Where should I go?

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After that fateful day, Sakura had stopped visiting the computer shop. For her to enjoy the remaining days of her summer vacation, she would call Sasuke, Naruto or anyone in her group of friends to come by her house or just window shopping at nearby malls.

The three of Sakura's closest boy friends have noticed that she was trying so hard to forget the words of distrust that Gaara left for her to hear. And every time someone among their friends would bring up Gaara's name, she'll instantly get quiet and would sometimes ask them to stop before any unwanted discussion flared up.

Temari had tried to console Sakura's heart for Gaara, but all her methods were futile. There was even a point that they were almost on the verge of ruining their so-called friendship just so to appease Sakura's boiling blood against Gaara. Nonetheless, they still remained friends but neither would start any topic that involves Gaara.

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Third week of May - enrollment for fourth year, graduating students.

Student assistants and faculty staffs teaching fourth year students were assigned in their designated positions to help students to enroll for the year. With all the incoming fourth year students gathered, it would take long hours to finish such activity. Additionally, the weather during the day did not help either. It was summer and the humidity is slightly tolerable.

"Sasuke-kun!!"

Sasuke jerked his head to where the voice was. Sakura was walking towards him with a bright sunny smile on her face. Deep inside his heart, he felt pleased just by here mere smiles.

She hopped until she was beside him. "Yoh!"

A raised brow. "Are you done enrolling?"

"Yeah." A pout. "It was just too long! Next time I'll ask my mom to line up for me."

Sasuke laughed then flicked her forehead with his finger. "Would you act like a baby when you went in a university?"

Sakura pursed her lips and nursed the spot where Sasuke flicked his finger. "Well who said that I'll enroll myself somewhere far from my hometown?"

Sasuke offered his Coke since Sakura had just completed all the process during the enrollment. Sakura gladly took his drink and didn't vacillate to sip on the same straw which Sasuke used to drink. She stared at the long line and was glad for herself that she managed to finish before noon.

"Let's go over there and wait for the others." Sasuke suggested as he tugged Sakura's finger.

While they were walking towards the plant box faraway from the enrollment area, Sasuke resumed the conversation.

"Which university are you going to attend?" He started. Sakura handed him his drink. When he sipped, he noticed that it barely have anything to drink at all. He scowled at Sakura. "What am I? A trash bin?"

"Hahahahaha! I'm just kidding!" She grabbed the empty drink and threw it on a trash bin. She hopped giddily towards his location as she responded from the previous inquiry. "I wanna take Programming or anything that can be related to producing a game because I want to create my own game in the future."

Sasuke smiled. "It's glad to know that you have already set a direction."

She looked at him quizzically then placed her hand on his knee. "What course are you going to take?"

Sasuke have gotten used to her skin contact mannerisms. Somehow, he was the only one in her boy friends that she got all the confidence to get this close and casual.

"Business management I think." Sasuke's eyes darted to the side as he continued. "I wanna hold some of my parents' business like what my brother is doing."

Sakura pulled her hand and placed it on her hip. "Wow." Sasuke looked up to her. "Everybody in your family is in business. Are you guys planning to take the world?"

He chuckled at the thought. Never mind what her innocent lips would sputter, she knew exactly why he chose that path. It wasn't like his father is forcing him to become like them – he just wanted to help his family and do whatever he can to widen it. When Sakura got tired from standing, she took her spot and sat beside him.

"I can imagine you becoming workaholic when you work in the future." She lifted her finger and draw a wide 'U' curve underneath his right eye. "Then there will be two eye bags in each eye." Then she pulled his cheek down. "This cheek will be saggy." Then she pressed her palm on either side of his cheeks. "Then you'll get this thin!"

With his sandwiched face between her soft palms, Sasuke stared lazily at her. "Are you done molesting my face?"

Her smiled turned wider before she withdrew her hands and giggled at him. She teased him for being so conscious of his pretty face. She only did those things because she wanted to warn him of what work can do to somebody especially when health is neglected.

Peaceful silence consumed the minutes that tick by. They enjoyed it. It felt as though they haven't done this in ages after so many things happened. It was just that despite being able to hang out with each other everyday, the feeling of serenity was rarely present. They were both thankful to be given a time like this, of all places in fact.

"Sasuke?"

"Hmm?"

"May I ask you something?"

He stared at her at the corner of his eyes. "You're already asking."

She pouted and decided to ignore his remark. "From all these years I've known you, you never told me about your crush or something along the lines of having fallen in love."

A raised brow. "So?"

Sakura sighed. "Well…"

He waited.

"I think you're a retard."

He glared at her. "Oh really."

