Sakura and the Prince of Flowers
By Miss Angel Maxwell

Author's Notes: Well, here is the latest chapter. You know, I'm not really sure what people think about this story. It doesn't seem to get a lot comments (not as many as my X fanfic), but it has gotten a lot of hits (way more than my X fanfic). I fear that people might be reading it just to make fun of how dumb it is. I guess I'm just a bit insecure like that. Well, those of you who have enjoyed the previous eight chapters, I hope you enjoy #9 as well. And, thank you to the few who have left such nice comments. It means an awful lot to me.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention it in the actual story, but after Sakura became a jounin, her parents decided to do some traveling and see the world. That's why they're nowhere to be seen. They probably wouldn't be happy that their little girl is knocked up, though.

Chapter 9: "Is That What You'll Say At Her Funeral?"

My cherished teammates,

I suppose if you are reading this you're probably wondering why I'm not in my room. I've decided to stop wallowing in my guilt and to leave Konoha. By the time you read this letter, I will be gone. But, before I explain my reasons for leaving, I want you both to know that this is not how I would have liked to say goodbye to you. I considered a face-to-face farewell, but I knew that if I had to look you in the eyes I would not be able to go. And this is something I have to do.

I am leaving the Village of the Leaf in order to make amends for my sin. Hopefully, I will find someplace where I am needed, where I can help people or do something good to make up for my hand in our dear friend Lee's death. As of right now, I do not consider myself worthy to live here amongst those I love, most especially the two of you. Besides, a knocked up kunoichi is probably not the most useful member of a shinobi team. I will earn your forgiveness, and become a worthy mother for my child. Until that day comes, I cannot return to Konoha.

Thank you, Naruto. And thank you, Sasuke. The two of you have meant more to me than anyone else in my entire life. I am grateful for every day I got to spend with you. Please take care of yourselves and, please, don't waste your time worrying about me. Your own lives are more important now.

All of my love,

Sakura

P.S. Please tell the Hokage that I am sorry I did not wait for her to officially discharge me, but that she shouldn't worry about my health because I am bringing the vitamins she gave me and will be sure that I get enough nutrition.

"Short letter," Sasuke breathed after finishing the note that Sakura had left for him and Naruto. "But, I suppose it says everything she wanted to say."

While the Uchiha appeared as composed as ever, young mister Uzumaki was twitching with anxiety. And his friend's relative calm was making him even more irritable. "Sasuke, how can you not be upset when Sakura's run away!" he spat. "I mean… We coulda stopped her! If we had told her the truth sooner we coulda kept her in Konoha!"

Sasuke's cool expression didn't change as he replied to his erratic teammate. "Naruto, she wanted to go. There's nothing we can do about it."

"We can go and find her!" Naruto snarled angrily. "And bring her back where she belongs!"

"No," Sasuke stated bluntly. "If we went in search of Sakura it would be violating her wishes. I think we should stick with our original plan. If we can find Rock Shin, the information he gives us could help Sakura once she returns."

"And what if she never returns?" snorted Naruto. "What if she never feels like she's made up for her one little mistake? Or worse, what if there are more of those things out there and they kill her? The historical record said that the seal will only protect Sakura if she's in Konoha!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes impatiently. "She's been outside Konoha many times. She's in no more danger now than she was then. Besides, we've underestimated her before, Naruto, but she's a very competent ninja."

By now, Naruto had reached his breaking point. "A very competent ninja! Is that what you'll say at her funeral? You say you love her, that you care about her, but when it comes to Sakura, you'd rather play it safe. Be as uninvolved as possible! You probably would have let her go through with the abor… the ab… well, you know, without even talking to her about it first! You know what? You can go do your own thing, Sasuke! I'll go find Sakura by myself! And don't even think about following me!"

