CHAPTER V

(Warning: Mature Content)

1 Month later
Present time

She was stirring her coffee while staring at the calendar across her. She counted the days after the called-off wedding. She sighed at the thought when she realized that it has already been 4 weeks that she hasn't heard of him or seen even a mere shadow of him. The wind from her office window blew against her face as she felt a slight breeze brushed on her cheeks. She took a sip of from her cup and recalled her terrible state on the first few days of their breakup. The first few days was a struggle. She didn't have enough sleep, nor did she have appetite thus resulting to a week's absence from work. Her room was the only place she felt safe to vent out her pain. At times, she thought of ending her life thinking maybe he would show up out of nowhere to save her, just like what happened two years ago. She thought of many things, even impossible ones and would end up sobbing out of regret and loss. Pain consumed her heart. If it weren't for Lady Tsunade who personally came to her house forcing her to get a grip of things, and with the help of her team she was able to fight back her depression.

Just as she finished her coffee, there was a knock on the door.

"Come on in!" She called out.

The door creaked open, and there appeared a pale young lady about her height. Her hair was dark-brown and has a fringe. She wore a plain, light-blue colored dress with a skirt that touched right above the knees. Her eyes were soft lilac colored that were similiar to his former lover. Sakura's head tilted as she tried to examine her familiar visitor.

"Ohayou Sakura-chan!"

Then she remembered. It was Anya.

"Ohayou Anya! What a surprise.. Please have a seat.

She welcomed her like she would welcome any other patient she have.

"Sakura-san, I know I don't have a scheduled appointment with you but I'd like to have a check-up."

"Why? What seems to be the problem?" She asked with a query look.

"Well you see, I... I... I'm pregnant."

Sakura couldn't breathe for a moment. Her nerves were rattling and her body shivered as she felt like she was covered in snow. Suddenly she noticed she was speechless for a minute, so she shifted her reaction and put on a façade and acted naturally.

"Oh! I see... So when did you last have your period?"

"Uhmm, I am now 2 months pregnant Sakura-san."

She froze again. "So she was pregnant, during the wedding." Sakura thought.

"Haven't you gone a pre-natal check up yet?"

"I have... But I honestly have a fear with doctors and I wasn't comfortable with my previous physician. It was Hinata-sama who referred you to me." Anya explained.

"I see. It would have been very awkward if Neji were the who'd do that." She thought to herself but she was sure that Neji must have mentioned to her already.

"I understand Anya, however even though I am a general physician I would like to recommend you to one of our specialist." Sakura said, trying to sound casual.

"Oh, is that so? hmmm..." was Anya's reaction sounding a bit ashamed.

"Don't worry Anya, she's a really good doctor about my age and she will surely take care of you." Sakura smiled.

So she managed to convince Anya and immediately scheduled a meeting with another doctor. Just as soon as she ushered her towards the door, Anya halted and turned to face her.

"Sakura-san, about the baby..." she paused.

"What about it?"

"This isn't Neji's if that's what you're thinking."

Sakura's emerald eyes widened at this. It was the least thing she expected to hear from her.

"What?! But you two were engaged long before and you're already married to him, right?" She asked in a confused state.

"Yes, we were engaged but he the wedding was entirely cancelled." She said looking away from her.

Sakura could understand how Anya felt at this, so she said.

"I'm sorry about what happened, and I'm sorry for asking. I know I'm not in the position to ask." Sakura apologized.

"It's alright Sakura-san, you're not the one at fault. I was the one who brought it up anyway." she smiled at her and bid farewell.

"The baby is not his', their supossed-to-be wedding got entirely cancelled."

Sakura muttered to herself as she tried to make sink it in to her mind.

"Why was it cancelled? Was it because of Anya being pregnant with another man?

Or was Hinata successful talking to her father about it?

Or did Neji proposed a negotiation that the elders couldn't decline?"

Her head was now filled with unanswered questions. She tried to match all the details that she had learned earlier, and with the former.

"And most importantly, where is he?"

She felt anxious all of a sudden. Her heart was now filled with worry as to why he hasn't come to see her since the wedding was cancelled anyway. She wanted to find the answer as soon as possible but she felt like she was going to have a bad headache. She had enough surprises for one day.

The next day she looked around for Neji's team mates. Luckily she was able to find Lee, training by himself.

"Lee!" She called out walking towards him.

"Sakura-san! Ohayou!" Lee instantly stopped making punches in the air and was stoked seeing at the sight of his long-time crush.

