Well... uhm... hi? So I know that you all probably want to kill me right about now, and I totally do not blame you in the slightest. I haven't updated since... sheesh, since July. That's absolutely horrible. I'm so sorry. Yes, I honestly do have my reasons, not the smallest of which was I had a butt-load of final exams coupled with hours upon hours of crippling study time all to lead up to my finishing school. And the moment I finished school I started looking for jobs and looking at various other ways I could go to make my way in the world. And then there's the whole thing where I got a boyfriend, and he's absolutely awesome. And then all of my Microsoft programs crashed. They're still not working, actually. This whole chapter was written on Wordpad, so forgive the probable multitude of errors, I hate writing with technology. I lose all ability to spell and use proper grammar. So yeah, I've been a busy little bee.

But can I say a sincere thank you to the absolutely incredible people who stuck the wait out. I know it took way longer than any of us expected and I'm so sorry for that. I'll do my absolute best to not let that happen again. Thank you so much to:

Wings of Silver Wishes
Guest - Haha, no, the intensity is only just starting. There's going to be a huge amount of things happening in these last few chapters, so hold on! Thank you, I was quite proud of that scene, as macabre as it was. I always figured that Sasuke would be the kind of person who would prove with actions, not words, how he felt for someone. Hence he's riding out to her. Hmm, well you'll have to keep thinking on that, I guarantee that they've already made appearances in the story! Thank you so much for your review :)
SkeleTonQueenN06
Lilac Queen
Amy - Thank you so much, I'm sorry for the wait, but I'm updating now :)
andy-chan24
rev0lutionary
RinDey
Moonwaterpetal
my-threesome
Guest - Oh wow, thank you so much! I never intend to stop writing, and thank you so very much :)
LostMyPieces
ChibiVampireQueen
Dah Hot Guy - Haha, thank you. Neji is a tragic one, but he's a good guy. He'll get his happy ending :)
Caelum-of-Love
Spatulaxoxo
drekkitude
Bulla Tulla
xStarryyAngellx
river of the sand
nilitee - Yes, they most definitely are, especially in this chapter, I can assure you!
Alipiaoca
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tahrocs
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Suzaku - Haha, I'm glad that you enjoy it enough to be hooked :)
Guest - Yeah, he is... Irony: he got both! Haha.
Anna - Yeah, she did, unfortunately. But it was all for the story's sake. Don't worry, she doesn't and of course it is!
Sariko-chan723

You guys are just... wow, you're so amazing. I really hope that this chapter makes up for the incredibly long wait, though it probably doesn't. But at any rate, there's a lot of revelations in this chapter. A lot of things will be exposed, more stuff on Hizashi and the part he had to play. I hope you enjoy it :)

Dedication: really? You guys, of course! I couldn't dedicate it to anyone else!

.:{*}:.

Chapter 19:
Confession

.:{*}:.

Sakura POV

It felt like I could not move my legs fast enough, even though I didn't know why I was running. Maybe because of some pathetic belief that he could possibly have ridden all the way to Konoha because of some wild, impossible epiphany where he actually held feelings for me. I doubted that, yet I couldn't help but run to him like some naïve, ignorant puppy.

Neji and Hinata ran behind me at a slower pace, probably trying to keep their dignity. That was only natural though, and I didn't begrudge them that. Who cared if some mere serving girl had no dignity? No one. But if Hinata were to be seen in any state less than regal if would cause a lot of unnecessary and annoying talk.

I saw the prison ahead and began to slow down, realising with a twinge of humiliation that I would need Neji to get me through, and not a minute later the two Hyuuga's had caught up to me, Neji breathing a little heavier than usual and Hinata completely out of breath and red in the face. I knew that I couldn't have looked much better.

"I didn't know you could run so fast, Sakura-chan," Hinata huffed, wincing with what I could assume was a stitch in her side.

"Forgive me for running like I did, Hinata-sama," I apologised. "I don't know what came over me."

Neji narrowed his eyes at me, and I quickly averted my gaze. "Neji-san, may I receive permission to see the two captives? I believe I know who they are."

