Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. This work is Alternate Universe(AU) Slash. You have been warned.

Chapter 1

"Don't really like this do you?" The ninja sneered as he held Naruto up by the roots of his hair, "Not fun when it's happening to you, is it?"

Naruto glared through the muck splattered on his face, eyes blazing with hatred.

"Not enough, eh?" The ninja said almost jovially and in the moonlight, his Fox Mask seemed to smile, "No worries, no worries. Demon fuckers take time to break, I've heard.

How about this?"

Fox scooped up a handful of mud Naruto had spent all his afternoon collecting and promptly forced it into his little mouth. Naruto's eyes bugged out from their sockets and his throat convulsed. Bile rose instantaneously, trying to force out the alien substance from his mouth but a steel hand clamped over them, sealing them shut.

"Swallow it," He said viciously, "Fucking swallow it, demon spawn."

"And up!"

Mirai let out a trill of bubbling laughter, waving her arms and legs in excitement as Naruto pushed her up, grinning, "How's the air up there?"

Mirai laughed again, her musical voice washing over him like a wave of love and everything good in the world, "Bah tikk, juuuu."

"Whaaaat, really?" Naruto whined as if he could understand her, one hand shading his eyes from the sun shining above them, the other supporting Mirai's soft, vulnerable weight as she wiggled in the air, lying stomach down on his feet, "Let's see you deal with this!"

He pushed his feet higher into the air, carefully, gently, and Mirai let out a shriek of joy as she rose higher, "Kakakakaka!"

"Yeah, that's right!" Naruto sing-songed, "You're completely at my mercy!"

It was early evening and the ground, meant mainly for civilians, was filling up slowly with children, exasperated parents trailing behind them. Naruto was lying on the ground, his blond, hair spread around his face; the sun's fading rays make it glisten like gold-a halo on the crown of an angel.

He was beautiful.

"Naruto! Naruto!"

Naruto ears perked and he brought his legs down slowly, much to the disappointment of Mirai who began ranting at him in Baby-ese as he picked her up and settled her against his chest.

"Sorry, Mirai-chan. We have company."

He looked sideways to see Sakura running towards him as fast as she could, waving something in her fist, an intent, manic expression on her face.

"Naruto, oh my god, Naruto!"

Naruto frowned in alarm as Sakura fell to the ground, crawling towards him the rest of the distance, "S-Sakura?" He clutched Mirai tighter in his arms.

Sakura collapsed next to him, panting heavily, "Hell, I'm really out of shape, oh you've got Mirai with you. Hi Mirai-"

"Sakura, what's happened?" Naruto asked uncertainly as Mirai gurgled at Sakura, his eyebrows furrowed, "Did something happen?"

"Did something happen?" Sakura asked incredulously, pushing a pink curl behind her ear, "Did something happen? Something happened alright. Look-Look at this."

She thrust a scroll towards Naruto, her eyes regaining the crazy look she had earlier, "I found this when I was waiting for Tsunade-"

"You mean you were snooping-"

"Details. Anyway, she was called away to a meeting with the council and I couldn't help snatching this, I mean would you-"

"You stole it?" Naruto stared at Sakura in disbelief, "Who are you and what have you done with the real Sakura?"

Sakura rolled her eyes, "Snuff it, Naruto. Just...just….read it."

Apprehensively, Naruto freed one hand and took the scroll from Sakura's hand. He was about to unravel it when something caught his eye.

"This..!" Naruto stared at the document in horror, "Sakura, this has the Kazekage's seal on it. You stole, you stole an official document?!"

"I can't believe your reprimanding me."

"But-But-!"

"Just fu-! Ahem…I mean just shut up and do what you're told to do. You'll see."

"Bacchan is going to murder the both of us," Naruto whimpered as he closed his eyes for a moment, then opened the scroll and began to read.

Greetings Hokage,

I was very sorry to hear about the death of Gekkou Hayate. Though contact between him and I has been negligible over the past years, I am sure that he was a great ninja and an even better man. We grieve with Konoha.

