Kitsunegirl1: Goddamn it! WE don't own Naruto, but don't worry we willl..... Mwhahahahahahahah!
Anyway here's a new chappie, sorry we're late blah blah blah.... Just read and review and all that good shit.....^.^
Chapter 13: Dreams, Feelings, and Haku
***Dream land***
"Neji.... Neji!" I heard someone calling me. The voice didn't sound worried, but rather playful and mischievous. I opened my eyes and immediately was blinded by the bright sunlight. Raising one arm to shade my eyes, I looked around, trying to find the owner of the voice. "NEJI!" I turned and dropped my arm in shock. Sakura came bounding towards me. She was dressed in a simple crimson dress, but she looked magnificent. "S-sakura?" Her name slipped through my lips before I could stop myself. "Who else?" She laughed, bounding into my arms. Before I knew what was happening, her arms were around me and mine around her body. She stared up at me with those beautiful green eyes of hers. I felt myself leaning down, and our lips met...
..."NEJI!"I jerked upright, my eyes flying open. Pale daylight filtered in through the half-open flap of the tent. Tenten's annoyed face poked in through the gap. "Sheesh, Neji! What are you, deaf? I've been calling you for the past five minutes!" I blinked. "Hn." She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Get up already. We're leaving soon." With another sigh she disappeared outside. I groaned and cradled my head in my hands.
Another stupid dream! No, another nightmare. Although I couldn't say that I didn't like it...I groaned again and shook my head to disperse my thoughts. I wouldn't mind hiding in my tent all day, because I knew that as soon as I left my tent, my nightmare would be standing outside. I got up, dressed and began to assemble my things before stepping outside. The sky was beginning to lighten, and it was still quite cold. "Yosh! Finally my youthful rival is awake!" Lee called, bounding up to me while grinning his stupid grin.
"Will you shut up, you stupid idiot!" The Uchiha snarled, coming up behind Lee. "Watch it Uchiha, that's my teammate that you're talking to," I snarled back at him, stepping in front of Lee. "What is he, your boyfriend, Hyuuga?" He sneered at me. "Shut your mouth before I do it for you," I growled back. "Ohhh, I'm sooooo scared," He smirked, his voice mocking me. "You little-"
"WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP?!" Someone screeched behind me. The Uchiha and I turned to look at the owner of the voice. And I stopped dead in my tracks; Sakura stood by a tent entrance. Her hair was let down, reaching her narrow waist. However that wasn't what made me stop; she was dressed only in her short shorts and a black bra. Shit. That was the only word in my mind. Her body was very fit and toned.
'Fuck,' I thought, 'Don't look at her!' Unfortunately my eyes stayed glued to her body, examining it. There was a collection of small cuts and bruises and a few scars, but what really drew my eyes was a long healed scar that started on her narrow waist and flew down to her hip. I wondered how far it went down her leg...Damn it! You're a Hyuuga, Neji! "And that goes for you too, Hyuuga!" My head snapped up to look at a frustrated Sakura. I really did try to listen to her, but my eyes kept wandering.
I hate myself.
I think, however, that my face stayed impassive... And thank Kami if it did. "...so immature!" I vaguely heard Sakura reprimanding me and the Uchiha. 'Oh no...you're very mature, Sakura...' I thought again. "Sakura, don't waste your breath...these guys are too busy ogling your chest." My eyes moved up to stare at Naruto. He pulled his jacket off and put it on her shoulders. Sakura thanked him, her face flushing slightly. "God, you guys act as if you've never seen a girl's chest before!" Naruto snapped as Sakura made her back into the tent.
"At least I don't look gay!" Sasuke sneered back at him before he stalked off. "Well my hair doesn't look like a chicken's ass!" Naruto called back, and then turned back to me. "So Neji...did you like what you saw?" Naruto winked at me, grinning mischievously. I raised an eyebrow. "What?" I asked. Naruto laughed. "I meant Sakura's choice of clothing." I froze and Naruto's grin only got bigger. "Yosh Neji my youthful student, your youthful help is needed for the power of youth grows under teamwork!" Gai-sensei called to me, and for once I was actually happy about it. Anything was better than talking to Naruto about Sakura.
As I walked towards Gai-sensei I vaguely heard Lee asking Naruto what he meant. I hoped Naruto would at least spare Lee from the details, but I heard him explain. Groaning mentally I made my way back to Gai-sensei. "Yes sensei, what do you need?" I asked. "I need you to youthfully pack up everything and take down the tents so we can continue on our youthful journey! Yosh!" I headed back to our tent and crawled inside, wishing that I could strangle myself with the blankets.
