Unbearable

“Lord Kazekage, I apologize for our late arrival, we were delayed by the storm.”

Sasuke’s velvet voice couldn’t hide the tension he felt and Gaara stiffened at the challenge lying in the taller man’s tone. The sand around him stirred dangerously, settling on his formal robes. A quiet hiss from Temari brought him back to his senses and he tried for a sincere smile. From the look on the Uchiha’s face, it was more threatening than anything else.

Movement behind Sasuke caught Gaara’s eye and he watched the rest of the group approach the gates of Sunagakure. Naruto’s blond hair stuck out the most, largely due to the fact that he was running towards Gaara at a breakneck speed.

“Gaara!” the blonde ninja cried, running for what he hoped would be a hug. As he approached, the Sand ninja stepped nimbly to the side, causing Naruto to fall flat on his face. This brought a reluctant grunt of respect from the Uchiha.

Naruto stood, pouting. “I can’t believe you’re Kazekage,” he finally said, slinging a friendly arm around Gaara’s shoulders. The Elders waiting with Gaara raised their eyebrows at his boldness, but said nothing. “Oh boy, do you ever have it coming,” Naruto said to Gaara, none too quietly. “Sakura’s gonna be the worst wife you’ve ever had.”

“I’ve never had any others.”

“You won’t want to, trust me. She’s scary.”

A glare from Sasuke silenced Naruto, and the trio turned to watch the other ninjas make their way along the sandy path towards Suna’s gates. Kakashi, Sakura and Ino moved slowly, as both Kakashi and Ino were lugging heavy backpacks. Sakura held nothing and her face was obscured by the pink hair that whipped around her face in the wind. As she finally approached, she moved past Sasuke without a word, stopping before Gaara with a bow.

“Lord Kazekage, it pleases me to see you in such good health.” She said the words stiltedly, as if only restraining her temper. Gaara knew that the only reason she was so composed was due to three days worth of practice. She had no doubt been rehearsing since she left Konoha.

“Haruno Sakura, we welcome you to the Village Hidden in the Sand. You are our most respected guest here. We are grateful for your dedication to the alliance.” Gaara said the words easily, reciting from the script that the Elders had forced him to memorize.

Suddenly, Sakura dropped her tense stance. Her face broke out in a wide grin as she looked over Gaara’s shoulder. “Temari!” she cried happily.

Years of practice at dealing with his sister’s antics kept his face from betraying his surprise as he was roughly pushed aside so the blonde girl could envelop Sakura in a hug. Naruto snickered as Gaara dusted sand from his front.

“Sakura, I know you’re supposed to be all official, but could you please take these goddamned bags?” Ino’s strained voice made Sakura grin despite her annoyance at the situation.

“Pig, you’re the one who insisted that I didn’t show up carrying anything.”

“That was before I knew that you packed bricks in your bags!” Ino retorted, dropping the heavy packs into the waiting arms of the Sand ninja who had rushed forward to help.

“Pig, you’re the one who packed my bags.”

Ino couldn’t deny this, so she merely pouted. Kakashi came to stand with Sakura, his hands now empty of luggage as well.

Aiko moved forward from the huddle of Elders. “If that’s everybody, I would like to graciously invite you to the Kazekage’s office.”

Kakashi nodded. He gestured to Naruto, who reluctantly moved away from his friend to walk with Kakashi and Ino. As Gaara and Temari turned away, Sakura let out a small sigh of relief. She hadn’t screwed everything up, that was a good sign. Taking a deep breath, she followed the Sand ninjas as they made their way through the city. After a few moments, she felt a warm hand slip into her own, and her finger’s tightened around Sasuke’s minutely.

He knew that if any of the Sand ninjas were to turn around, she would rip her hand away, but for now, he was grateful she accepted the comfort he offered. He was also grateful she was letting him hold her hand one last time.

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Kakashi felt like his eyes were going to bleed. As the primary witness, he had been signing forms for nearly an hour. Sakura sat next to him, rubbing her forehead wearily, her pen moving fluidly over the paper before her. She was just as exhausted as he was, and a tad more keyed up.

The Elders had left the Leaf ninjas alone, and as Sakura and Kakashi filled out paperwork, he for her marriage, and her for citizenship, her friends sat around the round table idly. Sasuke sat next to Sakura, his hand resting lightly on her thigh in a not too subtle show of possession. Naruto had borrowed Kakashi’s book and was reading it under the table, much to Ino’s exasperation, who was pretending that she wasn’t reading it over his shoulder.

“Fuck…” Sakura let out finally, putting her pen down. The profanity made Kakashi smirk behind his mask. He knew what she meant. “I hope that’s everything. I think I have carpel tunnel or something.” She rubbed her wrist with a pout.