However, some matters have come up that can no longer be avoided. The Akatsuki is rising day by day, and we as nations fall incomparably small in front of them in our bid to present a united front. I find their ideals, principles and goals abhorrent; as I'm sure you're aware, seeing as how I'm a jinchuriki myself. Something needs to be done.

That said, I would like to propose an alliance that would be stronger in bond than any other flimsy political pacts that often prove themselves to be cheaper than the paper they are inked on. Yes, I do believe that an alliance through marriage would be the best possible solution. Past relations between Sunagakure and Konohagakure have been tense and troublesome at best and this is why a marriage alliance becomes even more crucial. We will forge a bond as close to blood as can be possible and the resultant union of our two nations will pave a road for the eventual victory of the Shinobi Alliance over the Akastsuki.

To show Sunagakure's commitment to the cause, I have decided to offer myself to it. It would be an honour and a pleasure to enjoin myself to a ninja from Konoha under the holy band of matrimony. I have no preference and will humbly submit to the match the Hokage deems fit for me.

However, I would like to make a suggestion. What would speak louder about the condemnation that Suna and Konoha hold for jinchuriki hunting than a marriage between a Kage and a jinchuriki? Better yet, a union between a jinchuriki and a jinchuriki as a symbol of hope for both villages? Nothing, I say.

I believe that Naruto Uzumaki is the jinchuriki of Konoha village. If he has no objection, as I myself have none, than I am willing to strengthen the bond between our villages through a conjugal bond between him and I.

I apologize if I have come across as excessively straightforward and blunt. Please hold that transgression against my young age. I look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Gaara Sangaku.

Kazekage

Sunagakure.



"Tikki de gruu?" Mirai babbled curiously at Naruto who had become completely still, limbs frozen around her, face blank with shock.

Sakura leaned forward and whispered in a voice heaving with excitement, "I know, right?"

"The Kaze-Kazekage-" Naruto began dumbly.

"-is asking for your hand in marriage!" Sakura practically screamed and two ladies, sitting at a bench a few feet away turned to look at them. Sakura paid them no mind however and jumped to her feet, beginning to pace, fingers clutching her face, eyes about to burst with some strong, intense emotion. Mirai eyed her in interest, as if she was some peculiar, exotic toy.

"-he doesn't say it directly of course but he might as well have, anything said by a village head carries unspoken authority. The Hokage, even if she doesn't want to, will have to-"

"The Kazekage," Naruto interrupted, eyes dazed, "wasn't he…wasn't he in the Chunin exams?"

Sakura stopped and her face screwed up in concentration, "Yeah, now that I think about it, the exams did have somebody from Suna called Gaara something. Oh wait," her expression brightened, "I remember him! He was that creepy red head who was always…always…"

She turned to look at him, mouth split into a wide, mischievous grin, "Always staring at you."

Naruto stared up at her for a few seconds before, to Sakura's everlasting shock, his face turned a deep scarlet, blue eyes wide with surprise.

"What―I don't―stupid," Naruto sputtered, eyes blazing with panicked confusion, blush seeping deeper still. All Sakura could do was stare in complete astonishment as Naruto became utterly speechless for the first time in his life, flailing and searching for words that deserted him.

Naruto finally buried his face into Mirai's hair in a bid to escape the embarrassment, breathing in the scent of her baby shampoo and muttering incoherently. Mirai nuzzled back happily.

"Naruto?" Sakura asked gently, unable to keep the undertone of laughter and wonder from her voice.

Naruto turned to look at her, expression set to one of defiance, face still helplessly red and Sakura restrained herself from the sudden urge to coo at her teammate. "Why…why didn't the old hag tell me?"

Sakura sighed and sat down again, taking Naruto's free hand in her own. She'd never seen someone look more like a frightened animal than Naruto did right now, holding onto Mirai like she was his only tether to sanity. This was something that had never happened to Naruto before and she needed to be careful.

