A/N: Please review for me. If there are mistakes, sorry. I'll have the next chapter up soon. It will be some time before there is a wedding tween SasHin, sorry if anyone had their hopes that it would be soon.

Disclaimer: Don't own it

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Chapter Fourteen

With pack safely secured on her back, she stepped out into the courtyard and was immediately greeted by two guards. Both were Hyuuga and had been appointed by her father to keep an eye on her. She had known it would happen the moment she tried to leave. Hinata knew she couldn't even beg off with a lie, their eyes immediately went to the pack she was carrying. She was without a doubt using that large explosion as a distraction to sneak away.

"Lady Hinata, please return to your rooms or we'll be forced to escort you back inside. Going out this late is dangerous and you have orders not to leave the compound." For guards, both were ready to treat her like the intruder. Both were jonin level, two that would normally be at her father's side.

Hinata was saddened that it would come to this but she had no choice. The elders had pushed her to this point. She had returned, she hadn't remained at Sasuke's side like the prophecy had said, so why couldn't they just leave her be? Why did they have to try to control her actions by deciding her fate? "I'll ask you only one time to step aside or I'll be forced to make you move."

"You can try but we both know it isn't going to happen and your father said that extreme force is more than acceptable in this case. We'll ask one more time out of respect, go inside now."

"I'm sorry," Hinata really was saddened with what she had to do. The compound was starting to stir from the noise and within minutes others would be here to stop her. Only one was able to notice the change before she struck, her palm ensuring that they would not feel up to following her. It was a low blow but Ino was correct about it being able to bring down a man. Both hit their knees and fell forward, cupping their manhood. "The world has too many Hyuuga as is and you were warned."

She quickly fled the compound, ignoring the shouts of the guards that had spotted her departing form. They could follow but that wouldn't prevent her from fleeing. She had no idea how they were supposed to escape now but she was going to try. 'Where am I going?'

'Shit, we have been spotted! Take the route towards that dress shop I like. We will meet up at the park, trust me. That guard is seriously trying to maim me, this is going to get bad. Keep moving, I'm sending someone, he'll be there shortly to help you.'

He who? It couldn't be him. Hinata skirted around a couple that was trying to hurry home. So far most of the attention was on whatever Ino was doing but who was with her? The only person that came to mind was Sasuke, but why would he return? He wouldn't come back for her, she wasn't important to him. Then who would help Ino get her out? Doing so meant betraying the village and getting into trouble. "Ugh!"

Dodging at the last minute kept her kidney from being struck. A guard had managed to get around her, he was in her way. Only a bit further until she was at the park, she couldn't waste time, Ino would be waiting for her.

"You will be severely punished for your betra.. Ahhh!" The guard hit the ground in a flash of white, the large mass striking so hard the cry was cut short.

"Good boy, that'll teach him to threaten our friends." Kiba grinned seeing his partner do as instructed and sniff through the man's pocket, tearing cloth in the process. The coin purse was snatched and tossed in his direction. "Well, come on, the others are waiting for us and it is starting to get ugly. That old hag had people waiting to respond at the first sign of trying to get you or Ino out."

"Kiba, Akamaru," Hinata couldn't believe it, they were helping her. There was no time for explanations, he grabbed her hand, and she had no choice but to follow along. The park was up ahead and there was fighting, she could hear it. How much longer before the entire village was upon them? "What is going on?"

"We need to depart before the others are alerted, Shika has estimated another one point five minutes before all hell breaks loose. We will take off the moment we get there, they are ready." Kiba hoped that it played out that way or they were going to be in trouble. This was the only plan they had been able to come up with seeing as Hinata had been a prisoner in the compound. Breaking in would have put every Hyuuga on their ass so the only way for them to get her out was for her to sneak out, or try. A diversion had been needed to get half of the guards to the furthest point away from their escape route. "We're here."

"Oh," a masked Anbu flew past them on the right, courtesy of an enlarged hand. Hinata almost stopped seeing who was there fighting next to the blonde girl. Shikamaru, Choji, Karui, Kiba, and Sai were all here.

"Do it, Sai." Ino swore sensing the many chakra signatures rushing towards them from several directions. They would be swarmed soon, some kind of alarm had been sounded. While she might have had freedom to roam the village this last week, it seemed she wasn't going to be allowed to leave the village itself. "Before we are swarmed, then we will all be brought down."

