The key to your heart

What is a perfect life? Being married, having children and a good job. Or do you secretly carry the key to the heart of that one person out of your past with you, and caress it everyday? Keep it close to you? To your heart? SasuNeji

Chapter 1

"Honey, you got a letter!" A sweet woman voice called from the hallway. It was early in the morning, and the sun was shining through the windows. It was a beautiful day.

A black haired man turned around to where the voice was coming from. "Be right there!" He called back to her. He put his son down and walked to the hallway where is wife was waiting. "Who's it from?" He asked surprised.

"I don't know, there's only an address at the back of the envelope." The woman said, her brown eyes looking confused. She handed her husband the letter. "Just open it, then you'll know it." She then bend down and picked up her son. "Then we're going to get you something to eat." She laughed and then walked towards the kitchen.

Sasuke smiled at his wife and then looked at the letter. He wondered who had send it. He never got mail other then from his friends and they always wrote their names on it. Sasuke turned the letter around and opened it. He then read the letter.

This was what was in it:

Dear Sasuke,

I know this might be a bit strange for you, to receive a letter from me. I just wanted to inform you that I fare well. My cousin Hanabi took care of me very well, during the time I was in prison. She even took care of it that I could leave earlier. Nine years earlier to be exact. I've been inspected and I've been asked many questions, and finally the truth came out and I was released earlier.

How are you doing? I hope you are fine by now. You probably have a nice family at the moment, perhaps even kids. I hope so. You deserve it to be happy, you're one of the sweetest persons I ever met in my whole life. I wanted to tell you that I love you and always will, and that I'll be there for you if you need comfort. I'd love to talk to you for once again, just to know how you are doing. I really missed you.

I've put my address and phone number at the backside of the envelope, so if you feel like calling me or writing me back, let me know.

With love,

Hyuuga Neji

(your cellmate from five years ago)

Sasuke stared at the letter as he had read it. He swallowed as it all came through. Neji, the one person he had loved the most had send him a letter. After five years of missing him and not being able to see him, he finally contacted Sasuke. And he was free.. not in jail anymore. And he wanted contact. Sasuke just stared at the letter a little more, thinking. What should he do now? He 'did' have his own family now. But...he never got over Neji either. Should he visit?

"Are you coming for lunch honey?" His wife called from the kitchen.

Sasuke was silent for a while, still in thought. He then snapped out of it. "Yes I'm coming!" He called back and then put the letter in his pocket and walked to the kitchen. "What did you make?" He asked.

"Some eggs." His wife, Tenten, said. "What was the letter about?"

"Oh nothing. Just an old friend." Sasuke lied as he gave his wife a kiss on the cheek and then took his plate with him to the table. Tenten didn't need to know about Neji. And not about that he was planning to go visit him again either.

"Oh, where do you know him from?" Tenten asked. "Ryuu, go sit at the table with your sister." She told her two year old son, looking stern.

Sasuke watched his son obey his mother. He laughed a little as he saw how Ryuu was with his sister. "Oh just from way back." Sasuke answered as he sat down next to his son now. "Ryuu, be nice to your sister." He said, as Ryuu was poking Natsumi.

Tenten now put another plate in front of Ryuu, and in front of herself, and she had some apple puree for her little daughter. She started feeding her with a spoon.

"Alright, are you going to visit him?" She asked Sasuke.

"I think I will, but I'll see." Sasuke said and started eating his lunch. "Ryuu, you're supposed to eat it." He told his son when he started playing with his food. It always made Sasuke laugh, he never was one to punish his kids too much.

Tenten smiled at Sasuke.

"Ryuu, eat your lunch, else no ice-cream tonight." She said, smiling at her son. She knew how much he loved to eat ice-cream. Meanwhile she continued feeding her little baby girl.

Sasuke laughed as Ryuu immediately started eating his lunch. "That got him going." Sasuke told Tenten. "Has Natsumi been eating right?" Sasuke asked. His daughter had just had a time in which she didn't really want to eat. It had been pretty worrying but it seemed she was eating now.

"She eats as much as Ryuu now." Tenten laughed. "Yes, she's faring pretty well. Oh by the way, Lee is coming over today. I don't know if that's a problem with you?"

