Author's Note: I guess you can call this the real chapter one.

Warning: Unedited for now.

Advisor: DishevelledAngle. Dedication? The same.

Enigma

Chapter II

Accouchement

"We're back here again," Sasuke muttered under his breath, his obsidian eyes staring at the accursed Hyuuga mansion through the window of his sleek Ferrari. Somehow the tedious investigation led back here again. Why? If you'd ask Sasuke, he'd just tell you to ask his god damn genius brother.

"Yes. We're bound to come back here again, Sasuke. This is where we'd find someone who can tell us about her birth, and the situation her family was in at the time." The younger brother scowled at the completely logical explanation.

"But can't we call the person to the interrogation centre?" He brushed his hair back, before leaning backwards in his seat. They were using his car, but still, Itachi got to drive. Almost rebelliously, Sasuke had his foot on the black leather seat; Itachi had failed to make a comment, but had managed to think that this was a sign that Sasuke had retained his childlike qualities... Which generally would be a good thing, but not in this case; sulking was quite unprofitable.

Amusement was nestled in Itachi's onyx eyes. "Are you whining, my dear younger brother?" Turning the steering wheel, he managed to park the car under a large, archaic-looking oak tree, away from the brilliance of the golden sun.

Opening the door, Sasuke turned to face Itachi. "No. I was merely suggesting." Crossing his arms, his face turned to stare at the large mansion in front of him. He'd already seen it enough times to last him a lifetime. Especially the way the Hyuuga appointed their own family members for slaves. The thought caused goosebumps to appear on his pale arms.

"That suggestion sounded much like a whine, Sasuke," Itachi's raven black ponytail swayed in the wind as he continued taking elegant steps forward. "Don't forget, however... we have a mission. I have never once failed to complete a task, and I'm not about to start now, thank you very much."

"I know, I know," Sasuke rolled his eyes. "You're my genius brother, with the perfect record, are you not?" He scowled. Why did Itachi even need his record? Was it that important? And besides, how on earth had he managed to keep it? Sasuke had certainly tried... but even now, he only has a ninety nine percent rate.

"I am. But whether or not I am a genius varies from the different viewpoints - vastly." They had already arrived at the entrance of the Hyuuga mansion, and it was Itachi who reached his hand to knock on the giant golden lion knockers. Immediately, a shuffling was heard from the inside; without delay, the oak doors swung themselves open.

Itachi impassively glanced at the maid; it was the same one from yesterday, when they had visited in order to confirm whether or not the fire alarms were working. Upon seeing them, she bowed slightly, beckoning them in with one pale hand.

The elder confidently crossed the threshold, while the younger followed him, grumbling curses under his breath. "Lord Hyuuga wishes to see you," the maid informed, keeping her glassy eyes emotionless.

Sasuke sighed, not wanting to go through this conversation again, but knew that he would ineluctably have to. "We have the upper part in this situation. If this Lord Hyuuga-" He was interrupted, by no other than Itachi.

"While my younger brother may speak roughly, he is still correct. If we deem that Mister Hyuuga's conduct is incorrect or of any threat to us or our investigation, we have full rights to arrest him." Itachi paused, before deciding to explain further. "Even though Mister Hyuuga has called us to investigate, that does not mean that his actions will be ignored. In fact, he might be the fugitive that we were searching for to begin with. That is sometimes the case."

Sasuke shot Itachi a venomous glance, but nodded along anyway. The maid seemed confused. "So... even if you are the one that called, you still have to be examined?"

"That's right," it was Sasuke who spoke. "There are no exceptions to this golden rule... no liabilities. The criminals must be caught. That is an Uchiha's way." There was pride in Sasuke's voice. Onyx eyes flickered towards Sasuke, before looking away abruptly.

"I," for a moment, the maid seemed scared. But that was when a neutral mask appeared on her face, and she straightened her posture. "If I may inquire about your appearance?" Obsidian orbs rolled skywards at the distant politeness in the query.

"You may." Itachi replied smoothly. "We are here to see an elder that was present at the time of Hinata's birth. Preferably a branch house member." Sasuke, who had finally done his research, recognised that a branch house member was a member of the Hyuuga lower class; the servants. The maid reflexively took a step back, wonder shown on her face. While the segregation of the Hyuuga was no well kept secret, it was still something that was not in the open; not many knew about it.

"Of- of course. Please follow me." Rotating her body three-hundred-and-sixty degrees, the maid (who they still had yet to learn the name of) took off walking.

In the meantime, Sasuke shot Itachi a curious look, wondering why on earth his older brother specifically requested an elder of the lower class.

Hyuuga Neji was furious. But then again, so was the well known scientist, Senju Tsunade, that stood opposite him.

"Face the facts, Hyuuga. Hinata is dead. Dead. Her body lays in front of you." Tsunade's low tone almost came across as a growl. Her hands were positioned under her (massive) chest, and her head was tilted upwards; it was almost as if she was looking down her nose at Neji.

"No, she is not! She can't be dead!" Neji's voice was louder than usual; he barely managed to keep it steady. A hand shot up to massage his temples as his ice cold glare faced the scientist. "If you tell me this one more-"

"I've almost had it with your pointless denial. I am not hired to argue, nor to lie, or to deal with brats like you. I am hired to examine bodies." Tsunade took a sharp breath, and her chocolate eyes snapped wide open. "And I specifically examined this one. Hyuuga Hinata is no longer living. D-E-A-D. Dead." Neji winced, but then recovered quite quickly.

"Look here, scientist, you do not know who I am, do you? I am the one who will lead the Hyuuga in the future, and be on the MP board. I can have you fired - not only fired, I can shut this whole place down." In his mind, Neji calculated if that was actually possible; and was relieved when he saw that it was.

"Hyuuga, Myuuga. Got anything else to add, brat?" Tsunade's hands itched for a bottle of alcohol, but sadly, that was far away from where she was. Her and Neji were in the hallway in front of the morgue where the bodies where kept; she had just shown him Hinata, after he had busted into the building, bubbling with demands.

