Authors note: I know it took me longer than i thought but i have a some great news. only one more chapter to go. the end is in sight or those of you who have been following the story and i have a few neary completed one shots coming up. So for those of you who are interested keep your eyes peeled.

Disclaimer: I dont own Naruto or the characters, just borrowing.

The curtains in his room were open thanks to an earlier wake up call by Udon, but to no avail. The light was dim. The clouds hid the bright rays of sun that had graced his room in the days past. On the plus side it was an excellent chance to meditate, as there was little else to do. He was hoping that today would bring about a change for the better in everyone, especially Sakura and Hiashi. He could feel the sensation of Hyuuga eyes watching him, a feeling he was quite accustomed to. The aura was too far away to tell which Hyuuga it was but he could always check. A rap of knuckles on the door made him sit up and rearrange himself. It would not be acceptable to be found frumpy for his therapy.

The door opened and in walked his favorite doctor. Clip board in hand and assistant in toe she barely looked at him before scribbling on her charts. "Good morning Hyuuga-san. I hope your evening was pleasant," she said finally looking him in the eye with a firmly set generic smile.

"It could have been better," he said, hinting at the fact that his dinner had been a distinctly lonely one without her chitchat to keep him company. Recognition flashed through her eyes but it never reached her smile. Instead she hardened herself and blanked her emotions once more.

Eyes closed for a moment she reopened them with the pleasant but emotionless mask. The genius couldn't help but think that Sakura may have spent too much time around Sai. "How is your leg today?" Her eyes narrowed in on the cause of most of his pain. Despite the condition his ribs were in, his leg gave him the most trouble. He could only guess it was because the fractures were already healed though still bruised. He was certainly no expert.

He thought it over and spoke the truth. "Stronger."

"Good. Udon, prepare the new chart please." The boy's eyes widened and he scurried to prepare a new chart. Excitement coursed through the boy's movements. It was the first time he had been allowed to prep a chart for an actual patient and he was not going to disappoint. Faster than Neji thought possible the boy pulled up a chart with all the relevant information on it whilst Sakura signed off on the one from the day before. When he was finished the young nurse handed over the chart with pride. Sakura nodded and sent the boy a genuine grin before getting back to work. "Now lets see your progress. The same program as yesterday."

She stepped forward hand glowing to examine the leg from the inside. Her hand made contact and she began moving thought the stretches they had gone through the day before using her energy to view the progress. His muscles were moving well and the bone was stitching together nicely. He could tell. His eyes were focused on what she was viewing. He took the opportunity to shift his focus to the Hyuuga outside. Sure enough it was his uncle watching his examination with keen eyes. "Excellent you are healing faster than expected," she stated.

He nodded pleased at his progress yet oddly but off by how quickly it was all moving. Surely healing should take longer. Pervious stays in the hospital were excruciatingly long. "When will I return to active duty?" The question lingered in the air for a moment before Sakura looked up to the ceiling calculating out the possibilities.

When she shifted her eyes back down she scribbled on the paper without viewing her penmanship. "Possibly by the end of the week." She reached her hand out yet again and set to work on healing his broken bone a little more, aiding the re-stitching process.

When the glowing stopped he wiggled his toes to feel the progress. As always, it impressed him. He felt a great deal better but only a trial would tell him for sure. "Hn," came his involuntary acknowledgment.

"Now prepare to stand." After a short struggle to get upright without jostling his leg he managed to swing his legs over the edge. His bare feet felt the cold ground and he prepared to grab her outstretched arm. The clipboard was set-aside on the bed and both of her hands helped him up almost all of his weight held up by her strength. He was sure that all he would need was another couple of healing sessions before he was completely recovered. "Lovely, could you walk to the end of the room with me?"

They took a few turns around the room, allowing him to feel more of the ground then he had the day before. His leg still was not stable but it soon would be. "That feels much stronger."

She seemed pleased though it was hard to tell. When she set him down on the bed again the clipboard found it's place as the sole contender for her attention. The clipboard hid her face and only when she had finished scribbling the last of her notes did she beckon to Udon who rushed to a small closet on the other side of the room that contained medical equipment. "I think you're ready for crutches" she announced, allowing a small smile that barely reached her eyes spring forth.

"You don't have to use them unless you want to," came the whispered voice of Udon as he brought the pair of grey and silver crutches forward. They all knew how likely it would be for Neji to actually use the supports but it was worth the effort to give them to him should he decided to try when no one was looking.

