Chapter 4: Welcome Home
Sakura's POV
"Mom! Dad!" I embraced my parents as they came through the airport gate.
"Hello sweetie! Oh, how are you doing? We've missed you!" my mother replied, hugging me tighter.
"I've missed you too," I said, releasing my mother. She held me out at arm's length to get a good look at me.
"Has it really been a year? You haven't changed a bit!" she looked down at my shoes, "Oooh, are those Vendi? I love them!"
"Yeah, my friends and I did a shoot for them yesterday," I took one of my mother's suitcases and walked with them out of the airport to the garage.
"Ah yes, that's right you told me about that," my mom said. Yeah, I called you yesterday morning. How could you have forgotten by now? I thought to myself. I've always had this inner frustration with my parents. They were always gone, which I couldn't blame them for because they were working after all, but when they cared to check up on me, they always talked about themselves. They asked about my day, sure, but when I told them about what I've been up to it seems that it goes in one ear and out the other. Sometimes I began to doubt that they really cared.
"So why are you guys back so soon?" I asked, putting their luggage into the trunk of my car.
"Honey, aren't you glad to see us?" My father said from the passenger's seat.
"Of course, I didn't mean that I don't want you here, it's just that I thought you guys were in the middle of a new project or something," I said hastily.
"Oh, honey, I'm just joking with you," my father said, "We're taking a break from the industry for a bit, actually, to take some time to think some new ideas. Our last project crashed when our lead actress got pregnant, you see, so we had to call it all off."
"And we thought we would drop in to wish our little girl a happy 21st birthday!" My mom said excitedly from the backseat. They're a week late, but I guess it's the thought that counts.
"Thanks guys, I really appreciate you coming home for my birthday," I said with a smile. "So where am I taking you; to the house or the Tower?" Although my parent's owned Haruno Tower, they didn't actually live in it. They kept a home in West Konoha Hills as a place to stay for the somewhat rare occasions where they came back home to visit. I was the only one in our family to actually occupy a part of the Haruno building.
"Well, let's go to your penthouse, of course! I hope it's not too destroyed from the party I'm sure you threw," said my mother.
"Actually, it's all clean now. My party was on my birthday; last week," I didn't mean to say it so harshly. An uncomfortable silence fell between the three of us, and I felt bad for saying what I had said. Couldn't I have just played along and made a joke, or just said it nicer than how it had actually come out? I drove a little faster then, wanting to get to our destination as soon as possible.
"Well, here we are. Welcome back!" I said a little too cheerily. My parents looked up starry-eyed at the 50 story building they owned. It had been about just over a year since they had last came back to Konoha.
"Mr. and Mrs. Haruno, we have been awaiting your arrival. Welcome back," the doorman came up to us and greeted my parents, then he turned to me, "Miss Sakura, shall I park your car downstairs?" I nodded with an appreciative smile and handed over my keys. I usually declined all his offers to do things for me, wanting to take care of things myself, because after all, I'm not a helpless little girl, but I felt like I couldn't leave my parents standing outside the building or roaming around on their own while I handled the car. I wrote a mental note to tip the man twenty dollars later.
My mother knocked on the window of my car, and the doorman, now sitting in the driver's seat, rolled down the window, "Oh, and while you're at it, could you send our things up? All the bags are in the trunk. Thank you!" my mother said. I sighed. My mother's philosophy was that if someone offered something to you, you are to accept it, then milk it for all it's worth. I was sure I didn't inherit that trait, thank goodness.
Then I realized my mother's intention behind her request. "Wait, you two are staying with me for this visit?"
"Oh, honey, just for tonight! We'll get out of your hair in the morning. The cleaners have gotten a late start on preparing the house for us, so this is the only other place we could stay. It's nicer than a hotel, after all. Darling, of course we wouldn't spend the whole visit in your home! We don't want to intrude," my mother smiled at me. Relieved, I sighed. My parents didn't notice.
We walked into the building and over to the elevators. A number of long-time employees said hello to my parents, recognizing them, before the doors closed and sent us up to the 50th floor. Unlike both Naruto's and Sasuke's homes, the elevator in Haruno Tower wasn't able to access residences directly. So we walked down a small hallway until we reached my front door.
I slipped the key in and turned the knob. Music was blaring from the living room and all the lights were on. I distinctly remembered leaving an empty penthouse before going to the airport. Oh jeez I thought to myself.
"What's all that noise?" My father said, following me to the living room.
