Chương 6: Chapter 6: Childhood Arc
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or I would remove the stick up Hiashi's ass.
Playing the Role of the Byakugan Princess
Childhood Arc
Chapter six
"Stop!" Hiashi yells as Neji quickly gets out of his fighting stance while I pick myself up from the ground and brush off my clothes. Neji and I were having a sparring match where he promptly kicked my ass like usual. "Hinata! How many times are you going to allow yourself to get knocked down before you learn your mistakes?!" Oh, shit. He didn't use any honorifics. He's pissed.
I look nervously at him. Ever since my mother's death a year ago, my father has changed. He's become more cold and harsh. He is always criticizing and yelling at me during my training sessions and then isolates himself in his office for the rest of the day. Besides my sessions, I only see him during dinner with Hanabi. Even then, he stays mostly tense and silent. If he's in a good mood, he will play with Hanabi some and make small talk with me before retreating back to his office. Out of everybody, Haruna's death has hit him the hardest and I understand that. What I don't understand is why he is treating his own children like crap?
Hiashi narrows his eyes. "Well?"
I do not answer as I avert my eyes. Times like these is when I learn to just avoid his verbal lashings and just take it. There's no use to be talking back because he never listens and continues to lecture me.
Hiashi signs and rubs his temples. "How can I expect you to rule this clan one day when you can't simply respond back to me? Or comprehend the mistakes you are making? Or beat your opponent?"
Why does he have to act so melodramatic? I'm six. I am not ruling the clan anytime soon. Out of anyone, he should understand that I am still building up my stamina and strength from the illness that made my body feeble. I am doing well in my classes and I have been picking up on the Gentle Fist pretty well. I just need to get stronger and work on my fighting tactics. It isn't the end of the world.
Hiashi gets up and heads for the door. "You two are dismissed. I expect different results tomorrow, Hinata," he growls as he leaves the room, slamming the door behind him.
Neji gives me an uneasy look. "Is it wise for you to just ignore Hiashi-sama like that?"
I shrug. "I really don't care. If I speak back, all he will do is brand my words as excuses and continue to yell at me."
"Should I start going easy on you so you do not get fussed at?" Neji asks. He's always trying to protect me in some way.
I shake my head. "No, don't do that. That wouldn't help me out at all. I need you to continue going hard on me or I will never improve." Now, I wouldn't mind if he relaxes a little because I always leave our match with bruises and sore body parts. But, I know I can't allow that.
"Well, maybe I can help you out," Neji tells me. "I don't like when Hiashi-sama acts so harsh towards you. What are you struggling with that I can possibly help you improve on?"
"I can avoid, block, and defend myself all day," I start. "However, my troubles begin when I have to go on the offensive. I lack power and fluidity behind my strikes. When I figure out an opening, I feel my reaction time is slow because the stances I am in makes me feel awkward and sluggish. Because of that, I end up getting attacked first." I know these are some of the reasons why original Hinata struggled with the Gentle Fist's traditional fighting style for so long before finally creating her own style of it. Maybe I should get ahead start on that instead of limiting myself.
Neji's mind goes into thinking mode. "You and I already know that you lack stamina and strength, but you are already working on those areas so I'm not going to worry about that. You seem to be in the correct stances since you never get lectured for that. But, you do need to work on your fighting tactics."
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I already knew all of that! I'm just going to go with my idea and learn original Hinata's fighting style. It was badass in my eyes when she performed the Protecting Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms for the first time.
"Maybe you can help me with that then," I tell him. "Wanna start now? I have nothing else to do."
Neji nods. "Yes."
For a seven year old, Neji's not a bad instructor. In just twenty short minutes, he has made me realize that my attacking methods are sloppy. I focus too much on being on the defensive so when I go into attack I try to recoil back into that position as fast as possible. He tried to get me to glide more on my feet instead of awkwardly moving them, but my body wouldn't allow me in these current stances. Oh, well. At least I know what I need to work on now. If Neji was just a few years older than me, I would request for him to train me instead of my father.
