A/N Huge shoutout to  @Cosmo_Cat924    The cover she made me is awesome! It is so beautiful!

Formal summons for former members of Squad 7 under Jonin Sensei Kakashi Hatake: Hinata Hyuga, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha. Go to the T&I building, room 104 at 14:00.

Sasuke Naruto and I were there before Tsunade and none of us knew what the hell the summons was for.

"Hey, Hanabi wants you both to come over for dinner tonight. Kakashi, Kakuzu, Shisui, Ino, Suigetsu, and Itachi are coming too, can you come? She's making your favorites and has been so excited to see everyone again."

"Hn, sure."

"Hell yeah! Hanabi-chan's Ramen is second only to Old Man Ichiraku." I smiled happily, Hanabi is my pride and joy. I love her so much, her heart is so big and loving and she wanted to have my team over, plus it gave her an excuse to invite Kakuzu and make him teach her more. Apparently he has picked her up from school twice now.

***

*"Why are we here Grandma Tsunade?" Tsunade scowled at the unflattering nickname that she just couldn't shake. Naruto was too hardheaded to change his mind once it was made and him using nicknames was no exception to that.

"Hn." None of us really knew the reason for being summoned to the T&I building, it was rare we were called here for anything good-like having your mind invaded to see f you're a traitor- and being here now was weird...though I'm guessing it has something to do with Danzo since he's being held in the most high security cell of this god forsaken place.

"Sasuke Uchiha, you were a member of Root for over 2 years and we need you to identify if those we have apprehended are indeed Root members." Sasuke still had a bruise on his face but there were a few more piled on top of it. Naruto was also wearing a nice few cuts and bruises himself, they really did end up 'sparring' yesterday. Even after clearly beating the shit out one another in the most non-hateful way possible, Sasuke didn't seem to hold that anger inside of him like he did yesterday. 

Something Naruto said to him (something he punched into him with many fists of brass knuckles) made Sasuke calmer, more controlled. It was nice to see him less recklessly angry without hate swirling in him again, being in root under Danzo for so long had made him angry but Naruto worked his magic, paring that with Itachi and Shisui living, and Danzo finally being caught and ready to be tried for his crimes... Sasuke was more in control of himself than ever. He just felt..lighter. Thank god because I don't know how much more of idiotic brooding, angry at the world Sasuke I could take.

"Hn. Most were always in masks but I have their chakra's memorized well enough." Sasuke and I haven't had any time to talk about Root, both of us being undercover and me being home for less than a full week while also being extremely busy made it impossible to talk. Same with Naruto, we all missed one another and have had no time to truly talk about any of what we've missed with the other. Being here with them, even if we were all older and had different things going on, we were still team 7.

"Good...As for Hinata, I believe we have found the Root member Sai you warned us of. Paper white skin, black hair, and a smile so lifeless it's unnerving." Sasuke raised an inquisitive brow, he seemed to know exactly who we were talking about. Hmm, Sasuke mentioned he had a teammate and the amount of pride Danzo put into Sai, I think I would like to bet all my money on the idea that Sai is Sasuke's un-named partner. If that is actually true, I think I might die laughing at how fate seems to work out.

"And you Naruto, last time you were kept out of the loop you busted into my office like an idiot and lost your temper over something you had no knowledge on... so you're here so you don't have to ask me any more questions and disrupt my job." Naruto didn't even look the least bit sheepish. Sasuke and I were both bemused at the knowledge, I could just envision the blonde wearing his gaudy orange and green civilian clothes he puts on after training and wreaking havoc in her office. He shot a half-hearted glare to Tsunade and Sasuke then shrugged, he knew he was right and if they'd not leave him out of things he'd have no reason to barge in her office and demand information. And if Teme wasn't such a Teme, he'd have no reason to beat the emo out of him.

"Humph, well maybe if you and Sasuke-Teme didn't make such insane decisions without including me I wouldn't 'a had to dattebayo." Tsunade sighed deeply and bit her tongue from calling him a brat.

