The large circular chamber was pitch black, yet at the same time they stared into her eyes. She did not falter under the council's pressure.Why would she, they were only some of the most powerful people in Sunagakure?? Staring at the unseen men and women, she stood waiting. A voice broke the silence, sending slight chills down her back.

"You have heard the rumors that the alliance with Konoha is about to expire. As a sign of good faith we decided that there should be some formal agreement to work with the alliance so that peace may continue."

"I am the will of the council, what would you have me to do?"

Another voice spoke, one of kindness yet a harsh tone hidden underneath, "The council decided that there will be a marriage between one of the leaf-nin and a sand-nin. It was decided that you would be representing the honor of the sand-nins."

WHAT THE HELL!! You have to be kidding! I have been here all of my life, Suna is my life. How could you do this!? Releasing a deep brreath the sand kunoichi tried to relax, but how could she? "If it is the will of the sand than it shall be so," her unshaken voice said. I hope you all rot in hell.

"However it has not been determined who you will be marrying," added the first voice.

Bowing the kunoichi made for made the door behind her. Then why did you agree to it fools?

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"What do you mean I am going to be married!?" Yelled our number one knuckle headed ninja, pointing at Tsunade.

"You have heard me correctly; you have became a pawn in the politics of the council. I promise I tried to fight it as much as i could, but the council still has more power than i do. They are the ones pulling the strings now." resting the elbows on the desk in front of her, she broke her hand up to her face studying Naruto.

“Isn’t there a way out of it?” Naruto pouted.

“Unfortunately there are only two options. Either you kill yourself or run from the village, either way you are dead.” She had to play her ace in the hole now, “Naruto this is going to be an assignment, and I hope you don’t fail me.”

“But Granny Tsunade…” he whined, “You know that I never give up on a mission, that is my way of the ninja,” pulling out his usual foxy smile.

Tsunade smiled to herself, she had him there. He would never refuse to complete a mission even if he didn’t like it. Besides she didn’t know why he was so upset, he still seemed upset over what happened a few months ago when he came in here. It was nice to see him smile again. His voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Helloooo Granny Tsunade?”

“WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT CALLING ME THAT?” Her anger getting the better of her.

Naruto cowered in the fear, “Ummm… Do they know who the Sand is sending?” He poked his fingers together in slight embarrassment, from wondering if he knew her.

“Unfortunately they haven’t told me who it was. However you should know that she will be here in three days time and the ceremony will be two day from then.” Naruto looked at her in horror.

“I have to clean up my apartment.” Naruto made his way to the door.

“Naruto,” turning to look at Tsunade, she threw something at him. Catching it he looked at what she had thrown, it was a set of keys. Giving her a questioning look, she explained. “Those are the keys to the Namikaze estate it is yours now.” Looking up at her in surprise.

“Why wasn’t I given these earlier?”

“Jiraiya and I thought it would be better if you didn’t receive the estate until you were old enough. However it looks like it will have to be a little premature.”

Once again Naruto turned exited her office. Tsunade could tell it was bothering him, but it was for the best.

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As Naruto made his way through the streets of Konoha, he couldn’t help but feel slightly sad. It had been a few months ago when he was with Sakura. Things had been great until:

He had finally done it, he had brought Sasuke back from the clutches of Orochimaru, and life seemed to be great. He and Sakura had been dating for a few months. That night they had decided to celebrate by having a few cups of sake during their romantic dinner. They had retired to their bed a little earlier than usual to make love (Sakura had moved in a few months after they had started dating). It was while they were kissing.

“Hey Naruto I want to tell you a secret.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I still love Sasuke, but I don’t want to tell you, because you really helped me through the times he wasn’t around,” she giggled.

All Naruto could do was look at her. She had been lying to him from the beginning, she had used him

“Hey Sakura I will be back in a bit I forgot to do something.” Getting out of bed, Sakura whined as he left the room.

The next morning Naruto woke up on the top of Hokage Monument with a splitting headache. When he sat up he remembered why he had come here. When he had reached his house he found Sakura sitting at the table. When she saw him she got up and walked over to him.

“Naruto where have you been?”

Naruto looked up at her, searching her eyes. “Why Sakura, why?” He felt like he was going to cry, but he held the tears at bay.

“Why what?”

“Why do you love him? All he has ever done is cause you and me pain, yet here he is and you love him.”