I could see the emotions play across his usually so calm façade, before he nodded and accompanied me inside the prison.

.:{*}:.

Normal POV

The first thing Sakura was aware of was how silent the prison was. Not a sound was made; not by the guards, not by the prisoners. It was unnerving, she felt, and she stayed close beside Neji as he led her deeper and deeper into the depths of the block. It was nothing like the Oto prison, Sakura mused, as fuzzy and disjointed memories of the place pricked at her memory. That place, she recalled, felt, smelt and sounded like death was clinging to every crevice. Here there was an overbearing sense of order and authority, and though she knew that she was probably surrounded by some of Konoha's worst criminals, she felt incredibly safe.

"We've put them up the back of the prison, they're being questioned now in different cells," said Neji, and Sakura could detect a very small layer of bitterness underlying his tone. A small stone of guilt once again settled in the pit of her stomach at that, and she lowered her head slightly in shame.

"Alright," she said softly.

He led her through a number of twisting passages and straight corridors, before he stopped outside a thick wooden door, two spluttering candles adorning the cement walls on each side.

"They're being held in cells through here. Come, walk behind me, I will lead you to them."

Sakura nodded and stood back as Neji pushed open the heavy door, the popping veins in his arms belying the effort the act took him, before he entered the slightly darker passageway, looking back over his shoulder to be sure that both Sakura and Hinata were following him.

A number of doors stood side by side along the corridor, a few windows breaking the stone periodically allowing the two girls to peer inside at the empty, dark rooms.

"Have they been tortured?" Sakura whispered, almost too afraid to ask the question yet unable to help herself.

"No," Neji said gruffly, and Sakura let out a silent sigh of relief. "Not yet, anyway," he added, almost as an afterthought, and the roseate felt a shiver caress her spine. "We're almost there. You will be able to see them but they can't see you. The giant is on the left side and the other one is in the cell on the right. If you can identify them it will be incredibly helpful, Sakura." Neji turned to look at her, his opalescent eyes boring deep into her soul, making the pit of guilt in her stomach increase, though there was no accusation there.

"Oh course," she said, her heart fluttering with nerves as she counted down the steps to their cells.

The cell on the left was visible first, and inside Sakura could see a giant of a man with orange hair and kind brown eyes.

"Juugo," she muttered on the tip of her tongue as the reality soaked through her. Feeling Neji's eyes on her, she cleared her throat and said louder, "His name is Juugo. He acted as my guard a few times, and a kinder soul you would be pressed to find. Please let him go; whatever reason he has to be here, I can promise you that it isn't to cause chaos."

"Whether his intentions are peaceful or malicious, I will not let him go, Sakura. He is from Otogakure, yes?"

Sakura nodded her head.

"Then he will be privy to possible valuable information. I cannot let that escape my grasp. Konoha's safety could be at stake. I will not risk it."

"Of course," Sakura conceded. "Just promise that you won't hurt him. He never did anything to hurt me, he only ever tried to protect me, I'd be horrified to know that the same courtesy was never given to him."

"If he talks then your promise will be kept," Neji hedged.

"And if he doesn't?"

Neji looked back at where Juugo was half slumped against the walls, hands restrained in iron cuffs. "That is why I will make no such promise."

Sakura closed her eyes and nodded in reluctant agreement. "I understand. You spoke of a second man. May I see him?"

Neji nodded and led the two girls to a window a few paces away. "He is in here," he said, as he nodded at a hunched man sitting on the stone floor.

Sakura's heart missed a beat as her eyes took in the pale skin, the dark, spiked hair and the proud shoulders. She watched as he raised his head, as if he could sense her stare, and her gaze fell straight into the dark cesspool of his black eyes.

"Neji," she said, fighting to keep her voice steady, "I beg you, please let me go in there and see him."

She felt Neji's eyes bore holes of curiosity into her skin. "Who is he?"

Sakura let out a short breath, her eyes not leaving Sasuke's. "He is prince Uchiha Sasuke of Otogakure. And I beg of you, please let me see him. Even if you never do anything else for me, please grant me this one favour. Please."