"Yes, I do. You're not even sorry now, are you? My cousin... as you people say, my cousin has committed suicide. Do you not care at all?" At this point, Neji's voice was coated in sorrow and pain. He had been forced to accept something that he didn't want to, and reality was harsher than he expected.

Tsunade laughed. A booming laugh, one that ricocheted off the walls of the hallway. Her hands unfolded, slithering downwards to grasp at her stomach. Cold, blank eyes watched with slight disgust and bewilderment as she continued laughing. Suddenly she came to a stop, and wiped some of the drool that had accumulated at the side of her mouth.

"I thank you for that laugh. It felt good." Her face slowly turned sombre, and she shook her head, a couple of her blonde hairs escaping their confinements. "Brat... I've dealt with thousands and thousands of Hyuuga Hinatas' and Hyuuga Ryoos'. At the beginning, was I sorry for everyone that I saw?" Neji kept quiet, not daring to interrupt.

"Of course I was," Tsunade continued. "I cried on the first couple of cases, and my stomach always felt queasy after that." The truth in her words fascinated Neji. Was this middle-aged woman opening up to him?

"But over the years, I grew desensitised. Alcohol helped. Hell, look at me now; you could call me an alcoholic." She flashed a crooked smile at Neji, who had his nose wrinkled in revolt. "I guess you Hyuuga wouldn't understand though, would you?"

"But to answer your question now, Hyuuga... I don't feel sorry at all. I've grown used to it, in fact." Suddenly changing her attitude, Tsunade straightened out her back. "This is getting to be a bit too sappy for me to deal with. I need a drink."

It was a testimony to what she had said earlier. "Now, do yourself a favour, Hyuuga - instead of wallowing around in denial, why don't you tell Hyuuga Hinata's classmates about her unfortunate death?"

"Why should I?" Neji didn't seem moved one bit, and his tone remained sharp. What the woman had said hadn't changed the fact that Hinata was dead, nor that she confirmed it, nor that she didn't feel sorry for her at all. It all seemed like excuses to make him feel better; and if it was, it wasn't working.

"Well, if you're here, I'm right to assume that you were close to her, were you not? Her classmates would believe it if it were you, and not just some random stranger on the street. And besides, you'd make yourself useful." Neji would never admit it (especially to her), but he had forsaken his pride and followed her (not-so) helpful advice.

The maid delicately knocked on the door, not meaning to disturb the occupant inside. Sasuke and Itachi were positioned behind her; Sasuke, his arms crossed and eyes narrowed, Itachi, impassive as a statue. A faint call was heard, one that approved of their entering. She opened the door, and the view of the room could finally be seen.

It was not as grand as Itachi was used to; but that was to be expected, he supposed, since this was only a servant's room. It was medium sized, with plain, and painfully bare white-washed walls; there stood only the necessities: a table, a bed, a chair. Nothing personal was displayed on any corner of the room; it was that fact that left an impression on Itachi.

There was an elderly woman that sat on the plain wooden chair; her gnarled hands clenching needles that moved swiftly back and forth. They created what was to be a beautiful pattern with the thick woollen threads.

The old woman's milky eyes jumped up and landed on the two dark eyed strangers. There was no change in her expression; then again it was hard to tell, especially with the creases covering her face. "Can I help you?" Her voice was scratchy, and it seemed as if it was almost painful to talk. Still, it was evident that she was not yet senile by the intelligence that glittered in her gaze.

"We're private investigators," Sasuke began, his tone quite serious and formidable. "And we were appointed by Hyuuga Hiashi to investigate Hyuuga Hinata's death... or suicide. We have some questions that we must ask."

"Yes," Itachi stated, before his stare darted to the remaining maid. "But before that... I'm sorry to ask this of you, but may you please leave? We would prefer if the sessions remained to be one-on-one." The maid nodded in acceptance before she quietly left the room. That left three people: the two brothers, and the elderly Hyuuga.

"You didn't have to be so polite, Itachi," it was almost like a growl. "Just saying 'leave' would have been fine."

Itachi smiled lightly. "I, unlike you, my dear younger brother, have manners," there was a playful edge to the remark. He then refocused his attention back to the Hyuuga; but Sasuke wasn't finished with him yet.

"I do have manners... I just know when to use them!" Sasuke retorted venomously. If looks could kill, Itachi would have been dead by now.

The old woman chuckled, her stance relaxing. "Such spirit!" Itachi also released the tension that Sasuke didn't know was previously there. "So, young ones, what about Lady Hyuuga must you ask?" There was an unquestionable sadness in her voice, one that demonstrated how much Lady Hyuuga meant to her.

That was when Sasuke realised what Itachi had done. He had initiated playful banter in order to relax the old woman and get her to talk. Sasuke almost growled out loud. Yet again, Itachi had won; yet again, Itachi had shown to be better than himself. Suppressing the frustration he was feeling, he ran a hand through his hair. "We need to-"

Itachi unceremoniously interrupted. Already knowing what Sasuke was going to say, he had decided on a better alternative. "We have decided to investigate the sequence featuring Hyuuga Hinata's life. Through understanding her life, we can understand he death... or so our logic states." Sasuke scowled; why did Itachi have to stop him from speaking?

"That... does sound logical," there was a thoughtful murmur in the woman's voice. Then she sighed wearily; almost as if she was tired from living. "But that doesn't tell me what you young ones wish to know. I'm sure you're aware that I can't tell you everything."

"We," Sasuke threw Itachi a poisonous glance, daring him to repeat his misgivings. "Want to know about Hinata's birth. And the situation the Hyuuga were in at the time." The younger finished coolly, condescendingly. It made the old woman visibly uneasy.

"Of course, before that, we'd like to know your name. It's unbecoming of us to keep referring to you as 'you'." Itachi smiled winningly, and discreetly pinched Sasuke's arm in warning. Sasuke glared, his mouth twisting into a fine, thin line. They were esteemed detectives! Why did Itachi want to entertain an old woman?

"It's fine. I'd rather be known anonymously, young one." Her eyes twinkled in mirth. It was as if Itachi had told a joke that only she knew about. It pissed Sasuke off. "I'll tell you," although it wasn't as if she had a choice; the thought lay bitter in the younger Uchiha's mind.

