Day Three

"Come to grovel at my feet for healing? Or to bombard me with more silly questions?" Sakura chimed when she met the Hyuuga eyes once more. Teasing him was beginning to be quite an amusing game for her.

"This is tiring, woman. Quit testing my patience."

Sakura pursed her lips.

"Hey, this is YOUR game, Hyuuga. I'm just playing along."

Neji took a step into her doorway as she made way for him.

"Third question." He groaned.

"I'm curious. How long is this escapade going to continue? I still don't understand the purpose of this." She said. "Are you investigating me for someone else?"

"What is this? I-ask-you-ask hour? Why can't you just answer my questions directly?"

"Well, I'd like to KNOW where all these answers are going. This is my personal life, mind you. You should be grateful I'm so generously feeding you this disclosed information."

Neji was already in a crappy mood from hours of Lee bugging him for her responses prior to that moment. His tolerance level that day was strikingly low.

"What is your favorite justu technique? And make this fast, woman." He said, straight to the point. He was already in the pits of humiliation. There was no need to feel degraded any longer.

"I have a name, you know. Woman just doesn't happen to be it." She suddenly informed, disregarding the question.

Neji was a bit taken back.

"I like 'woman'."

"I don't. It's Sakura. Sa-ku-ra."

If ripping out his precious Byaakugan eyes couldn't make him feel any better, the Hyuuga didn't know what would.

"Fine. Sakura. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JUTSU TECHNIQUE?"

The kunoichi smiled.

"To watch or to perform?"

Geez, how technical could she get?

"Either. Pick one."

Neji had anticipated her to take her dearest time in answering but much to his surprise, she responded right away.

"To perform, I like the 'regenerative technique'."

Neji mentally made a note. Of course. That was Tsunade's trademark jutsu, and she was Tsunade's beloved apprentice.

"And to watch…" she trailed off. "I like the Divine Punishment."

The Hyuuga couldn't help but widen his eyes. She liked to watch HIS technique? Of all the thousands of more attractive jutsus? He thought she would surely select Chidori, or even Rasengan. Why Divine Punishment?

As if reading his thoughts, Sakura thought it best to explain.

"It's graceful." She smiled. "Something so elegant can inflict such great destruction… If I were only the same."

Neji could almost catch a saddened frown from her expression and he almost felt… sorry for her?

"I'm not fortunate enough to be in a rare bloodline like you. I like it because it reminds me of what I'd like to become through hard work. Graceful, yet strong."

The Hyuuga pondered her answer. It was actually the most sincere answer she had ever given him. It was quite true. Of all the shinobis from his graduating year at the academy (with the exception of Naruto) had either a rare bloodline, or a family line of honored ninjas. Haruno Sakura had neither and she was always considered weak because of it.

But what of all the rumors? He had heard much gossip that her strength and ability was parallel to even the fifth Hogake, if not potentially more. THAT would be more admirable than bloodline techniques. It would be hard work that made her strong, and NOT genes.

Strangely enough, this girl's determination was identical to Lee's.

"Regenerative technique," he began deeply, "Is a fine technique. I can't even do it."

Was that supposed to have made her feel better? Neji couldn't understand. One minute he hated the girl with a passion, the next, he was attempting to boost her confidence.

Oy, what had become of him?

Sakura looked at him and his surprising comment which rang very true. Rare was the ninja who was balanced and controlled enough to use medical techniques. In a way, it WAS like a rare bloodline…

Neji was suddenly drawn to the aura of her emerald eyes and he somehow saw the years of sadness in them. For a long time, she had been neglected in a team that crumbled with the departure of the strongest member. Sakura had joked with him so casually before, but he saw now that it was to only cover up the sadness and loneliness she felt. The seemingly self-assured girl really didn't have much self-confidence in her.

And she masked it well with constant happiness.

Neji felt annoyed at this and decided to show her her own capabilities.

"Show me." He said, raising his arm and drawing up his sleeve to reveal the bandaged wrist. "Show me your technique."

The fates could not tell why he was doing what he did, and neither could he.

Three days into their interview, and he was already becoming too attached.

DAMN LEE! DAMN HIM TO HELL.

With wide eyes, Sakura silently questioned his actions. Neji made a face that spoke of his refusal to tell her why, and she deflated. Had he just indirectly asked her to heal him?

Quick hand seals were formed and the Hyuuga was greatly impressed with the speed and complexity of the combinations. Green chakra poured out of her palms and she clasped his wrist, ever-so-gently.

When all was done, Neji didn't know what had hit him. The pain had suddenly evaporated and his joint felt better than before he had injured it. The Hyuuga was in awe.

When they said she was strong, he didn't realize she was STRONG.

Sakura couldn't help but let out a content sigh. Without words, Hyuuga Neji had managed to boost her confidence ten fold in mere moments.

"A fine technique." He repeated flatly and headed for the door. "A good choice."

With that, he left, marching off in the bastard-like posture he had been known for over the years.

Yet Sakura now knew…

He was a real gentleman.

Author's note: More chapters coming up soontimes.