A Bare Anomaly

It was amazing to Hinata how long three days seemed. She remembered to practice her activation exercises. Becoming adept at discerning the unconscious and their sometimes restless fits was now almost merely nothing. Then again it is said dead men tell no tales. The random doctor or nurse was, of course, more difficult. Yet it was coming along. She was, obviously, not near Neji’s level; but they (being literally whoever) were not going to take her lightly. She would find a new subject to test her new training on.

Yuuhi Kurenai is many a thing. Several adjectives, numerous even, barely contain the description of her. It was obvious to her that Hinata was going to ghost Naruto. But after three days, she still couldn’t find her female charge. Kiba had long been released. Akamaru was still recovering, and he would soon be joining their little family once again. Her other student was either with her, Kiba, or family. Simple enough. So where was that blasted girl?

Hinata sneezed. As we all know, someone must have been talking about her. This wasn’t too much of a concern. The mission was. Listening to Tsunade’s theory, she had taken to talking to Naruto. It’s said that coma patients can possibly wake up if they have a familiar voice to ‘follow.’ She still stuttered when his eyes fluttered. The idea of being so bold with him awake was almost unnerving. These chats ranged from the days news to in-depth discussions about previous missions. She noticed his ears twitch sometimes. Only slightly, but it was there. That meant that he was hearing her. Other times his eyes would flutter. She didn’t know what that meant. She just took it as a sign. Then she felt a familiar chakra approach. She knew who it was. And she was about to show Naruto she had changed, yet again.

Hinata was waiting for her teacher to arrive. Pensively. Her steeled resolve was now starting to shake. This had to be done. Hinata was lied to. The heir to the most prestigious clan in all the land was misled and downright lied to. Hinata had heard that Naruto had promised to change the Hyuuga’s for Neji. Perhaps she could help from the inside. So this test had to be taken. Damn her quivering insides, damn the butterflies. The Jounin opened the door, and sure enough there was her little sunshine waiting for her. The overcast look on Hinata’s face was overlooked. “Hello Hinata.” Kurenai started. “Kurenai.” Came the curt reply. This created a pause. “Hina-” “When were you planning on telling us?” Confused eyes met hardened pupil-less ones. “Wha-” Hinata glanced over to Naruto, then back to Kurenai, hoping she wouldn’t have to come out and spell it out. Her teacher got the message. “He had suffered so much.”

Kurenai knew she was in a tough spot now. It was hard to look Hinata in the eye. She had not been expecting this so soon. Still, her answer today would be the same as when she had planned to tell them. "It was declared by Sandaime that speaking of it was illegal. A law, you understand?” Hinata’s eyes were still locked on her teacher. The truth would come out, one way or the other. "Why didn’t any of the Chunin or Jounin help him?” Kurenai interrupted "We have a mission, Hinata.” It’s true, when the whole incident occurred, Kurenai was under the assumption that Naruto was the demon lord incarnate. Hell he had the whiskers. He was such a prankster. He fit the role of a fox very well. The Chunin exams had changed her mind of him. Well, cemented her opinion of him. Knowing about Hinata’s crush, hearing Iruka talk of Naruto, then finally beating Kiba really shaped her new outlook on Naruto. She just didn’t say those things. Perhaps she should have. Hinata was beyond angry.

Her own teacher thought such things. Her own teacher did nothing for the boy. Her own teacher’s eyes had told her everything she needed to know. Her own teacher betrayed her. “You arrogant woman! You think you can placate me! You think you can cow me into going along with this! You think he’s the monster!” Kurenai was aghast. What was happening here? She stammered. “No . . . I-I . . . ” Then she noticed Hinata was shaking. Like the tremble she always had before some of the harder missions. She was scared. Angry beyond belief, but underneath, she was still her little Hinata. Her precious student. “How can I make you understand?” “You can’t. Your eyes betrayed you.” Hinata looked away, focused on Naruto, her point made. Kurenai realized Hinata was going to need some time for this. She risked something precious. Hinata shifted her gaze to the floor, her thoughts swallowing the sound of the foot steps. Kurenai placed a hand on her shoulder. "We shinobi are tools, and a tool cannot go against the hand that uses it. But sometimes the tool can be mis-guided." Hinata snapped up to meet her teacher. This was not over, but given time, it would reach an understanding. Kurenai turned to leave. The other two would have to understand.

Hinata exhaled slowly. It infuriated her that her teacher had considered Naruto to be that monster. That was worse than Sakura’s knee-jerk reaction. Kurenai knew this whole time. This meant that the other teachers knew. Iruka too. But he always had been kind to him. Kakashi. Her eyes narrowed. His own teacher had ignored him. She saw that much when they were at the training grounds when she was watching Naruto. This wasn’t helping her through the progression of various people that knew. It all leads back to her own father. Of course he would have to acknowledge his lie. She just didn’t know how it would happen, or how it would proceed once she confronted him on it. The longer she thought about it she wondered if she even could.

