Itonami: I am so sorry for this late update, but with school, volleyball, and clarinet, things are hectic as it has never been before. There are just not enough hours in a day. I can't stand not being able to update as quickly. Again, I apologize for my delay.

Thanks for all the reviews I love them!

Chapter 6

Naruto sighed with his golden-haired head resting on his hands. He was sitting in a seat among many old, craggily men around a circular conference table. The agenda scroll swam dizzily in front of his unfocused vision while the voices of the council members droned on and on.

Sabaku no Gaara sat to his immediate left, his gaze shifting from the depressed Rokudaime and the glass of water in front of him. Meetings like this were important, especially when it concerned highly dangerous missing-nins.

"Uchiha Sasuke is a menace to society. He should be executed."

Quiet murmurs of agreement arose from the table and all eyes traveled to the sighing Hokage. Tired, blue eyes looked at them wearily and he nodded his head.

Who was he to disagree? He couldn't stop his best friend's execution even if he wanted to. Naruto did not want to delay the inevitable and cause more trouble and ruckus in the Village of the Leaf. His position as hokage was a great weight upon his shoulders.

The news of Uchiha Sasuke's arrival traveled quickly in the society of Konoha ninjas. Many whispered words of disgust and loathing, wishing ill favor upon the former missing nin. Others who believed in punishment hoped for his execution.

However, with all things considered, Haruno Sakura and Hyuuga Neji refused to talk about the criminal at all after several ANBU members interrogated her about the fashion of how she had met the Uchiha. She stayed in the hospital to recover while Neji visited frequently to see how she was coming along, since it was his fault that Sakura was unable to move freely, or rather, that's what he liked to tell himself. Naruto visited also, pointedly eluding the sensitive topic about Sasuke.

"After you get out of this dull place, I'm going to treat you to some ramen." The Rokudaime patted his friend's hand reassuringly.

Sakura smiled, a smile which showed a brighter happiness than seen last. "Thanks, Naruto. I should be better in time for Hinata's delivery."

Naruto turned his head to look at the quiet Hyuuga patriarch leaning against the wall. "Oi, Neji, you're making this girl happy, aren't you?"

Neji grunted softly but didn't say anything.

The rosette flashed a quick grin at Neji. "He's trying."

Everything about them is unofficial. Why don't they just get married already? I mean, that's what I did with Hinata. Some people make things way too complicated. The Hokage thought, gazing back and forth between the couple.

"Neji-san, I'm sure you're busy. There's no need to stay here." Sakura said gently.

His silvery eyes seemed to scowl at her. "What I do with my time isn't your concern."

Sakura understood that to be a no. She could never get him to soften up even the slightest bit after he had opened up a very small portion of his heart to her. He would always get defensive, but she didn't mind at all.

"Sakura-chan, I'll have to go. Hinata wants be back in time for lunch." The golden haired nin grinned and scratched his head.

She nodded and shooed him out the door with a wave of her hand, and then settled down more comfortably on the bed. Sakura reached for her tiny bedside table to pull out a wrapped box.

"I heard from Hinata-chan that it was your birthday soon." She held it out to him and he approached slowly with grace.

Neji tried not to look so uncomfortable or let the unfamiliarity of taking the gift show in his movements. Tenten and Lee had been the only ones to have given him a thoughtful, meaningful present on his birthday. Now, one was dead and the other he hardly met at all.

"It's not much and I don't know if you'll like it or not, but at least you could take it." Sakura said, shaking the box a little.

The male Hyuuga nodded and offered her his quiet smile. "Thank you."

"It was no problem at all. I'm sure Ino deserves all the thanks. She spent the entire two hours with me, pushing my wheelchair around the stores." She laughed and played with the hem of her sheets.

The line of this brow furrowed disapprovingly. "The doctor told you to stay in bed."

Sakura grinned teasingly. "No, you told me to stay in bed."

He relaxed and looked at the present in his hand curiously. "May I?" She gestured for him to go ahead. Neji unwrapped it carefully and slid open the lid to find a small glass vial filled with a milky white liquid in it. "What is in it?"

Her grin had a hint of pride in it. "It's a useful little thing and I made it myself. A drop of it will neutralize any poison. Carry it with you on missions. I remember treating you several times from poison from senbons and kunais."

Neji stared at the vial. Perhaps one day, his life would depend on it. "I'll keep it with me."

The pink-haired woman had a look of satisfaction on her pretty face. "I have a check-up pretty soon and I think you're going to be late for that jounin meeting."

He gave her a fleeting smirk and nodded. "Stay well. I should leave now."

"Don't forget to visit me, Neji-san!" She called to his back as he stepped into the hallway of the hospital. Neji acknowledged it with a backwards wave and he disappeared from her view.

A doctor came in later in the evening to finalize her recovery. After she stayed the night, Sakura was permitted to leave in the morning. The doctor suggested that she notify a friend to come and help her. Naturally, the first person who came to mind was Ino. Using the hospital phone, she dialed her best friend's number.

