A Soul's Salvation

A/N: Well, this chapter has given me a lot of headaches. Each time I edit, I wind up changing things. Well, today....I said its as good as it is going to get, and I'll wind up driving myself crazy if I go over it one more time. So, here you go.

:::Muse is in the corner, fanning herself. It's been a hard day:::

This fic is a few chapters away from being completed. I have several others that I am thinking about, and have a new one called, 1000 words, started. It, too, is a Naruto/Sakura. So, there you have it. Enjoy the chapter and thanks for all of the great reviews.

~!~


Together, they walked through the village, and Sakura blushed when several of the villagers called out to her, wishing her well and that everything would work out for her. Great. So, now everyone knew of what had happened the previous day, and now, they were all going to show her and Naruto their support.

They had their very own cheering squad.

However, she remained quiet as they walked and thought about the words that they had said to each other.

I love you. Three little words that she had once spoken to Sasuke, in an attempt to prevent him from leaving the village, but failed. Three little words that could build or destroy a person. Three little words that she had spoken to Naruto, and had them returned.

It was wonderful.

Glancing up, she noticed that Naruto was smiling down at her, and she blinked up at him. “What?” She asked, wondering if something was on her face.

The blonde shook his head and tightened his grip on her hand, before saying, “Nothing. I was just thinking that we might go and take a walk on some of the paths that the elder had told us about, at breakfast, yesterday.”

Smiling, she nodded. That did sound like a very good idea. From what she had heard, the trails were all filled with beautiful sights and that there were a few paths that would take them to a place that overlooked the ocean.

Grinning, Naruto looked forward and then cocked his eyebrow up. He could see the others from Konoha, and from what the looks of things, Neji and Lee were about to throw down. Tenten was standing next to Temari, her hand covering her mouth as she watched both men insult each other.

Moving closer, they could hear the anger in both men's voices, and when she tried to move closer, Naruto stopped her, and shook his head. This was something that had been a long time coming.

Neji gritted his teeth and snapped, “You have no business interfering with Tenten and me. Who in the hell do you think you are?”

“Someone who doesn't want to see Tenten racing after someone, who seems intent on focusing his energy on another.” Lee replied, quietly. “You are more concerned about what Hinata does, that you have failed to see just how much Tenten cares for you. But, knowing that you couldn't give Tenten the attention that she needs, you still allowed her to give herself to you. What kind of man does that? What kind of man takes a woman's body when he isn't able to give her the devotion that she deserves?”

“I've given her everything that I can.” Neji gritted out. “I am simply not a man who can ignore his duties, despite how I feel. I have a duty to my family. Everything else comes second.”

Sakura's heart went out to Tenten, whose face turned white. However, Neji and Lee failed to see her reaction. Gai turned to the small female, and placed his hand upon her shoulder, while he tried to come up with some sort of comforting words. Ino and Temari glared over at the two men, while Hinata allowed silent tears to fall from her eyes.

“Everything else comes second?” Lee asked, his eyes wide with disbelief. “You would place a woman, who loves you, second to a duty? Why?”

Neji was silent for several moments, his mind finally able to slow down and he was able to calm himself from the confrontation that he had started. When he finally spoke, he was calm.

“I am to protect the head of the Hyuuga family.” He said, proudly. “Hinata-sama is head of the family, now. Until she marries, she is my duty. Tenten understands my position.”

All eyes turned towards Tenten, whose face was now hidden by her hair. Lee felt his heart drop at the sight of her shoulders sagging, and the sight of tears falling from her chin. Glancing over at the Hyuuga prodigy, he noticed the stunned look on the normally stoic man's face.

Taking a deep breath, Neji stepped towards the girl, and said, “I care a great deal for you, Tenten. I do wish to be with you, but I've told you that I need to see Hinata married to Kiba before we can begin any kind of relationship, other than what we have now.”

“I know.” Tenten replied, quietly. Raising her head, her tears streaking over her cheeks, she said, “I can't do this, anymore. It isn't fair to me. I won't be second best to anybody, Hinata included. So, to save myself from being a glutton for punishment, I've decided to give you up. So, now you can do your duty to the best of your ability, and I'll do my best to find someone who will put me, and only me, first. I deserve that.”

