Physicals

Author's notes: So Neji's genin go on their first physicals. Neji uses seduction and it's super effective. You'll get it. Ha.

Sakura takes Kuma and finds some bruises on her back Neji has no idea about. Lots of emotions and tears in this chapter and long chapter is long. Sorry.

Rated M for sexy scenes between two males, swearing, and some blood and guts.

I don't own the characters but I am taking liberties and their universe.

WARNING: TRIGGERING for anyone who has suffered from abuse dealt by family members.

The waiting room was full but Neji had expected no less. Kankuro had taken one look at the room and left, promising to "catch up" later. The girls had giggled and Neji huffed at Kankuro's retreating back but was inwardly happy.

There were no free slots for the next two days so it was easier for Neji and his team to wait. Neji was about to sit back down when he spotted a familiar head of pink hair coming towards him and smirked inwardly. He leaned against the edge of the counter in a seductive sort of way and put a little smile on his face, lowering his eyelids slightly as Sakura walked up to the desk. She spotted him immediately and a flush came to her cheeks. Ino was right behind her and the blond almost dropped her charts.

"Sakura, hello," Neji said.

He kept his voice a bit lower than normal, almost purring which made Ino rush up to stand beside Sakura, and both women give him their full attention. The med-nin (also female) behind the counter started drooling.

"Ino, nice to see you as well," Neji said.

"Nice to see you too, Hyuuga," Ino said with a grin.

She eyed him from ankle to head and lingered on his navel, well, a few inches below his navel but Neji would not complain.

"My students are here for their first post away mission physicals. We do not mind waiting but I would rather them work with someone I know and trust. Kuma would like a female med-nin as would Tora and Akino is generally uncomfortable about the whole thing. I personally do not mind who looks after me," Neji said.

Sakura got to the stacks of charts first. Ino growled but knew better than to try to push Sakura out of the way. Sakura grinned in glee when she found Neji and his student's charts. She gave two to Ino and the blond huffed.

"I'll take you and Kuma but I've got two others ahead," Sakura said.

"Not a problem," Neji said.

"I've got two ahead for Tora and Akino too," Ino said.

Neji nodded.

"Thank you both. I appreciate it," Neji said with a wider smile.

He turned on his heel, put a sway to his hips, and smirked when he heard Sakura, Ino, and the females behind him giggle happily. Tora and Kuma had their arms crossed over their chests. Kuma had a frown on her face, Tora a scowl. Akino looked at him in disbelief. Neji took his seat between Kuma and Tora.

"You seduced them," Tora chided softly.

Neji snorted but nodded.

"Of course I did," Neji said. "And as kunoichi, you two are going to have a special class on it when you turn fourteen or fifteen depending on your missions and me."

Tora and Kuma gaped at him. Akino smirked. Neji could tell the girls were about to protest so started talking.

"It's wise of a shinobi to use every asset in their arsenal even if that means certain physical attributes which may cause distractions," Neji said.

Tora and Kuma nodded. Akino blinked the sunk into his chair, crossing his arms over his chest and muttering his favorite word. Neji told them they would be waiting for the two people ahead of them and told Kuma he would go first with Sakura. Neji informed Akino and Tora they would be working with Ino and Akino said he'd go after Tora who nodded.

The wait wasn't horrible and soon Neji's name was called by a grinning Sakura. Neji smirked and got to his feet as Ino called out Akino's name. Akino asked if she was psychic and Neji could not help but chuckle. They walked down the hallway together and Neji saw Akino biting his lip. So did Ino. She smiled up at him.

"Don't worry, I don't bite," Ino said.

Akino let out a breath of relief. Neji knew what was coming.

"Unless you want me to," Ino said.

Akino went beat red as Ino giggled and dragged him into a room. Akino shot Neji a "HELP ME DEAR GOD" look but Neji nodded to him as Ino shut the door. Neji strode into his room with Sakura and she grinned as he began taking off his clothing. He folded it neatly as normal then stood away from the bed with his arms raised. She began poking and prodding at him as normal and he relaxed.

