Neji looked up from his seated position as he noticed the door to his private study open and close noiselessly. In stepped the woman that currently occupies his thoughts. She looked especially tempting tonight with her hair draped over her shoulders and back and her beautiful figure accentuated by her sheer nightgown. In short, Neji was very pleased with her appearance. This visitation is sure to be very satisfying.

"Well, well, well… this is a pleasant surprise. I didn't think you would come to me. I was sure it was to be the other way around." He rose up from his chair and stalked towards her in an almost predatory way. "I'm glad you came Tenten." He said her name with a seductive lilt as he eyed her intensely with something akin to thirst.

The way her name spilled past his lips, those oh so delectable lips, sent an excited chill up her spine. She could feel her heart racing inside her chest and feel the heat rising. Neji's deep, smooth voice seems to have just as much control over her as his piercing gaze. Deep down Tenten craved this as well despite her wishes to be a faithful wife to Lee. Her traitorous body was more than willing to give into the demands of the king and she knew there wouldn't be much resistance on her part if any at all. Tenten simply gulped and watched as Neji made his way over to her.

He was standing in front of her in no time at all taking in all that his eyes laid on. Neji leaned his head down slowly, breathing in her enthralling scent as he went, and laid a soft kiss on her lips. His hands rose up to grip her arms lightly but still firmly as the kiss grew deeper and more passionate. Both were lost to the delicious pressure of their lips being joined again. Their secret rendezvous soon turned into something more as the desire and excitement escalated quickly between them. They were sure to reach bliss tonight.

--

He couldn't believe it. He just couldn't. His eyes must be deceiving him because that just couldn't be what he thought it was. His fatigue must be getting to him because surely what he saw was just a figment of his imagination. His wife couldn't have been with Neji in such an intimate encounter. But somehow no matter how much he tried to convince himself of this he knew in his heart, his mind, his very soul that it was true…it was exactly what he witnessed. And with this knowledge his heart ached and promptly shattered.

'How could you do this to me? Why?' Were his despondent and angry thoughts. He quickly retreated to his chambers so he could be alone. As he rushed back to his room he paid no heed to the tear that ran down his cheek. Lee had just been betrayed by the one who meant the most to him.

--

It had been a couple days since that fateful night and things between Lee and Tenten have been slowly deteriorating. People have taken note of the change in behavior from the once exuberant Lee and how he seems so melancholy during such a great time and they are concerned about it. Most of the time Lee seems to be lost in thought or moody when he isn't brooding over what he saw that night. He really just wants to confront both of them about it. Hell, his initial reaction was to attack Neji and even throttle Tenten but he didn't do that. Lee's world had just been crushed and his mind was in shambles, it was such a whirlwind of change for him that he didn't know what to do.

Tenten of course noticed her husband's transformation from cheerful and friendly to downright rude and hostile, mostly to her, and when Neji is around he tenses as if preparing to charge him. He says caustic and biting remarks to her and is always insinuating things that puts her on edge. She's not entirely sure why he is that way or at least she doesn't want to acknowledge what she knows is the reason behind it because then that would mean accepting a truth that she cannot handle. So now she does her best to avoid Lee because, although he may not be violent in any way, he certainly by any means isn't sweet or soft with her either. Her once happy marriage is falling apart.

Neji isn't too worried about his captain's behavioral issues, so long as he does his job he doesn't care. But he's inclined to confront Lee since on several different occasions Lee has gotten beside himself and blatantly disrespected him and that is something Neji refuses to tolerate. On another note, his subordinate's wife has been quite the lover. Ever since their tryst two nights ago they've regularly met, in private of course, each day sometimes more than once. King Hyuga has taken pleasure in all the good things that has arisen from this treaty.

Hinata and Sasuke were amongst the concerned people that watched Lee's change and asked about it hoping to help their friend out but each time they questioned it he would either avoid the subject, tell them to mind their own business, or he'd walk away from them altogether. That's why Sasuke is going to find out what's going on with Lee even if it means knocking the answers out of him. After all Sasuke feels he owes Lee for all of his help in allowing Hinata and himself to be together, also Hinata is worried sick about him and even if he won't admit it he is too.

