Name: Haromi
Age: 16
Description: Sweetie, strong, and smart
Looks: Long, light blown hair and purple eyes
Likes/Hobbies: Cooking, dancing, animals, singing, fighting, and drawing
Dislikes: Fan girls and arrogant jerks
Love interest: Sasuke
Relationship Status: Rivals
Anything Else: Her family is dead
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"H-Haromi!" The said girl turned, watching Hinata come running towards her.
"Hinata? Where's the fire?" she joked.
Hinata smiled meekly up at Haromi, the two continuing through the streets of Konoha. "N-No fire. I just finished training."
"How did that go?"
"Fine," she answered in a small voice.
Haromi noticed something was eating at Hinata, she could sense it. "Something wrong, Hinata?"
"N-No," she answered a little too quickly.
The girl rolled her eyes. "Hinata, I know something is wrong. We're best friends after all. Now what's up?"
"W-Well..." Hinata put her two pointer fingers together in thought. "The Hokage Ball is coming up..."
"And?"
"I want to ask Naruto."
Haromi knew that was the reason for her best friend's nervousness. "You need to tell him."
"B-B-But-!"
"If you don't do it now, you never will. We're sixteen. You've had a crush on him since the academy. It's time for you to tell him."
"O-Okay..." she answered, pulling her fingers away. Haromi smiled, knowing she had gotten through to her.
"Naruto is at Ichi Ramen, if you're wondering. He'll be leaving in five minutes if you don't hurry."
"R-Right!"
"And no stuttering," Haromi laughed before Hinata turned away. The ninja stopped, turned back to face her friend. She cocked her head to the side in confusion. "What is it Hinata?"
"You know, you should tell him how you feel too."
Hinata left a blushing Haromi in the street. The teen wondered how long the Hyuuga knew of her secret crush on a certain ninja. No, she wasn't one herself, far from it. After she lost her family in separate missions, Haromi had had enough and stepped out of her training to become an ANBU officer. Instead, she opened up her own bakery, something with a slower paced lifestyle. Haromi was a master chef in cakes and other confections, the best in Konoha. Her business catered to events all around town, including the Hokage Ball that was coming up.
Haromi entered her shop, starting up the machines, pulling on an apron, and started pouring the ingredients into massive bowls. Her business had grown so big that she needed machines to do double the amount of work so she could keep up with orders. The event coming up was no exception, and she ran everything to the max to get the homemade treats prepared.
She had four days, only half of the cakes and cupcakes already made and being stored in the fridge. Haromi still had to finish the rest of the two larger desserts, as well as make smaller treats, such as cookies, and mini pastries. The teen worked by herself, only calling in for help when something went terribly wrong. She didn't have enough money to pay for help and keep up with her bill payments.
It was dark out and the machines in Haromi's shop were still humming with life. Her apron and face was splattered with cake batter and flour, hair a tossed mess, sweat on her brow. Haromi looked over her work that sat on the many metal trays in the back room and zipped up the plastic case around the shelves. Happy with her work, Haromi stopped the machines and began the long task of cleaning everything up.
Finally, Haromi turned off the lights at two o'clock in the morning and walked up to her loft overhead and passed out.
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"He said yes!" Haromi exclaimed with happiness at the news. Hinata smiled sheepishly, cheeks pink. "Congratulations!"
"Haromi, do you have a date for the dance?"
"Huh? Oh, no, I don't. But I don't need one."
"You should go with someone. Every year you go by yourself."
She shrugged. "I don't mind. Besides, I have to cater the party. That wouldn't be very fun for my date to watch me, now would it."
"Have you tried asking anyone?"
"No."
"What about Sasuke?"
Haromi managed to fight down a blush, just before girlish screams came from down the street. Speak of the devil, Sasuke came walking towards them, hands carelessly stuffed in his pockets without a care in the world. "I think I'll pass," she muttered, seeing the fan girls following behind. "Let's get going. How about you show me what you've been practicing during training?"
