Hello, my lovelies!

Once again, I am humbled and in awe of the feedback I've gotten. Honestly. You all are amazing! Thank you so much! I hope this next installment lives up to the expectation. :) I truly, truly appreciate the time you guys take to read and review.

I own nothing and make no money off of this. If I did, then I wouldn't have to spend my early morning hours teaching, amiright?


She sat silently by the fireplace, watching the flames lick and dance over what once was a small stool, now sacrificed to keep them warm. It was sheer luck that this abandoned trapper's cabin was in their path, and it was even luckier they'd managed to find meager provisions still within.

"This should work until the storm passes," he mused quietly.

She nodded, lost to her thoughts.

Her caravan had been attacked, seemingly at random, for the sole purpose of capturing her. How had they known she'd be there? Her invocation was only days ago, and the formal announcement wouldn't have been released until her return. The Elders would have also wanted to make mention of her engagement to Lord Koichiro, as well as flaunt her newly accepted position. Had Hanabi made it to safety? She'd hoped so, at least before the blizzard moved in. Thoughts rapidly filled her mind and she found no peace in the quiet crackle of the fireplace.

It made no sense… Who could possibly care that much about a betrothal meeting? The choices she made and were going to make, would hardly affect the sanctity of the entire ninja world, so why the sudden threat to her life?

Her expression was hard as she continued to search for clues in the details of the attack.

"I didn't see any village insignia," he offered, sternly, reading her mind, "it's likely they were hired privately by someone rather influential. A feudal lord most likely, but I can't get behind that…this felt too rehearsed. Did you know any of those on the squad hired for your safe passage?"

She turned to him with confusion in her eyes. She hadn't paid much attention to the squadron, although, she now regretted not doing so. She'd only assumed they were hired for the show of it all. Now that she was to take over, her shinobi abilities would be used sparingly during times of crisis, if at all. Her father always had his personal guard with him, but they were assigned from their clan. It never occurred to her to ask for a group of her own family, but she'd doubted the Elders would have indulged her anyway. They were sparing with sending their clansmen out in large groupings together, for fear of the Byakugan falling into the wrong hands.

They have no problem, she thought bitterly, allowing their heiress to make such asinine trips and put her safety in danger.

"Don't let them make you weak…" his words echoed in her mind.

If she weren't a Hyuga and hadn't had years of practice schooling her emotions, her eyes would be permanently rolled to the back of her head. She forced the air out of her lungs to release her irritation and frustration.

His brow inclined slightly but went unnoticed by the heiress.

"I don't know any of them. Why?"

Turning his gaze back to the fire, he was cautious with his tone.

"Before you ran in, the assailants specifically targeted Hanabi. I expected the attackers to disperse and try to eliminate most of the guard before homing in on her, but they didn't. In fact, most of the guard was slow to respond when she was attacked…"

"Are you saying that—"

He turned from her quickly, eyes flashing menacingly.

"Forget it," he cut her off abruptly, "forget I said anything."

His tone was final, brooking no barter.

She let out a heavy sigh, filled with all the strain, annoyance and irritation held within.

Uchihas are so temperamental.

Granted, she'd only known the one Uchiha, and even that was a sparing acquaintance, but she felt safe in her blanket assumption.

As much as she wanted to rush back to the village for answers, she knew she was in no condition to battle the harsh winter elements of the northern countries. Her shinobi supplies and conditioning were left behind, and she'd allowed her instincts to dull in favor of becoming a version of herself she didn't particularly like. She was stuck here, in this tiny cabin, with the least amicable person on the planet. Hinata had always tried to be a companion to everyone, sparing no pain to make someone feel warm in her company, but somehow, she just didn't think he'd be receptive to her, no matter how friendly he may have been the day prior. Did she really even want to try and talk to him?

Her mind drifting back to their first meeting and her irrational heart began to beat in rapid succession. She observed him intently as he watched the flames. The nagging familiarity was still there, she could feel it in his posture, in the way he leaned against the fireplace deep in thought. His proximity made her feel something akin to intoxication, which also brought the familiar rush of heat into every part of her body. Her face flushed and she turned away, reeling at the way his mere presence was enough to put thoughts in her head that should only be reserved for her husband.

Idly, she wondered if she'd still marry Koichiro or if they'd choose another bachelor from the clan to take his place. Considering the attack occurred as they entered his country, it had cast doubt, even in her own mind, as to the sincerity of their promise to make ties with the Hyuga and the Leaf by extension. She supposed she'd have to consult the Elders when she returned to Konoha and make preparations for another course of action. Hopefully, this would prove her loyalty to the clan thereby making it easier in the future to further her own goals of unifying them once and for all. Still, she couldn't shake the way Sasuke's words had unnerved her, prying the false sense of security away from her and forcing her to face her suspicions head on.

