"I'm glad you weren't lying when you said it wasn't a big thing Neji." Sakura mumbled making no effort to hide her sarcasm. People that were all undoubtedly richer and more important than her were flooding into the Hyuuga gates carrying invitations that shone pristine white even in the dark.

"I didn't lie. Hiashi failed to mention this."

"This?"

"The sudden change between 'Meal' and 'High Class Gathering'" Sakura stopped while she was still in running distance from the gate leaving her escape routes open.

"I've changed my mind. I don't want to go in there."

"Sakura-"

"Hurry up; some of us want to get to the sake." Sakura turned to find herself face to...err, bosom with the Hokage.

"Tsu...Tsunade!" This certainly wasn't a family bash any more. Tsunade eyed her.

"Sakura, you look lovely. Would it concern you if I borrowed your escort for a moment?"

"Not at all." Neji answered for her and they left her. She stood awkwardly without Neji hoping it didn't look like she was trying to gate crash with no pass. A group of people moved in front of her blocking who she had spent the night so fardefining as her 'safety rope' and Tsunade from sight. Despite her nerves dedicated to the evening ahead, Sakura couldn't help but wonder what her Sensei had needed to say that couldn't wait for a less formal setting.

Neji pushed through the people a few moments later to reach her.

"I trust you are okay?" The statement had become a question and she smiled at him.

"Fine. What did she need?"

"She has a mission for me."

"And she needed to tell you tonight?"

"Yes, I have to leave tomorrow."

"Where are you going?"

"Mist."

"Mist! How long will that take you?"

"Please don't shout Sakura, the mission is not public information."

"How long Neji?"

"Three months at least."

"Three months?" She didn't shout, only hissed. "And why am I not the medic on it?"

"We have a Kunoichi of a lower level. You will be needed here."

"I'LL TELL YOU WHERE I'M NEEDED!" He didn't even have a chance to ask her to calm down before she snatched his hand and dragged him through the gates and towards the Manor.

"I thought you didn't want to go in?"

"Shut up and listen."

They found the Hokage a few minutes later and after properly instructing Neji as to his role Sakura shoved him forwards. Tsunade only raised an eyebrow. He sighed and began to speak.

"Sakura would-"She elbowed him rather forcefully. "'We' would like to make a request concerning the upcoming mission to Mist."

"Really? Enlighten me."

"Sakura believes...We believe Sakura should take the place of the medic currently assigned to the party." The Hokage didn't answer instantly. Not because she was considering what he had said or because she wanted to hit either of them, it was because Sakura was now whispering incisively into Neji's ear who was shaking his head just as desperately. Finally he straightened and cleared his throat. "If not I have been instructed to..." He was nudged again "...To 'bash' you." He coughed. Tsunade laughed.

"I'll see you at the hospital tomorrow Sakura. Don't have too much fun tonight, you'll have to be up early to say goodbye to Neji here." She walked away still laughing. Sakura glanced around.

"Oh no."

"What? You didn't seriously think that would work did you?"

"What? No, I just realized where I was." He nodded.

"It took you a little while. Do you want to sit down?" She tugged at her sleeve.

"Yes, it might be a good idea." She linked her arm through his so she wouldn't have to concentrate on where she was going. Instead, she focused her attention on looking like she had done this a thousand times before and wearing a kimono was like wearing pajamas to her. Looking up she noted the quiet spot in the corner Neji was leading her towards and sighed with relief.

"NEJI! Come over here boy!" Looks like Tsunade wasn't the only one eager to get to the sake. Hiashi had spotted them and she heard Neji groan and mutter apologies in her direction. It was only when she was led to a spot at the main table that she realized why. With her hopes of a private corner dashed and replaced with formalities with the Main House members at the front of the room she struggled to sit the correct way trying to remember what Ino had told her.

Everything had started innocently enough. She had smiled and been engaged in small talk with different people all of whom had undergone significant changes in attitudes since the pineapple incident even if it did seem as though it was forced under the watchful and slightly intoxicated eye of Hiashi. Sakura was also able to take comfort in the reassuring smiles Hinata would send even if she didn't speak to her. She looked up when someone said her name and looked across the table at the eager faced Hanabi.

"Yes?"

"I was just wondering what you see in Neji. I hope you don't think he's the perfect person he likes to pretend to be." She blushed slightly, the colour staining her cheeks.

"Oh, he has his moments."

"His moments? He obviously found it unnecessary to tell you about his 'rebel' days." She giggled and a still straight faced Neji interrupted.

"I am unaware of what you are trying to imply cousin dearest." He stated with forced pleasantness.

