"The person that Sakura's parents wanted Sakura to run away from is a criminal named Orochimaru. He's been an international criminal for quite some time now, and all he wants is power. Right now I assume he's targeting the Harunos for some possession they might have," Fugaku explained.
"You don't mean that…" Mikoto explained.
Fugaku shook his head, "I don't know, dear."
Mikoto sighed heavily, "Let's think about it later alright? Come on, let's eat."
(Sakura's POV)
Later, at about 3 AM I woke up in a cold sweat. All night I've been having different dreams about how my parents had died. Pulling off my dress, I dressed in something more suitable, a pink t-shirt with black shorts. Suitable for the summer weather, I managed to grab the piece of paper Itachi gave me earlier and find my way downstairs.
Strolling into the kitchen I saw Mikoto washing the plates. I walked up to her and said, "Ohayo, Mikoto-sama!" I said, sitting on the stool in the corner. The lights in the room were all on, making reading possible.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping right now?" Mikoto asked.
"Don't worry, I always wake up this early on most days now," I explained smiling.
"Alright, come eat breakfast you have to keep up your strength you know," Mikoto said.
I giggled, "Alright." Mikoto fixed me a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon, along with a glass of milk. She then noticed the piece of paper in Sakura's hand, "What's this?" she asked, yanking it from Sakura's grasp.
She gasped, "you know how to play the piano right?"
I nodded; as soon as the movement was made she forced me to quickly eat my food and pulled me to the grand piano, in a huge room on the other side of the mansion, just like a doll. The room only had the grand piano inside, one side of the room was made up of only glass; the others were white along with the tiled floor. There was a giant chandelier at the top; it was obvious to say that the storm was continuing.
"Wait here ok?" Mikoto asked; I nodded. She left for a few minutes then came back with two pieces of paper; one was the original and the other was a carbon copy of it; I gave her a questioning look.
"Oh, I just used Itachi's things," Mikoto explained winking, "He wants to become a musician. He just doesn't expect me to understand how to use his electronic instruments."
I grinned, understanding that she did something without consent. She set up the piano and set the new copy on the stand, "Besides, I doubt you would want to play with writing all over the paper," Mikoto explained, "Now let's here you play!"
"Won't I wake everyone up though?" I asked, "I mean they would be mad if we woke them up this early."
"Don't mind them, they need a good wakeup call every once in a while," Mikoto explained, "Besides, they have to listen to classical music sometime around, ne?"
I sighed, and then nodded; Mikoto's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with success. Taking a deep breathe, I turned to the piano and set my tiny hands on the grand piano.
In an instant, I started playing; my tiny hands skimmed the keys as I formed the music that I recognize as my own. Or at least, my mother's and mines…
Once the song had ended, I just realized that I was playing from memory. When I opened them, I saw Mikoto's smiling face, "Uh… did something happen?"
Mikoto shook her head, patting Sakura over the head, "Nothing you should worry yourself over. You were great Sakura."
"Mother… is it you that's playing the piano in the morning again?" Itachi grumbled coming into view. Mikoto backed up so I could see Itachi holding Sasuke's hand, rubbing his eyes with his other hand. They were both wearing dark colors for pajamas.
"Otouto, I think you need to look closer," Sasuke commented, tugging on his brother's arm.
Itachi blinked a few times before examining the room, his eyes widened as I giggled softly.
"Well, it looks like your one with a lot of talent, hm?" Itachi asked, walking over to see the piece.
"Hm… I don't know…" I said, deep in thought.
"Hey, this looks like the piece I found yesterday," Itachi said, surprised.
That pulled me out of my thoughts, "Hm… I wrote it with Okaa-san." I looked at the piece and saw something extra added into it.
"Mikoto-sama, can you hand me the original copy?" I asked.
"Sure, Sakura," Mikoto said and handed her the paper, "And I told you not to use the –Sama, didn't I?"
"Too stubborn to stop, gomenasai," Sakura explained, studying the paper. There was an extra part below a measure, along with an R next to it.
"Un, does anybody have a pencil?" I asked; Sasuke went to grab one. A few minutes later he came back.
"Arigatou, Sasuke-san," I said, taking the pencil and started to write on the paper. After writing a few letters there was something that didn't really make sense to me. The letters spelled BEA but there was another letter; something was missing…
"Oh course, it's the R!" I muttered. Flipping the paper over, I wrote the word bear on it.
"Um… not to be dumb or anything, but why did you write down bear?" Sasuke asked.
"Look, the notes on this extra measure spell B-E-A but then someone wrote R at the end of it. So it makes the word bear," Sakura explained, "But why bear I'm not sure of yet."
"Couldn't it just be your teddy bear?" Sasuke stated, bored.
"Yeah, that could work, it's not like there's going to be a bear here," Mikoto answered.
"Why does this have to be so confusing and so hidden?" I asked, whining.
