Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Little shop of horror
Eventually, Satsuki had decided, not that she like it, Sakura was right.
Locking herself in the estate isn’t gonna fix anything. If anything, it only emphasized how empty and haunting the place actually is. Satsuki can feels that emptiness weighting down in her chest every time she even just thinks about lying down again.
So…she went to town. Partly to restock on supplies, and the other part? Between the empty house with all the cobwebs and the absurd amount of money that is just sitting in her inheritance… she might as well spend it, right?
She told herself that it was a perfectly reasonable decision. She is not sulking, or brooding, or even plotting…but if she is, Satsuki should at least do it in some well-tailored robes, you know, like a perfectly normal functional human being.
…it just that, Satsuki has not paid off her karma yet. So the moment she stepped into one of those clothing store that catered to the upper-class, nobles and clan leaders downtown, she immediately regret everything.
Because standing in the middle of that store, laughing over something stupid was none other than Naruto Uzumaki, his parents and his newly wedded wife.
Within a second, Satsuki instantly turned around and walk out but…
“Oi! Suki!”
Naruto caught the sight of her, flashing his bright smile as he called for her. And Satsuki, being the idiot that she is, turned around.
She forced a calm expression on her pale face as Naruto waved her over, beaming like it’s the most natural thing ever.
Minato smiled warmly, “Suki, it’s been a while.”
Kushina, however was not as subtle, bared a wide smirk on her face, “Finally come out from hiding, huh?”
“I was not hiding.” Satsuki tried not to sound to defensively. Failed.
“Uh huh.” Kushina clearly didn’t believe her one bit, but not the time to push it.
And then there is Hinata. Polite, soft spoken, beautiful in a way that made Satsuki’s chest heavy. “Satsuki, it’s nice to see you.” She smiled gently.
Satsuki nodded stiffly, “You too, Lady Hinata.”
The air between them was strange…not awkward, but not pleasant either. Like running into your situationship and their parents… Oh, wait! It’s exactly what it is.
Naruto, oblivious as always, grinned, “What are you doing here?”
Satsuki shrugged, glancing everywhere but his face, “Umm…shopping.”
“Retail therapy, huh?” Kushina gave her a knowing look.
“You said like it’s a bad thing.” Satsuki said dryly.
Minato chuckled. “Nothing wrong with spoiling yourself once in a while. Remember when I used to take you and Naruto shopping for those engraved kunai whenever you guy did well at the Academy?”
Of course she does, Satsuki has over twenty-four of those kunai, While Naruto…he had enough (single digit). Satsuki presume it was one of the actual nice thing she remembered about her childhood that was spent with the Uzumaki-Namikaze. Minato still has her collection at his house. Satsuki said he could just drop it off at her place or keep it at his office and she will come in to collect it, but Minato and Kushina prefer if she just come to their place. At least they can treat her dinner…
“No. I don’t remember.” She said dryly.
Minato faked a pout, “Oh, then the box that is taking up space in my living room must belong to a ghost child then.” He teased.
Satsuki rolled her eyes.
Naruto grinning still, nudged her, “You should let mom pick out some stuff for you. She has opinions.” He said.
Satsuki barely can contain her grimaces. The last thing she need is for Kushina to dress her like a doll.
Kushina’s eyes sparkling. Oh, she missed dressing up the Uchiha porcelain doll, ok?
“You will look so lovely in red…”
Satsuki steps back, “No.”
Naruto laughed, “C’mon, spoil mom a bit, will ya? Beside, can’t hurt to try something new.”
“I like what I wear.” Satsuki said firmly.
“You wear the same thing every day.”
“It’s called consistency.”
“It’s called boring.”
Kushina was already rummaging through the racks, “Don’t worry Suki, I’ll do your body frame justice.”
Hinata steps in, offering Satsuki a reassurance smile, “Don’t worry Satsuki. Kushina has great taste, she helped me pick out a lovely dress last week.”
Naruto smiled, wrapping an arm around Hinata’s waist, “See? Hinata vouched.”
Satsuki looked away from his hand placement…it stinged, a bit.
She sighed, pressing a hand to her temple. “Just get this over with.”
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Satsuki did not see escaping as a viable option. With Minato constantly hovering, not in an obvious way, just standing close enough that make it clear that he is watching her and she is not escaping that easy.
Kushina constantly telling her to tried on the mountain of stuff being shoved into her. She has fully committed to the idea of “helping” Suki finding a new look, “Here! This too!” She placed another dress on the pile in Satsuki’s arms.