Turning on her heel, Tenten moved away from the group, her head held high, and didn't look back when her name was called by Ino. When she was alone, then she could break. But, not here, and not in front of him. Never in front of him.

Neji stood frozen, his face showing his shock. Lee gazed at him sympathetically. When Neji's white eyes looked over at him, Lee sighed.

“She wanted you to want her.” He explained, his eyes moving to look at the ground. “When she refused me in favor of you, I offered to help her gain your attentions by making you think that I, too, wanted her. She believed that you would come to love her, just as she loves you, but I can now see that she and I were wrong. You are not capable of loving anyone, other than a Hyuuga.”

Turing in the direction that Tenten went, Lee inwardly cursed himself for his stupidity. He should have warned Tenten that she was placing her love in someone who only loved duty. He should have persuaded her to turn her eyes to him, but alas, he had moved on and would not betray his sweet flower. But, he could be Tenten's friend, and she needed a friend, right now.

Neji's mind had frozen to a complete stop, and it was only when Hinata touched his shoulder that he finally looked up.

Hinata's face was pale, and she softly asked, “Aren't you going to go after her? She loves you, Neji. You aren't going to give her up, are you?”

He had every intention on fighting for her. He had believed that Tenten had understood his position and would wait for him. He had been lied to. Tenten and Lee had concocted this plan to make him jealous, and when it worked, she decided that she wanted more. More than what he could give. It was unforgivable.

“No, Hinata-sama.” He said, his tone hard. “I will not be going after her. Not now, and not ever. I don't need a liar in my life.”

Turning on his heel, Neji walked away from the group, his resolve firm. How could he have been so blind to what they were up to? They played him for a fool.

Hinata burst into tears. This was not what she wanted for her cousin, or her friend. Tenten's motives had been full of love, and she had devoted much of her time to her cousin. But, her cousin just could not give his duty to their family up. Even now, he lived in the cage that he had wanted to escape for so long. It just wasn't fair.

Kiba silently held his woman, his eyes downcast. Seeing Hinata cry was not something that he ever wanted to see, but when she did cry, he always felt this intense need to make things better for her. Looking up, he clenched his teeth, and then gently handed Hinata over to Ino, who had been silent throughout the entire ordeal.

Walking in the direction that Neji had went, he ignored the calls of his friends. He and Neji were going to settle this. Now.

~!~

Sakura moved to follow the dog ninja, but Naruto held her back. When she turned her eyes towards his, he shook his head.

“It isn't our business, Sakura.” He murmured. “This has been something that Neji and Kiba need to settle between themselves, and they need to do it without an audience. Besides, don't we have some trails to walk? You said we could, remember?”

Sakura's bad mood quickly lifted at the sight of his scrunched up face, and the adorable pout upon his lips. Nodding, she allowed him to take her hand, and called out a good bye to their friends. It would all work out. It just had to.

~!~

“We need to talk.” Kiba snarled, his fists clenched. “Now.”

Neji stood up, and calmly stared at his friend. “Do not try to defend Tenten's behavior to me.” He said, his tone bored. “She lied to all of us, and I will not associate with someone like that.”

“You're a fucking hypocrite.” Kiba snapped, and nodded when Neji's eyes darted over to him. “You heard me right. I called you a fucking hypocrite.”

Lifting an eyebrow, Neji said, “And what have I lied about, Kiba? I have not lied to her, or anyone else.”

Kiba barked out a laugh, and then narrowed his eyes. “You've lied to that poor girl from day one.” He said, his arms crossing over his chest. “You've given her and everyone else, the impression that you were ready to make a commitment to her. But, each time you get her hopes up, you bring up your precious duty. You've lied to her face each and every single time you've told her that you would step back and let me and Hinata live our lives. You've lied to her each time you screwed her, telling her that she was the only woman you wanted. But, the worst thing you have done is you've lied to yourself.”

“And how have I done that?” Neji snapped, his anger quickly growing.

“You've gotten it into your thick skull that Hinata needs you, but she doesn't.” Kiba said. “I take good care of my woman and she never has to doubt where my priority lies. But, you can't say the same, can you? Your woman has finally opened her eyes and seen that the only person you love, is Neji. But, I think that I've finally figured out what your real problem is, though.”

