Sasuke leaned against the outer wall surrounding the Hokage tower. Hinata stood in front of him, hands clasped in front of her, as veins branched out from her eyes. He watched her curiously. No matter how often, or how long her eyes were activated, their strength never wavered and she was never flooded with the pain of failing vision. Was Sharingan really the superior kekkei genkai? Her long dark hair fell like a cape around her, framing her gentle face. Her sleeveless purple shirt was belted closed over black shorts. The weather was certainly warmer, though her long boots seemed to defeat the purpose of shorts.

"I have to return home." Hinata whispered, closing her eyes. The veins disappeared and her face reverted back to normal. "If I am late-"

"It's okay." Sasuke assured, brushing his hand against her bare arm. "Besides, clearly Danzo is a no show here."

"It's strange." Hinata noted, glancing back over her shoulder. "I have followed him for weeks and his routine is always the same."

"He is a very skilled shinobi, according to what I've learned. Perhaps he made the tail and wised up." Sasuke offered. "Either way. I'll hang around a while longer and then we can meet up later on."

"I'll see you later then." Hinata smiled, moving to leave. Sasuke grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to him, claiming her mouth with his. Hinata pulled away, her cheeks a bright red. Of course, there was no one around to see the overt display of affection. Both had been very clear about separating their personal and public relations. Hinata looked up at the tower, fear spiked as she remembered the window in the Hokage office, expecting to see Tsunade or Sakura peering down at them. Much to her relief the window was empty.

"Later." Sasuke chuckled, refocusing her thoughts. Hinata nodded and turned on her heels, leaving him to wait alone. She walked quietly through the village; her mind occupied with worry. She couldn't help but obsess over Danzo. He was punctual and his routine hadn't changed in the two weeks she'd been following him. Even after Sasuke had gone to her father, which was a relief for her; it meant that the Hyuga clan was merely complacent in their ignorance to Danzo's activities. Where was he? Did he know what the pair had been planning? Is that why he had deviated from the norm? Hinata turned down the tree lined path that would take her home, lost in thought. She only felt his presence a moment before.

"Uh!" She gasped as a hand covered her mouth. She was pulled firmly against a taller figure, everything happening so quickly.

"Sleep." The deep voice demanded, lulling her to unconsciousness before she could even think to react.

Hinata opened her eyes, slowly, she'd done this dance before though it was becoming more and more tiresome. Much to her surprise she was not restrained, though she wasn't sure exactly where she was. The room was dark and circular, no windows and only one door. A single candle garnished the floor in front of her casting ominous shadows on the smooth walls.

"Hello?" Hinata called out, picking herself up off the floor. She knew Danzo had taken her. Had she not been so lost in her own mind she would have noticed him before he'd had the chance to take her, though given his innate ability the end result was likely inevitable.

"It's just us here." Danzo answered, moving through the door into the room with her.

"What do you want?" Hinata asked, taking half a step back to create distance between them.

"That's exactly what I want to know." He rebutted. "You and that Uchiha boy seem all too interested in me as of late."

"I don't know what you mean." Hinata clasped her hands behind her back. "What I do know is that my father will not take kindly to this."

"I'm not worried about your father." Danzo stated. "You've been following me, why?"

"I haven't."

"Don't lie to me girl." Danzo warned, his voice taking on an acidic tone. "I've already demonstrated my superior talent. Why have you been following me?" Hinata held her head high, not speaking another word. "You'll speak." He assured, extinguishing the lone candle before leaving her in the dark. Sai was standing on the other side of the door, his face void of any emotion just as he'd been crafted.

"Is that the heiress to the Hyuga clan?" The boy asked.

"Orders, not questions." Danzo reminded the boy. "What have you learned?"

"Nothing." Sai admitted.

"Then try harder."

…

Sasuke stopped in the center of the path and glanced over his shoulder at the intruder. He rested his elbow on the handle of his katana and side.

"Not the Hyuga I was hoping for." He remarked, a small smirk claiming his lips as Neji emerged on the trail behind him.

"You aren't really who I was looking for either." The long-haired boy remarked. "Where is Hinata. Uncle is in a rage."

"What are you talking about?" Sasuke asked, shifting to fully face the intruder. "She is all about being the dutiful daughter these days, she went home hours ago."

"No, she didn't." Neji argued. "Hinata never came home."

"What?" The arrogance evaporated from the Uchiha's demeanor as the reality of Neji's visit set in. "Where is she?" He demanded.

"I was sure I'd find her with you." Neji explained. Sasuke turned away from the boy and took a deep breath.

"Danzo wasn't where he was supposed to be this afternoon. She left to go home and waited for our target to show. Which he never did."

"Do you think the two are related?" Neji asked.

"I certainly don't believe it's a coincidence." He stated. "She's been following him for weeks; it is highly probable that he realized her."

"Were you planning your move today?" Neji asked, wanting clarification. Sasuke nodded; his lips pressed into a hard line. "Why today? He couldn't have known."

"It could just be that today worked best for him." Sasuke offered.

"You don't kidnap the daughter of a prominent leader on a day that is best for you. There is something else."

"The clan meeting." The Uchiha announced. "What was the meeting about?"

"I don't know." Neji admitted. "We didn't actually have it, since our heiress was MIA." The two stared at each other for a long time, both realizing the unfortunate truth.

"It was about him." Sasuke concluded.

"And we have a mole." Neji agreed. "Add that to the two of you obviously plotting against him and he is overly paranoid. We need to alert Uncle."

"We tried that once."

"That was about you." Neji shook his head. "This is about her. Different motivations."