Millii: It took so long to write this I had to keep on studying. We had a lot of tests and activities. I wanted to post this before I go to Boracay. Haha…please REVIEW.

It's officailly NejiXSakura

Disclaimer: don't own Naruto…

"Speaking"

Thinking

Chapter 2

She shivered as the warm breath hit the back of her neck giving her goose bumps. Sakura recognized that voice. The annoying, oh so mighty, I'm better than you and I've got a ten foot pole shoved in my ass since birth thought she couldn't deny it, it felt nice.

She was feeling an uncommon shroud of happy and dreadful emotions. Of all the people she knew before, why him? She placed a happy façade on and turned to face him, "Uchiha…Itachi"

She almost growled while the said man smirked, "Now on the last name basis, Haruno?" She was trying to act pleasantly just for the sake of the party. She did make a promise to her grandmother and she intended to keep it. She kept repeating the mantra in her mind. It's only for tonight; you can get the bastard back tomorrow. Play it cool and don't loose control. You can handle it. She grinned she loved revenge and the Uchiha intentionally or not will receive the end of her beatings.

She 'hmped' and stood straighter, "Well, Uchiha, you gotten more unbearable." He made a face. Biting her bottom lip from outwardly laughing and possible embarrassing herself in front of a crowd of important people especially the Uchiha pouting, looking like a five year old not getting any candy standing in front of her.

He bent down and whispered to her ear; "You've gotten more beautiful as well." Her reaction was priceless. Relinquishing the small victory Itachi teased, "Aw, little Sakura-chan outgrew her large forehead." She just ignored the Uchiha. Getting used to his presence now that she's back and knowing he's just teasing her and deliberately making her mad.

From the lack of response, Itachi flicked and poked her forehead, getting irritated of his jabbing she slapped his hand away. Sakura was slowly losing her cool. Her face was slowly twisting into a deep frown and her eyebrows were twitching. Itachi enjoying her displeasure started to grin.

They both have a lot of things in common and knowing each other of years. They hated attending formal parties such as these banquets the Hokage hosts.

He allowed himself to wonder. There was another question plaguing his mind. He was not expecting her back after all that she'd been through. He found himself frowning she shouldn't be here they would do things to her again. Sakura almost died once in his arms. He always tried to forget that incident. He obviously didn't like remembering it. The details were to clear and kept replaying in his mind like a broken record.

She was trying to escape out of the village to her freedom but the Hyugas were able to catch her. They used that cursed seal to keep her from moving by inflicting pain.

She was writhing on the ground and her screams were chilling. He heard them, loud and clear while returning from his mission with anbu. He rushed to where he could hear her using his senses. He quickly sprinted. She was lying there on the ground lifeless and torn. Her eyes were dull and she was anticipating her death not finding the strength to try and fight back or to preserve her life. He carefully picked her up, avoiding her wounds from bleeding more. She was losing blood fast and her pulse was close to nothing, faint. He rushed her to the hospital fearing for her life, not caring if the Hyuga members were shouting at him to leave her alone.

They cashed after him until the commotion reached the Hokage's ears. He was enraged. Their Kage sent nins to help the rushing Uchiha.

At the end of the day, Uchiha Itachi sported a few bruises, cuts, little internal bleeding from protecting Sakura, one of his close friends. He was drained, resting on the hospital bed nearest Sakura just watching her. She was fine, breathing deeply still sleeping and in dreamland. If he had not found her she would have died.

The Hokage ordered Sakura to be separated and kept out of reach from the Hyuga clan. The Hokage took pity on the girl so he placed her under protection of a jonin, Hatake Kakashi. With all connections cut, she would be given a new identity together with her new life. The Hyugas were neutral on the idea. No reactions were received so the Hokage took tabs and kept on observing.

Sakura was wondering what was on his mind. His eyes were unfocused and he was rigid.

He had this natural grace and character, praised and admired for his amazing skills. He was truly an embodiment of a perfect ninja, loyal, strong, genius.

She was fighting a blush from rising to her cheeks and took the moment to compose herself. She just checked him out, not good.

Itachi's smirk widened, "Like what you see? Hmm..."

"Ah…mm…,"she was shuttering, unable to construct coherent sentences and turning red from embarrassment. He caught her staring at him, "Sakura?"

She was praising the heavens for her savior. 'Thank you!! Neji!!'

Neji looked for Sakura, trying to find her. They were separated because of the massive number of guests. He wanted to talk to her, get information. He finally found her near the corner of the room. He saw her speaking with Itachi. Did they know each other? When? The Uchiha was smirking and looking very amused. It gave him an unsettling feeling. He was also curious since Sakura was flustered. Something must be going on between them. Knowing the Uchiha, Itachi doesn't openly indulge in conversations only when it was a matter of great importance that he would even talk. He preferred to be left alone and given privacy.

