When Sakura woke up the next morning and into the dining hall she expected to see both her male family members but she only got "Shino" apparently he had missed her and as soon as the boy had seen her Shino let his rare affectionate side come out by pulling Sakura into a side hug "Good Morning Imouto-chan" Shino greeted "What's going on Shino you haven't called me that in ages" Sakura asked once he had released her "Dad has gone to set up a Marriage Contract between us and the Nara's for you and Shikamaru" Shino says with barely concealed anger.
'Ah so that's why he's being protective' Sakura laughs internally but outwardly doesn't say anything and sits down at the table to eat breakfast meanwhile in a conference room somewhere in the Aburame Compound were Shibi, Shikaku and his wife Yoshino and by the looks of the arguing adults things weren't going well "Be reasonable" Yoshino snaps 'Of all the men and their stupid prides' she sighs internally "If Shikamaru-san is going to marry Sakura he has to prove himself" Shibi said again.
"Do you think that would really make Sakura happy" Shikaku asks seriously causing Shibi to deflate in his argument and relent "Ok let's move onto the next topic before any more arguing takes place" Yoshino says 'I'm glad I had a son' was all that was going through her head "What should we put as for when they get married" Shikaku asks "18 or anytime after that if they see fit I'm not going to force them to marry at a certain time" Shibi says clenching his pencil tightly in his hand almost snapping it with the force he was holding it with.
"That's fine now it comes down to the hard part who will carry whose name" Shikaku asks watching Shibi for the argument to come but he was severly disappointed when the man says nothing and then "I think she would be happy carrying his last name" Shibi grinds out between his clenched teeth "There you go with that this marriage contract meeting comes to an end now you should go see Sakura before she leaves for the day" Shikaku says quickly grabbing Yoshino's hand and teleporting away.
Heading out of the room "Keiko send Sakura to my office when she is finished eating" he orders Keiko before continuing onto his office to get started on even more paperwork back in the dining hall "Hey Shino, I don't know how to tell you this so I'm just going to come out with it I'm leaving the village on a 3 year training expedition" Sakura had pushed her plate away and blurted this out all in one breath "Your leaving" Shino asks mid bite "For 3 years" Sakura grimaces while trying to smile "I promise to get you a souvenir" Sakura waves fleeing the room.
Right outside the door Sakura nearly slams into Keiko "Oh Sakura-sama your father wants to see you in his office" Keiko laughs when the girl sprints down the halls "You wanted to see me dad" Sakura flings open his office door panting "When I said I wanted to see you it didn't mean you had to run" Shibi chuckles in amusement as Sakura sits gracefully in a chair "As for why I called you here the Marriage Contract between you, Sakura and Shikamaru has been signed" Shibi explains "Oh really" Sakura smiles brightly her eyes wide and full of happiness.
'I guess Shikaku wasn't lying when he said that Sakura likes Shikamaru' Shibi smiles internally "Yes, and when you turn 18 you have anytime before you turn 21 to get married to him I'm sure Shikaku is explaining this to Shikamaru right now" Shibi nods and Sakura gives a happy squeal "Oooohhh I can't wait I have to tell him oooh" and just like that her good mood dissipates leaving Shibi to wonder what was wrong with his daughter "Dad there is something I have to tell you" Sakura sighs sounding years older than she really was.
"What is it Sakura" Shibi's narrows his eyes in concern behind his sunglasses "You know about how the Akatsuki disbanded right" Sakura asks instead and Shibi nods his head "Of course Sakura" he answers oh he had heard all about his daughters involvement in getting the Akatsuki to disband and while he was on one hand happy and proud he was on the other hand disappointed "Well Hidan is taking me out of the village for a 3 year training expedition" Sakura frowns feeling Shibi's stare as she tells him her announcement.
He was about to scold her for this and go to the Hokage and demand that Sakura be confined to the village but something in Sakura's emerald eyes and in the way Sakura spoke caused him to pause "Sakura, I can't tell you how much I'll miss you but I know that when you return you'll be strong" while saying this he had stood and come around his desk to stand next to Sakura and then he pulled the teen into his arms to give her a comforting hug "Thanks dad" Sakura digs her head into his coat and cries softly leaving wet stains behind when Shibi finally releases her.