Neji didn't look at her, nor did he say a word. Sakura knew that she was asking the impossible of him, but she had to try. Her fingers were itching to hold him, feel his hair caress her palms. She didn't realise just how much she'd missed him until that moment.

"Please Neji," she whispered as she turned to face the Hyuuga. "I'll do anything.

She watched as his eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and his shoulders became tighter. She could see a great internal debate raging inside of him as he argued with himself over whether he should acquiesce or not.

"You have five minutes," he eventually said slowly. "If it looks like he will try to endanger you or try to get any form of information from you, I am taking you out immediately, understand? You are to remove all types of clips, sharp objects or anything that could be utilised to unlock his restraints, any ribbons or pieces of material that he could use to choke himself with, small objects he may swallow to choke himself with, any jewellery must be removed and shoes must be left outside, understood?"

Sakura nodded and immediately removed her belt, took the pins out of her hair and removed the necklace from around her neck, before leaving them on the floor, by the door along with her shoes.

"Are you sure that that's everything?" Neji questioned, eyes roaming her clothing and hair professionally, and Sakura nodded.

"He wouldn't try to hurt me, I promise you that."

Neji narrowed his eyes at her, before he nodded his approval and unlocked the door. Sakura took a deep breath before entering the room.

.:{*}:.

Sasuke raised his head as he heard the thick iron door unbolt. He could have sworn he felt people staring from the other side of the mirror, even though he couldn't see anything, and the loud click only confirmed his suspicions. He wondered what they would try this time; whether they had figured out who he was yet, and if they had, whether they were going to kill him. Strangely he wasn't frightened by that idea. He'd even go peacefully if he knew that Sakura was safe and sound.

The door began to open and he turned his head aside, waiting for loud footsteps to echo through the room, but instead heard only soft, careful ones.

"Sasuke?" a familiar voice said and, disbelieving, Sasuke turned to look at the girl who had entered the room.

Sakura.

She was alive. Not only that, but she was standing right in front of him, looking at him, the quivering of her body belying both her apprehension and her excitement.

"So you're alive," Sasuke stated, his tone colourless, though emotions were starting to rise up in his belly.

"Yes, I'm alive," Sakura replied, her feet shifting in indecision. "I only have five minutes, so I need to ask you, why are you here?"

Sasuke chuckled, the sound reverberating in his throat. Something about the sound seemed off; it wasn't a humoured sound, far darker, as if she couldn't even begin to imagine his reasoning.

"Otogakure is under attack from the inside. We don't know who from, though."

Sakura was silent for a moment, before she replied with a stupid, "Oh." Another pause, before she continued, "But why are you here? It can't be to ask Konoha for aid, surely. We're your enemy. Surely Suna or somewhere else could..." She drifted off, unsure of how to continue.

"Asking for aid is not why I'm here." His voice was blunt, emotionless, as it had always been.

"Then why are you here?" Sakura insisted.

Sasuke eyed her carefully, staying silent, then facing the door as it opened slightly.

"You have two more minutes, Sakura," Neji's voice said, and Sakura nodded at the mirror, knowing that both Neji and Hinata could see her.

"Why did you come in here, Sakura?" Sasuke queried, his attention back on the roseate as the door closed.

"I wanted to see you," she answered truthfully, looking at her hands as they twisted in front of her. "I've missed you," she admitted softly after a short silence.

"Why did you run away?"

"When did you start asking so many questions?" Sakura retorted, growing slightly impatient with herself. She sighed. "Don't you understand? I didn't belong in Otogakure. I wanted to come home." Another pause as she looked carefully at him. "Did you read my letter and the other one?"

Sasuke nodded his head.

"Well?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Come here."

Sakura's fists curled into balls as her temper started to get the better of her. "Stop changing the topic!"

"Come here, Sakura," Sasuke repeated.

Like a puppet on a string Sakura slowly began to move forward. She was apprehensive, unsure of what to do or say. After only a month he felt like a stranger to her, yet her heart was begging for her to throw her arms around him and never let him go again. A part of her was telling her to run and the other part was telling her to kiss him senseless.

"Why are you here, Sasuke?" she asked again once she was standing in front of him.

