For confusion purposes. Team 7 has already met again at the bridge scene where Yamato pretended to be Sasori. Sakura and Chiyo did not defeat Sasori though because Gaara has not been kidnapped. It's out of canon order, but just roll with it.

-O-O-O-

The bright sun peeked over the trees of the forest, casting long shadows on the ground. A light breeze ruffled the trees, causing leaves to dance among the flying birds as they sang their morning onsomble. Bunnies bounced about, finding small flowers to nibble. The occasional deer grazed peacefully through the trees.

A large boulder being smashed to pieces, chunks flying in every direction, causing destruction, mayhem, scurrying animals, and a brutal war cry to disturb the tranquil morning.

"CHA!"

The pinkette was in a foul mood this morning. Well… not simply this morning, but since her return from her mission. She had learned so MUCH from Lady Tsunade, but it still wasn't enough. She needed to be better, stronger, smarter, wiser. She needed to make a difference. She needed to not just

"STAND.

THERE.

FROZEN.

AND.

DO.

NOTHING!"

With every screamed word, the kunoichi forced another earth-shattering fist into the ground.

The young woman stood limply in a deep crater, broken earth and debris scattered around her. Her arms hung loosely in front of her, as if being weighed down by cinder blocks.

It wasn't enough.

She glared at her numb fingers. They could heal. Heal a great many injuries. Save a man from near death. They could destroy. Smash boulders to small bits. Break any tree trunk like snapping a twig. Create a destroyed landscape filled with craters in an instant.

But it still wasn't enough.

If all she could do was stand in the back, hit things, and heal people… then she wasn't useful enough. She wasn't on the frontlines.

Sakura sagged to her knees, physical exhaustion displaying the emotional exhaustion she felt within.

"Oi, Sakura."

"Rah!"

Going from a depressed slump into a startled, sloppy defense, she gazed up at her former sensei. The man, as casual as ever, smiled awkwardly at her with his eye. Never ceasing to surprise her how many expression the lone eye could convey.

"Working off some steam?"

The pinkette stretched herself into a more comfortable standing position.

"No. Just training," she snapped, avoiding his gaze.

"Rriigghhhtt…. Well! Lady Hokage has a mission for us and requested your presence."

Sakura sighed and stored her gloves in her pouch. It had only been a few days since returning with Captain Yamato, Naruto, and Sai from the bridge mission! And by the timing of this briefing, they were likely to leave today. She had gotten no sleep last night either, thoughts and memories haunting her relentlessly.

"Yes Sensei."

-O-O-O-

Sakura stood in front of her mentor's desk. It was peculiar, being the only one in here when she knew this was a team mission. Kakashi, Naruto, and Ino sat outside the office, waiting to be called inside after Sakura's personal briefing was over.

The stare she was receiving was intimidating. It caused a shiver to travel down her spine. Hard eyes gazed at her from above interlaced fingers. These weren't her mentor's usual hard eyes though, eyes that everyone received when Tsunade was about to share difficult information and ask the individual to take a high-risk mission. No. These eyes were hard in a protective way. Sakura knew that look. It was the same look she received when Tsunade encouraged her to let go of Sasuke's return and view him as a threat to the village. These eyes were hiding emotion, unsaid turmoil that the woman was struggling to not display.

It was quiet. The silence was going on for too long.

Sakura's pink hair fell in front of her shoulders as she bowed her head. The girl desperately needed to go with Ino to get it cut once they returned from this mission.

"Lady Tsunade."

The woman still didn't speak and Sakura bit her lip but didn't raise her head to look at the oppressively solemn leader.

She stayed silent as her mentor rose quietly from her chair and walked around the desk. The tapping of high black heels seemed to echo for eons before sakura saw them in front of her own sandals.

"Raise your head Sakura."

Concern drenched Sakura's features at the blonde eyebrows pulled together and the tight line of red lips. This was bad. Whatever this was, whatever Tsunade was going to tell her, she wasn't prepared. She wanted to rewind and start over, with her whole team in the room instead.

