She lays in bed, on her side facing Hatsukoi's crib watching her sleep through the rails. Tentens slight lecture had her thinking about everything Neji had done for her. Her thoughts of questioning whether she was over reacting to not wanting to ask him to give up who he was, what he trained for years to be, just for them, and would it be selfish to ask of him when they're not together despite her letting him know she liked being with him regadless of it being a date, a phone call or breaking their tenth date rule.

Still, the lingering anxiety of having Neji telling her no and having it end in another fight hung over her head. Or would it end in another fight, he did help her with Hatsukoi but it didn't mean he still felt anything for a baby that wasn't his. Asking him to help with the responsibilities of raising Hatsukoi was more than most would bargain for, especially when it was her decision to keep her was in a word, ridiculous.

'I need to find us a bigger place soon…' she stretches out towards her wondering how much a small house would cost then lazily rolling out of bed

Making herself coffee and a small breakfast she takes it to the living room, glancing at the time then staring at her small cacrus plant on the table. The slot on her front door opens and mail drops, she walks to the frot door pixking I up and returning to the couch. Looking theough her mail she sees a small envelope with only her address on it, she opens the letter.

You said you don't trust me because I've kept secrets from you.
While it was in my own best interest to keep silent, I see it was a mistake.
Our relationship was not a lie nor a game, though my actions may tell otherwise, my only defense is, I did it to keep you with me in some small way even if only physical.
My deepest regret was hurting you.
By not being able to pursue your forgiveness and trust in person.
I hope these letters to you establish a form of new trust.
I do not require a response nor expect you to keep these letters.
If you suspect I have an ulterior motive, I do, and it is maybe one day you will look at me like when we first met.

Batman

She reads the letter a few times over wondering if it was really Gaara who sent it, it was his hand writing and how it was written did sound how he would speak to her. There was no mention of her name in the letter but who else knew she called him batman other than the few people she had said it in front of, she was sure she didn't say it in front of Kankuro, thinking he could have written it.

She refolds the letter and places it back into it's envelope, setting it next to her cactus plant.

"Mum!" she hears from her room, finishing her coffee in one big glup she pushes her thoughts aside and walks to her bedroom, dressing both of them.

"Let's go see Ten ten" she smiles swinging Hatsukoi's diaper bag over her head to the opposite shoulder, then picking up Hatsukoi.

Half way to Ten tens she stops to buy a stroller and baby sunscreen lotion for Hatsukoi's fair skin, concerned with the summer's sun.

Shae quiely walks into her store as she sees Ten ten walk into the back room, she hides the sroller behind a shelf and crouches down In front of the cash register woth Hatsukoi in her arms, hearing footsteps she lift her above the counter
"Hi" Hatsukoi says while biting her finger staring at Ten ten wide eyed

"Aw, Hi… Shae you're weird, but that was cute" Ten ten says waving at Hatsukoi

"Ha, I know but that's why kids tend to like me" she smiles standing up sitting Hatsukoi on the counter

"Well since you're here, I got something in the mail for you" she said looking underneath her counter

"From Gaara?" Shae asks

"No, from Neji, why did you think it's from him?" she raises a brow at her

"He said if I ever needed anything to ask?" she shrugs thinking of that random letter in the mail

"Hm" she watches Shae read the label, still suspicious as to why she thought it was Gaara of all people

"Blanket is hers, others are Hatsukoi's birthday presents, don't open…..huh" she opens the box pulling out the fabric the small black 'H' catching her attention.

"Look what Neji got for you" Shae says as Hatsukoi holds onto it a small gasp coming from her, her tiny hands feeling the blanket and poking at the sakura petals, Shae smiles folding it back up

"No mum" she whimpers pulling at the blanket

"Okay, you can have it" she says softly to calm her, letting her hold onto the blanket

"That's really nice, and it's soft" Ten ten feeling the corner of the blanket

"Yeah.. and expensve" Shae sighs holging the tag, Ten ten cringes

"I hope it's durable" she says glancing at the price again

"When I said I'd like for him to be here with us, I didn't mean buy her expensive shit"

"SHH!" Ten ten hits Shaes arm

"What?"

"Don't swear in front of her, she'll say it at day care, she's sstill learning"

"Oh shii-" she looks at Hatsukoi who was looking back at her wide eyed "ooot, shoot"

Hatsukoi smiles and laughs looking back down at the blanket in her hands

"Yeah, I need to stop doing that, I've been good so far" she nods "Right, Hattie?"

