Disclaimer: All standard disclaimer apply.

- - - - - -

"Do I really have to be involved in this?"

Kakashi was assigned to be the referee of the most anticipated cockfight of the year. The job screamed trouble on every plane, but he had no choice but to accept it, or risk having his salary cut by half.

Naruto and Tsunade wanted him to oversee the competitors, Hyuuga Neji and Uchiha Sasuke, so as to make sure that they would engage in a war without killing each other.

Naruto had told Tsunade about his recent discovery—that his teammate and best friend, Sasuke, was feeling a bit jealous of the fact that Sakura is giving her time to dress herself up for an event that is very significant to the entire village except for the Uchiha.

Hyuuga Neji's 20th birthday.

It's just a birthday, one might think. But the Hyuuga is going to be named as the new Lord of his entire clan.

Tsunade loves meddling with anything about her student. And her favorite topic is men, since her student had not been going out with them for years now, and was turning down every single male that comes within 20-meter radius of her. And now that Tsunade had heard about Sasuke's interest, she was reminded of the other obvious admirer of Sakura.

Naruto and Tsunade had been arguing about who was the better man for Sakura, when Jiraiya had interrupted them and suggested that they talk it over a bet. And Tsunade being Tsunade, she of course agreed and placed her bet, and to Neji.

The blondes had an agreement that if Neji gets Sakura, Naruto would have to pay for a three-year supply of multi-classified liquor for Tsunade. And if the Uchiha does get lucky, Tsunade would have to pay for a three-year supply of instant and Ichiraku ramen for Naruto.

But before they had come to that decision, the original setting of their talk was on Tsunade's office. But Jiraiya had a slip-up, and he had accidentally insulted Tsunade's womanhood, and it had resulted in him getting thrashed along with the whole office, so they transferred to the small library in the office floor.

The entire idea of two men fighting over Sakura had thrilled them. But it would seem suspicious if they would talk to Neji and Sasuke about it, or try to observe them. They deduced that a referee is necessary. The first one that came to their mind was Shiranui Genma, but they quickly scratched his name off the list, since they were sure that neither Neji nor Sasuke would get Sakura because the referee would try and get the female for himself.

Iruka they had considered, but the man was just too good-hearted to even be involved in these kinds of triviality. And the perfect man would be, Hatake Kakashi, for he could observe them without seeming inconspicuous, and he would be the best tranquilizer for the two prodigies that would surely try to get into each other's throats.

So the Hokage had summoned Kakashi in the tower, and explained to him their plan. But unfortunately, the man was reluctant to do the job, and he thinks that the idea they were discussing is very unreasonable and it could cause trouble.

And they had been told that the Uchiha was going to attend the Hyuuga's party, and if Naruto's assumption of Sasuke's attraction to Sakura is correct, then they could be sure that one of the men would most definitely get hurt. After all, those two were not known for their patience.

- - - - - -

Sakura was excited.

She, along with Ino and Tenten, had been shopping all morning long for accessories to accompany the gowns they would be wearing for tonight. They are in Sakura's flat, pampering themselves with different botanical oils and other essences, which was Ino's idea, saying that since they're going to attend a very important social-shinobi gathering, they might as well look and feel their best. She added that Sakura should be the woman of the night, and swore that Neji's eyes would be fixed on the pink-haired woman all evening long.

The event's motif was western, mid-century French fashion. It was Hiashi's idea, Hinata saying that her father has this fetish about the eighteenth century European culture, especially France. She guessed that it came from the French acquaintance of Hiashi that has been doing business with the Hyuuga Clan. The man had been showing lots and lots of classic objects to Hiashi, and the Hyuuga obviously was marveled. Why else would he choose that expensive motif for the party?

And the fact that he bought a projector for all the clan to watch Marie Antoinette confirms Hinata's deduces.

"But what about Sasuke? I heard he's going to the party as well."

It was unbelievable. Uchiha Sasuke got invited in Neji's birthday? Tenten must be joking.

But Hinata had told her that indeed, the Uchiha was attending, and his invitation was straight from Neji himself. Ino couldn't believe it, but she was glad nonetheless because Neji had placed their rivalry aside and invited Sasuke to his party. And more men for Sakura to deal with.

Sakura was unaware of the attraction those men had on her, and even the constant teasing of Ino and Tenten had not made her think about it. But damn, it was glaringly obvious that Neji likes her, why, is there any other woman other than Tenten who had been close to the guy? And Sasuke, why else would he attend the party tonight? It was all because Sakura had told him to do so, and made him promise to not pick a fight with the Hyuuga.