“Oh, care to enlighten me?” Neji snapped, his temper beginning to boil. He was growing tired of listening to Kiba talk. Nothing he was going to say was going to change his mind. He was right, and Tenten was wrong.

“I think that deep down, you're afraid of Tenten.” Kiba sneered. “In fact, I know that you are afraid. If that woman was able to get you to love her, then you would see that not everything is black and white. You'd have to find something else to do besides being the protector of the Hyuuga heiress. And, you're afraid that when Hinata and I marry, you'll simply be forgotten, and you are trying to ensure that in Hinata's eyes, you'll always have a place.”

Neji had heard enough. Without warning, he began to run at Kiba, his eyes wild with anger. However, he was not ready for the punch that he received, and when he fell to the ground and started to get up, a hard voice froze him in his tracks.

“Don't you dare get up.”

Looking up, he found himself staring into a pair of eyes that were identical to his own. Falling back down to the ground, he watched as his cousin turned to Kiba and calmly said, “My cousin and I need to talk. It's been long overdue, and I want to do this in private. I'll see you later.”

Kiba wasn't a stupid man. He knew when to argue and when not to, and this was a time when not to. Nodding, he turned and walked away, though he couldn't stop the sudden pang of sympathy for his friend.

Neji was going to get it.

~!~

Sakura gasped as she watched the leaves falling from the trees, their colors mingling as they fell. Turning, she giggled when she saw that Naruto was currently covered in leaves, and was doing his best to shake them out of his hair.

“Well, it's your fault.” She giggled. “You shouldn't have jumped into that pile of leaves.”

“But, it's so much fun.” He argued, his eyes twinkling merrily. “See!”

Sakura squealed as he tackled her, bringing her down into the sea of leaves with him. Laughing, she looked up at him as he hovered over her, and she couldn't help but reach up and pull him down for a kiss.

Naruto's eyes closed as Sakura, for the first time, initiated a kiss between them. As they kissed, he gently lowered himself until his body was lying upon hers, though most of his weight was being supported by his forearms.

Breaking the kiss, he smiled down at her, and then lowered his face until his nose was gently touching hers.

“Do you know how long I have waited for you to kiss me?” He asked, his tone soft. A smirk then formed upon his lips and he chuckled. “Geez, sometimes I think that you make me wait for things, just so you can watch me suffer.”

Laughing, she shook her head. When her eyes locked onto his, she reached up and gently stroked his cheek, and murmured, “I can't believe that this is happening to us. Is this real?”

“It's real, baby.” He affirmed. “It's real, and we are going to be together for a very long time, Sakura. I hope that you can put up with me, because if not, you are going to have to learn.”

Her breath caught in her throat when he said that they were going to be together. It was nice to hear him say that they were in a relationship, though she had been hesitant to ask, mainly because she didn't want to pressure him.

“I think that I can handle that.” She whispered, and sighed happily when he smiled and then leaned back down to kiss her.

“Ok, I think that we'd better get moving, if we want to see the other sights.” He said, as he broke the kiss. He looked up at the sky and could see that they had been in that one spot for quite a while.

Sakura blushed and nodded, then accepted his hand when he offered it to pull her up. His larger hand covered hers, and he led her down several more trails until they came to a peak, overlooking the ocean. Sakura gave a soft cry of joy, as she watched the waves crash against the rocks, hitting them with a gentle spray of water.

Naruto smiled fondly as he watched her. The wind kept blowing her hair all around, causing her pink strands to fly around her face, framing it and creating a picture in his mind that he would never forget.

Gods, how he loved this woman.

“It's so pretty here.” Sakura said, turning to him with a large smile on her face. She watched as he nodded and then offered his hand to her, once more.

“Let's go and sit underneath that tree, over there.” He said, motioning to a large tree. When she nodded, he led her over and then sat down, pulling her down to sit between his legs, with her back against his chest.

Once they were comfortable, he looked down at the bundle in his arms, and silently cursed himself as he tried to think of the words he wanted to ask, but couldn't bring himself to ask.

