Babypanikku: Another update! Well, classes will resume shortly. And I swear, I will not be able to update again for such a long period of time. I have to take my studies seriously this time, because if not, I'd surely be damned. I hope you like this chapter. Lesser NejiSaku moments again, I guess. But due to some reasons, it had to be that way, really. The story is moving in such a slow pace. OOC alert! I am very sorry. It had to. But then again, it is needed in this kind of story. I told you, Hinata is not the bad character in this story! Definitely not.

Sorry for wrong grammars. My "grammar checker" is kinda having a problem. So, again, I am very sorry. For the OOCs, I am also sorry. Again, I tried my best to make this chapter as good as I can. For the story itself, I know it's not the best. But honestly, I tried my best…

I hope you enjoy reading.

To all the readers, thank you for your support.

To all the reviewers, thank you very much. I apologize, I can't reply to each one of you. The only way I can repay you is by…updating of course!

Naruto not mine!

Enjoy!

Tell me how.

Tell me…

How can I let you go?

I can't.

Because…

My heart refuses to let go.

The Shattered Pieces

I'll place them back for you…

Chapter 8: Hemisphere

Sakura hadn't been her own self for the past few days. She didn't know why but she felt that someone was watching her every move. She tried to act normally but she sensed that she was being observed from behind. She felt that hard stare behind her, piercing into her inner self.

But something inside her mind was telling her who it was, though she tried to deny it more and more. She knew he already discover some parts of her little secrets, Sasuke might have known it from the beginning. But if he did, he would have confronted her already. Right? However, he never talked to her about anything but that foolish thought of resurrecting the Uchiha clan. Maybe not.

Everytime she walked the path to their apartment, she sensed that she was being followed. But whenever she slowed down, that weird sensation would just disappear like it was never really there.

But she had promised herself that whatever circumstances that might come her way, she won't back down. She won't lose to it. She won't give up. She won't give him up…never.

"Sakura,"

Sakura looked up from the pile of papers she had been working on and saw her favorite silver-eyed shinobi. She smiled warmly at him, the smile she would offer to him and only him.

"Hyuuga," she greeted with formality, which she knew would annoy the prodigy to no end.

It was just right to use such formality since they were in a public place, the hospital, nonetheless. If they were to act carelessly then it just meant one thing, they would be discovered.

"What can I do for you?" Sakura asked as she set aside what she had been working on since the morning.

The Hyuuga genius stared at her for awhile with those disinterested pale eyes of his. But even how much he looked at her that way, she knew that it was always the other way around. Because he made her feel that way…

"I just came to tell you that I was sent on a mission and it would be a long one. I'll be gone for two months so don't bother to go there." The Hyuuga explained himself in his usual serious manner.

Sakura couldn't help but stay silent for a while. Neji wouldn't usually tell her that he would be leaving. Whenever he was sent on a mission, he would leave just like that without telling her anything and she would just be surprised to find him back home.

It must be…

"It's an S-rank mission." Neji answered her silent question.

And again, Sakura was shocked, her jaw hanging and mouth opened slightly. It was like she lost her blinking reflex at that moment.

The Hyuuga genius noticed the uneasiness on her face and the only way to remove it was to give her reassurances; to tell her that he would be safe and he would return home, that he would come back to her.

But he was not like that, right?

"Nothing will happen." That was all he said. After all, he was not the type to beat around the bush. Going straight to the point was his style. And of course, he was not the type to speak of sweet promises because he knew that they were all made to be broken.

It was safer that way…

Her face softened a bit because she knew that it was Neji's way of saying that she didn't have to worry. And she accepted it, she accepted that fact that those three words meant more than what it seemed to be. It meant more than how it sounded.

Sakura nodded her head and gave him a soft smile. "Be careful."

There was a ghost of a smile reflected on the proud Hyuuga's face and he left the room. No questions asked. Sakura knew that she had to trust him and she need not to ask any more questions. All she had to do was give her all the trust she could give. Because everything would be all right…

Sakura went back to her work like her lover never really appeared. But a part of her was still worrying for him. She couldn't help it, because…

She forgot something else and she needed to see him. No matter what. She got up from her seat and went towards the door. She opened the door and ran along the quiet hallway of the hospital. And just when Neji was about to turn around the corner, Sakura grabbed his arm and pulled him into the dark utility closet.

