Me: hey, hey, hey! Ima back! And yes, you have permission to shoot me dead for such a long wait that you had to experience .''
Sasuke: Do kunai count?
Me: I-I-I...errr...
Sakura: I guess kunai don't count, oh well, there's always something much easier to use -smirks evilly-
Me: -dodges flying shuriken and senbon needles and various katon jutsus and human strength ninja style- Eep! -speaks rapidly- I had better go before I do an untimely death! I don't own Naruto Masashi Kishimoto-sama does!
"Speaking"
'Thoughts'
'Inner Selves'
FLASH BACK…
POV
(translations)
Lyrics
Recap:
As time passed and the train wheels kept on rolling towards their destination, pausing occasionally to allow passengers to get off at their desired destination and a new lot on to take them where they pleased. Gazing out of the train through the window, Sasuke continued to replay the events of the day, treasuring the time he spent with Sakura a lot more than he would have ever planned to, lost in his own mind, Sasuke vaguely wondered what Sakura's life was before he met her, what it was like in Suna, what her parents are like, how she turned out like she did, and in a way, it slightly hurt in his heart, knowing that she didn't understand why he took her around today, but he couldn't really blame her after only relying on her self for a long time, he just wondered why he cared for her all of a sudden, it's not like he had cared for any of his other friends like he had to her before.
Sighing inwardly, Sasuke averted his gaze to the now sleeping Sakura who was resting her head on his shoulder, which he really didn't mind and was actually enjoying just watching the girl rest soundlessly, it seemed those stress marks that occasionally appeared on her face disappear when she sleeps and makes her many years younger, and if Sasuke didn't know any better he would say that she was thirteen and not fifteen like he is, but that's impossible right? A thirteen year old girl in his year when the majority of them are either fifteen or sixteen and occasionally one or two fourteen? Chuckling to himself, Sasuke unconsciously snaked his arm around the girl and allowed her to sleep on his chest while he watched the scenery change from city to bush land to city again. Noting that they were almost back to where they started, Sasuke took his arm back and lightly shook the girl to wake her up.
"Oi, Scholar girl, wake up" Sasuke ordered, shaking her gently.
"Hmm?" Sakura questioned.
"We're almost home" Sasuke smirked.
"Aa" Sakura nodded, rubbing her eyes of any sleep that had collected in her eyes and stretched like a cat, waking her self up properly. 'Cute' Sasuke thought, watching her rub her eyes and stretching, noting that her top rose slightly when she stretched, revealing that lovely stomach of hers. Looking around, Sakura noted that Sasuke and her were the only ones left on the train, guessing that this was most likely the final stop for the night and got up from her seat like Sasuke and walked over to the doors waiting for the train to stop and doors to slide open.
"Final stop, Konoha central, thank you for traveling with us tonight, good night" a man spoke over the intercom as the train pulled into the station and the mechanical train doors slid open, allowing the final passengers to get off the train. Following the Uchiha, Sakura walked off the train and out of the train station, savouring the quite off their surroundings as they walked through the park and passed the shopping centre which began their adventure they had today.
It seemed, that unconsciously, Sasuke had gotten a hold of Sakura's hand, holding it like it was the last thing he was ever going to hold, which Sakura unconsciously smiled to and allowed Sasuke to hold her hand as their fingers interlaced. Without realizing it, both had turned away from the path towards Sakura's house and walked towards a large cherry blossom tree on the top of a hill and jumped up into the tree, enjoying the beauty of nature at night, hands still interlaced as Sakura lay carelessly on Sasuke in between his legs as he lay against the tree trunk, Sasuke's other arm long ago had snaked around Sakura's waist.
'What's this feeling?'
'It's called love'
'That's ridiculous! I have no feelings for Sasuke aside a friendship and classmate'
'I didn't say it was Sasuke'
'But you were implying it'
'Yea…I was, but you are in love'
'What nonsense! This is ridiculous-'
'Have you taken any note of how you two are sitting? Your hand is in his, you are in between his legs and leaning on him! For Kami-sama's sake, his arm is around your waist!'
'So?'
'You are so dense! That's a very couple-y thing to do!'
'…'
"I-I should probably go now" Sakura smiled as she pulled her hand away from Sasuke's and pulled out of his hold.
"Oh, yea, your brother is probably worried" Sasuke chuckled, jumping off the tree with the girl and guiding her house.
--
"Well, I'll see you on Monday" Sakura smiled forcefully.
"Yea, bye" Sasuke nodded, walking away from the mansion before him and towards his own.
"Well that was a weird night" Sakura muttered walking into the house and closing the door, upon closing the door, Sakura could have sworn she heard cries and wails of exasperation that sounded similar to Tenten, Temari and Hinata…and was that Mikoto?
End Recap
As their final week of class and school concluded for the Christmas break, students piled out of the majestic institution, either relieved that they were finally free and got to spend time with their friends or extremely upset, knowing they had summer camp this holiday, and wouldn't get to see their friends until a couple of days before the end of the Christmas break. Waiting for students to make their way out of the hell hole (as Sakura had called it) the blossom waited outside the art room for Kurenai to arrive so she could collect all her bodies of work from over the year and any musical manuscripts that Sakura had left from over the year (for the extension work of course). Turning her head to the right to the sound of foot steps clapping against the wooden hallway, Sakura scowled in distaste as she watched Ino walking up to her.
"Hello Forehead-girl" Ino smiled fakely.
"Yamanaka" Sakura nodded in slight recognition.
"Well, I would just like to say that this year has been an excellent year, and I hope to have a repeat of this wonderful year next year, however, knowing how wonderful this year was, I am now regretting it, so I am asking you nicely now to fuck off and get lost, I have my ways to make you disappear" Ino threatened.
"…" Sakura made no comment, truthfully, she hadn't even been listening at all and in fact had been ignoring Ino since she started blabbering on about whatever it was she wanted to blabber on about, in the back of her mind, yes the inner in her was planning ways to kill and maim the girl, but all she really was thinking about is how much longer Kurenai would be, she didn't have all after noon you know!
"To scared to speak?" Ino smirked "Wise choice" Ino nodded, flipping her hair over her back and walking away with swaying hips, presumably to Sasuke. Slowly the sound of hasty foot steps slapping against the wooden floor sped through the North wing hallway as a slightly flustered and disheveled looking Kurenai came running towards the blossom with various books and papers in her left hand and keys and posters in another hand. Sighing inwardly at her teacher's tardiness, she walked over to the flushed black haired woman, lending a hand and carrying some of the things in her hand.
"Thanks Sakura-san" Kurenai smiled handing over the books, paper and posters so she could open the art room mahogany doors to allow the blossom to collect her works.
"Sorry I'm so late Sakura-san, I got….caught up….with…Kakashi-san" Kurenai mumbled.
"It's okay" Sakura nodded, taking the silent hint that she had a deeper relationship with her math teacher. Sighing inwardly, Sakura gave her art teacher a once over with her eyes, noticing the slightly crinkled look to her outfit for the day, the slightly messy hair, the smudged make up and the suspicious white stain on the woman's black skirt, just above her thighs. Great, so her math teacher and art/music teacher were having an intimate relationship on school grounds, she just hope for the janitors sake, that they clean where ever they did it might well, if not, well Sakura might just have to be careful next time she goes into one of the many class rooms she takes classes in next year. Walking into the art room behind the black haired woman, Sakura walked over to the many store rooms, pulling out various art equipment and canvases, piling them into one pile before receiving manuscripts with music notes on them which she place carefully into her folder and back into her bag.
"Kurenai-sensei, can I have a bag to carry these things in?" Sakura asked, pointing to the art equipment and the eight or nine canvases, along with various paper paintings and drawings and sculptures.
"Of course" Kurenai smiled.
"Arigato" Sakura bowed as she watched the teacher run into another store room and coming back out with a reasonably large plastic bag and newspaper to wrap the sculptures in. Working in silence, the teacher and student wrapped up each sculpture, placing them into the bag carefully before placing each of the canvases into the bag, followed by the paper works which were placed in a separate folder and then placed into the bag.
"You achieved an amazing result this year Sakura-san, I hope I can see those same results next year" Kurenai smiled.
"We'll just have to wait and see won't we?" Sakura smiled back.
"Well, you should probably be on your way and see your friends, tell your Kaa-san and Tou-san that I said Merry Christmas and have a Happy New year" Kurenai requested.
"Of course" Sakura nodded "See you next year Kurenai-sensei" Sakura smiled, waving to her teacher and leaving the art room for the final time that year. By now, students had already evacuated the premises and were far gone, most likely at home or hanging out with friends, causing much chaos to the people that happened to be in their path, unfortunately. Enjoying the piece and quiet of the hall ways, Sakura, opened up her locker, brought out her math text book along with her Business and Legal studies text book and the History, Geography, Biology, Physics and Chemistry text books, struggling slightly to put them in her bag, but eventually managed, cursing at the weight of her bag as she pulled out everything of her locker and placed into her bag as well. Locking her locker, the girl slowed her pace down slightly as she walked out of the hell hole and away from the school yards for the final time this year.
