Sakura sat in the windowsill of her apartment. Everything was in boxes; labeled for her new home, storage or goodwill. She was lucky she had enough clothes to get through the week. She repressed a laugh, most of her clothes were in the goodwill boxes, since she had been supplied a new wardrobe courtesy of her new husband; clothes that had the Hyuuga emblem proudly displayed.
Sakura stared at the sky, the sun was just now rising, and a maid would be around soon to collect her. In a few short hours she would be married to Hiashi, she'd be a clan head's wife.
It had taken six months for the news to get out, giving her time to tie up what few little loose ends she had. Of course everyone had wondered about the cancelled nuptials, but Hinata and Naruto had wasted no time; marrying almost immediately she had served as Naruto's best wo-man. Then the six month hit and Hiashi had called Hinata and Neji home and told them the news; they were disowned from the clan and no longer had any obligations to it. This was extended to their children. He then told them about his marriage to her. He had sent a letter to Hanabi.
Hinata had raced home and in one breath she had told him she hadn't had to marry Neji, because Sakura was marrying her father and that meant new heirs. Naruto had entered her home in a rage. She had taken the verbal beating with a pinch of salt as he raged and eventually fled her apartment when she refused to say anything. He hadn't talked to her since. They were free to live their lives now.
She however was trapped, though Hiashi did his best to make things better for her. They had lunch together every day; he would pick her up at the hospital and walk her to a local restaurant where they would eat and converse. If they needed to talk and the matter was serious they would meet within what was soon to be, their rooms. Overall she found that Hiashi was the only one she could talk to as her friends drew away from her; most likely for Hinata's disownment.
Still she plowed through; taking missions, working at the hospital, attending her lessons on how to be lady of the house. The rest of her time was spent mainly in Tsunade's presence, doing paperwork and talking. Something told Sakura that Tsunade had figured it out, to some degree, what was going on. Perhaps that was why she had stopped looking for a way for Sakura to get out of it, and oh, how the woman had looked. A knock on the door forced Sakura out of her thoughts. It was time.
Sakura stood next to Hiashi; schmoozing the many political figures that had attended their wedding. She still wore the white kimono though the white face paint was now gone in exchange for more natural make-up and her hair had been let down out of the more traditional do and instead it had been pulled back and allowed to flow back in soft waves.
Her eyes scanned the crowd as Hiashi continued to talk. Her friends had been invited though none of them had RSVP'd or come; then her eyes landed on a familiar face and she excused herself.
Shikamaru stood near the back, dressed for the event. Stopping in front of him she waited. He motioned with his head to follow and she glanced back at Hiashi, his eyes were trained on her and then he gave a barely perceivable nod and she was off. Shikamaru led her to the public gardens, and stopped by the ponds. He took out a cigarette, lit it and took a drag. "Do you know what kinda hell you've put me through this past year." Sakura raised an eyebrow, "How much of Ino's whining and complaining I've had to listen to since this whole thing came out?" He didn't let her answer "All of it, cause she feels awkward going to you now!" He took another drag of his cigarette. "But they're happy, Naruto, Hinata, Neji, and TenTen. You freed them."
"Does anyone else know?" Sakura's voice was quiet; she didn't want to be overheard.
"Neji has an inkling, and I think Shino figured it out."
"Don't let them say anything. I want Naruto to enjoy his life with Hinata. He won't if he knows I traded my freedom for hers."
Shikamaru nodded and bent down to extinguish the bud. "I've got to go, and no doubt they're looking for the bride."
Sakura nodded and turned to leave as Shikamaru disappeared in a swirl of leaves. She found her place beside Hiashi and held it until the night ended and they walked back to their rooms. He helped her out of the kimono. "What did Nara want?"
Sakura sighed, and shifted she really needed to use the bathroom "He figured it out." Hiashi hmmed "So did Shino, and he thinks Neji, in his words, has an inkling."
Hiashi harrumphed "Neji doesn't have an inkling, he simply knows. Sakura shrugged and the rest of her under robes fell from her body. Stepping out of the pool of fabric she walked into the bathroom where a maid had already laid out a red silk nightgown.
The elders had made their desire for an heir, a male heir, very clear when she and Hiashi had met them. She was already preparing herself for the fight that would ensue over her children's training, teams and her general raising of said children. She would make sure that they were happy, that she was there to help shoulder some of their responsibilities. She would make sure Hiashi didn't miss out on the things he had last time. She was going to make sure that their children came first and that the clan wasn't able to dig their claws in. She was going to change things.
Giving once last glance to her reflection in the mirror Sakura left the bathroom. It was time to start her marriage.
So this is turning out longer than I expected. It's most likely gonna be a five shot and I already have chapter 3 written that will be out tomorrow. To my 80 day challenge readers; I've posted a one shot follow-up for my Asuma/Sakura arc, it's called Close to the Heart, check it out. Also if you're thinking "Wow UNCPanda you sure are being productive today," I'm not, I'm really not. The heat went out in my house yesterday and instead of holing up in my room to write where there are distractions, I am in the family room where there is a fire surrounded by my family. Just as distracting but easier to tune out. Plus I'd rather keep my fingers and toes and nose. It's below thirty where I am, and that's cold.
