Itonami: I had half the mind to not update, but I've had so much reviews that I couldn't let you guys down. I humbly apologize for my lateness and my mindset not to update. I got stuck on the story and didn't want to continue.
Thank you for your CONSTANT support! You guys truly are the meaning to writing!
Here is chapter 2 of Rain's Sonata. Enjoy!
--edit—Timeline check. Neji has already given back the umbrella to Sakura. This is sometime afterwards. Don't be confused. I fixed it a little.
I won't put a specific mention of how much time elapsed. I'll make it so that you can just kind of make it on your own. It's more comfortable that way. A year, two years, a month, two months, it's all the same.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Naruto.
Chapter 2
Hyuuga Neji was ordered by Sakura to come by for a quick routine check up. She seemed to be at the hospital lending a helping hand when there were no present missions to occupy her.
"Neji-san, ready for a check-up?" She asked while laughing. Her stunning emerald eyes twinkled at him.
Once in the check up room, Sakura looked at the Hyuuga closely. He was cold, yet it was a pleasant coldness. He was definitely handsome with his firm chin and fine nose. His hair hung naturally about him, giving him a hint of feminine grace, but he radiated arrogance and masculinity. His pearl eyes added to the handsomeness of the Hyuuga bloodline.
"It's not polite to stare." Neji said softly, waking her from her trance.
Another blush crept over her cheeks. "Sorry…" The medic bustled around and asked him several questions about his body and such. Everything routine.
"Are we done? I have other business to attend to." He inclined his head forward and gracefully turned on his heel to leave.
Without thinking, Sakura blurted out, "Wait, Neji-san!"
The man stopped at the door and waited for her to speak. The medic didn't know what to say. Instead, she grinned and waved nonchalantly. "I will be off hospital duty next week. Would you like to meet me for some coffe?"
He politely decline and watched her bright face sink into a frown. "Alright then, don't train until I say so! I'll see you later!" Spinning quickly so that he couldn't see her bright red face, Sakura hurried off to find something to keep herself occupied with.
Neji blinked twice. He was just a little confused with that jounin. He went on missions with her before as a jounin and as ANBU. Every time he would catch her sitting by herself, wallowing in an emotion beyond his understanding. But, Sakura was efficient in her job, so he didn't really pay mind. Now that he looked at her, those green eyes seemed to be hiding something suspicious.
As a man, he wouldn't know.
Naruto gave him some time off on his missions and told him to go "take it easy" for awhile. He could almost see the foxy look on the Rokudaime's face as he waggled a finger at him. 'Your health is of deep concern to me, Neji-chan. I won't let you get hurt again.' The Hyuuga refused to sit in his silent house idly while his body recovered. He was going to train, and no one was going to stop him.
"Neji-niisan, you shouldn't be out training. Your body hasn't fully gone back to normal." Hinata's soft, yet powerfully persuasive voice reached his ears. She had decided to stay at the Hyuuga household in order to take care of him. There was no stopping the woman if she wanted to do something for her family.
The Byakugan legend stopped and sighed. "Hai, Hinata." Since when did he let his little cousin talk him out what he wanted to do?
She fixed the best tea in the Hyuuga clan so Neji didn't say much unless she was drinking some herself. He had heard from Sakura that Hinata shouldn't drink too much tea while pregnant.
"Hinata, sit and stop moving." Neji eventually—gently as he could, mind you—snapped at her.
The Hyuuga resorted to meditation and deep thinking. Not brooding, just deep thinking. He was out in the mid-morning air, sitting on the porch with his legs crossed and eyes closed. The bamboo water clock thudded rhythmically against the stone.
The kunai flew straight and true towards its target: Tenten's heart. Neji's eyes widened as the blade sliced through her. He was kicked down in the mud and his mind was so dizzy from what he had just witnessed and the impact of the ground.
"Tell Naruto that this is what happens when he wants to mess with me and Orochimaru. I'll let you live to serve me my purpose."
The enemies quickly disappeared, leaving him breathless and cold in the mud. All he could see was Tenten's trembling body and he forced himself to walk.
Neji's eyes shot open in shock at the sudden flood of memories. Somehow, it had slipped from his mind.
