Disclaimer: I don't own, kthxbai. I do own a gorgeous new laptop. Her name is Niké, FYI. 8D
-X-
Chapter 8: Encountering
-X-
Neji was released a week later but not before a thorough check-up from his favorite medic-nin –although she never knew she was his preferred doc–, and a positive report from her about his two remaining ANBU teammates.
"Are you sure they're okay?" he asked for the third time, making her look up exasperatedly from her chart.
"For the last time, Hyuuga, they're fine! They're going to have to take it easy for a while, but both are safe and out of danger. You were the one that gave us quite a fright, you know."
"They're my team," he said coolly, crossing his arms over his hospital robe. "I need to know how they're progressing."
"Naname-san and Honzo-san are fine, they are under Shizune's personal care," she said, scribbling over his medical record. "And you are to go back home and rest up more there," she added, pulling out her tongue at him. "Hyuuga-sama requested for you to be transferred to the Compound until you're strong enough to get back on the roster."
"I'd rather remain in here," he muttered. Sakura lifted an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because I think I'll need my medic and I'm sure she won't be doing house calls."
"I'm sure we can work out some arrangements for your medic to visit, you, Hyuuga," she replied, missing the smirk that said shinobi sported as she finished writing and turned to wash her hands.
"Really," he drawled, amused. "Do you think she'll have the time to visit just one patient? I'm sure she has plenty to take care of."
"Maybe if you ask her she can make an exception with you," she called from the bathroom, still at loss of the real meaning of his words.
"And how I shall have to ask her? I'm not good with words," he shot back sarcastically, as she entered the room wiping her hands. "Can you ask her for me?"
"Sure, who is your med--" she trailed off, realizing by Neji's lifted eyebrow that he was talking about her. "Gah, Hyuuga, you're insufferable."
"So you'll do it? Maybe we can convince Hikari to make some jam when you come over."
She blushed, seeing the amused glint in his silvery eyes.
"Uh... we'll see. If you behave yourself, maybe I'll come for breakfast."
Neji had to let out a low chuckle at the sight of her rosy cheeks.
-X-
It was a good deal after all, Sakura mused, mostly because the pearly-eyed prodigy was a good bickering sparring partner and he always had a witty remark to shoot back, making her visits to the Hyuuga Compound a good mental exercise for her numbed senses after dealing with two knuckleheads like Sai and Naruto.
However, when she opened the door of her apartment that morning to go to Neji's, she was greeted by the very same Hyuuga ANBU Captain, with his hand raised as if to knock on the door.
"Oh, hi, Hyuuga-san!" she greeted with a smile. He merely lifted an eyebrow, curling his lips.
"I take you slept well, you are not this sweet in the mornings," he remarked offhandedly, watching in amusement how she glared at him with a pout.
"Ah, shut up, Iceman," she shot back. "I was actually coming over to see you. How have you been feeling?"
"I am fine, Haruno, stop the fussing already."
"It's not fussing, you Hyuuga brat, it's called medical concern," she snapped, and then walked back inside her house. Neji blinked.
"Haruno, what--"
"Since you're already here, I can treat myself to a nice cup of coffee and check on you afterwards, shall we? Close the door, please; it's been a quite chilly lately."
"Can someone be so careless?" Neji muttered as he stepped inside her abode and closed the front door.
It was a rather nice and warm space, he conceded. The last time he had been there his uncle had hogged all the view of her living room, but now he could appreciate the whole decorated scheme. Surprisingly, not even a speck of pink was to be seen, having instead creams and light greens on the walls, a low table and a rocking chair.
"That's my mother's chair," her voice offered. He turned and saw her leaning on the kitchen's door jam. "She bought it when she found out she was expecting me. The funny thing was that my father never took the hint until four months later."
"That's a good story," he said, complying with her mute gesture for him to sit on the rocking chair.
"Coffee?"
"No, thanks. I'm here on business, actually."
"Oh? How so?" Sakura asked from the kitchen, pouring herself a good cup of black coffee. When finished, she joined him in the living room, plopping on the carpet and setting her mug on the table.
