Author's Note: Hey, I revised the ending a little bit, but mostly, it's the same. Anyways, it's been ages! I've been busy with so many things... gr... I hate being busy. Anyways, have fun reading and review at the end!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of his friends/settings.
Chapter One
Sakura held back tears as she stared out her window. Every emotion flowing through her was practically stealing the air from her lungs. She couldn't even think straight. It's been years... and still nothing. Every night, she sat by her window, waiting...waiting... She couldn't sleep with her mind racing like it always has. She was devastated, broken, hurting. He left her to rot, he left her because she wasn't worth staying for. His vengeance consumed him, and no matter how many times she tried to save him, he kept falling back into his ways. He wouldn't let her help him, not even in the slightest bit. He pushed her away with his cold eyes and harsh words. She tried to say it was because he was scared, that he really did like her attention and attempts to help him. But the night he left, she knew the worst had come true. He didn't want her help, he didn't want to save her. He only wanted one thing, and that was to kill. Sakura felt hot tears run down her cheeks. She tried so hard to show him love, to show him more than revenge. But he refused it. He threw it back into her face, leaving her to pick it up and move on. Alone. She was utterly alone. And it wasn't until he left that she realized she was always alone. She bit her lip, repeating the same sentence she tried to drill in her head every night she sat by the window. Sasuke wasn't coming back.
Neji Hyuga stood, panting from another training session. He long black hair was pulled back in the usual low pony tail, left to hang down his back. His pearl white eyes examined his surroundings. Konoha hadn't changed in the least bit. He sighed and began to walk towards the trees. The shade felt good on his hot skin, the breeze helped wonderfully. He was nineteen years old, and an ANBU. His next dream was to be captain. His slouched against the tree and let himself fall to the ground with a thud.
His life was all about destiny, that was, until Naruto stepped in and changed everything. After Naruto beat him, Neji wasn't sure of what life had in store. But he didn't give up on being the best. One lost wasn't enough to stop him from getting what he desired.
He sensed someone coming near and opened his eyes to see the blonde himself, Naruto. His hair was still spiky, and his eyes were just as blue. The markings on his face were less noticeable but the outlines were still evident. Neji grew to respect the man.
"Yo! Neji! What's up?" Naruto loudly called out, even though he was rather close to him. Neji stood and greeted him.
"I was training." Naruto grinned.
"Feel like sparring me?" Neji wouldn't have passed down the change to spar Naruto any other day, but today, he was over worked. He had just arrived from a mission that took a lot out of him. He sighed and tiredly smiled.
"I'm sorry, Naruto, but now isn't the best time. I wouldn't be a suitable match in my condition." Naruto whined but finally gave up when he spotted Lee walking by.
"Hey! Eyebrows! Spar me!" Neji shook his head at the overly cheerful blonde and walked away. He strolled down the streets, not really headed in a particular direction. He spotted his cousin Hinata.
"Neji, how are you?" She smiled shyly as he approached her. Her snowy eyes were shinning brightly as she picked up a basket filled with fruit. Neji raised an eyebrow.
"Are you on a diet?" Hinata's cheeks brightened at the question.
"Oh, no! It's for Sakura." She placed the basket in her arms and smiled again at him. Neji knew Sakura was a mess after Sasuke left her. She trained mindlessly for days at a time. He witnessed her training one day, her anger and brute hate seemed to fuel every punch she threw. She become stronger and of course a better ninja, but with a price. She spent every moment training, or locking herself up in her home. Neji heard rumors that she was mentally unstable. He hadn't seen her in awhile, and had wondered in they were right.
"Is she alright?" Hinata placed some money in the shop owner's palm and began to walk with him down the street.
"Yes, but she... she doesn't eat very much. Ino and I are trying to help her." Neji nodded. He wondered why she wasn't over Sasuke yet. It was years ago when he left, and no one heard anything about him since. Why didn't she just move on with her life? Why did she let Sasuke ruin her like she did? Neji looked at his cousin and then the basket. He should talk some sense into her.
"I'll take it to her." Hinata stopped walking and gave him a confused look.
"Neji... are... you sure?" Her eyes widened as he nodded at her. He took the basket and began to walk away.
"I haven't seen her in a while, this will be a good excuse to say hi." Hinata watched his back as he walked towards Sakura's house.