"Uchiha."

"Hyuga"

They both glared.

Sakura tugged Neji's arm. He looked at her, heavily glaring and slightly irritated. Sakura hurriedly excused them, "It is pleasant seeing you again, Uchiha-san." Before he could respond they both turned around and headed to the other side of the room leaving Itachi to himself.

Neji was staring at Sakura from the corner of his eye, tired of his obvious gaze she asked, "Yes, Neji?" He answered smoothly not letting his curiosity show, "Past acquaintances?" Sakura knew this was coming so she answered discreetly, hinting him to drop the subject, "Yes, with long history." She didn't like people prying her and she didn't feel like giving Neji the info on her and Itachi's relationship where there is practically nothing going on between them besides he was bound to know about it. The gossipmongers in Konoha spread hearsay like wild fire in record time. So she thought why bother?

Neji was quite interested of their relationship but didn't question more. He didn't like her to feel uncomfortable or more likely too guarded. It would make his chances of information gathering more difficult. He needed to keep tabs on her, Hiashi ordered him to. He changed the subject and they chatted like they were old acquaintances.

They were enjoying their conversation too immersed that Sakura and Neji didn't notice the envious or angry stares directed their way. Neji wasn't aware of his closeness to Sakura. She didn't notice their close proximity. They were close enough that their shoulders would occasionally touch while they continue to banter and out wit each other.

They finally reached a group of people. They were causing a loud uproar. Consisting of ten people they were a large group. Sakura could hear their chattering though Naruto's voice pierced the whole room when he shouted; "Neji, you made it!!"

They all glanced at the pair, but more on the unknown female accompanying Neji. They were bursting with questions and getting noisier. Neji was not known for accepting female company. He didn't date nor had any slight indication of attraction to the opposite sex. The only females around him were his relatives and teammates.

Both Neji and Sakura glared at Naruto, who was very oblivious and who happily marched up to meet them. Naruto stood in front of the pair effectively blocking their way, "Hey Sakura-chan, meet my friends." He was very cheerful and jubilant. Naruto was practically skipping. Inside his head, Naruto was laughing menacingly. He was proud of himself, very proud. Kukuku…ku…

He started to talk but before Naruto utter anything a guy wearing green spandex, having a bowl shaped hairdo, and very thick eyebrows neared Sakura. "My fair lady may I know your name, your youthfulness glows brightly in the moon light. I am the green beast of Konoha, Rock Lee."

Before Sakura could answer Neji cut in, "Lee stop it."

"Oh!! Neji-san I didn't see you. I was just asking the lady beside you her name."

"Lee, you're bothering her." Then a girl in buns spoke sweetly, "Sorry about that he is always speaks that way, I'm Ten-Ten."

"Yeah, Sakura-chan don't listen to busy-brows he's annoying."

"You're worse, Dobe."

"Shut up, teme, Anyway this is Sakra-chan." Naruto pointed from left to right, "You already know Sai and Sasuke-teme here, the girl with buns is ten-ten. Next to her are busy-brow, lazy-ass, Dog-boy with Akamaru, Choji, Shino, Hinata, Ino."

They nodded.

"Haruno Sakura." Then the girl named Ino asked, "Is your hair naturally pink?"

"Yes" Sakura answered if it was the simplest thing in the world. She got dragged by the girls while Neji talked with the guys.

Kiba then teased, "Hey Hyuga your date is hot!" He whistled, checking Sakura out and lecherously grinning. "Yeah" Naruto butted in. "I didn't know you knew Sakura-chan."

Neji didn't like Kiba before when he "accidentally" harasses Hinata and now he hated him more when he looks at Sakura like a piece of meat. He wanted to pull out the dog-boy's eyeballs using sebon and beat him till he would begged and cry like a baby. He labeled Sakura as his charge, under his watch since he was tasked to keep an eye on her. Try as he might, he kept his straight poker face but his blood boiled hot while looking at those lowlifes who shamelessly ogle at his Sakura. He shakes his head wondering where that came from. He just didn't like the way they treated women, Neji hopelessly defended himself.

"Yeah, you look good Sakura-chan!!" Conversations we exchanged in the group and a lot of fighting between Naruto and Kiba as well as Sasuke and Neji glaring at each other.