--

Lee was just wandering aimlessly around the open, grassy fields near the castle grounds when Sasuke found him. He knew that whatever was hurting Lee like this needed to be addressed and soon lest it get out of hand. It's putting a damper on the joyful occasion as well as upsetting his love. Sasuke realized that the only way to approach Lee was directly, there was no need for tact for this.

"Lee!" Said man turned around to see the younger Uchiha royal advancing him. Lee didn't have to guess why he was here. His woes have been the topic of discussion between them ever since that night. And he was well aware of the fact that Sasuke was going to demand answers this time since Hinata wasn't around to get him to leave him be. Sighing in exasperation, Lee readied himself for the impending interrogation.

"What can I do for you young prince?"

"You know damn well why I'm here. What's the matter?" Sasuke scowled at Lee's apathetic reaction to his questions.

"Not to be disrespectful to your highness but that is none of your business."

Sasuke nearly growled from frustration with the man before him. The mounting aggravation had just boiled over, causing Sasuke's eyes to bleed crimson out of anger. Without warning he leveled Lee with a strong punch to his jaw. Lee was shocked with his friend's action. Sasuke took advantage of Lee's stunned state and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt lifting him up to stand eye level with him.

"What the hell is your problem?!" He asked heatedly while shaking him harshly. "Can't you see how much people are worried about you?! Why won't you say anything?!" Lee's surprise gave way to the fury broiling within him. With a burst of strength he disentangled himself from Sasuke's grip and pushed him to the ground. He then grappled Sasuke in the same manner that was done to him and began strangling him in his rage.

"Why?! WHY?!" He yelled in Sasuke's face. "Why the hell do you care?! It's not like you can do anything about it! My problems are my own so stay out of it!" Sasuke kicked Lee away and got him in a powerful headlock to keep him from attacking. He held him down against the ground to get more leverage and let Lee slow his breathing back to normal.

"Are you calm or do you need to vent some more?" Sasuke's hold lightened slightly.

Lee's only response was to shake him off and get up without a word. He straightened his clothing and brushed the dirt from their scuffle off. Then he turned and glared at the Uchiha standing in front of him. His jaw was still smarting from that jab and he was a bit disoriented.

"Can't you see we just want to help you?"

"What can you do about it?"

"Well I won't know until you actually tell me what the problem is. I can't help you if I have no idea what it is that's troubling you. Something is vexing you, that I can tell, but keeping it to yourself won't do you any good. You can trust me with whatever it may be. I won't inform anyone else of this, you have my word. (see chapter 5)" Sasuke said quoting Lee from when the captain helped him with his little dilemma concerning Hinata before.

Lee grinded his teeth together knowing that he just wants to curse the boy for not realizing that since he refuses to talk about it they won't be getting anywhere. But he refrains from doing so since Sasuke does seem to be genuinely concerned about him despite their short time being friends. He sighed in defeat knowing that the young royal before him is too stubborn to let it be. Lee sat down on the grassy plain and began telling Sasuke everything. As he confided in him that day on the soft terrain he started to feel a little bit better, like having a weight lifted off of him. They both returned to the castle, Lee feeling lighter than he had in last few days.

--

After that day Lee has been getting better; he doesn't simply ignore others or behave rudely around them any longer. Everyone has taken note that he's changed once again, for the better this time, so they all believed that it was simply a difficult time for him and now that it has passed they don't give it much thought. But even though he's improved from the days prior he still can't stand being around his wife and king for longer than necessary. Instead he spends most of his time around the secret lovers since he finds most of his solace with them.

Tenten is in pain constantly from being shunned by her husband and she doesn't know what to do about it. Lee doesn't even lay in bed with her anymore so she's moved to a different chamber to sleep alone. Although Neji keeps her company in her private suite most days she still suffers from unbearable loneliness and the emptiness of her heart. Her marriage is in tatters and most nights, when Neji isn't around, she cries herself to sleep from the remorse she feels because deep in her soul she knows that only she is to blame.

Hinata has noticed her dear friend's change and is happy that he seems to be on the right path to recovery now. She prays for him every night, hoping that he'll be able to return to his former self and gives out silent thanks to whomever or whatever it was that saved her friend from his darkness. And even though she feels this way and does these things she still is bursting at the seams with curiosity about what caused this turnabout in Lee. But the young queen has her suspicions about who it is. That's why she's going to personally thank him right now.

