Notes: I promised myself that I would finish this in two weeks and somehow I managed to do so. I'll try to keep it that way. As always, thank you so much for your reviews! I have never thought out a plot in advance before, it required quite a lot of thinking and patience, so I'm happy that you can see it. Ah, Kin Tsuchi is one of the Sound ninjas taking part in the chuunin exam. I hope I won't spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read or watched Naruto to where it is now. Feel free to complain if you think I've already done that so I know to be careful in the future.

Part 6

A loud, clanging noise filled the Uchiha training hall. Swords met in a rhythmical, continuous pattern and feet patted on the marble floor at a high pace. A sudden yelp disturbed the routine and then a dull thud of a body falling and a clatter of a sword hitting the floor echoed in the nearly empty hall.

"Heh, dobe. You leave too many openings," Sasuke panted victoriously. He managed to squeeze a smirk through his exhaustion.

Naruto grimaced, resisting the urge to thrust his tongue out at Sasuke like he had done in years past. Succeeding, he pushed aside Sasuke's blade which was pointing at his throat and stood up, dusting his clothes and suppressing a moan when a sudden pain shot through his leg.

Sasuke noticed the twitching of Naruto's face and recognized it as pain. He thought of asking the blonde if he was hurt but then decided against it. He knew from experience that Naruto wouldn't say anything of his own accord and that information regarding his injuries had to be forcefully dug out of him. Sasuke, not very eager to argue now that his muscels were trembling with excess training, settled for observing Naruto for a while. If Naruto showed any sign of a more serious injury, then he would bring up the subject.

"Once more," Naruto suggested, He had tested the strength of his left leg and deduced from his experiment that it would hold for a while longer.

Sasuke glanced at Naruto from the corner of his eye. Once again he wondered what an amazing stamina Naruto posessed. Sasuke himself was pretty much done for, after hours of training, and ready to drop to the floor. He shook his head to Naruto, indicating that they had practiced enough for the day. "It's time to ask Kakashi about the scandal."

Naruto picked up his sword when he saw Sasuke shaking his head and sheathed it. At the mention of the scandal, his eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh yeah. I almost forgot."

"No surprise there," Sasuke muttered but was fortunately not heard. They both turned to look at their mentor.

Kakashi was at the end of the hall where he always was, directly under a big window. A maid had brought him a comfortable chair, a small table and some refreshments. He was in good terms with almost every maid in the Uchiha Manor and with several maids all over Konoha. Sasuke had once said to Naruto that it would be a miracle if there wouldn't soon be numerous little Kakashis running around Fire Country. The mere thought of it made Naruto shiver.

Kakashi lay listlessly in his chair, his feet up on a stool and his eyes glued on the pages of his precious book. He was supposedly supervising Sasuke and Naruto's practice but the boys highly suspected he saw nothing of their training and that he only gave them his rare hints to keep the money flowing into his pocket. Today they had started practicing two hours before Kakashi had even shown up and when he had finally shown his wild tuft of hair in the training hall, he had went straight to the chair and stayed there ever since, seemingly unaware of his surroundings.

The boys approached their mentor; Sasuke sheathing his sword and Naruto skipping a few steps ahead trying to contain his excitement.

"Kakashi-sensei! When are you going to teach us something new?" Naruto inquired.

Sasuke glanced appreciatively at him. That was a good way of starting the conversation. But Sasuke suspected Naruto hadn't thought of it at all since Naruto asked the same thing every day.

Kakashi looked up from his book, his eyes unfocused and slipping to the book every now and then. "Eh? Is it already time to stop for today?" he asked. He called his book a secret weapon against boredom and from the looks of it, it worked very well.

Naruto huffed impatiently, grabbed a glass from the table and downed its content in one swift gulp. Immediately after, he dropped the glass and started coughing, clutching his throat with an extremely red face.

