Well, 99.9 of the reviews of the redone Chapter 8 are positive. Sorry for taking so long with this one, but with finals and general chaos, it took me a bit longer than expected. But at least I'm happier with the result. Here's usual stuff and new reviews:

Disclaimer: Have you not read all the previous ones? Eh, fine, I'll say it again. I, in no way, shape, or form, own Naruto or its characters. This plot, however, be-eth all mine. No touchie.

Warning: Yaoi…shounen-ai, whichever you prefer.I have raised the rating…I don't know if it's necessary, but it allows me to write what I'd like. And it stops me from sweating every time I write a chapter. Language is the primary cause so far, but I'm not sure whether I'll be including...other things in the future.

Old Reviews:
Kawaii Kitsune-kun: Don't worry, this NejiSasu will have a happy ending. But not before they have some trouble first. :evil grin: But I don't make promises for my other NejiSasu stories.
Frontier of Darkness: Hahaha, good. That was the point.
Midnight-Sunset: Hahaha, Konoha's reaction will definitely play a part. Just you wait and see…
YoungSasuke: Yay! I enjoy making people run around in happiness…
Sodesne: Wow, you have a good relationship with the Uchihas. Me, well…let's say Sasuke's not too happy with me right now. :nod:
Shikani: Arigato! Yes, I have many plans for poor NejiSasu…
Prosopopeia: Exactly. Did you mention they were gorgeous? 'Cause that's really important.
Lala to the power of 2: Hai. Arigato.
Ruby Heart: Wow, you liked it enough to read all eight chapters at once? I'm flattered. Arigato.
Ramen-Ou: Rats. I'm sorry you felt it was rushed. I was trying to keep it from getting redundant: Neji likes Sasuke, Sasuke says no, Neji's cold, Sasuke cries, rinse and repeat. I doubt I could have gone much farther. And I did warn you there was NejiSasu in this chapter. Gomen. But I promise you this is not one of those: kiss and be forever lovers stories. Like any good relationship, it is going to need some work.
Spiritwolf112: Right there is the highest praise I think I can get. You don't like yaoi, and you like this. :copies YoungSasuke and runs around happily: Wasi wasi arigato.
Yuki-chan2: Hai. The fluffiness was practically smothering in this. But I thought they deserved some fluff after working so hard.
Bitenshi: New reviewer! Yay!

New Reviews:
Jennifer Darknight: Good, I'm glad you're enjoying it. I hope the next chapter keeps you interested!
Kurosaisei: Haha, no problem. As long as you review now :hint hint: I'll forgive you.
Kawaii Kitsune-kun: Yay, I'm glad you thought this one was deeper. That was the goal. It just didn't feel right not to make Sasuke suffer a little more.
Bitenshi: Wasi wasi arigato. Neji and Sasuke will get a few more concrete feelings in this chapter, but settled won't come until the epilogue…which is still a bit away if I have anything to say about it…which I do.

Okay, given how I redid "Ray of Hope" this is actually a brand spankin' new chapter…mostly. What was Chapter 9 will now be redone as Chapter 10 most likely. And I get to use the chapter title I've wanted to use for a loooong time. Anyway, read and enjoy…please.

Chapter 9- "Midnight Confession"

Consciousness started to seep back into Sasuke's brain slowly, along with the much-too-bright light involved in sleeping outside. As usual, he closed his eyes tighter, trying to block out the painful rays. He heard a laugh. Sasuke's eyes opened curiously. Neji was standing above him, the traces of his laugh fading to impassivity.

"At last."

Sasuke forcibly stopped all the blood from rushing to his face, "Nani?"

Neji nodded, "We're packing to leave. It's time to wake up."

Sasuke edged out of the covered mat and began to roll it up into a bundle, "I'll be ready shortly."

He winced, that sounded too much like a dismissal. As if to prove him right, Neji nodded stiffly and turned to convert his own bag into the bundle. Sasuke turned his head back to his own task, before raising it again.

"Where's Naruto?"

Neji continued packing as he spoke, "He left a few minutes ago…he said he wanted to walk alone for a bit."

Sasuke swallowed. Having to walk alone with Neji in this state was not high on his list of favorite things to do. The Uchiha was torn between two emotions: now that Neji was eligible, he was more than a little nervous around the Hyuuga; but since the events of the previous day (and potentially since the week before), the Hyuuga was consistently formal with him. Sasuke took a deep breath as he made the last fold in his blanket. He would have to win Neji's trust back.

