DO NOT OWN NARUTO

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

A/N: Wow, Thanks so much for the positive reviews! This is the first time I've ever received this many reviews and I'm much honored. I love you all so much. Just to let you guys know, yes, this is a rather dark fic because I'm not a big fan of fluff hehe. I also want to thank you for your advices; I will gladly accept them as a guideline to help me improve my story. Anyway, here's your anticipated chapter. ENJOY!

The Caged Raven

Chapter 4: Jailed

Sakura searched deep into the records of the specified kunoichi, Hyuuga Hinata. Yet no records had indicated her having connections with anyone suspicious outside of the village. She had even asked her team mates to describe the majority of their mission. They were always stuck together during missions, never once was she out of their sight. Then how could Hinata have had a forbidden jutsu cast upon her which would prevent her from spilling out information? Then the light bulb went off in her head. She knew just the right person to ask. Someone who had constantly been looking after her behavior. Neji.

She rushed to the phone sitting on the dusty table of the old records library and dialed the Hyuuga's manor.

Neji rushed towards the old records building after Sakura's urgent call. She said she needed information from him. She wouldn't tell him why she needed the information because it was classified by the Hokage. But he was willing to help give any information he knew of if it would help Hinata in any way.

Neji was greeted by Sakura who was hidden behind a stack of folders and books.

"You're finally here."

Neji stole a glance at the files she was looking at. With his keen eyes, he managed to catch the name Hyuuga Hinata.

'So she's looking at her records'

His train of thought was cut off by the sound of Sakura clearing her throat.

"Neji, you told me that most of her hallucinations involved suicide attempts. Or more like people who were trying to murder her? Can you describe what they were like?"

Neji inwardly shuddered at the memory of Hinata's confession. It was disturbingly eerie.

Then he began.

"Well, she was always saying they had sharingans…"

This was it, this was the vital information she needed to tell Tsunade. Sakura quickened her pace; ignoring the greeting she received from Shizune. The door to the Hokage's room burst open with a grave looking Sakura. Tsunade, who was in a middle of a briefing with a group of shinobis, looked up at the intruder with a raised eyebrow.

"Tsunade-sama, I have a report regarding Hinata."

The Hokage hastily dismissed the team and gave Sakura her full attention.

"I'm listening."

Sakura made a motion towards her desk. There was a demeanor of uncertainty emitting from the young woman. Sakura was contemplating whether she should disclose the newfound information. If Tsunade was to know about it, then it would only confirm where Hinata's loyalty lay. Sensing her dilemma, Tsunade decided to make it easier for her to hand over the information.

"Sakura, what you are doing is for the sake of the village. We are also trying to help Hinata get through this remember? Don't feel guilty about it," she coaxed.

"Whatever the outcome is, I will decide what's best for her and the village."

Sakura was hesitating again. She was a loyal citizen of Konoha; she wouldn't jeopardize the entire village for the sake of one person, even if that said person was her friend. Her thought suddenly trailed to Naruto. He was in the same situation as she was in, except it was with Sasuke. Naruto had decided to give up on his own brother for the sake of the village. He was also assured that not only was the village in peace, but so was Sasuke. Maybe Tsunade would really come up with something that would benefit both the village and Hinata?

She silently prayed for her friend's forgiveness whilst summing up her courage to reveal the information.

'Hinata, please forgive me.'

"Neji told me that the people she saw in her hallucinations had sharingans."

The older woman placed her intertwined hands beneath her chin thoughtfully.

"Uchihas?"

Sakrua nodded.

"But that's impossible! From what I know, Hinata had never made any contact with an Uchiha, much less, Uchiha Sasuke. Were there any events in her records indicating that she had any contact with him at all?"

The pinkette shook her head in denial.

"The only time she did have any interaction with him was during our previous retrieval mission. But I don't remember them exchanging any words…"

Emerald eyes widened with realization. Her jaws slightly gaped with a brief gasp which was quickly covered by her gloved hands.

"Oh no…"

Amber eyes narrowed at the change of her body language. This wasn't a good sign.

"What is it?"

Sakura's voice began to tremble with fear.

