Chapter 5: Stepping stones

"Bykugan!"

Neji searched for someone who could lead him towards answers. There were only a few people who could reveal to him the solutions to his questions. He could ask their leader, but the chances of him talking about it were slim. Then there was Sasuke. It would mean that he would have to win this game and then hunt his ass down and then make him talk. That could take weeks or even months…

He needed to know now.

Then there was the last one. The female...whatever her name was. Saki-something or other. The pink haired woman. That's whom he was left with. He hated dealing with women; they were always a pain. They were too needy and greedy. That blond haired chick that dominated his team…she was the perfect example.

He scanned the trees. He could see Lee and Chouji lounging about in a clearing not too far away. From the looks of it, that fat man had seduced Lee with food and listened while Lee went on about something or another.

Neji was surprised that Chouji, he now deserved some respect, didn't fall asleep. Had he listened any longer to Lee droll on and on, he would have fallen asleep. Lee was great to have on sleepless nights. One story out of him and Neji was out like a light. Better than counting sheep.

He continued to scan about searching for the female. He growled at the sight of his cousin. He watched on as the blond spawn of hell applied something to Hinata.

"This will make you beautiful."

Neji couldn't help but laugh. She needed a hell of a lot more than just some makeup to make her look attractive. Then again some guys do go for the butt ugly types. Neji didn't know who, but then again it was his cousin he was talking about. That thought alone caused his skin to shiver and crawl in disgust.

That woman, Io—no that was the cow's name from Greek Mythology…oh well, that works. That Io-woman was a wolf in disguise. And judging by her looks, he wasn't really all that surprised. He would have figured that Hinata would be one of the ones that went straight for the flag with no stops.

'Anything for her precious Naruto,' He sneered whiney, giving off a poor imitation of his cousin. On closer inspection he chuckled to himself. Hinata was tied to the tree. How Io managed to do that almost caused him to wonder—almost.

He looked away. He saw Shikamaru standing on a tree branch overlooking the entire game. Neji didn't want to find him; he was looking for the last pair.

That's when he spotted Tenten. She was sparring against her. He found his mark. Without a second breath he raced over towards them. She was going to give him some answers. He would make sure of it.

He felt the wind rush against his face as he raced over towards her. It didn't take him long to interrupt their battle. He felt the dust beneath his feet rise and settle as gravity took over again.

"Tell me about him." Neji demanded.

Both females stopped their fight and looked at the panting teen before them. "Tell you about who?" Sakura asked confused.

"Him. The one Naruto loves. The one called Haku."

Sakura gasped as the name left his lips. "How do you know about him?" Her eyes slanted slightly in suspicion.

"Naruto told me. Now I need you to tell me more."

Sakura crossed her arms, "Ask him yourself."

Neji snapped. Before anyone could react properly, Neji had a death grip on her throat. He could hear her struggling for air, but he didn't care. If she had to die because she refused to answer, then it would be her fault.

"Neji! Stop!" Tenten's plea was fruitless.

"I will not repeat myself woman." Neji's eyes became hard and colder.

Sakura struggled for breath. Choking sounds came from her throat as she tried to get air in her lungs. Neji could feel her warm tears run down his hand. He threw her away from him as if he was scorched.

He hated tears. Tears were for the weak. He felt no pity for her. He was shoved aside as Tenten rushed to Sakura's side.

"Tell me." He demanded again

Sakura nursed her sore throat and coughed while getting the air her lungs sought. She shook her head. Neji didn't like that response, not one bit.

Neji took a step closer to the pair. "Oh, and why not?" His voice dangerously soft and smooth.

"Ask hi-" Sakura was taken over by another coughing spree.

"I would ask him, but I'm here asking you now. I expect some answers other than 'ask him.'" He lashed out verbally. He wasn't going to let a sniveling female like that stand in his way of answers. Everything about Neji screamed threat. It was better off in the end to pacify the threat than to encourage it.

