Title: Beyond Rivalry
Chapter 1: Wedding Jitters
Pairing: Kakashi X Kurenai

A.N. Okay, first things first. Things I need to clarify about this fanfic:

This story covers KakaKure and YugaYama's married life and parenthood.

Hatake Kenji is Kakashi and Kurenai's son, while Uzuki Yumiko is Yamato and Yugao's daughter.

The story is set after the war. The scenario is more peaceful. Kakashi is the Hokage.

Jiraiya is alive. JiraTsuna might be possible. ;)

Neji is also alive.-Just coz I love him 3 haha

Asuma Sarutobi is dead. :P

Kurenai and Asuma's daughter, Mirai Sarutobi is already 3 years old in this fic.

Kakashi and Kurenai are 33 years old already.

Boruto, Himawari, Sarada, etc.(the kids of Naruto's generation)aren't existing yet. This kinda covers the part after the war and before The Last: Naruto the Movie.

Kakashi has both sharingan in his eyes.

Every festivity requires a planned preparation. It was around noon and almost everyone was busy, dressing up, putting on their best, colorful kimono, beautifying the venue of the ceremony, adding flowers here and there, putting up drapes with delicate details.

In one room, a beautiful crimson-eyed bride was getting her hair and makeup done by four kunoichi who have been very dear to her heart, one of which was her very own student, Hyuga Hinata who worked with her hair, styling it with her delicate fingers, braiding it, pinning up some strands while Sakura and TenTen put red Yarrow flowers (which Ino recommended, saying that it symbolized everlasting love) in her jet-black hair. Ino on the other hand, gave her light makeup, putting the last touch, a shiny lip gloss to emphasize her already red lips. Ino figured that Kurenai was already beautiful and that she didn't need to put on too much make up on her face. She only needed light make up to emphasize her already beautiful features. After her hair and makeup were already styled beautifully, the four girls helped their sensei into her 'wedding dress' which was actually a red Japanese kimono that had delicate hand-made embroidery of red yarrow flowers. It was long and flowed down the floor beautifully. It hugged her figure perfectly and had a long slit by her right leg, having that sexy touch to it.

As soon as the beautiful bride got into her sandals that matched her kimono, she bit her lips and blushed as she looked at the girls for approval. They all gazed at her in awe and smiled before they squealed excitedly.

"You look so beautiful, Sensei." Hinata complimented with a smile on her face.

"Hell yeah! You look so gorgeous, you'd drive Kakashi sensei crazy." Sakura added, making Kurenai blush a deeper shade of red.

"I definitely agree with Sakura, you look so perfect, he'd faint." Ino remarked as she smirked. Tenten nodded in agreement as she led Kurenai to the full-length mirror that was in the room.

"I think you should see for yourself." Tenten said as she let Kurenai stand in front of the mirror to see her reflection. Kurenai gazed at herself for amoment. Her hair was braided in a waterfall braid and tied up to a neat bun, with yarrow flowers pinned to it like a little bouquet assembled to her hair. Her makeup was done lightly by Ino, light pink blush-on was applied to her cheeks. She had eyeliner on to emphasize her gorgeous eyes. Her eye-shadow was light unlike the purple one's that she used to apply on herself on daily basis. She looked fresh, young and simply beautiful. Her eyes started to get a bit, watery because she was so happy.

"Woah, there. No crying. The eyeliner is water-proof but still, we have to be careful." Ino said in panic as she handed Kurenai a box of tissue. Kurenai held back the tears as she pulled the four girls into a group hug.

"I'm so happy. Thank you so much. I feel really beautiful." She said.

"You were already beautiful, sensei. We just enhanced your beauty for your special day." Hinata replied with a sincere smile.

"He'd be really happy up there, seeing you smiling again, down here. I'm really happy for you, sensei." Ino added with a smile as she reminisced about those days Kurenai spent with her and the rest of team ten, during those times when she was with their late, teacher, Sarutobi Asuma. Kurenai gave Ino a pat on the back. She knew Ino missed him. Asuma was a great guy. It was a shame he died, but Kurenai figured that things happen for a reason. When Asuma died, she didn't know what to do. It hurt her so much, but she had to be strong, because at that time, she was having a baby. It was a real struggle for her, but through all that, she found him.-Kakashi, who seemed to be the one who truly understood the pain she went through and loved not only her, but her daughter Mirai, as well.

