AN: Inspired heavily from military court cases. Thanks to my newest boyfriend who has no idea why I'm asking so many military questions of his time in the service of the marines. LOL

Music of the update "Cosmic love" Florence and the machine, "Ships in the night" Matt Kearney, "Set Fire to the Rain" Adele

Neji made his way to the park his head spinning with the things Naruto had said. The ramen loving blonde was right, much to the Byakugan user's chagrin. The rescued children would be present at the park. If he was going to discover why Ino did was she did, or at least confirm his suspicions on the subject matter, the logical conclusion was going back to the source. Ino had saved those children. They would know probably better than anyone or atleast confirm what he already thought he knew. It was worth investigating.

Neji watched, dismayed as the children stood around the playground unsure of what to do though there was no shortage of toys or play structures provided. These were children that had seen things long before it was their time to. The children of ninja were never innocent, this Neji knew as he knew from his own experiences, but these children didn't even have that. Konoha ninja were never forced into the life. What use could tortured children have for playing after living through such hell? The choice to be a weapon was never theirs to make. His eyes took in the chakra of one Pineapple haired shadow user, and the red maned Akimichi. On the perimeters were Iruka and a few other chuunin instructors keeping watch. Shikamaru and Chouji were attempting to play with the children with little success.

Sixty pairs of eyes turned as they watched Neji come forward. The children were intensely aware of their surroundings a fact that dismayed him further. There was confusion as to his presence and even the unmistakable look of fear. Neji saw this, and forced the tension from his frame, let the smile come to his face, easing the mood from the majority, except for one particular child, brown eyes taking in every movement in suspicion. He kept that child in the corner of his vision, as the child moved to do the same. Neji was amused by the notion, but the child was only visibly agitated, crossing his arms.

The children walked away from the two anbu members and Neji walked nearer. Shikamaru scowled as he looked at the proud Hyuuga but could do little else as the anbu captain took in the surroundings and strode towards the children with confidence.

"Hello." He offered. "I am Hyuuga Neji of the branch clan. What are your names?" He asked.

The children inspected his gear professionally, each looking at crucial areas for concealed weapons. They already had excellent eyes for it, lingering on the areas even his enemies had not guessed that he had hidden ammunition. "Anbu." One of the children murmured.

"Like her." Another whispered as they all exchanged various looks and murmurs.

There could be only one her for these children, and the thought panged painfully in Neji's mind and reminded him of his purpose in coming here.

The brown eyed child came forward from the crowd, pushing the others out of the way. "Is it true?" He demanded, hands on his hips as he stared without fear into those pearlescent eyes. His subordinates had cowered at less than the look Neji gave this child. He was fearless, immune to it as he stared the anbu captain down.

"Is what true?" Neji asked, choosing to address the situation carefully, though truthfully he was astonished by the boldness of the child.

"Did you save her?" He asked unrepentantly and without faltering.

"I asked you something first." Neji retorted. The pause was long enough to let Neji know that he would not be bossed around, but Neji was tenacious in his own right. He would not give the answer without knowing the child's name. The Byakugan user had a feeling it would come in handy. "Hachurou." The child replied gruffly.

"I'm sorry, I did not hear you." Neji replied, crossing his arms.

"Hachurou. Stop avoiding my question. Is it true?" Hachurou repeated hastily.

"Is what true, Hachurou?" Neji asked, eying him. Hachurou glowered at the older adult as if annoyed at having to spell out something so obvious.

"Did you save Yamanaka Ino?" Hachurou insisted. This precocious child was openly giving him attitude. Neji tried to hide the smile.

"Yes." Neji replied. "I was a part of the team that found Yamanaka san."

Hachurou took the information in stride, brown eyes processing the information and sizing up Neji in the process.

Neji sighed and saw the little girl eying his kunai pouch. Neji opened the pouch slowly, as the children flinched, some moving. Their reflexes were sharp. He held out the kunai to the little girl.

"Would you like to hold it?"

The little girl looked into his eyes and saw no malice. She reached heisitantly for the kunai and fingered it, eyes wide as she held it, even taking a few practice swipes with it.

