Disclaimer: I DONOT own (T ^ T) Naruto.

Chapter 1: What?!

What the fuck?

Dead eyes stared at me. The eyebrows above each of the bunched in the centre. Their mouths were a hard line of disappointment and disgust. As they have always been. I had first thought this to be a joke. It was my birthday tomorrow. How could they!? They were definitely serious.

What the fucking fuck?

Suddenly, they were no longer the familiar beings of my past. They were strangers. Cruel, cruel strangers...even my fath-. No. He was no longer that. Even that man was one in the crowd of strangers that stared at me in the council room. But this should have been expected by me...how many times had I heard my clan members bitch about me behind my back. So what if I was different than the rest of the clan? That didn't mean anything! Or did it...?

Double fuck.

It meant something didn't it? Was I abnormal? The answer seemed to hit home. It felt like a punch in the gut. And in this tense situation, while the council was waiting for my answer, I laughed.

It wasn't the good kind of laughter. It was a hysterical, mad, 'I've-finally-lost-it' kind of laughter. It died as suddenly as it had come. As if it was a being of its own.

"So what if I refuse?" my voice was grimmer than before. It amused me...the look on their faces. So they weren't expecting refusal. The bastards...so used to having 'yes-men' around them...Heh! As if I'd yield to their pressure. I'd rather scoop my eyes out than to be their servant!

"We'd have to seal off your byakugan." Calm, menacing voice. Daring me. If I were the person I was some hours ago, I would've yielded. But that Hinata Hyuga was dead.

I grunted. Yes. Grunted! An Unhyuga-like sound.

"Do as you please. I can live without the byakugan." There were some gasps and murmuring. But Hiashi's gaze was one to be mentioned. The old man seemed ridiculous! With eyes almost bulging out in horror.

"Hinata, reconsider the offer. You'll get the comfort-"

"I don't need the clan's comfort or protection, Hiashi!" my veins were bulging. I could see that he was tensed... his heartbeat was erratic but only for a fraction of a second.

The council reacted heavily to my comment. Like they were a hive...lashing out as I'd provoked the queen. I imagined Hiashi, pregnant and bloated, laying hundreds of eggs...he he! That was some comic relief in these desperate times. Kami...I've been hanging out with Shino too much.
I scanned the area with my byakugan...seeing hearts I wanted to burst open.

"How dare you..."

"Don't be disrespectful..."

"I wasn't expecting..."

They went on and on. I deactivated my byakugan and rolled my eyes. Poor byakugan. I will miss you.

I left the room in chaos. That bunch of bloody control freaks...I had things to prepare...

Some walking brought me to my compound. You see, Hyuga owns a huge estate in the edges of the town of Konoha. I mean it's HUGE. Goes completely against my sense of taste. And you may have noticed that I'm not like the ordinary Hyuga. Actually I doubt that I'm a Hyuga. So it's better if I stopped being one.

There was a silhouette at the hall. Ah! Hanabi.

"Where will you go?" the silhouette said. It was none of her concern. I don't have a proper relationship with my sister. I hate her. She hates me. That's why I found it hard to believe the tenderness in her voice. She was probably playing some mind games...trying to take me as her personal assistant in case the caged bird seal was placed in my forehead. I ignored it. But the question was a grave one. Where could I go?

Anywhere other than here! I gave an angry huff and walked past her. It wasn't her concern!

"I have a friend in town" That brought me to a halt. Was she suggesting something? "He can help you out..."

Maybe my little sister wasn't so useless after all. I thought about living in the heart of town. I was never used to the life there...but I could adjust, right?

"Who?"

"Konohamaru-kun."

Ah! That idiot. Sandaime's blood flowed in his veins, but that didn't stop him from being an idiot. He was a man with connections...I could use that to an advantage...but I wasn't gonna be meek about it.

"I can manage. I won't be depending on you. Moreover, I bet you can never coax your pet into the deal."

She was just a silhouette in the dark hallway, but I could imagine her flushed cheeks. It was partially from my sarcastic comment and partially from the word 'pet' embedded in it. Heh! My sister and her crush. It must've been a disaster when they met in the academy. A long forgotten longing tugged in my heart. I wish I could've attended the academy like any other normal girl. Kurenai could get on my nerves but she was a good sensei. My team was great...except the disadvantage of having that horny Inuzuka by my side. I swear that even Shino stares at my arse. But I wonder if I would've been different if I'd been given normal schooling than home-tutoring.

Blah!

Never.

I have a glitch in my brain.

What kind of shinobi was 'loud'?

A stupid one. Like me.

Unknown to our protagonist, somewhere in the heart of the town, a blonde boy with whisker marks gave a hard sneeze...

I'll probably die first in the battlefield...who cares about life anyway? This boring bland life...
Can a shinobis' life ever be boring? Dangerous. Life-threatening...sometimes filthy...but boring? Never!
Therefore I have a MAJOR glitch in my brain. My mother must've dropped me a LOT when I was a baby.

Mother...

I'll make sure to take some of her souvenirs with me...

My sister is just staring at me as I blabber mentally.

"Nee-san?"

Great! Now she thinks that I'm mentally unstable. She's not off the mark though...

"Fix me a place in town." I know that she'll do it. I'm her sister after all.

It was around ten when the procedure started. Some seals and shit. They wanted my blood too. But what really pissed me off was the kimono I was wearing. I'll make sure that I never wear that traditional piece of shit again.

