Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me

Chapter 24

''I am afraid we don't bring good news, Hokage-sama''

Kakashi leaned forward, his fingers intertwined under his chin and his only visible eye glued on the hard surface of his desk. He was waiting patiently, for the grim news to be delivered by the two young jonin that had just entered his office. It was clear though, how much the masked nin from the Aburame clan was hesitating.

The clock ticking at the back had started causing a headache to slowly form behind his temples, as seconds ticked away and none of the two young ninjas seemed to dare and speak up.

Tsunade cleared her throat as she crossed her arms before her big bosom. Time was precious, one could easily understand that, but in their case, even seconds could make a difference.

Kiba looked at his side, understanding that his long-time friend could not bring himself to deliver the news both their new and late Hokage were expecting from them.

It was only two days after Hinata had left the village when Kakashi summoned both him and Shino at his office. By the expression on Kakashi's face though, it was easy for Kiba to understand that their mission would be neither simple nor one to be taken lightly. And as he had opened the scroll Kakashi gave them, his suspicions were proved to be right.

They left before dawn that same day, beginning a journey that would lead them to the outskirts of Iwagakure. They were supposed to live there for a while, mingle with the people of the Land of Earth and spy on the new Tsuchikage.

As it seemed, not only Kakashi and Gaara but the Raikage as well, were more than concerned with the new leader of the shinobis of the Land of Earth. He was a mysterious figure, the 5th Tsuchikage, so much even that no one even knew his real name. At some point, it had become known that his name was Hayato Yahashiri, yet some of Gaara's spies had found out that wasn't the real name of the new Tsuchikage. Everything was strange about that man really, not just the fact that he was hiding his real name. It was probably a name that must have had something to do with characteristics the Tsuchikage might have, characteristics that would betray his real lineage. But those characteristics, no one had seen, as Hayato Yahashiri always made sure to hide his face behind a mask that didn't even let his eyes be visible. To top it all, he had served as a close advisor to Kurotsuchi, the 4th Tsuchikage, who not too long ago died under mysterious causes. But the Earth Daimyo never searched the matter and no one seemed to suspect Hayato when he took on the role of the new Tsuchikage with the enormous support not only from the Daimyo but many lords and rich prestigious houses of the Land of Earth as well.

Kiba stepped closer, letting a neatly folded scroll on the dark surface of the desk that stood between them and their Hokage. He looked at it for a moment, pondering everything he had sacrificed to bring information back to Kakashi.

It had already been over past a month when news reached them about Hinata's disappearance and the dead Hyugas that were found around the carriage that was supposed to take their friend to the Daimyo's manor. Kakashi had made sure to disclose that kind of information from both him and Shino and that made Kiba even more furious. He had wanted to abort the mission right then and there and start looking for Hinata immediately, but it was Shino who stopped him from doing so. He remembered screaming and launching a punch at Shino who remained calm despite his best friend's reaction.

''HOW CAN YOU BE SO FUCKING CALM!?", Kiba had screamed, not able to control his temper even a tiny bit.

''One of us should be'', Shino said as he whipped that bit of blood that now stained his pale lips. ''For ours, Hinata's and Konoha's shake... calm is all we should be right now''

Kiba bitterly laughed for a moment, before letting his rage to take over his facial characteristics once more. He just couldn't believe how apathetic Shino seemed at that moment, and he being calm only made Kiba more and more furious.

''Bullshit'', Kiba said. ''I'm leaving. I'm going to search for Hinata. There's no way I'm staying at this godforsaken place any longer, trying to find out about that bastard Tsuchikage-''

''Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru and Sai are already searching for her.'' Shino reminded him, in a failed attempt to put some sense in his old friend and brother. Kiba was always one to let his emotions decide before his mind could, but at moments like these even the Inuzuka had to learn to be act more logically. ''You know as well as I do that Naruto will do anything to find her''.

''Do I seem like I care?'', Kiba growled. ''I can't understand you really. She is our friend! Aren't you the least concerned?!''.

