Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

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"What happened, Sakura?" Ino said, wiping Sakura's tears and ruined make up.

She was utterly surprised when she saw Sakura at the garden crying all to herself. She had been looking for Sasuke when she heard Sakura's sobs. She had thought of the possibility of bumping into her at the Hyugga's party but she didn't actually expected to see her in such state. She panicked a little and didn't know what to do at first but later calmed down and brought Sakura to the nearest washroom.

Sakura didn't answer.

"Did something happened between you and Neji? Did you argue or something?"

"Ino.."

"At least give me some explanations why you were bursting into tears like that." Ino started brushing Sakura's hair. "It was a good thing that I was the one who saw you. What would you have done if it were a different person?"

Sakura looked down. "I'm sorry."

"Goodness, you haven't changed a bit. You're still a crybaby."

A silence hung in the air.

"I'll be redoing your make up." Ino said. "Do not move too much."

Ino was really a good friend. And even knowing that she and Sasuke was going out now, Sakura couldn't bring herself to really hate her. Thinking about it, Ino didn't really do anything wrong. There was no reason for Sakura to be angry at her. It feels painful remembering what she is and what they are now, but Sakura knew Ino shouldn't be blamed for anything.

"Thank you, Ino." Sakura said, smiling. "You really sure you can do it, pig?"

"Keh." Ino scoffed. "Who do you think I am, forehead?"

They both laughed. It felt good, bringing back how they were in the old times.. calling each other names and being not really offended; always being there for each other; helping one another when one of them feels down. Sakura felt grateful that it was Ino who saw her crying that moment. It felt comforting to know that Ino was still her best friend. That nothing has changed between.

"You seem back to your old self." Ino said, pulling Sakura's hair a little harshly. "Care to tell me now what happened?"

Sakura laughed. "It's nothing really, pig. Now that I've think about it, it was really foolish of me crying like that. I was being absurd. Nothing to worry about."

Ino looked unconvinced but had dropped the subject. "I.. have something to tell you, Sakura."

"... What is it?"

"I.." Ino hesitated for a moment. She took a big breath. "I am going out with Sasuke now."

"Oh." was all Sakura had managed to say.

She already knew about it. But why does it hurt like I'm only hearing this for the first time?

"I want to know how you feel, Sakura."

"W-What do you mean?"

"I want to hear from you directly if you still have feelings for him. I know that you are going out with Neji now. But I want to know, have you really gotten over Sasuke? I know this sounds weird and mean asking you like this, but I want to know the truth."

Smile. "Of course." Sakura smiled. "I love Neji. I have no interest in Sasuke anymore."

Ino sighed in relief. "Then that's good. I won't feel guilty anymore."

"Ino, you really love him, don't you?"

"I do. I don't care what other people say about me. What matters to me is Sasuke, and that I am able to be with him. But it will hurt me if our relationship will cause you pain, Sakura." she playfully pulled her hair again. "Don't you dare laugh. That is how I really feel, forehead."

Laugh. Sakura laughed anyway. "You don't have to worry about me, pig."

When Ino was done with Sakura's make up, they both went out of the washroom. Ino went to look for Sasuke and Sakura excused herself to get a drink and to look for Neji. It was not later when he found him. He looked really worried. The moment he saw her, he instantly hugged her.

"Oof."

"Where have you been, Sakura? I was looking for you. I was afraid something happened."

Something really happened. "Forgive me for making you worry, Neji. I was chatting with Ino."

"Ino?" Neji asked as he led her to a nearby table.

"Yes. We talked a lot of things.. catching up with each other."

"I see." Neji sighed in relief. "I thought something bad happened to you."

Sakura laughed. "You are worrying too much, Neji-kun."

"Something queer must have happened."

"What made you say that?"

"This is the first time you called me 'Neji-kun'.. Not that I mind though." Neji looked away. "It makes me happy actually."

"Hmm.." Sakura hummed. Her eyes twinkled meaningfully.

