Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me

Ahhh, I've been watching Yakitate! Japan lately and it's FANTASTIC! Been going through so much bread in real life while watching it that, when combined with all the time I spend sitting in front of the computer, sitting front of the TV, sitting in front of my desk studying...I'm sooo going to gain like 20 pounds by the end of the school year. AND IT'LL BE WORTH IT!

lol...I take that back.

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Chapter 3

Squinting under the glare of the late afternoon sun, Ino yanked her arm away, scowling at the broad back of the boy striding ahead in front of her.

"Dammit, Neji! What was that for?"

He made no response, seemingly uncaring about whether or not she was following after him as he made his way through the village and towards the forest. Villagers scurried out of the way, well aware that it was a bad idea to annoy this particular Hyuuga. A young boy stopped dead in his tracks as the two of them passed by, his mouth dropping open as he eagerly pointed out the Jounin to his companions.

Ino caught up to him, resisting the urge to just stomp off in the opposite direction.

"Hey! Stop ignoring me, Hyuuga! I was talking to my friends; don't you know that it's rude to just pull me away like that?"

"It's rude to talk the way you did."

Blinking in confusion, the girl frowned. She found herself picking up the pace, evidence that he was speeding up as if in a hurry to get away from here.

From her.

"What do you mean, the way I talked? I didn't say anything bad. And would you slow down? What, is there a fire or something?"

By this time, they were climbing the hill overlooking the village and leading up to the clearing where they usually did their training. She grimaced as the dirt squished muddily under her feet. It had been raining constantly over the past week, the air uncomfortably heavy despite the heat.

Ino paused under the shadow of a tree as the Hyuuga adopted his meditative pose, slipping into a state of intense concentration before beginning a series of low-level chakra control techniques. Sighing as he completely ignored her, she perched on a fallen branch nearby.

Apparently this was going to be one of the bad days.

"Did you just bring me here to watch you? I have better things to do, you know."

"Leave then."

He did not even bother to look over at her as he streamlined flawlessly into practicing one of his attacks. The chakra crackled tangibly around him as limbs flew in a flurry of motion. As always, it was as graceful as it was powerful.

Ino's hands fisted in anger. Why did he even bother coming to find her when all he intended to do was ignore her! There was no way she was going to play the role of a simpering fan-girl used to satisfy an insufferable ego again.

Jumping to her feet, she hurled a kunai at him, deliberately aiming for his groin. Unsurprisingly, Neji deflected it easily, barely breaking out of his routine.

"What's your problem anyways? You seemed okay before. If being around me pisses you off so much, then just stop training with me! Nobody forced you to in the first place!"

"Fine."

Leaves rained down around him as a chakra-loaded palm slammed into a tree. Each falling leaf was sliced neatly in half as the Hyuuga manipulated the threads of blue energy streaming out of various chakra points on his body. There were dark circles under his eyes, stark against the pale skin. The grim set of his jaw merely accented the general air of over-coiled tension.

He looked awful. Or at least, awful for Hyuuga Neji.

Ino stood motionless, unflinching when several destroyed leaves flew into her face. Her mind whirled back to her musings just a while ago.

Maybe it isn't worth it.

"Fine."

And with that, she turned on her heel and walked away from him.

-o-O-o-

"Ino-chan!"

She looked up to see the blond waving enthusiastically from his stool at Ichiraku, pieces of ramen still dangling from his mouth as he swiveled around to face her. Naruto slurped up the noodles, gesturing for her to come over. Shikamaru nodded lazily at her, yawning openly as she sat down next to him.

"Hey, guys. What are you doing here?"

Her old friend slanted her a sideways glance at the forced cheerfulness in her voice. He knew her as well as the sky he spent so much time staring up at, perhaps even better than she knew herself. Waving off her thanks as he ordered her a tonkatsu ramen, her favourite, Shikamaru tapped his cup as the boy on his left chattered away loudly.

"We just got back this morning from a mission! Obaa-chan sent us all the way to Wind this time; got it done of course but man, am I glad to be back again! Can you believe that they actually don't have ramen there? Only some other sort of noodles that doesn't taste the same but Shikamaru here keeps saying is their specialty or something…"

"Somen, baka."

"Right, right. Sounds kind of the same but doesn't taste anything like Onee-chan's here!"

The young female cook smiled as the boy stopped momentarily to suck down the rest of his soup. Happily attacking a fresh bowl, Naruto continued his commentary.

"Yeah well, we escorted the ambassador back with no problems…besides a couple of attackers along the way but they were no big deal. I wanted to come back here right away but Neji wouldn't let us. Something about it being respectful to pay our wishes as representatives of another country when there's a funeral."

"Oh, right. Neji was with you guys too."

"Yeah."