"Look Naruto, this alliance stuff is pretty complicated. I wouldn't pretend to know everything because I don't. All I know from what Tsunade has told me is that politics can get pretty delicate. The Kazekage has just put forth a proposition, it is up to Tsunade to actually accept the marriage proposal or not. Of course, if she does, she is bound to consider you as a candidate for the Kazekage's hand-"

"What?" Naruto asked, a panicky expression on his face.

"These things take time, Naruto. Lots and lots of time. There will be delays and counter-proposals from both sides. That's the thing with official marriages, they're basically a contract. Not to mention the jinchuriki deal will make the situation even more tense. What I'm trying to say is that the most important thing in a contract is consent and you wouldn't be married off to the Kazekage if you don't want to."

"Are you forgetting the council?" Naruto mumbled as he played with Mirai's tiny fingers.

"Are you forgetting who the Hokage is? Tsunade wouldn't let them lay a finger on you if you didn't want to. She'll consider this deal only if it's good for you, not Konoha, you dumbass. She's a crazy alcoholic but she loves you and she would never bind you in a marriage you didn't want."

Naruto nodded and Sakura stared at him apprehensively. A quiet Naruto was almost as unnatural as an energetic Kakashi. She could understand though. Naruto was used to sleazy propositions in dim lit bars, un-consensual groping by drunken men and people demanding his body like it was their birthright. She'd never even heard of someone asking him to a proper date.

He wasn't used to this….whatever this was.

Sakura's expression gentled and she enveloped both Naruto and Mirai in a surprised hug. "You're strong Naruto, the strongest idiot I know. How could you think a stupid marriage is going to bring you down?"

Naruto's eyes widened behind Sakura's shoulder before his entire body relaxed and he hugged back. "You got it, Sakura-chan."

They only broke apart when Mirai wailed in anger, squished between the two of them uncomfortably.

"I believe in you, stupid."

"I can't believe you!" Sakura shrieked and Naruto hissed out a 'ssh!,' putting a finger to his lips.

"Excuse me?" Naruto whispered back hotly, creeping up the stairs as quietly as he could, Sakura following behind him, holding the tail end of his shirt with a terrified expression on her face. "You seem to have forgotten that it was you who stole an important document from the Hokage's office!"

"I can't believe you tricked me into this!" Sakura said, ignoring him completely. She looked left and right, trying to spot any oncoming guards. "If they catch us-"

"They won't," Naruto said confidently, a wicked grin on his face as he titled forwards slightly and peered around the corner, "Nope. Nobody's here. Told ya, didn't I? Meetings of the council are usually sealed off. Guards don't come up here. The protection jutsu is broken only by the Hokage or a member of the Hokage Guard Platoon."

"How the hell did you know that jutsu?" Sakura demanded as they inched up the stairwell towards the Hokage's office.

Naruto shrugged, "I don't know, from observation I guess? Knowledge like that came in handy during pranks."

Sakura shook her head in exasperation, "If only you'd paid this much attention in The Academy."

Sakura, Mirai and Naruto had been enjoying some dango at a corner stall when Naruto suddenly realized that if Tsunade couldn't find the scroll Mirai was currently gnawing on, all hell would break loose. He wouldn't put it past Tsunade to dream up conspiracies, revolts and even treason to state before they could explain anything to her.

Alarmed and desperate, they'd decided to take advantage of the meeting Tsunade was currently embroiled in ("Room #3," Sakura recalled, "That's what the Chunin had said.") and hatch a rough, brash plan to sneak the scroll back into her office. After hurriedly depositing a disgruntled Mirai to Asuma with much apologies and flying kisses, they'd tiptoed around the bored Chunin at the front desk, broken the jutsu and begin their arduous climb towards the top of the Hokage Tower.

"Ugh, I wish we had Sai with us," Naruto whispered as they climbed past Meeting Room#2 as noiselessly as they could, recalling the third member of Team Seven, "He is so much better at this sneaky shit."

