Winter Flash

Soothe My Mind

As Hinata grew, the pressure of being the heiress to the Hyūga grew to the point where she rather be at the Torture and Interrogation Department. The only one she actually had was the powerful soul of the Yondaime Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

He trained her in the secluded areas of the sole waterfall outside of the village-from basic chakra control to the knowledge of physics. He helped her develop her own jutsus and sparred with her. Hinata soon saw Minato as more as a friend rather than a father and made this known during their training sessions, calling him "Yūjin-sensei". The first time she called him that, he paused with his narrowed eyes wide with shock before his lips pulled into a small smile.

Today was no different. Hinata was tending to her mother's garden when her cousin Neji sat down beside her. Due to Minato's actions, Hizashi was saved from his cruel fate yet he was killed not too long after with no one having any knowledge of what or who killed him. Hinata's father, although, was a different matter. His training became more brutal, so brutal that Minato had to carry her to her room and tend to her. Therefore, Neji was the only family she had.

"Hiashi-sama has summoned you to the clan dojo, Hinata-sama." Neji informed and Hinata felt his eyes follow her bandaged arms as they tended to the morning glories that bloomed beautifully.

Her black gloved hands pulled back and rested on her lap. "Thank you for informing me, Neji-niisan." She soon said as she stood, "I shall go at once."

She nodded at Neji before leaving him at her salvation-her safe haven.

'I don't trust Hiashi with this.' Minato's voice echoed in her head. She sighed, 'Me neith-' she stopped stock still when she saw her sister standing emotionlessly by their father in the dojo. 'What? What happened?'

'Hanabi. Spar.' Hinata stiffly walked in as she heard Minato release an 'oh shit'. She looked around to also see the Hyūga Elders sitting down. A few nodded with a ghost of a smile which she returned with a small smile.

"Hinata, we are here to evaluate your skills." Hiashi informed coolly.

Hinata nodded numbly and settled into a defensive stance. 'M-Minato?'

'I'm here, Hinata.'

That was all she needed; for Minato's voice to soothe her mind and be there for her when others weren't.

•~•~•~•

"Perfect."

Hinata looked up from her finished seal and at Minato with a rosy blush on her cheeks. She was making a Hiraishin no Jutsu seal and Minato had promised her that if she perfected the seal, then he'll teach her how to utilize his most famed jutsu. Her eyes gleamed with barely contained joy.

Minato helped the ten year old up and walked up to an old oak tree. He placed his hand on it and pumped a little bit of chakra before the bark swirled open to reveal a couple of scrolls and lots of beautifully forged three-pronged kunai.

She gasped as Minato smiled at her, "My protégè needs to learn my own famous jutsu to become the Winter Flash."