"But you..." She stopped mid sentence. Sakura wasn't going to like this...
"And then he has the nerve to tell me I'm troublesome. I hate that word! He says everything is troublesome!" Ino fumed as Sakura blankly stared at her. She wasn't sure why Ino even cared so much. She didn't even like Shikamaru, or...so she claimed. Sakura smirked at the blonde girl before her.
"Will you just tell him already? I know you like him." Ino glared at her pink haired friend.
"Oh, shut up, forehead. I do not." Sakura smiled at the nick name. It was a name Ino always called her. When they were enemies, and when they were friends.
"You know I'm right, Ino-pig." Ino flung her pony tail behind her and huffed.
"No, you just think you're right. But you're not." Sakura grinned and leaned back in her chair. The sky was clear today, it was a good day to train. She sighed. Sakura spent so many hours training, she had dreams about it. Ino picked up on the change of mood and smiled at her. "Hinata is coming here too. She's bringing some food." Sakura groaned and shot a glare at her.
"Stop treating me like a starving child."
"We're not! It's a gift."
"No one gives food as a gift."
"Then it's unique."
"It's weird and stupid. I eat, I'm not starving myself."
"But you're so skinny, Sakura."
"You're just jealous."
"I am not!" Sakura glared and looked down at her lap. It was true, she was oddly skinny. But it was only because she worked herself to bones. She ate, just never enough.
"I don't need sympathy. I've told you a million times." Ino sighed and slouched in her chair.
"Yes, yes. But Tenten and Hinata agree with me. You need to talk to us more. You can't shut everyone out of your life."
"Why the sudden care?" Sakura asked bitterly. After Sasuke left, everyone stayed away from her. They were afraid of her, and that only made her bitter against them. She wanted someone to tell her it was okay, but they only ignored the problem. He was her first love, and she was convinced he was her only love. And no one did a thing to help her. Naruto was the only one to attempt anything, but even he had more important things then her. She knew Hinata was crazy about the blonde, and he was starting to feel the same. Eventually, they finally became a couple. Leaving Sakura only that much more lonelier.
"Oh, don't give me that attitude. You know you like the attention." Sakura huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. She perked up when she heard a knock at the door. "That must be Hinata!" Ino bounced towards the door and swung in open, arms wrapping around the black haired figure.
"Get off of me, Yamanaka." She gasped and jumped back as Neji glared at her. "You almost destroyed my fruit." He commented. Sakura stared with wide eyes as Neji protectively held the basket of fruit.
"Where's Hinata?" Ino asked, her face flushed with embarrassment. Neji stood still in the door way.
"Elsewhere." He responded sharply. Ino nodded, but was truly confused. Neji never associated with them before, but here he was. Sakura stood up, her jade eyes looking him over skeptically. Neji never spoke to her, and they definitely weren't friends. So, why was he here? With a basket of fruit?
"Oh, well, come in." Sakura closed the door as Neji cautiously walked further into the apartment. "Do you... want something? A drink?" Neji glanced around the plain room before turning to her.
"No." Ino stared at the basket of fruit, still amazed Neji would even carry such a feminine basket. Sakura awkwardly tapped the sides of her legs with her hands.
"Do you want to sit?" Sakura asked nervously. Neji looked down at the fruit.
"I can stand." Ino gave Sakura and shrug when Sakura begged her with her eyes to help the awkwardness. Neji felt the pressure and thrust the basket towards Sakura. "It's for you." Sakura nodded and walked into the kitchen. She placed the basket on the counter and sighed. Things seemed to keep getting stranger all of a sudden. Ino, Tenten, and Hinata with their methods of trying to 'save her', and now Neji. When will she just get a break?
"Thank you for... the fruit." Sakura said as she entered the living room. Ino was sitting on the couch, while Neji stood in the same place when Sakura left.
"It was nothing." He replied dryly. Sakura nodded and glanced at Ino, who was staring at Neji. Something happened, she could sense it. She glanced from Neji to Ino. Ino stood and dusted herself off.
"I should ... go. Tenten wanted to train with me." Sakura glared at her.
"Why didn't you ask me?"
"You always train, take a day off." She responded cheerfully before closing the door behind her. Sakura was officially trapped in a state of awkward hell. She scratched her head, thinking of what to say.
