They were both puttering around the small cabin. Hinata was in the Kitchen putting away the food they had purchased in a small village not too far away. The cabin had a few basic supplies but they were going to need more than it contained. Neji was in the bedroom putting away the few outfits they had purchased. As they did not know how long they would be there they had gotten a few larger tops for Hinata and pants that would expand. If they ended up needing anything else they figured Sakura could get them for her.
At the moment there was nothing to do but wait. Kiba and Shino had gone to inform the Hokage and Hanabi of their 'demise' immediately after leading them to the cabin and showing them the basic security measures it contained. The two were planning on coming back to inform them of what had happened and to help set up some more elaborate warning systems. If they were lucky Shino would be bringing Sakura back with him.
The four friends had decided not to inform anyone but Sakura that Neji and Hinata were still alive. They wanted their friends' reactions at the funeral to be convincing. Neji didn't want to wait to have Hinata and the baby checked out though. He also wanted to make sure that someone else knew what was going on just incase something went wrong with the investigation.
He still wasn't totally sure how he was going to pull this off. The first thing he needed to do was see everyone's reactions to there 'deaths'. It was distinctly possible this was a larger conspiracy then just Hanabi. There were many Hyuga who did not want Hinata as heir and many who did not like his elevated status; not main but not quite branch. Once he figured out who was the target, still thinking Hanabi, then he had to figure out how to go about getting her to slip up.
Whatever happened he hoped it would not take too long. He didn't know how long he could handle living like this with Hinata. The cabin was small. A living room, kitchen and a large communal bedroom with two sets of bunk beds against one wall and a queen size bed against the other. There was a kennel and shed out back and that was the extent of the place. Kiba had told them it was only used a few weeks out of the year so it didn't need much.
Neji was going to give Hinata the Queen size and take one of the bunk beds for himself. He had yet to talk to her about the sleeping arrangement. The few nights it had taken them to get everything arranged and come here they had slept wrapped in each others arms. Even though they could not do anything more with Kiba and Shino there Hinata had taken comfort in it. Hell, he had taken comfort in it. Now that they were alone though they were going to need to keep their distance; Kiba and Shino were the only friends who could ever know about their true relationship.
When deciding who to get to help out the remaining members of the rookie nine had pretty much been a given. They were all good, loyal and when needs be discrete friends. The others had assumed Neji would ask for his teams help as well and were surprised when he was reluctant to include them. He gave the obvious answer, that while Lee would definitely be there for them sometimes in his exuberance he forgets to keep his mouth shut. When asked about Tenten he just said she would have trouble not telling Lee.
Truthfully that was not what had him worried, while Tenten would feel bad about not telling Lee she would understand and keep quiet anyway. What really worried Neji and the part he wouldn't mention was what would happen if anyone found out he was the father of Hinata's baby. Most of their friends, while they would not be happy with the relationship, were practical enough to accept it. You had to be willing to accept a lot of things that a majority of society would frown upon as a Ninja, killing was a good example. Tenten though was the most conservative of the bunch. If anyone was going to crack under the knowledge it would be her no matter how good of a friend she was in normal circumstances.
Staring out the window pondering their situation Neji was only vaguely aware of Hinata entering the room until she came up to lay her head on his shoulder and kiss his neck. Abruptly Neji pulled away.
"Niisan?" she questioned reaching her hand out to touch his arm. She was hurt when he flinched away.
"Don't touch me Hinata!"
"Why Niisan? Why can't I touch you?" Confusion was written on her brow.
"Shino is giving up a lot for us Hinata. We cannot repay his sacrifice by screwing this up before we've even begun."
"No one even knows we are dead yet much less still alive and hiding. Why must we start this now?"
"If we cannot stay away from each other for these short hours how are we going to make it through the days of this investigation. We cannot touch Hinata."
"Cousins touch all the time Neji. It will look odd if we avoid each other like the plague."
"In others company it will be easier not to give into those forbidden touches. You may touch me then, just not when we are alone." Hinata stood there with her arms wrapped around her middle and silent tears running down her cheeks. Neji so wanted to gather her in his arms and comfort her but instead just turned his head to look out the window again.
---
Shino made his way out of the Hokage tower intending to go over to the Hospital to look for Sakura. Logic stated that it was probably where she would be at. As luck would have it he ran into her just before he exited the building onto the street.
"Hey Shino" She greeted him with a bright smile.
"Hello Sakura. May I ask you for a favor?"
"Of course. What do you need?
"I need you to accompany me somewhere."
"Oh… I need to go check in with Tsunade. Does it need to be right now?"
"I can wait for you until you are done with the Hokage." Shino offered.
"Sure Shino if it is that important. I'll meet up with you outside"
---
Going up to the Hokage's office Sakura was waved in by Shizune. She was not all that surprised by the glass of sake in her mentor's hand, what did surprise her was the slightly depressed look on Tsunade's face.
"Ah Sakura, I'm glad you are here."
"What can I do for you Tsunade-shishou?"
"Sometime in the next week the bodies of two ninja will be brought in, I will need you to do an autopsy on them. I need you to be thorough but quick. There deaths are reported to be an accident but something just feels off."
"Of course Lady Tsunade. What names should I be looking for?"
"Hyuga, they are both Hyuga."
Sakura gave a start. "Do I know these Hyuga?"
"I'm sorry Sakura you do. It's Hinata and Neji."
Tears started to form in Sakura's eyes but she held them back. "How Shishou?"
"There was a fire but I don't want to tell you more. I want you to tell me what killed them. Make no assumptions."
"Yes Tsunade-shishou." Pausing to pull herself together it suddenly dawned on her who was waiting outside. "I'm sorry Shishou Shino is waiting for me. I wasn't sure what he wanted but I am now assuming it has something to do with this."
"Probably, Shino was the one who just informed me. He and Kiba found the bodies. You are dismissed Sakura. Take as long as you need to help him out."
"Thank you Lady Tsunade." With that Sakura raced out of the tower to find Shino.
---
Running out the door Sakura started to look everywhere trying to find him. She hoped that he did not get tired of waiting for her. "Sakura" whipping her head around she saw Shino leaning against the wall a few feet from the door.
"I am so sorry Shino. Tsunade-sama just told me about Neji and Hinata. Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes, come with me. Kiba has been off since we found them. He won't admit anything is wrong but I would like him looked at."
"Shino," Sakura said gently. "People handle grief in different ways. He is probably just trying to figure out how to cope and nothing is wrong."
"Please?" was his only reply. Shino had discovered that sometimes less was more. People had a habit of filling in the rest on there own.
Sakura thought about how she would feel if she had just lost one of her teammates, she would probably be scared of loosing the other. It couldn't hurt to look at Kiba and if that is what Shino needed to feel more secure then she could do that for him. "I'll come Shino just lead the way."
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A/N: - Ok so I know I say on my profile I'm not a review whore and I stand by that statement but I just spent 2 hours paying bills and could use some love. (Gives puppy dog eyes)