A/N: Well,I was sort of nostalgic to finds out that my previous fics are still being read and re-read by those who finished them. I am indeed grateful to all the people who supported my fics. Anyhow, I am enjoying planning this story out so I might as well continue it. Again, I hope you like the second chappie and tell me what you think. I would really love to hear how you want the story to progress. This chapter is gonna be sweet, dramatic and hilarious at the same time so stay on your seats and let's get this thing going. –AERIN
LEGEND:
Italics- flashback
(dialogue)- private thoughts
-WAITING FOR THE RAIN-
OF LIGHTNINGS AND THUNDER BOLTS
" Well, you two should start getting along quite well. She's gonna be staying with us son."
"WHAT!!!!"
Both of them could not believe what they heard.
Mr. Uchiha simply chuckled at the pair's discomfiture. He continued sipping on his iced tea and waited for the expected outburst.
" But Dad, you can't even cook me a decent breakfast and you refuse to even hire a maid to clean the entire house! Now you want another person, and a girl at that, to join us in trashing the wretched place?"
Sakura struggled so hard to remain at her seat and stop herself from hitting this guy's head with the first thing she could get her hands on (unfortunately, the flower vase lies at the far end of the room that Sakura was literally boiling with anger).
" Excuse me but I am cultured enough to clean my own place not like some spoiled brat who keeps sponging his Dad to get a maid to finally clean his room."
Now it was Sasuke's turn to glare at Sakura and she glared back at him. If the rest of the world think that looks could kill, then a millenia or so might have passed and these two would continue on glaring at each other, neither of them dropping dead.
Facing Mr. Uchiha, Sakura spoke:
" Sir, it was kind of you to make the offer but I have my own place. My parents did not leave me with nothing and although I am in no position to state so, I am the only one left with everything they had."
Swallowing her grief and forcing her tears back, Sakura continued on to state her point.
" It's a nice place though not as big as your place Sir. I could live there on my own although I still need to find a job to support myself."
Sasuke was quiet, not out of kindness but simply because he does not understand. And he's too proud to even dare to ask. From what he heard, it seems that this Sakura (now she has a name?! No way! She's a wench!) is orphaned and his father has endeavored to take her in. But still, he does not understand this awkward silence, filled with grief and lamentation. What the heck is going on?
" Sakura, your Dad and I were business partners back then when I was still residing on a town in the Water Country. When my parents opted to transfer the business in the Fire Country, I talked to your father about migrating here, however, he refused. Thus many years have passed and Mamuro and I have lost touch. But then, a few days ago, I found out that he decided to move here with you and Kayako after all and I was elated. Your parents dropped by at my office for a chat yesterday and today we were supposed to meet here to organize a business deal since they didn't want to keep you waiting. But the accident…Who would have thought that this ill-fated day would take both of them away from us?"
Sasuke was dumbfounded. All he knew was that his father wanted to see this girl so he went through all the trouble finding her amidst the rain. He didn't even bother to ask Mrs. Hayatori why this girl would be out on weather like this before he set out to find her. He didn't even bother to know why she was by the river amidst the pouring rain. He didn't even bother knowing the reason behind her tears. Thus he remembered what occurred, her words that didn't mean anything to him a few moments ago now made sense:
" I didn't know there was one place in this miserable town that can bring me comfort. All I remember was an image of me, running and running away from the scathing rain. Considering how humid it was in the last few days, I've waited for this rain."
The girl looked at the sky. He didn't know if she was crying.
" The rain finally came. But how I wish it never fell. How I wish this day never came to be…"
This day… At last Sasuke understood why. On this fateful day, Sakura lost both of her parents. The fact that he didn't even care about how she felt caused him to feel guilt and remorse for the first time in his life. Sasuke was trying so hard to suppress the feeling simply because its not him to actually care. Uchiha Sasuke never followed the rules. He didn't look up to anybody, much more care for anyone. Yet what of this feeling?