It is said if you speak of the Devil, he will appear. Hyuuga Hiashi figured something was amiss once that damnable woman appeared before him. So this devil was out to find said astray items. In reality he was looking for Hinata. It still bothered him that his youngest was seemingly stronger than his oldest. Rather than deal with it he shunted her out, focusing on her protector instead. The clan was the clan. Their rules’ ironclad, made so the roots of Konoha stayed deeply in place. Hinata, first born, was the heir. This would not, could not, change. There had been a few cases in their storied history of average ninja level Hyuuga rulers. Hinata would shape to be one of them, apparently. He, therefore, had to ensure that she was protected. Her understanding of how the clan was operated was beyond the expected. Her knowledge of diplomacy was progressing. So, he supposed, that if a question of her rule came up, her control over the two strongest Hyuugas would help placate nay-sayers. He did know about her foolish crush and admiration of the container.

Ah, Uzumaki. Hiashi was not foolish enough to think the jailor the fox. The boy was too stupid for that. Everyone remembered the crushing weight of the Kyuubi and it’s chakra. Had the boy been the monster, then during the final Chunin matches nothing would have been left. According to his reports though, his daughter had benefitted from his words of encouragement during the preliminaries. Neji was particularly brutal to her that day. Hiashi wasn’t going to thank the boy. Hyuugas don’t stoop that low. Even if the rumors that had circled over the years about the boy were true. Besides, finding the girl was more important right now. He had been slightly pleased with her progress lately. Perhaps she was just off doing more of her needed training.

Hinata wasn’t entirely comfortable with people talking about her. She had been sneezing all day. Neji, just recently made aware of her mission, brought her various needed things. Besides he needed pick up his single crutch, having been released on light movement orders that morning. He was careful never to mention this to Hiashi-sama, as that he owed Naruto more than he could repay. If his cousin was going to protect her precious person, then he would not interfere. Kurenai was going to pose a problem though. He saw her leave the compound as he was leaving with most of Hinata-sama’s supplies. After buying the remaining needs, he went to that great gray building. He quickly made his way from the doctor to her location. He knocked, or rather tried too. “Neji-nii-san, come in.” This bothered him, that her voice was hardened. Much like his own used to be. “Your supplies, Hinata-sama.” “Thank you, Neji-nii-san, you may leave them with my bag.” “As you wish, is this all?” “Please, do not be concerned. I just dealt with a vexing staff member.” She was lying, he knew that, but he was not going to press her. Their relationship still needed to be rebuilt. He was going to give it time. He needed to find himself again first. “As you wish. Good day, Hinata-sama.” With that he was gone. And she exhaled again.

Night and day are two contrasting times, yet similar. A full day passed. Hiashi’s contacts were proving futile. His own daughter had managed to escape his sights. This intrigued him more than anything. Her genin team was gone on a mission, but according to the mission charter his own was not present for the mission. The Inuzuka’s were tight lipped, and Hiashi wouldn’t approach the Aburame’s. Not out of fear, you see, but Shibi wouldn’t know where his daughter was. After sending Hanabi to the study for her lessons on old folklore he left the compound again to search. A hobbling Neji greeted his departure. “Hyuuga-sama.” Neji bowed. “Neji. When are you able to train again?” Neji’s eyes widened. He snapped up to meet Hiashi’s eyes. “I-in a week, Hyuuga-sama.” “I expect you fully functional by then; your moves were sloppy in the Chunin exams.” Neji bowed again, waiting for Hiashi to turn corner before he left for his room.

The day was going fine, in fact almost perfect. That should have told Hinata
something was wrong. Her mock conversation with Naruto on how to deal with Hiashi had gone over well. But Naruto was in a coma and not nearly as scary as her father. As expected she never heard the door open nor did she notice he was there until he cleared his throat. There were several ways Hinata could have reacted. Her brain choose the most surprising one. “How the hell did you get in here?” Of all the reactions Hiashi was not expecting that one, neither was Hinata. Regaining his composure, “So this is where you’ve been, Hinata.” Hinata mutely nodded. “That woman was bothering me again. Why would she need to know where you are?” His harsh stare was certainly undoing some of her courage. Hinata glanced at Naruto, though quickly Hiashi noticed, regaining his undoing. “That was miss communication on her part.” “I some how doubt that your teacher was misinformed.” It was now or never; though her knees were waiting for never. “It’s not my fault she didn’t read the mission ledgers correctly.” If she thought she was going to get away with such boldness then Hiashi would stretch that to the limit. “So I suppose you’ve been assigned your own mission then?” Hinata swallowed, she wanted to run and hide and cry, but it was her move. “I signed the papers four days ago, it was approved.” “Humph. This farce ends now. You’ve missed four days of training, four days of house work, four days wasted. I’ll send one of the branch to get your things.” Hiashi turns to leave, now his eyes were activated, her move. Suddenly a mouse emerged and squeaked out the word ‘No.’ Hiashi frowned then smirked. “Did you say something, daughter?” “I-I am on my mission. I will not abandon it.” She cringed and shut her eyes. Death didn’t come this time. His move. “No, you are pretending. I said come.” Hyuugas are incredibly quick at analyzing things. Hiashi, especially quick, saw his opportunity. Perhaps she could be molded into the proper heir she is. Once again this boy was going to be the key. “Babysitting trash is beneath a Hyuuga.” “Uzumaki-san is not trash. I would say he is a hero, worthy of my attentions.” This was definitely the most difficult thing Hinata had ever done. Confronting her father went against everything she’d been taught. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep this up.

