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Refraction	By : Zelha Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1308 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, duh. I only own a pair of sleepers, so obviously I don't make any profit with this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Chapter 8: Encountering

Neji was
released a week later but not before a thorough check-up from his favorite
medic-nin �although she never knew she was his preferred doc�, and a positive
report from her about his two remaining ANBU teammates.

�Are you
sure they�re okay?� he asked for the third time, making her look up
exasperatedly from her chart.

�For the
last time, Hyuuga, they�re fine! They�re going to have to take it easy for a
while, but both are safe and out of danger. You were the one that gave us quite
a fright, you know.�

�They�re my
team,� he said coolly, crossing his arms over his hospital robe. �I need to
know how they�re progressing.�

�Naname-san
and Honzo-san are fine, they are under Shizune�s personal care,� she said, scribbling over his medical
record. �And you are to go back home and rest up more there,� she added,
pulling out her tongue at him. �Hyuuga-sama requested for you to be transferred
to the Compound until you�re strong enough to get back on the roster.�

�I�d rather
remain in here,� he muttered. Sakura lifted an eyebrow.

�Why?�

�Because I
think I�ll need my medic and I�m sure she won�t be doing house calls.�

�I�m sure
we can work out some arrangements for your medic to visit, you, Hyuuga,� she
replied, missing the smirk that said shinobi sported as she finished writing
and turned to wash her hands.

�Really,�
he drawled, amused. �Do you think she�ll have the time to visit just one
patient? I�m sure she has plenty to take care of.�

�Maybe if
you ask her she can make an exception with you,� she called from the bathroom,
still at loss of the real meaning of his words.

�And how I
shall have to ask her? I�m not good with words,� he shot back sarcastically, as
she entered the room wiping her hands. �Can you ask her for me?�

�Sure, who
is your med---� she trailed off, realizing by Neji�s lifted eyebrow that he was
talking about her. �Gah, Hyuuga, you�re insufferable.�

�So you�ll
do it? Maybe we can convince Hikari to make some jam
when you come over.�

She
blushed, seeing the amused glint in his silvery eyes.

�Uh... we�ll
see. If you behave yourself, maybe I�ll come for breakfast.�

Neji had to
let out a low chuckle at the sight of her rosy cheeks.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

It was a
good deal after all, Sakura mused, mostly because the pearly-eyed prodigy was a
good bickering sparring partner and he always had a witty remark to shoot back,
making her visits to the Hyuuga Compound a good mental exercise for her numbed
senses after dealing with two knuckleheads like Sai and Naruto.

However,
when she opened the door of her apartment that morning to go to Neji�s, she was
greeted by the very same Hyuuga ANBU Captain, with his hand raised as if to
knock on the door.

�Oh, hi,
Hyuuga-san!� she greeted with a smile. He merely lifted an eyebrow, curling his
lips.

�I take you
slept well, you are not this sweet in the mornings,� he remarked offhandedly,
watching in amusement how she glared at him with a pout.

�Ah, shut
up, Iceman,� she shot back. �I was actually coming over to see you. How have
you been feeling?�

�I am fine,
Haruno, stop the fussing already.�

�It�s not
fussing, you Hyuuga brat, it�s called medical concern,� she snapped, and then
walked back inside her house. Neji blinked.

�Haruno,
what--�

�Since
you�re already here, I can treat myself to a nice cup of coffee and check on
you afterwards, shall we? Close the door, please; it�s been a quite chilly
lately.�

�Can
someone be so careless?� Neji muttered as he stepped inside her abode and
closed the front door.

It was a
rather nice and warm space, he conceded. The last time he had been there his
uncle had hogged all the view of her living room, but now he could appreciate
the whole decorated scheme. Surprisingly, not even a speck of pink was to be
seen, having instead creams and light greens on the walls, a low table and a
rocking chair.

�That�s my
mother�s chair,� her voice offered. He turned and saw her leaning on the
kitchen�s door jam. �She bought it when she found out she was expecting me. The
funny thing was that my father never took the hint until four months later.�

�That�s a
good story,� he said, complying with her mute gesture for him to sit on the
rocking chair.

�Coffee?�

�No, thanks. I�m here on business, actually.�

�Oh? How so?� Sakura asked from the kitchen, pouring herself a
good cup of black coffee. When finished, she joined him in the living room,
plopping on the carpet and setting her mug on the table.