She brushed his hair to a side, fingers skating over the back of his neck and Neji inadvertently jolted. Sakura took this as a sign of pain and before he could stop her, flipped his hair over his shoulder and laid her fingers on his neck, rubbing gently. Neji coughed and lowered his hands, covering his groin to hide his interest and knowing he turned completely red.

"Ah, I'm not, er," Neji tried.

Sakura stopped moving her hand when she noticed he had broken out into a light sweat and his position. Neji closed his eyes and thought of anything but Kankuro touching his neck. Thinking of Shikamaru calmed things and Neji let out a breath to see Sakura standing in front of him with a blush on her cheeks.

"Sorry," Sakura said. "I didn't know you were so, er, sensitive there."

Neji swallowed hard and nodded. He let out another breath and stood properly. Sakura went back to work, moving his hair back into place (avoiding the back of his neck thankfully) and things went well. Then she got to his ass.

"Neji,"

"Yes?"

"When was the last time you had sex?"

Sakura asked it in a blasé voice but Neji blushed regardless. At least she was behind him and could not see his cheeks redden.

"Er, last night," Neji said.

Sakura came around his side to face him and gave him a look. He did not like her scowl, narrowed eyes, and crossed arms. The extra chakra radiating to her hands wasn't nice either.

"Ah, with, um, Kankuro," Neji said.

Sakura's eyes went wide and her arms dropped to her sides as her entire body slacked in shock. Neji let out a breath and hugged his arms around his waist with a frown. He was not pouting.

"When the Hell did that start happening?" Sakura asked.

Neji knew she would never tell anyone. Hell, Ino hadn't known about Shikamaru and Neji until three months before they stopped having sex.

"While I was in Suna. He has had feelings for me for over a year and I was stupidly oblivious because of distance and well, Shikamaru and Kiba," Neji replied.

Sakura nodded and Neji raised his arms again.

"So are you two official?" Sakura questioned.

Neji sighed.

"No, um, I started having a thing for Shikamaru but he never told me he was with Temari and I saw them together before leaving the mission so I'm dealing with that. Kankuro and I been together yes but I don't want a relationship right now," Neji said.

He felt Sakura's anger but she got over it easily. She sighed and came to face him again, weight on her right hip and arms crossed under her bust. She had a frown on her face and a soft look in her eyes.

"Shikamaru's a jerk," Sakura said. "I could tell you had a thing for him. Temari came over to my place late last night, like midnight and came to talk to me about the whole thing so I kind of knew what was going on anyway. That's why I was pissed when you said you did have sex last night."

Neji nodded to her and she smirked. They went through the rest of the exam without an issue, going through reflexes, balance, breathing and all the other medical basics needing to be checked out.

"Drop the thong," Sakura said.

Neji chuckled but did as he was told. He settled on the bed while she checked his testicles then his penis. She checked for hernias then got him to bend over for the rectal exam. Neji had to bite his lip to keep back a groan. Sakura was taking her time back there today and Neji tried not to squirm.

"Wow, he keeps you nice and lubed," Sakura said.

Neji would have fallen over in mortification if he wasn't half-lying on a bed. She still had her fingers in his ass. Neji let out a breath as she kept wiggling them around.

"Your prostate is good too, not swollen and you're not in any kind of pain," Sakura said.

Neji let out a breath as she finally got her gloved fingers out of his ass and gave him a tissue to clean up with. Neji cleaned up with a flush on his cheeks and got dressed in his thong and hospital issue gear. He met with Akino in the treadmill room and heard Akino mutter his trademark word. Ino simply rolled her eyes and stuck him with the tabs. They ran side by side and Akino gaped at Neji's endurance levels.

Neji huffed at the sticky stuff but wiped himself down as he followed Sakura into another room for X-rays and ultrasounds. He meditated as he lay on the machine. He fell into step with Akino again and smirked as they separated at Sakura and Ino's offices. Neji dressed before settling on the bed as she went over his results.

