I'm pretty sure that you're tired of my excuses by now. My friend and I tried to come up with an awesome battle scene to show just how powerful Daisuke is, but I'm an epic failure (mine and Pattycake's words of the week: epic fail!) when it comes to battle scenes. Just so you know, he's uber powerful. You know how I noticed it'd been too long since I last updated? I planned on basing Hoshiko off of my physical features and described her with 'light brown, waist length hair'. My hair is now tailbone length. FML. Anyways, on to the disclaimer!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Naruto. Although, my imouto bought me an awesome Naruto action figure that kicks, punches and makes 'kapow!' noises!

Italics- Thoughts

The Hyuuga Heiress's eyes widened in fear for her ANBU and her fiancée. She couldn't let them face this man by themselves! Again she writhed on the ground, fighting the bonds the chained her. I have to help them! There must be a way out of this!

"Step aside Uchiha, I'll handle this!" Neji bellowed, hoping to gain back some of his spotlight that was so rudely snatched from him. Hopefully, Hinata would recognize his fighting technique.

"Why don't you head on home, whoever you are. You've no relation to Hinata and there for are not obligated to protect her," Sasuke drawled lazily. Neji was infuriated! Not obligated to protect her? The seal on his forehead said otherwise!

"This is your last chance Uchiha, back down," Daisuke interrupted, a little offended that they were casting him aside as a weakling. Did they not know who they were dealing with? Even if they teamed up, they'd be no match for him!

"No. Prepare yourself," Sasuke smirked. "Mangekyou Sharingan!"

"This should be interesting, but your fate is still the same. You will lose," Daisuke replied calmly.

"Amateratsu!"

Black flames began to lick at the ground, sending Neji's mind into a frenzy.

You idiot! Hinata's still bound! She can't defend herself from your jutsu!

Seeing that Daisuke was preoccupied with dodging the flames in order to land a hit on Sasuke, Neji decided that this was his chance to regain the 'knight in shining armor' title that had been stolen. The young ANBU quietly activated his kekkai genkai, before making his way over to the Heiress.

"Mph!" a muffled word came at seeing her rescuer who was now crouching beside her. Gently, Neji pulled the gag from her mouth.

"Don't worry; I'm going to hel-ah!" Neji cried out, the familiar feeling of a kunai in his blind spot beginning to take hold.

"Not so fast!" Daisuke screeched, having thrown the offending weapon while battling the Sharingan user.

"Are you okay?" Hinata whimpered. Her kidnapper was already sending a shadow clone over to deal with her ANBU.

"Don't worry about me, we need to get you out," Neji hissed, as a few shuriken pierced his thigh. Gathering chakra in his fingers, he sliced through her chakra bonds.

"Run!" he ordered her. To his dismay, she was leaning over to tend to the minor wounds he'd received.

"Now! Go Hinata!" Neji persisted, shoving her hand away.

"But-"

"Now!"

With a final look, Hinata did as she was told. She ran through the thicket of the wood until every tree she passed was nothing more than a blur.

Coward, she thought as tears were falling down her cheeks. Run away like the weakling you are.

Without realizing where she was headed, Hinata found herself back at the compound.

Otou-san...he's dead.

Biting back a cry, Hinata rushed past the Main Gate. If her father was dead and she was supposed to be too, wouldn't it be plausible that the next heiress would be in danger as well?

"Don't worry Hanabi, I'm coming," she whispered, more to reassure herself if anything else. Quickly activating her Byakugan, Hinata scanned the compound in search of her imouto. She found her still fast asleep on her futon, blissfully unaware of the distress her family had been placed under. The Heiress breathed a sigh a relief, but her comfort was short lived as she located three unfamiliar chakra signatures: two humans, one animal.

Takahiro was slightly worried, when neither Daisuke nor Hoshiko were at the rendezvous point just outside the East Gate of the Hyuuga Compound. Turning to the bird perched on his shoulder, the ninja clicked his tongue. Immediately, Botan gave him his full attention.

"Botan, scan the grounds and look for Hoshiko and Daisuke," he requested, and his bird took flight. He watched as his animal partner pierce the sky, only to be met with a soft poke to the nape of his neck. Gentle though the gesture seemed, he soon felt a chakra point close and turned to face his attacker.

"Blue hair, purple eyes and blushing cheeks…yes, you must be the Hyuuga Hinata," he recognized, watching as Hinata fell into a battle stance.

"What have you done with my father?" she demanded.

"He's alive, if you're wondering. His death wasn't even part of the mission. Daisuke only threw that in for personal revenge," he explained, copying her stance. Truth be told, the Heiress didn't look intimidating at all. She was still dressed in her pajamas, she had no weapons on her, and if the records in Kumogakure were correct, her clan believed her to be weak. Besides, the goal is to capture her, not kill her. That much I can do, Takahiro thought to himself. "I ignored his request, but don't think I won't comply at a whim. Surrender and let yourself be captured and you father will be spared," he warned, although it was an empty threat.

"The only one being captured is you!" Hinata shot back as she raced forward to land a Gentle Fist strike to his chest.

