Hey, hey!

So, this chapter is a time skip of 3 months. It's around early December time frame. Enjoy the chapter!


Hiashi stood outside from his compound and frowned at the person in front of him. Not that the young blonde made him angry or anything. It was just Naruto came to his house, three times a day, at the same times, every day.

It was the definition of insanity.

Hiashi noticed that his dark-haired counterpart wasn't with him this time. Which was good, because even though the Uchiha kid had good genes. He was rude as hell and annoying to be around. Just like his father.

Hiashi arched his brow as he looked at Naruto. "Hinata is still not here." He watched the deflated look on Naruto's face as he pouted at the news.

"It's been three whole months though…umm with all due respect Hyuga-sama." Naruto scratched the back of his head nervously and stood awkwardly at Hiashi. This made the Hyuga clan leader internally role his eyes. Even if anything ever did come from his daughter and this boy. The amount of etiquette classes Naruto would need would be extensive.

It was all for a good purpose though. Ultimately Hiashi was creating dominance and perfection for the Hyuga legacy.

Hiashi let out a sigh before he addressed what was truly bothering him. "Stop moving so much. Straighten yourself up and keep your hands to their sides. Make better eye contact. You want me to talk to you direct and honest. You don't want me to dismiss you because you come off sloppy and dense. It's basic manners. Did Hinata not have this around you? You spent so much time with my daughter to learn nothing?"

Naruto opened his nervous eyes and snapped into place. He frowned at Hiashi, because Hinata was anything but sloppy and had perfect manners. Still, Naruto listened to the constructive criticism. "I do want your honesty sir!"

Hiashi nodded his head at Naruto. This was more like it. "Good, and I am honestly telling you she is not here yet. Just like I told you for breakfast and for lunch today. When Hinata comes, I will be sure to send her to her teammates to reconnect. As you all will need it to be an affective team."

Naruto wanted to slouch in disappointment, but he could do that after leaving. "Okay. Thank you sir." He bowed to Hiashi, who nodded his head in acknowledgement and shut his front door. When Naruto turned around and left the compound, just out the entrance on the main road was Sasuke waiting.

He was standing there with his hands in his pockets. Wearing his Chunin vest and a black long sleeve shirt under it. He wore black pants that stopped at his ankles and traditional ninja sandals. A strap attached across his back for his sword that he was learning to become proficient in using. He looked at Naruto, already knowing the answer. "She's still not there."

It wasn't even a question. Naruto shook his head and dug his hands in his own pockets. His attire almost matching Sasuke's. Except under his Chunin vest was a navy-blue long sleeve V-neck shirt and a mesh shirt underneath that. His pants were navy-blue as well. He still opted to keep his protector on his forehead, but Sasuke had his on his upper left arm.

"I was kind of hoping you not being there this time would get me a different answer. Sometimes people just don't like your attitude ya know. This sucks man. We're leaving with pervy sage in two weeks. Hinata has missed my birthday. We're going to miss her birthday. Like…I fucking miss her man this sucks."

Sasuke sighed as he heard Naruto repeat himself in frustration. They walked and made their way over to Kakashi's apartment. Sometimes they all liked to hang around their sensei's home, mainly because he cooked. Sasuke knew how to cook, but when you had someone offer and do it for free, then why not take the offer.

"Sasuke. Do you really think she's in rehab?" Naruto looked at Sasuke and saw him nod his head. "Neji wouldn't lie. He won't tell us everything, but lying isn't his thing."

Naruto grunted as the two continued to walk. "I blame her relapsing on that fucking compound. She went back too soon. Kakashi-sensei said over and over it was too soon."

Sasuke looked over at Naruto with a bland look, "Did Hinata not say several times she could handle herself and she would pick herself up."

Naruto gave Sasuke a heated look. "Yeah. This was before she just found out some of the most fucked up shit known to man about her family. Me and you both know if we were in Hinata's shoes, we'd flip shit."

