Sakura's POV:
The next day.
I woke up from my sleep a little earlier than usual. I stretched first, then looked at my clock. I saw that it was 4:34 am in the morning. The sun is already rising from the looks of it. The curtains wasn't able to completely block the sunlight that rayed in through the windows.
I shrugged, yawning tiredly. I laid back down to try to go back to sleep, but it was no use. I've already woken up and even if the bed is so comfortable and soft under me, and the blanket is so warm, I couldn't sleep. I decided to stay awake.
Sitting up, I ruffled my pink hair and scratched the back of my neck in slight irritation. "Good morning," I whispered to myself, thinking of how un-good my day will be. Emphasis on the "un" in the un-good. I sighed.
Don't worry, Sakura. Any worries that you have will be doubled by me!
I sweat-dropped at Inner's voice, and her way of trying to make my mentality worse oddly comforted me.
I know, Inner. . . You'll try to makes things worse then everything ends up great. . . I'll expect you to do your worst and make things great for me.
Shut up! I'll make you eat your words, Sakura! You are going to be humiliated, embarrassed, hated, and laughed at by the world!
I chuckled at Inner's antics in my head. Even though I consider her just a voice in my head, anyone else could think of her as a second personality if they knew about her. Thankfully, her aggressive and impulsive character that I imagined for her only shows up in appropriate moments.
Sliding to the side, the soles of my pale feet instantly touched the ground. I stood up and the skirt of my sleeping gown flowed down my legs. Since it's still early, and I can't go back to sleep, I opted for a calming walk outside. To do that, I went through my closet and searched for a warm coat. It's cold during this time of day.
After putting on the piece of clothing, still wearing slippers, I walked out of my room down to the main door. As quietly as I could, I cautiously passed my family's bedrooms and carefully stepped down the stairs. Nobody woke up, thankfully.
When I reached the main door, I slipped into my shoes and placed my slippers on the side. Then, I went out for my walk. And while walking, I started thinking. Inner, of course, interrupting my thoughts with her own.
I wonder if Kaa-san is back?
She probably is. . . To-san said so.
But what if there is another thing that kaa-san had to do when she was about to go home? Maybe she's still not home . . .
Shut it, Sakura. You never get used to things, don't you? The adults have businesses to take care of and you, as the eldest among four kids should stop being so weak and incompetent!
I winced at Inner's words, which were totally right. But I noticed, she didn't have the usual flare of aggressiveness when she said those thoughts.
Well, whatever emotions you feel, I feel too, idiot.
I rolled my eyes.
Whatever, idiot. Just tell me I'm useless and get this emotional dam of mine cracking already.
You're a useless person, Sakura. Useless, useless, useless! I'm better off the one using this body than you! You should be the one inside this mental prison, idiooooot!
I laughed loudly. Thankfully, there wasn't anyone near to hear it. I reached the garden as I continued to bicker with Inner in my head. When I saw the chairs, I decided to sit for a while and stare at the greenery. I don't usually do this anyways.
For a few minutes, I was at peace and the only noise I could hear was the shuffling of leaves and grass from the wind. That's why I almost jumped out of my skin when I suddenly heard Rei-san's voice behind me. I turned around in my seat to face him. And there, standing in his clean and ironed butler uniform was Rei-san, smiling fatherly at me. I smiled back after calming down.
"What are you doing here, Sakura-sama?" He asked without removing his smile. I stood up and walked over to him since it's rude to keep sitting when he's still standing, and anyways, we're a bit far from each other so I have to stand near him to hear him better. "I couldn't sleep so I decided to walk a bit," I answered.
He nodded in understanding. Then, he turned and said, "Well then. . . Please come back inside when you're done, and please don't stay too long outside." I nodded, thanking him. And he walked away, back into the mansion.
I breathed in deeply the cool but already warming air and continued my walk. The longer I walked, the warmer it got and from inside the mansion, I could hear faint voices of loud maids working and cleaning. When I got tired of just walking around and getting sweaty the longer I walked, I went back inside the mansion.
I slipped into my slippers and put the shoes that I used back in its place earlier. Along the hallway and the living room, maids worked as I passed. They greeted me with humble smiles and kind 'Hello's that I happily reciprocated.
I went to my bedroom and took off the coat, only to replace it in the closet. Then, I went to the bathroom. I was sweaty. I didn't even check the clock to see the time. I showered, shampooed, rinsed, soaped, and rinsed again. The moment I was finished, I closed the shower and stepped out of the tub. I dressed into my robe and went back out to my bedroom. It probably took almost 40 minutes to completely clean myself of sweat and refresh my self.
