The next day was like any other day. Naruto did his usual routine of waiting by the bench till 10:30. Except, this time, he wasn't nervous and jumpy because he was going to see Sakura…it was because he would be meeting his classmate, Hyuuga Hinata tonight. As soon as his watch beeped, he saw Hinata slide through the small gap between the gates of the cemetery and approach him. Naruto greeted her with his usual face-splitting grin as he locked up behind her. Grabbing his flashlight and Hinata's hand, he proceeded to lead her to where Sakura would be waiting.

As soon as Naruto had touched her, Hinata fought to keep her blush down. TO distract herself, she began to talk.

"So, Naruto…thank you for letting me come today." Hinata's voice was quiet, but Naruto could hear it perfectly in the deathly stillness of the night air.

"Nah, it's not a problem. Though I'm glad you're here…it gets really creepy here at night!" He grinned even wider.

Hinata smiled back at him. "Ok, it's time to keep up my end of the bargain. This is what I think happened, only…I'm not quite sure if it's the whole story. So…here goes."

x-x-x

Sakura and Neji were so happy to be reunited that they wanted to start their new life together as soon as possible. Neji bought a ring; Sakura moved in with him; and wedding invitations were sent to all of their friends. It would be a small but wonderful ceremony, taking place in a neighbourhood park. Sakura knew that it might seem like they were rushing things a bit, but she couldn't wait. The happiness that had been denied to her five years ago was finally within her grasp.

Neji, a young lawyer, had finally gotten his big break – a case with his firm. He had worked hours and hours, and had emerged victorious from the courtroom. And, now, the offers were pouring in; all the big companies wanted him to represent them as a corporate lawyer. Excited, he called Sakura and asked her to meet him outside his office. It was getting late, but he knew that she would want to hear all about his triumph. Imagining the proud look on her face, Neji faced the reporters in front of the courtroom with a bright smile.

When Sakura got the call, she had been celebrating wildly in front of the television with a big glass of wine – her fourth that night. Sure, things were starting to get a little dizzy, but she didn't care. She was the happiest woman on the planet, and nothing could go wrong. She dressed hurriedly, and ran all the way to Neji's office.

What should have been a forty-five minute walk had turned into a panicky sprint. Sakura had been living with Neji for two weeks since their reunification and she wasn't completely used to the neighbourhood. She began to wander slowly, looking for the street that she must have missed in her excitement. The wine she'd had earlier wasn't helping matters either…every direction started to look the same.

Finally, when Sakura was about to give up all hope, her cell phone rang. She jumped in surprise as she felt her pocket vibrate; she had forgotten that she had it with her! It was Neji on the other line, asking her where she was. She quickly turned to find the street names, and relayed them to her lover.

Neji was a bit worried. He didn't think Sakura was the type to get lost so easily, especially when the path to his office was relatively straightforward. He gave her directions to the nearby park, and started walking there himself to meet her there. He stayed on the line with her to make sure that she was going the right way…when the connection started to die. Oh, he'd forgotten to charge the batteries, with a last statement to his beloved, Neji cut the connection and began to walk faster to the park.

Sakura smiled goofily as Neji's words floated through her mind again and again.

"Hey Sakura, I can't wait to see you soon."

"Me too! I'm so lucky that you called me just when I was getting lost! I guess your Sakura-senses were tingling, huh?"

"Heh, yeah, that must be it…oh, my battery is dying."

"oh…"

"Sakura, when you get to the park, wait for me."

-click-

"Sure Neji, I'll always wait for you…" Sakura thought to herself as she walked faster.

She never made it to the park.

x-x-x

Naruto gaped at Hinata. "WHAT?! What happened to her!?"

Hinata shook her head sadly. "I don't know. She was killed, but I don't know the details at all…Neji…he…didn't..." Hinata choked back a sob and Naruto's hand tightened around her's.

"Don't worry Hinata. Tonight is the night we can finally help Sakura…" Naruto was now more determined than ever!

Sure enough, as the pair of teenagers rounded the corner, they were met with the lovely sight that was Sakura. She was in her usual spot, plucking away at her red roses. Hinata tugged her hand from Naruto's grasp and slowly approached the apparition. Naruto stayed back, deciding not to interfere.

Hinata was definitely out of character tonight. First, talking to Naruto. Second, sneaking out to see him in a graveyard. Third, approaching a dead woman's ghost. Fourth, and perhaps most important, speaking first. Yes, Hinata was definitely becoming a very brave soul tonight.

"…Sakura?" Hinata's voice was quiet as ever, but the ghost's head whipped around to stare. "My name is Hinata. Hyuuga Hinata."

Sakura's hands never stopped moving as she stood up. "Hyuuga? Like, the Hyuuga family? Do you know…"

"Neji is my older cousin. I've known him since I was born…" Hinata was relieved that this was the correct thing to say as Sakura's face split into a huge grin. The ghost reached to hug the smaller girl, who shivered as Sakura's pale arms sank through her skin.

Hinata stepped back and smiled. "Sakura…Neji has told me so much about you. I'm sorry that I never met you, but I'm sure you know the reason for that. I'm part of the Main House, and I wasn't able to contact him during…the time that you two were together. But, recently…very recently, we have started talking and…"

Sakura's grin shrank into a pleased smile. "I'm so glad! Neji was always upset about being cut off from the Hyuuga family when he decided that he would marry me and become a lawyer. I always thought that the feud would end quickly…but your uncle and Neji are both very, very stubborn people…"

"I know! I remember when…" Hinata started as she took a seat on the bench. Following the cue, Sakura sat down as well. Naruto walked over and sat on the grass beside Hinata's side of the bench, listening to the two women chat about Neji.

Then time passed quickly, and Sakura's were all gone. Hinata was upset as she watched Sakura disappear, but the warmth of Naruto's hand brought her comfort. She promised that she would come with him every night.

Naruto thought about Hinata's offer for a few seconds. "I would love it if you did come, but, to be honest, I was hoping you would do something for me…?"

Hinata was unsure of what her reaction should be. What exactly could Naruto want from her? She voiced this concern, and watched him think for a minute.

"Maybe, you could ask Neji to come here tomorrow and explain why exactly Sakura has been waiting for him for all this time?" Naruto's voice betrayed how little he thought of Neji.

Hinata squeezed his hand gently and replied, "Sure, no problem. We'll be here tomorrow night at the same time. Goodnight Naruto."

With a cheery wave, Hinata departed, not looking back once. If she had, Hinata would have seen Naruto staring at her with happiness.

A/N: Um...I'm still alive. I forgot all about to focus on work until I received some awesome emails from people adding my stories to their favourites list...which reminded to post the rest of this story. I edited a little bit so that it makes more sense. And, yeah, it's done, but please review! It makes me feel good and reminds me to update! =)