*A/N: You know what it is, damn Kishimoto still owns Naruto, one day I shall take it!*

Chapter 9: New Reckoning

Hyuuga Courtyard: Hiashi's POV

"There's no way, there is absolutely no way that what I just saw was real. I have heard of techniques that can suck someone's chakra, but this! This is strange, it's like my legs were working normally, if only slightly tired from the earlier battle, and now they just…no longer work. Hinata, perhaps I was really a fool, you really have grown." I thought pensively as I stared in awe at the person that I used to call weak standing across from me with eyes glowing like a deep lake. I have failed as a father, Katomi would've been greatly disappointed in my actions throughout the years.

"Do you know that pain I had to endure because of you!" Hinata shouted with a fierce look on her face, displaying the years of distress and anguish. "You didn't even give me a chance. But…now that is fine…as you can see, I have become stronger, even after all of that, I will be clan head and replace you. It is now inevitable."

I looked down in shame, still kneeling down on my knees with everyone, from the branch house and main house staring in shock. I have truly failed her due to my ignorance. She may never forgive me for what I have done. I sat staring at the ground for a moment as Hinata seemed to calm down slightly. "Father, why are you still kneeling, why not get back up?" Yelled Hanabi, still confused about how I ended up like this. Before I could answer, Hinata started, "It is because of my new powers. Long ago there was a Hyuuga that lived and he had the same ocular prowess as the famed Uchiha Mangekyo Sharingan." After that statement, I nearly faltered and fell on my face as I heard the others gasp out of shock. A Hyuuga with a doujutsu like the Mangekyo Sharingan, that's impossible? Hinata continued as I looked at her questioningly, "This power has not been activated within our clan due to our position of hatred. Hatred for the main house, and hatred for the branch house. This power cannot be activated unless we get rid of our hatred for one another, that is the only way. Even so, not many can awaken the Byakugan no Shirori Me."

"The next level of the Byakugan? I only thought that the eyes that we have now are the only ones. Where did she get this from?" I asked myself in thought. Hinata then sighed and said, "Either way, that story is for a different time. Father, you have done a lot to me over these years, but…" She took a deep breath as I looked back at her with a shameful look on my face. She continued, "I cannot hate you..anymore…that wouldn't make any better than you." I heard her words, even if she said that sentence in a quieter manner than earlier, I still heard those words. They felt like a sharp, cold kunai piercing my chest. All of the times I have berated her, the times I have ignored her and disregarded her existence. I remember that one day, I broke her, perhaps not for the first time. I remember when we were supposed to be training, and she was just stepping out into the yard. I didn't give her a chance, I beat her until she was on the ground asking why did that to her. I remember taking out the song that Katomi wrote, and I burned it in front of her without mercy. I remember telling her to follow my orders and to grow stronger in her own way, I then walked off into the compound. I even remembered her crying on the ground for a few moments after I left her alone, I couldn't help but look back at her sobbing form.

I have truly failed her as a father. I let the pressure of losing my wife and needing clan heirs to the main house to maintain order get to me, at the cost of her happiness. I couldn't do anything to stop the few tears that started flowing down my face as I stared at the ground in shame, the feeling came back to my legs, but I still could not find it within me to get up.

Hyuuga Courtyard: Hinata's POV

After a few moments of calming down, I looked at my now, thoroughly humiliated father with a feeling of a mixture between emptiness and relief. My position as clan heir is now secured, I have proven myself to have the strength necessary. Now, I just need to reach the rank of Jonin until I can be clan head, and when that happens, it will be the end of the slavery of our family. After a few seconds, I couldn't help but look back at my father in puzzlement. The jutsu I used should have worn off by now, I didn't really use that much chakra in it and I wanted to finish our match. At least that was until, "Uhh, I'm confused…" I whispered slightly as I started to look around at everyone else, who were also looking back and forward from me and my father. Never before have we seen the ever-stoic and prideful Hyuuga Hiashi show any emotion, so why were there tears coming down his face as he looked at the ground. An eerie silence came to the courtyard as I stood in front of a quietly sobbing Hiashi. I had no idea what to do, for Kami's sake I was expecting him to deny everything and berate me like he did earlier, not do…this.

I breathed in, and out, in again, then out again. I cannot continue to be mad at someone over what has happened in the past, but knowing that doesn't change the fact that I still feel some anger, I guess this will take time. Not knowing anything else to do, I turned around and started to walk away, however after a few steps, I stopped. "I, Hinata Hyuuga, am the next clan head of the Hyuuga clan, as of now my position will go uncontested since no one from the main house can face me now! Although, if you believe you can replace me as leader, you can try." I declared loud enough for everyone to hear as I continued to walk off to my room, to finally bathe after a long day. All of the years of pain and harassment. All of the years of torture have finally paid off. My dream is getting closer, but there is more work to be done, mainly diversifying outside of just the gentle fist style, but, right now…I need a nap, and to find some cinnamon buns.