"No" she shakes her head smiling up at her

"I believe Hattie" Ten ten sighs shaking her head too

"Hey, I'm trying, at least I've stopped saying the "F" word" Shae smiles, tickling Hatsukoi

"When do you go back to the hospital?"

"Tomorrow and Hattie will be there at day care, but that's okay, I'll come see you during my breaks and lunch" she kisses the top of her head

….

'There is always a reason behind my actions. I no longer react to situations as I did when I was a thoughtless child. You will recall the incident between us at your friends party and how I could not stay away from you. I had the one responsible for it and the rumors sent away with a memory seal. I know reading this will make you feel ill but it was out of kindness, her true punishment would've been far worse had it not been dealt with quietly, the sand can be unforgiving. If there is one thing to take away from this letter it's-"

"Shae?" she looks up to see Sakura sitting in front of her

"Hey" she says refolding the letter and placing it in her pocket

"I thought you were going to see Hatsukoi on your breaks' she says giving Shae a paper cup filled with coffee

"They said some bullshit about her having to get used to being without me and only during lunch it's fine" she say nearly growling her words

"Oh, hm.. what was that?"

"Hm?"

"What you were reading"

"Oh, Mat's writes to me every so often, letting me know whats going on" she smiles pouring a creamer and sugar packet into her cup

"That's nice of her. Naruto said Neji should be back tomorrow sometime"

"How do you know?, I mean how does he know"

"They had to send a messenger when they were headed back, why? I have no idea"

'Probably to say if they lost or chasing someone that was captured' she thinks looking down at her cup

"Oh! I looked around like you asked yesterday and I found a small house, one story, three bedroom, small back yard, It's perfect" she hands her the listing

"wow, oh my god it's how much? Sakura I can't afford that" she hisses, tossing the paper back at her

"Yes you can, I thought things were going great with Neji?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" she asks as Sakura gives her an annoyed look

"We both know Neji is going to be there helping you every day whether you want help or not, are you really going to make him stay where he is and not move in with you?"

"Sakura moving in, that's a huge step"

"So is having a baby together"

"Technically she's not his, his name wasn't on the adoption papers" she says as Sakura waves off her comment

"She's as good as his with the way he cares about you" she says raising a brow and leaning in her chair as if saying 'check mate'

Shae rolls her eyes before burring her face in her hands and leaning her elbows on the table

"Is being away from her supposed to be this hard?" she groans sipping her coffee

"Yeah, it's easier when they get older but then you worry they'll do something stupid" Sakura says groaning too, Shae smiles then laughs

"I don't mean my daughter is-"

"I know, I know, I get it" Shae says laughing then waves her hand at Sakuras flustered exoression

"I should get back, just think about it, it's really close by here" Sakua pushing back the listing across the table to her and leaving with her tea in hand

She stands up walking back to her floor, staring at the listing and checking how much longer she has until her and Hatsukoi could head home.

'It should be around here, maybe we could check it out on our way home..' she thinks as she approaches the day care

"Mum mum mum!" she hears and sees Hatsukoi crawling fast to the window sized opening to the play area, the parents have to say a final good bue before leaving for work upstairs

"Hello my sweet girl" she smiles reaching for the door, only to be pushed away and another woman open it, then slamming it in Shae's face

'ookay' she rolls her eyes then looks down at Hatsukoi through the window opening as she claps and holds her arms outstretched towards her Shae shakes her head and walks in then closes the door behind her, walking over to the sign in sheet and signing her name.

"How was she?" she asks as she picks up Hatsukoi, who held into Shae tightly

"She was good, a little fussy and uncertain but she got through it, next time she comes in could you bring in an extra change of clothes, she didn't get her clothes dirty it's in case anything happens." The worker explains

"Sure-" she stumbles a foot forward

"Ugh, be more careful darling, don't stand in the hallway, it's meant for walking not chatting away" the woman who pushed her away from the door earlier says in a soft but authorative voice

"Oh, I didn't realize you considered the play area a hall way" Shae smiles tilting her head

"Hm" the woman narrowing her eyes at Sae "Come along Yumi" she says opening the door, Shae watches a small three year old girl with black hair walk by, seeming to look like a miniature version of that woman

"Hmm… Well I'll do that when we come back, sweet heart say bye"

