• Prologue: Their Last Meeting


    Hinata sat on the balcony's marble balustrade, observing the beautiful world laid bare in all its glory before her. Little streaks of orange painted along the deep purplish sky, signifying the end of the day and approaching the cooling of the night. She sighed in slight contentment, albeit the deep heavy etched closely within her heart. Sensing another presence slowly moving behind her, she placed her cat mask back on and lifted the hood to cover her indigo hair.

    "The news have reached you," she said to him.

    "No, it hasn't," a male voice responded, taking his time to approach her.

    "Why are you here, then?" she asked him.

    Without looking at her, he observed the night sky and enjoyed the fresh air. "I heard about the injured Uchiha. Is there anything I can do to be of help?"

    She looked aside. Thankful for the mask, it hid her expression very well. "I'm surprised you're offering to help…him."

    He quirked a small smile and said, "You've stopped your stuttering, Hinata."

    "There is nothing you can do for...now. Tsunade-sama said he will be fine, and if she said he will, he will." Hinata's heart fluttered, trying obviously to change the subject.

    His aquamarine eyes looked at her in a very peaceful and serene way that she had to force herself to look away from him. Closing her eyes and prayed that he just leave and not leaving her feelings a complete mess. No ANBU is allowed to let personal matters get in the way.

    "You know," he said. "I still remember that day very well."

    "Do not speak of it," she demanded and spurned away from him. He quickly grabbed hold on to her wrist and pulled her into his arms in a deep embrace. His fiery red spiky hair looked distinctive in the dark. Hinata closed her eyes and could feel tears pooling in her pale eyes, feeling the heat of his chest rising. They both wish they could stay like that….forever…..but, it was just a wishful feeling.

    "You…must not," she replied weakly. Cursing herself of her weakness, she replied hoarsely, "You know…we…can't." Her heart felt as if it was wrench out from her ribcage, uttering those painful words.

    "Please my Hime," he begged, calling her pet name. "Let me savour this for the last time," he said, pulling her hood down that revealed her soft indigo coloured hair that reached her waist. "Like the midnight sky," he stroked her hair gently with his cheeks. Remembering the first time he touched her as such.

    "Please Gaara-sama," she pleaded, cannot help herself when tears began to fall down her cheeks behind her mask. Her heart felt so much pain. He turned her over to face him. His beautiful face looked looked into her aggrieved pale eyes.

    "You called my name."

    "Isn't it?"

    His expression softened. "Am I still your Ouji?"

    She bit her lower lip and shook her head slowly, "You know this is forbidden. For the two of us. It is not allowed, Gaara-sama."

    "Don't call me that!"

    "I'm sorry, but I have to. You're the Kazekage." She sounded more confident than when he met her the first time.

    He buried his face into her hair again and held her dearly to him.

    "I know," Gaara, fiery redhead who was Kazekage replied, "After this, we won't be seeing each other again."

    "We are not meant to be...together," replied, more tears slipping down. "You must forget me. Forget everything that has happened...between...us." Her voice softened. No more the voice of authority of an ANBU.

    Gaara took off her mask and looked into her lavender tint pale eyes. Eyes like the moon. He touched her lips with his fingers and said, "If only we were both born of normal families, would we be together?"

    Hinata's pale coloured eyes looked into his aquamarine ones and she smiled softly, "If we were both normal man and woman, we might….have a….chance."

    He smiled and hugged her for the last time, "If only we were, my Hime, I will have you in our next lifetime and the life after that and for all time our love shall not be denied. Even if I have to go through hell and back, I'll gladly do it!" He then crushed her into his arms as she wrapped hers around him.

    "Don't say that!" her voice hoarsed from trying to subdue her tears. Pulling away from him, she looked into his pool of aquamarines. "You will always be my Ouji-sama. Even in this lifetime, or the next or the life after that….I am yours."

    For the first time since Gaara was five years old, he finally shed tears.

    Tears of regrets.

    Hyuuga Hinata knew that this was to be their last meeting ever, and after this, Gaara will cease to exist from her life, but will only remain in her memories.

    Savouring their last time together, they Hinata and Gaara wrapped in each other's arms, waiting for the sun to rise to bring forth their time of parting. Living separate lives away from each other.



