*Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto…though it would be nice…:P*

Naruto heard Sakura's scream and followed it carefully. When he had gotten to the scene, he saw two rouge ninjas in a pool of their own blood. He panicked and looked around desperately for Sakura hoping she was ok. He saw his pink haired goddess hunched over a limp body, attempting to heal it.

"Sa-Sakura…?"

Sakura turned and had a tear stained face. She quickly looked away and mumbled something to the body that Naruto had to strain to hear.

"It's going to be ok I promise…we'll make you well again…" A sob erupted from hear as the body groaned. Naruto flinched when he realized it was Neji in her lap.

"I'm…fine…really Sakura…" he said as struggled to get up. Sakura gently touched his arm and helped him up. When Neji was standing, Sakura turned to Naruto with a serious look on her face.

"Naruto, I have to take him back to the village. Please understand that you would have to complete the mission without us." She had determination in her eyes as she supported the stubborn Hugya. Naruto shook his head, and Sakura glared at him.

"Please!" It was all she could do. She pleaded with Naruto. His heart sunk and he agreed. She quickly escorted Neji back to the village as Naruto turned the other way.

----

There a soft and gentle knock at the door.

"Enter." Neji said, sitting up in his hospital bed, a tight bandage across his chest. Sakura swiftly entered, carrying a tray full of medication and food. When she saw him sitting up, she smiled brightly.

"I'd figure you would like something to eat." She said sweetly before closing the door behind her. His milky white orbs followed her every action before he spoke.

"Sakura…about the forest…" She cut him off by holding up a finger.

"No Neji. I should be thanking you. If you weren't there…I'd probably be dead…so…thank you…" She said as she set the tray down on a side table and sat at the foot of his bed. The wound on his back was bad, and he lost a significant amount of blood, but if Sakura wasn't there in the forest he wouldn't have made it through the night. Sakura explained that to him the first night he was in the hospital. She has visited him every day to deliver his medication and to change the bandage or to chat with her injured friend. Neji has grown to love the pink haired company, ready for her to come in at any moment. He pondered on his emotions and realized he was falling for this girl. As she talked, he gently leaned over and lifted her chin so her emerald eyes were reflexes off of his milky orbs. Sakura blushed lightly as this sudden gesture.

"Neji…kun…" She spoke softly just as he leaned in and gave her a kiss. He waited for any response, if any from her to continue, not wanting to force anything on her. She genuinely returned the kiss, her hands wondering through his hair then laying softly on her bandaged chest. Neji stiffened as his back tensed and they broke immediately, Sakura quickly rising from the bed and head to the door.

"Uhm…you should really take you medicine. It will help the spasms." And with that she left, her face flushed from what just happened.

---

"Neji you sly dog!" Kiba smirked and congratulated his friend as Neji rolled his eyes. He re-encountered the kiss to his friend, and then looked out the window. He had asked Sakura to open them the last time she visited, and she did it without a word. In fact, she didn't say anything to him that entire visit.

'She hates me. The kiss was a foolish mistake…and I was being weak-minded to believe that it could be more between us…'

"Kiba, grow up." Neji responded and closed his eyes as another spasm took control of him.

"You know, you should tell her." Kiba said as he picked at the food on Neji's tray. He had wanted to tell her how he felt about her, and that it wasn't just a fluke thing. But she was acting so distant; he didn't want to press the issue. Neji shook his head at the thought.

"All I did was kiss her… I think that should be enough…" Neji shook his eyes to the door and saw a bashful looking Naruto enter the room. Kiba's eyes followed his. Kiba waved to Naruto. Naruto nodded his head in Kiba's direction then looked at Neji.

"Thanks…" Naruto said weakly then quickly exited the room. Kiba had a look of confusion on his face.

"Thanks? What is he talking about?" Neji stared at the door.

'You're welcome…'

Sakura saw Naruto leave Neji's room.

"Oh Naruto! You're back from the mission." She said with a warm smile. He collapsed into her arms. She was going to push her off when she realized he was sobbing.

"Sakura! I'm glad you're ok!"

"Naruto? What's wrong with you? I'm fine thanks to Neji…" She pushed him off a bit. He gave her a look and opened his mouth to say something with Kiba came busting out of the room.

"Someone! Come quick! My friend needs help!" Sakura roughly pushed Naruto away and ran for the room.

*And….Scene! :) told you I'm going to be suspenseful with this one. But as for the 'Thank you' scene, it was a bit confusing when I tried to type it before, but Naruto is thanking Neji for saving Sakura's life. Almost like a moment of weakness for someone like Naruto to thank someone else for being the hero.*