"Your welcome now I suggest you start telling people you'll be leaving for a long while" he gives her a small smile and a pat on the head before ushering her out of his office "Later dad" Sakura calls over her shoulder before walking down the halls to leave the Aburame compound while Sakura had been talking to her dad Shikaku had been hunting his own child down and found him napping in a field of wildflowers "Hey boy wake up" Shikaku gruffly orders while none to gently nudges the boy with his foot.
Eyes snapping open Shikamaru glares at his dad "What Dad" Shikamaru yawns covering his mouth with a hand "I just got finished setting up a marriage contract for you" Shikaku says sitting down while Shikamaru jumps up "I've already told you dad that I'm not marrying anyone but" Shikamaru yells and in sync with his dad finishes "Sakura" taking this as his dad mocking him Shikamaru prepares to leave the field "Sit down I haven't told you who your marrying" Shikaku orders him.
"Now while I was gone I had an idea what if I made up a marriage contract for you before the Clan Elders started ordering us to find you a wife most children would already have that in place by the time they are born" Shikaku explains and Shikamaru nods he had heard all of this before "Well I met with this girls father and now it's all set up" Shikaku continues "Your officially in an arranged marriage with Sakura" he finishes with a smirk before Shikamaru could jump up in anger again.
Faltering in his movements Shikamaru falls back on his behind to stare at his dad "You mean that I'm really going to be with Sakura" Shikamaru jumps up quickly in a move totally unlike himself "Yes, now settle down before you hurt yourself" Shikaku teases causing Shikamaru to flush red 'Sakura is just who he needs to get motivated' Shikaku nods "Well I have work to do so see you later at home" he says and then in the next moment Shikaku was gone 'I've got to go find Sakura' Shikamaru thought trying to locate her chakra.
Meanwhile Sakura was going around the village and memorizing certain aspects of it she didn't want to forget anything 'I suppose I should start telling people' she thought with a sigh while wandering around she had almost passed by the Yamanaka flower shop when Ino came speeding out and crashed into her "Hey Foreh...Sakura" Ino had almost called her that atrocious nickname but changed it to her name instead "Hello Ino-san" Sakura stood up rubbing her arm that had scraped the ground.
'Ok so she still hates me' Ino frowned "Look I just wanted to apologize to you for everything" Ino tried but by the look on Sakura's face that wasn't going to cut it "Alright I understand I was a complete bitch to you from day one Sakura and it didn't help that I antagonized you and made your academy days hell" Ino sighed out frustrated but she was far from done "But didn't you tell me that I needed to start acting like a shinobi and that means putting past differences behind us" Ino waves her hands.
"Also Sakura I'm trying to apologize I don't want us to hate each other I mean think of the consequences if we get put on a team together and we can't stand each other that would be disastrous for the whole mission" Ino continues thinking rationally for once while Sakura stood there staring in mild surprise 'Death really changes a person especially if you think your in love with said person' Sakura thought sadly "And I'm sorry for always calling you forehead girl I mean your forehead isn't even that big" Ino was still ranting.
Sakura watched Ino take a deep breath but before she could that breath to use she jumped in "Ino I got it your sorry" Sakura gives the blonde a smile causing Ino to pause "You just smiled at me" Ino said numbly in shock "Yes your right about everything but going on missions together will have to wait" Sakura gives a sad smile "Wait, what, why" the words tumble from Ino's mouth "I'm leaving the village on a 3 year training expedition" Sakura announces to her and Ino stares mouth dropped open 'Okay your a big girl now Ino no more insults' Ino thought briefly.
