Hi everyone, I'm back! I don't think I've written this much in close to a decade, when I was still back in uni. This fic was inspired by insomnia, re-watching Naruto so I can introduce my husband to it, and the manic writing period I've been going through lately. The plot bunnies just... attacked. I'm still in the middle of a monster of a project (for me, anyway, close to 80k words and climbing), and I'll be beginning to post as soon as I get my beta readers to have a good look and offer some suggestions.
Yes, for once, this fic is actually beta-read. Anyway. Mild warnings include Haruno Kizashi being a dickhead, and discussions of a sperm sample. Kakashi's sperm sample, to be perfectly clear. No smut, for once. It was also supposed to be a crack!fic, but then it started taking itself way too seriously, so I really don't know.
Obviously, I do not own Naruto.
Enjoy!
Tsunade stifled a yawn as honey eyes tracked across the receiving hall at the gathered clan heads. The meeting had been going for hours, and thankfully, they were close to wrapping up. Only some general business to discuss, then she was free to indulge in that nice bottle of sake hidden in her desk. After tonight, she desperately needed it. The crowd was silent, and she belatedly realised they were waiting for her.
"Any other general business?" She asked, ready to close down the meeting. The Hagane clan head stood, and Tsunade inclined her head at the old woman. Searching her memory for a name and coming up blank, the Hokage inwardly frowned as she began to speak.
"The Hagane clan would like to file a suit of courtship for Haruno Sakura, Hokage-sama. She is nearly eighteen from my understanding." She said calmly, and the room began to buzz with murmured conversations. Tsunade tilted her head, a contemplative look in her eyes.
"And who would the suit be for?" She asked, curiously. Next to her, Shizune inhaled sharply. Pride crossed the old woman's face.
"My grandson, Hagane Kotetsu." She declared, and Tsunade nodded, swallowing her bark of laughter. Clearly, the Hagane clan head didn't know her grandson all that well, because the blonde had caught Kotetsu and Izumo in compromising situations more than once, and any courtship would likely be unwelcome by the spiky-haired nin.
"Thank you. Please submit your suit to Shizune by the end of the week." She said, thankful her voice had come out steady. On the civilian side of the room, a pink-haired man shot to his feet.
"Hokage-sama, any suit for Haruno Sakura should be coming to me! I am her father!" He exclaimed, and she examined him with sharp eyes. There were murmurs of agreement coming from the civilians, and anger from the shinobi. A blond stood from the shinobi side, glaring across to the Haruno clan head. Tsunade identified the Yamanaka clan head at once.
"You lost that right when you disowned her for becoming a chunnin! The Yamanaka clan had to pick up the pieces. Sakura is Tsunade-sama's apprentice, it's only right that any suit goes through her." Inoichi declared, glaring across at Kizashi, who glared right back.
"Then why don't the Yamanaka offer her a suit?" His tone was mocking, a sneer spreading across his face.
"If we had sons to offer her, we already would have. She is an invaluable asset to this village, and any clan would be lucky to have her!" Inoichi roared back, and Tsunade held up a hand to stop the argument getting out of control. They would be there for hours longer if she let it drag on. Immediately, the room fell silent.
"Alright Yamanaka, you've made your point." She drawled, watching in satisfaction as both men sat down. A long, drawn-out sigh filled the room, and Nara Shikaku slowly rose to his feet. She resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow. What was he doing?
"A powerful kunoichi with good political ties, perfect chakra control, and no kekkei genkai? The Nara would also like to put in a suit of courtship for Haruno Sakura. My son, Nara Shikamaru, the next clan head." He offered lazily, Tsunade's eyebrows climbing upwards at the declaration. What's he playing at? She wondered, watching the hint of a smirk curling around his mouth. Then, Inuzuka Tsume shot to her feet, and the Hokage inwardly sighed. The Nara wanted to make trouble for her, and she eyed him meaningfully as he returned to his seat. He flashed her a lazy grin before settling down, entirely unrepentant. She'd have to devise some interesting punishment later for him.
"The Inuzuka clan also wishes to file a suit of courtship for Haruno Sakura! While we can't provide her with a clan head, my son Inuzuka Kiba offers a powerful alliance." Tsume declared, grinning fiercely at Tsunade. The blonde gave her a tiny smile, before casting a stern gaze to her frozen and bewildered assistant.
"Shizune, are you writing all this down?" She barked, causing the dark-haired woman to squeak before hastily scrawling her brush across the scroll. A dark-haired man rose swiftly to his feet, opaque sunglasses hiding his eyes.
"The Aburame clan also wishes to file a suit. Aburame Shino." The tall Aburame clan head declared concisely before sitting down. Absently, Tsunade caught the Yamanaka clan head elbowing the stout man next to him, just catching the amusing conversation whispered between them 'Aren't you going to file a suit?' The blond nudged his friend again, who rounded on him with wide eyes. 'Are you kidding me, she'll eat Choji!' The whispering in the room increased when, of all people, Hyuuga Hiashi stood, absently brushing down his formal robes.
"Nara Shikaku makes an excellent point. The Hyuuga clan will also file a suit of courtship for Haruno Sakura. I may have only daughters, however my nephew Hyuuga Neji is one of the strongest shinobi in the village, and one of the most intelligent. Their union would be most fortuitous for future generations." He said, tilting his head just enough to catch Uchiha Fugaku's eye. The tiny smirk had the Uchiha clan head fuming, making his rise to his feet to stare the Hyuuga clan head down.
