As the sky took on a faint glow of twilight, a soft knock sounded at the door.
It was so quiet that it might have gone unnoticed without close attention.
But Uchiha Izumi, her hearing sharpened by blindness, caught it clearly.
Standing, she moved to the door and opened it, sensing the presence of today's guest, Hinata Hyuga.
"Is that you, Hinata? Come in."
Izumi smiled gently, holding the door open to welcome Hinata inside.
"Sorry for the intrusion, Sister Izumi."
Hinata bowed politely, clutching a small gift as she entered.
After slipping off her shoes, she gently took Izumi's arm to guide her.
"You're such a kind girl, Hinata, just like Naruto."
"But being too shy won't do. You need to express your feelings openly."
Izumi's lips curved upward as she took Hinata's hand.
Having lived in the house for years, she navigated it smoothly despite her blindness.
In a few steps, she led Hinata to the kitchen where Naruto was.
"Hinata? You're here!"
"What's that? For me?"
Naruto wiped oil from his hands on his apron, grinning at Hinata.
Spotting the bag in her hands, curiosity sparked in his eyes.
"Um… uh…"
Hinata's heart raced as she met Naruto's gaze.
She wanted to calmly say the bag held fruit, a gift for Naruto and Izumi.
But the words caught in her throat, overwhelmed by shyness.
Izumi sensed her struggle, squeezing Hinata's hand lightly.
This small gesture reminded Hinata of Izumi's earlier encouragement.
"These are fruits I brought for you and Sister Izumi."
"Melons my father bought from outside."
Hinata took a deep breath, blurting out her words in a rush.
Her speed startled both Naruto and Izumi.
They'd never seen Hinata speak so quickly; in their minds, she was the timid girl who blushed easily.
This was a first.
But Naruto's attention shifted from the expensive melons to Hinata's cheek.
A clear bruise, slightly swollen, marred her face.
The faint scent of medicinal ointment suggested a recent injury.
At school earlier, Hinata had been fine. With only written exams that morning and no taijutsu practice, an injury seemed impossible.
"What happened to your cheek, Hinata?"
"Did someone hurt you?"
Naruto brushed aside Hinata's hair to inspect the bruise.
The swollen, purplish mark showed no mercy in its infliction.
It reminded him of childhood, when kids bullied Hinata until he stepped in, redirecting their taunts to himself. Anger flared within him.
To Naruto, enduring his own bullying was tolerable, but harm to his friends was unforgivable.
"No, it's not that."
"I got hurt during training at home."
Hinata stepped back instinctively, shaking her head as she lowered her gaze.
"Naruto, don't press her."
"Let's get dinner ready, and thank Hinata for the gift."
Izumi sensed Hinata's reluctance to discuss it and changed the subject.
Older than both, she knew more about the Leaf's inner workings.
The Hyuga clan's strict hierarchy and outdated traditions divided members into Main and Branch families.
As the Main Family's princess, Hinata was meant to be the future heir.
But her lack of talent delayed her confirmation, and rumors claimed her younger sister had outperformed her in clan trials.
Hinata might even be relegated to the Branch Family someday. Izumi sighed inwardly at the thought.
"Got it, Sis Izumi."
"Hinata, if anyone's bullying you, tell me. I'll make them pay."
"Now, you two chat. I'll finish cooking."
Naruto placed his hands on Hinata's shoulders, speaking earnestly.
Then he returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Hinata, hearing his words, smiled softly.
Dinner was soon ready—nothing extravagant.
Three grilled fish, some vegetables, and a bowl of miso soup.
For Izumi and Naruto, it was a hearty meal.
Hinata, raised in a wealthy clan with refined tastes, ate without complaint.
The trio chatted and laughed, clearing the table in no time.
At Izumi's prompting, Naruto offered to walk Hinata home.
They strolled through the streets, exchanging occasional words.
The sunset had faded, and streetlights now glowed.
Unlike the distant Uchiha compound, the Hyuga clan's estate was near the village's center.
They soon approached it.
"Lady Hinata."
"You're back too late. Lord Hiashi will be displeased."
As they rounded a corner near the Hyuga gates, a boy in a white kimono emerged, a year older than Naruto.
This was Hinata's cousin, Neji Hyuga, the genius who, in the original Naruto story, died saving Naruto.
"Brother Neji…"
Hinata's face showed a flicker of fear at his appearance.
The bruise on her cheek came from afternoon training with Neji.
Known for his cold demeanor, Neji hadn't held back.
Their talent gap was stark, and Neji already harbored resentment toward the Main Family.
"Brother?"
"You're Hinata's brother?"
Naruto paused, eyeing the aloof boy before glancing at Hinata.
Though their eyes were similar, Neji's gaze was icy, while Hinata's held fear.
"You jerk, you're the one who hurt Hinata today, aren't you?"