1Please, don't get bored with this just yet, and I know it lacks much length, but understand that this is merely a prologue that I believe would be beneficial to know of before the real-deal story actually begins.
And before you read, I'd like you to know that this story was entirely the idea of a friend of mine...well, the basic plot was not my idea anyway...however, several details were indeed my idea. There is a huge amount of inspiration that came to the both of us, though, which is the reason why I'm deciding to write this for my friend and not particularly for any special occasion either. This was written purely for her, simply because it was first intended to be a role-play style fic, however I do believe she lost her motivation to make it. So now, I'm going to make it as a gift for her, and she would be Kimyo ryu (who also happens to be an author here on look her up.)
Anyway, please understand also that the inspiration for this story's details and completion were obtained at Longwood Gardens! That was one amazing little trip my parents, my friend, and I all decided to take. It was well worth the drive, and the true inspiration came completely from one distinct area at Longwood Gardens, the actual Wisteria garden that had actually been closed off. We probably should not have been there, but as usual, we were anyway! And if I ever find a way to upload pictures from my cell phone into the computer, we have several pictures of the actual Wisteria garden where the majority of this fic were intended to take place! It is absolutely beautiful, and as soon as I figure out just how to transfer these pictures, you all won't have to take my word for it, you can actually see it.
Now, on to the story! Let the masterpiece begin:)
–Prologue–
A dozen black roses, to you my love, the color seems to remind me of you.
Appearing within a building, seemingly some sort of flower shop judging by the floral decor, a young teen baring short, spiked, blonde hair (and of course, going by the name of Naruto Uzumaki) seemed to be viewing what this shop had to offer. A pair of brilliant blue eyes, almost cyan in hue, seemed to be glancing over every darker tone of petal that adorned every flower arrangement that had been set up.
The expression upon the teen's visage was quite cheerful, brilliant eyes held moderately wide, and lips just slightly curled to a content grin. His chin was perked a bit, obviously Naruto was one of bold nature and a seemingly large ego, though still quite capable of some mischief as well.
A sudden spark met that brilliantly-toned gaze, it seemed he'd glanced over something he found to be, in his opinion, perfect. Perfect for what or whom, one might ask? And just what was it he'd so quickly found? Why, it was a bouquet of roses, though not just any roses, but roses so deep in a red luster that they appeared, to the untrained eye, as black as the sky on a new-moon night. Those lips curled brighter into a much bolder grin, Naruto intended to purchase these for a special occasion. This special occasion happened to be the one-year anniversary of the relationship he was currently in. This relationship, he shared it with a certain pale-skinned, black-haired boy of nearly the same age, one by the name of Sasuke Uchiha.
Making his way, quickly, toward the front desk toward the very back of the small shop, and with vague knowledge of the current time, Naruto approached the store clerk, who in fact happened to be blonde as well, only female, and with a long, neat pony-tail draping from the back of her head, as well as several unkempt strands that were simply draping just over her face. She went by the name of Ino Yamanaki, whom Naruto was acquainted with prior to this time.
"Ino, I think I've got something I'd like to buy, but I was wondering if you'd be able to type up one of those little cards that usually comes with a bouquet of flowers." He motioned, with his right hand, toward the dozen jet-black roses positioned in a massive vase, seemingly too generous in space for such an arrangement.
The blonde-haired teen glanced up with seemingly pupil-lacking cyan eyes, a once serious expression converting to a sense of vague amusement.
"Wow, you? Buying flowers? Go figure. Sure, I can do that. Just tell me what you want written, and all that jazz, and I'll type it up in five minutes or so. What arrangement did you want again?" She inquired, glancing passed as Naruto repeated his previous motion, gesturing, once more, toward the dozen black roses.
The girl quirked a brow, seemingly pondering the reason in which he'd buy black roses. Any flower-smart person would have known, fairly easily, that each color of a rose represented a certain meaning. Black roses, in fact, represented two different things. One, it could mean fair well wishes toward a dying loved one, though were more commonly known for their second, and more important meaning: a loathing hatred toward the one at receive.
The blonde boy appeared to have buried his hand within his pocket, and removed a paper. After a quick glance, he spotted a pen containing blue ink upon the desk top, and grabbed it, beginning to write down exactly what he wanted typed upon that card. Folding it with both his index, middle, and thumb, he handed it to Ino, whom promptly snatched it from Naruto's hand, gave it a glance, and began typing feverishly. She seemed eager to finish up, but then again, who could blame one for wanting to be finished with their job for the day?
A strange expression adorned the girl's face as she retrieved the small, typed card, and attached it to the stems of a dozen black roses, wrapping the arrangement in a set of blood-red tissue paper, and now delicately handing the bouquet over to the impatiently, foot-tapping Naruto.
"Thanks, Ino." He concluded, and handed over a nice sum of money for both the rare-breed, color-hybrid roses, and extra for Ino's troubles in typing up the card as requested. With this being completed, Naruto turned after a quick nod, and started for the door, leaving shortly after with not much thought.
It was clear that Naruto was not a person whom generally knew much about floral arrangements, let alone the symbolic colors of roses. He had simply seen the deathly black shade of the flowers and had instantly though of that glossy, ebony hair of Sasuke Uchiha's, concluding that it would make a perfect anniversary teaser-type present before something much bigger. Little did he know that the Uchiha for whom his affections were directed was quite intellectual in the symbolism of rose colors. This little session had potential disaster written all over it.
