A/N: Now that Blacksmith's Daughter is done I can focus on my other two stories. I love them both. This one however is more emotional and I tend to ride the emotions with Sakura. As to the mention of Sasuke being mean. He is not. At least any longer. He has passed away in this universe. Maybe it's an odd thing to insert into this story but I know having lost special people in my life, for a while after, until I had come to terms with the loss, sometimes I would "talk" to them in my head. And then I would "reply" what I think that they would say. That is what Sakura is doing, basically.

Description: Sakura suddenly finds herself facing an arranged marriage with the Hyuuga heir. She doesn't want to tie herself romantically to anyone. Will a refusal upset her life too much? Will she be forced to accept something she does not want? Neji/Sakura

Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto. That right belongs to Kishimoto. Nor do I own the lyrics to Natasha Bedingfield's "Wild Horses"; which was what inspired this story.

Heaven is high and earth wide. If you ride three feet higher above the ground than other men, you will know what that means.

~Rudolf C. Binding

Chapter 6

There was that insistent banging again, my eyes bleary from being woken from a dead sleep. Rising, I curled my hands into fists and rubbed my eyes. I made a face when the noise happened once more. Rising to my feet, I quickly pulled on a plain black turtle neck, and a pair of draw string pants. Slipping my feet into thick socks and then into the lace up boots, I resolved to fix whatever was going on. All was quiet in the house and I made certain to utilize my shinobi stealth to slip quietly beneath the shadows of night. Wrapping my arms against my chest when the chilly air nipped at my skin I turned my head this way and that to ascertain what was going on.

My head turned to the side when there was another slam. It sounded like one of the horses wasn't very happy. I went to the pen that Arashi had used at first to keep the horses in when they were still wild. I had thought he'd already gentled them all down. Apparently there was still a resident inside. Grasping the edge of the board I hoisted myself and looked over. I almost lost my hold when a strawberry roan filly charged again, kicking at the boards with her front hooves before shaking her head side ways and snorting, her sides heaving with her displeasure. I could see by the sleek sweat on her fur she had tired herself out and yet she still continued to try. I could admire the animal's strong will.

"Hello," I said softly so as not to startle the animal.

She looked up, and I could see that wild light in her eyes. Her ears cocked back as she assessed me. Drawing myself to the top of the fencing, I sat on the edge, letting my legs dangle over the sides. I felt bad for the animal, I mean, honestly I wouldn't want to be in a pen alone either. I knew that Arashi knew what he was doing, but still, I couldn't help but feel bad for the animal. Maybe this one just wasn't willing to give up her thoughts of freedom yet and was resisting her training. I couldn't say that I blamed the poor creature one bit. In a lot of ways I could sympathize with the filly. So I just did something that anyone would probably find odd. I started to talk. Nonsense really. At least at first.

"Freedom is relative," I murmured softly, my breaths coming out visibly against the cold night air.

A snort came from the beast.

"It is. It's not that I don't blame you for wanting to get out. Hell sometimes I feel like I'm in a pen myself that I can't seem to get over the fence. It just seems that deciding your own fate in life is a lot harder than people admit it is. Well, unless you're Naruto. That boy is something else. I don't think anyone will ever be able to get him to do what they want him to do unless he wants to do it. Does that make sense?" I chuckled softly into the darkness.

Glancing behind me, I could see the filly had stationed herself in the center of the pen. She was curious but not really wanting to get closer than she already was. Which was perfectly fine by me, it's not like I was a horse trainer to begin with. The horse dipped her head and nibbled at the hard packed dirt at her hooves as if she was making completely certain that there was nothing to eat there. I felt bad for her.

"I would tell you that you should just give in," I said, and her muzzle lifted again, her ears swiveling as she assessed me again, "But then I guess that would go against everything I'm suppose to believe in..."

I almost fell off the top of the pen when the low tenor of Neji met my ears, "Inciting rebellion in a horse Sakura? Frankly I'm not surprised..."

"What are you doing up? I'm sorry if I woke you," I apologized to the male, emerald orbs flicking to his approach.

"You were quiet, I just felt your chakra signature leave the house. When you didn't come back I decided to check on you," he responded before grabbing a hold of the pen and hoisting himself up to sit on the thin board. He grimaced, "This isn't very comfortable."