When I looked at my clock, I saw that it was already past 5:45 am. I changed into my uniform and wore my socks. I sat back on my bed to dry and comb my wet hair. After that, I took my shoes and slipped into my slippers. I'll wear my school shoes later.
I went down to the kitchen to see if kaa-san is already there. But to my disappointment, she wasn't there. I asked one of the maids there if kaa-san arrived since I forgot to ask Rei-san earlier. "Yes, milady. Maki-sama has already arrived and is still probably sleeping," was the maid's reply. I thanked her, feeling relieved.
Alright! Time to go commando again!
Shut it Inner.
I asked the maids if I could be the one to cook breakfast today, with kaa-san and Granny. They tried to stop me but I just persisted. In the end, the kitchen was empty of maids and I was the only one there. I clapped once to hype myself up and wore an apron. But before I could start preparing the ingredients and untensils, I went to kaa-san and to-san's bedroom.
Knocking, I slowly opened the door to a dim-lighted room. In the middle of it was my parents' bed. I stepped inside and stood on kaa-san's side of the bed. I watched her sleep for a bit, starting to feel guilt at the thought of waking her up this early just to help me cook breakfast. I mean, she just came back from work yesterday and she's probably tired.
But my musings were interrupted by kaa-san's first words of the day. "Huh? Sakura-chan? How come you're awake at this hour?" She sat up as she asked those words, yawning at the same time behind her hand. I scratched the back of my head, slightly embarrassed to have been caught staring.
Just tell her to help cook breakfast, already!
"Kaa-san, if you can. . . will you help me with breakfast today?" I asked her, hoping that she would say yes. She looked at me, slightly sleepy. But she smiled her motherly smile and nodded mutely. She said, "Wait for me in the kitchen, then. . . I'll be right there later. . ." I nodded enthusiastically and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning, by the way, dear." "Good morning, kaa-san!" I left the door open so that there would be more light inside.
Next is Granny, then. . .
But will she want to help us? Does she even want to wake up right now? You know that she hates waking up at this time unless it's almost seven, right?
I stopped walking.
You're right. . . I'll just leave her in her room until breakfast time, then.
Probably the right choice. Wouldn't want her fuming her anger right in the morning, would we?
Nope! Now, then! Off to the kitchen!
To go commando!
Do you really love going commando?
Nah, I just like saying it. Haha!
I rolled my eyes. Idiot.
You're a bigger idiot!
I continued to bicker with Inner as I went to the kitchen. This probably is the reason I hated having Inner inside my head. She's so noisy! When I reached the kitchen, I prepared the untensils kaa-san and I will probably use for cooking breakfast. While I waited for kaa-san to appear, I played with a spoon.
"I see we're almost ready," were kaa-san's words the moment she stepped inside. I turned to her, an earnest smile on my face. She smiled back. "Well then? Let's start cooking!" I nodded with a loud, "Hai!" While kaa-san cooked, I helped by cutting and cracking the ingredients she will use. So it was easy work. And it ended past half an hour later.
Kaa-san called in a few maids to help her in bringing the food down to the dinner table. As she placed the newly cooked breakfast, she told me without facing me, "Go get the whole family, dear." I replied with a respectful, "Hai, kaa-san," and walked out of the kitchen to wake up the others. First, I went to my brothers' room.
I jogged up the staircase and when I reached the boys' door, I knocked gently before getting in. I peeked my head in first to see if the boys woke themselves up. But like usual, they didn't. They were still asleep and curled up under their warm blankets, snoring away the peace and quiet (Naruto, that is). I chuckled with a shake of my head as I stepped in. I went first to Naruto's bed, where all the loud, ear-tickling sounds originate.
I placed my hands on my hips with a little smile. Naruto's limbs were sprawled all around, one of his feet hung over the bed's edge and his hands were placed over his head, all the while his mouth is open to let out all the snores he could loudly produce. I stifled a laugh at the sight. Even in his sleep, he's still loud and wild.
That's Naruto for you!
Yep. That's little ol' Naruto for you . . .
I then focused on waking up the mouthy blonde by poking him again and again. But he just swatted it away, even moving around to avoid my finger. I shook my head with a soft chuckle out of amusement. "Plan B, then," I thought aloud. And 'Plan B' I did. I stole his blanket from him and he patted every part of the bed he could manage to reach. It didn't take long for him to fall down the bed and wake himself up from the impact. Although I did feel a little guilty when he suddenly got teary eyed.
Oh, dear.
