Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. This is just a fan made story.

Alright, first thing's first, I just wanna apologize for the name. It's really stupid and I couldn't think of anything better. So, if anyone wants to be nice and help me out there that would be greatly appreciated. And what I mean by that is by telling me a name you think would suit this story better. I might come up with something better myself, but I want your opinion too.

I also just wanna say I would love to have constructive criticism. I want you to tell me what I should improve on and if you thought it was good or if I need more detail. I didn't spend much time describing the characters because if your reading a Naruto FanFiction then you should know how the characters look. If you don't then I'm sorry, I'm not too good in the details area. I'm more of the type that can explain the characters emotions. Also, a heads up to say that the characters will probably be out of character.

Now, I also wanna state the couples in this FanFiction. It'll be SasuSaku and ShikaIno. I haven't really thought too much on the other characters, but Sasuke and Sakura are the main and Ino and Shikamaru will be the secondary characters.

Well, enjoy!

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We were entering hardships during this time. My whole family was completely gone and I appeared to be the only heir left to the throne. I, Sakura Haruno, the only hope left for my kingdom. I was hardly queen material. I wasn't even that pretty. I mean, who has pink hair and eyes the color of emeralds. Many of the people in my kingdom said I was the most beautiful girl they've ever seen, but I disagree. I felt...so plain compared to some princesses. Why did I have to be the only hope for my people?

"Your highness, please work with me here. We don't have much time before the court arrives," said my dear guide Tsunade. Even my teacher seemed prettier to me. Her long blond hair, golden orbs, and perfect complexion were far better compared to me. Even her breasts were bigger then mine. What kind of princess that just turned seventeen still wore a training bra?

"I'm not going to meet the court. It's just a bunch of old guys that will say stupid and useless information that I already know," I muttered, pulling my pillow over my head. I wasn't even dressed yet and the court would be arriving in less than four hours.

"Sakura, I swear if you don't get your lazy ass up I'm going to pour water on you," Tsunade said with an annoyed tone. "Besides, what the court has to say is far from useless."

"Says you! All they'll tell me is that I'm the last hope for my family and that I must marry as soon as possible and have many children. Oh boy, I can't wait to start making babies," I said sarcastically. I did it on purpose for I knew Tsunade hated when I was sarcastic. She would normally say I hung around her too much and that I should stop coping her attitude before I become a mini Tsunade. Not like it already hasn't happened.

Tsunade was done arguing. She heaved a sigh then left the room, slamming the door rather loudly as she did so. I was glad the moment she left. I pulled my head out from under the pillow and rolled over onto my side. I was filled with so much depression. My last living relative died just a week ago and no one seemed to care. I was alone in the world and all anyone cared about was making me into a puppet that they could prance around the kingdom and show off. I was getting tired of everyone telling me that it was my duty to be the queen and save my name from dying. So what if I got married? The name would still die unless I decided to keep my last name instead of taking my husbands. At this point, I was ready to just say "no" to everyone that told me to get married.

After all, it was my choice and mine alone.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear anyone enter my room. It wasn't until I felt cold water splash on me that I knew someone was there. I jumped up into a sitting position and gasped. I then threw my covers off of me and jumped to my feet to see Tsunade standing there with a bucket.

"I told you if you didn't get up I would pour cold water on you," she said with a small grin on her lips.

"That isn't funny! Now I need a towel and it'll take even longer for me to get dressed," I complained, as usual. "I don't even see why you care. You never cared to impress those old farts before."

"Please show more respect for your elders. As for impressing them, well, it isn't I who has to impress them. That would be you Sakura."

"Whatever," were my last words before I stormed past her to the bathroom that connected to my room. I grabbed a towel off the towel rack and started to dry off. Tsunade soon came into the room with one of my best dresses and laid it on the counter. It was one of my favorites too. It was pink and puffy. It had ruffles on the bottom and the sleeves; and right above where my chest would be was a blue diamond embedded in the dress.

Tsunade just stared at me for a moment as I began to get undressed, then she turned and left without saying a word. It was moments like these that I wish I had a different mentor.

