Quietly, Yours

Sasuke approached the looming tower with exhaustion heavy in his limbs, though he refused to show it. The dense trees finally parted, revealing the tall structure stretching upward, a stark beacon in the chaos of the Forest of Death. The Earth and Heaven scrolls rested securely within his pouch, proof that they'd succeeded, that they'd survived. Yet Sasuke felt little satisfaction, only a hollow sense of unease he couldn’t quite shake.

Glancing sideways, he noted Sakura’s tired but determined expression, her green eyes focused straight ahead. Naruto, loud and enthusiastic as ever, practically bounded forward, energy mysteriously restored as soon as the tower came into view.

"Finally!" Naruto shouted with relief, throwing his arms up in the air. "We made it!"

Sasuke shook his head lightly, though a small smirk tugged briefly at the corner of his mouth. Naruto's endless optimism was oddly reassuring, especially after everything they'd just endured. He silently glanced behind him, eyes immediately seeking Hinata, relieved to see her still close by with her teammates. She looked exhausted but safe, and that was enough.

As the heavy tower doors swung open with a groan, they all stepped cautiously inside. A long hallway stretched ahead, dimly lit and silent. Sasuke remained alert, his senses still sharp and wary. He wouldn’t relax, not until this exam was completely finished.

"So, what now?" Sakura whispered, her eyes scanning the empty corridor. "Do we open the scrolls here?"

Sasuke nodded, pulling both scrolls from his pouch and placing them carefully onto the floor. Naruto eagerly moved beside him, his blue eyes wide with anticipation.

"Come on, hurry up! I wanna see what's inside!" Naruto urged impatiently.

Suppressing a sigh, Sasuke carefully unrolled both scrolls simultaneously, their characters suddenly beginning to glow brightly. Startled, he dropped them onto the floor and stepped back, shielding his eyes from the sudden blinding flash of light.

When the brightness faded, Sasuke lowered his arm cautiously, eyes widening in disbelief at the figure now standing calmly before them.

"Iruka-sensei?" Naruto shouted, his voice filled with shock and confusion.

Iruka smiled warmly at his former students, folding his arms gently across his chest. "Congratulations. You've successfully passed the second stage."

Sasuke remained quiet, his mind racing fiercely. They'd passed, yes, but the strange, dark power he'd felt earlier still gnawed uncomfortably at his thoughts. He couldn't forget the sensation. Darkness had coursed through him, brutal and intoxicating, a power he didn't fully understand. Even now, faint whispers of it lingered within his veins, tempting and terrifying at once.

"Sasuke?" Iruka’s voice brought him sharply back to the present. Iruka was watching him carefully, eyes gentle but concerned. "Are you alright?"

Sasuke quickly masked his unease, giving a curt nod. "I'm fine."

Iruka eyed him carefully, clearly not convinced, but eventually nodded in return. "Alright. You all should rest now. You've earned it."

As Naruto and Sakura began eagerly recounting the battles they'd faced, Sasuke quietly turned his gaze toward the hallway behind them, his thoughts drifting to Hinata once more. He hadn't been able to forget the way she'd rushed toward him, her arms desperately wrapping around him even as his chakra had burned harshly into her skin. He’d nearly lost control, hurt her, hurt himself, and the thought terrified him more deeply than he cared to admit.

He clenched his fists tightly at his sides, jaw tensing. He had to grow stronger, had to master this dangerous new power inside him. He refused to put Hinata, or anyone else he cared about, in danger again.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura called hesitantly, voice gentle. "You coming?"

Slowly, Sasuke turned back toward his teammates, pushing his troubled thoughts aside as he moved calmly forward.

"Yeah," he murmured quietly, determination hardening his voice. "Let's go."

x-x-x-x

The tension in the preliminaries arena felt almost electric. Sasuke stood silently beside Kakashi, his dark eyes carefully scanning the room filled with shinobi from multiple villages. He could feel Kakashi’s gaze on him, quietly observing, and knew exactly why. He felt the dull, persistent throbbing from the cursed mark on his neck, pulsing faintly beneath his skin.

