For Zelha
Pairing: NejiSaku
Word count: 678
Prompt: ninja binding wire
Notes: I think I'm overdue for some non-crack, considering I've only done like…. Two serious ones. FAIL.

-x-

Neji woke up to a dull pain at the base of his skull, a cramping leg, and pebbles jamming themselves into his spine, flat on his back, tied down, and with the bitter taste of betrayal in his mouth.

All in all, he was not very happy.

He twisted his wrists – the only part of his body he could move – to try and get the blood flowing, and scanned the forest around him, trying to remember what had happened.

He had been on a mission, he knew. Not very difficult – he could have handled it alone, but Tsunade had specifically requested him to take her apprentice out for some training…

And that same apprentice had been the one to knock Neji out when his back was turned – and when the rest of him was hip-deep in the stream, washing up. Of all the times to best him… he still wasn't dressed! It was sheer luck that Neji was modest in front of – or anywhere near, really – a lady and still wore his pants. Naruto would've called him a prude. But Naruto would also have rocks getting into awkward places, Neji thought smugly.

"Ah, you're awake!" And now he wasn't so smug anymore.

Sakura sounded ridiculously pleased, and he turned his glare on her. She was sitting on a boulder a few feet away, one leg crossed over the other, a book in her lap. Neji fumed at the injustice. She had knocked him out and tied him up so she could read?

"Haruno," he said flatly, "Why have you tied me up." It wasn't really a question, but Sakura replied all the same.

"Because I want your body," she said, as if it were obvious. When Neji stiffened, she added quickly, "Oh, not the way Orochimaru might! I just think you're hot."

"…" She was clearly deranged. Well, she did spend a lot of time with Naruto…

"I got you good, didn't I?" she asked him eagerly. As if he was going to praise her for that.

"Untie me. Now," he said very calmly.

Sakura frowned. "Why?"

"…Because I'm your captain, not an enemy," he said. "And I'm sure this is illegal."

"Not if you consent to it," she said with a wicked little smile. Neji shifted uncomfortably. He felt very exposed, lying on the ground, only half-dressed.

"Haruno," he repeated, "Untie me. This is an order."

Now she looked a bit worried. "…Are you going to report me?"

"No."

"Attack me?"

"No."

"Bury—"

"Dammit, no!" Neji took a steadying breath. "I won't do anything. Just – untie me. Please."

The 'please' was probably what did it, Neji knew. Sakura was a sucker for good manners – especially after Sasuke. She kneeled down beside him immediately, reaching across his bare chest to loosen the binding wire.

Neji watched her carefully for a moment. She was distracted, he could tell. He wasn't exactly sure by what, but he had a feeling it was his six-pack. Either way, it gave him the perfect opportunity to, once he was freed, hook an arm around her waist, flip their positions, and tie her up himself.

Sakura struggled, of course, yelping and kicking out reflexively, but Neji worked fast – and neatly. He even finished off with a neat little bow at Sakura's waist. Then he looked down at her.

Sakura was staring up at him with wide, fearful eyes. Neji was offended. Who did she think he was, anyway?

"So," he said, "You're into bondage."

Sakura made a small sound of surprise as Neji bent to help her out of her sandals.

"I – what?" She tried to shy away, but Neji caught her ankle. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing you seem to have a problem with," Neji said.

"I – Neji! Oh my God, I'll tell shishou! Hinata! Naruto!" she warned, sounding increasingly hysterical by the second, "I'm sure this is illegal!"

Neji cocked an eyebrow at her. He wasn't smiling.

"Not if you consent to it." And then he knelt beside her, cracking his knuckles. Time to test just how strong this wire was.