CHAPTER II ~ Flashback
April 24th.
Two years before the present time.
Neji's POV
Neji was swiftly leaping from tree to tree, going on a one-man cell mission. "Shit! I'm late!" He groaned as he ran as fast as he could. Later on, he activated his Byakugan to scan the area and what lies ahead of him. The she saw a woman falling from a high cliff, about 5 miles from his location. "What the?!"He muttered as he sped up his pace even more hoping he'd make it on time before that woman's body could even hit the ground.
Just then, when the woman was about 6 feet above the ground, he stretched his arms and catched her safely. He swiftly landed on the ground, and cradled the woman on his arms. He gasped seeing that the woman's identity was Haruno Sakura. She was dressed in her usual red sleeveles tank and neutral colored skirt. Her face was so hideously rubbish and her skin were full of bruises and scratches which she probably got from the trees that her body met from the fall. He gently shook her face calling her name several times but there was no response. He had no choice but to take Sakura to his original destination. So, he moved on swiftly.
Moments later, he arrived at the village. The villagers welcomed him but then were puzzled to what might have happened to the woman she was carrying.
"She needs to be treated immediately." He said to one of the villagers.
Soon enough they were in a hut which seemed to be like the village's clinic. The nurses, tended to her wounds. Luckily she didn't have any major cuts at all but she was still unconcious. He sat on the floor right across to where she was laying. A few moments later, 3 kids barged in looking for him.
"Neji-sensei, what happened?" asked a boy with slender body and black spiked hair.
"You wondered why you were late." said a feign looking girl with a worried tone.
"Who is that woman by the way, Neji-sensei?" asked the third kid among them. He had long straight hair the touched his ears.
"Ahh... I found her in the woods badly injured, so I helped her and brought her here."
Neji answered didn't tell them what really happened. She has yet to talk to Sakura about it when she wakes up. The 3 young shinobi's looked at Sakura and thought that she was kind of familiar. "She's one of our great medical nin's of Konoha." Neji said. The three of them 'aahhh'd in unison.
These 3 young genin's were Neji's very own team... team 6 of from the new generation of shinobi's. He has been their teacher for a year now and have been with them on several missions. Later on he got up and encouraged his team to continue the task they were assigned to.
An hour has passed and the sun was about to set. The villagers were busy outside individually preparing for supper, while he and his team helped in the preparations. Moments later, Sakura was now awake. The nurse approached Neji and was told about this. He hurriedly went in to the hut, and saw Sakura sitting up examining the wounds and cuts on her arms and legs that were wrapped in bandages.
"So you're awake now." Neji said coldly.
Sakura didn't answer. She just stared at Neji.
"What's wrong?" Neji moved closer and sat beside with one knee raised to his chin.
"Where am I?" She asked.
"Don't worry. You are safe." Neji answered reassuringly.
Sakura pinched her cheeks. "Am I still alive?"
"What? Of course you are! You just had wounds and cuts from your fall off the cliff." He said.
"I see." Sakura's voice trailed off.
"Would you like to explain to me how fell off from that cliff?" Neji asked with a serious tone.
Sakura's emerald eyes widened as she tried to recall what had happened. She stared away from Neji on to the blanket that covered her legs. She didn't speak.
"Sakura?" His brow was now raised.
"Yes, Neji.. I'm sorry.. I was just thinking..." Sakura was startled at his voice as if she didn't knew that Neji was there.
"Alright. I'll leave you to your thoughts. You stay here for a while. Get some rest. I'll come back later once dinner is ready." He said in sternly.
It sounded like it was an order, however he didn't want her to feel any more discomfort. He thought that he cared somehow. Moments later, Neji came in with their meal and ate together. Both were silent at this point. No one dared to say a word. They weren't close to each other to begin with, and to start a cozy conversation wouldn't work out on them. Then Neji stood up as soon as they were finished.
"Let me know if you need anything." he said coldly, and went outside leaving her alone.
A few hours later, the villagers had a gathering circling a large bonfire. There was singing and dancing, and everybody had smiles on their faces. His three young team members also joined in together with the other village kids, as he stayed at the farther back sitting on a log. It was really his thing joining merry moments like this, but he enjoyed watching it somehow.
Suddenly he felt a hand gently tapped his right shoulder. He looked up and it was her. The light from the bonfire made it visible for him to see her bright face wearing a friendly smile.
"May I sit beside you?" She courteously asked.