"Good. And no problem. I think I'll be going to that friend then. Lee is a bit too active for me." Sasuke said and smirked at his wife.
"I know." Tenten said as she giggled. "I can understand that you don't really like him."

"It's not that I don't like him in particular. He's just so damned loud." Sasuke said and laughed a little. "Will you be ok with the kids here?" He asked as he finished his lunch now.

"Of course." Tenten said. "And they like Lee a lot, so it will be fine. You go visit that friend now." She smiled at Sasuke.

"I will. Thanks for lunch. Bye honey." Sasuke said and got up then kissed his wife on the cheek again. "Ryuu, you be good now." He told his son and then gave him and his daughter a kiss too.

"I'll be back before dinner." He said and then left. Somehow, he just couldn't wait to get to Neji.

Later on that day, the bell rang in a small apartment on the other side of the city. Hyuuga Neji laid away his book and then stood, wondering who would be at his door. He straightened his black kimono and put on his sandals. He walked towards the door and then opened it. His mouth almost fell open at what he saw. There on his doorstep stood a very handsome, tall man, with spiky black hair, and black eyes. Eyes he knew all too well. But they had changed, they had become older. The body of this young man had become taller, more muscular, and more manly. Neji smiled now.

"Hey Sasuke, nice to see you again." He said, as his eyes were shining with happiness.

Sasuke stared at the man in front of him. He didn't know what to say. Neji had grown up and god he had done it so beautifully too. Neji had become so much more prettier, more refined then he already was as those white orbs looked at him. Those same white orbs he had come to know and love so many years ago.

"..Neji." Was all Sasuke could bring out at this point. He had always thought he would never see Neji again, yet there he was.

Neji smiled even broader.

"You received my letter?" He asked. He really had to stop himself from hugging Sasuke close now. He didn't knew if Sasuke was in a relation or not. He had to find out about that first.

"Yes. I did. Today. Damn this is just, so weird." Sasuke said as he took a deep breath now. He really didn't know what to do or what to say. All he could think about was all that time they spend and how much he wanted to go back to that time with Neji. But he had to think of his family.

"It is." Neji said, as he laughed softly. "Why won't you come in?" He asked and opened the door further for Sasuke.

Sasuke nodded and got inside. Neji had a pretty neat apartment. It wasn't too big, but it was nicely decorated and there was more then enough space.

"So.. how come you got out before your time?" Sasuke asked. He had read it in the letter, he just wanted to know everything now.

Neji closed the door and walked into the livingroom together with Sasuke.

"Hanabi took care of that." Neji said. "She let me be inspected and I got a lot of questions, and finally the judge said I could go earlier because of the heavy abuse I had suffered from. Do you want something to drink? Then I'll get it and we can talk all we want." He smiled at Sasuke again.

"Sure. Some juice would be great." Sasuke said. "Hanabi, she was your cousin right?" Sasuke asked. He couldn't help but smile back at Neji though. That smile, he remembered it well. It hadn't changed a bit, except for the fact maybe, Neji was happier now.

"Yes, she is." Neji said. "My youngest cousin, that is. Why don't you sit down, then I'll get you some juice." He walked out of the livingroom now, towards the kitchen.

Sasuke nodded and then sat down on Neji's bench. This was the weirdest feeling ever. He was sitting in Neji's house. Neji, who he had loved in jail. Who he had left in jail, thinking he would never ever see him again. And yet here they were, five years later. Talking.

A few minutes later, Neji returned with a glass of juice for Sasuke and a cup of tea for himself. He handed Sasuke his juice and then sat down.

"So how have you been?" Neji asked, as he looked at Sasuke. "How is your life at the moment?"

"I've been doing OK." Sasuke said. Damn, how was he supposed to tell Neji he had a family? The letter obviously meant Neji was not over him. And hell, he was not over Neji either.

"You're married, aren't you?" Neji asked with a smile. But you could see, somewhere in his eyes, that he was sad about it.

"..Yeah.." Sasuke answered and looked to the floor now. Damn, this was hard. It was almost like saying goodbye to Neji all over again. And he just didn't want that.