Just then, the door opened, revealing a small version of Kurenai. -A young girl, about the age of three, with jet-black hair and crimson eyes almost identical to hers. She was in a pink, smaller version of Kurenai's Kimono dress. It had the same pattern of embroidered Yarrow floweres, but it didn't have a slit since it was especially made for children, her age.

"'Kaasan!" The girl said as she leaped into Kurenai's arms.

"Hello there, young lady. Where have you been?" Kurenai asked giggling.

"I went to see my chichue in the other room." Mirai replied. "You look so beautiful, mommy. Will I have my hair done like yours too?"

Kurenai smiled, before she bent down to give her daughter a kiss on the cheek.

"You behave and sit over there while Hinata-neechan and Ino-neechan does your hair and makeup, okay?" Kurenai coaxed and the little girl nodded in obedience as she hopped into a chair as Hinata and Ino started working on her.

Hinata braided her long hair into a neat french braid. After which, she pinned pink little Daisy pins to her hair. Ino did the child's make up as well, making sure it was light since Mirai was only a kid and she wanted to maintain the child-like, innocent look on her face.

After the Kurenai and Mirai were done, Ino went to check on the venue and the flower arrangement. Sakura came to help her as well. Kurenai couldn't help but become grateful to everyone who was exerting effort to make her special day perfect.

In the room next to the bride's was the groom, who had been doing some 'grooming' himself. He combed his spiky, silver hair as his student and best man, Naruto straightened his blue Kimono that had a hand-embroidered dragon on it. After doing so, he added the final touch to the kimono, pinning three yarrow flowers to it. The young shinobi held two thumbs up at him as he winked.

"Looking good, Sensei. She'll go head over heels for you for sure.-ttebayo!" Naruto complimented excitedly as the Sixth hokage paced back and forth inside the room in panic.

"Could you stop that?! It's making you look less cool." Sasuke hissed at his sensei as he sat on the corner, looking bored with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Lighten up, Sasuke. It's a wonderful day today. Could you at least act a little happy for once?!" Naruto complained as he eyed at his melancholic best friend.

"What if she changes her mind or something?" Kakashi asked nervously as he sat on a chair and breathed heavily.

"It says here in a book that marriages tend to be postponed or cancelled because of confusion. It's either the bride runs away or the groom doesn't come." Sai said as he read one of his stupid books out loud. Sasuke could only face palm.

"Seriously, this is the guy you guys tried to replace me with?! Come on?" Sasuke said as he snickered.

Just then things started to go more out of hand when the door opened revealing Maito Gai with Lee and Neji by the door. Neji had a poker face on as he tried to tolerate the other two. Lee sprinkled flowers all over the place as he skipped merrily inside Kakashi's room.

Gai went to hand Kakashi a bouquet of flowers.

"Congratulations, Eternal Rival! Your flames of youth are burning with love!" He said as he handed the flowers to Kakashi who accepted them hesitantly.

"Uhm… Thanks I guess…" Kakashi said nervously.

"A bunch of idiots…" Sasuke muttered under his breath.

"I agree…" Shino said as he sat beside him.

Just then, Shikamaru came with Chouji and Kiba to congratulate him as well.

"Woah there. You've got the groom's place all girl-ed up!" Kiba laughed as he entered.

"Talk to these two over here. It's their entire fault." Neji sighed as he massaged his temples as he sat beside Shino.

Kakashi simply scratched his head sheepishly. His place got a bit chaotic with all the boys who just entered, making it harder for him to think clearly.

"If you want to look real good you've got to take off the mask, Sensei." Kiba remarked as he put an arm around Kakashi's shoulder. "-And relax. She wouldn't run away from the wedding."

Kakashi chuckled as he gave Kurenai's student a pat on the back. For so many years, Kiba along with Hinata and Shino have been looking out for Kurenai. It took a lot of steps for him to gain their trust. The three students of team 8, were very protective over her. It made Kakashi feel glad that finally they have begun to loosen up to him.

"Yo, Sensei! I agree with Kiba. Lose the mask. How's the photographer gonna take good pictures of you?" Naruto persuaded since he found it pretty pathetic that his teacher is planning to wear his stupid mask on the most important day of his life.

