So What If You Catch Me?
Chapter Three
"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into an instant flame by an encounter with someone who touches your heart."
"Sakura," she instantly tensed hearing his voice when she stepped out of the hospital. Why? Why couldn't he just give her time for herself. Maybe if he hadn't been so controlling every moment of every day maybe she would have given him the time of day already… not likely. She continued her walk towards home, and he fell into step with her. "How was the rest of your day?"
Sakura had never been so thankful for her time living with Naruto. It had really set her up to not completely lash out at every man she encountered. She let out a small sigh, she wanted to ignore him, but she couldn't. Maybe Kakashi was right… maybe he wasn't the worst. "It was tiring," she whispered, she allowed herself to look up at Sasuke and she instantly had butterflies.
"I imagine it would be, the hospital can be very busy," Sakura smiled to herself. It was always so interesting what Sasuke would appear every time she saw him. Earlier today it had been controlling but now he was his sweet self. Devoting even. At least with Sasuke he didn't openly try to push the physical side of a relationship. He was overwhelming with the flowers, but he was trying to be nice. "What are your plans for the evening?" there it was. The controlling side of him.
"Going out for dinner," she said nonchalantly. She winced when a hand wrapped around her bicep and gripped tightly. It caused her to pause and turn to look at him. She clenched her teeth slightly when green met red eyes. She pulled her arm to try and get him to release her. "Sasuke?" she questioned when he didn't loosen his grip.
"With who?" his voice low and angry.
"Sasuke, you're hurting me." His grip loosened but he didn't let go.
"Who are you going out with?" his voice a mere whimper, almost as if his anger was gone but now was replaced by someone who would use her emotions against her. Would make her feel guilty for doing something he didn't agree with.
"I'm just going with Naruto—"
"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled and now spun her around so he was gripping both of her shoulders. Why was he acting so defensive over Naruto? Sakura and Naruto went out all the time and did things without Sasuke. Sakura's eyes were wide at him the Uchiha was acting.
"Sasuke! You're making a scene," she hissed, wincing slightly when he gripped her arms tighter. She searching his face trying to make contact with the boy who was normally there. It was almost if he was completely gone from himself. Had he been drinking?
"I don't care," he hissed out. Sakura yanked one of her arms out of his grip and dug her heel into the dirt ready to remove herself completely. Sasuke reached forward only to have a hand grab his wrist. The two stopped and all she could hear was her heart pounding in her ears. All she could see was Sasuke's hand reaching out of her attempting to harm her more. She breathed out a few times and her eyes wondered up the hand that had grabbed Sasuke's wrist, she felt her heart skip a beat when her eyes landed on Hyuga Neji.
Sasuke glared hard at Neji his eyes swirling. Neji stood completely still. His own kekkei genkai activated assessing the situation. He looked as if he had just returned from a mission. A pack slug across his shoulder. "Uchiha," Neji's voice came out smooth and even. There weren't many in the village that could stand up again Sasuke.
"Hyuga," Sasuke said ripping his arm away from the older man. She gave Sakura a pointed look before turning and walking away. Sakura sighed in relief. She looked at Neji a slight blush had found its way to her face. Damn Naruto. Before all of this she had hardly noticed Neji. He was just another person in a sea of men. But now she found herself noticing how broad shouldered he was. How handsome he was.
"Are you okay, Sakura-san?" she blinked a few times not sure this was really happening. Neji reached up and touched her wrist where there were red angry marks starting to form from how hard Sasuke grabbed her. Her face turned dark red and she easily pulled away from him. She tried to hide her wrists.
"I'm fine Neji-san, thank you." She smiled at him and he nodded.
"Have good evening Sakura-san," and with that he left her standing alone in the busy streets. At this point Sakura raced home not wanting to be any later than she already was. She was sure Naruto would be having a full breakdown if she didn't arrive home before six.
Sakura had never been so happy to be home. She leaned against the cool front door once it was shut firmly behind her. She let out a loud noise when the door to the house was thrown open by her blonde roommate. "Naruto!" she yelled out annoyed as the man quickly walked down the hallways stripping out of his Kage clothes.
"Sorry Sakura-chan! No time to talk! I have to get ready!" The blonde called back at her. She growled annoyed when he ran into her bathroom.