"Sasuke, you don't have to feel guilty or something because of it." Neji said. "I told you to go on with your life. Do you have children? And how is your wife?"

"She's great. And yes. I have two. A son and a daughter." Sasuke said and smiled at the thought of his children. He remembered how happy he had been when Tenten announced she was pregnant. It had been wonderful. But yet he had always felt that he missed something. And he knew that something was Neji.

"What are their names?" Neji asked with a smile. "What does a father want more beside a son and a daughter. You are lucky."

"I know, I am. My son's name is Ryuu and my daughter is called Natsumi. He's two and she's just five months old." Sasuke answered.

"That's great to hear." Neji said. "You must be a happy person. You got off the drugs as well?"

"I got off drugs when I was in jail." Sasuke said. "And yes, I am happy." Sasuke looked at Neji now. "But I missed you." He added.

"I missed you too." Neji said, smiling a bit sadly. "I still miss you."

"I do too. I moved on because you told me to. Or at least I tried. I got a wife and kids and it still didn't take away the fact that I missed you. I guess I thought it would fade away over the years." Sasuke said.

"..It has only been five years." Neji said. "I thought I'd be without you for nearly three times as much."

"I know...Me too. But... what do we do now..?" Sasuke asked. He really didn't know what to do.

"..I don't know.." Neji softly said.

"..I still love you.." Sasuke softly said as he looked to the floor. He really did. He had never stopped loving Neji either. And he knew it was wrong, but it was just how he felt.

"..I still love you as well." Neji said, sighing.

Sasuke looked at Neji now and then suddenly put his hand on Neji's cheek, stroking it. God how he had longed to do that. Dreamed of doing it too. Finally touching Neji again.

Neji leaned into the touch a little, and looked at Sasuke. Sasuke couldn't do this, he realised. It was sad, but true. Sasuke had a family.

Sasuke looked at Neji for a little longer and then pulled Neji closer and kissed him. He kissed him, knowing that he was doing something so wrong. Yet he couldn't stop himself. Because Neji was who he wanted.

Neji didn't really think anymore as he immediately kissed back and put his arms around Sasuke's neck. God he loved this. That taste, that touch.. he'd longed for it for so long, he'd missed it so long.. and now he was finally being kissed by Sasuke again.

Sasuke grabbed Neji by the hips now, pulling him closer. He kissed passionately and noticed Neji did kiss the same as before, but yet so different too. And he still loved it.

Neji softly moaned into the kiss, wondering if they had to stop this. He wanted to continue forever. Since he knew they wouldn't be able to be together after all.

Sasuke pushed Neji onto the bench now and kept kissing Neji. He never wanted this to end. If only he had just not taken Neji's advice. If only he had just waited patiently for Neji to come back.

Neji pulled Sasuke on top of him a little better. He felt really stupid for having said to Sasuke to built up a new life. If he'd known he would be free now already.

Sasuke moaned a little as he let his hands roam over Neji's body. He had missed it so much. All of it. Neji. He didn't want to have to miss this again.

Neji now broke the kiss.

"..Sasuke.. no matter how much I enjoy this.. we have to stop." Neji softly said.

Sasuke was silent for a while as he looked at Neji. "..I know.." Sasuke said in a pained voice. Dammit. He really didn't want to let go of Neji again.

Neji was silent as he tried to search in Sasuke's eyes what he wanted. What was more important to him? His family or Neji?

But really, Neji wouldn't be able to find it. Since Sasuke himself didn't even know. He didn't know what he had to do. He wanted Neji, but how could he leave his family? He couldn't.

"..What do you want Sasuke?" Neji asked, frowning. "What does your heart tell you?"

"I don't know Neji...I really don't know." Sasuke answered.

"..Then think about it." Neji said, before giving Sasuke a kiss on the cheek and pushed Sasuke off him gently.

Sasuke let himself be pushed off Neji, no matter how much he hated it. "..I don't want to have to let you go again Neji." Sasuke said.

"..But you don't want to leave your family either." Neji said, looking at Sasuke as he sat up straight.

Sasuke sat a little better. "Right. Especially not my kids." Sasuke said.

Neji nodded and then sighed.

"Damn.." He muttered.

"..I'm sorry.. But you told me to move on.." Sasuke softly said.

