Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Chronicles of My Life ❯ Wish ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: Wish

 

A bunch of kids gathered around me at the playground in front of the orphanage.

 

“Happy birthday to you!”

“Happy birthday to you!”

“Happy birthday to SAKURAA!”

“Happy birthday to YOUUU!”

 

I smiled and leaned forward, taking a deep breath before Shinn stopped me - by giving me a rough slap on the mouth, that is.

 

I gave him a good frown, indicating that he should start treating me like a lady. After all, I am twenty-one now. A full-grown woman is what I am.

 

Shinn returned my look with a rascal's grin. “Don't you know the rules, woman? You gotta make a wish first!”

 

Of course I know! I just got too excited that I… forgot. When Shinn saw my enlightened look, he removed his hand and poked me in the shoulders. “Make it quick, I'm hungry.”

 

I rolled my eyes with faux irritation. Today is my big day and nothing is going to ruin it, not even a brusque Shinn. I clasped my hands together and closed my eyes. Now, what should I wish for this year…? Hmm…

 

A moment of silence passed before Shinn poked me again. “You're taking forever!”

 

“Shh!” I countered. Another five seconds passed. “Ok, done.”

 

When I opened my eyes, they were all looking at m... the cake with drooling eyes. To end their misery, I cut the cake with amazing speed. I barely took a bite when Shinn slapped me again - with his cake.

 

I fluttered my eyes in surprise.

 

He laughed.

 

And boy did he laugh! (which makes me fume all the more!) He laughed so hard that his voice echoed across the silent playground with his tears of laughter. The kids started laughing with him and soon, they were rolling on the ground with laughter. They were stopped short when I retaliated by smashing my cake on Shinn, hard on his face. The kids were not spared either. Each and every one of them got their deserving share all over their faces even before they could dodge.

 

Then, I laughed.

 

And I laughed just like a witch to goad them, Shinn especially.

 

I knew I succeeded when I heard him mutter an expletive. When he wiped the cake out of his eyes and glared at me, I ran. And he sprinted after me. The next hour or so were spent wrestling, laughing and splashing water on each other from the nearby taps.

 

Nevertheless, it was the happiest moment in my whole twenty one years.

 

When the kids ran off to play their own, leaving Shinn and me alone, we collapsed on the grass on the small hill in front of the playground, facing the dilapidated orphanage. Exhausted but smiling, we watched the stars with our hands tucked behind our heads when Shinn blurted, “It's getting late.” and turned to look at me.

 

I sighed. “Yeah, so?”

 

“Your mum will be w-”

 

“She knows I'm with you.”

 

“But-”

 

“She's not home anyway.”

 

“But-”

 

“Shut up.” I drawled finally, a thread of irritation in my voice I knew Shinn would notice.

 

He did.

 

Shinn and I were orphans. My mother is actually my foster parent who adopted me when I was eight. She fed me good, paid for my education and living, and cares for me like my real mother should. At least that that's what I ho... think. To put it simply, she brought me up single-handedly so I guess I should be grateful to her.

 

My foster mum is a renowned doctor by the name of Haruno Tsubaki. Due to her occupation, we could hardly hold up a decent conversation at home. She is on call twenty four by seven and spends most of her time in the hospital. Our relationship is more of those hi-bye types where we communicate mostly through stick-on notes on the refrigerator.

 

This often leads me to think, if your patients are more important than me that you don't have the time to bond with me, why bother to adopt me in the first place? At the bottom of my heart, I really wish we could spend some quality time together. As time goes by, my hatred for her job grew. But as fate would have it, I am a medical student.

 

I am currently third year in medical school of Tokyo Uni. I have the natural talent, or like mother like daughter, they would say.

 

Shinn got very upset with me when I told him I would be enrolling into Harvard medical school three years ago. He got so upset that he had a fierce fight with my mum and me.

 

Shinn thought at first it was my mum who forced me into it. Even so after I assured him that it is my area of interest. He wouldn't talk to me after, no matter how hard I tried to get him to. It wasn't until I found him crying in the woods behind this orphanage that I realized he didn't want me to leave.

 

Moved by his tears (that was my first and last time I saw him cry), I decided to stay.

 

Shinn is a boy at heart, even now. We were of the same age and we practically grew up together. He was brought into the orphanage when we were four. The smudged face and rugged oversized clothes made a huge deep impression. He was ostracized and so was I. Him for his overbearing quick temper and me, for my weird outlook.

 

I have natural pink hair.

 

People alienated me, thinking I have some sort of weird disease which will affect them somehow. Those who believe in God think I am the work of the Devil, or the Devil's child. Staying near me would mean I will stray them into the hands of evil or some sort.

 

A load of crap if you ask me.

 

I eat, talk, walk and sleep like anyone around the world. My annual full body checkup indicates that I am as healthy and normal as any human being should be. In fact, my doctors would tell me that my stamina exceeds most girls on the streets.

 

Nevertheless, I never got through my functional years of schooling without people pointing fingers at me. Even teachers were constantly nagging at my ears to dye my hair black.