"Still five feet and just under eight inches," Sakura said.

Neji huffed. She chuckled at him.

"Good weight, good muscle structure, you're fine, really and your shoulder is healing nicely. And hey, you look good with a bit of color," Sakura said.

Neji smirked. She asked him a few more questions and he answered easily. Sakura crossed one leg over the other and grinned at him.

"To be honest, I'm glad you and Kiba stopped going at it," Sakura said.

Neji felt his cheeks heat and he glared at her. She laughed at him.

"Oh don't give me that look, I'm serious! Anyway, Kankuro seems like he's really gentle with you which is good. It means you have less of a chance of infection. I'll file this report by the end of the day but you and your team are still off missions for a week," Sakura said.

Neji inclined his head and they both looked to the door when a knock came to it. Sakura called for the person to enter and Ino came in with Akino. Neji had no idea if it was standard practice for a jonin-in-charge to hear their student's results. Guy had come in a few times after everyone was dressed but Guy had always been the odd-ball.

"Yes this is standard practice," Ino told him.

Neji let out a breath and nodded. Akino hopped up on the bed with him while Ino leaned against Sakura's desk. Sakura grinned but said nothing as Ino went over Akino's charts.

"Overall: he's healthy," Ino said. "But take it easy on training with the right arm for a few more days. That kunai went pretty deep and I know how much you focus on training the whole body. I'm also recommending he drink a lot more milk and eat a lot more high protein foods because he'll be going through a growth spurt soon."

Neji raised his eyebrows at her words. Akino blushed. Ino nodded at Sakura when Sakura gave Ino a look.

"Yeah I know, shocked me too since he's twelve and five foot five. Most kids his age aren't five feet yet and weigh ninety pounds. He's five inches taller and a hundred and twenty pounds heavier. I do want to check his levels of growth hormone and the gland that dictates growing just so to be sure he doesn't have gigantism or something. Besides that, he's good," Ino said.

"Thank you," Neji said.

Ino grinned at him.

"No problem, Neji," Ino said. "Don't worry. I'll kick that person's ass for you, m'kay?"

Neji flushed but nodded. Akino snorted. They left Sakura's office with Ino and Sakura trailing behind. Neji and Akino took their chairs as Tora and Kuma were called up. Kuma was biting her lip and Sakura put a gentle hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. Kuma smiled back.

"Man that was embarrassing," Akino muttered.

"I know," Neji said.

Akino huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

"You're probably used to it though," Akino said.

Neji chuckled.

"It's still embarrassing to be asked about my sex life even if I know Sakura well. And it's plain weird to have certain places touched by a friend, weirder if it's a stranger, so I really do understand," Neji said.

Akino smiled and nodded. They sat in comfortable silence until Sakura called Neji in to talk about Kuma and Tora. Akino stayed where he was and Neji followed Sakura into her office. Tora and Kuma sat on the bed side-by-side while Ino sat on the desk. Sakura settled in her chair so Neji took up a position near his students.

"Which one first?" Ino asked.

"Either," Neji said.

Sakura rolled her eyes but looked over Kuma's chart. Ino snorted. Sakura met Neji's eyes and looked to Kuma. The little red-head straightened with a smile but Sakura had a frown on her face.

"So you both know, it's standard practice for a jonin-in-charge to be here," Sakura said.

The girls nodded. Sakura kept the frown on her face and her gaze between Kuma and Neji. Neji made it easier for his friend and sat between the two girls. Sakura and Ino chuckled. Kuma beamed at him.

"Anyway, Kuma, you're four feet and six inches tall, a bit shorter than a girl your age should be but what concerns me is the fact you're seventy-one pounds. Even taking three inches off your height you should be at least eighty pounds or more. You need to eat more: starches, protein, lots of fruits and vegetables and drink much more milk. Those leg weights will help you but not right now.