"Yes, because you can't keep quiet to save your life," Sakura replied, moaning under her breath, "The asshole council will have a fit if they find out, why did I agree to this-"

"My awesomeness is rubbing off-"

"Quiet!" Sakura hissed as the big, black door leading to Meeting Room#3 approached, "Tsunade has ears like a bat."

Holding their breath, they edged past Meeting Room#3 as unhurriedly as possible. They were just about to climb past it when Tsunade's thunderous voice made them freeze.

"-scared out of their wits, thinking the Akatsuki has become active in their country-"

"All the same, Hokage," a flaky, feminine voice trailed through the doors to them, "How can you be sure that it's-"

"How can I be sure?" Tsunade's voice rose even higher, "How can I be sure? Which bounty hunter do you know of who steals the exact amount of bounty laid on the head of a s-ranked criminal, leaving behind the head as proof?"

"Kakuzu-"

"Kakuzu is a member of the Akatsuki and I don't think he's stupid enough to kill one of his own!" Tsunade's voice was practically seething with anger and Naruto and Sakura exchanged anxious glances, realizing they'd stumbled upon something they weren't supposed to hear. "The head delivered to Koyuki Kazahana was the head of Deidara, a known member of the Akatsuki organization. The money stolen from her castle was the exact amount of bounty that Konoha had placed over Deidara's head! How can-"

"Is it not enough that we have compensated the Snow Daimyo? Is it not enough that he, himself, has been named an international criminal with a much bigger bounty on his head?" Another male voice interrupted, "Should we not let the matter rest-"

"No, we can't!" Tsunade said loudly, "He left a note, did you know that? He left a note, clearly stating that the head was evidence for the money he had taken and the rest of the body he was sending to Akatsuki, challenging them, provoking them-"

"Anybody against the Akatsuki is surely an ally of Konoha-"

"Are you blind?" Tsunade practically bellowed, "Have you become so blind by the love that you hold for his clan that you can't see the grave, grave situation in front of you? Have you forgotten the things he has done? Have you forgotten that he killed-"

"What are you doing?"

Naruto and Sakura jumped nearly a foot in the air, barely managing to stifle their cries of alarm in time. They whirled around from where they had their ears pressed to the door to see Genma standing before them, hands crossed against his chest, eyebrows raised. The expression on his face was not very consoling.

"Oh shit, Genma-"

"This is not what it looks like-"

"When I realized the jutsu had been broken, I came running, expecting to see some terrorist bombing the Hokage," Genma interrupted, voice dry, "I did not expect you to see you two."

"What the hell?" Naruto frowned, "I thought I'd done it perfectly-"

Sakura swatted the back of Naruto's head with a hard slap, "This is not the time!" She hissed at him before turning an angelic face to Genma, "Genma, we're completely innocent, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time-"

"I'm sure," Genma said with a blank expression on his face, "the Hokage would love to hear your explanation.

Sakura and Naruto groaned in unison.

"What the hell, brats?" Tsunade demanded as she swiped a pile of files clean off the desk to set down her bottle of sake with a bang, "What the hell are you up to now? Sakura, I'd never thought you-"

"It wasn't my fault, Tsunade-sama!" Sakura cried tearfully, "It's this devil, he's the one who came up with the plan, and I was forced into it-"

"Are you serious?" Naruto goggled at her, "Bacchan, this woman is lying and she was the one who stole the scroll in the first place, an official scroll, mind you-"

"Why you-"

"Double standards much, Sakura-chan-"

"Shut up, both of you," Tsunade said as she massaged the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger, "How old are you again? I've just dealt with those rotting parasites they call a council. Give me a fucking break."

Naruto and Sakura quieted down, expressions a mix of sympathetic and sulky. Surrounded by mountains of paperwork , the faint scent of cleaning detergent and sake hanging in the air, the Hokage's office was where Naruto had spent most of his childhood, receiving scoldings in one form or the another. He couldn't help the nostalgia that chipped at him like an invisible kunai, reducing him back to his old, immature self.

If you asked Sakura, Naruto was still immature.

"Right," Tsunade said as she dragged out a cup from nowhere and poured sake into it, "Hang on. Let me get it together."