"Come closer and I'll tell you," he said quietly, and Sakura lowered herself to her knees in response.

"Whoever is attacking Konoha made a threat against you," he whispered, so softly that the roseate had to lean right next to him to hear. "I came to make sure that they hadn't followed through with that threat."

Sakura felt her cheeks grow pink with his confession.

"Getting caught wasn't part of the plan, but it's led me to you, so even if I die here I'll know you're safe."

Sakura giggled as she felt him shift uncomfortably.

"Who would have thought," she whispered, "that the stone-cold Uchiha Sasuke could actually feel something. Who are you and what have you done with him? The Sasuke I know would never admit such things. Not in so many words, especially."

Sasuke smirked. "Shut up, Sakura. You're annoying."

Sakura smiled again and gently pushed the hair from his eyes. "That's much better," she said, amusement underlying her voice.

The door opened again, and Neji's voice issued from the darkness beyond. "Time's up, Sakura. Come out now."

"Yes, Neji," she called back, before turning to face Sasuke one last time. "I'll get you out of here, I promise," she whispered, and pecked him softly on the lips, before she stood and turned towards the door, only allowing herself to look at him again once she was behind the window.

.:{*}:.

The three didn't speak until they were back outside, sunlight shining down on their backs and the sounds from the distant market wafting on the slight breeze.

"So that's Uchiha Sasuke," Neji finally said stiffly when the silence had become unbearable.

"Yes," Sakura replied tersely, and followed the Hyuuga's as the walked back to the Compound.

"Why are they in Konoha? I know he replied once you got close enough for him to whisper."

Sakura was silent for a moment as she tried to figure out an answer, before deciding on the truth. Neji would spot her lying in an instant anyway.

"Otogakure is in danger and a threat was made against me, so he came to see if I was alright."

Neji was silent as he processed the information. "Otogakure is in danger," he reiterated, "and the prince came into enemy territory to see if a serving girl who had shared his bed is alright."

Sakura winced.

"That sounds very reckless," Neji continued.

"Don't ask me to make sense of it, Neji-kun. I've never been able to understand him. He's a complete enigma."

They were silent again as they continued walking, watching the sky begin to darken as sunset sunk coloured fingers into the azure blue sky. The Hyuuga Compound eventually came in sight, and the three entered the front grounds, Sakura and Hinata making to go to Hinata's private suite until Neji grabbed a hold of Sakura's arm, preventing her from moving forward.

"Neji, what are you doing?" Sakura exclaimed in surprise, yanking her arm in a futile attempt to ward him off.

"I need to speak to you. Alone," he said, looking at Hinata pointedly.

"Surely it can wait, Neji. I have to help Hinata-chan prepare for -"

"No, you will come with me now."

Sakura shot an imploring look at Hinata, but was only just in time to catch Hinata turning around and walking back to her chambers.

"I can prepare myself, Sakura-chan. Just try to be back in an hour or so, alright?"

Sakura let out a quick breath of air, annoyed, before relenting to Neji's grip.

"What did you need, Neji-san?" she asked.

"Walk with me," he hedged, and led her towards the gardens. "There is something I need to question you on. Urgently."

Sakura's head was buzzing with questions. What could he possibly want? Probably something to do with Sasuke, Sakura thought. Some information on him maybe, or maybe more insight as to why he would be in Konoha.

As soon as they reached the heart of the garden, Neji stopped and turned to face the roseate, a hard look in his eyes.

"Sakura," he said, "I've been thinking about what you told me... about my father."

Sakura blanched, completely caught off guard.

"What about him?"

Neji hesitated, before continuing. "What you said doesn't make sense. That he died in Otogakure. That he made an attempt on the youngest Uchiha's life. That he is the reason that this war started. It makes no sense My father never went to Otogakure. He went missing in Sunagakure and we never heard from him after that. Why would he suddenly have turned up in Otogakure when he went missing in Suna?"

Sakura was speechless for a moment. She had questioned the notion when Sasuke first told her of Hizashi's crime, but hadn't revisited the idea since then. Neji's sudden questioning of his father's fate only served to confuse her more. Why was Hizashi in Otogakure when he had gone missing in Sunagakure?

