I'm really sorry for waiting so long. We just got loads of school activities, like a foundation week, a double three-day exam test, a pile of projects and requirements, a closing day party and an extra day in theater for school purposes. (Too tiring) However, I'm now on vacation!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any related characters in this story (except to my made-up character…). If ever I own this anime, I think I'm rich now!

Italics- flashback

Bold italic- character's thoughts

(Open and close parenthesis)- an interruption…

CHAPTER TWO

The Hyuuga's Mansion

"Sakura, are you okay? …Sakura!"

Sakura was taken aback in surprise. In the nearby table, the two sternly looking women looked at Kakashi annoyingly. She laughs at Kakashi's distorted face.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said apologetically.

Kakashi heave a sigh and collapse himself back into his chair. Thank God she isn't lonely anymore.

"At last, you notice me."

A minute ago, a young, pale, raven-haired boy had preoccupied her mind again.

"Sakura, you're having an obsession to that Uchiha guy, what are we going to do? Kakashi may have a suspicion…and obviously, it's not a good sign. "

The inner Sakura said as she walks back and forth into Sakura's mind. Since she's always lonely at their house and she doesn't have any other siblings to play with, an inner Sakura slowly emerge in her mind and became her companion.

"It's okay. I'm just wanted to know the name of guy you've met in the park." Kakashi said unconcernedly, while helping himself in his pile of food.

The remaining colors on her face washed-out.

"This is what I'm dreading for! Somebody help us! Sakura do something! "

She looked at Kakashi innocently. "Which of the two are you referring at?"

"The raven-haired boy."

"Ahh…he's name is Sa…"

Somebody get a hold of Kakashi's attention. He squinted and muttered something like " There too early."

She looked at the newly arrived people. A harsh-looking lady together with a small, dark-haired girl is walking in their direction. Then she recognize them, they are Mrs.Hyuuga and her daughter Hinata, a family friend of the Haruno clan.

"So that's why he suddenly rushed up…"

Mrs. Hyuuga may look harsh and strict, but she was a kind, good-natured person…maybe, except for Kakashi.

"Where is Kakashi? Ah, there you are."

She and Hinata pull an extra chairs and sits between Sakura and Kakashi.

"I thought we will going to meet right after me and Sakura finished our meals…but were still in the middle of our lunch. So maybe you can just wait for us to finish this outside the café."

Mrs. Hyuuga raises her eyebrow.

"Early birds are better than late pigeons like you. Did this café serve you something foreign to make us stand like mascots outside? I'm really grateful that Sakura did not inherit that malicious character of yours." Mrs. Hyuuga's eye widens in shock.

Sakura notice it and asks her.

"Mrs. Hyuuga, what do you mean?"

Mrs. Hyuuga's bothered face suddenly slips into a small smile. She pats Sakura's head softly.

"Sweetie, you get the wrong idea about what I have said. What I really mean was Kakashi might influence you some of his personal habits."

"What does she mean by that? Oh, why will I waste my time bothering about it! Probably one of their favorite non-sense arguments…!"

When she came back into her senses, Mrs.Hyuuga and Kakashi started again their arguments.

"Why are you always including my personal habits in our arguments?"

"You started it since our teenage days, and you still not stopping it. You're too old for that."

blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah… blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…

blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah… blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah… blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah… blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…

An hour later and the waiters are lazily lolling their heads in boredom…

Sakura has already swallowed the last bit of her third hamburger; she looks at Hinata, who seems getting bored at the situation.

"Do you think they will stop? I'm too full to eat anything."

Hinata looks at her slowly.

"I don't know too."

blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…

blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah… blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah… blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah… blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah…

"Will you two stop it? I thought we were going to visit Hinata's house, but what are you doing? Having an argument like small children?"

Sakura said.

Kakashi and Mrs.Hyuuga look at each other and laughed heartily.

"Sakura's right but because some circumstances happened…"

"Okay, let's stop it now. Little girls let's go." Mrs.Hyuuga said as she leads Sakura and Hinata outside the café.

"Hey wait!"

They look back at him; a waiter is standing beside him, placing the bill at his hands. Kakashi smile at them significantly.

"Oh, my God Kakashi! You will never change. Here." She opens her handbag and gives a little amount of money at the waiter.

They step into the car and the driver starts the engine.

"This will be my first time to visit your house Hinata; you're always the one visiting our house when we play."

"I'll tour you into our house; there are great portraits of my relatives inside, from my great, great, great grandfather up to me." Hinata said

"That's a good idea!" Sakura exclaim; she notices her godfather trying to restrain a giggle as he reads a certain orange-colored book.

"Godfather…Can you read that book for Hinata and me? I think it's a happy story because you're holding back a giggle…"

"Yeah it's a great ide…"

Mrs.Hyuuga looks at Kakashi severely.

"Don't ever dare to speak any single word that comes from that book!"

He shuts the book and keeps it hastily in his pocket.

"Of course I won't do that…hey"

&#&$#$&!!

The car stops in a huge house…no it's more like a mansion. They step inside the mansion and they are greeted by the house maid. They climb a series of staircase before they reached the terrace.

"Sit down and enjoy the place while waiting for the drink."

"Mom, may we explore the house a little bit? I promise to her that I will tour her around."

"You may sweetie and in case you want some hot chocolate, just tell it to Ame-san and she will prepare it for you."

"Yes mom."

