Kapitel 4: Chapter 4: Childhood Arc
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Pre-Shippuden Dick!Neji would have gotten his ass kicked by Hinata.
Playing the Role of the Byakugan Princess
Childhood Arc
Chapter four
The following days that passed over the next couple of years were not as eventful as my third birthday. My training schedule has increased dramatically and I take that as a good sign since Hiashi rarely ever tells me I am doing anything wrong nowadays. Personally, I have felt myself become more stronger, quicker, and I am on a good pace at building up my stamina. My Gentle Fist strikes are sharp and precise with power backing them up. Even though I am naturally flexible, I have noticed my kicks are getting higher and my body gracefully flows when I have to dodge and block attacks. Even with all this success I am having so far, I still have a long ways to go and need to keep continuing this training so I do not let my unnamed illness to catch up to me and allow me to become feeble again.
My father's and Hizashi relationship has not changed one bit so I am not going to cover that topic. I have decided to handle that whole situation for when I am older. What I will mention is Neji. He is in his second year at the Academy now and I already have some competition with him. He is already at the top his class and continues to impress his instructors everyday. Everything just comes so easy to him and I will admit I am a little jealous. I thought I was quick to pick up on things such as the Gentle Fist. Nope. He's proven me wrong. Even though I haven't seen him personally yet while he trains, I can already bet that he's a million time better than me and becoming a prodigy. What I can say that I have witnessed from him is a little arrogant and prideful attitude that he has begun to develop, similar to the one in the anime/manga. I guess that part of him cannot be changed whether his father died or not. I don't blame him for acting that way. He's better than most children that go through the Academy and he knows that. Though he doesn't go around bragging or taunting to others, I have seen some of his "looking down on people" looks towards me whenever he has to watch me train.
Neji has also confided in me that he hates the way the Main House runs things and how they expect the Branch House to always fear them and be their shields and puppets. He has even admitted that he hates my father ever since Hiashi unleashed Hizashi's Curse Seal in front of him and I do not blame Neji. I would hate someone if they harmed my parents in front of me. At least I can sleep well at night knowing that Neji does not hate me so I know he will easily help me change the corrupt ways of this clan whenever I become the heiress. I have not told him my ideas just yet but I plan on it whenever we are teenagers.
I lied earlier. One eventful thing has happened since my birthday. The birth of my younger sister, Hanabi, happened about two months ago and I am head over heels for her. She is literally the cutest baby I have ever seen, well the only baby I have ever seen in this life, and my parents are just as crazy over her as they were of me when I was born. This time around, Hiashi actually knows how to react whenever Hanabi cries in his arms. Since I am not considered a baby or toddler anymore, being five years old now, he has been showing less affection towards me and has become more strict and harsh to prepare me for the Shinobi world. His soft side is coming back now ever since Hanabi has been born and it is sweet to see him cuddle his newborn daughter and play with her. Haruna is just as on cloud nine about Hanabi as the rest of us except she goes out of her way to make sure I do not feel left out. Knowing that I am way too mature for my age, she has trusted me with helping taking care of my sister when it comes to changing her, feeding her, and carrying her around. Whenever my parents become busy, they let me "watch" Hanabi by letting me hold her in a sling that is wrapped around my shoulder and I play with her. Truthfully, I exaggerate on the word watch because we have a nanny babysitting us in reality.
One evening while having dinner with my family, my father reminded me of something got made me excited. "Hinata-chan. Do not forget that tomorrow is your first day at the Academy."
My eyes widen as I swallow some rice. A couple of weeks ago, Hiashi had taken me to register for the Academy but I did not know we start tomorrow! I instantly feel overjoyed and nervous at the same time. I get to finally meet Naruto and all the other characters and having interaction with other people besides a Hyūga! What I am nervous about is actually performing well in the Academy. While I know a lot about the anime/manga, it never covered much in detail about what exact a student has to learn in order to become a Genin. So, I am going to be feeling clueless for once and have to resort to being in the same boat as everybody else. Ugh.
"How come you are not saying anything?" my mother asks, feeding Hanabi through a bottle. She winks. "Are you getting cold feet?"
