Bound by Kindness

Hinata stood silently in front of her dresser, her pale, lavender-tinted eyes gazing at her reflection in the mirror. The soft morning light filtered through the paper screens of her room, casting a gentle glow on her figure. Her hand hovered over the glass, tracing the faint outline of her face as if searching for something familiar.

The fluffy jacket she wore was comforting in its oversized embrace, concealing her budding figure beneath its folds. Beneath it, she had opted for cargo-style pants reminiscent of an ANBU's attire—practical and loose, a deliberate choice to mask the curves she had developed over the past year. A kunai holster rested snugly against her thigh, its weight a reassuring constant.

Her long, midnight-blue hair cascaded down her back, reaching her waist. It was far longer than the Hinata she remembered from the anime of her past life—Hinata Hyuga at twelve had been timid, frail, and utterly unremarkable. The thought made her lips press into a thin line.

Her eyes dropped to her reflection's chest, where the jacket's fabric puffed slightly. She shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks warming. Puberty had been cruelly swift, carving out a body that didn't feel like hers—a body she wasn't ready to accept.

Breasts, hips, thighs... It was all too much. It wasn't fair. She had lived as a man for so many years before awakening here, and sometimes, the sheer dissonance of it all left her breathless. The memories of her past life were like a persistent whisper, reminding her of who she had been. Now, every glance in the mirror seemed to mock that identity.

She shook her head and straightened her shoulders, willing the thoughts away. This was her life now, and it didn't matter if she felt like an imposter. She was Hyuga Hinata, heir to the Hyuga clan, and today marked her graduation as a genin.

A soft knock at the door broke her reverie.

"Hinata-hime," a familiar voice called. "Are you ready? The academy awaits."

The door slid open slightly to reveal Ko Hyuga, his posture as impeccable as ever. His forehead protector gleamed faintly in the light, though it couldn't hide the faint scar at its edge—a mark of his years of service and loyalty.

Hinata turned to him, offering a small, shy smile. "Yes, Ko-san. I'm ready."

Ko stepped inside, his presence steady and calming, as it always was. Though a member of the branch family, he had been her protector for as long as she could remember, assigned to her following the Hyuga Affair.

His sharp, pale eyes softened as they swept over her. "You look composed, as always, Hinata-hime."

Her cheeks flushed again at the honorific. She had long since given up trying to make him drop it. "Thank you," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Ko stepped aside, gesturing toward the hallway. "Let's not keep your classmates waiting. Today is an important milestone."

Ko stepped aside, gesturing toward the hallway. "Let's not keep your classmates waiting. Today is an important milestone."

Hinata nodded, sparing her reflection one last glance before stepping out into the quiet corridor. The rhythmic tap of their footsteps on the polished wooden floor filled the silence as they walked side by side through the sprawling Hyuga compound.

"Hinata-hime," Ko began after a moment, his tone measured yet warm. "It's not often that I get to accompany you like this. Usually, you're rushing ahead or lost in your thoughts."

Hinata glanced up at him, her lips curving into a faint smile. "I suppose today is different," she admitted softly. "Graduation feels... surreal."

Ko nodded, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings before returning to her. "It should. You've worked hard to reach this point. Becoming a genin is no small feat, especially for someone of your standing."

His words carried a weight that made Hinata's chest tighten. "My standing," she echoed quietly. "The clan's expectations."

Ko regarded her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You carry a great name, it's true. But that name doesn't define you, Hinata-hime. Your actions do. And if today is proof of anything, it's that you're more than capable of forging your own path."

Hinata looked away, her hands clasping nervously in front of her. "I'm not sure the elders would agree with you, Ko-san."

"They're not the ones graduating today," he replied firmly, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You are."

Her eyes flicked back to him, startled by the uncharacteristic levity in his voice. "Ko-san, you're usually so serious," she teased lightly, unable to hide her amusement.

He chuckled softly, the sound rare but genuine. "A habit of being your protector, I suppose. But today is a day for celebration, not worry."

They turned a corner, the compound's meticulously groomed gardens giving way to the bustling streets of Konoha. The faint hum of morning activity reached their ears—the chatter of merchants setting up stalls, the laughter of children darting between adults, and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.