I bit back the retort that settled on my lips. I had resolved to be polite to the man, and so I only nodded at him. The strawberry roan reared and then she ran a couple circles. When she realized that Neji wasn't there to eat her, she settled down but moved to the far side of the pen.

I turned my head to look at him, "You didn't have to conceal yours to hide your approach you know. You startled me honestly."

"It's a habit," Neji responded with a shrug. After a moment he asked, "How much longer do you plan on staying here at the ranch?"

"I don't mean to come across as rude but you know you can go home any time. I understand that you have duties that you should return to," I kicked out my legs like an overly energetic little kid does when they're forced to sit for too long, "I need to come to terms with myself, and the changes in my life before I do. I realize now why shishou sent me here. She knew exactly what I needed, even when I didn't..."

"Since you seem to be in a fairly talkative mood. There's something I want to ask you... but I do not wish to make you angry," his tenor was soft.

"Go ahead. I promise I won't punch you," I teased him, hoping I wouldn't regret it later.

"When you refused my offer of marriage. You said that you didn't want any relationship with anyone. May I ask why?" the Hyuuga's voice was earnest as he watched my face for my reaction.

Huffing a sigh I smirked over at him, "Heh. You wouldn't have asked that if I hadn't promised not to hit you," and then I replied earnestly, "It's simple. I don't want to become like Kurenai."

"Kurenai?" he was confused by the sudden insertion of a name, but then his eyes lit with understanding, "I see."

"Well and there's also the fact that you took it upon yourself to do all of what you did without even talking to me first. Not something I've forgiven you for yet, mind you. I think you deserve a good punch for that myself," my left pink brow rose as I surveyed his visage.

"I was arrogant in assuming that..." he started to say.

I couldn't help but interrupt after rolling my eyes expressively, "Tell me something I don't know Hyuuga."

He glared but didn't admonish me. I suppose he was giving me slack because he knew I deserved to lash out at least a little. He cleared his throat loudly, "As I was saying..." when I didn't move to interrupt again he continued, "You're right. I shouldn't have assumed. It was simply because I knew that you came from a noble family and marriages are normally arranged in such a way. When I had made the inquiry of permission, I hadn't realized that your parents wouldn't tell you until you came to dinner that night. In fact I had asked a week in advance, with the assumption that if you didn't wish to that you'd cancel within that week."

My lips twisted into a grimace and then I smacked him in the back of the head. No chakra. It was more of a 'come on wise up' type of hit, "Come on Hyuuga. Honestly. Think of your uncle. Doesn't he do things without talking to you first all the time? That's noble families for you. A clan thinks that they can decide everything for a person and you'll just accept it and go on about your merry way without question."

His eyes had narrowed at my disrespect but as I spoke he slowly nodded, "This is true. I didn't give it the thought that I should have. I am sorry."

I mocked gasped and covered my lips with my hand. He gave me a dirty look when I said, "You. Admitting that you are sorry," I made a gesture as I looked up at the star riddled sky, "Is the sky going to fall on us?"

"Enough," his voice was curt and clipped, "Do you have any manners at all Haruno?"

I smirked at him. When he used my last name I was learning he wasn't pleased with me. I shook my head sharply, "Nope. None at all. Now that you know I am a lost cause and would bring shame to you if I married into your clan with my wild ways.... I..."

Neji's lips pursed with displeasure at my little tirade. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that I was the only one that found it humorous. I stopped mid-speech when he suddenly leaned in, his hand going to my chin. A callused thumb ran over the skin there drawing small little circles. I hate to admit it, I really do, but when he did stuff like this, all coherent thought seemed to fly out of my brain to head south for the winter. So I asked a question I would have normally never asked the male, "When did you... become interested in me?"

Those silvery eyes shone with an emotion that frankly frightened me. I felt like bolting but I figured since I asked the question, the least I could do is wait for the answer. His voice was rich, like luscious velvety dark chocolate, "Sakura," he breathed, "From the first time I met you, there was something about you that caught my eye. We were children so it wasn't a romantic interest but... there was always something about you that drew my attention to you. Even when you would cry at the slightest provocation, if one of those children who taunted you about your forehead needed help, you'd be the first one there for them. Growing up in the Hyuuga compound and already even then I was bitter with life, I couldn't understand your behavior."