"My uncle wants you to know something," he began, placing his hands on his knees. "Hideki-sama has been spreading some bad gossip about your stay at the Hyuuga Compound."
"Bad gossip? What kind of bad gossip?" the pink-haired kunoichi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Hiashi-sama was told about a certain encounter that happened between you and me," he said, clenching his fists and averting his gaze. Sakura spluttered and blushed to her hair roots, remembering the overwhelming and mind-blowing kiss they had shared in her assigned room.
"What?!" she exclaimed, internally glad that she hadn't been drinking the hot liquid in her mug. Surely she would have spit it out or choked on it from the surprise.
"Hiashi-sama also wants you to know that he does not care about our liaison, if there is such thing between us."
Sakura gaped, to say the least. It would have been a funny sight to Neji, if he wasn't so keen in staring the family pictures on her wall.
"Wha... why... why he would say such a thing..." she rambled, lowering her gaze to her cup. "I've never been mean to that old man, regardless of his sneers at me and Kakashi in the Clan Council... I don't understand... why would he do that?"
"Probably to discredit you," Neji said softly. "He is one of those kinds of persons who think that the kunoichi profession is not appropriate for ladies... and you are one of the few in the Clan Council, so..."
A hard scowl formed in Sakura's forehead. She was peeved at the unfairness of the situation. More than peeved, she was pissed off.
"That's the most stupid thing I've ever heard since the release of the Icha Icha Ramen at Ichiraku's," she snarled, standing up. "He wants war? Then he'll have it!"
Neji's pearly eyes fixed on her stormy emerald ones with astonishment. "Haruno, I don't think that's--"
"My ass!" she growled. "I've been underestimated because of my looks, for my forehead, for my earlier actions, for my fangirl complex... and now I've being scorned because of my gender?! Fuck that, Hyuuga! I'm sick and tired of that shit!"
"Sakura," he tried to appease her, but she was too riled up to listen.
"This is outrageous! And to think we have a female Hokage!" she exclaimed in anger, pacing around the room. "I just wonder what Tsunade-shishou would have said if someone spoke ill about her like that because she is a woman! She's a Legendary Sannin and one of the best ninja I've ever met! And this imbecile looks down on me because I'm a woman?!"
At some point during her tirade, Neji stood and watched her rant. She was totally right, though, it was about damned prejudice and he was sure that she was going to bring doom to his chauvinistic relative. Not that he cared, but Sakura's anger was escalating and he judged it to be a good time to stop her or someone could get hurt.
Intercepting her pacing, he grabbed her upper arms, tipping her back a little to claim her attention.
"Sakura," he said in a low voice. "Calm down. My uncle does not share Hideki's opinion. And as the matter of fact, neither do I."
She blinked and lowered her head, cheeks blazing. "I'm..."
Neji's expression softened. Placing two fingertips on her chin, he lifted her head, coercing her eyes to meet his. "And, I do share my uncle's view about this matter..."
Sakura fidgeted under his hands. "And... what does Hiashi-sama say about this...?"
"That our 'liaison' only concerns us, and no one else," he whispered, lowering his head and placing his lips on hers in a soft kiss.
Sakura's mind reeled, as her outer body leaned into Neji's embrace.
-X-
"You look lovely, Sakura-chan," greeted a masked ninja as she approached him. "Hyuuga-kun, nice to see you."
"Kakashi, what did you hear about Hideki-sama's new misdeed?" she asked, straight to the point. The Copy Ninja sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
"Sakura, it is not wise to anger the rest of the Council for a tiny thing, and I believe--"
"What?" she hissed, narrowing her green eyes, not missing how the jounin shivered under her glare. "Don't tell me about behaving like a good demure woman, Kakashi. I'm as part of this Council Clan as the last Haruno as you as the last Hatake. Don't tell me you swallow those stupid things that old man says because his clan owns half of Konoha!"
"We don't own half of the village," murmured the man behind her, making her snap her head to glare at him. "We only own a quarter."
She snorted, her anger dissipating under the sarcasm thrown at her face. "Right. It was the Uchiha Clan who owned the other half of the village."
"I wouldn't know about that," Neji scoffed. "They aren't here to claim a thing."