"Buh-eye" she says softly still hugging her, Shae picks up her diaper bag and stroller from her cubby and leavesii the hospital

"There it is…" she says with a sigh, looking over the small but beautiful house, guarded with a short wire fencing a small porch with a three stair lead up, black shingles and one large glass window with a front door next to it

"Hattie, do you want to live there?" she asks pointing to the house, Hatsukoi follows her finger then looks back at her

"Yeah" she says softly and nods before returning to hugging her around the neck

She sighs, looking at the house one more time before walking home. She sits Hatsukoi in her high chair, and giving her a small bowl of cereal amd her sippy cup of milk as a snack, Shae digs in the diaper bag pulling out the listing, putting it up on the fridge

' Maybe I should find a two bedroom apartment instead…' she stares at the listing from the kitchen table

….

"Hattie stay still don't you want to look nice for da-Neji?" she says mentallt scowling herself for almost calling him daddy

"No" she says pushing her away, only able to tie one 'pig tail' on her before Hatsukoi started fidgeting in her lap

"Neji got you Ne Ne remember?" she says reaching for the bunny on the couch and handing her the bunny, she gas

"Oh Ne Ne" her voice soft cooing to her bunny and looks up at Shae then down at her bunny again, Shae taking her calm moment and ties the second one on her fast

"There, now mommy's turn" she smiles and brushes her hair as Hatsukoi keeping staring at her favorite toy

"annnd now to work" Shae smiles standing up from the floor

Though her day was rather uneventful and normal she couldn't shake the excited and nervous feeling fluttering around in her stomach knowing he was coming home. Thinking of him made the flutter worse, excited to have him back and nervous to ask him to stay, if she even would have the courage to ask him.

Shae unbuckles Hatsukoi's straps to her stroller, holding her in one arm and the stroller in the other as she walks up the stairs to her apartment, losing her grip on the stroller it falls down the stairs, Shae cringes waiting to hear the clanging and scattering of Hatsukoi's diaper bag.

"Hi" Hatsukoi gasps, Shae tirns her head to see Neji holding the stoller

"Hi, " Neji says with a small smile as they continue to walk up the stairs

"You look different with your hair up" he says to Hatsukoi

"No" she replies shaking her head, shae laughs

"That's still her favorite word, that and Hi"

"How many more words has she learned?" he asked placing a hand on Shae's lower back

Hatsukoi gasps as if realizing something and reaches out to Neji placing a tiny hand on his face

"Ne Ne" she whispers wide eyed then holds Shaes face in her hands

"Mum….Ne Ne" she says again reacing for Neji, then holding her bunny out to him

"Do you like your present?" he asks his tone softer than usual taking the bunny and giving it right back to her which she happily accepts

"Hm, it's her favorite, she doesn't sleep without it, or go anywhere without it, she cries if I forget it" she sighs then smiles opening her door

Neji places her bag and stroller against the wall and takes Hatsukoi from Shae's arms. Shae watches him stare at Hatsukoi intently before he looks up at Shae

"What is it?" he asks as Hatsukoi lays her head against his shoulder

"Uh nothing" Shae says with a smile then walks into the kitchen to prepare her snack

"Did you get your blanket in the mail?" he asks, Shae turns around to answer instead she sees him keeping his full attention on Hatsukoi who nods her head

"Yeah" she replies then laying her head back down

"Do you need a nap?" she shakes her head agaist his shoulder, he glances up at Shae, she jumps slightly snapping herself out of watching them

"Does she nap at day care?" he asks

"Um, yeah…" she brings soft vanilla cookies to the table and milk for Hatsukoi

"Sweet heart eat your snack" Shae says pushing the small plastic plate in front of Neji, she shakes her head, Neji reaches for a cookie and hands it to her, she holds onto it and takes a small bite keeping her head still against him. Then pops up taking her sippy cup of milk from him

"Her elastics don't match.." he says mostly to himself

"Oh yeah she opened her apple juice at lunch and got it everywhere, which is why parents need to bring extra changes of clothes" she says shaking her head

"Neji frowns and stands up, taking the cookies from Hatsukoi and throwing it in the trash then pouring plain cheerios into a small bowl

"That was a perfectly good cookie, I made those cookies" she says in a flat tone

"She had sugar today and you're giving her more sugar as a snack" he says sitting back down with her in his lap she shakes her head at him before eating her cheerios

"It was only apple juice"

"It still has a lot of sugar, we need to ask if she can have water or milk instead when she goes back to day care"

"So she can be the only one not having it at day care? Uh no" Shae narrowing her eyes at him

"Then her snack after day care needs to be more healthy"

Shae scoffs then reaches for a cookie on the plate

"Mum no!" Hatsukoi says smacking the cookie out of her hand then giving her a tiny hand full of cheerios, Neji smirks at Shaes surprised reaction.