"Well I'd like to wish you good luck then" Ino gestures for Sakura to follow her into the shop "Wait right there Sakura" she smiles pleasantly going over to a bunch of flowers and searching through them muttering to herself a few minutes later "Aha" Ino says softly as she emerges from the flowers holding a flower she had never seen before in any of the flowerfields "This is on the house Sakura" Ino hands the flower over "That's a Stephanotis Flower it means Good Luck" Ino explains going over to the cash register to pay for the flower with her own money.
"Thank you Ino" Sakura pulls the blonde into a quick but awkward hug "I promise to bring back a souvenir for you" Sakura promises once she had released Ino from the hug and with a small smile and a wave she exited the flower shop "Ino was that Sakura" Inoichi comes down the steps "Yeah" Ino answers sullenly standing behind the counter again just as Shikamaru comes running into the shop "Is Sakura here" he pants hands on his knees this causes Ino to start laughing.
"Sorry Shikamaru you just missed her by a few minutes" Ino grins teasingly when Shikamaru sighs "What a drag" Shikamaru lets out before wiping his forehead and heading out of the shop after Sakura "What was that all about" Ino wondered aloud "Oh didn't you hear Ino, the Nara and Aburame clans have announced the news of an arranged marriage between Sakura-san and Shikamaru-san" Inoichi explains to his daughter "Oh" Ino sighs bitterly as she thought about Sasuke for the first time since his funeral.
Meanwhile Sakura had found Choji and Asuma exiting the barbeque restaurant a few streets over "Oh hey there Choji, Asuma-san" Sakura gives them a bright smile she was about to continue on when Choji called out to her "Sakura why don't you walk with us for a bit" he offered and Sakura swung around "Sure Choji" she said that bright smile still on her lips as she fell into step with them "So you looked like you were in a hurry there" Asuma asks the girl his lazy student seemed to like because of how much he talked about her.
"Ah not exactly" Sakura rubs the back of her head sheepishly "I'm just going round visiting people" she admits her smile fading "What's on your mind Sakura-chan" Choji asks upon seeing this "Oh well hehe it's so silly it's not like it will be forever" Sakura rambles out suddenly causing Choji to frown "The thing is I'm going to be leaving the village for 3 years to train" she finally sighs out "Well think about it this way Sakura-chan at least when you come back you'll only be leaving for missions" Choji tries to cheer her up.
"Thanks Choji" Sakura smiles again before giving him a quick hug "At least promise to write I'm sure Shikamaru would appreciate that Sakura-san" Asuma expels smoke from his mouth before saying this "Of course Asuma-san" Sakura gives the two a small wave before turning down a different street several minutes later Shikamaru slides to a halt in front of them "Have either of you seen Sakura" he asks looking around for pink hair "You just missed her Shikamaru" Choji says with a grin chuckling as Shikamaru groans before heading off in another direction.
Sakura had wandered close to the village gates "Hey Sakura" Izumo and Kotetsu call her over "How have you been Sakura-chan" Kotetsu asks her and Sakura gives him a distracted smile "I've been doing well" her green eyes focus on him finally "So I've heard some interesting news" Izumo speaks suddenly drawing Sakura's attention "What's that Izumo" Sakura asks curiously "That your in an arranged marriage with Shikamaru Nara" Izumo answers causing Sakura to nod excitedly "Yes that's true" she smiles happily.
"You seem upset not about the marriage contract but about something else" Kotetsu draws her attention again with his observation "Oh" and just like that her happiness fades causing both men to share a look of concern "What's wrong Sakura-chan are you still sad about Sasuke" Izumo asks he had heard how depressed Sakura had been when the Uchiha had been killed and he wondered if it was still bothering her "No Izumo in fact I'm doing much better it's about something else entirely" Sakura admits flashing him a small smile.
"Well then what is it Sakura" Kotetsu asks also worried about his friend "Well in a few days I'll be leaving the village on a 3 year training expedition" she finally says "That's nothing to be depressed about" Kotetsu laughs causing Sakura to glare at him "I won't get to see you guys or anyone for a long time" Sakura snaps "Sakura it's part of being a ninja think of it as a mission some shinobi get sent on much longer missions" Izumo explains "I guess that's true" Sakura mulls over the new information.
