Authors Note: alright I promise again that this is a fairly short ramble… (if there is such a thing) I promise that this going to turn into a ShikaSaku fic though I know for the first few chapters here are going to scream GarraSaku. I've got a lot of ground work to cover and things to explain, but our two lovely geniuses will find love in the end.

Review if you're in the mood : )

A Whisper

1

It was the first time Sakura had gone out in weeks, so of course the night could only be doomed to be a disaster. Naruto had offered to take his two favorite ladies, being Hinata and her, out to dinner to celebrate his recent promotion to ANBU captain. It had looked to be a lovely night indeed. A free meal at Konoha's most celebrated restaurant was even enough motivation to put on her sleekest black dress and spend an hour pinning up her shoulder length tresses.

It had all been in vain of course, she hadn't even been able to savor the fillet minion she had ordered. Instead of a wonderful dinner she had been scared half to death by the unmistakable pop signaling the entrance of one of Tsunade's little workers. He had wisely poofed out before Sakura's wrath could be unleashed, leaving a small scroll on the table in his place. The directions were simple: come to the fifth's office now.

So with a quick apology and a kiss on the check to each of her friends, Sakura was off running in heals toward the hokage building. Damn she wished she'd warn a shorter dress or was brave enough to try a teleportation jutsu but the fear of only half of her making it to Tsunade's office quickly dispelled the idea. Sakura stride slowed to a walk as she neared the office, she felt like a right mess now with her hair falling in every possible direct. The slinky black dress was covered in wrinkles looking more frumpy then pretty. She squared her shoulders trying to appear in some sort of fashion to be confidant before walking through the double doors and past Shizune who was working the front desk. The brunette simply raised an eyebrow at her appearance before motioning that she should head up. Sakura stepped into the elevator the double doors closing behind her.

"Wait a minute, Sakura hold up." Sakura stuck her foot in the doors before the shiny metal shut. The doors jarred open again as TenTen came forward offering her friend a smile of thanks, close behind walked Hinata who Sakura noted with a trace of jealousy looked much more composed.

"They came, f-for me a few minutes a-after you left." Sakura noted the look of disappointment on her friend face at her ruined date.

"It's OK Hinata I'm sure you and Naruto can go out for dessert after this meetings done," Sakura mentioned sure that the blonde would be more than happy to eat again in less than an hour. Sakura's stomach growled at the though of Naruto eating her abandoned dinner, she could still practically savor the flavors that had be wafting from the piece of meat.

Lucky bastard.

"Sakura, sure looks like Tsunade caught you at a rather bad moment too," TenTen stated frankly as she punched in the floor number. Hinata blushed slightly catching the passing innuendo, while Sakura just smirked at the brunette.

"Yeah and poor little Lee was trying so hard too,"

TenTen let out her bark of a laugh, as the small bell dinged indicating their stop had arrived.

Hinata hurried out of the elevator ahead of her two friends and into the Hokage's office to hide the not so demure smile that had spread across her face. Her eyes widened at the sight of not only Tsunade sitting behind her large desk but also Temari of the sand standing stony faced at her left. She felt both girls who had been laughing to themselves come to a stop behind her.

"Temari, these are the only three Kunoichi in the village up to the challenge of this mission. I would like to formally introduce Hinata Hyuga, TenTen, and Sakura Haruno." Temari eyed each girl carefully her eyes stopping on Sakura remembering the mednin from all those years ago.

"It's great to see you Temari." Sakura spoke up knowing her two comrades didn't know the girl well.

"You too, Sakura," Temari wasn't sure Sakura would have the same sentiments within the following moments.

"Please ladies come in and take a seat," Tsunade motioned to three mismatched chairs gathered in haste before her desk. She offered no pleasantries to Temari who stayed rigidly at her side. The three made their ways across the large oval office; it was dimly lit by candles. It was the grimmest Tsunade's office had looked in the entirety of Sakura's apprenticeship and Tsunade seemed to be reflecting its mood.

"I would like you to know that this mission is volunteer solely, if all three of you walk out without accepting I have done all I can as hokage and Temari has fully agreed with these terms." The younger blond nodded her head at mention of her name, and kept her focus upon Sakura who sat in the middle of her friends, in the most uncomfortable looking chair.

"This meeting is held in extreme confidentiality and I am assuming that you all are trust worthy to keep what is mentioned quiet and out of public life."

Nods followed her statement and the Hokage leaned back in her chair preparing for the night ahead.

"How much do you know about the politics in Suna," Sakura sent a quizzical look toward her mentor before shrugging. After all she had only visited the hot village once before and it hadn't been a very educational experience. TenTen looked even more lost at the subject, and Hinata had kept her gaze focused of her feet. Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance these three were definitely Konoha's finest by far.

