Sakura and the Prince of Flowers
By Miss Angel Maxwell

Author's Notes- It took a little while, but here is a new chapter. I've noticed that interest in the story has dwindled. Perhaps it is because we have reached a bit of a slow part (things will pick up really soon). I just really hope that it's not because people are offended or upset that I had Sakura sleep with Lee and get preggers. That was actually part of the plot from the story's conception (no pun intended). But I have never thought of this as a LeeSaku story. What happened between them was just an accident. I love Sakura, but she's not perfect. She can make mistakes like the rest of us. She always imagined that if she ever had a baby, it would be Sasuke's. But I think it would be good for Sakura to discover that she loves this little person growing inside her just the same, no matter who its father is. Plus, if the kid isn't Sasuke's or Naruto's, neither has that as a claim over the other. I know, a good author shouldn't justify why she writes what she writes… But I am just an amateur, and lately I just have felt worried that people might be having the same reaction to Sakura's situation that Temari had at first. Of course, I absolutely love Rock Lee so I can't see it the way others might. I am going to see this story through to the end, though.

And those who have been reading all along are the nicest of all. I can't thank you enough. This chapter just finishes up what started last chapter and gets our Sakura settled in Suna. Suna just seems kind of old world to me, like Egypt or Morocco. Writing it with a palace just seemed to fit. Next time around we will check in on Sasuke. I think it's about time he had a dream about the Prince. Don't you?

Enjoy! And please tell me what you think.

Chapter 12: "Maybe I Should Tell Gaara Your Little Secret, Eh?"

Water so hot it tingled rained down on Sakura from a lovely brass spigot and trickled across her lightly tanned skin. She had been living in the palace in Suna for two weeks now, but this was the first time Temari had invited her to use the Kazekage's private washroom to shower so she made sure to take her time and enjoy it. It really surprised the young woman how much her body ached after a full day of cleaning, laundry, and gardening. Her ninja training kept her at peak physical fitness, but apparently being a shinobi and being a maid used entirely different sets of muscles.

Mmm… I could just stay in here forever, she thought to herself. Besides the soothing bliss of suds and steam, the shower was one of the few places where Sakura knew she wouldn't have to deal with Temari and Kankurou's bickering. She couldn't help but sigh as she thought of the exasperating siblings. Over the past fourteen days, the leaf maid had the honor of experiencing at least as many fights first hand, the worst of which involved the throwing of small appliances. But from the time she spent listening to their quarrels, and speaking with the two young ninja individually while doing her rounds through the palace, Sakura was beginning to see a pattern. It was becoming quite clear that the real source of Temari and Kankurou's aggression was their younger brother, Gaara. They were both yearning desperately for his approval and affection, but were far too terrified of him to ever confront him about it. So they took their frustration out on each other.

I just wish there was something I could do to help them. I mean… I wanna get outta this place as soon as possible, but I can't leave knowing that Temari, Kankurou, and Gaara are so unhappy. If I take too long, though, I'll be too big to do much good for anybody, anywhere.

By now, the steam from the shower was starting to make Sakura lightheaded so she decided it was time to get out. Before she did, however, she slid her hand across her slippery skin, down the front of her body, and let it rest on her belly. It was still flat, but it felt firmer. Something was definitely growing in there. But she still had time.

A shiver swept over her body as she stepped out of the hot shower and into the cool air. She took the towel off the rack and used it wipe the steam from the large, gold-framed mirror. Then she stood for a moment examining her reflection. "I am going to miss this cute body," she said to herself, wrapping the towel around her. "But I guess pretty soon it's gonna go all freaky genjutsu on me." As she was speaking, the glass surface in front of her had begun to fog over again and she had to reach over and wipe it again. Two sea-green orbs glared on the reflective surface. Sakura twisted around with a gasp, accidentally dropping the towel she wore.

"Interesting greeting," Gaara said icily. "Would you mind telling me what you are doing in my shower?"

The nude young woman was frozen in place, too mortified to move. Her tongue seemed to fill up her entire mouth making it almost impossible to speak, but she was able to croak out a few words. "Ga… Gaara… I… it's me… Haru… Haruno Sakura… I'm a friend of Naru…"

"I know who you are," the redhead interrupted, his voice never rising or dropping.

Sakura was still clumsy with embarrassment. "I was just… You see, Temari said I could and… I'm sorry… It won't happen again…" Somehow her fumbling hands managed to find the towel that had fallen around her ankles and she quickly tucked it back around her body before dashing out of the bathroom.