The next day at school, I can barely move from being so sore from yesterday. I swear if Hiashi tries to make me train today I'm going to throw a temper tantrum. I've been training for a week straight now and I feel like I'm not getting a break unless I beat Neji. I wish he would just get over that and focus on my positives for a little while. I mean, I'm at the top of my class right now. Have I heard any compliments about that? Nooooo.
The only reason I'm at the top of my class is because the first two years at the Academy is written work and learning basic school subjects and all that is easy to me. Our third year is when we start learning about chakra, learning our first jutsu, and sparring one another so I am going to slip down to an average student when next year rolls around. I'm not holding back because I think I'm going to surpass everybody, I already know that I won't. I just do not want to change things like I have mentioned before. If I show my instructors next year that I already know everything about chakra and I am starting to learn how to control it at a young age, I'm going to be watched and that's not a good thing. I am not become Orochimaru's next experiment or become one of Danzo's emotionless soldiers. Screw that!
What I am becoming is Naruto's friend. I know I said I wouldn't until later, but the kid is awesome! Who wouldn't want to be friends with him? He always shares with me the most entertaining jokes and stories, tells me all the pranks he's going to pull before he goes through with them to get my opinion on them, and is always there for me when I need him. He somehow found out about my mother's death, probably from Sasuke, and effortlessly cheered me up. He's his own little ray of sunshine and I can't help to feel nothing but happiness around him. He's a good stress reliever from my exhausting life as Hiashi's daughter.
What I haven't become is Sasuke's friend or acquaintance or anything. After that day, over a year ago, when he randomly came up to be and apologized about my mother's death and then walked off, I thought that would be the beginning of some sort of relationship between us. Sasuke just doesn't go up to people and talk to them without reason so I was very confused when he never spoke or looked at me again. I asked Naruto if Sasuke has ever talked about me, but he said no. So, I have just finally came to the conclusion that he was just trying to be polite since family matters a lot to him and was showing me some sympathy. I mean, I'm not upset or disappointed over it. It was just a little odd, but then again everything about the Narutoverse is.
Today's lesson is boring as hell so I am glad when class finally ends for the day. Naruto decided to sit with Sasuke during lunch since he was in a good mood, so I ate alone. I never mind though when he does that. He and Sasuke have gotten very close over the past year and have a relationship that contains a mixture of brotherhood, best friends, and rivalry. They argue with each other all the time and call each other names, well it's mostly one sided since Naruto is very hotheaded, and are always trying to outdo one another. But, they also joke around and hang out outside of school and I've noticed the fan girls getting jealous of Naruto sometimes. They want to know his secret to how he got Sasuke to stop looking out a window and open up to him and actually making him smile and laugh. I want to know the secret also, well sort of, because I didn't think Sasuke believed in smiling in public. I thought he liked acting emo. I could make up a evil rumor that Sasuke only likes boys to break their little hearts, but I don't think that would settle very well with him.
When I go outside, I find Kō waiting on me. I've always wondered does he even have a life besides being my caretaker? He's a fifteen year old Genin whom I never seen go on a mission or hang out around his team. He seems to be always at the compound to take me to and from school and then watch over until I am done with my studies. That must be a sucky life. "Hi, Kō-san!" I greet as I take his hand.
He smiles. "Good afternoon, Hinata-sama! You seem to be in a good mood."
"I passed my test today with a perfect score," I tell him, slightly irritated. He is acting like I'm always in a bad mood. I mean, when I am around him I usually am because he likes to live up Hiashi's asshole and tell him literally everything I do. It is annoying.
"Again? That's great!" he praised. Well, at least he compliments me on my achievements unlike my father. That's one of the few things I like about the kid.
I shrug. "It's always easy. I can't wait to start learning justus next year!"
"I bet those will come easy to you as well," Kō tells me.
See, this is how children like Neji and Sasuke get swelled heads and become arrogant. They get praised too much and then they think they are the greatest beings to ever walk the Earth. How does he know that the jutsu will come easy to me? What if I struggle with them? He's going to feel stupid then for giving me false encouragement.
"I hope not," I admit to him. "I want a challenge."
"If you say so," Kō says. Ugh, I give up. These people needs to stop protecting my feelings and serving me things on silver platter or I will never grow to be a independent kunoichi. Good thing I will be able to start gaining more freedom when I turn eight. Only two more years. "Before we head to the compound, Hiashi-sama wants me to go into the village and buy you your first official weapon."
