Disclaimer: All Naruto characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto *sigh*

AN: For the effects of this story, most of the characters are 18, 19 yo in the regular timeline. There has been no Great Shinobi war against Madara. Tsunade is still the Hokage. Imagine the shinobi world having a ruling monarchy instead of a silly daimyo (In the series the Feudal Lords are presented as really dull, none at all as what you'll see here)

Now, to the story:

Sakura Haruno was just a normal girl, well… as normal as a pink haired top medic kunoichi with superhuman strength can be, anyway. She lived in a normal house in the suburbs of Konoha, not too large, not too small, in the civilian part of Konoha. She also had really normal parents, a couple of civilians who lived a tranquil life and who, in order to maintain their peace of mind, didn't inquire much about what was it that their daughter did for a living.

However, not everything is what it seems, and though some facades can be maintained for a very long time, eventually they will crumble, and the truth will push its way through.

"Hokage-sama, the presence of Princess Harusaki at the court is required as soon as possible." a bearded man requested with a stern voice. "The Crown Princess' health is in danger and the throne cannot be left empty. You know the political turmoil that will arise if this information is known, and if we are in trouble, so are you, Hokage-sama. Do not forget that."

Shizune had been at the Hokage tower since dawn, as was her custom lately since those were the only peaceful hours in which she could get some necessary work done. She suddenly heard voices outside and went to see what was happening since it was still insanely early in the morning. Outside of the tower she saw a group of five people dressed very formally and their escorts behind. 'are those horses outside? What on earth is going on?' she thought. The one who seemed to be the head of the escort saw Shizune approaching and roughly demanded that the officers be let in to see the Hokage right that instant.

Clearly, this was not how she had expected her morning to begin. She was about to ask them to return at a more decent hour when she recognized the royal blazon in their clothing. Shizune could not have been more surprised.

"H-hai" she stuttered. "Please come into the office, Hokage-sama will be here soon".

With this she let them in and as soon as she closed the door, ran as fast as she could to go and get Tsunade. The escorts stood outside of the room, eyeing warily at the ANBU that had also positioned himself outside of the Hokage's office.

'I am way too sober for this' thought Tsunade as soon as she heard what the chief officer of the royal party had said.

"Ahem" the Hokage cleared her throat. "I will have to discuss this with Miss Haruno first" she said, emphasizing the last name that Sakura had grown up with, which carried the identity that had been built for her for the past years.

Tsunade thought that stripping her of it, of her family, her friends, her position at the hospital, her job as a shinobi… it was a cruel twist of fate. They had no idea how hard Sakura had fought to obtain all of it, and they surely were not aware of that temper of hers, and how she would not let any of it get taken away without a fight. They were in for trouble.

"Are you sure that there is no other option? " The Hogake asked, looking for a way out for her pupil.

"We wouldn't be here if there were" the chief officer answered. "According to our best doctors…" the chief officer looked around in a slightly paranoid gesture to check that the room was safe. "… the Crown Princess has a year left to live, eighteen months if we are lucky". He sighed while rubbing his temples. "We will leave it to you, Hokage-sama. Talk to Princess- Miss Haruno as soon as possible, and send her to the temple of Fire. We will be waiting for her. You have three weeks to send her there. That should be enough time for her to make the proper arrangements to leave, otherwise, we will have to come for her."

Tsunade had been listening with her elbows on the desk, fingers entwined with her chin resting on top of them. She nodded solemnly at that last statement."I'll do what I can" the Slug Princess said, "and will send word to you if more help is required." she mentioned that last part because she knew that Sakura wouldn't be convinced of any of it easily.

"Of course, Hokage-sama. We are leaving in your hands the documents containing the Queen's orders for the Princess, as well as a summary of the royal family's history." with this the chief officer delivered a package covered in silk, containing different parchment scrolls, each one with the royal seal in them. "We hope that the Princess will make up her mind soon, and accept her responsibilities to the Land of Fire"