Chapter 16

Sakura is running over to Neji's house to get some answers. Sakura is so convinced that Neji likes Takara and is confused on why he said he didn't.

"I'm just gonna go there and be polite and somehow bring up the reason I'm there," Sakura says in her head.

Sakura arrives at the Hyuga clan and quickly gets to where Neji is. Sakura knocks on the door.

"Coming!" says the quiet voice of Hinata.

Hinata opens the door and sees Sakura. "O- Oh Sakura! What brings you here today?"

"Hi Hinata, is Neji here?" Sakura asks.

"Yes," Hinata says. "I will go get brother Neji for you. Please come in."

"Sure, thank you," Sakura says.

Sakura enters the home. Hinata walks off to find Neji. While waiting, Sakura starts to think of what to say.

"N- Neji... You have a visitor," Hinata says.

"Who?" Neji asks while he's training.

"Sakura," Hinata says.

Neji puts a wet towel on his shoulder. "Bring her here."

"Okay," Hinata says. She runs to Sakura. "Brother Neji is outside, follow me."

Sakura follows Hinata to Neji. Neji looks over at Hinata and Sakura.

"Thanks Hinata," Neji says.

"I will leave you two alone," Hinata says and walks away.

Neji looks over to Sakura. "What brings you here?"

Sakura waits for Hinata to shut the door then looks at Neji. Her eyes turn into fire. "ARE YOU AN IDIOT NEJI?!"

"Whoa, what the hell Sakura?" Neji asks.

"YOU SAID YOU DON'T LIKE TAKARA, BUT YOU KNOW YOU DO DEEP DOWN!" Sakura yells.

"What are you talking about?" Neji asks.

"Takara heard you talking to Tenten. She heard you say you don't like her!" Sakura says.

Neji looks down. "Oh... She heard that...?"

"So you're not denying it?" Sakura says.

"I did say it but-," Neji says until Sakura cuts him off.

"What the hell Neji?! You show your sweet caring side to her and act all lovey-dovey just to NOT like her?" Sakura says.

"Let me finish," Neji says. "I only said that to Tenten so she'd stop asking me. She wouldn't stop badgering me about it. If I said I liked Takara, she would have made such a big deal about it. Tenten then said she had feelings for me, but I don't have feelings for her, she's like a sister to me. But Sakura... I, I really do like Takara."

Sakura gasps. "I knew it! You just didn't want to admit it to Tenten. Oh Takara will be so happy! I can't wait to tell her-"

"No!" Neji says. "Don't... please."

"Why not?" Sakura asks. "I went to visit Takara and the second your name came up, she dropped to her knees and started bawling her eyes out! Every time she heard your name she'd cry more. She was so devastated thinking that you didn't like her. You do know she likes you, like a lot, right?"

"I had a feeling," Neji says. "I tried to hide my feelings, but I just couldn't. This is my first time ever liking a girl. There were so many times where I just wanted to lean over and kiss her, but I knew I couldn't."

"Instead of telling me this, why don't you tell Takara all this," Sakura says.

"I can't! I've never been in love, I know I'll just mess things up," Neji says with his face turning red.

"Neji, trust me, you will not mess things up," Sakura says. "Takara really likes you and will be overwhelmed with joy if you tell her the truth. Right now she's the complete opposite. She's in her pajamas bawling her eyes out at this second."

Neji looks down, feeling ashamed knowing Takara is at home depressed because of him. "I can't believe I made her feel like that. I feel absolutely horrible."

"You need to go visit her A.S.A.P!" Sakura says. "I'll give you a couple tips, her favorite flowers are purple pansies. I remember she said whenever she falls in love that she hopes the guy or girl takes her under the moonlight, and just sweet talks her ear off. Take that into consideration, I'll see you around."

Sakura turns around and leaves Neji. Neji just watches her leave not knowing what to think.

"Damn it! I wish Takara didn't hear that. But how did she hear it? Was she somehow nearby just at the wrong time?" Neji says in his head. Then Neji remembers their conversation from earlier. "Well, I guess I'll let you go meet up with Team Guy. I'm gonna freshen up and maybe shop around a little" Neji's eyes get big. "She must have been walking around and heard me! Damn it! Ugh, I have to tell her soon, I hate knowing she's feeling down, I guess I can go visit Yamanaka Flowers and see if they have any purple pansies..."

