A/N: At last I updated this story and not my Bleach one! School made me forget the rest of the story I had planned, so I decided that this will end in one more chapter or two. That means the story might seem rushed, sorry, but I want to finish this already.

Chapter 9

Around 9AM the next day Naruto found himself in the Hokage's office to receive his first mission from Tsunade in a long time.

"Ok, baa-chan, what mission do I have to do this time?"

Naruto dodged a book that was thrown at his head by an irate Tsunade.

"You never learn do you, brat." It was a statement not a question. Tsunade sat back down in her seat.

"Eh-he, nope sorry baa-chan. Not in this case. In other cases-" trailed off Naruto.

The Godaime instantly realized what Naruto was talking about. She decided to distract the Gama-sage from his traing of thought. The Hokage intertwined her fingers and put her chin on them.

"So, Naruto what is this that I hear about you going out with Ino and Tenten the past couple of days?"

"Ah, nothing, it's nothing baa-chan. Just two friends that I spent some time with," sputtered Naruto.

"Yes, two friends indeed, gaki. Two friends that you went to dinner with on separate days. Two dinners that you paid for. Two dates that you went on."

"Hehehe, you got me there baa-chan," chucked a nervous Naruto. "Is there something wrong with going out with Ino and Tenten?"

Tsunade had been waiting for this moment. This is when the plan she hatched would be put in motion. "Nothing is wrong with that. Naruto, I have no mission for you today. I have something very important to discuss with you."

"Nani? What is it?" Naruto asked curiously.

"I hope this works. Naruto isn't that stupid anymore. Hopefully he is still somewhat of an idiot. Namikaze-Uzumaki Naruto you are obligated by a decree made by your father, Namikaze Minato, Yondaime Hokage in his will to marry the only daughter of Haruno Sora."

"Na-NANIIII?!?!? Where the hell did this come from baa-chan?! I don't want to be near that abusive bitch anymore!! Let me see that will, the evidence that I have to marry that manipulative witch!"

Tsunade reached into her drawer and pulled out a sheet. She handed it over to Naruto who carefully examined it. The blonde Hokage had on an emotionless facade, but inside she was extremely nervous.

"Let this work, please work," begged Tsunade.

Naruto read the document that his parents wrote. It was in his father's handwriting and everything. It even had his father's seal and symbol on it. It also had Sakura's parents names on it. Naruto stared at the sheet in silence and horror. He was arranged to marry that, that whore!

The sage looked up from the sheet, made an X with his arms, and firmly spoke, "I refuse."

Tsunade was not surprised by Naruto's reply. He hates Sakura now. However, Tsunade was determined to help her apprentice. She doesn't want Sakura to end up like her, alone in the world. Deep down she knows that Naruto still loves Sakura. After all a person's first love is hard to forget. Naruto's is just buried under a hard surface and surrounded by many walls. Tsunade believes that with time Naruto will find his love for Sakura again. Calmly she tried to guilt Naruto into giving in, "What? Why would you refuse Naruto? I thought you of all people would honor his otousan's last request. Your father had a strong bond with the Haruno family as did your okaasan."

Naruto was silent, contemplating what to do. Tsunade knows she's got the young man. She told Naruto of the relationship between his parents and Sakura's parents. Minato and Kushina had met a long time ago. They became partners and did missions together. On the way home from a mission Minato and Kushina saved Haruno Sora and Tomoe from missing-nin. The married couple were traveling to Konoha to live there since their old village didn't have the opportunity to advance. Later, Minato and Kushina were matched up as a couple by Sora and Tomoe. Years later Tomoe became pregnant with Sakura and months after that Kushina got pregnant. All four adults knew that Tomoe would have a daughter. It was decided that if Kushina had a girl then the two kids would be best friends. However, if Kushina had a boy, he would be named Naruto after Jiraiya's main character and arranged to marry Sakura to solidify bond between the two families. The four adults drew up an agreement to this.

At the time of Naruto's birth, Minato received word of the Kyuubi attacking. Minato took Naruto and sealed the Kyuubi in his newborn son. Kushina was exhausted after giving birth. When she learned that Minato sacrificed himself to stop the bijuu, Kushina died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

"Well Naruto, you know the rest. I didn't find this until late last night," finished Tsunade.

Naruto contemplated in silence for a bit. He stared at Tsunade with pain in his eyes making her inwardly flinch. The future Hokage put a sad smile on his face, "I-I have to think over this." With that said Naruto turned around and disappeared in a flash of yellow.