Sasuke looked back at the road and nodded his head. "I'm not saying I wouldn't. I'm just saying I understand Neji saying that Hinata needed space. Like I always say, you coddle her too much. Let her experience this."

Naruto let out a sigh and looked around the area they were walking. Couples holding hands. Young love happening by people their age. Happily dating. "I don't know. I really thought we'd have more time with Hinata before we left. I get it though, if her dad is really helping her. She'll get better."

Sasuke scuffed at this. "That's the downside of all of this. Her family is total ass. No way her father is genuinely concerned for Hinata. He hasn't been concerned for her in over ten years. Why all of a sudden now? He has Hinata in a position that she needs him. Neji is in the same position as Hinata. I don't think Neji is telling us everything and ever since we've spoken to him, I haven't been seeing him around."

Naruto thought about the conversations they had with Neji. How angry and unstable Neji seemed. "Those things Hinata's father said to her. I would never expect a father to say that to their child. They were cruel, but…"

Naruto trailed off as the two started to walk up the stairs to Kakashi's apartment. Sasuke was in front of Naruto and paused to turn and look at him. "But what?"

Naruto looked at Sasuke with his brows furrowed together. "Was he wrong? He never struck me as someone that would sugarcoat anything. On paper that is what Hinata looked like. Kakashi-sensei has even had to edit things on paper so Hinata wouldn't look bad. Her dad gave Hinata the facts and almost forced her to make the right decision. That's what it seems like."

Sasuke paused as he thought over what Naruto said. "So, what are you saying? You like the guy?"

Naruto scrunched his face up in disgust. "I hate the guy. He's exactly how I would never want to be if I become a father. At this point though, with everything Hinata knows about the council suppressing her family. Who do you think she trusts the most? If we see her before we leave, we can't bash her father. She'll push us away."

Sasuke continued to walk up to Kakashi's door. "Good point. You do have solid thoughts after all."

Kakashi heard a loud thump against his front door. It sounded like someone was being pushed into the door. He left his door unlocked when he was awake and just lounging around, Naruto and Sasuke knew this. So he wasn't surprised to see Sasuke being forcefully pushed in by Naruto. "Oi! You always have to talk shit teme!"

Sasuke at this point was used to picking at Naruto and the blonde physically over powering him. Naruto was getting older and taller now. While him and Sasuke were now the same height, Naruto was becoming thicker. More muscle mass than Sasuke.

For the most part. Sasuke and Naruto were still equal without dipping into their dark tool boxes of the nine tails or the curse mark, but Sasuke knew strength wise Naruto had him outmatched. That was fine with him, because if Sasuke ever wanted to be serious he'd quickly pull out his sword to give Naruto a run for his money.

Kakashi watched the amused look on Sasuke's face as he dodged Naruto pushing him again. The copy-nin looked at the two of them and put away his small novel he was reading. "No luck again today?"

Naruto flopped on Kakashi's couch and pouted. "No. Hinata's dad is holding strong on not giving out any details about Hinata. Other than 'I'll send her your way'. Like how long is rehab usually? I thought most people go for like six weeks."

Kakashi nodded his head at this. "Some as little as two weeks and some can go for over six months. It depends on how bad off the person is. The fact Hinata's father is insinuating Hinata was this bad off is almost insulting."

If you asked Kakashi. It was some outlandish brain washing camp. No one knew the location. It has been determined it's not in the village. This was very extreme and bizarre for Hiashi to do.

Kakashi stood up to walk in the kitchen and prepare a quick meal for the boys. "If you ever see Hinata's cousin Neji. Congratulate him. He just made Jonin." Sasuke arched a brow as he looked over at Kakashi. "We can't find him. It's like he disappeared."

Kakashi almost chuckled at this. "I only see him at Jonin meetings or when he walks in a group with his 'uncle-father'. Neji is a clever guy. He knows how to avoid situations to a tactical-T."

Naruto untied his forehead protector and placed it on the coffee table. His sandals were already removed and he seemed to be getting himself comfortable. "How do you think Neji and Hinata took the news? I remember back in the hospital. They were so close to each other. Like they were trying to protect one another. Hinata going the extra mile to verify Neji being her brother means she's just as protective of Neji as he is of her. They seem on guard around certain people too."

