*REWRITTEN*

Author's Note:

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for the reviews! Especially to the person who sent the third review. It helped me improve a lot! I hope that those who have already read the original chapter will enjoy this rewritten version… I decided to rewrite the story to add more background story. The plot is basically the same, but with a lot more details. I've divided the first chapter into four parts, each published as an individual chapter.

The setting is feudal Japan during the Sengoku period. The Sengoku, or Warring States, period (1467~1573) started with a conflict between rival clans in Kyoto, after which there were a lot of battles in central Japan and the period ended with the unification of the country. It is followed by the Tokugawa period (a.k.a. Edo period).

I won't add dates in the story itself, because at that time the Japanese used to follow the lunisolar calendar system and the dates included the era name. To avoid confusion, I will include the time period for each chapter in the author's note.

In this story Hinata is born in 1560. By the end of the chapter, it is December 1575 and she just turned fifteen.

Gift Of Divination

First Omen

Born on a winter night, it was feared that the baby would not survive in this harsh season. Those born under the same conditions in the village downhill rarely did. And more often than not, the weakened mothers would succumb too. Moreover, falling ill during the long, bitter winter of northeastern Japan basically sealed one's fate. The sole reason that, a hundred years ago, the Hyuga clan had set out for the hilly and mountainous Michinoku region had been for its annual harvests of rice. At least, the family would not starve to death.

The drained young woman silently denied her family's pessimism. Her first child would live! And she would, too…

Right?

She had married almost as soon as nature had proclaimed her a woman; and her husband, Lord Hiashi, was merely a few years older than her. After hardly a year into their married life, nature had offered her a second gift. At sixteen, she had become a mother. But she knew some girls of her time who had wedded much earlier, the youngest ranging from eight to ten years old, with the goal to forge alliances between families. So, perhaps she had to deem herself lucky – she had enjoyed much more liberty than many others before her own wedding.

Her gaze shifted to the stone walls of the room in an attempt to reassure herself. Like the mountains surrounding the village, the strong walls of this castle would protect them – her baby, her husband, her family, herself. Or fail them once again. Painfully, the misfortune that had befallen her late sister-in-law pierced her memory, and her countenance faltered. Her sister-in-law had left behind a grief-stricken husband, Lord Hiashi's younger twin brother, as well as their newborn son. Right now, she noted as her eyes scanned the lantern-lit room, only Hizashi and little Neji were missing in the picture. It was already late into the night and the young father was resolute on staying by his son's side day in and day out.

As she sat in the middle of the room, in the flickering lantern light, she held the bundle of warmth closer to her chest. She had her own treasure to guard from harm's way. And as much as she longed to speak her mind on the upsetting topic concerning her child, her strict upbringing, her instinctive respect for her elders had sewn her mouth shut. The elders preferred her that way, anyway. Her silence might even have been the first trait they had appreciated about her person… and also her face, judging by the furtive glances or deliberate stares she had received during the marriage meeting. The young lady had learnt since moving into her new home that Lord Hiashi's family favored being heard rather than listening to others. If one wanted to remain on their good side, one should just smile politely and acquiesce to their every word. Weary of the current situation, she proceeded to gaze down at her baby's sleeping face. According to the midwives, it was normal for babies to fall asleep soon after birth due to exhaustion. Morning could not come any sooner. She was really looking forward to their first eye contact!

She was tempted to poke those tiny fists, caress those rosy cheeks. But she also worried that her firm hold would slacken, or that she might inadvertently perturb the baby's peaceful slumber. It felt so easy, in that precise moment, to tune out everything around her and focus solely on the small being in her arms. The expensive hanging scrolls, the fine china decorating each piece of furniture, her entire collection of jewelry – everything could just crumble and burn and she would not care. Cautiously, with the lightest touch possible, she pushed away the dark hair clinging to the baby's forehead. It felt so soft and warm under her trembling finger. She could feel a familiar prickling behind her eyes and took a deep breath. And a second one. Her emotions were seriously threatening to overflow.

Thank you, thought the mother, thank you for being born.

