I sat alone on my bed listening to a low hum, it sounded like it was coming from outside. I wasn't cold, but I wrapped my arms around myself and walked over to the window across the room from my bed. Now I felt it, the chill of the air outside. The wind brushed against my cheeks, making me shiver. I tried pulling the window down and suddenly two strong hands took my wrists, or they sure did look strong, the shock made my breath hitch. There was a boy in front of me! The chilly breeze picked up making it difficult for me to see his face. His hair was short, but long enough to look shaggy, it was a deep red color, that and I could tell he was wearing black clothes. Everything else I couldn't make out. Why was it so hard to see him? Then I realized I couldn't feel his hold on me. He started pulling me out of the opening in the window –
The sound of rainfall filled my room, I had just fallen asleep.
My eyes burst open, the room was so cold! I was shivering so much it must have caused me to wake up, still lying down I arched my back and stretched. Now I really was cold. All I had on was a white undershirt and lime green shorts. I sat up removing the covers, and lazily walked over to my window. It kind of felt like déjà vu, but except this time instead of in my dream as I crossed the room I passed a mirror I had and looked at myself. My long pink hair was a mess, but it was sort of cute. I smiled, but yet again. I pressed my hands to my chest and felt nothing. I had no breasts. I was flat. Well, not really, I've finally reached a B cup.. but still everyone else was pushing a decent C! How was it that every other girl in our area had noticeable breasts and not me? And I don't even have to get started on the growth rate they had that unfortunately I didn't. Oh well.. I shivered again and hurried to the window.
It looked like it was almost six outside, the gray clouds let small dim light escape, and looking down to the floor there were drops of rain. I rolled my eyes. It's not that I didn't love rain, it's just that I didn't want it in my room, but thankfully my floors are wooden so I could just dry it up. Finally I have successfully shut the window, I smiled again in achievement. Slowly I walked over to the foot of my bed and let myself fall on top of it. That was a weird dream. I don't really dream about boys. At least not about the boys in this place, I don't really like anyone. I just moved here. Duh. I slapped my hands on my face. Hooooofuh. I did that harder than I though I would have.
"Hooooo.." I rubbed my face with both hands. Only four more days until I'm registered in school. I couldn't lie, not to myself. I was nervous. Not a lot of people would take easy to a new girl with pink hair, but then again, so far Konoha seems to have a lot of kind people. Thinking about pink made me think of my name. Sakura. Sakura tree.. Pink petals.. Suddenly I felt proud of my name, being named after a cherry tree was cool, cherries are yummy, pink blossoms are gorgeous, and trees are strong. Silently I thanked my mom and my dad for my name. Sakura Haruno. I should probably get out of bed it's probably almost time for dinner. Not much later the gentle smell of miso soup and fresh rice slipped into my room, followed by a simple hint of wasabi. Dad's probably going to make sushi tonight. A sinking feeling came to my stomach all of a sudden. Mom and dad never made this combination unless something really bad has happened or their up front pay back for something bad about to happen. I don't think I'm going to be hungry tonight..
I opened my door slowly to see if I could hear anything they might say that I could use as a hint to figure out what was going on. They weren't talking, it was quiet, really quiet. I put on my slippers outside my door and began my way down to the kitchen. Walking in awkwardly I looked at them, unanimously they both looked at me, "Good evening sweetie!" –this isn't good. "Have a seat Sakura, we'll bring your food." Dad said rather kindly. I mean, he's a nice guy, but this was a little weird. In the end, all of the food was great. Dad and mom knew how to cook really well, dinner with them is always the best. Dad took care of the dishes while mom readied the dessert. Now, if mom busts out the mochi I know something's up. She did. Just like dinner halfway through dessert was especially uncomfortable. I wondered how much I could take it until I upchucked. This was ridiculous.
Finally one of them said something, "Honey, your father and I have something to tell you." It looked like mom was really trying to sound comforting. I didn't feel much better.
"Mmkay, mom. What is it?" I asked, hopefully I sounded like I wasn't wondering this whole time. I looked at dad, he didn't have an expression on his face.
"Your father and I.. We love you very much, and we want you to know this isn't your fault.." She looked down, I hope she wasn't going to cry, she began talking again, "You're going to be living with your grandmother, Tsunade. I mean, only until you make the decision of which of us you.. want to be with." She lost me. What? I made a face.
"Mom, what are you–" I tried to ask, but dad already knew my question and interrupted me to answer it.
"We're getting a divorce." He said.
