Sorry for the terrible late chapter! Life got a way with me a little bit ;)

Here's the latest little update though - it's shorter than usual, but it's more of a filler chapter whilst I work out where I want the story to go

Enjoy!

xox

Neji groaned in pain as he winced his way slowly across his apartment.

He had all but past out last night after Sakura's healing and the added dose of morphine, only to wake this morning uncomfortable and plagued by the smell of his own armpits. He had managed to make it over to the bathroom and have a quick, half hearted attempt at a shower, failing to lift his left arm, however, and instead having to use his good hand to thoroughly scrub the smell of sweat away until he was left feeling relatively clean and fresh. He had struggled and grimaced his way into a new set of grey jogging bottoms and a black t-shirt, before scrubbing his teeth thoroughly and managing to brush through one side of his hair only to give up and throw the offending comb across the bathroom, watching satisfied as it clattered over the white tiles.

By the time he made it back to his bed he was exhausted.

The pain had returned full force now and he contemplated activating his Byuukagen to see where Sakura was in the hopes he could call for her help, but he quickly reminded himself that she wasn't a walking hospital and should probably man up and deal with the pain on his own. Unfortunately, despite how incredible medical ninjutsu is, it has its drawbacks. Being able to knit bone back together seamlessly is useful indeed but where the body has been forced into healing itself so quickly, its aches considerably until you can barely contain your cries of anguish and someone has to stab a needle in your arm. Pain management was key in recovery and Neji was starting to regret perhaps not being taken into the infirmary at the compound or the hospital itself where he could have a fucking drip full of morphine.

He glanced over and noticed Sakura's healing kit on his bedside table. He probably shouldn't self administer, but he was hoping she at least had some pills or something else that didn't involve needles that would at least take the edge of, of the pain that was now starting to cause the whole left side of his body to go numb. He gingerly reached over with his good hand, grimacing all the while as his damaged and sore muscles screamed in protest at being moved.

"What are you doing?"

Sakura shut the balcony doors quietly behind her.

"Oh, thank god…" Neji sighed heavily, falling back onto his pillows as he winced and gripped his shoulder.

She suddenly noticed how pale his skin was at the sheen of sweat that was starting to bead across his brow. She crossed the room in seconds, her medical pack in her lap as she prepared a second round of morphine for him.

"I'm sorry, I thought that last lot would have lasted until now." She gently wiped his arm with an antiseptic wipe, before stabbing the needle into his skin.

Neji grimaced and glanced away, "It's only just started to wear off."

"All done," She smiled warmly at him, "that should start to kick in soon, in the mean time let me see..." She mumbled the last part as she climbed up onto the bed next to him, her brows furrowed as she ran her glowing hands over his bandages, her eyes distant and glassy as she started to work.

The effect was instantaneous and he groaned as the pain subsided and he relaxed back into his cushions. He opened his eyes and glanced at her, "Thank you."

She frowned, "I'm surprised the pain is this bad, there may be a tear in your muscle. Have you done anything this morning?"

He hesitated in answering, glancing away briefly, "I er-showered and brushed my hair?"

"Neji," She chastised him quietly, "I told you not to do anything! You've probably irritated the bones, they are still healing properly and are very fragile. If you're not careful they'll break again-"

"I know, I know, " he sighed, rubbing his right temple, "I'm sorry."

Small fingers stilled his movements and he opened his lilac orbs and found emerald, framed with a halo of pink as she leant down and over him, the hint of a smile starting to stretch her cheeks. She silenced him a gentle kiss to his lips, lingering long enough to make him shift forwards as he wrapped his good arm gently around her waist. She pulled back and raised an eyebrow at him.

"So you brushed your teeth too?"

"Well," He started, tightening her grip on her to stop her from moving away, "It was either that or you kiss me with morning breath."

She wrinkled her nose in mock disgust, "Lucky me, then"

He pulled her on top of him, his bandaged arm still strapped to his side leaving him with one good arm to lock her to his chest with. The dull pain faded away as their lips found each other again, a gentle massage that soon turned heated as he ground her hips into his and slid her arms around his neck, careful to avoid his shoulder as she cupped his face and kissed him back thoroughly. His free hand gripped the back of her head tightly and pushed his hips up to meet hers making her break contact and moan into his mouth. He growled in frustration as he pulled away suddenly, making her eyes snap open as she stared down at him in surprise.

"Whats the matter?" She asked quietly, their faces still close as she brushed her nose against his gently.

"I cant-" He stopped, suddenly feeling the words stick in his throat, "-do anything." He gestured loosely between them, a faded pink blush scattering across his cheeks.

Sakura merely grinned at him.

"No, you cant, " She shifted her weight so that she was now sat above him, her hands splayed across his chest as she straddled his hips, "But I can."