    From the doorway, Temari had tears in her eyes. She knew how much her little brother loved the young Hyuuga heiress very much and it hurts her that he is being denied this one happiness which he deserve after what he had been through.

    "Life is not always fair, Temari," Shikamaru said, walking up to his wife.

    Temari could not help it but threw herself into her husband's arms and cried fresh flood of tears. For once, Shikamaru did not say anything but held his wife dearly to him. Knowing well that he is in a better position than the other couple on the balcony.

    "Come now," Shikamaru said softly to his wife. "Don't cry too much, or you'll hurt the baby." Pulling his wife back to their bedchamber and took a final look at the sad fate befallen to the tragic couple under the azure filled skies.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Chapter: 1 (Caught in red)

    CHAPTER 1: GETTING CAUGHT

    3 YEARS EARLIER (Happened before the Prologue):

    Many things have changed since the day Sasuke left to follow Orochimaru. Naruto never gave up in searching for his bestfriend and at the same time, keeping his promise to the love of his life, Sakura.

    The Hyuuga Heiress too has changed. After Naruto left the village with Jiraiya, Hinata in many ways have changed to better herself in being a capable kunoichi. Personal trainings with Neji helped improved her fighting techniques. Hinata also trained under the Tsunade herself in learning the arts and craft of medicine and pharmacology. Between Sakura and Hinata, Tsunade has slight preference for the Hyuuga heiress, not because of her calming personality, but also her determination in trying to improve herself.

    When Naruto came back, Hinata knew that she would never be able to win Naruto's heart, for in his heart, was only Sakura. With that revelation, Hinata learned to move on.

    Much to Neji, Kiba and Shino's relief.

    Neji has personal reasons for NOT liking the idea one bit that his cousin to have any emotional attachment on Naruto. Neji also knew that his uncle would be personally displeased if it were to happen openly, or even to find out about it. Anything concerns Hinata, has Neji's foremost attention, especially WHO she goes out with.

    It was only natural for Kiba and Shino to worry about Hinata. She was like their little sister and practically their 'little angel' when going out for missions, even amongst the ANBU, Hinata was practically the 'baby sister' to all. Her ointments and medicines have become some sort of 'popular' among the Konoha nins and local civilians, prompting the Hyuuga Clan to specialize in pharmacology as part of their business venture, thus expanding the Hyuuga influences. The secret of her success based on two main important factors:

    1. Freshly grown herbs and plants found in her late mother's garden which she cultivated and cared for, hence the quality of the herbs were of highest standards;

    2. All her medicines and ointments were made with tender loving care because she handmade them herself.

    The moment Naruto returned to Konoha with the pretty much unconscious Sasuke behind his back, everything in Konoha turned upside down. Sasuke was hospitalised for several months with severe internal injuries which required constant chakra supervision by only the top medic nins with Tsunade being the head supervisor.

    Naruto, being Naruto of course with the help of the Kyuubi's chakra, had all his injuries healed by themselves and the years of physical abuse from Sakura made him practically immune to the physical pain.

    Sasuke's return also brought about several issues that required high level dealing with. Tsunade had ordered 'observation at the highest order' on Sasuke which required constant ANBU and ROOT agents on patrol surrounding the hospital's district and also around Konoha's vicinity.

    Surprisingly enough, Tsunade made Hinata as Sasuke's official caretaker much to Sakura's objection….and also the 'We-Love-Sasuke' Fan Club. Even Hinata herself was surprised at the decision. Tsunade deemed Hinata as 'safe' where Sasuke is concern and Sasuke being Sasuke, surprised everyone by agreeing to Tsunade's decision.

    It was also this time that Sasuke made another close friendship besides Naruto, Sakura (yes, Sasuke does consider Sakura as his friend or else he would've obliterated her years ago, right?) and Kakashi. Although Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi were considered as closest to him, Sasuke still could not abide the excessive loudness and irritation that annoys him to no end. Peace and tranquility was the what he seek, which the young Hyuuga heiress could provide. It was probably the only friendship he truly and openly appreciates, stunning the Konoha population.

    At the turn of her sixteenth birthday, Hinata was made ANBU. Both Neji and Shino were made captains of their own ANBU squad while the rest has made it into jounin. Shikamaru has earned his place as one of Tsunade's tactician and advisor while Sakura earned her place at Konoha's general hospital, teaching interns. Ino, Kiba, Lee and Tenten had their own genin teams to teach while Chouji was happy being an academy instructor.