I shake my head. "How hard is the Academy?" I ask.
"It isn't too hard as long as you pay attention, study, and train," Haruna explains. She briefly gets distracted by Hanabi's sudden babbling. She smiles and tickles her daughter before paying attention to me again. "But, you are an intelligent and hardworking child. You will do fine."
"I just expect nothing but good reports about you," my father adds. "I also expect you to stay at the top of your class like Neji-san has been. You both are representing the Hyūga clan and you cannot be overshadowed by a member of the Branch."
My mother sighs. "Stop putting so much pressure on her, Hiashi-kun. She hasn't even started yet."
I agree with my mother. I am already nervous enough about understanding the material and Hiashi is already expecting me to be Rookie of the Year? No way. Plus, I do not even plan on being the top of my class even if everything does somehow come easy to me. I do not want to screw up the predestined Genin teams that are already set in stone, as of now. I need to stay an average student so I can be on my team with Kiba and Shino so I do not change things. Changing things can alter the future and I like having the advantage of knowing what is going to happen. Still, I will make my father feel better and agree with his words.
I nod my head. "I will not let you down, Otou-san!"
Hiashi appears pleased. "Good." Hanabi decides to interrupt the conversation by spitting out her bottle and wailing. Haruna excuses herself from the table as she begins to pat Hanabi's back while leaving the room. Hiashi looks at me once more. "While I do not doubt you, I just expect a lot from you because you will have a lot of competition in your class over the next few years."
Ohh, I know what he means. My class is famous for having a bunch of loud and cocky heirs and heiresses running around. I know one kid in particular that he is mostly talking about. Sasuke Uchiha. Still, that doesn't motivate me enough to change things and become the top of the class. Naruto has proven to me that you don't have to graduate at the top of the class, or with any good grades at all, to be a great Shinobi. It helps, but it doesn't determine a person's overall talent. I mean, look at Sakura Pre-Shippuden.
As I walk into the busy classroom, all my nervous "first day of school" jitters went away. Children are scattered all over the place, talking to one another. The classroom looks exactly like the way I remember it being: four rows each containing three long desks that sit three kids each. I decide to ignore the kids for now as I make my way to the back row and sit at the chair and desk closest to the window. I do not want to draw much attention to myself and plan on staying quiet to observe. Now, I am not going to act anti-social and have zero friends. But, I plan on just acting strictly friendly to the main characters as of now. I do not want to make any friends yet because I want the kids to grow into their destined characters before I play a part in their lives and affect it. While I really want to fangirl for actually seeing some of my favorite characters ever in person, I know I cannot. Plus, I am too much of a chicken right now to try and do anything differently in fear of changing things, but I will show that I am friendly by talking to them every now and then to create a slow bond that will blossom into a friendship in a few years.
As I scan the classroom, I notice Sakura basically hiding in the corner in the back row like I am except on the other side of the room. Her pink bangs are covering most of her face as her frightful eyes are looking at the ground, trying not to make contact with anyone. I smirk. I'm not used to seeing Sakura so silent and not that confident in herself. I know that soon Ino is going to change her ass around and boost her self esteem so I am not too worried though I feel bad for her. She should not be made fun of just because she has a big forehead that has enough room to land an airplane… okay I'm done.
The next person that I care enough at the moment to look for is Sasuke. He, too, is sitting by himself except he is sitting exactly two rows ahead of me, staring out the window. Many fangirls, including Ino, is crazily staring at him with hearts in their eyes as he choses to ignore them. I guess he learned that from his brother, Itachi. In my eyes, Sasuke seems to only act like his true self whenever he's around his older brother so I am not surprised to see him isolating himself in a public setting. Like Neji, he probably thinks he is better than everyone and doesn't want to hang around these peasants.
As I continue to observe, I notice a sleeping Shikamaru, a chubby Choji snacking on some chips, Shino hiding behind his sunglasses, and Kiba laughing loudly about something. It is odd to see Kiba without Akamaru so I assume he gets him when he's a little older. The only person that I see is missing is Naruto. Of course he is. He's probably late from oversleeping or causing pranks.