"It is done," Sai tried not to hiss in pain from the wound he'd received already. With his remaining chakra all he had in him were two but they would be enough. The large birds appeared, he allowed the hands that were touching while he got onto their transport, four to each. "Don't fall, we won't be able to make a second pass to pick you up."

"Get us into the air, we'll handle the rest." Karui gave a nod to her fiancé who was on the other transport. They still weren't in the clear and they would try to stop them from making it to the outskirts.

"How long can you hold this?" Ino didn't want to push him with that wound. The birds were gaining altitude, but it wouldn't last if he passed out from blood loss. "Shika, I need to heal him, cover me."

"We got you covered," Shika just couldn't believe this was happening to him. This would definitely be that final straw Temari had mentioned to him. Their relationship was already rocky and on the verge of ending, this would severe it. He was helping his friends to flee the village and was about to become rogue.

"How do you expect us to stop all of those attacks? Shit, that is going to stop us for sure," Karui swore seeing the large barrage of explosive kunai being aimed at them. This elder had her panties in a twist, those weren't normal guards down there. Those were all elite Anbu members and they weren't playing to prevent them from leaving. It meant that she had been expecting some kind of attempt at leaving. The only thing they probably had on their side is that the number hadn't been known.

"Give me a second, Sai." Ino had to pause in healing to attempt what she wanted. It wouldn't be that good but whatever stopped those things from striking them. "Choji, grab onto this and use it as a shield."

A jagged piece of wood stabbed his thumb, but Choji extended his hand to catch the huge, yet hideously shaped, shield that was created for his use. A few of the kunai made it through before he could bring it around to halt the rest. He felt more than proud when his lovely intercepted the few that he had missed, destroying the weapons mid-air.

"We are about to clear the outskirts," Sai directed both, leaving the monument behind and the forest below. Within the hour, a group will have been formed to come after them. Where was she? Where? His stomach coiled the longer they flew and he saw no signal. The warmth continued to spread along his side as Ino tried to work on the gash.

"There, she's down there." Ino pointed towards the flashing light in the clearing below. That meant all of them had made it out alive. She didn't think Sai needed to exert any more chakra than necessary, "Land and I'll finish up this wound."

Who else was down there? Hinata wanted to ask but kept silent as the birds descended to the ground. She jumped off as it popped into nothing, landing beside Kiba. She wanted to know what all of them were doing there, but now wasn't the time to pry. They would have to move quickly to keep from getting caught. It wasn't just one but three people waiting on them. "Mrs. Inoichi, Tenten?"

"Of course, who were you expecting?" Mrs. Yamanaka thanked the weapon specialist for waiting with her. She walked over to her daughter that was tending to the artist's wounds. From the noise, they had been spotted. "How bad was it and how much time do you think you gained?"

"Hour at most, maybe a bit more depending if the Hokage gets involved." Shikamaru didn't want to waste too much time talking. There was much to be done and the more ground they covered the better. "Are you sure you want to do this? I know my mother wouldn't."

"Of course, this was something I promised to do a long time ago. Ino, I think she wishes to baby him for a few moments so we can speak." The older woman smiled seeing the artist turn pink at the suggestion.

"Oh, okay, he'll live." Ino stood to allow Tenten to mother the artist. She accepted the bag the boyfriend extended her way. The man was okay for someone from the Aburame clan, bugs and all. "Are you sure you are going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine, I want all of you to be extremely careful and don't get caught. If you need to, you must fight to remain free. Even if it is against former friends and allies, you do what you must. I've always been so proud of you both, you and Hinata. I will do my part and will be in contact in a few days." Mrs. Yamanaka gave both girls a quick hug, "When you find your boys again, tell them I said hello."

"They aren't ours," Ino snapped in irritation at the very nerve of suggesting that she would want someone like that. Without responding, her mother patted her cheek and departed. The two were heading in another direction, to take on a more active role in this entire sordid affair. "Alright, we should get a move on. Do you think you can walk, Sai?"

"We got him," Kiba gave the nod to Akamaru. Without being asked, the artist was scooped up from behind and deposited on his partner's back. "Don't sweat it, we need you to stock your chakra, we might need you for a fast get away."