Anything would be better than this.
***Sakura's P.O.V.***
We finally got back on the road – and about time, too! Being stuck in one area with Neji, Lee, Naruto and Gai was getting to be a bit much for me. The only bad thing about being back on the road was that it was so boring. Naruto was chatting away with Lee, and Saskue and Neji refused to talk...which only left my inner for conversation. 'Soooo...has Neji swept you off your feet yet?' I groaned inside my head. This was the reason why I didn't want to talk with my inner. 'I. Don't. Love. Him.' I said back, mentally gritting my teeth. 'Ohooo, so you don't love him, but you still have the world's biggest crush on him!' 'I do not have the world's biggest crush on him...but I told you that I have a tiny, microscopic, nearly non-existent crush on him...' It was the wrong thing to say. 'Psshhhh... Sakura, don't lie to yourself! You are in loveeeeeee!' Replied my inner in a sing-song voice.
--later—
Thank Kami that we reached Tazuna's house later that night. HIs daughter was so nice to us, but Naruto and Sasuke kept bickering. I noticed a small, dark-haired boy who was hanging around the doorway. "Hey," I said, but he vanished before I could say more. That night we finally got to eat the first real food that we had had for a long time. "More!" Naruto shouted, setting his bowl down on the table. "I want more as well," Sasuke added, glaring over at him. "Both of you shut up! Don't be rude!" I smacked both of them upside the head. But they both ate themselves sick anyways. I was glad when night finally set. Tenten and I were sharing a room, since we were the only girls. The guys were camped out in the other room, and I remembered hearing Naruto's snores before drifting off to sleep.
**Dream world**
Darkness. Darkness everywhere. Where was the light? The sun? I shivered, looking around. My breath caught in my throat as I realized that I was looking at my village. It was in shambles, buildings down and demolished everywhere. "Naruto! Ami! Geminia! Izumi!" Desperately, I called out the names of my friends. I stumbled forward and under the gate. "Where are you?!" I cried, feeling panic well up inside. But things only got worse. Burning buildings came into view, the stench of smoke filling my nose. "Guys!" I shouted, really beginning to panic now.
Suddenly, a no-face appeared in my vision. It roared, and I screamed and took off down a side street, my breath rasping in and out of my chest. I stopped dead in my tracks, panic and fear overriding every sense. An army of no-faces stood before me. "No...no!" I wailed, stumbling back. Suddenly I forgot how to breathe. Yuki, his long blue hair dirty and tangled, crouched on the ground. He clutched at his left arm and raised his head to meet my eyes. His left arm wasn't his arm...it was the claw of a no-face!
Even as I looked at him, the black skin of the no-face spread even further up his arm and crept onto his chest, beginning to eat away at his face his face. More no-faces floated above and behind him. "Sakura...help me!" He choked out, reaching out a hand to me. "Yuki!" I shouted, rushing forward to try and help him, but the no-faces bared my way. I could see him becoming fainter and fainter as I pushed my way to him. "Yuki!" I cried, my fingers wrapping around his. But he faded into nothing, leaving me empty-handed and alone with the no-faces.
**Exit dream world**
I whipped upright, a sob breaking out of my chest. My hand flew to my face, and I was shocked and embarrassed to find tears pouring down my face. Fingers shaking, I peeled back the covers and made my way out of the room, heading to the boys' room. Finding Naruto was easy; even in the dark his blonde hair stood out. I stumbled over to his side and pulled back the covers, crawling in next to him. I curled into a ball, but I was already beginning to calm down. I felt Naruto shift, and then I could feel his breath on my hair.
"...Sakura? What is it?" He mumbled, still half-asleep. "Bad dream," I whispered back, shivering as I remembered Yuki's stricken face. "...Mmm. Okay." His arms wrapped around me and I briefly marveled at the irony of it. When he had first come to the village, that was the position that I had often taken; my arms like a shield around him. Nightmares had troubled Naruto nightly...but that was once upon a time. I could feel sleep coming now, like a heavy blanket, and my eyes slid shut. Some small, still-awake part of my mind registered the withdraw of arms and then cold as the blankets were drawn away. But then the arms were back again, and I was warm again. With a sigh, I drifted fully to sleep.