"I'm going to suggest not using them until you get your weight up to eighty pounds. If you're not at a proper weight and use those then you can do some serious and long-lasting damage to your bones."

Neji kept his expression neutral as Kuma's eyes went wide and she pouted. Neji glanced down at his student and realized how skinny she actually was. It was not slenderness like Tora but pure skinny. She had not been eating enough for the amount of training he put her through and he was an idiot not to see it.

"Neji, this isn't your fault," Sakura said as if reading his mind.

Neji raised an eyebrow at her. Sakura smirked at him then became serious.

"Girls are especially good at hiding weight problems and most men don't recognize there is an issue until they're told. Kuma, I'm also going to suggest you take some dietary tips from Lee and Guy because they do a lot of high-level activity and taijustu like you and they're at great weights for their sizes and frames."

"I'm worried if you're not at the proper weight you won't develop properly, that is starting your menstrual cycle since you haven't had it yet or form breasts. I'm also concerned about the bruises on your back," Sakura said.

Neji stiffened at her last sentence and saw Kuma shrink into herself.

"What bruises?" Neji asked before Sakura could keep going.

Both Sakura and Ino stiffened. Ino got off the desk, grabbed Tora's shoulder and walked out of the room as Neji's other female student yelped in surprise. Kuma curled into an upright ball and Neji looked down at her.

"Kuma?" Neji questioned.

She did not look up at him. Neji turned and laid a hand on her shoulder with Sakura watching. He wanted to lash out and scream but he kept his voice calm and his eyes half closed so they were not as creepy.

"You remember what I said, right? I'm not only your instructor but I want to be there for you like a teammate. You can talk to me about anything and I mean that," Neji said.

She lifted her head and bit her lip. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she hugged him. Neji held her close, rubbing her back and wishing he could discretely lift her shirt and vest to see the bruises Sakura talked about. Neji let Kuma cry it all out but even when she was done she wiped her eyes and did not speak, instead looking down at the floor between her feet.

"Kuma, please talk to me," Neji said softly.

She shook her head, wild red hair fanning out around her and Neji frowned. Damn it, he was about to cry. He had suspicions of what was going on and if he could get away with it he would kill her fucking father.

"Why?" Neji asked.

"I can't," Kuma said.

"Is it because you're embarrassed it's not just me and you?" Neji questioned.

Sakura did not look offended. She did half stand if Kuma nodded. Kuma shook her head in the negative and Sakura frowned. Neji let out a little breath and thought about it.

"If someone is hurting you outside of training I want to know about it," Neji said.

Kuma sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. Sakura offered her a tissue box and Kuma took one with a little frown.

"You can't do anything to help me Neji-sensei," Kuma said.

She sounded so heart-broken that Neji wrapped her in a half hug and held her close. He saw Sakura bite her lip and swallow hard. Kuma sniffed.

"If I tell then things'll be worse instead of better," Kuma said.

"How?" Neji asked.

Kuma sighed. She seemed so much older in this moment and Neji hated it.

"Because then we'd lose everything," Kuma said.

Neji closed his eyes and understood. Her father made all the money in the house and if Kuma, Sako, and their mother were removed they would have no way to live. Kuma's salary as a genin could not support a family. But...

"Sakura, if a parent is ill and cannot work, is there a compensation the family can receive?" Neji asked.

Sakura blinked, stunned, and Neji felt Kuma look up at him in awe.

"Well, yeah, it depends on the particular situation, how many kids, what the family income is, the illness itself," Sakura said.

Kuma stared at both of them in wonder. Neji had figured she had no idea about government compensation. Damn it, Neji should have told her sooner.

"What's wrong with your parents?" Sakura asked.

Kuma frowned. She let out a breath then looked up at Neji. He nodded at her. She sighed and sagged but snuggled into him. Neji bit his lip to keep from crying and held her close.

"Dad works but he drinks a lot," Kuma said.

