Title: Broken Cadence
Author: HarmonyRose
Claim: Sakura Haruno and Neji Hyuga
Theme: # 27-Violin
Rating: M- for safety
Disclaimer: I'm writing fanfiction that should tell you that obviously I don't own Naruto.
Summary: The end of all things should have come to a close under the prevalence of peace. However, history will forever repeat itself, and the ceaseless threat of war is continuously just over the horizon.

A/N This chapter is unbeta'd because it has been so long since I've updated I wanted to get this out as soon as possible and I"m not entirely sure my betas aren't too busy.

Music suggestion: I Wanna- All American rejects

Chapter eight: Trying to Take on the World

Sakura was once again at the training grounds working with Kakashi. It had been two weeks since Neji had even talked to her, or summoned her to play for him, and in those weeks she had managed to get a lot of training in. Though she had learned enough ninjutsu for a low-level ninja, that wasn't what her training mostly consisted of. No, for the most part Kakashi had taught her a number of advanced genjutsu, which was only possible because she was a natural at genjutsu, had good chakra control, and could apply her book smarts to the lesson. Without any one of those conditions it would have been impossible for her to have learned the eight new advanced genjutsus as well as a quite a few of the simpler ones. Basically, her sensei was trying to build up her repertoire, so she could use a jutsu for any tight situations she may or may not get herself into. She had the skills; what she needed the most was to know the jutsu and have a bit of practice casting it and seeing the practical sides to each of them.

Kakashi had also managed to teach her basic weaponry. Which is what she found herself doing. Her teacher had handed her a new set of senbon and before throwing them at the target, he had shown her exactly what balance she needed and how to hold them correctly. He sent five flying and unsurprisingly they hit each vital spot on the target dummy perfectly.

Sakura, having trained with Kunai, enough to give her blisters on her hands as well as improve her aim felt more confident today that she would be able to master this. Unfortunately for Sakura, Kunai and Senbon were very different from each other. As such it took several attempts to correctly throw them.

Sakura closed her emerald eyes and centered her thinking getting ready to make her first attempt. The metal was cool against her palms. She opened her eyes and after slightly adjusting her fingers to correct the balance, she let the senbon fly. They hit the target. Unfortunately, she had thrown them hard enough to have them go through the dummy. Sakura glanced at her sensei, relieved to see that he still had his nose stuck in his perverted book and probably hadn't seen that embarrassing attempt.

For the next attempt she over-corrected and to her inner mortification the senbon didn't even hit the target. Swearing profusely, Sakura marched toward the fallen weapons and picked them up from the ground. She violently yanked the bits of grass off and stomped back.

Kakashi raised a brow at her lively antics, wondering when she had learned those words. He was glad though that she had some life in her. The last time he'd seen her all those years ago she was a mere shadow of the playful girl she had been. The new child was abnormally serious and spoke only when etiquette demanded. So now, even if her demeanor was prickily, Kakashi would take that over the broken-looking girl he'd saved ten years ago.

After the first few attempts she could consistently hit the target but, one or two of the senbon would end up in the wrong spot.

Two hours into the practice, Sakura's feet ached and her arms were beginning to become hard to lift. However, she still hadn't quiet mastered the technique though she was determined to learn it. There was still a minor problem with her aim, every time she aimed she either was a little off with all the senbon or in the best case scenario only one was off. Either way though she was messing something up and it was starting to annoy her. The pink haired woman took a deep breath and relaxed her features.

Eyes still glued to his orange book, Kakashi spoke up, "Don't force your wrist. The motion should be smoother. When the motion is smoother it'll also have more velocity, so be careful you don't throw them too hard or they will go through the target again."

"Kakashi-sensei why didn't you speak up hours ago?" Sakura demanded. Two hours into the practice and this was the first time he had said anything, let alone make a suggestion to help.

He shrugged.

Sakura tightened her fists and narrowed her eyes. Who did he think he was? He was so infuriating! She might have already been done if this suggestion helped. Sighing, she once again let the tension out of her body. She already knew about Kakashi-sensei's unorthodox teaching methods, so she shouldn't be surprised, nor could she get that mad at him. He was who he was, even if he was a no-good, porn-reading, incompetent, idiot of a man. Sakura closed her eyes and shook the tension out of her shoulders. It wasn't worth it or at least that's what she kept telling herself to keep from attacking her instructor.

Now relaxed she decided that she would try that tip. With her bottom lip between her teeth, Sakura flicked her wrist and sent the senbon flying. They hit their marks. Instantly the woman's concentrated expression broke. Her eyes glowed excitedly and she collected the senbon. She threw them several times before moving farther back and then to the sides. After several successful attempts from different locations Kakashi finally spoke, his head still buried in his book, "Now try it while you're running."