I sat there, for probably a just a little less than a minute. I waited for one of them to burst out laughing and tell me they were joking. It felt like eternity rested itself on my shoulders, and a huge lump filled my chest. They weren't serious –they couldn't be. No.. it wasn't fair. Why? Everything was perfect! We were happy! Why? Why? Why did they have to do this now? How hard will it be for me to adjust to a new home, let alone a new city without both of them? That just wasn't right! Did they want me to bleed? I bit my lip trying to keep back my tears. How horrifically random. How dare they put this on me.
My hands balled into fists, and I closed my eyes, I couldn't look at them. "Thank you for dinner." I forced out into a whisper. I stood from my chair and walked out of the kitchen. As soon as I was sure I was out of sight I ran straight to my room, slamming the door shut. Tears blinded me; I slowly dragged myself to my bed. Holding a pillow to my face, I screamed as hard as I could. I don't know how it happened but eventually I was able to cry myself to sleep. If I was lucky, maybe that was just a nightmare and when I wake up it'll all go away. Please let it go away.
It was familiar, here I was in my room again, cold wind, shadow figured boy,
the dream from the night before returned itself to me, except this time it was a continuation.
He started pulling me out of the opening in the window –"What the?! What are you doing?!" I shrieked, we were falling and what sounded like a chuckle escaped his lips. "You're out of your mind!" I screamed. Just before we hit the ground I was sitting in a ramen stand with a fish for a cook. Wow.. I thought I felt a whiplash coming on. As if that wasn't enough the fish started talking! The ramen stand started to fade away, and I think I was in limbo. Someone walked towards me, I was facing myself! Trippy dream…
"What's wrong, Sakura?" My other self asked in a mocking tone. She twirled her hair in her fingers and continued, "What's your problem?"
I couldn't believe this, I talked back, "Mom and dad are getting a divorce! I don't get it! I don't get anything!" I wanted to pull my hair out.
"No, I don't think that's it, honey." She said, "You're selfish. That's your problem." Other me came closer and started to shake me, "Get over yourself! It's not the end of the world. Not everything is about you! Wake up and join reality!"
She was strong, I'll give her that.. or myself.. she didn't have to keep shaking me though, "Okay!" I yelled at her, "Okay, okay!" I shoved her–
"Goodness!" My mom fell back. Oops. Quickly I rubbed my eyes, I had an awful headache attached to me now, but I got out of bed to help her up. She dusted the lower half of her skirt and cleared her throat.
"Sorry, mom." Somehow I didn't feel sorry, because now I knew why she was in my room. She had more news for me. Mom sat on my bed and pats the area cuing me to sit down next to her. Reluctantly, I agreed to sit. "So, what's up?" I asked, unable to face her.
"Your dad and I decided for him and me to just move out. Grandma Tsunade is going to come live here for a while to take care of you." Oh. Because that makes me feel much better. Mom continued, "I'm going to move to Suna, and I'm not sure about your dad, he.. said something about moving to the states." I nodded to let her know I was listening. Acting indifferent wasn't going to change anything, maybe I was being selfish. Mom never made choices that would hurt me, and dad never made me feel left out. They were both wonderful parents, I guess hearing about them separating put me in shock so I lashed out at them, I deserved to, but it wasn't my place.. but still.. Anyway, just like they would let me, I should let them do whatever means necessary for them to be happy. And if happy means they're not together, so be it.
I wasn't ready to say I was sorry for my reaction though. They'd have to wait for that. "So, when is Tsunade coming?" I turned to her asking.
"She's down stairs right now." My mom said smiling at me. Geez, mom was so beautiful, she had long pink hair –luckily I was able to inherit from her, she was skinny but had awesome curves, of which, I don't have, at least not like hers yet. I was cute but she was out of this world. She took me in her arms and hugged me hard –sometimes I forgot how emotional she was. Oh, mom. I guess dad decided to go transfer his job while Tsunade settled in. "Hey Tsunade!" I called down to the old woman as I came down the steps. Tsunade never looked a day over thirty-five, I always see where mom gets her looks. Spending time with her was the best, I love learning new things and with her there's always a random fact here and there. Mostly, it's her knowledge in medical practices that really get my attention; Tsunade is the best medical physician and nurse in all of Konoha. I really look up to her more than anyone else other than my mother.
"Hey kiddo!" She smiled at me, holding her arms open for a hug. Ever since I was young again, other than my mothers, Tsunade's scent was the most familiar and comforting. She always smelled of light alcohol and hospital soap. It was a weird combination,but I loved it. "How've you been? Excited for school?" Tsunade winked, "You know, there are lots of cute boys!" She laughed.
