Author's Notes: Hello readers! Thank you for reading! Also, I'd like to point out that the Konoha in this story is more than likely sort of different from the current situation of Konoha in the Naruto manga and anime so I apologize if there has been any confusion while reading this story. Enjoy!
Chapter 4:
Fly away,
Fly away, Love,
Fly away,
Fly away, Love.
The rain had disappeared as night came to morning. Very quickly, Konoha Village turned into the vibrant village it had been two days prior, with the sunshine emitting across white-colored clouds. People opened their shops with a brighter persona and children ran off to schools while others headed off to the ninja academy. Shinobis jumped across rooftops while other shinobis exited out of the village onto non-Konoha territory for assigned missions.
Training grounds were filled with genins, chuunins, and jounins training together. Normal Konoha citizens walked the streets, all smiles and arguments filling the air with levity and tranquility.
Konoha's greenery had become very nourished because of the rain and sprouted over the village. Small toddlers picked the wild flowers and handed it to their parents and the sound of work was in the air. The market shops were shouting for news of fresh produce. The spring season for Konoha had begun. The rain was just the beginning of the change—a wave of new welcoming and good-byes.
As Neji laid in a bed, his white eyes stared at a pile of sunlight on the floor. His white eyes soon turned slowly to the bare body next to him. He scanned her long pink hair and bare back facing him. Her head was resting peacefully on his left arm, and as he continued to stare at her back, he brought his arm closer, so as to pull her body closer to him.
They had spent the night together—their first night—in her apartment.
In the beginning, when they had resolved their issue surrounding their relationship status, Sakura was hesitant to let him undress her, but very soon, after another searing kiss Neji gave her, she had become demanding. Everything after that had been a whirlwind of desire and affection.
Neji pressed his lips on the back of Sakura's neck, as she continued to sleep soundly.
She was his new woman and he could say it with less pain and no anguish.
"Temari-san."
"Shikamaru-san."
They both gave their acknowledgement to each other from across the room.
Temari had her arms crossed and was staring straight into the eyes of the cool and collected Konoha jounin known as Shikamaru. Raising an eyebrow, she looked at the younger shinobi with irritation. She tried to control her beating heart; it annoyed her immensely that she was having some sort of chaotic aroused feeling whenever she was around the Nara.
Shikamaru chewed on a piece of tobacco as he leaned on a wall, his hands in his pockets. He didn't know why the older shinobi was looking so irritant. All he did was come in and say 'Good morning.' She should be glad that he wasn't trying to poke fun at her. Still chewing, he looked out a window.
"Nice day today, huh?"
"Tch. Yea…"
"Why are you here alone?"
Temari closed her eyes, Dammit, need I be in this position again, Gaara? Curling her hands tightly, Temari opened her eyes once again," He's-"
Shikamaru held up a hand," Let me guess, with Hinata."
Temari opened her mouth, shocked at his answer, and was about to say something, but halted herself. Looking away flustered, Temari chose not to reply.
Shikamaru sighed again," Well, it can't be helped can it? Hinata's a poor soul really." As he spoke, his eyes stared at the ground," She's probably the unluckiest of us. She had really good potential, too." He remembered how somber Tsunade-sama had been when she had been given the news that Hinata's memories had been erased of Neji and her Byakugan abilities. Such news had only been kept between the a select few, those who considered themselves childhood comrades of Hinata, the hokage, and the Hyuuga family who kept it strictly under wraps.
"I don't know why my brother would continue to associate with her. It's unlucky for him, as well," said Temari glumly. Her eyes dropped as well as she pondered the thought. Gaara and Hinata were just so different from each other. No one expected her brother, who could erupt into his fits of anger anytime, to grow attached to the shy, quiet, and now 'relinquished' heir to the Hyuuga clan. Even if Temari did not know for sure how her brother felt about Hinata, she knew that people had already started to talk about him. Sunagakuredid not need this kind of ridiculous yet inherently destructive news to ruin Gaara's chance at potential engagements.
Shikamaru shrugged," He hasn't been the only male trying to get Hinata."
Temari's eyes widened and turned to Shikamaru," What?"
Shikamaru scratched his head, chewing on his tobacco like a stick of gum," I hate to see vulnerable women. When my teacher, Asuma-sensei, passed away he left a pregnant woman behind. Hinata is in the very same position as that woman. I offered my…" Shikamaru coughed, a slight redness in his cheeks," to her, but got rejected."