After I was dressed I was escorted to the Great Hall where the court would be waiting. The court was made up of old men that were otherwise known as 'Advisers'. They would tell the king or queen-or in my case princess-what they thought was best for them. I for one didn't see any point in listening to them. I already knew what I had to do; But Tsunade insisted that I had to be there and what they had to say was completely different from what I thought. I really could care less at this point. So I went along with this meeting.

As I entered, the court stood and each bowed all twelve of them to be exact. I noticed only one person out of place. A young girl with a lighter shade of blond hair and aqua colored orbs stood behind one of the oldest members of the court. My attention couldn't help but be drawn to this young woman. Her peach colored skin tone seemed so much more vibrant then my own. It made me feel a bit ordinary; but I did not have time to stare at the young woman, for Tsunade pushed me along until I reached the head of the long table that stood in the center of the room. I heaved a deep sigh then formed a small smile for the court, and then I gestured for them to sit. Once they were all seated I set down as well. Tsunade and the strange girl were the only ones that remained standing.

"We're sorry to have come so unexpected my princess. We just needed to discuss your new position here in the kingdom," stated an old man, the one that the blond girl stood next to. I still couldn't stop shooting her a glance ever so often.

"Minister Rose, it is no trouble at all for us to meet," I began as politely as I could be. "I'm glad to have you kind old men here in my kingdom. As the last heir to my throne I should show as much hospitality as I can. It just shows me as a better leader," I said with the most serene smile I could ever show.

"Well, you sure have changed your views since our last meeting. I mean, you were very kind then, but you had no interest in taking the throne," the Minister replies. The attention was soon drawn to the young woman next to him as she cleared her throat. "Oh, how rude of me. I completely forgot all about Ms. Yamanaka here," he says as the woman places her hand on his shoulder.

"Allow me Minister Rose," the girl said softly in such a graceful manner. "I am Ino Yamanaka, a professional match maker," she says, flashing a grin toward my direction.

"Hold on just a minute!" I abruptly objected. "You brought a match maker here? In what part of your tiny brains did this register as a good idea?!" I shouted loudly. I was on my feet now and I slammed my hands on the table. Tsunade put her hands on my shoulders and sighed.

"Sakura, please calm yourself. You’re still among great min-" Tsunade began.

"Great minds?!" I interrupted, knowing she would say that. "Of what part of 'great' do these morons fall under? I refuse to let some strange woman I hardly know choose the man that I'll spend the rest of my life with! That's just...completely absurd!"

Everyone fell silent after I finished my rant. Ino didn't seem phased what-so-ever by my attack on her person. Minister Rose decided to wait for me to calm down before he would speak. The silence dragged on as I continued to stare at each one of the men. I hadn't even realized how heavily I was breathing until all I could hear was my own breath. It seemed like I was the only one breathing and everyone was holding their breaths until I set down. Tsunade kept her hands on my shoulder and stared at me with a worried expression. I knew that she was only worried that I might have upset the court. Finally, I took one deep breath then set back in my seat, showing that I was done complaining and ready to listen.

"Sakura, I know this is a lot to handle in such a short time. We all know what you’re going through. Your father did just die and we all cared for him deeply. He was the best king we ever had and all we want to do is keep his memory alive in his daughter."

I simply stayed quiet as he spoke. All he was saying was a complete lie. None of the people in this room cared that my father just died. All they cared about was doing their job and that required me to do what they told me to. "You say you care, but I know you could all care less," I said harshly as I slowly stood up. "I refuse to do this or play your stupid games. I will not go along with having this girl choose my husband. I will find one on my own. I have a year. So, get off my back!"

After I glared at each one of them, and I knew none of them would speak, I turned away and looked at Tsunade, who was rather disappointed with my actions. "May I say something, your highness?" Asked that soft voice that introduced herself as Ino not long ago. I turned slightly to look at her. "I just want to say that I wasn't planning on telling you who to marry. My job is just to help you find a guy. As a princess it must be hard to date. I could find some men and set up dates for you. With your looks you'll have a husband in no time."

