Disclaimer: Dude, I don't need to own Naruto to write fanfiction.
Penname: LiveLoveLaugh
FanFiction Story: Teenage Rhapsody
Summary: AU She was new at Konoha High. But she didn't have a dark secret. She wasn't social. She wasn't very attractive. She wasn't very popular or very geeky. Hell, she was always alone. Now that Sakura became a senior, things start to mix up a bit.
AN: I haven't updated anything in a while and I feel a little weird out by that, ha. But I'm not going to apologize for it, since school always comes first. Remember that, you rebels! I also just gotten interested in One Piece and I might be planning to write a story on it. My love for drawing came back at me tenfold, so I spent nearly all my time on the computer or with paper and pencils. Check out my deviant gallery listed on my journal.
But I did miss writing my other stories, and it's hard to get hold of my old ideas since I haven't written them down. I did look over the storyline of this story, and found myself in an embarrassing place. Only eight chapters, huh? Make it another one.
Have a good read.
Chapter Nine
Move to the Motion
She was still awake, lying restlessly on the cozy living room couch.
The room was dark, quiet, and it was slightly cool around her pale face. Right now, you might have thought she was dreaming of some things pleasant because a ghost of a smile would tug at her lips then disappeared for a moment more. Light bags under her closed eyes lightened at the complexion, while her body gently adapted to the content surroundings, wanting to fall asleep and let all her troubles subside.
Her eyes were closed, her hair was braided in many small pieces to keep them in a lively frill, while a long gray blanket covered up to her elbows. Her face was illuminated with a thin flickering blue and white sheen cast from the large flat-screen television, across from her. A pencil was clutched loosely in her fingers and a piece of homework was sprawled undone over a heavy textbook on her lap. Her head nodded off to the side where she promised herself one moment of shut-eye, landing on the side of an expensive velvet cushion propped against her side.
But she wasn't alone.
A beautiful heart-shaped face roved over the back of the couch cautiously, two big hazel eyes glimmered sadly as one hand pulled the blanket to be placed properly over the girl's shoulders, and tucked it around her body carefully. The robust silhouette darted eyes and picked up the remote from the coffee table and turned off the late-night western soap opera, before handsome and romantic Constantine was about to propose to his evil twin brother's ex-girlfriend who apparently has cancer, and not expected to live for a few more episodes.
The older woman checked inside and out of her condo, peeking into the cracks of Shizume's bedroom and at Ton Ton's basket in her own master room. All three of her housemates were asleep, before she walked out relieved back into the quiet and dark living room in her swaying robe and sleeping gown with something blinking and beeping in her sweaty hand.
She entered into the kitchen area, and turned on the lights in there. She silently placed the cell phone on the breakfast table before turning on the faucet of the sink and filling a shiny kettle with water for her past midnight coffee. Before long, she sat herself down with a cup of fresh java and a plate of frozen day-old chocolate chip cookies on the table. Her eyes never left the clear screen of her phone.
One Message. One Message. One Message.
Over and over she kept reading that same thing, thinking and thinking for the last whole afternoon right when she had pulled up to her driveway when the phone rang once, twice, and a few more times since she was busy pulling the brake before desperately picking up the phone. The girl was sitting right next to her, tugging back on her hat and holding onto her pet pig before walking out of the car into the condo without another thought.
The woman clasped the phone in her hand then. Her lips trembled, and knew who called.
One Message. One Message. One M—
Her breath hitched.
She pressed one button then suddenly a soothing handsome voice filled the kitchen area:
"Tsunade-san? You there? Oh, I guess not. Well, anyway, this is Dan calling from the airport. Rin's in the ladies' room, now. I just called to check up on things, find out what's going on back in Konoha, and how's our daughter doing. That's all. It's a busy day down here but don't hesitate to call us. We're probably in the day time if you're planning to call at midnight…" A soft laugh. "We miss her. And if you can, I like to say hi to Sakura. Or, you know, tell her when you get back. You know our number. Thank you, and good day."
Suddenly, the message was immediately erased by another button.
The blond woman stared aimlessly at the phone, before instantly dialing up the one number she had long recognized and memorized for ages. She had freshly applied makeup, went to the salon for this a few hours ago, skipped dinner, and cleared her voice in preparation for this moment. She nervously pushed the plastic stub and a low ringing noise was heard on the other line.
She pressed the phone against her ear.
"Hello? Dan? Are you there?"
"Tsunade-san? Is that you?"
She bit her lip, the light lipstick stuck tenderly to her teeth. "Yes."
She heard his laugh, imagined the movements of his Adam's apple while he pleasantly laughed.
"My, my, I haven't heard from you in a while!"
"Yes. I got your message."
The way his black eyes shined amused when he looked at her, a smile tugging on his lips.
"Well, then. How's Sakura doing? Is she adjusting?"
She didn't know. "Yes." But she said it anyway.
