Wow… when I saw my story preview I noticed that my chapters are soooo short! Sorry guys! TT I promise I'll write longer ones next time! Back to the story… Ahem… Oops! Last time Neji realized he likes Sakura! How would he treat her now? Nice? Or just the same? Will Neji get to know Sakura's problems? Hmm… Let's find out in this chapter
Chapter 4
Sakura woke up earlier that morning and realized that everyone was still asleep. She sighed, 'Might as well pack the tent' she thought and proceeded to pack her tent. It was 5.25 a.m. After she finished she decided to cook breakfast for them. When she almost finished it was almost 6, Gaara and Shikamaru woke up first. Gaara nodded as a 'good morning' while Shikamaru yawned and nodded the same. Sakura smiled at them then her eyes shifted to Neji's tent and saw him coming out. They locked gaze together then, "Ano… Sakura-chan… Your food is going to spill" a childish voice said. Sakura's eyes widened when she saw her pot almost pilling all over. "Shit!" she cursed. Naruto chuckled while the others rolled their eyes, but laughed slightly.
Good thing Naruto told her in time, the food is still great. Naruto was whining that he didn't have Ramen for breakfast but Sakura told him that he should eat a proper meal for breakfast. Sakura giggled when she saw Naruto's face when he eats. All eyes diverted to her, Sakura paused and blinked "What?" she asked. Then she remembered that she 'giggled' and frowned. Naruto grinned knowing that Sakura's old self is coming back while the others shrugged. They depart as soon as they finished eating. "Let's go. We have 2 more days to reach there" Shikamaru said and they sped off.
2 Days Later… (I know its fast but 2 days! That's a lot to write… and many many craps too)
"We're almost there…" Gaara said. Shikamaru nodded and signaled others to be careful of Sound Nins. Nothing went wrong for the last 2 days. Except that Neji would sometimes glance at Sakura. Sakura didn't take much notice of the looks he gave her until the last day before they reach Sound.
(Flashback)
Sakura couldn't sleep as usual. She is still troubled over that damned dream. 'Dammit! It's only a stupid nightmare!' she frowned and massaged her forehead. 'But somehow I felt something is wrong… Something's suspicious about the dream' she sighed. Sakura is leaning on a rock near a river. She sensed chakra, Neji's chakra. "Hi Hyuuga" Sakura greeted and Neji sat down on the grass. 'Geez… he didn't even greet you back' inner Sakura snorted.
"You seem more troubled than usual…" Neji remarked. Sakura rolled her eyes, "You can tell?" she said sarcastically. Neji turned to look at her and Sakura did the same. They kept staring like that until Neji spoke, "Tell me…" Sakura averted her eyes, "I don't…" she was cut off by Neji, "It'll help you feel better" he interrupted. Sakura sighed, "It was this dream…" she whispered loud enough for Neji to hear. Neji turned his whole body now facing her meaning that she got his full attention. Sakura took a deep breath before continuing, "It's this dream that I saw my parent… killed by this man I don't know" Neji raised an eyebrow. "Then the man said that he'll get me when I'm 16 which means 1 weeks and 4 days more" she said.
Neji twitched a bit hearing her story. "Do you think it's true?" he asked averting his eyes. Sakura turned to look at him, "Of course not! I never had these memories and I have not met my parents before…" Sakura whispered the last part. "You never saw your parent before?" Neji tried to make sure. Sakura scowled, "I think I didn't… I didn't remember their looks nor the memories I had with them" she replied and although how much Sakura hate to admit, she felt like crying. Her old memories of loneliness slowly creeping back. Sakura breathed deeply trying to hold back tears. "I have no parents whatsoever. I'm an orphan…" she said, her voice cracking a bit. Neji noticed this.
Flashbacks of her being all alone creep up to her. 'Hey… You'll feel better if you cry. After all you're a girl too' inner Sakura comforted Sakura. Then Sakura stood up and wanted to run off before she cries. More over in front of Hyuuga Neji. Before she could, she felt a pair of strong arms encircled her shoulder from behind. She widened her eyes in shock and she felt the arms pulling her and bump on a broad and well toned chest. She knew it was Neji. He was the only one there anyway… "Don't worry" she heard Neji whispered gently.
Sakura's eyes widened upon hearing Hyuuga Neji's gentle voice. She slightly shivered at Neji's touch. When was the last time she got a hug? Oh yeah… When the first time she met Naruto. She had always admired him, being able to control his emotions better. Unlike her… Though she masked it perfectly in front of her friends, but deep down she is suffering from the loneliness. Yes… Naruto, Hinata and Tsunade were always there, but she still felt empty. Then tears that had been holding back for years flowed down her cheeks.
