Disclaimer: What? Me steal the most precious thing since anything? Never! –innocent eyes- oh okay fine… - puts naruto deed back- poopyheads…

A Different Kind Of Mission

Chapter 3: A Threat To The Plan

"You look fine, Sakura, stop messing with it." His voice was bored but he was patient as the pink haired girl pulled her hair back, then let it down, then pulled it behind one ear, then the other. Truth be told, he was hungry and unless they left soon, their reservations would cancel.

"I'm sorry, Neji, but it just doesn't seem right." Sakura mussed her hair for a good minute more before Neji couldn't stand it any longer.

"Here." He handed her a light purple ribbon that matched her dark purple and light lilac dress perfectly. She gasped at its beauty and took it gently. "Oh thank you!" She smiled and hugged him before putting it in her hair much like the way she always wore her headband. Finally satisfied with her hair, Sakura grabbed her purse and grinned at the starving Hyuuga. "Okay, let's go!"

Neji wanted to cheer but he just nodded and led her out of the house and to the restaurant. Sakura looked up at the fancy place and looked to her 'boyfriend'. "Neji this place is so expensive!" The white-eyed man just shrugged and walked in, Sakura at his side.

"Master Hyuuga, welcome! Your usual table?" A tall woman greeted and upon receiving a nod from the dark haired man, she led them to a private table and gave them both a menu. "Rai-kun will be over to get your order in just a moment." She bowed and excused herself.

"This place is beautiful!" Sakura admired the building's glory in awe and Neji couldn't help but smile. Within a minute a shorter man with light brown hair appeared and bowed in greeting.

"Konbanwa, Hyuuga-sama. May I take your and your date's order?" Sakura looked down at the menu and couldn't think of what to order. Luckily, Neji knew the menu by heart.

"Some tea and the special please." Rai nodded and bowed again before leaving to fetch their tea. Neji turned back to Sakura. "It doesn't matter what you order, here, it all tastes good." The green-eyed girl nodded with a smile. It was another few minutes before Rai came back with a beautiful kettle of tea. He filled two glasses before setting the tea down and excusing himself once again.

Neji was sipping his tea when he noticed a familiar face at the front door to the restaurant. Coal black eyes turned and caught sight of Neji and the pink head in front of him. The dark-haired man walked over to their table and nodded at Neji, who returned the nod stiffly. Nothing good was about to happen. Sakura turned to look curiously at the guest and her eyes froze on his face.

"…Sasuke…?" Her voice was a whisper and her eyes were wide. Sasuke looked at Sakura and his face softened but it was barely noticeable. The awkward silence that followed was even tough for Neji, though he didn't understand why the sudden appearance of the Uchiha bothered him as much as it did.

"So, you're on a date with the Hyuuga?" Sasuke's voice was surprisingly calm and normal. Sakura blinked and then looked over at Neji as if she forgot he was there. This just made Neji more upset as he stood silently.

"Well, she was, but I believe she'd be more happy to catch up with an old friend." Before they could even reply, Neji dropped some bills on the table and walked out of the door silently. Sakura watched his retreating form and noticed how ridged his back was and the way he clenched his fists. He was upset.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke, but I have to go." She moved to get up when his hand wrapped around her wrist. Sakura looked up into Sasuke's dark eyes.

"Forget him. Haven't you missed me? I'm back, to stay. Even Tsunade-sama is okay with it…sure I'm on probation and can't leave the village for three years, but I'm back."

His voice was almost pleading. Sakura felt all the pain from the last few years punch her in the stomach as she looked into the face she once loved. She wanted to cry and yell and sob in his arms asking him why he left. Why he waited so long before coming back. But, she reminded herself, she'd changed. She was stronger now than she'd ever been before. She wasn't bound to him anymore with love. "Let go of me, Sasuke, please."

Her voice was quiet, but strong and Sasuke couldn't help but let his hand drop from hers and watched silently as she walked away and disappeared after Neji.

"Sakura…you've changed more than I thought. Mark my words…I'll get you back." His voice was soft but sure as he closed his eyes and mentally glared at the image of the dark-haired Hyuuga. His vow rang strong in the quiet air.

That's it for this chapter. Sorry folks but at least I updated. This chapter was kinda fun. I want some dango now… XD poor neji, just as he was getting to admit he liked her to himself….I'm so awful but hey, yall (the readers) have been saying I should add another guy so there ya go! Yay conflict! Review please!

Amori