Sakura did not know where exactly she is now. After the argument she had with Sasuke, she could not breathe. She had never felt this confused, hurt, and angry at the same time. Did he really do that? Did he almost-? The idea alone made Sakura want to puke. She left the grand hotel as soon as Sasuke released her, scared that he might chase her.
Everyone must be worried now, she thought. She did not know how much time she spent running. She had no idea if people in the streets recognized her or the possible danger considering it was already past midnight. Her feet ached so much with so much running with her high heels on. She only stopped when she realized how far she must be from the hotel.
She was currently walking in a street where there were no lights. Trying to be brave, she searched for a payphone booth to contact Ino. As she turned left, she found a convenience store and a payphone booth beside it. Thank God. The only problem was that she had practically nothing. Cursing her own stupidity, she paused for a while to think of a better plan. Trying her luck, she went into the convenience store, asking the cashier if she could at least borrow her phone. The cashier looked at her from head to toe, figuring out where had she seen Sakura before. Sakura nervously brushed it off saying the cashier must had made a mistake.
"Hello, Ino. It's me." The cashier still looked at her curiously, with Sakura's hair disheveled, her expensive gown, her make-up such a mess, the teenage cashier could not help but wonder why this girl was out at this hour.
"Fuck Sakura. Where have you been. You and Prince Sasuke left just like that. Are you with him?" Sakura tried to lower her voice, peering at the cashier who still kept on staring at her. She proceeded to walk into the aisle of the store. "Ino, I'll answer all your questions. But in the meantime, please come get me. I do not know exactly where I am, but I am here in a convenience store beside a payphone booth. And before you can ask how did I get here, just please come get me."
"Okay. But seriously the Queen is damn worried about you two. They had been searching for over an hour now. Should I at least tell her you're okay?" Sakura shook her head even if Ino could not see her.
"No. I promise I'll call her once you get here. I just need some time away from the Palace. Can you do that for me?"
"Fine. Your Highness. But I swear if I get executed because of this, I will haunt you down." Sakura can already tell Ino was rolling her eyes but also happy she was safe. "Thank you, Ino. I owe you a big one."
She ended the call, and before she can return the cellphone to the cashier, Sakura was startled to see her bowing her head at her direction. "Your Highness, it must have been rude of me. I did not recognize you. I apologize for my mistake."
"No, no. You don't have to apologize. I-I really want to thank you. You're a lifesaver. Gosh, you don't know what I'd do if weren't for this convenient store. Uh-I cannot pay you, but I have my earrings, or this high heels-"
"You don't have to, Your Highness." The cashier cut her off, embarrassed that her lowly convenience store was visited by a royalty.
"Please call me Sakura. And I insist to pay you. I actually am worried too. There are no guards for your store. Aren't you scared to be working at such hour? Your store could have been robbed."
"Your Highness. You do not have to worry. In this way, I am able to help my family. I have to work part time so that we can cut off our expenses. Please allow me to continue to work here."
Sakura shook her head. "It's not what I mean. I just felt that you working alone here makes me feel concerned about your safety. Had the owner of this store consider hiring perhaps a security guard?" Sakura asked, curious and concerned for the girl. Maybe she had seen herself to the girl, who was working hard in able to help her family. In a span of ten minutes, Sakura already felt like she could already call the teenage cashier a new friend.
"Hiring a security guard will add to unwanted expenses, Your Highness." Sakura frowned upon hearing that. It's not just about the cashier's safety; did they not think about the store as well?
"What is your name?"
"Aika Iwate, Your Highness." Aika was surprised when in a second, Sakura grasped both of her hands smiling at her. "Aika, I really admire you. I hope that I get to see you again. Please tell the owner of this store to hire a guard. And that it's Princess Sakura's command. I guess the cctv cameras will be enough proof for that. I wish you well. My best friend, Ino.. her car is already parked outside. I do not know how to pay you for the trouble I may had caused, but here.. my earrings. And I take no for an answer. Take care of them." Sakura smiled once again and exited the store waving at Aika.
Aika was left speechless and immobile watching the car left.
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Before Ino can demand an explanation from her best friend, Sakura asked series of questions even before they can left the area. "Damn Pig. When did you get a car? It's so pretty. Did you win in the lottery without telling me?"
Ino, in return, rolled her eyes and glanced at her best friend. "I only borrowed this for your birthday party, Forehead."
"Oh.. And whose car is this?" Sakura wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Fine. It's Kiba's. Happy? Besides, explanation now."
Sakura's smile vanished in an instant recalling her argument with Sasuke earlier and what happened afterwards. She squeezed her eyes shut trying to erase the memory of Sasuke's eyes holding so much anger towards her. His lips kissing her harshly. His strong hands impeding her to move.