"I'll put this as basically as possible; unlike Konoha the Kage of Suna is not elected but rather the process takes more imperial roots. In short the title of Kage is passed from father to son. Usually families try for at least three boys so that if anything were to happen to the present Kage it would fall back to a brother if he had no son to pass the name onto. The present Kage has no siblings related to his father or any sons meaning that the next in line for the position is his father's brother. His name is Hisao and we have it on good authority that he's tried many assassination attempts upon the Kazekage all which he was able to defend himself,"

Sakura glanced between the two women, Tsunade looked serious and Temari just plain worried.

"Why not just lock this Hisao up, to solve the problem," Sakura asked.

"Because he happens to hold the third highest seat on Gaara's council so such accusations will fall completely flat" Temari grumbled clearly already thinking of this option. The three women exchanged looks out of the corner of their eyes' before TenTen sighed and addressed the two blondes.

"Now, don't think less of my intelligence here but I'm taking it upon myself to state the obvious, your brother as I've heard from various pieces of gossip is not ugly at all," Temari couldn't resist wrinkling her nose slightly at the thought of her younger brother being classified as "hot" by the kunoichi of Konoha.

TenTen continued alone with her theory despite Temari's discomfort," I don't believe it would be a problem finding a likely candidate for him to marry and reproduce with."

Tsunade nodded at the brunette's statement before looking toward Temari, who shook her head in a fashion of saying no.

"This idea had been broached several times within the council and an the chances of both the woman and child being killed are great especially due to the fact that as a member of the council Hisao and most of his fellow coworkers deny his involvement with the assassinations," Temari's words did nothing but further to trouble the looks that passed over the women's faces.

"Y-You mean that H-Hisao w-would have access to the information regarding the woman chosen f-for the position."

"Yes that was until the highest council, and his second in command came to see me in regards to a safer solution which does not evolve Hisao in the least. They both wished for me to come to Konoha to find a woman willing to agree, to visit Suna for three weeks. During her time there, she would be required to have several planned outings with my brother and then in the final days would become impregnated using artificial insemination. When she would return to Konoha she would send word of the surprise pregnancy then would have the baby in the safely of your village, " Temari though she had been speaking rather quickly, carefully looked up from under her bangs trying to gage the reactions from each, both Hinata and TenTen shared a look of thoughtfulness while Sakura's eyes had widened to the size of plates.

"Are you asking us Temari which Ninja would be best suited for the job?" TenTen asked a hint of malice on her tongue, Hinata looked calmer and spoke more rationally.

"I believe selecting someone from an upper clan could be most useful."

"Hinata you can't seriously want to sell out one of your friends for this ridiculous mission."

"TenTen we hold a certain duty as ninja."

Sakura sat between her two fiends quietly , not able to look her mentor in the eye. Maybe it was for the best if Hinata and TenTen thought they had been called in under different pretences, after all neither really would be affected. Tsunade knew very well each were in relationships, she also knew that Sakura was not. It was manipulation at its finest. Yet the remorseful look in Tsunade's eye when they walked in lead Sakura to believe differently. There was so much more going on right now in her life: her job, friends, the fact that she was so close to getting head of her unit at the hospital. Did she really have the courage to say yes to this?

"Tsunade, Temari maybe it would be for the best if we all could sleep on this,"

While Temari wanted to protest that more than half the party had no idea what was happening that sleep would do no good. Tsunade raised a hand toward the blond and nodded at the other three to go. Both Hinata and TenTen nodded at each and headed toward the door, Sakura followed close behind, the soft pitter patter of her heels echoing through the round room.

"I'll do it."

Sakura didn't dare turn around not wanting to face her master or Temari; they didn't deserve that much recollection after this scheme. She didn't have a choice and all three knew it. And while Sakura couldn't bring herself to feel hate for either women both being roped in by higher order. She felt more hate at this moment to this man and his existence and how her perfect neat little life had been left in shambles within a few moments. At that moment though walking into the elevator she hated herself and her ability to give her life away at what could best be described as a stranger.

"That could of gone better," Tsunade jumped slightly in her seat before turning toward the window. Shikamaru sat lounged on the sill.

"As usual Shikamaru your strategy worked perfectly, the commissions will not be that great due to it being a low level mission, but will be transferred to your account," Tsunade stated turning her gaze back to her work.

Temari kept her eyes focused on her shoes as the man before them stood and stretched languidly.

"I do hope you realize that my strategy skills are better used on the field rather than plotting out people's lives and I will not be so willing to help should the situation arise again."

Tsunade nodded, and Shikamaru began the languid walk toward the elevator, ignoring Temari as he passed her. As he walked toward the elevator, he pretended not to hear the whispered 'I'm sorry' spoken in his wake.