“Sasuke,” Kakashi murmured cautiously, breaking their silence. “You need to let me seal that mark now, before it gets worse. It’s dangerous.”

Sasuke didn't look at Kakashi, instead his sharp gaze moved quietly toward Naruto and Sakura, then flickered briefly to Hinata standing quietly among her teammates. His jaw tightened slightly, stubborn resolve settling firmly into his stance.

“No,” he answered firmly, voice low but defiant. “Not yet. I want to see my teammates' fights. I have to be here.”

Kakashi’s single visible eye narrowed, clearly displeased. “Sasuke, this isn’t something you can ignore. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to control. Do you understand?”

Sasuke finally turned toward his sensei, determination clear and unwavering in his gaze. “I said I'll be fine. It can wait until after. I’m not missing this, especially not their fights.”

Kakashi sighed heavily, clearly frustrated by his stubbornness. After a tense pause, he finally relented, shaking his head lightly. “Fine. But as soon as this is over, we're dealing with it. Understood?”

Sasuke gave a short grunt in agreement, his eyes already fixed firmly back toward the arena floor, silently scanning the competitors. "Understood."

Suddenly, Hayate stepped forward, coughing softly as he called the attention of the competitors.

“The first match will be Sasuke Uchiha versus Yoroi Akado,” Hayate announced clearly.

Sasuke stepped forward immediately as everyone else started to disperse up to the stands. Sasuke was calm and focused, his heart steady despite the lingering ache from the curse mark. He descended into the fighting area, quietly assessing his opponent, Yoroi, whose gaze was hidden behind dark glasses, his posture confident and arrogant.

Yoroi smirked mockingly, voice dripping with arrogance. “So you're Sasuke Uchiha? Let’s see what you're really made of.”

Sasuke’s expression remained cold and unreadable as he dropped into his fighting stance. The moment Hayate signaled the start, Yoroi immediately lunged forward, his hand glowing faintly with chakra. Sasuke swiftly dodged, narrowly avoiding his opponent's chakra-infused palm.

He felt the dark chakra of the cursed seal pulse dangerously again beneath his skin, sending sharp pain surging through his body. His movements slowed slightly, feeling suddenly heavier. Sasuke scowled inwardly, teeth gritting fiercely. He wouldn't let this mark control him. Not here, not now.

“Something wrong, Uchiha?” Yoroi sneered confidently, noticing Sasuke’s hesitation. “You seem a bit sluggish!”

Yoroi lunged again, his chakra-coated hand nearly brushing Sasuke’s chest. Sasuke quickly retreated, eyes narrowing sharply. He needed a plan, fast.

“Having trouble?” Yoroi mocked further. “You know, you're not living up to the Uchiha name at all.”

A spark of anger ignited deep within Sasuke’s chest, cold and controlled. His Sharingan activated sharply, eyes blazing crimson as he analyzed Yoroi’s movements closely. He charged forward decisively, executing precise taijutsu, each strike sharp, and calculated. But each attempt at close combat gave Yoroi another chance to absorb his chakra, forcing Sasuke to maintain distance.

Frustration mounted steadily inside him. He couldn't use chakra-intensive moves, not without risking the cursed mark flaring violently again.

In a heartbeat, Sasuke pushed forward again, his speed dramatically increasing. In a swift, seamless move, Sasuke landed a fierce kick beneath Yoroi’s chin, sending him staggering backward, completely off-guard. Seizing his chance, Sasuke immediately closed the distance, twisting sharply in mid-air to deliver a decisive strike, his foot crashing into Yoroi’s torso, slamming him forcefully down onto the floor.

Dust rose briefly as Yoroi lay defeated, unmoving. Sasuke landed gracefully, breathing heavily, sweat glistening lightly on his forehead. He slowly straightened, ignoring the pulsing ache in his neck as he stared down coldly at his unconscious opponent.