    Much to Hiashi's pleasure and also….displeasure. After the Chuunin exam incident, Hiashi became more concerned and wary of his eldest child.

    The realization hit him hard.

    Looking at his eldest child, he could not forget how much she resembled his late wife and begin to look out for her, in other words, being overprotective of her well-being. Hiashi knew she worked hard to become ANBU for his sake and that left him with deep guilt and remorse. He thought of the years he had mentally and emotionally abused his child, and it was something a father should not have done, no matter how weak the child was, they do not deserve such unloving treatment. He realized what kind of father he was and he was glad he had realized it before it was too late.

    Hiashi have turned over a new leaf.

    For once, he strives to become a father, instead of a leader. He also realized, through his daughter that becoming a father is what makes a good leader. Smilingly, Hiashi was glad that Hinata had been his first-born. She would be the most loved clan leader in all time.

    The harmonisation between both families; main and branch was only realised by Hinata.

    The legend behind the infamous Gentle Fist of the Hyuuga Clan lived through in Hinata with the support of her friends and family, Hinata proved that the breach between the two families could be heal and together making the Clan stronger than it was ever before. The ridicule she faced when she was younger was no more when Hiashi had made his decision.

    The Ways of Old must come to pass because it was a new era for the Hyuugas to spread it's wings.

    The history of the Hyuuga Clan dated thousands of years, starting off with a legend that the Hyuugas descended from the Land Above the Sky (1) who were once Immortals, children of the great Goddess Amaterasu but was cast down to live as Mortals. No one knew the reason why, but everyone took it as some bedtime story to tell to their children.

    As Hinata became more proactive in her part as heiress, her new ways was very much quickly adapted. Even some of the Main family understood the need for change. Although it was hard in the beginning, but with the support of her father and Branch family members, the Ways of the Sun was slowly beginning to receive acknowledgement and accepted by the whole Clan. Eventhough not everyone agreed to it, but it was better than nothing.

    To Hinata, this was the acknowledgment she had been waiting for, the belief her clan has in her and in her ability to lead them. But unknown to her, it came with a price…..

    The Hyuuga Household:

    Hinata was late.

    Again.

    Running down the stairs dressed in her usual training outfit, she ran passed the kitchen and back again, taking a piece of toast in her mouth and ran out of the house.

    "Is she late again?" Hiashi asked, taking his breakfast.

    "Hai," Neji replied solemnly, picking on his breakfast. Neji was the mini version of Hiashi, which Hanabi constantly teased her older cousin about.

    Hanabi grinned. "Hinata-neechan was busy last night. I couldn't get much sleep and it was very noisy." Spooning huge chunks of fried rice into her awaiting mouth.

    Both men looked at the 12-year-old girl before them. Their mouths were gaping open as if they couldn't believe what was said to them.

    "What do you mean, Hanabi?" Neji narrowed his eyes.

    "Well, I did hear a lot of moaning and shaking," Hanabi looked innocently at the two outraged males. "Don't tell me you didn't hear anything, Nii-san?"

    What b*****d had the nerve to sneak into my daughter's room in the middle of the night? I won't have it! Hyuuga Hiashi broke his spoon into half and accidently activated his Byakugan. His darkened expression did not go unnoticed by the other two.

    Hanabi was stifling her grin, clearly amused by her father's expression. Then, she turned her attention towards her equally grumpy older cousin.

    Hinata-sama? I will kill the b*****d who laid hands on Hinata-sama! I won't let some dirty pervert touching her innocence! Neji broke the porcelain cup in his hands and did not realised blood was flowing down to the table.

    Hanabi could not contain any longer and was bursting with laughter. The two older Hyuugas were looking at the youngest one before them with perplexed look engraved on their impassive faces. "This is just so funny! I know what is running in your minds now. But, don't take it the wrong way, but can you imagine Nee-chan with somebody in her room?"

    Both Hyuuga men looked at each other and then grinned away sheepishly. Feeling a tad guilty for thinking Hinata could go all the way that far. They both knew how shy and conservative Hinata is, and would never step over the boundaries of immorality, but if it comes to Hanabi...that's a totally entirely different matter.

    Both men were thinking about the same thing.