"So... having fun being an ANBU?" Neji glanced at her with blank eyes. She nervously smiled.
"I wouldn't call it fun." Sakura frowned. I'm sounding like an idiot...
"Oh." Silence consumed them as they stood alone in her living room. "Why are... you here?"
"Do you want me to leave?"
"No! I mean, no. I just... you never... you never even spoke to me before... why now?" Neji didn't look at her, but kept his eyes locked on a patch of carpet.
"I just felt like it." Liar. Sakura huffed. She knew the only reason he was here was to see if the rumors were true. He needed to know if she really was a mental case.
"I'm not mental." She said sternly after a moment of silence. Neji looked up at her jade eyes.
"I didn't say you were."
"That's why you're here though. Isn't it? To see if I'm crazy."
"No."
"You don't have to lie to me, Hyuga. I'm not an idiot."
"Sometimes."
"What does that mean?" His eyes amusingly sparkled, making Sakura feel even more upset.
"It means sometimes you are." His voice never changed tone, which really pissed her off. Ever since they first met, his voice hardly ever changed. It was like someone placed a volume setting on him and he couldn't change the dial.
"When am I an idiot?" She scowled at the Hyuga boy while he smirked at her.
"Whenever you wallow in self pity." She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Excuse me? I do not wallow in self pity."
"Sometimes." Sakura clenched her hands into fists. His misty eyes dully stared at her with such distain, it only fueled her anger.
"You don't know what I do, thank you very much." Neji shrugged.
"I know you wallow."
"I do not wallow!"
"All that training and hiding is a definite sign of wallowing."
"I train because I want to be stronger..." She crossed her arms. "And I most definitely do not hide."
"Whatever."
"I do not!"
"You train because you want to prove to everyone you're strong without Sasuke and you hide because you don't want them to see you aren't." Sakura stared at him blankly. No one had ever been that direct towards her in years. It took her off guard and she didn't even know what to say. She finally composed herself and retorted.
"You don't know anything about me, Hyuga! So don't even act like it."
"You're forgetting my Byakugan, I can see right through your eyes." Sakura glared at him before turning her back to him.
"So, you came here to rub it in my face? Is that it? Rub pathetic Sakura's face in her own disgusting life?" Her words were drenched with anger, and they stung Neji unexpectedly.
"No, I came here to tell you it's not worth it. Trust me, I know." Neji stood still as the muscles in Sakura's back relaxed. It was true, he did know what it was like. He had pushed himself since he was a child to prove to everyone he was worth a damn. He wanted everyone to remember his name when they thought of the word Hyuga. He wanted them to know just because he was only in the branch family, didn't mean he was worthless. Sakura was out to prove she was worth something too. But she was trying to prove to a past Sasuke more than anyone, and that was the reason for her hiding. She was dwelling on the past.
"Why? Why do you care?" Neji stared at the back of her head. He always found her hair ridiculous. A soft shade a pink, the color of cherry blossoms. Her eyes were her best feature, a beautiful jade green. He was glad he wasn't looking into those eyes at the moment.
"Because, Naruto..."
"Naruto, huh? He convinced you to come here and play hero for him? What, was he too busy to do it himself?" She snapped, turning around to face him. Her eyes were blazing, but Neji didn't look away.
"He said something, but he never told me to come here."
"What did he say? That I was a mess? Pathetic? Weak?!" Neji stared at her, her face was distorted in rage. She always was so emotional.
"He told me that you used to be like a ray of sunshine until Sasuke turned you into a rain cloud. It ... upset me."
"Why?"
"Hell if I know!" Neji snapped. Sakura blinked in surprise. He never raised his voice around her before, or even cursed. He was always so proper. "I guess because I always knew Sasuke was dark. I knew he was bad energy. I used to watch you trail after him like a puppy, and you always wore the same ridiculous smug expression. I knew he was going to hurt you, turn you for the worst. And now, I see I was right." Neji stood still, letting his words sink into her. She stared at the floor for awhile.
"He told me you used to be a ray of sunshine before Sasuke turned you into a rain cloud." Sakura heard his words repeat themselves inside her mind. She didn't move or speak for what seemed like a good ten minutes, repeating that sentence in her mind. She awoke from her daze when she saw Neji walk towards the door.
