As the sun rose into the sky, Neji, still under Natsu's bedroom covers, woke up from the sunrise as he was being hit with the light of the sun. He sat up in bed, still wearing his kimono from the night before. He sat there for a moment and then tried to stretch his muscles as a warm-up.
Neji noticed that Natsu was no longer in bed. He thought maybe she was already doing her work. He still remembered what happened last night, a smile spreading across his face as he thought about it. Then, finally, he stood up and walked toward the sliding door, opening it and going outside.
As he walked down the long hallway of the Hyuuga household, he heard voices – three of them to be precise. Two were familiar, but the one voice was only slightly recognizable. He tried to find the three voices that he heard. As he finally reached them, he turned at the end of the hallway and saw Lady Hinata and Lady Hanabi playing with Sasuke in the sand playground – all three of them together. The three of them were having fun and laughing together. Neji couldn't help but smile at the scene he saw.
"Well, they've become even closer than before," Neji thought to himself with a smile.
The three kids noticed Neji in the hallway, looking at them. Hanabi shouted his name.
"Neji-san, good morning!" Hanabi said as she ran towards him.
Neji smiled and patted Hanabi's head. "Good morning to you too, Lady Hanabi," he said with a smile.
Both Hinata and Sasuke looked at Neji. Then Hinata also smiled and walked towards them. Sasuke followed them as well.
"Neji-san, good morning!" Hinata greeted him warmly, her smile as bright as the morning sun.
"Good morning, Lady Hinata," Neji replied, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Good morning to you too, Neji-san," Sasuke said.
Neji nodded and spoke. "To you as well, Uchiha," he said with a smile, which Sasuke returned.
Neji nodded, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. "It's good to see that you three are having fun together..."
Sasuke, Hinata, and Hanabi looked at each other. They both blushed and looked away, but Hanabi was the one who spoke first.
"Yeah, we've been getting closer every day," Hanabi said with a smile, to which Hinata nodded in response. Sasuke didn't respond; he only remained silent.
Neji turned his attention back to the sisters and spoke. "By the way, what are you three doing in the sand ground...?"
"We were just about to make sandcastles. Would you like to join us?" Hinata said to him.
Neji couldn't help but chuckle at Hinata's playful invitation. "I'm afraid my skills lie more in the realm of taijutsu than sandcastle construction," he replied, though his tone was lighthearted. "But I'd be happy to watch and offer some… constructive criticism."
Hanabi giggled at Neji's response, her bright eyes twinkling with mischief. "Neji-san, you're no fun!"
Sasuke, however, remained silent, watching the interaction with an air of detached curiosity. He hadn't interacted much with Neji since his arrival at the Hyuga household, and he found the older Hyuga's quiet demeanour intriguing. It remained him of his older brother.
Hanabi, ever the energetic one, bounced on the balls of her feet, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Neji-san, are you going to play with us?" she asked, her voice filled with childish enthusiasm.
"Perhaps later, Hanabi," Neji replied, gently placing a hand on her head. "I have some things to do first." He flicked Hanabi's forehead.
Sasuke's eyes widened at Neji flicking Hanabi's forehead; it reminded him of his big brother Itachi, who always did that to him.
Hanabi pouted, but she quickly bounced back, her spirits seemingly unfazed. "Okay!" she exclaimed, turning back to her sisters. "Let's build a bigger castle this time!"
Hinata chuckled softly at her sister's enthusiasm, then turned back to Neji. "We'll be here if you want to join us."
Neji nodded and turned his attention to the hallway, continuing to walk. Hanabi, Hinata, and Sasuke watched as Neji walked away. Then Hanabi turned to her sister and Sasuke and spoke.
"Hey guys, how about we play a new game..." Hanabi said with a big smile.
Sasuke and Hinata were surprised by her declaration and spoke.
"Okay, what kind of game are we going to play then Hanabi...?" Sasuke said, curious about what type of game Hanabi planned on playing.