    "Hanabi's right. I think we...we've been a little bit over-dramatic where Hinata is concerned," Hiashi said. Then, he looked at his youngest daughter. "Hanabi, then how would you know she was being 'busy' last night?"

    Hanabi grinned at her father and then at Neji. Both men were peering at her, waiting for her answer.

    Hanabi grinned and looked at them, "I watched her with my Byakugan, Tou-san! She was only busy with her dance step routines for the Konoha Flower Festival!"

    "Then how about all the moaning about?" Neji demanded.

    Hanabi giggled. "She was doing stretches, Nii-san."

    Neji looked as if Hanabi smashed a frying pan right into his face.

    Hanabi really knew when to strike at her father and cousin and often times, it was amusing to see their expression.

    Eversince Hiashi have begun to accept Hinata the way she is and letting her choose her own leadership style, the more Hiashi see his late wife in his eldest child and the more he became attached to her. Since she has come of age (2), many proposals have come for her hand-in-marriage but was always rejected by Hiashi. Even more by Neji and Hanabi.

    Unknowing to both his daughters and also his nephew, every morning, Hiashi would light a candle beside his wife's portrait situated at the cornerside of his room and 'talked' to his late-wife for about half an hour before lighting another candle for his twin brother. It was his daily ritual habit, that no one knew about, except for his old nurse and personal butler who have always been with him and Hizashi since they were boys. Pride gets in Hiashi's way when it comes to sentimentality and no Hyuuga men are allowed to show such sentimentality. And that includes Neji.

    No matter what, I'm still going to fix that alarm system on her window. Hiashi gave a thought and nodded at his own brilliant idea.

    After breakfast, Hanabi left for her training and Neji to the Hokage Tower, leaving the Hyuuga Clan Leader contemplating the cost of fixing an alarm system on his eldest daughter's window.

    Hinata ran down the streets right towards the Konoha Municipal Hall where a large number of young women and girls were gathering and some even dressed for the occasion, then turning around the corner, she saw Sakura, Ino and Tenten waving frantically at her.

    Waving back, Hinata jogged to where her friends were and apologised.

    "You're late Hinata-chan," Sakura said, crossing her arms across her rather small chest. Dressed in her usual dark pink dress with slit at the side of her thigh, Sakura was like the unofficial head of their group. After Naruto and Sasuke left, Sakura surrounded herself around her female friends and bonded well with Hinata, Ino and Ino.

    "I...I...I'm so..sorry, Sakura-chan," Hinata apologised, trying to catch on her breath after the running. "I...I...forgot to set my a..alarm clock….last…night."

    "Its okay, Hinata-chan," Ino said, putting her arms around Hinata's shoulders and added, "At least we haven't started yet. It seems that Tsunade-sama is going to be late again, huh?"

    "I guess so, everyone has gathered. I guess we can all rehearse our positions," Tenten said, taking off the huge scroll from her back and peel open her top to reveal a black tank top with long black tights.

    "I don't see why you have to bring that all along with you, Tenten. Its not like we're going to go into a battlefield or something," Sakura said.

    "Quit it, Sakura. You're sounding so much like Neji and I think I know where both of your attitudes come from," Tenten grinned at her.

    True enough. Sakura blushed furiously when Tenten teased her about it.

    The girls knew about Sakura's new found crush on the young ANBU captain who happened to be Hinata's cousin, Neji who apparently had no idea whatsoever about Sakura's budding feelings for him.

    How it all happened seemed to be one of the great mysteries of the world. It all happened when both Sakura and Neji were assign to a mission in Snow Country where they were ambushed by S-ranked nins resulting in Neji gotten hurt whilst protecting Sakura. After the attack, coincidently, a snowstorm caught up with them, causing the journey back to Konoha had to be postpone and them taking shelter in a small cave. With the remaining strength Sakura had, she healed the worst of Neji's wound until she went low with chakra and had to rest for some time before resuming.

    The rest of Neji's wound got him into delirium, causing instability to his body temperature. With the icy cold snowstorm plus his external bleeding, Sakura had to take care of her partner or else she would lose her teammate to Death. After being on numerous missions with Naruto, there was one thing she learned and that was, never to leave your partner behind….

    Shedding her clothes and also his, Sakura snuggled close against Neji and starting to share her natural body heat and at the same time dispelling some of her replenished chakra through his pores, letting it seeped through. The tender moment Sakura shared with Neji turned into something deep and she couldn't help but blush.

