Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Present Day;
The train was awfully quiet this time of day. It was an hour of tranquil sleep for most people, an hour of dream states. Yet again, the train through the countryside was never hectic, nor populous. It was nothing like Tokyo.
Sakura closed her overworked eyes and rested her head on her own frail shoulder. It was a long, strenuous day at the engaging office, and her body knew just how tired she had become. She clung onto her briefcase, as she felt the uneven motion of the train. However, such slight movement didn't stop her from dozing into a light slumber.
Her head filled with numbers and deadlines, as her demanding, yet fully satisfying job was the only thing occupying her mind, even in her sleep.
The sudden jerking of the curving train startled the pink-haired woman from her light dazing. Bright emeralds quickly opened, as she held onto her briefcase just a little tighter.
"Now arriving at Hakodate station." The train's PA system announced. Sakura quickly stood from her seat and made her way towards the train's opening doors. She swiped her train card on the card reader and proceeded to head up towards the cold, open road.
It was a small stretch of a walk to her parents house from the station. Yet, Sakura never ceased to not enjoy the small walk to her parent's home. The city of Hakodate held old, wooden buildings throughout it's roads. Not only was it gushing with history, but it was filled with the most breathtaking view of the mirror-like ocean. It was now the awakening of spring, and bright colored flowers began to peek all over the city. A smile gently appeared on Sakura's lips, as she happened to feel the calming breeze of the frigid water.
A couple blocks later, the Haruno residence came into view. Although it wasn't ideal living with your parent's at twenty three, it was a much more different mindset in a smaller, rural town than it was compared to a populous, booming city. It was expected in this whimsical town, until marriage appeared. However, Sakura shook that thought off completely.
The tired woman arrived quickly to the more traditional-like home her parents resided in, and made her way inside. It was dark, yet the kitchen light was dimmed on. Sakura raised an eyebrow as she made her way to the dining room, only to find her mother kneeling patiently at the dining table.
"You're late." Her mother announced. No matter what age Sakura turned, her mother still awaited her punctual arrival.
"Ah, I'm sorry. They needed me late today."
"That Tsunade really knows how to push your buttons." Her mother said as she stood from the floor and made her way to the stove. Careful hands began to fix Sakura a plate of the earlier dinner.
"She means well, mom." Sakura said with a nervous smile.
"I know, dear, and that company is doing unbelievably well, your father heard they were making a third branch on the island."
Sakura sighed at the news she already became aware of. Taito Corporations, established only 10 years ago, had quietly dominated the small cities in Japan. The now expansive company has opened two major branches in the smaller island. Upon finishing university in one of Hokkaido's top universities, Sakura successfully secured a promising job with the company. Since then, it was a firm relationship, as her job became her primary focus.
"I know." Sakura said with a quick nod.
Mebuki smiled, as she patted the top of her daughter's head. "I'm proud of you, Sakura."
Sakura closed her eyes and gave her mother a warm smile, "Thanks, mom."
"Well, have some dinner and then get to your shower. You're going to do the same thing tomorrow, I'm sure of it."
Sakura sighed as she set her briefcase down on the floor next to her. She gently rubbed the temples on the side of her head in a circular motion.
"You're probably right."
Her mother served her food, kissed her cold cheek and wished her goodnight. Sakura ate in silence, as not even a light wind made an appearance from the outside. It truly was a routine way of life, but a very tranquil one at that. There was no stampede of crowds, no rush hour in hard-to-move stations and no sky-scraping buildings that looked higher than the fragile clouds.
It was serene; something Sakura truly appreciated. But yet, there were some nights when she couldn't help but reminisce of certain days.
September, 6 years prior;
"Now boarding on platform 2." The train's automated PA system rang.
Quickly, Sakura and the dark-haired man pushed their way in to the already crowded train car. Their hands never left the warmth of each others. Seats were already filled, so they optioned to stand in the swarmed train car. Sasuke's arm grabbed onto the hanging strap that hung from the top of the ceiling.
"Are you alright?" The raven haired boy asked Sakura as she found her proper footing.
With tinted cheeks, Sakura quickly nodded.
