Disclaimer: I AM BACK! Sorry for such neglect, readers, but I am working 5 hour shifts at Walmart (hahaha feel free to yell at me for working at that place) ON TOP of school and trying to keep contact with a potential boyfriend. But here I am, updating as well as I can. Forgive me! I don't own Naruto or Sakura/Naruto hints would NEVER be given :P
Previously:
"Yes. But I have decided that should I recover, I am too old to be the head of the Hyuuga clan any longer. Therefore, I have decided to pass my title onto you, Neji, in one month."
Neji felt his heart skip a beat. "Really? Are you so sure, Uncle?" He asked, hesitantly. Hiashi nodded.
"There is but one condition." Neji leaned forward, listening intently. "You have to get married."
Chapter 10: Breaking Point
"Married! MARRIED! I'm too young to get married! This is insane! Outrageous! Why does Hiashi insist on tormenting me even on his deathbed?!" Neji was pacing in his room, a calm Hinata sat on the bed, watching her cousin's uncharacteristic panic.
"Neji-nii-sama…" She spoke softly, violet eyes laced with worry. "Perhaps you should talk to Sakura-chan. If you tell her how you feel, and show her that you love her, maybe she'll tell you the same? Maybe she loves you back?"
Neji sighed and ran a hand through his long brown hair, lacking it's normal ponytail and slightly disheveled from Neji attempting to pull it out in stress. "I can't…." He grumbled and sighed, turning his head away from her. "What if she doesn't?"
Hinata crossed the room silently and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Would she agree to court you if she didn't have some feelings?" She smiled softly and Neji looked down at her.
"Alright…I'll talk to her." He gave in. What hell have I gotten myself into? He asked himself.
Sakura wrapped the pale violet towel around her waist tightly and combed her hair. She smiled at herself in the mirror and hummed lightly as she towel-dried the pink locks and ran a comb through them once more. Her skin was lightly pink from the heat of the shower and the water beaded on her skin.
There was a sharp knock at her door, hurried. Whoever was there, Sakura thought, really needed to talk to her. She raced over to the door, holding her towel tightly as not to drop it, all the while wondering if Akatsuki had breeched the gate or if someone close to her had died. In the life of a shinobi, that's always a possibility.
When Sakura swung the door open, she was surprised to see Neji standing there, frowning. "Neji? What's wrong?" She asked, eyebrows creased in worry.
Neji's eyes flashed over Sakura's moist, towel-clad body and his cheeks instantly flushed. "We need to talk." He mumbled, looking away in embarrassment. "Can I come in?" He asked.
"Yeah…" Sakura turned and retreated into her home, waiting for Neji to follow. "Thanks," he said closing the door behind him. "Um, could you please, PLEASE, put some clothes on?" He asked, face redder than a tomato.
"Oh right!" Sakura's eyes widened as she realized that she was still only in a towel. "Be right back!" She ran into her bedroom and slammed the door shut. Neji sat down on the couch while taking a deep breath. "This is nerve-racking."
Sakura emerged, blushing still, wearing a mid-thigh length denim skirt and a red spaghetti-strap tank top that was just short enough to show about a half-inch band of her stomach. "So what's up?" she said, smiling as she crossed the living room to sit next to him.
"I…found out my uncle is recovering slightly." He sighed, looking down solemnly. Sakura's eyes widened and sparkled. "That's great isn't it?" She then paused. "But then do you still get to be the head of your family?"
Neji nodded. "I do, but Hiashi-sama gave me an ultimatum." Sakura blinked lightly. "What is it?"
He looked down, not meeting her eyes. "First, I have a question for you." She nodded, confused. "Why did you accept my request of pretending to court me? What was it you wanted from me in the end?"
Sakura looked taken-aback but looked down. "I…I don't really know. Something inside told me to accept it and I figured I'd know in the end what I wanted in return."
Neji nodded, understanding. "And…" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He'd been doing that a lot lately and wondered if he was going to go bald from it eventually. "Over time…have you developed any real feelings for me?" Neji looked at her, terrified of her answer, but trying not to show it. He didn't want to hear it, but there was a part of him dying to know.
Sakura met his gaze and then dropped it quickly, blushing. "N-Neji this is all so random."
He sighed. "I take that as a no." He mumbled, standing up. Sakura's hand was fast, like a shinobi's should be, as it wrapped itself around his wrist. He looked down at her, but she still didn't meet his gaze. "Neji…" She whispered, face low and turned away, he couldn't see anything but her ear and a small bit of her cheek.