"What I am about to tell you will change the future of the village completely. This is not a light mission. Your actions alone will directly impact diplomatic affairs. I need you to remember all of your training, all of your experiences shadowing me, and all of your love for this village. This mission… Sakura… it will very likely be your last mission for our village."

Dark waves of ooze drenched Sakura's body as she shuddered. Goosebumps rose on her arms and legs and her mouth fell open slightly. She bit her lip until it bled lightly, tears poking at her eyes.

No. She wouldn't. She wouldn't let this overcome her. Every mission could be your last. It was an honor to die defending your village.

The young woman squeezed her eyes shut and balled her hands into fists. No. She would get through this. She would come back to the village.

"You are to marry Sabaku Gaara."

Sakura's eyes were as wide as dinner plates. MARRY?! GAARA?! This was not what she was expecting. No no no. Tsunade couldn't be serious!

"Pick your jaw up off the floor!"

The pinkette quickly snapped her mouth shut. Her pupils as small as shino's tracking flies. Marry. Marriage. Last mission for the village.

"Heh heh heh… Tsunade-sama, you can't be serious," Sakura exclaimed, "you're sending me on a mission to be married?"

Despite Sakura's nervous laughter, there was no humor in Tsunade's face. The woman wasn't joking. Sakura gulped.

"It is a politically arranged marriage. To unite the countries in an unbreakable bond. And it is necessary.".

"Wh-what do you mean?! Necessary!? We've been allies for years!"

No longer was the young woman flustered. She was past shock. She was furious. This was not anyone's choice to make but her own!

"And now there is a need to strengthen that bond!"

"But I don't want to get married! How dare-"

-O-O-O-

The three shinobi sat quietly outside the Hokage's office. One jiggling his leg and very obviously pouting. Another reading mature content with a bored gaze. And another critiquing her nails; she'd just had them done and the polish was already chipping.

The trio heard female voices from the room behind them, but besides a sideways glance from the two blondes, no one reacted.

'CCRRAASSHHH'

Naruto's eyes widened, "what do you think Baa-chan said to Sakura? What if Sakura said something to Baa-chan?! We have to go in there and stop them before they destroy the village!"

Kakashi's lone eye sighed at the hyperactive burst of concern. Ino hummed as her eyebrows came together.

This couldn't be good.

-O-O-O-

"SAKURA LISTEN TO ME!"

Both women stood with their fists clenched tightly. Both women's eyes were hard, glaring at the other. Both sets of lips were in a pinched pout of defiance. Both looked like starving lions ready to pounce on a squirrel. Both ignored the papers, books, and wooden pieces of the desk scattering the room.

"This is about MORE than just YOU! STOP acting like a CHILD and see the SITUATION!"

Sakura lurched back as if she'd been slapped. The comment stung.. stung as deep as Tsunade knew it would.

"Is there no one else?! Ino would be better suited! She's been on many seduction missions. And there are plenty of single woman-"

The busty female cut her off, "The council has already discussed other options! No one is more suited than you! This is NOT negotiable!"

Sakura stood her ground, yet stayed silent. This was truly happening. She wasn't going to die, no… But she would never see her home again. She would never see her friends again. She would never see Sasuke again.

Sasuke…

"Sakura…" a firm hand was lightly placed on the pinkett's shoulders, drawing her eyes back to the brown irises and away from thoughts of a future now impossible. "I don't want to do this." Her voice was soft, low, almost cracking as she seemed to beg the younger for patience. "I wish there was someone else. But there isn't… we're…" the blonde hesitated, a deep shadow crossing her features. Pleading brown orbs locked onto green. "The bond must be strengthened…"

Sakura's eyebrows drew together as her muscles relaxed from their former stiffness.

"A marriage must happen. And there is no one else who can do it, and no one else I have enough faith in, to be chosen."

The older woman looked her age for once, deep wrinkles in her tight brow, frown lines etched into her smooth skin, and eyes showing much more sorrow than she ever displayed sober.

"It needs to be you Sakura. I need it to be you. Your village needs you Sakura."

The muscles were loose. The eyes were down. The fingers dangled. The fight was gone. She had lost.