But actually, Sasuke was just going there in order to guard her from Neji.

Those men are aware of their attraction to Sakura, but they're too stubborn to admit it.

Sakura was glad that Sasuke was going. All she hoped is that Neji and Sasuke would be civil with each other even just for tonight, since whenever they are in twenty-meter radius of each other, they tend to reach for each other's throats.

Little did Sakura know that she's the reason why they keep killing each other.

- - - - - -

It was the start of the longest dinner in the evenings of Konoha. The new Hyuuga clan head was already named.

Neji, along with the principal family of their clan were seated on the largest table on the ballroom. The entire room was void of anything Japanese. Crystal chandeliers on ceilings, frescoes on walls, carpets on floors, marble on the square of the dance floor, even the utensils for eating were European. The à la française mode Hiashi wanted was in perfect form.

"Nee-san,"

Hinata turned to her sister, who was wearing an identical set of wardrobe as her, but of different color. "Yes, Hanabi?"

Hanabi pointed to their older cousin, who was not touching his Emincé de Volaille sauce Roquefort aux Pommes de terre sautées, but instead had that faraway look in his eyes. The sisters followed his line of sight, and directly pointed was Haruno Sakura, who undoubtedly was the most enamoring woman of the night. They wondered if Sakura has sensed that Neji was staring at her, intensely as it seemed.

Neji couldn't take his eyes off her. He was entranced the moment he greeted her along with her friends. The way she moved with grace on that garbed wardrobe was hypnotizing. And the fact that her bodice was deeply square-cut and that her corset was hugging her figure very tightly wasn't helping. She was just simply beautiful.

"Le Fromage is already being served, Neji-nii-san," Hinata smiled at her cousin, "The dance floor should be opened,"

But Neji wasn't going to take the initiative. Someone as stubborn as him always needs a little provocation. Hiashi decided to give him one. "Well, since Neji is too shy, I will do it," he paused to stand, "And I shall announce that the couple to open the floor should be Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura."

That did it.

Neji stood up and gestured at the mini-orchestra at one corner of the ballroom. People paused in their food as they noticed the change of tune and the present Hyuuga patriarch stand and cross the room.

Sasuke knew what was going on. And he was starting to get agitated as he was sure that that damned Hyuuga would ask Sakura to dance to open the floor.

Eyes followed Neji as he regally walked the carpeted floors of the large room, tails of his coat swishing behind him. Females held their breaths as they anticipate the invitation to dance. Heartless sighs were heard as Neji passed table by table of giddy women. As he stopped in front of a table with only three women on it, the females lost their hope as it was not surprising that Neji would ask the most attractive woman in the entire village.

And that woman was oblivious to the presence just behind her as she was busy conversing with her friends.

Tenten and Ino's seats were facing Neji, and they were stifling the urge to squeal loud. They both nudged Sakura at the side as they gestured for her to look behind.

Before Sakura could turn, a large hand materialized at her side. Her eyes looked at the hand, and she moved her eyes upward to see the slightly blushing face of the man who was silently asking her to join him on the floor.

"May I have this dance?"

Sakura blushed prettily. That was then she noticed that the eyes of the people were all fixed on them, as if waiting for something. She looked up at Neji again, and placed her hand on his, and stood up.

Hands linked, Neji and Sakura walked to the marble floor. Both felt their heart thump wildly at their chests.

Sakura was nervous, as she doesn't know how to dance. But with Neji's reassuring glance, she felt that dancing in this entirely foreign way is just as easy as one two three.

They stopped and faced each other. As Neji bowed, she was suddenly reminded of the movies she had watched with a similar scene. So she did her bow as she had seen in those flicks. Neji reached for her hand and waist, and she placed her free hand on his shoulder. She saw Neji take a deep breath before nodding at her, and then he started to sway them.

Then the only thing that connects them to the world around is the sound of music.

- - - - - -

After some moments of dancing to different tunes, Sakura felt her feet ache. She had asked Neji to go out with her in the fields of the estate, and she was amazed at the marvelous view the gardens had provided.

The scene was entirely different in nighttime. The colors of the flowers were shining, and the small ponds were reflecting the light of the full moon. But the most beautiful scene of it all was the sight of a lone cherry blossom tree serving as the centerpiece of the entire greenery surrounding them.

Though the tree loses its grace in winter, when spring comes it outshines every flower surrounding it.

Just like Sakura.

"Finally, some fresh air!" Sakura inhaled deeply, then, "It's suffocating inside that ballroom, don't you think so?"

Neji nodded. And then he was bedazzled by the smile Sakura had flashed him that he was left standing there even after Sakura went to the large tree and sat on the bench below it. Only after the woman called him he did awaken from his reverie.

