-Believe Me, It's True-

Summary: Sasuke has always hid his innermost feelings for as long as he can remember. But at age sixteen, he can't afford to hide those feelings anymore. But what if the one he loves hates him for past misunderstandings? SasuxSaku

Chapter Four: Her Love Belongs to Me

Sasuke stared ahead of him and saw someone. Her long pink hair swayed as she walked on. Sasuke tried to follow her, but his feet wouldn't move; he was frozen in place. He watched hopelessly as she walked farther and farther away from him. "Wait!" he called out, "Don't go!" Within an instant, she was gone.

Sasuke quickly opened his eyes and yelled, "Wait!" as he rose from his bed. He was breathing deeply as he realized that all he had was just a dream…nothing more but a dream. He laid his bed back on his pillow and sighed. Ever since Sakura came back he's been having the same dream over and over again. He looked at his alarm clocked and swore under his breath. 2:57 am…how the heck was he supposed to have a good night sleep if he keeps waking up very hour?

"Hey, Sakura! Good morning!" Hinata said, beaming.

Sakura yawned and smiled back at her. "Good morning."

"Did you sleep well?"

"I slept like a baby."

"I could tell, I thought you would never wake up!" Hinata said. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"No, thanks, I'm alright."

Hinata walked across the room and opened the windows to let the summer sun shine in the kitchen. She took a deep breath and turned to Sakura, a smile upon her face. "Do you have any plans today?"

Sakura shook her head, "No, I was planning to train or something like that."

"Do you want to go out? You know, hang around and do some shopping."

Sakura sat still for a few seconds, thinking about Hinata's offer. "Well," she started, "that wouldn't be so bad. I'd love to go."

"That's great! How about we leave a little before lunch?"

"Sure." Sakura grinned. I haven't seen Hinata for a while, so some quality time with my friend should do me some good.

Hinata placed a bowl of cereal in front of Sakura and one in front of herself. Before she took a spoonful, she asked Sakura, "What about tonight? Are you doing anything this evening?"

"Tonight? Nothing, why?"

"Well, I thought it would be a great idea if you would like to come with Naruto and me to the festival tonight."

"You mean that star festival thingy?"

"Yeah, it would be really fun because this year you are with us."

"Isn't anyone else going?"

"The whole village is going to be there."

"I mean any of our friends?"

"Tenten and Neji will be there. And Ino and Sasuke. So you don't need to worry about us being there!"

"That's not what I meant…"

"Then what is it?"

"Hinata, aren't I sort of intruding on your date if I go?"

"D-date?" Hinata asked, blushing.

Sakura chuckled. "Isn't it a date between you guys?"

"Well, I mean…well…um…it was Naruto's idea! He thought it would be a good idea if you spent some time with us after you've been gone for so long."

"Aw, you guys care!"

"Of course we do!"

"Calm down Hinata! I know you guys care about me. You guys mean a lot to me too."

"So do you want to go with us?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The two girls smiled at each other and began to eat their breakfast.

"Um, Hinata?" Sakura asked, as she placed her bowl in the sink.

"Yes?"

"Thanks for letting me spend the night for the past week. And thanks for doing so much for me. I hope I'm not being a burden or anything."

"Of course not! I'd do anything for a friend, Sakura. And you happen to be one of my best friends, so I'm really glad you're back." Hinata smiled and placed her hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Besides, it's better my house than one of the guys' place."

Sakura laughed and nodded in agreement with her.

"Well, I think we should get ready to head out if we want to make it back in time."

"In time…?"

"To get ready for the festival! We cannot go to the star festival looking like we just returned from a mission! That reminds me, we need to buy you a yukata!"

Roughly two hours later, Hinata and Sakura tossed shopping bags upon shopping bags unto the carpet floor. Their shopping trip was successful, they didn't bump into anyone to make their trip last longer than it already should have.

"Hey Hinata," Sakura started, taking out the contents of one of the bags, "I've been meaning to ask you…what exactly is the star festival?"

Hinata placed one of the big white boxes on the table and looked at Sakura. "Didn't you have a star festival in the mountains?"

Sakura shook her head.

"Well, the star festival is something in the summer…"

"How come I've never heard of it before?"

"Because this is the special year in which three certain stars will be aligned, just for three days! And the star festival is only three days. The same three days that three certain stars will be aligned. It's something we all look forward to, especially all the girls. It is like a special day for us."

"Why?"