"Experencing weakness is something now that I look back on it I wouldn't change it even if I could. It forced me to develop kindness and I also try to never look down on people, because even if I cannot emotionally connect with their situation, I understand what it feels like to feel weak," I responded from the heart.

Neji laughed, "You are truly soft-hearted Sakura," he paused and then looked away, withdrawing the warmth of his touch, "But yet, that's also what makes you so strong and an excellent kunoichi."

"That's an odd thing to say. I've been told I'm too kind for my own good and that I should look for another occupation by many," I chuckled.

"Then they are fools," the Hyuuga shook his head, "Now I'm not saying everyone should be like you. Just like Naruto you are the type of person who gains strength from their emotions. It could be your greatest victory, or your greatest down fall. I was always taught to be emotionless and cold and I am when I am on duty. Yet sometimes I wonder if down the line I won't pay for my ruthlessness eventually."

I waved a hand at him to draw his attention onto me when I seen his visage harden, "Hyuuga, don't be silly. You do know that... you are an ANBU Captain and that's apart of the job qualifications. Didn't you read the fine print? It says just right above where you sign your name on the dotted line. Note: must be ruthless asshole to join."

The corners of his lips twitched but he didn't smile, "I must have missed that part."

"Kami Neji," I shook my head, "It's not like lightning will strike if you smile at what was probably a very stupid joke. I won't think less of you for it."

"You already don't think much of me to begin with. So I suppose I have nothing to lose then," the Neji Hyuuga said rather dejectedly. At least for him.

I'll admit it. I gaped at him. It was blatant wallowing in self pity. I knew we all did it, but usually most of us kept it locked safely inside our brain, away from others. I just never expected Neji to actually voice it out loud. It was in that moment I realized that he did have strong feelings for me. My nails dug into the boards and my head dipped. It really wasn't fair. For him to say something so undignified washed away any doubts that I had about his declarations of feelings. He was a soon to be clan lord of the proud Hyuuga clan for kami's sake.

"Now that isn't true," I wagged my finger at him, just an inch from his proud nose watching as he went cross-eyed from my actions, "I think a lot of things about you Hyuuga. I admit that they aren't all good... but they aren't all bad either."

He just looked at me, replying with stark silence. The bastard made me feel guilty for saying something like that to him. Maybe teasing him like that wasn't very sensitive of me, but already there were things about him that made my already messed up emotions even more jumbled and screwed up. Looking away I said softly, "Neji I was mad at you for what you did, but you apologized directly so it's not like I'm angry anymore. Not really," lifting my chin and gazing into those liquid silvery depths was a mistake, because I could see emotion whirling in the depths. Before I knew what I was doing my traitorous hand reached out and touched his cheek gently my fingers rubbing a trail over the epidermis down to his chin and then I snatched my hand away and jumped down from the fence, "I'm sorry I shouldn't..."

In a moment he was next to me, grasping my upper arms and looking down into my upturned face. I just gazed up into his face, my heart stopping at the emotion I saw there. My nostrils flared at the scent of cedar and masculine musk that was him. He was going to kiss me, and I was going to let him do it. I don't know why I allowed myself such an exquisite torture. Slowly I tilted my head to the side and when his lips touched mine this time my knees wobbled weakly and I sagged against him. He tucked me into his warm and I felt him press me up against the fencing. The wood scraped against the fabric of my clothing. Neji released his hold on my arms, and his fingers went to my face, cupping gently against the epidermis. I could literally taste his desire to draw me into him.

Melting, wanting, needing. They were all things I shouldn't allow myself to feel. Tears brimmed in the corner of my eyelids as I came to a realization. This man who seemed to want to swallow me whole. I could fall in love with him. Yes, I mentally came to accept that there was something in him that called out to me, in a very primal way. It scared me, because that's what I didn't want. Yet, there was a part of me that did. I had accepted that I would be one of the lonely. That it was better to be alone. My eyes shot open when I suddenly felt an insistent hardness against my outer thigh. His hands weren't touching me inappropriately and the kiss was as far as it went. The strength of the emotion between the two of us made my throat constrict and lacing my hands with chakra I pushed him back gently.

