The wee hours of the early morning came quickly, and Hinata had not had a wink of sleep. Her bedroom door swung open, and Hiashi walked in with tea.

"Tired?" he said.

"Yeah." She smiled. "I can't fall asleep for the life of me."

"Here, have some tea. Now talk to me."

Yawning, she took it. "I have to do another day of work, and I have to look in his memory."

"That's what's keeping you awake, Hina?"

"Well, partly. I don't want to know what he's done or what he thinks."

"Entering the mind of a criminal. Sounds fun."

"Father, he's a supposed criminal."

"Someone's very defensive." His Byakugan appeared.

She swallowed hard.

"Care to tell why, Hinata?"

"I have to be open-minded. It's only fair to say supposed until he's convicted."

"That's nice to hear." His Byakugan dissipated. "I'd be devastated to find out that the heiress of the clan has any form of intimate feelings for someone so vile and disgraceful."

"Right."

"I still don't understand why he's not imprisoned. We all know what happened. Everyone knows what he's done. The proof is evident, yet the only reason this case hasn't been tried is because he's showing signs insanity."

"That's it? By the way he's interrogated, you'd think there's no evidence a crime ever occurred."

"Well, he can't be charged without him fully understanding his crime. Plus, Tsunade is probably looking for a motive."

"Father, do you think he's insane?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Well, you'd have to be crazy to barge into my home, destroy my property, and threaten my family. In any event, I do think that he knowingly betrayed Konoha, and criminals like him will be in prison for a very long time."

"But I just can't see him as a bad person. He's stubborn and sometimes rude, but it doesn't scream criminal. It just says that he hates being in his position."

"What's your point?"

"There has to be more than what is seen. Why wasn't there more extensive research on his behavior problems as a child? Why does he still have random outbursts of violence?"

"Hina, I don't know. I didn't know he had behavioral issues."

"Well, they haven't been confirmed, but there's so much missing information from this case that need to be found.

"You're taking too much interest in his supposed "innocence" and no interest about prosecuting a known criminal for the sake of your village!"

"Father, I won't put someone in prison when I think he's not guilty!" She was breathless. Her tightly clenched hands crushed the ceramic teacup. Her lilac eyes greeted Hiashi's with her Byakugan.

"You do have feelings for him. You're ready to fight me over some man and a criminal at that. Hinata, you're in love with him, and it will be stopped."

"And if it doesn't?"

"So you admit. Hinata, you'd better cut the crap or things will get ugly."

"How?"

"I'll arrange your marriage."

"Then I'll just divorce."

"I won't allow it."

"You can't keep me from him!"

"Oh really?" Hiashi said. "You'd best find him not guilty. Because if he's convicted, I will disown you."

She gasped and her eyes widened. "You wouldn't."

"I won't allow dishonor to befall the clan all because of your romantic fling." His Doujutsu reappeared.

"Hiashi-sama?" Knocks were heard on the door. "Could I see you on the porch?"

"Neji, not now."

"It's important."

"Fine. Hinata, be lucky you have Neji, or I'd rip you to pieces. Now, go to bed. We'll finish later."

Outside, Neji and Hiashi were sitting on the porch. Everything seemed calmer.

"Neji, I know exactly what you're thinking. I'm not being too hard on her."

"You'll disown your own daughter for the sake of the clan. Where's the love for Hinata?"

"As head of the family, I will always have to make harsh calls, but I love Hina. She and Hanabi mean everything to me." Tears were streaming down his face. "I don't want another man to hurt her again. Naruto crushed her, and he'll never understand how much she cared for him. And that bastard, Inuzuka, cheated on the only woman who'd ever put with him, and they're teammates."

"Sasuke's a good guy. I've talked to him briefly, and he cares about her like Naruto and Kiba never have."

"So you helped her against my orders in this escapade?"

"I have a duty to Hinata's welfare just like you have a duty to your clan. Besides, you gave me this job sixteen years ago."

"Shit. I guess I look like a really bad parent."

"No, you don't. Hinata sees right through you. She may seem surprised by your words, but she's going to call your bluff sooner or later."

The front door slid open. Hinata walked out and smiled at the two. "I'll be back soon. I have a man to save."

"Alright," Hiashi said. "Be back by dinner."

"I'll try." She leaped off with giggles.

"Told you she'd call it," the young Hyuuga said.

"She's growing up," the almost proud father said. "And I sure as hell am not ready yet."

Hinata pounded on the apartment door. It swung open, and a certain Uchiha answered rubbing his eye. "Yes, Hinata?"

"We need to talk."

"Come in." He led her to his bedroom and motioned her to sit on the bed. He propped himself against the wall. "Can I get you anything?"

"Yes, I need more information. Did your brother have any medical conditions?"

"No, he was just reclusive."

"Do you know why?"

"He said he was working on a project for the Academy. He worked on it for a few years, but I've never known him to produce a final product."

"What was it about?"

"He never told me any details. It was about body manipulation or something."

"Why would he need something like that?"

"He was an ANBU Black Ops, so maybe he'd need to drag retrieve information from suspects and enemies."

"Sasuke, I think it's time."

"To use the jutsus? Hinata, it's early, and you look really tired. Why not just go to sleep?"

"I have to do it now. I really think Itachi has something to do with—" Her air was cut short. She was awestricken at the Uchiha's hand that could easily snap her neck.

"I said go to sleep!" A sadistic smile crossed his lips.

"Oh no! That look. it's back! And there's no one here to help me."

He raised her body off the ground. It was in perfect striking for his Chidori, which was now twittering around his other hand. "Now, you'll sleep permanently."

"Sasuke, please don't do this! You're not yourself."

"Oyasuminasai (Good night)."

Dizziness set into her. Her head felt lighter by each passing second. Her eyes would not stay open, and everything went dark.