Satsuki does not need that many dresses…
“No.”
“Suki, you been wearing the same thing for years.”
“I like it.”
“What about this?” Kushina held out a gaudy pink dress that literally burn through her eyes.
“No.”
Kushina gave her a look, pouting, “You are rich. Might as well dress like it.”
“I’m not gonna waste money on something I won’t wear.”
Kushina just smirked, “You think you are leaving without at least trying one thing? Cute.”
And Naruto…the absolute menace, laughed. “Should just give in.”
“No.” Satsuki said dryly.
Hinata, ever the peacemaker, smiled softly, “You don’t have to try it if you don’t want.”
Satsuki exhaled. Finally, a reasonable person.
But then Hinata tilted her head slightly, a curious look in her pale eyes, “But…you has been avoiding everyone lately. Is everything ok?”
Satsuki stiffened.
Naruto, catching on, “Yeah, you just kinda disappeared on everyone. No one seen you for days.”
Satsuki clenched her jaw, “I been busy.” She tried not to snap.
Naruto snorted, “Yeah, sure. With what?” He is too sharp when it comes to her for his own good.
Satsuki hated how easily he can see right through her. How he always stands on business when it comes to her. Demanding for the truth like it’s his birth right or something.
She glanced away, “It’s personal.”
“Definitely something.” Minato said back. She hated how his eyes soften around her like she is still a kid under his care.
Satsuki glared at them, it’s fight or flight…
“I’m gonna try this one on.” Satsuki chose flight.
She picked out a dark blue dress that sits neatly on top of the pile of stuff Kushina has picked out and quickly went to hide in the dressing room in the back.
“You are really bad at talking about feeling…” Satsuki can hear Kushina sighing.
“Shocking.” She said as it is the most obvious thing ever.
Satsuki exhaled heavily as she finally got away from their gazes.
The dressing room was quiet, so much so that she can actually hear herself breath again.
Satsuki stared at her reflection after putting on the dress, now that she can actually look at the dress as a whole.
It’s…decent. A silk halter, dark blue dress with a drop waist beaded belt.
Satsuki stare at herself in the mirror. The dress fit perfectly, clinging in all the right places, flowing where it should be.
She looked…good.
And then the reality settled in.
She had nowhere to where this dress.
No event, no party, hell, she doesn’t even leave the house unless being asks to.
Sighing, Satsuki reached for zipper…only to find it’s stuck.
“Fuck…”
Satsuki scowled, reaching to yank it down, but still, it doesn’t move.
She stepped out of the dressing room, glancing around for a sale assistant while keeping a very careful eye to avoid the Uzumaki-Namikaze clan.
And, of course, karma still very much hates her…
She bumped straight into Naruto.
Neither of them talk for a short second as Naruto stared at her, not so subtly
Naruto’s eyes widen, flicking over her in obvious surprise.
Satsuki stiffened, “What?”
Naruto grinned, “Nothing. Just…damn.”
Satsuki can felt her face flushing, “What was that supposed to mean?...Shut up dobe.” She quickly looked away.
“No, really, you look…” Naruto quickly save the conversation as his grin keep growing.
“Don’t.”
Naruto snickered, “Alright alright. You do look good though.” He said softly.
“You stuck aren’t you?” Naruto broke the silence but not the eyes contact.
The way her onyx eyes rolled away confirmed it.
“Alright, turn around.” Naruto chuckled.
“No.”
“Suki, don’t be difficult.”
“I don’t need help.”
“Yes, you do teme.”
“No.”
“Turn around and let me help you or mom is getting involve.”
That shut her up real fast.
The moment the zipper finally came down, Satsuki exhaled.
“Don’t make a big deal of this.” Satsuki grumbled as she returned to the dressing room. She did not need to turned around to see that Naruto was having this shit eating grin on his face.
Fucking asshole.
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When Satsuki return to the store main floor, Minato handed her a bag.
“What did you do?” Satsuki looked back and forth between him and Kushina.
“Just spoiling our little ward a bit.” Kushina smiled, cheerfully and menacingly.
Satsuki peaked inside the bag, “I have nowhere for this.” She handed it back.
“You never know.” Minato shrugged.
“Where is to the market if you must. You are a pretty girl. Start acting like one.” Kushina said with her ridiculous overbearing tone.
“Whatever.” Satsuki tucked the bag under her arm.
Minato and Kushina smiled at each other and then Suki, clearly too damn proud of themselves.
“Great! Now lunch!” Naruto exclaimed excitedly as Hinata agreed softly.
Satsuki’s face dropped once again.