So What If You Catch Me?
Chapter Eight
"Because this is what happens when you try to run from the past. It just doesn't catch up, it overtakes … blotting out the future."
Sakura was exhausted. Drained. She felt broken down and honestly ready for the weekend to be over so she could go back to the normalcy of working at the hospital. She laid down on the living room couch at her and Naruto's house. She covered her eyes with her forearm. She wanted nothing more than to sleep. To avoid everything that was going on. It made her sick to her stomach knowing Neji would be with Tenten tonight. She sat up and looked at the clock before laying back down. Thirty minutes until 1700 and then Neji would be alone with Tenten. All alone.
"What are you doing?" Naruto's voice called from the doorway. Sakura took her forearm off her face and opened one of her eyes to look at him. He was dressed in a long sleeve black top and black pants.
"Wallowing," She mumbled covering her face again. Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I could tell." He said moving into the room and sitting on the coffee table to face her. "I'm just wondering why?"
"Can we not get into this right now?"
"Uhh, actually no. I think it's important we do," Sakura clenched her jaw. There were days where she was very thankful for Naruto maturing. Then again there were other times when she was ready to punch him halfway across the country. She sat up and folded her arms across her chest. She raised her eyebrows at him motioning for him to go ahead. "I've got your back with Sasuke. I understand he hasn't stopped but he knows I'm not playing games anymore. Hinata supports you. She tells me a lot about what's going on," Sakura felt her face get red and she had to look away from the blonde. "Not to mention Neji… Sakura… he's not like the other guys… He's not Izumo or Kiba or Sasuke… you're making this harder than it needs to be," Naruto stood up and patted his legs. "Anyway, you can keep wallowing, I'm going to meet Hinata,"
"Wait… how can you meet if you don't have a chaperone?" Naruto stopped and smile.
"Oh we do. Neji's going to eat in public so can we," Sakura rolled her eyes and laid back down. She listened to the front door open and shut before the lock was placed. Maybe Naruto was right. Maybe she was making things harder than they needed to be. Maybe she should have approached Tenten herself. There were so many maybes and regrets the pinkette had. She sighed loudly before getting up off of the couch and leaving the house too.
Sakura stuffed her keys in her pocket and began her walk to nowhere. She wasn't sure what was going on her head. She felt like an imposter. Things couldn't be this good. She clenched and unclenched her fist trying to decide where she wanted to go. The past five years had been rough. The war had taken its toll on so many she loved and cared about.
Too many were lost. Sakura stopped and changed direction. She knew where she wanted to go. She wanted to see her mom and dad. She had created a family since the war. Having Naruto living with her was like having the sibling she never had. Ino and herself had more to bond over then before. Tsunade had stepped into a motherly roll as best as she could. Kakashi stepping into a father roll.
Coming to a stop in front of the memorial brought her out of her head space and back into the reality that she no longer had parents. She reached out and traced the names with her fingertips. How funny it was that when she was already feeling down, she thought it was a good idea to just dive in deeper. She let her tears flow down her cheeks. She attempted to take deep breaths and calm herself but found her body shaking.
"Are you okay?" she jumped a little hearing his voice. She turned and faced Sasuke who was standing behind her. She hiccuped and shook her head no. She let out a sob and covered her face. She felt helpless and hopeless. She missed her parents. Her father's stupid jokes. Her moms slightly controlling mannerisms. What would they think about her life? Sakura felt Sasuke's arms wrap around her but found she couldn't and didn't want to push him away.
She just wanted to be loved. She just wanted to be appreciated. She didn't want life to be so hard anymore. No more fighting. She wanted to be happy. She sniffled a few times before wiping her face. She side stepped out of Sasuke's arms. "Thanks, I just am missing my parents a lot tonight," she said quietly. Sasuke nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Was she rejecting him again? Couldn't she see! He was all she needed.
"Want to go for a walk," Sakura smiled. Was he finally willing to accept their friendship? She nodded.
"Yeah, that would be nice," she agreed turning with him to walk. There was a nice quiet around them. The fall breeze was lovely as the sun went down and the stars came out.
"Where's Naruto?"
"He's at dinner with Hinata," Sakura said, her red face slowly turning back to the fair color it normally was. Her eyes still slightly red.
