AN: Thank you so much to all the people who either reviewed my story, added it to their favorites, or put it on their alert list! I do appreciate it! The encouragement really helps! Now, I'm not sure if you know it or not, but the best hours to write at are between 12am-2:30am. Or at least this is true for me. So please, enjoy my late night writing sessions!

Also, I do respond to reviews if a response is warranted, so if you have any questions or comments, please ask and tell!

Chapter 2

A loud bang on her door startled Hinata from her peaceful sleep. Surprised, Hinata sat straight up. Loud voices were muffled by the thick walls of the Hyuuga complex, but they sounded angry. Neji's voice sounded from beyond her door.

"Hinata-san, please wake up. We have a situation out here." Neji's voice was firm, but the sound of urgency was entwined with it.

"I'll be out in a moment!" Hinata called back, scrambling out of bed. She grabbed her outfit from the night before and slipped it on as quickly as possible, in too much of a rush to worry about clean clothing. Hinata opened the door to both her cousin and her younger sister. Hanabi held a look of panic on her face, while Neji looked stressed and annoyed.

"What's happened?" Hinata asked her elder cousin, already assuming that it had to do with the revelations of the day before. Neji was quick to confirm her worries.

"Some of the main branch members are rioting. They've trapped branch members in the far end of the complex, and refuse to allow anyone to pass or leave. They've threatened to kill a few of them to show that they are serious. They're demanding that you go to them at once." Neji said, turning and walking down the long hallway, leading to the troublemaking family members. Hanabi and Hinata were quick to follow.

"I see." Hinata said to herself. She stopped walking and turned to Hanabi. "Hanabi, please go to the Hokage's office and alert ANBU that we have a situation that we will most likely need their help to control."

Hanabi gave a nod before she spun and ran off in the opposite direction of her sister and cousin. Neji cleared his throat, and Hinata began to follow him again. As they approached the end of the complex Hinata saw a line of Hyuuga, between fifteen and twenty of them, blocking their way. The main family was blocking passage to a female branch member, who seemed to be trying to reason with the mob. A man of the main branch, an elder, Hinata recognized, stepped forward and shoved the woman back as she tried to push her way through the group.

Hinata felt her anger building at the situation. Not only was her family disrespecting her decisions, but they were disrespecting each other as well. Hinata and Neji approached and the large group and the attention that was once on the branch member turned to them. The elder who had stepped forward before, Kyo, was the first to greet them.

"Hinata-san. I assume you know why we have asked you to come here." Kyo snapped coldly, head held high, trying to intimidate her. Hinata matched his gaze, hardening her eyes.

"I assume that it is because you are upset with my decisions for our clan." Hinata replied, coming to a stop just a bit too close to the elder, hoping to make him feel as uncomfortable as she herself felt.

The main branch stood silently, watching with interest.

Hanabi ran as fast as she could through the streets, the Hokage's office in sight. A few villagers scrambled out of her way as the young girl dashed through the crowd of people. Reaching the doors finally, she entered the building breathless.

Panting, Hanabi began wandering the halls, searching for any signs of either ANBU or someone who could help her to contact them. Turning the corner at the end of a long hallway, she found what she was looking for. Two ANBU were stationed outside of a closed room, and as she turned the corner she had caught their attention. They immediately began advancing on her.

"You're not allowed to be here, Hyuuga-san." A deep voice stated, face hidden behind a porcelain mask.

"Please, I was actually looking for you guys. I need your help! There is a riot at the Hyuuga complex, and some of the members have taken others hostage. The complex is hostile, and my sister said that we may require assistance."

The ANBU turned to each other, and then nodded. The one Hanabi had spoke to knocked on the door that the members had been guarding, while the silent one beckoned for Hanabi to join them at the door. Hanabi heard the Hokage's voice telling them to come in, though she sounded annoyed.

"This had better be good, I'm in the middle of a negotiation." Tsunade snapped, turning her attention away from her guest and towards the trio.

Hanabi glanced around the room, recognizing only the faces of her own Hokage as well as Suna's Kazekage.

"Apparently there has been an incident at the Hyuuga compound, and ANBU is needed to rectify the situation. The environment is hostile." One of the members spoke, and Tsunade's eyes narrowed.

"How hostile?"

"There are hostages." The ANBU confirmed.

Hanabi watched as Tsunade nodded to herself and stood.

"Let's go then."

The screech of chair legs sounded behind them, and Hanabi watched as the Kazekage stood as well. Tsunade scowled slightly.