"The Uchiha clan challenges the Hyuuga claim." He said dryly before turning back to the Hokage. "The Uchiha also will file a suit of courtship for Haruno Sakura. As she is teammates with my youngest son, she is already well-known within the clan, and despite her origins," he turned, sneering at Kizashi before facing the Hokage again, "she is well-respected, and would be well protected by the Uchiha. Any union with an Uchiha would produce the village with exceptional shinobi." His face was a picture of pride and arrogance, and Tsunade schooled her expression into polite interest. Inwardly, she cackled at the turn of events, wondering who she should put her money on.
"And who would the suit be for, then?" She asked, amused by the bidding war the Hagane had inadvertently begun. He smirked.
"My eldest, Uchiha Itachi." He replied smugly, and the hall exploded into stunned whispered conversation. Tsunade's eyebrows shot upwards again, surprised by the choice. She was sure Fugaku would arrange for Sasuke, as the boy was at least the same age as Sakura, but judging by the snide look he shot the Hyuuga, he obviously wanted to outdo his competition. She caught several bewildered looks shot towards the Uchiha clan head from both sides of the room, and next to her, Shizune gave a low sound of distress.
"They're fighting over her like the last piece of meat at a barbeque." The dark-haired woman whispered to her mentor, causing the blonde to snort in laughter. It was an apt description, but the situation was so entirely amusing, Tsunade really didn't care.
"Enough, Shizune." She murmured, a small smile etching its way onto her face as she glanced at her assistant. She held up her hand again, silencing he room once more.
"Anyone else want to make a bid for courting my apprentice?" She asked, amusement curling around her tone. For a moment, nobody moved, then Haruno Kizashi jumped to his feet again. The shinobi side of the room stiffened, distain flashing across multiple faces. Interesting. Sakura has garnered far more support than previously identified. She thought, turning an impassive face to her apprentice's father.
"Well, Hokage-sama, if the esteemed shinobi clans are determined to have my daughter, may I recommend another clan who was unable to make the meeting today?" His tone was soft, persuasive, and honey eyes narrowed at the Haruno clan head. Technically, she could deny any of the suits filed, but she also wanted Sakura to know she had her options.
"Go on." She replied, a warning in her voice. He smiled at her, and she fought back a sneer of her own.
"The Hyuuga and Uchiha clans make very good points, Hokage-sama. Surely such a powerful kunoichi would be able to render aid to her village in resurrecting clans who have nearly died out. Say, perhaps, the Hatake clan?" His voice was silky, the room quietening at his words. Disbelief, distain, loathing, and anger spread among the shinobi side of the room, several of the civilian clan heads shifting in discomfort at both the aura the shinobi were exuding, and with the idea of Hatake Kakashi courting Sakura. Everyone knew who they both were.
"Think of the village, Hokage-sama. How useful would it be to have more Hatake shinobi at your disposal?" He added persuasively, and Tsunade gritted her teeth. Technically, he was right, but still, it didn't make it right. Yamanaka was on his feet again, hands clenched, and baring his teeth at the Haruno head.
"You're sick! Hatake is fourteen years her senior and was her sensei! How could you even think about putting her in that situation?! Just because she refused to quit being a ninja doesn't mean you get to punish her like this!" He shouted, barely containing his rage. Dark amusement crossed Kizashi's face.
"I'm only thinking of the village, Yamanaka-san. Surely such an esteemed shinobi clan head such as yourself can see that." He sneered back, glancing at one of the civilian clan heads who unsteadily rose to his feet at the prompt. Inoichi spluttered with rage at the insult.
"Haruno-san does make a good point." The dark-haired civilian said, a mild tremor running through his voice at the sudden sharp glances from the shinobi side of the room. Kizashi glanced around him, raising an eyebrow at his fellow civilian clan heads. There was a general murmuring of support, and Tsunade shut her eyes for a moment. If she denied the suit, then the civilians would protest. If she accepted the suit, then the shinobi would riot. She had to play this carefully. She opened her eyes, directing a cold stare at the Haruno clan head.
"You are aware that Hatake is unlikely to pursue any suit?" She asked in clipped tone. He smiled disarmingly at her.
"Perhaps. It all depends on what he's ordered to do, Hokage-sama." He replied, and she tilted her head. Ah, he meant to back her into a corner, leaving her no option but to accept.
"What makes you think I'm going to order him to do anything?" Her tone was soft, dangerous, causing the pink-haired man to blink at the sudden change, sensing a trap.
"I think no such thing, Hokage-sama. All of Konohagakure follows your orders." He replied diplomatically. She stared him down a few more moments.
"Sakura will have full knowledge of all suits presented to her, and she will accept or deny any of them as per her wishes." She commented, and Kizashi frowned up at her.
"As her acting clan head, surely you make those decisions for her." He responded hotly. Her eyes flashed dangerously at him.
"I will not force my apprentice into anything that brings her misery, Haruno. This is her future we're talking about." She replied sternly, her tone causing the pink-haired man to wilt slightly.
"Of course, Hokage-sama." He replied faintly, sitting down. Silence reigned, only broken by the light scratches of Shizune's brush on parchment.
"Any suits are to come to my office by the end of the week, and I suggest you tell your candidates sooner rather than later. If there's no further business, I declare this meeting adjourned!" Tsunade declared loudly, before pushing herself to her feet and swirling out of the room in a flurry of green robes. She had planning to do, and Sakura was not going to like it.