Seeing this bonding moment, Lord Hiashi promptly dismissed the midwives and the family elders – uncles, aunts, some older cousins – with ice-cold words and a harsh glare aimed at the latter. He would definitely pay for this behavior later, he deduced with an inward grimace, as he observed the affronted expressions of his other family members. However, it was worth it. His wife rarely displayed such kindness. Usually she acted indifferent, as though bored by the whole wide world, and veiled her emotions. Her barrier was finally down.

The young father ensured that everyone else was out and at a reasonable distance away before he approached the other two and knelt next to them. Gently, he brought up a hand and tucked a stray strand of raven hair behind his wife's ear. She was still somewhat disheveled after the painful delivery – it clearly showed in her tired eyes. His gaze trailed down her delicate face and fell on the soft smile gracing her lips. If only he could embrace her right about now.

"I love you," he said quietly.

His wife simply nodded – and dared not look up, feeling the dreaded damp warmth suddenly spill over her cheeks. She felt Hiashi start to play with her long hair – he always twirled it around his index and middle fingers whenever he did so. For some reason, this gesture made her smile – uncontrollably so.

It took her a while before she could get a grip on herself, and a little more before she managed to lift her head and meet his eyes. Her face was probably a total mess – Hiashi's eyebrows knitted ever-so-slightly.

And then she felt his strong hands cup her face tenderly.

And, for a fleeting moment, his soft lips on hers.

Entranced, her cheeks reddening by the millisecond, she whispered, "I love you too."

The ensuing quietness was pleasant; they listened to the whistle of the wind outside, watched the dancing light and shadows in the room. A certain numbness had settled in her body from maintaining the same posture, yet she paid it no heed. It would go away soon…

Still, the young lady could not help the grain of anxiety which had sprouted at the back of her mind. Truth be told, she knew the real reason behind the elders' attitude. After all, she had married the leader of the Hyuga clan, an aristocratic family; they were versed in the military arts and even passed down their own traditional fighting style. True, they had exiled themselves to the north, unwilling to meddle in the war raging in the capital, Kyoto. Apart from that specific detail, nothing else had changed – especially their ultra-traditional mind-set.

Thus, their expectations had been crushed to the ground, reduced to ashes. They needed a male heir to look after the future of the family and the castle. Not a mere girl.

But to the mother's eyes, this girl was the most beautiful child in the world. Like the warm sunlight after a snow storm. Yes… this child was not a burden – she was a blessing. When her husband brought up the discussion of the baby's name, she did not hesitate.

"Hinata! It will be Hinata. Please?"

The twinkle in her eyes piqued Hiashi's interest. Disappeared had the demure young lady he had wedded. Those round eyes were wide open, anticipating his reply. And that delicate chin seemed even more pointed than usual. He had a sudden urge to chuckle – her excitement was already spreading to him.

He placed a hand on their child's head and nodded. Tomorrow, the couple would announce her name to the rest of the family.

The young lady faintly recalled the moment when sleep captured her in its welcoming embrace. Before then, Hiashi had taken little Hinata with him into another room where, he had assured her, two chamber ladies would look after their baby. At ease, she had closed her eyes to the sound of soft footsteps fading in the distance.

The sun crept sluggishly over the eastward mountains, peeking through the gaps between the massive clouds. The weak sunrays were not enough to melt the thick layer of snow, but they would at least warm the villagers' bodies. Uphill, movement had already begun within the Hyuga castle. Quick yet quiet footsteps could be heard along each storey, except on the ground floor and the third one. The latter was the highest storey of the castle, and consequently the coldest during this time of the year. The residents barely went up there, except to fetch more covers on particularly chilly nights… or when the young lady wanted a bird's view of the surrounding forest. She always watched from a certain room, the only one which she had discovered did not feel as cold as the others. During the day it baked directly in the afternoon sun, and at night the lingering heat lasted for a while.

