Sorry about the lateness…Let's just say I'm not too happy with this chapter…and Yes. It IS to some extent a Neji/Sakura. I'm just addicted to that pairing. I'm still not sure on the Ino/ Kiba. Also the next chapter will be late as well…

I have about 6 different ways I can write this story…I just don't know how much Romance/ Mystery I want in this. I just need to plan the rest of this story. Rising Stars of Manga entries are due March 15. I'm spending almost all of my time working on mine. It's not even halfway finished. Right now I want to do some Naruto fanart…

But if I miraculously come up with something, it'll come out next week as scheduled. I do have some ideas …

THANK YOU for the reviews!

DarkDemonMaster, Shy-Lil-Dreamer, Naruke, Wormkaizer, Dark Nemesis 7, brice humphry, orlha, oOoshortayoOo, KakashisNo1Fangirl

          NarukeThanks for pointing out the bad grammer! For pointing out what I misspelled, whatever's easier for you, I don't mind either way. If you want, I can send the next chapter to you before I put it up. Just so you can look it over for me…but only if you want to.

Here's the next chapter. Have fun!

Chapter 4

            Everyone they met with had shown up. The last people to show were Shikamaru and Choji, both of which were seen following Ino down the slightly worn path. It was easy to see everyone under the soon to be full moon. Sakura was the first one there with Naruto, who was supporting some extra bruises he didn't have in the daytime. She had been anxious to get there and meet everyone to make sure they got there all right. Knowing not to start without Ino, she waited until she saw the blonde come up the path and look at everyone. Sakura caught a look of surprise on Ino's face and wondered what it was for. So she took a quick look on the other side of the clearing to see what got Ino all shocked. It was only Kiba and Akamaru. Deciding to ignore her sudden curiosity, the pink haired ninja walked up to where Ino was at the end of the path that led to the clearing.

            "Well. I guess it's time." Sakura stated looking out over all the chuunins.

            "Don't worry forehead-girl! I'll get everyone's attention and just help you along the way." Ino cheerfully encouraged.

            "Thanks Ino-pig." Was endearingly returned.

            "No prob. That's was friends are for." Ino turned around and got everyone's attention. "Hi everybody! We're going to tell you something that's not allowed to be spoken outside this group." All of the ninjas gathered came closer wanting to know what's going on.

            Astonishingly enough, it was Hinata who spoke up to ask them the question almost everyone was thinking. "Sakura-chan, Ino-san why we all are here?" was softly asked.

            "Yeah! Why all of this secrecy?" came from Kiba.

            "Shut up Kiba and let her explain." Ino glared at Kiba, she hasn't forgotten about what happen that day. The two started a brief staring contest.

            Sakura ignored the abnormal behavior of the two and went on. "Well I found out the village, all of the adults, are keeping secrets from us." At this, Sakura could have sworn that Naruto went from half awake to fully alert and ready for action. 'Odd.'

            At this statement the figure hidden in the trees came out from the darkness surrounding him and into the light with the others. At the movement of the unknown ninja, everyone immediately was prepared for an attack, but relaxed just a bit when they saw who it was.

            "Ino, I thought we agreed that we shouldn't tell Neji." Sakura stated.

            Neji turned from staring at the whole group to glaring at Sakura. Although not saying anything, the look he gave demanded explanations.

            Sakura turned to him and looked up at his tall and intimidating figure and appeared almost sheepishly. "Well, we figured you already knew and wouldn't care to help us, because you're too GOOD for us with your new Jounin level." She started to get angrier remembering how he went from polite and distant after Sasuke left, to being a stuck-up, pig-headed, jerk after raising his status. She only came across him when waiting for Hinata a few times before being promoted and politely talked, but after the promotion he wouldn't even talk to her. Just stared at her like she wasn't even good enough for him to talk to.

            The silver-eyed male ignored the angrier last part of what she said and curiously focused on the first part. He thought they had found out about Naruto's sealed demon, which he knew about, but now she had said 'help them.' On the outside his face gave away no emotion, but on the inside he was frustratingly puzzled. So he decided to loose the superior act and ask. "Help you with what?"

            "Finding out about Sasuke of course." Ino inputted.

            Neji frowned. So it wasn't about Naruto. He glanced over at the demon boy who appeared relieved, but a bit mixed up as well. He continued on. "Everyone knows Sasuke was hidden away into another village."

