Neji found himself spending more time with the boy. If that boy was going to be his charge, he had to make sure he was doing well. With a possible traitor within his midst, he was hesitant to believe the reports regarding Gaara. The boy's reactions to him had also changed since the hot spring. He wouldn't walk quite so close when they were in the garden together, and he wasn't looking him in the eye quite as often. He still talked rudely, but Neji was getting used to it. As long as it wasn't in front of the servants there wasn't much of a problem, and Gaara would remain silent in their presence and was not fond of being around them.

Neji had recovered somewhat from his lost goal. While still a little lethargic, he turned his efforts to finding a way to bring the boy back to his home country. Recently, Tokugawa had come down harder on people and traders coming in and leaving the country. In addition, there was a rise in the persecution of Christians. He was still unsure if the boy was Christian or not, but he would have to search the room for any Christian artifacts, so it wasn't found in his manor in case there was an impromptu inspection. He doubted anyone would dare to search his home, but it would be less of a headache to just allow them to search and come up with nothing. Then he could demand compensation for false accusations.

Looking over the map of Japan, his best bet was getting the boy to one of the three other open ports and convincing the traders to take the boy with them. He was uneasy though. The boy had been sold once, he could not guarantee these foreigners would not do the same when he was not watching. He could send one of his men, but then he'd have to worry about getting them back into the country and they would be cut off from any support. Going to China was one thing, they had a few contacts there. Going farther than that was an unknown. He couldn't protect his people outside the Chinese border.

He did not want to give up sending the boy back so easily, but he wanted to ensure he made it safely. It was the least he could do for the boy's good intent. It would take time, but he would keep trying to find a way to send him back.

Today, however, his thoughts were not on the boy or his failed revenge. Today, he was going on a day trip. They left the night before. Their destination being about half a day's ride. He wanted to arrive shortly after dawn.

He didn't take his guards. It was just him and the twins, riding at a leisurely pace through the mountains. They carried little to nothing, minimizing any problems with potential bandits, but the route itself should be safe as it was still within Neji's territory. Soon enough, their destination came into view.

Neji and the twins dismounted, tying up the horsed at the bottom of stone steps before they began their climb. The rise of the sun sapped his strength, his limbs becoming heavy as he walked. The twins followed behind him, no doubt feeling the same effects dawn brought upon them. That tired and lethargic feeling. Neither twin showed any discomfort or change and neither did he. They merely climbed to the top of the long staircase until a modest house sat at the end.

The house was neither large nor small. The gate doors were opened and a stone path led to the entrance. An old woman with a broom in her hands swept the yard, moving the broom in a rhythmic motion as she hummed a folk melody.

Upon their approach, the old lady raised her head, her eyes widening. She fell to the ground to her knees. It looked quite painful, but she still lowered her head to the ground with a grace and elegance unbefitting for her old age. "My lord, I was not expecting your presence here today."

"Suel Gi-san, it has been a while." He looked at the twins who went to the old woman's side, helping her stand. "There is no need for such formalities. You are an elder now."

The woman chuckled, placing an old wrinkled hand on Haru's. "Even at my age, you are still many decadese my senior. How can I not show such respect to you, my lord?" her voice held a little bit of an accent, and though she lacked a youthful voice, it was still melodic to the ears, holding a comforting feeling when she spoke. "Please come inside."

Neji followed the old woman. Though Natsu let go, Haru kept his hands on the old woman, helping her walk. Quite some time had passed since Neji had last seen her. She no longer had any color in her hair and her eyes had developed mild cataracts. She could no longer stand tall and was hunched over, having shrunk in size. It did not feel like he had been away long, but time for humans went by quickly as it had been over a decade, closer to two for the old woman.

The woman moved about in the house, preparing tea for her quests. Her hands were no longer steady and walking appeared to be quite difficult for her. "Haru, Natsu, help her."

The twins got to their feet. One leading the old woman back to Neji while the other finished preparing tea. The old woman watched the two, a mixture of emotions on her face. "There is really no need for this my lord. This old woman has gotten by just fine on my own. I quite enjoy doing the chores myself."

"I am aware. You have rejected the maids I have sent countless times," Neji responded.

