DISCLAIMER: I do not own these characters from Naruto. And I ain't making any money from it either.

WARNINGS: This story is still OOC and will stay that way... I like to twist them around...

Part 4

They all met at the rendezvous point at the given time. Sasuke, Gaara and Shino came first and Kakashi, Kurenai and Neji came a few moments later. Six warriors teamed up to free Hinata from her fateful imprisonment. Now with Neji on their side it would be even easier to get around the Hyuuga-mansion and estate. He had been raised there and he should know of the hiding places there.

His pearly white eyes were looking curiously at Gaara and Sasuke and he knew that they would go to any length to free his cousin. 'How odd, especially Gaara… I never thought he was capable of love and yet I can see that he loves my cousin. Sasuke… why has he come back to Konoha?' thought Neji as he looked at the two ninjas. He made a mental note about speaking to them both when they were alone.

Kakashi mumbled something about taking a nap but was slapped over his head by Kurenai. She glared at him before she growled at him.

"We do not have the time for little naps you lazy assed bastard!"

"Kurenai-san, why not." almost whined the silverhaired ninja and rubbed his sore head.

"Because we must find a place where we can plan out our rescue mission, Kakashi-san." said Kurenai.

"My place perhaps? My house is on the outskirts of town, never seen a Hyuuga around there for five years." said Kakashi.

"Well, then I suggest you run along home and make sure that every little piece of Hentai reading is cleared from your rooms. Because I refuse to enter a house that can make you a pervert just by looking into it!" snorted Kurenai.

"Oh, so you mean that you can be transformed into a female pervert? I like the sound of that." chuckled Kakashi, but he regretted his words the next moment because she swapped him over his head again. Perhaps it was best to stop now before she went all crazy with her genjutsu specialties. He used his teleportation technique and disappeared.

The four young men turned around with smiles and began to walk back to Kakashi's house. Even Gaara was smiling and that was something that seldom or never happened.

Kakashi went inside first and cleaned up a bit before letting Kurenai and the boys come in. He put all his adult fiction in a drawer and then said to them that it was ok to come inside. He showed them into his living room and then he disappeared into the kitchen to make them some tea. He could hear Neji ask over and over again if they were sure that it was Hinata-sama they had seen and Gaara snorted. Of course they were sure. He had watched her every full moon over the last eight years.

"They must threaten her with something." concluded Neji after a while. "Or else she wouldn't stay there. They must have something on her that makes her stay. She may be a weak and timid little girl. But she's stubborn and strong-willed."

Kurenai was stunned to hear Neji say such things about Hinata. But he was right. She wouldn't stay prisoner if she could run away. So there had to be something that they used against her in some way.

"But with what can they hold her back?" asked Sasuke and looked at Neji.

"I don't know, could be anything. Perhaps they are telling her that they will kill a certain someone if she runs away." said Neji with a thoughtful look in his eyes. "And since Hinata-sama cares more for others than she does for herself… that would do the trick for them. She wouldn't let anyone come to harm if she can help it."

"I agree with Neji-san. Hinata-chan would never endanger another being, that is not in her nature." said Shino and added his opinion to the situation. "But I think an idea could be for Neji-san to go back to the Hyuuga-house and move in again."

"Are that advisable?" wondered Kakashi and served them all tea.

"It would seem suspicious if he came back now just when Gaara and I have been there asking for you." said Sasuke and sipped his tea. "I say that we wait for the next full moon and take her away."

"How long before the next full moon?" asked Kurenai.

"About three weeks from now." said Gaara.

"Three weeks…. That is a long time." said Neji; his hands itched to beat those who dared hurting his shy cousin. And he still had trouble believing that Hanabi would go to such length in getting her power. She always was an ambitious girl, but this? This was just… Neji gritted his teeth together.

"And Neji should not be seen by anyone else, it could be that the Hyuuga's get hold of the information and that might put Hinata-san in danger. Perhaps you should stay here with Kakashi-sensei," said Sasuke.

"Ahh, Sasuke-kun, please don't refer me to teacher, I'm not a teacher anymore," groaned Kakashi. "It makes me feel old."

"Well, you look old too," snickered Kurenai.

"Look who's talking.." he shot back and yanked her few grey hair she had on her head.

"Ouch… don't do that!"

"A fight between lovers perhaps?" chuckled Shino and got everybody's attention. Then they all laughed, except for Kakashi and Kurenai who looked beet red and then humpfed and crossed their arms.

An hour later Gaara and Sasuke walked back to Sasuke's hired apartment and Kurenai and Shino went home as well. Neji stayed with Kakashi. As for now they had decided to wait and see what was going to happen. Kakashi and Kurenai would use their ninja skills and try to find out more about the last days of Hinata's official life. But they all agreed on that her 'death' must have been her father's and sister's idea of getting rid of her as heir to the Hyuuga-clan.

Sasuke and Gaara sat and talked in the small living room of the apartment. Sasuke had made them some tea and Gaara the sandwiches. Somehow they began to talk about Hinata and what would happen once she was free again.

"Do you think she will accept us both Sasuke-kun?" asked Gaara quietly and looked down on the tea cup in his hand. He was afraid that these three weeks up to the next full moon would be the longest in his life.