He didn't move, nor did he looked shocked by my action. Neji just looked at me with those deep, silvery eyes, that were filled with a warmth that was intended for me and me alone. The depth of my emotions sent me to my knees. My head bent forward, the tips of my pink tresses trailing in the dirt, "I can't do this. I can't. Don't make my heart move again. I can't..." I preffered for it to stay suspended in time. I couldn't let go.

I sensed more then seen him move for me. I was up and off running like a shot, chakra lined soles of my feet as I ran straight for the house. I had come to a startling realization within myself. I knew what Sasuke's death had done to me, and I was never even remotely close to being in love with him, not really. At the time I wasn't old enough to even begin to comprehend the depth of such an emotion, nor mature enough to deal with it if I did. I didn't even want to imagine if I allowed myself to love a man completely what would happen to my mind if something happened to that person. I didn't want to allow anyone else in. The torture that was losing your precious people was a horrible thing, and it was something that I wouldn't wish on even my worst enemy. I was careful not to slam the door shut behind me. I went straight to my room and buried myself beneath the safety of my blankets.

-o-

Neji watched as the pink haired kunoichi ran into the house like a scared rabbit. His hands buried themselves into his hair, his tapered fingers squeezing the coffee hued hair in frustration. The shinobi leaned against the fence, slowly sliding down until he was sitting, his knees jutting upwards. Leaning his chin on his legs, he let out a shuddering sigh. Never had a simple kiss shook the very foundation beneath him. It wasn't like he didn't understand what the woman was trying to say, he could in fact relate to it. What shinobi or kunoichi couldn't? He had felt the brunt of her emotions behind that kiss, and it had shook him to the core. It bothered him even further that she was trying to shut him out. It hurt. He wasn't the type of man to open himself up to anyone and such blatant attempts of keeping him away was hard for him to accept. He'd longed for her for so long.

However, he wasn't the sort of person to force himself on anyone either. There was just something about those haunted green eyes, that he remember used to sparkle like emerald fire that made the feelings inside him for her hurt. The pain of it was almost suffocating. Was this what she had felt for Sasuke? If so, he could understand why she wasn't ready to repeat it anytime soon. He had meant his apology, he had felt bad that his unusual lack of insight had cost her the way it had. It was then that the Hyuuga resolved to let her come to him. She had to be in no doubt of how he felt and so it was her move. And so by all rights, the next move was hers.

-o-

I slept a lot after the emotional turmoil of the night. When I did wake up I was loathe to get up out of bed and dressing myself. I did so anyway. I could already imagine Arashi's accusing eyes of having slept in. It was already late morning, nearly noon. I was surprised someone hadn't come and beat on my door to wake me up. I stumbled down the hall after not even bothering to comb my hair. The mess of hair just went into a hair band into a sloppy ponytail bun. I went to the restroom to brush my teeth. I may look like crap, but that didn't mean that my breath needed to stink too.

Emerging from the bathroom, I padded down the hall trying to steel my nerves as I walked. Arashi was in the kitchen finishing his lunch, and when he caught sight of me, he didn't say a thing. Which surprised me. I said weakly, "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry kid. The boy did your half of the chores. As long as the horses get fed, I don't give a damn either way," he said coolly.

"I see," was all I said in response. Really what could I say?

The front door clicked loudly and despite myself I looked up. Our eyes met for a few heart stopping seconds and then Neji just looked away. His face was withdrawn and shuttered. I felt bad, because I knew it was partially my fault. Swallowing I stepped past him and went outside not even bothering with the idea of food. My stomach protested the idea. I went to the pen that held the lone strawberry roan filly. Today she seemed more subdued, but there was still that look in her huge brown eyes from the night before.

"Hey," I drew myself up, looking over at her.

"Well I'll be damned," was the male voice behind me.

"What?" I turned to face Arashi was eyeing me oddly.

He had come out, ready to work with the horses when he had seen the pinked haired girl talking to the stubborn filly. "Watch," he heaved himself up and looked into the pen. My eyes widened into large circles when I heard a slam. Did the filly just charge the fence?

"See? I can't get anywhere near that one..." he gestured as he dropped back down.