'You know, it seems odd that-'
'Don't even say it'
'But you know it does seem a little odd that they-'
'I said don't say it! You know what, don't even speak, you might have jinxed me'
'Hmph! Fine'
"Let's see…work, gym training, ballet and soccer" Sakura muttered, walking passed the park that she had been in almost a full week ago with Sasuke, alone. Just thinking about what had happened between them (although in her mind, wasn't at all intentional on either party's part) sent her heart beating at a million miles an hour and her cheeks slightly red, her palms got slightly sweaty, and for some reason, she felt so flustered, she was so happy. Not paying attention to where she actually heading, some how knowing her feet would lead her safely home and to work, the girl hardly noticed when roughly seven other people began following her, all the way home, stalking her slightly, though some more begrudgingly thinking it was pointless, though she did notice, cursing her inner mind for bringing the topic about them not greeting her after school up.
Not minding that they were actually following her, Sakura mindlessly crossed the road, not paying attention to traffic signals as cars continued to drive on the road, it seemed by mere chance that the girl had managed to miss each and every car, barely, much to her friends' relief. Continuing her way towards home, the girl seemed to continue narrowly avoiding danger as various people came running out of no where, almost bumping into the oblivious girl had they not changed their path at the last second.
"Could she be any more oblivious?! Tenten exclaimed as the traffic stopped to allow the seven teenagers to cross the crossing hastily. Turning the corner the corner that Sakura had just turned, the teenagers were shocked when they found the blossom tapping her foot impatiently as she glared at the slightly irritated, her free hand on her hip, which looked slightly awkward since her free hand was also holding her school folder.
"If you guys really wanted something, you could have just asked instead of following me around like stalkers" Sakura glared. The girls and Naruto laughed nervously, scratching the back of their heads, while the other three guys were glaring at them. They stood there for about five minutes before Sakura gave up on asking them what they wanted and discreetly snuck away from them, who seemed oblivious through their flustered or angered state, the only one to really notice her leave was Sasuke, but, he already had a rough idea of where she was heading and so, decided to follow the girl, leaving the group as discreetly as the pink haired girl who was before them.
Smirking inwardly in triumph, the blossom quickly arrived at the massive mansion, running as hurriedly as she could with a bag of art works and supplies in her hold along with many text books up to her room, dumping her school bag onto the soft carpeted floor near her wardrobe with her folder on her desk and carefully placing the art works of all sizes onto the floor. Sighing irritably, the girl left the pile of works in the middle of the floor while she unlocked her wardrobe and went in, looking for her work attire, as well as her gym and ballet leotards and soccer uniform.
Coming back out, changed into her marine green khaki jeans and green and white top, her various outfits for the after noon appointments were in one hand while in the other was her school uniform. Dumping her school uniform on her bed, the girl neatly folded her work and sporting gear into her sports bag, making sure that her knee and shin pads were in there along with three drink bottles and a towel before checking to make sure everything was all in the right place and correct so she could leave for her after noon activities. Giving her eyes a once over, the girl locked her wardrobe and closed the door to her bedroom, walking down various hallways towards the front door and out of the mansion.
Walking through the streets of Konoha, Sakura became more and more aware of the amount of people who either spared her a glance or even bothered to glare at her. Not sure of what they were so angry about, the girl continued her towards 'The Shining Café' where people continued giving her the intense stare, making her wonder if she had done something extremely bad to make people glare at her, or it was just because of her odd combination of coral pink hair and emerald green eyes. Ignoring the glares as best as she could the girl calmly walked into the café, not surprised at all to find that people were still staring at her as she walked into the back room to get changed into her work attire.
Sakura sighed, she had no idea of what she had done wrong, but whatever it was, it had spread through the town like a disease which resulted in people giving her either an angered look or a pitiful look, I mean, what could she have possibly done to anger the entire town, aside her friends. Heck, every where she went, people had given her one of the two looks, her soccer coach and team mates, who had respected her a lot, Akito and Goro sent her a pitying look and then her ballet coach….well….let's not even go there.
But aside the people she knew like her trainers and coaches and what ever else, Sakura noticed one thing, the majority of the glares came from girls from basically any age from ten to late twenties; while many pitying looks came from woman, most likely over the age of thirty. That most likely meant she should be signing her death wish and will soon…
Grumbling in defeat, the girl decided instead of going home straight away, that she would by pass her home and take a long and quiet walk to ease her mind, and relax her tense muscles. Since when in the hell did she care what people thought of her? Who cares if they pitied her or were angered with her? She could care less, she told her self as she jumped onto a secluded cherry blossom tree branch, ignoring the cold chill that was running through the town currently, well it was winter…technically…even if there were in fire country territory.
"What a day" Sakura mumbled, for some reason, even though she had technically just done at least six hours of exercise, she felt exhausted, she felt lazy. It was so odd, usually after exercise of any kind she would feel energized and want to do it all again, her muscles would feel relaxed and not tense like they did right now, heck even her mind was more alert than it was right "What a week" Sakura sighed as she leaned onto the tree trunk tiredly, enjoying the scenery of almost white blossoms in the dark sky. Suppressing a cold shiver, the girl continued to watch the fallen petals dance with the wind like her hair which was flying this way and that in a calming sway.
Closing her eyes in relaxation, the girl slowly drifted into a light slumber forgetting all priorities and issues that she would have to deal with sooner or later, right then and there, was the first time she had had the chance to relax in a long time and the blossom seemed to be enjoying it, so much so that the blossom failed to realize some one coming closer to the tree and actually jumping onto the branch she was on at the time.
By the time she had registered that some one was actually invading her personal space barrier, it was far too late as something dropped onto her head, something warm and soft, As her eyes shot open and her back bolted off the trunk, Sakura was slightly confused to only see darkness, frowning in displeasure, the girl pulled the blind fold over and look around to find Sasuke staring at her bored with a slight amount of concern. Looking down at her hands, she realized that what was over her head was a jacket…a very nice smelling jacket might I add. Look quizzically up at Sasuke, the girl's eyes spoke her unspoken question.
"Your brother said you hadn't return from training and asked me to go find you" Sasuke explained, sitting on the branch with her.
"Oh" Sakura muttered "Here" Sakura said, giving him the jacket.
"Keep it" Sasuke ordered.
"I don't need it, I like a little cold breeze anyway" Sakura replied, going back to leaning on the tree trunk and allowing her mind to wander. Sasuke inwardly scoffed, right now it was roughly sixteen degrees and that breeze wasn't as little as she claimed it to be.
"Why are you out here?" Sasuke asked.
"I could ask you the same question" Sakura replied "but I already did" Sakura sneered. Amazing, sixteen degrees and she still had a cocky air around her.
"So why are you here?" Sasuke repeated.
"Wanted a little fresh air" Sakura answered.
"It's almost ten" Sasuke scowled.
"Meh" Sakura shrugged.
"…" Well that was unexpected; doesn't she usually revise or study? Or do something else that could possibly affect her life in the near or distant future? Isn't she like working her brain or something like that? Something is obviously off with this cherry blossom, and Sasuke for some reason felt inclined to ask her and find out about it, even if he had to get it out of her using forceful ways.
"What's up with you?" Sasuke asked bluntly.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked confused.
"Don't you usually have something to do now? Like training or studying?" Sasuke inquired.
"Why study or revise anything we learnt today? It's the last day of school and we learned nothing" Sakura scowled.
"That didn't stop you on the first day of school, we learnt as much on the first day as we did the last" Sasuke pointed out.
"I personally may have not learnt a thing on either day, but we were still taught something and I believe it is important to revise it" Sakura said.
"And what of the winter homework?" Sasuke asked.
"Whatever" Sakura muttered, obviously bored of the conversation.
'What's with her? She's seems…depressed' Sasuke thought looking over her character, she seemed…tired.
"Seriously, what's up? You seem really tired" Sasuke asked.
"Nothing is up with me" Sakura smiled reassuringly (fakely of course) "I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet" Sakura answered.
"Oh yea, enjoying peace and quiet outside up in a tree at ten pm" Sasuke sneered.
"Why does it seem so hard to believe?" Sakura asked.
"Because it's you" Sasuke stated bluntly.
"So? I could hardly call you some one who knows me well after only a year" Sakura scoffed.
"You're right, but that's because you didn't let any one get to know you properly" Sasuke pointed out.
"…" Sakura stayed quiet, she knew it was true, so all she could do is huff in defeat and look away from him slightly angered.
"I don't get why you won't let anyone get close to you though" Sasuke said.
"Just because I'm not like everyone else who thrives on human contact doesn't mean I haven't let anyone get close to me" Sakura muttered.
"Name one person" Sasuke said.
"…" Sakura didn't say anything, not because it wasn't true, because she didn't want to say anything. Looking at the girl he could tell she could have said some one, it was just a matter of telling him, which he didn't think he would get an answer to any time soon. Looking closely at her profile, though it wasn't obvious he could tell she was shivering, whether it be because he brought up a subject that was strictly taboo or because it was cold it couldn't tell, but judging on her facial expression, he guessed she was getting cold. Sighing at her stupidity, Sasuke pulled him self closer to the girl, covering her with this jacket (which was far too big for her) and hugging her tightly; shocking her at the close contact.
"W-what are y-you doing?" Sakura stuttered suppressing the blush that was most likely going to come onto her usually impassive face.
"Oh come on Sakura, common survival knowledge, to get warm exchange body heat, you're cold" Sasuke stated "And here I thought you were smart" Sasuke sneered.
"I said I am fine" Sakura insisted as she tried to get of his muscular arms, ignoring the addictively luscious scent he had wavering around him (failing of course).
"Now, tell me why you are so off today" Sasuke ordered, smirking at how the girl was struggling to push the blush off her cheeks while getting out of his arms. After a good ten minutes of struggling the girl gave up and just looked away, trying to ignore the intent gaze Sasuke was sending her.