"Is there anyone we can ask in regards to it, Neji-kun?" Sakura questioned, curiosity flaring up like a beast inside of her.

"The last person to hear from him was Hiashi. If we question Hiashi then maybe he'll have some information on it all."

Sakura nodded her head. "Then let's go."

The walk to Hiashi's office was deadly silent, neither of the two deigning to break it. Sakura wondered if the same questions that were permeating her mind were also attacking Neji's. What had happened to Hizashi? Had he really disappeared, or was something else being planned in secret? She felt she could spend the rest of her life questioning and still come up blank.

They finally made it to Hiashi's door, and with a nod from Neji, the guards parted to let them enter the room.

"Hiashi-sama," Neji greeted, bowing before him while Sakura curtsied.

"Neji," Hiashi acknowledged, raising his head slightly from his papers to see his nephew. "Who is this?"

"This is Sakura, Hinata-sama's serving girl."

Hiashi nodded his head in understanding. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Neji?"

"Uncle," Neji began, "I have recently acquired knowledge regarding my father's disappearance, however it does not match up with previous pieces of information I have received. As the last person who conversed with him, I was hoping that you might be able to shed some insight on the matter."

Hiashi had stopped writing by this point, though he wouldn't take his eyes off the paper. "And what information would this be?"

Neji took a breath before answering. "That he was in Otogakure at the time of his death, even though he went missing in Sunagakure, and that he may have been responsible for the death of Uchiha Yue, the youngest child and only daughter of the Uchiha royal family, which is why war was waged against us in the first place."

Hiashi was silent as the news sank in, before he let out a shaky breath and asked, "Where did you recieve this information?"

Neji indicated towards Sakura. "Sakura was a prisoner of Otogakure for nine months. While there it was made known to her why the war was started and the part my father possibly had to play in it."

Hiashi pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and his forefinger. "And you believe her? A serving girl? She was in Otogakure for nine months. Can you guarantee that her allegiance hasn't changed? How did she escape when she was imprisoned?" His voice rose with every word until it was an angry growl, and Sakura was shocked that he would accuse her of such things.

"Sir, I assure you, what I say is the truth. Hizashi -"

"Enough!" Hiashi silenced her and beat his fist on the table in emphasis. "I will hear no more. Neji, you are a fool to believe and question such things. Why would you?"

"Uncle, I trust Sakura's judgement; I do not believe that she would lie to us. She escaped with the help of Naruto, a friend whom I had sent in to Otogakure to rescue her. It isn't like you to get so worked up, what is wrong?"

"Only your infuriating questions, Neji," Hiashi hissed.

"It is unnatural for someone to question how and when their father died when they recieve news that would indicate something else from what they have been led to believe?" Neji retorted, and Sakura watched the exchange with wide eyes.

"Now, yes. Because to question that is to question my word, and to do that is to call me a liar. Are you calling me a liar, Hyuuga Neji?"

Neji took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes at Hiashi. "Of course not, Uncle. I know when someone is lying to me and when someone is telling me the truth. I don't believe that you are lying to me. However, I do think that you are hiding something from me, and I wish to know what that is."

"There is nothing," Hiashi snapped.

"Now that's a lie, uncle," Neji accused, and Hiashi stood up.

"It is none of your business, Neji!"

"If it has to do with my father then it is every part my business! I have a right to know how and why he died, and if you won't tell me then I will get a warrant to search every inch of your files and find out what happened."

Hiashi's mouth closed instantly, his anger appearing to have evaporated as he gazed upon the fuming form of Neji. He sat down slowly and took a deep calming breath, holding the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger again as a look of concentration came over his face.

"I never meant for your father to die, Neji," Hiashi eventually said softly. "He was my twin brother, that is not a bond that is easily lost." He looked at the two still figures of Neji and Sakura before he indicated to the two chairs in front of his desk. "Sit down, it's a long story to tell."

Sakura and Neji hesitatingly moved towards the two wooden chairs and carefully took their seats, not taking their eyes off Hiashi for a moment.

