So What If You Catch Me?

Chapter Nine

"Love looks though a telescope; Envy, through a microscope."

Sakura brought her red cup of tea up to her lips and took the first soothing sip. It had been a long time since she allowed herself to have so many emotions run through her so freely. Her eyes stung and her throat hurt from her sobs. She kept her eyes closed as she placed the cup down and took a few soothing breaths before bringing it up once more and just enjoying the next sip before allowing her eyes to open and be ready for a conversation. She let out a deep breath and met Kakashi's eyes.

Neji sat next to her his beer not even touched other than the pieces of paper he had peeled off of the bottle. He held the bottle with both of his hands wanting to give Sakura the space she might need. Hinata sat on Sakura's other side a glass of water sat in front of her. The young woman reached out and grabbed Sakura's hand and gave a squeeze. Sakura felt her eyes water a little and then met Hinata's loving gaze. Hinata was a great friend. One of the very best.

Sakura looked over to Naruto who stood leaning against the counter behind where Hinata was sitting. He looked defeated. His beer bottle half empty. His blue eyes met her green and he smiled sadly. For the first time Naruto felt really in over his head. He thought he had the situation under control. He thought he was doing the right thing. That he wouldn't have to lose any of his friends. Yet here he sat. He brought his bottle up and took a sip before turning his attention back to Kakashi.

The older man sighed. "I've had Sai hand over all his documentation from the past couple weeks. I had written up an action plan. I think it's best that Sasuke receives some help," Naruto nodded and stayed quiet. Before he would have argued that Sasuke's team was the best help he could have. Unfortunately… Naruto was more aware that there might not be things he could help with anymore. "Naruto, I think it best that you allow me to handle this with Tsunade-sama. I know—"

"It's okay sensei…" Naruto said quietly. "There are somethings that I'm just not ready to take on yet… I understand that," Kakashi nodded. It was a melancholy feeling seeing the blonde be so mature over something that involved Sasuke.

"Sakura-chan," she looked away from her friend and to her sensei. "Do not blame yourself," she nodded. "You have a great support system in this room and don't forget you have my family as well as Tsunade-sama and Shizune," Kakashi pushed off of the counter he was leaning against and stood. "I should head home," he said walking around Neji, Kakashi patted his shoulder and moved to Sakura and patted her head.

"I'll walk you out," Naruto said setting his beer down and following Kakashi from the room.

Sakura looked up at the ceiling and took in a deep breath. It was odd. She felt odd. She felt a release of some sort. She felt calmer than she had in years. She felt that maybe just maybe the situation would be able to find healing. That this was the moving point. She brought her cup of tea up to her lips and finished off the warming liquid.

"Neji, why don't you and Sakura retire for the night," Hinata said calmly. Neji looked at his cousin shocked.

"Hinata-chan you know," he started, and she brought her hand up.

"I think between the two of us we can come up with a reasonable answer on where we are when father asks. Right, now I think it's time for you to retire," she said pointedly picking up her cup and Sakura's and moving to the sink to start washing. Sakura smiled lightly.

"Come tuck me in," Sakura said lightly gripping the man's hand and leading him down the hall. A light blush on his cheeks. Sakura's bedroom matched her so well. Organized and clean with a few things out of place. All of her clothing was neatly put away however the desk in the corner was covered with thick books and large scrolls and Neji couldn't help but smiled. She was chaotic in a way that was perfect.

He moved over to her western styled bed and pulled back the covers and watched as the pinkette climbed into the bed. He felt his heart hurt slightly seeing the woman he cared about so deeply be so exhausted. Neji set the blanket down and moved to leave. "Don't leave," she whispered. Her green eyes watched him. He wasn't really sure what to do. He had never experience this. He barely even knew how to date. He turned back around and made his way to the bed. Sakura moved over to give him plenty of room to join her on the bed.

Neji sat on the bed and looked down at her. She motioned for him to lay down next to her. He smiled before allowing himself to lay down next to her the blanket in between them. She moved closer to him and laid her head on his chest. He slowly brought his hand down and began to lightly comb her hair with his fingers. "Tell me anything… I just want to think about anything other than today," she said in a voice that made her seem so small.

"Before our mission together I removed myself from the Team Leader roster," he started. "I, I thought that being a Jonin would make me feel accomplished. Then I thought being a Leader would fill that feeling like I was missing something. It didn't. So, I decided to take more time to be more involved with Hinata and my family,"

"Did it help?" she asked, her eyes closed enjoy the simple touches from the man.

"Yes and no. I liked spending more time with Hinata… I liked seeing Naruto more. But really… being with you… I have never felt more like this is where I'm supposed to be,"

Sakura's face was bright red and she did her best to cover it with her hair and the covers on the bed. Her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't believe that this is what a relationship was meant to be. Honest conversations. In comfortable place. It felt like home. It felt like the first time she injured herself and went home and got cleaned up from mom and kisses from dad.

"I feel that way too," she said. Neji stopped brushing his hand through her hair for a moment before continuing. "How did Tenten take it?" she whispered.

Neji let out a breath before moving. He shifted down the bed until he was laying right next to Sakura. He pulled her close and she laid her head on his chest. Her fingers traced across his chest almost trying to memorize everything about the man.

"Not well… I had not realized she had created this experience in her mind that was false. I had barely gotten out that I was seeing someone before she left. I wasn't able to let her know it was you. She had started to say my clan must have arranged something…" he gripped Saukra tightly. "I am frustrated. I really believed that we had a friendship without condition,"

"I'm so sorry," she felt awful. It felt like it was all of her fault. Here she was coming out of nowhere ruining a friendship that was a decade old.

"There is nothing for you to be sorry for," he whispered and kissed the top of head. "This has nothing to do with you, Tenten created this false reality," Sakura nodded and gripped on to the man. He rolled over until he was facing her. His breath tickled her face and the smell consumed her. It was intoxicating. Never in her life had it felt this way. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She didn't want to breathe. She just wanted to kiss him. She slowly reached her hand up and cupped his cheek. She moved closer to him and captured his lips.

A wonderful warmth spread through her body. Better than any bowl of ramen. Better than any cup of tea. She pulled back only to have him pull her back into him. She felt like she was in the middle of the ocean. The waves picking her up and slamming her back down. She felt lightheaded and grounded all at once. Soft kisses woke her from her stupor. Green eyes stared into lavender.

He bent forward and kissed her lightly on the lips before kissing her forehead. "I have a clan dinner next month, I would be honored if you would accompany me," Sakura smiled.

"I would love nothing more,"

XXX

Sakura groaned leaning back in her office chair. Hard to believe just a few days ago she was begging of the weekend to be over so she could just focus on work. Here she sat on a Monday morning completely drained from the weekend; but some how renewed. As silly as it sounded it felt like the first day of her new life. No flowers from Sasuke. Word had somehow gotten around about what had happened at the house more than likely Ino gaining intel from Sai.

Thankfully it barely bothered the pink haired woman. She stood and grabbed her clip board before heading out into the hall. She was going to get back to a normal that was enjoyable for her. That made her feel fulfilled with her work and relationships. That was healthy. She smiled, her heels clicking down the hallway. Now what was on her list today? Check on new medics, check in with the poison lab, finalize December's schedule. Easy.

"Moegi-chan!" Sakura called out seeing the orange haired woman.

"Sakura-sensei!" Moegi smiled looking up to meet Sakura's eyes.

"How are things going?" Sakura inquired.

"Really good. Everything is all set on this floor. We haven't had any losses in a month," Moegi said proudly holding her clip board to her chest. Sakura nodded.

"Do you feel like you're receiving everything you need?" Sakura inquired. Moegi's blushed.

"What do you mean?" she inquired.

"You are doing outstanding work Moegi-chan. But are you feeling accomplished? Is there something more?" she inquired. Moegi's blush deepened.

"Well now that you mention it… I would love to work at the emergency hospital at the gate… I feel like I'm ready for it. I have been –" Sakura smiled and held her hand out. It was obvious to the pinkette that Moegi had been rehearsing for a long time to explain why she deserved it.

"I'll get with Shizune at our next meeting and make arrangements. I have complete faith that you would excel there," Moegi smiled wide. Sakura made a few notes on her clip board before making her way to the poison unit. She knew she had neglected the newer medics and moving them up. It was nice being able to focus on work again and the things that were really important. To be able to enjoy life again. To not live in the cloud, she had been in.

She opened the door to the poison unit and went straight to checking the plants that they were using. She focused in on the individual plants. Checking all parts of them to the tip of every leaf. Making sure to make check marks as she went through her check list. Sakura didn't want to brag about how good she was at her job but damn. She was rocking this shit.

"Hey Sakura!" the pinkette practically jumped out of her skin. She had been completely oblivious to her surroundings. Green eyes met Tenten's brown eyes and her mouth went dry. Okay… maybe life wasn't completely easy. But wait… Tenten didn't know Neji was seeing her. Maybe she should tell her. They were friends after all.

"Hey Tenten, purchasing poisons?" Sakura said tucking her clip board under her shoulder.

"Yeah, you know the quality is just so much better when I buy from you guys vs the weapons shop, and a much more reasonable price," Tenten stated and Sakura nodded.

"I agree! It was a big reason I opened it up for Chunin and above to purchase from us. Hey Tenten…" Sakura said, it was hard she wanted to come out and say it. To explain it. To tell her more. "Do you have some time to talk?"

Tenten looked slightly surprised but nodded placing her purchase in her pack. "Yeah I don't have to meet my team until noon," Sakura nodded and lead Tenten out of the unit. Now she had to decide where to take her to talk. Sakura wanted it to be private but maybe her office would be too intimidating. "I'm completely furious with him, and somehow I guess we're going on one last mission together,"

"Who?" Sakura inquired the two came to a stop near the front door on the main floor.

"Neji. I guess his clan is forcing him to court someone. I'm so furious. He never even fought for us—"

"That's kind of what I want to talk about,"

"You've got to be pissed for me too? Like he could have fought for what we had,"

"I don't know—"

"I knew you would understand- oh look who it is," Tenten rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Captain," she said bitterly.

"Tenten-san," she rolled her eyes.

"I gotta go Sakura. Can we talk when I get back?"

"Yeah sure," Sakura said defeated. Here she was trying to be honest. Direct with a friend. And she did not want to hear it. Sakura sighed and leaned against the wall resting her clip board on her thighs. Neji leaned again the wall next to her.

"Rough day?"

"You could say that." she sighed leaning against his shoulder. A slight blush on her cheeks. It was odd to think just a few hours ago she had woken up in his arms. Content. Happy. Warm. "Everything was fine, ran into Tenten and tried to talk to her… it was like she didn't want to hear anything reasonable,"

Neji sighed himself. "I have a mission. Tsunade-sama had already had us on the books for the mission for months. This will be my last as team captain," Sakura nodded.

"How long will you be gone?"

"Should be back late Wednesday. Just a simple in and out mission," he said. She nodded and turned to face him. He faced her and moved a piece of hair out of her face and behind her ear. He bent down a kissed her lips lightly. "Be home soon," before her eyes could even open he was gone and her insides were molten lava.

A/N

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the lovely reviews and readers. I hope you are enjoying! I am hoping to have this all finished by the end of July! :D Thank you for reading!