Sasuke spared the broken glass an exasperated glance. It had been made of expensive import crystal and could have been regarded as a piece of art. That was the ninth glass Naruto had broken that year. But Sasuke didn't really mind. Naruto's clumsiness was kind of cute and Sasuke was not the one who had to pay for the broken glasses.

Kakashi put his book aside and watched Naruto with keen interest. "That's whiskey you drank there, my dear boy. Didn't you have low tolerance for alcohol?"

Sasuke perked at the mention of alcohol. He had learned that Naruto and alcohol did not go well together. He groaned when Naruto burts into a giggling fit. It was creepy. Not that Naruto didn't laugh a lot all the time but this giggling was somehow different and made Sasuke feel uneasy. And seeing Naruto like this always gave Sasuke mental images of himself having similar response to alcohol which was something that should never be seen in this world. Never ever.

He glared at Kakashi accusingly. "Why the hell did you give him alcohol?" he demanded, ignoring Naruto who had just latched onto his arm.

Kakashi gave him an innocent smile. "Don't be so mean, Sasuke. How was I supposed to know Naruto would drink it?"

Sasuke frowned angrily. Naruto had began to nuzzle against his side which made him feel very weird. "Didn't I forbid you from bringing any alcohol to this room?" He had done that to ensure that Naruto stayed away from any intoxicating liquid because when Naruto was thristy, he tended to drink whatever was availabe. It seemed Naruto wasn't aware what kind of effect alcohol had on him.

Kakashi's face drew into contemplative lines. Then his expression cleared and he beamed at Sasuke. "Oh, now I remember. Indeed, you did say something akin to that. My sincerest apologies. I had forgotten."

Sasuke wondered if Kakashi really thought he was that gullible or if the man did it just to annoy him. The latter option sounded more believable. He threw another glare at Kakashi but could not gather as much intesity into it as he would have liked because Naruto had just began to do something that caused waves of electricity run through him. He would have to clear Naruto's head before the blonde would do anything weirder. Preferably within the next five seconds.

Sasuke caught Naruto's hand which had started to snake around his waist and twisted it so that he could control the blonde's movements. Ignoring the faint yelps of pain Naruto emitted, he told Kakashi to watch his actions from now on and then left the room.

Kakashi maintained his lazy smile until the door was shut after the two and then relaxed it, sighing with mixed feelings. He had heard the boys talking about the Hyuuga scandal and guessed they were about to stick their noses into something dangerous. Like blind rabbits, as he had said to Jiraiya. He himself was quite interested in knowing what went on in the Hyuuga Manor and also between Neji and Itachi. He had no idea what had caused such animosity between the two but what was sure was that it was something Sasuke and Naruto would be better off not knowing anything about. Kakashi had pretty good people skills and he would do his best to keep the boys out of trouble. They were very persistent, though, and Kakashi was already dreading the time when Naruto would begin his campaign to draw whatever information he needed out of his poor, defenceless mentor.

Kakashi sighed again but then smiled and stood up, hiding his book inside his clothes. Nowadays he had to be extra careful with it. Naruto had already tried to steal it several times and he had a feeling Sasuke had managed to read it somehow some time ago. It was dangerous to live with two young men. But, at least he had an upper hand when it came to the maids. It was a commonly known fact that the maids went for experienced, handsome men and not for some snot-nosed brats who barely knew how to hold hands with a girl. Although there were women who liked them like that. In any case, Kakashi was fairly sure he would not have to compete for the maids' attention with Sasuke and Naruto. The two seemed to be absorbed by each other to the point where they had become blind to others. Naruto's obsession with Haruno Sakura was something to wonder about, though.

Kakashi ran his fingers through his hair and straightened out his coat. It was cold in the training hall, since its fireplace was insufficient to warm the room up. But Kakashi didn't mind. He looked good in his long, dark coat. He took a mouthful of whiskey from the nearly empty bottle. It was time to meet with some ladies.