"Well?" Sasuke beckoned.
"I'm just tired" Sakura mumbled.
"You've been tired before, you haven't let it affect you either" Sasuke stated.
"I don't know…I feel depleted…exhausted" Sakura murmured.
"That still has never affect you before" Sasuke said.
"I know" Sakura grumbled, looking down and away from Sasuke, knowing his gaze was still on her.
"So then what is affecting you?" Sasuke asked.
"I have no idea, I just feel to depleted today, my energy is all gone" Sakura answered.
'Some how, I don't believe that, sure she may have her energy feeling like it's all gone, but since when has that stopped her with anything? I admit she does look exhausted, a lot more than ever, but it's not her physical being which is tired it's her mind' Sasuke analysed watching the blossom struggle to stay awake.
"Come on, I'll take you home" Sasuke offered.
"No it's okay I'll stay out for a little longer" Sakura insisted.
"Don't even think about it, your brother sent me out here looking for you two hours ago, if I come back empty handed, he'll kill me" Sasuke said.
"Tell him I'll be back later" Sakura muttered tiredly.
"You're too tired to stay out any longer" Sasuke stated, and with that, he held onto the seemingly fragile blossom tighter before jumping off the branch, receiving a shocked yelped from the pink haired girl.
"Aww come on, it's only what ten thirty? It's the holidays! I just want to stay out a little longer" Sakura pleaded.
"You can stay out a little longer as we walk back" Sasuke smirked, dragging the blossom with him towards her house. Slowly and unwillingly, the girl followed the Uchiha after she convinced him to let her go so she could walk a little easier, not liking the idea of being dragged. As minutes passed the pair hadn't gotten much further from the cherry blossom tree, the blossom her self having slowed down a great deal from when they began walking as she struggled to remain awake; Sasuke a little further than her, but still in a good distance so that if she were to make a bolt, he could catch up easily.
More minutes passed as their distance from the tree had increased much to the relief of the boy who wanted to go home him self and get some shut eye, but it seemed that little blossom behind him causing more trouble than he had intended as she continued to slow her pace a little more over each minute, which was becoming quite concerning for Sasuke.
Turning back to check the girl was still there, Sasuke's eyes widened at the sudden increase in gap between them as he watched Sakura fall to the ground in exhaustion. Running to her lying form, Sasuke kneeled down and picked her up, making sure that she had no major injuries or bruises adorning her petite form. Sighing in relief when he found no indication of any damage, Sasuke stood up, carrying Sakura bridal style, not minding the idea of carrying her home at all, and actually realizing how she fitted perfectly in his arms and against his body, which she was snuggling against for warmth presumably, it was funny how asleep she was like a child but when she was awake in a way she was like a university student, heck even a person in their thirties with many commitments.
'I wonder what she really is like, maybe her whole personality she has shown in front of us is an act and she is really like a fan girl' Sasuke pondered, looking down at the girl he had grown very accustomed, and dare he say, liked and enjoyed having her in his company? But then, it would be hard to continue an act, even for her, sooner or later she would crack under the pressure and most likely explode, metaphorically speaking of course. Continuing his little trip to her mansion, Sasuke continued to ponder why his…I mean the cherry blossom in his arms seemed so out of it today, admittedly he was slightly worried that she would turn into a cutter or something…but then again, she would most likely snap out of it and she'll be back to her old self by the morning, may be she really was just tired.
Pressing the button on the intercom for the door bell Sasuke waited a few moments until some one, more than likely Daichi, would answer his call and let him in.
"Hey, is that you Sasuke?" Daichi asked through the intercom. Pressing the button while still carrying Sakura, the boy answered.
"Aa" Sasuke grunted.
"Okay, come on in" Daichi seemed to be smiling. Slowly the black gate rolled allowing the black haired youth into onto the property so he could drop off the sleeping girl. Looking towards the door, Sasuke saw Daichi standing there, slightly concerned yet very relieved to see his little sister in his arms.
"Aaahhh! Stubborn girl" Daichi sighed in relief as Sasuke reached the door "Did she cause you any hassle?" Daichi asked.
"No, not at all" Sasuke lied.
"Thank god" Daichi grunted "Come on, let's put her into bed" Daichi smiled.
"Hn" Sasuke nodded, following Daichi into the massive mansion, some what familiar with the path he was taking. Walking through the various hall ways of the mansion and up various stair cases the trio eventually made it to Sakura's which was expectedly closed. Opening the door to the room and flicking the light switch to allow light in the room, both males were shocked to find the state of the room. Well, it wasn't messy by their standards, but by Sakura's standards, well it was a bloody pig sty!
"Oh my!" Daichi gasped, staring at the bag of art things in the middle of her room and her school clothes carelessly tossed onto her bed, school bag next to her closet and folder on her desk, still full of books. It seemed, well quite a shocker for both males, I mean, here room is always, and I mean always spotless, her books in her folder would be either packed away into a big trunk of old school books or placed into one of the many book shelves the girl had acquired over the year in alphabetical order, which would go the same for her text books which both males assumed were still ion her school bag which was stuffed so bad it made stuffed turkeys look thin and if her school bag wasn't unpacked that meant her lunch box was still in her bag, and that had left over grilled fish, scrabbled eggs, vegetables and rice in it, there was no way that the bag was smelling pleasant, especially since they had a practical phys. Ed lesson that day.
"Has anything been happening at school lately?" Daichi asked, looking at the odd state of the room.
"Not that I know of" Sasuke replied, making his way around the bag of art things and towards her bed.
"Has she told you anything? Are those fangirls at her again?" Daichi asked, concerned for his little sister as Sasuke tucked her in to her comfortable bed, ignoring the fact that she had been out all night and day and had not had a shower yet or changed into pajamas.
"No, she's been fine this last week of school" Sasuke answered, even though he knew he was lying when he had noticed the blossom not paying attention to their conversations during lunch and recess, not to mention ignoring the teacher completely. Stroking a stray strand of pink hair out of her angelic face Sasuke inwardly smiled carelessly before exiting her room, closing the light off so she could sleep better and shutting the door.
"Well, whatever is affecting her, should hopefully go away through the holidays and maybe she'll be her normal self again" Daichi sighed.
"Hn" Sasuke grunted as the duo walked back down the hallways and stair cases so Sasuke could get home for some shut eye.
As the hours continued and passed, night eventually became morning as the moon became the sun. As moon light had at one stage been poured by the bucket load into the blossom's room, sunlight replaced the white shine with a bright, shimmering light heating the cold room and slowly waking up the sleeping girl her self. As eyelids struggled to remain closed, emerald eyes slowly greeted the sunny day with a tired gleam adorning them.
Slowly as the blossom began to wake up, a distinct odor reached the her nose, alerting her as she bolted right up, scrunching her nose in disgust. Searching her room for pungent scent, the girl's face seemed to scrunch even more as she realized that there could be many sources for the disgustingly disgusting smell. Growling at her carelessness from the evening before the girl shot out of bed, not even bothering to make her bed as she made her way into her wardrobe and unlocked it looking for an outfit to wear. Realizing there didn't seem to be much in her closet at the time the girl found a Chinese styled red and black mid sleeved top and a pair of black shorts, grabbing them with her usual under clothes and headed off to the bathroom.
Quickly freshening her self up after a steaming hot shower and changing into her found attire, the girl tossed her old clothes into the clothes hamper in the bath room before walking back into her room. Glaring at the mess she had left in her room from the day before, Sakura immediately went over to her desk where her fold sat carelessly and picked it up carrying it to where her bed lay and pulled a small trunk from underneath it. Unlocking the wooden trunk the girl placed the entire folder of book into the trunk neatly, next to other folders which had previous years' school work in them and placed her other school books into that folder away before closing the trunk and shoving it back under her bed to be never seen for another, hopefully.
Walking over to the balcony doors the girl, drew the semi opened curtains open and unlocked the balcony doors allowing a fresh breeze to waft into the stale room and hoping the ugly smell would eventually just leave her room. Going over to her school bag, she daringly unzipped the black bag, not surprised at another hideous smell attacked the girl as she took out her text books one by one and put them onto the book shelf she had next to her desk in alphabetical order before going back to her bag and taking out her sport gear and tossing it next to her school uniform (which was still on her bed) and put her sport joggers in her closet next to her many other shoes.
Stripping her bed of the sheets she had, she stuffed them into her school bag along with her school clothes before going back to the bathroom and took the clothing hamper out to the laundry where she had the usual washing machine and dryer in place, ready to clean and sterilize the many dirty clothes that she had with her, the only difference between a normal laundry and her laundry was that she had two washing machines and dryers since it was just simply more convenient. Tossing her school clothes and the clothes in the hamper into one machine and bed sheets into the other the girl added the washing powder and liquid before setting the machines to her desired setting and left the machines to wash her clothes, so she could take her lunch box and clean it, along with that pile of dirty dishes that had been accumulating as of late.
Smirking to herself in triumph, the girl went back up to her room inspecting the handy work she had just accomplished through the morning. Currently two or three hours after she awoke (making it roughly ten am) the girl had cleaned her entire room, leaving a refreshing smell and appeasing environment for her to continue her work in. She had washed the dishes, cleaned, dried, ironed and folded or hung her clothes back into their appropriate places, her school bag had been set to the back of her wardrobe like bags of previous years were, her carpet from the previous week was cleaned and back to its soft, un-sticky-self, her bed sheets were back in their rightful place and her school books were in the correct places, even that outdoor hot spring they had was cleaned and purified (just incase the girls had spread something into the water) and the house had a good dust over.
