Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto series but I do own this fic!

Phew! This is my 5th chapter. I still have two more chapters to type. I planned to type all the chapters before posting them because I don't want my readers to be cut off in the middle of the story. Yeah, I hate cliffhangers and I know how it feels like to be cut off just like that! Plus, I want you to read this continuously…

Please I want some reactions, comments or compliments for my stories. If ever I have some mistakes, please tell me so that I could replace it with better ones okay! So you've got to submit review! Hihihi!

Anyways, this is going to be my 3rd fic in Naruto. Maybe next time the fic I'm going to make is KakaSaku pairing. Oh, I forgot to tell you guys that I like Kakashi too for Sakura because… err, I don't know…well, he's cute too…

Hey, I'm beginning to dislike Sasuke for Sakura… I don't know why… maybe because he's always being an arrogant bastard to Sakura! And I hate guys who do that to girls! Such no respect at all! Hah!

Okay, I'll start my fic now…

Text in Italics: Inner thoughts

Chapter 5: "The Coincidence"

"Hi Sakura." Neji said in a monotone voice. She smiled and said, "Is it okay with you that I'm here, because this place is my favorite spot to relax." He decided to leave but then Hinata's voice echoed in his mind, '… be a friend to her…' Immediately he changed his mind. Maybe there's a purpose why this happened. He glanced at her then said, "No, it's okay." Sakura just smiled in return then sat up in and Indian seat style. She inhaled the fresh air. After a few moments of silence, Sakura broke the silence. "Neji-san, you want to talk?" Neji was shocked. Sakura wants to talk to him? I mean it's been a long time since Sakura wants to talk to someone besides Ino and Hinata. Well, she's progressing right? Neji stood up and walk towards to her and sat beside her.

He didn't know why he did that maybe he wants to talk too, that's all. Sakura was stunned at what Neji has done. 'Somehow he changed…' she thought. "Okay, I could use some company. What do you want to talk about?" he asked. "Well, how are these days?" she asked. Neji just looked at the sky. "Getting better." "I see… also I've noticed, somehow you've changed Neji-san…" How he loved it whenever Sakura calls his name. "How so?" he asked. "Well, you're not the same old arrogant bastard I've met five years ago. You're learning to be nice just like today." She smiled at him. "Is that so?" looking at her questioningly. Sakura just nodded. "How about you? Are you getting any better?"

The smile on Sakura's face faded in just a split of seconds. She knows this will happen but she needed someone to talk to. She sighed then looked at the flowing river. "Like you, getting better." "At least, you're healing up. That's a good sign that soon enough time will come the old Sakura I know will be back." He smiled at her. She was amazed by the words he just let out. Did he mean that he had actually noticed her before? He had really changed. He was selfish long time ago, didn't care about other people. He just cared about himself. Then she looked at him then she saw, he's smiling at her. "Am I dreaming? You're smiling Neji!" Sakura said grinning at him. Neji didn't know what to do.

He blushed. Oh right, Hyuga Neji could blush but Sakura didn't even seem to notice it. Neji kept his composure then said, "Well, I could smile too. I'm human after all." Then they burst into laughter. "I never thought you could be funny Neji!" The pink haired shinobi said as she looked up to him. "Such a great feeling to laugh with someone." She sighed and continued. "You know sometimes I wish that I could just be someone who can really be happy without remembering anything from the past." She picked a stone then threw it into the river. Neji stared at her then said, "How are you holding up Sakura?" Sakura managed not to let him see that she's on the verge of crying. She inhaled a deep long breath then sighed. "Sometimes it still hurts me though. Sometimes it would just slipped my mind that he's gone. Waiting every night at the door for him to come home, every morning searching for his scent beside me when I woke up. There are times that I don't want to believe that he's dead but you can't just pretend that everything will be normal again just like that. Reality really hurts but still I have to accept those things. It's been five years; I know it's been too long. But I think I'm getting used to it day by day."

