A/N: I know…I know. I am guilty of not updating as soon as possible…AGAIN. :)) Do forgive this pitiful author 'cause I've been really really busy trying to fix my life :)) So here's chapter three!!!!
"Author's note"
"Normal POV or more like Keiko's POV"
"Flashback"
Chapter 3
How They Came To Be
Loving someone is one thing
Being loved by someone is another thing
But being loved by the person you love?
…
that's just about EVERYTHING…
Oh my god…Yeah…that's all I could say right now because seeing my absolutely beautiful cousin who actually grew even more beautiful than she really is could make me gape and stare at her all day.
She was just so beautiful and sexy!!! (And no…I am not going lesbo over my hot shot cuz) Well anyway…here she is standing in front of me with the same old unemotional face. I'd be happier if she had a scowl or at least a straight face but no…still. An. Emotional. Face.
Isn't she getting tired with all her face muscles sagging? I mean…if she doesn't smile any sooner she'll get wrinkles and a sagging face and that would be so disturbing.
Okay…enough talk and criticisms here. I'm glad she's back. Safe and sound and I'd be able to talk to her again plus she'll be able to meet my friends! I just hope she's staying long enough here in Konoha.
"Welcome back Sakura-chan!" I said with a cheerful smile on my face.
"Keiko." She said with a nod.
"Sakura-chan. It's nice to have you back here in Japan. How was France?" mom asked.
"It was fine." She answered.
I was about to ask her where she was going to stay when someone suddenly came into view.
"Sakura-san. I gathered our entire luggage already." A man with spiky silver hair appeared.
"Arigato Kakashi-san." The man smiled…well at least I thought he did. I mean…he was wearing a mask with from half of his nose to his neck covered. Plus his left eye was covered too. He was even wearing all black. Did someone die here and…is that a gun?
"This is Hatake Kakashi, my personal bodyguard." Sakura said. Oh…so that explains…partly something. I'm still curious why he's masked.
"It's nice to meet you Hatake-san. It's good to know that someone has been keeping watch of Sakura while she's in France." Dad said shaking hands with this Hatake guy.
"Hai. It's an honor to meet Sakura-san's relatives." Hatake-san replied with a smile I guess. I mean…he's visible eye is squinting in a happy manner so…that means he's smiling right?
"Well…I'm sure you're tired and hungry already. Why don't you eat dinner with us Sakura-chan and of course you too Hatake-san? It's been long since you have been with us." Mom asked with her beautiful smile.
"Hai shinseki." (A/N: "Shinseki" means aunt) Sakura replied and we all went out of the airport.
"Sakura-san!!!!!"
Startled with the sudden manly scream we all turned around a saw a butler(?) running towards us. "Sakura-san." Wow…some strong old geezer this guy was. Wait…he looks familiar…
"Jin-san. Domo." Sakura bowed her head as respect to the man named Jin and said man chuckled as he looked at Sakura.
"Sakura-san, shouldn't it be the other way around? I'm supposed to be the one bowing at you." Jin said as he smiled warmly at her. He looked like he has known her for so long…almost acting like a…father to Sakura-chan.
"Demo…my manners." And Sakura-chan also looks like she has a soft spot for this old man.
"It's wonderful to have you back home with us Sakura-san." Jin bowed his head as a sign of respect to his hime.
"I'm home." For the first time in my whole life that I have been with Sakura…she said those words with a change of stillness to sincerity in her eyes. That's when I thought…maybe…she'll be able to get her emotions back.
"Is it really alright Sakura-chan? It seems that Jin-san and the others have prepared something for you." Mom asked when we were in the car already.
Sakura-chan instructed Jin-san to bring the entire luggage back to the Haruno estate. She also said to prepare Hatake-san's room because he will be a new member of the household already. Jin-san asked whether she will be eating in the mansion however since mom invited Hatake-san and her already, she declined. Even though Jin-san looked professional…he looked somewhat sad when he heard this.
"It's fine…I'll make sure to make it up to them." Sakura said as she looked out the window.
The car was silent after this. Hatake-san is also with us reading some kind of orange book but anyway…maybe I'll take this time to explain a few facts to you.
When I said Jin-san was familiar…I guess I was right. After greeting Sakura he looked at us and immediately smiled.
"It's such a pleasure to meet Izumi-sama once more. The same with Hideki-san." Jin-san said. When he said Izumi-sama…mom instantly blushed.
"Jin-san…you don't have to call me like that anymore. Right now…I'm Hiroshi Izumi…not Haruno Izumi." Mom said showing one of her gentle smiles.
