-

Two hours ago, I just arrived to our home. I didn't feel real well, that's why I decided to go directly to our house's music room and played the piano.

"You seem sad," someone said from behind. I turned to look at my dad as I tried to smile and shook my head. "Ino, sweetheart, I thought you'd be happier that you're out of that school."

"I'm just probably tired," I lied, and he knew it. He also knew that a two-hour flight could not bring me down. "Yeah, that's probably it."

But in reality, I was sad. Why didn't I feel happy… or even glad? I was supposed to be happy because I was finally free from that totalitarian
school.

"Your conscience is kicking in?" he finally asked as daddy held my hand. "It was hard for you to leave him behind, wasn't it?"

"He said I was making his life harder than it already was," I stated as I felt discomfort. Yes, damn right it was my conscience that made me feel worse about myself… I felt very selfish for leaving him behind. "So, this should be better. You know I hate being a burden to anyone."

He wasn't even there when we were leaving. Although, I was also thankful that he wasn't because I wouldn't know what to say to him - not after I made the decision of leaving that school.

"You didn't exactly answer my question, dear," he reminded me. "So, was it hard?"

"I probably didn't want to answer that question, that's why I avoided it," I told him as I stood up from the piano bench. "Daddy, I won't sit for dinner tonight."

I started walking, ready to exit the music, but stopped when I was at the door, "Dad, I don't want to stay here in Japan anymore. Send me to Europe… or anywhere else that's faraway from here."

My daddy nodded, "I understand."

I continued walking and headed straight to my room.

I entered my room and lied on the bed. All memories I had with Sasuke started coming back in my head and I hated it… well, kind of. I couldn't say that I hated everything about that school, because that's not true.

My phone started vibrating furiously because of an incoming call. I looked at the screen and the number wasn't stored in my phonebook.

I had a dilemma whether I would answer this or not, but I realized one thing: I was wanting and expecting this caller to be a specific someone.

I answered, "Hello?"

"It's me," a male's voice responded.

"Sas-…" I was about to say his name but he cut me off and actually saved me from humiliation.

"-No, it's Neji."

"Oh," I sounded pretty disappointed and even Neji could feel it. "Hello, Neji."

"You didn't tell me you were leaving."

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "It was all urgent… I know we just saw each other yesterday when you gave me a ride back to the dorm. I didn't have the chance to say goodbye to you."

"How do you feel now that you're home?"

"Fine."

"You're lying," he accused. "You don't sound like that at all."

"How did you get my number?" I tried to change the subject.

"I got my sources."

"Did you break into my counselor's computer and look at my information?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Ms. Yamanaka," he said and I couldn't help but smile. "I wouldn't break into anywhere just to get your info."

"Well, true," I agreed. "Sneaking doesn't suit you. You're too egotistical for that. You didn't happen to beg to get my cellphone number, did you?"

"No."

"Good, cause begging doesn't suit you either."

"The library has your number because you worked there for your detention."

I kept quiet and waited for him to open a new subject.

"By the way, which college do you plan to go now?"

"Somewhere far from here."

"You're leaving?"

"Goodbye, Neji. I have to go."

I ended the conversation by pressing the red button. As of now, I didn't want anyone to know where I would be at, except my dad. I just wanted to leave Japan and start anew.

&

"Are you sure about this?" daddy questioned me as he looked at the private plane in front of us. I figured that it would be less annoying and more comfortable if I would just use one of our family's planes. "And did you even tell anyone where you're going?"

"I'm serious about this, dad," I paused to give him the best smile - I tried, but I ended up giving him an obvious fake smile. "I told Neji but I didn't tell him where I'll be going - I'll probably tell him when I get there."

"It's amazing how depress you are by leaving Sasuke behind," he told me what's on his mind. He walked toward me and put his hand on my shoulder. "Tell me, Ino, how do you feel about him?"

"Truth is, I miss him," I pressed my lips together and avoided my dad's gaze. This wasn't easy for me, I felt that I had not been my true self since I had a talk with him in the school's cafeteria. "And…"

"And?" he waited for me to continue. "Say it, darling."

"And…" I braced myself and continued, hoping my dad wouldn't see right through me, "And that he was important to me."

"Do you want to see him again?"

I shrugged. "I'm not sure."

My daddy hugged me, "Well, my princess, be careful in Monaco."

I hugged back and felt the love of the most constant person of my life, "I sure will. Visit me soon, daddy."

"Absolutely," he smiled at me.

I waved him goodbye and boarded on the private plane. I sat on one of the empty seats and asked the stewardess for some water. "Can you get me some water?"

"Gladly," she smiled at me as she carefully handed me the glass of water. "Here, Miss."

"Thank you."

"Anytime, Miss Yamanaka."

"Um, have you been to Monaco?" I randomly asked the stewardess because I had never been there. I just threw some dart on the map last night to decide where I'd spend my life for the next three years. I thought it would be the perfect place because they spoke French - and I had been fluent in that language, so communicating wouldn't be too hard. A very small country and not crowded at all - it would be perfect and I'd sure to enjoy the quality of life over there.

"I apologize but I have never been there, Miss," she said. "Do you plan to study there?"

"Yes but no," I retorted and I could see the confusion in her face. "College professors from top-ranking universities will come to the house to teach and train me, so it's like home study."

&

The mansion daddy bought was good enough, it was not perfectly perfect but I could live with it. He told me if I wanted a larger house, I would need to wait that's why I just agreed to this one. Eight beds, nine and half baths – I thought this would do.

As I was about to go upstairs, one of the maids walked directly to me, "Dame, prenez ce téléphone portable pour votre usage personnel."

She handed me the cellphone and smiled at her, "Merci."

When I took the phone, I thought I should call one person – not Sasuke, but Neji. I realized that he was the one who cared enough to call me before leaving Japan. Okay, I had to admit that I was pretty pathetically sad that Sasuke hadn't reached me yet and it'd been two days.

I browsed through the recent calls and pressed the number he just used to call me yesterday. After a couple of rings he finally picked up, "Who's this?"

"It's Ino."

"Your area code is a European area code."

"I already left Japan this morning."

"Where are you?"

"Monaco."

"Has Uchiha tried to reach you yet?"

I kept quiet. And Neji knew that meant 'No, he hasn't.'

"Should I tell him if he asked me?"

"Did he ask you about me?" I was hoping he would say yes.

"No," he was careful not to disappoint me but he knew I'd be. "Do you want to talk to him?"

"If he wanted to talk to me, he would have reached me before you did."

"I was asking you, not him."

"If he didn't want to talk to me, I would not wanna talk to him either."

"Have it your way."

I smiled – I realized that even after these shitstorms, I still had a friend that would be there for me. Honestly, I didn't know many thing about Neji, but I felt that he would not hurt me. Because of him, I somewhat felt that I wasn't alone in this.

"Neji?"

"Hm?"

"You won't get tired of me after two months, right?"

"I'll stay by you."

Translations:

"Dame, prenez ce téléphone portable pour votre usage personnel." - "Lady, take this mobile phone for personal use."

"Merci." - "Thanks."

A/N: Yeah, it was pretty horrible that I wasn't able to update for more than two months. But I REALLY promise to update this next week – I am half-way done with the next chapter. Reviews and flames are very acceptable! :)