Sakura pushed him against the cold wall and she pressed herself against him. She looked up to see those cold, pale eyes, which held her heart for the longest time.

"Promise me that you'll be safe, Neji." She said, her words filled with mixture of too many emotions.

Neji was silent because he didn't know the right words to tell her at that moment. He didn't want to tell her anything, anymore. But Sakura was the kind of woman who wanted words, and his words meant forever to her.

Neji held her trembling shoulders and carefully pushed her away. They were mere inches away but having her closer would be dangerous, harder, and more frightening to let go.

"I don't make promises, Sakura." Neji told her with all sincerity.

"I know."

"Then why are you making me say those words?"

Sakura lowered her gaze to the floor, knowing that if she continued looking at him, then it would hurt her even more. Looking at him would just make those threatening tears in her eyes to fall and never stop.

"I don't…know." Sakura mumbled.

"I've been in many missions like this. You don't have to worry." Neji said, though there was uncertainty in his words as well. But he said it, he promised. Damage was done.

He knew that the mission was different. It was dangerous. But he had to go and even if it would bring her anxiety, he still must go. It was his line, it was his duty, it was what he chose after all.

Sakura found courage to look up at him again. But with this action, a tear escaped her right eye. Neji raised his left hand and caught that small tear she shed.

Why do you shed a tear for me?

The pink-haired woman closed the small space between them and pressed her lips on his. It was one of the purest kisses they had ever shared since their affair had started. It was something Neji could bring with him on his mission. Something he could cherish forever…

Sakura broke the kiss and quickly stepped back, avoiding something deeper, something more difficult to break.

A small yet sweet smile graced Sakura's lips and she shyly glanced at her side. The Hyuuga prodigy heard quiet words from the woman but he couldn't understand any of what she was saying.

"What?" Neji asked, slightly annoyed.

Sakura looked back at the pale-eyed man but her smiled turned into a slight frown. She held out her hand and touched Neji's face.

"Don't let your guard down, okay, Neji-kun?" Sakura said with the mocking voice that always annoyed the Hyuuga, a mocking smile replacing the frown on her face.

Neji smirked at this and countered back, "You're one to talk, woman."

And then he left her there, standing all alone. There was no need for more exchange of words. It was enough that he assured her, that everything would be all right. However, there was something that made her heart clench once in a while, a frightening sensation that darkened her feelings that day. Though it might be because of something else…

Sakura walked out of the closet and without noticing, there was a person standing in front the door. She bumped with the person and they both fell on the floor.

"I'm sor—" green orbs meeting a pair of silver eyes, but softer than what she was used to.

"Hinata…chan…" Sakura mumbled, softer than what is possible.

The frail-looking young woman sat there in complete silence before she decided to stand up. She offered a hand towards Sakura and she gladly accepted the help. They stood there, facing each other without knowing what was about to come.

"Neji-niisan never said goodbye to anyone before." Hinata started and it earned a surprised look on the pink-haired woman's face.

What…

"He changed. I can see that."

"Hinata-chan," Sakura said but she was again interrupted.

"Uchiha-san, I think you know what I was talking about, now?" the Hyuuga heiress spoke with so much indiferrence.

How could someone as kind as her be so cold? Years had passed and people changed. She must have changed yet something about her won't ever change. She never leave those precious to her…behind.

"Maybe, we should go somewhere else, Hinata-chan." Sakura offered and she turned towards the direction of her office.

Hinata didn't say anything but followed the woman ahead of her. But something in the atmosphere made it difficult for the two to stay in tact. Their feeling couldn't be held tightly, it would explode anytime. And, it would hurt the two of them…

They entered Sakura's office, still in that uncomfortable silence. Sakura allowed the raven-haired woman to come in and she closed the door for her. She led Hinata towards the couch at the far left of her table and Sakura also sat a little farther from the gentle-looking woman.

"You see…" Sakura said but no words would come out even if she tried.

Hinata looked down, clasping her hands together and she laid them down on her lap. A part of Hinata never changed after all, it was that calming aura she carried around her. Even how furious or how sad she might be, there was still that serenity around her, which made her that same old Hyuuga Hinata.

