Author's Note-- Woah, it's been awhile ehh?? Sorry about that, the usual writer's block. Don't worry the exciting part is coming soon.

-- I'm sorry you felt that way but I respect your decision. I wish you would have hung in there a bit more.

Chapter 27- Everyone has a Secret

Everyone has a secret
Everyone has a past
My one lonely secret
Is gonna be my last

--

Sakura would have basked in the quiet, since it was a rarity with Suigetsu and Karin squabbling more than ninety percent of the time, but her thoughts were nothing she wanted to listen to. Her emerald eyes glanced over to Karin who had been unusually quiet for the past two days they traveled. Where they were going no one else seemed to care but her so she decided not to ask. Karin's silent nature was seemingly not a common quality she possessed since it bothered most of everyone. Most, excluding Sasuke who was always in his own world, much like he had been when he was younger.

Her gaze strayed to the man consuming her thoughts. Sasuke sat up on a branch hanging over their temporary camp, his eyes were closed indicating he was asleep but somehow she doubted it. Sakura couldn't describe the rage she felt inside. For herself only. The past two days had only strengthened her anger as realization became stronger then ever.

She had somehow reverted back into the child she had been. Obeying and following without a conscious of her own, swallowed by his black sad eyes, and ignoring the rights and wrongs she had managed to set for herself. She was nothing more then a slave. And yet, pity was not something she could earn when using that term. She was a slave only because she herself made the title. Sakura could easily disobey, easily think for herself but for whatever reason she had chosen not too. What the hell did he possess that made her forget what kind of woman she had become.

Sakura wasn't going to continue. She had lost him before because she hadn't been strong. To hell if she makes the same damn mistake again.

Her attention beamed to Karin who now exited her tent and went in the direction of the river. With a sense of difference, Sakura followed, catching the glares of each pair of eyes that looked in her direction.

Karin leaned at the river's edge and cupped a handful of water which she slowly brought to her mouth, sighing as the cool liquid flowed down her throat. The snow had long ago melted in this part of the country. Fog and humidity however replaced it. She much rather fog than snow. Fog hid the world.

Sakura leaned down by the river also, a little distance away from her, giving Karin whatever space she wanted. The woman frowned at her and briskly turned away, "Karin." Sakura called out keeping the woman still.

"What do you want?"

"Is something wrong?"

The red hair spun in a fun when Karin swiftly turned, "Why you want to know?"

She smiled friendly, "Kind of miss the bickering."

Her red eyes rolled, "I'm sure." Karin went to leave again but stalled by her name. "What now?"

"Does it have anything to do with those men back there--"

"Why are you being a nosy bitch?"

"I'm not… I'm just trying--"

"To what? Be my friend?" Karin scoffed with snorted laugh.

Sakura stood stiffly, "Yes actually. We're teammates now."

"No. Just because you follow us like a stray dog doesn't make us teammates."

Her fists tightened at her side, "What the hell is your problem? Is this how you treat everyone? Just fucking talk to me. Weather you want to be or not, we're teammates. Your burdens are my burdens. I want to help. Why do you all have a problem with that?"

Karin blinked in wondrous surprise, having not seen such an anger come from the goody two shoes. There was definitely more to this girl than she thought. And though she didn't want to care. There was a question on her lips that she wished to ask. She was surrendering. With a deep sigh Karin fell against the tree beside her and sat upon the floor. "I'll answer if you answer."

Sakura was taken a bit off guard but smiled instantly, maybe too eagerly so she quickly forced it down as she took a seat, again not too close.

"When I was fifteen my village was purged by Oto. They destroyed everything, killed everyone but a select few. I tried to runaway but as I was going through the woods…so damn blindly. These bandits found me. Lu'Tao. He had an ability like mine. But his is more feeling then sensing. He's a tracker. He touches footprints and it tells him who, what, and where. I killed half his horde before he caught me. For three years I was prisoner." She stalled lifting her red eyes to the sky. "A slave."

