Author's Note: Yes, I know, I finally updated. lol This is really a transition chapter that I got into mind when I was rereading the story last night. The song is "Art of Losing" by American Hi-Fi. Great song. Completely random for the story though. Anways, thank you for all the alerts and favorites. If you feel like chewing me out or giving me ideas, a review is always a good idea. XD

On with the story...

The negotiations were still being held as neither side would concede to less than they thought they were owed. But they were getting closer. Which led Sakura to the situation she was currently in.

Last call now I'm outta time
And I don't got no valentine
Singled out, now I stand alone
The underdog in a modern world
Suburbia is hot tonight
But nothing seems to feel alright
I don't want your sympathy
I just need a little therapy
At least that's what they say to me

She'd spent the week since she talked with Tsunade in a flurry of wedding plans. Decorations. Flowers. Invitations. Fittings. The works.

It wasn't her ideal wedding in any way -- too big and flashy for her tastes -- but it wasn't for her, or Kinnan for the matter. None of it really was. It was a huge, elaborate production for the people of Konoha and Rain. A bond. A contract. A treaty.

Hey ho let's go
I'm gonna start a riot
You don't wanna fight it
One two fuck you
Don't tell me what to do
I don't wanna be like you
Can't you see it's killing me
I'm my own worst enemy
Knock me down I'll keep on moving
It's the art of losing

Kinnan was being such a help though. He was there every step of the way, putting in some of his input here and there. Which was such a relief for her not to have to do it all.

After their day of making plans, they'd go out for dinner, and then go to one of the places in town to talk. Just to talk.

There had been no physical interaction between them except for the friendly hugs they gave one another when they left to go their separate ways.

It was awkward for them both. But, unless someone was watching very closely, they usually dismissed it as a couple having cold feet. They were too comfortable with one another to be stiff and professional about the whole mess.

When they were out, they acted like the perfect couple. When they were alone -- that's when depression hit. Sometimes it was Sakura that cried as he held her, others it was him resting his head on her lap and letting her rub his head. And at times, they just sat next to one another, neither saying anything, but taking comfort in the fact that they weren't alone.

Fit the mold and do what you're told
Get a job and start growing old
9 to 5 can make your dreams come true
But I don't wanna be like you
I'm not cool and I'll never be
I break the rules and I guarantee
I don't want your sympathy
I just need a little therapy
At least that's what they say to me

So, when the sneakily gathered intel on the couple reached the Hokage's ears, she sent for two of her best and brightest -- most of the time -- ANBU. Turning to face her windows, she waited glancing surreptitiously at the letter on her lap, her hands steepled in a thoughtful position.

They arrived in no time, jumping through her open windows and settling themselves on the sill.

Tsunade barely spared them a glance, instead, looking out over Konoha's inhabitants. "Uchiha. Umazaki."

"Baa-chan! Why does he get to be first?" Naruto looked at her with his large blue eyes. "I thought we had something special. We --" He was cut off, falling to the ground, as a large angry bump rose from his head.

Her eye still twitching slightly, she called out for her assistant. "Shizune, come here." A harsh look marred her usually youthful features as she looked over the city.

A few seconds later, a hesitant Shizune made her way over to the chair Tsunade was resting in. "Hai, Hokage-sama?"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes as her thoughts consumed her. It was time. She only hoped that she wasn't too late. Turning her attention-- but not her head-- back to the two ANBU, she began to try to fix the mess she had created. "I need you to find Sakura-"

"Tsunade-sama!" and she frowned deeply as Shizune's troubled voice overlapped her orders. Which also brought on questions from the energetic blonde. "Neh, Baa-chan, why do we need to find her? Didn't you just see her? Is she okay? Did you want to go out for Ramen later?"

"Enough!" Her head turned sharply and her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You will find her and bring her here within the hour or so help me, you will both be back to genins permantly."

Seeing that the three had their mouths firmly shut, she turned her attention back out to the city. "After you find her, I will debrief you on your mission."

Not one to question orders, Sasuke frowned, but said nothing because he knew that Naruto wouldn't let the Hokage off without explaining why they were getting the old Team 7 back together -- the majority of it at least.

And sure enough, Naruto got up from the ground, scratching the unbruised side of his head. "But, ba --" A paperweight from the desk flew across the small space, hitting Naruto straight in the nose, "OW!" causing it to start gushing blood on the area around him.

Tsunade looked on, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, but a throat being cleared made her turn around in the middle of her search to find her hidden sake, to find the two still standing in the same spots. Her brow furrowed as to why they hadn't left yet, before she rolled her eyes and turned back to her hunt. She waved them off half-heartedly. "Dismissed."

Hey ho let's go
I'm gonna start a riot
You don't wanna fight it
One two fuck you
Don't tell me what to do
I don't wanna be like you
Can't you see it's killing me
I'm my own worst enemy
Knock me down I'll keep on moving
It's the art of losing

With that, the two highly skilled shinobi leapt from the windows and went to ask around for their friend's whereabouts.

A knock on her double doors, indicated someone wanted to see her, but she continued her fruitless search for sake. The knocks became more insistant, and Tsunade scowled. She would need to have another talk with Shizune about playing hide and seek with her alcohol. "Come in already."

A slumped figure approached with papers in his hand. "Ah, Hokage-sama. Here is the newest draft."

Taking the papers in hand, Tsunade started to peruse them, her scowl becoming more pronounced. "Things are seem to be in order." She peered up at him through narrow eyes. "What did you do, Nara?"

Rubbing the back of his head absentmindedly, Shikamaru sighed. "I stayed up most of the last few nights to get it done." Muttering under his breath "--so troublesome--" before continuing. "It should be agreeable to both countries now."

You call me a loser
Say I'm just a user
But I'll just keep on moving
Cause that's the art of losing

In a flash, Tsunade grabbed him by his jounin vest and lifted him up, looking him straight in the eyes. " Who else knows about this?"

Shikamaru frowned, not even putting up a bit of a struggle because he knew it would be useless. "Ino knows I've not slept the last few nights and that I've been working on something for you, but she doesn't know what."

Carefully, she set him down on the ground, before touching his shoulders. "Nara, I need you to promise me that you won't say anything to anyone -- from our country or Rain, especially Rain, until we've worked out the kinks."

"Tsh... There aren't any kinks." This was so troublesome. He'd already promised he'd spend the day with Ino... now he has to put up with another woman who ordered him around.

Dropping her hands from his shoulders, she pierced him with a glare she usually saved for Jirarya when he came to do research. "You will not tell anyone. Do you understand."

What would have been a question in any other tone, but in hers was a fact. If he said anything to anyone, there would be dire consequences. Rubbing his face, he nodded his head and started out the door. "--women... so troublesome--" he muttered as he left her office.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"This is an extremely delicate mission." She looked meaningfully at Naruto, who pouted and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Hai, Hokage-sama." They replied, but while Sasuke's tone was sharp and Naruto's was a bit sluggish, Sakura's just sounded fake and forced.

Hey ho let's go
I'm gonna start a riot
You don't wanna fight it
One two fuck you
Don't tell me what to do
I don't wanna be like you
Can't you see it's killing me
I'm my own worst enemy
Knock me down I'll keep on moving
It's the art of losing

Grabbing a scroll from behind her, she tossed it to the dark-haired shinobi. "You leave immediately. You should reach Suna by tomorrow if you don't slack off." Looking pointedly at the fair-haired boy, she continued. "No word to anyone about your whereabouts. I expect you back next week." And with that, she turned back to her desk, opening and closing different drawers while she looked for where Shizune had hidden her sake.