The Flamingo's Smile

By Blessed Eternity

This story was inspired when I was thinking about a song from Samurai Champloo and when I was daydreaming, looking at a picture in Biology. Haha, well I guess it'll be a bit OOC and such, but heck these are fan fictions. Please, leave some beautiful reviews that I can enjoy reading, like you'll enjoy reading here! It's one of the longest chapters or whatever I've written, even thought it's not that much.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor do I own the title of this story.

One Shot

Sakura peered through the window of her cozy room. She breathed in the nice, fresh air that Konoha has provided her with for so many years. A smile appeared on her face as she thought back to the memories she shared with so many of her friends. It has been 6 years since she first became a Genin. Sakura was beautiful, like most of the other females in Konoha. She was 18 years old now, and her body grew to become slim and slender, with curves at all the right places. Her hair, as long as ever has finally grown back. Her choice of clothing was altered from then. Now, she wore what normal teenagers would wear. A simple pink T-Shirt and a pair of jeans.

"Sakura," A soft knock appeared on her door. She knew who it was already so she didn't see point in answering. Her mother has already ruined her life more than enough. Her once happy and complete family was annihilated by this very woman. If she hadn't chased her father away, perhaps she would be living a better life now. Her new step-father insisted on her moving to the Country of Sand. Sakura objected. But, in this house, whatever words came out of that man's mouth would be correct to Sakura's mother. "You should answer me when I call for you."

Her mother stepped into Sakura's small room and patted her on the head. Her hands began to run through the pink locks of hair that Sakura treasured so much.

"I know it's going to be hard for you. I know you don't want to do this," Sakura's mother tried to comfort. Sakura's eyes faded away from the realistic world as if she was dead. The words that came out of her mother's mouth a week ago were unbelievably insane.

"Sakura, you're getting married!"

Simple as that. Those four words ruined her life. It was all because of her stepfather Dave. Her mother was madly in love with him and words that came out of his mouth were like a message from God to her. How Sakura loathed him, but after all these years of dealing with him, she just didn't see the point in arguing any more. She knew he wanted to get rid of her and send her somewhere far away, but who knew he would go this far? To arrange a marriage without her consent, just to drive her away, so that he could live his perfect life with her mother and her two twin stepsisters.

"Then why are you making me do this?" Sakura dully replied. She gave up begging her mother to change her mind 3 days ago, but still, her mother's mind was still set on Sakura's journey to the Sand, for her future husband. Her mother hesitated a bit. She herself had no idea how to answer her eldest daughter. The daughter she nourished for 18 years.

"I'm sorry Sakura," Her mother apologetically pleaded. Nothing was going to heal this. Her mother backed away from Sakura and headed for the door. "Spend time with your friends while you can."

Sakura chuckled with an insane look on her face. Her mother left the room and closed the door behind her on the way. Ever since her stepfather came into their life, Sakura was forced to quit being the great kunoichi she was. Everything was gone. Her dreams of becoming a great medic-nin shattered and she barely got to see her friends anymore. She wasn't even allowed to visit Sasuke when he returned to Konoha a few years back, because of her stepfather's hate for ninjas.
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"Sakura… What are you going to do?" Ino asked in concern. Sakura sat at the round table. All her friends gathered around her, hearing the terrible news that escaped her lips.

"I don't know…" Sakura replied. She really didn't actually.

"Sakura-chan! You can't leave us!" Naruto immensely shouted. "We barely get to see you already, and that already drives me nuts! What am I going to do when you're completely gone?"

Naruto slammed his fist on the table in anger.

"Sakura-chan, will you ever come back?" Lee questioned impatiently. Sakura smiled a little.

"Probably not," Sakura regretfully stated.

"Not even once?" Lee wanted to be sure of it.

"Not even once…" Sakura replied. Everyone leaned back in their seats. An awkward silence took place at the round table in one of the Hokage building offices. No one knew what else to say. Suddenly, Naruto looked around to find that Sasuke was missing.

"Oi, Sakura-chan, where's Sasuke?" Naruto interrogated.

"I didn't really want to tell him. Not that he would care anyways," Sakura meekly acknowledged. Naruto sighed a bit with his head dropped a bit.

"He'll find out sooner or later," Ino implied.

"You guys can tell him after I leave," Sakura affirmed. A female boasting voice startled the group from behind.

"When are you leaving?" Tsunade questioned.

"Tsunade- sama," Sakura greeted. "Two days."

"So soon?" Tsunade's voice was filled with disappointment. Kakashi stood next to her, leaning against the door.

"I wish I could stay longer," Sakura chuckled. "I shouldn't have spent the last few days at home moping around. I should've spent more time with everyone."