A sob coming from Sakura's lips that made Ino stop the car in an instant.
"Sak..hey. Seriously, what happened?" Ino hesitantly reached out to her, touching her shoulder in the process. Sakura did not waste a second to wrap her arms around Ino's shoulder, crying. "I do not know what do anymore, Ino. I- I hate him so much."
Ino gently rubbed Sakura's back, trying to comfort her. "I am here. You can tell me everything once we get to Land of Snow. Sleep, okay. I bet you need it. I'll wake you up once we get there. And before we forget, you have to call Her Majesty, she had been so anxious for a while now." Sakura merely nodded in response, wiping the tears that escaped her eyes.
The phone call with the Queen lasted for a long time, trying to assure the Queen that she really was safe and that she was okay. Mikoto asked her about Sasuke too that caused Ino to look at her in concern. Sakura only apologized to the Queen for she did not truly know where he was at the moment. At the end, she promised to come back and that she only needed some time to think, that she was not going to flee.
Sakura fell asleep afterwards and only woke up after two hours. Ino smiled at her, told her that they were only at least fifteen minutes away. Ino parked the car right in front of her house much to Sakura's liking. She missed the Land of Snow so much. She suddenly remembered the last time she visited the said place; she smiled sadly at the thought that she and Sasuke could not be able to have an impromptu vacation anymore.
She shivered from the cold, nearly forgetting how cruel the weather is in her hometown. Quickly, she and Ino went inside the house. Ino explained that her parents were out of town for a wedding of a long-time client of their flower shop. Ino then lent Sakura some clothes to change into and the both of them settled into Ino's bedroom, just like when they were kids having a pajama party.
They sat on the bed, and tears had gathered from Sakura's eyes once again when she started explaining everything to Ino. "He..He just kept on accusing me that I was cheating on him. Can't you believe it? After pouring my heart out to confess my feelings towards him?! I did not know exactly what happened. I just found myself lying on the bed with him on top of me. I was shaken, Ino. That was the first time I saw him so livid. I was so scared what he was thinking at that exact moment. I love him, but I'm beyond tired of this cycle.
"Am I doing the right thing? What am I doing anyways? Is it right for me to stay in the Palace? I don't think I can go on with this Palace life of clinging onto Sasuke. I always cry because of him; I am always in pain because of him. Can I keep living like this? Ino, it hasn't been a year but I feel like giving up."
Ino held her hand in support. "I cannot explain for his actions, Sak. I am mad at him for putting you through this, but it's up for the both of you to solve this. Prince Sasuke..may had acted cold and a jerk sometimes. But I knew he likes you too. "
"Do you think so? He did not say anything after I told him I like him. And even if he does, maybe he just get used to my presence. Spending so much time with me. We eat together. We go to and back from school together. Or maybe because he doesn't have any say in the matter." Sakura smiled sadly once again, keeping her head down.
"Perhaps him studying overseas will help you two sort things out. For him to reflect the things that he did that may had caused this pain you're having right now. I am your bestfriend, and I am not like this everyday, and I am only going to say this now. I give you my full support whatever you decide in the future. I am always here for you. Always." Ino put her arms around Sakura in an instant, letting her cry freely.
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Sasuke chose to drive with no particular destination. It was already four in the morning, and he had not stopped ever since he left the hotel. Remembering what transpired on Sakura's birthday had him wishing he never came back to Konoha. He crossed the line this time, he knew. He did not expect to be forgiven by Sakura nor did he forgive himself for doing such thing to her.
He parked his car in a bridge wherein there was a river below. At 4 am, no other cars were present except for his. He grabbed his jacket and a can of beer, then got off the car. He spent quite some time there trying to calm himself down, thinking on what to do next. He would not dare to apologize to her, for he knew he did not deserve it. He was contemplating whether to go back to Oto right away to make it easier for Sakura.
On the other note, he could imagine the chaos he must had caused by his sudden disappearance once again. His phone was ringing nonstop ever since he left, and he had not answered a single one. His father must had been mad right now. He could also imagine his father scolding Naruto for not looking after him, but right now, he could not care for he knew he fucked everything up.
He stared at the water below him, and drank the beer that he bought on his way. Anything to clear his thoughts. But it was futile. Everything is a mess, he thought. He had also thought of stepping down from his throne. Even before Sakura came into his life, he was already thinking about it.
But because you were a prince, you found her. A nagging thought suddenly popped into his mind that persuading him to be selfish once again and stay. But he knew he could not do that. For he knew, she was better off without him.
Sasuke stayed for another hour in the bridge staring at the water.