"Hinata was closest during the explosion at that time. Apparently she was temporarily deaf when I had examined her after our mission. There was a point in time when I had specifically warned everyone to not look in to his eyes when his sharingan was activating something. The warning was given shortly after the explosion, so it's possible that…"

"Hinata hadn't heard because she was deaf," Tsunade finished.

She bit her thumb trailed by a few soft muttering of curses escaping her lips.

"Shizune!"

Her secretary clumsily burst into the room.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama?" she saluted.

"Tell the council members that there's an emergency meeting right now!"

Shizune gulped uncertainly.

"But what if they refuse? You know how busy most of them are. To summon them all of a sudden is-"

"Then tell them it's a matter regarding the security of Uchiha Sasuke."

Her secretary immediately clamped her mouth shut in fear. Was something serious about to happen regarding the traitor? But that can't be. He's sealed for good inside a scroll, that no one can open, which was guarded by ANBU. Staring at her mentor disbelievingly, she obeyed nevertheless.

"Y-yes, right away!"

"Make sure Naruto is present as well. As the future Hokage he needs to know about this."

Aftere she was dismissed, Tsunade stole a worried glance over her troubled student.

She sighed at her student. Getting up from her chair, she strolled next to the pinkette, patting her shoulder.

"Don't worry Sakura, everything will be alright."

'That's right! Everything will be alright. She's going to help Hinata and the village. I should have more faith in her.' The pinkette told herself. She felt bad, really bad, but it was for the best right?

However, unbeknownst to her that the ones who make the ultimate decision were the village elders. In the end, they would have the ultimate say, not Tsunade.

The council room was buzzing with curious chattering of the council members. They were confused for the sudden call for an emergency meeting. Among the members there were the leaders of the major influential clans within the village who include the Yamanaka, Nara, Akamichi, Aburame, Inuzuka and Hyuuga. The head council consists of the village elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. Both whom were childhood friends of the, now deceased, Third Hokage.

As usual, Tsunade was running late for the meeting which was causing many of them to test their patience. Alas, the Fifth Hokage strode inside with Naruto in tow, occupying her vacant seat at the end of the large table, where she faced two of the elders on the other end. Shizune was standing next to her with a clip board, ready to record everything in her memo. An extra seat was placed by an ANBU next to Tsunade's for the blond to sit.

The restless murmurs echoing within the dim room died down.

"I see that you have finally arrived, Princess Tsunade. Seeing that you have brought Naruto-kun here must mean that this meeting is a big issue. Well then, shall we begin?" Koharu looked at each member for any objections. Seeing none, she nodded towards Homura.

"In that case, we shall commence this emergency Konoha council meeting."

His booming aged voice echoed in the midst.

Tsunade leaned slightly forward with her hands under her chin. Her eyes were grim.

"First of all, I would like to apologize for suddenly calling this meeting. I understand that you are all busy, but this is a crucial meeting which will decide the fate of Uchiha Sasuke and Konoha."

The room once again buzzed with amusement and confusion.

"What is the meaning of this? Uchiha Sasuke has been permanently sealed inside a scroll, which cannot be unlocked, guarded by ANBU. What threat can that caged bird be to us now?"

Homura's words were filled with disbelief. Everyone in the room nodded in agreement, waiting for the Hokage to explain the predicament.

Her next words sent the entire room into turmoil, especially Hiashi.

"Apparently, Hyuuga Hinata had made some sort of contact with Uchiha Sasuke before he was sealed away. Hiashi, the reason for your daughter's unstable mentality is because she's under a jutsu casted by Uchiha Sasuke."

Hiashi furiously shot up from his seat.

"How could you accuse of my daughter-"

"All evidence I have gathered leads to this conclusion. If you would like, I can ask Shizune to produce them after the meeting."

The Hyuuga head clenched his fist before reoccupying his seat. He had to keep his cool in this meeting. Naruto on the other hand, wasn't as surprised. He had been briefed of the situation before the meeting. He had been angry and upset, but for the sake of putting up a good impression as the future Hokage, he had to act reasonably. All he needed to hear now was the decision of the council.

"Are you saying that she's a traitor?" Koharu asked.

"I haven't gathered that much information yet. What I do know is that an automatic self defense mechanism has been implanted into her mind by that man, therefore annihilating the possibility of extracting information from her. We don't know what she's thinking. She could either be held hostage by that man or she could be collaborating with him."