    The feeling did not evaporate even after they both reached Konoha safely.

    Sakura blushed slightly, reminiscing the brief moment of closeness she shared with Neji until Hinata spoke up.

    "I...I...think Shizune-san is go...going to say some...thing," Hinata finally said something to distract the girls.

    Shizune was up on the stage and spoke through the microphone for all the girls attended the rehearsal. Not surprising, she still had that ugly pig stuffed under her arms.

    "Alright girls," Shizune began. "The Hokage-sama is busy right now with some paperwork to be done, and I'll be supervising today's practice. So, everyone take your position."

    Somewhere in the Hokage's office:

    "Damn that Shizune for piling up my workload," Tsunade was pissed. "I'll get her back for that," she added while pulling out a bottle of sake hidden in one of the secret compartments in her desk drawer.

    "But right now, I'm glad to get rid of her for just a couple of hours," Tsunade grinned broadly as she enjoyed her sake.

    Without any notice or whatsoever, the door burst open and there stood the number one orange-coloured pest in her life.

    "Oi! Tsunade baa-chan!" the orange-coloured pest yelled.

    "And I thought Shizune was the worst pest that live on the remainder of my life," Tsunade sighed.

    Back at the rehearsal:

    All the girls moved symmetrically and in harmony. Forming different shapes of flowers, movements and swaying, the girls were thoroughly enjoying themselves to their feminine diversion. Outside of the building, the boys were sneaking up to take a look at how the girls were doing.

    "Phew! I'm so beat!" TenTen muttered, slumping down.

    "Me too! But I'm so hungry right now," Ino said, holding her onto her lean flat stomach.

    "You're hungry now huh, Ino-pig?" Sakura grinned maliciously. "I'd always known you can't hold down your appetite!"

    "Well, at least I've got better body than you, billboard brow!" Ino replied, in equally the same tone.

    Shizune stepped onto the platform again and said, "Ladies! Attention please!" Everyone looked at the exasperated Shizune. "As you all know, this year, the Konoha Flower Festival will be inviting several important guests and we're honoured to have an important guest-of-honour in this event."

    "Who do you think will come, huh?" TenTen nudged Hinata.

    "Hear Shizune-san out!" Sakura muttered.

    "Our guest-of-honour is none other than the Kazekage of Sunagakure himself, so ladies, I hope you'll present yourselves well for this occasion and impress our guest-of-honour and other important guests," Shizune concluded.

    "Gaara is coming down?" Ino exclaimed.

    "I can't believe he's coming down for a dance," Sakura grinned. "He's changed alright."

    "A..Ano," Hinata said softly. "I'll go get change."

    "Alright, Hinata-chan. We'll be waiting for you," TenTen said, pulling into her red jacket.

    The changing room was full and Hinata had no choice but to change inside the store room. She was already in her red lace bra and a matching red lace french knickers when she heard something near the window. Forgetting how she was dressed, Hinata walked towards the sound without even bothering to activate her Byakugan.

    "I can't see clearly," Naruto was grumbling.

    "Shut up you moron. You're gonna get us killed for this!" Kiba muttered angrily.

    "Hey Sasuke-teme, give me a hand would ya?" Naruto asked, looking down at his bestfriend and closest rival. Sasuke was leaning against the wall while glaring angrily at the orange clad ninja. He couldn't believe that he allowed himself to be dragged to see a couple of girls dancing! Worst, he still can't believe it was Naruto who dragged him into this ludicrous scheme in the first place!

    "Dobe," Sasuke muttered at Naruto. "Why can't you ask Shikamaru or Shino or Chouji to help you?"

    "Teme, can't you see Shikamaru's sleeping. Shino is ignoring me and Chouji...well, he's being Chouji. Eating his way, all the way and you're doing nothing right now," Naruto argued. "Besides, you owe me big when I saved you from Tsunade baa-chan super hit!"

    Sasuke glared at Naruto when Naruto pulled him over the boxes, which was piled up against the wall. Sasuke couldn't believe why on earth he'd agreed to follow Naruto back to Konoha when he can go hunt down Itachi himself. He finally made his decision to leave once again when Naruto least expected it. But the question is…..when?