"You know why your father went to Sunagakure in the first place, I assume?" Hiashi asked Neji, and he nodded.

"Of course. It was to figure out a peace plan between our countries. But he disappeared two years after going there, before a peaceful solution could be reached."

Hiashi nodded. "Yes. Hizashi went to Sunagakure, in the hopes of making a peace plan between our two countries. Our relationship with Suna has always been precarious, and a peace plan would secure an ally, trade and safe trade routes, amongst many other things. We were also looking into marriage, hopefully between one of Sunagakure's sons and Hinata, however, an opportunity came up, one which I forbade Hizashi speak of, as the notion of it was even more dangerous than our peace plan with Suna."

Unwittingly, Neji and Sakura leaned closer in their seats.

"In Hizashi's second year at Suna, he befriended a very powerful politician. A man who had strong ties to Otogakure. Our relationship has always been on the rocks, so to speak, with Otogakure, which is dangerous as they are right at our border, and they are powerful. If this man could get us to make an ally of Otogakure as well as Sunagakure, then we would enter a time of peace and stability."

"What was his name?" Sakura interjected, before flushing in humiliation and lowering her head. "Forgive me, Hyuuga-sama, for speaking out of term."

Hiashi eyed her for a moment, before answering her. "His name was Inoichi Yamanaka."

Sakura felt her heart skip a beat. That was Ino's father!

"Inoichi had a plan. A far-fetched plan, but one that would be brilliant were it to come to fruition. Through marriage, our three kingdoms could become united. The world would be pressed to find a more powerful group. The plan was that his daughter, Ino Yamanaka, would marry the younger son of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke Uchiha. My daughter, Hinata, would marry Itachi Uchiha, and you, Neji, would marry the daughter of Sunagakure's King, Temari."

Neji was visibly shaking with rage. "You dare try and make my future without informing me of it? You dare have me believe that my father has gone missing, when he was alive and well, and then plan my future without giving me any idea of what was happening? How dare you. You had no right to do such things!"

Hiashi lowered his head in shame. "It was a very delicate situation, Neji. The fewer people who knew about it, the better. The plan was an idea. Nothing official was ever made, and if it was then you would have known immediately. Hizashi died before anything could be made concrete."

Sakura, however, was barely paying attention to the outburst. A memory was tugging at her, something she had read a long time ago but seemed infinitesimally important that she remember it. A conversation someone else had overheard. And like a light switching on she remembered the words she'd read all those months ago.

I overheard a strange conversation today. Well, I only heard parts of it. It was between one of the maids, and someone whom I've never met. She seemed to be passing on a message. I merely heard it in passing, but the words 'Konohagakure', 'Otogakure', 'Hyuuga', 'Uchiha', and 'Alliance', are all I remember hearing. I am curious as to what is being planned, and I think I shall speak to Itachi about it tomorrow.

"Hyuuga-sama," Sakura said quietly and raised her eyes to meet his. "Who was it that Hizashi-sama was introduced to in Otogakure?"

Hiashi sighed before answering. "It was a strange, evil sounding name. I had bad feelings the moment I read it on your father's letter to me, but if he could get us this alliance then it would have been worth it. His name was Orochimaru. He was very influential in the Uchiha household, apparently, and he had an extremely powerful friend whom he was liaising with."

Sakura could barely pay attention to what anyone was saying. Small epiphanies were sounding inside her head, like puzzle pieces that were beginning to fall into place, yet there weren't quite enough to see the full picture. She felt as if she was about to go insane trying to figure it all out. It was almost too much to handle at any given stage.

"In June of that year I stopped hearing from him. There were no more letters and I never heard from him again. Shortly after that, Otogakure began their war on us, and I believed that he had been caught, and that Otogakure was waging war on us, believing that we were using spies to infiltrate their court. It was the only explanation I could think of, and so I decided to never tell you, Neji. To know that your father was potentially responsible for this war was, I felt, a horrid burden to place on your shoulders. It was better you believing that your father had gone missing in Sunagakure than believe the latter."

