Yeah… I know right? It's been like 7,000 years…forever. What had happened was I lost my book I had written this in (still didn't find it though)

So.. I'll be finishing this up from my head.

OH, I do thank the person greatly who sent me the review telling me a summarize version of my plot. Saves me time from reading this thing again.

So without further adieu, I give you the long awaited update.

P.S. – I added another plot, as if I already didn't have enough :-)

Shippu Jinraikyaku

Chapter Nine

Hanabi heard a muffled yelp and pitched up in her bed. Scanning the darkness of her bedroom, she found the source of the sound, a figure crouching beneath her window. Cautiously watching the person, she withdrew a kunai she had hidden underneath her pillow. Aiming at the centre of the person, she threw the kunai, and was shocked when the kunai hit the wall with a thud.

She heard the soft click of the lock and looked toward the door to see the person standing there. Hanabi was about to scream for help but a hand clamped over mouth, muffling it. Hanabi bit her tongue to wake herself up. Why in all that was good, that someone had to attack her when she was in deep slumber?

Hanabi suddenly stilled, gathering her and focusing her chakra. The person who was holding her mouth pressed a kunai to her throat, and was about to slice her neck open when she released the chakra she'd gathered at her chakra points. The man was forced backward and the kunai fell out of his hand.

Hanabi jumped off her bed, whilst activating her byakugan. She backed herself into a corner of her room, that way she could see the two people who'd come in to assassinate her. Assassinate. Someone wanted her dead. With that thought in her head, she basked in the adrenaline rush and the instinct of self preservation.

With those two body mechanisms fuelling her, she focused on her adversaries. She was going for the kill. The person who was by the door rushed towards her, kunai extended. Hanabi ducked under the ninja's outstretched arm, and elbowed him in his lower spine, which sent him stumbling forward. She charged to wards the other one, aiming a strike at his torso. The person deflected it and barraged Hanabi with ruthless attacks, which she evaded with ease. She suddenly morphed into a crouching position and landed a few jyuken strikes at the person's thighs, which made him stumbled. Taking advantage of this she rose up and kneed the person in the solar plexus. After that, she transmuted into a kata of painful strikes and kicks. It was a fighting style different than the traditional hyuuga taijutsu. This style allowed for more flexible moves and improvisation.

She ended the kata with a flying roundhouse kick to the ninja's head, which sent him crashing into the lamp, semi-conscious. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a kunai flying at her, and she merely cocked her head to the side to dodge it. She turned around and faced the ninja who'd thrown it. He seemed ready to fight. He'd underestimated her speed, which was why she was able to land that hit on him in the first place. A mistake he wasn't likely to make again. At least he was able to recover while the other ninja was getting thrashed.

Jyuken. Hanabi reverted back to her form of Hyuga style fighting. She figured the person saw her in her other fighting style, and would have tried to figure out the basic mechanics of the style, thus being able to know how to avoid or evade her attacks. The person probably knew how to fight against a Hyuuga, hence trying to assassinate her. But what the ninja probably didn't know was that the Hyuga fighting style of the main branch members were different than the branch family. Main family taijutsu was based on branch family taijutsu, but the main family members were allowed to customize it, making their own style of it. Thus each person in the main family had a similar yet different fighting style.

Channelling chakra into her palms and feet, Hanabi charged at the other ninja. She feinted a roundhouse kick to his ribs, but the ninja didn't fall for it, and kept up his guard. It was just as she suspected, this person knew the concepts of branch family fighting.

She sent a kick at his head, which the person caught. She released the chakra in her foot, and the ninja released his hold, clutching his hand in pain. With the help of her byakugan, she target his vital organs. With an incredible burst of speed, she slithered around his punch, which left his torso open to attack. Hanabi took advantage of this and slammed her palms in his chests, releasing chakra as she did. The ninja stumbled back into a wall, to which Hanabi gleefully took advantage of and commenced her version of Hinata's hundred palms of fury. Hers became more vicious with each hit that landed.

Her attacks were so forceful, and her chakra so sharp, that she was literally rupturing the ninja's back. She stopped at around thirty-seven, as the ninja was now limp and dying. The ninja slowly slid to the floor, painting a red mark on her pristine wall. Hanabi reigned in her emotions, and lowered her fighting spirit. Maybe she over did it?

She crouched down in front of the ninja and asked, "Who sent you?"