Glancing out the window, she saw the sky darkening and the heavy snow still falling in thick blankets all around. The wind was beginning to howl, and the ice was plink, plink, plunking on the old tin roof above her. She returned her attention to Sasuke, who was now watching her. Although slightly startling, she did not waiver. She met his appraising gaze with one of her own, their locked eyes warring with each other for entry into the soul. She knew, somewhere inside her, that she was missing a key piece of some mysterious puzzle her mind had drudged up, but she just couldn't bring herself to make the connection. He finally looked away, turning to stoke the fire, keeping the flames high and warm.

I might as well make an effort to get to know him. It doesn't seem like we'll be on our way home any time soon.

Steeling her nerve, she tried to form the words that would open herself up to him for the first time. Neither of them had actively sought the other out before, but she knew from her relationship with Naruto that he was a good person if one chose to look underneath the underneath.

She absently played with her fingers in her lap, watching the snow and ice fall through the window. The sky was nearly black at this point, and she couldn't help but draw the connection between its color and her companion's eyes.

"My mother used to take me to a cabin like this," she said softly.

He didn't respond so she continued:

"My earliest memories of the summer time would be spending weekends, just she and I, in this little outpost on the edge of Hyuga land. There was a pond, but to me at the time, it was big enough to be a lake. I remember the koi and the cherry trees. There were so many wildflowers growing all around, I just couldn't believe how many there were. I once tried to bundle one of every color into a bouquet for Mother. I couldn't seem to do it since my hands were so small, but I tried, and she loved it anyway… I miss it."

Her eyes had drifted to her hands in her lap, examining them for any trace of the little girls' fingers that had last grasped her mother's handhold. The silence filled the space around her, and she nearly didn't notice his reply.

"Have you gone back?"

His voice had grown quiet, reverent. He did not move to look at her, but he was listening.

"No, I haven't been back since she died. I wanted to, but I…"

She trailed off, swallowing the emotion that had grown in her throat, threatening to choke her. It was hard for her to remember her mother, each passing year her memory of the woman had grown fainter and now she struggled to even see her face. Her eyes grew watery and she didn't care to fight them back. The emotion she'd been hiding, that she'd been keeping at bay, came freely now. Hinata allowed herself to be consumed by it, to let the waves of sadness and profound loss wash over her. There were no sobs, but the tears came freely regardless.

"My mother used to take me there too," he whispered, pulling her from inside herself.

She didn't answer him, allowing him the opportunity to continue if he chose.

"It wasn't as often as you had gone, but we would go, and she would tell me stories of my father when they were younger. I'm almost positive it was the same cabin. I'd practice my fireball jutsu over the pond which would make Mother laugh. I could never manage more than smoke, but she would watch and tell me how much I'd improved."

Hinata wiped the tears from her eyes and swallowed the last of her emotion.

"I'd always thought it was exclusively on the Hyuga side of the western boundary…"

His face changed a bit, allowing her to glimpse the smallest of change in his expression. It wasn't a smile, but he seemed to be amused, if ever so slightly, by her observation.

"It straddles the boundary line for both of our clans. Our easternmost boundary and your westernmost boundary. I never knew why it had been built there like that and I never had a reason to ask."

She smiled softly, "It seems our mothers were of like minds."

"Hn."

They allowed the silence to drift over them once more, now more comfortable than awkward. She had found commonality with him and it was in the most unexpected of places. She gazed at the fire and wondered just how many other things she may have missed in the silent Uchiha man.

.:.:.:.

The Hyuga compound was almost always quiet at this time of day, and that was exactly how preferred it. The late hour meant that every clan member would be in their appropriate lodging or guard post for the night. They were a large clan, but each person knew exactly what was expected of them and not one deviated from their place in the machine. Hiashi smirked in satisfaction as he roamed the hallways, finally coming to the room that held his most trusted advisors. He knew these men; they'd grown up with him and pledged their unfailing loyalty to him. That's all one really needed to run a tight ship: two or three good men who are willing to fall on their sword for their lord.

Sliding open the shoji door was far more satisfying this night than it had at any of his other monthly meetings. He knew, without any doubt, that his elder daughter was completely under his command. Soon, she would be tied to a powerful clan and would gain precious allied strength for their cause. Regardless of what she thought would happen under her leadership, he'd enacted a plan that would propel their family into the future with more power than they'd ever had before. He also knew that it wouldn't be long before he could finally begin to see the fruits of his decade's long labor finally come to fruition.

