I realize that I skipped over a few hidden villages candidates but they'll show up in the next chapter. I tried to update sooner but I was busy. The cat that I had been attached to since I was five died tonight and I got really depressed. I've been trying to find a way past it so I tried writing the chapter. I hope that I didn't screw it up. Here are some more names and possibilities. I don't have a definite pairing yet. I have some pairings in mind. Please review.
"Miss Haruno I said it's time to get up!" It was long before dawn when Sakura was yanked out of bed by some unknown force. Quickly pinning the offending hand to the wall and stopping a Kunai a mear millimeter from the older woman's throat she growled. Where had she seen this woman before? She was awfully familiar clearly she was a civilian. Was she a former patient, no. Then she remembered she was the woman Kushina, Mikoto, and herself had interviewed a week ago. With a sigh and nod the servant was released. She had protested until she was blue in the face when told she would have others waiting on her hand and foot. Apparently, it was not up for discussion and now her home was full of people sporting the Haruno phoenix and clan symbol upon there uniforms.
"I apologize for that Miss Takime." With a smile and a gentle pat to Sakura's hand Takime seemed to understand. Her husband had been a shinobi and so had her son. There were very few things that would make this woman fret. Sakura's reaction to being aroused from slumber was not one of them. If the pinkett had been anyone else maybe but Takime knew that Sakura was careful when drawing a weapon. Sakura wasn't about to kill someone for such a petty reason, unless it was Sai, Naruto, or the now recovered Kakashi.
"Nonsense miss Haruno, I would expect nothing less from someone with your profession. Now we need to get you fed, bathed, and dressed before the meeting is starting. It wouldn't be acceptable for you to be late." Takime tugged the younger woman's wrist showing her to the dinning hall. Sakura had finished just in time to be sent into a bath of sweet smelling water. Her bath was both quick and surprisingly through. Next she was handed off to a pair of identical women no older than herself. One bound her breast befor Sakura could blink, and the other handing her a shirt. This was followed by underwear, and then pants. Next she was sat in front of a large vanity. She swore the hairdresser was a ninja as her quickly made his way through her hair removing tangles and then styling it. Finally another woman began the process of applying her makeup.
It took all of Sakura's self control to refrain from snapping these peoples necks. She wasn't accustomed to being touched so much. Nor did she want to be. She had begun mentally chanting a soothing mantra. 'It's only for today. Then never again.' When she deemed that they were done, her temper couldn't handle anymore, she stood and made her way to the front door. Slipping on her shoes and tapping the toes against the floor to adjust them she sighed opening the door. She just wanted to have a peaceful walk to the town gates where she would meet with the arriving ninja. A little alone time to gather her thoughts and relax was what she wanted. However that's not what she was going to get. Standing by the door were two lines of Anbu. With a forced smile she began her guarded walk to the private reception hall that was reserved for this day exactly. She decided to enter after the men so she could get a good sence of what was going on in there heads. This way her first cut would be easy.
The first to arrive were the The Land of Fire's candidates. This was no surprise since they lived within the village and had not been traveling. These men consisted of Naruto, Sai and his brother Shin, Kakashi, Shikamaru, Kiba, Neji, Lee, Genma, Izumo, Itachi, Sasuke, Shisui, Haku, Orochimaru's former vassal Genyumaru, Shino, Choji, and what by the clan symbol on his shoulders looked like the heir of the Tsuchigumo clan. She had already eliminated her first set without a problem. They would find out at the end of the introductions when the eliminations began. She couldn't help the grin upon her face.
"So Sasuke who do you think will be the winner?" Naruto asked trying to extend a hand of friendship despite there past. Sakura watched from her place behind the second set of doors she was suppose to enter from her eyes glaring at Sasuke.
"As if it weren't obvious. She's been pining after me for years." He sighed with overflowing self confidence and arrogance.
"I would not be so sure of my victory yet Sasuke. Sakura has avoided you since your revival and she fought pretty hard to keep you six foot under." Kankuro's laughter was heard immediately after. Sakura's eyes moved to the entrance and watched as the land of winds candidates stood behind Gaara the Kazekaze. This included Kankuro, Gaara, Ittetsu, Komaza, Korobi, and Nejiri. They were a small group but still managed to look confident. Sakura knew that Gaara wouldn't bring many. Those he did bring were ANBU level and that managed to show that he would only allow the most powerful to be entrusted with Sakura's future. Gaara group settled to there designated area with a barely there grin. Sakura was touched by Garra's selection. Only the best and most trusted of his village were allowed to pursue her in Gaara's opinion.
Once all the respective lands were present and all candidates were accounted for Tsunade entered with to many of the attending's surprise Dan Kato. With them entered more candidates that either no longer wished to be a part of there villages, or were in the process of transferring to the village hidden in the Rain where they could live peacefully as per the agreement of all villages and said village. Leaving them in there appointed place Sakura's eyes scanned the now crowded room. Many of the people were her revivals and others were clan heads. The room now humming with the dull sounds of conversation she took a breath and gathered her confidence. Now it was time for her plan to commence.
Entering from her own entrance the dull conversations stopped and all eyes were glued on her. There were some cat calls but they were quickly silenced by those surrounding them. Sakura took her place at the front of the room on a low stage standing between the desk and podium Tsunade was standing beside she looked out at the crowd. Her face was calm and emotions unreadable. Her eyes began to scan the room again her eyebrow cocked as she noticed some of the men blushing and others gawking. Looking to Tsunade who was grinning like a fool with confusion she nodded and a cheer was heard. Rolling her eyes the pinkett began to eliminate more men.
"What is she wearing?!" Naruto growled seeing Sakura like this was concerning. She had changed her entire look and he didn't like the fact that it provoked many things within him none of which were connected to love. Her feet were concealed in Maroon knee length boots with a thick heal. Her bottoms were black and cut low exposing part of the v made of her hip bones. Not enough to be sleazy but go enough to entice. The right leg was cut off to mid thigh. The left was full length almost skin tight with a flair in the material starting at her ankle. The flair was decorated with fiery cherry blossoms of gray falling into a blood red at the bottom. Her shirt was a muscle shirt cutting off just above her belly button allowing her flat stomach to be viewed. The shirt was skin tight and blood red, a black cherry decorated where her breasts were brought together giving a peek at her cleavage. Her hair dangled loosely teasing at the flesh of her exposed collar bones. Sitting behind a desk next to Dan she gave a sigh.
"Get ready to line up to speak your greetings and introduce yourselves. Some of you will receive a scroll. If you do then you will move to the room on the left. Those who do not will go to the room on the right." Tsunade then moved to the right door and Dan to the left door. With that the shinobi stood and fell in line.