Chapter 4
Sasuke(8 years old) had a crush, he blushed at the thought, he didn't know when it started but it was there, the ironic thing was she wasn't part of the girls who chased him around. 2 years and they haven't given up. His brother said they never would and he should get used to it. His mother said her boy was just too cute for all those girls to leave alone, laughing and giggling saying something about wishing Itachi would give her grandbabies already. For the first time in his life, Sasuke saw Itachi blush.
Speaking of his crush, she was beautiful. Sasuke thought she was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on, she had the most midnight black eyes he's ever seen and her hair was dark blue and flowing like a sea of black 'Hinata Hyuga' Yes Sasuke had a crush on the Hyuga heiress, She was smart, confident, had a beautiful laugh that could melt his Uchiha heart as only a grand fireball could.
Sasuke wasn't a shy boy not one bit but around her, he swore he blushed different shades of pink. He did not even mind she was on her way to being rookie of the year. They have not begun physical training yet which will start this year. But everything else they did cover now? She aced and Sasuke did not mean just Aced he means perfect scores in every subject right behind her was 'Naruto Uzumaki' Sasuke growled.
He and the 'dobe' held no love for each other they usually butted heads and argued in class, the 'dobe' was always acting the fool with Kiba, Shikamaru, and Choji the number of times they skipped history class was worth a cookie jar but the 'dobe' still took second place in all their studies and worse He and Hinata seemed inseparable. One time Sasuke thought he would 'bump' into her and ask to walk together to school but when he arrived at the Hyuga compound he found the 'dobe' already there waiting before she came out and they went on their way to the academy he could have sworn he saw the dobe looking in his direction and making eye contact.
At first, Sasuke thought they might be dating but then he saw the blond flirting with the Yamanaka. Sasuke was not gonna complain there, but at least today, they would start physical training and that's when he will shine no more 4th place between Hinata, Naruto, and Sakura.
"Father is not happy, I've been sitting in 4th place for a while." Sasuke mumbled out while he rushed down the streets of Konoha on his way to the ninja academy, eager and excited to show off his martial prowess.
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Hiashi saw the changes in his daughter and he was proud, so very proud and yet pained for he knew he had no right to feel proud of her. He gave up too quickly, he gave up on her, pushed her away and for all intent and purposes disowned her. Now here she was giving her cousin just as much as he could dish out, the poor boy looked like someone told him the sky was purple and not blue.
She dodged and weaved through his jukken strikes like the floor she stood on was filled with grease, her movements so fluid you would think it was your imagination and her strikes so swift Orochimaru would be doing double takes.
The early morning spar ended in a stalemate both of them having the palms of their hands aimed at each other's vitals.
"That's enough." Hiashi said as they stopped, bowed to each other then faced him standing side by side Neji was breathing hard and was sweating, though Hinata was spent as well her breathing was controlled, and even.
"Good both of you, Hinata you have come a long way and now you stand on even grounds as Neji." Hinata bowed her eyes blank and emotionless, Neji gritted his teeth in anger at that.
'How can a failure like Hinata-Sama stand before me as an equal?' Neji thought with a burning anger as he stood there along with her and listened to His uncle oh so subtly praise his daughter even Neji thought he was wasting his time trying to slither his way back into her good graces.
"You are dismissed." Neji heard him say so he bowed and left throwing one last glance at the Hyūga heiress.
Hinata watched Neji leave, she too planned on heading to her room to freshen up but was stopped by Hiashi.
"Wait Hinata, I'd like a word with you." Hinata just turned around and faced her father waiting for him to speak. The man rubbed his eyes as he contemplated how to begin.
"I have been watching you since you have begun the academy and I'm I can tell you have steadily progressed in your jukken training with your hard work and dedication have proven fruitful." Hiashi spoke and if Hinata did not know any better she would think the man was 'proud' of her.
'Now how do I say this without sounding like a total dushbag?' Hiashi was feeling like the worse human being in the world. 'Hinata since you're strong now you can come back to stay with us.' Hiashi thought that was like an insult hidden under the request.
"How would you like to move back to the house?" Hiashi asked even pulling a smile in there. 'I'm sure Hinata would love to return home and be treated like the heiress she is, and with her skills, no one will complain, and if they do I'll put them in their place.' Hiashi thought, so deep in his thoughts he did not hear Hinata's response.
