AN: Hey, sorry for the sparse updates lately. I know what you're all thinking, "He's just copying and pasting! He should update more!" That's true enough. However, I have been brain storming, trying to fit in new material to old chapters, in addition to making my writing style similar to the original authors. Anyways, I got a lot more reviews. Itachifan, no worries. Neji retains his will to fight! he just can't express it at the moment haha Justicecross, I'm glad I got you into my favorite Naruto character! Alright, that's not all the reviews, but I won't postpone the new chapter anymore. Special thanks go out to all of my new followers too! Thanks, and enjoy chapter 10.

Hinata was walking slowly towards the Inuzuka's country house. She was still thinking about the conversation she had had with Tsume before that afternoon.

Hinata knocked to Inuzukas door.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm comin'", came a husky and irritable answer after Hinata had knocked a few times. The door was opened by Tsume, who looked a mess and was sporting an obvious hang over.

"Hinata?" she asked surprised.

"Hello Inuzuka-sama..."

"Tsume, my name is Tsume. Use it, girl", the dog-nin growled, her patience near zero. Her head was aching like a bitch and her stomach threatened to spill it's contents.

"Ts-Tsume... I'm here to meet Neji", Hinata stuttered. Tsume sighed and rubbed her aching head.

"They aren't here", she said.

"Oh..."

"But come in anyway, I wanna talk with you" Tsume said, grabbing Hinata and yanking the startled girl inside.

Hinata sat awkwardly at kitchen table while Tsume made tea. Hinata looked around her and smiled a bit.

'This place is nearly as big as the Hyuuga mansion, but much more homey', she thought.

Tsume sat across from Hinata and offered her tea which Hinata took, thanking the dog-nin softly. Tsume swallowed a handful of painkillers, much to Hinata's horror. Dog-nin chuckled as she noticed the Hyuuga's look.

"Don't look at me like that, I'm nearly immune to painkillers, this won't even phase me", Tsume assured.

"Is it a dog-nin thing?" Hinata asked, curious. Tsume didn't chuckle, which Hinata noticed.

"Kinda. After my mate died I survived by keeping myself in a painkiller drugged stupor. I ate so much of them that I became nearly immune. Kiba is completely immune to them too, for I was pregnant with him when my mate died. I know, it was an irresponsible thing to do, but I wasn't really thinking then. All I knew and thought about was that my mate was dead, and that should I die my pup would die too", Tsume spoke slowly, staring intently at the table top. Hinata felt horrible for the Inuzuka.

"Is that how deep it goes?" Hinata whispered. Tsume looked at her questioningly. "The mate bond, is that how strong it is?" Hinata clarified after realizing that she had actually said it out aloud. Tsume nodded solemnly.

"Yes, that is how deep it is. Without one another they can't survive, and even if they, in some seemingly impossible way do, it will be ten times worse than dying. Do you understand now? That you needn't worry for you cousin? From now on, he's just as precious to me as my pup", Tsume said slowly, with a grave air. Hinata nodded slowly, relieved beyond belief, yet, at the same time she felt anxious. She hadn't fully understood earlier how strong the bond was and the dangers it brought.

"Hinata", Tsume said. Hinata looked up at her, startled out of her thoughts.

"Please, tell me about Neji", Tsume requested. Hinata looked at her perplexed.

"You see, I'm worried. I told you what a horrifyingly strong force the bond is. And now my pup is mated to a youngster I don't really know at all, so..." Tsume explained, sounding a bit awkward.

Hinata smiled.

"What do you want to know?"

Hinata smiled as she walked. She had talked with the Inuzuka for hours, and now it was already afternoon. Tsume had wanted to know anything and everything Hinata could tell her about Neji. In the end, Hinata had ended up telling Tsume numerous stories about their childhood. Tsume had listened intently and laughed her ass off few times. One time though, Hinata's story telling had been interrupted by Tsumes sharp words.

"What? He hit him? And no one reacted?" Tsume had asked sounding angry and horrified. Hinata blushed a bit and cleared her throat.

"Well... you see... it's not as if something like that is uncommon in the Hyuuga clan. Head family members are allowed to what ever they wish with branch family members", Hinata explained, ashamed of what her clan really was: a bunch of bullies.

"But for a grown man to hit a child..." Tsume muttered, her eyes wide.

"I don't know why, but it always seemed to me that Grandpa didn't like Neji at all..." Hinata said quietly. Actually, when she thought about it, it wasn't that Grandpa Hien had seemed to hate Neji, he just had seemed to take every possible situation to abuse Neji, both physically and verbally. To Hinata, it seemed like Grandpa detested Neji. Not that she understood why. Then again, Grandpa had never liked Hinata either. For his three grandchildren, he only seemed to like Hanabi.

Hinata sighed and shook her head. Her clan was so messed up.

Damn. I got this chapter confused with another. So, no sexy. Yet. No worries though, once the focus is back to Kiba and Neji I'll get some lovin' in for you! So, once again, please review, follow, favorite, all forms of support are greatly noted! And, if you have any ideas about what you'd like to see in new chapters, start brainstorming! Because, we're halfway to where I take over as the writer of this fanfic! AHH! Until then, bear with me! Thanks again, everyone!