"Neji's a bad influence on you" she says picking the cookie off the floor and taking it to the trash

"No" she says shaking her head still holding out her tiny fist of cheerios, Shae holds out her hand as Hatsukoi opens her fist dropping four cheerios

"Thank you baby' she smiles pretending to eat the cheeios before placing them back into her bowl

"I've asked Ten ten to baby sit for us tonight" he says raising a brow at her blank expression, Hatsukoi laughs at shae mumbling 'mummy' from behind her milk

"Oh um okay" she says with a slight blush realizing her mouth was hanging open a little

"Did you not want to go on a date? I know, I should spend more time with Hatsukoi but we need to be alone too" he watches her reaction

"No, it's not that, I just didn't expect it" she stares at him for a few seconds, wondering why he was more gentle and less stoic than the last time she had seen him.

….

"Are you ready?" hw asks from the door holding Hatsukoi

"Give me a second" she yells from the bedroom, tying her wrap dress at the side then walking out

"Where's Ten ten?" as soon as she asks theres a knock in the door, he opens the door letting her in.

"Alright, you be good for Tenten, okay?" she kisses her on the head as Ten ten takes her from Neji

"No" she shakes her head

"Hatsukoi, be nice to Ten ten" Neji says, Hatsukoi smiles and nods

"No" she says softly, Shae laughs kissing her on the head again

"Remember what I said" Ten ten whispers to Shae before she pulls away from Hatsukoi, she nods giving her a weary look

"Have fun" Ten ten says walking into the living room to distract Hatsukoi with her toys as they leave

She breathes in deep as they walk down the street, letting her breath go slowly

"How have you been?" he asks looking down at her

"Well fine, Hattie's been good and she made a friend at day care-"

"No, I'm asking how are you?" he stops walking and faces her, she looks up at him and pauses thinking of his question for a few seconds

"Stressed, worried, happy, excited, nervous all at the same time… mostly happy" she sighs looking up at him, he looks down as if in deep thought

"How are you?.." she tilts her head wondering what he was thinking of, he steps closer lifting her chin higher and kissing her, his kiss sending a shiver through her and a moan building in her throat

"Better" he whispers against her lips before pulling away, he takes a step forward and pauses, reaching down, their hands intertwining, and eyes locking before she lets him lead her to where he wanted to go

"Neji?.." she says slowing her pace as they walked aimlessly through a near by park after dinner

"Yes?" he stops and faces her

"how do you feel about.." she whispers, her voice almost giving out

"I.. like being with you" she says looking up at him trying to give herself more time to build courage and ask, his eyes searching her uncertain ones'and" 'god why is this so hard to say… why does it feel like begging…'

He looks to his right then to his left, holdng onto her hand and pulling her into the trees,

"I've missed you" he says looking in her eyes before his lips crash into hers, pushing her against the tree behind her.

A moan escaping her lips as he grabs at her ass, squeezing, holding her against his erection, she reaches down, untying his pants, her fingers wrapping around his length, rubbing her thumb against his tip with every stroke, as she bites his ear.

She moans as he squeezes harder, he lifts her left leg, as she helps him, lifting her dress and panties to the side, she bites her lip trying not to moan as he pushes into her.

"Oh fuck Neji" she whispers as he hit her sweet spot, he smirks against her neck, thrusting harder into her, loving how his name sound coming from her mouth as he would thrust deeper into her at the right angle. She tightens around him, her leg almost giving out from the pleasure, feelung her trembling underneath his touch pushes him over the edge. She holds onto him tighter as she reaches her peak, rolling her hips as she rides out her orgasm.

He rests his forehead against hers, she smiles as he catches his breath, his eyes half closed still in his haze of release.

"I've missed you too" she smiles, gaining his full attention back, he searches her face then takes a deep breath as if to calm himself then gently kisses her, slowly letting her go.

She fixes her clothes and hair, before she can walk back to the trail they were on, she sees Neji holding out his hand to her. She glances from him to his hand and slowly holds onto him, walking home in a comforting silence.

