Bound by Kindness

"Alright, class, now that everyone is finished with their literature exam, all those who haven't completed their taijutsu, please report to Mizuki for the next portion. The rest of you who need to demonstrate your jutsu applications, please line up," Iruka called out, collecting the last of the papers. His voice was calm, though a subtle excitement lingered beneath the surface as he scanned the room.

Hinata, having already completed both her written and taijutsu portions of the exam, quietly made her way to the line with the other students. She noticed Kiba and Ino heading toward Mizuki, looking eager but slightly anxious. Her gaze then flicked to Naruto and Sasuke, who were just entering the room. Naruto looked particularly roughed up—scratches and bruises visible on his face and arms—as if he'd been in some kind of scuffle. Hinata couldn't help but wonder what had happened.

As the students filed into line, Iruka continued speaking, his voice firm and authoritative. "For the jutsu application test, you will be demonstrating three essential techniques: the substitution jutsu, the transformation jutsu, and the standard clone jutsu."

He paused for a moment, making sure everyone was paying attention. "The substitution jutsu involves using your chakra to create a puff of smoke, which allows you to move quickly and replace yourself with an object nearby—like a log or a rock. It's a basic escape tactic that every shinobi needs to master.

"Next is the transformation jutsu. This is an illusion-based technique where you transform your appearance into that of someone or something else. For this, you'll be required to transform into me, as I'll be judging your ability to create a perfect replica.

"Finally, we have the clone jutsu. This technique allows you to create an illusory clone of yourself using chakra, which can be used to confuse and distract your enemies. It's one of the most fundamental techniques in a shinobi's arsenal." Iruka finished, his eyes scanning the room, assessing the students' readiness.

Hinata nodded to herself, mentally reviewing the jutsus they were about to demonstrate. As the other students began taking their turns, she watched intently, observing the different results. Kiba struggled a bit with his transformation jutsu, though he quickly recovered and made a decent attempt. Sasuke and Naruto each had their own quirks, Naruto especially, who looked a little flustered after failing the clone jutsu but recovered with his signature determination.

Hinata's turn came, and she stepped forward with a quiet determination. The substitution jutsu was easy for her—she performed it flawlessly, the puff of smoke enveloping her before she vanished, only to reappear in the blink of an eye with a log in her place. The transformation jutsu came next, and with a flicker of chakra, she morphed into a perfect replica of Iruka, down to the smallest detail. Finally, the clone jutsu. She focused her chakra, and in a puff of smoke, a perfect illusion of herself appeared beside her, mimicking her every movement.

Iruka gave her a nod of approval as she returned to her seat, her heart light with satisfaction. She had passed each section with ease, though the nerves of waiting for the final results still lingered in her chest.

As she sat back down, Kiba finished his turn, approaching her with an excited grin on his face. "Hey, Hinata, after school, you wanna grab some food with me, Choji, and Shikimaru?" he asked, clearly trying to keep his voice casual, though there was a slight nervousness in his tone. His words seemed to almost blur together as he looked at her with an eager expression.

Hinata blinked for a moment, caught off guard by the invitation, then gently shook her head. "I'm sorry, Kiba," she said, offering him a kind smile. "I have to head home after this. My family expects me." She didn't want to seem rude, but the duties of the Hyuga clan were always on her mind. "Maybe some other time."

Kiba's face fell slightly, though he nodded, understanding. "Yeah, sure. Another time, then," he said with a shrug, trying to mask his disappointment.

Hinata offered him a warm, apologetic smile before turning her attention back to Iruka, awaiting the final results. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for turning down Kiba's offer

An hour and a half passed, the classroom filled with a sense of anticipation as everyone waited for Iruka to finish grading the exams. The tension was palpable as Iruka gathered his papers and glanced over to Mizuki, who stood nearby, observing the students. With a deep breath, Iruka began to call out names.

"Alright, class," Iruka began, his voice steady despite the tension in the room, "I've gone over all your performances, and with Mizuki's help, we've graded your results. I'll now call out the names of those who passed and those who didn't."

He cleared his throat, eyes scanning the papers in front of him. "Kentaro… unfortunately, you didn't make it this time. You've failed, but don't be discouraged. There's always next year."

Hinata could see the disappointment on Kentaro's face, but he nodded, taking the news in stride. Next, Iruka called out Mizumi's name.

"Mizumi," Iruka announced with a smile, "you passed. Well done."

Cheers and applause erupted from some of the other students as Mizumi beamed with pride, her joy evident.

"Kiba," Iruka continued, "you've passed as well. Great work, Kiba."

Kiba grinned, his usual cocky confidence shining through as he gave a thumbs-up to his classmates.

"Shikimaru," Iruka called, "you passed too. Not a surprise there."

Shikimaru just sighed, as if the whole thing had been too much effort, but he still gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

"And Naruto," Iruka said, his voice softening, "unfortunately, you failed this time. I'm sorry, but don't let this discourage you. You'll get it next time."

