Ok, before we continue on with Chapter 7, here is a quick author's note.
Someone asked me where I got the inspiration for theTITLE for this fan fiction. So here is my answer.
This is one of my all-time favorite songs by Skylark, and as I listened to the words that it portrayed…I could just easily relate it to the hardships and tribulations that Sakura (in this fic) faces…
So here's a quick break from the story…
P.S THIS IS NOT A SONG FIC!
Wildflower
By: Skylark
She's faced the hardest times you could imagine,
And many times her eyes fought back the tears.
And when her youthful world was about to fall in
Each time her slender shoulders bore the weight of all her fears, and her sorrow no one hears, still rings in the midnight silence in her ears…
Let her cry, for she's a Lady
Let her dream, for she's a Child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower, growing wild.
And if by chance, I should hold her for a time;
But if allowed just one possession,
I would pick her from the garden, to be mine.
Be careful how you touch her, for she will awaken;
And sleep's the only freedom that she knows.
And when you walk into her eyes, you won't believe;
The way she's always paying for a debt she never owed,
And the silent wind still blows, that only she can here
And so, she goes.
Let her cry, for she's a Lady
Let her dream, for she's a child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower, growing wild
Disclaimer: I don't own this song and this story is NOT A SONGFIC (just for clarification purposes)
Well anyway that's the end of my quick author's note.
Again, thanks for the numerous emails (though reviews are greatly appreciated as well)
Now on with the next installation of To Cry: Tears of a wildflower.
Lots of love,
Ayu.
Chapter 7:
Bonds
"Orochimaru-sama…""Aaah... Kabuto…What news of the village?"
"All is to be expected, Orochimaru-sama…no one had survived…"
"I am pleased…and has the mission gone accordingly?"
"Hai—the mission was…successful…"
"Are they aware of what has occurred?" Orochimaru eagerly questioned.
"I'm sure that they have noticed the changes, but any history pertaining to it is should be beyond their knowledge…"
"Good. That's very good…" replied Orochimaru menacingly into the night.
There she was.
Found underneath the falling petals of the Sakura trees… a figure of beauty that illuminated beyond the horizons of humanity—Sakura—the cherry blossom that held the misery of life within the ironies of her troubled youth. Sakura, a young girl of only 17…soon to be mother to an unknown man…
He pondered upon these thoughts as he watched the young kunoichi from a distance. The distance they covered became a burden upon his heart as he heaved in a heavy sigh of sadness within him. How is it that this has befallen the fare kunoichi? What has she done to deserve such a predicament? And yet, even as the cruelties of circumstance curse her existence, there she was…silent…still…
…Wearing a face of contentment that he had not seen since the day her life was stripped from her with the deaths of the ones she loved. How could she be so accepting of this new occurrence? He did not understand…did not understand why fate would allow her to be tainted in this way…and yet…even after all the protests heard from team seven, even after the Godaime's offer to extract the new life within her…even after the fears expressed by her comrade Naruto, the curses bestowed by Sai, and the persuasions by Kakashi… even after explaining the debates that would be set against her from now on—from the villager's mocking gossips, to the looming pain within her heart—even after all those were said to her….
She merely nodded lightly and willingly accepted her fate.
She accepted all of it…
Even as the scarlet letter was bestowed upon her soul…
She accepted it…without question or guilt…she had accepted it… her fate…
And that of her child…
But why?
How she was capable of calmly handling all these emotions within her…the death of her parents, her sister…that night…the boy…the woman she tried to revive…and now this…
How she was capable to let these situations cascade down her spirit so freely…he would never understand…
And yet, her words that day on the bridge would still tug at the back of his head…
"Sakura-chan, you can't seriously be thinking about keeping this child can you…? We don't even know…you don't even know who the father is…Tsunade-sama has already offered to use a technique that can…you know…take it away…" reasoned the blonde-haired kyuubi.
"Dickless here is right…you could always get rid of it, ugly…" Sai interjected
"See even the brain less shit mouth agrees…"
"What did you call me you dickless wonder?" snarled Sai
"Ya heard me b r a iiinlesss shiittt—"
"Settle down, both of you…" Kakashi tried…but to no avail since the two-heated shinobi were an arm's reach away from brutally murdering each other. Sasuke only stared from a distance…a far distant look of unimportance written on his face.