Kakashi thought for awhile. He always wears the mask. He had been wearing it ever since he was a child. To him the mask was like a security blanket, one he'd wear to obscure his emotions from enemies during missions. It was hard to let go of it. But on his wedding day, he was no shinobi. He is Kurenai's husband-to-be. There was no need to hide anything from her. It was about time that he'd learn to trust the people around him, especially her whom he'd be sharing his whole life with. He slowly pulled down his navy-blue mask and placed it inside his luggage, taking his student's advice.

It took a while until Yamato came in with a smile on his face as he called for the groom, his best friend and former captain back when both he and Kakashi were in part of the ANBU black ops.

"Everything's all set!" He said. "Entourage is about to start!"

With that said the people in the room were lessened as the others went to the venue and only the ones left in the room were those who were part of the entourage and the groom.

A nice soft Japanese traditional wedding music played as the participants of the wedding entourage entered one by one. First to enter was the groom's best man, Naruto, followed by Kakashi, who had his knees shaking with every step he took. It was unusual for him to feel nervous considering how composed he is during battles. It was truly mysterious how love can change anyone, including him.

His heart beat fast with every step he took. It was a good thing that his shaky hands were being obscured by the long sleeves of his kimono, otherwise it would be so uncool to look at in the wedding video also, there were a lot of important people in the venue watching. His predecessor, Tsunade Senju was already in front of the aisle as the officiant of the wedding. The hokage were usually the ones assigned to officiate weddings in Konoha. In Kakashi's case, since he is the current hokage, the precedent is the one in charge of the rites.

He kept a nervous smile on his face as soon as he reached the right edge of the aisle where he stood, watching the bride's maids and grooms men in pairs as they walked, waiting for his lovely bride to come. He tried to keep his breathing steady with every pair that came in, Yamato with Yugao, Iruka with Anko, Gai with Shizune, Sasuke with Sakura, Sai with Ino, Neji with Tenten, Shikamaru with Temari, Chouji with Karui, as he counted down to the moment he has been waiting for. Kakashi noticed that on that day, love truly was in the air. It made him happy that just like him, the others have found their only one.

As soon as Hinata, the maid of honor, came entering, Kakashi turned to look at Naruto with a 'knowing' look on his face. He chuckled to himself as soon as he noticed how giddy his student was at the sight of the Hyuuga princess. When Hinata got to her place, Kakashi felt excited and nervous at the same time. It was the moment he had been waiting for and he just couldn't stand still as he painstakingly waited for his bride to arrive.

Kurenai kept a sweet, bright smile on her face as she entered with Mirai escorting her as she walked down the aisle. Traditionally, it is the father of the bride that does the ushering, but since Kurenai had lost her father in the war long ago and that the one whom Kakashi had to get approval from was actually Mirai, they decided that it would be alright that she'd do the ushering instead. Mirai loved the idea and immediately agreed to it. She held her mother's shaky hand and gave her a smile as she looked up at her. Together they slowly and gracefully walked down the aisle. Kurenai felt her heart beat against her chest as she saw her husband-to-be waiting for her with a smile on his face that she could clearly see since he didn't wear the mask at that moment. She let out a soft sigh as she and her daughter finally made it at the end of the aisle, in front of the altar, relieved that she had managed to walk without tripping on her shaky legs. Mirai smiled as she placed her mother's hand on Kakashi's. She beamed brightly at him, giving him her approval.

"She's all yours." She said giggling. Kakashi smiled at her as he bent down to her height and reached for her small, soft hand, planting a soft, gentle kiss on it.

"Thank you, princess…" He told her. The guest couldn't help but sigh and react at the cute gesture. Mirai couldn't help but blush, feeling shy about the attention given to her. Kurenai gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek, before letting her walk gracefully to her seat.

Mirai watched excitedly as Kakashi took Kurenai's hand in his and helped her get up the platform since it was a bit difficult for her with her kimono dress so long. The two took their seat in front of the altar as the rites were done.

