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Princess of Stroms
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Changes
Chapter 2: Conspirators
Neji took a step back preparing himself for, his team mate, Lee's attack. Arms raised in a defensive position, the dark haired, Byakugan user carefully observed his opponent's stance. Sometimes he could almost predict every move the taijutsu user could make.
And it was unfortunate for the mini Guy look alike that this was the only form of jutsu abilities that he could access. For his fellow leaf nin had no talent in genjutsu or ninjutsu. However, he had the ability to unleash the power of the eight gates, and no one had an explanation for that one. Not even the Hokage could explain how a strictly taijutsu user could call on such a powerfully, destructive force.
Neji's eyes narrowed as Lee jumped into motion coming at him, shouting, "Here comes the Konoha whirlwind!" Spinning in the air, Lee readied his arms and legs to strike out, even thought he already knew they'd never land a blow. He was only doing this after all because Neji needed a sparring partner. He wished the reasons for Ten-Ten's abandonment were made known. The only thing he could surmise is that something had gone really wrong between the two friends. They were usually so inseparable, always sparring or hanging out together. Maybe one day he'd get the whole story. Maybe when hell froze over.
Smirking, Neji's tall, lean body began to rapidly spin in order to deflect Lee's swift attack. "Heavenly Spin!"
Chakra leaked from the stronger man, instantly creating a shield to protect him. There was a rare piece of knowledge that had been gleaned several years back after a fight that Neji had been injured in while on a mission. It had been assumed that Neji's Byakugan ran a full three hundred and sixty degrees, but it had been disproven by an enemy shinobi. A kunai had been thrown towards his back at such a degree that his field of vision couldn't see it, couldn't counter it's attack, and the weapon had buried deeply in his muscular back.
Refusing to acknowledge the pain, and the weapon, Neji fought on eventually destroying the other nin's essence, killing him quickly by sealing his chakra passageways. Unable to handle his system backing up, everything shut down in a total body failure. Neji had collapsed to his knees breathing rapidly, weakened after such a spirited engagement.
Not a word had ever been uttered on who had found him, but he had his suspicions. It was his belief that his former team member, Tenten had discovered him, taking him for medical treatment; never leaving his side not even for a moment. Because when he had finally awoken the weapons mistress, sitting by his beside, appeared worn and ragged. He'd received confirmation that she'd been on no missions during his brief incapacitation.
She'd been a constant visitor and supporter. The girl had also given up so much time to help him train, pushing him to become a better, stronger ninja than ever before. With her help, Neji had accomplished so much. And had it not been for her, the space of time for making the jump to jounin might've taken longer.
Inwardly, Neji winced as he saw Lee hit the shield currently protecting him from harm. Bouncing off of the clear sphere, he landed hard on the rocky ground. As the Hyuuga prodigy expected, Lee immediately stood to his feet prepared to keep going.
Willing to oblige his friend, the male Hyuuga smiled in response. Quickly moving forward to engage him in a little hand to hand, Neji's muscles bunched under his skin, anxious to release his pent up aggression and energy.
Striking out with his right hand, Neji watched as Lee blocked it's powerful blow. The smaller male in green tights spun attempting to knock his friend's feet out from underneath him. Neji avoided it by jumping up into the air and flipping over Lee's head, his palm shot out, hitting him in the back.
The Byakugan user's white eyes shot open as he heard a rather loud, audible, cracking sound emitted by Lee's spine. "Not good."
Lee flew forwards unable to prepare his body for the fall. The pain in his back felt like Neji had semi-paralyzed him during their spar. Ever the same, he fought to pull his thin body from the ground to continue their fight. Never one to give up, Lee kept pressing hard, trying to force his body to get up when it was obvious he was seriously injured.
"Stay still, baka! Do you want to incur worse damage because you refuse to stay down and not move?" Squatting beside Lee, Neji gently picked him up and hurried to the hospital's vicinity. He could already hear the bitching that would accompany it. And it would come from one of Konoha's top medic nin's, formerly known as Sakura Haruno. He could already imagine the harsh words and possibly blows that would go hand in hand with her fierce lecture. And he'd be right.
