Returning to school felt like a dream. Real life wasn't real life at all. Sakura was floating in the abyss.

Tomorrow, she would watch Lee at his match. The anxiety was chewing at her as she chewed her pencil's eraser. She was going to have to exercise her expertise, no doubt about it. Whether it was Lee or his opponent. Someone was going to get hurt.

"Ms. Haruno." Professor Tsunade's voice rang out, interrupting Sakura from her thoughts. "I would like to see you after class."

A few students turned around to look at Sakura who was panicking in her seat. "Y-yes ma'am!"

Oh no, is this about me not paying attention in class? Sakura looked down at her notes. She had been working autonomously, all the work was correct. She just wasn't absorbing any of it.

Sakura felt Ino's gaze on her. Full of scorn maybe? Or maybe it was concern.

Knowing Ino, it was probably both. Sakura had no idea what to tell Ino what was troubling her. She hadn't even told her the result of her date with Lee. Every time Sakura thought about that date, she remembered the conflict with the Hyuga Clan.

After class, Ino had to leave without Sakura, eyeing the girl with a frown. Pity. That was it. Ino felt bad for her without knowing what was wrong. Sakura's guilt snatched up her heart and shook it around. Ino was her best friend, she had to tell her something.

But first, she had to face the wrath of Professor Tsunade. Her feet were cement blocks as she made her way towards the front where Tsunade sat at her desk. Ungraded papers, books, and an uneaten apple littered her desktop.

The woman bridged her hands together and rested her chin on them as she looked at Sakura.

"You wanted to see me?" Sakura tried her best not to sound like a little girl. This was her favorite professor after all. Tsunade loved her.

That didn't change the fact that Tsunade was still intimidating. She didn't beat around the bush either. "It has come to my attention that one of my students has become involved with the underground."

All the hairs on Sakura's arms stood up. "Wha... How did you know about that?" There was no use in lying. She knew that Tsunade was speaking about her.

"Because..." Tsunade peered at her student through half lidded eyes. "An old contact of mine— Police Commissioner Jiraiya— came to me with a special case. Neji Hyuga, you know him?"

Sakura nodded solemnly. "... How is he?" She asked dryly.

"Stable." Tsunade sat up in her chair. "Sakura, I must tell you. Do not get involved with things like this."

"But—"

"It's over a boy, isn't it? The Hyuga's friend? Rock Lee was it?"

Just how much did Tsunade know about?

Seeing the confusion wrinkle itself on Sakura's face, Tsunade sighed. "His guardian, Might Guy told me everything at the hospital. I had to know why this young man came to me so beaten up. This life Sakura," Tsunade stood on her feet now and walked around her desk to face Sakura. "This isn't the way to go. I know because I've been in your place before."

Sakura's eyes watered. "You... Have?"

Tsunade hung her head. "A long time ago. When I quit, I started teaching here. Commissioner Jiraiya has a way of bringing me back unfortunately. I couldn't turn down this case." She offered a hug to Sakura, bringing her student in close. "That said, I understand the drive to help those who are less fortunate than you."

"I can't stop Professor Tsunade," Sakura accepted the hug, despite herself. "They... They need people like us. The practice isn't going anywhere soon. You yourself bore witness to it, right?" She looked up at Tsunade with pleading eyes. "I want to prevent unnecessary loss of life due to untreated injuries."

It wasn't indifferent to treating criminals who were being arrested or who were already in prison. Many could argue that their lives weren't worth it. But these street fighters... Lee, Tenten, Neji— they're kind souls who don't deserve that kind of treatment.

Tsunade patted her back. "It seems that I can't dissuade you. But trust me, one day you will regret it." She gave a great sigh. "Come, let's go see Neji. You'll have some hands on experience right now."

The two parted their hug and made their way out of the class only to be met with Ino who was waiting for Sakura outside in the hall.

"Sakura? What's going on?" Ino assumed that Sakura was in huge trouble from the way Tsunade appeared to be escorting her.

Tsunade placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder and in a low tone, she spoke in her ear. "Looks like you have some explaining to do. Meet me in the hospital ward in a few." With that, Professor Tsunade departed, leaving the two best friends in the hallway as other students hurried about around them.

Sakura slowly approached Ino. "Hey, Pig," she greeted.

"Hey." Ino arched a brow. "What'd you do Forehead? Why did the Prof call you to hang out after?"

"It's um, a friend of mine," Sakura partially lied. "He's in the hospital. Tsunade happened to be his doctor."

Ino gasped. "A friend of yours? I don't know him, do I?"

Sakura shook her head.

"Well, what happened to him?" Ino asked, resting a hand on her hip.

"Would you believe me if I said it happened to do with the Yakuza?" Sakura expected Ino to laugh and scoff, but she didn't. She could see the gears in Ino's head turning as the processed the information.

