Chapter Twelve
"Hey, here's your clothing. I think you should change out of that. It doesn't suit you," said Tenten.
"Oh… I thought you said… never mind," replied Lee as he checked out Tenten from head to toe and added, "I think you need some new clothing and accessories."
Tenten looked down at her maid's clothing and answered, "I don't see anything wrong…"
Lee placed a finger on her lips and whispered, "It's an order. Don't worry about the cost."
For a moment, Tenten felt a shudder as Lee transformed into a gentleman. He wasn't trying to take advantage of her but offered to shower her with gifts. If only he wasn't so ugly… but then again do looks really matter?
Lee was happy to see that Tenten wasn't frowning at him like before. He thought she was the most gorgeous looking girl he had ever met. He knew he felt something for her since the first time he laid eyes on her. He wouldn't mind spending an eternity with her… but will she ever accept him?
Lee was unaware of the words slipping out of his throat, "You are the prettiest girl I have ever met… just like a lotus flower."
Tenten blushed like a pink lotus from hearing his words. Deep down her heart was beating very quickly and she was flattered to hear Lee's compliment. However, another part of her detested Lee so she joked her way out of it, "Of course I'm pretty! I don't need a geek like you to tell me that…"
As soon as the words got out she desperately wanted to take them back as she watched Lee's serious face turn into a frown. He looked down to the ground and whispered, "Yeah… I'm a geek. I'm an ugly…" Before he could finish, two arms wrapped around him and assured him, "I'm sorry for insulting you…"
Lee brightened up and squeezed his lips to an O shape. He asked, "Can I kiss you then?"
"Argh!" screamed Tenten as the fat lips came nearer. To top it off Lee hasn't shaved so there was a thin moustache line.
"Just joking. We're even!" stated Lee as he offered his hand to her for the hundredth time. He laughed and winked, "I'm going to buy all the things you have ever wanted!"
Tenten felt pleased but walked off ahead as Lee began to change out of the green suit. The street she entered was filled with many exotic foods and the smell made her want to dribble. She saw a variety of buns and rice cakes and sweets and fried food. She wanted to try all of them and demanded, "You can buy me one of everything on this street for lunch!"
"Sure!" replied Lee as he took a glance at the different types of food. Luckily his father had given him his work pay two days ago.
After three buns, some rice cakes and fried tofu, squid and fish Tenten couldn't eat anymore. However, she wanted to taste everything so Lee carried all the rice cakes and sweets in a piece of cloth. Tenten was so occupied in eating she didn't notice that Lee hadn't eaten anything. She picked up a lotus bun, paid for it and offered it to Lee, "Here, eat this. My shout! I'll carry the cloth bag..."
Lee never felt happier as he took the bun from her hand and replied, "It's my favourite bun. Thank you."
Unfortunately, his voice was drowned out by Tenten's amazement, "Wow… all these rice cakes looks so nice. Hahahaha… which one should I eat? Hmm. If only I wasn't so full! Sorry. Did you say something?"
"I said this is my…" trailed Lee as he watched Tenten run to the next street where they sold animals. She ran to a big wooden bucket holding many goldfishes and gasped.
"Aww… they're so pretty!" complimented Tenten.
"Hello, pretty Miss. Would you like to buy one?" asked the goldfish owner.
"Yes… Lee come and look at the black one with big eyes. I think it looks like you," laughed Tenten.
Lee looked at the ugly black fish with two bulging eyes and responded, "I guess… The orange one that's always picking on the black one can be you!"
"It's also the prettiest one!" boasted Tenten and added, "How much? I want them both!"
"Omg… five bronze pellet for both of them and fifteen if you want this porcelain bowl with it," offered the owner and continued, " Twenty bronze pellet altogether if you want this small packet of fish food."
Tenten looked at Lee with her beady eyes and waited for him to pay. As he took out his black cloth bag he realised his money has decreased by more than half. He gave the pellets to the owner slowly but the man grabbed the money enthusiastically and thanked him. Lee sighed and thought, 'As long as she's happy, I'll do anything for her.'
Tenten looked sideways with her angelic turquoise eyes and yawned, "I'm tired let's go to your place. We can shop some other day!"
