Sprouting Wings
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Chapter II
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Reunion
Sasuke sat on the windowsill of Sakura's office, glaring at the fidgeting nurse standing before him.
"Where is Haruno?"
The young nurse blushed under his glare and stuttered, "S-she did not come to work today your highness. It's possible that she's sick."
Sasuke frowned at this. For a whole week he has been unable to visit to the hospital and the first chance he gets to escape from the palace and she isn't there? "Well, what's wrong with her?"
"I'm not quiet sure, but it's very possible she might have contacted the flu. It has been going around, and we have quite a few patients—
But Sasuke already turned away from her, returning his gaze to the scenery outside the window, contemplating what she said.
The nurse, gaining courage, said a bit bolder than before, " Tsunade-sama has already been notified and will arrive shortly. In the meantime, will your highness please allow me the honor of—
But Sasuke is already walking past her, leaving the stunned nurse behind.
"But your highness, your shoulder!" the nurse shouted, gesturing towards the large pool of blood already seeping through his gray shirt.
"It's fine," Sasuke said, not sparing her another glance.
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On the fifth day after Sakura's meeting with Lady Ino, Tsunade paid her a visit.
The medic's small apartment was dark, with all the curtains drawn, allowing no sunlight to shine through. Tsunade found the girl buried under thick layers of blankets and quilts, and one look at the girl's flushed face, she knew Sakura had a high fever.
After setting her tray of medicine down, Tsunade lifts the quilts, careful not to disturb the girl, and slowly unwraps the bandages covering Sakura's arms. Tears formed in her eyes and she willed herself to be strong as she took in the numerous burn marks marring Sakura's pale, milky skin.
Sakura woke to Tsunade watching over her, a sorrowful expression on the older woman's face. "Shishou…"
"Shh, quiet my child, drink this," Tsunade motioned for her to open her mouths as she fed her a spoonful of herbal soup in a delicate, and beautifully decorated china bowl. Sakura grimaced at the bitter taste.
"I'm sorry Sakura that it took me so long to get here. Ino didn't allow word to get out of what happened, and no one was able to approach even your house until today."
"How come you're here now, Shishou?"
A strange expression that Sakura could not read fell on Tsunade, as she pondered over what to say. "Lady Ino has been denounced of her title as future Empress and wife of Prince Uchiha. She has been banished from the palace and is to live with her clan from now on."
Sakura absolutely despised Ino for all the pain she caused her, but as Sakura registered the information, she can't help but feel a pang of guilt. Yes, Ino done horrible things to her, but Ino's whole life has been spent training to please Sasuke, and to become a suitable wife. To hear that another has become closer to the prince would surely make any woman angry had she been in Ino's place.
"Oh Sakura, it will get so much harder for you starting from here on."
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade sighed, a sudden look of weariness washed over her. She shook her head, "Sakura, why didn't you listen to me? I told you no good could come from associating with an Uchiha."
Questions filled Sakura's mind but she felt like she could no longer keep her eyes open. Tsunade, sensing her tiredness, quickly told her to sleep. "Rest Sakura, don't worry about it now. We'll talk about it when you get better."
Tsunade watched over the sickly girl as she turned in her sleep, and earnestly wished there was more the woman could do for her.
That night, Sakura dreamed of Naruto.
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I need you! Come back to me….
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"Uchiha-sama!" A stunned Sakura yelled in surprise. Uchiha Sasuke was calmly sitting in her office, waiting for her.
"Hn. You're late again."
"G-Gomen Your Highness." Sakura tried her best to cover her blush. There was a pause before Sakura finally mustered the courage to ask Sasuke what's been on her mind for days. "I know I'm in no place to question your decisions, but the matter concerning Lady Ino…"
"What's done is done. Don't worry about it." Sasuke said with an even colder tone than usual, staring intently at Sakura.
She was unable to meet his onyx eyes, as her heart clenched in guilt. No matter what Sakura told herself, she can't help but feel that what happened to Ino was all her fault.
"But Uchiha-Sama—"
"It's not too late to behead her if more trouble arise."
"N-No, don't!" Sakura exclaimed in shock. It was unthinkable, to execute the former Emperor-to-be, his ex-fiancé, for what she did to a mere commoner.
"It's a lesson for all of them," Sasuke said.
His words had an undertone that Sakura couldn't quite decipher, but she waved it away dismissively.
Sasuke suddenly moved towards her, and gently lifted her heavily bandaged hands, carefully examining them. Sakura couldn't help but blush upon the contact, and silently wondered how someone as cold and calculating as Sasuke, could be so gentle and tender at the same time.
As he slowly unwrapped the bandages, his eyes hardened at the sight of her burn marks. Noticing his rising anger at the many welts now decorating her hands, she quickly assured him, "It's nothing really. Thanks to Tsunade-Sama's healing, they should be gone in no time."