Kakashi lifted a brow, watching Sakura smirk at the Hyuuga's words. For a moment he thought she would knock him out, seeing that she never liked when someone spoke ill about Sasuke.
But now, she merely waved a hand and smiled brightly.
"Then you realize that all those properties bought by the Hyuuga Clan seemed conveniently vacated by the time the Council got hold of the Abandonment Law, right?"
The silver-haired jounin had to chuckle at Sakura's outrageous comment. "Maa, maa, Sakura, don't repeat that in front of others, we know that those properties were earned in good graces by the Hyuuga Clan."
"If you say so," she replied. "By the way, I changed my will. Now everything will go to Naruto and his descendants."
"Oh, Sakura-chan, you hurt me, I thought we had an agreement," he shot back with a look of mock hurt in his lone uncovered eye. "Now where am I going to live?"
"I don't know, try the Dog Pound," she sneered, pulling her tongue out at her former sensei, who only laughed. "Did you bring the goods? It was your turn today."
"Who do you think you're talking to?" the man said, pulling out a little bag. She snatched it from him and Neji got the opportunity to see what was inside as Sakura opened it. Sweets and candy.
"I'm talking to my ever-forgetful teammate who always wishes me a happy birthday in winter," she answered sarcastically, pocketing the bag inside her obi. "Hyuuga, don't be fooled by his lazy appearance, he is a moron despite his shinobi achievements."
"Oi!"
"Ah, Yamanaka-sama! It's nice to see you," Sakura said as if nothing had happened, bowing to Ino's father who smiled back.
"Haruno-sama," he greeted with a wink. "It's always a pleasure to see such a lovely beauty as you among these old bats."
Sakura laughed and hid her face behind her red fan, Neji noticed it was entirely red with a white circle in the middle. The Haruno Clan crest.
Following her to the Council Hall, he noted that Sakura and Kakashi were seated a bit separated, judging for the little tags in each seat, sporting the name of each member. This made him feel a bit reassured, for the earlier banter, as amusing as it was, made him frown internally at how familiar the pink-haired medic was with her former sensei.
His rational part realized that he felt a bit jealous of their dynamics, but something else made him frown externally, as he stood behind Sakura.
It wasn't just a healthy dose of jealousy, for she had welcomed Neji's kisses the day before; but he felt that she somehow was linked to him. He felt jealous of the man, making her smile and laugh...
...Just like the Aburame Head was making her smile with a remark about the latest gossip about Tsunade's gambling skills.
"I can only hope that Tsunade-sama has not passed that bad luck unto you, Haruno-sama."
"Too late," she replied in a whisper. "I have been losing bets against Hyuugas, no less."
"Kami-sama, we are doomed indeed," Aburame Shibi said dryly, which made Sakura elicit a giggle as they saw the Hokage entering the Hall with Shizune in tow.
"Alright, we're beginning this session by not saying anything about the adornment upon my features," Tsunade said while she took her seat. Neji was astounded, to say the least, when his eyes laid on what seemed to be a thick swirl in the blonde's left cheek.
So that was the bet payment, he concluded, amused, as he averted his gaze and checked every exit and probable ways to escape, as ANBU training taught him to do when performing bodyguard duty. The room was big, like Hokage-sama's public office or Ibiki's office, in which he liked to hold his meetings. The cushions were displayed in a circle, making everyone face each other, apparently in an attempt to socialize and foster integrity among the Council members. Every member's hands were placed on their hakama –or in Sakura's case, a beautiful embroidered green and white kimono. His snowy eyes also noted the glare addressed at him by his relative, who was seated in front of Hatake Kakashi.
"As winter approaches, members of the Council, we need to ensure Konoha's safety in the northern front," Tsunade was speaking. "So we'll decide today about the wall that boards over the Hokage Mountain, as well as the Aburame's property."
"We Aburame are aware of the situation, and our family will cover the expenses for the wall around our properties," the man in sunglasses said. All the members nodded their assent, while Shizune made a note on her scroll.
"Second point," continued the Hokage. "This year's harvest from the Nara Clan fields will be insufficient for the demands of our village. We'll have to trade with Sunagakure or Tsukigakure."