"Fine! Go!" Sasuke erupted, uncharacteristically excited. "Go roaring off into the horizon like some blind idiot! Just don't you dare feel sorry for yourself if Sakura is less than overjoyed to see you! That is, if you even find her! She could be anywhere! You may think you're her knight in shining armor, Naruto, but you're just a moron!"

The two young men glared at each other spitefully, the sound of their loud angry breaths filling the distance between them. Four fists were curled and held taught at their sides, ready to strike at any moment. Luckily for both Sasuke and Naruto, Tsunade stepped in from the sidelines and came between them.

"Cool it, you two," she commanded, holding them back with her hands. "What good is fighting going to do? Jeez, I haven't seen you two this pissed off at each other in years."

"That's because Sasuke hasn't been such an asshole in years!" Naruto snarled contemptuously. Sasuke probably would have shot him a snarky comeback, except that Tsunade spoke up again before he could.

"Alright, I think both of you need to go home and cool down before you decide anything. Okay? I'll pass on word to the anbu to keep their eyes out for Sakura, just to confirm her safety."

"Fine!" both boys spat in unison. Then they stalked out of the room and into the hallway, exchanging occasional venomous looks. Naruto and Sasuke were so agitated, that when they ran into Neji and Tenten right outside the hospital, neither bothered to say hello or even make eye contact. Intrigued by their behavior, Hyuuga addressed his comrades before they could get too far.

"Eh? Naruto, Sasuke, what's going on? Have you just been to visit Sakura?" he asked coolly. Though they had already broken off and begun traveling in different directions, both Naruto and Sasuke stopped in their tracks and returned to where Lee's teammates were loitering.

"Sakura is gone," Naruto informed. "She left a note saying that she's left Konoha and she doesn't know when she will ever return. And Sasuke here doesn't think we should go look for her."

"Hmm," Neji nodded thoughtfully.

"Good riddance!" Tenten growled, sounding remarkably unlike the young woman they were all familiar with, and taking Naruto and Sasuke quite by surprise.

"Keep it civil," Neji muttered under his breath to his teammate. But she didn't listen and continued to rant.

"Master Gai told us what she did to Lee! How she used him for sex and then threw him away like trash! And how he was so upset that he ran off into the woods and got attacked!"

"It wasn't like that at all!" Naruto argued. "So stop acting like you know anything, Tenten!"

The dark-haired kunoichi scowled severely. "Well, I do know that Konoha and all its residents are better off without that slut!"

Tenten's fierce words triggered an immediate reaction from Sasuke's arm, but Neji's reaction was quicker and he managed to catch the Uchiha's hand before it made contact with the young woman's face. "Don't," he told Sasuke calmly. Then he turned to his teammate whose cheek he'd just saved. "Go on home Tenten. Get some rest."

Sasuke looked viciously into Tenten's dark eyes, unable to move as Neji's grip still had him immobilized. The girl's teeth were gritted in anger, but her eyes were wet with tears and already scarlet. This wasn't her first time crying today. Still, she glared back at Sasuke, something burning deep inside her. "She didn't even love him," she hissed. Then she turned around and slunk out of sight. Once she was well out of earshot, Neji finally relinquished Sasuke's hand.

"She deserved to be slapped," snarled Sasuke, rubbing his wrist. "I can't let somebody talk about Sakura like that."

Naruto, meanwhile, was in a rare state of silence. The incident he'd just witnessed proved that Sasuke really didn't always play it safe when it came to Sakura. Of course, young Uzumaki would never admit it, but he was very impressed.

"Please don't judge Tenten too harshly," said Neji very calmly. "She hasn't been well since Lee died."

"Well, none of us has," Naruto reminded.

"It's different for her," the long-haired young man explained. "Tenten… Tenten was in love with Lee."

"Whaaa?" exclaimed a baffled Naruto. "Tenten was in love with Fuzzy Brows? I don't believe that for one minute! Tenten has always had a crush on you, Neji."

Hyuuga shook his head. "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding. It is Rock Lee that Tenten fancies. Fancied. Her feelings for him have been growing ever since we were all put on the same team."