"It's alright," Naruto stated. He got up from his seat, and walked over to Sakura, wrapping his arms around Sakura tightly. Her eyes widened a bit, but regained their normal posture once she got use to the situation. "I'm really going to miss you, Sakura-chan."

"I'll miss you the most, Naruto," Sakura stated happily, with tears of joy streaming down her flushed cheeks. "I-I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm crying! I should be happy I have friends like you."

"Don't say anything like that Sakura, you're making me want to cry!" Ino's lips trembled, and her eyes got watery. She ran over to her friend, embracing Sakura as well.

"Ino-pig," Sakura stated, returning the hug. Naruto's arms were still around Sakura, not seeming to want to let go. "I'll miss you so much."

The rest of the group that didn't really talk much just sat at the table, watching the best friends embrace. The rookie 9 and Team Gai were all there except Sasuke. Even though they may not have seen each other much since he came back, Sakura's love for him never faded. She believed that deep down inside, he did have a tiniest hint of feelings for her. Well maybe those feelings washed out once he started going crazy about revenge, but she still felt the same way for him as she did 6 years ago. Except maybe the only difference was puppy love, to true love.

"I'm truly going to miss all of you," Sakura genuinely expressed. They all got up, taking turns giving her good-bye hugs. Yes, even Neji, Shino and Shikamaru said their goodbyes.
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Later That Night: Sasuke's House

Sasuke picked up the phone as it continuously rang throughout the house. With a bit of annoyance hinted in his voice, he began to talk.

"Hello?" Sasuke greeted.

"Hello? Sasuke?" A soft female voice replied on the other end. "It's Sakura.."

"Yeah?" Sasuke stated irritably.

"Are you…" There was definitely hesitation in her voice. "Are you busy tomorrow?"

Sasuke cocked an eyebrow to himself, wondering why it's so much trouble to ask him out on a date. It's never been hard for her in the past. Why would it be hard for her now? Even so, his answer for her never ceased to change. Of course, it's been years since the last time she asked him out. Perhaps she's serious now, he wondered. He really didn't know what to say.

"Sakura," Sasuke was immediately cut off by Sakura's intrusive voice.

"Please, Sasuke. It's really important to me," Sakura practically begged. Sasuke began to think back to what Kakashi said to him on the phone earlier that day. Sasuke, if Sakura wants something, I suggest you give it to her. It was rather odd having his old sensei say this to him, but still, it made him curious.

"Alright.. What do you want to do?" Sasuke tried not to sound ever so caring.
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Tomorrow At Noon

Sakura, dressed in a beautiful florid white dress, rang the doorbell to the Uchiha residency. Her hair was tied into a ponytail and she held a small purse. Within a moment, Sasuke opened the door to reveal himself dressed in some casual baggy jeans and a button up that wasn't buttoned, with a wife beater underneath. He stared at Sakura from head to toe, seeing how she seemed kind of formally dressed.

"Maybe I should go change," Sasuke suggested. Sakura's cheeks flushed as she began to wave her hands frantically.

"No no! I just overdressed a bit," She nervously laughed.

"So where are we going?" Sasuke questioned curiously. He stepped out of his doorway and locked the door behind him.

"The zoo," Sakura simply informed.
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Sakura and Sasuke arrived at the zoo crowded with children and their parents. It was quite an embarrassing sight, seeing it was practically children frenzy. Sasuke tried to ignore the fact that he was here with Sakura. Who would've thought, that when he finally agreed to go on their first so called date, that they would go to the zoo? As usual, Sakura seemed hesitant around Sasuke. Every time she tried to speak, she just didn't know how to let her words out. Sakura knew this was going no where. She was wasting her last day in Konoha, thinking over about how she should ask him… If he loves me or not…She knew she had to get it over with right now. They stopped walking, and approached the fence that separated them from the flamingos.

"Sasuke?" Sakura nervously stated. They stood there, staring at the unmoving flamingos, with their one foot supporting themselves. She just didn't know how to ask him. At this point, she decided to just start maybe a normal conversation with him first. I mean, they haven't spoken much since the beginning of the day. She sighed heavily as he continued to stare at her strangely, waiting for her to continue. "You see those flamingos over there?"

Sakura pointed at the beautiful fluffy flamingos behind the fences.

"Whenever I went to the zoo when I was young, I would come here, and look at the flamingos. They were my favorite things in the world. My father would always bring me here and say they're beautiful and their color resembled my hair," Sakura began. Sasuke nodded as a gesture for her to continue. "You see, the way their beaks are shaped? It looks like they're always frowning. When I was a little girl, I was kind of silly. Every time I came here, I would hope to see a flamingo turn their frown upside down. But that never happened…"

"Sakura, where is this conversation going?" Sasuke asked impatiently. Sakura flinched a bit, wondering what she should say next.