The second and first levels consisted of the clan's living quarters. Hizashi could often be sighted pacing up and down the hallways, a crying Neji in his arms. He told each alarmed maid he passed that he would be able to manage, thank you very much. However, he could not suppress his growing anxiety over his son's health. On various occasions Neji simply refused to feed and the wet nurse had to remain by his side, sometimes for a whole hour, until he finally gave in.

It was only during those feeding times that Hizashi could hurry downstairs to the ground floor, which held the family dojo, and supervise the villagers' training session in another, much larger room. On a regular basis, they were taught basic fighting skills. In return, the Hyuga received livestock and other favors from the village people. It was a fair business, they all agreed, for all sorts of predators lurked around the fields during the harvesting season.

Lastly, several feet underground lay the basement.

Three levels up, the elders had just come into Hinata's room for a short visit.

A horrified gasp and a muffled scream awakened the parents sleeping in the adjacent room. The young mother stirred, confused by the sudden commotion. Drowsily, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked to her side in time to see Hiashi get up hastily and rush outside. By then, animated talking could be heard next door, growing louder and louder by the second. It was not long before that cries followed – a baby's cries. As soon as he entered the crowded room, the young father wove his way towards the chamber lady and nearly snatched Hinata from her arms. He murmured consoling words to her, but his eyes never left the onlookers. How could they?

Feeling the familiar warmth envelop her, Hinata seemed to somewhat calm down.

"Out!" he ordered in a hushed tone, casting a severe look around. He was furious, to say the least.

"Her hair! Look at her hair!" protested one of his uncles, an elderly man with a constant frown darkening his features.

"This child is a bad omen!"

"A curse, I tell you!"

Skeptically, Lord Hiashi glanced at the baby. Had his whole family gone mad overnight? But his eyes widened almost instantly. The previous night, it had been too dark to notice – but now, he could see it clearly.

"What happened?" inquired a new voice. It was soft yet laced with worry. The young mother had just reached the room, holding a thick coat around her sleeping garment. Moreover, she noticed suspiciously, her arrival had reduced the ongoing hubbub to a ripple of murmurs. Disapproval and disgust were written across each of their faces. This family was seriously starting to sicken her.

But as soon as she spotted Hinata in her husband's arms, she dashed to their side. By the look on Hiashi's face, she knew that something was wrong. His lips were slightly parted, which was uncharacteristic of him. He usually walked around with a pursed mouth and focused eyes.

"Just now… she opened her eyes," he merely whispered. Intrigued, his wife looked down – and almost instantly understood his reaction. The three of them were soon surrounded by the curious elders. The low voices only seemed to intensify.

"This… This is surreal," breathed out the mother at last. A hesitant hand reached over and stroked the dark strands on Hinata's head. But they were not raven-black like the hair of the other Hyuga.

She had hair of the deepest blue, reminding her mother of the sky on a starlit night. Slowly, her trembling fingers came to hover above Hinata's eyes.

Hinata's pure white eyes.

"Is – is she… b – blind?"

She choked out the last word, concern and fear and an array of other emotions gripping her throat. Disbelief. Confusion. Shock. An underlying sense of guilt. But as she withdrew her hand, she saw those pupil-less irises follow the gesture. Her own dark eyes widened, momentarily mesmerized. Relief washed over her soul, and she allowed herself to lean in closer, slowly, so that she would not surprise Hinata.

For the first time, mother and child locked eyes.

Something swelled within the young lady, an uplifting feeling that wrapped around her heart and flowed to her entire body. She wanted to hold her baby tight and never, ever let go. But all she could manage was to place a careful hand over her daughter's tiny fists. Hinata looked ready to drift back to dreamland, her gaze shifting slowly from her mother to her father's face. In this crowded room, for a fleeting second, only Hinata saw those gentle eyes gazing quietly back at her. And there was this nice and warm feeling around her…

"I think she fell asleep," murmured the mother after a while. She glanced up at Hiashi, whose gaze was still fixed on their child. Unlike the bewildered look on those around them, he simply seemed… peaceful, at ease. The stern expression had flown out the window. Curious, his wife stared for a while. Had she missed something?