A mixture of excitement and fear overwhelms me. "Why?" I ask. I'm afraid I might somehow hurt myself. I've seen how sharp those kunai knives are!
"He wants you to get a head start and start practicing with weapons a little," he explains to me. "Sometimes, Shinobi fights with weapons. Basic weaponary like kunais and shurikens are great for deflecting, long range attacks, and for ambushing. Every Shinobi has to have some sort of training in bukijutsu. It is a necessity."
"Isn't he afraid I'm going to poke my eye out or something?" I ask. Only in the Narutoverse is it okay to have a young child wield a knife around.
"What? No," Kō replies. "Do not worry. Hiashi-sama would not entrust weapon training on you if he did not feel that you were not ready."
"Can I pick out any kind of weapon I want?"
"Within reason, you may."
"Okay. I want explosive tags then!"
"... No."
Damn it. Always ruining my fun.
Kō and I walk into a store and begin browsing the shelves. While I am not interested in learning bukijutsu, I do know that Shinobi have some skill in it. If I'm going to get familiar with any weapon, I am thinking about choosing kunai knives and some wire. Being a close range taijutsu fighter, my opponent might be out of my range sometimes. Hurling a kunai with a string of wire attached to it can circle around the opponent and trap them so I can bring them closer to me. I've always wondered why Hyūgas never incorporated long range attacks or ninjutsus to their fighting style. I know the Gentle Fist is a very difficult style to study, but it wouldn't hurt to throw in one long range attack in their. I guess the Eight Trigrams: Air Palm is the best they can do even though it is a mid-range attack.
"I'm going to look down a different aisle," I tell Kō.
"Okay, but do not stray too far," he says.
I go down the next few aisles in search for some wire. I've already found my pack of kunai I want, but finding wire is almost impossible at this point. I can't find it anywhere! I go down the last aisle and have my eyes set on tunnel vision as I look down at the shelves as I walk. Suddenly, my body collides into something hard as I stumble backwards while grabbing onto a shelf to catch my balance.
"Excuse me! I'm so sorry!" I apologize quickly.
"You need to pay more attention to your surroundings," a male voice replies as I widen my eyes. Itachi Uchiha is standing in front of me with little Sasuke right next to him.
I look at him as I remain speechless. The loving older brother of Sasuke, who is a talented Shinobi and powerful enough to massacre his whole clan, is right in front of me. He is also cute. Hey, don't judge me. I resist the urge to fangirl. He was my favorite male character in the anime/manga. Okay, calm down. He's not an adult yet. He's only an eleven year old kid who is Chunin and can totally kick your ass. Behave yourself.
"I'm sorry," I say again after recovering from my mini internal session with myself. "I was just looking for some wire."
Itachi points to a small bin beside of him. "They are right in there. We were actually stocking up on some as well."
"Oh, thank you," I awkwardly reply. Damn, I know this kid is more mature than I can ever dream about being. But, he's stale. Where's his personality?
"I do not mean to pry, but why is someone as young as you interested in wire?" he asks. Young? Says the one who put himself through reckless training at four years old.
"If I connect it to a kunai I can use it for long range attacks," I explain. Is it that big of a deal?
"Hmm, it is interesting that you to come up with that tactic," Itachi tells me.
I frown. Is he making fun of me? I ignore his comment as I glance over at his little brother. "Hey, Sasuke-kun! It is nice to see you," I tell him.
Sasuke nods his head. "You, too."
"Are you a friend of my brother?" Itachi asks.
"I'm in his class," I say, avoiding his question. "My name is Hinata."
Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Hinata?" He looks over at Sasuke. "Is this the girl that you talk about?" Okay, is he that oblivious or is he lowkeying teasing his younger brother.
I give Sasuke an odd look as his face grows red and he turns his head to the side, scowling. Talking about me? Why in the world would Sasuke talk about me? I can see that Sasuke is refusing to respond to his brother so I change the subject. "Well, it was great seeing you, Sasuke-kun" I tell him if though he continue to look away in embarrassment. I turn to Itachi. "It was nice meeting you, It- um…." Crap! I can't say his name! I'm not supposed to know him.