"Enough both of you!" demanded Sakura who up until now remained silent…causing the members of team seven to stand in silence. She kept still and distant from the group to keep herself from unleashing torrents of pain towards the two knuckle-headed morons before her. "I…I. appreciate the concern…and trust me when I say that I know where you are all heading with this…but" she paused biting down her bottom lip "This is my decision to make… and I have chosen to accept this…all I ask is for you to listen, not to my reasoning…but to my words…that is all…It is true, that in accepting this... fate… I will no longer be able to live a normal life of a Shinobi…at least for a few years… I will no longer be able to join you in missions… however… come what may, I will still be here for all of you…no matter what I accept all of you in my heart for who you are…so whether or not you shall accept me as one of your own is your decision to make…" Sakura sighed, "I ask for no special treatments… I ask for no approval… all I ask is for you to listen…that is all…the rest is up to you…" With that said she merely turned her gaze away from the group as they contemplated upon her words.
"Gomenasai…Sakura-chan…we were just…well ya know…worried about you…I mean, it's not like stuff like this happens everyday…It's not like, we… knew that you went through…I mean…you know…how it happened…even though you won't tell us how or when it happened…and well…." Naruto babbled on "and well…we just wanted to make sure that you'll be ok…and that… well… That you really are prepared for this…" Naruto stammered as he fumbled nervously with his fingers.
"Arigato Naruto…I am prepared for this…" Sakura stated with a light smile upon her face. A smile that they had been deprived of seeing for such a long while… a smile that they had all missed one way or another… a smile that proved as the testament of her love…of her strength… of her will "And… Gomenasai… I cannot…tell you how this happened…" She sighed a long slow breath of air "and… that I have to temporarily leave team seven…"
"Ne…Sakura-chan…you know you'll always be part of Team seven, even if it means you won't be able to go on missions with us…right Kakashi-sensei?"
"Mmmhhhmmm" nodded Kakashi "Sakura, there is no need for you to fret about whether or not this team will accept you… your fate is ours as well…besides…weren't you the one who said that we are one?" Kakashi smiled. True to his word he would do anything and everything in his power to protect the ones he loved specially their beloved cherry blossom.
"If you worry too much ugly, that forehead of yours will only expand even more…besides I'm sure dickless wonder over here wouldn't mind becoming an uncle…and plus if the kid doesn't turn out to be as ugly as you… I could always recruit him as an apprentice for my art" Sai added in reply
Sakura could only smile at the love that her team held for her. They had their flaws, their arguments, their disagreements and their fights…but when it came to down to it…they would protect each other till the end.
"Oi! Sasuke-teme…don't you have anything to say?" Naruto shouted at a distant Sasuke. His face buried beneath the folds of his hair… his posture lacked it's usual ignorant stance as though he was contemplating upon the mysteries of the world before him. He turned around to meet her gaze…his eyes illuminated an unreadable expression.
"Hn" he scoffed as he turned his back "She only gets in the way during battle anyway…" with that and puff of smoke he was gone.
"I… guess that's an 'it's ok with me…'" Naruto stated
Sakura only sighed…indeed…she'd lost his love…forever…
"Sakura, are you sure that you don't know who the father is?"
"Hai, Kakashi-sensei…I don't…gomenasai… I really don't" Indeed she spoke of the truth for as Kakashi peered into the depths of her emerald eyes he could see no deception…
Only truth...
Oh how he hated knowing that they illuminated the truth
"I see." replied Kakashi as he made a mental note to himself that if he ever came across the man that did this to her he would pummel the living daylights out of him until he was completely obliterated from reality. Naruto and Sai thought of the same idea…and far hidden away within the branches…. Sasuke conveyed the same feeling.
Her words then still hung close to his memory…even now as he watched her sit idly in silence underneath the cascading brilliance of cherry blossoms… Oh, how he craved to be with her then…to sit with her underneath that picturesque beauty…but he had sworn to be forever severed from her love…her warmth…
'You are a distraction…'And yet the pang in his heart beats in rhythm with his denial.
'You will make me weak.'
