chapter 19~ part 2
---Rewritten--
Chapter- Hinata's inner turmoil (A poitic Chapter)
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In the Hyuga estate.
Hinata stirred from her sleep, her surroundings gradually coming into focus. She found herself in her familiar room. "Was it all just a dream?" The memory of Naruto drawing close to her, his presence steadying her just as she began to falter, flooded her thoughts.
"He recognized my emotions. Even within dreams, his acceptance filled me with joy," she mused softly, her hand instinctively seeking solace over her heart.
.
Her heartbeat raced, its rhythm rapid and unsteady. She took a deliberate breath, willing herself to calm her racing pulse.
"If that was truly a dream, it felt so good, but it would be better if this became real" She covered her face with her hands, as she was lost in her imagination.
A rosy blush crept across her cheeks as she remembered about his words, "my queen," echoing in her mind. 'was it dream or real,'
'why did everything start to become like this,'
These words seemed etched into his subconscious, a testament to the impact of their shared dream. His handsome face materialized before her, the memory of him approaching, carrying her in his arms.
"This is so good," Hinata murmured to herself, her thoughts running wild about her and Naruto holding hands and doing more things...
"ahhh..." she covered her face with a pillow in embarrassment.
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*Knock* knock*
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A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts. Swiftly rising from her bed, Hinata made her way to the entrance and gently pulled it open.
There stood her father, his expression stern and unyielding as his gaze rested upon her.
"Father," she addressed him, her voice a cautious murmur as she lowered her gaze respectfully.
"You have brought shame upon our clan, you are a disgrace" Hiashi's voice resonated with anger, his eyes filled with intense displeasure.
.
This was unpredictable.
.
Hinata involuntarily flinched as her father's words struck her, leaving her bewildered and hurt. She was uncertain of what she had done wrong. She was aware that she didn't excel in clan matters like her sister or her cousin Neji, but being subjected to such harsh criticism by her own father was a heavy blow.
His expression of disappointment seemed to etch her as a failure in his eyes.
This feeling of humiliation wasn't new to her, it was a sentiment mirrored by her sister's glances whenever they crossed paths or practiced together.
They both regarded her with an air of superiority as if she were somehow lesser. This extended beyond her family, encompassing her entire clan.
The collective gaze of her father, her sister, and the clan as a whole seemed to regard her as an inferior entity. The ache in her heart was tangible, a constant reminder of her perceived shortcomings.
Deep within, Hinata held a desire for change. She wanted to transform her clan's age-old traditions, particularly the mark of the curse that had hung over them for generations.
This yearning was silent but powerful within her but now in times like this, she felt if she was the wrong one here.
.
The elders of her clan gazed upon her with a mixture of sympathy and condescension, their expressions laden with pity. Hinata persisted in her efforts to better herself, tirelessly pushing her limits.
She understood that she often fell short when pitted against her sister, but perhaps it was her way of shielding her sister from any scorn that might be directed her way.
Hinata willingly accepted defeat if it meant preserving her sister's dignity. However, her sacrifices had seemingly yielded nothing in return; her own clan now saw her as nothing more than a disappointment.
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'why has everything changed, Hanabi wasn't like this, she always loved me, but why... why did she not remain the same..."
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As she reflected on her encounter with Naruto earlier that day, her determination surged within her like a burning ember.
It was as if this meeting had ignited a newfound resolution within her. With these thoughts fueling her, she tightened her fist, a silent promise to herself forming in the midst of her clenched determination.
Her father's gaze remained fixed upon her, unyielding in its intensity. "Your teammate had to bring you here in an unconscious state," he began, his voice carrying a tone of disappointment.
"Once more, you've exposed your vulnerability to outsiders. Have you considered the image you're portraying of our clan?" Hiashi's words were accompanied by a downward glance, the weight of his concern palpable in the air.
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"It wasn't just a dream," Hinata's countenance underwent a remarkable shift. A rare surge of happiness flooded her heart, momentarily eclipsing all other thoughts and concerns.
.
In that fleeting moment, nothing else mattered to her, she was happy that everything happened today was not the dream but it was real.
However, the joy was short-lived as her father's voice broke through her reverie.
"Today, the clan elders are holding a meeting, and your presence is demanded," Hiashi's words were delivered with an unmistakable chill in his tone.
A shiver ran down Hinata's spine in response to her father's stern voice. The mention of the upcoming clan meeting stirred a mix of emotions within her.
She had never participated in any clan gathering before, so the question echoed in her mind: why now? What could be the reason for this sudden summons?
Hinata's thoughts swirled with uncertainty as she tried to anticipate the purpose behind her unprecedented inclusion in the meeting.
"In 30 minutes come to the clan meeting" Hiashi spook, and disappeared from her sight.
Deep in thought, Hinata's expression grew contemplative, clouded by a sense of foreboding.
An inexplicable unease gnawed at her, casting a shadow over her anticipation of the upcoming meet.
Mixed emotions swirled within her as if she were caught in a tempestuous internal struggle.