No one picked up.

Looking at the receiver in confusion, Sakura placed it back in the cradle. Maybe the blonde woman was on a mission somewhere. She racked her brain for someone else. Naruto would be too busy. Hinata needed all the rest in the world.

Why don't you ask Neji?

Sakura shook her head at the thought. He was busy with other things. Neji didn't have time to help her out.

But he came to visit you at least twice a week.

Sighing, she made up her mind to not to call and bother the Hyuuga. Carefully, she packed her clothes and few personal belongings. Disturbed at her incessant thoughts about Neji, she was in the process of scolding her mind to stop when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." She called while reorganizing items in her small bag. Sakura struggled to close it.

A strong hand descended upon hers and easily coxed the button to close. "Are you feeling better?"

Gasping at the sudden tenor voice that did not belong to Neji or Naruto, Sakura looked up quickly to become face to face to Uchiha Sasuke. "What are you doing here?" She growled, fear racing through her veins like blood.

His menacing face was impassive now, obsidian eyes stoic and unmoving from her face, reminding her of the Sasuke who had once existed in her life. "I heard you might need some help."

The medic nin's eyes narrowed. "Stop it."

"Naruto gave me permission to come here." A smirk arose on his face again as if he knew something she didn't. "Apparently for the last time." A lie.

Sakura turned away from his strangely glinting eyes and slid off the bed opposite from him. Sasuke followed her every move, the air becoming saturated with malice. "I don't need help."

"From me? Would you like help from Neji-kun?"

She glared at him and his mind games he seemed to be fond of playing. Sakura did not budge from the spot across from the ex-missing-nin. "Where is Naruto?"

The Uchiha shrugged. "Perhaps happily chatting with an advanced clone jutsu."

Emerald eyes widened. "How did you get in here?"

"Disguise jutsu."

He answered her questions as if she was asking him about the weather. "What are you doing here?" Sakura returned to the first question.

Thin lips rose into a wider smirk. "You didn't think I'd give up that easily, did you?" He stepped closed to his side of the bed. "I get what I want."

Both ninjas in the room knew that Sakura had no weapons on her and Sasuke would have little trouble overcoming her. Her heart beat faster with each second.

"You can't have everything."

Sasuke didn't answer but he slowly held out a hand to her. "Take it." His tone was cold and commanding, demanding her hand.

The pink haired woman backed away from the bed, her senses alert to jump on the slightest of his movements. She watched the Uchiha gaze at his empty hand, his expressions changing from a myriad of different emotions. He scoffed at it and dropped it to his side again. There was no time for her to react to his incredible speed.

"I take what I want."

"Not today, Uchiha."

Sakura was gasping for breath as she stumbled away, relief flooding through her at the sound of Neji. The Hyuuga was now in position to slice the artery in the neck of Sasuke with his kunai.

"Are you alright, woman?"

A prick of annoyance stabbed her side at his address. "What took you so long?"

He ignored her retort. "Are you alright?"

The firmness in his voice made her bite back her sarcasm. "I'm fine, Neji-san."

Sasuke had a frozen smile on his face. "She called me Sasuke-kun. I see you're not up to that point yet, Hyuuga."

"You've fallen out of grace."

The Uchiha held up both arms in surrender. "I'd have to admit that, right, Sakura?" He smiled a crooked grin at her. It made her shiver unconsciously and something shook uncertainly inside of her.

"Don't go back."

Sakura gazed at the white-eyed Hyuuga patriarch in surprise and astonishment, but he was keeping his eyes on the captive at his mercy. The uncertain feeling stopped shaking and she held her ground.

"Just kill me now, Hyuuga. It's either you or Naruto. Pick one or the other." Sasuke whispered. "I killed Tenten, didn't I?"

All three people present in the room could literally feel the restraint conflicting inside Neji. "Don't tempt me." He snapped harshly with his throat tight.

A soft hand rested upon his white-knuckled grip around the kunai. Pearl eyes met emerald and softened ever slightly. Sakura wore a peaceful countenance and Neji nodded. "Naruto will come."

Indeed, the Rokudaime came with five ANBU trailing in behind him. Naruto looked dangerously calm, but rage radiated from him in waves. When he spoke, his voice reverberated the feeling of being trapped inside an eye of a hurricane throughout the room.

"The council members of all of the Hidden Villages have decided." There was a deathly pause. "You are to be executed at first light two days from now."

There was no shocked silence, only a calm depressing air enveloped them. Sakura approached Sasuke, pity evident in her sad eyes. "I don't love you anymore." She whispered, hoping her voice didn't come out too shaky.

But Sasuke now remained neutral. "I know."

Now her eyes turned pleading. "Then, why?"

Blank raven orbs held her gaze. "Because I do."