Naruto glared at a random spot in thought. Neji said no one cared enough to save him and Hinata from their misery in the Hyuga compound. There was no way in hell it was just rough, borderline abusive training going on. It was something else. Something Naruto just couldn't piece together.

Kakashi continued to cook as he listened to Naruto. Honestly, sometimes he was just as impressed as Sasuke was in regards to Naruto's attention to detail skills. "It's obvious they are angry. Whatever dark-twisted goal Akatsuki had in implanting that information into the top two rising Hyuga fighters. It worked. The last thing Konoha needs is a rebellion from a clan of high stature like the Hyuga clan. It would be just as detrimental if not more, as when we lost the Uchiha clan due to the massacre."

Sasuke looked at Kakashi curiously. "If they didn't do a rebellion when they were first denied to abolish the caged bird seal. Why would they do it now?"

Kakashi turned around to look at Sasuke and Naruto as the food cooked. "That is what has been boggling me and almost everyone else that knows about this." Naruto folded his arms across his chest and his eyelids became heavy. It felt nice to be in a warm home with the smell of a hot meal. He imagined it was Hinata cooking for them again.

Naruto's eyes opened wider as a thought crossed him. "You said Itachi implanted the information in the top two rising Hyuga's of the clan? So Neji and Hinata are a pretty big deal for the Hyuga clan right now?"

Kakashi folded his arms and looked at Naruto. "Well yeah. You didn't hear about the wonderful idea of incest breeding they had planned? That was specifically to keep the bloodline strong. It's proving that Hiashi can produce some pretty strong kids."

Naruto sat up and gave Kakashi a dirty look. "Seriously. Listen. From what granny said, it was unheard of back in the day for a main house Hyuga to be a ninja. To be anything but royalty. Hinata's dad showed the Hyuga clan is more than just a legacy, but it was just him. No one had the guts to oppose the council or Hyuga elders. Remember granny said that? Now...you have Neji and Hinata. Two MAJOR strong impacts in their clan. People fear Neji and from what Neji says, their clan fears what Hinata is becoming. On top of that, they have their little sister Hanabi that is growing too."

Sasuke slowly nodded his head in understanding. "So you're saying. Hiashi, Neji and Hinata. Together is a bigger threat than just Hiashi. The three of them could easily over rule and conquer the elders in their clan. What about the council for the village? They are the ones that denied them."

Kakashi looked off in thought as he started putting the pieces together. "Kill them. They'll have to kill them off to eliminate their vote. You could try to get certain council members seats removed, but that would take way too much time and power even Hiashi doesn't have. Especially one of the oldest council members. Old man Danzo. He's not going anywhere and I'm sure he was a major key player in denying the request. He hates dōjutsu users."

Naruto looked over at Sasuke before he looked back at Kakashi. "Do you think that's why Neji is laying low now? We didn't even know he was going for Jonin."

Kakashi clicked his tongue against his teeth. "I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he submits his Anbu packet sooner rather than later. If he waits too long, they'll assign him a genin team. If he ends up getting into Anbu he'll have way more range and freedom to run Hiashi's wishes. If I hear about him joining Anbu, then that'll prove your theory Naruto. That would mean Hinata's apart of this as well."

Sasuke looked at Kakashi confused. "How?"

Kakashi turned around to prepare the plates as he spoke. "Neji hates Hiashi. Let that sink in. Hiashi is only getting older and his children are only getting stronger. Remember what Neji told Hinata back in the hospital. He said he'd never doubt her again. That he'd go with whatever Hinata wanted to do. How Hinata said she wasn't going to let them get away with this. Bottom line is, Hinata's not coming back the same. Not if Hiashi has anything to say about it."

Kakashi turned around to place the finished plates on the table. "Still. Something tells me Hinata is calling the shots. Either that, or she just hasn't realized the power she has over her clan just yet. It'll be a terrifying sight when she comes to realize that she is in fact Hiashi's replica."