"It's because of the whole legend that everyone adapted. It is said, that if a girl is able to meet or realize the one she truly loves the most during the festival, and kiss him on the third day, under the stars, then their destinies will be intertwined and their love will last forever!" Hinata said dreamingly.

"Isn't that a little farfetched?"

Hinata giggled. "I guess it sort of is…but it is something to look forward to."

"Yeah…I guess so…"

The two girls sat on the floor, dreaming about the one man whose destiny would be intertwined with her own. Hinata thought constantly about Naruto, and the final day of the festival. Sakura smiled to herself about the thought of having 'her knight in shining armor' coming and giving her a kiss, sealing the deal of 'true love.' They were snapped back to reality when Hinata's kitchen clock rang saying that it was 4:00.

"Sakura, I think that we should start getting ready now, Naruto will be here in three hours."

"Three hours? Don't we have plenty of time?" Sakura asked.

"Not unless we want to look our best!" Hinata said, smiling.

Hinata and Sakura walked around the living room, looking at the boxes to determine which box belonged to whom. After that, they each took turns to use the shower and freshen up in the restroom. They then went to their separate rooms to get dressed in their yukatas. Then they put some make-up on just to look extra nice for the festival. This whole process took them at least 2 and a half hours.

Hinata waited downstairs in the living room for Sakura. She was dressed in a simple ruby red yukata decorated with white water lilies, her obi sash sparkling white. Her hair was held back by a red clip with a small diamond stud, a present she received from Naruto at their one month anniversary. She waited patiently for Sakura and constantly looked at the clock to see if Naruto would be coming soon.

"Sorry I took so long Hinata!" Sakura said. She walked down the stairs and smiled.

"It's alright, Sakura. I just got finished a while ago."

"Is Naruto coming soon? Oh and Hinata, you look great." Sakura said, beaming.

Hinata giggled and said, "You look great yourself! I told you that leaf one was pretty!"

Sakura blushed at that comment and smiled. Sakura was wearing a pearl white yukata with green leaves dancing around her body, designing the yukata itself. Her long pink hair was tied up into a high ponytail, her bangs held together by an emerald green clip.

"Thanks Hinata, I'll promise I'll pay you back for the yukatas you bought for me…"

"Don't worry about, Sakura. It's my gift to you."

"Hinata…"

KNOCK KNOCK

"Hello? Is anyone home?" A familiar voice rang throughout the household.

Sakura sighed as Hinata raced to the door. She heard Naruto give Hinata compliments about her yukata. Every sweet word she heard from Naruto made her wish that she could turn back time, even if it meant that she had to be hurt all over again. Where was a shining knight when you need him?

The young man sighed as he asked a passing waiter for some more sake. He had no idea how huge this village was. It was way bigger than the one in the mountains, and to think that he happened to drop by the exact time some festival was occurring. He just wanted to go home…he didn't like the fact that there were so many people to bump into; back at his own village there were barley even any people! Just one week in Konoha and he found out that he was claustrophobic.

He felt a tug behind him and turned around slowly. It was a little toddler girl wearing a pale yellow yukata pulling at his ponytail. She looked up at him and smiled, showing that her two front teeth were missing. He smiled back and told her to stop that because it made his head hurt. She just stared at him and went back to her mom in tears. He sighed again and drank his sake quietly. It would be a very, very long time until he found his dear Haruno Sakura.

"Sweetie! You're walking to slow!" Ino said, tugging on Sasuke's arm. Ino walked down the streets in her new ocean blue yukata which was decorated with silver pearls. She giggled slightly when she saw Sasuke sigh. He's so totally cute!

"Ino, you're walking to fast." Sasuke said. He was walking slowly to prevent himself from being 'cuddled' by Ino. "I'm trying to take in the surroundings."

Ino blinked a couple times and leaned against Sasuke. "Well then, I guess I'll just have to walk at your pace."

Sasuke resisted the urge to push Ino away. So much for not being cuddled. He heard a growl in the far corner, and saw the usual fleet of fan girls glaring at Ino. If only those girls had the courage to take Sasuke away from her, it would probably do them all some good.

Hinata and Sakura walked around the village happily, looking at each of the booths. Naruto trailed behind, holding four bulking bags of festival give-a-ways and game prizes. "Hey girls," Naruto said, struggling with their stuff, "there is still two more days to get things."

