In this chapter you will see the final cut for pairings. You can look up any of them on Narutopedia. I took a few creative liberties on the names for the Paths of Pein because to be honest it didn't give names and very little backgrounds. Honestly neither did the manga or show. Same with Orochimaru's former form. There may be a few people who don't like my final cut for pairings. Feel free to flame in my inbox. I love the responses I'm getting from my reviewers and private messagers. This chapter is dedicated to you. I'm still a little off today so please go easy on me I try to keep it out of my writing. As always reviews are not necessary but they are inspiring.
The line seemed endless to Sakura she knew that this was going to be annoying, and in some cases amusing. She waited for ANBU to bring in the scrolls she had spent the previous night finishing up. It was a pain in the ass to write each one by hand but she knew it would be worth it. Two ANBU entered through the door behind her each carrying a bag in both hands and sat them on either side of her. With a clack the clip board she held landed on the desk in front of her along with a pen. The men would sign in, introduce themselves, and depending on her impression of them be handed a scroll. After they did, or didn't they would be sorted through one of either doors and await there orders. None were allowed to open the scrolls until given the green light. So with a smile she looked upon the first in line and smiled. This he took as a sign to begin and strutted up to the pinkett with a smug wink to her he scribbled his name on the first line. Without giving him a chance to speak he was handed a scroll as she rolled her eyes. "Pass to the left please."
The ANBU to her left moved the man to the room on her left then returned. The next man to greet her he bowed respectfully and moved to sign the sheet, but she stopped him with a smile. He was one of the revival candidates that she had taken a shinning to. He was formerly of the Fuma clan, Amegakure, and the first shinobi to be used as the animal path of Pein's six paths. His body was completely rebuilt with DNA, and chakra samples. He couldn't remember his name or past which Sakura contributed to the fact that he had been using Pein's chakra for so long. This effectively wiped his system to a default blank slate. He was a very sweet man who got along with Several of her friends. Together the had given him a name and a new group of friends. "Cut to the right please Atarashi Jinse."
Those whom were given scrolls had a look of triumph they included Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, Naruto, Rock Lee, Genma, several of the kage's nephews, and so many more. To Sauske's pride Garra's entire group had been cut to the right and not allowed to sign in. It still pissed him off that she was so kind to the people cut and not those given the scrolls. Upon viewing the scrolls around him he noticed that they came in different colors. His was black, and weight very little. He felt a since of pride knowing that he had received a scroll where Neji, Gaara, and Itachi had not. He knew he held the pinkeet's heart and honestly he didn't want it. In his mind she was still the annoying, weak little girl that swooned every time he saw her. He planned to decline her offer of marriage once he had become the victor of this game. After three hours the kunoichi entered with Tsunade, and two squad of ANBU and stood to the front.
"Alright shut up and listen!" Tsunade's voice rang out over the majority crowd effectively shutting the up. "You will notice that the scrolls in your hands are different colors. Black is a definite decision and will not be reconsidered. Red your just about in the same boat. Pink you can appeal if you want. White you should appeal if you truly want to change her mind. Now open your scrolls, get your orders, and get out." Tsunade's grin was strange to the Uchiha and so was her little speech. Opening the scroll Sauske's stomach felt as though he had swallowed a rock. Anger and a wounded pride seared through him. The scroll simply stated that he was no longer in the running as a candidate and thanked him for his interest in becoming her spouse. It continued on to tell him to leave through the exit of the exit marked within the room and wished him a good day. Sasuke refused to move gripping the scroll in his hands as his chakra pulsed. ANBU, Sakura, Tsunade, and Naruto all seemed to notice as everyone left. When the room was empty except for those who had noticed his chakra pattern he snapped.
"Who the hell do you think you are Sakura? Your not fooling anyone! Your still the annoying, weak, fan girl, bitch that you use to be! I bet Tsunade came up with this jutsu and gave you the credit. I bet the only reason she even did that was to make sure you didn't die alone." To anyone else the scroll would have been a polite decline of interest. To him it was a slap in the face and a blatant, 'Fuck you.' Before he could blink Sakura was in front of him him with a fist full of his shirt. Her left arm yanking him forward and knee coming up to meet his chest effectively winding him with the sound of a sickening crunch. With a satisfied smirk she had turned away from him stopping at the door to the main room, and smiled to the female ANBU. "Get this garbage to the hospital he's got some broken ribs."
