Ah yes, my fic will be coming to an end soon. Mostly because I was having a hard time keeping up with it. I have to work on finishing all my other fics as well. Not to mention Christmas break is almost over, and I'm not going to have as much time to work on fics as I'd like. Well, all good things must come to an end.

Jutsus: Byakugan; Hakke Rokujūyon Shō - Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms (Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms); Hakkeshō Kaiten - Eight Trigrams Palms Heavenly Spin (Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation)


Neji awoke first. He found Tenten in his arms, so he didn't want to move quite yet. He took the time to think. As he gazed at his cousin and Naruto's teammate, he wondered why they'd become so attracted to each other. Was Sasuke up to something? As oblivious and uncaring as Neji could act sometimes towards other people, he knew well enough that Sasuke turned down Ino and Sakura… and if need be, he would turn down Temari or Tenten… or anyone else as well.

But why Hinata? It was so random, but they were so happy now, and Neji couldn't care less why as much as he wanted to keep it that way. There was no way in hell he'd let what happened last week happen again. As much as he'd want to interfere, Neji would just have to put up with it.

A noise outside interrupted Neji's thoughts. He darted his eyes to the open window, then the clock. It was five in the morning… why would anyone be outside this early? (A/N: Neji woke up so early because he used to have to for Guy's training. He was the only member of his team that had really gotten used to it).

Neji thought quickly. He narrowed his eyes and looked in the direction of the window.

Byakugan! He whispered rather loudly, and noticed from the corner of his eye that Hinata's eyes were opening. He cursed to himself. Not because he had woken Hinata, but to what he saw outside.

Hiashi.

"Damn," he muttered. His uncle hadn't found out about Hinata's relationship yet, and he would be upset enough. But to discover it was with an Uchiha… that would do the job. From the look on his face, Neji guessed he was looking for his daughter.

Hinata lifted her body from Sasuke's. When she saw the veins around Neji's eyes, she was immediately worried.

"Neji, what is it…" Neji cut her off and shushed her. He nodded as a gesture towards the window. Hinata was confused, but turned in the same direction.

Byakugan!

The skin on Hinata's face tensed, and she saw exactly what Neji did.

"Oh no… Neji, what are we going to do? I can't let him see me with Sasuke!" Neji nodded, keeping his Byakugan active. He gently lifted Tenten without waking her. After he'd laid her back down, he walked over to Sasuke and Hinata. He held out his hands and slowly removed Sasuke's arms from Hinata's waist.

Neji figured it'd be best for them to leave the others for now and explain why later. They tiptoed past all the bodies that sprawled around the floor. Hinata was almost to the door when…

YELP!

Neji froze. He looked down, and was horrified when he realized that he'd stepped on Akamaru's tail.

Baka, baka, baka, baka, baka! Neji yelled at himself in his head. He jerked his head to the window, and saw Hiashi staring in their direction. They couldn't take any chances.

"Shit… Hinata, go!" They ran out the door, Akamaru barking after them. Everyone else in the room woke up. Tenten and Sasuke were instantly startled not to see the Hyuuga relatives.

"Neji and Hinata are gone!" Tenten yelled, and ran to the window, sticking her head out and looking below. She saw Hiashi walking towards them. Her eyes snapped at Sasuke.

"Hiashi! He doesn't know about you and Hinata yet! There's no telling what he'll do. Go! Run after them!"

Sasuke didn't have to be told twice. Using the speed he'd developed with Kakashi, he dashed after Hinata and Neji, hoping they were still close enough to catch up to. If not, he not only had to get to them, but he had to find them. Just as he ran outside, Hiashi entered the house. Naruto growled.

"Hey! Were do you get off coming into someone's house like that? Don't you have any…" Hiashi interrupted the loud-mouthed boy by shoving him out of his way. He stared, intimidating the group.

"Where's my daughter."

It wasn't a question really… it was more of a demanding statement. Everyone just sort of gazed around the room. No one wanted to catch it from the two Hinata guardians because they'd 'told on them'. Hiashi cleared his throat and spoke once more.

"I said, where is Hinata? And Neji as well." He looked at Kiba.

"Dog boy. Where's your teammate? Hmm?" Hiashi was now beginning to get frustrated, as Kiba didn't answer.

"Where the hell is…"

"Outside."

All eyes went to Lee, who had his head down. Hiashi smirked and gave a hand sign, soon after disappearing in a light cloud. No one spoke. No one moved. All anyone could do was stare at Lee. He suddenly looked up and gave a thumbs-up.

