I feel like people think I ignored what happened to Neji. So let's get back to that. You guys will know the reason why I killed him.

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto.

Chapter 25: Change

Two figures sat under a Sakura tree. The wind blew softly, moving Hinata's locks sideways. Haru sat with her, a content expression on his face. Hinata looked at him slightly and spoke.

"Haru-kun, let's talk."

"What is there to talk of Hime?"

"I… need a few answers from you."

Haru looked quizzically at her. "What answers?"

"First of all, why did you Henge into Sakura that night and kiss Naruto in front of me?"

The samurai looked baffled by this.

"What do you mean?"

"I know it was you. Please don't lie. I just want to know why."
There was a look of hunger in his eyes.

"I wanted you. Ever since I saw your picture, I fell in love with that beautiful face,"

He turned his head towards Hinata slowly.

"Those beautiful eyes,"

He slowly leaned forward.

"Those beautiful lips."

Before he could move any further, Hinata jumped up quickly.

"What you did was wrong. You separated me and Naruto-kun for months. I want you to leave Haru."

The man smirked and stood up.

"Why should I?"

"Because I no longer love you."

This wasn't a surprise to Haru.

"But I can make you love me, Hinata. Give me a chance!"

He was desperate. Hinata saw a look of pleading in his eyes. No, I can't falter here... Not after what he did. Hinata's eyes changed. A look she'd never given anyone came upon her. Her soft lavender eyes turned the same colour as her father's harsh grey.

"Haru, I love one man. And that is Naruto. It can never be you."

Pure shock filled Haru. He'd never seen Hinata like this.

"Then, let's make a deal. Battle with me once. If I win, you leave Naruto. And If I lose, I'll leave."

Sweat poured down Hinata's back. She knew Haru was no Shinobi. He only knew simple taijutsu, being a samurai. However, with her amputated leg, she had no idea if she could fight properly. She hadn't used it in combat since that night. Even that was impulse.

"Alright, I'll do it. But no weapons."

Haru smiled. He had her.

The two stood a few feet apart. Haru immediately went into a stance. Hinata checked her leg, moved it a few times and frowned. The movement was not properly natural. She would just have to try.

Haru began the first move. He leaped forward and immediately punched Hinata, who barely blocked. The impact made her back up, and Hinata stumbled, falling on the floor. The leg was definitely not helping. Haru took advantage of that, straddling Hinata and grabbing her throat. He squeezed her throat slightly and Hinata grabbed his wrist. With one swift flick, she activated Byakugan and chakra into her hands. Energy pulsed through her fingers into Haru's wrist. Before Hinata could incapacitate Haru's hand, he jumped off her. Getting up, Hinata smirked. She leaped forward and ruthlessly grabbed Haru's throat, the same way he had grabbed hers. Ever so slightly, she pumped chakra into her hand to tighten the grip.

Hinata had won. It was clear. Even a single movement from Haru, and she could cut off his jugular easily.

Haru was breathing heavily. He couldn't believe what she'd done in the past few moments.

"It's true. Death does change a person," He said.

Hinata immediately let go of his throat.

"W-what?"

Haru got up and smirked.

"You aren't the same women anymore Hinata. You've changed, Gone cold. You would kill anyone without hesitation."

"N-no! You're wrong."

Haru shook his head slowly.

"Because I lost, I'll leave for now. But remember my words Hinata."

He left Hinata sitting there in shock. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.


Gloomy darkness embraced a young man who sat in solitude in a prison. Sasuke lowered his head and looked at the ground. He could no longer decipher between day and night. It had been half a year since he was thrown into jail. He wondered what he had to live for now. The date he would return to the village got closer and closer. Hollow feelings were all he knew now. Anger, fear, hatred, despair, sorrow, happiness and love. None of these emotions were in his heart now.

Will I... Ever reclaim them...?

The cell door opened, revealing two Anbu in black cloaks. They stepped forward slowly. One of them held out a slip of paper in front of his face.

"By the order of both the Godiame and the Hyuga elders, you are granted a little bit of time out of jail to attend a certain funeral. You presence there is mandatory."

Sasuke was puzzled, but he asked.

"And whose funeral would this be?"

A familiar voice echoed behind the two men.

"Hyuga Neji."


Heavy grey clouds were scattered across the sky. In a large open field, a small Altar was set up, with a picture of a man who was once alive. One by one, people filed into the green space, which felt grey.

The Rookie 9 and Tenten and Lee were present at the frontline. The Hyuga family stood at the side, with still expressions. Hinata stood at the very front with Naruto by her side. Sakura stood next to the two with her head bowed in respect.

Thoughts of Neji rushed through the pink haired kunoichi. She could feel the shadows of people behind her looming. Bad memories filled the funeral. Sakura looked behind her to notice Kakashi walking to the front. Strangely enough, people moved away quickly at the sight of him...no, someone behind him. Kakashi nodded to Sakura and took his place at the back with the rest of the Sensei, while a figure emerged from behind him and came to stand right in between Sakura and Hinata. She watched with a gaping mouth as he bowed to Hinata, who smiled crookedly and bowed back. Naruto only looked straight ahead, ignoring the presence of Uchiha Sasuke. The man bowed once more and changed his position to stand on the left of Sakura. She could feel the dirty looks cast on him, so much that they felt like they were directed at both of them. Daring herself Sakura whispered.

"H-how come... You're here, Sasuke-kun?"

It was almost a murmur but he caught it.

"I was given time away from my cell to attend this funeral by both the Hokage and the Hyuga family, granted of course that this time will be added to my total release date."

"I-i see."