The sound of bamboo rubbing against the frame alerted the three men to their master's arrival. They bowed deeply in deference to him and would remain in their supplication until otherwise instructed. They were fortunate enough to be among the chosen and they would not make the mistake of misunderstanding their rightful place in the clan.

"Rise, rise, my friends and take your places among me," he said calmly.

The advisors obliged but did so warily, Hiashi was always watching for the smallest sign of disloyalty, even in their mannerisms. There was a chill to the room that hadn't been there before, and it didn't behoove any of them to dwell on the fact.

"I require a status report, Hiori, and do be blunt, I grow weary of formalities."

"Yes, my lord," Hiori replied cautiously, clearing his throat, "everything has been carried out to your will, the stores are at capacity and then some, our requests for building expansions have been approved by the Hokage and Hinata-sama's ascension ceremony planning has been going quite smoothly."

He bowed his head and returned to his seat.

"Very well. Now I wish to make mention of another matter of which I expect your full cooperation."

His eyes, proud and strong, drifted to each of the men present. They all held his gaze, nodding slightly, affirming their support regardless of what he would request of them.

"As you well may know, Konohagakure has grown weaker as of late, due in large part to the weakness of leadership. Our humble clan has served at the pleasure of the Hokage for many generations, all the way back to its founder. It brings me great distress that our village—our clan—should sit idly by and allow a single man to destroy the dominance we have come to appreciate in the Land of Fire. I have spoken personally with the daimyo and the call to action has finally come. Let us be his hands and feet, putting into motion a masterfully planned project to eradicate the Leaf of unnecessary weakness. What better time than now, when our heiress has accepted her duty properly, for me to take the reins and regain the fight that has left us wanting this past year."

As his echoing voice fell silent, the three men stared, wide eyed and flabbergasted, at their leader.

Hiashi could feel the hesitation and could see the treacherous thoughts behind their eyes. His Byakugan flared to life, his voice bringing down the infamous hellfire he'd been partial to in past years.

"You will be at my side throughout this task, after all, who but I hold your fate in their hand?"

Immediately and in unison, the three men fell to their knees, faces pressed firmly to the floor.

"That is exactly the answer I require. You will not speak of this to anyone—not even to each other—outside of this room. You will act as you do any other day. This is the most sensitive of information and I will not suffer a traitor in my clan. Have I made myself clear?"

The three muffled affirmations were all he needed to retain his confidence. He knew they'd say or do nothing to stand in his way. Their fealty had been demanded in their youth, cultivated and admonished in their prime and had become unwavering in their elder age. Hiashi had always known his time would come and he was a hair's breadth away from realizing every dream he'd ever had. Yes, it would all go according to plan.

It was unfortunate for him; however, that he hadn't accounted for his younger daughter's early return. Her shivering, worn body pressed firmly against the wall, hearing every word.

.:.:.:.

Hanabi had never been good with keeping secrets unless that is, she was being threatened or ordered to do so. So, when she finally found her way home, after being quite literally dragged through the trees, it was all she could do to muffle her sounds of shock and disgust at her father's words. All she had wanted to do was report to her father and collapse in her own bed. She had anticipated him to be locked away with the Elders discussing how to rescue her sister or more likely, how to salvage the situation with Lord Koichiro. When she'd gone to the large meeting hall, she found it empty. She knew if he couldn't be found with the old men, he'd be with his council of personal advisors nearer the residential quarters. Just as expected, she heard the familiar rumble of his voice through the shoji. What she hadn't expected was to overhear her father's plan to take over the Leaf.

She knew her father well. If he found her there, eavesdropping, she would be branded and carted off to the branch house for her treachery before she could blink. Her father required absolute loyalty, and this meant blind trust in his every decision. His plans were often made in private and she'd never before been privy to any of the inner workings of their clan. Regardless of her relationship with him, she knew his goals were his top priority and she'd be the first to be punished had he discovered her there.

Hanabi dragged herself from her post into the residential wing of their home. Even with her injuries and exhaustion, she was light on her feet. It's what made her a prodigy in her own right. Her movements were silent and after a while, she didn't fear her father's wrath. That wasn't to say she was in the clear, because she'd forgotten another pair of pale eyes that had been anticipating her arrival.

"Hanabi," he hissed, coming out of the shadows, "I've been looking for you for the better part of an hour. This is not the time to avoid medical care nor should you be roaming the grounds. Hinata-sama is missing and you're injured."