"Are you ready, Sasuke?"

"Hn."

Sasuke shouldered his pack and started off through the forest, noting Neji move closer and walk beside him. Slightly moistening his lips, the Uchiha tried not to mind the Hyuuga's presence. Neji seemed to be having no trouble, walking with smooth, confident steps. Sasuke watched him out of the corner of his eye, noting the fluidity of his motions. The long-haired boy was just as graceful and elegant in something as mundane as walking as he was in combat. Sasuke felt his eyes slide over the boy's figure from head to toe. Damn, he's beautiful.

"Is there something wrong?"

Sasuke kept his startled reaction to a minimum, slightly re-orienting his eyes forward, "No. Why?"

"You were staring at me."

Sasuke couldn't think of an appropriate response, so he just ignored the statement.

"I told you not to worry anymore. So stop."

No! That's not what I meant, Sasuke growled under his breath. The fates have to be against me…fates? I'm starting to sound like him.

"I wasn't worried." Shit! Why did I say that? No. No. No.

Neji barely hesitated before continuing to walk, "Good."

Sasuke took a deep breath. Half of him was thanking all the gods for his narrow escape; the other half was torn that Neji didn't see what he was really trying to say. It was going to be a long time before Neji could really see his feelings. Maybe even forever.

It had been a good two hours since they left camp, and still there was no sign of Naruto. Sasuke was starting to get edgy around Neji, torn between keeping his cool and violently proclaiming his feelings. The Hyuuga was quiet and cool, as usual; Sasuke envied him at the moment. He never looked like he felt the slightest discomfort even when he had taken Sasuke in his arms that one day…Damn. That felt good. Sasuke tried to focus his mind elsewhere. Concentrate. Find Naruto. Right, search for the chakra. Nothing…except Neji's white chakra…white like his eyes…his closed eyes when he held me and leaned forward…no. Naruto. Blue chakra…not white. He swallowed his building saliva casually. Something was going to have to happen very soon or he was going to lose some control…

"Ohayo!" came the chipper voice of Naruto.

The blond leapt from a nearby tree to the ground, plopping right into step with Neji and Sasuke.

"You certainly took your time," Neji said smoothly.

Naruto waved his hand, "Eh, I was trying to think of things to ask Hinata about when we get to Konoha. I mean, a guy's gotta be prepared. Hey, Sasuke. You've got girls climbing all over you; what would you do if you liked one and took her on a date?"

Neji. Listening. No. "Dobe."

"What? Come on, tell me!"

"No."

"Teme! Can't you help a friend out?"

"Usuratonkachi."

Naruto stuck his lower lip out dramatically and glared at the Uchiha, "You're such a selfish bastard. Neji, what would you do? She is your cousin anyway."

Sasuke flinched, Did Neji just look over at me? I thought I saw him move…was he….

Impassive once again, the Hyuuga spoke deliberately, "Hinata already likes you. You don't have to worry about what to be like around her. She likes you."

Sasuke tightened his jaw, Could he be…talking to me?

Naruto nodded, "Yeah, but…I want to make a good impression. What would you do to make her remember the date?"

Neji shrugged gracefully, "Perhaps compliment her on her appearance. Take her somewhere special…not Ichiraku."

Naruto pouted, "Why not?"

Neji fixed an eye on the blond, "Ichiraku is not fine cuisine."

Naruto frowned, "Yes, it is! Alright, alright…what else?"

Neji looked thoughtful, "If you really want her to remember it, you must treat her differently throughout the entire date. Make her the focus of your attention at all times."

Sasuke suppressed a jerk, That's why Neji was so determined. He was thinking about me the whole time. That's why I couldn't get him out of my mind. Take his advice, Naruto. It works damn well.

Naruto nodded slowly, "I get it. Make her feel special, ne?"

Neji nodded once, "Exactly."