The pink haired medic nin was slowly walking down the hall when several noises alerted her to trouble. A young medic in training came sprinting down the hall calling her name.
"Sensei! You must hurry! Lee-san's been injured again and your help is needed. We've taken him to room two. He's awaiting you there." The young brunette, so out of breath from her sprint, purposefully inhaled deep breaths trying to slow her breathing rate back to normal.
Sakura nodded. "On my way Tekari."
Bustling down the main hallway of the hospital, Sakura inwardly cursed Lee with her inner Sakura. 'Lee, you baka! After you heal from whatever you've done this time...I'll kick your ass when you're back to normal!' Inner Sakura raged at one of her former admirer's stupidity.
Every time the medics at the hospital turned around, Lee was being brought in for some stupid endeavor or bet that ended up with him injured. Lee's carelessness made her so angry! He didn't realized how much chakra is required sometimes for healing his and other nin's injuries.
She'd lost count how many times she'd had to treat her former sensei, Kakashi, at his home due to his avoidance of hospitals. That was the only way he'd allow her to treat him, if it occurred in the safety of his own home.
Coming up to the door of treatment room two, Sakura took a deep breath, forcing herself to be calm. For some reason, she had a feeling she was going to need it! Opening the door, she was surprised to see Neji here with Lee. Turning her attention to Lee, she asked, "Okay, Lee, what was it this time? A bet? A spar? Out with it!"
Lee's eyes widened at the tone of her voice. She sounded like she was using her mommy voice ordering him to tell her the cause of his predicament. "It was a spar, Sakura."
Rolling her eyes, "You never learn. Who was it with? If it was with that husband of mine then I'm going to beat the hell out of both of you!" Stretching out her hands she began her exam. Chakra flared to life under her fingers and around her hands as she checked for damage, determining whether any vital organs had been injured.
Chagrined, the young male smiled. "Your husband is innocent from this, Sakura. This time anyway."
Angrily, she snapped out, "Well who was it, Lee? That way I know just who I need to get my hands on!"
"It was I that he fought." Neji's cold voice echoed in the small room. Glaring at the medic nin, he dared her to say something to him. She didn't fail him.
"Neji, you idiot! You need to be more careful with him! Ever since the spar with Gaara years ago his body still hasn't completely healed, and I don't think it ever truly will." Speaking to Lee, she gave him the diagnosis and prognosis easing his worry. "Lee, you're spine is badly bruised, a couple of places have small cracks in the vertebrae. Now, this can be healed, and I will do it, but on a couple of conditions."
"Hai, Sakura! Anything!"
"First, you must be on complete bedrest for the next two weeks. Second, no sparring, pissing matches, or anything else that could possibly aggravate your condition. This also includes no push ups, running, any movement that would jar your spinal column. Agreed?" Jade eyes stared hard into his eyes.
"Agreed."
Closing her eyes, the young female nin poured her chakra at a slow rate into the patient below her hands. Steadily, it pulsed gently in waves, promoting the healing process at a faster rate. Moments later, Sakura withdrew her hands, and shook from weariness. "I must go, now, and Neji, he's your responsibility! If I see him in here again before two weeks has elapsed...it's your ass in a sling as well as his!" Pulling the door open, she slammed it shut with her leftover strength.
Shaking his head sending his long, black hair falling over his shoulders, he called out to his friend on the gurney. "So, now I guess I have to be the one to take you home, don't I? Alright, let's go."
Neji eased Lee into a sitting position and then to a standing one. Slowly, he helped him from the hospital to none other than...the Hyuuga mansion!
"Um, Neji? Why are we here?"
"I'm bringing you to the one place where I know you'll be prevented from doing foolish things. Our servants and my family will ensure you are confined to bed and they'll probably wait on you, hand and foot. Unless you'd rather go back to the hospital and deal with Sakura." Neji's attitude did seem a mite callous, but he didn't really care at this point. His team mate had already gotten Sakura pissed off at him, but he was holding him back from getting other things accomplished also.
Nodding slightly, Lee flashed a painful "good guy" smile, letting his friend know he appreciated his generosity. "Thank you, Neji. I won't be a bother, I promise."
