Sakura jumped down from the rooftop to land in front of Neji, clad in her full ANBU gear. Her mask pulled over her face, its catlike design outlined in pink.

"You're late."

"By thirty seconds!" Sakura said between gritted teeth behind her mask. She couldn't yell at him for he was a higher rank then her. Sighing, she looked at his attire. "…is that what you're wearing? You do know we're traveling a long ways and probably will be attacked."

Neji glanced down at his clothes. He was wearing black long pants and his usual shirt. Finding nothing wrong with his attire, he shouldered his backpack and led the way out through the forest.

Sakura looked up into the clear sky as the sun burned down once more upon the village. "This is perfect traveling weather." Sakura sarcastically spat out as she grabbed her bag and followed Neji. "So, since we're going to be walking for a while, tell me a little about yourse-"

Neji jumped up into the trees and quickly jumped ahead, leaving Sakura behind.

'He's not going to loose me that easily.' She frowned as she jumped after him, 'After all he's MY backup!'

---------------

After a full day of running, the sun began to set, Neji began to grow tired. They had covered the entire forest, and part of the canyons. Slowing to a stop, he looked over at Sakura, who was standing right behind him. The only signs of wear on Sakura, was the way her chest was heaving a bit beneath her white armor. Neji's cheeks turned pink as he quickly looked away, staring at a young woman's chest was not like him. He cursed being stowed away in that small office like a broom in a cupboard. No wonder he was so out of shape.

"Not tired are you? I could keep up this pace for another six hours." Sakura lied as she placed her weight on one hip and dropped her bag. Taking off her mask, she let the cool afternoon air hit her face.

Neji stared at her face, but couldn't find any trace of lying. Either she was very good at lying, or she was telling the truth. Neji preferred that she was an excellent liar. "No. I just wanted to stop here for the night." Dropping his bag, he looked around. There were no signs of life around. That meant nothing to eat.

Sakura smiled as she heard Neji's stomach growl. "I'll go get us something to eat."

"I'm not hungry." Neji fibbed, sitting down on the ground as he prepared himself for meditating.

Sakura rolled her eyes as she jumped up out of the canyon they were resting in to go hunt for something.

--------

Sakura returned an hour later, sporting a bird, some vegetation, and some type of lizard, as well as a bundle of sticks wrapped over her shoulder. Dropping the sticks, she reached into her bag and pulled out a small skillet. Using one hand, she used a quick jutsu and conjured a fire, blowing it onto the different sized sticks. With much skill, she began cooking the food.

Neji watched her from the shadows as he tried to calm his growling stomach; the sweet smell of meat was starting to make him drool. He wondered when the last time he ate was.

Ten minutes later, Sakura shoved a cup full of the stew that she had just made.

Neji looked at her like she was a weirdo, carrying around cooking things in her bag.

Sakura threw a glare at him, as if reading his thoughts, "If you don't want the food I slaved over the fire for, then don't eat it." Her hand started moving away from Neji when his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. A strange heat was shared when his fingers contacted her skin, almost making her drop the cup.

Neji caught the cup, mumbling something about her being a clumsy woman. Letting go of her wrist, he sniffed it before saying thanks and downing the stew.

Sakura slowly walked back over to the fire and ate her food in silence, not looking up at Neji to see if he enjoyed her cooking or not. She was too busy wondering what had just happened when he grabbed her arm. She hadn't felt like this in a long time, not since she had been kissed by her old boyfriend, Kiba. Glancing up at Neji, she found that he wasn't looking at her, but was sleeping! The nerve! Eating and then falling asleep! He couldn't even stay awake long enough to hold a two minute conversation! He was worse then Kakashi! Fuming, she silently walked over to him and gently plucked the cup from his hand.

He looked absolutely exhausted. All that running must have burned out whatever he had left in him. Smiling, Sakura took the blanket that he packed and covered him. She contained a gasp when she felt his hand move up to hers and smile. Obviously he was having a good dream. Freeing herself, she moved his hand back to the ground and blushed as she rushed back over to the fire and took up watch.

-----------

He awoke the next morning to a pink haired ninja standing on the far edge of the canyon, her hands on her hips.

"Come here." She called to him, how she knew he was awake made him wonder. Rubbing his eyes with a hidden yawn, Neji slowly got to his feet and walked over to her.

Sakura turned to look at him, a smile spread across her face. "Look at that. Isn't it just beautiful!" Turning, she nodded towards the sunrise over the valley of mist. A fog covered land looked like an ocean as the sun rose over the hills, covering everything in light.

Neji frowned as he stared at the valley of the mists. They had to go through that and they were going to find trouble. Turning around, he found that his blanket was on his shoulder. Quickly, before Miss Haruno noticed, he tucked the blanket under his arm and rushed over to pack it up.

Sakura sighed as she walked over to her backpack and picked it up.

"Don't you want to rest?" Neji asked, remembering that it had been well over 24 hours since she slept. That wasn't healthy at all.

Sakura shook her head. "I don't sleep well outside. I'll just wait until the missions over." Smiling, she rushed ahead. It was now her turn to leave Neji eating her dust.