"Well, it's a code after all!" Sasuke explained.
I groaned, "I officially dislike codes…"
They all laughed except for me who just sat there pouting, "Not funny."
"Sure it is, it's your point of view though," Itachi said.
I stuck my tongue out. Suddenly the storm ended, I noticed the absent pattering of water and looked outside.
The sun was shining, clearing away all the grey clouds and slowly but surely heating up the wet ground.
"Hey look! The sun is out!" Sakura shouted running up to the window, smiling.
"Finally, I hate being cooped up inside for so long!" Sasuke said, standing next to Sakura, basking in the sunlight.
"I'm sure Chimoku would like that too," I commented, said dog came down and started running in circles; I started laughing, "Come here."
Chimoku noticed and ran into Sakura's arms, "Hahaha," I laughed, falling on the floor with Chimoku on top of me. His chestnut fur was brushing my hand while he was licking my face. Now I'm glad that I got a Chow chow, they are so cute!
I got up from the ground, "Mou, Sasuke, why don't you take Chimoku outside? I'm sure he would like that better than staying with me at home!" I explained, "Let's say it's my way of apologizing for last night!" holding out Chimoku to Sasuke, smiling.
Sasuke hesitated for a moment before holding out his hands which I put Chimoku in. It could just me but it looked like Sasuke was blushing, but he brought Chimoku closer to him, covering it up.
Fugaku walked in at that moment, in dark green pajamas.
"Well, what do we have here?" He asked, "There's no one eating breakfast, and we're all in your mother's piano room. Is there something I'm not getting yet?" he yawned. Mikoto and Itachi both formed sly grins before dragging my being towards the chair and plotting me on the bench.
I sighed, "You guys are so…"
"Annoying?" Sasuke put in.
I thought about it, "no…. oh, I don't know! Well, I guess another song couldn't hurt…" setting my fingers on the giant white keys and started playing.
"Evening in the Country by Bartók," Mikoto commented, "that's a difficult song!"
"It seems pretty easy enough," I commented.
"I'm impressed, that's amazing playing Sakura-chan," Itachi said, "You might be a prodigy!"
I fumbled, "that's what Okaa-san would say, I'd rather not be called that, it sounds so old." I answered, placing my palms facing up while I just stared at them. The piece was… unfortunately… unfinished.
"Come on, cheer up! You can't go home without a smile, I won't let you!" Mikoto said, stubbornly.
"And the only way to do that is to go shopping!" Mikoto exclaimed, pulling Sakura out of the room. The others followed her, turning off the lights and grabbing the papers that were left behind.
"Here you go, kiddo," Fugaku said while handing me the forgotten papers.
"Oh, thank you Fugaku-sama!" I smiled cheerfully.
Mikoto had placed me in the dining room and proceeded to the kitchen to make breakfast. I had climbed onto a chair, not knowing that it was Sasuke's, said boy had just walked in and spotted Sakura.
"Mou, you took my chair!" he complained.
"Sasuke, be kind! Sakura is a guest after all!" Mikoto snapped while walking in and placing a plate of omelets and another of pancakes on the table.
"Don't worry about it, I'll move!" I answered, jumping off the chair to get on the chair on the right.
Sasuke sat in my originally seat and started think about something, then something hit me, "Oh, baka, how could I forget!" I said jumping off the chair and raced towards the stairs. I forgot all about Chimoku!
After returning, Mikoto, Fugaku and Itachi had already assembled at the table. I had a can of dog food in my hand and went into the kitchen to grab a bowl to contain it in. Mikoto came in and helped me get the can open and afterwards I placed it on the ground so Chimoku could come and eat it.
"Sorry for all the trouble I'm causing you!" I said.
"Don't say that, really, you're no trouble at all!" Mikoto said, "Besides it's fun to talk to someone here that's a girl for once. Boys aren't really that talkative." I nodded and went into the dining room so we could eat breakfast.
"Where'd you go to, Sakura-chan?" Itachi asked when he spotted me, I spied Sasuke give him a glare.
"Oh, I just went to get Chimoku some food as well," I explained.
"Alright, that's good. At least you're responsible enough to make sure you feed your pet," Fugaku commented. "The boys forgot to feed there fishes for a week once," he explained, chewing on a piece of waffle.
I reached over to grab a pancake, Sasuke passed the maple syrup to me and well I 'killed' the pancake with the syrup, oh and powdered sugar! Every looked at me like I was crazy, "what?" they all shrugged it off.
"Chimoku has been much more than just a pet to me. He's always been there for me, since I never really went out the door before my only friend has been Chimoku," I explained. I used a knife to cut my pancake in half then in quarters, and finally into eighths, afterwards I picked up the pieces and chewed it.
"I can't imagine a life without Naruto. Sure he might be annoying at times but he has always been there for me," Sasuke answered.
