'This is not much, but this will have to do for now'. Hinata said apologetically as she looked around the dilapidated underground bunker. The floor was covered with dust. The roof looked like it was about to collapse. The bunker smelled like bat-droppings. Karin scrunched her nose in distaste.

Sasuke has set Sakura down on the single dusty mattress that was lying on the floor. Fire was made in the lone fireplace in the corner. Orange light was shining on the dusty old domes lining the wall of the vault, with the Hyuga family crest faintly visible beneath layers of accumulated dust.

Hinata and Karin already started to sweep the floor of the old bunker. Wordlessly Sasuke started to dust the mattress and the chairs scattered across the room.

'Is this a Hyuga hide-out?' He asked.

'Yes.' The young Hyuga answered. 'Like the Uchiha, the Hyuga clan also predates the village of Konoha, Sasuke-kun.' Her broom made long sweeping motions on the floor. 'This hide-out is a last minute resort, known only to the main family members'.

'You have always expected a retribution from the branch family'. Sakura observed.

'Yes.' Hinata answered. 'The Hyuga clan is traditional. Backdated some might say. In our clan, the branch family members are treated little better than indebted laborers. There was always a risk of backlash.'

'Neji…' Hinata's lips wobbled. 'Neji-niisan wanted to end this cycle of hatred. He gave up his life to break us out of the prison.' Sakura limped across the room to Hinata and put her arm around the grieving Kunoichi.

'Hinata… we will make them proud'. She said.

'You said you are expecting more people-' Sasuke looked uneasy.

'Yes. My younger sister Hanabi and one more friend. We had split up to divert the attention of the ROOT shinobi. But since you took most of the fire, they should be here by tomorrow. But before they arrive, I want to know something.' Hinata stood in front of Sasuke. 'I trust Sakura-chan with my life. Can I say the same for you?'

'Yes', Sasuke answered softly. 'I wish no harm to you, Naruto or any of the Konoha shinobi'. He turned to look at Karin. 'Karin…I am sorry… I didn't mean to harm you either'.

'You were manipulated by Madara' The redhead sighed. 'I understand Sasuke. But I don't trust you with my life. I was given a second chance to live by Sakura. I am merely repaying my debt to her and Hinata-san. I will leave as soon as I make sure that you have found Naruto'.

'Thank you, Karin'. Sasuke completed dusting the mattress and led Sakura back to it. He took out a pair of loose shorts and a t-shirt and handed them over to Sakura, wordlessly gesturing that she should change out of her bloodstained and wet cloths.

'We will sort out the privy tomorrow' Hinata promised. Shinobi had little privacy. They changed into clean cloths and ate the protein bars that Hinata was carrying with her. Sakura graciously offered the mattress to Hinata as she shared her sleeping bag with Sasuke. His was discarded when the ROOT ninja had attacked. The tired ninjas went to sleep as soon as they stretched out.

'Sakura?'

'Yes?'

'I thought we were going to die there'.

'Me too'.

'Sakura?'

'yes?'

'I think I am in love with you.'

Me too Sasuke… Me too… The medical ninja thought as she snuggled into her lover's embrace and drifted to a much needed dreamless sleep.

The next day was spent in cleaning up the hide out and stock-taking of finance and supplies. Hinata estimated that they would need to stay there in the hide-out at least for a weak for Sakura to fully heal from her injuries. Their financial issues were temporarily solved, thanks to the small cache of Hyuga fortune that Hinata had surprisingly managed to smuggle out of Konoha. Karin went outside to get food, soldier pills, cloths and other rations while Sasuke and Hinata cleaned the privy and the small kitchen and tried to restore the water supply.

They were joined by Hanabi Hyuga and Shikamaru in evening. Karin had sensed the two ninjas approaching even before Hinata could pick up on her sister's chakra signature using the byakugan. She went outside to meet the newcomers and warn them about the surprise additions to the team. Shikamaru hugged Sakura when he saw her, in an uncharacteristic display of emotions.

'Ino would be happy', was the only thing that he said to her before he turned to Sasuke.

'Hinata tells me that you have decided to help us, Sasuke'.

'Yes'. Sasuke nodded his ascent.

'You have turned on Konoha ninjas before. I know you hold a grudge against us. How do I know that you will not turn on us again?'

'I hold a grudge against Danzo. Not Konoha…. And Shikamaru-' Sasuke looked straight into his eyes-' I am the best hope that you have for stopping Madara. I think you are intelligent enough to recognize that'.

'Your brother-'

'Stays out of this war'. Sasuke said firmly. 'We were about to go to Rain to find Naruto. We thank you for your hospitality Hinata. But if my presence is a problem, Sakura and I can leave tomorrow'.

'Sasuke-kun… Sakura-chan needs time to recuperate before she travels.' Concern laced Hinata's voice.

'I can manage.' Sakura added with a smile. 'But Sasuke is right. Shikamaru, I will vouch for his integrity. But of you doubt him, both of us are going to leave'.

'Sakura-' Shikamaru looked at her with a pained expression. 'Nothing remained the same after you left… you know… If you say he is trustworthy, we can accept him for the time being. But don't ask us to trust him with our plans.'

'Shelter for the next week is the only thing we ask of you Hinata'. Sakura addressed her friend.' If you wish, we will leave the moment I am able to travel'.

'Shikamaru-kun!' Hinata addressed the newcomer. 'Naruto-kun trusts these two with his life. So do I. Besides I want to be there when Naruto-kun reunites with his teammates.' She added with a smile. 'I want them to come with us.'

'I trust Nee-san's judgement'. Hanabi opened her mouth for the first time since she came.