"Thanks guys I'll see you later I have several other people to tell" Sakura gives them a wave before running off in the opposite direction 15 minutes later Shikamaru came running by looking around he deflates and in a dull voice "Let me guess I just missed her" he scowls getting frustrated 'This is the 3rd damn time, 3RD that I've missed her' he thought with a sigh walking quickly towards her chakra which was still pretty far away from him seeing this Izumo and Kotetsu share a grin of amusement.
Across the village Sakura was distracted and walked right into "Aburame-san" Neji nods politely at the girl he had calmed down a lot since his defeat and was now treating everyone a lot more nicer "Oh Hyuuga-san" Sakura smiles kindly at the older boy before peering around him and spying his teammates and his sensei "Sakura-san" Lee jumps up in excitement upon seeing his crush "Will you be my girlfriend and spend the rest of our youth together" he gives a rant about youth causing Tenten to roll her eyes.
Wincing at the declaration Sakura sighs "I'm sorry Lee-san, but I can't be your girlfriend I'm in an arranged marriage" she cringes at seeing his devastated expression and the absolute hurt in his eyes "Is your clan forcing you to marry someone against your will" Neji speaks up knowing what it was like to be in a clan and be forced into an arranged marriage "Not exactly" Sakura gives him a pained smile "The arranged marriage was set up on my request" she explains crushing Lee's hopes even further.
"I see I'm sorry for being a bother Sakura-san" Lee sighs sadly "I'm sorry Lee-san we can still be friends though" Sakura smiles causing the boy to brighten "I will cherish our friendship like the springtime of youth" he spouts fire in his eyes while running off "Oh wait Lee-san" Sakura tries to stop him but it was to late "Good luck finding him now" Tenten snorts in amusement "Well when you see him again will you tell him that I'll be leaving the village soon for 3 years to train" Sakura rattles off quickly before giving her and Neji a wave and rushing off again.
Before they could initiate another spar Shikamaru walks into the clearing opens his mouth then swiftly closes it releasing an irritated sigh he quickly walks off headed after Sakura who he had missed again 'How the heck do I keep missing her' Shikamaru growls in his thoughts while passing several people completely focused on Sakura's chakra that was just ahead of him and then it was further away 'Why can't I catch her troublesome girl' he pouted internally as she got further and further away.
"Ibiki" Sakura yelled the minute she had seen the bald-headed trench-coat wearing man "Brat" Ibiki greets causing Sakura to roll her eyes she opened her mouth to tell him her news when "I already know about you leaving the village to train for 3 years brat Anko told me" Ibiki smirks smugly when Sakura pouts "I'm also in an arranged marriage" she laughs when the man pauses mid step and lowers his foot back to the ground to face her completely "Let me guess the Nara boy" Ibiki guesses correctly causing Sakura to smile happily.
"That's right" Sakura nods "Good luck" Ibiki smiles and disappears with a pop causing Sakura's eyes to twitch in mild irritation 'Men' she thought in amusement before continuing on her way missing Shikamaru's chakra as he flares right behind her as she locates Hinata's chakra and uses the teleportation jutsu to reach the girl quicker "Hey Hinata-chan" she greets appearing next to Hinata's father and interrupting the sparring session between Hinata and Hanabi.
He had almost had her 'This is getting ridiculous' Shikamaru thought he had been right behind her and before Shikamaru could call out to her 'She just had to use that dang teleportation jutsu' Shikamaru sighed heading in the direction of the Hyuuga compound "Oh hello Sakura-chan" Hinata stutters out before continuing her spar at her fathers nod figuring she had nothing better to do Sakura sits next to Hiashi to wait for Hinata to be available "How does it feel to be in an arranged marriage so young" Hiashi asks suddenly startling Sakura.