Naruto's laughter was heard in the next room which to those in the room set there defeat in stone. Many of the small group had become close to the girl that now plagued most of there dreams. Some had sectioned off into little groups while others talked amongst themselves. Gaara's group stood with him wondering if they had ever really had a chance to begin with. Neji, Haku, Shino, and Jinse stood in a small group talking over where they would go after their failure was confirmed. Kiba sat with Akamaru scratching his head stating that they would still continue to be there for Sakura. Itachi, Shisui, and a member of the Kurama clan that had also been revived sat together debating gen jutsu techniques and there effectiveness. The three felt tense and agitated to no end. To those who didn't know any better it would seem like they were taking the rejection poorly. That was not the case at all.
Itachi felt that something was off with Sakura. She was hiding something from them and he didn't like it. He would have to speak with his mother about this and devise a way to keep an eye on her. He knew that Tora had been watching her and on several occasions he had suspected that the man had attempted to add things to her food or drink. He owed the girl his life and fully intended to make good on his debt. Yes she had interested him but this clearly showed him that the feeling was not mutual. He would lick his wounded pride and continue as if nothing happened. Shisui was well aware of what was going on with Tora. He had even started a habit of background checking anyone who had anything to do with Sakura. He and Itachi had convinced his aunt and Kushina to "Help" with the hiring of her personal servants, staff, and eventual students to avoid suspicion.
Deidara, Mangetsu Hōzuki,and Genyumaru were all doing there forms of pacing the room. Shin, and Sai were talking with Kotaru formerly known as the human path. Kotaru much like Jinse had been lacking of all memories except the fact that he was from Takigakure. This didn't help him in the least because his memories never held any determining factors. He named himself and had decided to become someone new. Kotaru, and Kakashi merely sat in a random spot deep in thought. Finally Yahiko stood quietly by the door the only path that remember who he was and kept his original name. He had become close to the medic-nin and constantly spoke of her when he had left the village. Nagato and Konan were sure that he had fallen for, whom they now deemed, the goddess of the leaf. So in an attempt to allow him to explore these feelings they entered him as a candidate.
The door opened slowly and Kisame stepped in with a chuckle letting Sakura in with a smile. Behind her a stretcher was seen wheeling off an irritated and very shocked Sasuke. This sight was cut off by Dan and Tsunade whom followed behind Sakura protectively. Sakura was the child they never had and one day wished to produce. The minute the doors closed Sakura smiled at each of them. Tsunade cleared her throat and ushered her to the front. She had a glow of victory about her and it seemed to radiate.
"Congratulations to all of you for passing to the next round of the selection process. I chose each and every one of you based on three basic principles. One, I should be able to trust my future husband. Don't even go into the shinobi code because I don't care. I'm not marrying just a ninja I'm marrying a person who will see me at my most vulnerable times. Two, I need a strong reliable husband. Someone who can protect our future children. Three, I need someone whom can stimulate me both mentally, and physically. If I wanted just a handsome face I would have picked someone a long time ago. Let me make this clear, I am a woman that has nothing special about my blood line, or birth. If that is a problem Kisame will be more than happy to let you leave and no one will blame you. You will all be staying within the walls of Konoha my home, remember that I will not tolerate disrespect towards it. Your opinion is fine to voice about it but if you start a problem you will be eliminated from the group. Your mission is to attempt to make me fall in love with you. I will not marry a man I do not love and I expect no less of the men in this room. Are there any questions?" Sakura finished confidently and surveyed the men before her. A had was finally raised and she smiled.
"Are you going to be dressing like that all the time? Because I'm sure I speak for the whole group when I say your gonna cause injuries if you do." Shisui said earning a roar of laughter from the group of men. Well except for Neji, Gaara, and Itachi whom just smirked and narrowed there eyes upon the man who took a bow.
"I can where less if you'd like." Sakura shot back as if she was commenting on the weather. This caught many of them off guard and caused them to instantly shut there mouths and star at her in a state of shock. Tsunade began to laugh and shortly after a very undignified squeak passed her lips as she struggled for air. This earned her confused looks of concern which started another fit of giggles.
"It was a joke relax." Dan clarified as he held his laughter back. This was truly going to be interesting.