Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 1:

When you said you never loved me,

Was it true?

He found it difficult to watch her laugh.

He found it difficult to see her held by another man.

He found it distressing to see her smile.

Tonight was an important day. It was the anniversary of Hizashi's death and Neji was alone to celebrate this occasion. His eyes stayed glued to the fireplace in his living room. This house was what was left when he lost her. She was taken away from him. Neji was left to deal with the hurt of a broken relationship.

The living room was only lit by three candles and it emitted an almost ethereal glow. Today, he had visited his father's grave and gone to the temple. In hopes that his father's spirit would watch over him, Neji prayed to the gods to let fate not tempt him into doing anything foolish in the future. After all, his life had been filled with given duties the day he was born.

Neji had learned how to be self-independent and rely on no one else but his own instincts. The day his father was murdered changed all aspects that forgiveness should be given freely to others. There was no forgiveness if a kin killed his own kin.

The world be damned if such a thing were to be passed.

So he sat, his eyes glued to the fire glowing more bright and powerful. His white pupils stared transfixed at the blaze. The purgation of his sin swept right before his eyes and crossed over to his conscience. His love lost; a new one in hopes to be gained. Would it be enough to forget a past that he wished not to repeat yet numerously dreamed about in his sleep?

Neji had become an Anbu and now at the age of twenty-four, he was experienced enough to realize that life was short. He had to survive if he wanted to keep seeing the face of his Hinata's adored expression. It was the expression that she no longer gave to him only.

They had passed by each other today.

No words exchanged between the two as he only stopped to look back and see her form as she went to a fruit stand to purchase some strawberries. He looked at her with a longing that he had suppressed in so many years without her by his side.

Do you remember me?

She nodded her head at the seller and thanked him for the fruits. She paid him the money and walked on to another stand to buy more groceries.

Neji only smiled at her answer. It was foolish to believe that she would ever come back to him. There was no way.

Knock! Knock!

Neji looked behind him. He had invited no one to share this day with him. Who would come? He walked to the front door of his apartment building and opened the door.

"Neji."

She was here. His new partner after Tenten and Lee had gotten married. She had long pinkish hair and green eyes. She was still dressed in her ANBU uniform and her tiger mask was in her hand. She was breathing hard, as if she had known today was a day Neji could never forget.

"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly. He found her annoying to his taste. She was an excellent shinobi but felt she lacked the class that Hinata had.

"I heard," spoke Sakura worriedly, looking up at him," That today is the day your father passed away." She still stood outside, but did not force herself in. She didn't expect him to let her in so soon in his life after what had happened to him. Only the rookie nine had knowledge of what happened to Hinata. "I…wanted to stay with you, if that was okay."

Neji saw her blush. He made no reaction however. So she wanted to be his for the night. "Are you stupid? Do you think I need your pity?"

Sakura shook her head, her eyes now lowered to the ground. She didn't want him to see her face blushing. "It's just…we're a team. And, I feel that as a team, we should comfort each other." She then took a deep breath and slowly turned to face him. "There's nothing else if 'that' was what you thought I came here for."

Now, Neji raised an eyebrow. So it seemed Sakura was a bit different from the others. He could almost believe that she was actually concerned for him.

Neji sighed and opened the door wider. "Come in."

Sakura's eyes rose. The heartless Neji was actually being kind for once. Sakura smiled," Thank you," and entered.

It was the beginning of a new relationship for them.

They made themselves open to the public. It had been three months and Neji and Sakura was a couple. Numerous rumors were around that they would be getting married soon. Yet, no exact words from the couple themselves.

"Neji, do you think we'll ever get married?" asked Sakura.

Neji shook his head and Sakura shrugged.

The both of them understood their positions. ANBU was their life and protecting Konoha was their sole purpose in living. To be held back by marriage was something they both came to understand soon after they started to become more intimate with each other.

"I guess it's something we both can live without," answered Sakura nonchalantly. She picked up her chopsticks and licked the ends of it. She then dived in her ramen and ate hungrily. She sipped the last noodle she picked up and sighed in content. "It's been a while since I've had ramen. You're always so used to eating at restaurants instead." Sakura paused as she felt his finger on her lips.

Neji brushed away a piece of meat from her pink lips and wiped it on his napkin.

"There."

Sakura laughed at his actions and pinched his cheeks. "It's funny to see how your expression never changes sometimes." She went back to her eating and sipped some more noodles, while looking up at Neji occasionally with a smile. "It's good. Eat yours or I'll have to take it."

Neji smirked and grabbed his own chopsticks and started to devour the ramen hungrily. Sakura couldn't help but smile. It had been so hard for her to get him to start eating properly like a young ANBU member should to build up strength. She couldn't help the fast pace of her heart at the moments they shared these moments together. Knowing that Neji was getting better filled Sakura's heart with joy.

"You're adorable, you know that?"

"What?" said Neji in his usual deep tone. He seemed caught off guard by the comment. He looked up at her, noodle still in his mouth.

Sakura couldn't help but laugh some more.

After eating, the two decided to go for a walk. With Neji's arm around Sakura's the two ignored the stares. No one had ever expected Mr. Heartless to date Miss Perky. It was a match unexpected from Konoha.

"When do you think our next mission will be?" questioned Sakura as she leaned her head on Neji's body, both of her arms around his waist. They were both wearing normal shinobi clothes with sandals.

Neji didn't know and answered," I'm not sure. Whenever Tsunade-sama calls us in."

Sakura nodded," I knew that. But what do you guess when it will be?"

"I say in a week at the latest."

