Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto but I do own this fic. Okay here's my third fic in Naruto. I have four stories actually but the 4th one was about RurouniKenshin. So if you want to read them just search me in the 'author by pen name'. And please submit review as well.

This story is mainly NejiSaku but a little bit SasuSaku. To explain further will definitely spoil the fic. All people out there who's an avid fan of NejiSaku? Hmmm…. you will like this fic!

This is an overly dramatic fic. All my fic is about Romance/Drama. Oh well, I like it that way. For you to know, I'm a hopeless romantic girl! Haha! So prepare a box of tissues before reading my fic.

I'll start now. Please submit Review always! Arigatou Gozaimasu! Enjoy reading my fic.

Text in Italics: Inner thoughts

Chapter 1: "Pretensions Can't Be Hidden"

Morning came in the village of Konoha. People started to do their own routines under the beautiful sunrise. Inside the Uchiha Residence, it was still, no movement at all. Normally, it would perk up into a bright mood, filling the whole house with the sweet aroma of cherry blossoms. Sakura was still asleep. Her house was in a mess. Like it wasn't like her at all. Minutes passed, she stirred slightly but still with her eyes closed. She turned to her side and let her hands crawled, like finding someone sleeping beside her. "Ummm… morning Sasuke…" she whispered. She waited for a brief moment, waited for her husband's reply. No answer. Just only chirping of birds outside her window. She stirred again, and then she opened her eyes slowly. She gazed around, only to find herself alone in her dark room. She was always like this every morning. She wanted to cry but her tears won't come out. Her eyes were already drained lately. She felt sad and lonely.

It's been five long years since he died. Since Uchiha Sasuke died. Since her husband died from saving her in a mission. She couldn't shake the feeling that somehow Sasuke will just appear in front her smiling at her saying, "I'm Home." She hoped too many times, that it would happen but no, no matter how hard she would wish for it, it will never happen because he's gone. Long gone for her not to see him again. Sometimes she would blame herself that it was her fault why he died. She felt guilty because she had done nothing for him to live longer. He died in front of her telling her that he loves her for the last time. She felt nothing but weakness in her heart because she knows she can't bring him back. 'He didn't even let me reply to his last words… he didn't let me say that I love him so much… he just closed his eyes and left me there…' She can still remember that hurtful event. She slowly sat up and rests her head on the headboard. She stared blankly at the ceiling. 'It still hurts though… but my eyes won't cry anymore…' She sighed.

She felt so empty that time but she knows she have to move on. It was almost five years since he left and she knows, Sasuke wouldn't like it if she would always cry for him. He wanted her to be happy. She has to face the reality that she was now living alone. But she knows in her heart that Sasuke will always be there at her side to guide and protect her. She will never forget him and she will always keep him in her heart. Besides, she still has her family and friends.

She forced herself to stand up and fixed her bed. She looked around her room only to find that it was in a total mess. She came home late last night from an A-rank mission. She was now a Jounin. She would always ask Tsunade for more missions to get Sasuke off her mind. Fortunately it works for her. But then, she would always be sad whenever she comes home at night. She reached up to her window and pulled aside the curtain to let the heat of the sun occupy her room. It sure was a beautiful day. She picked a ribbon from her hairdresser and tied her hair into a ponytail. She started to clean her room. Piece by piece she picked her scattered dirty clothes and put in her laundry basket. She made her way to her cabinet near her bathroom where the broom and dustpan stored. She got it and started to clean the floor. She wiped it also with a rug for the dust to fade. She again looked around in her room and smiled, "Now, this is what I call 'my room'."

It was her day-off from her missions. Tsunade gave her one-month day-off. She told her, she also needs a rest, a time for herself. Sakura just laid it off because she knows; Tsunade won't let her win in that kind of discussion. She looked outside her window, stared at the beautiful blue sky. She smiled as she thought, 'I know you're there… I love you Sasuke…' She look down and backed away from the window. She reached to her bathroom and gone to shower. She stripped off her clothes and let her body sink in the warm water. She took the bottle of 'Sweet Aroma of Cherry Blossoms' then she dropped a few drops on the water. The aroma filled the bathroom, so relaxing. She putted back the bottle beside the bathtub. She slowly closed her eyes and relaxes. She spent there almost one hour; she even got on the verge of sleeping when the water in the bathtub started to overflow. She slowly stood up then reached for her bathrobe. She stepped out form her bathroom and rummaged into her closet to find clothes. She took out a pink flowered sundress and slipped it on her slim body. Since Sasuke died, she'd learn to tie he hair into a ponytail. It was a sign that she's now learning that he's gone. She liked it that way though.

Her bangs faintly fall on her face, emphasizing her pretty face. She looked at her reflection at the mirror then sprayed a few of her perfume, which she usually gotten used to. With one last glance at her hairdresser, she smiled at the picture 'I'm going to take a walk… I'll be back after a few hours… I love you Sasuke…' Then she closed the door behind her with the faint click of the doorknob. She went to her kitchen and pours herself a glass of milk and toasts bread. Moments later, she was now cleaning the dishes. And then, she examined her fridge and cupboards. 'Hmmm… I also need to go to the grocery…' she thought. She fumbled for her keys and stepped out from her apartment securing it. She started to walk. She decided she would first go to the Sakura Park.

