No matter how many times your mind tired to process it, no matter how much it hurt, you just couldn't bring yourself to...accept it. Your love, you unyielding love for Hikari wouldn't allow it. Anger wasn't there, you couldn't feel its fire burning inside. For it, the only one you felt was to yourself.

You knew something was wrong, you knew it and couldn't help but feel it was your fault.

Why? Why did she do this? The answer the others gave made no sense, no logical sense. You knew your daughter, you knew she wouldn't want this to happen. Didn't expect this to happen.

And now, knowing the guilt was eating her up inside. Consuming her with fear and terror of her actions, making her rash and thoughtless. Forsaking everything, she was trying to redeem herself. You knew she was tricked by her own desires and pains to choose this. Going over it in your mind of all the past years of her growing.

The light in her eyes, over the years began to fade and become cold. A cold you tired to figure out why. She wouldn't say, it was the complete opposite of her younger years. So determine to be honorable and protect those close. You remember it clear as day, when you were pregnant with Yoshi, she was overjoyed and wanted to help.

Her reason to be enroll in the Academy. She begged you and Gaara, actually you remember clearly she went to Gaara first. Gaara remembered it too. She burst into one of his meetings and and assertively announce to become a shonibi. She was only four. Gaara had told you that day when you had lunch with him. He was rather impressed and amazed what she did. That same night, Hikari came and asked for your permission. Of course you where reluctant, you had to think about it. She was already training with Ko and Shira. That was as far as you went. It was as close as you went.

Because of your own fear, though you lived that life and this world was that way. You where just afraid of the pain she would endure, have too and wanted to protect her from that. But, her desire to do so, reminded you of Neji. Her father, his desire to protect those dear. It was just like him. It was just like you.

From Ko and Shira, they told you her progression in training was amazing. She got it down rather quickly and excelled in it, even her uncle told you. You did believe and had to see for yourself. Watching one of her training sessions, amazed yourself at her skills for one her age. You where so proud and fearful at the same time.

A fear that you had to release and soon gave her your blessing to go. She was so happy and seeing that happiness on her face made all your fears melt away. Everyday she would come home happy, happy about school. Her teacher even enjoyed having in class and said she was top of her class. It was going well, until you noticed her change.

Her true reason became twisted and cold. She changed and no longer really smiled. It was about a year after Yoshi was born, even when she practiced against Shira and Ko. Her attacks and strikes became filled with rage and pain. That refused to be shared. She became more focus and driven with this deep desire of anger.

And that, you knew that was what they used against Hikari. To lure her into this, causing your daughter to suffer. You weren't sure when it happen, when this meeting happened. It had to slowly be over time, trying to find the point. Your mind couldn't, it was on fire about Hikari. Worried over her, if she was alright.

Knowing she was out there, tackling this by herself. You understood why she went alone. To handle this alone. It hurt to admit it to yourself, but you took full responsibility of it. She was doing what you did, a choice you regret doing. Tackling it all on your, to spare the others. So they would be safe. Her true desire was back, but still misguided.

You knew she was afraid, you could feel it. Despite your current condition. She was scared and lost. She felt everyone hated her and knew the only way to make it right. She hurt so many, many she cared for. Ashamed for it.

It made you sick and just angry, your daughter, your child was branded with pain. That was the last thing you wanted, that was what you wanted to prevent her from having. To be marked. Branded like her father, like yourself. In anyway you could.

All this made you question everything, every single choice in your life. Did she suffer because of the choices you made? Would it have been better if you didn't make them? Even though you had no regrets, your concerns for your child made them come. If you hadn't all those years ago...then the portal wouldn't...You would have been...And when you came this world, if you just would have...during the war...

Your life now. Where you selfish for choosing your own happiness over Hikari's back then? She seem so happy though...What went wrong? How could you heal her pain now?

Lock in a cage of pain, like Neji. You remember him telling you, back then, about his life before. Years ago, he felt caged. In an endless pain and anger. Now his own daughter was dealing with it now, the difference she caused it. You weep for Neji on what to do. Wondered if he was angry with you right now. For all this.

Watching. Or was he too crying seeing his daughter like this. With all the strength you had, you felt weak.

Hikari. Yoshi and your twin daughters. All of them. Holes, voids filled your heart and soul, it hurt. You couldn't your heart just couldn't take it anymore. Having lost enough. Everyone of your family. Splinter. April. Shikaku. Neji. You couldn't have your heart go through it again, you finally had your family again.

Why did life want you to loose them again? You wouldn't let them take your family away. With your bare hands you would ripe Death apart to get them back. Even in your weaken state now. You muster up all your strength to save them.