"Yes.." His voice was rather gentle now.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm quite alright now except for the cuts on my back which makes it kinda hard to move around." Sakura explained.
"Well, you better limit your movement so it would heal faster." He suggested.
Her eyes scanned around the place and thought that she had never been here before.
"Where are we anyway and who are these people?" Sakura asked.
"We're in the southern far end of the village. These people are nomads from the other region whose village was destroyed during the war. Neji explained.
"Outcasts?" she reitterated?
"In a way, yes." Neji confirmed.
"I see, but why is your team here?" she asked again.
"We we're sent here for a mission." He replied calmly.
"And what mission is that?" Sakura asked narrowing her brows as she couldn't quite understand why they were there.
He was calm at this moment, and did not bother to explain to her
"We were sent here to teach basic literacy to the children. Though, shinobi's are known for combat and security missions but Tsunade-sama included these kinds of things into the list of shinobi missions."
He saw that she was still confused and she asked, "And why is that?"
"Well, let's just say of giving back to the community. To maintain peace among nations." He calmly said.
"I see." she replied.
Both of them continued watching the villagers' having a good time singing and dancing. Then, the three young genins approached them.
"Neji-sensei, you should join us!" The feign-looking girl said cheerfully as he held Neji's arm.
"Oh no... That's not a good idea. I don't dance." He chuckled.
Then one of them noticed Sakura beside him.
"Hey, are you the lady laying in the clinic a while ago?" The boy with a spiked hair asked.
"Yes, I guess that would be me." She smiled at them sweetly.
"Ahh... I think I've seen you before back in the village hospital." The third one said as he recognized her.
"Yes, I work there as a medical nin." she answered with a smile.
"Is she your girlfriend Neji-sensei?" The spiked-hair boy asked.
Both of them froze.
"Shit! This brat!"Neji mumbled to himself feeling embarrassed.
They never were close to begin with, all the more becoming lovers was just too awkward. Sakura's cheeks turned red like a tomato.
"See? She's blushing! She really is your girlfriend!" The girl concluded feeling excited at the thought.
"No, no, no... You got it all wrong! Sakura-chan is one of classmates back then in the academy. She's in Naruto's team. Neji explained to them kindly.
"Sugoi!" The three of them exclaimed in unison.
Then the three of them chatted among themselves after mentioning Naruto's name, how great he is and how they wanted to be a hero too. This amused her and made her smile.
"I'm sorry about the kids. They're just too straight-forward at times." Neji said in a cheerful manner.
"It's okay. I understand." she replied.
"But you know, they amuse me at times. They kind of gave me a reason to work hard in training them and leaving my legacy as a shinobi." He explained to her in all honesty.
"But they're just too troublesome at times! Sigh!" He complained and groaned with himself.
Nevertheless, his students were indeed dear to him. He's point of view was somehow changed especially with how he deals with people. Neji made an effort adjusting his manners for he cannot expect his students to learn and obey him if he was really strict, he feared that they would only rebel.
Neji tried to shrug off the thought and ignored his feeling of embarrassment. He hasn't been teased like that with anybody before, not even with Tenten. A few hours later, the villagers called it a night. Sakura, Neji and his team were offered a vacant hut for them to sleep. A few moments later, his young team members slept soundly on the mat. Sakura was watching over them while Neji was outside. She felt bored so she went outside and saw Neji sitting on rock with his head looking at the sky.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Sakura asked.
"Nothing in particular. Just random things."
Sakura sat beside him and grabbed a twig and playfully draw lines on the ground.
"Do you want to take a walk?" He asked not sure of she'll say yes.
"Sure. But what about them?" She referred to his team of genins.
"They'll be fine." He answered confidently.
Soon enough they were inside the woods which was not too far from the village, but was enough to conceal themselves in the shadows and make their voices unheard. The moon served as there light so it was easier for them to move around. Then Neji halted to a stop. Sakura did as well. He turned around to face her and asked,
"Can you explain to me now what happened earlier on the cliff?"
His voice was stern and serious. He was curious enough to find the answer. Then he saw her face now turned into a frown, as her stared at the ground.
"I did that on purpose." she said.
"What?" Neji was surprised. "You mean you wanted to commit suicide?"
His voice raised. Sakura didn't answer. She turned her back on him as she thought of better way how to explain herself.
"Are you insane Sakura? Why would youwant to commit suicide?"