            Sakura, as well as Ino were stunned. Could Sakura have been wrong? Or did Neji just not know, even with his new Jounin status? The pink haired Kunoichi took a risk.

            " I found out that we weren't told the whole truth. Sasuke isn't hidden away. Do you know what happened Neji?"  Inwardly she hoped she was wrong and Sasuke was safe, but somehow she knew that this wasn't the case.

            After hearing this, the Hyuuga was furious. What she said made sense. This was why they wouldn't answer some of his questions when awaking in the hospital after the mission to rescue Uchiha. They wouldn't even answer his questions when becoming a Jounin. He left it alone, deciding to leave it for when he was in a higher standing with the other Jounins. "I don't know what happened. But since you found out, why didn't you just go storming up to Hokage-sama herself? That would seem more like you."

            "I-I just wanted to let people know first." was stuttered as the word 'executed' danced along in her head.

            The Jounin's eyes narrowed down at her. He could tell she was lying and looked around to see that everyone else could tell, and that Ino girl suddenly looked depressed. Neji stared back down into sorrowful emerald eyes and decided to let it pass. He would ask her the next time he saw her, so that they were alone. It would be easier to talk to without her having to worry about other people around. "Well, now that you told people, what are you going to do next?" he smirked. The Jounin crossed his arms and stared down at her.

            Watching him revert back to his arrogant self, Sakura's temper started rising. "Well, what do you think I'm going to do!?" she took a step closer to the arrogant man. "I'll probably go to the Hokage."

            He lifted an eyebrow and simply asked. "Probably? And when would that be? In two weeks? A month? A year?"

            "Fine. I will go to her. Tomorrow. Better?" The female was reaching her exploding point with him. And just after a few sentences.

            "You can't." He was beginning to have fun playing with her.

            "And why not?"

            "She's gone for the next two weeks." Neji started down at her, waiting for her outburst to come.

            Surprisingly it didn't come, all of her anger just slowly faded away. It disappointed him a little. Just a little. "Then I'll just talk to her when she comes back." Sakura sighed and turned her back on him to walk back to the village, too tired to talk to anyone else. Ino could tell them the rest; if they wanted to know the details about it. Slowly walking away, her Inner Self was cussing like crazy, wanting nothing more to turn back to Neji and give him a piece of her mind. Only one thing made her turn back around, it was just to ask him something. It was a stupid question to ask a ninja, but she just couldn't help her curiosity on this one.

            "Neji, how did you know about this meeting?" Her eyes looked up to meet his.

            "What? You thought it would be hard for Jounins like me to get the information?"

            Glaring at him, she knew he wouldn't tell, but he didn't have to be like that. Sakura looked over at the others, seeing that they were still there. Naruto was scaring her, just standing there, looking down, not yelling at everyone, or even asking questions about Sasuke. It was just too out of character for him. Hoping he'll return to his normal self soon, she decided to leave him alone for a bit. Hinata was staring sadly over at him, looking even more depressing then Sakura had ever seen her. She had been so happy earlier that week when they were out shopping. At remembering that day, Sakura's eyes widened and turned back around to Neji.

She pointed her finger at him and roared. "Y-Y-You was spying on us! No Wait. You were following us! You were following us around when we were shopping!"

His eyes narrowed, yet they were still remained emotionless. "She's the heir to head Hyuuga branch. As branch members, we must always guard her to ensure her safety."

The kunoichi's face filled with horror. "You stalk your cousin!"

This got Neji to throw away his stoic appearance. "I didn't say stalk, you idiot! I said guard! Guard!" This was a subject he was a bit touchy about. He hated doing simple things like guard his cousin, just because he was in the branch family.

"But you still follow her around!" That just wasn't right to the now angry female. Hinata was one of her best friends, but Sakura could never understand her family's rules. They were strict and very uncaring. But did they really have to do this sort of thing?

"Sakura. I-I understand. It's okay." Came the Hyuuga heir's voice.

Sakura took one last look at Neji and stomped off back into the village. Neji watched her go and wondered if she was always like that. He took one last look at pink-haired female and left, not waiting for his cousin. Some of the chuunins stayed to talk to Ino and some just left, thinking about what was just revealed.