Chapter 6 : The Talk of The Town
Everyone talks about people they know and Konohan women are not exception. Every two weeks, they would hang out together at places at Konoha, sometimes they would pick a grill restaurant, sometimes they would pick a Japanese theme restaurant, or even burger joint. But, that time, they chose a café in the middle of Konoha. The ladies would talk about their lives, their husbands, their kids, the latest gossip in Konoha, sometimes they would also brag about their achievements too, including their children's and their husband's achievements. But, that afternoon, almost everyone came into the café with the same topic in mind.
That afternoon, Temari had invited the women to have a high tea time with her in the cafe in Konoha that was made by a Sand citizen who moved to Konoha. Of course, the ones who weren't busy would comply and they were Ino, Karui, Hinata and Tenten. Sakura did not come. Her friends suspected that she's enjoying her time with a certain foreign General.
The café was unique. It was owned by a Sand Village resident who then moved to Konoha. It served Sand village's foods and drink. As a princess of the Sand village, Temari got a special discount to eat there. They served different kind of high tea, compared to the ones in Konoha.
The women were seating at the round table near the window. It gave the perfect amount of warmth from the sun and also, the perfect amount of light to make them look beautiful, if they were going to take pictures there.
Of course, it all started with meaningless small talks that gradually developed into something more serious. Something about the actual topic they all had dreaded to talk about and they were lucky that the subject of the topic did not show up that afternoon. "Do you realize that Sakura barely hangs out with us these days?" Temari started the conversation. "Yeah, she is," Ino sighed. "Does it have anything to do with the ongoing rumor?" Temari asked. "Wait ... what rumor? I didn't know that there's such rumor about Sakura," Karui was confused. "You didn't know? I think everyone knew already, it's like they didn't even care anymore to hide it, i mean ... i met them at the coffee shop few days ago, it was well ... late night ... but, they were so touchy it's just kind of unbelievable," Tenten added. "Are you saying that Sakura was having an affair?" Karui asked all of them. Both Temari and Tenten nodded while Ino and Hinata didn't move their heads or say anything. "Holy shit!" Karui was startled. "Who is the guy though?" She asked again. "It's general Son Hak of Kouka," Tenten whispered. "Which one is the guy? I don't remember those Kouka men's faces," Karui replied. Tenten then opened her cellphone and showed the picture of the Kouka generals visiting her shops. She pointed at the man with black hair and blue eyes. "Damn, he is a very handsome indeed," Karui whistled. "With a marriage like hers, no wonder she cheated on Sasuke with that Koukan General," Karui said. "But, Sakura is a married woman after all ... it's still wrong to cheat ... no matter how hot the temptation is," Temari said. "Hmm, we never actually know what's going on inside Sakura's and Sasuke's marriage ... Sasuke doesn't come home often, does he? And ... didn't he like leave Sakura for years? It is somewhat a miracle they're still married until now," Karui hummed. "Ino, Hinata, what do you think?" Karui turned her head to face Ino and Hinata. Hinata looked worried, so was Ino. "I ... i don't think we should believe a mere gossip, right?" Ino was stuttering though she was sheepishly smiling.
Damnit! Sakura! As if cheating's not wrong enough! You can't even keep your affair discreet!
Ino thought. "Well ...," Hinata answered. "Perhaps they were just friends ...," Hinata and her forced smile were too obvious. She was trying to appear unassuming. "Well, there were a lot of eye witnesses! Ayame from Ramen Shop saw them eating together at a restaurant, Shizune saw Hak coming to pick Sakura up from the hospital and Lee also saw them," Tenten said. "Lee saw them? Where did Lee see them? What did he say about them?" Temari asked, remembering that Lee used to fall for Sakura back then. "He told me that he had seen them at the cinema at really late night ... He only said something like "why does Sakura keep on falling for the same type of guy"?" he seemed disappointed though towards Sakura ... he never expected that she would be the type who would cheat on Sasuke ...," Tenten said. "Honestly, i have to disagree with Lee, that Koukan General might have the same dark look to him, but he seems to be more relaxed and more fun than Sasuke, don't you think?" Karui said while observing Hak's face in the picture. "Well ... i myself used to question how could Sakura be so perfect ... she really juggled everything all these years ... Sasuke was barely there and she managed to do just fine, her career is amazing, she still looks pretty and young and her child is an amazing kunoichi too ... well ... turns out she's also a human," Temari hissed. "Well, aside from Sasuke's lack of presence, why does she cheat on him?" Tenten asked. "Well, honestly i think the affair is only for sex though ... That Koukan General is really handsome though, i never thought i'd see anyone more handsome than Sasuke Uchiha here but there he was ... tall, tanned, with clear blue eyes and blazing hot, and i don't think Sakura would leave Sasuke for him ... the woman had chased Sasuke since they were children," Temari said while drinking another sip. "If the affair is only about sex, why do they show themselves in public places? It's like they're having dates like ... you know ... people who are in love," Tenten explained.