Nodding to her self for a good job the girl went over to her text books and a new set of exercise books, pulling them out and setting them onto the desk in her room, beginning to start that winter homework she had been assigned, it wasn't much really, just math, business, legal, geography, history, physics, biology, chemistry, geology, social studies, music, information technology and computer skills design, English and of course her most favourite subject; art. Opening up the first text book, the girl began to submerge into the fabulous world of William Shakespeare and 19th century literature- you know, poems, plays, stories, novels, scripts, the works! Geez….what a great way to spend her winter vacation…
"I wonder if Saku-chan is up" Daichi mumbled tiredly as he walked the length of the hallways from the west wing to the east wing seeing as his bedroom was in the west wing while the girl's was in the east. Currently he was still in his pajamas which consisted of a simple pair of flannelette dark green pants and a white t-shirt. On his feet were green fluffy slippers and his hair was still in a mess from is slightly violent sleep (which ended in his pillow half soaked in drool and across the room). Continuing to walk through the hallways, Daichi began to wonder if his little imouto-chan was okay, considering the mess she had left in her room the night before.
Arriving outside the girl's room, his ear inspected if any sounds would come from out of the room, slightly surprised to find no sound coming from the dark room. Knocking on the door just to make sure, he waited a small second before opening the door and inspecting the room for the blossom.
"Imotou-chan, are you awake?" Daichi asked as he peeked into the room.
A quiet knock from outside the room brought the girl back from the world of Shakespeare and 19th century literature before she went back to focusing on her English homework, knowing full well that even if she didn't answer the door her brother would come right into the room. Slowly the door knob fell slightly as the door opened to reveal Daichi poking his head into the room.
"Imouto-chan, are you awake?" Daichi asked looking around the room to find his sister at her desk, doing her homework like she would usually…and some how that brought a wave of relief through his body, that meant she was just having an off day yesterday or she was tired, since she was now concentrating on a text in front of her as she continued to jot down pages of notes of whatever she had to do and her room was once again spotless.
"So you are awake" Daichi smiled as he walked into the room over to the girl.
"Whatcha doing?" Daichi chirped, peering over the girl's shoulder.
"Winter homework" Sakura mumbled, not bothering to look at him at all as she began the next question for this thing…hmm….if the first question took a page and a half, and the second one is similar to the first but wants the answer in more detail then the second answer could roughly be three pages, if Sakura was correct.
"Holy crap! You're only up to question two?! When did you start?" Daichi exclaimed.
"Fifteen minutes ago" Sakura answered as she began to write down the next answer.
"You took fifteen minutes on question one?!" Daichi cried.
"So?" Sakura muttered.
"I took fifteen seconds on my answers back at your age!" Daichi explained.
"I'm sorry I'm not as talented as you are" Sakura glared, beginning to write on the third page.
"Just how long is your answer?" Daichi asked.
"This one or question one?" Sakura asked.
"Question one" Daichi said.
"A page and a half" Sakura answered. Looking down at the girl's exercise book her brother went wide eyed as he looked at the size of her writing, it was tiny! You would need a microscope for that writing, damn, and she got a whole page and a half out of one answer?! Damn!
"Damn, that's a lot of writing" Daichi muttered.
"Whatever, if you are going to continue staying here to gawk at my answers, can you please do it later, your noise is disrupting me" Sakura requested, her head pointing to the door.
"Oh sure" Daichi nodded as he walked out of the room, happy that his sister was back to normal and went to go prepare something to eat.
"Saku-chan" Daichi chirped as he came waltzing into the girl's room, not bothering to knock, much less close the door.
"Stop" Sakura ordered.
"Nani?" Daichi frowned.
"One more step and you'll be on my English homework, I am not writing all that out again" Sakura glared. Looking down at what Sakura was talking about, Daichi's eyes widened when he realized that his foot was almost about to step onto her homework, which looked like it took a long time. Looking around the room (which was pretty hard since it was pitch black aside Sakura's desk which had a small light on it) Daichi's eyes widened when he saw the amount of work she had already done for the day, there was English, math, her various science subjects, geography, history, Business, legal and social studies. On her bed was various canvases (which he guessed were one she had done over the year) along with manuscripts and next to the balcony were piles of text books of all sizes and her various visual arts process diaries next to it.
'Is this all she has been doing today?' Daichi wondered, looking at the pink haired girl who was now typing something incredibly fast with two texts books on her lap and an exercise book on her table next to the key board.
"Hey Saku-chan, it's time for dinner, come on" Daichi beckoned.
"You go ahead, I have just got to finish this I.T.C.S.D, music and art stuff and then I'm done for the day" Sakura replied as she began typing even faster before double clicking on something, typing again and then clicking save before she smirked in triumph, leaning back onto her chair.
'I hate designing web pages, it's so annoying, but then again, it's because I use the html codes and stuff, if I did it the way we were taught it could be easier' Sakura sighed.
"Aww come on!" Daichi pleaded "Just have a twenty minute break, all you have been doing is school work, it's the holidays for Kami's sake, live a little" Daichi begged.
"Give me an hour or two and I'll be done" Sakura replied, turning off her computer and going towards the canvases on her bed, shuffling through them and tried to find one that she liked. Ironically, it was the painting she had done not too long ago when her friends were over for that study date a while back. Pulling it out of the pile and going over to her most recent process diary, the girl began to write non-stop, most likely writing about why she had done everything and what not- an evaluation if you will.
"Fine" Daichi sighed, watching the girl look back and forth to her painting before writing something and looking back at the canvas again.
Two hours later, it was nine at night and Daichi was now walking back to the blossom's room, hoping to drag her out of the room and get her to eat something, she was so hopeless when it came to caring for her self at times.
"Saku-chan, times up, dinner time" Daichi ordered as he opened the door and let himself into the pitch black room. Making sure to watch his step, he turned on the light and searched the room for the blossom, who was no where to be found in the room. Everything seemed to be back in their usual place, which meant she had finished the work she was supposed to do over the holidays, and her room was once again cleaned, spotless, ignoring the canvases that sat on her bed waiting to be put away, but Daichi presumed that she was thinking of a place to put them and just left them on her bed for the time being. Some how knowing where she was, Daichi growled slightly, as he turned off the light and closed the door walking down to the east wing gymnasium, where he presumed Sakura would be, since most local ones would be closed or something today since a) it was the weekend, b) it was the holidays and c) it was nine at night.
"SA-KU-RA!" Daichi roared as he stormed into the gymnasium, not surprised to find Sakura in one of her many gymnastic leotards and performing various complicated steps and moves, in a number of numerous ways.
"You said give you two hours and I find you here training?!" Daichi growled, glaring at the pink haired girl who was ignoring him as she cart wheeled around the room.
'You are so dead'
'Shut up'
"Hehe…I forgot…"Sakura sweatdropped, scratching the back of her neck nervously, feeling slightly like a puppy dog doing the wrong thing and being caught in action.
"Forgot?!" Daichi glared, storming over to the blossom.
"…Yea" Sakura coughed "Well….ja" Sakura chirped fakely, prepared to make an escape, had she not been captured by her brother.
"You are so annoying at times" Daichi glared watching her struggle against his hold "Don't forget, you are still a growing girl and you do need to eat"
"I know, and I was going to eat something at ten" Sakura smiled cheaply.
"Pft, yea right" Daichi glared, dragging the girl out of the gymnasium and towards the kitchen where he had already prepared something for them to eat, nothing special of course, just rice, grilled fish, eggs and various vegetables.
"Eat" Daichi ordered, dumping the girl on a chair before he went over to his seat and began eating. Muttering silent curses and glaring at her older brother, she grabbed her chopsticks and began to slowly shovel her bowl of rice into her mouth after saying a quiet 'Itadakimasu'.
"So how has school been?" Daichi asked.
"The usual" Sakura answered, taking a portion of her grilled fish and eating it.
"And nothing unusual?" Daichi questioned.
"Define unusual" Sakura said.
"Not normal" Daichi answered.
"But then what is normal?" Sakura asked.
"…"
"I'll take your silence as a 'you don't know'" Sakura smirked inwardly, shoveling another mouthful of rice into her mouth. Daichi glared.
"So then why was your room in a mess yesterday?" Daichi asked.
"You have your priorities, I have mine" Sakura answered (not actually answering the question at all) resulting in a glare from Daichi.
"Like?" Daichi asked.
"Training, work, the usual" Sakura sneered.
"So then what is the usual for you?" Daichi asked.
"Training, work and school" Sakura answered.
"But yesterday was the last day of school" Daichi pointed out.
"So?"
"…"
"Whatever, I'm done" Sakura muttered as she stood up from her seat, taking a bowl, chopsticks and plate of fish bones over to the sink, tossing the bones in the bin and washing out her bowl before placing it neatly into the dish washer.
"What the hell?" Daichi muttered "She took so much smaller bites than me, and she ate slower" Daichi wondered where in the hell all her food had gone in that small amount of time, maybe he just didn't notice her eating what she had as much as he should have. Disappearing away from the kitchen, Sakura quietly walked up the flight of stair cases and towards her room before a soft slamming of her door could be heard from below in the kitchen, resulting in a regretful sigh from Daichi.
'When did she and I get so far apart?' Daichi wondered, remembering when she and him were the inseparable pair when Sakura was roughly four.
