บท 3: Chapter 3: Childhood Arc
Discalimer: I do not own Naruto or I would not have to say that I do not own Naruto.
Playing the Role of the Byakugan Princess
Childhood Arc
Chapter three
I open my eyes as dread overwhelms me. It is my third birthday and I have never been more terrified in my entire short life. I have been planning for this day these past few months and, to be honest, I do not have a plan to change the upcoming events today. As a now three year old, I still have limited control on what I can do and people will think I am crazy if I start rambling on about things. Or, long shot though, some sort of genius or psychic if I am predicting something and it happens later. However, I doubt it because nobody will even pay attention to what a young hysterical child has to say anyways. I will just get a pat on the head and consoled or a lecture and sent off. Another reason why I do not have any plans created is because in the anime/manga the glimpses of Neji's past involving these tragic events were brief. From that, I do not have any knowledge of when these situations are going to happen and what happens directly afterwards. Instead, I have decided to play things by ear and make decisions on a whim when certain situations occur today. It probably isn't the best idea, but it is the best one I can come up with for now.
I hop out of my bed and make it up just as one of my nannies slides open my bedroom door and enters. "Oh, good morning! I was just coming to wake you up, but I see you are already ready for your special day."
I narrow my eyebrows. I know that Hiashi and Haruna are busy people, but I was kind of expecting for one of them to be the first person to greet me on my birthday. I guess they are finishing up the last details for today's arrangements. "Yeah," I reply grumpily. As you can tell, I am not in the best of moods right now.
My nanny gives me a worried look. "Is something wrong, Hinata-sama?"
The expression on her face makes me giggle. I always think it is funny whenever I get in a bad mood and my nannies and servants freak out. They act like I am going to tell Hiashi and then they will get blamed or killed or something along those lines. I shake my head. "No. I just want to get dressed and have breakfast."
After eating and getting ready for the day, my nanny escorts me to the Main House's courtyard where my father, Kō, and several other Main House members are waiting on me. My nanny bows and releases my hand as Hiashi takes it. He looks down at me with a serious look on his face. "Are you ready to go, Hinata-chan?" he asks.
I nod. "Where's Okaa-san?"
"She is preparing for tonight's birthday dinner for you," he replies. "Right now, we just have a formal arrangement involving your third birthday with the Branch House."
I pull the innocent act. "Oh, so that's mean I get to celebrate my birthday with Neji-nii-san and Oji-san? Yay!"
Hiashi sighs. "You will find out soon enough. Let's go."
Hiashi and I begin to walk as the rest of the Main House trails behind us. As we approach the area where the Branch House members live, I see a group of them gathered in the distance. Hizashi is standing in front of everyone while little Neji is by his side. As we get closer to them, I see Hizashi's face grow from anger to sorrow and I know why. His happy natured son, who always has a smile on his face, is about to get branded with the Curse Seal and be ranked as another servant to us. Except, in his case, his job duties consist of training with me and protecting me at all cost. We stop walking as we stand several feet apart from one another, neither man daring to cross over the imaginary line that separates the Main and Branch House.
After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Hizashi is the first to break it. "So, Hinata-sama is turning three years old. Congratulations."
"Thank you," my father says back.
As they make small talk, I glance over at Neji and smile. I have not seen him a couple of weeks so I am happy to see him right now. Neji smiles back and waves and then puts his hand up to his mouth to whisper to his father, though I can still hear him. "She looks nice today, Otou-san! Don't you think?"
Hizashi looks down sadly at his son, not responding.
Neji widen his eyes and lowers his hand. "What is it, Otou-san?" he asks. "What's wrong?"
Hizashi casts his eyes to the ground. "Oh. It is nothing, Neji-san." Neji just stares at his father is a puzzled expression as my heart wrenched for the both of them.
"Hizashi," Hiashi says in a commanding voice, bringing everyone's attention on him. "It is time I took Neji-san underneath my wing."
My uncle nods. "Yes."