She started to sob silently. Neji could feel her trembling and held her tighter. Then Sakura did the thing she never imagined she would do. She turned and encircled Neji's neck pulling him in a tight hug and cried. Neji was shocked too, he thought that he would get a smack on the head and scolded. He hugged her back, stroking her back repeatedly. 'Don't worry, I'll be there for you…' he silently thought. Then Sakura pulled back, they looked at each other. Neji gulped when he saw how fragile and gentle she was… In short, she was so- BANG!
'I take that back…' Neji thought and rubbed his head.
Sakura had smacked him on the head but smiling all the way. She giggled as she saw Neji frowned while rubbing the spot where she smacked. Neji glared at her, "What the hell was that for?" he asked. "Nothing!" she said cheerfully. Neji scowled. Sakura skipped back to her tent. But before that, "Hey" she turned back to Neji. Neji glared at her meaning 'what-now'. Sakura laughed, "Thanks… Neji-kun" Sakura said and skipped back. Neji had a hard time registering what she said. He had heard her called him 'Neji' with the suffix '-Kun' for the first time. Then he blushed. 'What the! Am I blushing?' he thought.
Neji smiled. A rare smile coming from the Hyuuga prodigy. (CAMERAS ANYONE? XD) Neji, for the first time in his life, felt happy. And the cause? A certain pink-haired kunoichi. Not to mention a tough, pretty, funny and very weird kunoichi.
(End flashback)
Neji smiled back at the memory. While Naruto, was wondering why The Hyuuga prodigy was smiling. Then Gaara signaled them to stop. Gaara looked around before nodding at Neji. Neji activated his Byakugan and looked around. Still with his Byakugan on he said, "I saw Sound. No ninjas around" he said. Shikamaru nodded, "Okay… We'll have to get inside Sound," Sakura thought of a plan, "Do you think genjutsu would work on them?" all eyes diverted to her. "Well, we are not near Orochimaru's castle yet right?" Sakura added, shrugging. Shikamaru thought for a moment, "Do you think you can hold it up long enough?" he asked. Sakura nodded. All of them agreed.
They sneaked near Sound. Shikamaru gave a signal to Sakura. Sakura form hand seals and whispered a jutsu. Sakura then nodded back to Shikamaru. They approached the gates and surprisingly the guards didn't found them suspicious and they entered with ease. Sakura smiled knowing that it worked. Shikamaru chose an Inn. As soon as they were inside their room Sakura was allowed to release the genjutsu. They were shocked that Sakura could do that. Well all of them exceptional of Naruto of course.
They discussed how to get information about Orochimaru. "I got some information from the ANBU before this mission" Shikamaru said as he took out a file. Gaara opened the file and Sakura, Naruto and Neji looked from Gaara's shoulder. "He is Mabuchi Akira. He's the feudal lord's son. We suspect that he is the one that let Orochimaru stay here" Shikamaru explained. Naruto looked at his profile, "Hmmm…" he tilted his chin trying to think of a suitable thing to say. Neji eyed the man, "Not married" he said calmly. Sakura twitched. Gaara closed the file, "Then this means that there would be seduction mission in order to get the information faster and more effectively…" he said coldly. Once again, all eyes on Sakura. Naruto and Neji wide eyed.
"Guess I'm the only female" Sakura smiled. "NONONO!" Naruto yelled. Shikamaru sighed, "Naruto! This is serious matter! No matter how troublesome it is" Shikamaru said. "Well! I could use my sexy jutsu or something! But there's no way Sakura is gonna seduce that guy!" Naruto yelled pointing to the file. Veins forming on Sakura's forehead. Neji nodded slightly. Sakura's fist clenched. Gaara crossed his arms on his chest. "Naruto! It's okay!" Sakura said, trying not to outburst. Naruto pouted, "But… but Sakura-chan…" he whined. "No Naruto! I wanted to do it" Sakura made a serious face. Naruto frowned and Neji twitched. "Besides… I'm not gonna let that bastard get to me! Although he IS hot" Sakura mumbled the last part.
