Disclaimer: I don't own, kthxbai. I do own a Hard Rock Café sweater, I just got it!. :D

-X-

Chapter 4: Flaunting

-X-

Sakura woke up with a gasp in the middle of the night. Neji stood by the window, watching all the sleeping faces in the room when she sat up, grasping the blanket in the same manner she had when he tried to wake her in her room at his home.

"Bad dream?" he asked nonchalantly as he made his way to her side. She was pale under the moonlight, and showed some signs of distress that made Neji frown internally.

"The worse... I need to get out of here," she said as she threw back the covers and jumped out of the bed.

"Wait, you're under my watch too," he said, grabbing her wrist to avoid her fleeing. "I'll go with you."

"But Hinata--"

"She's my cousin, yes, but her partner is here. She needs to remain with him."

Sakura sighed and her shoulders drooped. "I'm glad you had another epiphany, Hyuuga-san, but I need to blow off some steam, now."

"Good idea, I need to spar too," he said smoothly. "Your scroll-reading for these past days didn't allow me another good sparring partner since Hinata-sama was on this mission and Hanabi tends to be kind of... unoriginal."

She glanced at him. "Then why didn't you say so?"

"Because you said the reading was funny."

Caught at her lack of manners, she had to smile sheepishly.

"Apparently I'm not being good with my hosts..."

"No, you aren't, that's why we're going to spar now. And no rules apply because we're going to the communal training grounds."

"Then let's go to training grounds three, it's already obliterated because of my shishou and me."

"Then it will be completely demolished by the end of this."

-X-

As they danced under the moonlight, she felt a lot better about the nightmare.

Crying while running wasn't a good idea after all, she thought as she tripped and fell on her face in the middle of the forest. Knowing she was being hunted, she hauled herself up and kept dashing away, panting and praying for the gods for a chance, an opportunity to get out of this mess.

As a sword came down at her and plunged into her chest, she looked up at the man that had killed her.

Sasuke.

Fucking bastard, I tell you! Inner Sakura was happy to make her humble opinion known whenever she liked. Sakura shushed her one more time as she picked herself up from the ground for the sixth time.

"You aren't concentrating," was Neji's offhanded comment.

"Fuck off, Hyuuga," she sneered, picking up a kunai and facing him again.

"I commend your excellent manners, Haruno, but I really find this kind of boring with you throwing insults at me instead of doing something to attack for a change."

With a growl, she leapt at him and parried his kunai with one of her own. Flipping back on the ground, Sakura gathered chakra on both of her hands, lashing out at her opponent with narrowed eyes.

He averted her hands and deflected them as fast as she lashed at him. Neji didn't need to activate his Byakugan to guess that those hands meant business. Sakura emitted a low hiss as he closed one of her tenketsu on her right arm, but didn't remark on it.

Disengaging quickly, she went for another approach. Jumping high in the air, she made some hand seals as she fell on the Hyuuga, who parried her kunai armed hands with both of his again. And then, everything went black.

Neji blinked, straining his Byakugan to see where she had gone. She was nowhere to be found, and the training grounds were eerily silent.

Trapped in one of her finest genjutsu, Sakura went up from under the ground and pulled him down, trapping him effectively and sealing the soil against further struggle, something she was sure the Hyuuga was about to make.

With her contender's hands bound under the earth and eyes unmoving, she finally allowed a respite, but a hand grasping a kunai pointed at her jugular while another one enveloped her neck in a firm but not bruising warm grip.

"Do you really think I was going to fall for that?" a deep male voice whispered in her hear, making her shiver. Her seal chose that moment to manifest itself, releasing a little burst of chakra that made her gasp.

The fallen kunai clattered next to the log that was embedded into the ground where where Neji was supposed to be, as the real one was still pressing his body to Sakura's back.

He furrowed his brows. What was that? He asked himself as he felt that tingle of chakra on her back. Still holding her, he pressed his other hand on her back. Sakura gasped as the seal reacted against his palm with another trickle of her energy.

"What--"

"Release me, please," she murmured in a strangled voice. He knew that he wasn't choking her with his loose hold, so it had to be something else that made her voice sound so nervous. Neji deactivated his Byakugan and let her go.

She leaned forward, panting. This was most unexpected, her analytical mind went on while Inner Sakura was hyperventilating and flailing. Why did the seal react to Neji's contact? She touched Sai and nothing happened. She touched Yamato and got the same results. She checked on Naruto and nothing either... and she had brushed Kakashi's hand while leaving the room with the Hyuuga to this bout, and no manifestations were registered.