The class begins to settle down and take their seats as a woman strides into the classroom. She has short straight brunette hair, narrow green eyes, and is of average height. She is wearing the standard Konohagakure Shinobi outfit complete with the forehead protector around her waist, sandals, and falk jacket. As she walks over to her desk, two light headed kids comes to sit beside of me. I make no effort to look or talk at them since they are just canon fodder. The woman smiles brightly at us as she stands in front of front of her audience.
"Welcome to Konoha Academy!" she greets. "My name is Amori Ruki, but you can just refer to me as Ruki-sensei. I will be your instructor for the next three years. I hope you brats can make things easy for me by doing what I say and we will all get along just fine."
Just as she says that, the classroom doors slides open and runs in a panting Naruto. "Sorry… I'm late!" he apologizes as he leans against the wall to catch his breathe.
Ruki crosses her arms and gives Naruto an annoyed look. "Arriving late for your first day of class is not giving me a good impression of you," she tells him. Then, she widens her eyes. "Oh, you're that kid." Her demeanor changes from annoyed to disgust as she averts her eyes away from him, pointing at an empty seat. "Just go sit down."
Ignoring her obvious distaste towards him, Naruto puts on a wide grin as he skips up the steps and sits down beside Sasuke. "What's up! My name is Uzumaki Naruto!" he says happily to Sasuke as he reaches out his hand. Sasuke gives Naruto a bored look and glances out the window again. A tick mark flashes on Naruto's head as he grits his teeth. "Hey! Don't ignore me when I am introducing myself to you!" So, this is when the rivalry begins.
"Hn," Sasuke replies without looking. Ahhh the famous Uchiha response.
Naruto is about to say something else before Ruki interrupts him. "ANYWAYS!" she yells before speaking at a normal tone. "During your first year here at the Academy, you will be learning basic arithmetic, reading comprehension, spelling, and grammar. You will do a little bit of this every year, but will be the main focus on this year. Before one becomes a Shinobi, they need to know how to read, write, and solve problems." Great, I get to repeat kindergarten all over again. So much for not trying to be top student. This shit will be to easy for me to even fake that I don't understand. "Everyday, except Friday, I will assign you all a page of homework that I will expect completed and turned into me the following morning. Every Friday, we will have a spelling test on a list of words I have given you for that week. It will be a mixture of basic everyday words and Shinobi terms. It may not sound like it, but the first year is always the easiest year. When you are older, you will be wishing that you were a first year again when things get hard." Somehow, I think I doubt that.
After a couple of hours of Ruki going on about what we should expect for the year and other stuff that is to irrelevant for me to explain, it is lunchtime! The class disperses from the sits and begin to eat and mingle as I continue to sit alone and unpack the bento that Haruna prepared for me. I open it up to see a small piece of chicken, a variety of steamed vegetables, a handful of rice, and a cinnamon bun for dessert. Yum! Sounds like a great lunch to me! As I eat, I see Naruto try a couple more times to speak to Sasuke before he stomps off in annoyance. I watch as he tries to join in with several different groups before walking away from being ignored. My heart is breaking for him. I raise my eyebrows as I realize that he doesn't have any lunch packed with him. He must have forgotten when he overslept this morning. I try to not give in until I hear his stomach rumble all the way from back here. He puts a hand on his stomach as he scratches the back of his neck in embarrassment as his classmates stares at him before returning to their business.
Suddenly, Naruto sees me staring at him and makes his way up to me. Ugh, come on kid! You're going to make me feel bad and give you my lunch if you come over here! He plops down beside of me and eyes me suspiciously. "Why do you keep on looking at me?" he asks. "Your eyes are freaky."
I almost cough up my chicken after he says that. I guess the Third Hokage hasn't taught him any manners yet. An idea suddenly pops in my head as I smirk. "You think my eyes are freaky?"
Naruto nods. "Well, yeah. They are just different and all large and white."
"They aren't freaky," I tell him. I close my eyes as I slip a little chakra into them. I dramatically open them back up as I feel the veins begin to bulge around my eyes and my vision beginning to change. Damn, Naruto does have a shit ton of chakra reserves, "Okay, now they are."
Naruto yelps as he falls out of his chair. "W-what did you do to them?!"
