So this is my first Naruto fanfic, I don't own Naruto =/ And some of my terms are off but that's what you get when you watch it for free online lol

My story is set in the beginning of the Shippuden series. Naruto hasn't returned from training as of yet. The five great nations are about to enter their fourth shinobi war. Most lands are making alliances and treaties with each other.

xXx

Tsunade sat at her desk; the piles of paperwork were beginning to get backed up again. She really didn't feel like touching the paperwork as of right now. She had been busying herself with the finally training of Sakura, arranging with the village elders to handle most of the arrangements with the Hidden Sand treaty, and keeping tabs on Sasuke as much as possible.

As of right now the elders sat in a conference room down the hall arranging most of the treaty with the sand elders. Of course the Kazekage had accompanied them. Tsunade and Gaara were going to have some part in the treaty or at least they had hoped the elders had remembered them. Tsunade had asked Shikamaru to escort their visiting sand guests around the village, though the elders were taking a bit longer then she had expected.

Really, what was there to discuss? So far the sand and the leaf had played nicely together. They had both added each other when asked. Why not just put that on paper, sign it, and be done with it? Or that could just be her over worked mind talking there. If only I had more time in the day to get the junk done; she thought. Maybe then she would have been the one making the treaty arrangements.

"Tsunade-sama, you're Sasuke report just arrived, and the elders also informed me they are ready for you and Gaara to join them." Shizune handed the same scroll to her Hokage as they both walked towards the office door. Tsunade tucked the scroll up her sleeve, she would read it later. "Find Gaara and inform him as well." "Already done." "Good. Let's go see what demands the elders kept us waiting on."

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Apparently the news had traveled as fast as Shizune had said; Gaara, Temari, and Kankurou, were approaching the conference room as she rounded the corner. Gaara motioned for Tsunade to enter first; once inside there were two chairs open. The two Kages took their seats; everyone else took their place along the back wall.

Once everyone had taken their place one of the sand elders stood, and cleared his throat. "We thee elders have come to a decision. After much discussion we found that there wasn't much to add on our previous arrangement, but we feel there needs to be more of a 'guarantee'." The female leaf elder stood up and continued "We found an old tradition that both our lands used to secure alliances." Gaara leaned forward onto his elbows and intertwined his fingers in front of his face. He was beginning to think that leaving this up to the elders wasn't the best idea. He looked toward Tsunade. She had closed her eyes and crossed her arms. They both listened intently.

"We propose a marriage alliance." The elder finished, and then returned to being seated. A small chuckle escaped from the blonde Hokage as she spoke. "And just who do you propose gets married?" The female sand elder stood this time with a smile on her face. "The leaf has asked for Temari. She is a combat expert. And the sand has asked for Sakura. She is a medic ninja."

Temari had gone wide eyed, and pale against the back wall. "Who are they going to marry?" Gaara questioned in his calm, deep voice. Finally the male leaf elder stood and spoke. "We thought that you and our Hokage would figure that out; since both people are important to the two of you. If not we have our recommendations." "Well since you've thought of it all, why stop now? Let's hear you recommendations." Sarcasm dripped from Tsunade's tone as she lean forward glaring at each of the elders.

"We propose that Temari marry Nara Shikamaru, and Sakura marry the Kazekage. Temari's combat skills mixed with our tactics expert would be a fierce combo to be reckoned with. Since the Sand is lacking great medical shinobi; Sakura is valuable. Though we feel she is lacking in her defensive skills; the Kazekage seemed like the best choice for her. But we leave the final decision with you two. We've already drawn up the contracts. Have all parties sign it if you would." All the elders stood and walked towards the door, the turned and bowed before leaving the room all together. Tsunade got to her feet, anger flared in her eyes; this was not how she would have achieved an alliance between the villages! Damn those elders for putting her in that kind of position! "Find me Nara and Haruno!" she growled at Shizune.

Gaara sat in his chair still composed on the outside. His thoughts on the other hand were going crazy. The elders had picked him of all people to get married? Marriage is the way the elders felt would seal the deal? There's more to their plan then they are telling. In the end Gaara still felt like he owed the leaf. He had met Naruto here, battled him here, given words to live by here, and realized that there was more to life than just bloodlust and fear. It had been Uzumaki Naruto of the Hidden Leaf that told him to protect what was precious to him. Gaara liked Sakura, but the thought never crossed his mind that'd he would have to marry her. The Kazekage was a busy man; he had no time to date. The more he thought about it; the more he wanted to return the favor by protecting someone whom Naruto called precious.

