Sakura sighed as she rolled over in her sleeping bag. The fire crackled and the stars winked at her. She was coming back from a quick mission to Suna to help Gaara's wife deliver a baby. He had specifically asked for her. Her skills as a medic ninja were now famous and she was the world's best medic. From delivering babies to performing the most delicate surgeries on the battle field. Sakura lifted her hands out of her sleeping bag to look at them. These hands were the only reason why she was even important to people.
"Haruno, are you ok," a flat voice asked her. When she turned her head to the left Neji Hyuga was staring at her.
"Oh…yeah I am fine. I was just…nothing," she sighed and sat up in her bag. "I'm going to go for a walk."
Neji watched through lavender eyes as Sakura got up. "We are leaving soon. Don't be long."
Sakura nodded and grabbed her canteen. She held her hand out for Neji's. He had never seen Sakura's hands ungloved as an adult. He could see that her hands were very smooth. Neji grabbed his canteen and gave it to her.
Neji watched as the darkness slowly swallowed her. Although he could feel her chakra and new she was only down by the river. Neji settled in his bag and swept the long pieces of hair out of his face. The last shinobi war had ended 5 years ago and now at the age of 23 most of his friends have gotten married, and started to have children. Neji was a very well established council member in Naruto's counsel. He also was an established figure in the main Hyuga house. He was only on this low rank escort mission because of Sakura's worth. She was the worlds best doctor, well equipped to handle any medical procedure from delivering a baby to performing heart surgery and many people wanted her. Once Naruto had become Hokage he ordered that she needed a skilled ninja to escort Sakura on different missions. Most of the time it was either Sai or Shikamaru. But those two had been sent on different missions. So the next at the top of his list was Neji, unfortunately.
Neji smirked remembering how Sakura protested like the devil in Naruto's office. Naruto stated that because Sakura's talents are known around the world, it would be dangerous for her to travel alone. He had stated that she could be kidnapped. Sakura had slammed her fists down on his desk splitting the wood into two sections reminding Naruto just how hard it would be for her to overpowered. Nonetheless Naruto ordered that she have an escort. Sakura huffed and stormed out of the office slamming his door. Naruto sat back in his chair looking at his destroyed desk, stating that it had been the third desk she had destroyed this year.
Soft footsteps alerted Neji to the presence of Sakura and he sat up and held his hand out for his canteen, which she handed it to him. Again Neji's eyes watched her hands. Hands that looked so delicate but could unleash amazing destructive and constructive power.
"Let's get going, I am not tired and I want to get home sooner than expect. We could have a day off from duties," Sakura said flatly knowing full well she'd have to write a report for Naruto of the success of the Gaara's baby and then return to her duties as Director of the Kohana hospital almost the second she stepped through the gates of Kohana.
Her life was passing her by quickly, and it seemed liked no matter how hard she tried to grab the reins of her own life, they continued to elude her. Sakura sighed loudly as the depressing thought filled her mind.
Neji only nodded and got up from his mat, he too was unable to sleep and would enjoy having a day to spend at home. He could catch up with Lee and have a rematch from last time where he had beaten Lee in a one on one match of taijutsu. Neji looked over at Sakura who had already rolled her mat up and put in her bag. She was slipping on her grey elbow protectors, after securing them in place she shoved her hands into her black gloves.
Neji could sense she was feeling down but could not offer any words of encouragement. They were not particular close and at the very best had a comrade relationship. As Neji rolled up his mat and stuffed into his bag, Sakura kicked dirt over the fire. Her foul mood was seeping out of her. Whatever the cause, Neji offered "we'll be home soon enough Haruno."
As pathetic the attempted Sakura just nodded her head and tried to force the depression clouds out of her head. "I know, thank you," she said in a soft voice. Once Neji looked ready, without words they leapt into the trees and started on their way back to Kohana.
Sakura attempted to think of all the good she had in her life. She was the Director of Kohana's main hospital. She had surpassed Tsunade in the ways of medicine. She was able to perform the very most delicate complex surgeries with little to no help at all. Her Strength of a Hundred Seal was full of extra chakra. She had a one-bedroom apartment near the hospital. She was considered a great beauty in the village. So Sakura really had it all. A career, a home, and looks. The only thing she was lacking was a partner. Rumors swirled around the village that she was a lesbian. Her friends joked that she was married to her work.
