Hey, this is my first fanfiction in awhile. Please treat it nicely. I also take constructive criticism, which means, light flames. Anyways, please enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Naruto characters or the plot….Masashi Kinomoto does…lucky guy…
Chapter 1: Forgotten Then, Forgotten Now
Sakura's POV
Five years after Team 7 had disbanded, everyone was on their own. Naruto became a world famous ninja, though still not Hokage. Sasuke was still with Orochimaru hoping for revenge on his brother, and Kakashi still known as Kakashi of the Sharingan eye. What happened to me? Let's just say I'm forgotten in the past. I don't see what I did wrong. I was weak but now I'm as strong as Tsunade and people still don't recognize me. Nowadays, Ino always spent time with Shikamaru that she didn't have time for me anymore. Talk about a best friend. Hinata, still shy had the courage to be Naruto's girl, though she doesn't stutter anymore. But now, I'm no one's friend, no one's girl. Even Tsunade, who I considered as my own mother, ran off gambling with Jiraiya. Tenten was also with Shino, though I never understood how that happened. Kiba became one of the Konoha's most talented ninja dog trainers. And I? Sure, I'm still a ninja, I still accept missions. But the big part missing was comfort and friends. I was lonely. I guess I always have been. How long have I been like this? Since my team was disbanded. You might be wondering where I am right now, I'm in the middle of a river drowning myself. I guess there wasn't anyone to save me from the darkness. As I slowly closed my eyes, I saw a hand reach through the water. Can't be, I'm just hallucinating. Then again, there might always be a chance that I wasn't alone. But it's too late now.
Neji's POV
'Damn it! Almost there!' I reached deeper into the water, still making sure I wouldn't fall in. Finally I felt her hand and pulled her ashore. 'Haruno?' Her face was pale. I started to perform CPR. As she coughed up the water, her eyes opened. "Who?" I shushed her.
"Be quiet and rest."
When she closed her eyes again, I picked her up and walked to my house. I laid her on my bed, took her wet clothes off and pulled the covers over her after changing her into my spare clothes. I soaked a small towel and placed it on her forehead. 'Now what?' As I thought a bit, I decided it was the best decision to stay next to her when she wakes. I pulled up a chair next to the bed and read a book while waiting. 'I wonder why she was trying to take her own life? Did she regret doing something?' I petted her head a bit. She looked cute. 'Cute?! Last time I heard Lady Hinata, she told me that when you considered someone of the opposite gender cute, that you'd fallen for that person. Did I truly love this Haruno girl? Nah, can't be!' I ignored the thought and continued reading.
Two hours later….
"Nggh…" I looked and saw her waking up.
"Hey." She blushed and hid under the blanket. "Don't worry. You're safe." I petted her head once more. "Are you feeling better?" She nodded.
"Yes. Thank you."
"May I ask you a question?" I asked.
"Go ahead."
"Why did you try and drown yourself?" She didn't answer. "It's fine. You don't need to answer if you don't want to."
"No, I'll tell you." She started to tell me what happened after the separation of Team 7. After she was done, she sighed. "That's why." I looked out the window, then up at the ceiling.
"I still remember that day at the finals of the Chunin exams. The day I lost to Naruto. He taught me an important thing. He taught me that I wasn't alone, no matter how lonely I felt. He released me from my cage." I looked at Haruno-san now. She looked sad and tired. I touched her soft face. "You're not alone. Even if everyone forgot about you, I'm still here." Tears from her eyes fell. She took her arm and placed it over her eyes.
"Thank…you…Hyuga-sama."
"Don't worry about it. I'll go have my servants go prepare something for you to eat. You must be hungry."
Sakura's POV
I was right. I'm not alone anymore. Maybe that small ray of light shined through the darkness. I felt loved. Someone noticed me, someone actually noticed me. "Is it alright for you to go through all this trouble because of me?"
"Technically no, but then again, I'm doing this because of my own free will. You may stay here as long as you like…that is…if you're not in a rush." I shook my head. "Good. Now wait here for a moment." I looked as he left. 'Thank…you…Neji-kun.'