A/N: Chapte five, here it comes! A revelation~ Oo~ Du! Du! Du~m!

Disclaimer: Wonder if a lifetime supply of cookies could let me own Naruto...?

CHAPTER 5: Henge no Jutsu

IT JUST turned official. Today was the worst day in his twenty-four years-until July-of living. First, Ino set up, no, forced him to go on a date with an unnown woman. No, meeting her last night did not come out as knowing. It was worse that the woman was a totally, annoying, calculating woman. Yes, he was far from being the nicest guy ever, given his records but he really could not stand seeing the woman practically managed to persuade Ino into setting up this date. Ino was manipulative and nosy but hey, she was a friend. He vowed to atone the things he did to his friends, one of them was protecting them. Especially from a conniving woman who so much insulted his kunoichi friends. But, no. That was only part of it. What made the day worst was the fact that now, in his vision, a boy was unconscious, his upper body dropped onto the cafe table. This boy was not just a boy on the sidewalks, he was his student. Which reminded him, how long should he keep Naruto ramen free? Another month would do the trick. What was he thinking? His student was unconscious in front of him!

He did the first thing any sane human would do, lifted the boy's body and let him lean onto the chair instead of face planted on a table. Sasuke noticed Rui looked like he was asleep, but his chakra was fluctuating irregularly, which got him worried. He activated his Sharingan then, ignoring the stare he was receiving from his female student. Perhaps it was not as convenient as the all seeing Byakugan or the mighty Rinnegan, it was still able to clearly see the chakra path of a person. What he did not expect to see was, how the boy's chakra path was closing in, one by one, somehow. He shot his head up and started to scan the area. There was a faint, thread like chakra, connecting to Rui's fingers but before he could trace it to its source, it was gone. He growled in frustration before he lifted the boy in his arms.

"Eh? Sasuke-sensei? What're you doing-What's wrong with Rui-teme?!" Kane asked, loudly, that he had no choice but glare.

"He's unconscious while you were so conveniently not here. Now, stop staring and go get Neji. Tell him to meet me at my place," he instructed.

"Y-Yes!" The blonde answered, springing into action with not a second's delay.

"Se-sensei, what can I do?" Anzu asked, looking determined yet worried and scared at the same time.

"Get Sakura," he answered. At least the girl heard him, seeing how she sprinted out in no time. Sasuke hoisted the boy higher in his arms, surprised how light he was. Once he was secured in his arms, the young man made his way to the doors, ready to sprint. Except a female hand latched on his arm and he almost cursed out loud. He turned to look at Akane. This better be good.

"Sasuke-san, when should we have our second date?" She asked innocently.

Innocent? He snorted at that. He shrugged. "Why don't you talk things over with Ino," he answered sarcastically as he shook her hand off and sprint his way towards his home-which was relatively closer than the hospital at the moment.

He no longer lived in the Uchiha residence. Okay, he lived there once in a while. Not as much as the apartment. The Uchiha residence was the perfect place when he needed space from Naruto and his overbearing 'we-need-to-catch-up' schemes. Even after seven years! He wondered how Hinata put up with him. Specifically because his apartment was well equipped with all those gadgets and the residence was pratically traditional-Naruto hated it when there were no games to play or no television to watch. Plus, there were always the good old fashion, "If you set foot in the Uchiha residence, I'll confiscate all your ramen," which works every time. The perks of being cough-best friends-cough with him were knowing full well how to take advantage. It worked for Naruto, too, sadly. He cursed his sligthtly-who was he kidding-addiction to tomatoes and tomatoes related dishes. It did not help Hinata cooked the best tomato dishes he ever tasted so far-hence his dilemma. Sasuke cradled Rui in his right arm as he reached for his keys and dispelled the jutsu he placed on the door before holding him with both hands again. He left the door open, by putting a shoe to stop it from closing.

His apartment was a two bedroom-he could afford more but he knew his friends would take advantage and crash at his place, more than ever since the problem was very apparent whenever he stayed at the Uchiha residence-a living room, bathroom and a joined kitchen-dining room. He laid Rui onto the grey couch in his living room. The boy looked perfectly peaceful, like he was only sleeping-which made matters worse. Sasuke activated his Sharingan again, and heaved a slight sigh of relief. Rui's chakra path was still closing, but not as fast as before. He would have done something if he knew what to do. Of course, he knew the many ways in making someone be in the same state as Rui but frankly, now, he cursed himself for not making time learning some medic jutsu from Sakura other than first aids. He blinked his eyes as he saw the colour of Rui's hair flasing to a shade of purple. Perhaps it was a trick of the light, he thought, even when as he crouched next to the lying boy and held a few strands of the boy's hair nothing changed. No, it was not a trick. In front of his eyes, the boy's hair gradually grew longer, including the bangs, turning into a beautiful purple. It was the same image he had seen back at the store. Excluding the long side bangs.

