Itonami: No action just yet, alright? Next chapter will have the Akatsuki problems. Don't worry. And to a reviewer that was confused about why I said that Neji was the Hyuuga heir… Read paragraph 21. Yes, count every single little dialogue paragraph starting from the first paragraph right under "Chapter 15." It will contain the necessary information about how I made Neji the Hyuuga heir, and not Hinata. I think it makes a little sense…

Anyway! Enjoy! Review! Thank you for those reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Naruto.

Chapter 15

Sasuke slowly began to realize the pleasant feeling of being wanted. It was a very painstaking process. But Sakura was patient as was everyone else. They knew he was not very graceful in the art of simple friendship, but they could see him trying.

The Uchiha was currently training taijutsu maneuvers, since weapons were not allowed in his possession and all of his chakra reserves were sealed away. A small part of his soul was glad that he didn't have that kind of dangerous power, but it still took some getting used to, even after two years. He still couldn't bring himself to ask Rock Lee for new taijutsu, since his pride was all that he had left. Asking for help was something that all men struggled with, something that was left for them to deal with.

Up in the trees, he could faintly feel at least two ANBU watching him and keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Sasuke dully hoped that it would rain. It was hot and he was sweating if he was getting drenched in a rainstorm. He looked up to see no clouds in the vast blue sky and let out a sigh. Maybe he should just meditate like the Hyuuga does.

"Oi, Sasuke!"

He turned to the sound of the voice. Naruto waved at him, with Sakura beside him, who also waved in greeting. He felt a tiny smirk sneak its way on his face as he briefly raised a hand in return. Naruto sprinted to him excitedly.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you going to go to the festival?"

Sasuke blinked a couple of times, a sure sign that he was confused. Naruto slung a casual arm around his shoulder, which Sasuke carefully learned not to push away. Not really knowing what to do, he shoved his hands in his pockets, very characteristically, and pasted a small scowl on his face. "What are you talking about?"

Naruto grinned hugely. "Come on, Sasuke-teme, this entire week is the annual Konoha festival. Let's go, Sakura-chan and I were just looking for you." Naruto gave a grimace and took his arm off of the raven-haired ninja next to him. "You should go take a shower first. You reek."

Slightly flushed at being scolded by the way he smelled, Sasuke stomped off to his apartment and quickly showered, while his two companions waited in his small bedroom.

Putting on a fresh set of clothes, the trio took off for the middle of town where the festival was taking place. Sasuke was still uneasy with this much people around; he had been ambushed before in large crowds. This felt no different. Sakura sensed his tense body, and she put a reassuring hand on his arm, just in case he needed some support. The Uchiha gave her his half smile, to show her his gratefulness.

"Look, there's Neji and Tenten!" Naruto shouted over all the noise. The other pair nodded and followed the blonde jounin.

"Neji-san! Tenten-san!" Sakura called out cheerfully.

The couple turned and Tenten waved them over while she had her arm looped through her husband's. Neji gave them a simple nod of acknowledgement and said their names. "Haruno, I heard from Lee that you re-passed the ANBU exam. Congratuations."

The one being addressed beamed. "Thank you, Neji-san. It feels better to know that I'm not just a medic nin anymore."

Sakura gazed curiously at a small bundle in Neji's arms. "What do you have there?"

It was Tenten's turn to smile. "Neji wanted another cat for Chopsticks. I named her Hanryo, for being a companion for him." As if the cat knew her name already, she poked her head out of the Hyuuga male's arms and gave a loud mew. She was a silky white cat with a brown smudge on her head and one at the tip of a long tail. Hanryo rubbed her head against Neji's chest while purring.

"She's beautiful." The rosy-haired kunoichi giggled. "How is Chopsticks anyway? He's not being trouble, is he?"

Neji shook his head and smirked. "He's gotten bigger…and restless."

"Anosa, anosa, Hyuuga, where's Hinata-chan?"

"Hinata-sama will be here shortly."