"You're not invited. This is clan business, and getting you involved would only complicate matters."

As they turned to leave, Hanabi did not miss the dark look of frustration and annoyance that was plastered onto the Kazekage's face.

"We, the elders of the Hyuuga clan as well as the main family, have decided that your rules are unjust to our needs as a whole. The seal was enacted for a reason, to protect the secrets of the Hyuuga clan and to only allow those who are worthy and pure to be able to use the bloodline. We will stand united on this front, and will not back down until our old way of living in enacted again." Kyo said firmly, defiance and anger filling his white eyes. His long brown hair reminded Hinata of her father's.

"And instead of coming to be and having a civil and rational conversation, you've decided that isolating our branch members, threatening them, and physically assaulting them was the logical choice?" Hinata matched, her voice cold, angered by his words and the actions of her own family.

"You would not have listened. You would've tried to tell us that it would be all right, to trust you. You are not your father, Hinata." Kyo replied snidely, and Hinata felt the anger she had been holding inside snap.

"No, I am not my father! But I am the person that he trusted with the clan, the person that you all insisted would be the best choice! And now, as I stand before you all trying to better our people so we may all thrive together, you mock me and you hurt our family. You call yourself pure, as though others are somehow tainted. You call yourself worthy, but I see no worthiness in you. You want to go back to our old ways of living, but only because you fear change. That fear will weaken us.

I will not back down, Ryo. It would be in your best interest to stand aside, because I will take action and enact consequences to anyone who decides to resist the new Hyuuga laws."

Mummers sounded behind Ryo, and he stood stunned, surprised that their threats had not forced Hinata to give in to their demands. He spun to the group of men and women behind him.

"Do not let her pass, she is bluffing. We are necessary links in our proud clan, and always will be. No actions will be taken, and we will get what is necessary. The branch family WILL protect the main branch, and will NOT be granted the access to our precious bloodline limit." Kyo said firmly, trying to rally his people together, to entice them to remain strong and to not fear the words of their leader.

Hinata turned to the rest of the rioting members, seeing uncertainty in a few eyes and faces, and even more rebellion in others.

"I assure you, your actions here will not be tolerated. Stand down, and let me through." Hinata said firmly, stepping forward. Neji, who had remained silent as we watched his cousin's interactions with their clan stepped up as well, finally speaking.

"You all worry about the branch families protecting the main, but should it not be the other way around? Should it not be that those granted the power of our bloodline should protect those who have not had it? Or better yet, we all defend ourselves and our family members, fighting united as one.

The disrespect you are showing today is disgusting and not of the Hyuuga nature." Neji spat, his eyes burning with anger, brows pressed together with frustration.

Hinata took another step, and a few members stepped aside, averting their gaze. Others stepped in front, blocking Hinata and shoving those who had changed their mind to the side. A few branch members wandered out of the room where they were being held to watch the events play out, to see who would win and which side would prevail.

Hinata stepped forward again, and Kyo shoved her back, causing Hinata to stumble. She watched as he activated his bloodline, to the surprise of his followers.

"If you will not give our people what is necessary, then you must be dealt with. I will take over this clan, and lead it in the proper direction." Kyo snapped coldly, spinning to the members behind him, "Will you follow me to our true destiny? Or will you follow the unsure path that our leader is weaving? Choose."

Four more members of the main branch stepped forward, granting their support to the crazed Hyuuga elder. Hinata activated her own bloodline limit, the veins in her eyes beginning to bulge, her eyes becoming more defined. Neji stepped forward, next to his cousin, ready to fight beside her, and the group of five began advancing as well.

In the blink of an eye, a masked member of the ANBU stood between the two groups. And second member followed quickly behind, followed by heavy footsteps coming down the hallway. Hanabi ran up, Tsunade in tow.

"Back up, and back down." Tsunade snapped, glaring at all active parties. Hinata and Neji were the first to deactivate their bloodlines, while the rebellious main branch members stood proudly, refusing.

"This is a clan matter, Hokage-sama. You have no authority here." Snapped Kyo, refusing to back down.

Tsunade glared back, a cruel smile crossing her lips only seconds later.

"Are you denying an order from your Hokage? Being hostile and threatening even?"

The ANBU members turned to Kyo and his followers, their porcelain masks covering up any expression they might have held.

"Your Hokage has asked you to deactivate your bloodline limit and to step away. If you refuse to comply, consequences will be enforced." A hollow voice stated, as though it had spoken the line many a time.

