Chapter 32
As the daughter of the current Hyuga Clan Head, Hisashi Hyuga, it was expected for his eldest daughter, Hinata Hyuga, to become heiress. Only there was a problem...
Hinata was timid, a weakness viewed by the Hyuga Clan. So to get rid of this weakness, the Hyuga Elders decided to make Hinata's training more gruesome when she was of age to start training. Hoping it'll make her timid nature go away.
Only it didn't.
When she with her Mother, she was learning clan politics and acting like a lady. But Hinata didn't like acting like a lady. One time while she was playing in the garden with Hanabi, she found a hose and turned all the dirt into mud. She and Hanabi had so much fun and were covered in mud. It was all fun until Hanabi's caretaker found them soaked in mud.
Hinata was screamed at by the Hyuga Elders and was smacked across the face with enough force to immediately bruised. Hinata was 2.
Hinata's life became harder. Hinata was kidnapped by the Head Ninja of Kumogakure who was in Konoha under the guise of signing a peace treaty between Kumo and Konoha.
Hinata was playing alone in the garden when she saw a man dressed in black. Hinata tried to run a away but the ninja pressed her face against a cloth with a strange chemical that almost immediately made her pass out.
Hinata was almost taken away if it wasn't for her Father, who killed the man. Hinata was then brought to the Hyuga medics.
The leader of Kumo was angry that Hisashi killed his head ninja and demanded his body. Hizashi, Hisashi's younger twin brother, went instead and died in the process. This was named the Hyuga Affair. Since then, Neji, Hizashi's son, hated Hinata.
Hinata was incredibly sad that Neji started to hate her, they were friends before the Hyuga Affair. It didn't help that Neji was branded with the Hyuga Caged Bird Seal after.
Hinata always admired Neji. He was a prodigy in Gentle Fist and a faster learner than Hinata ever was. Neji started to resent the Main House, seeing as someone as weal as Hinata would soon rule the clan while some like Neji, someone who was born talented, would live and die serving her. Hinata was 3.
Hinata's training was gruesome and emotionally scarring. Sometimes after training, Hinata would have nightmares about training and dying because of it.
It didn't help Hinata's mindset that her Father was spending more time with her younger sister Hanabi. He started to train with Hanabi personal while he left Hinata at the hands of the elders.
The elders were cruel. They demanded so much of Hinata, not caring if she was only 5 at the time. Eventually Hisashi decided on who would be the next heiress, Hinata and Hanabi would fight for the title.
Hanabi would train with their father but the elders lost faith in Hinata, believing she would fail, and decided not to train her anymore. Hisashi then decided Kurenai Yuhi would be her temporary teacher until the fight.
Kurenai was nice. She wouldn't yell at Hinata for making a mistake. She even encouraged Hinata's interested in other jutsu that wasn't Gentle Fist. Hinata begged her to teach her Genjutsu and she agreed.
Hinata learned all Kurenai taught her, Hinata was sad that she had to leave Kurenai to go back to the Hyuga Clan Compound.
The fight against Hinata and Hanabi was a brutal one. At first, Hinata hesitated from not wanting her hurt her sister. But Hanabi took this chance to sweep her feet. They fought and Hanabi had the upper hand.
Hinata knew she couldn't help the Branch Family if she was no longer heiress so with a heavy heart, Hinata struck.
Hanabi was down, Hinata had won.
Things didn't become better, Hanabi didn't hate her after that which Hinata was grateful for. Since she was permanently the heiress now, training became harder.
One day, Hinata ran away. She ran to the forest where she met a group of bullies and made fun of her eyes. Hinata used her hands to cover her eyes and to hid her tears.
"Hey! Leave her alone!"
Hinata looked up and what she saw took her breath away. It was a boy her age with sunshine blonde like hair, tanned skin, and ocean blue eyes. His eyes reminded her of the ocean or the purest of sapphire, she could get lost in them for hours.
The boy tried to defend her but was beat up by the boys. After they left, Hinata went to check to see if he was alright. She learned his name was Naruto and the way he smiled at her, it made her heart skip a beat.
After she got home, she almost did hear the Hyuga Elders scream at her or made her go to bed without dinner. She went to bed hungry but her heart full. Hinata was 6.
Hinata then decided to learn who Naruto was. She began tailing him, watching him train. And it's not like her Father would notice she was gone, after all he has his 'perfect' daughter Hanabi.
Her Father's neglect was a blessing and a curse. When he wasn't with her, which was a lot, it felt like she wasn't constantly being judged for every single mistake she made. This absence allowed her to pursue her interest like Genjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu.
But his absence also hurt her. It made Hinata feel unwanted, like she wasn't good enough. This made Hinata go into her shell even more.
Hinata was very lonely. She begged her Father to enroll her into the Academy. She brought up the points that it'll make her stronger and she'll be more knowledgeable. He let her enroll, that was the single best thing he ever did for her.
Hinata was over the moon! She could make friends and learn all kinds of jutsu. Only to find out it was a scam.
Rumors spread of her being the 'Failed Hyuga Heiress' but she tried to act like Naruto and not let that bother her, only it did. And it hurt. A lot.
She wasn't bullied but was felt judged everywhere she would go. Somedays she would just stay in her room to avoid the looks.
While she was at the Academy, it wasn't so bad. She made sort-of-friends with Kiba and Iruka-sensei was nice. Naruto was also in the same class as her, which was a big win for her!
After the Uchiha Massacre, she saw Sasuke without his lunch so she would give him hers. She wouldn't be hungry as she could go a long time without food, the Hyuga Elders punished her to go without food a lot. But it was fine! Sasuke needed it more than she did!
Years had passed in the Academy. It was soon Graduation Day and everyone but Naruto passed, he looked to depressed without anyone to comfort him.
She saw him all alone on the swing, so she summoned all of her courage and walked towards him.
"Here to laugh?" Naruto said bitterly
"W-Why would I do that?" Hinata asked, confused on why someone would laugh at Naruto?
"I was the only one who didn't pass." Naruto clarified
Hinata frowned. One of the things she loved about Naruto was his determination but Naruto looked so defeated in front of her.
"A-Are you going to try again?" Hinata asked
"Why? So I could screw up again? I need to face it, I'll never be Hokage..." Naruto said
"I-I believe you can do it." Hinata said
Naruto turned to face her at blinding speed, his eyes wide with suprise. "Y-You believe I could do it?"
Hinata nodded. "I-I t-think you'll be a great Hokage."
Naruto got off the swing and rushed at Hinata, hugging her. Hinata's face turn red as she felt strong arms wrap around her.
"Thank you. For believing in me." Naruto said into Hinata's neck
Hinata wrapped her arms around Naruto, returning the hug. "You're welcome Naruto-kun." Hinata was ssurprised that she didn't stutter
"I don't care if I have to try again and again, I will become Hokage! Believe it!" Naruto said
Naruto turned to Hinata. "By the way, what's your name?"
Hinata felt her cheeks heat up. "H-Hinata H-Hyuga."
Naruto's smile only brightened. "Thanks Hinata-chan! I really needed to hear it. It was nice to meet you!" Naruto said before he left
"H-H-Hinata-c-c-chan!..." Hinata felt her face turn red