--

"Thank you again Prince Sasuke for everything you've done to help me." Lee bowed immensely to the young royal. They had just finished sparring and having a long discussion about Lee's situation. Sasuke has managed to steer Lee clear of trouble so far by convincing him not to do anything foolish around the king or his own wife.

"It was no trouble at all…really. Stop bowing Lee. It was the least I could do after all of the help you gave to allow me to spend time with Hinata without much trouble." Sasuke smirked at Lee and pat him on his shoulder before sending him off. He then went in the other direction to have some time to himself.

Lee trotted passed Hinata but not without acknowledging his queen with a nod and bright smile. Hinata waved at his retreating figure before continuing on her way. She saw her loveable prince sitting by himself staring at the blue heavens above. He seemed lost in thought so she took this opportunity to tiptoe behind him silently.

Sasuke didn't feel her presence until she placed her delicate hands on his shoulders and began to lightly knead the taut muscles there. He was snapped out of his reverie by the lovely sensations her hands were creating in his tense flesh. He stared up at the amazing woman that captured his heart with a soft smirk on his face. She returned his expression with a loving smile of her own.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing really…just thinking about my time spent here."

"Oh?" She raised a midnight brow while continuing her massage. "What about that?"

"Well mostly you…and how we were able to be together so far."

"Hmm…so Lee is on your mind is he?" Hinata was very astute and was easily able to pick up on what he wasn't saying openly.

"Hn."

She giggled at his response, if you could call it that. "I want to thank you." She said completely out of the blue, at least to him.

"For what?"

"For helping Lee with his woes. We both knew he was having his own troubles but no one seemed able to help him…until you did that is."

"Why do you think it was me?"

She grinned at him knowingly. Hinata knew that Sasuke was trying to seem as though he didn't truly care when he honestly did. He didn't want to appear soft but she saw through him as clearly as seeing through glass. Sasuke couldn't fool her, she knows him too well now.

"I know it was you my love because I know you care."

"But many others care for him as well so why me?"

"Simple…because Lee wouldn't open up to the other servants because they love to gossip, he doesn't like being around my husband and his wife for some reason, Itachi is too busy to bother with business that is not his own, and Lee keeps avoiding me, which leaves you darling. You're persistent enough to pry when it really matters and I know you felt it mattered because he was our friend, not to mention the fact that when he avoided me it saddened me greatly. So you felt you had to do something, and you were determined enough to try my love. These are the reasons why I feel it was you who helped him sort out his problems. It was you right?"

Sasuke sighed and closed his eyes knowing that she read him like an open book. He nodded to confirm what she apparently already knew. "It was indeed I whom helped Lee."

Hinata kissed him deeply as a token of her many thanks. "Then you have my deepest and sincerest gratitude my dearest." She pecked him again for good measure.

Sasuke simply grinned roguishly. "If that's what I get for helping others than I'll make it a point to be charitable more often." That earned a quiet laugh from her and he relished the sound, he reveled in it.

He eased her into his lap and held her tenderly in his arms after shifting her so she was comfortable. He then laid his head on her shoulder lightly and closed his eyes, letting her presence invade his senses and breathing in her scent deeply. Sasuke just wanted to enjoy all the time with her he can spare because his time here is almost over and he doesn't want to waste any waking moment he has to be with her.

Sasuke sighed once he realized what path his thoughts were headed. "Hinata there's only a week left before I must leave for my homeland." He whispered as if it were some terrible secret.

"I know." She responded just as quietly. "I don't want you to leave me."

"I don't wish to leave you either my love but you know I must."

"What will we do?" Sasuke could hear the tears in her voice and he ached to take her pain away.

"We will do all we can to be together right now, my angel. Do not worry…I will think of a way to keep us together. Have faith in me my love. I will think of something."

"I trust you Sasuke. I love you." She stared deeply in his eyes, getting lost in their depths.

"And I love you too Hinata." He was caught in the same trance, making his eyes smolder and his voice grow deeper and huskier.

He sealed their words with a passionate kiss and more to follow. Soon they left the outdoors and returned to castle. They would drown their worries with their passion tonight.