Sakura scowled. Neji held Kuma a bit tighter and noticed how frail she seemed, like a broken bird. Go figure he would get a student like him.

"And mom can't use her hands. They were burned and they're stuck in these like half fists she can't open or close. If we can get something, I mean, it can't count dad," Kuma got out.

Sakura nodded. Neji clenched his jaw and let out a breath. God damn if he could make that monster pay he would.

"It's your dad hitting you, isn't it?" Sakura questioned.

Kuma bit her lip. She met Neji's eyes and he sighed.

"Kuma, I met your dad when I had to drop off those weights. You remember that. I have my suspicions of what kind of man he is and usually my instincts aren't wrong. You would be confirming things for me," Neji said.

Kuma frowned.

"But, no one can do anything unless you admit it. If I could go up to your father right now and take him down without repercussions for anyone, I would, trust me when I say that. And if you do admit to whatever it is he's doing to you and your family I will protect all of you with every ounce of my being," Neji said.

Kuma smiled softly. She bit her lip then looked to Sakura. Kuma took a hard swallow and let out a long breath.

"He drinks a lot and gets really mean. He knows I make money from missions but mom, me, and Sako hide it from him so we can pay off his stupid debts, keep the house, and try to have food to eat. He gets mad because I don't tell him where it is so he hits me. He was hitting Sako in my place while we were gone and was about to punch her in the face but I got in the way so he hit me with his belt on the back."

Neji had to take several deep breaths so he did not crush Kuma with how hard he held her. He saw Sakura clench her fists and heard her teeth grind together. Her clipboard snapped under the pressure and Kuma jolted. She did not go far and Sakura apologized with a smile on her face and put her destroyed clipboard onto her desk.

"He's the one who made mom burn her hands. We had a fireplace with these steel bars in front of it at the old place and one day he tried to push her in the fire and she held onto the bars so she wouldn't go in the fire. When he saw he put more wood on so it burned past the bars and then she couldn't let go of them until he pulled her off. She'd been trying to protect me and Sako."

Neji gritted his teeth and clenched onto the bed with one hand so he did not strike out. His Byakugan had activated because of his anger and he could not shut it off. Sakura's hands were glowing with chakra. Kuma noticed both and bit her lip.

Neji let out a few calming breaths and got his Byakugan to shut off. Sakura had done the same and Neji hugged Kuma a bit tighter for a few moments. He wished he had the authority to bring Kuma, Sako, and their mother to the Hyuuga compound until they could get a place on their own but he did not. The Hyuuga compound would likely be too stifling for Kuma and intimidating for all three.

"We're going to go to Tsunade-sama once Ino talks with Neji about Tora," Sakura said. "Your dad's working in the day, right?"

Kuma nodded. Sakura kept going.

"Good, we'll get you guys out of there while he's not there and put you with one of the clans in the Village so he can't even think of trying to find you. Your mom will be back-paid for compensation depending when the burns happened so it won't be difficult for you guys to get a nice apartment somewhere and have some ryo left over to upkeep it. There will be a restraining order put on your father and an ANBU will follow him to make sure he doesn't go looking for you.

"If your mom wants to press charges he'll be put in jail and all his assets will be given to her while he's in there. If not then he'll be restricted from seeing you guys until you guys want to see him. Sound good?"

Kuma beamed and nodded. Neji did not want to let her go but Sakura suggested he go talk with Ino in her office. Neji huffed and gave Kuma a final squeeze before letting her go. She smiled as he left Sakura's office and he sighed. He knocked on Ino's door and he entered when she said he could.

Tora was biting her lip and fiddling with her shirt. Ino smiled at him and Neji inclined his head at her as he shut the door.

"Tora's fine, good weight for her height and muscle structure and she's average in height. She's started puberty and had her first menstrual cycle (Tora flushed deep red at this) and everything's doing what it should. I've got no concerns," Ino said.

"Thank you," Neji said.