“Winner of the first match: Sasuke Uchiha,” Hayate announced clearly.

As cheers echoed faintly from his Konoha classmates, specifically Naruto and Sakura, Sasuke calmly exited the arena, ascending the stairs back toward his team. He felt Kakashi’s gaze silently watching him, observing closely, clearly assessing his condition. Sasuke remained composed, expression carefully guarded, but internally, relief flooded his chest. He'd won, but he knew he'd been dangerously close to losing control.

As he reached the platform, Sasuke's gaze subtly moved toward Hinata. Her eyes met his briefly, concern flickering softly behind her gentle gaze. Sasuke quickly averted his eyes. He didn't want her, or anyone else, to worry. He silently vowed again to master this curse, no matter what it took.

Sasuke returned to Kakashi’s side, jaw clenched determinedly.

“Still think you can hold out until the end?” Kakashi murmured skeptically.

Sasuke nodded. “I'll manage.”

He refused to show weakness, not now, not ever. He'd see his friends' battles through to the end, especially hers, even if he had to endure the pain of the cursed seal the entire time.

Sasuke stood silently beside Kakashi, arms folded loosely across his chest, gaze shifting between interest and distraction as the matches continued. He found it increasingly difficult to focus fully, partly from the persistent, dull ache of the curse mark, but mostly due to his mind repeatedly wandering to thoughts he couldn’t quite suppress. Images of his fight, breaking that guy’s arms, that unsettling surge of dark chakra, and the brief, terrified look in Hinata’s eyes kept returning unbidden.

He glanced up silently as the electronic board flickered to life, displaying the next two competitors' names clearly:

Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka.

Instantly, a loud, energetic cheer erupted from beside him as Naruto pumped his fists excitedly into the air, nearly jumping out of his sandals. "Finally...it's my turn! Watch closely, Sakura-chan!"

Kiba let out a confident scoff, stepping forward with Akamaru perched on his head. "Heh, looks like this'll be an easy one, Akamaru. We're fighting Naruto, after all."

Naruto immediately whirled around, glaring at Kiba with comical fury. "Oi, dog breath! You better not underestimate me! I'll wipe that stupid grin off your face!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes, a mild sigh escaping his lips. This was going to be exhausting to watch. Still, despite his annoyance, he felt a subtle curiosity flicker inside him. Naruto was loud and brash, yes, but he had a knack for surprises. Sasuke wouldn't admit it aloud, but he wanted to see how this played out.

"You've got this, Naruto!" Sakura called loudly, leaning forward against the railing, her green eyes shining with genuine enthusiasm. "Show them how strong you've gotten!"

Naruto immediately turned his head towards her, blue eyes wide and glittering with excitement. "Just watch me, Sakura-chan! When I win, you have to go on a date with me!"

Sakura's entire face instantly flushed bright red, embarrassment and irritation radiating from her as she furiously shouted back, "Don't say stupid things like that, Naruto!"

A few chuckles rippled through their surrounding classmates at Sakura's reaction. But Sasuke's own gaze instinctively moved sideways, landing quietly on Hinata. She stood nearby, partially hidden beside Kurenai and Shino, her lavender eyes wide and soft, fixed entirely on Naruto.

He saw instantly the subtle shift in her expression, the way her gentle eyes widened slightly at Naruto’s words, how her shoulders subtly tensed, her cheeks flushing softly pink. Sasuke watched as she lowered her gaze, biting her lip faintly. He felt an odd, sense of annoyance stir inside him. Naruto was completely oblivious, as usual, to the effect his words had on her.

Turning his attention back towards the arena, Sasuke focused on Naruto and Kiba as they moved into place, standing opposite each other in the spacious floor below. The tension began building immediately, the audience growing quiet.

"Begin!" Hayate's voice echoed clearly through the room.