"Here." He corrected before he had thought it through. "Hold it this way" He showed her with the swipe. "Plant your feet. Otherwise you will loose momentum when you swing."

Children around him also mimicked the motions. Neji was surprised, but with a shake of his head, he opened up the pouch of weaponry and handed them out among the children. He went around, and began to run through a few basic exercises with kunai and senbon.

"Should we stop him?" Iruka asked Shikamaru coming up along side the shadow user.

Dark eyes accessed the children. "No." He said firmly with a sigh as he pulled out a cigarette and lit up. "It seems that he is giving them exactly what they needed." He said with a frustrated rake through his pineapple shaped hair. Why hadn't he thought of this? Irritated that he was again being bested by the Hyuuga, Shikamaru took another deep drag.

"Nara?" Iruka asked. Shikamaru exhaled smoke.

"What use do soldiers have for toys, Iruka sensei?" He said, finishing the cigarette and crushing it beneath his boot. The Nara made his way towards Neji with more determination than he felt.

"Nara." Neji's greeting was terse but cordial as Neji tried to remember Naruto's words. These were her teammates, and Ino was choosing to defend them. Her battles are your battles.

"Neji. This certainly is a surprise. Aside from equipping small children with weapons, what brings you here?" Shikamaru asked suspicion in his sharp black eyes. As Neji took a closer look he realized that Shikamaru's eye was purple and swollen.

"Who gave you that?" Neji asked, brow furrowed.

Shikamaru sighed. Did he want to tell Neji anything? not particularly but he did not have a choice in this matter.

"Come. Let's talk" Shikamaru invited.

Neji's eyebrow arched in question, but followed after the shadow user. Neji could feel those brown eyes still on his back as he walked with the Nara clan head. There was something familiar about that child. Neji could not put his finger on what though.

"Inoichi Yamanaka is not a soft spoken man." Shikamaru finally said.

Neji fought the grin that threatened as he thought about the tall Yamanaka and how he would react at discovering his daughter in the condition she was. The Nara was lucky that was all he had to show for the encounter. Shikamaru could tell from the expression on the proud Hyuuga's face and merely shrugged.

"It was nothing I didn't deserve." He admitted, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"True." Neji conceded "But you might want to see a medic nin. Think of what the village will say of the Nara clan."

Shikamaru looked to see if the comment was meant to be sinister, but the cool look on the Hyuuga face put that to rest. Neji wanted to talk.

"Nah. She already tried to and I refused. Its a reminder." Shikamaru said. There was no question as to who they were talking about. Neji waited as the shadow user struggled for words.

"I know what you said to her. And if I didn't already owe you so much for bringing her back alive, I would hit you myself." He said, black eyes narrowing.

Neji nodded. "I should not have said all of the things I said to her."

Shikamaru sighed. It was the closest the proud Hyuuga would get to admitting he was wrong. In that, Neji and Ino would have an interesting time. Shikamaru scoffed at his own thoughts. He was already willing to surrender her to him? Chee.

"Maybe I'm not the one you should be having this conversation with" Shikamaru's tone was fighting to be nuetral. It was more credit than Neji would have given the lazy Nara. Had he been in his shoes, he might not have been as accommodating.

"I'm surprised I've lasted this long with your devotion to her." Neji stated boldly. The Hyuuga was complimenting them? Chouji gave him a bewildered look. This was certainly a new side to the branch member.

Shikamaru sighed. It was long past time to be honest and he knew the both of them were too troublesome to ask the right questions to each other. Stubborn. It made the corners of his mouth twitch, the same desire for a cigarette itching but he would not light up in front of these children. He owed her this. He probably owed Neji this too, if he really thought about it. It was time to tell him the truth.

"Ino...Ino and I will never work out." He confessed as he thought of his blonde teammate the memories that poured out like blood. She's my best friend. We've known each other since childhood. She's too close. She's my troublesome teammate. I could never jeopardize that.

"You say those things, and yet you don't seem to believe them." Neji retorted arms crossed.

"I believe them." Shikamaru swallowed his resignation, his pride. "Shikaku and Inoichi confirmed as much on our last encounter."

