A/N: This is would be the first time I'll be doing a chapter-ed Naruto fanfic, so I hope you guys will be good to me. Still, I wanted to thank of all the people who helped me gain inspiration(initials K and Y) to write this up and to those who have been lately subscribing to my stories… Thanks! Many Thanks! -_- Stay beautiful everyone.
Warning: This is a Naru-Saku (Naruto x Sakura) fic. And the best part- it's AU, and would be in "modern day setting", not in ninja world. I repeat, not in ninja world. It's a little OOC on the mains but I'll try my best to preserve the original feel. Category: Romance/Slice of Life. That's probably it.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO NOR ITS CHARACTERS OR ANY OF THE IDEA USED IN THE SHOW. IT'S MASASHI KISHIMOTO-SAMA'S WORK AND I HOPE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND IF I TOUCH UPON THINGS PREVIOUSLY LAIN IN THE FIELD.
Let's see…
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…
…
There! Wait-… Okay okay… Are we good? Okay start.
*clears throat*
Hello… it's me
Uhmm…
*sighs*
I know. It's been a while. And I thought that after all that happened…
…
…
I can surprise you. With this recording of me – saying something that I should've told you three months ago…
I had also put in my mind that you're not fond of these things. But, if you have three minutes to spare I really want you to listen… be-because I meant every word of it… that is all.
I think first; would be congratulations!
I've been hearing a lot of good news from here. And I'm really happy that you've finally made it on the big league! … … … I'm happy that your dream came true.
Really, really happy…
.
.
N-next…*exhales*
It would probably be that I'm – sorry…
To everything that happened and to everything that are not supposed to happen.
Really, from the bottom of my heart… I hope you can forgive me…
I'm not asking for a reply, but if you can give one. That would be great.
.
.
And finally,
…this person wants to say Thank you.
.
.
.
Thank you very much. For everything… that you've given me and taught me.
*chuckles* I know this isn't much but-…
…
Sorry about that, it's just that it's…
Ahaha, it's really cold here *sniff*
Very cold
Freezing…
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.
.
*sobs*
P-please…
Pause. Click pause...
Yours truly, Anonymous
By: imgood12
"It's because I'm a confused, deranged pig-head perv…"
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.
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"Sakura... Wake up! Today's your big day!"
"I'll be down in a minute mom!"
December.
Coldest month in the calendar. It's within these days where you wished that you could've lived in the tropics where it's sunny every day. The water's freezing and everyday is soup day.
"Did you remember everything I said? When they put your application form on the top of other forms, don't panic! Tell them about your sick mother and recently died father-…"
"What are you saying? I'm right here!"
"I'm just telling our daughter how to land that tenure job. Don't forget the tears honey"
"Please stop, you're spoiling our breakfast…", "Sakura, remember. Just be yourself and show them what you can do. We believe that you can do it."
"… *gulp* Y-Yes! Oto-san! Oka-san!"
I can say that Mom and Dad are kind of supportive of me, since this is my first job application. Me, being an only child may also have something to do with it.
But regardless of that
"I'm going!"
"Good luck! We hope you nail it!"
"Hai!"
I'm very happy of them.
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.
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People
Everywhere you go, there ought to be some people in it.
And when there's people involved, there will always be contradictions. Plenty, of contradictions…
*train honking* PSHHHH! *sound of clapping shoes*
"Excuse me… E-Excuse me… Thank you."
Every people have a different label on everyone else they see. For example, the guy that just passed me now; I can tell that he's a med school student just by the way he dressed and his neat appearance.
It may or may not be true, but that does matter. People always have different perspective and opposing views. I mean, I may have been finished at school but our neighbor's son Kiba-kun actually thought that I'm one. It's not him alone; there will be others that will look at you differently; a good person, a bad one, or even a washed-up Casanova. In the world these times, having a good image really contributes a lot on life.
"Miss? Excuse me…" a more deeper voice called unto her.
Trust yourself Sakura! You can do this! After this they will be begging for you to work there!
There's nothing that can stop me!