Immediately, Kiba sprang into action, crouching down and performing hand signs with sharp precision. "Let's finish this quick, Akamaru! Man-Beast Clone!"

Akamaru leapt off Kiba's head, transforming instantly into a perfect duplicate of his partner. The two Kibas moved swiftly, their movements synchronized flawlessly. Naruto flinched slightly, clearly taken aback by their swift teamwork. Sasuke sighed quietly again. Typical. Naruto was underestimating his opponent from the start.

"All right, here we go!" Both Kibas called together, charging directly at Naruto, fierce grins spread across their faces.

Naruto barely had time to react before Kiba's fist collided solidly against his face, knocking him backward to the ground. Naruto landed roughly, tumbling awkwardly across the arena floor. Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly in mild annoyance. "That idiot," he muttered softly, shaking his head.

Naruto scrambled awkwardly back to his feet, wincing and rubbing his bruised face. Sasuke’s eyes shifted slightly to his side, a subtle movement that he didn't entirely acknowledge. But he couldn't help noticing Hinata standing there, posture rigid, eyes wide and anxious, her pale irises fixed unwaveringly on Naruto's stumbling form below. Her gentle hands had curled tightly into fists at her sides, and Sasuke could see her soft lips pressed together with quiet worry. He found himself silently annoyed by the intensity of her focus, the way her breath seemed to hitch each time Naruto took another hit.

A strange irritation bubbled beneath his skin. Sasuke searched his memory briefly, brows furrowing slightly. He couldn't recall her ever watching his own match with that kind of urgency, holding her breath as though her entire world depended on the idiot staying on his feet. The realization stirred something uncomfortable deep within his chest, an unfamiliar tension that made his jaw clench tightly. He scowled slightly and forced his attention away, staring back at the arena, annoyed at himself for even noticing, much less caring.

"C'mon, Naruto, is that all you've got?" Kiba taunted, laughing cockily. "Akamaru, let's show him our Fang-over-Fang!"

Both Kibas spun rapidly, becoming violent whirlwinds. They charged towards Naruto again at startling speed, striking him squarely and sending him flying backward across the floor again. Sasuke watched with quiet irritation. Naruto was fighting recklessly and had zero strategy. Hinata's worried gasp from beside him only intensified his annoyance further. She really worried too much about Naruto.

But as the battle continued, Naruto stubbornly got back to his feet again, refusing to back down. Sasuke silently respected his resilience, even if the idiot had no real plan. He quietly observed Naruto's determined expression. Despite the odds stacked against him, Naruto refused to quit.

"You won't beat me like this!" Naruto shouted defiantly, forming a familiar hand sign. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Several identical Narutos appeared, charging at Kiba chaotically. The confusion forced Kiba briefly onto the defensive, but Sasuke saw clearly how quickly Kiba regained composure, sending his chakra-charged whirlwind technique directly into the clones, scattering them effortlessly.

"You're still underestimating me, Naruto!" Kiba laughed, confidence radiating from his posture. "You're not ready for the Chunin Exams!"

Naruto scowled deeply, determination blazing in his blue eyes. Sasuke observed carefully, noting the subtle change in Naruto's posture, the way his shoulders squared, eyes focused sharply. Something shifted then. Naruto's recklessness slowly transformed into a calculated, stubborn focus.

Naruto swiftly threw smoke bombs, blinding Kiba momentarily. Then, using clever trickery, Naruto disguised himself perfectly as Akamaru, fooling Kiba into attacking his own partner. Sasuke's eyebrows rose slightly in mild surprise. Naruto wasn't completely clueless after all.

Sakura cheered enthusiastically beside him, excitedly pumping her fist. Sasuke watched Hinata, who wore a gentle smile now, relief visible on her soft features. She was entirely focused on Naruto, admiration clear in her gaze. It was starting to irritate him more than he wanted to admit.