Hinata strolled down the crowded main street of Konoha, carrying a basket and holding on to her skirt to keep it above the filth-covered ground. Her basket was full of fruits and books; two things she loved above all else. The basket was heavy and her arms were beginning to go numb but she held onto it, trying for all the world to look like she had no problems. Giving other people trouble was a thing she feared.

She staggered a bit as a little boy ran past her and she had to put the basket to the ground to prevent herself from falling. With a huff, she let go of the basket and brought her hands under her chin to untie her bonnet. It was a cold day, there were no clouds to ease the harsh bite of the unforgiving January air, but she was sweating and it was starting to become unbearable.

"You shouldn't do that," a voice suddenly exclaimed and a hand came out of nowhere to press her bonnet back on.

Hinata whirled around, very much startled. A man she had never seen before was smiling down at her with his teeth glinting in the sun. "P-pardon?"

The man gave her another dazzling smile while tying her bonnet tightly. "A sweet young lady like yourself should be more careful. You might catch a cold."

Hinata blushed and became so flustered she couldn't utter a word. She looked up at the man with a shy smile. The man continued to smile his friendly smile. He looked about the same age as Neji but his manner and clothing were so different from her fiancé's that he seemed ten years younger. He was quite a peculiar man.

"Good heavens, where are my manners," the man suddenly burst out. He performed a magnificient bow. "I am Rock Lee, a friend of your future husband. It is a pleasure beyond words to make your acquintance, my lady."

"N-Neji-san's…friend?" Hinata repeated, surprised. Rock Lee did not appear the sort of man Neji would befriend. Nevertheless, she instinctively held out her hand for Lee to kiss.

Lee planted a featherly kiss on her pale hand and then released it, straightening up to his full height. "Indeed. We served the same general."
"Ah! General…Maito?" Hinata ventured, a little unsure of the name of Neji's former commander.

"Precisely!" Lee confirmed, his face lightening up. He flashed his smile again. "What a magnificient man, he is!"

"Wh-which one?" Hinata dared to ask. Lee seemed to be a very friendly man and she felt almost relaxed in his company.

"Naturally they are both great men but I was referring to the general," Lee answered. He proceeded to describe Maito Gai's admirable traits with a lively enthusiasm which was pleasant to see. "Ah, I'm sorry," he then said, looking a bit sheepish, "I have held you from your duties. Forgive me."

"No no, not at all!" Hinata hurried to assure.

"But you were so obviously busy…"

Hinata could only repeat that she had not been busy at all and that Lee had not disturbed her in any way.

"Well then, I am relieved," Lee smiled. He bent down to pick up Hinata's basket. "Oh! This is far too heavy for a girl like you. Please, allow me to carry it for you."

Hinata tried to resist but Lee had made up his mind and was so persistant she had no choice but to give in.

They started to walk down the street again, Lee telling stories from his and Neji's adventures in the army and Hinata listening with silent pleasure. It was easier for her to walk now, since Lee was guiding her and making way for her in the crowded street and of course, since Lee was carrying the heavy basket. She felt weird that someone was so polite to her and paid so much attention to her, it actually made her a bit nervous and uncomfortable, but she was happy just the same.

When they were about to cross the street, a large carriage drove past them. Lee stopped talking suddenly and halted his steps. His head snapped in the way the carriage had went. Hinata also turned to see, curious as to what had sparked Lee's interest in such a startling way.

The carriage stopped right next to them. A servant jumped down from the back of it and hurried to open its door and to help out he passanger. Before he managed to do so, however, the carriage door opened and a man stepped out.

Hinata was once again stunned at how wonderfully handsome the older of the Uchiha brothers was. Contrary to popular belief, she was not blind to the attraction of men and a woman would have to be just that to miss the charm oozing out from Uchiha Itachi. His style was similar to that of Neji's, only with a more luxurious touch, and his charm was also the cold, distant type that was so familiar to Hinata from Neji's behavior. But no matter how handsome Itachi was, Hinata still prefered Neji. There was something in the pale depths of Neji's eyes that drew her to him in a way she had never experienced before.