"Excuse-… Can I pass please…? "
This is the first step of my career and You bet-…
"Ei grandma! Please! Can you please let this young man through?" the voice raised a higher tone and it knocked the woman out of her colorful reverie.
"W-What?" she pointed to herself. "G-Grandma?" a series of silent laughter suddenly filled the crammed-up train. "Mm-hmm?" Sakura blushed beet-red in embarrassment while the young blonde man in front of him nodded with an annoyed face.
I-I can hear cruel slow motion laughter… Everybody's turning their heads away and holding handkerchiefs in their mouth.
Wait… Did they actually believe that I'm that old?
Oh no, oh no… They're all looking at me now… What to do, what to do…
"H-Here…" the woman moved few spaces to the other side, and faced the guy with a smile.
"Never mind" the man grumpily replied while stepping out of the train along with other passengers when the doors opened at some terminal. And as she opened her eyes, she noticed that more people now are staring at her ridiculous form. Sakura turned around, held on a pole and closed her eyes in humiliation as the train's door closed once more and began moving.
Calm yourself down Sakura… Caaaaalm yourself! There is simply no reason getting worked up by a rude person like that. Just go with the flow… *exhales*
Sakura opened her eyes and leaned back near the window and began gazing on the numerous buildings that popped along the way. She then turned her head in front and glanced at everyone inside. A sigh escaped her lungs as she looked down in anxiousness. Locking her eyes over a particular object that had been rolling over the floor; she slowly bent down and grabbed it by the hand to take a better look.
A pen... I guess today's my lucky day… she thought to herself before slipping it in her pockets and sitting at the available space in front of her.
Anyway, that guy… she began to picture the vague silhouette of the young man she met earlier.
He has blonde hair even though he barely looks American. I've also noticed that he's in business attire. Maybe he's a mafia syndicate or some loan shark yakuza overlord!
No, he has a suitcase with him. Or maybe… he's a drug dealer. Yeah that's got to be it. A drug dealer… An evil rude ill-tempered drug dealer that preys on innocent young women...
*chuckles* Even so…
It's been a while since I have an encounter like that with someone I don't know...
I wish this would be a good sign.
I hope-
PSSSSSH! *shoe clapping sounds*
"Hmm?" the pink-haired woman snapped back to reality after the train breaks over another terminal. She looked from the window and when she checked the station name. "W-Wait…that doesn't seem right"
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.
.
"E-Excuse me" she uttered to an elderly man beside her who's currently reading a newspaper. "Is Tokyo station after this terminal?" with a worried look, the woman still maintained her poise.
"Oh! Sorry there miss. You might be referring to another terminal line because…
" We've already passed Tokyo station…"
…
…
…
"Hey Grandma! Please! Can you please let this young man through?"A vague afterthought suddenly kicked back on her mind and after a few seconds...
"W-Wait! Let me through! I'm gonna be late!"
"Whew… getting pissed this early..." a breathy moan escaped a young blonde man as he walked along an overpass, punching the digits on his phone.
*cring*
"Hello?"
"It's me"
"Naruto-niisan! " The man held his phone back after getting his ears blown away. "It's been a while since you've called here!"
"Y-Yeah… I just got back from my vacation in Hokkaido. How's everything at work?" a smiled formed on the blondie's face as he walk down the stairs.
"We're fine. It's lonely though without you Naruto-nii!"
"Ahahaha… 's that so?" he paused by the trashcan and threw the gum he had been chewing. "Anyway, I'll be returning back there effective tomorrow."
"T-That's great! Where are you today? I'm gonna let others know, and then let's have a homecoming party, and-…"
"As exciting as that sounds; that old fart gave me some 'penalty' work here in the office" he said, turning his head left to right not long before spotting a bench a couple of steps away. Sitting afar from the other guy that was already there, he opened his arms and stretched his back before going back on his phone.
"Is there something else I should know?"
"Oh yeah, here's your new code Naruto-nii. 034-…"
"Wait! Wait…" he heightened his tone before going through his briefcase and grabbing a piece of paper. The young man then looked for a pen in his pockets, breast pocket, and even coat pocket but there's no pen inside.
