It was the day after Sasuke helped her with the shuriken that her father finally called her for training again. Hinata was surprised it had taken him this long. Then again, she used to be the only child he had to focus on. Now Hanabi required a lot more of attention since she was beginning to learn, and thus it was understandable her own training would be pushed aside for the time being.
She walked inside the dojo feeling absolutely nervous. She just hoped it didn't show. Once in front of her father, she bowed and proceeded to take her stand.
Her father was merciless like always. Hinata had to use all her concentration just to dodge his attacks. At one point, she connected with his right arm, but the pain from her palms was so much she wasn't able to pour as much chakra as she was supposed to. Her father noticed this, but did not comment on it, and in no time at all he had her on the floor, face down.
"Stand up."
Hinata whizzed, but quickly returned to her feet. The onslaught continued. Her father hit her left arm, rendering it motionless, and a swift kick to the stomach sent her flying. She stood up before her father could remind her and charged again, her eyes looking for an opening. By a miracle she managed to connect her palm against his chest, and, bearing the pain, poured more of her chakra against him.
It was still ineffective. Her father pushed her and with a hit on the center of her chest, she crashed against the opposite wall. This time, she couldn't find the strength to stand up.
"Is this all you got?" her father asked with such a cold voice.
Hinata shook her head, and with every bit of her willpower, she slowly pulled up. Her breathing was faltering, her eyes stung with unshed tears. But she took her position again and, again, she fought.
In the end, the result was the same. She fought like never before, and lost like always.
"I admit you have improved" her father said, but his tone was not one of praise, "however, it is a minimal improvement. The two times you managed to touch me, the chakra behind the attack was subpar at best. I see you have been training" he commented, looking at her hands. Hinata wanted to hide them behind her sleeves, but she knew that would be impossible, especially with someone with the all-seeing eyes. "May I thank this training for the very small improvement? No matter" he answered his own question, before stepping aside. "Our bodies are our weapons, Hinata, and just like them, they need maintenance and care. Do not mistreat yours again."
And with that, he left the dojo, leaving a pensive Hinata behind.
What her father said… was very similar to what Sasuke said. Although she improved, if she had taken better care of her hands, the two times she managed to touch her father the attack would have been effective. Her father knew this, and he was acknowledging it.
Maybe… her training was not wasted after all. She just had to protect her hands more, or at the very least, learn how to handle pain better.
Although it ended in another defeat, Hinata was determined. Next time, she would do better.