"Oh... but then if she's so resistant why didn't you just release her with the others that you let go?" I asked him thoughtfully.

"She's young, 'bout three years. Perfect age for the start of training. She's a nice looking filly too," he rubbed his chin, "but she won't respond."

"So..." I tilted my head to the side. Not liking the gleam in his eyes.

"You're agile. I want you to get inside with her. If she charges, I'm sure you can dodge her," he pointed at the pen.

"But I'm not a..." I started to protest.

"Just do it," he reiterated his pointing again.

Eyes narrowing, I just nodded. I vaulted easily into the pen. The filly immediately reared, whinnying at the intrusion. However when she came back down onto her front hooves, she just stared me down instead. She was less than pleased with my sudden close proximity. From the other side of the solid boards I heard Arashi say, "Until she decides to allow you to touch her... stay in there..."

It was a good thing no one was there to see the look on my face, "Uh... alright..."

I heard the crunch of his gravel beneath his boots as he walked away. What in the hell was this all about?

-o-

Neji just stared at the older man who was sitting on a fence in a spot that would allow him full view of the inside of the pen where Sakura and the strawberry roan were still engaged in a staring contest. After having found out about Sakura's strange assignment directly from the confused female, he went to speak with him.

"You got your hands full with that one," Arashi started, not even looking in the Hyuuga's direction.

Neji was taken aback by the man's blunt perceptiveness. The Hyuuga chose not to respond. He was not keen on the idea of talking about his problems with the pink haired medic with this old man. Gold eyes turned to assess him, "You came up here to ask why... I asked Sakura to do that right?"

A slow nod was his only response.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly the older male responded, "It's because those two are kindred spirits in a lot of ways. I can't say I know the girl very well, but you'd be an idiot not to see that she's straining against the bit... if you will... sometimes it's best to let someone else deal with a situation if the subject in question won't even allow you near..."

"Who are you really?" Neji suddenly asked the trainer, deciding to change the subject from Sakura. He really didn't want to discuss her at the moment.

"My jutsus and chakra signature has you curious don't it?" Arashi laughed at the stoic, stone faced male and then laughed, "Well I guess there's no harm in telling you. I'm one of the few that survived the war after my village was completely decimated by the Village of the Vale after a cease fire agreement with Konoha..."

Neji blinked thrice, "You are friends with Tsunade-sama..."

"Well kid, war is a funny thing. My village was Kagerougakure... it was totally burnt to the ground. If you go to where it once stood now, you'd never know anything was ever there... I was left for dead, but that woman happened to be passing through to check up with her squad because of the agreement. I don't know till this day why she did it, but she healed me up and helped me start anew. This was before she left Konoha for a time. She used to come stay with me whenever her gambling debts started to catch up with her to hide out."

"Why didn't you just contract yourself to another village?" the Hyuuga asked thoughtfully. Arashi was obviously a skilled individual. Any village would have been happy to take him in, certainly.

"Tired of fighting kid. That's all life is as a shinobi. You live from one mission to the next, if you're lucky. And for what reason? Honor. Glory. When you're dead, that don't mean a damned thing," the middle aged man shook his head, "I didn't want that sort of life anymore. When I watched all my friends and everyone I knew being slaughtered for no reason, just trying to survive like everyone else. It just did me in. Sometimes I wish I died with them but I guess going on living was the best thing I could do for 'em. In a way it gave meaning to their deaths. Not much, but something I suppose."

The Hyuuga looked away, toward the pen where the pink haired woman had given up trying to stare the beast into coming to her and was instead sitting in the exact middle of the pen with her back turned on the horse, with her arms crossed. It was obvious Sakura was piqued. The animal didn't know what to make of this. His silvery orbs widened when the horse grudgingly gave into her curiosity and put her nose on the green eyed female nin's shoulders. Kindred spirits indeed. The Hyuuga couldn't help the smile that tugged on his lips, cracking his stony mask for at least a moment.

-o-

A/N:For those curious about his village, remember the arc with Genna, the old carpenter guy that led everyone on a merry chase with those tag bombs for five episodes playing a game with Naruto. That's the village he's talking about. It was thirty years in the past, and Arashi was about fourteen, fifteen at the time.