The funeral went by quickly. Every person went up and paid their respect to Neji while placing a single blue rose on the table. On by one, people left after this task. The only remaining were the Rookie 9, Gai's team and Kakashi. Rain continued to batter their bodies as each of them placed a rose on the table. On the way back, Ino embraced both Tenten and Hinata, telling them to be strong. Shikamaru patted Hinata's shoulder and smiled at Tenten. On the way back he glanced at Sasuke, who looked back, but not with a face of contempt but with a face of blankness. Lee stood next to both of them, his arms around Tenten. After Shikamaru's team left, Only Naruto, Shino, Kiba, Kakashi and Sasuke left. Shino and Kiba placed their roses quietly. For once, there was a solemn mask on Kiba's face. They both hugged Hinata tightly. Grateful for the support she smiled at them, watching them leave. Sakura noticed how no one had mentioned anything to Sasuke. He had Kakashi as his guard and One Anbu escort. He went up with Kakashi and placed a blue rose on the table, paying his respects to the Hyuga. Hinata noticed how stiffly Sasuke walked. He must have been uncomfortable, surrounded by all this sadness yet if he showed any of his own, he would be put down. Hinata felt the similarities in him and Neji. She couldn't quite believe how this man in front of her, riddled with pain could still his expressions so smoothly. Maybe he never got to express them, just like Neii... Feeling an urge, Hinata let go of Naruto's hand and walked up to Sasuke just as he was to leave. In a sudden move, she brought her arms up and embraced Uchiha Sasuke, surprising every person there. Naruto stepped forward but Kakashi stopped him. He shook his head slowly and smiled.

Hinata murmured in the man's ear.

"Thank you, thank you for being here. Thank you for showing up and for not hating me. I know it is because of me you've had to live in that jail, I'm so sorry."

At first, Sasuke was shocked by her embrace and by her words. A pain stricken expression clouded his face. How could this person be kind to him, let alone ask him for forgiveness after what he had done? He realised, slowly he was regaining a little bit of sadness in his heart. Thinking of his sins, he didn't deserve a single word from her. Guilt filled him.

"Thank You? I should be the one saying that. How can you talk to me, look at me or even stand to be with me? After what I've done… I'm sorry."

Tears slipped out of Hinata's eyes as she hugged him tighter.

Sakura watched in shock as Sasuke brought his arms up and awkwardly put them around the woman. Words were exchanged between the two when tears were spilt by Hinata and Sasuke had returned the embrace. Sakura's eyes watered. He's changed... He is back. She smiled to herself, as Hinata let go of Sasuke and placed her own bouquet of blue roses. Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a few words before Naruto went up and joined Hinata in placing his bunch of roses. Tenten and Lee stayed at the side, watching all this unwind. Sakura went up and placed her rose, thinking of the hardened, but soft hearted Neji. She smiled at Hinata and hugged both her and Naruto. On her way back, she noticed Sasuke, standing next to a tree with the Anbu and Kakashi.

"What did she say to you?"

Sasuke looked up as Sakura approached him.

"Nothing important."

He turned slowly to leave.

"Wait."

"What is it?"

"Have... Have you changed?"

It seemed like a dumb question. But Sasuke knew what she meant.

"Yes. I have," Changed my mindset.

"I see..."

Sasuke remembered the delicious food that Sakura would bring him. She had stopped bringing it recently. Sasuke craved her cooking and would choose it over shitty prison food any day.

"Will... Will you still bring food?"

"What? Uh... Sure?"

Sakura was baffled. Sasuke liked the food? But she couldn't help smiling. To think he accepted her meals.

Getting his answer, Sasuke mentally cheered at the thought of good food again and walked away. Kakashi was right next to him. The old man giggled like a little girl.

"Will you still bring food?" He mimicked.

"Shut up or I'll burn you."

"Hai, Hai, little Sasuke-kun!"

Sasuke glared at him, but the old man smiled back. He really got on Sasuke's nerves.

The kid really has changed...

Hinata stood with Naruto at the altar. The previous events circled her mind. Tenten and Lee both had gone home after sometime. Only she remained with Naruto. What Sasuke had said to her had baffled her. She never expected him to say those words, to hug her back. She expected him to push her away. But he didn't. It almost... Felt like she was able to hug Neji.

If he can change, why can't you? Her conscience reminded her.

A plan slowly formed into her mind. A chance to set things rights. She didn't want to be treated like the foolish and fragile Princess anymore.

Naruto saw the changing expressions on Hinata's face. Sasuke's words ran over his mind.

Sasuke walked back after hugging Hinata, and Naruto stopped him momentarily.

"What did you say to her?" Naruto asked.

"I'm sorry."

Shocked Naruto's eyes widened.

"You said sorry to her?!"

"Yes, is it that legendary that you need to gape?"

He smirked, but Sasuke's face changed again.

"She is determined. And very forgiving. She even forgave someone like me. Don't you think she deserves to live without the burden of everyone treating her like she is handicapped?"

"Yeah, she does."

"Then stop protecting her. Stop standing in her way, or helping her. She can figure out how to get out of her situation, without you."

"Sasuke..." Anger rose in Naruto's throat. But he noticed Sasuke's expression. It was still, rain dripped down the side of his face, and strangely below his eyes.

"Are... you crying?" Without answering, Sasuke advanced forward, leaving Naruto to ponder his words.

Now, as he watched Hinata's determined expression, Sasuke's words took their real meaning.

And, that's pretty much it. Now, I missed a lot of people in the funeral, like Sai, Hanabi and Hiashi. But it had to be done. The chapter would have been too boring. Read and Review you guys! Also, a lot of people are out of character here, so my apologies for that!

~TheJollyHyuga