"The Moon village?" an man unknown to Neji spoke. "Isn't that too far from our allies? Also, what can Suna give us to feed our people? Is not as if they possess the most fertile of fields, Hokage-sama."
"They lead the root vegetable market, Naname-sama," the Akimichi Head responded. "Potatoes, yam, etcetera. They export to Lightning Country, but maybe we can negotiate an exclusive trade contract with them."
"And then we can eat our soup with just water and potatoes," the Hyuuga representative sneered. "We are not in need of those products; we need a secure income and more dairy supplies."
"The Nara Clan stables have been down with hay fever," explained Shikaku, frowning in front of Sakura. "The Inuzuka veterinaries have been helping, but we can't sell dairy or meat if our livestock is sick."
"So we'll have a down in the meat market, big deal," Tsunade sighed. "Until the Nara can provide with their other products we can manage. A diet based on grains and rice can do marvels for some of our people. As for the income, you all know that the mission rate has lowered since summer. I don't need to tell this Council that my subordinates are working every mission we've been entrusted to perform."
"I am sure of that, Tsunade-sama," Hideki said pleasantly, placing his eyes back on Neji. "Ensuring an ANBU Captain to guard just a mere medic-nin has granted the whole village of Konohagakure with more incomes."
Neji felt Sakura's chakra flare and swirl in anger, making him blink in surprise.
"Hyuuga-sama, I don't need to explain the actions of my strategies," Tsunade said, with a deep scowl on her beautiful face. "I'm aware of my subordinates' abilities, and time will prove that I made a correct decision regarding this matter."
"Do you want to bet on that?" Hideki answered with a smirk. Sakura narrowed her eyes and clenched her fist, wanting to throttle that stupid old man.
But Tsunade beat her to it. "Do as you like, Hyuuga. As long as I'm the Hokage, I will lead this village my way and this Council doesn't have anything to say in that business. In case you've forgotten, we are a Hidden Ninja Village; that means that our principal product to sell is, in fact, shinobi forces."
Sakura followed her shishou as she stood up. Stealing a glance to Kakashi, she noted how awake he looked for a change, openly displaying how interested he was in the blonde's words.
"I won't lie to the Clan Council," Tsunade continued. "We are going through troubled times, for our enemies and Akatsuki are still at large. Most of you know how involved these ninjas are in waging this secret war against our opponents. This is not about power, but survival. And here, among our peers, are three shinobi who can attest to this situation. Two of them have a victory against an Akatsuki member under their belt. Even our allies, Sunagakure and Tsukigakure can't stand up against them."
"What are you saying, Tsunade?" asked one of the elders, who Neji didn't know. "We are in the middle of a war and we did not know about it?"
"Of course, Harada-sama!" Kakashi finally chirped, curving his uncovered eye. "And you do not have to know because we ninjas are the ones fighting in it."
"Hatake-sama, this is outrageous!" the Naname Clan representative exclaimed. "We are at war! This means that you cannot leave us unawares, Tsunade!"
Finally, Sakura lowered her fan, clearing her throat.
"Naname-sama, Clan Council," she said in a calm tone. "We cannot panic over a ninja war. We have enough forces to protect the village, for us shinobi have sworn to die fighting for her. Providing security is what we know best; ensuring the survival of our people is our motto. Do not be afraid, because we won't allow Konoha to fall."
"Beautiful words, Haruno-sama," Hyuuga Hideki retaliated. "But since you have a Hyuuga bodyguard protecting your lovely and petite form – even when you are a capable kunoichi yourself, am I right? – I ask you this: are you aware of the implications under those words you just spoke? How can you assure this Council that this... Akatsuki organization is not going to wipe out this village?"
"We can not be sure of what is going to happen, Hyuuga," a disgruntled Shikaku said. "We were ambushed by Orochimaru a few years ago. But we managed to repel his forces, although we sustained several losses, including the Sandaime Hokage. How can someone be sure of their future? If I knew I was going to have my only son as one of the village's top ANBU-level tacticians I would never have bought him that puzzle when he was a baby. And then again, he defeated the man who killed his sensei."