"Sasuke… Will you be the one to turn my frown upside down?" Sakura finally spoke. Her heart was beating fast, waiting for Sasuke to answer. Still, she waited and waited, yet no response at all. Maybe she wasn't specific enough. "Sasuke, do you love me?"

Sasuke didn't know how to answer her. Her face seemed so serious. She continued to stare at the flamingo, avoiding eye contact with him. She's asked him this question over a million times. Why would the answer he gave her now be any different than from the past? Perhaps the time that passed between them let her think that he would start to like her. He remained silent, not sure if he should answer the question.

"Is that what was so important to you?" Sasuke questioned back. Sakura stayed in the same position she's held for the pass few minutes, waiting for a response from Sasuke.

"Sasuke, just answer me," Sakura urged. She promised herself, today would be the last day he would ever reject her. After today, she would completely give up the side of herself that's loved Sasuke for so long, and willingly go along with her mother's crazy scheme.

"Sakura, I'll start loving you the day I see a flamingo smile," Sasuke stated nonchalantly. Sakura tilted her head downward a bit after hearing his harsh words. She smiled a bit, thinking to herself, how foolish she's been to think he'd ever say he loves her. Her heart shattered, like it always use to when he said those painful words.

"I see…" Sakura softly whispered. "Let's go home."
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...Author's Note: At this point, start to play a song you find sad...

After a long, silent walk, Sasuke and Sakura finally arrived in front of the Haruno estate. They both stood before the steps of her home, in an awkward silence that prevailed them both. Sakura decided to herself, she had to let him know how she truly felt.

"Thank you… Sasuke," Sakura suddenly thanked. Sasuke turned around to face Sakura, when he suddenly felt a pair of lips meet his. His eyes widened, seeing Sakura wrap her arms around his neck firmly, as tears began to slide down her florid cheeks. Her eyes were shut tightly, as her lips brushed over his. He returned to sweet, delicate kiss. While doing so, she could feel her heart shattering all over again. This was their first kiss, and she knew for a fact, it would be their last. Sakura parted her lips gently away from his. "For everything…"

Sasuke's reaction wasn't what she thought it would be. He was shocked of course, but his expression didn't seem to change. Not wanting Sasuke to further interrogate her, she rushed up the steps to her door. Slowly, her hand reached for the doorknob. After she entered this house, the next time she stepped out, she would never enter again. She froze when her hand gently wrapped around the knob. She turned her head to the side a bit, to see Sasuke one last time, and wiped her tears away from her eyes.

"I thought for sure, that you would've been the one to save me," Sakura painfully sneered. A single tear escaped her eye. I promise this will be the last tear I cried for you. Sasuke stood by the steps, still a bit shocked from what happened a minute ago. "Good-bye Sasuke... Good-bye…"

With her last words, she turned the knob, and entered the house she spent her childhood in, for the last time. The door softly closed behind her. Sasuke began to walk away, her last words repeating in his mind over and over again. Sure he had feelings for her, but he could never admit that to anyone. Not like he ever did, and he wouldn't start to do such an action he thought silly now. Little did he know, he missed his very last chance…

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Sakura stood at the border of the Gates, holding a small luggage in her hand. It was early 9 o'clock in the morning. Naruto, Ino, Hinata, Kakashi, Tsunade, Shizune, Lee, Shino, Neji, Kiba, Chouji, Tenten, and Shikamaru all stood by Sakura, waiting with her for the carriage that was suppose to take her to the Sand. Her mother wasn't awake yet, when she left the house. Only her stepfather, who didn't allow her to wake her mother, was left in the house. So she bid her farewells to her mother before she left.

"Sakura, I have something to give you," Ino stated. Sakura watched as Ino rummaged in her purse for something. In a moment, she pulled out a long red ribbon that seemed kind of worn out. Sakura recognized it as the one she was given many years back, but returned to Ino.

"Ino-pig, you still had this?" Sakura questioned, tears dwelling in her puffy eyes. Ino's eyes were beginning to water as well.

"Yeah, I just forgot to give it back to you," Ino regretfully confessed. "I thought if I gave it back to you, you would just laugh at me."

"Ino, I would never do that," Sakura sniffed through her sobs. She accepted the ribbon from Ino's hands and without hesitation; she tied it around her waist like a belt. "Thank you Ino."

"Sakura, I have something to give you too," Tsunade affirmed. Sakura turned to face her former sensei. She pulled out a Konoha headband from her sleeve and handed it to Sakura. Sakura accepted the gift and recognized it immediately.