"Ibiki-san will take you to identify those held captive. Start with the black haired one." Ibiki was as tall and scarred as always, at a large 196 centimeters, he was taller than everyone in the room and would even make someone tall like Zabuza look short. The only people even close to his height are Kisame and Kakuzu. His face was straight and even that was enough to intimidate Naruto who paled at the towering man, looking down at him.

"Lets go." Ibiki led us through a maze of hallways until we reached a set of more high security cells. The air was frigid, the silence was eery, and everything felt muffled. The chakra barriers and obvious suppressant seals were scrawled everywhere and right on the foreheads of some of the prisoners we passed by. Ibiki stopped us outside a cell and after a few seals, the door opened and the chakra barrier ceased so we could enter. The person was sitting with his head down, not seeming to be bothered by his predicament. He looked up and I stopped, it really was him. Sai smiled so empty, it didn't look real in the slightest. It was creepy how blank his smile was, it was like a doll.

"Hello Traitor....I see you've brought...friends. Nice to meet you." His voice was soft and light but also monotonous and Sasuke scowled the more Sai talked. I snorted in amusement at the nickname, leave it to Sai to call Sasuke a traitor in both timelines for two completely different reasons.

"Who is this jerk off huh Teme?" Naruto asked, pointing right at the still smiling Sai, who now tilted his head like a puppy. Sasuke scowled at Sai, annoyed with his presence.

"Oh, I have no name. I am but one of the many branches of Root..." Sai looked Naruto up and down, his eyes lingering on his pants before smiling blankly again. "Dickless." Ibiki looked thoroughly amused at Naruto's face reddening in anger. I covered my mouth and stifled a laugh, this was golden.

"I didn't ask you dattebayo! Besides I'm not dickless! Tell him teme!" Naruto snapped haughtily, trying to get Sasuke to confirm he was a male. Sasuke's face tinted pink and he scowled in annoyance at both of them. He swatted Naruto in the head and sent a harsh look to Sai.

"Hn. He was my partner in Root. An emotionless loser who doesn't have any concept of social interaction." Naruto and I both looked at Sasuke in surprise, coming from the most socially awkward of the three of us, him saying something like that was just...wrong.
"Then he really is your pasty carbon copy! Man, having two socially inept people on one team must be a blast." Naruto nodded sagely, staring between Sasuke and Sai with such intensity, trying to find the resemblance.

"Hmm, he does kinda look like you Teme. Just give him your stupid hair and you could be brothers."

"Hn. Not even close dobe." If Sasuke had any less control over his blank face, he would have looked extremely offended at the claims we made between he and Sai.

"As it stands, the harlot is right. I do believe we have relatively similar facial structures." Sai smiled towards me finally, seeing if I liked the nickname. I was not expecting that to be my nickname and I couldn't help but laugh. It was so horribly hilarious. Of all things I've been called, a hoe was not one of them. Sasuke smirked towards me, finding this as entertaining as I found his nickname.

"Eeh? You bastard! Don't call Hina-chan a harlot, where the hell did you get an idea like that?!" Naruto stomped forward but Ibiki gripped his shoulder, preventing him from attacking the partially defenseless Root member. Sai cocked his head at the reaction from Naruto, looking confused on why he would stick up for me and be more mad about a nickname than I was.

"Oh, was that rude Traitor?" Sai directed his innocent confusion to Sasuke but didn't wait for an answer, instead turning to address me. His eyes brazenly staring at my chest. "I apologize for the misunderstanding, I just assumed that based off a book's description of a Harlot, a women with a chest your size must be one." For somebody who doesn't have any semblance of how actual social interaction, besides the top socially perfect Sasuke, that deduction I guess isn't the worst. If he tried to learn about people by books that mentioned harlots or the like, his estimation was relatively ok...but still so wrong because just gah! That's not how life really works in Shinobi villages, maybe as a civilian. But also, I'm wearing sweats for god sake, nothing sexy about that. Naruto and Sasuke both looked directly at my chest and then looked away. I crossed my hands over my chest, trying to diminish the size. I draw attention with many things but having my chest draw that much was embarrassing.

"Uh...It's fine but I'm not a...harlot...my name is Hinata Hyuga, Jounin of Konohagakure."

