Hey, hey! Nothing to talk about. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Oh! Keep in mind. Fights are different and not as detailed. Again, attempting to focus more on the personalities of the characters. Hope you enjoy though!
Team seven arrived at the land of waves finally. The remainder of the travel went smooth, no more hiccups or attacks happened. While that was good. It was nerve racking at the same time. Something was going to happen. They just knew something was going to happen. Reason why Kakashi had everyone monitoring and on a higher alert level.
While Kakashi was against relying on others and especially using his genin for aid in a mission, because things have taken a turn he did need them in some areas.
Hinata has been using her Byakugan for about an hour or so. Pushing two hours. Probably the longest she's had to actively use her Byakugan for ninja purposes, however he was hoping because she wasn't using it in an offensive standing point that it wouldn't affect her too much.
"Everything look good Hinata?"
Hinata trailed in the back of the group. Constantly scanning the area. Silent the whole time and focused. Her eyes were tired and she was growing a headache, but she didn't want to let the team down. She just couldn't let the team down, not after all they've done for her the last couple of days.
"Fine." Was the short, direct answer she gave her sensei. That's all that was needed in the moment anyways. They were basically at their destination so the tension was growing thicker.
Naruto spared a glace to Hinata when she gave the short reply. He didn't like the short answer and thought over about Hinata's eyes the day they were trying to capture that cat. Hinata didn't complain when her eyes were growing tired then. He doubt she would do it now. He'd have to keep a close eye on her.
Kakashi nodded his head. He casually looked back at Hinata and saw the focus on her face, "Say Hinata. How far does your Byakugan go? Each Hyuga ranges right?" Hinata looked at Kakashi and was a little skeptical answering. "Don't worry. No one here is going to take the information and use it against you. Plus, I'm not asking for all of the Hyuga details. Right?"
He was asking basic information. He already knew there were many secrets the Hyuga's kept to themselves when it came to the Byakugan.
This seemed to peak Naruto and Sasuke's interest. They too looked back to hear Hinata's answer. Sasuke frowned slightly that she even hesitated. He told her what he knew about the Sharingan when they discussed Dōjutsu's. She still had this wall between them somewhat. Something that he'd work on her breaking because this was unacceptable with him.
Hinata still looked a little skeptical, but she supposed this wasn't too private of information. "Right now, the furthest I can go is five miles at max focus." Kakashi hummed impressed at her answer. "What gauge are you right now?"
"Two miles. If someone approached us in a group this distance would give us time to plan anything out." Sasuke eyed her. Her eyes could do that? Go that far? That was insane. At the same time concerning. She grew tired at short range in the village. She's at two miles now for over an hour. Sasuke knew her eyes had to hitting a fatigue point. She wasn't saying anything, so maybe she was fine. "How far can your cousin Neji go?"
"Two miles. My sister less than a mile. I believe me and my father are on the same distance level." Hinata thought her words over. She felt like she sounded like she was boosting about herself. "That being said when it comes to actual skill, they all beat me when it comes to mastering the gentle fists."
Naruto still stared at Hinata in awe. Ignoring how she tried to downplay herself. "That's so freaking cool Hinata! You activated your dōjutsu when you were a kid. You've been training for SO long! Your eyes can see the same as your DAD. You should totally rub that in Neji's face!"
Sasuke gave a look that said Naruto wasn't off with his comment. He knew he would rub it in his brother face if he was better in anything than him. Hinata gave a reserved smile, "The Byakugan has flaws. It is important that I keep a low profile as long as I can so no one knows I am a Hyuga. That way they can't plan against my dōjutsu. My flaw is I rely more on my eyes than I do my gentle fists and family attacks."
Naruto and Sasuke both stared at Hinata for a moment. She just couldn't take a compliment. It was so hard for her to feel proud or happy about herself. Even while sober. The alcohol definitely wasn't the reason Hinata was always a downer.
At this point the two were realizing due to Hinata's upbringing she was permanently scarred by her family. She'd always be like this.
This was something Naruto and Sasuke accepted.
Kakashi paused for a moment. Curiosity started to creep up on him, "So. You saw the ninja that night? You saw him before he even came in your room."
