-Hyuga clan estate-
Hinata and Neji's sparring had become a common sight within the estate, with many clan elders changing their opinion of Hinata entirely. They didn't know when it began, but at some point, they realised that Hinata had been sparring with Neji very often.
Initially, they were worried, after all, Hinata had never shown outstanding talent in the clan jutsu, nor had she bore the bearing of the main household.
But as time went on, they saw her in new light, she had changed.
The one who was the happiest about this change was none other than her father, Hiashi, who saw this as an opportunity to reinstate her as the official heir.
He didn't think this way because he felt Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi, was unworthy, he just felt that Hinata deserved a chance to take it back if she wished to do so.
'When did she grow so much' He thought to himself as he walked towards the training ground where Hinata and Neji usual trains.
He doesn't drop by often, rather, he mostly only receives reports about their sparring, and only visited long ago when she initially began to change.
Now, with her passing the Chunin exam, and showing jutsus he has never seen before, he found himself intrigued to see how the training with Neji is.
'Neji is very talented, so much that it's a pity he's from a branch family, but I didn't think he'd be willing to let go of his hatred for the main clan and train Hinata' He thought
As he approached, he heard the sound of clashing palms and strikes. But oddly enough...he smelled a strong scent of blood, which made him speed up his steps.
"Gah" Just before he arrived, he heard Hinata's voice
He took a final turn, and upon arrival, he witnessed Hinata falling to the ground, coughing up blood as she fell.
His pupils shrank, and an inexplicable rage grew in his heart.
"Neji! What have you done!" Blood, there was blood everywhere! He roared as he stormed over towards Neji, who didn't react in time when a hand struck out at him.
Neji's eyes widened from shock, the strike landed on his chest, and a metallic taste entered his mouth.
"Bwah" Blood splattered out as he fell to his knees
He looked up in confusion, then at the blood on his hand. His own blood soaked his clothes, and every time he breathed, an intense sharp pain invaded him.
After striking at Neji, Hiashi turned around...to a scene he would never expect.
The moment he turned, he saw a palm right in front of him.
*Bang*
The fallen Hinata had gotten up, her vicious eyes showed no mercy as she struck her own father in his chest.
She didn't stop after the first strike, she followed up with a second palm, then a third. Hiashi now wore a similar expression to Neji when he got struck, completely stunned as Hinata landed eight palms on him...wait, no, there was also a kick amidst that!
Since when did Hyuga members use their legs!? Hiashi was overwhelmed, and even he couldn't control himself as blood seeped out of his mouth.
Hinata's ferocious eyes slowly regained her usual calm, and when she looked up...
"Huh...dad? What is happening?" She was baffled
Why is Neji on his knees, coughing up blood, and why is her dad the one in front of her, also coughing up blood!? Did she do this!?
Hiashi stared at Hinata, on one hand, he was confused as to why she hit him so hard, and on the other hand...he was proud she could hit him so hard!
After a few moments, both were able to regain themselves, and wiped the blood from their mouths. Thankfully, Hiashi's strike on Neji was only to subdue him for a moment, so it didn't cause severe internal injuries...but he did get light internal injuries.
"So...you saw Neji strike blood out of me, so you hit him, causing him to drop to his knees as he coughed out blood, then I hit you whilst I was filled with bloodlust, causing you to cough out blood" Hinata asked
"That is the process, yes" Hiashi said with a dignified look, as if the earlier strikes didn't happen
Hinata turned to Neji, who had his fists clenched. He wasn't looking up at her, nor Hiashi, but she could see the rage in his eyes, yet all he could do was bear with it.
The view Neji held towards the main house never changed once, with her being the exception, and to be struck to the point of vomiting blood over something trivial, it's no wonder he felt the way he did.
As this thought came through, she decided on something
"Dad, apologise to Neji" She said
Hiashi frowned
"Hinata, a servant of the main branch hurt you, what I did was out of concern for you" He said
Neji's already rage filled eyes shuddered when he heard that as he bit down on his lips. Blood seeped out, trickling down the side of his mouth.