She stopped by the Flower Shop and bought flowers. She would visit him. Few minutes of walking, she finally reached the Sakura Park. She fall on her knees and looks down on the gray stone. "Uchiha Sasuke. 1980-1999. We honor and love you. Always, your wife; Sakura and your friends.' Her face saddened a little. She sighed and thought, 'I miss you so much… Sasuke…' She placed the bouquet of flowers there on the gray stone. She looked around the park. This park means a lot to them. It is where they first met, that's why this is where Sasuke's remains buried. That was what he wanted though. Sakura Trees slowly swaying with the wind. Such a beautiful and serene place. She inhaled the sweet scent of summer breeze. She was happy that when she was given a day-off, it was summer. It was her favorite time of the year. She stood up and whispered, 'I have to go… See you again…' She started to walk away.

While walking to the grocery store, she saw a blonde girl run towards her. "Hi Sakura-chan!" "Oh Ino! Hello!" she smiled. Ino and her remained best friends till now. The only difference was they've gotten very close since Sasuke died. With Hinata, the trio would always spend time with each other. They never left Sakura's side. "Where are you going? You look pretty today Sakura!" Ino said as she examined her friend. "Thank You Ino! I'll go to the grocery store to shop for some food." Sakura answered. "Okay, can I come with you?" Ino asked. "That's okay with me but where's Shikamaru?" Sakura continued. "Oh him? He left for another mission. He'll be back after two days." Ino smiled at her. Ino and Shikamaru was now married for two years. They didn't thought that they would end up being married but fate brought them together. "Okay, let's go then." Sakura reached for Ino's hand. Ino just smiled at her best friend. 'I can see that you're moving on slowly Sakura but I know sometimes it still hurts you…' Ino thought.

When Sasuke died, Ino cried too not because she still have some attraction for him but love for a friend. She cried for Sakura's pain, for her best friend's sadness. She knows how hard Sakura struggles to be okay. That's why she and Hinata didn't left her side no matter what happens. "Hey, there's Hinata-chan! Hi Hinata-chan!" the blonde girl waved her hand. "Oh, hey Ino-chan! Sakura-chan! How are you two?" the blacked hair ninja asked shyly. "Hi Hinata-chan!" Sakura said and she noticed that Hinata wasn't alone. She was with her cousin, the silver eyed and long black haired guy. It was Neji. "Hi Neji." She continued with a smile. "Oh, you're with your cousin Hinata-chan. Hi Neji!" Ino said too. Neji just nodded at them. "Oh my father wouldn't let me go, if he's not with me." She sighed shyly. "Hinata-chan, want to come with us? We will go to the grocery store." Ino asked. "Is it okay if Neji-niisan will come too?" Hinata asked them. "No it's okay with us Hinata-chan." Sakura smiled at her. "Then that's settled, let's go!" Ino said.

The four of them reached the grocery store after thirty minutes. Hinata and Ino are chatting endlessly while Sakura is busy looking for some frozen food and Neji, well, always at their back not talking. "Hey Sakura, what do you say, we go for a picnic tomorrow at the Sakura park?" Ino asked. Sakura who was still busy looking for some frozen food startled a bit. She heard it clearly. '… at the Sakura Park…' Ino's voice echoed in her mind. Memories of the past starts to invade her mind. Her face saddened a bit. Hinata noticed this and nudged Ino. She eyed the blonde girl at mentioning the Sakura Park. Ino forgot, that place brings a lot of memories to Sakura. A mixture of happy and hurtful memories. Sakura contained herself and tried to swallow all the pain in. "Oh, I'm sorry Ino-chan. I already have plans for tomorrow. I'm going to clean my house tomorrow." "Is that so? It's okay." Ino said as she gave Hinata a meaning look, one that signaling her to search the underneath things. "Umm… ano… Sakura-chan, are you okay… I mean it's been almost five years since Sasuke died… Are you getting any better?" Hinata stuttered.

Sakura froze the minute Hinata asked her about Sasuke. She still couldn't bear it every time she was interrogated with such questions. But she has to accept the fact that she can't always run away from those types of situations. She has to face it. And she know that her friends are just concern about her. They were always there for her every time she needs someone to lean on. And the least that she can do for them not to worry was for her to pretend that she's fine. She's getting used to it though. She would always conditions herself that she's okay and would never admit to anyone even to herself that she was still on the verge of pain. She has to do that for the people who never left her side. She plastered her perky smile and said, "Don't worry Hinata-chan, I'm fine. I mean, I'm better now compared before. I'm getting used to it." Hinata just smiled but deep down she knows it wasn't like that but she have to support her friend whatever her decision was. "Okay, Sakura-chan. We just want you to know that we will always be here for you." She smiled looking at Ino then to her. "Yeah, we're friends right?" Ino asked. "I know, that's why I'm thankful enough to have you both with me." Sakura smiled.

Neji who overheard their conversation at the back knows Sakura was just pretending to be okay. He could see it in her eyes. After Sasuke died, he looked over Sakura. He can't understand why he would always do that. Until after two years, he realized that he's beginning to fall for her, or rather I should say, he's beginning to love her in a meaningful way. He would always follow her wherever she goes and protect her from danger. He knows that Sakura was still hurting that's why he'd been keeping his distance from her. He will just be there at her back if ever she would fall. He will just be there to protect and guide her. He admires Sakura so much. He had never seen a girl who experienced a lot of pain, but still finds her smile. She is a strong woman, as he would always say to himself. But he knows that there's still this limit that in no time she would fall down and give up. That's what his purpose, to catch her and be her support. He looked at her in the corner of his eyes and thought. 'I will always be here for you Sakura… even though you don't know that I'm here…'

TBC…

So how was it? I hope you will like the story…Sasuke is not deleted in this story. He will have some parts on the later fics…

Next Chapter: Chapter 2: "Tacit Emotions"

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Domo Arigatou for reading my fic!!

Ja ne!

This is kaeci signing off….