"Udon is correct but it would help keep you occupied and keep you active. Your choice." The suggestion was heavy in her tone and her eyes told him that it was best for him to heed the call. Underneath the cold exterior he could tell she really wanted to put her hands on her hips and give some sassy comeback about being his doctor.

"We shall see," Neji said, once gain checking on their outside observer. Hiashi lowered his head ever the tiniest bit and slowly began to walk away admitting to his nephew that there was little to be concerned about in regards to her care.

"Indeed. Udon, is Hyuuga-san's meal ready?" The boy nodded then ran to retrieve a packaged lunch and canister of tea from wherever it was stored. Sakura placed the clipboard down in the chart holder for Udon to observe later before stuffing her hands in her pockets awkwardly. "Then I will see you this evening," she said, turning on her heel and heading out the door with out a smile or witty comment thrown over her shoulder. Neji felt the chill most acutely though he wondered why it bothered him so much. If she wanted to retreat from this friendship they had developed in their short time together then that should have been her prerogative, but he couldn't let it stand. He was not going to let her retreat.

He was so entranced in his thoughts and plans he barely noticed Udon re-entering the room with his coveted meal. The boy set up the lunch shifting about nervously on his feet and sneaking glances at the door until he was sure no one could hear them. "About the complaint..." he began quietly, only to stop unsure of how to proceed.

Neji nodded the to the boy reassuring and silencing him with one simple movement. "That has been taken care of." His voice was deep and quiet so only Udon could hear.

A little grin laced with sadness was brought forward onto chubby cheeks. "Hopefully Sakura-sensei will relax a little bit now."

"So its not just me?" Neji had guessed that she had most likely been acting the same with all of her other patients but he was not happy to hear it confirmed. The doll like smile and vapid eyes were nothing like the woman he knew and he didn't like it one bit. This act of hers was only making her work worse, though she most likely didn't see it that way. Something would have to be done.

Udon sent a worried glance to the door. "No. This is the most relaxed she's been all morning." The boy collected the charts to study later and the odds and ends that he needed including the old tea canister. Slightly downtrodden the nurse exited leaving Neji to his thoughts for a time.

"Neji-nii how are you?"

He set aside his backlogged paper work that had haunted his desk top for far too long. A relative had stopped by earlier in the day with a large bundle of it for Udon, who graciously deposited the tedium onto his lap. Since then Neji had been diligently scratching away at the pile that had accumulated over the months of continuous missions that had lead to his eventual injury. The arrival of his cousin was just as good an excuse as any to set aside his work. "Very well Hinata-sama."

The young woman flipped her hair over her shoulder and sat down on the stool that had housed all his visitors to date. "Would you happen to know where Sakura-chan has wandered off to?" she asked folding her hands and lacing her fingers together in her lap. "I thought I'd check with you first. I don't want to invade patient privacy." Her head tilted to the side with a small smile as she looked around the room. It was cozy if not a little too organized as tended to be his way. Everything had it's place and no space near the bed was left unused.

He knew what she alluded to. Just because they had the ability to see through walls didn't mean they should whenever it was convenient. For her part she only used her gift when necessary but he had no such qualms. If it suited him or made his task easier he often called upon the byakugan, but then his vision was far more precise than hers. He could avoid seeing that which he did not wish to. "I see." He was about to look for her when she held up her hand to stop him.

"It isn't anything that can't wait a few minutes. Just a gift." She pulled out a beautifully wrapped rectangular box. The width fit snugly in the palm of her hand. A little silver ribbon matched well with the blue wrapping.

He had a general idea what was happening but it needed confirmation. "From you?"

Hinata's face twisted slightly as she looked up at the ceiling. "Well, sort of. Sent from father through me. Unofficially of course." Her voice dipped down at the end, never fully chastising her father yet at the same time hinting at how she really felt about his cowardice for not coming forward himself to apologize.

"Hn." He could not help but agree with his cousin's sentiment and awe at her progress. Her diplomacy classes had been taken to heart unlike the etiquette lessons that had been forced onto her sister.

Hinata crossed one leg over the other knitting at the ankle danitly. "You know how he is. His pride gets the better of him. In any case it will be nice to see her. It's been a while."

"She is probably on her rounds."

Hinata pulled a small photo out of her pocket. It looked to be ripped from an advert of some sort. "What do you think?" she asked handing the photo to him for inspection. "Father got her a decorative hair piece but I felt a good pen would be better." She seemed sure of her conclusion and he was fairly positive she was right.

