He wants to protect those he cares for. And I don't know love conflict is always fun to write about, right?
So about, Kurenai and Hinata's teammates, I actually do know why they weren't there. Kurenai was being overworked because seeing as how she has a kid to take care of she can't go on any missions, and she's being worked to the bone. She takes small jobs that will help her earn money. She knows that Hinata has changed and everything, but she had faith that Hinata was still in there. As for Kiba and Shino? I could sit here, and tell you all the spoilers, but you guys will just have to find out. ^-^
So, I hope that cleared things up, and if not feel free to ask what's confusing you. This is one of the first stories I'm putting thought and time into, whereas, other times it's just an idea that floats around in my head. I am just a beginner, so mistakes, I feel, are inevitable. This was not a way to defend myself against criticism or anything. I like feedback, whether it's good or bad, and I appreciate everything you throw at me. So tell me if you're liking the story so far, or if you're hating it. Hell, criticize me about how unprepared I was in the making. Just anything because I really do enjoy writing, and I want to get better.
Thank you again. I'm sorry if I wasted your time by reading this. I just felt it needed to be done because my story was getting confusing to me, and I felt like it was to some of you guys. I'm hoping one day I'll be good enough to not confuse myself in my own story. So, I thank you again, and expect a new chapter very soon!