"Yes, I think so too," he said, almost inaudibly. Cautiously, making sure not to move too abruptly, he placed the sleeping baby in his wife's arms. Then, looking up, his countenance changed – the cool, calm and collected leader of the Hyuga clan was back. And that meant business – with the rest of his family, to be precise. In a clear, modulated voice, he spoke the following words:

"I, Hyuga Hiashi, leader of the Hyuga clan, declare that our daughter, Hinata, will be raised as future heiress to the Hyuga clan."

The elders could not believe what they had just heard. They followed Lord Hiashi out of the room, demanding a proper meeting in the main hall. Under all the pressure and due to family etiquette, he ultimately acceded. He knew, though, that they would try and coerce him into rethinking his statement. Those old men should not be underestimated.

Past the years of infancy, Hyuga Hinata was already ostracized by the majority of the family. Her name was never mentioned in casual discussions, except by her own parents and her uncle Hizashi. But even the latter seemed to avoid eye contact with his niece. Her pupil-less white eyes always made one uneasy. As for the servants, all were reticent to enter any room she was in. Hinata's parents were sensitive to each of these details. The mother, in an attempt to block out the overall unpleasant atmosphere, busied herself in educating her daughter. She was delighted to find out that this quiet child was quite the quick learner. The little girl looked out at the world with those big round eyes of hers, curiosity filling her innocent mind. By the second winter Hinata was waddling around, the sound of her laughter echoing, crystal clear, down the corridors.

"The flowers are in full bloom," said Hiashi's wife one evening, her eyes directed at the open window. They were sitting around a cup of tea in their room; Hinata was sound asleep in the adjacent room. "Shall I request a fresh bouquet?"

Hiashi's cup remained hanging halfway between the table and his parted lips: the light from the lantern overhead shone onto his tea like the sun over a calm lake. That was out of the blue – that did not make sense. Just this morning the chambermaids had renewed every floral arrangement in the couple's quarters.

What was she referring to?

From time to time, she did enjoy speaking in metaphors. It was mainly to probe topics which he displayed absolute disinterest in. Time seemed to flow in slow motion… or were his thoughts racing through his mind?

One second…

Two seconds…

Hiashi felt his jaws tighten painfully.

"I am not taking in a concubine," he hissed. A delicate pursing of lips from the woman before him. A distant, unfathomable look painting her features. But her eyes had stopped blinking, so he deduced that he had pinpointed the troubling matter. Realizing that, he let out an audible grunt. So far, the couple had abstained from producing a second child for fear of deteriorating the mother's health. Her first pregnancy and childbirth had pushed her frail body to its limits already. Repeating this procedure would most definitely seal her fate. Thinning hair, tired eyes and hollow cheeks – those alarming signs were merely the tip of the iceberg.

"A bruised fruit—"

"Please spare me the imagery," interrupted the clan leader, his mood spoiled for the night. He had set down his cup by now, sending miniature waves splashing against the porcelain. Both fell silent and dropped the conversation for that day.

Before they turned in for the night, she said absently, "You know, the flowers in Hinata's room are still fresh and fragrant." At least, his wife was back to normal speech. Nevertheless, he could not suppress an uneasy feeling at the back of his mind.

The third winter saw Hinata's steady, quick steps match her parents' slow pace. It was finally her third birthday and a special event had been organized in her honor. The clan leader entered the meeting hall with the rest of the Hyuga. Despite the absence of words, it was evident on their faces that everyone knew what was coming forth on this occasion. And nobody seemed overjoyed about it.

Hinata was officially declared as the future heiress of the Hyuga clan.

Evidently, the elders protested. It was unanimously agreed upon that Neji would make a more suitable successor; disdainful looks were shot without reserve at the tiny girl hiding behind her father's kimono. An intimidated Hinata looked about the room, trying to find some comfort in a familiar face. She did not like the way they all seemed to look down on her, like an ink stain spotted on the hem of a kimono sleeve. She had learnt to blend with the background, to leave no indication of her passage whenever possible: that way, she had noted, they looked less displeased than they usually did in her presence.

