AN:Hey there!...hmm...Sasuke and Neji really are ooc in this fic...hehe...I just can't help it!...don't you just love it when guys who are cold...(like Neji and Sasuke)...suddenly become sweet and caring...(even though they hide it)...well anyway...on with the next chapter...

Chapter 7: Riddles of the Heart

She had long ago stopped denying that Neji's abrupt departure bothered her so much.

He had long ago accepted that he has to share her heart with Hyuuga...at least for the time being...

She had long ago accpeted that she'd have to face the runaway man sooner or later.

He had long ago stopped denying that he was deeply hurt...and it's my own fault...

And both, once lovers, now...well...whatever you may call them, were torn apart.

They were back to back, a thin wall separating them...

One confused, and one full of regret...

When they arrived in the land of Suna, they chose to stay a an inn...different rooms of course.

It was a wonder how a land, surrounded by deserts, was able to prosper...

Thanks to the amazing skills of Hyuuga Neji.

But she never cared about how great or how magnificent he was...

She didn't give a damn that he's drop dead gorgeous...

She couldn't care less if he was filthy rich and very powerful...

It wouldn't matter if he was superman or some bum...

No, none of these things were important to her.

I just want to see you Neji-kun...tell me...what do you feel for me?...

On the other side of the wall, Sasuke couldn't fall asleep.

He knew she was still awake, he could practically hear her breathing.

It puzzled him greatly, how he let things turn out this way...

He was used to getting what he wanted, and he definitley wants her...heck!I love her...

He could have his way with her, if he put effort into doing it...he could kidnap her, force her to come with him, blackmail her...then go to a faraway land where Neji couldn't find her...and she'd be all his...

But that would be obsession...

And he'd want her to be willing...

There was another reason why he kept holding his demons at bay...

It was her trust, she put her fate in his hands, and he was very grateful for that.

At least she still trusted him...still needed him...

And if in the end she chose Neji, he'd be fine with it and try to move on...but not before he makes sure Neji would take good care of her...

But if she chose him, then he'd thank the heavens above and make each second of her life wonderful.

A few blocks away from the inn, Neji was having the same problem...

Standing in the middle of his living room with a glass of wine in his hand, he looked like a complete idiot...

Staring blankly on the wall, loosing his mind in the world of darkness

It stil pained him to no end that he couldn't hear her voice, feel her presence, see her angelic face...

And how he missed kissing her so much.

How was she able to penetrate his defenses? Why did he allow things to go way out of his hands?

So many hows and so many whys, but only one answer can satisfy them all.

But were was it?

Although he wasn't sure if he wanted to find out.

The glass broke when he held it too tightly.

He winced as the shards of glass cut through his skin.

He looked at the shattered pieces, and he couldn't help but think that it resembled his insides...

Shattered, and broken.

He has changed, he realized...

Trivial things never mattered to him before...

He wouldn't have bothered observing the night sky before. There was nothing in there but stars anyway, and stars were of no use to him, they were too far for him to reach...and so is she, yet I still try too hard to grab her...

He never thought that he would sniff a flower, much less wonder why it's color was pink.

And all because he met Sakura.

She showed him life, she taught him how to care for someone, to love.

Though along with it came a lot of pains and sufferings, he wouldn't trade everything she gave him for the world.

She woke up the next day lying on the floor. Her back screamed in pain when she stood up. After she did her morning ritual, she went to Sasuke's room. She knocked a few times, but there was no answer...

She decided to come in, the room was very neat, as if nobody spent the night here.

"Sasuke?"

She called, but she was met by silence.

She furrowed her brows, he didn't leave her, did he? She shook her head...Sasuke would never do that...

She sat on the bed and noticed a piece of paper beside her.

Sakura,

I'll be gone for a while, but don't worry. I won't leave Suna, there's business I have to take care of. Explore the town or just stay at the inn. I'll be back at night. I left money for you, it's inside my desk. Take care.

Sasuke.

She shrugged and went to his desk.

Indeed he left money there, and lots of it.

She had to smirk...rich people...

She went out of the inn and walked around.

The shops there were great, she was having a blast shopping for clothes. When she got hungry, she went to a restaurant and ordered something. It was there that she saw Sasuke. She was about to go to him when another man sat at his table...

Neji...

Confusion was in her eyes when she saw them together. They were talking about something, though both seem civilized with each other, she could see that a little mistake and the bomb would explode.

She saw Neji slam his hand on the table then he got up.

Sasuke then said something that made him stop, but after a while, he continued walking and went out of the restaurant.

Sasuke followed after a few seconds.

She didn't want to intrude, mabe they were only talking about business, like Sasuke said.

But she had a very bad feeling.

And so she followed them.

They're going to the outskirts of the village?...

She had to be as far away as possible, there was nothing in there where she could hide. She watched them as they faced each other.

Her eyes widened at their next move.

And as she stood there, feet glued to the ground, her heart bled...

