Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

The Blossom And Her Leaves

Chapter Four: The Loneliness They Endured

Darkness. Cruel, silent and bitter, but that was to be expected, wasn't it? In reality she was alone, positively and utterly. Things were different here. Him. Stalking her like a plague and digging up things best left buried, best left forgotten. Things that she wished would just blow away, like autumn leaves in an October breeze, fade away, until nobody remembered and nobody cared.

The frigid cold nipped at her raw fingertips and she raised them to her pale lips, blowing for a warmth that wouldn't come. Sakura wasn't surprised, even her breath felt like winter itself and her whole body shivered uncontrollably, trying to shake off the cold that held her shoulders in an icy grip.

Snow swirled and fell around her, covering the ground with a crisp, white blanket and she thought about how nice it would be, to be the snow. Beautiful, with no problems and no worries. Falling wherever she wished, visiting whomever she wished and leaving behind only a thick cover of protection, the one thing she needed the most. Sakura brushed a snowflake-covered strand of hair from her cheek and peered into the darkness, searching for his painfully familiar face.

She couldn't see him, some would call it a hunch, but she knew he was there.

"What do you want?" She breathed in a small frightened whisper and her fear had nothing to do with him, more, it had to do with herself, her own wobbly knees, her own reactions when it came to him.

Sakura closed her eyes and she tried to prepare herself for the sound of his reply.

Although she may have loved him deeply, a part of herself hated his voice, hated it more than anything in the world. It brought back pain, hatred, memories and unrequited love, four things she could live without, four things that continued to haunt her.

On the other hand, another part of her lived for it and it served as almost a sort of danger, like a dare or a perilous challenge. Almost as if she was walking on thin ice, doing it for the thrill, but if she broke through, she'd be as good as dead, the freezing current pulling her under, the icy water filling her lungs, choking her. If she remembered too much, that's when it was time to abandon ship, to abandon hope, when the pain flooded in and she was helpless against her own mind.

"See how long I can listen before my heart breaks all over again, excellent idea Sakura!" She yelled at herself.

Her insides didn't care enough to reply.

"Are you listening to me?!?"

Only silence greeted her and she scoffed, turning her head in anger as if turning away from someone, until she realized she couldn't really escape herself, if that was possible, she would've left years ago.

"I really have lost it." Sakura sighed heavily to herself.

Sasuke's face flashed in front of her closed eyes as if reminding her that the day he left was the day she'd officially lost it and all the days following meant nothing. Just thinking about him made her love and frustration boil and entwine inside of her until she felt like exploding.

His older brother Itachi, whom had ultimately ruined his life, not only murdering his entire clan, but telling him to harbor his hatred, telling him to kill. His self consuming vengeance, that self consumed until there was nothing left but an empty, burning, shell. His friendship, that was distant and faint, but almost positively there, which only succeeded in making her love him more. Lastly, his betrayal, to not only her as a friend, but to the whole village, his home and the only real family he had left.

Sakura swallowed hard and her throat screamed in agony, the cold had crept in, making it difficult to breathe and she shook her head, trying to shake away the overwhelming emotions that flowed through her mind.

A low chuckle arose from somewhere behind her and Sakura flinched, her whole body frozen in place and the desolate pain inside of her roared to life. Her hand flew up to her chest, as if by habit and she clutched at her heart, her eyes wide in terror. Goosebumps crept over her bare arms and she gasped for air, trying to catch her breath.

"What do you want?" A voice asked repeating her own question in a mocking tone and Sakura's brow furrowed in confusion, for a minute there, she had been sure he had sounded almost desperate for her reply.

Sakura tried to speak but found she was at an utter loss for words, not only at the sound of his voice but also at his question. The more she thought, the more she realized, she honestly didn't know.
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"Sakura, hey, Sakura!" An angry female voice thundered in her ears, slicing through her dreams and she jerked awake, her emerald eyes wide and startled.

The numbing cold vanished, almost as if it had never been there at all and her stiff limbs were hit with a warm, comforting feeling, the sunlight from an open window pouring over her like a soothing fire. Sakura's eyes scanned the room and she recognized with ease where she was.

The Hokage's large office smelt of paper and air freshener, proof of the Hokage's attendant, Shizune's many attempts at making the office smell more like wildflowers and less like Tonton, her pet pig.

