A Last Request

Written by: Mikami

Warnings: Profanity, sexuality, main character death.

" You're worse than my 96-year old grandmother." Lee grated with a cross of his arms.

" Yeah ? Well, welcome to the world of women." Sakura replied.

Lee sighed, letting his head loll forward in exasperation. Sakura was standing in front of her dresser with a very concentrated look on her face while trying to examine the condition of her skin. At the same time she tried tackling the job of brushing her hair in a hurry.

" You look great—can we go now ?"

" Nope."

Sakura put the brush down, walked right up to Lee and looked at him straight in the eyes.

" Do I have a pimple ?" Then she lifted her chin and pointed to the spot.

A thick eyebrow shot up peculiarly in response. Lee peered closer to inspect the non-existent blemish on Sakura's chin.

" Yes." He quipped. " It's so big and so red it's making me cross-eyed just by staring at it."

The serious expression on Sakura's face faded into an annoyed frown. She stepped back and put her hands on her hips as if having a potential pimple would make the world end.

" Lee, I don't ask you for your opinion so you can joke about it." Retorted Sakura.

" But you're taking so damn long, how would you expect me to react ? Usually if a woman asks you a question and you give her the expected answer, that question will spawn into MORE questions. An easy route for a guy like me would just be to get it over and done with even if it gets the woman angry." Lee shrugged simply.

Sakura scoffed and walked past him. " No wonder you're still single."

" Hey, what is THAT supposed to mean ?"

" You figure it out."

Before both Jounins were out the door, Sakura took a quick moment to glance at her kitchen clock; it was already nine. They were going to be late and she had to admit to herself that Lee was right.

As soon as the front door was locked Lee and Sakura burst into a rapid sprint. The morning was cool from the long week of rain Konoha had. From rooftops dripped cold droplets of water into leftover puddles on the ground far below. There were reports that it was going to rain soon again that evening.

" Tsunade's had the decision for this mission under her belt for awhile. I wonder why it took so long to commence." Lee said, ricocheting off the side of a building.

Sakura sped along a power line. " Territory problems." She replied. " I don't know what all the details are yet but the mission's root is based in the Grass Country near the border of Grass and Rain. Leaf shinobi had permission long ago to tread on Grass land but if the enemy crosses the border into Rain, we'd have additional problems with Rain shinobi and their territorial short tempers……I guess it was hard for Tsunade to get them to cooperate."

" That makes sense." Said Lee. " I never liked dealing with Rain shinobi anyway. Everybody's so defensive and uptight over there, it's no surprise their country is declining."

" That's not nice."

Lee shrugged with a grin. " Yeah, I know."

Sakura shook her head, unable to hide the chuckle that escaped her mouth. She increased her speed to catch up with Lee as he took the lead. In no time they arrived at the assembly hall, which was situated next to the Hokage's tower. Just as they landed, Shikamaru acknowledged them by shaking his head and pointing to the clock. It was five after nine and Tsunade and her council affiliates were seated at the head table.

Upon entering, Sakura expected to see a whole congregation of Jounins for selection and notification of the mission. However, she was mistaken when she only saw the faces of Naruto, Tenten, Shikamaru and Neji. Counting her and Lee, it made six in total. Lee hurried over to Naruto who sat in the closest row to the head table, leaving Sakura near the back.

" You certainly took your time." Neji reproached her disapprovingly.

Sakura replied, " We haven't even started yet."

" That's because we were waiting for YOU. There's no excuse for being late……unacceptable."

Her mouth opened in alarm as Neji turned away with a cold expression of displeasure. A surge of anger came from an unknown source inside Sakura as she glowered at him.

" Well, I'm sorry." She said, although almost nothing in her tone conveyed regret.

" There's no such time for an apology, especially if this were a battlefield."

Her blood began to boil under her skin. Instead of watching Neji walk away, Sakura pursed her lips angrily and caught up with his brisk pace.

" Excuse me, but what is your problem ?" she asked a little acidly.