Neji goes inside his house and changes back into his everyday outfit. "Purple pansies... Under the moonlight.. God, do I do it tonight?"

Neji then leaves his house and starts to head over to Yamanaka Flowers. The flower shop was up and running until Pain destroyed the Leaf Village. After his attack, the Yamanaka's have been trying their hardest to keep business blooming. Neji is hoping that they have the beautiful purple pansy that Takara loves.

Neji walks inside the flower shop and is greeted by a cheerful Ino.

"Hi Neji! What brings you here?" Ino asks. Ino gasps. "Did you FINALLY fall in love? Or did someone die? Or are you going to-"

"Ino, please..." Neji says quietly. "Do you have any purple pansies?"

"Did you know Takara loves purple pansies?" Ino asks.

"She does, huh?" Neji says, trying to act dumb.

"Do you think she put that purple streak in her black hair to look like a purple pansy?" Ino asks.

Neji laughs. "I'm not sure but maybe you can ask her next time you see her."

"I will!" Ino says. "Oh yeah, let me look around for purple pansies, stay right there!"

Ino then walks off to look for some purple pansies. Neji looks around feeling so awkward. Neji has never bought flowers for anyone. He just hopes Ino can find them quickly.

"Ah, here we go!" Ino says.

Neji looks over at Ino. "Found some?"

"Yes! These babies are fresh! I'll make you a bouquet!" Ino says and picks up some flowers.

Neji's face starts to turn red as the reality of everything is hitting him. He's buying flowers for the first time and for the first girl he's ever liked. He plans on asking her out possibly later during the day.

"Okay Neji, I'm finished. Get your butt over here," Ino says. Neji turns around to look at her with an annoyed look. He then walks over to Ino. "Okay, here's what I made. I put 5 purple pansies in with 4 blue ones. Should I add 3 red roses?"

"Why would you add 3 red roses?" Neji asks.

"Three red roses means 'I love you'," Ino explains.

Neji's cheeks turn red. "No, that's fine. This is good."

"Should I add a little card to it?" Ino asks with a wink.

Neji's face keeps turning red. "No. Just this, please. How much?"

"Hmm, tell you what," Ino says. "If you tell me who these are for, I'll give you a discount."

"WHAT?" Neji says. "How much is it normally?"

"7,418 yen," Ino says.

"Um, out of curiosity, how much is that discount?" Neji asks.

"I'll knock it down to 2967 yen," Ino says.

Neji takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.

"They're for Takara," Neji says quietly.

"For Takara?" Ino asks excitedly. "Ooooh!"

"Yes, now please don't tell anyone! Only you and Sakura know," Neji says then opens up his eyes.

Neji pays Ino and he walks out of the flower shop with his face still being bright red. He looks around and he runs back into the shop. Ino looks up at him with a cocked eyebrow.

"You okay Neji?" Ino asks.

"Y- Yeah..," Neji says. "Why does Tenten have to be around? If she sees me with flowers..."

Just then, Tenten walks into the store. Neji's eyes get big and he tries to hide behind a huge stand of flowers. Tenten walks up to Ino. When Neji sees Tenten's back, he figures that this is his chance so he darts out of the shop. Tenten looked back because she heard footsteps and heard the door.

"What was that?" Tenten asks.

"Oh, it was just Neji, he came in here and bought flowers for-," Ino says until she realized what she was saying. She covers her mouth with her hands.

"W- what did you just say? Neji? Bought flowers?" Tenten asks.

"Um.. no?" Ino says with her face turning red. "Damn it!"

"Ino?" Tenten asks. "Did Neji buy flowers?"

Ino sighs. "Yes. But he promised me not to tell anyone who they're for."

"That Neji is so mysterious," Tenten says. "Can I ask, are they for me?"

"No," Ino says.

Tenten's face drops. "Damn it. He told me he doesn't like me and Takara, so I wonder who the flowers are for?"

Just then, a customer walks inside the shop. Ino takes this opportunity to dodge Tenten's questions and goes up to the customer.

"Hello! I'm Ino and welcome to the Yamanaka Flower Shop! What can I help you with?"

Tenten sighs. "I think Neji lied about his feelings for Takara..."