His eyes widened in surprise as she leant forwards and let her hands start to drag down the fabric of his shirt until she reached the waist band of his pants, her fingers toying with the lip of it as she brushed her lips against his softly, teasingly. He growled quietly in response and she felt him harden against her thigh, the obvious response to her ministrations. She pressed her lips to his once more as she slipped one hand beneath the waist band of his sweats and slowly moved her way further down, her fingers slipping beneath the edge of his boxers as she met the bare skin of his hips. He groaned into her mouth as he pushed his hips up slightly, willing her to move faster as a painful coil of pleasure started to build. He growled, gripping the back of her head roughly as her fingers brushed against his shaft, her fingers grazing the skin as she teased him relentlessly.

"Master Neji?"

A knock on his door made them both freeze.

Neji didn't even feel the snap of his waist band as Sakura swiftly pulled her hand free and clambered off of the bed and he frantically moved to try and pull the sheets up and over his hips to try and cover the rather obvious reaction to they're morning shenanigans.

"Y-Yes!" He called, shifting to try and alleviate some of the painful tension that had built.

"Miss Hinata instructed me to bring you breakfast, is it ok to come in?"

Sakura spun to face Neji as she started to throw her hair back into a messy bun, panic starting to stretch her features, "It's Mia!" She mouthed to him, stretching out her arms as if suggesting what she should do. He pointed to her medical kit and she quickly caught on as she rushed over and knelt on the floor by the step up to his bed, pretending to rummage through it as she picked out random ointments and wraps.

"You can come in." Neji called, casting his gaze down at Sakura only to see the back of her top tucked into her bindings leaving her back exposed. His eyes widened but before he could open his mouth to warn her the door swung open and Mia walked in with a tray of food balancing in her hands.

The young woman's smile faltered slightly as she spotted Sakura on the floor, but she continued on with her journey towards the bed as she stepped up onto it and placed the tray on across Neji's lap, lifting the tea pot and pouring a steaming cup for him before stepping back and bowing politely.

"Good morning, Master Neji. Good morning, Sakura-san."

Sakura lifted her head and smiled warmly at her new found friend, but inside she was burning with guilt, "Good morning, Mia. How are you doing?"

"I'm well thank yo- Oh. Er, your top..." The younger woman quickly darted around her and pulled her top free, letting the fabric fall gently down the skin of her back as she glanced up at Neji only to see him pretending to enjoy his breakfast rather thoroughly.

Sakura flushed bright red in embarrassment; to Mia it looked as if she was embarrassed to have her skin exposed in front of Neji, but in reality she was embarrassed by almost being caught out in the act. Struggling to control her emotions, she turned away from Mia and focused on her medical kit again.

That should have been Mia's queue to vacate the room as her job was now done, but she lingered, her toes rolling slightly as she fidgeted with her hands, glancing awkwardly up at the man sat in bed currently sipping his morning tea.

"Are you feeling better?" She asked quietly, directing her question at Neji.

He blinked, "Hai, thank you. Thanks to Sakura's help I should be out of the cast in a week." He smiled politely, but deep down he was wishing she would leave only so that the current tension in the room would alleviate. Fortunately for him, Sakura's acting skills were top notch and she moved to defuse the situation.

"Mia, are you free this afternoon? I thought you could help me with some old scrolls I have been decoding for Kakashi."

The girls eyes it up, "Really? Oh, yes that would be wonderful! I'll meet you in the library?"

Sakura nodded, smiling with a wave as the young woman bowed once more before vacating the room.

"Arghhhh," Sakura moaned, falling back onto the floor as she hid her face her hands, "That was so awkward..."

"Dont let it get to you. What happened between us was a few years ago now."

"I think I should tell her."

Neji choked slightly on his tea, "I really don't think thats a good idea..."

"But I feel so guilty!"

"I thought we agreed to keep it quiet for a bit?"

"I know, but -"

"Sakura," Neji opened his arm, gesturing for her to join him on the bed, She complied, kneeling next to him on the mattress as his arm wrapped itself gently around her hips, his long fingers stroking the skin beneath her top. "We only decided to give this a try yesterday."

She smiled, "I know."

"Lets just enjoy it for now. We don't even know where it's going."

"Ok," She smiled again gently, leaning forwards and pecking him on the lips before pulling back and jumping off the bed, "Right, I have some actual work to do now and then I have my next appointment with the councillor so I'll come back and see you later."

It was Neji's turn to groan in annoyance; he had wanted to continue their earlier encounter but it seemed her mind was elsewhere now as she pottered about, making sure he was comfortable and gathering her medical kit up again.

"I'll see you later ok-"

A flash of blinding light made her squeal as she threw her hands up to block her face, Neji visibly jumping in shock as Naruto tumbled out of his jutsu and stood with his hands on his hips, grinning at the two of them like he'd caught them doing something naughty.

If he'd arrived ten minutes earlier, he would have,

"Hey lovebirds!"

"Bloody hell, Naruto!" Neji gasped, gripping the fabric of his t-shirt over his chest as he calmed his racing heart.

