Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did, Sasuke and Naruto would definitely get some action as more than just friends. *wink* *wink*

Hi, again! Happy Holidays! I'm sorry I haven't updated for a loooooooong while, but it's here now. This chapter was a little difficult to write, so I hope you still like it. Just a heads up, this chapter is a bit sad.

Please r&r! I love to hear your constructive criticism, so make sure to give me lots of it. Compliments would be nice too :3

I also want to hear what you guys think the dream is about!

Ok, without further ado, here's chapter seven:

"Close friends are truly life's treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone."

― Vincent Van Gogh

Hanabi, her heart thumping in her ears, lay sprawled out on the sheets of her bed. The beating of her heart screamed in the silence as she lay there for a moment longer with her head in her pillow.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Hanabi's eyes shot open. She gathered her surroundings. Sitting up to peer out her window, she could guess it was about five-thirty in the morning. Way too early to be up on a weekend, in Hanabi's opinion. It wouldn't get her anywhere, she knew, but Hanabi rested her head back down on her pillow, wanting to at least attempt falling back to sleep. She could feel her sweat rub off on the soft fabric.

For the past week, right after Shrey and Hanabi's mock spar, Hanabi began having this strange reoccurring dream. But every single time she awakened from her dream-riddled slumber, she could not for the life of her remember the dream. It greatly frustrated Hanabi that she could not do something as simple as recalling a dream no matter how hard she tried to force her noggin to remember.

Closing her eyes, Hanabi tried to fall back to sleep even though she knew the outcome would almost certainly be the same as always. Nonetheless, she tried to find a comfortable position. First, on her stomach with her hand under her pillow. 'This is good. I'll definitely fall asleep now.' Hanabi thought, trying to convince herself. But, as always, Hanabi couldn't seem to stop running the last part of the dream through her head. That being the only part she remembered.

'What does it mean?'

For the past week, she asked herself the same question every night. Ever since she started having this cursed dream.

When Hanabi was much younger, from time to time she couldn't fall asleep. When that happened, she would go to Hinata's room and sleep with her for the night. Hinata never complained when Hanabi showed up in her room very late at night or early in the morning. There was something about knowing Hinata was there to protect her that let Hanabi forget all her worries and sleep soundly. It was like she had her own guardian angel to watch over her as she slept, making sure no harm would come to her. The thought comforted Hanabi.

Although, she wouldn't be able to do that now. Hinata had been gone for the past week for the chunin exams. According to Natsu, it was some sort of survival test in a place called The Forest of Death—a name that made a shiver run down Hanabi's spine upon hearing it. Though even if Hinata was here, Hanabi doubted she would seek solace from her. Their relationship was too complicated. At the moment they were on good terms with each other, but it wasn't like before their...fight. Their relationship had broken and been put back together, but it wasn't the same as before. And Hanabi wasn't sure if it ever would be.

But that didn't matter now. All that mattered was Hanabi would become the leader of the Hyuga. She would follow her destiny. And she couldn't let trivial things such as her fragmented relationship with her sister come between her and her fate.

'It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.'

Hanabi tried to ignore the feeling of her heart breaking into more pieces.

Soon, Hanabi felt the urge to curl up on her side. At first, she resisted, knowing switching positions would do her no good and would only wake her up more. But after a moment or two, she caved to the request of her body, turning on her side. More moments passed before Hanabi grew uncomfortable again. She mentally groaned, knowing this was how the rest of the early morning would go.

Hanabi, after tossing and turning for hours, finally decided to get out of bed. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Sighing, she gently placed her small feet on the cold wooden floor. It was going to be a long day.

The floor creaked under Hanabi as she made her way from her room to the kitchen. Opening the door to the kitchen, which also creaked, Hanabi found a small table with four chairs seated next to it, a fridge, pantry, and countertop staring back at her. Everything sparkly clean, as always. She preferred to eat in the small kitchen, rather than the vastness that was the dining room.

When Hanabi was younger, she would have breakfast with the side branches of the clan along with Natsu in the dining room. Those were the good days. Everyone was chatting with each other and joking around. And Natsu would always include her in the conversation she was having. Hanabi much preferred the loud and happy breakfasts to the cold and uncomfortable dinners she was forced to have with the head family.

But it all ended one day. A day that stood out from the others. Hanabi clearly remembered it despite the fact that she scarcely remembered much else at that age.

The day was the first of many to remind her that she would be forever alone.

