Arranged Love

"A-arranged marriage? W-w-why?" Sakura asked, horrified at the mention of marrying someone she didn't even know.

"Yes Sakura, you're going to marry a rich man to help your family out in our time of need." Her father confirmed, giving her a sympathetic squeeze on her arm.

She looked to the floor, eyes brimming with tears. Sakura quickly wiped them away. She needed to be strong for her little brother and father. "All right dad…I promise to do this for you and Sora."

This was never something she had thought she would have to do; what was her father doing? Is he making any money at all? I don't think he's worked since the accident with Mom... he's an ex-shinobi... a retired ninja at his age...I shouldn't judge, though. I've never lost the love of my life, and I don't ever want to, should I ever get one. I suppose its just one more thing I need to worry about. I could probably take a few more shifts at the hospital to make some extra money to send home when I-

She was snapped out of her reverie, "Good. We're all going to meet him tomorrow. I hear he's quiet and likes to keep to himself. I've already signed the papers, so the judge is just awaiting the date. You shouldn't have any issues with your chosen fiance, but if you do, I want you to tell me. I don't care about the money if he hurts you, okay?"

Sakura nodded slightly, "What's... his name?"

"Kakuzu. Not much is known about him because he hardly leaves his home and it is unknown whether is a born member of the Hidden Leaf; that is one of the reasons he is still unmarried. No one seems to know anything about him. But anyways, enought about that for now. Nothing is more important to me than my little girl's safety," he paused. "Go to sleep, we have to get up early tomorrow."

"Alright Dad, I'll see you in the morning."

Sakura went upstairs to her room and quickly fell asleep on her twin sized bed. In her dream she was alone in a dark room. It reminded her faintly of her old childhood bedroom, decorated with small pink cherry blossoms. The floor creaked under her and at every noise she jumped. It was eerily quiet. Her eyes flickered at the dancing shadows on the wall. There was someone on the other side of the door; she heard the shattering of glass. Foot steps echoed off the floor as the stranger approached. They got closer and closer, until they stopped suddenly.

The door knob jiggled quietly. It turned and the old door opened loudly with a massive groan. A dark figure loomed in the shadows, its face hidden in the shadows.

"Sa...kura." the familiar voice slurred before advancing.

Sakura awoke with a start. Her heart was beating at a mile a minute. It wasn't even that scary... it just seemed so... real. Like Deja Vu. She evened out her breathing before getting up to get dressed. "Just a dream…" she muttered quietly.

Sakura headed downstairs to meet her family. Sora was sitting at the table happily munching on a bowl of Cheerios. "Hey there, shorty." She ruffled the hair of her 10 year old brother, who in turn, laughed and ruffled hers.

"Shorty? I'm almost as tall as you!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You WISH." She put him in a loose headlock and gave him a wet-willie.

"GROSS!" Sora ducked out from under her arm and tackled her, dangling a drool line above her face.

"Don't you dare! I'll kill you, Sora!" Sakura warned in her 'sister voice,' sounding very parental.

Sora smirked, still looking as though he was gonna risk it, but finally got up and went back to his cereal. Sakura smirked and fixed her hair before heading into the living room to meet her father. "Hey Dad, good morning."

"Good morning Sakura, are you excited for today? You're going to meet your future husband after all."

"I'm giddy with excitement." She answered sarcastically. In truth, she was absolutely terrified. She tried to hide her emotions, but she never was really good at it and her father always read her like a book.

"It'll be fine. I heard he's nice, and if we do have any problems, we can always flee the village as missing nins and-"

"Thanks Dad, nice try." she grinned slightly.

"You should go get ready. I'll be waiting, so don't take too long, slowpoke." he looked at her with a half grin to tell her he was kidding.

Sakura rolled her eyes, It's just like it was before Mom died. She combed her still messy hair and slid out of her pajamas into a newly purchased dress. It was a black V-neck with a few sakura petals floating around the stitching. Sakura applied a little make-up before returning downstairs.

Her father beamed at her, "You look just like your mother. She would be proud."

Sakura gave her father a hug and smile. They both headed to the door, "Sora, we'll be back in a few hours okay? I'll see you after school!"

There was a muffled "goodbye" as they walked out the door. Sakura and her father walked down the street into the rich district. They were middle class, not quite poor, but not rich either. Both of them walked side by side for a few minutes before coming to a large mansion. "This is the place. He said to just come in; he'll meet us by the door."

They entered the unlocked gate, and her father walked steadily, while Sakura's legs were not so sturdy; they wobbled and wiggled uncontrollably. Her father chuckled quietly and waited at the entrance. "Nervous?" he asked.

Sakura just glared. Sakura's dad knocked loudly on the huge wooden door. Sakura's breath quickened and she wiped her sweaty hands on her dress.

The door creaked loudly, making Sakura jump as it swung open, and a man stood in the doorway.

"I assume you're my soon-to-be-bride?" he asked in a gruff tone, giving her a once-over before stepping into the dim sunlight.