Hiashi extends his free hand and motions for Neji forward. "Come, Neji-san."
Neji tenses up as he hesitates and looks between his uncle and his father. "W-where is he taking me, Otou-san?"
"Like me, you are about to get the Curse Seal placed on you," Hizashi replies. He looks like he would rather die right now then admit that to his young son.
Neji appears confused once more. "Curse Seal? What is the Curse Seal?"
"You will find out soon," my father replies calmly. "We need to hurry along now and go through with the ceremony. You and your father are going to spectate during Hinata-chan's training session this afternoon."
I wouldn't call forcing someone to obtain a curse mark on their forehead to be a ceremony. I narrow my eyes and clench my fist. "Yes, what is the Curse Seal?" I ask, repeating Neji's question. I don't know why I am stalling for time right now when I know it isn't going to help anything. Maybe so Neji can enjoy a few more minutes before his freedom is stripped away from him.
"You will find out soon as well, Hinata-chan," he tells me, giving me an odd look. I know that he is beginning to lose his patience as he doesn't like being around his brother for long periods of time.
"If he is getting one does that mean I am getting one also?" I ask, pressing on. This whole situation is pissing me off so why not keep asking questions to push his buttons a little. I have nothing to lose.
Hiashi grits his teeth. I can tell he is trying to control his annoyance so he doesn't lose his cool in front of everybody. "No," he simply says.
I arch an eyebrow. "Why not?"
Hiashi squeezes my hand and causes me to wince slightly in pain. "Please, enough with the questions," he orders, glaring down at me. If it wasn't for my birthday, I would probably be scolded and sent to my room with no dinner for making him look stupid in front of the whole clan with my repetitive questions.
I remain silent as Hizashi whispers something in Neji's ear before patting his head and Neji begins walking towards us. Hiashi reaches out to grab his nephew's hand but I cut in front of him and grab it for myself. Hiashi signs at my actions and ignores it. I give Neji a reassuring look as he just stares back at me with a worried one. Hizashi and the rest of the Branch House bows towards us as we turn and head back to the Main House. The group behind us disperses as Hiashi's leads Neji and I into the convocation room where the clan's holds important meetings and such. Waiting for us is the Elder as he sits on top of a teal woven mat with his legs crossed. Technically, he is my grandfather but he doesn't act like one towards me or Neji and I do not see him very often. So, in my books, he doesn't deserve that title.
"You three finally made it," he greets as he gets up and strides over to us.
"Yes," my father replies as he let's go of our hands. "Let's commence with the branding of the Curse Seal."
For some reason, I had in mind that the ceremony was going to take place in a dark room with no windows and the only light came from the flickers of candles along the walls. I don't know. I was expecting some type of torture session and a sinister atmosphere to match it. Hiashi, the Elder, and I all circle around Neji as he stands in the middle. You can tell he is scared as he nervously looks at all of us. Ugh, I just want to snatch him up, run away, and hide him somewhere so he doesn't get the Curse Seal. Except... that idea will not work because these two men possess the Byakugan so I am just going to get that stupid idea out of my head.
"Hinata-chan," my father says as I glance up at him. "Since you will be the leader of this clan one day, you are going to watch how this ceremony works. Part of your duty as the Head is to mark the members of the Branch House with the Curse Seal. The main purpose of the mark is to protect the Byakugan and it's secrets and also the Main House. The wearer of this mark will have their Byakugan sealed after death so it may never reach an enemy's hands." I still find it creepy how eyes in this world can be plucked out and popped back in like damn contacts.
"The secondary purpose is to control the Branch House members with fear so they can never forget that it is their destiny to serve and protect us," the Elder adds as Hiashi shifts his eyes over towards him. I know he didn't want to say that in front of Neji. Even though he does put the clan before anything else at times and is a strict follower of sticking with traditions, he isn't heartless. Hidden deep down, he does have a soft spot for his brother and nephew and didn't want to say that in front of the kid.