"I accept the mission Hokage-sama."

Tsunade's eyes pinched at the formality, but she refused to comment. If that was how it was to now be, then that was how it would be. The worn woman walked back around the destroyed desk and gazed upon her great village, her hands folded behind her back.

"Enter."

Naruto burst through the room.

"BAA-CHAN! SAKURA! PLEASE DON'T KILL ONE ANOTHER!"

Kakashi and Ino followed in at a leisurely pace compared to the panicked ninja.

Despite his usual antics, no one so much as sweat dropped in response.

"Baa-chan?... Sakura?..."

"You are going on an escort mission to Sunagakure. You will be staying there for two weeks. During that time, you all will be representing the Leaf Village on a political level. Ino, you will be Sakura's main support and assistant during this mission. Kakashi, you and Shikamaru will be advisors to Sakura and political negotiators during your stay in Sunagakure. You all will leave three days from now, eight in the morning. I have already sent word to the Kazekage with Shikamru and Temari a few days ago. They will meet you at the border. Kakashi, you are the captain. I will have the scroll delivered to you when it is located."

No one commented on the assorted items scattered on the floor that were previously organized on the desk.

"But wait. Baa-chan. Why are we escorting Sakura? What's going on? What's Sakura's job?"

Silence settled over the room, a strong tension buzzing between the two medic-nin.

Time passed. Too much time. Kakashi glanced between them, his gaze lingering on Sakura. Despite the way her body seemed to slump, as if she was truly carrying the weight of the nation on her shoulders, her eyes were ablaze.

"Sakura is marrying the Kazekage."

-O-O-O-

Her head pulsed as if trampled on by five hundred Naruto clones being offered free ramen. Four hours later and his obnoxious shouting was still rattling inside her brain. Gaara this, Gaara that, but Sakura this, and Sakura that, and the Village this, and Sasuke that, and Hokage this and Gaara that and BLA BLA BLA. She couldn't take another word out of his mouth and left before he'd finished his rantings.

Thankfully, no one had followed her home.

The young woman sat on her sofa and stared around her bleak apartment. She'd only moved in this year, determined to gain maturity and independence from her parents. Ino had helped her with some decorations, but she hadn't invested much into the home. It didn't matter now though, since she wouldn't need to bring any of her furniture with her.

Three days. That's all she had. Three days to pack, organize, sell, and say goodbye… Her mother was going to be devastated. Despite her serious exterior, Mebuki was quite sentimental. And her father? There would be no jokes from him this time.

Sakura walked into her room, grabbed a storage scroll and laid it open on her bed. The kunoichi began taking clothes out of her closet and stacking them in neat piles atop the scroll. There was no sense in procrastinating the inevitable.

The process was rather short, since a ninja didn't need a large variety of clothing, and investing in such for fun wasn't Sakura's past-time. She went over to her book shelf, gazing at the various nick nacks and jewelry she'd acquired when traveling to other nations for missions. A tight frown formed on her face. There would be no traveling to other nations anymore.

An aggravated set of black eyes caught her sea green irises. Sakura picked up the picture frame, a memory of simpler times.

A drop of emotion slid down soft cheek.

-O-O-O-

"Yo."

Sakura turned her body sideways as she fell through the air to avoid the sudden flash of silver hair. Her punch invaded the earth in a sloppy collision, causing the surrounding ground to implode but not nearly as impactful as usual.

"Thought you might be here. It is quite early for training though, don't you think?"

Pink hair whipped around as Sakura righted herself and turned to her sensei. Her face was a mask of indifference, something that was always a difficult task for her to manage. Despite the lack of emotion, the copy-nin still noticed dried steaks along her cheeks.

"Is there something I can do for you sensei?"

There was no response. The man shifted his weight onto one foot and seemed to lean back against a wall as he confronted his former student. Sakura kept her stoic expression perfectly.

A lone eyebrow rose, "Gaara, eh?"

Teeth ground together and the staring contest was broken.

"It is an honor to marry a Kage."

The ninja wasn't fooled.

"I'm sure he's become quite the man," he commented lightly.

"..."