Ahhh…yes. My mom…she's the twin sister of Sakura's dad, Haruno Ichirou. The Haruno clan owns HIME, a modeling agency but not just any ordinary agency…HIME trains models, photographers, make-up artists, designers and etc not only through their skills but also with their character.
If one comes across a person with style and with good character, she or he is immediately recognized as a model from HIME. Only this agency has these kinds of trainees. Not only are the trainees the ones with good character but also the trainers themselves. Sometimes I would think that this agency was some kind of Catholic art school or something.
"Ahhh…but you are still born a Haruno and I am forever at service under a Haruno member." Jin-san said.
Mom smile, "Arigato Jin-san. You have always taken good care of both Ichirou and I after all."
Jin-san suddenly looked at me and his smile grew bigger.
"My…is this Keiko-san? You have grown into a wonderful young lady Keiko-san." Jin-san said with a soft smile.
"Do you remember Jin-san, Keiko?" mom asked as she looked at me.
"Anou…not really…" I answered and Jin-san laughed.
"Well…you were only 1 year old when your mother and father decided to visit her home. You and Sakura-san were placed together in a large crib and you two got along right away. You were almost like twin sisters if not for the hair."
I looked at Sakura-chan when he said that. She was only staring at us. Twin sisters…there was once when Sakura-chan and I both wished that we were actual sisters since we were both an only child. A lot of people would also mistake us for twins. I guess the Haruno genes are practically strong.
Now that reminds me…mom told me once about the love story of Sakura-chan's parents.
19 years ago…
The tall, large, black iron gates opened as an elegant BMW drove in across the path where cherry blossom trees illuminated the way. It was a windy but beautiful day.
"Ne!!!! Ichirou-kun!!! Look! The Sakura trees are in full bloom!!! Utsukushii!!!" a 19 year old woman with long dark brown hair and shining emerald eyes stared wide eyed with fascination as she looked at each Sakura tree.
"They're in season Izumi." A scowling 19 year old boy said as he too stared at the Sakura trees but with boredom.
"Mou! Aren't you happy we're coming back home? We'll see 'ka-chan and 'tou-san again!!!" Izumi smiled widely as she looked at her scowling twin.
"What's your problem anyway? You seem grumpier than usual." tired of her brother's attitude, she sat down quietly with a pout on her beautiful face.
These were Haruno Ichirou and Izumi. The twins of the Haruno clan. Both of them are beautiful and handsome, good in academics and sports. They were perfect in everyone's eyes…but they were complete opposite of each other.
Haruno Ichirou- the older twin, male and is given the responsibility of taking care of the agency owned by his own family. Always looked up to by many and always expected to be able to do anything and because of this, he barely had fun in his whole life. Always working hard and rarely smiled not because of some problem but because of being to serious about the responsibility he was given and the pressure to be always the best.
Haruno Izumi- younger by two minutes, female and the complete opposite of her twin brother. Unlike Ichirou, Izumi knew how to have fun and SMILE. Ahhh…yes…smiling…that's what every fan girl that Ichirou has wants to see because the only smile he knows is a scowl. Now Izumi was also very beautiful…in fact…a lot of men would kill just to have her.
"Welcome back Izumi-sama, Ichirou-sama." Jin bowed down together with the other household as their parents stood in between.
"Rou-kun!!!! Mi-chan!!!! Oh how I missed you two!!!"
"Ka-chan…aren't we getting to old for those nicknames?" Ichirou asked.
"Nonsense Ichirou! You're my Rou-kun and Izumi is my Mi-chan!"
"Domo 'ka-chan!!! 'tou-san!!!" Izumi dashed out of the car and hugged her father immediately.
"Hello princess and how's my son doing?" their father asked as he returned the hug that his daughter gave as he looked at his son lovingly.
"I'm fine, 'tou-san." Ichirou replied.
"Now, now…I'm sure both of you are hungry and tired that's why I personally cooked our dinner tonight!" their mother said as she gestured for them to come in.
"Ka-chan!!!! Your cooking never falters at all!" Izumi said with a bright smile. Their mother laughed as they all ate dinner together once more as a complete family.
"Ichirou." A deep voice was heard by said name as he turned around and saw his father walked into the balcony of his bedroom.
"'Tou-san. Is something the matter?" Ichirou asked.
His father simply chuckled as he took his place beside his only son.
"You're so much like your grandfather." His father started. Ichirou simply replied with a questioning gaze.
"Always straight to the point, always serious. Tell me…have you ever took interest on someone? " he asked.
"I have no time to be in such trivial relationships with women." Ichirou said and once more, his father laughed.