Hiashi couldn't sit still while his daughter was being accused of treachery.

"That's impossible! My daughter would never do such a thing. She's a loyal kunoichi!"

"Hiashi, calm down or I would have to force you to leave this meeting until you have yourself recollected," Koharu warned.

Inuzuka Tsume raised her hand.

"I have a say as well."

Hiashi looked at her in hopes that she would defend his daughter.

"We all know that Hyuuga Hinata is an honest girl. Her records are all clean, so how could you draw the conclusion that she has committed treachery?"

The Aburame who had kept silent throughout the entire meeting agreed with a nod.

"It doesn't make sense." His voice rumbled.

Everyone was surprised when the least expected to speak in this matter spoke up next.

"Granny had no choice. She had to take account all the possibilities, whether they may sound impossible or not. She's just taking precautions to make sure that the village is safe."

Needless to say that the members were impressed by his speech. Looks like the boy had potential after all.

Homura cleared his throat.

"Naruto-kun is right."

"But-"

"Enough! It is obvious that the Uchiha now has a mean to communicate outside. Only he knows the seal to open the scroll. The next thing we know, he may be using Hiashi's daughter to open the scroll for him. When that happens, hell will break lose. It is time we decide what to do with Hyuuga Hinata!"

Shikaku Nara, being the genius he was had already predicted the outcome of this meeting. It wasn't going to turn out very good. The most likely action they would take was to strip her off her rank as shinobi, lock her up and seal away all her senses, especially her byakugan. They were already treating her like a traitor even if she wasn't.

Homura glanced at his partner.

"She is now a potential threat, so it is inevitable that she had to be kept locked up with under constant surveillance of ANBU. Koharu, what do you suggest?"

"I completely agree with you. Although, there are a few more things I would like to add. All her senses would be sealed, especially her byakugan for precaution. This way, it will be harder for him to use her; we want her to be as useless to him as possible. Who knows when the Uchiha would possess her to do the unthinkable?"

Inoichi was completely against the idea.

"That's too harsh! That's just as bad as sending her to a death sentence. She'll never be a shinobi ever again."

"She's still so young…" Akamichi added.

"It is better to prevent what we can before we regret it."

Homura defended.

"What do you think, Princess Tsunade? Naruto-kun? Is it worth it to sacrifice the village for only the life of one girl?"

This was like Sasuke's trial all over again. It was making Naruto sick to the stomach. He loved this village but his friends were a different matter.

"As the future Hokage, you should decide for what's best for this village. The girl's sacrifice will not be in vain."

The elders were cunning foxes. They know how to play with words to turn any situation into their favor. Naruto's fists trembled. Was he going to sacrifice another friend?

'I can't be selfish! I have to do this…'

"Naruto is still young; you shouldn't pressurize him like this. He has dealt enough with Sasuke so don't add more burdens on him!" Tsunade interrupted.

"Well then, I suggest he will have to prepare for a lot of demanding pressures when he becomes the Hokage. It won't be long until he takes the succession, Princess Tsunade," Koharu bit back.

"Well?" Aged eyes bore into his young ones.

Tsunade felt the urge to protect the youngester from these vultures.

"Naruto, you can leave this room if you want. I'll deal with the rest-"

"No, the future of this village is more important. Hinata's sentence has been decided."

His voice was cracking. He was trying his best to stay strong; if he wanted to be Hokage, he had to be ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of the village. He can't be selfish; he had to be like his father who would even sacrifice his own son.

Koharu and Homura had look of victory on their faces. Before the meeting was officially dismissed, Hiashi had walked out of the room without looking back. His usual prideful figure was now slightly hunched. His shoulders slumped as if he had no more energy. Everyone felt sympathy towards the man and the fate of his daughter.

Sakura rushed over to Naruto's apartment. She knew that the outcome of the meeting wouldn't produce any good news. He needed her and she knew it, whether he asked she or not she's going to him. She didn't bother knocking on his door because she knew he'd be too stubborn to open it. Without a moment to waste she kicked his door down.

"Naruto!"

