☆A Flower That Blossoms in Adversity☆

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 1

𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑙．．

𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯;

Morning light trickles into the house as I sit and play with my bowl of rice on my bed as I write a cheat sheet onto my right arm. "Let's see, Quiet and Demure, Graceful, Polite," I lift some rice up to my lips before taking the small mouthful "Delicate, Refined, Poised," swallowing the rice I swap out my chop sticks for the ink brush "Punctual!" I exclaim as I write it down.

Outside the rooster crows into the yard from atop the barn and startles me. I look out the window fly out of bed "Oh no! Mom's going to kill me!"

I run frantically through the house "Little Brother! Little Brother!" I run into the supply room "Little Brot- oh! There you are." I pause mid step as I look down at the sleeping dog and kneel. His eyes open slowly before he suddenly shoots up and jumps up at me.

Little Brother was a gift from Uncle Kakashi for my birthday "Who's the smartest dog in the world?" I turn around and walk over to the chicken feed and grab a bag "Come here smart dog, think you can help me with my chores today?" and he barks.

I secure the rope tied to the torn bag to his collar along with a stick that I tied a bone to so it dangles in front of his face, just out of reach. He lights up and begins to bark and jump after it before I open the door, whistle and he shoots off and into the wall before shaking his head and runs out the door toward the chickens. I run off to put tea on and get dressed while sending a silent thank you to Uncle Kakashi for that handy trick.

Normal POV

In the family temple Haruno Kizashi lights an incent, places it in the dragon statue incent holder, then kneels and bows "Honorable ancestors," he rises with closed eyes and palms pressed together before him "Please help Sakura impress the matchmaker today." Little Brother runs into the temple, around Kizashi and out leaving behind a trail of yellow chicken feed and chickens as they flock in to eat the food.

"Please. Please help her." His voice held some desperation as he looks at the stones almost helplessly.

He stands and looks into the door way where his only child, a pink haired, green eyed girl, pauses on the top step to kneel and lower the bone down for her dog to chew on before she stands. He walks forward "Father I brought your- ah!" she bumps into him and the tray flips sending the teapot and cup into the air as the tray falls.

Kizashi catches the teapot with his cane's handle but the cup hits the cement and breaks "Sakura." He says as the as she pulls out another cup "I brought a spare." He gives her a stern look "Remember the doctor said three cups of tea in the morning," She says while pouring the tea into the cup "Sakura." He says again but she just grabs his hand "and three at night." She sets the cup into his palm.

"Sakura, you should already be in town." He reprimands he before adding "We are counting on you t-" "To uphold the family honor. Don't worry father," she pulls her sleeve down over the cheat sheet "I won't let you down." She quickly turns and runs down the steps calling back "Wish me luck!" "Hurry!" he father replies as she runs away from the temple.

Kizashi sighs and looks at Little Brother for a moment as the dog stares back with the full bone in his mouth "I'm going to," he sighs and turns back to the shine "Pray some more." And limps back inside.

In town Haruno Mebuki paces as she waits on her tardy daughter with her mother-in-law Chiyo. "Mebuki, is your daughter here yet?" Tsunade asks but the older woman saw the answer on the blonde woman's face "The Matchmaker isn't a patient person." Tsunade lets the curtain fall back into place and left the Mebuki there "Of all the days you could run late, why did you chose this one?" she shakes her head "I should've prayed to the ancestors for luck." then sighs deeply.