It only reacted with him. Why? Why is it showing with--

Like lighting flashes inside her mind, she gathered the facts. All the times that her seal had manifested it had been while Neji was close to her, walking beside her or engaged in a furious spar. Three times with him, and none with all the others that were closer to her.

Why?

"I don't know what are you talking about, Sakura," he said softly, still standing behind her.

She realized that she had been mouthing her question out loud. "I--I don't--"

Seeing her stammering, he walked to the log and sat on it. "I'm aware that you have an impressive chakra control, Sakura," he said, looking straight at her eyes. He decided to be honest with her for the time being. "I'm also aware that you have something in your back. I felt it going warm when I carried you back to your room when Tsunade-sama visited you."

Sakura froze. He, of all people, shouldn't know about this. No, there's wasn't any way in hell that--

Why not? Inner Sakura stopped her ranting to regard the situation. He has a seal of his own!

"Is it a tattoo?" he asked tentatively, giving an opening that Sakura took hastily. She nodded meekly and started to gather her weapons.

"It was a silly thing that I've had made, that's all," she said, trying to appear offhanded and quite sassy, 'pulling an Ino', as Tenten might have said. "And no, Hyuuga, you can't see it."

"I wasn't going to ask for it, actually," he drawled dryly.

"Good, because I wouldn't want to mar that cute face with one of my charged punches," she said sarcastically.

"So do you think my face is cute?" Neji countered easily, watching amusedly as Sakura spluttered and blushed heatedly.

"Why do I get all the arrogant asses in all Konoha to spar with me?" she snapped, but Neji had her by the tail.

"Because we, the arrogant asses, are the ones insane enough to put up with your violence, Haruno," he said, smirking openly. Sakura's eyes widened at his outrageous remark.

"Why you, Hyuuga! I'll kick your ass for that!" she yelled as she leapt on him. The ANBU Captain ducked her punch effortlessly, letting out a deep chuckle.

"See? It's pretty easy to rile you up," he said, grabbing her arms in a hold, which made the two shinobi topple on the ground, with Neji sitting on her bottom.

"Hyuuga! Let me go!" she exclaimed, squirming under his weight. He leaned on her back casually, having noticed that something moved somewhere behind them.

"Keep struggling, Sakura," he whispered on her ear, making her freeze in shock momentarily. "We have company."

She decided to play along. "Neji... you're heavy..." she whined as she wiggled again under him and rubbed his lower parts. Neji stiffened imperceptibly, then released her arm and rolled her body under him until they were face to face. One side of her face was dirty with soil, as she had landed on it.

She blushed furiously when he dipped his head until their noses were almost touching. "Put your arms around my neck," he murmured next to her mouth, letting his hair fall into a chocolate cascade around their heads. "Byakugan."

Sakura complied and clasped her hands at Neji's nape. To an outside observer, it would have seemed that the two ninja were engaged in a heated kiss. Holding her breath, her inner self pointed out slyly about how comfortable she was under the Hyuuga's toned body.

Neji, on the other hand, was struggling with his rampaging hormones that demanded for him to claim her lips but his mind was also set on spotting the person who was spying on them.

"Who..." Sakura breathed, snapping him into attention. Neji sat up, still straddling her.

The pink-haired medic saw a cat jumping from a nearby tree and let out a sigh.

"I apologize," the onyx-haired man said, getting up from her. She heaved a deep sigh and offered him a trembling smile.

"No big deal," she murmured as she picked herself up. "I think we should go back to the hospital now..."

Neji let out a noncommittal grunt and started to walk back, with her at his side.

-X-

She woke up the next morning under the effect of a vigorous licking on her face.

"Gah!" she exclaimed, covering her face with the sheet. "Pakkun, come on!"

"I heard you were in the hospital," said the pug with his deep voice. "How do you feel?"

"I would feel better if you get off me and let me sleep!"

"Sheesh, Sakura, you're so moody in the mornings," Pakkun grumbled as he jumped from his perch on her chest. Several chuckles received his joke, and Sakura had to open one eye to see who was in the room.

Yamato was awake and eating an apple; Sai was awake too, but he was only propped up on his pillows. Kakashi was still out like a light and surprisingly, Naruto was holding a non-blushing Hinata, whispering something to her while their blue and pearly eyes were staring at Sakura.

"What," she snapped at Naruto, who only laughed softly.