"Please do," Itachi encouraged, fully engrossed in the old woman's words.

"Sit, sit," she waved her hands to the single bed in the room. Then she let out a breath before starting again, a small smile of reminiscence on her face. "It was like this, see..."

Sitting calmly on the rocking chair, the young woman rocked backwards and forwards, a smile on her face. Her hand was patting her swollen stomach lovingly, and her gaze was gentle as it eyed the mass.

The woman had long, indigo hair with large pupil-less white eyes. Her smile was beautiful, her lips ruby red; it was a distinct contrast to her milky white skin. She was, undoubtedly, beautiful.

And she also was, undoubtedly, the wife of the leader of the Hyuuga clan.

She caressed the baby underneath her skin with more emotion than one could imagine. For she was a gentle woman, with inconceivable kindness. And all of the branch Hyuuga loved her for it.

"I love you," she murmured, her voice soft, her gaze still directed on the bulge.

"So Hinata was loved by her mother?" Sasuke enquired, sounding bored. Inside though, he felt a bit troubled. If her mother loved her, then why would she unhesitatingly commit suicide? If she even had the slightest hesitation, she would have surely been found before she became a clump of burned matter, before her pulse stopped entirely.

Itachi, however, focused on something different entirely. "So the branch Hyuuga loved her?" This could pose to be some sort of clue. If Hinata's mother was loved by the branch, that meant that she was unerringly nice to them as well. With this sort of behaviour... It might be conceivable that this sort of behaviour created tension within the family.

The elder nodded at both of their questions, and went on the answer Itachi's in detail, much to Sasuke's annoyance. "The Lady Hyuuga was also a branch member before she got married. Everyone is, really, except the ones that are directly born as first-in-line. It's similar to monarchy."

Itachi frowned, before nodding in a placating manner. "If you would please continue?"

The door opened suddenly. A tall figure stepped in, walking forward to the woman in the rocking chair. His stance was serious and calm, his face devoid of wrinkles, his dark hair smooth and straight. The picture of elegance, the Hyuuga patriarch.

"Back already, dear?" The woman questioned, not bothering to rise from her chair. The man nodded, before walking nearer the woman, standing next to her imposingly.

"I am. The branch have started rioting yet again." He scowled, eyeing her with just the slightest hint of a glare. "And they would not do so if you didn't prompt them," he added. The tension in the room was almost palpable.

She returned it, although never one for confrontation, her eyes softened immediately. "They are people, too. I was a person, even before I was married to you." She reminded him, turning her head down to rub her belly. Hiashi's firm lips became even firmer at the statement.

"I would rather you didn't. We evidently do not share the same views. But as my wife, you are required to stand by me and stop slandering my decision so obviously." He paused, before taking a deep breath. "This is for the good of the clan," it was a declaration that had been repeated time and time again in their never-ending arguments.

"That may be so... But it's not for the good of the people!"

"From what I can deduce," it was surprisingly Itachi who interrupted. "Hinata was born to tension from the hierarchy in her family, and the arguments between her parents. And as a heir, that makes her even more so involved."

"True," the woman nodded amiably. "A not-so-great start. But all Hyuuga bear not-so-great starts. Not so unique, as you might imagine." There was a sad, weaning smile on her face, and Sasuke couldn't help but feel her sorrow. It was almost like she was reliving the past events, and it made the youngest feel uncomfortable.

"We've heard enough. Let's move on, Itachi." It seemed surprising, since it was Itachi who had a more pleasant countenance. Yes, it was very surprising that Sasuke was the one who was softer on the inside.

"I disagree. We have yet to even hear about the birth." Meanwhile Itachi, for all his pleasantry, was ruthless and brutal. The had come here to find about the circumstances in which she was born; that included the actual day, too. He would never leave things only half-finished. "Please, enlighten us."

The elderly woman seemed surprised at the sudden switch in personalities, but nodded nonetheless. "Of course."

The 27th of December was the very first snow that winter. The snowflakes started drifting slowly down to earth; their crystals a stark white. It was so very pure; innocent. It was the very day that the wife of the Hyuuga patriarch went into labour.

Hyuuga Hiashi, for all of his usual calm and his cool demeanour, went into a panic. The maids and butlers could hardly calm him. But his panic was not unfounded; to be a father for the very first time was nerve-racking, and a very large new step in one's life.

"Doesn't that mean that the father also loves her?" Sasuke couldn't hold back the question. But it really was curious; it seemed like she's had a happy childhood, with paternal and maternal love.

"Don't interrupt," Itachi scolded before turning his expectant eyes on the Hyuuga.

There was no need for the woman to be taken to the hospital; they already had a hired doctor and readied room for this exact occasion. Not unprepared, the soon-to-be mother was carted off into that very space which was only two minutes away from her position.

Of course, to ensure that she was in the building at the time her water breaks, she had been assigned to bed rest the moment she entered her seventh month. While the Lady had been against this decision, she quickly agreed when Hiashi stressed that it was for the baby's own good.

The labour lasted an agonising three hours. But in the end, a small baby, covered in blood and fluids, emerged from the woman's opening. It started wailing in a high, loud voice. Smiling, the female doctor cradled the baby before finally giving it to its mother.

The mother was pale, but there was a happy grin on her face. The father was hurriedly called in, exhaustion written on his face. When they were finally both together, the doctor stepped back. "Congratulations, it's a girl!"

The slow smile that had accumulated on Hiashi's face disappeared like the wind. "A... girl?" He repeated, making sure he wasn't mishearing things. They had decided to find out the gender of the baby when it was born, even though they had the technology to find out beforehand.

He had wanted a boy. He had needed a boy. The fact that she was a girl was not within his expectations, nor his plans... in fact, a worse case scenario was appearing before his eyes. However, his partner had not noticed his turbulent expression.

"Let's name her... Hinata. My darling, my place in the sun. Let you always shine bright, my dear."

The old woman ended her monologue, her eyes closing, before opening. "That's as much as I can tell you about Lady Hinata's birth," she muttered wearily. "Any further memories escape me. That was all a long seventeen years ago."

