Despite Neji's stated desire to curl up in Sakura's apartment and never move into the sunlight again, some careful persuasion on Sakura's behalf had him outside and training again in a matter of hours. He was in the final steps mangling a training stump in the general manner while Sakura sat with Pinky reading a book Tsunade wanted her to study. With a final blow Neji was able to un-root the dummy from the ground and send it skidding away from him.
Feeling more than a little pleased with himself, he turned to see if he had at all impressed his entourage. Said accompaniments where engrossed in the pages of a large volume or sleeping on the grass. Sighing he slumped down next to Sakura. She looked up.
"Oh, you finished." He nodded and she began to rustle through her pack pulling out a pack of plain crackers. "Can you give a few of these to Pinky?" He raised his eyebrows but accepted the pack and squirrel feeding privileges.
"When do you have to finish reading that by?" He threw a cracker towards the river bank and watched Pinky skid after it.
"Tonight."
"So you have to see the Hokage later?"
"Yes. Do you want to come or are you busy?" He shrugged and threw another cracker a little further along.
"I don't know at present." He twisted around away from Pinky before throwing the entire contents of, and the packet over his shoulder. "Uncle hasn't requested my presence at the manor so I am available. If Uncle requests my presence at the manor later today, I will still be available."
"You can't ignore them forever."
"No, but I can ignore them long enough to have them reconsider my ownership over the Branch section of the Hyuuga premises."
"Earlier you were so worried about being disowned; now you're trying to be kicked out on your posterior?"
"Yes, on my own terms."
"Neji, you're a stubborn ass."
"And you're bluntness does you no credit." She pointed the book at him threateningly.
"Thin ice Neji, thin ice..." He took the book of her.
"You wouldn't hit me."
"I have before."
"Very true." The argument had lost its meaning along with all concerns of the selling price of photos of them together. Still, before Neji could gather her up into anything that could be defined as a passionate embrace, she moved back suddenly.
"Where is Pinky?" Neji gestured roughly with one hand before turning back to her feeling slightly annoyed that the squirrel had caused a distraction. To his dismay however Sakura stood hurriedly and began to scan the area. "NEJI I CAN'T SEE HIM!" aka "NEJI! FIND HIM NOW!"
He took his time rising, dusting his clothes off and activating his Byakugan. He glanced around him.
Trees: Nothing.
Training stump: Nothing...Oh look, a butterfly.
Himself: Thankfully no, the rodent was not making contact with him.
Sakura: No, not there. Not in her hair, or on her arm or concealed carefully under her bra strap...Really need to look away before she notices you staring and thumps you...Any second now...Look away Neji...Damn Byakugan...
River bed: Cracker crumbs...Hm; they go right down to the waters edge. He was a good throw; they must have landed right in water. In the water...
He vaguely heard Sakura scream at him before he dived in to the murky depths. He glanced at his arm underwater. Of course, he had to be wearing one of his white training outfits; this mud was definitely going to leave a mark.
Right, task at hand, drowning 'domesticated' mammal. He made contact with the bottom and clasped onto the plant roots there to hold himself steady as he searched. Locating the box he swam towards it and ripped the sodden card open easily. Inside was Pinky, un-moving with mashed cracker between his paws. Neji had time to mouth 'stupid animal' before pushing upwards towards the sunlight pulling the animal by its tail.
He broke the surface and barely had time to blink bewilderedly before he was hauled out of the river and thrown onto the grass by two people.
"NEJI! I thought you had drowned! PINKY! WHERE'S PINKY?" Sakura rushed the animal out of his hands to administer some sort of first aid. He only hoped she wouldn't ask exactly why he was found at the bottom of the river. Not that he thought himself to blame at all... He looked towards the other person standing above him.
"Hanabi?"
"Neji, what are you doing...here...with her...and in the river?" It was only then Neji remembered his trademark haughtiness and he stood quickly.
"Do you wish for me to answer all of them or may I be excused with granting you the knowledge behind none?" He tried to walk past her.
"Neji, I only came here to tell you my Father is looking for you. No need to be rude."
"Is he really? Let's hope he is not as well established as you and does not check the river." He shook his hair. She must be either ignorant or have built up some sort of resistance to his remarks because she laughed.