Clank!
"Eh?" Shikamaru stared blankly at Temari. His eyes darted to a fallen chair and he looked back at Temari with a blank stare.
Temari's cheeks turned pink," You are one huge idiot."
Shikamaru chuckled, smiling at Temari," I guess. I've never been the kind of person to be jump into anything without consideration; must have been really stupid of me. But her former partners Shino and Kiba have also given her the same offer, but Hinata just won't accept. She knows they are only worried about her. However," His eyes turned to the window again," She's a stubborn woman; never thought a person like her could be so stubborn." But as he thought about his last words, he realized it must have been that stubborness that made her stick to Neji against the rules of society and her clan.
As the days of Hinata's memory suppressed and Neji's 'exile' out of the Hyuuga family became weeks, Shikamaru along with Tenten, Lee, Kiba, Shino, Ino, Chouji, Naruto, and Sasuke had never uttered the name Hinata or Neji in front of those two Hyuugas again. It would have made confusion for Hinata and pain for Neji. As Shikamaru looked out the window, he realized that since Hinata's memory of Neji had been taken away, she was rarely seen now in Konoha public. Even visitors were rarely allowed in the Hyuuga household to visit Hinata.
And when he had proposed to her, Shikamaru thought he had done what a real man should do. He knew the circumstances and knew the future life she would struggle to have raising a child all on her own. Shikamaru just couldn't stand seeing a comrade of his face this kind of social humiliation as a disposed Hyuuga heir and carrying the child she had with her own cousin. Shikamaru knew he could never understand this crazy mess Hinata and Neji had gotten themselves into, but he would never turn his back away.
Shikamaru already missed Hinata's presence at the Academy helping out the students with their lessons. They both had shared meals together, instructed a few lessons together, and Shikamaru enjoyed teasing her on her shyness. Life could never be the same for any of the people who knew what had been laid onto Hinata and Neji. Shikamaru felt immense sympathy for Tenten, Lee, Shino, and Kiba.
Worse, very few people knew of the child's existence. When Tsunade had informed Hinata was pregnant, she immediately summoned Tenten, Lee, Naruto, Shikamaru, Ino, Chouji, Kiba Shino, and Sasuke. Hinata had specifically asked to tell Sakura in person of the pregnancy and Tsunade had reluctantly agreed. But for the rest, Shikamaru remembered being brought in to her office and given the news of the fatal results: Hinata was pregnant with Neji's child.
Shikamaru remembered the strangling feeling inside of his throat. That day had been one of the few most uncomfortable moments of his life.
"Protect her from the past." Tsunade's words echoed in all of their ears.
At first, Shikamaru had believed it would be better that Hinata knew the child's father. But, very quickly, he would be reminded of that day—when both Hinata's and Neji's blood mixed upon the ground in front of Hyuuga Hiashi. He couldn't imagine how a parent could torture his own child so cruelly. Shikamaru remembered that day very clearly in his mind. However, he wished to have never been there in the first place. Him and his stupid, curious mind.
Temari didn't know why she was feeling so annoyed all of a sudden. She didn't like the increasing silence building up in the waiting room of the Hokage's office.
"D-do you like the Hyuuga girl?" she asked as calmly as she could without sounding too upset.
"No." Shikamaru's answer was short and blunt.
Temari hid her relief, but very quickly after, she sighed in realization. That's what makes you different from my brother. She could tell that Gaara was spending more time with Hinata. It wasn't appropriate at all. If it was Hanabi, that would have been fine. But since the news of Hinata's pregnancy she and Gaara had received from Hiashi, the identity of the father has been hidden. Temari had been trying to compromise with Gaara to not see Hinata unless the father's identity was known.
For the sake of all things to come when they arrived in Konoha, peace and compromise was on their top priority. The world was becoming more turbulent and Sunagakure needed strong allies: Konoha was their best shot since Gaara, herself, and Kankurou had immersed themselves in aiding Konoha long ago. If anything could disrupt the Sunagakure's foreign affairs, Gaara's interaction with Hinata was one of them.
"Temari-san, Tsunade-sama will see you," spoke a woman with short dark brown hair dressed in purple shinobi attire. Temari knew the woman's name to be Shizune, a close person to the Hokage.
Temari nodded and walked to the door.