"Okay-"
She turned to walk after Hinata, but Sasuke was in their way. "Move it, Sas-gay."
"Why don't you watch where you're going, Ha-pony," Sasuke shot back. The two locked eyes in a heated glare. Hinata watched the situation warily. Even though Haromi was no longer a ninja it did not mean that she still couldn't kick someone's ass. The Hyuuga didn't want a fight to break out in the middle of the street.
The fan girls were watching off to the side, glaring at Haromi. "H-Haromi, l-let's go," Hinata coaxed, pulling on her arm. She scoffed, following after her friend.
"Run away, little girl," Sasuke spoke, wanting to see her reaction.
Haromi snapped, turning back on the ninja. She got right up in his face. "You say something, Uchiha," she growled.
Hinata squeaked at the situation, seeing the fan girls approaching. "H-Haromi! L-Let's g-go!" she exclaimed, pulling on her friend's shirt.
"I'm not running away," Haromi continued to snap. "I'll fight you right here and now!"
A new hand gripped the back of the baker's collar, doing the same to Sasuke and pulled them away from each other. The teen looked up, about to snap at the person, but kept her mouth shut. It was Kakashi. "Why is it that I always have to pull the two of you apart before you destroy the town?" the man sighed in annoyance.
"Sorry," Haromi grumbled, looking away. "He just gets under my skin."
Kakashi turned on his pupil. "Sasuke, what have I told you about provoking Haromi?" The ninja didn't answer, looking away. The teacher sighed, shaking his head and releasing the two teens. He then looked over at Haromi and the worried Hinata. "Haromi, don't you have a banquet to prepare for?"
Her eyes widened, checking her watch, seeing how late it was. "Damn it!" she yelled, running towards the bakery. "I'm late!"
"Haromi, wait!" Hinata exclaimed, rushing after her friend.
The two watched them go before Kakashi turned away to leave, but not before saying, "Happy now, are we?"
Sasuke couldn't help but smirk as his Sensei disappeared. He was more than pleased. The Uchiha couldn't help the feeling he got when he riled up Haromi. He couldn't help but be turned on by how she got angry. Sasuke knew the baker was a skilled ninja; heck, she was top of their class in the Academy. She had even gone on to train to be an ANBU officer before any of the other students got close to her level of skill.
However, she dropped out of the ninja program and chose to open her own bakery. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that she could match him in a fight, even with his special technique. Sasuke shook his head, ignoring the approaching fan girls. In fact, he had had enough of them and disappeared. The ninja didn't like the fact that he was constantly followed around. Maybe that's why he was attracted to Haromi. She didn't follow after him like the other girls did. They were rivals, trying to out do each other, something he wished he could change.
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Haromi was exhausted with all the baking she had been doing. Because of her run in with Sasuke, it set her back. The day before, Hinata had stayed and helped her bake various treats. Today was a new day, and tomorrow was the banquet. She was running out of time and was moving left and right, mixing together batters and decorating treats. All of her friends were training, and she couldn't ask them to drop everything and help.
It was three in the morning when Haromi turned off the machines and started to decorate the last tray of pastries. She passed out twenty minutes later, finally finishing. The door to her bakery opened silently, as a person walked in, seeing the lights on, and a sleeping Haromi. They took the tray from the table, putting it on a rack and zipping up the plastic. The person then wrapped an arm around Haromi's waist. She shifted, mumbling incoherent words. They stopped to be sure that she was asleep before pulling her out of the chair. Lifting Haromi into their arms, the visitor walked up to the loft, and set her on the bed. The person then walked back down into the bakery and began to wash the dirty pots and pans one by one.
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Haromi shot up in bed, looking around wildly. She couldn't remember how she ended up there, or how she even maneuvered the stairs. Her eyes fixed on her watch, seeing what time it was. Haromi cried out in surprise, grabbing her duffle bag that had makeup, shoes, and a dress packed inside, and ran for the stairs. However, she was still half asleep and tripped over her own feet, falling down them. "Ow..." she groaned, rubbing her head.