"Did they hurt you?"

"Silly girl." She giggled softly but refused to look down at her. Sakura pursued no deeper. "Then they came. Orocromaru. They came into our large camp. Just three of them. Orochmaru, Suigetsu, and another I know not the name. Suigetsu found me. The first man to touch me, in three years, without wanting anything from me. They took me back to their compound. A few years later Sasuke came. And he set us all free."

"What do you mean?"

Karin smirked and caught her eye, "One question, one answer. Your turn." Sakura bit her lip but nodded. "Why did you heal me?"

Sakura's brows knit having not even thought that would be on her mind. "That's what I do?" She replied confused.

"You could have saved your chakra. It wasn't a deep gash. It would have healed on its own. You need it more then I did."

"That's not the point."

"Oh no?"

"We're teammates, Karin. And frankly, I don't care if you don't like it." Sakura was rejoiced to see a smile come upon the woman's lips.

Her attention shifted, Sakura noticed and shortly thereafter she turned her red eyes on her, "Sasuke-sama's ready to go. " She stood which Sakura followed suit but didn't move, unsure why Karin was so still. The woman caught her eyes. "Here." She tossed a small blue pill.

"What's this?"

"What? Can't trust your teammate?" The woman disappeared into the woods.

Sakura stared at it for a moment. Biting her lip she took a deep breath and swallowed it with clenched eyes. But what she hadn't expected was the rush of power that poured into her. She dropped to her knees and hands, panting, her body convulsing within each limb. Despite the terrifying feeling, it felt amazingly good and a smile broached her lips. She'd find a way to get Karin back for that.

--

It was a long forgotten view, but the memories returned quick enough. They stood on the edge of a cliff over looking a well established village. Kaminari was before them. Sakura remembered this place well. The Kage strangling her, Sasuke's massacre. And the day he told her to never fear him. Her gaze shifted to him.

They had been fifteen then. And she had been more or less a child, naïve and foolish, compared to Sasuke's mature view on the world. Despite his quiet nature back then, he still looked healthy and even happy at times. Now, taking in each grown feature, she realized the big differences. He was emptier then he had ever been. She wondered if he knew that. She wondered if he knew how broken he was now.

"We wait till nightfall." He promptly disappeared into the trees.

"Why does he always want to wait for nightfall!" Suigetsu complained.

"He's so mysterious." Karin sighed with a flirtatious smile.

Sakura looked down at the letter she had written a few nights ago. She wrote to Naruto and a side letter to Kiba just letting them know that she had survived her first two weeks in the wild. She giggled to herself, proud that she had actually done it. Two weeks.

It took six days to get to this village. She was dying for a change of clothes and a hot bath and a real meal. And with the village being so near temptation was certainly high. Sakura looked to her teammates as they settled down. She wondered what was to happen at nightfall but she was positive they wouldn't tell her anything. They were really no closer to accepting her as part of the team then the day she had arrived.

She glanced to Karin. Well maybe not all of them felt the same way. Karin still treated her with distaste but somehow it felt familiar from her friendship with Ino. Ino. She would have to buy that woman a gift to send with her two letters or goodness knows what curses would lie in store.

"I'm going into town. Anyone need anything?"

Three pairs of eyes landed on her.

Sakura got nervous. "Nani?"

Jugo filled her in, "Sasuke-sama said wait."

"Well, I need some stuff and by nightfall the shops will be closed."

Karin and Suigetsu burst out laughing while Jugo turned his head. "What a dumbass!" Karin squealed. "She's the stupidest one yet." Suigetsu chimed in.

Sakura clenched her fist. "What the hell is so funny."

They calmed slightly with large smirks. "Oh nothing. Go ahead. Go to town." Karin waved a hand.

Their attitude was something she normally wouldn't pay any mind too but this village already had her in nervous mood. With great annoyance she decided to listen to them this time and sat down, ignoring they're constant babble to get her to go.