The ninja smiled at her, blood slowly spewing forth from his lips. "You really want to know?" the ninja asked, in a raspy voice.

"Who sent you?" Hanabi asked, placing a palm over the ninja's heart.

The ninja chuckled, a hideous sound. "A Hyuga sent me." Hanabi released the chakra she had channelled into her hand, effectively obliterating a section of the ninja's heart. She didn't have time for games, someone intended to kill her, and she wanted to find out whom. She watched the ninja gasped for breath as his lungs filled up with blood, suffocating him. It was a slow and painful death.

When the ninja was dead and gone, she was about to close his eyes when she noticed something for the first time. This ninja had pupil-less eyes, similar to her own. Hanabi removed the headband with the hidden leaf's insignia on it from the ninja's forehead, and gasped. Sure enough there was a caged bird seal there. She prevented the seal from activating with a quick jutsu she'd copied from an elder. The seal destroyed a Hyuga's body within five minutes of their death, which was why autopsies were rarely given in the Hyuga estate.

The fact that her now dead assassinator was a Hyuga, brought about huge complications she would have to deal with. It also gave her something to think about. It was highly unlikely Hinata was behind this, as she usually directly approached her. This meant that someone else was after her, someone from the council or the branch family. The only question was why?

It wasn't until she heard a cough that she remembered the other ninja who'd come after her. Hanabi turned around to see the ninja crouching in the window sill, ready to escape.

"Wait!" she exclaimed, racing towards the ninja, who, for obvious reasons, jumped out of the window.

Damn, Hanabi thought, while grabbing a robe from off her bed. She hated giving chase to anything. She jumped out of the window while shrugging into her robe. The roof was cold underneath her bare feet. The ninja was only a few yards ahead of her, which meant that he was still injured. Otherwise, he'd have already teleported.

"Stop!" she shouted, as she glided from rooftop to rooftop after the ninja. "Damn you!" she threw the kunai she had taken out of the wall when she was leaving her room at the ninja, who just dodged it.

Hanabi kept shouting at the ninja to stop, thus waking up the clan as she chased the ninja. Lights and muffled voices were coming to life as she ran by the houses. They were nearing the entrance gate to the estate now. She doubted that she'd be able to catch the ninja, as she was losing her adrenaline rush. So, she used her byakugan to memorize the ninja's chakra network. That'll have to suffice her for now.

Hanabi stopped and landed right in front of the branch family. She watched as the guards at the main gate gave a feeble attempt to stop the ninja. Kissing her teeth, she made her way back to the main family residents via rooftop.

"Repeat what you are trying to say again. I didn't quite get it." Hiashi said, as he watched his angry daughter pace back in forth in his room.

Hanabi turned angry eyes at her father. "Do you ever listen to anything I say?" she said, in a disapproving tone. "What part of someone just tried to assassinate me don't you understand?"

Hiashi sighed. It was after four in the morning, and quite frankly, he wasn't ready to get up yet. He was still in the throes of slumber. He had been sleeping peacefully when Hanabi had barge in his room, making a ruckus about someone trying to kill her.

"Did you catch the person?" Hiashi asked, rubbing his eyes in an attempt to wake himself up. It was too early in the morning to be bothered.

Hanabi was ready to pull out all of Hiashi's glorious hair strand by strand. This man was acting as if it wasn't a big matter. She took in a deep breath and reigned in her temper. Then, in strained voice, said, "I killed one of them, and the other got away."

Hanabi was somewhat happy to see her father's eyes widen when she mentioned she killed one of them.

"I think it'd be better if you just come and see the scene for yourself." Hanabi stated, leaving the room. Hiashi followed her down the hall to her room. A few servants were rising out of the quarters, inquiring about what happened, and if they needed to be available. Mameha was one of the people who woke up. She immediately followed Hiashi and Hanabi.

Hanabi had to kick the door open, as one of the ninja's had locked it. She motioned them inside and closed the door behind her, to keep away the curious and the nosy.

"Good heavens!" Mameha exclaimed when she saw the state of Hanabi's room. Bits and pieces of broken furniture was scattered about the room. There was a few kunai marks in the wall, where she was fighting with the dead ninja. There were a few blood drops on the window. On the wall by the door, there was a huge red mark, as if someone threw a bucket of red paint of the wall carelessly. And just underneath that mark, lay the dead ninja, who had been marinating in his own blood, and whatever else had leaked out of his body.