Sakura was fitting in well. She got to know them better. They were easy to read. She thought that Ino, a ditzy blond who loved to date and all other feminine pastimes. She loves to play matchmaker but has problems with her own love interest. Ten-ten, just Ten-ten loves weapons and dubbed as "the weapon mistress". She is very down to earth and the total opposite of Ino who is girly beyond compare. Ten-ten keeps things simple but some accuse her on being a tomboy. Sakura wasn't that oblivious and was very much aware of the heated glares she received or sly acting from the weapon specialist but decided to just ignore Ten-ten's advances on intimidating her. It didn't waver her the slightest bit. She knew why and it was because of her "date" more likely forced escort. Lastly Hinata, Sakura already knew from the files she read but Sakura noticed something new about her. She would twiddle with her fingers or blush red until she faints whenever Naruto talks to her. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Hinata likes Naruto. "So Sakura-chan where do you come from?" Ino asked.

"Well, I recently got back. I'm from Konoha." Ten-ten continued, "I haven't seen you around here?" She looked suspiciously at Sakura.

"I left for five years."

Then Hinata asked timidly, "Why did you leave Sakura-chan?" Sakura was reluctant to answer, "I needed to get away from the clan since my mother died. It was very difficult with all the pressure and I needed air, Hinata-sama." She looked very remorseful, her voice held bitterness and regret. It made Hinata lower her head. She murmured an apology too Sakura. "A ninja's life is filled with so much misery." Ino said dramatically. It was a little comical that a spotlight directly hit Ino who was trying to lighten up the dreary atmosphere. Ten-ten snorted, "Ino that was pathetic."

"It's fine Hinata-sama. You should know about that matter anyway."

They all raised an eyebrow at my title to Hinata's name, the guy's included. They were interested expect for the Hyugas. Then Sasuke asked, "What clan do you belong too, Sakura, I never heard of a Haruno before."

Naruto butted in, "Why do you call Hinata-chan, Hinata-sama?"

They all listened to her even Neji was curious. He asked himself if she was a Hyuga then why Haruno?

"I belong to the Hyuga clan— some understood but more were confused—my mother was a Hyuga while my father was a Haruno. I kept my father's surname."

Sai asked, "You don't have the Byakugan, Sakura-san." She smirked at them not saying anything.

There were a lot of questions running through their heads while Naruto, Kiba, Ino were bombarding her the others were wondering.

She was quite enjoying herself. The celebration was lively and there was no one pestering her not true there was the occasional Naruto, Lee with his youthful vigor, Ino and Ten-ten. She met some old acquaintances like Kakashi, Kurenai, other shinobi, some other clan heads and annoying anonymous males who were dragging her patients with their stupid questions and declarations.

She was contented that the other Uchiha was not around or near her. She was spacing out until Naruto mentioned the spring tournament. It got her interested

"Hey guys are you joining the tournament this spring?"

There were a lot of yes and nods given. "Hey lets train together." He suggested. Ino and ten-ten were looking at Sakura. She coolly met their gazes. "Sakura-chan, I want a spar with you." Ten-ten said excitedly. She wanted to fight someone new. Ino interjected, "—hey me too!!"

She raised an elegant brow in amusement, "hn…" That would be very interesting. She hasn't fought since the incident with the forest with the slaughtered rogue ninjas. She was giddy.

Neji noticed this. He neared her, "I want a spar tomorrow, Sakura-san. I want to see why Hiashi-sama wanted you to train Hinata-sama."

They looked at Neji then Sakura and lastly, Hinata. "What! You're training Hinata-chan." Naruto and Ino exclaimed.

"Do you deem me incapable, Neji-san?" Sakura started. She enjoyed teasing and bickering with the so called Hyuga genius. He was a quick thinker like her and has good logic. She liked him even though they met just hours before.

"No, I merely want to test you since people seem to regard you highly," He rebutted.

The group was watching the simple exchange of words. It was baffling them that Neji was very open to a new comer like Sakura. Naruto had a sly grin in his face. Ino and Hinata were worried, looking over to Tenten who was busy glaring at Sakura.

She was jealous. She asked herself why? How? Sakura just met Neji and they were talking like they new each other for ages. She was Neji's teammate from genin to chunin. They were good friends. They still had weekly spars. She had feeling for him since they were young. Tenten was happy that Neji was impassive and that he didn't like females pestering him…his fangirls so to speak. She was comforted that the women he interacted with were only his family, their group of friends and occasionally some mission teammates since he was jonin. Ino was not interested in Neji. She was vying attention from another genius. Hinata was Neji's cousin, all said. He only talked when needed during missions. She didn't think this would happen. She needed to do something and fast.

Kiba interrupted Sakura who was still having an exchange of ideas with Neji and Sasuke who surprisingly joined their conversation. He mentioned that he like talking to normal people and these idiots were making him lose his sanity with their insane rambling. Kiba asked, "Hey, Sakura what's your rank?"