"DO NOT USE MY BATHROOM!"
XXX
Neji looked up from his mission report. "I'm sorry?" he questioned looking at his younger cousin. She sat on his floor her forehead pressed to the wood. He really couldn't believe his ears. It wasn't like Hinata to beg for anything. Of course, she was bashful sometimes a little shy, but she always carried herself in such a way that she was sure. At this time, it didn't seem that way. She was desperate.
"I know you just returned home but I beg you please. Father has already agreed to it as long as you chaperone it,"
So that was why. His uncle knew how unlikely it was that he would spend his only free time to chaperone something as minimal as this. Things like this were normally held between the women in the family. He knew his Uncle was not over fond of the Uzumaki boy. His loud brash nature was completely different from his calm daughter.
"Hinata-chan," he said placing his scroll on the table, he let out a sigh and moved to sit next to her on the floor. He reached out and grabbed her hands and helped pull her into a sitting position. "Is Naruto-kun the person you want to be with forever?" The two maintained eye contact.
"He is everything for me," she said not looking away. Neji smiled and leaned back on his arms.
"Well then I guess you should get ready for your date," Hinata's face light up. Neji chuckled to himself as his younger cousin ran from the room to get ready. It wasn't a moment later that Hanabi stood in his door way an eyebrow raised.
"You're really going to waste your time?" she inquired.
"Hanabi-chan—"
"It's only because Haruno is going," Hanabi said crossing her arms in front of her chest and leaning against the door frame.
"Sakura is going?" he said a faint blush made its way to his face. "I, I mean I wasn't aware that Sakura-san would be going,"
"Wait. She didn't even tell you? I figured that was the only reason you would go,"
Neji stood up and closed his mission scroll. "Sometimes people can do things for no reason you know. Maybe you should try it. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get ready,"
"Yeah, for your date." Neji's face turned bright red.
XXX
Green eyes started at herself in the mirror. Her long hair was down now, and she wore a simple long sleeves black shirt and a pair of black capris. Her normal day to day attire. She was a least making the first steps by even going out on this ridiculous double date. There was no way she was going to over dress to have dinner at Ichiraku. "Naruto!" Sakura called moving from her room and to the stairs that lead to the upper level of the house and where Naruto's room was. "Naruto are you ready?" she inquired knocking on his door before opening it.
Sakura froze in her steps. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her knucklehead friend was showered and dressed in the nicest clothes she had ever seen him. She hardly recognized him. He had brushed his hair, so it looked more tamed then normal. He wore a pair of black slacks and a long-sleeved traditional shirt that buttoned up the front. He started at himself in his full mirror before turning to look at Sakura.
"How do I look?" he smiled scratching the back of his head before quickly pulling his hand away and looking at himself in the mirror. "I didn't mess my hair up did I?"
"No, you look great," she said once she was able to find her voice.
"What are you wearing?" he asked turning back to look at her. A large blush forming across her face when she realized maybe what she was wearing wasn't the best idea for the evening.
"Well you see… I thought we were just going to Ichiraku…" the pinkette mumbled.
"Sakura-chan! Hurry up and change!" The blonde quickly ushered Sakura out of his room and back down the stair case and into her room. "Did you really think I was going to take Hinata-chan to Ichiraku on our first real date! Oh my gosh!" Naruto yelled out running straight into Sakura's closet.
"I didn't know! You didn't say! I just assumed!"
"You can't wear this too sluty… Ino must have picked that one out," Naruto mumbled to himself throwing a tight black number from the closet. "You do realize this was the first date! Like the one we tell our kids about!"
"Stop freaking out!" Sakura huffed crossing her arms over her chest. "you're giving me a headache,"
"Here," Naruto smiled walking out of the closest. A black and red dress sat on the hanger as he handed it to Sakura.
"Naruto… you know I can't wear something like this," she said not reaching out for the dress. It was perfect. Its length went down to her calf. Sleeveless with a high collar. Red buttons all the way down the front.
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Why the hell not?"
"What if Sasuke—" Sakura said subconsciously touching her wrists were the red marks had been before healing them.
