Naruto's face gained a look of horror, mixed with regret, sorrow, pain, and confusion.

"is anything else known?" he asked quietly. Akane wrapped her arms around him, an attempt at comfort.

"no." the Hokage replied, her face was calm and composed but her eyes were far different.

"I see." his face still holding a disturbed expression.

Akane's was sympathetic, but her eyes to held a different story, one missed by all.

In the Hyuuga clan holding an untouched room changed for the first time in three years. the release of a jutsu attracted the young would be heiress of the family, it was not the first time she had gone to her missing sisters room, previously for solitude or comfort. after all, after the investigation ended not even Father or Neji had entered. in fact they avoided the room consistently. when she opened the door her heart raced.

the room had changed.

her sisters room was no longer covered in dust. important mementos were not there, a portion of the closet was empty, and the formerly dismissed,blank piece of paper was not blank at all.

it read:

to who ever is reading this, Father, Hanabi and Neji.

i, Hinata Hyuuga left of my own choice, i swear this on mother's grave. since you are reading this then i assume that the genjustu seal i learned has faded. i think three years is enough time that these secrets will no longer matter.

the items missing i will have taken. if i do ever return, i wonder if you will forgive me? or will you seal me and marry me off? perhaps banish me? i do wonder.

i also have a few letters to some non-family members, they are under the mattress. names are on the envelopes. please dont bother trying to open them if you are not the addressee, they are blood seals.

Hinata Hyuuga.

after they had left the Hokage tower, the couple head out to search or an apartment. hours passed as manager after manager rejected them due to Naruto's status. finally, they came across an ad with a possible solution.

an elderly woman owned a decent sized house, however she was aging, and a large empty house was to much for her to handle. that and since her family had moved out of the village she was alone in the grand place. the ad asked for tenants who were 'willing to help with daily tasks and be respectful.'

Akane and Naruto turned around immediately and set off. the house was located on the other side of the village, so it took a bit longer than the other trips had but the distance from training grounds and Hokage tower as they were between the place Akane and Naruto had been searching and the location of the elderly woman's home.

after a short race they arrived at the house. it was nor a manor, more like a home for a very large family, or a small extended one. the place was old, but still in good shape. Naruto traded a glance with Akane, then they approached and knocked. after a few seconds a soft voice called from inside.

"one moment, please."

a short wait and a frail elderly woman opened the door, she looked up and peered at them.

"Shinobi, eh?" she commented. Akane replied with a polite;

"yes ma'am"

"well, come on in. i don't mind as long as you keep your weapons in your rooms. that and no parties."

she lead them through the house, showing them the available rooms and the others and their rules.

the not to enter her room, and the rest was fine as long as her things were not damaged.

after over an hour of looking around the couple asked to discuss the matter alone for a moment. the woman, smiled and nodded.

after she had left them in the study Naruto looked at Akane.

"so, what do you think?" he asked.

"peaceful,the chores won't be bad, and she was practical and kind at the same time."

"hmm, i do like the rooms and the back may work out, also the place is located quite nicely. i say its a go."

after they signed the contract and paid the first months rent. thte set their bags(really scrolls) down in their respective rooms. and left after a short farewell to thw woman( now known as Maeda Azumi)

as they left, Akane smiled, this was so much better than it had been before she left.

that night Naruto's mentor Jiraiya stopped by to place seals on their room, blocking intruders and listeners. after he left the two retreated to Naruto's room.

"How are you holding up, Hime?" he asked.

'Akane replied softly.

"it is strange, people I know looking at me with no recognition. that and the slight distrust of an"outsider." especially on family."

"well, maybe some day huh?"

"yes, maybe"

across town a brown haired teen sat on her elder sisters empty bed and cried over a crinkled scrap of paper.