"But Ino, what is everyone doing here?" Hinata wanted to know. She hadn't been expecting all these people to help her break out. Did they have any idea what they were doing? Didn't they realize that they could get into trouble? "What have you been doing?"

"Fulfilling my part of the prophecy," Ino grinned seeing the horrified expression. She'd explain it all later when they were safe. They needed to get a move on, before they were dragged home. "I'm building his kingdom of course."

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This was a horrible idea, they were screwed. Shikamaru had warned them of the outcome but it was done. There was no way in hell they were going to be able to outrun the group coming for them. There was simply too many of them and those following were trained for this type of work. They were being ran down, how much longer could they hold out? An entire day of running and they were going to have to make a stand or simply be too tired and give up when they were cornered. "Ino, this has become personal."

"I know, I know!" She was already aware of who was following and this was going to end so bad, so fucking bad. Naruto would have been preferred at this point but not that one. There was no way they were going to be able to hide from Kakashi's dogs. One was howling not far behind and all of them were getting tired. This wasn't a simple retrieval mission, and that was why Kakashi had come himself. Not just the Hokage, but Hinata's father was among them. Hiashi Hyuuga was with the group and this was so fucking bad.

"If we can't run, we fight." Karui saw no other alternative right now. She wasn't officially part of the Leaf yet but she had aided in their escape, her part would be reported to the Reikage. They wouldn't give her a light sentence either, she had heard of his reaction to this prophecy and she was aiding two possible people that it described. Her former home would not understand her reasons for doing it. She didn't care for Sasuke Uchiha, but her man wasn't going to abandon his teammate, and she wouldn't leave him. "We fight before we are too exhausted to have a winning chance."

"Let's do it," Kiba called a halt to Akamaru, ready to do this. If they could prevent this group from following they would gain the needed time to get away. They would fight, there was no going back for them.

"Wait, you two keep Sai safe, he still isn't ready to fight. Tenten can join us in battle, you keep him from being attacked." Shikamaru instructed the two. "They will gauge our ways of escape upon arrival. They will try to eliminate our quickest route and that is Sai. Don't let them get close. Ino, you know what to do, but be careful."

"Right," Ino knew her role better than anyone else. Which meant they may try to take her out quickly. They didn't have to wait long before hearing the group, and things were going from worse to fucked. How many were there? "Six in front, two coming from the west about ten minutes out, and three more about twenty minutes out to the east."

"Trying to flank us, we have to make this quick. Find an opponent and take them out." Shikamaru instructed catching the glimpse of the grey dog bounding into the clearing. Next came the Hokage, followed by the others. The Hyuuga leader, and four Anbu were with them. Six opponents but there was only five of them that should get into battle. Sai was out of it, Akamarua and Kiba were safeguarding him. Ino was their med-nin, so that left him, Tenten, Choji, Hinata, and Karui to do the fighting. "The two on the left."

"Wait," Kakashi held up his hand but it was too late. The trap had been sprung, but the other three halted at his words. Those two weren't going to be any use to them as long as the Nara was in control. His heart sank seeing the younger generation facing them, ready to fight. The hopes that this was a huge misunderstanding was slowly dying out. When the alarm had come in, he had said he would bring them back. It was most likely them breaking their friend out because she really didn't want to wed Naruto. The two had been having problems and to be forced into the marriage because you felt like you had no choice, it had to be tough. It was wrong for them to demand that she marry someone to prove her alliance when she had never given them a reason to doubt her. Her friends probably felt the same way and were acting out of concern and anger. "Please, let them go, Shikamaru."

"That would be really unwise of me, I'll have to decline." Shikamaru tightened his hold on the pair. That took care of his opponent and Ino's, he'd have to leave the rest to the others. This was no longer about a marriage, this was about doing what was right and standing up for themselves. This wasn't his fight but he had promised his sensei that he would look after his comrades. Even if it meant going against the Leaf, he was with Choji and Ino.

"Return now and your sentence will be light," Kakashi didn't want any more blood on his hands. If he allowed any of them to get hurt, the feelings it would cause in so many others. To have so many turn on them, it was disheartening. "Come back, I understand why you are doing this. It was wrong of the elders to demand that Hinata get married to prove her alliance. She has never given us a reason to doubt her and we have. Come back, I will smooth things over with the council and there will be no wedding."