"Thank you for your time," Itachi's velvety voice was heard. "But before we leave, I must enquire a couple more questions, regarding details about what you have shared with us. While it was very helpful, some information has escaped me." Sasuke grudgingly agreed with Itachi. In fact, he was about to ask certain questions himself.

"Why have you yet to mention the mother's name?" The younger Uchiha began, not wanting to be outdone by his brother. But not only that, it was something that had bewildered him throughout their time here; Hinata's mother was referred to as that: simply her mother. Why did she not have a name?

"Lord Hyuuga has forbidden her name to be said. Everyone must obey his wishes." While it didn't fully answer what was asked, Sasuke reckoned it was good enough. Itachi nodded, deciding to move on.

"Why is there a need for the first child to be a boy?" The actual question remained unspoken: couldn't there be a boy after Hinata was born? Itachi thought that to be intriguing: even though the elder had said that the Hyuuga were like a monarchy... In monarchies, it didn't matter when the boys were born, but in the Hyuuga clan, it seemed to matter.

"Lord Hyuuga is somewhat superstitious. He believes that if the first child is a girl, that the Hyuuga will not grow." She paused for breath, her gaze falling onto the small window behind Itachi. "In Hyuuga history, there has been a woman Hyuuga leader only once. Suffice to say, it was not an easy or pretty period in the Hyuuga history." She then sighed through her nose, looking even older and wiser in age. "Since then, the Hyuuga have always been apprehensive when women heirs are born."

Itachi pressed on. "Maybe so, but that doesn't mean to say that they couldn't have tried for a boy. Why was Hiashi Hyuuga so discouraged that his first born is a girl?" Sasuke watched the exchange silently. There was nothing he could say: to him, these exact details didn't hold any importance.

"The first born can always become the leader if they so wish. Hiashi was afraid that that might be the case, even if his second or third born was a boy." Interesting. To Itachi, this meant that the Hyuuga system was its own; while similar to a monarchy, it had its own unique qualities.

"But," Sasuke mumbled, his eyebrows knitted, "how do you know so much?" A legitimate question, Itachi mused. Even if she was old enough to be there during Hinata's birth, some of what she says seems to personal to know for just a member of the branch.

The elderly woman smiled, and appeared more mysterious than ever before. "It looks like the maids like you. I would like you myself, if I was thirty years younger. Two handsome detectives like yourselves are hard to come by. Why, I was the doctor assigned for Lady Hinata's birth."

"You're a midwife?" Sasuke asked, one eyebrow raised. Wasn't she a member of the branch Hyuuga? Didn't mean that she's a maid? If so, how was she allowed to become a doctor?

The Hyuuga let out a dry laugh, almost reading his mind. "Just because we're branch, doesn't mean we aren't allowed to pursue professions."

Itachi blinked, unsurprised. He was expecting something like this. Even though all the staff were Hyuuga, it would be slavery, or something near it for them to not be allowed to receive education. But, just to be sure... "Meaning?"

"All of the personnel you see here aren't just maids. All the Hyuuga are expected to achieve high standing jobs. And we do, lest we face the wrath of Lord Hiashi Hyuuga." Sasuke blinked. Now this was something he could expect from his own family, the Uchiha. He couldn't believe he hadn't already thought of something like this.

"If so, why are there so many maids?" Curiosity could be heard in his tone. If the Hyuuga all had such high paying professions, why would they choose to...?

"Some of the ones who are unable to finish or do anything considered 'large' stay as maids. The men become guards. This mansion holds only a small amount of Hyuuga, the ones that are very closely related to the main branch. This whole neighbourhood is owned by Hyuuga, so the complexes you see around this main mansion also hold Hyuuga personnel and workers for the company." The elder explained, her voice now starting to tire. But both brothers now had a clearer picture and insight of what it meant to be a Hyuuga.

"Well," Itachi began with a grand flare, "we are very grateful for your time." Sasuke rolled his eyes, refraining to mutter about how she was legally obliged to do it anyway. "We have learned enough from you. But it is time for us to move on towards her later years. Except for one last question: how well did you know Hyuuga Hinata?"

The woman smiled wistfully, and there was more than slight sorrow in her tone. "Not well enough."

"Thank you. Now, Sasuke, come. We must leave." And with that, the two Uchiha brothers stood up from where they sat, and walked out of the room and back into the corridor.

"Your attention please! Class, settle down!" The teacher yelled, furious and exasperated at the same time. It was strenuous beyond belief to calm down an average high school class. Finally, when there was a shared silence throughout the classroom, he resumed talking in a quieter voice. "We have a visitor. Please, do come in."

The silence became deadly. Never before had there been a visitor; and no one knew why there would be one now.

The maple door opened with a creak, and one irate Hyuuga Neji stepped in. His dark brown locks were tousled, and he seemed unusually dishevelled. There were prominent purple bags under his eyes, which were accompanied by his exhausted looking eyes. His clothing was ragged, and his skin sallow. Nevertheless, he was instantly recognised by the whole class, his ex-peers.

Hyuuga Neji used to be the heart-throb of the school, an exceedingly suave and popular male with exceptional grades and behaviour. It was not only his appearance and personality that grasped everyone's attention: it was also his family prestige and wealth. Because of that, and because of his status as an ex-pupil of the school, it was easy to pass by reception and get into registration.

And that was also exactly why everybody burst into cheers, all too happy to see him again despite his current visual aspects (the girls in particular). But in response to the grand welcome, Neji held up a hand, visibly annoyed. "Silence!" He demanded roughly.

Everyone immediately quieted, and it was quite apparent that this Hyuuga Neji held more authority that even the teacher. "I come today with grave news," he began, white eyes sorrowful. "Regarding a pupil in this class."

Murmurs broke out, but Neji continued on, his voice breaking. "Hyuuga Hinata, my cousin and a member of this class, is no longer among the living," and from the pockets of his trousers, he produced a picture of her, which he pinned up on the white-board.