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Sakura waved to Shikamaru as she walked out the Yamanaka's flower shop. With Naruto being gone she found the only person she was able to talk to about how she felt was Ino. They brought up Sasuke a few times here and there. He was still a tender subject with both of them. In general the two were getting along again.

"Shikamaru! You finally get a chance to get out of the office?" Sakura smiled at him as they started walking. "No, Tsunade had me showing the sand shinobi around. Like they needed a reminder of what our town look liked. What a pain." He grumbled at Sakura. "Any news from Jiraiya, or Naruto?" Shikamaru shook his head. "I bet they are hard at work on training." She whispered and smiled to herself.

"Ah, well I'd better get back to meet with the Hokage." "I'll walk with you." The two walked at a fairly good pace. As they stood outside Tsunade's office getting ready to say their good-byes, Shizune raced around the corner. "Thank goodness I found you two." She panted. "You are needed in the conference room. Come on." She motioned for them to follow. Flashing confused looks at each other they followed. In the conference room the two Kages seat facing the door, Temari sat in a seat in front of the table with her back to the door, the two other chairs sat to her left empty, Shizune pointed to the seats before she and Shikamaru sat she smiled at Gaara. She hadn't seen him since the last mission out to Suna.

Tsunade inhaled deeply, as she looked for a way to word this. "As you both know we have been trying to arrange a permanent alliance with the Hidden Sand village." Both nodded, taking the queue she continued. "The lord Kazekage and I agreed to let the village elders handle to arrangements, and the elders have made the choice." The blonde lead ground her teeth before Gaara got to his feet. "They have asked that our two villages make a bond through marriage." He finished for her. "So why are we here?" Sakura piped up. The red haired man's eyes met her emerald green, holding her gaze he spoke. "They have asked for you and me to be wed." Her jaw dropped "WHATTTTTT?"

She felt like her head was spinning. She glanced over at Shikamaru. She could see his mouth moving but heard nothing; it looked as though he was arguing with Tsunade. Her master was leaning across the table, scowling, and pointing at him then Temari. Poor Temari just sat in her seat, her face pale, her eyes flashing from Gaara to Tsunade, then to Shikamaru. The whole scene surreal to her; it had to be some sort of bad dream. She had dreamed of marrying Sasuke, having kids, and living happily ever after. "Children..." she managed to utter. The room went quiet, everyone looking at her. "What about children? We're going into a marriage to bring peace; are we supposed to have children as well?"

It was Gaara who made the move for the contract. He found his answer on the third page. "Each couple is required to have at least or expecting one child before the end of their second year of marriage." Gaara watched everyone's expressions; Temari (if at all possible) seemed to turn a shade paler, Shikamaru cradled his head in his hand, looking defeated, and their sat Sakura. She stared at Gaara with her sad eyes. Her face made him want to turn away. It was so close to the looks of fear and disgust he was used to. He tried to read her; if only he could hear her thoughts.

"Well I feel that you four have some talking to do. Please discus this. This is a choice that may very well last a life time. And whatever you choose, make sure it's what you want." Kankurou, Shizune, and Tsunade took their leave. The four sat there in silence.

"Ugh! This is crazy! We haven't been dating long enough to even consider getting married Shika!" Temari leaned her head against his shoulder. "I know, but it seems we don't have a choice." The lazy genius draped his arm around Temari's shoulder trying to comfort her. Sakura stared at the floor; 'I don't want this! Or do I? I have a chance of helping everyone in the village. Sacrificing my happiness for everyone else is worth it in the end right? Sasuke isn't coming back. What's left for me?' A hand gently touched her shoulder. Slowly she looked up into Gaara's jade eyes; this time they seemed to have softened. He looked genuinely concerned, and confused. "Sakura…" he whispered at her. "I'll do it." escaped her lips. "I'll do it" she repeated with a bit more strength in her voice.

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I have some more ideas for this story but I'm not sure if I'll continue or not. Let me know what you think!