"You're right, there will not be a wedding." Hinata decided it was time she spoke up for herself. The evening sun was bearing down on her back, causing sweat to trickle down her spine. Her palms were also sweating as she looked to the man that had raised her. "Nor will I be returning to the Leaf."

"Hinata, come home, you don't know what you are doing." Hiashi spoke up to try to convince her to return. This was foolish and would end in blood if they didn't start behaving. Running off wasn't the answer to all of this and it only concreted what that elders believed. "I will explain that I do not want you to wed the boy. We can make this work, just come home with me. You are my daughter, I will protect you."

"LIAR! I am not your daughter and we both know it. I… I won't stand here and say that you did not do your best by me but we both know who I really am. The council has every reason to doubt me and if you do not turn back, I will not hesitate to fight for my freedom." Hinata didn't want to fight him, she still loved him greatly, but she knew it went beyond that now. The council, the nations, they wouldn't allow her to exist. "Everyone, I'll take my father."

"Hinata!" Kakashi saw the situation take a turning point in that moment. Hinata would have made any father proud as she stepped forward and took her stance, she was fighting for what she believed it. Yet, there was nothing else he could do when the girl activated her Byakugan. Hiashi looked on the verge of crying when the others gasped at the obvious change in the girl's eyes. "Then it is true, you carry both, you're the one."

It was done, they knew. Hinata didn't feel any regret, nor did she falter when the man that had raised her took a step forward at the challenge. She would most likely lose this fight but she wouldn't back down. Fighting with her sharingan was something new and it would most likely hinder her skills. "I am sorry, Father."

"So am I," Hiashi didn't want to hurt her but there was no other way. They would take her back and remove that offending thing. She was better off without it and he had failed his wife. He had sworn he would never allow her to go down this path. The timid child he had loved as his own was still the granddaughter of Madara when all was said and done.

"Hinata!" Ino knew screaming would only distract the girl but panic had her crying out. The slapping palms was almost too fast for her to see what was happening. She couldn't tell if Hinata was holding her own or not. Choji was the next to react, going for one of the Anbu. That meant trouble, the man immediately split himself into three, forcing the redhead female to assist her boyfriend in battle. Tenten engaged the swordsman, and somehow that left her paired against the Hokage.

"I will not kill you, but you will be removed from battle." Kakashi dodged the shadow trying to restrain him. Having fought with the team a few times before, he knew what to expect. Shikamaru would try to keep him from getting anywhere close to the blonde. He didn't need his sharingan to take the girl out of the fight. Take out the med-nin, that was the surest way to win this battle. With her out, the others would soon follow.

What an asshole, Ino almost didn't get the wall up in time. The water jutsu slammed into the makeshift wall, sending the spray high into the air. It was horribly made and two spots had a hole but it had done the trick. Ack, the fucker was burning her wall down, that was so unfair. The others seemed to holding their own but she felt stupid when she tossed a kunai to have the clone pop. Arms went around her front and neck, placing her in a tight hold. Her own predicament wasn't her concern, they all heard Hinata's cry of pain.

"Cease this," Hiashi panted, feeling the toll it was taking on them both. She had surpassed what he had thought her capable of months ago but this wasn't his daughter fighting him. His left lung was bruised and several points were damaged from her attacks. It was frightening, what she had been able to manage in only three minutes of battle. That eye had to be a hindrance, for now. If she were allowed to fully learn it's use, he didn't want to think what she'd be capable of. This was the reason the council feared the prophecy, this was the reason he had to get rid of that eye. "I will remove any lingering traces of that man."

It hurt to move, several of her ribs were cracked, and her heart was beating erratically. He had managed to do some damage, Hinata knew she wouldn't be able to defeat him. Some of his movements were confusing, she couldn't block them all. She was too used to relying on her Byakugan to fight and with the Sharingan, it was becoming difficult to focus. Trying to stand properly hurt, and she saw his intent a second too late. The fingers rushed forward, aiming for her eye, the proof that she wasn't his.

"What?" Hiashi felt his hand stop and almost thought to blame it on the shadow-wielder. His eyes went to his wrist, where a hand suddenly tightened around the bone. The pain didn't come from his daughter, who had yet to move.