Stacks of folders of all kinds were splayed out all over the Hokage's huge wooden desk. Sakura almost laughed aloud imagining Tsunde talking Shizune into taking time off, promising her the work would be finished by the time she returned and pulling out a bottle of sake the minute she left. The end result, a drunk Tsunde, piles of work and a hysterical Shizune.

The blonde Hokage sat behind her desk, tapping her fingernails irritably, annoyance streaking across her face in an impatient scowl.

"I…I'm so sorry, Tsunde." Sakura apologized, hanging her head in embarrassment.

"I can't believe I dozed off, I can't sleep at home, yet I managed to fall asleep on my hand." Sakura thought to herself, still feeling guilty.

The Hokage smiled, her face brightening and she clearly saw her teenage self reflected in the pink haired medic. In truth, the beautiful Hokage was old enough to be Sakura's grandmother, but refusing to grow old and wrinkle, she used a type of Genjustsu and took the form of her twenty year old self.

Slim, pretty, dark amber eyes, blonde hair and a mountainous chest area, Tsunde was every man's dream, although she wasn't just a pretty face. Besides her natural good looks, she was also the powerful fifth Hokage and one of the three legendary Saanins, proving quite clearly that she could take care of herself.

Tsunde's fist banged on the desk and it groaned under the pressure of her strength, bringing Sakura back to the real world.

"Sakura, you look pale, you should go home, get some rest. It's been fun, but I'm finished lecturing you." Tsunde said kindly.

Sakura had been here all morning, going over medical files and other boring matters, the burden of being a medic nin.

"No wonder the girl is tired." Tsunde realized glancing at the clock on the wall and looking back at Sakura sympathetically.

Sakura shook her head stubbornly as she stifled a yawn.

"I'm fine, please contin-"

"Sakura, don't you know what breaks are? You work too hard for your own good. Go home, that's an order." Tsunde interrupted, shooing her out of the office and she hid a sly smile behind a stack of files.

"I understand you want to become a great medic nin for when Naruto decides to go after…" Tsunde stopped, seeing Sakura's pale face and clenched fists, her nails deep in the palms of her hands.

"I…I'm sorry Sakura, I mean when Naruto leaves." Tsunde corrected remembering Sakura's sensitivity to the topic.

"Yes Ma'am, and thank you." Sakura added meaningfully, gaining her composure back.

Tsunde shot her a triumphant grin and Sakura frowned at her smugness.

"Oh right, before I forget, I still want those progress reports on Genma and Kurenai, oh, and the checkups for Hinata and Naruto." Tsunde added with a smile.

Sakura's eyes widened as Tsunde's words cam back, reminding her of what she'd said before she'd fallen asleep.

"Kurenai and Genma are still being hospitalized, so I need progress reports on them as well as checkups for Hyuuga Hinata and Uzumaki Naruto. You can do that, right Sakura?…Sakura?…"

"You're kidding me, I don't mind everything else, but I actually have to give Naruto a checkup? You can't be serious." Sakura whined and Tsunde's eyes grew with innocence.

"Dead serious, what's wrong? Is there a problem?" She asked suppressing a fit of giggles.

Sakura frowned again, her temper rising dangerously high and she crossed her arms over her chest.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" She yelled.

Tsunde gasped, as if appalled by the accusation.

"Never." She cried, her hand resting on her collarbone.

Sakura opened her mouth to reply, but stopped, her hands shaking in anger. Turning swiftly, she stormed towards the door. Tsunde's laughter rang obnoxiously loud in her ears and she let herself out, shutting the door as hard as she dared.

"Tsunde, making fun of me like that, I can't believe this, out of all the boys in Konoha, I have to get Naruto. This is just like Tsunde to be so cruel." Sakura muttered in an annoyed tone.

Stalking off down the corridor, her fists angrily clenched, she let out a startled cry as she felt her feet hook on a lump in the middle of the long hallway and it seemed to her that time had slowed. Looking back, she caught a glimpse of what she'd tripped over.

Shizune's pig, Tonton, let out an angry squeal and shot her a dirty look, scampering off down the hallway, her eyes searching for Shizune.

Bracing herself for a big collision with the carpet, Sakura stuck out the palms of her hands and closed her eyes, waiting for the pain. Less than a second later, she felt strong hands catch her by the wrists and she fell into a comfy, defined chest. Snapping open her eyes, her body tensed, recognizing by the scent who had caught her.

It was different from the day in the forest, but if anything it was better. He smelt sweet, the distinctive scent of the lotus flower, blooming in her mind and she inhaled as if to make sure she never forgot it.