"Hmmph. We'll see about that. If I catch you performing any Lotus moves or any other move while under our roof...there won't be any part of you left for Sakura to tear apart. That's a promise, Lee."
Neji slowly entered the mansion carrying Lee so he wouldn't be able to walk and risk Sakura's wrath if he screwed his back up again. Immediately taking him to the room next to his, Neji gently laid the taijutsu user on the futon; urging him to rest while he went and debriefed his uncle on the situation.
Staring up at the ceiling, Lee closed his eyes, willing his body to hurry and heal. He refused to be bedridden for long. Cementing that last thought in his head, he drifted off to sleep.
Later that evening...
Adjusting her short black skirt and red halter top shirt, she slipped her heels on and went in search of her errant other half. Walking all through the house she finally found him. There, in the living room with their son on one knee and a damned familiar orange book held comfortably in his hands. She was incredulous that he was reading that while holding their son!
"Hatake, Kakashi! What the hell do you think you're doing? It's bad enough you tried to warp me with that series, but now you're trying to corrupt Seiki?" Her fury, palpable enough to choke him caused a much different reaction.
Seike looked exactly like his father down to the silvery hair atop his head, and he possessed the same jade-green eyes that his mother had. He possessed a high intelligence and already had chakra control that rivaled nin's four and five times his age. But when you consider who his parents were it wasn't a big surprise. He'd already been attending the ninja academy and was top of his class. Just like a certain silver haired jounin that sported a mask and a forehead protector that was positioned carefully over his left eye. Like father, like son. But currently, said father was in really deep shit!
Giggling nervously and scratching the back of his head, he grinned. "Sakura! You look beautiful. You went through all that trouble for me. I don't know what to say except you didn't have to."
Fuming, his pink haired wife snarled, "I didn't do this for you, baka! So I'll save you the trouble of saying anything." Pointing her finger at his face, "I'll give you this one warning. Do not ever read this trash in front of Seiki again or you'll be cut off for six months! That or until I get really desperate and I run out of batteries. Catch my drift?" Placing her hands on her hips, she glared daggers at him awaiting confirmation that he'd clearly understood.
"Hai, Sakura. But it's not like he can read it anyway."
Suddenly, a small, male voice began reading from his Icha, Icha, Screwfest book with little effort. The words and phrases he read had no effect on himself, but Kakashi and Sakura both adopted the color of ripe tomatoes the more he read. Finally, before he could get to any disgusting parts, Sakura snatched the book from the boy's hands and took off with it.
Carefully, she hid it using a camouflage jutsu, she hid it where her husband would never find it without her permission. Snickering, she said, "Take that, perverted husband of mine!"
Quickly walking back to the living room, she addressed Kakashi. "I'm going to Aphy's to meet with Tenten. I'll be back in a couple of hours, and Kakashi, have Seiki in bed before I get home this time! Which means have him in bed and asleep by eight thirty. Okay? I'd rather not come home to our own little Konohan whirlwind who's had way too much sugar."
He just smiled and set their son down on the floor where several of his toys gained his attention. Standing up, Kakashi towered over his shorter wife. Pulling her tightly against him, he kissed her hard, his lips massaging hers; draining her of her control. Releasing her from his hold, she stumbled, shaken by his kiss. Still after seven years he could easily do that to her and vice versa. Love is grand!
"Come back to me smashed, Sakura. But be careful on your way home." His right eye winked mischieviously at her and made her wonder what he had planned.
Hurriedly, she shook it off. Bending down, she hugged and kissed Seiki, bidding both he and his father farewell. Walking out the door, she was on her way to Aphy's never realizing she was being followed.
Minutes later, she entered Aphy's and it was swinging. Spotting the owner, Sakura lifted her hand in greeting, waving, and Aphy returned her wave. Sakura yelled, "Aphy, has my friend arrived yet?"
She inclined her head once. "She's been here for about fifteen minutes. She's nursing a pitcher of sake and I've taken the liberty to stock some milk back there for you too."
"Thanks, Aphy. See you in a bit."
"You, too, Sakura. Enjoy your little girl's night out!" The red head's laughter trailed behind Sakura as she headed to the familiar back room. Pushing the curtain out of her way, her eyes brightened when she saw Tenten sitting quietly.