Ko's demeanor shifted slightly as they stepped outside the safety of the Hyuga estate. His posture became more alert, his eyes scanning the surroundings with the practiced ease of a seasoned shinobi. "Hinata-hime," he said after a moment, his voice quieter. "A word of advice for today."

She tilted her head, waiting.

"Don't let anyone's assumptions about who you are define what you can achieve," he said, his gaze fixed ahead. "You've already proven yourself capable. The rest will come in time."

Hinata absorbed his words, her heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Ko-san. I'll do my best."

"I know you will," he replied simply, his expression softening. "You always have."

The academy came into view as they rounded the final corner. The building loomed ahead, its iconic structure a symbol of beginnings and possibilities. The courtyard was already teeming with students and parents, the air buzzing with excitement.

Ko slowed his pace as they approached the gate. "I'll leave you here," he said, stopping to bow slightly. "Today is yours, Hinata-hime. Make the most of it."

She returned the bow, her smile small but genuine. "I will. Thank you for walking with me, Ko-san."

Ko straightened, watching her take the first steps toward the academy doors. For a moment, his protective instincts flared, but he let them settle. This was her moment, and he trusted in her strength.

Hinata squared her shoulders, stepping into the academy. Today marked the start of a new chapter, and for the first time in a long while, she felt ready to face it.

The academy's wooden doors creaked open, and Hinata stepped into the bustling classroom. The noise hit her immediately: the hum of voices, the shuffle of papers, the nervous excitement that seemed to electrify the air. It was graduation day—the day she and her classmates would be tested and, if they succeeded, officially marked as genin.

The room was almost full, the students eagerly chattering and fidgeting with their possessions. Their faces were a mixture of excitement and nervousness, all knowing the importance of the day ahead. Almost everyone had arrived, but Hinata noticed the absence of two familiar faces: Naruto Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka. Their seats were both empty, and the absence felt strange. She couldn't help but wonder what was keeping them—especially Naruto, whose antics usually ensured he was the loudest in the room.

Hinata took a slow breath, her eyes scanning the classroom as she made her way toward her assigned seat. It was in the middle row, next to Shino Aburame, who was already seated with his usual calm demeanor. He was adjusting his glasses, the soft click of the lenses the only sound as he prepared for the day ahead.

"Good morning, Shino," Hinata greeted softly, settling into the seat next to him.

"Good morning, Hinata," Shino responded in his usual quiet voice, his eyes flickering up from his desk to acknowledge her. "Are you ready for the exam?"

Hinata smiled faintly, folding her hands on her lap. "I think so... though I'm a little nervous. It feels like such a big step."

Shino nodded thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. "It is a significant moment, but you've trained hard. There's no reason to worry."

Hinata appreciated Shino's calm reassurance. His steadiness always helped center her, even if she couldn't quite shake the nerves in her stomach.

Before she could say more, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor caught her attention. Choji Akimichi appeared beside their desk, holding a large bag of chips in his hand and offering them with a grin.

"Hinata, you want some chips?" he asked eagerly, already popping one into his mouth.

Hinata blinked, caught off guard by the sudden offer. "Oh, um... no, thank you, Choji. I'm not hungry right now."

Choji shrugged, unfazed, and crunched down on another chip. "More for me, then! You're missing out, though. These chips are amazing, trust me!"

Shino tilted his head slightly. "It's hardly the time for a snack, Choji."

Just then, a voice cut through the air, sounding relaxed but tinged with typical irritation. "Ugh, class. What a drag." Shikamaru Nara strolled into the room, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he dropped into the seat next to Choji, clearly not thrilled by the day's events.

Hinata smiled faintly at Shikamaru's usual attitude. He was rarely excited about anything, and graduation day was no exception.

Shikamaru glanced at the bag of chips in Choji's hand and then gave him a knowing look. "You know, Choji, you really should share. It's not like I don't need energy for this whole 'becoming a genin' thing," he said lazily, reaching over and snatching a handful of chips from the bag.