"I am just showing you how freaky my eyes can truly get," I tease, giggling. Oh, I forgot to mention that I can use the Byakugan now. The events revolving around the awakening isn't anything to eventful. Hiashi was explaining to me one day how the Byakugan worked and I just tried to activate it just for shits and giggles and it worked! Hiashi was a little startled but pleased that I activated mine at a young age, especially before Neji, and that's the end of my short flashback.
"You're strange," Naruto mumbles as he climbs back into his chair. His stomach growls again.
I deactivate my Byakugan. "And you are hungry." I hand him my bento. "You can have the rest of my lunch."
Naruto shakes his head. "No, that's yours! I will be fine until I get home. It's my fault I forgot to pack my lunch anyways. My stupid alarm didn't go off."
I roll my eyes. "I know it is mine. I get to decide what I want to do with it and I am deciding to share my lunch with you."
I wave the food under his nose for extra measure. He smells the delicious aroma and gulps. "Are you sure?"
I sigh. "I wouldn't be offering it to you if I wasn't."
He gives me a huge grin as he snatches the bento from my hands and begins to dig in. "Mmmph! Mmmph! Thank you so much! Mmmph!" he tells me with his mouth full.
"No problem!" I say, kicking myself. I hope this doesn't change anything. I felt bad for him! I couldn't let him just starve! I even gave him my cinnamon roll that's how bad I feel for him. Okay, I doubt anything will change from this little event. I am just thinking irrationally right now. I can just go with my original plan and stay friendly with Naruto, but not on an everyday basis.
"So, what is your name?" he asks after coming up for air after eating for two minutes straight. I stare at my now empty bento. Wow, he was hungry. All my food is gone. I really wanted my cinnamon bun. Sad day.
"My name is Hyūga Hinata," I tell him. "And, I already know that you are Uzumaki Naruto."
Naruto narrows his eyes. "How do you know my name?"
God, he is dense. "You just announced it to the class when you were talking to the dark headed boy," I explain.
"Oh, yeah. Well, he thinks he's so cool and better than everyone!" Naruto complains. "What's so special about him?" I shrug. "Well, how about I ask him?"
I contemplate stopping him so he doesn't make our instructor hate him more, but I change my mind. Naruto will not listen to me anyways if I did. Naruto shoots out of his chair and marches towards Sasuke. He slams his palm loudly on the desk, causing everyone to jump and stare at him. Sasuke glances up in mid bite. "Why do you act like you are some big shot, huh?" Naruto asks, leaning down to get in his face.
Sasuke responds by eating another bite of his tomato sandwich.
"You don't ignore someone when they are talking to you!" Naruto exclaims, getting flustered. I laugh. This is getting to funny.
"Go away, moron," Sasuke finallys says in a monotoned voice.
"What?! Who are you calling a moron?!"
"Hey! Leave him alone!" Ino shouts as she runs over and bonks Naruto over the head.
"Owww! What was that for?"
"Let him eat in peace!" Fangirl #1 chimes in.
"Yeah!" Fangirl #2 adds to stay relevant.
Ruki loudly claps her hands together. "Okay, enough!" she yells. "Naruto! Go back to your seat and stop railing up the class!" What? He can't control how the other people are responding to his antics. Ino and the fangirls should get reprimanded as well.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Naruto says as he crosses his arms and returns to sit beside of me. "I'm sitting here from now on."
Stop. Ruining. My. Plans! "I think you should sit in your original seat," I suggest.
Naruto shakes his head rapidly. "No way! No way! I'm not sitting beside of that teme!"
"But, maybe if you get to know him you can see why he acts the way he does," I tell him.
"Pshhh. I don't care for him."
I arch an eyebrow. "If you don't care for him, why does he bother you so much?" I ask. "He has barely spoken to you and he is already getting underneath your skin."
Naruto gives me an irritated look. "Because people like him get on my nerves."
"Well, if you want him to notice you," I begin. "You need to hang around him and talk to him. He will warm up to you over time." Okay, I know that pushing Naruto to become friends with Sasuke isn't the canon path. However, some of my plans include not having Sasuke grow to hate Naruto when they get older. I am hoping an early friendship will stop that.