Ino could feel Shikamaru's speculative gaze on her as she poked despondently at a piece of pork. The wonderfully fragrant aroma wafted up enticingly but she wasn't really hungry.

"He's back, you know."

"I know."

The two friends spoke quietly as Naruto continued to drone on about his latest exploits in the background. He waited for her to open up to him, patient and solid as he gave her the strength and courage to do so merely by being there next to her. She missed this; Shikamaru had become Konoha's head tactical strategist and was often called away to discuss political issues in addition to his regular duties as a shinobi.

Ino sighed.

"Ne, Shikamaru…"

"Huh?"

"How come you would sometimes ignore me when we were younger? Am I really that annoying?"

A dark eyebrow lifted as assessing eyes took in the way she was slumped in her seat. The Ino he knew was vibrant and strong, the very personification of the village they devoted their lives to protect. It was unsettling to see her this way.

"Sometimes."

Shikamaru braced himself for the expected whack but was surprised when it never came. This was more serious than he had thought.

"But not always. What's going on, Ino?"

"Just wondering."

Placing some noodles obediently in her mouth as the owner gave her untouched bowl a slightly hurt look, Ino nearly choked when a brisk tap on the head almost sent her pitching face-first into her food.

"Shikamaru!"

Shrugging, the boy in question smirked at her enraged expression.

"Good, you've stopped sulking. Now start talking."

Muttering something unflattering about good-for-nothing lazy bums who had the temerity to turn bossy, Ino huffed.

"Geez. You're just like Neji, you know. These mood swings are a pain in the ass."

"Ah, so this is about Neji, is it?"

Lucky for him, Ino chose not to pay any attention to the knowing chuckle he sent her as he easily pieced it all together. A tanned, cheeky face popped up over his shoulder, having been interrupted in his monologue by her yell.

"What's about Neji? Is he feeling better now?"

The odd question gave her pause.

"What do you mean 'is he feeling better'? Did he get injured? I thought you said the mission went smoothly."

"Yeah, it was easy. It was the funeral at the end."

Naruto's expression grew serious, his playful demeanor disappearing and leaving him looking older. The boy had grown up a lot in the past few years, maturing in both abilities and attitude ever since Uchiha Sasuke's deflection and ultimate death. They had grown used to his disturbing tendency to slip in and out between his former persona and this new Naruto who acted and looked as though he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. In that respect, Sakura was good for him, more often than not the only one able to break him out of his moods.

Ino's chopsticks hovered in mid-air, forgotten in their ascent as she stared back and forth between the two males.

"What happened?"

"The funeral. Of one of the Wind shinobi. We attended it just before we returned."

This time it was Shikamaru who spoke up.

The memory was obviously fresh in his mind and Ino could easily imagine it. They had been to a number of them themselves. None of their gang fortunately but Kurenai-sensei had been lost just last year. The ANBU had brought her body back, the bones sticking out of ripped and bloodied flesh in a grotesque display of death. The trademark crimson eyes had still been open, bloodshot and cloudy as they stared out unseeingly before the medic-nins had quickly placed a cloth over her face.

Ino could still remember with painful clarity the stunned looks of horror on Team 8's face as they stood stiffly at their old sensei's funeral. It had been cloudy that day, cold and grey like it always seemed to be whenever they gathered together in mourning. There were no tears, no outward expressions of grief and that just made it seem worse.

Asuma-sensei had never been the same since.

"Did you know him?"

Shikamaru shook his head, pushing his own bowl away as he leaned against the counter.

"It seemed to hit Neji hard though for some reason. He was quiet all the way back."

"He didn't sleep."

Naruto had sat back down and was now simply staring at the wall. He shook himself when Shikamaru elbowed him, seeming to have recovered from his temporary funk although his voice was still comparatively quiet.

"Neji. I knew he was awake most of the time. He's barely slept for the past three days."

"He said something about going to find you the minute we left the Godaime's office. Did you see him?"

Ino nodded slowly, her stomach turning as she digested the news. Shikamaru was watching her narrowly again, a tanned hand lifting to squeeze her briefly on the shoulder.

"Yeah, you're troublesome but so is Neji. And like you, he probably doesn't mean to be."

Smiling tremulously at his kindness, Ino stood up, rummaging in her pocket for some money. Again, he waved her off.

"Consider it thanks that he's the one who has to deal with you now."

A groan sounded from the boy as he rubbed his arm ruefully. She laughed, spirits lifted.

"Then consider that as punishment for what you said earlier! And Shika?"

He peered cautiously at her. Bright blue eyes twinkled in affection.

"Thank you."

Calling out a goodbye to Naruto as she ducked out of the shop, Ino leapt swiftly up onto the nearest rooftop and headed back towards the forest again.

Dusk was fast approaching when she arrived in their training area, the fading rays of sunlight casting long shadows over the empty clearing. Ino stepped over some broken pieces of wood, the general destruction screaming of the previous occupier's unrestrained attacks.