"I am sick of hearing about Sasuke. You're not going out with Sasuke. He's not your boyfriend. He doesn't control what you do,"
"He came to my work again today. Then he waited outside and started a fight with me on my way home,"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"You were busy when you got home. This is an important day… besides Neji-san actually stepped in. I don't know if it hurt or helped but Sasuke left,"
"Sakura-chan… I always have time for you. Just put this on. I'll talk to Sasuke tomorrow," Sakura smiled slightly and grabbed the dress out of his hand.
"Fine,"
After Sakura put the dress on and looked herself over in the mirror, she decided to dress up a little bit more since they still had a few minutes before they needed to leave. She applied light make up and smiled to herself. She pulled her hair into an elegant bun. Okay maybe dating wasn't so bad. It felt nice dressing up for once. Even for girls nights Sakura usually refrained from dressing up unless Ino insisted.
Naruto stood in the kitchen tapping his foot over and over again staring at the clock that sat on the stove. They needed to leave in two minutes for them to arrive ten minutes early to pick up Hinata. He was not going to mess this up. He was going to prove that he was the best person for Hinata. He stopped taping when he heard Sakura's heels clicking on the floor and coming to a stop in the arch way.
"Thank god, Let's go," Naruto said quickly before walking past her and out of the house. Sakura followed behind shivering slightly wishing maybe she had kept her hair down realizing that the autumn weather made the evening time cooler. "Sakura-chan?"
"Yeah Naruto?" she inquired catching up to him.
"You look beautiful," Sakura's face turned bright red.
"Shut up," she said giving him a shove. She smiled. "Thank you," The walk to the Hyuga compound wasn't a long one but with every step forward the pit in her stomach grew heavier and heavier. Kakashi was wrong. She wasn't ready for this. What would Sasuke do? She was so fearful of the unknown. Maybe she should have talked to Ino or even Tsunade before agreeing to this. She thought about grabbing Naruto's hand for his support but stopped herself.
This wasn't about her. This was about just distracting her best friend's chaperone so he could court the love of his life. One of her friends even. She could do this. She was going to be the best wing man ever. The two arrived at the gate and walked through. "You okay?" he asked the obvious nervousness on his own face.
"Of course," she steadied herself. Her best friend needed her to be strong for him. "Come on,"
"Sakura-chan," she looked up at him from under her bangs. "Don't worry," he winked. "I'm sure Neji will be a complete gentleman."
She smiled. It was just like her best friend to calm her own nervous even though he was the one who should be worried. She bit her lip slightly. She wasn't really worried about Neji. She was sure he would be polite and proper like every time she had interacted with him. She was nervous to run into Sasuke. What if he saw her out with Neji after their altercation earlier? He was already really pissed at her. Was this even date? Surely not. Neji probably never even noticed her before.
She was pulled out of her thoughts when she realized they had stopped in front of the main house. The door already opened and Naruto walking in. Sakura quickly followed behind the two left their shoes at the front door and made their way into main room. Hiashi sat at the table. A cup of tea in front of him.
"Good evening," he said looking up at Naruto and then his eyes moving to Sakura and remaining there. Today was just not Sakura's day. Hiashi and Sakura had always been on decent terms. She had sat through a few heated meetings between the clan leader and her mentor. Though the two never spoke of it.
"Good evening Hiashi-sama," The two said politely. Sakura noted how stuffy Naruto seemed. Not his normal self. He was really trying to prove himself to the older man.
"Haruno-san I had not realized that you would be accompanying them this evening," Sakura instantly had to stop herself from punching Naruto right then and there. Sakura opened her mouth to come up with some sort of lie she could pull out of thin air but stopped when she noticed a presence next to her. Looking to her right she found Neji standing next to her. Her face turned bright red at how handsome he was. He was wearing a white jacket over a black long-sleeved shirt with black slacks. A black cloth around his forehead. His hair was braided casually down his back.
"That would be my doing Uncle. I had asked Sakura-san to accompany me this evening," Sakura stared mouth slightly agape. It was only when Naruto nudged her before she shut her mouth.
"Well then, I will not keep you any longer. Uzumaki I assume you will have Hinata-chan home at a reasonable hour." It was more of a statement then a question.
"Yes Hiashi-sama," The three turned and Naruto who had done his best to remain quiet and calm the whole transaction completely lost it when he noticed Hinata standing behind him.
Hinata looked stunning. He hair was a little past shoulder length. She wore a beautiful off-white dress that went down past her knees and had flowing sleeves. A smile on her face. "WOW! Hinata-chan! You're absolutely gorgeous!" he exclaimed throwing his hands out. Hinata's face instantly turned bright red and she attempted to cover it.
"Thank you Naruto-kun," she smiled at him. Sakura looked back at Hiashi to see a look of actual happiness on his face only moment before replacing it with a look of annoyance.
"Come on!" Sakura hissed pushing the group from the room. It wasn't long before the four were outside of the compound. "You idiot! You could have told me I needed to have a reason as to why I was there,"
"Sorry Sakura-chan…" Naruto said rubbing the back of his head where Sakura had bopped him. Hinata laughed. Sakura glared before laughing herself just happy to have made it out alive.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Sakura rolled her eyes. "Go flirt with your girlfriend," she said pushing Naruto even closer to Hinata. Sakura fell back just long enough to fall into step with Neji. Sakura smiled as she watched Naruto reach out and hold Hinata's hand causing the darker haired girls face to turn bright red. They were perfect for each other. No questions asked. There was just something about them that was right.
"They're a good couple," Sakura looked up at the dark-haired man slightly shocked he was talking to her. She turned back and looked at her friends and smiled.
"They truly are," her voice came out as a small whisper. This was the right thing to do. Sasuke no longer mattered. All that mattered to her was seeing her best friends happy.
It took all Sakura had to be normal. Whatever that was. Eating dinner with Hyuga Neji was nerve racking. He was perfection. Never dropped a single piece of food on himself. Spoke with perfect diction. He was absolute perfect, and Sakura was sure there was a real reason a man like him never flirted with her. She was only desirable to undesirable men. That had to be it! It made complete sense. He never showed his ass at the hospital. He held the door for her. Pulled out her chair for her at the restaurant. Perfection.
Neji was sweating. He had somehow managed for her to not see him trip over his own feet entering the restaurant. She didn't notice him almost spill his entire glass over himself. Haruno Sakura was beautiful. She was absolutely stunning. He had been trying to find a way to approach the woman for a few years, but it was nearly impossible with her stand offish personality. She was always busy. Any time he had tried to make casual conversation she would seemingly act as though he wasn't there.
He helped her stand and the two followed Hinata and Naruto out of the restaurant. "Do you mind if we take a walk through the park before heading home?"
"Please," Neji said. "We will follow," Neji made sure to wait a few moments before following his cousin. He really wanted to give the couple to have some privacy. He reached out and grabbed Sakura and pulled her back as her speed was to catch up. She instantly tense and he let go seeing her reaction.
"Are you hurt?" he inquired. Green eyes stared into his eyes. He picked up on that she didn't like being touched.
"No, I'm fine," she said hastily. She grabbed her arm and closed herself off.
"I wanted to give them some space without us," he said quickly trying to explain why he had touched her. She smiled sadly and let go of her arm. He wasn't going to hurt her. He wasn't Sasuke. He wasn't the other men in her life.
"Thank you, Neji-san. I really appreciate what you've done for them," Sakura said looking forward at the couple that were a ways from them now. Naruto was taking animatedly about something.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Well," Sakura smiled "You didn't have to agree to this. This will take up a lot of your time and I'm sure you would rather be anywhere but here…-"
"I'm exactly where I want to be," Sakura looked at him slightly shocked. What was that even supposed to mean? Did he mean he wanted to be here for Naruto and Hinata? Or did he want to be here with her? She could almost feel her food coming back up. He made her so insanely nervous. Sakura shivered slight from the evening air. Neji shrugged out of his outer jacked and laid it over her shoulders. She smiled.
"Thank you," the two continued to walk in awkward silence. She wanted to say more. She just couldn't find the words.
"Would you like to sit?" Neji asked as they walked up to a bench. The two sat down and noticed Naruto and Hinata across the way. Naruto was spinning Hinata around. Sakura and Neji chuckled at the two before falling back into silence.
"Excuse me if I'm being too forward Haruno-san—"
"Sakura," she whispered. "Please, call me Sakura…"
"Sakura…" her name sounded so beautiful. It felt so right coming out of his mouth and he hoped to himself he could find a way to see her again. "Sakura… why was Uchiha yelling at you earlier?" Sakura felt her mouth go dry. She didn't want to think about Sasuke. All she wanted was a night to forget about Sasuke. He was her biggest problem. He made it impossible to move on. She sighed. Might as well just get it over with. Tell Neji everything so he understood why she was undesirable number one.
"He's angry with me,"
"I had interpreted that much, why was he angry with you?"
"I guess… Sasuke likes me. I tried to tell him I was going out with you all tonight and he just… freaked,"
"Does he do this often?"
"No…" she said quickly. Neji looked at her sternly and she instantly felt ashamed for lying. "He doesn't, as long as I'm not seeing anyone,"
"Are you seeing anyone?" he inquired. She shook her head no.
"I try and stay away from men. The last time I was dating someone Sasuke came by the house and punched a hole in our wall. He only left because Naruto stepped in," Neji's fist clenched.
"Has ever hit you?" Sakura blinked a couple time before bringing her eyes to meet Neji's. No Sasuke had never hit her like that. Bruised her wrists. Been overly loud with her. But never hit her.
"No," Neji nodded his fist loosening. He leaned back against the bench.
"You shouldn't allow some brat dictate who you are allowed to be with,"
Sakura smiled and nodded. "And what about you?" she nudged his shoulder a little. "Are you seeing anyone?" She almost regretted asking the moment it left her lips. His face serious. His eyes felt like they could see into the depths of her soul and could somehow see just how lonely she really was.
"I see you," he made her feel like she was on fire. He awoke something deep inside her. He made her feel wanted. Not in a way that other men did. This was wholesome. Like he wanted more then to just get in her pants. She looked away embarrassed.
"You know what I mean," she said quickly. She could look him in the face. She looked up at the stars that had come out.
"No," she turned back to look at him, his eyes still watching her. "I'm not seeing anyone," He couldn't help but chuckle at her antics.
"Well that's good," she honestly just wanted to punch her self in the face. Neji stared at her wide eyed at her remark before a small smirk made it's way to his face.
"And why is that good?"
"Ahh… I didn't mean it like that!" she practically screeched. "I just… I meant…" she covered her face. Neji laughed.
"You're adorable when you get like this," she slowly pulled her hands away from her face when she realized he was joking around with her.
"What?" did Hyuga Neji just say she was adorable?
"When you get all flustered," he said slowly reaching out and brushing her cheek which had somehow turned brighter red then it was previously. It was at that exact moment she felt it. The one thing she had been missing for years. The one thing Sasuke had taken away from her. Her heart. Pounding so loudly in her chest she was positive Neji could hear it. Somehow, she could feel the wall she had spent years building slowly cracking. Her heart pounded louder if possible when she realized he was looking at her lips. His eyes moved back up to her eyes and she held her breath. Was this it?
"Sakura-chan! Neji!" Sakura nearly jumped out of her skin. She stood up instantly and moved away from Neji. She turned and faced Naruto who was walking towards them Hinata in hand with him. "We're ready to head back!" Sakura nodded and quickly walked to meet them.
The walk home was tense for Sakura and Neji. Naruto and Hinata had no idea of what was going on around them but the little conversation that Sakura was able to have before was now completely unheard of. It killed Sakura. She was anxious out of her mind. She felt weak in her knees. When they reached the main house, she turned and faced Neji and went to give him his jacket.
"No," he said quickly putting his hand out. "Keep it. It's cold." He smiled at her and her face grew red.
"Thank you," her voice like a whisper. He reached out and grasped her hand.
"Don't thank me, I'm being selfish. I just want another reason to see you again," he kissed her hand and walked into the house. Hinata close behind him. Sakura stood rooted in her spot. Her face bright red. She turned and faced Naruto who was smirking knowingly.
"What?" she glared at him trying to brush off how embarrassed she was.
"Oh, nothing," he said cheekily. Following his best friend down the street and back towards their home. "Is it just me… or does Sakura-chan have a crush?"
"Shut up Naruto!" she yelled chasing after the blonde who had taken off running.
A/N
Hi guys Thanks for all the reviews that you've been sending over. This is a rewrite! I've been in the processes of just rewriting most of my fics. It's been a processes so thank you so much for bearing with me! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please let me know what you think! All reviews are greatly appreciated!