The three of us turned the corner to quite a sight. Naruto, Ino, and Sasuke were on my couch. Last night I had called them to tell them that my parents were coming in today, but it was a surprise to me that they had actually come over to say hello. Sasuke and Ino were sitting and Naruto was standing, waving his arms in the air to the song playing on my sound system. In his hand he had a can of Coke.
"My goodness! Sakura, you didn't tell us you let in roommates!" My mother held and hand over her mouth, lightly horrified that someone would stand on a sofa. I could tell she was trying to tone down her disapproval as to not offend anyone if they noticed her stare.
Hearing my mother's voice, Naruto turned to us, eyes wide like a kid who was caught sneaking in a cookie before dinner. He quickly hopped off the sofa and used a remote to shut off the music, walking over to us with Sasuke and Ino following him. "Hello! It's great to you two again, Mr. and Mrs. Haruno!" He shook their hands a little too enthusiastically.
"Mom, Dad, these are Naruto, Sasuke, and Ino. They're my friends, not my roommates. Don't you remember Naruto and Sasuke?"
"Ahhh, that's right. Uzumaki and Uchiha, pleasure to see you again, boys," my father had a much better memory than my mother. But that didn't mean it was in tip-top shape either. "And who's this one? Ino, you said?"
"Yes, sir, Ino Yamanaka, I believe we met last a year ago, when you last visited," Ino reminded politely, taking my father's hand in hers, shaking it firmly.
"Yamanaka! Oh yes, you are Inoichi's lovely daughter!" my mom's brain finally caught up. "How are your parents doing? It's been too long, we should catch up with them soon!"
"They're doing great, thank you."
"The music industry is doing very well. I'm sure that's all because of your parent's success," my father laughed.
"Well, I'm sure you are doing well in your industry too! Owning a building in Upper Konoha; this is prime real estate right here!" said Ino, holding her hands out as if encompassing the building.
"Yes, yes, we're all doing fine. How about we bring this conversation to the couch and I'll get us some drinks," I said, ushering the group over to the living room.
From the kitchen I could hear the group's conversation.
My father, "You there, Sasuke, congratulations on the family company! I see it's going well."
"Thank you, sir," was Sasuke's reply.
"Yes. Your father was always the one to start the good businesses. Smart man, see? I met him a few times, and your mother too. Good people. You should be proud to be their son."
I walked out with a tray of drinks then, set it on the table in the middle, then went to sit next to Sasuke. He rested his arm around the back of the sofa behind me.
"So, how is your latest movie coming along?" Naruto asked from beside Ino.
My mother answered. "Actually, we just trashed our latest idea. It was a no-go from the start. There were signs of failure were everywhere! First there was some trouble with the script editor, he was away on some other business or something, so that got finished way past our deadline. Next we cast the perfect crew then the actress who is to take the lead role, we can't disclose her identity to anyone unless the movie releases, sorry!, gets pregnant! And she was supposed to be playing a 16-year-old, and we can't have a pregnant woman be playing a 16-year-old, now can we?" My mom sighed. "I'm hoping that we can develop a new idea during this break."
"Well, good luck. I hope you find a good one! You've had so many great movies out that it must be awfully hard to outdo yourselves every time," commented Ino.
"Yes, well, we try," my father said, rather dismissively, and a bit curt. He looked deep in concentration, like he was about to explode. I knew this face well.
"Uh-oh, Daddy just thought of something," I smirked.
"Please excuse us," my father said, taking my mother's wrist and leading her to the hallway away from us. They began to have a whispered conversation.
"What... What's wrong?" Ino asked, frightened. "Did I offend him?"
"No! No, that's the face my Dad makes when he comes up with a new film idea. You probably inspired him, not offended him!"
"Why did they have to go into the hallway? Couldn't he have just said his idea in front of us? It's not like we'd tell anyone..." Naruto wondered aloud.
"It's some weird rule thing among movie people that they're not allowed to disclose information regarding a project. And right now, we're just regular people who will be paying to see the movie. If we already knew what was going to happen, why would we pay a dime to watch it?" I explained.
"Well... I'd still go see it!" Naruto said stubbornly. "Hold up, does that mean they can't tell you either?"
"Nope," I shook my head.
"That's B.S., dude! You're their daughter! You should be allowed to know this stuff! Don't they trust you?"
"Naruto, the rule's pretty solid. I'm not in the cast or crew, so I can't know any details. It's frustrating, I know."
"Aww, whatever happened to the perks of having connected parents?" Naruto pouted.
"Well, for one, I get to see movies before they're released!" I began. "And I live in this penthouse for no rent, have enough money to satisfy my need to expand my car collection, and-"
"Alright, alright, I get your point," Naruto held his hands up and grinned.