"I'm surprised you're not with them. Thought things were great between you and Hyuuga," Sasuke said snidely. Sakura let out a huff. There it was. The jealously for something he didn't have. The controlling Sasuke. The man who couldn't be just her friend. She crossed her arms across her chest, and she stopped walking.
"Are you fucking serious?" her voice dripping with venom. She glared at him. It was ridiculous. She was over answering to him. Over having him in her life. "Sasuke I don't know where you get off at but I'm done. I'm done being your friend. You can't respect me for five seconds. Here I was thinking you were being a good friend but you can't! You can't be a good friend!" She let out a yelp when he lashed out and grab her arm and pushed her into the nearest tree.
Sakura felt her breathe leave her lungs when her back hit the tree trunk. Her eyes widened slightly, and she dropped down as his fist connected with the tree behind her. She swung her first around to connect with his back, but he grabbed her and spun her slamming her chest into the bark. She looked back at him to see his sharingan activated. She growled slightly at him. She grimaced when he pushed her further into the bark causing her face to scratch slightly. "Why can't you just see I would do anything for you," he whispered.
"Sasuke,"
Sasuke froze and then stepped away from Sakura. He glared down at the small ink mouse that was hiding behind a near tree. He turned and glared at Kakashi and Sai. "Were you stalking me ink boy?" Sasuke asked moving to come closer to Sai.
"Well yes. Based on the books I've been reading you've become obsessive about Sakura. I brought up my findings to Kakashi-sempai. He asked me to keep a look on things," Sasuke's glare moved from the ink master to Kakashi.
"So you don't trust me Kakashi?" Kakashi sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Look around you Sasuke… do you think I should?" Kakashi said motioning to Sakura who's clothing was covered in dirt. The scratch on her face now had blood coming down her cheek. "Report to Hokage tower immediately," Sasuke looked from Kakashi and Sai back to Sakura. He clenched his fist. "I'll know if you don't go straight there. Do not disobey,"
"Whatever," Sasuke said with a clench jaw and then he was gone. Kakashi waited a moment before moving towards Sakura. She let out s choked sob before running into Kakashi's arms.
"He's been sick, so sick for so long!" she cried out. "I… I didn't know what to do anymore, I thought he was my friend." Kakashi pulled the pinkette close to him and he felt as though he was comforting little Mirai. He patted her back and held her close. Sai walked over and patted his friends back.
After weeks of feeling bad about following the dark-haired man around Sai had become more and more aware of just how far his stalking went. Sai's conversation with Ino had been very enlightening about what was considered normal. The many books he had read had been very direct about how sever Sasuke had been acting. Sai now felt confident that he had made the correct decision to let Kakashi know about his findings.
"Thank you for being such a good friend Sai," Sakura said pulling away from Kakashi.
"Of course! Now if you could help me make Ino understand that I wish to date her without being creepy like Sasuke," Sakura let out a laugh.
"Don't worry I'll tell her," Sai nodded.
"Perfect. Kakashi-sempai, Sasuke has arrived at the Hokage tower," Kakashi nodded. "I'll take my leave now. Thank you,"
"Always looking out for me? Huh?" Sakura said looking up at Kakashi as the two made their way towards town. She wanted to joke around. Act like none of this had every happened.
"Sakura… It's not my place… but you should have told me it was going to far. I understand you had told me that you had it under control, but this was not under control…" Sakura looked down at her feet and gripped her hands.
"I thought Naruto and I had in handled," she said dumbly. She was ashamed. Maybe she should have taken this more seriously. "I'm sorry,"
"No," Kakashi said angrily. "You do not need to be sorry about this. You didn't do anything wrong," Sakura nodded. She couldn't speak. She felt like sobbing again. What even was happening today? She was normally strong. Calm. Cool. Collected. It wasn't long until they were at the house. "Go take a shower, I'm going to make tea. I'll leave once Naruto is home," Sakura nodded and disappeared into her bathroom. Thankful to have such a wonderful father figure like Kakashi.
XXX
Tenten could barely contain her excitement. After years and months of pushing a little bit more he was finally getting it through his thick skull. She made a few last adjustments to her beads that were around her hair buns before making her way out the door. Her mind going over every possible outcome of the dinner she was about to have. Maybe they would become official tonight! Her smile faltered for a moment when she saw him waiting outside the restaurant. "I mean… I thought he'd at least dress a little bit nice," she commented to herself. "Hey!" she smiled up at him.
He smiled and nodded politely. He was dressed in a white long sleeved traditional shirt with black slacks. "Good evening, ready?" he inquired. She nodded and the two walked in. "Would you like a table or sit at the bar?"
"I think a table would be good. More private," she smiled, and he nodded. Neji was doing his best to act normal with her but found he was having difficulty. He had never realized how interested she was in him. He felt idiotic since it was pointed out to him. How had he never noticed before. "Are Hinata and Naruto here?"
"Yes," he said sitting down at the two top. "I am their chaperone. Naruto asked since I would be out if he could take Hinata to dinner. I agreed."
"Oh, well that was nice of you to do that," Tenten said sitting down in the empty chair. The two were awkwardly quite while Ayame came by and took their order and left again. Tenten signed looking over and seeing Naruto and Hinata talking animatedly and she instantly envied them. This was not how she envisioned the evening going. "So… what is it that you wanted to talk about?"
Neji sighed awkwardly. He nodded thankfully when Ayame dropped off their bowls of ramen, but he didn't make a move to touch the food. Tenten sighed annoyed at his lack of response. She broke her chop sticks and took a mouthful. "This is not how I envisioned tonight going," she said under her breathe but loud enough for him to hear.
Hinata smiled. Her heart was overflowing with happiness. Everything was finally falling into place. She was finally able to be herself vs an heiress. She was able to spend wonderful amounts of time with Naruto who really did love her. He enjoyed everything she did and anything she said. She smiled at him lovingly. She looked off to the side to see her cousin sitting stiff as a board. Tenten eating her food annoyed.
Hinata frowned. Neji had always had a difficult time at doing and saying what he wanted. It was one of the things about being raised in the branch house. All of his decisions were made based on supporting the Main house. He didn't need to do those things anymore. However, the personality was still there. The need to please everyone. Hinata stood up.
"Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked surprised at her movement.
"I'll be right back Naruto-kun," she said kissing his cheek she moved to her cousin's table. "Neji," the two looked up at Hinata. The lavender eyed girl felt awful for her cousin. He actually looked more panicked In this moment then she had seen in some time. "How is everything going?"
Tenten sighed. "I really don't understand what's going on. Neji you invited me to dinner, and you haven't said two words," Hinata gave Tenten a pointed look before turning her attention back to Neji.
"I think it best you be direct and honest. We will be ready to leave when you are," Hinata said turning and going back to meet Naruto. Neji clenched his fist under the table. Hinata was right. Now that he was aware of everything, he needed to make things right. It was hard though. He looked up at Tenten, she was one of his best friends. She understood him. Cared about what he was going through. But was it a lie to date him?
"What is it that you have to be direct and honest with me about?" Tenten asked with a huff. "I thought we were close friends. I thought I knew everything about you. We share so much. We're teammates."
"We are those things," Neji said calmly. "You are a friend to me, teammate. I share a lot with you." He stopped himself before taking a deep breath in. "Tenten do you have romantic feelings for me?"
Tenten was shocked. She wasn't expecting it to be a game of twenty questions. She was expecting a profession of love. An invitation to clan affairs. She felt her face grow flush.
"Well… yes… I… Yes, of course I do. You've been playing this hot a cold thing for years with me. Of course, I have feeling for you," Neji nodded.
"I had not realized this until recently," she reached out and grabbed his hand.
"We can take things slow," she reassured him, but he pulled his hand away.
"I believe there is a misunderstanding. I do not have romantic feelings for you," be direct. Be honest. He reminded himself. Hinata had made it very clear that there should be no maybes or what if discussed. Hinata had made it very clear that if there was never a chance to make sure that Tenten understood that.
"I'm sorry what?" Tenten said, she pulled back like she had been burned. "Last night everything was going great and then you changed your mind when it was going to get serious. Are you just afraid to commit?"
"Tenten," Neji said sadly. It killed him. He had no clue it had been like this. He felt blindsided. All this time Tenten had been interested. All this time he had thought he was being a friend and she thought it was something more. "I am committed to someone,"
"I knew it. I knew with Hinata starting a courtship that your Uncle would also push one on you—"
"Tenten because you are my friend, I need you to listen and to understand. This false idea of what kind of relationship we have can no longer continue. I have stepped down from team captain I want you to know this has nothing to do with us. I have found someone I am committed too in every way that I chose for myself. I believed that I had been treating you as a team member and friend. Nothing more. I appreciate our friendship," Tenten stood up quickly. She turned and left. She didn't want him to see the tears that were threating to fall. He had never wanted a relationship. It was always something she had created in her head. How embarrassing.
Neji sighed. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Naruto. "You did the right thing, come on. I've got a six pack at the house," Neji chuckled, standing and following the couple out of the restaurant. "I'm sure Sakura-chan is bored out of her mind waiting for us… well she could also be asleep,"
The trio made their way out of the restaurant and down the street. The streetlights bright with the darkness setting in. Winter would slowly be making its presence known. Neji stuffed his hands in his pockets. He felt exhausted worse than he had in ages. It was absolutely crazy how one relationship could change everything. He let out his breath. He was exhausted but happy. Ready to start a new chapter in his life.
"Yo! Sai!" Naruto said bringing Neji out of his thoughts.
"Hello Naruto-kun. Do not fret Kakashi has taken Sakura home,"
"Wait, what?" Naruto asked confused at Sai's statement. What happened to Sakura that Kakashi had to be involved? He had actually seen her less than two hours ago.
"What happened to Sakura?" Neji asked urgently.
"I have been following Sasuke for some weeks. I really noticed how odd he was when Naruto refused to help him bring more flowers for Sakura. I told Kakashi-sempai what I had observed. Then tonight Sasuke attacked Sakura- is he okay?" Sai inquired when Neji had taken off in a full run, Hinata following quickly behind him.
"Ahh shit," Naruto said awkwardly. "Look Sai I gotta go. I'll talk to you later, okay?" Naruto said taking off after the two leaving Sai confused and alone.
Neji's mind was racing a mile a minute. Uchiha had attacked Sakura? He knew that there was more to it then Sakura had let on. Ever since the war Sasuke had been unrecognizable. He had started out so strong acting as if he had changed for a better life but instead all he had done in recent years was consume alcohol and treat those around him as garbage. Neji dug his nails into his hand. He had to see her. Had to know she was okay.
He dropped down from the roof tops and landed right next to the front patio. He was surprised to find the front door open. He could hear the shower going. He could hear the kettle in the kitchen bubbling to a boil. "Ahhh Neji-kun," Kakashi said sticking his head out of the kitchen. The front door opened and Hinata walked in. "Hinata-chan, would you help me find some cups for tea?" Kakashi asked moving back into the kitchen.
Neji didn't know what called him forward or why he even felt it would be appropriate to walk into Sakura's bathroom. But he found himself entering the bathroom and shutting the door behind him. He had to see her. He couldn't wait. The water turned off and he watched a slim arm reach out and grab one towel and then a second. The curtain drew back and the two stood their staring at each other. Sakura's hair was pulled up in the first towel and the second wrapped around her snuggly. Her face heated up.
Neji's eyes couldn't tear away from her. Her long legs. Her collarbone had water dripping off of it and felt his mouth go dry. He felt embarrassed for not waiting to see her. His eyes finally made it to her face, and he saw the small scratch. He moved forward and lightly touched her face. She winced slightly when his hand touched the open mark.
"Are you okay?" he whispered; his voice was so soft. So loving. Without meaning to tears came to her already red and tired eyes. He reached out and pulled her into his chest. A sob escaped her lips and she clung to him. Was this what love was? Being able to be vulnerable. Being able to be rare and open. Neji held her closer than he ever had held anyone. He wasn't even sure what he said but he whispered in her ears the best he could to remind her how loved she was. How strong she was.
"I'm so sorry," she said pulling away from him. She reached out and grabbed some tissue paper to blow her nose. "I don't want you to see me like this," she whispered defeated and blew her nose again. She pulled the towel off of her head and let it fall to the floor she pink hair tumbling down around her shoulders. Neji reached up and gripped her face on both sides.
"I want to see you always," he said as she leaned into his warm rough hands.
"Even when I'm like this?" she whispered.
"Especially like this," he said leaning down and kissing her swollen lips. His lips were soft and loving and she felt as though she could melt. She closed her eyes and relished in his warmth and light. His breathe danced across her lips and she felt whole. She felt alive. He pressed his forehead against hers. She opened her eyes and stared into his. "Let's get you a nice cup of tea,"
A/N
Hope you all liked the chapter! Thank you dearly for all the reviews! They are greatly appreciated and enjoyed! You all are so amazing!
