Chapter Text
Chapter 9: How To Be Heartless
Godofevery: Hinata being stronger is mostly for comedic purposes lol, but she does train more than her canon-self did during these parts of the story/canon. I hope she isn't coming across as too all powerful or Mary-sue like. As shown with this chapter and will pop up again in future chapters, she does fight dirty or look for a way out when she knows she's on losing end of a fight/match.
Important note at the chapter's end!
"It isn't the happy ending I had dreamed up, but it's all a part of what I'm working through. The way life changes. The way people and things disappear. Then appear, unexpectedly, and hold you close."
― Nina LaCour, Hold Still
Sasuke & Naruto-Forest Of Death, Northwest Section
'Damn it, that moron couldn't have gone flying off that far.'
Sasuke scowls, pushes his legs to move faster beneath underbrush and vine. Every branch and tree he hops and moves under is covered heavily with dew or moss, moon sinking behind clouds further plunging him into darkness.
He finally catches a glimpse of blond locks tangled in a thicket of bushes on his left, breathes a sigh of relief.
Until he notes the creature starting to slide around his legs.
A snake as tall as the very trees surrounding them.
Bright yellow eyes look from him to Naruto, opens its mouth revealing twin sets of white fangs.
"NARUTO, WAKE UP!" Sasuke shouts, draws in a breath as the serpent prepares to strike.
"Fire Release: Inferno Wave!"
The blaze ropes up the trees and bushes right as Naruto sits up again seeing the danger he's in.
He unleashes a barrage of shadow clones that only get swallowed up alongside him, snake's mouth at least briefly clogged up from fully shutting.
Sasuke gives follow as the snake attempts to slither back downwards into the deeper parts of the forest, clicking his tongue as he moves parallel to it by going higher into the trees.
'Ugh. I won't let it get away! I'll just attack it from above pinning it in place!'
He spits out a mix of fireballs and molten pellets, heat melting at the branches and leaves sending debris toppling on top of the serpent slowing it down. His earlier flames catch up and burn at the snake's skin before it can shed, explodes from the inside out at the onslaught of Naruto's clones further piling up.
Sasuke leaps over to Naruto, takes in slime and ash coating him before shaking his head.
"You smell like snake guts and fire." He notes dryly.
Naruto squeezes and wipes off what we can of the snake's stomach acid and tissue clinging to his jacket and hair, shrugs with a grin as Sasuke dodges the bits of flesh he flings in his direction.
"Could be worse. I could be smelling like shit; like you!"
A slow clap of hands gets both their attention, pair turning to see a new set of eyes watching them from the opposite trees.
Sharp ink black eyes seem to glow at them despite the dark, head tilted at them in interest.
"Impressive. I thought with all the body modifications that I did to Team Dosu that they would give you more of a challenge Sasuke. However, you're so much stronger than them. I really should've know better to believe they could do any lasting damage. However, I'm glad I got to see your power up close. So, you deserve an award." The man purrs.
Naruto rolls his neck, cracks his knuckles.
'Well, he's outright ignoring me for Sasuke. Nothing new there! Was this guy among the participants at the entrance?'
His headband is from Kusagakure. A small nearby village that he heard many of the proctors wonder why they were even participating with such a low turnout of viable or interesting genin.
Team Shigeri and Team Shiore were the only groups representing that nation.
"It's the leader of Team Shiore. I don't know what type of skills he has, but he looks well rested enough to put up a decent fight. We've already used up a lot of chakra from those earlier fights Naruto. It would be best to do a mix of defensive and offensive to get away from here with the scroll we have intact and our collections." Sasuke mutters. His fingers twitch at his sides, man's playful smile making his chest tighten.
Naruto scoffs at the very idea of running, nearly wonders if Sasuke has been replaced by a doppelgänger like Hinata was earlier.
"Don't be dumb, this freak isn't gonna just let us leave this area y'know! And speak for yourself; I have plenty of stamina left! All we need to do is create a diversion with you using your fireballs to create a smokescreen and then block him off with the trees. If that's too scary for you, I can just overwhelm with my clones!"