The major part of the process was pain. After all was said and done, I couldn't feel my eyes. I panicked that I'd loose my eyesight. But the hazy input I got after I opened my eyes was satisfactory. I would be able to see by tomorrow. But my sight was taken again! They put a thick gauge of bandages. I was content with that. The light hurt my eyes. The sight of their faces also offended me. So it was better that I was blind for the moment. I was led away from the dojo by small hands, Hanabi, probably. Sweet sister. Recognising the value of a thing only when it is lost. Or was it pity and sympathy that had turned her into mush?! It better not be! I never needed anyone's pity. I'm not weak. Physically or mentally. It's just that my byakugan...che! I don't wanna think about that!

"Nee-san, we are in your room. Tell me what you want to pack for your journey tomorrow."

"Leave it for the branch members," what the hell is she planning? Being all soft and mushy on me?

There was silence on her part. What was she planning?

"Can't I help you on your last day as a Hyuga, nee-san?"

My eyebrows shot above the bandages.

"Ok." Only this time though. And I was gonna use this opportunity well. I couldn't stop my lips from splitting into a grin. She saw my expression but she didn't comment. Good. She'll be the beast of burden.

"Let's start with my clothes." So that way her torture started.

Even though I couldn't see her expressions, it was fun. She gave out sounds denoting displeasure...like huffs and grunts as she packed my things. Hehehehe...

I packed ultra-important things myself. Like my head-protector and mother's picture.

"You are to pack every one of my clothes." I commanded. I hated the traditional shit...but I'd make Hanabi pack them...for fun's sake.

"You need to pack the hidden things as well."

I may've been temporarily blind at the time but I could actually feel Hanabi's surprised stare.

"There's a secret compartment at the back of my cupboard. Press the third plank from the left." I felt satisfied as I heard the opening creak of the compartment door.

"I can't believe you have this sm-"

"Shut up. This is equivalent to gold in the Hyuga compound!" it was banned from our household... because according to the elders, it had 'potential of causing bodily harm'. But I know the truth. They were just too proud to admit that they got nose bleeds from reading it too much. Perverts!

I sat on the ground reaching for the treasure chest. At last my hands reached the smooth tips of my beloved book series.

Behold! The Icha Icha Series.

"There are six published books on the series and one on its way to publication. The author is a legendary Sennin! They are famous around Konoha as well as other elemental nations. In fact I heard most of its readers are ninjas. Each book is of a definite flavour and is good in its own way. But I would personally recommend-"

"Smut." Came the judgement. Grrrr. This young adolescent knew nothing of good literature.

"Whatever. Go on with your work. Carry them till the entrance." I left her to that and started preparing my weapon pack. I took out the scrolls needed.

There was some hesitancy there. She may be a Genin but she was still a small girl. Good luck with carrying that load on your fragile shoulders.

I hear dragging noises.

"Don't drag my precious cargo! Lift it up! Aren't you a Genin already?"

I swear that she's giving me an angry pout. But still she follows. Hmmmm. She was quite submissive tonight. Maybe she does have some kind of attachment with me...

We finally reach the entrance. She sets down the cargo with a great huff. I hand her the seals.

"Un-scroll them and lay them on the floor beside the cargo." I hear shuffles of her feet and then when I'm sure that she's done, I bend down and put my hand above one of the scrolls. Push a little chakra out into the seals and...

*POOf* the deed is done. The cargo is sealed. And now I have a very pissed Hanabi at my disposal.

"Neeee-saaannnn! Why didn't you-!"

I cut her off with a rude wave of my hand.

"Lead me to my room." I said tucking the seals inside my weapon pouch. She held my hand again. Was that a necessity?! Didn't she know that I could just follow her by the sound of her feet? We were shinobi after all. Or was it her compulsion?

*sigh*

This was so confusing.

I ordered Hanabi to set my alarm to midnight. Then after that it was just me and the darkness. I never fell asleep though. I spent most of the time thinking about my mother. Then finally the alarm went off.

Right. No thinking about the past.

Into a very uncertain future I go...

I un-wrapped my eyes. The doctor had advised to take the bandages out in the morning. But, according to my estimates the eyes were okay (thanks to the medicinal paste I had secretly invented). Sure enough they were alright.
After 'fine-tuning' my pupils to the darkness of the candle light, I stepped out of my yukata. I put my standard work clothes. And stepped before the mirror in the dim light.

Hmmmmm.

Don't get me wrong! I like my dark blue Capri's. They were baggy and offered freedom of movement. But you know what? They were shin-length! And this was the land of 'fire'!

Father was always serious about 'body exposure'. But I was no longer a Hyuga. He was no longer my father. Therefore I felt no obligation in not making some necessary changes in my clothes to keep my body cool.
After half an hour of ripping and tearing and sewing, I was ready.

Darkening stockings? Check!

Weapon pack? Check!

Jeans shorts? Check!

Fishnet blouse? Check!

Shin-high ninja boots? Check!

I look at my room for the last time. Then head out to the gardens.

This garden had always been my haven. An oasis in a desert of ignorant people. Now it could no longer shelter me. I took up the rusty watering can. Lily of the valley was the only ones blooming. They were supposed to bring happiness.

Heh!

It would do them good if I uproot them and throw them in a ditch.

But I'm not cruel like the Hyuga.

I tell a silent goodbye to the red tipped glowers.

These plants need constant care. After I am gone they will surely die.

After trapping the sweet fragrances of late blooming flower inside my lungs, I'm off.

I headed to the stretch of woods which separated the central from our district. The canopy loomed over me.

"Happy birthday, Hinata" I said. In the seclusion of the forest, while flying through the branches, I celebrated my sixteenth birthday. The tall trees were the only spectators.

A/N:

Dear readers,

Here's another story! I really liked the character of 'Hinata' from 'Road To Ninja' and I couldn't stop playing with it! XP. Hope you like it. Please Read and DEFINATELY REVIEW! ^ 3 ^

Ja ne! Till next chapter!