Panting, Hanabi sat down at the head of the table, where she usually sat, after Natsu pulled the chair out for her. She happened to have overslept that morning and rushed to get to breakfast before all the food was gone. Hanabi didn't notice the room grow quiet when she arrived.

Hanabi smiled sheepishly at Natsu as a way to apologize for her tardiness. Natsu just smiled sweetly back as if to say none of that mattered. Hanabi's heart warmed, thinking that Natsu was too good to her.

Then, Natsu turned her head to continue her conversation with the lady next to her. Immediately, people started going back to their conversations, which Hanabi, of course, didn't notice. No one ever talked to Hanabi. Though, she didn't mind. And Natsu, considerate as she was, always tried to include Hanabi in her own conversation. But, truthfully, Hanabi was content with listening to the others converse. Seeing the happy faces of others while they shared tales from their missions made Hanabi herself happy.

"So, Hanabi," Natsu began, "I was just saying how this winter is the harshest winter The Hidden Leaf Village has ever had. It has even snowed all of this week. Isn't that amaz—"

"Oh, cut it out already!" a lady sitting at the other end of the table interrupted. Silence fell once again. "We all know what happened last night—we're all thinking it!"

"That's enough, Harue," Natsu warned with a glare in her direction.

"No, I don't think it is! Last night, the Head Family moved the age of branding children with the caged bird up two years. Our own children suffer while she," pointing an accusing finger at Hanabi who watched the scene scared and bewildered, "sits here unscathed with the world at her feet! My child..." She let out a strangled sob.

Regaining her composure, she continued with her rant. "We suffer while she sits here acting as though everything is fine! Well, it's not fine! Nothing is fine!"

"Harue, she is only a child. Stop this madness." Natsu argued.

"When will you finally see, Natsu. She is one of them. She is the problem." Her voice dripped with venom. All of it aimed at Hanabi.

Hanabi sat still, taking it all in. It seemed as though the world was closing in on her. She didn't miss the whispers and the mutters of how,

"She's a spoiled brat,"

"She's a she-devil,"

"She's just like them,"

The words swirled around in her mind, faster and faster until everyone seemed to be screaming at her. For being ignorant. For not being better. For being born into the main branch family. Darkness engulfed her.

After that, Natsu told her it would be easier if she ate on her own because of her tendency to wake up later than the rest and Natsu having to go wake her up. It was kind of Natsu to tell her that lie, but Hanabi knew the truth. She was not wanted there.

The first day she ate without them, when she had gotten to the dining room, it was silent and deserted. She sat at the head of the table like usual. But this time, there were no people conversing. And no Natsu to include her in conversation. She sat there alone. Complete silence, albeit for the occasional clinking of her spoon against her bowl. From then on, Hanabi ate in the kitchen, realizing that staring at dozens of empty seats in the morning would not be good for her health.

Even at that age, Hanabi knew. She knew. She was born an outcast.

Hanabi shook her head, trying to rid herself of her dark thoughts. But the word outcast lingered in her mind. She was born an outcast to a clan she was now supposed to protect. How ironic was that? Hanabi chuckled humorlessly to herself. But this was the way it had to be. And Hanabi would protect the Hyuga no matter what. It was her fate.

Hanabi chose to ignore the sharp pain in her heart. There was no point in thinking about this. This was just another weakness she needed to forget, so she could be strong. Because she couldn't afford not to be. For the Hyuga, she had to be strong.

'It doesn't matter It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.'

Hanabi stabbed her cereal, not having much of an appetite anymore. Still, breakfast was an important part of the day, so Hanabi reluctantly finished the rest. After washing her bowl and putting it away, Hanabi wondered how she should spend her time. After all, it wasn't often she was given the day off from training with her father.

Stepping outside, Hanabi took in the view of the Hyuga compound. With the sun shining down from the clear sky, the trees swaying in the breeze, and no one bustling around, the Hyuga compound looked serene. Some might even say beautiful. But not to Hanabi. All she could see was bad memories taking place here. No, not beautiful. Not at all.

She ambled back to her room, quickly changing into her training clothes and slipping on her sandals. As she stepped out of the Hyuga compound, she heard a familiar voice call from behind her,

"Lady Hanabi, where are you going?" Hanabi turned around to find Natsu gazing at her questioningly.

"Just out to train for a bit. Don't worry, I'll be back soon," Hanabi reassured her.

