Disclaimer: Okay here I go again. I do not own Naruto but I do own this fic…

SighDo you guys agree with me when I say that it's such a nice feeling if we can truly live in the fantasy world? Where all you wanted to change in your past life can be changed and then just be replaced with good ones? Well, it was just a thought that's always been playing in my mind. Sometimes it's too good to daydream right? Hey, you all agree with me okay?! Haha!

Ugh! I hate this! You see, I'm being paranoid here… Oh well, that's life. You can't always have what you really want… Sometimes it's too bad when you have to give up something you really want, you love or your dream for something you know that it's the best way to balance everything…damn…

Some of you might be thinking now that I have a problem… Hmmm, a little confused that's all… I'm trying to figure out my so-called life! Okay, the fics I always make is my only outlet for my underneath feelings… Such a crap! Hihihi…

Okay, I'll start now before I fill this fic up with my non-sense point of views…

Please submit review!

Text in Italics: Inner thoughts

Chapter 4: "Concerns of her Friends"

At the Hyuga Main House, Hinata invited Ino to come over at her house instead of having a picnic without Sakura. The get-to-gather picnic is specially planned for Sakura for her to unwind a bit. So, if Sakura wasn't there, what's the use right? Plus, Ino and her needs to talk. She wanted to tell Ino what she just found out concerning Neji. It's for their friend's sake. Ino came at exactly 8:00 in the morning at the Main House. Finally, she reached Hinata's house and knocked. She heard Hinata said in a faint voice. "Come in." She found Ino panting endlessly. "Ino what's wrong?" Hinata asked worriedly. "What's so important in the early morning that you panicky ordered me to come here? I've sprinted here as soon as my mom told me! Plus, you're house is too huge!!!" Ino screeched at her.

"Sorry Ino-chan. It's about Sakura." Hinata seriously said. "What about her?" Ino asked as she approaches her friend. "Have a seat first." Hinata motioned at her. Ino just nodded and sat beside her on the bed. "Well?" Ino stared at Hinata. "There's something you should know. Actually, it's only yesterday when I found out." Hinata smiled. 'Hmm, I could sense, it's a good news…' "What about it?" Ino replied. "Yesterday, when we parted from the grocery store, I noticed something about Neji." Hinata said looking at the blonde girl. "What about Neji? Why suddenly he got into this?" Ino asked looking very confused. Hinata sighed. "When Sakura bade goodbye, I noticed the way Neji looked at her. I mean I felt that there's something else in that look in his eyes. Neji-niisan never looks at a girl like that." "So… go on…" the blonde girl smiled. 'I know it…' "Then when we started to walk home, I asked him. At first he would try to deny it but then I caught him off-guard then finally he admitted it." Hinata sighed. "That he likes Sakura-chan?" Ino asked grinningly. Hinata just nodded.

After a few moments of silence, they burst into laughter. "Well, what do you think of it? I mean you're Neji's cousin and you know him too well." Ino asked her. "I can tell he really loves Sakura and I can feel that he's been loving her for such a long time. That time when he told me that, I was very glad that he opened up to me. I mean we all know that he's someone as cold as Sasuke long time ago but believe me, he had changed…" "…All because of Sakura…" Ino continued to her. They sighed. "Well, as far as I can see, he's different now… I think he's okay for our friend." Ino patted at Hinata's shoulder. "Same here. But Sakura's not yet over with Sasuke. That's what I'm worried about." Hinata said. "Yeah, I know. But I think it's time for Sakura to live a life loving again. Still, it depends on time, only time can tell what will happen next. I just hope Neji-san can wait for her." Ino replied as she looks at the window. "I just hope too…" Hinata sighed again.

Sakura looked around in her house. She finished her cleaning at exactly 10:00 in the morning. Her house now is newly arranged. She slumped back on her living room pink couch. She's tired and she's sweating all over. 'Oh my, what's gotten into me that I even took a bath a while ago? I should have cleaned first. Now I'm sweating all over.' she frowned. She smells awful. She sighed. She's starving. She stood up and went to her kitchen. She opened her fridge and grabbed strawberry crackers. She loves strawberry flavor. 'Mmm… my favorite!' she munched. After munching a few crackers, she reached for an orange juice. Gulped it with no hesitation. 'There… I'm done!' she said then washed the used glass. When she got out from the kitchen, she thought 'Now, time for a cold shower…' She smelled herself, 'Ugh! I smell too bad!'