FLASH BACK…
It was currently four o'clock in the after noon, and right outside in the Suna gymnasium, a little girl, roughly the age of three years, 6 months and 28 days with pink hair and bright green eyes stood wearing one of here many leotards and a gym bag in hand. Today she was wearing a bright pink Chinese style sleeveless leotard with black trimmings, on her little legs were small white leg warmers and on her wrists sat white sweat bands, on her little feet were white ballet flats. Next to her sat a big trophy, roughly her entire height which said 'Haruno Sakura, 3rd years champion', it gleamed in the fading sunlight as reds, pinks, oranges and purples painted the sky in a magical array of colours.
Watching other children her age getting picked up by their parents the little blossom felt a wave of envy wash over her like a bucket of water, wishing that her parents would have been there at one stage, even if it was a five minute thing where they just watched her performance, or cheered her on the blossom would have been happy, but it just didn't seem that they could make it this time, like every other time. Looking around for some one she actually knew, the little girl frowned when she realized that no one she knew was waiting for her, heck, not even a limo or something that could pick her up.
Sighing in anguish, the girl flung her gym bag over little shoulder, adjusting it so she could carry it properly, and picked up her golden trophy; if some one wasn't there to pick her up, then she would just have to walk home, she had done it many times before. Grumbling in distaste at the brown landscape, the girl continued to walk, step by little step towards her home, it really wasn't hard to miss, it was one of the bigger ones around which wasn't completely sand coloured, with spots of white here and there, admittedly, it was quite the luxurious house, but the blossom personally hated it, after all it was a new place to her, having moved from Konoha only a few months ago. As minutes passed the blossom continued her walk towards home when a group of older children (girls) came up to her with evil grins plastered on their faces.
'Oh no' Sakura muttered inwardly.
"Hello there little forehead" A younger Akaya smirked, looking down on her.
"Hello Chiyo-san" Sakura smiled forcefully.
"What have you got there?" Akaya asked.
"Nothing i-important" Sakura replied.
"Well, then if it is nothing important, you won't mind me taking it off your hands" Akaya smirked as her two accomplices advanced towards the little blossom who was backing up slowly.
"No it's mine!" Sakura cried, tears adorning her porcelain face.
"Sharing is caring" Akaya grinned as she swiped the trophy away from the blossom while her little accomplices hit her.
"No! That's mine! I earned it" Sakura sniffed.
"You don't deserve it" Akaya scoffed as she began to walk away.
"Please…give it…back" Sakura cried 'I want to show Otou-sama, Okaa-sama and Onii-chama'
"Aww…look the little forehead is going to cry" Akaya cackled as she flicked the girl's forehead, pushing her back with quiet the force.
"Give…it back…Onegai" Sakura begged.
"No" Akaya smirked as they walked away.
"Yamatte Onegai!" Sakura cried.
"Pft! Pathetic forehead, you can't do anything to stop me" Akaya sneered before she and her 'friends' ran away.
As minutes passed the tears on Sakura's face never seemed to stop as she continued to stare at the direction that her trophy had gone.
"Saku-chan!" a voice called out as foot steps buckled towards.
'Onii-chama?' Sakura gasped, turning in the direction of the voice.
"Saku-chan" her brother sighed in relief when he saw his little sister's face; but frowned when he saw the tears.
"Nani?" a younger Daichi muttered "What happened Saku-chan?" Daichi asked, holding the girl's shoulder to comfort her.
"Th-they t-t-took m-my t-t-trophy" Sakura sniffled.
"Who took it? Why is your leotard all ripped?" Daichi asked. The little blossom didn't speak, looking away form her brother ashamed "Those kids again?" Daichi sighed bringing the blossom into a close hug.
"Eep" Sakura squeaked, surprised her brother had just pulled her into a hug "Nani? Daichi-nii-chama? Daijobou?" Sakura asked.
"I should be asking you that" Daichi sighed, she really was never one to worry about her own self, even if she was only three years old 'she's so hopeless sometimes I swear' Daichi thought inwardly, looking down at his little sister who had a confused look on her features, replacing her previously sad one, though the tears were still there.
"Sorry I didn't come earlier, I got held up at school" Daichi sighed.
"It's okay" Sakura chirped.
"How did you go?" Daichi asked.
"1st place for my division" Sakura mumbled, she was really never one to brag about her place, usually blushing when she had told her brother how she had done, especially if she had done extremely well in the tournament or competition.
"I couldn't quite catch that" Daichi lied, he knew she had come 1st, when he had come to pick her up, he noticed the display board showing the rankings, but went away to look for the missing girl to congratulate her.
"1st place" Sakura answered a little louder.
"A little louder please Saku-chan" Daichi encouraged; she really did need to work on getting a louder voice.
"First place" Sakura said.
"A little louder" Daichi beckoned.
"I said first place!" Sakura glared…although her glare still needed some work when it came to her, her big green puppy like eyes just couldn't do it yet.
"I thought so" Daichi chuckled at his little sister's outburst. Sakura blushed at her outburst as her little hands covered her mouth in shock.
"Gomen nasai…I didn't mean to yell" Sakura muttered.
"Aww…Saku-chan it's okay" Daichi smiled "Come on, let's go for ice-cream" Daichi suggested.
"But Otou-sama and Okaa-sama wouldn't like it if we ate something before dinner" Sakura frowned.
"Aww…come on, just one scoop" Daichi begged.
"And they wouldn't like it if you stayed out any longer than you had to, they would want you to study" Sakura frowned again.
"Aww…such a fun spoiler" Daichi sighed.
"But Otou-sama would be upset if you disobeyed him" Sakura scowled 'And some how if I was with you I'd get blamed…'
"Fine, let's go home" Daichi sighed in defeat "Come on Saku-chan" Daichi smiled, holding the girl's hand as they walked towards the Haruno mansion (in Suna). Suddenly, as they were walking along the blossom tripped on her own two feet earning her a big bruise on her forehead not to mention many other scratches on her already scratched body.
"Aww…Saku-chan you are such a klutz" Daichi sighed, picking the teary girl up and carrying her the rest of the way home, which she disagreed to, saying she was fine to walk on her own.
…END FLASH BACK
"Saku-chan, what are you doing?" Daichi asked as he opened the door to her bedroom…damn she really had to invest in a better lock…the last one broke…but that was probably because she brought it from the dollar store. Looking around the room, Daichi was slightly surprised to see the girl once again working on something, which she seemed very into at the moment…well…actually it was just reading something, but you get what I mean. Currently she was sitting on her bed, her hair still in the usual buns, but it looked slightly wet and she was wearing her pajamas, the balcony door was still opened, letting in the cool breeze from the outside. The only light in the room came from the little lamps on her bedside.
"What are you reading Saku-chan?" Daichi asked. No response. It seemed she was lost in the world of the book she was reading…that really…large impossibly big book.
"Saku-chan is there anything you want to talk about?" Daichi asked. Sakura put her book down and looked at her brother weirdly.
"No" Sakura responded.
"You sure, nothing?" Daichi asked.
"Nope, nothing" Sakura answered.
"…How has your gymnastics been going?" Daichi asked.
"Good" Sakura answered.
"What did you come in the last competition you entered in?" Daichi answered.
"First" Sakura answered.
"Congratulations!" Daichi smiled.
"Thanks…but it was nearly nine months ago" Sakura rolled her eyes at the stupidity of her brother.
"…Itachi-san tells me you take martial arts…"Daichi said awkwardly, trying to bring a conversation up between the two.
"Yes I do" Sakura nodded.
"And how would he know that?" Daichi glared.
"I teach him" Sakura answered.
"You what?!" Daichi exclaimed.
"You heard me" Sakura replied.
"You teach him? What belt is he?" Daichi asked.
"Red belt, Cho Dan Bo" Sakura answered.
"And you are?" Daichi asked.
"Black belt forth Dan" Sakura replied.
"Sugoi!" Daichi squealed.
"Look, is there something you wanted? Because, if you haven't noticed, I was busy reading!" Sakura glared, man how did her harmless glare turn into something that could possibly be responsible for those mysterious disappearances lately?
"Err….gomen ne" Daichi sweatdropped "But I was wondering if you wanted to watch a movie or something" Daichi chuckled nervously.
"How trivial" Sakura scoffed "Bye now" Sakura glared, going back to reading whatever she was reading.
"Aww you're no fun" Daichi scowled, walking back out of the room.
As more and more hours passed the blossom had eventually nodded off into the world of dreams. Eyelids fell down as they became heavy and the blossom eventually gave in, not minding the fact that the text book was still in her slender hands and she was above the covers with her balcony door still open. As a couple of more hours had passed; Daichi slowly peered into the room, wondering if the girl had fallen asleep, or was still reading that horrendous book of hers. Looking around the poorly lit room to the black bed, Daichi's eyes seem to soften as he watched the delicate girl's body rise and fall with each breathe, sound asleep. Looking around the room, Daichi sighed, she must have fallen asleep while she was still reading since the book was still in her grasp and the lights were on, not to mention her odd sleeping position where she was half sitting up half lying down and her balcony doors were still opened.
Walking over to the girl, he look the book away from her, making sure to book mark it (he didn't exactly want to die just yet) before he set it down on the bedside table. Picking up the fragile blossom, he lifted her covers up before tucking her into the black sheets, watching her stir slightly as she adjusted her self to a comfortable position. Walking over to the balcony, Daichi closed the doors and locked them (just to be safe) before closing the curtains (hoping the sunlight wouldn't wake her up too early in the morning) and turning off the bedside lamps so the girl could sleep how she always did; in darkness. Smiling at her stress-free demeanor, Daichi watched his sister for a quiet moment, stroking her hair lightly before walking out of her room and towards his own for some sleep.