 

Out of my surprise, my mom stood by me. She never once demanded that I should make my hair `normal'. She just told me to be myself while she will take care of everything. Come to think of it, I never asked her how she dealt with it. My wide forehead didn't help matters. It made matters worse. I was nicknamed `Sakura the Wide Forehead Freak'. Perhaps Shinn took pity on me and stood by me whenever I was bullied. He accepted me for who I am and our friendship was built from there.

 

Shinn has been to many foster homes. So much so I have lost count. He was always brought back in the end with his foster parents claiming they couldn't handle him. He was nicknamed `Shinn, the Devilish Angel'. As the name implies, the devil of a temper, the angelic of a face.

 

I remember crying through the night whenever he was picked. But after I got used to the ritual, I simply waited. Come to think of it, whenever he left, he would always say, “I'll be back.”

 

Anyway, one by one, kids around our age got picked and left the home before they were etched into my memory. Then out of everyone's surprise, including mine, I was picked.

 

Haruno Tsubaki took an instant liking to me and I was brought into her home in no time. Of course, I wasn't exactly Mommy's Girl. I ran away a couple of times, in fact a lot of times whenever I missed Shinn. After all, we shared a lot of weal and woes together.

 

We learned to write our names together.

We learned to climb trees together.

We buried our first tooth together.

We stole the obasan's freshly baked cookies together.

We run errands for the Sister together.

We got whacked in our butts together.

We bathed together. (We stopped doing that when we noticed distinct changes between our bodies)

 

And a lot cart of silly things that would always bring a smile to my face whenever I recalled it.

 

Shinn, as time goes by, has become a reliable brother that I have come to love.

 

My mom has come to terms with our relationship though she turned down my request to adopt Shinn as well. We were allowed to meet whenever we want and Shinn could come and go as he pleases to my house. I even gave him a spare key when I got fed up with him breaking my windows whenever I was not fast enough to let him in.

 

“Oei.”

 

At the voice, I turned to look at the pair of intense brown eyes blankly. Oblivious to me, Shinn was studying me with his head propped up by his elbow.

 

“What?” I yawned.

 

“What are you thinking of?”

 

After a moment, I said, “Thank you.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I was thinking how to thank you for making tonight possible. I'm very happy tonight.”

 

Shinn snorted. “Silly lass. Do we still need such courtesy between us?”

 

I smiled sheepishly in response.

 

“I expect mine to be better.”

 

I sweat-dropped. That is just so Shinn.

 

“So what did you wish for?” Shinn asked, averting his gaze to the kids playing on the playground.

 

“I wish that my life would be more… exciting.” I admitted with a sigh. There were no secrets between us and I am old enough to understand there is no such thing as `your wish won't come true if you tell'

 

“I have such a boring life, Shinn.” I added lazily when Shinn turned to look at me. “Everyday is just so standardized.” I continued. “Wake up, go school, lectures, hands-on, go home, sleep…”

 

Shinn just snorted and smiled dryly. Out of my surprise, he kept to his own. Usually, he shoots off right after me and uses sarcasm against my words whenever possible. I guess is because today is my birthday or that he was just as tired as I am.

 

My bet would be on the latter.

 

“I'm tired. I want a piggyback.” I said, changing the subject. My boring life is one thing. Telling others how boring is my life is another.

 

Shinn turned his face away from me. “No.”

 

“Come on!” I protested, nudging him by the leg.

 

“No way! You're heavier than a pig!”

 

I pinched him hard on his cheeks for his offending remarks and he smacked my hands away in response. “That hurts!”

 

I ignored his complaint and starting shoving him up. “I'm getting this piggyback no matter what!” But I swayed and missed my foot, causing my left elbow to suffer an ugly cut from a broken glass hiding among the grass.

 

Blood trickled down my elbow instantly, staining the sleeve of my white blouse with red blotches.

 

“Can you be anymore clumsy?” Shinn reproached, helping me up on my feet.

 

It wasn't really a significant wound. But because Shinn sounded so concerned to me, I decided to exaggerate my pain. I can be a bad bad girl at times. Matched with grimace I faked, I started to `cry'. Shinn frowned and he wasn't gentle at all when he took hold of my elbow to study the wound.

 

His frown deepened.

 

I snickered. (Inwardly)

 

“You're the stupidest woman in the world.”

 

Having said that, he hauled me up on his back before I could argue and started down the hill. On his way, he called out to the kids to get them indoors. Then we realized that one of them was missing.

 

Konohamaru, as the others had informed, was last seen charging for the toilet located at the back of the orphanage a while ago. As that area leads to the woods, we naturally assumed that the mischievous boy has perhaps wandered off or some sort. After getting the rest of the kids inside and informing the chief Sister about the incident, Shinn and I went in search for Konohamaru, the wound on my elbow all but forgotten.

 

“I knew it!” Shinn exclaimed when we saw the toilet area empty. “That brat's in for REAL trouble when I get him!”