"You know, you are not very graceful for a ninja, Sakura." His soft familiar voice laughed melodically and the strong, warm hands released her.

"Am I dreaming? Did I doze off on Tsunde again?" She asked softly and Lee let out another laugh.

"I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am afraid not, I am quite real." He replied, smiling down at her.

Sakura tilted her face up and met dark brown eyes.

"The colour of wood, like a sturdy old oak or a graceful willow, a weeping willow." Sakura decided in her mind.

She blushed scarlet, remembering that she still had her face buried in his chest and she leapt back. Tripping over her own feet, she nearly stumbled again, but quickly caught her balance, laughing loud and uneasily.

"Why do I always have to get so clumsy when I'm nervous?" Sakura cursed inwardly, glad that Lee couldn't hear the mouth on her.

"I guess I should, train more, you know, to be steadier on my feet or something like that." Sakura babbled, her cheeks still tomato red and Lee smiled warmly.

"I suddenly remember why I love her so much." Lee thought, still smiling down at her affectionately.

Sakura found herself staring and she forced herself to look away, her eyes begging to look back. His flawless, charming face and his silky black hair brushed to perfection. She thought again about running her fingers through his hair, like she'd wanted to that day, the day that seemed so long ago.

"Don't act like an idiot, you don't love him, you couldn't, could you?" Her inner self asked curiously and Sakura restrained herself from yelling in annoyance.

"I don't know." She replied simply to herself and she felt her inner persona scowl.

Sakura glanced back towards Lee, an amused expression on his face and Sakura started to worry that he was reading her mind.

Three weeks had passed since he had kissed her and left her all in less that twenty four hours. Three incredibly long weeks and this wasn't the first time she'd seen him since then either. Many times he'd wave to her from a distance or he'd smile when they passed each other in the village square. As awkward as it sounded, he'd even accompanied Kiba, Naruto and herself on a ramen outing, but never had he mentioned anything that had happened that day. Never had he been anything more than a good friend and never had he looked even remotely happy.

He was still Lee, although, he was getting saner and much to Gai-sensei's dismay, he seemed as if he wouldn't completely turn out to be a Gai-sensei clone. Sure, he smiled, he even grinned and laughed and all those things, but it meant nothing, it was all just an act, false happiness and she could easily see through his disguise.

His eyes gave everything away, the eyes that never smiled, just stared, lifeless, dull and brokenhearted. Whether he was aware of it or not, his eyes spoke of uncontrollable tears, sleepless nights and a harsh, burning pain that appeared to grow as the days passed. Agonizing or tortuous, but pass they did.

"If I could just tell him, tell him what, I don't know, something, anything, to make him understand, to keep him here, close to me." Sakura cast her dark lashes downward and sighed.

Sasuke's deadly glare flashed across her eyes and she was starting to wonder if his image was tattooed across her eyelids. Guilt mixed with the strange, unexplainable feelings spread over her like an uncontrollable wildfire, scorching everything, leaving no survivors.

Feeling warm fingers gently grasp hers, Sakura snapped out of her thoughts and she looked up into Lees eyes, puzzled.

"Just be careful, ok Sakura? Though I try my best, I cannot look after you all the time." Lee whispered, lowering his face down near hers and Sakura could do nothing but stare in amazement.

His sweet breath softly blew in her face, making her struggle not to lean forward into his lips.

"Why am I doing this? Torturing both of us? Making it look like something it is not, something it cannot be…she cannot love me…she cannot love…" Lee trailed off, knowing nothing he said could take her away from him now.

Sakura swallowed hard, but the nervous lump in her throat refused to leave. This was it, she would tell him, she would say something, even if it was just something she would blurt out without thinking, anything, maybe about her feelings, maybe about Sasuke, it didn't matter. This was the closest he'd gotten to her in three weeks and she wouldn't miss this chance. She couldn't…couldn't afford…to miss this chance.

"I…Lee, please, I really need to tell you abo-" Lee placed a silencing finger on her lips and Sakura abruptly fell silent.

"No, Sakura please, just let me be near you a little longer, you do not have to say a word." He whispered, his voice thick with pain, unable to restrain himself and back away, he closed his eyes and leaned his forehead on hers.

Sakura stood in stunned silence, her green eyes damp and she took in his warmth. He was right, she didn't have to say a word, she could stay here forever and never say a word and that would be just fine with her.