    "I'll push you inside and then you'll pull me in okay?" Naruto grinned wolfishly at his bestfriend and rival.

    "You're getting as bad as that perverted old man, dobe. Why don't you just use your powers, baka? Its not like you don't have any," Sasuke muttered icily.

    "We can't," Kiba answered for him. "This whole building is triggered with Tsunade's anti-male chakra detectors. If any of us were to use our chakra within this area, we're gonna have the jounins and ANBUs swarming around us in seconds!"

    "Tch," Sasuke muttered as Naruto dragged him by the sleeves and literally pushed him up the boxes and gave a final push through the window. Sasuke felt a little lightheaded when he found himself in a small store-like room and the window from which Naruto pushed him through was rather high up. Getting up from the boxes, he held backside in pain.

    I'm gonna get you back for this, you dobe! He silently cursed Naruto and was thinking all the pain and torture he's going to do on Naruto, and reminded himself to learn the 1000-Years-of-Pain (did I get tat right?) jutsu from Kakashi.

    "Sasuke-san?" a soft female voice said his name. Sasuke froze.

    Sweatdropped.

    And as he turned around, he instantaneously felt his nose bleed by automatic response and in his pants, was the hardest hard-on he had in his entire life!
    ___________________________________________________________________________


    Chapter 2: The Chance Encounter

    Throughout his 'silent friendship' with Hinata, never in his life thinking that he would be in this position! Usually clad in that oversized jacket and baggy clothing of hers, Sasuke never thought in all his life that he'd actually get a glimpse of what 'hidden' under those godforsaken clothing!

    Before him, stood the half-naked Hinata in her vivid red lacy undergarments. Her chest was full and was waaay bigger than Sakura and Ino put together. Her hips was broad and curvy that made Sasuke felt an itch to wrap his hands over them. Her legs were long, shapely and full unlike those skinny models type. He never did like those with skinny thighs. He likes his women in curves.

    And before him, stood his ideal perfect woman.

    "Sa…Sasuke-san?" Hinata stammered. "You….You're…bleeding." Her large pale lavender tinted eyes looked at him. Sasuke was rendered hopeless in this. He hoped nobody finds him in this uncompromising situation. He wouldn't want to be caught here….alone…..with Hinata practically under-dressed especially where Neji is concerned.

    s**t! I know I'm going to die a very slow and very painful death. Sasuke thought to himself.

    Knowing very well how Neji is going to react where his beloved cousin is concerned. The whole of Konoha knows how protective or rather, over-protective Neji is towards Hinata. It happened several times before where some nins from the Hidden Rain expressed interest in Hinata that they stalked her for several days until Neji found out about it. They went back with severe internal and external injuries where Neji experimented his new jutsus on. Besides unfortunate shinobis, civilians were also not spared from the wrath of the Hyuuga Protector, some feudal lord's son from Earth Country who expressed interest in Hinata during her mission faced similar consequences.

    Royalty or not, Hyuuga Neji does not care.

    And the list goes on. Even Akamaru shudders from Neji's trademark killer glare. If looks could kill, it'll definitely be Neji's foremost killer weapon.

    Sasuke felt blood dripping onto his shirt and he pointed at her. Hinata was baffled as to why Sasuke was pointing at her. When she looked down, her pale eyes went wide in shock and she looked at Sasuke. Hinata was not the type to shout or scream or anything. She did the only thing she had to.

    She fainted.

    Sasuke knew he was in trouble. But, first thing first. Stop his nose from bleeding any further or else he'll be too weak to even move. After stuffing his nose with some tissues (yeah, he keeps tissues in his pockets), he looked at the pale, longhaired girl lying before him.

    What the ******** am I going to do? He thought for a moment and then carried Hinata. She's so light….and…soft. Sasuke felt an unfamilliar tingling in the pit of his stomach.

    "Psst….Sasuke-teme. You there?" Naruto called out to him.

    s**t. I forgot about that baka. Sasuke muttered angrily while still holding the fainted young girl in his arms.

    "Shut up dobe! You'll get us caught!" Sasuke hissed angrily.

    Outside:

    "What did he say?" Kiba asked.

    "Run for it! He's got caught!" Naruto made his getaway in a huff like a bright running orange. Typical of Naruto and his ability to discern information, he misinterpreted Sasuke immediately. The other boys were all on high alert as they looked at each other and made their run. The thought of being interrogated by Ibiki terrifies Chouji so much that he dumped his bag of chips behind, rather than being caught on the crime scene.