''I am'', Shino admitted, his eyes holding emotions that could not be seen behind his black sunglasses. ''But I know Hinata. We have been training with her even since we were children. We have fought side by side in more than one occasion. I know what she is capable of. If any man tried to harm her she would deal with him before he could even butt an eye''.

''Shino-''

''We are shinobi of the Leaf'', Shino said before Kiba could continue. ''We can't just leave an important mission as this one''

''Shinobi, shinobi, shinobi...Yeah! So fucking what? We are not just that! We are people! We are friends, brothers, sons... we are much more than just mere shinobi following orders!'', he said. He had had enough already. ''I don't care what you do, but I'm leaving! I'm going to bring her back home.''.

A strong hand held him back though before he could go and get Akamaru and leave.

''This is far more important than just a mere mission, Kiba...'', Shino said. ''Don't you understand? If we leave now, there might be no home for Hinata or any of us to return to...''

He had stayed back then. He had stayed despite the heavy weight upon his heart, and that scroll in Kakashi's hands was the proof of that. It had taken them months to gather all the needed information, and unfortunately, Shino's words had been prophetic.

''Kakashi?'', Tsunade said as he watched the new Hokage raise his eyes from the scroll.

He stayed silent for a moment, trying to make sure that his voice would not betray his great concern.

''Our fears proved to be right'', Kakashi said.

''What is that supposed to mean?''

''Thousands of shinobi have gathered under the 5th Tsuchikage's command, Tsunade-sama'', Kiba rushed to explain, his expression grim. ''On the scroll you will also find an approximate number of the ninja weapons made during these past few months, as well as the coordinates of the locations where the Iwa troops have set up camps and training grounds''.

There were, of course, many more things written down on the scroll, like the names of the people the Tsuchikage had met with as well as those who seemed to openly support him. And the more Kakashi read, the more anxious he became.

''I doubt that the Tsuchikage simply wishes to train his shinobi'', Tsunade said, her words glazed with irony.

''Indeed'', Kakashi said, leaving the scroll aside for a moment, not quite feeling like he could go on reading the scroll at the moment.

He turned his attention at the two shinobi before him once more.

''You did a great job. Konohagakure will be forever grateful'', Kakashi said. ''But you have done enough already and it has been months since you could properly rest. Go home. Sleep. We will continue our meeting first thing in the morning. I'll make sure an ANBU calls you both.''

Kiba and Shino stood silent for a moment, both seeming like they wanted to say more, ask more, but Kakashi didn't seem like he would be able to answer any of their concerns at the moment.

''Hai, Kokage-sama!'', Shino said with a small respectful bow, making it clear to Kiba that they should not open their mouths at the moment. And for the first time, the Inuzuka did as the situation at hand ordered. And as they exited the Hokage office, one thought played itself again and again in Kiba's mind. Shino had been right. Their home, Konoha, was not safe anymore. The home they knew ever since they were children, the home they had protected with their own lives not too long ago, could as well disappear in front of their eyes soon. And Hinata, she would have no place to return to.

He ran his hand through Akamaru's fur, as they walked side by side with Shino in silence. Dawn would break soon, but none of them would be able to sleep at all.

Back at the Hokage office, the situation was not any different though.

Kakashi stood up from his chair to look at the sleeping village that peacefully stood under the moonlight.

War.

How many times had it been already, when he found himself fighting to keep that village alive? He had stopped counting already. It didn't matter up to this point anyway. After the Fourth Shinobi World War he had really thought that this was finally it. No more wars, no more bloodshed, no more orphan children roaming the streets. But how wrong had he been.

Tsunade sighed as she let the scroll to rest against the hard surface of the desk once more.

''What a stupid piece of shit'', Tsunade said before standing up from her seat. She remembered having hid a few bottles of liquor somewhere before.

Kakashi stayed silent for a while, taking in the dark scenery before him, with the flickering lights of the houses shining like stars that had fallen on the ground.

''Hiashi left a few weeks back'', the grey-haired Hokage finally said.

''Again?''

