I'm so sorry it took me so long to post this my mom caught an infection where she had surgery so I was going crazy trying to make sure she was ok. Then I rewrote this chapter twice I was determined to get the length and details correct. I gotta give special praise to my new reviewer LadyRidger. He/she was able to pick out my fatal flaw I suck at homophones lol. English isn't my best subject but I love to write oh the irony. I'm also dyslexic but can usually catch most of my mistakes. Sorry to everyone that it irks to no end. I'm so glad that you think that I spoil you guys with my frequent updates. I will be addressing the revivals soon trust me it'll get interesting at that point. Well you didn't click the update to read an authors note so I'll let you go now. As always reviews are not necessary but are inspirational.
Sometime during the late afternoon hours Neji and Shino's training had been interrupted by the sound of sharp thwacks. Neji had decided he needed to practice against a long ranged opponent, and Shino was the only shinobi available at the time. Looking at each other they simply shrugged it off and returned to there training. It wasn't unheard of for ninja to share this training field when sharpening ones accuracy on the targeting range. Twenty minutes later they were forced to dodge a falling tree. Finding it to be odd for anyone else to be training so close to them they decided to investigate the source. That is what led them to find a very upset Sakura. She was once again throwing Kunai with so much force the tree was rapidly losing chunks here and there. Her aim was off Shino noted. Which meant something was bothering the pinkett. Examining further Neji found that she was refraining from using her chakra. Years of training and use of her muscles had tuned her body to be destructive without the use of chakra. This had reminded Neji exactly why he had harbored a crush on the pinkett.
Shino to a step forward his insects rushing from their hosts body. He had decided it would be much more constructive for the woman to act as a sparing partner than stand by watching her clear cut the forest. At the same time he was concerned for her well being and didn't want to find she had driven herself into the hospital. If anyone else were to ask his motives he would claim that the woman's erratic chakra was bothering his kikaichu. He knew just how to begin as well. So with a smirk on his face he placed a hand on the kunoichi's shoulder to ask her to join them making her miss completely. This in turn caused her to throw a right hook at the man behind her. Which he easily caught.
"That was reckless Haruno. " He raised a brow with what she deemed to be arrogance. She had known he was there and had felt his approach he noted. She had sensed he had been watching her train as well. His contact had caused the events from the day before and earlier to fan the flames of rage she felt. And then she snapped concentrating her chakra to her foot she swung her leg connecting with his chest. Finding himself buried within a tree he groaned painfully He hadn't been able to block the kick. This served to impress the Aburame heir. He tried to coax her to calm by reaching out with his chakra. Having it slapped away with her own irritated chakra he stood shooting a look to Neji whom was still watching from the sidelines. He knew this was not going to be a sparring session he could see years of tension, self loathing, being told she wasn't enough, and now what ever this final straw was it caused her to set it's sights on him. He had to calm her before serious injury occurred to either of them.
"Sakura this isn't the solution to your problem." He knew of her orders to forgo use of her chakra. He knew that if she kept this up she would tear her chakra network apart as well. The two men pushed off the balls of there feet to take cover from the woman. Shino's kikaichu would automatically identify her and latch on quickly draining her chakra if Neji couldn't shut it down quickly. Without her chakra she would become exhausted and easier to subdue. So in some ways they had the advantage. Still he didn't want to hurt the woman who he deemed would not be the worst choice of women to spend his life with. Providing that he had won her favor. If he could somehow draw Sakura out into an open area the match would be over quickly. Shino was a ranged fighter who mainly acted as support to other units on the field. He would not risk his insects over just anyone, but she was special. She hadn't been bothered by his kikaichu when treating him. She had even been kind enough to provide his clan with special hospital conditions so there Beatles would not become stressed when the host was admitted for long periods of time.
A grin spreading wide on her face as she traced his voice across the clearing. It didn't occur to her that he was giving his position away on purpose and she was taking the bait perfectly. Taking a step into more open grounds of the clearing she felt a chakra behind her. Before she could react she was lifted from her position by a blow to her abdomen. The forceful blow delivered by none other than Neji Hyuga who had emerged from his hiding spot just seconds ago. This caused Sakura to become even more irrational with anger. Picking herself up from the ground she leapt towards him with fury burning in her eyes.
"I am not weak." Her voice tearing from her throat as she started with a left cross his palm connecting with it closing the chakra points. This didn't stop him from skidding back a bit. "I am not useless!" She followed with a round house aimed at his jaw, which he ducked and retaliated with a gentle palm to the thigh. This earned him a yelp from the kunoichi as he closed another set of chakra points. Unfortunately for him it left him open for a split second which was all she needed to deliver a right cross which broke his jaw. In doing so she had also left herself vulnerable to Shino's Beetles which had swarmed over her in an instant and began to drain her trembling body. Falling to her knees her head began to clear causing her to gasp in shock at the damage she had caused. Quickly setting to work on Negi's jaw she refused to make eye contact due to guilt. Shino had made his way to the two, one who was apologizing over and over again while Neji sat in silence. Not that he could speak until his jaw was put back together. The Aburame's beetles returning to him upon command.
