A/N: I know I should be working on my other stories... I actually had this written a while ago. Reading it over now, I feel like I was on something when writing this. :\
Warning: Sakura doesn't like to play the piano very much in the beginning of this story...Sorry if it offends anyone. I play the piano myself, and let me just say, practice can be a drag. I don't blame her for hating it, but don't worry. All's good in the end. ^^
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
The usual breeze blew past as the subway arrived. I boarded the subway as soon as the passengers cleared. Since it was rush hour, there were many people using the subway, making it extra hard to find a seat. I managed to find one though, because I had boarded rather early.
I sat down and placed my bag onto my lap for security. Then, I closed my eyes and laid them to rest.
I dreamed.
In my dream, I was seated on my piano bench, facing my black, upright piano. Of course I'd dream about my piano. It was always piano, piano, piano. I don't remember a life without it. At the same time, I don't remember a life where I loved playing it. It was just there, sitting in my room, collecting dust on the days I left it alone and playing empty notes on the days I was forced to practise.
The next time I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on someone's shoulder. When I was finally aware of it, I shot up and apologized. The man, or boy (well, he's wearing a school uniform, so I assume he is a boy) chuckled.
"It's alright. Don't sweat it. Everyone gets tired at times."
He's right. And right now, I'm very tired of playing the piano. In my waking moments, if I'm not playing the piano, I'm thinking about it and in my sleeping moments, I dream about it. It's as though the piano is a creepy stalker that I cannot get rid of no matter how much I try.
Along the way, the subway had picked up even more people, and now all the seats have been taken. I looked down and breathed a sigh of relief as my bag was in the same place I left it before I had fallen asleep.
Outside, the evening sun dyed the sky golden. Streaks of pink, purple, and orange painted themselves all the way across the clouds. It was so beautiful, like a painting. Why hadn't I taken painting lessons instead? Why did I have to take piano lessons?
The subway came to a stop as it arrived at yet another station. The force of the halt must have been too strong, as in front of me, an old woman wobbled. Worried, I got up and stood to the side.
"You can have my seat." I was rather angry when my voice didn't come out how I wanted it to. I sounded mad and impatient when in reality, I just wanted her to sit before she loses her balance and falls. Apparently, the old woman did not catch my true intention.
"N-no, it's quite alright. Th-thank you." Her voice shook in fear. Was she afraid of me?
"It's not alright. Look at you; you're about to fall any second." I bit my tongue. If what I said at first hadn't scared her enough, this would have.
"I-I'm fine," she insisted.
I "tsked" and looked away. Why was she being so persistent? Couldn't she see that I'm just worried about her?
The doors closed and the subway began moving again. The wobbling and swaying continued from the old woman.
At the next stop, I had an idea. I grabbed my bag and stood up, sidestepping the old woman in front of me. A girl, who looked like she was a few years older than me, moved to grab the now unoccupied seat, but I stopped her.
"Let her have it," I told her. I must have had a scary look on my face or something, because the girl gulped nervously and nodded.
I disembarked the subway and found myself standing on an unfamiliar platform. This was not my stop, but I didn't know any other way for the old woman to sit down. If having me there scared her to the point where she would not sit even when offered to, then it was best for me to leave.
In the end, the next subway took an hour to come. As a result, I got home an hour later than usual, as expected. After all, it wasn't everyday that I step off a subway to board another one that was headed for the same place. Upon reaching my house, I unlocked the front door and stepped in.
"I'm home," I called out. Almost instantly, my mother came running from the kitchen.
"Sakura! My dea– where have you been? I've been calling your cell phone, but you haven't picked up!" The creases on her forehead were less visible now as relief washed over her face.
"I was in the subway station. You know how bad the reception can get down there." I emptied out my lunch bag and put my lunch box into the sink, running water over it. Upon grabbing my bag again, I noticed something. "Oh, I lost my keychain…" It was usually attached to my school bag, but I wonder when I had lost it. Oh well, I guess I don't need one…
"I'm just glad you're back. What took you so long?"
"There was this old–"
"I'm done making dinner, so make sure you eat before Uchiha-sensei comes. I've told you that your piano lesson starts earlier today, have I not?" Was that what she was worried about?
"Don't worry. I didn't forget about that." Suddenly, I didn't have much of an appetite anymore. "And I'm not hungry, so I'll just wait until he comes."
"If you say so…You should make good use of this time and practise." She walked back into the kitchen before peaking out. "And I'm listening. Remember."
I sighed. "Alright, mom."
I slowly made my way up the stairs and into my room. Dropping my school bag onto the floor, I walked over to my piano. I stared at the black and white keys laid out in front of me for a good moment or two. Moving my arm, my hand hovered over the keys. As a finger absently pressed down on the middle C, a sound filled the room.
And suddenly, I wanted to scream.
Thank you for reading! Reviews are much appreciated! I will answer any questions as long as it doesn't spoil anything!