"I'm aware Neji," she said moving past him and entering her rooms, falling heavily on her bed.

"What happened out there?"

His eyes were active, scanning her body for injury.

"Our caravan was attacked by weirdos trying to kidnap Neechan. Or kill her, no one would tell me, and I wasn't allowed to really investigate," she said bitterly.

"Damn it," he whispered, "I knew I should have been the one to protect her. I knew that damned Uchiha—"

"Oh, he did his job. The Uchiha was the only one who seemed to be good at what they do. Those idiots that were assigned to protect me were the ones who should be stripped of rank. I managed to dispatch three of the attackers before any of those asshats even started reacting…"

She removed the heavy shawl from her shoulders and tossed it unceremoniously to the corner of her room.

"That's not even the important bit," she said standing and closing the distance between them.

"What are you talking about? Of course, it is! If they failed to protect you, then we must inform Hiashi-sama at once. Hinata-sama is—"

"Is probably right behind me. Really Neji, get a life. She can take care of herself. Besides, I think Father was too busy scaring the shit out of his advisors when I overheard him—"

"You know what the punishment is for eavesdropping, Hanabi. Had you been caught, not even Hinata could have saved you."

"Yeah, yeah," she said, waiving off his concerns with her hand, "but I wasn't. Would you just listen?"

He stared at her for a moment longer before nodding his head.

"Father is planning a coup," she whispered, "he just told his advisors to set some messed up plan into motion to kick out the Rokudaime."

Neji's cool face faltered, leaving him shocked once more.

"Are you absolutely certain that's what you heard? Because that's an incredibly dangerous rumor to start Hanabi."

His voice was low and careful.

"I swear on my Mother's grave," she said sternly, "Father has lost his mind. Or something."

It was a rare occasion for Hanabi to see her cousin unnerved. It was even rarer to watch him pale, more so than he already was, falter in his stance and lean against the wall in support. A thousand thoughts were racing through his mind and it read all over his face. His schooled emotions had long since been released and he now was trying to assess the situation at hand.

"Neji?" she asked, unnerved at the sight of him losing composure.

His jaw clenched and he turned to her again, his face grave and expressionless.

"Do you remember the last time a clan planned a coup on the Leaf?"

Hanabi's face scrunched in confusion.

"No? Why would I?"

He let a frustrated sigh escape him.

"The Uchiha Clan, Hanabi. If the wrong ears get wind of this, the Hyuga will end up exactly as they did. Except for this time, the assassin won't be internal."

It was Hanabi's turn to feel the color drain from her face.

Shit.

The history of the Uchiha Clan had often been avoided in her studies because no one wanted to educate the then-heiress on the darker points of clan life. In fact, no one in the village even discussed it openly. Everyone had assumed that Itachi had gone crazy and murdered everyone but once the war ended, Naruto made sure that everyone knew the truth about the elder Uchiha brother's sacrifice. It's why Sasuke was welcomed so warmly back into their society. She never realized that history did, in fact, repeat itself because she'd not been alive long enough (until now apparently) to see it happen. Yesterday, her biggest fear was being branded as a branch member. Today, she just wanted to live to see her thirteenth birthday. She steeled herself to face Neji once more.

"We need to talk to the Hokage," she said confidently.

Neji allowed her words to sink into his mind and she could see them take root. She knew that he'd come with her and do what needed to be done. Hanabi knew that he was loyal to her and her sister, no matter what anyone else said or did. She also knew that he'd put his life before her own without thinking about it. She trusted Neji and he trusted her.

"Yes," he agreed, "Let us go immediately. You'll need to dress less formally so you can exit through the back gate. It's less conspicuous and it will be easier to sneak away without Uncle realizing we're gone."

She nodded. Hanabi took to her wardrobe and procured the plainest yukata she owned. If she used her training gear, she would raise more alarms. She went into her bathroom and changed quickly, washing her face and hands and running a brush through her tangled locks. It wasn't perfect but it would add to the persona of her blending into the background with her cousin. Exiting the bright light of the bath, she returned to his company. He nodded and they left her rooms as quietly and stealthily as they dared. Neither could afford to get caught and neither could afford to die.


That's it for now! I hope you enjoyed it...I can say that it may end up being a bit darker than most of the other things I've written, but sometimes, life is dark, ya' know? I hope you all realize how awesome you are. Really and truly. Did you know that no matter what happens in the future, the path your on has already created ripples of change? You, my lovely, are change incarnate. It's a wonderful thing. Be true to who you are and, most importantly, be kind to yourselves, yes? Until next time. :)