Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, if I did, Jiraya would be alive and well.


Chocoholic rule number 4: Always try new things... And ingredients.


I came back to my hometown just a few weeks back. My grandfather had passed away, leaving me many valuable things behind. They were things to keep me chained to Konoha. I couldn't have sold them, way too many memories manifested with them. Besides, It's not that I disliked living here, in fact, this was an excuse to get out of the private school system and it's college back in the neighboring town, Suna. Mom and Dad funded them a lot, and the dean made sure I stayed there. Making me leave behind my grandfather, my two best friends, and the woman who basically raised me. This made me have to do three whole years of missing Konoha, three whole years of emails, calls, and no get togethers. Three whole years of missing my favorite chocolate shop... As I arrived, It felt as if something in my body had come alive again. Although grandpa had just died.

I arrived to the location of all the things he left behind, a luxurious apartment complex. I went into the lobby, asked the clerk if this was the building, she nodded and pointed to the elevator. I went up to my designated floor in the fancy elevator with red carpeting and mirrored walls. Once I arrived, there were three doors, one a pool, and another a bar, and lastly... My new home. I went up to the penthouse door, taking the key from my bag and I opened the entrance to a crack, not knowing what I would find.

I couldn't believe it.

I gaped at what my grandfather had left me, elegant French white walls, fine carpeting, giant windows, and luxurious furniture. He had left me his penthouse, fully furnished and completely redecorated to my tastes. I agree, the man basically took care of me until I was fifteen, while mom and dad had "jobs" and were too "busy" but this... This was too much. At first I couldn't accept his offer when he was on his death bed, dying of an unstoppable infection in his lungs. But I couldn't say no when his dying words were: "Sakura, live in my former home, for there you will be safe and happy." His tone back then gave me shivers down my spine.

I opened the door fully and walked in, spotting a small letter on the glass countertops. My instincts told me to read it, and of course, I picked it up and read.

My dearest granddaughter,

If you are reading this, I am most likely buried six feet under and now eternally resting. Under the sofa are all of my stocks pulled out, use the money wisely, but I know that you will use it to its full potential, remember, I taught you how. Under the king bed in the master bedroom are the old photos, and many high quality tubes of oil paint, you always had a knack for it.

Nothing has really changed around the neighborhood, the chocolate shop hasn't changed, nor has the quality or prices! Do you remember how you would offer to "sample" all of Orochimaru's new flavors? You ended up eating it all! He still has that impossible goal of learning every chocolate recipe on the planet!

Tears rolled out of my viridian eyes, they went down my cheeks as I drew out a blank smile, strangely, my breathing didn't change. I was somehow... Happy, my mind imagined his gruff, old chuckle when he mentioned Orochimaru in the letter. I felt as if he were in a state of everlasting peace.

I could write so much more but my wrists are getting more and more painful. One day, you'll find a true cure for arthritis, I just know it. Keep working hard.

Your beloved grandfather,

Shigeru Haruno.

I tried to calm down by sighing, and neatly folded the letter back into the envelope, this letter was going in the memory and paint box. But before I had my cry fest, I would go and take a look at the stocks. I knew that my grandfather was rich, and I knew that there was probably quite a bit of money in that box. But money tended to corrupt souls, so I decided not to look under the sofa. Not unless I had an emergency... Or maybe I should put it in the bank. Yeah, I would do that.

I crouched down, slipping my hand under the sofa until I could find a hardened rectangular object. Eventually, I did find the box, but I never opened it, too dangerous. Instead, I put it in the lockable kitchen cupboards, which grandpa used to hide all the sweets back when I was a child. I smiled at the precious memory as I retrieved the key in his "secret" book on the cream colored bookshelf. I found the hollowed book for the key back when I was ten. I stood for a moment, that was eight years ago, If I knew that he only had eight more years to live, what would I have done? Such a worthless thought of mine.

I locked the cupboard, hoping to never hear that familiar "clack" of temptation when the key was in the cupboard. Either way, I was done with the temptation fest and was ready to unpack all my boxes. I went down to find the movers left, leaving all the boxes with the bellhop.


After finishing all the hard work with the help of the apartment staff, I decided to finally look under the bed to find a much larger box. It had viridian and fuchsia polka dots, my two favorite colors, although I used to hate them back when I was little, mainly because those colors were close to my unusual hair and eye color, I was also a bit of a tomboy. I opened the lid, to find all my childhood pictures with my grandfather. There was one in which I consumed my first bar of chocolate. The sticky brown confection covered my chubby cheeks, my tongue tried to reach a spot of misplaced chocolate, I remember that day.

"It's brown and ugly!" The three year old scrunched up her face. Her grandfather still held the chocolate bar up in her face.

"Sakura, chocolate is yummy!" His voice cracked of stress and age.

"If it's yummy, why is it that color, and why did that scary man make it?" She stubbornly argued. Shigeru made a funny face causing Sakura to giggle.