To speak the truth, it was out of pure disciplined habit that Neji still attached the honorific after his cousin's name. She was chosen to lead the Hyuuga clan a year ago, after Hiashi's untimely death. Hinata had formally stepped down as the Hyuuga leader but only after she announced the end of the division in the clan that separated the Main and Branch houses. She installed a new policy that one would have to prove him or herself worthy to become the next leader of the Hyuuga clan. Since the separation was no longer there, Neji was next in line for the title. Hinata insisted that Neji would stop calling her with the respectful honorific behind it, since he was the older one and now that he was the leader of the clan. Neji had actually been quite hesitant to claim the leading spot (contrary to popular belief), but Hinata again told him that she had no use for such a title. She would be married into the Uzumaki clan soon anyway.

"Sasuke," Neji drawled, catching Sasuke's attention, "I thought it would be wise to make amends with the last Uchiha." He held out a hand while shifting the cat into his other arm.

Sasuke gave him his trademark smirk and shook it. "Why the sudden decision?"

Neji matched Sasuke's smugness with his own. "A Hyuuga does not hold grudges. Besides, it would make it easier for you to admit that the Hyuuga clan is and will always be the most powerful clan in Konoha."

"We'll see, Hyuuga." The Uchiha said calmly.

Naruto snickered. "I'm afraid you two are both wrong. The Uzumaki clan is the strongest. It all starts with me."

"The only children you would be having are little miniature perverted-ramen-crazed Narutos if it weren't for Hinata." Sakura teased vigorously, as she pulled on his ear.

They all laughed while Sasuke smiled in amusement.

Hinata joined them after awhile and Lee was nowhere to be found. The group, with Hanryo still in Neji's arms, went to try the different food and to look around the various vendors' items. The bars would be open all day and all night, and so they decided to meet in the evening for some drinks.

After a while, Sasuke got headaches at the constant noise of people and things moving. He became impatient to leave. Sakura smiled at his irate form. "The festival at night is a little better. If you don't have anything to do, we'll be near the Ichiraku."

He nodded and made his way through the crowd. "Wait! Sasuke!" He twisted to see Sakura trying to fight her way to him. Her rosy cheeks were flushed even more as a brilliant smile crossed her face.

"I'll walk you home, ne?" She grinned at him. He could only return a smile of his own as they both walked away from the noise.

"Sasuke…" Sakura gazed up at him. Touching was limited. He wasn't used to all the hugging and touching yet.

"Hm?"

"I've…been to your house before." She let out a nervous laugh and started to fiddle with her fingers. "I cleaned a little bit in there for you, though now it's been two years since I've cleaned it."

"Why?" His voice was cold and curt. He was angry.

"I thought you'd like to live there again…when you were older…" She replied hesitantly. The pink haired woman didn't dare return Sasuke's glare. His gaze was drilling holes through her.

"Stay away from there, Sakura. I mean it." He said, a warning tone in his voice that she had never heard before.

Sakura nodded, knowing that she had no right to trespass on private property. But if he could see the things he left behind…but she shouldn't push him. It would drive him further away. "Ano…"

"Hm?" His voice was back to its complacent, calmness.

"Would you consider walking with me?" He gave her a suspicious glance. "I just want to walk. We'll go to the park."

He nodded and they switched directions towards the park. Children were playing tag and hide-and-seek, games that were now foreign to him. Sasuke wondered if he had played such games, innocence displayed like the sun and laughter readily on his lips. He was torn between smiling and frowning.

Sakura had her hands clasped behind her back as they walked slowly down the beaten path, enjoying the nature and the birds singing. The woman opened her eyes, briefly letting her eyes grace the handsome face of Uchiha Sasuke. By far, he was one of the best looking of shinobi in Konoha. He possessed a beautifully cut jaw, his face and eyes finely chiseled to suit him very well. He hadn't changed over the two years as she could see, and his hair and eyes were as black as ever.

"You've been such a mystery to me, Sasuke." She said absently, her eyes traveling back on the road.

Sasuke looked at her surprise, and then relaxed into a neutral expression. "Have I?"

The pink-haired jounin nodded slowly, still thinking. "A puzzlement, an enigma, someone who seems to have an unconscious knack at confusing me."

The man arched his perfect eyebrow. "I…confuse you?"

She would have laughed at how he sounded like a child unaware of his mischief. "You just do. I can say that I've been confused more than once by you and your attitude."

He stopped walking and looked at her. "I don't confuse you now, do I?"