Hinata was just as furious when she heard this
"If you're so stuck up on calling him a servant, why not make me one as well! If I can't even defeat a servant, I may as well be one myself!" Hinata raised her voice as she yelled
Her words made Neji freeze, he looked up at Hinata in shock
"Hinata, how can you say that? You're my daughter, and-"
"And Neji is your nephew! And how can you call me your daughter when I've seen you less than Kurenai sensei seeing Asuma sensei not smoking!" She yelled
'Asuma sensei is catching some strays' Neji thought
Hinata's outburst almost made him forget about his own anger, all he could feel now is shock, and a hint of joy as he watched Hinata argue for him.
"I-I'm sorry, I need to manage the household affairs" Hiashi said bitterly
"You don't even know much about me, do you? Do you even know how I train every day? Clearly not, if you did, you would not have struck Neji"
Spilling blood is simply an hourly thing for Hinata when she trains with Neji, she believed that only by fighting with the intent to win can she improve, which is how she had grown so fast in the past two years.
Hiashi's expression flinched, he couldn't refute her words, but even so...
"Yes, I don't know enough, which is why I've done all I can to see you more often now, not being able to see you often all this time is a heartache for me as well" He responded with a bitter expression
Both sides were getting more agitated, especially Hinata
"Then why is a request from me so difficult! Is your pride so important that you can't even apologise for one wrongdoing?"
She gnashed her teeth
"Also, you've been trying to see me more often lately? Is it not because I showed progress during the Chunin exam? Otherwise, would you even try to see me? Ever since Hanabi became the rightful heir, the amount of time I've seen you decreased, you were as disappointed in me as I am of you right now!"
Neji gulped
'Is this still about my issue, or is this yours?' He wondered
"Th-That, of course not! I care for both of you equally, I spent more time training Hanabi since she was in her growth phase, she needed more guidance" Hiashi said, stumbling on his own words as he spoke.
Hinata's eyes became darker, she turned around and grabbed Neji's wrist
"We're going" She said
"H-Huh" Neji was stunned, they're leaving now?
Hiashi was just as stumped
"Where are you going" He called out to her, but Hinata didn't respond as she left the estate with Neji in tow.
Hiashi watched helplessly as they left, slowly, he sighed
"Ko" He said
When he spoke, a man appeared behind him
"Yes, clan head?"
"...like usual, make sure Hinata is safe, and report back to me after they return" He said
"Yes" Ko nodded and followed after Hinata
Hiashi's lonely gaze lingered in the direction Hinata left in, he sighed and turned back.
"I'm truly awful" He muttered
Meanwhile, Hinata pulled Neji out of the estate, and began taking him somewhere else.
"Hinata, if you're angry on my behalf, I-"
"Huh? I was only angry at dad for being a piece of sh*t" Hinata gnashed her teeth and scowled
Neji gulped
"Then where are we going" He asked as he pulled his hand back
Hinata stopped, and looked back at him
"...no idea, I just left in frustration, and dragged you with me" She replied
"..."
Neji pinched between his brows and sighed
"Well, I'm injured, so we'll go look for Sakura first" He said
"Sounds like a plan, after that, we can ask her to heal us again while we spar" Hinata said with a big grin
"...maybe hold off on the sparring, ahem, I'm a bi~t tired today" Neji said wryly
Hinata rolled her eyes
"Nope, we are going to spar until I'm satisfied, you improve too fast, and I can't catch up" She said with an annoyed huff
"Hah...if I don't work harder, I'd be overtaken by you" He muttered
Neji's despairing look made Hinata giggle, she turned around and started to walk again. Seeing her leave, Neji felt he had no other choice but to follow along.
"Hey, Neji" Hinata then said, not looking back
"Yeah?"
"...I'm sorry" She said
Her sudden apology was unexpected, and he almost stumbled when he heard her
"What for?"
"Dad...well, he hit you because he assumed I was hurt badly, if I was a bit stronger, and lasted a bit longer against you, maybe the misunderstanding wouldn't have happened" she said
Neji was stunned, but not for the reason one would expect
"No, nope, no, he jumped to that conclusion because there was more blood on the floor than there was during war" He said as he waved his hand, his expression and tone was completely serious.
"..." His words made sense, there was indeed a lot of blood...