"Take a bite?" He asked in a silly, but not scary voice.

"Tiny one?" Sakura put her hand in a fist, leaving a narrow tunnel in which light could barely go through. "Like this big!"

"Yes." Shigeru nodded frantically for comedic purposes, causing the three year old to smile. He then broke a piece of the milk chocolate, "Say ahh."

"Ahh..." He popped the chocolate in her mouth. Sakura smiled brightly, it melted in her mouth so easily, "It is yummy!" Shigeru then handed her the whole bar. Sakura tried to stuff it all in her mouth. He thought that the sight was so humorous, so he took a picture with the camera he always carried around.

From that day on, I was a full-fledged chocoholic.

Although the memories were good, I still couldn't stop crying because I knew that it was all over. I would never be able to see the man who practically raised me again. Then something in mind clicked, I needed someone else to comfort me, and I know just who, my best friend I hadn't seen in years, Hinata. She had seen me and my other best friend at our worst, and she always knew what to do. I pulled out my cellphone and dialed her number, hoping she hadn't changed her number after all this time.

"H-Hello." It was Hinata, I'd know that stuttering from anywhere.

"It's Sakura, could you come over to my grandfather's?" I was quick to the point. If we chatted anymore, I would've bursted in tears.

"Of course! It's been so long!" She squealed.

"I'll see you soon." I hung up, feeling guilty that I hadn't spent time with Hinata sooner than this.

I laid quietly on the sofa, watching a pointless program on television, waiting for Hinata's arrival. Before I knew it, a wave of sleepiness hit me, my tear stained eyes closed, and I completely forgot about my midnight haired best friend that was soon arriving.


"S-Sakura..."

I turned over, mumbling, "five more minutes"

Hinata knew just the thing that would wake me up, she pulled out a chocolate bar from her purse and slowly unwrapped it, I immediately sat up, because of the subtle scent of chocolate dancing on my nostrils. I look up to find Hina smiling with grace (she was so damn pretty and grew even prettier), and a chocolate bar in her nimble fingers. I kind of wondered how she got in here.

"How did you get in here?" I moaned, never letting the chocolate bar escape my vision.

"T-The door was unlocked. I let myself in, everything alright? You look like a tornado hit you, it's been a while, and your grandfather redecorated." Hinata rambled in excitement, she then pointed to my wrinkled blouse and capris, one pant leg was much higher than the other, mid-thigh. Luckily, I had put my hair in a bun, no mess there.

"I own this place now, that's the problem. There are stocks locked in the cabinets, I have no clue how much they're worth, I'm too scared to look. And... Oh! You missed my cry fest." I explained, rambling myself.

My best friend knew I was desperate for comfort, hell, she felt it. Hinata gave me a sympathetic look, sat down beside me, and split the bar in half. She gave one to me, and I almost scarfed it down but she took my wrist and stopped me. Hina instead lifted her half like a wine glass.

"Chocoholics forever." Hinata cheered

"Cheers." I said, we joined our halves before eating them with dignity, piece by piece. The milky confection melted in my mouth, and I savored the feeling. Chocolate was better than anything else, period. Dark or white, it didn't matter to Hinata and I. As long as it had a certain quality, we had high standards when it came to our chocolate, "Mmmm... What brand is this?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Orochimaru's." Hinata too, was in eternal bliss.

"He's gotten better at it." I commented.

"Yeah..." Hinata's pearl eyes got all starry.

"The shop will be forever our meeting place." I stared comically at the ceiling.

"Forever it shall be." We joined our remaining piece together and gulped it down.


When it was around ten o'clock at night, Hinata had to leave, I felt much better after her visit. Her taste in chocolate was still amazing.

Although I had amazing chocolate and a wonderful friend at my side, I still broke down and cried in front of her. Hinata did nothing but comfort, just what I needed. I knew times would be tough without the support of my grandfather, or my parents (since when did they ever support me?) In fact the last I saw of them was at the funeral, a week ago. They did excellent parenting. When I was little, my nannies were the women my mother wanted me to be. Actually, they were all fashion models, skinny, tall, and broke. They didn't know how to cook or clean, and I often starved, some called it child abuse, but in the world my mother and many others lived in, it was "real life."

Honestly, sometimes I believe I was adopted, (I am not, and I still wish I was) just so mom and dad could get off work. They probably used me as an excuse so they could have their "secret affairs." there were so many moans, that back when I was little, I thought my house was haunted. Grandfather told me what actually happened back when I was ten. To me, those sounds weren't so erotic, well... At least back then, but it kept me away from anything male even to this day on. Ino still teases me about my "irrational" avoidance of feelings.

