Chapter 13: Lighting
Little Falcon: Who wants their fortunes told? I can do it for you! Just kidding! Another update, it's a miracle! Read and review alright?
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!!!
"Touru-kun, it's me…" her sky blue eyes gleamed with malice as she twirled a strand of her blond hair in her finger. No one is better than me… you'll see. A dangerous smirk appeared on her face as she concluded the call.
The ringing of the phone made her leave the confines of her dark room. Her pink hair was tied up in a neat bun behind her head preventing it from getting in the way of her work. Still wearing her safety apron, Sakura answered the phone. "Sakura! It's Temari!" in the background she heard a familiar voice saying Oi, Temari what the hell are you…she was so sure it was Gaara.
"Temari, what is it? It sounds like Gaara's not happy with what you're about to tell me," somehow in her imagination, she sees the older sister pushing her youngest brother away with just one arm just like in the anime.
A minute earlier…
"I see things went well in Hawaii," a sadistic smirk was plastered on her sister's face as she watched him reading a text message from the lady photographer.
"None of your business," he immediately regained his nonchalant façade as he realized he was seeing stalked.
"Hmmm, I'm going to call Sakura and ask if you got laid," Temari jumped off the couch and grabbed the phone.
"The hell you are!" Gaara ran for it but she was already running around, dialing the phone when he started.
"Sakura! It's me Temari!" the sadistic blond eyed her brother. Pressing the mute, "Not another step closer or I'll really ask her that," she threatened him confidently. Gaara knowing that his sister's serious stood frozen on his spot as Temari resumed talking with Sakura.
"I have fashion show this weekend. Want to come?" she almost laughed out loud seeing her brother's relieved face. Ending the call, she grinned widely at him. "She said she'll be coming so that means… you will too right?" Gaara could almost swear she's the most conniving sister anyone could ever have.
The catwalk was set. Everything in the stage looks absolutely perfect, but the backstage was another story. People ran to and fro- make-up artists, assistants and models alike.
"Touru! What exactly do you mean by that?!" Temari glared at the top ranking model that was checking her nails casually.
"What part of 'I'm not going to walk if it's not with Ino' do you not understand?" Touru flipped a strand of her long brown hair. Some of the models already began eavesdropping on their not exactly private conversation.
"Ino was fired months ago! Why the hell would you demand something that outrageous?" the blond fashion designer flailed her arms in the air in irritability.
"You fired her because she broke up with your brother. You can easily call her back you know," she mocked her more by handing her a phone.
"Ino never had a relationship with Gaara. I fired her because she was so unprofessional- coming to work two hours late, calling to be absent in the last minute. There is no way, I'll call her back!" Temari slapped the phone away from Touru's hand. It flew across the room making an even bigger commotion.
"Fine, maybe you can just let that bitch who Gaara replaced Ino with, be your model," as if on cue, Sakura entered the back stage with a bouquet in her hands.
Temari's temper began to simmer down as she saw how Sakura, who was wearing, a simple black cocktail dress, outshine this top ranking model, who was wearing one of her greatest creation. Somehow the saying 'beauty is effortless' took a physical form.
"You know what. I think I'll do just that," Touru's face was so shocked as she watched the fashion designer walked away from her and to the pink haired girl carrying flowers.
"Congratulations in advance Temari-san," Sakura was completely oblivious of the commotion and greeted her enthusiastically.
Accepting the stargazers, she smiled "Sakura…. Do you have any problems being on stage?"
His jade eyes scanned the area for the third time as he avoided love stuck eyes of the girls hovering around him. He was already uncomfortable wearing a four-piece suit but being surrounded by hormone-crazed women makes it worse.
"Gaara, she'll be here. Why don't you just take a seat?" his older brother sweat-dropped seeing his impatience.
"I heard he's got a new girlfriend," one girl said to the other.
"Ino-san said the girl was so plain-looking! I can't believe he actually replace her with a common girl," Gaara was about to let him get a piece of his mind when the lights went off. Finally, the show was starting.
"Oh, there's Tenten and Neji. Weren't they supposed to be with Sakura?" Kankuro waved at the two to know they were there.
"Sakura? She's still not here? But I swear she arrived earlier," Sakura's friend took a seat near the catwalk- a privilege given by Temari of course.
Gaara sulked quietly as he walked the lights on the catwalk dance. He was not that inconsiderate to leave his sister's show just because his girlfriend didn't show.
The awed reaction of the crowd made him look at the model who was about to walk down the runway. "Isn't that…" Tenten's words were barely audible. His heartbeat in his ears so loud he can barely hear anything else.
The model was wearing a black, off shoulder gown, showing an ample amount of her cleavage. The corset binding her torso was red and it didn't cover her flat midsection. Her black and red layered skirt was ankle length but it was cut unevenly, there was a long slit on her left leg that showed until her upper outer thigh. Her boots were high-heeled and had the same color as her corset.
"Who's that model? She's not Touru-san… but she's more alluring," he heard a comment from someone behind him followed by others.
Her long pink tresses were in stylish waves behind her back and her flawless skin glowed under the hot lights. Elegantly, just like a pro, she glided down the aisle and discreetly gave him a wink before going back stage again.
His chest swelled with pride as he heard the people praise her beauty. Somehow in the back of his head, he wanted so much to declare to the world that that woman is his and his alone.
Still wearing that dress, upon Temari's insistence, she left the back stage and searched for him. "You're so beautiful. I can't believe you're mine," a pair of arms embraced her from behind.
Automatically, Sakura smiled as she heard his voice. Turning around, "And looks who's talking?" she fixed his coat but her eyes were locked with his. "You're making every girl faint from the sight of you. I'm afraid to call you mine because they might hurt me," she wrapped her arms around his neck and sealed their joke with a kiss.
"Is that the one Ino-san was talking about? There isn't anything plain about her?" one model said to the Touru who was silently fuming with anger. Hardly anyone noticed her presence. Everyone's eyes were on the amateur model that was with Gaara.
The vibration on her bag distracted her from her moment with her impatient boyfriend. She was still in his arms when she answered the call. Immediately, blood drained on her face as she ended the call.
"What is it?" Gaara released her sensing her distress.
"My mom… I need to go to the hospital," she was about to run off when he grabbed her arm.
"I'll go with you," he muttered as he led the way to his car.
Little Falcon: Read and review please.