Hiashi nods. "That, too. For those reasons you will be an observer today for when the time comes when you are older, you will be ready." Hell, no! I will never be ready because I will never allow this shit to occur when I become the Head! I will find some other way to protect the clan and it's secrets.
Hiashi directs his attention back to Neji. "Stand still, Neji. This is a quick process and it will not harm you in any way, though you might feel some slight temporary burning."
Neji swallows and nods his head, attempting to not show fear. "Y-yes, Hiashi-sama."
Hiashi lifts his arms up and quickly makes a sequence of handsigns before resting his palm onto Neji's forehead. His palm is glowing a green color as he exerts chakra out of it and then removes it away. Neji cringes as a poof of smoke rises above his forehead, making a sizzling sound. I widen my eyes in a mixture of amazement and disgust as a light green line forms across his head, followed by a large X, and then ending with another line. The Curse Seal stays lit for a few more seconds before turning into a jade green color. Well, that wasn't as intense as I always pictured it. Neji reaches up to touch his forehead, but doesn't feel anything out of the ordinary.
"D-did it work?" he dares to ask.
"Yes," Hiashi replies. "You have now been branded with the Curse Seal and it is your official duty now to serve the Main House."
Neji straightens up and bows. "Yes, Hiashi-sama."
Hiashi remains cold-faced. "Good. You may go back to your father now. Remind him that the both of you are to be in the training room at two. You are dismissed."
Neji bows once more and repeats, "Yes, Hiashi-sama." He gives me a melancholy stare before leaving the room. He looks like a different person to me now with that demeaning seal on his forehead.
I look at Hiashi and the Elder. "I do not like that Curse Seal."
Hiashi opens his mouth to say something, but the Elder beats him to it. "It does not matter if you like it or not. It is necessary to protect the Byakugan and the clan. You will learn deeper as to why when you get older." I don't believe that crap that it is necessary. The Uchiha clan possess the potential to unlock the Sharingan and you don't see a bunch of them running around with Curse Seals on them. And, I believe the Sharingan is more dangerous and powerful if then the Byakugan! Especially if someone gets their hands on one.
"Okay," I decide to say, dropping the conversation. It will not go in any direction I will like anyways.
Hiashi grabs my hand. "Let's go have lunch with your mother before your training session," he says. "I will be having you participate in a practice spar with me this afternoon so you will need to be energized and focused." At least I get to learn more today and put my Gentle Fist into action.
"Your kick is still to weak!" Hiashi tells me as I stumble a few steps back.
I nod my head. "Yes!"
I've been too distracted by Hizashi to commit 100% to the practice match between me and my father. I keep looking at him out of my peripheral vision to make sure he isn't glaring at me with any killing intent and behaving himself. My training session has been going on for about thirty minutes now and he hasn't done anything just yet, so maybe he doesn't have any grudge towards me since I have been around his son and I are close.
I lift my hands up in the correct positions and charge towards Hiashi. "Hyiahhhh!" I yell as I jump forward to attack him again as he easily dodges me. I never understood why characters in Naruto always yelled a battle cry as they go after their opponent. Now, I do because it just releases tension and pumps me up before attacking.
I would not even consider what I am doing right now a practice match because it has only been consisted of me striking while Hiashi sidesteps all around me. I know I have only just begun my training, but it is still difficult when my little body cannot keep up. I reach out to strike him as he steps behind me. I spin around and thrust my palm upwards as he lightly smacks it out of the way. I take that opportunity to rush in with my other palm and bring it out in front of me. He whirls around me as I push off from the ground and throw a roundhouse kick to his knee, which he easily dodges once again. In my perspective, I think I am doing pretty good for a three year old thought I still tire easily.
As I continue to spar, I hear Hizashi and Neji converse from my right. "Listen, Neji-san. Is your destiny clear to you? You live only to protect Hinata-sama and to preserve the power of our clan's Main Household."
"I understand, Otou-san!" Neji replies happily as he watches me spar. "Hinata-sama is really good. I hope I get to spar with her sometime!"