Sakura jerked her head toward the unexpected noise. He talked again. It must be a miracle, she thought sarcastically. Cooling the vibrant gleam in her eyes and relaxing the muscles around her mouth Sakura wiped the expression off her face. She still had a long ways to go before she could master these weapons. Though she was decent, thanks to Kakashi-sensei, she would still have to work tirelessly through the rest of her lessons if she even wanted to have a chance at spying successfully. With that in mind she worked at aiming while running and later with a moving target.

By the end of the training session Sakura felt accomplished, she hadn't mastered the techniques, that would have been an unrealistic expectation, but she had done well and managed to even surprise Kakashi-sensei with how well she had done that day.

It was late afternoon before Sakura finished. Her shoulders sagged as she dragged her sore arms through the hallway to her room. Reaching her room, the tired Kunoichi-in-training all but fell onto the bed, collapsing in a heap. Dull green eyes settled on her violin case, thinking about her employer for the first time in hours. It was odd that he hadn't called for her playing in weeks though her music was the main reason she was brought to his estate. A frown curved her lips downward when an uneasy sentiment nudged her consciousness. Something was obviously wrong and despite how weary she felt from training, she would try to figure it out. Sighing heavily, Sakura rose, changed, and picked up her violin.

In the halls, Sakura wandered around listening to the servants chatter. When she reached his private office she wasn't surprised to see the soft ethereal glow emanating from underneath the heavy door. Apparently just like always, Hyuuga Neji was in his study. Why was she not surprised?

Gently she rapped her knuckles against the door. The nymph moved some of her pink hair behind the shell of an ear and pressed it to the wood. Hearing a weary, "Come in," Sakura grasped and turned the door handle and pressed her weight into the door. She gently shut the door behind her, once again in the burgundy and cream décor of his office.

Neji had sounded exhausted through the door, but it hadn't prepared Sakura for the sight she beheld. Pale eyes were rimmed with dark circles and his already pale skin was pasty and ghostly white. It was obvious he hadn't eaten or slept well in days. She moved to the chair still set in the corner of the room and placed her violin down as she continued to stare. Shock at his appearance quickly faded and indignant anger quickly replaced it. Her own exhaustion forgotten she marched right up to his desk and slammed both hands down, "What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to prove Sasuke right? Because you are doing a pretty damn good job of it."

He glared at her angry visage, "No, I have work to do. If that is all, leave."

"That is not all; you can't just not take care of yourself. How long have you been awake?" Sakura asked sure she wasn't going to like the answer.

With his tone like ice he said, "That's none of your concern."

Sakura gripped the edge of the desk and leaned forward in a confrontational manner. As she got closer she said, "It is too my business! If you get sick or can't take care of your territory who are the people going to believe, a sick ruler or a healthy rebel? You may be a god, but you aren't invincible. Now, how many days?"

Willing to tell her but, unwilling to be cowed Neji stood to his full height towering over her. His face taunt with stress and anger he looked down at her bristling, petite form. Arguing with her wasn't going to get his work done, but there was no way he was going to back down from this woman who had already bested him several times.

"Four days." His gaze narrowed, silently daring her to confront him.

Sakura closed her eyes, worry spiraling through her. Four days was longer than she suspected and it was completely unhealthy. Emerald eyes lost their fire as she peered up at the male. Tilting her head to the side she asked, "What's so important that you can't sleep? Or take care of yourself?

Still irritated at Sakura's intrusion Neji replied with a vague answer, "A number of things."

"Care to be a little clearer?" Sakura was now as rational as he had ever seen her. There were no angry words or physical displays of said anger. Neji thought she might even be a little concerned about him personally, but he didn't have time to be analyzing every emotion that flitted through her, though he could see that as calm as she was she wasn't going to let this go anytime soon if he didn't divulge anything.

Feeling the need to justify himself, he started on his laundry list of current issues, "Uchiha Sasuke is rumored to have gained favor with several human lords and I have been tasked to figure out whom the rebels are or if this is just a ruse. Also, I have managed to forget I'm having dinner with another god tomorrow, and though I doubt he'd mind that I don't have entertainment or a proper dinner menu prepared I am a god and therefore must follow certain protocol. There are the day to day tasks of managing the underworld that I have to see to. In addition to that as I'm sure you've heard by now."

Neji turned up his nose, seemingly too proud to say the next ordeal he was facing. Finally managing to look a tad bit constipated with the sour twist of his lips he said, "I'm working my way out of the ridiculous demand the other Gods made at the last meeting."
Sakura's jaw had dropped sometime during the middle of his minor rant. She was pretty certain that that was the most she had ever heard him speak. However, the nymph quickly regained her composure; inconspicuously closing her mouth (her mother would have been ashamed if she knew) and like any woman worth her salt she rapidly prioritized the list and anything she could do to ease his load.

She was determined to get her employer resting by this evening. Her gaze hardened as she nodded in acquiesce toward him, "I admit that's quite the list however, I believe I can help with a few of those."

Neji was suspicious; what could a girl do to help him, except for marry him? Which was certainly not what he wanted, but he had had enough offers from some of the more forward women not to suspect her to say such a thing.