Choji blinked, surprised for a moment, then shrugged and grinned. "Yeah, yeah, sure, take 'em. You're gonna need more than chips if you want to keep up with me, though!"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes, popping a chip into his mouth. "I doubt it, Choji. But thanks anyway."

Hinata couldn't help but smile at the exchange, the camaraderie between the two friends reminding her that no matter the day's importance, it was still just another day with her classmates. The banter and small moments of humor helped ease the nerves that seemed to be creeping up on her again.

As Choji and Shikamaru continued to joke around, Hinata's gaze drifted to the front of the room, where the instructor's desk stood. The test to receive their headbands and graduate from the academy was soon to begin. She felt her heart race in anticipation. This was the day she would officially be a genin—though the thought was bittersweet. It was a huge step forward, but it also marked the beginning of a journey filled with expectations. The weight of those expectations pressed down on her, but for now, she focused on the excitement of the moment.

"Alright class, settle down!" Iruka's voice rang out, firm and commanding. As the students quieted down, he entered the room, dragging Naruto and Kiba by the collars, both of them caught mid-argument and squirming in protest.

"Hey! Let go, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto complained, his face scrunched in annoyance. "I wasn't doing anything!"

"Sure, Naruto, sure," Iruka replied dryly, barely holding back a sigh. "You and Kiba were practically rolling on the floor. What were you two even fighting about?"

Kiba growled from Iruka's grip, his hand still reaching toward Naruto. "He was making fun of Akamaru! You know how important he is to me!"

Iruka raised an eyebrow at Naruto, who looked away, clearly guilty. "Naruto, you really should know better. And Kiba, I expect more control over your emotions," Iruka scolded them both. "Now, enough. We're here to graduate today. Let's not waste any more time."

With a huff, Iruka released both boys, who quickly straightened up, still muttering under their breaths. Iruka gave them one last disapproving look before addressing the rest of the class.

"Now, Naruto, Kiba—take your seats. Kiba, you're sitting next to Hinata today."

Kiba froze for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise. Sitting next to Hinata—Princess Hinata, the heiress of the Hyuga clan—was an honor, but it also made him incredibly nervous. His cheeks turned red as he hesitantly walked toward her desk, doing his best to appear composed despite the growing knot in his stomach. He settled into the seat beside her, attempting to look calm but his fidgeting hands betrayed his anxiety.

Hinata, sensing his unease, gave him a soft smile, though she too felt a little awkward about the sudden change. She had never had much interaction with Kiba, though she knew of his boisterous personality. But today, his bashfulness in her presence was more than a little surprising.

"Um, good morning, Kiba," she said quietly, trying to break the silence.

Kiba snapped out of his nervous daze and gave her a nervous smile, though it was more of a grimace. "Uh, yeah, morning... Hinata-hime." The honorific tumbled out, and Kiba immediately flushed with embarrassment. He shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable being so close to her.

Iruka, satisfied with his seating arrangement, then turned his attention to the remaining students. "Naruto, you're with Sasuke," he said with a hint of finality, as if it were some sort of tactical move. Sasuke, who had been staring out the window with his usual aloof expression, didn't seem to react to the arrangement, but Iruka knew it was a perfect opportunity to separate the troublesome blonde from Sakura.

Naruto groaned in protest, dragging his feet as he trudged to the seat beside Sasuke. "Great, just what I needed," he muttered, plopping down heavily into the seat. "Sitting next to Mr. Cool and Perfect."

Sasuke merely raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking briefly to Naruto before returning to the window, uninterested in whatever Naruto had to say. Naruto shot him an irritated look but said nothing more.

"Alright," Iruka continued, raising his voice slightly to capture everyone's attention, "now that everyone's in their seats, we can begin. Remember, today's not just about proving you can fight, but showing what kind of shinobi you're ready to become. You've all worked hard to get here, and I'm proud of each of you."

Hinata, still acutely aware of Kiba's nervousness beside her, turned her attention back to Iruka as he began explaining the exam. But she couldn't help but notice the shift in the room—the subtle dynamics of her classmates, and how today felt different from all the others. The weight of the moment pressed down on her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that today, everything was about to change.