Glancing down towards his lips, she seriously considered tilting her face up, just a little, until she felt her lips gently brush against his. She knew full well that if she did, he wouldn't argue, he wouldn't resist, he would kiss her but that would only lead to a repeat of last time, another nightmare and Sakura couldn't do that to Lee or herself.

Instead, she settled for second best, leaning forward, until her head rested on his shoulder. Lee smiled, his eyes a little wider than usual and his arms instantly enveloped her, pulling her close to him. Sakura felt hot tears running down her cheeks and she held onto him as tight as she could.

"I'm a complete moron, why cant I forget Sasuke? Please mind, just forget…so that…so that I can be happy." She blubbered to herself.

"Sakura." Lee murmured lovingly as if sensing her thoughts.

Lee held her for a long time, he had no idea how long exactly, the part inside of him that could judge time had shattered into millions of pieces when she had so innocently placed her head on his shoulder, her bubble-gum pink hair splayed out on his chest.

Sasuke smirked smugly at him on the inside as if to say,

"She's mine, she always will be and no matter how hard you try or how much you love her, she'll always be mine."

Lee struggled to keep his hands from clenching into fists.

"It is his fault I cannot be with my Sakura blossom. It is his fault for her pain and suffering. If he ever returns, I will truly pity anyone who gets in the way." Lee declared to himself, his anger, that took a lot to show itself, was ready to blow.

"Just forget for now, she is." He told himself and he did.

After what seemed like two forevers, Lee pulled away and gave her a small smile.

"Lee, I don't know what came over me, I'm so sorry." Sakura whispered, tears still trickling down her cheeks but Lee shook his head.

Placing a hand on the top of her head, he gave her several loving pats. Sakura smiled despite herself, feeling like a little pet, his little pet. Removing his hand, and giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze, he turned, walking towards the office she had exited earlier.

Sakura stood alone once again, but she managed to smile. Her smile soon turned into a grin and she began to laugh, her voice loud and musical. Still laughing she twirled around gracefully in a circle like she had when she was only a little girl. Sakura had never before felt that determined to forget him.

"The next time I see Lee, It wont be a repeat of last time, it wont be another nightmare, it will be new and he will be loved, I promise." Sakura thought happily.

"I promise you, I'll forget him." She shouted loudly.

Suddenly remembering that she was still in the huge building where many people might have heard her shouting, her face went beet red and she raced to the exit, hoping to get out before anyone decided to investigate.

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Lee quietly shut the door behind him and Tsunde gestured towards the chair in front of her.

"Hello Lee, everything alright?" Tsunde asked and Lee looked confused.

"Um, I am deeply sorry I was late." Lee apologized sincerely and Tsunde laughed.

"Its fine, Sakura looked like she needed you, I don't know what's going on between you two and I wont meddle, but you take care of her, Lee. She's my best medic after all." Tsunde told him, smiling at the expression of utter shock on his face.

Tearing through Lee's stunned silence, Sakura's loud, cheerful voice sounded through the hallway and the office.

"I promise you, I'll forget him."

Tsunde raised a curious eyebrow staring at the door. Lee's mouth hung agape, his eyes wide in shock, his cheeks and ears bright red with embarrassment. On the inside however, he was dancing. Embarrassing and rather loud, maybe, but her words meant so much.

"She'll forget him." He murmured, still shocked to pieces.

Tsunde glanced at him.

"Hm?"

Lee shook his head.

"It is nothing." He said softly.

Tsunde rolled her eyes, a smirk finding its way to her lips.

"Now about those mission reports." She reminded warmly.

Lee's heart sang.

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Sakura heard the quiet click of the door closing behind her and she stood at the top of the stairs, looking down on the village she loved. Inhaling the fresh smell on the outdoors, the smile that was already plastered on her face grew wider and she began her long decent down the enormous outdoor staircase.

She had been unhappy, to put it mildly, for months, the last three weeks especially bad for reasons to do with a certain Rock Lee, but she felt renewed. Almost as if all the things that had been slowly eating away at her heart had vanished without a trace and Lee was responsible for that too.

The way he had held her, making the world around them dissolve like white mist in a morning sky. Maybe all it was, was an embrace, but to Sakura, it had felt like more than that and just thinking about him made her beam, something she hadn't done in months, something she hadn't been able to do.

It was the Sasuke part of everything that she hated above all else. Not only did she hate it, she was sick of it, sick to her wit's end.