Hinata's Room: Hinata's POV

After finally entering my room, I closed the door and pressed my back against it. Letting out a long, tired, relieved breath after everything that had happened today, I could not help myself when a small smile came to my face. I took some time to come to terms with everything that had happened, from the excitement of passing the test to becoming a genin, to meeting Kurenai sensei, and finally to defeating my…father…That word is gonna be hard for me to say after everything. After a few moments, I stood up straight after leaning on my door, I then turned to lock it to prevent anyone from coming in. Turning back around to my room, I then glanced at my dresser which had my long-forgotten notebook in the top drawer. With a small smile, I made my way to the drawer to finally get back into what I'd missed for so long. After some time, I finished my first entry after some time and stretched. Now it's time for a shower, and I definitely need something to celebrate. I finally got up and started making my way to my bathroom, ready for a long and well-deserved cleanse.

After a few moments, I finally stepped into the running water finally able to fully release anything I felt. Which also reminds me, what was that earlier today with Kureani sensei? That…feeling…is something I have never felt. Is it… admiration? Do I like my own sensei that way? I mean, I haven't been interested in anyone at the academy, I see Kiba as a close comrade or friend, and the same as Shino. Shikamaru is nice, but I don't really like him in that way. I did have a small interest in Naruto, but with my training and maturing, I now really only see him as a friend. Should I feel this way about Kurenai sensei? She's a woman and she's older than me. I had never really seen two women together, and definitely not an older woman with a much younger one. I sigh in frustration as I reach for my lavender shampoo, I should not be thinking like this, I have to focus on my goal. And it's not like she will want to be with me anyway, I might be legally an adult now that I am a ninja, but to the majority of the public, a 19-year-old with a 13-year-old is still not right.

I let out a groan of annoyance at the fact that I am a hopeless romantic with no interest in anyone in my age range. She is beautiful though, she's also really strong, but she will never want to be with me in that way. After that thought, I finally went back to washing my hair, along with the rest of my body. I'm getting hungry after all. After stepping out of my bathroom, dried off, and dressed in some shorts, a tank top, and my favorite purple jacket, I finally made my way out of my room to get my rumbling stomach something to eat.

Compound Kitchen: Hinata's POV

Gracefully shoving aside the nearly spoiled milk to reach for my precious, and succulent cinnamon buns, I finally closed the fridge door, munching away like an animal. After some time and after finishing one of my buns, I heard footsteps coming from down the hall. Looking to the side, I see someone who I didn't think I was gonna see today, "Brother Neji! I greeted forgetting the bit of food in my mouth." For a moment, a disgusted look crossed Neji's features at my impoliteness until he shook his head with a sigh. "I…I am sorry, Hinata sama." Neji said while bowing at a near 90-degree angle. Hearing this nearly made me choke on the last piece of my food. "W-why are you apologizing?" I asked in puzzlement. Neji stood back up straight with another sigh, and a face of shame, similar to my father's from earlier. "I have treated you wrong. I blamed you for the death of my father, I…I always thought it was because you were weak, that he died. It was a foolish belief."

I stared back at him with a slight smile, "You know, that was some time ago that I was weak, I cannot be mad at anyone anymore, it would not help me see my goals fulfilled." I said with a small smile and fierce determination in my eyes as Neji looked at me in relief, shoulders flopping downward slightly. "Your goal, what is your goal Hinata sama, I must make it up to you somehow?" Neji asked. I chuckled slightly, "You do not have to make anything up, it's fine now." I said before switching expressions quickly to a serious, stoic face while narrowing my eyes. Already showcasing my leadership potential of the strongest clan. The face of someone who will be moving mountains. "My goal is to end the slavery of our family, Brother Neji. I will see to it that the curse mark is either removed or altered to where it only destroys our eyes after death and we all will receive it. I will be the first Hyuuga clan head to adopt the new seal." Hearing this, Neji's eyes widened dramatically, "You're serious?" Neji asked while looking at my stone-cold face before sighing, "You are serious, but Hinata sama, how can I help, I wish to help." Another smile crossed my face as I stated, "You can help by getting stronger, becoming somewhat of a leader of the side branch so they can look up to you. That's all you can do for now, I still need to reach the rank of Jonin after all to become clan head." Neji nodded with another sigh, "This is troublesome." He complained as I couldn't help but agree.

Timeskip: 2 Weeks, Hinata's POV

"Curse these damn blasted, Kami damned d-ranks!" I yelled internally after catching a freaking cat for the fourth time this week, poor Akamaru is worn and tired and Kiba's face is scratched. Shino is buzzing slightly louder than usual as Kurenai sensei is walking behind us with a content smile on her face while reading some book called, 'How to Become the Devil, a Guide on Torchering Genin.' "Now, good job everyone, this may be one of the final d-ranks we need to do but I don't know." Said Kurenai sensei in a velvety voice full of mirth. "AHHHHH come on sensei, can we at least take a short break after this one, Akamaru is pooped!" Complained Kiba. Kurenai looked at him with sympathy, "After this, we can have a short break, but then we get back to training, I really want you all to know your chakra affinities." Said Kurenai. I was too tired to listen, Kiba was slightly confused and Shino, of all people, spoke up, "Sensei, is there a reason that you wish to teach us about our chakra affinities at such an early time?" Kurenai smiled, which regrettably made me blush and turn away, "Indeed, the chunin exams are coming in a month and I would like you all to be as prepared as possible since you all did well when it comes to tree climbing and water walking, I believe it is time for you guys to expand beyond just what your clan teaches you." We all nodded as we made our way out of the Hokage's tower.

End of Chapter