Hoshiko was feeling somewhat ashamed that she'd been captured to easily. Now she lay bound and gagged on Neji's bed and her teammates had probably gone off without her. I wouldn't put it past Daisuke-kun to do such a thing…abandon his teammate for the sake of the mission. Fearing what would happen once the ninja who had captured her would return, Hoshiko hung her head in defeat. Her hopes were raised when she was met with a bird that she had never been happier to see.

Botan! At least Takahiro didn't abandon me!

Unable to undo her binds due to the lack of opposable thumbs, Botan settled for ripping a strand of hair from Hoshiko's head. Clever creature that he was, he knew that Takahiro would recognize the copper colored lock. After all, his master was infatuated with the young kunoichi.

Hinata panted, trying to catch her breath as she peered at the now defeated Takahiro who lay unable to move on the ground before her. He'd put up a hefty fight, but he'd clearly underestimated her by her fragile, porcelain doll looks.

"You needed your bird to fight, didn't you?" she huffed between breaths. Takahiro settled for a glare, not wanting to dispose any information to the enemy. He's the human counter part to a tag team, like Kiba-kun, she thought to herself. He wouldn't have sent his bird away unless it was important. Almost as if on cue, Botan came soaring in to his master's aid. Takahiro eyed him almost desperately; surely there was something Botan could do to help his situation.

"Botan," the Kumo-nin croaked. In his palm, the bird dropped the auburn strand from Hoshiko's head. "I see," he groaned.

"You're teammate is alive, in case you're wondering," Hinata said, restating his previous comment. She could at least grant him the relief of knowing since he'd done the same for her.

"Is she hurt?" Takahiro inquired worriedly.

"No, but she's been taken hostage like you," she replied as monotone as she could. She wouldn't allow him to think she was being soft with him.

"What of Daisuke?" he asked again. He despised the prick, but they were on the same team and it was important to know these things.

"He's battling an ANBU and my…danna," Hinata responded, fearing the fate of both men. Deciding to cut the chit chat, Hinata hoisted Takahiro up by his collar to bring him to a limp stand.

"Let's go join your teammate, shall we?" stated the Heiress as she began somewhat dragging her hostage.

"Mph!" Hoshiko's surprised gasp came, muffled by her gag. Here was her teammate, bound and gagged just like herself. But not only had he been taken down, oh no. He'd been captured by the Heiress herself! Still, the ever faithful Botan was perched on his sagging shoulder. The falcon had even gone as far as to return her torn piece of hair.

"I'll be back with the guards and my father before we see what is to be done with you," Hinata uttered, kicking aside her meek demeanor in favor of the Heiress behavior that had been pounded into her since birth. With that, she left the room with confidence on her skin though on the inside she was burning with questions. What was the kunoichi doing in Neji-nii-san's room, of all places? Are the ANBU and Sasuke alright? What's going to happen?

Hyuuga Hiashi was somewhat annoyed that he was being so rudely awakened from his sleep.

"Otou-san! Otou-san!" Hinata said shrilly, shaking her father awake.

"What is it? It'd better be important Hinata or I swear-"

"We've been attacked by Kumogakure ninja, three of them to be precise," she replied shortly. Hiashi lost his cold composure to the shocked face he now wore.

"But, I…It can't be!" he stammered, unable to find words for the situation.

"Two of them are bound and are in Neji-nii-san's room, the other is doing battle with Sasuke-danna," she replied, somewhat pleased that she seemed much more calm about the present state than her father.

"Where is Neji?" he demanded, some of his cold façade returning to him. Hinata shook her head.

"I do not know. I found the kunoichi already bound in his room when I was taking in the shinobi I defeated."

"What of your sister?"

"She's safe, Otou-san."

"Come, we must alert the guards," he said firmly. Perhaps I shouldn't have dismissed Neji so quickly. But besides that, where is he? If he'd already captured one of the enemies, why did he not alert me or the guards?

Uchiha Sasuke lay battered on the ground, hopelessly defeated. The ANBU lay only mere feet from him, his mask cracked and askew. He'd never encountered someone so powerful aside from his own brother! A fit of coughs assaulted him and crimson blood spewed forth unto his mouth. Turning his head though it pained him to do so, he faced the ANBU beside him.

"Hyuuga…Neji," he groaned, coughing in between his names. Beneath his mask, Neji's eyes widened slightly though he wasn't surprised that the Uchiha had figured out his identity. His fighting technique had been obvious since he'd had to use it to the fullest extent in battle. Still, both kekkai genkai users had been vanquished.

"I thought I told Hiashi I wanted you away from Hinata," Sasuke sneered, rage clearly written on his face.

"I am her protector. What I did was to protect her, not you," Neji replied harshly. Still, Sasuke was not satisfied.

"She's mine now, and therefore I'm to protect her, not you!" the Uchiha shot back, though it took him great energy to do so.

"Yours? I wasn't aware that a human being was to be owned, Uchiha," Neji responded, glaring beneath his mask.

"Hinata owns you! Hiashi owns you! That stupid seal on your forehead proves it! You're nothing but property to them, so stay out of their affairs!" Sasuke said, enraged. Neji remained quiet and chose to ignore his comment. Technically, he was property to the Main Branch; Hinata especially. But that was something that had been destined since the moment his father was born minutes after Hinata's. He'd been property his whole life.