…..

'I do not regret the time we shared. What I do regret was not looking passed my own selfish reasons. If I had helped you instead of forcing you to depend on solely yourself, perhaps our separation would not have been so severe. Your hopes, dreams and needs matter. Mne should not have over shadowed yours…' She leans against the wall, letter in hand, she breaths in deep before reading the entire letter over agan, then folding it and putting it in her pocket.

That had been the fourth week Gaara had sent a letter, at least she thought it was Gaara with the way it was written and the accurate details. Every letter bringing her a small feeling of closure and at the same time a feeling of guilt for not telling Neji he had been writing to her, though she had not responded, she still kept his letters in a drawer in her bedroom.

She walks to the bottom floor towards Hatsukoi's day care, feeling a sharp angered pain she runs down the hall, her heels clacking against the floor, turning the corner she hears Hatsukoi crying.

"What happened?" Shae demands barging through the door to the play area, Hatsukoi crying covering her eyes, and Yumi standing next to Hatsukoi with one of the workers

"Hatsukoi had a toy Yumi wanted and she gave it to her but then she started playing with another toy she also wanted and well…. She bit her" the worker explains

Shae looks Hatsukoi over, seeing a deep red bite mark on her right shoulder, Shae hovers her hand over the mark, healing her, Hatsukoi calming down now that there was no more pain but still whimpering and pouting, saying ''mum, owie' over and over, Shae looks down at the little girl trying not to glare at her.

"Did she apologize?" Shae asks keeping her voice pleasant

"Not yet, Yumi, say sorry" the worker says pointing to Hatsukoi

"NO!" Yumi stomping her foot and crossing her arms

"I guess we're waiting for your mother then" Shae says walking to the window opening and leaning against it, holding Hatsukoi close, rubbing her back

She hears a set of heels clicking against the floor she turns her head to see Yumi's mother, Shae straightens up, as she walks through the door.

"Yumi, come along" she says walking down the hall a few feet, pulling her back pack from the cubby and walking to the door

"Mrs. Suguro, there was an incident-"

"Your kid bit my daughter and won't apologize" Shae interrupts the worker

"How did it happen?" she asks raising her brow

"Hattie was playing with a toy that your kid wanted and bit her" Shae says simplifying the situation

"Hm, I see. May I suggest that you bring a toy for her to play with and it won't happen again"

"What?" Shae following her into the hallway

"Bring her a toy from home"

"I'm asking you to tell your kid to apologize, this wasn't Hattie's fault-"

"Are you her nannie?" she asks turning to face her fully

"No she's my daughter"

"Adopted?"

"What does that have to do with apologizing?"

"Hm, Yumi felt she had wronged her and reacted; bring a toy it won't happen again, that's all."

"If you don't teach her right and wrong, which biting is wrong you create little sociopaths" Shae beginning to feel angry

"You're not a real mother, you wouldn't understand compromises concerning children, which this is one, bring a toy" she turns away from Shae and walks away with Yumi

/

Neji looks down the hall seeing Shae arguing with a woman in a lab coat, as she walks away from Shae, he notices Shae step back slightly still focused, realizing Shae was holding Hatsukoi protectively and in her fighting stance, as he walks closer he sees the corner of her eye turning black.

"Shae" he says snapping her out of it, her eyes tirning to normal as Hatsukoi begins to whimper, holding out her arms to Neji saying 'Ne Ne owie' and hugging him around the neck.

"Hm? Where?" he asks her gently, she shakes her head against his shoulder

"her right shoulder" Shae says looking at Hatsukoi with sad eyes, walks back into the day care and coming back out with her bag

"Lets go, when we get home, we'll have na nums, kay?" she says softly reaching up and rubbing her arm, Hatsukoi nods

On the way home, Hatsukoi cheers up looking and pointing to things she knew the words too.

"Okay, na nums" she says taking her from Neji after setting down her diaper bag, she straps her into her high chair and pulling out a tub of ice cream from the freezer, scooping out a small amount and putting it back.

"What?" Shae says feeding her ice cream after hearing Neji sigh and cross his arm watching them

"We'll talk about it later" is all he says and stands up opening the fridge

"Was there anything you wanted for dinner?" he asks

""No…" she glances over her shoulder at him, having a good idea of what he wanted to talk about, connecting to chaos when talking to a civilian.

…..