Sakura tried to smile but then she just cried. She doesn't know why she cried that time coz she knows her eyes were already drained long time ago. 'Maybe Neji is a good listener…' she thought. "It's okay to cry Sakura-chan. It's okay to be weak sometimes. You're the one who even told me that long time ago. You told me that don't let the pain of the past overcome you, that sometimes you need to lean on to someone and ask for help. After all we can't be strong, as always we want to. I can't be such a nice guy sometimes but I could lend a help." Neji smiled at her. Sakura was touched by the comforting words he gave her. And she was shocked from the fact that Neji still remembered that incident with her. "I could really use that help. Thanks for being a friend Neji-san." She smiled as she wiped her tears. Yes he's right about that. She was the one who told him that don't let the pain of the past ruin your life. But why she can't just get rid off this pain?

Neji reached her shoulder and tapped it then said, "You know Sakura-chan, since that incident with you; I've changed a lot. You taught me how to be happy once in a while." He smiled at her. "Arigatou, Sakura-chan." He continued. "It's nothing Neji-san. Why suddenly you have the '-chan' every time you mentioned my name?" she chuckled. "We're friends right?" he grinned. Again they both laughed. They sighed.

Cold winds blew and the trees swayed with the wind. The rays of the sun emphasized the serenity of the day and the birds chirping, singing loudly a melodic tune. Neji watched Sakura intently as she was staring at the flowing river then a smile escaped from his lips. 'Those emerald eyes makes me want to go on living... Sakura… Aishiteru…' He looked up to the sky and watched as the clouds move smoothly. For about five minutes, silence occupied the space between them. They're enjoying each other's company in that simple way. " I wonder why some people leave us…" Sakura broke the silence, her voice, soft and slow. "Maybe some people aren't meant to be in our lives forever. Maybe some people are just passing through… They get it all done faster than the rest of us. They don't need to stick around for a hundred years to get it all right…"

Sakura just listened to him while staring at the flowing river. "…They get it down real quick. It's like some people just come through our lives to bring us something, a gift, a blessing, a lesson we need to learn and that's why they're here…" Neji continued to say then he looked intently into her emerald eyes. "…Sasuke taught you something, I bet about love and giving and caring so much about someone… That was his gift to you. He taught you all that and then he left. Maybe Sasuke didn't need to stay longer than that. He gave you the gift and then he was ready to move on… He was a special soul… You'll have that gift forever…" then he smiled. He saw Sakura was crying again. She couldn't believe she was hearing this from Neji. She couldn't stop her tears from flowing. She sobbed and sobbed. She looked at Neji's eyes that turned his gaze to the sky.

She can tell that he was serious with his words. "B-but he have to stay…" her voice was ragged from crying. Then he answered, "Some people do… some don't… some can't… we just have to love them while we can and learn whatever we're meant to from them… Sometimes the only way to prove our love for someone is by letting him go…" She cried even more hard. She knows what he's talking about and she had to admit that what he's telling her is true. It hurt her even more deep. But somehow, she's thankful enough that Neji's there to comfort her, to tell her those things and just… to listen to her. It's been a long time since she let out this sadness out her heart. She managed to hide behind her mask since Sasuke died. Pretending that she's okay and that she's already over Sasuke. She managed to let the people believe that she's okay. No one ever talked to her like this since that dreadful past.

All the people around her want her to forget something she just can't easily do. Forgetting something that's half of your life is a step-by-step progress. Only Neji who saw it differently. He made her see what's really happening and what should do. Neji moved closer to her and placed his hand on her back then patted her just like a baby. "It's okay Sakura-chan, cry it all, I'm here…" he whispered. He could her dreadful sobs. It rips his heart very hard. This was the second time he saw her cry like this over Sasuke. He wanted just take her pain away from her. Like to catch her pain and let him be the one to suffer from it. But he can't do anything but just to be there for her. And it hurts him to see her like this. After a few moments, she reached her calmness. Then she slowly said, "I know I have to accept the fact and I have to try very hard but these just torments me deeper to know that I didn't even lost my whole life… It's just that Sasuke was part of it and I just can't move on easily…"

"I know that Sakura-chan. You don't have to force yourself too much to please every one… It takes time… Just let it flow with the wind…" Neji said. Sakura sobbed but with no more tears flowing from her eyes. "I'm glad you stopped crying, Sasuke wouldn't like it if you're always like that. He wants you to be happy. Also I don't want my new friend crying." He smiled. Sakura chuckled, "How can you be so sure about that?" He just looked back at her then said, "Last night, I dreamt he was telling me to take care of you and I promised him I would… kind of like a chain of people… he left then I came and he asked me to keep an eye on you… and maybe after me, someone else… It's like an eternal progression of people coming through in our lives. Nothing is forever, but there's a continuing stream of people who go through our lives and continue with us… nothing just stops and stays… but it flows on like a river…" then his gaze turned to the flowing stream of river.