(Probably I have a fever coming and I am having hallucinations. Yes, that must be it. Or my body must have been taken over by one of the river spirits that's why I feel that I am not myself. Why would I feel guilty? I pushed and shoved people without remorse everytime I play basketball. This wouldn't be any different.)
Sasuke fidgeted in his seat. Sakura saw him at the corner of her eye and thought that he might be having the time of his life watching her struggle to prevent herself from crying.
(Of course I would not give this idiot the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Let him watch all he wants and not a single tear will fall from my eyes.)
Mrs. Hayotori's voice broke her reverie.
" Sakura, we know that at this point, you are still probably waiting for everything to sink in and its natural. It's but hours ago when your parents died. However, it would be too much to let you go back to your house, quiet and empty and let you sleep and suffer there alone. We are here to help you Sakura. You can let yourself grieve and be rest assured that you are not alone."
Sakura was hopelessly losing her battle with her tears but pride allowed her to appear calm and composed.
" My parents have mentioned wanting to be cremated before. I believe I have to go see them before anything else."
Mr. Uchiha immediately voiced out his concern.
" Tomorrow is the time for that Sakura. Mamuro and I promised each other back then that we'd watch each other's backs. Just to clear things out, I am not doing this out of pity or charity, but simply because I am oath-bound to look after you. I know Mamuro would do the same for Sasuke so please, Sakura. Your parents are gone from this world but they would want you to live on."
Sakura felt too tired to argue. All the noise in the world seemed like muffled voices, all the colors reduced to black and white. She felt like an automaton, living aimlessly, devoid of aim and direction.
A slight tap on her should brought her to focus on one thing, or properly so, one person. Sakura gave him a dazed look until she felt a stinging sensation in her arm.
" What the heck are you doing?"
" I was looking stupid trying to talk to you. Jeez, you 're really a pain."
" What do you want now? Make it quick since I have spent ample time noticing your stupidity."
Sasuke looked uncomfortable, as if he was hestitating to say something that would hurt her.
(Why would this guy be careful with his words anyway? He's reputation is big enough to cover everything.)
" My dad says I have to take you to your place to pick up a few things before you move in to ours. He's worried about burglars stealing the precious things your parents left behind. And, bring along your stuff as well."
Sakura swallowed the angry remark she was going to throw at Sasuke.
(He can actually be kind when he wants to after all, but he might be playing another trick on me.)
Sasuke was already by the door:
" Are you coming or not? You're not just annoying, you're painfully slow too!"
Sakura shook her head in exasperation.
(I take back all the good things I just thought about him!)
Outside was Sasuke's motorbike. Sakura could not do anything but sigh.
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" How much longer are you gonna take packing?"
" Just quit snooping around the house and wait for me by the living room!"
" Annoying."
Sakura cannot imagine the rest of the days of her life with this annoying guy. She was tempted to again decline the offer but the moment she stepped on the house, grief overwhelmed her that she rushed inside her room to compose herself. Mrs. Hayatori was right. She will just rot and die with grief if she continues to live in here. Zipping her backpack close, she made her way to the living room and she found Sasuke holding a picture frame.
" I told you to quit snooping—"
" Relax. I just picked it up from the couch."
Sakura just looked at the picture tenderly. It was their family picture, taken last year. She placed it inside her bag and found Sasuke looking at her intently.
" What?"
Sasuke took a step forward and they were suddenly face to face.
"Sasuke…."
Sakura swallowed as his face came uncomfortably close to hers.
Sasuke's gaze was dark, piercing, and breathtaking…
Sakura took a step backward.
And Sasuke kept coming closer.
She could not breathe. His face was everything she saw.
She found her hands on his chest, trying to stop him from getting closer.
Yet he was very near her now. She could feel his breath.
Then when she found her back pinned at the wall, she closed her eyes and prepared to make one forceful shove but —
"I knew it!"
As Sasuke suddenly blurted those words out, Sakura almost drowned with the influx of air to her lungs. She stalked towards him angrily.
" What the heck was that for?"
" What?"