"What?"

"Are you actually blushing?"

"I'm not."

"Eh? The great Hyugga Neji is blushing right now."

"I told you I'm not."

"So you liked being called Neji-kun, eh?"

"Only if called by you."

"Neji-kun."

"What?"

"Neji-kun."

"..."

"Neji-kun..."

"Sa-ku-ra.." Neji slowly said.

"Yes?" Sakura said, standing up from her chair. "Neji-kun?"

Sakura ran and Neji went after her. "Ran as fast as you can, Sakura. You know I'm a fast runner."

"Try me." Sakura stuck her tongue out.

Sakura ran as fast as she could. She ran around the function room and bumped into different people, apologizing along the way. She almost crashed to a waiter. Thank God for her super "ninja" reflexes. She ran to the garden but Neji was still close to her tail, and later on, to the residential area as the Hyugga had their houses abreast.

She ran and went inside the house where Neji was residing. She was a little familiar around that house where she could freely enter. She runs fast but Neji is also a speed to be reckoned with. She went upstairs and entered a random room and locked the door. The room turned out to be a cozy bedroom.

Looking around, she realized that it was Neji's room.

She giggled.

It was really neat and clean. No surprise there, though.

There was a queen sized bed with beige covers and a wooden drawer, with a lamp, was beside it. Opposite the bed was a study table, a computer set, and a bookshelf. There was door that probably leads to a bathroom and, to her surprise, there was also a walk-in closet.

"Hmm.." she hummed as she walked around the room.

She sat at his study table and opened a notebook that was on it. She randomly opened a page and realized that it was just his Calculus notebook. She giggled as she saw his handwriting. Even his penmanship was neat.

She also checked his bookshelf out. There were business management related books and a few medical books. It caught her interest and pulled one book that was about human anatomy, one of her favorites. She hummed appreciatively as she turned the pages. As she turned to another page, something fell. When she looked at it, it was a letter.

She felt intense curiosity but realized that she shouldn't be reading someone else's letter. Then she saw who it was for.

To: S

Eh, S?

She was about to open it when someone suddenly hugged her from behind. "So this is where you were hiding.."

"Hey!" Sakura laughed as she heard Neji's voice. She turned around to face him. "You found me. How'd you get in? I locked it!"

Neji chuckled. "This is my house, Sakura."

"Keh. By the way, I found this." Sakura lifted the letter she was holding in front of Neji. "Whose letter is this? Sorry, I went into your books and found this. I'm curious."

"Oh." Neji took the letter from her and put it in the small drawer he had in his study table. "It's nothing. Anyhow, we should head back now. I think the party is about to finish. Some guests have left already."

"Ah that's right." Sakura answered, forgetting all about the letter. She glanced at her watch. "It's late already."

"I will take you home."

"Ah.. Neji-kun.." Sakura interrupted. For some reasons, she couldn't meet his eyes. She looked down and fidgeted. "Can I.. If I'm not asking too much.. Can I stay the night?" she looked up at him and unknowingly made puppy eyes. "Of course, if.. if I would be a bother.. then I would understand. I know that you are.." she eyed his calculus notebook on his study table "studying (even though it is still Christmas break). I just want to spend some more time with you. But if it isn't possible then I have no problem with that. I will just-"

"Sakura," Neji cut her off. "Of course you may stay."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"As in really really?"

Neji chuckled. "I don't understand what you mean exactly by that.. but yes, as in 'really really'."

Sakura's face brightened up. "Thank you, Neji-kun!"

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When they got back to the party, there were only a few people left. Some of which where bidding goodbye and extending their gratitude being invited to the party. They saw Hinata speaking with a familiar blonde guy.

Neji's eyes narrowed. "Uzumaki." He was about to approach them when Sakura stepped in his way.

"Let them be, Neji-kun." Sakura chuckled.

"It seems to me that he is hitting on my cousin."

"You're so over-protective. They are just talking!"

"Hn."