Shiore waves up a finger before Sasuke can argue at his reckless idea.
"Tsk. Tsk you two. I won't have you two whispering between each other! That's how you'll get yourself killed." He warns.
His glare turns piercing, both boys freezing in place.
Sweat chills Naruto's skin, fingers refusing to move at least to throw out a kunai or shuriken.
Anything.
'What the heck is wrong with me?! I have to move! One of us has to move!' Naruto panics, but his whole body feels as if it's sunken into mud. He manages to turn his head just slightly to see if Sasuke is paralyzed too, surprised to see his body trembling in shock too.
'If Sasuke's truly this afraid too then...' He stops himself from continuing that thought.
Shiore's body stretches forward wrapping around the trees, obsidian eyes narrowing as their gazes meet.
"You're in the way jinchuriki boy." He hisses near his ear before he slams a punch straight into his stomach. Naruto gasps, startles back in surprise as a hot stabbing wave shoots through him, knees buckling. His vision blurs coughing up a mix of blood and spit, hands wrapping protectively at his gut should he attack again. Shiore's hand moves forward again roughly shoving him off the branch, wind screeching in his ears.
'Crap; I need to get back up there! I can't let Sasuke fight that guy alone!'
But this wound, this throbbing ache right by his seal presses and wraps around him like a fist, sinking into darkness before he can yell for Sasuke to run.
Sasuke breaks out of his stupor as Naruto's body falls for the forest floor, draws up a hand right as Shiore's face is in front of him.
"Fire Release: Dragon's Flame!"
Shiore only laughs as he manages to melt away his mask revealing gray skin, amber yellow eyes.
His fingers brush right beneath his eyes taking in the sharingan's beauty up close, snicker cutting through the air.
"You can't leave without your reward Sasuke. If you can survive this mark, then I'll know for sure you are worthy of my power. Of being my next host."
His head leans closer to his neck revealing a set of fangs. Sasuke wiggles and twists in his hold to no avail, Shiore forcing his gaze. He sinks his teeth in, curse seal forming in a perfect Tomoe near the puncture site.
'Overall, everything went perfectly.'
He taps Sasuke's cheeks again before he passes out.
"Remember this moment of weakness when that thirst for power becomes unbearable Sasuke, when you realize Konoha will never give you the skills and power you need to kill your brother."
'Itachi? What does this guy know about him?'
He tastes bile on the back of his tongue before the thought can sink it, everything he ate earlier heaved out.
And still Shiore won't let him go, smiles as he wipes away the remnants of his late lunch from his chin.
"Find me when that moment happens Sasuke. My name is Orochimaru."
Team Dosu & Hinata-Forest of Death, Southeast Section
She hovers the flame closer near Zaku's hands, takes in a breath.
"I would like some answers before your death. Who sent you to target us specifically?"
Zaku snorts. "Got nothing to say to you girlie. Heh, I doubt you even know how to actually torture someone to get answers!"
Hinata sighs. True, she doesn't have the skills of Ibiki and it took Sasuke and Naruto's power to even get him restrained to this point.
"Alright. May you have peace then in the afterlife."
He yelps in shock as she drops the match before moving back to not get caught in the coming blast.
Dosu moves in from her right as the flames shoot up, raises up his arm.
Hinata turns, not quick enough. "Rotation!"
Even as his kunai gets knocked away, it was only a distraction as his speaker gets next to her ears.
"You forgot who else is in your environment! I still have some fight left in me; Echo drill!"
Ringing pulses through her head down to her toes, dropping to the ground. She winces as Dosu steps closer, gleam in his visible eye that he can at least take out one member of Team 7.
'Fight it off. Fight it off.'
Dizziness threatens to pull her under completely, holding her stance.
She notes the bruises and cuts that mar his skin, a tiny crack in the side of his speaker.