She stared at her and took time before she smiled at him then laughed at his face. Sasuke still bore the same scowl on his face until Sakura have calmed down from making fun of him. There were only giggles and small chuckles until she finally found her voice to elaborate what she meant.

"You never talked about somebody you like."

Sasuke sighed.

Why of all times must she ask something as difficult as this? Of course, he liked her - a lot, but is only afraid to tell her. He's not ready. Or more like, he's afraid of that future where he hurts her and he won't be able to do nothing. So instead of answering, he would try to stall some time.

"So you're saying that some of the guys have this 'syndrome' to anybody?"

Sakura glared at him. "Having a crush is not an illness Sasuke – it's a natural reaction of feelings."

He raised a brow. "It's only admiration. You admire physical appearance or kindness of his or her heart, that's all."

"But sometimes a crush can also get to true feelings."

"It rarely happens, Sakura."

"Oh no you're wrong."

"Ah so you're saying that the thing you have for aniki (older brother) can go to that level?"

Sakura's lips immediately zipped when the issue Sasuke opened got in her mind. A faint blush splashed across her cheek as she thought of Sasuke's brother – Itachi.

"Itachi-nii-san is just my childhood crush, until now, but—" She sighed. "It never crossed my mind that I would feel something for him other than just admiration."

Sasuke looked at her by the corner of his eyes before he responded. "You'll never know."

Sakura was about to sigh – as though to end the discussion since she didn't have anything to say anymore – when she finally recalled the main topic of discussion. With a huff and hopped until she stood in front of him again, she raised a finger and pointed it at him.

"God damn it! You are so sly Uchiha Sasuke!"

Sasuke laughed before he struck his tongue at her. "Got back at you."

Sakura slapped his forehead playfully using her backhand and then jumped back to avoid being hit in return by Sasuke.

"That hurts."

She walked towards him and softly touched the spot where she hit him and apologized in whispers. Sasuke looked up at her and sent her a smile. Smiling in return, she sat once again and watched students walking to and fro.

"You just don't want to talk about it, aren't you?"

"…"

"That girl must be special."

"It's just the same as the time when his name became a taboo."

Sakura's eyes were wide after he bravely brought up that topic. Sasuke was aware of what he had said but he knew what he was doing. He didn't like the idea of her getting mad at up just because he brought up that topic, but surely, avoiding an unfinished business have been dragging her down for weeks - he knew that because he had known her for so long.

She had kept a long stare before she settled her eyes on her fisted hands atop her thighs.

"It doesn't hurt so much, but I've finally settled my decision."

"If you don't mind me saying this," he shifted in his seat before he continued, "He regretted what he said. He was just afraid of that thought of love through influence."

"But that doesn't compensate what he had said."

"It already did."

She looked at him with eyes threatening for every word he would dare say.

Sasuke continued while he dared look back at her eyes. "He truly loved you and until now he still loves you." He didn't even wonder why his heart ache from what he said.

Sakura had retreat her warning eyes from him. "My heart doesn't feel the same way now."

His heart would certainly break if those words were directed to him. He's lucky.

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First week of June finally came as first day of class's ignited excitement in students' hearts.

Several students swarmed the bulletin board to see which section they belonged. Most of the fourth year students have a blazing feeling as some expected they have done so well they should be in the star section. Some hopes were granted and some were not.

Sasuke, Naruto and Neji with Kiba and Shikamaru in tow walked towards the same flocked location to look for their classrooms.

"Chouji's running late." Kiba said as he looked over his shoulder.

Shikamaru needed not looked his name on the bulletin board – he knew exactly where he belonged. Neji just wanted to confirm where he would be for the rest of the year so he went on and looked for his name. Sasuke and Naruto bickered as to whom will remain in Class 2 for the rest of their lives. In all truth, both have gradually learned to get serious when studying. Sasuke was originally from the star section ever since first year but he got in lots of troubles in second year that he was sent down to Class 2. Same goes with Naruto but sometimes it was because of his average set of failing marks. He was lucky that he wasn't sent in Class 4 – the lowest section.

As they neared the bulletin board and found their names and classrooms, Sasuke and Naruto almost had the same reactions.

"It's the end of the world."

"Whoa am I dreaming?"

"What's happening?" Kiba jumped in and tried to search for his name as well.

Naruto had a huge grin on his face. As he was preparing to punch Sasuke in the face, he instantly noticed his friend's eyes still glued on the board.

"Aren't ya happy that we're all stuck in Class 1?"

"There are two transferees in our class."