Naruto's face darkened as he slouched in his seat, but he didn't say anything. Iruka caught his eye, offering him an apologetic look. Naruto simply looked away, clearly frustrated with himself.

"Now, for the rest of you," Iruka continued, calling out each name in turn. "Sakura, you passed. Ino, you passed. Choji, you passed. Shino, you passed. And… Hinata, you've passed too."

Hinata felt a weight lift off her shoulders at the announcement, though her expression remained composed. She had known she would pass, but hearing it out loud still gave her a sense of relief. Her classmates congratulated her quietly, and she nodded in acknowledgment, grateful for their kindness.

Iruka continued calling out names, marking the end of the list, and the finality of the exams. As he finished, he turned to the class with a warm smile.

"Congratulations to those who passed. For those of you who didn't, don't give up. You'll get another chance. Keep practicing, and we'll see you again next year."

With that, the class began to empty out, some students chatting with friends while others quietly gathered their things.

Hinata gathered her bag, making her way toward the door. As she stepped outside, she saw Ko waiting by the wall, his usual calm demeanor present. But what caught her off guard was the presence of her father, Hiashi Hyuga, standing beside him. His usual stern expression made Hinata's stomach twist with nerves.

"Father… Ko," Hinata greeted, her voice soft but respectful, a hint of unease in her tone.

Hiashi's gaze was sharp, his usual stern expression present. He gave her a brief nod, but his voice was firm. "I'll want to see your grades when we get home, Hinata. Don't let your graduation go to your head. You may have passed the exam, but your responsibilities as a member of the Hyuga clan have only just begun."

Hinata nodded quickly, feeling the weight of her father's words. It was a familiar feeling, the pressure of duty always lingering in his presence. "Of course, Father," she replied quietly, her gaze dropping slightly as she tried not to dwell on the unease she felt under his scrutiny.

Ko, standing just behind Hiashi, observed the interaction quietly. His expression softened as he glanced at Hinata, then back to Hiashi. Though Ko respected Hiashi as the head of the Hyuga clan, he could never help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Hinata. He knew Hiashi's intentions came from a place of love—though it was often masked by his strictness—but it still didn't make it any easier for her to bear.

He cleared his throat, offering Hinata a gentle smile. "Don't worry, Hinata," he said softly, his tone warm. "You've done well today."

Hinata managed a small, appreciative smile in return, grateful for Ko's quiet support. She appreciated the way he always knew how to ease the tension when her father's presence was so overbearing. But even as she offered the smile, she could feel the familiar weight of her father's expectations hanging heavily over her.

Hiashi glanced briefly at Ko, but his expression didn't soften. "Let's go, Hinata," he said, his voice still carrying that rigid authority. "We have no time to waste."

When they entered the house, Hiashi wasted no time. "Show me your report," he commanded, his tone as brisk as ever.

Hinata quietly handed him the folded paper, the edges slightly crinkled from the way she had held it all the way home. Hiashi glanced at it with a detached look, his eyes scanning the contents. After a moment, he looked up at her, his expression softer than usual but still serious.

"You've done well," Hiashi remarked, his voice giving away a rare flicker of pride. "Rookie of the year… I expected no less."

Hinata nodded, her heart feeling light but guarded. Despite his praise, she could still feel the weight of his expectations lingering. He gave her a curt nod. "Return to your room. Your duties will continue as usual."

Hinata bowed her head slightly, retreating quietly to her room as Ko followed her.

Inside her sanctuary, her room, she took a deep breath, feeling the familiar sense of peace wash over her. It was the one place where she didn't feel the pressure of her name, her clan, or her father's expectations. It was her safe place.

Ko stepped into her room as she sat down at her desk, looking over her report once more. "You did well, Hinata," he said, his voice calm and encouraging. "I'm proud of you."

Hinata gave him a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Ko," she murmured. "It means a lot." She could feel the tightness in her chest ease, even if only for a moment, as she settled into the stillness of her own space.

Watching as Ko left her room, Hinata sank onto her soft bed, the weight of the day slowly lifting from her shoulders. She let herself relax, the familiar warmth of her blanket enveloping her as she curled up. The soft fabric was a comfort, a reminder of the quiet sanctuary that was her room.

Her gaze drifted toward her desk, where the unfinished work awaited her. A sigh escaped her lips as she sat up, the calm of her bed no longer enough to shield her from the reality that there was still so much to be done. The familiar pressure of her duties tugged at her thoughts, and for a moment, she allowed herself to linger in that quiet space, even if just for a little while longer.

But the moment of peace was fleeting. She reached for her papers, ready to dive back into her responsibilities, but her mind couldn't help but wander. The day had been full of tests, expectations, and the quiet pride of her father's approval. Yet, it was moments like these—when the world outside felt so distant—that she felt she could breathe the easiest.