He had put the pieces together and was slowly starting to realize a lot of Hinata's flaws dealt with her nerves and her doubting herself. She was probably frozen stuck when she used her dōjutsu and saw a stranger entering her compound. She didn't think she could do anything to fend for herself.
At a young age Hinata knew what it felt like to be scared to death. To accept death early on.
Hinata kept looking forward. Her eyes focused on scouting the area, "Yes. I knew he was coming to my room to kidnap me. I knew I couldn't do anything about it."
She knew she was going to die and the fear of that night still eats at her every single day. Everything about her family eats at her nerves every day. Hinata relied on her father to save her. Maybe that was why she was so dedicated to proving her worth to him, because her father always took care of her. Whether he wanted to or not.
Naruto turned from Hinata and balled his hands into fists. Hinata was too pure to have experienced such things. Everything she's done. Her addiction. She suppressed so much. Yet, Naruto felt like there was more. Hinata was like an onion. Layers to all her tears.
Kakashi again hummed at this. "A blind Hyuga is a dead Hyuga. Isn't that the saying Hinata." Hinata nodded her head, "Hyuga's are the all seeing after all." Hinata paused in her tracks as something in the distance, about one fourth of a mile from them whizzed pass her sights. This wasn't good.
Kakashi picked up on her hesitance and noticed the veins around her eyes expand more. "Hey. What is it? Don't over strain yourself. I can't have you out here blind Hinata."
Naruto and Sasuke immediately stopped and looked at Hinata. Concern on their face. They KNEW they should have asked Hinata if she was burning out. Looking at her it was so obvious. She was straining. She was in pain.
Hinata's eyes followed the body as it moved swiftly. Attempting to move out her sights, but she had her eyes locked on the body. This person wasn't going to move out her sights now. "This ninja knows a Hyuga is out here. About my blind spot."
Sasuke immediately frowned and looked at Hinata. He wouldn't say he was concerned for her, but it bothered him at how strained she looked. She looked like she was in a frenzy to keep up with the ninja. "You have a blind spot?" He didn't know this. She should have told them so they could cover her. He frowned as he looked at Naruto, who was also frowning at Hinata.
She didn't trust they could help her.
She never let go from the back of her mind everything her father has told her. To never rely on anyone but herself.
"It's a male. He knew my blind spot and had to have been trailing from that spot. Late 20s, slender, tall man. Short hair and carries a large sword. His chakra system indicates he is a bigger threat than the two men that we came across the other day. He is Jonin level perhaps."
Kakashi opened his pouch and pulled out his kunai. "Do you have your eyes locked on him?" Hinata was sweating now and the group could tell she had reached her limits, "Yes. He's not going anywhere. It seems he grew tired of trailing. He doesn't know the length of my Byakugan or how long I can hold it."
Kakashi nodded his head at this, "His ETA?"
"He's moving very fast. My estimate is less than two minutes. He's coming from our three o' clock sensei." Hinata looked over at Naruto and Sasuke. Who were now preparing to attack. She looked nervous. This man was beyond their abilities.
She knew this, could SEE it. Now was the worse time to have childhood flashbacks of when she was kidnapped. How she could see everything happening before it happened. How it was out of her control.
"Hinata!" Naruto snapped her back to reality as he gave her a heated look. "I know you're tired. I know you're Byakugan is straining you, but we need you right now. Get out of your head and try HARDER."
Hinata looked at Naruto and Sasuke and nodded her head. "He's here." That was the last thing Hinata said before everyone ducked and a large sword near the bridge builder imbedded a tree. "You three. Protect the bridge builder."
The three genin immediately did just that. Forming protection around the elderly man. Hinata deactivated her Byakugan for a moment and leaned over to catch her breath. This was bad. She wasn't someone with a substantial amount of chakra reserves. Honestly she was burned out already.
Hinata was shaking. A mixture from exhaustion and her addiction cravings. What has she done to herself? She was really dependent with alcohol? The burning liquid that would take her pain away? Yes, and she wanted it to take this pain away NOW.