He gives me a kind smile. "Itachi."
I nod nervously. "Yes, Itachi." I grab a pack of wire and stuffed it in my shopping basket. "I must go back to my caretaker now. You two have a wonderful afternoon." I now and scurry off before they can say anything back.
Damn it! I can't believe I almost slipped up back there. You can let your fangirl crush on Itachi get to you! Focus on Sasuke. Why would he be talking about me? I don't even speak to the kid. Maybe I should ask him tomorrow. I find Kō and rush over to his side.
"I'm ready to go! I found the wire!" I tell him.
He gives me a confused look. "Are you alright, Hinata-sama? You are breathing heavily."
I wave my hand. "I'm just excited to get home and start training!" I tug on his arm. "Let's go!" And get the hell away from these Uchiha boys before my head explodes from all these confusing thoughts.
I arrive earlier than usual to class the next day. I want to ask Sasuke what's he has been saying about me to his brother or family. I do not speak to him. I am not even interesting enough to be talked about! I'm the strange and quiet kid that sits in the back of the class and is friends with the village outcast. Apparently I have weird eyes, thanks Naruto, but that isn't worth talking about.
I walk up to his desk and sit down beside of him. He looks away from the window and arches an eyebrow. "What?"
I roll my eyes. "Good morning to you, too."
"What do you want?" he asks in a deadpan voice.
Well, I was planning on asking him in a way that wouldn't embarrass him. But, I change my mind. "So, you seem to talk about me a lot to your brother." I wink at him as his face turns red and he looks away like he did yesterday. "Hey, don't be shy."
Sasuke shoots me a dirty look as I cover my mouth with my hand to hold back a giggle. "Shut up!" he hisses. "Stop saying such idiotic things out loud!"
Oops. It looks like I hit a nerve. Serves you right for being a jerk. I smirk. "All I want to know is what you say about me," I reply back in an innocent voice.
Sasuke narrows his eyes. "It is none of your business," he snaps.
I lean in closer to him. I know that will bug him. "It is my business if you are talking about me," I tell him.
He leans away from me and glares. "W-what are you doing?"
I lean back. "Sorry, I have no respect for personal space," I joke.
Sasuke rolls his eyes. "If I tell you, will you leave me alone?"
I lift my pinky finger. "Pinky promise!"
Sasuke just stares at me. "Pinky promise?"
I nod. "Yeah! We wrap our pinkies around each other. It solidifies a promise."
Sasuke pinches his nose. "I've never heard of that before. You're weird."
I grin. "That's not the first time I've been called that."
Sasuke sighed and holds out his pinky. We intertwine our pinkies before he quickly pulls away. "We are never doing that again," he tells me.
"Just tell me what you say about me," I say.
Sasuke grows slightly red again and averts his eyes. "I don't speak about you a lot. Only sometimes," he says. "I just mention to my brother that you're the only girl in my class that doesn't obsess over me."
I move my hands in a circular motion. "Annnnd?" I know there is more. I can see it on his face.
He rolls his eyes. "I also tell him that you're pretty funny when you make fun of Naruto and you're not annoying."
I widen my eyes. If Sasuke tells you that he doesn't find you annoying, you better take that damn compliment to heart. He is hard to impress. Oh, and he finds me funny. Yes! "I'm flattered that you say nice things about me," I admit. "But, why would you? We've never spoken before."
Sasuke turns his back towards me and stares out the window. "I'm not saying anything else. I already told you what I say about you so drop it."
"Wait! Why are you talking about Hinata-chan for?" I hear Naruto ask loudly behind me. "And to whom?"
I begin to crack up as Sasuke shoots Naruto the scariest glare ever. "Shut up, baka!" he growls.
"Why are you getting mad at me? I didn't do anything wrong!" Naruto whines. Sasuke crossed his arms and ignores him. Naruto shifts his eyes over to me. "What's his problem?"
I shrug and stand up to get out of his seat. "I will let you ask him yourself."
