So we're back on schedule. Sorry this chapter's a bit shorter than the rest, but at least it has a better cliffhanger than the other chapters. Anyways, onwards we go.

"It was one of those perfect autumnal days, which occur more frequently in memory than in life." (quote from somewhere)

---

Sasuke was against doing this, of all things he could have chosen instead. But it was his mother who had made him, it was all by her will, and he didn't want to disobey her. She was in very fragile health right now.

But he hated this. Forced to hold this passionate red rose in one hand, obliged to stand in front of her doorway and ring the doorbell with his other hand, and obliged to hand it to her... as a token of... (he cringed at the thought)... love.

His fingertip just barely brushed the button, but that was enough for it to ring, its noise echoing through the mansion, until Sasuke was certain even the moles underground would hear. He prayed that she was in the shower, in fact, he nearly begged all the deities he could think of that she wasn't even home... but he would not stoop so low as to go on his knees, he would stand straight and be a man. I just have to get it over with as soon as possible, he thought as he stared ahead sternly, looking to the entire world sober and unmoved.

Hinata, however, was quite baffled.

She had opened the door quietly, wondering whom it could be so early in the morning, until she saw it was him...

"U-uchiha-san?" She stared up at him surprised by the sudden visit. "W-what are you doing here?" She glanced at the rose.

He didn't even blink as he stared down at her, "My mother told me to come."

Sasuke wanted to slap himself the second he finished the sentence. Hinata only muttered an "oh..." disappointingly? He couldn't tell, and he most definitely hoped not.

He handed the rose over to her, "I'm just checking in on how you're doing. My mother forgives you and your clan." He frowned and continued in a lower and quieter voice, "Only because she's too forgiving. Next time control your… your curse.

Hinata slightly stiffened at his last comment, but she took it lightly considering who it came from, and nodded. "Please thank her... and tell her I'm sorry..."

"I'll see you at the conference." Curt and brief, and then he left.

She watched silently as his car drove away, thinking to herself how lucky she was Mikoto had not died. I will control you! She thought, the comment directed more towards the curse than anyone else.

---

Hinata was in the middle of arranging the rose to fit with the other flowers in her vase when all of a sudden she felt her legs give out, leaving her stranded on her kitchen floor. "Something's... wrong..." She squeezed her eyes shut. What was going on?

The curse, her heart, was boiling with some sort of anger and frustration, some sort of... failing feeling? She had felt this before... a long time ago...

When was it? She couldn't remember. She couldn't even think right now! It seemed like she was sinking into a pitch black hole, slowly and painfully... the curse was like a river about to break free from the dam and swallow her up.

"Stop..." She pleaded, "Stop..." I want it to stop! I want to control it! I want to stop it! How? How... ho...

Ding Dong

The doorbell rang.

Hinata's lungs heaved for air; she didn't even have the strength to shout for help. She would die! This maddening curse would kill her! Please... whoever it is... come in!

The doorbell rang again, and she could see the dim silhouette through the small window that was a part of the door. Hopefully the person outside would peer in and see her lying there.

She gasped again, clutching at her heart. Painful... short breaths...

She heard the door burst open, but her head was already feeling thick and her consciousness swam. She heard a muddled voice, and she could see a hazy image... Who...? Thank... you...

And then she drifted off to unconsciousness.

---

Tenten placed Hinata onto the sofa, tucking her in with a blanket snatched from Hinata's bedroom. She had considered sending for an ambulance, but after the initial shock she realized the girl had just fainted, perhaps from stress. Little did she know what really caused Hinata's collapse.

"You look so fragile and unprotected Hinata." She gazed sadly at pale girl who was peacefully asleep. "It's no wonder Neji-san would..." She closed her eyes.

How would she know anyways? What proof was there that he felt like that, considering his harsh treatment of Hinata? But she knew he cared for his cousin, perhaps over the boundaries of family love.

Tenten shook her head; she couldn't prove that. Don't get such silly ideas in your head Tenten...

She saw the phone from the corner of her eye. Maybe she should call him? She frowned, no; she didn't want him to worry about Hinata.

Tenten laid a wet towel on Hinata's forehead. Hinata was just a gentle young girl under a lot of pressure. How could anyone hate Hinata? She couldn't hate Hinata because Hinata was like a little sister to her, and she was probably Hinata's only friend according to what Neji-san had told her.

Though... what was it that Neji had warned her about? Don't get too friendly with Hinata? She didn't understand much about that. And also Hinata at first had tried not to be so friendly.

Tenten rested her head on top of her arms. This was all just so confusing; Neji-san was acting so strange, and Hinata was suffering so much.

Then there were also the strange things at work; they had meetings with the Uchihas without her and they talked about 'family' things that she didn't know about. She didn't really want to butt into anything, but she just felt so... left out.

A small tear came tumbling down her chin and she didn't even notice.

---

A girl shivered in the cellar of a very old house. The light paw steps of rats were heard as they ran around looking for scraps of food. A single beam of moonlight filtered through a small barred window to land right before the girl's feet. The girl did not know what her captors had planned for her, but she knew it was to happen very soon. They had whispered about the coming visit of their leader.

The girl looked up at the night sky. Though it had been long ago, she still had memories of her happier life, before she was taken away. She remembered laughing people, warm food, and the kind eyes of her sister. They would come to save her. She believed that, and would keep on believing that, for it was her only hope, the only thing that kept her going.

---

Maito Gai watched as a certain Hyuuga paced back and forth in front of his desk. A small sign on the door read: Konoha Private Detectives. The tension in the air was nearly tangible, and though he showed no sign of it on his face, Gai was very uneasy about how the Hyuuga would react.

"Are you certain she's alive," Neji finally asked, stopping to stand with one hand resting on the desk.

"Yes," Gai affirmed. "Lee and I talked to a former member of the Akatsuki who had supposedly been guarding her a year after she was reported dead. We also followed some leads and found this in an abandoned apartment building." He held up a long strand of black hair. "DNA testing matches, and this seems to have fallen off quite recently. At most a year ago."

"You mean she's been alive all this time?" Neji whispered. "These seven years, and we just stopped the search when the clan was, was destroyed?"

Gai looked at the young man in sympathy. His group had dealt with many similar situations and was famous for finding almost all of the kidnapped persons they were assigned, but this case was very unique considering the circumstances.

"Do you think you can get her back?" Neji asked, an angry light in his eyes. It was because of this kidnapping that the Hyuuga and Uchiha relationship had been strained so much. It was all because of Uchiha Itachi, former Uchiha heir.

Gai paused to do some quick calculations in his mind. "Given the right amount of preparation we could," he finally replied. "But it depends since we don't know why they're still keeping her alive."

"Alright then, do what you must. I'll send the team over to help you as well. Send me all expenses. I want her found as soon as possible."

Gai nodded. By 'the team' Neji meant the special tracking squad that worked only for the Hyuugas, comprised of Inuzuka Kiba and Akamaru, Aburame Shino, and Hatake Kakashi. "We'll do our best," Gai promised. He paused, "But what about your cousin?"

Neji glanced briefly at Gai. "Don't tell her. There's been too much happening lately, and if she found out about this it might be too much for her to handle."

Gai nodded, "I understand."

Neji looked back one more time at the dimly lit office before stepping outside and into the crowded street. "I'll find you Hanabi," he promised.