Neji could hear the loudness of his heartbeat through his chest; it was to that degree of muteness. But after a moment, talking broke out; gossip beginning to take root. Very few even recognised the photo of his cousin; and none appeared sad. While the teacher seemed mildly surprised, he was very flippant about it as well.

He felt himself grow disgusted at the people around him. Why had he wasted his time? No one seemed to even care that his cousin was... dead. No longer living. No one seemed to care that they would never be able to see her again, breathe in her presence, see her smile, her tears, screams...

Taking in a deep breath, he dismissed himself from the room, preferring not to be in the presence of such disgruntling people. As he shut the door, he remained oblivious to the chocolate eyes that adoringly trailed his departure.

But, Neji was incorrect; not everyone remained unaffected by his announcement. Three pairs of eyes stared at the picture searchingly, almost disbelievingly.

Two pairs were sorrowful, one not.

Two pairs were blue... one not.

"What are your thoughts on the case so far?" Astonishingly for Sasuke, it was Itachi who asked this question. He did so with the full intention on making sure Sasuke played his part as the psychologist; and besides, he was curious to know how his brother responded to the Hyuuga heiress and what they had found out.

The two brothers had decided to take a lunch break (which was really a bit of time to regroup) away from the prying eyes of the main Hyuuga mansion. Currently, they were in a private restaurant owned by the Uchiha, in a private room designed for people like them (while the Uchiha businesses included mainly the police force, they had many wayward sectors that branched out).

"Honestly?" Sasuke murmured, his eyes cloudy in thought. "This Hyuuga Hinata is fortunately unfortunate. While I know the rich have problems," he gestured to himself and his brother, "Hyuuga's case seems unique. The family is set on a regime of weird ass traditions and schemes, and the leaders seem to be obsessed with wealth. That, coupled with the fact that she's a girl, equals hard times ahead of her. That is, if no further complications arise."

"Interesting opinion. Well explained. I agree." The elder Uchiha brother sighed, his eyes on the ceiling. "While this is enough information to confirm the beginnings of reasons of why she would commit suicide," here, his eyes narrowed. "I have this queer feeling that if we make our conclusion here, if we say that she killed herself because she was unable to cope with the pressures of her clan... That is exactly what our enemy would want."

"You're right," Sasuke nodded. "We have the foundations of the environment she grew up in. Any other detectives would probably stop here, and say that they have their reasons... But..."

"We are Uchiha," Itachi finished. Sasuke rolled his eyes, slightly irritated at how Itachi easily interrupted; but slightly pleased that Itachi had his exact line of thought. "And we never do things half-done. Yes, we will go through her entire life, although it might take a few days."

"But we have enough time," the younger Uchiha muttered, entering the game that Itachi started. "No one is chasing us. This is neither a kidnapping, nor a robbery, nor a murder. There is no one to fear. Because..."

"It's a suicide case," the elder Uchiha accepted the challenge. "The girl is both innocent and guilty. And that is why suicide cases are rarely examined, because there is no one to blame."

"But we will solve this case, because we are Uchiha," they finished in a chorus, before smiling at each other. Itachi was glad that he was able to synchronise his thoughts and actions with Sasuke, the younger brother he loved. And Sasuke was glad he was able to think like the brother he so idolised (even though sometimes he held darker feelings).

But they didn't even know that at the time, their thoughts really were the same, because to themselves, they both mused the same thing: Hyuuga Hinata really was a very interesting person.

Grass green eyes dolefully stared at the cupboard. It wasn't a particularly special cupboard; it was its contents that interested her in particular.

Alcohol.

Her parents wouldn't be home tonight; she was left by herself for the day. Haruno Sakura couldn't help but feel like they had impeccable timing. She wouldn't know what to do if they were here: other than alcohol, how could one drown their sorrows? Even though she was under-age by two years, being only eighteen... she knew she wouldn't get caught.

She stumbled towards the drawer, her hands shaking as she opened the small wooden door. It was only four o'clock in the afternoon, but she could wait no longer. She had even skipped club activities in order to come home.

Searching through the small space, she found a couple of bottles of wine, some brandy, and... a bottle of vodka. Perfect. That would do.

It was a challenge to open the bottle with its clear contents; but when she did, she felt her nose crinkling in disgust. It reeked. But that was okay. It was okay, because it didn't matter once it went down her throat. She tipped the bottle to her lips, and began to chug it.

It burned. She had only had the pleasure of drinking once or twice at a party, and yet she didn't remember it burning like it did now. But that was okay. It had to be.

Besides, the pain felt nice.

… And it was nothing compared to what she had felt.

Naruto could hear the phone ringing. It was like a siren, blaring at him, begging him to answer it. Should he? Against his better judgement, he reached for the medium sized, black plastic. He swiped the green receiver, not bothering to check who the caller was. First mistake.

"Hello?" He called out hesitantly, not particularly caring over who was at the other end of the phone call. Everyone was all the same. It didn't matter. It was all meaningless, now that she was gone. But, he supposed, that was his second mistake: thinking that everyone didn't matter.

Because, for better or worse, someone did matter.

"Hellloo?" His heart nearly stopped. Why was she calling? What on earth prompted her to call him? "Hellloo? Naarruttoo?" He could hear that her voice was slurred. Was she drunk? Was she playing a prank on him? What did she want?

But these were questions that were better directed at her, and not himself. "Sakura?" Hopefully, his tone conveyed all the disbelief and doubt he was currently feeling. When there was a pause, he continued talking. "Why are you calling?"

"Naarrutto!" The loud voice startled him, and almost hurt his ears. "Narrutoo, it iz yooou! I almoost thouuught I callled thee wrooong numbeeer." A hysterical laugh followed the statement. "I'm glaaad," and then, somehow more sombre, she repeated, "I'm gllaaad."

"Sakura," he called, and his voice was so strong, but he could almost feel it cracking. "Sakura, you aren't answering my question. Why are you calling?" And at the end, it did crack. Because once upon a time, he would have loved to have him calling her, no matter what the reason was. Once upon a time, he would have loved to hear her voice, which was so strong and feminine at the same time. Once upon a time...