"Ah, that's good. I knew sending her back to Konoha would do the job. She was always…so distant when she went to the foreign schools we sent her to. I supposed you know already know that, of course, seeing that you did used to be my number one actress in my company, Tsunade-san. We used to travel together all the time, filming together. You were enchanting."
She felt herself glow red from embarrassment. "I'd only been in several of your movies."
"Which you got awards for doing such a good darn job on your acting. You were fabulous, and I knew you would be too when we went to high school together. It's quite amazing seeing how long we had known each other, isn't it?"
She imagined him sitting down and looking out in the window, the sun pouring over his white hair.
"Yes." She smiled.
"You have to come back to the company! None of our new actors can act half as well as you do. For that matter, the corporation is always changing contracts with our even leading actors. None of them seem to share the same vision as I do, except you, of course. Critics everywhere are always looking for you, you know? You're too good for someone to just lose."
She felt so flattered. She felt so complete. "Do you mean that?"
"Of course I do! I would be a fool for saying things I don't mean. I know you're still be a huge hit. Even Rin thought so when she was your intern, remember?"
Suddenly, silence. "Rin?"
"Of course. She believes in you as much as I do. After you resigned, she was so heartbroken so she quitted acting and became my partner in the company. If you hurry up and apply, history might forget you, Tsunade-san!"
Another humorous laugh. She faltered. "Rin?"
"Yes. Your best friend!" He chuckled. "I'm beginning to think you're becoming forgetful again. Remember all the misplaced paperwork and spilled coffee when I was engaged? But I'm glad you're taking such good care of Sakura for us. She needs a stable home."
Stillness. She frowned lightly. "But she's your daughter."
"I know. But Rin and I, at this point with the company's growth, we can't take care of her properly. Pretty much soon, we both will get sick of traveling and just settle back at Konoha. At this point, Sakura is in your care and your school which we thank you for."
The blonde stared ahead, with a little disbelief.
"She didn't always go with you. She's been in my sight more than the both of yours."
"I know, Tsunade-san. But parents aren't always perfect. The moment she graduates, we'll come back and provide a home for her."
"She'll be in college then—"
"But she can visit us, of course."
She blinked. "Then, that means…you're not coming next week for her b—again."
"Oh right. Sadly, yes. Rin and I have half a dozen contract signings by then. We're planning on buying her a car, that way, you and Shizume-san won't have to drive her everywhere for her to get to places."
She blinked again. "I see."
"Well anyway, Rin can't come to the phone today. She's at another meeting with the press about the exclusive preview ceremony to our newest movie. You know that name. The actors are good, but then again, not as good as you."
She smiled softly, closing her eyes. "You're making feel so full of myself, Dan."
"Ah, but you deserve it. By the by, it's almost noon here, I have paperwork to do. Good night and get some beauty sleep, or whatever you do. Good night, Tsunade-san!"
"Good n—" But the other line was closed.
She stared at the cell phone, and carefully shut it off and placed it on the tabletop.
Slowly guilt began to rise in her when someone wrapped up in a gray blanket, tiny pink braids over her shoulders and tears threatening to fall from her eyes entered into the kitchen area. Tsunade looked disgusted at herself, stood up trying to fix an excuse for the poor girl.
Sakura shook her head, truly upset, "They can't even come to my birthday?"
To Be Continued
This is the part where you would applaud for my efforts in updating another chapter. Ha.
Yes, Sakura's father and mother are not OC. They are real characters would appear in the manga and anime for a short while, placing huge affect on some of the characters. Dan was Tsunade's handsome white-haired former lover and was the one who believed in her ideas of placing medic-nin into teams, to prevent further deaths of ninjas. Rin was Kakashi's former female counterpart, who was a medic-nin and had been the one to surgically to seal the Sharingan eye in him. Funny as to how many crazy plans I have in placing random characters as relations.
More characters to go, you see them, you meet them. Whether they are old or new, you begin to see how they would all intertwine in this holy rhapsody that moves to the flow of teenage lives. It would not only be about Sakura, even though she is the main point here. There will be no point for me to place all these characters here and not do anything with them, even if one's own life or view is bigger than the other's, you have to see that I have all intentions to give myself and you all entertainment and some inspiration to write your own story.
About the pairings…there's no point in telling anyone, as far as I can see. I know from writing and reading fanfiction for several years that most reviewers and readers tend to only look for their most favorite pairing in all the high school or any other AU stories, and thus, ignoring the whole plot of the story. I don't regret my decision one bit, and I just hope you wouldn't blame me when some things turn out in a way you don't expect, and dislike me for it.
Most of the pairings are non-canon, a few are canon. All of them are het. I want people to see there are new things to see and read about, experience, that our teenage lives or stories does not always revolve around drugs, alcohol, gangs, rape, or perfection. Please, just read it for no further judgment.
I'm really beginning to love Asian and rock songs. Ha. So much inspiration.