Sasuke stopped breathing. On that word, Neji's eyes had risen to fix on the Uchiha's dark ones. Both boys froze, letting the silence speak louder than ever. Though neither wanted the gaze to continue, neither looked away. Neji's pale eyes bored into Sasuke's black ones. The younger boy felt his face soften involuntarily. No, damn it. I can't show him how I feel yet. He tried vainly to school his face back to impassivity, but before he could, his eyes shifted…just slightly. For a Hyuuga, it was obviously enough. Neji jerked. The jerk was the sudden, startled, ungraceful, and "I was completely unprepared for this" kind of jerk…the one Neji never does. And just like that, the moment shattered. The forest's ambient noise rushed back to Sasuke's now-burning ears. Naruto's chatter increased volume and filtered through the sunlit air. Sasuke averted his gaze from the Hyuuga, studiously avoiding all contact with him. He'd have to be more careful from now on. Who knows how much Neji already suspected. They were almost to Hidden Mist. Once they got there, he'd find a way to avoid any more contact.

"I am not sure whether to demote you all or simply have Tsunade-sama force you to scrub the Hokage Tower for a year."

Naruto started yelling, "Hey! We just chased after a Leaf jounin and caught him in Hidden Grass. We completed our mission and killed the baka! And now you want to DEMOTE us!"

Kakashi's visible eye slitted just a bit, "He is dead, then?"

Sasuke threw Najino's crest at Kakashi's feet. The jounin squatted and examined it.

"You still showed bad judgment in pursuing a high-level missing nin without your jounin supervisor."

"He was getting away; any longer and we may not have been able to pick up his trail," Neji said smoothly.

Kakashi sighed, "Very well. But do try to avoid taking on S-level missions before you're ready."

Naruto's eyes bugged, "This was S-level!"

Kakashi fixed them with his one eye, "Hai."

Naruto passed out. Sasuke felt a little shaky himself. Had he known the man was S-level he would not have been so aggressive. Had he been less aggressive, however, he may not have survived.

Neji spoke, his voice smooth and flat, "Is there a reason you did not tell us?"

Kakashi's eye returned to its usual, heavy-lidded position, "I assumed I would be with you and could intervene if necessary. It wasn't essential for you to know. Tell me everything that happened."

Sasuke looked up, "Why?"

"The mission report."

Sasuke hid his doubts, We're all Chuunin; we've written mission reports for three years at least. There is something behind that: underneath the underneath.

Neji spoke, "We tracked the man to Hidden Grass, got a room at an inn, and went searching for him the next morning. Naruto found him first, then Sasuke. While Sasuke distracted him, I was able to prevent him from escaping. Sasuke used the Sharingan and copied Najino's Soushouryu. The combined attacks from both of us finished him off."

Suddenly, Naruto bolted into a sitting position, "HEY! Don't make it sound like I didn't do anything! I defeated eight, count 'em, EIGHT Grass chuunin."

Neji nodded, "Yes, he did."

Kakashi lifted an eyebrow, "That was it?"

Sasuke grunted, "Hn."

The jounin sighed, "Well, since you've all worked so hard, we'll spend the rest of the day here. We leave for Konoha tomorrow morning."

The blond leapt upright, "YAHOO! Arigato, Kakashi-sensei! YAY!"

The two other chuunin watched the excitable blond hop around yelling things in his joy. Naruto was cheering and dancing around as if he hadn't had a day off in years…which may actually have been true.

"NEJI-KUN! Want to go out into the city? I want to buy something for Hinata-chan, but I don't know what she likes. You've GOT to help me!" Naruto yelled, grabbing Neji by the arms and bouncing up and down.

They're not together; they're not together.

Neji disentangled himself from the blond's grasp, "Very well. Sasuke, will you join us?"

It was hard to tell who was more surprised: Naruto or Sasuke. The latter expressed his surprise with a lifted eyebrow, while the former used dramatic facial expressions and more than one strangled gasp.

Sasuke cleared his throat quietly, "No. I want to rest."

The Hyuuga's face barely hardened, "Very well. Naruto, we should go now."

Sasuke waited until they had left the house before turning to go upstairs. He sat down on his bed heavily. Why did Neji ask me to come? He's been cool ever since the kiss. (Mm, the kiss…) No! He's acting differently. Hell, I'm acting differently. We're all insane. Except for Naruto…he's the same as always. I barely know what I'm doing anymore. Back when I was young, I was driven by revenge. It was all I wanted. Now that that quest is over, I do not know where to go next. But at least I thought I knew where I would end up. Now, my life's been turned upside-down by a handsome boy that's captured my attention. My "normal" life is so screwed.

He lay back on the bed, covering his eyes with an arm. He tried to quiet his mind, to get some rest from all his thoughts. Finally, the silence and peace of the room let him drift…slowly…awa---

"Before you go to sleep, we should talk."