Kiba and Naruto tried searching for new names while they struggled to keep their balance from the mass of students. Their hunt was never successful as a Student Council member announced for the Flag Ceremony.

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With all students from first year to fourth year lined up in their respective positions and listening to further announcements for the day, Sakura stood behind Temari and the lone girl from another section. The short black haired female student has never spoken a word or even looked at her. Sakura wondered if this girl ever had a friend.

Sakura tapped the girl's shoulder and whispered. "Excuse me…"

The black haired girl shyly looked over her shoulder to where Sakura's hand softly placed. "…yes?"

"Which class did you belong last year?"

"…Class 4…"

Sakura was amazed. From the lowest section in their year, this girl managed to get to the star section in just a year! She vaguely wondered if this girl belonged to Class 1 during her first year.

"Wow you're good!" She whispered cheerfully.

The girl meekly smiled at her. Sakura could even point out the pink blush on the girl's cheeks. Seeing as this girl wasn't intolerable, Sakura thought of befriending her. Extending her hand, she beamed at the girl and introduced herself.

"I'm Haruno Sakura."

The girl slightly turned to the side and clasped Sakura's awaiting hand. "I'm… Hyuuga Hinata."

Just by hearing her last name, Sakura could only gape at the timid Hyuuga.

"Sakura-san, are you alright?" Hinata worriedly asked.

Sakura pulled Hinata's hand to whisper at her. "I never knew that Neji has a sister."

"I'm not his sister…" She smiled. "I'm his first degree cousin."

"Ohh…"

Their short introduction was cut short when Temari told them that the announcement has finally finished and students have to go to their respective classrooms.

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They were listening to their homeroom adviser and English teacher, Yuuhi Kurenai, as she explained her syllabus for the year. They have done re-introducing themselves awhile ago and Kurenai needed not an arranged seat plan to memorize the name of her students. She told them that they can sit wherever they want during her class but she hoped that they'll maintain discipline and class participation. The class gave their words and they were somehow given freedom to spend the rest of the time to chat for a while.

Hinata was sitting quietly behind the class, by the window, as she engrossed herself by reading a romance novel. Sakura looked at Hinata for a moment before she stood and walked towards the vacant seat behind Neji.

"Psst! Neji!" She hissed.

Neji turned at her, his brows raised.

"I didn't know you have a cousin."

Tentatively, he looked to where Hinata was sitting and then resumed talking with Sakura. "Well, you never asked."

"She was in Class 4 last year, why?"

Neji shrugged his shoulders. "She's lacking confidence and doesn't have friends. She tried to adapt every environment she was put into but she never conquered her shyness."

"I see… most of our activities in second year were group projects… does that mean she wasn't able to cooperate?"

Neji pursed bit his lip, thinking. "I really don't know. But I think every time she tried to befriend with her groupmates the more it had been complicated for her."

She pouted. "I don't understand."

"I rarely talk to her so I can't explain well."

"Hmmm…" Then she smiled. "Okay, thanks."

Sakura was about to go back to her seat to chat with Naruto or Sasuke but when she looked at Hinata, she changed her mind. It's not like she pitied the girl, she's just curious why she wasn't able to be friends with anybody. As she dragged a vacant seat and sat beside Hinata, she called her.

"Hello."

Hinata looked at her. "Sakura-san!"

Sakura pouted. "I feel so old. You can just call me Sakura."

"Oh… okay."

Sakura glanced at the book that Hinata was reading a while ago. "What are you reading?"

"Oh this?" She showed the title of the book. "It's a romance novel. I just bought this yesterday."

"Oh so you like this kind of stories?"

Hinata blushed. "It's better than horror stories though."

Sakura smiled. "Yeah, horror stories sometimes invade my nightmares too."

Hinata giggled. "So you like reading books too?"

"I seldom read, really. But I like mythologies a lot."

"I rarely meet someone who liked those kinds of stories." She was not only amazed but also curious as why Sakura would be so interested about myths.

Sakura gave her a wide smile. "Well that's because some of the games adopted mythologies. Even some movies too you know." Sakura placed her elbow on the desk to support her chin. "Have you played any computer games?"

Hinata shyly bowed before shaking it from side to side.

"Oh I see." Sakura looked thoughtful for a while. "Since we don't have any assignments yet, you can drop by my house and I'll teach you some game."

"Huh?"

"And I'll even tell Neji to lend his playstation to you if you enjoy it!"

While the girls chatter on, two pairs of black eyes stared interestingly at one of them.

To be continued…

Author's Note: Finally able to get Hinata in the story! Even so, what would Sakura do to help Hinata? And would she be able to face Gaara and finally put an end from their once happy moments together?