“That’s it for now, I’m sure.” Kakashi replied. “I don’t think they want us to die on the first day.”
Seeing they were done, Naruto threw the orange jacketed book back to his sensei, who caught it easily, before slipping it into the pouch at his hip. “What, do we just wait now?” Naruto asked, his brows furrowing.
“No doubt they’ve got someone right outside the door,” Sasuke murmured. “They’ll not leave us truly alone.”

As if proving his statement, the impressive wooden doors swung open and the Elder who had introduced himself earlier walked in. “All the paperwork done, I see? Fabulous. Now,” he turned towards Naruto, Ino, Kakashi and Sasuke, who had removed his hand from Sakura. “If you would like to see where you are staying, you can follow Ayame.” He gestured to the elderly woman waiting at the door. Sakura watched as her friends left her reluctantly, promising to see her soon.

“Now, Sakura. It’s nice to finally meet you. We’ve heard great things.” Aiko said warmly. He held out his hand and Sakura shook it.

“What are we doing now?” she asked warily.

“We’re going to marry you, of course!” Aiko laughed heartily. “I see that your companion has filled out the proper witness forms, so all that is required is the Kazekage’s signature, as well as your own.”

He walked out of the room quickly, Sakura staining to keep up without ruining her robes. “Now?” she gasped. “There’s not going to be a, you know, wedding?”

“Not in the strictest sense, no.” Aiko replied, turning a corner sharply. Sakura was amazed at the little man’s speed. “There will be a reception tomorrow, when the rest of your entourage arrives. I expect the Lady Hokage will be arriving as well?”

“Yes, shishou’s coming in the morning.”

“Excellent. Your dress has been prepared, you can see if it reaches your standards later tonight or in the morning, if that suits you.”

“Aiko, please, could you slow down!” Sakura said with a huff, her natural coordination finally failing her as she stumbled forward into the room Aiko had guided her to. She felt his hand grab for her wrist, but she was falling too quickly.

Sakura squeezed her eyes shut as the floor got closer, but instead of feeling the crunch of bone on rock, she felt herself being held by warm sand. It was hard, but gentle, and it pushed against her until she righted herself. Sakura blushed at her clumsiness, looking across the room at the Kazekage.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely. He merely nodded his head in response. Aiko watched, a small smile playing on his lips. It was good for his plan that Gaara and his sand had reacted so quickly to keep the medic safe. It was very good indeed.
Taking charge, Aiko strode into the room, depositing the pile of papers on Gaara’s desk. Gaara raised his thin, nearly invisible eyebrows at this. He opened his mouth to question, but Aiko answered first.

“Our dear Sakura thought it was best to get this done quickly, so we’ve decided to marry you now.” Aiko supplied easily.
Sakura’s jaw dropped at his antics. “I did no such thing you scheming son of a—” her screeching was cut of by a chuckle. Kankuro was having trouble controlling himself.

“Don’t worry about it Sakura. He does this to everybody, at least once.” he said cheerfully. Aiko didn’t even have the decency to look shamed, only handed Gaara a pen.

Gaara shook his head at his subordinate’s audacity and from the look on the kunoichi’s face, he may have to fear for the man’s safety. Signing the papers swiftly, he handed them back to Aiko. Belatedly, he noticed Sakura hadn’t been offered a seat, and was looking very uncomfortable in her formal Kage robes. She was wringing her hands, her teeth nibbling at the side of her lip. A pale blush still stained her cheeks, from the fall, Gaara assumed.

In reality, Sakura was having a hard time keeping herself from tearing the room down around her. How dare this spineless little man manipulate her like that? How dare he humiliate her in front of the Kazekage? How dare he? Her anger was making her face hot, and her hands twisted as she kept herself from sending deadly chakra to them. Didn’t they realize who she was? What she could do?

Suddenly, a chair was before her, and Kankuro was offering her a place to sit. This mollified her slightly. She sat across from Gaara, leaning forward to sign the papers on his desk.

Haruno Sakura… legally binding… all assets… behavior… Sakura signed and brushed through the documents quickly. They basically told her that if she was unable to act like a grown-up, they would send her home with no more than she came with, and their alliance would be essentially shot to hell. It was hardly comforting. One sentence was able to catch her attention, and she read it closely: In the event of divorce, all children remain the custody of Sunagakure and the Kazekage.

This stopped Sakura in her tracks. Children. Children? Children!

This was an arranged marriage. What the hell were these Sand nutsos playing at, expecting kids? It wasn’t as if Sakura had a priceless bloodline to pass on! When she had taken the mission, she had basically resigned herself to being childless. And honestly, could she ever want children that didn’t belong to Sasuke?