"Wheen diid yoou geet soo seeriouus?" She giggled at her own question. Naruto wondered if she realised just how drunk she was; he could almost smell the alcohol, and she wasn't even in the same neighbourhood. "Buut, Narruutoo," she was now wailing. "Doo youu thiink wee kiilled heer?"

Third, and last mistake. And maybe it wasn't his own, but it bore the same impact, nevertheless.

"Maybe. Sakura, I have to go now." It was mumbled in a hurried tone, and he had never hung up on anybody quickly in his life. And he couldn't do it fast enough, because in the next moment he was on the floor, experiencing convulsions.

He felt nauseated as the memories started assaulting his senses. Memories he had been trying to forget all day. Swaying, he started tugging on his hair to maybe stop the world from spinning, but it wasn't helping, it wasn't helping at all. And still, he continued doing it, because the pain felt good.

In a wave of grotesque aggression, his fist hit the floor. It hurt, but it didn't hurt enough, even though it was slightly bleeding. Shaking his head, he felt his mouth watering; it resulted in him vomiting all over the floor next to him. And somehow, he almost found himself lying in a pool of that same putrid saliva, because it was just that: saliva. He hadn't been able to eat anything all day.

Would he ever be able to eat anything? Would he ever be able to stomach anything, knowing that he was guilty? With a life hanging over his head?

He felt nauseated again, and his stomach heaved, even though there was nothing in it. He deserved this. He deserved all of it, because... she was dead, and he'd never see her again, and... it was all his fault.

Hyuuga Hiashi sat in his office, a wineglass filled with red wine sat in front of him. Reaching his hand out towards it, he grabbed it, swirling the red liquid melodically. It was red... like blood. Smirking, he lifted the glass to his lips and took a small sip. It tasted... expensive. Was this what wealth and good fortune tasted like?

He toasted to the portrait that hung on the wall in front of him. A portrait to the founder of the Hyuuga clan, the one who had begun at all, their escalation towards wealth and power. A good man. An ancestor worthy of praise. One that he was sure was looking down on the Hyuuga clan, and guiding them towards further fortune.

Which was now ensured. He could not believe his luck. It really was lucky; Hinata had gotten rid of herself on her own, without any interference on his part. He hadn't even done anything, and she was dead! Ha! It was sure now that the Hyuuga can control the world!

It wasn't like he particularly hated Hinata, or anything similar. She was just weak... disgustingly so. She was simply no good; a wasted product, a wasted effort. Much too similar to...

But it didn't matter, when she was gone out of her own free will. Now his plan can commence without any further delay; well, maybe not until those pesky detectives that he had had to hire had done their job and investigated her death... After they did so, Hyuuga Hinata will just be written down in Hyuuga history as an unfortunate accident, and they would all move on in their lives.

Neji could be a problem. His talent was the basis of his plan... That, coupled with Hanabi's indifference and similarity to himself, would equate to profits and economical growth. There no longer were any thorns in his side: even the branch have been quite and accepting of their fate these past couple of years. With Hinata's death, they would be even more so.

However, Neji could be a problem. He always was too fond of Hinata; worse case scenario, he will even stop functioning properly and sink into a galling depression because of it. That would not do. If that happens, he might even slightly regret his dau- Hinata's death.

And maybe one day, when the Hyuuga were where he wanted them to be, he'd look back fondly, and tell himself it was a necessary sacrifice. Maybe one day, when this has all blown over, no one will even remember the existence of his first daughter.

And this was all one day, way too far ahead in the distant future for him to start pondering now. He had files to read, business meetings and conferences to go to; he had no time right now. Hinata should be lucky that he was even giving her any thought.

But he really was curious at what the detectives were to come up with. He had already called them to his office, and threatened numerous maids; it seemed to be that the would not bow to his influence. How annoying. No matter. But, really... what would they come up with?

That Hinata died (committed suicide is a better term, really) of boredom, because she was bestowed with everything ever since she was born? Or was it because she couldn't withstand the pressures of being the heiress of such a corporation? Maybe it was some school trouble that he had never bothered looking into?

Whatever it was, he was looking forward to hearing it.

Blonde hair bobbed backwards and forwards intermittently, swaying with every step Ino took. Her blue eyes gleamed, matching with the blue of the Konoha High School cheerleader uniform. It was a dark blue, with a golden hue on the outer rims, and matched with her shoes: platform trainers, blue with white laces. Fashionable.

And then again, Ino thought with satisfaction, that was exactly what she was.

But when she finally reached her destination, it brought a grimace to her face: a rickety apartment block, made of different shades of cement that ruined the view. It was hideous, and she would kill herself before letting anyone from her school see her enter. With a sigh, she grabbed the keys in her bag and stepped forward to open the front door.

The inside was even more hideous than the outside, maybe even more so. There were cans of beer that were crushed against the wall, along with the usual cigarette butts littering the floor. Overall, it was disgusting. Filthy. But it matched well with the dreary grey of the wall, Ino reflected.

Not pausing to revel at the absurd level of ugliness, she continued her journey up the stairs. It was the same story there, too: cracks on the walls, and a layer of dust making it look like it was never clean. She couldn't get up to the third level fast enough, but when she finally did, she paused upon opening it.

What if her mother was home? She usually wasn't home until much later (sometimes not until the early hours of the morning), but there was always that underlying layer of doubt beneath the surface. Shaking her head, she proceeded opening the door, her nose crinkling at the smell. It was the putrid smell of alcohol, combined with not only cigarettes, but the musky smell of weed as well.

A man had been there earlier this morning. A disdainful thought. Even though her mother smoked and drank alcohol, she didn't do drugs; the men she brought home often did. After all, those were the kind of men that hired prostitutes.

She hated that word. It was just as disgusting as this apartment that she had to live in, just as disgusting as this entire building, just as disgusting as the poverty she was born to. And it wouldn't be so if it weren't for her mother and father.

Her father. It was almost like a curse word for her. A swear. No, not almost. It was. Why was it so?

Her mother and father were in an honest relationship (or so her mother muttered, on her drunkest days). But when her father got her mother pregnant, he had refused to take responsibility and ran away like the coward he was. And her mother was left alone to raise her, and chose the easiest way to make money: prostitution.