I don't believe it! Her inner Sakura was shouting. I don't believe it! Gaara saw me naked! Though her face was already bright red, her humiliation only got worse when she staggered out into the hallway and realized that she had forgotten her clothes and would have to walk all the back to her room in just a towel. It was either that or having to go back and face Gaara's frosty stare. She'd take her chances in the hallway.

It was sheer luck that Sakura didn't run into anybody as she padded barefoot through the palace halls, her tripping black hair leaving a trail of water on the floor behind her. She was almost home free back in her room when Temari sprang out of nowhere and stopped Sakura in front of her bedroom door.

"This is a bold look for you," the blonde chuckled. "But the rest of our staff might take the gesture the wrong way. So, Pinky, try to wear clothes when you're in public areas, 'kay?"

The towel clad girl, however, had been through too much today to be amused and frowned irritably. "Well, it appears Gaara has returned," She huffed. And before Temari could ask her for an explanation, Sakura stomped into her bedroom and shut the door.

With Gaara's return to Suna, Temari was demoted back to the rank of jounin. Of course, being the Kazekage's older sister did endow her with certain privileges that other shinobi didn't get. She had her own room in the palace and continued to live there, much to Sakura's relief. Ever since her run in with Gaara in the bathroom, the ninja maid had tried to avoid the Kazekage as much as possible. It wasn't just embarrassment that kept her away, either. When she looked into Gaara's cold, dark-rimmed eyes Sakura felt the same fear that his siblings did.

Over the years since Sakura first encountered Gaara, the young Sand nin had undergone remarkable change. He was no longer the heartless, bloodthirsty monster he had been at twelve, thanks to Naruto's compassion and friendship. Sakura had even been one of those who helped to rescue Gaara when he was kidnapped by Akatsuki. Still, he was a frightening young man, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness surrounding the feat she wanted to accomplish. How could Sakura possibly help reconcile Gaara with his brother and sister when she herself was too scared to face him?

One of the tasks Sakura had adopted was serving dinner to Gaara and his siblings each night in the large dining room. They ate away from the rest of the staff and administration nin and their ever hopeful servant kept her fingers crossed that the situation would somehow lead to warm family dialogue and bonding. Much to her chagrin, these meals took place in sullen stillness. Even the fighting between Temari and Kankurou had ceased, and was replaced by silence so profound they could hear each other chew and swallow.

Late at night, after one particularly quiet Sand Family dinner, Sakura lay in her uncomfortable little bed and gazed out her one tiny window at a starless patch of black sky. "Maybe it's none of my business," she sighed to herself. "I never had any brothers or sisters, so I don't know what it should be like. Maybe those three like things the way they are. To me they just… don't seem happy."

She was about to reach over and pull the little chain to turn off her bedside lamp, when a small white rectangle on the floor by door caught her eye. "How long has that been there?" She got out of bed and picked up the item, an envelope with her name written across the front. The letter inside was short and to the point.

To Miss Haruno Sakura, domestic servant in the Palace of Suna:

The Kazekage, Lord Gaara, requests your presence at tomorrow night's dinner, along with his brother and sister. You are to arrive at the large dining room at 7:00 p.m.

At the bottom was Gaara's official seal, which gave Sakura the immediate feeling that attending this dinner was not optional. Tomorrow night, rather than serving the Sand trio dinner, she would join them.

Sakura hadn't brought any fancy clothes with her when she left Konoha. She wouldn't wear her maid uniform, though; just her ordinary red shirt and blue pants, along with the sand-proof cloak Temari had given her. But, in all fairness, the invitation never specified that she had to dress up. So Gaara could have no reason to get mad her. Then again, he was Gaara. Did he really need a reason?

Luckily, when the young woman arrived at the dinning room the next evening, the three siblings were already seated, all dressed in casual attire. "Good evening," she greeted as warmly as possible. "Lord Kazekage, Temari, Kankurou." Kankurou nodded. Temari rolled her eyes, probably because Sakura had just called Gaara 'Lord Kazekage.' Gaara himself remained stone-faced.

Dinner began in the typical manner, silent except for the clinking of silverware and glasses. Suna cuisine, Sakura discovered, was very spicy, and she went through six classes of water during the first course. But nobody was talking. If she wanted there to be conversation at this table, she would have to initiate it herself. "So, how was everyone's day?"

The two older siblings gawked at her as if she'd done something very foolish.

"Very busy," Gaara murmured before resuming his meal. Sakura would have to step up her efforts.

"You know, Temari did a wonderful job as Kazekage while you were away," she said. "You should feel proud to have such a talented older sister. And I've heard Kankurou is a pretty good leader too. Next time you should leave him in charge. Just to mix things up."

"It's all the same to me," the Kazekage answered unenthusiastically.

Kankurou, however, seemed quite irritated. "Can we please change the subject," he grumbled.

