Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I wish I could… Anyways, here's the next chapter. I hope you'll like it.

Hmmm… I think for all those NejiSaku fans will like this one…

This fic is very into drama and romance….

I hope this fic will make you realize something about loving a person….

The main story itself is my own perception about love so I hope some of you will agree with me.

I'll start my fic now… Enjoy!

Chapter 2: "Tacit Emotions"

They finished the grocery for about four hours. They started to part ways. Ino who promised Tenten that she would visit her that afternoon was the first one to say goodbye. Then the three of them left. "Umm, Sakura-chan, we must go now because my father would be angry if we'd come home late. Are you going to be fine alone?" Hinata asked. "Hai! Don't worry I'll be fine. Arigatou, for accompanying me Hinata-chan and to you too Neji-san!" Sakura smiled. Neji just nodded. "Okay, let's part ways then. Sayonara Sakura-chan!" Hinata bowed to her. "Sayonara Hinata-chan and Neji-san!" Sakura said as she turned her back from them and started to walk. Neji just stood there looking at Sakura as she disappeared. Hinata on the other hand just stood there beside him observing him. 'There is something about the way Neji looked at Sakura nowadays…' She thought. "Let's go home." Neji said in a low voice then started to walk.

Hinata followed him. While walking home, they don't even talk to each other. Neji was always silent. But there's something that she should know and she will ask him. Hinata broke the silence. "Neji-niisan, you want to talk?" Neji just answered her back in a calm voice. "Hn… no… why?" 'Why suddenly she wants to talk to me?' he thought. "There's something about the way you look at Sakura-chan…. Do you like her?" she asked in a serious tone. Neji was surprised at what he just heard. Never he thought that Hinata would sense it. He hid it very carefully because he doesn't want to have any problems concerning his feelings for Sakura. "No." he said, plain and simple. "You know, there's nothing wrong about talking. And there's no point in denying it." Hinata stopped staring at him. Neji just closed his eyes and sighed. Yeah, there's no point in denying it if the person knows it already. He knows he can't hide anything from Hinata because they're both Hyuga. Being a Hyuga has so many talents and one of them is to read someone's mind. Besides, he needs someone to talk to right now. His feelings for Sakura are beginning to grow into a serious one.

He sighed, "Yes, I like her. No, more than that, I love her and care for her, but I know she's still not over with Sasuke." "She maybe Neji-niisan, but soon enough she'll be over it. I believe that because she's a strong person." Hinata said. "Honestly, I'm not wishing that she would feel the same way for me or if ever, she would love me more that she did to Sasuke. I know I can't replace him. I just want her to be happy. It's more than enough." Neji said as he looked up to the sky. From what he told her, Hinata knew, he's deeply in love with Sakura. 'He's never been like this before…' she thought. Neji was the type of person who would always pretend that he's not a human. A cold-hearted person who hated weaklings; just like Sasuke. He would not open up to anyone about what he truly feels because he believes that a ninja shouldn't let his feeling be shown or get in the way. For him, it's a sign of being weak. And Sakura was the first girl he had ever love like this. She was glad that her cousin opened up to her. 'He changed a lot… all because of Sakura…' she smiled. "You know Neji-niisan, there's nothing wrong about the way you feel about her. Time will come, her wounds would heal up and she'll be able to see you as someone special. Just give her time and have lots of patience. And, be a friend to her." She said. Hinata knows in her heart, Neji is good for her friend.

It was nearly dawn when Sakura got to her house. She put down the grocery bags on the floor for a moment and fumbled for her keys inside her bag. After opening the door, she made her way directly to the kitchen to place the foods she just brought and put it in the fridge and cupboards. After that, she slumped back on her couch and rests her head. Those heavy grocery bags made her very tired. She thought about her day and she was happy that she has her friends with her to support her. But then again, she would still feel lonely and empty in her heart every time she would go home. Living alone is hard especially if you don't have someone to talk to. She stared at her television but didn't even bother to switch it on because her eyes felt tired. She frowned.