"Thank you for what you did to that teme over there," he said, flicking a thumb at Sai. "I was kinda scared for him and Kaka-sensei. Good thing that we came back on time."

Sakura got up, noticing that Neji was sitting in a chair next to her bed. This was strange, seeing as he was next to Hinata's bed when she fell asleep. Ignoring him, she made her way over to Naruto and her boys.

"Good thing that you went away," she said offhandedly as she poured some chakra on Kakashi's eye. "I don't know what I would do if you don't come back."

Naruto sobered up instantly. "Sakura-chan," he said, but he cut himself off as Kakashi started to move.

"Okaeri, Kakashi," Sakura said warmly. Kakashi grunted as he gathered his bearings. "Hinata-chan, could you pass me those bandages, please?"

A heavy silence fell in the room as the purple-haired kunoichi reached what the medic had asked for. Kakashi seemed alert, and Yamato put away his apple. Sai lifted his head a bit, his eyes intent on the pink-haired woman.

"Sa...Sakura-chan..." Naruto murmured, but she didn't pay attention as she tended to Kakashi's Sharingan, wrapping his head securely with the bandages.

"S...Sakura," the Copy Nin croaked.

"This is the last time I heal your careless condition, Hatake Kakashi," she said in a low voice but due to the silence it rang clearly in the whole room. "You are to remain here until Tsunade-sama, Shizune or I say so. This is the last time," she continued, snapping her head at Sai. "That you act so negligently in a battle. If you carry on that demeanor I'll have you case handled to another medic."

Sai opened his mouth to rebuke her, but he thought it better and closed it again.

"This is the last time I have you here under my care for such reckless actions," she was on a roll now, but surprisingly she hadn't exploded yet. Her voice was still soft, but hard. "I won't have any of my team dying in my arms," she said, clenching her fists. "And, if Tsunade-sama wants Team Seven to go retrieve the last Uchiha, I won't let another person go on my behalf, because I don't want anyone to suffer for me."

Hinata lowered her eyes. Neji felt Sakura's chakra spiking with anger again, but he chose not to open his mouth.

"If someone dies at the hands of the Uchiha, it would be the best if it's the weakest of the teammates. I promise to all of you, to kill that fucking bastard that did this to you."

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, thoroughly shocked.

"I once punched Sai because he was bad-mouthing Sasuke," she cut him off. "And now I regret it... it would have been better if we killed him when we encountered him in that Sound base."

"You don't..." Kakashi whispered hoarsely. "You don't mean that."

"Damn right I mean it!" apparently those words triggered Sakura's rage. "I won't have you dying at the hands at that... monster!"

"Sakura," Naruto's deep and serious voice resonated in the room. "Stop it. Stop it now."

It wasn't the first time that the loud blond ninja acted maturely, but it was a surprise for Neji seeing him snap at his beloved best friend in such manner.

And to the Hyuuga's surprise, it was his own cousin Hinata, who stood up and went to the trembling pink-haired medic, gathering her in her arms.

Watching the two women, one crying her eyes out behind her hands and the other with a sad face, whispering comforting words, Neji concluded that fate was, indeed, a bitch.

-X-

It took a while for Sakura to pull herself together, but after that she hugged all of her teammates tightly, saying in a cheerful tone that she had to take a shower and change. The Team Seven males understood her need for solitude and let her go without much complaint.

Now, as Neji walked beside her through Konoha's bustling streets, he had the most amazing thought.

She was the strongest member of Team Seven. The glue that stuck them together.

Maybe Haruno Sakura liked to wear her feelings and emotions on her sleeves, but regarding strength of mind and determination, she and Naruto were the miracles that the ANBU regarded so highly during their pep-talks.

Truth was, he was starting to see her under a new light. If he respected her before, now--

What?

Neji blinked as she looked at him fixedly. "What?" he repeated.

"I asked you about Hikari-san's plums, where does she buy them?"

"Oh," he answered wittily. "There's a greenhouse near the Aburame Mansion that grows them off-season."

"Ah, I see..." she said thoughtfully. Neji blinked and decided to challenge fate again.

"We can cross through Fall Street and check out the greenhouse. We're in no hurry to get back at the Compound."

"No, Hyuuga-san, I don't want to be a bother, it was just—curiosity."

"I don't mind," he said smoothly. "I'll go wherever you go."

They started to walk again, and Neji had to admit that Sakura's blush was kind of... sweet, for lack of other suitable word.

As they reached the greenhouse, Sakura had pulled another interesting story about a nin she had to heal while hovering on him in a tree branch, eliciting a raised brow from the stoic Hyuuga male next to her as she laughed herself silly.