Sasuke bolted upright, a kunai in his hand ready to launch. He narrowed his eyes at the silver-haired jounin.

"What are you doing here?"

Kakashi sighed, "Like I said, we should talk."

The Uchiha stuck his kunai back in the holster, "About what?"

"Neji."

A bolt of electricity shot through Sasuke's spine, "Why?"

"You two are being very stupid."

Uchiha pride rose violently at that statement, "What did you say?"

"Each of you is refusing to acknowledge the other when he needs it."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "What are you trying to say?"

Kakashi stood and started to leave the room, shooting a final statement over his shoulder, "If you two are ever going to be happy, you need to fix this…now."

Sasuke openly gaped at the jounin's retreating back. How did he…

It was dark when Neji and Naruto finally returned from their excursion. Dinner had come and gone, and the moon was almost to the peak of its journey. Sasuke was reading a jutsu scroll in his room by candlelight when he heard the downstairs door open and muffled voices. Suddenly feeling inexplicably nervous, he tossed the scroll in the corner, pulled off his shirt, and slipped into bed. The candle was still burning, until he snuffed it right before the stairs creaked.

"Sasuke?"

Neji's whisper floated through the room's abnormally silent air. Sasuke felt his breathing accelerate, and he forced himself to use the Taijutsu technique of perfectly controlling one's body. He could almost feel Neji's presence, though the chakra was undetectable, as the older boy moved through the darkness into the bed on the other side of the room. Sasuke closed his eyes, trying to keep from moving. After what Kakashi said…I want to say something, but…I can't. Afraid. That's what I am afraid. I'm a damned coward. Such…a…

Sasuke awoke, startled. He had not noticed going to sleep after Neji returned, but the moon was in a different place. He had to have drifted off. Feeling too warm for comfort, he sat up, pushing the sheets off his body. In a flash of remembrance, he shot a quick look over at Neji's bed. The room was too dark to see his features, and Sasuke did not want to use the Sharingan in case the chakra woke him up. But he could see the Hyuuga's shape laying on its side, obviously still asleep. Sasuke shook his head; I have to get out of here. There's a river nearby; I need a swim. Grabbing his shirt, he slipped it on and left the house quietly. Passing through the gate, he ignored the watchman, who ignored him back. Seating himself on the riverbank, Sasuke rested his head on his knees. What am I doing? I can't just keep running away forever. I've got to face him sometime. And though the thought of telling him how I feel scares me, it's all I can think about. It's all I want.

"Do you plan to sit there all night?"

Sharingan-filled eyes were instantly scanning the area for the source of the voice, There. In the water. The reflection of the moon in the water rippled as the figure moved out of the shadows into the moonlight. Sasuke felt his throat seal.

"Neji," he managed to croak out.

"I suppose I am not the only one who needed to relax."

Sasuke shook his head slightly, not willing to trust his voice.

"Well, aren't you coming in?" the Hyuuga said, the barest hint of his old teasing in his voice.

The Uchiha froze for a moment, before standing and pulling off his shirt. He avoided meeting Neji's eyes as he slipped out of his pants, leaving only his boxers on. Stepping into the water, he shivered slightly in the cold. Only when he submerged and came up again did he look at the other boy.

"I thought you were still asleep," he said, mentally hitting himself for the stupidity.

Neji shrugged, "I wasn't tired, so I left a bunshin in case Kakashi missed me."

Sasuke nodded, at a loss for any more conversation. The other seemed perfectly content to float through the water, letting the ripples bounce off his skin. Sasuke found he couldn't look at the Hyuuga without a stab of some mix of emotions. He'd narrowed down longing, remorse, hurt, and a tinge of want, but he was sure he was missing a few. Without warning, Neji rolled to a standing position and started to walk towards the bank.

"Where are you going?" asked Sasuke, a little faster than he would have liked.

"Back. I'm tired of the water."

Sasuke waited as the boy pulled on his pants. I've got to say something now!

"Wait."

Neji turned and watched the Uchiha expectantly.