As the two Chunin watched, Naruto with unabashed curiosity and Sakura with disapproval, Tsunade drained the cup down her throat like it was water. She poured another drink, gulped it down, poured yet another one but settled back into her chair with it and put her feet on the desk.

"So you found this huh, Sakura?" Tsunade said as she bent forward and snatched up the scroll Genma had confiscated from them, giving it a cursory glance, "Sharp nose."

Sakura opened her mouth to protest, before she shut it, cheeks blazing and nodded bleakly.

"I was hoping to hold this longer but seeing as you brats are running around, sticking your nose everywhere, I guess it was a hopeless dream." Tsunade grumbled before her nose wrinkled, "Are these food stains on it?"

"I'm really sorry, Tsunade-sama," Sakura said quickly, before the line of questioning could descend towards the unwanted, "I just saw it there and I…I couldn't help myself."

"Nobody doubts your capacity to gossip, Sakura." Tsunade said in amusement, causing Sakura's mouth to drop open in outrage and Naruto to stifle a giggle. "But the fact remains that classified information has been compromised and I don't know what the hell to tell you now."

Naruto stiffened and Sakura straightened, expression immediately changing to barely controlled excitement. She glanced back and forth from Hokage to Chunin but when no one said anything, she finally burst out, "So it's true then? You're really considering it?"

Naruto wasn't looking at Tsunade, he didn't think he could. His stomach was protesting something awful, like he'd eaten something bad for breakfast. Unable to stand the growing tension in his shoulders and in the room, he turned his head to stare at the notice board on the wall, eyes roving over official notifications and grainy pictures of wanted criminals. He focused on the picture of an eight year old Uchiha Sasuke (the only picture Konoha had of him) smiling kindly at the camera and ignored Tsunade's gaze.

Tsunade sighed before she gulped down another mouthful of sake. Setting her cup aside, she straightened and put her hands on the table, clasping them together to show she was serious, "Is it true that an alliance between Konoha and Suna is the need of the hour? Yes. Is it true that a marriage alliance is the best way to ensure strengthening ties between the two villages? Yes. Is it true that Naruto is the only way we can achieve that? No."

Tsunade turned to Naruto, "I want you to look at me, Naruto."

Naruto did so reluctantly, and met Tsunade's eyes to see that they were blazing with determination, "I want you to know, Naruto Uzumaki, that nobody in Konoha will ever be forced into doing something they don't want to do, not as long as I'm alive. This marriage is important for Konoha, yes, but at the end of the day, all it comes down to is politics."

"What do you mean?" Sakura said loudly, hands gripping the edge of Tsunade's desk tightly, "Can you come up with ways to strike down his choice of spouse?"

"It's going to be tricky but yes, I think we'll be able to find a way," Tsunade replied calmly, "You have nothing to be worried about, idiot."

"Yeah, I know," Naruto said from behind his hands, which were covering his face, "The whole thing is crazy is all. I mean…I mean why me?"

"A marriage between two jinchurikis is-"

"That's bullshit and you know it, Tsunade," Sakura interrupted, forgetting to add the suffix to Tsunade's name in her animation, "that was just an excuse to ask for Naruto specifically."

Tsunade sighed and rubbed her forehead, "I'm surrounded by smartasses. What do you think?"

"It's simple," Sakura breathed, glancing at Naruto, "He likes him."

The hands on Naruto's face trembled slightly. This didn't escape Tsunade and she stared at Naruto, fascinated, "What do you think, Naruto?"

"Wha-What?" A watery voice asked in bewilderment and Tsunade and Sakura exchanged bemused glances.

"What's wrong with him?" Tsunade demanded.

Sakura giggled, "It's this. He just can't seem to handle it."

Sakura had received her fair share of arranged marriage proposals, conveyed to her by an overly excited mother. She had struck each one of them down, exclaiming defiantly that she was going to marry for love.

