With Lee…

He rode rapidly on the back of his powerful horse towards his home. The hooves sped against the ground as he forced his steed to pick up the pace even more. He needed to get to his estate and quickly before Neji got wind of what he'd been up to.

Soon the sight of his beautiful home came into his view and before he knew it he was upon the gates to his glorious mansion. He dismounted and ran inside. Searching high and low for two specific people, he found them in a matter of minutes and got started with what he came here to do.

"Mother." Lee went to his adoptive, elderly mother's side as soon as she came into his sights. "I need you and Tenten's mother to pack your things and get ready for a trip. Bring only the items you'll need and prepare to leave Higure." He was as calm as he could be so he wouldn't alert her to the trouble brewing outside of their home.

"Why dearest?" She asked in her aged, motherly voice. Although Lee's mother was old, her mind was still as sharp as a sword and would not be so easily fooled by her son's appearance. Lee nearly faltered at the question. He needed to come up with a believable story and quickly.

"Because the stipulations of the new treaty ask that we send some civilians there to stay, that way the Amaterasu government will believe we really do want peace with them." Lee stayed perfectly calm so his mother wouldn't catch him in his well placed lie.

"Oh… well alright dear. Will you be coming along?" Lee mentally heaved a sigh of relief and patted his own back at being able to fool his mother.

"I'm sorry mother but I cannot accompany you as I would've liked to. The king needs me here with him so I can protect him while he remains within the kingdom." Lee didn't realize how much anger blazed in his dark eyes at the very mention of Neji. His mother noticed but decided not to ask thinking it had to do with the new accords of the treaty.

Lee took soothing breaths before motioning to some of his servants to get his mother and mother-in-law's things ready and make sure they get to the docks safely. He sat down at a nearby table and wrote two letters, one addressed to the princes of Amaterasu and another to his wife. After completing that he escorted his parents into the carriage and bid them farewell.

"Oh Lee you're not joining us?" Tenten's mother asked with surprise.

"No madam I'm truly sorry to say that I cannot. I wish you and my mother the best there and I want you to enjoy yourselves." He kissed her on her cheek as he helped her into the carriage. Then he turned to face his mother whom was watching him with the concern only a mother could muster.

"Lee what's wrong?" She placed her hand on his cheek.

"Nothing mother, nothing at all. Why do you ask?"

"You seem upset."

"I'm simply worried for you that's all. But I assure there is nothing the matter with me. Now we need to stop wasting time. I want you and her on that boat as soon as possible. I don't want to delay your departure or have you miss the ship. Now come along."

His mother hugged him as best she could and whispered, "I know that's not the truth my boy. I can see it in your eyes. You could never fool me, now tell mummy what's wrong."

"You'll learn of it eventually mother but only after you're safe." He kissed her cheek and her eyes widened from what he said. Just as she was about to question him he continued, handing her one of his letters. "Take this and give it to either of the princes in Amaterasu. Be sure to ask for either Prince Itachi or Prince Sasuke when you get there. I love you mum." He then set her inside the carriage and closed the door. He waved at the ladies as he watched the carriage travel toward the docks.

Lee closed his eyes and went back inside of his estate, feeling relief wash over him. He'd gotten them out of harms way before they could witness the terrible things that would happen soon and for that he was thankful for. Lee knew Neji had found out what he'd done by now and knew the repercussions would not be pretty.

It wasn't long before Neji's guards arrived to arrest him. Lee put up a valiant fight against them but in the end they subdued the young captain and beat him for trying to resist. The guards then dragged him to see the king.

--

With Neji…

The young king stood in the center of the castle courtyard with his royal guards lined up along the sides while leaving a large clearing in the center. He stood with his new captain beside him and his advisor on his other side as they waited for something. Soon a man was seen being dragged to the middle of the clearing with his arms bound behind his back and his face bleeding from being beaten by the guards that apprehended him. Neji smirked in satisfaction at the sight.

"Men!" Neji gained their attention the moment the tired man was brought to his knees before him. "Do you see this sorry excuse for a man? Do you see your former captain? This is the face of a traitor!" Neji grabbed Lee's hair and yanked his head back for everyone to see. The other guards began to murmur at what this all meant and why Lee was considered a traitor.

"This bastard allowed those foul, lying, pitiful princes of Amaterasu to kidnap your beloved queen! As a matter of fact he helped them take her away! Can any of you tell me why?"

