KC: Hey everyone! Heh, so I'm back! I'll try and update twice a month, but I can't promise anything with my crazy work and life schedule; but the plan is twice a month! Thank you to all who have stayed with me here!

-A guest had asked me to post pairing brackets for this story. To be honest I mainly have a concept for this story not completely positive who will completely end up with who; except for sure that Sasuke and Naruto; if the story goes my way heh; will be together but I'll post possible pairings!

Pairs: SasuNaru (in limbo)

GaaNaru (onesided)

LeeGaa (onesided)

ShikaTema (haven't confessed)

KibHina (eventually?)

Hope you enjoy chapter 4!

CH 4

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke tried to calm himself. This whole thing was becoming a mess. The thought of messes turned Sasuke's mind to Naruto's dog, Kyuubi and wondered if the dog was with Naruto right now. He had been so caught up in getting away from everything that he ended up not going to the blonde's to see if the dog was gone. He knew though that Itachi wasn't going to let Sasuke out of his sight now and there was no way he'd let the big dog in the house. He needed someone to go get the dog; most people were scared of the large beast, but even the dog wasn't bullet proof and he didn't want to risk the dogs life because of his own selfishness.

Looking through his phone he finally came to the someone he knew he could trust and pressed dial. It took a couple of rings before the other answered, "Uchiha, it's unusual for you to call."

Sasuke smirked slightly at this, "Yeah, it's been a while, Choji." he replied. "Sorry to call out of the blue, especially when I'm sure you've quite a mess on your own hands, considering you were supposed to cater Naruto's wedding today."

Choji laughed a little on the other end, "Yeah, I'm glad that I always get a deposit with a no money back guarantee; my own little cushion. What can I do for you, Uchiha? I'm sure it's something with Naruto, you always seem to know what's going on through that dense guy's mind."

Sasuke's jaw clenched at this as he looked out the window of his bedroom, "I was hoping you'd be able to swing by Naruto's and get Kyuubi." he finally stated, done beating around the bush. "I wasn't able to stop by and get the mutt, plus where I'm at I can't keep him. I need you to get the dog and find Naruto; he's with dog face and that lazy ass of a friend of ours."

Choji was silent for a moment, "Yeah, sure I can do that. Is everything else okay?"

"Don't worry about that, Choji. Just please, make sure Kyuubi is safe. Thanks." clicking the end button, Sasuke shoved the phone back in his pocket before finally leaving his room to go down for dinner. These nights were going to be long.

!

Hinata did not leave her room until she was called to dinner. Her father was still furious about the whole day. Her mother sat quietly at the table, like a pretty doll who ate like a delicate flower. Her sister was also keeping her head down, afraid of their fathers wrath. Hinata wondered in the back of her mind how she had lived like this for so long; and wondered as well why it took her, getting her heartbroken to see the entirety of her situation.

"When I get my hands on that boy…" her father growled, eating his dinner with vigor. "I'll torture him for sure, ruining a perfectly good day like that."

Hinata felt something finally snap inside. Slamming her cup of tea down she caught the attention of her family, "Father, just stop." she huffed, meeting her father's deadly glare, with her own determined look. "I want you to leave, Naruto-Kun alone. Just let everything be."

A look flashed suddenly through her father's eyes, before he began laughing. "Leave him alone?!" he burst out, before sobering up. "My dear girl, he knows all too much. If he is not with us, then he will have to pay with his life." he stated with a shrug of his shoulders. "It's the way we live my dear girl. You should be used to this by now, after all I haven't been babying you." Neji scoffed at this. "Watch yourself boy. I have another daughter and I can marry her off and make her head." Hinata's father growled, pointing a long finger at Neji.

Hinata bristled at this, "Leave, Hanabi out of this!" Hinata screamed, her anger reaching its peak instantly. "Hanabi is too young for this shit, father! Let her live her life!"

Hinata's father growled at this, "You impudent child," he hissed, standing from his place. "Hanabi is my child and I will use her as I wish! That goes for you as well, Hinata. If that stupid ignorant blond won't marry you, then I'll find someone who will. You will bear sons to continue our clans success."

Feeling sick to her stomach, Hinata stood and excused herself before walking as calmly out of the room dining room, before heading out to the back garden for some fresh air. Not to her surprise, Neji had followed her out. "I want to be alone…" she muttered without turning around.

Instead of leaving, Neji made his way so he stood beside his cousin. They stood in silence for a long while before, Neji finally spoke, "Your father is wrong," he finally stated. Hinata jumped in shock at his words, words she never thought would leave her older cousin's lips. She turned to look at him, trying to see if maybe he hadn't been replaced by a lookalike. "I want to help you."

Hinata fidgeted in place before turning to look over the gardens again, "Help me? Whatever do you mean?"

Neji smirked at this, enjoying a small breeze as it passed through, "I know you almost better than you know yourself, Hinata. I know you've got something up your sleeve and I want to help. You'll need someone on your side and I know that you being the leader would be better for the clan in the long run."

!

Choji slowly made his way towards Naruto's place. It seemed deserted, but he couldn't be too careful. With how sneaky Hinata's family could be, the last thing he wanted was to be caught and 'questioned' by them. Though, he hoped that Kyuubi was at least safe; he didn't know what Naruto would do if the pup was harmed.

After a thorough look around, Choji finally used his spare key to let himself in. Kyuubi greeted him instantly, his long orange tail wagging excitedly. Chiji smiled and scratched the large dog behind the ears, before filling the dogs food dish. He wanted to make sure he was well fed before getting on the road.

While the dog ate, Choji made sure the dog hadn't left any surprises; despite the dog door to the back yard. Once he'd found none, he got the dogs things together to take with him. Dog food, food dish and leash in hand, he called the dog to follow. Happily, Kyuubi trotted along and got in the backseat of the car before laying down. Choji smiled at this, for how airheaded Naruto could be, he trained a good dog.

Getting in the driver's seat he pulled out his phone and dialed Naruto's number, only to get his voicemail. The same happened when he called Kiba and Shikamaru. Biting his lower lip he finally called their friend Lee.

"Hello my dear friend!" he answered loudly, causing Choji to pull the phone away from his ear. "What can I do for you?"

"Hey, I was hoping you could help me out." Choji sighed, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "Mind if I stop by?"

"Of course! The door is always open!" Lee exclaimed.

Choji thanked him before hanging up and making his way across town. As soon as he arrived at Lee's the door opened before he could even make it through the front gate. A man with dark hair; with a bowl cut; and thick black bushy eyebrows over kind brown eyes grinned until he saw the serious and concerned look on Choji's face and Naruto's dog bounding beside him.

"What's going on?" Lee finally asked, as he moved to the side to let his friend and dog inside.

As soon as everyone was settled in the living room, Choji explained everything that happened in the day. Lee had been upset because he was working on the day of their best friend's wedding; now he was kind of glad he'd missed most of the drama.

"You'd said earlier that you need my help," Lee stated, looking intently at the floor. "What could I possibly do?"

Choji tapped his fingers on the arm of the couch he was settled into. "Well, I can't get ahold of anyone," Choji stated, biting his bottom lip. "You know Kiba better than I do; not to mention Shikamaru…" Choji stated, before looking over at the awkward man. "I was hoping you'd be able to help me find them. I'm sure Kyuubi misses his master; not to mention I'm more than certain that Naruto needs him just as much."

Lee shifted in place before taking a deep breath, "Well… there is one place they could be that's pretty damn safe."