So What If You Catch Me?
Chapter Six.
"You were the last person I thought I would like. Now you're the only person who gives me butterflies,"
"So, it's totally settled then," Ino said as the team crossed over the gate. The blonde gave a wink and a wave to Kotetsu who smiled at the blonde.
"Yes Ino!" Lee yelled excitedly. "We will be having a girls night!"
"Lee… I think Ino-san means just the girls are going to be at the girls night," Neji pointed out. Lee frowned slightly.
"But she mentioned pedicures and chocolate. I enjoy both of those things!" Sakura let out a small laugh at met Neji's laughing eyes.
"How about this Lee," Ino said stopping and placing her hands on her hips. "You finish the mission report and meet us at the bar tonight for a few drinks before girls ONLY continue the party later,"
Lee thought on it for a moment. "Can Neji come too?" Ino laughed.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah we'll see you at the rusty kunia at 8," Ino rolled her eyes with a smile and a wave. "Gather everyone at your place at 6?" Ino asked.
"I'm not sure if Hirashi-sama will allow Hinata to be over at our place. Naruto is courting her, and I think it might be a little inappropriate." Sakura commented. Ino let out the most exacerbated sigh any one had ever heard.
"I know!" Lee cheered. "We can have a guys night at Neji's! We will invite Naruto! We have pedicures and see who can do the longest headstand!" Neji let out a soft sigh.
"I will speak with my uncle," Neji said slowly. "I don't believe it should be an issue,"
"YAY!" Ino and Lee both squealed in joy. "I'll get everything ready," Ino winked and was gone.
"I will get all the pedicure things! Don't you worry Neji!" Lee said and was gone.
Sakura smiled. "Well Captain. I guess I'll see you later this evening," Neji smiled.
"I guess you will," and she was gone in a swirl of cherry blossoms. Neji chuckled to himself. He would be the one writing the mission report.
As Sakura made her way to her house she slowly was brought back to reality. The time she had on the mission with Neji felt a million years away with every step she took. She still hadn't told Ino what was going on. She wasn't even sure what it all meant. Were they boyfriend/girlfriend? Was he courting her like Hinata and Naruto? Or did he even want that.
It was too early, and she was too tired to be having this many thoughts. She sighed content unlocking the front door and shutting it and locking it behind her. Surprisingly Naruto wasn't home. She dropped her pack at the front door. She would worry about that later. Now all she cared about was a nice warm shower and soft, clean sheets that she had changed right before leaving.
When Sakura opened her bedroom door, she was instantly annoyed. Whatever little bit of happiness that was left behind from her time with Neji was gone. Vases and vases full of every different kind of flower. All from Sasuke. All not her favorite flower. Did he not realize yet? She had said it straight to his face.
XXX
Unlike the sleepy pinkette. Ino was on a mission. She would sleep when she was dead. All she cared about was planning the best girl's night. They would arrive at Sakura's at 6. Go straight to get BBQ! Then drink to their hearts content at the Rusty Kunia. Then once they were done there back to Sakura's for good gossip! She had to know what was going on in town. Neji mentioned that he was taken? News to her. Naruto courting Hinata? Old school gross but still the possibility of a gorgeous wedding by the end of the year.
"Sasuke!" Ino called out seeing the dark-haired man.
"Hey Ino," Sasuke said casually. "Do you know if Sakura is back from her mission?"
"Yeah we just got back. Wait a little to go over there. She's exhausted. We're going to the Rusty Kunia tonight for drinks around 8. You should meet us!"
"That's a good idea. I had Sai help me bring in a bunch of flowers for her. Naruto refused to help. I don't know what's gotten into the dobe but he's been real annoying lately," Ino nodded her mind else ware now.
"Sai? Huh? He's still single right?"
"Ino… we were talking about Sakura…"
"Yeah, I heard you. I don't know Sasuke I think she's interested in someone else."
"What makes you say that?" Sasuke said following Ino through the streets. The blonde had shit to get done and no idiot Uchiha was gonna hold her back from that.
"Well, I don't know Sasuke… She's just been more in her head. You know how she gets sometimes. I'll be able to know more tonight when we're hanging just girls. Tenten!"
The weapons specialist looked up from the vender she was talking to. She smiled and excused herself before walking up to the duo. "Hey Ino, Sasuke, what are you guys doing?" Tenten smiled.
"Just running some errands and ran into Sasuke. You wanna do a girl's night at Sakura's? I was thinking BBQ, Rusty Kunia and then sleep over. Catch up it's been a long time since we've all hung out together,"
"Yeah! That sounds great I don't have a mission so that's perfect. It's been so long since I've seen Hinata and Sakura anyway. You were just on the mission with Neji right? Did he mention me at all? I know he has this big clan dinner coming up next month he's been totally stressed about."