She gasped, had she told him the truth. Then the previous night’s events came back to her. How could she have done that to him? Naruto had made his way to the back room. Looking back at her he said one final thing, “Go to him.” After he had closed the he had fallen on the bed. Shedding his tears into the pillow, that smelled like her. He heard her pounding at the door.

“Naruto please let me explain…” Slamming her fist against the wood. “Please…” She began to cry, she felt horrible and unworthy. Sitting at the bottom of the door for hours, she finally gave up. Collecting all of her things, she left the spare key on the table. Taking one last look at the house that had been so welcoming to her.

“I’m sorry Naruto, I really am,” she turned and let the tears fall freely, she couldn’t hold them in.

Naruto awoke from his stupor to realize that his feet had taken him in an odd direction. He was in front of a small gate. Looking at the base of the wall he noticed that there was a fire pattern. This had to be the Namikaze estate. Putting the key into the lock, he opened the door. Inside was a large area for training in. behind it there was a large house that looked like it had multiple wings to it.

“I see you have found the Namikaze estate, well done.”

Naruto looked over his shoulder. Standing there was Jiraiya, smiling at the youth.

“What are you doing here pervy sage?”

“What have I told you, STOP CALLLING ME THAT!” Naruto stood there unfazed. “Anyways I thought you might like some company walking around here. Tsunade told me about the arrangement. Besides I wanted to say sorry for not telling you about this place.”

“It’s okay, I guess it would have been lonely with so much room.” Smiling and scratching the back of his head. They made their way across the training grounds. Upon opening the front door, Naruto’s mouth dropped. Inside the main room was a fire place that was situated in the middle of the room. Surrounding the fireplace where some comfy looking cushions. As he walked in he noticed how large it was.

“Wow this place is huge! The Hyugas don’t even have a room this big.”

“That’s because the Hyugas never really liked to entertain company. I remember all of the parties your father threw he was quite the guy.” Jiraiya smiled he remember old memories.

Naruto walked to the door across from the Main entrance. When he opened it he was greeted to a fairly large courtyard, which had a small pond and some trees growing. Naruto couldn’t begin to surmise what else this house had in it.

About an hour of looking around the house he had finally come to the back entrance. Opening the door wide he was surprised to see a field of grass that after about a few hundred meters sloped down to a river that stood outside the gate.

“Who knew that this was here? This place is enormous.”

“So did you find everything?” Jiraiya asked with a smile of amusement.

“I think so. Did you know that there is a personal hot spring here?”

“How do you think your father got all the ladies to come home with him?” Smiling at Naruto’s reaction.

“What do you mean my father was not a pervert like you!” Naruto yelled angrily at his sensei.

“Your right, but he still had many lady friends. He refused to be with most of them until he met your mom.” I remember it, but why listen to me. Let’s go have a drink. With that he left Naruto standing there. Turning to the view of the outdoors, he exhaled.This is all mine… it’s too big.

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Temari knocked on the door to the Kazekage’s office.

“Come in,” came a calm voice from within. Opening the door, Temari walked to the middle of the room and bowed. Looking at the back of the chair.

“How many times do I have to tell you Temari, you do not need to bow to me in private.” Turning the chair around, Gaara inspected his sister.

“I am sorry Kazekage-sama.”

Gaara just released his breathe in frustration. Shaking his head, “If you are here to try and get me to stop the marriage then I am sorry, but I had no choice in the matter. The council decided that this was the best course of action for the people of Suna.”

“I understand, but I want to know what you think?”

Looking into his sister’s eyes, he saw her waver, “I really don’t like it, but I really don’t have an option in it.” He didn’t like it at all, but there really wasn’t anything he could do. “However I have heard a rumor that your betrothed is one of great import to the Konoha.”

The wheels inside of her head began to spin. Great, I bet it is the Uchiha kid, just what I want to marry a traitor, but a good looking one at that. Or it could be that Hyuga boy, he wasn’t toobad, just the eyes are really freaky.

“Is there anything else, Temari?” Her brother looked at in concern or at least as much as Gaara could muster.

“No, I was just lost in thought…” Then she felt the sand surround her.

Looking at Gaara, she smiled. This was his way of showing affection.

“I am sure it will be fine, if not I will personally bring you back.” The look he gave her, made her feel more confident.

Thank you, little brother.

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1958 Words