Sakura could feel him stiffen, and she turned to see him frowning, and wondered what could have altered his mood, so quickly. When his eyes turned down to hers, she asked, “Are you ok?”

Taking a deep breath, he decided to just ask, and if she hit him, well....he'd have been asking for it. This time.

“Have you ever slept with another man?” He asked, and then mentally kicked the shit out of his brain. That was not how he had wanted to ask her about her sexual experience. But, on the other hand, he needed to know just how careful he would have to be with her, when they did decide to sleep together. But, if she were experienced, then all he would have to worry about would be pleasuring his Sakura.

Cheeks aflame, her mouth dropped open, and then shut as her brain tried to come up with an answer other than a swift punch and a loud, “None of your fucking business, you pervert!”

However, she finally managed to ask, “What?”

Sighing, he wrapped his arms around her and said, “I love you, and you know it. But, besides telling you, I want to show you, too. I just needed to know if you have ever been with a man, or if I would need to be careful with you, especially since it would be your first time.”

She didn't answer him for several moments, and he figured it was because she was trying to come up with some kind of answer and a threat to issue, and that perhaps it would be best if he just dropped the entire subject.

“I've never, um, been with anyone else.” She whispered, as she stared at his forearms, that were currently holding her against his chest. “I've only wanted you.”

Inner Sakura was hiding her face in her hands and muttering, “This is so embarrassing. We should have just kicked him and prayed that he'd let the subject go.”

He had to know. He had to know when her feelings for Sasuke had changed. He didn't want her to one day wake up and wonder what could have been if she had decided to accept Sasuke's advances. He just had to be sure.

“What about Sasuke?” He asked. “Do you still have feelings for him?” Ok, he would admit it. He was a bit insecure when it came to the last Uchiha. After all, for years, Sakura had wanted him and now, she was here with him, speaking the words he had only dreamed about.

Sakura turned in his lap and moved so that she straddled his legs. Cupping his face, she brought her forehead down to meet his and looked him straight in the eye.

“I care for Sasuke,” She replied, “But, it's you that I love. I suppose that when he told me, that night when he left Konoha, that I made him sick, a part of me decided that I couldn't love someone who could say that to me. You, on the other hand, have never spoken down to me, even when you and I were not on the best of terms. No, the feelings I have for him are those that are friendly, and will never go anywhere other than that.”

Smiling up at her, he nodded. He, too, could understand her words. Sasuke had burned a lot of bridges when he left the village, but because of her, sometimes, gentle heart, Sakura had been willing to forgive, but a large part of her still held a grudge, and he couldn't say that he blamed her. He had, as of yet, forgiven Sasuke for hurting her so badly. If not for Sakura, he could have just let bygones be bygones, and went on his merry way. When it came to Sakura, he could hold a grudge for a very long time.

But, the problem with her words, was that he knew that Sasuke's words, though they were hurtful, were not true. The truth of the matter was, he made himself sick and had needed to leave, and train, so that he could take on Itachi, and win. She, unfortunately, had been the one standing in his way, and he attacked her where he knew it would hurt her the most.

He also knew that she did love him. Uzamaki Naruto. She came to love him all on her own, and had seen him at his best, worst, and most stupid. She loved him, faults and all, just as he loved her.

Sakura's eyes widened when she came into contact with a certain part of Naruto's anatomy. At first, she had ignored it, but as they continued to talk, and their bodies drew closer, she could feel him swelling, growing against her, and it.....excited her.

To know that she could arouse this man was intoxicating. She, Haruno Sakura, could make Naruto hard, and she knew that she was the only woman he wanted to make him hard.

Lifting an eyebrow, Naruto watched as Sakura looked down at where their bodies met, and he knew that she had felt him. Never before had he felt so hard, not even when they were in the shower, but now, feeling her on top of him, her body protected by their clothing, he was helpless to stop his body's natural reaction to her, and he refused to stop it, too.

His hands came to her waist and gently held her, while his hips lifted slightly, brushing his arousal against her, causing the woman in his grasp to gasp. When her eyes met his, he smirked and did it again, but this time, a little bit harder.

