Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Well, I hope I could but unfortunately it can't happen. Haha!
Okay, here's the next chapter. I hope you'll like it! (again?! I've been saying this for nth time ne?)
Hey, while I'm doing this fic, I'm listening to the song of Toshiro Masuda, which is Sadness and Sorrow. (my favorite OST of Naruto.)
This song really makes me cry…HUHUHUHU!!! Plus the fact that this story is sad…
Sigh I can't help but to admire Neji more in this story…
I also like Kakashi for Sakura! I've read a KakaSaku fic a week ago, which was "Never Forgotten". Hell, that made me cry. I recommend it to all KakaSaku fans. It's a great story.
Anyways, I'll start with my fic now…
Text in Italics: Inner thoughts
Chapter 3: "A Visit from a Friend"END OF FLASHBACK
He sighed then he let his tears fall. Yes, he can cry. Since his father died he would always cry whenever he's alone. He had been used to loneliness. That time she surprised him. She was the first one who ever told him those things with an eye contact. She knows how strong he was and if ever they will have a match she would never win. But then she stood right there in front of him and tells him directly to his eyes with no fears at all. She was the only one who believed in him not with the power he has but she believed him that he was a good person and actually has a heart to be able to love. He was amazed with what she has; a strong heart beneath a weak person he'd usually believed in. He accused her of being weak when he was the one who was always pretending to be strong coz all he does was to hide behind his mask. That time he realized that she was no longer a friend to him. He learned the best lesson ever taught to him from her. '…She changed everything in me…' he thought.
Since that unforgettable incident with her, he would always watch her from a distance and look after her if she's okay. He didn't have the chance to admit to her his true feelings because that time she was married to Sasuke. He attended their wedding, though it hurt him so bad, still he's happy at the same time seeing her happy with Sasuke. As long as she's happy, it's enough. But his usual routine, to look after her, didn't stop. Then that hurtful event happened when they were given a mission. The mission that Tsunade gave to them was to return the forbidden scroll to Konoha. The team consisted of 5 members; him, Sasuke, Naruto, Ino and Sakura. At first he didn't understand why Sakura was on the mission. They all know that Sakura wasn't that strong to be able to complete a mission but Tsunade said that it was for the balance of the team. She's smart and she can control her chakra well, it's just her stamina wasn't that strong. At the same time, he was happy about it. No one expected that it was a dangerous mission because they weren't given enough information. Then it came, the fight began and only he and Sasuke were left with the remaining strength to defeat the enemy.
Neji charged the enemy first but to no avail; he was just thrown back with full force. He hit the tree with a strong thud; he fell on the ground with half eyes open. He couldn't stand anymore. He looked around and there he saw Sakura, helplessly staring at Sasuke as he fights. She saw it all, when Sasuke gave all his remaining strength to defeat the enemy. She tried to save him but it was too late. Sasuke fell onto her lap, nearly dying. Neji saw her cry with so much pain. He heard her scream begging Sasuke not to leave her. He saw it all. He felt twice the pain when he saw her cry again like hell. They were married for only two and a half years and then all of a sudden fate grabbed her happiness away from her. He felt so much anger and hatred to himself. He had done nothing to save Sasuke for her. He just stared there in shock. He felt very guilty that time.
Sakura changed when Sasuke died. She wasn't the girl he used to know, the girl who has full of energy every single of the day. Though she still manages to smile but too often, only if she's with Ino and Hinata. Add to them Naruto and Kakashi, only to them. But somehow, she's getting better nowadays at least and he's thankful enough for her progress. He wants her to be happy always. He wanted that to happen so badly. Sometimes she would smile at him whenever they would pass by each other. Though it was too often, Neji treasures every smile Sakura gives him. He sighed. How he loved it if the old Sakura would be back.
