Sakura stares at her mother in disbelief, sitting up in bed.
"Are you serious?" She asked. Her mother made a deadpan face. In other words, yes, she was. "When are we leaving?" Sakura then asked. "In half an hour, so hurry up and get yourself together so that you can eat breakfast and we can get there in time." Mebuki gets up and leaves. Sakura groans, flopping back onto her bed. She couldn't believe it… her great grandmother had passed.
Well, Sakura didn't know her personally or anything, but still: a family member dying is very disheartening. As a result, Sakura and her family are going to be traveling to where Mebuki's side of the family lives. Wherever that might be. Wasting no more time, Sakura quickly went to brush her teeth and wash her hair. She put herself together, dressing in her new go-to outfit, and decided to do her makeup. It was maybe a little heavy, but she was still learning. Plus, it added a bit more of a feminine edge to her current look. Slipping into her short heels, she fumbled around for her small ninja pouch. Securing it around her waist, Sakura pulled her blazer over it. She glanced in the mirror, and for a moment cringed. Her eyeliner was way too heavy. It was super dramatic. Though, it would have to do for now. Sakura takes a small purse and heads downstairs to eat.
Not too long after, Sakura and her family have walked all the way to the gates of Konoha, and have gotten the carriage they'd rented. Her mom and dad sat at the front of the carriage, with Kizashi taking the reigns and Mebuki leaning on him. The long ride began, and Sakura began to think to herself.
What was her great grandparents' home like? Sakura recalled what she already knew about it, although she understood it was very little. Last time she was there, she was perhaps two. She's twelve now. That said, is it lively there? Or is it very quaint? Are the people there mostly old or young, or is it a good mixture? How similar does everyone look there? Is everyone there a part of the Haruno clan? Are any of them ninjas? And if not, what do they do? How's the general wealth of the populace? Do people there tend to have pink hair and-or green eyes? Speaking of which, her mother did tell Sakura on the way to the carriage that she looks much more like Grandma Fuji once hitting adolescence. So, does that mean there is someone in the family who looks like Sakura? What about Grandpa Fuji? Is it a very rural-like place? So many questions…
Deciding to push these thoughts to the side, Sakura found herself growing tired. Quickly, she fell asleep.
~.~.~
When Sakura awoke, her mother was seated across from her, happily peering out the window. Waking up rather suddenly, Sakura asked, "Mama, what are you looking at?" Mebuki gestured to the window. "We're here! See for yourself!" Doing as told, Sakura peered out the window. She gasped at what she saw.
It was far from being a super-developed village, but it was definitely beautiful and quaint. Everything was so traditional and yet modern at the same time, with everyone's houses being far apart enough to allow everyone to have their own giant plot of land. There was quite a few bodies of water, and it was so clean that the sky clearly mirrored itself in it. Sakura blossoms scattered the fields, houses, dirt paths, waters and everything else everywhere —it was all pink! It was gorgeous! The many large fields were also covered in pink blossoms, and occasionally, bundles of cherry blossom trees. It was a sight to behold. "Wooow!" Sakura said. Looking to Mebuki, Sakura then asked, "Where is this, Mama?" Mebuki smiles at her. "This is the Land of Valleys!" Bashfully, she added, "I can't really tell you what village, though." Who cares? Sakura could only bring herself to focus on the natural beauty before her!
When the Haruno family finally entered the village, locals grew curious. Many simply stood by and stared, but a couple of pedestrians boldly stepped out near the rocky roads to get a better look. Sakura peeked through the curtain of the chariot once more, and found herself a little dumbfounded. These people looked kind of wacky –or, that's not a nice thing to say! More like they were just… very different to look at.
They were vibrant. The colors they wore often didn't coordinate, and the ones who did have coordinating outfits all wore clothing so similar that it seemed as though they were in uniforms. Some had extremely tanned skin, some were unnaturally pale; others had powdery white hair despite being as young as a toddler, and others had hair colors of bright greens or pinks: some even had ombré colored hair. They wore tunics, sometimes dresses, or skirts, or shirts, and some wore pants, or tights, or shorts, or bodysuits. People to this side wore wide hats and large belts and seemingly heavy boots, while others to the other side wore sashes and crowns of the sorts and and heels or sandals. Everybody was so… unique.