Natsu looked unconvinced. However, she replied, "Of course. Just be careful." Hanabi nodded in agreement, which Natsu seemed to content herself with as she smiled and said, "Well, then have fun," and continued with carrying the laundry to be washed.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Hanabi continued to her special training spot. As time passed, it looked as though Natsu was getting more concerned with the amount of time Hanabi spent training. Hanabi could tell from how she not-so-subtly displayed this displeasure. Like the other day, when Natsu was informing her about the chunin exams. It felt like she was trying to convince Hanabi to take it easy.

But Hanabi didn't have time to take it easy. She needed to get stronger. Much stronger in order to fulfill her destiny. She couldn't afford to be weak. There was no time or reason to think of things that would only bring her down. She couldn't let stuff like this bring her down.

Without realizing it, Hanabi had already reached her destination.

She lifted her fist to punch the tree.

The image of her sister on the ground after their spar flashed across her mind.

'It doesn't matter.'

Next came the image of the lady, who was part of the branch family, yelling at Hanabi.

'It. Doesn't. Matter.'

Finally, the image of shadows of figures surrounding her, engulfing her, telling her to be better, do better. Trying to make her into this perfect image of what she had to be because that's what everyone expected of her.

'It. Doesn't. Matter!'

A moment passed before a soft crack sounded. Hanabi kept her forehead laid against the tree. Her forearms resting above her, parallel to each other. Her hands in fists as if trying to keep up the facade of strength.

Why couldn't she just be better? Why did she have to...to be the way she was? What was the point of her being the Hyuga heiress?

'Why was I chosen to be the heiress? I'm not strong enough.'

Hanabi could feel the tears coming. Her whole face was warm, and there was a lump in her throat as if trying to prevent the inevitable. She wanted to curl up in a ball of pain.

She could hear the back of her mind whisper, 'it's too much.'

But she pushed the thought away. She couldn't succumb to these wants. She couldn't waste time on tears. That only showed weakness. And Hanabi wasn't weak. She had to stay stro—

Without warning, she was flooded with warmth when she felt two arms wrap around her body and a head laid against her back in some sort of embrace.

Hanabi's eyes widened.

"You can cry," a voice mumbled against her back. "You can cry now." Right away, Hanabi recognized Shrey's voice.

For so long Hanabi had to keep these feelings in the dark. Pretend like nothing was wrong. Stay strong because that's what she always had to be. It was like as soon as Shrey said those words, something snapped in Hanabi. Everything she had bottled up to this moment—she could finally let go of it.

"I know it hurts," he whispered, "but I'm here with you now. You're not alone anymore."

Hanabi turned around, unwilling to look Shrey in the eye, and wrapped her arms around his body. He held her tightly as she trembled, crying into his shirt. No sound was emitting from her as she silently shook.

"It's ok," Shrey murmured, "I'm here."

After a while, Hanabi ran out of tears to cry. She no longer shook, but Shrey still held on tight to her. As if the moment he let go Hanabi would fall back into the darkness. But Hanabi wouldn't let that happen. Shrey had given her strength. She knew she was no longer alone in this darkness.

After what seemed like an eternity, Hanabi slowly detangled herself from Shrey's hold.

Hanabi's pale puffy eyes met Shrey's bright turquoise ones. They stared at each other without speaking a moment longer.

Hanabi glanced down and opened her mouth to speak, only to be beaten to the punch by Shrey.

"It's ok. I get it. You don't have to say anything." Shrey reassured.

Hanabi gave a soft smile to show she was grateful. Shrey's eye's widened slightly then went back to normal, which went unnoticed by Hanabi. He smiled widely in return.

"So...you wanna train together today?" Shrey asked cheerily. Suddenly, the dark and dreary mood from before was lifted.

"Sure, but don't blame me when you get your butt kicked," Hanabi teased happily.

"We'll see about who's gonna get their butt kicked." Shrey responded in the same manner.

"And, Shrey," He blinked at her, "thank you." her face was hidden by her hair, and her cheeks were tinted a rosy pink.

"Of course! That's what friends are for, right!" Shrey confidently stated.

And with that out of the way, they got into their fighting stances. Shrey lunged at Hanabi, aiming a punch to her gut. Hanabi swiftly deflected the attack and launched her own. A foot aimed to his face. Shrey jumped back to avoid it. He tried to uppercut, but Hanabi narrowly dodged it. This went on for ten or fifteen minutes until they both had their hands on their knees, panting.

Then, once they had both recovered, which had taken a little longer because of Hanabi to her embarrassment, they continued to spar against each other.

The sun was beginning to set, making the sky turn a pinkish-orange color when they had just finished their fifth or sixth match (they had lost track at this point).