Kakashi blinked, almost missing the reason for Hiashi's shock. The man's intentions had been clear, he'd been about to remove Hinata's sharingan. The chidori crackled as the hand went into the man's shoulder, possibly rendering the arm useless. Where had the two come from? "Let her go or I die, right?"

"Precisely."

Ino moved feeling the slack, moving away from the Hokage's arms. She knew that voice and didn't need to question who had the man at knife point. Her gaze went to what was happening elsewhere hearing the Hyuuga elder scream in pain once more. Blood spewed from the second hole in the man's other shoulder, putting him out of the battle. "Hinata!"

"I'm okay," she was shaken and couldn't move. What were they doing here? How had they known? Hinata tried to smile feeling the warm touch of Ino's hands arriving on her abused middle. Her eyes were trained on the Uchiha that was waiting for the man to do anything else. "Please, please don't kill him."

"He'd be dead already if that was my intent." Sasuke had to fight against the urge to return the favor and remove the eyes that the man cared so much for. Had he been a second later, he would have had a reason to kill him. The fighting was coming to an end around them, but why were they fighting against Anbu? He saw that his brother had Kakashi under control for the moment but he didn't put it past the man to do something shortly. His gaze swept back to the two still crouching down near his feet. Ino removed her hands and gave a nod that it was done.

Hinata felt her heart stop when she looked up to meet that gaze. He was looking, searching for something from her. Why was her stomach doing flops? Without saying anything, a hand was held out for her to grab. Why did she get the feeling that he wasn't simply trying to help her up? He was offering his hand, did she want to take it?

That wasn't good. Kakashi sighed, forgetting his plan to break away from his capture. He didn't think he'd make it to attack Ino again, not with her so close to Sasuke. Whoever the man was behind him, he hadn't heard him or sensed his approach, so he was good. He hadn't known until he felt the kunai digging into his spine. The only other two that weren't injured were the two Shikamaru had held down. The others were on the verge of being defeated by the others and soon there could be casualties. With the arrival of Sasuke and another, things weren't in their favor. His stomach pitched seeing the girl reach out to take the hand being offered. His first thought was that Sasuke was offering assistance to the girl, but that wasn't it. The dark ponytail made a flapping noise because she was pulled so suddenly and right into his former pupil's chest. The arms went around the timid girl, in an unmistakable embrace. The dark eyes turned to him, the anger and hatred almost reminded him of the Sasuke he had fought at the bridge. "Sasuke, do you have any idea what you are doing?"

"I don't read porn but I'm sure I can manage to embrace a girl properly without assistance, thank you." Sasuke tightened his hold to get his point across, to all of them. He wanted his former sensei to return and inform the dobe and that council. "Let him go, I'm sure he is wise enough to realize that he cannot win this fight."

Kakashi called a halt to the others, more like his yelling got the others to stop beating the shit out of his team. How could he have known that following would mean facing determined shinobi? He hadn't counted on Sasuke arriving and he wasn't alone. The other two were released to assist those that were injured. He stepped away from the one that was behind him. "Why? Why did you show up, Sasuke? Why betray Naruto and Sakura once more?"

"You know why and I know about your meeting with the other Kage. As to why I am here now, I think that is obvious." Or did the Hokage think he went around rescuing random kunoichi? His purpose here was clear, he had come for Hinata. "Or did you think I'd allow the village to have her?"

"And Naruto?" Kakashi got why he wouldn't want the village to keep Hinata. Sasuke was still all about clan and Hinata was part clan. She was a great asset with her abilities and Sasuke sought strength. "You would disregard Naruto's feelings in this?"

"The villages would have me dead, don't claim otherwise. They would also seek to destroy those that are a potential threat to their foundation of lies and that includes both of them." Sasuke heard the man moving behind him but he was no longer a threat. "Why should I place his feelings above my own? Hinata has made her choice, he'll have to live with what that means."

"Owie! Sorry," Ino didn't mean to interrupt the entire 'I stole Naruto's girl' spill but taking a deep breath stung. Her throat was smarting from the grip he'd had on her. She frowned when the sun was blocked by a dunderhead. What did he want? "What do you want?"