Naruto suddenly doubled over, clutching his stomach in pain. Everyone's eyes widened in confusion. He groaned, a pained look on his face. Kiba, sensing victory, eagerly charged forward again, fist drawn back for the final strike. But as Kiba approached, Naruto abruptly...released a loud, obnoxious fart, directly into Kiba's face. The entire room fell into silence.

Sasuke stared blankly. "...You can't be serious."

Kiba staggered backward, coughing violently, clearly disoriented by the foul stench. Naruto seized the chance, throwing himself forward to deliver a powerful kick that knocked Kiba out cold. The stunned silence quickly erupted into astonished cheers.

Naruto stood victoriously, proudly thrusting his fist into the air. "How do you like that, Kiba?!" He shouted triumphantly.

Sasuke exhaled slowly, disbelief written plainly across his face. Naruto had actually won…by farting. The absolute idiot. Still, he couldn't help the faint, reluctant smirk tugging at his lips. Naruto had surprised him again.

His eyes moved sideways once more, landing silently on Hinata. She was smiling softly, clearly relieved, her gaze filled entirely with quiet pride directed towards Naruto. Sasuke sighed, his mild amusement instantly replaced again by that uncomfortable, nagging annoyance deep in his chest.

As Naruto made his way back up the stairs, Sasuke watched from the corner of his eye, his expression carefully neutral. Naruto had won, he’d give him that much, but the idiot couldn’t have found a more humiliating way to do it. Still, the cursed mark beneath his skin pulsed quietly, a bitter reminder that he himself hadn’t fought cleanly either. He clenched his jaw slightly, refocusing on Naruto's triumphant grin.

Sakura beamed, cheering enthusiastically beside him. "You did great, Naruto!"

Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Hehe, thanks Sakura-chan! Told you I'd win!"

Movement near the railing drew Sasuke’s attention. Hinata stood nervously, cheeks tinged with pink as she cupped a small jar of salve tightly in her hands. She seemed hesitant, her gaze lingering on Naruto's smiling face. Sasuke’s eyes narrowed subtly, but he watched, careful to mask his curiosity.

"Hinata," Kurenai said gently, encouragingly nudging her forward. "Go on. You can do it."

Hinata nodded shyly, took a small, hesitant breath, and stepped towards Naruto, her face flushed softly.

"N-Naruto-kun," she called softly, her voice trembling slightly. Naruto paused mid-step, blinking curiously at her.

"Huh? Oh, hey Hinata!" He gave her his bright grin.

"I-I…um," she stammered softly, holding the jar out timidly. "I brought some ointment. I made it m-myself…it's good for healing injuries."

Naruto looked down at the jar in surprise, eyes widening. "Really? You made this yourself?"

Hinata nodded shyly, a warm blush deepening on her cheeks. "Y-Yes…I thought it might help you after your match."

Naruto smiled brightly, accepting the salve gratefully. "Wow, that's awesome! Thanks a lot, Hinata! You're really nice!"

"Y-You're welcome," she whispered, ducking her head quickly to hide her flushed face.

Sasuke watched quietly, annoyance in his chest at Naruto's obliviousness. It irritated him how Naruto could be so blind, so utterly dense to Hinata’s obvious feelings. He scoffed quietly to himself and looked away, annoyed with both of them.

Naruto turned and strode proudly towards Sakura and Sasuke, still holding Hinata’s ointment. "Hey Sakura-chan, now that I won, where should we go on our first date? I was thinking Ichiraku!"

Sakura flushed brightly, scowling furiously. "Naruto, I told you that's never happening! Quit saying stupid things!"

Sasuke shook his head, deciding he'd heard enough. He turned away, hands shoved deep into his pockets, walking quietly towards Hinata, who was now standing uncertainly, eyes focused softly on the floor. He stopped in front of her, casting his shadow over her smaller frame.

She blinked, startled as she tilted her face upward to look at him.

"Hn," Sasuke said flatly, glancing pointedly toward Kiba being carried away on a stretcher. "Looks like your teammate could've used that salve more than Naruto."

