AN: Konichiwa! Yuki-chan here! I'm back from my oh-so-long break, if you could call it that. I got swamped in homework and almost didn't make its dead line! I'm a little rusty so chapters will be short for the time being but those who are loyal shall be rewarded! :D

This fanfiction has some sasunaru but it's mostly about a Neji/Gaara paring. I can't help it, I love that couple. I have no idea why; I just do. Don't knock it till ya try it. Anyway, Neji like Naruto but Naruto and Sasuke are a couple. Sai and Sakura, Ino and Choji, Shikamaru and Temari, and Kakashi and Iruka are all the other couples I got so far. I'll probably fit some more in along the way. I don't plan things very well… But I'm rambling. ^_^; On with the show!

Neji Hyuuga was making his way home after a long day of grocery shopping with his little cousin, Hinata Hyuuga. The two had become a bit closer over the years. Neji had been bonding with a lot of people lately; particularly, Naruto Uzumaki. Over the years of Sasuke Uchiha's absence, Naruto had clung to the closest thing to Sasuke. Neji's high-and-mighty attitude had fit the bill. The young adults were very close friends, now, and the Hyuuga couldn't have been happier to have his secret crush of three years, show so much interest in him. However, the recent capture of Sasuke Uchiha had brought the brunette's bliss to a screeching halt.

Yes, the traitor, Sasuke Uchiha, had been captured by none other than Naruto and was to be under close observation until the punishment for his crimes had been decided. Months passed and the council was leaning toward the death penalty for the young Uchiha. Had it not been for Naruto and Tsunade, Sasuke would have died. You see, over these many months the council members were taking to make their decision, Naruto and Sasuke had taken the leap into a forbidden love. When Naruto learned that his beloved Sasuke might be executed, he begged Tsunade for her help. The older women pitied the younger man, who had become like a brother to her. Of course, the hokage had no problem persuading the old men into seeing her way.

Thus, here they were now. Neji held out a vague sense of hope that his blonde angel would realize his affection for him and that they would be together. For a genius, he seriously lacked common sense. The two relatives were nearly home. Thunder rolled across the sky and, suddenly, it started pouring. Hinata let out a small cry and tried to cover the bag of food she was carrying. Neji did the same and the two tried to run the rest of the way home, but the storm only got worse and they took refuge under a podium in front of an apartment complex. Out of the corner of his eye, the older Hyuuga noticed two other figures just a few feet from where he and his cousin stood. He couldn't help but look to see who it was. He instantly wished he hadn't.

Sasuke and Naruto stood, completely engulfed in a deep and passionate kiss and, judging by the way Sasuke was rubbing his knee into Naruto's groin, the kiss would soon lead to something much more. Neji suddenly felt an enormous weight in his chest; a dull, persistent ache. His arms and legs felt like rubber. But he somehow managed to keep his composure and calmly walk away from the situation. Hinata had noticed the two boys as well. Though it pained her to know she would never have her beloved Naruto, she was happy for him and had grown accustomed to the sight of the couple. Neji, on the other hand, had yet to see for himself, that the two really were together. She worried about her cousin and quietly fallowed after him.

"N-Neji-kun, are you alright?" her timid voice, barely audible over the thudding rain.

"Yes, why do you ask?" he said, in a surprisingly steady voice.

"You just left so quickly…were you offended by Naruto-kun and-"

"I said I was fine."

Hinata flinched at the sharpness in his voice. She figured it was better not to talk to him at this point. No, the girl was completely unaware of her older cousin's infatuation with another man. Hinata's "gaydar" was practically nonexistent. The only reason she knew about Naruto was through friends and her own eyes. But, then again, Neji was very good at hiding his emotions behind a continuous scowl. Very few new he was gay (and they knew to keep their mouths shut about it).

Neji's pace quickened, Hinata, struggling to keep up. He had a mission tomorrow. He needed to get a full nights rest.

. . .

"You'll be going to the sand village to help out with a series of kidnappings. Normally, I would say certain matters such as these would be none of our concern but there was something off about these crimes that raised a red flag. I want you and four other shinobi of your choice to find out what that something is." Tsunade explained. There was no room for argument.

The young genius thought about his choices, carefully. He would take Naruto, of course, but who else? He wouldn't really need Hinata, Sakura might be useful (with her skill in healing justus) and Sai was an excellent spy. With the people he had in mind he would be ready for almost anything; sudden injury, suspects, brute strength and brains to tie it all together. But there was one thing he knew he had no choice but to cover; tactical combat. If they did end up having to fight an enemy that was smarter than he had anticipated, Naruto and Sai wouldn't be enough to take him out without casualties on their side. Any other shinobi he knew, that would be able to help, was already on a mission. Sasuke would be the only still available (and with Naruto, he would be allowed to go outside the village).

"Well, Neji, do you know who you want?"

With a scowl, he listed the four shinobi of his choice and Tsunade approved. They were to meet at the edge of the village in three hours. The hokage gave him a concerned look and seemed she was contemplating whether to say something or not. The Hyuuga bowed and left without another word. He still needed to pack and he was in no mood for a women's nosiness.

He made it home with no trouble at all and began to pack food and weapons before heading off to the rendezvous point. A few hours to himself would be nice just before a mission that nobody knew how long it would be. It would take three days to hike to the sand village and with Sasuke and Naruto coming along, as well, for Neji, it would be a very hellish three days. If the two tried anything romantic, he would defiantly lose it.

Neji arrived at his destination and sat down to relax. The sun was just beginning to rise. It cast a neon rainbow across the clouds and trees. The brunette found himself in a rather deep sense of thought. It had been quite a while since the last time he had seen the current kazekage of the hidden sand. He wondered how much Gaara had change. The last time he had met the younger boy he was much shorter than he. Had that changed?

Apparently, Neji had been keeping himself occupied enough for him to lose track of the time because, the next thing he knew he was greeted by a familiar voice.

"Hay, Neji!" cried Naruto, in enthusiastic greeting.

"Naruto," Neji responded calmly, "Sasuke." He was barely able to hide the hiss in his voice. Neither boy seemed to notice.

"So, where are the others?" Naruto had been fully briefed on the mission, right down to the people in the squad.

"They should be here soon. You actually came early." Neji pointed out in mild surprise.

"Yeah, I was excited! I haven't seen Gaara in a while."

"I see."

"Aw, come on Neji! You know I don't think I've ever seen you laugh. Get more excited!"

"Hn." It was true Neji Hyuuga very seldom even smiled, let alone laughed. These days, he didn't have much to laugh about. Another thirty minutes passed before Sai and Sakura showed up. They took a minute to discuss their plan of action and began their three day journey to the sand village.

Little did they know, the seemingly simple mission would play a huge role in the near future…