Sasuke and Naruto scooted in front of her a little. To form protection in front of her. Sensing she was slowly breaking down. Hinata shook her head and took a deep breath. Her eyes were low because it was too painful at the moment to open them fully. "I-I am okay. I just need a moment."
Sasuke gave her a stern look. "Trust us for once." That was all he said as he turned back around to focus on the threat. They'd talk to her later. Discuss her stupid behavior later.
Check to see how her cravings were doing later.
They watched Kakashi engage with the ninja. Everyone learned that his identity was Momochi Zabuza, a missing-nin from the hidden Mist village. Famous for being a member of the seven ninja swordsmen of the Mist. This man was out of Genin and Chunin league. He was dangerous. "Shit." Naruto mumbled this as he watched his sensei engage with the man.
"Watch out!" Hinata had her Byakugan activated again. Against Naruto and Sasuke wishes and pushed Mr. Tazuna away from the missing-nin that just appeared in their protective formation they created. Hinata had her back against Tazuna in a protective manner and stared up at the enemy.
"Hinata!" Naruto yelled her name. Angry that she activated her Byakugan when they told her to stand down. She was hurting herself. Couldn't she see that?! She was hurting herself and thus hurting him. Naruto's never been this protective of someone. So scared of losing them.
Zabuza looked down at her with utter annoyance. "I knew they had a Hyuga with them. I can smell your arrogant kind a mile away."
Her Byakugan quickly addressed the situation and noticed this chakra system was weaker than earlier when they were being tracked in the woods. This was a clone. "A-A clone." Zabuza glared at her. "One thing a ninja hates is their tricks being exposed. I see now I'll have to take care of you early."
Zabuza dodged Naruto as he came to tackle him from behind. He did not however dodge Sasuke and the clone was stabbed in the neck and dispelled into water.
Sasuke turned around quickly and glared at Hinata. "I told you to stop! Let me and Naruto handle it! Stop hurting yourself! STOP IT!" Sasuke at this point was screaming at Hinata. Almost begging her to listen to them. To for once TRUST them.
She couldn't. It had nothing to do with trusting them. Hinata couldn't admit that she was terrified right now. That all she had was her eyes to help her. That in reality she didn't know what to do if this man got close to her again.
Her father wasn't with her. In Hinata's mind. She was alone.
Just like that night of the kidnapping. She needed her father. She needed her dad to protect her.
Naruto and Sasuke watched on as Kakashi and Zabuza engaged again in their fight. Sasuke watched on to see Kakashi finally revealed his covered eye and now everyone knew that the copy-ninja possessed a Sharingan.
Naruto caught on that Sasuke seemed to be frozen in place. Mentally he was not prepared to see something that resembled his family so soon. He had so many questions right now. Like why his sensei never said anything to him. Naruto frowned at Sasuke as well. He didn't need Sasuke to shut down on him too. "Sasuke! Not now!"
Sasuke blinked back into focus and looked at Naruto. He nodded his head and continued to guard the bridge builder. Satisfied that Sasuke was going to stay focused. Naruto checked on Hinata and saw that she wasn't faring well at all. His eyes widened and Naruto placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder so he could look at him.
Sasuke looked over at Naruto and followed his line of vision. His own eyes widened when they looked at Hinata and saw she had red tears coming out. Her eyes were swollen and pink, turning red from pain.
They could tell she was in a lot of pain, but she was still pushing. Over two hours of straining her eyes and now fully straining them to engage in combat. She wasn't use to such a thing and was starting to crumble.
Naruto was about to say something to Hinata. To convince her to deactivate her Byakugan, but just then Sasuke pulled Naruto to focus on the fact Kakashi was trapped in Zabuza's jutsu. It looked like he was in a ball of water and just couldn't move.
Hinata stopped looking at Kakashi and spun around quickly to see Zabuza was behind them again. "That should hold him. Now, back to you. You little fucking nuisance. What is a Hyuga like you doing out in a place like this?" She saw his hand come up to grab her and she swatted it away just for Zabuza to back hand her and grab her by the neck.
Naruto watched in a moments flash as this overbearing man slapped Hinata. Hard. Blood came out her mouth and Naruto wasn't fast enough to stop him. This shouldn't have happened to her.