"How could I accept such a thing when you have provided me with so much already? I am not greedy. The help I have gained from you is more than enough," as she watched the twins her eyes softened. "I only hope I have done enough for you in return for your help."

Natsu returned with the tea, kneeling and pouring some for the Suel Gi and Neji. The twins' faces were as stoic as ever as they attended to their tasks even when they asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you, Okaa-san?"

The old woman smiled at them. "I have a few things."

She put them to work. Roof tiles, weeding, cleaning and polishing the floors, any chore that had become too difficult to do because of her age she had them do. She oversaw them, sitting on the bench outside, watching as Haru fixed the roof. Neji sat beside her quietly.

This family had always been strange. Haru and Natsu showed little emotion towards their mother. They rarely talked to her and since working for him, they never left his side to help her or greet her on their own. They were more like complete strangers than a family. Yet, Suel Gi just smiled, humming as she watched her boys work on the house without a single complaint.

"You must think we do not act like a family, do you not my lord?" she said. She had a small smile as she asked.

"I do wonder if I have damaged your familial relationship," Neji admitted. Once upon a time, he would have given up everything to have a loving mother.

"My boys have never been good at showing their emotions. They get that from their father. Duty before anything else." Her eyes glazed over with fondness, thinking of her lost love. "They are happy to be home, almost as much as they are happy to serve you."

Neji opened his mouth to reply when the woman went into a coughing fit. Though Neji didn't see it, he could smell the blood.

"The outside air is not good for your health."

The woman waved him off. "My lord, I am an old lady. Everything is bad for my health. Let me have some luxuries before I pass. I rather die doing the things I love than in a bed. Also, if I do not oversee the boys myself, they may slack off."

That was a lie. Haru and Natsu would never do anything halfway, they were always meticulous in their work even as children. She just wanted to watch her children one last time for as long as possible.

"It seems like just yesterday you were coming to visit us, my lord. Once a month you would come to check on us and our living conditions. Thanks to you, my boys were able to grow healthily and without worry. I was not surprised they asked me to help them apply to be your servant to repay your kindness. You even took them under your care and took them as your personal servants to watch over them despite their inexperience and human status." She looked at him in the corner of her eyes. "Though a mother cannot help but worry, it put my mind at ease sending them, knowing they were with you, my lord."

"Suel Gi-san…"

"Forgive me, my lord. 'Tis the ramblings of an old lady. I find I am often nostalgic and reminisce about the past often. I will try not to do it in the future."

"There is nothing to apologize for, Suel Gi-san." She went back to being quiet, watching her boys once more. Neji's eyes also looked to the twins. "It is not too late to change your mind. I can still change you to become one of us."

She laughed. "I have come to grips with my mortality long ago. It is more than enough to see my sons stay young and healthy for the rest of eternity, and I am looking forward to seeing my dearest Hikaru in the afterlife."

Neji knew that would be her answer. He had offered in the past and she had declined each time politely with a smile.

She was a good woman. He could see why Hikaru had been drawn to her. She didn't know how to hate or feel greed. She looked at him as a savor. To her, she had saved Hikaru as a child, supported her when she was with child and had no husband to rely on, and took in her children. She never brought up the fact that it was he who had ordered Hikaru's death. She never blamed him for it. She looked at him warmly and trusted him with her children. Haru and Natsu were very lucky to have such a loving mother.

Neji helped the old woman inside when her coughing got worst and even warmed the tea. Natsu and Haru were perturbed their lord did such a meaningless task when they were available, but the woman was not as strong as she let on. Neji could smell death lingering on her. The twins had to have smelled it too. She had a month. Maybe two. But he knew she would see no doctor or even request her son's to be at her bedside when she passed. She lived a long life, well into her eighties. It was her time.

The sun was setting as they prepared to leave, Neji presented her with medicines which she accepted as it was given to her by Neji in person. A small part of Neji did hope she used it though he knew she wouldn't. She did take her sons aside to speak with them, leaving her last bouts of wisdom to them as they were unlikely to meet again. Neji could have listened in if he wished, but he did not wish to intrude upon their final moments together. She handed each of them something, their hands wrapped around it tightly, the only sign the twins treasured what was given, and they bowed, saying their farewells.