The next morning, the remaining team seven were warming up at the training grounds. They had just arrived and were in the middle of stretching. At the moment, Naruto had his foot flat against the tree as he pulled himself closer to it, to get a good stretch in his lower region.

He paused and sniffed the air, which caught Sasuke's attention. Sometimes Sasuke felt like he was about to ask his pet dog if he got a whiff of something in the air. He's been putting it off, but he really has to talk to Naruto about this 'merge' thing. Naruto gave a big smile though and looked at Sasuke excitedly. "Hinata!"

Naruto's head turned to the right and sure enough he saw three figures walking towards them. One of them being Hinata's. She was dressed differently. She wore a traditional pale white kimono. Something that resembles what the rest of her family would wear. Hinata had her bangs still framing her face, but the back of her hair was in a bun that was covered for protection.

Walking with her was her father, and Neji walked beside him. Hiashi walked in the middle while Hinata and Neji walked along his sides.

Kakashi and Sasuke frowned at the image. There it was. The three Hyuga powerhouses.

Hiashi smirked at Kakashi before he looked at Hinata and nodded his head at her. That was all Hiashi did before he turned around with Neji and left. He made his point to Kakashi now. Hinata was his daughter. Not his.

Don't overstep your boundaries again.

Naruto was the first to run up to Hinata, who in return smiled brightly at him and jogged over to Naruto as well. "Naruto-kun! Sasuke-kun!" Sasuke wasn't as loud as Naruto, but he stood beside the blonde as well when they made it up to Hinata. Naruto gave Hinata a big hug and she returned the affection by squeezing him tightly. "I missed you Princess!"

"Happy belated birthday Naruto-kun." Naruto let Hinata down and smiled at her like she was being silly. "Oh forget about that! 15 isn't that big of a deal, this moment right now is though!"

Hinata blushed at his generous words and still pulled a small white box out of the sleeve of her kimono. "Still. I had to get you something. You turning 15 is a big deal to me and I missed it. I am sorry."

Naruto took the box and shook his head at Hinata. "It was all for a good reason. We understand."

Hinata nodded her head in understanding. "Aww yes. Neji has told me he spoke with you all. He came to visit me while I was away. About a month ago with father. Neji told me that he told you everything that had happened. I apologize that I was not the one to do it. I was in a very bad place at that time. My mind, body and soul. I wasn't good for team seven at that time."

Sasuke looked at Hinata and took in her calm appearance. How she held her head high. Her lack of stuttering. She still blushed, but it was more in a graceful manner that she could control. "Be honest with me. Did you really relapse?"

Hinata didn't hesitate. She nodded her head as she looked at Sasuke. "I did. I was wrong. I affiliated my home that I grew up in as a negative place where I could do my negative deeds. I immediately shifted to wanting to comfort myself when I got home. The compound is filled with many recreational drinkers, so once again it wasn't hard for me to access it. Again, I apologize for letting you all down."

Sasuke wanted to point out. For Hiashi to know Hinata had an alcohol problem and still kept it accessible for her to get to. That he had set her up. Just so he could trap her, but just like Naruto said last night. The moment they start to point out flaws in Hinata's father right now. She might shut them out.

Sasuke didn't want that. "It's not something to apologize about. You owning up to it and fixing it by getting outside help was enough to show you feel remorse."

Hinata smiled at Sasuke, but she could see his thoughts were elsewhere as well. "Yes…I am sure my father could have done his part in ensuring our home was alcohol free. I know Neji told you my father knew, so I am sure we share the same thoughts. I did…not refrain from saying what you're thinking that night Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke looked at Hinata as he arched his brow. Well, the good thing is she isn't giving any signs of being 'brainwashed'. "Well. After practice we can talk more about your rehabilitation. Among other things."

Hinata blushed and smiled at him before she looked over at Naruto. "May I join?" Naruto matched her bright smile, "Do you even have to ask?! You're apart of team seven. Of course!"