"Another," Shrey paused to breathe, "round?"

"Why not? But you sure you can handle another defeat?" Hanabi responded.

"I'm sorry, who's the one being defeated?" Shrey mockingly put his hand to his ear.

But before they could begin their next match, a voice called out, "Lady Hanabi, there's terrible news!" Hanabi turned her attention to an out of breath Natsu.

Natsu eyed Shrey questioningly.

'Looks like she's made friends. That's good, I was starting to get worried. I hope he's a good friend to Hanabi. I wonder what clan he's from, or if he's a civillian,' Natsu thought, trying to get a better look at him.

But Shrey had already started walking away.

"Bye, Hanabi. See you around." He called back, without turning around.

"Yeah, see you," Hanabi responded cheerfully.

"Lady Hanabi," Natsu said. Hanabi quickly turned to face her, as if she had forgotten Natsu had been there. "We have to get going. Your sister is waiting for us."

Hanabi had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"She should have expected this outcome if she chose to go up against Neji," Grandfather stated in a monotone voice.

The gears slowly turned in Hanabi's head. She must have battled Neji, and that's what put her in this poor state.

'Elder Sister Hinata...'

"Why didn't you just withdraw?" Hanabi asked Hinata, perplexed.

"I couldn't do that. I'm quite aware of exactly what I am, you know. An indecisive failure. I know that I can change, watching Naruto makes me think so," Hinata asserted.

'Naruto,'

Hanabi thought back to the few times she had run-ins with him. That time when she saw him getting yelled at in the street by the shopkeeper. Or when she followed Elder Sister to discover her watching Naruto train. There was something about him that it seemed Hinata was drawn to. Though, Hanabi couldn't understand it.

"I never will go back on my word, because that is my ninja way," Hinata declared.

Hanabi remained silent.

Hanabi left the Hospital confused and doubtful.

Hanabi didn't get it. How was it Elder Sister Hinata believed she could change her fate? And because of that Naruto boy? There was something about Hinata that was different, Hanabi decided. She thought back to their conversation in the Hospital room. Ah, that's it. This was the first time she had seen Hinata with that much determination.

'Yeah, something about the look in her eyes,' Hanabi thought, suddenly remembering something. 'I remember seeing that look in her eyes before...That time I saw her training! But back then, that look quickly went away. It seems this time she is really confident. Can she really change her fate...?' Hanabi shook her head abruptly.

'What am I thinking?! Of course she can't change her fate. Impossible. Nonsense. Absolutely...stupid.' Hanabi puffed out her cheeks.

Hanabi didn't understand her elder sister's way of thinking. Didn't she see what happened to her when she went up against Neji? Wasn't that proof enough that she couldn't change her fate? Hanabi nodded her head. Yes, there was no way one could change their fate. There was no doubt in Hanabi's mind.

Glancing around, she noticed it was already dark out. She decided she would head straight home and go to bed after grabbing a quick bite to eat. It had been a long day, after all.

Standing outside the doors leading to the private quarters of lower branch members, Hanabi stood peeking in through the crack between the doors. In the center of the room, two tall figures that Hanabi only recognized from bowing to her in the hallways were speaking in hushed voices. She felt herself lean in closer, trying to hear what they were saying more clearly.

"—They completely threw him out."

"Who would have thought that's what would come of two prodigies."

"What do you think they will do now?"

"Try again, I guess."

"So much for them taking the lead."

"Yeah, the Takashima's have it rough."

'The Takashima's, huh' Hanabi thought, quite curious at this point as to what they were talking about. Feeling she had heard enough, she was tired, after all, she backed away from the room. Though, in the process, she tripped, landing on her butt, making a small 'thump'

"What was that?"

"Shit, we're not supposed to be talking about this."

"Don't worry, I'm checking it out."

Scrambling to get up, Hanabi scurried back to the safety of her room just as the door to the room was being pulled open.

Hanabi, her heart thumping in her ears, lay sprawled out on the sheets of her bed. The beating of her heart screamed in the silence as she lay there for a moment longer with her head in her pillow.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Natsu poked her head in. "Hi, Lady Hanabi. I was just coming to say goodnight." Natsu smiled comfortingly at Hanabi.

"Goodnight." Hanabi squeaked.

Natsu silently closed the door behind her.

Hanabi woke up in a sweat. This time when she woke up, she clearly remembered what was in her dream. Not only that, but one word in the dream caught all of her attention.