He closed his eyes… tears slowly threatening to breach the surface…
'I will not loose to you…brother…'Remnants of Itachi's words sing within his broken past.. 'Hate. Detest…only then can you beat me…'
He turned to leave.
Her voice still vivid in his mind… 'This is my decision to make… and I have chosen to accept this…'
So then now was the time…
"Sakura… you have accepted your fate… now, I must accept mine…" He sighed…
"Itachi…I will not loose…"
With that he left the kunoichi, as she was, content underneath the fall of the cherry blossoms.
He would carry these memories of her wherever he went…he would carry these memories in his heart as a reminder of how he can never have her…it reminded him of her determination… of her acceptance of her fate… and of his….
From the day Sakura had left the hospital wards her life could not have been more eventful—to say the least. Immediately after her final examination the Godaime issued a temporary prohibition of her duties on missions with team seven to provide a few years of normalcy for her and the child. Her duties as a medic-nin and her tutelage under the Godaime however were only placed under a temporary hold until the birth of her child, after which she is allowed to carry on with her normal routine at the hospital. The Godaime had also prepared new lodgings for Sakura's new family. Since her family's death, Sakura had moved into a one-bedroom apartment that had inadequate space to house two. Tsunade had instructed for a small Japanese house to be built, and at her requested location—on the outskirts of the village perimeter. Sakura would be close enough by the village gates but far enough for needed tranquility… Indeed the Sennin wanted to make sure that the child's coming be as discreet as possible. She had decided a while back that in Sakura's best interest and more importantly—her safety—was to keep the information (or lack of it) of the child's origins away from the villager's ears. However she doubted that the secret would be kept safe forever. Sooner or later as Sakura would recover and work once again under her wing…people will start to ask about who the child's father is. Knowing full well the comings and goings of Konoha's busy streets she was aware that in this village scandals and gossip sway with the wind…indeed, no matter how depressing it makes things seem—human nature will always prevail… and even her position as Hokage held no power over it. To delay the inevitable exposure was all that Tsunade could provide for the young pink-haired "mother." At least this with this "delay" she hoped to buy some time to further investigate the child's original father to save guard whatever dignity Sakura would have left.
Tsunade could very well have the man beheaded for abandoning the girl she held as her daughter, but with his whereabouts and identity unknown all she could do was strangle the faceless man within the confines of her thoughts. She had sworn to find the perpetrator and that was her promise of a lifetime. However there were, unknown "dangers" surrounding her apprentice. As an ever exuberant Naruto clearly pointed out
"That Baka that did this to Sakura-chan could very well be some psychopathic pedophiliac who is still roaming the streets out for his next innocent prey!"
"Naruto—calm down..I'm sure that…"
"AND WHOSE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF SAKURA CHAN WHEN TEAM SEVEN IS OFF DOING MISSIONS? She's living for two now for cryin' out loud!" the blonde kyuubi slammed hysterically on her desk.
"NARUTO! Let me handle the situation. I've already thought of something that might aid Sakura's welfare for the time being while you and team seven are away during missions….now g-e-t-o-u-t or I'll THROW YOU OUT!"
Excluding his colorful display of vocabulary the kyuubi had presented a good and relevant case. With the father's whereabouts and of how the situation occurred—whether willingly, provoked… or dare she even think it? Forced—the man in question would for now be labeled a threat and a danger to Sakura and possibly to the villagers as well. Also, given her apprentice's current disposition and of the village's need for missions… Tsunade couldn't very well leave her student to fend for herself while she and team seven were preoccupied with village matters. They loved Sakura, no doubt… but the responsibilities of their lives prevent them from staying by her side 24/7, so to speak…Indeed something had to be done. So with Sakura's reluctant consent, Tsunade released a mandatory meeting for all trustworthy and viable Shinobi in Konoha.
Sakura stood still as a tree near the door to the conference room. Her body hunched down in exhaustion, it had already been a week since she was released by her Sensei from the hospital, but the after effects of the various treatments performed on her still left her body in a weakened state. She was told by Naruto and Kakashi to stay home and rest until she recovers her strength, but being the persistent and stubborn kunoichi that she was she decided against it and thought it better if she were here at the conference… she was indeed curious of how the meeting would turn out.