Sakura's mind was quickly clouding over, her brain lost in a haze of lust. When his hands began to move upward, taking her shirt with them, she didn't stop him, and in fact, lifted her arms to help him take the garment off.

He threw her shirt to the ground and stared at her chest, which was covered by a silky bra. He knew that she wore bindings for training, but never, in his wildest dreams, had he ever pictured her in this kind of item.

Sakura bit her lip as he studied her bra, which was a simple white lace. Because she wasn't too big, she could wear the playful little bras, and she hoped that he liked what he was looking at. Moments later, the bra joined her shirt, and before she could blink, his mouth was upon her breasts.

“See, I told you he'd like it.” Inner Sakura crowed. “The damn thing didn't last even three minutes.”

When his teeth nipped at her nipple, her hands went to his hair, and she she pulled his head closer to her, her nails biting into his scalp as a way of anchoring him to her body.

Her scent, her taste, and the feel of her skin against his was slowly driving all sane thoughts out of his head. He could smell the tantalizing aroma of her arousal was making any sort of coherent thought impossible and he knew that he could not stop.

The man in him needed her, and so did the beast.

He knew that the kyuubi had caught Sakura's scent and he could hear the kitsune growling, though it was not a growl that was meant to frighten. This growl was of a male scenting a desired female, and it was ready to mate.

Opening his eyes, he looked up to see Sakura's head thrown back, her body shaking as, for the first time, she experienced what it was like to be physically loved by the man who held her heart.

She just couldn't stop shaking. With each suck of his mouth, she could feel something in her stomach tighten, and she knew that if he continued, she would fall over some kind of edge and into an abyss of pleasure.

When she began to rock against the hard bulge that was in his pants, he tightened his grip on her, his nails began to dig into her, though the pain simply excited her more.

Naruto felt her reach down and pull his shirt up to expose his own chest. Impatiently, he yanked it off, and didn't give a damn as to where it landed, but was more intent on tasting more of his delicious female.

Sakura suddenly felt him move, and quickly found herself upon her back, with him hovering over her.

Naruto was so hungry for her that he felt as if he were about to lose control. But, he needed her to say that he could have her. He would never force her into something she was not ready for, and if she wasn't ready to make love, he would back off, though the kyuubi disagreed.

“If you want to stop this, tell me now.” He gritted out, sweat forming upon his brow from the strain. “I need to know if you want this.”

Sakura's eyes went wide at his words, and she could see that he was shaking badly. He was more concerned about her needs, rather than his own and was willing to back off, if she needed more time.

Well, she didn't need more time. She needed him, and she wasn't going to wait another minute to get him.

Reaching up, she laced her fingers into his hair and pulled him down. “I want you.” She said, her voice sure. “We are not stopping. Not now, not ever.”

That was all he needed to hear. His eyes flashed from blue to red and back to blue before his mouth covered hers in what she believed was the most passionate kiss they had shared, so far. As his tongue stroked hers, she was vaguely aware of his hands moving down her body, stripping her of the obstacles that were in his way.

When she was completely nude, he broke the kiss and moved his mouth to her cheek, her neck, and back to her breasts. However, he didn't stop there, as she thought that he would. Instead, he seemed intent on moving lower, and giggled softly when his mouth began to lightly kiss her stomach.

The lightness of his touches were arousing her to a point where she felt her juices seeping from her core, and she blushed a bright, cherry red. As a medic, she knew the body's responses and knew that this was natural, but she couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed.

Naruto, on the other hand, felt her wetness against his stomach and lifted his head from her belly and touched her inner thigh, where some of the sticky wetness rested.

Using his index finger, he ran his finger against her thigh, collecting the moisture, and as she watched, brought it to his mouth and closed his eyes to savor her flavor.

His Sakura was unlike anything he had ever tasted. Hell, she had even beat out ramen as his favorite taste of all time. Opening his eyes, he saw that she was watching him, a pretty blush spread across her cheeks, and he grinned.

With his eyes trained on hers, he moved down slowly and when he reached his goal, he allowed his tongue to flick out, collecting more of her honey. As he watched her, he felt a surge of pride rush through him as he watched her enjoy the pleasure he was bringing her.