He had to admit it suited Sakura. The pen was brushed silver with a lovely fountain tip on the end and a top that screwed closed. Simple and elegant, he was sure Sakura would love the new tool. "She will appreciate it." He handed the paper back to Hinata who tucked it back into her pocket.

Unfolding her ankles, the Hyuuga heir stood while brushing off her jacket. "Good. Hanabi told me of her visit yesterday. May I suggest the straight forward approach," she said with a small smile filled with understanding.

Just as with Hanabi he refused to admit to anything. "I don't know what you mean," he said picking up his work again, leaving Hinata to chuckle at his obvious discomfort.

"I'm sure you don't." Her small smile reminded him entirely too much of her sisters and he decided to brush it off. Thus she left, pausing at the door to send him a small nod and a smile. "I'll go find Sakura. I might come back alter."

He was sure it was Sakura walking down the hall hours later. Then he was positive it wasn't. The strong hand that slammed the door open with out a knock immediately had him on his guard until he saw who it was. The fast paced approach to his bedside was all business. Blonde pigtails offset the angry and frustrated face that frowned at him with accusatory eyes. "Your Kami forsaken uncle is driving me mad."

Her statement was not something he expected to hear yet it did not surprise him. His uncle often had that effect on people. "Hokage-sama," he greeted in his customary manner.

"What is he playing at?" A box slightly bigger than her fist was held up in the air. There was no wrapping though a small piece of pink paper taped to the side suggested there had been. He guessed by the size it was jewelry and knowing his uncle very expensive.

Ah, a gift, he thought to himself. No doubt Hiashi knew he was not the kage's favorite person right now. It made sense that he would send a gift to her as well. "He has been slightly embarrassed." He did his best and hoped that the explanation helped a bit but he doubted it would. Tsunade was not the type of person to find that sort of justification acceptable, particularly when his previous behavior had been so volatile. And such a trinket, which he assumed the gift was based on its size, was not going to win her over.

"Is that what this is?" She opened the box to show a shiny object that she turned her nose up at. "He needs to work on expressing himself. What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" The Hogake held up a very expensive and very opulent wide toothed comb decorated with semi-precious stones that gave the impression that multi-colored flowers were along the band. The comb would have looked fetching at an event where such decorations were appropriate but it did not suit Tsunade and he doubted she would ever wear it. He had a feeling that the comb had originally been intended for Sakura and he couldn't see her wearing it either.

"If you wish I can have it exchanged for something more appropriate." He held his hand out for her to place the object in and when she did was amazed at the weight. How could any woman wear something that heavy in their hair? Such and impracticality made the gift next to useless. He wanted to shake his head at his uncle's choice but he knew the older man had thought he was doing well with the gift.

Gift removed, the Hokage folded her arms under her chest. "Sake please." A scamper of feet coming to the door did not phase her despite the mound of paper work that accompanied her assistant.

"As you say, Hokage-sama," he affirmed putting it in his list of things to accomplish at his earliest convenience. He knew just the vendor to speak to about high quality liquor that would have the Kage singing his praises for years to come.

Her hands moved to her hips as she sent him a sly sassy smile that carefully covered the pride she felt. Sakura was precious to her and anyone who stood up for the spirited medic was an ace in her book. "I know it was you that brought this about."

"You and Sakura are the ones who opened his eyes." Neji diverted his gaze doing his best to remain humble under her round about praise. He felt the subtle shift in her presence and knew what was coming. The tiniest things set the kage off, often to the dismay of whomever she was speaking to.

"You're the one who made that possible." She insisted with a gaze that refused to let him back away from his involvement. The older woman had a way of dragging the truth out of anyone, even seasoned nins. He wondered if she had ever considered going into the interrogation unit.

To quell her growing irritation at being made to continue the praise further he decided to own up to his part in the proceedings. "I may have suggested that he stop by to witness my therapy session this morning."

Finally backing down now that her suspicions were confirmed Tsunade smiled fully. "Thank you for that. Sakura is such a perfectionist."

"It makes her a wonderful healer."

The busty blond chuckled in understanding. "That it does. I understand she has been spending her breaks here," she said with an open ending, clearly expecting clarification.

"Until yesterday, yes," he admitted with a due sense of annoyance. His meals were feeling a bit lonely since this whole issue started and he wanted her to have a conversation with him again where her professionalism took a back seat.

"I see," she said once again sporting a sly grin along with the slight raise one brow.

"Hokage-sama?" he asked, all the while wondering how so many women in his life managed to say so little yet imply so much.

