Here's chapter two! Sorry for the slow re-write; I'm having to reconfigure the story somewhat so its taking me a while to map everything out. I hope you enjoy none the less and chapter three will be along shortly!

xox

The early morning rays shone through the thin fabric covering the windows on the far side of the room. She blinked a few times, ridding herself of her drowsiness as she continued her preparations for the day. She glanced over at the sleeping Anbu captain; the sheets tucked up to his chin, his face was composed and relaxed with the odd scrape and bruise across his cheeks from his rigorous training each day and night. It was odd how vulnerable he looked. His complexion had paled; his breathing was slightly shaky as his chest rose up and down. His hair was also a bit of a mess seeing as she hadn't had a chance to brush it out for him due to his constant fatigue. She had always wondered what the Hyuuga hair felt like and now was the perfect chance to - oh for gods sake, Sakura, stop thinking about his dam hair.

It was the day after the traumatic incident where she had found him training at god knows what hour of the morning. She frowned slightly at the memory as she recalled how utterly oblivious he had been to the damage he was causing his body. Heck, he was only human; everyone is allowed to make mistakes, but Hyuuga's were known for not just their manners but their intelligence when it came to looking after one's self. The Byakugan did not equal instant skill. You had train to get better but also be aware of your boundaries, so you didn't run the risk of permanent damage.

He knew this. Neji knew this.

But the odd feeling that kept itching in the back of her mind was that this was no ordinary person. She had never in her life as a shinobi and a medic seen him cry. He had once come back with multiple fractures and bone breaks from a particularly trying mission and didn't shed a tear once. Not even when she started to push them back into place.

He was such a stoic and arrogant person that it seemed almost wrong to see him this way.

She stood up and walked over to his side, gently stroking his bangs out of his face. She ran her finger across the juin on his forehead and he visibly shuddered under her touch. She rubbed circles into his temples, calming his frantic thoughts. His head lolled to the side as he drifted into an even deeper sleep.

"What Is going on in there…" she mumbled, her fingers lingering on the sides of his head longer than needed.

A light knock signalled someone's entrance and it wasn't long until Hiashi strode into the room. He walked straight over to the side of the bed and stared down at his sleeping nephew.

"May you wake him, please?" he asked quietly.

"He's sleeping." she frowned, "I'm loathe to wake him unless absolutely necessary. His body needs to heal."

"Wake him, please. I should like to talk with him as I am about to attend a meeting that regards his future. It's important he is aware of what's happening."

"Could it not wait until after? I understand, but you must see that-"

"Haruno, I appreciate your concern, but I really must speak with him and it has to be now." Hiashi stared her down.

She noted the tense set of his shoulders and the concerned frown marring his features. Sighing heavily, she rubbed her forehead as she tried to rid herself of the relentless tiredness consuming her mind and body. Dam she needed a break.

"Of course. But he is very tired and I've put him into a deep sleep. It may take me a few minutes to wake him."

Hiashi couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt flood through him as he watched the pink haired beauty kunoichi walk to the other side of the bed and coax Neji to wake. He felt shocked to think that his nephew was this…well, ill. It had been a long time since a prominent member of the Hyuuga clan was so vulnerable and he felt personally responsible for his recovery and getting him better. Hinata would help, Hanabi too of course, and hopefully with enough encouragement they could get him to see the error in his ways.

He watched on as Sakura gently propped Neji up, little by little, until he was in a half sitting position. She then pressed two glowing fingers to each of his temples and kept them there. Closing her eye's she concentrated on filtering her chakra into his system to hopefully gently bring him out of his deep slumber. He awoke incredibly slowly, one dull pearl orb opening halfway before the other joined it. They stayed half closed as he slowly but surely began to shift around. Hiashi's stare was fixed on the green juin across the young man's forehead, his stress levels not abating as he took in its design. It was paramount that they get him back to the compound as soon as possible so that the Hyuuga medics could look over it's structure and make sure there were no cracks.

The last thing he needed was for the Hyuuga's greatest secret to become public knowledge.

"Morning Neji," Sakura smiled, bringing the now awake Hyuuga a cold glass of water and helping him take a sip.

Hiashi stared down at his broken nephew for a long time. Gauging the right words to say in his head before speaking them. He cleared his throat slightly, glancing up at the girl opposite whose unflinching gaze was fixed on Neji.

"May we have some privacy please, Haruno?" He asked. She nodded courteously and after giving one last worried look to her patient, took her leave.

xox

She sat in the chair of her office at the hospital, her legs tucked up beneath her as she gratefully accepted the steaming cup of tea Hinata handed her.

"So, what's the next step?" Hinata asked, breaking the silence in the room with her quiet voice.

"I'm not sure." Sakura sighed, her brows furrowing in concentration. "At the moment though, my first concern is getting him back on his feet."