Hinata was about to somehow get Itachi's attention to greet him, when the man whirled around and held out a hand to someone in the carriage.

First thing Hinata saw was a very delicate-looking, small foot covered with an elegant, but obviously warm shoe. Next to come to view was the hem of a dark green dress. A white hand reached out for Itachi's support and finally the passanger was out, standing on the street with such elegance and confidence that one could easily see she was a member of the highest class. She had rich, dark hair, very long and shining in the sun like the finest silk. A thick veil covered her face but she lifted it once she was out and smiled at Itachi gratefully and without the flirteous manner Hinata was accustomed to see in such a beautiful creature.

Hinata heard a rush of breath and turned to see Lee who was staring at the woman with wide eyes. He had a shocked and distressed look on his face. "Lee-san, are you okay?" she asked, timidly touching his sleeve.

Lee snapped out of his daze and flashed his smile at the worried girl but the smile was strained and his eyes drifted back to the woman. "Ah, it's nothing. I just thought I have seen her before. Don't worry your pretty little head over a silly thing like that."

"But, if you know her, shouldn't you..."

"No, it is quite all right. We should hurry before you catch a cold. This is a pretty nasty wind we are having here, it's bad for your health, Hinata-san." He started to walk again and Hinata followed him silently. They were about to cross the street when she suddenly heard Itachi call her name. Upon turning to look, she saw Itachi and the unknown woman approaching.

"Hinata-san," Itachi called again. His lips formed a polite smile which didn't reach his eyes. But Hinata was used to seeing it, not only on Itachi's face but also on everybody else's, excluding, perhaps, Naruto whose smile was like a little sun and Sasuke who never smiled at all. "Hinata-san, what has made you brave this lousy weather?" Itachi asked after greeting her.

Hinata was a little baffled by this sudden approach. Itachi didn't usually come especially to greet her. But not wanting to seem impolite, she did her best to hide her surprise. "Ah...S-shopping..." she explained, gesturing towards the basket in Lee's hands.

Itachi glanced at it. "I see. So you enjoy doing something like that. It's good to know."

Hinata had a very hard time trying to conseal her amazement. Why was it good to know?

Before Hinata could recover, Lee cut in. "Hinata-san. You are acquainted with this gentleman?"

"Yes..."

Itachi examined Lee from head to toes. "You must be the brave Rock Lee-san."

Lee bowed cordially. "I am honored to have such a fine gentleman know my name. But I'm afraid I have no knowledge of yours. I apologize. Have we met somewhere?"

Itachi raised his brows. "Not that I know of. Concluding from your young age and status in the army, I'd say you have spent almost all your life on the battlefield. I have been on none. So it is unlikely we have met."

Lee suddenly seemed embarrassed. He scratched the back of neck and grinned apologetically. "Ah, it is nothing like that. I only joined the army three years ago and was lucky enough to be assigned under Neji-san. He has taken very good care of me and I am truly grateful."

Itachi's brows rose again, this time to express slight surprise. "He has taken care of you?" he repeated.

"Yes. He even saved my life."

"When was this?" Itachi inquired.

Hinata was very surprised by the attention Itachi directed to the conversation. Usually Itachi would stay in the background, only saying a few words here and there.

"In a fight against the rebel Orochimaru. I was this close," Lee explained enthusiastically, showing them with his thumb and index finger just how close it had been, "to lose my head. But then Neji-san jumped in and parried the enemy sword. Then he gave me his horse and told me to ride back to Gai-sama to warn him of possible retreat. Of course I was hesitant to just leave him there alone and without his horse but he insisted and finally ordered me to go. I had to go, you see, because he is my superior and I have to obey his orders."

Itachi nodded in a somewhat absent-minded way.

"Obviously he did it to save my life. We were in a tight spot then, Orochimaru had the upper hand and he was moving aggressively. In the end, we had to retreat."

