Arranged

Chapter 7: Surprise

The glass shook in her hands as she took gentle sips of the concoction. Her nose wrinkled at the bitter and nauseating taste. But she drank every last sip, soon to rush over to the sink for a glass of water to wash away the disgusting sensation coating her pallet. What was it that had possessed her to drink that much sake? Was it Tsunade's cooing words? Her new found hope in deciding to love Gaara? Or just for the hell of joining the crowd? She didn't know and as she gulped down the large cup of water, she really couldn't give a damn at that point. Although she hated to admit it, she was thankful that her sensei had taught her the top secret hang-over solution. When she finally felt stable enough, she had her traditonal cup of green tea. As she looked around her empty apartment her eyes landed on a picture of all her friends.

My last day.

She decided to shake the thought from her head. She wasn't going to spend the next eighteen hours or so sulking over her departure. She was about to reach for the phone when it rang.

She picked it up, "Hello?"

"Good morning, Sakura-chan!", Tsunade said brightly.

"Sensei, how are you up this early?!" Sakura giggled. Sure she had drank her fare share of sake at the party, but Tsunade had taken to it like a fish to water.

"...Very funny Sakura-chan. Are you all packed?"

"Hai, sensei."

"Good. Now, I'd like you to meet me at my office as soon as possible. Can you do that?"

"Of course!"

"Good."

Sakura hung up the reciever and quickly got dressed.

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She arrived at the Hokage's office post-haste. She knocked politely at the door. "Come in." Tsunade's feminine voice okayed from the other side. She opened the door and was shocked to find all the girls from last night there. Even Kurenai and Anko-sensei were present. They all seemed to be amused by Sakura's confused expression.

"Hmph. Guess she really didn't guess we were going to do this." Anko stated in a cocky manner. Kurenai chuckled softly and nodded. Sakura cocked her head to one side "Umm, did I miss something?"

Ino laughed "Apparently Billboard-brow. You still have no idea."

"But then again she wouldn't." Ten Ten added "We hid it well from her."

Sakura began to get annoyed. Ever since Sasuke had given her that little surprise and betrayed the village, she really hated being out of the loop about things. Especially stuff that concerned her. Shizune and the Godiame walked up to the confused shinobi. The elder apprentice held out a credit card to Sakura. The pink-haired kunoichi wore an even more baffeled expression.

Tsunade grinned, "You know, being the Hokage, I do have some perks. One of which being that I can spoil my most talented apprentice before she skips town on us to get married." Shizune took Sakura's hand and placed the small, plastic rectangle into her palm. "Although Tsunade-sama did contribute the bulk of it, we all pitched in some money."

Sakura arced an eyebrow "Money? For what?" Hinata smiled "F-for a new wardrobe. It's conciderably hotter in Sunagakure, so it would only m-make sense for Sakura-kun to have clothes to suit the environment." Sakura smiled brightly and a tear dripped down her chin. She quickly wipped it away. The pink-haired nin laughed "Damn it! You guys weren't supposed to make me cry. Now look at me. I'm a mess!" She chuckled along with her friends. Ino ran up to hug her best friend and kissed her on the cheek. "Remember, I want lots of god-children!" Everyone laughed and Sakura nodded, holding her friend tightly.

"Ok then!" Tsunade started "Lets get on with our mission."

Sakura rolled her eyes humorously "And what mission is that?"

Tsunade laughed "To find you a suitable set of lingerie for the wedding night." Everyone once again burst out in laughter while Sakura just blushed brightly.

A few hours later:

Hinata and Sakura laughed as they burst through her apartment door, carrying many bags of clothes. Everyone had started choosing things that were so expensive! Sakura had to monitor them like a hawk. Only Hinata and Kurenai-sensei seemed to have any sense. Hinata stretched her back after putting down the heavy load while Sakura plopped down on her futon. She smiled and tapped the empty space next to her, indicating that there was enough room for the Hyuuga as well. The gentle girl nodded and complied. They smiled at each other until something passed through Hinata's eyes. Sakura became quite curious.

"What's up Hina-hime?"

"A-ah!" Hinata looked away out of embarrasment. "I-it's nothing. Just something selfish."

Sakura snorted "In all my years, I have never heard a selfish thing pass your lips. So what's wrong Hinata-chan?"

The Hyuuga looked down "I don't know what to do...a-about Naruto and Sai. A-and because you'll no longer be here...w-well, it only makes me worry more."

Sakura smiled softly "What does your heart tell you Hinata-chan?"

"Ugh. My heart says listen to my head. My head says listen to my heart. In the end, I just end up with an upset stomach." They both giggled softly at the slight humor. "B-but honestly, I'm at a loss either way."

Sakura sighed "Hinata...I'm only going to tell you this because I may never get another chance. Are you listening?"

Hinata nodded "Hai."

The pink-haired nin looked sincerely into her companion's milky orbs "You and Sai are better for one another. So I think perhaps Naruto should be left behind."

Hinata's eyes widened "B-but N-Naruto-kun is...!"

Sakura nodded "He's my teammate and I love him. I'd hate to see him get hurt. But you're also one of my best friends Hinata-chan, and it kills me to see you like this when I damn well know you can have better. Sai is much more compatable for you. If he ends up with any of the other girls, he'll never find what true love is like. Besides the fact, Naruto needs this experience to grow up. You saw how he whimpered and threw a fit when he first found out about my betrothal to Gaara-san. He needs to grow up and this wake up call should help him tremendously. Like when he was show-boating at the party, he didn't even notice you and Sai..." Sakura's eyes suddenly widdened Shit! I shouldn't have said that!

Hinata blushed bright red. "Y-you saw us?! Oh Kami-san!"

Sakura shook her hands quickly "Iie, iie! I only saw you two go behind the tree and then come out. Wait...you guys weren't...you know?"

"Oh Kami, iie! Sakura-chan, I would never!"

The pink-haired kunoichi sighed in relief. It would have been very uncomfortable for her if she had seen the after effects of an unconventional "meeting" between the two nin.

"So. What do you think you're going to do?"

The Hyuuga heiress shrugged "I-It's just that...Naruto was there for me. And Sai, well I don't know."

Sakura giggled "You have to understand that Sai thought he was showing you his heart by being physical with you. He didn't mean to build a gap between you two."

Hinata smiled softly "I know that now. But do you think it's alright if I take my time?"

Sakura hugged her friend close and Hinata responded by doing the same. "Take as much time as you need."

They're all gonna be a bit hurt in the end. Kami-san help them.