"Oh Hyuuga-sama" Sakura gives a small smile before answering his question "I'm happy because I know that I would have married Shikamaru anyway" she says leaning back on her elbows "Your not bothered by it" Hiashi asks curiously without looking at the young girl "No not at all" Sakura shrugs standing up when Hiashi calls out "That's enough for the day girls" and heads inside Hanabi trailing him while Sakura heads over to Hinata and begins healing her cuts and bruises.
"Thanks Sakura-chan" Hinata thanks her shyly "Don't worry about it Hinata-chan" Sakura smiles brightly at the girl pulling her up by the hand she was about to talk more when Kiba appeared "Hi Sakura" he greeted loudly Akamaru barking along with his master "Hello Kiba and you as well Akamaru" Sakura gave a small wave back to the two "So is it true Sakura-chan are you really getting married to Shikamaru" Hinata asks suddenly and Sakura nods "Yeah but that's not the only thing" Sakura smiles drawing Kiba's attention.
"What else could you say to that" Kiba asks loudly "I'm leaving the village for 3 years to train" Sakura grins causing Hinata to give a little gasp and Kiba to stare at her in jealousy "Who are you going to be training with" Kiba asks 'Man I wish I could leave the village to train Naruto and Sakura get all the damn luck' he thought sourly while Sakura hesitated "Well his name is Hidan" she finally says causing Hinata and Kiba to share a look of confusion and in perfect sync "Who is Hidan" they ask together in curiosity.
Holding back from laughing "Well he was part of a group called Akatsuki but he's a member of our village now" Sakura explains briefly "Oh well good luck" Hinata gives her a kind smile while Kiba sulks "I'm going to be bringing back souvenirs anything specific" Sakura asks seeing this "Oh well I'm sure you'll pick out excellent gifts" Kiba finally says "Well I'll do my best to bring back good gifts anyways I'm gonna head home now so see you later" Sakura disappears with a wave a few minutes later Shikamaru appears looking a little ruffled and this causes Kiba to burst into laughter while Hinata tried her best to play mediator between the two boys "Shikamaru you just missed her she said she was going home" she explains when Kiba had stopped laughing and Shikamaru was listening to her "Oh" is all he mutters heading home himself.
At the Aburame Compound Sakura was sitting down for dinner with her family "Have you told everyone that your leaving yet" Shibi asks cutting up his steak eyeing her curiously when she pauses fork halfway to her mouth and her mouth open 'I can't believe I forgot about Shikamaru I guess I'll tell him the day after tomorrow' she thought she had planned to dedicate tomorrow to going through her storage scrolls and packing what she needed in a bag "I take it you haven't told Shikamaru" Shibi correctly guesses when she lets out an extremely embarrassed laugh before sulking suddenly.
"I'll tell him before I leave" Sakura sighed out a few minutes later before eating her meal silently when she's done Sakura heads up to her room and grabs all of her storage scrolls her eyes widening at the quantity 'Ouch thats gonna take awhile to sort through' she mentally thinks with a cringe before remembering the storage scrolls she had at Naruto's apartment and with a long suffering sigh vows to help Naruto pack so that he didn't try to bring his entire house with him Sakura's thoughts are interrupted when Shino knocks on her door calling her name.
"Sakura may I come in" Shino asks eyeing the mess Sakura had created on her bed "Sure" she smiles hastily tidying up "Imouto-chan promise me that when you come back you'll still be you" Shino asks suddenly "I promise Shino" Sakura furrows her brows in confusion "I wanted to give you something before you leave promise me that you'll take care of it until you get back" Shino produces a weird necklace and places it in Sakura's hands that she had held out for him "Of course I promise but what is it" Sakura asks holding it carefully with care.
"You remember Torune don't you and his special ability" Shino asks and Sakura nods remembering the boy who housed poison insects "Over the years I've been carefully breeding these beetles to be immune to any poison I want you to hold onto the necklace until you get back" Shino finishes standing "I promise and thank you Shino" Sakura smiles sweetly at her brother "Goodnight Imouto-chan" he bides the girl goodnight and swiftly exits the room "Goodnight Shino" Sakura yawns out before putting the necklace on before curling up in the center of her bed and without much prompt fell asleep.