She cried out softly, as he tongue began to stroke up and down her nether lips, and she allowed her legs to part further, allowing the man more room to work. Her hands were once again locked in his hair, tugging him closer to her.

He knew that she was close. So, he moved his tongue to her clit, and allowed a finger to slip into her body, being careful not to harm her. Soon, he added another finger and began to scissor them, stretching her for his girth.

He knew that he would hurt her. He was not a small man, by any means. No matter what he did to relax her, she was still going to feel pain, and he wanted to prepare her the best he could. Hopefully, it would be enough so that once he broke through her barrier, she could enjoy their coupling.

She could feel it building. It was growing stronger by the minute, and when it finally hit her, she arched her back, and felt Naruto increase his suckling on her clit and all it served to do was intensify her orgasm.

Her cries were like a sweet melody to his ears, and he smiled against her as he felt her warmth run over his fingers and down his hand. Pulling his hand back, he sat back on his knees above her, and brought his fingers to his mouth, licking them while she watched.

Moving slowly, and knowing that she held his complete attention, Sakura raised up on her knees, and brought her hands to his chest, running her nails down the sculpted muscles and felt his shiver. Turning her eyes up to his, she moved closer, and brought her mouth to his neck, making sure to mold her body to his.

Wrapping her up in his arms, he indulged her as he felt the soft kisses against his heated skin, and when he felt her move up towards his mouth, he didn't hesitate to turn and meet her lips with his own.

Her hands moved, on their on accord, to the snap of his pants, and tried to open them, but quickly found that she could not. He must have felt her try, because he allowed his hand to assist her and once the snap was open, she wasted no time in pulling down the zipper and freeing his arousal.

He broke the kiss when he felt her soft hand wrap around his cock. Looking down, he watched as she held it, and then began to move her hand up and down the hard column. Her touch was making him even harder than before, and for their first time, he wanted to be the one doing all of the pleasuring.

Grasping her hand, and allowing his other hand to wrap around her lower back, he slowly lowered her down onto the soft grass, and smiled at her disappointed look.

He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed each fingertip, before moving his hands to her thighs and slowly pulling them apart.

She watched as he kicked off his pants, and knelt between her legs, his member stiff and ready for her. His body moved slowly, and when she felt the silky head touch her core, she looked up at him, her eyes wide and unsure.

If he had ever had any doubts about her innocence, they were gone, now. No woman, no matter how good of a manipulator, could pull off such a fearful look. She was scared, though he knew not of him. She was afraid of the pain she knew would come, and he could not tell her not to be.

It was painful for some women, and hopefully, she would be one of the ones who barely felt pain, at all.

“Shhhh, it will be fine, Sakura.” He murmured, his lips against her ear. “Just let me love you, ok?”

He felt her nod, and then smiled into her hair. She was placing all of her trust in him, and he was not about to make her regret it.

He slid his cock up and down her slit, coating himself with her juices in preparation of his invasion, and once he was sure that he was slick enough, he looked down and moved to kiss her.

His kiss was rough and passionate, and once she was distracted, he thrust forward, ripping through her innocence and not stopping until he was in to the hilt.

She cried out in pain, her body stiff in shock. She had prayed that it wouldn't hurt badly, but it was in vain. She hurt so much that she feared that it would never stop. However, her lover simply remained still, waiting for her body to accept him before taking his own pleasure.

He wrapped his arms around her, murmuring soft words to her, and could feel her body gradually beginning to loosen. When her soft sobs began to lessen, he looked at her, and slowly kissed away each tear.

Her body relaxed and she was glad that the pain had faded. His soothing words, calm presence, and understanding attitude made it possible for her to quiet and enjoy his attentions.

He pulled out, slowly, and then thrust back in. Her gasp nearly froze him, but her thighs tightened around him, urging him to continue. His hips moved, causing soft sounds to escape her, and soon, he had her writhing beneath him.

Her nails had broken the skin on his back, causing tiny beads of blood to form, and he quickly moved his hands to hers, interlocking their fingers and pulling them until their hands were above her head.

Sakura tightened her grasp on his hands as she allowed her legs to lock around his lower back, her hips meeting his with equal force.

“Oh, Naruto.” She cried, her legs tightening as her body prepared for another orgasm. “Oh, gods!”

