I have a random collection of stories that I've started and never finished or have only ever been one chapter so I thought, hey why not create a story full of one-shots and ideas that pop into my head but never really amount to much…

So, here's the first one.

Enjoy!

xox

The heat of the sun beat down across his shoulders, the summer sun a constant catalyst in his ever growing discomfort; he was more of a winter person, really. The sky was clear and blue, its vast expanse a looming presence over his everyday life as he trained, worked and taught, the routine becoming ever more repetitive and dull. Was this life? Was this all it was? When he was younger the idea of being an adult could not come quickly enough. He adored the idea of having his independence and freedom from the clan, being able to make his own decisions for his own well being. But now he was here and it was happening, it was not all it had cracked up to be. They taught you how to fight and the academics behind the ninja way of life at the academy, but they didn't teach you how to manage your money, finance your life or organise your thoughts in a coherent way that made sense. They didn't teach you how to deal with grief, heartbreak, stress and the fear that comes with gaining your independence. You have to stumble through all of that on your own. He was literally crashing his way through adulthood and hoping to come out the other end in one piece.

It had been a waste of time, in his opinion.

He was currently sat under the shade of a large oak tree in one of the bigger training grounds in Konoha's forests. He was bent over, one elbow propped on his knee as he rested his chin into his hand, the other arm lay over his opposite thigh and held his cold water flask, nearly empty now as he'd drained most of it during his training session with team twelve. His gaze was glassy and distant, his mind completely lost within his wandering thoughts as he rested in between bouts of fights with his kin. At the thought of them his eyes flickered around, watching intently as Tenten parried with Sasuke, helping him train with his now one arm as she tested him with his new and much lighter sword she had managed to find over in rain country on a mission. Neji noted the man's footwork, making a note to show him the Hyuuga's circling technique in the hopes that it would make the man's life a little easier; only having one arm put you slightly off balance.

But he really didn't like Sasuke.

After everything that had happened and all the shit he had put them through, it was a miracle that Tsunade hadn't thrown him in the dungeons when he returned to Konoha after the war. Everyone else had moved on, not necessarily forgiving him but trying to get on with their lives without the drama of the past. Tenten often reminded him of that when he was grumbling about the broody, dark haired male and he'd have to huff in agreement but it still made his hair stand on end in annoyance; the man had caused so much pain and heart ache in his friends that he was surprised he hadn't killed him, himself already.

A dark thought, but nonetheless true.

He discarded the grumpy nin from his mind, his pearlescent gaze finding Naruto's bright orange jumpsuit as he multiplied a few times and threw a rasengen at Lee, the young Gai jumping and dodging to the best of his ability as he removed his weights and darted across the training grounds, giving Naruto a literal run for his money. He smiled as he watched Lee and his unorthodox way of fighting; it was refreshing and a welcome change to the usual demeanour of fighting a Hyuuga. He was itching to learn something new, something exciting. He of course owed all of his talent and skill to his bloodline, but he had reached a point in his life now where he needed something else. He had met all his goals and surpassed them by miles and as satisfying as that was he was left feeling rather lost and empty.

What should he do now?

His vision suddenly found pink and his heart fluttered at the sight as he watched her. She was currently training with his cousin, her pink hair a vibrant halo around her head as she stood behind Hinata and placed her fists in the right position, correcting her posture as she circled the younger woman, her vivid green eyes flickering back and forth between Hinata's fists and hips as she tried to gain the right balance of strength and agility. She was teaching her chakra control to improve on her strength for close combat situations. It was fascinating to watch, but instead of eyeing her teachings he instead found a droplet of sweat, its journey starting at her forehead and gently running the length of her face, passing by her lips as she licked them gingerly, trying to keep them from drying under the intense Konoha sun. He swallowed, watching as it passed over her chin and he waited in anticipation as he found it again delving in and out of the contours of her neck and collarbone, until it disappeared between the bindings of her chest.

She had discarded her red jacket hours ago, the heat of the day becoming too much for her and it left her in only a short black crop top with her bindings showing slightly above and below the hem of it. His eyes became glassy again as he watched her, taking his time as he let them wander down the flat expanse of her stomach to where her skirt dug into her hips slightly before leading his eye down to her mid-thigh, her skin shining under the midday sun.

He was staring now and he knew it, but he couldn't resist as he watched her move, her muscles tensing under the layers of skin as she danced around his cousin. Her movements were surprisingly nimble despite her vast amount of strength and he couldn't help himself as his eyes fixated on her curves, her mouth and now her backside as she bent over into a defensive stance, flashing her black shorts in his direction as her skirt flicked up in response to the movement.

Forest green caught lilac silver as she glanced over her shoulder at him and he suddenly realised that the movement had been on purpose.

She knew he had been watching.

She quickly ended her battle, patting Hinata on the shoulder and conversing with her on something that Neji couldn't overhear, even with his keen senses. She then turned and started walking towards him, her hips sauntering ever so slightly as if she was enjoying the idea of taunting him. He didn't avert his gaze however, and matched her own stare with equal heat and passion as she came to a stop in front of him and leant over.

To anyone else it would of looked like she was merely taking his bottle and having some of his water, which is exactly what she was doing, but as she bent she turned her head close to his and whispered, "Staring is rude, you know?"

He merely gave her a small smile, "Sorry. Nasty habit."

She grinned as she wiped her mouth and handed his now empty water bottle back to him, "Are we still on for later?"

They had kept their intimate relationship a secret from the rest of the gang. Mostly as they were enjoying the privacy of it all and of course because if word got out that they were sleeping with each other then it would inevitably turn into more than it actually was and the drama of dealing with gossip was not something that they both wanted to deal with.

It had started innocent, a drunken night after a successful mission where they both satisfied the growing tension between them. He had walked her home from the bar and kissed her goodnight and never left again, stumbling into her apartment in a tangle of limbs and half undone clothes. From then, she had sought him out next. Climbing through his open balcony doors one evening and not leaving again until morning. The following months after that consisted of stolen kisses in tight closets out of sight or quick misgivings against a tree on missions, Sakura returning to base camp with bark up her back and bruised lips.

He eyed her carefully, his gaze becoming heated as she squirmed under his intense stare, "My place?" He murmured, his eyes flickering to the training ground to see everyone starting to end their sessions, "Half the clan is away on business."

She purred, "Perfect."

"Hey, Neji! Sakura!", Kiba called, waving them over, "We're going to the bath houses. Ya comin'?"

They both nodded, collecting their things before walking out from under the shade and into the harsh heat of the summer sun.

"I think I'd prefer a cold shower," Neji grumbled, sighing.

Sakura chuckled, "You can have as many as you want later."

"What time are you coming?"

"Well, I don't know, " She whispered, "that depends on how long it takes you." She grinned, watching the implications of her words dance across his face.

"Temptress," he growled, glancing over at their friends who all had they're backs turned and were walking ahead towards the village. He took the opportunity to reach out and brush a hand over her lower back, bending over and stealing a quick kiss before straightening and jogging over to join their friends and in particular his old team.

Obsidian black orbs watched on as Sakura flushed under the attention before picking up the pace and joining the group.

Kakashi sighed heavily, going back to reading his book as he leat back against the trunk of the tree, one leg swinging down over the side of the thick branch.

"Bloody kids..."

xox

R+R!