Naruto had to be informed right away. He bolted from the complex and headed for the Hokage Tower, where the Rokudaime spent a lot of his time. He ignored the guards who were posted at the doors and just simply burst through and headed straight for the office.
Being a highly respected Hyuuga and a good friend of Naruto, he didn't bother to knock politely. Instead, Neji strode in purposely and interrupted Naruto's concentration on a file he was reading.
"Neji?" The Hokage asked blankly, blue eyes widening.
"Uchiha Sasuke. He kept me alive to tell you that he will kill anyone you send to confront him and Orochimaru." He bluntly stated. The Hyuuga looked serious enough to put Shino to shame.
There was a great pause in the room as the Rokudaime absorbed the words. Smoothly mounting his head upon his laced hands, he sighed. "I see. That bastard…hasn't changed one bit."
Neji gazed on sternly. "You owe me an explanation, Naruto."
Naruto grinned in a sad way and nodded. "Yeah, I do. Where should I start?"
"Sasuke isn't Orochimaru's container. Why?"
Again, another heavy pause took place. "Believe me, they tried. Sasuke rejected him unconsciously. Orochimaru knew that Sasuke was priceless to dispose of. Sasuke, of course, is currently very happy with that sannin."
The brown-haired jounin stood still. "How many teams have you sent before this ambush?"
"Two." Naruto answered, trying to think, "They all returned with injuries, yes, but none were fatal. I don't get why that bastard is overacting now."
The two men sat in silence. "Are you alright?"
Neji did not answer right away. "Yes. Lee is more upset about it than I am."
The Hokage smiled. "Sakura's taking care of him."
That reminded the Hyuuga of something. "The Hyuuga clan is formally putting me as the head on Sunday. You will attend?"
Naruto smiled broadly. "Of course, my dear cousin-in-law. This is your moment to shine! I wouldn't miss it."
A hint of a smirk arose on the Hyuuga's face. "That cousin-in-law concept is still foreign to me."
The golden-haired Rokudaime stuck out his tongue. "You're so cold, Neji-chan."
Snowy eyes flashed dangerously at the nickname as Neji got up to leave. "You should watch what you call me."
"As Hokage, you wouldn't dare hurt me."
A shuriken darted at a lightening speed, but Naruto caught it easily without even a blink. Neji scoffed. "Just testing if being Rokudaime wore off your reflexes."
The other man gave a foxy grin. "I pass?"
"This time." Neji left without another word.
Naruto rubbed his head sheepishly. "What a dangerous guy. All of that just because I called him Neji-chan. Sheesh, he needs to relax."
Hyuuga Neji went outside, his gaze falling on the town clock. It read 1:50. He thought back to Sakura's invitation to coffee. It wouldn't do any harm by attending. A small drop of water landed on his nose. He scowled and looked up at the sky. It was getting dark and gray.
He had started to hate the rain himself. Ever since Tenten's death, he began to look at rain in a new way: a sign of death and an onslaught of painful memories. He put his hands in his pockets, walking toward the little café near the center of the village. Villagers ran past him for shelter with newspapers serving as temporary shields from the rain. Drinks lay still, forgotten and drinking in the water.
As he gazed straight ahead, he could see a pink haired woman simply sitting in one of the elegant patio chairs outside, bearing the falling rain. Her white umbrella protected her and the drink in front of her.
"I didn't think you'd be here still." Neji said.
Soft emerald eyes smiled at him. "I come here every day, Neji-san. Even though you refused my invitation, I'd still come. Besides, you did show up. What changed your mind?" She stood and shared her umbrella with him. "You should dry up. My apartment is only a block away."
He hesitated. "Hinata is still at the house."
Sakura smiled. "Just grab a towel and some coffee and then you can be on your way."
Being dry felt like a good idea to him, so Neji nodded. Sakura held the umbrella between them, but the man next to her towered her by a good head. He transferred the umbrella to his hand.
They started on their short trip to Sakura's apartment.
Since the umbrella was made for one person, the pair stayed close together, their arms brushing against each other. Their skins were damp and cold to the touch, but heat arose at each point of contact. Sakura mumbled words of apology out of awkwardness, but Neji remained silent.