'Ah, so that's where Sasuke first attacked him.'
And where she must go to if she's to survive this.
Once he's a breath away, she jabs at his arms, tips of her fingers igniting until the gauntlet bursts from his hands. Metal goes flying in every direction into the bushes and trees, Hinata switching to lightning.
"Lightning Release: Flash Palm!"
He startles back before the current can fully shock him. "How are you still moving?"
Hinata struggles to get back up with bile right on her tongue, spits it out between them.
Adrenaline pushes her, the rush to not die. "Sasuke disarmed that echo speaker of yours during your fight with him. The sounds aren't as vibrant or piercing as before keeping me upright."
Zaku's scream forces their attention back on him. His eyes have become manic, last breaths coming in short, uneven bursts.
"Crazy bitch! You're not...You won't even make it to the finals I bet!"
Hinata laughs softly. True, with the remaining powerhouses she knows that are left for the upcoming 3rd phase, it's likely the proctors and Hokage will weed them out via 1 on 1 matchups.
"Perhaps. But you're definitely not going to go at least."
His legs jitter wildly as he attempts to put out the flames, Dosu tossing mud and dirt over in an attempt to smother it. Hinata jabs into his left arm and legs before he can give him too much, stamina slowed enough now for her to match his speed.
She shakes away lingering dizziness to strike at Dosu's chest forcing him completely still, breathing hard.
"Please stop struggling now. Sit and watch your teammate die."
The fire laps up the damp earth without stopping, spreads nearly connecting to Dosu shifting backwards as much as he can with his remaining strength. Together, they watch as metal melts into Zaku's skin turning it a blistery red right as the explosion comes. His body slowly blackens, slumping over.
And then pearl eyes twist to Dosu.
He takes in her distorted grin, vomit clinging to her jacket. Despite her ears surely still ringing some and looking just as exhausted as him, she's going to find a way to kill him unless he can persuade her not to.
"You should join Zaku in the fire too. I know Naruto will be happy that he won't have to deal with the guy who called him a loudmouth and weak!"
Dosu tenses, weighs with what options he has left. He can still find a Heaven and Earth scroll on his own once this paralysis wears off, make it to the next phase without his teammates. Sasuke hasn't been dealt with yet, though he'll get his revenge via an official matchup soon enough if he plans things carefully.
"Orochimaru. He's our sensei and sponsor from Otogakure. But now I'm not so sure if he even ever saw us as students or just pawns."
He gestures with his head to their bag.
"There's an Earth scroll in there. Take it and I won't bother you or your teammates for the duration of these exams."
There's no more Team Dosu now anyways.
Hinata peers between him and the bag, nods.
'Getting an Earth scroll will make Naruto even happier!'
She ties up Dosu's hands and legs to be sure before going after Naruto and Sasuke. They've left a trail of destruction; deep crimson streaks smear jagged and warped branches and leaves.
'Whose blood is this?'
The air is chillier here, breath curling white as the moon thankfully breaks through the clouds once again.
She comes upon Naruto first, looks up in time to see teeth get sunken into Sasuke's neck. The hairs on her arms lift as golden eyes flash to her before slipping away into the tree's shadows.
'Was that Orochimaru?'
He leaves behind the sweet, cloying smell of rotten fruit.
A scent created maybe to cover the heavier aromas of damp, decaying earth and the metallic tang of blood.
"Sasuke. Check on him; not me. He's about to be attacked." Naruto grunts out.
"Naruto. Look at me." Hinata pats at his cheek, voice tinged with urgency that Orochimaru possibly poisoned them both with some unknown toxin. His eyes flutter open and close, head lolling against her neck.
"Whoops, heh! I'm super tired Hinata." Naruto slurs out.
Hinata shakes her head, ignores the heat she feels rising to her cheeks lifting up his shirt and pulling at his pants to check for any major injuries. Purple splotches reside near his seal, already in the process of healing as she checks.