"I don't even know who to look at." Sakura mumbled, to which Mebuki chuckled. "It's been so long since I've been here, I'd forgotten how original people of the village was." She admitted. Sakura allowed the curtain to fall back into place, hiding them from the sight of the locals. Not too long after, the chariot stopped. Shuffling was heard outside, and then Kizashi poked his head through the now opened door. "We have arrived, ladies! Let's go say "hi" to Mom and Dad, now!" He said, grinning from cheek to cheek. Following promptly, Sakura wasn't prepared for the intense stares she was going to receive as soon as she stepped out of the carriage. So, when she did feel the stares, she couldn't help stiffening. Everywhere she glanced led her to lock eyes with at least four other people. Growing a little pink, some began to smile a little and turn to the others, pointing and whispering about her. Sakura turned on her heel as fast as she could and rushed to her parents' side. Standing before the door, Kizashi knocked twice. A moment of waiting passed, and then the door slid open. A tall, slender woman stood hovering over them, and Sakura gaped a little at her overpowering aura.
She had deeply tanned skin, golden-hued and clear, yet bright peridot colored eyes. Her gaze never wavered, staring directly into the eyes of Mebuki, Kizashi, and particularly Sakura, making the poor girl fidget a little. This woman's makeup was bold and saturated, and done with the utmost precision. Her hair was as pale as a pink cherry blossom, growing to a somewhat platinum color at the very ends, and would've fallen to the floor had it not been for the sectioned off pulled up hair. She wore a long, draping tunic and a fitted skirt, sprouting like a flower at the bottom and covering her feet. Her expression was almost eerily blank, enough to give someone the heebie-jeebies. She was scary. She was beautiful.
"Dear, you'd never guess who arrived on our doorstep," She shouted. She seemed to be calling to someone else, though, despite keeping her eyes focused directly on Sakura and her parents. There was a quiet mumbling in the background. "No, dear, it's not the kraken. Well, yes, Mebuki's here but would you believe it, dear? -Our sweet grandbaby has finally come to visit. Why, I'd say it's been a decade. Hasn't it, cherry?" The woman -Grandma Fuji - asked Sakura this directly. Hesitantly, Sakura answered, "Ah, yes, it has." Briefly, Grandma Fuji smiled. Gesturing, she ushered them inside. "Come on in, children. These folk will gawk all day long if you don't find yourself out of sight."
Now sitting at a table, Grandma Fuji beamed at them some more. "I'm so delighted that you all are here." Her face immediately faltered, and she then grumbled, "Although, I'm sure you understand why you're here, of course. My mother…" Grandma Fuji took a small, careful breath. "Is no more. She will rest with the clouds now." Grandma Fuji takes another moment, and Sakura and her parents stay quiet, partaking in the silence with the elder. "Oh, dear, I suppose I should go make some tea. What would you all like to eat?" As she began to stand, Grandpa Fuji had just walked in. Having heard this, he quickly sat his wife back down, saying, "No, love, sit here and I'll prepare the drinks and food for today." Grandma Fuji smiled thankfully, and allowed the handsome old man to gracefully disappear into the kitchen. Sakura couldn't help noting her grandfather's charming appearance; in fact, he and Grandma Fuji seemed to have aged like fine wine. She hopes it'll be the same for her. "Kizashi, love? Why don't you go move the carriage around the back? I'm not sure if Yuuma did it." Kizashi got up to do this, and Mebuki went to help Grandpa Fuji. It was just Sakura and Grandma Fuji now.
Grandma Fuji smiled softly. Sakura blushes a little, and looks elsewhere but not for long; "Sakura, love," Her grandmother says. "What have you been up to as of late? How's your studies, your social life? Tell me all, dear." Sakura gives a nervous grin. "It's all been well, Grandma." Grandma Fuji nods. "Yes, yes. Becoming a dual talented shinobi will be a long and difficult journey." Sakura blinks. "Um… what do you mean?" Before Grandma Fuji can answer, Grandpa Yuuma comes in with tea. He sets cups down in front of Sakura and his wife, and promptly pours the drink. "Mebuki and I are still preparing the foods. Won't be much longer, love." With a parting kiss to Grandma Fuji, Grandpa Yuuma heads back into the kitchen.
"What of your love life? Any lucky young men by your side?" Grandma Fuji asks. Sakura chuckles. "Well," she begins to blush. "I suppose there is one." Grandma Fuji's eyes light up, and she laughs. "Oh, my! What's his name? What does he do for a living?"