It wasn't that Sakura was lonely, no Kakashi made sure to drive out the loneliness in their few times a month meetings. And although they were no longer teacher and student, Kakashi refused to make their relationship more tangible. They were lovers, but only of the flesh variety. Sakura rolled her eyes, she couldn't help feeling ungrateful. Kakashi was a very passionate lover, he never left her unsatisfied and always listened to her demands when they were having sex. He always brought her to higher heights and made the wave of climax better and better.
Neji couldn't help but feel Sakura's depressing mood. He honestly could not fathom what had her so down. She had successfully helped Gaara's wife give birth and the baby was healthy and strong. Neji had heard the rumors that Sakura potentially might be lesbian. But he knew her well enough that she was not, she was a workaholic. Or possibly she worked as much as she could because she was lonely. Neji opened his mouth and then shut it. There was nothing he could really say that would make her feel better. It wasn't like he could offer himself up as a suitor, or even a lover. The offer would appear that he himself was lonely. Though Neji could admit even though he was happy with his life, he did want to settle down with a great woman and start a family.
Sakura was a very capable woman, which befuddled Neji that she was still single. According to Naruto, after Sasuke broke off their relationship Sakura had started refusing to meet any potential suitors. That could only mean that Sakura was still hung up on the man. Neji could not understand why. He was a selfish man who only wanted to repopulate his clan with a great kekkei genkai. Neji heard that he had dumped Sakura because she had nothing spectacular to offer to his clan name. Neji shook his head until it dawned on him that he had done something similar with TenTen. He had broken it off with her because he wanted to be with someone his equal. And though TenTen had proven herself to be a formidable opponent, she was not what he was looking for in a relationship. Over the course of their relationship Neji became less and less attracted to her. She was more interested in the latest weaponry and perfecting her technique. She also was a terrible terrible kisser, and for Neji felt like there was more to a relationship than terrible kissing and training.
Neji glanced at Sakura and was surprised to see her looking at him. He turned his head and again with no words spoken between them they stopped moving. Sakura clenched her fists. Neji was an attractive man. He had long brown hair that was pulled into a high ponytail as an adult. He had two long side pieces to frame his face. Sakura couldn't believe it herself but she was actually feeling attracted to Neji. Of all people, but the more she looked at him the more he became more and more attractive to her. She bit her lip and then with as much force she tore her gaze away from him. Her felt her cheeks burn hot and she continued on her way leaving Neji behind.
Neji cleared his throat and caught up to her. He kept his eyes forward and tried to make sense of what had just taken place. He felt warm, almost like the times he had spent many night relieving him of his desires. He was attracted to Sakura, and why wouldn't he be? Neji eased up his pace and felt just a little behind her. He stared at her form and he felt his breath catch. She had a beautiful figure. Long toned legs, and beautiful curves. Neji picked his speed up so Sakura wouldn't notice he had just checked her out.
The rest of the trip was spent in silence, neither looked at each other as if they were both alone. Soon enough just before sunrise they had made it back to the gates of Kohana. Sakura showed the guards her orders and the two of them were let into the city. Sakura turned to Neji and put her hand out.
"Thank you for the escort Neji. As much as we both did not want it, I appreciate it," Sakura said politely.
Neji looked at her hand and then grasped it with his own. The two stayed that way for a time and a breeze brushed past them. Sakura looked away first and started to pull her hand out of his when Neji clamped down on her hand.
Her eyes flew to his and she tried to read what he was doing. But Neji's face seemed to be made of stone and she couldn't get a read on him. "Wh-what are you doing," she asked with a nervous laugh as she once again tried to pull her hand away, but Nejis grip proved strong.
Neji shook his head and tried to find words as to explain what he was doing. He didn't want to be apart just yet but he knew she was probably going to go home, clean up and go to the hospital and he wouldn't see her for a while. He wanted to spend time with her.
"Please make time for me in your schedule this week. I would like to court you, if you'll accept me as a suitor," Neji said very politely and then released her hand. He gave her a slight bow and then turned to leave her there in shock at the gates of Kohana.
Sakura watched Neji's back and then slowly a smile formed on her lips.