Sakura checked her watch and glanced up at the building looming up in front of her. The Hokage had requested her presence that morning and Neji was accompanying her incase the paparazzi got aggressive again.
"We're early." She informed him as they entered. He appeared to be in a bad mood and didn't answer her. She didn't press the matter, not wanting to aggravate him any further. The made there way to a small waiting room and seated themselves. Sakura turned her attention back to her grumpy escort. His own attention was focused on the wall opposite them.
"Neji, you don't have to worry, he'll be fine." She guessed he was wondering how Pinky was going being home alone for the first time.
"What are you talking about woman?" He hissed in such a way that Sakura couldn't help but get the impression he didn't want an answer. She continued anyway.
"Don't you ever call me 'woman' again and you shouldn't worry about Pinky."
"Of course, it's the damn squirrel." He didn't look at her as he said this; rather, he informed the stack of magazines beside him.
"Neji!" She pulled at his shoulder and when he resisted, she moved seats so she was in front of him again. "Stop being a pig! What is wrong with you?"
"Why aren't you worried? What do you think the paper says today? 'CLAN NAME SCORNED: Hyuuga prodigy caught canoodling with pink haired mystery girl in Public Park!'" He waved his hands frantically as he expressed this. She stared at him incredulously.
"That's it? You're worried about your title as head stick-in-the-mud being removed?"
"No I'm worried about my family disowning me!"
"You're being ridiculous."
"Sakura, you met my family, you know how they...are." He finished lamely. She sighed and began to answer when a hand clasped her side and she was dragged and squashed against Neji who was receiving the same treatment.
"Young love and spring time squabbles! Beautiful!" She tried to point out that it was autumn but he started up again, releasing them and slapping his hand to his forehead dramatically. "Now my saplings, don't quarrel here and save your enthusiasm for later!" He grinned and winked at them. Ew. So this was the reasoning behind the pained expression Neji assumed when she mentioned his old team. At least, him and-
"NEJI! GREETINGS!" 'Him' junior who was currently saluting in Neji's general direction. "And Sakura your beauty surpasses even that from which your name is." He took her hand. Gag/wretch. Okay, so he was hard working and admirable etc but...
"Lee!" To her shock, Gai forcibly dragged Lee away and slapped him several times. "Don't lose your honour in the face of such sweet distraction!" Lee was beginning to cry. She clasped at Neji feeling terrified. His face remained impassive.
"Sensei! I don't understand!"
"You must not execute your charms upon women who are already engaged in romantic affairs. It's unfair for their other suitor to have to compete with what I have taught you." Lee turned to her hopelessly.
"But Sakura isn't..." He looked at Neji "Why are you here together...You are...Naruto said you...Neji! My eternal rival! You have defeated me again!" He broke free of Gai's grip. "If you have seduced sweet Sakura only to spite me, then I insist we battle properly outside!" Sakura almost snorted at the thought of Neji trying to seduce anyone.
"Lee, stop now! He may be your rival but he was your team mate also! Do you believe he would stoop so low as to involve an innocent doe in your battles?" Gai stated solemnly while shaking his finger at Lee.
"You're correct Sensei. I'm not yet to attain your level of wisdom, please, Neji, Sakura, forgive my foolishness." They both nodded and the green suited men sat opposite them. "I'm here for my check-up! The Hokage wants to make sure my legs aren't going to cause further troubles. Sensei is volunteering moral support for me." Gai nodded.
"They are healed but yet to obtain there full youthful capacity." Lee looked up at them again and smiled.
"Sakura, has Neji been treating you with the respect and passion you deserve?"
"Err..." She glanced at Neji, then back at Lee, "Yes...Yes he has." She said in a sarcastic tone before coughing. She didn't miss Neji's glare but Lee didn't take any notice.
"He should, Sensei always taught us the importance of taking pride in our youth and love. But we must always remember to always remain joyful and alwaysenjoy the spring of our lives." He glanced at his mentor before they both nodded sagely. Thankfully for Sakura, at that moment Shizune entered and beckoned towards her. She smiled at Lee and Gai before exciting hurriedly.
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The second Sakura was out the room, Neji stood.
"I have some errands to attend to."
"Farewell Neji! Remember your lessons in blossoming to your full potential of springtime youth!" Oh, sure, how could he not take those lessons straight to heart?
"Neji, my rival, we will continue our ongoing battle in the near future." /insert salute and teeth glint here/
If it wasn't undignified, Neji would have run out of the building. Instead he made his way towards the exit at a reasonable pace and headed towards the nearest newsstand to see exactly how close to accurate his guesses had been. Finding himself beside one soon after, he was about to begin browsing when he was pushed past and shoved to the side. He turned to glare at however had knocked him straightening his hair only to find Sakura's old Sensei grinning guiltily.
"What do you think you're doing?" He made sure his annoyance was evident, for the moment he was un-concerned how Sakura would feel about him showing such disrespect.
"My mistake; thought you were after this." He held up a novel. So he was a man of literature, perhaps he would be interested in some of the classics in the Hyuuga's library...Neji looked closer and snarled as he realized what it was.
"Despite your assumption, I'm in no rush to purchase that filth." He answered coldly and went to look at the newspapers. To his annoyance Kakashi followed him with his eyes glued to the pages of the novel. Before he could reach a copy of 'Konoha Classic' one was held in front of his face. Without looking up, Kakashi spoke.
"So it's less of filth when you're in on the action?" Neji chose to slap it away ignoring the large colour picture that showed himself tangled with Sakura in a less than dignified manner. Kakashi moved it before his hand even brushed it. He began to stride away but theirritating man followed him, his attentions turned to the article rather than his book.
"Hyuuga Neji, the hope of the clan, has been caught out after a wild night of partying and drinking. "The picture shown below is just a small example of the behaviour the man was showing on the night." A witness told us. After several rounds of drinks, Hyuuga is reported to have started a brawl before snatching the nearest woman from her seat (Our sources tell us they are now planning to elope) only to transport her to a Public Park where they proceeded to display there alcohol induced affections indifferent to any others presence…." Kakashi stoped reading but continued to follow him. "What have you been doing to our innocent cherry blossom?" Neji could almost hear the smile in his voice.
"A lot less than you, throwing those novels around."
"And I was feeling disappointed in Sakura for choosing someone with no life and then the news breaks that your actually quite the party man."
"What are you trying to gain from this conversation?"
"Just looking out for my ex-student."
"Hm." Kakashi tailed him back to the Hokage's office where he saw Sakura waiting.
"Where were you?" He was cut off from answering.
"Sorry, it was my fault." Sakura narrowed her eyes at him.
"Well, I don't want him taking any pointers on punctuality from you…or any other advice." She added eyeing the novel. Kakashi sighed.
"You young Ninjas are too conservative." Sakura started pulling Neji away.
"Not this conversation now, please!"
"Don't be ashamed, it's all natural!" They heard him sigh loudly as they rounded the corner.
"Ignore him please."
"I am in the process of doing so."
"Do you want to get something to eat?" Neji shook his head tiredly.
"I want toleave and hibernate permanently."
Okay, you know what I usually ask foRnow but I'm don't havE to do I? You are all Very smart and EmpathetIc and Will do it anyway. /coughcough/
Note to anonymousguy and chick: Firstly, I would like to say o.O Okay, secondly, come on, what's with the fighting? You know you don't really feel like that! Where's the sibling love? Now take pointers from Gai and Lee and embrace before a sunset!
And thanks to 'Lissi' who suggested the next chapter should include these characters. Thank you! And to everyone who reviewed! Thank you so much! It was a deffinate increase and I'm happy now!