'Good night my little Imotou-chan' Daichi smiled.
'What on earth is Saku-chan doing?' Daichi sweatdropped as he watched his sister. Currently it was the day before Christmas, and like every day before that, Sakura was cooped up in her room, doing something either on her computer, looking through some book, writing something or a combination of all three at once (if you get what I mean), what ever it was, it kept her busy for a good long time that she only took important calls and was always in her room, unless of course she was in the bathroom, eating, working or training. It's not like he could get any closer to investigate what the girl was working on because all over her room, manila folders, documents, books, folders and various other bits and pieces were sprawled right across her room, covering all her carpet so only various spots of carpet could be seen which went the same for her bed, heck even the space in her balcony was being used the only difference was the stuff outside had a paper weight on it so it wouldn't blow away in the wind.
Over the past week she had gotten numerous text messages and phone calls from her friends asking her to join them for a Christmas Eve dinner, sleepover and hang out, but of course she had declined, although she had a good excuse (this time), she had a gymnastics function to go to and if she didn't go to this, she wouldn't be allowed to participate in any other tournaments the following year, do you realize what the could do to a gymnast?
"Daichi-nii-sama, do you want something?" Sakura asked as she continued to type something on her computer before she switched over to the laptop and typed something on that.
"Oh no, I was just wondering if you would like to do something…but…" Daichi sweatdropped.
"Sorry nii-sama, I'm busy right now" Sakura said.
"I realized" Daichi sighed "Well, there is lunch on the table if you want something to eat" Daichi said.
"Hai" Sakura seemed to nod.
"Well…I'll go now" Daichi muttered.
"Saku-chan" Daichi chimed as he waltzed back into the girl's room. Looking around for the blossom, Daichi frowned, she was no where in sight, her books and what not were still all over the place, the balcony doors were opened tight while her wardrobe was locked, and all her lights were off. She better not be down in the gym training or he would kick her butt personally (even he really didn't want to hurt her), turning around and storming out of the blossom's room with a frown, Daichi prepared to slam the door shut when the blossom her self had appeared right in front of him, her hair was dripping wet, even though it was still in the two buns, and covered by a fluffy white towel and covering her body was a white t-shirt and black boxers, on her face was a confused and questioning look.
"Saku-chan" Daichi squealed in relief.
"What do you want?" Sakura questioned, walking into her room and turning on a light.
"I was wondering where you were" Daichi explained "Beside that, don't you have a friend's hang over or something to go to?" Daichi asked.
"I wouldn't have a clue" Sakura answered (of course we all know she was lying- she did get 50 or so calls, texts and what not's from them), tossing the towel off her head and onto a hanger on the back of her door.
"Why not?" Daichi frowned.
"I haven't spoken to them since the end of school, how would you know anyway?" Sakura asked raising a questioning eyebrow.
"They told me to remind you" Daichi frowned.
"Well, they told me nothing about it, now if you'll excuse me, I've got things to do" Sakura said before she went over to her desk and began typing something. Frowning at his sister, Daichi watched her for a moment for he walked out leaving her to his own devices.
"Hello, Daichi-san is Sakura-chan there?" Tenten asked over the phone.
"Yea she is" Daichi answered.
"Is she going to come over or not?" Tenten asked.
"She told me she had better things to be doing and that you guys didn't tell her anything about it" Daichi frowned.
"She isn't out training is she?" Tenten asked.
"No, she's in her room" Daichi replied.
"Doing what?" Tenten pondered.
"If I knew, I would answer you, I too am very confused." Daichi said.
"Oh, I see, well, speak to you later" Tenten sighed glumly before the phone went dead and she hung up.
"HARUNO SAKURA! GET OFF YOUR COMPUTER AND GO OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!" Daichi yelled as he stormed into her room, shocked to find it empty and clean.
"Would you just shut up?!" Sakura glared biting into an apple she had just gotten before walking away from him.
"Where are you-"
"Just shut up, you are giving me a headache" Sakura seemed to glare at him from behind before walking down one hall and up another.
'Saku-chan why do you always avoid me? You said you had forgiven me…' Daichi frowned.
FLASH BACK…
"Look, I am sure you came here to tell me something other than yell at me; so out with it" Sakura ordered calmly.
"I want to know what your feelings are towards me, do you hate me?" Daichi asked.
"I told you before; I don't hate you" Sakura answered.
"Then what are your feelings towards me?" Daichi asked.
"I wouldn't have a clue" Sakura answered.
"Look; I am sorry for leaving you in Suna, but Otou-san-"
"I already forgave you for that; I didn't come here because I was angry at you; I had the need to training; I have been feeling lazy lately" Sakura answered.
"But-"
"Daichi-nii-sama, I forgave you a long time ago" Sakura smiled "And I am sorry that I made you worry" Sakura muttered with a tinge of pink gracing her cheeks.
"Aww…Saku-chan! You are so Kawaii!!!" Daichi squealed as he hugged Sakura in a bear hug.
"Nani!" Sakura yelped as she was tossed into the air by her brother "I'm not some little kid you know!" Sakura shouted as she was tossed back up in the air "Stop! I think I'm going to be sick!"
"Aww…Saku-chan, you will always be a little kid in my eyes" Daichi grinned ruffling the girls hair; carrying her.
"Oi don't! And don't call me Saku-chan" Sakura grumbled as she tried to fix her hair as her friends came in and jumped out of Daichi's arms.
…END FLASH BACK
"Saku-chan where are you going?" Daichi cried as he chased his little sister down the halls only to frown in distaste as the hall he ran down came to a dead end and all the doors were closed, presumably locked too. In a matter of minutes a soft and sweet melody began, making its way to Daichi's ears which lead him to the last door on the right before the end of the hall. Pressing his ear against the door (which he guessed was locked) Daichi closed his eyes and let the beautiful piano melody reach his ears. As minutes passed the melody continued before it came to a slow stop, fading out in a soft note. It seemed as slowly as one melody ended another started, tickling Daichi's system with both joy and sorrow as he listened to the beautiful tune; joy because it was such a beautiful tune and it came from his little imouto-chan, but also sorrow for knowing that she was still keeping to her daily schedule of training, practice and work. As hours passed the melodies continued changing each time the song would end to begin a new one.
Slowly it seemed the final song had faded the sound of the piano being packed away and the sound of Sakura opening the door reached Daichi's ears as he struggled to get off the door and look like he was actually there at that moment for a reason. Stumbling to his feet, Daichi managed to look as casual as he could (which wasn't very casual) as Sakura came out of the room she was in moments ago playing the beautiful melodies on the piano and walked away, not even bothering to spare a questioning glance towards Daichi who looked very suspicious with an upside down newspaper from god knows when and anyway, where the hell did he get it?
Frowning at how his little sister ignored him right there and then Daichi stuffed the upside down newspaper into his pocket and began following the girl, coming to an abrupt stop in front of her room where her door had just slammed shut. Opening the door cautiously Daichi peered through the room before his gaze came upon the blossom her self in bed, her back to him, and lights off. Keeping his gaze on the girl Daichi continued to frown at her.
'What is she doing going to bed so early?' Daichi scowled before he looked down his watch and sweatdropped...okay so may be he was wrong, it was roughly quarter to eleven at night, so it technically wasn't late…
Walking over to the bed he sat down and shook the blossom lightly.
"Ano, Saku-chan, you sure you don't want to go to your friends tonight?" Daichi asked.
"Aa" Sakura answered.
"Don't you want to cut a turkey and hang out with them or whatever else they are doing now?" Daichi asked.
"Aa" Sakura grunted.
"Don't you want to have a little fun?" Daichi asked.
"Aa"
"Will you answer any of my questions?" Daichi growled.
"Look, Daichi-nii-sama, I'm really tired right now, so if you could please, just leave the interrogating until tomorrow or some other time" Sakura yawned, adding emphasis that she was tired.
"Okay Saku-chan" Daichi sighed as he stroked her back once, ruffled her lightly and left the room, closing the door as he left.
growing!
What freaked Daichi the most, aside Sakura's constant repetitive schedule, was the occasional day or two when she would disappear for the whole day without notice before coming back very late at night, say roughly midnight before she'd go to bed so Daichi couldn't question her. What concerned him the most though was how secretive she was getting, like a couple of nights ago, she had dressed up a considerable amount before going out at six at night only to return at one the next morning like it was nothing, while there was Daichi worrying his off about his little imouto-chan and whether or not she was alright.
"No, there are no good movies on right now" Sakura said. Before she walked out of the house again, on yet another one of her mysterious trips, watching the girl leave, Daichi raced to his room where his mobile sat on charge and picked it up, dialing a sequence of numbers before bringing the small phone up to his ear.
"Oi, she's leaving now" Daichi whispered into the phone before hanging up.
Wearing a pair of black cargo pants and a plain white singlet top under an unbuttoned black dress shirt with black boots the blossom walked through the town of Konoha with a scowl on her face. Who could blame her? Christmas had ended and people still had those annoying decorations up. If Sakura didn't know any better she would have thought it was just to spite her above anything else. Basically stomping her way through the town, she ignored the questioning looks that were thrown towards her by the people around her before making an abrupt turn and stepped foot into the café where she worked, immediately regretting it as soon as she stepped forth into the joint. Just as she stepped on foot into the café Sakura was confronted with a sight she was hoping not to see for at least another two or three weeks when school was to be back in session. Right in front of her were fangirls…and not just any fangirls, for in front of her were the most annoying fangirls on the face of the planet! (By her standards anyway)
"What are you doing here forehead girl?" Ino asked, scowling with distaste.