Ino nodded and waved them off. Neji and Tora went into the hallway but Neji stopped her before they went towards the waiting room. She looked up at him with wide, wet eyes, worried for Kuma it seemed and he bent to her level.

"I have to deal with some private things with Kuma right now. Go tell Akino you three are being dismissed for the rest of the day and maybe tomorrow as well," Neji said.

"Is she okay?" Tora asked.

A tear slipped down her cheek and Neji hugged her. God he hated this.

"She will be," Neji said.

Tora sniffled and wiped her eyes.

"Her dad hits her, doesn't he?" Tora questioned.

Neji blinked, surprised, but gave a small nod. Tora let out a breath and pouted.

"I saw him once when he came to pick her up from the academy," Tora said. "He smelled horrible and grabbed her by the shoulder too rough. Kuma didn't say anything though. She just smiled and took it. I think that's why she's always so happy, or tries to be, you know? She doesn't want to think of how much he hurts them and,"

Tora had to stop because of tears. Neji blinked away his tears and held Tora close for several minutes. He noticed Ino had slipped by him to talk with Kuma and Sakura but said nothing. Tora got a hold of her emotions quickly and Neji smiled at her.

"It will be okay," Neji said. "We're getting Kuma, her sister, and her mother out of there today and making sure he can never hurt them again."
Tora smiled and hugged him again. She took a few deep breaths and her expression went into a relaxed state. She wiped away her tears and let out a breath.

"I'll tell Akino we're off. I won't tell Kuma I guessed about what happened or Akino about what's going on cuz it's her business," Tora said.

Neji was glad he did not have to tell her not to speak about this to anyone. God she was brilliant. Tora gave him an almost normal smile, turned on her heel, and began to walk to the waiting room. Neji got to his feet and entered Sakura's office after being told he could.

Kuma sat on the bed still, biting her lip, and had her eyebrows furrowed in worry. Ino and Sakura had their arms crossed and frowns on their faces.

"I'll go with you," Sakura said. "We'll go to Tsunade-sama first then go pick up Sako and their mother, Kuma, you'll stay with Tsunade-sama."

Kuma nodded as did Neji. Neji placed a hand on Kuma's shoulder and a moment later he, Kuma, and Sakura teleported in front of Tsunade-sama's door. Sakura went in first and Neji waited in the hallway with Kuma. Shikamaru came out of the office, gave Neji a glare which Neji returned, and the Shadow-nin strode off. Shizune stayed in the room.

Neji entered the room cautiously and Tsunade-sama motioned for him to come to the desk. Sakura began explaining why they were there with Neji and Kuma helping. Once they were done, Tsunade-sama stood, oddly peaceful, and then threw her chair out the window behind her with a scream.

Kuma gaped but everyone else stood still as Tsunade-sama panted in rage. Shizune offered to take Kuma across the hall into a briefing room for some milk and cookies and Tsunade-sama allowed it. Kuma happily followed Shizune out of the room.

"God damn it," Tsunade-sama said.

Neji took a breath and let it out slowly.

"I want to formally apologize for not—" Neji tried.

He often forgot how quickly Tsunade-sama could move but was reminded when she raced around her desk, raised her right hand, and slapped him so hard in the cheek he lost his balance and fell on his ass. He held his throbbing cheek (that would certainly bruise) and looked up at Tsunade-sama with wide eyes and an open mouth. Hell, she had knocked a few teeth loose.

"This is not your fault, Hyuuga, understood?" Tsunade-sama asked.

"Ah, but," He tried.

She stomped a foot which made the room shake and Neji gulped.

"I get she's on your team and as a nineteen year-old Hyuuga genius you figure you should have seen some hint of it. But this is not your fault for missing it after only being her sensei for what, not even three months?"

Neji took a little breath but did not get off the floor. It was probably safer on the floor anyway.

"But I did have my suspicions," Neji said.

"And you couldn't have acted until she told you," Tsunade-sama said.