Gaara had been watching her breeze over the marriage contract, and knew the second she found the section pertaining to children. All the blood drained from her face and the pen in her hand cracked from her grip. Her wide eyes looked up at him, as if looking for reassurance of a practical joke. He merely held her gaze, unable to say anything in response.

“You’re kidding, right?” she finally choked out, her voice slightly hysterical. Kankuro frowned and leant over her shoulder to read what had freaked her out.

“Woah.” he said finally. “I guess not. Aiko, what’s this mean?”

The Elder sighed dramatically, and had Sakura been paying attention, she would have killed him. As it was, he received only glares from the Kazekage and his brother. “I will make an intellectual leap and assume your surprise is over the paragraph concerning the future of children in the nature of a divorce. Now, while the Elder’s do not intend to force, or even ask, the Lord Kazekage and Miss Sakura to procreate, it is hoped that you will wish to do so with little encouragement. Children strengthen alliances, and no doubt, children with such…unusual parents could do many great things.” Aiko stood smugly, obviously pleased with his speech. His smile faltered when Gaara stood, the sand around him swirling with dangerous intent.

“Aiko, I am going to say this only once, and I trust you to pass it on to the council: if I hear about this ridiculous strategy again, I will be extremely displeased. I have agreed to strengthen the alliance through marriage, as has Sakura. No other thing has been agreed to. Now, remember your place and get out of my office.”

Aiko gave a quick bow and scuttled out, leaving Sakura staring after him. She had finished the last signature, so she put the papers on the desk with a shake. She stood and watched as Gaara closed his eyes, visibly forcing himself to calm down.

“Come on, Sakura, I’ll show you to your room.” Kankuro looked unaffected by Gaara’s show of temper, and led her from the room without saying goodbye to his brother. When they were a little ways down the hall, he stopped her and put a friendly hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry about all that. Aiko gets out of hand sometimes when he thinks he can boss someone around. Next time, punch him in the nose. Trust me, it won’t endanger the alliance. If anything, it’ll make people like you more.”

Sakura let out a half laugh. She rubbed her eyes wearily. “Everything’s going so fast. And that thing, with Gaara, and… kids. I am so confused.”

“Don’t be. Gaara’s just as pissed as you.” Kankuro said happily. Sakura thought that his brother’s temper should frighten him a bit more, considering the Kazekage’s history. “Honestly, I think he’s just terrified of being alone with you. Having to talk to girls is hard enough for him, adding in the nakedness would send him over the edge.”

Sakura grimaced and punched the brown haired man in the shoulder. “Keep your mind out of the gutter.” she scolded. “Nobody’s seeing me naked, that’s for sure.”

Kankuro laughed his skepticism, walking away. She followed him through a maze of corridors until they finally reached their destination. “You’ll be staying with your friends tonight. After the ceremony tomorrow night, you’ll be in Gaara’s suite.” he chuckled at the look on her face. He opened the door for her. “Don’t worry about it; seriously, he’s got a whole bunch of rooms. You won’t be sleeping in his bed…” he grinned mischievously. “Unless you want to, of course.”

With a shove, Sakura sent him out of the room. She slammed the door on his smirking face, a scowl etched deep into her lips.

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“Forehead, tell me everything!”

Ino and Sakura sat on the plush cough, lounging in their pyjamas. Kakashi was reading in his room, while Naruto and Sasuke were playing a game of checkers, which they had found in the cupboard. They sat silently at the kitchen table, moving a checker piece every few seconds. Games lasted less than five minutes, on average, and Sakura was sure they were nearing their fiftieth.

“Ugh, it was horrible, Pig. That stupid little weasel Aiko got me to sign the papers!”

Ino’s gasp was loud enough to make Naruto and Sasuke look over. “You’re kidding!” she said in disbelief. “You’re already married? It’s just…done?”

“Yeah, I guess so. I thought I would feel different, but I’m just sleepy.” As if to prove this, Sakura yawned and cracked her jaw. She giggled at Ino’s face. “Don’t worry, Pig. The reception is tomorrow, and I get my dress tomorrow morning. You’ll still get your pretties.”

Ino pouted. “It’s damn good that I thought ahead to pick out matching dresses for everyone. I even sent one ahead for that bitch Temari.”

“You only don’t like her because she’s putting the moves on Shikamaru. What’s up with that? I thought you had the hots for Genma anyway.”

“The hots for, yes. But he’s not the type that a girl actually dates. Shikamaru, on the other hand, is exactly the type to bring home. He’s too lazy to be anything but polite to Daddy.”

Sakura rolled her eyes. “Good luck with that, Pig.” She drained the last of the tea in her mug and stood. “I’m going to bed. It’s late, and I’ve got to be up early to try on that dress. I’ll see everybody tomorrow.” Padding past the kitchen table, she shared a look with Sasuke. His expression led her to believe that she wouldn’t be spending the night alone.