-1Sat in the field of flowers, she could see him coming. He rode on horseback, sweat trickling down his ripped chest. He wore only shorts, with a helmet covering his face. He approached her, the galloping of hooves getting louder as he got closer. She could see various ninja tools attached to his horses saddle. His clothes were also with him, but she could only see his blue ninja boots from where she was stood.

As he reached her, he dismounted his horse. He patted it gently before turning towards her, helmet still hiding his identity. He took her hand, holding it close to his chest so that she could feel his heartbeat. She felt her face reddening as he held her gently.

'Will you show me your face?'

'…Yes…'

He let go of her, reaching up to his head guard.

CUCKOOCUCKOOCUCKOO

She woke with

'Darn clock! I need to kill that bloody bird! Stupid thing! He almost took it off! Stupid…ahh! Look at the time! Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go!'

She began searching around the room for some decent clothes to wear. She had only thought of taking a nap after work so she'd be fresh for the gangs outing, but she'd slept too long. She was already late, and they had told her that they would leave her behind if she wasn't there on time.

'Oh man!'

She flung herself out of the door, locking it with inhumane speed. She bolted out of the door, running towards the ramen stand. Being a ninja, she had great speed, but when she was in a hurry, she didn't look where she was going. That was the case when she bumped into a hard chest.

'Watch it Sakura.'

'Sorry! So sorry! But gotta run! I'm late!'

'So am I.'

Sakura stopped in her tracks. Did he just say what she thought he'd said?

'Did you just…'

'Yes. I'm late. Wait a minute and I'll walk you to where you're going. Actually, its rude to keep a lady waiting in the cold, come inside.'

'…Are you sure?'

He nodded and led her up the driveway to the Hyuuga mansion. She was about to step towards the huge doorway when he grabbed her wrist and led her round the back of the house.

'Are you trying to rape me Neji Hyuuga?'

He scoffed.

'Yeah right. The branch family compound is around here. That's were my room is. I need to get changed for this stupid gathering that Naruto has arranged.'

'Oh! That's where I'm going! At least there's someone else that's sane.'

Neji chuckled. That shocked Sakura more than anything else ever had. She had never seen him smile before, so a chuckle seemed mind-blowing. She stopped dead in her tracks. Neji didn't realise and carried on walking, beginning to talk to her.

'Thank goodness. I thought that it would just be a load of weirdoes shouting their heads of about ramen and youth,' he turned to look at her, but found that she was missing. He looked behind him and saw her stood still, not even blinking. He gave her and inquisitive look.

'You just…you just laughed!'

'It's not that big a deal.'

'But you…you don't laugh! You're Neji Hyuuga. Ice-cold Hyuuga!'

'Thanks. Are you coming in or not?'

'Oh…oh! Yeah! I'm not standing out here. It's freezing!'

Sakura followed Neji into his compound. She marvelled at the whiteness of the walls and floors, the clean environment and the neatness of everything.

'How do you keep it like this?'

'Usually the maids take care of it, but today I've given them a day off, so I've been cleaning. I decided that it calms me down after training, so I might give the maids days off more often.'

Sakura laughed at him. Spending a little time with him showed her a different side of him, and she decided that she liked it. He told her to wait a minute for him, he was just going to take a quick shower. She nodded at him as he told her to make herself at home. She sat on his bed, sinking into the comfy mattress. She led down, making herself comfortable. She lay her head on one of the fluffy pillows and drifted off into sleep again.

She was sat in the field of flowers again with the same man riding towards her. Once again his chest was bare, the helmet covering his face. She was getting tired of waiting to see him. When he reached her this time, she asked him to remove his helmet straight away. He nodded, reaching up to grab it.

'Sakura.'

She groaned.

'Sakura! Wake up!'

She jumped up, mumbling apologies. She stopped as she saw what he was wearing. Nothing but a towel. Her face was reddening quickly.

'Are you all right Sakura?'

'Erm…y-yeah. I'm fine. Just a little warm in here.'

'Well give me a second and we'll be outside again.' He patted her on the shoulder mockingly and she scowled at him. He just chuckled again and walked back into the bathroom.

'Throw me a jacket please.'

She looked around for his wardrobe, opening it and picking out a green kaki jacket.

'Here.'

She saw his hand fly out of the bathroom to grab it, then saw him emerge fully. He was frowning.

'Do you really think that I'll go out in this thing whilst wearing a shirt? I meant a black jacket to match my suit.'

'God Neji! It's only a meal between friends. No need to look so posh!' she joked.

'There is a need. I'm a Hyuuga. I can't be seen in public dressed so casually. Uncle would scream. I have to live up to expectations.'

He looked away from her, striding towards his door. The black jacket was hung there on a hook. He put it on over his white shirt and motioned for Sakura to follow him. He held out his arm for her. She looked puzzled.

'Why…'

'I am a man. You are a women. We are both going to the same place and I am walking you there.' Sakura still looked puzzled. 'I'm being courteous.'

'Oh right!' she slipped her arm through his and they set off walking.

They had reached the middle of town and Sakura felt strange. She pulled her arm away from Neji, explaining that it wouldn't look good for the bachelor of Konoha to be with a girl. Everyone would read more into it. He nodded and she saw something in his eyes. He's not…disappointed, is he? she thought. She walked a little further ahead as he was straightening his tie. She stopped on the spot and shivered.

'It's freezing out here! I knew I should have put a jacket on. I'll just probably…' she felt a jacket wrapped around her. She turned around and saw Neji holding her shoulders, smiling gently at her. 'What are you doing?'

'You said you were cold so I'm giving you my jacket.'

'Won't you get cold.'

'Yes. But I'm used to it.'

'If you're going to get cold keep it.'

'No. I'm giving it to you.'

'I don't care! You'll get cold.'

'I said I'm used to it!'

A crowd had gathered to watch the Hyuuga and the Haruno argue. They stood gawping at the strangeness of the situation.

'Neji keep your jacket!'

'I'm giving it to you because you're cold!'

'But you'll get cold! What's the point!?!'

'This is.'

Neji cupped her face and Sakura felt his lips crash onto hers. The crowd gathered around all gasped in unison. They gasped again when Sakura pulled away from him.

'Think that's gonna let me let you give me your coat?'

'I was kinda hoping so,' he mumbled.

'Well…you're so right!'

She pulled on his jacket and met his lips with hers again. It was all to much for the crowd around, and they all fell in shock. The couple in the middle ignored them all as they absorbed each others taste.

'How about we go somewhere a little more…private?' Neji asked as he ended the kiss. Sakura nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck as he lifted her up, heading towards the Hyuuga mansion once more.

'Where have you two been? You're two hours late! I had to eat your ramen for you! What have you been doing? You look so out of breath!' shouted the hyperactive Hokage wannabe.

Neji and Sakura looked at each other, smirking slightly.

'Nothing much,' said the Hyuuga shrugging.

'I've just been figuring out who the guy riding that horse is,' said Sakura, leaving a puzzled look on everyone's faces.

'Well whatever billboard brow. What you drinking?' asked Ino.

'Something cold. I've been feeling pretty hot lately.'