Chapter 28 Hyuga heir, fate of a big sister.

A nursery. That was the only way to describe his clan compound that was overrun by children playing ninja. Perhaps playing ninja was being too kind as the children getting knocked around, wouldn't see it as a game.

Hiashi watched as the children, attacking Sakura, were forced back with a devastating kick. Her taijutsu was impressive for a child her age and background. It was rare for talent like that to exist among the civilians. Those that did rise from nothing, had excellent teachers or, was a bastard child. Hard work just couldn't beat natural talent. There was a big difference between starting with nothing and starting with a foundation already in place.

Sakura had a natural talent for chakra control, and she built on that foundation to get as strong as she was. She was also smart, capable of analyzing situations quickly and acting accordingly. Hiashi half tempted to pit her against a Nara her age to see who would win.

The children groaned as they peeled themselves off the floor. Hinata couldn't match the boys' stamina, standing as the weakest of the group. Naruto, the one with the most energy, had no fighting technique and instead rushed in. Sakura knocking him down, again and again, served as a lesson that, that tactic wouldn't work.

Sasuke and Neji were the only ones competent enough to give her a fight. Both being from noble clans, one would think the civilian was no match for them. That one, would be wrong.

Neji charged in, aiming at Sakura's chakra points but withheld his chakra to keep this spar just that. Sakura knocked his hands away with a fluid motion. She moved like water, forcing Neji's attacks to flow the way she wanted them to, away from her.

Even as the boy increased his speed, she would still prevent his hits from landing.

Frustrated, Neji backed away, allowing Sasuke to attack her. Unlike Neji's fighting style that was graceful and swift, Sasuke's was brutal and fast. Sasuke's hard hits couldn't easily be knocked away and had to be dodged or blocked.

Sakura's form changed from water flowing to a mountain unmoving. The ground beneath her feet cracked as she blocked Sasuke's punch, her steps heavy as she retaliated. Her fist, deadly and fast, went over Sasuke's head, forcing the Uchiha to retreat.

The two nobles stood together before coming to the same conclusion. They nodded to each other before taking their respective stance. Hiashi smirked at Sakura's reluctant face. One on one she could handle, but what would she do face with two on one. The answer; adopt.

Sakura's stance changed. Her legs were firm on the ground, while her hands were relaxed. The boys hesitated for but a moment before charging in. they attacked at the same time, aiming to throw her off. While she could deflect Neji's attack, she couldn't with Sasuke's and would have to block or dodge. One of their attacks would hit.

Or not.

Sakura grabbed both their wrist crossing their arms and pulling them in suddenly. Unbalanced and disorientated, they could do nothing about her follow-up punch to the gut that sent them flying back. They skidded on the ground stopping near Naruto and Hinata, who spectated.

A commotion to the side had Hiashi looking over to see his clan men also spectating. The look on their faces they weren't pleased with what they saw. Whether it was Naruto, Sasuke, or Sakura, he didn't know, as the clan had a problem with all of them.

Naruto was the Nine tails Jinchuriki, Sasuke was an Uchiha their rival, and Sakura was an outsider. He heard the argument near every day, but his stance remained the same. He wasn't letting the brats out of his sight, after what happened, just moments after saying good night. The memory of Sakura's wound hand him shivering. That could have easily been Hinata or Hanabi; the former was close enough that night.

Providing a safe place for them to train was the least he could do for the brats.

"The girl is indeed talented."

Hiashi looked up from where he sat to find the elder, his father, standing beside him, his hands in his sleeves. The short man showed no emotion on his face as he watched Hinata apply ointment to Neji's bruises. The two cousins' relationship had improved ever since Sakura appeared. Hiashi wasn't sure how he felt about Neji seeing Sakura as a rival and Hinata seeing her as a role model. But he knew what the elders thought about their relationship.

"I suppose it wouldn't be bad to have her as a part of the Hyuga clan," His father said. Years of concealing his true feelings, were the only reason he didn't groan at the prospect. If Sakura knew why the elders allowed her to visit as often as she did, she might never return.

Tiny footsteps, no trained ninja would allow, alerted him to Hanabi's presence. The young Hyuga looked out at the older children, or perhaps just at Hinata and Neji.

