DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO.
CHAPTER 3: On Instinct
The next day, bidding her distant grandmother goodbye, Sakura had taken a cab to the train station. Glancing outside, Sakura had marveled at the beauty Okayama had to offer. She had passed a few cherry blossom trees, and the street seemed to be covered in pink velvet.
Taking out the white envelope from her bag, she had stared at it for a few moments when the cab had hit a small bump. She was jolted from her thoughts and began to take notice of the scenery outside.
Slowly placing the white envelope on her lap, she was awestruck at the multiple cherry blossom trees that lined the walkway. Placing the envelope back in her bag, she called out to the driver.
"Excuse me, but can we stop here for just a moment? I'll be just a few minutes." Sakura said politely.
Without answering back, the driver had begun to pull up to the curb. Turning off the engine, Sakura smiled and thanked the driver. Stepping out, she began to walk up to the small walkway, and she smiled brightly.
"It's so beautiful here!" Sakura exclaimed.
Taking out her camera, she began to take a few photos. When she decided that she had taken enough Sakura began to turn around, when a gust of wind hit her from behind and surrounding her with pink cherry blossom petals. Giggling playfully, she began spinning on her heels repeatedly, her arms outstretched.
"If you had lain on the cherry blossom covered pavement, you would have blended out nicely with that pink hair of yours."
Sakura stumbled, but immediately steadying herself before she fell. It happened again. Random thoughts entered her mind, and she had no control over them. What was happening?
BEEP!
Sakura was jerked from her thoughts when the cab driver honked his horn on her. She looked at her watch, "Oh no! I'll miss the train!"
Dressed in a blue polo shirt and jeans, Sasuke headed out, his camera bag hanging from his shoulder. He began to walk towards the photo shop that he had gone to yesterday. The door ringing as he had opened the door, the man behind the counter turned around.
"Oh it's you! Well the dark room is ready for you, you can go right in…"
"Sasuke." Sasuke finished for him.
"Alright, Sasuke. Go right in." the man said.
Nodding, Sasuke entered the dark room and placed his bag on the table near the door.
Gathering his supplies, Sasuke grabbed his camera and exposed the film. He then began mixing the chemicals needed for the developing process. Double-checking to see if there was any light entering the room, he then started opening the canister and taking the film out. Slowly unraveling the film, he began to make the necessary adjustment to the film by cutting out the unnecessary parts.
Grabbing a reel, Sasuke proceeded to load the film into the reel. Placing the reel inside the developing tank, Sasuke then started with developing process until the final wash. He then hung the film and let it dry.
Grabbing all his stuff and bag, Sasuke left the dark room.
"I'll be back in two hours." Sasuke said.
"Alright."
Sasuke had decided to go back to Tsuyama to continue shooting more photos.
As he neared the line of cherry blossom trees, his camera hanging from his neck, Sasuke saw a familiar pink haired woman standing in front of the walkway. As he was about to take another step, a strong gust of wind rushed through him. Closing his eyes to prevent debris from entering his eyes, he placed his hand in front of them and slowly opened his eyes. What he had seen left him speechless.
The woman with the weird hair color was engulfed in cherry blossom petals, a big smile on her face as she spun around. Lifting the camera up to his eyes, he began taking pictures. Shot by shot he took pictures of her, innocently enjoying what nature had to offer her.
And she had fit in so well, with her pink hair.
But as short as the gust of wind had passed, so did the joy on her face as she staggered. Sasuke felt his body take a step forward on instinct, as if to run towards her to catch her fall. But thankfully, she had caught herself just in time.
He opened his mouth to say something. Something that his body was doing on instinct, cause whatever he was about to say, he had no control over. But before he could blurt out the words he didn't even know what would be, he heard a loud beep.
The previously shocked woman was brought to her senses and immediately rushed towards the cab and got in.
Shaken out of his reverie, Sasuke stood up straight and watched as the cab turned a corner and disappeared from his view.
Pulling up to the station, Sakura waited patiently for the doors to open. As the bell was rung, the doors began to open, and suddenly, Sakura found herself being roughly pushed out of the train by a stampede of people.
"OUCH!"
Sakura thought, as one person had stepped on her toe. Finally pushing her way out of the mass of people, she had made it out of the train station. She breathed a sigh of relief and placed her hand on top of her chest.
"Made it." Sakura said with a smile.
After catching her breath, she rummaged through her bag and took out the envelope her grandmother had given her. As she looked at the address, she scrunched her eyebrows.
"Now where could this be." Sakura thought. She then took out her phone and typed in the address on the maps.
A few seconds later, her phone had given her the route to the said place. "Alright! Here we go."
Minutes and sore legs later, Sakura stood in front of a very modest white apartment building. Climbing up the stairs, she began to search for the specific room. Having finally reached the end, Sakura double-checked and placed the note in her back pocket. Taking a deep breath, Sakura rang the doorbell.
Waiting for door to be opened, Sakura checked her watch and began tapping her feet. "I wonder if no one's home." Sakura asked herself.
Ringing the doorbell once again, Sakura stared at the huge numbers emblazoned on the door. And like before, no one had gone to open the door. Sakura felt tears prick her eyes, and in her frustration, she began to ring the doorbell repeatedly. She felt her hope dwindle down to nothing when no one had come to open the door for her again. Sliding her hands down the wall, and finally to her side. She choked a sob.
"This is so unfair. All I want is to finally find out…" Sakura was telling herself when the door slammed open.
"I told you already! I'm not interested to buy your stupid…"
Sakura stared wide-eyed, at the man before her, who coincidentally had the same expression as her. Whatever he had been holding, he had dropped it in shock and Sakura felt wetness starting to pool around her shoes. Shaken out of her stupor, she looked down and awkwardly spoke, "Uhm. You dropped your ramen."
Sakura looked back up to his face and saw him blink. And then blink again. Seconds later, Sakura found herself engulfed in strong arms.
"How are you…I don't understand. I…" The man stuttered, forcing to say something coherent.
Sakura was shocked to find herself in the arms of this not so stranger. She lifted her arms, her upper arms pinned to her by his arms. And hugged him back awkwardly.
"Hello, Naruto-san."
note. I'm just so happy with the story that I update so fast. meh. Anywaay, what do you guys think? PLEASE. Let me know.
I shall change my previous line with.
Review. Follow. Favorite. Whatever rocks those boats of yours. But do know, your reviews rock mine.
dontcountonit. love love.