"I guess you're right," Naruto admits. He looks up at me and a hurt expression flashes over his face before it quickly goes away. "Why do you want to get rid of me so badly?"
Noooooo. Not this feeling of guilt again. "I don't!" I quickly say, waving my hands in front of me. "I'm just trying to help you make a friend!"
Naruto's ears perks up at the word "friend" and I know that I have just reeled him in. "Do you really think he would want to be my friend?" he asks. God, I can see it in his eyes how lonely he is and how desperate he is for attention.
I nod. "I do, but just give it time. He seems like a reserved person and will slowly need to get to know you."
"Alright! I understand," Naruto tells me as he jumps out of his sit. "Thanks for helping me!" He runs back down to his previous sit just as Ruki announces that lunchtime is over.
During our first conversation with each other, I notice that Naruto understands things and speaks very well for a five year old. I guess growing up alone, you become street smart and pick up things when running around the village. If he follows my advice, and doesn't let Sasuke annoy him to much, I think they can become friends over time. Sasuke is going to need a friend a few years from now when Itachi kills his whole clan and disappears. Hopefully, Naruto can be that person that makes Sasuke realize that he was not born to become an avenger. I know that he will still want to seek out revenge on Itachi, but maybe Naruto can help not make that his top priority and the goal he obsesses over the most. I really wish I can stop the whole massacring myself, but I know that I can't without drawing unnecessary attention to myself. Despite being a terrible incident, sometimes things like that just need to happen anyways.
After class ends for the day, I am surprised to see Hiashi waiting on me. Typically, I do not see him unless I am training or it is dinner. "Otou-san!" I call, running towards him. I give him a hug and grab his hand.
Hiashi gives me a rare genuine smile. "You seem to be in a good mood, Hinata-chan," he says. "Did you have a good first day at the Academy?"
"It was a little boring," I tell him. "All Ruki-sensei did is explain what we should expect for the year and then let us have free time until class ended."
"You do know that the rest of your Academy days will not be as laid back as today, correct?" Hiashi asks as we head home.
"I know," I reply. "I am ready for a challenge." If you call learning 2+2 a challenge for me.
Hiashi smirks. "I like your enthusiasm. Did you talk to any of the children?"
I shake my head. "No," I lied. "I sat by myself."
"While I do not think it is necessary for people to have multiple bonds with each other, you must not exclude yourself," Hiashi tells me. "Your first year is the best year to get acquainted with your classmates."
"I promise I won't exclude myself! I just wanted to pay attention to my instructor today so I can become the best in my class," I say.
Hiashi nods in approval. "Ahh, okay. I see nothing wrong with that." Ha, he's going to be so disappointed seven years from now.
When we arrive home, I find Haruna in the kitchen as she greets me with a small fruit salad as an after school snack. "Hello, Hinata-chan! I am so excited to hear all about your first day at the Academy!" Her and I sit down at the kitchen table as I repeat the same things I had just told my father. "Awhh, well that's okay. You will have more interesting days as the year goes on."
"I just feel like this year is going to be boring because everything Ruki-sensei told us that we are going to learn sounds really easy," I admit to her. I feel like Haruna and I have this special mother and daughter relationship going on that I can say things to her without receiving a lecture or criticism. She just listens or gives me advice. Sometime, bottling in all of these secrets is tiring and I need to vent at times.
"You won't know that until you actually dive into the lessons," she tells me. "But, if these things does come easy to you your instructor will take notice and send a recommendation to Hokage-sama to promote you a year or two."
I shake my head. "I really don't want that. I want to be around children my age."
She smiles. "Well, just think about it this way. If it comes easy to you, you will get your homework done fast and can focus on other things like training or playing with Hanabi-chan." That is true. I haven't thought of that. I have been wanting to learn new things lately besides the Gentle Fist.
"Thank you. I will keep that in mind," I tell her. I get up and hand her my empty bowl. "Speaking of Hanabi-imouto, where is she? I want to see her."
"I put her down for a nap, but you know how she is about naps," Haruna replies. "She hates them just as much as you did." I don't blame her. Napping as a kid sucks. You have so much energy! Now, napping as an adult is heaven.