"Well…soon enough, you have to. How will this clan continue if there will be no upcoming generations?" his dad said with a grin.
"I would've thought that you and 'ka-chan would set up an arranged marriage for me and Izumi."
"We didn't want to do that. We wanted you and your sister to marry someone whom you would want to devote your life entirely."
Ichirou only stood in silence.
"Tomorrow…we'll be going to the agency building...which is right next our house." His dad said.
"Why?" Ichirou asked.
"Well…you're 19 years old already…It's almost time that you will be taking hold of the agency soon so at least I want you to know the staff and some few things that happens and what activities there are in the agency. So be ready by 8 am." With that said, he turned around, "Goodnight, son."
"Ah. Goodnight 'tou-san."
Izumi decided to go with her father and Ichirou as they went to the agency building. The building was built within the Haruno estate as well which is why the agency was very exclusive and private.
"Ne…'tou-san. Why are you and Ichirou going to HIME all of a sudden?" Izumi asked as they walked towards the building.
"I want Ichirou to know the staff. I'm glad you came along as well…at least both of you will know more about the agency that we own." Her father replied as they started walking on cobble stone path.
As they reached the entrance door, two security guards were on-duty.
"Haruno-sama! Ohayou!" the guards greeted as they bowed down as a sign of respect to their superior.
"Ohayou. Is everyone here?" he asked.
"Hai. Everyone is present today Haruno-sama."
"Well then, good thing I brought you two with me." Their father said as he looked at both of them.
"Shall we go inside?" he asked.
"Let's go! I want to see how a modeling agency works!" Izumi cheered as she pulled Ichirou with her, following their father inside.
Everyone was busy. That was what they all thought seeing people rushing back and forth everywhere but stopping and bowing to their father as he passes by and in return, he would nod his head and smile.
"Haruno-sama!" a woman with wavy black hair and red eyes came running towards them.
"Ahh...Yuuhi-san." Their father greeted the woman with a warm smile.
"Another surprise visit eh Haruno-sama?"
"Hai. I guess you could say that, though I brought my children with me. They just came home yesterday."
The woman faced the two who were also staring at her. The woman was practically beautiful.
'But what's up with the red eyes?' Izumi thought.
"Domo. It's a pleasure to meet Haruno-sama's children. My name is Yuuhi Kurenai. Nice to meet you!" Kurenai said with a beautiful smile.
"Domo! I'm Haruno Izumi and this block head over here is my twin brother Ichirou." She could feel her brother's glare when she said that.
"At least I'm not an idiot."
"Hey!"
"Alright you two. No fighting." Their father stopped them before claw each other again.
"Yuuhi-san is a trainee here in this agency. She is training to be a make-up artist and a stylist for the models. She's only at least 3 years older than you two." Their father explained.
"I want to see the models 'tou-san!" Izumi exclaimed.
"Alright. Yuuhi-san, would you care to lead us to where the models are?"
"Hai! Of course Haruno-sama!" With that said, the three followed the red eyed woman.
They started hearing chatters as they came close to a large room with double frosted doors. The room was said to be the lobby where the models can come together and simply enjoy each other's company.
"Here we are. It's their break time right now." Kurenai explained and pushed the double doors open and entered the room. Everyone looked their way as they entered and fell silent.
"Hello ladies. I'm sure you all recognize Haruno-sama." Kurenai said as she looked at the beautiful faces of the models.
Everyone greeted their superior as they stood up and bowed down as a sign of respect.
"Hello everyone. I hope you're all comfortable with the staff and the maintenance of the agency."
"Hello minna! I am Haruno Izumi! And this is my twin brother Ichirou! It's great to finally meet models like you all!" Izumi said with a big smile on her face. Her father simply chuckled at her childish behavior and started talking with the other models and staff inside the room. Izumi did the same thing but would steal glances at her twin who seemed uncaring about the beautiful girls surrounding him and eyeing him with pure interest.
"Mou…my brother can be such a blockhead." She whispered to the model she was currently talking to.
"I'd say. It's such a waste since he's really handsome. Too bad he has some cold attitude."
"Oh no, Ichirou only looks like an ice block but he's really a loving and sweet brother and son…in his own freaky way." Izumi laughed with the model as they talked more about the things regarding the life inside the agency.
"Well then…I think you two have acquainted well with some people here. Let's move on to the other areas shall we?" their father called.
"Hai! It's nice to meet you all again! Oi! Ichirou! Let's get going you ass!" Izumi yelled at her brooding brother.
"Tch. Such unlady like manner."
