When this year came to an end is a great question to me. It was so eventful that I didn't even realize today is 31st night. Ino corrected my kimono touching up my makeup as I looked at my reflection admiringly. There was a diamond ring on my ring finger which Gaara proposed me with. I can't believe he is my fiance now. I was single just a month back. And now I have such a great fiance. I smiled with happiness while still looking at my reflection.

Ino : Someone is smiling so much. What's the matter? *mockingly*

Me : N-Nothing *blushing*

Ino : Thinking about Gaara huh?

Me : No *pouts*

Ino : Then Sasuke?

Me : Don't take his name!

Ino : Fine. Fine. Don't get hyper. But tell me.... Are you really sure... That you don't have any feelings left for Sasuke?

Me : ( standing I turned around and glared at her) What you think?

Ino : Listen. It would be cheating on Gaara....you know..

Me : Even if I have. I would never hurt Gaara. I can't....

Ino : Hope you accepted his proposal out of your own happiness. And not cause you don't want to upset him.

Me : That doesn't matter. All that matters is he loves me. And we're going to get married. Don't worry I won't cheat on him... If you think that.

Ino : I didn't mean that Sakura....

Me : I think Sai is here. You should get going.

Ino : Yea.

Few hours later....

This new year for some reason reminds me of the incident four years ago. Though the place is the same. But everything has changed. Naruto who used to flirt with me back then has a wife now. Shikamaru and Temari also got married. And even Choji found someone during the marriage ceremony. As for me, I put my arm inside Gaara's while keeping my head on his shoulder as we walked to different stalls. He brought me a mask as I wore it along with him.

We decided to visit the shrine first before going somewhere else. After standing in a long line we prayed for our good health offering coins in the box. We were coming out when we saw a fortune teller. Though I don't believe in these stuffs still I walked up to him after being requested by everyone.

Fortune teller : Expect the unexpected.

He looks at his so called magic ball while telling this.

Me : What does it even mean?

Fortune teller : You will soon understand it.

Disappointed I rejoined with my group.

Naruto : What he said?

Me : Nothing. Fake stuffs. Let's eat something am so hungry! Aren't you people hungry??

Ino : Am in!

Tenten : Food with sake tastes even better!!

In the restaurant we ordered our usual stuffs for new year eve. Osechi-ryori, Mochi and roni. Along with sakes. After emptying some bottles we left to watch the fireworks. Everything felt same. The light works, clear sky, food everything... Reminded me of the 4 year old incident as I grabbed Gaara's hand tightly.

Gaara : What happened?

Me : N-Nothing... Just remembered something...

Gaara : Want to drink some water?

Me : Yea... Sure... Thanks

He makes me sit on a bench as he walks off to buy water. I was waiting for him while looking lost at the crowd remembering how Sasuke insulted me that day in front of everyone when I saw that bastard walking at my direction while chatting with Itachi.

Feeling uncomfortable I got up from the bench and was about to leave when he called out my name.

Sasuke : Sakura?? Is that you?....

Without turning I was about to leave when he caught hold of my hand.

Sasuke : Please... Listen to me... For ones... *sighs* Please...

Me : (turning around) Go away Sasuke. I hate you. Haven't you  already done enough to me?

Sasuke : For the last time. Please... I promise to go away after that....

Me : Fine. but be quick.

Sasuke : Not here. Let's go somewhere quiet.

Me : So that you can rape me?

Sasuke : I won't do anything I promise.

Me : Ok.

Sasuke : (looks at Itachi) Can I get a minute with her?

Itachi : Take care of Sakura. Or else I won't ever forgive you.

He takes me to a quiet place as he holds my hand.

Me : What is it?

Sasuke : Am... Sorry.... I did a great mistake by losing you... I was being a asshole... But whatever I did was due to jealousy...

"What is he talking about?"

Sasuke : (taking a deep breath) After that day I was wandering from place to place. When one day while I sat on the side of the road smoking I met Naruto.

Me : Naruto? What was he doing there?? And why he never told me about anything?

Sasuke : I don't know. You ask him. But whatever he said that day made me realize how much of an bastard I have been till date.

Me : And?

Sasuke : He gave me your diary.

Me : Where he find that?.... I lost it years ago.... On that day of the incident..... I can't believe he stole it. Baka Naruto!

Sasuke : (still holding my hand) I thought he will beat me. But instead he explained everything with a grin on his face. We talked for hours.... He said we can be friends if I beg for forgiveness from you...

Me : I can never forgive you Sasuke.

Sasuke : I know that... I just wanted to let you know... I read your diary... I saw everything that you wrote since I left you.... I hate myself even more now... You used to love me so much... I have regretted every single day since I left....

Me : That was my past.

Sasuke : Maybe. But my feelings have only gotten stronger for you.... Sakura... (Comes more closer until there is no distance left between us) I.... I love you... Forever... And I can't stay without you... I can't take back my harsh words... But I will try my best to mend your heart....

"Did he just say that? "

I looked at him eyes widening. My heartbeats increased... My cheeks burned red... I got lost into his eyes as he brings his face closer as if to kiss me... I closed my eyes as if in some kind of dreamland only to be woken by the sound of the fireworks... Opening my eyes I moved away my face as our lips almost brushed.

Me : Leave me... Sasuke. I can't... I have a fiance. Am marrying Gaara. And I can't cheat on him with someone like you.

He leaves my hand and steps back clearly looking hurt.

Sasuke : So.... You... Getting married..... Do you love him?

Me : Doesn't matter. Arrange marriage is still an option. Love comes with time. I respect him dearly, he always there for me. I will never ever break his trust.

Sasuke : Hope you thought about it. Before agreeing.

Me : You don't need to worry about that. (Cold shoulder)

Sasuke : Fine.... So... When is your wedding day?

Me : 28th March.

Sasuke : Oh. Birthday girl.

Me : Gaara wanted to give me that as my birthday gift.

Sasuke : Lucky you.

Me : Leave now. I don't want to see your face ever again.

Sasuke : Don't worry. By the day of your wedding I would disappear from your life forever as if I never existed.

Me : Good for you. Wait... Let me go first and you take some other route. I don't want Gaara to see me with you and think stuffs. I want a happy relation with him and not the one filled with suspicion on one.

Sasuke : (pokes my forehead) Happy new year Sakura. And goodbye..

Me : Goodbye.

I walked up to the spot where Gaara left me only to find him standing with a bottle of mineral water. Seeing me, he came near me kissing my forehead.

Gaara : Where you disappeared?

Gaara's thought...

I felt a rush in my adrenaline unable to find Sakura. So when she finally came back I kissed her forehead and looked
at her concerned.

Sakura : I... Went to find you... You were taking so much time...

Me : Sorry.... I couldn't find a shop nearby... You missed the fireworks thanks to me.

Sakura : Don't blame yourself. (She holds my hand) Happy new year.

Me : Happy new year.

Her face glowed in the light as she holds her Japanese umbrella tightly smiling at me... Her face looked gorgeous as my eyes met with her beautiful green ones... Her hair felt over her forehead as she talks with me I blushed unable to control my emotions....

Sakura : Let's get going?....

To be continued...