"What type of game are we playing then...?" Sasuke said to Hanabi.
"Ahh…" How about we play hide and seek then…" Hanabi said with a smile.
But Sasuke and Hinata glanced at each other. Then Sasuke spoke first.
"Okay, but no using your Byakugan okay…?" Sasuke said to Hanabi and Hinata.
"Yeah, sure..." Hanabi said to Sasuke.
Hinata nodded in agreement, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. "Okay, no Byakugan," she said, her voice laced with a playful challenge. "But, you can't use your Sharingan either, Sasuke."
Sasuke let out a low chuckle. "Fair enough. Let's make this interesting."
Hanabi clapped her hands excitedly. "Alright, you two go hide first! I'll count to ten."
Sasuke and Hinata exchanged a quick glance, then darted off in opposite directions. Sasuke chose to hide behind a large, ancient oak tree that stood near the edge of the sand playground. The gnarled branches provided excellent cover, and he felt confident that he would be difficult to spot.
Hinata, on the other hand, decided to take advantage of the labyrinthine nature of the Hyuga household. She found a small, forgotten room tucked away in a forgotten wing of the manor. The room was filled with dusty furniture and forgotten trinkets, and Hinata felt confident that she would be safe from discovery.
Hanabi, meanwhile, stood near the base of the oak tree, counting loudly.
"One… two… three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… ten! I'm coming to find you!" Hanabi yelled, then sprinted off in pursuit of her siblings.
Sasuke watched her go, a slight smirk playing on his lips. He knew she was a formidable opponent, but he was confident in his ability to outsmart her. He had a feeling that this game of hide and seek would be a lot more exciting than it first appeared.
Hanabi, with her boundless energy, zipped around the sand playground first, her eyes scanning every nook and cranny. She even climbed up a small, rocky hill, hoping to get a better vantage point. But Sasuke, hidden behind the sturdy trunk of the ancient oak, was nowhere to be found.
"Where could he be?" she wondered aloud, a slight frown furrowing her brow.
Meanwhile, Hinata had taken a different approach. She moved quietly and stealthily through the Hyuga household, her footsteps barely making a sound on the polished wooden floors. She had a knack for blending into the background, her presence almost invisible.
Hanabi, frustrated that she couldn't find Sasuke, decided to try a different tactic. She sat down on the edge of the sand playground, her chin resting on her hand. "Sasuke-kun, you're terrible at hiding! Come out, come out, wherever you are!" she called out playfully.
Sasuke, who had been carefully listening to her search, decided to take a chance. He carefully emerged from his hiding spot, keeping a low profile, and cautiously made his way towards the sand playground. He had been enjoying the thrill of the chase, but he also wanted to see if he could catch Hanabi off guard.
Suddenly, he felt a small, warm hand on his shoulder. He froze, his heart pounding in his chest. "Got you!" Hanabi exclaimed, her face beaming with triumph.
Sasuke turned around, a surprised expression on his face. "You caught me?" he asked, a faint hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Yep! I'm the best at hide and seek," Hanabi said proudly, her chest puffing out with pride.
"Well, since I got you, you're going to help me catch sis, okay?" Hanabi said with a smile.
Sasuke pouted and spoke. "Fine," he said, in a grumpy face.
Hanabi giggled and spoke. "Come on, let's better find sis before she catches us both," she said as she started to find Hinata.
Sasuke nodded in agreement as he also started to find Hinata alongside Hanabi. They quickly rushed over to Hinata's hiding place, eager to find Hinata and declare their victory.
But Hinata, with her sharp senses, heard Hanabi's approach and quickly slipped out of the forgotten room. She found a secluded spot under a grand, ornate staircase, blending in perfectly with the shadows.
Hanabi, having lost track of Hinata, burst into the forgotten room, only to find it empty. "Where could she have gone?" she wondered, her brow furrowing with confusion.
"I guess she's not here. We better keep going then…" Sasuke said to Hanabi. Hanabi nodded.
