a/n: Oh, such a short chapter. Only 2000 words? The next chappie will be longer, although I can't say if it will be as interesting. This chapter gets pretty intense.

Enjoy. :)

disclaimer: My birth certificate does not say Masashi Kishimoto. Nor am I a man. Therefore, I do not own Naruto.

WARNING: Some pretty hardcore language and the lead-up to major angst. You have been warned. ;)

Ahnyongg
~Cel:D

BUTTERFLY WINGS
CHAPTER 8
~Sacrifice~

"Why the hell are you dragging me outside now? It's two in the fucking morning."

The head of the police fought away the sleep from his eyes as his pupils adjusted to the darkness.

"I found a clue. A note, sir."

The chief folded his arms tightly over his chest, glaring at his companion. The newly-appointed officer was young, in his early twenties, but eager and determined to contribute some glory to his already respected family. "That's why you dragged me out here? Because of a goddamn piece of paper?"

The officer shuddered slightly and ducked under the caution tape. "It's important, sir." He reached down and took hold of the tiny piece of paper, waving like a white flag, screaming defeat.

Intrigued, the chief snatched it out of his hand and studied it. "This…this doesn't prove that he's still alive. It could be a joke, a prank, for all we know."

"I've called for the CSI to come in to check it for fingerprints," the officer told him. "If there's a possibility that we can find out who tore this family apart, we should try, shouldn't we?"

"Haru, it's been ten years. I have no fucking idea why you are so insistent on solving this crime. Any clues that would've led us to the culprit are long gone." The chief sighed and kept analyzing the paper. "The only reason why I let you carry on with your tomfoolery was because your father was a great man and a good friend. You do realize that, right?"

"Of course, sir."

"Such a tragedy that he died. God bless his soul."

"And the girl?"

"She must be dead as well, slaughtered alongside her mother."

Haru frowned. "There's no evidence though. We never found her body."

"She might as well be dead," the chief told him. "No child can survive on the streets for ten years and still be sane or healthy or alive."

"Sir…"

"Save it, Haru. Just wait here until the CSI come. Then you can go home."

He paused before nodding. "Hai, Uchiha-san."

"When you return after all these years not everything will be as you remembered it."

~Unknown

Neji fidgeted in his place outside of Tenten's door, shifting from one foot to the other as he knocked once again. From inside, he could hear moving about sleepily, unaware that the night had changed into the morning. She was oblivious to the chaos and confusion that rippled across the Hyuuga household and sparing no one.

When finally Tenten opened the door and greeted him with a sleepy 'what is it?', Neji grabbed onto her wrist and gave her a serious look. Her brown eyes widened considerably at the somber expression on his face and the last bit of drowsiness ebbed away.

"I don't want you to question anything," he said in a low growl, handing her a jacket, one that looked to be his own and at least three sizes too big. "Put this on and follow me. Don't ask questions. Just do it."

Taking note of the graveness of his voice, Tenten pulled on the jacket over her nightgown and just had enough time to slip on a pair of flip-flops before Neji once again latched himself onto her wrist and dragged her into the hallway.

She was confused, disoriented, as he led her down the hallway and down a flight of stairs, bursting out into the courtyard. The clouds were dark gray and low in the sky, threatening to let down their heavenly tears at any moment.

Standing amidst the unfitting bright flowers were the Hyuugas, crying and sobbing and holding onto each other for support at this unknown tragedy. They clutched onto each other for support until they blended into strange four-legged, two-headed creatures with dark manes, white eyes, and waterfalls for cheeks.

Neji ushered her past everyone but she heard one child mutter, "Hanabi-chan is missing?" as she passed by. In his car, he was silent but radiated a feeling of apprehension strong enough to make Tenten nervous.

What had happened to Hanabi?

What was going to happen to her?

"Neji," Tenten whispered, keeping her eyes straight ahead and focused on the road.

"I'm not going to answer you." He wouldn't look at her either.

"Is she missing?"