"Ohayou! Uhmm... Have you seen Neji?"

"Neji?"

"Yeah. You see, I have something important to tell him." She said.

"Sakura-san..." His voice trailed off as his bushy eyebrows narrowed.

"What? Is there something wrong with him?" Sakura was now feeling more anxious.

Lee was struggling to answer, but then he said "Neji has been gone for more than a month now Sakura-san."

"WHAT?! What do you mean gone?" She raised her voice demanding for an answer.

"Sshhh! Calm down Sakura! This is top-secret but I'm going to tell you anyway."

Sakura agreed and listened intently.

"Neji left Konoha for more than a month now, just a few days after the wedding. It was Hinata who told me that there was an intense argument between the family members about the marriage, that made him decide to leave. Two teams has been dispatched including Hinata's team, since they specialize in tracking"

"He decided to leave?! For that alone?!" Sakura raised a brow feeling puzzled.

"I'm not really sure of the details but Guy sensei said that there was something that the Hyuga elders wanted him to do that was against his will."

"What was it?!" Sakura's eyes flared at Lee as her hands were on his shoulders, keeping a secure distance between them.

Lee frowned and with a sigh he said, "That I do not know."

Her hands lost grip of Lee. Her heart suddenly felt so heavy that she arched her body towards the ground. Her body felt heavy as well, it's as if she felt the intense pull of gravity beneath them that it made her kneel on the ground. Her head was slightly bent down as tears started to fill her eyes.

"Why Neji? Why?

Was it that worth it to leave your family and friends?

Was it that worth it to leave me?!"

No matter how hard she asked herself there was no answer... She couldn't find the answer. Tears started to fall from her eyes. Her pain grew deep as she felt like this was worse than their breakup. Lee now tapped her shoulder trying to calm her down. Sakura got tired of being left behind. She was hell tired of crying and tired of being hurt. She clenched her fists and said,

"I wasn't able to bring Sasuke back. But this time,

This time, I'm going to find you and bring you home!

Even if it kills me, I will!"

She vowed this to herself suddenly felt the strength she needed. She wiped her tears and looked up to Lee.

"I'm alright Lee." She said as her face glimmered in the sunlight.

"Pakkun, are you still able to trace his scent?"

They halted to a stop on a big trunk.

"Yes, but it's kind of confusing. His scent is in all directions. I think he planned this very well to confuse his persuers."

"Is that so? The intel that I got is that he never stays in one place within a day." Sakura said.

"Very wise indeed." The ninja-dog said

"Then, is there some way for us to know his real location?"

"We'll go on ahead and follow the tracks where his scent is the strongest."

"Yosh! Lets go!"

Sakura and Pakkun continued their search in the woods. They've already passed the borders of Konoha and continued to move farther away. She was glad she was able to persuade Kakashi to let her do this alone. Kakashi didn't have a choice for an inevitable reason that he was also assigned for another mission, but he insisted to bring Pakkun along with her. Naruto and Sai were regrouped with another team for were also away for another mission. The thought of it was a perfect timing to go and search for him by herself.

She followed the highly skilled ninja dog along the path as they ran swiftly leaping from branch to branch. The wind brushed through her face as they sprinted at an accelerated speed. Though tiring, she loved running at top speed, reeled with her adrenalin. She felt like she was invincible, that no one could stop her and that she was in control.

The trail lead them to an unfamiliar place. They stopped at a foot of a waterfall, where the water continues to flow to a wide stream.

"What's wrong Pakkun?" She asked.

"That's strange. The scent ended here."

"What do you mean Pakkun?"

"He's quite clever. He knew that a scent could be erased with water."

"It couldn't just end here. Could it be that he crossed the other side of the stream?" Sakura said.

"No. I don't smell anything on that side. It's either he traveled by water or he's hiding in here somewhere. " Pakkun suggested.

"Then we'll just have to take the chance finding him here first." Sakura answered.

They both looked around for any sighting of him but after an hour of searching, there was no sign of him. It was already late afternoon when they returned to the same spot they stopped in earlier and rested for a while. She was disappointed still there was hope. She stared at the waterfall and of the stream. The sound of it found her a way to relax her mind and body. Then suddenly something came across her mind as she was still staring at the foot of the waterfall. She stood up and walked towards the edge of the bank.

"Oi Sakura!" Pakkun called out.

"Ssshhh! Wait here" she said, as she turned to Pakkun.