The game of hide and seek had turned into a thrilling chase, testing both the players' skills and their patience. As they continued their search, they found themselves drawn deeper into the labyrinthine halls and secret chambers of the Hyuga household, a place filled with both wonder and mystery.
Hinata's feet thudded against the hard wood floors, set in a brisk pace, as she quietly headed for her hiding spot. Hanabi had challenged her and Sasuke to a game of hide and seek, and like always, she could never say no to a challenge.
Hanabi, her sister, was always energetic, carefree, confident, and most of all strong, something that Hinata was not. She wished she could be just like her as well. Hanabi was always respected by the elders because they knew that Hanabi was a born prodigy like Neji. Even her father acknowledged her strength and was proud of her. Hanabi, Sasuke, and her mother were the only ones who were closest to Hinata and the only ones she would ever show signs of weakness and signs of emotion to.
Sasuke, on the other hand, was a great friend to both her and Hanabi. He always inspired her to be stronger. Unlike her sister Hanabi, Sasuke was the only one besides her mother, whom she would ever show signs of weakness or emotion to.
Hinata was exhilarated that Hanabi trusted her enough to share her desires and feelings with Sasuke. She even knew that Hanabi also felt the same thing towards Sasuke. Those three people were the only ones who fully believed in her abilities.
"Mother..." Hinata thought, her white eyes starting to water as she thought about the gentle woman who was known as Hanashi Hyuuga, the Hyuuga matriarch. Her mother's kindness was unique, as none of the Hyuuga were ever kind. However, she was strong. What was unique about her was that she was gentle and kind but extremely powerful.
"Weak." That's what she was. Hinata was weak. She thought to herself as her father always told her.
Hinata shook her head, ridding herself of the tears. There was no time for that. She had to play the game properly, or else she'd upset Hanabi. Hinata's pace slowed as she reached her hiding spot, a spot that Hanabi had yet to discover. As she kept walking slowly in the hallway, she suddenly heard something talking next to the door of the meeting hall for the Hyuuga elders and council.
They usually had all sorts of meetings, most of which Hinata overheard but ignored. She had no business with their politics of money and such. The last time Hinata and Hanabi were here, when there was a meeting in place, she was stuck hearing a long, grueling conversation about whether they should buy fish or chicken for the very important meeting they would be hosting. Hinata hoped to never experience something like that again.
The elders were too prideful to check the perimeter with their Byakugan, much to Hinata's distaste. Pride was a horrid thing; it only got in your way in the best of times. It was only for fools. Not that Hinata would ever tell the elders that, anyway. So she continued to walk past the meeting hall and walked out of there. As she finally reached her hiding spot, she opened the door, crawling in. There was no chance of discovery.
She closed the door, leaving herself in a dark, cramped space. It was a good thing she wasn't claustrophobic; or else this hiding space would be rendered useless. Not that Hinata would have a problem with that; she had learned that she was particularly good at hiding. Another reason for her father to look down at her. He had always said that hiding was for the weak and that you should always fight your battles head-on. Now, the only thing she waited for was Hanabi to find her. Just as she had settled down, embracing both her knees together.
Back in the meeting hall, Hiashi and the Hyuga clan elders were having a meeting about the Konoha mistreatment towards the Hyuuga clan. The Hyuga clan could no longer just sit by and not take some action.
"Are you sure about this, elders?" Hiashi said, his voice sounding doubtful.
"Yes, just think about it, Hiashi! The Hyuga would be more powerful than ever before!" One of the elders said towards Hiashi.
"Fine… would you care to explain in more detail?" Hiashi said with a polite, clipped tone.
"The Hyuga's have always been ignored in Konoha, for generations! Look at how the Hokage disregards us—as if we were nothing more than an annoying bunch of parasites…" one of the elders also added, "And not just that, they didn't offer any help about the kidnapping accident of your twin daughters. They said they would help, but they didn't."
