A/N: Hey everyone, sorry that this update is so late. This chapter was finished a week ago but thanks to my crappy internet I haven't been able to update.

Also remember that Hinata's contacts are still in so her eyes are still brown

ENJOY


"Sasuke STOP!"

The Uchiha halted and looked back to see Naruto and the others breathing heavily. "What?" He snapped.

"We need to take a break." Naruto did his best to catch his breath. "We are all worried about Hinata but we will be no help if we are completely exhausted."

Sasuke closed his eyes. "Fine. We will rest for the night." He heard the others sigh in relief. His eyes snapped open. "But we start up early tomorrow morning." He watched from his branch as the others dropped down the ground and began to set up a quick camp.

He did not join them. There was no way he could rest until he knew that Hinata was safe. A part of him knew that this was his fault. He was supposed to be with Hinata during the ball.

He had failed her just like he had failed his family.

"I'm going to patrol the area." Sasuke let everyone know before he disappeared.


"Come on, wake up."

Sanji's eyes fluttered open when he felt someone pushing him gently. "W-what?"

"We need to get out of here."

His eyes finally adjusted to the light and he saw a pair of deep brown eyes staring back at him. "H-Hinata….is that you?"

Hinata was currently standing over Sanji. She gave him a nod. "It's me."

"But how?"
"I figured out how to get out of the cuffs and after that it was easy. Our captor probably didn't think they had to put much security with those restraints holding us back."

"Big mistake." Sanji smiled at her as he stood up.

"Now let's get out of here." Hinata made a step but tripped and nearly hit the ground if Sanji hadn't caught her. Sanji had his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. They stayed in that position for a moment. Hinata only hoped that he couldn't see the light blush that dusted her cheeks.

"You okay?"

Hinata nodded her head. "Y-yeah." Sanji helped her to her feet.

"I have a feeling that your dress is going to trip you again."

"You're right." Hinata bent over and grabbed the hem of the dress. "And I really like this dress." The sound of fabric ripping ran through their cells. "There. That's better for now."

Hinata's floor length gown now looked like a cocktail dress that only went to her mid thigh.

Hinata then noticed Sanji looking at her legs. "Is something wrong?"

Sanji looked up and coughed a bit into his hand. "Uh..no."

"Then why were you looking at my legs?"

"Um….I….a….I was wondering what that was." He pointed to a pouch that was strapped to her leg even though that wasn't the real reason he was looking but Hinata fell for it.

"Oh that's my weapon pouch. Luckily the men that bought us here didn't search me. Guess they didn't think someone could have weapons when in a dress."

"Another big mistake." He joked. "Now let's get out of here."

Hinata gave a firm nod. "Hai." And the two headed for the door.

It took Hinata a few minutes to unlock it but once it was opened the two escapees had to shut their eyes because the blinding light of the sun welcomed them.

"I guess its daytime." Sanji whispered.

"Yeah, we have to be extra careful." Hinata scanned the area with her eyes. "There doesn't seem to be anyone around for now so let's get going." Which surprised her. A person would think that there would be guards everywhere watching over them.

Quietly the two headed off down one of the hallways. "How do you know which way to go?" Sanji asked.

"I don't, but this way is better than just standing around."

"Good point."

The two continued walking. Hinata still had her byakugan activated and saw something coming towards them.

"We need to hide!" She took hold of Sanji's hand and jumped up into the rafters. She held her finger to her lips to signify being quiet. He nodded and the two watched as someone walked down the corridor.

"Hello?" The man whispered. Hinata thought the voice sounded familiar. "Sanji….Princess Hinata."

Both the escapees' eyes widened. They knew that person. It was known other than the royal advisor.

"Saburo." Sanji called down.

"No! Don't…" Hinata tried to warn but it was too late. He had heard them.

"Sanji?" The man looked up and took a step back in surprise when he saw them staring down. "How did you get up there?"

"Doesn't matter." Sanji did his best to jump down. "I'm just glad you are here."

Hinata jumped down gracefully before staring at the man in suspicion. "Are the others with you?"

Saburo looked down and shook his head. "I am afraid not. I did not wait to find out. I saw the captures take you so I followed behind. I do not know where or if the others are coming."

Hinata felt the dread wash over her. They had no backup. What were they going to do? They had no idea who the culprit was or where they were.

"Why did you come after us?" Sanji asked. "You should have stayed to take care of my father."

"Yes I know but I felt guilty. After all, I was the one in charge of the security and yet somehow you two were kidnapped."

"We can discuss this some other time." Hinata intervened. "Right now we need to figure out a way out." Hinata used to her eyes to scan the area. She still did not see anyone else and that made her even more on edge. "Let's go this way." Hinata headed in the opposite direction of where Saburo had come from.