Back in her office, Tsunade poured herself another cup of sake as she looked over the list Shizune had compiled for her of clans that had somehow already filed suits, grimacing at the last name on the list.
"What the hell was that fool thinking." She muttered, before waving a hand to garner the attention of an ANBU guard. One flashed into being immediately, and she eyed the form. Genma. Good. Not one of Sakura's potentials.
"Get Sakura for me, immediately." She barked, glancing at the clock. It was after dinner, so she likely wouldn't be interrupting anything, and she knew her apprentice didn't have a shift at the hospital until the next day. Genma disappeared, and she sighed, slumping back in her chair, eyeing the secret compartment that held her sake stash. Perhaps Sakura would need some, after the conversation they were about to have.
Fifteen minutes later, the blonde caught her apprentice's chakra signature moving quickly towards the tower, tracking it as it approached rapidly, surmising that her apprentice had taken to the rooftops in her haste. Soon enough, she spotted pink hair at the open window, catching emerald eyes scanning the room before she dropped in, coming to a stop at the desk.
"Shisou, what's going on?" Sakura asked, mildly agitated. It was rare for her to be summoned to the tower like this; typically it was the hospital for emergency surgery. Tsunade sighed.
"You might want to pull up a chair." She advised, causing the pinkette to frown before crossing the room to drag a chair across to the desk opposite her mentor. The blonde silently poured two cups of sake before pushing one across the desk. Sakura wrinkled her nose.
"Shisou, I have a shift tomorrow." She complained reproachfully. Tsunade eyed her meaningfully.
"You'll need it for this conversation." She replied decisively. The pinkette frowned at her words.
"What does that mean?" She wondered out loud, automatically reaching out for the piece of paper the Hokage pushed across to her. Sakura pulled it closer, turning to read it. Her eyebrows furrowed at the list of clan names, and confused emerald eyes rose to meet regretful honey.
"There was a meeting tonight of the clan heads. That list is all the clans that filed a suit of courtship for you." Tsunade said softly, trying to cushion the blow. Sakura froze, eyes wide, and scanned the list again. Her mouth opened and closed, obviously trying to formulate some kind of response, before a shaky hand reached out and picked up the cup of sake, downing the contents in one shot. It slammed down on the table, and Tsunade sympathetically filled it again.
"A-All of them?" Sakura asked in a daze, before she inhaled sharply at the last name. "E-Even…"
"No, that last one did not file a suit, but one was filed on his behalf." The blonde said gently, causing emerald eyes to rise once more to meet her mentor's gaze. "That last one was pushed in by your father." At the admission, Sakura's eyes squeezed shut.
"He really hates me, doesn't he? He knows who Kakashi is to me, and he still chose to push for this?" The growing anger in her voice made it tremble, and Tsunade sighed.
"He's bitter because you chose your own path, that's all. Ignore him and ignore Kakashi's suit. It's extremely unlikely he'll pursue it anyway." She ordered, and Sakura's hand shot out to grab the cup again. This time, she sipped at it, grimacing at the taste. Tsunade's lips curled up in a small smile.
"You'll get used to it." She murmured, taking a sip from her own cup.
"I never expected any official suits of courtship. I didn't realise they were still a thing." Sakura said quietly, glancing up at her mentor. Honey eyes gleamed.
"It was a bidding war, you should have seen it." The blonde laughed, and Sakura's eyes widened. "The Hagane started it, then Nara of all people made some excellent points as to your valuable and desirable skillset, and the rest followed from there. The pissing contest between Hyuuga and Uchiha was hilarious." She grinned at her apprentice over the edge of her sake cup.
"I won't tell you who to choose, but you have to choose one of them. You're my apprentice, and you have ties to the next Hokage, making you politically strategic. You're also one of the best and strongest kunoichi in the village, and your chakra control is absolutely perfect. The clans want you because you can make them stronger, and the likelihood of producing a child with a kekkei genkai, should your partner possess one, is high." Tsunade took a sip of her sake, assessing her apprentice. Sakura flushed at the praise, then looked pensive.
"But why do I have to accept any of them? Why can't I just reject them all?" She asked, a slight whine to her voice. Tsunade gave her a sharp look in response.
"Because the suits came to me, and not to your father. Do you want him to receive any suits for your hand in marriage? If you reject them all, then others might go to him." She countered, Sakura giving her a wounded look in return.
"No, I don't." She replied quietly, lowering her head. She knew her father would deliberately accept the worst suit possible, just to screw her over and exert some kind of control over her. The hand still holding the list tightened into a fist, the sound of paper crinkling filling the air. "Who are my suitors?" She asked finally, resignation filling her tone. She raised her head to find her mentor watching her critically.
"The first one was Hagane Kotetsu." The blonde replied, amusement flickering across Sakura's face at the words.
"Does he come with added Izumo?" She snickered, Tsunade's face softening as she grinned back at the pinkette.
"Those two never do anything apart, so likely." She laughed, and Sakura shook her head, chuckling.
"Next."
"Nara Shikamaru was next on the list." The blonde offered, leaning back in her chair. Sakura's face turned thoughtful, and she tapped a finger on the desk.
"He's lazy, but we've worked together before. He's an excellent strategist, and when he actually puts effort in, he's good at what he does. Shika's a possibility." She admitted, and Tsunade leered a little at her.