Neji nodded his head. "I understand why you did it, but not telling me is something I will find hard to forgive."

"I don't expect you to forgive me," Hiashi said.

"What I don't understand, though," Neji continued as he raised his head to look at his uncle, "Is why my father would have killed Uchiha Yue. She posed no threat to him. She was just a girl. And surely he would have known that killing such an important person would have had incredibly dire consequences. My father was a peaceful man. It just doesn't make sense. It's not something he would have done, I'm sure of it."

Sakura released a shaky breath as she recalled Yue having said: I am curious as to what is being planned, and I think I shall speak to Itachi about it tomorrow.

"Neji-san, he may have had an incentive," she murmured, refusing to meet his eye. "While I was in Otogakure I managed to obtain Uchiha Yue's diary for a period of time. In it I think she mentioned overhearing your father talking with one of the maids about the alliance, and said that she would ask Itachi about it the following day. If your father had heard about that then he may have felt that the plan would have been in danger. I doubt he would have meant to kill her -" she quickly assured him as Neji looked liable to explode in his father's defence "- maybe he just wanted to talk her out of it. But if she saw him and thought he was an enemy and attacked, he may have accidently killed her. Maybe she had also inflicted a mortal blow on him. They said that Yue's body held no physical bruises or blows, which is common of the Hyuuga fighting style, and that Hizashi-sama's body held marks typical of the Uchiha fighting style. Maybe their deaths were an accident. It would explain a lot."

"The girl has a point," Hiashi agreed, and Sakura slumped slightly in her seat in relief that her suggestion had been considered. "Hizashi would have never purposely done anything to compromise Konoha's safety, however, if the girl were to have given away our plans before we could cement them then it would have endangered all of Konoha anyway. He may have just gone to speak to her, then been attacked."

Neji looked thoughtful for a moment, before agreeing. "It's the only logical explanation we have." There was silence for a moment as everyone processed the new information, before Neji broke it. "Is that everything? Is that my father's complete story? Or is there anything else I ought to know?"

"I believe that that is everything," Hiashi affirmed. "Your father was in Suna for two years before he went to Otogakure to work out a peace treaty between the three nations. He was killed soon after."

Neji was silent as he thought it all over, looking for other things he might question and finding none. "Thank you, uncle. I will rest easier knowing my father's fate."

And with that, he and Sakura stood, bowed, and left the room.

.:{*}:.

They walked side by side in complete silence, neither knowing what to say in light of the revelations that had just been made. The silence seemed to help, Sakura mused as she snuck a look at Neji. She wanted to comfort him, but didn't know how. Her nine months in captivity had made strangers of them both. Deep down she felt that she would always love him, but it was more a love born out of respect. She respected him, as he respected her.

"I'm sorry about your father," Sakura eventually managed to say. "He was a good man."

Neji nodded slowly. "I know he was. He died trying to make our world more peaceful. Though he ultimately failed, it doesn't mean he didn't try. That's how I'll remember him."

Sakura smiled softly as she and Neji walked back to Hinata's rooms.

"Neji?" she asked, and he looked at her. "May I see Sasuke again tomorrow?"

He was silent for a moment. "I will make no such promise. Good night, Sakura."

She smiled sadly at him. "I understand. Good night, Neji-san," she said as she entered Hinata's apartment, leaving him standing outside as the last few rays of sunlight slipped below the horizon.

So what did you all think of that? I can proudly say that no one even made any attempts to guess the entire part Hizashi had to play, and it was a surprisingly big one, wasn't it? Two awesome people have guessed who the main antagonist is, so yes, he's definitely already been in the story. Actually, if anyone has any guesses about anything then send me a PM, I love reading your thoughts.

So I know that I really don't deserve reviews after making you guys wait so long, but if you do leave one then I will love you forever. Even though I was unable to write a lot of the time, your support gave me the confidence to do so many other things, like get through my HSC without a meltdown and completely plan out, in detail, the rest of the story. So pretty, pretty please leave me a review. For what it's worth, I would have given up on this story a very long time ago if it wasn't for those written pieces of gold.

So much love for you all, SapphireRivulet xoxoxoxoxox