Ino, who didn't say much quickly stood up.
"What's wrong, Ino?" Karui asked her. "I'm sorry i have to go i remember that i still have things to do at the flower shop," Ino sheepishly smiled before taking her purple leather sling bag with her.
She couldn't stand listening to the ladies gossiping about Sakura. She was supposed to at least try to explain but there's nothing to explain! Sakura was having an affair and it was the truth!
When Ino was walking outside the cafe, suddenly a female hand grabbed her. When she turned back, she saw the Hokage's wife, Hinata Uzumaki. She was chasing her all that time, the woman was panting heavily.
"Ino... i want to speak to you about Sakura's affair," Hinata said while panting. Ino's blue eyes widened when she heard that.
The women were walking inside Ino's flower shop. Hinata was sitting on one of the chair with the table in front of it.
"What do you want to talk about?" Ino asked while she was putting a cup of tea with a matching pot on the table. "My son saw Sakura with Hak too ... i know you are close to Sakura ... so, could you please tell Sakura that she's playing with fire?" Hinata asked. Ino rolled her eyes when she heard that, her expression changed. "Are you positive that the ones your son saw were Sakura and general Son?" Ino asked. "Yes, Boruto saw them together at a hot spring, general Son was carrying Sakura in his arm," Hinata explained. Ino could imagine the view in her head. That shitty wide forehead woman!
"I assume that Naruto had known about this, right?" Ino asked while she stood up and filled two empty acrylic glasses with water from the dispenser. "Yes, he knows, he even asked someone to check whether Sakura and General Son had checked in at the same day or not and ... the receptionist lady said that they were checking in together for one bedroom that day," Hinata said. "Oh wow," Ino put the glasses on the table. Ino was wondering what would happen to Sakura now that everyone seemed to find out about her affair with that Koukan general. "So, Ino, could you please tell Sakura that it's not wise to play with fire?" Hinata held Ino's hand as she's pleading to her. "Well ... Hinata ... i told her already and unfortunately, it's useless," Ino gazed at the Hokage's wife's face. "Hinata, may i ask why do you care so much about this?" Ino was being blunt. She knew that Hinata's not that close to Sakura. "Naruto's been thinking about this a lot and i want to help him to ease his mind," Hinata replied, partially lying. It was deeper than that. She was afraid that if Sasuke and Hak were fighting and Hak's dead, it would cause anger from the queen since Hak was the queen's favorite. "Well, i don't think even Naruto could knock some senses into her mind ... it's hopeless ...," Ino said while rubbing her head. Her statement caused a change in Hinata's expression. She went silent. "Eeh …. I mean … well, perhaps there is a small possibility that she might listen to Naruto … they were very close after all and he's her Hokage too …," Ino said, trying to lighten up Hinata's mood, even though she was pretty sure none of her friends would be able to talk her out of leaving General Son Hak. "Oh," Hinata said, before their conversation transformed into another meaningless small talks.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend. A very popular phrase that symbolized diamond as a sign of beauty and wealth in woman. The shape, the sparkle and how it goes well with anything make it a very valuable rock.
And just like any woman, Sakura also loves diamonds. When she was a little girl, her mother would take her to walk around the village and there's one place that attracted her a lot. It was Mrs. Mika's jewelry shop. When her mother was shopping for their needs, she would scoot over to the front window of the jewelry shop. There she could see golds, silver, platinas and diamonds, in forms of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. The sparkles of the items attracted Sakura. She always liked looking specifically to the a big whole teardrop diamond ring that's being displayed on the window. She found it beautiful.
Sakura remembered that day a couple, a handsome man and a pretty woman went into the shop. Mrs. Mika displayed her collection of rings in front of them and they didn't like all the rings that Mrs. Mika was displaying to them and therefore Mrs. Mika walked to the window and gazed at Sakura with a smile and took the teardrop diamond ring from the display window and showed it to the couple. The couple welcomed the ring with bright smiles on their faces. It didn't take long for the man to put the ring on the lady's ring finger and paid for it before they walked out of the shop.
