Memoirs of the Cherry Blossoms: Sweet Misery of a Meeting
"Hey?! What are you spacing out on me for?!"
Gaara looked up towards the irritated voice and saw a can of soda flying towards him. He covered his face with his right hand just in time to catch it. "Oi kiba, that was dangerous?!" he snapped at the guy sitting cross-legged on the floor with a white dog sleeping on his lap. "My land lady would kill me if you break another window. I got no money for repairs, stupid?!"
Kiba laughed, stretched out his hands and placed them behind his head. He let himself fall back on the floor, startling his dog and causing his bonnet to slide off, revealing a crown of brown spiky hair. "C'mmon, you were the one spacing out on me while I'm talking. Besides, the land lady seems to have this crush on you. You can use your charms to get out of whatever repairs needed." He looked at Gaara who had been sitting by the window and snickered, "After all, you haven't dated for years. Why not ask that onee-chan out? Being older, she might make your rent free."
"Not interested." Gaara said. He looked outside the window and watched the Cherry Blossoms sway with the blowing wind. His red hair still wet, covering half of his face. He was taking a shower when his friend, Kiba, came barging in on his apartment with his dog, Akamaru. He ran his hands across his hair and sighed. That girl's hair is as pink as the Cherry Blossoms. Why can't I take her crying face off my mind?! It's been weeks, he scolded up, he nearly fell off the window sill when his eyes met Kiba's, whose face was only centimeters away from his.
"Know what Gaara? You have been acting a bit strange and preoccupied lately" It was Kiba who then leaned on the wall with his hands crossed across his chest. Akamaru barked in agreement. "I think you really need to start dating again. One day, you're gonna go crazy if you don't."
Gaara shrugged and opened the can of soda on his hand. "Say, who goes crazy for not dating?" he said before taking a long sip.
"No one. But I agree with what Kiba is saying.", said a voice. Both Gaara and Kiba looked towards the door. Neji was standing by the doorway, he got his favorite cap on but his long hair was left falling down to his waist. "You should date." the new comer continued, smiling.
"If I find someone I want to date, I will okei? So stop picking on my love life." Gaara said in a voice filled with annoyance. He stood, placed the soda can on the table and opened the rice cooker; he started making himself some onigiri. "Besides, why not take care of your love life first? It's not like you got a girlfriend." he whispered.
"Hey, I heard that?! At least I date." Kiba snapped. He looked at Neji who was playing with Akamaru. "By the way Neji, what is this meeting for?"
Neji stood up and picked one onigiri from Gaara's plate, ignoring the latter's sharp stare. "My father asked me if we could play on a party that my family would host next month. I heard my dad and his twin, my uncle, won some award. It got something to do with business so I'm not really sure." He shoved the onigiri on his mouth.
Gaara and Kiba looked at each other. Neji's family owns a company and is well-known in the business world. However, he isn't interested in inheriting the business. He was in love with music and decided to follow what he wants. It took some time before his father agreed to just let him do what he wants.
"And he said he's going to pay us." It was Neji who was watching them.
"You mean, we are going to charge them?" Kiba asked.
"We could play for free, man." Gaara said. "After all, we are going to play for you family so it's cool. Your dad doesn't need to pay us."
Neji laughed and tapped his band mates on their backs. "I said the same thing. But you guys seem to have forgotten that my family is in the business world. They know how things go and for them, business is business. It's our job so they insist to pay us as we deserve."
Kiba and Gaara exchanged hi-fives and Neji patted their heads, messing their hairs. They were chatting excitedly, talking about what songs they're going to play when Neji asked, "By the way, where is Shikamaru? Shino's still on his way from his re-take exams, but where's Shikamaru?"
The room got quiet and the three of them were looking at each other when Akamaru barked. They looked at the white dog wagging his tail by Gaara's bed. Kiba walked towards the bed and reached out to touch Akamaru when he stumbled on something and fell on the floor. He screamed, making Gaara and Neji ran towards him. He was pointing on something, his face white as snow.