Before Naruto and Sasuke could engage. Zabuza turned her around to face them and held a kunai to her neck. "Not that I have to do this to defeat weak little things like you. I just wanted to show you the reason you shouldn't try anything funny." He placed his hand on Hinata's forehead and lifted her hair.
"Unbranded too. Who's idiotic idea was it to let a main house Hyuga out in the wild. Your eyes are worth a fortune on the black market. Once I'm done with this old man, I'll be getting a major payload with you."
Zabuza let his kunai hold Hinata up by the neck. Her throat slowly being cut open. Blood slowly leaking out. "Now. I can't have you wrecking your eyes. That's the money. Here, cover these bad boys up."
Zabuza punched Hinata on her temple and her Byakugan receded back in pain. Naruto growled at this and advanced forward, Zabuza saw this and held the blade closer to Hinata's neck. This stopped any advancements from Naruto or Sasuke.
At this point. Naruto just gave up. This wasn't worth it. This bridge builder. Wasn't worth Hinata's pain. "Just…let her go okay!" Zabuza saw humor in Naruto's idiotic plea.
"Yeah. No. Don't think so." He covered Hinata eyes and she couldn't see anything. She was in complete darkness. She could hear everything. She could make out everyone's voices, but she was useless right now. She didn't have the chakra to help at all.
He was going to take her. He was going to take her eyes. Just like that man.
Her father wasn't around to save her. Where was he? He always came to help her. Did he hate her that much now that he wouldn't be there for her anymore. Was she that useless? That much of a burden. That no one would help her.
"Otō…san." Hinata mumbled this to herself, but Naruto, Sasuke and Zabuza heard her. The two boys growled and Zabuza just laughed this off, "Your dad isn't going to save you out here sweetie. You were in over your head-"
She'd have to save herself then. At this point, Hinata realized she didn't want to die.
She screamed. Hinata screamed a blood curdling scream and ignoring the pain of the blade against her neck. Hinata pulled Zabuza's hand that was over her eyes to her mouth and latched on to his pinky finger in a millisecond. She bit down hard. Very, very hard.
Naruto and Sasuke heard a loud, audible crunch and a squirt of blood sprayed everywhere. Zabuza immediately flung Hinata across from him. She landed on the ground beside her teammates, but sprung back up in a crouched down position. She activated her Byakugan again and ignored the pain. The look of pure anger crossed her face and she snarled at the missing-nin.
Naruto took this time to leap at Zabuza. Followed by a large army of Naruto's. "You bastard!" Zabuza could easily dispel the clones, but missed when Sasuke came behind Naruto with fūma shuriken. Sasuke threw it at him and Zabuza was able to catch it. Missing Naruto coming up from Zabuza's waist and stabbing him in the abdomen. This caused Zabuza to release the water prison technique on Kakashi.
Hinata fell to her knees when she saw Kakashi engage back with the missing-nin. She started to gag, which resulted to Naruto and Sasuke rushing to her side to make sure she was okay. Sasuke looked at the ground and saw her coughing and finally throw up a mouth full of blood.
Along with a pinky finger.
Naruto saw the scene and felt sick. He pulled Hinata to him and held her in a protective manner. Cradling her face and running his hands through her hair. Her face was so wet from blood. Her mouth. Her head. Her eyes. He could barely see her actual face features. He's never seen Hinata hurt so bad. No amount of bruises her training from her home did this much damage to her.
He didn't save her. Naruto didn't care if they were all ninja's. Hinata was HIS precious person. This shouldn't have happened. "I'm sorry. This will NEVER happen again. I am so, so sorry. Hinata. Please forgive me." Naruto was talking frantically as he held Hinata. Not willing to ever let her go.
Sasuke was kneeled beside the two and watched on as Kakashi was about to administer the finishing blow on the missing-nin. Hinata gripped Naruto's sleeve and reached over to grip Sasuke's. She pulled the two close to her and whispered in their ear. Watching as their expression turned from remorse, because she still had her Byakugan active, to alarm.