As they headed to Gai's Sake Restaurant they didn't realise a man in a green suit was eyeing them suspiciously. Gai's heart was overwhelmed to see his son finally dating a girl. Two streams of fake tears rolled down his eyes as he thought of his son's marriage.
"I'm going to have grandchildren!" laughed Gai to himself.
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"I AM a man! Do you want me to prove it to you?" asked Haku.
"No that's alright. I think I should go home," replied Ino.
"Will I ever see you again?"
"Probably…"
"Can I take you to dinner one day?"
"No."
"Lunch then?"
"No, I don't think you can aff- never mind. If you can look manlier, I'll think about it…" trailed Ino and added, "Bye?"
"It's Haku!" he answered and continued, "I'll see you around then." =P
She walked off trying to forget about the stench but it was too overpowering. She thought, 'As if he can look manlier? Ah! I stink like him!' She was heading to her front gate before a roar of laughter greeted her.
"Looks like Miss Perfect is drenched and what's that stench? I think it's coming from you!" smirked Shika and added, "Be careful of the flies."
"You! This was all your fault!" screamed Ino.
"Right. First you accuse me of stealing and now you say I made you stink?" replied Shika.
"You did steal! I hate you, grr…" said Ino before she stormed inside to her room.
"Yeh? I don't like you either!" Shika shouted from behind her and cursed, "I wish something really bad happens to you…" (A/N: Wishes work backwards…)
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"I think there's a blood stain here…" pointed Sasuke.
Sakura dropped to her knees and her pink hair fanned across the floor. Small drops of tears began to fall to the cement ground. Sasuke and Naruto watched dumbfounded, they were unsure on how to soothe her. Naruto knelt next to her and placed a hand to her shoulder to support her.
"Don't touch me," yelled Sakura and instantly Naruto removed his hand. She crawled into a ball and began sobbing to herself. She prayed that her parents were still alive and she would do anything to see them again.
Sasuke stood a meter away from them before he sensed a noise coming from outside. He stretched his eyes to focus out the door and saw a man with a pineapple hairstyle pushing a cartwheel. He expected the worst when he saw a motionless body on the cart.
"Someone's coming," said Sasuke.
Sakura looked up to see her father and ran with joy to greet him. Mr Nara was shocked to see his daughter running towards him. He tapped his wife on the shoulder and whispered, "Sakura's home…"
Mrs Nara sat up very slowly and this small motion had wasted a lot of her energy. She stretched out her arms to embrace her beautiful daughter. She had thought that she would never get the chance to see her. Streams of tears from pure joy rolled down her eyes. She hugged her daughter so tightly that Sakura felt like she was suffocating.
Inside the house, Naruto and Sasuke were grateful that Sakura was reunited with her family. However, both of them were slightly envious because they had no parents. Sakura walked slowly beside her mother as Mr Nara pushed the cart towards the stone house.
When they were inside four horrified pairs of eyes watched Mrs Nara coughing blood. Mr Nara knelt on the floor to support his wife in a seated position so the blood wouldn't conjure in her throat. He held an immensely worried expression and cried out a cluster of words, "Don't leave me, I cannot live without you."
All along Mrs Nara just smiled while Mr Nara began to wipe the streaks of blood on her chin. Sakura was confused and wondered what was wrong with her mother. However, she did sense that her mother was dying and that pierced her heart deeply as tears flooded her eyes. She screamed when her mother fell out of conscious.
Mr Nara searched for a pulse and was relieved to find one. He assured everyone, "She has fainted…"
"Is she sick?" asked Naruto softly.
"She has been coughing. I took her to see the doctor and he said she didn't have much time left…" replied Mr Nara.
"I think you should take her to see another doctor. If it's money…" trailed Naruto.
Suddenly Sakura clung onto his arm and screamed, "Please save her. There must be a doctor who can save her! Please, I'll do anything…" She began to cry on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder again.
"Mr Nara is it? There's still hope but firstly I think you should take her to my place. I think Shikamaru has the right to be informed about…" stated Naruto firmly.
"Yes… yes. You are right! Let's move immediately!" exclaimed Mr Nara.