"Yes, and without the Uchiha clan's help, we would have lost both Hinata and Hanabi to the enemy," one of the elders said.
Another elder's voice chimed in. "Yes, that's correct. I heard that the Uchiha clan got the police force…" Even though the Hokage gave them the police force, it's only made their reputation worse.
"Indeed, that's because the Uchiha clan was blamed by the village about the Kyubi attack 15 years ago," one of the elders said.
"But what about Neji... The Hokage also allowed Neji to join the ANBU..." Hiashi said to the elders, his voice sounding serious.
The elders agreed, and one of them nodded their heads. "Yes, you're indeed correct, Hiashi... But remember that he is from a branch family, which is a big insult to the main house."
Hiashi didn't respond back. He only remained quiet, listening to the elders continue talking.
One of the elders then spoke. "It doesn't matter if he was a prodigy or your nephew. He is still from the branch family. Something preposterous about how the Hyuga loyalty would be towards the Hyuga clan, not Konoha..."
"We can't let this go on, Hiashi... Is this what our fathers and forefathers taught us? We can't let ourselves ruin the Hyuuga!" said the first elder angrily. Hinata might have been only seven... but she was very smart for a ten-year-old. The elders were talking total rubbish. The Hyuuga were fine as they were; they had money, nobility, land, and fame. What more could they possibly want?
Hiashi knew that Hinata was indeed very smart. She might not be as strong as her mother and twin sister, but her true strength came from her intelligence. This made Hiashi's lips form a small smirk. "So what are you suggesting then…?" He said towards the elders.
"We suggest that we should align ourselves with the Uchiha's and plan this together. Remember that they helped us about the kidnapping accident of your twin daughters, remember? Without the help of the Uchiha clan, we could have lost Hanabi and Hinata…" one of the elders said to him.
One of the elders also added, "And not just that, the Uchiha clan have been our allies since the warring states period. They helped us against our war against the Uzumaki clan."
"Yes, and we also helped them against their war against the Senzu clan..." one of the elders added.
Hiashi didn't say anything as he remained quiet. He knew the history of the Hyuga clan and Uchiha clan, their deep relationship. And how both clans helped each other to fight their own enemies.
"And we know that you are a close friend to Fugaku, correct…?" One of the elders said again.
"Yes, we were in the same team when we were in the academy… " Hiashi said to the elders with a stoic expression.
"Good. I leave the organization of forming an alliance to the Uchiha to you, Hiashi…" The elders said. Hiashi nodded silently at the elders.
"Doing this, we will achieve more power than ever. Combining the power of the Uchiha and Hyuuga to crush Konoha for good. We must plan this coup d'état carefully alongside the Uchiha's. We can not let it fail," one of the elders said again.
"Indeed. Just like back then, the Hyuga clan and Uchiha will crush Konoha together, just like we did back in the warring states period. Our attack should be perfect, so therefore, it will take us a couple of years to plan. The best period of time to attack is when Hinata and Hanabi have turned Genin because, as young as Hinata and Hanabi are, they will surely betray the Hyuga Clan for Konoha.
"Yes, that is a good plan. We will attack when Hinata has turned Genin. They will be busy enough to ignore us stocking up." One of the elders said.
"And what about the Uchiha boy?" Hiashi said to the elders.
"You mean, Sasuke Uchiha?" one of the elders said.
"Yes, him…" Hiashi said to the elders.
"Let him continue his relationship with your twin daughters, Hiashi… because that will only strengthen the alliance between the Uchiha and Hyuga."
"I see, very well then, I will talk to Fugaku about our plan of rebellion against Konoha." Hiashi said, nodding with agreement.
"Good, Hiashi, I will expect you to succeed in convincing Fugaku about this alliance…" the elders said to him.