"I heard that you jerk!"
"Don't start another fight you two. Now let's go."
"Gomen 'tou-san."
Izumi followed ahead while Ichirou took his time but kept his father and sister in his view.
'I don't get it. Izumi would have been better if she would lead this agency. She's interested in modeling…she has good character plus she has good social skills. Why do I have to inherit this business instead of others?' Ichirou thought as he followed his father and sister.
Too deep in his thoughts, he didn't see that where he was walking until visions of papers flying everywhere came into view. And that's when he heard someone wince in pain as SHE fell on the floor.
"Ouch." The voice said.
Ichirou looked down to see a woman rubbing her sore butt because of the fall but that's not what caught his interest. It was her hair.
'Pink hair? Who the hell dyes their hair pink these days?' he thought as he eyed the woman scurrying to collect the fallen papers. Feeling guilty…he bent down to help the pink haired woman.
"Gomen. I guess I was to trapped in my thoughts." Ichirou said as he helped the woman.
"Oh no! It's fine. I couldn't see where I was going either anyway." The woman looked up to look at Ichirou and coincidentally…Ichirou just happens to look up as well.
Beautiful…
My god…he has such beautiful eyes and beautiful face…
They simply stared at each other admiring of what they are currently seeing surrounded by those scattered paper that caused them to meet.
"Anou…Arigatou…for helping me that is." The girl said as both of them stood up with a stack of papers in their arms.
"It's fine…uhm…"
"Yumiko…Nakamura Yumiko." Yumiko smiled as she said her name and it just attracted the so called blockhead beside her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Nakamura-san. I hope to see you again." Ichirou said as he walked away leaving the baffled girl behind as he gave her a smirk before he left.
'Yumiko eh? It suits her.' Ichirou thought as a small smile tugged its way to his lips.
'My…looks like your life will finally change into something colorful brother.' Izumi smiled as she watched the scene play before her and the small smile forming on his brother's lips.
We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts
I'm standing there
On a balcony in summer air
Apparently…mom said that ojiki (A/N: "ojiki" is uncle" ) began to change…in a good way that is. Although he would sneak out sometimes but mom knows well what he's been up to. Whenever he comes back…ojiki would always have this contented smile on his face. During those times…mom knew that ojiki was finally falling in love.
I've been awake for a while now
You make me feel like a child now
'Cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place
"How long has it been? Since we met in the agency that is?" Ichirou asked as he had his arms around his angel walking around the beautiful cherry blossom park that the Haruno Estate has.
"It's been a year already…a lot has happened ne?" Yumiko said as she leaned in some more to Ichirou but Ichirou started to let go of her shoulders and walked a few steps away from her.
There was a moment of silence between them. Yumiko was puzzled as to why Ichirou suddenly jerked away. Ichirou however remained his back faced to her.
"I told you that my name is Hayashi Ichirou right?" Ichirou said with his back still facing Yumiko.
"Well…yes…"
"And that I work as a gardener here in the HAruno Estate. Right?"
"Where are you going at Ichirou?"
"I lied."
Everything was silent…Yumiko couldn't say anything.
'Lie? Why would he lie? What would he try to hide?'
"My surname is not Hayashi…" Ichirou faced her with a serious look on his face. Yumiko could only stare at him with confusion spread across her beautiful face.
"My real name is Haruno. I am Haruno Ichirou…the son of Haruno Kiyoshi and Haruno Emi…I will be taking over the agency after my father. Yumiko…"
Yumiko couldn't tell what she was feeling. She was angry that Ichirou lied to her but at the same time…happy that he eventually told her the truth. Although the thought having the son of big time businessman be your lover just shocked her too much.
"Yumiko?"
"You're Haruno Ichirou?"
Ichirou walked towards her and pulled her to him as he embraced.
"I'm sorry I lied. It's just that…most women wanted me for the money and for the looks…that's why I don't mingle too much with them. But when I met you…I knew it was different. I wanted to live a normal life with a normal romance with a normal girl who became so extraordinary to my heart. I love you Yumiko…I love you too much that I don't want you to be away from me."
He pulled Yumiko back as he still held her shoulders and looked at her with all the love that he could send to her with his eyes. Yumiko couldn't say anything. She too loved the man so much but she just can't put those feelings into words.
"Ichirou…why did you have to cover who you really are? I'd love you whoever you might be whether be a rich man or a beggar…I won't care. I fell in love with you regardless your status in life. I love you as well Ichirou and nothing could change that." Yumiko finally said.
Ichirou could only smile as he kissed her hard on the lips and pulled her back again as he smiled for her. A beautiful smile that Yumiko gets to see often.