Hinata flushed again, eyes widening slightly in embarrassment. "I—I was going to give some to Kiba-kun, too!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "But Naruto got it first. Interesting priorities."

Her eyes widened even further, her cheeks puffing slightly in indignation as she squared her small shoulders. "I was really going to give Kiba-kun some…after," she mumbled defensively.

Sasuke's smirk widened, finding genuine amusement in her flustered reaction. Teasing Hinata always felt comfortable, familiar, a secret ease he only allowed himself around her. He glanced away, feigning disinterest. "I never got any salve from you, and I've been your friend a lot longer than that idiot."

She stared up at him curiously, eyes gentle but questioning. The weight of her gaze suddenly made him feel unexpectedly flustered. He scowled lightly, suddenly irritated at himself for even mentioning it. Before he could move away, though, she stepped forward and reached up swiftly, tugging lightly at his earlobe.

Sasuke flinched, startled and embarrassed, his face warming instantly while holding onto his ear. "H-Hey! What did you do that for?"

Hinata smiled softly, her eyes warm with gentle mischief. "N-Nothing. I just wanted to tease you, too."

He scowled again, redness spreading across his cheeks. "Tch…you're annoying," he muttered softly. Yet, despite his grumbled complaint, he didn't move away, still standing close to her as she giggled behind her hand.

Still flushed, he glanced around the room to distract his mind, taking in the remaining competitors. "Hinata," he said suddenly, voice low. "Are you scared to fight anyone here?"

Hinata's gentle expression sobered instantly, her eyes shifting subtly to the far corner of the room. She hesitated, nudging her head faintly toward someone in particular.

Sasuke followed her gaze carefully, his eyes landing quietly on a boy with vivid crimson hair and empty, cold eyes. Even from this distance, the intensity radiating from the Sand shinobi was palpable, a heavy, oppressive aura that seemed to silence the entire space around him. His posture was rigid, isolated. Something dark and dangerous lingered around him like a warning.

Quietly, Hinata spoke, voice soft and uneasy. "We…we ran into him in the forest. He's very strong and dangerous. I-I hope you won't ever have to fight him, Sasuke-kun."

He frowned, glancing at her sharply with mock offense. "You think I'm that weak?"

Hinata quickly shook her head, eyes wide with embarrassment. "N-No, of course not! I-I didn't mean—"

He smirked faintly, eyes softening. "Don't doubt me," he said, voice quiet but firm.

Hinata smiled softly, a bit relieved, and nodded.”I’d never doubt you, Sasuke-kun. Y-You’ve always been very strong ever since we were kids.”

Sasuke looked away. “Yeah, yeah. You don’t have to say all of that, you know?” Hinata only laughed, causing him to frown. Their quiet moment was suddenly shattered by the electronic board flickering once more to life.

"Hinata Hyuga versus Neji Hyuga."

Sasuke felt Hinata's presence stiffen beside him, a faint tremble rippling through her posture as she stared silently at the screen. Her breath caught slightly in her throat, fear tightening her small frame. He turned sharply, immediately locking eyes with Neji.

Neji’s cold, arrogant gaze narrowed on Hinata, disdain clear in those pale eyes before he calmly strode forward toward the staircase, passing closely beside them.

Sasuke never broke eye contact, his glare meeting Neji’s icy stare directly, anger simmering quietly in his chest. He didn't fully understand the tension, the reason for her palpable fear, but he knew he didn't like the way Neji looked at her, as if she were nothing.

Shino's quiet voice broke the silence, cautious and concerned. "Hinata, you don't have to fight him. You can forfeit."

Something inside Sasuke snapped instantly. "Shut up," he bit out sharply to Shino. Hinata flinched beside him, startled. He turned to her, tone firm but gentler. "Don't listen to him. You can fight. You're strong enough."

Hinata hesitated, fear still shadowing her expression, eyes filled with uncertainty.

