Author's Note: So, I don't have much to say here (that's a lie). Kakashi is worried because his daughter figure is potentially in danger. It will all be explained in the next chapter. I don't know how else to explain this but I always thought that the Byakugan would be able to have levels of use. If Neji is looking for her chakra signal then he will see chakra but when he gets closer and he wishes to see more clearly then the Byakugan changes it's focus. Sakura will explain it all in full detail in a few chapters. And I am going to have Hanabi, Hinata, and Neji all get along just fine which is why Neji is helping to train Hanabi.

Summary: When dealing with the mystery that is life Sakura finds that it is best to experiment with what you have and look forward to the gifts that lie ahead. NejiXSakura.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, etc…

"Try using the jutsu on that fish Hanabi-sama. Bypass the bones and carefully attempt to cut it's main artery." Neji said patiently.

Hanabi had been practicing all day, every day the entire time Sakura had been away. The young girl was determined to complete both jutsus by the time her mentor got back. So far she was doing well. The water dragon jutsu was well on its way to looking the way it was supposed to with a bit of Kakashi's help.

But the chakra scalpel was a different story. So far Hanabi had been able to form the chakra in her hand but she was unable to cut things at all. Whenever she tried to cut the fish under her treatment it ended up flattened like a pancake or mangled beyond recognition.

Neji had been out here with Hanabi every day watching her progress.

He didn't see how he could help. He had seen the chakra scalpel being used but he had never tried to use the jutsu himself. But Sakura had asked him to help his cousin and so here he was watching the young girl mutilate the fish she was attempting to dissect.

"Nii-san, do you have another fish? I want to try again." Hanabi said looking up from her disastrous attempt.

"I have a whole bucket of them. But perhaps it would be more effective if you attempted to sharpen the chakra into a point. Try concentrating more this time Hanabi-sama."

Hanabi, never one to give up, tried once more and this time her chakra was just a little bit more focused. Unfortunately it was still not enough to save the poor fish.

He was about to give her a well earned compliment, since she was indeed making progress, but was interrupted by a masked ANBU.

"Hyuuga Neji, you are to report to the Hokage immediately." As quickly as the man, his gender was identified by his voice, came he left.

"Hanabi-sama, keep practicing until there are no more fish. If I am being called for a mission then go to Hinata-sama for training tomorrow."

As Neji quickly left the training grounds in favor of heading to Hokage tower he heard Hanabi scream after him.

"Sure thing Nii-san! Good luck!" Neji's face did not change but had anyone been their to witness it they would have said that his eyes softened quite a bit.

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"As you all know I have been trying to gain as much information on Sound and the Akatsuki as possible. It is because of this that I have come across some very disturbing news." Tsunade watched as the four quiet men in front of her straightened up. After she was sure she had everyone's full attention she continued.

"Upon his last two body transfers, which were thankfully not Uchiha Sasuke, Orochimaru has found that his arms are still unusable. We are not sure why this is but I have come to the conclusion that his arms will need to be healed in order for him to use them fully again. It is for this reason alone that he is seeking a medic of higher standards than Kabuto." At the mention of Orochimaru, Tsunade could see each shinobi going into his expertise.

Shikamaru was thinking up a strategy for entering the base unnoticed. Shino was thinking of ways to map out the entire Sound base before being spotted. Kakashi had already figured out what she was planning on saying and was thinking of the fastest way to get to their destination. Neji was thinking of the easiest way to separate the Otokage's head from his body.

"On the other hand, I have received word from Jiraiya. Akatsuki is on the move again. This time their objective is to find a medic. Jiraiya believes that the medic they seek would serve two purposes, the first being to join the organization as their medic and the second to heal Uchiha Itachi's eyes. There are only two medics in the world capable of handling the types of procedures Orochimaru and the Akatsuki are interested in. I am sitting in front of you, safely in Konoha, surrounded by talented ninja. My apprentice, on the other hand, is going to be coming home in three days and she will be traveling alone. Who do you think the enemy will go after?" Her rhetorical question was not answered.

"Find Sakura and bring her back to Konoha. That is your mission. You are to leave as soon as possible. Kakashi will act as leader. Dismissed."

The four men left the obviously nervous Kage. Neji didn't blame Tsunade. Sakura was the daughter the woman never had.

And now that he was paying attention, Kakashi wasn't all there either. The man looked composed but underneath that Neji could see worry buried in the depths of Kakashi's lone eye.

"We will meet at the gate in twenty minutes. Pack light. I will not be slowed down. Oh, and don't be late," the Copy-nin sated before disappearing in a plume of smoke.