She leans Naruto back against a tree, carefully maneuvers Sasuke back down beside them. Two puncture bites mar his neck, new tomoe mark seeming to pulse under her touch.
'For once the first aid lessons done at the compound may come in handy.' Hinata bites her lip recalling the many times Father scolded her at getting a technique wrong or for moving too slow earning her a bruise or cut.
"Hinata, when will you stop hesitating at the final moment? A proper Hyūga, let alone the future heiress of this clan doesn't falter at their opponent no matter who they are! Are you that ready to give up your title to Hanabi?" Hiashi scowls, rubs at his forehead as her hands quiver.
He can't even stand to look at her now.
Her whole-body prickles with heat, evening sun feeling twice as hot despite the cool breeze coming in at nightfall's approach. The day slipped away from her too fast, sky having gone from blue when they first came outside to spar to now a mix of violets and pinks.
And still, she has yet to win even one round against Neji.
Neji scoffs, mocking grin only igniting her blush down her neck. "Uncle, perhaps Hinata should just go into the infirmary now. It wouldn't be fair to continue this when she's breathing so hard after all."
Bruises throb as she forces her arms to be still and get back into position. Quickly, she blinks back hot tears at a wave of snickers from the Elders, Grandfather's mournful shake of his head.
"N-No! I...I mean, I handle one more sparring session. Please Father." Hinata glances to Hiashi.
His gazes at her flatly and her stomach churns at his shake of his head.
"No, you're finished now Hinata. I've seen enough disappointment out of you for one day."
Lady Natsu thankfully doesn't pepper her with questions as she presses an alcohol swab to her deepest cuts, shoos Hanabi away to finish with her geography lessons before she can witness the shame of her tears.
"You mustn't let this be a setback for you Lady Hinata. Keep training, even if out of sight of Master Hiashi."
Hinata manages a shaky smile, stops her nails from forming deeper crescents in her palms.
"Alright. And...thank you again Lady Natsu."
All those afternoons with Sasuke and Naruto at the training grounds, sneaking out after dinner haven't amounted to enough.
"Are you sure you want me to use fire jutsu on you?" Sasuke arches a brow.
Hinata nods, gets back into position as Naruto's clones move closer.
"Yes. I want to get faster at being able to dodge projectiles while attacking. The gentle fist is a close range attack, I must be prepared for anything my opponent might use from a long distance."
Still, his fireballs leaves her skin peeling for days.
"Sure you aren't doing this to just get me to feed you?" Naruto teases after Day 4.
Hinata giggles as he brings over a slice of pork, tries not to wince as her stomach muscles clench from the movement.
"No. Maybe. Pass the miso soup over next please!"
She tears open the kit with trembling fingers, gauze and antiseptic packets scattering across the forest floor. She presses a cool cloth against both Sasuke and Naruto's heads, may need to boil some of the herbs they collected into a tea.
'Barrier. Traps. I need to make sure they both survive whatever toxin Orochimaru or whoever that was put in their systems.' Hinata focuses. There's still two days left to get to the Central Tower and then they can put this all behind them.
Hopefully.
Cerulean meets lilac as Hinata counts out the supplies, Naruto leaning forward. He takes in dried blood and vomit caking her jacket, brows furrowing trying to get his eyes to adjust to the dark.
His shivers, words falling over each other as he rubs at his arms.
"Sorry for not being stronger. Next time, I won't let any surprise attacks land."
Hinata shakes her head, hugs him close, feels the beginnings of a fever coming as their foreheads touch. It's going to be a long night and she isn't sure how much longer she can stay awake.
"Just lay back down; you need to rest."
Naruto tugs at her arm to try and pull her down with him. "You...too Hinata. You look sleepy."
Hinata forces a watery smile. "I-In a minute. I need to double check everything we have on hand."
Naruto blinks owlishly. "Okay. Sorry again."
She should be the one to apologize, squeezing her eyes shut to think.
To block out Father's voice.
'You were too weak to save your teammates from this.'
