The Turning Point

Preliminaries Part 3

"Hinata and Neji Hyuga? Are they brother and sister?" Sakura asked Kakashi as Hayate prepared to start the match.

"In a matter of speaking they are but they're more like cousins than siblings. The Hyuga clan is an old and prestigious clan much like the Uchiha clan. Think of a tree, they are related in the same way a branch is related to the trunk" Kakashi explained but Naruto looked confused.

"Hinata belongs to the main household and is a direct decedent from the head of the clan. Neji's family is just a side branch of the clan. Although I'm not entirely sure of the source, I've heard there is bad blood between the two families. There were rules made by the main house that the branches broke" Lee added.

"When you're ready, you can begin" Hayate said in a monotone voice.

"Before this starts Hinata you should withdraw. You were never meant to be a ninja, much too kind and gentle for that. You never even wanted to take these exams but Shino and Kiba did so you entered, not wanting to let your teammates down" Neji said in a voice full of scorn.

"N-No, you're wrong. I did it because I wanted to see if I could change" Hinata replied, looking down in embarrassment.

I remember the day I took you under my wing. Your father didn't care what I did with you despite you being the first born and heir. He told me you were of less worth than your sister who is five years your junior and you heard every word he said. Well now is your chance to show them how far you've come, Kurenai thought.

"People can't change Hinata no matter how hard they try. You will always be the pampered child of the main household and a failure. I see it all with my Byakugan" Neji said arrogantly.

"Byakugan? That's the Hyuga clan's kekkei genkai right?" Sakura asked remembering her father speaking about it once.

"Correct, it's a visionary jutsu like Sasuke's sharingan. In fact they say the Uchiha clan's sharingan was derived from the Byakugan some time ago. But if you're just looking at sheer insight, the Byakugan is the stronger of the two" Kakashi elaborated.

Hinata stared at Neji in fear as he activated the rare jutsu and watched his cousin darkly.

"I know what you're thinking Hinata. You're picturing the past wondering if everything you've done has prepared you for this moment. You know the outcome of the fight already, you know you will lose" Neji declared, his Byakugan allowing him insight.

Naruto was becoming enraged, who was this guy anyway and where did he get the right to speak to Hinata like that? His hand curled around the ointment the shy girl had given him before and he squeezed it hard. Sakura noticed the anger in her teammate and couldn't fault him for it. Hinata was terrified before the fight had even started. Neji's words were attacking the most vulnerable parts of her mind and talking her out of participating.

"That does it! Who are you to tell her what she can and can't do! Come on Hinata! Show this guy he can't talk to you like this! Make him pay!" Naruto called out loudly.

You're right Naruto I won't run away. Not this time, Hinata thought as she began performing a quick series of hand signs.

"So, that's how it's going to be. If you don't forfeit the match it's your own fault if you get hurt" Neji said angrily noticing the determination in his cousin.

Naruto definitely has a way of firing people up but it seems especially effective on Hinata, Sakura thought.

"Byakugan!" Hinata yelled and activated the same jutsu as Neji. Stepping into a battle stance she focused on her target.

"Prepare to defend yourself cousin" Hinata said confidently.

"That stance it's not a normal fighting stance is it?" Sakura wondered aloud as she watched Hinata and Neji position themselves.