"But, I mean, he sucks" She said
"Yep, definitely" Neji nodded
"Like, awful as a parent and family" Hinata added
"Yep, injury still hurts" Neji said
"And he never even carried me on his back" Hinata muttered
"Okay, pause, is this about you or me" Neji asked
"...well, it 'was' about you, until now" Hinata coughed awkwardly
The two stared at each other in silence, and after a long while, they shook hands.
"He's a d*ck" They both said and nodded
With that, their bond seemed to have grown.
Afterwards, the two of them went to find Sakura so she could heal Neji's injuries. As light as the internal injuries are, they are still internal injuries, caused by Hiashi no less, so they were in quite the hurry when they found Sakura.
"The heck? You got beat by her dad, and she beat her dad?" Sakura asked as she placed a hand over Neji's chest, with a faint green glow emitting from her hand.
"That sums it" Hinata nodded
"Wow, you two and your family issues...hah, I can relate" Sakura said
"You beat your dad?" Neji asked
"Huh? No!" Sakura gasped
"Then...your dad beats you?" Hinata asked
"...hah, that's not what I meant, I mean, we all have constant arguments with our family, my parents...urgh, don't get me started with them" She sighed
"Then we all have it rough"
The silence lasted for a short period, but was broken by Hinata the next moment
"Say, Sakura, can we fight?" She asked
"And where did that come from?" Sakura asked
"Spar" Hinata responded
Neji leaned over to Sakura
"She's a battle junkie now" He whispered
"Oo~h...yeah, no, stay away from me" She shuffled away as she spoke
Hinata leaned closer
"Come on, I thought we were 'bonding' and getting closer" Hinata said, her intense gaze made Sakura gulp nervously.
"Go bond with someone else, I've suffered enough with my training with Hokage-sama, I do not need more of such 'bonds' in my life" She responded as sweat ran down her face.
Hinata tucked her lips as she stared at Sakura
"Can we really not?" She asked
"No" Sakura was firm on this, and responded without hesitation, after all, aside from Tsunade's training, she is also suffering from Naruto's training, as well as Itachi-chan's regiment in her dreams.
Those alone takes up her entire day as well as night, how can she fit more in for the battle crazed Hinata???
'I am not letting my rare day off be ruined by another match' She groaned in her heart
"Um" Hinata fiddled with her fingers
"What is it?" Sakura asked
"Well, I sort of had a big argument with my dad before leaving, and I don't really have a place to stay at the moment, I was wondering if you knew any places" She muttered
Sakura's eyes widened from shock, she turned to Neji, and...he was even more shocked than she is!
'I thought we were just heading out for a breather, you're running from home!?' He exclaimed in his heart
Sakura got the gist of the situation from Neji's expression, he was never one to hide his emotions well, so he was quite easy to read.
She sighed
"I get you, alright, I'll see what I can do" She said as she leaned back
Sakura pulled out a scroll, and opened it up. Within was a complex looking seal, one identical to the one Tenten used during the Chunin exam's first segment.
[Yo, got an issue?] Naruto's voice came through from the other end
'Naruto-kun' Hinata stared at the scroll in a slight daze
"Yeah, our dear Hyuga princess has ran from home, and needs a place to stay" Sakura replied
[Cool, let me guess, Hiashi saw Hinata bleed during a sparring session with Neji, attacked Neji, got hit by Hinata, who had a full blown outburst right after] Naruto said casually
"...yes...how'd you know?" Sakura asked, he was awfully specific with this scenario, as if...
[Yeah, I saw the whole thing, well, a clone did, and reported over] He replied
"..." The three were speechless, so he knew the whole thing!
"So you just watched?" Sakura was speechless, he saw all that happen, and he just watched?
[Should I have done anything? It was a family affair after all] Naruto replied
"Urgh, but Neji got hit for no reason, no?"
[It wasn't a lethal strike, he probably suffers more from fighting Hinata] Naruto responded calmly
And oddly enough, his words left them all speechless, as they found his argument to very plausible. What he said made sense, but why is it so frustrating when it came from Naruto?
"Hah, fine, it's a family affair, jeez"
Naruto was silent for a bit, as if he was thinking about something.
[Hinata, I know you probably don't want to, but I suggest you return and talk to your father properly] Naruto said
Hinata flinched
"I...I'll hear you out first" She said, she wanted to say no, but Naruto must have a reason for saying this, right?
