Dreamcatcher
By Airyo
Secrets in a Memory - 1
Hinata was only nine, still a child by any standard, when she began to truly accept her failings.
The Branch family had made her favorite dish for lunch today, and Hinata wanted to thank them personally. While Tsuru's tongue was sharp, the woman always treated Hinata with a marked fondness.
She pass Neji on her way. She slowed, as if the sheer weight of his hatred made it difficult for her to move. He glared. She jerked as if electrocuted and ran the rest of the way to the kitchens.
"...doing well at the Academy," someone was saying as she neared the open door. Currently, Neji and herself were the only Hyuuga in the Academy, though there were rumors that Hanabi would be allowed in early. Hinata knew it was rude to eavesdrop, but she stopped outside the door and matched her chakra to her surroundings. It was far easier inside the Hyuuga buildings, since her chakra already belonged there. It was one of her talents, though she knew it was a useless talent for a future heir who needed to be able to command attention.
"Hanabi-sama will also do well. And what happens when Hinata-sama becomes genin and takes missions? Enemy nin won't be so considerate as to use only their most harmless genjutsu against her. To ask such a thing of Iruka-sensei only to save face before the children of the noble clans...the council is oversaturated with idi-"
"Tsuru-san!" the other shushed the Branch clan head and they were reduced to hissing whispers.
But Hinata had heard enough. She backed away from the door, gratitude long forgotten. Suddenly, the neat, symmetrical halls of the Hyuuga seemed more like a prison than a home.
She'd thought she was getting better. Her nightmare no longer seemed so bad, and she didn't wake up so often with her throat raw and her hands scored with scratches. Maybe the council elders were still glaring because they hadn't noticed her improvement yet.
What a fool she was.
She was still a shame to her clan.
She turned around and ran. She ran and ran until she reached the back fields of the Academy. Her chest was painfully tight and she let herself collapse into a seated position on the ground. She took in the view before her, trying to calm the little squeaking hitches in her breath.
The world seemed to mock her. The sky was so perfect a blue it was impossible to focus on it, and inevitably, the eye skittered to other objects like the soft puffs of clouds. They gathered in herds, like sheep fenced in her view by the lush branches.
It was too perfect. A delusion.
Hinata hugged her shins and hid her face in her knees, shaking from the effort of keeping back her tears.
AN:
- Yes, the ages are little off from canon.
- Also, your theories on Hinata's choice are all so fun to read. Unfortunately, this flashback arc doesn't go into that...but there will be answers...eventually.
- Double post because I'm careful (aka: OCD) about keeping chapters neatly separated...and because I love you all so much. ;)
-I'm feeling chatty today, but wanted to thank all of you for reading! Considering how short the chapters are, your patience astounds me! :D