"This is something I'd like to see as well." The three young Chunin all turned around to see Tsunade walking towards them with Kakashi. Well this is the best explanation for being late that Kakashi has had yet. Hinata bent over to bow to Tsunade when she saw her. "Hokage-sama."

Said person waved Hinata off. She hated when people did this. "Hinata please. You literally just left my office like 45 minutes ago. You did this. You did the apology. Like a million times. I'm not even upset with you. So, PLEASE. Give me a break with the formalities."

Hinata blushed and straightened her posture. Her apologies mainly came from her still keeping the secret of where she really was from Tsunade. The Hokage still has no clue Hinata was in rehab and that bothered Hinata, but her father told her not to tell.

"Yes. I apologize for being so silly." Tsunade gave Hinata a pointed look. Hinata smiled nervously before turning back around to Naruto and Sasuke. Waiting to hear what they had planned for training today.

Naruto laced his fingers behind his head and looked at Hinata. He was loud and obnoxious when he saw Hinata, but he was studying her. Just not as obvious as Sasuke and Kakashi. "Well. Me and Sasuke planned some hand to hand today. Sasuke wanted to use me as target practice with his sword and I'm always working on perfecting my Rasengan. So with three it's better. We can just go all out and tag on each other."

Hinata smiled at Naruto. Just like old times. She heard Tsuande clear her throat, "You guys sure? Hinata's been on light duty and gone with her family for a little over three months. You two destroy training grounds. That's how intense you train. Maybe let her ease back into things."

Hinata shook her head at Tsunade. "With all due respect Hokage-sama. I believe I would like the challenge from this." Hinata looked over at Naruto and Sasuke as she rolled her shoulders back and rotated her neck. Naruto grinned when he heard Hinata's neck crack. "Nice. Let's go then Princess!"

The three entered the open field while Tsunade and Kakashi sat under a tree to observe. Hinata laid out on the ground a scroll. Pulling out what she kept inside. Naruto and Sasuke saw a bow and arrow set. Hinata quickly secured it on like it was second nature before she looked at them. "Shall we begin?"

The three flickered away just like that. Just for Naruto and Sasuke to collide with one another. Naruto would block a quick jab from Sasuke and Sasuke would dodge Naruto's punches and high kicks. Sasuke would throw himself back when he sensed Hinata come from behind him to get a hold of his neck.

Then Hinata and Naruto engaged with one another. Naruto noticed that Hinata was faster than usual and she wasn't using her Byakugan yet. Which was something she heavily relied on months ago. He found himself to be blocking a lot of her hits as her hands aimed for his open spots to close of his chakra. Hinata was flexible so her doing a series of high kicks to Naruto's face or neck and not lose balance was easy to her.

Hinata hit a split when Sasuke came in behind her with a high knee kick. Naruto ended up blocking it from hitting his own chest and pushed Sasuke away. Naruto almost fell to the ground when he missed Hinata sneaking up behind him, she got a nice open palm hit to the back of his neck and he faltered. If she was any more forceful with it, it could have knocked Naruto out.

When Hinata went to kick Naruto he quickly turned around and caught her foot. Hinata twisted her body like a snake and used her other foot to hit Naruto on the side of his face so he would let go of her. Naruto took the kick and almost let go, but held strong. He ended up letting go when Sasuke came in between the both of them and closed in on Hinata.

Her taijutsu was still advanced and even though Sasuke was a little faster than Hinata. She kept up to par with him. Usually going this fast he'd catch Hinata getting winded by now, but she seemed to be fine. She was more…hungrier to win.

Sasuke faltered a little when he saw her eyes shift from the warm look earlier to almost grayish-white and cold.

Hinata quickly went to the ground and actually side swiped Sasuke. Taking him by surprise by the random move. Sasuke was fine with fighting on the ground and dodged Naruto when the blonde laid a series of earth-shattering punches to the ground. By the third hit Sasuke took Naruto's hand and pulled him on the ground with him.