On one hand, she clung to the newfound happiness of finally receiving recognition from the one she held most dear. The acknowledgment of her feelings had been a revelation, a bright glimmer in the midst of her turmoil.
However, the contrasting reality of her clan's treatment loomed heavily.
From willingly conceding victories to her sister in training sessions to appease her father, to enduring the disdainful glances of branch members, Hinata's sacrifices were evident.
Her very efforts to shield her sister from scorn seemed to perpetuate her own subjugation.
Memories surfaced of the days following her mother's passing, revealing the stark truth that she had navigated those moments alone, without anyone's support.
The contrast between the genuine affection she felt for him and the gazes she felt from everyone, were too different, she didn't want these gazes filled with pitty and distance, disappointment. She wanted to feel how Naruto looked at her, even if it was for a moment before her fainting, but she wanted this.
Today's meeting had been a catalyst, a moment of profound transformation. The stark contrast between the love-laden gaze he had bestowed upon her and the disdainful glances she was accustomed to shattered something within her, a hidden reservoir of darkness she hadn't recognized before.
Gradually, a subtle shift in her chakra occurred, the familiar blue hue darkening to an unsettling shade of black.
As she mulled over the memories of derision and neglect, an intense wave of frustration and anger surged within her.
She pounded her fist against the wall, the sound of impact mingling with the crackling of the fractured surface.
It marked the first time she had allowed her anger to surface, an outpouring of pent-up emotions.
"Why is everyone's gaze so tainted? Why can't Father understand me? Why has my sister grown so arrogant that she forgot our bond as sisters? Why? Why doesn't anyone extend their hand to me?" she cried out in a mix of sadness and rage, the weight of her questions echoing through the empty room.
A warm smile graced her thoughts, as his smiling face surfaced in her mind's eye.
In response, a small tear escaped her eye, tracing a glistening path down her cheek. "Will you continue to look at me with the same tenderness you showed today? Can you love me as much I love you?" Her voice, filled with vulnerability, was a whisper meant only for herself.
'yes, I want him, he is the only one....'
More tears welled up and cascaded down her cheeks, each drop containing her complex emotions.
Amidst this emotional turmoil, a physical pain began to throb in her chest. She clutched at her heart with both hands, a desperate attempt to contain the ache.
Taking a deep breath, she started to regain control over her feelings. She wiped away the traces of her tears, her reddened eyes betraying the depth of her inner turmoil.
In the midst of her tears and internal struggle, she knew the reality.
she felt alone again, the room felt cold to her.
Her deepest yearning was to be cherished and acknowledged by those around her. Yet, her experiences had steered her toward darkness, extinguishing any semblance of hope.
In her own solitude, she found herself grappling with the weight of her emotions.
With no one to confide in, no source of solace, she was left to face the depths of her despair alone.
It was a poignant reminder of the darkness that had gradually consumed her heart, a darkness she had borne in silence, aching for a glimmer of light.
However, amidst the suffocating darkness that surrounded her heart, a glimmer of light began to emerge—his presence illuminated her thoughts like a beacon of hope.
The notion of escaping the encroaching darkness, of reaching out for that radiant light, grew stronger within her. As she took hesitant steps toward the warmth of that light, a familiar figure materialized before her.
It was him, the boy she had always held affection for. His vibrant red hair danced in the wind, his smile a comforting reassurance. At that moment, she felt as though her yearning had taken form, a tangible manifestation of her deepest desires.
He reached out his hand, and without hesitation, she grasped it.
With a gentle pull, he drew her away from the shadows that had consumed her. As his arms enveloped her in a comforting embrace, his words resonated within her, a voice that seemed to echo from the depths of her heart.
"You are not alone in this darkness. I have always been here with you, deep within your heart. You've known that, haven't you?"
The voice carried a sense of familiarity as if she had heard it many times.
It was a powerful reminder that even in the bleakest moments, the connection she had always yearned for existed within her, waiting to be acknowledged and embraced.
Within his embrace, Hinata found herself releasing the floodgates of her emotions. "Yes, you've always been with me. You have always been in my heart as my guiding light through this darkness," she confessed.
her voice a fragile echo of her feelings. "hey! don't cry, you look beautiful when you smile. just like today smile, smile for me..."
He spoke with a gentle authority, urging her to rise from the embrace and face the world outside.
His words resonated within her, the familiarity of his presence emboldening her. With a nod, she acknowledged his guidance, knowing that she carried his support within her heart, a source of strength to face whatever lay ahead.
Gradually, the figure within her embrace began to dissipate, his form fading like a wisp of smoke.
Only his crimson eyes and the memory of his gentle smile remained, etched in her mind.
As the last traces of his presence dissolved into the air, leaving behind an emptiness, she gazed at the now vacant space before her.
The sense of connection and comfort he had provided lingered, a bittersweet reminder that even in her solitude, she had the strength to face the darkness with the memory of his presence by her side.
[AN~ how do you like the chapter tell me in the comments,
ready for the next chapter.
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