''Hm'', Kakashi responded, nodding his head. ''He said something about finding out that Hinata was actually alive and that he had to go and free her from Sasuke's captivity…''

''What an old bastard'', Tsunade snorted. ''So many years, and he still believes he can fool everyone. Don't tell me you trust him…''.

''No, I don't'', Kakashi admitted. ''Something is definitely off and somehow I think Hinata's disappearance and the whole situation with the Tsuchikage are in some way connected…''.

''Hiashi said that the Hyuga Heiress was the Uchiha's captive, yet that girl had been captive in her own clan ever since she was a child''.

''That's true…'', Kakashi said. His mind was working, trying to find a way out of this whole mess. ''But no matter how I think about it, I can't see why Sasuke would get involved like this''.

''That I don't understand either…'', Tsunade said, finally finding two bottles of sake hidden behind some old files. ''But Hiashi could as well be betraying us. That old jerk tried to force his daughter into a marriage with the son of one of Tsuchikage's greatest supporters''.

''Could he though?'', Kakashi said. ''Could he really be betraying us, or was it just a way for him to gain information from inside? Don't forget. Hiashi has acted as a double agent before…''

Tsunade stopped and stared at his back for a moment.

''You are talking about what happened with the Uchihas almost fifteen years ago'', she said.

Kakashi didn't answer though and his silence was enough to confirm Tsunade's suspicions.

The Uchiha Massacre.

The Hokage turned around after a couple of moments as the sound of glass against hard wood echoed in his ears.

''I don't remember having those in my office'', he said, eyeing the green bottles in wonder.

A wide smile spread upon Tsunade's face.

''Oh, but you did Kakashi, because I made sure to leave you some'', she said and opened the first bottle, pouring Kakashi his first glass of white liquid. ''The role of the Hokage is difficult so I left you some of my… medicine. I was sure you would need it too sooner or later''.

Kakashi held the glass in his hand, still eyeing it closely.

''Maybe I had hoped that I wouldn't need it…''

Tsunade let a deep sight again, her eyes now staring in the distance, as if recalling memories and people that were long gone.

''War…'', she said. ''Is always at our doorstep Kakashi, waiting for us to let it in. And unfortunately, it will come again, sooner than we expected''. She took a large sip of sake, almost gulping the whole liquid down. ''But tonight we drink!'', she said, once more with a smile. ''From tomorrow meetings will be your only choice. Not to mention the pain the Fire Daimyo and the council can become. But who, knows, maybe the liquor will help us get some great ideas! Tonight you become a true Hokage, Kakashi!''.

Kakashi nodded again.

It would be a long night and Tsunade seemed more than excited to share her drinking habit with him.

It had been so long, since their journey started. So much pain, agony, running… and they were almost there.

She didn't need to activate her byakugan to see the village that extended almost below their feet. The lights of the city beamed in the dead of night, brighter than even Konoha. It was as if the people living there didn't care to be found out, as if there was nothing for them to hide. If she didn't know better, Hinata would have mistaken this to simply be a regular village. But that was only an illusion, because before her was the Seki village, a place that could soon become her graveyard.

She moved her eyes from the lights of the houses below, to the medallion in her hands, a piece of gold that reminded her of her agreement and alliance with Yoshiro.

She had almost forgotten about it, about their deal, but the daimyo's son made sure to remind her once more a few days back.

She was walking through the busy open market, her hands full of paper bags filled with goods. They had been traveling for a couple of days now, when they came across that village. It was a small 'crossroad' village, as Sasuke had called it, as it was a place meant for travelers who wished to buy food, drinks or even weapons, before going on with their journey.

Her eyes skimmed over the colorful stalls, returning the smile to the happy merchants that wished every passerby a happy day and called them to see their goods. It was a beautiful and sunny day really, making her feel warm inside. Sasuke was off to find a merchant that would provide him with a few new kunais and so she decided to buy some food instead. They were not far from the Seki village now, and as she remembered that, her smile slowly dropped from her face.

The Seki Village.

Shiori Hyuga.