"Have you thought about changing your profession, I'm sure you'd fair well. Men seem to talk a lot about boobs and by standard of other women in root, yours seem to be above average." Oh. My. God. I squawked in surprise. This time Sasuke was the one to ready himself to attack, with a sneer he readied himself but was stopped when I was gasping for breath, laughing. If literally anyone else had said that to me I might never come out of my room ever again...after reaching 15 and the annoyance of pervy men finally started counting me as a woman comments even more lewd than this were not that uncommon... but the bland way Sai said it...no real perverse thoughts behind his statement, it was so unbelievably embarrassing for me I had to laugh. Sai apparently had never had anyone laugh at him before and he was baffled.

"You...Hina-chan...How do you think this guy is funny! He...He called you a-a Harlot! And talked about your...things 'ttebayo!" Naruto was normally so blunt but he was tongue tied on how to say everything with out embarrassing himself and it was pure gold making me laugh even harder. I haven't really laughed like this in a long time, Sai wasn't even that funny but my chest just felt so light at the moment I couldn't stop the laughter from bubbling past my lips.

"His face never...aha...it never changed...he was so...haha...serious." I caught my breath, a small smile still playing on my face as I made eye contact with the dark void of Sai's ebony eyes. "I like you...but this whole no named business has to go so...your name is now Sai." I paused for dramatic effect before announcing his name and his smile dropped from his face, an unreadable emotion flickering through his vacant eyes.

"Sai? I...I have a name?" He spoke, not to anyone in particular, just testing the words out to see if it was real. Naruto Nodded vehemently at the name, saying how it was cool even if Sai was a jerk. Sasuke also seemed to be alright with the name, after being teammates for two years they have to have some sense of comfort and trust with one another...even if neither know it yet. It's how I feel about Suigetsu...and though it is on thin ice right now, Obito as well.

"You do now." He was pensive for a minute before giving a curt nod and letting the blank smile bloom on his face once again.

"Thank you...I like the name Sai. I think I will keep it. I expect Danzo-sama is going to be executed so I have no reason to not have a name." There wasn't even the hint of sadness that his superior, one who basically raised him was going to die. It was sad. Danzo really fucked with all of these kids, someone should shove a sword up his needle dick sometime soon...I would but gotta keep up my appearance as heiress and doing that is definitely worse than anything else I've done and would reflect badly on how leveled in temperament the clan is supposed to show. My... everything else...is already pushing the mold, killing an elder is pushing the limits to one even I'm slightly afraid to make. I cant change the clan politics if I have no say or respect within the clan walls.

"Why would you name a prisoner?" Ibiki curtly spoke up, one brow raised up...hiding underneath his bandana. He wasn't angry...just intrigued on why I found it necessary. He was interrogating even without tying, he just liked to know things...everything about each and every person he comes across so he does what he can to know. You don't get to be the head of T&I without curiosity and trying to discover how each and every persons mind works, how they talk and act, what makes them tick, how to make them spill every secret with just a bit of prompting.

"Because...he deserves a name. Look, he's not that much older than any of us and it's not his fault Danzo is a bastard that abducts children and makes them robots."

"He's a prisoner to be used to incriminate Shimura and then after he gives us the information to track down the rest of the Root, he'll meet his end like the others." Even Naruto looked appalled at that statement.

"No Way! That is so twisted, you can't just kill somebody after you use them like that. It is just plain wrong dattebayo. They are people, not toys, not tools, living people and that bastard Danzo made them seem like less. Sai didn't even have a name, you can't kill them before they even have a chance at living. I won't stand for it." Naruto growled and stood in front of Sai protectively, his aura emanating from every pore, it was a stand of defiance and character, a stand for what is right versus what is standard protocol. Without a second thought, Sasuke and I stood beside Naruto, both supporting him. Sai looked between the three of us, getting more and more confused at why we were sticking up for him when he was so certain he was going to die.