"Sakura-chan can you…let go?" Hinata started and Sakura was silent.

"It's for the better. I know now, Sakura, so you don't have to hide anymore. Neji-niisan would not be around for a long period of time and maybe you can take this opportunity to think.

"Sakura-chan, if you would continue with this foolishness then…it would just hurt the two of you in the end. I can't tell him to break up with you…because I know he is happy being with you. But I know that if not now…then, it would just cause trouble for the two of you in the future. So please—"

Sakura reached out for Hinata's hand and spoke, "I am aware of that, Hinata-chan. But…telling me to leave him…is like killing me as well.

"I can't give up on him because I had already promised myself to him. Leaving him would be my death…"

Hinata raised her head and turned towards Sakura. Something was heart-wrenching at that moment, maybe it was those sad, pleading, silver eyes of hers…

"Sakura, you are married to Uchiha Sasuke already. The two of you are not on the same hemisphere anymore. Don't you understand, Neji is from the Hyuuga clan. The whole Hyuuga clan won't accept anything that would disgrace their name. And they would do anything…to stop what they acknowledge as humiliating. Even if it would hurt Neji-niisan…

"Can you accept that?" Hinata spoke in a very soft tone but with strong will. "If you love him…you won't allow them to hurt him because of this. Do you understand?"

Sakura let go of the raven-haired woman's hand and stood up. She walked towards the window behind her office table and there she stood gazing up in the sky. She opened the window and allowed the gentle breeze of the spring to circulate freely into the room.

"I won't allow them to hurt him, Hinata-chan. But I can't let go of him, either." Sakura whispered silently, enough for the Hyuuga heiress to hear her.

"When I married Sasuke, I felt like I was locked away from life, forever. But Neji came…he came and I was saved for the first time. I owe my whole existence to him. And it's too late to give up now…" the pink-haired woman continued but her quiet voice never wavered.

Hinata looked anywhere but the pink-haired woman standing by the window. She thought of the reasons why she chose to speak to her very close friend. But there was one, and only one, reason why she wanted to talk to her…for Neji.

For the Hyuuga heiress, Sakura was a dear friend. She would always be a friend, in tough times and in happy times as well. However, another precious person was involved, her cousin. It might be unknown to anybody, but Hinata felt that she had to protect him at all cost. It was like an obligation, a responsibility, a duty…

But on second thought, she encountered another problem. In her so-called "protection,": Neji's happiness.She might be able to protect him from the whole clan…but would that make him happy? If she would separate him from Sakura, would that make him happy? Would he forgive her?

Would he see that the only reason I am doing this is that I care for him?

No.

"I know how much you care for him. And I know very well that our relationship is wrong. But can you blame us for feeling this way?" Sakura asked but there was no answer from the raven-haired woman.

Sakura turned towards Hinata's direction and leaned against the window sill. "Every night, I would ask myself, if I could let him go?"

The wind blew gently…

"And every night, I come up with the same answer." Sakura continued, getting Hinata's attention back.

"I realized that…I can't."

Hinata stared at her with her wide eyes. She couldn't believe that she had said that without hesitation. She knew for a fact that Sakura was the kind of person who confidently chooses the right things. But this time, without second thought, she chose something that strayed from the path she had been choosing.

But…who said that what she chose right now is wrong?

"I won't let go Hinata. I have been choosing the lesser things in life. Let me choose the path I want. Let me believe in my own decisions just this time." The pink-haired woman said and gave out a little, sad smile.

"Let us choose our own path. Without conditions. Without the clan."

Sakura grew up choosing things that the society believe as something honorable, something right. And she was all right with that. But being with him, being with Neji, was the first thing that didn't concern any of the conditions chosen by the society. It was her own decision. She promised that she won' t back out anymore even if everyone would turn their backs on her. She would stand tall and hold her own ground until the end.

And she knew that Neji was thinking of the same thing…

Hinata nodded her head slowly yet her heart was not satisfied. "Sakura-chan, I'll be watching the two of you for now. But just like what I told him…let go as soon as you can, before you find that it's too late."

Sakura was shocked at what the Hyuuga heiress was saying. She was approving and disapproving at the same time. But even if she was like that, Sakura knew that Hinata would always the same Hinata, the loving and caring Hinata.