As Hiashi stood up and walked outside the meeting hall, the weight of the elders' words settled upon him like a shroud. He knew that their proposal was dangerous, a gamble that could shatter the delicate balance of Konoha, but the bitter taste of neglect and betrayal lingered on his tongue. He had always been a man of duty, a good leader to the Hyuga clan, and a loyal servant to Konoha. But the events of the past few years had left him questioning everything he had ever believed in.
The Hokage, a man he once admired, had shown blatant disregard for the Hyuga's plight, a callous indifference that stung deeply. And when his daughters had been kidnapped, the village had offered little help. The Uchiha had been the ones who had stepped in, their strength and loyalty proving more valuable than any empty promises of support.
Hiashi knew that Fugaku was a man of honour, a strong and capable leader. He had always admired his friend's unwavering determination and the way he carried the weight of his clan with such grace. Hiashi was confident that Fugaku would understand the Hyuga's frustration and the need for change and would be willing to listen to their proposal. But he also knew that Fugaku was a man of principle and that the idea of rebelling against Konoha would not be an easy one for him to swallow.
As Hiashi walked back to his home, his mind was racing. He had to tread carefully, balancing his duty to the Hyuga clan with his loyalty to Konoha. He had to find a way to convince Fugaku of the need for a change without jeopardizing the delicate relationship between the two clans.
Meanwhile, Hinata, hidden away in her secret spot, was still hiding from Hanabi and Sasuke. The Hyuuga mansion was quiet as a tomb, save for the soft sounds of Hinata's breathing. She curled up in the darkness of the hidden room, her heart a drum in her chest. It was hard to believe Hanabi and Sasuke were still out there, searching for her.
She wondered if she had chosen the wrong place to hide. The meeting hall was out of the way, and she thought she was safe, but maybe Hanabi would find her sooner than she thought.
Suddenly, she heard a sound. A shuffling of feet, close by. Her eyes darted to the door, and she squeezed her breath. The door creaked open.
"Hinata!" Hanabi's voice was filled with excitement.
Hinata's eyes widened. "Hanabi!" She didn't know what to say.
"I found you!" Hanabi grinned, revealing a gap between her front teeth. She squeezed her way into the room, her laughter echoing in the cramped space.
"Sasuke and I have been looking all over for you! I knew you were playing hard to get," she said, her voice a hushed whisper.
Hinata let out a sigh of relief. "You scared me. I thought you wouldn't find me."
"Ha! you're too predictable!" Hanabi said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Okay, okay, you win…," Hinata said as she giggled.
Hanabi and Hinata walked back to the sand playground, and the game of hide and seek was finally over as Hanabi won. It had been a thrilling adventure, testing their skills and challenging their patience.
As they walked, Sasuke came up to them. "You're really good at hiding, Hinata," Sasuke said with a chuckle. "It took us almost an hour to find you..."
Hinata blushed and played with her fingers "I've been practising," Hinata said with a smile.
Sasuke nodded. "I see. You have great skills for a Hyuuga. They must be proud."
Hinata looked down, her eyes filled with sadness. "They are not proud of my hiding skills. My father says that I should never hide, that it's the sign of weakness. He always says that a true Hyuuga faces their enemies head-on," Hinata said. "But it's not always like that, is it? Sometimes, you have to hide to stay safe."
Hanabi frowned and held Hinata's shoulder, looking her into the eyes with a serious expression. "Don't say something like that, sis, you're stronger just the way you are..."
Hinata looked down and spoke. "You just said that because you're my sister... Hinata said, in a sad tone.
"No, I don't, sis. I didn't say that because… I'm you sister, I said that because it's the truth... me and Sasuke witnessed it. Hanabi said to her. Hinata slowly raised her hand to meet Hanabi.
"That's true," Sasuke said, nodding. "You have proven that during our sparring session together, right Hanabi? He said in a calm voice.
Hanabi nodded to Sasuke and spoke. "Sasuke is right, sis. You are strong just the way you are... You grow stronger, sis. I'm not saying that because I'm your sister. I'm saying that because we witnessed it...You're a strong Hyuga. And together, we will grow stronger and prove to the father that he is wrong."
