She thought he was sweet. He checked himself quickly and removed the idiotic grin plastered across his face. A quick glance around ensured that he was indeed alone in his tent. Not only did she think he was sweet but she had found reason to jump on him! Dirtying his clothes had never been so worth it. In fact, he had quite liked it and would easily permit her to do it more often. If he did though, he may have to hire another servant for the washing...
"Neji? Do you want to come in now?" He wasn't listening.
"Maybe two new servants..."
"What?" He finally noticed Konohamaru's presence.
"What?"
"I said Kiba and Tenten want your mission results now."
"Oh, right." Konohamaru looked at him strangely as he brushed past him happily. Neji didn't really blame him. He flounced into the middle tent.
"Hi team members!" Said team members stopped mid conversation and gaped at him. Neji eyed his surroundings. "Where is Sakura?" Kiba nudged Tenten who stifled a laugh.
"She is err...um, outside." Tenten snorted explosively before hiding her head in her hands. Kiba had gone red from compressed mirth and was shaking. Neji chose to ignore them and sat down. "Um...we can get her if you want."
"What? No! I wouldn't want to interrupt her, she could be busy." He nodded at them in a matter-of-factly way. Tenten rose and shot past him.
"I have to go and...The apples." Was all that was forced out before she began to run.
"What was wrong with her?" Kiba tried to shrug his shoulders and look innocent.
"I have absolutely no idea. Do you want to start with-"
"How is she? Sakura. I mean the whole Sasuke thing must have been pretty hard on her. Has she said anything to either of you? She may need counseling or something, you know for stress. Has Tenten approached her? She seemed okay back there but she could have been keeping face, she is really strong." He stared at Kiba who blinked in reply.
"Erm, are you okay?"
"Yes, of course."
"Right, well." He looked at Neji again. "I think it would be best if we just reported straight to the Hokage." He stood and left. Neji glared at his retreating back. Now they didn't even want to finish this which meant that they had put Sakura through it all for nothing. Sakura...he almost blushed as he left the tent. She was sooo...Pink and...Sugary. He loved the way she always...
"Neji." He crashed backwards into a stack of packing.
"Sakura." He couldn't believe how rude she could be, sneaking around and jumping out like a child. "What do you require?" He glared at her.
"What do you mean?" She used her adorable, confused toddler look.
"I mean you attracted my attention, why?"
"Well, Tenten said you may want to say something to me." He went red. Friend his...ankle.
"Err...I was just going to comment on your lack of proper securing on this packing." He motioned at the things he had just knocked over.
"Right, sorry." She began to pick them up. Neji observed, and then bent down to help. "Thanks."
"Hm."
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"It's not working." She handed the binoculars to Kiba.
"Sure it is."
"What? They are picking up boxes, how romantic!" Konohamaru stuck his head in to get a better look.
"Don't worry this is only the beginning of my plans."
"So what's next then?"
"Err..."
"Ha! This requires a woman's touch especially seeing as I had to do your dirty work last time."
"Well?"
"Don't worry; I have thought this one out!"
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He couldn't help but wonder why Tenten had gathered them all together. She began to speak.
"So, we think it would be best if perhaps three of us would go back to the Hokage to report ASAP while the others wait with the luggage. Neji, for safeties sake you should probably stay here" He nodded. "With someone else..."
"Sakura." They all turned towards him, Sakura included. He swore mentally, he should have at least pretended to consider it. "I think it would be better if we stayed in the original groups for err, efficiency." He bit his tongue. That had been smooth. Not.
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They had gone again, leaving her in the presence of her favorite lump of stunningly good looking rock. Alone. Again. The avoiding camp idea was beginning to look promising once more. Picking up her small bag, she executed all of her ninja's stealth and crept behind the tents towards the freedom that the forest held.
"Sakura? Where are you going?" Damn him and his stupid bloodline abilities.
"Uh...a walk."
"Into the forest?"
"Yes..."
"I shall accompany you...incase of another cliff fall..."
"Oh...sure." This had not been the plan. She tried to feel annoyed about him sticking his nose in, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. She glanced at him as they entered the shady trees.
"Don't look at me like that." Oh, he had noticed. So much for inconspicuous.
"What?"
"That blinky, wide eye one."
"This one?' She blinked at him from under her lashes.
"Yes, don't do it." He obviously thought the subject was over with. She didn't.
"Why not?"
"Because it is annoying."
"Why?"
"It irritates me!"
Fine! Do you want me to change my breathing pattern to your liking also?"
"That would be appreciated."
"How dare you? I want answers!"
"You have had them and don't look at me like that either."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"
"That little glarey, pouty thing." She did it again.
"No."
"What?"
"I'm not going to stop."
"I asked you directly to stop!"
"Fine." She stared at him blankly "Stop being a pompous idiot!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Excuse me! I asked you directly to stop!" He glared at her finally figuring out what she was doing. "And don't look at me like that!"
"I'm not looking at you like any thing!"
"Yes you are the narrow, smirky look."
"That is ridiculous."
"Oh, so now it is! What about when you were telling me?"
"It was different."
"How?" She stopped walking and glared at him again with her hands on her hips. He looked like he was about to rip her head off.
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW CUTE YOU LOOK WHEN YOU DO THAT? I NEED YOU TO STOP IT SO I DON'T THROW MYSELF AT YOU OR SOMETHING!" She suffered through the strange sensation of forgetting momentarily, how to breathe.
"Oh...sorry." Now, Neji looked like he would very much like to rip his own head off.
"Uh, no...I'm sorry that was..."
"Don't be." He looked up at her and she smiled coyly. "How about this one?"
Nut2: Ah, that is so close to fluff it's hurting me to write! Not that I don't love fluff but I cannot write it as I have just demonstrated. Still, it's an update!
Thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, faved, added me to a C2 and even put me on alert! I appreciate it especially as this fic got of to a bit of a slow start. So thanks to all of my faithful reviewers from the first few chapters!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.