Something unrecognizable to Sakura flickered through Sasuke's eyes as he stared at her. She couldn't mask her surprise when Sasuke lifted her bandaged hand and softly kissed each of her fingers.
"Hmm, than meet me at the royal garden next week."
"W-what?" Sakura blinked, not quite comprehending what he just said.
An arrogant smirk ghosted the heir's lips, making him appear to be more haughty and handsome than usual.
"It shouldn't be a problem right?"
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To her surprise, Sasuke personally came to escort her.
"Your Highness! You shouldn't be here! This is no place for royalty," Sakura said, gesturing to her small apartment located in the lower district of Konoha. "What will the people say?"
"Che. Does it look like I care?" Sasuke said impatiently, already grabbing Sakura's arm, and leading her towards the palace. "Besides, I have something important to show you."
The gates were opened to scenery that completely awed Sakura. The large garden was elegantly designed, with a grand fountain in the middle, and flowers of almost every variety lining the pebble paths. As Sakura's eyes drifted to the koi ponds and the graceful willows swaying above her, she was utterly captivated with the peacefulness of the garden.
Never in all her life, had she believed that such a beautiful and tranquil place existed in what laid beyond the cruel and corrupted palace.
Sasuke, noticing her entranced face, smirked. "It was my mother's," he said in a soft voice. She spent almost all her time here, before she died."
It was a tragedy, what misfortune fell on the royal family nearly a decade ago. Everyone in Konoha knew this. It was a prosperous time in Konoha, and the heir was the pride of the land, with deadly Samurai skills, and cunningness, he was the perfect prince to succeed the king.
But one night, with no warning, the entire royal family was slaughtered, and the heir disappeared without a trace. All that was left was a young boy who was only eight at the time, and already fated to be the next heir.
Sakura turned to Sasuke, with a bright smile on her face. "Thank you for showing me this place Sasuke-kun!"
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It was something about her that drew him in. Something about her smile and innocent eyes that attracted him to her. Sasuke had everything, all the treasures and power that one could possibly want, yet Sakura represented the one thing Sasuke could never have—purity.
Without acknowledging this, Sasuke began craving her company on a daily bases. She became his sanctuary from the harsh and cruel life he was forced to live, with all the expectations of living up to his brother and taking the throne one day.
Unknowingly, she became his sanctuary, and he needed her.
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Sakura heard a sharp taping on her window, and groaned in her sleep. It was too early in the morning for this! The tapping continued and as Sakura finally opened one eyelid to peek towards the window, she finally registered what the noise was.
Hako! Sakura felt like a giddy school girl as she opened the window and let the pigeon in.
"Oh Hako, it has been a while hasn't it?" Sakura said, smiling as she fumbled over the knot to untie the message tied to the bird's leg.
Sakura let out a loud squeal as her eyes scanned the letter's contents. It was a letter from Naruto, he was finally coming home from his long journey.
…
It has been almost three years since Sakura had last been to that place.
The calm river as it slowly makes its way downhill and the sakura trees all brought up a happier time in her mind. It reminded her specifically of one person. The leaves rustled behind her and before she could even turn around, strong arms have already lifted her off the ground.
He twirled her and the whole time she was laughing and telling him to put her down. Eventually, he finally allowed her to stand, and they stared back at each other, not quite believing they were able to meet even though a world of obstacles and challenges facing them.
Sakura smiled, and closed the small gap between them, circling her arms around his waist. She caught him by surprise, but he returned her smile.
Time seemed to stop as they held each other.
Sakura slowly rose to her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Welcome home Naruto."
-xxx-
A figure stood in the woods silently watching the couple. His hands unconsciously clenched as he watched them. His onyx eyes narrowed as his gaze fell upon the blonde.
He recognized him.
The figure leaned back against the tree.
He shook in pure fury as he finally realized…
His escape, his sanctuary…
Was already taken.
-xxx-
Author Note-
I do apologize for the rather late update. I work on the chapters whenever I have free time, but since I write best when I just write the whole thing in one go, it takes a while to find time to sit down and spend four or five hours to write this.
To answer a few questions from last time:
Pinkypinkypinky- I'm glad you like this so much! Ino was definitely not the nicest person, and originally I was going to give Karin the role, but I had trouble describing her as gorgeous…Anyway, about Tsunade and Sakura's conversation, all I can say is all will be revealed in the next chap! it will all make sense so don't worry. What she was trying to imply is he is dangerous and Sakura should not get too close.
I hope this chapter answers some questions you had previously, and I really do love hearing your thoughts so for all those that has fave/subscribed to this story, please leave a review and tell me your thoughts! Please ask any questions you may have, and I will try to p.m. you.
I will try to get an another chapter in, and since spring break is coming up, I will have plenty of time to work on it ;) I'm just dying to post the next one since I have most of it planned out, and it is one of my fav moments in the story.
Until next time, Aurora.