Sasuke watched as a third party came into the scene. Expressing to Kakashi that he was a hunter-nin that was sent to kill Zabuza. He had earlier impaled several senbon in Zabuza's neck and appeared to have killed him. This hunter-nin took the dead body and thanked the group before leaving.
Hinata had a strong hold on Sasuke and Naruto. A silent way to hold them in place. There was just no way they were prepared for any of this. Kakashi watched the hunter-nin leave and looked over to his genin. They were beat up a little, but intact. Client was perfectly fine as well. Hinata the most damaged because she became more of a prized target than the bridge builder.
Kakashi looked over at Sasuke and Naruto and saw the angry looks on their faces and how Hinata was holding them in place.
Something wasn't right.
"That wasn't a hunting-nin and he didn't kill that missing-nin. They were working together. Hn, I figured as much."
Kakashi mumbled this to himself after Sasuke and Naruto told him what Hinata told them before she passed out. "Hinata was smart to not say anything out loud. We were in no shape to really tackle another opponent that might be on the same level as Zabuza."
Naruto nodded his head in understanding. While he wanted nothing more but to engage with an enemy and never back down. After everything that had happened in that very moment, he could only admit that retreating was the smartest choice. He looked over at Hinata's clean face and sleeping form and his frown deepened. "We have to protect Hinata too."
Kakashi was seated and leaned back against the wall to rest some. He was not untouched in this battle in the slightest. "Awe yes. Missing-nin are always in it for the money. Hyuga eyes are a pretty penny on the black market. The perfect pay day for a lot of people. Early retirement money. Hinata has to protect herself. We cannot do that for her. She knew the risks when she decided to become a ninja and come on this mission."
Kakashi saw what Hinata did. He saw what happened to her. How she was beat the worse out of everyone. How scared she was, but covered it with looking as if she was alert. Kakashi didn't want to say Hinata was on her own, because she wasn't, but she needed to feel like she was on her own to grow stronger.
Hinata needed to save herself from her enemies and from herself. No one could do that but her.
Naruto stared at Kakashi with his mouth hung open. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, "What? H-How could you say that?"
Sasuke looked at Hinata's sleeping form and sighed at their situation. "He's right Naruto." Naruto's head snapped over to Sasuke. Hinata wasn't awake to separate them now. She wasn't there to be the mediator now. So he pushed Sasuke. He reached over Hinata's sleeping form and with all his might he pushed Sasuke right on his back.
He wanted to punch him right in the jaw instead of push him, but Naruto knew Hinata would have been upset with him.
Naruto was visibly shaking with rage. "Yet you think you're the better choice. You're a coward that only cares about himself."
Sasuke laid on his back for a moment before slowly getting up. He got it. How Naruto felt. Sasuke felt sick just saying that Kakashi was right. He'd let Naruto have this one. Plus, he didn't want to risk injuring Hinata even more by arguing over her sleeping form.
If Naruto hit him again though, Sasuke was going to obliterate him.
"Feel how you want, but you can't protect Hinata forever. At some point you're going to have to let her be a ninja. Don't let your emotions get this team split up dobe." Naruto paused before he made a rebuttal. Sasuke was right. He hated to admit it, but Sasuke was right. If it was viewed that you couldn't emotionally handle being on a team with someone they would replace you on another team.
He didn't want to be separated from Hinata or even Sasuke.
Naruto settled back down beside Hinata and didn't look at Sasuke or Kakashi. "I'm just saying right now. She needs our help. I think it's fine when one of us are down the others pick up the slack. Hinata did her part. She scouted and made sure we weren't ambushed. She protected the client even when we told her to stand down. I saw she was scared, but she pushed pass it and survived. We can pull some of her slack until she gets better. It's what's right."
Kakashi nodded his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You're speaking like we are in a noble world Naruto." Kakashi dug in his pockets and pulled out a small white pouch. After tearing the pouch slightly, he leaned over to Hinata and waved it under her nose. "It's smelling salts. It'll wake her up within seconds."
Sasuke watched as Hinata's nose scrunched up and how she moved her head in disgust left and right. "Naruto. Move." Said person looked at Sasuke confused. "What-"
Just like that Hinata sprung up in high alert and open palmed Naruto in the face. Sasuke had backed away from any impact along with Kakashi. Naruto however, he felt like his jaw was just dislocated. Hinata packed a fucking BLOW. This was just from waking up.