[It's just a personal opinion, you don't need to take my suggestion...parenting isn't an easy thing, and sometimes, they make decisions...decisions that can hurt their child, yet it was done for their own good]
His words had a rather strong impact on Hinata, and even Neji trembled slightly when he heard what Naruto said. Sakura's eyes widened before she spoke.
"Naruto...did you eat something weird" Sakura asked
Naruto laughed faintly
[I'm just giving opinions that I think will help, Hiashi isn't unreasonable, otherwise, Neji wouldn't have received just one strike from him]
"...I...I think I still need some time away from the compound" Hinata said
[That's your choice then, I will ask sis for an empty apartment for you two to stay at for the time being, and Neji, if you want, I can help you with that matter I spoke to you of a while ago]
Neji's hands clenched
"No need, I will do it myself, and prove they were wrong" Neji replied
[Suit yourself then, for now, just stay with Sakura I guess] Naruto spoke, then the scroll dimmed as the connection was cut.
Naruto sighed as he rolled up the scroll
"Those brats really have the nerve to complain about their parents to me? Insensitive f*cks" He cursed as he tucked the scroll away.
"This kinda ticks me off, perhaps I should set off the bombs I planted inside Danzo's men to relief some frustration, nothing more therapeutic than explosions" Naruto muttered
[I'd love to watch that happen, but that would mess up your plan to kill him in the future]
"Yeah, you're right, urgh, I wanna blow someone up really bad right now"
[Leave the poor animals in the mountain range alone you sick b*stard] Kurama scowled, remembering what Naruto did in his past life.
'...I uh, I'm just teaching them how to defend themselves'
Kurama rolled his eyes as he scoffed at Naruto
[You're seriously insane, you know that?] Kurama sighed, Naruto is truly the epitome of madness.
-Sakura's place-
"Alright, accommodation is secured, what will you two do now? Though it's annoying, I have to admit, Naruto is somewhat right, running from home won't change the situation in your clan" Sakura said to Hinata, feeling concerned about Hinata's situation.
Hinata slumped back
"I have nothing to talk to him about" She replied
He had never been with her when she needed him. Despite this, Naruto's words lingered in her heart,,,
'It was Naruto-kun who stood up for me all those years back...his radiance and positivity about his situation shone upon me like light, he saw the best in his situation' Her hands clenched
'Unlike me, he showed me a path I could take, to look past my own weakness, but I was too scared to take it at that time, and even now, I-I'm...'
She felt as if she was back to being a child, unsure about what she should do, uncertain about her own choice, afraid to take the step.
Hinata understood that Naruto is right, yet she found herself unable to step forward when it came to her father, as her years as a child came back to torment her.
'No, I changed, I have a goal, I have someone to...to follow...' When this came to her mind, she couldn't help but pause
Is she really trying to keep up with Naruto?
'I-I like him, because he showed me what I lacked, he shone like the guiding light for me'
The more she thought, the more vague Naruto's image became.
'He...has been avoiding me more and more lately, if so, who do I follow if I can no longer see the one I intended to keep up with?'
Her hands dropped as her eyes dimmed
"Why can't I even get one thing right in life" She muttered silently
Sakura didn't hear it, but Neji, who sat beside her, heard it clearly. He saw her dimmed eyes that no longer carried the flames during battle, and a sense of unease creeped into his heart.
"Hinata?" He called out
Hinata didn't react immediately, but turned to him after a delay
"Y-Yeah?" She asked, her eyes lowered, unable to meet his eyes.
It was a familiar look, one that Neji hated. It was that very look of weakness that made him detest her so much. She was from the main branch, but the fact that she had such a weak will, he hated that more than anything, and now, she is making that same look again!
His teeth clenched
"Hinata!" He yelled as he stood up
"Ah!" Sakura jumped
"Why'd you yell" She rubbed her ears and huffed
Hinata was also shaken, her eyes trembled
Neji's brows furrowed
"Just what is going on with you, ever since Naruto hung up, you've been acting weird, tell me...or are you going to hide like you used to" His eyes narrowed as he spoke, his voice sharp and unfriendly.