He asked, still with his voice raised. His face demanding for an answer. Sakura didn't answer. She clenched her fist in frustration as her eyes were now filled with tears. Then Neji grabbed her shoulders forcing her to face him,
"Tell me Sakura! What pushed you to do such thing?"
She broke away from his gaze. Then suddenly Neji slapped her cheek with his palm, just enough to make it flush in red. Sakura was shocked as he touched her cheek and felt the pain within,
"How dare you slap a woman!" She snarled at him.
"How dare I?" His voice was now raised, which sounded more of like a snarl from a beast.
"...You even wanted to kill yourself, and now you're mad because you felt the pain when I slapped you?" Neji reasoned out.
There he was again with his super-analytic skills, that winning an argument with him would be impossible, Sakura thought. She felt furious for being slapped by someone whom she barely knew. But she understood how people could be fed up with her that even her bestfriend Ino gave on her on this matter.
"I have a good reason for it!" she said.
"Tell me Sakura!" He sounded more furious now as he shook her shoulders, forcing for an answer.
"It's because of him... Sasuke." She whispered as she removed his hands off of her.
"What of him?" Neji asked curiously.
"It's just that... I have grown tired and weary of waiting." Tears fell from her eyes
"So, is that a good reason for you to just throw your life away for some rogue ninja who didn't even love you back?" Neji straight-forwardly said.
"He wasn't just any ninja... You know that!" She glared at Neji.
"...He was my team mate. He was dear to Naruto and me and even to Kakashi-sensi. He's the one I love." She whimpered.
"But why? Have you not forgotten his betrayal?! Why can you not forsake him?" He asked, hoping Sakura would wake up from her delusional feelings.
"I tried. Kami knows how hard I tried, but I just couldn't. The pain is just so deep, that I cannot live any further without him." Sakura said as she continued to sob.
Neji didn't mind her crying. He was just as furious as hell for he thought her reason was very petty.
"Are you really that stupid Sakura? That you would be willing to waste your life away because of that man, while their are others out there who needs you? What about your parents, your friends, and your patients and those who will be needing your help in the future?
Sakura's eyes widened at his words. She did love the people around her, but the thought the people will be needing her help in the future never occured to her. And then she remembered what Neji said at the bonfire, about his team members. For a moment, there was silence. Neither of them spoke after Neji vented out his reasons. And then, he spoke.
"Well, at least you told me your reason why you wanted to die on your own, so I won't bother you anymore the next I'd see on the verge of dying." Neji said coldly and walked away.
"That stupid woman! Why would she even do such thing!" He continued to grumble on his own while walking his way back to the village.
"It would have been understandable if she risked her life for something reasonable.. but for that alone, it's just nonsense! Childish even!"He couldn't stop feeling angry with what she did.
He arrived at the village feeling exhausted. Neji looked back at the trails wondering if she was alright. He activated his byakugan and was able to see from afar that she was crying.
"Shit, what have I done!"Neji exclaimed as he recalled his rudeness to her.
Though he was used to that feeling of superiority, not feeling any guilt of making a girl cry, like what he did before with his cousins Hinata and Hanabi when he'd force them to train so hard that they'd end up crying. But this time he felt guilty all of a sudden. Perhaps he felt that he was not for in the position to hurt her, physically.
Yet her crying was different, for he knew Sakura's sadness wasn't just a failure from learning a new jutsu. It was a pain of losing someone who meant everything to her... A different kind of pain that he cannot fully grasp. Though he he had his fair share of losing his loved ones, but it could not amount to the loss of a lover.
With his byakugan still activated, he wanted to go back to where he had left her. He stood there at the wooden gates while closely watching her every move. He could still see that she was crying. And at that moment, he had a slight urge of wanting to embrace and comfort her.
Soon enough she was now out of the woods and was slowly moving forward towards the gate. He stared at her intensely unsure how to approach her and apologize for his acts earlier. She was now a few inches away from him when suddenly Sakura tripped. Neji was able to catch her before she could even hit the ground. He felt his cold body against hers as he securely locked her in his fined-toned arms. Her face was now close to his with just half an inch away that he could almost feel her breath.
"Are you alright Sakura?" He asked.
"Yes." Sakura stuttered as she answered.
They were caught in each other's gaze. He stared at her in awe.
"Oh Kami! Those lips! Those eyes!"
He thought to himself wanting to devour her, as he was now insanely attracted to this pink-haired kunoichi. And then as Sakura blinked batting her lashes, within a split second,
...he kissed her.