Neji thought she was rather innocent when it came to some things, but he was sure she knew more that she let on. Being in a team with three ANBU operatives, a loud and moronic seasoned jounin and Hokage wannabe and a well-known broody sociopath A-class nukenin, it was a wonder that she hadn't ended up locked up in the mental asylum.

Sometimes, the pale-eyed genius mused internally while he followed her inside the warm greenhouse, it was better to not know.

"This was developed by the Aburame with the Hyuuga's financial support," he explained as they walked to the perfectly arranged aisles with all kind of vegetables and fruit plants. "They grow plums and peaches twice a year, since Hiashi-sama and Shibi-sama are very fond of said fruits."

"That's amazing..." Sakura said, covering her smile with a hand. "But isn't too much? I mean, this wouldn't be exactly called a natural environment, and yet--"

"It's perfectly natural, Haruno," he countered, leading her to the tables, where fruits already plucked were being cleaned, bagged and organized by a small team of people with opal eyes and others with the trademark sunglasses over theirs. "The gardeners planted the trees at two different times of the year, so their cycle is the regular one, albeit a little bit out of season."

"I see..." she said, bowing politely back at two Branch Hyuuga members who retreated at Neji's respectful nod. "So this is like having two birthdays!"

"I fail to see the cheerfulness of your... statement."

"Ah, you'll see... when I was little, my mother loved the plum's flowers, which actually bloomed around her birthday," she explained, receiving a glance from the gardeners when she tilted her head and examined the peaches with a critical eye. "She wanted me to name me Rika, but when she saw my hair all her plans fell obstreperously." Sakura laughed softly, straightening a bit. "You see, my mother was a redhead, but my father was actually silver-haired, so the genes sort of blended when they mixed," she finished, tugging playfully a lock of her own hair and tucking it back behind her ear.

Neji grunted noncommittally as he took a fruit bag from one of his relatives with another nod of thanks. "Let's go back then, if you're finished," he said smoothly.

"Sure," she said, bowing to the gardeners and hurrying to his side.

That was unexpected, his mind said as they crossed the main gate of the Hyuuga Compound. She offered a piece of her past willingly, despite the obvious unattachment that went between him and the Godaime protégé. He decided to mull about it in another occasion, for Hideki the Councilman was waiting for them in front of the Main House.

"Haruno-san," he greeted coldly. "Neji. You two are to report to Hiashi-sama immediately."

"Hai," he answered, seeing that Sakura wisely kept her mouth shut and followed him inside the mansion. This seemed to infuriate the old Hyuuga, slamming the fence that lead to the trail to the next house.

Sakura sighed. "No matter how polite I am with that man, he always took the opposite vote than mine in the Clan Council reunions. I'm starting to think he doesn't like me," she whispered with sweet sarcasm.

"He doesn't like many people," Neji surprised her by saying; "He always picked on me when I was little, but my father gave him an earful that he never forgot. And after my--"

He fell silent. Sakura didn't press on the matter, but she knew what that forlorn look he had meant. Loneliness. Mourning. Sorrow.

"We should meet Hiashi-sama ASAP," he completed in a detached tone. Sakura's face fell, but she didn't dare to rebuke him.

Following him through identical hallways, she found herself in front of a pair of wide shoji doors. Neji knocked softly and a stern voice called out.

"Come in, nephew. Sakura-san, please join us."

The door opened and she blinked. Hiashi Hyuuga was seated behind what seemed like a huge desk, with scrolls and books blanketing the whole space in a rather messy looking arrangement. But this illusion broke when she witnessed the Hyuuga Leader close the book he was reading and place it third in a pile next to his left hand.

"I was informed of Team Seven's arrival," he began with a firm tone. "I take the mission failed?"

"We haven't been briefed on their results, Hiashi-sama," Neji answered. "But several members of the team were brought to the hospital due to severe injuries."

Sakura saw a glint of concern in those pale eyes, so she decided to put the man out of his secret misery. "They're out of danger now, though. Hinata and Yamato-taichou were the ones who came out more or less unscathed, general weariness for him and a mild concussion for her. They're resting with the remaining members of my team at a private ward."

"I see," the Hyuuga Leader spoke. If Sakura hadn't been watching him so closely, she would have missed the relief washing minutely through his pale façade. "I trust the others were treated accordingly to their rank?"