"Stay close." Sasuke said as he placed a gentle hand on Sakura's lower back. She obediently did as she was told, and inched in closer to the protective Uchiha. She linked her hand around his firm bicep, using it as her own personal balance rail.
Everyday for the past year, they had took the overcrowded subway together for school. Ever since Sakura received an unpleasant experience on the train that regarded a man and her skirt, Sasuke had intervened and made sure she made it to and from school everyday.
It wasn't in his parent's interest for their youngest son to be taking public transportation, as their heir had his own personal driver. They were worried it would ruin their posh image, or even cause a stir within their family. But Sasuke couldn't care less, as he grew accustom to taking the train with his friends. It was one thing he asked of his parents, was for just that sense of freedom.
Quickly the train stopped to its next destination, and opened the doors to its new swarm of passengers. A chipper-looking blonde came on the train, wearing the exact same prestigious boy uniform Sasuke had been wearing.
"Morning!" He blurred happily, as he stood next to the dark-haired Uchiha and the timid Sakura.
Although the trains we're usually quiet, it was never expected once Naruto stepped foot onto the line.
"Hey Naruto." Sakura said with a smile. "You ready?"
"Mm. First day of our last year." Naruto said with a thumbs up. "I've never been more ready."
"I hope we all have class together again." Sakura said.
"That's a tough call." Sasuke added. "Naruto might be in the class below us."
"Hey! Watch it!" Naruto threatens as he scrunched his face at the insulting Uchiha.
The train proceeded its route to the heart of Tokyo, with its passengers securely in tow. Sakura closed her eyes, as the piercing rails was something she grew accustomed to.
"Remember, first day of senior year usually means we'll have to take our career test." Naruto said.
Sakura frowned, "Those are so inaccurate. Temari told me when she took it last year, it told her she should be a funeral director."
Sasuke quietly chuckled to himself, "It suits her."
"Did you figure out what you want to do after high school yet?" Sakura asked Naruto.
The previous night, the three friends had been discussing their plans after their long-awaited graduation. Naruto announced that he might be taking a break after high-school and taking an internship offer with the video production company his uncle works for. He explained it as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.
"Well, ideally, I'd still like to work with my old man Jiraya. But who knows, my parents might not approve of the whole video industry."
"Well, I can see you doing that." Sakura said with a nod.
"And, we all know Sasuke is going to work for his daddy." Naruto said with a sneer. A now sulking looking Sasuke stared daggers into Naruto as his words hit a sour note with the Uchiha.
Sasuke came from a successful linage of Japan's business tycoons. His family stepped foot into the telecommunications industry, and had never looked back since. Passed from his great-grandfather, the company and his family was far wealthy, and just kept gaining more and more recognition throughout their industry. Although Naruto's words were particularly true, Sasuke didn't enjoy the phrasing he took.
"Shut up." Sasuke said.
"Anyways, what about you, Sakura? Are you going to move back with your parents in Hokkaido?" Sakura blushed at Naruto's nothing but innocent question.
Hokkaido was home, it was where she was born and raised by nothing but absolutely loving parents. Her parents ran a clam farm in the countryside of Hokkaido's oceanic city Hakodate. Although it wasn't the most glamorous job, it made enough revenue to send Sakura to live with a relative in Tokyo and attend one of Japan's most prestigious school.
"We'll visit ya know, Hokkaido has the best weather year round!"
Naruto spoke truth, she thought. The scenic island was beautiful, as the colorful seasons made themselves known around spacious island. The weather stood immaculate, as the sun protruded itself in the country side.
Yet, it wasn't home anymore. Her home, she felt, was here. Tokyo at first, was nothing but dreadfully hectic. Crowded streets, packed trains and nerve-wrecking stations seemed overwhelming at first, but she grew accustomed to the chaos. And eventually learned to love the hectic scene, especially the people she shared it with.
"I don't think so. I don't want to leave Tokyo." She said with a shy smile, as she looked discreetly at Sasuke from the corner of her glowing emeralds. She tightened her soft hold on her boyfriend's firm arm.
Sasuke looked at Sakura as she answered Naruto's intruding question. A corner of his lip smirked upwards.
She couldn't picture herself anywhere else.
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Im not sure where to go with this, but if you enjoyed it.. THANK YOU! xo