It was soft and tender, and his urge satiated by this stolen kiss. Then his senses came in, and broke away. He could see now that Sakura's eyes widened in shock and her cheeks were as red as her shirt.
"I'm sorry... I'll go inside now." He said as he released Sakura from his arms and walked swiftly away.
SAKURA'S POV
"What was that just now..." Sakura thought.
"Why did he? What was he thinking?...
...More so, what does that mean? Didn't he just slap me a while ago?"
She asked a couple of why's and what's across her mind that were left unanswered. She stood their as her body froze while touching her lips with her fingers. For the first time, she felt the true woman inside her that has been waiting to come out of it's shell.
"Neji..." She whispered his name in the air. Then suddenly a certain thought came across her.
He was her first kiss.
"Shit! What was I thinking!" He grumbled to himself while heading back to the hut.
"Ugh! How stupid of me to have done that! I swear I could stay hiding away from her. Kami! That was so embarassing!"
He thought to himself as he regretted his hasty move earlier. He was caught off guard from his emotions.
"I didn't really meant to kiss her. It's just that I recently thought that she was... so fragile and...beautiful."
He said to himself, as he recalled that time he rescued her from her fall off the cliff, and the entire time he looked after her in the clinic. He remembered that he stared at her for quite a while when she was laying unconcious. He stroked a finger on her face and thought that she was indeed beautiful. No wonder Lee admire's her so much.
"Lee would certainly kill me if he knew about this." He said to himself as he remembered his team mate's efforts to win Sakura's heart.
"Uggh! But still I was really stupid! What should I do now? How will I face her again?"He was now worried.
He now arrived at the hut and went inside. He readied his mat and pillow and positioned it across the three young genins who were sleeping side by side. Neji laid himself wanting to rest his body. He covered his eyes with his hands as he struggled removing the thoughts of the former scene from his mind. He bit his lower lips lingering on to that thought and whispered to himself, "Sakura..." and imagined her soft pink lips pressed against his. Now he bit his lower lip thinking that Sakura's lips were just so tempting, and irresistable. He shook his head and made out a big sigh and thought "my first kiss..." he smirked and forced himself to sleep.
Later on, Sakura went inside the hut expecting that Neji was now asleep. What she didn't know that Neji was having a hard time sleeping. So he stayed on his current position turning his back and facing the wall. Sakura managed to prepare her sleeping mat and positioned it beside the female genin. She was now laying near the window and right across Neji. She laid flat on the mat for she couldn't turn as she willed because her wounds were a bit swollen. Hours have passed and it was already dawn. The two of them wasn't able to sleep at all. Neji tossed and turn while Sakura forced to close her eyes hoping that there was still time for sleep to visit her.
Moments later, he sat up with his other leg bent upward. He still couldn't fight he thoughts from last night. So he stood up and decided to go outside and catch some air. The air was crisp and cold but this didn't stop him.
He found his seat from last nights merriment near the bonfire that was now turned out. He sat on that same log as he tried to figure out a way how to straighten things out. Later on, he heard footsteps moving in closer from behind him. He knew it was her, so as soon she was near he stood yet didn't bother to face her.
"Go ahead... You can slap me all you want." He said in a deep voice.
"No... That's not what I came here for." Sakura replied.
"Then what do you want?" Neji asked, still having that pride up on his head.
"I just wanted to say sorry for the trouble I caused you..."
Neji was confused.
"... I mean, you were right. I shouldn't waste my life on Sasuke and should consider thinking about the future instead." Sakura explained as her voice trailed off in the wind.
"Ahh... That... We'll it's really up to you to decide, but if that's what you think is best then I'm happy for you."
Neji answered calmly with a faint smile.
"By the way Sakura, I also would like to apologize for slapping you... I..." he said, but before he could say any further, Sakura spoke.
"No, I know I was being so childish and I needed that somehow as a wake-up call." She answered.
"And about what happened when I tripped... I..." It was Neji who butted in before she could finish. Then he knealt down with one knee bent and said,
"Sakura. Forgive me for my inappropriate behavior last night." His eyes was on the ground saying this.
"... I will not hold it against you if you will sue me when we get back to Konoha." Neji continued.
"Wait. What? What are you talking about?" Sakura exclaimed. Then she knelt down and tapped on his shoulder, wanting him to look up to her.
"There's no reason for me to sue you or whatsoever, and I'm not mad at all." She explained.