"Oh," said Temari, stopping to look at Shikamaru. The two met eyes again," Don't ever propose to a pregnant woman you don't like at all again. Your perception of women is really close to nothing."
Shizune raised an eyebrow as she eyed the two shinobis. Did I miss something here? she wondered curiously. She could sense intensity in both their eyes. If I didn't know any better, it seems like they like-
Shikamaru chuckled, and saluted to Temari with a lazy hand to his forehead," Yessir."
Baka, smirked Temari as she entered the room. He always had a way of loosening her worries in the weirdest of ways she couldn't explain.
He was in her room, sitting cross-legged on the tatami floor, with his gourd resting beside him while his arms were crossed. His red hair flamed brilliantly red and the mark on his forehead was partly covered by his red bangs. He was wearing his black and tan shinobi clothes. His Kazekage robe and hat laid on the ground next to him. He only wore the robe to meetings or when he was out in the public.
His sea blue eyes soon lingered to the bowed form of Hinata in front of him, dressed in a light purple kimono with a violet obi. Her long hair was tied back loosely into a braid.
"P-please, t-take your gifts b-back," Hinata said politely in a voice that he found interestingly soothing. She had not looked at him since he entered the room. Gaara had been a bit surprised when he arrived to see Hinata looking as if she had expected his arrival. She had been sitting on her knees, eyes staring vigorously straight ahead, as he entered from the side which was the sliding rice door to her room. A branch house Hyuuga maid had taken him to her room with the approval of a concerned Hiashi quickly before he left to tend to a meeting. Gaara ignored the old man's concern though. He wasn't here to do anything wrong after all.
Gaara looked at the table spread out with the gifts he had given Hinata. Hinata was across at the other end of the table, still bowing naively as ever. Gaara had to smirk before giving his reply.
"They are a gift from the Kazekage," Gaara said, referring to himself," It's rude of you to act this way."
Hinata knew very well what she was doing and as her eyes stared at the tatami floor, her face blushed from embarrassment.
"It's just that…t-this isn't right. I-I don't know you very well. Y-you're being too kind, Kazekage-sama," spoke Hinata nervously. Her face was burning and she hoped that she didn't come at him too awkwardly.
Gaara couldn't help but lit up a small crooked smile. Kind? The word nearly made his blood run cold. It felt as if her words could make him freeze whatever he was doing.
Hinata shuddered as she felt something grainy cover her hands. Turning her head up, she gasped as sand crawled over her hands and to her arms completely. "A-ano…"
Very quickly the sand had immobilized her arms and Hinata couldn't budge at all. Quickly, she looked up at Gaara with helpless eyes. The sand soon pulled her back away so that she wasn't bowing anymore but sitting up. More sand continued to cover her body. Fear entered Hinata and she prepared to scream.
"Don't scream," said Gaaracalmly, noticing her facial features were going to give way to it. His voices was calm—a calmness that Hinata had never seen in him before. "I'm not going to hurt you."
Hinata had always known him as the feared sand killer; she heard from her comrades when she was younger that he was a boy who liked to kill for fun and enjoyed a bloodlust every so often. He was neither merciful nor compliant to his enemies. Stories of him scared Hinata so much that just knowing he was visiting Konoha made her determined to not be near him. Even though she knew that he had become the Kazekage and kept Sunagakure peaceful from wars, it still frightened her to see him so nice to her.
Hinata winced as the sand continued to roam up her body, over her growing tummy, up to her bosom, and covered her neck. From the time that Gaara had first visited her, never had he done this to her. Never, had Hinata seen one of his battle tactics used on her. The sand could crush her body quickly. Hinata could not move an inch at all.
"G-Gaara, what are you doing?" she asked in a hoarse whisper. The sand at her neck felt like it was running all over it continuously—giving Hinata a gross feeling. "S-stop, p-please."
"You called me Gaara," said Gaara interestingly. His crooked smile widened. "Hinata-san, is this how you treat authority?"
Hinata just looked at him in disbelief. It was like he was really enjoying this.
Gaara chuckled," Do not worry. I'm only testing you."
Hinata's eyes widened," T-testing?"
"To see if you can withstand the sand. The sand is a part of me. As we become closer acquaintances, you should be get to know things about me and me, you."
Hinata closed her eyes painfully," Kazekage-sama, I-I think you misunderstand. I don't have any romantic feelings for you." Her heart didn't beat fast because she loved him; her heart was beating fast because she feared him.