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News about Sakura's nineteenth birthday were all over the internet. The announcement of the upcoming wedding of Prince Itachi and Princess Izumi was also one of the trending topics in the social media. However, rumors begun to spread as well about what's the real score between Sakura and Prince Gaara of Sunagakure. Many people had expressed their sympathies to Prince Sasuke regarding the matter. They were quick to judge Sakura and some others stated that Prince Sasuke is better off without her.
Mikoto, who was currently seated next to her husband, worriedly gazed at the King's expression while he was reading the news articles. Fugaku used his right hand to massage his temple expecting an upcoming headache. Nowadays, Fugaku felt like Konoha had been in a constant chaos. There seemed to be an endless problems for the royal family.
More so, Fugaku wished Sasuke had not read any of the ridiculous articles. He was well aware of the fact that Sasuke and Sakura did not get along too well these past few days. But he also knew that somehow, Sasuke learned how to care for her, and Fugaku was sure that these rumors was the last thing his son would want to know right now.
The issue of Sasuke going to Oto would even add fuel to the fire of these rumors. The media would most likely create baseless explanations on why did the Prince suddenly decided to study abroad, leaving his fiancee no less.
Looking at his wife, he could see how concerned she was at the news articles depicting Sakura alleged cheating. He sighed and faced her. "Do not worry too much. These kind of rumors die down in a couple of weeks. But having Sasuke leave the Konoha right away is probably not the best idea for now. Needless to say, Sakura is not even here at the Palace at the moment. We have to make sure the media does not find out any of these."
Mikoto was still unconvinced but nodded anyways. "Should I give you my suggestion?"
With that, Fugaku inclined his head towards her direction motioning for her to elaborate. "We should drift the public's attention to elsewhere. I suggest that we should be more open regarding Itachi and Izumi's wedding preparations. But since cheating rumors easily don't die down, Sakura and Sasuke should always be together in public. And also, I was planning to tell Sakura about this, but I guess I also have to consult this with you. I was thinking of her surname to be changed to Hatake."
Fugaku set aside the newspaper that he was holding and sipped his coffee, thinking about his Queen's suggestion. He considered the fact that the public does not know too much about Sakura. By changing her surname to Hatake, people will start to truly recognize her as the daughter of one of the greatest and loyal servants of Konoha. "Once Sakura comes back, we'll talk to her. Invite also her foster parents. We have to protect her reputation and also her relationship with our son."
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It was already five in the afternoon when Sakura discovered about the news headlines. Sakura stared at the picture of her and Gaara during last night's party. Looks like it was not only Sasuke who was doubting her loyalty, the public is also quick to judge her just because she and Gaara danced together last night. How fantastic. Ino, on the other hand, frowned upon seeing the headline of the newspaper.
"Sak. Do you want me to call the publisher of this newspaper? They are seriously going to get it from me!" Ino said, exasperated. "And fuck these people who judged you too quickly! I will fucking report every facebook page who continue to spread hate towards you! You are a fucking princess! They have no right!" Ino added quickly.
Sakura was grateful for the support she got from Ino. She gave Ino a weak smile and thanked her. "No, don't do that. It was enough for me that you believe in me. But.. do you think I still am a princess after this?"
"What are you saying? You stupid forehead. You're saying ridiculous things!" Ino was clearly taken aback after what Sakura said.
"Will I be dethroned? What if the King and Queen don't believe me at all? They will protect their son afterall. Maybe it is just not meant to be. For me and Sasuke. Maybe, this is one way for us to-" Ino cut her off before she could dwell deeper into her worries.
"Sakura Haruno. Listen to me. Listen to me very well. They are rumors! These things happen every time for a celebrity, and in your case, a royalty. People will soon forget this. Be strong! If you do not believe in yourself, who will, Sak? Who will?" Ino put both of her hands in Sakura's arms, determined to make her best friend understand the current situation.
"Even Sasuke does not believe me, Ino. It's so fucked up right now! I cannot face the King and Queen after this!"
"Sakura, for God's sake, calm down! Gaara is your friend, right? Only a friend. The important thing is you know the truth. You have nothing to be afraid of because you did not do this. I got you, okay? Now, your body guards are on their way to pick you up. Act normal. Don't be such a brat." Sakura pouted upon hearing that; Ino was scolding her like she was still a child. It was as if Ino was implying that she was just overreacting and it wasn't much of a problem.
But it was.
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Unknown to everyone except Naruto, Sasuke had a secret place in his own room, an attic. After coming back into the Palace at six in the morning, he never left the premises of his room. He could hear the maids calling for him every hour, informing him that the King had been looking for him ever since last night. Looking at his watch, it read 1:22 in the afternoon. He had not eaten anything yet since last night. He was too preoccupied with his thoughts about stepping down as a prince.