"That's none of your business Yamanaka" Sakura glared, brushing passed her carelessly in search of Jiraya, he had called her earlier on, asking her to come into the café to see him. Searching the white haired pervert it wasn't too long before she found him in his office with company. Great he was in one of those moods again, well actually he was usually in that mood usually; it just changed occasionally where his desire seemed to increase or something, Sakura didn't know, how was she supposed to know how that man's mind worked?
"Jiraya-san you called?" Sakura asked walked into the office normally, like what he was doing was a perfectly normal thing in her life.
"O-oh, y-yes, o-of course, my apologies Sakura-san for calling you down on such small notice" Jiraya coughed, trying to ignore the fact the young girl had just walked in so suddenly while he was doing things he shouldn't have been during working hours.
"It's alright, what did you want?" Sakura asked.
"I wanted to inform you that you have been promoted for your hard and consistent work, and will now be running and basically controlling the majority of the café while I attend to more important business" Jiraya answered.
"Does that mean I won't be working as a waitress?" Sakura frowned in confusion.
"Not exactly, not only will you be serving as a waitress, you will be working with the finances and what foods should be on the menu and what shouldn't" Jiraya said.
'Translation: Doing your job plus mine while you do shit all' Sakura glared.
"I see, is that all Jiraya-san?" Sakura asked.
"Yes that will be all" Jiraya nodded.
"Well then, I shall be off" Sakura said, waving to him before walking out of the office, suppressing the urge to kick him and was content with twitching in anger occasionally.
"Stupid Jiraya, couldn't hire some one else to do his job" Sakura muttered darkly as she walked passed a local park to cool her angered mind. Had her mind in the correct place, she probably would have noticed the occasional odd person who looked suspiciously like one of her friends, only these ones had various new accessories, such as glasses, wigs, clothes and god knows what else…and had she really been paying attention to her surroundings, she could have dropped dead from laughter if she even caught a glimpse of the Sasuke look alike who was wearing a chicken costume with a pink tutu and fairy wings, the only difference being that this 'Sasuke' had glasses, a mask covering part of his face and was that a green beard with purple AND pink highlights?
Taking a turn down one street and a left on another, she ended up at another park some how, possible the same one where children were playing on the 'jungle gym' or whatever they called it, enjoying the weather before it got too hot. Looking around the seemingly normal park, Sakura's eyes fell on a cherry blossom tree which stood high and mighty on the top of a hill, waving to her in the breeze. Sighing, she walked up to the tree and fell down unceremoniously and sat at the base of the tree where an occasional root popped up from the ground, intruding into the blossom's space. Continuing her silent investigation of the cheerful park Sakura's eyes narrowed before they bulged out of their sockets at the sight before her. Never in her life would she have thought she could have seen something so disturbing but now, she knew she could have seen something as disturbing as she continued to stare at the odd group before her.
One, possible a guy, but looked like a girl dressed in a pink and purple dress, twitching madly with black hair that resembled that of a chicken's ass, another three girls which looked relatively normal but had way to many accessories on, giggling at the sight of the other girl, another guy who was also twitching, wearing a bright green holiday t-shirt with pink shorts, another wearing a pink tutu and the other…well let's not even go there. Whether the presumable guys were twitching at the sight of the horrid girl, their attires or the girls laughing the girl would not know, but she wasn't about to find out. Narrowing her eyes in curiosity, the blossom came to a shocking revelation when she realized she knew those people.
'Oh my f-cking god! I can't believe I just saw that!'
'My eyes, my beautiful innocent eyes! They BURN!!'
'I can't believe they are here'
'THEY BURN!!!!'
'More over I can't believe they convinced them to wear such a thing'
'Did I mention my eyes BURN?!'
'Just shut it'
"SAKURA-CHAN" Tenten chirped, running over to the girl who was no twitching madly, holding in the urge to run, hide some where and laugh her head off at the sight of the Uchiha, Hyuuga, Uzamaki and Nara.
'Well there goes my peacefully quiet day' Sakura sighed as Tenten, Temari and Hinata glomped her all at once.
"I missed you so much Sakura-chan" Temari squealed, hugging the girl tighter.
"Me too, what have you been up to lately?" Tenten asked; the blossom still in their grasp.
"How have you been?" Hinata asked.
"Guys….need…o-oxygen" Sakura gasped as Naruto jumped into the big group hug, Sakura turning an interesting shade of blue. How unfortunate no one heard her.
"Oi, guys, I think you should get off her" Sasuke began as he sweat dropped at the rather comical look on Sakura's face as she struggled for a breath.
"Nani?" Tenten asked, tightening her grip on Sakura.
"O-oxygen!" Sakura gagged trying to get even a small amount of air into her body.
"What was that Sakura-chan?" Temari asked looking at the blue girl. Widening her eyes in realization, she ordered the other two girls and Naruto to release the blossom, allowing her to breathe again. Immediately letting go of the blue girl, she collapsed on her hand and knees, breathing in deeply while one hand held her neck as she got more oxygen circulating through her system, turning more to the pale, creamy skin colour she usually was.
"Gomen nasai" Tenten cried as she watched Sakura gain her breath.
"…" Sakura just glared at the four before she stood up and walked away mumbling a string of incoherent words, occasionally muttering words like murder, boom and die. Today was just not her day.
"Ano sa!" Naruto whined chasing after the girl with the rest on her tail.
"Sakura-chan matte!" Tenten cried.
"Quite….holiday….not…no…anymore…so loud…Daichi...die...painful...torturous...slow...dead" Sakura continued to mumbling incoherent words, the group of friends only able to pick up on a few as Sakura continued to ignore them and walk away.
"Aww…come on Sakura-chan, we said sorry" Hinata wailed.
"We didn't mean to almost choke you to death" Temari cried.
"Please say you forgive us" Tenten pleaded, holding onto the blossom's hand; preventing her from going anywhere. Sighing in annoyance, the blossom's neck turned so she could face them, holding back the urge to point and laugh at the guys, waiting for them to say something else before she said anything.
"We are so sorry Sakura-chan, we didn't mean to almost kill you by choking" Naruto cried. Sighing irritably, the blossom faced them properly.
"Okay, I forgive you, but" Sakura paused for a moment looking over the males of the group "Why are you guys here and what the hell is with the outfits guys?" Sakura asked "And I thought I looked ridiculous in that pink ball gown thing" Sakura muttered inwardly.
"We have no idea" the males sulked.
"It just happened" Tenten chirped, receiving death glares from each male.
"And to why we are here" Hinata began.
"Well, we wanted to hang out" Temari smiled.
"Thanks but no thanks" Sakura sighed before walking away from them before they could say anything.
"Why does Sakura-chan keep avoiding us?" Naruto frowned.
"Maybe it's just her" Tenten sighed as the group walked away, the guys none to quickly.
Boring holes in the tree before her, Sakura continued to glare at the tree in front of the one she was sitting on. She was ticked off plain and simple, first off, she had seen the annoying Yamanaka, then Jiraya practically dumped his job on her, she may as well had been running the café and owning it, and then she was nearly choked to death by her friends, man if some one wasn't careful, and they were around at the wrong time, Sakura could blow that well kept fuse any minute now!
"You ok?" a voice asked as a person jumped onto the tree branch Sakura was sitting on.
"What do you want Sasuke?" Sakura growled.
"Nothing, just wondering if you are okay" Sasuke replied.
"Go crawl in a hole" Sakura muttered.
"You seem very moody today" Sasuke stated.
"I'm in no mood to deal with anyone's antics today, I suggest you leave" Sakura threatened.
"What's your problem lately? You have been so moody" Sasuke glared, flicking her forehead.
"So annoying" Sakura grunted before jumping carelessly off the tree branch and walking away from the Uchiha; with her hands shoved into her pockets and a scowl adorning her usually impassive face.
'Me? Annoying?' Sasuke questioned watching the girl stomp away before jumping off the tree and chasing her.
"Seriously, as soon as the holidays started you have been so moody" Sasuke scowled.
"Nice of you to notice, now if you'll excuse me, I have paper work and finances to attend to" Sakura glared with gritted teeth.
"Did you find anything out?" Tenten asked as Sasuke turned a corner.
"Aside that she had paperwork and finances to attend to, no" Sasuke answered as he walked with the group.
"Sorry Daichi-san" Hinata sighed.
"It's alright" Daichi sighed, watching his little sister turn a corner.
"Saku-chan it's almost New Years" Daichi chirped.
"I am perfectly aware of the date" Sakura mumbled as she tossed on her black coat which fell to her knees and her black boots. She was wearing a pair of midnight black cargo pants with a black dress top; her black choker sat on her neck comfortably and in her ears were earphones, which was blasting music into her ears.
"Where are you going Saku-chan?" Daichi asked.
"Out" Sakura said before she slammed the front door close and walked out of the Haruno estate.