"Sasuke this and Sasuke…I don't need him…I…I never did." Sakura grumbled bitterly.

It was the Sasuke part that complicated things, that made an impossibly messy situation out of a rather innocent one. She hated that part of herself, the part that continued to love him, the part that she couldn't understand. He was a missing nin, a deserter, a traitor, how could she? The one question she'd asked herself over and over and still after almost three years of thinking, she had yet to come up with anything.

Yet, everything considered, she still loved him and still her heart screamed for him. Even when she could be so happy somewhere else, with someone else.

"Lee." Sakura murmured tenderly and she felt her cheeks flush.

There was no denying it now, no way she could.

"I'm hopeless." Sakura sighed wondering how she love two completely opposite people, as deeply as she did, at the same time. Shaking her head, she kept walking, now deep in the busiest part of the village.

A lively voice sounded above all others and Sakura smiled in recognition.

"Tenten." She cried and Sakura threw her arms around the other girl.

Tenten laughed and managed to wiggle her way out of Sakura's embrace. Looking up at the tall boy beside her, Sakura smiled.

"Neji." She nodded politely, not really expecting a reply.

Neji Hyuga easily towered over both of the girls, his hair in the casual, low, black ponytail and his face blank and unreadable. Neji was the type of person who looked the same every time you saw him, yet it didn't make you want to see him any less. His usual long-sleeved training shirt was draped on him loosely and even his white pants looked familiar.

Although, Neji could have worn anything he liked, pink lace, purple frill, anything. Nearly all the girls in Konoha wouldn't have cared what he was wearing, if they could get a glance from him. Tenten and Sakura, however, were not one of those girls and although they didn't appear to care what he was wearing, if Neji decided one day to start wearing frills and ribbons, he would find himself out of it as quickly as he'd gotten into it.

"We just got back form training. Have you seen Lee? Gai-sensai wouldn't tell us, he's in one of those moods again." Tenten explained, shaking her head impatiently.

"Your teacher is so weird." Sakura giggled, her face lighting up.

Neji rolled his eyes, irritably wondering how he got the craziest man in Konoha as his teacher and supposed mentor. As if anyone besides Lee could even attempt to take that man seriously.

"I have seen him, in the Hokage's building…I sort of …ran into him." Sakura smiled fondly at the memory, still fresh in her mind and Tenten raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"I…uh…see, well anyways, Neji, Naruto, Kiba and I are going for ramen tonight around six, but if you wanted to come…" She trailed off on her invitation.

"Why ramen? It's all I've been eating." Sakura groaned.

"I'm sure you can guess who picked where we are going, but I'm starting to think he's not just going there for the ramen anymore…" Tenten replied dryly.

She knew Sakura hadn't really been keen on going out anywhere lately, but she decided to invite her anyways, always happy for her company. Tenten wasn't really close to any of the girls in the village, devoting the majority of her time to training, but ever since Sakura's blowup fight with Ino, the two considered each other best friends.

She'd asked Sakura numerous times before what was bothering her and all she'd gotten out of her was a ton of grumbling and something about Sasuke. Personally, Tenten had disliked the boy from the very start, he was rude and unfriendly and his betrayal only enhanced her dislike. She was willing to admit that maybe she didn't know him very well and maybe she didn't know everything but that was how he appeared to her.

Hearing the story of the brutal massacre of his clan by his own brother, she had pitied him, feeling bad, but how could she? After anybody who had attempted to befriend him, who had attempted to open up to him had been harshly shot down. Sasuke didn't want friends and in her opinion, he didn't deserve them, but try telling that to Naruto or Sakura, it couldn't be done.

Tenten knew, and had eventually grown to accept the fact that Neji wasn't exactly the friendliest person or the easiest to get along with, but at least he was polite and at least he was caring.

That was another reason she didn't like Sasuke. Neji. The only boy she ever really liked and probably the only boy she ever would. Neji had come very close to losing his life on the mission to retrieve Sasuke, the mission that was an utter failure and only succeeded in getting people that she knew, hurt. She didn't blame Shikamaru, the group leader, it wasn't his fault, if they had had any other leader, Neji would have almost certainly died. She blamed Sasuke, uncaring and self absorbed. If she had lost Neji, if she had lost him, Sasuke would have been very lucky if he ever woke up again.