"Hatake Kakashi was treated by the Hokage herself, while... Sai and Uzumaki Naruto were treated by Haruno-san. They're safe and sound," Neji relied truthfully. Sakura was amused at Neji's lack of grip when mentioning Sai, but it was pretty obvious to her that he didn't know that the artist had picked out a last name to match the rest of his team.

But ROOT didn't know about that, and Team Seven didn't see fit to inform others about that little piece of their life. And after what happened after Sai's and Yamato's blunder, it was only understandable.

Also, the deep frown that marred the man's face when Naruto's name was mentioned was painfully obvious. Sakura fisted the hem of her skirt, using all her self-control to not snap at her host more that she already had.

"Are you sure Hinata is okay, Neji?" Hiashi asked again. Sakura figured that he needed another reassurance. His nephew nodded and showed a ghost of a little smile.

"She had a good rest thanks to Haruno's sleep jutsu and she will probably be released soon."

"Good. Please pick her up and escort her back to the house after the briefing," he ordered in a soft voice. "Haruno-san, I must thank you for taking care of my daughter."

"No thanks needed, Hyuuga-sama, it was my pleasure," she answered truthfully. Apparently, the indoors match against Neji gained some sort of new respect in the pale-eyed Clan Leader. "She's one of my dearest friends. I was bound to help her after she took my place in my team. I should be the one grateful for her kindness towards me."

"I'm sure she'll be happy. You both are dismissed now."

As Neji closed the door behind her, she let an amused smirk grace her features.

"What is so funny?" he asked in a whisper.

"How someone can be so blind, even with those eyes of yours," she responded, starting to whistle. Neji frowned as he led her to her room, but she didn't elaborate more.

I'll do everything in my power to help you reach the ANBU position you want, Hinata, she promised mentally while she winked at Neji, sliding the shoji door in his face.

You'll show them, just like I did.

-X-

The next morning was less than pleasant in the Hyuuga household, as Hanabi and Neji weren't around for breakfast. Only Sakura and Hiashi sat at the table, with the servants fussing around them.

Sakura didn't feel so cocky this morning, for she had another nightmare that kept her up the remaining of the night. Several times, she mused inwardly. How many times will I have to endure Sasuke's killing pursuit?

"You look rather un-rested, Haruno-san," Hiashi observed in a blank tone. She noticed that the usual coldness of his voice was absent, which made her furrow her brows a little.

"Yes. I didn't rest as much as I wanted," she offered, without looking up.

"Allow me to escort you to the Hokage Tower today," he said, putting the tea cup back in its little plate. "Neji went ahead because he needed to meet up with his team."

"Of course, Hyuuga-sama," she answered, feeling a little bristle on her general mood. "I'm grateful for your gentleness towards me."

"No, you're not, but that is fine with me," he rebuked her with a little smirk.

She blinked at his lack of manners and sarcastic tone. Why is he behaving like that? Maybe he heard something about Hinata's exam? No, that's impossible; Ibiki told Kakashi that he wouldn't tell a soul about it...

"If you're finished with your meal, let us go," he said, allowing Hikari to drape a haori over his shoulders. "It's a little early, but my guess is that the Tsunade-sama will receive a blind man and his charge."

Blasted Hyuuga! Inner Sakura raged. He heard me yesterday!

Sakura stood wordlessly and followed him outside. Damn it, she thought as she walked a little behind him. This Hyuuga following needs to end now, I'm getting restless with all those hypocritical manners and stuff.

Then she remembered that her shishou said that she was going to review her status. Maybe she could go back to active duty, if she pestered Tsunade enough.

This is damned torture, Inner Sakura whined. And she could only agree with her other self as they reached the Tower in a silence that had stretched since they left the Hyuuga Compound.

"Hiashi-sama!" Shizune greeted the man with a deep bow. "It's a little early, but Tsunade-sama is already expecting you. Please follow me."

Sakura pursed her lips, annoyed. Her shishou looked up from the desk as they entered her office, arching a perfect brow at the Hyuuga Leader.

"Hinata is still at the hospital, Hiashi, she will be released at any moment for the briefing," she said. Sakura noted that she was perfectly sober. "And I must add that this doesn't concern the Clan Council or the Elders."

"I'm aware of that, Tsunade, I'm not as blind as your apprentice kindly labeled me," he replied, with the cold tone back in his voice. "I'll wait outside for her."

And to Sakura's utter surprise, Tsunade snorted. "Oh please, Hyuuga, don't be bitchy with me. You know I can't make you wait outside like a customer. If you want to remain here for the briefing, I'll hold your word that you're not going to speak through it."