Sakura had always dreamed that such thing would happen to her. A teardrop diamond ring given from a handsome man to her. But, a dream was just a dream. It never happened to her.
Sasuke was indeed her dream man but he didn't fulfill her dream. He preferred saving money for things he considered more important, like investing in houses and lands and Sarada's training, which she had to agree because it was wise. The only ring Sasuke had ever given her was that ruby ring with some kind of tracking system that he had made. She didn't dislike that ring but she was hoping Sasuke could give her something more. But, just like what her mother had taught her "Don't expect too much from a husband!"
Sasuke never gave her such sparkly diamond ring. Well, he did gave her quite pretty ruby ring which she loved. But, then she certainly got what she had wanted since she was a little girl, but not from her own husband.
Doctor's Lounge. 7 AM.
Sakura was leaning on the bed. Her operation wouldn't start in an hour. Sakura kept on looking at the diamond ring on her finger. She looked at it dreamily. The sparkle and the shine of the simple design of teardrop. It was a whole diamond, and it was pretty big, as big as a corn seed.
She squealed remembering how Hak took the velvet box out of his desk and gave it to her. "I love you," he said before putting the ring on her finger. Then, Hak kissed her once again on her lips.
"Sakura, why are you here so early?" Ino was surprised to see her friend on the bed. Ino could see Sakura squealing like a teenager, gazing on her finger all the time.
"Hak had to go to train the soldiers earlier so i had to get out of his apartment earlier," Sakura replied with starry eyes, still looking at the ring.
"Now i don't even know whether your husband is General Son Hak or Sasuke," Ino rolled her eyes. She put her bag on the side of the bed.
"Forehead, why do you keep on looking at your finger like an idiot?" The woman in purple asked.
Sakura didn't say a thing, she just showed her hand to Ino, with big smile on her face. Ino's pupils were dilated and her mouth formed an O shape. "Did that Koukan General give you this?" Ino said while pulling her hand closer to her. She was observing the diamond with awe. It was a huge rock. A whole rock.
But, then she remembered how the other women were talking about Sakura and Hak. Their shameless conduct became the talk of the town. Ino thought that perhaps Sasuke himself already knew about it. He hadn't left the town for quite some time then.
"Does Sasuke know about this?" Ino sat on the edge of the bed. "Of course he doesn't," Sakura stated. "I'm just going to tell him that i bought it myself," Sakura added. She was able to say that without any burden in her voice. Ino rolled her eyes "Do you really think he's gonna believe it?" Ino asked. "Well ... i can say that it's i got it from someone who just got broke and in need of money fast," Sakura smiled.
"Sakura ... do you ... know that people are talking about your affair with Hak?" Ino asked. "Eh...," Sakura's expression changed. She was flabbergasted. Does it mean that it's time to end her "adventure" with Hak?
"Yes, Sakura, people are talking about you and Hak, even Karui, Temari, Tenten and Hinata know about it!" Ino almost raised her voice. Sakura's expression turned into sadness. "I guess it must come to an end," Sakura sighed. "Yes, i agree," Ino said sternly. "It was a happy ride," Sakura could feel hot tears welling behind her eyes. Ino had warned her about not playing with fire. At that moment, she would be burned by the fire, even though she wasn't caught, Ino knew that Sakura's feeling towards Hak had developed into something real. Something perhaps closer to love.
"Anyway, you should prepare yourself for your next surgery, i also need to go to the office to handle some paperworks," Ino said while tapping Sakura's shoulder.
Hak's Bedroom. 7 PM.
Sakura was sitting on the sofa in front if the king size bed using the hotel's kimono. Hak had just finished bathing himself. He got out of the bathroom wearing only towel, exposing his torso completely. Sakura was observing Hak's body, the perfectly sculpted abs and arms and shoulders and back, some scars on his chest and abs. The tanned skin that she's going to miss. She had herself a fine man. She couldn't let him go thaf easily.
"Sakura, what's wrong?" Hak asked the woman while he's blow drying his wet hair. "Nothing," Sakura replied with a sheepish smile. "Don't lie to me, i know you have something going on in your mind," Hak said.
I have to break up with him. I have Sasuke and Sarada at home. That's what Sakura's head told her to do.
After the man was done blowdrying his hair, he walked closer to Sakura and sat beside her. "What do you want me to do to you today?" Hak touched Sakura's jawline and started kissing her shoulder and her neck from beside. The kisses were arousing. Everything related to Hak was arousing to Sakura. "Hak, can we not have sex today?I want to talk," Sakura stopped the man before he aroused her even more, she even grabbed his wrist so he wouldn't try to put his hand inside her kimono and groped her tit. "Sure," Hak smiled to her. Hak stopped touching her. He could sense that there's something wrong with Sakura that day.