"Neji, could you bring her a pair of pajamas?" Shae yells from the bathroom, she continues washing Hatsukoi in the bath tub, her hair full of bubbles as she plays with rubber toys floating around he water

"Close your eyes, like this" Shae squeezes her eyes shut then opens them, Hatsukoi does the same and she pours water over her hair, Hatsukoi blowing raspberries and rubbing her eyes annoyed by the sudden cup of water being poured over her head

"There, no more water" she says softly checking her hair for any shampoo she hadn't rinsed out properly

"Are these ones alright?" he asks as he opens the door to the bathroom

"Excuse you there is a lady in here!" she snaps, Neji jumps and closes the door. She snickers, and Hatsukoi giggles

"I am sorry" she hears behind the door

"Neji, come back I was kidding" she laughs, tuning her head to the door and wrapping her in a towel and pulling her out of the tub. He opens the door giving her a slightly annoyed look.

"I couldn't help it" she smiles still sitting in front of the tub with Hatsukoi in her lap

"Are these ones okay? And why are you in your underwear?" he holds out a small purple night gown with crowns

"That's fine, and because she likes to splash the water sometimes" she reaches for it, she puts a diaper on her then her night gown

"All done, story then bed time" she says in a sing song voice, handing her to Neji then pulling her dress back on

"Have you ever seen Ne Ne move that fast before?" Shae smiles, Hatsukoi shakes her head smiling then hugging Neji, he sighs, still trying to get used to her teasing

"Come here my girl" she holds out her hands, Hatsukoi leans towards her yawning. Shae sits in the corner of the couch, wrapping her in her white-lavendar blanket, reaching beside her to the end table and opening a picture book, Hatsukoi leans against her, yawning again.

"There once was a woman who lived in a shoe" shae starts, as Hatsukoi giggles

"What's so funny?" she says leaning over to look at her

"Hmm, Ne Ne" she points, Shae looks up to see his look of confusion

"Who would live in a shoe? That is not what that story title says" he raises a brow at her

"Well she lived in a shoe"

"Who?"

"The woman"

"Who would choose to live in a shoe, what kind of fairy tales are you reading her?"

"I'm reading her the kind I grew up with, I get bored of these ones sometimes"

"… Read her a different one, I don't want her growing up believing it's okay to live in a shoe"

"Neji, it's only a story and she's just a baby, she won't grow up thinking it's okay to live in a shoe, she's not stupid" she rolls her eyes and shakes her head

"I never said she was stupid, she's smart, she's almost two and understands what we say but chooses not to keep talking for no reason and her only problem is not being able to walk by herself yet but that's normal, when she's ready she'll decide to walk on her own… did you think you could live in a shoe?" he asks narrowing his eyes at her

"No…. Maybe" Shae smiles, Neji pinches the bridge of his nose, realizing she was only arguing with him to make Hatsukoi keep laughing at his facial expressions

"Please, read her a different one"

"Ne Ne's so funny, right?" she looks down at her

"Hm, yeah" she says softly smiling

Shae leans back against the couch and reads her the actual story from the picture book, then two others before she had fallen asleep. She stays where she is for a few minutes, watching her sleep in her arms.

"I'll take her to her crib" he whispers, gently picking her up, Shae leans in and kisses her head before he straightens up

She picks up the few random toys scattered around the living room

"What happened today?" she hears behind her and his hand on her lower back, she sighs standing back up, holding onto a stuffed animal

"Some little shit bit Hattie and wouldn't apologize for it cause her mother didn't teach her to be a decent human being"

"Shae" he says surprised she'd call another child a 'little shit'

"What?" she crosses her arms

"She's only a child and sometimes they bite, did you confront their mother?" he asks seeing her becoming angry

"Of course I did the fuck do you think I was doing talking to that woman for?" she hisses at him

"I was only asking a question" he lets his hand rest by his side, trying not to be annoyed at her swearing

"What else happened? Clearly it wasn't only the biting" he says keeping his tone soothing

"That woman, that fucking woman, not only did she not get her kid to say sorry to our-Hattie" she catches herself "She said bring a toy, it won't happen again, you wouldn't know what compromises are, You're not a real mother cause she's adopted" she says nearly choking on her words

