DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO AND ITS CHARACTERS. THEY BELONG TO THEIR RIGHTFUL CREATOR AND PUBLISHER.

Sorry for the typo and wrong grammar. I am too lazy to reread and review.

Thank you for your support specially to that bonus chapter!

Monsters are real,

They do exist

Not under our beds

But inside our hearts

Devouring us...

It is such a beautiful day, clear blue skies with the sun shining so bright. Yet, I feel a bit gloomy. The talk I have with Naruto yesterday, I wonder how he'd took it? Was it too blunt of me? Maybe, but I am sure what I said is true. Sakura chan is broken inside that thick wall she is showing us.

I realized days ago that Sakura chan's feelings will one day changed into a real one. A true love will soon blossom in her heart. But see, I was selfish. I did not want to believe it. So I pushed the thought out of my mind. Then I saw Naruto kun, how much trouble he is going through just to balance time between Sakura chan and I. I felt ashamed of what I did. I disregarded what it is he really feels and I also robbed Sakura chan's second chance to love. I feel guilty and I once again almost hate myself. Hate myself for almost falling to selfishness' open arms.

Saying those words to Naruto kun, it is painful. It chokes me. But that is the only salvation I have. The only way to redeem myself of the dark sin I committed. Bitter it is and yet it is the only medicine left for me to take.

I got to shake off this feeling of gloom inside me. The day is too bright for me to be sad. I tried my best to put on the best smile I could managed. I will soon feel light. For now I better start training. I got a lot to work on to.

I started my training only to be teased by Kiba kun who came with Shino kun. I haven't seen these two since our last mission a week ago. I wonder what it is that keeps them busy.

"I wonder what is the reason why you are working extra hard today?" Kiba asked with the same note of teasing on his voice. "Ah, is it because of a certain someone?"

"Why did you think of Naruto when Kiba did not mention any name in particular? Because you have been thinking of him and probably he is the reason you are working extra hard for training."

"Shino kun..." I feel my face heating up.

"Hahaha. You haven't got over with that crush of yours Hinata." Kiba kun said again.

"Why? It's because she's been spending a lot of time with him in secret these past days." Shino continued making my face turned deeper red.

"You make it sounds weird Shino kun." I looked at them only to see their inquisitive reaction. They wanted to know more about this secret meeting with Naruto kun. "It's nothing like that. You see Sakura chan and I have a small argument and Naruto being a great friend that he is, wants to remain both in our side."

"Are you and Sakura in good terms now?" Shino asked.

"Not yet," I said as I slightly shook my head. "But I know we will be. Sakura chan is not a bad person she just had a lot to think about."

"I feel sorry for that girl. She loves him that much but he did not reciprocate it, imagine how much it have hurt her." Shino kun said out of the blue.

"If you feel sorry for her you can help her forget the pain." Kiba teased him.

Shino kun turned his back from Kiba kun. "She's too loud for my liking."

"So Shino kun likes the quiet type of girl?" I asked innocently.

"I got no preferred type in particular."

"So stoic." Kiba teased again. "Anyway Hinata, if Naruto chooses Sakura you can always cry on to us."

"Kiba kun that is not so nice!"

"Hahhaha. I was just kidding. It will never happen."

"What will never happen?"

"Naruto is not the only dense one." Shino kun said but refused to answer me.

"And speak of the devil, isn't that Naruto?" Kiba said pointing a finger to the running Naruto.

"Yes and he is running towards us." Shino kun added.

"And what with that goof face of him?"

"Should we run for it Kiba? His stupidity might be contagious"

"I guess we should."

But before they could even move, Naruto kun have already put his arms on each of their shoulders. He seemed to be happy this time. I wonder what it is that happened.

"Oi Shino, Kiba and Hinata! I have something to announce." He said with voice full of happiness and pride.

"What is it Naruto kun?" I asked.

"My chunin test, guess what is it?"

"A ramen eating contest?" Kiba kun asked.

"A sexy jutsu exhibition?" Shino kun asked.

"You guys!" he said with a frown. "It is a one on one battle with Sasuke!"

"What is so exciting about that?" Kiba said uninterested.

"It will be the fight of the century."

"When will it be?" I asked excited for him.

He would finaly have the match he had been waiting for too long.