Meanwhile, out front, a new customer had arrived. Aphy narrowed her eyes in suspicion when he asked around if they'd seen the infamous medic nin that had tutored under the current Hokage. If he was here to cause trouble he was in the wrong damned place! She'd toss him out on his ass if he was here to cause either one of her friends any grief.
Looking around to see which of her closest shinobi friends was present, she smiled as she spotted her prey. Seeing the brunette with his chair leaning back; holding a senbon between his perfect lips, she waved, shouting, "Shiranui! I need you for a moment!"
Letting his chair fall back to the floor, he replied, "Anything for a hot woman!" Flashing her his best "lady killer" grin, he eyed her form with lust in his eyes and heart. Of that she was sure.
"What do you need, Aphy?" His brown eyes alighted with curiosity.
"A favor for a favor?"
His interest fully piqued, "My favor for a night with you?" Hope bloomed in his eyes.
"Nice try, Genma. How about your favor and in exchange, I'll give you a night's worth of free sake?"
"Thrown in with a lot of you."
"Like I said, nice try. A night of free sake is the offer on the table."
"I'd rather have you on the table."
"Genma! You don't give up, do you?" Consternated, she slapped her hands down on the bar. "Put it this way, Genma. I'd rather not be on a table or under you for any reason."
"Put it this way, my red haired siren, my favor and in exchange...you go on one date with me. Take it or leave it."
"You damned, arrogant pig!"
"That's me, baby. Never forget it." He winked at her and smirked. He loved it when a woman presented a challenge, playing hard to get. The chase always made his blood run hot. He decided that someday soon, he'd have the fiery temptress frowning at him from the opposite side of the bar.
The jounin had the nerve to wink at her and smirk like he possessed some huge secret. Seething, she hissed, "Okay. Fine! Your favor for one date with me!"
Grabbing her hand, he shook it. "Deal. So what's this favor?"
Cautiously glancing around the room to see if she could find the man who'd followed Sakura here. Pointing him out to Genma, she said, "I want you to follow him and keep an eye on him also. He followed Sakura in here and my gut says that he's followed her for awhile."
Genma laughed loudly. "Who? Him? He's the last guy that would hurt her. Besides there must've been a good reason for him tailing her. But if it makes you feel better, I'll do as you request. And it would be sorry of me if I let something happen to my best friend's wife all because I believed that someone we knew wouldn't cause her any harm."
Relieved, she placed her small hand on his arm. Immediately, he smiled and she yanked it away. "Well, I've got to get back to business. I really appreciate what you're doing."
"Don't forget the price. You don't get something for nothing." He turned on his heel and disappeared.
Behind the bar, the curly, flame haired bartender considered picking up the nearest ice pick and murdering a pig headed, conceited bastard! Oh to teach him a lesson he'd never forget! Such fun indeed.
Genma scoped out the crowd and watched as the dark haired gentleman made his way to the back of the establishment. The senbon master and every other patron that frequented Aphy's establishment knew that a certain weapon's mistress and medic nin occupied the very back. No doubt dealing with man trouble.
Trying not to arouse the other male's suspicion, Genma leaned casually against the wall, sipping the cup of sake he'd taken from the bar as prepayment for his services tonight.
Concentrating, he listened to the conversation carrying on behind the pulled curtain. Still observing the male across the room, it seemed he wasn't the only one interested in the words being spoken. But it was obvious that the other man wasn't close enough to discern what was being said and by whom.
Shut off from the rest of the bar, Sakura was doing her best to help Ten. "Have you figured out what you're going to do yet?"
Sighing dejectedly, she shook her head sadly. "No. It's almost like everywhere I go there he is. I'd swear he was putting himself in my path on purpose and then vanishing suddenly to punish me!" Propping her head up on the palm of her hand, "I don't know what to do Sakura! I've never been so unsure of anything in my life! If this was a matter of weapons and sparring there wouldn't be a problem, only this doesn't quite fit that circumstance. In matters of love...I'm lost and hopeless. And that's why I'm asking for your help."
"Tenten, I've considered several ideas, but I'm not sure if any of them are right for you. Have you tried to corner Neji to hear his thoughts and feelings on the matter? No, I guess not if he avoids you."