**Naruto's P.O.V.**
Damn... I couldn't sleep and it was all Sakura's fault! I mean I love Sakura like a sister and all but I was having such a great dream about Hinata! Heh...but then gosh damnit! I got woken up and now I can't get back to sleep. I shifted slightly and stared down at Sakura. Then an idea popped into my head. It was so deliciously evil that it was perfect! I grinned and then shifted and began to gently move Sakura away from me and towards Neji – whose bedroll was right next to mine.
**Sakura's P.O.V.**
--Morning—
I snuggled closer into the warmth around me. Then I stopped. There was a fresh scent in the fabric of the bed roll (and probably Naruto's shirt as well). But... Naruto never smelled so good. His scent was usually some cheap soap and ramen. So who was I snuggling with?! 'Take one guess, Sakura!' Horror flashed through me; I snapped my head up and my eyes open. Oh dear Kami! I wasn't snuggling into Naruto! I was burying my head into Neji's chest! His really muscular chest...damn it! I shouldn't be worrying about whether Neji's chest was muscular or not, but rather how to get out of this horrible situation.
'Oh come on Sakura just enjoy it! Kami, look, he's actually holding us! Can you feel how muscular his arms are? This has to be paradise! Shanarro!' I felt my cheeks getting hot, and I tried to wiggle out of Neji's arms; I heard a grunt escape Neji's unconscious body. My body tensed up; the last thing I needed was Neji to wake up and make things worse. My heart was beating faster and faster in my chest as Neji stirred. Suddenly Neji's arms tightened drawing me closer. Now my entire body was being mashed against his. 'I looooooovvvvvveeeeeeee Yooouuu neji-kun!' Purred my inner, practically drooling.
I wish I was still asleep.
I wiggled a little and then gave up with a sigh and looked up. Neji's face looked so peaceful....and okay, he definitely was handsome....when he wasn't being an ass, that is. 'See, I knew that you'd realize your undying love! Now quickly, no one is looking, and you and Neji are in the same bedroll... ' 'Stop your pervy thoughts, you're ruining the moment!' I thought back at my inner. "Yosh! I have awakened from my ever youthful slumber! Neji, it's time to awaken... WHAT IS THIS UNYOUTHFULNESS?!" Neji groaned, opening his eyes.
"Shut up," He said, and then his eyes slid shut again. Had he not seen me with my bright pink hair (which would probably get me killed one day because of its uniqueness?)? A few moments passed before Neji's eyes flew open again, his brow furrowing. "Sakura...?!" He asked, his eyes staring into mine. Once again he pulled me closer (if that was even possible, since my body was already squashed against his). My cheeks began to feel hot again, and my blood felt like acid bubbling in my veins. "Neji, you must release Sakura-san, this is most un-youthful! I have pledged my soul to protecting Sakura, and that includes her chastity!"
Now my cheeks were on fire, and my heart pounding. 'Oh Kami, Lee, just faint or something before I die!' I thought furiously. I felt Neji's hold tighten on me before they dropped suddenly. "Enough, Lee," Neji said, getting up. "Nothing happened. Do you think I would honestly force myself upon anyone? How could I, especially when the girl's chest is as flat as a boys and who has a child's body?" Neji was now standing, his arms crossed over his chest, and looking annoyed.
That made me stop. My eyes were burning and my heart hurt. "How dare you!" I hissed, my voice being chocked by anger. "It's not my fault you're-" His harsh words never made it out before my hand hit its mark. The Hyuuga bastard stumbled back, touching his cheek in shock. I stalked out of the room. 'Well, inner? You have nothing to say about your Neji-kun now, do you?' I snarled in my head. There was nothing but silence. I yanked the door to my (and Tenten's) room open. Thankfully Tenten was not around. I really, really didn't want to talk to anyone. I fell onto the floor, grabbed my blankets and screamed into them. I have never felt so frustrated!
'It's okay Sakura,' my inner murmured inside my head in a soothing voice. 'No, it's not okay! Just shut up!' I screamed back at her. 'Shh...relax, everything is going to be okay. Neji was an ass, but we'll show him.' I scowled both at her and in real life. 'What are you going to do about it, besides swooning over him?' I could feel my inner grin. 'Don't worry, Neji didn't mean a single word that he said,' she cooed. 'How do you know?' 'Sakura, he was practically drooling over you yesterday, and you didn't hear him last night!' she giggled. I raised a mental brow. 'Last night...?' 'Just watch and listen.' A memory flashed in my head like a movie.