Henge no Jutsu. Transformation technique. As the chakra flow within he boy diminished more, so did the boy's facade. In front of him now was a girl. A twelve-year-old girl. He did not know what to think. The worry was there-what? He gave up on being a cold-hearted, heartless traitor. Another part was his slightly dented pride as a shinobi. How could he not see through the facade? He even owned he Sharingan for Kami's sake. There was also a part filled with curiousity and understanding. Curious as of why and how a girl managed to keep up her henge all this while, especially dring the bell test he sujected the kid through. Suddenly, it all clicked into place, why the girl blushed when he squeezed the clone's chest-which made him want to rub the back of his head before realizing those were Kakashi and Naruto's habits-why Rui seemed to have an interest in teddy bears and why Rui seemed uninterested with his-her female fans. He heard set of steps approaching, and turned to see Neji standing behind him with a frown on his face.

"What happened?" Neji asked tightly as he sat next to Sasuke, his Byakugan activated, his left hand lifting Rui's head, another, holding the child's hand.

"I don't know. I think someone casted a jutsu or something on him—her, which caused her chakra path to close," Sasuke explained.

"Kuso," the Byakugan user cursed as he let the child laid back on the couch, his hands clenched in a fist.

"Neji, Rui's a she?" he asked rhetorically.

"Hn."

"Why the secrecy?"

"I don't know. When I first met her, she was already in her henge form. I knew, of course. She knew I knew but she never told me. The why... On our journey back, we were attacked. It seemed normal at the time until one of the attackers aimed for her. She never told me why," answered the Hyuga, putting a strand of hair behind Rui's ear.

Sasuke frowned. He eyed the girl who was his male student. He really hated it when he was being kept in the dark. Not knowing what was going on. He had solid reasons for it too. It all could be encompassed in one word; Itachi. "I see," he commented, not really knowing what else could be said.

"Sasuke-sensei! I brought Neji-san! Is Rui-teme okay?!" Kane's loud voice boomed, as loud as his footsteps. His voice died however, seeing a girl lying on his teacher's couch. A girl he saw countless times when Rui used his Henge no Jutsu. "Why's he in his henge form?" He asked, frowning.

"He—She's not," answered Sasuke.

"Eh? Wha-What'd you mean-"

"Sensei! Sakura-san's here!" Anzu's voice interrupted, as the girl stood beside Kane, panting, Sakura walking past them towards her patient. Her face clearly showed surprise and confusion, as of Kane and Anzu but said nothing as the woman realized her priotities.

Upon seeing the young, talented medic, Neji stood up to provide her some space in her mission to treat his most prescious person. Sakura nodded in thanks as she sat in front of the couch, first taking the boy-girl's wrist for a pulse. She frowned as she noticed Rui's pulse was even yet her chakra flow was not. She turned his head towards the two shinobi having possession of two of the three San Daidojutsu. "Am what I'm assessing the truth? Rui-kun's chakra is..." Sakura saw the two male, their kekkei genkai still acivated nodded grimly, which made her frown deepened and her mouth set in a thin line. "Everyone leave, now. I think we might be dealing with one of those dreaded Chakra Virus. Except you, Sasuke-kun. You've been in contact with Rui-kun the longest, so stay," she ordered, taking a thin ribbon to tie up her short, cropped, shoulder length hair.

Though adamant, Neji complied, ushering the two children into one of the rooms Sasuke had tilted her head in direction. As soon as the three left, Sakura turned to Sasuke, her expression serious, no longer the motherly Sakura, mischievous Sakura nor 'scary' Sakura. Her hand touched Rui's forehead, glowing a shade of green, inspecting her patient thoroughly. Her brows furrowed as she came to a conclusion this was not the Chakra Virus plagued years ago. Not the same, more... Tweaked. Altered. It was a poison. She knew the characteristics of poisons and viruses well, being the greatest medic of her generation. Normally, she only had to extract the poison, no matter from any part of the body, it could be done but this one... This one laced with an altered chakra virus once feared by many, only countered five years ago could not be done the same. She needed to know where it was injected. She turned to Sasuke. "Describe me the state you found him," she ordered, not minding she regarded Rui as a boy, still.

