A.N.: Hey everyone! It's me again! The one and only ethereal infernia! Weird name huh? Well… it just popped into my mind… I don't have any idea where it came from.

Anyway, as usual, I would like to thank all the readers especially the reviewers! If you don't like the story, it's better if you'll just shut up and if you did, let me know:)

Disclaimer: Sadly… I do not own Naruto. sniff

A day later…

Naruto and the others decided not to ruin the party yet by not telling Neji and the girls about their recent discovery. They knew that if they would tell Ino… well… you all know what the outcome of that is.

Sakura is inside her apartment, with the three girls. They were sitting around a round table with a cup of tea each. Sakura tried to look calm, but she failed at her attempt. She decided that the boys would be the ones to explain it to Neji.

"So… Sakura, what happened between you and the others? On the face off with Itachi I mean." Ino asked as Sakura gulped.

"There's something that I need to tell you guys." Sakura said while looking at the four. Tenten arched an eyebrow.

"You look nervous. What is it about?"

'If it weren't for Naruto and the boys over hearing us, and if it weren't for Sasuke who POLITELY told them that he's after me, I wouldn't be here explaining this stupid matter to the girls and I would be out training instead!'

'Aw come on! They deserve to know! Besides, they would know the truth soon after… its better telling them because if you didn't, they would be mad at you. And don't blame it on Sasuke-kun! Itachi was making it obvious that he wants you anyway!'

"Sakura… its okay for you to tell us. We're your best friends." Hinata reassured her as Sakura gave her a soft not to mention weak smile. Soon, she sighed.

"I guess you're right."

When Sakura told them everything…

"WHAT! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US BEFORE! WE WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE PROTECTING YOU! HOW COULD YOU BEEN SO FOOLISH BY TAKING THE PROBLEM ALL BY YOURSELF!" Ino rampaged. Tenten tried to calm her down. Sakura of course, was expecting this reaction.

"I didn't face this all by myself, Sasuke-kun knew too."

O.O

"What?" Sakura said, looking at the three who had their eyes as large as small platters.

"SAKURA! You just called Sasuke… Sasuke-kun!" Ino yelled, looking happy or excited or whatsoever. Sakura raised an eyebrow.

"I so did not! Did I?" Sakura asked Tenten and Hinata who nodded while staring at her. Sakura placed a hand over her mouth. Inner Sakura prevailed again!

"Oh no! I didn't mean it! I…"

"I KNEW IT! YOU STILL LOVE HIM AFTER ALL!" Ino yelled happily, hugging her best friend. Tenten hugged her as well while Hinata just giggled.

"I was not into myself! I… It was not me… I didn't…" Sakura tried to find a good excuse. She can't tell them that Inner Sakura was behind this.

Wait… if inner Sakura is her thoughts, her conscience and her fighting spirit… that means…

She must still love Uchiha Sasuke after all!

"But I can't be! I hate him! I hate him already!" Sakura cursed to herself.

"Oh do not deny it Sakura! It's obvious that you still love him!" Ino said, shaking the absent minded pink haired girl. Hinata chuckled.

"And there's that saying Sakura, the more you hate, the more you love!" Hinata teased. Sakura tried to push Ino away but she was looking at Hinata.

"I do not believe at that sort of rubbish! If I hate someone! I hate that someone!"

"Puh-lease Sakura! How could you hide such an important thing from your best friends?" Tenten asked, pouting while looking at her.

"I don't love him anymore! Why can't you understand!" Sakura said, using her goliath like strength to push Ino away seriously as she was thrown away but Tenten caught her.

"Geez Sakura! Remember your strength! You could kill someone!" Tenten yelled. Sakura stood up, her hands on the table as she looked at them.

"I told you what I need to tell you. If you don't believe me, then fine. I'm going to the hospital to work. Good day to you all." Sakura said while heading the door and she slammed the door shut. The three looked at each other.

Sakura decided to walk rather than do the ninja run towards the hospital.

'Do I need to believe my inner self? Do I still love Sasuke deep inside?'

'Duh! Of course! I'm you remember! Your heart still wants him but your brain denies it because you're afraid to being considered as weak.'

'Loving someone is being weak?'

'Like you said to him, love isn't that important when you're a ninja. You sound like Sasuke himself, when he still didn't realize his feelings for you. At least, his brain and heart worked together and he knew it was you that he wants.'

'So we're like the opposite now?'

'Yeah, you could say that.'

'He said he just misses me. There's nothing to it. He maybe misses Naruto and Kakashi-sensei as much.'

'Sakura, have you forgotten! He said he misses you BADLY. What does that mean?'

'You could add many meanings to it you know.'

'Yes, but what do you think is the number one meaning to it?'

'He cares about me? Or he likes me?'

'No. Darn, I thought you were smart! He loves you for crying out loud! Why would he risk his life protecting you from Itachi! If it weren't for him, you could have been in Itachi's lair carrying his son or daughter in your belly!'

'You mean I have been foolish to my feelings all along?'

'Yes! At last! You realized it!'

BAM!

"Ow!" Sakura said as she landed on her butt. She looked up and saw Sasuke looking down towards her. Sakura suddenly felt herself blushing as she shook it off, however, it became worse. Sasuke lent his hand as Sakura took it and she was on her feet.

"I'm sorry Sakura. Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle. She never heard of him being gentle, at least when she least cared about it. She looked at him and for once, she admired his handsome features. His onyx eyes looked at her in concern (if that was possible) and Sakura felt herself blushing again.

"Yeah, I'm okay." She replied, tapping some dust away from her outfit.

"Have you told the girls already?" he asked again. Sakura nodded. Sakura sighed and looked at the hospital which was already nearby.

"I need to go Sasuke-k… I mean, Sasuke. I have some work to do." Sakura said, cursing for embarrassing herself in front of him and ran away. Sasuke stared at Sakura's retreating figure, his eyes now having a questioning look at it.

'Did she almost call me Sasuke-kun?' Sasuke thought.

'I'm not going to be the same twelve year old girl that has been in love with him!'

'But you're going to be the nineteen year old girl who's going to be Sasuke's way out of his misery!'

A.N.: well, that was unexpected.

Hehehe, read and review guys!

E.I.