Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 2

"NO!"

Neji quickly strode towards Sakura, his body visibly shaking with deep emotions. Taking hold of her arms and her body to him, "No divorce. Ever!"

"But you know that we cannot continue like this. You said it yourself," Sakura said in a low voice.

"Yes, I did, but I meant I want you back where you belong. With ME in Konoha!" The normally stoic Hyuuga said emotionally. "You are my wife and I want you beside me. This… This situation you forced us into is simply untenable, and is not making anyone happy. You know that being apart is not making either of us happy. We belong together and whatever it is, we can work it out, TOGETHER," this was said in an almost begging way (if such is even possible for the arrogant and proud Hyuuga.)

Sakura slumped onto him and rested her head on his shoulder and said in a defeated voice, "You know why… You know why I have to let you go. You need an heir and I can't give that to you. After three and half years of marriage and two years of those trying, we have to accept that I am unable to conceive. As the next in line you need an heir, and a barren wife is not what you need in your life."

"That is not proven. Tests did not show any negative results. There is no reason on Earth why we cannot have a child together. And I've told you that there are other ways. Modern technology gives us other options. And should all else fail, there is always adoption."

Sakura raised her head and looked him in the eye. "Do you think that I would want that? You are Hyuuga Neji, do you think that I would subject you to that kind of indignity? Allow any of your enemies, any of your detractors an opening for any sign of weakness to use against you? I won't have anyone pitying you for having a barren and, in their eyes, a worthless wife. I would leave you first and disappear totally from your life before I'd let that happen. I love you too much."

Neji is visibly shaken after hearing the absoluteness of her voice, and felt a certain terror at the idea of never seeing her again. Of her not being a part of his life. "Then I will step down if the cost of being head of the Hyuuga clan means I lose you. If that is what it takes, it's a small enough price to pay. You are Hyuuga Sakura, my wife and you will stay my wife."

After making that declaration, Neji let her go and walked towards the door. "You may join me for dinner downstairs or eat here, it's up to you, but if you want to freshen up, you will find some of your clothes in the closet. Dinner should be served in about an hour."

Sakura took a quick shower. The shower helped tremendously in restoring her composure, which was deeply shaken by the unexpected and emotional reunion with her estranged husband.

Before the hour was up, Sakura was on her way downstairs for dinner. It took her a while to finally recognize that she is in the Hyuuga clan's winter cottage up in the mountains, located near the border of Fire Country and Rain. She's only been here once, at the very beginning of their marriage, and even then their stay was cut short due to some clan business that just required Neji's special attention.

Upon entering the dining room, Sakura found Hanabi being the only one seated at the table. Hanabi is one of Neji's younger cousins, the other one being her older sister, the former heiress Hinata. Their father, Hyuuga Hiashi, is the current clan leader. The sisters were just not interested in being the head of the clan, and all the accompanying headaches and stress associated with the position. The two sisters both abdicated their positions as heiresses and being the next in line to the Hyuuga clan in favor of their cousin Neji, the Hyuuga prodigy.

"Hanabi-chan. I didn't expect to see you here. It's been a while," greeted Sakura with a smile on her face. You could hear in her voice that she is deeply fond of the younger woman.

Hanabi beamed and stood up to give Sakura a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Sakura-chan! How I missed you! It is good to see you again!"

Sakura knows that Hanabi is a strong and powerful kunoichi in her own rights. She could have taken and properly executed the clan leader position, but preferred to be a regular shinobi instead. However, she is also very close and loyal to Neji. She'd go as far as say that Hanabi is Neji's willing enforcer. Sakura is pretty sure that Hanabi was well aware and was possibly a big participant in her abduction.

"It's good to see you, too. How have you been? What are you doing here? How is Lord Hiashi? He's in good health, I hope." Sakura bombarded Hanabi with these questions. She just cannot find it in herself to be mad with her.

Sakura accepted that she is back again in Neji's life. She is honest enough to admit to herself that it's where she wants to be. Neji just completes her and the time apart from him, she was just lost – incomplete.

Hanabi answered all her questions, in the order they were asked – "I'm doing great. I'm here for Neji. Father is just fine and still in excellent health. I think he'll outlive us all." The last bit was said cheekily.

Neji chose that moment to enter the room. He immediately approached Sakura and gave her a quick, but deep kiss on the lips. Only then did he deign to acknowledge Hanabi's presence with a simple, "Hanabi."

He led Sakura to the chair on his right. Pulled out the chair for her and only then did he sit himself. Hanabi chose to sit across from Sakura. Only when they were all seated did the servers proceed to serve dinner. They had a pleasant dinner. The conversation flowed smoothly. They all, by tacit understanding, decided not to touch on any sensitive topics – mainly Sakura being under a Hyuuga roof once again.

Back in their room, Sakura could almost taste the tension. She can't help but feel nervous for being once again alone in a room with Neji. It's been so long and she knows that her body is craving to feel the touch of her husband again.

She turned and caught Neji looking at her with such hunger in his eyes. The need she saw in those eyes took her breath away. Almost without her own volition, she found herself taking that all important step towards him.

Before she knew it, Neji was upon her, crushing her and kissing her with such hunger. They both fell upon the bed, frantically trying to undress the other. The need to feel each other's skin, to touch without any barrier between them was such, it was almost painful.

Their initial coupling after such a long period of being apart was heated and frantic. After their initial needs were assuaged, they held each other like they were never ever letting go. They made love several times that night, seeming not to get enough of each other. Before they finally fell into a sated sleep, they each whispered "I love you" as affirmation of their commitment to each other.

In the morning, Sakura woke up to see Neji in the process of closing the door, holding a fresh cup of hot tea. He walked over to her and offered her the cup. She sat up, holding the blanket up to preserve her modesty. Seeing this, Neji's lips kicked up in a smirk, eyes warm with amusement and tenderness. After being married for almost four years, Sakura is still shy in showing her nakedness around him. And after what they did last night, to each other no less… Neji could only shake his head thinking, 'That's part of her charm, and why I love her so much…'

"Here. Our day is free. What would you like to do today," asked Neji.

Sakura took a sip of the hot tea and replied, "Hmmm… must we do anything? Can't we just stay here?"

Sakura wants to take advantage of this alone time with Neji. She's not really eager to share him with anyone and would like to delay their return to the real world as much as possible.

"Oh? Stay here? And do what?" Neji decided to tease Sakura. He wasn't disappointed to see pink blush start to cover her cheeks.

"Oh, stuff…" Sakura still blushing, took another sip of the tea before placing it on top of the nightstand.

"Hmmm…. Stuff. Sounds promising. You mean, stuff like this?" Neji leaned over to kiss her exposed shoulder, and trailing little nibblets on her neck, all the while caressing her arms before tugging down the blanket to cover the flesh they exposed.

Needless to say, they didn't leave the room for the rest of the day.

Sakura feels like they're on their second honeymoon, but she knew that sooner or later, reality will intrude, and all the issues and problems they have will need to be addressed. For now, she is more than happy to pretend.