--

Ino shoved the door with a harsh hand and stomped her way down the dusty road of the marketplace. She crashed into people, paid no attention to the curses and the hollers that were yelled her way and continued on as quick as possibly without having to sweat. She was wearing finally attuned make-up, she wasn't about to let it all go because she was throwing a tantrum.

It was her birthday damn it. She should be allowed to invite, or not invite anyone she wants! She had asked specifically and had noted with an exclamation point and an underline, for only Shikarmaru, but guess who shows up with him-Temari! Doesn't she have any fucking life, it was ridiculous how she followed him around like a row of ducks never leaving their mother's side.

Of course she had acted all pleasantly and had even thanked the bitch for coming but that didn't mean she was allowed to stay and socialize and steal all of her damn limelight. It's the only day of the year where her teammates treat her decently, buy her presents, pay for her meal--something they should so all the time! But she's nice and let's them go the whole year. But this was HER day. Her Birth!

Her steam was draining and Ino crash landed on a bench at the end of the marketplace. She hung her head in her hands and wondered if anyone even noticed she was gone.

Sakura would have noticed.

A fist slammed on the concrete. Sakura, the little traitor. She couldn't wait to get her hands on the wench. She leaves her all alone with fucking Temari! Where was the logic in that?

"Ino."

Ino's dark teal eyes dilated and she flipped her long blonde hair over as she turned her head. Temari stood before her. Her black get up had been slightly altered upon coming to Konoha. Without all the sand there was no need for long clothes so she had shortened them to just below the knee and her long sleeves now barely went past her elbow. Even though it was still barely any skin visible, Ino relished had she flaunted her 'mature' body.

"Everyone's wondering where you went. I volunteered to come for you."

"How noble." She mumbled but she knew it was heard. Ino turned her face away, "I'll go back in a minute."

The silence was a good response and with a shift of her eye she noticed the woman was still standing there. Ino turned back with a large fake smile, "anything else."

"Do you have a problem with me? Besides not liking me?"

"Nope that's my only problem."

"I understand that you don't like me. I'm not fond of you either. But you mean a lot to Shikamaru so I'm trying to be amiable. But when you act like this, it just pisses me off."

Ino snapped to her feet, "You know what pisses me off?"

"No, I have no clue, because you won't talk to me."

"Why should I?"

"To try and make this easier for Shikamaru!"

"What the hell has this to do with him."

"Everything. And you know it." Temari bit harshly but waited to see if Ino was going to go in denial or actually stay and talk about their dilemma. When a minute went by and Ino was still there in front of her Temari began. "I understand that I am a problem for you because you and Shikamaru are best friends. I've come to a fascinating realization that there is nothing I can do about it. So I've let things go. But you got to understand something too. I'm his girlfriend. We are pretty much freaking equal in his life right now. So either get use to it, or end up hurting him. He doesn't want to choose, because either way it will hurt him. So why make him choose? Are you that fucking selfish?"

"What the hell do you know? I've known Shikamaru a lot fucking longer then you--"

"I know that! What? Do want me to be jealous? Fine, congratulations, I'm fucking jealous. You know him better. You've known him longer, you've been closer, you were his fucking first. Great. You win. Now that we established that, can we be mature about this? Every time you get mad at him, you hurt him. You may not see it, but I see it. So stop it. Be a good friend to him like he is to you. " Temari calmed herself, taking a deep breath, allowing Ino to have whatever say she wanted. But when her competition remained silent, Temari was slightly pleased. "Think about what I said. Then maybe we can talk again." Temari turned from her but stalled to say only one thing, "Oh and I left your fucking party. Go have fun without me."