�My uncle wants
you to know something,� he began, placing his hands on his knees. �Hideki-sama
has been spreading some bad gossip about your stay at the Hyuuga Compound.�

�Bad gossip? What kind of bad gossip?� the pink-haired kunoichi asked, raising an
eyebrow.

�Hiashi-sama
was told about a certain encounter that happened between you and me,� he said,
clenching his fists and averting his gaze. Sakura spluttered and blushed to her
hair roots, remembering the overwhelming and mind-blowing kiss they had shared
in her assigned room.

�What?!�
she exclaimed, internally glad that she hadn�t been drinking the hot liquid in
her mug. Surely she would have spit it out or choked on it from the surprise.

�Hiashi-sama
also wants you to know that he does not care about our liaison, if there is
such thing between us.�

Sakura
gaped, to say the least. It would have been a funny sight to Neji, if he wasn�t
so keen in staring the family pictures on her wall.

�Wha... why... why he would say such a thing...� she
rambled, lowering her gaze to her cup. �I�ve never been mean to that old man,
regardless of his sneers at me and Kakashi in the Clan Council... I don�t
understand... why would he do that?�

�Probably
to discredit you,� Neji said softly. �He is one of those kinds of persons who
think that the kunoichi profession is not appropriate for ladies... and you are
one of the few in the Clan Council, so...�

A hard
scowl formed in Sakura�s forehead. She was peeved at the unfairness of the
situation. More than peeved, she was pissed off.

�That�s the
most stupid thing I�ve ever heard since the release of the Icha Icha Ramen at
Ichiraku�s,� she snarled, standing up. �He wants war? Then he�ll have it!�

Neji�s
pearly eyes fixed on her stormy emerald ones with astonishment. �Haruno, I
don�t think that�s--�

�My ass!�
she growled. �I�ve been underestimated because of my looks, for my forehead,
for my earlier actions, for my fangirl complex... and now I�ve being scorned
because of my gender?! Fuck that, Hyuuga! I�m sick and tired of that shit!�

�Sakura,�
he tried to appease her, but she was too riled up to listen.

�This is outrageous!
And to think we have a female
Hokage!� she exclaimed in anger, pacing around the room. �I just wonder what Tsunade-shishou
would have said if someone spoke ill about her like that because she is a
woman! She�s a Legendary Sannin and one of the best ninja I�ve ever met! And
this imbecile looks down on me because I�m a woman?!�

At some
point during her tirade, Neji stood and watched her rant. She was totally
right, though, it was about damned prejudice and he was sure that she was going
to bring doom to his chauvinistic relative. Not that he cared, but Sakura�s
anger was escalating and he judged it to be a good time to stop her or someone
could get hurt.

Intercepting
her pacing, he grabbed her upper arms, tipping her back a little to claim her
attention.

�Sakura,�
he said in a low voice. �Calm down. My uncle does not share Hideki�s opinion.
And as the matter of fact, neither do I.�

She blinked
and lowered her head, cheeks blazing. �I�m...�

Neji�s expression
softened. Placing two fingertips on her chin, he lifted her head, coercing her eyes
to meet his. �And, I do share my uncle�s view about this matter...�

Sakura
fidgeted under his hands. �And... what does Hiashi-sama say about this...?�

�That our
�liaison� only concerns us, and no
one else,� he whispered, lowering his head and placing his lips on hers in a
soft kiss.

Sakura�s
mind reeled, as her outer body leaned into Neji�s embrace.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

�You look
lovely, Sakura-chan,� greeted a masked ninja as she approached him. �Hyuuga-kun,
nice to see you.�

�Kakashi,
what did you hear about Hideki-sama�s new misdeed?� she asked, straight to the
point. The Copy Ninja sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

�Sakura, it
is not wise to anger the rest of the Council for a tiny thing, and I believe--�

�What?� she
hissed, narrowing her green eyes, not missing how the jounin shivered under her
glare. �Don�t tell me about behaving like a good demure woman, Kakashi. I�m as
part of this Council Clan as the last Haruno as you as the last Hatake. Don�t
tell me you swallow those stupid things that old man says because his clan owns
half of Konoha!�

�We don�t
own half of the village,� murmured the man behind her, making her snap her head
to glare at him. �We only own a quarter.�

She
snorted, her anger dissipating under the sarcasm thrown at her face. �Right. It was the Uchiha Clan who owned the other half of
the village.�

�I wouldn�t
know about that,� Neji scoffed. �They aren�t here to claim a thing.�

Kakashi
lifted a brow, watching Sakura smirk at the Hyuuga�s words. For a moment he
thought she would knock him out, seeing that she never liked when someone spoke
ill about Sasuke.