Sipping a mouthful of milk, the medic nin posed her suggestions. "You could try making him jealous, even though it's considered a school girl's tactic. It still pretty much always works. You could talk to one of your cute guy friends and ask them for their opinion. Or you could choose one of them to help you win Neji's heart. Whatever you do, I'm here and I'll do what I can for you." She reached across the table and gently patted Tenten's hand and smiled when her friend gave her a sincere smile for her words and friendship.
Sensing a particularly familiar, male chakra nearby, the head medic nin smirked. "Ten, I know just the guy to help you out." Raising her voice, she called out to him, "Genma, I know you're out there listening so get your butt in here. Don't make us wait!"
The moment Sakura spoke to him, he shook his head. He'd been busted! By Kakashi's wife, no less. Kakashi wouldn't allow him to live it down should he discover tonight's events.
Pushing the curtain aside, he sat down next to Sakura. "So what do I owe the honor?"
Her gaze slid to Tenten and then back to him. Gesturing with her left hand, she said, "Tenten, here, needs your help."
"What would be required of me?" The senbon master believed he already had it figured out. Patiently he waited until one of them confirmed it.
Sakura looked at Ten. "Care to explain it?"
"Sure."
Licking her dry lips, Tenten took a deep breath to steady her racing heart. "I need you to help me convince a certain guy friend of mine to come to his senses. His cold emotions need to get fired up and come to specific realizations." Glancing at Sakura, "Did I get it all right?"
Sakura flashed her two thumbs up.
"Please don't do that, Sakura! It's bad enough having a team mate who does that shit all the time! He's as bad as our former sensei."
"Sorry. I'll strike that gesture from my repertoire when you're around."
The double bun wearing girl stared at Genma. "So, will you help me. He won't talk to me, acknowledge me, and he continually acts like I don't exist! I'm at the end of my rope here, Genma. If you can't help me, then I'd be glad to hear any suggestions you can make."
Brown eyes twinkling, the brunette man grinned mischieviously and nodded his agreement. "I'd do anything to get under Hyuuga's skin and piss him off. He doesn't know a good thing, or in this case, a good woman when she's directly in front of his face. Count me in!"
Relieved, Sakura placed her hand on the table. "Okay, both of you put your hands on top of mine. The duo did as she requested and the powerfully strong kunoichi exchanged glances with her co-conspirators. "Let Operation Jealousy commence!"
Removing their hands from their little circle, Sakura excused herself on the grounds that she had to return home. It was late and she was exhausted; ready to climb into bed with Kakashi at her side. She still had to tell him their great news after all!
"Bye Tenten, Genma. We'll meet in two days time to gear up our game plan." Ducking around the side of the curtain, their friend was gone in an instant.
Genma, being Genma, "So, Ten, wanna play a drinking game?"
His words sounded like a dare. A dare she wasn't about to refuse. "Sure. Bring it on big boy!" Tonight the odds felt strongly in her favor and she was about to see if the stars had lined up just for her. "Do your worst, Genma!"
Tonight was about no regrets and she refused to suffer them this night. Tonight, she was a different girl. Her weapons abilities didn't matter, rank didn't matter. Tonight she was just a girl. And this girl wanted some fun. Smiling back at Genma, she was determined to win. Time and sake would tell the tale this night. The night where she finally let her hair down with no regrets.
The male hanging around outside the curtain turned away pissed and disgusted at the voices talking and laughing behind the curtain. Angrily, he stalked away, heading out into the night ready to unleash some violence. Apparently, the stars weren't in line for him tonight. And this night would be full of regrets for him. Then abruptly, he shut off all emotion and headed to his favorite place to work through the anger stirring in his heart and head. What he wouldn't give for a night with no regrets! Maybe he should just say to hell with it and live his life, his way and no further thoughts on regrets. Maybe one day such a time could exist for him. Maybe.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this update...just r/r letting me know your thoughts. I always love to hear from you guys. hint: your reviews help motivate me into writing more faster. :) Later!
Also, I hope none of you were disappointed when I revealed who's Sakura's husband! I'm a die hard Kak/Saku fan! So addicted am I! ;)