"Hiashi-Sama, I would like to continue staying here." Hinata repeated herself for the up tenth time but luckily this time seemed like it registered with her father.
"What did you say Hinata?" Hinata sighed she was gonna be late, she was sure Naruto was outside waiting for her.
"I said, I will stay here Hiashi-Sama" Hinata repeated. Staring him right in the face as she asked "May I be excused please, I'm already running late." She did not wait for the clan head to dismiss her she just turned and entered her room.
Hiashi was speechless, he knew he and his daughter had a very strained relationship to say the least, but for her to stop calling him 'father'. Did he push his daughter so far? He had to do everything in his power to fix this or his wife will turn in her grave.
Hiashi left the training room all the while thinking of how he can fix his relationship with his firstborn.
Hinata watched from her window as her father left, She loves man as a father, but as a person, she did not like him very much. Hinata held no loyalty for him or the clan, they abandoned and discarded her at her lowest and now that she's climbing out of that low they want to get along for the ride she wouldn't let them.
Hinata was quick to freshen up, and even quicker to get dressed. Making her way out of the building and jogged until she reached the Hyuga compound entrance and exited. On her left with his back against one of the entrance pillars stood Naruto Uzumaki (age 8) hair still as long and spiky as ever and in his hand was a scroll, she's seen him with that scroll for a week now, a barrier scroll if she wasn't mistaken.
"Good morning Naruto-Kun, I hope I didn't make you wait too long." Hinata greeted Naruto with a smile and a small bow. "How are you today?" She asked as he straightened.
"Good morning Hime." Naruto said as he pushed himself off the wall and placed his scroll in his pouch. "I'm fine, and no you didn't make me wait long." Naruto said while he walked up to Hinata, he took her hand in his before giving it a chaste kiss making Hinata blush a little as she repositioned the glasses on her face.
"How did your jukken training go? You finally beat your cousin?" Naruto asked as they began making their way toward the academy.
"No, but I'm getting close," Hinata explained as Naruto nodded, with his hands behind his head.
"Well, I think if you were fighting seriously you would have won." Hinata nodded and smiled at that, Naruto always has faith in her and her abilities and because of that, she will keep on training hard to become the best so she can always walk beside him while showing him his praises were not wasted on her.
"We are starting physical training today, I really wish I don't have you as my opponent, until now I can't seem to lay a hand on you when we spar." Naruto said dejectedly because it was true, when it came to taijutsu Hinata was hands down better than him. She had technique and speed while he had power and imagination but in a pure taijutsu fight Hinata was just unstoppable and the fact she was thinking of taking on the sword just left him feeling proud of his friend.
"Oh but Naruto-Kun has me beaten in everything else though." Hinata said trying to raise her best friend's spirit. "Your fuinjutsu is so incredible I wish I never have to face up against it and with your chakra reserves you will become a ninjutsu specialist in no time." Naruto's ego was being stroked and Hinata loved being the one to do it because he deserved the praise just as much as she did.
"You know Hinata if I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to butter me up." Naruto said with a snicker and bumped her shoulder with his own. "But I do know better so thanks you, now come on! let's pick up the pace, or we will be late. You and I have a reputation to uphold as the top kunoichi and top shinobi." Naruto said as he began to dash.
"Hai!" Hinata said as she too began to dash.
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Iruka Umino was going to take over for the 3rd year students, his predecessor had gone missing during their winter break and no one knew where he went even his family could not find him, he wasn't the only one either there were 3 more missing individuals last year and the police force was busy with an investigation.
Iruka watched as his students filled in, civilians and those of prestigious clans alike, he wouldn't lie and say he wasn't a bit nervous. Teaching was a great honor to Iruka and he did not want to mess it up. Watching as his students enter and take their seats yes, they caused a ruckus but he could forgive them due to their age and the fact they were returning after a rather long holiday.
"Good morning class, my name is Iruka Umino and I will be your sensei from today until you become genin, nice to meet you." Iruka introduced himself to his new students. "Now I'll take attendance and at the same time try to remember your names, so when I call your name stand up and respond with a 'Hai'."He explained and when he had their attention he was about to start when.
The classroom door burst open with a dark blue-haired girl bursting in and following behind her was a yellow-haired boy ."I win Naruto-Kun." The girl said as she looked at the boy behind her. Iruka blinked at the name and looked at the boy it was the Kyuubi container.