Everything was dark but I could smell the fresh scent of Neji's shirt. I was so close I felt a strange sensation run down my spine. "Sakura..." he murmured in his sleep. His lips brushed my cheek and neck as he nuzzled me affectionately. I gasped as the memory me buried her/my have into his chest, pulling him close. 'Don't the three of us look so cute together?!' Inner cooed in my mind. I blushed and thought of how Neji was so close to me. Damn! I shouldn't have been feeling like this; feeling like my heart was gong to implode any moment now. 'Well, Sakura, you have to admit when you fall for someone you fall hard!' I cursed, knowing that my inner was completely right.
***Neji's P.O.V.***
I touched my cheek gingerly; ever since Sakura had showed up an increase of violence had followed her. Normally I wouldn't care, but it seems most of this violence was directed towards me. I cursed silently remembering how Tenten had slapped me and then later, when Lee and I were sparring, Lee had hit me much harder than was necessary, saying that it was 'revenge for insulting Sakura-san.' And yesterday after helping Gai-sensei, Naruto found me, slapped me upside the head and threatened to 'Rip off my testicles and shove them down my throat,' if he found me ogling Sakura again. Then today Sakura goes and smacks me for no apparent reason...oh wait...shit. That's right, I insulted her...oh Kami, what did I do?! She probably hates me now, and the look on her face when I said those things! I felt horrible just thinking about it. But why did I care? Oh, damn it all to hell...I like her.
***Sakura's P.O.V***
I yawned and stretched out, lying on the grass in the sun. Naruto and Lee were sparring along with Neji and Sasuke. Tenten was sitting next to me, sharpening her endless supply of weapons. I was half-watching the sparring match, really for only one reason; I was hoping that someone would hit Neji really really hard. Sadly, he was probably doing the best, besides Sasuke. I yawned again before pulling myself up into a sitting position. It was really nice to be able to have a bit of spare time to relax, now that we were finally at Tazuna's house. Of course, being a ninja, there was no such thing as relaxation; each day Kakashi had us train hard.
I still wasn't speaking to Neji, and just to annoy him I was being extra nice to Sasuke. Every time I brightly told Saskue hello, I could see Neji's eyes narrow by a fraction, and I knew that it was bothering him. Well, good. The bastard deserved every bit of discomfort that went his way for what he had said to me. I wasn't planning on talking to him until he apologized, but Tenten had told me that hell would freeze over before he ever admitted to being wrong or saying sorry. Well, fine then. He could have it his way.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Naruto yell out in a cross between anger, disappointment, and annoyance. "Damn, Lee, we lost again!" he complained, trudging over to where I was and sprawling on the ground besides me. Saskue smirked as he came up behind Naruto. "That's because you suck, dobe," he told him, earning a half-earnest "teme" in reply. Lee responded to Naruto cheerfully. "Don't worry, Naruto! We'll beat my eternally youthful rival next time!" Naruto groaned and waved a hand dismissively. "Well, I'm bushed for the moment," He said, rolling onto his stomach and propping himself up on his arms to look at me. "Now I'm bored."
I sighed, a half-sigh half-laugh. "Go find something to do then," I told him, and I could practically see the gears turning slowly in his head as he tried to come up with something to do. "Honestly," I laughed. "It's not that hard to find something to do. Go talk a walk or something. Climb some trees. Stab yourself with a kunai. Stab Neji with a kunai," I threw out the last suggestion much louder than the others, and I could see Neji's eye twitch in annoyance. "I'll take a walk, although that last idea isn't so bad," He said, shooting Neji a glare and earning a quiet mutter of protest. Naruto picked himself upright and dusted some spare grass off of his pants. He waved as he reached the tree line, and called out, "If I'm not back in an hour or so, don't worry...if I'm not back in a day, then be worried." I rolled my eyes as he disappeared into the woods.
***Naruto's P.O.V***
It was nice to be alone in the woods, to find some peace and quiet. I was getting sick (if this was possible) of Sakura's attempts to annoy Neji...she was really going overboard. Granted, I could understand why she was doing it – the things he had said to her were really mean! – but after a while it was starting to sicken me, seeing how overly nice she was being to Sasuke. Breaking away from my musings, I realized how tired that sparring match had made me.