Neji was nowhere in sight.

Frowning as she fingered a slightly charred handprint embedded in a tree trunk, Ino strained to think where he was.

It was too early for him to head back home and somehow, she doubted that he was in the mood to be cooped up for the night already. It was dinner time and since he had come to find her immediately after returning from their debriefing this afternoon, it was likely that he had not eaten anything all day.

"The funeral…it seemed to hit Neji hard for some reason."

He was probably there.

Sighing heavily, Ino made her way to the memorial stone on the edge of the village. She had no idea what she planned on saying. It irked her to think that she should apologize when he was the one who had been a jerk but fighting with him right now was not really a viable option.

Sure enough, she found him.

Standing silently in front of the large black stone engraved with the names of numerous Konoha shinobi who had given their lives for their village, the Hyuuga was alone. His lean body was bathed in the orange tints splashed across the sky, as glorious as a gilded statute gracing the deceptively tranquil scene.

His back stiffened when Ino drew closer.

Neither of them said anything when she came to stand beside him, staring down at the long list. Uchiha Sasuke's name was not present. He had been considered a missing nin and even though many villagers had felt uneasy about leaving off the name of the last of the Uchiha clan, there was no changing the fact that traitors were not included. Surprisingly enough, Naruto had not objected, his darkened blue eyes unreadable when the decision had been announced.

Neji was the first to speak.

"There's still room left."

His voice was expressionless, as cool and unfeeling as the stone in front of them.

"Yeah."

Ino turned to him. He was facing away from the sun, his face shadowed. She offered the first thing that came to mind.

"Train with me, Neji?"

Silence.

He nodded, sharply moving past her and into the trees surrounding the site. His loosely bound hair brushed against her bare arm as it swayed against his back. Following him wordlessly, Ino barely had time to brace herself for impact when a fierce blow left her staggering backwards.

This is getting so old.

Ducking under an arcing arm, she hurled herself towards him, aiming a hard kick at his midsection. Neji swiveled, his palm grazing the side of her throat in warning before he delivered a bruising hit to the upper arm.

"You'd be dead by now. Concentrate!"

"Worry about yourself, Hyuuga!"

Hurling several shurikan at his chest in quick succession, Ino dropped and whirled, hooking her foot neatly around his ankle and jerking him off balance. The boy somersaulted back and landed calmly on his feet, his eyes narrowing in acknowledgment before launching a fresh attack.

They continued like this until the sky had turned a velvety black, the night air chilling the perspiration soaking their bodies as the forest grew noisy with its curious inhabitants. Their sounds of harsh panting were met with a few loud hoots as a massive owl propelled itself from a watching tree, its wings flapping rhythmically as it glided above the two shinobi collapsed on the grass.

"E-enough, Neji. I can't move anymore."

Ino turned her head to peer imploringly at the form leaning heavily against a tree. Every muscle in her body screamed in protest at the movement, her clothes splattered with mud and various other cuts as she lay there in complete exhaustion.

"Hn."

She took his grunt as assent, closing her eyes thankfully as she heaved in some much needed air to her lungs. They rested like this for a long while, each lost in their own thoughts.

"I'm sorry."

As before, the words came out quietly and Ino found that they really weren't that hard to say after all. Not when they were like this. Neji raised his head to look at her, making no reply but simply staring as she sprawled out in a tangle of limbs and messy blonde hair.

"I hurt you."

He was referring to the scrapes visible on her body, the bruise on her bare arm already turning a murky yellow colour. She dismissed it off-handedly.

"Nah."

A cricket sounded in the distance, soon joined by a chorus of creaking insects. Ino shuddered at the thought of them climbing on her, but found herself too weary to even move out of the way.

Ugh, I'm going to feel like crap tomorrow.

There was a rustle and strong arms wrapped under her shoulders and knees, lifting her up easily in a smooth motion.

"What?"

Ino opened her eyes, blinking in confusion as she stared up into the face of one Hyuuga Neji. He was carrying her in his arms, his body warm against her side as they made their way out of the woods.

"Uh…Neji, you don't have to do this! You've got to be tired too. I can walk, really!"

A raised eyebrow met her flustered cry, the boy simply shifting her in his arms to rearrange her weight. Opening her mouth to protest some more, Ino changed her mind when an experimental flex of her right calf sent a burning twinge through her entire leg.

"Ow!"

"Stop moving around. You should soak in warm water for at least an hour when you get home."

His tone was brisk but his hold was gentle. Giving up, Ino mumbled her thanks and dropped her head against his shoulder. The scent of him surrounded her senses and she closed her eyes again. He smelled like incense, the rich masculine tones unusually soothing and lulling her sleep.

"Why did you do this?"

