Survival of the Fittest

Note: blah blah...shity shitty...junk...me dead laxy...de chapter is ary ary short...well...kinda...i suppose XD itz friday...and me NOT gonna put a good afternoon ta waste on de computer ^^; well on ta de story!

~*~

Sakura spun around and froze. In front of her stood Neji, glaring at her with a disgusted expression on his face. His whole attitude was dripping with malice and hate. Sakura looked down and saw that he was clapping his hands mockingly...each clap made her wince...slowly bringing her back to reality....shattering the fantasy that she'd just experienced with Sasuke.

"Well...well...it seems like as if you LOVEBIRDS...need some time alone," he practically spat out. "It's obvious that you don't need...or want me around..."

"Neji-kun..." she murmured apologetically. "I...I...was only..."

Neji shot her a look that silenced her. "It doesn't matter..." he muttered slowly turning away from them. "It wasn't meant to be...it just wasn't meant to be..."

Sakura shot him a puzzled look. "What are you talking about?" she demanded, when he remained silent. "Answer me Neji...what is bothering you?!"

He narrowed his eyes. "It's none of your business..." he said simply as if that was all the explanation that he needed. "It's MY life...I'd appreciate it if you'd give me some breathing space..."

"I need some time alone...to think about things..."

Sakura couldn't help but whisper, "But...I thought that we were...friends..."

Neji felt something in his heart break at those words. Friends? Is that what she thought of him? As a friend? Is that all that the only role he could play in her life? He quickly swallowed his hurt before anyone could see it...much less Sakura...

"...and friends always tell each other everything..." she said innocently. Sakura stared at Neji sorrowfully. "You are my friend...aren't you?"

He heard those words reverberate through his head....again and again...until it practically drove him mad. Neji took a deep breath and forced a smile. He would do anything to make her happy...even if it meant...lying to her...

"Yea...of course"

"Good..." she said brightly, jumping into Neji's arms and giving him a warm hug. "You're one of my bestest best friends!" squealed Sakura before giving him a peck on the cheek and releasing him.

Meanwhile, Sasuke couldn't help but snort at Sakura's innocent actions. He wasn't stupid...he knew that Hyuga had feelings for Sakura...feelings that even he...might have a hard time competing with.

"So what's wrong?" she asked, once she calmed down enough. "Aren't you going to tell me?"

Neji slowly shook his head. It wasn't the time...not now...he couldn't tell her... He looked deeply into her emerald green eyes and sighed once again.

"No...not now..."

"Please??"

He forced himself to look stern, as if he was lecturing a young child. "Sakura-chan? I...said...NO!" he said, emphasizing the last word.

Sakura pouted, before crossing her arms in mock defeat. "Fine...fine..."

"I...need some fresh air..." he said slowly before walking out the door. "Don't follow me..."

Sakura stared down at her feet, as she heard the door slam shut. Slowly she lifted her eyes and met Sasuke's. "I'm worried about him..." she said nervously. "He isn't acting like himself these days..."

Sasuke nodded in agreement, even though unlike Sakura...he knew WHY Hyuga was acting so weird.

"I'm going to go check on him..." she said slowly, turning toward the door. However she stopped suddenly when she felt Sasuke grab her wrist.

"Don't...stay here...it's not safe for you to go outside..." he stated calmly. Sasuke held up his hand for silence as soon as Sakura began protesting.

"I'll talk with him..."

~*~

Note: once again...me sorry itz short...me'll try ta update as soon as me can ^^ Don't forget ta REVIEW! REVIEW!