"You know... Choji and Shikamaru mentioned they had a run in with the Yakuza.

Sakura felt her heart drop.

"They arrested this guy... I forgot his name, but he's a Hyuga." Everyone knew who the Hyuga were, they were quite infamous. "They didn't tell me all the details of course, but... Did your friend happen to be involved with that?"

"Um," Sakura flicked out her tongue to moisten her lips. Her mouth was beginning to feel very dry. "Yes."

She felt Ino place her hands onto each shoulder respectively. "Sakura, I'm going to be really serious right now." Ino pursed her lips, unable to quell the growing uneasy feeling inside of her. "You're not getting involved with the Yakuza are you?"

"No." Sakura lied. It wasn't direct involvement anyway.

"Because Choji and Shikamaru, they can—"

Sakura cut her off. "I'm not, Ino. I promise."

Ino's eyes searched Sakura's expression for anything that could give her away. But Sakura's resolve to remain private and protect the criminal identities of her new friends was a strong one. Ino drew away finally. "Okay," she said. "When you feel like telling me the whole truth, you can find me at the flower shop."

Sakura watched Ino's blonde ponytail swing back and forth as she walked away. It sucked having to lie to her best friend. The half truths would have to do for now.

ˏˋ ˎˊ

Thunk!

Thunk!

Thunk!

The sound of Tenten's kunai hitting the mounted target on the wall echoed throughout the gym. The sound had not stopped since she came in that morning. She wasn't doing any real training, Lee noted. She was just upset and taking it out. He tried speaking with her but she wouldn't talk back.

The only other company Lee had were Kiba and Shino. They weren't arrested when Hiashi was, instead put on some kind of probation until Kakashi could figure out what to do with them. For now, they were staying with Guy.

Each of them came from reputable crime families themselves, the Inuzuka and the Aburame. However their power didn't have the reach or strength the Hyuga had.

Hinata would be staying with Tenten at her house. Unlike Lee, Tenten used the money from her winnings to afford a small townhouse rather than an apartment. There would be enough room for the two women to share it until Hinata could be on her own.

Currently, Hinata was at the police station visiting her father.

It was two days ago that it all went down.

Two days.

And it feels like these strangers have been with them forever when Neji should be here. With misplaced anger towards Kiba and Shino, Lee challenged them to a fight. When Tenten had heard this, her interest was piqued.

"Two against two," Tenten said. "We didn't exactly get to finish our fight."

"Why do you want to continue that fight?" Shino asked rhetorically. He didn't wait for Tenten to respond before continuing. "Because you think that'll fix anything. It won't bring your friend back." His sunglasses glinted in the fluorescent lights.

Lee pursed his lips, he could feel Tenten bristling beside him. He hated to admit that the Aburame was right. He wouldn't say it out loud however.

"Speak for yourself Shino," Kiba grinned toothily. His canines were sharpened to a point, a trait of his family's. He stood with his fists bared. "I wanna fight."

The door to the gym opened, flooding in natural sunlight. Guy stood at the entrance with Hinata behind him, having just picked her up from the police station. He quickly took in the scene before him and smirked. "Ah the hot-blooded temper of youth. You couldn't last a few hours without going at each other's throats." His eyes flickered between the four. "You especially should know better, Lee. You have a match tomorrow. You need to be in top shape. Can't have you getting hurt."

"You are right Sensei..." Lee slumped his shoulders. "I am sorry."

Guy stepped aside and let Hinata in first. "Chin up son," he said. "I have some good news you might want to hear. Why don't you be the one to share it, Miss Hyuga?"

Everyone's eyes were on Hinata as she tapped her index fingers together. "It's Neji, h-he's..." Her face flushed from the effort of speaking. "He's stable."

"That is wonderful news!" Lee felt elated. He wanted to hug someone but he knew that Tenten wasn't fond of smothering and Guy Sensei was too far away from him.

"Asphyxiation is no joke but our Neji is pulling through." Guy smiled. "They even managed to fix his nose. He'll be his handsome youthful self in no time. Right, Tenten?"

Tenten's face burned. "Why are you singling me out?"

Guy ignored her. "When he wakes up, the four of us will go visit him. In the meantime, let's all continue to do our best in his absence!" He pumped a celebratory fist in the air, followed by Lee mirroring his action.

"Yes Guy Sensei! I will win tomorrow's match in Neji's honor!"

Tenten scratched at her head. "Can we go back to why you said my name?"

"Not right now Tenten, you and Lee drop and give me fifty."

"Of course, Guy Sensei!" Lee more than happily dropped down onto the floor.

Tenten groaned.

Kiba and Shino exchanged glances.

Hinata cracked a smile.