"No sir!" They all chanted as one. Each man cared for Hinata dearly since she was always so kind to them and their families, so they weren't happy with these turn of events.

"I'll tell you why. It was because he was never truly loyal to me or our people. He envied me since we were children despite the kindness that I and my wife showed him. He did this to spite me!" Neji twisted the story to help rile up his men for battle. Soon they began to call for Lee's punishment, his blood.

"Do you hear that? That's your own men, your comrades, calling for your demise." He whispered acidly into Lee's ear. Lee glared at him with his bloody right eye since his left wouldn't even open. "Any last words traitor?" He hissed at him.

"Give my regards to my wife. And as for you, you slimy bastard," He spat blood in Neji's face. "I would do the same thing all over again because Sasuke is a far greater man than you'll ever be my king." He grinned spitefully at him, which only served to infuriate Neji more.

King Hyuga wiped his face dry of all the crimson liquid and glared venomously at Lee. "This is true scum men! And this is what happens to those who's betrayal runs deep!" Without warning, Neji unsheathed his sword and beheaded Lee right in front of everyone, spraying his life fluid everywhere.

"Let this be a lesson to all who even think of crossing me! Now, clean up this trash!" He walked away to get cleaned up; he had a trip to take soon. All Tenten could do was cry over the loss of her beloved.

--

In Amaterasu…

A large gathering of the people of the kingdom waited by the gates to the city for the arrival of their princes. Soon the gates opened to reveal the royal heirs to the throne of their nation and everyone erupted into cheers. Their return was long awaited indeed.

Leading the procession were a few soldiers on horseback and following them was Itachi on his horse. Right behind him on a chariot was Sasuke with Hinata by his side. Many hushed whispers of surprise were mixed in with the overall celebrating as the people spied her so close to their prince. More soldiers brought up the rear.

They made their way up the steps to greet the king and queen of Amaterasu. As they did, twin looks of shock flashed across the monarchs' faces as they saw Hinata walking hand-in-hand with their youngest son. The only thought to cross their minds was, 'What is the meaning of this?'

"Ah! Mother, father it's good to see you again." Itachi greeted them with a smile.

"Aye, merry it is my son." Fugaku grinned in return as he placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder.

"We've missed you so much Itachi!" Mikoto kissed both his cheeks.

His smile widened just a little more. He then saw his wife standing farther back with their baby boy in her arms. In quick, long strides he was standing before them both in an instant. Itachi stared at his son with love and a grin gracing his features as the infant played with his large finger. He then looked up to stare intensely in his wife's loving eyes before kissing her lips passionately. One thing is known about every Uchiha man; once they find love in a woman, they love with a strength and loyalty like no other. No man can match the passion of an Uchiha.

Fugaku and Mikoto turned their attentions to their youngest son. They both smiled, glad to see him as well, although they had their questions.

"Oh my dear Sasuke, I can't express how happy I am to see you again!" Mikoto also kissed his cheeks, making Sasuke grin at her.

"We are both elated to have you and your brother home Sasuke." Fugaku matched his son's smile with a smirk of his own. "And you've brought home such a lovely surprise. Are you not the young queen Hinata of Higure?"

Before she could answer, Sasuke grabbed her hand gently yet firmly, and spoke on her behalf. "Not anymore father. She is now Hinata… a princess of Amaterasu."

Fugaku raised his royal brow at his son's bold words before smiling slyly at his boy. "Welcome to Amaterasu my dear." He kissed her forehead lightly. Mikoto then stepped up to greet her.

"I've heard rumors about your beauty." She spoke knowingly as she placed motherly kisses on her cheeks in welcome. "For once, the gossips were right." Hinata smiled and blushed shyly in return while Sasuke's smile brightened. He then noticed a young woman he hadn't seen since childhood.

"Sakura? Is that you? I haven't seen you in ages!" He gave her a friendly smirk and let her hug him in return before pulling away to survey the changes in her. "A temple maiden? You've chosen the virgin's road?"

"Yes I have my prince." She twirled to show her pure white robes every temple maid wore to show their purity.

"You should've seen the looks of shock on the young men's faces when she chose to be a priestess. Many boys were saddened indeed." Fugaku chuckled at the memory.

"I can only imagine." He grinned in her direction. "It was good seeing you again."

"Likewise my lord." She watched Sasuke lead Hinata away with him before going to start her duties in the temple; no one makes a god wait.