But now,
she merely waved a hand and smiled brightly.

�Then you
realize that all those properties bought by the Hyuuga Clan seemed conveniently
vacated by the time the Council got hold of the Abandonment Law, right?�

The
silver-haired jounin had to chuckle at Sakura�s outrageous comment. �Maa, maa,
Sakura, don�t repeat that in front of others, we know that those properties
were earned in good graces by the Hyuuga Clan.�

�If you say
so,� she replied. �By the way, I changed my will. Now everything will go to
Naruto and his descendants.�

�Oh,
Sakura-chan, you hurt me, I thought we had an agreement,� he shot back with a
look of mock hurt in his lone uncovered eye. �Now where am I going to live?�

�I don�t
know, try the Dog Pound,� she sneered, pulling her tongue out at her former
sensei, who only laughed. �Did you bring the goods? It was your turn today.�

�Who do you
think you�re talking to?� the man said, pulling out a little bag. She snatched
it from him and Neji got the opportunity to see what was inside as Sakura
opened it. Sweets and candy.

�I�m
talking to my ever-forgetful teammate who always wishes me a happy birthday in winter,�
she answered sarcastically, pocketing the bag inside her obi. �Hyuuga, don�t be
fooled by his lazy appearance, he is a moron despite his shinobi achievements.�

�Oi!�

�Ah, Yamanaka-sama! It�s nice to see you,� Sakura said as if nothing had happened, bowing
to Ino�s father who smiled back.

�Haruno-sama,�
he greeted with a wink. �It�s always a pleasure to see such a lovely beauty as you
among these old bats.�

Sakura
laughed and hid her face behind her red fan, Neji noticed
it was entirely red with a white circle in the middle. The Haruno Clan crest.

Following
her to the Council Hall, he noted that Sakura and Kakashi were seated a bit
separated, judging for the little tags in each seat, sporting the name of each
member. This made him feel a bit reassured, for the earlier banter, as amusing
as it was, made him frown internally at how familiar the pink-haired medic was with
her former sensei.

His
rational part realized that he felt a bit jealous of their dynamics, but
something else made him frown externally, as he stood behind Sakura.

It wasn�t
just a healthy dose of jealousy, for she had welcomed Neji�s kisses the day
before; but he felt that she somehow was linked to him. He felt jealous of the
man, making her smile and laugh...

...Just like
the Aburame Head was making her smile with a remark about the latest gossip
about Tsunade�s gambling skills.

�I can only
hope that Tsunade-sama has not passed that bad luck unto you, Haruno-sama.�

�Too late,�
she replied in a whisper. �I have been losing bets against Hyuugas, no less.�

�Kami-sama, we are doomed indeed,� Aburame Shibi said dryly, which made Sakura elicit a giggle as they
saw the Hokage entering the Hall with Shizune in tow.

�Alright,
we�re beginning this session by not saying anything about the adornment upon my
features,� Tsunade said while she took her seat. Neji was astounded, to say the
least, when his eyes laid on what seemed to be a thick swirl in the blonde�s left
cheek.

So that was
the bet payment, he concluded, amused, as he averted his gaze and checked every
exit and probable ways to escape, as ANBU training taught him to do when
performing bodyguard duty. The room was big, like Hokage-sama�s public office
or Ibiki�s office, in which he liked to hold his meetings. The cushions were
displayed in a circle, making everyone face each other, apparently in an
attempt to socialize and foster integrity among the Council members. Every
member�s hands were placed on their hakama �or in Sakura�s case, a beautiful
embroidered green and white kimono. His snowy eyes also noted the glare
addressed at him by his relative, who was seated in front of Hatake Kakashi.

�As winter
approaches, members of the Council, we need to ensure Konoha�s safety in the
northern front,� Tsunade was speaking. �So we�ll decide today about the wall
that boards over the Hokage
Mountain, as well as the Aburame�s property.�

�We Aburame
are aware of the situation, and our family will cover the expenses for the wall
around our properties,� the man in sunglasses said. All the members nodded
their assent, while Shizune made a note on her scroll.