And then, Sasuke's face came to mind. She brought a hand to her heart. There was warmth, yearning, love- would she dare say-, but there was also fear. What if it was all taken from her soon?

''Miss! Miss!'', a merchant happily called her, taking her out of her thoughts. ''Come take a look!''.

She walked closer to his stall, admiring the satin ribbons, the handcrafted kagami mirrors, the colorful jewelry and the ornaments that the short chubby merchant had to offer among others. She had a little more time to spend until Sasuke was done, and maybe, the colorful stall of this man could take her mind of everything bothering her for a while.

She ran her hand over the velvet and silk ribbons, enjoying the feeling of the soft fabric against her skin. She was not one to ever really care about things like that. She was always surrounded by beautiful things, yet when it came to clothes and jewelry she would always go for the simple and elegant choices, unless her grandmother Kitsume had a saying in all this.

''We have everything a woman's heart may desire!'', the merchant said. ''The purest of silk and velvet! Jewelry decorated with the finest of stones! ''.

Everything was extremely beautiful indeed, yet what captured her eye was something completely different from everything else. It was a beautiful kanzashi hairpin, yet it was not as fancy or colorful as the rest of the objects the talkative merchant had to offer. At its end stood a full moon made out of a shimmering white moonstone, while small white lilies hanging from thin threads fell down the side of the hairpin like a waterfall.

''Oh what a great choice, miss!'', the merchant said as he watched her admiring the delicate object in her hands. ''It would surely look great on you!''

''You have a great sense of beauty, sir!'', someone said, someone that had just now come to stand next to her. ''It would truly look marvelous on you, my lady''.

She froze on the spot, letting the familiarity of the man's voice, sink in.

She slowly let the beautiful hairpin back on the stall, before slightly turning her head to the side, her eyes meeting those of the man next to her.

Her eyes threatened to widen in shock, but the man gave her a warning look, reminding her to not make such a mistake and speak his name there, where everyone could hear them.

''Are you going to buy anything, miss?'', the merchant asked her, eager to fill his pouch with more coin.

''No'', she said, taking a hold of the paper bags that she was previously carrying. ''Thank you''.

She started walking away, her head lowered to the ground, as if to hide her face more under the dark hood of her black cloak. She was expecting him to follow right behind her, and as she turned left, entering a narrow alley, she could already feel his presence right behind her.

Her steps coming to a stop, she turned around, watching as the man walked closer with his most trusted bodyguard right behind him.

''Yoshiro-san'', Hinata exclaimed, freely acknowledging him now that she knew they were away from curious eyes that could easily report everything back to the Earth daimyo.

''My lady'', Yoshiro greeted her, a familiar small smirk already forming on his face. ''Long time no see''.

''Indeed'', Hinata said, offering him a small smile. They had not parted under the best circumstances, but the few days she had had the chance to get to know him better, she had started to realize that the person before her could as well be an ally, rather than an enemy.

She looked at him for a moment. Unlike the golden robes made of fine silk he usually loved to wear, the daimyo's only son was now dressed in a simple dark green yukata, one that merchants would usually be able to afford. It was an obvious attempt from his part to look plain and go unnoticed, but his stance and vibe were both of a person who had grown in riches and high ranks.

''I know, I know'', Yoshiro said, taking out a fan decorated with cherry blossoms. ''I have had better days. But what can one do? I had to be a master of disguise in order to be able to freely meet you, my lady.''

''I'm sorry to disappoint you, Yoshiro-san'', Hinata said, biting back a laugh. ''But common people rarely go around with their personal bodyguard right behind them''.

''Ah'', Yoshiro exclaimed, throwing a disappointed look at his long trusted bodyguard and friend. ''Kiro'', he said. ''I told him a million times to act like my brother or something and walk right beside me, but, oh well…''.

''I am sorry, my lord'', Kiro said and bowed, and Hinata could easily distinguish the rosy color that had dusted his pale cheeks.

Yoshiro simply made a move with his fan over his elbow, indicating that it was no big deal. One's habits were difficult to change from one day to another anyway.