Naruto increased his thrusts, making sure to grind his hips against her clit, and ensuring a more powerful climax than before. Sure enough, when he felt her body clenching at his, his own climax hit and his cries joined hers, echoing throughout the wilderness that surrounded them.

When his eyes opened, he realized that he was now lying beside Sakura, his body free from hers, but both were still covered in a thin sheen of sweat, telling him that it had only been a couple of moments since he had passed out.

Sliding over to her, he slid his arm underneath her head, causing her eyes to fly open and look at him. Smiling up at him, she reached up and cupped his cheek.

“Are you ok?” She asked, slightly worried. In all of the time she had known him, Naruto never passed out, especially after something that didn't include a lot of pain and exertion.

Grinning like a fool, he nodded and pulled her so that her head was upon his chest. “So, what happens now, Sakura?” He asked, his tone light. “How do you want to handle this?”

She frowned. Was sleeping with her so humiliating to him that he was now worried about how they were going to act? Lifting her head, her fears must have shown on her face, because he, too, frowned and then tightened his arms around her.

“I mean, do you want to continue to act like friends in public, or will you be willing to show others that you and I are together. I know that with you being the ambassador, you have an image to maintain, and I don't want to do anything to taint that image.” He explained, though the pang of having to hide echoed in his chest.

Sakura stared at him for a few minutes and then began to laugh. “I thought that you were going to tell me that you didn't want others to know that we were together.” She said, sheepishly. “As for me being the ambassador, I don't care what others think. I want everyone to know that we are together, and to hell if people don't like it.”

Smirking, he bent his head and kissed the top of her head. But, a thought came to his mind. Lord Masahara won't be happy to find out that his intended had found herself another man. 'Well, it's his problem.' He thought, stubbornly. 'He can go and find himself some other girl. Sakura is all mine.'

Sakura watched Naruto's face and nearly burst out laughing at the way his face would scrunch up and then relax. When his eyes met hers, she smiled and leaned up to kiss him.

“I'm in love with you, Uzamaki Naruto.” She said, her eyes just as soft as her voice. As her hand continued to stroke his cheek, he grinned and said, “I know, Sakura. I know, and I love you, probably more than you'll ever know.”

Snuggling her deep into his embrace, he was content to watch the clouds float by, and grinned.

'This is the best day of my life.'

~!~

“This is the worst day of my life.” Tenten sobbed, her face buried in her hands. She felt his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back, but it didn't do anything to sooth her.

“I'm so stupid, Lee.” She said, her voice cracking. “I should have known that he would never let me close to him.”

“Perhaps you and Neji need some time away from each other.” Lee suggested, but winced when the girl began to cry harder.

“Well,” Tenten said, after her sobs decreased. “He'll have all the time he needs. I'm not going near him ever again. He can have his fucking duty.”

When she began to cry harder than before, Lee was at a loss as to what to say. So, he brought her close to him and let her cry into his chest, praying that his presence would be enough to help her through her pain, at least for now.

As Tenten cried, Lee could not help but wonder what Neji was doing and if he was even thinking about Tenten, at all.

~!~

“You are going to listen to me, Neji.” Hinata said, her tone soft, though determined. “You are going to listen good. I am sick of watching my friend bend over backwards, only to have you ignore her. Then, you have the nerve to act as if you are the injured party. Let me tell you something. You have neglected her, except for when you want sex, and you get angry when someone else pays attention to her. Make up your mind. If you want her, then prove it. If not, let her go to someone who does want her.”

Neji studied his cousin for several moments before asking, “May I speak freely?”

When she nodded, he glared at the ground and said, “She lied to me, Hinata-sama. She and Lee cooked up this plot to get me to involve myself in a relationship, and had I known that she could be so deceptive, I'd never have touched her.”

Lifting her eyebrow, Hinata snapped, “Bullshit.”

“You really have been hanging around Inuzuka too long.” He muttered, and ignored her glare.

“The only reason why you are really angry is because you do love her.” Hinata said. “You love her so much, but are too scared to say it. You think that, like your father, she will one day have to leave you. So, despite the fact that you do want her, you are willing to give her up before the day when she might be ripped from you, comes.”