She had many chores to do before leaving, since she had left her bakery a mess before passing out. Haromi's eyes widened when they landed on the kitchen, finding it... clean? The baker walked around all of her machines, finding every inch of it cleaned and spotless. Who had clean it? The person who had put her in bed? Hinata? No, the poor girl would've made so much noise it would've waken her up. Plus, Hinata couldn't lift Haromi with that much grace.
The teen had no time to stop and think about it any longer as she rushed towards the Hokage's office, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, finding it faster. She breathed heavily, coming up on Shizune's desk. "Haromi!" the woman greeted with a smile. "I'm assuming you're in need of hands to help bring over the desserts?"
"That would be nice, please," Haromi breathed, smiling. She dropped the bag behind the desk before going into the Hokage's officer. Kakashi, Iruka, and two of Tsunade's personal ninjas were there and turned as the two entered.
"Haromi, welcome," Tsunade greeted. The teen bowed in response. "What can I do for you?"
"Lady Hokage, the desserts are done and ready, but I was wondering if I could get some help bring it over to the hall."
"Of course. Will these four and Shizune be enough?"
Haromi smiled. "Even just one person would be a huge help."
The six started back to the bakery and began to move the potable shelve sleeves to the reception hall. Hinata caught up with them halfway and joined in. "They smell delicious, Haromi," Kakashi commented, sniffing the food as it was set out.
The teen slapped away the man's hand playfully as he went in for a cookie. "Not till later," she laughed. Hinata placed a cake beside the cookies and smiled over at the pouting Kakashi.
"But they look so good," Iruka went on to say.
Haromi rolled her eyes, sighing. "Fine, you can all have a cookie for helping me move the desserts." The men were quick to grab the delectable treats. The food melted in their mouths.
"Amazing as always," Iruka commented, ruffling Haromi's hair. She smiled in response. The girls took a cookie as well for their hard work.
"Do you want to come over and get ready at my house?" Hinata offered.
"Let's run back over to the Hokage's office and then I'll come over," Haromi answered with a smile.
Haromi showered upon arriving, finally removing the batter and flour from her body. The girls' laughed and shared stories as they got ready for the ball, putting on their makeup. Haromi curled her hair, pulling it up and pinning it with a large white clip. She then slipped into a white, sleeveless dress. A large, silk ribbon wrapped around her middle with an intricate design on it. The dress then flowed out at her hips, giving her legs room to breathe, and ending a little below the ankles.
"It's so pretty," Hinata commented.
Haromi smiled. "Thank you."
Hinata had spiked her hair back, complementing her eyes with a light shade of purple eye shadow. The ninja pulled on a simple, light purple dress with no sleeves, the top in the shape of a corset. There were silver sequins on the top, starting from the top and getting smaller as they moved towards the waist. The bottom of the dress billowed out, stopping at the floor.
"You don't look too bad yourself," Haromi commented, giving her friend a wink. Hinata smiled sheepishly.
It was an hour till the ball when Naruto came to pick up the Hyuuga. "I asked him to come early so we could walk with you to the hall since you have to finish setting up," Hinata said when Haromi looked at her questioningly.
A large grin broke across the baker's face as she caught the teen in a hug. "You are the best, best friend ever!" she exclaimed, making Hinata blush.
Naruto laughed at the sight before Hinata took his arm. The three walked down the street towards the hall and Haromi waved goodbye as she tended to the food table. Streamers, balloons, and confetti decorated the area beautifully. Lights were colored in purples, blues, and whites. At the moment the house lights were on, giving the decorators and the caterers visibility so they could make the final touches to everything. The place began to fill up with residences from Konoha in beautiful and elegant dresses and suits. Music started up and the lights dimmed, only leaving on the colored lights.
Haromi greeted everyone that came to taste her desserts, the food being consumed by happy customers. "Nothing beats your cooking, Haromi," Asuma commented, steering his date away. She smiled after them.