"Oh, he's got a pet name, now, does he?" She teased, eyes lighting up as Sakura's face flushed pink.
"Everyone shortens his name. Next." She insisted, ignoring Tsunade cackling as best she could.
"Inuzuka Kiba." The blonde supplied, Sakura frowning thoughtfully at the next on the list.
"I've not really had much to do with Kiba, aside from a few missions. He's impulsive, and far too much like Naruto." Sakura mused, tapping the desk again.
"His mother is terrifying, so he has plenty of experience with strong women." Tsunade grinned at her from across the desk, and Sakura narrowed her eyes at her mentor.
"You're enjoying this." She accused, and the blonde laughed.
"Of course I am! This is the most entertaining thing to come across my desk since your last A-rank mission report with your team." Tsunade took another sip of her sake, gesturing to the paper. "Don't you want to know the rest?" She cajoled, making Sakura sigh in resignation.
"Do I have much of a choice?" She asked rhetorically, eyeing the blonde grinning wickedly at her from across the desk.
"Next up was Aburame Shino." The Hokage added, watching as Sakura's face reflexively scrunched up. The pinkette sighed again, taking another sip of sake.
"I shouldn't do that. Shino's an excellent shinobi, but the bugs creep me out. I'm pretty sure the only reason I've seen his face is because he's been injured before." She considered it for a moment, before shaking her head. "Sorry, I don't think I can do it." She frowned, and Tsunade nodded slowly.
"Sakura, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. If you think any of the suits would make a bad pairing, say so. I'm not making the decisions for you, because if I order you to choose one or a few in particular, then it'll be seen as favouritism, and we need the clans working together." The blonde told her, and Sakura nodded appreciatively.
"Thanks, Shisou. Alright, who was next?" She asked, moving to examine the list again.
"Hyuuga Neji." Tsunade replied, and Sakura's eyes widened.
"Seriously?" She squeaked, the sound making the Hokage raise a blonde eyebrow. "It's just… he's… oh, alright, he's attractive, but we've never really been friends. We've worked together before, and I guess we work well. He's really intelligent, and I know he and Shika play shogi together." Sakura reached for the sake cup again. Tsunade shifted thoughtfully, tapping her chin.
"So he's a possibility." She murmured, and Sakura blushed.
"I guess, but I'm worried about the way the Hyuuga mark their branch members. I wouldn't want that kind of forced servitude for my children." She replied, emerald eyes downcast. The blonde hummed thoughtfully.
"You could always make it a condition of your suit, if you accepted it. Any children born of the union would remain unmarked." She offered. Sakura's eyes jumped up to meet hers.
"That's… definitely an option." She replied slowly, turning it over in her mind. The pinkette thought back to her first chunnin exams, and the fight between Naruto and Neji. Hinata would likely side with her cousin on the matter, and Hanabi was Sakura's apprentice, so the likelihood of support from both the clan head's children would be high.
"I assume the Uchiha put forward Sasuke." Sakura commented, ready to move on. Tsunade pursed her lips, and Sakura's gaze sharpened at the gesture.
"You'd think so, but no." The blonde sighed, pouring herself another cup. "I think he wanted to one-up the Hyuuga, so he offered up Uchiha Itachi." Tsunade deliberately kept her voice neutral, watching carefully as her apprentice turned bright red.
"I-Itachi?" She squeaked, hastily gulping the remainder of her cup before dropping it back onto the table. Tsunade hummed her affirmation, watching the pinkette curiously.
"Sasuke will be so pissed with me." The pinkette moaned, dropping her head into her hands.
"Why?"
"Because Itachi's his brother, that's why!" Sakura wailed, the sound muffled by her hands.
"And why would Sasuke care? Are you two together?" Tsunade asked curiously, eyebrows furrowing. Sakura's hands dropped away from her face.
"No." She groaned, before straightening up. "Sasuke worships his older brother, and I'm his teammate. He's weirdly overprotective of all of us, including Naruto and Kakashi, and this will absolutely screw with his world view. He'll decide it's all my fault, because in his eyes, Itachi can do nothing wrong." Sakura sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"And if he decides to protect you against his brother?" The blonde asked, intrigued. Sakura shuddered.
"I'm not sure if it makes it better, or worse." She muttered, running a hand through her hair again. "If I accept the Hyuuga suit, then I'll have to accept the Uchiha suit. They have this weird rivalry thing going on, and I don't want to ignite things again. The last bout started when I took Hanabi as an apprentice, and it's only just settled down recently." She sighed again, reaching for her cup and frowning when she realised it was empty. Tsunade obligingly poured her another cup, and Sakura took it gratefully.
"Yes, I seem to recall their elders storming my office, demanding to know why there were no apprenticeships available for the Uchiha clan." The blonde mused. Sakura snorted, sitting up straighter, looking down at the list again. She paused as she saw the last name on the list.
"The last one." She murmured, looking up at her mentor beseechingly. "Can't you just order him not to pursue it?" She asked pleadingly. Tsunade frowned, regret crossing her features.
"Unfortunately, no. It plays back into the favouritism again, and your father had the support of several large civilian clans. The shinobi clans were outraged on your behalf. Inoichi, in particular, was very vocal in his displeasure." The blonde replied and watched as a strange look crossed Sakura's face before it morphed into a resigned smile.
"The Yamanaka's were there to help me pick up the pieces of my life after my father threw me out. I owe them a lot." She admitted, placing the parchment back on the desk. Tsunade nodded.
