Its been a few days since that night. And the only time Sakura saw Neji is during his training with his team, but even then, she cannot really approach him without raising suspicion. They are not friends, and they only see eye to eye if a mission was given to them, or so the others thought.

They only meet when the moon starts to wane or if its completely dark. It weights heavy on her heart that they have to hide, but she knew the reason.

Hyugas never marry outside of clan. Any entanglement of Neji with her will cause him the position as head of the branch house. And she doesn't want to do that, Neji worked so hard just to reach that point.

But it also means that Neji will be married off to another, probably to one of his distant cousin. The thought caused searing pain to her heart. With those thoughts in her mind, she just chose to put as much distance between her and the Hyuga.

Then the worst day came, Hyuga being one of the most prestigious clans in the village, it is only customary that they announce the most important events in the village.

Sakura's heart constricted painfully as she read the posters that was place in all incospicuous places in the village.

"The Hyuga clan, appoints Hyuga Neji as the head of the Branch house furthermore the young Lord Hyuga is bethrothed to Hyuga Akkari. The union will take place in six months."

Sakura tried to stop her tears from escaping her lids but the pain in her heart is so palpable that it almost feels like someone is twisting a kunai in it.

She immediately returned to her house as she doesn't want to go crying in public. Her hidden pain is too much to handle that she cannot bear it if she lose her wits outside.

But as soon as she closed her door, the anguished cry of her heart cannot take it anymore that her pain was poured into her tears and the wail that her throat is letting out.

While she is kneeling to the floor of her home letting out the pain that consumed her, she felt a pair of strong arms that held her tight. The arms held her so tight that it almost seemed that they don't want to let her go.

"I'm sorry, Sakura. I'm sorry." Neji was whispering to the pink-haired woman's hair. His lips were peppering her hair with light kisses. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

The pink-haired woman, still overwhelmed by the weight of the announcement, turned to face Neji. Tear-stained eyes met the solemn gaze of the man who had become both the source of her joy and the harbinger of her pain. His coffee-colored hair framed a face etched with remorse, and the dim light of the room accentuated the vulnerability in his expression.

Sakura's lips quivered as she tried to find words, but the emotional turmoil within her rendered her temporarily speechless. Neji, understanding the depth of her pain as he feels it too, continued to hold her, offering silent solace in the shared embrace.

"I never wanted to hurt you, Sakura," Neji murmured, his voice a gentle caress against the cacophony of her sobs. "But duty binds me, and I found myself caught between the traditions I cannot escape and the love I cannot deny."

Sakura's tearful gaze met Neji's, and for a moment, the room felt like a sanctuary for their shared agony. The weight of duty and tradition hung in the air, intertwining with the fragility of their emotions.

"I knew this would happen, Neji," Sakura whispered, her voice strained but filled with an odd mixture of acceptance and sorrow. "I knew we couldn't escape it, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. I just didn't think it would be this soon."

Neji's grip on her didn't waver as he gently wiped away a tear from her cheek. "I never wanted you to bear this pain, Sakura. If there was a way to change things, I would."

Sakura managed a small, bittersweet smile. "It's not your fault, Neji. But I cannot help but wish that you're not a Hyuga."

Neji's eyes held a profound sadness as he nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "I wish that too, Sakura. I wish I could be free from these bindings that dictate our lives."

Sakura took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I don't blame you, Neji. But it doesn't change the fact that this hurts. It hurts to know that I love you but I can never love you fully because you're not mine to begin with."

Neji's fingers gently traced the outline of her face, his touch a mixture of comfort and regret. "I never imagined that I would be the cause of so much pain in your life. I wanted to protect you, not bring you sorrow."

Tears welled up again in Sakura's eyes, but this time, they held a different quality—a blend of resignation and determination. "We can't change our past or our present, Neji. But we can't continue meeting like this." Sakura said. "It's unfair to... her." she muttered, wanting to forget the name of the girl who will have the chance to call him her husband. Its not fair to the woman, but is it fair to her? No. The whole thing is unfair to all people involve. "I love you but I won't betray another woman just for you."

Neji's eyes mirrored the conflict within him. "Sakura, I never wanted you to bear the weight of my choices. But you're right. We can't keep living like this, deceiving ourselves and others."

Sakura nodded, her tears still flowing. "I don't want to be the reason for someone else's pain, Neji. I won't be the cause of her suffering. We need to find a way to accept the reality and move forward." Sakura met Neji's eyes with determination she didn't know she can muster that minute. "Please, get out. We're done."

Neji's gaze held a mix of sorrow and understanding as he released Sakura from his embrace. He nodded, acknowledging the painful truth in her words. "I'm sorry, Sakura. I never wanted to bring you to this point." He pressed a last kiss to Sakura's forehead. There he poured all the love that he can give, he released her and left without glancing back.