After buying everything on my grocery list, Hinata-san and I went to our houses to put up the food. She'd told me afterward, I was welcome to come over. When I accepted, she seemed so happy. That smile she had... I haven't seen it in years. I'm glad that I was the one to cause it.

After putting the food up, I wrote a note on the fridge letting the kids know that I got the groceries and where I would be if I were to come home late. I stuck the note under a magnet and left.

Hinata's house wasn't far of a walk. But it was far enough for me to think this through. There are so many scenarios goings through my head about how this whole thing could go. And most of them are bad.

How could I explain to her my sudden change of heart? How can I answer some of her questions if she has any? Hopefully doesn't.

'Pfft, she totally has questions!'

A small sigh escaped my lips. My doubts and fears are starting to come to light. I could feel and hear my heartbeat speeding up rainy the more I think about it. I really thought I was ready to rekindle my relationships but the anxiety is getting to be too much.

I stopped confront of Hinata's house staring at her door. I felt my body heating up. My hands became sweaty and clammy. I took it and breathed out air trying to control my shaky breath and raised my hand shaky to knock.

'Am I really ready for all of this? Am I prepared for possible rejection from others? Am I ready to address it...'

My arm fell limp against my side and I turned away from the door. "You're not ready for this Sakura, " I told myself stripping further away from her doorstep. "I-Its just not the right time yeah? She's probably busy cooking anyway! Let's just go-"

Suddenly, the door swung open to Sakura's surprise. Out stepped a concerned apron wearing Hinata.

"S-Sakura-San, are you...are you staying?" she asked in the softest voice. She must've sensed my presence at some point.

I turned to her and immediately felt guilty. She looked so worried over me, as always, and here I was pushing her away again.

'Not again. Not. Like last time.'

"Y-Yes, may I come in?"

A smile of relief plastered her face. "Yes. Please, come in."

She welcomed me into her house and directed me to her sofa. I took a sit as she went into the kitchen to get the tea.

"Your house looks bigger than I remember, Hinata-san." I looked around in awe. There week paintings of her family on the wall.

'Cute.'

I smiled as I looked at the joyous photos. My eyes continued to look until it fell upon a certain photo. I got up and cautiously approached the picture. I felt my smile starting to falter as I got closer.

"W-What did you say Sakura-San? I didn't hear..," she caught me staring at our group photo. "Oh."

"I remember this. It's the picture of us, all of us.It was just after the war... Gosh, I remember it so vividly." an unnoticed stray tear ran down my cheek. "We were so ducking tired that day hehe. Exhausted...but happy. Happy that the war was over. Happy for the future..."

I jumped at Hinata suddenly embracing me.

"Sakura-san, " She said my name in the softest voice. " I know it's hard. I can't imagine what you're going through but I'm here...always."

"...Thank you..."

She poured green tea in both cups and gave one to me.

"Thank you."

She gave me a soft smile and took a sit. I blew on mine before taking a sip as well.

I knew what she was thinking. Back at the market place, I told her that I was fine, but obviously, I wasn't. She probably thinks that I was lying... And I wouldn't blame her. God, I'm so stupid to think that I can handle all of this head on so early! It's been years in the original timeline but I've never confronted my problems, only ran away from them! Maybe...maybe I shouldn't have come. Maybe I should-

"Sakura-san, " her smooth-voice ripped me from my overwhelmingly negative thoughts. "It's okay." she once again reassured me with that sweet smile of her hers.

"R-Right.."

"Now, " she put down both of our teacups, clasped my hands with her and looked me dead in my eyes. "Tell me. What's eating at you? Why...now?"

I bit my low lip and broke contact. What was I gonna tell her?

'My dead husband came to me from heaven and gave me the power to come back to the last and fix things!'

Really?!

"Well... I just...its...complicated."

"What's so complicated? Sakura-san, you can tell me anything."

I chewed at the bottom of my lip trying to find the rights words to explain myself. Moments later, I took in a huge breath and made eye contact once again.

"I... had this dream-nightmare that everybody was gone. Not like dead gone but-"

"Moved on..." she interrupted.

I shook my head yes. "Exactly. You, Ino, my children... Everyone just...gone. That...that dream felt like it went on for years and years. I remember so clearly how it felt. It was as if my body was there but not my soul. Like my spirit died a long time ago and the only that was left was my hollow body. Just waiting to die..."

"T-That's awful! Truly awful!" she exclaimed.

"I-I know! It was as if I was watching my future. ...Which is why I decided to get my life together." a half smile creeped upon my face. "But I think I'm not ready..."

"Sakura-san, listen to me." her firm hands gripped my shoulders. "You are ready. You saw the horrors of what could happen, you know what could happen if you don't act now. Don't give up. Please..." she pleaded to me.

I caught a glimpse of her eyes watering in the corner of her eyes. Was she really this invested?

"Hinata-san-" I tried to say but she shook her head no.

"I... I may not know how it feels to lose your husband... Or to see a vision of a terrible future, but I do know that you are strong! Stronger than anyone I know! You can't give up; you mustn't!"

Hinata was right. I came to far to just throw in the towel and retreat to isolation again. I just gained my children's live and trust back! I won't!

"You're right. I can't give in! I've come to far!" I promptly pulled Hinata in for a hug. "And thank you for the encouragement. You don't know how much I needed that..."

She hugged me back. I could feel her smile on my shoulder. "I'm glad I could help." when we pulled away, her smile slowly fell. I could tell there was something else. "What is it?"

Hinata looked down at her hands and twittled with her fingers. "Well, you mentioned your dream and... I was wondering... Are you still having that other nightmare?" she cautiously asked.

Oh. That dream.

"U-Um that..."

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring it up! It's just that, it was really prevalent after Naruto-kun died and..."

"No no. It's fine. With everything that's been going on, haven't had that dream in a good few...weeks. I guess that's why I completely forgot about it." I said. It's true, back then, I would barely sleep because of that torture nightmare. Everytime it was something different with the same outcome;

Death.

"O-Oh! Thanks good to hear!" she excitedly clasped her hands together.

"Thank you for asking." I gave her a wide smile before pushing myself off of her couch. "It would seem that it was almost time for the kiss go come home so I should get going."

She got up as well. "Same here. The kids are big eaters so I better get to it."

"Hm? Just like their father?" I joked.

"Exactly. It was hard enough to keep up with Kiba-kun's. Now with his children, its a job." she joked back.

"I can only imagine." giggled

As she walked me out, I let her know her know how grateful I was for the talk. "Thank you for inviting me here. I really appreciate it."

"Oh-Its no problem at all! I'll...see you around. Ok?"

"Don't worry. You will."