"I am not sure Gaara-kun, but I think she will be our friend at least," said Sasuke with a soft smile that was way uncharacteristic for him. "But it would be the greatest thing ever if she… if she agreed to be with us. I have never thought of her in this way before, but I think I have come to love her over these few days."

"I never thought I would find anyone to love. I didn't think that I was capable of loving anyone at all. And yet I can not see my future without her." said Gaara and sipped some more beer. "I love her with everything that I am. How often have I not dreamed about having her inside my arms… just feeling her warmth."

Sasuke nodded, he too had dreamed about it these last few days. He still saw her haunting image in the moonlight. "If she agrees with us… we should find us a place to live. A big house with many rooms."

"Many rooms Sasuke-kun?" Gaara looked at the raven haired man and you could see a humorous glimmer in his eyes.

"If I remember her correctly she loved children…" said Sasuke with a smug smile. "And… I would love to have many children with her."

Gaara chuckled and nodded in agreement to that. He could see Hinata with a lot of children. She was the perfect image of a mother, warm and caring. He closed his eyes and saw her in a garden, watching over a couple of children with red hair, black hair, some had aquamarine, black and white eyes. That image brought warmth to his heart.

They broke up in silence and went to bed, falling asleep while thinking about their shy little lily.

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The next day went uneventful for the two friends. They stayed inside the apartment for the most of the day, only taking a short walk when the sun was about to set in the late afternoon. They didn't talk much, just enjoying each others company. But the silence of their walk was disturbed when they met Naruto. The loud mouthed youth never denied himself, but a cold stare from Gaara made him tone down a bit.

"Sasuke… you know that you two are the talk of the town don't you?" asked Naruto as he followed them back to Sasuke's apartment.

"I suspected as much." said Sasuke and unlocked his door. "But I don't care; let them talk if they want to."

"Ino and Sakura are mad as hell because Gaara told them off the other day." continued Naruto and got a pained look in his blue eyes.

"Still in love with Sakura I presume?" said Sasuke and Naruto felt a shiver go through his body.

"What happened to you Sasuke? You don't act like you used to in the past."

"Much has happened since I hunted down my brother Naruto. I rather not talk about it. Gaara-kun here has gone through much as well. Weather people believe it or not, we have become friends. And I will not let anybody talk him down." said Sasuke and entered the small kitchen.

"I understand and I will respect your wish Sasuke," said Naruto with a smile. "So, what's up?"

"Not much at the moment. I will be looking for a house of my own. My original plan was to find someone that could help me build up the Uchiha-clan again." said Sasuke and his pale cheeks tainted with a soft pink colour.

Naruto laughed and nodded a bit. "I don't doubt that you will find a nice girl for that. There are many girls here in Konoha village that gladly would help you with that task."

"Don't worry Naruto-kun, he will not take Sakura from you." said Gaara whom had been silent for a long time.

"That never was a secret was it? That I liked Sakura-chan I mean… But I'm not sure anymore though. I don't think that she'll ever give up on Sasuke-bastard here."

"No, it wasn't. But Gaara-kun is right. I have no interest in Sakura, never did although I at one time found it to be the one thing I could beat you in. But that was then… now I have other things on my mind then simple rivalry." said Sasuke.

"You hade me wondering about one thing after our first meeting Sasuke. You asked about Hinata-chan. Why? And don't tell me that it was the first thing you thought of at the moment, you never noticed her when you lived here and went to the same class as her. So why now?" asked Naruto and was surprised when Sasuke handed him a cup of tea.

Sasuke didn't say anything at first. He looked as if he was in pain and Naruto got worried. This was not like the choked up Uchiha at all.

"I will tell you after the next full moon. Right now I don't have all the answers to your question," said Sasuke and avoided Naruto's blue gaze. "If you promise not to ask more of this I will tell you later."

"Alright Sasuke, I promise, but the first day after the full moon, I want some answers from you." said Naruto and nodded firmly with his blonde head. "You have changed, but I will wait because I consider you to be my best friend."

"Thank you Naruto." said Sasuke. He was a bit bewildered that Naruto actually had agreed to wait for his answers. Naruto had always been the inpatient one and now he showed signs of being a grown up, and adult. Sasuke smiled inwardly. Well, if he could change and Gaara could change, who said that Naruto couldn't change too?

Gaara made his silent thank you to the blonde man as well even if this one didn't know of Gaara's involvement with the Hyuuga-heir. They continued to talk about what had happened in Konoha village after that Sasuke had left.

Not much had happened though. Nothing dramatic anyway. Iruka and Kakashi had retired, Kurenai was still teaching, but not to the same extent as before. Ino worked in a flower-shop, Sakura was working at the hospital. Naruto himself was now a teacher himself at the Academy. The evening became night and Naruto stood up and stretched his limbs.

"It has been my pleasure guys, but I must be going if I am to handle those brats tomorrow." he said.

"Brats? Not too long ago you were one of those brats too Naruto," said Sasuke with a smile.

"Yeah I know, but I grew up," said Naruto with a gentle smirk.