Hizashi doesn't respond as he stares at his son sadly before he narrows his eyes. He seems to be deep in thought as he turns his head and begins to glare at me. Why does he still have any ill intent towards me after I, the heiress, do not treat Neji like another member of the Branch House, but as a friend. A cousin. Family. Realization then hits me that this is the moment that Hiashi activates Hizashi's Curse Seal! I stop in mid strike as I land on the ground and run over to Neji. I know my father is going to get really pissed at me for suddenly stopping our match, but I do not care right now. I can see the anger momentarily drop from Hizashi's face as curiosity replaces it as he notices me approaching his son.
"I would love to spar with you sometime, Neji-nii-san!" I tell him, trying to make my voice sound excited.
Neji looks behind me at Hiashi, who is probably staring a hole through me, and then at me, sensing the slight tension in the air. "That is great, Hinata-sama. But, I recommend you return back to your training with Hiashi-sama. That is more important right now." I can bet a million ryō that these are some of the lines that Neji's father has fed him so he stays off the Main House's shit list.
"I do not think Hiashi-sama would allow that," Hizashi tells me. I notice he clenches his fists before quickly releasing them as he made that comment.
"He is correct, Hinata-chan. I would not," I hear Hiashi snap behind as I wince and turn around. "Do not leave abruptly like that again, or at all, unless given permission. They are only here to spectate, not to converse with."
I bow with fake remorse. "I am sorry, Otou-san," I reply as I head back over to him. At least I managed to distract Hizashi and tried to prove to him, once again, that he has no reason to hate because I am nice to Neji. Ha, it is strange that the heiress is trying to please a Branch Member. Hopefully he can collect his thoughts now and-
"A threat!" Hiashi suddenly growls as he jumps in front of me with his arm out and lifts up a single finger.
I widen my eyes as I witness Hizashi give out a bloodcurdling yell and collapse onto the floor, grasping his head. "No! Stop!" I shout as I grab Hiashi's arms but he shoves me away.
Neji has his mouth open with a terrifying look written on his face as he rushes over to Hizashi. "Otou-san!" he calls out.
Neji and I watch in terror as Hizashi slings the forehead protector off of him and returns to grasping his head. His Curse Seal is glowing like Neji's was when he received it except many veins were popping out around Hizashi's from the pain of his frying brain cells. Tears threatens to spill over as they well up in my eyes and I blink them away as I bit my lip. So, either way, this was going to happen and Hizashi still hates me. Why does he hate me? Just because I am the offspring of his brother? But, still. He didn't deserve this to happen to him!
"Take your Otou-san home," Hiashi orders, ignoring his brother's horrifying screams. Neji gives him a terrified look, fearing he is next. "I will forgive the fool this time. But, only this time. See that you never forget your destiny!"
Hiashi turns to leave the room. I can see the hatred grow in Neji's eyes as he gives a resentful glare to my father's back before looking down at his father. Tears of anger stream down his face as he clenches his teeth and slams his fist to the ground. By this point, Hiashi has released the jutsu and Hizashi is just laying there, with his hands still hanging on to his head, panting and groaning loudly. My body is wavering in my own anger and fear now as I take a couple of breathes to attempt to calm myself down and step towards Neji before stopping myself. I can I possibly comfort the boy right now? He just got traumatized from witnessing his father getting hurt and he now knows what he is in for if he steps one foot out of line. It has hit him and he understands now what his role as a member of the Branch House is suppose to be. He is perceiving now it is truly his destiny to be a slave to the Main House until he set free after his death and it can never be changed.
At this point, he can still be saved from his mind and outlook going down a dark path. However, if Hizashi does end up sacrificing himself Neji's mind will never be changed until Naruto does ten years from now. But, I do not want Neji to feel that for that long. Yes, Hiashi can tell the story to Neji about his father earlier than the Chunin Exams. That still will be years from now because he is too young to understand and grasp the concept. I failed just now and I cannot fail again. I will not. I need to prevent Hizashi's death. He will not die!