At the same time he knows, Sakura won't be able to love him back coz he can feel it that she still loves Sasuke. She's not fully recovered yet. But still, he was willing to wait. He just hoped Sasuke wouldn't be mad about him loving his wife. He glanced at his clock; it's already 10:00 in the night. He yawned. He'd been thinking about her for almost three hours non-stop. He turned to his side and thought to himself. 'I'll protect you always Sakura… I love you…' With that he dozed off with a dream that he will take as a sign from a friend…
IN HIS DREAM
Neji was walking alone in a thick fog. He doesn't know where he was but he can't use his byakugan to know if he's actually in danger. He sensed someone coming towards him. A familiar chakra but he can't remember whose chakra it is. Suddenly out of the fog Neji saw him, the raven-haired guy with sharinggan eyes. He saw Sasuke walking towards him with his hands in his pockets looking very calm. He was shocked because Uchiha Sasuke was already dead five years ago. Sasuke stopped in front of him looking into his silver eyes. "Sasuke… I thought you're already dead…" Nejis spoke. Sasuke just smiled at him. "Don't be afraid… This is just your dream… I visited you to ask for a favor…" Sasuke said seriously. "What is it?" he replied. "About Sakura…" the raven-haired guy looked down. "I was going to ask you the same." Neji said. "If it is okay to have your permission on her…." The silver eyed continued.
Again Sasuke looked at him. "You're asking me if it's okay to me for you to love her? Is that it?" Sasuke said in a monotone voice. Neji didn't notice that the thick fog was already gone till he saw a Sakura Tree. It reminded him of how much he loves Sakura. He has to prove this to Sasuke. He looked at the Sakura Tree as the wind started to blow. "You know I've been guiding her for almost five years already. Back then I thought I could never feel this feeling of love, to be able to love and care for someone so much. I shut my heart out since my father died. I refused to believe in the so-called "second chance". But then she came and believed in me in a way that no one has ever believed in me. She was the only one who has seen inside of me. I'm not asking her to love me the same way she loves you nor to love me more than she did to you. I just wanted to protect her and her to be happy. Simple but it means a lot to me. It's okay if you don't want to give the permission I'm asking, just please let me protect and guide her. It's more than enough."
Sasuke smiled again at him feeling more relaxed. He sighed and said to Neji, "Well, that's the answer I've wanted to hear. I know it's been five years that you've been guiding her and I'm thankful for that. No need for me to ask you how much you love my wife. Sakura did the same to me when I was still alive. She gave the most beautiful gift I've ever received. She's too easy for a man to love her coz she has a genuine heart." "I know that very much. Now I understand why you saved her that time." Neji smiled at him. "Okay, it's time for me to go. You have my permission. Make her happy Neji-san…" Sasuke said then turned away. "I promise I will Sasuke…. Arigatou…." Neji said smiling through his tears. Sasuke just waved his hand to him then faded into the thick fog.
END OF THE DREAM
Wednesday morning came, a beautiful morning indeed. The morning breeze made Sakura shivered from her sleep. She stirred for a moment then slowly she opened her eyes. She looked out the window and said, "Ummm… Morning already?" She yawned and then stretched out her arms. She slowly sat up and savored the heat of the morning coming form her window. 'Such a beautiful day…' she thought. Her gaze turned at her hairdresser. She smiled and said, "Morning Sasuke-kun…" She was supposed to have a date with her friends, Ino and Hinata to have a picnic at the Sakura Park. Ino invited her but then she refused. She decided to stay at her home because she can feel that the upcoming days will be busy for her. Maybe a mission would come up. She wanted to clean her house and make new arrangements with her furniture.
She had been busy these past few weeks due to her becoming a Jounin. She missed her home. She crawled out form her bed and fixed it. Slipped into her bedroom slippers and reached for a towel. 'A hot bath would be a good one to start this beautiful sunny day…' she thought as she gone to shower. Minutes passed, she slipped out from her bathroom wearing a pink robe. Her hair is dripping wet. She rummaged into her closet then she chose a normal outfit. Just a pink sleeveless tank top and her khaki shorts. She brushed her hair and blow-dried it then tied it into a ponytail. She looked at her reflection at the mirror then smiled, 'This will be going a pretty day…' And then she walked out form her bedroom and went to her kitchen. She's starving early in the morning. She opened the cupboard then took out the miso ramen. 'Hah…my favorite…' she chuckled. With just ten minutes, she finished her breakfast then span into action.
Although she hadn't planned it, after she cleaned her house, she would go for a walk into the forest. She has a favorite spot there, "a hiding place" that's what she called it. 'It's time for me to relax.' She thought as she continues to clean her house.
TBC…
Okay, that's the end of chapter 3… so what do you say?
I hope you like it…
Next chapter: Chapter 4: "Concerns of her Friends"
REVIEW! REVIE! REVIEW!
Domo Arigatou for reading my fic!
This is kaeci signing off…