She walked upstairs to her room and went directly to her bathroom. Few moments later, she changed into a white tank top and a red floral skirt. She brushed her long pink hair and blow-dried it. The she tied it into a high ponytail. When she saw her reflection on the mirror, she gasped. "Whoa! I never used skirts before!" She never noticed that she slipped into a skirt. She's too preoccupied lately. Before she could actually open her closet and look for another pair of plain pants, she realized something. "Oh no! All my pants were on the laundry!" she sighed. "Oh well, I just have to be contented wearing a skirt." She whispered. It was her first time in the past ten years she wore skirt again. The last time she dressed like that was when she's still in her childhood days. She smiled at herself. 'Now it's time to take a walk…'

Before she could actually walked out from her room, she gazed at their wedding picture. She said, "I'll be home in a less than four hours… I love you…" then walked out the door. She fumbled for her keys that's been hanging near the cupboard and locked her apartment. 'This is such a wonderful day…' she smiled as she started to walk.

Neji decided to take a walk and just spend his time at his usual spot in the forest. Not to train but to think. He remembered his dream last night. The meaningful dream he had with his comrade. He was happy though. Sasuke had given him the permission and he had promise him that he would protect Sakura. He vowed to it with his undying love. He loves Sakura more now than ever. He wanted her to know. He wanted her so badly. He needs her. Right that moment, he just wanted to hug her and tell her how much he loves her. But he can't. Not now because he has to understand that she's not fully recovered yet from her painful past. He has to wait and he is willing to do it.

He reached his usual spot after thirty minutes of walking. He sat on the huge rock near the riverbank. He looked around, inhaled the scent of the morning wind. He admires the nature just like this. Peace and very serene. He closed his eyes and sighed. The chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves is far too good to hear to have a relaxing sensation that very moment. It definitely soothes Neji's whole soul. He positioned himself into a meditating state. He inhaled again the morning wind then exhaled. 'I needed this peace of mind…' he thought then shifted to the meditating condition.

Sakura came to her favorite spot. She was facing down then when she lifted her head she saw someone sitting on the huge rock where she would usually seat on every time she's here. It was the guy with long black hair with silver eyes. It was Hyuga Neji and he's meditating. Neji didn't sense that someone came because he's too relaxed and Sakura filled his thoughts. Sakura was shocked to see him there. 'Is this his favorite spot too?' she wondered. She wanted to be alone but then at the second thought she sighed. She could use some company though and it's been too long, she hasn't talked to this guy since Sasuke's burial. She remembered vividly how Neji apologized to her that he hadn't done anything to save Sasuke in the mission. She could remember how he would blame himself for everything.

He even told her at the burial that he wishes that he was the one who died in that mission so she wouldn't cry and be lonely for the remaining years she have. But then all she did that time was to ignore him. Till now, she felt guilty for doing that to him. After all, it wasn't his fault. She sighed. Now it's time for her to make up for it. Besides, she wanted someone to talk to. She just hopes he wouldn't smirk and insult her this time like last time. She chuckled at the memory. She slowly walked towards him. Hmmm, he didn't even sensed that I was here… he's too relaxed…' she smiled. "Neji-san, I never thought you want to meditate here." She spoke. Neji was startled at first but then controlled himself and relaxed again.

He knew it was Sakura. He opened his eyes and then he saw her. He was stunned to see her. She was so goddamn gorgeous that time. Her long pink hair was in a ponytail and her bangs faintly fall on her face making her even more pretty. She looked so feminine in her skirt. And her scent of cherry blossoms gave him a tingling sensation all over his body. He blinked. "Hi Sakura." He said in a monotone voice.

TBC…

Okay, I'm sorry I have to cut it there…

So how was it? Do you guys like it? I hope so…

Excited with the next chapter? Okay, here it goes…

Next chapter: Chapter 5: "The Coincidence"

Domo Arigatou for reading my fic!

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This is kaeci signing off…