Then Yoshiro's face suddenly turned serious.

''I am glad that you are alright'', he truthfully said. ''I heard our engagement didn't go that well for you in the end''.

She nodded, a sad smile now gracing her lips.

''I am just glad that I was able to protect someone I love'', she admitted, feeling quite taking aback by her own usage of words. Love… It had slipped so easily from her mouth, as if her heart was the one speaking at the moment.

Yoshiro offered her a genuine smile, understanding her words.

''I would also like to thank you, Yoshiro-san'', she continued. ''Sasuke told me what you did. He told me how you helped them enter the manor that night. You endangered yourself for me, and I will be forever grateful for that''.

''I simply did what I thought was right'', Yoshiro admitted. ''Besides the unfortunate thing that happened to you that night, I was more than glad to see my father 's face at his plans apart right before his eyes. An exceptional sight may I say '', he said, earning a small giggle from her.

''The only thing I feel sorry for was that I didn't have the chance to get rid of that snake my father had as an advisor myself.''

Hinata didn't say anything though. Instead, she gave him a questioning look. She knew who he was talking about, as Hironaka was a man one could not simply forget, but she had no idead what the rest of his words meant.

''Didn't you know?'', Yoshiro said in surprise. ''Sasuke killed him and his men a few days after you getting injured. Apparently the shinobi who hurt you was under Hironaka's commands.''

Hinata looked at him in shock for a moment, hugging the grocery bags closer to her chest. Sasuke… he had done all that… for her?

She took a deep breath.

''I am afraid I can't say I feel sorry for all this''.

Yoshiro smirked.

''I would be surprised if you were the least sorry about a man like Hironaka'', he said and Hinata lowered her head.

It was bad not feeling the least pity about the death of another person, but Hironaka was, indeed, a man full of poison.

''I guess that was not the only reason you came looking for me though'', Hinata finally said, earning another smirk filled with amazement from Yoshiro.

''That I would also like to know'', another voice said from behind them.

Hinata's eyes immediately met his.

''Oh'', Yoshiro said as he turned around to greet him. ''If it isn't Uchiha Sasuke. It's a pleasure to see you again''.

Sasuke stood silently, his katana already in his hand. That man had helped him, yes, but he was still the son of the daimyo and Sasuke had learned not to trust so easily.

Kiro walked before his master, acting like a shield and at the same time a soldier ready to strike anyone who dared go near Yoshiro. Sasuke just smirked though. No matter how good Kiro's martial arts may be, he still stranded no chance against him.

''Come on Kiro'', Yoshiro said. ''There's no reason to get riled up here. Uchiha Sasuke is an ally, not an enemy''.

Kiro seemed to back down a little, but his eyes looked at the Uchiha suspiciously. Sasuke couldn't care less though.

''What do you want Yoshiro?'', Sasuke said, urging the young lord to finally cut to the chase. Id something annoyed him greatly in people was talking nonsense and biting around the bush for no reason.

''From what I remember I have already helped you once, Sasuke'', Yoshiro said, speaking to him as informally as Sasuke had previously done. ''I also just called you an ally''.

''That doesn't mean you are one'', Sasuke said, his voice betraying no emotion. He was always like that anyway, careful to not give out information about himself to people he didn't know, trust or care about. ''To me'', Sasuke said, taking a step closer to Yoshiro. ''You are still the son of an enemy''.

Yoshiro let out a bitter chuckle at that.

''We don't choose our parents, Sasuke'', Yoshiro said, stealing a glance at Hinata. ''But we choose who we want to become. Both of you should know that better than me.''

Hinata lowered her head, letting his words sink in.

''What do you want?''

''To warn you'', Yoshiro said, more serious this time. ''My men informed that Hiashi was seen passing the borders a few days back. He is coming for you, and I assume, that killing the Uchiha and taking his precious heir back are not the only things he has in mind. He is looking for what my father promised him: the power to make Hyugas stronger''.

Hinata gasped, her eyes widening in fear. They were running out of time.