Sasuke startles awake hours later, eyes glancing around wildly. The scent of blood still permeates, trees ripped from the roots, toppled over all around them. He shuts his eyes and sees twin fangs, a bemused smile.
'Find me when you no longer wish to be weak Sasuke.'
"Where is he? Stop hiding!" He yells out into the dark.
Naruto stirs at his shouting, rubs sleep from his eyes.
"Stop yelling bastard! Who are you even calling out for?"
Sasuke turns his gaze on him and all lingering drowsiness evaporates taking ink black swirls along his face and arms, a hint of gold seeping into his eyes similar to the snake guy's from earlier.
A moving tattoo skirts across half his face.
"I know you're not that dumb Naruto. Tell me where that snake guy went so that we can kill him together."
Hinata pats at Sasuke's shoulder before he can move, points to his bandaged leg.
"He's gone. You're not going to be able to fight or find him in your current state either. We need to focus on resting and then getting out of here with both these scrolls and our individual items we had to collect."
Sasuke bristles, roughly pushes her hand away.
His shoulders stay tense, skin gleaming with cold sweat.
And then he rises up a fist towards her.
Naruto instantly jumps in his way.
"Stop being a bigger asshole than usual! Hinata has no reason to lie, so chill." He growls in warning.
Slowly, Sasuke's body sags back from them, searches for a position against the opposite trees that won't make his body wince.
His breathes come out shallow and fast before evening out as Naruto readjusts on his ice pack and makeshift blanket.
"Err, maybe sleep closer to me the rest of the night Hinata." Naruto mentions, Hinata scooting closer to him as he suggests.
But her eyes stay open.
The moon is starting to fall, light blue tinting the sky when her eyes finally grow too heavy, stirs again when she feels something warm on her cheek.
Something slimy.
Her eyes jolt open, Akamaru stepping back from licking at her face. He barks happily in greeting, Hinata blinking back in puzzlement. It's daylight again, sometime in the afternoon she thinks from gazing at the sun's position.
Kiba grunts somewhere to her left. "Ugh, why the hell are we doing this again and not just carrying on the tower? Besides don't you have bad blood with-"
Sakura's stare twists in his direction before he can finish. Iciness lingers in her eyes for her that Hinata meets silently before her attention focuses back to Sasuke. Hinata's gaze moves on to Shino's beetles that have lifted Naruto up, still out cold too.
"I told you like a million times; this is for Sasuke's sake! Now help me with his arms already!"
Jiraiya-Aokaze Bar & Grill
He's on his 3rd glass of sake when Takumi plops into the booth opposite him. He's gone for a mousey brown to his hair this time, blue contacts tinged gray under the heavy smoke in the air.
His lips quirk up faintly in a grin, nods over to his waitress to send over two more plates of kaarage, takoyaki, and edamame.
"Why do you pick the most sleaziest clubs around to hang out at? The women here barely wear what pass for uniforms." Takumi asks by way of greeting, notes that their waitress Misako's skirt barely covers her butt.
Like always, he picked some bubbly blonde to be his personal server for the night.
Jiraiya swirls at his cup, chuckles as watches him pick up the menu.
"Going to be a big spender for once Takumi? That's not like you."
And it's not like one of his best spies to come directly to him with intel either.
Takumi rolls his eyes at his blatant ignoring of his question, pulls out a slip of paper after ordering a small bowl of katsudon for himself.
"I needed to get your attention somehow. I got word there was a chameleon amid the participants of this year's Chunin Exams. Quite the vermin they've had trouble catching in the Forest of Death."
Jiraiya straightens himself at his play on words, the way he taps at his paper again before sliding it forward.
'SKNAE RUTESRN'
He unscrambles it quickly: SNAKE RETURNS.
Orochimaru.
He moves the message into his ash tray, puts the butt of an old cigarette against it until it smolders and blackens. Takumi leans his head against his palm, waits to speak again as their plates of food appear.