At last her gaze landed on her cousin Neji. He was an orphan, having lost his father in a bandit attack some months prior. The two had grown up together, she considered him more like an elder brother than a mere cousin. Right now he… had a strange expression, to say the least. But she was too young to pinpoint what emotions were stirring deep within his soul. She peered at her parents, wondering if she could go over to Neji's side and take him to play outside. Both bore serious expressions and never ceased to look straight ahead at the family elders.

For Hinata's parents, the pressure was becoming unbearable. Eventually they had no option left (for Lord Hiashi's wife showed no sign of improving health). The following summer, a new addition to their family was announced. For the first few months, Hiashi helplessly witnessed his weakening wife's morning sickness. The stubborn woman was also determined to walk, sit and lie down without constant assistance.

"Hinata is waiting for you," she had to remind her husband almost every morning. The young parents had arranged the topmost floor into future heiress' personal study and training place; only the three of them were allowed there, although the expecting mother rarely climbed all the way upstairs.

In spring their second daughter, Hyuga Hanabi, came to the world.

At that point, the rest of the clan lost all hope in this "incompetent" woman that was Lord Hiashi's wife. In their leader's absence, they shunned her and her newborn. In their minds they blamed her for bringing the curse that was Hinata, the Demon Child, into their noble lineage. Behind closed doors they speculated her ominous presence among them.

Still, the worst had yet to strike. The few weeks after Hanabi's birth resulted in a drastic deterioration for the mother. Her midwives had reported a considerable loss of blood to the anxious husband. He could barely sleep at night and simply watched her breathing become fainter, more labored by the day like a wilting blossom shedding petal after petal.

One cloudy morning, the young woman was found lifeless in bed.

The whole village attended the funeral and the people paid their respect to the noble lady. They lamented the loss of a gentle person, a kindhearted mother. Her own family had been informed of the tragedy and arrived in time for the cremation. They stayed at the castle for one more week, and the entire Hyuga family had to keep their guard up at all times. They feared for the possibility that one of their guests might inadvertently come across the white-eyed demon child. The shame! The rumours! Those would definitely ruin their business affairs.

During his in-law's stay, Lord Hiashi seized the opportunity to discuss his own concerns with his wife's family. Upon his request, an agreement was signed for their taking care of Hanabi's upbringing. They took her back with them to the warmer south, near the capital.

Hyuga Hanabi grew up with no memories of her parents, and unaware of her having an elder sister.

Hyuga Hinata was the only one of the two to bear witness for the fate that befell the Hyuga family. Territorial conflicts had always existed between the Hyuga and other neighboring clans. Since their exile to the north of Japan over a century ago, hunting had been one of their most problematic issues. Oftentimes, members of other clans would trespass into their hunting grounds and endanger the villagers foraging in the forest with their brutal hunting methods. Hidden traps and stray arrows were among the causes of casualties during the hunting season.

Ten years after the passing of Hiashi's wife, worse came to worst when a member of the Uchiha, another noble clan, was found dead by the river passing near the Hyuga castle. The wide river separated the Uchiha from the Hyuga, with solely a narrow stone bridge linking the two territories. Bruises resembling those inflicted by the Hyuga's fighting style were discovered all over the man's chest area. The peace treaty was thus broken between the two clans and a battle was declared.

Lord Hiashi's death came like a finishing blow. The sole barrier which stood between his daughter and the Hyuga had been taken down during a territorial conflict with another noble clan. His ashes were kept alongside his wife's in the castle basement. While all wept in the family and the village, merely a numb sensation gripped Hinata's mind at her father's passing. She was aware that she had to shed tears, at least to prove to the superstitious elders that she was more human than demon. Her efforts were to no avail. And without her father, she knew, deep down, that bad things would be coming her way.

"In his will Lord Hiashi states that, in the event of his untimely death, the leadership of the clan will be passed to the next candidate in the original line of succession. However, the next in line should have been his deceased brother Hizashi. And as Lord Hiashi did not have an heir… This implies that the following candidate in the initial line of succession is the son of Hyuga Hizashi, Hyuga Neji."

