Surprise! From now on, you guys will be getting chapter weekly, like before. Yay!

Chapter 23 Assassination

Disclaimer: Still no…

The sun was still under the clouds, not yet ready to come out. In this quite morning, Naruto lay on his bed, legs splayed out, thinking about the events of yesterday. When he had seen Hinata approaching last night, it was like a rock had hit him, right in the gut. He'd tried to keep his reaction clear but he had no idea how he looked to her. No, I can't be thinking about her. I can't have her. Her decision was clear. She wanted Haru, not him. Then what were those gestures, those slight affections they shared? Naruto wondered. A knock on his door interrupted his brooding thoughts. He got up lazily yawning. Who the hell other than him would be up at this time? The knock became a bit more urgent, irritating Naruto.

"Alright! I'm coming." He grumbled.

Naruto was surprised to find Sakura at his door step.

"Sakura-chan? What are y-"

"We need to talk."

She walked past him into the apartment. Confused, Naruto closed the door and followed her.

"So, what's wrong Sakura-chan?" He asked. She turned around with a look of determination on her face.

"It's Hinata."

Naruto's confusion faded and a mask of no motion covered his face.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Of course you do. She loves you Naruto. Don't let her make the wrong decision."

"Pfft, what love? She looked at me right in the eye and told me she loved Haru. This has happened to me too much. If that isn't being dumped I don't know what is."

The hurt in his voice was so clear, Sakura flinched. Though she knew Naruto didn't intend to, but she was reminded of all the times she had done this. And unlike Hinata, she had a clear choice with no pressure. I'm so sorry…

"Naruto, I talked to her," Sakura said softly. "She was really hesitant. I think she was pressured into choosing Haru."

"I don't care. What's been done has been done."

Sakura opened her mouth to argue, but stopped. It was pointless, she realised. He would have to figure it out. Frustrated, she stomped out of the apartment. Naruto watched her go, anger rising from his chest. He punched the nearest wall, cracking the dry wall.


It felt good to be out on such a day, Hinata thought. The sky was clear; no sign of any clouds whatsoever. It was the perfect day to be out and around, shopping, conversing and just having a good time. But some people just didn't like going out.

"Oh, come on Hanabi. You've been cooped up in the compound for too much time."

The little Hyuga heiress grumbled.

"It's too bright. I didn't even get to eat properly and you pulled me out."

Hinata laughed. Her sister was so much like their father, it was scary. She pulled Hanabi along in one of the shops. It had been some time since she'd been able to properly have some sisterly time with her. They visited various shops. Going into a weapons shop, Hinata was delighted and scared to find Tenten there, picking at some shuriken and checking their sharpness. She told Hanabi to wait while she talked with her. The ninja obliged and continued looking at some weapons. Hinata walked nervously up to Tenten. The kunoichi was so busy observing the weapons, she barely noticed Hinata until she tapped her on the shoulder. Tenten whipped around, shuriken flying. Hinata barely the flying object, ducking so it went over her head.

"omigosh! Hinata! What're you doing!? I could've impaled you!" She checked Hinata's body for any damage. The Hyuga stifled a giggle.

"It's alright Tenten, nothing happened."

Tenten sighed. Her face suddenly turned serious. Here we go… Hinata thought nervously.

"Hinata, what are you doing with our life?"

She stayed silent, choosing not to answer. After a few moments, Tenten gripped her hands.

"I know I shouldn't interfere, but I want to know. Why him over Naruto, who you've liked your whole life?"

"I…have my reasons Tenten. I just can't word them for you."

"Well… It's your decision I guess. Besides, Neji hasn't torn apart any building or something like that so I guess there is a reason."

Hinata smiled at Tenten's reasoning. She found positives out of negatives.

"Tenten, can you do me a favour? If anyone wants to know about this, just tell them it is my decision."

This would be so helpful to Hinata. No more people to answer to. But no one knew the request she had made of Haru, not even Neji.

No, take me away. I have no reason to be in this village.

