We huddled in the darkness of the ally together trying not to smell the weed or crack.

Neji and I had finally run away from mom when we were twelve…

She was the boogeyman of our nightmares but out here… nothing but survival matters.

"I'm scared…" Neji whispered.

"Me too…" I answered.

Instantly a cop car pulled up giving us the greatest fear of our lives.

Mom was in the back seat.

I looked at my cheek in the mirror and smirked. "She slapped hard enough to hurt five minutes later but was smart not to make a bruise." I laughed bitterly. Mom must have mastered this by now.

Neji stroked my hair and then hugged me slightly. "Are you okay?" He asked with no emotion. We both knew the answer but we also both knew I'd say the opposite. That's what Neji and I need to pretend right now.

"I'm fine." I replied letting the pretend game begin. We listened for a moment once the sound of creaking filled our ears.

"The Akatsuki are coming to the same place your mom's taking us to." Neji whispered in my ear as we sat down on the bed. I smiled softly at this but said nothing. What could I possibly say anyway? It's not like my happiness can be expressed in words.

"Why are you telling me this? Don't you hate the Akatsuki?" I asked looking at him with a blank but tired expression. Neji just looked back at me with slightly bitter eyes.

"It's because I love you and I know how much they mean to you." He explained and kissed me on the forehead. I looked at him in slight surprise with a sense of happiness inside me. Neji's so sweet to me and only me. I like that about him.

"Thank you for telling me. At least I won't lose anything after all." I muttered with a bitter smile. He hugged me to him once again then we laid down on the bed together curling up under the warm and comforting blankets. "I hope this never ends." I whispered softly.

"Me too… except I would like it if we were free. The way we are now… it's like two caged birds that can never get out. Whenever we sense freedom a curtain covers more and more of the world outside the cage. One day the lock will be left open and the window as well… we'll then be free." He murmured in my ear as we slowly began to fall asleep.

"Two little birds hoping to become free one day, it's such a bitter tale." I replied knowing nothing else to say. He never answered as I never had expected him to. Falling asleep I dreamt of flying through the sky with no cage or clipped wings.

Mom woke us up early and dragged us to the airport. Apparently she sent all the stuff we'd need last night and the things we owned at this house will be sold for thousands and millions. You could say she's always thinking when it comes to making money.

I held Neji's hand as tight as I could, while we walked like zombies onto the plane. Mom looked more than annoyed to see our pathetically tired state. "This will be great…" Neji said tiredly with a yawn ruining his effect completely. I smiled at this then caught hold of his yawn. They are contagious sadly.

We got first class seating and were supplied with the ultimate resting seats, pillows, blankets and they even played several of my lullaby sounding songs. "Goodnight Neji." I whispered looking at him dreamily as we fell asleep.

"Goodnight Sakura." He replied with a soft smile then we both passed out once more with a smirking mom looking down at us sadistically. When we woke up again it was a much more reasonable hour. It was five a clock in the morning.

"Welcome to your new life away from that stupid mediocre school and into a much more sophisticated hall of studies! Of course it's also a great place for your talents." Mother smirked and hurried us along. Our bulk men mom brought along immediately went to the luggage area getting our stuff with enough money for the cab ride to our new place. Mom was the only one with luggage.

"I think she's going to murder us in some way with no one around when she finds out about them being here." Neji whispered in my ear. I shivered then closed my eyes.

"No. By the time that happens we'll be like the free birds in the open sky. She won't be able to do a thing to us after that." I told him with a glare. I will not allow her to take over my life. She will have to lose some day one way or another, and when that day comes… We'll be free.

Mom wasn't paying attention as she continued to talk loudly on her phone to the next big interviewer that would be seeing me. My eyes narrowed but Neji held an arm out between me and her making me think twice and then stay there like a good little puppet. "Don't do anything to anger her. Not when we're so close to happiness." He whispered not looking at me but at her.

I nodded bitterly and waited for her to finally get off the phone. I kept quiet with blank eyes and an emotionless expression. I'm beyond feeling right now. I'm far too gone to have any emotions with her near. Only anger will keep me company with this woman around.

Suddenly she grabbed my arm and dragged me outside to an awaiting limo. "What are we doing?" I asked in an emotionless voice even though I was feeling panicked. She hadn't taken Neji with her. I could see him trying to get through the crowds to reach us doing his best.

"We're going to leave that stupid boy there. I bought him for a hundred dollars and now he has earned me much more, but I'm through with him. Let's go to our new place." She said with a smirk as the limo began to move. My eyes widened as tears began to fill them. Neji just then ran outside and into the street. We both reached a hand out toward the other knowing that I'll be gone and so will he…