"How annoying, I should have just stayed inside" Sakura grumbled as she walked through the New Years Eve celebration festival. Currently she was walking through the festival since it was the only way to get to the cherry blossom trees in a bigger park, and boy, the celebration was massive this year. There were lanterns everywhere, stalls with food, games stalls and so many people! Everyone wearing a kimono, each a different colours and design to the last, it was quite much for the young blossom to be taking as she walked through the town festival. Mouths were full of various festival food, kids holding bags of goldfish that they had one in one of the many games around here, and how unfortunate it was that she still had at least three hours of this until people got bored or went home, or stayed to watch the traditional New Years fireworks that would go off at midnight. Just the thought of such happy things made the blossom sick to her stomach.
With hands stuffed into pockets the girl eventually made it to the end of the town, far, far, far, far away from the festival and sat on one of the many branches in a cherry blossom tree, the girl actually blending in with the night and tree, camouflaging like a chameleon.
Hours passed and the blossom had not moved from her spot as her nerves seemed to calm down and the stress that had been building up in her body was finally being released as she enjoyed the peaceful scene around her, who could blame her? After being dumped with that stressful work load from the café she did deserve some type of break, especially when she learnt that a majority of the finances for that blasted café went into Jiraya's own fund of god knows what, that he most likely used when he was in those moods of his. Sure it some what irked her that even this far away from the celebrations she could hear the noise and laughter of the town, but she ignored it as best as she could, so she could enjoy the peace as long as she wanted.
Well that would have been the case if a certain Uchiha chicken butt didn't walk up to her and disrupt the peace.
"Are you done with your tantrum?" Sasuke asked as he jumped up onto the tree branch.
"What do you want Chicken-ass?" Sakura asked, opening an eye to glare at him.
"I was wondering why you are so far out from the festival" Sasuke said.
"Loud noise annoys me too much" Sakura muttered "Why are you here anyway?" Sakura asked.
"Can't a guy walk around and enjoy the quietness every now and again?" Sasuke raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Enjoy quietness else where it was quite peaceful without you" Sakura glared.
"I'm offended" Sasuke gasped sarcastically as his hand went to his heart, as if she had brutally injured him.
"Just shut up" Sakura groaned.
"So I guess what means you aren't done with your little temper tantrum are you?" Sasuke smirked.
"Who said anything about a temper tantrum?" Sakura frowned.
"Your brother" Sasuke replied.
"And you believe him" Sakura scoffed.
"He said you have been very moody lately and all you do is stuff in your room when you're not training or working" Sasuke stated.
"Pft, what would he know?" Sakura snorted.
"Why didn't you join us at the Hyuuga's for a Christmas dinner?" Sasuke asked.
"I was busy" Sakura replied.
"Your brother said you were on your computer doing stuff and that's all" Sasuke glared.
"So?"
"I hardly call that busy" Sasuke scoffed.
"What would you know?" Sakura glared.
"What were you doing then?" Sasuke asked.
"Paper work" Sakura answered.
"Paperwork?" Sasuke repeated.
"You heard me" Sakura glared.
"For what? Your brother said you had finished your winter homework already" Sasuke said.
"I have, but what I do is none of your concern" Sakura said.
"What are you hiding?" Sasuke asked.
"What makes you think I am hiding something?" Sakura asked.
"You're too moody" Sasuke pointed out.
"Pft" Sakura scoffed "I'm not hiding anything"
"Yes you are" Sasuke stated.
"I'm not hiding anything!" Sakura repeated, obviously annoyed that Sasuke thought such a thing.
"I reckon you are" Sasuke said.
"And since when did you start caring if I was hiding something or not?" Sakura glared.
"Because I'm your friend" Sasuke replied.
"Well, you think whatever you think, but I'm not hiding anything" Sakura glared, turning her head away from him.
"If you weren't hiding anything you wouldn't be so moody" Sasuke stated.
"What are you? Some expert on me?" Sakura growled turning around to glare at him.
"You're pretty easy to read once a person gets used to you" Sasuke smirked.
"That makes no sense what so ever" Sakura scoffed as she turned back around.
"Yea it does" Sasuke said.
"No it doesn't" Sakura argued.
"I'll ask you again, what are you hiding? You are too moody to not be hiding anything?" Sasuke glared.
"I SAID I'M NOT HIDING ANYTHING!!!" Sakura glared.
"Oh yea you definitely aren't hiding anything" Sasuke smirked. Ahhh….remember that fuse we talked about before…let's just say it is going to need some repairing soon while the blossom explodes. As if in slow motion the blossom turned around glared daggers at the Uchiha with anger practically pouring out of her being.
"For the last fracken time! I'm not hiding anything! Did it ever occur to you that I don't like this time of year? There are too many decorations, the lights hurt my eyes, the carols are bloody repetitive and it's to fracken cold! The work pile never seems to fall as I fix things up! People for god knows what reason keep staring at me and random girls are giving me death glares that could KILL!!!! I just bloody promoted at work to do the work of my bloody boss plus MINE!!!!! I nearly got chocked to death yesterday by my so called friends! Of course I am bloody moody!" Sakura glared, breathing in deeply before turning around angry mumbling something about annoying and dying.
'SHANNARO!!!! That's my girl!!!!' Inner Sakura cheered.
"Are you done now with your little rant?" Sasuke asked, checking the time on his watch.
'Oh, he DIDN'T' Inner Sakura shouted while Sakura glared inwardly, thinking of all the possible ways to kill him slowly and painfully.
"Come on Scholar-girl, let's go back to the festival" Sasuke said, bringing the girl out of her killing reverie.
"I'll stay here, too noisy there, and I bet if I'd go back there I'd come across either Tenten and the rest or fangirls, or in the worst case scenario, both" Sakura sighed, leaning back idly on the tree trunk.
"You're just scared" Sasuke stated.
"Scared of what?!" Sakura chocked with wide eyes.
"Human contact" Sasuke smirked moving closer to the girl.
"W-why would I be scared of such a thing?" Sakura scoffed as she tried to put distance between her and Sasuke but failed.
"I don't know it really does seem like you are scared" Sasuke stated, moving inches closer to the girl.
"That's ridiculous. I hung out with you guys a lot during this year" Sakura insisted, becoming very aware that Sasuke was eyeing her very…lustfully.
"But you are avoiding everyone during this Christmas break, what are you so scared of?" Sasuke asked, holding her chin so looked directly into his eyes.
"N-nothing" Sakura spluttered, averting her gaze else where.
"Tell me" Sasuke ordered.
"I said it was nothing!" Sakura insisted.
"Then why are you avoiding everyone?" Sasuke asked.
"I-I-I…just…it…and…" Sakura stuttered.
"What are you scared of?" Sasuke repeated.
"I said noth-mmhph" Sakura stared wide eyed as Sasuke captured her lips with his own, his delicious taste tickling her taste buds; his aroma filling her nose with his intoxicating, addicting scent. Slowly the blossom realizing that he wouldn't let go for a while, succumbed to the moment and let her eyes lids fall as Sasuke continued to kiss her passionately. As Sasuke's scent and taste exploded in Sakura's senses, Sasuke felt, tasted and smelt the wonders of the little blossom in his arms. She tasted delicious like vanilla, strawberries, cinnamon and was that watermelon?; an addicting taste, a taste that Sasuke was hooked on and could live on forever.
He never like sweet things, but it seemed he would make an exception for his little blossom, funny how she didn't like many sweet things as well. Her skin, as it looked was soft and creamy to touch, and although a majority of her was covered up winter clothes, her face in particular was the softest thing he had felt ever, it was like he was touching and caressing clouds, heavenly soft. Then there were her lips, just as rosy soft as the looked, they felt, it was amazing how soft they felt, it was like her skin, but her lips, it was amazing, like the feel of her skin was multiplied so many times and the result were her occasionally pouty lips. Slowly the two released their locked lips and stared at each other, one with lust the other confused.
"W-w-what w-was t-that f-for?" Sakura stuttered quietly as she breathed deeply allowing oxygen to spread through her system.
"I don't know" Sasuke muttered and continued to look at the blossom before him before he smirked "So, I'll ask again, what are you scared of?"
"I told you I'm not scared of anything!" Sakura insisted "I just get busy during this time of year and now it has been doubled because of my stupid boss" Sakura pouted. Sasuke chuckled at the girl.
"So that's all?" Sasuke asked.
"True, I am avoiding you, but it was never meant to be intentional" Sakura replied "I subconsciously avoid people during this year" Sakura confessed.
"Why?" Sasuke asked.
"I don't know. I was always alone in Suna, I just grew accustomed to it" Sakura muttered, the blush on her face slowly growing on her features. Suddenly Sasuke pulled the blossom into a loving embrace.
"You're not alone anymore" Sasuke muttered, holding onto the girl as if any minute she could snap and break. Slowly wide eyes which were filled with shock softened with understanding before closing and returning the embrace, leaning on Sasuke as the two continued to sit in each others arms, enjoying the quite. Suddenly a quiet whistling could be heard coming from the festival before explosions erupted in the sky as flowers of all different colours bloomed in the night sky, lighting up the already bright Konoha with their beauty.
"Happy New Year my blossom" Sasuke whispered into her ear, holding her closer to him.
"Aa" Sakura muttered as she continued to watch the fireworks, more focused the blooming flowers in the sky then Sasuke, the capture of her first kiss, at the moment, though, she hated to admit, she did like being in Sasuke's arms, it made her dare she say it? Happy and safe?
'Arigato…Sasuke…kun' Sakura thought to herself as she watched the firework pattern up in the sky.
Me: Well, I avoided them barely -looks around very paranoid and breathes deeply- RxR, no flaming, bye now :)