"We are friends, Hinata, are we not?" he asked openly, his voice was questioning.
Hinata opened her eyes," Friends?"
Gaara nodded," Yes." His voice became hard and not so gentle anymore.
Even under the circumstances, Hinata mustered up a relieved smile,"Of course." Hinata thanked heaven she had misunderstood Gaara's intention.
Not noticing the Kazekage's face,she didn't know that Gaara could feel her body lose its rigid tension from the sand. Gaara stared as Hinata's eyes and lips soften. The sand quickly left Hinata.
Hinata rubbed her hands and neck.
"Y-you are very strange, Kazekage-sama," said Hinata, with a slight redness in her cheeks," and m-mysterious, too."
"Is that bad?"
Hinata shook her head with a frown,"Of course not. B-but, now that we have officially recognized each other as friends, c-can I ask you s-something?"
Gaara nodded slightly, as if ordering her to ask the question.
Hinata looked down at her fingers, pulling them together instinctively. Biting her lip, Hinata didn't dare look at Gaara as she asked this, "W-what do you think of my sister, Hanabi?"
"She's a strong shinobi…
And cute."
Hinata formed a smile, the excitement pressing further," W-will you think about seeing her more often?"
Gaara remained silent. That was something he was unprepared for.
Noticing the silence, Hinata turned to look at the gifts on the table," I-I think that she'll loveit when y-you give her gifts. You see, Hanabi likes you very much. Even though I have only seen you quite a few times since your stay here in Konoha, I-I would really like it if you could talk to her more. I hope, as friends, you w-won't think of this as a burden. B-but I would really understand, if it's uncomf-"
"Do you think that just because she's strong and cute, I'll like her?"
Hinata looked up at Gaara, cheeks red," Hm? O-Oh no, not just because of that. But I think it's a good start. I was hoping that perhaps you'd be looking for a wife soon."
Gaara continued to stare at Hinata like a statue. Hinata had not noticed the tightness in his jaw.
"And what about you?" asked Gaara dimly," Do you plan to marry?"
Hinata shook her head.
"No, never."
She didn't want to experience another love if she couldn't even remember how it felt to be in love. All she wanted to do now was care for her yet-to-be-born baby.
Changing the subject onto something else besides herself, Hinata continued, "But please…If you want, please talk to her." I know she has feelings for you. As Hinata looked at Gaara, she noticed his non-expressionless face. It added to his mysteriousness and she wondered what emotions he must be feeling inside every time he hid his feelings so well under a serious stare.
The silence pervaded the room for an ongoing two minutes, where Hinata shifted uncomfortably while Gaara remained transfixed and like a statue.
"As your friend, I will honor your wish."
His eyes watched fixedly as Hinata's hopeful expression transformed into elation.
Just to see you smile.
Gaara was in mild surprise as Hinata suddenly held out her right hand to him. Her dainty fingers that were long and slender were expecting his in return.
Taken aback, Gaara's eyes widened. His sea blue eyes stared intently at Hinata's beaming expression.
Hinata chuckled softly and scratched her head a bit with her other hand," It's okay. Besides being mysterious and strange, y-you must be shy too under that serious stare you ususally give me."
Hinata was now finding herself being more comfortable around Gaara and his character. The awkwardness that had once colored their meetings together was dissipating. Gaara's intention to make friendship with her was now allowing her to do the only she knew how to do after losing her memory: Bringing people back into her life again. Appreciating this, Hinata could feel tears in her eyes.
"Let's shake hands, Kazekage-sama, for the continual growth of our friendship."
Gaara looked at Hinata's fingers, waiting kindly for him. His sea blue eyes looked up at Hinata, and inside he felt the his heart beat faster. As a Kazekage, he didn't find it necessary to touch people. His sister, Temari, often did the respectful hand gestures in their meetings. Nevertheless, everywhere he ventured, people rather not shake hands with a man who had a long history with sand and blood mixed together.
Slowly and steadily Gaara lifted up his right hand. In his mind, he wondered how her hands would fit into his. Obviously, as his hand neared Hinata's, his hands were much bigger and more calloused in comparison to her soft fingers. He couldn't help but be a little nervous and he showed it through a slight twitch in his eye, though he knew that Hinata would not notice. It was interesting how unobservant she could be at times, especially toward him.
As they linked hands together, Gaara was not surprised by the warmth of her hands and fought back a smile.