"G-g-ga-gaara?! You murdered somebody?!" screamed Kiba.
"I, what?! Who killed who?!" Gaara shouted. "Stupid Kiba?! What are you talking abou-" He stopped on his track when he saw where Kiba's pointing to. There was a pair of legs originating from under his bed.
Kiba screamed, and they both ran behind the surprised Neji. They slowly pushed him towards the bed, urging him to check under it. He was about to touch the body's ankle to pull it out when they heard a moan and the pair of legs started moving. The three of them slowly went on a corner and watched the legs move. Even Akamaru hid under a table with his tails between his legs. Their heartbeats nearly stopped when the legs disappeared and a hand reached out from under the bed, followed by a head appearing. The hair was a bit long –it's messy and tangled all over, covering the face. The creature looked at the three of them. Gaara covered Kiba's mouth to stop him from screaming and kept his eyes fixed on whatever was coming out from his own bed.
The creature under the bed smirked and reached out at them, slowly crawling from under the bed. In a low, husky and pained voice it talked. "N-n-nej-ji-ss-san.. I-i-I ca-aan't m-move. H-help." Kiba fell on the floor, Akamaru whimpered and Gaara's jaw dropped. Even Neji seemed to have been lost in words.
It was during this moment that their bassist, Shino, barged through the door. Seeing the scene in front of him, he slowly moved forward and quietly said, "I see you have been sleeping again under Gaara's bed, huh, Shikamaru?"
One week before the party, Sakura and Ino were on their way to Tenten's place, who promised to lend both of them a dress for the Hyuuga Family's party. The party required the guests to come on semi-formal attire and both of them don't have a single outfit that fit the description.
"Hey Sakura, I heard Hinata's cousin's band is going to play on the party." It was Ino talking, her hands were playing with her blonde hair tied on a one-sided ponytail. "I never met her cousin before but I heard the band is that popular band called 'Heart Assassin' whose songs are said to be really awesome. Problem is, they're still a mystery since the group only performs live. So I basically have a hard time looking for their pictures. I bought their CD and it was really cool, but not trace of their faces was included."
Sakura smiled and silently listened to her friend talk about her frustrations of not knowing how the members of the band look. She said, "I got tons of pictures with Hinata and Jiji since the three of us grew together. You can just go to my place and browse the albums."
Ino was quiet, thinking whether to take Sakura's offer or not. After some time, she looked at Sakura and shook her head. "Uh, I think I'll wait for one more week then see him with my own eyes. After all, I know Hinata's Cousin and Ten-chan's going out so he's out of my list."
"What list?"
Ino smiled darkly. "A list of the boys I'm going to use my charm on." She laughed in way which causes a chill to Sakura's spine.
The night of the party came. Gaara, Neji and the rest of the band came on one of the Hyuuga Family's Limousine. The idea belonged to Neji's dad who insisted that it is good for the band's image. The band rejected but ended up riding the Limo after finding out that their coaster got a flat tire.
"Wow?! This is where you grew up huh Neji?" Shino's neck seemed to have lengthened as he strained to check the wide lawn where the party was held.
Shikamaru and Kiba went directly to the buffet table and started filling they're plates with different food and deserts. Shikamaru waved at Gaara and shouted, "C'mmon man. There are lots of foods we can't eat on that miniature apartment of yours."
Gaara sighed and massaged his eyebrows. Woi Woi, what's going on with these people? They totally got hypnotized seeing food as many as served in this party. I wonder if there's tuna belly. I haven't eaten some for quite some time now. A hand placed on hi shoulder caused him to raise his head and saw Neji beside him, grinning.
"Let them be, you know those two loves to eat." He said. "I still like your onigiri though." Neji teased him and ruffled his hair. The band members have the same age, with only months of differences, but Neji seemed to be their older brother. He is mature compared to the rest of them.
The party started with opening remarks given by Neji's dad and his older twin brother –Hinata's father. There was an orchestra playing in the background and the guests had plenty of food to eat and wine to drink. Their band will be playing before the party ends and there were teenagers among the crowd who were obviously excited to hear the band's performance.