"You have some decisions to make." She said at last, leaning back in her chair. "I'm taking you off the roster for tomorrow. Think over your options and let me know what you decide." She waved a hand in the air again, and Genma blurred back into view.
"I know you were listening. Get her home without being accosted by her suitors, then you might want to go find Hatake, let him know the news." She ordered. Sakura glanced over curiously, wondering briefly who it was before she recognised the chakra signature. Inwardly she groaned, but rose to her feet, wobbling a little, and cast an eye back at the sake bottle. It rolled on its side, and she grimaced at it. They'd gone through the entire bottle between them, it was little wonder she was feeling woozy. Concentrating, she cycled her chakra, feeling the alcohol dissolve from her bloodstream. The headache she hadn't even realised was building dissipated, and she sighed before gesturing to the window.
"After you, ANBU-san." She said sarcastically. The mask tilted slightly, giving her the impression that he was grinning at her.
"Aww, Sakura-chan, you're all grown up no-" He began teasingly, but was interrupted by Tsunade flinging a paperweight from her desk at his head.
"OUT!" She ordered as he dodged the projectile, swinging himself out the window with practiced ease. Sakura followed, shaking her head and smiling fondly. She perched on the windowsill for a moment, scanning for any familiar chakra signatures across the rooftops, before Tsunade's voice caught her attention.
"You want to accept at least one of the suits, Sakura. If you don't, the council might push for stronger diplomatic ties to Suna." Sakura's head whipped around to stare at her mentor. Tsunade sounded tired, slumping down into her chair.
"It's one of your suitors, or potentially Gaara." The blonde added, dropping her head backwards to stare at the ceiling. Sakura swallowed hard.
"I'll make my choice, shisou." She promised, before darting out into the night. She barely noticed Genma circling around her, utilising the standard protection solo formation, as she raced over the rooftops to get back to her apartment.
I wonder if there are any other shinobi out tonight who recognise that pattern, Inner Sakura piped up, and Sakura blinked, startled by the sudden statement.
Inner? What- Why are you back? She thought in surprise, emerald eyes scanning the rooftops as she flew across another street. There were a few figures she could see, but they were too far away for her to sense exactly who they were.
Oh, hon. We were just told we're wildly desirable, and you've been suppressing that part of us for years now. I'm here to help you work through all that, her Inner replied, amused. She mentally shook herself.
Well, the gossip will be all over Konoha by morning, she thought grimly, and finally landed with a light thump at the base of her building.
Genma blew to a stop next to her, gesturing for her to wait. She rolled her eyes, scanned the building herself, and after finding nothing out of the ordinary, stomped up the stairs and unlocked her apartment. He flew past her, forcing her back out into the corridor, and she rolled her eyes again, blowing a sigh out her nose as he checked her apartment for intruders.
"I am literally a ninja, I can take out any intruders myself." She called out dryly as he appeared back in the doorway.
"Hey, Hokage-sama gave me a job, I'm not going to half-ass it. This way, I even got to see the inside of your room. It's so cute, Sakura-chan, just like you!" He teased, dancing out of the way as she tossed a punch in his direction.
"Get. Out." She snarled at him, and he dodged around her, laughing.
"Just like your mentor, Sakura-chan. No wonder you have so many suitors. Some of them even like your violent tendencies, the masochists." The grin in his voice was easy to hear, and she grumbled at him.
"Go away, ANBU-san." She warned him, and he clutched his hands to his chest.
"You wound me, Sakura-chan, but I'll go. I can tell I'm not wanted here." He replied dramatically before disappearing from view. She sighed, and closed her door, locking it firmly.
Dawn had barely broken when someone banged loudly on Sakura's front door. She groaned, opening bleary eyes and squinted towards her alarm clock. Had she forgotten a mission or something? The banging started up again, and she growled under her breath. Her neighbours would be disturbed at this rate, she thought as she stumbled out of bed.
"I'm coming." She called out, straightening her pyjamas, which were little more than clothes she'd pilfered from her teammates after they'd grown out of them. She pulled the hem of her orange t-shirt to make sure it was in place before she unlocked her door and pulled it open, a scowl forming on her face.
"What- Oh, Ino. What are you doing here?" She asked, bewildered by her friend's sudden and distraught appearance.
"Are you alone?" Ino demanded, blue eyes flicking over the pinkette's shoulder into the apartment. Sakura's frowned deepened.
"Yes, why?" She asked, eyes widening as she was pushed backwards.
"Good." The blonde replied cryptically, slamming the door shut behind her and locking it.
"What in the seven hells is going on, Pig? Seriously, it's barely dawn!" Sakura grumbled, glaring as Ino whirled to face her.
"Dad told me about the clan head meeting last night. I had to make sure you were okay, and that none of them have done anything stupid." The blonde said firmly, and Sakura gaped at her. Blue eyes studied her friend before she faltered. "You… you do know what happened, don't you?" She asked hesitantly, and Sakura nodded slowly.
"Yeah, Tsunade-shisou called me in after the meeting to go over it." She replied, eyes narrowing as Ino tensed.
"All of it?" She asked guardedly. Sakura gave her a grim look.
"Yes. All of it. Including the part where my father wanted to pimp me out to my old sensei." She growled, and Ino flashed her a sympathetic look.
"We know he's a vindictive old fool, but there's no way Kakashi-senpai would follow through. Your forehead's still too big for all that, you know." She teased gently, and Sakura gave her a reluctant smile, rubbing the diamond seal on her forehead. The blonde relaxed.