"With all due respect Morino-san, that is such a small-minded and shitty way of thinking. I think each Root that is captured should be given a psych evaluation and that should be the factor in determining if they are fit to become Shinobi for Konoha. It shouldn't be decided based off of something most of them had little to no control over. If the point of the village is to be strong, having people with such unique skill-sets working under the Hokage for the betterment of Konoha instead of under a power hungry dick, it would be beneficial for everyone."

"Hn. I agree with the freak and dobe. Sai is annoying but he is strong and never fails a mission. He would be a good asset and teammate to keep around for the future of Konohagakure. Most of them didn't know anything but Danzo's orders so they shouldn't be blamed for what he brain washed them into doing for him."

"Orders are orders, little upstarts like you three aren't going to change the councils decision to execute them even if you are from prominent clans." It wasn't meant to be aggressive, it was just a very accurate statement...if it was for any team that wasn't our team.

"Hn." Ah, I forgot how weird it is when my teammates think the same thing as me without us having to say a word.

I crossed my arms nodding at Sasuke's statement before elaborating for those who don't speak Uchiha. "Watch us. It's two clan head children and Naru versus a bunch of old people on their death bed...even assholes like them have no chance against Naruto, the boy could talk a person in our out of anything without trying."

"Yeah! I'll make them see what's right 'ttebayo. I have to be good at this stuff if I'm going to be Hokage right Hina-chan?" Naruto's cerulean eyes were practically glowing with passion, god help anyone who tried to stand in his way on this matter.

"Right." I gave him a sharp nod of agreement. One thing we discussed of him being Hokage was he needed to be proficient in the workings of politics to be Hokage and when we combined actual knowledge with his ability to talk people into anything, he was groomed and ready to kick ass. Surprisingly, Kakashi and Zabuza were the most versed in politics and they taught us everything we needed to know to survive in the fucked up system. For people who seemed to thrive on pissing off people in higher power than them, they were very good at helping us understand the politics of the civilian council and the council of elders.

Sai looked between the three of us, his eyes analyzing everything the best he could to figure out something. There was just so much feeling being shown by us, even Sasuke looked less restrained than usual, he was trying to understand. "You three are very fond of one another, you seem to be more than common teammates. Why?"

"We're a family. I trust Hina-chan and Sasuke-teme with my life, we have a bond that is more than just being on Team 7 'ttebayo. We're family." Naruto wrapped his arms around us and Sasuke didn't even try to move away from the strong grip the blonde sunshine had on us. He was scowling, but the tender look in his eyes betrayed the harsh look on his face. He felt the same as Naruto did, we were family.

"Hmm." Sai was pensive, studying intensely, seeming to rack his brain for mentions of bonds and family. "If I am not executed, I would like to understand more about these bonds."

"Sounds good, Team 7 can actually have seven members now!"

"There are only 5...who else are you adding?" Sasuke looked sceptic and I grinned.

"Suiegtsu of course, he is my teammate as well and I think he would work well in our team. He's like a less intimidating but more trigger happy Zabuza." If they were to clash blades, I don't know who would win. Normally I would say Zabuza but after fighting alongside Suigetsu, he truly is a prodigious swordsman that with a bit more time might even make it to Kisame's level.

"Cool!"

"Hn."

"Sai, you have a seal preventing you from talking about Danzo like Sasuke right?" He nodded, sticking out h9s tongue so we could see the black markings on the surface. I activated my Byakugan and studied the flow, the seal was directly linked to the left frontal lobe in the small area that controls speech, it was pushing chakra constantly to that area preventing Sai from being able to talk about whatever Danzo programmed him to not be able to say. It was not an overly complex seal, but it was very effective. The only issue with removing it is the possible damage if it is not done by an expert in both chakra and sealing...lucky for Sai, Naruto and I together can hopefully fix it. "How'd you feel about having the seal removed and testifying against Danzo?"

" I don't particularly like or dislike Danzo, but you are more interesting and I would be able to see more about these bonds if I testified...correct?" There was a smirk on my face, Danzo is going down.

"Yes...Naru, think you can disable the seal while I make sure you don't fuck up the chakra receptors in his brain?" Naruto grinned foxily and pulled out a brush and black ink.