"I can't promise you anything, Hinata-chan. But if something would happen, I won't leave Neji's side. Never."Sakura said and turned towards the opened window once again.

Hearing what she expected to hear, she left Sakura's office without her friend noticing it. Walking along the corridor with satisfaction was the last thing Hinata ever expected to happen after their confrontation. But to Hinata, Sakura's words were enough and she would carry them until the end. She would watch. But she won't turn away if the two were to be caught. She would fight with them, even if it meant losing her title as the Hyuuga heiress.

Sakura gave out the breath she'd been holding ever since she was confronted by the silver-eyed woman. Their affair was not a secret they kept to themselves anymore. It was now kept by his cousin as well. But they would trust her. They had to. Hinata is Hinata, and she was one to keep secrets. Sakura could trust her. Neji could trust her.

Sakura decided not to go to the apartment that she and Neji shared, thus, her feet led her back to the Uchiha compound. The sun had set hours ago and the sky was just as dark as the Uchiha complex itself. She walked through the place as cautious as possible as if a mere sound would disturb the unwavering silence of the night.

She reached the main house with ease and upon entering, she felt the presence of her husband behind her. She heard him close the door and he moved towards her direction. She stood there, unmoving, as Sasuke made his way freely to her.

He wrapped his arms around her thin waist and he pressed his lips on her neck. He moved slowly, in an agonizing pace, making her feel as filthy as he made her everynight they shared their bed.

Later on that night, they were lying there on the bed, as silence crept its way between them.

"When are you going to fulfill your purpose, Sakura?" his deep voice found its way to Sakura's ears, breaking the deafening silence in their room.

Another night and another mistake. She told herself that she was Neji's and she would always be his. However, she was still the lady of the Uchiha and she had promised him an heir. But then, medications prevented her from conceiving an Uchiha heir and it was the root why she couldn't fulfill the words she had promised to her husband.

Sakura held the edge of the blanket and tucked it under her chin, hiding bare self from the world, from Sasuke.

Sasuke turned to his side, facing Sakura's back. He scooted closer and put his arm around her waist. This act could have made the woman feel warm but it just made her feel colder than before. The night was chilly? No, because being wrapped by a cold man with a cold heart would just make it even worst. Because he is cold after all.

The candy-haired woman tried to get some sleep, closing her eyes tightly wishing that when she opened them, everything would be fine. But with her eyes tensely shut, sleep won't conquer her.

The Uchiha survivor moved closer, burying his face in her sweet-scented hair. He took in her scent and again, the feeling of it near that sensitive spot of her skin made her shiver.

"Sakura," he said again, but with an increase in the volume of his voice.

"Let's talk about this some other time. I need some sleep, if you would mind." Sakura said, slightly raising her tone.

Sasuke scowled a bit but he wouldn't let that pass so quickly. No one would dare treat him that way. He can't be kept waiting. She won't make him wait.

"Let's talk now. The night is long, Sakura." The hasty Uchiha stated with all the power he could muster from the nightlong tension between them.

"When are you going to give me an heir, Sakura?" the Sharingan-user asked.

A chuckle escaped the pink-haired woman's pale lips. "I am not a god Sasuke. I can't decide when I can have a baby or not."

Sasuke scowled at this and silence crept between them again. Sakura, on the other hand, was trying her best not to leave their little sanctuary since it would just make their situation worst.

"You are a medic that is why you know this kind of things." Sasuke insisted and again he heard the sarcastic reply from his wife.

"Now, now Sasuke. I told you I am not a god. I may be a medic but never could I decide when and when not to have a child."

Sasuke sat up and turned to the bedside table He opened the drawer and took out something that would blow Sakura's secrets.

"Why not explain this to me, Sakura?" Sasuke said, with threat playing in his tone.

Sakura's brows furrowed deeply and couldn't do anything but sit still. She turned to Sasuke and her face paled at the thing on Sasuke's hand.

"What…" Sakura muttered, almost quietly.

He had found…her "pills"…

Tell me…

Is this really our end?

When I finally found true happiness…

And now it's about to end…

End of Chapter.

Thank you very much for taking time on reading. I have a new NejiSaku oneshot: "I'd be your guinea pig forever." If you are interested, see my profile page.