Both of them blushed and looked at each other. "We are sorry, Naruto, its just I haven't had this much fun since I left." Sakura said, beaming as she grabbed a bag to help Naruto. Hinata came over and held a bag as well. "But if it makes you feel better," Sakura said, grabbing the other two bags from her blonde friend, "I'll take these bags back to Hinata's so we could walk around freely." She took the bag from Hinata and smiled.

Hinata looked at her and said quietly, "But Sakura…"

Sakura leaned over and whispered, "Besides, I want to give you two some alone time!"

Hinata blushed and whispered a quick "Thank you" as Sakura walked through the crowds, leaving the couple behind.

"Shall we?" Naruto asked, offering his arm to her. He smiled as Hinata accepted his arm and led her to the heart of the festival.

Sakura locked the door to Hinata's house and slowly made her way to the center of the village. She decided to take her time, just in case Naruto and Hinata wanted more than just thirty minutes alone together. She spotted Tenten and Neji, hand in hand; enjoying themselves. She decided to leave them alone; she didn't want to be the third wheel again. Much to her dismay, Tenten noticed her.

"Sakura! Wow! You look really pretty in that yukata, it really suits you!"

"Thanks, Tenten. You look really good yourself."

Tenten blushed. She wore a mauve yukata with red and white butterflies "You think so? Neji picked it out for me."

Neji turned his head away from them, trying to hide his now red face. Tenten held down a laugh and went up to Sakura. "I couldn't decide between this one and the one Ino is wearing right now. So I'm really glad he picked this one!"

Sakura smiled, "The one you're wearing now really suits you, Tenten."

"Thanks!"

Sakura and Tenten talked to each other for another few minutes before Sakura decided to head off. Before she was able to walk away, Tenten whispered, "Maybe if you bump into Sasuke, you can save him from Ino. He would probably be happier if you were with him instead!" She winked at her and walked over to Neji's side, both disappearing into the crowds.

"But Tenten," Sakura whispered, "Uchiha was supposed to be happiest without me. He was supposed to forget all about me."

Sakura walked towards the center of the village once again, hoping to find Naruto and Hinata. The more she walked, the more she began to feel uncomfortable. Where ever she turned, where ever she looked, she would see countless of couples together. She started to feel lonely, started to feel empty again. She could not fight this feeling anymore. Her eyes began to water and because of that, she cursed under her breath. She swore she would not cry. Sakura did not know what to do. She ran.

Sasuke walked slowly behind Ino as she talked with her red-haired friend Hitomi. He liked being away from Ino. He felt way better when she was not by his side. Ino turned around and blew a kiss towards him. He forced himself to look pleased and swore to himself that he would never blackmail people again.

He looked at everyone all the people around him and stopped when he saw a pink-haired girl in a green and white yukata rush towards the forest. 'What is she doing?' he thought. Without a second thought, he went after her.

Sakura stopped by the river and looked up at the starry sky. She was breathing hard, and her tears dried. She sat down and continued to look up at the stars. Three stars stood out, being the brightest of the night sky, shining aligned together. "I was so stupid in coming back here." She said aloud, knowing no one would be able to hear her. "Everything has changed."

"What do you expect?"

Sakura jumped up and turned around. Standing behind her was none other than Uchiha Sasuke. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

He smirked. "Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

Her eyes narrowed as she said, "It is really none of your business. And shouldn't you be with Ino? Why aren't you with her? Hmm?"

He sighed and replied, "That is none of your business."

Sakura looked at him and asked, "Why is everything so different now? Since when did you start liking Ino?"

"Things change. That's how the flow of time works. Time changes everything."

"But did it have to change so much?" Sakura said, looking at the stars.

Sasuke said nothing and looked at her. She looked so vulnerable to him. Just like a flower getting ready to whither away with the first sight of winter. He just wanted to stroke her hair and tell her that everything might have changed, but his feeling for did not. He just wanted to hold her and…

"No matter how deep the hurt," Sakura said quietly, "we cannot turn back the hands of time. We cannot remove the scars of the past. We cannot change the laws of love and hatred."

Sasuke looked at her, puzzled. "What do you -"

"Saku-rin!"

Sakura looked ahead and gasped. "Sanosuke? What are you doing here?"

Sanosuke walked up and took Sakura's hand and placed a soft kiss upon it. "Isn't it obvious? I've come to take you home, my love!"

"Home? But, Sanosuke, I am home."

"Your home is with me and your parents back in the mountains. Come with me, Saku-rin."