"Don't go running off now Jiraiya before checking out the downstairs gambling den with me! My shift doesn't end until midnight!" Misako winks while refilling his glass and passing over a glass of water for Takumi.
Jiraiya beams her way. "Of course! You don't go running off! You're gonna be my good luck charm tonight!"
Misako giggles, blows him a kiss before carrying on to her next customers. Takumi sends him a flat look, ensures nobody is listening or gazing in their direction before clearing his throat.
But Jiraiya beats him to it.
"Serpents aren't the easiest to slaughter once they've come upon a target, especially one like him. So, how many are we talking here that got caught in one of his traps?"
Takumi sighs. "Well, last I heard 3 bodies were found. Chameleons blend in with their environment and in this case, took on the facial features of one of his preys. It was a team where the grasslands and rivers intersect, I believe."
'So 3 people killed from Kusagakure. Potentially more that just haven't been found yet.'
He rubs at his chin thoughtfully. Orochimaru joined these exams for a reason, curses himself for not studying closer Konoha's participants. He sips at his sake before snapping his fingers.
"Any mention of the village's weapon and that noble clan's heiress?"
Takumi wrinkles his nose, drops his voice an octave. "Who?"
Jiraiya laughs dryly, breaks out of code talk. "Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyūga."
Takumi rubs at his chin before shaking his head. "No, but it seems they survived the 2nd phase from what I heard through the grapevine of those closest to Anko that are helping proctor the exams this year."
Jiraiya nods.
'I doubt those two would be of Orochimaru's interest. If he wants to master every jutsu known to man, it would involve needing a specific dojutsu.'
Like the sharingan.
He makes a mental note to send a toad to Sarutobi to warn him that Sasuke Uchiha could be in danger, though it may already be too late at this point...
Takumi leans forward. "Please be careful where you walk and who you talk to moving forward over these next coming days. Maybe attend the final matches as a spectator or gambler to blend in to be of help if something happens. I've heard some whisperings that something big is about to happen in the village, maybe an assassination attempt on the Hokage. Nothing confirmed yet, I just wanted to let you know this in person as I'll be heading back out of the village before daybreak."
Jiraiya stiffens, kaarage going cold on his tongue.
He wipes at his mouth, nods his understanding of the gravity of this situation.
"Sure you don't wanna settle down here in Konoha? Start a family and kids?" Jiraiya asks half-jokingly.
He wouldn't be exactly happy to lose him considering the wealth of knowledge he's given him on Iwa and Kumo's top shinobi in the past, but he doesn't want to hold him back from any true desires he might have.
Being a spy can be a lonely job.
Takumi laughs humorlessly and he sees a flash of pain flicker in his eyes of an old lost love. He was dating a woman in the business of weapons intel from a smaller village near Konoha he recalls from his profile. That was right before he had him join his squad of most elite spies.
Those blissful days ended in the last great war...
Takumi stretches back out of the booth, drops down a wad of ryo for his meal and drink.
"Men like us Jiraiya aren't ever going to truly settle down."
Neji/Team Gai-Central Tower
'Still not here yet.' Neji regards.
Team 7 and Team 8 are certainly cutting it close.
His eyes skirt back to the overhead clock that's there's only 2 hours left until the 5 days are officially up, Lee tapping at his shoulder.
"Don't worry Neji, I'm sure your cousin and her team are going to make it in time! I saw the fire of youth in her when she had first waved to us! Fire like that isn't easily extinguished!"
Tenten rolls her eyes, though a grin edges at her lips. "I don't think 'fire' is going to be enough if you can't get both scrolls and make it here in time Lee."
Though she cuts herself off at seeing a glimpse of orange from the corner of her eye.
Naruto has arrived, Hinata's hand tangled with his.
Sasuke rounds them out with Team 8 right on his heel.
Her smile falters at the blood that coats Team 7 mostly. Its dried some from a mix of sunlight and water used to wash it out, but there's no mistaking that maroon coloring that stains their jackets and pants.