"If so…" Ichirou let go of Yumiko's shoulder and kneeled in front of her. The act made Yumiko gasp as Ichirou took something out of his coat pocket.
"…Nakamura Yumiko…will you give me the honor of marrying you…to spend the rest of our lives together. Forever in love whether in life or death?"
The cherry blossoms petals danced around them. The sakura park was already beautiful but seeing this scene being played made it a lot more beautiful. And that beautiful smile of the woman he loves the most made his heart flutter.
"Yes…yes…I will marry you…I will spend the rest of my life with you…forever in love in life and death." Yumiko said.
And both of them knew that everything starts once more…with a more beautiful once upon a time…
I have always been fascinated at how the love story of Sakura's parents seemed like a real fairytale. According to mom…Shinseki was very beautiful. Flowy pink hair…beautiful blue eyes…radiant smile…a cute nose and a beautiful heart. So much like Sakura-chan.
I looked at Sakura as she was still staring out the window. She had solemn look on her face. She was fumbling with the necklace she was wearing. Now that reminds me…the necklace was given to her when she was 2 years old by her parents. It was contained inside a music box with a melody personally made by her mother. She must be thinking about them right now.
"Ne…Sakura-chan." I started. Instantly, she looked at my way and so did Hatake-san and ka-chan.
"Would you like to sleepover for at least tonight? I mean…if it's alright with you…It's just that it's been too long since I got to talk to you a-"
"It's fine. I can sleepover for tonight. That is if shinseki and ojiki won't mind." Sakura said.
"We don't mind at all Sakura! Will Hatake-san be sleeping over as well? We can prepare the guest room for him." Dad said as he looked at Sakura-chan through the rearview mirror.
"Arigatou ojiki. Please do." Sakura replied.
After dinner, Sakura called Jin-san saying that she and Hatake-san will be spending their night here in our house. Soon enough…I was in my room watching TV and Sakura-chan inside my own bathroom.
There was click behind me and footsteps.
"So…How was your training in France Sakura-chan?" I asked as she sat down beside me on my bed. We would always share my bed whenever we'd sleepover at each other's place. It was a habit that never died and it only proved how close we are with each other.
"It was alright. They insisted to give me a dance partner since it was needed." Sakura replied as she scowled at the memory and I chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"Well…you should know that you can't always dance solo. There'd be times where you have to dance with someone." I said with a small laugh. Sakura-chan never liked to mingle with boys too much. Ka-chan said Sakra-chan was acting like ojiki back when he was still a 'blockhead' when it comes to the opposite gender.
"Hm. Apparently the partner they gave me was a lunatic with such a loud mouth and scandalous behavior."
"Oh? I bet he's cute."
"He's Japanese as well…He looks alright if you might ask…"
"Japanese? Well at least there's someone of your kind."
"My kind? He's completely different from me…"
I laughed when she started to brood again.
"Oh come on Sakura-chan! You gotta mingle a little bit more with the opposite sex!"
"No thanks."
Sakura turned her head to the side where my coffee table is located with a lamp and a picture frame. She stared intently at the picture that was inside the frame.
"Who's that?" Sakura asked as she continued to stare at the picture.
"Huh? Oh you mean Sasuke-kun? He's the guy I was telling you about through e-mail. Uchiha Sasuke." I replied as I stood up to get the picture with me to bed so Sakura-chan can see it clearly. It was a picture of me and Sasuke-kun taken in school by Ino. We were by the usual lunch table and Ino just so happens to have a camera with her so she asked us to take a picture of us as a couple. I remained seated on the chair while Sasuke-kun went behind me and hugged me as he rested his chin on my left shoulder with a smirk on his face.
"Uchiha Sasuke." Sakura whispered to herself.
"Hai!"
"He looks arrogant. Like an asshole."
I sweat dropped when she said that you know. Most girls would say how lucky I am to have such a handsome boyfriend but since we're talking about Sakura-chan…then I guess I should've expected a comment like that.
"Don't worry Sakura-chan. I'm sure when you meet him you'll change your opinion about him. Besides…he's not as bad as he looks." I assured her as I put the picture back on the coffee table.
"Whatever."
"Goodnight Sakura-chan!"
"Goodnight….Keiko."
And we both drifted to sleep.
A/N: Yeah!!!! I'm done with the 3rd chapter!!! I think this is the longest chapter I made so far ;) So yeah!!! I'm really sorry about updating this late!!! Do review this chapter for me and I might update by next week ;)
Signing out:
Popochi-chan