Arranged
Chapter 3: Mystery Solved
As directed, Sakura arrived at Tsunade's office at nine o'clock. It was beautiful outside. The warmth of the sun blanketed their skin and the birds sang in the skies. When she stepped through the door, there was no one behind the huge Hokage's desk to greet her. However, Shizune burst out of a corner not a second later nearly scaring the pink-haired kunoichi half to death. The elder apprentice apologized multiple times and nervously inquired that Tsunade-sama was waiting for them in the the courtyard behind the building. When they came to their destination, Sakura bowed deeply in front of her sensei.
"Good morning, Godiame-sama." Sakura said plainly. She was hoping that the woman infront of her was over her foul wake-up call.
Tsunade slowly got up and walked over to her bowing apprentice. The bowing shinobi expected this to be a formal and brief meeting... oh how wrong she was.
SLAM!
Sakura laid flat on the grass that was under her feet not two seconds ago. Trying to recoupperate, all she could remember was an over powering slap on the back. Compliments the Hokage herself. Sakura slowly got up while hearing her mentor's rare, full-hearted laughs. She looked up quizically at the brown-eyed woman. Tsunade just smirked widely.
"Don't act so formal today Sakura-chan!" The Godiame picked Sakura up off the ground by her shoulders, still grinning at her confused expression. "It's not every day I get to have leisurely tea with my most talented apprentice before she gets married."
Sakura's confused facial contourtions now turned into a soft smile. She looked to her right to see Shizune smiling up at her with a bit of embarrasment, no doubt caused by Tsunade-sama's brashness.
"Sakura-chan" Tsunade beamed "You'll make a fine wife."
"A-arigatou Tsunade-sama. But c-can I ask you a small favor?"
Tsunade gave a bit of a confused smirk and chuckled out a "Hai?"
Sakura blushed a bit "Could you put me down please?"
Tsunade's eyes went wide and a small blush blessed her beautiful features. She quickly put down her apprentice and casually placed her hands behind her head out of embarrasment. Sakura smiled brightly while Shizune stifled a few giggles.
"Come" their mentor announced "Lets drink some tea and discuss a few things."
"Hai!" Both apprentices replied as they sat on either side of their sensei.
They had Sakura's favorite, green tea. But this time she enjoyed it cool and brisk. It matched the weather perfectly. Tsunade also surprised the girls with an unconventional snack for tea, Pocky. Shizune ate vanilla, Tsunade took chocolate, while Sakura claimed the strawberry. They ate and began to recall funny situations they had each experienced. Sakura noticed that Tsunade-sama was glancing her way and beamed with a soft smile.
"Is there someting wrong sensei?" Sakura inquired.
Tsunade shook her head softly, small strands of her honey blonde hair tickling her nose "You've just grown up so much Sakura-chan."
"Hai" Shizune said and sighed happily "It's hard to believe that you'll be moving to Sunagakure so soon. We'll miss you so much..." The elder apprentice glanced downward.
Sakura smiled sadly and put her hand on Shizune's shoulder which made her look up. "It's not like I'll never see you again Shizune-niisan."
Tsunade cleared her throat "Well I think it's time we get down to business. Sakura, as I understand you'd like to know a few things about your husband to be correct?"
Sakura nodded "Hai."
The Godiame folded her arms and closed her eyes in thought "Well, he's a bit of the quiet type. He's very strategic and wise for his age. And..." Tsunade stopped and looked up when she heard Sakura laugh. The kunoichi noticed and began to get herself under control.
"Gomen, Tsunade-sama. I'm just relieved that you didn't betroth me to some old man with liverspots."
Tsunade blushed softly as a look of digust came to her face "For Kami's sake Sakura! Do you honestly think I'd put you through that kind of hell?!"
Sakura giggled again "Iie. And I'm very grateful."
Shizune started in "I've had a few talks with him. He's a bit intimidating, but nothing like when he was with the Rookie 9 in the chuunin exams."