Hinata nodded, "Of course. That's why we asked Kakashi for you, Sakura. I would trust no other with my cousins care."

Sakura blew across the top of her tea, taking a tentative sip, "I'm concerned for the condition of his health right now."

Hinata frowned slightly, worry marring her features as she patiently waited for Sakura to continue.

"All the sudden training and exercise he's put himself through in the last couple of months has finally caught up with him. He can barely get out of bed, let alone take on an S rank mission. I say we cancel all missions for him. Remove him from Anbu for a while, maybe even a few months; just until he gets his feet back and we sort this problem out once and for all."

"He will be devastated." Hinata shook her head, her hands clutching the fabric of her jacket tightly.

Silence filtered throughout the room once more as the two women left each other to their thoughts. After a while, Sakura stood to leave. Her energy levels were so low that she couldn't even bring herself to bid Hinata more than a small wave in farewell, shutting the door behind her and leaning her head against it. Her eyes shut tight. She knew she had to go to Kakashi and report what she'd found, and she also knew that it was going to kill her emotionally.

Neji was a friend whose career she was about to temporarily end.

Hiashi stepped out of Neji's room ahead of her and made his way over to explain their conversation. It apparently consisted mainly of the problems concerning the branch family. It seemed that Neji played a huge role in leading the branch family members and often attended meetings and gatherings as a representation of that part of the clan.

Seemed like both a huge responsibility and a massive lie. She narrowed her eyes at Hiashi's retreating form. The Hyuuga's were hiding something. Something in plain sight. Everyone knew that Neji was tipped to be the next head of the clan and that the branch family didn't have their own lines of succession. They were still all under one roof and so Neji would be responsible for everyone.

Sakura cursed to herself as she walked back into Neji's room, shaking her head free of thoughts concerning clan secrets and continued to mumble to herself as she flipped through Neji's chart, noting down his latest changes and improvements.

She glanced over at the prodigy, expecting him to be half-dead on the plush mattress, knocked out due to the exhaustion from his talk with Hiashi but instead she came face to face with a pair of curious lilac eyes. She froze at the intense stare he was giving her.

"Neji, you're awake!" She smiled as she made her way over to him, her eyes roaming for any tell-tale signs that acquired medical attention.

"Hn." was his simple answer, his eyes were still glued to her curiously.

"How are you feeling? Any better?" He nodded.

"Yes, a good sleep has done its job, it seems." he smiled softly at her, turning his attention to the window as she began her medical examination. Checking his internal organs for any signs of discomfort, his joints for any unwanted friction between the bones that would hinder his performance in future battles.

She washed her hands in the awaiting bowl at her side once she was finished.

"I want to go outside" He muttered.

She blinked. "Sorry?"

"I would like to go outside." he repeated.

After a pause, she asked, "Why?"

"It's a nice day."

She shrugged, "Fair enough. I'm afraid I can't allow it though. You're still too-" she stopped herself from using the word 'weak', stumbling over her thoughts to try and find a better one, "- fatigued to move around much. Not to mention the fact that if Tsunade-sama catches us she'll have your head."

He nodded, choosing to stay quiet as he turned his attention back to staring out at the rooftops of Konoha. Sakura felt guilt ride up her body like a rash as she watched him, grinding her teeth as she scoffed at herself for being so prudent. Tsunade really would lose her rag if she caught Sakura playing to her patients demands, but this was Neji. And for some reason, after seeing him so beat down, she wanted to do something to lift his spirits.

"Right. Hold on a second," She quickly left the room, charging down the corridor to her office.

Hinata jumped out of her chair as she came bursting through her door and proceeded to grab one of the armchairs from the corner and drag it across to the small balcony that she had filled with plants since being handed this office last year.

"Grab the sliding door, will you?" She huffed as she channelled some chakra into her arms.

"Er, Sakura-chan?" Hinata asked quietly, grabbing the metal handles, "What are you doing?"

"God knows but help me quickly before I change my mind!"

Hinata leapt into action, removing plants as quickly as possible as Sakura shoved the armchair past her desk and all but bent it through the small opening. Fresh air washed over her face as Hinata grabbed the other side and together they rammed it into the corner. They both stepped back, staring down at the faded pink chair with frilly trim and wooden accents. Its cushions were well worn from the nights Sakura had spent curled up asleep in it, but it was nothing that couldn't be covered with a blanket. Or two.

"There's no way his legs will fit in that gap," Hinata motioned to the small space between the chair and the balcony railing.

"Look, this is the best I can do given the circumstances – hang on a second, how do you know this is for Neji?!"

"I didn't," She smiled, "But you just confirmed it for me."

Sakura gasped, "You wily little Uzumaki-Hyuga crossover!"

She giggled, "He'll love it, Sakura. It's the little things with Neji,"

She nodded, flushing slightly, "Right. Yes. Well, as his primary doctor I think that the fresh air will be good for him,"

Without giving Hinata chance to respond, she dashed back out the door and rearranged her lab coat slightly before stepping back into Neji's room.