Neji relented and nodded. Tsunade smirked at him then sat down beside him. She pulled his hand off his cheek and applied healing chakra to it. Neji stayed still as she healed him then thanked her when she was done. She tugged him to his feet and he kept back his wince as his arm was almost pulled out of its socket.

"Now, go with Sakura to help the mother and younger sister pack and get here. Only meaningful things and clothes are to come with. Everything else will be provided by any back-pay on disability from the fire. Once I see the burns, we might be able to help her get some mobility in her hands back. Now, shoo," Tsunade said.

Neji and Sakura shooed. Neji led Sakura to Kuma's house from the rooftops and she followed beside him easily. She said nothing as they came into the worst area of town but did frown. Neji landed in front of the home but Sakura stopped him.

"Depending on certain things, the mother might not want to come," Sakura said.

Neji scowled but nodded. He knew. Sakura wanted to make sure. Neji let out a breath and approached the door. He knocked. They did not have to wait long before Kuma's miniature opened the door and gaped up at them.

"Hello Sako, do you remember me?" Neji asked pleasantly.

He partially closed his eyes and put a smile on his face to not look so damned creepy. Sometimes he hated his blood-line limit.

"How can I forget? You're Hyuuga Neji, Kuma-neesan's sensei! She talks about you every day," Sako said.

Neji flushed at the comment as Sako giggled. She let them in after Sakura introduced herself as Neji's friend and Sako led them into the sitting room where her mother sat with her hands covered. Neji stopped Sako from getting tea and had her sit on the couch. Neji looked to Sakura who nodded at him. Of course he had to be the one to start this rolling. He was the sensei.

"Kuma had to go in for a physical today as is standard procedure after any away mission," Neji said.

Sako and her mother stiffened. Sakura kept her face relaxed and Neji tried not to seem too imposing.

"I was her attending med-nin," Sakura said. "I saw the bruises on her back and assumed it was Neji being too rough in sparing. Standard procedure dictates a jonin-in-charge has to be with their genin once all the physical stuff is done and we go over everything. When I mentioned I was worried about the bruises on Kuma's back, intending to berate Neji, he asked me about them."

Sako bit her lip and her mother sagged. Neji took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Kuma told us your husband is a mean drunk and beats her and Sako to get to the ryo Kuma's making as a shinobi," Neji said. "She told us why you cannot use your hands. We are here to help you get away from him. You will be given a lump sum for compensation depending when the injury took place to your hands as well as monthly compensation for the, ah, injury. An ANBU guard will be posted on your husband to make certain he cannot and will not go looking for you once you leave."

Sako's jaw dropped and her eyes went wide. Her mother pursed her lips and tears came to her eyes.

"We're also here to help you two pack," Sakura said. "Clothes, any mementoes, things you need. From here we'll go straight to Tsunade-sama's office where she'll explain things further and set you up with a clan in Konoha until you find a place. Also, I want to look at your hands to see if we can do anything about getting some mobility back."

Neither said a word for a few moments. They both started crying and hugging each other and Neji sat still, worrying at his inner lip. When they parted, they were smiling.

"Thank you, thank you so much," the mother said. "I told the girls we would be saving all the money Kuma made for missions so we could leave but this will work so much better. Sako, go get started on your room. Neji-sama, if you don't mind going with her."

Neji inclined his head in the positive and followed Sako out of the sitting area. He heard the mother say she would let Sakura look at her hands and let out a breath of relief. Neji helped Sako get two roughed up luggage bags from the storage room and dragged them into the girls' room.

Neji took all of Kuma's clothes, rolling them tightly to fit them snuggly in the bag while Sako went under the bed to the hidden drawer. She dumped the entire box inside before going for her clothing. Neji helped her roll things up and Sako was amazed at how much more they could fit. Neji let Sako packed undergarments and went to the leg-weights. These he moved to the front door.

He paused by the sitting room to see Sakura applying her healing chakra to the mother's right hand. It was helping, slowly, but with many treatments and a bit of patience, perhaps the mother could regain the movement in her hands. Neji smiled before going back to Sako. He did not make it two steps from the sitting room door before feeling murderous intentions.