"Is there a requirement, Inuzuka?" She replayed stoically. They were underestimating her. She asked herself was it because of the pink hair? She wasn't joking people tend to think less of her because she looks innocent. She accepted that and used it to her advantage. It's their loss. Her enemies always had a surprised look before she ends their lives. She learned long ago to look underneath the underneath a valuable lesson from her guardian, Kakashi.

"She is the same as me," they stood shocked from hearing the open declaration while some were able to keep their faces emotionless. "I was hoping you would disappear or better cease to exist." Itachi appeared with Kakashi, highly amused at what Sakura just said. "Yo", Kakashi greeted.

"You're joining the tournament" It was more of a statement than a question.

"What is it to you?" Sakura was getting angry. "Do you still think of me as a little girl who needs saving?" Itachi was a little taken back while Kakashi whistled lowly.

"It is everything to me, Sakura-chan." They were every confused while Kakashi was chuckling.

"You guys should get used to this. They've been at it since they've met." He always enjoyed it when Sakura and Itachi fought. It was always the case between Sakura and Itachi. When ever they would come close there seems to be an on going battle of wit and an array of different insult they would throw at one another. People would usually blame the bad blood between the two prestigious clans. It was only half of it.

He wasn't a sadist but it reminded him of the past.

He admitted bitterly he was getting old, if you count being 24 old but his life experience was beyond his age. Back to the point, He watched these kids grow he was there when they were at the brick of death or simply eating a steaming bowl of Ramen. It made him remember, to always cherish life and not waste a minute of it. Fate was cruel. It could whisk away a loved one without you noticing. Kakashi sighed, shaking his head kids…

Flash back

Sakura was heading to her favorite training spot. She love that place it was located deep in the forest. She could always just use the Hyuga training ground but this place was better. Less trouble…, she thought.

It was a clearing surrounded by large trees perfect for practicing her Byakugan related techniques her mother taught her. Kaa-san…said never to give up.

She had to show those elders what she was capable of. They always brush her off. They didn't care. That irritated her.

Arriving at her spot, Sakura's mood darkened. Someone was in her spot!! She stomped to the clearing face growing red. Then…swoosh!!

She used her kunai to block a well aimed shuriken. She looked at the person who threw the projectile. Anger clearly written on her face!!

"WHO ARE—"

"It's just a kid" a boy older than her shouted back at his companion.

"WHAT I'M NOT JUST A KID I'M A NIINJA!!" Sakura yelled back.

The older boy looked at her his companion nearing them, "Shisui, what taking you so long."

"Sorry, Itachi, the kids got some attitude."

"Deal with it," he deadpanned. Shisui sighed looking— ducking from Sakura's kunai.

"Wow, kid you almost got me."

"What are you two doing in my spot!!" Sakura shrieked. "Your spot," Shisui shouted back.

"I don't see your name anywhere," The guy named Itachi said.

"Yes it does—"Sakura pointed at a large tree,"—there look!!" They both turned. They gave each other looks. One was laughing while the other had a smirk on his face (hey!! No clan murder so Itachi is a lil OOC).

"Kid, why do we have a deal?" Itachi started "No!! I want to train! It's my training grounds!" Sakura yelled.

"Kid you don't own it. We'll let you join in our training if you could master this…Oiroke: Otoko no Ko Dōshi no Jutsu by the end of the day."(I know Konohamaru made this technique but I wanted to use it!! Sexy: Double Knockout Guys Technique)

Itachi showed Sakura the hand signs. "But who will you know I mastered it?" "We have ways..." Shisui struggled saying with a straight face.

"You have a day..."Itachi said then they both disappeared.

Later that day Sakura was able to master the technique. She was so giddy and went straight to the compound to show her grandmother. It didn't turn out well and she was punished for a week. The week after, she met Itachi in one of many Clan parties and threw a tantrum because that guy—pointing at Itachi showed her that "bad" technique that Obaa-chan said never to use— everyone was staring at Itachi and Shisui. They shook their heads while the boys were trying to contain themselves from laughing.

Kakashi finish his reminiscing and ignoring the teens in front of him going back to reading his literature.

The night went on a few stunts from Naruto and kiba. They created contest like who could drink the most sake, get as much girls to notice them, who could snag a date with Sakura or who could steel Choji's food. It was very troublesome as Shikamaru puts it. There were a lot of outrageous declarations from Lee and from a newly formed fanclub, a murderous Neji ready to skin them alive, Tenten's weapons "almost" hitting Sakura, a bored Shikamaru who was yawning excessively, Choji's stomachache, Ino's flirting and the list goes on…and a highly amused Sakura.

She said, "If this goes on…" Naruto was dancing his version of tango with Lee. A rose in between his teeth, "…I'm going insane." She said rolling her eyes.

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Millii