Normally when Sasuke was still alive, they would always watch TV together with Sasuke's arms wrapped around her. She missed those moments she had with him. She sighed. There she goes again, but she can't help it. Everything that's inside her house reminds her of him. Of course, it was their home. She swore to herself, she would never ever love again. She doesn't want to be hurt again. Not this time, not ever again. It was hard to bear. She sighed again. She stood up and gone to her bedroom. She doesn't want to eat dinner. She's not hungry though because Ino treated them a while ago. When she came to her room, she glanced at her hairdresser. There she saw their wedding picture. She laughed a little bit because Sasuke was smirking in the picture. 'He doesn't like pictures…' she thought. Then tears slid out from her eyes. She reached for it and holds it near her heart. "I'm home Sasuke… I love you… goodnight…" she whispered and placed a light kiss on the frame then put it back. She rummaged inside her closet and changed into her nightgown then climbed into her bed. She was tired and sleepy. After a few moments, she drifted off to sleep.

At the Hyuga Mansion, all lights were out and already sleeping except for one room. It was Neji's room. Although darkness occupied his room, the light of the moon streaked onto Neji's face. He was trying to get some sleep but he can't get Sakura off his mind. He was lying on his back on his king-sized bed. He was staring at the moon, thinking ever so deeply. He remembered her smiling face, those emerald ayes and pink long hair. How long has it been? Almost three years. Till now he loves her continuously in silence. And it's been five long years since Sasuke died. He knows how it hurts to a person to lose someone you love in front of you. He knows it very much because he had been there and gone through with it and it sure did hurt him like hell. Since his father died, he was treated like no one. Like he was just plain person who had nothing to live for.

For Hiashi, he was just somebody to protect Hinata and be her bodyguard. He never treated Neji as his niece. Only Hinata, saw him in a different way. She treated him as his cousin and would let him feel that someone cares for him. He's thankful enough to have Hinata as his cousin and friend even though he would never admit it to anybody especially to her. Then Sakura came. Long time ago, when he'd actually thought that she was just a weakling, an annoying girl who would always chase after Sasuke. But then everything changed when one incident happened between them. He could perfectly remember every detail of it.

FLASHBACK

Neji was training into a deep forest. He is sitting on a rock under a tree in Indian seat, meditating. Then a rustling of sound came from the bushes. She interrupted his meditating. "Why are you here?" he asked still no movement but his eyes were now open. Then she came out from the bushes and said nervously, "Ummm, sorry I disturbed you… but I got lost." "Pathetic!" he said smirking at her. Sakura's blood boiled. "Well, I'm sorry for being so dumb!" Neji didn't mind her then closed his eyes again expecting her to leave immediately. Still she didn't leave. He sighed irritatingly. "What do you want?" "You know, there's nothing wrong with being nice. I mean you can be happy whenever you wanted to." Sakura smiled at him. "Why do you care?! Will you just leave me alone?" he spat at her.

She stared at him through his silver eyes and continued. "I know you've been hurt Neji, I can see it in your eyes but it doesn't mean that you have to stuck yourself up in that dark and lonely place. I believe that you still have that soft spot in your heart; you just don't want to admit and show it. Don't let the pain of the past overcome you. I know it hurts you too bad, and it's okay to let it out. Sometimes you have to be weak and let someone help you." She then smiled again. Neji just fidgeted a little in his seat. He was surprised that she knows him too well by just looking into his eyes. Sakura is one intelligent girl. "How can you be so sure at it?" he asked sarcastically. "I just know Neji-san…" With that she started to walk away. One, two, three steps then she stopped and turns her back and faced him. "Oh wait, I just want you to know that I believe in you…" she smiled and continued to walk away. Neji just stared her back as it disappeared in the darkness.

END OF FLASHBACK

TBC….

Ok, I know you hate cliffhangers but I have to stop there because it's getting too long for one chapter.

So how was it? Are you excited for the next chapter? Yes…? Okay, you wait…

Next chapter: Chapter 3: "A Visit from a friend"

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Arigatou Gozaimas for reading my fic!

Ja ne!

This is kaeci signing of….