"Are you here to guard my honour?" Sakura asked lightly, bumping into her shoulder. The blonde grinned, bumping back.
"Of course I am. Y'know, dad said last night that if there were any Yamanaka boys our age, he would have offered them up as sacrificial lambs. It would be nice to have you as an actual sister." She said thoughtfully, making Sakura blush.
"It is far too early for this. I'm going back to bed." She grumbled, and Ino laughed at her.
"A nap sounds good, I barely slept last night, worrying over your billboard-brow." She teased, Sakura rolling her eyes affectionately.
"Yeah, I love you too, Pig."
The knocking on her door had Sakura swearing and stumbling out of bed for a second time that morning. She glared at the door, stopping short when she recognised the chakra signature on the other side of the door. Ino barrelled past her, and cracked open the door to glare out at the visitor.
"No. She's not seeing any of you right now." The blonde growled. Sakura gave her back a fond smile.
"Ino, it's okay. I need to talk with him, anyway. Let him in." She called. The blonde turned back to her, conflicted. Sakura raised her eyebrows, and Ino sighed, stepping back letting her door swing open, giving Kakashi access to her small living room. Sakura caught Ino's eye, jerking her head to the bedroom. The blonde huffed, but turned and flounced off, slamming the door behind her for good measure. Sakura turned back to her ex-sensei, ignoring her friend's theatrics, swallowing nervously as she ran an eye over his tense form.
"Can I get you anything?" She asked quietly, strangely relieved when he shook his head, a gloved hand reaching out to gently close her front door behind him.
"Genma found me last night and told me what happened at the clan head meeting. I'm sorry for not being there to put a stop to it when it was first raised." Kakashi said quietly, dark eye searching her face. She shook her head, a grimace spreading across her features.
"You couldn't have known how vindictive my father would be, nor that any courtship suits would be raised in the first place. It's not your fault." She replied, and he hummed in response.
"You're going to deny my suit." He told her. She tilted her head, turning over his statement in her mind. It was more an order than a question, but she was hesitant to follow it right away.
"Tsunade-sama said not to deny any of them. It's up to you if you wish to pursue it." She replied neutrally, watching as his eye widened slightly. She hadn't, but Sakura wanted to see what he would do with the information.
"Sakura-" His voice was pained, and she shook her head, cutting him off.
"You're the last Hatake, Kakashi. That's exactly why shisou didn't deny the suit, even if my father meant to hurt me. If you want, we can always store a sperm sample for when you pass, and re-build your clan that way, with volunteers, but you deserve the option." She told him, watching as he went rigid. Darkness clouded what little she could see of his face, every line of his form screaming danger.
"And you? You would want to be attached permanently to a man fourteen years your senior, who was your sensei and watched you grow up? Is that really what you want?" He asked, disbelief and anger raising his voice. "I had already fought in a war, was in ANBU before you were even born." His tone turned to frustration as Sakura kept her expression clear. She eyed his gear, noting the backpack on his shoulders.
"You're going on a mission. Let me know your answer when you get back." She told him calmly, watching as he shifted uncomfortably. She raised an eyebrow at him, and he chuckled ominously under his mask.
"You're far too good for an old man like me, Sakura. Focus on your other suitors." He told her darkly before turning and leaving, gently closing the door behind him, competely at odds with his words. Sakura sighed, shaking her head, and behind her, the bedroom door bounced off the wall as Ino flung it open and bounded out.
"What the hell was that, Forehead? You actually want Kakashi-senpai?" The blonde demanded, rounding her friend to look her in the eye. Sakura gave her a weak smile.
"He's had a lot taken from him, Ino. I don't want to take away the chance for a family from him as well." She replied sadly, starting as Ino grabbed her wrists.
"Do you actually see him like that, though?" She asked, intently searching emerald eyes. Sakura hesitated, then shook her head.
"No, but maybe in time I could." She replied bleakly.
"Do you see any of them like that?" The blonde demanded. Sakura gave her a wan smile before Ino huffed a sigh.
"You are far too giving for your own good, you know that?" She shook Sakura lightly, before turning to the kitchen.
"Now, what do you have in here? I'm starving!" She declared, stopping dead as she opened the fridge. Sakura cringed.
"Forehead…" Ino ground out, turning to give the pinkette a murderous look. Sakura gave her a guilty smile.
"It's grocery shopping day today?" She chanced, and blue eyes narrowed at her as a vein in her forehead throbbed dangerously. Sakura wisely kept her mouth shut.
"That's it. We're going out for breakfast, then we're heading to the practice grounds. I really want to hit you, but we'll destroy everything if we brawl here." The blonde sniffed, and Sakura relaxed at the familiar gesture. "Go shower and change, I'll wait." She added, flicking an unimpressed look up and down the orange t-shirt and white shorts ensemble. She arched an eyebrow as she caught exactly where she'd seen them before, pointing at the shorts.
"I know we had a competition to get into Sasuke's pants, but I didn't mean it like that." She said dryly, and Sakura giggled, thumbing the waistband.
"Aa, but I still won." She teased, winking at her friend before vanishing off into the bedroom once more. Ino laughed at her retreating back before flopping down, making herself comfortable on the couch.
