Disclaimer: Okay I do not own Naruto. Sigh I wish I could though. But I do own this fic and that's what I'm proud of.
I feel so sad… this is the last chapter of my fic… Well, on the contrary, I'm happy that I've finished typing this earlier than I thought.
So that I could begin the next fic I'm doing these past few days. That one is NejiSakuSasu love triangle. So, wait for it because it's also one of the best fics that I've made.
Hey guys please do submit review on this. I'm expecting some feedbacks. Even if it's comment will do so that I could put a remedy on the mistakes I've done. Oh well, I know these past few days are very busy for the college students out there because of exams so good luck to you all! Hope we could pass with satisfying grades!
I'll start my fic now…
Text in Italics: Inner Thoughts
Chapter 7: "The Gift"She had been dreaming and crying in her dream. She was bewildered. She stared in shock. It was already morning. She didn't make a move. She was like deathly alive. Her eyes were blank, as if a color of black occupied her beautiful emerald eyes. She felt very numb. The birds are chirping but she didn't hear anything. As tears welled up in her eyes unnoticed, she just sat there staring at nothing till it reached the darkness of the night. She didn't eat nor took a bath. She didn't even come out of her room. She was just there in her house in a blank state.
For five days, she was like that. Her friends are getting worried because of her sudden disappearance, much more to Ino and Hinata. It was best if they could ask Neji her whereabouts but then he was in a mission since last week. But they somehow noticed that before he went on a mission, the condition between Neji and Sakura was seemingly not good. So they just decided to go to her house to look if she's okay. As they reached her house, they found out that the house wasn't lock. "Well, this would be good so that we won't have a hard time to come in her house right?" Ino asked the black haired girl. Hinata shook her head. Ino eyed her questioningly. "If Sakura's okay, why would she let the door of her home open?" Hinata asked.
The blonde girl sighed and said, "That's why we're here to find it out." As soon as they came in her house they can feel that this isn't good so they immediately ran to her room. Slowly, Ino reached the doorknob. "Oh no… It's lock…" "What…? Then what should we do?" Hinata asked panicky. Ino took few steps backward then swing her foot and slammed the door with full force. Soon the door opened with a creaky noise. Ino and Hinata gasped at what they just saw. The room was in a total disaster. Broken pieces of vase shattered everywhere and darkness occupied the room. Then they found Sakura sitting on the floor helplessly, somehow injured. She had bruises on both hands and cuts in different parts of her body.
Ino can tell that the pink haired girl lose out of control. Tears welled up in Hinata's eyes. She never thought that it would go out this far. Sakura made her believe that she was actually fine. She could have done something to prevent this from happening. But they know the attitude of Sakura; she would always pretend that she's okay, that she has no problem at all. 'She was always like that… You should have told us Sakura… We're your friends' right?' Hinata thought as she sobbed. Ino approached her friend. "Sshh, It's okay Hinata. She'll be fine." Ino controlled her tears from falling. She shouldn't cry too. She will be strong for the both of them.
But thoughts in Ino's mind wouldn't stop. 'She was okay last week. What happened to her? Is this about Sasuke again? Or Neji?' She sighed and said softly. "She should have told us so that we could help her." Hinata stared at Sakura who was still not moving. As if she didn't notice that they were there in front of her. "Ino… we have to understand her. Maybe she doesn't want to bother us. You know Sakura; she doesn't want to be worried about. She's like that. I can tell she's undergoing through a lot of pain. Look at her…" she sobbed and continued, "… she doesn't even seem to notice that we're here. She's a strong girl but somehow, I know there's this limitation that soon, she will just fall on her knees because of unbearable pain, still she can go through it. That's the one thing that I look up to her.
Even though the pain is pulling her down, she doesn't want us to know because she wants to be there for us too. In that way we wouldn't worry…" Ino is crying now too. "I was too much blinded by the love she was giving to Sasuke till now. I thought that it was just not right. Now I know why she's like that. We can never really forget a person that once made up and complete our life. I was being rude to her commanding her to forget Sasuke easily when I don't even know the feeling of being left alone. It's so hard to give advice to someone when you didn't even go through the same experience she did. Now I know, the best way to be a friend to someone is just by listening to her. I too, when I'm sad, don't want to have some advices. Just listen to me it's enough. I look up to her in a way that she was the only one who taught me to love someone even if you don't have anything left for yourself. Now let's help her and be with her as she struggle." Hinata and Ino look at each other and smiled. "Okay, we should stop this drama and get in to work. Sakura was the one who needs help." Ino smiled and wiped her tears away. "Yeah." Hinata answered.
They slowly approached Sakura. She was staring at nothing. Her eyes were swollen and have eye bags under it. Her face was tearstained. She looked so jaded and vulnerable. "She cried for five days non-stop…" Hinata trailed off. Ino just sighed. "Let's carry her to her bed." They carried her and lay her on the bed with full force. Ino exclaimed, "She's so damn heavy! Phew!" Hinata looked at Sakura who's still quiet. She was blank-minded. "Sakura-chan…": Hinata softly said as she tapped Sakura's arms. No response. Hinata repeated, still no reaction. Still no movement. Hinata and Ino exchanged glances. "Oh no… this is bad…" Hinata whispered worriedly.