"We are doing our best to protect this village," agreed Shibi, nodding gravely.
"Even if our own family is at risk," Akimichi Chouza added, closing his eyes.
"We are tools for the greatness of Konoha," Kakashi said in a whisper. "Even the Fourth knew this."
"And then again, his son wants to follow his steps," Tsunade butted in with a sly smile. "I also wanted to inform you that when Uzumaki Naruto reaches his twenty-third year, he will be officially appointed as the Rokudaime Hokage. Just for you to know, Clan Council. That blond menace is going to give you more headaches that I ever provoked on your venerable heads."
"Tsunade! He is the Kyuubi vessel!" Naname exclaimed, banging his knee in anger.
"So what if he is?" Sakura interrupted, straightening up. "As far as I am concerned, Uzumaki Naruto has more presence and knowledge regarding Konoha's needs that a bunch of old men who are afraid of this," she flipped a kunai out of her obi and balanced its tip between her fingers. "I am one of his sponsors to his candidature, and I will support him as long as the Haruno – well, I live."
"So will the Hatake," Kakashi added, while Sakura sank back in her cushion. Neji knew that she was angry, but his position didn't change. He didn't want to fuel Hideki's rumor mill by show some support to the pink-haired medic.
"So are the Nara, Akimichi and Yamanaka."
"What is this, then?" the Hyuuga Councilman brought a hand to his heart dramatically. "We changed our agenda to discuss the next Hokage? Even when we already know that Tsunade-sama is going to appoint whoever she wants without this Council's approval?"
"You are damn right, Hyuuga!" Tsunade's temper flared at last. "When my own sensei died at Orochimaru's hands no one from this Council tried to choose someone from the village to lead her. You all came to me because I'm the Shodai's granddaughter. You kept your prissy mouths shut in order to leave this mess to me, and I've been working my ass off to organize and ensure Konoha's survival. So it is my damned right and wish to pass the title to whoever I choose. Therefore, I suggest you to strip off your snobbish stupidity and open your eyes, because even Orochimaru can attack again and take over the whole Fire Country! What will you do, then? Bow to his snake majesty?"
A deep silence sank in the room. All the Clan representatives were frowning or scowling, mulling over the Hokage's words.
"Hyuuga-sama is right," Sakura finally said, eliciting surprised gasps among the Council for they knew how opposed they were to each other. "We know that Tsunade-sama is going to appoint whoever she wants. However, we also know that her judgment has been Konoha's lifeline since the Sandaime's passing. We have to realize that even us shinobi have prejudices over the Nine-Tailed bijuu... but Naruto has proven everyone wrong since we left the Academy. He brought hope, he brought strength. He brought Tsunade-sama to us. I believe it is time for the civilians to understand that this man is not only the next Hokage, but also the one who is going to save Konoha from anything."
"We are at war, Haruno-sama," the Naname Councilman hissed. "And you keep defending that... that monster?"
"May I add that we have been at war for more than ten years?" asked Kakashi in his usual lazy manner. This seemed to shock the other man to silence, allowing the silver-haired man to continue with a smile. "That is how we ninja work. We certainly do not need to inform you of every step we take under the Hokage's command, for our first saying is 'silent and quick'. You did not realize this because Tsunade-sama did not want to raise panic. And now you, wise Councilmen, have to keep this information to yourselves. Konoha needs supplies and we will provide her, which is all the Clan Council can do."
"Let us worry about this war, Clan Council," Aburame Shibi said. "You can worry about potatoes."
-X-
"I just can't believe how old-fashioned that Hyuuga bat is!" Sakura said, now sitting in a secluded table in a tea shop. Accompanied by Kakashi and Neji, she proceeded to vent all her frustrations regarding the last Council meeting.
"Sakura, he's been supporting Konoha's politics for more than twenty years," Kakashi offered. He lived through the Kyuubi attack and Orochimaru's ambush. How can that poor man know that we are strong enough if he doesn't know the way of the ninja?"
"He knows alright," murmured Neji, making the other two look at him in surprise. "He always supervised Hiashi-sama's training as well as my father's when they were young. Now, as I grew up, he was the first against my uncle teaching me some moves from the Main Branch, and was also one of many against my uncle taking responsibility during the Lightning Country episode."