Hiashi never could understand his daughter. She was the antithesis of what main family had been. He had always been at a loss, but the other main family members where of no help. We could go into the ‘oh pity me, my wife is dead (or just in a really long coma since Kishimoto never really addressed that), however should I raise my two daughters.’ But Hyuugas are of sterner stuff. Hiashi knew his next move had to be played carefully, “Monsters are not heroes.” With any luck her next move would end it or at least set up the end. Her chakra flared. Bingo. “And he is anything but a monster!” Hinata seethed. “He suffered so the village could live in peace.” “And here is where I’m supposed to admit my guilt and ask for absolution?” “You knew! You could have done something.” Hiashi wasn’t going to answer to her. “I am going to do nothing,” Hiashi released his eyes, “What are you going to do?” Then Hinata understood. The proverbial ton of bricks. “I’m going to finish my mission, father.” Mentally he released his breath, “Then I will expect you home and ready for training when it is finished.” As he walked out the door he heard the mouse squeak ‘Thank you.’ Some things never change. He shook his head and smiled. It was a perfect day indeed.

A few tears left Hinata’s eyes. She still didn’t fully understand what happened. At least she understood the choice her father gave her. She finally felt the pain and looked down at her knees. She was squeezing them so tight she drew blood. Still feeling bold she reached out and caressed Naruto’s cheek. She didn’t expect to ever do that again but today was enough. Was I able to change once again, Naruto-kun? She went about her day doing as she had the past three. Hopefully tomorrow would be less stressful. She sneezed. Maybe not.

Author’s Note:
Here we are again. I want to discuss Hinata’s transformation. Once I decided that I would pick a point in the story and show a divergence it became clear to me that Hinata’s change would be the biggest impact. Kishimoto showed that Sakura’s change came over the two and half years. I only sped that up. (Or rather will speed it up next chapter.) However when Naruto meets Hinata again, she promptly faints. So, since Sakura joined Kakashi in finding Naruto, Hinata goes to the hospital. There her inner strength (you know, the kind she showed against Neji) starts a rapid assent to her outer. I hopefully showed that while she was fairly aggressive, she showed hints of her normal self.

In defense of rants. Some blokes do this to enrage readers. Others rant to convert wayward straddlers on the opinion. I rant because as long as you’re reading my work, you can read my thoughts on the series. They are the opposite of why I write. Some will be aggressive. Like this one. Others will be short, like Yondaime. Most of the time I’m meaning to strike a nerve or two. Mainly I’m getting you to think. Next chapter I’m probably covering my thoughts on Kishimoto’s confusing time lines. Whereas I don’t care (most of me anyway. We are human, so positive feedback is good for our soul) about reviews about the work, hearing your thoughts on my thoughts about Naruto would be rocking. Anyway, on to my rant. Let the people don their gear. Let us rumble. Note: given the current arc, it seems that posting the rest of my rant past whats posted below seems...trite...and full of haterade. If you want it, I’ll share it over scones and email.
Is it just me, or does it seem like in Naruto Part One that Sasuke has a glass jaw? I mean, Haku nails him with some needles and the guy’s in a near death trance. Then, dude gets hit with a cursed seal and he’s out of it. Not once, but twice. He’s down for a day, breaks Zaku’s arms and then he’s out of it for a day when Kakashi seals it. Itachi hits him twice (give or take a blow) and then goes Mangekyou on him. He’s out for a fucking month. Rock Lee is totally destroyed and he’s doing push ups the next fucking day (essentially the next day given that Kishimoto is horrible with small time frames). Neji shuts off all of Naruto’s tenketsu, and by default hurting (if not crippling) most of his organs. Well, if what the all mighty never wrong totally awesome bad ass number one Hatake Kakashi (I’ll get into a rant on my feelings for Kakashi later, they’re all not bad, just most of them) said is correct. Who won that fight? And both of those guys were dead lasts. How is it that the genius is such a pansy once he gets hit? Cripes.