Neji's gaze passes over them all, lingers longest on Sasuke as Kakashi-sensei mutters something near his ear. He nods in return rubbing at his neck with a sigh before lining up with the rest of his team.
Lee points at them eagerly. "See?! There was no need for you to worry at all Neji! And the lovely Sakura made it in time as well with her team! I must go check on my beautiful flower to ensure she's okay!"
"I wasn't worried." Neji counters flatly even though Lee has already departed to check on Sakura, Hinata glancing at him over her shoulder.
This time she doesn't smile or wave, simply watches him with the same level of frostiness he always gives her.
Good. Maybe it's finally sunk in the difference in skill between them no matter how much she's trained with her teammates. Her speed and power won't be enough compared to him.
Naruto follows her gaze and looks over at him as well and Neji frowns at the flicker of scarlet amid the blue of his eyes.
Strange.
A knot wedges in his stomach he swallows down.
There's nothing for him to be concerned about when it comes to this year's Dead Last, but his fingers prickle just slightly from the intensity of his glare. He's a lot friendlier with Hinata than the way Uncle described it. He'd assumed he was merely just exaggerating again his concerns over how close the two have gotten.
But that look Naruto just gave him is one he's sure he's done to Hinata dozens of times before.
The desire to hurt.
To kill.
'Do either of them honestly think they could win against me?' Neji scoffs under his breath, especially when Hinata is the first to look away as usual from his stare.
A chime rings out overhead, and he puts it out of his mind, Hayate clearing his throat at the front along with the rest of their jonin-sensei.
"Congratulations on everyone here officially making it to Phase 3 of this year's Chunin Exams! In light of the fact that there's still quite a few of you left, we will now conduct a tournament style of 1-on-1 matches to determine who best qualifies to be promoted to Chunin. Keep in mind that even if you lose your match, the techniques, battle prowess, and thought process you use may still allow you to go up in rank!"
He points then up to a giant monitor above them.
"This monitor will randomly show who you'll be facing! Everyone else will wait above in the stands until it's their turn or their match is completed."
Neji peers up along with the others as the first match is decided.
Kiba vs Naruto.
Naruto's expression brightens eagerly he can get his match out of the way already, Hinata lightly kissing him good luck on the cheek before heading upstairs with the others.
She passes him on the way up, grin still playing at her lips.
And despite telling himself he'd ignore her unless necessary, Neji speaks up. "I'm not sure why you're smiling so much when your boytoy is about to lose and embarrass himself in front of everyone after talking such a big game."
'I'm not sure what they ran into or did back in the Forest, but that won't change the outcome of what happens now that Naruto has to fight alone without his teammates.'
He isn't the only one who thinks this. Team 10, the rest of Team 8, and the Sand Siblings look as equally bored at a match that will be over in a few minutes knowing the Inuzuka clan's speed.
Hinata glances to him, opalescent softening in pity.
She gives him the same stare from earlier, tone light and airy.
"Is that what you really think? Shame."
And then she continues on to wait beside Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei.
Neji grits his teeth, presses his lips into a thin line. His knuckles have whitened from wounding them into fists, forces his gaze to Naruto and Kiba below.
Kiba cracks his knuckles excitedly. "Heh, just because Akamaru and I helped you some back in the Forest doesn't mean we're gonna go easy on you!"
Naruto readily agrees. "Of course! I'm saving going all out on someone else if need be y'know!"
His gaze moves to him for a second before back on Kiba as Hayate announces for them to get into position.
"BEGIN!"
Lee says something to his right of Naruto's fiery look, only half hears him.
'Naruto's going to be knocked out in the very first round; there's nothing to worry about.'
Hinata & Neji-Central Tower Main Arena
At the 6th round of matchups, her name is finally called.
Vs. Neji.
She expected this, knew despite all of Kakashi-sensei's flowery language and Lord Third's mention that these matchups are completely random, that she would have to face Neji.
Two Hyūga can't be going to the Finals.
And neither of them will be if she's forced to use her final gambit.