"Sooo Neji, who's the girl and why haven't you introduced me yet?" She grinned at him.
"For the latter of your questions, she has been living quite comfortably despite the lack of your acquaintance; therefore I deemed it un-necessary to her survival and existence and thought it better to not trouble her or yourself along with saving myself the effort such formalities require." He tried to move away from her as she was gigging again but she followed him and linked her arm through his.
"And my other question? Answer please or I will make it my responsibility to assure that Father will not rest until he has seen to the matter of your hairs removal himself." This girl had been listening to him too much.
"She is Haruno Sakura."
"And?"
"Medic in training, well accomplished Ninja and excellent cook."
"And?"
"That's it really."
"Oh! Just say she's your girlfriend already!"
"Well, you seem to have an idea of what you want to hear, why have me repeat it."
"Hair Neji, that's why."
"She's my partner yes." Head family member :equals: must not throw in river.
"Oh! Really?"
"Don't act surprised, you knew. you read the paper don't you?"
"Well, anyway Neji, nice chatting with you. I'll see you tonight and you can bring her too. We eat at seven!" She began to skip away.
"If you think you can just-"
"Hair Neji!" She waved over her shoulder.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sakura sighed with relief as Pinky squirmed and coughed lightly in her hand. He could have drowned! Still, Neji had been so heroic, diving in to save him. However the matter of Pinky being at the bottom of the river in the first place was somewhat questionable...She steeled herself. They were both safe, which was what mattered. At least that, and finding out who that girl was, apart from of course, the fact she was a relation of Neji's. She felt him walk up behind her.
"Pinky's okay now." He didn't appear to be listening so she stood up and held the squirrel out to him. "He's fine now."
"What? Oh, good." Something was wrong. The quoted 'good' implied he had been somewhat worried in the first place which his earlier behaviour generally didn't display. She waited for him to say something else. He didn't.
"Neji?"
"Hm?"
"Are you okay?"
"Hm."
"Right." She stood awkwardly while he pondered silently.
"When can you see the Hokage?"
"Well, I could go now if you need to...Are you coming."
"No, go now. I need Ino's address."
"Ino? What for...ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME?"
"No, you have to meet me there so we can go shopping."
"You want to go shopping? And with Ino?"
"Yes, you need something to wear..." He tugged at a lock of her hair. "And something done with...this."
"What's wrong with my hair?" Was he going insane? Perhaps it was the river water. "Aren't I good enough for you any more?" Resist urge to thump...
"No you're fine, perfect...but, you're coming with me to dinner tonight, at the manor."
"Oh, am I really?" She put her hands on her hips feeling annoyed. When had she come into this discussion? He looked up like he was noticing her for the first time and took her hand.
"I'm sorry...Please Sakura. Don't meet me there, I'll take this book back, yougo straight to Ino's, her advice will be helpful at such a time." She sighed as he applied his best puppy eyes and squeezed her hand gently.
"Alright." She began to turn but he snatched at her hand again. "What?"
"Take this." He tipped out everything he had in his wallet, slightly sodden as it was. "You will need it, get something nice, I'll be at your apartment." She looked at her hands full of money. He was a Hyuuga and he had just given her A.L.L of his money...Plus, he wanted her to shop with it...Hell yeah! Ino was going to die of jealousy!
Nut2: Update! You know you love them! Okay as requested; Fluff, Pinky, Hanabi and 'Strawberrielvr' it's coming ASAP, I promise /hughug/ hope it all met up to standards!
Also, I have been lazy with review replies but tried to answer questions where I could. Sorry if I missed you! I really appreciate it and wait! Here's a great idea! Why don't you try it again or maybe for the first time if that applies to you /glareglare/
Aaaaand, if you're here for a dose of nejisaku goodness, you may want to check out 'lilmisssushi's new fic 'Without A Doubt'. Don't know if any of you recognise the name but she's been around the ff community reviewing like a little…review fairy for a long time and deserves some support! Plus, it's a great read, promise! And seeing as I'm in a promoting mood and starting off way too many sentences with 'and', check out my other fics or if you're a Stargate fan Nut 1's.
Thanks again! Pinky sends love to you all!