"Shouldn't we ask Saburo?" Sanji asked. "He probably knows that layout better than us."

Hinata would usually agree but she was still suspicious of Saburo. It was just too convenient that he showed up when they were trying to escape. She didn't trust him. But before she could voice her option she saw Sanji following Saburo down the hallway.

"Wait!" Hinata ran after them. There was no way she was going to leave Sanji alone with that man.

The trio made their way down different hallways and corridors. And while all this was happening Hinata was keeping a close eye on Saburo. There was something off about him. She used her byakugan to check him out but everything seemed normal for the most part. He did have some odd disturbances in his chakra but that could just be from being a common citizen that doesn't have training in it.

"If we go down this way then we should be home free." Saburo called back to them as he opened a door to a large room with dim lighting.

Hinata wanted so desperately to believe him but her instincts wouldn't allow her. All this time they did not see a single person. It was like they were the only living souls in the entire place. "So do you know if Sasuke and the others that came with me are okay?" She finally asked.

"Yes the Uchiha and your other comrades are quite alright." Saburo tried to reassure her but instead it did the complete opposite.

Hinata came to a complete stop and Sanji nearly ran into her. "W-what did you say?"

"I said that the Uchiha and your other comrades are alright."

"That's what I thought." Hinata immediately went into her Gentle Fist stance. "Sanji stay behind me."

"What's going on?" Sanji asked. "Why do you look like you're about to attack Saburo?"

"Because I don't think it is him." Hinata said. "I knew something was off. It was too much of a coincidence that he was found us when we escaped. He said that he ran directly after us after we were taken. He even called me princess Hinata and yet he somehow knows Sasuke's real last name?"

Saburo did not face them. They could only make the outline of him but they could see his shoulders start to move and then they heard laughter. And not just any laughter the kind that sent chills through your bones. A sadistic kind of laugh. "Well I guess the gig is up." Saburo slowly turned around but now his eyes were a glowing red. But suddenly his body collapsed to the floor and standing in his place was what looked like a human form made out of black mist with glowing red demonic eyes staring at them.

"Hinata….." Sanji's eyes went wide. "What….is….that?"

Hinata gritted her teeth. "I don't know." And she really didn't. Her byakugan didn't sense any chakra at all. It was like it wasn't alive. She wasn't about to wait and let it attack them. She jumped into action and went running at the form.

She collected chakra into her hand and tried to strike in where the heart is supposed to be but the mist simply separated where her hand went. Once she removed it the place filled in again.

She tried the attack again but this time at its lower abdominal but the same thing happen. The mist separated where she attacked.

She jumped back to but space between them and the form in case it attacked but it never did. It continued to stand there and stare at them with its glowing red eyes.

"Don't even bother." A voice called out from the room.

Both Sanji and Hinata looked around for the source until their eyes went to the far end of the room and landed on a cloaked figure.


"I think we are almost there." Kiba called back. "Her scent is defiantly getting stronger."

Sasuke felt a little better when he heard Kiba. They were getting closer. Hopefully Hinata was aright and wasn't hurt. He was going to kill the people who did this no matter what but if they hurt Hinata then he would make sure that their death was a slow one.

"How much further would you say?" Sakura asked.

"Maybe an hour or two tops." Kiba guessed.

"So what should we do once we get there?" Naruto asked.

"We split up into twos." Sasuke advised. "Shino and Kiba will go together because they have been working together for so long and the same goes for you and Sakura."

"But what about you?" She asked.

"I'm fine alone."

"Besides, Hinata is my partner." Sasuke said in his own mind.

With each passing moment, his dread got worse. He has been on enough recovery missions to know that the more time that passed by the less chance of the person being alive.

"No. I can't think like that." Sasuke mentally scolded himself. "Hinata would be upset with me if I thought like that." The Uchiha had no idea why he was having such a reaction to the Hyuga's disappearance. It's not like they were a couple. Sure they were faking being engaged but that still did not explained why he was so concerned about her. He knew that making this mission personal was an amateur mistake and he tried to clear his mind as best as he could, but every time he did all he saw was dark hair and pale eyes.

Somehow this girl was having an affect on Sasuke that he did not recognize. It aggravated him to no end. He did not like being confused but he could think about that some other time. Right now, at this moment, his focus needed to be on finding her.

Sasuke came back to reality.

"It's getting stronger you guys." Kiba called out behind him. "She should be right up ahead."

Everyone sped up their pace.

The team jumped through the trees following the Inuzuka but suddenly he came to an arupt stop. The others nearly crashed into him.

"Hey man what gives?" Naruto called out.

But Kiba didn't response. He just sat atop Akamaru and continued to sniff the air. "I don't get it."

