A Thousand Times Over

[octavialao]

Title: A Thousand Times Over
Author: Power Ranger Red Sho Nut octavialao
Pairing: General Arashi Frienship
Rating: G
Length: One Shot
Beta: coolohoh
Summary: Sakurai tries to pin down the reason Arashi became Arashi.


If I could go back in time to figure out when it was that our relationship deepened, I still wouldn't find the answer.

Sakurai Sho, born and raised in a well-off family. Attended a prestigious school, got tons of friends, and money was never an issue. I lived like a prince, pampered and loved by my parents and grandparents. I thought I will become either a freakin rich businessman or a politician just like my father.

But a single application to Johnny's had changed everything. I was in for the ride of my life. A ride where it doesn't revolve around me alone, not anymore.

Being in Arashi took everything from me. Time and privacy being the most important ones. My once cold relationship with my parents became much colder. I am mainstream. I am a commodity available for the public eyes. But I thought that maybe it could work out. If it didn't I could always quit. As if anyone could stop me. But how wrong could I be.

I will never know when and how, but all I knew is that one day, we were all sprawled out in one hotel room, giggling and having fun. I felt a warm feeling enveloping me, and the others too. Like how the sun warms everything in its wake. Giving life to the creatures here on earth.

Maybe it was because of Masaki. He is the sunshine of the group. His smile and contagious laughter warms our hearts easily. I could not resist him. A smile and that's everything I need to throw my sadness out the window. He can melt any heart with his kindness and honesty. His innocence and his heart warming laugh. Like a butter, slowly melting on the pan. It melts me. He melts my cold stubborn heart. When we're with him, we are at our happiest.

And maybe it was really Masaki who started it all. When he was rushed to the hospital because of his collapsed lung, we were shaken badly. These people were just my group mates, co-workers. I never thought it'll worry me. Studying and being part of Arashi is tiring. And Masaki in the hospital meant more work for me. But still, the very thought of Masaki, in pain, and probably cried out his heart because he thought he was being a burden to us, it pained me. I was always so fond of Masaki. I wanted to throw away his sadness and pain, like he always does with ours when he smiles. He's our sunshine boy. That's why I took care of him from that day on.

But then, maybe it was because of Nino, that we became who we are now. He always was the snarky brat who loves to bully everyone. His tongue so sharp and blunt. He can strike at any given place and time. Sometimes, I think Nino is just as intelligent as I am. His brain works as fast as I do. And he is a brilliant actor at that.

Maybe it was really Nino who made us feel that without one of us, we wouldn't really be Arashi. When he left for Hollywood and shot the movie Letters to Iwo Jima, I felt jealous. He was the only one who got to have a chance to be an international actor. But, at the same time, knowing that he would be miles and miles away, it pains me. Despite the brat's tendency to annoy me, he was also the one who helps me relax when I'm bursting out with my temper issues. He's our mood maker, he'd swayed us away from arguments. And his handy magical hands seems to help as well. We were drowned with awe every time he does magic. Maybe that was his secret technique. And he always seem to know what to say.

Or maybe it was Jun-kun. I remember him following me like a dog. A boy crush they say, like how a little brother loves and looks up to his older brother. That was Jun to me. He'd follow me anywhere, call me anytime, and ask for my help. It was actually Jun who first confessed his love for Arashi. Well for me at first, then for Arashi. He was really annoying at that time. I felt like I had a rouge shadow and he would jump on me anytime.

Maybe it was really Jun-kun who started it all. No matter how annoying he gets, I still felt comfortable and secured. Knowing there is someone who is watching your back, supporting you and is proud of you no matter what you do. It pains me when people would say that he is just a pretty face. They're wrong. They don't know the Matsumoto Jun we know. The Jun we know now is different from his scrawny and goofy self before, but the same caring and supporting Jun was there. He may be a neat-freak, a perfectionist, but still he never forces out his ideas on us. he might do it to others but not to us. Cause Jun-kun is soft and loving when it comes to us.

Thinking about it, maybe it was Satoshi. The "Leader", we call him. But it looked like I was the one leading the group. That was what I thought. Satoshi didn't liked the idea of him being the leader. He wasn't the Leader type. He left us to be what we are now. Shying away from the responsibility and attention. He didn't do anything to guide us, to lead us. He just became that sleepy old man like person he is.

But maybe it was really Satoshi that made us like this. Because he never lead, he never forced anyone. We learned to grow ourselves. Because of his soft and gentle demeanor, we felt at ease. He is quite observant, he may appear very uninterested in you, and often spaces out, but his mind is working like a machine, thinking about choreography, art and music. But what surprises me is how sensitive he is when we were all gathered. He'll sense if something is wrong. He'll look at you and not say a thing, but you'll feel a lot better after. It's because Satoshi doesn't need to speak to comfort you, a touch and his speaking eyes does it. And when he was faced with the worst issue an idol could have. To see him down and full of remorse, it pains me. I and the others protected him. He needed us at that time. I wanted to comfort him like he always did with us.

15 years. It's been so long yet it still feels like yesterday. We really don't hang out that much outside work. We didn't oblige each other to do so. We lead our separate lives outside work, away from the cameras. Our world doesn't revolve around Arashi alone. I have my own friends, colleagues and my family. And they too, have their own.

But a simple, "You look good today Sho-chan!" or "Happy Birthday Sho, treat me for dinner" goes a long way. A souvenir here and there. Flashy jacket, thong briefs, for a birthday gift, a drawing given by Satoshi, gulping an exotic Aiba concoction, and treating a stingy member. All these small things left a huge impact in our lives.

We have been together for so long. Honestly, I never even thought that we would make it till our 5th year. But Miracles do happen, and we will soon be stepping into our 16th year. We grew up apart, but somehow together. Looking back, I never really cared about these people, but now, they're a part of my life, my heart and my soul. Our souls are tied up, such that whenever one is away, I could still feel him with me. They all are with me, here in my heart.

Maybe, I do know when and where and who started all of this. FATE. Fate brought us together, the moment we meet we knew we will be forever. Like how a leaf would be carried away by the wind and gently lands him on the ground together with other leaves that was also been swept away by the wind.

We are the leaves that fate carried and brought together. There was no asking why, it just happened. For everything happens for a reason, and those reasons, we might never know. And our lives are connected, like a connect-a-dot game on children's books, like how we connect the stars to form a constellation, we are connected, to become Arashi.

And now, as I look at those members, singing their lungs out. Singing their gratitude to our fans. I will always remember our promise.

"Let's stay together. Let's stay Arashi forever."

They looked at me and I smiled. Whatever they asked of me, I will do it.

"For all of you, a thousand times over"

Comments

[reyahh321.livejournal.com]

Aww. Never regret reading this.
It's a fic, but almost near reality. I enjoyed reading this!
Thank you!

[octavialao]

Thank you love! i wrote this on their annivesary. And Im glad that you like it. :)

[dinatasiaka22.livejournal.com]

omg sho <3
read this now in classroom and i'm smiling widely reading this fic, i think the lecturer will think that i enjoyed this finance lesson too much XD

[octavialao]

ikr?? SHOOOOO~

Hahahaha! You should read thye NUTTY(naughty) ones while in class! I bet your instructer will be delighted to see you blushing from all the information he is feeding you! :p

[hanacaraka.livejournal.com]

Sasuga, from Sho's point of view, hehe.
But this is such a heart warming fic. Thanks for this :D.

[octavialao]

Thank you! You know I wrote it in Sho's point of view well because, I always thought that Sho is thinking about work all the time, and he acts so strict and formal. But when he is with Arashi, he totally let go. thus his point of view is somehow interesting. :)

Thanks for reading!!