"Haruno-san I believe Tsunade-sama told you to take it easy. Picking a fight with anyone who crosses your path is hardly considered relaxation." Neji scolded her still half way into his own thoughts. What had been the reason behind him ending their previous relationship? He was sure he hadn't willingly let her go had he? No that wasn't it at all. It was the elderly bastards fault. The very people whom held his life within there hands. She wasn't deemed worthy in the elders eyes. He had been seeing her for a week and never gotten the chance to even touch her, let alone have a minute alone with her, when the elders found out. They ordered him to break it off and so he had seeing little choice in the matter. He did as ordered and avoided her for weeks after so she wouldn't ask questions. It broke her heart causing her to dive into the haven that was her research. The rest of there tightly knit group had found out about it from Hinata and refused to speak with him for several months unless it had to do with a mission. Still some of them refused to acknowledge him to this day. Now that her status had changed she was 'worthy' in the elders eyes. They had actually pushed him to be with her again and here she was right in front of him. Within arms reach, but would she take him back? He had to try he had to know if this beautiful woman would forgive his transgressions against her and allow him to start anew. His hand reaching up and brushing away some debris from her features he opened his mouth to speak. She jerked a bit trying to remove herself from his grasp but was stopped. Hurt was flashing within her eyes remembering his harsh words. Upon noticing this Shino was at her side removing her from Negi's grasp and setting her upon her feet in an instant. This caused Neji's eyes to narrow upon the Aburame whom didn't seem to care in the least bit. In his opinion Neji had his chance long ago and gave it up. Where he would have fought tooth and nail seal or no seal.
"We weren't going to fight Neji. Simply play a game of ninja tag. Which I would have won had you not interrupted. " Shino lied easily trying to bail his friend out of her impending doom should Tsunade find out. In truth he had to admit to himself he did liked Sakura. She had won the favor of his beetles, and impressed him thoroughly with her strength both emotionally and physically. She was even kind to his kikaichu. Unlike Ino who had attempted at one point to flatten them. One of his said companions now lingered upon her shoulder and nibbled lazily on her remaining chakra.
"Oh no you don't little guy I'm not allowed to use it so your not allowed to eat it." Sakura laughed gathering up the small beetle as carefully as possible. Shino offered his hand to her and she gently deposited the tiny creature into his hand. She gave him a smile and moved her hand away causing a brief contact with his skin. His eyes grew behind the dark shield that was his sunglasses. Her skin felt like fine silk and tickled a little. Deciding that he liked this Shino took her hand within his yet again causing her to attempt to pull away. Neji stood stiffly taking a step toward the two.
"Just wait a moment Sakura tell us whats going on. Perhaps we can help. If you would just talk to us..." He was then interrupted.
"You can talk to her later Shino I need to talk with Sakura-chan now." Naruto's voice echoed through the clearing as he emerged from the tree line. Sakura's eyes narrowing as Shino felt her chakra become agitated and restless again. So he was the cause of the girls current distress. Neji had come to a stop beside Shino both acting as a barrier between the two.
"Actually I should be going I need to get ready for dinner. I hope I get another opportunity to play 'ninja tag' with you both again." Sakura forced a smile committing to the lie that Shino had provided. This caused both men to smirk shamelessly and nod. Giving them both the best smile she could muster. Neji and Shino were not fooled they could tell it was fake and done for there benefit.
"Of coarse Haruno-san I look forward to it." Shino answered releasing her from his grasp.
"It would be my pleasure miss Haruno." Neji added at the same time. With no hesitation she had vanished in a storm of cherry blossoms. Both boys locking their eyes on Naruto as he sighed.
"Care to tell us what that was about Naruto?" Neji cocked an eyebrow at the future Hokage. After explaining the situation minus the part about Kakashi drooling over his former team mate the other boys looked to each other with a nod a silent truce for now at least. Before Naruto knew it he had been punched simultaneously and would be sporting a pair of black eyes until he had Tsunade fix them. He knew Sakura was not about to heal him much less speak with him tonight unless it was necessary. He wasn't mad to any extent though he deserved it and much more. He just hoped that Sakura would eventually allow him to talk to her without orders from Tsunade herself. Even then she may not listen to him for a good couple of days. The three boys split up Naruto off to have dinner looking defeated. Neji and Shino deciding with their interruption and events after they would get no worth while training in. Besides they each had a strategy to work on if they were to win the hand of the current Hokage's former apprentice.