The Flower Shop [A Gaara Love Story]

1: A New Life

     It was in the early spring that the last of her family had passed. He died peacefully in her arms, his fur still soft and warm as his breathing came to a gentle stop. They had been sitting on the pourch, and the old cat curled up on her lap for the last time. She knew it would be soon, and so when she felt her friend grow still beneath her fingers, she could only give a sad smile and pray that his spirit was taken into the heavens with open arms. Her childhood companion was buried beside her parents, who had passed due to disease. As they wished, she had buried them together beneath the cherry blossom tree where they had met. Now her family was gone, and Konoha held nothing more for her.

     It was the late fall when she decided that it was time to leave the place she had so long called home. Months of packing, of planning and filling every moment she could with the friends she had made and people she had loved, Monoko decided to begin her own life outside of the walls of the Leaf Village. She did not hate it here, she felt that in her heart she never could. This was her home, and always would be. Perhaps she would return one day, or maybe this really was the final goodbye. Whatever it was, she was glad to call Konoha her home for 19 years of her life.

     Friends met her at the gate, most of which would stay, few of which would escort her to her new home. Monoko had lived a peaceful life, forgoing the training and the hardships that a shinobi faced. Instead, she lived her life in the peace and quiet of her family's flower shop, the second in the village next to the Yamanaka's. She spent her days amongst the flowers, and for that reason, she knew little to nothing in the ways of violence and jutsus. No, she was a simple person, with nothing but a happy smile to give others.

     "Are you sure you have to leave?" Sakura asked once again, watching as Kiba closed the door on the wagon, "You could always stay with me, I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind."

     This had gone on for days now. Offering her a home, more companionship, anything it took to make her stay. They knew she was not leaving out of spite, but they still tried.

     "Thank you, Sakura, but you know as well as I do that... that this is good for me." Monoko said, a smile on her lips. It felt almost enpowering to say those words. This was going to be good for her. A new start, a new place to write her own story and really begin her life. They knew it too- if anyone deserved to spread their wings, it was she.

     "I know but...promise me you'll come back? Or send letters? Why not both?" Sakura said again, holding Monoko's gentle hands in her strong ones. Beside her, Ino nodded in agreement.

     "You can come stay with me when you're here! You know there's plenty of room for you!" The blonde said, offering a wide smile to the girl, which was returned within seconds.

     "I'll come back once a month anyway," Monoko said with a small smile, looking between the two, "I have to restock somehow."

     She was taking little with her. Money, clothing, pictures, but she couldn't leave behind one specific part of her life here. The flowers didn't grow in the sand, and so she was sure they had never really witnessed the beauty of them before. The covered wagon held her suitcase, of course, but also hundreds of flowers from the shop here in Konoha. She could leave behind her home, but she couldn't leave behind the flowers that had bloomed in her life.

     "Promise? You can even come back twice a month, maybe three times!" Sakura said again, a little more urgent now that Kiba and Lee had finished putting her things away and getting the wagon ready.

    It was almost as hard for Monoko as it was for her. Sakura had been her dearest friend her whole life. When she wanted to talk about Sasuke, or complain about Naruto, or boast about a mission, Monoko was right there. Yes, Monoko talked to the other girls of the village, but Sakura was the one she had held dearest to her heart. But Sakura had a life now, and her career goals and aspirations as a Shinobi were all starting to come true. The plan of her life became clearer; Monoko wanted that for herself. 

     It was a little chilly in Konoha, the breeze didn't roll as warmly as it had before in the warmer in the months. She wore a long cloak now, clean, white fur lining the hood of the pale blue covering. It was the warmest thing she had, but underneath it she wore much cooler clothing. When they neared the desert, the heat would increase, and the cloak would be needed no longer. She had to buy new clothing to fit the climate of her new home. Konoha wasn't too hot, but Sunakagure was. It would be a drastic change, but that was exactly what she was looking for.

     "We're ready when you are, Momoko!" Kiba called, Akamaru giving a happy bark beside him. She turned to them, raising a hand with a smile before she looked back to Sakura. Tears had welled up in the other's eyes, and Ino had turned away to hide her own.

     "Ohh, come on guys, I'm going to be back before you know it!" Monoko said, trying to keep the mood light. She didn't want to leave to tears. No, she wanted to be waved off by the same smiles that were painted across her life.

     Sakura sniffled but nodded, rubbing at her eyes with a weak smile, "You're right, I'm sorry..I-Its just hard, you know?"

     Monoko then gave her a small, almost sad smile and stood on her toes to wrap her arms around Sakura. The other, despite having wiped her tears away, gave a soft whimper as she held onto her dear friend, hugging her as though this was the last time they were to ever meet. Monoko felt tears of her own begin to wet her eyes, and she buried her face into Sakura as she held her tight. It was going to be hard for them both, and it would take time to get used to a life without Sakura at her doorstep every morning.

     "Thank goodness, I didn't think I'd see you in time!" Came a voice from behind them, causing them to pull away from their embrace and look.

     There stood Naruto, smiling at them brightly as though this day was just as bright as any other. Weither it was a shadow clone or the real shinobi, Momoko didn't know, and truthfully didn't care. He remembered, and he made time to come, knowing that was good enough. She gave a wide smile, glad to see him here in her last moments as a Leaf villager. Sakura let her go so that Momoko could be taken into Naruto's arms. She held him tight, burying her face into his chest as she hugged him. Naruto chuckled softly, though it lacked it's usual carefree tone as he held her close to him.

     "So you really are going then, huh?" He said softly, still smiling as he closed his eyes.

      "You'll see me again," She said softly, not quite ready to step from the embrace.

      "We both know that's not the same.." He said, softer this time, "It's going to be a lot different around here without you, Momo."

     She didn't respond, didn't feel as though he had expected an answer. Instead, she just held him for these last few moments they had together. Sakura watched on, silent despite her desire to pound the shinobi's face in for showing up at the last possible moment. Naruto needed this goodbye, to reassure his mind and heart that their story really had come to an end. Soon she would leave, and she'd take a piece of his heart with her.

     Never being one to remain somber for too long, Naruto pulled away, a wide smile on his lips despite the ache that began to form in his heart, "I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for, Momo! And if all else fails, you've always got us to come home to!"

     Momoko looked from his bright eyes to the other's that were there. Sakura, with her tender smile, Ino, TenTen, even Kakashi lingered by the hate. She looked over each of them, remembering their moments, their lives and how they had forever intertwined in her own. This was not goodbye, for they knew there was no such thing as a true goodbye. Momoko looked past them, to the carved faces in the mountains, the leaves that danced in the wind, and felt a smile on her lips.

     She was ready for a new life.