"I'm leaving." Sakura felt a pain in her chest. She didn't want to be alone anymore. Sasuke's leaving made her push everyone away, and now she was stuck with just herself. Ino, Tenten, and Hinata were trying, but failing horribly. Sakura just wanted someone to understand her. And so far, Neji seemed pretty understanding to her.
"Wait!" Neji stopped and turned to look at her. Her eyes were reading sadness and loneliness. Neji felt his heart skip a beat as his eyes locked with her. She was filled with so much sadness. "I mean... you don't... have to go, do you?" Neji stood still for a moment, just staring at her.
"No, I don't." Sakura smiled and walked towards him. She placed a hand on his arm and locked eyes with him.
"Thank you."
Naruto sighed and played with his noodles, spinning them around his fork in circles. Hinata blinked and watched him curiously.
"Is... is something wrong?" Naruto snapped out of his daze and looked up at her. He always thought she was cute. Her eyes always timid and mysterious, her face always pink with a flush and her hair cut short around her ears. He smiled at her.
"I'm just worried about Sakura." Hinata nodded. Hinata had made an agreement with Tenten and Ino to try to help Sakura out of her rut. She needed to get back to her old self. It had been years now, and everyone felt it was time she moved on.
"Neji visited her today." Hinata shyly stated. Naruto perked up and stared at her.
"Why? When?" Hinata blushed.
"He brought her fruit." Naruto raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Our Neji? Neji Hyuga?" Hinata nodded slowly. "Why?" Hinata looked down at her bowl of ramen.
"He said because he hadn't spoken with her in a long time."
"That's a load of crap." Naruto huffed as he crossed his arms and glared at his ramen. What is Neji doing with Sakura? He never even acted like she was alive before! Naruto had always been protective of Sakura, he used to think he loved her. But her heart always belonged to Sasuke. He glared harder at his noodles just thinking of Sasuke and what he did to Sakura.
"Sakura won't even talk to me anymore." Naruto mused as Neji punched a target. Naruto was lazily lounging on the ground, his face turned towards the sky.
"So? Maybe she wants to be left alone."
"It's been years, why is she still so heart broken? I haven't heard her laugh in so long. She used to be a ray of sunshine before Sasuke turned her into... a rain cloud."
"How poetic." The stoic Hyuga commented.
"It's true. She was always happy and cheery. No matter how many times he called her annoying, she bounced back with a smile. But he really did it this time." Naruto glared at the sky. Neji stopped punching and stared at the blonde Jounin. "She's become this...emotionless mess."
"Naruto?" Hinata's voice brought Naruto back from his memory. It was a week ago he and Neji had that conversation. Neji and himself became closer when they went on a mission that lasted several months, and even closer when Naruto started dating Hinata. They respected each other now, understood where the other one came from. But somehow, Neji threw Naruto for a loop with him visiting Sakura like this out of the blue.
"I'm sorry. I just... spaced out." He hung his head before locking eyes with Hinata. "Maybe I should check up on her."
Neji listened to the silence of the room. It had been hours since he first arrived, and he was still there. Actually, he was holding her as she slept. She had cried on him before passing out into a very much needed sleep. The whole time, Neji just held her. He didn't say anything but she let her cry.
"Neji... I cried on your shirt," Sakura stated as she whipped her tears. Neji noticed the spot on his shoulder, wet with salt water. He shrugged and looked back at her.
"It won't hurt it." Sakura nodded. Her eyes looked so tired. "I'll leave so you can sleep, you look tired." She stopped him from standing up, gripping her hand in his. Neji stared at her.
"I can't sleep." She said numbly. "I try, but I never can." She sniffed and hid her face in a veil of pink hair. "I always... see his face." Neji sat back down and held her hand tighter. "Stay with me?"
Neji was suckered into staying, and now her head was resting on his lap. He could hear her breathing, soft and even. Her hand was still in his, but he hadn't noticed. She was right, it was hard for her to sleep. Every time her eyes finally closed, they popped back open. Neji decided he would try to help her.
Neji tentatively placed his free hand on her back, drawing circled and spirals. Her muscled relaxed under his finger tips. "Concentrate on the designs. Think of nothing else." He knew she was seeing Sasuke every time she closed her eyes, so maybe this would help. He could feel the bones on her spine as his fingers glided over the fabric of the clothes. She was skinny, and that worried him. He hadn't noticed until now. He could feel each bone, and if he looked closely, he could see them too. Her legs were thin and looked like only muscle. She curled up in a ball, while his fingers worked their magic. In ten minutes, she was out like a lamp.