The woman shrugged picking up his file to flip curiously through it. "I just found it odd. Only a select few have ever received that treatment," she said, scanning over Udon and Sakura's work with an expert eye, invariably pleased with their work and his recovery.

He ticked off the names as he knew them to be true listing them out for her confirmation. "Kakashi, Naruto, and Sai."

She placed the folder down on the side table where she found it. "And now you. Don't forget the sake Hyuuga. And I'll give you and extra week on leave for your pains." There was a hint in her voice that he recognized. Hinata and Hanabi had used their own versions of it. Why did all the women that came to visit him have to be so vague? They all seemed to think they knew something he didn't. He was very much aware that he liked Sakura a great deal more than any other woman, so there was no need to remind him. He was sure that was what they were all hinting at. Or perhaps they actually did know something he didn't, which made him want to find out what it was. This particular target would not be the one to approach about it. Knowing Tsunade-sama she would just laugh at him and waltz out of the room. He would ask Hianta the next time she came by.

Neji tilted his head down in a diminished bow. "Thank you Hokage-sama."

The kage tilted her head back to let out a full-blown gale of laughter that travelled down the halls and brought far to much attention to his room than he wanted. "And here I thought you would have an issue with that. I like this change Hyuuga. Keep it up." The older woman patted his shoulder with too much pressure to be comfortable before turning on her heal to leave.

Shizune poked her head around the corner when her mentor had cleared the door, Tonton doing his best to catch his breath whilst he still could. "No sake please. She already has enough to sink a ship."

He felt bad to add more woes to Shizunes already hectic hold on the Hokages drinking habits but a command was just that and he intended to see it through. The crutches to his left would aid him greatly. The hallway phone would work well for his purpose. When no one was near he intended to slowly make his way over to fulfill his task. When that was taken care of he had a problem to sort out and the better part of the afternoon with which to do so. He might even have time for a nap. So many visits in one day had him wanting some peace and quiet.

He was ready when the door swung open. He knew exactly what he was going to do to get her to open up again because this standoff was driving him crazy, which was an emotion he did not want to delve further into. Crazy led to desperation which led to illogical conclusions and actions, and he would rather nip it int eh bud now whilst the crazy was still in a mild form. "How was your day Hyuuga-san?" a neutral tone with an insincere toothy grin and veiled eyes. This was not the Sakura he knew and it troubled him as it had been since the day before. This had to stop.

She did not look at him and that was not what he wanted. He wanted to see her eyes. It was so unlike her not to look people in the eye when she spoke to them. "Sakura."

"Good. I take it," she said ignoring the stare he was sending her way. She shuffled about the room keeping her eyes adverted from his while Udon cowered from the discomfort swirling in the room that grew by the second. "Udon are we ready?'

"Hai." The boy was shaky and uncertain as he looked between the two adults. He could feel the tension, both individuals equally determined to complete their goals. How had he found himself here? He could only trust that Neji had a plan and wouldn't get her angry enough to knock out the whole west wing. Or perhaps that was the plan… anger was an emotion after all and getting her to show one of them would be a step forward. Hopefully they would give him enough warning to run before it was too late.

Sakura checked off a box on the chart continuing to avoid his gaze. "Excellent, now Hyuuga-san-"

He cut her off, once again speaking her name this time with more force. "Sakura."

She continued to pretend that he hadn't spoken, moving on to her question without missing a beat. She stood at his side face nose deep in the report. "Do you feel any pain?" Her question spoken into the pages and not to him. His dark brows furrowed in frustration, frustration with her and the situation that had made her respond this way. Most of all frustrated he was with himself. His ridiculous uncle had to stick his nose in once again and had made a impeccable medic with a wonderful sense of confidence and engaging bedside manner turn to a cold fish. If it hadn't been for him and his injury they wouldn't have been dealing with this and if he had been able to assure Sakura earlier she might not have been so far gone.

"No."

"Have you tried using your crutches yet?"

"Yes." Her brow rose ever so slightly surprised but ultimately the mask was back up before too much could be shown, though it was a start and now he knew her determination did not match his own.

Still she tried, making small talk as she examined his leg and rib cage. "That is promising. A nice leisurely walk?"

He continued to look at her never letting up his gaze. "To place an order."

"Oh? For what?" her brow knitted in concentration as she noticed a portion of bone that was knitting slower than the rest that she would have to assist when she healed him.

He knew his answer would grab her attention; in fact he was counting on it. "Sake for Tsunade-sama."