They were fighting. As in fist to fist and everything else included.

She knew the reason why, and it didn't help one bit.

Sasuke's fist connected with Neji's face.

It's all her fault...

"Sasuke..."

"Can you forgive me?"

"I might fall in love...with someone else..."

Neji brought his knees to Sasuke's gut.

But she just can't stop her emotions...

She closed her eyes as she let herself fall...

But she was caught by a pair of strong arms...

Time seemed to stop the instant she came in contact with those muscular arms...

Though it was only for a second and not a moment longer...

"I always knew you'd fall for me."

Both fell to the ground when they tried to take each other down.

She learned the meaning of love when she met Sasuke...

"Sasuke-kun, do you really love me?"

"Of course I do."

He kissed the tip of her nose.

"Then promise me you'll never leave me. That we'll stay in love with each other forever."

"I promise."

Sasuke was on top of Neji, beating the living daylights out of him.

But Neji was the one who caught her when she fell...

"Is that it?...Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could've helped you out with that dilemma." He gave her his famous smirk.

"How so?"

"I'll let you call me 'Neji-kun'...so you wouldn't miss it all that much."

She laughed so hard when he said that, he just looked at her and pretended to sound hurt.

"Why are you laughing? I'm cute...and I could be endearing...it fits me perfectly."

The way he said that, with a straight face and a serious expression, made her laugh even harder.

Their positions were now reversed, neji was now the one reducing sasuke's face into a bloody pulp.

Yet Sasuke was willing to put the shattered pieces of my heart back...

"Why were you sad?"

"Because I missed home, especially you. I won't deny Sakura. I was afraid...afraid that I'd lose you. But don't get me wrong, I'm not here to have you back. That was my original plan, but when I saw you looking so distraught, I couldn't bring myself to add more pain."

Her tears fell from her eyes. It was then that Sasuke held her in his arms. She was so fragile at that moment, a slight push and she'll fall, and if she falls, she'll break.

And he'd die before he sees that again.

So he held her tightly, afraid to let go, as he watched the sun disappear, and how he wished that their pain would vanish with it.

They were now standing face to face trying to catch their breath, studying each other...

And Neji was there to give her the gift of happiness...

They arrived at the Hyuuga mansion. Neji took her hand and pulled her a part of the Hyuuga district she has never seen before. The path they took led them towards a shrine. They went around it and in front of them was a wide clearing. Neji was in front of her so she could't see it clearly, he moved to the side, and what she saw brought tears to her eyes.

In the middle of it, was a cherry blossom.

The most beautiful one, Sakura thought...

She always knew that Sasuke loved her, but she never heard the wrds until that day...

Sasuke caressed her cheek.

Then he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

It was only for a second, but he knew it was enough to let out all his feelings for her.

His lips were an inch away from hers when he told her what was in his heart...

"I love you."

She never found out Neji's feelings because he went away, but still she hoped...

"So now you're a gentleman?"

"Yes, and you are heavenly."

She blushed so prettily that before he could stop himself, his lips were on hers once again. This time though, he deepened the kiss. Sakura gasped at the sensation it brought her, and Neji used the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. Their bodies were so close, and she turned, if possible, redder when she felt his desire. His hold on her tightened when Sakura held on to his neck.

They were tackiling each other once again, and her heart can take no more.

Gathering her courage she ran towards the lion's den.

"STOP!"

Their movements immediately halted when they heard her voice.

And though both can't stand each other, they shared the same thought as they watched her running towards them.

"What do you think you two are doing? Killing each other!"

"What are you doing here Sakura? Having your honeymoon with this bastard?" Neji tried to hide his feelings by showing her anger.

"No. I...I came here for you."

She had no idea how her words affected him so much.

"Somehow I find that hard to believe."

He gave her a cold glare when he wanted to trap her in his warmth.

Then he walked away from her when he wanted to stay with her forever.

Sakura should have followed him, that was what she came for anyway...

But she was too weak to move.

The surge of emotions drained her remaining strength.

When Neji was out of sight, she fell on her knees.

"Are you alright Sasuke?"

"I'm fine, you should follow him."

"I can't leave you. You're injured."

"So is he. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. I'm not fragile."

He smirked at her.

She caught on.

"Oh and I am?"

"Yes, and that's what I told him before we lunged at each other."

He touched her tear streaked face.

"And also a reason why I hold on to you, because you might break if I don't."

"Sasuke-"

"But I realized I was wrong, I'm holding you back, and it's breaking you. Go Sakura, do what you came here to do."

Fresh tears flowed from her eyes, she hugged Sasuke tightly.

"Thank you Sasuke."

He watched as the one he loves run away from him, but he was feeling no regret, only peace...one that only she can give.

Tomorrow, a new day would begin.

And he would know where he stands.

AN:Yay! Another chapter!...I'm not good with fight scenes so please forgive me...thanks for your reviews!Hope you enjoyed!