Author's Note:

How goes it? I'm back again and Chapter Eight is coming at you! Are you excited? You should be…

More funny useless information that some people may find interesting:

I first started writing Tattoo over three months ago. I'd only written like six or seven pages. The story was completely forgotten and I really didn't remember writing it. One day, I came across a marble notebook with many of my 'abandoned' stories in it. There were stories from mangas like Samurai Deeper Kyo, Saiyuki, King Of Hell, Naruto, and Bleach all throughout the book. I read a lot of it, but only this story really caught my attention. After that, I wrote an outline of what I thought the story could be and then typed up the first chapter. The only reason I kept going was all the positive feedback.

That was like two weeks ago and now were on Chapter Eight. Can you believe that?

I'm so pleased. Thank you everyone!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in the Manga/Anime.


Tattoo

Chapter Eight: Exposed

Sakura stood in front of the bathroom mirror, a towel wrapped securely around her waist. She had an hour and a half to get ready for the ceremony. In her opinion, she desperately needed a shower. Two days of travel without a decent bath made a girl feel a little rough. The towel fell to the ground as Sakura stepped into the large shower, pulling the glass shut. She turned the faucet on and flinched when cold water came from the nozzle. A second or two later the water warmed and she relaxed.

The warm water ran over her back and she relished in the relaxing feeling. The tattooed skin was healing very nicely and wasn't bothering her too much anymore. It was still a little tender, but not enough to hinder her anymore. Her thoughts ran to the other room where her green gown laid. Her tattoo would be bared to the world that night- the tattoo that she had so desperately wanted to keep secret. Now she didn't care who saw it. Thanks to Neji, she realized that the tattoo was a reminder of what she wanted to do. It wouldn't mean anything to anyone besides her and Neji, so what did it matter?


Neji listened to the rushing of the shower and tried to keep himself from picturing Sakura naked. Of course it wasn't to hard for him to imagine it, considering he'd seen her naked once before. He groaned in an attempt to stifle his thoughts. Since that wasn't working, he went back to emptying his pack and planting weapons.

Grabbing his weapon pouch, he removed a handful of shuriken and kunai. A kunai was taped under the table by the bed. Another underneath the bed. He pulled open a few drawers of the dresser and stashed a couple shuriken in each of them. Neji was about put a few needles behind the headboard, when Sakura emerged from the bathroom, clad in only a white towel. He hadn't even heard her turn off the shower, let alone open the door.

Unable to help staring at her, Neji coughed and shook his head, going back to his task. The needles. Right! The needles. Behind the headboard they went.

The female noticed his discomfort and chuckled. Let's mess with him. Inner Sakura suggested. Her fingers wrapped around the corners of the towel holding it closer to her body. The idea of a little flirtation was appealing. Sakura was definitely coming around and getting use to Neji's company. She definitely liked him.

When Neji turned back around to look at Sakura her back was turned to him. She stood in front of the bed and was holding up her dress. She set back down the dress and then, without any warning to Neji, she dropped her towel. Neji's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. What the hell is she doing? He thought just as he noticed the smirk on her face. Ah. She's messing with me. A similar smirk formed on his face. Two could play that game.

Neji ran his eyes over her skin, her thighs, her ass, her back, and her tattoo. After getting a good look, Neji walked towards her. Once his chest was parallel to her back, he stopped. Hands ran over her shoulders and down her arms, massaging her body. He smiled when she moaned quietly. He rubbed her shoulders, letting his hands travel down her back. His fingers traced the black lines of her tattoo and he watched as she shivered slightly. That's what you get for getting naked.

Sakura bit her lip as Neji's skilled fingers ran up her sides and over her abdomen. He stopped and his hands flattened over her ribcage. "I'm no angel, Sakura." He whispered into her ear, before letting his tongue dart to taste the flesh of her skin. Her whole body was still moist from the shower and she tasted like fresh water. Neji chuckled when she bent her head back and sighed.

She was a little breathless when she spoke, "I don't want you to be." It surprised both her and Neji. All motion stopped and silence consumed them.

Neji bit back the urge to moan. If that wasn't an invitation, I don't know what is. He thought, his lips lowering to kiss her neck. Leaving soft kisses along her neck and shoulder, Neji whispered, "We'll continue this later. When I don't have to worry about leaving a mark." Sakura locked eyes with him over her shoulder and nodded. He was right. A bruise like mark or a hickey would not make for good representation and would not suit Konoha well.

The Hyuga reluctantly removed his hands from her waist and with one last kiss to her neck walked back to his pack and set of dress clothes. They had an hour to get dressed and find their way to the ceremony. Neji unfolded his slacks and laid them on the bed. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Sakura slip on a simple bra and a pair of cotton panties. He cursed the undergarments. Surely whoever made them was pure evil. He noticed her watching him as he slipped his jounin pants and vest off. A moment later, he was stripped down to his undergarments too.

Sakura swooned over his newly exposed chest. There were muscles after muscles all over his body. From his arms to his calves, he was toned. Toned might as well define him. Along with a few other words. Sakura thought with a smirk on her face.

"What are you smirking at?" Neji raised an eyebrow at her. She was thinking something all right.

"Oh. Oh… Nothing." Sakura said sarcastically. A second later, she made a coughing noise that sounded strangely like "Nice bod." Neji chuckled and then went back to getting dressed. Sakura did the same.