There had been a lot of movements to abolish the monarchy in Konoha. He had been much aware of this fact. What he could not understand was why they were involving Sakura in this mess. Sakura used to be one of them. They hated Itachi, now it looks like they were also targeting Sakura. For what reason, that's what had bothered him for the whole morning.
He guessed that his father had been concerned about the headlines. He must had already come up with a solution regarding the matter. What also bothered him was that his accusations, which was basically driven by his irrational anger (jealousy), he admitted, had been all over the internet. The public judging Sakura, just like he did last night. He could not imagine what she must have been feeling right now.
It was wrong of him, of course. Instead of explaining himself for leaving all of a sudden, he demanded an explanation from her. He started an argument that gone out of his control and even lead to the point wherein he knew, she could not ever forgive him.
Giving up his position was timely, he thought. He could let Sakura go. Have her dreams come true and avoid these kind of scandals in the future. He had hurt her too many times already. He guessed that the least he could do was to set her free.
She did not deserve any of these.
He chose to leave his room already, ready to talk to his father. He had planned this a long time ago. And he would make sure his father would understand.
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Sasuke was not able to talk to his father right away. It had already been dinner time when he was able to face him. He sat quietly on his designated seat and ate quietly. He was also informed that Sakura would be returning to the Palace any minute now. A heavy silence had settled upon the remaining members of the royal family. Even Izumi chose to keep silent this time.
Unable to hold it any longer, Fugaku looked at his younger son in concern. "Sasuke, where have you been? Is there anything you wish to tell me?"
Everyone had his eyes on Sasuke waiting for his response. Compelled to answer, Sasuke chose his words carefully. "Sakura..she cannot do something like that." He kept his eyes on his plate, avoiding everyone's eyes. He knew that was what his father was asking of him. So he did not beat around the bush and told his father about exactly he wanted to hear.
"Sasuke, your mother and I decided. You shall stay in Konoha for a little while. Until these commotions die down at least. You, being separated with Sakura will raise even more suspicions. There are also a lot of invitations I received from neighboring countries. I would like you to go with Sakura, instead. The two of you seen in public should lessen these kind of rumors. I will also talk to Sakura regarding these."
It was just like his father to come up with the smartest possible solution after the news. However, Sasuke had already decided.
"Father, a long time ago, I talked to you about what could possibly happen once a royalty becomes a commoner. You told me there could be no such thing unless that royalty made a big mistake. Father, I am merely a spare tire. You have big brother to be the heir to your throne.
"King Fugaku Uchiha of Konoha, I humbly ask of you to allow me to live outside the Palace for the rest of my life. I failed to be the prince that you wanted me to be, allow me to reflect on my mistakes."
In a second, Fugaku stood up from his seat, anger taking over his features. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SAYING, SASUKE?! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST ASK FOR SUCH THING?" Mikoto stood up as well, asking his father to calm down.
"Sasuke, my son, please think what you're asking of us. You want to study in Oto, you already have our permission. You are not a spare tire, do you hear me? You are not a second choice. You're asking too much from us. I cannot let my son go, Sasuke. I cannot, do you understand me?" Mikoto uttered in a trembling voice, trying not to cry at the very moment.
Sasuke chose to keep his head down. "I apologize for bringing this up. But this is the only way people will stop pushing me to be the next King. Nii-san, I know he will do a great job leading our people." He looked up to Itachi, who was completely deep in thought.
"Sakura had been suffering because of me. We should let her decide if she really wanted to stay here with us. I could not fulfill my obligations as her soon-to-be husband nor the prince that Konoha expects. With that, I think that is enough of a reason to step down from my position. Excuse me." He added. He stood up from his seat and exited the room a little quickly for he could no longer look at anyone right at the moment.
The maids bowed their heads as he headed out of the room. However, before he could take another step, he noticed Sakura beside the door. And judging by her expression, Sasuke was sure she heard everything.
He passed by her without a second thought.
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A/N: I forgot to mention last chp that I originally intended to update on March 28..but Sakura was not exactly happy on her birthday, wasn't she?
I am grateful to my readers who took time to express their opinions and suggestions. On a different note, I really had a hard time writing this chapter. I wanted to emphasize how miscommunication and distrust can really destroy a relationship. I hope you guys can sympathize to what Sakura must have been feeling in this chapter.
I will also try my best to update at least once a month since I am also working on another story. HS fic. I haven't decided on a title yet..and it's entirely different from my previous works.
Uh..so what do you guys think?