She did no such thing. Staring shrewdly Sakura said, "I suspect I can help you figure out who the rebels are." She waved off his incredulity before continuing on, "The week before I was so rudely abducted from my home by your henchmen, I had the distinct honor of overhearing a conversation between five other lords and my father, whom they were trying to persuade to join a militant cause led by an Uchiha. I just hadn't realized your intelligence gathering was so limited or else I would have disclosed the names as soon as I came under your employment."

Surprised, but greatly relieved that he wouldn't have to send out his spies on another dangerous espionage mission he asked that she write down the names on a missive he had already began to the head of the gods. The head as well as the other gods needed to be informed of the developments.

Grabbing the proffered scroll and pen, Sakura quickly listed the dissenting lords down in girly cursive. Looking over the names and satisfied she had remembered all the lords that had been present, she handed the list back to the tired male.

If possible, upon receiving the list, Neji seemed to grow more exhausted. He now knew why none of his spies had been successful. He had a leak. A very influential leak at that.

"Are you sure these names are correct?" the grave expression on his face as he asked was enough to ensure that her response was also serious.

"I am positive."

It was someone who Neji would never have suspected. The lord was a medical prodigy and it appeared he was also a convincing actor. Lord Yakushi Kabuto was the traitor and it was too bad, because he knew many of the Underworld's secrets as his adopted father was an advisor to the previous god of the Underworld who so happened to be Neji's own uncle.

Neji was displeased with the turn of events but, realized that there was nothing more he could do about the situation this evening, so he would deal with his other issues.

Sakura's voice held contempt as she spoke, "I'm not sure what idiotic decision the council has come up with this time, but good luck getting out of it. And though I am unable to help you in that aspect, I can assist you in another." The nymph continued her tone softening, "Do not worry about dinner and entertainment tomorrow I will take care of it."

She didn't know? He thought Ino had informed every woman in the world that he needed a wife. In any case he wasn't going to tell her either. She would end up useless to him if she turned rabid. He'd had enough of that with other girls. Turning back to his work, he dismissed her without words.

Sakura wasn't going to take that though and so she said, "No more work it's time you got some sleep." Without waiting for an answer, the woman grabbed his hand and her instrument and dragged him off to his room.

Too surprised and tired to fight, Neji let himself be tugged through his residence. He knew that he should put up a protest but, he couldn't muster enough energy to be properly indignant. She pulled him right into his room and shut the door behind them.

Sakura pointed toward the joined bathroom, "Now, go change."

Taking stock of the room, Sakura noticed the room was done in the same dark stained wood and cream color that Neji's office was. As Sakura glanced around looking for a chair to sit on she noticed that the furniture matched the dreary feel of the room, however despite the fact that there was a bed, dresser, and a nightstand, there wasn't a chair or really anywhere for her to sit. Wrinkling her brow and giving the furniture a critical look, Sakura decided against using it as a place to sit. Somehow she figured that Neji would not appreciate that.

When Sakura heard the telltale sounds of the facet in the bathroom she broke out of her musing and began to remove her violin from its case. Gently she adjusted the string tension of each the four strings by tightening the pegs on the neck of the instrument and the tiny knobs for minor pitch correction near the bridge. Listening to the pitch of each string individually and then in pairs Sakura was content when all the strings sounded in the correct perfect fifths. The room filled with fast staccato and then long vibrato tones of a happy major scale that readied her fingers and hands for performance. By the time the violinist had finished her warm-up, Neji was already lying down.

He watched as she began a light tune he didn't recognize. For a minute he watched just how her slim fingers danced over the strings; a pleasure he had been denied that first time he'd heard her melodies. Her fingers caressed each string creating sweet-sounding quarter and half notes. Soon watching became too much as the gentle song easily swept him into a slumber.

Sakura, herself was careful not to let herself get carried away in the music and stopped after the first play through. She tiredly opened eyes that she hadn't known she had closed as her drowsiness hit full force. Fighting a losing battle to keep her eyes open Sakura bent to put her violin away, only barely managing from years of practice.

Sitting back up the nymph took one last look at the god lying on the bed. She brushed a lock of soft hair from his face. He looked much younger in sleep, closer to his age, rather than the mask of age he wore during his waking hours. It was such a nice change that a serene smile graced her face.

Her last thought before succumbing to the weariness that pleaded and coaxed her body into relaxing all day was that the young god had too much on his plate to handle alone like he was trying. Perhaps she could lend a hand for the duration of her stay. For although she was female, due to her mixed blood and only child status she would rule her parent's lands. As such she had been receiving intelligence and political reports since she was eleven so maybe she would do some discrete digging around during her next letter home and hand over anything interesting.

I'm sorry I haven't updated anything in so long, but I've had some family issues. My little sister had open heart surgery at the beginning of the school year and it's been really difficult on my family, but we're fine now.

Anyways I hope you enjoyed the chapter and that there wasn't too many errors. Please REVIEW it makes me more likely to update faster!

Thanks ~HarmonyRose