Yeeaaahh. . . Not my fault! I had no thought in this!
I rolled my eyes at Inner's useless thoughts of denial. I immediately swooped Naruto off of the ground and carried him. Automatically, his hands looped around my neck and his sniffling ceased the longer I swayed my body to calm him down. "Sshh. . . Nee-chan's here. Nee-chan's sorry. . . Sshh. . . ," I cooed in his ear, patting the back of his head comfortingly. But when I checked his face if his eyes weren't teary anymore, I found out that he was back to sleeping. I sighed.
Whatever. He'll wake up when I say breakfast, anyways.
But, you have to admit. . . He really looked cute with those teary eyes! Waahh! So cute!
I know! Too bad, though . . . I can't keep him crying for long. Or any of these boys, for that matter . . .
Sigh. I totally understand. . .
Nehh?
I laughed secretly and went over to little Sai's bed. Waking him up would ne a cinch. I bent down over his small figure and woke him up by shaking him gently. At first, he was evasive and tried to push my hand away but the more I shook him and the more I chanted, "Wake up, Sai-chan," he decided to open his eyes and wake up. I greeted him with a smile and kiss on the forehead. "Good morning," I said while backing up to let him sit up on the edge of the bed.
"Good morning, Sakura nee-chan," was his sleepy reply. He rubbed his eyes in that cute way that made me want to squeal. 'Waah! Having these brothers can really make you lose your voice,' I thought giddily as I watched little Sai try to blink his sleepiness away (which, I have to tell you, was sooooo cute!).
Waahh! I know, right?!
I took Sai's hand and led him to Sasuke's bed. I let him go and went ahead on waking Naruto's polar opposite twin up. I bent down and shook Sasuke up. "Sasu-chan? Wake up, please. . . ," I softly said, staring at his sleeping face. A few more seconds of this and Sasuke is awake. First, he opened his right eye, and when he caught me staring at him did he open the other one. I smiled at him which he tried to reciprocate despite his still post-sleep state.
Kuuu! A sleepy Sasuke is so cute!
In my head, Inner was squealing and rolling around and jumping around. Actually, if anyone would see everything my little brothers did while they wake, I promise, they will do everything that Inner is doing at the current moment. And I feel like squealing and rolling and jumping around too.
Sasuke sat up groggily, also rubbing his eyes just like little Sai did earlier. I resisted the urge to glomp him then and there. "Come on, boys. It's time for breakfast and you should be in your uniforms before you eat," I told them. At the word breakfast, Naruto's head perked up and a playful grin formed accross his face. I just rolled my eyes with a knowing smile.
"Well, then. . . Come on?" I prompted with a bright smile as I held out a hand for Sasuke and little Sai since I already put Naruto down and the loud blonde was holding onto the end of my uniform's polo. We went to the boys' bathroom and there, I told them to take a bath and wash their backs properly. After shooing them in, I closed the door to their bathroom and left them to wash themselves.
The next on the 'Waking Up' list is to-san. I walked toward the master bedroom and knocked on the door. "To-san?" I called while pressing my ear to the door. When I heard no response, I opened it and stepped in halfway. The room was still dim-lighted and to-san was still asleep. I went to the bed and saw him in his messy way of sleeping.
Just like Grampa and Naruto . . .
Yeah . . .
I sweat-dropped at the resemblance. Despite being organized and not the type to be very rowdy, to-san can be very similar to my rather rambunctious relatives, specifically my grandfather, my blonde cousin named Deidara, and my seven year old little brother named Naruto. "To-san. Wake up," I said while shaking him.
When he didn't budge, I shook him harder and said, "It's breakfast time. To-san? To-saaa~n? Wake up, to-san!" For a few moments more, to-san was asleep. But the more I shook him, he woke up eventually. His eyes saw me and asked, "Sakura? Oh. . . Is it time for breakfast?" I nodded in reply. I'm sure he can see me since there's a little light coming from the windows. "Alright, I'll be right down. . . ," was his slow answer.
I nodded in understanding. "Good morning, to-san," I bid him as I walked past the door. I only heard his faint "Morning" greeting when I was already out of his and kaa-san's finally brightly lit room. I opened the lights.
The next people I have to wake up are my cousins. So to their shared room I went. And without further ado, walked right in, shouting, "Wakey-wakey! It's breakfast time!" I looked over to their beds. In Deidara's bed, his head poked out of the thick blanket and he was slowly sitting up, albeit groaning in irritation. And in Itachi's bed, Itachi was already awake and was just raising his eyebrow at me. I smiled sheepishly before repeating, "It's breakfast time, guys."