The two girls had barely started their sparring match when Sakura's teammates arrived, both looking frantic. Well, Sakura thought as she studied them, Naruto looked frantic, but Sasuke looked slightly paler than usual, and his eyes had widened slightly, so it was as frantic as she'd ever seen him look. Dodging a high kick Ino flung at her, Sakura ducked to punch the ground, sending the earth roiling under their feet and forcing the blonde to jump backwards.
"SAKURA-CHHAAAANNNN!" Naruto bellowed, bearing down on her before Sasuke punched him, sending him flying sideways.
"Ow! Teme, what the hell was that for?!" He shouted back still sprawled on the ground, making Sasuke glare at him.
"Do you really want to announce to the entirety of Konoha precisely where Sakura is?" He demanded, fists clenching. Naruto rubbed his head, and Sakura crossed her arms, arching an eyebrow at her teammates.
"Well, no, but-" The blond began.
"But nothing, dobe, she's here, and we need to talk to her." Dark eyes flickered across to Ino. "Privately." He added, and Ino arched an eyebrow at him, copying Sakura's stance.
"I know exactly what happened at that meeting last night, and I am here for moral support." She jutted her chin out at him, pouting when Sasuke dismissed her to focus on Sakura.
"Sakura." He said tightly, and the pinkette sighed at his tone.
"I know, Sasuke." She said in resignation. He crossed over quickly to her, dark eyes taking in her appearance and the wary look in her eyes. Naruto pulled himself up off the ground, and crowded his teammates, his worry for Sakura clear on his face. Sasuke's hands closed over her biceps, and she narrowed her eyes at him.
"It's not me, Sakura." His voice was low, urgent, and he resisted the urge to shake her. "I'm not the one Father put forward." She blinked at him.
"I know that, Sasuke. Tsunade-shisou pulled me in last night. I know who they all are." She patiently assured him, watching as relief surged across his features at her words. His hands dropped from her arms, and he took a step backwards, searching her expression. The wind whistled through the trees, sending their hair swaying in the breeze. Sakura impatiently pushed a few strands away from her face.
"Then you're okay with it?" He asked intently, tone slightly strangled. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, then her face cleared.
"With all of them, or with your brother specifically?" She asked, watching as his eyes betrayed him at the mention of Itachi. She nodded slowly.
"What choice do I have, Sasuke?" She asked quietly, and Naruto gently touched her shoulder.
"Just say no, Sakura, you can do that at least." He suggested. Her brow furrowed as she shook her head.
"No, Naruto, I can't. If I reject all the suits, then the council will likely push for a stronger alliance with Suna, and I'll be sold off to Gaara for the price of continued peace." She replied, grimacing as they both blanched. Over their shoulders, Ino gaped at her.
"What?!" She shrieked, and Sakura gave her a stern look.
"Do not go repeating that, Ino, it's village business, not gossip." She snapped, the blonde giving her an offended look in return. Sakura raised an eyebrow, and Ino rolled her eyes.
"Fine." She snapped back.
"Gaara wouldn't do that to you." Naruto said firmly, blue eyes hardening as he caught her expression. "He wouldn't." He insisted.
"From what you've said, I am one of very few women he'll have an active conversation with. Do you really think he'll pass up tying himself to someone he can actually tolerate, and gaining a strong alliance for Suna in one move?" Sakura hissed back, vindictive satisfaction and shame streaking through her at the blond's crestfallen expression. Next to them, Sasuke stood silently, tension rippling across his form.
"So you really don't have a choice." Naruto mused, unusually pensive.
"No, I don't." She sighed, frowning at him. Her hand caught his, gently squeezing it in thanks for his support.
"Tell Tsunade-sama you'll only marry me." Sasuke demanded, eyes tightening as Sakura gave him a baffled expression, hand dropping away from Naruto's.
"Why would I do that?" She asked, bewildered. He huffed, and she belatedly realised she'd bruised his ego. Naruto cackled, and she automatically smacked him over the head. Ignoring his cry of pain, Sasuke straightened up, glaring at her.
"If you won't accept my suit, then tell Tsunade-sama you accept Itachi's." He pressed, and she glared back at him. He pressed his lips together for a moment before relenting.
"I'm trying to protect you, Sakura." He sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. Her glare subsided, replaced by concern as his display of vulnerability.
"We're trying to protect you." Naruto added solemnly, catching and squeezing her hand again.
"I haven't outright rejected any of them yet." She said softly, and Ino snorted loudly. Sasuke's eyes widened again.
"Not even-" He began.
"None of them." Sakura emphasised, and he swallowed, looking a little ill. She knew he was referring to Kakashi, but frankly, she didn't feel the need to explain herself to him.
"It's up to them to chase me, and show me why they'll be the best option." She told him firmly, pitching her voice louder as she suddenly caught on to the familiar chakra signatures that surrounded them. Something like dread coiled in her belly, and emerald eyes rose and scanned the clearing, spiking her chakra in warning.
Kiba slunk out of the bushes first, eyeing her with interest, and somewhere to her left, Itachi dropped out of a tree, followed closely by a grinning Shisui. Shino came to a stop next to Kiba, and Shikamaru yawned as he leaned against a tree to her right, a bored expression plastered on his face. Neji appeared from out of the trees, frowning as he saw his competition in the clearing. What the… did they all just decide to stalk me here this morning?! She thought in alarm, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Yes. Yes, that is precisely what happened. Now, we're at the training grounds, why don't we do a little... training? Inner Sakura cackled as she fought not to blanch.