Kakashi sighed and looked toward the low-set moon. It couldn't have been earlier than four by the position.

"Do you really think that?"

"Think what sensei?"

She spoke too quickly. Her voice too shrill.

"An honor," he murmured.

Sakura tore her eyes away from the moon to glare at him.

"Of course I do. The Kage are the most powerful ninja of their village. They're admirable leaders who protect their people. To be one's spouse is to be of great standing."

Kakashi's knowing eye drifted to the kunoichi without moving a muscle.

"And Gaara?"

"..."

The man watched the struggling woman. Her mask breaking as she bit her lip and her eyebrow twitched.

"He… He is…"

Kakashi's eye settled back on the giant rock.

"He is a shinobi Sakura."

"He's a sadistic, blood thirsty, psychotic monster! He is a monster!"

Ah… finally. That mask had been annoying him.

"So why are you marrying him?"

Sakura hung her head, her nails digging into her palms.

"It is my last mission serving the village."

A scent caught Kakashi's kneen nose. He looked to the shaking fists. Red dripped between her tight fingers.

"It is my obligation. A duty only I can fulfill. Tsunade-sama is ordering it."

"And if you refuse?"

Sakura's mind reeled. If she refused? Kakashi must be going senile. There was no option for her to refuse.

"Hmm?"

"I can't."

"Of course you can."

Sakura head snapped up like a bomb went off. An eye winked at her pleasantly.

"You can always refuse."

"What- But- Kakashi sensei?"

The light hearted smiling eye disappeared, replaced with a deadly stare. The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees from his gaze alone.

"That doesn't mean there aren't consequences though."

A shudder raked her spine. His voice a deep foreboding.

"If you refuse this mission, refuse to comply with a politically arranged marriage, you'd be ostracized by not only our village, but Suna for severely offending them. You'd be placed on minor duty, simply to work at the hospital, because conflict would arise with other shinobi, jeopardizing the mission. The Hokage would have to select a different candidate for the position, obviously someone without the credentials you possess. This lack of qualities could lead to her embarrassing the village and offending the Suna council, potentially even Gaara himself. A conflict on that level could lead to divorce, likely the woman's death, and a war. However, you wouldn't be married to him."

Sakura couldn't believe what she was hearing. How dare he guilt her like this? Why would he tell her she could refuse if he was only going to destroy her confidence?

"But-" he pulled the devastated woman from her thoughts, "if you do marry him… You will be praised by both the Leaf and the Sand. You will be supported by your fellow shinobi. You will be in a position of power, thus able to help improve the lives of hundreds of people with a simple statement. You will live in luxury, with freedom to indulge in hobbies you've never had time for. And maybe… you might form a friendship with your husband."

Sakura's heart sunk. Desperation soaking her face.

"How could I come to love a monster like that Kakashi sensei?"

The man shrugged, releasing his forlorn demeanor and once again looking at the moon.

"Who knows. But people grow Sakura. It has been a few years since you've interacted. I'm sure he has grown. Love is a strong word. Many are lucky to even like the person they are betrothed to."

Kakashi wouldn't have heard her whispers to the ground if not for his enhanced hearing.

"I can't jeopardize my village."

"No. You can't. But you can't endure this mission either Sakura. This mission never ends. You never come home. You make the best of it, and thrive. Or… you jeopardize it and people die."

She nodded, watching her shadow spreading from the rising sun.

"You need to do this for the right reasons though. You need to do this because you want to protect the village and act in it's best interest. You want to save lives and help a nation. You want to succeed. Not because some blonde bitch told you to."

Shocked orbs jumped from the grass and upon the smiling eye.

-O-O-O-

She didn't want a party. She didn't want a celebration. She didn't want any more goodbyes. She didn't want any sort of gathering. She just wanted silence. But that silence was being repeatedly interrupted. It had gotten around that it was the young woman's last night in Konoha, and everyone and their cousin's best friend needed to visit her. She couldn't sit ten minutes and read her stupid medical book without the door knocking. It had been hard enough telling her parents that she would be leaving. Trying to comfort the crying Mebuki, reassuring her that Sakura would give them a royal invitation to visit. Hizashi's stone face as he accepted his daughter was to marry a monster and she was doomed. It had been horrendous. But no one would leave her alone. Everyone needed a personal visit.

