It's been the longest winter without you
I didn't know where to turn to
See somehow I can't forget you
After all that we've been through

It had been mid-November when Kakashi left -- now, it was the beginning of March, and no word had come. Every day, it felt like her heart was broken further. She had no hope that after all of this time he might still be alive. It would be foolhardy. So, after a few days of self-loathing in her apartment, she went back to her work at the hospital. She was a strong and capable kunoichi, she didn't need a man to complete her. Even if said man had been part of the reason she had gotten up every morning for a time. Just to see his quirky eye crinkle or feel his unmasked lips on her neck.

She inwardly sighed. Knowing that he wasn't coming back and actually, realistically realizing it were two different things. Every knock on her door or breeze through her window sent her into another downward spiral. Naruto and Sasuke tried their best to help her get over him, but even the bright smile on Naruto's face or training with Sasuke, hadn't helped.

Going coming thought I heard a knock
Who's there no one
Thinking that I deserve it
Now I realize that I really didn't know
If you didn't notice you mean everything
Quickly I'm learning to love again
All I know is I'm gonna be OK

Sakura had her monthly meeting with Tsunade in a few minutes, to discuss the runnings of the hospital. And knowing her shishou, her personal life as well.

Passing the empty desk next to the Hokage's door, Sakura frowned, wondering where Shizune and Ton-Ton were. Shrugging it off, she walked over to the double red doors and gave a short knock before entering. As she shuffled around the papers in her hands to find the quarterly evaluations, silence met her entrance.

Finding it odd that her shishou hadn't said anything to her, she looked up to find a table full of representatives from Rain staring at her... and her shishou glaring at her entrance.

Sakura's eyes widened as she took in the situation. She would never hear the end of this from her mentor.

Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
It'll all get better in time
And even though I really love you
I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to
It'll all get better in time

"Her." A lithe, blonde woman pointed at her, a smug smile falling across her face.

Looking at Tsunade, confused, Sakura looked towards the woman and tried her best to cover up her mistake. And as she was prone to do at times, she began to babble. "I'm so - I didn't... Uh - I'll just be -" She pointed back at the doors and started to inch towards it.

"Sakura." Tsunade was looked at her, perturbed. Motioning to an empty chair, she watched her apprentice sit awkwardly.

Turning her attention back to the delegation, Tsunade answered the woman with a swift 'no'.

But the woman wasn't to be bothered with it. "You agreed, Hokage-sama." She absently motioned towards Sakura. "She will do." Tsunade started to say something, but was cut off as the woman stood up and walked over to where Sakura sat. She picked up a lock of her pink hair, her smile growing. Keeping a hold on her hair, the woman looked back at Tsunade.

Though the woman wasn't to be swayed, Tsunade still protested. "Naya-san, there are many applicable kunoichi. There's no reason for you to choose -- that one."

Sakura watched the precedings, extremely confused. But when Naya grabbed her hair, she almost stepped into the conversation. There was no reason for her not to as she saw it. The current discussion was about her. And she couldn't even express the annoyance that it was causing.

I couldn't turn on the TV
Without something there to remind me
Was it all that easy
To just put aside your feelings

So wrenching her hair from Naya's fingers, Sakura addressed the room. "What exactly are you wanting me to do?"

Naya's head turned to face her, as a sickly sweet smile came upon her face. "You, my dear, are going to marry my son."

If I'm dreaming don't wanna laugh
Hurt my feelings but that's the path
I believe in
And I know that time will heal it
If you didn't notice boy you meant everything
Quickly I'm learning to love again
All I know is I'm gonna be OK

Sakura's eye twitched and she looked toward her shishou to see if it was true.

The defeated look upon Tsunade's face told her everything she needed to know. At the shadow of betrayal that crossed Sakura's face, Tsunade quickly explained. "It's not an arranged marriage." A snort from one of the commission, had her follow up her statement. "Not exactly an arranged..." She sighed, resigned. "It's a treaty. Between our countries."

Sakura racked her brain for something to say, but ended up looking down at her lap, lost in thought. She realized the importance for Konoha to be alligned with the other countries. They never knew when another Sound would pop up. And then, the Akatsuki was still at large.

Realistically, it wasn't that much to ask for in return for another ally. They were agreeing to do so much in exchange for so little. In this case, the end would justify the means. And it wasn't as if she were waiting for anyone. Not that anyone would care if she married someone else. Even if he was... Even if he was there, he probably wouldn't care.

Since there's no more you and me
It's time I let you go
So I can be free
And live my life how it should be
No matter how hard it is I'll be fine without you
Yes I will

A sob bubbled up in her throat, but all that came out was a barely discernable whimper. She knew what he would want her to do.

Blinking away what tears had gathered in her eyes, she gazed around the room, looking every one of them in the eyes, prior to landing on her mentor. A moment of understanding passed through Tsunade's eyes and she gave a reluctant nod before clearing her throat. All of the heads in the room turned to look at her hardened features. Her eyes wandered the room then landed on Naya. "I expect you to work with one of our shinobi on the contract." Moving her eyes over the other Rain representatives, she gave a nod toward her assistant. "See them to their rooms and contract Nara Shikamaru immediately." Letting her gaze fall on Sakura, she waved her hand absently towards the delegation. "You stay."

Shizune opened the door to let the commission through. Most of the council left. All that was left was Naya, her hand keeping another beside her.

Tsunade leveled Naya with a cool glare, but knew her duty made her have to speak to the other woman civily. "Naya-san, shouldn't you and Kinnan be off?"

"Not just yet, Hokage-sama." She twisted around to stand in front of Sakura, dragging the Kinnan behind her. "Sakura-san, I'd like you to meet Kinnan." Sakura watched intently as Kinnan was revealved to her.

Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
It'll all get better in time
And even though I really love you
I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to
It'll all get better in time

He had dirty blonde hair and striking blue eyes, but he wasn't smiling. In fact, he looked to be in pain. "Okaasan." His voice was quiet, and had an embarresed tinge to it.

But Naya wouldn't have any of it. She pushed him forward til he was almost in Sakura's lap, a ghoulish expression on her face. "You two should get to know each other. The wedding will be in a month."

Tsunade and Sakura looked at Naya in a mixture of outrage and distress, while Kinnan just hit his hand against his forehead.

Kinnan looked at Sakura, his hand running down his face and his cheeks tinged with pink. "I'm so sorry. She's... a little extravagent."

Sakura looked at him, torn between laughing and crying. She was going to be married to someone she knew nothing about -- didn't love -- and for God's sake she was still in love with that baka that had left her with a shattered heart.

A piece of her wondered if maybe -- somehow -- he might still be alive. That he might be on his way here right now. And when he got through the gates, he'd run to find her. And -- when he got to her, he'd sweep her off her feet and kiss her. Maybe even tell her he loved her and wouldn't want to live if she wasn't in his life.

Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
It'll all get better in time
And even though I really love you
I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to
It'll all get better in time

So lost in her thoughts, all she knew was that her feet were moving forward and her waist was covered with a warm arm.

She knew that this wasn't a time for what if's and maybe's. Kakashi was gone. He was never coming back. And she had to accept it.

Turning toward the man beside her, she let a strained smile come over her face. "I guess getting to know each other would probably be a good idea."

He mirrored her forced smile, and nodded. "Hai."