Kakashi walked to the Hokage's office. Three hours after she sent for him. Shizune let him in to the Hokage's office.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama. I got lost in the road of life." he excused. He had to reuse one of his excuses as he failed to come up with another.
"Well, Hatake, hopefully you find your way back as I am going to ask you a favor."
Kakashi, known for his casual demeanor and his mysterious charm, nodded with curiosity. "Of course, Tsunade-sama. What can I assist you with?"
Tsunade gestured toward the open scroll on her desk. "I received a proposal from the daimyo for an alliance through a marriage. The thing is, I can't refuse it without a good reason, and it's important for the village. However, Sakura is vehemently against marrying a stranger. So, I was wondering if you'd be willing to step in."
Kakashi arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "You want me to marry Sakura for you to have a reason to refuse the proposal?"
"Yes." Tsunade answered.
"Are we talking about the same Sakura here, Tsunade-sama?" Kakashi asked. "My student?"
"MY student, Hatake." Tsunade said, possessive of Sakura. "And yes, we are talking about her."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at Tsunade's response, clearly surprised by the request. "You do understand that she's my former student?"
"Yes." Tsunade affirmed,
"That I am fourteen years older than her."
"Yes."
"In a risk of repeating myself, you understand that I was her teacher."
"Yes."
"That she was my student?"
"Yes." Tsunade repeated like a parrot.
"That somehow, those people who are close to me ended up dead?"
"Genma, Iruka, Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai are still alive." Tsunade refuted him.
"You always have answers to everything, Hokage-sama." Kakashi huffed. "What is so disagreeable with this son?"
"Well, she doesn't know this" Tsunade's eyes flickered to a small room inside her office. She's sure that Sakura would be listening, and she'll be furious with her. "But this particular son just managed to kill his third wife. The third wife he got after the first and second was killed by him almost three years ago."
Kakashi's visible eye widened in surprise at Tsunade's revelation. He had known that Tsunade wouldn't ask for such a favor without a compelling reason, but this was far more serious than he had anticipated. "I see. That does make the situation complicated."
Tsunade nodded, her expression grave. "Indeed, it does. I would never ask you to enter into such a situation lightly, but we are in dire need of a solution. Sakura had two choices, get married to the daimyo's son or to you. She is willing to consider this arrangement to stay in the village, and we must ensure her safety."
"If I agree to this, is it going to be a real marriage?" Kakashi asked.
"Of course. Marriage documents are public documents." Tsunade answered. "If you don't make it real, what is the purpose of marrying her to save her?" Tsunade posed this question to him. "The Daimyo is not stupid. The timing of your marriage will be suspicious as it is. But without official, legal documents to present, it's all for naught."
"So, she has to live with me?"
"What do you think, Kakashi?" She returned the question to the man. "Married people live under one roof." She answered, exasperated. "And don't ask me if you have to share a bed, as your apartment is only for solo occupant, it's clear that you have to, unless you plan to make her sleep in the couch." Her hazel eyes blazing, as she explained the situation to a seemingly five-year old that suddenly possessed her best jonin.
Kakashi considered the situation carefully. It was indeed a complex and delicate matter. Marrying Sakura to the daimyo's son could put her in a dangerous position, given the history of the son's previous wives. On the other hand, marrying his former student was an unexpected and unusual request, but it seemed like the best way to protect Sakura and maintain the village's alliance with the daimyo.
"I'll need to discuss this with Sakura," Kakashi finally said. "It's important that she's comfortable with this arrangement. I won't agree to it if she's not on board. Once I've spoken with her, we can decide on the best course of action."
Tsunade nodded in agreement. "That's a fair approach, Kakashi." She turned to the small room and called out to her apprentice. "Sakura!" When Sakura's pink head emerged from the door Tsunade gave her the orders.