Naruto gives me a mischievous grin. "Okay!" I know he loves to bug the shit out of Sasuke when he's in a bad mood. I allow Naruto to have his fun as I step aside and head up to my desk.
Before I can sit down, someone harshly taps on my shoulder. I spin around and see Ino and Sakura standing there with their hands on their hips. They didn't look happy. I arch an eyebrow. "Um, hi?"
"What did you do to Sasuke that made him so upset?" Ino asks in an angry tone.
I glance down at a brooding Sasuke and back at her. "He's always like that," I tell him.
"Don't make fun of Sasuke!" Sakura shrieks as I take a step back in surprise.
The hell? What's their problem?! I hold my hands up. "Whoa, whoa. Calm down," I tell her.
"Don't tell me to calm down! I will not allow you to talk about Sasuke like that!"
I groan. "Look, I really don't want to mess around with a bunch of bratty fan girls like you two right now."
Ino raises an eyebrow. "Is that a threat?"
I throw my hands up. "How was that a threat?!" These girls are crazy! I didn't think they were this bad over Sasuke!
"Just leave Sasuke alone!" Ino yells, pointing a finger at my face.
Oh, hell no. That's crossing the line. I grab her finger and twist it downwards as she yells in pain. "How about you leave me alone if you know what's best for you?" I warn. "Now, that's a threat." Okay, I'm not going to back my threat up and hit Sakura and Ino. But, I know that I can beat the shit out of them if I felt like it. I know in this universe, I would probably get rewarded for it instead of punished.
"I'm sorry! Let go of me!" Ino begs as tears begin to stream down her face. I let go of her her finger as Sakura grabs her arm and drags her to their fan girl circle. I sigh. What idiots.
I feel someone staring at me and notice Naruto and Sasuke looking up at me. I am pretty sure they just witnessed the scene that just occurred. Naruto appears to be confused as he scratches the top of his head. Sasuke is smirking at me and appears amused before turning his attention back to Naruto. He seems to be telling Naruto now want just happened so he isn't confused anymore. I guess since, from my perspective, I am not on Sasuke's shit list, I see a potential friendship forming in the near future. Yes, I guess you can say I am abandoning my idea of not being friends with anyone until later. I mean, I highly doubt things are going to change just because I decide to make some friends.
I sling my wrist as a I flick a kunai towards Neji. He jumps out of the way before I manipulate the wire attached to the kunai to move. It wraps itself around Neji's leg a couple of times and I jerk my arm back. The wire tightens as Neji flies in the air towards me. I recoil my palm back and strike him in the shoulder as he crashes to the ground. I bite the wire in half and I jump backwards to get out of range. Neji quickly gets up, throws the wire away from him, and gets back into his fighting stance. I smirk as I begin to feel confident. I actually trapped Neji and landed attack on him for once! I hope Hiashi is finally proud of me.
I snap out of my thoughts as I dodge Neji's palm and block another one. I pocket my weapons as I spin around and throw a low kick towards his feet. He jumps into the air and I kick my leg upwards to follow him. It almost makes contact as he does a backflip just in time to get out of the way. As he lands, he pushes forward on his feet and springs over to me. I raise my arms up to block the attack heading towards my shoulder, but he switches up last second and makes contact with me in my chest. I am knocked a few steps back as I slip out of my defensive stand to catch my breathe.
Neji takes that opportunity to hit my shoulder and arm before spinning around and throws a roundhouse kick towards me. I recover from last two attacks and manage to stop his kick by grabbing it. I kick his back leg to make him lose his balance as I throw his other leg down. He stumbles around as I knee him in the chest and strike him multiple times before sending him to the ground. I pull out my kunai again and hold it to his throat as I pin him down with my knees and free arm. Neji gives me a nod of approval as my face brightens up and I grin. I won! I actually beat Neji!
"Enough," Hiashi says calmly as I remove my kunai from Neji's neck and help him stand up. We both bow towards each other and face my father. He's so stone faced that I can't read him at all. "You seem to have improved the past two weeks. I am happy to see it has finally clicked in your head and you are working on your mistakes." Actually, Neji has been training with me the past couple of weeks but I will take the credit. He would get pissed if he finds out a member of the Branch House is helping me improve on my flaws.