She examined the walls where the water flows and was able to see a tiny path beneath it. She tiptoed on the very narrow path leaning her back on the wall and slowly moved towards the gushing water. She continued to creep until she was about an arm's length from the water. She stretched her arms sideways reaching for the water while her other hand held on the side of the wall maintaining her balance. She stretched harder and was able to take a grip of a vertical dent behind the water which was in-line with the wall.

"Just as I thought."

She held on to that fold and instantly pulled herself into the gushing water finding herself to be in a hollow cave. She smoothed her damp hair and wiped her face. She tried to scan the area with the little light that crept from the outside. The cave was big and long with layering boulders along the way. She continued moving inwards as she smelled a faint scent of smoke. The area was now dark as she moved in slowly. She was sure now that somebody or something was in there. She stopped at a certain point for her vision were useless in the dark. So she turned around decided to go back instead, when suddenly she heard her name.

"Sakura..."

The voice was low and deep yet it sounded weak. It seemed familiar to her which made her heart race in anxiety and anticipation. She turned around and a topless man stood in front of her revealing his fine toned muscles, with bandages spiraling around his chest. He wore dark-colored pants. His hair was long, and dark about mid-length. His forehead was covered in a bandage and his eyes... his eyes bore bright lilac orbs.

"Sakura..." He spoke again.

She gasped.

"Neji..." she managed to say his name.

Sakura shivered at the sight of him. She couldn't believe after two months and after a week of search she finally found him. Sakura moved forward and locked him in an embrace. She poured out all her emotions in that long embrace. Neji rested his head on hers as he stroked her back, trying to calm her down.

"Neji, how long have you been here?"

"Just this morning."

"How did you find me?" Neji asked.

"Pakkun is with me." She looked at him and smiled with tears.

"Why are you crying?"

"It's just that, I am so happy to see you!" She admitted as her tears of joy rolled from her eyes.

Neji wiped her tears with his thumb. His fingers ran gently along her face, cupped her chin and kissed her.

"I am glad as well, to see you Sakura."

"Sakuraaa-chaaaann!" A loud voice called her name from the outside.

They both stopped and blinked.

"Uggh! It's Pakkun..." Sakura said as she shook her head lightly.

Neji chuckled. "Well, let him in then."

"Aaahh! I don't have much of a choice have I?"

"Pakkun, it'll only take a minute! It's quite a splash, yes, but it's warm inside. You'll dry up faster." She said trying to convince the ninja dog who doesn't like the idea of being wet.

"Alright. I entrust my life into your hands." Pakkun answered sarcastically but in a funny way.

They were now inside the cave as Neji lighted a candle which made the place much brighter. They settled into the farther end so no one would notice them from the outside. They both sat on the ground while Pakkun was busy drying his fur. The were seated right across each other, then Sakura started a conversation.

"Neji, why did you leave the village?"

It took him a moment to answer her question. It was as if he didn't want to tell her, but deep down he knew the Sakura's ought to know the whole truth. He thought of his earlier train of memories of what had happened before he left. He made a big sigh and answered,

"The night after the wedding got called-off, we had a family meeting at dinner together with Anya's parents. Her father was furious everything turned out while Hiashi-sama tried to apologize make up for what had happened. Hiashi-sama proposed for another wedding to be set in a week's time. They both agreed on this and talked about the arrangements. Suddenly Anya interrupted their conversation and said,

"Ehem... Pardon me for interrupting father, Hiashi-sama but I have something important to tell you all."

"What is it Anya?" Hiashi asked.

"Anya!" His father called out shoting a quick glare at her. "Whatever you want to say, please keep it with yourself. We are the only ones who have the right to make the arrangements needed.

"But father... I..."

"That's enough Anya!"

"Please, let her speak." Hiashi insisted with a calm voice.

"The truth is..." Anya was struggling to say what she has to say.

"Anya!" His father shot a glare at her and demanded her to stop. But she didn't, she continued

"The truth is I... I... I am pregnant."

Everyone froze with what she said even my uncle gasped in shock.

"Come again? Did you say you are pregnant?" Hiashi asked.

"That is nonsense! Anya, please stop making up stories!" His father answered.

"No, father. I'm sorry but I cannot stand lying anymore! Yes, I am pregnant but Neji is not the father. I am telling you this because I do not want to ruin someone else's life."