"Do not worry! Think about it. You have Neji, a Hyuuga with more skill and smarts than any of us, as well as Sasuke, who nearly matches Neji's talents. And of course Hinata, which Hiashi would not hurt, but she does have Neji and Sasuke to protect her if anything goes wrong. There is nothing to worry about!"

"Neji! Wait up!" Sasuke sped through the forest trees the three had entered. Neji, who jumped from branch to branch just as quickly as Sasuke, looked over his shoulder.

Sasuke… what are you doing you idiot! Neji growled. This would only cause more trouble if his uncle caught them. Hinata didn't look back, but spoke to Neji.

"What's going on? Who is it?"

Neji sighed and jumped forward, traveling beside Hinata.

"Sasuke found us. But I fear if your father catches us…"

Hinata gasped. There would be trouble for Sasuke… and her as well. She shook her head. She wouldn't allow it. She jumped down from the trees. Neji, taken aback, followed her, Sasuke finally behind them. Hinata grabbed Sasuke's shoulders as he came to them.

"Sasuke, please listen to me. My father is strict about connections between the Hyuuga clan and your own clan. Think of what would happen if he knew about you and I! I can't let anything happen like what I think will, so you have to leave me here, okay?"

Sasuke sighed and caressed Hinata's cheek with his hand.

"I don't want to leave you. If your father wants to do something about this, let him. But I thought about it before, and we shouldn't let something separate us like that. So will you help me and stand up to him?"

Before Hinata could answer, Hiashi appeared in front of the three. Seeing Sasuke, he growled and walked to them. Hinata's face sank with fear, and Sasuke saw this. He stepped in front of Hinata, blocking her from her father, who stopped.

"Move, Uchiha boy. Let me take my daughter. Or otherwise would you like to explain to me exactly what is going on here? Between you and her?" Sasuke lowered his head, staring at Hiashi.

"What we have is nothing of your concern, whether your place be her father or not. If we don't want you involved, then let us be."

Hiashi nearly hissed as he raised his hand at Sasuke.

"How dare you…"

Neji darted quickly in front of Sasuke, making Hiashi stop. Sasuke stared at Neji. What was he thinking…?

"Uncle, I advise you follow Sasuke's words. And if you try to hurt either of them…" His eyes narrowed once more. "I'll have no choice but to defend them myself."

Hiashi sighed.

"Step away, Neji. This has no more to do with you than it does me. But you have no authority to interfere with my duties as a father." He once more advanced upon Sasuke, but was thrown back by something. It wasn't Sasuke, and it wasn't Neji either. They both looked in complete shock at Hinata, who stood in a stance that gave away she was the force that had knocked back her father.

She breathed heavily, obviously having used a great amount of chakra. Hiashi looked unconscious. Sasuke was nowhere near as surprised as Neji was.

"Hinata… what… I mean why… why would you…"

"He angered me. I love my father. I love him very much. But he threatened two people I love, which I cannot allow."

They turned as they heard Hiashi getting up. He glared at Hinata, who still stood aside, alone. Hiashi thrust his hand at her. Neji quickly blocked him by standing in front of Hinata. Hiashi went again, and was once again blocked by Neji, who was thinking about seriously defending with offense. Unfortunately, so was Hiashi.

"Hakke Rokujūyon Shō!"

Neji's eyes widened. As Hiashi's fingertips were thrown towards Neji, he stood in his 'gentle fist' stance.

"Hakkeshō Kaiten!" The sheild hardly affected Hiashi, so he tried again.

"Hakke Rokujūyon Shō!" This time, Neji knew he'd be unable to dodge them the way he had before. That one hit had weakened him enough. Hiashi was stronger than he looked, and of course had used this justu many times before. He braced himself, but felt nothing. He heard Hiashi yell a final cry, then silence. Opening his eyes, he realized why he hadn't felt anything. Hiashi hadn't attacked him. Sasuke stood still, his head hanging. Hinata's eyes widened in fear. Her father's strength with that justu was enough to…

Sasuke fell to his knees and was caught by Hinata as he fell forward. Crying, Hinata hugged Sasuke. Hiashi stared, unsure of what he'd just done. Neji ignored his uncle and knelt next to Hinata, wrapping his arms around her. They both looked at Sasuke, and knew. Hinata closed her eyes, finishing her thoughts.

It was enough to kill him.


Wow... I have this really intense feeling I'm going to catch hell from left and right. But hey, it's my fic. Way to turn things around, huh? Hehe... I apologize to the Sasuke fans...