Gaara was sitting beside a pond found on the side of the large lawn. With a glass of wine on one hand, his tie loosed on its knot and a few buttons of his tuxedo opened, he was watching a school of Koi and goldfish swimming around. On the corner of his eyes, he saw Neji talking to a group of girls. A girl with long, pink hair caught his attention and so, he turned to see more clearly. His eyes widened and he hurriedly stood up. That girl, he thought.
"Ji-oniichan, I'm looking forward your band's performance." It was Hinata after introducing Neji to Ino, who happened to be the only person among the four of them who haven't met him before. For some reason, Tenten who is standing beside him was red-faced and silent.
"Yeah, Jiji, me too. I loved the songs you recorded on the mp3 you sent me on my birthday." Sakura said, smiling. "There's this song I like best but I don't think it was you singing."
"Uh, I think you're talking about the song called 'Eternal Snow'." Neji replied. "Our group revived that song which was originally sung and written by this three-man band famous for doing live performances just like us. They were called Route L but they have disbanded long ago."
"But if you didn't sing it, who did?" Ino asked.
"Our lead guitarist, you guys will meet him later. That is after I find where he is." He answered.
The group talked for a few more minutes before Neji was excused by his father to be introduced to some guests. The girls were left talking about the party and after some time, her friends ended up on the dance floor. Tenten was invited by Neji, Hinata by Neji's band mate Kiba and Ino by someone she called 'sleepyhead'. It was then that Sakura decided to go on a walk by the small pond she saw earlier. There are pretty flowers around the area that she wanted to look at so she could draw them on her free time.
She was observing a white rose when she heard somebody singing quietly. Peeking around the rose bush, she saw someone sitting by the pond against a Cherry Blossom. He looked familiar with his red hair and dark eyeliners but she can't remember where she saw him. As if sensing her presence, he stopped singing and looked at her, their eyes met for a second. He smiled, causing Sakura to blush.
"Uh, don't worry, I don't mind some company." He said quietly, smiling at her.
Sakura slowly walked closer to where the stranger sat and smiled back, "I was watching the roses when I heard someone sing. Sorry I bothered you. You got a beautiful voice just like Jiji."
"I don't really sing that well but thank you. Who's Jiji?" He asked with questioning look.
"Of course you do." Sakura said. "Jiji is the vocalist of that band 'Heart Assassin'. They are going to play later. They're songs are good."
"You seem excited, are you a fan?"
"Well, you can call me a fan and I love their songs. Jiji gave me an mp3 full of their songs on my birthday and I can't stop listening to them."
"You seem close with that person called Jiji."
"It's a nickname I made for him when we were younger. We grew up together. His cousin is one of my best friends. He wanted to be in a band for as long as I could remember."
As he listened to stories of Neji's past with her, Gaara watched the girl in front of him. Her long silky hair falls down to her waist and that night, she had a red ribbon on, making her hair seem even silkier than it already was. She's wearing a red halter dress, going down a few inches below her knees, together with a Greek style sandal which she tied a few inches above her ankles. She's a goddess. I knew it?! She's more beautiful when she's smiling, he thought to himself.
"Sakura-chan?!" It was Hinata's voice. "Ji-oniichan and his band are going to play now." Sakura looked up and saw her friend looking around. She stood up and waved at her. Hinata saw her and walked towards her.
"Uh, by the way, what is your name?" Sakura asked. Receiving no answer, she looked down to find the stranger gone. He left without saying a word. "I wonder why." She asked herself.
"Who are you talking to?" Hinata asked as she approached her. "C'mmon Sakura, we're going to miss it." Hinata held her hand and they ran back to the party.
Finding Ino and Tenten in front of the stage, they squeezed through the crowd to a nice spot reserved for them. Gasping for air, Sakura bent down with her hands on her knees. She heard Neji giving a short introduction on how their band was created. Still trying to catch her breath, she listened without lifting her head.