The chuunin exams? Wait she can't mean...!
Tsunade nudged Sakura "He's gotten really cute. A nice bod and everything!"
Sakura blushed and was about to say something when Shizune interrupted "That's embarrassing for Sakura-chan Tsunade-sama! Besides, it's the brains that count."
Tsunade snorted "Tch. Yeah? I guess I should have matched Sakura up with one the geezers on the council then."
"WAIT!!"
Shizune and Tsunade turned to Sakura, surprised with her outburst. Sakura blushed "G-gomen. But what you were saying...the only male from Suna in the chuunin exams...that I know is intimidating and quiet is..."
Tsunade picked up Sakura's chin to look her in the eyes and nodded.
The words came out through Sakura's lips at just above a whisper "S-Sabaku no Gaara."
Shizune nodded "Hai. But Sakura," the pink-haired kunoichi looked at her comrade "He's changed."
Tsunade nodded "Dramatically."
Sakura smiled nervously "I guess I'm no one to judge. He might actually be sweet."
Shizune gasped and clasped her hands over her mouth "I nearly forgot!" She dug through a bag she had and took out a box wrapped in brown paper. The hemp strings around it had a card attached. Shizune handed it to Sakura. The kunoichi read the note in her head:
Haruno Sakura,
I know we have had our differences in the past, but this recent developement is about to change our lives dramatically. I am sorry if I have ruined anything that you had in Konoha. You'll miss your friends tremendously. I cannot change that. But I would be honored if you allowed me to attempt to make up for it.
Sincerely,
Gaara
P.S. Please try not to refer to me as 'Kazekage-sama' or 'Sabaku no Gaara' when we meet. I hate that.
Sakura hadn't noticed the small smile and slight blush that had risen to her cheeks, but her sensei and Shizune-nisan had. Shizune smiled sweetly while Tsunade scoffed. Sakura looked up and chuckled softly. Tsunade sighed "Well? Are you gonna open it or what?!" Shizune gasped "Tsunade-sama! It might be private. We should..."
Sakura giggled "It's ok Shizune-san." She turned her attention back to the small box in her hands and began to undress it. She slowly pulled the string and slipped it off. She hastily tore at the paper to find a shiney, black box that looked like it was from a jewelry store. She lifted up the lid and her eyes went wide. Inside lied an elegant, black choker. It was leather and in the middle was a small yet visible pink diamond shaped like a cherry blossom. By this time, Tsunade and Shizune had leaned in and were also gapping at the gift.
"I had heard those diamond crafters in Suna were good but holy shit!" Tsunade inquired.
"Tsunade-sama, don't curse." Shizune scolded but was still looking at the gift.
Sakura blushed, still marveling at it. It must have cost a fortune! Should I except it? I think I have to. He might think I'm rejecting him or something if I don't. Sakura sighed but smiled. She was hoping she was right.
"Well?" Sakura was brought out of her thoughts and looked up at the grinning Hokage "You gonna put it on?"
Sakura thought for a second and shook her head "Iie. I think it might be good if I let Gaara do it when I see him."
Shizune smiled "That's good thinking. It might make for a good bonding experience."
Tsunade chuckled mischeviously "Yeah. And in that case you might want to buy some matching lingerie."
Sakura blushed bright red as her eyes widened "Sensei!"
Tsunade just shrugged "Well, I don't want to keep you here all day. You should just spend time with your friends, seeing as how I haven't told them yet."
"NANI?!"
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AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Well, not my favortie chapter but there it is. I was a bit lazy with the details and there are probably some spelling errors that I missed. It was also my poor attempt to add a bit of humor into the mix. I don't know why I made Tsunade seem more laid back when not training but I kind of thought it was interesting. Sakura was a bit more inward as well so whatever :P
R & R,
Jocelyne
P.S. A special thanks for those of you who have been sending reviews. I'm still open to suggestions if there are any. I'll also try not to disappoint any of you --;;