"No breakfast in bed?" Deidara complained with a loud groan as he stared at me with droopy, sleepy eyes. I laughed at the state of his hair which was like a bird's nest with little blonde spikes sticking out everywhere. Itachi turned his eyes on him and couldn't resist letting out a snicker. Deidara held his head with a confused expression and felt his hair all messy and birdnest-like on his head. He glared at the both of us and it made me laugh harder. His face was like a tomato from embarrassment!
Giving them both a two-fingered salute, I walked out their room with a, "Don't forget to wash!" And now, I'm off for my uncles next. Since kaa-san is here, I'm sure that Uncle Kakashi and Gramps are here too. I went to my uncles' room immediately.
I knocked on their door when I reached it. And immediately, I heard a reply from inside. "Come in," I heard Uncle Yamato say from inside. I complied and went in. And the scene inside the room wasn't all that different from the first time I opened the door to wake them up. "Hello, Sakura," Uncle Kakashi greeted with a closed-eye smile. I smiled back and greeted him with an enthusiastic "Good morning."
"Is it time for brekfast?" Uncle Yamato asked in his seat by the window. I nodded. "Okay. We'll be there in a bit," Uncle Kakashi answered. "Okay!" And then, I walked out, not forgetting to close the door. It was my grandparents next on the list.
When I reached their room's door, I could hear Grampa wailing from the otehr side of the door. I sweat-dropped.
I wonder when Gramps would stop groping Granny during his sleep?
Probably never.
Hmm. . .
I opened the door since I'm sure Granny is busy beating Gramps into a pulp to even let out a reply. And like I imagined, Gramps was totally beaten to a pulp. Only when the moment came that Granny noticed my presence in the room did she let go of his white-grayish hair from her tight clutch. And then, Grampa fell face first to the bed with a pained groan.
"Oh, Sakura. You're here," were Granny's unsurprised words. She breathed in deeply as if she's just done a great amount of excercise which she did. She stepped off the bed and walked toward me with a smile as if there wasn't any sort of apocalyptic violence against old men named Jiraiya happened. "Good morning, dear," she said before hugging me tight. I hugged her back, although a bit cautious.
I told her that it was breakfast time when she pulled away. She nodded in response with a grandmotherly smile. But when she turned to her husband, her smile held a more threatening and devilish look rather than a sweet one.
We should probably pray that Grampa would live to see kaa-san's breakfast . . . if he ever gets the chance to . . .
Y-yeah . . . And we should probably go now.
I think so, too.
Without further ado, I bid Granny a short "See you in the dining room" and Gramps a soft "Good luck". I saw Grampa raise thumbs up before the door closed completely. It failed to compress Grampa's moans and wails of pain. I winced and shivered from slight terror.
Just shows why we should never anger Granny.
Yeah . . .
After that, I went quickly to the dining room. There, I saw that the table was all set and plates of food are already placed neatly on it. From the kitchen, I could hear kaa-san calling out orders to maids. I smiled fondly as I walked to my seat.
"Wah! I'm going to get fat~," I happily said as I breathed in the wonderful aroma of kaa-san's cooking. Suddenly, I heard kaa-san's laugh from the kitchen's doorway. I turned my head to her and she was looking at me with a small, amused smile. "Just eat already, will you?" She went to me and placed a kiss on my head. I giggled.
"Itadakimasu," I softly said with a clap. I picked up my chopsticks and was about to take a piece of fish when the others finally showed up. First were my brothers and to-san, the former instantly running up to me and giving me tight hugs. After telling them to go to their seats and start eating, Uncle Yamato and Uncle Kakashi entered before my cousins. The last to enter were Granny and Grampa, the latter full of bruises that the whole family instantly knew what happened. I could see kaa-san and the adults sweat-dropping as they watched the old couple walk to their seats.
And then, the meal was started. We all talked and laughed. We made jokes and talked about things that happened yesterday. "So, how was your business, kaa-san? Was it fine?" I asked her.
"Oh, well. . . It's probably fine. . . I was thinking of calling my assistant if there were problems while I was gone later," kaa-san answered smoothly. "Huuhmm," I replied. I was about to ask what the business was about since I'm going to take over the business in the future and all but Naruto and Sasuke started another fight with Deidara joining in.
"Oi! Stop it, will you?" I heard kaa-san scold them but she talked to unhearing ears. From there, kaa-san turned all ogre. Sure was lively.
Such a lively family, no?
Hmm. . .
~Chapter Fifteen ends here~