"Right." She started, hands on her hips.

Neji stared at her, "…right."

An awkward silence built a thick tension in the air as they stared at each other, Sakura's mind running a hundred miles as an hour as she decided whether this was a good idea or not. Was it? Giving him full access to not just her office space that was her only sanctuary in this god forsaken place, but her beloved balcony too?

"Right. Up we get." She motioned with her hands for him to stand.

Neji frowned slightly, "Sorry?"

"You heard. Up. Now. Before I change my mind." She hustled over to the bed and busied herself with removing the sheets covering his legs and dragging his IV stand so that it sat next to him.

Neji swung his legs out gingerly and stood carefully. His limbs were weak, but he wasn't totally bedridden he discovered as he took a tentative step forwards, using the IV rod next to him for support. Sakura nodded her encouragement next to him, throwing a blanket over his shoulders as she led him to the door. He watched as she stuck her head out, checked both ways before ushering him out quickly.

"Forgive me, but where are we goin-,"

"Quickly now, before someone see's!" she hushed, willing him along faster with her hand at the small of his back.

She threw open the door ahead of them and he took in the space. A large mahogany desk sat upon a tattered vintage rug; its colours faded from its time spent in the world. Papers and scrolls littered the surface of the wood but there was order to it, chaotic order that seemed to fit the description for the rest of the room rather well. Various plants and pots were scattered throughout and to his right was a low coffee table with a small sofa pushed up against the wall. To his left sat a bookcase filled with medical journals and what appeared to be a gap where a large chair was supposed to be; the faded stain on the floor was a tell-tale sign.

"Neji-nii!" Hinata grinned as she rushed over to him, moving to take Sakura's place at his side as she wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "It's so good to see you up and about."

Sakura moved behind the desk and stood out on the balcony, turning back, and waiting for the Hyuuga pair. Fresh air tickled Neji's nose and he felt his feet move before his brain caught up.

"What's going on?" He asked his cousin quietly, dodging the corner of the desk with his IV as they made their way around it.

"You'll see," Hinata smiled softly, "Sakura has a wonderful surprise for you!"

Neji stopped dead in his tracks as his bare feet hit the wooden planks of the small balcony and his eyes caught sight of the large chair that had been crammed into the corner. It was a dusty shade of pink that, like the rug, had seen better days but was well loved and well worn. Cushions were carefully placed in its seat and a blanket had been thrown over one of the arms. There was hardly enough room on the tiny space for it let alone for all three of them too.

As if reading his mind, Hinata took a small step back into the room.

Sakura coughed gently, "Its not much and it doesn't get the sun all day, but it's great for some fresh air and wanting to get away from everyone –"

"Its perfect."

Sakura flushed under Neji's intense gaze as he stared down at her, his silver orbs piercing her very soul and she shifted slightly to alleviate the sensation that he could perhaps read her mind, thoughts and emotions.

"Yes, well." She cleared her throat again, "This is my office. You are welcome to use it as often as you like. No one comes in here without my authority."

What came next surprised not only Sakura, but Hinata and even Neji himself. With careful precision, he reached out with one arm, wrapped it around her shoulders and and pulled her into a gentle hug. Sakura all but froze under his touch, her face tucked into his chest which was just as well as she felt a line of heat creep up her neck and into her cheeks. Hinata raised a hand to cover her mouth as she averted her gaze and smiled quietly to herself; it was so nice to see other people be on the receiving end of Neji's rare affections.

"Y'You're welcome!" Sakura stuttered, wrapping her arms gently around his waist and giving him a careful squeeze before pulling away. She moved to avert her eyes from his, but his attention was now solely on the chair, easing his long legs into the small gap between the cushion and the railing before folding his tall form into its deep seat. He almost let out a sigh in bliss but instead took in the view ahead of him; he could see part of the Hokage mountain as well as a long stetch of Konoha rooftops, but the real treat was vast expanse of blue sky and relative peach and quiet that the height of the building gave them.

Sakura stepped back into her office, pulling the door shut slightly but leaving it ajar just enough to let the fresh air into the room. She stepped right up to Hinata, her face still flushed, and pointed a finger in the young woman's face.

"You tell that blonde haired baka what just happened, and I'll have your head!"

Hinata giggled behind her fingers, "Yes, ma'am!"

"Come on," Sakura linked her arm through Hinata's, "Let's go get some breakfast. I'm starving!"

"Shouldn't we-?"

"He'll be okay for an hour on his own. I think he could use the space,"

Hinata smiled softly, "You know, you read him better than most people, Sakura."

As another blush worked its way into her stubborn cheeks, she wondered if being able to read Neji like that was a good thing or whether it spelled absolute, catastrophic and complete disaster for her emotions.

Only one way to find out.

xox

R+R!