Ino almost replied 'yea I will' but her mouth kept shut as she watched the woman walk away. Despite actually getting what she wanted, joy was not an emotion…

--

Just as he stated, Sasuke returned to the camp at nightfall and with just a glance got them all to their feet and following after him silently. Sakura felt as if for some reason they were hiding or somehow sneaking in but Sasuke did nothing to hide his insanely huge chakra. He was in fact increasing it with every mile they passed. Sakura watched him irritated that she was somehow missing an important piece she couldn't comprehend.

They passed the village doors without any trouble surprisingly. The village itself was vacant, the doors boarded up to any shops. She cursed her luck. She was hoping at least a few stores would still be open. It was considerably early for the main market complex to shut down.

They headed straight for the giant building. Sakura didn't allow any reminiscing. She was older then that now. Besides. She didn't need to long for Sasuke. For he was right beside her. Sakura grew confident upon this and stepped closer to his person upon making their way inside.

It was really quiet for the Kage's mansion. Guards normally hung around every corner and hid in every niche and cranny but she could feel no one. It may have been Sasuke's fault for his power was pretty much encompassing every inch from floor to ceiling. She would have been shocked by what he was projecting but she knew personally how much power he possessed. Her memories of his dream world were ever so fresh in her mind.

Her brows knit however when she noticed the doors to the Kage's main room were wide open and seemingly welcome. She glanced to her teammates in question. Perhaps they were expected but her only question was 'why?'

Sakura was highly nervous but stood her strong ground incase of any sudden attack.

The Kage was sitting there behind his screen. A fire reflected his shadow against the tarp and it wiggled frantically. "Ah, young Uchiha." A gruff and weathered voice filtered from behind. "I've been expecting you."

"Where is he?"

The Kage chuckled before a violent cough ripped through his throat. A slave crawled over to him with a glass of water in his hand but the elder shooed it away. "Tell me. Did you kill Orochimaru?"

Karin barked quickly, "Of course, he did! Don't talk to--" Sasuke held up his hand stalling whatever rampage she was about to let off.

Raikage continued his softly chuckle, "Very good. I will reward you--"

"I did not do it for you." Sasuke replied coldly.

"Hmm." The disabled man handed a rolled parchment to his slave. The knelling man reached over to give it to Sasuke but Suigetsu ripped it roughly out of his hand, snapping it open only to throw it right back. "We've already been to all the caves!"

Violently, the Kage lashed it in a deadly voice, "You shut your moth, demon of the mist." With a cane as his helper, the Raikage managed to get to his feet. He was hunched far more over then he had been a few years ago but he was able to walk around and finally show his face. Age had not suited well with him. His skin was nearly dripping off his face. But Sakura had only caught the sight of his yellow lightning eyes to remember so vividly the night she had nearly been killed by him. His attention however was strongly on Suigetsu who also was glaring right back. "You are neither human nor inhuman. You are a creation gone wrong, nothing more--"

Suigetsu whipped out his sword swiftly and strongly, the tip of the blade pushed up against the drooping skin of the Kage's neck. But the next set of movements happened so suddenly, Sakura hadn't been able to see exactly what happened so she could only assume. The Kage had nudged his cane up just barely and shoved against Suigetsu's sword with the minimalist of movement, it was just a flick. And the body of Sakura's teammate flew backward, high in the air, crashing against the back wall. He fell to the floor muffled. The Kage placed the tip of his cane back to the floor. "Do not raise your sword to a human you are no match for, demon of the mist."

Sakura's instinct was to run to Suigetsu to see if he was hurt but pressure gripped her arm. Jugo held her tight and shook his head just once. Being unable to help physically, she decided on verbal. Her attention flipped to the kage. "Who are you to decide what is human." The flash of yellow fell upon her. "You are far from one yourself."

Kage's eyes narrowed just slightly in realization before flicking to Sasuke. "Getting involved with past associates, Sasuke-san? Not a wise decision."

"I have never wanted your advice, jiji. I want only an answer."

"You are obviously not ready for one." Sasuke felt his sharingan roll in his sockets. The kage only cackled. "That power of yours will not work with me."