Naruto had a protective look on his face and growled. Neji glared at the file. "Neji-kun I don't think glaring at the file is helping anything…" Sakura chuckled. "Hn" he said. "Sakura, you have to be ready for the seduction" Shikamaru said. Sakura smiled and nodded. "He always hangs around a pub nearby every night" Gaara said. Sakura got the message and then she grinned. Shikamaru, Naruto and Gaara stepped back. Neji, not knowing anything stood still dumbly. He eyed the guys who were backing out. He looked at Sakura and backed out slowly, "Oh no… I'm not…" he warned. Sakura smirked.
A while later. "Why am I here again?" Neji asked for the umpteenth times. Sakura rolled her eyes at his question, "I dragged you here… Happy?" Sakura replied then diverting her eyes to where she was just now. At the mall you can see Haruno Sakura and Hyuuga Neji shopping. (Hehe! That would be a rare sight!) Neji is holding the bags of things she bought. Neji frowned. Sakura laughed, "Aww come on Neji-kun! You need to light up!" she laughed harder. Neji glared meaning 'I'm-fine-with-the-way-I-am-thank-you-very-much'. Sakura sweatdropped, "Oh fine… Just for the mission…" she sighed.
Ahh yes… the mission. The Friggin-seducing-the-feudal-lord's-son-and-get-the-friggin-information mission. Neji scowled, image of Sakura wearing a tube top and extremely short mini skirt seducing the feudal lord's son. He quickly shook the thoughts away. He had no idea how Sakura looked like if she wore those. And it irked him that the damn feudal lord's son is gonna see it first. 'I sense jealousy…' inner Neji came back! 'What the hell?' Neji was startled a bit. 'Oh… You're jealous!' inner Neji hummed repeatedly like a song. 'Shut it… Me? Jealous? For what?' he denied. Inner Neji smirked, 'don't worry… denial is the first stage' Neji frowned and ignored inner Neji… again.
Finally Sakura finished her shopping. They head straight back to the Inn although Sakura said that she wanted to be out longer. But she knew that she's holding a genjutsu and can't be out long. She frowned. They entered the room they occupied. Shikamaru was already laid down on the bed. Gaara was leaning on the window. Naruto is sitting on a chair looking at them. Neji glared at them for not telling him earlier. Naruto knew since he was Sakura's childhood friend. Shikamaru knew because he experienced it once with his girlfriend Ino. Gaara was threatened before by the kunoichi to go with her. Yep… Even Gaara is scared of Sakura since she was Tsunade's apprentice and obtained the Super Strength.
"Had fun?" Naruto smirked at Neji. "Although Sakura is different from other girls she's still in touch with her feminine side… troublesome…" Shikamaru said lazily. "Hn…" Gaara smirked. "Ooh! I had fun!" Sakura was jumping up and down. Neji snorted. Then Shikamaru sat up, "We will be watching Sakura as she seduces- I mean getting the information from the man. I'm warning you guys especially Naruto (Points at Naruto) that we MUST NOT come out before the seduction mission is over" Shikamaru said sternly. Sakura then turned to serious mode and nodded. 'Wow she sure changes fast' Neji thought amazed. Gaara and Naruto nodded.
"Settled then… We'll retire for the day. Everyone gets some rest" Shikamaru said and lay down on the bed sleeping. Gaara was sitting on the chair arms crossed and eyes closed. He still could not sleep easily. (At age 15 Gaara's demon is removed right? In the manga!) While Naruto sleeps on the couch. Neji and Sakura had their own futon. Sakura thought about tomorrow's mission. Which she had the most responsibility? 'I need to get some rest for the mission' she thought and drifted to slumber.
While Neji, who was still troubled by the mission which Sakura had to encounter, kept staring at Sakura's back. He was annoyed. He felt his stomach doing flips when he imagined Sakura seducing the man. He groaned and shifted. Then he saw Sakura turned, facing him. Neji got a better view of her sleeping face. He thought that she looked peaceful when she slept. Soon he also fell asleep. Little did they know… Orochimaru is planning on something evil…
-------------------------------------Done Chapter 4------------------------------------------
Well this chapter I had to crack my head to write. Hehe because I feared that you guys don't like Neji being out of character… So please tell me when you review… Whether you guys approve in me writing Neji being out of character? thanks for supporting!
Miyabi: Well… I'm sure NejiSaku fans won't mind Neji being OOC… Right?
Sakura: Don't know… But I'm sure I DO! (Raising her hands and swinging them back and forth)
Miyabi: Oh well… Let the readers decide eh?
Sakura: Uh huh… Your right…
Miyabi: (Faces the readers) Hey guys! Err… Vote whether you guys want Neji to be OOC… Err… Majority wins! I also finished my Love and Regrets sequel! bye-bye