"I don't think we should date outside the hotel again," Sakura held her breath. She almost said that she would break up with Hak, but she couldn't. She couldn't let go of Hak.
Hak's eyes widened when he heard that. He knew why she said that. People found out or perhaps, her husband found out. "Did that lousy husband of yours find out? Or is it your friends?" Hak asked, his piercing blue eyes were staring at hers. Sakura's expression changed. Sakura immediately leaned on Hak's chest. "Honestly, I don't think Sasuke knows, but, my friends found out about us," Sakura said, gazing at those pretty blue eyes of his. "Sakura, what will you do if Sasuke confronts us?" Hak asked. "What will you do?" Instead of answering his question, she questioned him. Hak hugged Sakura tighter. "I will not let you go, I'll tell him that it's better for you to be with me instead of being with him," Hak's soft warm lips then kissed her lips. Their romantic kiss slowly turned into heated kiss and they made love again that night.
Konoha Cinema. 1 AM.
It was late at night. Sarada and Chocho were going out to watch an R-Rated movie at the cinema, it was the uncensored version of a blocktiter romance story about romance in the middle of sinking ship.
After coming out of the cinema, Chocho was squealing "Tamaki Yue is so handsome! The movie's so good! It was so worth it!" Sarada only giggled at Chocho's reaction. It was pretty quiet outside the cinema, it was an hour past midnight after all. Most of the lamps were turned off and there were only street lamps.
Suddenly, Sarada's expression changed as if she saw a ghost. She became really silent with her mouth opened slightly. "What's wrong Sarada?" Chocho asked and tapped her shoulder. But, the Uchiha didn't react, her gaze didn't change, she kept on looking at one direction. Chocho then looked at her direction as well.
Familiar faces. Pink hair and black hair. A tanned tall man and a woman with fair skin. The man was wearing a dark blue kimono top and the woman was wearing a red qipao. The man was hugging her from beside and kissed her forehead. They were happily laughing together.
Chocho could see tears came out of Sarada's eyes. Chocho knew about the rumor. Inojin and Shikadai also told her about the rumor. But, not one of their friends was brave enough to tell Sarada about it. Chocho couldn't imagine what she would do if it was her parents who had an affair.
"Sarada, let's go," Chocho tried to pull the girl away but instead she slapped her hand. "So, it's true ... it's true what people were saying," Sarada said while her eyes were slowly turning red and they kept on following the couple's movement.
"Sarada, are you sure you want to do this?" Chocho asked her friend. It was midnight already. They were few meters away, hiding behind the bushes near the hotel Sakura and Hak were staying. Chocho was certainly dragged by Sarada. She couldn't leave the Uchiha alone. Sarada was following the couple right to their hotel, with Chocho. She remembered that her mother told her that she was having a night shift that night. But, turned out that she's lying to Sarada.
"Sarada, let's just go back to my house, it's very late already," Chocho said, pulling the girl's outfit. "If you don't want to help me, it's okay, just let me go inside the hotel to follow them, I need to make sure about the rumors," Sarada said before leaving Chocho alone outside the hotel.
When she was following them using the transformation jutsu as a random girl they didn't know. Her mind remembered all the things she had eavesdropped from her friends. People were talking about them and Sarada couldn't not to hear about them. But, she kept on denying about it, she even yelled once at her shinobi colleague for talking about it with his friends.
"Hey, i think i saw Sarada's mom with that black hair general from Kouka at the restaurant last night, they looked very touchy with each other"
"I also heard about it! I heard that they went to the hot spring together"
"I actually saw a woman who looked like aunt Sakura at the hotel and when i saw the news, it was the hotel where the Koukan Generals were staying!"
"I mean who wouldn't cheat if the partner couldn't provide presence!"
"Ah! I thought Sakura sensei was a perfect woman! Apparently, she is not!"
Sarada's heart beat so fast, and so hard, it felt like it could get out of her chest. Sarada felt her eyes became very warm, and she wanted to cry when she saw her mother and general Hak walked inside a hotel room.
She thought her mother was perfect too despite her sometimes odd attitude. She was after all a respectable honorable beautiful woman. But, not anymore. Not with the whole village knowing that she's a cheating skank.
Author's Note :
So, eventually, people found out about her affair with General Hak. It was a public secret, a secret that Sasuke hasn't known yet.