" I don't answer stupid questions twice, but in your case I'm forced to make an exception." Neji snapped. " You're late and by definition that means MY squad lacks discipline."

And before Sakura could comprehend anything further, Neji departed and sat at the front. She slumped heavily to the floor, caught between a frown and a long, hard glare at Neji's back. A hot and angry sensation burned Sakura's eyes as Tsunade called the meeting to order.

For the past two weeks she'd been pitted against Neji's cold disposition. Ever since the night of the storm when she stayed over at the Bunke residence, it had been a roller coaster ride from bliss to upsetting. The following morning, Sakura woke up early and found him in the back garden sharpening his katana. Hyuga Neji made no indication about the other night or the kiss he had given her. It was as if nothing happened and nothing had changed in their relationship.

During the two weeks, Neji treated her as he generally did but lately he seemed callous and more cynical than usual.

The burning sensation of her eyelids was moistening and Sakura blinked furiously to get rid of it as faulty images of Neji's kiss flashed in her head. His icy demeanor was getting to her and Sakura wasn't handling it the way she wanted.

" Now that we're all here we can start by outlining the detailed mission from one of Konoha's most important clients." Tsunade said with folded hands. " Murase Shigeko, economy businessman and Ambassador of Grass Village to Konoha's Alliance has sent in a request for assistance. An important document has been stolen by a renegade group of radicals who posed as guardians to that document. The contents enclose the Grass Country's entire defense system—from sentry towers at the country's borders to the very last hidden trap. Since it has fallen into enemy hands, Grass is in its most vulnerable state of attack."

" The mission's objective is to retrieve the document in its entirety. There's been word that the radicals have both separated the scroll's contents and have been making copies for distribution to Grass's potential enemies. The original document is to be returned to Shigeko and all copies destroyed." Said one of the Hokage's council members.

Tsunade continued, " The radical settlement has been located in the forests that skirt the borders between Grass and Rain. I've already taken care of Konoha's safe passage through Rain so there's nothing to worry about if the enemy takes flight to the west."

The Fifth Hokage pulled out a hand-sized scroll and tossed it to the person closest to her. " This contains information gathered from surveillance of the forest area. For this mission I've appointed Hyuga Neji as a Jounin squad leader and not an Anbu. Also for reasons a squad chosen specifically by me is why only six of you are present. A small number is necessary to refrain from drawing attention to the heist. Move with stealth, exterminate with silence and speed."

Naruto looked excited with the concept of the mission. It sounded dangerous and difficult. The only problem was that it was meant to be a stealth mission—meaning the enemy party was not supposed to suspect the capture of the document—and Naruto rather would have liked to be apart of an open combat mission as an alternative. Nonetheless, whenever there was an opportunity to risk his life, he'd take it.

" Questions ?" Tsunade asked.

Shikamaru's hand shot up. " Is there a solid guarantee of no interference from Rain ?"

" Yes. Temporary passes were issued and I'll be distributing them shortly. Dealing with Rain has been a pain in my ass for too long…" Tsunade added with a grumble.

There was a long pause before the last hand came up. A bandaged right hand.

" Hokage-sama," spoke Neji in a formal tone. " Given the dangerous aspect of this mission concerning the squad, is there any possibility that you will allow me a team of five instead of six ? Less numbers heightens stealth."

Although Neji's back was turned to Sakura, he didn't have to look at her to let her know what his true intentions were. A whirlwind of fury erupted inside the petal-haired Jounin, making her fists clench so tightly they shook at her sides. Crescent moon wounds appeared on her palms, drawing blood from the anger she felt. Sakura wasn't stupid; she knew whom Neji was planning to cut from the squad if Tsunade let him.

Less numbers heightens stealth……the shittiest excuse that penetrated Sakura's ears……even though a fraction of it might have been true. There were more chances of not being revealed by the enemy with less numbers.

Sakura was about to protest angrily to Neji's proposal when Tsunade held up a hand.