Kyo stood his ground, and the few still enraged Hyuuga members advanced forward, standing beside him defiantly. In a flash, ANBU members came through windows, doors, and branching hallways, surrounding the rebellious members and forcing them to the floor.

Hinata turned to look at Neji, her eyes showing her exhaustion at the events of the morning. Her hair was messy, her clothing wrinkled, and her day seemed to have been ruined. Neji gave a nod in the direction of their Hokage, and Hinata turned her attention to Tsunade. Tsunade waved her hand, gesturing for them to come over and join her. Hinata made her way over, stepping around the waves of ANBU that now crowded the halls, her elder cousin following closely behind.

"So, what in the world did you do to cause all this trouble?" Tsunade asked, amusement shinning in her eyes. Hinata swallowed hard as she glanced back at the trouble-making members who were now being lead out of the complex.

"I announced yesterday that the Hyuuga clan would no longer use the cursed seal. Apparently they didn't take it as well as we initially thought." Hinata said softly, her eyes clouding with sadness. It had never been her intention for any of this to happen. She wanted her clan to come together as a whole, not break apart.

"Don't look so down, Girly. Big changes take time." Tsunade said, trying to comfort the distressed young woman. "If they just accepted such a huge change with no issue at all, I'd be stunned. This has been their way of living their entire lives, and now it's being threatened in their minds."

Hinata gave a nod, watching as the branch members began to clear out of the rooms where they had been kept hostage, many frightened faces looked to her, and it was almost more then she could bear.

"Hinata-san, I will go speak to them." Neji said, his eyes daring her to deny him. Hinata gave a grateful smile and a nod, and Neji made his way over to his fellow branch members. Hinata turned her attention back to Tsunade.

"I apologize if I interrupted you from your work, Hokage-san."

"No worries," Tsunade said with a grin, "You got me out of a meeting, I should be thanking you! That Suna brat can drive a hard bargain." Tsunade mumbled, and Hinata blushed. She had not only interrupted Tsunade, but one of Gaara's many meetings as well!

"So, you ready to go?" Tsunade said suddenly, surprising Hinata.

"Go?"

"Well, we have to fill out an incident report about everything that happened today." Tsunade said, eyeing the girl, teasing her.

"Oh, oh yes." Hinata stumbled, feeling like a fool. "I'm sorry, it has been a long morning." She apologized, giving a soft sign and once again turning her reluctant eyes to the branch family members, whose morning must have been much, much worse.

Tsunade began to wander her way back to the entrance of the complex, and Hinata followed closely behind, occasionally letting her Hokage know when to turn. Finally navigating the maze of hallways and rooms, they reached their exit. They walked silently though town, Hinata's mind stuck on the trauma of the morning, and she could only hope when she returned home that the fellow members of her family would be civil. Or at least not require ANBU assistance.

They approached the Hokage's office building, and made their way inside. A few ANBU, who had escorted the two to their location, began to spread out in the building. They quickly cleared the room, deeming it safe. Tsunade began walking down a hall to their right, and Hinata followed after, silently, stressing over the day. Praying that the changes she had enacted wouldn't be the downfall of her family.

Tsunade opened a door, and gave a snort.

"You're still here? Why didn't you leave?" Tsunade said with amusement, laughing at an annoyed looking Kazekage.

"I wish to get this meeting out of the way. I have no desire to prolong it." An irritated Gaara snapped back, glaring half-heartedly back at the older woman.

Tsunade entered the room, ignoring the intense green eyes wishing death upon her, and Hinata followed inside. As she entered, she watched Gaara's expression go from upset to surprised, and she thought that it may have been the most expressive change of features she'd ever seen on his face. Seconds later, his face returned to an expressionless state, and all was right with the world yet again.

With a slight nod in his direction, Hinata caught up with Tsunade who was going through some papers in a closet. She could hear muffled mumbling coming from Tsunade, and held back a smile.

"You can go have a seat, Hinata. This may take a minute. Shizune!" Tsunade shouted, turning from the closet and exiting the room.

Hesitating for a moment, Hinata reluctantly took a seat across from Gaara. She felt as though there were butterflies fluttering in her stomach, and she wasn't sure why. She twisted her hands together nervously, not knowing what to say.

"Was there a rebellion?" Gaara asked, breaking the silence. "I was at a meeting with your Hokage when she was called away." He revealed.