At the door of the apartment building, the Hyuuga folded the umbrella and followed her in. Sakura took out her keys and jingled them a little. Her own little apartment was unlocked and the first thing that hit Neji was the scent of flowers. The medic nin took off her shoes and gestured him in.
Her home was humble and cozy, a complete contrast from the Hyuuga complex. To his relief, the rumors that Haruno Sakura's apartment was completely decorated in pink were false. It was actually nicely done with pleasant shades of neutral colors. The sound of rain could be heard outside.
Neji made out a blur that came speeding his way. Expertly, he caught it and found that it was a fluffy pink towel. Sakura shuffled out of the bathroom with another. "I've been lazy with my laundry. These were the only fresh ones in the closet."
The tall Hyuuga only answered with a soft noise of recognition as he rubbed off the moisture from his body. His long brown hair was dripping wet and he squeezed the water out of it to the best of his abilities with the towel.
"How long does it take for your hair to dry after a shower?" The pink-haired jounin asked curiously as she poured water in the coffee maker.
Neji raised a perfect eyebrow. "What kind of question is that?"
"A question from another person with long hair."
"Then the answer to that would be how ever long it takes for your hair to dry. It doesn't concern me how long it takes my hair to dry." He replied, taking a seat on the couch.
Sakura stepped out of her small kitchen. "I'm making the coffee. How do you like it?"
Neji stopped his drying process. "A spoonful of sugar and cream." He continued soon after.
"Is your body recovering well?" She watched the dark liquid drip into the pot.
Neji flexed his hand. "My shoulder is sore, but other than that, I am fine."
"You haven't been training, have you?"
"Doctor's orders not to train. You understand."
She giggled. "My, you listen well. Because of your good behavior, the doctor says you can train next week."
"Glad to hear it." He said dully. "Hinata's pregnancy is going well?"
There was a short pause. "There was a day when the baby's heart rate seemed a little under, but the next day it was back to normal. I'm not too worried."
However, the Hyuuga detected a note of concern in the medical nin's voice. "Do you think she is strong enough to go through the labor?" The air around him seemed to get heavier.
This time Sakura didn't answer for a long time. It was until a small ding sounded that she came out with his and her coffee along with a grin on her face. "Here it is! I hope it's okay. It's instant and I don't know if the Hyuuga clan allows instants in the house." Her smile was large and fake, plastered on. Normally, Neji would not have pushed the matter, but his anxiety for Hinata grew just by looking at the medic who was in charge of her.
"Don't ignore my question. Answer me." His white eyes grew harder than diamonds and they seemed to drill a hole through her pretty, young face. Sakura's emerald orbs widened at his firmness and then they gazed wearily into her coffee.
"Hinata has always been a little frail even when she was training to be a ninja in the academy." She gulped down a small sob. "She's not the kind of person to complain, but I know that carrying the baby is giving her a hard time. I can tell that her back is under constant strain, and her knees are stiff. Hinata doesn't eat as much as she should and she suffers from insomnia. I feel like her body is too fragile. I want to tell her or Naruto that she has a great risk of oxygen deprivation during labor and a 25 percent of…" She couldn't go on. Her bottom lip quivered violently while tears gathered at the bottom of her eyes, threatening to fall. She gripped her hands into fists tightly on her lap as she struggled to compose herself.
"How can I tell them…?" Sakura whispered quietly.
"Would you like me to go with you?" Came the deep, tenor voice.
The pink-haired snapped her head up to see his face through her tears. "Really?"
The Byakuygan user gave a curt nod. "For my cousin."
Sakura gave him a watery smile. "I would like that a lot. Thank you, Neji-san."
He sipped his coffee in silence while she wiped the tears from her eyes and cleared her throat.
"How's the coffee?"
Neji matched her gaze. "Good."
Author's notes: Okay! Finished this chapter. I hope you liked and it pleased you. Sakura and Neji are getting closer without them noticing and I'm starting to like how this is flowing. Instead of action scenes, I'll probably stick with more simple fluff…hmm, maybe not simple. There should be some juicy triangle action going on also. Don't you agree?
Of course, I have to thank you all for your reviews. Makes my life good.