Sakura nodded her head. "I'll tell you." Tenten offered her some water to which she gratefully took. Sakura sat back and leaned against Tenten. "Our first mission…it was supposed to be a simple escorting mission. There was this bridge builder who was being targeted an—"

"I don't want to know about the mission, tell me about him." Neji demanded slowly losing his cool again.

"Alright. I know. I was getting to that. So we were escorting this mission when we were attacked by a man named Zabuza."

Neji stopped her short. "This better be important, or next time I will not stop." He threatened through clenched teeth.

Sakura coughed a little but continued. "We didn't know until later that Haku was partnered up with Zabuza."

"I told you I don't care for the mission; tell me how Haku and Naruto met." His tone screamed impatience.

"Naruto had gone off to train. He told us later, that when he was exhausted, he was approached by the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He said it was love at first sight. Later during the mission we were confronted with the two of them. Sasuke was pinned in Haku's fortress of ice. Despite the fact that they were on opposing sides, Naruto never once allowed his love to get the best of the mission."

Neji sighed. His rage was slowly being contained by reality. He had loved Haku with all the depths of his being. "Where was Haku from?"

"Hidden village of Snow."

Tenten gasped. "I heard that everyone that comes from the village of snow is … eccentric."

"Yes, Haku was a gentle psycho. What they say about Snow is true. Snow hardens even the kindest of souls."

"How did he die?"

Sakura clammed up. "He died protecting someone he loved."

Neji's eyes narrowed. "He died protecting Naruto?"

Sakura gently shook her head. "No, he died protecting the one that always looked after him. He died protecting Zabuza."

"Did Naruto kill him?"

Sakura shook her head.

"Who killed him?" Neji's tone was a little more forceful and demanding.

"I'm sorry Neji, but that's all I can tell you."

Neji could see tears well up in the female's eyes. "What are you not telling me?"

Sakura couldn't speak. She just shook her head. Neji didn't like these turn of events. He hadn't come this far to be blindsided by a road block now. The urgency in which he needed to know the information was so great. He felt like he would explode in pure frustration.

He was about to make her talk some more, but Tenten frivolously protected Sakura with her own body. Neji glared at his teammate. He knew she liked her, but to go so far as to betray him like this.

Neji continued to glare at the pair and realization hit. "You were powerless to stop it."

Sakura's head snapped to Neji. The look in her eyes told him the rest of the story.

"Don't worry about it. All women are useless. You just did what came naturally to you: Nothing. You expected the men to protect you and Haku. In the end you are here and he is not. I should thank you then. If you had done something then I might have to contend with a living lover instead of the memory of a dead one."

He could see Tenten getting all railed up. "Neji that was uncalled for!"

Neji simply smirked. "You know this proves something too. Haku was weak. The poor boy couldn't keep himself alive long enough to become my rival. What a shame." Neji's eyes slanted and his smirk darkened. "Never once had I ever thought a woman could prove to be useful. Guess you do have a purpose." Neji turned and scanned the area again. This time he would find Naruto and it would be for keeps. "Who would have thought?"

Tenten looked into Sakura's tear stained face. "I'm sorry." She sobbed when Neji left her sights. Sakura buried herself deep in Tenten's arms.

Tenten held Sakura in her arms. "It's alright now. I'll make sure he never hurts you like that again."

Tenten silently vowed to thank Neji later. Because of him their relationship got a giant push in the right direction. She kissed the top of Sakura's head.

"Thank you."

Tenten smiled at Sakura's words. "Don't thank me now, the fun is only starting."

Sakura pushed herself away to look at Tenten. Tenten smiled and decided to make this time alone count. She lowered her head and captured Sakura's lips with her own. Tenten smiled against her partner's lips.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained and this venture was a giant success.

And there hits the 5 page marker…I had to stretch it out a bit. It needed to be 5 pages…I hope you like it. Yes I already know I have issues... but that's why you people read it. Happy New years to all my loyal minio--: cough : I mean readers.

Beta's outrage: Someone needs to be castrated. You think if a rubber band is tied around his scrotum, it will fall off painlessly? – Umm, okay, I forgot what I was ranting about now. Ah, the joys of having an attention span that rival's a gnat.