'Where is it…? I know I have one here… Never mind!'
"Eh… You still there?"
"Mmm-ye! And it seems that I didn't bring any pen with me at the moment..."he scratched his head in embarrassment before gazing at his watch, slouched in the bench with a nonchalant look on his face. "Anyway, I have to go. Just text me the code later, kay?"
"Ahahaha… Sure! No problem!"
BEEP!
"…*yawn*..." the man took a deep breath and exhaled, looking at the bright blue sky as the wind rustled through his blonde hair. A day like this is just too damned for working and no, this is 'implied' laziness. With his arms arched in his back, he began closing his eyes and let the boredom sink into his mind.
So this is what is like… huh?
Being alone…
Even after my vacation from work, things are pretty much the same.
"Hmmmm…" Naruto stared at the clouds with his half-lid blue eyes, watching the shadows of people pass along his sight. His body slightly disheveled and his mind in constant turbulence. It's not that it's cold enough that he's been thinking of dozing off-
It's just that today felt like a good day to think…
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
This sure is weird.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
I'm certain there's something I should be doing by now.
"Hello-…"
WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU! YOU'RE 30 MINUTES LATE NOW! YOU-"beep!"
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"Ah…Now I remember…"
"Haa haa haa…" a figure of a young woman rose from the corner, running along the snow-covered street steps in her high heels. Sweat drops are forming on her temples as she began to run more earnestly.
"Haa… This… Is all that guy's fault! Haa… If it weren't for him, I would've been first in line…" she muttered to herself after turning on a corner and stopping in front of a very steep staircase. Like… very, very steep.
My legs are aching so badly. I g-guess this is the contrary, probably one of the unlucky days of my life.
What am I saying…? I'm here now. There's no turning back! C'mon Sakura you can do this.
"Here we go…"
And just like that, she began her first step; slowly picking up pace as she struggles towards reaching her goal. The very pinnacle of her dreams, to be able to work on Tokyo's most recognized Newspaper Company, as their very own journalist.
.
.
Every step represents the obstacles that will be coming in my way.
Every step represents those who will keep me away from this opportunity.
I know life's chuck-full of them, inescapable.
But I should not run away from those hindrances.
Because overcoming every step would lead me to the accomplishment of my own dream.
"Y-Yes… I've made it. "The pinkette cried out after seeing the company logo shining right on her face. "It's time…" her hands are clenched tight, probably a metaphor for 'holding ones dream'. Without further ado, the latter took her first steps towards the entrance; filled in anxiousness and confidence.
The moment she passed through the entrance, she initially noticed that there were a lot of people inside. People with huge dreams and positive mojo like her. The company's hiring more than one position actually, since keeping a position is tough and everyone is deemed replaceable. Regular employee screenings are done and because of that, every now and then; there's an open position for hiring. Halls are filled with numerous bulletin boards and stacks of newspaper that gives everything a wholesome professional feel to it. Skipping a beat, Sakura approached the reception for some info and the line that'll accommodate her target job position.
"Hello, I'm here for the job opening for one of the company's journalists. Can I ask which line am i going to take?" a smile beamed from her face while she waits for the attendant's reply. And it did come after a few seconds.
"Welcome, sorry for waiting. The line for that position is at the first corner to the left. If you need any more help I'll gladly help you with that." The reply reached her ears like music as she finally felt the first step of her dream coming true. But before she left the line, something wrong caught her attention.
"Oh. Excuse me. You may have pointed out the wrong room. The guide catalogue said that the room for the position would be on the halls on the right." She opened her catalogue and pointed out her reason but her receiver smiled back at her, which is weird.
"I'm sorry for the misconception; the waiting area I pointed out earlier is actually the right one. We had so many people trying out for the position that we can't accommodate them all at one room, less alone at one line. The line starts from here-"Sakura looked to where she is pointing and followed her fingers with her eye as she moved them across the halls and into the room at the far end of the room. "…to there." She finishes, leaving the pinkette frozen in shock as she gape in awe at the longest line she had ever seen.