"What are these?" a voice came from down the table.
Haromi glanced, seeing Sasuke picking up plate with a mini cake on it. A vein pulsed on her forehead at the sight of him, but calmed herself and answered politely, "A petit four cake."
"What is it?" he asked, locking eyes with hers.
"Why don't you try it and find out?" Sasuke popped it in his mouth, eyes widening at the taste. "Well?"
It was amazing, but the ninja would never tell her that. Not yet at least. "It's alright," he answered, shrugging his shoulders.
Haromi chuckled, shaking her head and unloading another tray of treats. "Of course it is," she answered. Haromi didn't want to start a fight here at the ball.
Sasuke watched her, amazed she hadn't snapped on him. For once they were being civil. "Can I help you with anything else, Sasuke? If not, your fan girls are waiting for you." He looked over his shoulder, seeing that she was right. They were standing along a wall, waiting to ask him to dance.
"Well I don't want them," he answered, turning forward again, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
Haromi cocked an eyebrow, continuing her work. "Should've thought of that before you came here alone." She put the empty tray on the shelf again, wiping her hands on a napkin. "Unless you came here with someone. Let me guess, Ino? Sakura? The two have been chasing after you for years."
Sasuke shook his head. "Ino came with Kankuro. Sakura is with Lee."
"Kankuro came?"
"Along with the Kazekage and Temari. She's here with Shikamaru." Haromi nodded in understanding. "I came alone."
"Well there are enough girls here I'm sure you can pick up." The fan girls started closing in. "Better get a move on it. Here they come."
Sasuke glanced over a shoulder before rushing off. Haromi chuckled to herself, helping a couple as they approached the table. The night was going well and the baker had not seen Sasuke in an hour. She wondered if the fan girls had eaten him alive. The teen chuckled at the thought. "Do you have any chocolate pastries left?" a girl asked.
She looked up and down the table before thinking of where she put the trays. "One second," Haromi said, looking under the table and through the smaller shelves. A tray appeared in front of her face.
"Here you are."
"Thanks!"
Haromi handed off the pastry watching them go before something clicked in her mind. She ducked back under the cloth, seeing Sasuke sitting under it, Indian style. "Hey," he said.
"Sas-!" she exclaimed, jumping in surprised and hitting her head. "Ow! Ow! Owie!" she whined, holding her head, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
Sasuke chuckled. "And you were once a ninja."
She glared at him. "Shut up! And what are you doing under my dessert table?!"
"Well it seemed like a good place to hide at the moment."
"You're in-!"
"Not so loud, or you'll give away my position."
She grinned evilly. "Maybe I should. A little payback for all of the times you've made my blood boil."
His eyes widened. "You wouldn't."
Haromi cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, wouldn't I?" She opened her mouth to yell, but Sasuke quickly covered it with a hand.
"Will you dance with me?" he quickly asked, catching Haromi off guard.
"Huh?" she asked in a muffle voice.
"Will you dance with me?"
Haromi wondered if she had hit her head too hard. Sasuke and her were enemies, not friends, so why was he asking her...? "Uh..." She crawled out from under the table, Sasuke following after her. "I... I have to manage this table... and I can't leave... and I..."
"It's okay," he said. "Just thought I'd ask."
She watched as he walked away into the crowd, biting her lip. The offer was tempting. "You know, even you are allowed a night of fun."
Haromi glanced over, seeing Shizune standing beside her. "But-"
"Go ahead. And don't come back. You can come and clean up tomorrow. You've done enough and the Hokage is grateful for the food. She really liked your chocolate mousse cake, just incase you want to get your way one day."
Haromi grinned widely up at the woman. "Thanks, Shizune." She then slipped into the crowd.
The teen looked around at all of the dancing faces. Some she recognized, smiling and giving them a small wave. Hinata and Naruto looked like they were having fun. Haromi smiled turning away and looking along the wall. It was as if Sasuke had vanished. She hoped he had not left.