And while Ino disliked her mother most of the time there was a part of her that had to grudgingly admit and be grateful to her mother for what she had done for her. It wasn't something that normal women would subject themselves to. But still...

Couldn't her mother have picked something different? Couldn't she have worked an honest job, even if it made less money than the meagre amount she made now? It didn't matter. It never did matter. But the fact that her mother had to sell her body made Ino feel so sick and disgusting and... dirty. Filthy. Just like the walls and floor in this whole damn derelict building.

But, why did her father have to run away? Why couldn't he stay? If he had, it'd be all better now, and her mother wouldn't have had to resort to such desperate measures, and she probably wouldn't have had a problem with alcohol, and...

All of it made her so damn bitter about everything and everyone. It raised such a bitterness in her, one she couldn't describe. Why can other kids have happy families with a healthy income, while she had to be raised in this dump?! But she had to calm down... Thinking of these things made her so mad.

The door whipped open, and goosebumps appeared on Ino's arm. Her mother was home, and hopefully alone. Immediately, the smell of alcohol spread around the small, one bedroom apartment; she was drunk... again.

"Innoo? Daarling, are you hoome?" The slurred speech could barely be translated into English, but somehow, Ino managed. She walked up to her mother, not bothering to reply.

She had heard of people who got violent and angry when drunk. Luckily, her mother was a proclaimed 'giggly drunk', which while annoying, was much better than any other alternative. At least she got lucky in that aspect.

Ino dragged her mother though the doorway; Ms. Yamanaka laughed, but let herself be led by Ino. Through the hallway, it was a quick passage into the master (only) bedroom. While her mother slept on the bed, Ino had always slept in the cold comfort of the couch, which was located in the living room. It was slightly smelly and worn, but that was okay since it was a space that her mother never touched (sexual escapades or otherwise).

Ino was lucky today. It seemed like her mother was inebriated for quite some time, so she fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. Sometimes, intoxicated people can stay so for hours on end, without falling asleep; it was more frustrating than people would ever know.

With a small sigh, she turned her head to stare at the ceiling. This was all so... disgusting. And worst of all, it made her feel so disgusting.

When she was younger, she often asked herself different questions, and took the blame. Was there something wrong with her? Why hadn't her father wanted her? Was she too ugly? Too stupid? Worthless? Why did her mother have to go into such a filthy job? Why were these her parents? Did she deserve them?

And for a time, it truly made her feel so worthless. And that was when she decided to become the campaign girl; the perfect student. With a lot of effort, she was able to get into the hard-to-get-into Konoha High, where she resumed her mission of becoming perfect. Untouchable. Clean. Something others would want, because she was pretty, and smart, and worth something. And even if her father didn't know that, she could rub it in his face when he was older and when she found him.

So she went into cheer-leading, because she was pretty and popular enough. So she got elected captain, because she was the best. Best? Better than everyone else. And it didn't matter where she came from, it didn't matter what her mother did, and it didn't matter that her father didn't want her because she was good enough, no, better than everyone else.

And all the boys wanted her, and she became a somebody. The opposite gender wanting her so made her feel good inside; so good, that sometimes, she could see eye-to-eye with her mother.

But no! That was wrong. She will never, ever sell her body; that was more degrading than anything else... she will never allow herself to do so. If she wanted to have sex with somebody, she'd do it to do it, and not to get money of the person. Because that was sick.

And at some point during her first year, she had learned about her. Hyuuga Hinata. Almost effortlessly, she seemed to get better grades than she did. But she never really paid attention to that in the first place...

It was only after she learned that she was a daughter of a rich multimillionaire did she start paying rapt attention to that girl.

And that was when she learned that she got better grades than Ino did. It had to be the expensive tutoring, no doubt, was how she consoled herself in the beginning. And it was when she saw her face, her body, that Ino wanted to scream. Because...

Hyuuga Hinata was more beautiful that she was, and she didn't even seem to do anything to try and keep that beauty.

It was so unfair. She was a daughter of a rich man, who didn't throw her away, she had beauty and brains, all effortlessly. She was born to wealth, born to a high standard and born to perfection. Ino couldn't surpass her, not when her mother did what she did, not when she was a child of poverty while Hinata was bloody rich.

So what did Hinata have that Ino didn't have? Why did Hinata get lucky, while she herself was so unfortunate? It was unfair, because... Hinata was everything she ever wanted to be. But she wasn't, and this stupid brainless Hinata was, and she wouldn't stand for it! She couldn't stand for it!

And so she proceeded to make Hinata's school life a living hell, the way that Ino's life was a living hell and hers wasn't. Because Hinata was a nobody, and it didn't matter, because she was worthless, even if she was wealthy and even if her father wanted her.

And because she was such a nobody, it didn't matter that she died.

"Lee... You're such an idiot, but how come you're in university, and I'm not?" Tenten complained, even though she knew the answer to the proclaimed question. "And we're the same age, too," she pouted, her cheeks filling up with air.

"Yosh, Tenten! You decided to be held back a year in order to get into your dreamed Konoha High School! And even though we're in the same year and you're a couple of months older than me, I am in University and you're not!" Lee nodded jovially, looking unconcerned with himself and the world around him.

Tenten's eyes sparkled in anger. "Jeez, Lee! You don't have to remind me that I'm older than you every time! And why do you keep on answering?" She turned her head sharply to the left. "You know what? Never mind!"

Lee admired her temper before deciding to tell her that he was doing so. "Yosh! Tenten, you're as excitable as a youthful flower during spring!" That was when his eyes acquired a dreamy look. "Just like my lotus blossom Sakura! Oh, her beauty always shines so bright! So youthful!"

Tenten rolled her eyes. "Lee, I've told you multiple times to stop talking in exclamation marks. And stop comparing me to Sakura!" Her nose crinkled. "She and I are not alike in the slightest," Tenten would have even taken slight offence, but she knew Lee had zero ill intention and that he was madly in love with Sakura.

And love was such a confusing and conflicting emotion... most of the time, you couldn't make out left from right... Tenten knew that better than everyone.