"Congratulations! I hope you like my betrothal gift!"

"I will miss you! Please write to me!"

Knock Knock

"You will be a lovely couple, I'm sure!"

"Be careful Sakura. He slaughtered hundreds."

"Please allow me to come visit! I will bring…"

"Imagine the children you'll have!"

Knock Knock

"The Kazekage's wife. You'll practically be a queen!"

"Will you be alright Sakura? If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to write me."

"The hospital won't be the same without you!"

The crying.

Knock Knock

The laughter.

The cheers.

The gifts.

Knock Knock

The sorrow.

The fear.

Enough.

Knock Knock

Enough!

Knock Kno-

"ENOUGH!"

She jumped at her own screech, the current knocking coming to a halt. Sakura slowly turned her head to the tormenting door. It was her only barrier from all the visitors, and she didn't want to open it again. She just wanted everything to stop.

Hesitantly, the person tapped on the door again. Sakura was sure her obnoxious groan could be heard from behind the door as she dragged herself to her feet and slumped to the door.

"What is -"

Sakura's agitated question died in her throat and her eyes fell on her visator.

"Uhm… I… Well…"

For once that day, the pinkette didn't try to cut the conversation short and slam the door in the guest's face. Instead, she patiently waited.

"I know it must be hard… So… I…"

Pale hands held a long box out to Sakura. The length reached the floor and was at least two inches thick.

"Oh.. Thank you… Hinata."

Soft eyebrows tightened above her lilac eyes. She continued to hold the box delicately until Sakura lifted it to her. It was rather light despite its appearance.

The two stood in an uncomfortable silence. One not knowing what to say. The other unsure of what to say.

"I uhm… Well… It won't be easy…"

Sakura looked on with slight disappointment. She didn't want to hear another person telling her good luck and to be careful. She didn't need any of this.

Hinata bit her lip, her gaze earnest.

"The Byakugan is a perfect match against puppet welders due to the ability to directly see the chakra strings... With our enhanced focus on chakra flow, we can cut the connection off and close the chakra points by the string itself... If your betrothed does not treat you well, and you require assistance, the Hyuga clan will not abandon you."

Eyes widened in realization. Was this a threat? A promise? A promise to fight for Sakura if the marriage doesn't end well and the villages wage war?

"Water neutralizes sand, as you probably know… So…"

The purple haired woman pulled a scroll from her back pocket and placed it atop the large box.

"Do not forget to practice, but hide your strengths. If others see your secrets, they won't underestimate you. The greatest advantage of a Lady of status is being deemed weak."

A fierce strength glowed behind clear orbs. Determination and awareness that Sakura hadn't witnessed from the woman in quite some time.

"The Hyuga are always desired guests. An invitation from the royal family would never be suspicious to councilmen."

Sakura nodded, not fully grasping everything Hinata was telling her. It was direct, yes, but many words were going unspoken.

"Thank you," they mimicked one another.

A gentle smile dusted thin lips, "Farewell Sakura."

She nodded, stepping back and allowing the door to naturally close.

~O~O~O~

Hey guys! Hope you are enjoying reading the story as much as I am enjoying writing it! You might be wondering why the Suna Kage family is being referred to as royalty. Well… I'm taking a cultural anthropology class and so I've been trying to think of the villages and nations in a cultural perspective. The land of Fire seems much more western in cultural aspects. But the land of Wind seems much more eastern. I'm comparing socioeconomic status, clothing, foods, behaviors, etc. And adding cultural problems to the story just makes it more fun! You will really be seeing this in the next chapter. Sorry no Gaara yet, but he is coming!

What do you guys think of my take on Hinata? Curious? Despite it not being said, I feel as though Hinata realizes that she was likely to be chosen, she fits the requirements desired, but the only thing that stopped her from being chosen is her dojutsu. So Sakura has taken her place. This won't be the last time we see her though. wink wink