"So the man is an animal of traditions, gah," Sakura resumed. "And the news about the war is surely going to reach the civilians. This can't be good, Kakashi... what are we going to do?"
"Wait and see, Sakura," the Copy Ninja sighed. "The Clan Council knows better than to sprout distrust over the ninjas and the Hokage. They know how Tsunade-sama is regarding the village's protection."
"Still... something is off, I can feel it," Sakura pressed, clasping a fist over her heart. "It's like... we're being watched or something."
"No one is watching us," Neji said, looking at her. His Byakugan was activated, which made Sakura think that he was searching for something... or looking directly at her very soul.
This, of course, made her blush.
But, Neji's nearness relaxed her, feeling something she shouldn't feel. She stiffened for a moment, and then stood up.
"I think I'll go back to my home," she said. Neji stood up as well.
"I will walk you."
Feeling trapped and disconcerted at the same time, she could only nod, waving Kakashi goodbye.
The walk was rather awkward and the atmosphere between the both of them was tense. Neji could feel it clearly, something was troubling his pink-haired... charge. His charge.
This was new for the onyx-haired ANBU Captain. The connection he felt with Sakura was indeed disconcerting. How could he perceive her moods, as he did in the meeting? Could it be a phenomenon related to her juin?
"Ah... thank you for walking me home, Hyuuga-san," she said in a shy whisper when they reached her apartment. "I can take it from here--"
"Sakura," Neji cut her off in a gentle tone. "Can I have a word with you?"
In response, the beryl-eyed woman blushed and looked down to her sandaled toes. "Of... of course, yes... let us get inside then."
She didn't know what he could possibly want now, because after all, a few kisses shared weren't a relationship, as she had concluded that morning when she was dressing for the Council meeting. Sakura felt disheartened when he pulled back from the soft kiss he gave her to shut her up from her angry rant after he informed her about Hideki's gossip and left with an excuse. Hinata appeared later, keeping Sakura company until sundown.
She chose not to tell Hinata about Neji's sudden retreat, but she certainly felt... off, without his presence.
Now, sitting on her couch side by side under the most awkward of silences, Sakura's stomach flip-flopped nervously.
"So... what do you wanted to talk about?" she started, fixing her eyes on her knees.
Neji sighed. "I... apologize for my sudden departure yesterday," he began in a thick tone. Her posture was screaming tenseness, as he could observe how she fidgeted with her kimono. "I also want you to know that it wasn't because of you."
"Eh?" she asked wittily, raising her eyes to his.
"I am... I am not good with this, Sakura," he continued, averting her gaze. "This thing going on between us... is confusing."
"...Yes, of course," she whispered, lowering her eyes again.
"Do not get me wrong. We... are getting along rather well, but I want to know where I stand."
Sakura blinked several times and slowly lifted her head to look at him. Neji's eyes fixed on hers with such intensity she felt her pulse racing.
"I... I don't understand, Hyuuga-san--"
"Neji."
"What?"
"My name is Neji, Sakura. Please address me so."
"...Okay."
"I want to know where I stand, Sakura," he continued, bringing a hand to her chin to restrain her fidgeting. "Are you indeed over Uchiha Sasuke?"
She blinked again and furrowed her brows. "Over Sasuke? What do you mean?"
"I mean that I won't be involved with someone that keeps pining for someone else."
Now, Neji thought, it is kind of funny to see her gaping like a fish.
"I'm... oh, Kami-sama, do you really think I'm still infatuated with Sasuke?" she asked, bewildered. Seeing Neji nod, she shook her head.
"No?" he translated her motion.
"No, I don't love him, if that's what you wanted to know... I think I never did, actually... I was naïve to think he'd want to be with me, of all people."
"I am glad his aims in life are quite off," he approved, his eyes softening. "Now, there is something else I want to ask you about."
"What?" Sakura followed, feeling like a mouse being stalked by a cat. A silver-eyed cat.