''I know it is hard to trust someone like me'', Yoshiro said. ''But I don't want this war any more than you do. I come before you today as a man who wishes the best for his people like you do for your own.''

Sasuke put his katana aside.

''What are you planning to do?'', Sasuke asked him, his stance less hostile than before. He was a man that rarely trusted others, but Yoshiro's words were spoken from the heart, that much he could realize.

''My father thinks I am away on some trip seeking for entertainment'', Yoshiro explained. ''But I am going South, to Suna. I think the Kazekage will be very interested in what I have to tell him about my father.''

Sasuke nodded.

''Things will only get worse from here'', Yoshiro continued. His eyes fell on Hinata once more. ''And you might have to suffer the heaviest price''. His eyes were filled with sympathy and understanding. They were in the same situation after all, both suffering from the choices of their fathers. ''I gave you a present at the night of our godforsaken engagement, remember?''.

''You mean-''

''Yes, the golden medallion bearing my family's crest'', Yoshiro rushed to say. ''I pledged my alliance to you back then. Both of you'', he said stealing a glance towards Sasuke. ''I hope you will not need it, but if things get out of hand, use it. Use my name as you please if that means you can get away safely.''

''There'll be no need for that'', Sasuke said, getting closer to Yoshiro.

Yoshiro looked at him strangely for a moment.

''We will stop them'', Sasuke said and Yoshiro smirked. ''As allies''.

She looked at the medallion in her hands one last time before storing it back inside one of the pouches hanging from her belt. An alliance. Could that really help?

She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down.

Allying with Yoshiro and winning the battle against the daimyo and fighting against her own father were both too far away. At that moment she only had one thing in mind. There was a woman at that village that extended below their feet, a woman with Hyuga eyes that had tried to kill them both, a woman who had stolen both their map and Itachi's necklace, and a woman who had called her by her mother's name…

If they really wanted to help Konoha and the Hyugas they would have to get past her first, to get out of the Seki village alive tonight.

She felt big rough hands take a hold of her own, and before she knew it, she was up on her feet and buried deep in his arms.

''You are trembling'', he noticed, looking at her worriedly.

''I… I am fine. It's probably the cold'', she tried to say, but Sasuke just shook his head, bringing her even closer to him.

''You are lying'', he said and she exhaled deeply. He ran a hand through her hair, trying to calm her down. ''You know you can't hide from me, Hinata''.

She knew that, she knew that he somehow could read through anything that was going through her mind.

She held onto him, as if she was afraid that he would slip through her hands and disappear. That was what she was probably most afraid of: losing him.

Sasuke held her like that for a while, letting her breath in his scent and relax in his arms.

''Sasuke…'', she eventually said after a few more moments of silence.

''Hm?''

''Promise me…'', she breathed. ''Promise me that you will be all right. Promise me that once this whole situation comes to an end, we will go somewhere far away. Away from all… all this…''

He raised his palm to cup her white pale cheek, making her watery eyes meet his. Those words, he remembered them… She had spoken them before and he had never forgotten them.

…Let's leave…

….Together….

…Let's go somewhere far away…

He leaned forward, planting a soft tender kiss upon her forehead. She closed her eyes again, savoring those last moments of peacefulness.

When the warmth of his lips left her tender skin, his eyes had already pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and they were running through the dark alleys of a village that seemed to be asleep despite the heavy lights that could be seen from afar.

They soon reached the large compound standing on the other side of the village, overlooking the small houses of the villagers. She was there, they could both sense it. But as they neared the compound they realized something must have been terribly wrong.

''Sasuke'', she warned him as they were about to jump from the rooftop of a house inside the large garden of the village leader's compound. ''It is a trap''.

Standing on the roof of the house, his dark cloak dancing with the cold night breeze, Sasuke looked on at the compound before him.

She had already seen it thanks to her byakugan, but she had, most probably, not wanted to believe this was the case.

No shinobi seemed to be on patrol, and everyone seemed to be asleep. It was a trap, Sasuke had to agree, but they had already come this far. They couldn't just back down now. Shiori's spies had probably warned her about them coming for her, but did she really think they would be afraid to face each and every one of them?