Sasuke knew this already. He reached behind him and grabbed the hilt of his sword.

Sakura's heart beat sporadically. She feared for his life and everyone else in the room. Panic made her scream, "Sasuke!" He made no other movement. Maybe indicating he was listening or giving her a chance to speak. "Let's just go. He doesn't know anything."

The lightning eyes of the Kage landed upon her. "Shut that ugly trap of yours, Anioko." She had been unable to detect the Kunai that flew at her from a hidden region but Jugo reached out a quick hand, the blade embedding itself in his palm. Sakura glared rebelliously at the Raikage. "You will not get out of this village alive."

Sakura smirked, "Try me." She replied icily, even knowing that she had no chance against a Kage.

"Jugo." Saskue sounded, still unchanged in stance. "Take them out."

"Hai." He grabbed a hold of Sakura and Suigetsu and man-handled them out of the room with Karin following obediently after. Sakura kept her eyes glued to Sasuke and just when the door was shutting she caught the glint of his sword.

--

They returned to the camp and they had dutifully separated. Karin tied up Jugo and went to search for food while Suigetsu took off somewhere down the road leaving her alone to tend to the fire and to her thoughts.

Sakura paced with uncanny energy. Rage was a simple emotion compared to what she felt. She couldn't understand at first why she was so angry but she was sure she'd understand it shortly.

She pounded her way over to Jugo, still cursing, and grabbed his bloody hand roughly. She ignored his gaze on her as she cleaned the wound and then promptly healed it. When it was finished she threw his hand away carelessly and fought her way through the bushes to wherever Suigetsu hid. But upon finding him, he laid against a tree trunk with his sword rested against his chest seemingly asleep. Slightly annoyed she turned to head back but his voice caught her. "Nani?"

"Are you hurt?" She replied roughly."

"Iie."

"Yosh." She turned on her foot.

"Oi."

Sakura stalled and spun around with a sigh. "Hm."

Suigetsu opened his eyes to catch hers. "Why did you stick up for me?"

Sakura hesitated. "He shouldn't be insulting anyone."

"But what do you care?" Suigetsu tipped himself over the branch, dropping directly in front of her. Their faces too close for her comfort and she stiffened drastically. He circled her like prey, his body brushing her barely, his chest, his fingers caressing her skin.

In the back of her head, Inner Sakura was telling her to fear, telling her to run, scream, kick, fight. But she kept still, eyes forward forcing herself not to be intimidated.

"I'm the one that slit your friend's neck, remember?" Suigetsu chuckled wickedly, his breath blowing her hair. "And I would have done many worse things to her, given the chance." His nails scratched the surface of her neck before each finger slowly wrapped around it, pushing her back against his chest. His other rested upon her pumping stomach, fear making her breathe fasten to the extreme. "For I am a demon of the Mist. Born to no one. Inhuman. An experiment gone astray."

"Experiment or not, you possess a heart and a soul. That's human enough for me."

"Who says I have a soul?"

Sakura twisted her head against his neck to try and get visibility of his face but she was too short to see anything but his sharp teeth. "Karin." A sharp tightening on her neck before his body was gone.

She swung around catching him on the branch he had been on grasping his sword. His back was to her, portraying nothing of what he was thinking or even feeling. He didn't even glance to her before he vanished.

Sakura found the nearest tree to fall against. Her body shaking from potential death that she had somehow managed to escape. His killer intent had been felt so strongly she hadn't even realized what the pressure was until it was gone. A smile, a giggle. How many times was she going to face death out here in this damned country?

---

Blind and naïve as she always was.

Sasuke found his way back to camp. Sakura impatiently waiting for him. Her anger, for whatever reason, was strong and steady. So he had taken his time returning after his small warm up with the Kage. He wondered at one point what precisely was her problem now but he had only asked that question once before he realized he could care less.

