Hey there! I got a new story. I really shouldn't put this up, but I can't help it! But I suppose it's alright, since it's only going to have about five chapters, two of which are already done. Plus, it's basically Beauty and the Beast, so it's not like I'll have to think up a plot for it or anything. I already know what to do for each chapter, so I've really only got three more to write. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this!

Naruto and Beauty And The Beast don't belong to me.

The Cherry Blossom And The Sand Demon

Part One – The Merchant

Once upon a time... Wait, that's a bit clichéd. Maybe we should start with; there once was a merchant and his wife who had three daughters, all of whom were very beautiful, but the youngest of them was the most beautiful of the three. There was the eldest, Tenten, the middle child, Ino and the youngest was called Sakura. The five of them lived in a splendid mansion in the middle of a grand city called Konoha, which was the centre of trade for many miles around. The father was a well-known and well-to-do businessman named Jiraiya, who was also an author on the side. However, he never let his daughters read what he wrote. His wife was called Tsunade.

The day came that everything that they owned became financially threatened, and, because of a few poor business decisions, they were nearly forced out of their home. But then an opportunity came along that could not be missed, though it meant that Jiraiya would have to be gone from home for a long time.

"I'll be sending money home, so that you can start to pay off the debts we've accumulated," he told them. "That way we won't lose our home."

"That's good," Tsunade said with a slight threatening tone. "Just make sure that you do, otherwise you're in trouble when you eventually get back!"

Jiraiya gulped, then turned to his daughters. "What would you like me to bring back as gifts for you?" he asked.

"I would like some beautiful dresses!" Ino immediately squealed in delight. "I haven't been able to get anything new for ages!"

"A nice jewel encrusted kunai or something that like for my collection," Tenten spoke up. "That's if you can find anything like that."

Jiraiya looked at his youngest and asked, "And what would you like for me to bring back, Sakura?"

"The only thing I wish for is your safe return, Father," Sakura told him, and he laughed.

"I can definitely promise you that!" he said. "But since I am getting your mother and your sisters something, I think it's alright if I get you something too."

"You're getting Mother something too?" Ino asked. "But she hasn't said what she wants!"

"We discussed it last night," Tsunade said.

Sakura thought a moment, then said, "If you really want to get me something, then maybe an exotic flower, like a rose. The most beautiful you can find. You know I love roses."

"Daffodils are great, too!" Ino said, and Tenten added, "I like tulips!"

Jiraiya laughed. "A rose it is, then!" he declared, and kissed each of his daughters, and then his wife before bidding them farewell.

"I really hope he comes back safely," Sakura sighed, and Tsunade hugged her.

"Don't worry, your father's a survivor," she reassured her, glancing at her other two daughters as well. "He'll be alright."

Meanwhile, Jiraiya was headed for the centre of the town, where he was to meet his new employer. Upon reaching the prearranged spot, he waited until a man approached him and asked if he was the merchant Jiraiya.

"I certainly am!" he declared loudly.

The man bowed in greeting. "I am Ebisu," he informed him. "I have been sent by my employer, the great Sarutobi, to guide you to the caravan that shall be accompanying you on this trip."

Jiraiya inclined his head in acknowledgement and followed him to a place near the edge of town where several wagons waited to begin their journey. An old man stood before them, staring as if he were inspecting them, and at their approach, he turned to them, a warm greeting in his eyes.

"Master Sarutobi!" Ebisu greeted formally. "I have brought the one called Jiraiya to you!"

Sarutobi grunted. "Thank you, Ebisu, you may leave now."

Ebisu saluted and marched off.

"Welcome, Jiraiya," the old man greeted him. "I have heard of your reputation for business, and I hope that you will do as well for me on this venture as you have on others."

"I shall endeavour to do so, sir," Jiraiya promised him.

"Good," was the slightly distracted reply. "Very good. Now, you need to get underway. There's a very strict schedule to keep to, and as such, you need to leave immediately. Don't forget, as you go, you must always keep thirty percent of the profit aside, for that is what you shall be delivering to me. The rest shall be divided between you and the other members of the caravan as living and travelling expenses. Depending on how you do, there shall be a great bonus for you when you return, as well as more work."