The question rumbled up from deep within his chest, the vibration and sound urging her to stay awake.

"Hmm? Do what?"

"This. Become a shinobi."

There were many reasons, all of them presenting themselves in her mind at the same time. But Ino knew he was looking for something in particular. What it was, she wasn't sure. But knowing Neji, he would not have asked unless it was important.

"Lots of reasons. My dad; I admire him for his strength, his dedication. For who he is and how much he loves Konoha. For my friends; I want to protect them. I want to become strong for them."

"You're naming the people you know. They're already shinobi. They're in the same situation."

She looked up at him, his face staring straight ahead as they approached the village.

"Yeah, so?"

"What about the villagers? The whole reason shinobi exist are to protect the village, the people who can't protect themselves. They don't know what we do; they don't know what we give up. All those names on the memorial stone, all those people who died for Konoha…the villagers don't even know who most of them are."

His voice was laced with bitterness, the muscles tense against her body. Ino turned his words over in her head. She wouldn't be surprised if he was thinking about his father again, the life-long feud against the Main Family having abated over the years but the old wounds still painful.

It was true, everything he said. They would leave on missions and the only people to see them off were either their families or friends. They would return from missions, the only people to greet or mourn with them the guards at the gate and the Hokage. They would be training day in and day out, their bodies bloodied and worn but the only people who noticed were their teammates. Everyone else lived their lives peacefully, blissfully unaware of the cost it took to grant them this peace.

But at the same time, Ino also knew that he was wrong.

Images of the customers who came to her shop flitted through her mind. They would joke with her, complimenting her on her accomplishments and never hesitating to express their admiration for her duty. There was the plump lady from the dango shop down the street from her house, who always had a table available for the kunoichi who gathered there every Sunday afternoon. And then there was the old man who ran Ichiraku. Naruto had boasted on more than one occasion that he often got a free meal the night before he had to leave on another mission.

"No."

Neji glanced down at her, his pale eyes meeting the determined gleam in her blue ones.

"They care. They might not understand, but that doesn't mean that they don't care. We're a part of them as much as they are a part of the village. I didn't become a shinobi because I wanted their thanks; I became one because I love them. Because I love Konoha."

He had stopped walking, his attention focused intensely on her as she tried to express her thoughts coherently. Luckily, the streets were empty at this hour. Ino could well imagine that they made quite a sight with her curled up comfortably in the arms of the Hyuuga prodigy while he stared down at her in complete concentration.

Sakura would have had a field day.

"You said there's still room on the stone. You're right. There's still room because there's still people who love Konoha. And there always will be."

His arms tightened around her. Ino's breath caught as he pressed her forcefully against his chest, the steady thump of his heart sounding directly in her ear. An odd fluttering feeling started in her stomach when he rested his head briefly on top of hers, the strong column of his throat inches away from her mouth.

"N-Neji?"

His grip loosened immediately and Ino found herself instantly missing the comforting warmth that had seemed to encompass her a few seconds ago. His head raised sharply as he began walking again.

The hell?

The loose ends of his forehead band tickled her nose as they approached her house. Bending slightly, he lowered her to her feet, keeping a firm hand on her back when she wobbled precariously on tired legs.

"Thanks for bringing me home. You really didn't have to."

"It's fine."

Stepping back, he stood on the steps as she managed to open the door. Pushing away the disturbing breathless sensation threatening to bubble up in her throat, Ino turned back to say goodnight.

He was watching her, the mussed up clothes doing nothing to detract from his aristocratic appearance. Ino was bemused to see that the tensed creases around his mouth had smoothed out, although the bags under his eyes were still clearly visible. She voiced her early thoughts.

"You should really get some sleep. You look awful."

He didn't deign to reply, although she doubted she really wanted to engage in one of their insult contests this late at night. Neji spoke just as she was stepping into the house.

"Meet me on the hill on the east side of the village tomorrow night."

She groaned loudly, exasperated enough by his demand and his tone of voice to start complaining again.

"No way, Neji! I can barely move right now; there's just no way I'm training with you tomorrow! In fact, I'd be lucky if I can get out of bed."

He smirked.

"I told you to go soak in warm water. And it's not training. Just meet me there."

She wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed at the moment but the Hyuuga was clearly not going to leave until she said yes. Pouting, Ino nodded wearily and he disappeared off into the night. Closing the door, she dragged herself up the stairs, wincing at every step.

The things I do to make him happy! If it's more training tomorrow, I'm so going to kill him.

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A/N: Hmm, that took a different turn from what I expected. And will someone please PLEASE stop all those filler episodes in Naruto? It's driving me nuts and I actually had to go back and watch the Sasuke retrieval arc just to get into the mood for writing. ...sighs...Neji is so beautiful during that fight.

Next update coming in a week. Thanks for reading and please do review!