"My carriage is outside," said Naruto and he lifted Sakura's chin to face him. He wiped away her tears and whispered, "We will save her, don't worry…"
Sasuke stared furiously at them and his fist clenched when Sakura wrapped her arms around Naruto. 'I should be the one holding her…' thought Sasuke. He became more calm when Sakura shifted away from Naruto but the jealousy remained as Naruto took her hand and instructed her outside.
( # ) # ( # )
Mr Nara carried his wife's body gently up the carriage with the help of Naruto's servant. He laid her on one side of the soft chairs before sitting in a corner so her head was placed over his thighs. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke came in to sit on the opposite side. Naruto gave an order to the servant to head home.
A few hours later…
The sky has turned into a mass of orangey yellow and many homes were preparing dinner. During this particular time, Shikamaru was bathing happily and unaware of the misfortune that lay ahead for him. When he had finished his warm bath he decided to go to the kitchen to get some food.
On the other side of the house was Ino, she had recently chucked her French dress because of the stench it carried. She decided to wear some authentic Japanese clothing and have her hair straightened. She told her maid to tie her hair in a simple style and had liked what she saw in the mirror.
Ino opened her door slowly to head for the dining area while Shika was passing by in the same minute. She walked out slowly and Shika froze to stare at her passive beauty. She looked like a beautiful painting hanged on walls and was different to the loud and opened character she normally was.
Her stunning emerald eyes caught sight of Shika and politely addressed, "I believe we have not been introduced, I'm Ino Yamanaka."
"I'm Shikamaru Nara, you look really beautiful tonight," he replied and was taken aback from her quick change of personality.
"Are you implying that I was ugly before?" she asked.
"No! You look great. Listen I'm sorry about this afternoon. I hope that we can be friends," he stated.
Ino looked at him from head to toe and wondered if she should accept. She spoke, "Eh, I'd have to think about that… I'm going to head up for dinner so I'll see you around, bye."
"Bye," smiled Shika waving his hands and continued to head for the kitchen.
When Shika had walked a reasonable distance away from her she laughed, "Did you see his face? I'll teach him to never mess around with me." The maid gave her a half smile and was unsure of what to say.
Meanwhile, the carriage has finally arrived at the Uzamaki residence as it halted in the stable. During the trip Naruto had explained himself and his family trade. Sakura had told her father about what she thought of the place. Sasuke was referred to as a friend because Sakura didn't want to upset or anger her father. All along the trip, Mrs Nara slept soundlessly like the dead…
"We're here!" declared Naruto as he helped Mr Nara carry his wife out of the carriage. Naruto ordered his servant to find Shikamaru immediately.
When they had settled Mrs Nara on a nice comfortable bed, Shikamaru arrived outside the room. He was not sure why Naruto had asked for him but when he saw a glimpse of his father. His heart nearly popped out from the joy of seeing him again. Shika was confused because his father responded with a sad grim face.
"Your mother, she…" trailed Mr Nara as he pointed to the room.
Shikamaru pushed opened the door with fear that he might see a dead body. He was slightly relieved to see his mother sitting lumpishly against the wall with Sakura on her bedside. He studied her ghostly pale completion and her dry cracked lips. She had lost weight dramatically since the last time he had seen her and her hair was filled with many streaks of white.
She reached out a hand and whispered ever so softly, "Shikamaru."
Next time: Mrs Nara is dying but Sasuke insists she tell the truth about Sakura's identity. Naruto finds out more about his parents and he meets a stranger who calls him, "Yondaime, Yondaime you're alive!" Orochimaru gets impatient and sends Gaara to look for Sasuke…
I don't think there ever really are original stories; I mean where did the idea come from in the first place? That's why I don't mind cliché ideas as long as there's a good twist to it. I hope you liked my story so far even though it takes me yonks to update. You will witness Sakura being dressed elaborately walking up the palace steps soon…
Thanks to: Maya, Nikki, demoneyes14, Dragon's shadow, Anfu, Takeshi, Shadow Dog, Mourning Fox, Reika, Devil's Cry, digital-tiff and Mizzy Anne.
Please Review…