Hinata opened her eyes, only to see a luxurious ceiling.
While the Hyuga clan was certainly rich, it didn't have any luxurious things.
She got off from the bed, and activated her Byakugan.
Her vision expanded, and she saw realised that she was in some sort of palace.
There were various servants wearing weird clothes, and she was shocked.
Most of them had three-tomoe Sharingan.
She looked further from the palace, and realised that it was a place she has never seen before.
Memories of the Chunin Exam started flooding her mind. Shino, Kiba and Akamaru were killed.
And she was kidnapped by the dangerous rogue ninja, Orochimaru.
But strangely enough, she was also a bit relieved. With her out of the picture, Hanabi will not get the Caged Bird Seal. And Neji, who hares her, will also be happy.
Suddenly, someone teleported behind her.
"Hinata-chan, what are you thinking?"
Hinata turned behind, trying to use Gentle Fiat, but the person easily caught her hands.
She looked up, and realised that it was another rogue ninja, Kiyohime Senju.
"Don't be scared. I won't harm you. Actually, I saved you from Orochimaru."
Kiyohime lovingly caressed Hinata's face, and even kissed her on the forehead.
"Rest for a while here. After Orochimaru gets out of Konoha, I will bring you back there."
"W-when?"
"Hmm, after the Chunin Exams are over."
"Alright, hold my finger. I will give you a tour to my palace and Empire."
Hinata thought hard, but in the end, held her finger. It was warm and comforting. She seemed nice. Not dangerous.
Both walked through the long corridor, and Hinata couldn't help but glance at the servants. All of them had pale white skin, and three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Curious about them?"
"N-no!"
Hinata shook her head, but Kiyohime just chuckled.
"These guys are the kids from the Uchiha clan that I saved. They were at the brink of death, so I had to use some special cells. That's why they are this colour, and mostly look the same."
She led Hinata to the dressing room, and gave her really expensive clothes.
"Well, I would like if you become a princess of my Empire, if you don't have any place left in Konoha."
Kiyohime remarked as she looked at Hinata, all dolled up, with love and affection of a mother.
Then, they went out of the palace.
Hinata was surprised by the well organised and wide, large roads. And huge structures.
There was a giant Buddha statue, made of wood.
The people they met, all greeted Kiyohime with respect, prayed to her, and treated her like a goddess.
Hinata saw many structures of marvel.
But, her mind was fixed on Konoha. She didn't know how she will face everyone. Kiba died protecting her.
No, it's just that she was weakest. Yet, she was saved.
"Why did you save me?"
Kiyohime's expression became complicated.
"Because you are pitiful. Orochimaru kidnapped you on a whim, but he wanted to pluck your eyes and kill you.
But, I was in the Forest of Death at that time, collecting some wild animals and plants.
I guess I have a habit of saving pitiful people like me. The village killed my brother, drove my sister to be afraid of blood, stole my granduncle's jutsus and didn't allow me to learn the jutsus that are my heritage.
I felt like you also didn't want to remain in Konoha. So I fought Orochimaru and got you.
Well, if you want to return to Konoha though, it isn't safe to return there with Orochimaru around.
After Konoha is safe, I will bring you there. Though if you want to remain here, you can."
Hinata saw Kiyohime's face becoming sad and angry at just the mention of Konoha.
Did Konoha really steal her heritage jutsus?
No wonder she stole the Second Hokage's jutsus and left the village.
They went to the Holy Academy then, where many kids were training.
"Do you want to become stronger, Hinata-chan?"
She nodded.
"Well, how about I train you? But beware, my training is far harsher than the Hyuga clan. But better too. If you follow the Hyuga clan's training blindly, you will never reach the levels above Jonin.
Do you want to train under me?"
"Y-yes!"
"Hmm, then follow me."
---------------------------------
For over a month, Hinata trained under Kiyohime. She got a snake contract summon, and the snakes helped her get over her fearful nature a lot.
"You can't be a snake summoner if you fear them."
Unlike Hiashi, who just trained her in taijutsu by beating her and telling her to copy him, she was gentle, but strict.
She started teaching her elemental jutsus, by helping her in first mastering her elements, water and lightning.
She even helped her in using Byakugan for more things than just Gentle Fist.
She gave her a weapon, called sniper. With that weapon, she could shoot things from a large distance.
After a month, Hinata felt like she had grown more than she had in the past 3-4 years.
And then, Kiyohime brought Hinata to a secret room.
"Hinata, I suggest you stay here, as my princess. But, if you want to return to Konoha, I won't stop you. I have come to see you as my own. I love you."
Kiyohime rubbed Hinata's cheek, showing her affection.
All her life, Hinata has never felt such affection. The Hyuga clan was cold. Her father doesn't love her, and thinks that she is a disappointment. Neji resents her because of what happened to his Dad.
And if she returns, there is a danger to Hanabi getting a Caged Bird Seal. Will Hanabi have to die in place of the weak herself, just like Neji's dad?
She admired Naruto, but he never even looked her way. He is always focused on Sasuke, and chases after Sakura.
Maybe, just maybe, she can really live here? Wouldn't her family's problems disappear if she disappeared as well.
"Will you stay here, Hinata?"
Hinata hesitantly nodded.
Kiyohime's eyes widened, and she let out a smile and hugged her.
"Do you want to be as powerful as me, Hinata? So that if something happens in the future, you will have the strength to protect yourself?"
"Yes..."
"Then, I am giving you a bit of my power. It will hurt a little, but bear with me, okay?"
"Okay..."
Kiyohime closed Hinata's eyes, and drove her fangs into Hinata's flesh.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!"
Kiyohime's chakra and a piece of her soul entered Hinata, and a symbol shaped like a flower formed on her shoulder, where she was bitten.
Hinata passed out from the pain, and Kiyohime let out a smirk.
Inside Hinata's consciousness, Kiyohime's consciousness became spreading, corrupting her.
Memories of Kiba and Shino dying played in her mind, her father's scolding and beating about her being a failure surfaced in her mind, and the thinking that it will be for the best if she just disappeared, becoming like Kiyohime-sama took hold.
The seal, which Kiyohime has named Heavenly Mark, began spreading over Hinata's body, consuming her.
But, Kiyohime controlled the Mark to not destroy her body. The corruption needs to be slow. Since Hinata will be her permanent host, she needs Hinata to completely accept her. And that needs to be done slowly. It can't be rushed.
Only when spirit is compliant will the body accept her.