After Naruto had left, the young looking Hokage let out a breathe she didn't even realize she had been holding. Judging by how Naruto reacted Tsunade knows that she at least has 50/50 shot on her plan succeeding. Most of the story that she told Naruto is true. The part of the marriage arrangement was not.

Tsunade sighed as she didn't want to resort to this to solve the problems between the two former teammates. She turned her chair around to face the window overlooking the village and spoke, "Kakashi, you can come out now."

Hatake Kakashi, former sensei to Namikaze Naruto and Haruno Sakura stepped out of the shadows he was just standing in. Kakashi put his pleasure book away in his back pocket as he stepped up to the Hokage's desk. He had a serious look under his mask.

"I take it you heard everything, Kakashi?"

"Ah, more or less," replied the jounin.

"So what do think will happen?"

"To be honest, I have no clue. Naruto is Konoha's most unpredictable ninja. There are more answers to that question besides the two obvious ones. He might not answer yes or no in this case. Besides this case is a bit underhanded, Hokage-sama. You made up some parts of the story and had me copy the handwriting of sensei, Kushina-san, and Sakura's parents using the Sharingan. I wouldn't be surprised if this backfired on us, Tsunade-sama," answered Kakashi with an eye smile. "Karma come back to haunt us from this."

"Bah, if anything karma should reward us with something since we're helping two heartbroken people reconcile their relationship and love. Love is the most beautiful thing in the world. Kakashi, I'd suggest you find yourself someone soon too. You're in your prime right now and anything could happen to you on a mission. I'd hate to be the Hokage that oversaw the demise of the famous Hatake clan."

"Ah, but what about Ino and Tenten? They seemed to have developed an interest in Naruto as well."

"Those two have a few men who are interested in them. I wouldn't be surprised if those men make moves soon since word of Naruto going on dates with them has already spread," smirked Tsunade.

Kakashi did another eye smile and took out his book. While he opened to the page he left off, Kakashi spoke, "I'm sure that you had absolutely nothing to do with the rumors about the dates Naruto went on." The copy ninja then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Tch, that Kakashi. How did he know I spied on Naruto and his dates? Well, it doesn't matter. Time for some sake."

Tsunade reached into her drawer and pulled out a bottle of her favorite sake. She popped the cork and was about to take a sip when the door opened. Shizune came in carrying a really tall stack of paperwork.

"Ah, Tsunade-sama here is today's paperwork," said Shizune as she placed the pile on the desk. Tsunade's assistant saw her about to drink some sake. "Aaaahhh, Tsunade-sama! Just what do you think you're doing? You know you aren't allowed to drink any sake until the paperwork is finished," scolded Shizune as she took the bottle away.

"I'm gonna take all your sake away, Tsunade-sama. You can have some after your duties are finished."

"Oi Shizune! Give me back my sake!" yelled Tsunade as her apprentice walked out the door. "Tch, there goes my day. And it was going to be so pleasant today too," muttered a grumpy Hokage.

Sakura's Apartment

Haruno Sakura woke up this morning feeling a lot better than she has felt for the past few years. Late last night Tsunade-sama had approached her about a plan that might get her and Naruto back together. At first Sakura had refused to go with the plan because she didn't want Naruto to be forced to be with her. She wanted Naruto to love her so that they could have a happy life together, not one in which their relationship would be tolerable at best. However, after some convincing by her shishou and thinking Sakura agreed with the idea. She built a resolve to show and prove to Naruto that she loves him and only him!

Sakura left her apartment and made her way to work at the hospital. While walking Sakura contemplates her life. She hopes her lonely life will get better. Both of her parents passed away from cancer two years ago, so she lives by herself. The pink haired med-nin knows that Tsunade-sama must have started her plan by now.

"Maybe I'll be with Naruto in the near future. Arigatou, shishou for trying," thought Sakura as she arrived in time for her shift.

Namikaze Mansion

For the past 5 hours Naruto has been in a meditative state in the training room. He knows he has another date with Tenten later and another with Ino tomorrow. However, at the moment the situation with Sakura is at the forefront of his mind.

Naruto doesn't want to be anywhere near the bitch. Right now he feels nothing but anger and hatred at his former teammate for breaking his heart. Naruto also knows that if he was completely honest with himself he'd admit that deep down he still loves Sakura. The young man wants to honor his one of this father's last requests as well. The blonde is stuck between a tiger and a cliff. Opening his eyes Naruto made his decision.

R&R please!

~CodeBleach~