Neji followed his example, not bothering to wait on his comrades.

He arrived in his room and packed quickly only grabbing a few extra sets of clothing, a few weapons, and a bit of food from the kitchens. A quickly scribbled note was all he left to inform Hiashi of his departure.

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The three day trip to Suna had been quiet. With the exception of necessary communication, no one said a word. But Neji supposed that was to be expected when dealing with the group he was in.

Shino hardly ever said anything so it came as no surprise when he didn't say anything at all the whole time they were traveling. Shikamaru only spoke when he was mumbling about the sand in his shoes being 'troublesome'. Neji actually hadn't said much of anything that he could recall but perhaps Kakashi's reaction was the most odd.

Normally the Copy-nin would go about life and missions with his nose in those perverted books of his. Apparently this was a mission he deemed worthy enough to put the books down. Not once had he pulled it out nor had he complained about not having it.

They entered the Suna gates with out any trouble. It would seem that Suna was already aware of the situation.

"Neji, find her," said Kakashi, his voice gruff and worried. It would seem that their leader would not be alright until his only female student was back in Konoha, safe from harm.

Neji complied and followed her chakra signal until they reached the Kazekage's mansion. The closer they got the more defined her shape became. Finally they entered the training ground behind the building and Neji stopped dead in his tracks.

He hadn't expected to see this. Usually he was very precise with his Byakugan and today was no different. The problem was that his Byakugan was allowing him to see too much.

He could see every move she made in her spar against the Kazekage. Her training with Kakashi and Tsunade had paid off. Her taijutsu was smoother and more exact than he remembered seeing and her chakra control was perfect.

But that wasn't what had stopped him dead in his tracks.

It was her body that made him stare.

Normally her outfit concealed her more womanly attributes but Neji could see everything. He could see the muscles in her legs rippling with every step she took. He could see the curves of her hips and the flat planes of her stomach. He could see the elegant set of her shoulders and the arch in her back. He could see her soft pink strands dancing along her high cheek bones. He could see the bounce of her full breasts and the shine in her emerald eyes as she charged at the Kazekage.

She was beautiful. For him to even say that or think it was something. He had seen many women in his short life, usually because of his Byakugan and usually by accident, and none of them had earned that title from him.

The sand wall that Gaara had built around him crumbled when Sakura punched it. It was then that she stopped and looked at the new comers.

Shino and Shikamaru were standing off to the side silently looking around or, in Shikamaru's case, at the clouds. Kakashi had visibly relaxed a bit now that he knew Sakura was in his capable protection. Neji hadn't stopped staring.

She nodded to Gaara signaling that their match was over. She approached the men and wrinkled her nose in false distaste as Kakashi ruffled her short hair.

"Kaka-sensei!" she whined straightening out her displaced hair. "A hug would have sufficed."

The Copy-nin chuckled and placed and arm around her shoulders giving her a small hug before putting both of his hands in his pockets.

Sakura nodded at the two silent men minding their own business and then approached Neji with look of curiosity.

"I always wondered if anyone had ever used the Byakugan for that. I think I just found out."

If Neji had been any other man he would have blushed. Instead he opted for looking directly into her green eyes. He could spot at least ten different shades of green in those depths.

"I'm sorry if I caused offence. If it is any consolation that out come was not what I was aiming for." She smiled at his answer. Her hand were rested on her hips and a smile- no, a smirk adorned her raspberry colored lips.

"It's okay, but I catch you doing that on purpose and I'll beat you to a pulp."

Neji couldn't help but grin in response. Their moment was interrupted by a gravely voice.

"Sakura, will you be willing to return and give another lecture to my medic-nins?" The look in the Kazekage's eyes was hopeful, too hopeful.

It was then that Neji realized exactly what was going on. Gaara not only considered Sakura his friend but he was very likely attracted to her in some way.

And Sakura had no idea, if the innocent smile she sent him was any clue.

"Sure, just talk to Tsunade-shishou. I have to go Gaara-san but I will see you soon," she said as she waved to the red head. "Alright boys, lets head out."

End Comments: Oh I've left you all hanging haven't I? Sorry! And I've thrown Gaara into the mix as well. He will make things complicated later on, but not in the way you might be thinking. The next chapter is going to have a lot of Neji/Sakura moments. In fact the whole chapter is centered around Neji getting his examination. Lets just say the group didn't pack enough tents and oh shucks it's started raining. Anyway, I'm going to have fun writing this next one. It should be out by Monday and it will be a longer one. Akatsuki joins us soon, so Deidara fans look out! Review if you feel so inclined.