" That!"
" What?"
Sakura was definitely losing control. Sasuke remained clueless.
" You were so…close….and I —"
(Oh come on Sakura! Why are you stuttering!?)
Sasuke grabbed her bag and headed towards the door. Sakura was literally fuming with anger. When Sasuke saw that she wasn't moving, he looked at her and gave her a sheepish grin.
" I knew I would recognize that forehead of yours if I look closer. So you are that whiny forehead girl after all!"
" What? So that's what you've been doing? Leisurely looking at my forehead!"
" What are you so angry about, forehead girl?"
Sakura didn't want to be reminded of that nickname. But aside from that, she found a strange feeling inside her heart.
(Why am I disappointed? I should have expected that he was playing another trick on me! But why was I thinking of other things? )
She felt horrified realizing the direction her thoughts were taking. She cast one angry glare at Sasuke and out of nowhere, she suddenly remembered this boy, always wearing his blue shirt and black pants, highlighting his unique blue black hair.
" Now you are thinking of getting back at me aren't you?"
Sakura did not say anything. Already, she was perplexed with the myriad of emotions in her heart.
" We should go now."
She didn't want to make her day longer. Already, she wished it would end.
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" Your room would be right beside Sasuke's."
" Dad, are you crazy? If you forgot, I am reminding you that adjacent rooms are connected to each other by a single bathroom. My bathroom is enough for one and I wouldn't give this girl the idea of crawling to my room!"
" Well, if you aren't really stupid, you would have figured out that that is my concern as much as it is yours. I certainly do not appreciate having you clawing at me while I'm sleeping!"
Mr. Uchiha looked at the two in exasperation. He was looking forward to them meeting each other again after so many years but it seems that none of their childhood companionship remained. In fact, he was quite shocked that the two have not even acknowledged the fact that they once met each other on the farewell party they had before transferring.
" Well, they must have completely forgotten it. After everything that happened today, they must have been dazed. And they were what? 5 years old when they last met so it's no wonder they don't remember a thing."
" Dad, stop mumbling there and do something about this annoying girl!"
" Sasuke, this house is admittedly too big for the two of us that I opted to transfer to a room close to yours if ever you need something, remember? I want Sakura to stay close to us because allowing her to stay alone in an isolated part of the house would just make things hard for her especially after what happened."
Sakura was just half listening to their conversation because she could still not get over her shock upon realizing that the Uchiha family house was big. And by big, she meant a three-story mansion. She entered the front door and beheld a long corridor branching out in the middle. The left branch led them to the dining room. The right branch led them to an entry way towards the pool. The end of the corridor takes them to the entertainment room that she was dying to take a peek. Stairs were located at the right of the entertainment room. Upstairs, the same structure of corridors could be seen. Branching left and right are rooms, so many of them that she could not imagine how hard it must be to maintain all of them. Sasuke and his father occupied rooms by the left side overlooking the hills in Konoha. Thus, the rooms here have balconies to allow the occupants to see the beautiful scenery.
" Sakura, you should unpack your stuff. Its pretty late but don't worry, you don't have to go to class tomorrow."
Sasuke could not argue anymore. His dad was as stubborn as he was so its better not to push him anymore.
" I am just two rooms away if you two need me. Oh, and take a shower before you sleep. You were drenched by the rain and you might get sick."
Sasuke replied with a nod and walked towards his room. Sakura followed and went in to hers.
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The rain was still falling hard outside. Sakura could see the trees swaying with the wind. It seems that this has become a storm.
She was done unpacking her stuff. All she had to do was take a shower and finally, go to sleep.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was being impatient in his room. He wanted to take a shower already but he didn't like the idea of a girl walking in while he's taking a bath.
" Curse the person who designed this house! Is this economizing or what? Each room should have one bathroom darn it! And to make matters worse, you cannot lock sliding doors with this thing! What the hell was this architect thinking!"
Sasuke grabbed his basketball and threw it on the opposite wall. Catching it, he dribbled it while pacing around.