    All the boys ran for their lives and leaving Sasuke….all…..alone.

    Back inside:

    Where'd they go? Sasuke did not hear anything more from Naruto or even from Kiba, and he was afraid to use any of his jutsu or chakra for that matter. He'd rather be caught dead than being caught with…..with…..

    He looked down at the Hyuuga girl. His heart thumped so hard and loud that he could hear it perfectly well. Here, standing with a half-naked girl in her to-die-for underwear right in his arms. He could still feel his pants gotten tighter the longer he held her. The fact that his pants was the loose baggy type wasn't helping much.

    Sasuke then lay Hinata down on some of the flat boxes and looked around. His dark onyx eyes were deeply in troubled.

    Okay Sasuke. Calm down. First, look for her clothes. Yeah, there it is. Sasuke saw the bag and pull out her big jacket and covered her with it. Okay. I'm done. Now what?

    He waited.

    And waited.

    And again, waited.

    Why I feel like such an idiot today? This is all because of that dobe's fault! Wait till I get my hands on him, I'm gonna fry him with my Chidori! Sasuke gripped his hands so tight that he did not realised he was pulling his chakra out.

    And that was it.

    He triggered the alarm!

    ********! ********! ********! I shouldn't have done that. Dobe! I'm gonna kill you several times over when I get you! Sasuke immediately used his teleportation jutsu and teleported himself far away from the building to the playground.

    Damn it! I need to get back! Alright Sasuke. Think cold shower…..Cold cold shower. Sasuke was chanting his mantra on his way back home, and trying to stop thinking about the chance encounter he had with Hinata. A very turned-on chance encounter indeed….

    Hinata….Hinata…..

    Hinata could hear those words clearly. It was dark, until she opened her eyes. She saw Sakura, Ino and TenTen hovering protectively over her.

    "Wh…what…happened?" Hinata asked, looking around.

    "We found you lying down on the boxes half-naked covered in your jacket. Apparently, you fainted," Ino said. "We brought you out to the infirmary because you were unconscious…and…and…we were worried…something might've happened to you."

    "Did something happened, Hinata-chan?" Sakura asked worriedly.

    "Wha..What…happened?" Hinata asked again.

    "The alarm went off and we could not find any males around," Tenten answered. "When I get my hands on that peeping tom, I'm gonna pull his innards out and blast it off with my explosive tags!" Tenten replied, hitting her palm and fist together.

    "Did you see anybody, Hinata? Someone suspicious perhaps?" Sakura asked.

    Hinata looked down. Twiddling her fingers together nervously. Should I tell them the truth that I saw Sasuke-san here? No….they'll hunt him down. I'll be so….ashamed! He'd seen me….urrghh

    "N…No…body, Sakura-chan," Hinata replied, realising that she was still covered in her jacket.

    "Where the hell is she!" an aggressive male voice was heard from the outside. The four girls looked at one another.

    "It is inevitable," Tenten replied, crossing her arms across her chest. "We might as well let him in. Trust me. He's my team-mate for years and I know how stubborn he is."

    Neji rushed in. Still in his ANBU uniform, he looked around and saw Hinata lying on the bed, looking fragile. Neji quickly pulled the poor girl in a tight embrace causing her pale expression to flushed in deep cherry red.

    "Ne…ji….nii….I…," Hinata croaked. "I….breathe…..need…..," Hinata was choking on her words until Sakura's fist came upon Neji's head.

    "Give the girl some breathing space, Neji," Ino looked at the young and handsome ANBU captain who was in the middle of choking the life out of his cousin with his overzealous hug.

    After the Chuunin exam several years ago, Neji's treatment towards Hinata changed three-hundred and sixty degrees. He became more affectionate and overtly protective of his young cousin, like how their relationship was years ago when his father was still alive. Neji loved his cousin dearly and so did Hinata. Neji vowed to protect Hinata no matter what and that includes keeping the male species away from his fragile innocent cousin. Even Kiba would backed 500 yards away from Neji the moment Neji starts to growl.

    "I…I….think Nii-san….has gone into a concussion," Hinata said softly, looking at her unconscious cousin.