Shikamaru and Gaara, you knew they would do whatever it took to return them. They wouldn't return unless they did. Naruto too, you knew he still kept his promise he made to you. He hated seeing you suffer and felt the biggest responsibility for it. And you hated him feeling such a burden.

You had to do something, you just had too. You're the mother and as a mother it is your job to protect. You're a sister and it was your job to be there. And you're a wife and you stand by your husband's side through everything. You couldn't let them do this.

"May."

Hinata places a consoling hand on you, you look at her standing by your bed side. Though you couldn't speak she understood just by looking in your eyes. She hold of your hand and squeezes it softly.

*H-Hinata...I-I don't wan-*

"You won't. You won't loose your family."She cries for you."I promise."

A hand dips into the cool water and cups it. Taking a drink for their dry throat. Getting a few more still her thirst was quenched. Hikari plops down exhausted, rubbing the soreness out of her legs. Doing the best she could, her mother could do better.

Her mother. She thought. How she wished she was here now. But, she wasn't. Her mother wasn't here. No one was. Just herself and her sins. Casting her eyes up at the muddy sky, she nearing the area she could feel it. She could remember it. Activating her eyes giving her further distance, pushing them further. She could feel the strain on them and choose to ignore. Sure her vision in one eye from the strain fluctuated but that nothing. Seeing she was on the right trail, no more time for rest, picks herself up and proceeds. Formulating a plan of attack in her mind, she could easily try to devise them. No. First she had to make sure her siblings where alright. If they nothing had happen to them first.

Going over in her mind what she had, her weapons hidden well. Tags too. Always prepared. Always be prepared she made sure. Keep her focus and nothing else. With no one to hold her back or have to worry about she could do this, by herself. Leaving the others behind, Nastuki and the others was a good thing. It would be less weight and no more need for anymore casualties. Remembering her training from the Academy, Shira, Ko and her uncle. She was more than ready. Her father's blood ran through her veins. Remembering he was a prodigy and well capable shinobi. Jonin at young age, she had his skills. His knowledge and natural talents. Everything she needed for this.

His spirit resided in her, she would live up to it. She was match for them, she just knew it. The feats she remember from the stories being told of him, missions he went on and accomplished. Closing in, she quickly takes to higher grounds in the rough terrain. The jagged mountains in this boneyard hidden in the dark cavern, left this place off any radar. Or many just preferred not to come here.

Slowing her speed down, her eyes remaining activated looking around carefully. This part she had to do carefully and quick. Calculating the amount of time she had to do this, like the swift winds she skids across the grounds. Care not to step on anything that might alert her presence. Her eyes remaining activated, remembering her training. Throws a few kunai in certain hidden places. Lodging them there, while applying tags. She already used up some back with Natsuki and that Sasuke. So what she had left would have to do.

Once that was done, time to search for the entrance. It had to be around here somewhere. Moving along the ground, using the dense fog as cover to conceal herself from any seeing eyes. She realized something was wrong. Her eyes...they couldn't see anything. Anything through this thick fog.

Alarmed and shocked, she pauses for a second. A careless mistake, a shadow drops down behind her. The second she realized this, they deliver a quick chop to the back of her neck, knocking her out.

Gaara stops suddenly, his parental instincts told him something wasn't right. He looks up at the leaves rustle. A few of them fall, not the healthy ones. No. He catches them in his hand. This wasn't a good sign, something was wrong. Casting his eyes back up seeing the bit of light piercing through, to slowly fade.

"...Hikari..."

"Here...this should it."Gaara said, closing the medicine cabinet. Holding a few cotton balls and some ointment. He dabs a little on one of the cotton balls."Here let me see."He tells little three year old Hikari. Who refused, scared covering her injured cheek. Refusing to allow the treatment.

Shaking her head, crying."No...It'll huwrt."She claims.

"Yes. It will."Gaara admits."But, that's what I'm here for."She looks at him confused. He gives her a soft smile."I'll make sure it doesn't."

Her eyes asked him how."How?"

"Because, I'm your father. And it's my job to protect you from anything that hurts you."He tells her, as he slowly took her hand away from her cheek. Holding it gently. Then gently dabs her injury. All the while getting her to focus on him. Once he was done, he bandages it."See?"

Hikari's eyes lite up surprised and happy."Thank you! Daddy!"She squeals with delight and hugs him.

Catching by surprise, he was nearly knocked over by her. Her hold on him was strong and tight. Hanging from his neck, he gives her a secure hug. "You're welcome."