She saw them out, and Neji and the twins descended the stairs once more. Soon, they were heading back, the moon having risen by the time they mounted and their strength returning to them.

"Master," Haru spoke up quietly.

"Thank you for bringing us here," Natsu finished.

A good mother really did know her children best. Neji had not been sure if they truly appreciated the trip out here until they had said so.

It was strange. When his mother died, he had felt relief and liberation. He felt more regret over a woman he only kind of knew over his own mother's death. If he had a mother like that, would he have turned out differently?

"Should either of you find a lover, do not hide her from me. Bring her forward proudly, and I will grant you your marriage," Neji said. He did not want a repeat of what happened with their father, and he truly hoped they would find lovers, even if it meant leaving his side afterward.

"Yes, master," they replied once more.

Satisfied with their answer, they continued their journey back home together.

When they returned, it was the latter half of the night. As they entered through the gates, Gaara was waiting, sitting on the stairs to the main house.

Neji dismounted, handing off his reigns to Natsu and approached the boy. "It is late, is it not? You should be sleeping."

The boy looked up through his bangs, meeting his eyes before looking away almost immediately. "You weren't home…" the boy trailed off. The boy seemed nervous and anxious these days, not as daring or pushy with his demands of Neji.

"Do you wish to eat?" he asked. He had some time before he had to do his duties for the night.

The boy looked up again then nodded, though he didn't rise right away. He was hesitating again.

Had Neji done something wrong? He could not figure out the boy's behavior or why he had been acting so strangely?

Steeling his emotions, he extended his hand for the boy to take. If he thought of him as a child missing his home, it was easier.

The boy looked at it for a while before taking his hand and being helped up. Neji held his hand a while longer before letting go. "Come. We should eat so you can finally go to sleep."

The boy nodded obediently, following him to the room. The boy seemed to be getting more comfortable with the manor. He was leaving his room more often. Perhaps he should start assigning him a full-time guard if he continued to move about. Even if his territory was safe, he was still a foreigner. Trouble may find him regardless.

Just as they were about to enter the boy's room, Kakashi intercepted them. Seeing his captain of the guard, Neji told the boy to go ahead into the room. He motioned for Kakashi to follow him away from the door, not wanting the boy to overhear now that the boy was beginning to understand the world around him.

He led Kakashi some distance into the courtyard before saying, "speak", in a clipped tone.

"My lord, we found a lead about the man you are searching for. There are rumors of him being in Okinawa. Should I send the investigation team?"

Another lead. Neji closed his eyes, breathing out heavily. "No," he said quietly.

This took his captain by surprise. "No, my lord?"

"No," Neji repeated, more confidently this time though lacking energy. "I am tired of chasing shadows. It has been long enough."

"As you wish, Hyuuga-sama." He bowed and disappeared.

This…this was the right choice. He had to move on, and this was the first step. No more chasing ghosts and rumors. He will accept that his brother was dead and leave it.

He returned to the boy who was waiting for him. For now, this boy needed him more. He was real. He was tangible. His current pain and situation was something Yuji could see and deal with, and only he could help.

The boy looked up at him expectantly, their trays of food untouched. "Neji?" the boy looked confused as Neji lingered in the doorway. "Are we eating?"

"Yes," Neji replied, coming to sit beside the boy. "Tell me, how was your day?"

A couple of weeks passed uneventfully. The boy continued to act a little strange, sometimes seemingly avoiding him and other times seeking him out. When Neji asked if something was bothering him, he just replied he was fine. He could not understand what was going on through that head of his.

Kurenai had sent a report telling him the village was doing well and the illness was almost eradicated. She was also starting to put in place the economic plans he and she had discussed before he had left. Things were going well overall.

He was up a little earlier than usual, watching the boy and his tutor, Takeda Kaito, in the courtyard. Thanks to that young man, the boy was learning the language quickly. He planned to reward him well. As the fame of his Heavenly Palace spread throughout the supernatural world, in part thanks to Kurama's good word, it was successful, and he was close to paying off his investment. Older beings tended provide treasures as payments and more valuable than what most humans would ever obtain in their lifetime. Even if it could no longer fulfill its original purpose, it was still provided a good source of income.