Neji took a sharp breathe. Inoichi had refused Shikamaru to marry his daughter? Shikaku Nara was against the union?This changed everything.

"Neji, if Ino is just another trophy for you to rub it in the faces of the Hyuuga, then-" Chouji began.

"I assure you she is not a political ploy for me." Neji interrupted, meeting his own look unblinking.

"Then what is she to you?" Chouji asked fists clenched.

"Everything" Neji replied simply pearlescent eyes clear meeting his gaze head on.

Pretty words. But Shikamaru couldn't let it be. He needed to know. Needed to protect her.

"Then why did you talk to her the way you did?" Shikamaru asked. Just because he wasn't going to persue Ino didn't mean he would give her up to just anyone. Ino was theirs, property of team ten.

"Because I misunderstood her. Because I let my emotions get the better of me. It was wrong. I know that now. No words of mine will prove this to you. I want you to know that I'm going to make ammends, the best way I know how." Neji said.

Shikamaru had nothing to say to that, because the look the Hyuuga wore was one of utmost confidence and devotion, the same kind of devotion to his missions, his work ethic. Neji had done what he said he would do. He had brought Ino back from an impossible circumstance. It had been close but he had still succeeded. The look he gave, Shikamaru wondered but what does he mean?

The Hyuuga nodded in dismissal, and headed towards the children leaving Shikamaru and Chouji speechless as they exchanged confused glances.

"Do you think he means it?" Chouji asked.

"I don't know.." Shikamaru replied with a shrug. He had quite a bit of thinking to do.

"Guess we'll find out." Chouji harumphed. "Guess so" Shikamaru said.

…...

"This council will come to order" Homura stated as the involved parties took a seat at their respective tables. Tsunade sat with the elders to her right and left, hand folded pressed against her lips as she watched the events unfold. Ultimately she would have the last say, but not before they went through the politics and formalities. She needed to hear from all the parties involved before she could make a decision, but she also knew the decision the elders were pressing on her.

InoShikaChou all sat together, Ino's hand interlaced in Shikamaru's and Chouji's as she fixed a hardened periwinkle stare upon the elders.

Neji sat on the other side, with Kakashi, both tables facing the elders as they were a part of the issue being addressed.

Members and representations of each of the major clans involved were present but on the outside tiers of the tables in a half circle all facing the council, a quiet audience to witness. Hiashi was present, Hanabi seated alongside him as well as a few of the branch members of the house. Shikaku and Yoshino, Inoichi and his wife, Chouza and the Akimichi clan were all well represented. The Aburame clan and the Inuzuka clan were accounted for with their involvement in the mission. Sakura had shown up, seated next to Naruto and Sai but it seemed they would be witnesses given their seating. Kiba, Hinata, and Shino sat near them in the witness section with Akamaru curled up. Kiba stroked his back soothingly. Gai, Lee and Tenten were not allowed to be at the meeting, but were waiting outside.

Tsunade sat resplendent in her hokage hat, a rare thing for her to wear, but formality in this case, demanded it. It would remind those of her authority in this matter.

"It has come to the council's attention that the scouting mission to Iwagakure carried out by Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara and Chouji Akimichi was ruled completed according to the paperwork and by the return of the team. In returning, Fifty Five children bearing kekkei genkai were also brought to the village with information on the abduction of clan children from leaf. This hearing has been called to contest the manner in which this mission was carried out. This will be evaluated today by the elders and the Godaime Hokage herself." Homura paused, and everyone gave a bow to the Hokage who stood briefly and then returned to her seat.

"We will hear the charges" Komura stated.

"A formal complaint of dereliction of duty has been filed by one Haruno Sakura jounin medic and one Hyuuga Neji anbu captain in the standard procedures against one Nara Shikamaru head of the Nara clan." Koharu stated.

Ino's lip curled.

Neji sighed as he looked at her expression. The cold stare spoke more than words could.

"The council calls Nara Shikamaru to stand."

Dark black eyes peered at the Hyuuga, but Neji did not move or flinch. The shadow user shrugged, dug his fingers into his pockets and began to testify about the mission.