He jerked the steering wheel harder than he needed to as he rounded the corner, throwing Tenten against the door. She hardly felt the pain and refocused her eyes on the trees rushing by outside. "Is she?" she repeated.

"Damn it," he cursed, making no effort to disguise the vulgarity. "Just shut the fuck up. I don't know shit."

"Ok."

She was smart enough to recognize the warning signs of Neji's anger.

This time, the receptionist did not stop them. Rather, she fell into step beside them and emptied out the crowded elevator with one intimidating look. She allowed them to go up themselves, going back to her desk to pray for a happy turnout.

Upstairs, in the Intensive Care Unit, doctors and nurses ran about uncoordinatedly, shouting things to each other that Tenten couldn't understand. They took no notice of their appearance and went about their hurried, urgent business as if Neji and Tenten were part of the scenery.

"Come on," Neji said rather gruffly, taking her upper arm in an iron grip and steering her around the careening hospital staff.

Hanabi's room was empty, the pristine white bed sheets pull taut and straight, neatly made. Hiashi and Hinata stood beside it, staring at something no one else could see.

Neji let go of Tenten's hand and rushed inside. "Where is she?" he demanded. "Where has she gone?"

"They are currently searching for her." Hiashi's voice was dead.

"How long has it been?" Neji asked.

"We got here five minutes ago," Hinata whispered. In light of the situation, she seemed to have lost her stutter. "They say that they discovered she was gone five minutes before that."

"Damned hospital," Hiashi growled. "They cannot even keep track of a little girl. Ridiculous."

Tenten did not know what to say as the little family stood there and breathed a sigh of relief when Sakura ran in and announced breathlessly, "We found her! She's on the roof!"

The Hyuugas were pulled out of their trance and quickly moved to follow the pink-haired intern up a flight of steps that seemed to go on forever. Upon finally reaching a door, Sakura fiddled with the keyhole and number pad. There was a click and the door swung open to reveal the flat, bland rooftop of the Konoha Hospital.

The clouds seemed even more ominous, taking on a darker hue of gray that was frighteningly apprehensive.

Right by the edge of the roof stood a solemn tiny figure, peering at the landscape below, her head cocked slightly to the side as if admiring a beautiful work of art. Her hair whipped her face as the winds swayed her back and forth, mirroring her thoughts. The loose blue hospital gown fluttered, revealing her pale skeletal body.

When she turned around, her white eyes were full of compassion and understanding and love. There was not a trace of uncertainty or fear. Though no words had been spoken, everyone present knew what she was going to do.

"Hanabi," Sakura started breathlessly, her voice shaking, "don't. Don't even think about it."

"Sakura…" The girl smiled peacefully and Sakura had to take a step back to compose herself. "Thank you for taking care of me, even when you knew I would die. Thank you for at least trying to make me believe I was going to live."

"You are going to live, Hanabi!" Hinata shrieked. "We'll make sure of it!"

The youngest Hyuuga once again flashed that calm smile but when she spoke, her words were directed at Neji. "You don't need to die for me now, Neji-nii-san."

Neji sharply drew in his breath.

"I realized that I'm more cut out for death than you are."

My heart, it's throbbing so hard. Don't die because of me. Don't throw your life away.

"I know I may be a brat sometimes but it never meant I didn't care about you."

Is this the right choice? What should I do? What can I do?

"So, Neji, I'm going to die for you." Hanabi shrugged shyly. "It's pretty heroic of me, isn't it?"

No, it's not. It's cowardly. It's all out of fear. Just walk away. Don't jump.

"I'm going to die so you don't have to. You're welcome."

No thanks. No thanks. No thanks. I don't want it. You don't want it either.

"I have to do it."

No, you don't! It's always responsibility, isn't it? It's always destiny, fate, the forces of the universe! Stand up for yourself and change that! It doesn't have to be like this!

"Father, sister, I love you. And Tenten, I know we would have been great friends."

Neji felt his heart stop as he watched Hanabi take a step into nothingness. She was held aloft by invisible strands, time slowing to a halt around them as she was suspended in midair like a heavenly figure gracing them all.