"Well, Sakura, so you don't get yourself into anything you may regret it's time for enlightenment!" Sakura chose to say nothing as half the table giggled. "Hm, it started on a normal Saturday night when Neji had refused to accompany the normal group of boys on their night out." She was resting her fingers on her chin in mock thought. "He was sixteen by the way. Anyway, it wasn't too late when a few of the boys found there way here. I believe Naruto was the one that was talking about his lost wallet."

"Yep, it was the blonde one." Some one added.

"Well, so he was forcefully dragged out to look for it when someone had the idea of using Neji's Byakugan." She paused to laugh here and Sakura had a pretty clear idea of where the story was heading.

"So Neji activates away and-"

"It was the women's bath house!" Hiashi decided to contribute to the ending. The entire table erupted in laughter as Hanabi struggled to choke onwards.

"He was so startled he fell backwards and when some of the women came out to see what was going guess who they found alone and unconscious? The others had planned it and done a runner. He had to be brought back by an ANBU!" Sakura made a snatch for a napkin to conceal her laughter. Neji hadn't moved since Hanabi had begun speaking. Hiashi leant across the table towards him.

"Have a drink Neji."

"No thank you." Hiashi brandished wildly.

"Oh! I forgot how badly you hold your sake! That reminds me of your Aunt's birthday night! Remember that one Neji? With the-"

"Please excuse me." He stood and left suddenly and Sakura tried not to feel annoyed that he had deserted her.

"I'm sorry, I should probably leave."

"Yes yes, go catch him before he has a tantrum somewhere and breaks something of value." Hiashi said absentmindedly. Sakura tried not to frown and rose smiling politely the entire time before weaving her way through the tables to reach the garden. She didn't even glance up to look for Neji's face amongst the people milling there. From her general experience she had learned when he was upset he didn't like to start conversations about fashionable dinner wares making it unlikely he would be lurking amongst them. She finally found him leaning against a wall edging the property shredding a flower.

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"Sakura." So she had escaped already from the charming company his 'family' provided.

"You shouldn't let them upset you like that. They're just teasing you."

"They haven't upset me." He had dropped the flower and was now crushing it under his foot.

"Oh...alright...What are you doing then? Taking some sort of revenge against spring allergies?" He stopped immediately and he heard her laugh a little. "What then?"

"I was just thinking about the mission." Her face dropped.

"Oh, the mission. I forgot..."

"Hm. I...We weren't always going to get missions together."

"No, of course not."

"And nothing will...Is going to change because of it." She shook her head letting a few pink strands fall loose.

"No." He swallowed. He could jump off a bridge to get the same effect and result he was expecting next.

"Which is why I think we should get married." He had never seen Sakura stand so still. It was a few moments before she managed to choke out anything.

"What are you talking about? Tonight?"

"When I return..." She stared at the ground and he could read nothing of her thoughts. Perhaps it had been too sudden. He regretted it already and wished he had taken the time to ask for some advice before making his own attempt. "Sakura?"

"No."

A/N: Hi everyone! What do you mean cliff hanger? You wouldn't want me to go over my general page limit for chapters now would you? Anyway, I have a few things to discuss here so I would appreciate your attention if you are willing to give it.

Firstly, I am planning on re-writing my first chapters of 'Unfortunate Circumstances'. Mainly because they were my first attempts at writing and I think they aren't all that good. A bit rushed too, in terms of relationship.

Secondly, I'm sorry if this one, and the last chapter, don't meet up to standards in terms of 'funny'. Surprisingly enough, they aren't really meant too. I thought that if it was all too light hearted it may take away from there little couplingness going on. Sorry, if that doesn't work for you.

Thirdly, you may have noticed the lack of Kun, Chan, Sama etc. I hope you don't mind me leaving them out entirely. I'm worried about getting them wrong and would rather not be obligated to use them all the time.

Fourthly, no Pinky at the moment. He will have his appearances but for those of you who miss him, no more requests please as he had his chapter (you know, he almost drowned?) Thank you 'nanako' for that if you're reading!

And lastly, 'Anonymouschick'. Hi again! No, I don't think you're a bitch at all (I have two brothers myself so I can relate a little there:D) As for Ino, she was a bit...well, bitchy in the last chapter but it was insincere. I mean, she still helped Sakura didn't she? Right down to her hair. She insulted Sakura in the nicest way possible I'm sure XD I have nothing against her character. Hopfully she will re-appear in a future chapter in all her charming and best friendling glory! Thank you for your review and here's your update!

Actually that was a lie. This is the last thing now. Pleeeease review! You will have a guaranteed faster update if more people review. Believe me; holidays now, I have the time to write it. What would really be nice is if those who watched the fic would review (you know as well as I do who you are). So please keep that in mind and perhaps on a side note check out my new NejiSaku fic 'Short Cuts' and review it too /blink blink/.

Thank you all!