Fear gripped Sakura's heart listening to the words coming from the head of her clan. She was part of the Haruno clan who fought under the Senju clan as allies against the Uchiha's. Recently a truce had been called and fight had come to a stop while negotiations were being drafted. Limb by limb it felt as if she was turning to stone as the clans leader made the announcement. There was to be an alliance between Senju and Uchiha and as such the Senju were to provide the most skilled, beautiful, intelligent, bride. Sakura could hear whispers around her and when she took in her surroundings many people were looking and point in her direction.

Sakura swallowed hard as she was known the most beautiful woman among the Haruno clan. She was also very skilled with medical ninjutsu and had the most delicate and precise chakra control of anyone in her clan and among the Senju. Her deadly close range taijutsu was also well known. She had destructible power within her and some people feared her. Her last known attribute was how she was extremely well read and versed in the ways of life and war. She was a benefit to have as she held a large database of knowledge to use in any situation.

Sakura took a step back and a bead of sweat rolled down her temple. She turned on her heel to flee the scene before someone could make the suggestion she volunteer, however she walked right into a body that was directly behind it. Relief immediately relaxed her body seeing her old childhood friend Naruto Uzumaki son of Minato the clans leader right hand man..

"Let's get out of here," Naruto said with a smile and grabbed her hand leading her away from the crowd. Sakura felt a blush warm her cheeks and she intertwined her fingers with his.

Naruto led Sakura away and to their usual spot up on hill overlooking the village and river below. The sun had started to set and cast a warm glow on everything, making Naruto's normally blonde hair look more orange. The two sat there, close to each other enjoying the beautiful scene before them and the calming music nature provided.

"It's you," Naruto said flatly not even taking a glance towards here.

Sakura whipped her head right to look at him, confusion marring her beautiful profile. "What's me?"

"The candidate. It's already been decided by the elders and your parents have approved," Naruto revealed.

Sakura's heart sank deep into her stomach and she felt like she was going to be sick. A cicada buzzed in the background and Sakura only sat there looking astonished as Naruto looked towards the village.

Sakura ran a hand through her pink hair and tried to regain her composure. After some time, she asked softly, "ho-how do you know all this?"

"My father allowed me to be in the meeting at the negations with the Uchiha," Naruto said now turning his blue eyes her way.

"And you just let them trade me away," Sakura asked in an accusing tone. She knew it was cruel to accuse him but she was angry that it had already been decided upon. The two had been very close since childhood, evening having a mutual affection for each other but always waiting for the right time to be official. Naruto wouldn't have wanted to send her away and she knew that but Sakura was angry and hurt. She felt betrayed by her own people.

"No! I didn't have a say. I would never trade you away," Naruto said looking her in the eyes. The stayed there, staring into each other's eyes as the sun fully set. Soon the hill was dancing from the blinking lights of the fireflies.

Sakura turned away first and stood to stand. "When do I have leave," she inquired effectively turning of her humanity to save herself the heartache that was to ensue.

"Your carriage leaves in the morning," Naruto stated watching her back. He could hear the coldness in her voice and only sat there as she walked down the hill watching her figure disappear in the night. Naruto sat there alone in the dark listening to crickets play their melodies. Her balled his fits and gritted his teeth, he couldn't just sit there and watch the love of this life be sold to another man like this. Naruto furrowed his brow and closed his eyes before screaming out with anger. He was powerless to stop this arrangement, to stop Sakura from leaving.

Sakura stood outside of her parents home and took a deep breath in, they were the ones who agreed to sell her in order to save everyone from the misery of being an Uchiha enemy. Sakura approached and moved the door to the side so she could enter, inside her parents were sitting by a fire drinking tea. They watched her intensely their eyes watching her every movement as if waiting for her to explode.

Sakura had decided that she couldn't go against the Senju clan or she were to make enemies of them and on top of that would also crumble any Uchiha and Haruno alliance if she ran away, the war would only continue and more people would suffer. The greatest sacrifice for everyone's sake, it was a heavy burden to bear.

And if Sakura felt the burden then she knew her parents were also dealing with their own burden and guilt about the arrangement. Sakura quietly moved to her side of the home and packed bundle full of her dearest belongings. A short blade that Sakura's father had given her, a pair of black gloves to protect her hands when in combat, and a red twined bracelet Naruto had given to her as gift. Sakura tied her long hair back into a high ponytail and tied the bundle closed putting it on her back.

She stood and face her parents bowed at the waist and then left the home without saying goodbye. When the door closed behind her she heard her mother gasp out in despair and heard her cries from outside. Sakura's heart tugged in pain as this was the last time she was going to see them but she didn't want to have memories of everyone crying and wishing her well. She wanted clean cut ties to make assimilation into her new life easier.

Sakura walked to clan leaders tent and presented herself to the guards who went inside to retrieve him. Sakura explained that she wanted to leave now as to make a good impression and in case to avoid any traps or ambushes from any rival clans. He agreed and summoned 3 capable shinobi to guide her to the rendezvous. The team consisted of Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru Nara, and Rock Lee. They immediately got the horses and carriage ready as Sakura watched in a lifeless state.

Just after midnight the four of them set off with Sakura inside a carriage, Lee driving and Shikamaru and Naruto on horseback. The only sound between them was the symphony of nature at night and the squawking of the carriage. A few miles from their destined rendezvous point Shikamaru suggest the pull back and wait for the Uchiha to arrive first to make sure a trap was trying to be laid.