"Aaay…Tsunade-sama…I don't really see the purpose to all this…. It's not like I can't take care of myself…" she murmured to no one in particular. "Besides…I really don't mind handling this on my own…" she sighed.
'Then again, Tsunade-sama and the rest have been so helpful to me…I can't really complain about that can I?'
"But isn't this taking it a little bit too much" she whispered
She delicately placed a hand to her abdomen and sighed a deep needed sigh of relief. It had already been more than a month since "it" happened and she was surprised that she had lasted this long and was even more surprised that she survived the "ordeal" at all.
Because of her body's small frame there still was no visible swelling to indicate her pregnancy, so to the rest of the world she was still Haruno, Sakura the simple 17-year-old medic apprentice of the Godaime. Only Tsunade and team seven knew of her real condition.
But today will change all that, and she wondered whether or not the others would be as "accepting" as Tsunade, Kakashi, Naruto and Sai have been. As for a certain dark-haired Uchiha…well he was a story all of his own. Ever since the revelation the boy could not have been more distant from her and from team seven in general. Perhaps he really was disgusted of her…she sighed and wondered whether the others would feel similar sentiments about the situation.
"No matter what…no matter what they.. or anyone else thinks… no matter how they view me after today… I know in my heart that doing this was worth it… this is my fate…and I accept it."
She smiled.
From a distance you could never have guessed that such a fate had befallen the adolescent. Her usual fiery red attire had been replaced by a simple white floral kimono, her hair that had now grown to her waist cascaded gently over her form… a look of serenity written on her face. However, although her appearance illuminated the essence of beauty and innocence her eyes spoke of a different story. Deep within those jade orbs was the mark of a hidden secret buried within her heart.
'Someday, I promise… I will find' she inwardly thought keeping her hand placed upon her stomach 'whoever your father is' she sighed leaning against the wall, her thoughts disturbed by a sudden vociferous outcry for her attention.
"Yo! Forehead girl!"
Sakura's head darted towards the sound of the familiar voice "Ohayo Ino, Shikamaru, Chouji" she said plainly, bowing her head as she did.
"Geez Sakura, there is not need to be all formal with us…we're all friends after all." Ino replied smiling at the girl she secretly still considered her best friend. Throughout the years the rivalry between the two had regressed back into the camaraderie they shared in their youth. Ino had silently already given up on the Uchiha genius after accepting Sakura's apparent love for him…her feelings were after all nothing if not a mere crush whereas Sakura really did care for Sasuke deeply. When Sasuke had left and was labeled a "traitor" she had found herself closely agreeing to the "facts" stated by the villagers' hearsay whereas Sakura had always defended the avenger's faltered dignity…despite the cold treatment she received from him in return.
Sakura truly did love him…
And silently Ino admitted that she had won.
But now the girl she once knew was no longer existing in this village—Sakura was gone…gone in a different sense…gone was the girl of smiles and laughter…replaced by this "thing" that could not be deciphered by the human norm…The girl in front of her merely stared at the wall pondering upon the mysteries of the world as Ino tried to acquire her attention. By this time Sakura was lost in her own trance of thoughts that she barely noticed the blonde beauty before her.
"Earth to forehead girl! Anyone there?" Ino said, frantically shaking her hands in front of Sakura's face.
Shikamaru sighed and shook his head at this "troublesome" sight. "Ino, I don't really think that she's paying attention to your antics"
"Duh… don't you think I'm aware of that you lazy bum?"
"Well, if you were then why are you even—"
"There is absolutely no harm in trying…Honestly Shikamaru how can you ever hope of landing a girl if you can't even understand our kind…sheessh and here I thought you were a genius…." Ino replied nonchalantly tossing her ponytail behind her.
"Women…" Shikamaru huffed "how troublesome" his face showing a slight hue of pink. He somehow silently wished that women were as readable as Shogi; maybe then he'd actually be able to do something about the "troublesome" blonde in front of him.
"I'm hungry" Chouji interjected out of the blue "when is this thing going to start? I want something to eat already…"
"Shut up! You're always hungry" Shikamaru and Ino replied in unison.