"Tsunade-sama, this is the headband I returned to you when I quit," Sakura surprisingly stated. She didn't think they would keep such a thing around. She recognized the barely unnoticeable H.S.7 she engraved on the edge years ago. "Haruno Sakura, Team 7."

Sakura smiled to herself as memories flooded her mind.

"I thought you might want it back one day," Tsunade stated.

"Sakura, I don't really have anything to give you, but I'll miss you like a daughter," Kakashi admitted. He walked over to the pink haired female and gave her a tight friendly hug. She hugged him back willingly. Her heart melted, feeling so much love from this beautiful village that she has to leave and never come back to. After he broke the embrace, she stared over Kakashi's shoulder and saw the watery eyed Naruto with trembling lips. His eyes were huge, and the blueness was definitely noticeable.

"Sakura-chan! I'll miss you so much! I don't have anything special for you, so I just got you something for the trip to the Sand," Naruto owned up to. He held a package of cup ramen in his hand and handed it to Sakura. Sakura smiled sweetly at the sad, childlike man before her and accepted the offer.

"How am I going to cook this when I'm going to be in a carriage the whole time?" Sakura questioned. Naruto wiped his tears away, and scratched his head in confusion.

"I guess I forgot," Naruto confessed. Not a moment too soon, the carriage for Sakura arrived. Sakura walked up to the carriage, waving goodbye to her friends.

"Bye everyone," Sakura whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

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Sasuke walked around the training fields to find everyone missing. Where the hell did everybody go? He walked all over Konoha to find that none of his friends were where they usually were. He even went to the Hokage building to find Tsunade and Shizune missing. Sasuke continued to walk around the streets, trying to find a familiar face. All his attempts failed miserably, until he found one of the security guards that usually guarded the front of the Hokage building. Sasuke quickly caught up with him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey," Sasuke greeted. The man turned around to face Sasuke.

"Oh, hey Sasuke," He replied.

"Where is everyone? And shouldn't you be at your post?" Sasuke interrogated roughly.

"Oh, Tsunade-sama said they were going out to wait for a carriage at the gate with their friend that was leaving. Since that Shizune isn't here, I might as well go get some dango," The security stated.

"They?" Sasuke wondered. "Who's they?"

"Oh, Naruto-san, Neji-san, Lee-san, Hinata-chan, and the rest," The security briefly stated.

"Okay. Thanks," Sasuke quickly turned around, and headed for the gate. Who could everyone possibly know that was so important that 'everyone' was to wait with them, including the Hokage? He walked down a small route, recognizing a familiar stone bench at the side. He stopped walking when he heard a small chatter from the road ahead. It was them. Naruto and the rest.

"Sasuke-teme?" Naruto frantically called.

"Sasuke, what are you doing here?" Lee questioned.

"You're asking me? What are you all doing here?" Sasuke questioned back. Everyone stayed silent, shifting their positions in a bit of discomfort. He looked over everyone, and spotted something strange. Ino's eyes were red and puffy. She must've been crying. "The security guard said you guys were escorting a friend… Who was it?"

No one spoke a word. The silence began to tick Sasuke off. No one was answering him. They were ignoring him…

"Who was it?" Sasuke repeated.

"It's a little too late to ask now, Sasuke," Naruto boldly stated. Sasuke stared at Naruto strangely, wondering what he was talking about. He looked to Naruto's left, seeing Kakashi by his side. Something was wrong. Definitely wrong.

"It was Sakura… She's getting married" Kakashi admitted. Sasuke's heart stopped beating on the inside, even though he still held the stoic, emotionless face he always held.

"I thought for sure, that you would've been the one to save me," Sakura painfully sneered. A single tear escaped her eye and made its way down her cheek. Sasuke stood by the steps, still a bit shocked from what happened a minute ago. "Good-bye Sasuke..."

Good-bye Sasuke...

Good-bye…

"Sakura… She…" Ino hastily blurted. Sasuke turned his head to face the beautiful blonde. He waited for her to continue, but she just stood there, awestruck by a memory she held in her mind. A small smile appeared on her face, and she let out a small psychotic chuckle. Everyone's eyes turned to the foolish girl. "To think, she wanted to run away with a pathetic loser like you…"

Sasuke's eyes widened a bit. He couldn't hold it in any longer. He tilted his head so it faced the ground in shame. His eyes shadowed by the long streaks of black hair. He himself let out a small chuckle. How foolish of himself, to think that she would always be there. Always be there, to love him. His aching heart did him no good. For the first time, in a long time, he shed a tear. Her last few words echoed through his mind insanely.

I thought for sure, that you would've been the one to save me…

I thought for sure, that you would've been the one to save me…

…you would've been the one...

…to save me…

…save me…