Undrstanding dawned on Sasuke. The reason, part of perhaps, true reason perhaps, why Sakura wanted him, and only him with her and Rui. Neji would be distressed with the boy-girl!-being his adopted child, Anzu panicked as before listening to the state of the love of her twelve years life-he was tempted to snort if it was not for the dire situation-and Kane's confusion. Kane and confusion could merge into annoyment. He learnt that the hard way after two months teaching the kid-he was surprised how Sakura knew but belatedly realized she had to deal with Naruto alone during his absence. He proceeded telling her everything, every detail, not missing anything and watched her face etched with relief, hope. He saw her grabbing Rui's fingers, settled on his-her right hand, more distinctly her pinky, lifted to her gaze. Sakura then wrapped a hand around the finger, her face indulged in deep concentration. A white glow emitted from her hand as she extracted a vile, black swirl from Rui's body through the now-known girl's pinky. She tried to reach for her medic bag, unsuccessfully, until Sasuke sat down next to her. "Test tube," she muttered. Sasuke complied, searching her bag and handing the glass tube to her in which she filled the vile thing in and closed it quickly. As soon as that settled, Rui started coughing, her body sweating and she was shivering. Her coughs reached the room Sasuke had led the three, for Neji rushed outside, his Byakugan activated and looking aggravated.

"What's wrong with her, Haruno?!" He demanded, sitting next to the couch and reached for Rui's hand, shocked to find it burning.

"It's the Chakra Virus. Someone altered the virus, turning it into a poison, undetected physically, only someone trained and knowing how the chakra works could sense it. We know what the virus does but this-poison, it made the virus undetected since there were no changes in the patient, no rising fever and such. I extracted the poison and I'll leave it in Shishou's hands. What's left is the virus itself, kicking in, why her body temperature rose now. All that's left would be nursing and feeding Rui the antibiotics," explained Sakura, handing a botle of white liquid. "Don't worry, he-she'll be fine now," she added, smiling.

Neji sighed, his hand relesed that of Rui's and rubbed his face. Three years ago, he would smirk if anyone told him a twelve-year-old would be the death of him yet at the same time the light for him. He was more than relieved Rui was saved. In the time spent with the girl, he found himself growing attached to her. Treating her like family, opening up to the child and those close to him more with her radiance. Amused countless time as she played her part of a boy. To think he could lose her... "Arigato, Haruno, Uchiha," he said as he stood up. "I better get Rui home now," he added, taking the petite girl into his arms and carried her out.

"...That's my cue to see Naruto and Shishou," said Sakura next, hauling her medic kit. She walked over to Sasuke and tapped his nose. "It seems you just got yourself in trouble again, nee, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura chimed with a wry smile.

Sasuke turned towards the couch where Rui laid before and to the two children looking at him puzzlingly after walking out of the room they stayed with Neji. He sighed. "You have no idea."

WHEN she woke up, the first thing she noticed was a blaring disorientation nagging at her mind. Second, was her room in the Hyuga compound. Third, were two heads leaning on her bed. She got up at that, alarm setting in her body only to relax once realizing it was Neji and Ten Ten. She tried to sit up, for a start, only to realize her body felt very heavy, she felt a rush of coldness and hotness hitting her at the same time. A fever. She closed her eyes, as her head began to hurt, as that awful disorientation ceased to give her a piece of relief. It was when the disorientation finally dissolved did she finally the brush of long hair cascading next to her cheek. She was stunned to see the shock of purple hair instead of chocolate brown. She realized now, her disguise had worn of completely. Panic struck in every nerve of her being. Since when? Where? Her memory quickly recalled what she had been doing before blackness took over her senses. She was spying on her teacher with her team. Did her disguise crumble then? Kami, please do not let it be so.

"Rui?" A voice startled her, and as she turned, she was met with a relieved look from her adopted father. Seeing that her adopted father was Hyuga Neji, being able to tell he was relieved already counted as an achievement.

"A-Ah... Otou-san, I'm sorry for waking you," she apologized, bowing her head. Though she had been calling Neji 'father' for a year now, somehow, she still regained a bit of formality in her manner of speaking although she truly regarded her saviour as her real father.

Neji, in the rare moments he acted differently, cupped the girl's face in his large hands after one touched her forehead to asses her temperature. "No, it's alright. You should have woken me anyway," he replied before brushing a hair over Rui's ears. He took his time assessing his daughter then. It was, after all, the first time he saw her in her true form, not the henge he used to see. He could not help but be glad and hoped Rui would keep up her disguise for years to come. She was cute as a boy but utterly so as her real self. He would have trouble restraining himself from killing any boy who so much looked at his daughter. Funny. After long years, the single person who could unwind him was a little girl he took under his wings-a single person he admitted.

"Otou-san, what happened and why... Why am I..."

