Chapter 15: Chapter 14 :[Hinata ll]
(FLASHBACK)
The Hyūga Compound.
Hinata stood quietly in the Hyūga Clan's training grounds, her head bowed as her father, Hiashi Hyūga, regarded her with a critical gaze.
The tension in the air was suffocating, and she could feel the weight of his disappointment pressing down on her like an unrelenting storm.
"Hinata," Hiashi said, his voice cold and detached. "Your progress is unacceptable. You lack the decisiveness and strength necessary to lead the Hyūga Clan. I cannot waste any more time training someone who refuses to improve."
Hinata's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she tried to suppress the sting of his words. "F-Father, I... I'm trying my best."
"Your best is not enough," Hiashi interrupted, his stern expression unchanging. "From now on, your training will be minimal. Neji will take precedence. Perhaps he can achieve what you cannot."
Hinata's heart sank, the familiar ache of rejection settling in her chest. She had heard these words before. The disappointment in her father's voice was a constant reminder of her perceived failures.
No matter how hard she tried, it seemed she could never reach the lofty expectations set before her.
"Yes, Father," she murmured softly, bowing her head in submission.
Hiashi turned without another word, his retreating footsteps echoing through the empty training grounds.
Left alone, Hinata stood still, her gaze fixed on the ground as the weight of his judgment lingered in the air.
(FLASHBACK END)
"Hey, Hinata, are you okay?"
Naruto's voice pulled her back to the present, breaking through the fog of her thoughts. Hinata blinked, startled, but managed a small, shy smile as the memory faded away.
"I'm fine, Naruto kun" she replied softly, her voice steady despite the lingering ache in her chest.
Naruto's sharp eyes studied her carefully. "You're not fine, Hinata," he said quietly, his voice steady and serious. "You can tell me what's wrong. I'll listen."
Hinata's breath hitched. She wasn't used to this side of Naruto—the side that wasn't loud or brash, but calm and focused, his gaze piercing yet kind.
"I..." She hesitated, her fingers twisting together nervously. "It's nothing, really."
Naruto didn't push her, but he didn't look away either. "If it's 'nothing,' then why do you look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders?"
His words struck a chord, and Hinata lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. Her heart raced, not from nervousness, but from the sheer honesty in his tone.
"I don't know if I'm strong enough," she admitted softly, her voice trembling. "No matter how hard I try... it feels like I'll never be good enough."
Naruto was quiet for a moment, and Hinata feared she had said too much. But then, his voice broke the silence, firm and unwavering.
"You're wrong," he said. "You are strong, Hinata. Maybe you don't see it yet, but I do. You've got this quiet strength that a lot of people don't have. You just need to believe in it."
Hinata looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. Naruto wasn't smiling or joking; his expression was resolute, his sincerity undeniable.
"I used to feel the same way," he continued, his voice softer now. "Like no matter how hard I worked, it didn't matter. But you know what I realized? It's not about being perfect or meeting someone else's expectations. It's about never giving up on yourself."
Hinata's throat tightened, and she blinked back the tears threatening to form. "Naruto kun... I..."
"You don't have to say anything," he said gently, giving her a small nod. "Just remember that you're not alone in this. Whatever you're going through, you've got people who believe in you. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the conversation settling between them. But for the first time in a long while, Hinata didn't feel overwhelmed by it.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Naruto gave a simple nod, then turned toward the training grounds. "Come on," he said, his tone light but still calm. "Let's get back to training. I have a feeling you're stronger than even you realize."
Hinata followed him, her heart feeling lighter than it had in years. Naruto's words echoed in her mind, filling the cracks left by years of doubt.
Maybe... he's right.
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For Naruto, the experience was a new one. Training with someone else was different from his usual solitary sessions, but he found that he didn't mind. Hinata's quiet determination reminded him of his own struggles, and he couldn't help but admire her for it.
Kurama watched the pair silently, finally breaking his silence with a gruff comment. She's got potential. Keep her around—she might surprise you.
Naruto smirked. "Yeah, she's not bad. Let's see how far we can go."
From that day on, Hinata became a regular part of Naruto's training sessions.
Though their progress was slow, both of them found strength in each other's presence, forging a bond that neither of them fully understood yet but would grow into something meaningful in the years to come.
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Author's notes.
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