Despite the intense fight, despite the emotions swirling around in Hisako like a tornado, she still somehow managed to smile. For no other reason then maybe this was meant to happen. Naruto had a way to touch people's hearts, to change them. Maybe he had touched Neji by winning this fight. Maybe Naruto succeeded where Hisako failed. Maybe now, Neji wouldn't be as obsessed with destiny and his hatred for the head family. Maybe now, he could move on.

Hisako paused, her gaze lifting up to the stands of people who all stood to cheer for Naruto. She spared a glance back down to the arena where Naruto was taking in the praise, running around and blowing kisses to the crowd. Hisako closed her eyes, fighting back the tears as she shook her head.

Typical Naruto she thought before continuing her way to the infirmary.

Before she got there, however, it seemed that Lord Hyuga had the same thought. She saw him walking into the infirmary where Neji was. She stopped and turned around, her heart pounding. She wasn't sure why he was there, but whatever the reason, she shouldn't be there right now. She walked down the hall, leaning against the wall one eye on the door to wait for when Lord Hyuga would come out again.

It took a while, but eventually, Lord Hyuga exited the room. He glanced Hisako's way as she stood up from the wall.

"Give Neji a few minutes to himself," he instructed quietly.

Hisako nodded her head in understanding, bowing to Lord Hyuga out of respect. She waited in the empty hall, the minutes ticking by. Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore. She walked over and opened the door to the infirmary. She saw Neji on his feet, standing in front of the window staring up at the birds that were flying overhead.

For the first time, Hisako saw not hatred in Neji's eyes but tranquility and peace. A joy that she always hoped she would see from him. His shoulders and posture were relaxed like a giant weight was lifted off of him. She quietly stepped up behind him, her hands grasping the crystal necklace around her neck.

"Neji?" she asked so quietly she wasn't sure if he heard her.

But, he turned around, and his expression was so gentle so compassionate that it took her breath away. Even though she had resolved not to cry here, tears slipped down her cheeks as she stared at Neji and he stared back his expression unwavering and resolved.

He took a step towards her, his hands reaching out for Hisako. Hisako went as still as a statue as Neji wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest in a tight embrace. Hisako took in a deep breath, breathing in the scent of cedar and pine and also dust from his match with Naruto.

Hisako was shaking in his arms as she let go of her necklace and returned his hug sobbing into his chest.

"I'm sorry. Watching that match, it must have been difficult," Neji whispered into Hisako's hair.

Hisako didn't respond, instead, she tightened her hold on Neji. She never could have imagined that he would willingly embrace her like this. This was a fantasy. A dream come true.

"Things are going to be different now," Neji told her, this cut through her tears, and her eyes widened, "It's because of you, Naruto, and my father that I now see things differently. I'm going to forge my own destiny now."

Hisako's chin trembled and she buried her head in Neji's chest, "I'm so happy," Hisako whispered.

She repeated the words again. She wasn't sure what else she could say in a moment like this. To see Neji's hatred and pain be washed away because of this battle was almost too good to be true. She was expecting to find him reeling in anger over the idea that Naruto could beat him. But, she found him smiling. She found him happier than she's ever seen him.

And now, she knew that she would never have to be faced with the possibility of having to say goodbye. With his hatred washed away, things will change. For the better. If this hug was any indication.

There was still a small part of her that wondered if destiny couldn't be changed. Her entire village was destroyed, which lead her to believe that she was spared her destiny of becoming the Hyogakage. And yet, she still had that title. But, for now, she would take this win. To finally be able to be in Neji's arms like this.

This was the person Neji was always meant to be.

"Hisako," his voice was so calming it drew Hisako back to the present, her tears drying up.

She looked up to Neji, puffy eyes and runny nose and she felt a thrill go through her as his lavender eyes sparkled with love, and life as he stared down at her. His hand came up to brush a strand of hair out of her face.

"We could stay here longer, if you need to, but isn't Sasuke's match coming up soon?" Neji asked her, giving her a small smile.

Hisako's eyes widened in realization and she pulled back from Neji, "Yes! Yes, it is!"

"Then, let's go. Together," Neji replied, taking her hand in his and leading her to the door.

Hisako's green eyes went to their interlocked hands a blush forming on her cheeks as she let Neji pull her out of the infirmary towards the stands.

"I'm sorry for disappearing for a month, I was training with Kakashi Sensei and Sasuke to learn a new jutsu," Hisako started.

"It's alright. It's something you needed-" Neji paused, and Hisako felt it at the same time.