Sharing a room and a bed was going to be very, very interesting.


The room the ceremony was to take place in was in one word, beautiful. Sakura adored every part of it. White Lilies were on every table and silky blue tablecloths covered everything. Neji and Sakura searched for the guest cards with their names on it. They finally found them on a table close to the guest speaker's podium and Sakura cringed when the card next to hers read 'Ling Hoshigaki'. Perfect. Abso-fucking-lutely perfect. She thought pointing it out to Neji, who also showed some concern.

They were about ten minutes early and only a few others had arrived. The dark blue eyes of one Sasuke Uchiha scanned the room to rest on the pink haired kunouichi and the Hyuga. Neji's arm was wrapped protectively around her waist and Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed. Jealousy coursed through his body and he became frustrated by himself. He was a pathetic excuse of a shinobi. He had spent his entire life being jealous of people.

From the time he was seven to the time his clan was killed, he'd spent most of his days being jealous of his brother. Itachi had had everything he wanted. He had his father's love, amazing ninja skills, and the ability to surpass ninja of twice his experience. He hated his brother for more than one reason it seemed.

During his genin years and a little further after, he'd been jealous of Naruto. Naruto also had what he wanted. The blonde was able to have friends and not become weak by it. He didn't use excuses of family to shut everyone out. Naruto had no family to speak of and had never had any. At least Sasuke had had a few years. No matter how sad they were. Sasuke envied Naruto's determination immensely.

And now- now he was jealous of Neji. Neji had Sakura, who he could've had so many times. Instead of seeing what was right in front of him and taking, Sasuke had pushed one of the only people who actually loved him into someone else's arms. Sasuke growled. What am I thinking? She'll be back in my arms soon enough.

Sasuke's eyes ran over Sakura's body. She was beautiful and the dress she wore only enhanced it. The green gown was floor length and fitted her body perfectly. His eyes shifted to the back of her dress where the dress dropped, leaving her whole back. His eyes widened at what he saw. The black outlines of a Sakura tree was outlined alone her back. His gaze followed up the tattoo where a branch curled up by her neck and crept just over her shoulder. It was beautiful. The one on her back outshined the ANBU tattoo on her left arm.

When the hell did she get that? Sasuke wondered. Naruto and Kakashi definitely never said anything about that. Not that they would. He growled again, before exiting the building.


The opening ceremony was just about to start. Sakura and Neji took their seats and Sakura's teeth clenched slightly when she saw Ling had entered and was making his way towards them. Her hand found Neji's under the table and she gave it a squeeze. He returned it and smiled at her before looking ahead again.

As soon as Ling arrived at the table, he went straight to Sakura. He looked her over, thoroughly pleased. Noticing her discomfort, he smiled and then greeted them, "Neji." He inclined his head slightly in a sign of acknowledgement and then turned back to Sakura. "Sakura. Let me say, you look beautiful tonight." He said before picking up her right hand kissing it. He held back his poison, knowing that her fiancé wouldn't be too pleased with her dying and all. Besides, he had different plans for her. Plans that he hoped would work out just how he wanted.

He sat down and Sakura rubbed the back of her hand against the tablecloth while he wasn't looking. Point being, he was revolting to her and the idea of him being at the same table made her want to wretch. Luckily, a distraction was provided.

A tall, brown haired man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties stepped up to the podium and began to speak, "Welcome everyone! I cannot tell you how pleased I am to see so many village representatives in one place. I am especially pleased to see that Konoha sent a few." He smiled, gesturing to their table. "Please stand, Sakura Haruno and Neji Hyuga." They did as he said, waiting for him to go on.

"I would greatly appreciate it if you two would open up the night and have the first dance." He said with his grin still plastered on his face. Sakura wore a similar one as she and Neji both bowed in consent. The Hyuga gripped her hand as he led her to the dance floor. A very pleasant ballad was played in the background as Sakura rested her hand on Neji's shoulder, her other hand in his. He gripped her waist and, starting slowly, began to dance.

Everyone watched them as they floated gracefully around the dance floor. Sakura didn't falter once or lose balance at all when Neji dipped her and then brought her back up. She smiled. She was pleasantly surprised. He was an incredible dancer. They continued to float around and just as the song ended, Sakura planted a kiss on his lips and gave a genuine smile. Neji and Sakura stared at one another for a while, but were broken out of their trance by the guest speaker, "Konoha's very own, ladies and gentlemen." Everyone clapped and Neji lead her off the dance floor.

"You were beautiful." Neji whispered as he held out Sakura's chair for her.

She smiled and then responded, "Only because of you. I had no idea you were such an amazing dancer."

"That's not the only thing you don't know, Sakura." Neji said suggestively, oblivious to Ling, who was rolling his eyes on the opposite side of Sakura.

Sakura just smiled and squeezed his leg under the table. Things were definitely getting heated and Sakura decided that she didn't mind at all. She disserved something good for once and Neji was just that.


Ending Note:

Wooohhhh! Chapter Eight is complete! Kind of another filler chapter, but no worries. The next chapter will have some juicy bits in it, but nothing too citrus-flavored. Lots of stuff happens with Sasuke in the next chapter and Neji finally gets some of the information he craves.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review or I'll forget to write or I'll just stop writing all together.

I'd like to get at least ten more reviews before I update, so you can determine how quickly I update.