She walked into his room only to see him lying on his bed, facing the wall. She could hear his soft sniffles and shuddering back. Naruto was crying. Words were useless now, they wouldn't mean anything. What this man needed now was to know that there was someone to be there for him. She crept onto his bed, embracing him from behind while his sobs only grew.

It was another precious friend lost.

Hinata was laying emotionless on her futon. Her mind was numb from all the nightmarish images. When will they end? She was starting to deteriorate mentally. She could hear the thundering footsteps of her father coming towards her room. Her door slid open gently. She didn't bother turning to see him. He would probably scold her again. Her eyes widened when he did the most unexpected thing. He kneeled next to her, patting her head gently. When was the last time he had patted her head so affectionately? When her mother was still alive? She felt his hand jerk away at the sound of more footsteps running through the corridor. Panicked screams and weapons clashing rang loudly. Hinata shot up from her bed looking terrified. Hiashi tensed.

A new guest escorted by a guilty looking Neji entered the room.

"Koharu-sama what is the meaning of this?" Hiashi exclaimed.

Neji took the opportunity to apologize in advance. A few more ANBU showed up, about five of them, by the door.

"Hyuuga Hinata will have her judgment passed onto her. If you resist, you and your entire clan will be under house arrest."

"This was not discussed in our meeting. You didn't specify the time of her penalty yet!"

Koharu looked at him with cold calculating eyes.

"It was your own fault to have left before I dismissed the meeting. If you hadn't left, then you probably would have known."

He glared daggers at Neji.

"Forgive me, Uncle. My loyalties to the village lay first priority; it is the conduct of the ANBU."

Hiashi couldn't blame the young man. He was doing what he had to do. An ANBU's job was to serve the village through the shadows, just like Itachi.

"Arrest that girl this instant," Koharu ordered curtly.

Hiashi could only stand still as the ANBU walked passed him.

"W-what's going on father? Neji-nii san?" Hinata was panicking.

She immediately attacked the first ANBU who touched her. Eventually, every one of them was restraining her. She kicked, screamed, and begged for her father and cousin to do something. She felt betrayed when none of them made motion. They could only look at her with pain filled eyes.

"Forgive me, my daughter…"

"It's better if you do that now so she can't struggle," the elder suggested.

Five of them performed five different seals to seal away her five senses. Hinata felt her body wobble like jelly. Everything around her went pitch black as if the lights had been switched off. Everything was dead silent. The harsh hands that were on her a few moments ago vanished.

'What happened?'

Once her struggles died down, the restraining ANBU released her. One of them made a motion to check if all the seals were successful. He nodded at Koharu for confirmation.

"We have successfully sealed all of her senses. I put an extra stronger seal on her eyes though for her byakugan ma'am."

"A job well done. Now please bring her to the chambers; make sure she has the tightest security there is. No visitors are allowed. If you see anything suspicious, report to me immediately."

Koharu turned around to exit. The ANBU had Hinata's limb constrained with chains and carried her out.

"I thank you for your cooperation, Neji-kun and Hiashi. Your deed will not be forgotten."

That was the last time anyone had seen Hinata. None of them were allowed to know how she was nor were they allowed to hear any reports about her condition. To them, she was just as good as dead. Hyuuga Hinata's existence has been wiped away from Konoha, just like Uchiha Sasuke.

Away she was taken to her chamber where she would be sealed away as well.

She was thrown into her chamber deep inside the forbidden forest. It was scarcely used, making the musty damp air uncomfortable for its inhabitants. It was moldy in there too, yet no one would want to waste their time and effort making the place for criminals a comfortable home to live in. They didn't deserve such luxury. However, none of it affected Hinata, she was nothing but a vegetable now. She couldn't speak, hear, see, taste, move nor feel. To her, it was like floating in darkness. The worst thing was that when the horrible nightmares began, there was no one to stop it. The images would keep replaying over and over like a loop. Eventually, she had given up her will to fight the images. She felt as if she had died then revived again only to be killed again by the Uchihas. Where was everyone when she needed them? Why was she all alone in this darkness? Hinata wasn't aware that everyone thought nothing more of her than dead.

A/N: I was thinking of including Sasuke in this chapter BUT… I decided to put him in the next (for climax purposes hehe)! Please look forward to the next chapter!