"Hmm..." Itachi's eyes had become blank, like he was not there with them anymore but in a place somewhere deep in his thoughts. A slight frown marred his forehead.

Lee placed his hand over his heart and closed his eyes. "I owe him everything. I will do anything for him."

"Hm?" Itachi snapped back into reality and shot Lee a very intense look which went unnoticed by the younger man because he still had his eyes closed.

Lee's lips curved into a smile. He opened his eyes and looked at Itachi. "I will give my life for him if I have to," he said sincerely.

Itachi's expression cleared but his eyes remained the same. "I see," he said slowly.

"Ah, forgive me. I have bored you with old tales."

Hinata hurried to assure him that she was not the least bit bored and Itachi made a gesture to express the same. The woman remained silent, only smiling at Lee.

Lee thanked them for their kindness. "But, sir, what is your name? I believe I haven't heard it yet."

"Hm? Oh yes. My apologies, I forgot to introduce myself."

"No no, it was my fault for interrupting you earlier."

"Not at all. I am Uchiha Itachi, a distant relative of Hinata-san's," Itachi said, bending his waist a little to perform an elegant bow.

"Hinata-san's relative?" Lee repeated. Then he bowed so low that Hinata was afraid he would hit his head to his knees. "I am Rock Lee! If I can ever be of service, please let me know."

Itachi looked down at Lee's bowed head and couldn't help feeling a gush of superiority. He made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "I already knew your name. Didn't I tell you so?"

Lee snapped back into his full height. "Ah, yes! I'm sorry!"

"It's quite all right," Itachi replied and received a grateful bow in return. He turned to Hinata. "Hinata-san. If you are not in a hurry, do you mind joining us for a cup of tea?"

"Eh? Tea?" Hinata repeated, startled. She instinctively glanced in the direction of the Hyuuga Manor. "I-I'm...not sure I..."

Itachi smiled. He was acting strangely friendly today, that was clear, but Hinata could not grasp the meaning behind his behavior. "Your fiancé is waiting for you?"

"Eh?" Hinata flushed and her heart skipped a bit. She looked at Itachi in bewilderment.

Itachi let out a soft laugh. "Of course, you will soon get married to him. It is only natural for you to wish to be with him."

"N-no...That's not it..." Hinata denied, so red and embarrassed now that she could barely manage a word.

"Oh?" Itachi took a step closer to Hinata and bent closer to look at her. His smile threatened to turn into a smirk when Hinata backed away shyly. "So then, you do not wish to be with him?"

Hinata's eyes widened. "Eh! Th-that..!"

Lee frowned. "Sir, that is not a proper thing to say."

Itachi withdrew back to the spot he had been until then. "I was merely teasing her," he said.

Lee still looked unsure but let it go. It wasn't really his place to demand anything on Hinata's behalf.

Hinata tried to stutter that she had not meant it that way. When she finally managed to spit it out, she looked pleadingly at Itachi and the man answered with a reassuring wave of his hand.

"Don't worry, Hinata-san. I did not really think so. But," he added, "it's an interesting idea, though."

Confused, Hinata asked him to explain but he merely repeated she ought not to worry about it.

"What interests me more right now, Hinata-san, is whether or not you will accompany us for tea," Itachi continued.

"Ah...Um...I said I wouldn't be gone long...my carriage..."

"I will tell your coachman to leave ahead. I can take you home if you'll allow me."

Still hesitant, Hinata accepted Itachi's invitation. She didn't want to offend him when he so obviously desired her company. What for, that was unclear to her. She took Itachi's offered arm to follow him and glanced secretly at the woman whose name she still hadn't heard.

"Lee-san," Itachi said, "You are also welcome. If you could help lady Kin cross the street I would be much obliged."

Hinata wasn't sure if it would be rude to ask about her. But her curiosity got the better of her and she repeated the mentioned name, looking questioningly at Itachi.

"Ah, excuse me. I forgot to introduce you." Itachi explained quickly who the woman was and who Hinata was and then turned to Lee. "And this, as we all already know, is Rock Lee from Her Majesty's army."