On the other hand, she knew Sakura still had feelings for Sasuke, half the village knew, but she had no idea how the girl could still love him after what he'd done. Running it through her mind, Tenten wondered if her feelings for Neji would have changed if it had been him instead.

"Probably not." Tenten thought truthfully.

Looking over at Sakura, she smiled cheerfully.

"Sure I'll come, it sounds fun." Sakura nodded, returning the smile and even Neji noticed that there was something unusual about her behavior.

"Will Lee be there?" Sakura asked in a hopeful voice, crossing her fingers behind her back.

Tenten shook her head and she took note of how Sakura's face fell in disappointment.

"All this stuff about Lee is very interesting, I'll have to force it out of her later." Tenten decided internally.

Arrogant or not, Tenten was pretty sure Neji would be thankful if they didn't talk about boys in front of him. The last thing she needed was a Neji in a bad mood and God knew one couldn't run out of those. Thankfully enough, he hadn't been in a bad mood for a while now, but something somehow didn't seem right.

He was acting kinder towards her lately, as kind as Neji could get anyways and it made her nervous. He was listening to her more, following her around after training while she did odd things and just plain putting up with her. It wasn't that she didn't like the extra attention, she loved it, it was that it just didn't fit. Neji could really make her wonder sometimes.

Tenten looked up at him and he gave her an impatient look that had "I want to leave" written all over it. She was surprised he was even still here at all.

"That's great though Sakura, I haven't seen you this happy in a while, nothing happened, right?" Tenten asked playfully but Sakura just blushed and shook her head.

"Yeah right." Tenten thought to herself, clearly amused.

Picking up that the conversation was coming to an end, Neji let out a small sigh of relief and although Sakura seemed oblivious, Tenten wasn't. She nudged him hard with her elbow and smiled when she heard him let out a small grunt.

"He deserved that." She thought, annoyed.

"Ok then, I guess we'll see you tonight." Tenten grinned and Sakura nodded, waving as she watched them walk away, Neji walking faster in front of Tenten, as if glad to get away.

"I'm going to have fun tonight, no matter what." Sakura told herself firmly.

"Who cares if Lee wont be there, who cares if I have to eat ramen, I'll still have fun tonight with my friends, I'll still have fun…without Lee." Sakura declared and she started towards home where her comfortable bed was practically screaming nap and for once, she felt she could sleep without the haunting visions of him.

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"Training today was so awful, how on earth did you manage?" Tenten whined, giving Neji's arm a playful poke.

Neji grunted something incoherent and Tenten continued talking, ignoring his resistance to listen.

"It's always Neji this and Lee that, nobody says anything about hardworking Tenten, why do I have to be on a team of favorites?" She pouted, continuing her rant and Neji rolled his eyes, used to her rare little bursts of complaints every now and then.

Still, he knew no matter what she said, she wouldn't trade her team for anything.

"Why aren't you listening to me?" Tenten cried, flailing her arms above her head dramatically.

"I am…unfortunately." Neji muttered under his breath, walking past her and Tenten sighed, running to catch up with him.

"I'm sorry Neji, I'm just really tuckered out." Tenten apologized and Neji nodded silently, barely listening.

"I think could use some of Lee's Curry of Life, that would perk me up, I feel so dead." Tenten laughed jokingly and Neji's eyes widened slightly in horror.

That was the absolute last thing he needed. He swore to himself, that day, so many years ago, never to look at the stuff again, let alone taste it. Damn that Lee, burning half his tongue off with that mixture of toxins. The great Neji Hyuga feared nothing and nobody. The Curry of Life however was an exception. Yes, as hard to believe as it was, Neji Hyuga was not afraid to tremble when it came to the Curry of Life and still to this day, Neji's heart leapt in pure terror whenever the rancid substance was mentioned.

Although, if Lee ever attempted to take them there again, Lee would go home with a few bruises and a black eye that would be well deserved and for his own good. Maybe Neji couldn't beat sense into him, but he'd have fun trying.

"It would probably just be easier to be dead anyways." Tenten said softly and Neji stopped in his tracks, the hairs on the back of his neck rising as his blood ran cold.

With one swift movement, Neji spun around and grabbed Tenten's shoulders firmly, his grayish, silver eyes burning into Tenten's chocolate ones.

"Don't say that." He shouted in a deep voice, his face dark with anger.

Ever since the day that Tenten had told, love made people stronger, Neji had found himself unable to stop thinking about her, unable to stop dreaming about her. At first he had been bothered by his feelings.