Sakura waited in the carriage until a knock from the door startled her from her thoughts. She opened and there stood Naruto with a bundle in his hands. "These are for you to change into, want to make a good impression on your new family," he said awkwardly.

Sakura took the bundle and exited the carriage she went off behind some brush to change. She felt so embarrassed being nude out in the woods. She managed to put on the kimono by herself and ran her hands through her hair so she could pin it with the hair accessories that had been prepared for her. The kimono was pitch black, a beautiful cherry blossom tree blowing in the wind was perfectly stitched. The kimono shimmered with silver threads. Sakura tied the pink obi as tight as possible and crisped the edges of folds in the sleeves and skirt. Sakura then swept her hair back into a tight spun bun and strapped it tight with a leather strap. She stuck a dangly hair pieces in the bun and let the three-string piece dangle with black flowers on them. She left out some hair framing pieces so not to make her forehead look abnormally large. However, she kept her purple diamond seal visible. She didn't want anyone mistaking her for some pathetic clanswoman. Sakura came from behind the brush and the three men stared at her in amazement. She was radiant and powerfully beautiful in her black kimono. Naruto gave an approving nod as Lee and Shikamaru turned their head back to the rendezvous as the Uchiha's started to arrive.

Sakura crawled back into the carriage and the also set off towards the meeting point. Sakura's hands became sweaty and she balled her firsts on her knees, her heart was pounding in her ears and as soon as they had arrived her door opened, she stepped out and went into another carriage and was on the move again.

Before she could even register what was happening she missed her last chance to look upon Naruto's face. Another realization dawned upon her, she had left her bundle of precious items in the carriage. Her heart ached in sadness and Sakura put her hand over her mouth to stifle her sobs. She eventually stopped crying and was just staring at the opposite side of the carriage. The interior was nicer than Senju's however a carriage was still a carriage and it was hot. Sakura was grateful she thought to put her hair up and leaned back into the dark navy pillows of the carriage. She knew the journey to the Uchiha's clan would be at least a day so she made herself comfortable and rode in silence.

Sakura awoke when the carriage suddenly stopped and her senses started to take in her surroundings. IT was morning as the sunlight was bright and came through the papered windows at a harsh angle, she could smell bread being cooked for the days market and people chattering around her. Then carriage roughly jolted forward rocking her to the side as one wheel went into a hole in the road. Sakura grunted as she was slammed up against the wall, she regained herself and prepared herself for the rough ride through the city. She could hear people gossiping and wondering who was inside of her carriage.

"The new bride of the Uchiha," Sakura said softly in a mocking tone. Soon the sounds of village life started to fade from her ears and she heard the screeching of gates opening. Sakura's heard started to pound and now it became very real that she was no longer going to see her parents or her friends any longer. Her lower lips quivered as the carriage came to a stop. Sakura quickly bit down on her lips to stop it and the door slowly opened, she accepted the hand that reached inside to help her out. She let her face rest to a polite smile as she gracefully exited the carriage.

There before her stood a large palace with several people standing outside. She instantly recognized he Uchiha Leader as she had seen him many times on the battle field. Sakura took in a sharp breath and walked forward. She kept her eyes straight but used her periphal vision to take a survey of the font entrance. It was heavily guarded and would be easy to escape using the front door. She would have to find a different way.

Sakura stopped in her tracks surprising herself with thoughts of escape. A bird chirped in the distance and Sakura quickly continued on hoping no one caught on to her. She reached the steps of the home and she bowed deeply to leader.

"Minato Uzumkai did not disappoint. I didn't know you could look to beautiful, I've always seen you covered in dirt and blood," Fugaku said sinsterly. It made Sakura's skin crawl and she could only imagine how his son would be.

Sakura stood from her bow and smiled at him politely. "It's an honor for Father and Mother to greet me," Sakura said elegantly. Though she was a ninja through and through her mother never let her slide on her manners and always taught Sakura to hold herself up confidently.

"Come in dear, I've had the cooks make breakfast and we can introduce you to our sons," Mikoto said sweetly.

Shock startled Sakura as she had not realized there were two Uchiha sons. No one ever talked about a second son. Sakura followed Fugaku and Mikoto threw the hall and into their large banquet hall where Sakura was taken back by how many people were there and just how large the room was. At least fifty people were inside the room but there was still plenty of room for more. Sakura took in a quick breath and followed the Uchiha before her to the center of the room.

"This is the Legendary Medical Ninja of the Haruno, Sakura Haruno," Fugaku announced and Sakura looked at the ground and bowed as people murmured around the room with approval. "What do you think Sasuke," Fugaku asked loudly stepping aside to allow someone a better look. When Sakura stood to her full height her eyes immediately fell upon a young man her age or a little older looking at her with dead cold eyes. Sakura's heart pulsed lively inside of her chest.

"Hn," was the young mans response as he looked away from her. Sakura felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment as no man had treated her so coldly before. Mikoto arranged for Sakura to take her seat next to Sasuke and she complied. Sakura was shocked when Sasuke closed the gap between them whispering in her hear, "come to my bedroom afterward."

Sakura felt a hand on her leg and her hand instantly balled and swung for him. He grabbed her fist and he pushed her onto her back and then Sasuke was on top of her kissing her hard.

Sakura's emerald eyes widened in surprise and Sasuke stared at her with his oxyn colored eyes.