"Why are you in your real form?" He saw her nodding. "You were attacked and had your chakra path closing in, making your henge dissolve."

"Attacked... That person knows where I am, then," she whispered softly to herself, but Neji managed to catche her words.

"Who is 'that person', Rui?"

Rui bit her bottom lip, as her hands fisted on her blankets and she casted her eyes downwards. "I-I'm sorry but I can't tell you, Otou-san."

"Why? Rui, you're my daughter now and I care about you," he insisted.

"I know and I cae about you as well, that's why," she whispered, her whisper tormented.

Neji closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. "I understand. But if this happens again, no more secret," he relented, at last.

"Oi!" At the voice, Neji and Rui abruply turned to find the source, only to realize it came no other from Ten Ten. Except, she was still very much asleep. They shared a confused gaze with each other as another word slipped from the Weapon Mistress's mouth. "Lee... Stop eating all of my dumplings... I'm gonna struck you with all my kunai... Idiot...!"

Hearing that, Rui let out an airy chuckle as Neji himself smiled. "I better get her to the guest room. She crashed our place ofen enough I'm considering making it her room," sighed Neji, returning to his usual cold self. Rui grinned.

"Nee, Otou-san? Why don't you just marry Ten Ten-san? I mean, unofficially, she's already my adopted mother and once you marry her, I can call her Okaa-san. Besides, it'll save more room and trouble," she asked in somewhat innocent manner. Mocked innocent would be closer to the truth.

For a while, Neji went silent before lifting Ten Ten in his arms. It would not be the first time he carried her. Normally, if she was still even one percent conscious, he would just hauled her fireman style or drag her but if she was not, then and only then would he cradle her in his arms. Neji could practically feel Rui grinning at her own question. He turned to face her daughter and smirked. "I'll think about it," he answered as he walked to the door.

"Otou-san... Who else.. Who else was there when my henge dispelled?" She managed to squeeze out the question nagging at her mind for as long as she heard her disguise diminished.

"Only Sakura, Sasuke and your two teammates," he answered just as hard, knowing what kind of problems she would be facing in the future before he walked out and closed the door behind him. He felt awful, the fact that he could do nothing to help. It was not that he would not, but could not. Teams were essential in the shinobi world. Teammates were sometimes as close as family or even family iself for most shinobi. It was not something he could or should get himself involved in-unless of course in regars to butt saving and the likes. Even so, Neji did trust Rui to solve it sooner or later. She had such tremendous strength, that little girl. As Ten Ten stirred in his arms, a gentle smile lit his face. Yes, Rui would be just fine, right, Ten Ten?

After Neji left, she shifted her gaze towards the dark sky outside. She must have been out of sorts for a long time. As she stared at the starry sky, she could not help but wonder what would be in store for her when she saw her team again. Rui knew she was still sick so there was no way to know tomorrow. What would Kane think? He must have felt betrayed. He considered her a rival, as did she. Would he felt cheated? Ego-wounded finding out his rival-who outdid him all the time-was a girl? What about Anzu? She knew Anzu had a crush on her. Would she be heartbroken? Oh, how she hoped she could have doe something. Anzu was a nice girl-aside from some peers-she once thought that if they had met differently, they could be best friends. What of Sasuke-sensei at that? Would he pull her out of Team Seven because she lied to him? Or would he ignore her, if by any chance she could not be removed from the team? She would hate that. He was a good teacher, despite being so cold, unapproachable, a teeny bit-a snort-sadistic. Rui let another deep breath escaped her.

The next time she met her team, things would get messy.

TBC

A/N: Sorry for the long wait everyone! I had to settle a few things and did I have one of those dreadful little thingies called 'Writer's Block'.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll work hard to finish chapter six soon!

So, a few side notes;

Chakra Virus: A virus which depletes one's chakra by transforming it into a rise in temperature. (If I'm not mistaken)

Henge no Jutsu: As we all know, it is a transformation technique in which a shinobi uses his/her chakra and form a disguise-into cats, people, the likes. This particular technique needs a continuous flow of chakra and concentration to maintain the transformed form-in other words, their chakra level would decrease. In this chapter, Sasuke was taken aback since there was no change whatsoever in Rui's chakra, except when in the store, where she only maintained a bit of her 'male' counterpart's look, 'his' side bangs which were barely over 'his' ears. Since it was in a much smaller scale-not totally as usual-Rui managed to convince people she was using henge instead of it being her 'real' self. It's because when she used it totally, the chakra would be focused all over her instead on certain parts.

Why Rui's chakra undergoes no change whatsoever in her henge form?

That's a question to be answered in later chapters... Fufu~

Review and tell me what you think, nee.