"Two weeks from now! Well I got to go and tell the others." He said and turned to leave. "Oh yeah Hinata be sure to be there."

"Don't tell me you will bother the whole village for that?" Kiba kun asked.

"I bet he will." Shino said.

"Ah you two. Could you just come with me as I said the good news to everyone?" Naruto kun said still holding on to them.

"Eh why would we?"

"Just come on ok?" he said still not letting go. "By the way Hinata, Sakura chan might drop by. Well ja ne."

"I see. I guess this can't be help Kiba." Shino said.

"Alright see yah Hinata."

And the three of them run towards the village. I just hope they won't be much of a bother to others. Ah I have to continue my training. Now that Naruto kun is taking another step forward I should do my best to keep up with him.

I was about to continue when I noticed Sakura chan standing in the corner, leaning on a tree. She does not look angry or as broken as she did that night. This Sakura chan seems to be at ease.

"Hinata, can we talk?" she asked me. Her voice had some uncertainty on it. As if she is thinking twice whether this is the right time for us to talk.

"Of course we can." I answered her making her feel sure that it is alright for us to talk.

"I do not know how to start this." She said in a serious low voice. "Truthfully, I do not even know how will I face you. I am really ashamed of what I've done. My mind and heart were at chaos that time. I do not know where to run. So I came to the closest arms wide open for me. It was Naruto. His warmth comforted me and I was drawn to his light. I think maybe if I stayed with him I no longer have to feel cold. That I will soon be whole again."

She closed her eyes before she continues and she looks so serene. She had found her resolution and I feel glad about it. She too understands.

"Then in our mission, I saw the two of you and remembered the feelings you have for him. I was afraid and I got more afraid as I saw him getting closer to you. I do not love Naruto the way you did but I told myself, it is alright, as long as I am not hurting when I am with him, he is worth keeping. I was afraid that my safe harbor will be stolen away from me. And I did the most selfish thing.."

Her voice cracks, she slides down to her knees with her hand on her face and tears rolled down to the ground, wetting it.

"Sakura chan." I walked towards her and kneeled beside her.

"I am sorry! I was selfish. I only think of myself. I disregard your feelings. I never considered how hurt you were that night, all I could ever think was that Naruto is mine to keep. I gave in to the envious monster inside me. What I did is shameful and I got no right to ask for forgiveness from you. But still I wanted to."

"Stop crying Sakura chan." I said and I hold her hand. "You don't have to ask me for forgiveness because I hold no grudge against you. I am the one who should apologize for slapping you and for not knowing that pain you are going through."

"I deserved the slap." She said looking at me. "I deserve more than a slap."

"Don't be too hard on yourself. You are not the only one who gave in the monster inside of you. I did too. I too became selfish and think only of myself."

"You? Selfish? Don't make me laugh Hinata."

"Everyone of us has selfishness inside of us. We might have gave in to it once and let its ugly arms wrapped around us, but what important is what we truly got here." I said pointing to my chest. "A strong heart to realize its form, to acknowledge its existence but refused to dwell in it. Don't be ashamed Sakura chan because you have a strong heart. You found the courage to released yourself from its embraced."

There is a moment of silence. I do not only say those words for Sakura chan. I am saying those words for myself. I have been through that too. I once let selfishness' arms to wrap around me. I let the words sink in for both us. Then with the most gentle voice she spoke.

"Thank you. I feel lighter. Naruto is right."

"Right about what?" I asked confused.

"That you would forgive me. You truly have a gentle heart."

"Eh? That is not true at all." I said as I blushed all shades of red. "I was not that gentle."

"Hahaha. You are funny denying it." She laughed so hard and smiled. She might not have healed yet but she is on the process of it. Then she stopped and became serious again. "But Hinata, I want to tell you, when my heart is ready and worthy, I won't going to lose agaisnt you. I will fight fair and square. Ja, I have to go. I have to visit Kurenai sensei, her due date is around the corner."

Then she ran away. I too will not lose that easily when that time comes Sakura chan.

Oh yeah, I wanted to visit Kurenai sensei but she forbids me. She thought her condition might worry me. Well, I am still worried. A lot more worried now that I can't see her but I trust Sakura chan and the other medical nins who will take care of her.

I look up at the bright skies and let the warm sun illuminate my face. With a smile on my face, I know this will be agreat day.