"I want to know, Sakura..." he whispered in a husky voice and leaning on her. "How can I feel you even when we are in different places? How can I perceive your moods even when you have a blank façade?"
Sakura blushed furiously under his stare. "I... don't know..."
"I think you do know," he continued, sliding a hand down her back and placing it over her covered seal, which tingled under his warmth and made Sakura shiver. "This is what is linking me to you, Sakura. Am I wrong?"
"No... no... you're right," she said, biting her lip. "The seal reacts to your presence, I don't know why... and it only reacts with you, not Naruto, Kakashi, Sai or Yamato... I wonder if it's because of..." she hesitated, "what we've been experiencing."
"Do you think it is because we both have seals?" asked Neji, tilting his head a little. Sakura shook her head, sighing.
"Then I would have that awareness of your presence, which I don't..." she trailed off, then looked at him. "When did you leave on that mission?"
"I can't tell you that," he responded automatically, twitching his eyebrows.
"I'm not asking about the nature of your mission, although I already know you went to get Sasuke," she shot back, frowning a little. "It's just that... I felt this... uneasiness for a week, and then you came back with your team and I felt..."
Neji's hand found its way to Sakura's chin. "Are you saying that you missed me?"
Sakura flushed and snorted. "Keep telling yourself that, Hyuuga."
But Neji knew, of course. His smirk said it all.
-X-
It took a bit of adjustments, but in the end Sakura understood why Neji was so serious. And he realized why she was so driven with training and that ANBU thing. Both started to respect each other, and despite the confusing feelings they'd been experiencing, they started to hang out.
Not dating, but hanging out.
Until the night that Neji shot up from his slumber with a feeling of certain dread inside his chest. Swearing in a sotto voice, the Hyuuga prodigy jumped out off his window in a mad dash to Sakura's apartment, to find her at her threshold on her knees, trembling.
"Sakura, what's wrong?" he asked, leaning down next to her form. She was drenched in blood.
"I went back from the hospital and--oh, Kami-- Sai walked me home, but I got mad at him and I kicked him away as soon as we arrived at the building, so I went upstairs alone, and—and..."
Kakashi and Naruto barged into the hallway. "Sakura-chan!" the blond went to her frantically.
"I'm fine, Naruto, this is not my blood," she held up a hand. Kakashi watched her for a minute and then his shoulders squared, entering her apartment, Naruto in tow.
"Coast clear," they heard them say. A flicker and the apartment came back to life with the electricity, signaling a horrible mess inside her living room. A man's corpse was mid-way into the kitchen, in the middle of a pool of blood.
"Oto," the silver-haired ninja breathed. Naruto swore out loud and punched the wall in frustration.
"What the hell would Orochimaru want with you, Sakura-chan?" the blond asked. Sakura shook her head, finally raising her looking up to face a crouching Neji.
"I don't think it was Orochimaru, Naruto," she whispered. Neji's eyes glinted with fury, but he chose not to say a word.
"You severed his aorta," Kakashi commented offhandedly. "Remind me not to sneak up on you, ever."
This joke made her chuckle. "I was upset, I wanted to get some dumplings but the stand was closed when I got out of the hospital."
As Naruto wandered to check on the body, Sakura breathed deeply and looked at a silvery gaze.
"Are you okay?" he muttered. She nodded, accepting his hand to pull herself to her feet.
"I always leave a lamp on in the kitchen when I have night shifts," she whispered. "I saw none when I got back, so..."
He understood perfectly. She shivered again, so he draped an arm over her shoulders, pulling her to his body.
"Your fear woke me up," he said in a low voice.
"I know, I'm sorry," she murmured back. "I didn't think it was someone breaking into my place... for a moment I thought it was Pakkun, since he sometimes drops by...
Neji sighed. "Saku--"
"Stay with me tonight, Neji, please" she asked, looking at him anxiously. Keeping her gaze, he curved his lips minutely and nodded.
"I will."
Sakura offered him a tiny smile, which eased his troubled mind.
-XXX-
See? I'm not dead! But I had a bit of trouble pulling this one, as you might have concluded. 8D
A ton of love and Sephie!emoing-in-a-corner plushie cuddle to Celtic Oak for her awesome beta!