As soon as it was time for their vows to be said, Kakashi and Kurenai faced each other. He looked into her eyes and held her hand. He took a deep breath before he started,

"For the years that I've spent my life as a shinobi of the leaf, I have experienced so much pain as everyone I loved were taken away from me. My heart grew cold as I watched them die and failed to protect them.-Chichue, Obito, Rin, and Sensei… I have been sad for so long that I never thought I'd be happy again. I was afraid of losing more people I loved, so I pushed everyone away, including you who cared about me. You were one of the people who pursued to have me become a jonin sensei and let go of the cold, dark life of an ANBU. Despite how cold and heartless others saw me, you became one of the few who saw the kindness inside me. You loved me, flaws and all. You made me see how bright this world can be though often it may seem so pitch-black. I have done so many mistakes and I have a lot of regrets. I have failed to protect a lot of people I loved, but this time I won't. I'll get it right this time… I'll protect you and Mirai with my life… I am not perfect. There may be times that you wouldn't be able to stand me. There will be tough times, but I promise I will love you for the rest of my life and do whatever it takes to make you happy. "

Kurenai saw the sincerity in Kakashi's eyes as he spoke his vows. She looked into his onyx orbs, lost in it as she listened to his words of love. ( A.N. I find this really cheesy. Hahaha Sorry for that…)

"That's just really lovely…" Sakura sighed dreamily as she thought of her own wedding day with Sasuke.

"I know right…"Ino agreed sighing as well as her thoughts drifted to her boyfriend, Sai.

Hinata on the other hand, kept silent on her seat and blushed as she imagined her own wedding day with Naruto.

"I freaking need a drink. Ugh…" The lovely Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei muttered in her seat as she rolled her eyes in bitterness, feeling really envious over the sight before her. She couldn't help but feel bad that she was almost forty years old and still no one dared to court her. She feared of growing old single and felt a bit pressured seeing her fellow Kage get married.

As soon as Kakashi finished saying his vows, Kurenai had her turn. She took a few moments to stare at his face before she let her feelings out as she spoke.

"You came into my life, unexpected. Back then, I had everything about my life planned out and every plan I made had Asuma in it. When he died, I was lost. I didn't know which path to take. The world seemed so dark to me. I was afraid for Mirai and myself. I didn't know what to do, but you came. In darkness, I found you. You became my light, Kakashi. Through all those times I felt so lonely, you stood by my side and understood me. You took care of Mirai and me. You loved not only me, but Mirai as well. You have so much kindness in your heart than what you thought you had and I want to be by your side to keep reminding you of that. I want you to be the one I'd first see when I wake up in the morning and the last, before I go to bed. You may have not been my first love, but I promise you'd be my last."

'You may have not been my first love, but I promise you'd be my last.' Her words replayed like music in his ears.

As soon as the two have finished saying their vows, Tsunade proceeded with the rites.

"Do you Hatake Kakashi, take Yuhi Kurenai to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?" Tsunade asked as she turned to the groom who answered with an immediate and sure, "I do." She then turned to the bride to ask,

"Do you Yuhi Kurenai, take Hatake Kakashi to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?" which Kurenai answered with a confident I do, since she was very much sure that he was the person she would like to spend the rest of her life with. Upon having heard their response, Tsunade had them signed a few papers and finally proclaimed them husband and wife.

The couple blushed a deep shade of crimson as soon as they heard the words, "You may now kiss the bride." Kakashi went even more nervous at the thought of kissing Kurenai in front of so many people. It wasn't that he was ashamed of kissing her. Kurenai knew Kakashi loved her so much and that he just wasn't the showy type and she understood very well. He preferred to keep their skinships private.

Despite the finding the situation quite nerve-racking, Kakashi gathered all his courage. He painstakingly and slowly leaned forward to brush his lips gently against hers in a chaste, passionate kiss, finally sealing themselves in a lifetime commitment.

A.N. Hi guys! New story here and I hope you like it. Since this is post-war fanfic, expect the scenario to be more peaceful. Haha.

I hope you liked the wedding. I hope it isn't rushed or corny, especially the vows part. I find it kinda cheesy and disturbing. XD hahaha I actually had a hard time writing the vows of the couple since I'm single and forever alone… Hahaha LOL

Anyway, there are lots of mushy, fluffy stuff to come.

Slight Spoiler (Since Christmas is coming soon and I wanted to be generous haha): Chapter two will cover the reception. ;) There might be a Yamato X Yugao moment there as well.

You guys might be wondering about the title. You'll find out as the story progresses. :D

With love,

~Kei-chan