He was about to follow Sakura to sit on the bench when he sensed the presence of three people. One was up a tree, and two were hiding behind tall garden pieces.

He smirked. So the Uchiha had followed them, eh? But Hokage-sama and Naruto too?

Sakura thought that Neji had not heard her, so she stood up and went to try and pull him from there. The terrain surrounding the tree was raised, so when she walked, she accidentally stepped on the hem of her gown, and she started to fall forward.

Neji saw her trip on her wardrobe, and he quickly moved to catch her. He held her by the waist, and she grabbed the lapels of his coat to help balance herself, but it seemed that she had sprained her ankle, so she was unable to stand properly.

She placed her hands above his shoulders to steady her stance, and when she felt that she can stand on her own, she pulled away from him but again fell forward into his arms as her right foot could not take all her weight.

Neji glanced down at her and asked, "Should I carry you?"

Sakura would not allow him to do that. Catching her twice was embarrassing enough. She was supposed to tell him that there's no need for him to do that, but she was unable to, because the moment she had raised her face to look at him,

Their lips met.

- - - - - -

Sasuke was at risk of bursting an artery.

The moment he had seen the little scene between Neji and Sakura, he had been fighting the urge to destroy the tree he was sitting on. He was angry, though he did not know why.

Oh, come on. He's jealous.

But he doesn't want to admit that one wee bit.

Now that Sakura was inside, dancing with Naruto, he was alone with Kakashi and Neji. And he can tell by the look the Hyuuga was giving him that he was gloating. Maybe Neji was aware that Sasuke was up that tree, observing them?

Yes.

That infuriated Sasuke even further. He knew that if Kakashi weren't there, the Hyuuga would rub it in his face that he had kissed Sakura, though it was accidental. The scene replayed in his head and he got angry even more.

As Sasuke was thinking, Neji was indeed gloating. The Uchiha saw that the kiss was accidental, but Neji knows that Sasuke was jealous. He felt Sasuke drilling holes in the back of his head.

They had been having this cold war for months now, as they had both realized their feelings for the pink-haired woman, and it had started when they were both placed on the same treatment room after a mission. Sakura was the one assigned to oversee them, and they both noticed that the other was trying to get Sakura's attention.

That was then they realized that their mutual rivalry was not so platonic after all.

"Envy won't do you any good, Uchiha."

Kakashi glanced up from his book and looked at Neji then at Sasuke who was emitting a highly dangerous aura filled with killing intent. Are those two going to fight once again?

Sasuke stopped walking and glared at Neji. "Shut the hell up, Hyuuga."

Neji walked up to Sasuke to glare back at him. Sasuke stepped closer, so they were staring face to face. Neji raised his own chin a bit to give the impression he's looking down at Sasuke. He then noticed that he is a thumb's length taller than the Uchiha. Now he's really thanking whomever deity it is that gave him this height. He smirked.

"You're jealous."

Sasuke snarled. He was not going to allow this bastard Hyuuga win. Damn if he did. "Keep your distance, bastard."

"You can't order me around." Neji smirked at him again. Uchiha was clearly blinded by anger and jealousy that he is losing control of himself.

"It's not an order. It's a warning."

Red bled through black. Veins spread across white. Eyes shone suicide.

Kakashi moved to stop them, but was unable to because the two were surrounded by an invisible barrier. It was like a glass window, but it could not be broken. He tried to pierce it with chakra, but it only absorbed the chakra he had used. He tried other methods to destroy it, then he stopped when Neji spoke, "You're wasting your chakra, Hatake-san. It's unbreakable."

That said, Kakashi stopped trying to drill it, and instead planted a palm on it. He was surprised to feel Neji and Sasuke's chakra on the barrier.

Did they put this up so that Kakashi wouldn't be able to stop them? Partly yes, but the real reason why they did so was so that no one would detect their chakra, and that no one would be able to see them.

Kakashi tried to talk them out of fighting. But of course, typical Neji and Sasuke, they're not going to listen to reason. Maybe Sakura would be the only one who could stop them.

As Kakashi thought of the pink-haired woman, he suddenly was frightened a bit. She would surely wring his neck if one of these two stubborn fools end up dead. He must stop this.

Sasuke and Neji started to gather chakra on their hands.

The sound of hurling wind and the chirping of numerous birds could be heard. Kakashi was alarmed. He tried again to destroy the barrier. But the combined chakra of Neji and Sasuke was just too damn strong.

Then a stern female voice cut through the commotion. "Hyuuga! Uchiha! Stop that this instant!"