Summary: (All characters are about 17 here) When the only way to save Konoha's crumbling alliance with the Earth Country is an arranged marriage between the country's Kage and Konoha's most eligible bachelorette, will romance bloom between those who've been denying their feelings for so long? Or will they end up losing each other forever…

Pairings: Sakura/Sasuke, Naruto/Hinata, Ino/Shikamaru, Neji/Tenten

Chapter 1: The Announcement

Sakura shuffled down the street aimlessly. With the threat of war looming once again, she really hated being a ninja. It seemed like being a kunoichi was the best thing that could have ever happened to her until the war with the Sound. Of course, Sasuke came back to them, to her, but there was nothing good about war. The innocent always died and the guilty survived to torture everyone else. As she meandered along the road she thought to herself I would do anything to avoid this war. She didn't realize that soon she would be forced to prove that.

The group slowly filed into the tiny office. Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Ino, Neji, Tenten, Hinata, and Sakura were all present. Sasuke and Neji were busy meditating and seemed oblivious to the rest of the world. Shikamaru sat in the corner, with Ino clinging onto his arm, muttering about how damn troublesome all women were. Sakura, Hinata, and Tenten were all chatting when Tsunade and Shizune walked in.

"Now, I'm sure your all wondering why I called you here," she said in a stern voice, "You all know that the threat of war with the Earth Country is very real now, in fact there is only one alternative to fighting.."

"BAA-CHAN! WE ALREADY KNOW THAT STUPID STUFF! YOU CALLED US HERE BECAUSE YOU KNEW THAT WE WERE GONNA GET A SUPER MISSION. AND A RANK MISSION, JUST GET TO THE POINT!" Naruto's screams of pain could be heard as Sakura bashed him into the nearest wall.

"Itai baka! You really haven't changed since the academy, jeez you are such an idiot!" yelled Ino and Sakura simuntaneously. The same could be said about them.

"Anyways, the Earth Country sent us a letter proposing a solution to war. Instead of fighting we will create an alliance through marriage. A marriage to the kage of the Earth Country by one of the lovely kunoichi sitting here."

"NANI! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS BAA-CHAN! THEY CAN'T GET MARRIED THEY'RE ONLY 17!" screamed Naruto.

Sakura and Ino started yelling too. Hinata sat in shock, staring numbly at the wall. Tenten simply sat there, not too surprised with this. Even the boys were startled; they too, simply stared at Tsunade until she couldn't take it.

"URUSAI!" Everyone immediately clammed up and an eerie, uncomfortable silence quickly descended onto the group.

"Now, I realize that this isn't pleasant but the elders have decided that it's the best solution. You eight will go to the Earth Country and the Kage will choose between the four of you," she nodded towards the girls, "then the alliance will be created and then consummated with the marriage. No ifs, ands, or buts. Boys, you are to escort them to the country and make sure that nothing happens to them. Under no uncertain terms are they to leave your sight. There are far too many countries that don't want this alliance to take place so be careful. You'll all leave in half an hour. NOW GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!"

The mad rush to the door resulted in Shikamaru being trampled by Hinata and Tenten. Sakura was shoved into a wall by Naruto and Ino. Sasuke and Neji simply sat in the office until the rush was over, then they simply walked out.

"Tsunade-sama," began Shizune nervously, "Are you sure this is a good idea for them? I mean sending your own apprentice, the heiress of the Hyuuga clan, heiress of the Yamanaka clan, and the best weapon's master in the fire country to be married by some ninja that we don't even know? You aren't drunk are you?" She hurriedly rushed over to Tsunade to check her breath.

"Shizune, there is no choice. We aren't going to see one of those girls again."

With that they both sat in the office for a while, too depressed to move.

In exactly half an hour, the entire platoon was assembled at the gate, along with Sasuke's fan club, and their senseis. With screaming fan girls screaming in the background, they all talked briefly before saying their final farewells.

Asuma came up to Ino and hesitated for a moment before hugging her. Slowly he released her and said 'Even though I had my reservations in the beginning, you and Shikamaru and Chouji are truly the best team I ever taught." He leaned in close and whispered, "I really hope he doesn't pick you. Shikamaru will figure it out eventually."

With that he turned around and left the scene.

Kurenai and Hinata were crying. Their student-teacher bond had deepened over the years to a bond of friendship. Each firmly hoped that they would not be picked as the wife of the Kage of the Earth Country.

Kakashi and Gai came forward together as they talked to Sakura and Tenten.

"What, no hugs, no tears?" asked Sakura skeptically.

"How silly of me! Tenten may your flame of youth burn brighter than all the others! I know he will surely pick your beautiful youthfulness as his wife! Have many children and live well!" Gai said with anime tears streaming down his face.

Sakura face faulted into the ground.

The entire group started laughing, even Sasuke and Neji couldn't hold back a small smirk at the scene of the weirdest ninja and his weirder antics.

"YOSH! LET'S GO EVERYONE!" screamed Naruto.

"Yo, dobe, who made you the leader?" said Sasuke, with his infamous smirk.

"Shut up Sasuke-teme! You stupid baka! I'm gonna pound you int-"

"Naruto, you baka! Don't yell at Sasuke-kun or call him a baka, or teme, or anything remotely indicative of how stupid you are! Moron!" Sakura and Naruto were then fighting with Sakura winning and Naruto becoming bruised.

"Hn" Sasuke said They haven't changed at all since we were put into Team 7.

With that, everyone gathered their belongings and walked through the gate and began their journey to the Earth Country.

Author's Note- My first fic, my first chapter! How was it? Tell me if I should continue…. Constructive criticism welcomed…flames will be burned. Seriously keep that to yourself. Review please!