"Yeah, but I totally get what you're saying." I took a sip of water.
My parents came back in and sat down. My father spoke, "Kids, we have something important to tell you. Sorry for leaving the room so rudely, but when inspiration strikes, hey, you've got to get your ideas out! Anyway, we've quickly outlined the basis for a new picture. It's going to be about a man who starts out as a poor university student with a dream, then works his way up the corporate ladder and eventually comes out on top! Eh, eh? How's that!" We all nodded, absorbing the idea. "And that's not all! As with all our other infant projects, our minds went straight to the cast. After all, the cast is the most basic fundamental of a film! So, I'm going to be quite blank with this one, Sasuke, we would like to hire you to play the main part."
All eyes turned to Sasuke, who looked surprised. He put a hand on his chest, indicating himself. "Me? But, I have no acting experience!" he politely protested. It was one of those rare times where he was caught off guard. We all were, actually.
"Oh, don't you worry about that! I'm sure with your experience with your father's company, you'll be able to fit the role well. We'll be there to guide you, of course, and won't let you make any mistakes! So what do you say?" my mother leaned forward in her seat, anxious for an answer.
I looked at the dark haired man sitting next to me. His eyes met mine and a silent beg could be seen in them. I turned back to my parents. "Mom, Dad, why don't you cast someone else instead? Maybe one of the actors you haven't worked with in a while?" I attempted.
"Oh, don't be silly Sakura, Sasuke is perfect for this role; I can practically see him up on the screen already!" my mom said.
"But mom, he doesn't want to do it and you can't-"
"I'll take the role," Sasuke said. I looked up at him, wide-eyed, and he squeezed my shoulder, gaze never falling from my parents. "I'll do it."
My mother delicately bounced in her seat. "Excellent! I'll call the team and have them draft a script. Looks like our stay is going to be much longer than we had anticipated!"
"Wait, what?" I asked, confused. "You're going to stay longer than a week?"
"Well, if we're going to film a movie about a business, wouldn't Konoha be the perfect place to do it? Of course we have to film on site, and if home is the site, then we're staying!" My father said cheerily. After thinking about it for a few moments, having my parents filming in Konoha wouldn't be so bad. If they were to film anywhere else, then they'd have to take their crew with them. And that would mean Sasuke would have to go. But this way he got to stay. I supposed it couldn't get much better than that!
Naruto interrupted my thoughts. "Hold on, Sakura was just telling us about that rule where you can't tell people outside the project about what it's all about! But you just told all of us, even though you're only casting Sasuke."
My father turned to the blond. "Well, this is where the other surprise comes in. See, the main character of this movie has a best friend who accompanies him through his battle to the top. And we also thought about who to cast as this friend, naturally, and we've decided to cast you, Naruto, to play him!"
Naruto's jaw dropped open a little. He quickly gathered up himself and practially shouted, "YES! YES, I'LL TAKE IT! AHH THIS HAS BEEN MY DREAM! A CHANCE TO MAKE A NAME FOR MYSELF! STRAIGHT TO THE SILVER SCREEN, BABY! Thank you so much!" He stood up and shook hands with my delighted parents.
"No, Naruto, thank you! You've the perfect energy for the role you're going to be filling. You're perfect for the part!" my mother laughed.
Naruto sat down. "So are you casting Ino and Sakura too, since they know about the movie?"
"Oh, no, sorry girls, but we've already promised the lead female part to a young woman who has been waiting to work for us for a while now. Consider yourselves an exception of the rule this one time," my father said. That was fine by me! I never wanted to become an actress anyway. One word: paparazzi.
"That's good with me. I'd make a lousy actress anyway. I would prefer a stage and sound team over a screen and camera crew any day," Ino said with a smile.
"So who did you cast for that female part you mentioned?" I asked curiously.
"Oh, her name's Karin. No last name; she's the one-name type. You'll get to know more about her soon when we start filming, which is in two weeks."
And with that my parents had a new idea solidified within the first day of their visit. Boy, these things happened fast. That night I lied alone in my bed, unable to sleep. I kept thinking about the name my father had given when I asked about the female part. Karin. What was this feeling I had whenever I thought about her name? I'd never met the woman, didn't even know what she looked like, and I already had an uneasy feeling about her. Karin.
I shivered, turned to my side, and fell asleep.
Hey guys, I hope that was a good chapter!(:
So...I need your help. I'm writing Karin into this fic, and I want to know something: do the majority of you guys like her or dislike her? And how much do you like/dislike her? Your feedback will help determine the direction of this fic. Please leave your answer in a review, along with any other comments you'd like to make. Thanks!