    Sakura looked at everyone guiltily and apologised, "I think I may have over done it. Gomen!"

    Hyuuga Household:

    Everyone was having dinner together when Hiashi looked at his eldest child.

    "Hinata," Hiashi said. "What happened today? When Neji relayed the message this afternoon, I was under the impression that somebody attacked you."

    "Otou-sama was even worried that somebody might kidnap you again," Hanabi added. "He was ready to muster the entire Hyuuga army until the Hokage herself had to come down and beat it down his throat."

    Hiashi gave a disapproving look at his youngest and then turned to the blushing Hinata. Even Neji and Hanabi were waiting for Hinata's answer.

    "A..Ano…nothing happened, Otou-sama," Hinata smiled, one of her graceful smile. "It was just that…that…the alarm went…off and they could…not find…anybody." Hinata continued. "I just felt…a little…exhausted and…and….the store…room was…hot." Hinata knew that if she'd mentioned at least a somebody in the room where she change, she knew her father and Neji are going to react unreasonably. And worst, if they found out that it was Sasuke, not even divine intervention could save him.

    Hiashi breathe a sigh of relief.

    After dinner, Hinata helped with the cleaning up and took away the dishes into the kitchen with the maids when Hanabi said, "I heard a different story."

    Both Hyuuga men looked at her sharply. Hiashi's cup was half way going to his mouth.

    "What do you know about, Hanabi?" Hiashi asked, sipping his tea.

    Hanabi grinned. She knew she was going to love this.

    "I heard that there was a peeping tom around the halls and it so happens that Onee-chan was changing in the store-room when it happened."

    Hiashi and Neji both spit out their teas simultaneously as Hanabi continued. "I personally heard Kurenai-sensei said that she'll personally murder the perpetrator if he had laid his hands on Hinata-neechan."

    "How does Kurenai-sensei know of this, Hanabi-sama?" Neji asked. Hanabi glared at him. She always get annoyed whenever Neji uses the suffix in her name. Deep down, she was jealous that Neji gave all this attention to Hinata and not to her.

    Hanabi ignored him and said, "Kurenai-sensei said that they found Nee-chan dressed only in her underwear covered only by her jacket and was lying down on the boxes in the store-room. Don't you feel that its odd? How can somebody fainted on boxes and then being covered by a jacket all alone?"

    Hiashi and Neji both broke their porcelain tea cups….again.

    There goes another set of teacups. Hanabi thought to herself. In amusement.

    I'm getting too old for this. First, I have installed the system. Now, I'm going to get steel grill for her windows! Hiashi closed his eyes and rubbed the area between them. It was as if his migraine has just returned after a leave of absence.

    "Neji," Hiashi said.

    "Yes Uncle," Neji looked at his uncle.

    "Tomorrow, I want you to go find the best grill-maker and get him to install the best steel grill he has on Hinata's window," Hiashi clenched his jaws.

    Hanabi was giggling. Hiashi shot a look at her.

    "And also Hanabi's window," Hiashi added. Hanabi looked crestfallen and Neji grinned maliciously at his youngest cousin.

    "What! That's not fair!" Hanabi exclaimed.

    "What is it Hanabi-chan?" Hinata asked, bringing in some snacks.

    "Oh nothing, only Hanabi-sama is showing her tantrums as usual," Neji grinned at his cousin while she served him some snacks. Neji enjoys his daily spats with his youngest cousin. With Hinata, he enjoys the calming effects she has on him, but with Hanabi, that was where he enjoys sarcastic and meaningless squabbles to which he always won.

    Looking beautiful in her simple lilac coloured kimono with a grey obi, Hinata's long indigo hair was tied at the end in a white ribbon like her cousin's hair. Hinata was the epitome of female virtue and ladylike manners and that was why Neji was so overtly protective of his young and innocent cousin.

    After everyone was asleep, Hinata tossed her blanket away and started to change. With her Byakugan, she scanned the whole area and everyone was snoozing well into their dreams. She also found out that her window was installed with a high-tech alarm system and that put a smile on her face. Instead of going out from the window, she went out through the door and off to her gardens quietly. Unknown to the whole family, Hinata had prepared another exit route from her late mother's gardens. Well, clearly she was not leaving the Hyuuga family, she's just off for some midnight trainings on her own.

    Happily walking away, she was not aware that somebody noticed her departure.