Hinata walked up to the competitor area of the viewer stands calmly, never losing the small smile she always was always seen with these days. And she had many reasons for the smile. When they were younger, Hinata promised to Naruto that they would get married one day. On that day she had given up her right to become clan Head after her father, and become part of the Uzumaki family. That was also the day she had decided subtlety would be needed to deal with the separation of the Hyūga family.

Her first act, much to Naruto's chagrin, was to constantly lose to her sister until the time came for Naruto to reveal his strength to the village. That would make sure that Hanabi was the one who would inherit their father's position.

The other parts of the plan came after. The first one was to handily beat Neji, and make him question his proclamations about fate. And the second one, for now the last as well, was to face her little sister, who would no doubt be full of questions for her.

The last part of the plan looked like it would come sooner rather than later. Her little sister was standing in front of the entrance of the viewing area, waiting for her.

Hinata gave her a small smile.

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"Will the combatants of match two please move to the arena? Sabaku no Kankuro and Sasuke Uchiha." The Suna Genin walked down and stood on one side of the arena. Genma looked around for a bit, before glancing towards the Kage booth.

"Well, it seems that this is it." Sarutobi shrugged as he turned to one of his Anbu. "Cat, tell Genma that Uchiha-san is hereby disqualified, please."

"But wait." The Kazekage, who was the only other Kage present in Konoha at the moment, stopped the Anbu. "Surely it would do well to postpone this match between my eldest son and the Uchiha heir. Many of the viewers here only came to see him compete, yes?"

Sarutobi frowned as he looked towards his colleague. "Postpone the match? Definitely not." He nodded to Cat who disappeared. "I will not have favoritism shown to one who couldn't even deem something like the Chunin Exams important enough to show up on time. The rules are clear, and he is disqualified. No exceptions."

"Very well." The Kazekage sighed. "As you say, Lord Hokage, I suppose."

The crowd roared in disapproval as Genma announced the Hokage's decision, but they soon moved on when the next match between Sabaku no Temari and Shikamaru Nara started.

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"Hello little sister." Hinata smiled as she walked up to Hanabi, who stood there in a rigid, proper stance. "Nice day outside, isn't it?" The ten-year-old looked to the windows before she caught herself and frowned in an attempt to look serious.

"Sister." She nodded, her long brown hair flying into her face, which she then had to deal with quickly.

"Aw, you're so cute, Hanabi-chan." Hinata gushed as she pinched the young girl's cheek.

"Mou, stop that." The little girl puffed her cheeks, stomping one foot on the ground. "I'm an adult and adults are not cute."

"Oh Hanabi-chan." Hinata sighed before pulling her little sister in a tight hug. Hanabi tried in vain to struggle for a few moments before she gave up and wrapped her arms around Hinata's neck. "Don't do that, sweetie. Enjoy you childhood while you still can.

"But father says…"

"Don't listen to everything he says. Father doesn't always know best." Hinata giggled as Hanabi gasped in surprise. "Now give your Onee-chan a kiss, Hanabi-chan."

"Fine Onee-chan." Hinata beamed as she got the little peck on the cheek. "Why?"

There was a lot of weight to that simple word, and Hinata frowned, trying to decide where to start.

"Oh dear. What are you asking me, Hanabi-chan? Why I always lost to you? Why I never told you the truth? About Naruto-kun?" The little girl nodded, trying to hide a small sniffle. "I always lost so you could be clan heir, Hanabi-chan."

"But why?" The girl was crying now.

"Because I'm going to marry Naruto-kun and take his name." Hinata answered simply. "Because I love him."

"More than me?"

"No dear. But it's a different kind of love. And I have faith in you, Hanabi-chan." The brown-haired girl blushed as she stopped sniffling. "I have faith that you will do what neither me nor Okaa-san ever did. You will destroy this rift that's dividing our clan."

"Ok. I will, I promise Onee-chan." Hanabi wiped her eyes.

"Good. Now come with me, I want you to meet him." Hanabi nodded and took Hinata's offered hand.

"Onee-chan?"

"Yes Hanabi-chan?"

"What do 'rift' and 'dividing' mean?"

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Short, but it'll have to do. I'm done for today.