"Sorry, my bad. I thought you would have sensed my chakra though?" He raised a blond brow as he grabbed Sakura into a head lock and ruffled her pink hair, chuckling as she scrambled against him.

"I was ... distracted"

"I can see that," Naruto grinned as the Hyuuga frowned, letting his features fall into their familiar scowl.

"Let go!" Came Sakura's muffled reply as Naruto released her from his clutches and watched amused as she tried to smooth down her now frizzy hair, "Who are you calling love birds, anyway?!"

"You guys." He deadpanned.

"I was just giving him his next shot of morphine," She shot back before Neji could say anything.

"Uh-huh, sure," Naruto's teeth flashed white in the early morning sun as he grinned once more, "I came to see if you were still free for lunch today?"

She punched his arm, "Not now you've given me a Uzumaki perm."

"Oh, come on, we never see each other anymore!" He whined, following her out through the balcony doors as they both bid farewell to the now lone Hyuuga.

Neji sighed, shaking his head as he went back to eating his breakfast.

She shut the doors behind her quietly before making her way across the grass, "Not my fault you're a sought after man now!"

"Not mine either, " He grinned.

As soon as they were over the garden wall and into the main Hyuuga gardens she stopped and turned to him, glancing around as she made sure no one was within ear shot, "All right. Spill it."

He feigned innocence, clasping his hands behind his head, "I don't know what you're talking about..."

She tapped her foot impatiently, "You know I can read you like an open book,"

"All right," He sighed loudly, "it stank of sex in there," He wrinkled his nose as if even talking to her about intimacy was a bad smell in itself.

She flushed pink with embarrassment, but it wasn't anything she hadn't dealt with before; he used to comment on her and Sasuke's relationship all the time, "You can make your own assumptions about whats going on, but for now we are just friends."

With that she spun on her heel, storming away from him with no idea as to why she was angry in the first place.

"Ok, but we 're still having lunch yea?" He called after her.

She growled.

Stupid Naruto always thinking with his stomach.

xox

Silence engulfed the room as Kakashi nervously tapped his fingers on the wooden desk of the Hokage office, his one visible eye darting between the two women who occupied the space with him. He jumped when one of them suddenly stood, her green orbs ablaze with anger.

"You what?", she spat, the venom icing her words making his skin crawl.

"I sent him on another six month mission-"

"Why?!" She shouted, her pink hair flying around her as she stood and gestured wildly around her, "Why was that your decision?"

He hesitated, unsure of what to say. Why had he made that choice?

"You are putting off the inevitable, Kakashi! He should be locked behind bars!"

"Sakura…" Hinata started, standing as well as she reached out to her friend, but her pity was re-butted as the pinkette whirled around and stormed from the room, the re-sounding slam of the door reverberating the floorboards around them.

"Well!" Kakashi started after a moment of silence, "That went better than I thought."

Hinata frowned as his eye crinkled into a smile.

xox

She panted heavily, her chest stabbing painfully at the effort as she heaved in and out, her breath clouding the air in front of her as she raised her fists again and narrowed her eyesight onto the training dummy ahead of her. It had been so long since she had last trained, so long since she had raised her fists in defence to anyone. The memories of when she had last fought were blurry and undefined to say the least, her foggy mind still unable to remember what had truly happened to her that fateful evening. She grit her teeth at the anguish that clenched her throat, the butterflies that rose in her stomach as she tried to desperately picture her assailants face. He was still undefined, a masked man with glowing red eyes as far as she was concerned and even though he was six feet under thanks to Neji, it still made her heart ache in anger that she hadn't been able to repay the favour. She wasn't a resentful person, nor did she feel that blood should be paid with blood, but the idea that she wasn't able to exact revenge, wasn't able to ask why he had done what he had done. Why he had tortured her for information that she would never have given away, no matter what her training had been growing up. She would never reveal anything about Konoha, even if they broke every finger she wouldn't mutter a single gods dam word about her village, her home, and the secrets it kept.

They were her secrets to keep, and it would stay that way for as long as she lived.

The only sound that echoed throughout the Hyuuga training grounds was her fist colliding with the dummy's face, it's fabric covered head spinning violently as she knocked it off its axis, the momentum almost causing it to spin off the body entirely.

Almost, but not enough.

Six months ago she could have obliterated the dummy.

But now.

Now her strength had diminished to mere chuunin level.

She roared in frustration, opening up her chi as she released the chakra she had been storing for the past few months and watched in sadistic satisfaction as the training grounds around her obliterated.

She gasped at the sudden exertion of chakra, her chest caving suddenly as she dropped to her knees on the shattered ground, her hands catching her weight as she slumped forwards, sweat pouring off of her forehead as she panted.

She had pushed herself too far.

Her last thought as she collapsed onto the ground was how much trouble she would be in with Neji before the world spun around her and turned completely black.

xox

R+R!