"Let me ask you something, Uchiha. Do you love Hinata? Even the slightest bit? Can you truly picture spending the rest of your life with her?" Neji asked quietly. Faintly, he heard Sasuke snort.

"What kind of question is that? Our marriage isn't about love. It's arranged for the benefit of your clan and for the expansion of mine," Sasuke replied, somewhat annoyed. Realization hit him and a cruel smirk spread across his face.

"You love her, don't you?" he leered, wiping the blood from his mouth onto the back of his hand.

"She is my Heiress; I am her servant, nothing more. But, I am as bound to her as you will be soon. Through the blood that flows in both her and I, we are bound to each other till death," Neji responded as though he'd read it straight out of a Hyuuga scroll.

"Sick freak, you want her!" Sasuke insisted.

"Think what you will, Uchiha. I know my place in line," Neji said carelessly. His voice appeared calm and collected as usual, but his mind was elsewhere. I, Hyuuga Neji, am falling for my own cousin, Hyuuga Hinata. Neji knew that although he could avoid Sasuke, he couldn't avoid his own thoughts. He winced as he touched the wound in his side. It's deep. If I don't receive medical attention soon, I'll bleed to death. He sighed softly before slipping into unconsciousness due to blood loss.

"No worries Hiashi-sama, Hinata-sama, the hostages have been taken in for questioning in the Hokage Tower and a search team has already been put together for the remaining shinobi," stated one of the more elite Branch Members, Hyuuga Haru.

"What about Neji-nii-san?" Hinata inquired, upset and hurt that her cousin had not alerted anybody that she'd been in danger or that he'd captured an enemy. Perhaps he still hates me for his father's death, she thought desolately. Did he know this would happen? Was he just pretending to care as a ploy?

"My apologies Hinata-sama, he's yet to be found."

"I understand. Otou-san, may I be excused?" she murmured.

"Hinata, it would not be wise to be on your on at the moment," Hiashi replied sternly.

"Have someone accompany me, please," she persisted. Hiashi hesitated for a moment, but agreed.

"Fine, have Haru escort you," he retorted, beckoning the Branch Member to follow. As soon as she was sure he would follow, Hinata bolted out of the compound, Byakugan blazing.

"Hinata-sama! If you don't mind my asking, where are we going?" Haru called out to the blue haired kunoichi who was already way ahead of him.

"We're going to where I last saw Sasuke-danna and the enemy as well as the ANBU," she replied shortly.

"Shouldn't have we requested back up?" he asked, astounded.

"If they're even still battling, it's four against one. The odds are against him. Besides, they should've taken him out by now," Hinata explained, but was stunned to find that she was dead wrong.

"No…" she whispered to herself, having found the two men she'd left to battle. Sasuke was beaten to the ground with several injuries, but the one to his brow didn't look too pleasant and his mouth was caked with blood. The ANBU on the other hand, was surrounded in a pool of his own blood, a deep gash in his left side.

"Hinata-sama is everything…what happened?" Haru exclaimed, having barely caught up to Hinata.

"I shouldn't have left them!" she cried, feeling tears well up in her eyes.

Neji, though slightly delirious from blood loss, recognized the Heiress's voice immediately. You're safe, Hinata-sama. He opened his mouth to call out to her, but realized he did not have the strength to do so. Instead, he heard another voice calling her name.

"Hi…Hinata, come here," Sasuke groaned, dried blood cracking in his throat. Hinata looked hesitantly towards the ANBU and then again towards Sasuke, unsure what to do.

"Please, Hinata," he tried again.

"Haru, attend to the ANBU," she ordered before rushing to Sasuke's side.

"Don't worry danna; we'll get you out of here. Just hold on," she whispered the customary soothing words for the wounded shinobi. Sasuke gave a feeble attempt at a smile before grabbing her chin. This one's for you Neji, so you'd better watch this. With the little strength he had left, he pulled her in for a kiss. Hinata grimaced at the metallic taste of blood which coated his lips and was now smeared onto hers. It was disgusting and unwanted. Still, even as his blood was seeping on her chin, she could not bring herself to pull away. He needs comfort right now, she said, reassuring herself of her intentions. Hesitantly, she kissed back, snaking one hand at the back of his head.

No, Neji's mid screamed as he witnessed the crimson kiss. He willed himself to slip back into unconsciousness before he felt a pair of arms sling him up onto a supporting back.

"I know that's you Neji," Haru whispered quietly.

"Don't tell Hinata-sama," Neji requested, before fainting once again.

Tada! Ok, ok. I know you all are thinking 'WTF? I thought this was Nejihina!' Rest assured, it is. Things are getting juicy! Oh and before I close this chapter, I must make a statement.

I, Yesenia, apologize for slapping Patty on the back today because she made an incy wincy mistake today in band camp (lmao!). Granted, I did not slap her hard, but she was really butthurt about it. So I told her if she stopped being mad at me, I'd post a very public apology here on FanFiction. Sorry Pattycake!

Remember, reviews make me happy :3 and I always reply!