"It's time we choose an heir," the elder informed Hiashi needlessly. They had this conversation the night before and had agreed they would have his daughters fight for the title. Hinata was unfit for the role as she was too kind-hearted. He loved that side of her, he truly did, but a soft leader is an unworthy one. The shinobi clans were led by strength, or so they say. His younger brother was a better fighter than he would ever be, and yet, Hiashi was placed as the head of the clan because he was the firstborn.

Hinata's training, for the most part, was handled by Sakura. The pink-haired devil intented to beating the hesitant out of the Hyuga. While Hiashi was grateful, he couldn't help but hate that Hinata relied more on a child than him.

"Very well," he said.

"Sakura-chan," he called, out getting the girl's attention. Green eyes looked his way, and he waved her over. Obediently or perhaps just curious, she walked over to him.

"Yes," she said, "Hyuga-san," she said after taking note of his father and daughter.

"It's almost time for Hinata and Hanabi's sparing," he informed her. "This fight will determine the heir to the Hyuga clan, make sure she ready."

Sakura's vein popped and throbbed dangerously as her ears turned red. She looked at him, a stranded smile on her face. Hiashi fought a smile as he saw Sakura fighting back an argument. He had to praise her for showing some level of respect in front of the elder.

"I see." She all but hissed, "If that is your wish."

Falling over in laughter was only something he could go in his mind; in reality, he merely nodded. Sakura exhaled through her nose and finally looked at Hanabi, smiling sweetly and gesturing to the field she had been training on.

His daughter huffed and walked by her and unto the grassy plains.

"Konohamaru, you poor soul," Sakura muttered, much to their confusion.

Sakura walked over to Hinata and healed her bu

ries, while informing the girl of her predicament. Hinata reacted just as he'd expected, her face fell. Neji said nothing as he walked over to the sidelines followed by the two boys.

Sakura gave, what he could only guess was a pep talk, before joining the boys, leaving Hinata and Hanabi on the field. Standing up Hiashi announced the match as a fight for the title of heir. Clan members crowded the corridor, eager to see the long-awaited fight.

The girls nodded in understanding, taking a fighting stance and activating their Byakugan

"Begin!"

Without hesitation, Hanabi attacked her big sister. Chakra spiked as Hinata knocked her hand aside before retaliating, forcing Hanabi to retreat. Without pause, Hanabi attacked once more. They moved with purpose; each strike generated a pulse of raw chakra, showing how serious they were. She wasn't holding back chakra at the ready to end the fight in one strike.

This wasn't a spar but a fight with the intent of defeat the enemy. The Hyuga clan technique was a one-hit kill. The one to land the first hit was the guaranteed winner.

Hinata knocked Hanabi's hand away, raw chakra flying from the attack. Strike after stick was knocked aside as chakra flow into the air. Hanabi was on the offensive but Hinata stood her ground.

"Wow," Naruto mothered impressed.

Hanabi's strikes were fast and powerful, she showed no hesitation or mercy towards her sister. Only those truing looking saw the small smile and blush on the little girl's face. Much like Sasuke looked up to Itachi, Hanabi adored her elder sister. This fight wasn't for the spot of the heiress to her, to her, this was no different than playing ninja with her sister.

She wanted to be just like her big sister that was so strong. And her sister was strong, no matter what anyone else said. Her sister was strong and gentle. She always played with her every day after training even if she was tired. It was only recently that her sister stopped playing with her.

Rather than sad, Hanabi was angry that she could play with her big sister. Even as the elder, her grandfather, told her the importance of the clan heir, Hanabi didn't understand how playing with outsiders counted as training.

The clan said before to stay away from the boy, right? So how was he now invited to spend time on the clan compound? Noting made sense, least of all this duel; why did she need to fight her big sister with the intent to hurt her?

Hinata knew this day would come eventually. She wasn't deaf to the whisperers around the clan. Her baby sister was talented able to match her in combat despite being five years younger. The last person to accomplish something like that was Sakura.

Hinata was constantly being compared to Neji and Sakura when it came to her combat ability. She didn't think it was a fear comparison. Neji was a genius and Sakura hand monster level of strength. However, in the clans' eyes Neji was from the branch family and therefore weaker, and Sakura was a commoner.

Though Hinata wanted to live up to her father's expectations, she couldn't bear to hurt her little sister to prove a point.

"Aren't you looking down on your little sister?"

After telling Itachi about her reluctance to hurt her sister, in what could only be described as elder sibling bonding, Itachi asked her the question. She was confused as to what he meant and said as much.