Neji watched him as he recalled the incident, repeating the same words he had spoken over and over again. The protectiveness in him made him want to recoil at the words the pineapple haired ninja spoke, sentencing Ino to the pain she suffered, nearly death by his carelessness. But this was not helping to focus on that. Her battles are your battles he reminded himself sharply. And so he tried to imagine if TenTen had been in the same place. She would have insisted the same thing of his own team, and yet she could hold her own. Why was Ino different? It wasn't that Ino was weak, far from it. Something in him blanched at the thought of her being the sacrifice.

"The council calls Akimichi Chouji to stand"

Chouji began to speak, recounting his own memory of the mission, and Neji mulled over the question further as the Akimichi continued.

Why was this such an issue for the blonde? Why would she put her life on the line so blatantly? She didn't have to. Ino had chosen to. The proud Yamanaka had declared as much to him, even if the exchange hadn't been pleasant, she had been speaking the truth, or what she thought was the truth which was tantamount to the same thing, in this case. There had to be more to it than just her teammates, though that would have been enough for anyone else. Naruto had told him to find out the truth and in order to do that he needed to digest the information.

"The council calls Aburame Shino to stand."

That was surprising. The dark ninja had very little to say in the matters, merely confirming what had been presented.

Neji returned to the thought at hand. Ino was not like most kunoichi, or most ninja for that matter. She did not do things in halves, and the things she did, she did because she truly believed in them, for better or worse. She lived her life by a code only she could know, but she was not shallow, or amoral as he had once assumed. Neji had discovered the complexity to her character and it was that depth that baffled him now. Why would she do something like this, then?

"The council calls Hatake Kakashi to stand."

Kakashi sauntered up to the elders and gave the exact summary he had submitted into his report. This came as no surprise to Neji. He would stand by his words.

"The council calls Hyuuga Hinata to stand" This was a surprising move by the council and Neji wondered if they were trying to get at something by using Hinata. Only time would tell.

Hinata shared her witness of what she recalled but the elders surprised him, by interrupting her.

"To your limited knowledge, was Yamanaka Ino in danger of her life when you discovered her?"

Hinata looked thunderstruck by the question. "A-ano...s-she needed m-medical attention." She replied meekly with a glance at her cousin.

Kiba was not called to give an account much to his fury. Hinata and Shino both shushed him before the elders demanded he wait outside. Too late. The Inuzuka after a rather embarrassing display of temper, threw his chair and stormed out. After a stream of expletives from his part and the murmurs of other clans, things settled down.

Hinata returned to her seat, and Neji fully expected them to call up Ino to bear her own version of the tale.

Neji was wrong. "The council calls Haruno Sakura to the stand."

"Wait-" Chouji interrupted, confused.

"Objection!" Shikamaru's voice rang out clearly. "Ino is a member of team ten, and the forefront leader of this mission. Why is she not being called to witness?" He said, standing.

Ino hissed at him to sit down, until she got one look from those dark penetrating black eyes. She was no longer talking to her childhood friend and teammate in that moment. In front of her stood the Nara clan head, someone foreign and unfamiliar. It appeared that Shikmaru had grown up with a vengeance. And she realized distinctly in that moment that something had been lost, forever. It left, fleeting and she could not pause long enough to miss it.

"She followed through on her own orders, orders given out of rank due to her station. This is a breach of mission protocol. Her account is therefore mute to hear. It would not address the issues that have been presented by such medical specialists as the hokage's apprentice Haruno Sakura and anbu captain Hyuuga Neji." Komura said.

Ino felt the blow like a slap in the face. Higher authorities had come to play, and her own account was insignificant in the present company. Stunned, she sat silent. Shikamaru's face was pained, as was Chouji's as they took her hand, squeezing it hard. Ino swallowed her anger, lifting her chin defiantly as she glowered up at the elders. She would keep her head and keep it held defiantly high, just to spite them.

Sakura recounted what she had experienced upon finding Ino, the various wounds and injuries, leaving no detail unscathed, but painting a painfully accurate picture of her medical condition. It had not been pretty, and had been rather close. Ino's nails scratched into her leg as she fought for composure.