Hinata snarled at her supposed attackers and lunged at Naruto. His reflexes had improved over time because he ignored the pain from being hit in the face, very aggressively mind you, and grabbed Hinata's hands. "Woah! Hinata! It's me, Naruto! Focus on me. Look!"
Hinata's feral look kind of scared him. She looked at him like he was going to hurt her, like he was the enemy. "You're not Naruto-kun! You LIE!" Naruto looked at Hinata confused. She was staring right at him. How could she say those things. "Hinata? You can't see me?"
Realization hit Naruto hard and he went from sad to terrified. "Sensei! She can't see me! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!" Naruto went from holding Hinata off to embracing her, which threw her off and she froze. "N-Naruto-kun? I-It's really you?" Naruto let out a sigh of relief as he held her. "Yes you psycho. What's wrong Hinata?"
Hinata held on to Naruto. Clinging on to him almost. "I…I lost my sight."
Sasuke eyes widened. "W-What?" He looked at Kakashi who seemed to be unfazed by the new discovery. He held a mini lighter to Hinata's face and noticed how she flinched away from it.
"You can see the light. Light hurts your eyes right now?" Hinata nodded her head. She relaxed some as she felt what she assumed was Kakashi rub her sore temples. "That's sore as well?" Hinata nodded her head again and Kakashi stood up to go into their medical bag. He walked over and took out some gauze, saline and tore a cloth to wrap around Hinata's eyes.
"Temporary blindness. It happens when a dōjutsu user over strains their eyes. Just relax for me Hinata. I'm not going to sugar coat it. This is going to hurt." Kakashi took control over the situation. He leaned over towards Hinata while she was in Naruto's hold and washed out her eyes. Her back was leaning against Naruto's chest and Naruto held her shoulder's to support her. As Kakashi did the first cleanse, Sasuke watched as Hinata balled her fists up and squeezed in pain.
If anyone asked that day. His hand just so happened to be near hers and Hinata reached for his hand. However, the way Kakashi saw it. Sasuke slowly inched his hand close to Hinata's and nudged for her to take it. Which, she immediately did and squeezed his hand in utter pain.
Kakashi watched her eyes carefully. No real damage. Just overuse and soreness. After he was done flushing her eyes he placed ointment and gauze around her sensitive eyes for comfort before wrapping her eyes with the cloth. When Kakashi was done tying it he leaned back and looked at Hinata. "There. Tomorrow morning I'll redress it. Does it feel any better?"
Hinata nodded her head and started to relax her body now that the treatment was over. She subconsciously let go of Sasuke's hand and moved away from Naruto to feel around for where she was originally lying down at. "Yes. T-Thank you s-sensei."
Naruto frowned at this along with Sasuke. Almost feeling used. Like Hinata was purposely trying to distance herself now. Like she was ashamed that she needed them for support. She was giving off the aura of her family now, like she was too good for them.
Kakashi hummed as an acceptance of her gratitude. "So. This has never happened to you before?" Hinata shook her head vigorously. "N-No. It has happened to my f-f-father before and N-Neji."
Kakashi put a personal note in his head that Hinata's stuttering got worse when she talked about her family. "Let's clear some things up. A fallen comrade gave me his eye. When I first got it, I would constantly go through this. I know it hurts. I know you are in pain, but I need you to fight through it. You'll be doing training with Naruto and Sasuke tomorrow as well. It is a good chance those two missing-nin will come back and there will be an even bigger chance you'll have to fight them while you're temporarily blind."
"That's impossible." Sasuke stared at Kakashi now. Fully convinced he was just being an asshole now. No way Hinata could defend herself temporarily blind against two high-grade missing-nin. Kakashi ignored Sasuke's heated stare. "We cannot have you being a burden while actively on this mission. You know that Hinata."
Hinata nodded her head in understanding. She couldn't imagine herself sitting on the sidelines while Naruto and Sasuke picked up her slack. She would have to ramp up her other senses and get back into the fight. "Yes. I know and fully understand sensei."