�Second
point,� continued the Hokage. �This year�s harvest from the Nara Clan fields
will be insufficient for the demands of our village. We�ll have to trade with
Sunagakure or Tsukigakure.�

�The Moon village?�
an man unknown to Neji spoke. �Isn�t that too far from our allies? Also, what can
Suna give us to feed our people? Is
not as if they possess the most fertile of fields, Hokage-sama.�

�They lead
the root vegetable market, Naname-sama,� the Akimichi Head responded.
�Potatoes, yam, etcetera. They export to Lightning Country, but maybe we can
negotiate an exclusive trade contract with them.�

�And then
we can eat our soup with just water and potatoes,� the Hyuuga representative
sneered. �We are not in need of those products; we need a secure income and
more dairy supplies.�

�The Nara
Clan stables have been down with hay fever,� explained Shikaku, frowning in
front of Sakura. �The Inuzuka veterinaries have been helping, but we can�t sell
dairy or meat if our livestock is sick.�

�So we�ll
have a down in the meat market, big deal,� Tsunade sighed. �Until the Nara can provide with
their other products we can manage. A diet based on grains and rice can do
marvels for some of our people. As for the income, you all know that the
mission rate has lowered since summer. I don�t need to tell this Council that
my subordinates are working every mission we�ve been entrusted to perform.�

�I am sure
of that, Tsunade-sama,� Hideki said pleasantly, placing his eyes back on Neji.
�Ensuring an ANBU Captain to guard just a mere medic-nin has granted the whole village of Konohagakure
with more incomes.�

Neji felt
Sakura�s chakra flare and swirl in anger, making him blink in surprise.

�Hyuuga-sama,
I don�t need to explain the actions of my strategies,� Tsunade said, with a
deep scowl on her beautiful face. �I�m aware of my subordinates� abilities, and
time will prove that I made a correct decision regarding this matter.�

�Do you want
to bet on that?� Hideki answered with a smirk. Sakura narrowed her eyes and
clenched her fist, wanting to throttle that stupid old man.

But Tsunade
beat her to it. �Do as you like, Hyuuga. As long as I�m the Hokage, I will lead
this village my way and this Council
doesn�t have anything to say in that business. In case you�ve forgotten, we are
a Hidden Ninja Village;
that means that our principal product to sell is, in fact, shinobi forces.�

Sakura
followed her shishou as she stood up. Stealing a glance to Kakashi, she noted
how awake he looked for a change, openly displaying how interested he was in
the blonde�s words.

�I won�t
lie to the Clan Council,� Tsunade continued. �We are going through troubled
times, for our enemies and Akatsuki are still at large. Most of you know how involved
these ninjas are in waging this secret war against our opponents. This is not
about power, but survival. And here, among our peers, are three shinobi who can
attest to this situation. Two of them have a victory against an Akatsuki member
under their belt. Even our allies, Sunagakure and Tsukigakure
can�t stand up against them.�

�What are
you saying, Tsunade?� asked one of the elders, who Neji didn�t know. �We are in
the middle of a war and we did not know about it?�

�Of course, Harada-sama!� Kakashi finally chirped, curving his uncovered
eye. �And you do not have to know because we ninjas are the ones fighting in
it.�

�Hatake-sama,
this is outrageous!� the Naname Clan representative exclaimed. �We are at war!
This means that you cannot leave us unawares, Tsunade!�

Finally,
Sakura lowered her fan, clearing her throat.

�Naname-sama,
Clan Council,� she said in a calm tone. �We cannot panic over a ninja war. We
have enough forces to protect the village, for us shinobi have sworn to die
fighting for her. Providing security is what we know best; ensuring the
survival of our people is our motto. Do not be afraid, because we won�t allow
Konoha to fall.�

�Beautiful
words, Haruno-sama,� Hyuuga Hideki retaliated. �But since you have a Hyuuga
bodyguard protecting your lovely and petite
form �even when you are a capable
kunoichi yourself, am I right? � I ask you this: are you aware of the
implications under those words you just spoke? How can you assure this Council
that this... Akatsuki organization is not going to wipe out this village?�

�We can not
be sure of what is going to happen, Hyuuga,� a disgruntled Shikaku said. �We
were ambushed by Orochimaru a few years ago. But we managed to repel his forces,
although we sustained several losses, including the Sandaime Hokage. How can
someone be sure of their future? If I knew I was going to have my only son as
one of the village�s top ANBU-level tacticians I would never have bought him
that puzzle when he was a baby. And then again, he defeated the man who killed
his sensei.�

�We are
doing our best to protect this village,� agreed Shibi,
nodding gravely.