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Sakura turned the shower on and allowed the warm water to seep through her body. She thought about everything that happened today. Applying soap, playing a little with bubbles, then shampooing her hair, she realized how tired she really was. Everything that happened today seems like a bizaare dream, a dream that hurt so much that it resembled a nightmare. Wearing a bathrobe, she picked up her soiled clothes and —
The lightning struck.
The thunder roared.
The lights went out.
Sakura screamed.
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Sasuke was taken by surprise with the sudden blackout. He heard Sakura scream. Without even thinking about it, Sasuke rushed to her aid towards the darkness.
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" Sakura? Darn it! I can't see anything!"
Sasuke was groping around the short hallway to the bathroom. When he finally reached the sliding doors, he groped for their handles and slid them open.
Nothing but pitch, black darkness.
"Sakura?"
Nothing.
Sasuke strained his ears to hear any sound.
Then came a whimper.
Sasuke felt his way around and grazed his elbow with something. He hissed with pain.
Then, the comforting sound of the generator turning on, reached his ears.
Their ears.
And the lights were back.
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Blinded by the sudden appearance of light, Sasuke leaned on the wall and regained his balance. Then he quickly went to the direction of the whimper he heard earlier.
At the far end of the room, he found Sakura, sitting with her hands encircling her knees, shivering with fear.
He immediately went to her. When he leaned down to pick her up, she suddenly sat up and embraced him so tight that he couldn't breathe and was forced to sit down.
" Sakura…"
Then in a few moments, she loosened her embrace and buried her head in his chest and cried. Sasuke was filled with confusion, guilt, fear and whatever emotion he could think of. He didn't know what to do so he just did the first thing that came into his head.
He embraced her back and allowed her to cry.
Sasuke realized that this could just be the first time that Sakura allowed herself to grieve for her parents, to grieve for the life that was destroyed, to grieve for everything she lost.
She clung into him for quite a long while, allowing all the grief to pour out of her body through tears.
Sasuke didn't know how long they actually stayed like that. The rain was still pouring heavily outside but all the sound he could hear was Sakura, crying. When she finally quieted down, he picked her up and carried her to her room.
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Sakura has always been afraid of thunder but she thought she got over it. Yet the moment the lights went out and the thunder roared, she realized that her parents were gone and there was nobody to protect her anymore. She screamed and clung to the first person she saw.
Sasuke.
She allowed all her tears to overflow while feeling herself in his embrace. Finally, she could cry. Finally, she could grieve.
When it seemed that she would faint from exhaustion from crying all her heart out, she found herself being carried back to her room.
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Sitting on Sakura's bed, both of them didn't know what to say.
Sasuke was blushing madly when he noticed that Sakura was just wearing a bathrobe all along.
Sakura was dying with shame when she was Sasuke's shirt wet with her tears.
Both of them looked at the floor. Then, the ceiling.
And finally, the silence was broken by Sasuke.
" You gonna be alright?"
" Yeah."
" I'll go take a shower then."
" Sure."
Sasuke stood up and entered the conjoining hallway. Before entering the door, he looks back at her and says:
" Let all the rain fall down tonight so tomorrow, the sky will be clear."
Sakura didn't know what to say.
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Both of them were twisting and turning in their own beds, the sound of the rain bringing back thoughts that they didn't want to think about… thoughts of each other…
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A/N: Whew! A pretty long chapter eh! And to think that one day has just passed for both of them! Anyhow, the names for Sakura's parents just came to my head, but its not exactly from Naruto. And to help you guyz envision the structure of the rooms, I have this little diagram to help yah. Re-read the story and imagine the scenes if you want. Tehee…
Sasuke's room----- sliding doors-- bathroom--sliding doors----Sakura's room
I wonder what's gonna happen when they see each other for breakfast. Where was Mr. Uchiha when everything was happening? What would Sasuke's teammates say when they find out about his new housemate? All for next chapter! Did you guys like it or not? Your reviews keep me goin so REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!