"She said…" his voice trailing off as Shae looks down away from him

"I know I almost lost my shit when she said that and walked away… I don't care what she says, Im her mother and I love her god damn it, when I signed those papers for Mrs. Yashin, it was the biggest mistake Ive ever made, the entire time she was gone it felt like I couldn't breathe, I love her so much, I'd tear a part every nation just to find her" she sobs covering her face, he frowns stepping forward, gently pulling her close to him, she hold onto his shirt , her face against his chest as she cries

"What if she hates me when she's older" she says after calming down a bit, her voice cracking

"Why would you think that?" he asks, rubbing her back as he held her

"I don't know… I don't want some damn little kid telling her she's adopted cause no one loves her, kids are so mean sometimes you know" she wipes her tears

"Hm, I know...That's why you connected to chaos?"he asks softly

"Yeah… I was only gonna scare her" she looks up at him

"Were you?" he raises a brow at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth

"Okay, I thought about choking that bitch out but I didn't" she laughs before wiping her eyes

"How are you?" he asks lifting her chin up to him, she leans in and kisses him

"Better"

….

"Her bag is ready" he says watching Shae scrambling around the apartment

"I know, I'm trying to find my shoes, Hattie crawled away with it yesterday and I can't find it… shoot" she tosses her red stiletto back to the doorway next to Neji's feet

"I thought you worked at nine, it's only 7:30" he says glancing at the clock in the living room

"I do, but if she's not there by eight, they get mad about it" she says walking back to the bedroom

He looks down at Hattie in his arms as she looks at her bunny, he adjusts her small button up sweater that was falling off her shoulder.

"No owie" she whimpers sinking away from Neji's hand as he pulls her sweater over her right shoulder, he examines her shoulder, no bruise or scratch of any kind, he looks into Hatsukoi's big sad ocean eyes, still leaning away from his hand, the memory of being bitten clearly still in her mind, he looks back down at her shoulder.

Between the pain in Shae's voice from last night and Hatsukoi's sad eyes he begins to feel his anger boil beneath the surface, how dare this woman judge Shae's bond with Hatsukoi, how dare this woman tell her kid it's okay to bite Hatsukoi, how dare this woman tell Shae their love for their daughter wasn't real, that Shae wasn't a real mother.

"Ne Ne" he looks up at Hatsukoi holding his face smiling.

"I'll take her" he says buttoning Hatsukoi's sweater

"You will?" Shae asks popping back into the hallway

"Mhm, take your time" he picks up Hatsukois bag, and opens thefront door

"Thank you" she smiles and walks up to them

"Bye my baby" she kisses her cheek

"Buh-eye" she says softly smiling

He smiles at their affection, stepping outside as Shae waves and closes the door.

He signs her in at the day care and waits in the hallway, a half hour goes by and the woman from the day before comes walking down the hall, her little girl holding onto her, he waits for her to come back out before approaching her.

"We had taken your advice and brought Hatsukoi a toy with her" he says with a smile that would stop any woman in her tracks

"O-oh, well, good" she stutters blushing slightly

"I'm assuming you didn't know who Shae was as to why you didn't apologize for being rude to her and Hatsukoi" he sees the color drain from her face

"She will be picking up Hatsukoi in the afternoon, you can apologize then" he tirns and begins to walk away

"Was she really with the Kazekage?.." her face still pale and voice uneasy

"A long time ago" he says giving her a cool stare, figuring that was why she was suddenly afraid

….

"So, weird thing happened, Yumi's mom said she was sorry like a thousand times…" she says smiling at him across the table, feeding Hatsukoi her morning oatmeal

"I asked her too" he says drinking his tea

"You asked her or told her, she seemed really freaked out" he hears the mail drop from the front door, Neji sets down his tea and stands up walking to the front door

He sees a small envelope ontop of the flyers, junk mail and bills, he picks it up not seeing a name on it only Shae's address, he uses his byakugan to see if it had a paper bomb in it, catching a few words he reads a few more lines then picks up the rest of the mail walking to the table placing it on the table.

"I have training, I'll be a few hours" he said before he walks away

Shae glances up at him then down at the mail, the same small envelope she had been receiving for weeks starring back at her.

"Neji" she places down her bowl following him into the hallway, he turns towards her, lifting her chin leaning down and kissing her

"I'll be back soon" he whispers, caressing her face, searching her eyes for an answer he never asked the question to, he lets her go and leaves.

"Mum… Mum" she hears Hatsukoi's soft voice from the kitchen, Shae breathes in deep

"Yeah honey, mommy's coming.." she stares at the closed door before walking back to the kitchen