At the entrance to the training ground, Sakura spied another two figures approaching and inwardly frowned as she recognised Kotetsu and Izumo. Her suitors were neatly arranged in a loose circle around her, and she glared around at them all. Naruto and Sasuke turned, eyes scanning the clearing, expressions clouding over into a foreboding look. Ino huffed, threw up her hands, and stalked off.
"Good luck, forehead!" She called out behind her. "You're going to need it!" Sakura grimaced. With the exception of Kakashi, all her… suitors were there. Slowly, all faces turned in her direction. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Inner Sakura cackled again as she fought not to scream in frustration.
"Ne, Sakura-chan, you're pretty popular." Shisui called out, breaking the silence. She glared at him. He grinned back at her, flashing white teeth. "Are you sure you can handle all seven of them?" He teased. Sakura narrowed her eyes, plunging a hand into a pouch and flinging a kunai in his direction. He dodged it easily, snatching it out of mid-air and spinning it around his finger. His eyes gleamed.
"Ooh, maybe you can handle all seven of them." He goaded her, and she bared her teeth at him in return.
"Shisui, I will break every bone in your body. Twice." She hissed, completely missing the small, identical smirks from Neji and Shikamaru. Kiba gave her another appraising look, more wary than before. Shisui grinned again.
"You'll have to catch me first." He shot back, feeling a small chill run through him at the sadistic smile Sakura gave him.
"No, I don't." She replied sweetly, turning emerald eyes to Itachi. "Would you do the honours, or do you think your mother would hold him for me if I tearily told her your beloved cousin wouldn't let me fight back?" She asked lightly, and Shisui swallowed, glancing nervously at the suddenly thoughtful man next to him. Itachi turned his head enough to see his cousin out of the corner of his eye, sending a warning rippling down the curly-haired Uchiha's back. He yelped and body-flickered out of sight just as Itachi lunged for him, sharingan flaring and tomoe spinning wildly. The long-haired Uchiha straightened, slowly scanned the trees, a small smirk sliding over his features.
"Maa, you're so mean, Sakura." Kiba snickered, stalking out towards her. "I think that's why I like you so much." She whipped around to glare at him, fist raising in response, stopping him in his tracks. He swallowed, eyeing her fist, before taking a few steps backwards next to a suddenly far more attentive Shino. She lowered her fist slowly, Akamaru yipping at his side as they retreated together.
"How troublesome." Shikamaru sighed, the smirk on his face widening. He knelt, hands coming together in the gesture that meant he was planning his strategy, making Sakura swallow nervously.
"Uh… Sakura?" Kotetsu called out cautiously, raising his hands defensively at her sharp look as she whipped around from eyeing off Shikamaru. "I just wanted to apologise for my grandmother. She's been harping on at me about clan duty and babies, and, well…" He trailed off, hands falling and dark eyes darting sideways to Izumo, who gave him an encouraging smile.
"Yeah, I know, I'm not getting between you two." She sighed, waving a hand, suddenly exhausted by the whole situation. Izumo cocked his head to the side, a grin sliding across his face.
"Are you sure you don't want to?" He purred, relishing the way her eyes widened and cheeks reddened. Naruto and Sasuke glared at the Hokage's errand boys, and Izumo's breath caught in his throat at the sheer amount of killing intent the pair radiated. Kotetsu raised his hands again, eyes widening and glancing over at his partner. Was Izumo trying to get them killed? They were entirely outclassed; firstly by Sakura's teammates, then by two notorious ANBU captains, the next head of the Strategic division, and two of the best trackers the village had ever seen.
"Izumo, what the hell!" He hissed, backing up. He grabbed the back of Izumo's jacket, dragging him backwards, laughing nervously at the others in the training grounds.
"Don't mind him, he's an idiot, we're just leaving!" He called out, retreating as quickly as possible from the clearing. Izumo, at least, had the good sense not to fight him as they backed away. Sakura watched them go with narrowed eyes.
"Well, that's one down." She murmured, and Naruto flashed a grin at her.
"He's not strong enough for you, Sakura-chan. You'd flatten him in two seconds if you sparred." He told her. She smiled fondly up at him.
"Now to get rid of the others." She told him, making him laugh brightly. Sasuke made a sound of amusement, eyeing off the others in the clearing.
"That sounds like a challenge." A lilting voice called out to her, and with a start, she realised it came from Itachi. She swallowed as she met his gaze, the intensity in his obsidian eyes taking her breath away. He stalked closer, brushing Sasuke aside without any resistance from his younger brother.
Sakura glanced at her teammate, outrage flaring and dying rapidly at the resigned look on Sasuke's face before understanding bolted through her. He wanted this to happen. He'd clearly convinced himself it was the best outcome, because if it were anyone else, he would have used his sharingan to lay out the nastiest genjutsu he could before beating them half to death. Her eyes flickered back up to meet Itachi's, heart skipping a beat as he smouldered down at her.
"May the best man win." He murmured, eyes flashing red. Sakura's knees trembled, and she knew, tearing her eyes away from his to look around at the others the clearing, her suitors leaning forward in challenge, that she was in big, big trouble. Kami save her.
Will I continue this? Probably not. I might write a chapter on the conversations the boys had with their parents informing them of their new suitee. I may also be persuaded to write an extra chapter on Sakura formally accepting a suit, but you're going to have to vote for your favorite. As Itachi said, may the best man (with the most votes) win!
Have an awesome day, and let me know what you think!