Hiashi gathered his robes and crouched over the ninja to examine him. Hanabi watched as his eyes widen upon recognizing the ninja's features. "This is…"

"A Hyuga." Hanabi finished for him. "Someone from the branch family, to be exact. Mameha-baa-sama, do you know him?"

Mameha studied the body for a minute. She'd seen death occur too many times and ways to be shocked by this. There was something familiar about the body ut she couldn't put her finger on it. She turned towards Hanabi, who was obviously shaken despite the calm façade she was wearing, and asked, "Did you kill him?"

Hanabi nodded. "He was sent to assassinate me. There were two of them, but one of them got away. I don't think the other one was a Hyuuga though, or if they were working together. I think they both were sent by different people and just happened to meet up here." Hanabi said, while sitting on her bed.

"Assassinate? Who would try to kill you?" Mameha asked, completely baffled.

"That's would I love to find out." Hanabi said dryly.

"Then what about, Miss Hinata? Did they try to assassinate her to?" Mameha asked, her face full of worry. She used hey byakugan and looked into the room next door, to make sure that Hinata was fine. Sure enough, Hinata was sleeping safe and sound in her bed. "She's fine." Mameha announced, relieved.

"That's against the rules, Mameha-baa-sama" Hiashi pointed out. No one was ever allowed to use their byakugan to look into another person's room.

Mameha gave him a look and asked, "Your point is…?"

"Hmphh" Hiashi grunted and moved over to inspect the window sill.

Hanabi smirked. Mameha-baa-sama could do anything she damned please and no one could or would say anything to her about it. They wouldn't dare. Hanabi wanted to be like her when she grew old.

No forced signs of entry, Hiashi thought. He surveyed the room. Obviously a fight took place here, but seeing that there was no forced sign of entry, they'd have to go with Hanabi's word. Which was going to be a problem when the inquest by the Hyuga council, and the local investigative squad, takes place. All in all, upon first glance, this would be classified as a murder. He sighed. Leave it to Hanabi to give him gray hairs.

"Well, what are you going to do?" Mameha asked, her voice brimming with excitement. She loved scandals, whether they be classy, or grimy. They added entertainment to her usual dull life.

Hiashi turned to face them, his mind set. "Mameha-baa-sama, contact the civil dispute division of the ANBU, let them send an investigative team down here in the morning. Also get some trustworthy ninja from the main family to preserve the scene. And finally, get a Hyuga medic nin in here, to keep the body in its current state until the ANBU team arrives. As for you Hanabi," he turned toward his daughter. "I suggest you clean yourself up, and stay on the estate, preferably in the house. Recall what you know so that when you face the council, later this morning you can tell them what happened in vivid detail."

Mameha nodded and eagerly summoned two servants to carry out her instructions Hanabi nodded.

Hiashi surveyed the room again. "Hanabi, I also suggest that you find someone to round up the people you roused during your chase. You'll need as much witnesses as possible."

Hanabi stared at her father confused. "Witnesses…?"

"Yes, witnesses." Hiashi grimly reiterated. "Until proven by the council and/or the ANBU team, this will be treated as a murder, as there is not enough circumstantial evidence to support what you say was an attempted assassination. There was no sign of forced entry or any jutsu used to get in this room; a vital component if you are to prove your innocence. Not that I'm saying you're guilty or anything but, you must look at this from an objective point of view. Comprehend?"

Hanabi battled with her self to keep her emotions under wrap. She nodded her head. "I understand father."

With that she bowed and left the room. Hiashi surveyed the scene once again, trying to gain a new impression. He didn't doubt Hanabi's story one bit. It was the council, he feared, which might be quick to pass judgement. Conveniently, this just had to happen when the time of the new head of the clan ceremony was fast approaching. He too wondered if Hinata had anything to do with this, as it seems that the scales were tipping in her favour.

***

Naruto wandered about the village in search of food, and a clear place to settle his thoughts and decide his intentions. He doubted he'd find someplace selling food at this time in the morning or a place to clear his mind. He wanted to think about him and Hanabi and if they had any potential. Well, from his point of view all they had going for the both of them right now was a deep physical attraction. Not that he was complaining but he wasn't one for one time flings. He decided he was going to pursue her.