"Hinata-chan!" I hear my father call from the doorway. "Let's go."
Ignoring him, I decide to give it a chance and talk to Neji. "N-Neji-nii-san?" I say to him hesitantly.
"P-please listen to H-Hiashi-sama and go with him," Neji tells me, not looking at me.
I raise my eyebrows in concern as I regretfully respect his wishes and leave the room with Hiashi.
During my birthday dinner, I had to force myself to put on a happy act. Most of it is so I do not hurt my mother's feeling since she cooked my favorite meal for me and made me a cake out of cinnamon buns. I can see why the original Hinata liked these so much. They are really good and I have developed a sweet tooth for them. They are also Haruna's favorite dessert so that is something we bond over and eat together. The birthday dinner itself was a small one consisting of only me, my mother, and father. We all ate, talked, and laughed like the terrible events that occurred today never happened. After the dinner, I opened my gift from my parents. Since I am into kimonos, they had bought me a new violet colored and a yellow colored one. This year, I told them I didn't want a lot of gifts for my birthday so I am glad they respected my wishes. Coming from one of the richest clans in Konohagakure, I have a lot of shit and I do not need anymore stuff.
Later that night, after Hiashi and Haruna put me down to sleep, I decide to stay awake. I know that the Head Shinobi of Kumogakure is suppose to break into the compound and kidnap me sometime throughout the night. Except, I will not allow him to even leave the room with me and that is why I am staying awake. I am determined to not allow Hizashi to die. I do not know why keeping Hizashi is going to change the course of things from now on, but it should not change that much. I am hoping that, somehow, Hiashi and Hizashi can strengthen their relationship and not hate each other anymore. But, I highly doubt that will happen unless outside help intervenes AKA me and Neji.
The hairs on my neck stands up as I hear some shuffling coming from my ceiling. I see the tile lift up and disappear as a dark figure silently drops to the floor. I quickly close my eyes and pretend to be asleeps so I do not alarm him. My plan starts now! I hear the man tiptoe over towards me and begin to pull back my blankets. I snap my eyes open and jump up, thrusting my palm out. I strike his forearm as he takes a couple of steps back, grasping it. Even if I am still inexperienced in the art of the Gentle Fist, the beauty of it is that even the slight tap can cause severe internal damage. Which means, momentarily, he has no usage in his left arm.
I take this split second to call for backup. "OTOU-SAN! OTOU-SAN! HELP! HELP!" I scream at the top of my lungs. I am planning that when Hiashi enters the room and sees the Head Shinobi, he will just restrict him and turn him in for questioning instead of killing him. He will not have any reason of killing him since I am not getting kidnapped.
The man lungs towards me with his usable arm as I hop off my bed and sprint towards the door. Before I can open it, I feel fingers wrap around my neck and lift me into the air. He gives my neck a squeeze,making me gasp for air, before hauling me underneath his arm and bust through my window. Well, so much for not allowing him to run off with me. Shards of glass cut through me and embed into my skin as I dramatically yell out in pain, attempting to alarm more people. The man runs through the courtyard and halts immediately when Hiashi jumps off a roof and lands in front of us.
Hiashi already has his Byakugan activated as he glares at my kidnapper. "I see my three year old daughter has temporarily disabled your left arm," he taunted. "You call yourself the Head Shinobi of Kumogakure? I am disappointed."
The Head Shinobi doesn't say anything as he lifts up his left arm, cringing from the pain, pulls out a kunai knife, and holds it to my neck. Terror overwhelms me as I gulp. He wouldn't kill me… will he? I am suppose to be delivered, from my knowledge, to Kumogakure. This has to be an act. Hiashi narrows his eyebrow at the sight of the knife. "Drop her now and you shall live." I hope his words were an act also. He can't kill him.
The man dug the tip of the kunai knife into my neck, pricking it. A tiny drop of blood runs down my neck. "O-Otou-san," I whimper. I think the Head Shinobi is serious about killing me and stealing my Byakugan later!
