So What If You Catch Me?
Chapter Twelve
"We accept the love we think we deserve,"
Green eyes fluttered open enjoying the early morning light that softly made it's way across her bedroom from the window on the wall above her. She let her eyes adjust to the early golden rays allowing her eyes to roam across her room and then settle on the sleeping man next to her. His face so soft and gentle laying there sleeping. The even rise and fall of his chest. He was something to behold.
It had been two days since the announcement of Hyuuga Neji has head of the Hyuuga clan. She smiled lightly remembering the wonderful food. The love she felt swell in her chest watching him step into the roll. The large smile on everyone's faces. It really was a celebration of the future. Her heart futtered watching his breathing change. "How long have you been awake?" she inquired.
He smiled lightly and opened his eyes. "Long enough to wonder what might be on my face with how intensely you were staring," Sakura's face warmed at his teasing. She smiled and laughed a little rolling on to her back and covering her face with her arms. Neji smiled rolling on his side putting his arm over her head and using his other to pull her arms down. He smiled down at her. He bent down and lightly kissed her lips.
She felt so warm. Like her insides were molten lava. It was so funny to her how wrong she had Neji in the beginning. He was nowhere near the ice box she originally thought he was. He was passionate. Funny. Intelligent. Attentive. What a lovely weekend she was spending with him attached to a wonderful life. Never in all of Sakura's life did she think this was possible.
"What's the plan for today?' she smiled up at him. If it was up to her, they would spend the whole day in bed. Acting as if the world didn't exist around them. Tomorrow was Monday and she knew it was going to be a full day of expense reports, patient care, training for medics, and the dreaded scheduling. Though on a positive note she was switching to evening for the next month or so and that was always an enjoyable time for her. Would the hospital be quiet? Or would there be back-to-back trauma cases? You could never tell.
Neji sighed and laid down back down next to her pulling her to his chest. She settled in frowning slightly. Seems like it was going to be a working day and no fun. "I do need to make time to meet with the council. I did ignore all of their invitations for meeting yesterday…" he mumbled. Sakura smiled and nuzzled her face in his chest. She loved just being around him.
"Don't worry," she smiled kissing his chest. She sat up and slowly made her way from the bed. He sat up watching as his shirt she was wearing slid down her legs. She smiled slyly at him before turning around. "I'm not going anywhere," she winked at him before going into the bathroom. Neji smiled hearing the shower turn on almost like an invitation. He made his way out of the bed to follow her. At least the weekend could last a few more minutes before he decided to rejoin reality.
XXX
Life was always such a whirlwind for the pinkette. She glanced up from her paperwork. It had been two days since she had seen Neji. She wasn't worried about it; he was busy stepping into a new roll. She was busy doing her normal life. Though now that she had had a taste of happiness like that it was difficult falling back into her mundane life. She glanced up at the clock 1900. Only two more hours before she should go home.
Should was the key word. She stared at her mostly organized desk for a few moments before she decided that her paperwork could wait until tomorrow. A light knock brought her from her thoughts. "Enter?"
Sakura smiled when Moegi stepped into the office. It was nice to see the orange haired girl. She was so diligent and a fabulous medic. Really stepping into her own and taking ownership. "Hey Moegi-chan!"
"Sakura-san… I uh… I know you're busy… this isn't work related… I just… I need help…" she said. Sakura motioned for her to take a seat. Okay she could handle this conversation and then! She could probably still go home early. Take a warm bath. Relax. Figure out why she hadn't seen her boyfriend in two days.
"What's going on?"
"It's Konohamaru," she whispered. Moegi's hands were in fist on her knees. She looked so rigid and uncomfortable. She still hadn't brought her eyes up to meet Sakura's. The two woman sat in silence for a few moments. Sakura waiting to be able to give the best advice she could. And Moegi trying to find the words to explain everything she was feeling. "I… I love him. He's one of my best friends in the whole world. We've been so close since childhood. I'm in love with him. I just I don't want to ruin it. Lately he's been acting so odd, and I'm scared to do anything! I've been avoiding him! What if I let it slip! And then he doesn't want to be my friend anymore. I don't want to lose him," she whispered the last part.
Sakura smiled. Tsunade was going to love this tea for later. The Hokage had really taken to loving being involved and hearing all about others love lives. "Moegi, I think you know Knohamaru better than that," Moegi nodded.
"I'm just scared,"
"It's okay to be scared. I Think Konohamaru would love you to be honest with him. You are one of his best friends. You two have been through so much together. Don't you trust him?" Moegi nodded.
"I do trust him. I feel like I've been so stupid. I've been ignoring him for weeks!" A knock brought the two girls out of their conversation.
"Uh… Hi," Konohamaru said awkwardly standing in Sakura's doorway. In his hands a bouquet of bright sunflowers. He brought his over hand up to scratch the back of his neck awkwardly. A blush creeping in. "The medic at the front desk said I could find you in here," he said looking at Moegi. Her eyes wide. She stared into his eyes unblinking. "I uhhh…. I got these for you," he said holding out the flowers.
Moegi stood up her face getting more and more red with every step she took closer to him. "Konohamaru," she whispered.
"I know I know!" he said quickly. "I've been really annoying lately trying to get you to spend time with me. I know you care a lot about your career, and you've been busy!" Konohamaru's words were stopped by Moegi throwing her arms around his neck and planting a kiss. Konohamaru dropped the flowers wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in close.
Sakura smiled and let out a cough getting the young duos attention. Moegi pulled away and faced Sakura and bowed. Moegi's face was bright red. "Thank you Sakura-san, I uh… I'll go finish my rounds!" Moegi said quickly leave a still shocked Konohamaru. Sakura let out a giggled and slipped her heels on walking to the door, she grabbed her coat throwing it on She placed her hand on Konohamaru's shoulder pulling him out of his trance.
"Come on lover boy, she's off shift in an hour." Sakura said with a wink. Konohamaru let out some noise that Sakura was sure wasn't actually words. He grabbed the flowers forgotten on the floor and walked out with Sakura. Sakura waved at the young man who stayed standing at the front entrance.
She smiled as she made her way down the main drag in town towards her home. The cool evening air surrounded her, and she noted that she could see her breath. She pulled her coat closer and stuffed her hands into her pockets.
"Well, I hear you've been very busy?" Sakura smiled hearing Kakashi's voice. She side glanced up at the older man.
"Obviously. I'm the most important student you ever had," she winked causing Kakashi to chuckle.
"I hear were due for a wedding in spring?" he said falling into step with the pinkette. She smiled.
"Yes, Naruto and Hinata. I'm so excited for them," the two waved at a nin they both knew and continued their walk through the busy streets.
"What about you?" he said. She felt a pit in her stomach for a moment. She could hear the under lying question. Was she okay since the event with Sasuke? Was she okay with him leaving? Was Naruto actually, okay?
"Neji," she whispered his name and she felt like she was on fire. A safe warm heat that was like being wrapped in the softest and safest of blankets. "Is.." Sakura's face was bright red. She covered her face. "Ugh! Kakashi! Let's not talk about this okay!" she huffed. Kakashi's chuckle was louder this time.
"Kurenai will be happy to attend two weddings this coming year," Kakashi jumped out of the way barely missing the fist that was expected for him. "See you later!" he waved disappearing in a puff of smoke. Sakura shook her head. Kakashi was worse than any dad. Always enjoying being in everyone's business since not having any more novels to read. She smiled lightly.
Was that where things were going? Would she get married? Would Neji propose? It seemed possible. The way things were going it wouldn't surprise her but it wasn't something they had talked about. Though he had said… I would do anything to spend my life with you… she shivered just thinking about it. Goose bumps on her skin, lava sitting in her stomach. She couldn't wait to see him.
She smiled seeing the porch light on at her and Naruto's. At least Naruto was home so she would have someone to bother. She laughed to herself. Maybe if she was lucky Naruto would have plans with Hinata and she would be able to tag along and find out when it would be possible to see Neji again.
Sakura grabbed her keys from her pocket and slid them into the nob. Some yelling commenced inside and Sakura stared confused at the door. She turned the lock and opened the door. Hinata stood in the middle of the hallway hands up like she was in the process of being arrested. Naruto leaned awkwardly against the little table in the hallway. Sakura raised an eyebrow moving into the house. She dropped her keys in the bowl on the table that Naruto was trying to look casual at.
"Hey-y Sakura-chan you're home early?"
Sakura stared at him for a long moment before taking another step into the house. "Woah! Uhhh," Naruto said jumping to attention he moved further down the hall blocking Sakura from walking.
"What are you doing idiot?" Sakura asked. She was slowly starting to get annoyed with the blonde. It was late. She had worked all day. She was kind of ready to just relax and take bath. Maybe ask Hinata—why was Hinata acting weird too? "Okay. Seriously you two what is going on?"
Naruto glanced at Hinata and Hinata looked at him red faced. "Uhhh," both said. Sakura rolled her eye.
"Okay I'm not playing this game with you two. I just wanna change—"
"WHY DON'T WE GO GET RAMEN!" Hinata screeched out awkwardly. Sakura froze.
"Okay… let me go change –"
"Yeah! YEAH! Great idea," Naruto said quickly moving forward and wrapping his arm around Sakura's shoulder. "Food. Food away from the house. Not here. That can delay sometime,"
"You two are acting really weird," Sakura said grabbing Naruto's arm and pulling it off of her. She started to walk down the hallway. She was seriously hoping nothing bad had happened in her room. The last time Naruto had tried to keep her from her bedroom he and Konohamaru had destroyed her closet trying to find outfits to wear for their sexy jutsu. Sakura rolled her eyes at the memory. She walked briskly past Hinata who didn't try to stop her.
Hinata and Naruto followed closely behind Sakura. Okay now she was really freaked out. She grabbed the door nob and opened the door. She gasped.
Her room had been completely transformed. Beautiful golden candles warmed the room and the space. Everything had a golden hue to it. Dozens of red tulips covered the space she could barely see the walls and the floor. In the middle of the room stood the most handsome man. Neji smiled turning to meet her.
"I thought I had more time," he stated simply.
"Woahhhh! Neji! This look—" Sakura slammed her door shut keeping Naruto and Hinata out in the hall.
"I guess I'm a little early is that okay?" she asked taking a few steps into the room to meet him. He touched her hand and pulled her closer placing a soft kiss on her lips.
"Of course," he whispered on her lips. Not opening his eyes. She closed hers when his forhead touched hers.
"What is all of this?"
"It's it obvious?" his breath so sweet on her lips. She wanted to kiss him again. A thousand times over. Forever and ever.
"Maybe, but explain it to me just in case," she whispered. He laughed and kissed her more strongly. His firm hands ran through her long hair and he relished every moment of it.
"I will always catch you," he said pulling back from her slightly. He moved and bent down in front of her. She felt like she was on fire. Her winter coat not helping any longer. It took everything in her to focus on the man in front of her. Her heart had been pounding so loudly in her ears. When had this happen? When had she felt so safe and secure. How had something so new become so consuming. "I know you don't know this… but I had always hoped there would be something that would allow me to become apart of your life. When you opened the door for me to step in I wasn't sure how far you would let me in… but when you said you wanted this… wanted us. I knew I would never give up,"
Sakura felt her breath caught in her throat. She blinked a good amount of time trying to keep her tears from flowing. She hadn't known that this man even noticed her before their chanced date. Before spending time together. How wonderful it felt to be noticed. To be loved. To be wanted. She wanted him.
"I would be honored if you would be my wife. To keep you near me always and to love you without condition. I love you Sakura,"
Sakura let out a laugh. Her heart felt so full of love and excitement. "I love you," she said her voice small. "I would love to have you as my husband," Neji smiled before spring to his feet lifting her up and spinning her around. He pulled her close and enjoyed the warmth that would last forever.
End.
A/N
We did it! Almost a year later then I had tried. Thank you all dear readers for staying with me during this time. It has been an absolute whirlwind becoming a mother and all the wonderful challenges that come with it. I am in a large process of doing a good amount of rewrites of older fics as well as writing new stuff! I am so insanely grateful for all of you who read and reviewed. Please continue to enjoy reading as I love writing when I have the time. Thank you all again. I hope you enjoyed!