He was stupid to think that his 'teammates' would be paying any bit of attention. When he was no were near they lose their wit. It's a wonder they haven't managed to get themselves killed yet by all the little mishaps that constantly happen upon traveling.

Sasuke would have flared his chakra to warn them but in doing so it would reveal himself and his location. Since they were already surrounded he would have to get on the inside which obviously had been simple enough. He jumped upon a branch, stopping his progress any further, peering down into their makeshift camp. Her bright green eyes were the first thing to catch his attention. Sakura stared up at him fiercely, her unpredictable hands tightly fisted at her side.

"Pack up." He simply ordered, pretending there weren't over a hundred ninjas ready to spring.

Sakura didn't flinch one bit. She was so blind in her rage she was too stupid to figure out what was going on. He could have struck her for her insolence. Sasuke dropped to the floor, wordlessly repeating his order. His other three followers were quick to give in to his direction.

"What did you do to him?"

Sasuke stalled at the question but was quick to respond. "Nothing he didn't deserve." The Uchiha went to pass by her but Sakura's next set of words stalled him.

"You are not Kami, Sasuke."

He was standing beside her, facing the opposite direction. Their shoulders almost touching but their gazes far from one another. "I know who and what I am. Do not chide me like you do him."

Him. Naruto. The mention of their former teammate, one that they both abandoned was suppose to hurt her. He felt her slight shift. Mentioning him was not something he had done commonly over the three years. But if it broke any of her walls then it was a necessity.

"Well when you act like a spoiled brat, I can't help it."

Karin snorted in laughter she desperately tired to hide. She hid her face discreetly behind a hand.

Sasuke did and said nothing. She was trying to get a rise out of him and he would not allow it. Not now. She had to face the fact that he was different. His temper no longer set off so easily as it had done before. He took a few steps forward, planning an attacking position for those that were on the outside looking in. He was calculating, trying to set up whatever he could in the limited time he had.

Sakura shifted turned to face his back, "I think you're so called power has gone to your head. You can't always get what you want. And to use force to do it. What makes you different from them? From Orochimaru? From the Raikage himself?"

A sharp wind burned the side of her face and she just noticed with the blink of an eye that Sasuke had turned to face her. And as he had done so he had thrown a kunai that zoomed by her cheek and hit the tree behind her, releasing Jugo from his confines. It was a message for everyone to leave. Suigetsu, with curses, grabbed Karin's arm who was stubbornly fighting against him, "No I want to see." She lamely whined but was forced to follow nonetheless.

Sakura never took her eyes away from his black gaze, enforcing her willpower to stay strong. She felt the sting on her cheek and knew the kunai had sliced her cheek. She tightened her fists in anger. "I don't care how you treat me. I don't care if I have to act like a servant just to be with you. I don't care if killing me will make you happy. But when you lash out on innocent people, I will step in your way. I will stop you. I won't let you be a monster. Not while I'm here"

The wind blew once against and this time she felt the brutal choke hold upon her neck. Sasuke's body was behind, pressing her back roughly to his chest. A kunai was pressed against her side and his breath was at her ear. "What monsters have you known?"

She always acted as if she understood everything. What the hell did she know? Absolutely nothing! Monster. Him, a fucking monster. He was really getting tired of being compared to THEM. Raikage, Orochimaru, Itachi. She only got glimpses of partial images. But what has she really faced.

He should let the Raikage have her. That will teach her just what a monster is.

"A couple." She smugly replied. "Like you'd know anyway." With a shape elbow to his rip she shoved herself out and back kicked him twenty feet to slam against a tree. She herself jumped up to the branch just as an onslaught of ninjas dived in on their previous spot.

She had a knife out and sliced a rope watching with a bright smile as the ground gave way to a canyon. Suigetsu, Karin, and Jugo wouldn't let any of the others escape, shoving them back into the hole and quickly covering the top with a thick dirt like tarp, making the ground once again seem stable to any ordinary person walking by. Only the yells and screams for help, muffled, could be heard.