"If she liked him for so long, why didn't she just tell him?" asked Naruto, who still seemed utterly bemused that any girl had actually been in love with Rock Lee.

"She was shy," Neji replied. "And besides that, she knew that Lee liked Sakura. She was planning on telling him though. The night before he disappeared she hosted a party specifically for the purpose of confessing her feelings. She even took me aside to tell me about her plan and I told her to go for it. But Tenten never got a chance to tell him how she felt. She never found him. I guess Lee had already gone home with Sakura. Tenten was devastated by Lee's death, and finding out that Sakura had slept with him just added anger to her grief. Then there's the fact that Sakura got pregnant and aborted Lee's baby. It's all just… too much for her to take."

"That's quite a story," said Naruto. "But didn't you hear? Sakura is keeping the baby. Of course, since she's run away she may end up giving birth in a ditch somewhere."

"I hadn't heard," replied the white-eyed nin. "But I am glad that you told me. Now, I suppose I should go and speak to my teammate. I am like you, you see. I want to be able to support and comfort this woman, my teammate, with all of my heart. The way you two feel about Sakura. So whether you go after her, or wait patiently for her to come home of her own accord, never stop loving her, never stop wanting to see her smile. And good luck to you both."

-

-

"Is there anything else I need?" Sasuke was thinking aloud as he stared at the knapsack he'd just finished packing. The first pale glow of dawn had yet to creep into the skies above Konoha, but already young Uchiha felt as if he was running late. He wanted to get out of his house, out of town and on his way west to find the mysterious man named Rock Shin. He ached to get as far away from Konoha and Uzumaki Naruto as he could, though he couldn't quite articulate why.

He'll find her, he thought to himself. If I know anything about Naruto it's that he will find Sakura out there. And that's how it should be. He should be the one to find her, not me. He's right. I've always been passive when it comes to Sakura. Even way back when I first realized how much she means to me, I did nothing, said nothing. If I had, none of this would have happened. She and I would be together. I blew it. I blew my chance to be with Sakura. Now I should bow out gracefully, let Naruto be the one to find her. Besides, what did I ever think could happen? That we could be a family? Me, Sakura and the baby? That would never happen. No, going off to find Rock Shin is the best thing I can do.

Sasuke sighed and scanned his small bookshelf for anything else that might be useful on his journey. His eyes came to rest on a small red leather-bound volume.

"My old field guide," he marveled. "I forgot I even still had it." He carefully removed the tiny book from the shelf. It had been a gift from his father for his fourth birthday and he had long since memorized its contents. Still, Sasuke couldn't help but think that it might come in handy and he moved to put it into his pack, but as he did, something small and light fell out from between the pages.

"A flower," he whispered as he turned the dried, yellowish object in his hand. He couldn't even vaguely recall having ever saved the little blossom, which had probably once been white. And yet, there was something so soothing about having it in his hand. This flower, at least twelve years old, made him feel indescribably warm inside. He placed it delicately back into the pages of his field guide and stowed it in his knapsack. Then he slung the bag over his back and headed off.

-

-

Naruto left Konoha hours before Sasuke did. Of course, since Naruto didn't have a plan and wasn't the type to make a plan before acting, he didn't have to waste much time getting himself ready. He had already put a day's distance behind him before realizing just how difficult the task of finding Sakura would be.

Dammit, he thought as he jumped through the treetops. Dammit! I have to find her! But it… it's gonna be impossible. Sasuke was right. She could be anywhere. Crap, I should have thought this through a bit more. And I haven't even run into anyone I can ask about her. Where do I even start? It's like trying to find a particular grain of sand in the desert. Sand… That's it! Maybe he can help me find her!

At that moment Naruto decided that the first stop in search for Sakura would be the Village Hidden in Sand, where the Kazekage was a young man named Gaara. Two days later, he arrived at the gates of the massive sandstone city walls. At least he had a plan.