Jiraiya nodded and the caravan got moving.

As they travelled throughout the lands, they did exceedingly well in their dealings, and Jiraiya was able to send money back to his family. It wasn't yet enough to pull them out of the slump they were in, but it would allow them to keep their home. Also, as he travelled he found all the gifts for his family, except he couldn't find a rose for his youngest. Everywhere he looked, the flower either wasn't blooming, or they weren't of a fine enough quality.

Eventually they came to the tail end of their trip, and they found themselves having to pass through a desert. The necessary precautions were taking in case of a sandstorm, and when one eventually hit, it seemed to be unusually fierce. The wagons remained intact, but the battering they received was beginning to take its toll, and soon they were stuck, stranded in the middle of a desert in the centre of a dreadful storm.

"We can't stay here!" one of the men yelled, though they could all barely hear each other. "We'll be buried alive for sure!"

"But we can't go anywhere!" another yelled back. "The wagons won't move, and even if they could, the animals are too terrified to budge!"

"We'll have to wait!" Jiraiya bellowed. "Find those shovels and do your best to keep the wagons unburied!"

It was then that he did something that you should never do in a sand storm, whether you could help it or not. Jiraiya stumbled slightly, falling backwards and turning as he stumbled, completely losing his bearings.

"Hey!" he yelled hopelessly. "Where are you all?"

But there was no reply. Deciding it was best to keep moving rather than stay where he was and risk being buried alive, so he kept moving. After awhile, he realised that it was getting him nowhere, and after a long sigh, he collapsed from exhaustion.

When he woke later, he was no longer in the desert, but was lying on grass. Sitting up, he looked around him and saw that while he was still actually in the desert, he was on the edge of an oasis. Jiraiya stood, his legs a little shaky as he looked around. He was really thirsty and he decided that his best bet would be to head into the oasis and look for water.

"After all," he reasoned, "you can't get an oasis without water."

So he went in. After some time, he found something that had his jaw dropping in absolute astonishment.

There was a castle in the middle of the oasis. And not just a castle like you'd find for other kingdoms or whatever. This one was practically a palace! After he got over his initial shock, Jiraiya decided to go in and see if he could find someone who could possibly get him back to his caravan. As he approached it, he noticed that there didn't seem to be anyone around. It felt like the sun had only recently set, yet he was shivering already.

"Hello?" he called when he reached an open door. (He wasn't too keen on entering through the big ass main one.)

There was no answer, but he was feeling brave (and thirsty and hungry) so he went in.

Soon he reached a magnificent dining room, and instantly realised that there was magic happening. How? There were dishes of food and pitchers of wine floating in the air, headed for the rather long table that was in the centre of the room. As Jiraiya approached the spot where the food was set, a chair was pulled out by some invisible force, and he sat, not wanting to upset whoever it was that was providing all of this for him.

He ate in silence, looking around him, taking in the splendour of even just this one room, and when he was done, decided that he would like to explore.

"Is it alright if I look around?" he asked the air, and there was no reply, so he figured that it would be alright.

He wandered for some time, eventually coming across a magnificent garden that held wondrous flower after wondrous flower, as well as a variety of trees and bushes. This was the most amazing garden he'd ever seen in his many years of travel.

Soon he came across some roses, and he caught his breath. They were absolutely divine! They were perfectly formed, and when he checked, he found no evidence of aphids. Leaning in, he was entranced by their scent, and instantly he remembered his promise to his daughter Sakura.

"I'm sure there wouldn't be any harm in taking one," he mused. "There are a lot here, after all."

And so, he pulled out a small pair of scissors he had on him and 'snip', one rose was now in his hand.

A loud crash like thunder startled him and an eerie feeling of doom washed over him. Looking up, Jiraiya became paralysed with fear at the sight of a mighty sand demon standing over him.

I'll leave this up for awhile before I post the next chapter, so don't forget to review. See ya!