"How can you even tell? I spent a whole week with the guy and I could never tell what he was thinking," Ino cried out annoyed.
"Anytime he's stressed he always wants to spar more. It's always me or Lee who get the training in with him," Ino nodded.
"Sai should be at the library If you're looking for him," Sasuke said turning to leave the girls.
"Sasuke! Hey! Think about what I said," he waved her off and continued his walk to anywhere but near the two girls.
"What's up with him?" Tenten asked following the blonde who was now making her way to the library.
"I guess Sakura said she was done… but he doesn't like that answer," Ino said. Tenten shrugged.
"Eh, not my place to judge I've been doing a weird dance with Neji. He's so hot and cold," Tenten sighed. "Have fun at the library," she said with a wink before leaving the blond to flirt with the unsuspecting team 7 member.
XXX
Hinata smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was down. She wore a simple white and purple long sleeve shirt with blue slacks. The cooler weather settling in on Konoha. The holidays were coming soon. Her first holiday with Naruto. She would be seeing Naruto again tonight. He had been busy all week working as acting Hokage. She was so proud of him for accomplishing his goals. She grabbed her brush and ran it through her hair again. Everything was going to right for her. A knock on her door bought her out of her thoughts.
"Come in," she said. The door glided open and Neji stepped in.
"Are you ready to leave?" he inquired.
"Yes," she smiled and followed after him. Her father had agreed to have Neji have a few of the guys from their age come to the compound tonight, Naruto included, so she could spend the night with the girls. She grabbed a coat from a closet near the front door before stepping out into the garden. The sun slowly setting and the air became cooler.
"It seems fall is here," Neji stated coming into step with her.
"It is," Hinata agreed. "How did your last mission go?"
"It well,"
"Neji…" Hinata whispered. "I guess I need to be more direct with you. How was your time with Sakura-chan?" Neji's face reddened and Hinata smiled. "I've noticed the way you look at her. Even before Naruto-kun asked her to join us. You seem happier,"
"Thank you Hinata," he smiled down at her. "She makes me very happy. I've asked Uncle permission to invite her to our clan dinner," Hinata looked up at her cousin slightly wide-eyed. She then smiled.
The two stopped at the door and Hinata knocked. Naruto opened the door and quickly picked Hinata up and spun her around. He had an air of slightly exhausted but so happy to see his beautiful girlfriend. He set her down and placed his forehead to hers. "I'm so happy to see you! This week was crazy! Who knew that being Hokage would be so much paperwork!" Hinata giggled. She leaned up and kissed his cheek.
"Come on Hokage-sama," Neji said jokingly dragging the blonde away. Hinata laughed shutting the door to Naruto and Sakura's house. She smiled seeing the other girls were already there.
"Was that Neji?" Tenten asked looking up from her place on the coach.
"Yes, as my chaperon he had to make sure to take Naruto-kun with him," Hinata smiled moving into the living room and finding a spot on the coach.
"I gotta say I'm impressed with Naruto he's really grown a lot," Ino said. The cold weather not effecting the blonde's wardrobe decisions. She still sported a purple tub top but instead of skirt she was wearing a pair of skintight black pants and black heels. Tenten nodded to the blonde's statement. Tenten wore a simple white long-sleeved shirt with a pair of light pink slacks.
Sakura walked into the living room. Her long hair down touching near her waist. She wore a slightly puffy red long-sleeved shirt, a white skirt with black stockings. "You guys ready to get some food?"
"Yes!" the three cheered.
Sakura was having a wonderful night so far. Okay, so maybe Ino was right for once. A night out with just girls was amazing after months of slaving away in the hospital and hiding away from Sasuke. Dinner had been delicious she had more than enough to eat and was ready to wash it down with a few drinks and dancing. The group of girls walked down the well-lit streets.
"I'm so happy we were able to get together!" Tenten smiled wrapping her arms around Hinata and Sakura the two girls smiled and nodded. "It's always so exhausting dealing with the boys all the time. Lee can be exhausting,"
"You're telling me!" Ino said linking her arm with Sakura's. "Dealing with Lee and Neji all last week was a whole mission in a mission. I don't know how you deal with it," Tenten laughed. "Listen! I have a whole other mission to figure out! Get this! While we were on our mission our client was totally macking on Neji,"
"What's new," Tenten said with an eye roll.
"So as she's going on and on about getting a date from him. I bring you up obviously," Ino said looking at Tenten who nodded along. Sakura could feel her face getting red. She knew that Tenten had a thing for Neji but wasn't sure how it had progressed or even ever had considering Neji never mentioned it. "He says 'Tenten isn't my girlfriend' so the lady asks him 'So you're available' and he just says 'nope' and then he's gone. I couldn't figure it out at all. I know you had told me you thought things were getting serious with you two. Has he asked you to the clan thing yet?"
"No…" Tenten said slightly defeated. "I'm sure he will, it's been years and years. I just know it's going to happen soon,"
"Wait! Hinata!" Ino said looking down the group. "What's wrong with you?" Ino asked noticing Sakura's red face.
"Nothing, just layered a little bit too much," Sakura said trying to will her uncomfortable blush away.
"Has Neji mentioned anything to you Hinata? Has he had a girl come by? Or mentioned asking Tenten?"
"Ahhh," Hinata said her own face turning slightly red. The lavender eyed girl looked at Sakura and then quickly met Ino's eyes again. "I think he's a very privet person and when he's read to announce anything he will,"
"Yeah yeah yeah of course that's how you'd answer," Ino said with an eye roll. "Wait! Sakura you and Neji are on a first name bases now. When did that happen?"
"Hinata-chan! Sakura-chan!"
"Naruto!" Sakura yelled quickly moving out of Tenten and Ino's grip. She was definitely not ready to tell Ino. She wasn't ready to tell anyone. She liked what she had right now. It was soft and safe and new. She didn't want anyone to hurt this small glimmer of happiness she had.
Naruto hugged Sakura before moving to hug Hinata. He spun her around and placed a sweet kiss on her lips. "Everyone's inside already. Come on!" He said. Sakura quickly followed behind him. Thankful for the load music that would hopefully distract Ino and keep her at bay. Her happiness was short lived when she noticed Sasuke staring at her from the table that also hosted Sai, Kiba, Shikamaru, Neji and Lee.
"I thought you agreed to help me," Sakura said through clenched teeth to Naruto as the rest of the girls made their way to the table.
"I'm doing my best Sakura-chan. I refused to help him move all the flowers into the house," Naruto said in his defense. Sakura sighed. She really couldn't be mad at him. It wasn't his fault.
"Thanks Naruto," she smiled linking her arm with his and making their way to the table. Despite Sasuke's plan to set the seating up to where Sakura would have to sit next to him somehow, she managed to have Naruto wedged into the insanely tight spot instead of sitting next to his girlfriend.
Sakura looked up once she got settled and smiled at Neji who sat directly across from her. He smiled back at her lightly and she almost jumped when his foot brush against her leg. Okay, maybe this wasn't so bad… or maybe that was Tenten's arm wrapped into his. COME ON! She couldn't tear her eyes away from her arm holding him until a shot was placed in front of her. She quickly grabbed it and threw it back before grabbing Naruto's who whined loudly.
"Sorry Naruto, you snooze you lose," she said sticking her tongue out at him. It wasn't long before Sakura found herself surrounded by bodies dancing all around her. Ino right next to her and the two just swimming in the music. She was rudely interrupted by Sasuke grabbing her arm and pulling her off of the dance floor.
"No thank you?" Sasuke asked pushing Sakura's backside against the nearest wall.
"What do you want me to thank you for Sasuke?" she asked bitterly taking a sip of the drink she had in her hand.
"The flowers," he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Which it was. Sakura had spent a whole hour throwing all of them out. Her green eyes stared into his. She pursed her lips a little before running her tongue over her teeth not entirely sure how she wanted to handle this conversation. She took a longer sip of her drink not willing to break eye contact. "Come on Sakura what do you want!"
That did it. "I told you what I wanted," she hissed.
He moved closer to her pushing his body against hers. "I remember you told me you loved me,"
She gave him a shove her drink spilling on him slightly. "Not the way you want me to, and I never will. I don't want this love that you're selling," her eyes caught Naruto's across the room where he was animatedly talking to Hinata. She must have said something he understood because he started to make his way across the room towards her.
"You will—"
"Sasuke! Come get a drink with me," Naruto said finally making his way in between his best friends. His blue eyes looked down at the grip Sasuke still had on her arm. "Sasuke," he repeated after a moment of him not moving. He finally let go of Sakura and turned away from her. She sighed and walked to the nearest door just wanting to get a breath of fresh air. She instantly regrated it when she found Shikamaru, Neji and Tenten outside.
She sighed but made her way to the group. "You okay?" Tenten asked once Sakura reached them. She nodded lamely before finishing off her drink and setting it down.
"Yeah," she mumbled leaning against the building next to Shikamaru. Her eyes landing on Tenten's hand that again was somehow always attached to Neji.
"Did you notice Ino took off with Sai, I'm not sure if she's coming back," Tenten giggled and Sakura smiled.
"Well at least she's having a good time," Sakura laughed, reaching out and grabbing Shikamaru's half touched beer and taking a swig.
"I was thinking I might take off too," Tenten said looking side eyed at Neji. Sakura nodded.
"Yeah, it's been a long day. I'm pretty tired. Once Hinata is ready to go I'll escort her so the old fuddy duddys don't get too mad," Sakura winked.
"Have a good rest of your night Sakura. Let's all get brunch or something tomorrow," Tenten said. She turned and said something to Neji and he nodded and followed her as she walked back into the building. Sakura sighed. Maybe life wasn't as wonderful as she thought it was. Maybe Neji wasn't as great as she thought.
"You're not okay," Shikamaru said taking his beer back from her and taking another swig before bringing his cigarette back up to his lips. He took a long drag in before holding and letting it back out. Sakura wrapped her arms around herself and looked up trying to fight back the tears. She blinked a couple times before looking at the man.
"Some days I'm not," she agreed.
"I saw Sasuke. Does he do that often? I noticed Naruto was aware of it. If it doesn't stop you'll need to report it. Ino's told me he's been off his rocker recently," he said. She nodded and grabbed the beer back from him before slamming the rest of it and the placing the bottle in her empty cup. "You don't need me to father you though," he kicked off the wall and made his way to the door. "Relationships can be hard, but they shouldn't be that hard," and with that he was gone and she was alone.
She was always alone. She closed her eyes and let the tears fall shamelessly. It was all her fault. She was annoying. Ugly. Mean. The voice in her head reminded her over and over again how unworthy she was. She would never find love. She would always be the girl who was just never enough. Less than everyone else around her. She jumped feeling a warm hand touch her face and wipe her tears away. Green eyes met lavender.
She let out a small sob. What was he even doing here? She hiccupped slightly trying to calm herself down. She was an absolute mess. Drunk. Crying. Why would he ever come back for her? He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest and she held on. "What are you doing here?" she hiccupped finally pulling away enough to look at him.
"You're unhappy. What can I do to help?" she smiled softly bringing her hands up and wiping the tears from her eyes and cheeks.
"It's hard… to put into words… it's a girl thing," he chuckled before bringing her to one of the tables outside to sit at. He sat down and pulled her close to her, her head rested on his shoulder.
"Well try for me," he said simply and held her hand. Sakura sighed.
"It's Tenten," she whispered. Tenten? That really sparked his interest. Tenten was one of Sakura's friends. She was also one of his very good friends. She had been a major part of his life. She had been his teammate for close to a decade. She had been supportive of him when he needed someone to talk to about his Clan. She had woken up early and stayed late. "She likes you,"
"What?" the looked on his face almost made her want to laugh about the whole situation. It was so obvious to Sakura that even if Tenten had thought they were interested in one another that Neji had never had that inclination. She sniffled before continuing.
"The whole walk here she kept talking about you, and how this would be the year you would finally ask her to some clan thing… Ino told me she thought you two were an item. She's in love with you. I mean she basically thought you were leaving here with her tonight,"
Neji thought about it a moment. Sakura was not wrong. Tenten did in fact believe he was leaving with her. When he said goodbye at the door it was obvious that she was not expecting that. He thought that he made it clear he would walk her to the door and not all the way home… maybe she thought… Neji shook his head. It didn't matter what Tenten thought.
He gripped Sakura's hand tighter and turned to make sure he was fully facing her. "Look at me," he said quietly. She slowly looked up to meet his gaze. "I am not in love with Tenten,"
Sakura smiled but shook her head. "She still loves you. And she's my friend. She's your friend. I can't break my friends' heart," before she could say more, he stepped in.
"You don't have to do anything. I will," Neji said quickly. There was no thought process to it. Instinct only to make Sakura happy. To protect the one thing that was important to him.
"Neji…" This was too much. They barely knew each other. It had been maybe a week since their first date. If that's what you could even call it. "You barely know me,"
He chuckled at her statement and pulled her close to him. His breath dancing across her lips making her feel as if she was on fire from the inside. "Yet somehow you captivate me more than a woman I have known for a decade. I think that says everything," his lips touched her cheek and she leaned into him. "I will talk to Tenten, do not think of it again. I will always pick you and I can't wait to know you more," Sakura smiled and laughed.
The outside door opened and Naruto and Hinata walked out. "Well, hello there you two, some distance!" Naruto laughed, Hinata smiled at her cousin before moving to sit down next to Sakura. The lavender eyed girl wrapped her arm into Sakura's and leaned her head against her shoulder. Naruto smiled and squatted in front of the group. "Guess we closed down the bar," he grinned. "Why don't we escort these fine ladies' home?"
"Yes, lets." Neji said standing and offering his hand to Sakura.
A/N
Thanks for everyone's reviews! This is a rewrite, for any of you who had read this before this is really where the story is going to deviate. This whole chapter pretty much never existed before. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. Please let me know what you think! All reviews, favorites and follows are so appreciated! You have no idea how wonderful they are!