Two arms wrapped around her waist, a voice in her ear, asking, "I thought you didn't want to dance?"
She laughed, turning in the arms to face Sasuke. "I had a change of mind," Haromi answered. A slow song started to play and the two began to sway to the music. "Managed to elude your fan club?"
"They're waiting along the east wall, glaring."
"Why does that not surprise me?"
"They should be jealous," he said, pulling her closer. "You're beautiful."
Haromi blushed, looking away. "What brought all this on? I thought we were supposed to be enemies?"
"We are... But I thought we could make some... slight adjustments..."
He had her attention, and her eyes locked with his. "Go on..."
Sasuke was about to answer when he saw something out of the corner of his eyes. "Have you gotten the okay to leave wherever you feel like it?"
"Huh? Yeah, why do you ask?"
"Because we're going to make a break for it in ten seconds."
"Why?"
His arms wrapped tighter around Haromi's waist, pulling her closer to his body. Her arms circled his neck in response. "Because the girls are closing in for the kill and I'm not about to leave you behind to fend them off."
She rolled her eyes, smirking, "My hero, so where are we going?"
"Somewhere far away from here."
Sasuke quickly disappeared on the spot, scooping up Haromi and jumping out the doors that lead to the balcony. He rushed across rooftops through Konoha, finally stopping in front of Haromi's bakery. He set her down and she opened the door, turning on the lights. "You coming in?" she asked.
He nodded, entering. Sasuke looked around at the shop, seeing the large, unmoving machines. Haromi continued towards the back, turning on the lights and walking up the stairs. Sasuke turned off the lights in the main shop, following. When he walked into the teen's loft, he found her rummaging around in the fridge. She pulled out a large chocolate cake. "I always make a cake for myself whenever I finish with a large order," she said, placing it on the table. Haromi then began to grab plates, forks, a knife, and cups. "I think of it as a little celebration for the accomplishment. Care to join me?"
Sasuke nodded, loosening his tie and draping his black suit coat over the chair, revealing his white, buttoned down shirt, and black vest. Haromi cut into the cake, serving two slices. "Your bakery is nice," he finally spoke, breaking the silence.
"Thanks. It took a while to get enough money for the bigger machines, but it was worth the work. Now they do three times the work I used to do in an hour."
"Why did you quit being a ninja? You had everything going for you."
Haromi took a bite of her cake, chewing it slowly. "When my family died, I didn't want it. I didn't want a life full of death, so I gave up being a ninja. Besides, I always had a love for baking. I'm better off where I am now though. Everyone loves my cooking and I have a thriving business, so everything is okay. I don't mind not being a ninja."
Sasuke nodded, taking another bite of the delicious cake. Haromi truly was an excellent chef; he couldn't deny it. "Sasuke..." His eyes slightly widened. It was rare when she said his name. Usually when she didn't address him by the nickname it was because they were in the presence of higher ups, much like at the dance. Now they were alone, and still she was calling him by his name. "At the dance... what did you mean by 'slight adjustments'?"
He looked her in the eyes before they traveled down to her lips, where there was some chocolate at the corner. Haromi's eyes widened when Sasuke suddenly leaned over across the small table, bringing his face in close to hers. The ninja's tongue lightly licked at the chocolate, clearing it away. She sat back in surprise, staring at Sasuke in wonder.
He smirked. "You were dirty." The comment caused Haromi's cheeks to flush. "You do look very beautiful tonight, Haromi," Sasuke continued. The teen's cheeks continued to turn red. "And the cake is very good too."
"What are you doing?" Haromi asked, confused by his sudden nice attitude towards her. They were enemies, always trying to out do each other.
"Making some slight adjustments."
Haromi stood, taking their dishes to the sink and turned on the water. She needed to calm her rapidly beating heart. Why was she feeling like this? Something cold traveled down a cheek, the pressure being taken away seconds later. However, the cold feeling did not go away. "You're awfully messy today, Haromi," Sasuke's hot breath whispered in her ear. "Just like the night before." Her eyes widened in realization.