Neji felt the jealousy freshly turning in his chest, making him clench his jaw. It instantly disappeared when Sakura stood next to him, taking away the kunai from his hand, and when she said, "I won't go back."

Black flickered red. "Why?"

Sakura tried to smile and succeeded a little. "I have too much in my future."

There was a quiet silence as Sasuke gazed at Sakura dully.

The Uchiha suddenly tore his eyes away and looked at Naruto. "I won't come back."

"Never again." Naruto whispered, matching the missing-nin's gaze.

Sasuke nodded and with a swirl of artificial wind, he was gone.

Naruto had let him go again. Neji frowned and forced himself to relax. The man who had killed Tenten had gotten away. There was nothing to avenge anymore. The helpless feeling again rose up into his throat, making him feel weak and exposed to the young kunoichi beside him.

"I'm sorry, Neji-san."

Don't say those words anymore.

"There's no need."

She shook her head and her pink tresses shimmered in the light. "I was so close to returning. Going back." The Hyuuga offered nothing to say.

Naruto sighed wearily and Sakura immediately turned her attention and went to him, and embraced him tightly, allowing his head to rest on her shoulder. "I let him go…hope you don't mind…" He muttered.

A low rumble outside indicated thunder and the beginnings of a rainstorm. Sakura let go of Naruto and he gazed at her with a sad expression. She patted his shoulder in reassurance, while Neji talked to the ANBU members quietly.

"I'm sure Hinata is wondering where you went. Go and get some rest." She whispered to the Hokage and he obeyed readily.

The only two people left in the room were her and Neji. He looked at her and then the room. "Should I leave?"

The rosette shook her head. "No, please stay with me."

Neji stood by the bed as Sakura looked out of her window at the storm outside. She was the one to break the comfortable silence. "Do you remember what I told you? What I'd want to become if I could be born again?"

"A tree." He replied, a smile coming to his face.

"You'd want to be a bird." She murmured at the window, but the man could hear it.

Again, a silence.

"Will you spend the night with me? I can leave tomorrow." Sakura asked timidly.

"Of course." His reply seemed too eager to his ears. Neji constrained a scowl.

"It's raining." Sakura said softly, watching small rivulets of waters run down the glass.

"I don't mind."

She smiled as she turned back around to face him. He stood tall and proud, his long hair flowing over his back, his brilliant white eyes focused on her and only her. The air about him told of saddened grace, but a beginning of enigmatic happiness, and so she whispered, "Neither do I."

It was dark outside, besides the spontaneous flashes of lightning. Neji helped Sakura into bed and he pulled up the familiar chair beside it. She looked at him with her clear, emerald orbs and he smiled a little. The Hyuuga was surprised when he felt her warm little hand grasping his calloused one as she fell asleep.

He fell asleep, resting his chin on his chest and leaning back on the chair with his arms crossed, knowing he could spend the rest of his life this way with her.

"Neji-kun, are you sleeping?" A soft voice asked in his ear. Her breath tickled his neck. He grunted in affirmation, hoping he could get rest some rest in peace. "At least you could join me in the bed."

White eyes opened.

His betrothed giggled at him, though tiredness etched her pretty face. "How did the delivery go?"

Sakura smiled. "Hinata did have a hard time breathing, but we had oxygen tanks ready for her. The baby was a healthy boy."

Neji nodded and got up stiffly from the chair he was attempting was sleeping on, waiting for her to return from the hospital. Sakura linked her arm with his as they strode to the bedroom. "You already changed out of your uniform. How was the mission?" She asked gently.

"It was easier than expected. We returned early." He answered, allowing her to enter first through the door.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" Sakura asked while changing out of her clothes into a pair of her favorite pajamas.

He did not answer, but only replied by wrapping his strong arms around her slender waist and pulling her against his firm chest. "What if I am?" He murmured huskily.

Sakura turned her neck to kiss the bottom of his chin. "I have medicine like none other, unique in form and strength. Want to try it?" She teased.

Neji kissed her quietly and looked outside. "It's raining again."

"Should we go visit Tenten-san?"

He paused, uncertainty flashing in his eyes, but he soon shook his head. "It's time I let her go."

She showed understanding and empathy. "I'm sure she's happy."

"I'm sure she is." He said, smiling out the window.

Author's notes: Well, I'm not sure if you liked that or not, but…unfotunately, I'm not really proud of it. I realized that this type of story needs more chapters and more time to develop and doing it in six and seven wasn't the brightest idea that came across my mind.

If you had problems with the timing and the tempo of this story, I'm very sorry. I know how you feel. Don't worry.

Overall, I am satisfied with the content. But that's for all of you to decide. Thank you very much for all of your support and reviews. It makes me warm inside that there were a lot who enjoyed this story despite its faults.

Thank you again! You guys are all awesome! Please look forward to a Neji x Tenten x Lee story, perhaps coming in the near future if I have time.