"I know.." Neji muttered. "That was stupid.."

"Not if you had been there for thirteen more years." Sasuke said. "..I'll just have to think about it all Neji. Get to know you again and see if you really are worth...giving my family up for." Sasuke softly said.

"..I don't want you to give up your family for me Sasuke." Neji softly said. "..They don't deserve that."

"They don't deserve me being with them but wanting you." Sasuke said. "It's not like I won't see my kids anymore and it's not like my wife won't get over me either."

"I know." Neji said, nodding.

"Just give me some time...Can you do that?" Sasuke asked.

"Sure." Neji said, nodding. "I'll be fine."

"I'm glad you send the letter though Neji." Sasuke said.

"I'm glad about that as well." Neji said with a smile.

"Good.. How have you been in jail for those years?" Sasuke asked.

"Well... not really good, but not really bad either." Neji said. "It was fine."

"You never got.. you know?" Sasuke asked carefully.

"Thank god no." Neji said. "Some guys almost succeeded, but then a guard came in time. It went like that a few times."

"Good." Sasuke said relieved. "Did you make any friends in there Neji?" Sasuke asked.

"Shikamaru and Kiba are still doing fine." He added.

"I didn't made any friends no." Neji said. "My new cellmate was quiet and never said anything. I haven't spoken to Kiba and Shikamaru yet."

"I'm sure they'll be glad you're out of there." Sasuke said. "I kept in contact with them after I got out."

"You're still speaking with them?" Neji asked.

"Yeah. We mostly just write or e-mail, but we get together some times too." Sasuke answered. "They don't live far from here."

"That's nice." Neji said. "I hope I'll be able to speak them soon as well."

"I'm sure you will. Should I give you their phone numbers?" Sasuke asked.

"Gladly." Neji said, nodding, as he stroke some of his hair out of his face and flipped it back onto his back. It always got in the way. He now took his cell phone of a little table standing next to the couch.

Sasuke smiled at Neji now. "Your hair got longer." He said as he looked how Neji's hair was just falling back over Neji's shoulder.

"I know." Neji said, smiling slightly. "I've never had it this long. Perhaps I have to cut it once. And not only the ends." He meanwhile opened his cell phone and pushed onto a few buttons, so he could have some new phone numbers in his phone.

Sasuke grabbed his own cell phone now. "You shouldn't cut it." He said and then pushed some buttons, then showed the number to Neji.

Neji copied the number into his phone, which was Kiba's.

"Why not?" Neji asked, as he was done with putting the number into his cell phone.

"I like it like this." Sasuke said and then flipped through his cell phone and then showed Neji another number. Shikamaru's number that is.

Neji took over the number again.

"You liked it as well when it was shorter." Neji said.

"I know. But I like this even more." Sasuke said, as his smile faded. Was Neji being distant with him? He put the phone away when Neji was done and then got up from the couch.

Neji put his phone onto the table again.

"Are you going?" He asked, a bit surprised, as he saw Sasuke standing up.

"I should get home." Sasuke said as he looked at his watch. It wasn't half the time he had planned for being with Neji, but he guessed it was best to leave Neji alone for a while.

"..Alright." Neji said, disappointed, as he stood as well. "I'll let you out then." He walked towards the door now.

Sasuke followed him. "Should we set a date for another time?" Sasuke asked.

"I'd like that." Neji said, smiling. "What about next week?"

"I have to work whole week, but we could get together in the evening." Sasuke said and smiled back at Neji.

Neji nodded.

"Alright." Neji said. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too. What time?" Sasuke asked.

"What about Tuesday, half past seven?" Neji asked. "Then you can eat at your place."

"Fine with me." Sasuke answered and smiled at Neji. He would've liked it to eat with Neji, but maybe sometime later he would do that.

"Alright." Neji said, smiling. "Then I'll see you at Tuesday."

"Yeah. See you Tuesday." Sasuke said and then opened the door.

Neji nodded as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Bye." He said.

"Bye." Sasuke said and then gave Neji a quick kiss on the lips before walking to his car and driving off.

Neji stared after him, lost in thought. What would Sasuke do? Get back with him or staying with his family? What would he do?