But really, I just wanted my peace, and body to myself. The truth is, I'm scared, Ino had her fair share of scary boyfriends in which their character was hard to read. I didn't want to be allured by a difficult character as easy as she was. Those "nice guy" characters were nice and all, but sometimes, they were just too nice, or they were hiding something so obvious under that extremely fake mask. I was never attracted by that, and never have I met someone in between the two personalities without being a giant idiot. The only thing those types learned was to keep their mouths shut, and say that they went to that prestigious academy without mentioning that they failed in every subject, including sex ed. At least that's the stories grandpa told me. I use it as daily excuse, knowing that no man is ever perfect.

I went to bed at midnight, hoping for a rather sweet dream, and if I didn't, I could always get a much sweeter hot chocolate in the morning.


I woke up to the shrill sound of the house phone, I jumped out of bed and scurried to the phone. I had dreamt nothing, the perfect dream, until the damn phone interrupted.

"Hello?" I answered with a moan, stretching my far too relaxed muscles.

"Orochimaru's. Now." It was Ino, she was serious about this. Before I could say anything else, she hung up on me. I mumbled a couple curse words under my breath. Knowing Ino, she would kill me if I were to just not go. So my morning consisted of rushing to get dressed to get to Orochimaru's, I didn't even brush my teeth.

I rushed out the door to the elevator. The lift was about to close, but I noticed a larger man in a suit in the elevator.

"Could you hold the door please?" I yelled, running towards the elevator. The man smiled, most likely because of my idiotic stature, but at least he held the door. Relieved, I went in, "Thank you." I breathed, panting.

"No problem." He nodded. I noticed him taking in plenty of glances of my hair, and as much as I wanted to slap him, I kept my composure. We both took off at the lobby, I really hoped he wasn't a fellow neighbor.

I ran out the apartment complex to find the weather was cloudy and dreary. I was glad I wore my coat. I ran across the street to the chocolate shop, not bothering to look for cars. Fortunately, I didn't get hit by anything or anyone.

"Forehead! You're late!" I heard yelling from the direction of the shop, and I knew who it was, Ino. Only she would call me by my nickname, and for the record, I did outgrow my forehead. I turned my head to my left and spotted a blond girl in a ponytail. So I wasn't dreaming. Ino ran towards me, "You know, even Chouji's walking is faster than your running." Tears of joy went down her cheeks, "Forehead, I haven't seen you in so long."

"It wasn't me who failed PE class, and yeah it's been a long time..." I replied, annoyed.

"Don't judge me." She snapped back, Ino grabbed my wrist and pulled me into Orochimaru's.

I was amazed.

The shop expanded the last time I was here. The walls used to be a lilac color but that changed into a calm blue with decorative lace , and I saw way more varieties. I've always wanted to try chili pepper chocolate. I spotted Hinata sitting at a table drinking what looked to be a cup of hot chocolate.

"Well if it isn't my "sampler." We haven't seen each other in quite the while." A tall pale, black haired man appeared, crossing his arms beside me.

I gasped softly in surprise, Orochimaru normally did such surprise greetings, I just wasn't prepared for it, "Don't worry, this time, I'm paying."

He smiled sweetly and slightly creepily, "How was private high school in Suna?"

"I graduated, I'm still alive, and I'm starting university next month." I replied.

Ino scoffed and tapped her foot on the hardwood floors, "Orochimaru, two more hot chocolates, I'm taking Sakura back, and please do not scare her." Ino grabbed my wrist and sat me down at the same table as Hina.

"Whatever you young ladies say." He sighed as he walked back to the kitchen with smooth strides. This was typical Ino, no one stole her time with friends.

We talked about many things, of course, I already knew all of the latest gossip due to Ino's frequent calling back in Suna, which was always welcome. So we discussed our opinions on the many subjects, and we caught up with the world news when Orochimaru's assistant, Kabuto was on break. I ended up buying a month's worth of chocolate; it all looked so good with all that ganache, filling and creaminess...

I was really in wonderland when I went back home and took a "bite" or two of the creamy confection...

Actually, it was a bar or two.

Box, a box, I won't lie.

I think I gained a pound.


It was already three in the afternoon, Ino and Hinata had drained me with the method of conversation. Just in time, the woman who made a much better mother than my biological one, called. The phone made an annoying shrill sound, I had really just thought I was woken up by the sound, so that made it worse. That was probably the reason why grandpa answered like that all the time, "What do you want..." His tone was angry and frightening, but as soon as I spoke, all was better.

"Hello?" I tried to sound as positive as possible.

"Sakura! How are you?" Tsunade still sounded like an eighteen year old. I wondered how she could manage that.

"Everything's been good so far, you?"

"Yeah, me too, how would you like to have dinner with me? We do need to catch up." She remarked.

"Well yeah! Of course!" I couldn't wait, this woman taught me everything I know. Except how to paint, that I did on my own.

"I'll pick you up at seven, I remember Shigeru's address, so don't worry."

"I'll see you soon." My tired visage brightened.


The chocoholic chronicles, chapter one: end.

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