Ino nudged Sakura repeatedly but she was still. Sakura was lost in her own world, a world of darkness. 'What happened to her?' Ino thought. The blonde girl was now getting worried. Again, she nudged Sakura but this time it was hard. But still no movement. It's getting into Ino's nerves. "Ino… what happened to Sakura-chan…?" Hinata panicked. No, this isn't like Sakura at all. She's a strong person. Ino knew that. Hinata is more worried than Ino. She felt so afraid Ino could see that. She has the right to because Sakura was the first one who became her friend. Sakura would always encourage her in every way. She was the best friend Hinata could ever have. Suddenly, Ino screamed at Sakura. "Hey! Sakura! Wake up!" Even blink from Sakura's eyes didn't happen. As if she was deaf.
Ino are getting really annoyed. "Sakura! Don't be like this!!" Ino screamed as the tears welled up in her eyes. Hinata was now crying too. "Please Sakura-chan… don't give up…" Hinata sobbed. They know how much Sakura was hurting but these things won't help her at all. It will just make things worse. Ino moved closer then slapped Sakura's face. "Get up Sakura! Get up!!" she shouted. She slapped Sakura for three times. Hinata stopped her when Sakura's cheeks are already swollen. All of a sudden Sakura blinked then she touched her cheeks. Ino and Hinata stared at her. As soon as Sakura saw her friends, she cried.
They reached for Sakura's side and comforted her. They let her cry it all for a few moments. Then Sakura started to speak. "I-I'm just too afraid… to love… again… I'm afraid to be… left alone… again…He was always there for me… He opened my heart again that I've locked for so long… but I feel like… like I'm betraying Sasuke for loving him…" she was cut off when Ino suddenly stood up and turned her back from her. She threw her hands in the air then said, "Ugh! Sakura! Stop that crap! It's not like Sasuke obliged you not to love again! He's gone for almost five years. You're being alone is too long enough! It's time for you to move on. There's more to life that you should live for… Get on with your life Sakura…" Sakura cried again.
Hinata placed her hands on to Sakura's then squeezed it. "Sakura, Ino's right. There's nothing wrong about loving again. I can assure you that Neji-niisan loves you so much and I know he's good for you. He had never acted like that when it comes to a girl. And you're the one who changed him into a better person. You don't have to feel guilty about loving Neji… I know Sasuke wants you to move on… It's time for you to be happy Sakura-chan…" Sakura looked into Hinata's eyes then said, "B-but I can't let him go… I can't forget him…" Hinata continued, "I'm not saying that you should forget him. Sasuke is a part of your past and you can't erase that. Sasuke will always have that special place in your heart that no one can ever replace… but you can love again… even more…"
Ino faced them then said calmly, "But Sakura… you have to let him go… He will not be at peace if you're always like that… If you really love him, you should set him free…" Sakura bowed her head and cried even more. She doesn't know if she could do that but she's willing to try her best because it's the best way to solve everything. She can feel that slowly she's on the peak of letting go but she just want to treasure all the memories of her husband even for the very last time. Ino and Hinata hugged her and stayed with her till they can see that she's okay. They left after assuring Sakura that she'll be fine. But before they could actually leave her, they made her eat a lot of food and made her took a long bath.
She stinks; of course she didn't take a bath for five days. It's already dawn when Ino and Hinata left her. Sakura climbed to her bed. She wants to rest. Crying always makes her tired. She decided not to talk to Neji for a few days. She decided she would avoid him until she's sure enough of her feelings for her. She wants to think about it a zillion times. She doesn't want to make mistakes, not with Neji, not to such great guy like him.
One week passed, She didn't saw Neji. Not even once. She started to wonder. But it's good enough that she can think for more days. If the time comes that they'll meet again, she knows already the answers to all her questions. One night, Sakura had a dream, seemingly a sign from Sasuke.
IN HER DREAM
Sakura was there, standing in front of Sasuke. Instantly she ran towards him and hugged him. "Sasuke-kun, you're here… I missed you so much…" Sasuke hugged her back, and then he whispered. "Yeah… but I only have a short time… I just wanted to tell you something…" Sakura pulled away and looked into his onyx eyes, "What is it Sasuke-kun…?" "First, how are you?" he asked. "I-I'm fine…" she lied. "No, you're not… Sakura… Neji is a good guy and he ask my permission on you… I know how much Neji loves you so I won't have to worry… It's time for you to move on… I know you already love him and it's okay with me… You're happiness is all that matters to me…" he said as tears slowly slid form his eyes.