"Leave her alone." Sasuke said fiercely. "She isn't going anywhere."

Sanosuke stared hard at him and smirked. "Don't tell me you're Uchiha Sasuke? Hmph. You're the reason why I'm taking her back with me!"

Sasuke glared at him and he glared back. "Sanosuke! Stop! This is not a good time!" Sakura said.

"Saku-rin…I have to take you back."

"Sanosuke, I want to stay for the rest of the festival."

"But Saku-rin…"

"Please?" Sakura said sweetly.

Sanosuke looked at her and smiled, then grabbed her for an embrace. "Just for the festival then." He whispered, stroking her pink hair.

"Thank you, Sano…" she said, breaking the embrace. She turned to Sasuke, who looked shocked. "Uchiha, this is one of my friends, Aoyama Sanosuke. Sanosuke, this is Uchiha Sasuke."

Sanosuke stretched out his hand and said, "Nice to meet you."

Sasuke ignored his hand and said fiercely, "Likewise."

"Sakura! Are you here?" Hinata's voice rang through the forest. "Sakura?"

"I'm here Hinata! I'm okay!"

In a few minutes, Naruto, Hinata, Tenten and Neji were with them. Hinata was telling Sakura how worried she was, while Neji and Naruto were asking Sanosuke and Sasuke questions.

"Sakura! Where have you been?"

"Who are you?"

"We thought something bad has happened to you!"

Naruto and Neji left Sanosuke behind and went to Sakura, waiting for what she had to say on her disappearance.

Sanosuke turned to Sasuke and glared at him. "Uchiha Sasuke," he started, "why do you even bother trying?"

Sasuke looked at him as though he were crazy.

"Do not act like an idiot! You know what I mean!" He hissed, grabbing Sasuke's shirt. "I'm talking about Saku-rin!"

"What about her? Why don't you just call her 'Sakura' like everyone else?" Sasuke hissed back, grabbing his shirt.

"That is because Saku-rin and I are destined for each other! And do not act as if I wasn't here to see you making eyes at my woman!"

"You're woman? Don't treat her as if she were a piece of property!" Sasuke gripped Sanosuke's tan shirt even harder.

"Ah, well," Sanosuke said, pulling away form Sasuke, "she's mine. I know for certain that she won't fall in love you again, but I will make sure she will fall in love with me. I just wanted to let you know that my love for her cannot be matched, so it would be easy for me to win her heart. So don't even try to take her from me."

"Who said anything about-"

Sanosuke sighed. "Its written all over you face."

Sasuke glared hard at him and turned away.

"Oh, one more thing Uchiha," Sasuke turned around, "no matter how hard you try, I'll make sure Sakura never loves you again."

Sasuke smirked. "Just try, Ponytail."

"Sasuke! Where have you been! Hitomi and I have been looking everywhere for you!" Ino said, looking worried.

Sasuke grunted in reply and followed her and the others to the center of the village, weaving through the numerous people. "The show will start in a few seconds!" Tenten said, pulling on Neji's arm. Just as she said that, a boom was heard and sparks of various colors flew through the sky. "Ooh! It's already started!"

Tenten and Neji both sat on the bench, while Naruto and Hinata stood beside them. The four of them looked at the sky and 'oohed' and 'awed' with ever color the sky showed.

Sasuke leaned on a tree and winced as Ino leaned against him. He sighed as he remembered how he could do nothing about it. He turned to his right and restrained himself from punching Ponytail. Sanosuke wrapped his arms around Sakura's waist as they both enjoyed the fireworks show. Sasuke turned away and looked at the sky himself.

"Aoyama," he said to himself, "I'm not giving up to you."

To Be Continued…

Author's note: ah…wut to say? I took forever updating again! I feel so guilty…

Preview of Ch.5: Eavesdropping and Girl Fights

"It's really obvious. So don't worry about it." Hinata said.

Sakura smiled. She never knew that about him. Now she was glad that Sasuke didn't really like her. Seconds later, a fuming Ino burst through the door and slapped Sakura right across the face.

"Sakura! How dare you! HOW DARE YOU!" Ino screamed as she rushed her way toward Sakura. "Don't you dare go near him! Keep you hands off him! He's MINE!"

Sakura sat there, stunned. She did nothing to Ino. She barley talked to her ever since she came back! Furious, Sakura stood up from the couch and slapped Ino back saying calmly yet fiercely, "What the hell did I do to you?"