"I guess you did. Well, we will see you around?"

"You bet… good night."

And with that Naruto exited the apartment, leaving two friends to go to sleep.

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Shino sat outside his home, listening to the stars. 'Hinata-chan… I am not sure that I dare to believe that you are alive and yet I have no reason to doubt them. Gaara… I think he has become a very good man Hinata, and if we get you out of that hell-hole that is your home at the moment, I hope that you will consider taking him as your friend. But knowing you correctly you already see him as your friend. You always cared for everybody, even him when he was a monster.'

He removed his dark shades and rubbed the bridge of his nose. With what rights had he to call another for monster, he was no better himself. He had bugs inside his body that would do his fighting for him. The freaky bug-boy… He knew what he was called by the others. He could only hope that there was someone out there for him as well. Until then he would have to walk the path of life alone. He went inside and into his room. He took a shower before heading to bed. Tomorrow he would use some of his bugs to do some scouting inside the Hyuuga-mansion.

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A week passed with a snail's pace. Sasuke managed to find a house that was suitable for his future needs. He invited Gaara to live with him. There would be rumours about them, but he didn't care about it. They could think what they liked. Actually, he found it to be quite funny. 'Well, it does look rather suspicious. The long lost son of the Uchiha returns and moves into a house with Sabaku no Gaara. That gotta make me a guy-lover ehh?' Sasuke laughed softly at the thought. He would have thought that the idea with two guys being intimate would disgust him, but it didn't. Perhaps he… no, he shook his head. He wouldn't go down that alley of thoughts as of yet.

Shino had sent a message to them, saying that there was no talk out of the ordinary at the Hyuuga-compound, nothing about Hinata at all. Actually, the atmosphere in that place could easily kill a person with its coldness. Shino had not even found some warmth between Hanabi and her husband. They just acted as if they were ruthless business partners. Shino said it made him feel very uneasy. The others took him seriously and said their thanks for the information. Naruto helped Sasuke to move into the house and also helped them find some more furniture for the place.

It was a big house; it held seven rooms, a large kitchen and two large bathrooms with Jacuzzi in one and an ordinary bathtub in the other one. There was an attic as well as a basement. It was indeed a place to raise a large family. For once in his life, Sasuke was happy that he still had his clan-fortune. And with the help from his friends, he could make it even bigger. And since the genius Neji was an ally and Gaara's sister Temari was married to Shikamaru, a man known for his splendid analysis of things, he could make his fortune grow bigger and secure the future for his family to be.

○

Now it was only one and a half week until the next full moon. Sasuke invited the rescue team to the house. They came in the cover of the night and they sat in the basement. A low, round table was set in one of the rooms there and candles lit up the place. Tea and small snacks had been placed on the table and Kakashi took it upon him to serve the others. Kurenai smiled at this, the old pervert really could handle himself in the presence of other… occasionally anyway.

"Have you heard anything from the Hyuuga's?" asked Kurenai and looked at Shino.

"No, nothing. There was some talk about Sasuke-kun's return and his involvement with Gaara-kun, but that was only a mean mind talking," said Shino, he hoped that they would settle with the answer because he did not want to repeat what he had heard word for word.

"That was expected, but let them talk if it amuses them," said Sasuke with a snort.

"Well, it is kind of suspicious when two young men move together in a big house," said Kakashi and smiled underneath his mask. And as always he was there with his sexual innuendos.

"That is just perverts like you who think about that." growled Kurenai and looked evilly at Kakashi who hid behind Neji.

"But that would prove to be a good cover," began Neji as his white eyes got a thoughtful look. "If they think that Gaara-kin and Sasuke-kun are lovers, they would never look here for Hinata-sama. She could hide here in the basement until we have dealt with Hanabi and her monstrous husband."

He could still see that large, older man before his eyes. He had met him once before he left the village and this man was nothing to play around with. But with the team they had now, they had a chance to take down the Hyuuga-family.

"As soon as we have taken Hinata-chan to safety and what it is that is making her stay there and then we let the others in on what is going on. This is far more serious then just deceit, this is treason against a young woman's life. She has to be avenged in one way or another even if she says that it is not necessary, and knowing Hinata, she would hate to see someone get hurt," said Kurenai with a frown. But hear heart was boiling to revenge the young woman.

"I agree with you Kurenai-san. Hinata-chan's nature is truly a kind one, but they must receive some form of punishment for their actions." said Shino. "And if Kiba-kun hears of this, well I think that he would go on a rampage. He thinks of Hinata-chan as a little sister."

"He's not the only one Shino-san." said Neji and smiled gently. "I have come to love her more like a sister than a cousin and I think that you are feeling the same thing Shino-san. And Kurenai-san sees her as a daughter and Kakashi-san… well I don't know about him, but we all love Hinata-sama in one way or another. If we had not, we wouldn't be here."

Everyone nodded to that statement.

It was agreed that night that Gaara and Sasuke would be the ones to take Hinata away and the others would gather the rest of the gang to make sure that the threat that kept Hinata to hide away was destroyed. Nothing would get to their precious person again.

T B C

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Thank you all for the reviews and support.
I feel so giddy just reading each and every one of them.