They had seen worse in the past, they had fought more dangerous enemies before. Shiori's dogs were nothing in front of others.

''We are going in'', he simply said and Hinata nodded her head, understanding his train of thought. They couldn't walk away now. That woman had something that belonged to them, and unless they took it back tonight, Hiashi could as well achieve his plans before they had the chance to prevent him.

They silently jumped from the rooftop of the house and inside the compounds green garden, landing softly as to raise no suspicions. They ran through the garden and the compound, moving through the dark corridors like shadows under the moonlight.

Hinata ran forward, guiding Sasuke to the woman they were looking for. She could see her, her byakugan throbbing in her eyes. She was sitting on her knees at the far end of the corridor they had just turned left to. She was there, waiting for them.

Hinata felt her heart beat faster and faster with each passing second seeming like a whole eternity.

But as they stopped before the closed doors of the room Shiori was supposed to be at, Sasuke grabbed her hand, pulling Hinata behind him as he drew out his katana. His red Sharingan already spinning in his eye he pushed the doors open, revealing a woman with shoulder-length dark hair dressed in white.

She was sitting on her knees on a gold embroidered pillow. Hinata took a swift look around, realizing that it was a place meant for paying respects to loved ones who had passed away.

She knew they were there, but even when Sasuke's blade came to press itself against her pale throat, Shiori Hyuga didn't even butt an eyelid. Instea,d she kept her eyes glued on the altar before her.

''You have finally come'', she said, her voice betraying no emotion. ''I have been expecting you…'', she said, stealing a side glance to Hinata standing by the door. ''…both of you''.

''Then you should know what we came here for…'', Sasuke said, earning a low chuckle from the Hyuga woman.

''What you came here for, Uchiha…'', Shiori said, her eyes hardening once more. ''… it does not belong to you…''.

Sasuke didn't answer immediately to that. Instead, he grabbed the woman, forcing her up on her feet at once.

''You chose the wrong man to play games with'', Sasuke said through gritted teeth, recalling all the trouble this woman had put them through. ''I'll say this once and once only.'', he pressed his blade against her throat once more, his red eye threatening to engulf her into black flames. ''You have some things that belong to me. Where are they?!''.

She watched his red eye piercing through her and suddenly a tiny cold tear ran down her cheek.

Sasuke looked at her questioningly, not entirely understanding her reaction. She was obviously not afraid of him for her to cry.

''They never belonged to you…'', she said, trying to regain her composure. ''The fact you are related to him by blood means nothing!''

''What do you know?!'', he hissed, his blade threatening to cut her to pieces.

''You started a journey that will only lead to your deaths…'', she continued.

Shiori then turned her head to the side, her eyes meeting Hinata's.

''Your mother wouldn't want that-'', she said and Hinata's eyes widened in shock, tears threatening to spoil her cheeks once more at the mention of Hikari alone.

''Shut up!'', Sasuke said, feeling upset at the way this woman was trying to manipulate them both. ''Don't you dare talk nonsense to her again!''

''Go Uchiha…'', Shiori said. ''Just go and never look back. Save yourself and her. Itachi wouldn't want that end for you!''

''HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF MY BROTHER!?'', he shouted losing his temper now.

''MOTHER!'', a small boy shouted as he ran inside, taking everyone aback.

Shiori's eyes widened in fear and shock.

''ITACHI! NO!'', She shouted as the six-year-old boy came to stand between her and the Uchiha.

Sasuke breathed heavily, feeling his rage slowly turning to disbelief.

''Stay away from my mother!''

The young boy with the black shoulder-length hair looked sternly at him. And as familiar deep black eyes met his own, Sasuke felt the blade slip from within his grasp, making a dull sound as it hit the floor.

…Itachi…

Hello my lovely readers, Chapter 24 is hear right before Christmas! I hope this was a good enough present for the holidays to come!

So what did you think about everything that happened in this chapter? What could happen next? Hope to read you comments soon!

SEE YA!