�Even if
our own family is at risk,� Akimichi Chouza added, closing his eyes.

�We are
tools for the greatness of Konoha,� Kakashi said in a whisper. �Even the Fourth
knew this.�

�And then
again, his son wants to follow his steps,� Tsunade butted in with a sly smile.
�I also wanted to inform you that when Uzumaki Naruto reaches his twenty-third
year, he will be officially appointed as the Rokudaime
Hokage. Just for you to know, Clan Council. That blond menace is going to give
you more headaches that I ever provoked on your venerable heads.�

�Tsunade!
He is the Kyuubi vessel!� Naname exclaimed, banging
his knee in anger.

�So what if
he is?� Sakura interrupted, straightening up. �As far as I am concerned, Uzumaki
Naruto has more presence and knowledge regarding Konoha�s needs that a bunch of
old men who are afraid of this,� she flipped a kunai out of her obi and
balanced its tip between her fingers. �I am one of his sponsors to his candidature,
and I will support him as long as the Haruno � well, I live.�

�So will
the Hatake,� Kakashi added, while Sakura sank back in her cushion. Neji knew
that she was angry, but his position didn�t change. He didn�t want to fuel
Hideki�s rumor mill by show some support to the pink-haired medic.

�So are the
Nara, Akimichi
and Yamanaka.�

�What is
this, then?� the Hyuuga Councilman brought a hand to his heart dramatically.
�We changed our agenda to discuss the next Hokage? Even when we already know
that Tsunade-sama is going to appoint whoever she wants without this Council�s
approval?�

�You are
damn right, Hyuuga!� Tsunade�s temper flared at last. �When my own sensei died
at Orochimaru�s hands no one from this Council tried
to choose someone from the village to lead her. You all came to me because I�m the Shodai�s
granddaughter. You kept your prissy mouths shut in order to leave this mess to
me, and I�ve been working my ass off to organize and ensure Konoha�s survival. So
it is my damned right and wish to pass the title to
whoever I choose. Therefore, I suggest you to strip off your snobbish stupidity
and open your eyes, because even Orochimaru can attack again and take over the
whole Fire Country! What will you do, then? Bow to his snake majesty?�

A deep
silence sank in the room. All the Clan representatives were frowning or
scowling, mulling over the Hokage�s words.

�Hyuuga-sama
is right,� Sakura finally said, eliciting surprised gasps among the Council for
they knew how opposed they were to each other. �We know that Tsunade-sama is
going to appoint whoever she wants. However,
we also know that her judgment has been Konoha�s lifeline since the Sandaime�s passing. We have to realize that even us shinobi
have prejudices over the Nine-Tailed bijuu... but Naruto has proven everyone
wrong since we left the Academy. He brought hope, he brought strength. He
brought Tsunade-sama to us. I believe it is time for the civilians to
understand that this man is not only the next Hokage, but also the one who is
going to save Konoha from anything.�

�We are at war, Haruno-sama,� the Naname Councilman
hissed. �And you keep defending that... that monster?�

�May I add
that we have been at war for more than ten years?� asked Kakashi in his usual
lazy manner. This seemed to shock the other man to silence, allowing the
silver-haired man to continue with a smile. �That is how we ninja work. We certainly
do not need to inform you of every step we take under the Hokage�s command, for
our first saying is �silent and quick�. You did not realize this because
Tsunade-sama did not want to raise panic. And now you, wise Councilmen, have to
keep this information to yourselves. Konoha needs supplies and we will provide her,
which is all the Clan Council can do.�

�Let us
worry about this war, Clan Council,� Aburame Shibi
said. �You can worry about potatoes.�

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

�I just can�t
believe how old-fashioned that Hyuuga bat is!� Sakura said, now sitting in a
secluded table in a tea shop. Accompanied by Kakashi and Neji, she proceeded to
vent all her frustrations regarding the last Council meeting.