"I've fallen in love with you." Her voice was cracking slightly and Neji smelt salt. She was crying, but Neji's heart did a leap with joy. Sakura's hand slid from his wrist and fell limply down onto the sofa beside her. Neji smiled and gently picked up her wrist and pulled her off the couch and into his arms. He held her tightly in a loving embrace, his face nestled into the nape of her neck, inhaling the sweet aroma she carried around with her.
"I'm so relieved to hear that." He said, chuckling. Sakura's shock plastered face suddenly broke into a smile as she wrapped her arms around his frame and buried her face into his neck, crying even more.
"Sakura, I love you so much. This was always so much more than just a way to get what I wanted. I don't know what I'd do without you…" He whispered to her, holding her tightly. "Please..."
Sakura's breath was caught in her throat as Neji held her chin and brought his face down close to hers. After a moment of hesitation, Sakura closed her eyes and Neji captured her lips with his own.
It was as if the world around them had melted away. Neji pulled apart and stared into her eyes. "I love you…" he whispered and Sakura bit her lip and smiled.
"I love you too."
- - - - - - - omg scene change - - - - - - -
"Hiashi-sama I've made my decision." Neji said from his bowed position on the floor by Hiashi's bed. Hinata stood by the door, smiling and giddy for her cousin.
"And that would be what, Neji?" The man in the futon asked curiously, pale eyes locking with his nephew's.
"I will not be getting married quite yet." Neji waited for the scowl and the scolding to come but it never did.
"Oh? What of the Haruno girl? Did she reject your proposal?" He asked calmly, a small smile forming.
"No, Hiashi-sama. I have not proposed yet. I believe it is too soon and that she and I are too young to be rushing into marriage. I love her, Hiashi, and I want to be ready when the time comes. I don't think she and I are ready to get married and I will not force her into it when she needs more time. Only a month have we been officially a couple. I believe we will wait a few more months before I propose." Neji explained calmly. Hiashi nodded.
"I am glad Neji. You've made your first important decision as head of the Hyuuga clan." The older man said, smiling.
Neji blinked and looked at his uncle in shock. "What?"
"Neji, first I wanted you to know love. That was your first test. If you could fall in love with someone worthy of it. The second test was to see if you would rush into marriage without being ready just for the sake of being the Hyuuga clan leader. You chose right, my nephew. I am proud to leave you in charge."
Neji blinked a few times while he registered his uncle's insanely manipulative plot and the fact that he just became the Head. After he processed it all he jumped to his feet, bowing deeply. "Thank you Hiashi-sama! I won't let you down I promise!"
Hinata clapped and hugged the surprised and excited Hyuuga, who picked her up and swung her around. "I need to see Sakura! Thank you!" He said again, setting Hinata down and running off out the double doors.
"Heh, he will be a fine leader. I believe he will fix all the wrongs in the Hyuuga clan that I had created." Hiashi said, standing up and laying a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"Yes but did you really need to pretend like you were dying, Father?" Hinata asked, looking up at the old man.
"No, but I do enjoy messing with peoples' heads." He laughed.
….
………
"SAKURA!" The pink-haired girl turned just in time to be picked up and sung around. In shock Sakura sent the assailent flying with a swift kick to their sides. After the dust settled, Sakura saw a barely-concious Neji lying in a pile of debris that was once a vegetable cart.
"NEJI! Oh my gosh I'm so sorry are you okay?" She said, rushing over and immediately healing his now ribs. "What had you so excited you had to jump me?" She asked after the brunette wasn't moaning in agony.
"I did it…Hiashi-sama made me the Head of the Hyuuga clan!" Sakura clapped and had a smile on her face of sheer delight. "REALLY? That's wonderful Neji!" She threw her arms around him and kissed him deeply.
"I'm so proud!" She said, grinning. "Sakura you're wonderful…" Neji smiled and kissed her again. Alls well that ends well…
FOR NOW.
Okay so after a long break, I'm back. I am working all the time though as a minion of satan…er walmart cashier and it takes a lot of time, plus I'm in my senior year of High school and well…that's hell. But I'm back and here's a new chapter! :D
Hope you all like! It's not over…so don't think I haven't forgotten Sasuke's crazy ass or Lee's psycho melt-down. Mwahahaaa.
Review please! Reviews quicker updates
-Amori