The Wedding

A small ShikaTema or ShikaMari dedicated to all fans and newcomers. I don't own the Naruto franchise but I enjoy it and think it's a darn good show and manga.

The clouds soared gently as if all the care in the world had vanished. There were many shapes and sizes and as the young man looked up he gave a small sigh as to what was about to happen. He was wearing a loose black shirt under a green vest, his ears bore silver studs and his hair was tied up in a bun, which looked like an oversized pineapple sticking out of the back of his head. He sat on the swing and swung himself back and forth slowly.

He sighed once again.

'I can't believe It's my wedding day,' he bowed his head, feeling a mixture of emotions. 'I don't even know whether to be happy or sad. What a drag …'

It had been almost five years since he met Temari during the Chunin exam, even then he found her attractive though he didn't mention his feelings until three years later, during a mission.

"Five years," he thought. "It's been a long time."

There a small "puff" and smoke billowed the area.

'There you are,' said the familiar voice.

'Oh it's you, what do you want?'

There standing in front of him was a tall man with dark hair that resembled a mushroom. He had round eyes and thick eyebrows to match and was wearing a formal suit rather than the traditional green jumpsuit.

'To get you to your wedding,' he replied. 'Get up it is almost time.'

'Relax,' he waved his hand as if hitting a fly. 'I've still got five hours until it starts. Go bother someone else will ya, I'd like to be left alone.'

There was another "puff" and a billow of smoke.

'Ah found him,' he said to Lee.

'He wishes to be left alone,' he replied.

'Get up Shikamaru, this is your wedding,' said the long haired man with pale white eyes. He too was dressed in formal attire. 'Everyone's ready and you're still not dressed.'

'There still five more hours,' he repeated himself. 'What will everyone do sit on their butts until its sore?'

'It is the principal of the matter,' Rock Lee replied impatiently. 'Temari is already dressed and the guests of Konoha are arriving.'

Shikamaru stood upright, yawned and stretched his arms.

'Besides, Naruto is supposed to be getting my clothes.'

'You sent Naruto?' they both said shocked.

'Yeah sure, the guy wanted to do something so I sent him on an errand.'

'Great,' said Neji rubbing his forehead as if it were in pain. 'This'll be interesting.'

Another puff.

'There you are,' said another figure. This one had short hair and what seemed to be red paint on both his cheeks. 'C'mon, everyone's here already.'

'Guess what Kiba?' Neji smiled. 'He doesn't even have his clothes yet.'

'What?' he said taking two steps back. 'Well then where is it?'

'Naruto,' he replied.

'What?' he said in a louder tone. 'You sent Naruto to get your things?'

'Don't worry he'll get it,' he sighed. 'Hopefully I haven't made a big mistake.'

'On Naruto getting your things?'

'No … on this wedding.'

The brides' room was decorated in pink flowers and tassels of red. Temari was wearing a pink wedding kimono which matched what the bridesmaids were wearing, everyone from Sakura to Tenten were dressed and prepared for the joyous day to come. A head popped into the tent, it was Neji.

'How are we doing today?' he said trying to keep calm.

They all looked at him and giggled.

'Wow Neji, you can look cute when you want to,' said Tenten, which made all the other girls giggle more.

'Uh …' He went red.

'Oh, she's just teasing,' said Sakura trying to tie a hair band. 'What can we help you with?'

'Actually I was wondering if I could talk to you outside for a moment.'

'Uh … sure,' she replied, puzzled.

'We've got a problem,' he said once they were outside. 'Shikamaru's having second thoughts.'

'What?' she cupped her mouth with both her hands, 'Are you sure?'

'Well we've been looking for him all day. And when we found him he wasn't even dressed.'

'I hope he's not planning to leave at the last moment.'

'Don't worry; I have Kiba and Rock Lee with him.'

'Oh thank goodness,' she sighed.

'Yeah but that's not the worst part,' he replied. 'Apparently he sent Naruto to fetch his clothes and he hasn't come back yet?'

'He sent Naruto?'

There was a silent whip and his head burned.

'Ow!'

'He sent Naruto,' she said again.

'Why did you slap me for?' he rubbed his head.

'Because getting the suit was your job Neji, and you were supposed to get it a week ago.'

'I'm sorry,' he replied. 'But since the whole wedding thing, Tenten was getting all excited; she wouldn't stop talking about our wedding.'

'Is everything alright,' said Tenten as she appeared from the tent. 'I heard my name and Temari was wondering what was taking so long.'

'Shikamaru is having second thoughts about the wedding,' she whispered.

'Is he?'

She looked at Neji who gave a slight nod.

'Gosh, never thought Shikamaru …'

'We have to go talk to him,' said Sakura.

She popped her head in the tent.

'Uh girls, we'll be right back kay?'

'Is everything okay?' said Temari, a slight confusion in her voice.

'Yeah everything's fine,' she smiled. 'Well it will be until I find Naruto.'

'What's that supposed to mean,' said Ino with a sly smile.

'Nothing, uh, be right back.'

She popped her head out once again.

'Right, Tenten we have to go talk to Shikamaru.'

'And me?'

She dug her finger in his chest. 'You find Naruto and sort this mess out.'