"Alright!" Sakura giggled, dropping down to be with the rest of them, "That was awesome."

"I can't believe it worked." Karin murmured, "Good idea, med-nin." She sarcastically stated but Sakura only beamed in happiness.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes in confusion. He watched the four of them conversing and seemingly congratulating Sakura on whatever the hell had happened in his absence. He stepped up, slightly demanding an explanation without any words. Suigetsu looked to him, "I don't know where you dug this broad up but she's pretty smart."

Sakura beamed. "I was with an ANBU team a few months before and did the same thing then. I thought it would work this time too. Thanks for your help guys."

Jugo bowed slightly, "Arigato, Sakura-san." She patted his shoulder with understanding.

Sasuke sanpped his black eyes to the giant. He didn't like this. They were accepting her.

--

It was night vision training. Team Gai usually practiced this drill on Wednesdays when the training grounds were empty of any ANBU squads. TenTen had been late arriving, why she chose this day to return back to training, Neji would have very much liked to know. Maybe she was still trying to hide as she had done the past two weeks but from whom? Certainly not from a man that sees through walls.

Neji tried not to watch her, hell he didn't even partake in group training. He stayed to his own route. Giving her 'space' . He scoffed. Space. She's had enough 'space'. Two weeks worth of fucking 'space' . She's drowning with fucking 'space'.

Two weeks of exile. The first five days had been spent in the hospital. Which had been for the best because apparently Gai had gone out and brought her baby shit galore. He had wept pathetically as Lee had wept. Neji couldn't stand their weakness. It was a good thing he did not tell them who had fathered that unborn baby or who knows what sort of pity he would have received. He didn't want pity. He didn't want sympathy. He wanted TenTen to get the fuck over it and return to his damned side.

Neji had tried not to be angry but as sure as the sun rises, it was bright and bold. Hiding as she was doing was not something he respected. Why was she being like this, was the answer he needed. And soon.

Practice lasted for a few hours until finally they were finished. Lee and TenTen joked and she smiled and even laughed at one point. Jealousy was not something that helped quell the anger either.

He took his time wrapping his arms with gauze. He normally didn't use it anymore but it was something he could do to try and get some time with her. If she allowed it.

Neji let a sigh of relief go when he noticed Lee and Gai depart as she began collecting her weapons. A sign she normally did when she wanted a moment with him herself. It had been how she had managed to get him alone and kiss him.

Silence and awkwardness forced him to speak. "You've lost strength." He didn't look to her, continuing his gaze upon his action.

"I'll get it back." She responded quickly without stalling, packing up the last of her inventory.

"Train tomorrow?"

"I'll practice on my own thanks."

"Fine." He snapped down his long kimono sleeve and grabbed his black bag to throw it roughly over his shoulder. He walked right past her, allowing her to see nothing that would give away what it was he actually felt. Normally it had been so easy. But now, when there was so much to say, he felt himself struggle to get away.

His feet stopped much to their own will. He clenched on fist, his teeth grinding, knowing he had to speak. But what he really wanted to say was exactly what he couldn't possibly speak. "In three months time, they scheduled the marriage. My decision still stands. Now all that's left is yours."

Couldn't she tell he was sorry for not protecting her? Couldn't she see the blame he felt? Why was she punishing him? He was going to give up so many things for her, but he wasn't going to do it, if she didn't want him anymore.

Neji shifted, desiring to turn around and find her gaze to tell what she was thinking and feeling. But he wasn't sure his own gaze kept all of his own information a secret at the moment. So he kept his back to her. She sighed softly. "I don't know anymore."

He tilted his face, to try and catch any single part of her . Her head was dropped, her brown bangs darkening her eyes, hiding her. "You know how to find me." She nodded once.

Neji disappeared, getting as far and as fast away as he possibly could.

--