"Thank you," I say.
"However, you are far from meeting my standards," Hiashi says, destroying all my hopes and dreams. Well, not really. But, he really knows how to build a person up and then tear them down. "I advise you to continue practicing on your own time."
"Yes, sir," I mumble.
Hiashi looks over at Neji. "You are dismissed."
Neji bows. "Thank you, Hiashi-sama." He leaves the room.
I watch him slid the doors shut before turning back to Hiashi. I can tell he has more to say to me since he hasn't dismissed me just yet. "What is it, Otou-san?" I ask.
I swear he gives me a sad glance before putting his cold mask back on. "I'm hard on you for a reason, Hinata-chan," he tells me.
That's random. I cock my head to the side. "What do you mean?"
"I see a lot of potential in you and believe you can be a great Head one day," he admits as I soak in his compliment. He doesn't give them out often so I am hanging on to every word. "I just feel like you are holding yourself back."
Holding myself back? Why would I do that? I shake my head. "I don't think I am," I say. "I try my best all the time."
Hiashi furrows his eyebrows. "Ah. Maybe it is just my speculation then. Still, I feel you can do better. You can be better. You are a gifted child and I just want you to embrace it."
Me? Gifted? Ha! Funny. Not compared to Neji. But, if Hiashi is admitting to me that he thinks I am gifted then I believe him a little. He has no reason to lie to me and he doesn't say things for the heck of it.
Hiashi turns around and heads toward the door. "We are done for the day," he says. "I will be in my study if you need me."
He leaves the room and a lonely sensation grows inside me. I miss him comforting me and acting like his old self. Him complimenting me just now is have me craving for more attention and affection. He doesn't show me ethier anymore and I miss his fatherly love towards me. Neji's dad always show his love to his own son. Why can't my father act like that to his own daughters? Both men have lost their wives but I guess everyone copes differently. I sigh as I trudge out of the room and walk down the hallway.
I try to not think of my mother much since her death. I do not like feeling sad or miserable and I hate when people take pity on me. Every time someone does, I usually ignore the comment or politely reply back and then brush them off. I have been repressing any negative emotions and have been trying to keep my promise and stay strong for everyone, especially my sister. I creep into her room and peek over her crib to find her peacefully sleeping.
I just stare at her. I'm thinking selfishly right now. Here I am yearning for my father's affection when Hanabi has never experienced it. The only attention he gives my sister is when he feeds her and sees her at dinner. Basically, her own caretaker is raising her. How sad. That's why I try my best to be around her. When I am, I am always playing with her, making her laugh, and showing her love. I hope she doesn't forget those moments when she gets older. I don't want her to grow up to be emotionless or angry at the world because she was never shown any love and affection. I reach down and lightly smooth down her hair and tiptoe out of the room, silently sliding the door behind me. Sometimes, I wish Hizashi was mine and Hanabi's father and that Neji was my older brother. I think I would be much happier around them living as a Branch member instead of leaving the luxuries as a Main member and feeling lonely.
I stop walking and just stand in the middle of the hallway. Man, I'm bored. Hanabi is sleeping, Neji is doing something at his house, and my father is hiding in his study. I really do not feel like reading my chakra books until bedtime, since I do that almost every night, or training anymore for the day. If I was allowed to hang out with Naruto outside of the Academy, I would be with him right now. I'm not close enough to Sasuke yet to possibly pay him a visit, if my father even allowed it, to see him. I sigh. I guess I will just go to my room and take a nap or something. Days like these is when I wish my mother was still alive. Everything would be normal again. Ugh, I miss her.
Author's Note: Sorry for the late update. I do post on Thursdays, but my internet has been down all the day. It was down for all Charter users. It sucked lol. I can't survive without my internet. Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter! There is two more chapters of OC Hinata's childhood left before she finally graduates from the Academy and the real fun begins! I am just so happy in how many people are so interested in this story and I thank all of you! I appreciate all favs/follows and reviews, good or bad. I hope you all have a great night or day!
Question: Besides the Gentle Fist, what kind of jutsus would you be interested in Hinata learning and using in battle? I have my ideas but I always love to hear readers opinions.
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