"That was you? You brought me upstairs? And cleaned my shop?"
"Yes," he answered, wrapping one arm around her waist, the other shutting off the water. "So... what's my payment for helping you?" She blushed at the thought and position they were in. Sasuke's hot tongue then started at her jawbone, traveling up to the top of her cheekbone. Haromi shivered in response at the feeling. "You have no idea how badly I wanted to do that to you last night when I saw you covered in this stuff," Sasuke spoke in a husky voice.
Haromi was full out blushing by now as his hands traveled around her body. "I want you, Haromi, but the question is: Do you want me?"
Her breath caught in her throat when Sasuke's lips kneaded the skin on her neck. "Yes," she finally breathed out and they were lost in hot, mind-blowing kisses.
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"Oh shit..." Haromi whispered, eyes wide as she looked at the results. "Shit... No... no, no, no, no, no..."
She was in so much shock, the older teen had to sit back in a chair for fear she would collapsed. All of the color had drained from her face as Haromi's eyes read over the results not once, not twice, but five times. Still they were the same. "Shit," she mumbled again, slamming her forehead against the tabletop.
Two years had passed since Sasuke and Haromi had come to civil terms at the Hokage Ball. It had been two years since that... eventful night where they expressed how much they had truly cared for each other. Since then, the two began dating, much to the fan girls' dislike. Hinata had done the same with Naruto. Sure, Sasuke and Haromi had their squabbles over trivial things, but it was normal to them. If anything, it had improved their relationship with each other because they would laugh after realizing they sounded like idiots. Kakashi thought the world was coming to an end when he went to break the two up, for fear of a fight, and the two broke into laughter. The Sensei literally went to get his ears checks.
Now, Haromi and her friends were nineteen, soon going on twenty, and here Haromi sat in shock, something she had not experienced in a long time. The baker did the only thing she could think of: see Hinata.
"Haromi?" she questioned after opening the door. The Hyuuga the noticed her friend's stunned expression. "What's wrong? Has something happened to Sasuke?"
Haromi shook her head no. "He's training with Naruto."
"Then what is it?" the Hyuuga asked, pulling her inside.
The two sat on the couch in the living room and Haromi handed Hinata the papers. The ninja read over them, worried at first before slowly becoming stunned as she read on. Hinata then looked up at Haromi. "Haromi..."
The friend smiled meekly. "I'm pregnant."
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It was dark when Sasuke came to Haromi's bakery, and walked up into her loft. He noticed her figure sleeping on the bed and he slipped off his shoes and shirt, joining her. Haromi sighed, turning over so she was flat on her back, staring up into Sasuke's eyes. His hand caressed her cheek and she closed her eyes in response. "Did I wake you?" he asked in a soft voice.
Haromi shook her head. "I've been up for a while, waiting for you."
"Why?" Sasuke couldn't get over how beautiful she looked under the moonlight that came streaming in through the window. "Is something up?"
"I have something to tell you," she answered, looking him dead in the eye.
His expression hardened at seeing the worry and fear in her eyes. "What's wrong? Has something happened? Are you hurt?"
Haromi shook her head, a smile coming to her lips. "No, nothing like that... But it is a serious matter..." The ninja waited for her continue. "Sasuke... I went to the doctor because I've been feeling weird lately... and..." She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She opened them to see the worried look in his eyes, thinking something was seriously wrong. "Sasuke, I'm pregnant."
Those three words registered in his mind immediately and his eyes went wide. He looked down at his girlfriend, cupping both cheeks in his hands. A smile broke across his face before he caught her up in a hug, pulling them into a sitting position.
"Are you really?" he asked in a whisper.
"Really," she answered with a smile, holding him just as tightly. "We're going to have a baby."
He kissed a cheek tenderly. "I love you, Haromi," Sasuke whispered.
Haromi pulled away, looking him in the eyes. "I love you too..." she whispered back, pulling him into a tender kiss.