Neji leaned against the door frame, watching the tutor talk and wave to the boy as the boy escorted him partially to the gate. They appeared to have become friends. Gaara had never smiled at him like that before. The boy was comfortable in the young man's presence.

Gaara waited until his tutor had exited the gates, his face falling a little. Was he upset that his friend had left or did he wish to go outside the walls?

"What is my schedule today?" he asked the twins, keeping his eyes on the boy who lingered in the yard.

"There is a brief meeting with Mori-sama and there are a few letters that must be replied too," Haru answered.

"Cancel the meeting with Mori-san and have someone buy some sweets from town before the stores closed. Bring the koto player from the Heavenly house as well."

Natsu went to fulfill Neji's request.

Neji may not have been able to take the boy outside the walls, but he could bring some things from the outside in.

He went to meet the boy. The boy's face lit up then turned red, then looked away. "Are your studies going well?"

He nodded.

Perhaps he did do something to make the boy angry with him. He wasn't talking as much as before. "I have finished my work early. Would it trouble you to accompany me for the evening?"

The boy struggled to understand him, his brows furrowing as he slowly dissected what he said. In the end, he nodded. Perhaps he could teach him Go as they waited. Besides Mori and Himura, he did not have anyone else to play with. For once, Neji brought the boy to a different section of the manor, the multipurpose room with an unobstructed view of the courtyard. Servants prepared the cushions they sat on and provided tea and a Go board.

Haru waited outside and out of sight as he usually did when Neji was with Gaara. It occurred to Neji that his servants tended to stay clear when Neji and the boy were together. No doubt they expected him to do indecent things with his mate and wished to give them privacy. Neji had no intention to live up to their expectations.

They started the game, Neji calmly telling and showing the boy how to play, allowing him to play white and have a large handicap. He kept his words simple so that he could understand, intentionally making poor decisions to turn them into learning moments.

When it was the boy's turn and when he was in deep thought on what move to make, Neji would watch him. He had grown used to the boy's appearance and had even grown a little fond of it. It was really nothing like anything he had ever seen. The boy's hair was wild and unruly and refused to lay flat. Neji bet it would curl around his fingers if he touched it.

Natsu eventually came back with the sweets from town. The boy no longer was cautious about his food around Neji and took one, his eyes widening at its taste, hastily stuffing the rest in his mouth. Neji smiled, thinking he really was a child to like sweet things so much.

His smile caught the boy's attention. He swallowed, looking down at the food in his hand. With reluctance and flushed cheeks, he offered the sweets to Neji.

"You can eat them. Tea is more than enough."

"But you don't eat enough…" the boy mumbled. Neji wasn't sure if he was supposed to hear it, but if not, why would the boy use Japanese?

"What do you mean?" Neji asked, curious as to why the boy thought so.

"Your meals are much smaller than mine," the boy responded.

That was true, they were. It occurred to Neji they had never told the boy about his kind yet. He no longer thought the boy was uncivilized and knew he was educated well. There was no reason not to tell him, but he was unsure if the boy would be able to accept it.

"Are you sure?" the boy offered the dessert again.

He really wasn't into sweets, but the boy offered. Not wanting to refute the boy's kindness, he reached out to take it.

Movement caught his eye in the courtyard, the soft glint of metal in the low moonlight. He threw his body against Gaara, pushing him to the ground and knocking the board and tray of food and drink over. Pain radiated from his shoulder, but he ignored it, positioning his body in front of the boy. It was just in time as someone came rushing in from outside, breaking the rice paper door in the process, carrying a katana in his hands

Neji's eyes narrowed, using his left hand to divert the blade into his shoulder and using the right to grab the man by the would-be assassin by the neck, lifting him off the ground. Effortlessly, he threw the man back outside with just one arm just as the guards appeared to apprehend the man.

Neji's eyes were ice-cold, stepping over the wreckage to the engawa outside. Kakashi appeared, wearing his mask to hide his face. The man immediately got onto a knee. "I apologize for being late, master. There were other intruders on the other side of the manor. We didn't realize one had slipped by."