Hinata gave a nod. "Some of the main branch members. It wasn't pretty. Thankfully everyone is safe, and the ones causing problems are being dealt with." Hinata confirmed, glancing at the door to their right. "I apologize that we had to interrupt your meeting." She shyly offered.

They sat in silence for a moment, studying each other boldly. Hinata's eyes studied Gaara's bright red, messy hair. She noticed soft gleams of orange in his darker red hair. His eyes came next, and they were just as stunning as ever. A beautiful aquatic green, hard and judgmental. She quickly left his eyes, feeling a flush climb onto her cheeks. His jaw was strong and masculine, his nose and cheek bones matching his features perfectly, and for a moment Hinata felt jealous of his beauty.

"I wanted to go with her." Gaara said suddenly, surprising Hinata. It was nothing new, his random bursts of information…

"Eh?" Hinata said, mentally slapping her forehead at her response. She blushed a bright read, and watched as Gaara's forehead crinkled as he drew his would-be eyebrows together, eyeing her red cheeks.

"When your Hokage left, I wanted to follow. I was not allowed." Gaara said, a hint of bitterness making it into his voice.

Hinata smiled softly, her blush still lingering. "If you had gotten hurt, it would have been an international incident." Hinata said carefully. It was true, if the Hyuuga clan had attacked Gaara and managed to hurt him, it would not look good for the village.

"I can take care of myself." Gaara said firmly, as if daring her to challenge the fact. Hinata gave a nod, because she knew that he could. That didn't mean that Tsunade wouldn't take extra precautions though.

Silence filled the room yet again, and they both waited. They could hear the soft cries of people yelling in the background. Tsunade and Shizuri. Apparently they were still trying to find the paperwork. Organization had never been Tsunade's strong point.

"May I ask your opinion, Gaara?" Hinata said suddenly, her pale eyes meeting his. He gave a nod, and she continued. "Would it be terribly selfish of me to leave Konoha after all is said and done? My friends are here, my family too, but…" Hinata's lavender eyes met Gaara's, silently pleading, looking for advice and honesty.

"What do you hope to achieve by leaving?" Gaara questioned.

Hinata hesitated, even though she knew the answer. She felt like a fool, but answered anyway.

"I want to be happy." Hinata revealed in a quiet voice. "Everyone here judges. They think I am weak, or weird, too quiet or too shy. I'm the heiress of the Hyuuga, so I'm some snotty little rich girl, or that girl who only uses her team to succeed in missions because she's too weak.

I want to start over, and to be the person I've always wanted to be. I know everyone I love is here, but this is not where I want to be."

Gaara seemed to be lost in thought, studying her, and the scrutiny made Hinata blush deeply. She didn't normally speak about such personal things with others, and she was embarrassed that she had taken liberties with the Kazekage of another village.

"I think that you have a good reason to want to leave." Gaara said finally, meeting her eyes. "It is a selfish decision, but if you are always selfless, the world will trample you. I, too, have made many selfish decisions. I became the Kazekage because I wanted to protect those who lived in Suna, but I did so because I wanted acceptance. " Hinata stared at him, surprised. "I wanted the people of my village to feel face, to want me around, to forgive my past misdeeds. It was selfish, but the correct decision."

Hinata felt his words of truth and comfort flood her body, and she felt happy. Happy that although her decision was selfish, that others may accept it. She smiled brightly at Gaara, and watched as his lips twitched upward in return.

"Hinata! Found it! Come on!" Tsunade called from down the hall, breaking the moment, and Gaara's face returned to its normal emotionless look.

Hinata stood and moved towards the door. As she went to leave, she turned to Gaara and smiled again, her eyes holding a gentle glow.

"Thank you very much for sharing that with me Gaara, and thank you for speaking to me so freely. I hope to see you again before you leave." Hinata admitted, and then ducked out of the room quickly, on her way to meet Tsunade in the hallway.

If she would've looked back in the room, she would've laughed at the right of a brightly blushing Kazekage.

AN: Tomorrow (March 28th) is my 23rd birthday, so I'm hoping to get some good reviews for my story! As per the usual, if you see something misspelled, please let me know so I can correct it. I have a few corrections to make to chapter one as well for that matter.

I was thinking about having Gaara show up at the Hyuuga complex himself, but it didn't seem logical honestly. He is a foreign Kage, so having him do that seemed like it would be crossing the line of being believable. Otherwise, I hope that the chapter was what you expected it to be in some aspects, and surprising in others. And I certainly hope nothing is too OOC or too rushed, please let me know if it is?

Odji