"Now, for our first song, we dedicate this for a childhood friend who has been through a lot of things. She likes this song so for this evening, this is for her. For the pretty Sakura, 'Eternal Snow' by Route L." With this, Neji finished the introduction. With her head still bowed, Sakura smiled. The sound of the song's intro filled the air and everybody was quiet, as if trying not to ruin the beautiful melody.
How long has it been since I fell in love with you?
My feelings only increase
Will you notice them?
Even though I've never once put them into words?
When she heard the lyrics of her favorite song being sung by a familiar voice, she raised her head. Her eyes grew bigger. She could feel her cheeks turning a shade of red as she unconsciously covered her mouth with her hands to keep herself from making a sound. There on the middle of the stage, holding the microphone, singing the song she love while looking at her eyes was the guy she met by the pond. With his red spiky hair dancing along the gentle night breeze and the spotlights blurring her eyes, she noticed something on his face. On the left side of his forehead was a tattoo. It says, "Love."
"Love", she whispered to herself. "I've seen that tattoo before. But where?" Sakura thought hard, her face was serious, almost frowning. As she listened to the song, she searched her memories. Then she remembered. She gasped. "Could it be that he was the person I bumped into that day? There couldn't be too many people with the same Chinese character tattooed on the same part of their faces. Not to mention having the same hair. He might be that person."
"Did you say something Sakura?" Tenten was looking at her with a worried face. "Are you okei? Your face is red."
Sakura looked at her and quietly answered, "Tenten, that tattoo on his forehead, I've seen that somewhere before. Remember the story I told you guys before? When I was told Naruto was my donor?"
Tenten nodded. Ino and Hinata looked at each other but remained silent.
"I was crying so hard that day that I bumped into someone. I wasn't myself. I saw the word 'Love' and ended up crying harder. The person I bumped into offered to help me, but I was rude and pushed his hand away. Then I ran and went to Hinata's place." Sakura's voice was shaky and tears are starting to fill her eyes. She's trying not to cry. It still hurt to remember Naruto. She looked at the faces of her friends and took a deep breath before continuing, "I saw the word 'Love' on that person's forehead. A tattoo of a guy with red spiky hair. I am not mistaken. He is that person."
"He? Who is he?" Ino asked and looked around. Her eyes fell on the stage, on the lead guitarist of the band presently playing their last song. Ino's jaw dropped. She couldn't find the words to say.
Hinata went closer and hugged Sakura. The latter started to cry as soon as she felt Hinata's warm embrace. "Sakura-chan, he reminds you of him, doesn't he? It scares you to realize how a person you just met turns out to be someone connected to your past, right? It scares you and hurts you to remember."
Tenten reached out and held her hand. "Sakura? Remember what the four of us promised each other years ago? We'll never be alone. We'll always be together right?" Tenten smiled at her and grasped her hands tighter. "We'll always be here for you. We'll share the pain so you got nothing to be scared about."
Ino crushed the three of them in a big bear hug and said, "And it is okei to feel pain Sakura. It proves you are alive. You got to learn to forgive yourself."
As a sweet beautiful melody played in the background and fireflies danced around the lawn, a person whose heart was in the process of healing re-discovered the strength of a promise and the magic of a friendship. Without a clue as to what tomorrow holds but with a new found courage to look forward, the party where the pink haired goddess met the soul destined to make her heart beat again came to an end.
Ring Ring.
Neji looked up and looked at the clock. It said 2:45 AM. Who could be calling me on a time like this, he thought as he reached out for the phone on the bedside table.
"Hello?" he said in a husky voice.
"Hey Neji. It's me." The voice on the other end replied.
"It's quarter to three in the morning in case you didn't know." Neji yawned. "This better be important or I'll kill you the next time I see you."
The caller laughed. "C'mmon man, don't be so cold. There's a favor I want to ask you."
Neji and the caller talked for almost an hour before they hanging up. Neji looked at the clock and sighed. 3:30 in the morning huh? That guy sure have decided. Smiling, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.