That last statement hit a nerve. I never thought of myself more than plain and hearing a girl like Ino tell me I actually had a pretty face, made me want to cry. Since she hit my soft spot, I turned to her and sighed. "I guess, I could try."

"That's all we ever ask of you princess," Ino said with a warm smile gracing her facial features.

I simply stared at her for a moment longer before I turned. Tsunade stared at me and watched my movements carefully. I then stood up as straight as I could and cleared my throat to say, "this meeting is over. Everyone, thank you for coming." Tsunade smiled at me as I left on a happy note. After I was gone Tsunade ushered the court out of the Great Hall and on to the gates of the castle outside.

I went straight to my room after that. I went to the stained glass window in my room to look out as the old men left to meet their carriages. I sighed deeply as I watched each of them leave, but I didn't see the blond girl, Ino, leave along with them. This made me curious as to where she might be. My question was soon answered as I heard a knock on the door and the blond entered. She smiled at me then made herself at home by sitting on my bed. "Well, it looks like you'll have to get use to me hanging around here. I hope I don't get on your nerves too much princess."

"Too much? You’re already on my nerves. I don't even know why I said yes to this whole dumb thing. I can run this kingdom by myself," I said furiously.

Ino just continued to smile. It made me want to hit that pretty face and break her nose. "Well, the problem isn't that you agreed to it. The problem now is how I'm going to do this," she said as she puts her index finger to her chin and gets in a thinking position. "I was thinking that we could throw a grand ball and invite all the important men in the land. That sort of thing."

"A ball? No way! I refuse to get dressed up and meet a billion different men that will probably look at me funny or just want to marry me because I'm the last of my family," I said as I turned to look at her. She wasn't here for more than half an hour and she was already a pain in the butt.

"How do you expect me to get you noticed if you don't agree with my plans? I mean you only have a year to get married and my ideas are limited. Not to mention a ball isn't so bad. Just stand there and look pretty while I do the rest."

I heaved a deep sigh then rolled my eyes as I turned to look back out the window. Silence fell upon us and I was happy for that. I needed more time to think about all this. I only had a year to wed and this chick was my only hope to find a man. I could probably do it on my own, but it was the court's idea and who am I to judge the great old farts? It wasn't like my life wasn't complicated enough. Especially with just one year as my deadline!

My thoughts were interrupted by Tsunade as she came into the room. She looked to Ino then to me. "I hope you two are getting along. You know, Ino here is only two years older than you Sakura."

"I think my age really isn't going to help here. I've seen cases like Sakura's. Too stubborn to marry but in a really tight situation that you have no choice but to get married," Ino said as she got up from my bed and walked up behind me. She placed her hands on my shoulders and turned me around to face her. "With a little work I think I could change your mind in no time."

"You know what they say, Rome wasn't built in a day," I muttered as I pulled away from her.

"True, but there's always a silver lining in every cloud," Ino said with that annoyingly cheerful attitude. "And I believe that I can find that silver lining once we get past that stubborn disposition."

"Yeah, well, good luck with that," I muttered as I grabbed her then pushed her out of the room. "Tsunade, show our guest to a nice little room, far away from mine." Tsunade gave me that disappointed look again and then walked past me to Ino's side. She gestured for the blond to follow her. As they left, I closed my door then went to lie down on my bed. A nice, long nap was what I needed to clear my head. Hopefully, I would be able to be alright with this whole idea.

I sighed as I laid there on my bed and closed my eyes. "I have no idea what I should do. I wish my mother was still alive so I could just ask her what to do; But if she were still here I wouldn't even be doing this in the first place," I thought as I laid there. I decided that I would think about having a ball, like Ino had suggested. Basically, I would sleep on it.

Even if I was still very skeptical about this whole scandal, I was going to try it, for my kingdom's sake and my family's name.

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P.S. Since I'm such a review whore, please review ^^ Hey, at least I'm honest.

Edit: Thanks to a friend of mine, who gladly peer edited my story, I have decided to change a few things. I'm going back over the chapter's I've done so far and making them better. I will now be making my friend read each chapter and edit it for me before I publish it. Anyways, thank you for reading. ^^