"We have met," lady Kin said evenly, extending her hand for greeting.

Lee looked at the offered hand with a strange expression but then took it and bent over it. "Indeed we have. I would not have thought I would meet you again, lady Kin. Much less that I would meet you in Konoha."

Lady Kin smiled crookedly. "I would imagine so. But life is all about the unexpected."

"Did your mentor teach you that?" Lee asked, his voice so strained and unenthusiastic that it sounded like it did not belong to him.

"I wonder," lady Kin answered, her smile still in place. Then he grabbed Lee's arm and started walking, almost dragging the man behind him. "But we about to enjoy some tea, not reminice the past. Shall we go?"

Hinata wondered why lady Kin bothered to ask that since she was already going ahead at full speed, making way like an elegant ship across the sea of peasants and merchants. Hinata felt a little overwhelmed by lady Kin's presence but it didnt lessen her admiration in the least bit. In her eyes, lady Kin represented the ideal noble woman, sure of herself and of her goals.

Itachi chuckled softly. "Poor Lee-san," he said quietly. "It looks as if he were on a leash."

Hinata's eyes widened at the improper joke but couldn't help feeling amused. A giggle escaped her lips and she guiltily pressed her hand upon them, hoping Itachi hadn't heard.

Itachi glanced at her. "I see you think the same," he said. "Well, let's follow them. Perhaps you will make me a dog also."

Hinata was horrified by the mental image following Itachi's statement. As they hurried after lady Kin and Lee, she wondered what had gotten into Itachi. Usually he walked around impassively and emotionlessly but today it seemed like he could barely contain his feelings. It was curious if a little bit frightening. Hinata glanced at the watch attached to her silken belt. She would have to get back home by dinner. That was the only time he could see her fiancé who was busy going through papers concerning the Hyuuga family matters. But now that she was here she might as well enjoy the rare company of her relative who she had called cousin in the days past.

Sasuke held Naruto's head in a barrel full of icy water. He had broken the layer of ice which had covered it and plummeted Naruto's head in it without prior notice and it seemed Nartuo was not taking it well. He flailed his hands and stomped his feet, trying to hit and kick Sasuke and to get free from the iron grip with which Sasuke held his hair. But Sasuke calmly evaded the attacks with fluidity and instincts sharpened by years of practice.

Sasuke held Naruto down even when the boy's attacks weakened and started to come more seldom. He wanted to be sure Naruto was clear-headed when he rose from the water. Naruto had begun to get so clingy that God only knows when Sasuke would have lost control and assaulted the boy. It wasn't that Sasuke liked Naruto or anything, of course not, but Sasuke was just a young man and a warm body so close to his own awakened certain desires. It was normal and he had not had a dream of Naruto writhing under him and woken up with soaked sheets. He had not. It was an illusion, it was witchcraft. That's right, one of Sakura's love spells must've gone haywire and caused him to have such a disturbing dream.

Sasuke woke from his thoughts when he realised Naruto had gone completely limp. Hastily he pulled Naruto up and laid him down on the snow, peering at his face to make sure that Naruto was still alive. Soon the blue eyes opened and immediately shot an accusing glare at him.

"Were you trying to kill me!" Naruto demanded angrily, sitting up and wiping his face. Cold water dripped from his hair and inside his collar, causing him to shiver uncontrollably.

Sasuke straightened to his full height and looked down at Naruto. He was ticked off by Naruto's accusation although he knew it was kind of just. "Yes, I was," he answered.

"Huh?" Naruto stopped with his hand still in mid air and stared at Sasuke with wide eyes.

"You're such an annoying moron that I thought I should just get it over with." Seeing that Naruto didn't think of it as a joke, Sasuke felt the beginnings of panic clawing at his heart. Hesitantly placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder, he kneeled down beside the blonde. "H-hey, how big of an idiot can you be? I was just joking. Naruto..."