The streets of Suna were packed, bustling with people dressed in thick sand-proof cloaks doing their day's shopping at rickety market stalls. Naruto reassured himself that Sakura probably wasn't hiding out here on the streets. She would have stuck out like a sore thumb. It was Gaara he had come to see, and although the thick crowd of people kept him from moving very fast, Naruto was headed straight for the Kazekage's palace.

"What do you mean he's not here!" the young blonde yelled at the guard nin seated at a desk in the main atrium of the palace.

"I'm afraid Lord Gaara is away on business," the woman stated calmly. "But you know you are welcome here in Suna, Mister Uzumaki, after all you have done for our Kazekage. Would you like to speak to his temporary replacement?"

"Temporary replacement?" Naruto growled in frustration. "Fine! Whatever…"

"Well then, right this way," the guard said as she directed the young man where to go. He walked down the hallway and up the enormous central staircase. Another guard nin at the top of the stairs granted him entry through the huge ornate double doors into the Kazekage's office. Naruto gasped when he saw who was sitting behind Gaara's desk.

"Temari?" he asked. "Gaara left you in charge?"

The young woman grinned devilishly, four wild sandy blonde ponytails sticking out from her head at odd angles. "Eh, so what brings the Leaf's little fox-eyed twerp here to Suna?"

"I was really hoping I could talk to your brother," Naruto grumbled. "When will Gaara be coming back?"

"Not for a while," Temari drawled. "But what makes you think I can't help you? For all intents and purposes I am the acting Kazekage. So tell me, what's on your mind?"

Naruto really wasn't sure if he wanted to divulge to Temari everything that had been going on with Sakura. Could he trust her to take him seriously and not make fun? There was just something about her cocksure smile and dark green eyes that made him feel uneasy. Something rustled in the corner of the room, and the young man spun nervously. It was just a housekeeper going about her duties. Her black hair was tied back in a messy ponytail and she smelled like black licorice. For some reason it put Naruto at ease to know she was there and he wasn't alone with Gaara's intimidating older sister.

"Everything I say is private, right?" he asked. "I mean, the maid isn't going to tell anybody, is she?"

"All of our staff operates by a code of secrecy," Temari assured. "Now, have a seat Uzumaki, let's talk."

"Well," he began as soon as he sat down. "Sakura has disappeared and I was hoping that somebody from the Sand might have information regarding her whereabouts."

"So this is a missing persons situation?" the young woman asked.

"Not exactly," the boy replied. "You see, she sort of left this letter." He took the piece of paper out from his pocket and handed it to Temari who unfolded it and read it carefully.

"Seems to me, Sakura doesn't want to be found," she said.

"Yes she does," Naruto sulked. "She just doesn't know it yet."

Temari shook her blonde head. "You really don't get women, do you? I think you should go back home and think about why you're so determined to interfere with your teammates life."

Naruto stood up angrily, frowning at the substitute Kazekage the whole time. "You know, Gaara would have helped me. Good bye." Then he stomped out past the cleaning lady and out the door, straight out of the palace.

As soon as he was outside in the hot dry air, Naruto leaned against the outer wall of the palace and sank to the dusty ground. What Temari had said was true. He knew it was true back when Sasuke had said it, but he didn't want to admit it. Sasuke was always right about stuff like this, always calm, smart, and rational.

I should have just gone with him to find Rock Shin. That's what a smart person would have done. Why can't I be smart when it comes to Sakura? I know I'm not smart about a lot of things, but if I could just be smart about her… This must be why she's always liked Sasuke most. He actually knows what he's doing. And where do I go from here? Should I try to catch up with Sasuke? Tell him I was wrong and ask to come along? Or do I keep on searching? I… I just don't know anymore.

He sat there with his face in hands for several minutes, warm wind swirling sand around him. Then, having made up his mind, Naruto stood up, dusted himself off, and left Suna.

To be continued…