"You said it yourself; Hanabi is on pare with you in combat, despite the age difference," He said. "So why are you afraid of hurting her?"

Listen, as older siblings, it's our job to inspire our younger siblings. They look up to us, so we can't show weakness. They want to be just like you, so you have to put your best foot forward. Like a wall, they need to climb over." Itachi smiled at her then.

"It seems lonely," Hinata said.

"You think so?" Itachi looked up at the sunset sky. "Do you think Sakura is lonely?"

The question surprised her. What did Sakura have to do with anything? She wasn't an older sister, was she? He smiled at her confused face.

"You look up to Sakura, don't you? What would you do if she lost to you in a fight?"

"She would have to be really sick!" Hinata couldn't imagine such a day.

"Right, that's how your little sister sees you," he explained. "As an unbeatable force. If you suddenly crumble, then their world will crumble with you."

Pale eyes widen with astonishment. Was that really how Hanabi saw her?

"Don't hold back, don't hesitant," he told her, patting her head. "Show her the big sister she loves."

Hanabi aimed for Hinata's abdomen, where she could inflict the most damage and win the fight. Hanabi charged with all she had but Hinata dodged her attack. Having put her all into the attack, Hanabi was unable to stop her momentum and left herself wide open to an attack.

"Don't hesitate."

Itachi's words ran in her head, and she attacked, hitting her sister's side. Hanabi was thrown to the side from the force of the attack.

Hanabi rolled to her feet holding her side as she looked up at her sister. A gentle smile was on her sister's face as she looked at Hanabi. The same smile she wore when playing together.

"Show her the big sister she loves."

"Enough!" Hiashi called the fight.

Hanabi never thought she could actually beat her big sister, so it came as no surprise that she lost. But it ignited something inside her that she hadn't felt since she first saw her sister fight. Her sister was amazing, just as she thought. Father had been sparing with Hanabi more than usual, so she thought Hinata wasn't getting any training.

She was wrong. Why would her sister need training; when she was so amazing! Hinata could beat Neji too, but she was too kind and didn't want to hurt Neji. She knew Hanabi could handle her fighting, that's why she didn't hold back, as expected of her big sister.

She was able to see that Hanabi was strong and could fight as her equal. Hinata was undoubtingly stronger. Hanabi wanted to get stronger, so she could actually give Hinata a challenge one day.

"It seems it's been decided," Elder said, sounding disappointed. Hiashi was debating whether he should call him out on his favoritism when he noticed there were now two Uchihas. It was a bit unsettling that he didn't notice Itachi's approach. Should anyone ask, he would say he was caught up in the fight between his daughters.

He walked over to his eldest and pat her on the shoulder. Hinata looked up at him with an uncertain expression.

"You did well," he said, hoping his word would wash away her uneasiness.

"That was amazing, nee-chan!" Hanabi crashed into Hinata's chest, hugging her. She rubbed her face in Hinata's chest before looking up with sparkling eyes. "You're so cool!"

Elder would disapprove of Hanabi's behavior, but just once, Hiashi would indulge. He stroked Hanabi's hair lovely and smiled at her when she looked up at him questioningly.

"You did well Hanabi, you still need training, but I'm proud of you." He kneeled and hugged them both. "I'm proud of both of you."

Sakura blinked, surprised by the sudden show of affection from the emotionless clan. Most of those gathered were surprised by the act; even Neji cringed.

"Did I miss an episode?" Sakura muttered to herself. Itachi smiled at the heartwarming scene and couldn't help up pat Sasuke on the head, surprising the boy who hadn't noticed his presence.

"Aniki!"

As usual, Sasuke's eyes lid up whenever he saw him. Sasuke hugged him around the waist, apparently affected by the heartwarming scene. Itachi was pleased to see that Hinata had taken his advice. If she stopped hesitating, he was sure she could surpass Neji. It seemed to be Sakura's intention with the hellish training she put her through. Oddly enough, she reminded him of his younger self, who wanted nothing but his father's approval.

"Someone explain to me in simple terms what's going on?" Sakura said, her face pale.

"Hinata will hold her title as Hyuga heir," Neji said, with no regard for Sakura's sanity.

"Doesn't that mean she will have to give up on being a shinobi and marry Neji?" Sakura stated rather than ask. Naruto and Neji stiffen at her words.

Itachi regrets nothing.