His hand rested on her back, taking in the curve on her spine. Her arms were draped across his lap, but he didn't mind the contact. He was actually pretty comfortable. He noticed the change in lighting, the sun was dipping lower in the horizon. It was almost night. He wondered if he should wake her and leave, but that meant she might not get back to sleep. But... could he stay here... the entire night?
Neji jumped when he heard a loud knock on the door. Sakura stirred slightly. "Sakura? Sakura? Are you in there?" He recognized that voice without a second thought. Neji looked down at Sakura. She stirred a little more, but still hadn't woken completely.
"Sakura?" Neji whisper and slightly shook her. "Naruto is here." She woke and blinked a couple times before letting his words register.
"Naruto!" She jumped up and fixed her hair, which was messed from sleeping. Neji stayed put, watching her clumsily walk to the door.
"Sakura!" Naruto gave her a rough hug, squeezing her tightly.
"Naruto...can't...breathe..." Naruto put her down with a boyish grin.
"Oops." Sakura stepped back as he pushed his way into the living room. He glanced around before his eyes found Neji sitting on the couch. "Neji? You're here? Wow, that's odd meeting you here."
"Hinata told you." Naruto blinked.
"What do you want, Naruto?" Sakura asked flatly.
"Why are all the lights turned off?" Naruto asked as he began to walk around the apartment.
"I like natural light."
"But there's no sun anymore."
"Does it matter?" Naruto raised an eyebrow and looked Sakura up and down.
"I guess not. I mean, if you like darkness."
"Why are you here?" Sakura asked, her tone sounding annoyed. Naruto grinned at her.
"Can't I visit a friend without a reason?"
"No."
"Sakura!"
"Naruto!" She glared at him. Neji couldn't help but notice this reminded him a lot of the younger days between them. "Why don't you go back to Hinata? As you can see, everything is fine here."
"I just wanted to see you, Sakura." Naruto pouted. Sakura sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I'm sorry, Naruto. But I'm just tired. Can we talk another time?" Naruto sighed and rolled his eyes.
"I guess..." Sakura faked a grin and began to shove Naruto out the door.
"Great! See you later!" She slammed the door shut behind him and sighed. "I love him, but sometimes I want to kill him." Neji smirked. He suddenly felt awkward and played with the end of couch.
"If you're tired, I should go." He stood and walked towards the door. He felt her eyes on him and turned to see her distraught. "What's wrong?" Sakura looked down with shame. "Tell me." Neji left her chin and looked her in the eyes. "You want me to stay." She nodded, Neji's heart raced for reason unknown to him.
"But it's okay, I know you can't. Just go before I tie you to the chair." Neji's eyes widened. Sakura burst into a fit of giggles. "I was kidding!" She held her stomach as she laughed. Neji let himself smile, but forced a chuckle back into his throat. Sakura grinned at him. "I haven't laughed like that in awhile." Neji nodded politely. Sakura shifted her weight.
"I should go."
"Yes, you should." Neji watched her hang her head, her hair falling around her face. I guess her hair isn't that bad... Sakura looked up and met his gaze, staring at him with such a blank face. "You haven't moved." Neji blinked, realizing what she said was very true.
"It seems that way."
"Why?" The young Hyuga didn't say anything, but parted his mouth is slight confusion. "Oh! Ha, I guess it's my fault." Neji raised an eyebrow.
"How so?" Sakura grinned, her eyes playfully sparkling.
"I'm standing in your way." She moved to the side, her hands gesturing towards the door. Neji shook his head at her behavior. Sometimes, she was just as bad as Naruto. Then again, Naruto had a weird way of rubbing off on people.
Neji walked to the door, but paused and looked back at Sakura. She was smiling at him, fake, but still pretty. "Meet me at the training ground tomorrow." Sakura's smile fell instantly.
"Wha-why?" Neji smirked, walking out the door and feeling the light nip of cool, night breeze.
"Because sometimes training alone isn't enough. Sometimes, having someone there helps," he replied softly, and then closed the door.