Sakura grinned and shook her head. "No, you don't anymore. I'm glad you don't."

Sasuke was silent as he started to walk again. "I'm glad, too."

The pair of them traveled in silence, without a destination or a purpose. "What are you going to do after your three years are up?"

The question was met by only the whistling wind as it brushed past them. "Go for a jounin rank. Being in ANBU seems like good idea."

Of course, what else was he going to do with all of that power? Why did she expect another answer? Sakura just didn't comment and let out a sigh. It wasn't like he was going to get married her and live happily ever after. It was stupid of her to expect another answer. He was born to become a ninja and so he shall. It was obvious. She shouldn't have asked a question like that. It would just annoy him further.

"What are you planning to do with your life, Sakura?"

Sakura looked at him in astonishment at his question. He actually expressed interest in what she was going to do in the future. She thought about it for a while and she answered, "I was hoping to be the head of the medical unit and maybe lead some missions someday. I'd like to teach the genins, too. I have Kakashi-senpai to thank for that inspiration. Tsunade-sama is looking to assign me a team next year."

"I see." He said quietly.

Of course, what else would she do? Having excellent chakra control and being one of the most renown of medical ninjas, it was logical that she would want to achieve something in the medical field. With her bubbly personality, it would be easy for her to teach new genins. It was stupid of him to expect a different answer. It wasn't like she was going marry him and live happily ever after, even though she deserved to live a comfortable life.

"Sasuke, is everything okay?" She asked, concern written on her face.

He nodded and focused his eyes elsewhere. It bothered him to look at her face. He didn't understand why. It gave him a sense of contentment and frustration all at once. Sasuke didn't like that feeling. It confused him. What that what Sakura had meant? Feeling two contrasting emotions all at the same time? It certainly gave him a mind sore just trying to deal with it.

Sakura pointed to a bench and they both sat down with a respectable distance between them so that they both didn't feel too awkward. There was a playground behind them and little children were laughing and screaming with glee.

"Sakura-san, over here!" An enthusiastic masculine voice caught the couple's attention.

"Lee-san, what are you doing here?" She called over brightly as she waved.

"One of the little children wanted to play a game. He's on the verge of wakening his flaming youth!" Lee declared solemnly, as he patted a little boy's head.

"Lee-niisan, I want to play with him!" The boy pointed to Sasuke. Lee's grin instantly dropped from his face.

"Sakura-san, is Sasuke-san here with you?" He asked, trying to pass off his question in a casual, unconcerned voice.

The medic nin was oblivious to the nervous tension in the taijutsu master's chakra. She nodded while smiling still. "Hai, Lee-san. We were just taking a walk. Sasuke and I didn't like all the noise from the festival."

"You shouldn't wander alone, Sakura-san. It's dangerous." He warned in a low voice.

"Eh?" Sakura's face turned into one of puzzlement. "I'm not alone, Lee-san. Sasuke was walking with me." She abruptly got his message and grew a little angry. "There's no need to worry. I can take care of myself." Her voice came across a little cold.

"I didn't mean it like that, Sakura-san. I'm sorry." He apologized and bowed humbly.

The pink-haired woman put down her verbal defenses and gave him a slight smile. "I understand, Lee-san. No need to apologize."

"Sakura," Sasuke spoke up behind her. He had gotten off the bench and tapped her shoulder.

Not knowing what he wanted, she turned to see him point downwards. The little boy was clinging to his leg as if his life depended on it. Sasuke looked slightly annoyed when she giggled at the sight. "What's your name?" She asked the boy.

He looked up at her and blushed. "I'm Touji."

"Hi, Touji. I'm Sakura. Do you like Sasuke-san?"

Touji nodded. "I'm going to be like him. If I'm like him, then maybe when I'm older, I'll have a pretty girlfriend like you just like he does!"

Sasuke gave a peculiar choking noise at his words. Sakura's face was tinted red as she laughed in amusement. "Well, Touji, what do you say to letting go of Sasuke-san's leg and then playing with him?" She received a very murderous look from the Uchiha. "I'm sure he'd like to play with you."