I-Impossible…
After bowing her head in apology, she quickly head towards the end of the line and waited. Just like the other applicants, she waited… for minutes, to hours, a couple of hours lasted before an usher put the "lunch break" sign on the door.
No… This would take forever! If only I could jump over this people just like I stepped on those steps… Who am I fooling…?
I could be the first one if that-… Calm down, time flies fast. It'll be my turn before I know it.
*sighs* a hopeless exhale escaped her lungs. This only proves that even waiting on a line is depressing; she learned that the hard way. An open seat was vacant near her so she decided to take a break; because if she doesn't, her legs will.
"I think I should call my mom first. I could need some last minute advices…" she thought. And without much deliberation, dialed her mom's number on her phone.
BEEP! BEEP!
"Sakura? I've been waiting for your call?", "Well, how was it?"
"Mom… the truth is. I'm still on the waiting line."
"What? You've left home two hours earlier than usual. Something happened on the way?"
"Well yeah. Thanks to this jerk I've met at the train, I went one terminal ahead than planned."
"…*chuckles on the phone*… Maybe that'll turn into something great. I do met your father on the trai-…"
"Stop, you're grossing me out mom!"
"Hohoho… I do hope you do well on your interview. We'll be waiting here for the news, good luck!"
BEEP!
"Hmf! And I thought mom would be of any help" feeling terrible, she bowed her head and rested it over the bag on her lap. "A total mess… And I thought this will be easy…" the young woman smiled nervously while watching the other applicants that are not even moving out of the line. All of them are here for one purpose, and that doesn't mean that they're not willing to kill for that open spot. Just like her, they got their forms bursting with credentials and stuff they know will give them an edge. And the worst part is that, most of them have work experience. Unlike for her who just finished studying.
*grumble* ~ ~ ~
Sakura held her bag closer to hide her shame, thinking that her work-out earlier may have something to do with this. "Fuuu~" she looked at her spot and noticed that there were no one after her. "This is punishment for my sins… save me divine intervention…" the pinkette whispered unto herself before standing up and walking towards the vending machine to grab something to eat and drink.
The waiting line never even budged a centimeter by the time she finished eating. Feeling played by destiny itself, she goes back at the line and continued the wait as minutes ticked off and hours flew by the clock without her noticing. Her once refreshed look turned for the worse as time withered her spirit and enthusiasm. Yet, even after the sudden relapse of events; she never gave up the goal as she continued the pep-talk to herself.
Don't look at it as some horrible prank played by the fates.
Look at this as an opportunity.
Now that I'm last on the line, I'm gonna be the freshest on the conductor's mind. Yeah.
And it doesn't matter if or not I have experience; I'm gonna be something that they want. I can do this!
This would be the luckiest day of my life!
"A-no… Are you okay miss?" a subtle voice opened her eyes to reality. She blinked a couple of times more before noticing that the line before her is completely gone. "Y-Yes! I-I'm here for the tenure spot of the company's journalist!" she said with glee while the usher pointed her towards the room and told her to wait.
"Hey!" the usher was called inside the room while Sakura waited outside nervously.
"Can I go now? "
"But sir, there's one more applicant on the waiting list."
"Then tell her to go back tomorrow! That'll be great, for me that is…"
"But sir!"
"Okay okay. Fine, let her in and let's wrap this already…"
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"Haruno, Sakura…" the woman felt her heart skipped a beat after hearing her name getting called by a cold voice from inside the room. Hands clenched on her side, she walked towards the door as the usher opened her eyes towards the much-awaited moment that she wanted. Her dream, just an interview awaaaaay~
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"Y-You!" the pinkette opened her eyes after hearing a man's voice called unto her. And the moment she opened her eyes…
"N-No… way… I-Impossible…"
The world turned black and shattered into a million pieces.
Her dreams, into million pieces.
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Oh gosh! I'm dead… I'm dead I'm dead I'm dead!
"Well… *clears throat* Sakura-chan, why don't we have a seat…?"
Absolutely, without a doubt…
This is worst day of my life…
A/N : And... end chapter one. I hope you like it and feel free to comment.
Note : Don't let the prologue confuse you, it would be important on the later part of the story.