He had come to make sure she was alright, trying to show concern. Itachi clipped his mouth, holding back the smart retort. They had after all parted on bad terms and regardless of their appearance, she was probably still angry. "I was hoping that saving your life would have earned me some gratitude."

Really? Ino rolled her eyes at that. He didn't want gratitude and they both knew it. But if he wanted to be like that, she could give him a bit of gratitude. She reached both palms up to capture the side of his face, noting that he didn't pull away or tell her to stop. He wasn't scared of her reaction, he was probably expecting a head butt. Ino stalled realizing how easy it would be to actually do it, to lean up and plant her mouth onto his. He'd have to settle for the nasty headbutt she had for him.

"You're too slow," Itachi grabbed her around the waist and lowered his face. It was just a rough, quick kiss on the mouth, nothing more. Her lips were soft and smooth, very warm considering who it was. That smirk said enough, he wasn't stupid and he didn't need a headache.

What? Ino immediately doubted that she had really felt the quick brush of lips across her own. A headbutt would have been less complicated and this didn't have the impact she had been going for. How could she relay that she was still pissed at him if he did shit like that?

"Idiot," Sasuke groaned when the girl's hands left his brother's face, obviously somehow hitting the back of the hood. Itachi's face became partially uncovered, enough that everyone got to see who had been hiding. Was hassling a kiss from the girl really necessary? He had saved Hinata from going blind but that didn't warrant himself anything.

"Itachi," Kakashi felt the world spin when the dead shinobi turned at his name. It wasn't possible, it couldn't be the brother. Was it some kind of reanimation jutsu? "You'd go so far, Sasuke? Have you turned so wrong that you would demean your own brother by forcing his soul to remain inside an empty shell? And for what?"

"The fact that you would suggest that he would proves you know nothing of my brother." Itachi grabbed the girl by the hand and nodded to the Nara to indicate they were all to come to them. They would need to depart before the reinforcements arrived. Fighting more was pointless and they had who they came for.

"Hinata, don't do this." Hiashi tried to make eye contact with his daughter. This wasn't the way and if she left, she was beyond his help. "Is he worth it? Are you going to give up your home, your family, and your life to be with a traitor?"

Was she? Hinata lifted her gaze to look at the man everyone would soon know as a traitor. Sasuke was about to become the biggest threat the five nations had ever been forced to deal with. Was she willing to give it all up to be at his side? To help him with his goals, whatever they might turn out to be? He too seemed to be waiting for an answer, the dark eyes searching her own. "Yes, I am."

"Return to the Leaf, tell your elders and the other Kage what you have learned." Sasuke smiled at the announcement, she had left them all stunned. Those three words said plenty, Hinata had just chosen.

"And what should I tell them exactly?" Kakashi didn't want to be the one to tell them. He didn't want to be the one to return and tell Naruto what he had just seen. It was all coming together, the prophecy had begun.

"That it has begun, their attempts at getting rid of the Uchiha will be their downfall." Sasuke nodded to his brother once the others were close enough to be in range of the jutsu. "You can also tell the dobe that he need not worry, I will cherish MY bride."

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Okay, I'd just like to say that if you don't know who Choji is with, please look it up. In case you haven't finished the manga or know the end (even if parts of it sucked) I do like that ending couple because I thought she was hilarious.

On the subject of the fight scene, I don't think Ino could take out Kakashi, not in a physical fight, despite his sharingan being gone. However, Kakashi couldn't beat Itachi before when he did still have it and Itachi had been seriously ill the times they fought before. Sorry, Kakashi in reality couldn't take him, and without his own sharingan, not even close. I'm not discounting that Kakashi is good, that is why Ino can't take him and why the others would have had an issue with him. I adore Kakashi but Itachi is better. For Hinata's fight, it wasn't meant to last that long even if those three or so minutes was intense. She has yet to train with both so it would still be a hindrance, since she hasn't learned to balance the use of both. She wouldn't be able to defeat her father and I don't think he'd try to kill her. But Hiashi wouldn't be able to take Sasuke.

And before I forget, yes, Ino really meant to headbutt him, not kiss him. I don't think he'd let her, he'd do the unexpected instead and there was no tongue, so it really wasn't a real kiss, not what ItaIno fans are waiting for.

Next chapter: A little talk and the news is given. Please review for me.