It wasn't long when Touji was merrily trying to escape the tickling clutches of Sakura. He hid behind Sasuke, who actually looked like he was enjoying playing with the little child, and gave a squeal when a pair of strong arms swung him up into the air. The Uchiha kicked off a tree and spun in the air very fast, while he had the little boy safely tucked away in his arms. Landing swiftly, he set the Touji down and watched in amusement and worry as the little boy staggered towards Sakura's waiting arms dizzily.

"Oof! Sakura-san, I'm dizzy!" Touji exclaimed as he tried to focus his vision. She laughed and looked up at Sasuke to find him smiling and watching the boy carefully.

The three who were playing together did not notice Lee, as he walked away with jealousy burning inside the pit of his stomach. Uchiha Sasuke had everything he did not: an advanced bloodline of the Sharingan, strength, looks, playful charm, immediate attraction of children, and above everything else, Haruno Sakura's heart. Rock Lee needed to get away from everything and cool off before he did something stupid.

It was almost the designated time to meet everyone else at the Ichiraku ramen stand. Touji had gone home long before with a grateful mother who thanked them for taking care of him. The sun was setting, the sky growing dark, and Sasuke had not felt like going back to his small apartment. Sakura stayed with him at the playground, each sitting on a swing, while inattentively swinging back and forth.

"Sasuke, we should go meet up with everyone." Sakura said, standing from her swing and waiting for him to do the same. He got up wearily and she grinned. "Touji was fun to play with, wasn't he? You really seemed to be enjoying yourself." She said.

They began to walk back to the hubbub of the festival. There was silence between them and the stars were beginning to take their places in the night sky. "Were you happy, Sakura? During my absence?"

Sasuke was expecting a serious answer, but she chuckled. "You don't know the answer to that?"

He grunted. "I wasn't here to know. That's why I'm asking."

"Were you happy while you were gone?"

Sasuke sighed. "You really need to answer my question with another?"

She nodded. "Whatever your answer is, it's my answer, too. You don't even need to tell me. Just think about it."

No, he hadn't been happy when he had gone to Orochimaru, but it wasn't like he expected to be happy. Sasuke had thought that happiness was out of the equation that made up his life, since the revenge upon his brother was still in it. If his answer was no, then hers was no also. Why? When she had all of these friends around her, she still wasn't happy? Could it have been that she was unhappy because he was out of the equation of her life? Perhaps, it could be possible.

They arrived together at festival, this time Sasuke a little less nervous and alert, and walked over to the ramen stand. It was boggling with people and she spotted her friends out from everyone. "Minna-san!" She shouted above the noise.

Naruto grinned as he saw that Sasuke was going to join them also. He waved and turned back to Hinata, who had her attention focused on ordering bowls of ramen for all of them. Tenten and Neji were standing not far away, deep in conversation with each other.

The dinner was pleasant and it carried on without an obstacles. Naruto ordered a least nine bowls due to a massive hunger pain. Hinata could only smile at his ramen eating mode. He could be so silly at times…

Tenten looked around suddenly. "Where's Lee anyway? I haven't seen him all day."

Lee was currently sitting at a bar and he hesitantly ordered a bottle of sake. Pouring a little in the small cup, he looked at it with pained eyes. His trembling hands took it to his lips and felt the warm liquid slip down his throat, causing a pleasant feeling throughout his body. His mind became hazy and unclear, as it demanded for more of the sake. Lee was obedient.
Sakura's head snapped up from her steaming bowl. "Lee-san? I saw him…hours ago." Her legs went numb. "I didn't even notice that he left."

Sasuke hesitantly reached out and put his hand on her shoulder, not know how to reassure people in their time of need. Sakura flashed him a weak smile as turned back to her ramen. She swirled the noodles disinterestedly with her chopsticks.

"Sakura, everyone's getting up." The Uchiha whispered into her ear. It caused an unexpected tremor through her body.

"Oh…" She drifted off and got up with the rest of them.

Naruto stretched and patted his stomach. "Why don't we go to a bar to relax, ne? What do you say?" He asked everyone. Neji looked at Tenten, who nodded in agreement.

The bar wasn't far off and the group of ninjas made their progress through the crowd of people milling about. Sasuke subconsciously stayed near Sakura and Naruto, feeling a little bit more comfortable with them than anyone else.

