(One Year And Four Months Later; At The Hyuuga Manor)
Hinata (age 12) was on her hands and knees with Hanabi (age 7) standing before her. Standing to the side by the wall were Hiashi and Kō. The Hyuuga clan leader shook his head with his eyes closed with feelings of disappointment at Hinata's repeated defeat and failure to topple Hanabi in a one-on-one spar, again.
"That's enough for the day," Hiashi said as he turned and left the dojo, leaving his two daughters and Kō behind. Hinata was looking down at the floor with Hanabi walking toward her. The younger of the two stopped and looked down at Hinata.
"Neesan," Hanabi said, "Your performance today was far less than what I expected out of our clan heiress. You were even slower and sluggish than before. It's shameful that even I could beat you in a match. Neji (age 13) would simply crush you."
Saying nothing further Hanabi left the dojo and followed after her father. Kō went over to console Hinata.
"Don't let what they said get to you Hinata-sama," Kō comforted, "I know you have potential to do better and improve."
"How can I," Hinata cried teary eyed, "I-I-I ju-just don't have…the ability to use our…clan's Jyuuken."
"No one in our clan learned the Jyuuken style overnight Hinata-sama," Kō said, "It'll just require more time and effort for you to adjust to our clan fighting style. I'm confident that you'll become better in time."
"Do you…," Hinata sniffled, "Really…believe that?"
"I do, Hinata-sama," Kō said. A knock came from the door.
"Hinata-chan," a voice called from behind the door, "Are you in there?"
"Naruto-kun (age 12)," Hinata said with her mood gradually changing from a sad one to a happier one. It always amazed Kō how Naruto's presence always brought a smile to Hinata's face regardless of whatever mood she was in.
"I was told by Hanabi that you were in the dojo," Naruto said, "Are you able to come and hangout with me today?"
"Hinata-sama will have to clean herself up first," Kō suggested, "You'll have to wait until then."
"Not a problem," Naruto said from outside, "I'll meet you in the front when you're done Hinata-chan."
Turning to the heiress, Kō said, "You could use a break Hinata-sama. Go and get yourself cleaned up. Your friend is waiting for you."
Smiling, Hinata got up and hurried out of the dojo to get herself cleaned and ready to go. Meanwhile, Naruto was waiting patiently for Hinata's arrival outside the house. After another fifteen minutes, Hinata appeared through the door.
"Hinata-chan," Naruto smiled brightly, "You made it. For a moment there I thought I'd have to come and retrieve you personally."
Hinata giggled, "Not that I'd mind you coming looking for me, but I don't think the others would approve of that."
"Like that would stop me," Naruto remarked.
"No," Hinata giggled, "Most likely not."
Taking hold of her hand, Naruto led Hinata away. Though Naruto held Hinata's hands many times before, it was amazing that she would blush every time his hand entwined with hers.
Once outside the Hyuuga manor and out of hearing and seeing range, Hinata relaxed more and dropped her mask.
(Meanwhile; At The Hyuuga Manor)
Hiashi was sitting in his private study sipping his cup of tea. He sighed to himself as he thought about how poorly Hinata did in her spar session with Hanabi.
I know Hinata can do better, Hiashi thought to himself, But so much of her mother's kind and gentle spirit lives within her. As much as I don't want to believe this; but some of that gentleness is proving to be a real hindrance to Hinata's development.
A knock soon came from the front of his private study.
"Yes," Hiashi asked.
"May I come in Hiashi-sama," Kō requested.
"You may," Hiashi granted. Kō entered Hiashi's study and slid the door close behind him.
"Is there something you need," Hiashi asked as he looked up at the Cadet Branch member. Kō went over to Hiashi and knelt down on mat in front of the Hiashi's table.
"If I may speak freely Hiashi-sama," Kō requested, "I wish to discuss Hinata-sama's progress in our clan's Jyuuken."
Hiashi sighed to himself as he set his cup of tea down of the polished wooden table.
"This isn't the first time you approached me about my elder daughter's failure to quickly learn our clan's prized jutsus," Hiashi pointed out, "And I'm very well aware of Hinata's current handicap."
"Her handicap," Kō repeated in a confused tone, "What handicap is this?"
"…," Hiashi paused for a minute and spoke again, "I hate to have to say this, I believe my daughter's handicap stems from her inheriting her mother's gentle characteristics. From what I've observed, her behavior is very much like my late wife's who herself didn't manifest much of the stern Hyuuga mannerism. Hinata's kind spirit is the factor that's keeping her back from giving her all in fear of hurting anyone."
"The elders may argue that such behavior is unfitting for any heiress," Kō replied, "There have been rumors that they may recommend that Hinata-sama be-"
"They will recommend nothing concerning any of my two daughters without my approval," Hiashi said with a hardened tone, "Hinata still has time to improve in spite of Hanabi's faster progression. I will say though that it's most disappointing for me to see that Hanabi who's five years her junior, is more adept to our clan's prized jutsus than my elder daughter.
"I may have to recommend requesting Yuhi Kurenai-san to be Hianta's trainer and eventual sensei. Hopefully, she might succeed at getting my daughter to improve in one way or another."
Kō sighed lowly to himself, being aware who Kurenai was. From what he heard of the genjutsu mistress, she was an ice queen recently promoted from Chuunin to Jounin who apparently developed a form of maternal spirit for Hinata after spending some time with young heiress. This maternal fondness developed sometime after Hinata's mother's untimely death due to sickness. (A/N: I don't know what really happened to Hiashi's wife. The manga never explained it, so I'm just making it up as I go)
Maybe this Kurenai will succeed where the rest of us have failed, Kō figured, "Excuse me Hiashi-sama. I will depart from you now."
Hiashi simply nodded as Kō turned and exited Hiashi's private study office. He walked and made his way to the main entrance of the Hyuuga manor when he caught sight of Sasuke approaching the manor. Sasuke stopped at the main entrance when he saw Kō making his way over to him.
"Sasuke-san," Kō greeted, "What brings you here?"
"I was in the neighborhood when I decided to see if Hinata was available to talk to," Sasuke replied.
"I'm sorry Sasuke-san," Kō apologized, "But Hinata-sama stepped out a while ago."
"I see," Sasuke said with disappointment in his tone, "Do you know where she went?"
"I'm afraid I do not," Kō replied, "I'm sorry I can't be of further help."
"Hn," Sasuke grunted before turning and walking off away from the main entrance. Kō knew that this wasn't Sasuke's first visit to the manor as he came by before. Though Hinata was willing to speak with him, she always gave excuses as to why she couldn't spend the day hanging out with him in the village, though she would so do in a heartbeat with Naruto. Kō saw that Hinata didn't have the same interest in Sasuke as she does for Naruto but it was clear that Sasuke had that particular interest in the Hyuuga heiress.
It was true that the Hyuuga held no ill will toward the last Uchiha. However as a whole, the Hyuuga and Uchiha clans were at one time known to be bitter rivals in terms of whose dōjutsu was stronger than the other. Though it had been said by some that in terms of true sight that the Byakugan surpassed the Sharingan. (A/N: It's beyond me why Kishimoto never elaborated on this statement in the manga)
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