The partner duo had packed their belongings and was walking toward the Konoha gates.
"Aaah, finally, a mission!" exclaimed Sakura excitedly, her hand rising up into the air like fists. Her emerald eyes gazed up at the clear blue sky and the ray of sun warmth emitting on her skin. A tiger mask was over her face as she walked alongside Neji. Sakura slapped the ANBU tattoo on her right shoulder," I missed you." For the past weeks, they had not been assigned a mission. It felt good knowing that danger was now imminently away.
Neji wore his mask and he smirked," Don't get too excited. When we're out to find a band of enemy ninjas planning to massacre Konoha citizens, we're headed toward serious trouble."
This was more than just a normal case. Tsunade-sama had informed them that these conspirators were working under the authorities of another village. It could mean total war between two lands if any harm was contracted against the Konoha people. Tsunade-samawanted the both of them to seek out the perpetrators and bring them alive to Konoha for questioning.
Sakura nodded," Hai!"
They were back together. As they neared the gates, they said good-bye to the post guards. As the gates closed behind them, Sakura quickly grabbed a hold of Neji's arm. As the post guards closed the Konoha gates, they stared at each other in confusion: Never had ANBU walked so casually out for a mission before.
Neji looked down at Sakura, as they continued at a comfortable walking pace," What?"
Sakura shook her head," Nothing. I just thought we should walk arm-in-arm."
Neji shook her arm off," Don't be silly. We need to hurry."
Sakura giggled," Of course, honey." She knew there was a need for more professionalism in this field of work.
Neji suddenly stopped and Sakura noticed it.
"What?" she asked. Then she sensed it too. Behind them, she felt a vibrant force of energy. Turning around, under her mask, Sakura's face gaped open.
"Hey you guys wait for me!" exclaimed a cheerful voice.
"Na…Na…Naruto…" gasped Sakura shockingly. She saw his body, running towards them, as he waved an arm at her. He wasn't in ANBU, but was easily considered a powerful asset to any mission. He had become a strong ninja and after the night they spent together, Naruto had declared his love for Sakura. Just seeing him brought her back to that steamy night on her bed. Sakura was also reminded that she never responded to him, never wanted to, actually.
Sakura felt a small tightness in her stomach as she stared at Naruto's goofy running form. He always tried to make light of any sort of mission. But this mission with Neji wasn't going to cut it.
Was he coming with them too? Sakura had to ask over and over to herself even though she extremely well knew the answer to that rhetorical question.
"This is insane!" exclaimed Sakura angrily to herself as she tied her long pink hair into a ponytail for the fiftieth time this night. Aggravation was pulling at her skin and Sakura needed to do something while under the stress. Today, their search had found nothing. Whoever these perpetrators were, they were damn good at hiding themselves.
The three of them were sitting by a small fire.
Sakura was between the man she loved and the 'other' man who was her ex-boyfriend. Not to mention, she had slept with both of them at about the same time and none of them knew what she had done with the other.
"Hm? Did you say something?" asked Neji, his voice calm and unbothered by the predicament of having Naruto with them. Both Neji and Sakura were still wearing their masks. One of Neji's hand held a stick that was poking at the small fire.
Sakura shook her head violently," I'm fine!"
"Keep your cool, partner," said Neji warningly," We could be a target at anytime."
Sakura nodded, speaking in a low voice," Sorry, I know."
"Sakura, do you want to borrow my jacket?" asked Naruto. He held out his jacket and winked at Sakura.
Sakura shook her head," Ah, no thanks."
Naruto nodded, placing the jacket on himself again. He placed both of his hands on his legs," So, now that it's established that we both love you, who will you choose, Sakura?"
Sakura's eyes bulged from underneath her mask.
"Y-you…are you trying to wreck this mission?" hissed Sakura, turning to Naruto. One of her hands grabbed onto Naruto's jacket sleeve. Her other hand held up a piece of stick and pointed it at Naruto. She was glad that no one was able to see her burning cheeks beneath the mask.
Naruto chuckled," Look, I just don't want any hard feelings from Neji." His eyes turned to look at the taller, masked ANBU. "Well…what do you have to say?"
Sakura looked at Neji as her hands curled into fists tightly. She wished she could see his expression. SBiting her lip, she wondered what Neji would say in response.
It had been pure silence for a minute.
"L-look, Naruto-"began Sakura, ready to end this silliness. Maybe Neji isn't ready to answer him. Even though Naruto makes a good point!