Neji's eyes looked over the assassin wearing servant clothing. If he kept his head down and was careful not to reveal his face, he could temporarily hide among the staff in the chaos. The assassin was forced to his knees, swords as his throat. Neji took the sword Kakashi presented him, walking to the assassin. "Who sent you," he asked.

The assassin glared up at Neji, that defiant gaze did not please Neji in the slightest. With a glance to a guard, the guard struck the man, bloodying his mouth and a broken tooth to fall out. "If you answer, I will make your death quick." His voice was chilling and detached, sending fear down the assassin's spine. The longer he looked at Neji the more fearful he became.

The assassin attempted to bite down, no doubt on a hidden capsule that would kill him, but Neji would not allow it. With a swift hand, he sliced both cheeks clean through, causing the assassin to cry out. "Remove poison before he kills himself. We can't allow him to die too early. Pull out his teeth if you have to."

"Yes, my lord." The guards said, saluting.

Neji turned his back, intending to allow his guards to handle the rest of the situation when the assassin continued to speak.

"You really are a demon. Your wounds are already healed and you have one in your bed," the assassin's eyes flickered to Gaara standing just on the edge of the engawa. "A lord, don't make me laugh. Are you even a man when you want a man's sword inside you? Guess you liked it so much back then you couldn't stop. Hey, you sucked someone off before, why don't you try me instead of the little demon bo—"

The assassin couldn't finish his taunts. His head flew threw the air. Neji still had his blade extended. There was no anger, no embarrassment, or sadness. Just a cold statue as he casually handed the sword back to Kakashi. Clean up this mess and interrogate the others. They must have had help to slip this far into our security."

"Yes, my lord."

Kakashi left to do as he was told. Neji would have to punish someone for failing at their jobs, but he wasn't in the mood. He felt cold and empty.

Haru and Natsu bowed deeply, putting their heads to the ground. "Forgive us for failing you, master," Natsu said calmly.

"Because we are lacking, master got hurt," Haru finished.

Neji looked down at them. He sighed a little. "How are you lacking? Haru and Natsu have no fighting experience or skill while the enemy is skilled in ninjitsu. Did you let the enemy inside?"

"No, but we should have moved faster and shielded your body with our own."

Really, these children. "I am not so weak to fall to human assassins. A few ants can fell a large tree. Prepare a bath and new clothes for me."

"Yes, my lord," the twins immediately went to work, a serious expression on their faces.

Finally, Neji could pay attention to the boy. He was staring at Neji with an unreadable expression. It was neither warm nor cold. Neji approached the boy, but the boy took a step back. "Neji… is this your house?"

Why such a question now of all times? "Yes, I am the master here."

The boy went quiet, his gaze wandering downwards. "I am tired. I'm going to sleep."

"Shall I escort you back?"

"I'm fine," the boy said, backing away at Neji's approach once more. "Good night."

Though he was mildly worried, he didn't follow. The assassin had targeted Gaara specifically both times, meaning he was the target and their employer knew the boy was here, increasing his certainty that there was indeed a traitor in their midst, but one other thing concerned him even more than that.

That assassin he had killed knew about his shameful past. He knew about the men who had forced themselves on him back then and even some details. There were few who knew of that past. He was certain the man brought it up to speed up his execution, but the possibility of who his employer was made him uneasy.

Thankfully, Gaara probably had not understood what the man had said. He had spoken with a heavy Osakan dialect and the words he used were vulgar and highly unlikely they were taught to him by Takeda. He didn't have to hear the curses that man had thrown at the boy or him.

He went to his room, waiting for Haru to return to undress him.

This traitor had to be found. He would no longer be patient when there was a fragile boy living with him. No matter how he thought about it, Gaara had to be targeted because of him, and he would not let anyone harm an innocent boy because of his past.

"Kakashi-san," he called out quietly. Within seconds, Kakashi appeared before him outside his door. "Make an example out of one of our "guests" but don't kill him. Make sure they know the future that awaits them should they continue to defy me."

"Yes, Hyuuga-sama," the guard whispered, disappearing like the wind.

It was said cries could be heard throughout the mountain that night, and for once, Neji thought, "perhaps there should be more."