'I trust Sakura and her judgement', Karin nodded to everybody's surprise.

'Fine! Fine!' Shikamaru shrugged. 'Looks like we are stuck together for sometime then. But I want the three of you outside now. We need to discuss something'. The four exiled ninjas left the bunker leaving Sasuke and Sakura sitting in the privacy of the shady hide out.

'Are you comfortable with this arrangement, Sasuke?' Sakura asked her companion.

'Aa. It is safer. We nearly died yesterday'. Sasuke nodded grimly. 'It is not what I would have preferred, but you make this almost bearable… Sakura…' He rested his head against Sakura's shoulder and let out a deep sigh.

'Want a smoke?' Sakura pulled at the dark hair falling across his eyes.

'Don't have any' Sasuke closed his eyes.

'Troublesome!' Sakura sighed. 'Bet Shikamaru will have some'. She got comfortable against Sasuke.

'Sakura?'

'Hm?'

'Do they hate me?'

'No Sasuke. They are merely being wary'.

'Do you hate me?'

'Never, Sasuke-kun'.

Sasuke smiled.

'Welcome Tsunade, the princess of the prophecy'.

'Esteemed slug sages. Why have you called me here?'

'We sense exhaustion in you, child. But your time has not come yet.'

'I know sages. I am ready to take up the mantle of the Hokage yet again'.

'Your grandfather's dream was to bring peace to the Shinobi world. Can you live up to his dream?'

'I will try my best'.

'Tsunade-hime. You came back to life from death and blood. Are you ready to get back to the hardships of a shinobi life?'

'I am the Godaime Hokage sages. I will do whatever it takes to preserve my village'.

'Not only for your village. Once you return to your plane- you will change the shinobi world. But not only as the Godaime Hokage of Konoha. There are others who must succeed you in that role, Hime'.

'You have my word as Hashirama Senju's grand daughter then. But what is it that you want me to accomplish?'

'Unite the Shinobi world. Help the Child of the Prophecy to set free the children of the Sage of Six Paths. Be the sage that you are meant to be.'

'The entire Hyuga clan was put in prison?' Sakura asked incredulously.

'Yes. The Hyuga, the Nara, the Yamanaka- anybody who resisted'. Shikamaru took a drag of smoke and extended the cigarette to Sakura who greedily took in a puff of smoke.

'Clan members disappeared. Dead bodies were turning up with their byakugan missing. Little children were abducted'. Hinata continued in a grim voice. They were sitting on the floor of the newly cleaned bunker. 'We knew that there was resistance outside Konoha. We tried our best to escape before Danzo staged another massacre. You have seen the branch members. It would have been very easy to stage a Hyuga massacre'. Hanabi said.

'Neji-niisan…feigned hatred towards the main family. He was often put on guard duty in the Hyuga ward. He helped us escape. Paid for it with his life.'. Hinata looked down.

'I was scheduled to be executed the day Hinata and Hanabi broke out'. Karin said quietly. 'They took me when they escaped. Met up with Shikamaru outside Konoha'.

'I was Neji's contact outside village. I left soon after you did, Sakura.' Shikamaru supplied.

'The Hyuga clan- what is going to happen to them?' Sakura asked.

'Possibly massacre- now the heirs have turned against the Hokage'. Hanabi looked into the fire. 'But I think they will let the loyal branch family members live'.

'Danzo is not himself'. Hinata said with a grim face. 'Having the power of so many sharingan eyes has unhinged him. He claims everything he does is for the best of the village- but he acts almost like a … puppet…'

'A puppet?' Sasuke asked with a frown.

'Yes. Much like the Edo Tensei puppets that the Sandaime had faced'. Hinata frowned. 'His actions are disoriented. He trusts ROOT to oversee the everyday functioning of the village. It seems like his only goal is to acquire power. Body parts. Eyes. He has stationed ROOT shinobis in the Sand for ages. He is planning to launch a full scale attack on Suna.'

'Shikamaru…'Sakura looked at the genius ninja. 'It is something that I have thought about for a while… Don't you think that Pain's attack on Konoha worked out little too good for Danzo?'

'Yes I have. In fact, I have had this suspicion for quite some time Sakura'. Shikamaru admitted.

'Itachi said that Danzo is extremely loyal to Konoha'. Sasuke interjected.

'He is convinced that everything he does is in Konoha's best interest.' Shikamaru frowned.

'But what is the possibility that Danzo is working in a league with Madara Uchiha?' Hinata asked.

'Plenty if you see how the Uchiha massacre played out'. Sasuke was scowling. 'The order was given by Danzo. It was executed by Itachi, who was manipulated by Madara. We know how the Senjus were wiped out during the Kyuubi attack. Madara is going after the prominent clans'.

'He is holding a grudge against the clans who founded Konoha', Sakura mused.

'Yes. And who better to manipulate than Danzo- a powerful shinobi from civilian background, who was cheated out of his chance to become the Hokage by Tobirama Senju?' Shikamaru was mindlessly throwing twigs into the fire.

'Anyway, many of these questions will be answered when we see Lady Konan'. Hinata suggested. 'I suggest we rest and make a concrete plan about our trip to the Rain'.

'There was a clash in the Cloud border. We have reasons to think that Sasuke and Sakura were involved'.

'They are alive? They are together?'

'They might be making their way to the Rain.'

'Kakashi-sensei… they are alive!'

'Don't get your hopes up, Naruto. They were caught in a conflict with ROOT. If they get to Rain, the ROOT will follow soon after'.

'Yes. Keep an eye out for them. We need to increase our border security'.

'Hai. Konan-sama'.