Dreamcatcher

By Airyo

What Lies in Truth - 1

She was in the forest. It was so early even the birdsong seemed sleepy. The veil of fog made everything seem like a dream.

She heard footsteps behind her, and turned to see Hiashi walking towards her. We're in the Hyuuga glen, she realized. Konoha was named for its lush greenery. The first fire jutsu was allegedly created to burn down trees to make room for homes in some places and to encourage growth in others. Every noble clan owned some amount of forested land.

"Father," she said. The word rolled easily off her tongue, even though she should be addressing him as "Lord Hyuuga".

Fortunately, he didn't acknowledge her mistake. "Give me the scroll."

Hinata obediently reached into her sleeve, though she certainly didn't remember when she'd put it there. She wasn't sure if it was habit or respect, but the end result was all that mattered. Hiashi reached out a hand, palm out.

Then, she hesitated.

Hyuuga hands were notoriously uncalloused and scar-free due to the nature of Jyuuken. But she remembered as small child, when her father had held her and she'd looked at his large, strong hands with wonder. Hiashi had three small scars on one hand, each with a story behind it. Hinata had to think for a moment - was it the left or the right hand?

In her moment of indecision, the scars on this man's hands shifted.

This wasn't reality.

"I can't," she whispered and backed away, ready to run. "You are not Hyuuga Hiashi." Her voice shook, because what if it really was the Hyuuga clan head?

Then he grew horns and roared as wings burst out his back. The Hiashi-monster charged her, his claws spread out for her. The Bad Man was going to catch her, kill her, consume her- she screamed, but didn't run.

...you are more capable than you think...she whispered to herself and braced herself. This wasn't reality. "Reveal your true identity!" Hinata's voice rang thin, but it pierced the fog, the fear nonetheless.

The monster disappeared, leaving a rather surprised young woman with dark, curling hair and red eyes.

"Please cancel the genjutsu, Kurenai-sensei."

The illusion around them faded, with both of them shaking. Kurenai clutched her head and winced.

"Well, this is new," she said with a pained smile. "Anyone unwelcome in your mind gets rewarded with a lovely little headache."

"I'm sorry," Hinata said immediately. Kurenai started to shake her head, but quickly stopped. She staggered, and Hinata stepped forward to catch her elbow.

"No," the jounin said. "It is a good thing. My test had two parts - if you had to courage to try, and to see if you could handle yourself should an enemy nin ever try to trick you. For ninja, information is the most powerful weapon. So the determined guardian is the greatest ninja." Kurenai smiled proudly. "You've gotten stronger, Hinata. My genjutsu was much more powerful than before, and you handled it wonderfully - both your fear and your vulnerability." Here, she winked and Hinata found herself wishing she had pushed through the first time, because she saw a glimpse of the older sister/mother she could have gained. "I suppose all your work with a certain handsome, talented Uchiha has born fruit. Congratulations."

Hinata blushed, and then smiled for the first time since she'd fought with Itachi.

AN: There was a review who expressed confusion over who Hikaru was: she's Hinata's young cousin. Normally, side OCs are whatever, but she is becoming rather important. She is first mentioned in chapter 7, but the most important ones that you should reread are chapters 53 and 68. (Another plus for short chapters, it's very easy to refer back.)