She calls Sakura and they sprinted away. When they are out of sight, Kakashi sits down and pull out his book.

"Children's outside, may I read my book now?"

"Fine!"

Meanwhile inside the gleaming-white kitchen, Hinata is tagging a young 7 year old girl towards Sakura.

"Sakura, I want you to meet Ame-chan, she is only a bit older than us."

A small, dark brown-haired girl in a maid's clothes beamed at her.

"Hello…Ma'am… Sakura…" She said shyly.

"Don't call me Ma'am, just Sakura okay?" she said brightly and she gestures a handshake. Ame hurriedly wipes her hand in her apron before she touches Sakura's hand.

"Nice to meet you Ma'am…sorry…Sakura. I will go now; I still have to water the plants outside."

They waved goodbye at her and they continue their trip to the mansion. While they are climbing up the stairs, she stops.

"Why Ame is working here in your house? I think she's too young to work."

"Ame's mother gave her to mom exactly five years ago."

"Why did they gave her to your mother?" she asked

"I don't know the details…but mom said that her mother has a cancer and no one will be able to take care of her. Mom's plan is to take her as a real daughter but she refuses it."

"Why? Mrs.Hyuuga will be a great mother to her."

"She thanked Mom for welcoming her in the house, but she wanted to live independently. All mom can do is to hire her as a maid."

"She's lucky to have Mrs.Hyuuga on her side…unlike me…I still have my parents, but I didn't feel any single love from them."

"Sakura, let's go at the gallery room."

"Okay."

They end up in a huge room at the end of the corridor. Hinata slowly opens the door; she switches the light on and a bright, white light spread out in the area.

"Here we are in the gallery room!"

Sakura let out a small wow. The gallery room is simply fabulous. The portraits of Hyuuga's ancestors occupy every single wall, corner to corner…to corner and to corner again. After a few minutes of pinpointing, Hinata stops at a certain portrait. A boy with dark hair and of course, with a pair of gleaming white eyes is staring back at them.

"This is one of my relative, a branch-house member. His name is Neji, and he visited me here last summer. He's a silent type of guy, but he is a good person. In fact, he is only a year older than us."

They returned at the terrace and they notice that Kakashi is still reading his book.

A chapter to go and I will finish this book!" Kakashi said vigorously as he flips the pages of his Come Come Paradise book. Opposite beside him, Mrs.Hyuuga is holding back herself from punching him in the head.

"Mom!"

"Hinata, Sakura there you are! Would you like to eat dinner?"

"Yes!"

"C'mon girls…" She said as she leads them in the kitchens. Sakura approaches Kakashi and slowly pulling him.

"Kakashi, let's eat! You're too busy reading that book, what is it?"

He smiles and keeps his book in his pocket.

"This book is a sad story, you will not like it."

"Ohhh…"

She ate dinner happily and the dinner will not be completed without Mrs.Hyuuga and Kakashi's arguments. After they ate, they waved goodbye at them and they went home.

They were already in the garden inside the Haruno's manor.

As they watch the butterfly flying around Mrs.Haruno's flowers, Sakura asked Kakashi.

"Kakashi, why are you always arguing with Mrs.Hyuuga? Did you hate her?"

"Of course not! She's one of my closest friends, and since our teenage years, we're always having an argument like that. However, we got used to it." He said non-chantly.

"How about you? Did you enjoy the day?"

"Yeah, but…" she muttered hesistantly.

"…but?"

"…it will be fun with Mom around, like Mrs.Hyuuga and Hinata."

"At least I'm here. You enjoy the day with me, right?"

"Hey! You did not do anything! You just read that book of yours!"

He laughs.

"I'm only joking! You should go inside, it's getting colder here."

"All right…"

He opens the door for her.

"Thank you Kakashi."

"Thank you for what?"

"No, I thank you for being with me today. Honestly, I enjoy the day because you are with me."

"It's nothing. Okay, goodnight now, your mother will be angry."

"Goodnight…"

She closes the door slowly.

"I wish Kakashi become my Dad…maybe its better if that will happen…"

Yay! Another finished chapter! I already introduce Neji in the story, because some of the reviewers are requesting to add Neji. Let me first thank them.

For Sakura Li 2…thank you very much for reading! Yeah, Sakura has a type of personality that you can match her up with any of the guys and it's pretty good.

Hey Alexandra Trent, here it is! I already put Neji to make the pairings harder…

sUmbOdi said that SakuraXGaara pairing will be a little weird…what do you think of it? For me, I respect her/his opinion. Oh I forgot, sasuto also said that about Gaara, but yeah, he needs friends and Sasuke is so cute when he's young and innocent! Thanks for adding this story in your fave!

red-sakura03, I just love ragnarok! However, I cannot play it because the space in my computer is almost full! (oowww…)

For heartillyangel, Malitia, Bleeding-On-The-Floor, DreamCatcher16, Shujouteki Kumo, The Gandhara, Jelly-bean89 and for the others who review…thanks for reading and reviewing for my first-ever fanfic!

And for tari-chan and HikaruOfArrow, I'll think about that SakuraXNaruto pairing…but for me he's better for Hinata…

mad-killer-bunnies-alert, I'm serious about the 'Naruto pairing' and I think many people will 'murder' you if that will happen (just like you have said! Hehehe…)

Like what I have said in the last chapter, just give your comments, flames (if ever…) and suggestions to make the story better.

Please review! :D

0Serpentina0

" darkness is within me"