Sakura was shocked. 'Did he actually say that he'll take care of me…?' She didn't know what to react instead she just asked him softly, "Do you really mean that?" "That I promised Sasuke that I'd keep an eye on you?" She nodded. "Yes, I mean it. Though Sasuke and I only became friends since we graduated Chuunin Exam, even just for a little time, I respect him. He doesn't have to ask because I'll do it even though he would not ask for it because you're my… friend now…" Neji said. He felt sadness inside of him. His heart wants to scream out his true feelings but he just can't. It's not yet the right time. Sakura didn't know what to feel at that very moment. She was overwhelmed to have Neji as her friend. She never thought that he's damn so nice. And it made her admire him too much.

She felt a lot better now. She actually felt she can now move on but no, she's still afraid. She doesn't know why she felt so afraid. But for now, she just want to treasure these moments with Neji, it made her very happy and contented. "Sometimes we have to move on… we're not always given a choice…" he said in whispers. She just nodded and slowly reached for Neji's hands and held it. "Domo Arigatou for being a friend. Thanks so much for being here with me. This means a lot to me." She smiled. The touch of Sakura's hands on his made him shiver through his spine. He doesn't want this day to last. He wants to be with her every second of the day.

He gripped her hands lightly. "No need. I'm the one who should thank you for changing my life into a better one." She smiled then took her hands off him slowly then hugged him. "You're such a great friend Neji-san." Sakura whispered through his ear. Neji was shocked but then he was delighted. He hugged her back then said, "No, you're the one who's such a great person. No wonder Sasuke loves you so much." Then they pulled away and they both smiled at each other. They realized it was nearly dawn. They spent the whole afternoon talking. Neji spoke, "It's already dawn, and we should go home now before it get dark. I'll walk you home, is that okay with you Sakura-chan?" "No problem. Let's go." She replied. Then they walked home. After a few minutes they reached Sakura's house.

"Thank you for walking me home Neji-san." She bowed to him. "It's a pleasure. Till next time." 'I hope…' he thought. Then he started to walk away. Sakura watched him as he disappeared then got into her house. She is very happy that night. She couldn't explain how much happiness she's feeling at that very moment. Before she sleeps that night she told him… 'I have a new friend today… and he was nice to me…' She closed her eyes then tried to sleep but Neji's face suddenly popped in her mind. She opened her eyes again and stared at the ceiling. She replayed the day she had with Neji. She smiled at the thought. He was being so nice to her and all that he said to her tattooed in her mind.

Somehow he took away all the pain she was feeling that day. 'He actually said that he'd protect me…' So long ago, she thought that there wouldn't be anyone who will protect her again. And she was happy about Neji doing it for her. She remembered how her heartbeat would thump every time he looks her through her eyes. She doesn't know why but she felt safe whenever she's with him. Though it was only the time they've gotten to talk to each other in a serious way, it's like she's used to it. She was hoping that there would be 'next time' for them. She loves his company. Maybe she was falling for him. No! It wouldn't happen, not in a million years. It would just complicate things. Besides they were just friends. And how could actually Neji like someone like her? She just decided not to think about it. It's impossible to happen. They won't click, period. After a few moments, she dozed off in her sleep.

TBC…

The next chapter will serve as the climax of the whole story….

So guys, be ready for another box of tissue okay?

Next chapter: Chapter 6: "And so it begins"

I hope you'll like my story… I can say that this is the best story that I've written…

To all the people who finds time to read my fic… Domo Ariagatou Gozaimas!

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Okay till here… Ja ne!

this is kaeci signing off…