"This is easy 'ttebayo, who do you think I am." Sai leaned back and let his tongue hang out of his mouth. Naruto kneeled before Sai and studied the seal, adding chakra to see how it would react and I let him know how each flare affected the brain. After a bit of studying, Naruto re-wrote the seal, testing things while I kept him from frying Sai's brain. After a bit of time, he found a way to disable the connection of the seal with doing something I couldn't even begin to comprehend. Naruto-loudly-announced he was done and I gave him a high-five. Sasuke looked relieved, probably because he could finally get the seal off of him. Ibiki stepped forward to question Sai, using his height and glower as an intimidation tactic.

"Tell me, what was your mission given by Danzo."

"My mission was to kill the Hokage, Itachi Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha and anyone else who stood in my way. I was unsuccessful and detained by Shisui Uchiha."

"What was the reason for this assassination attempt?" I shivered, Ibiki's voice was so scary...like commanding and intense and just made you want to spill your secrets before he murdered you just by talking. Sai didn't even blink, he was not intimidated in the slightest by Ibiki, dude has balls of steel.

"Danzo-sama said that the Hokage was attempting a power move that would endanger the village and was no longer fit for her position and that he would be the one to take it upon her death." Ahh, we should expect nothing less from a power hungry, psycho war-hawk. Ibiki's overwhelmingly intense presence didn't fade but the scary-ness did, he was probably very pleased at the 'confession' this type of ammo, especially if we can have multiple ROOT agents agree, will be the downfall of Danzo...and this time it won't be illegally done by Sasuke.

We left Sai's room and checked up on the rest of the imprisoned ROOT members, a few were extremely hostile but many of them were just blank, like they were robots awaiting orders...or people who have accepted their death. It was so cruel to see how fucked up Danzo made his agents. Sasuke was the most tense of us, he knew these people and was forced to be like them even if only for a few years. Each person we met with, as long as they were willing, Naruto removed their seals and we had about 4 people willing to give their testimonies against Danzo.

***

I was anxious, too much to just sit idly by and wait. I went to the center of the compound to train, working on some basic taijutsu moves by hitting a stump in the ground. It splintered after each kick and with no chakra fueling the attacks I could feel the wood bruising my shins but the slight sting felt good. Today was Danzo's trial, it was very under wraps and few were aloud to enter, as far as I know I'm not welcomed.

The clan heads all get to go of course and each get a body guard, Tsunade of course will be there and Naruto is acting as her guard...the lucky bastard. The elders of the village and the civilian council will also be in attendance. Shisui as clan head will be there but he is also giving a testimony so his vote is nullified. Father has not left yet but I know he will be leaving soon enough. I rotated my hips and spun on the ball of my right foot, sending a harsh kick to the upper tier of the training post. My shin tingled at the hit but I ignored it, sliding in and sending an open palmed strike right to the center of the post. I was going in for another strike but a pale hand stopped mine and forcefully pinned me to the ground. I spit the dirt from my mouth and grinned back at my attacker.

"Hello Nii-san." He smiled amicably back, releasing me and giving me a hand up.

"Hello Hinata-hime, you need to work on sensing your surroundings even when stressed. I should not have been able to counter you so easily." I frowned, he was right, I needed to work on being able to sense better without my Byakugan.

"Yeah yeah, what's up?"

"I need your aid. As it stands, your father is not seen as mentally stable enough to act as clan head after his encounter with Orochimaru. Because of that, I am still the acting clan head in public situations such as the Danzo Shimura trial. Knowing that his trial against the Uchiha and the Village is what is making you stressed, I would like to invite you to act as my guard during the event." My father not being in attendance because of Orochimaru was surprising but I guess it shouldn't be. Danzo will do anything to clear his name and if he is able to get a clan head out of his trial, especially one who has fervently refused any offers to have the Hyuga in ROOT, he would hope he could convince the new head to join his side. Too bad for him, Neji is not an idiot and no way would he join a side against Naruto or me when it came down to someone as sick and twisted as Danzo, no flowery words or promises would be able to sway Neji.

"You know I love you right?"

"Yes, you have mentioned it before."

of sorry for the double copy, i fixed it tho!