"What is it Kiba?" Shino asked.

"It's gone."

"What's gone?" Sakura asked.

"Her scent." Kiba turned to look at the others in defeat. "I had it just a moment ago but then suddenly it was gone."
"That's impossiable. I thought that nothing can beat the Inuzuka nose." Naruto urged.

Kiba shook his head. "Even my nose has its limits. I really can't sniff her or Sanji out. It's like they have disappeared."

"DAMNIT!"

Everyone turned to the Uchiha. In all their years they have never heard Sasuke burst like that.

Sasuke clenched his fists. "We were so close." He mumbled.

"Maybe there is another way to track her." Sakura tried to be positive. "Maybe one of your bugs Shino."

"I'm sorry but without her scent my insects are just as pointless as Kiba's nose."

"So there's nothing we can do?" Naruto looked down defeated. "How can we find them now?"

"I don't buy it." Sasuke looked at the others with determination in his eyes. "Don't you all think it's a little odd that we had such a strong scent and then it suddenly disappeared?"

Kiba tapped his chin. "Now that you point it out, it is a little odd."

"So what do you think it is?" Sakura asked.

"I'm thinking that we have actually found Hinata." The others gave him a look.

"How is that possible? All I see is more forest ahead of us." Naruto pointed out.

"I say that she is right in front of us but its being covered up."

"You mean like a genjutsu?" Shino asked. "The person needs to be rather strong to be able to pull off something like this that even skilled shinobi like ourselves can't sense it."

"They may be strong," Sasuke activated his eyes. "But I'm stronger."


Hinata glared across the room and the mysterious figure. "Who are you?" She called out.

"Who am I? I think the real question is who are you? Are you the princess of the Land of Ice or are you the heiress to the Hyuga Clan of the Village Hidden in the Leaves?" There was something different about this figure's voice. When they spoke it was like two people were talking at the same time. One sounded human the other…demonic.

"I think you already know who I am." She stated without a stutter even though she was shaking on the inside.

"True."

"You already know who I am. Now tell me who you are?"

"There you go again with that silly question." The figure shook its head and made a tsk sound. "That is something that you want to know but is it something that you NEED to know?"

Hinata was really getting sick of this person or thing. She really didn't feel like playing games but it did waste time until Sasuke and the others arrived, hopefully. "What do you mean by that?"
"You WANT to know my name but is that something that will really help you with your little escape?"

"Fine. What do I NEED to know if not your name?" She played along.

"What you really should be asking is what is this figure standing before you." The figure pointed towards them.

That was when Hinata remembered what had happened to Saburo. He was fine one minute and then totally unconscious the next with a shadow figure standing in his place. She had forgotten about the shadow when the hooded figure appeared. Apparently it has been standing there quietly this whole time. Simply staring at them with its piercing eyes.

As much as Hinata didn't want to admit it the figure was right. She really needed to find out more about this odd shadow. She needed to find a way to defeat it if she wanted to get Sanji out of there safely.

"Alright, what is this thing?" She looked at the shadow.

"Like it? It's one of many. I like to call them Shadow Demons."

"What did it do to Saburo?!" Sanji was finally able to find his voice.

"Do not worry your trusted advisor is alive. He was nothing more then a pawn in my little game. And now that his job has been filled I have no use for him anymore."

"That still does not answer the question." Hinata stated once again.

The hooded figure sighed. "Very well. If you must know your friend did not betray you. My shadow demon simply possessed him."

"H-how…how is that possible?" Sanji stuttered.

The hooded figure just laughed. "I forget that you are not a shinobi. Care to explain it to him Hinata?"

The way the figure said her name made Hinata's skin crawl. "Some people have the ability to possess another person's body through multiple techniques such as through the person's mind or by taking over their shadow." Hinata instantly thought about Shikamaru and Ino and their specialties but neither had something like this shadow demon. "Is that what this is? A ninjutsu?"

"Something like that." Just from the sound of the voice, Hinata knew that the figure was snickering at them. "Now that the explanation is over with, I guess I can finally tell you my name." The figure took off the hood.

A man stood before them with pure white hair that came down just past his chin. It contrasted oddly with his dark skin. He had a scar that ran across the middle of his face that met with another scar that went along the right side of his face. But what really caught Hinata's attention were his piercing blood red eyes. They weren't like Sasuke's sharingan. No…there was something different that Hinata's couldn't put her finger on. All she knew was that his eyes sent a wave of fear through her body.

"My name is Nakamura."


"There." Sasuke stood on a tree branch breathing heavily. He actually had to put out his arm to support himself so he wouldn't fall. "It's broken."