" As good as your intentions might be Neji, I'm afraid I can't allow it. A squad of six is enough to not be discovered but at the same time if found out, it will be sufficient to fight in order to make a clean escape. All of this is possible if done well." Tsunade articulated.

The Hyuga nodded in obedience.

" Are we clear ?" The Hokage said.

" Crystal." Neji replied in a dry tone.

" Alright then, your team is to be dispatched tomorrow morning. Dismissed."

The council members disbanded and walked their separate ways as the squad of six stood up to examine their teammates. One of Tsunade's affiliates handed Lee the stack of passes to distribute, then disappeared with the others.

Sakura eyed Neji spitefully as he put a quick hand on Shikamaru's shoulder saying, " We'll discuss squad formation later on when we have better analysis of the area and its elements. Circulate the news; I have something else to take care of right now."

He didn't give her so much as a glance, sweeping by her and out the door. Sakura winced; the stab from Neji's formality made her more angry and hurt than the past two weeks combined.

What if she HAD fallen asleep on that night and his kiss was nothing but a dream ? A personal dream that pushed her to the very edge. Maybe she wanted him too much so she'd finally become delusional on what was real or not. Neji's real display of conduct toward made her feel like an utter fool.

Sakura didn't need to stay longer; she was anxious to get some fresh air. Her head was a mess and it needed to be emptied badly before it exploded. Just then a hand shot out and pulled her by the wrist. She looked into the worried yet bright face of Tenten.

" Hey, are you alright ?" The brunette asked, concerned.

" I……I don't know, " was all Sakura could muster. Her hands were quaking with stress as she raked them roughly through her long hair.

" Let's go take a walk. You okay with that ?"

Sakura nodded numbly and allowed herself to be led into town.

The two women didn't talk for a while; Sakura was merely content with the silence and her friend's company. She also felt better avoiding the subject of what was ailing her. When Tenten offered to buy her a ramen special at Ichiraku, Sakura couldn't refuse. At least eating away the troubles was considered temporary bliss.

When Sakura settled for a small order, Tenten established that there was absolutely no excuse her friend could possibly come up with for feeling lower than the ground. Putting her chopsticks down, she put her hands together and peered at Sakura closely.

" Okay, what's wrong ? And try to refrain from lying, it doesn't work." Tenten said.

Sakura forced a smile, turning it into a grit of her teeth. " Do you know what the hell is wrong with Neji ? After two years of spending time in his company, training my ass off to get up to par with him, you'd think that maybe, just MAYBE, I'd get some respect ? Obviously not because guess what kiddies, Haruno Sakura is wrong AGAIN."

And the rage continued. Tenten sat quietly sipping her soup with a good ear to Sakura's rants about her long time teammate. She began to wonder if Sakura would stop talking and start to breathe.

When the last complaint about the pokerfaced Hyuga escaped Sakura's mouth, Tenten sat back with a full stomach. She paid the fee with a carefree gesture and then turned toward her disconcerted friend.

" You know what ?" The brunette started simply.

" What ?" Sakura couldn't stop herself from snapping.

Tenten gave her a tiny smirk. " I think you've been in love with him much longer than you think."

Like Chouji pulling the Meat Tank technique and striking her dead on, Sakura's eyes widened considerably.

" I……what ?…" Her voice had quieted down into a whisper of an alarmed child being back into a corner.

" Oh, don't give me that." Tenten said wryly. " When did you become conscious to the fact that Neji was a man and not only a shinobi ?"

" I……don't know." Sakura buried her hands in her hair and held her head in strain.

" Look, I've known him for the long time. Even if he has the tendency to be a cold, arrogant, pigheaded bastard of a ninja, he's still just a man. And might I add, a man at level with Sasuke in looks."

Sakura huffed, " Looking attractive isn't the same thing as being considerate."

" Oh, I see. So you admit that you find him attractive ?"

" No—yes, I mean no. I don't know what I mean."