Hinata looked up at him, his fierce eyes was the same as back then, when he would treat her like air.
"I-I-"
"Neji, calm down, can't you see Hinata is overwhelmed right now?" Sakura intervened and said
"You stay back, this is a matter Hinata needs to resolve now" Neji shouted at Sakura
He stared at Hinata, waiting for her response.
"I..."
"Just what is going on in your head!" Neji yelled at her, he refused to believe Hinata is about to return to her past self, not after she had pushed him so hard! Where will he find the same motivation? Who will push him to his absolute limits!
"I don't know!" Hinata suddenly shouted back
Tears began running down her face
"Talking to dad just made me remember the past! I-I don't want to be the weak girl I used to be, and Naruto was the reason I could change!" She said
"I liked Naruto, so I made it my goal to keep up with him no matter what! I talked big, saying I will never give up on him, even if he avoids me...but now what? He avoids me so much...I can't even see his shadow anymore!"
"Where am I supposed to set my sights...if my goal to become stronger is no longer in sight? Just what do I do? What do I do!" She broke down as she cried
"Dad wasn't there for me when I was young, it was Naruto, only Naruto! If he avoids me...who do I have then?" She asked
*Pa*
A crisp sound rang out, as Sakura's mouth opened wide from shock. Neji had delivered a ruthless smack across Hinata's face, his eyes looking more angry than before.
"So you're just running away!" He yelled
"I am not! I can't go on, I can't find my reason to continue, I can't see him!"
Neji grabbed her collar as he pulled her up
"Then what the hell have I been training my a*s off for! Naruto helped you back then, and now, are you seriously saying you're alone? Who am I then for training with you! Who is Sakura who is always healing you? Who is Haku, who you share incredible coordination with during battles!" He snapped at her angrily.
Hinata's pupils shrunk
"Open your damn eyes! As someone who wields the Byakugan, you are blind as a bat, Naruto is not the only person you can rely on dammit! And what is this bullsh*t about keeping up with him"
He threw her against the couch
"Instead of looking for someone to guide you, you should look for someone to walk with you, a person shouldn't be your goal, your goal should be an achievement, such as beating the crap out of the b*stard Naruto for avoiding you, or beating the crap out of your father who was a sh*tty parent!"
His words struck Hinata's heart, and the answer she was so unsure of began to clear up.
"Then...what should be my first step" She asked as tears streaked down her cheeks
Neji stared down at her
"Figure out who you want to beat up" He replied
Sakura stared at them with her eyes wide open. For one, she has never heard Neji speak so much, in fact, this might be the most she has ever heard him speak ever. Hinata's outburst was something she didn't expect either, but with how she was as a child, it didn't come to her as a surprise.
No one can change overnight, and the same went with Hinata, perhaps...she simply put up more walls than a normal person would in order to become how she is now, and today, those walls broke down.
At the same time...Neji's response was NOT what she had expected!
"I...I..." Hinata bit down on her lips
"I suggest to take things in order, so first in line is your father" Neji added as he reached out one hand to her
"...I'll do it" Hinata said as she grabbed onto his hand.
"We'll beat the crap out of Hiashi!" Neji shouted
"And kick him while he's down!" Hinata added
Sakura: WTF
Ko: The heck to I report back to Hiashi-sama...
Neji then sat down next to Hinata
"Next...who do you wish to walk this path with? As I said, you should never set people as your goals, you should set them as people to walk alongside you, as equals" Neji said
Hinata began to think of those she knew, those that are close to her. After Naruto, who else should she focus on? Two faces slowly came to mind...
She nodded at Neji, her tear covered face slowly blossomed into a smile
"I know" She said
"Then will you keep walking forward" Neji asked
"Yes" She said confidently, her smile widened
"I...will definitely keep walking...until-until I 'step all over' them all" She said, her uncertain eyes became sharper, as a terrifying glimmer shone in them.
'Why did she emphasis the stepping part' Neji wondered, but then he saw that sadistic smile...
'Right...she's got that nature in her' He gulped, slowly dawning upon himself that he had just woken up an absolute monster.
He didn't know if his decision was right to unleash this monstrosity into the world, but as her family, he felt it was the right thing to do.
'They're definitely family' Sakura thought