Annoyed by her doubt, Sasuke reached forward, lightly tapping her forehead with two fingers, startling her into lifting her gaze. He ignored everyone else around them, blocking out Naruto's loud voice and everyone’s confused looks as he focused solely on Hinata.

"Listen to me," he said quietly, voice firm and unwavering. "You're stronger than you think. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Got it?"

Slowly, determination replaced the fear in her gentle eyes. She managed a small, steady nod, voice gaining strength. "I-I understand. Thank you, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke stepped back quietly, hands slipping into his pockets again as he watched her descend carefully toward the arena floor. He didn't know much about Hinata's family, she always closed up whenever the topic arose, but this deep, unsettling fear toward Neji disturbed him more than he'd admit.

He would watch this fight carefully, and he silently vowed, no matter what, he'd never forgive Neji if he hurt Hinata.

From his position overlooking the arena, Sasuke watched closely as Hinata stepped forward to stand across from Neji. There was a heavy silence as everyone waited, and Sasuke could feel it, a tangible, uncomfortable tension settling into his chest.

Neji regarded Hinata coldly, his pale eyes distant and indifferent. "Before we begin, I suggest you forfeit," Neji stated firmly, folding his arms neatly across his chest. "You know as well as I do that you don't belong here, Lady Hinata."

Hinata lifted her gaze hesitantly, shoulders slightly hunched, clearly nervous yet trying to stay firm. "I...I'll do my best, nii-san."

Beside Sasuke, Naruto hummed in confusion, leaning slightly forward. "Wait...why did Hinata just call Neji her brother?"

Kakashi calmly turned towards them. "In the Hyuga clan, members of the main and branch families are sometimes referred to formally as siblings. It's a complex hierarchy, meant to separate the main house from those considered lesser."

Naruto looked utterly baffled. "Main house? Branch family? What's all that mean?"

Sasuke glanced sideways, frowning. He remembered vaguely a man who used to shadow Hinata everywhere when they were kids. Cho? Ko? He didn't really care to remember clearly. He just knew with her being escorted everywhere that she was someone important in her clan.

Lee, standing just behind Naruto, stepped forward eagerly to explain further. "The Hyuga clan has two houses. Hinata is from the main house, the leaders. Neji, like my teammate, belongs to the branch family. They serve the main house and are branded with a curse mark."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "A curse mark?"

Sasuke felt his body stiffen sharply at those words, instinctively bringing a hand to his neck. His mind briefly flashed back to Orochimaru, to the pain of his own curse mark. He shook the thought away, gaze returning sharply to Hinata. Now Neji's coldness made more sense, but that didn't make him any less angry at the way he was speaking to her.

Below them, Neji's harsh voice continued relentlessly. "You've always been weak. It's your destiny. No matter how much you struggle, you can never change that. Forfeit before you embarrass yourself further."

Hinata visibly flinched, her eyes dropping to the floor as pain and shame shadowed her face. Sasuke clenched his fists tightly, knuckles white. He hated seeing that expression. She was stronger than Neji knew, stronger than even she herself believed. He wanted her to speak up, to fight back, but the cruel words had frozen her in place.

Then Naruto's loud, defiant voice rang out sharply across the room, "Don't listen to this jerk, Hinata! You can take him! Kick his ass!"

Sasuke glanced sharply at Naruto, eyes widening slightly. He was leaning so far over the railing that Sasuke wondered if he'd fall. Naruto's eyes burned brightly, fists clenched with fierce determination.

Surprised but quietly pleased, Sasuke immediately turned his eyes back to Hinata. Her posture shifted, her trembling ceased, and that faint fire returned to her eyes. Sasuke felt a quiet smirk spread across his lips. Naruto might've been an idiot, but he had his uses.

The fight finally began.

Sasuke watched with keen interest, fascinated by the precise elegance of the Hyuga fighting style. It was like a dance. Graceful, powerful, dangerous. Hinata held her ground impressively, countering Neji’s strikes with determined precision. Sasuke felt pride swell inside his chest when he saw her incorporate some of the moves he'd taught her, each subtle strike and dodge proving her quiet strength.

