Chapter 2: Making a new friend

As I walked out of the room, I decided that since Father had agreed to let me have more freedom, I would leave the Hyuga compound. I did it without anyone noticing so I wouldn't have to explain...

As I walked around in the village, I saw a bunch of people chasing a kid. I followed them on the roofs out of curiosity. The boy turned a corner and ended up at a dead end. I decided to help him, and maybe we could become friends, considering I didn't have any.

I dropped from the roof, picked the kid up, climbed back onto the roof, and put my hand over his mouth as the villagers were looking for him. When they finally left, I removed my hand from his mouth.

Startled, the boy asked, "Who are you? And why did you help me?"

I'm Hinoka Hyuga. Nice to meet you. I helped because I thought we could be friends. What's your name?" I responded.

The boy looked surprised asking, "You want to be friends with me?"

"Yeah, why not," I replied, smiling.

He reciprocated with a smile saying, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Believe it!"

Still smiling, I said, "Nice to meet you. So, want to be friends?"

He readily agreed, saying, "Sure!"

As Naruto and I continued talking on the roof, I asked him why people were chasing him and he replied saying, "Because I played a prank on them."

"Well, it looks like your pranks really get on their nerves. Want to pull another one?" I said with a mischievous grin.

Naruto looked surprised before agreeing. As we pulled a prank, we were able to escape without anybody seeing us. We watched their reactions and laughed our butts off. When my stomach growled.

Naruto laughed before saying, "Let's go eat ramen!"

My face was red as I said, "Sure."

At the ramen shop, Naruto ordered for both of us. We chatted some more, but eventually, I had to return home. Before leaving, I told Naruto, "I won't always be available, but when I can, we'll eat ramen, play pranks…"

The following day, as I prepared to meet Naruto, my father intercepted, saying, "Hinoka, it's time for your training."

Confused, I questioned, "But Dad, wasn't I supposed to train with Cousin Neji?"

"That's precisely what you'll do."

"You managed to arrange everything so quickly?"

"Yes, now go begin your training."

"Before that, what conditions must I meet for the rest of the day off?"

"Land 3 perfect hits on Neji, and then you're free."

"That's all? Don't you think you're underestimating me, Dad?"

"Neji will prove to be formidable; it won't be easy, trust me."

"If you say so," I replied, heading towards the training grounds.