A/N: I know I said this chapter would have the Mid-Fall Festival, but I decided against that. I just went with Sakura finding out, I hope I did a pleasing job. Enjoy my faithful and patient readers.

Being up so early didn't sit well with him, but it was either be up at this time or face the wrath of Kohona's remaining Sannin It was barely nine, and he had to go meet Demon Country's caravan. Waste of time if uoi asked him, if they had made it that far without trouble why request an escort now.

With slight irritation he took off ready to get back an attend the festival that was taking place tonight. He passed the front gates, took to the trees and like a caged animal being freed, he stormed around.

~With Sakura~

She was feeling good after the good nights rest she had gotten, getting up this early was her daily routine. She giggled at her blonde headed friends hating of getting up early, how he had became what he was she'd never know.

Her day was free of any hospital work, most likely so she could be more relaxed for the festival that was taking place. She quickly prepared herself for a day out, she wanted to go see her loud mouthed Yamanaka best friend.

Her sandals brought up dust every time she took a step forward on the dirt streets. She was closing in on the flower shop at which she was sure she'd find the girl working. Well standing bored behind a counter top really was hardly work at all, but someone had to do it.

She had arrived, staring at the pineapple haired boys posture the blonde had to be talking girlishly about something he claimed 'troublesome'.

She was in the store in yellow flash style, not once did the blonde even look up to see who came in, she just kept talking.

"If someone was to do something like, Naruto did for Hinata last night for me, I'd be all over them in a heartbeat."

"If you ask me, its just all to troublesome."

What had she just heard Naruto did something for Hinata? Sure they were friends an occasional team mates, but the boy had seemed to ignorant to pick up on the im interested vibes the Hyugga had put out over the years.

"Naruto, did what?"

It was a curious question, that made the duo snap their heads to her, one expressing joy the other a slight tinge of sudden depression.

"Took our little Hinata on a date."

"What!? I need the details."

The blonde smiled finally someone who she could gossip with. Shikamaru wasn't really the one to go around talking if he did at all.

"Well he had me an troublesome here be his waiters. I didn't expect what the date was, well at least not from him anyways. He took her a top

the fourth Hokage's head for a private dinner. It was simply amazing."

"I didn't think our little Naruto had any interest in her."

"He doesn't really, he claimed it was for closure, but I heard it was for some marriage thing the councils making him do."

To say that she was shocked wouldn't be quite right, she was more mad than anything. Mad at the fact he was having to find a wife, but more at how he tried to hide it from her.

Shikamaru remembered how she had heard it, he was having a game of shogi with his dad when the jinjuriki was brought up. It just so happened that Ino arrived to hear the entire conversation. She swore to not tell a soul, but here she was telling the girl Naruto didn't want to find out.

"The council is making him get married!"

They never had time to reply for she had fumed out of the store making a b-line for the Hokage tower. She left behind a curious blonde an a annoyed Nara.

"What was her problem?"

"Maybe it was that you told her the boy she cares for is being forced into marriage."

With a huff the blonde just went back to doing what she was previously doing swooning over wanting a date.

Sakura had steam rolled her way to the Hokage's tower. She reposed herself before entering her mentors office. She slowly strolled in taking notice of how the Hokage was sitting facing the window her back to anyone who came in.

"M'lady, I wanted to ask you about, Naruto."

"I'm sure whatever you've heard is true."

Her mentors voice rang with what seemed annoyance, but not at her something so entirely different.

"So, the council is really forcing him into a marriage.?"

Sakura sounded like a lost puppy, truthfully she was hurt that the blonde hadn't informed her sooner then maybe no she would have said yes to his cute date requests. Now she was mad with him, the council, hell the whole village political system.

"Yes, he's bringing the Priestess of Demon Country here for that entire reason... Sakura I'm sorry, I know how you felt about him, the damn council wouldn't listen to reason."

Her teacher sounded just as upset about the situation, probably more so seeing how she had known about it since the beginning.

"Sakura go home, I'll send that baka your way when he arrives back here."

She did as she was told leaving the office and heading straight home. She was heart broken, she really didn't know when it had happened but one day she realized that she loved that blonde idiot, an it seemed that even now she wouldn't get to be with him.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it, always a pleasure to write. Next chapter will include the following; Naruto's return, Sakura's true confession, and Dramatic NaruShion... Hope to hear some opinionated reviews.