Sakura left the Hokage's Tower in the wee hours of the morning. The mission debriefing took longer than she expected. But Tsunade was impressed with her work, so that is more than she can ask for.

As she exited the tower, her eyes automatically looked at the bright light that the moon gives. She thought back on all the nights that she prayed that the moon would wane faster so she can Neji again. She shook her head. She should have not been thinking that he was married and she will not destroy a marriage.

But as she looked down surprised laced her eyes, Hyuga Neji is standing on the other side of the road, looking at her. She immediately looked the other way, determined to forget that chapter of her life. She will move on and forget that a certain Hyuga made her heart pound on her chest.

"Sakura." Neji called out to her as she turned her back. "Please, don't go."

"Go home to your wife, Neji." she said without looking at him. "And don't ever come near me again."

"Sakura, I broke it off." Neji blurted, he can't keep it to himself anymore. When he saw Sakura turned around to face him, he walked towards her. "I broke it off. I chose us."

Sakura's eyes widened at Neji's revelation. The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. The moon above illuminated the raw emotions on Neji's face, and Sakura could sense the sincerity in his voice.

"You... you broke it off?" Sakura stammered, a mixture of disbelief and hope coloring her voice.

Neji nodded, his gaze locked with hers. "I couldn't go through with it. I couldn't marry someone I didn't love. I couldn't forsake the feelings we shared, Sakura."

A rush of emotions flooded Sakura's heart. She wanted to believe him, to let the walls around her heart crumble. But the wounds of the past, the pain of their secret moments, and the knowledge that the Hyuga clan's traditions were not easily abandoned held her back.

"What about your clan?" Sakura asked. "You can't just break it off without consequences, Neji!"

Neji took a deep breath, his eyes unwavering. "I don't care about the consequences, Sakura. I care about you. I won't let traditions dictate my life and happiness. We can face whatever challenges come our way together."

Sakura's heart raced as she looked into Neji's determined eyes. The moonlight seemed to wrap around them, casting a soft glow on the path they stood upon. It felt like a pivotal moment, a crossroads where destinies could be reshaped.

"I can't let you sacrifice everything for me, Neji," Sakura whispered, her voice tinged with both vulnerability and love. "I won't let you face the backlash from your clan because of me."

Neji gently cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that glistened in her eyes. "Sakura, I've already made my choice. I choose you. I don't care if they take back the title. I don't care if they throw me out of the compound. I don't care if they disown me, Sakura. I don't care." Neji said vehemently. "All I want to be with you. Is it so wrong to choose myself this time, Sakura?"

Sakura gazed into Neji's eyes, the intensity of his words sinking deep into her heart. The conflict within her waged on, torn between the love she felt for him and the fear of the consequences their relationship might bring.

"Neji," she began, her voice trembling with emotion. "I love you, but I can't be the reason for your downfall. The consequences are not just about you; it's about your family, your position, everything you've worked for."

Neji's grip on her face softened, his expression filled with understanding. "Sakura, I've thought about all of that. But living a life without you is a greater loss than any title or position. I can't let go of the one thing that truly matters to me."

Tears welled up in Sakura's eyes as she struggled with her emotions. She wanted to believe in Neji's love, to take that leap of faith, but the weight of responsibility pressed down on her.

"I can't ask you to do that," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I can't be the reason you give up everything."

Neji wiped away her tears, his gaze unwavering. "Sakura, you're not asking me to do anything. I'm choosing this. I'm choosing us. I want you to be with me, regardless of the challenges we might face."

Sakura watched Neji's face. She wanted to accept the things he is offering her. But... can she live peacefully knowing the things that he have to sacrifice just for her. "I'm sorry, Neji." She's crying loudly now. "I can't do this. I can't let you throw all of your hardwork away. I'm sorry." she extracted herself from Neji's hands and ran away.

That is where she's good at. Running away. Running away from the pain, the tears, and the disappointment. That's all that she can do.