I leave the kitchen and tiptoe into Hanabi's room, careful not to wake her. I peep my head into her crib and see two large white eyes staring back at me. She giggles when she recognizes who I am and begins to babble and wiggle her fingers around. "You are suppose to be asleep, young lady!" I playfully scold as she blows a bubble in response. I smoothed down her hair as she grabs on tightly to my thumb and begins to pull. I lightly jerk back as we play tug-a-war for a few seconds before she grew bored and let go.
"Someone's in a good mood this afternoon. You happy to see your Nee-san?" I ask her. She claps her hands together and giggles some more. I laugh as I lean in to kiss her forehead. "Well, your Nee-san needs to leave now before Okaa-san gets mad at me for bothering you because you're suppose to be napping."
I begin to back up she I notice her face begin to crumple up as if to cry. I quickly rush back over to her and pat her head as she quickly calms down. "Shhh, shhhh. I can't stay here forever! How about this? If you stay quiet and go to sleep after I leave, I will play with this evening. Deal?" Hanabi cocks her head to the side as she is trying to understand what I am saying. Then, she acts like she understood because she moves her body around to get comfortable and closes her eyes. I take this moment to leave the room, sliding the door shut behind me. Wow, I didn't know I'm a baby whisperer.
The next few weeks at the Academy came easy to me as I expected. I passed all the homework I was given and any test with above average scores, but they weren't perfect even though I am capable of making them that way. I'm just waiting until next year when we get to learn more Shinobi related things. Whenever I am bored in class, I like to observe my classmates to see how they are progressing. Sakura is wearing a red ribbon in her hair now to pull back her bangs and Ino is sitting beside of her. They pay attention in class and do their work, but I have caught they passing notes to one another and giggling over some girly gossip. Naruto still is breaking his back to get Sasuke to acknowledge him. He has made progress though. Sasuke refers to him as dobe and makes small talk with him every now and then so I think things are going well for them as of now. Naruto comes over to sit with during lunch sometimes when Sasuke isn't in the mood to talk to him and I keep him company. He keeps me entertained by telling me about his latest prank or some other crazy adventure. Every visit is a new story with him.
One day after class ended for the day, I am waiting on Kō to pick me up to take me home when Naruto runs up to me. "Hey! I am dragging teme to the park to play!" he tells me excitedly. "Do you want to come with us?"
I shake my head. "I really wish I could, but my caretaker should be here any minute to pick me up," I reply. Even if I could go with him, I wouldn't. If seems like Sasuke has agreed, or more like forced to, to hang out with Naruto outside of the Academy and I do not want to ruin a potential bonding moment.
Naruto scrunches up his face in confusion? "Huh? A caretaker? What's that?" he asks.
"He is someone that watches me while my parents are busy," I explain. "It is a fancier term for babysitter."
"Oh. Well, why don't cha just say babysitter then?"
I shrug. "My family likes to take things on a more formal approach."
Naruto scratches his head. "Ummm, what?"
I wave my hand. "Oh, nevermind."
Naruto rolls his eyes. "Ehh, you're weird."
I chuckle. "You tell me that all the time."
"But, it's true!"
"Says the one with whiskers on his cheeks."
Naruto's face turns red as he rubs his cheeks. "Those are birthmarks! They aren't weird!"
I laugh and am about to tease him some more when I hear Kō call for me. "Hinata-sama! You ready to go?" As he approaches closer to us, his eyes narrow as he grabs my hand and jerks me away from Naruto. "Hinata-sama! You must not associate yourself around this boy!"
Anger erupts inside of me as Naruto appeared crestfallen by Kō's comment. "Why not?" I question.
"He's a bad influence and Hiashi-sama would not be happy with the both of us if I allow you to hang around him!" Kō harshly replies as I flinch. He's usually a kind and reserved person so his reaction is surprising.
No matter how much I want to throw a temper tantrum right now, I need to calm down and not make a scene. If I plan on being friends with Naruto in a couple of years from now, I need to play it off as I have not been acquainting myself with him so nobody grows suspicious of me. Even though people such as Hiashi knows the true story about Naruto, he would freak out if he finds out I have been talking to him. He will think lowly of Naruto because of the way he acts even though it is just to get attention because he's hurting and lonely inside.
