Your Only Wish
By Akane Cullen
A Naruto Fan Fiction
CHAPTER ONE / The Beginning
Haruno Sakura had a small, well protected scroll in her left hand and a pink umbrella in the other hand. She was well dressed for the occasion, but it wasn't a grand holiday. She dressed for a particular reason, and probably wore the warm kimono not that often. She was alone, as always, while the others didn't bother to celebrate with her. Most likely, they had forgotten.
She stopped sadly just feet away from the Torii. Her sandals clacked, creating an echo as she finally moved from her spot. She had reached a wide puddle shaped like a pond, water splashing on her white cotton socks. She didn't seem to mind with an expressionless face and her pink locks of hair correctly in place. Her emerald eyes sparkled under the dark afternoon night.
She continued, holding the scroll with both hands and closing her umbrella before completely passing through the Torii. A few drops were sprinkled on her scalp, soaking through her thick, pink strands of hair. She passed the writing on the columns of the Torii and stepped through, coming out of the small pond and lifting her soaked feet. Still, she was expressionless, her eyes' glint under the moon disappearing as she walked towards the quiet and holy temple.
A quiet song seemed to have been playing through the holy realm, a illuminated barrier surrounding the temple as well as the world past the Torii behind her. She dropped her umbrella on purpose, the object's landing as light as a needle on the floor. It tinged endlessly, though, but no one else was in sight to hear the sound as well.
Her footsteps began to get louder as she got closer to the shrine. She slipped out of her sandals and set them on the small porch-like set, then passed the bright lanterns, passing by them without glancing at the eye-catching scrolls. She passed them with ease, sliding the front door of the shrine aside, then entering quietly with her wet feet. She tip-toed as she entered, hearing the shuffling of the priest. She looked up, meeting with the quiet priest, with his purple robe and black, religious top hat. He began wavering his staff, its shuffling sound seeming to be the only sound in the entire room.
Behind and next to the altar was another room, where a priestess appeared after sliding open the unnoticeable door. She came with a nice religious kimono, simple yet perfect for the occasion. Sakura met eyes with the two, nodding quietly to each other. Sakura approached the two priests that sat on their knees on the top platform in front of the altar, sitting peacefully with hands on their laps. They waited for Sakura as she took a comfortable position and began to speak.
"Has anyone else come with you?" Priest Hakou asked willingly. Priestess Edgar looked up willingly, too, after looking down with sad eyes. They both looked at Sakura hopefully, then frowning as Sakura gave them a sad response.
"Shall we begin?" Priestess Edgar whispered, clearing her throat as she patted her sleeves down.
"Yes, Priestess Edgar," Sakura replied weakly. She brought out the scroll - now it looked more like a parcel as she uncovered it from the parchment-colored cloth - and revealed a small box. She lifted the lid with sensitive movements, careful as if the antique wooden box would shatter. The box inside looked red and velvety, as if it stored a fragile object. But instead, five small strips of paper were inside, scattered inside the box. They all were written in but faced down, some up and folded. The three rose and Sakura brought the box with her and made their way back out.
Outside at the front porch of the shrine was a rack against the walls. They turned and bent down under the lit lanterns, a soft breeze coming towards them casually. Sakura kneeled before the wall, which was already full of tied fortunes or omikuji. Sakura didn't consider the fact that there could be at least a million, but kept her frown and sad eyes. She looked down sadly then back up, the priest and priestess joining her side.
"Ready?" they both asked.
"Yes," Sakura responded. She sighted a small gap between the many tied fortunes and wishes, taking one of the strips of paper from the box and reading it once more. She brought it to her chest and closed her eyes, then kissed it with hopeful lips. She placed it next to the rest, tying it with careful and merciful fingers.
"Please," she whispered as she continued tying the rest of the strips of paper. "Please…Please hear my prayers…I am the only one left that has faith in him…That someday…He'll return."
Once Sakura was done, the priestess massaged her back with her soft hand, comforting Sakura with the same, heartwarming words. Her voice made it beautiful and Sakura would never get tired of the same words, although they never came true.
"Do you have an offering?" Priest Hakou asked.
Sakura nodded and held her box, then waved her hand over it. The lid had returned and was placed over the tin box. Sakura shook it slightly and forced a warm smile, then entered the shrine. The priest and priestess followed curiously, watching as Sakura brought it to the altar.
"Please," she whispered again, to the wooden, minature shrine in front of her. She bowed down and knelt in front of the flowers and scrolls and candles, closing her eyes, forcing a small tear trickle down the edge of her eye.
"Please…Bring Uchiha Sasuke back to us. Bring him back…to me."
A/N: I am sorry for not updating my Twilight Fan-fiction "Crimson Latch" or "Dawning Bell", but here's a Naruto fan-fiction. I know not all Twilight fans like Naruto, but here's a piece of Naruto writing to make up for my lack of activity here on Fan Fiction. Sorry and please review. J Oh, and Naruto doesn't belong to me.