Maybe I'd take a nice little nap... Up ahead I noticed a large clearing that was in the direct sunlight. That would be a great place – the sun would keep me warm. I sighed as I stepped into the clearing, the sunlight streaming over me. I knew that if Sakura was here she would have tousled my hair, because in the sunlight my hair always shone golden. No matter, though. I plopped down in the long grass and spread out on my back, sighing contentedly. I closed my eyes and lay an arm over them to help block the sunlight, and then before I knew it, I was drifting off to sleep...
-Later-
"Hey, are you alright there?" I blinked blearily, rubbing my eyes. A shadow had crossed my face, blocking my warm sunlight. "W-wha?" I sat up, and the shadow retreated. I rubbed my eyes again, trying to see in the now blinding sunlight. "Ah, I'm glad you're okay. I thought something might have happened to you." I looked over to the source of the voice. A girl sat in the clearing next to me, her long dark hair hanging down her back. "No, I was just sleeping..." I said, yawning. Urgh...she had woken me up from my nap!
"You woke me up," I grumbled, and she smiled slightly and ducked her head. "Oh, I'm sorry." I waved a hand. "Nah, its fine. I probably shouldn't have fallen asleep in the middle of the woods anyways. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, by the way." I offered her a grin. She was kinda cute...but not nearly as cute as Hinata was! "I'm...Haku," She said, smiling back. "So, Haku, what were you doing out here, all alone?" She gestured towards a basket that I hadn't noticed before. "Collecting herbs and grasses." I blinked. "Oh. Um, okay... do you want some help?" I offered. She nodded. "That would be very nice." She smiled again.
"Okay, well, what are we looking for?" She held up a longish piece of a grass-like herb. "It should taste sort of sweet," she offered. "Okay. I can find that. Be right back." With a grin I was up and darting between the trees, scanning the ground for anything. There! A patch of the grass in a patch of sunlight. I grabbed a handful, feeling awful proud of myself, and popped a piece of the grass into my mouth. Bleah! Maybe she had told me to eat it just to play a trick on me... No matter. I ran back to where Haku was and held up my prize. "See, I found some!" She looked at me blankly. "That's just crabgrass, Naruto," She sighed, and I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. "Oh. Right. Maybe that's why it tasted like...grass..." That earned a laugh.
"Well, I appreciate the effort. I think I've got enough anyway." We descended into a silence that rested easily in the sunlit clearing. "So, Naruto, tell me...do you have anyone that's special to you?" Her question caught me off guard. "What do you mean?" She fiddled with a strand of hair. "I mean...people that are very dear to you." I paused for a moment, thinking. Yeah, I realized, I did. There was Sakura, of course. And Kakashi, and Lee, and maybe even Sasuke...that last one was a long shot, though. I kept thinking. Hinata...oh, yes, she was special... old man Third was in there, too. Not to mention my gang; Izumi, Geminia, Ami... and Yuki, too. I couldn't forget him, even though he was dead.
"Yeah," I said softly. "I do. Many people. Do you?" I felt like I had to ask, and she smiled, almost a little ruefully. "Yes, I do. It's him who these herbs are for...he's ill. But he is very dear to me. I would do anything for him...even as far as giving my life for him. I would do it in an instant." I listened quietly. I could relate to her...I would give my life for Sakura's in an instant. "He's ill?" I asked, frowning. "That's too bad. But hey, maybe I could help! My friend, she knows medical ninjutsu..." I stopped when I noticed Haku shaking her head.
"No, no, I couldn't possibly let you do that. He's almost better anyways." She smiled, and I nodded and smiled back. "Well, if you're sure, then, okay." Haku glanced up at the sky, then, and I noticed that the sun was no longer shining full force on us. Long shadows were dragging from the trees that surrounded us. "Wow," I murmured. "Time really flew." She nodded. "I must be going now," Haku said, a little apologetic. "My special person is waiting for me." I grinned and stood up, stretching. "I can understand that. Well, Haku, it was really nice to meet you...I hope that one day we'll meet again." She smiled and made her way to the trees. "Oh, and Naruto, by the way..." I listened as she stepped into the shadows.
"I'm really a boy."
Hello readers! And now our sorry excuses for why this is so late. First, Kitsunegirl2 was on vacation last weekend, not to mention busy on every saturday and last sunday with forensics tournaments. Kitsunegirl1 doesn't have a whole life to spend on the computer typing, and she's got forensics too. Plus we both have school, yippee! Not.
But anyways, we hope that you really like this chapter. more nejisakura, yay! neji finally realizes his feelings...'bout time, I say. ignorant fool.
Please read and review! ^.^
-kitsunegirls