Ino could not fault her best friend for doing what she thought was right. She could, however, with impunity, fault billboard brow for being wrong about this one. It was a tear in their friendship that had long been fraying. Ino was not close enough to her any longer to feel betrayal, only remorse for the pinkette.

Perwinkle hardened to steel as she N eji was called to stand. This was closer to home, the wounds fresh and still scabbing over from his most recent betrayal. Her jaw clenched. He'll crucify me. Me and anyone else that gets in the way of his beloved protocol. Team ten might be disbanded based on his words.

Neji stood in front of the elders, all eyes on him. His words would be the deciding factor here.

He looked at Ino, defiant to the end. And remembered all those years ago, what he had thought of her. She had been a fan girl, someone who claimed to be in love with Sasuke. He had thought her selfish, vain, worthless. A Sasuke fan girl, a silly girl, and nothing more. He had been so wrong about her. She was beautiful, inside and out, proud, and far from worthless. She was selfless always giving, regardless of the cost. And suddenly it hit him, like a flash of lightning. All the pieces brought together. Ino's actions. Hachurou's attitude and expressions. Ino's desire to protect. Sasuke. She did not want those children to end up like him. That was why she had risked everything. Why she was doing it even now. To protect Shikamaru. To protect Chouji. To protect those children. Ino would not cave on her convictions, even if it meant she had to go down with the ship. Her actions had shown that, time and time again. Vision swaying, Neji coughed, and swallowed, the realization overwhelming.

"Neji, we would hear your report." Komaru stated, impatient.

Neji licked his lips, nervous. It was a feeling he was unused to. He summoned his courage. She had done no less. Neither could he.

"I, Hyuuga Neji, Anbu captain and vice captain of the retrieval team, would like to recant my formal complaint from the records of this hearing." He said looking straight into the eyes of the elders.

Murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd, Ino's eyes wide. Shikamaru and Chouji exchanged troubled glances, but Ino ignored them, hands on the table as she leaned forward. . Was. He. pulling here?

"I must admit Hyuuga Neji this comes as quite a shock. Why withdraw the report that you yourself submitted for this hearing?" Homura asked, the question Ino's mind echoed.

"A dereliction of mission protocol was committed, but it was not Yamanaka san who did so. We are taught as people of the will of fire, to protect that which is most precious. Yamanaka san was courageous in following that edict, to protect her teammates and those children even if it meant certain death." Neji confessed, pearlescent eyes soft as he looked at Ino. " She took her mission seriously. I entered into the mission, nearly jeopardizing the success of the retrieval, by committing a lesson I had learned to never do as a geinin. Therefore the paperwork I submitted was subjective to my emotional status, not as an anbu captain. I take full responsibility for my actions, and would like my report stricken from the record."

"Emotional status? What emotional status do you refer to Hyuuga?" Komura asked.

"A ninja should never show emotion. My report was flawed and my actions on this mission could have jeopardized her retrieval." Neji replied.

The silence was baffling, oppressive as Neji bowed, and returned to his seat. The council looked to each other sharing understanding in their glances. Tsunade nodded to whatever agreement they had made.

"Due to this news presented, the council meeting with adjourn in a half hour with a verdict." Homura stated.

Crowds surged around the group at they exited. Kakashi placed a hand on Neji's shoulder as Ino and the rest of team ten headed immediately out. Neji sighed and turned to face the grey haired sharingan user.

"I'm proud of you. That took a lot to do." Kakashi told him.

Neji nodded, appreciating the older man's words, but wanting to go find Ino.

"Wow Neji, you really threw yourself under the bus there." Naruto clapped him on the back.

"I thought we were on the same page, Neji-" Sakura began, pink brows drawn in angry lines across her forehead.

Neji definitely did not want to deal with Haruno right now. All he wanted to do was get to Ino. To talk to her. To explain.

Excuse me." Neji interrupted pushing past team seven. Hiashi stood at the door, blocking his way brow furrowed.

"Uncle" Neji greeted tersely. "Please excuse me. I need to get by"

"No. There is no excuse for what you have done. You have other matters to attend to. Come. We have much to discuss." He said in no uncertain tone.

Neji grit his teeth. There was no option. He followed after his uncle, cowed.