I looked down and a small blush ran on my cheeks, "I'm actually.. Sort of nervous." I scratched an area behind my head, "I don't know about boys, but hey, who knows? I'm actually not interesting in looking right now either." I had a triumphant face on, "No distractions! Grades come first." And I meant that, I have a big future ahead of me, and no boy is going to get in the way of that. I'm going to be just like Tsunade, minus the drinking.
At first she looked a bit surprised but she had the same face I had on, "That's my girl!"
Mom and dad moved out the next day. Both giving me small lectures about taking care of myself, finishing homework –both knowing that I always do but being parents meaning they have to mention it anyway, getting enough sleep, eating right and something about using protection. "Why don't we get you some new clothes for school, do you need any supplies?" She whipped out her keys and wallet, "Let's head out." I laughed, Tsunade was almost too cool. I nodded at her suggestion and went up stairs to change. I threw on a black undershirt, a half buttoned up dress shirt with short sleeves, and a red scarf. Of course I couldn't forget a white skirt, my black shoes, along with a pair of black loose legwarmers. My fingers combed out easy knots in my hair and I studied myself in the mirror, decent enough. I ran back down stairs, I could hear Tsunade's car on and waiting for me. "Sorry about that." I said while fastening the seatbelt, she nodded and started backing out the car.
Tsunade parked and we headed inside the mall. It was huge! There were also a lot of people, I tried to ignore him but a blonde boy with blue eyes googly-eyed me from the food court, he had three other friends with him. One of them had a cute little dog tucked in his shirt with his head out, another looked bored out of his mind, and the last was stuffing his face. I giggled. The blonde waved at me probably thinking I was acknowledging his courtship stare. Haha, not working. It was flattering though, so I gave him a small wave back. Tsunade ran into Shizune, her best friend and decided to let myself get used to my new surroundings, and I didn't want her to get bored so she gave me some money, actually a lot of money, and let me head off on my own until we meet up later on. I spotted a HotTopic and went right in. Mostly, I spent time there choosing skirts and leggings, legwarmers if there were any, shirts too. Also a few small accessories here and there. I was having a field day. Turning from the counter I saw a boy walk in. He had deep red hair and green eyes, the same green as me. That was pretty cool. He had pale skin and the poor guy probably didn't get a lot of sleep, there were super dark rings around his eyes. His clothes were black, all black, and he carried a caramel colored side backpack with him. He walked over to the notebooks in the back of the room. I couldn't help but watch him for a second. If I didn't know any better everyone around him did whatever they could to avoid him, it looked like they were acting as if he was carrying a nasty incurable disease.
Two others followed him in, a blonde girl and brown haired boy. Probably his siblings? They didn't look that much alike, but everyone in the whole mall seemed to be afraid of him. I wondered what their problem was. I'll most likely never see him again, I thought as I walked out. There was another blonde girl about to enter The Icing and she spotted me, made a weird but decent face and headed over towards me. I didn't know what to do, was she going to say something about my hair? I tried to think she was looking at someone else, I started to walk.
"Hey! Pinky!" The blonde called after me. Nope, she was looking at me. I turned around to see her, "You're not from around here are you?" She asked. I wasn't expecting that.
"Um.. no. I just moved here." I scratched the back of my head, "What gave me away?"
"The hair." She smiled and touched it. I winced but it looked like she liked it, "It's cute! I've never seen natural hair like this.. You don't dye it do you? It looks too healthy to be dyed." She said thoughtfully. I smiled at her.
"Yeah, it's natural." I replied, "And thank you..?"
"Oh!" She laughed and introduced herself, "I'm Ino Yamanaka, and you are?" She held out her hand for me to take.
"Sakura Haruno." I shook her hand, "Nice to meet you." I told her.