She was shown the entirety of her father's will as visual proof. However, such an outcome had been anticipated all along by the young lady. She stole a glance at her cousin, who was a year older than her. He was sitting on one side of the hall, while she faced the elders' representative. Neji looked impassive, although the ghost of a smile was playing at the corners of his lips. Over the years she had caught him staring at her for no reason, usually at meal times, but he was quick to avert his eyes. It made her extremely self-conscious of her own eyes, and she tilted her head downwards and let her straight fringe obscure, like a waterfall for a cave, those twin pearls.

Hinata was already fifteen now. Of marriageable age, one daresay. If one were to glance at Hinata tonight, one would see her as the spitting image of her late mother. Too bad the elders were planning on turning her into a shrine maiden. A pretend-to-be-blind shrine maiden.

"The m – mountain?" said Hinata incredulously, her voice as soft as a petal. The elders had summoned Hinata in the main hall for the very first time. They had decided to send her to the nearest shrine, which coincidentally happened to be quite far away. Their pathetic excuse of a reason was to "appease" the gods. She straightened her posture, trying to muster a firmer countenance. They were throwing her away like garbage… After all, she was considered a threat to their reputation. Hidden from view inside her loose kimono sleeves, her hands folded into tight fists. Evidently those old men would not even consider marriage as an option for me… they were most probably convinced that her strange hair color or her eyes would scare away any suitor.

"That is correct. With Lord Hiashi's passing a few months ago, the time has come for your cousin Neji, the firstborn of your generation, to succeed as leader of the Hyuga, as well as marry and ensure an heir. Therefore, we cannot afford your presence any longer."

"I – I see…," replied the young maiden, lowering her gaze to her lap. She clasped and unclasped her hands nervously. It was common practice to arrange a marriage between two clashing clans as treaty. And after the recent conflict, she was dreading that very consequence for her younger sister. "When shall I head out?"

"Tomorrow at dawn. Your escort arrived some time ago."

Hinata felt the strong urge to protest, to argue that she did not feel ready for a life of austerity and seclusion (at least, that was how she pictured a shrine maiden's lifestyle). Moreover, it was winter outside. But given her loss of position as future heiress that was none of their concern.

The meeting ended at that point and everyone was dismissed. Silent like a ghost Hinata wandered along the hallway. The other family members had gone in various directions, mainly downstairs for the afternoon training session. The servants easily recognized the shuffle of Hinata's kimono and scurried away, down side corridors and out of sight. The young lady had never grown habituated to this sort of inconsiderate behavior, but – she realized with a pang – she could complain about it to nobody. Heaving a quiet, exasperated sigh, she quickened her pace. Yet, hardly had she turned a corner that there was suddenly a hand on her shoulder.

"Neji-nii-san!" she said, obviously surprised, as she whirled around. She had also poised her body into a fighting stance and her left hand was at his throat whereas the other one was gripping the thumb which had touched her. Hinata immediately released her cousin and bowed apologetically. "I pray you forgive—"

"Worry not," cut in the dark-haired young man, even though he looked just as taken aback as his cousin. He was almost a head taller than her and eclipsed the lantern light completely from her pale irises. "I just wished to bid you farewell… personally." He looked to the side, trying to seem awkward and at a loss for words. But his eyes belied his overall countenance – after years of growing up together, Hinata could somewhat understand Neji simply by peering into his eyes. They were full of purpose, as if he were staring straight at an invisible target.

The young lady nodded, waiting for him to carry on. She assessed the fine silver embroidery adorning his kimono; the family crest was visible at the top of his long sleeve. Conscious of the attention that he was receiving, Neji folded his arms across his chest and quietly cleared his throat. He finally locked eyes with his cousin.

"Well, I wish you a safe trip… and I will pray for your good health, Lady Hinata."

"Thank you very much, Neji-nii-san. I shall pray for everyone… Also, I would like to give you my congratulations. I am certain that you will be an amazing leader for our clan." Hinata smiled gently. She knew in the way he spoke slowly that he was truly worried over her. Still, the memory of his hidden smile left her perplexed.