"Lee!" Tenten exclaimed, spotting her teammate slouching on one of the stools in the bar, unsteadily swaying. Beside him were a spilled bottle of sake and a knocked over cup. He didn't know where that voice was coming from.

"Damn," Neji breathed. He took a step towards his drunk comrade, but he flew back when a lightning quick Lee spin-kicked his chest.

Rock Lee stood before them, rose-tinted cheeks glowing brightly in the light, with his hand curled into loose fists. Still swaying on his feet, his unfocused eyes spotted his hated target.

"You!" He hiccupped as he pointed to Sasuke. "You make me…hic…sick…hic…you bastard…" His speech was slurred. Sasuke stood his ground.

"Lee-san, you need to sit down." Sakura said firmly. "I'll flush the alcohol out of your system."

Lee grinned cheekily. "Sakura-chan…hic…did you know that…hic…I've loved you ever since…hic…I laid eyes on…hic…you?" He staggered towards her but she backed away. Sasuke grew a little worried and stepped in front of her. The drunken shinobi glared at the Uchiha, who gladly glared back, unfazed by his drunkenness. "Out of my way…hic…bastard! Why…hic…are you always…hic…in my way? You have everything…hic…so can't you at least let me…hic…have Sakura-chan's…hic…heart?"

"You're drunk, Lee." Sasuke replied coldly.

"No! I'm not…hic…drunk!" Lee burst out savagely. An unexpected drunken fist was thrown, connecting perfectly with Sasuke's jaw. The Uchiha couldn't help but stagger slightly by the momentum of his punch.

"Sasuke!" Sakura cried out, automatically reaching out for the bruising spot.

Sasuke's eyes burned with fury and his hands clenched and unclenched with an urge to retaliate. He felt himself relax at Sakura's healing touch, which was applying some chakra to lessen the bruise. Then, her hand was snatched away by Lee.

"Why don't you…hic…touch me like that…hic…Sakura-chan?" Lee asked as his face dipped into reach her lips.

Before anyone could object, Sakura slapped Lee. The stinging sensation tingled beneath his skin. His mind became a little clearer.

"Lee, stop it!" Tenten shouted, getting extremely angry. Naruto's image blurred and grabbed Lee from behind. Neji clamped his arms around his comrade's legs, restraining him from kicking madly.

The medic nin finished healing Sasuke's bruise but even afterwards, she let her hand rest on his jaw line. "Are you alright?"

He nodded. "Are you alright?"

Sakura sniffed and he witnessed her eyes glaze over with moisture. "I seem to hurt everyone I know." She gave him a fake smile. "Aren't I an awful person, Sasuke? I am…I am an awful person."

"You're not. Stop telling yourself that." Sasuke snapped, his dark eyes flashing at her.

Sakura's smile disappeared. The commotion in the bar stopped when Lee started to snore loudly. Everyone visibly let down their guard and some of the men decided to take Lee back to his home. Sakura followed worriedly and Sasuke slowly trailed after them.

Neji found the house key in the taijutsu specialist's jounin vest pocket and kicked open the door. Laying him down on his bed, Sakura quickly made seals to get rid of the sake in his system. A strange hissing sound could be heard as she neutralized the alcohol with chakra.

It was only about ten minutes after the performed jutsu that Lee regained consciousness. Everyone looked at him strangely. "What has happened?" Then the memories of what had happened a few hours ago replayed themselves in his mind. Lee's eyes widened and then hung his head.

"I'm sorry, Sakura-san. I don't know what has gotten into me. I should be punished." He whispered with his voice filled with shame and regret.

Sakura looked on with pity in her eyes. "I forgive you, Lee-san. Just don't ever drink sake again. You hear me?"

Lee straightened and saluted smartly. "Hai!"

Author's notes: Was that crap or what? T-T I will cry for the lack of inspiration that caused me to write this bad, but long, chapter.

As I said at the beginning, I will have the Akatsuki trouble brew in the next chapter.

Once again, Neji and his cats prevail!

Lee will never, ever be a drunken Lee ever again. Understand! You better, because I am never going to have Lee drunk ever. Ok? Ever! Never, ever!

It was more SasuSaku oriented this chapter. Others will come in due time. Hopefully.

Keep reading! Don't give up on me! Keep reviewing, too!