Before I can blink, Hiashi rushes forward and slams his palm into the man's chest, barely missing his heart. He grabs me as the man coughs up blood and falls backwards. I cling onto him as Hiashi bends down and rips off the cloth mask off the man's face, revealing the fact that he is the Head Shinobi. Hiashi sighs as he sets me down and drops down to my eye level.
"Are you alright, Hinata-chan?" he asks. With his Byakugan, he scans over my body and answers for me. "Besides a couple bruises and the tiny puncture wound on your neck and pieces of glass stuck to you, you are okay. That is good."
"Did you kill the man?" I ask him.
Hiashi shook his head. "No. I would have if you weren't here or if you were asleep when he kidnapped you. I did not want to in front of you."
I resist the urge to break into a happy dance as I hear the good news. Any fear that I had just experienced a moment ago is gone and is replaced with relief and joy. Hizashi is going to live! There is no reason for him to die now! That means Neji gets to grow up with his father and he can have a better outlook on life now then what he was about to have. My internal celebration is ruined as a few servants comes running over to us. Better late than ever.
"Hiashi-sama! Hinata-sama!" a longed black hair man hollers as they stop in front of us.
A young woman with short brown hair lifts me into her arms, cradling me. Ugh, put me down! "Does she need any medical attention?"
Hiashi shakes his head. "No, she just needs first aid. I need you to take out the pieces of glass that are embedded in her skin and tend to the wounds on her neck. It is nothing serious."
"Thank goodness," the woman replies with a sigh of relief. I roll my eyes. I have never met this woman. She shouldn't be this worried about me. I get why she is, but it is annoying. I am fine.
"What happened here?" the Hyūga servant asks.
"I will discuss it in a meeting tomorrow," Hiashi replies. "Go tell everyone that there will be one at eight am sharp tomorrow. Both Main and Branch members are to be there."
The servant bows. "Yes, Hiashi-sama!" And he takes off.
"What are you going to do now?" the woman carrying me still asks, looking down at the unconscious man with her Byakugan.
Hiashi picks up the Head Shinobi and slings him over his shoulder. "I am taking him to the Sandaime Hokage-sama. He will know what to do from there. After taking care of Hinata-chan, bring her to Haruna-chan. I didn't allow her to come with me, but I am sure she is worried sick over her daughter right now."
"Yes, sir," the woman says, bowing.
She brings me inside and into the treatment room where clan members go for minor injuries like mine. She sets me down on one of the beds and begins rummaging through a shelf. She pulls out a white box and opens it, pulling out a pair of tweezers. "I recommend you stay still, Hinata-sama," she suggests. "I am about to pull the shards of glass out of you. It isn't going to hurt much. It will only feel like little pinches." I nod as she begins to pull the shards out. As she does, the woman tries to distract me with small talk. "So, I noticed that you disabled your kidnapper's left arm. I guess all that training is paying off, huh?"
I shrug. "It was only a surprise attack. The man still could've beaten me."
"Sometimes the stronger one doesn't always win," the woman tells me. "Sometimes the intelligent one does."
I arch an eyebrows. "But, what I did didn't involve intelligence."
"I don't mean to disagree with you, but it involves a lot intelligence to plan a strategy," the woman explains.
"Even one as simple as mine?" I ask. I'm not a stupid person, but surely any Shinobi would think of an easy surprise attack like mine. "All I did was attack him when he removed my blankets."
The woman nods. "Well, it is expectational for a child your age to even think of an obliterate strategy like that on the spot. Most children your age would've screamed or stayed silent in fear."
I always forget about my damn age. That is why she is so amazed with me. Eh, might as well take the credit. "Thank you," I reply.
After removing the shards of glass, she lifts her hand to my neck as it glows green. Instantly I can feel the bruises and puncture wound disappear like they were never there. "Alright, we are all done here," the woman informs me. "Let's take you to Haruna-sama now."