Neji rolls his neck as they both walk down to the center. "There's still time for you to forfeit. Don't bring any further shame to the Main Family."
Hinata blinks. "Why would I do that?"
She smiles before he can answer. "You saw what Naruto did to Kiba right? You weren't dozing off or not paying attention?"
He clicks his tongue.
"Shadow clone jutsu!"
The arena floor floods with Naruto's; wind whipped up into mini twisters on all sides of Kiba from his earlier vortex.
"Don't think Akamaru and I can't sniff out the real you amongst your clones!" Kiba yells out, preparing another fang over fang only for his legs to be stuck in place.
Two Naruto's have pinned his legs down while another has already kicked Akamaru aside.
'Shit! When did they sneak up on Akamaru?'
Did one of them turn themselves into him? Use all this dust as a cover?
"Can't do your fang over fang alone, can you? Or stuck like this?" The first and second clones taunt him.
"Get. Off. Of. Me!' Kiba snaps out, tries to twist his body only to see the original Naruto approaching too late to avoid.
His fist collides with his cheek, body toppling as he gets overwhelmed by the rest of his clones.
"It's only because of Naruto's stamina that he outlasted Kiba. He won't win in the finals, and you will lose to me here and now." Neji voices.
Hinata frowns, readies herself into an offensive stance.
'So she isn't going to give up then.' Neji sighs.
He smirks, follows her into position as Hayate raises up a hand.
"I know how to counter all that lightning and fire you like to add to your gentle fist." He states mockingly by her ear, pierces at her left arm.
"Earth Release: Boulder strike!"
The jab feels twice as hard as normal, Hinata wincing. Still, she twists before he can fully shut down her left side.
"Fire Release: Flame Veil!"
A wall of heat stops him from coming in too close, Hinata ducking low striking at his legs. She only manages to hit his left knee and side, Neji spinning matching her pace.
"Too slow." He sneers in spite of his balance slightly off now.
'I need to end this. Now.'
He draws up a hand unleashing a tidal wave, barrier of fire bursting into steam. He rushes in up close to her, drills and jabs at Hinata's arms, shutting off as many points as he can before she maneuvers in kicking him back.
Her breathing is loud as he takes her in, blood lining her lips.
Hayate studies her closely too, Hinata shaking her head for him not to call the match just yet.
Neji snorts, nods to the bruises that dot her arms and hands.
"You will not win this match against me Hinata with so many of your tenketsu points blocked; give up."
"No. I'm sorry Uncle Hizashi died. I...I suggest you finally speak with Father and end this unwarranted anger at me. But first, I must remind you of something." Hinata warbles out shakily.
Pearl eyes study him, calm and unblinking.
She grins softly, blood dripping down onto her teeth as she raises up her hand.
And it clicks in then as he rushes for her that no matter if they faced each other or not, no matter if he beat her down...
She would always remind him of his curse seal.
"You lost; I won't let you use it! I'll kill you first!" Neji shouts.
The seal glows green and he drops to the floor midway for her as their jonin-sensei close in around them stopping him. White-hot heat jolts and shoots across his body as he doubles over clutching at his head. He grinds his teeth hard enough to hear them crack, veins pulsing out.
Hinata hovers above him about to collapse too, sees her smile widening before he succumbs to darkness first.
"Neji, how silly of you! What made you think I would let you get to the Finals?"
-x-
With an unfortunate passing/death in my family, I will have to delay my stories for a short time period. I predict through the end of August and into early September as I will need to travel overseas for the funeral.
Writing as helped take my mind off the grief, but it's starting to hit now that it will be difficult to write during this time period as I'll be distracted by various family events and business. Hopefully nothing felt rushed, I'm still trying to avoid rehashing canon too much by adding in my own ideas.
I won't be gone for long though; I promise!
Let me know any thoughts! I'm curious what you guys thought of Hinata's actions! I'm still undecided on Sakura btw, but I'm leaning towards not killing her at the moment.
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!