“That is ridiculous.” He snapped, no longer concerned with being polite. “I can't stand liars.”

Smiling, Hinata asked, “So, I guess you don't look at your reflection much, do you?”

When he glared at her, she shrugged. “Tenten didn't lie to you.” She said, her tone even. “The only person who has lied to you, is you. You've made it an obligation to watch over me, but believe me when I say that I don't need you to watch over me. Kiba does a good job, and I can watch out for myself. Remember, you are the one who has trained me, besides Kurenai-sensei.”

Turning his back to his cousin, he frowned as the image of Tenten's tear-streaked face entered his mind. Her tears bothered him, and despite his anger, he couldn't help but wonder if she were all right. He could still hear her words, and though he was loath to admit it, he felt badly about how his words came out.

“Are you listening to me, Neji?” Hinata asked, her never-ending patience beginning to fade. When her cousin turned, she paused in her lecture, and asked, “Are you ok?”

“I feel as if I've been made a fool of.” He said, his eyes looking at the ground. “I can't help but think that if she loved me, she could have been more honest about it instead of creating this plot with Lee. I'm not stupid, but while I do have some issues, the main issue I have is being made a fool of.”

Hinata sighed. “All I can say is that she loves you, Neji.” She said. “Let me ask you something. If the roles were reversed, and you were in Tenten's shoes, would you have risked everything to be with her? After all, she risked losing you and your respect, and wound up losing them anyways. What is the length you would go for someone you love? You've already seen how far she is willing, but the question is, how far would you go?”

As she turned, she glanced over her shoulder and said, “As of this minute, Kiba is my guardian and will continue to be so even after he becomes my husband. Find someone else to protect.”

He watched her walk away, and allowed his shoulders to wilt. Lowering himself to the ground, he frowned as he allowed Hinata's words to echo. Perhaps he was afraid. He loved his father, and watched him die because of his uncle. He was afraid to love Tenten, because as a ninja, their lifespan was never guaranteed. He couldn't stand to see her die.

But, could he live without her in his life? Was he really willing to move forward, never touching her, kissing her, adoring her?

With a rough sigh, he hoisted himself up and turned to walk back to the village. He needed to think and perhaps he and Tenten could find somewhere quiet to talk. She needed to understand his point of view, and had to respect his wishes, just as he would hers.

But, if he thought that he was going to get to speak to her, he was sorely mistaking. When he saw his group of friends, he walked over and found Lee talking to Hinata.

“So, she'll keep an eye on the Uchiha, and then, she will be putting in a transfer to Suna.” He said, his large eyes wide with shock. “She has already spoken with Temari, and Temari has agreed to speak to the kazekage. It's pretty much a done deal. I think that, perhaps, she has finally had enough and has decided to do something about it.”

Hinata's mouth was covered by her hand, and she turned to look at him when he called her name. Moving forward, he missed the sympathetic glances from the men, but saw all of the glares from the women.

Hinata took a deep breath. She blamed him for this. “Well, let me be the first to congratulate you on a job well done.” She hissed, no longer caring about anyone's feelings. “Tenten has told Lee that she intends to put in a transfer to Suna. So, she'll be out of your way. I hope you are happy, Neji. You'll finally be rid of her.”

She watched as her cousin's eyes went wide, and his eyes began to search for her. “Where is she?” He demanded, his tone hard. He watched as Kiba moved to stand beside Hinata, but dismissed the man as the cousins stared each other down. “Where is Tenten, Hinata?”

It was the first time in years that he did not use her honorific. However, she ignored it and said, “She left for Konoha about an hour ago. She is going to watch over Sasuke, until we arrive.”

Nodding sharply, he turned and began to walk. Someone called his name, but Lee stopped them from trying to stop the determined man.

“My friends,” He said, “I can see the beginnings of a love that will last a lifetime. Let us stand back and watch what happens. I have a feeling that Tenten will have a change of heart.”

Kiba snorted. Hell, the only thing that would be happening is Tenten yanking off Neji's balls and shoving them down his throat for how he treated her. Still, if there was anyone who could calm the weapon's mistress, it would be the Hyuuga.