�Sakura,
he�s been supporting Konoha�s politics for more than twenty years,� Kakashi offered.
He lived through the Kyuubi attack and Orochimaru�s ambush. How can that poor man know that we are
strong enough if he doesn�t know the way of the ninja?�

�He knows
alright,� murmured Neji, making the other two look at him in surprise. �He
always supervised Hiashi-sama�s training as well as my father�s when they were
young. Now, as I grew up, he was the first against my uncle teaching me some
moves from the Main Branch, and was also one of many against my uncle taking responsibility
during the Lightning Country episode.�

�So the man
is an animal of traditions, gah,� Sakura resumed. �And the news about the war
is surely going to reach the civilians. This can�t be good, Kakashi... what are
we going to do?�

�Wait and
see, Sakura,� the Copy Ninja sighed. �The Clan Council knows better than to
sprout distrust over the ninjas and the Hokage. They know how Tsunade-sama is
regarding the village�s protection.�

�Still...
something is off, I can feel it,� Sakura pressed, clasping a fist over her
heart. �It�s like... we�re being watched or something.�

�No one is
watching us,� Neji said, looking at her. His Byakugan was activated, which made
Sakura think that he was searching for something... or looking directly at her
very soul.

This, of
course, made her blush.

But, Neji�s
nearness relaxed her, feeling something she shouldn�t feel. She stiffened for a
moment, and then stood up.

�I think
I�ll go back to my home,� she said. Neji stood up as well.

�I will
walk you.�

Feeling
trapped and disconcerted at the same time, she could only nod, waving Kakashi
goodbye.

The walk
was rather awkward and the atmosphere between the both of them was tense. Neji
could feel it clearly, something was troubling his pink-haired... charge. His charge.

This was
new for the onyx-haired ANBU Captain. The connection he felt with Sakura was
indeed disconcerting. How could he perceive her moods, as he did in the
meeting? Could it be a phenomenon related to her juin?

�Ah...
thank you for walking me home, Hyuuga-san,� she said in a shy whisper when they
reached her apartment. �I can take it from here--�

�Sakura,�
Neji cut her off in a gentle tone. �Can I have a word with you?�

In
response, the beryl-eyed woman blushed and looked down to her sandaled toes.
�Of... of course, yes... let us get inside then.�

She didn�t
know what he could possibly want now, because after all, a few kisses shared
weren�t a relationship, as she had concluded that morning when she was dressing
for the Council meeting. Sakura felt disheartened when he pulled back from the
soft kiss he gave her to shut her up from her angry rant after he informed her
about Hideki�s gossip and left with an excuse. Hinata appeared later, keeping
Sakura company until sundown.

She chose
not to tell Hinata about Neji�s sudden retreat, but she certainly felt... off,
without his presence.

Now,
sitting on her couch side by side under the most awkward of silences, Sakura�s
stomach flip-flopped nervously.

�So... what
do you wanted to talk about?� she started, fixing her eyes on her knees.

Neji
sighed. �I... apologize for my sudden departure yesterday,� he began in a thick
tone. Her posture was screaming tenseness, as he could observe how she fidgeted
with her kimono. �I also want you to know that it wasn�t because of you.�

�Eh?� she
asked wittily, raising her eyes to his.

�I am... I
am not good with this, Sakura,� he continued, averting her gaze. �This thing
going on between us... is confusing.�

�...Yes, of
course,� she whispered, lowering her eyes again.

�Do not get
me wrong. We... are getting along rather well, but I want to know where I
stand.�

Sakura
blinked several times and slowly lifted her head to look at him. Neji�s eyes
fixed on hers with such intensity she felt her pulse racing.

�I... I
don�t understand, Hyuuga-san--�

�Neji.�

�What?�

�My name is
Neji, Sakura. Please address me so.�

�...Okay.�

�I want to
know where I stand, Sakura,� he continued, bringing a hand to her chin to
restrain her fidgeting. �Are you indeed over Uchiha Sasuke?�

She blinked
again and furrowed her brows. �Over Sasuke? What do
you mean?�

�I mean
that I won�t be involved with someone that keeps pining for someone else.�

Now, Neji
thought, it is kind of funny to see her gaping like a fish.

�I�m... oh,
Kami-sama, do you really think I�m still infatuated
with Sasuke?� she asked, bewildered. Seeing Neji nod, she shook her head.

�No?� he
translated her motion.

�No, I
don�t love him, if that�s what you wanted to know... I think I never did,
actually... I was na�ve to think he�d want to be with me, of all people.�

�I am glad
his aims in life are quite off,� he approved, his eyes softening. �Now, there is
something else I want to ask you about.�

�What?�
Sakura followed, feeling like a mouse being stalked by a cat. A silver-eyed cat.