Kakashi continued to stare at Hinata. He knew she could sense his stare. "Is there anything else you want to say Hinata?"
She slightly flinched under his stare, "I-I-I-I a-am s-sorry s-sensei. I-It-"
Kakashi quickly interrupted her. "Stop. Stop right there because that is not what I'm asking from you. I do not need you to resort to what gets you by at home Hinata. Really, look at the situation that just happened. Look at what you failed to do and think back to what I said you lacked greatly when first meeting you. Teamwork. I need you to be genuine and understand. You saying sorry all the time and still doing what you're doing isn't going to give you progress."
He was harsh, but Hinata needed harsh right now. Hinata further slouched in her sitting position. "Hold your head high and straighten your back when you brief me Hinata." She immediately did what her sensei asked. Kakashi ignored the heated stares Naruto and Sasuke were giving him. Hinata needed this tongue lashing.
"I-I-"
"Do not speak until you have all the words aligned in your head to talk. It's just me, Naruto and Sasuke here right now. There is no need to be terrified." Hinata paused for a moment. Kakashi could see her bottom lip tremble slightly from being corrected on the spot. "Hinata."
"…Yes sensei?"
"I'm not your father. I'm not Neji. I'm not anyone in that home. I'm on your side."
A sob escaped her for a moment. Hinata quickly collected herself and straightened herself up again. Not willing to look weak in front of her teammates. "I…never told Sasuke or Naruto about my weaknesses. About my blind spots. I didn't take breaks while scouting. I took on all the burden and didn't communicate with my teammates."
"Why Hinata?" Naruto sounded hurt. Hinata could hear it in his voice. He already had a general idea on why she did this. Hinata shook her head. She didn't want to answer. She didn't want to do this right now. She was trying to control her hands from shaking greatly right now. She was trying to tell herself to not crawl into a bottle of alcohol right now. "You…You don't understand."
Sasuke frowned at her. Anger starting to take over his senses right now and usually that meant his mouth was free to say what it wanted. "So, that conversation we had the other night just went through that empty skull of yours? You really do believe what your prick of a father has taught you? That you shouldn't need help."
Sasuke was reaching a point of being livid. He opened himself up to Hinata. Just for her to still shut him out. Like he was nothing. Didn't she care? Didn't she see he was TRYING. That he was giving her all he had emotionally.
Hinata squared her jaw. Sasuke watched as Hinata swallowed a sob from escaping her. Like she didn't want to give them the luxury of seeing her cry or fall apart. Is that what she thought? That they wanted to see her fall. This just angered Sasuke more, "How could you be so utterly stu-"
"I. Am. Sorry."
Hinata turned her head towards Sasuke. She followed the sound of his voice and found him. "I. Am. VERY. Sorry." Sasuke watched the frown on her face and how she was so tense. She was being serious. She was sorry.
She turned to look at Naruto as well. "This is not something easy for me to speak on. To admit I have a vulnerability. I do. My Byakugan has a 360-degree range with a blind spot, making it imperfect. I have low chakra reserve. I need to work on that. I am moderate in taijutsu. People in my clan are usually high functioning at my age. Yet I am moderate. My Byakugan even with its slight flaw…is ALL I have."
She relied on it too much and failed her team.
Hinata gritted her teeth at the last remark. "I…I did not think it would fail me. I didn't plan on it failing me or my teammates. It was my fault and I am sorry." Hinata bowed her head in an apologetic manner. Like she was asking for their forgiveness. "I will not be a burden though."
Kakashi watched Hinata. This team was good for her. With Sasuke there to give her the harsh reality check and Naruto there to give her the support. This team was good for one another because Hinata balanced Naruto and Sasuke as well when they struggled.
Naruto wasn't overexaggerating. Hinata did pull her weight. A lot actually, but if Hinata knew she pulled her weight and did good. She wouldn't try to fix the problems she had. So, Kakashi played dirty and had her feel as if she needed to improve. There was nothing wrong with a little bit of manipulation to get the best out of someone with potential.