"Me neither, if Kisame wasn't around I don't know what I would do! I learn from his mistakes, not my own!" Itachi chibi-cried.
I shrugged, "I'm used to it. Okaa-san works at the hospital all-day, so she spends nights with me, giving me facts on how to play piano. Otou-san works on electronics so he's everywhere, usually there are tutors and other people that keep me company. But there's also Chimoku."
"But that would seem so lonely!" Sasuke explained.
"Not really, it's never lonely when you have a friend. Even if he can't talk," Sakura shook her head. Said dog ran in and jumped on Sakura's lap, "Oh, Chimoku, you know you can't jump on my lap while I'm eating," she laughed, she already finished eating her pancake. The rest laughed as well, seeing Chimoku tilt his head in a questioning manner while Sakura gathered her utensils onto her plate and placed Chimoku on the ground. I stood up to follow Chimoku, Fugaku said, "Leave your plate, I'll pick it up for you later."
"Arigatou, Fugaku-sama," I answered while bowing, "Arigatou Mikoto-san." Raising my head, I said, "See you all later!" and ran out to follow Chimoku.
"She's such a sweet, little girl; it's hard to believe that a criminal would come after her parents," Mikoto explained sadly.
"It's that cruel man, Orochimaru. Powerful criminal yet he still wants more," Fugaku said, "more power that is."
"Well, why do you think he would target Sakura's parents?" Sasuke questioned; he was used to his father talking about important cases around the mansion.
"Hm… worried about her, Sasuke?" Itachi hinted.
"No! It's just that she's really nice that's all!" Sasuke looked away a blush forming on his face.
"Oh, come on, Sasuke! You know it's more than that!" Itachi complained.
"Just leave me along ok?" Sasuke stated, getting up to put his dish in the kitchen. He stalked off, leaving his amused family.
"It's so sweet!" Mikoto commented; Fugaku had drunk another gulp of coffee and Itachi was well Itachi, smirking his way through the morning.
"Hey, Sasuke!" I shouted. We were both in the garden in the backyard, "Didn't I tell you that you could play with Chimoku today?" I asked. Sasuke nodded, "What about it?"
"Let's see… your Okaa-san is prepared to drag me to some mall to go shopping for the whole day!" Sakura explained exasperated, "I'm sure there are better ways to spend my time then shopping all day!"
"Hm… you seem like someone who would want to go shopping a lot," Sasuke explained.
I shrugged, "Remember, I barely know what a mall is let alone shopping."
"Right… I guess I could look after Chimoku for you," Sasuke said.
"Arigatou, Sasuke-san," I said.
"Don't thank me, and stop calling me –san. We're both the same age you know," Sasuke demanded.
I stuck out my tongue, "I'm just being polite!" I called out and ran inside, "See you later!"
"She's so… annoying," Sasuke muttered a small smirk graced his lips.
The whole day passed, I, while Mikoto was busy looking at clothing, snooped around to find a present for everyone and managed to buy everything she wanted without Mikoto noticing. For Fugaku I got a black wallet, for Mikoto it was a small mirror bordered with a dragon, Itachi was problematic but I finally settled for a small iPod shuffle, and for Sasuke – a locket with a long chain, the shape was a circle and I had the word Arigatou written on the front. I got tiny pictures from my camera in an electronics store; don't ask how I managed to get a picture that's my secret. I got the money from my checkbook in my backpack before I left. (Yes I know how a checkbook works!)
Apparently my parents had thought of everything. And everything was placed neatly in a white paper bag hidden in the many bags Mikoto had already bought.
Mikoto had brought many types of apparel for me along with Sasuke and Itachi before digging for her own clothing. Once they got home, I was already sleeping in the car for Mikoto probably ran through all the stores.
Fugaku had opened the black limousine to see a sleeping me against bags of clothing and trinkets. I had demanded that Mikoto not buy any trinkets for me but Mikoto had an employee fashion an Uchiha fan necklace which I had taken so Mikoto would not buy anymore jewelry. Instead I bought a small luggage bag in case I had to leave for an emergency.
Fugaku proceeded to carry me into the mansion while the chauffeur and Mikoto brought the many bags into the designated rooms. The vibrations from Fugaku walking towards the mansion had woken me; lifting my head, I took my first look at the Uchiha compound.
The compound was white and had flowers of different colors decorated around it. The trees were different sizes and each a different type. There was pine, maple, walnut, oak, etc.
"Oh, wow! It's beautiful!" I commented, peeking over Fugaku shoulder
Fugaku chuckled, "Glad to see that you're awake."
"Well," I laughed, "You can't expect me to have the energy to be awake after my first shopping day."
"I suppose not," He laughed, "It took me quite a while to get used to Mikoto's shopping habits."
"I can walk from here, I don't want to be too much trouble after all," I explained. Fugaku bent down and I jumped off and proceeded to walk with him into the compound.