When Naruto saw Sakura and Neji from a distance, he called out. "Sakura-chan!" He ran to them and instantly hugged Sakura. Neji glared at him but didn't say anything.

"Naruto.." Sakura returned the hug. "How are you?"

Naruto laughed out loud. "Same old same old."

"It's been ages since we've last met. How are you going with your school?"

Naruto was studying on a different school. They were classmates when they were high school but, as almost everyone went into different schools, they haven't seen each other since graduation.

"I'm doing fine, I guess." Naruto smiled boyishly. "More importantly.. I saw Sasuke a while ago." Sakura stiffened a little. "He told me to look for you. He said you seemed to be not feeling well."

"Oh, did he?" Sakura kept her voice straight. Smile. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Nothing to worry about." she said, smiling.

To the surprise of both of them, Neji suddenly butted in and put his arms around Sakura's shoulder. "Naruto." he greeted.

"Hey Neji." Naruto greeted back, eyeing Neji's arms questioningly and seemingly not aware of Sakura and Neji's relationship. "Um.."

"Oh. I take it you weren't informed?"

"You mean.." Naruto looked from Neji to Sakura. "You and Sakura-chan.."

Sakura nodded. Neji smirked.

"What?" Naruto exclaimed, pointing his fingers at Neji. "Damn you, Neji!"

Sakura laughed. "Naruto, calm down."

"I can't believe this. Since when?"

"Since graduation."

"I can't believe this." Naruto repeated.

"So.. If you'll excuse us. I haven't had some quality time with my girlfriend." Neji said, emphasizing the last word. "Ah and she'll be staying here tonight. If you get what I mean."

"Damn you Neji! Don't you dare lay your hands on Sakura!"

Sakura just laughed as she let Neji led her to his house. She waved goodbye at Naruto and said "See you later!"

When they reached his house, Neji opened the door and let her in.

"Um, Neji-kun.. about Sasuke.." Sakura started.

"Sakura.." Neji interrupted. "I know you have reasons for keeping it from me. I understand that. But please.." as he closed the door, he pulled her close to him. "Allow me to be selfish tonight. Do not speak of other men when you are with me."

Sakura blushed and nodded.

They spent the whole night chatting about random things. Neji had prepared tea which Sakura gladly accepted. Sakura learned many things about him as Neji doesn't really talk about himself that much. She made a mental note not to serve him anything spicy since she learned he has low tolerance for it. When she asked him about his studies, she noticed that he appeared to be more animated and he seemingly talked more. Sakura was happy that she was able to learn more about him. Whenever they were together before, it was she who was always saying something about herself. But that night, she found herself to be more interested in his hobbies and favorites and was happy listening to him talk about himself.

He talked about his family, about his late father Hizashi and about the main and branch families of the Hyugga Clan. He also talked about his hobby which is meditation and how health was important to which Sakura agreed. Sakura pointed out about his few medical books and Neji mentioned that it was also his hobby reading medical stuffs and invited Sakura to come over if she wanted to borrow and read the books he has.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to remember it." she yawned.

Neji chuckled. "Someone is sleepy."

They were lying on Neji's bed, his arms around and under her head acting as a pillow. Sakura was cuddled to him, her arms were wrapped around his torso, hugging him.

"Can't be helped." Sakura answered, cuddling even more closer.

"Sleep then, Sakura."

"What about you?"

"This prince will guard and protect you from the monsters under the bed."

"Monsters under the bed? Nyaa scary." Sakura laughed. She yawned again. "Then.. I'll be leaving the rest to you.."

"Leave it to me, princess."

Sakura chuckled sleepily. "Prince Neji-kun.. I.." her eyes were slowly closing. "..am not.. a worthy.. princess.."

Soon enough, Sakura fell asleep.

Neji smiled as he saw her.

"It is the other way around, Sakura. I am the unworthy prince."

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(A/N: Naruto Vol. 64 Ch. 614 broke my heart. Waaaa T^T)