"Well, he's the same age as me, so he doesn't really have a career right now. And, his name is Sasuke."
"Are you two together?" Grandma Fuji asks. "Oh, no." Sakura says. "I'm not sure if he likes me like that, anyway…" Grandma Fuji looks stunned. She shakes her head in disbelief. "Excuse me? You're interested in him aren't you?" Sakura nods. "And he… is not interested in you as well?" Sakura fidgets. "I don't know." Grandma Fuji becomes perplexed. "How so?" Sakura thinks of what to say.
"Well, whenever I try to approach he kind of just…" Sakura sighs. "Blows me off. Harshly." She finishes. Grandma Fuji stares at her blankly. A sweet aroma fills the air as pastries are brought out. Another parting kiss is shared between the elderly couple, and then Grandpa Yuuma disappears once more. Grandma Fuji shakes her head in disbelief. "So, you're not still interested are you?" Sakura blushes and says nothing, opting for twirling her hair instead. Grandma Fuji groans, and rubs her head. "This won't do. Is that the strange dating culture of the Hidden Leaf village? Why, growing up here in Red Town, such a thing as crushes was hardly feasible!" She began to rant a little. "You used to have to fight your crush by the blade! If they couldn't withstand a blow and didn't have a career on top of that, that toad would not be your so-called "crush" any longer!" Sakura sighs in defeat.
"Yes ma'am." She says. Grandma Fuji pats her shoulder. "Never mind that for now. Let me teach you something useful." However, Grandpa Yuuma comes in with more hot pastries. "Let's snack, love!" Suddenly, Sakura's grandparents are chowing down the snacks and tea. From then on, Sakura becomes invisible to her grandparents. No matter how she tries to get their attention (especially Grandma Fuji's), the elders simply seem to not hear her. And soon, the time for bed arrives.
On her way to bed, Sakura sees Grandma Fuji passing her. She decides to call out to her one more time.
"Grandma Fuji!" She calls. Her grandmother stares at her blankly. She was such a cool looking old woman. "Yes, dear?" She replies. Sakura shuffled in place for a moment. "About earlier," She began. "You said that you would teach me something useful? What was it?" Grandma Fuji keeps her leveled expression strong, but something in her eyes changes. "Well, there are many parts to this useful thing that I will teach you, Sakura, you won't learn it in a single night." She finishes with, "Let alone master this very useful thing." Sakura purses her lips. "Still, I would like to know." She says carefully. Grandma Fuji's emerald eyes tear into Sakura's soul for a moment, and Sakura shrinks into herself. Suddenly, the kunoichi felt small. "That, that there!" Sakura stares strangely at her grandmother's accusatory finger pointed in her direction. "Fix that. Don't ever do that again, from here on out, you hear?" She snaps. Sakura flinches at her grandmother's curtness, but nods nonetheless. "Never, ever diminish your presence, ever. Tell me, blossom, why are you shrinking, why are you hiding?" Grandma Fuji asks. Sakura stutters as she tries to answer. "Well, you just suddenly shouted and pointed at me, so… I didn't know how else to react -"
"Excuses!" Grandma Fuji said. Sakura frowned, and her grandmother shook her head and tsked. "Love, let me tell you why you are hiding." Grandma Fuji approaches Sakura and begins guiding her towards her temporary room. "You hide because you are embarrassed." What? They turn down a corridor. "You hide because you are ashamed." What? No, she wasn't! "You hide because to you, there is something you must hold within." Huh? They arrive at an opened door. It's a bedroom -Sakura's room, and it has all her stuff there. The sheets of the bed are slightly pulled back, inviting her into its warm captive. Grandma Fuji pushes her in and gives her a final stern look. However, her eyes are somehow soft as she says so: "You hide because you are afraid." She tilts her head. "But of what?" Before Sakura could respond, Grandma Fuji kisses her forehead and bids her goodnight. She shuts the door and quickly saunters off to be with her husband. Sakura is left confused, and feeling a little… undressed, so to speak.
"Ugh, Grandma Fuji would put me on the spot like that!" Sakura began huffing and puffing, mumbling in a long winded rant as she went to remove her makeup and prepare for bed. "I'm not hiding myself -I'm not scared! Why would I be? None of that even makes sense!" She removes her makeup and brushes her hair. She stares at it. She sighs. Sakura crawls into bed, still thinking of what her grandmother told her. She huffed. Before falling asleep, she grumbles one last:
"I am not afraid."