Sasuke smiled and spoke. "And I'm going to help as well..." He said with a warm smile.
Hinata felt a warmth spread through her chest as she looked at her sister and Sasuke. Their words were like a balm to her wounded spirit, a reminder that she wasn't alone in her struggle. The thought of proving her father wrong, of showing him that true strength lay not in brute force but in compassion and resilience, filled her with a renewed sense of purpose.
"Together?" Hinata echoed, a hesitant smile gracing her lips. "How?"
Hanabi bounced on the balls of her feet, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We'll train together! We'll get stronger than ever, and then we'll show Father that he's wrong about you." Her voice was filled with a determination that Hinata found inspiring.
Sasuke nodded in agreement. "We'll start by sparring every day. I'll help you improve your taijutsu, and Hanabi can help you with your Byakugan. We'll make a team that's unstoppable."
"Maybe you mean I will also teach sis to improve taijutsu and Byakugan..." Hanabi said, turning her head to Sasuke with a mocking smirk.
"What do you mean by that..." Sasuke said, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, you know what I mean, Sasuke..." Hanabi said in a joking tone. "Already forgot that I beat you in taijutsu yesterday, remember..."
"That was yesterday, Hanabi... that not gonna happen again."
Hanabi let out a playful snort, her laughter echoing through the training grounds. "Oh, I think you're forgetting something, Sasuke-kun. You underestimate my skills, my dear friend," she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I've been practicing, you know. And with my Byakugan, I can see every move you make before you even think about it."
Sasuke, though normally calm and collected, couldn't help but grin at her playful challenge. "We'll see about that, Hanabi," he retorted, a hint of playful rivalry in his voice. "Don't get too cocky. I haven't forgotten how to use my Sharingan."
Their playful banter, a mixture of teasing and friendly competition, was a common sight in the training grounds. It was a reminder that even amidst their shared purpose and growing strength, their personalities, their individual quirks, and their unique skills remained a source of amusement and camaraderie.
Hinata watched them, a soft smile gracing her lips. She loved seeing them like this, their rivalry pushing them to be their best, yet their mutual respect always shining through. It reminded her that despite their differences, they were all part of the same team, united by a shared goal.
"Alright, you two," she said, her voice a touch more serious, "Let's get back to training. We have a lot to learn if we're going to prove everyone wrong." Hanabi said to the two of them.
Their playful banter subsided as they returned to their training. Sasuke, with his one tomoe Sharingan activated, moved with a speed that defied belief. He was a whirlwind of motion, his movements fluid and precise, each strike calculated and powerful. Hanabi, with her Byakugan activated, danced around him, dodging his attacks with ease, her movements a blur of white as she countered his blows with her own unique brand of taijutsu.
Hinata, meanwhile, observed them closely, her mind working overtime as she analyzed their movements, noting their strengths and weaknesses. She focused on the flow of chakra, the subtle shifts in their postures, the way their eyes reacted to each other's movements. She was determined to learn from their skills, to hone her own abilities, to become a true force to be reckoned with.
As the time were filled with grueling training sessions, intense sparring matches, and moments of shared laughter and camaraderie, they pushed themselves to their limits, challenging their bodies, their minds, their very souls. And as they trained, they learned. They learned about their strengths, their weaknesses, their limits, and their potential. They learned about trust, about teamwork, about the importance of having each other's backs.
After a particularly grueling training session, Sasuke turned to Hinata, his eyes filled with admiration. "You've really come a long way, Hinata," he said, his voice sincere. "I'm impressed."
Hinata blushed. "Thank you, Sasuke," she said. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without you and Hanabi."
Hanabi, who had been watching them, grinned. "We're a team, remember? We're stronger together."
And as they looked at each other, their eyes filled with mutual respect and affection, Hinata knew that they were right. They were a team, a family, and together, they could face anything in their way.
To be continued.