"You have my word as the Hyuuga Clan Leader."

"Tch, those Clan things are totally futile for me. But again, Sakura, now I understand why you dread those meetings," the Hokage finished with a devious grin.

The pink-haired kunoichi had to let out a short laugh. "I'd rather not comment on that, shishou."

"Bah, you can speak freely, Sakura. Hiashi knows about my lack of manners and he learned to endure them. He knows that those ridiculous things are useless with me... and now he addresses me as bluntly as I do."

"I believe it's the only way to make you understand some issues, Tsunade."

Sakura pressed her lips to force back the laugh as the blonde lifted her eyebrow again.

"You are a damned sneaky bastard, Hyuuga. Don't make me say things that'll put you to shame."

"Please, do tell about shameful things," he countered easily, showing nothing but ironic amusement in his pearly eyes. "Everybody in the village knows about your penchant for gambling and drinking, my esteemed Hokage."

"Shut up, old bat," Tsunade sneered. "At least I don't hide my vices like you."

"I believe you're wrong, Tsunade-sama," he sniffed. "I do not have any vice."

"Keep telling yourself that when you stuff another chocolate down your throat, Hyuuga."

A choking sound made them stop for the time being. Both elders turned their heads at one med-nin that had both of her hands pressed in front of her mouth, attempting to stifle the laugh that was bubbling in her throat. Hiashi snorted and Tsunade grinned back.

"I need banters like this more often," the blonde sighed. "Sakura, let's go to your office, I need you to check something for me. Hyuuga, you wait here."

"Like I'm going somewhere," he shot back, sitting in one of the chairs in front of the desk with a graceful movement. Tsunade pushed Sakura into the small space that was the pink-haired medic's office, closing the door behind her.

"Tsunade-shishou--" she cut herself off as the Hokage lifted a finger to her lips. Sakura nodded. Motioning her to take off her shirt, she pressed a hand on the seal, feeding it a trickle of chakra. Sakura's vision blurred and went back to normal.

She turned her head at her teacher and pointed at her eyes. Nodding, Tsunade fed another chakra burst on her mark. Promptly, Sakura's sense of touch felt numb for a moment.

Seeing her apprentice clench her fists, Tsunade release a repeated burst of chakra that made Sakura tremble and buckle her knees, but she saw how her pupil caught herself, leaning on the desk.

"Just as I thought," she finally said softly. "Try to concentrate your chakra around it."

Sakura blinked and did as she said. Tsunade's eyes went wide then the seal started to glow with a faint green light that dimmed after an instant.

Without warning, she pushed a large burst of chakra into Sakura's back, only to be forced back by the strength of the seal, nearly sending the busty blonde crashing to the wall.

"Sakura," she said after regaining her breath. "You have received a marvelous gift."

It took a few moments for Tsunade to write the whole explanation to Sakura in a scrap of parchment. Having a Hyuuga lord in the next room was troublesome, but she knew that Hiashi wouldn't try to peer behind the wall. He was too much of a gentleman, like his nephew. Now that Tsunade watched Sakura's emerald eyes go wide as saucers while reading the message, the blonde smirked with a stray line of thought. Too bad that Neji didn't pay attention to other things than his ANBU Captainship, his skills and his family.

After the 'Sasuke blunder', as she referred to the Uchiha's defection, it was deep wish in Tsunade's heart for Naruto and Sakura to find happiness. Naruto fell in love with Hinata after a particular difficult mission, in which he realized –by himself!– that she was the very one he caught dancing one night under the waterfall in that mission with her team.

It only took a week for him to confess his feelings to her, but that was a damn amusing week, she remembered. Poor lovesick lad, watching her in secret pretty much like she had done when he wasn't looking.

And her personal project was Sakura. Tsunade didn't want her to be jaded and bitter after they realized that Sasuke wasn't coming back. Sakura steeled herself with an attitude that she praised, but it was time for her to move on, in the blonde's opinion.

She prayed for Sakura to fall for another man soon. She wasn't getting any younger, damn it.

Hmm, Tsunade mused, remembering Shizune's amused gossips about the bickering between one pearly-eyed ANBU Captain and her very own pink-haired protégé.

Why not?

Oh boy.

-XXX-

Yosh! Honestly, thank you so much to all my watchers and those who faved this story. I still can't believe it, seriously!
And as always, a very fond thanks to my lovely and reckless twin, Celtic Oak, for her awesome betaing m4d sk1llz!