It always seemed to me that Sakura was far too sweet for Neji. I believed her caring nature would probably be the cause of their separation. She would most likely end up helping someone and he will only be infuriated by the fact that she will no longer be able dedicate herself to more important things like training, work and most importantly, him. His cold demeanor would have scared anyone else. But to my surprise they have been together longer than a year.

Hm. Could there be a secret for their relationship? Something they have discovered which keeps them together?

Possibly. But I've yet to find out what it is.

But what about when they had problems? Would she break when he snapped? I know she's strong. Probably stronger than any other girl I have met so far. But she was so childish and charming and innocent. And she had been hurt before. Crumpled like a petal in the wrong hands.

Naruto assured me that she would be fine. That she had learned her lesson with Sasuke. And I know that it is insulting to my cousin, but he IS similar to Sasuke. They act in the same exact manner. But Neji knows what pride, honor, and loyalty are. He would never betray the village. I am not completely sure how this will help Sakura in her relationship, especially as the rest of their qualities are almost the same.

So how could two completely different people still be together… after a year?

At that moment two familiar voices were heard coming by Ichiraku's, as Naruto ate his third bowl of ramen. The first one belonging to the petite pink-haired kunoichi, the second to none other than my cousin and they were caught up in what seemed to be an argument. I couldn't believe it at first but then I strained my ears and poked my head outside just to clear up the doubts.

They walked side by side. Him with his shoulders back, and his fist clenched while he walked in a fast pace, and her keeping pace with her shorter legs, constantly bumping into him making the frown on her face grow worse. The awkward air between them was finally broken.

"Neji!"

Had she just screamed at him? She had but I didn't understand why. And he obviously had no clue either as he replied.

"What?!"

His voice was much lower than usual to the point where the word seemed more like a snarl, and his eyes widened as he stopped in his tracks to glare at her. Unaffected by his change in attitude she returned the glare, and answered like if it had been anybody else.

"Hold my funckin' hand!"

"FINE!"

I don't know what surprised me more. The fact that she had just confronted him in such a manner, or that he actually had actually cooperated and grabbed her hand, dragging her along once again in his fast pace. But this time, she had a smile in her face and for some reason his shoulders dropped and his face softened.

Apparently, not everything was as we thought.