"Um… okay," the black-haired girl said softly. She really thought she was helping Kankurou to talk about how he felt. Maybe she would have better luck with Temari's problem. "Um, Lord Kazekage…"

"Call me Gaara, please," he said.

"Alright," she replied. "Gaara, don't you think it would be nice if Temari met a nice young man to go out with? You'd be happy for her, right? If she found someone who she really loved?"

"What?" the young lady in question exclaimed, nearly spitting out her mouthful of water. She was flabbergasted.

Gaara meanwhile seemed slightly confused. "What are you talking about, Sakura?" He paused and took a sip of water. "I suppose it doesn't really matter what I think. I can't really imagine any man wanting to date a battleaxe like Temari."

Sakura frowned. For some reason, she felt personally offended by Gaara's crude image of his sister. "Well, Nara Shikamaru doesn't think she's a battleaxe!" she spat. "He likes her plenty!"

Temari immediately leapt up from her seat in a rage, knocking her glass over in the process. "Sakura! How could you tell him that? I trusted you!"

"I… I'm sorry," the Leaf nin pleaded. "I thought if I got things started, you and Kankurou and Gaara would talk about what's been bothering you and you'd make up and then you'd all be happy. You were going to tell Gaara eventually anyway, right? I… I heard you say so to Shikamaru."

"So you've been spying on me? Is that it?" Temari accused loudly. The two young men at the table were at a loss for words as they watched the ladies fighting. "Well, maybe I should tell Gaara your little secret, eh? See how you like it."

An icy claw gripped Sakura's chest. "No, please, Temari! I'm begging you! I'm really sorry I blurted out about you and Shikamaru… And I wasn't spying! I just overheard it by accident! But… please, don't tell Gaara about that! Not yet!"

"What is she talking about?" the redhead inquired curiously.

"Don't ask me," Kankurou responded. "I'm as lost as you are."

"Brothers, let me tell you, Little Miss Sakura here is no angel," said Temari haughtily. "She got herself knocked up. That's right, she's pregnant. Oh, and Gaara, you'll love this. The father just happens to be your dead buddy, Lee."

With the truth out, and Gaara's widened eyes staring at her, Sakura suddenly found herself unable to breathe and she had to get out of there. She staggered from her seat in a panic, a hand over her mouth and eyes threatening to leak tears at any moment. Damn it, she thought. Why does everything seem to make me cry now? She was so distraught as she fled the room that she didn't notice the servant who had taken her place tonight entering with a tray full of bright red beverages.

With an ear-shattering crash of breaking glass, Sakura plowed into the poor young man. The waiter was fine, but Sakura wound up sprawled on the floor in a daze, small cuts streaking her arms and face and bits of glass stuck in her skin. Before she could apologize to the guy she had bumped into or even get up onto her feet, Sakura found herself hoisted off the ground by a pair of strong arms, and a red-haired head hovering above her.

Gaara displayed a startling level of gentleness as he scooped up the fallen girl and carried her into the kitchen then set her down gingerly on the countertop. The cooking staff had already retired for the night so it was still and quiet as the Kazekage began picking glass shards out of Sakura's arms. Suddenly, he seemed a lot less scary.

"Are you all right?" he asked calmly.

"Yeah," she breathed. "It's just a few scratches, really. I'm sorry about back there… I guess I just lost it there for a moment. I hope Temari will forgive me."

Gaara kept his eyes focused on what he was doing. "She will," he said. "Deep down she's probably glad that you said what you did."

There was a long pause before Sakura spoke up again. "Aren't you going to ask?"

"Huh?" Gaara replied nonchalantly.

"About what happened between me and Lee, I mean."

"You'll tell me when you're ready," he said. "Let's see. I think I got all the glass out, so I'll let you take it from here."

"Thanks," she said. Then she concentrated some healing chakra into her fingertips and gently touched them to her wounds, closing them up.

"That reminds me," said the Kazekage. "The reason I invited you to dinner tonight is that I have a favor to ask of you. Haruno Sakura, I would like for you to teach me medical ninjutsu."

Sakura was taken aback. She knew a lot of medical ninjutsu, but she was by no means an expert, and she had never been a teacher before. "Well… uh… I… um…" she stuttered. Her eyes wandered around the kitchen and she caught a glimpse of Temari and Kankurou peeking in through the doorway. "Alright, I'll teach you as much as I can… on one condition. I want Temari and Kankurou to join you. I'll teach all three of you together."

Gaara then did something Sakura almost couldn't believe. He smiled. It was a small and enigmatic smile, but a smile nonetheless. "Shall we begin next week?" he asked.

"How about tomorrow?" she replied.

To be continued…