�I want to
know, Sakura...� he whispered in a husky voice and leaning on her. �How can I
feel you even when we are in different places? How can I perceive your moods
even when you have a blank fa�ade?�

Sakura
blushed furiously under his stare. �I... don�t know...�

�I think
you do know,� he continued, sliding a hand down her back and placing it over her covered seal, which tingled under his warmth and
made Sakura shiver. �This is what is linking me to you, Sakura. Am I wrong?�

�No...
no... you�re right,� she said, biting her lip. �The seal reacts to your
presence, I don�t know why... and it only reacts with you, not Naruto, Kakashi,
Sai or Yamato... I wonder if it�s because of...� she hesitated, �what we�ve
been experiencing.�

�Do you
think it is because we both have seals?� asked Neji, tilting his head a little.
Sakura shook her head, sighing.

�Then I
would have that awareness of your presence, which I don�t...� she trailed off,
then looked at him. �When did you leave on that mission?�

�I can�t
tell you that,� he responded automatically, twitching his eyebrows.

�I�m not
asking about the nature of your mission, although I already know you went to
get Sasuke,� she shot back, frowning a little. �It�s just that... I felt
this... uneasiness for a week, and then you came back with your team and I
felt...�

Neji�s hand
found its way to Sakura�s chin. �Are you saying that you missed me?�

Sakura
flushed and snorted. �Keep telling yourself that, Hyuuga.�

But Neji
knew, of course. His smirk said it all.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

It took a
bit of adjustments, but in the end Sakura understood why Neji was so serious.
And he realized why she was so driven with training and that ANBU thing. Both
started to respect each other, and despite the confusing feelings they�d been
experiencing, they started to hang out.

Not dating,
but hanging out.

Until the
night that Neji shot up from his slumber with a feeling of certain dread inside
his chest. Swearing in a sotto voice, the Hyuuga prodigy jumped out off his
window in a mad dash to Sakura�s apartment, to find her at her threshold on her
knees, trembling.

�Sakura,
what�s wrong?� he asked, leaning down next to her form. She was drenched in
blood.

�I went
back from the hospital and--oh, Kami-- Sai walked me home, but I got mad at him
and I kicked him away as soon as we arrived at the building, so I went upstairs
alone, and�and...�

Kakashi and
Naruto barged into the hallway. �Sakura-chan!� the blond went to her
frantically.

�I�m fine,
Naruto, this is not my blood,� she held up a hand. Kakashi watched her for a
minute and then his shoulders squared, entering her apartment, Naruto in tow.

�Coast
clear,� they heard them say. A flicker and the apartment came back to life with
the electricity, signaling a horrible mess inside her living room. A man�s
corpse was mid-way into the kitchen, in the middle of a pool of blood.

�Oto,� the
silver-haired ninja breathed. Naruto swore out loud and punched the wall in
frustration.

�What the
hell would Orochimaru want with you, Sakura-chan?� the blond asked. Sakura
shook her head, finally raising her looking up to face a crouching Neji.

�I don�t
think it was Orochimaru, Naruto,� she whispered. Neji�s eyes glinted with fury,
but he chose not to say a word.

�You
severed his aorta,� Kakashi commented offhandedly. �Remind me not to sneak up on you, ever.�

This joke
made her chuckle. �I was upset, I wanted to get some dumplings but the stand
was closed when I got out of the hospital.�

As Naruto
wandered to check on the body, Sakura breathed deeply and looked at a silvery
gaze.

�Are you
okay?� he muttered. She nodded, accepting his hand to pull herself to her feet.

�I always
leave a lamp on in the kitchen when I have night shifts,� she whispered. �I saw
none when I got back, so...�

He
understood perfectly. She shivered again, so he draped an arm over her
shoulders, pulling her to his body.

�Your fear
woke me up,� he said in a low voice.

�I know,
I�m sorry,� she murmured back. �I didn�t think it was someone breaking into my
place... for a moment I thought it was Pakkun, since he sometimes drops by...

Neji
sighed. �Saku--�

�Stay with
me tonight, Neji, please� she asked, looking at him anxiously. Keeping her
gaze, he curved his lips minutely and nodded.

�I will.�

Sakura
offered him a tiny smile, which eased his troubled mind.
- 7
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