She paused, eyes wide and slightly shocked. They both knew that the last thing the esteemed older woman needed was more booze. Never the less Sakura held her tongue. She took a deep breath and smiled mildly. "I see. I am sure she will enjoy it."

"Sakura," he called once again, still receiving no reply. If anything she was becoming belligerent in her actions using that stubbornness he knew she possessed to it's full potential.

"Now this may burn a little bit," she advised, allowing her hand to glow green as she ploughed through with the healing, keeping her face as far from his as possible.

"Sakura."

"That appears to be coming along nicely." Healing done she moved away quickly

White eyes narrowed. This was getting him nowhere. He shifted his gaze to the boy nervously twiddling in the corner. "Udon would you excuse us please?"

Without any other prompting the young man fled from the scene, happy to get away from the events that were about to unfold. He had no place there. Sakura "Udon, there is no need-"

"Sakura why are you still worried?" His question cut through the air and brought her attention back to the nin seated stiffly on the bed with his arms crossed proudly over his chest, long brown hair rested on his arms and shoulders out of it's usual tie. When he stared at her like that she found it hard to keep her resolve, even so she could not let it go yet.

Sakura jutted her delicate chin out presumably to help her justification. "I am just doing my job Hyuuga-san."

He frowned vigorously. She had not called him that since he'd arrived and the recession in practice and familiarity did not please him in the least. "Neji," he corrected, his stare still firmly in place. He could tell it made her uncomfortable and he intend to keep it up until this was resolved.

Eyes steeled, she breathed in sharply through her nose. "I am trying to be professional."

"You already are." He stressed the words so that she might listen but true to form she continued on and for the first time he was seeing her stubborn qualities at their height. He too was stubborn and he would make her see.

"The complaint…" she started but could not finish for he was not a patient man.

"The complaint was made in haste by a man who had no idea what he was talking about," he explained slowly and deliberately hoping that an explanation might calm her down enough to bring her back to herself.

That stopped her dead in her tracks, her eyes went wide and there he saw the emotion he had been looking for. The silence permeated the room and there was something on her mind that would not go unquestioned and he knew that too. "…You know who made the complaint."

"Yes and it has been dealt with," he said confidently.

She took a sharp breath and let it out slowly until she was ready to speak. "It was your uncle. That is why Hinata came by. The pen is from your uncle."

He didn't bother to deny it. Sakura was no fool and he would not lie to her or insulted her intelligence by trying to persuade her that it wasn't so. "He wanted to give you a decorative hair pin." He explained watching as she had the exact response he thought she would. The top of her nose crinkled in distaste and her head pulled back the slightest bit as she thought over the ostentatious type of hair accessory his uncle might have chosen. "Hinata thought the pen was more suited."

Sakura smiled with sentiment at the apparent thoughtfulness that her friend had shown with the gift. She was always complaining about the awful pens they gave her in the office. "She was right."

"You like it." Sakura ran her finger along the pen that Neji only now noticed she had been writing with. He had been too focused on other matters to care what writing utensil she had in her hands. He waited for her to look at him for the first time properly since she'd arrived in the room.

Her eyes darted to his but then those bright green eyes he had come so accustomed to flitted away back to the work in her harms. "Ok, Hyuuga-san lets get back to your therapy."

"No," he said folding his arms over his chest.

"No?" she asked taken aback by his outright defiance to the suggestion, that if she was being honest wasn't really a suggestion at all rather a command veiled in an overly polite tone.

"No."

"Hyuuga-san." There was a warning in her tone that he decided not to heed, perhaps foolishly he admitted to himself but if that was what would get through to her then he wouldn't mind spending more time in the hospital. Who was he kidding? So long as she was here the idea didn't bother him in the least.

He stood up on one foot keeping the healing one aloft by a few centimeters. The cold linoleum chilled his foot and he was pleased to find her watching him carefully. "Sakura, if you don't stop this foolishness I will put my full weight on this leg and jump."

The two starred each other down and she inched forward to try to stop him as he threatened to put his foot down on the ground. "You wouldn't."

"You know I will." The stare down continued until Neji bent his knee to jump in the air and switch his feet.

"Alright, alright!" She yelled stopping him from switching his feet. A pale long fingered hand ran through her pink hair and she let out a long frustrated sigh. "Damn it Neji! I'm trying to do better work."

His face softened at her look of determined struggle. She knew her work was good, her bedside manner tailored to each of her patients as needed and yet her efforts had been chastised by someone, who complained because he could. She was trying but in all the wrong ways. "Your work is impeccable. You are just being stubborn."