Kakashi stood up to stretch his sore limbs. "I know you won't be Hinata. Get some sleep, I will be waking you all up at dawn for training. Oh and Sasuke, you'll take second watch and Naruto will take last watch." Their sensei left them and Hinata immediately felt awful because she couldn't conduct watch. "I'm sorry."
Naruto laid down on the makeshift bed Hinata had on the floor. "Save it. I'm sure you're exhausted from that long confession Hinata." Naruto yawned as he looked at Hinata.
"Plus. The way I see it, after you explained it. You didn't tell us because your family trained you to keep such things to yourself. 'Clan secrets'. Ya know? Plus, I think Kakashi-sensei knew about the blind spot. I just don't think he knew how long until you exhausted your eyes. I think the main reason he was upset was because you never voiced it to me or Sasuke is all."
Naruto was still upset about that. However, that was for something to talk about when they were out of the danger zone.
Hinata nodded her head at him. "I…do not think I am better than you or Sasuke. I do not think that at all." Sasuke sat beside Hinata. Opposite of Naruto. Making her the center of their sandwich again. "Stop acting like it then. Open your mouth and communicate with us."
Sasuke laid down. Hinata still was sitting up looking off into the distance. Sasuke rolled his eyes at this. She couldn't possibly being avoiding them like this when she couldn't even see at this moment. This girl was top tier at avoiding conflict.
Naruto sluggishly looked up at her and patted the pillow for her to lay down. Without argument Hinata did lay down. Naruto and Sasuke made eye contact over Hinata's body after she laid down. Both acknowledging she did this without protest. Hinata was the queen of silent protests.
So, that's all it took? A little bit of guilt for her to listen. Noted.
Naruto pulled the blanket up to cover Hinata. "Hinata?" She was on her back, but she turned her head and faced him. Naruto ignored the butterflies that blossomed in his stomach when she turned to look at him. It was a strange feeling because usually he'd only get this goofy feeling if he was lucky enough to get Sakura's attention. He couldn't even see Hinata's eyes and felt giddy from just having her attention. "Yes Naruto?"
Naruto held Hinata's hand that was over the blankets. He was a toucher. That was for sure. Sasuke wasn't as touchy-feely as Naruto. He didn't need the affection that Naruto needed to still have a liking towards you.
Naruto felt Hinata's hand and how it shook. She was still feeling the withdrawals and with everything going on Naruto felt absolutely awful for her. She was enduring so much. "You bit a grown man's finger off." Her hands shook more and Hinata nodded her head. "I did." She said this as her bottom lip trembled.
Naruto looked down at the wound on her neck that was bandaged up as well. Memories of the kunai held up against her neck. Her bleeding from it as her neck slowly split open. Naruto reached over and touched the bandaged injury before looking back up at Hinata. He'd never, ever forget what that man did to her. "I'm GLAD." He vehemently whispered this.
Hinata let out a heavy sigh as she turned her head back to the ceiling. "Don't say such things Naruto-kun."
Sasuke turned his body to face Hinata's direction and he gave her a confused look. "How can you say that? That man is a murderer and he was going to take your eyes and sell them to the highest bidder. I'm glad you took his finger too."
Naruto squeezed Hinata's hand to stop her from shaking. Hinata shook her head. Disagreeing with them. "What kind of monster does that make me? Stooping down to such a vulgar manner to survive."
Sasuke actually chuckled at this. He smiled as he looked at Hinata. "You really are a stuck-up noble princess. That's what I'm going to call you from now on. Princess." He watched her pout when she heard Naruto laugh at the nickname. "You want the name Hinata back then act like a ninja that's okay with getting dirty."
Hinata said nothing else as the three of them decided to fall into a slumber.
End of chapter!
Hope you all enjoyed it. This is like another barrier that Hinata has broken. She is learning to trust Naruto and Sasuke. It's one thing to have a crush on them. To trust them with your feelings. Her life? That took a lot from Hinata and she has to learn that people outside the Hyuga clan are there for her.
Plus, trying to do all of this and deal with an addiction. It's kicking her ass. I enjoy writing Kakashi as a more emotional sensei. Not too emotional, but someone there for his students physical and emotional needs. Who they can rely on and talk to. In Hinata's case, a father figure that can be strict and caring.