With Naruto…it was different. It was the first time anybody was treating Naruto like he was worthy of the proper attention, not to forget it was the Kazekage and Naruto…was a mess. The fact that somebody liked him seemed too much of an outlandish concept to grasp.

Tsunade understood. Her eyes softened and a small, teasing smile began to play around her mouth, "Now that the messy part's over with, what is it that you actually think about this marriage proposal, Naruto?"

"H-Huh?" Naruto's voice came out garbled and startled, blue eyes peeked out between fingers.

"We've established that you have a way out. However, is marriage to the Kazekage really that undesirable? He is a Kage and your standing will, by default, become higher. You will gain citizenship to both Konohagakure and Sunagakure. Your chances at becoming the Hokage will increase. What is there to not like about this? Not to forget that-," Tsunade's smile became a smirk, "The Kazekage is a very handsome man."

"Don't make me more envious than I already am, Tsunade-sama," Sakura smirked back as Naruto sidled further into his chair. This was proving to be too much fun, "I mean what a catch! At nineteen, the youngest Kage in history. Tall, intelligent, capable, I wouldn't pass up on this offer if somebody offered me a million ryo."

"Who was calling him a creepy red head again?" Naruto mumbled.

"Phish posh," Sakura waved a hand dismissively, "I'm sure he's changed since he was fifteen."

"He has," Tsunade nodded and as she looked at Naruto, her voice became gentle, "He is a good Kage who worries about his village and his people. In private, he is a quiet man but also a kind one who I am sure will douse his partner with all the love and affection he can muster and maybe more. "

This proved to be too much for poor Naruto. He jumped to his feet, a hand on his eyes to hide his expression. It was unnecessary. Both Sakura and Tsunade could see the red burning in his neck as clear as day.

"I forgot that I had to meet Iruka-sensei," Naruto mumbled, "Sorry, buh-bye, have to go, see ya later-

"Naruto," Tsunade interrupted his gibber smoothly, "Nara Shikamaru is being sent on a mission to Suna to sort out some trade agreements. He requires two Chunin to accompany him. Can I count on you two? I heard there's a festival going on."

Sakura squealed like she was about to burst and Naruto dropped his hand, staring at Tsunade in shock, "Wh-What?"

Tsunade gazed back calmly, "Nobody's going to rush. These things take time. However, there's no harm in getting to know each other right?"

Naruto stared at the Hokage for what seemed like a lifetime. Finally, with a barely discernible nod of the head, he mumbled quietly, "A-Alright."

"Hurray!" Sakura shrieked as she jumped up and threw her arms around Naruto, "This is so awesome! I can't believe you're getting married, Naruto!"

"I am not doing anything of that sort-" Naruto protested loudly.

'It's so cute, seeing you blush like a…well, blushing bride," Sakura clucked at him, trying to rub her nose with his but Naruto didn't reciprocate, looking at her with a screwed up expression, obviously trying not to smile. His face was still burning.

"It's unnatural," Tsunade remarked, gazing at Naruto in complete fascination, "I've never seen the like. Who knew you could look cute, brat?"

"Screw you, Bacchan!" Naruto growled, shaking a fist at her.

Tsunade snorted and shook her head. Getting up from her seat, she raised a threatening finger towards the struggling pair, "Just this once," she repeated for what was probably the 975th time, "Just this once I'm letting this whole drama of 'borrowing' and 'walking into' Hokage's tower during council time go. Next time you do something even slightly untoward, I'll skin you alive and eat your intestines. Are we clear?"

"Crystal." Sakura and Naruto chimed obediently.

"Good, now get lost," Tsunade said, collapsing into her chair in exhaustion, "Let me catch up on my nap before Shizune gets back."

"What about paperwork?"

"Screw the paperwork," The Hokage replied almost viciously, eyes closed.

"You've become really kinky, old hag!" Naruto sing-songed and shut the door, barely managing to escape the empty sake bottle that came flying at his head.

"I'LL GET YOU NEXT TIME, UZUMAKI!"

Much gratitude owed to Michiyuki-sama, the wonderful beta who edited this work.