And just like that, it seemed like a fog was cleared. Standing in its place was what looked like a fortress.

"How did we not sense that?" Naruto exclaimed as he looked over the building. "The thing is huge!"

"I can't even imagine what kind of genjutsu the person put on this to cover it up." Sakura noted. "They must be very powerful."

"Let's go." Sasuke was about to step forward but stumbled instead and nearly fell out of the tree if not for Naruto coming to catch him.

"You are in no shape to go anywhere man. You need to rest."

"Hinata…."

"The four of us will go ahead and try to find her. And when you are ready you can come and meet us." Sasuke was about to argue. "Look man, its obvious from this genjutsu that our opponent is going to be strong and we are going to need you at your best to defeat them….Hinata is going to need you at your best." Naruto finished.

After a moment of silence Sasuke mumbled out a small "Fine."

Naruto settled him again the tree and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't you worry man, we will take care of it. Believe it!"

And with that all the others disappeared.

Once Sasuke was sure that they were gone he slowly stood up. It took a moment to steady himself and then, he too, was off.

"Nakamura, what do you want with Sanji?"

"I would think that you would have figured it out by now."

Hinata might have if she had spent the time, but she spent all her time just trying to get out of that prison.

Seeing no answer Nakamura continued. "He was not my first choice I will admit that. In truth I wanted your father but these pesky Konoha ninja got in my way."

"So instead you kidnapped the Daimyo's only son for ransom." Hinata finished for him. It all made sense.

Nakamura smiled and nodded. "Exactly. Glad to see that Konoha still has some smart ones around."

"Why do you want the Fire Country so bad?"

"I believe that the question portion of this meeting is now over. I'm not like those idiotic villians that you have gone up against in the past. I'm not about to tell you my entire plan and then some how you miraculously escape and defeat me. No…" Suddenly Nakamura's aura changed to a sinister one. "I have much different plans for you."

Hinata wasn't about to wait and find out. She quickly withdrew a handful of shuriken and threw them towards Nakamura.

And as if everything was moving in slow motion Nakamura evaded each and every single one of the blades. He moved just enough to dodge. He did not even flinch as one whizzed by his eye.

Just when he dodged the last one Hinata appeared before him. With her kekkei genkai blazing she tried to attack him. But just like the shuriken he evaded each and every one of her attacks.

"I will no say that I am not intrigued to see the famous byakugan at work but I was hoping for a little more." Nakamura said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

This got Hinata angry. "Very well." She took her stance and waited until her hands were completely covered in blue chakra. "Twin Lion Fist." She lunged at Nakamura once again.

He was able to dodge her attacked but this time it was harder. She was even able to hit him in the jaw and stomach.

Nakamura jumped back and smiled. "Well done. It takes a good amount of skill to hit me."

Hinata wasn't done just yet. With her hands still glowing she clapped her hands together and held them in front of her.

With another wave of chakra her entire body became encased in the glowing blue. Hinata brought her left arm back and spread her legs out to stable herself.

"Special attack: Lion's Pride"

Hinata lunged at Nakamura and it looked like a blue lion came out of Hinata's body and attacked him.

The attack surprised Nakamura and he was hit straight on and sent flying into one of the walls.

Hinata was breathing heavily as she waited for the dust to clear. She could make out Nakamura laying within the rubble and for just a moment she thought she had won. But that feeling quickly passed when she heard laughter.

"That is an interesting attack. I did not expect something like that from a Hyuga, especially one in a formal dress."

Hinata was furious and wanted nothing but to defeat this man and get out of there, but sadly she had used up most of her chakra in that last attack. It would take a few minutes to recuperate.

"But now it's my turn."

Nakamura then started a series of hand signs. Hinata's eyes went wide as she watched what looked like the ground opening in front of him. She could make out what looked like hands and arms trying to claw out of it.

"Ghost Style: Death's Embrace"

Two Shadow Demons zoomed out of the hole and then came hurdling towards her.

Hinata let out a scream before one of the demons hit her.


Sasuke was running down the hallways of the fortress. He couldn't help but think it was odd how there didn't seem to be any guards around when he had seen so many at Daimyo's. And there were more times then one where Sasuke stopped and looked back thinking that he was being followed with it turning out to be nothing.

He eventually came to the end and saw that he had two passageways to choose from. He gritted his teeth in frustration. He was wasting time.

Sasuke was about to go down the right one when he suddenly heard a scream.

"Hinata." Sasuke changed directions and ran towards the sound. "I'm coming."


A/N: This chapter was a little harder to write for some reason but I eventually got the flow. Its just so hard to write the bad guy, especially the fight scenes. Sorry about it btw. I'm not to good at those scenes. Still hope you liked it though and got the basic idea behind it.