71Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto.
Chapter 1
December. It is the time of year when everyone goes all happy and jolly, but not for the great Hyuuga Neji. It wasn't that he disliked December, he HATED it. He hated it for lots of reasons.
Reason #1: Too much snow.
Reason #2: Too cold. Thick clothing and Neji just weren't meant to be.
Reason #3: Christmas.
Reason #4: More bonding time for Gai and Lee, which meant more hugging…
Reason #5: "Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!"
These are some of the reasons, but the list could go on for much, much longer. And right now, the Hyuuga found himself walking along the quiet streets of Konoha.
SCRUNCH, SCRUNCH, SCRUNCH…
The sound was unavoidable, for it was made with every step he took in the snow. But there was another sound that caught Neji's attention. It sounded like someone was…crying…
He kept walking, and in the distance, he saw a small figure squatting in the middle of the sidewalk. When Neji was close enough, he could tell it was a little girl.
Should he just ignore her and walk away? Sounds good, no trouble could come from that. But when the Hyuuga stepped past her, he felt an urge to stop.
"God, why does it have to be like this?..." Neji turned back around, and kneeled to eye level with the crying girl.
Ok, so she seemed to be alone and she was crying. He could only assume the best.
"Are you lost?" Lavender eyes met brown ones.
She nodded, sniffling at the same time. "I…lost my mommy…"
Neji sighed. He gently took the girl's hand and helped her get up. "Crying isn't going to help. What's your name?"
The girl looked up at Neji, wiping her tears on her coat's sleeve. "Kaori…."
"How did you lose your mom?"
"I…dunno…" tears once again flowed down her cheeks.
"Great, now how am I supposed to find her parent?" Neji mentally kicked himself for getting involved. But, how guilty would he feel leaving a lost girl on the streets?
"Hyuuga-san?" a voice called out from behind.
Neji turned to see who it was. There stood a girl with pink hair, dressed in a light brown coat.
"Are you…babysitting?" she asked when she noticed the little girl.
Neji scoffed. "You should know better than that Haruno."
Sakura let out a small laugh. "Sorry, it's not everyday I see the Hyuuga holding a little girl's hand."
"She's lost." Neji growled, feeling a tad bit embarrassed. "And what are you doing out here?"
The pink haired kunoichi held up white bags for Neji to see. "I was grocery shopping. Or didn't you notice?"
"Don't even start with me, I have things to do." Neji spoke sternly.
Sakura could only smile. She was never really close to the byakugan user, and knew barely anything about him. That was why she wanted to spend some time with him, or at least share a decent conversation. Oh but as anti-social as he was, it wasn't going to be easy.
Sakura learned to never judge anyone by first glance. It was first like that with Lee 5 years ago. He looked so….'unique' to her, but of course that all changed. Neji wasn't the type of person who would get close to people, so Sakura would have to get near him.
Good thing she bumped into him. This was a chance to become friends with him. What was there to regret having one more friend by her?
"Alright then, why are you just standing around here for Hyuuga-san? You said you had things to do." Sakura tried her best not to sound like she was taunting him.
"Hn. My business is none of your concern, so get going kunoichi." Lavender eyes wandered away from Sakura.
"Asking for help shouldn't be that hard, as a medical nin, it's my job. Whether if its injuries…." Sakura looked down at the girl Neji was holding. "Or lost children…."she finished off with a light chuckle.
"I don't need help from anyone." Neji replied flatly. Why in the world would Hyuuga Neji need help? From a girl no less, that just seemed….not Hyuuga like.
Shifting of grocery bags could be heard. "If you say so, I'll be going now then." Sakura stepped to the side and started to walk on ahead.
The Hyuuga managed to keep a calm face, but that was certainly not the way he felt. He slapped himself so hard mentally, it began to hurt physically.
"Baka! What do you mean I don't need help! Do I know how to get this girl back to her parents? No. Do I have the slightest clue to know where to go? No."
Neji gritted his teeth, shutting his byakugan eyes at the same time. He would swallow his pride and….
"Haruno."
The sound of snow being stepped on stopped suddenly. The kunoichi had turned her shoulders as she was called.
"Hai?"
He needed to think something up fast. He couldn't just say, 'I need your help'. How stupid he would seem.
"I shall carry your groceries to your house if you find this girl's parents."
A grin crept across Sakura's face. "Is that an indirect way of asking for help?"
"I am not asking for help. I am requesting since those bags look heavy for you to carry." Neji hated himself for making up such a lame excuse.
"Oh? And since when did Hyuuga Neji worry himself over me?" Sakura knew Neji would ask for help, but he still amused her greatly.
"Haruno, don't question me and just answer." his tone was impatient.
"Hmmm, ok. I'll take your 'request', but under one circumstance."
Neji let out a sigh as he turned to face her. "Circumstance? For god's sake Haruno…"
"Don't worry, it's not anything bad. Just after we return the little girl back to her parents, come over to my place."
"No." Neji's answer was given in god speed.
Sakura lifted shoulders. "Then I'm afraid I can't help you out Hyuuga-san."
Why….why was this happening? This girl was taking advantage of this. What would people think if they saw him going into her house? With….groceries….He didn't even want to think about it.
"Fine. But I am not doing ANYTHING else more, got it?" those were some solid words Neji said, but the kunoichi was fine with it. What was there to complain about?
Sakura walked up to him, and once more held the bags out to him. The Hyuuga rolled his eyes, taking the groceries as an exchange for the little girl. Sakura gently took her hand.
"So, do you know her name?"
"Kaori." Neji answered again with his solid tone as he shifted 2 bags in one hand, and 3 in his other.
"Ah…Kaori, I'm going to take you to the lost and found ok? Your mom should come to pick you up there." Sakura looked down and told her as softly as possible.
Duh. How could the Hyuuga have been so stupid? Lost and found, was that so hard to think of? Well, it was too late now, he would still have to keep his promise.
"Hope those aren't too heavy for you Hyuuga-san."
"Let's just get going. I don't have all day."
"Right." Sakura mimicked Neji's serious tone.
"Women…"
Author's note: Was the chapter short? Well, I promise to make the next one longer! Reviews are appreciated…