"It's nice to meet you too, Sakura!" Ino crushed me in a hug, "We're gonna be awesome friends, babe." She had a big smile, but it was pretty, a lot of girls marveled at Ino when she passed by them and a guy or two would give her a double look. Ino was really fun, she let me know what the necessary supplies I would need at school and we bought them together, in the end we spent the rest of the time waiting for Tsunade to pick me up. Ino and I sat around the outer boundaries of the food court. Ino talked on and on about hair products and boys, especially about a Sasuke Uchiha. Apparently everybody loved him. She said Sasuke was one of the three wealthiest boys in Konoha, he was the best at almost anything, and the only sad fact was no girl in the entire city was good enough for the guy. My eyes widened, how shallow is that? I told Ino about the blonde boy I had seen earlier with his three friends and he was also one of the three richest boys in the city, his name was Naruto Uzumaki, he was a goofball, but a very sweet guy. Naruto was nice to everybody and always had a certain confidence about him, he was also known to be a pretty skilled prankster. Sasuke and Naruto butt heads a lot but tolerate each other, she said, and sometimes even hang out. I wanted to ask Ino about the red haired boy, would she know him? She seemed to know everyone else, I hoped she wasn't avoiding talking about him like the people in the mall were just trying to ignore him. Maybe it's better I don't know.
"Hey is that your grandma right there?" she asked pointing behind me, on the opposite side of the mall, although was close enough to recognize. I nodded and waved at Tsunade, Ino was astonished, "There's no way! She looks so young! I mean, no offense it's just, that's really cool!" She added. I laughed and we both came out of our seats to go and meet her. I was so distracted while talking to Ino I didn't see someone walk right in front of me–
I heard a low, deep grunt from my poor victim of uncoordinated poise. "OooF!" A sound was yanked out of me, what a surprise that was. The boy and I had bumped shoulders and were brought around and butt heads. I rubbed my forehead, "I'm so sorry about that! I didn't see you –I'm such a klutz!" I had a better look at him, it was the boy with red hair! Ino quickly sat next to me to see if I was all right, as soon as she saw the redhead she gasped, it sounded like she had seen a monster. What a surprise, Ino apologized as much as she could.
He stopped her apologetic yapping, "Get the hell away from me." His words were thick with poison. The redhead picked himself up and walked away, disappearing from sight. I sat there in awe while Ino got up too, she held her hand out to me, and I realized why people avoided him. What a jerk!
"What crawled up his butt and died?" I asked unbelievably, "Who is that guy?" I dusted myself, "The nerve of him! He should have been watching too!"
Ino sighed, "That guy was Gaara Sabaku. He's part of the super rich group with Naruto and Sasuke. Gaara's family probably has more money than Naruto and Sasuke's family combined. Don't pay too much mind to him, he's a social outcast and is mean to everybody. He's a psychopathic spawn of Satan. You've probably noticed that no one talks to him or dares to even get within a ten foot radius." I had to laugh at that, nobody was that awful, he probably has a good reason to be mad, but that still doesn't mean he can go around being rude to people.
"Does he go to our school?" I asked her as we reached Tsunade and Shizune.
"Unfortunately." Ino made a face, "Gaara is a junior, but he'll probably have to take the same year again because he doesn't do anything, he never participates." She smiled, "Well, enough about that creepy bum. I'll see you at school..?"
"Day after tomorrow." I replied, "Nice meeting you, Ino." We hugged each other.
"See you around, Sakura!" She said back, Ino and I exchanged numbers and went on our way. I fell asleep on our way back home. I had short dreams about Ino, the boys and girls I had seen at the mall, and eventually that awful Gaara Sabaku. A bump on the driveway woke me up. I took the bags of clothes, thanked Tsunade for everything today and headed up to my room. Exhaustion was my middle name right now; I threw the bags on the floor and flopped on my bed. What a day. Not a minute later I drifted off to sleep.
It was dark. The time was probably very late into the evening; pale, dim lights surrounded me. I was walking on a pathway to what looked like a traditional Konoha mansion, I had never seen such a gorgeous home in my life! I opened my mouth to say, "Wow." But no sound came out, I tried to talk, say other things. There was nothing. Giving up I just continued walking ahead, fountains and trees rested in the courtyard. I picked a fountain to rest on and wait till this dream was over, and I heard someone come closer to me from behind. I turned around –Gaara?! My eyes widened and I backed up a little, I'm not a very talented lip reader, but he put his hands up in a way to assure me that everything is fine. Gaara walked even closer to me, bent down on one knee and took my hand. I blushed as I watched him, he was studying each curve, line, whatever he could find; his eyes had certain softness to them. Slow and steadily he lifted my hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss from the middle of my hand to the end of my fingers. I blushed even more, I couldn't take this, not that it wasn't enjoyable…? No! He was a jerk! As I started to remember everything from the day before, Gaara and everything else in this toxic dream began to blur and disappear.
Right before consciousness wrapped itself around me I thought, whether or not he really was that bad, and if maybe all he needed was a chance.