The sly grin on Tenten's face made her flush. Until now, Sakura had never explored her lukewarm feelings about Neji with anyone before. Not that they were lukewarm anymore either……

" Sakura," Tenten said. " When we were younger, I always thought I would be the one to end up with Neji. It seemed convenient since we were in the same team. He always used to give me this kind of look; a look he would only give to a comrade or a partner. Over the years that look never changed and I had to move on. I wasn't a masochist. There hasn't really been a woman in this world that could turn his head but……I think you've hit it dead on."

" As much as I appreciate your in-depth analysis," said Sakura dispiritedly. " I don't take Neji's attitude of being inconsiderate toward me as a display of affection. Everything is SO one-sided with him, it's almost amazing that he has people that still care if he exists."

Tenten chuckled softly, " Well, it takes a bit of effort to look underneath. I think Neji may feel something……and it scares him. The greater it feels, the further he backs away from you. Maybe you should tell him how you feel."

" No. That's out of the question."

" And why is that ?"

Sakura rubbed her temple. " Because……you said it yourself. All he'll do is back away."

Tenten shook her head. " I didn't say that you could use my words as an excuse. Just ask yourself these questions; do you want him ? Do you need him ?"

Can I love him as much as I loved Sasuke…… The last question whispered inside Sakura's mind.

" Think about it." The brunette said, pointing a finger at her. " Don't let it drag on. When we get back from the Grass mission, you should have decided."

Glancing down at the few noodles swirling in her soup, Sakura saw Tenten's fingers come down and pass her the money for her order.

" Good thing you didn't eat much, I was worried I didn't have enough." Said Tenten with a renewed smile before leaving.

But Sakura was too distracted to hear.

It turned out that another cool morning was ahead of them. Sunrise had not yet begun since it was five o'clock when the team assembled at the front gate of the village. The rains scattered their early mists, leaving Konoha to look like the Water Country's Mist village.

The team was traveling light, caring small packs of equipment and basic amounts of food. Their destination was only a few hours away of travel and since the mission was to be done quickly with stealth, making camp and staying longer than necessary on enemy area wasn't needed.

Sakura arrived with Naruto, finding Lee, Shikamaru and Neji already there. Tenten appeared a few seconds later, supplying the group with the max quantity of weaponry they could carry.

After Lee and Tenten ran the equipment check, Neji gathered the group to view the information they had so far. Rolling out the scroll, he outlined the vicinity of the enemy settlement on the map with his finger.

" This collection of data was taken about a week ago, therefore expecting a significant change in the enemy camp's arrangement of defenses isn't one of the first priorities. But what is," Neji said, " Is how far they've gone in preparing what defenses they have."

Shikamaru looked down at the red marks that charted the detection agents. " The enemy party isn't very big, hence the small size of space in the forest which they've chosen to occupy. They've been moving around from place to place frequently; as a result their defenses may be low."

" We have more of an upper hand anyway," Lee added. " Shigeko's personal forces put a halt to their pursuit when Konoha was called to aid. It's possible the enemy is taking it for granted that they can lower defenses since there's nobody left on their tail."

Sakura glanced at Lee and shook her head. " We shouldn't make any assumptions. Shigeko's withdrawal of his shinobi may also cause the enemy to heighten their defenses. They might have taken it as a sign that Shigeko will ask aid from a third party—us."

" This is the area where the document is allegedly located. We should expect the security to be a little tighter. Guards and traps; the works." Said Tenten, her finger circling black marks near a region of trees.

" Since this is to be a stealth mission," Neji continued, " The team will split into two sub-teams: Alpha, consisting of Lee, Shikamaru and myself, and Beta, Naruto, Tenten and Sakura. Only three are necessary to capture the document without causing too much of a scene—something we should still avoid nonetheless."

The Hyuga turned to Shikamaru, gesturing slightly for him to convey the remainder of the squad configuration to the rest of the group.