She wondered how long it would take to persuade Neji, Kiba and Shino to let her go. She shuddered at the thought of telling Kiba. He would freak, slightly more than Neji, who was more understanding. But all of that could be for later; Hinata had some quality time with Hanabi. She wasn't about to waste it on thoughts.

"We're gonna go Tenten. Next time, I'll come with Nii-san and maybe you can impale him instead of me."

Tenten burst out laughing. For some random reason, she couldn't contain it. Waving the two off, she laughed over and over, almost crying in the process.


Hinata and Hanabi entered The Hyuga estate, both carrying bags full of goods.

"Aah! Today was a good day! We bought so much!" They carried their own bags to their rooms. Hinata set down her stuff and stretched. They'd gotten so many things. She'd even gotten Neji a gift. His birthday was coming after all. She changed into comfortable clothing and got in bed. After turning off the lights, Hinata lay in her bed, thinking about Haru, Naruto and her future. Would she ever be happy with Haru? She didn't think so, but she had to try. Besides, there was no hope for Naruto and her. Her eyelids became heavy, lulling Hinata to sleep. Just before Hinata could fall into the chasm of dreams, a slight rustle startled her. It had come from the door. She opened her eyes. Activating Byakugan would release chakra letting the person outside know she was awake. It could be anyone, Hinata thought. She closed her eyes and listened. The door was opened slowly. It definitely was not anyone she knew. The footsteps felt ominous. Hinata surrounded her hand with chakra, making it a sharp blade. She brought her hand up just in time to counter a kunai. Her mind was frozen. She was staring in the eyes of a ninja…. Just like the one from that night several years ago. Her brain released those memories from that day. They came to her like a storm along with the fear. She was so little, but she still remembered that face and that feeling of terror. It was all she could do to not scream in terror. She deflected the kunai, knocking the Ninja back. It isn't him. He was killed by father. She ran those words over and over in her head like a mantra. But fear overpowered her. He was advancing towards Hinata. She stumbled back, falling off the bed. She back up against the wall.

"No," Hinata whispered. "No."

The ninja grinned, taking out a long blade from his vest. Hinata closed her eyes, remembering that night just as the Shinobi leaped at her. Nothing happened. Hinata opened her eyes to see a blade sticking out the front of him and an expression of shock on his face. He landed dead on the floor. Neji stood behind him, poised, eyes narrowed with Byakugan activated. Hinata looked at him with dead eyes. She'd gone numb. Neji's eyes widened.

"Hinata-sama!"

He rushed to her side. Without knowing it, tears were flowing out of Hinata's eyes. Neji knelt down and brushed them away. Cupping her face he pressed his forehead to hers.

"It's not that night. It's over… I'm here now." He pulled her close and hugged her. Hinata noticed none of it. She only noticed the looming figure over Neji and her. There were two of them. It all happened fast. He pulled out a knife and advanced towards Neji's back. Hinata opened her mouth but no words came out. It was like someone was squeezing her throat. She tried to pull herself away, to warn Neji. But it was of no use.

The knife sliced into his flesh, right where his heart was. Neji roared in pain, eyes widening. The blade was long enough that a little bit slid into Hinata, not killing her but causing pain. Enough pain to jolt her. She leaped back, pulling the blade out of herself. Narrowing her eyes, she sliced her right into the man's chest, killing him on the spot. She heard shouting, lights turning on. Someone ran into the room, but Hinata didn't notice, her eyes were on Neji's, her vision fading. Was it her or was Neji actually crying? Her vision blurred and Hinata collapsed, fading into a world of darkness.

DUN DUN DUUN! Uh… Yeah, I know what it looks like. "Gosh! This is so unoriginal. Neji died in the anime, now he dies in the story? So predictable! What the hell?" Yes, I know that it looks unoriginal. But I'm sorry; it had to be done, for the sake of the plot. You guys will see later in the story. I apologize to any Neji fans reading my story. I know you wanna stab me like the dude stabbed Neji, BUT! There will be happier moments after this chapter. I know you guys are like, "What the frick! How can there be HAPPY MOMENTS after Neji died?!" … There will be.

~TheJollyHyuga