He was a genius, a Hyuga prodigy, why would a boy like him fall for such an ordinary girl like Tenten, after he'd known her for most of his life? It had shaken him up a bit, confused him, where as before, life was orderly and everything had a logical explanation. For Tenten, however, there was nothing except his own strong feelings.

As observant as he was, naturally he had figured out that she practically adored him, so why wasn't she just another girl? Countless other girls had fallen for him before and he couldn't have cared less and now Tenten liked him and suddenly he cared. Suddenly, he felt something deep inside of him, something he didn't even know he could feel.

He admired her courage in missions, the unique way she wore her hair, her breathtaking smile and her strength, that Neji knew by now, was a force to reckoned with. The strongest part of everything was the fact that he started to think maybe she was different and her words what float back to him, when they were least expected, the meaning in them slowly becoming clearer. Slowly, as the days passed, he found himself giving in until he was convinced that just admitting his feelings was the best thing to do.

"I…I'm sorry, Neji, I was kidding, I didn't mean it…I…I'm sorry." Tenten stammered, her eyes wide, half in confusion, half in fear.

Neji had never before even close to shouting at her, his temper took a lot to show itself to her. Of course, from time to time he would get annoyed and fed up with her, but never had he yelled and Tenten desperately tried to think of something else to say.

Seeing the frightened expression on Tenten's face, his eyes softened and he let go of her.

"Death is not something to consider lightly but I'm sorry I yelled." Neji apologized, sighing heavily.

"No, you're right, it really isn't something to joke about, I…I shouldn't have, Neji…I…"

"Tenten." Neji interrupted sternly and she abruptly closed her mouth, waiting for him to speak.

"It was not just death itself, it was your death, I can't allow you to joke about that…if I ever lost you…I just couldn't." He finished softly and he smirked at the look of shock on Tenten's face.

"You…really…care?" Tenten breathed in disbelief, still barely able to speak.

Neji smiled slightly and he lifted her hands into his, holding them to his chest.

"I do, you are very dear to my heart. If you ever need me, I am here." He said, his face hard with meaning and he was unable to believe what he had just uttered.

Still, as unbelievable as it was, he knew in his heart, he had meant every word. Tenten's cheeks grew warm and she smiled, wondering when she would awake from this almost too perfect dream. She wasn't exactly looking forward to waking up to an annoyed Neji, who would want explanations and would want them now, as to why she was whispering his name in her sleep. She truly hoped this was reality.

Neji released her hands but she didn't drop them, instead she trailed them up until she was cradling his face in her palms. Neji smirked again and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.

"Neji." Tenten whispered as she closed her eyes in happiness.

"Neji Hyuga!" A loud voice yelled out the prodigy's name and Tenten leapt away from the boy as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

She had been in his arms, but was that really wrong? It wasn't like he had someone else or anything. Tenten cursed herself for being so jumpy but Neji just looked annoyed.

Turning around, he recognized the annoying, blond head that fit like a puzzle with the annoying, obnoxious voice.

"Naruto." Neji growled under his breath, fuming at the other boy's rude interruption.

Naruto didn't appear to be put out at all.

"Hi Tenten, have you seen Sakura? I want to invite her tonight, for ramen…I mean." Naruto explained, grinning like a Cheshire cat and Tenten couldn't help but smile.

"Already done, she's coming." She laughed and Neji frowned.

"Alright!" Naruto cheered, jumping up and punching the air with an excited fist.

Unable to settle down, Naruto began to chat about a new technique he had been practicing, but Tenten wasn't listening. Looking up into Neji's eyes, she smiled and he couldn't help but smirk back.

Noticing his friends weren't talking, Naruto scratched his head.

"Tenten, why is your face so red and Neji, what happened to you?" He asked, confused and Tenten laughed aloud again.

"Oh it's nothing Naruto, we're just laughing at your…perfect timing…it never ceases to amaze."

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Author's Note:

I'm so sorry i've taken forever to update!!!! and really it has been forever!!!! I've just been super busy...I know summer is for relaxing right? Well...I wish it was for me!!! But yeah, I hope you enjoyed Chapter Four...I've had such a long time to write it...lol. Reviews are appreciated..I always love getting feedback and advice on my story...and in my opinion, a review can never be too long... The next chapter will be called..."Falling Out And Giving In."...if that gives you any ideas...Once again I'm sorry for not updating sooner and I'll be quicker on the next update!!!!