"You cheated Hinata-chan! Somehow I know you did I had you that time then suddenly I tripped and fell!." the blond accused with a finger pointed at her accusingly while also rubbing his sore side as he glared at the girl who only giggled placing her hand on her hip as she chastised the boy like, well a boy.
"Now now Naruto-Kun, don't be a sore loser, you were the one who challenged me, and as our bet stipulates you owe me as many cinnamon rolls as I want." The boy paled at the reminder of their bet.
"Come on now Hime, let's not go overboard. You know I could never afford to feed your cravings for that stuff, let's be reasonable." Naruto begged, already there were snickers and stifled laughter going on in the classroom as some of the kids found the situation funny.
"Nope!" Hinata said popping the 'p' to get her point acrossed. "And I'm pretty sure you can afford it." She said with a wink and turned around finally noticing the person standing there ."umm hello." She tried, Iruka was about to say something when.
"No! I'm sitting next to Sasuke-Kun!" When Iruka looked to the doorway it swung open and a raven-haired boy came running in panting and looking around frantically, a second later 3 girls came into view two were fighting amongst each other in the doorway trying to squeeze in while the other was at the back trying not to look interested at the scene in front of her.
During the ensuing chaos, Naruto grabbed Hinata's hand and snuck up to their sits playing it naturally.
Iruka watched the scene in front of him and concluded.'This will be a long ass 3 years.'
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A while later Sasuke sat at his desk with one Sakura Haruno on his left and an Amy on his right, looking behind him he scanned the classroom for his crush and found her seated next to the 'dobe' he didn't know how it happened but on the second day of their 1st year at the academy Hinata and the 'dobe' began hanging out. They were inseparable they ate lunch together, walked to and from the academy together and who knows what other stuff they did together. Sasuke did not like how close they were.
But at least the 'dobe' seemed to have his eyes on the Yamanaka, if those two weren't dating then Sasuke wouldn't know what to call their relationship.
'As long as his with Ino I can always ask Hinata out' Sasuke thought and he blushed at the thought. 'But first I have to put the dobe in his place, show Hinata that I'm better than that loser.' So deep in his thoughts Sasuke did not notice the pink-haired girl looking at him and seeing where his eyes were.
Sakura was feeling unappreciated, she tried so hard to get Sasuke's attention and yet he never even gave her the time of day, she even cut her hair shorter like Hinata's and yet he did not bat an eyelash.
She knew Hinata was top of the class but she was smart too. Why did he look at Hinata like that and not her, the girl did not even see Sasuke the way she did. Was it because she wasn't from a clan? Was it because both their clans had bloodline limits that affected the eyes? Or was it something else she didn't see? Sakura decided she would find out and somehow use it to make Sasuke look at her like that.
"Okay, class we will be starting physical training today so if you will follow me to the training ground outside the academy." Sakura heard her new sensei's instructions so she stood up and followed him along with the class.
As they walked she looked for her friend Ino, she found her with her hand hooked around Naruto's while they spoke and laughed, occasionally Naruto would get close and whisper something into Ino's ears which would cause the girl to blush and smack him softly on his cheeks, he would then give her his goofy grin and laugh.
Sakura wished she was like that with Sasuke, the boy seemed to be deep in thought and would only break out of it to occasionally send Hinata sideway glances. Sakura saw Hinata was content to just walk beside Naruto as he conversed with Ino. She always looked so peaceful whenever she was next to the blonde.
Finally reaching the training grounds they stopped as Iruka sensei began explaining the exercise to them.
"Today we will only cover hand-to-hand combat, no use of ninjutsu, genjutsu, and weapons. The match will go as follows last year's 1st will go up against 3rd, 2nd will be up against 4th, 5th will go against 7th, 6th will go up against 8th, and so forth any questions?" The sensei asked. Sakura looked at her classmates to see what they thought of the setup.
Hinata looked calm, Sasuke looked ready to jump in the ring while dragging Naruto along for the ride. Speaking of Naruto, he was busy biting Ino's ear looking like he hadn't even heard the matchups. Shikamaru looked bored, Kiba looked ready to bite someone's face and by the looks of it, it was Naruto's. Choji was eating his chips and Ino was a blushing mess.