Obviously embarrassed, Neji muttered his thanks to her. The conversation naturally moved on to idle chitchat: Neji promised to visit her from time to time, especially during the festive periods. He also informed her of the elders' plan to invite prospective brides-to-be to the castle in the near future. The young lady nodded along, her gaze fixed on a painting hanging on the wooden wall. She was not particularly thrilled by such news – the idea of her closest friend and childhood playmate being snatched away by a complete stranger left her squeamish at best. Even Neji seemed to share her feelings to some extent… but the thought of making new acquaintances had brightened his gaze.

After a while, the two siblings parted ways – Hyuga Neji had a lot to catch up on after the new announcement.

When Hinata entered her private quarters, the first thought that struck her mind was whether she should cut her hair or not. Since birth, it had received minimal trimming. At present, it brushed the floor when she stood straight. She glimpsed her reflection in the mirror; two emotionless round eyes stared back at her. She truly resembled those porcelain dolls on display in the main hall – pretty but merely decorative. Pale and fragile. One careless move and they would come crashing to the ground.

Hinata had a dreamless sleep that night. The following morning came all too soon in her honest opinion. There was no merry chirping outside to accompany the brightening sky; the occasional cold breeze slithered into her room to shake her awake as she prepared herself for the day. She chose to wear a pastel colored kimono – it ranged from blue to lavender and bore floral patterns stitched in a darker thread. This traditional dress counted among her simplest garments. She twisted her long hair into a high bun and held it in place with a metal hair pin.

Her breakfast was served in her room itself where she hurriedly ate. While she had no wish to leave her home, she also could not bear being late.

Bits and pieces of the time she spent in her father's company spiraled through her mind. Hyuga Hiashi had concluded her training as future clan leader mere days before the fatal battle… so why had he written those words in his will? He was no longer here for her to ask for a proper explanation. Even if he were, Hinata knew that she would not dare question her father's intentions. She could still recall his comings and goings in the castle, always clad in his black-and-white kimono, with an eternal stern expression to complete the picture.

"I have to trust Father," she told herself quietly.

Since she had finished her meal quite fast, she took all the time in the world to walk down to the castle gate. Her luggage had already been carried downstairs to be loaded onto a cart from the shrine. When Hinata entered the courtyard the family elders as well as two persons – a woman and a boy who looked to be Hinata's age – were waiting by the castle gate. They introduced themselves as the shrine priestess, Yuhi Kurenai, and a servant boy named Inuzuka Kiba respectively. The future shrine maiden exchanged polite greetings with everyone. In the process, she discovered that Kiba had a snowy puppy hidden under his heavy coat (it barked and peeked at her upon hearing her approach).

"That's Akamaru, my puppy. He is saying hello," said Kiba to the supposedly blind Hinata. It was hard to keep her eyes blank and as unmoving as humanly possible, especially when such a cute little creature was yapping for attention under her very nose. She should have blindfolded herself before setting foot outside, she told herself as she nodded in the direction of Kiba's voice.

The first rays of sunlight had just appeared in-between the snow-coated hills, thus announcing Hinata's imminent departure. Activities had not yet begun in the village down below; all doors and windows were still tightly shut to keep the cold out. The courtyard was still plunged in the shadows: its high walls blocked out any incoming sunrays. Outside, the morning light had already reached the castle.

Finally, it was time to go. Hinata bid goodbye to her family and the servants. So far she had managed to tune out the sense of reality that threatened to overwhelm her at any moment. She had to act strong in front of those who were rejecting her – those who had always refused to acknowledge her very existence. Breaking down right now would only add to the satisfaction that she was sure they currently felt – none of their eyes held the slightest trace of sympathy. Right now, she did not belong among them.

But one thing was for sure. The disowned Hyuga was taking all the family secrets with her. This little piece of knowledge was enough for her to raise her chin high; it gave way to a nasty feeling of arrogance that she transformed into a lifeline. And so she turned her back on them, on the castle… on the past.

Looking straight ahead, Hinata stepped into the sun.