Sakura didn't know what to say. She found herself crying too. It hurts her too much to know that she already fallen out of love from him and she can let him now go because Sasuke was her life. But that was in the past, now it's Neji. Yes, she already loves Neji. She loved Sasuke and she will always keep him in her heart. He moved closer to her and wiped her tears away. "No… I don't want you to cry again… Save your tears for the happy ones… Promise me, Sakura that you'll always be happy…" "I promise." Sakura smiled to him. Sasuke placed a chaste kiss on her forehead then smiled, "It's time for me to go… Do that last favor for me because Neji kept his promise… I will always love you Sakura, my wife… Goodbye…" Sakura cried but she felt relieved. "I'll always keep you in my heart Sasuke-kun… For the last time, I love you… Thanks for everything…Goodbye…" Sakura then let go of Sasuke's hands then he fade into the light.
END OF THE DREAM
She woke from that pleasant sleep feeling so light and contented. Now that Sasuke had given her the sign that she had been asking for, She now has answers to all her questions. And she didn't want to waste any time. She immediately took a bath, dressed into a simple tank top and Capri pants. Tied her hair into a ponytail and took a bite. Few moments, after she sprinted to the Hyuga Mansion, she saw Hinat and then bowed. "Ohayou Hnaita-chan!" "Hmm, I know why you're here… Ohayou Sakura-chan!" Hinata smiled at her. Sakura tried to hide the blush on her cheeks. "Umm… where is he?" she asked. "He's in his room… Go there and good luck my friend…" Hinata replied. Sakura moved closer to her friend then hugged her. "Arigatou Gozaimas for everything Hinata-chan…" " It's okay. That's what are friends are for. Now go to him before it's too late."
Sakura reached Neji's room. She felt very nervous. She didn't know how to start. She slowly knocks on the finely made door of his room. Neji heard the faint knock. 'What could possibly be Hinata need this early morning?' he wondered. He was fixing his bandages on his left hand. He didn't even mind to open it then said, "Come in." with his back facing the door. He heard the person come in and closed the door. "What is it Hi-" as he turned his back, only to find the most beautiful girl standing in front of him. Those emerald eyes and pink locks of her hair.
He was shocked to see her and Sakura could easily see that clearly. She smiled. "Sakura…" he said softly. She examined the man in front of her. 'He's so handsome… I missed you Neji…' she thought. She moved a little bit closer but not too close enough. Then something caught her attention. She could see he has many cuts and bruise on his both hands and slightly on his face. 'What happened to him…?' "What happened to you?" she finally asked worriedly. Neji just smile at her. "Oh this? It's nothing. I got it from the mission that I'm in last week." 'That's why I didn't saw him last whole week…' she concluded. "Are you sure you're okay?" Sakura asked again. "I'm fine Sakura… don't worry… Thanks for the concern Sakura…"
Then silence. Neji looked at her and remembered the 'incident'. He slowly said, "Umm, Sakura… About last, last week… when we're in the Sakura Park… I'm sorry… I-I lose out of control… I didn't-" He was cut off when instantly Sakura placed her lips onto his. Neji closed his eyes then kissed her back. Few moments they were in the state that they could actually call 'heaven'. The kiss was all so passionate. Then they hugged each other. How Neji loved the feeling of reality that Sakura was now in front of her inside his arms. Sakura could now feel her real emotions slowly fill her whole body and soul. This is the man she loves now and will actually spend her entire life with.
They pulled away then Neji started, "Sakura…I've been wanting to tell you that-" Sakura placed her pointing finger on his lips to stop him from talking. "Sshhh… I know that already… It's my turn to tell you that… I love you Neji-kun… I'm sorry it took this so long but I just wanted to make sure coz I don't want you to be hurt… I love you so much and I thank you for teaching me how to love again…" Sakura let her tears flow. Neji took her chin and held her face to look at her emerald eyes then said, "I love you too Sakura… and I'm very happy to know that I have you now…" He couldn't explain how much happiness he was feeling at that moment but he just thank all the gods above for giving him a girl who taught him everything. He smiled at her then placed a chaste kiss on her forehead then to nose then to her lips. How Sakura loved what he'd done to her. It was all so blissful. Again they hugged each other but this time so tight that they never want to let go of each other.
Sakura whispered, "Stay with me Neji… please don't leave me…" Neji hugged her tightly then said, "I will…" Neji let his tears fall. For the first time in his life, he cried because of such great happiness. 'Thank you Sasuke for trusting me to her…' Sasuke who was looking at them unnoticed said, "Now… I can finally be at peace… I wish you happiness… You both have my blessing… Goodbye…" then he walked to the light and faded.
"Two people who coincidentally found each other. One girl who learned to let go of the past. One guy who was given such great gift from a friend. A friend who passed and served as an instrument. They all have their own purposes to make someone happy… Coincidence is as simple as miracles. And if do coincidence come in your way, be thankful because it's destined to gifted to you…"
OWARI…
That's all folks! I hope you liked my story as well it's ending…
"Loving means to lay down our own desires and putting them first in our priorities."
Sigh I'm so thankful that I've finished this fic, and I'm proud of this!
I just really hope that you would submit review on here because that means a lot to me…
For all the people who had read my fics… Domo Ariagatou Gozaimas!!!
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This is kaeci signing off…