His decision to pursue Hanabi brought about another astounding thought to him; that he was completely over his obsession with Sakura. Not to say that he'd given up on her, he still had to have his options, but she'd be more like something to fall back on. He'd noticed that all his efforts had not been in vain, as she was gradually swaying his way. She was more open with him. But enough about Sakura, he was now on Hanabi's wagon. He'd known Hanabi for only about a week and a half now. He figured he needed to get to know her more while he was on vacation. However, the only problem seemed to be Hiashi and Kakashi-sensei.

Kakashi was a problem because he was a publicity risk to Naruto. Since Naruto had been labelled a hokage hopeful by Tsunade and several other important people, he'd become a sort of a super celebrity. He'd already been a celebrity since people had heard, and some witnessed, him beating Gaara when he was the one-tailed beast. Anyway, because of this, Kakashi and Jiraiya had the brilliant idea to get rich off of him by selling him out to the local tabloids. His whole life was turning into a public event. He had fan clubs that staked out his house sometimes. It was disconcerting. Anyway the point was that, if anyone got wind that he had his eyes on Hanabi, he would be bothered relentlessly by tabloids, and Hanabi would receive all sorts of death threats from his numerous fan clubs.

The death threat thing had happened before. People had noticed that he'd been hung up around Sakura, and so she had been threatened. It wasn't a big deal as no one in their right mind would mess with Sakura. For peace sake she was the hokage's apprentice after all. And the one foolish person who had tried to physically threaten Sakura was still in a coma. He wasn't worried about her. He was more worried about what the attention might cause Hanabi. He'd have to talk to her about this thing they had going on.

Naruto strolled through the streets completely caught up in his thoughts. Somehow he'd ended up near Iruka's house. Since he was hungry, and Iruka always had a well stocked pantry, he decided to pay a visit. He just hoped that the man was not doing anything inappropriate. The last time Naruto showed up unannounced, he was privileged enough to catch Iruka and Kakashi having, what Sakura called titillating man sexy sex. She got off on that kind of thing. It was a scarring experience for him.

Naruto never made it to Iruka's house though, as when he was a mere corner away from his destination, when he spotted two shadowy figures on the corner of the street.

From his experience, shadowy figures were always up to no good. Take Shino for example, Naruto figured he probably used those bugs to spy on little girls and boys. Being the nosy person he was, he faded into the shadows and tried to sneak up on them unnoticed. He was able to get close enough to hear what they were saying but not close enough to actually see them.

"So was the mission a success?" one of the figures asked. He had a deep rumbling voice.

"No, she is not dead, but there is enough evidence there to frame her. However, I was not told that there was going to be another assassin there." This person had a neutral tone.

"Someone else was there?"

"Yes, she killed him. She was incredible. Shall I try again?"

There was a moment of silence. "No, I will inform my client of the situation, so wait until you hear from me. You should recuperate. You look like hell."

"I thought I was done for. She has more than one fighting style, as the one I prepared for was not the one she used."

"Very well then. I shall obtain more information about her and report it back to you. From what you say, it seems that my client is not the only one interested in doing away with her. That is all until further notice."

The shadowy figure nodded. "Understood. I will be preparing myself for the next mission. I will not underestimate her again."

"You shouldn't have to begin with. You couldn't possibly have thought that she was weak, after all she is in the main family, and one of the heiresses no less." The figure what the deep voice said.

The other figured nodded, and with that the two shadowy figures disappeared into the early dawn, oblivious of Naruto. After a few minutes, Naruto emerged from his listening place.

See? He was rarely wrong. Suspicious shadowy figures always were up to no good. Since they mentioned main family, he assumed that they were speaking in relation to the Hyuga clan; which meant that something went down not to long ago. He also wondered if they were talking about Hanabi or Hinata. In any event he needed to let someone know what he'd learnt. He took off in the direction of the hokage tower, fighting the off the soothing fingers of sleep.

End of Chapter

Whew! I'm almost there _ Like I said, its been like forever. But not to worry, starting next chapter, I'll begin to wrap up. I hadn't realized how much plots this thing had. Lol

Anyway review please, I like constructive criticism. Next chappy will be out in about 2 or 3 weeks, so bear with me plzzz. June is a busy month, I have like a buncha graduations to be at, and plus prom. So see u in 3 weeks or before :P

Don't worry I already started the next chapter so, no need to fret (I'm assuring myself) _

Btw, I need a beta reader, so if you're interested give a shout. I find it easier to do it this way than go searchin for some, that lists is like long

Shippu Jinraikyaku