"I won't give you to her," said Neji solemnly. "I chose her."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, and asked coyly," Really?"
Neji didn't do anything, but remain still.
Sakura closed her mouth and froze.
"What about Hinata-chan, eh?" said Naruto coldly. "I thought you could never abandon her?"
"That's enough," said Sakura, her voice suddenly cold and harsh. "Stop this, Naruto. You're crazy to bring this up. We are on a mission."
"Hinata-sama is where she belongs now, and I am where I belong," said Neji coldly. Yet, he could feel his hands wrestling with his mind to not punch Naruto in the face. Neji knew he deserved this punishment, but to have it done by Hinata's first crush annoyed him to the limit.
"Hm…I see," said Narutointrospectively," Well, I don't think we can really see eye-to-eye because I won't give up on Sakura. She's—"
"I hate you," said Sakura bluntly, standing up and leaving the fireside.
Naruto looked up at Sakura's retreating figure, shocked, as he watched her enter deeper into the forest. "W-wait, Sakura!" Standing up, Naruto followed.
"You know better than to follow her."
"How would you know?" snapped Naruto. Naruto held respect for the cool and collected Hyuuga who was an excellent ninja, but he also knew of Neji's past; more precisely, Hinata as being the woman Neji had intensely loved so much that along with Neji, they both had faced the wrath of Hyuuga Hiashi. Everything about Neji screamed hypocrisy for Naruto ever since the day he found out Neji and Sakura were dating.
"I know because I'm her partner. While she was being tormented because of you and Sasuke, I was there with her. You'd only make her angrier by following her," said Neji, his voice calm and collected. "Sit."
"No, I can't," said Naruto carefully, shaking his head. "She doesn't know what she's getting herself into. I had to beg Tsunade-sama to let me go on this mission. I need to let her know."
Neji stared at the fire, immoveable.
"That night, when I came back to Konoha," said Naruto, his feet dying to move already, but he had to tell it to Neji," when I held her in my arms, I felt home and real. I felt like she was one of the few people who had understood me so well. I need her loveand caress. And when she gave it to me that night, and in the morning when I saw her face again right beside me, I knew she was the one. I was an idiot to have let her get away."
Very quickly after, Naruto vanished.
Neji was impressed with Naruto's speed. It would be less than three minutes that Naruto would catch up with Sakura, he calculated in his mind. Naruto had trained well and Neji respected Naruto even though he hardly showed it to the blonde. From the day Neji saw Hinata's blood on Naruto's hand in the Chuunin Exams, Neji knew that Naruto was different that most shinobis.
Neji knew perfectly why Hinata had crushed over Naruto for so long. Naruto was optimistic, made people laugh, and insanely believed in others too much. Neji was the very opposite. He knew himself to be a realist, harshly cold, and a believer in destiny and fate.
Neji had agonized over this aspect so much when he was with Hinata. He had questioned Hinata's affections almost daily because Naruto's name lived in the people of Konoha. Over and over, Neji wondered why Hinata would ever want to be with a branch house member when she could go after the son of the Fourth Hokage. Doubts filled Neji so often that he had gotten angry and jealous of the men that surrounded Hinata.
But now, there were no more doubts.
However that thought could never deter the fact that Neji still envied the skilled blue-eyed blonde.
Naruto could run after love with all his might, while Neji was at the finish line—taking the love of Naruto's life, Sakura, as if it was being handed over to him like a consolation prize.
Neji had already lost his chance to win the gift he had so desired.
However…things were changing.
Knowing that Sakura had slept with Naruto was causing an ache inside Neji. He knew Sakura was upset at him at the time. He couldn't blame her, not when he had his own feelings to sort out at the same time, too.
But now, he could feel it; a strain coming from inside his chest; his vision was slightly dizzy; the beat of his heart was rising quickly, and a tint of anger was building.
Let my feelings for her fly…fly so far that it can never find its way back.
This time, as Neji decisively waited by the fire, he would keep his promises from now on.
Author's Notes: Thank you to all those who reviewed my previous chapter. As you can see, a new era of change is arriving in for Neji. I know I tend to take a REALLY LONG time to update. LOL. I hope everyone has enjoyed this chapter. I hope to update by next month or sooner. Only time can tell. By the way, the opening of this chapter is part of a song I listened to, titled Insa by JaeJoong.