When the woman brings me to my mother, who we find in my bedroom sweeping up glass, she drops the broom and runs over to me, giving me a tight hug. "Hinata-chan! All you alright?!" she asks, exasperated.
"Yeah! I am fine," I tell her, kissing her on the cheek.
She smiles and smoothes down my hair as she looks at the woman. "Thank you so much for taking care of her and bringing her to me."
The woman bows. "It is my pleasure, Haruna-sama."
"Before you go, can you tell me what happened really quick?" my mother asks.
As my woman retold what happened, I walk away from my mother and examined the damage. Haruna has already swept up most of the shards of glass, but my window is going to need replacing. The ceiling tile that is missing on the ceiling needs to be put back and I need to get changed out of these slightly bloody clothes and showered. I look and feel nasty. When the woman left, Haruna seemed to have read my mind and lifts me up.
"Let me give you a quick bath before you go back to bed," she says as she takes me into their bathroom.
The whole compound is buzzing a few days later after they heard what happened from my father's mandatory meeting. He set up some new rules so I can have better protection. I am never allowed to be alone and I must always have someone with me. When I am in my room playing or sleeping, I must always have a guard staying outside of my room at all hours. While these rules are good for protecting, it sucks because it limits any little privacy I had before. A good thing that comes out of this though is that when I am in my room playing, Neji gets to be there with me so I am not alone. He can't fully protect me yet just by himself, but he can alarm the guard outside of my door if they don't notice and briefly shield me until they come in. So, technically, the only time I get alone time is when I am using the bathroom or sleeping. Yay. Neji nor I haven't brought up the whole Curse Seal incident, which is good because I didn't really want to talk about it and neither did he. He acts completely normal towards me like nothing ever happened and I am thrilled for that because I was afraid that he would act different and cold. We still play Shinobi and with Pandie and Keke and I would rather be doing that with him any day, no matter how much I mentally complain how childish it is.
Word also gotten around how "talented" and "gifted" I am now for thinking up a plan on the spot and attacking my kidnapper. This has gotten many people excited and I used to have audiences during my training sessions, which have increased from two days a week to three now, until finally Hiashi forbid anyone from watching except for the people he invites, or orders, to spectate. Everyone wanted to see the talented young heiress and her capabilities. I'm just sitting here like hey my dirty little secret is that I am really a twenty-one year old stuck in a three year old's body and I have the common sense to come up with a simple idea. That's it. But, I am also secretly enjoying all the attention I am getting so I shouldn't be complaining. I never figured out what happened to the Head Shinobi, but I really don't care because he was nothing more than canon fodder anyways.
Author's note: Before anyone complains about it, if anyone does, that the Head Shinobi should have known to dodge OC Hinata's attack, let me explain. The Head Shinobi had to have been leaning over/bending down when he removed her bedsheets and that means he was super close to her. During that close range, and the note that he wasn't expecting her to attack since he thought she was asleep, OC Hinata's attack make sense. At least to me.
Now, about the whole paring ordeal. I was off Friday from work and spent the whole day planning out this fanfic. It turns out that I am throwing the strict Naruto or Sasuke pairing out the window. It is a free for all now! It can still be one of those two, or maybe she will end up with any other guy in the Konohagakure, or perhaps even outside of it… But, like I also mentioned before, the pairing isn't the main focus on the story, only part of it. Kinda like subplot, you know?
Anyways, I decided to keep Hizashi alive because I have plans for him in the future and I never planned on OC Hinata and Neji to have a strained relationship like in the anime/manga. I loved their relationship and interactions with one another after Neji calmed down after his match with Naruto during the Chunin Exams so I am going to base it on that.
As always, reviews are welcomed, positive or negative. I like to hear, or read since you can't really hear over the computer, everybody's thoughts, opinions, and inputs. It is important to me what my reader's think of my fanfic. I would like to add that I plan on posting this fanfic on Thursday and Sunday evenings so expect an update on those days unless otherwise, which should be rarely. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง