I updated! Wow! How long has it been anyway! Please don't be disappointed at me! I didn't intend to update this slow… I was figuring things out in my mind. The ideas were all too tempting! Thanks ya guys!

Another reason why I updated late was because Fan Fiction was blocking me from doing so… I wonder why… Something about an error… I wonder why…

On with the chappie! Wheeee! Soujirou appeared more on this chapter though… I think… This chapter might be boring and cheesy so If you guys want you can choose not reading this chapter!

Chapter 17

Sakura rolled in her bed, refusing to get up. Until someone knocked on her door. "Come in…" Sakura croaked out. Soujirou came in with tray of food. Sakura quirked her eyebrow at him as she sat up on her bed. Soujirou laughed, "I got a hunch this might happen… That is, you not coming down for breakfast…" he said as he set the tray of food on her desk.

Sakura smiled at her brother. She was more than glad to have such a thoughtful brother. Gods, if he wasn't her brother she would surely fall for him in a matter of days living with him. Sakura coughed albeit roughly. Soujirou had a concerned look on his face, "Saku-chan…" he whispered and placed the back of his palm on her forehead.

It was freaking hot!

Soujirou frowned, "You had a fever… a high one to be exact…" he said worriedly. Sakura laughed is off and tried to heal herself with her chakra. Soujirou captured her hand before she could, "No Saku-chan… it will get worse…" he said sternly. Sakura sighed but nodded nonetheless.

Soujirou smiled soothingly, "I'm getting medicines in the kitchen… Don't even think of healing yourself or you'll be in big trouble" he joked. Sakura giggled at her brother's antique. As soon as Soujirou close the door. Sakura's solemn face returned.

'Shouldn't I be happy? I'm going to get married, dammit!' Sakura groaned.

'Sakura! Rest… You've worn yourself out yesterday…' inner Sakura said sternly.

'God… what are you now? My mother?' Sakura rubbed her temples.

'You were training till god-knows-when yesterday night when it was RAINING!' inner Sakura threw her arms up in exaggeration.

True… She had been training yesterday since that day. That is, exactly two days ago. Sakura sighed, she HAD to tell someone about this.

Ino? …………… OUT OF THE QUESTION……

Tenten? …………… She might tell Neji-kun……

Hinata? ………… She might not help……

Who else? All of them were too risky to be told to. Sakura moaned in frustration. I SO do not need these much thinking in the morning. 'Damn the proposal…' she thought. Soujirou emerged the room, carrying another tray. Except this was with medicine and water.

'That's it!' Sakura thought and a rush of full relief came over her body.

"Eat up…" Soujirou smiled at his bedridden sister. Sakura managed a tired smile and took her medicine. "Sou-chan…" Sakura started softly. "Hm?" Soujirou motioned for her to continue as he put the tray away. Sakura waited patiently for him to finish putting it away. As soon as he did, Sakura took a deep breath.

"I am to be married…"

"And I take that you didn't mean it?" Soujirou smiled soothingly. Sakura nodded slowly. "With whom?" Soujirou asked. Sakura looked away, "To Sasuke… Uchiha Sasuke…" she answered. Soujirou understands. The one his sister truly loves is Neji… Not Sasuke.

Still…

"You were afraid to hurt his feelings… Weren't you?" Soujirou asked. Tears stung Sakura's eyes as she managed a nod. Soujirou hugged his sister and let her soak his shirt. Sakura gripped tightly onto Soujirou's shirt. Almost tearing it.

Screw the shirt… Family comes first…

"Sou-chan! I didn't want to marry! Not yet… I'm only 17! I can't take the burden! I'm not ready!" Sakura sobbed into her brother's chest. Soujirou just gently stroked her back. "But I don't want to hurt anyone… no… especially Neji-kun… But Sasuke is my friend… I…" Sakura's sob became a quite a loud cry.

Still, Soujirou made no move to soothe her. Just let her be for now… He would do the talking later.

"Sou-chan… What should I do? I can't take the burden… I'm still young… But… I've never seen Sasuke this happy before… He… He really loves me… I'm scared… What if I don't love him back?" Sakura kept going on and on. Soujirou stayed still, just watching her letting her feelings off.

After a while, Sakura's crying died down and she began to calm down. She sniffed and looked at her brother. Then his shirt. She frowned, "Holy shit… I almost washed your clothes!" she joked. Soujirou laughed and shook his head. She still can joke in a time like this.

Sakura grinned at her brother. And then leapt into his arms, hugging him. Soujirou made a small 'Oof' sound at the impact. "Arigato… Oni-chan…" Sakura hugged her brother tighter. Soujirou smiled and ruffled her hair.

When Sakura pulled away, she stopped for a while. Knowing that Soujirou would say something. Soujirou took the hint and smiled gently no other boys could, "Saku-chan… As you have said… Sasuke is your friend… a friend is a friend… He would surely understand…" he stopped for a while, watching whether Sakura is listening.

After he had made sure she was listening. He continued, "There are differences in the importance of someone who you cared and someone who you love…" he ruffled her hair gently. Sakura smiled happily.

"And for me… You're the most important thing in my life… Cause I love you as my sister…" Soujirou pecked her cheeks. Sakura grinned, "I feel like a little kid was being lectured when I got caught stealing candies…" she pouted. Soujirou laughed, "Oh but you are a little kid in my eyes…" he said.

Sakura huffed and pouted, "I'm not a kid" she said defensively. Soujirou hugged her tighter and chuckled, "Of course you're not…" he said truthfully. Sakura smiled.

Soujirou pulled away, "Saku-chan… I have to go now… You take care okay?" he asked. Sakura nodded and grinned, "Come on… I'll be good!" she puts put her puppy dog eyes. They both laughed. Sakura coughed roughly again. Soujirou looked at her concerned. Sakura laughed it off, "Go on… I'm going to be fine…" she assured her worried brother.

Soujirou nodded and sighed, "Do not take improper foods okay? I'll cook tonight…" he said sternly. Sakura snorted, "You ALWAYS cook… I'm sure there is no unhealthy food in the house…" she said. Soujirou grinned, "You're right… Live with me means live the healthy ways… No junk foods, no wild parties, no……" he stopped when he saw Sakura gaping.

"That's not fair!" Sakura huffed. Soujirou laughed, "Just kidding, Saku-chan… Wouldn't want the house to be rumored haunted now would we?" he joked. "Very funny…" Sakura said sarcastically. Sakura then urged her brother to go do his things before he's late or something, "Take care, nii-chan!" Sakura pecked him on the cheeks.

Sakura closed the doors and grinned, "Now let's search for ice cream…" she said loud enough. "Saku-chan!" Soujirou called from the other side. Sakura giggled and ran to the bathroom.

Soujirou shook his head at his sister. He then walked down the streets with his katana hung loosely at his waist.

'Hmm… I wonder where Neji would be…' Soujirou thought.

Not long after, Neji was spotted… mobbed by… fan girls. Soujirou sweatdropped. He leapt onto the tree near where Neji currently is.

'GOD DAMMIT!' Neji cursed inwardly as the fan girls keep touching his hair. "Ooh Neji-kun… you have such nice hair!" a fan girl squealed. If there's anything he was truly proud of. Was his hair. He kept it long. No one has known why though. When Neji was about to yell out to the fan girls to scram…

"Need help there, Neji?" Soujirou asked from above the tree. Neji (And the fan girls) looked up to see Soujirou sitting on the tree branch. Soujirou flashed them a smile. 'Sometimes this guy creeps me…' Neji thought.

True… Soujirou had always had a smile on his face. But most of them were fake ones. Neji could see. The only true ones was always towards his sister, Sakura. 'What's he doing here? Certainly not to see me mobbed by fan girls…' he thought.

"Kyaaah! It that Soujirou-kun?" a girl squealed. "He's the forehead girl's brother? How unfair! She's not even…" the girl was interrupted by Soujirou. "Please do not insult my sister in my presence…" he stopped and go lower to whisper in her ear, "…or you might want to order your coffin early…" he stepped away and smiled at the girl.

Poor girl. She was so scared she almost peed in her skirt. (Dude… she deserve it. Agree? Don't accuse me being mean!)

The other girls were whispering and stared at the terrified girl. Soujirou shot them a glare. A glare just enough to scare them away. The girls yelped and walked away fast. Neji was more than glad that the crazed fan girls were not in his sight. Soujirou then turned to look at Neji. He smiled at first.

"Neji… Mind if we talk a bit?" Soujirou's smile faltered and replaced with a stern face. Neji nodded. Soujirou lead the way to the park. Neji followed behind.

'Since it's Sakura's brother… It must be related to Sakura's problems… I wonder what's wrong…' Neji thought.

'What's wrong? What's WRONG! Dude! Don't tell me that you STILL don't get it!' inner Neji practically shouted causing a throbbing headache for Neji.

Not nice…

'AH! What is it! You don't have to shout!' Neji glared at his inner.

'You asked for it! I can't believe they called u a prodigy! You're such a dumbass!' inner Neji scolded.

'Who died and made you the one to talk?' Neji scowled inwardly.

'Dammit! You need to have a lecture! And I'll be glad to stuff it in your mud filled brain!' inner Neji scolded, again.

'What are you? My father?' Neji glared again. (Déjà vu? Heheheh…)

Inner Neji was unable to reply as Soujirou called on Neji, "Neji… there's something wrong with Sakura… I'm sure you would've noticed?" his eyes had a strange glint on them, Neji thought. He shrugged at Soujirou, "Haven't seen her since the day we went to report to Tsunade-Sama…" Neji answered.

Soujirou sighed, "Neji… Are you aware that she's getting married? To Uchiha Sasuke, no less…?" he wanted to make sure that whether Neji knew. Neji winced at the words. 'Sakura… married… Uchiha…' Neji felt as if his world had shattered into tiny bits, "Yes… I do know…" he answered.

Soujirou nodded, "Are you going to do anything about it?" he asked. Neji scowled, "What am I in all these? I'm not her anything! I have no right to do anything!" Neji spat it out like venom. Soujirou's eyes narrowed, a sign that he's either angry or frustrated, "Neji! Are you aware that the she doesn't love Sasuke!" he asked, loudly.

"NO! I don't know anything…" Neji deadpanned. Soujirou gritted his teeth, "The one she truly loves is you! She doesn't want to hurt Sasuke. She doesn't know what to do!" Soujirou stood up. Neji remained still, silent.

"Pathetic… I can't believe my sister fell in love with you…" Soujirou gave a frustrated sigh. Neji clenched his fists till it turns almost white. His nails dug into his palm almost drawing the crimson blood. But he could care less. He wanted to win Sakura over. He loves her.

"What can I do about this?" Neji growled in frustration. Soujirou rubbed his temples, "Oh gods… Neji… You can't be that stupid are you?" he said. Neji growled, he SO do not need another kind of remark that's doubting his clarification as a prodigy. "Excuse me… Would you mind telling me then?" Neji asked sarcastically.

Soujirou shook his head and was about to answer when…

"You have to figure that yourselves…" a voice came through them. Neji and Soujirou looked around and saw the Sound Four and Tsunade. "Tsunade-sama?" Neji and Soujirou asked in confusion.

Tsunade nodded at them, "I am aware that Sakura is not concentrating in her practice…" she explained.

"Fuck you, Neji! You were fucking supposed to know how she fucking feels! I can't believe you're that fucking blind! You were supposed to be a fucking prodigy!" Tayuya yelled. Neji twitched as another remark about his clarification as a prodigy was thrown to him.

"DO something will ya?" the other three men chorused.

"This is going to be troublesome…" Neji muttered and sighed. Soujirou smiled in relief. The Sound Four smiled slightly. Tsunade laughed and patted on Neji's back, hard.

"Careful there… You're starting to sound like Shikamaru…" she stated. Neji snorted in reply.

He would definitely do something about this marriage… He would never lose Sakura. Never…

-----------------------------End Chapter 17--------------------------------

Whoopee! I finished another chappie! This one is long! Kind of… Anyways! This chappie is boring but you were warned heheheh

Me: Wow! That was done! Sou-kun appeared a lot in this chappie! All the more reason for me to like it

Soujirou: Thank you, Miyabi-chan… (Smiles at me)

Me: Is that a true smile?

Soujirou: (Laughs) Yes… Of course…

Me: Wheeee! (Glomps on Sou-kun)

Sakura: I didn't look that pathetic in this chapter…

Me: Of course! This fic was intended to make you a strong kunoichi!

Sakura: (Grins) Thanks Miyabi-chan!

Me and Sakura: SHANNARO!

Neji: HN… And you made me look like an idiot in there…

Me and Sakura: You ARE! (Stuck tongue at him)

Neji: …………