A horrible sense of bloodlust washed through the hall. Hisako's heart stopped at the realization of what this meant. Neji slowly, deliberately pulled his hand from hers and moved Hisako behind him, protecting her.

She smelled the coppery scent of blood and her stomach recoiled in fear. It was Gaara. Gaara was near and she had a horrible suspicion that he had just killed people.

Neji went completely still as Gaara turned the corner, walking towards the entrance to the arena. His footsteps echoed through the empty hallway as he completely bypassed Neji and Hisako, barely paying them any attention. But, Neji's body was rigid, and Hisako couldn't suppress the fear that coursed through her at seeing Gaara look and feel so demonic.

And he was supposed to fight Sasuke. Desperation took hold of her heart. There was still no way Sasuke could fight Gaara. Gaara wasn't human.

Once Gaara passed by them, she heard Neji let out a breath that he was holding in. He reached his arm around and pulled Hisako to him so she was safely tucked under his arm. They stayed still for a few more moments before continuing toward the stands.

They got to the stairs leading to the stands where they saw Naruto and Shikamaru sitting on the steps, both looking like they just saw a ghost. Their faces were pale and they were frozen in fear, staring off into the distance. It didn't even seem like they saw Neji or Hisako.

"N-Naruto? Shikamaru?" Hisako asked as the two of them knelt down in front of the boys, "What happened?"

"He-He's a monster," Shikamaru whispered, his brown eyes frozen over in fear.

Ice crept through Hisako's veins with his words and she took a steadying breath.

"Who's a monster?" Neji asked.

"G-Gaara. He killed those men. In cold blood," Naruto muttered, a shiver running through his body.

"He could have killed us," Shikamaru added.

Hisako swallowed her fear and stood up. Of course. Sasuke was fighting a damned psychopath! Why did that somehow not surprise her? Gaara decided to kill people before his match, just to warm up? This was bad.

"We have to tell Kakashi Sensei this match needs to stop!" Naruto suddenly shouted, standing up from the steps.

Hisako stepped back in surprise as she watched Naruto grab for Shikamaru.

"Naruto's right. This is bad! This is really bad. That kid is going to kill Sasuke!"

Hisako turned to Neji wondering what he was thinking of this whole thing but he didn't look at her his gaze was distant and his entire body was tense. Naruto and Shikamaru turned and ran up the stairs towards the stands. Neji and Hisako chased after them.

"Kakashi Sensei! Kakashi Sensei!" Naruto shouted, barreling through the stands towards his sensei who stood at the top of the balcony watching the match between Gaara and Sasuke play out before him.

Kakashi Sensei turned to Naruto, his eye squinting with a smile, "Naruto. I heard you won your match against Neji, good work,"

Hisako spared a glance in Neji's direction. Just a few hours earlier, a loss to someone like Naruto would have been unimaginable to him. But now, he didn't even seem to mind that he lost to Naruto.

"Yeah yeah, whatever. I don't care about that! Kakashi Sensei! That boy, Gaara! Hisako was right! He's a monster! He's going to kill Sasuke just like he almost killed Lee! You have to stop the match!"

"Naruto's right, you need to listen to him!" Shikamaru persisted.

Hisako was stunned. She's never known Shikamaru to be so passionate… So emotional. But, he sounded downright terrified. And this was so unlike his character, it put Hisako even more on edge.

"Calm down you two. Let's give Sasuke a chance to prove to us how strong he's become," Kakashi Sensei replied, his voice nonchalant as he turned back to watch the match, "It's not like he has been doing nothing this past month, isn't that right, Hisako?"

Hisako stiffened at the mention of her name and stepped up to join Naruto and Shikamaru, her hands grasping her crystal necklace, "Yes! But, even so. I do not see how that training is enough to prepare him to face something as fearsome and downright evil as Gaara."

She could tell Kakashi was smiling by the brightness in his eye, "Just watch,"

Hisako wanted to rip her hair out! This was the same type of response she got during the match between Gaara and Lee during the Preliminaries. No one realized what Gaara was. He wasn't human. He was a vessel for a tailed beast, and that beast was in full control.

Even so, Hisako stepped towards the balcony. Neji followed her as she watched the match play out before them. They had missed most of the beginning of the match, but it didn't matter. She could have sworn she saw Sasuke use the Chidori on Gaara, breaking through his sand barrier.

There was a moment of silence and even the spectators went silent.

Then, from inside the sand barrier, Gaara screamed.

"Blood! It's my blood!" Gaara yelled, his voice filled with agony and terror.

Sasuke's face contorted into pain as the sand tightened around his arm. He struggled for a moment to free his arm before he was able to pull free by using the Chidori again. Although it seemed like his arm was badly wounded now. He jumped back as Gaara continued to scream. It sounded like Sasuke had successfully wounded Gaara by the sounds of agony that came from inside his sand cocoon.

"Did-did he do it?" Hisako asked her voice quiet.

Before the match was able to continue however an odd aura spread over the stadium a weird hazy mist settled over everything. Hisako's eyes grew heavy and she noticed people in the stands were falling over, unconscious. She swayed on her feet and a wave of horror washed through her at the realization.

"It's a Genjutsu!" Neji shouted.

Hisako brought her hands up in front of her making a hand sign, "Release!" she yelled in unison with Neji.

A moment later, the tired feeling faded and she felt awake again. She turned to Neji, her eyes wide with panic but before she could fully freak out, fights broke out around the entire stadium. The sounds of kunai knives clashing rang out around them. The spectators were unconscious and unaware of the looming danger just inches from them. Leaf Village shinobi had engaged the enemy who had disguised themselves as regular spectators.

Hisako's mind brought her to the worst memories of her life. To the dead bodies in the Glacier Village. That day, it started with a Genjutsu as well. Would this turn out the same? Would the Leaf fall too?

"Hisako!" Neji yelled, grabbing both of her shoulders, lightly shaking her to grab her attention, "This isn't the same as the Glacier Village! Let's do what we need to in order to protect the village."

This snapped Hisako out of her trance, and she turned her gaze to Neji nodding her head. She closed her eyes and activated her Sharingan. The entire stadium was a mess. Battles were breaking out everywhere, and there were fewer Shinobi awake than Hisako first assumed there would be.

Her gaze went to the arena, and she watched in terror as Sasuke jumped out of the arena, pursuing Kankuro and Temari who were carrying a barely conscious Gaara. She had no idea what Sasuke had planned, but to fight them all by himself was almost unbearable for her to have to watch. However, she had no time to follow them. She had her own issues to deal with.

Top it off, Lord Hokage was trapped in a nearby building by a four corner sealing jutsu. Fighting who she knew was Orochimaru. She saw the same chakra that she fought with during the Forest of Death. The man who had given her the curse mark.

"L-Lord Hokage! This is… This is…" Hisako stammered, shaking her head in disbelief.

"We can't do anything for Lord Hokage right now. The Anbu have gathered in that area, we have to trust them to handle this," Neji replied, his Byakugan scanning the area as well, "We have another problem. Hinata is in danger,"

Hisako gasped, her gaze darting to where Neji was looking. She saw with horror that Elder Hyuga was knocked unconscious and Kiba and Akamaru were there as well lying unconscious on the floor.

"Let's go!" Hisako yelled rushing to get to where Elder Hyuga was.

Neji got to him first and gently picked Elder Hyuga up. Elder Hyuga slowly regained consciousness, his lavender eyes looking up at Neji, beseeching him with his gaze.

"Neji, you must protect the Hyuga Clan's secret. Protect the Byakugan," The Elder begged.

Hisako couldn't hide her grimace. Was that all Hinata was? The Byakugan? It was almost disgusting to hear.

"I will," Neji replied, his voice calm as he gently set the Elder back down.

"I'm going with you," Hisako insisted, standing up with Neji.

"No," Neji replied, turning to Hisako his voice stern, "this is a Hyuga Clan matter. I will retrieve Hinata myself,"

Hisako's hands formed fists at her sides, "No way! You're not doing this alone, Neji! The Hyuga Clan has done so much for me. I'm coming with!"

"Hisako, this isn't up for de-"

"I'm going too!" Kiba suddenly shouted.

Hisako and Neji turned to Kiba as Akamaru let out a small bark from his shoulder, "There's no way I'm letting you go after Hinata by yourself! You tried to kill her during the Preliminary exams! I don't trust you!"

"K-Kiba!" Hisako scolded.

"It's alright, Hisako," Neji replied calmly, "I don't have time to argue about this. Fine, if you two both want to come with then so be it,"

"Hey! It's not just me. Akamaru is coming too. And that means we have a four man squad! We have enough members to make this an official team. Let's go get Hinata back!" Kiba exclaimed.

"Fine, let's move," Neji replied, running for the exit.

It was easy for them to find the Shinobi who had abducted Hinata, however, the Shinobi had planned for them to be trailed. They didn't even leave the village before Neji's team ran into a trap. Stone wolves sprang up from the ground surrounding the four man squad. Hisako let out a groan as the stone beasts growled and snarled at them.

"You guys go ahead! I got these beasts. Besides, I have a new jutsu I'd like to test out," Hisako yelled dropping into a Taijutsu stance.

One of the techniques she got to concentrate on during the month that she trained with Kakashi Sensei and Sasuke was her Taijutsu. A whole month of intensive training really improved her skills. But, that wasn't the jutsu she was really excited to use in a real battle.

"Be careful," Neji instructed giving Hisako a look over his shoulder.

Hisako nodded before turning to face the stone wolves. The first one lunged for her and she easily dodged. The second one attacked and she used the Leaf Hurricane to destroy it into a pile of rubble. This gave her the opening she needed to concentrate her chakra into her right hand. It took just a moment of concentration, but a blue ball of lightning flashed in the palm of her hand emitting the sounds of birds.

"Chidori: One Thousand Birds!" Hisako yelled.

The wolves all charged her in one surge and she used this as her opening. She threw her hand forward and her chakra exploded, right alongside every single stone wolf. Smoke swiraled up from the piles of debris at her feet. She stood in the middle of the rubble a confident smirk on her face as she dropped her hands. She hasn't felt this good in a fight ever. She defeated them so easily. If this is what it was like to not hold back, then she had to stop holding back. To protect the people she loves. It was obvious that she needed more power. Orochimaru decimated her, she couldn't defeat Temari on her Taijutsu alone.

Right after she had defeated the wolves, two Hyuga's who were accompanying Lord Hyuga showed up.

Hisako spoke first, "I'm fine! Just go help Kiba and Neji. Please hurry! Neji's not fully recovered from his fight with Naruto. I'm worried."

Lord Hyuga didn't stop running, "It'll be fine, Hisako. I'll go help them,"

Hisako watched Lord Hyuga and one of the two Hyugas who were accompanying him jump into the treeline where Neji and Kiba were still fighting to free Hinata.

"Hisako, we should follow them," the Hyuga who stayed behind told her.

Hisako turned her gaze back to the arena where she knew people were still fighting, possibly dying. The adrenaline and strength she had felt from this battle with the wolves coursed through her veins as she brought up a fisted hand, narrowing her gaze.

"It's alright. You go on ahead. Tell them that I went back to the arena, to help out. I have to help the others! I can't let them fight this alone," Hisako replied not giving the Hyuga a chance to argue.

She ran away from him, concentrating her chakra into her feet to give her a speed boost. She made it to the arena in record time for her. Lord Hokage was still trapped behind the barrier, and the battles were still persisting among the unconscious crowds. Hisako had to pause multiple times to fight off opponents, but she had one goal in mind. She had to get to that roof, she had to assist Lord Hokage and the Anbu how she could. She had to protect the Hokage!

However, even though she knew these opponents would have been difficult for her to fight alone a month ago, she noticed that she was blasting through them easily. Just with her Taijutsu alone. She silently cursed herself. She shouldn't have taken training so lightly for all those years. She was convinced that absolute power corrupts absolutely. And while that may be true, it didn't mean that she couldn't gain power.

Power is what could give her the ability to protect her village and the people she loves. Power is what can help her to achieve her ultimate goal. Peace. Right now, they were in a time of discord and hardships. But, if she could become stronger than those who wish harm on her village and her beloved comrades, then maybe she could help bring this world into a place of stability and peace.

To gain peace, she would gain power and strength.

She finally got to the rooftop where Anbu surrounded the barrier, and her heart clenched. She let out a blood curling scream as she watched Orochimaru kill Lord Hokage. Lord Hokage froze as Orochimaru's sword stabbed through his chest. Blood spewed on the roof as Hisako stared on in horror, her hands over her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Lord Hokage… No. Please," Hisako begged, her shoulders trembling.

However, in her horror, she noticed something else. Orochimaru was badly wounded himself. His arms hung loosely at his sides and were purple like there was no life in his arms left. His face was contorted in agony and his breathing was labored.

Hisako's eyes widened in realization and a moment of clarity washed through her. Even though Lord Hokage was dead, even though Orochimaru had killed him, it still didn't mean that she couldn't take advantage of this opportunity that presented itself.

"Orochimaru is badly injured. We have to take advantage of this," Hisako whispered.

The Anbu by her turned his masked face in her direction and Hisako looked up to him. Realization passed between the two of them and the Anbu's hands formed fists at his sides as he turned back to the horrifying scene before them.

"The moment this barrier comes down, attack Orochimaru! Avenge Lord Hokage!" the Anbu shouted taking a step closer to the four corner sealing barrier.

Hisako bared her teeth in rage as she took a step forward herself. She would help. Hell, she would be the one to kill Orochimaru. With her own hands. If she could do this, then she could protect Sasuke. If Orochimaru dies here, then she can make sure Sasuke won't go with him. Both of them will be spared the curse mark and all of this will just be one bad nightmare.

She calmed her breathing and steeled herself for what was about to happen. The barrier dropped. The four Shinobi who worked for Orochimaru swarmed the scene quicker than the Anbu could. Two of them grabbed Orochimaru under his arms, hauling him into the air with them as they retreated into the nearby forests.

Hisako pursued them along with three other Anbu. They jumped from branch to branch refusing to let them out of their sight. The two who weren't holding Orochimaru broke off to address the Leaf Shinobi following them. Hisako pressed her lips into a fine line as she brought out a kunai knife. She blocked some tan colored blades that came flying at her from a six armed freak and threw her kunai at him. He dodged.

Hisako paused on a branch, grabbing for a paper bomb as she jumped back into the air again. She threw the paper bomb that was attached to a kunai knife and at the same time performed the fireball jutsu. The explosion was massive, and a small part of her was hopeful that did something. But, her opponent emerged from the flames seeming to not even be phased.

Hisako screamed. There was nothing she could do. No way she could dodge. The six armed man brought his arms up and she felt the jarring impact of him hitting her chest with enough force to throw her back. She bounced off of tree trunks, her bones snapping and breaking blood spewing from multiple wounds before she finally hit the ground hard enough that a crater formed around her. Dust and debris covered her broken body.

Her green, lifeless eyes stared up at the beautiful blue sky. Hisako was dead.

"What do you mean you let Hisako, a Genin, pursue Orochimaru and his men?" Guy Sensei yelled, his voice booming as he towered over an Anbu who held his harsh gaze through the mask.

"She's with the Anbu, she'll be fine," the Anbu retorted.

"Even so, let's move, Guy," Kakashi replied, standing beside Guy.

Guy stood back, still leveling a stare filled with anger and rage on the Anbu who were assessing the lifeless body of Lord Hokage, "Agreed,"

Both Kakashi and Guy jumped into the trees to follow the team of Anbu and Hisako. However, they were too late. Guy Sensei's heart clenched in horror when they found Hisako's lifeless body lying in the dirt. By the way the dust was settling around her, how it still hung in the air, they got her just a few seconds too late.

"Hisako!" Guy screamed, landing beside Hisako with Kakashi, "Hisako! No! My student!"

Guy Sensei grabbed Hisako, sobbing as he felt her skin grow colder by the second.

"Guy, there's still a chance she can be saved. Get her back to the arena, get to a medic. Quickly! I'm going to go on ahead," Kakashi ordered, breaking through Guy's grief and despair.

Guy Sensei nodded his head, picking Hisako up in his arms he carried her all the way back to the arena running faster than he's ever run in his life.

"I need a medic! Immediately! I need a medic!" Guy yelled, begged pleaded as he rushed through the crowds of people.

He landed on the dirt where they were creating a triage station and that's when he saw Neji along with the other Hyuga's walking into the arena. Guy stopped, his dark eyes catching Neji's as Neji froze in horror.

"Neji," Guy Sensei whispered, his arms trembling around Hisako.

"What happened?" Neji asked, his voice quiet with disbelief, his eyes going to Hisako and not leaving her face.

Guy Sensei collapsed to the ground tears streaming down his cheeks as Neji rushed over, forcefully grabbing Hisako from Guy's arms, cradling her to him.

"I tried! But I was too late! And now, one of my precious students. She's she's-"

"No! This isn't, it can't be happening! Hisako!" Neji pleaded.

His body shook with tears he refused to shed. His hands gripped Hisako's lifeless, cold body as he continued to stare at her in disbelief. He was looking for a sign, any sign that she was alive. A flutter of her eyes, movement in her chest, but, nothing. And as he continued to hold onto her, desperate for this nightmare to end, death continued to wrap Hisako in a tight embrace.

He tightened his grip on her, pulling her limp body to him their forehead protectors pressed up together as his tears fell onto her pale cheeks. He turned his face up to the sky and screamed.