"You aren't?" Neji asked in disbelief.
"No I'm not. I was just..." Sakura struggled choosing a word that would best describe how she felt.
Then Neji said, "Shocked?"
"Yes. I was indeed shocked." she confirmed. Then Sakura held his hands and led him to stand up, the she said,
"By the way, please do not mention to anyone about what happened to me on the cliff... and about last night..."
Sakura's voice was now serious and her brows narrowed. "...Ever!"
Neji was taken a back, and said "Yes. I understand. We'll just leave it at that." He understood very well why she wanted it to be kept as a secret.
He felt a little relief after this. He was glad that Sakura wasn't mad at him at all.
Then he looked up at the horizon. It was still dark but a few hours from now, the sun will soon rise.
"Aren't you going back to sleep?" He asked.
"No. I'm having trouble sleeping." She answered.
"Me too." Neji said making a connection between them.
"So what do you suggest we do then?" Neji asked knowing it was still too early to prepare for breakfast.
"I don't know. Uhmmm... Maybe we could just sit here and talk. You know, since we really don't talk much back in the village." Sakura suggested.
There was something in him that wanted to know her more in a deeper sense. So they sat on the log and asked,
"Alright, what do you want to talk about then?" His voice was now much lighter and didn't hesistate at her suggestion. Knowing himself, he's really not much of a talker and avoids any open conversation but this time, he wanted to make an effort.
Both of them enjoyed each others company as they talked about random things and shared a piece of them with each other. They laughed at each others jokes and funny experiences during missions.
Neji's team already finished their mission throughout the day and were now bound to leave. They Konoha shinobi's and the villagers exchanged their farewells and then they left. Their travel lasted for several hours, and now they were already was near to Konoha. They were now walking along the road while the three genins were ahead of them, leaving both of them behind.
"By the way Sakura, I had a great time talking to you earlier this morning." Said Neji.
"Huh? Ohh... I enjoyed it myself it was nice to see you smile and laugh since you always look so serious." Sakura answered.
"I am aware of that." He replied.
"You know, it's nice to sit back and free your mind off of certain things." She explained to him.
"Yes, I know that but I cannot afford to be careless. I have to attend to important things." Neji reasoned out.
"Well, I think it wouldn't be that bad if you take your try to enjoy once in a while. Even Tsunade-sama has her own way of coping." Sakura said as she recalled her mentor taking on booze every night.
"Hmmm... I'll try to consider it." He replied.
Soon enough they were all inside the village entrance. Neji congratulated his team members for a job-well-done and instructed them to go straight home. Then Neji offered to walk her home which Sakura agreed. Afterwards, they were now standing in front of Sakura's apartment.
"Thank you Neji." she flashed him with a smile.
"For what? For walking you home?" Neji was rather confused.
"Not just that, what I mean is thank you for everything. I wouldn't be dead if you weren't there to save me." Sakura pointed out.
"No, not a problem." He replied, having a sense of delight at Sakura's kind words.
Finally Sakura got her keys and asked,
"Would you like to come in for some tea?"
"No, thank you. I need to get home right away." He refused in kindly.
"Oh, alright. Well see you around then." Sakura smiled.
She was about to close the door when suddenly Neji tapped the other side preventing it from closing.
"Neji? Is there something wrong?" Sakura was startled while opened the door widely.
"No, I'm fine... It's just that... I forgot to tell you something." He said.
"What is it?" Sakura asked.
It took him a minute to answer, gathering much courage to say what he really wanted to say.
"Would it be okay... if... uhmm... if we hang out some time?" Neji successfully managed to ask as he was getting tensed up.
Sakura smiled at this, "Sure! I'd love that. Just let me know"
Then Neji gave her a kiss on her cheek. He smirked looking at her, and walked away.
SAKURA'S POV
"A goodbye kiss? Damn! He caught me off guard!"
She said to herself while rubbing her cheeks which blushed bright red. She shut the door and fell on her feet while leaning on to the door. He wasn't a smooth talker at all, but his stolen kisses were enough to make her crave for more.
"Ugh! Neji!"She groaned.
"Must you do this one more time, and I'm about to lose my mind and might do something really crazy!"
~end~
UPDATE: I'm still writing the next few chapters. I hope I could finish it really soon! :)
By the way, thank you for the reviews, the faves and follows and for the anonymous views... :)
NOTE:
I do not own the characters to this story. They are from Masashi Kishimoto's "Naruto" series.