Neji turned but he was late. The father came out of the kitchen with a glass in his hand, yelling a curse but Neji knew he was too late to do anything. Besides, any of his retaliation attacks would put him under questioning because this was a damned civilian attacking him. Neji would blame that on his hesitation.

The glass came down and Neji yelled in pain. He went to his knees in shock and tried not to put a hand over the wound which caused him the most distress. He had fucking glass in his eye. He heard a scuffle and a wall breaking as Sakura punched Kuma's father. Neji felt pain across his forehead and some little bursts on his cheeks but he could live with scars on his face. He couldn't live with one fucking eye.

"Neji, look up," Sakura said.

He did and she gaped. He wanted to blink so damned badly but knew it wouldn't help.

"Hold still and don't blink," She said.

Neji gave a short nod and heard Sako gasp. He heard her mother say something but did not pay attention to her words. Sakura's right hand moved but he lost sight of it when it got to his pained eye. Oh God. He couldn't see out of one eye!

Neji bit his lip to keep from freaking out too horribly and clenched his hands into fists when there was more pain in his eye, the left. Neji stopped biting his tongue when he tasted blood then felt someone take his hand. It was on the side he could not see but he held the person's hand as the cooling sensation of healing chakra washed over his eye.

Blurs began to come into view, mostly a big green one and Neji wanted to blink. He did not. Sakura removed her hand and told him to blink. He did. Neji took a few deep breaths and she told him to close his right eye and keep the left open. He did so and almost cried in relief. It was fine. He could see again and there was no lasting damage.

"Can you see?" Sakura asked.

Neji nodded. Sakura let out a breath.

"Anything blurry?"

He shook his head. She smiled.

"Activate the Byakugan,"

Neji did. It didn't hurt and it worked. He tested out his vision field and other various tricks and it all worked. His vision was fine. He could see it was Sako holding his hand (had seen it even without Byakugan). He de-activated the Byakugan and nodded.

"Good, now, let's get some off that glass off your face," Sakura said. "You two keep packing. He'll be out for a while."

Sako let go of his hand and her mother went back into the girl's room. Neji sat still as Sakura picked out glass and healed the cuts on his face. When she was done, she wiped a hand over her forehead. He couldn't help it. He hugged her.

Sakura made a choking sound in her throat then giggled and hugged back. They separated after a moment and he glared at her. She coughed.

"Tell anyone about that," Neji said.

She rolled her eyes.

"Oh please, you know me better than that," Sakura said.

Neji smirked then nodded. He got to his feet and ran a hand through his hair. He peered into the kitchen and saw the entire side of the house had been knocked down. Kuma's father was lying in the rubble of the wall and some neighbours were standing around in awe.

"I should probably make sure he's not dead," Sakura said with a frown.

Some of the neighbours looked up at her. They gulped and a few walked away. Sakura was well known in Konoha for her pink hair and insane strength. Naruto had helped that reputation but Sakura did not seem to mind. The reputation came with the fact Sakura never hit anyone unless they deserved it.

"Do you have to?" Neji asked after a moment.

She swatted him with a smirk on her face but walked away. Everything went off without an issue after that. Kuma's father would spend some time in the hospital but Neji did not lie when he said he had not seen what Sakura had done to him. Sako, Kuma, and their mother went to Tsunade-sama's office to tell her everything. Her desk had gone flying that afternoon.

Neji heard that evening (he had not been allowed to attend the meeting with the family and Tsunade-sama), the Takenaka women would stay with the Inuzuka family until Tsunade-sama could figure out the lump sum compensation and the monthly salary.

Once she gave the figures, Sako and her mother could start looking for an apartment. Neji figured it would take at least a few weeks. It did not matter. Kuma was safe now and would be until she went on higher ranking missions. Neji smirked. It was something.

Review and all that, next chapter sooner than you think ;).