Sakura laughed," Yes, I suppose." They were reaching an alley and she could feel his steps move slow. Her heart beat began to beat fast once again and she felt him lead her towards the alley. Immediately once no one saw them, he pushed her by the alley wall and devoured her lips. Sakura made small moans as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They had never done it, but nowadays, it seemed more difficult for them to get their hands off each other. His hands roamed over her body as her own reached to touch his long ebony hair.

Neji felt one thing that made Sakura a match for him. She too had experienced love-lost from a person close to her heart. Sasuke and Naruto were important persons in her life who had loved her and yet had left her as well. The two of them, thus, felt the attention needed to garner their desires to fulfill an empty spot in their souls.

"Enough," spoke Neji and he stopped his lips from contact on Sakura's skin. He had been thinking about how much he wanted her at the moment that it almost reminded him of the yearning he felt for Hinata so long ago. His lips had lowered down to her collarbone and he could feel Sakura trembling.

Sakura seemed to agree and the both of them resolved to holding hands instead. They decided to walk Sakura to her apartment.

"Why are you frowning?" asked Neji. He raised an eyebrow as they met with the public path again towards an apartment building across the village from Neji's. "This is the first time we've ever gotten that far from 'it'."

Sakura smiled sadly, appreciating his way with humor. Yet, she couldn't shake off the dark thought. She lowered her emerald eyes to the floor and sighed, moving closer to him.

"You still think of her, don't you?"

Neji didn't react. He didn't want to so that he wouldn't hurt Sakura's feelings. Yet, he knew now that honesty was an integral part to a relationship. "Yes. I still think of Hinata often."

Sakura nodded," I see. It's funny. I've moved on with my life, yet you still can't. I guess that is how it is-"

"With first love," completed Neji, with no emotion in his voice. He couldn't imagine himself being more in love with anyone else than his cousin, Hinata. She was pure, sweet, and weak. It made her a fragile creature that Neji just wanted to protect forever. That was his job, and intended to be for the rest of his life, had he not disobeyed and courted his own cousin.

"What is it that you can't forget about her?" asked Sakura softly. She said it so that only Neji could hear.

Neji didn't have to think about it. "Everything." His eyes stayed glued to the road that was coming close to Sakura's apartment. He cared for Sakura, but at the moment, he couldn't force himself to look at her face. The pain was still imminent in Neji's heart, soul, and mind. For him to say words of hope to Sakura would be only foolish in his part.

"I see," spoke Sakura. The hurt was growing now. It always did when she mentioned Hinata. For some reason, it was always her who brought up the subject and not Neji.

Neji stopped. Sakura felt his hand tug at her to not go any farther as she took an extra step. They were in front of her apartment building.

Sakura looked back and spoke," Neji, what's wrong?" Her eyebrow rose as she examined his face. Neji was actually looking down, as if bothered. His eyes showed pain; something Sakura recognized too well.

And then Sakura felt it too.

Hinata's presence was in the apartment building.

"I can't," muttered Neji. He moved back and let go of Sakura's hand.

Sakura bit her lip. She wanted to cry for some reason. Why…Why did he have to be in so much pain because of Hinata? She couldn't help the rising jealousy amounting in her mind. It wasn't Sakura that Neji was afraid to see, but Hinata. He was still in love with and could not forget her. No…

"Come with me," spoke Sakura in a serious, determined tone. Whatever the reason Hinata was here, Sakura was not going to let Hinata stop Neji. What was the reason Hinata was here for? The two walked up the stairs and Neji followed without any opposition.

Sakura didn't want to look at his face. It would only make her want to tell him to go back. But if she wanted him to continue being with her, Sakura had to let him get over the presence of Hinata. It was all very simple.

Neji's eyes looked up and to both of Sakura and his utter surprise; Hinata was standing right in front of Sakura's door.

All forms of seriousness dropped as Sakura saw the Hyuuga heiress dressed in a lavender kimono sitting on the floor, knees up, and her back leaning on her front door. She felt the hand she had been holding let go of her and saw Neji run to Hinata.

"Hinata-sama," spoke Neji, his arms grabbing a hold of Hinata's shoulders. He shook her lightly, his face filled with worry.

Sakura watched, dumb-founded by the change of Neji's stature around Hinata. She had never seen such a worried expression on his face. She couldn't help but stand and watch.

Hinata slowly opened her eyes and revealed lavender pear orbs, covered a bit by her bangs. She gasped as she felt her body propelled forward and into the man's embrace. Immediately her long hair that was tied loosely in a pony-tail covered propelled forward as well, bringing in the scent of flowers to Neji's senses.

You smell the same as always.

Hinata raised her arms to prevent him from holding her. She gently pushed him away and slowly moved her face so she could get a good look at his eyes. "Y-you're a Hyuuga, a-are you not?"

Neji smiled and took Hinata's hand into his own, placing it on his cheek. Her hand was so soft, no longer rough from when she used to be a shinobi. After the event, it was forbidden that Hinata become a ninja again. Neji missed holding her ever since that day that he couldn't help himself when he saw her open her eyes to him. He couldn't help the elated emotion he felt when Hinata woke up before his very own eyes and he was the first person for her to see this afternoon.

Neji stared as her expression turned to worry. He stiffened, almost surprised, when both of her hands touched the sides of his face. He could feel her slender fingers brush away the strands of his ebony hair. Hinta's lavender pearl eyes examined his face until she finally reached the hitaite on his forehead. Neji wondered how she would react when she saw the mark.

Hinata ran a finger over the green mark, mesmerized. "Y-you're a branch-house m-member." She couldn't help the cold shiver that had suddenly run down her spine. The scent of pine trees was so familiar.

Neji nodded. His expression a gentle one as he continued to let Hinata hold onto his face. His heart was beating so fast that he felt he could be lifted up into the heavens.

You have finally found me, Hinata