"I know that!" Naruto snapped, slapping Sasuke's hand away.

Sasuke rose to his feet again, angry and embarrassed and annoyed and in the same time, relieved. "Then what the hell are you sniffling about?"

"I'm not sniffling! It's so bloody cold in here that I have a runny nose," Naruto mumbled. He reached for the hem of Sasuke's coat and was about to wipe his nose when the coat was yanked from his fingers and he received a firm push which threw him off balance and he toppled back to the ground.

"You have a handkerchief, use it," Sasuke stated coldly.

"It's too much of a trouble," Naruto claimed and proceeded to use his sleeve.

Sasuke looked on with a shiver. "That's disgusting," he said.

Naruto grimaced. "What, I don't live up to prissy Sasuke's standards? I'm so sorry."

"It's not prissy. It's common sense. But of course you don't have any, dobe."

Naruto bristled. Sasuke could almost see the hair in his neck stiffen. "Why don't we go back to the training hall and settle this?" he suggested and then suddenly remembered their mission for today. "Hey, Sasuke. Did you ask Kakashi-sensei about the scandal?"

Sasuke stopped to think, too used to the sudden changes of subjects to really notice it. "No, I didn't," he then admitted.

"Whaaat? You didn't? Why not? Now we won't see him until tomorrow. Sasuke, you are such an idiot."

Sasuke's teeth gritted and he glared at Naruto. "I wan't the one getting drunk and hugging people and rubbing against people," he said angrily but wished immediately that he could take it back.

Naruto blushed to the roots of his hair. "H-hugging? ...Rubbing..?"

They shared an awkward silence and then simultaneously and wordlessly decided it would be best to forget anything was ever said.

"A-anyway," Naruto said, his voice a little shaken and his cheeks still holding a light tint of red. "Do we have to wait until tomorrow then?"

Sasuke was glad he got something else to think about. "Well, we could ask the servants. They usually know everything," he suggested.

"We'll do that then!" Naruto decided. He held out his hand for Sasuke to help him up. It was an instinctive move but when he felt Sasuke's fingers wrap around his hand, he suddenly felt a tremor run through him and he flushed, confused and a little frightened by the strange feeling he had never felt before.

Neji stood in his study with his back facing the window and the fingers of his right hand lightly resting on the smooth surface of his desk. He looked at the person in front of him with a slight feeling of exasperation. Sounds of servants running back and forth in the corridor outside the room reached his ears and he sighed, convinced that there was definitely something wrong with the boy standing there on his carpet.

"Gaara," he said, his voice holding a part of his feeling. "I know you do not care for formalities but don't you have any sense of manners? Appearing here so suddenly and without prior notice..."

Gaara stared at him impassively.

Neji lifted his hand and rubbed his temples tiredly. "People here think that they have to pamper you to the best of their abilities to keep you happy. That's what they're used to expect from royalties. And now they're running around to make sure you will feel comfortable. Do you have any idea how much trouble you have caused? They were already busy with the wedding preparations."

Gaara shrugged. He obviously didn't care. "It's Orochimaru," he said, completely ignoring everything Neji had said until then.

Neji resisted the urge to groan. "What about him?"

"I saw him."

"I have also seen him. Closer than I would've wanted."

"I saw him here."

Neji paused to stare at Gaara. "Here?"

Gaara nodded.

"Orochimaru?"

Gaara nodded again.

"You saw Orochimaru here in Konoha?"

Apparently Gaara thought it had become clear enough because he didn't bother to nod anymore.

Neji frowned. "When?"

"Yesterday."

Neji crossed his arms and leaned against the window sill, a contemplative look on his face. "I see. So he really was behind Kin's sudden reappearance."

"I think it would be best not to kill her right now."

Neji nodded slowly. "I agree. Orochimaru can't show his face openly so he will need someone to do his dirty work for him. But why would he do something like this? Why would he come to Konoha personally?"

"Forests are swarming with soldiers looking for him. Pehaps he thought it would be safer for him to be here."