The two tussled on the ground for a bit before both males heard a sound. It sounded like someone was winding up a bow. Naruto and Sasuke both looked in Hinata's direction and saw she was aiming at them. Still not using her Byakugan.

Just as fast as they saw her aiming, the bow was already released and Sasuke watched as an arrow grazed by Naruto's face. Leaving a thin and long razor like cut bleeding across his cheek.

Both Naruto and Sasuke watched the malicious grin reach Hinata's face. She smelled the air as she looked at them. A black meaty vein crawling over her face before vanishing. "I grazed you. That was on purpose." If they were an enemy, she would have aimed to kill them.

The two males quickly separated from one another as they both targeted to attack Hinata now. The young Hyuga still smiled and within a split of a second she had targeted, aimed and attacked Sasuke with her arrow. Grazing his cheek next. The young Uchiha smirked at her with the same malicious glow she had as he pulled his sword out and laced it with lightning.

Hinata quickly dodged the mighty sword as it split the training post she was near in two. Hinata leaped on another training post and sprung in the air. She aimed another arrow at Sasuke and this arrow was laced in lightning as well.

Sasuke eyes widened at this. He knew they both shared the same elements, but Hinata rarely used hers or showed interest. Now he was excited. "You copied me." Sasuke barely missed the deadly arrow and watched as it hit the training post he was near and combust it.

Hinata landed near him and smiled. "I hope you're not angry. I was amazed by you and Kakashi-sensei's work Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke and Hinata turned their heads to a group of Naruto clones bombarding them. The original Naruto came in between the mixture and grinned viciously as he went to tackle Hinata and pin her on the ground.

Finally activating her Byakugan. She quickly noticed the original Naruto and did Rotation to force him and Sasuke away from her. Hinata eyes widened when she saw Naruto, while very slow, push against her force. She watched as his hand made the familiar Rasengan that she was getting used to him using.

Naruto watched as Hinata held on to her Rotation, but her hands started to glow blue. Electrical currents formed around her hand followed by blue flames that made the shape of a wild lion. Hinata dropped her Rotation and headed towards Naruto head on.

Naruto and Hinata turned their heads to the right to see Sasuke coming towards both of them with his Chidori at a size that matched Naruto's medium Rasengan. The three grew close to one another before they heard a bell ring. That was usually Kakashi's way of ending the session because it was becoming too much.

Immediately the three students stopped what they were doing and looked at their sensei.

Tsunade sat on the ground beside Kakashi and blinked. "These are jonin right here. This is good." Kakashi smiled from under his mask and looked at Tsunade. "They just have some maturing up to do and I'll happily agree."

Tsunade nodded her head at him. "Yes well. Good news is Sasuke and Naruto can take the exams at any village that is hosting it. They don't have to be in Konoha. Now Hinata, I'd love to see her as a Jonin, but I need to make sure she's stable enough. By the way. I noticed she's doing good at manipulating her dark chakra. Who taught her that while she was away with her family? Does this means Hiashi knows about the dark chakra?"

Kakashi slowly nodded his head. "I wouldn't be surprised if Hiashi paid Orochimaru to do it at this point." It was a joke, Tsunade could tell, but she could also tell Kakashi strongly disliked that man.

Sasuke watched as Hinata went to pick up her arrows. Naruto was nearby helping her and she gave him a comforting smile. The young Uchiha called out to the two of them. "All of that without using your Byakugan until the very end. A few months ago, I couldn't see you doing that."

Hinata blushed at the compliment. "Yes well. I've been working hard while away. With my father and Neji. Once we were able to really pinpoint my problems it was rather simple to find the solutions."

Sasuke waited until they were done cleaning up what they could of the mess they made and headed over to Kakashi and Tsunade before asking Hinata to explain.

Hinata pulled up her sleeve to reveal black veins. "The problem was I was pushing it away. Scared that I wouldn't be accepted because of it by my family. This is not the case anymore. Everyone in the Hyuga clan knows all of my secrets. So, I have nothing to feel afraid of."

