chapter 7: Lunch with Hinata

-the next day-

After boring morning classes, it was time for lunch. While everybody was eating, Raven had to set his plan in motion to get his access pass to the library.

So he went up to where Hinata was sitting.

He asked," Hi Hinata, can I join you for lunch today?"

Hinata looked up and saw Raven standing there. As kindness itself, Hinata couldn't refuse.

"Sure Raven, you can have lunch with me."

"Thanks and have been meaning to ask. How is Neji doing? haven't seen him in a while in the village."

"Well, actually I wouldn't know much about Neji. we don't actually speak to each other. And I think he doesn't like me that much. But I do know why you don't see him in the village that much. His Jonin trains in the outskirts and the mountain range outside the village."

"Oh, so that's where they are hiding, have to go see them sometimes when I can. Didn't know you didn't speak to each other. I thought you two were cousins?"

"Yes, we are. But for some reason, he doesn't like me. Well, not many in the clan like me." Hinata mentions with a sad face.

Raven then comes up to her and said," Hey chin up, Hinata. It can't be that bad."

"Well, everything was fine a while ago, until I lost to my sister in battle. Then the clan started to dislike me for some reason. I really don't know what I did wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong, Hinata. that is the first thing you have to realize. the problem is actually pretty simple."

"Oh, what is it, Raven?" She desperately wanted to know.

"Calm down, Hinata, I'll tell you anyway. the problem I think they are getting distant from you, or as you said, they are starting to dislike me, is because of the stupid believe most clans have for their children. That belief is that their children have to excel at what they excel at and be strong. And sorry to say this, but I don't think you resemble your clan members that mutch, no?"

"No, they say I'm too kind. Why would they want me to be different all the time? Am I wrong to be kind?"

"No, Hinata your not wrong. It's just you see the world differently than others. But as stupid as they believe of a clan is, they do have a point. the clan heir has to be strong. And that is where you failed. Tell me honestly Hinata, did you really lose against your sister?"

"Yes, I lost against her,"

"Really?"

"Yes, I really did."

"Did you really? did you lose because she was stronger, better, or more technical?"

"Well, she was ..."

"Or did you lose because you didn't want to hurt her?"

"NONONO I lost because she was better," She said in a hurry.

"So, you held back because you thought you would hurt her, didn't you?"

After a few seconds of silence. "Yes"

"And? You happy?"

"No, not really."

"And do you think she is happy?"

"hun, What do you mean?"

"What, don't tell me Hinata, you really think she would be happy."

"But, she won and I didn't hurt her," she said questions

"Really, Hinata. first, aren't we shinobi? we kill people as a job. and you think about hurting your opponent is bad. second, it's a spar. How can she be happy. How disrespectful can you even be? you held back because you would hurt her. how can it be a spar, if you held back."

"But... but...," Hinata was almost going to cry.

But Raven continued, "Hinata, I will tell you something. I have a friend who is a bit like you. her name is Yukino, she sees the best in people even if others don't see it. She's even at this school. she is also training to be a Medical-nin. So all she wants to do is help people. But here is the thing, she also is one of the most fierce kunoichis from her class. Even the male shinobi in her class know not to mess with her, else you get in the hospital. And funny enough she would be the first face they see when waking up. just think about it's quite funny. she beat the crap out of them, and then she heals them back up. do you think any guy would mess with her again? if they don't watch out she can make them worse than how they came in. because you don't mess with your doctor. But we got off the topic. the point is you can be kind, but when doing your job as shinobi of the leaf you put feelings aside. You don't want to get your allies and friends hurt, no?"

"No, of course not. I want to keep them safe,"

"then tell me, how are you going to do that when you don't train with your real strength. Because if you hold back during a spar, then you will also hold back in a mission. and then your teammates will have to pick up after you. Do you understand?"

"I didn't think it would be like that, what have I done. Damn, that's why Hanabi is mad at me, I will have to explain and fix this. But Raven can I really be kind and just let loose in fighting?"

"Hinata, let me ask you this instead. where are we right now?"

"Ah at school in the classroom," she answered without a clue.

"Is it not a safe environment to learn, so learn how to switch between the two states. and even if you end up hurting someone. Hinata, we are in a safe place, with people stronger than you and medical-nin like a few seconds away. you really can't be in a better place to start learning how to act in different situations."

"Do you really think I can, Raven? I still feel conflicted about it."

"But Hinata, you don't have anything worry about. and those conflicting thoughts, do you really think you are the only one who thinks like that. There are so many students here who go through the same you go through. the only difference, they talk to the teacher and the counselor and you don't. It's not a weakness to ask for help sometimes.

"Thank you, Raven. I think I will do that."

"Actually, there is even an opportunity coming up this afternoon, where you can try."

"How you mean?"

"Well, first combat training exercises this afternoon."

"What, nono I'm not ready."

"Hinata, I'm not asking you to put your opponent in the hospital. but you can start with stop holding back. and maybe it can help you so when you spar with Hanabi again."

"You think so?"

"yes, I do. hell, even Naruto who doesn't know anything about fighting is ready to start giving his al. you have seen him train for this, no?"

"W-w-w-w-what I do n-not see a-a-anything. but I'll do try my best this afternoon. Al for Naru ... no Hanabi, yes al for sparring with Hanabi.

"Ok, I can't wait till this afternoon."

"Raven, can you introduce me to Yukino after school? If it's no problem."

"Sure, I'll introduce you. I think you'll be friends in no time."

"thank u,"

"no problem,"

and then they continued whit their lunch break while talking about other stuff. Till the bell signaled for the next class. Battle training. the complete class looked excited.

Raven's thoughts were 'I can't wait for training...'