Kiba and Shino were surprised at the relieved look on the guards to the Konoha gates faces when they finally arrived. Giving them a questioning look their silent inquiry was finally answered. "Hanabi Hyuga has been here every morning to check if you two had returned during the night. She's been real worried. Said you may have some information on her sister. Did you find her?"

Kiba just hung his head and let a silent tear fall to the ground. Shino's expression didn't change, he just muttered "yes" and then grabbed Kiba's arm and continued into the village leaving the guards to stare after them with puzzled looks.

There had been much debate between the four friends over who should be seen first the Hokage or the Hyugas. Shino said no matter what had happened he would always tell the Hokage first while Kiba pointed out that if Hinata had really died he would tell her sister straight away before going to the Hokage. In the end they decided to split up.

Shino waited outside the Hokage's door. After several minutes he was finally called in. "What do you have to report Shino?" Tsunade questioned.

They had debated whether to give the Hokage the truth or not. In the end it was decided to hold off until they had something concrete. They hoped she would be on their side but the Hyugas were powerful and she had to play by the political rules. If they kept her in the dark at least she could plead ignorance. "Hinata is dead."

"What" She gasped out, this was not she expected. Tsunade had just figured the Hyuga girl had gotten scared about her father's reaction to her pregnancy and bolted. Not unheard of especially with a father like Hiashi. "What happened?"

"We are not sure, the cottage she was staying at was burned to the ground when we got there, and there were two bodies inside."

"Two bodies… who was the second?" she asked.

"Kiba said he smelled Neji, we are assuming it was him. The local authorities are looking into it but it seems to be an accident. They will release the bodies when they are through. "

"And do you think it was an accident. There have been attacks against the Hyuga before. I also find it hard to believe two of my ninja could be taken out in such a manner."

"We saw nothing that would contradict that conclusion" Shino told her.

Nodding her head Tsunade decided she would just have to accept that answer. It still seemed wrong somehow but she knew Shino to be extremely capable. If he and Kiba did not detect anything then there was probably nothing to detect. "Ok Shino you are dismissed. I'll make arrangements to tell Hiashi."

"That is Ok Lady Tsunade; Kiba is on his way now to tell the Hyuga."

"Oh ok, did they say when the bodies would be returned for burial?" She asked.

"We should have the bodies by the end of the week."

Tsunade nodded her head and Shino turned to leave. Right before he reached the door she called out to him. "I'm sorry for your loss Shino." He bowed his head and grabbed the doorframe for a moment before whispering "thank you" and continuing on his way.

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Kiba paused outside the gates to the Hyuga compound. He knew it was important to make this believable but right now he just had the urge to go in and strangle Hanabi. Hinata was so kind, loving and beautiful he couldn't understand how someone so close to her could want her dead. The Hyuga had always baffled him. He came from an exceedingly close family. Sure his mom might be a little gruff but his sitter Hana and himself always felt loved, and what is more they had always shown it.

Pulling himself together Kiba decided to try for a little method acting. He tried to imagine what it would be like if Hinata really had died, he drew on the terror he had experienced when he first saw that cottage. Positive he could do this he finally went up to the compound.

The gate was opened by one of the normal Hyuga guards. "Kiba-san, what are you doing here? We haven't seen you since Hinata-sama went missing. You don't have any news of her do you?"

Kiba could hear the curiosity in the other mans voice. 'Now or never he told' himself and let out a little choked sob before lowering his eyes to the ground.

"Kiba-san what is it?" the man asked his voice starting to show some anxiety. Kiba was always happy and exuberant something must be terribly wrong.

"I need to see Hanabi please." He told the guard in a hoarse voice, doing nothing to alleviate the other's worry.

"Of course Kiba-san I will have someone take you to her immediately"

The guard grabbed a passing female servant and asked her to take Kiba to Hanabi. The small women led him to the family dojo. Upon sensing someone entering Hanabi turned to see Kiba rushing up to him she asked "Kiba what happened? Where is Shino? Is Hinata with him?"

Bowing his head Kiba told her "I'm sorry." And let silent tears run down his face.

"What are you sorry for? Where is Hinata?" Hanabi demanded.

"Oh God Hanabi, she's dead!" he exclaimed lifting his head to look into her eyes.

"No… no… she can't be dead. You have to be wrong. You have to be wrong." Hanabi laid her forehead against Kiba's chest emphasizing each statement with a hit from her clenched hand. Though it went against everything he wanted to do Kiba laid a comforting hand against her back mentally trying to keep from digging his claws into her and ripping out her black heart.

After several moments of quiet sobbing against his chest Hanabi pulled back and looked up into his face. "What happened Kiba?"

"We went to the cabin just like you said, but what we found there was a charred ruin. There is more Hanabi." He said softly, laying a hand on her shoulder and looking at her with a compassion he did not feel. "There were two bodies in the cottage."

"Who was the other?" she questioned.

"We can say for certain Hanabi but the other scent that I picked up at the cabin was Neji's. We think it may have been him."

"Not Neji! What was Neji doing there?"

"We know he has been searching for her. He must have caught up to her right before the accident occurred."

"Accident?"

"That is what it looks like. I'm sorry Hanabi, if only we had gotten there sooner." With that Kiba let the tears flow again.

"It's not your fault Kiba. I know you would have done everything possible to protect my sister." After a pause she visibly pulled herself together. "I need to go tell my father."

"I can do that Hanabi you shouldn't have to do that"

"It is ok Kiba; he doesn't know that I knew where she was. I need to watch how I tell him."

"Oh, well if you need anything let me know."

"Thank you, Kiba. My father will probably want to ask you exactly what happened eventually."

"I can do that. Just let me know when he is ready. So, um, I guess I'll be going now. I really am sorry Hanabi. I wish there was more I could have done." Looking down at the ground once again, Kiba slowly let himself out of the room, glad that he managed to get himself through that.

Back inside, Hanabi let a small smile break out on her face. She had been worried when she had hired someone else to take care of her sister and Neji that it was going to fall apart. Neji's ability with the Byakugan made tying to kill him, especially trying to make it look like an accident, difficult. She needed a third party though. She had to establish an alibi just incase something went wrong.

When she had received word back from the assassin that they had been burned in their sleep she chose not to believe him until the deaths were confirmed by Shino and Kiba. Now that they had been she could work on getting rid of her father and taking over control of the clan. She would be no ones caged bird.