Tsunade looked at the black veins slowly start to fade away since it has already served its purpose. "ALL of your secrets?" Hinata nodded her head as she smiled at her arm. Happy at her own accomplishments.

"Yes. All. I have learned that hiding things from my family only proved to hurt me. With the help of my father I was able to learn how to manipulate the dark chakra and have it work in my favor. Of course this idea was created by you Hokage-sama. I am forever grateful that you created that idea for me."

Tsunade looked at Hinata and gave her a saddened smile. "Yeah. I'm glad it all worked out, but I was kind of hoping this would be a project that you trusted with me Hinata. Ya know you kind of hurt me back at the hospital. You looked at me like you didn't trust me. When I would never do anything to hurt you. Nor would I ever lie to you."

Hinata made an 'o' shape with her mouth. "I really apologize Hokage-sama. I had no intentions of doing that to you. I would never mean to hurt any one of my precious people. Please accept my deepest apologies."

Tsunade stared at Hinata with narrow eyes as a smirk graced her face. "Well…one way for me to forgive you would be if you took up that medic-nin apprenticeship that I am hosting. I've already allowed Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka to join. So, what do you say?"

Hinata blinked at Tsunade owlishly and was searching for the right words. "Oh umm…Hokage-sama. You have Sakura and Ino. They are absolutely way more qualified to be your apprentice than I am. I have many duties with my family and missions and my own independent training. I fear that I will not be able to give you the best of me."

Tsunade brushed off Hinata's rejection. Refusing to take it. "Blah blah. You'll be a part timer then. Plus I'm making it a requirement for new genin. If they want to graduate the academy, they have to pass a basic medic course of mine. So, for annual training, seasoned ninja's will be taking my medic refresher course. Doesn't really sound like you have much of a choice anymore now Hinata. So, what do you say now?"

Hinata blushed at Tsunade's ambition to not let her slip away from her. She smiled at Tsunade, because she could really feel the tender love from her. "Yes Hokage-sama. I would love to be your apprentice part time."

Tsunade smiled at Hinata before she remembered something. "Oh! Hinata! I forgot to tell you. I just saw Neji's Anbu packet come across my desk. Just letting you know I'm going to approve it."

At this point Naruto and Sasuke stood stuck as they looked at Kakashi. Their sensei slowly turned to look at Hinata, who had a very detached look on her face. Looking at Tsunade like an owl, not lost though. One that's playing with their prey.

Why was she playing? Simple. Konoha played with her family. With her. They MADE her this way.

If it wasn't for the council. Her father would have been good to her. Love would exist in her clan. It wouldn't be like this. That MAN wouldn't have been able to get away with what he did to her and Neji. So, yes. Now Hinata was the predator. She would never be the prey again.

While away in rehab. She may have had very long conversations with her father. The rehab might have been a place funded by her family, so they had whatever interest Hiashi had for Hinata.

She saw things differently. Lives had to be taken for her family to have its honor back.

Hinata smiled. Satisfied with the answer Tsunade gave her. Very much giving the appearance of a manipulator, the look that only Hiashi could pull off.

Of course she looked this way. This was planned after all. Hinata was now the manipulator.

The funny thing was. She wasn't going to lie doormat to her father either. He just hasn't realized this yet.

Hinata was only going to get stronger. She wanted to show Kakashi and Tsunade this. To show that she wasn't going to go down like her father against the council. That her clan would not fall to the corruption of Konoha like the Uchiha clan.

Hinata had fallen for the last time in the face of Konoha and her elders. She has chosen her path. Her path was vengeance. She was the Hyuga avenger.

Hinata smiled at Tsuande and tilted her head. "Oh? Anbu would be splendid for Neji."


End of chapter.

So, this chapter was titled: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, because Hinata is now the wolf. Pretending to blend in. Pretending to be what her father wants her to be, meanwhile she has her own agenda with Neji. The two taking on the leading role of the Hyuga clan while Hiashi is simply the face of it now.

Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi know something is up. They are binding their time to talk to Hinata. Next chapter will be their talk with her.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you Wednesday!