She smirked at him and placed her hands on her hips. "I'm not the only one."

He chuckled. "Are you going to get your dinner or shall I have Udon get it for you?'

In mock outrage that failed to hide her amusement her hands crossed under her chest. "Since when are you in charge of my nurse?" For the first time in the last few days she looked at him with wide gentle eyes, a look that he was beginning to appreciate more since it had been withheld from him. Their eyes connected and that was when he saw a flicker of something that he wouldn't soon forget but it was gone too soon to fully identify it. He knew it was good, possibly too good to be true. "I will be back in a minute." She darted out of the room and left him by himself to ponder the look that he'd received. What was that? And why did it feel so good? Well… that was a silly question that he already knew the answer to, or at least he was beginning to understand the full depth of it.

She wasn't gone long, not nearly long enough for him to revel in his findings. On the bright side she did return with food and canisters of tea as was now their custom. "That was quick."

She handed him his half of the meal and his utensils, an act he knew well. He recognized her packed meals form home and as always was thrilled to unbox his dinner. "My office is down the hall." She pointed in a direction and he used his byakugan to view the room she meant. That room? It was practically empty. No potted plants, no pictures, and so little personality it looked unused. He suspected it was. The only thing that gave it away was a large pile of files by the door and a coat rack riddled with white lab coats.

"You have an office." It made sense. She was effectively running the hospital. She was bound to have an office considering her station. It was just odd that he hadn't seen it before or noticed her staying in one room more than then others.

"Didn't I say? It might as well be a closet with a fridge in it. All I use it for is storing food and jackets." Green eyes closed in pleasure enjoying the taste of her own food. "Mmmm, this is good."

He liked it when she enjoyed something. He could always tell when she was truly pleased. It showed on her face and lit up the room. "When does your break finish?"

"Actually, I don't have anything else scheduled for today… well except for your therapy. Which we will be finishing." With that he knew she would be staying for a time, at least until they were done eating and possibly longer.

"What are you doing after this?" He knew they could both hear the hope buried in his voice. He was sure the look in his eyes didn't help anything but if he was honest with himself the long days and nights alone in the confines of his room were lonely and the idea of spending the time with someone he genuinely liked was far to appealing to pass up.

She shrugged bringing her shoulders all the way up and then letting them fall again in a slightly comical manner "I was going to take some paper work home with me."

A solution presented itself to him and with the dying sun there was no other real option. "Do it here. I don't mind."

The suggestion quite obviously caught her off guard as the tea that was half way to her mouth got placed down again and the heel of her foot bounced on the floor with contemplation. After a moment or two of mulling it over and running through the hospital bylaws in her head she had come to a conclusion. Her foot stopped bouncing as the hand she had inadvertently placed under her chin fell to her lap again. "Hmm, I guess I could but no peaking Neji." She was serious. At the same time he was aware that she was going out on a bit of a limb. He doubted she did hospital paperwork in front of too many others. All of the files were confidential. It was an act he could appreciate; her way of meeting him half way after their stand off earlier. Still he could hardly pass up an opportunity to ruffle her feathers a tiny bit.

"How do you know I haven't already?" he asked with a suspicious glance at the room he now knew was her office.

At his question she didn't know how to react. Part of her wanted to be outraged and the other part knew he was teasing her. Thus she settled for a reaction that was somewhere between the two responses. "At least don't do it in front of me. Tsunade-sama would kill me." The last two words were exaggerated for they both knew Tsunade would never, perhaps severely injure but never kill, her beloved student. It was nice to see Sakura's personality shine out again with out being inhibited.

"Can't have that." The smirk that was harbored on his lips refused to leave and he felt that things that would finally be back to normal. And at last he could enjoy his food to the full extent.

"Seriously, who would bring you food then?" she asked with a sassy pointed stare that was a significantly milder version of the one she sported with half of team seven the day before.

Without missing a beat he responded with the most obvious answer. "Udon."

The corner of her lip twitched at the cheeky reply. It took a moment for her to stop grinning long enough to come back with a response of her own one that terrified him. "If your not careful I will switch your nurse." He definitely couldn't have that.

End comments: I decided to put this up now before it ended up being another month before I could manage it. I am aware that it is not my most action packed or descriptive chapter so forgive me but i promise the last one, hopefully out next month, will round everything up in the best possible way. also i have 2 more stories to upload in the very near future. So i hope you like it and want to read to the end. until next time!