Neji glanced at Gaara. "That is quite arrogant but suits his style." He tapped his lips with his thumb, his brows drawn together in concentration. "In any case, Kin should be kept alive. Perhaps she will lead us to his hideout. Where is she staying?"

"In a hotel near the palace."

"And where did you see Orochimaru?"

"On the outskirts of Konoha."

"Was he alone?"

"Yes."

"Did he see you?"

"No."

Neji looked at Gaara doubtfully. "Are you sure?"

Gaara stared back motionlessly. "Yes."

"Alright, then. I'll have to think about this. I hope it can wait until after my wedding. By the way, why are you so keen to help me?"

Gaara's brow twitched. "He has beaten me once. I only want to return the favor. I'm not helping you."

"Ah, I see." Neji paused for a while. "You'll stay for dinner, won't you?"

It took a few minutes for Gaara to answer. "Fine."

Sasuke and Naruto sat by the front doors of Uchiha Manor. They had asked the servants about the Hyuuga incident but gotten nothing out of them. It was frustrating.

"Shit!" Naruto groaned, throwing a snowball with all the might he could muster. Which wasn't that much since he was sitting. It hit one of the marble nymphs in a fountain in front of them. "No one wants to tell us anything!"

Sasuke frowned. "It's strange," he said.

Naruto glanced at him, waiting for an explanation.

"Usually the servants blab endlessly about everything. A scandal occuring in the Hyuuga clan, that's big gossip. So why isn't anyone saying anything?"

"Perhaps they just don't remember. It was ten years ago."

Sasuke shook his head. "That's not possible. Did something big happen in the Hyuuga Manor at that time?" Sasuke tried to remember. "Wait!"

"What?" Naruto was startled.

"When did Hinata's mother die?"

"Eh?" Naruto frowned. "Didn't she die while giving birth to Hanabi?"

"So that was...thirteen years ago. That can't be it either."

They fell into silence again. It was disturbed when a figure appeared through the gates and stopped in front of them. They looked up to see Itachi dismounting his horse.

"Didn't you leave in a carriage?" Naruto asked.

Itachi glanced at him. "I lent it to Hinata-san," he answered shortly.

"Oh." Naruto leaned back. "Wait! Hyuuga Hinata?"

"Are there any other Hinatas around?" Itachi asked a little impatiently.

"I thought you didn't like the Hyuugas."

Sasuke wished Naruto would some day learn to keep his mouth shut.

Itachi stopped in his tracks and turned fully to face Naruto. "That I don't like them?" he inquired.

"Well...yeah," Naruto answered, scooping a little further away from Itachi.

"I see. Whatever made you think so?"

"U-um...Well, you...You were so nasty towards Neji."

"When have I been impolite to him?" Itachi asked but let it go. "Oh well, it's not like it's a secret that I don't like him." He turned around again, gave his horse to a stable boy and directed his steps towards the doors.

"So you don't like him?" Naruto wanted to make sure.

"That's what I said."

"Why don't you like him?"

Itachi stopped again. When he turned around, he gave off quite a scary feeling although his face remained emotionless. "He stole my favourite toy when we were little." A smirk grazed his lips and then he turned on his heels and disappeared through the doors.

"Ha?" Naruto stared after Itachi with his mouth hanging wide open.

Even Sasuke's lips had parted although he hadn't gone as far as Naruto had.

"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, grabbing the raven-haired boy's arm. "Do you think Itachi-san is possessed by the devil?"

This second shock brought Sasuke back to his senses. "Dobe!"

"But he was joking! Uchiha Itachi was joking!"

Sasuke sighed. "Humans joke from time to time, you know, dobe?"

"Yeah, but this is Uchiha Itachi. You don't joke either. What is wrong with the Uchiha clan?"

Sasuke closed his ears from Naruto's rant and glanced at the doors through which Itachi had disappeared. "I certainly hope he was joking," he muttered under his breath.