Shikamaru nodded, " Alpha is going to be our dispatch and capture team. Since Neji operates as navigator, the byakugan will be useful in pinpointing the security, visible or obscured, surrounding the stronghold. If Alpha causes commotion in any way, I'll be able to subdue them with the kagemane. If that still isn't enough time to secure the document, Alpha's final line of defense is Lee."

Looking across the group, Shikamaru wasn't surprised to see Naruto with a sour look on his face. He sighed heavily, knowing what was coming next.

" If you tell me that group Beta stands around like a bunch of assholes, I quit." Naruto stood back and crossed his arms.

" I was just about to get there." Shikamaru rolled his eyes in a grouchy manner. " Naruto, your team steadies the entire team's escape from enemy territory. In case further security is alerted on the outside, Beta will act as decoy and distract the enemy into the opposite direction, making for a cleaner getaway. Kage bunshin will be more than helpful in that situation."

Reaching into his pouch, Neji pulled out five, tiny, disk-like objects and distributed one to each member of the team.

" We'll be communicating with each other with these earpieces. They're going to be kept on at all times so there's no excuse for anybody to be anywhere they shouldn't be." he said.

" What if the information on the scroll is off ?" Sakura asked Shikamaru. " We shouldn't take it for granted that the scroll is in one place. Did you take a good look at the landscape ?"

Sakura pointed to a bunch of jagged lines that referred to a rock wall near the camp.

" What does that have to do with anything ?" questioned Naruto.

" Supposedly there are a few more tents around this area and it could very well be there." She said.

" We have a stealth mission. One way or another, timing is always going to be against us." Neji said to her tersely. " And what exactly do you propose ? That we stroll in and out of each of those tents ?"

" You KNOW I didn't mean it that way." Sakura's voice became like venom. " If the information is wrong, Beta is going to be forced toward alternative means. If Alpha reaches a dud in the so-called location, we can't waste any more time by looking after your asses. One or two of us will have to take on the task of getting to those other tents if you don't find anything in the said-whereabouts."

Neji's eyes narrowed in confrontation, " Beta is NOT splitting up. Since there was already a high percentage of chance that the scroll was kept in that place, we'll need Beta for coverage. Breaking the decoy and backup team guarantees the suicide of the squad."

" How can you be so sure of everything ?" Sakura didn't realize that she was snapping. " You could be wrong."

All of a sudden, the presence of the others faded away as the hostility became more prominent in the eyes of both Neji and Sakura.

" And if I'm not and you so much as take a single step outside of the mission plan, I'll deal with your penalty personally." He said to her severely with a harsh, acid edge.

He spoke to her like a regular Jounin captain but there was something more forceful behind his words and Sakura couldn't tolerate it. Without thinking, she rushed blindly into argument.

" As soon as I get conformation from either Lee or Shikamaru about the incorrect position of the document, I'm going to head out and I don't give a rat's ass whether or not you approve. It could be the difference between completing the mission or failing."

" Don't make me repeat myself." Neji's voice was now a low, menacing growl. " I'll make sure of it that you know your place."

" Don't you dare threaten me, Neji." Sakura replied viciously. " Touch me and I'll—"

" Enough !" Tenten slammed a hand on the area map. " Both of you, PLEASE, this really isn't the time ! We obviously have something more important on our hands so will you do everybody a grand favor and be civil for the next forty-eight hours ?"

The brunette glanced back and forth between Neji's cold expression and Sakura's hostile facade. A few tense and angry seconds flew by until Neji finally stood up and fetched his equipment.

" Move out." He said soullessly, void of any emotion.

Lee looked at Sakura who had her eyes closed in strain. Naruto and Shikamaru also picked up their equipment, trying to give her an encouraging gaze.

" Come on Sakura, let's go." Said Lee quietly with a hand on her shoulder.

Sakura nodded stiffly, fighting off the large lump in her throat. Her eyes avoided Neji's back as she shot her exasperated glare into the ground below. Things between her and Neji weren't getting better, they were only getting worse.