"You guys…don't have to be so… mean about it…" Whispered the crestfallen Chouji, as he huddled near the corner wall tears falling down his face. Ino and Shikamaru only sweat dropped at the sight.
"Aaanyway…" Shikamaru began "It really does make me wonder why Hokage-sama—"
"Oi! Shikamaru! Chouji! Ino! How's it going?"
Three heads turned to be greeted by three more familiar faces of Konoha's finest.
"Hey there Kiba, Shino, Hinata" Shikamaru replied, "So I guess you guys were called too huh?"
"Hai—the message was sent this morning"
"I wonder who else is going to be here?" questioned Ino
"Well…uhh…Neji-niisan and his group also got a notice this morning… so they should be here soon"
"I see…everyone's here eh?"
"I still don't know what this whole thing is about," wondered Kiba
"Well whatever it is, I'm sure that it is something important… otherwise the Hokage would never have had us all gathered in one meeting" Shino stated.
"Ohayo! Sakura-san!" Kiba smiled, his attention now focused upon the cherry blossom plastered against the wall.
"Ohayo Kiba-san" she greeted in reply, looking at everyone gathered in front her. In that moment, she did wonder…her heart remained nervous for what their reaction to Tsunade's announcement would be.
'No matter what... I will carry this through."
"Sakura" Shino Began "You are the Godaime's apprentice after all, do you know what this meeting is about?"
"…" Sakura bowed her head and shifted her gaze upon the cold hard floor.
"Sakura?"
"Hai! But I think it would be best if everyone heard the news from Tsunade-sama… besides if I tell you know…Just imagine the trouble I'd be in" She whispered.
"No matter what…this is worth it… no matter what they think of me… even if I loose them as my friends…doing this… is my duty… my promise…"
Truly in the years following Sasuke's betrayal and Naruto's training with Jiraiya Sakura had formed special bonds with these Shinobi. With her friends gone for so long and with Kakashi always off on missions all the time…. All she had back then was her training under the Godaime. Still… on some days that alone was not enough for her to keep the memories from trapping her in misery. So as time progressed, so did her friendships with the rest of Konoha's Shinobi rookies.
Shopping spree's with Ino and Ten-ten…
Quiet afternoon conversations drinking tea with Neji
Gazing at the stars with Hinata
Morning Shogi matches with Shikamaru
Mid afternoon walks in the forest with Shino
Chouji's frequent ER visits (due to food poisoning…or over eating…sometimes both)
Weekend sparring matches with Lee
And movie night with Kiba (she never knew the boy had a soft heart for sentimental flicks)
She was thankful for their presence in her life…they were all she had to stabilize her sanity while fighting off the tribulation. But now came the true test of their friendship… come what may from this meeting…
I will not turn back…
The silence within the group was broken by a familiar uproar from Konoha's number one knuckle-headed Shinobi!
"OOOII! Sakura-chaaaaaaaaan!" Naruto shouted as he opened the door the conference room. "Eh? Nani?" he questioned seeing the peeved expressions written across the faces of his friends.
"BAKA! Do you have to be so loud this early in the morning!"
"What are you complaining about Ino? Yer far worse than I am when it comes to noise" he huffed
"Why you—"
"How troublesome…. Oi! Naruto! Ino! You stop making such a racket!"
"Ohayo…N-n-naruto-kun"
"Ohayo Hinata!"
"Naruto… was there something you needed from me?" Sakura interjected.
"Oh? OH yea! Tsunade-obachaan said that: 'the-meeting-is-about-to-begin-and-that-you all-should-stop-lollygagging-and-get-yer-asses-in-the-conference-room-before-she-pummels-all-of-you-into-fine-dust' "
>>(Sweat drops all around)>>
"Hang on… I thought that Neji and his team will be here too?" questioned Shino
"Uhh…what are you guys talking about? They're already here…inside…"
"WHAT!"
'There's no turning back now, Sakura… just bite the bullet and move on…'
"Well then… I suppose we shouldn't let Tsunade-sama waiting then" Sakura cheerfully proclaimed smiling a brilliant smile that threw everyone aback.
'This was worthit'
It's been a while… I know…sorry guys…too much crap going on these days.
I will try to update soon.
Thanks for the emails/hits/and reviews
Sincerely,
Ayu.