Building Castles
asteriskjam
Notes: My first chapter fic (huzzah!).
...Ok, fine I caved. The NejiSaku monster-of-an-uncanon-fandom drew me in. SasuSaku's still my number one of course, but seriously...the shippage was just too tempting... It was inevitable. (To the thousands of NejiTen fans I probably scared away with the mere mention of 'NejiSaku', why don't you stick around? TenTen, I assure you, will make a very prominent entrance and play a rather prominent role. -wink, wink-)
Inspired by those seriously good shoujo mangas. Written for my fifteenth birthday on August 2! Yay me. :D
Prologue
She looked over the wrinkled scroll, crows feet and eye-bags turning her green orbs into slits as she smiled.
"And to my favorite grandchild--"
"Obaa-san, I'm your only grandchild."
"QUIET, you." (Apparently, seeing as how both her parents were rather mousy, she had attained her so-called short temper from the woman laying in front of her.)
The elder female coughed and spewed and the younger girl, trained medic as she was, rushed over to rub her grandmother's back. A few choice pats had her breathing normally, albeit a little raggedly considering her condition. Looking up from her hunch, sea-foam green eyes met softly with a similar pair. (Apparently, they too were inherited.)
"Mm, Sakura-chan, who makes me so proud...shall obtain the Amaterasu House."
Haruno Sakura rallied her vision between the photo in her hands and the very real, very concrete, very tangible structure that was the Amaterasu House.
It was also very in need of a paint job, but who the hell cared?
It was hers!
Seventeen years old and already she'd acquired what most middle-aged housewives could only dream about owning some six or seven years down the road!
Sakura breathed in deep in an attempt to regain her composure. Carefully pocketing the age-worn picture, green eyes swept over the expanse of the home: a short brick path, lined with welcoming little daises, wildflowers and the occasional tulip (her grandmother had had a surprisingly green thumb) led to a pair of double doors, the darkness of the oak, a stark contrast against the white-washed walls. There were several windows, tall and wide and perfect for reading, even under moonlight if she wished (a smallish, circular one near the top suggested there was an attic). The front porch creaked faintly even with Sakura's light steps and the rickety swinging bench brought back memories of her childhood.
It wasn't flashy, but its history sparked intrigue; and it wasn't gargantuan, but surely, it was roomy for a single inhabitant.
A lone inhabitant.
Sakura sighed, remembering how her parents had reacted to the news: first with unadulterated shock, then gradual acceptance, and finally, uncharacteristic giddiness.
-Flash-
"Sakura-chan, honey…" Her father had said, grinning, "We've decided to move to the Sand Village."
"…" She sat there, dumbfounded, unable to reply. "…What?"
The Haruno matriarch sent her husband a look, 'Give her a minute, and eventually she'll explode'.
And explode she did, "WHAT?!! DAD! MOM! --MOM! DAD!" She yelled loudly and near incoherently, "ARE YOU--ARE YOU CRAZY? WE CAN'T LEAVE! ...THE HARUNO FAMILY HAS LIVED HERE FOR NEARLY A CENTURY! ALMOST A HUNDRED YEARS! HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY-- HOW CAN WE JUST GO AND BREAK TRADITION?" Her arms flailed rather ungracefully and she was too enthusiastic in her righteous indignation to take note, "HOW THE HELL CAN WE MOVE, KNOWING FULL WELL THAT YOU TWO SELL THE BEST FISH THIS SIDE OF THE COUNTRY! THAT--THAT I HAVE A JOB AT THE HOSPITAL! PEOPLE TO CARE FOR! NINJAS TO HEAL—"
"Sakura, dear—" her mother tried, setting a tray of teacups upon the coffee table.
"—FRIENDS TO KEEP AN EYE ON! KAMI-SAMA, MOM, DAD, YOUR FRIENDS! WE CAN'T JUST MOVE AWAY, KNOWING THEY NEED US! WHO ELSE WILL BEAT SAI FOR MAKING ABSOLUTELY TACTLESS COMMENTS—"
"Sakura-chan…" her dad attempted, eyes sheepish with his daughter's rant.
"—WHO ELSE WILL GET NARUTO AND HINATA-CHAN TOGETHER—"
"Sakura, you're not—"
"AND FOR THE LOVE OF ALL PRACTICAL CLOTHING, MOM, DAD, WHO THE HELL ELSE WILL TAKE LEE-SAN SHOPPING FOR A MORE REASONABLE OUTFIT—oomph!"
Her mother had thrown a throw pillow at her. (That was probably why they called it a throw pillow. It was an effective tool for shutting up rambunctious daughters.)
"Sakura, we're the ones who are moving." Her mother explained, sipping delicately at her tea and gesturing towards herself and her husband.
"You're not."
She blinked, "I'm…not?"
Her father chuckled, "Of course not, sweetheart! We know you've got responsibilities at the hospital, dedication to your friendships, and loyalty to this village. We could never move you!"
Her mother smiled serenely, "Even if we tried."
"B-but…the fish!" Sakura sputtered, waving her arms in an amusing manner.
"There will be business in the Sand."
"Mom…it's a desert."
Her dad laughed again, motioning their daughter to sit between them. "Sakura-chan, we think its about time we gave you some space. We've been smothering you with love since the day you were born—"
"That fault being whose--?" Her mother said, eyeing him warily.
"—and you're almost of age." Her father went on cheerily. "We want you to live in the house your obaa-san left you in her will."
"But—"
"This will be good for you, Sakura." Her mom encouraged, " And besides, your father and I like the tropical feel of the Sand—"
"It's a desert!"
"—and is therefore, sunny." Her mother said.
They sat in silence for a bit, Sakura absorbing their wishes, surprised but ultimately aware of where it had come from. ...Her parents had been complaining about wanting a change in scenery…
Besides, moving out would definitely up her 'young capable adult' status...and her parents only had her best interests at heart—
"Is this because I'm not paying rent?"
"…yes."
And that had been it.
End of story. Her mom and dad were moving to the Sand Village the day after tomorrow, and Sakura would learn to fend for herself, the Amaterasu House, her fortress.
She punched the air in typical Sakura-fashion, new found determination glittering in her expression. Clutching the bag of various knickknacks and necessities she'd brought along from home, she fished for the key in her pocket, inserted it into the lock, heart beating, turned, and opened the door.
She grinned contentedly.
This was her castle.
TBC
More troublesome notes: Sorry it was so short; I had written it into the first chapter initially (skipping a prologue), but I wanted to introduce some of Sakura's character first and provide some set up for the odd house arrangement. Both Sasuke and Neji will come next chapter, promise, as well as a long-called for explanation as to why they moved in with her in the first place!
I have the next chapter already written, but as I'm doing self-imposed deadlines (weekly, or perhaps bi-weekly chapters) I want to see just who the heck is interested in this fic! If I can make at least ten (actually hoping for 15, just because that's the age I'm heading) reviews, then I'll be content enough to post the next chapter ASAP! -wink, wink-
If not, then this fic's going to the Recycle Bin!
REVIEW! (clicky, clicky the button down yonder!)