I sigh as I hold in my true feelings and regretfully allow Kō to guide me away from Naruto. I hope he doesn't hate me now. As we walk, Kō tries to fill in the awkward silence. "I hope you are not to mad at me, Hinata-sama. I just need you to understand that-"
"I understand perfectly fine," I tell him coldly.
"Y-you do?" he asks, surprised at my response.
I nod and simply say, "Yeah." I really do not want to go home right now. I'm too pissed off at the moment to speak to my father if Kō decides to tell about this little incident to him. "Kō-san?"
"Yes, Hinata-sama?"
"Before we go back to the compound, may we stop by the library?" I ask. "I want to borrow some books to study."
Kō gives me a nod of approval. "I do not see a problem with that. Hiashi-sama is going to be pleased that you are serious about your Shinobi studies."
Hiashi can kiss my ass right now. I'm doing this for me, not to impress him. As we enter the civilian library, I march up to the main desk and step onto my tiptoes to see the lady sitting behind it. "Good afternoon, little girl! What brings you here today?"
Kō is about to answer for me, but I speak first. I really need to tell him that he doesn't have to do everything for me and I am capable of doing most things myself. "Can you please show or tell me the directions to a section that is age appropriate for Academy students like me to look at books?" I ask.
The lady blinks in response to my unchildlike question before answering. "Sure thing! If you go upstairs, there is a section strictly for Academy students in the back right corner."
I give her a sincere smile and bow. "Thank you so much!" I tell her before heading into the direction that she just told me as Kō rushes to keep up with me.
"Wait up, Hinata-sama!" he says behind me, but I ignore him and run up the stairs.
I am going to follow my mother's advice and focus on other things during my free time. I am really wanting to get a head start on learning how to control my chakra so I can have it perfected by the time I become a Genin. I want to become the best kunoichi I can be before I take the role as the Head when I come of age. I do not want to be seen as some weak girl when I have to face my clan when the time comes to change everything. I make it to the section and wait for Kō to catch up before I start browsing.
"I might be here for awhile," I inform him. "I do not know exactly what I want to check out just yet."
I am telling him this so perhaps he can go away while I search for the right books I need. I want to do all this extra studying and training in secret, which will be hard since I am watched almost all the time. That is why I am wanting to start early since I have limited time throughout my days to learn chakra control and I am not in any rush to learn right now.
Kō bows. "That is fine. Just do not take too long so we do not worry your parents. I will be a couple of rows down if you need me."
He walks off as I quickly begin to scan the bookshelf. Luckily, it is a really tiny section so this will make my search a little easier. I activated my Byakugan so I didn't have to look at each book individually for the title and pulled out two books. "The Theory of Chakra and Chakra Control for Beginners," I mumble to myself before shoving them into my backpack. No, I am not stealing these books. I am just going to secretly borrow them and return them seven years from now. No biggie.
While I do remember mostly everything about chakra from the anime/manga, a refresher will not kill me. That is what the first book is for. The second is, hopefully, going to teach me how to control my chakra and ways to increase my reserves. Being a Hyūga, most of us are born with the natural gift of chakra control so this should come to me easily. I have picked up on the Gentle Fist pretty easily and awakening my Byakugan was a piece of cake, so how hard can controlling chakra be?
Author's Note: I am so happy at how much attention this fanfic is getting! Thank you everyone for all the reviews and favs/follows!
Hinata finally got to meet Naruto and some of the other Rookie Nine this chapter. There will be more interactions with them in the next couple of chapters, I promise. She seems to have a soft spot for him. But, any reincarnated fan would since they know Naruto's backstory. Who wouldn't love the little guy?
The optional bachelors for Hinata are Naruto, Sasuke, Lee, Kiba, Shino, Chouji, and Shikamaru. I know some of you asked so here it is! Sorry to any GaaraXHianta and NejiXHinata fans. Gaara isn't in my story much and, while I love NejiXHinata fanfics myself, their relationship in this fic is strictly sibling/cousin/close friends like.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein