A week later, Hisako and Neji found themselves at a local hot springs hotel that was located right outside the Leaf Village. They were given orders by the doctors that Hisako needed to relax if she was to extend her life. So, that's what Neji and she decided to do. Originally, she tried asking Sakura to go along with her for a girls' trip, but she was busy with other errands. That was when Neji stepped in.

"My mission is to protect you, Hisako," Neji insisted, "it's no secret that you are wanted on the black market. You shouldn't go to these places alone."

Hisako rolled her eyes, "Yes yes. You've told me that for the hundredth time! I'm not arguing that. What I'm arguing is what will this look like?"

"It will look like a teammate supporting his teammate while she's resting from a fatal injury," Neji retorted.

Hisako puffed out her cheeks, a bright blush forming. "Yeah, two teammates who seem to be madly in love,"

Neji tsked and turned his attention away to hide the blush forming on his cheeks as well. Hisako's chest constricted painfully and she grasped at her shirt coughing for breath, gasping in between coughs. Neji immediately looked up, holding Hisako up by her shoulders as she coughed.

"I'm also here to remind you to take your medicine," Neji said as soon as Hisako straightened up again.

Hisako stuck her tongue out at Neji as she walked into the hotel. If Neji and Hisako hadn't already shared rooms together on missions, this would have been odd. Granted, they shared a room with Guy Sensei and Lee too, so this was different considering it was just them in one room together, but, it still felt natural somehow.

They both dropped their bags into their hotel room. There were two rolled-up futons with blankets and pillows along the back wall, and the paper walls were decorated with images of white cranes and cherry blossom trees. Hisako's hand ran along the decor before turning back to Neji.

Neji threw a simple white robe in her direction. She caught it and tucked it under her arm as she followed Neji out of the room. They both went to their designated hot springs, one for the girls, and one for the boys. When Hisako got undressed, she dipped into the warm soothing waters and sighed in relief.

The water soaked away all of her worries, aches, and pains. She sunk down all the way to her chin, her hair fanning out around her in the clear water. The sounds of a waterfall nearby almost soothed Hisako to sleep. However, in the deep relaxation, she didn't realize that she was completely alone in the hot springs. And for these springs in particular, that was not a normal occurrence.

Over on the boys' side, Neji was soaking in the waters with the other men. His elbows were resting on the side of the pool, his eyes closed when he overheard a conversation between two men.

"I heard that there's a group of men coming around to different hot springs in the area and kidnapping women."

This grabbed Neji's attention and his eyes shot open as he turned his gaze in their direction.

"Yeah. I heard no one's been able to catch them yet. Glad my wife and daughter are safe at home. I stopped here on my way back from a trip,"

Neji swallowed slowly, his eyes darting to the wall that separated the two hot springs. He swam to the edge of the hot springs, slowly getting out so he wouldn't pass out from standing up from the springs too quickly.

That was when he heard a man shout from the girls' side, and then her blood curling scream broke through the wall, his name along with it. His heart raced. He didn't want to do it, he wanted to respect her privacy, but dammit if he was going to let anyone lay a finger on her! He lunged from the hot springs, grabbing a robe as he rushed for the girls' side of the springs.

Hisako was just about to doze when she felt a large hand clamp down on her mouth. Her eyes opened wide as another arm dunked down into the springs and dragged her from the water. A scream broke free from her throat, muffled by the hand clasped over her mouth. Her eyes widened as she fought against him. Getting just enough room, she chomped down on his hand. The man shouted in pain, removing his hand from her mouth just long enough for Hisako to scream.

"Neji!" Her voice cracked from the force of the yell.

She planted her feet firmly on the ground and threw her head back, slamming her skull into the man's chin. The man yelled in rage. His foot hit the back of her knee and her knees slammed down onto the concrete. He grabbed a fistful of her hair, and stars erupted behind her eyes as her head impacted the ground too. Hisako saw a trail of watered-down blood dripping into the water from a wound on her knee as the man forcefully pinned her arms behind her, making her gasp in pain.

"You little bitch!" The man screamed as he tied rope around her wrists so tight she couldn't feel her hands, "You have no idea what I'm going to do to you, I'll make you pay. I'll fucking take you for myself! Screw selling you! You won't be good for anyone else anyway. You'll make a poor slave to anyone who can't handle you like I can."

Hisako couldn't hold back the tears that streamed down her cheeks as he forced a gag in her mouth, tying it behind her head, muffling whatever cries escaped her mouth. Hisako had heard of the human trafficking world. Heard that people sometimes went missing. She'd even seen reports and requests for missions, usually S-ranked missions asking for Shinobi to save people from this fate. But, she never would have imagined she'd run into anyone who'd try to kidnap her.

"Air Palm!" Neji shouted.

Hisako immediately felt her kidnapper's weight lift off her and her head flew up as she saw Neji walking into the hot springs, his Byakugan activated with a look of pure hatred and seething rage. Hisako was hunched over, trying to hide her body the best she could given the circumstances. She was completely naked! A few muffled sobs escaped her as her head bent forward.

Neji stepped further into the hot springs and took up a protective stance in front of Hisako, his palms facing forward as the man struggled to his feet again. The man lunged, but Neji was more than ready. In fact, it seemed like Neji was out for blood. He stepped past the man's defenses easily and brought his hands forward, blocking most of his opponent's chakra points.

Hisako didn't realize that guy had friends.

"Oh, man! Look at this pretty little thing!"

Hisako's attention snapped forward as a larger man wearing nothing but a waist towel strolled into the hot springs. His hand reached out to grab Hisako's arm but a moment later, he was sent flying back from a blast of chakra that came from Neji's palm. The man landed in the water with a thud and Neji sunk down with one arm outstretched in front of him, the other behind him as the two last opponents charged Neji.

"Eight Trigrams, 64 palms," Neji said, his voice so calm and deadly it somehow put Hisako at ease; he was here to protect her.

Once his last opponent fell, he deactivated his Byakugan. Before even turning to Hisako, he turned to grab a robe off of the shelf. He purposefully averted his gaze to give her the much-needed privacy and respect due to her very vulnerable state. He draped the robe around her shoulders before he went about to cut the ropes around her wrists. Neji then went up to untie the gag.

She gasped the moment her mouth was free and frantically put her arms through the sleeves of the robe. Neji's arms wrapped around her possessively as he pulled her to his chest. Without warning, she began coughing and heaving. Her chest constricted so painfully that she had no choice but to push away from Neji as she vomited the food eaten earlier that day.

Neji sat there patiently, rubbing her back and holding her wet hair out of the way until she was done. Once she was done retching, he hugged and comforted her as she sobbed into his chest. The robe he was wearing had shifted just enough so that she saw the upper part of his perfectly sculpted chest from years of training. Her fingers hooked onto the edge of his robe resting on the warmth of his pale skin.

"You were right! You were so right! I-I couldn't protect myself!" Hisako sobbed.

"No, that was just stupid dumb luck," Neji replied quietly, his hand brushing through her hair.

Eventually, Hisako's tears dried up as she sniffled. Neji's lips brushed the top of her head.

"Hisako, there's something I need to do," Neji told her gently.

Hisako lifted her gaze to Neji in question.

"While I was fighting those men, I noticed that there were underground passageways. I believe more innocent victims, like you, might be trapped down there. You need to stay here where it's safe. Wait for the authorities in this area to arrive. They've already been notified."

Hisako's eyes widened in panic and she frantically shook her head no. "I'm going with you! I'm not staying here. I'm safer if I'm with you!"

Neji's gaze softened. "Hisako, there's nothing down there that you're going to want to see. I don't know what I'm going to be walking into and-"

"I'm going."

Hisako's cheeks puffed out in pure defiance and Neji sighed in frustration.

"There's no convincing you, is there?"

Hisako's lips turned up into a smile, "Absolutely not."

"Then let's get this over with," Neji replied as he stood up, bringing Hisako with him.

Neji found a loose floorboard and removed the panel revealing a dark and damp tunnel just like he said. He jumped in first, landing about eight feet down. He turned his attention back up to the light to where Hisako was. He held his arms up to Hisako as Hisako jumped down herself, into the safety of Neji's arms. He set her down on her feet and the two of them slowly made their way into the underground tunnel.

Hisako's hand kept a hold on Neji's arm. Eventually, they started to hear the sounds of shackles clanking and soft moans in pain. Neji's body stiffened as they continued their slow walk down the hall. They eventually came to a large chamber that was poorly lit by a few torches hanging on the wall. About a dozen women were chained to the walls. All were naked. Hisako's heart sped up and she couldn't hold back the tears as she saw the fear and pain reflected in all of their eyes.

"This is despicable!" Neji growled.

He let go of Hisako so he could release the women, and Hisako helped him.

"Is this what human trafficking is really like? They have no regard for human life?" Hisako asked, her voice thick with grief as she unbound another one of the victims.

The poor girl, maybe a few years older than Hisako, muttered a weak thank you. Hisako didn't say anything in return as she moved on to the next victim.

"It is. It's one of the most evil practices in this world. To sell a human. To strip a human of all rights. It's…"

"It makes money."

Some of the women screamed in terror. Hisako's gaze snapped up to see a large burly man wearing an expensive-looking dark blue kimono walk into the chamber.

"And you're messing with my stash!"

"Hisako, free the rest and get them out," Neji ordered, his voice so calm and deadly it sent shivers up her spine.

Hisako did what she was told and continued to unbind the poor women.

"What you're doing is illegal! You cannot treat these women this way!" Neji shouted, taking a few steps forward.

"Ah, but the money is so much sweeter. Why should I care about how I treat people? I can just buy what… Or who I want."

"You're the worst kind of person on this planet. You disgust me!" Neji took out multiple kunai from his pouch and threw them towards the man.

The man easily dodged his knives, and before Hisako had time to react, he appeared right behind her. She gasped, and without hesitating, threw herself over the woman she was untying to protect her. But, before he could land a hit, Neji was there. He threw his hand forward, his hand making contact with the man's gut, throwing him back a few feet.

"Hisako! Go! Now!" Neji ordered, looking at her over his shoulder.

"We're going! Come on everyone, there's a door that way! Run!" Hisako encouraged the women, urging them forward.

The women ran in the direction she indicated and she spared a glance back. Neji was in deep concentration. Hisako stood back a few moments as she watched him lunge and attack and dodge. The man that he was facing was powerful, but Neji was stronger.

The man jumped a few feet from Neji, and Hisako watched in horror as he brought his hands up forming hand signs. Hisako recognized some of the signs.

"It's an Ear-"

"Earth Style: Earth Crumbler!"

"What?!" Hisako shouted as the man threw his hands on the ground.

The Earth trembled and groaned under Hisako's feet and she struggled to stay upright on the moving ground. She shrieked but right before she fell, Neji grabbed her and jumped into the air getting them both to safety. He landed on his knees, letting Hisako down as he stood back up again, putting himself between Hisako and that man.

"You need to leave, Hisako. I cannot fight and protect you at the same time," Neji told her gently, but his voice was firm and held no room for argument.

Hisako nodded her head weakly and took a few steps back before chasing after the other women.

When she caught up, she was relieved to find the authorities already there, assisting the women by wrapping them up in robes or tending to their injuries. Hisako let out a relieved sigh. The authorities were also helping the women out of the tunnel one at a time. One of the men walked over to Hisako.

"Are you the Shinobi who these women are telling us about? The one who saved them?"

Hisako nodded her head, "Yes. But my comrade, he's fighting someone down the hall! Please, you have to help!"

The man nodded to her and turned back to his other men, "Masaru! Ren! You're with me, the rest of you continue to clean up here!"

The men all barked out a "Right!" and the three men ran down the hallway to assist Neji. Hisako stood in the dark tunnel staring into the darkness for what felt like forever. Her hands were clasped together in front of her chest.

Neji skidded back a few feet in the thick mud. First the Earth Crumbler, and now some type of mud jutsu. Neji was getting really tired of messing around in this muck. He concentrated his chakra into his feet to make sure he wouldn't slip in the mud. With his Byakugan, he saw earth spears flying at him from the air and cursed under his breath.

He spun his body around in a circle, chakra expelling from every point in his body to dispel the spears. However, the moment he had stopped his rotation, his opponent jumped down from the wall and lunged. Neji moved to dodge him but slipped in the blasted mud. He fell, and his opponent expected that. Neji brought one hand up, redirecting the man's punch, and the other hand connected with the man's gut.

"Air palm!" Neji yelled.

He expelled his chakra from his palm, creating a strong wave that acted like air. The man flew back yelling in pain. Neji had hit his chakra network where it hurt the most, the center where all chakra was created. Now, there was no way he could continue to fight. Not without the use of his chakra.

Neji got to his feet as his opponent struggled to get to his. A second later, three men all wearing unfamiliar brown uniforms stood around the guy.

"This is Asahi. He's famous on the Black Market!" One of the men said.

"Oh man! Just think how much money we'll get when we turn him in!"

Neji cleared his throat. "Then I suppose that money would be mine and my comrades considering we were the ones who dealt with this mess."

The men all stood up and gave Neji a confused look.

The third man spoke "I suppose you would be correct. Sorry boys, no bonuses today."

"What! That's not fair!"

Neji shook his head and started walking down the hallway again when he heard movement behind him. Neji saw his opponent lunge for him one last time in a desperate attempt to defeat him. Neji wanted to laugh at the sheer idiocy. He didn't even activate his Byakugan. Neji easily dodged the man's fist and open-palmed him square in the jaw. The man yelled and hit the ground.

"Although, you three have handcuffs. I would appreciate it if you could restrain him," Neji snapped, turning his back again.

"Miss, we're all done in this tunnel. Do you need help out of the tunnel?" One of the men asked Hisako.

Hisako shook her head. "I want to stay here. For when they return."

The man took up a stance behind her, almost like he was standing guard.

He didn't have to stand guard for long. A few minutes later, Hisako saw five figures moving through the darkness. She took a few running steps forward as those figures started to take shape. Hisako could recognize the three men, who held the man that Neji was fighting in shackles, and towards the back, Neji appeared.

Hisako let out a relieved sigh as their eyes met and he gave her a small confident smile. He was a muddy mess from head to toe, but he was in one piece. He was alive.

"Neji!" Hisako shouted, rushing over to him with her arms outstretched.

Neji accepted the hug and grunted from the force of it. His arms tightly wrapped around her waist as he breathed in the lilac scent of Hisako's perfume. He gently pulled out of her embrace to look at the hole in the tunnel to where the hot spring was.

"Ready to get out of here?" Neji asked, giving Hisako a small smile.

Hisako nodded her head and Neji picked her up in his arms. He easily got both of them up and out of the hole and set Hisako down on her own feet again. The hot springs were a mess. The authorities in this town were addressing all the women Neji and Hisako had saved, and the hotel owners were beside themselves in horror.

"How could this have happened in my hotel?" the older man with graying hair shouted, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"It's been happening to multiple Inns and hotels sir," one of the men responded.

Hisako sighed beside Neji as they watched the chaos unfold.

Clean up took forever. A few hours later, Neji had tended to Hisako's injured knee and a small cut she had on her temple. They were sitting on the edge of the hot springs, Hisako's head resting on Neji's shoulder, his arm wrapped around her as she quietly dozed, their feet dangling in the warm water. The sun was beginning to set before anyone even got to address them.

Eventually, someone cleared their throat behind Neji and Hisako and he turned his attention back to the man who was standing behind him. Hisako moaned and readjusted herself but she didn't wake up from her sleep. She must have been exhausted.

"Yes?" Neji asked, keeping his voice quiet.

The man held a briefcase out, handing it to Neji. Neji nodded to the floor and the man set it down.

"It's the money you and your comrade received for capturing the criminals and putting a stop to this trafficking."

Neji stared at the briefcase before looking back up at the man, "Is there anything else you need from us? Or are we free to go?"

"No, there's nothing else. Have a good rest of your night."

Neji let out a sigh and turned his attention back down to Hisako. Now they were the only two left. They haven't even had the chance to get out of their robes yet. He couldn't help but stare at her as she slept so soundly on his shoulder. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. This stirred her from her sleep and she turned hazy green eyes up to him blinking back the exhaustion.

"Is it over?" Hisako asked, sleep thick in her voice.

Neji gave her a small smile. "It's over. We can go now."

Hisako sighed in relief, letting her head fall into his chest. "Oh thank God."

Neji stood up, bringing her up with him. "Do you need me to carry you?"

He couldn't help but notice just how much weight she was resting on him. It worried him. She was usually very sensitive to any sort of physical activity, but she seemed to be even more resistant to it since the whole Itachi incident. It made him worry that maybe her heart wasn't going to last much longer at all.

His gaze drifted up as he tightened his hold on her. You better hurry up, Naruto. He thought as his pulse raced with the fear of losing Hisako.

Hisako nodded her head. "Yes please."

Neji really didn't like what he was seeing from her. She had pushed herself way too far the other day. What she did that day was reckless, and stupid. She could have killed herself! At the very least, she'd just shortened her life if they can't bring Tsunade back to the village in time. Neji helped Hisako get on his back and readjusted her.

"It's too late to head back to the village now. Let's go get something to eat in town, and then we'll sleep here for the night. The owners are giving us the night for free given the circumstances," Neji told Hisako as they got to their room.

"Sounds good to me," Hisako mumbled.

They both grabbed their clothes, and Neji stepped out of the room changing in the public bathroom to give Hisako the privacy she needed. When he returned, he got down on his knees, holding his arms behind him so she could get on his back again.

"Hisako, be honest, how are you feeling?"

It took Hisako a long moment before she could respond. "Exhausted."

Neji's gaze grew concerned as they walked through the dark town. He found a place that served Hisako's favorite food, sushi. When they got to a table, he set her down on her seat and took up the seat across the table. Neji ordered their food and as soon as the server had left, Hisako doubled over in another one of her coughing fits again.

Neji moved over to the other side of the table instantly, grabbing her upper arms to keep her upright as she coughed. He noticed her grasping for her chest and he pressed his lips into a fine line. When she was done coughing, she sagged into him.

"I'm getting worse, aren't I?" She whispered so quietly that Neji barely caught it.

"Yes, but you just have to hold on. Naruto and Lord Jiraiya are going to find Lady Tsunade and bring her back. She's supposed to be the best, so I know she can heal you."

Hisako lifted her head to give Neji a small smile. "Even so. I don't regret doing what I did. I spoke to Itachi that day. And now I know for a fact, something else happened. I don't believe he's the one who was truly responsible for destroying the Uchiha Clan."

Neji's eyes widened with that statement. "What do you mean? How can you be so sure?"

Hisako's gaze dropped again, and a wave of uncertainty washed through her. "He said something that day. He said that he destroyed the Uchiha Clan for power, to test the limits of his power. And that just… Doesn't seem like Itachi. I know him. Even if it wasn't a long time. I feel like that was just a stupid excuse. Something else happened. Something he can't say. I just don't know what. All I know is, Itachi is innocent."

This was the first time she'd said this theory out loud. But, ever since the clan was destroyed, she's had this nagging feeling in her heart. Something told her that everything wasn't as it appeared to be. She wasn't sure if she would ever be able to get to the bottom of it. But, Hisako knew now with clarity that it wasn't Itachi. Someone else pulled the strings that day. She just didn't know who.

Hisako barely ate anything for dinner. Food didn't seem appetizing to her. Neji noticed it too. The entire dinner he kept glancing at her and giving her concerned looks. She kept looking up at him, trying to give him a confident smile. But he never believed those smiles: he knew she was just as afraid as he was.

Neji carried her back to the hotel. When they got back, Hisako didn't even get dressed into her pajamas. She fell asleep in her futon immediately. Neji couldn't help but quietly watch her sleep long into the night, terrified that if he fell asleep, he would wake up and find her dead.