"Ah! You are right! And Hinata is also different!" Tenten twitched, hating it when her name was mentioned. Should she tell him? Lee had only seen her a couple of times since he was her friend... but still... he deserved to know... probably.

And besides, if he knew, he would stop mentioning her already. Tenten had refrained from telling him about it, so of course he wouldn't know, nor would he notice how annoyed she would get when her name was mentioned. He was dense that way. "Um, Lee," she started off slowly, trying to break the news delicately. Being quite emotional, it was almost guaranteed that he would burst into tears. "Hinata's... dead."

His eyes opened wide, and it would almost be comical if the topic was different, and not about death. "Hinata's dead?!" While before he was speaking loud, now he was just yelling. Tenten covered her ears, wincing slightly. "What?! Why?! How?! When?!" The waterworks started between the 'what' and the 'why'.

"I don't know," Tenten answered truthfully. Nor did she want to know. It was just one of those things that one was better off not knowing. "Neji came to tell us today in class. He would never joke about such things." If he noticed her dreamy sigh, he didn't pay any attention to it.

"Neji came?!" His eyes widened further. Neji had been one of his good (best) friends and rivals when they were in high school. Sadly, their paths had separated when they went to university: Lee went to a local one in order to become a sports teacher, while Neji went to a prestigious university far away to study business. They always were so different.

But since he knew that Neji wouldn't joke about such things. And Hinata was his cousin; Lee frowned. "Is Neji okay?" The soft and considerate tone was not something that Tenten was familiar with, and it slightly scared her.

"Yeah," she mumbled shakily while focusing on his question. Would Neji be okay? But... if only she could see him... if only she could comfort him while he was in pain... Maybe he could fall in love with her, and see her the way she saw him.

"Are you okay?" Lee asked, just as serious. Tenten stared at him, astonished. Why wouldn't she be okay? Oh, wait... In Lee's eyes, her and Hinata were still best friends. Hmm. She'd have to either clear up this little fact, or go with the flow. If she cleared it up, she'd have to explain some things she'd really rather not, so...

"I'm fine," it was a mutter, but that was okay, because Lee's waterworks immediately resumed.

"Oh! What sadness! For such a beautiful youth to die at such a young age... Truly sad! Such tragedy has not been seen..." As Lee continued to ramble on, his crocodile tears falling all the while, Tenten couldn't help but smile. No matter how much she had changed, Lee remained the same.

That was good. It was actually relieving to know that.

Right know, they were waiting for their instructor, Gai, to come to begin the lesson. Both Lee and Tenten did martial arts, and a couple of years ago when Neji still lived in Konoha, so did he. That was the whole reason why Tenten started doing martial arts, anyway. Lee was just someone she met along the way, but someone she found that she could get along with.

And now, even when Neji was gone, her martial arts filled with her memories of him still remained. And Lee was always there, even though he went to university now, and it was worth it. She felt good doing it, too. That was why she ran every day, to keep her body in shape for the martial arts; well, it was one of the reasons.

"But Tenten," Lee murmured, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Are you sure you're okay? You look... kind of guilty." Lee was being unusually observant today, Tenten couldn't help but note. Why today of all days, though?

And Lee was correct. In fact, as soon as he said it, a ball of guilt clamped down hard on her stomach. Was she fooling herself all along? Did Hinata's death have a bigger effect on her than what she originally thought? But, in any case... "I'm fine, Lee. It's nothing." Lee couldn't ever find out. "Just... Will you keep on smiling for me?" Never.

And Lee might not know it, but sometimes, it was only his positivity that kept her going. Lee never changed; and while ignorant, he was truly a good guy. Lee beamed. "Yosh! Beautiful flower of youth, I shall keep on smiling for forever and beyond!"

And while the guilt that was still in her gut didn't change, and while her heart and her feelings of those ice-cold white eyes didn't change, she just... couldn't help but feel a bit better from the brightness of Lee's smile.

"Okay, so tell me, my brother, why the hell do we have to look through her baby pictures?" Sasuke demanded, and the ire in his voice was evident. He glared at those offensive objects in his brother's hands.

"The more information we possess of her," began Itachi's droning monotone voice, "the better." Flipping through the pictures, Itachi showed nonchalance with ease. Sasuke's eyebrows began twitching in annoyance.

"You," Sasuke said, his voice trembling. "You are unbelievable. How am I even related to you?" It was not an unusual spat between brothers, and Itachi didn't even blink.

"We share the same parents. An unfortunate fate. Nevertheless, aren't you the least bit curious?" Itachi waggled the pictures in front of Sasuke's face tauntingly. "Aren't you the least bit curious of what the girl that committed suicide looked like when she was a baby?" There was something morbid in Itachi's words, but Sasuke couldn't tell what.

Getting more than irritated now, Sasuke snatched the pictures from Itachi's hands. He looked through them in a hurry, stopping to look at one picture in particular: in it, Hyuuga Hinata had her eyes opened wide, and they almost seemed like they were sparkling, they were such a pristine white. Quickly, he shuffled through the other pictures before finishing.

He gave them back to Itachi, glowering. "There. Nothing too special. Will you put them away now?"

"Anything for you, my dear younger brother," Itachi teased, moving to poke Sasuke's forehead. He noted that the tips of his ears were red for some unknown reason. Shrugging, he slipped the stack of photos in his pocket. "And yes, I know what you're thinking. It's extremely necessary to know everything and anything about Hyuuga Hinata to understand why she committed suicide. That includes baby pictures. We talked about this."

"I know, I know, but we have to get a move on," Sasuke's eyes flickered skyward. "We haven't even figured out anything beyond her birth."

"I know. All in due time, Sasuke." He smirked. They would figure out everything, Itachi was certain. He would not ruin his spotless record. "All in due time."

Yosh! Chapter 2 completed. Shit hit the fan (not really. Must wait like eight or ten or twelve chapters when things really will get complicated)

Important Notice: The flashbacks are complicated to understand. Readers must know that the woman isn't really telling them the stuff like that, even though that's what they find out. It's complicated to explain, but I hope you guys get it.

Thank you for reading!

Aurora.