"Good-bye."

"Suspect each moment, for it is a thief, tiptoeing away with more than it brings."

~John Updike

"Neji, how old are you?"

The little boy looked up from his book and looked into his uncle's intense eyes. "I turn seven this year, Hiashi-sama."

Hiashi nodded slowly and bent over him. "Are you an obedient child?"

Seven-year-old Neji bobbed his head pleasantly, eager to please. "Yes, Hiashi-sama."

"Your brother has deserted us, too afraid to own up to responsibility and commitment."

Neji frowned as he tried to comprehend but ended up shaking his head. "I do not understand."

"It will be clear soon. You and I are going to visit Hanabi-chan." Hiashi walked out the door and into a limo and Neji struggled to follow.

"Why are we going to the hospital?" he asked as the building loomed nearer. "Is Hanabi-chan alright?"

"No."

That had scared Neji enough to make him mute and wide-eyed as they proceeded into the lobby and up the stairs and into Hanabi's room. The poor thing was barely three and she was already hooked up to various machines emitting high-pitched beeps.

Neji resisted the urge to cover his ears.

"Hanabi-chan is very sick, Neji," Hiashi told him gently.

"Will she get better?" he whispered back, watching Hanabi's weak breaths as she slept.

"It is difficult to tell," his uncle confessed. "However, there is a chance that you are able to save her."

"I must!" decided Neji at once, wrinkling his brow determinedly.

Hiashi smiled wryly. "What I am asking you is very serious. Would you be willing to help Hanabi recover?"

"Uncle, it is my duty, isn't it?" Neji blinked innocently at Hiashi, unaware of the consequences he would later be faced with. "To help the Main Family, it is the duty of a branch family."

"Your brother was too scared to carry through with this," Hiashi told him.

"That was wrong of him!" Neji exclaimed.

"If she lives, you will be praised greatly and remembered as a hero." Hiashi suddenly experienced a pang in his heart as he met Neji's hopeful gaze. It was despicable, really, how he had to sugarcoat the truth in order to beguile his nephew into cooperating. "But if she dies, you will have failed."

Neji gave his head a tiny shake. "No, she won't die!"

Hiashi nodded slowly, approvingly. "Let's make sure of it."

Tell me something that's sure to break my heart
'cause everything's my fault
And I know
I deserve to be alone
'cause everything's my fault

~Fenix Tx 'All My Fault'

Neji was motionless but felt Tenten stiffen next to him and avert her eyes as they all heard the sickening crack of Hanabi's body hitting the concrete. Then all was silent as the wind whistled by, swirling around the spot that Hanabi had been just a moment before.

a/n: Eh, pretty depressing. I feel as if I could have written this better. It's so short and choppy because I left off and picked up several times while writing it. The chapter should have been much longer but I wanted the chapter to end here.

I always knew Hanabi was going to die right from the start of the story. If she didnt, then Neji would have to die instead and I don't think I could bring myself to do that.

Anyway, an OC is slowly making his appearance. I've added some plot hints. Anyone think they can guess who Haru really is?

And I know you're all wondering 'What brother? Neji has a brother?' Well, yeah, in this story he does. But more about him later.

As I keep writing, I realize how the genres really aren't very accurate. This is more of a Romance/Hurt/Comfort/Angst/Mystery/Family/Friendship/Drama story. But 'Generel' isn't nearly enough to contain it all. So I'll change it to Romance/Drama because things are about to get pretty dramatic. ;)

Oh, and for those thoughts in between Hanabi's final words, they can be interpreted as either Neji's or Hanabi's thoughts. Maybe even both? At first, I made them revolve around Neji's but I threw in some ambiguity to sort of see which perspective you guys would take. Maybe tell me in a review whose perspective you assumed it was in? ;)

Sorry for the rambly author's note!

REVIEW. I won't update until I get at least six reviews for this chapter. Those of you on my Story's Alert, review or not more chapters. ;)

Ahnyongg
~Cel:D