 

He continues his ranting while heading out towards the woods. “Did you see the look on Sister Sophie? Why, I think she looked ready to pass out!”

 

“Look who's talking…” I said, sarcasm obvious as I rolled my eyes at the same time running to keep up with him. “Konohamaru has only one-tenth of your mischievousness when you were at his age. Ouch!”

 

Shinn suddenly stopped, causing me to bump into his back as I was right behind him. He wheeled around, exasperation etched clearly across his face. His mouth looked ready for defense but a cry stopped him short.

 

My mind quickly registered that the cry belonged to Konohamaru.

 

And so did Shinn.

 

“Stay here!” He commanded, and sprinted through the shrubs before I could protest. I glanced around the woods, conjecturing the possible dangers that Konohamaru could encounter when it dawned on me that I was alone.

 

In the middle of the woods.

 

At night.

 

I took a deep breath. “Ookkayy… Haruno Sakura is the bravest girl in the world. (gulp)”

 

Though I hated the woody silence hanging around my ears now, I quickly backed it up with the fact that I have been here umpteen times. I know the way like the back of my hands! - Though that was thirteen years ago but hey! The woods couldn't possibly change that much, right? Shinn and I often broke the rules and wandered into the woods whenever possible. Our motto then was `play first, consequences later' It was here that we feel free.

 

“Nothing gets me.” I muttered, glancing around furtively. “Nothing gets me.”

 

I lifted my gaze to the starry sky to ease off some of my nervousness. It was a full moon tonight; I didn't realize it until now. The moonlight was bright enough to see everything around me, so it wasn't that bad after all. All I have to do now is to wait for Shinn and Konohamaru to meet me.

 

Seconds felt like minutes, and minutes felt like hours. I started to play with the twigs at my feet and humming random tones to soothe the rising uneasiness within me when my worst case scenario happened. I heard some rustling somewhere behind me. I whirled around; half expecting it was Shinn and Konohamaru. When I saw nothing, my intuition tells me something is wrong.

 

“What's taking them so long?” I murmured, chewing my lips as I glanced around suspiciously.

 

“This is not funny!” I called out two seconds after; thinking that perhaps Shinn and Konohamaru has decided to play a prank on the birthday girl. After all, what do you expect when you put the pranksters of the century together?

 

The next thing happened so fast and unexpected that I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Something, or rather, someone, actually whooshed out from one of the shrubs and flew past ABOVE me! I choked on my breath, though my astonished green eyes caught the bloody silhouette from the moonlight.

 

And if my eyes were REALLY NOT playing tricks on me, I would have thought that the sharp features and raven hair belongs to Uchiha Sasuke, the crush of my life.

 

“Sasuke-kun?” I muttered in disbelief. Impossible! He wouldn't be here, why would he? My eyes settled on the other side of the woods, where he supposedly landed.

 

I decided to investigate.

 

Tree branches scratched at my face. Shrubs grabbed my shoulders, tearing my white blouse and mud tangled around my sneakers, trying to pull me down but I couldn't care less. I pressed forward, panting hard as I tried to get one foot in front of the other.

 

I need to know what I saw.

 

Uchiha Sasuke is a very very and when I said very, I meant VERY popular guy in my campus. Not only does he top his classes, he is, in any estimation, a Prince Charming come to life. He is such a celebrity in the campus that they even set up a fan club and countless websites dedicated solely to him. Framed by a six foot athletic build, he possesses a pair of gorgeous black eyes that can make any girl go gaga just by seeing him. His finely chiseled nose and surprisingly blemish-free face only add to his charming factor, not to say he was really born with the silver spoon. Not much was known about his family though, because his aristocratic aura comes with an air of aloofness. Those who tried to approach him for the sake of knowing him were given the cold treatment. Thus, many of his fan girls choose to admire him from afar.

 

I came to an abrupt stop when I saw the silhouette from earlier ahead. He was standing relatively still with his back facing me.

 

“Sasuke-kun?” I called out quietly while trying to even my breath, wanting to confirm what I saw. When he did not respond, I took a few quiet steps forward. The figure was holding something in his right hand. As I strained my eyes under the moonlight, I saw that he was holding on to something wet… something dripping with… … … BLOOD.

 

I froze.

 

At the same moment, he turned around to face me.

 

Then my body couldn't move at all. My hands started to tremble at my sides while my eyes widened in absolute shock.

 

Though he looks exactly like Sasuke, HE, is definitely not the Sasuke-kun I know!

 

His eyes were red.

 

Bloody red.

 

And so were the rest of him. He was drenched in so much blood that I thought I was seeing the Devil right before me. Still holding on to what I supposed is a disfigured severed head; he edged closer to me, his crimson eyes piercing right through me.

 

What has happened? I don't know. What is he going to do to me? I was too afraid to find out. `Run!' I told myself. `Run or die!'

 

Unfortunately, Sasuke already came charging towards me before the message from my brain got to my leg muscles. `Too late…' I realized. `I'm going to be dead.'

 

The last reaction before he pounced onto me was something most girls would do.

 

I screamed.