"The whole truth was revealed right before us, which made Hiashi-sama furious with Anya's father. She got pregnant with another man whom she dated back then, but his father didn't approve of their relationship. He then offered her daughter to my uncle to be taken as my bride, so as to cover the whole truth about her pregnancy. But despite my uncle's anger, he didn't saw this as an obstacle for the marriage to be cancelled. For him, the family fortune and status was important. He decided that the marriage should be pushed through, on one condition."

"And what condition is that?" Sakura asked feeling intrigued.

"That condition is..." He paused and winced his eyes for a moment, and said

"...Is to kill the child."

Sakura gasped in shock. She covered her mouth with both hands as her emerald eyes widened in disbelief.

"An abortion!" She exclaimed. Neji simply nodded.

"That is too much! I could imagine how terrible Anya must have felt." Sakura thought as she tried to sympathize Anya's situation.

"That's it!" She said suddenly.

"Huh?" Neji was confused.

"Anya came to the hospital a week ago and asked me to be her doctor. Maybe she was scared that her previous doctor would take the baby away from her."

"That could be possible." He replied.

There was silence between the two. And then Sakura asked,

"But then, why did you have to leave Neji?"

There was a big sigh then he answered, "I left so that either way, none of their selfish schemes would be fulfilled."

Neji's eyes now bore hatred while staring at the fire.

"Being used as pawn is just too sickening!" He said feeling disgusted.

Sakura understood what he meant. Of course he wanted to level up after his uncle's reign, but this was just too much. She recalled what Lee told her that Neji was forced to leave because of something that was against his will.

Then they both became silent. Neji on his part didn't want to remember it anymore but it was inevitable for it was the sole reason for abandoning his family.

The night slowly crept in and Neji decided to put up a small bonfire to warm the place. The waterfall at the mouth of the cave helped in concealing the smoke it emited. They positioned themselves behind three layers of huge boulders that was about twenty steps away from the opening. Soon they started to eat their meal for that evening. Sakura was able to bring enough food for the three of them, including Pakkun. Moments later, the night was already growing deep and their bodies needed to rest. Pakkun volunteered to position at the front rear but still within reach of the fire's warmth, while Sakura layed the mat at the farther end. Soon enough Pakkun was already sound asleep. They both layed their bodies sharing on the same mat. She was facing the wall, while Neji faced the fire. They both layed on their side and waited for sleep to visit them.

A few moments later, she felt his cheeks on her hair and his breath was close to her ears.

"Sakura..." He whispered as she felt his arm wrapped around her waist.

"Neji..." It has been a long time since she ever felt him this close.

"I missed you..." He whispered in a deep, sultry, and manly voice.

She turned around to face him. She pressed her lips to his and they kissed. Then she parted her lips slightly away and breathed "So did I Neji..."

And then they kissed passionately with their tongue's locked on each other. She felt his hands roaming through his body, like a king taking advantage of his possessions. This made her feel an intense sensation like an electrifying current surging in through her veins. It made her kiss harder, wanting more and more of him. Neji rolled up and now was on top of her. His dark brown hair cascaded down from his face and served as drapes covering their faces. His lilac eyes were locked in her green emerald eyes. No matter how their irises were colored, their eyes reflected the same thing: flame, desire, passion.

Sakura's hand then caressed his face in a way that no words could express how she felt at that moment of finally being able to hold him. His lips were now on her neck making open-mouthed kisses as his hands were busy undressing her. Then his lips reached her two mounds which made her bit her fingers, careful not to make a loud moan. He kissed her lips again and this time his other hand was rubbing her down below. Her hips reacted in a grinding motion as she was reeled in to it's sensation. Then Neji inserted a finger which made her pant heavily. He continued this and gradually inserted two of his fingers which made her moan softly yet still trying to control it.

"Ne...ji..." she whispered in between breaths.

"Yes, my love?"

"Please..." she begged as she tried to contain her desire.

"Hmmm?" he continued to kiss her.

She whispered to his ear like she did last time, "Fuck me..."

He smirked at this so he ripped open his pants and inserted his manliness unto hers. Her body arched at his length as she openly accepted it. His slow and loving thrusts made her bit her lips as she struggled not to make a heavy moan. Their sweat dripped from their bodies which added to their heated emotions. They breathed in unison; long and heavy as they seized the moment and made love like never before.

~end~

Sorry but had to end it up with a sleaze. Lol! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Thanks again for all the views, faves, follows, and reviews :)

NOTE: I do not own the characters to the story. They are from Masashi Kishimoto's 'Naruto' series.