"No questions? Good, first match-up Hinata Hyuga, and Sakura Haruno. Will you both please step into the circle?" Sakura blinked all her previous thoughts now out the window as she realized she had to fight.
Nerves were the first to make an appearance, it invited doubt to the party and together they made a formidable team trying to bring Sakura down. 'What if I embarrass myself out there?' Sakura thought as she noticed all her classmates and especially Sasuke would be watching her fight.
The fact Sasuke was watching had her taking a deep breath and schooling her emotions. This was her chance to prove to him she was better than Hinata if he saw her win against Hinata he would have no choice but to acknowledge her. Only if Sakura could read minds she would have realized Sasuke was on the same wavelength as her in thoughts.
Walking into the ring, to find Hinata already standing there waiting for her, as calm as ever Sakura got a little pissed off at the girl. While she was here feeling all these nerves, Hinata was a blank slate.
"Make the sign of reconciliation " Iruka instructed, They both moved toward each other and connected their index and middle fingers before jumping back and taking their positions. "Hajime!"
The two girls circled each other like hawks, looking for any sign of weakness the other might show. Sakura was gonna show Sasuke that she was better than Hinata 'watch me Sasuke' Sakura thought as she glanced his way. She immediately registered pain on her side and looked back only to find Hinata inside her defense she had swiped her left side with the side of her palm like a sideways karate chop.
Sakura on reflex threw a hook to fend the girl away from her but Hinata swiftly turned giving Sakura her back as she grabbed the offending hand and swung Sakura over her shoulder bringing her down on her back. The wind was knocked out of her lungs from the impact and her head spun a little.
She felt her arm get twisted as Hinata got down and put her in a lock hold and Sakura registered pain. "Surrender." She heard Hinata's soft voice command her. She gritted her teeth and tried to forcefully break out but Hinata twisted that much more .
"surrender." Hinata repeated.
"N-never." Sakura gritted out "ahhhhhhh!!" She screamed not a second later when Hinata applied more pressure on the arm.
"That's enough." Sakura heard her sensei say and immediately the pressure left her arm. "The winner is Hinata Hyuga. You may both go and stand with the rest of the class." Iruka said as he wrote some things down in his book.
"Good match Sakura-San, here let me help you up." Sakura looked up to see a hand in front of her and when she looked to see who it belonged to she saw Hinata's face with a small smile.
Sakura wanted to take the hand but when she glanced at Sasuke and saw him smiling while looking at Hinata like she was some kind of goddess, her anger and jealousy made her slap Hinata's hand away and she stood up on her own.
"I don't need your pity." Sakura spat, she felt terrible treating Hinata like that but she couldn't bring herself to stop, and if she was being honest she didn't want to.
Hinata was a little shocked at that but in the end, decided to let it go, they both made their way to their classmates who immediately went on to bombard Hinata with questions and praises but the only one she cared for was her favorite blonde's.
"Nice one Hinata-Hime." Naruto came up to her and offered her a high five which she gave him with a giggle. Hinata did not plan on losing to anyone.
Authors Note. Hinata's Bio
Hinata is a sweet and self conscious individual, at a young age her clan gave up on her seeing no potential in her to lead the Hyūga clan with her father moving her from the main house and sending her to stay at the outskirts of the clan grounds. Something he did to slowly accustom her to the life of a branch member for what he thought to be inevitable fate after she got branded.
She has a disease that affects her eyes which is slowly driving her to blindness, but that deformation has also granted her the ability to sense emotions which gets stronger as her eye sight gets weaker which she is slowly learning about but keeps it to herself. Thinking people would fear her if they knew their emotions were out there at all times for her to read like an open book.
Fin
It's a two-year time skip. I planned for the academy arc to be about 6 to 7 chapters long because I really wanna get them aged up as quickly as possible. And no Hinata is not the main C but you can say she is the closest person to it behind Naruto. I just want to work her character in nicely because she is gonna be badass.
I'm not going to bash Sasuke and Sakura but the characters will have moments of 'humbleness'.
I want to have deaths here but at the same time, I'm kind of scared. Mmmh we will just have to see.
And no I haven't forgotten about Naruto's criminal adventures those will happen in the last two chapters of the academy arc we will meet Shisui's team. some interaction between Naruto and Shisui.