"Damn, Hinata's actually really cool!" Naruto shouted excitedly, eyes wide with admiration. Sasuke's smirk grew slightly, smug satisfaction settling comfortably in his chest. Of course she was cool. He'd always known that. She’s his best friend after all.

But suddenly the rhythm shifted abruptly.

Neji's hand moved with lightning speed, striking Hinata brutally in the chest. Blood spilled from her lips as she stumbled backward, dropping heavily onto her knees, her small frame trembling painfully.

Sasuke's body reacted instinctively, panic surging through his veins. His fingers tightened around the railing, heart pounding sharply. Hinata coughed weakly, struggling just to breathe, and Sasuke's anger surged even higher when Neji spoke again.

"It's futile," Neji said disdainfully, looking down at her with cruel eyes. "You've always been weak. Just stay down. It's your fate."

Sasuke's vision blurred briefly with rage, his teeth gritting painfully as he considered leaping down there himself. Just as he opened his mouth to shout, Naruto's furious voice filled the room again, burning with anger:

"Don't give up, Hinata! You can still win! Don’t listen to his bullshit fate stuff. This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about!"

Sakura shifted uncomfortably beside him, whispering hesitantly, "Naruto...she's done. She can't fight anymore."

Sasuke glared sharply at her, silently telling her to shut up. But Naruto ignored Sakura entirely, gaze locked fiercely onto Hinata as a slow grin spread across his face. Sasuke followed his line of sight quickly, chest tightening as he saw Hinata slowly, stubbornly pushing herself back to her feet.

Relief flooded his body instantly, watching her stand again, shaky but determined. She refused to quit.

Neji's anger flared, his calm shattered completely. "Why do you refuse to see it? Why can't you just accept your fate?!"

Hinata's quiet words pierced straight through Neji's carefully built control. "Because you're wrong, Neji-nii-san. You're the one who's suffering most...because of fate."

Neji snapped, eyes darkening dangerously. With murderous intent clearly radiating from his chakra, he charged directly toward Hinata, palm raised in a lethal strike.

Hinata froze, her courage shattering under that terrifying intensity.

Sasuke didn't even think twice. He moved instinctively, faster than he'd ever moved before, landing instantly between Hinata and Neji with fierce protectiveness blazing in his eyes. Ready to rip that hand clear off his arm, but simultaneously, Kakashi, Gai, Kurenai, and Hayate appeared, restraining Neji firmly.

Neji struggled, shouting furiously. "Why are you all protecting her?! The main branch always gets special treatment!"

Sasuke didn't spare him another glance, immediately turning as Hinata suddenly collapsed behind him. Catching her gently in his arms, he lowered her carefully down to the floor. Her breathing was harsh and uneven, blood staining her lips.

Suddenly Naruto shoved roughly past him, falling onto his knees beside Hinata desperately. "Hinata! Are you okay? Hinata!"

Sasuke bit the inside of his cheek harshly, anger and helplessness twisting painfully inside him as he watched medics hurry forward, quickly placing Hinata onto a stretcher. Naruto stood slowly, dipping his fingers into Hinata's blood pooled on the floor. He turned toward Neji, pointing fiercely.

"You bastard! I promise you right now…I'll beat you myself! Got it?!"

Sasuke rose slowly beside Naruto, eyes narrowing coldly as the same burning anger flooded through him. Turning toward Neji, he activated his Sharingan without hesitation, crimson eyes blazing darkly in warning.

Neji met his gaze, arrogance still lingering stubbornly in those pale, hateful eyes.

Sasuke silently vowed to himself, if he ever faced Neji personally, he wouldn't hold back. He would break him without hesitation, repay every ounce of pain he'd forced Hinata to endure. The thought simmered dangerously inside him, filled with cold, quiet rage.

He wouldn't forgive him.