To buy himself some time, Sasuke swam towards the edge and started to pull himself out of the water. Suddenly, his foot slipped off the slimy rock he was using for support, and he slid back into the water, hissing in pain. The ankle had gotten caught between two rocks as he fell, holding it firm while his body twisted. Freeing himself, Sasuke managed to get himself onto the bank before touching his ankle and shutting his eyes. Shinobi or no, a twisted ankle hurt. In a moment, he felt cool hands move his hands aside. He's probably laughing at me right now. He opened his eyes slightly to see Neji intent on checking Sasuke's ankle. The Hyuuga's unbound hair cascaded over his shoulders, falling like a black curtain in front of his face. Drops of water fell from the wet strands onto Sasuke's leg. The younger boy felt his eyes trace over the lines of Neji's body. Some of the long black hair was plastered against Neji's bare back, sending rivulets of liquid rolling down his spine. The combination of the water, the moonlight, and Neji's own beautiful appearance was too much for Sasuke's mind to handle. He closed his eyes, trying to shut out the powerful emotions tugging at his chest. Stop it, right now.

"Sasuke? Can you walk?"

The Uchiha opened his eyes, trying to look like he was doing anything other than fighting the urge to kiss the boy in front of him, "Hai."

Neji pulled him up slowly, letting the younger boy's ankle get used to the weight. Sasuke managed to keep his balance, as he took one step forward. He wobbled a little, causing Neji to catch his arm again. The Hyuuga stepped closer, putting Sasuke's arm around his back and supporting him with an arm around his side.

It was as if someone had lit Sasuke's blood on fire. The sensation of Neji's smooth skin against his, the warmth of his arm around his waist, the slight feeling of dependency. As Neji started to move them both forward, Sasuke leaned his head on the older boy's shoulder. He instantly felt the other boy tense. I'm sorry, Neji. I won't wait any longer. Sasuke turned his head slightly, brushing his lips against the skin of Neji's shoulder. Lifting his head, he forced himself to look into Neji's frozen face.

"Gomen nasai. But I want you to know, Neji. I don't hate you."

The Hyuuga was still, his pale eyes unreadable. Sasuke felt the pressure mount under the constant gaze. Feeling it too much to handle, he disengaged from Neji's frozen grasp and started to hobble away. At the last possible moment, he felt a cool hand grab his wrist. The force applied was enough to pull him off balance, forcing him to fall directly into Neji. The older boy tipped the younger one's chin up, making him look him in the eyes. Without warning, the Byakugan appeared in the Hyuuga's eyes, holding Sasuke captive. The white eyes were searing, peeling back every layer of deception Sasuke had crafted for himself and for others, destroyed every false illusion in either of their minds. When the work was done, the advanced bloodline faded, and the terrible white eyes were replaced with something resembling affection…or something stronger.

"Sasuke, you really want this," it was not a question.

"Hai."

Sasuke raised his hand to the back of Neji's neck, pulling him down. Their lips met; softly at first, then moving to deep emotion. Sasuke pressed hard against the taller boy's body, forcing more contact. Neji's arms encircled the Uchiha's waist, just like they had during that first kiss so long ago. Sasuke wrapped his arms around Neji's neck, holding him there. They were not demanding kisses, but ones of simple fulfillment. Both had wanted this, and they would have it now. Breaking apart gently, Sasuke leaned his head against Neji's chest.

"Neji? I'm…sorry…for everything," he whispered.

There was a moment of silence.

"It's alright."

Neji's hand lifted Sasuke's face up so he could see the Hyuuga's face. It was smiling, a genuine smile with no trace of teasing or humor or mischievousness. It was just one of love. Sasuke reached up to press his lips to the older boy's. Neji returned the kiss gently, answering the emotion as well as the action. As they parted for the second time, Neji reached up and smoothed Sasuke's hair out of his eyes.

"We'd better return. It's almost day."

Sasuke nodded silently.

The sunrise in Hidden Mist that day was no different than any of the others that had occurred for eons. But this one saw something none other ever had. It saw two lovers slowly walking home: the elder with his arm supporting the younger, and the younger with his hand lazily playing in the other's long hair. For them, the sunrise was somehow brighter and more beautiful than any other.

Whew, that was rough. Okay, clocking in at a substantial 3,449 words (putting me above the 20,000 total words mark), the chapter is finished. This could be my favorite chapter of the bunch, so far. I think. Meh, I really need to learn to be firm with myself.

Just so you all know, I'm leaving June 5th and I won't return until sometime on the 13th. I'll try to get another chapter up before I leave again on the 19th. Yeah, my life is hectic. Anyway, tell me how you liked this chapter. Ciao, everyone!

P.S. Forgive my FFnet newbie-ness, but could someone explain what the difference between a lemon and a lime is? Arigato!