A/N: First off I want to say thank you so much for all the positive feedback from chapter 1! You all are truly amazing people! To the person who posted a review about this story resembling TooDarnLazy's story I Think I, I did get the idea of writing a story about Naruko and Sasuke being forced to marry from reading theirs, but I have no intention of copying their story, I was merely inspired by it. And seeing how their story hasn't been updated in several years I really wanted to write my own version and see it all the way through. Oh and the question of who is more powerful will be answered in the next chapter as well as certain things regarding Itachi…okay no more because I don't want to spoil it.
Anyway…here is the next chapter! Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything…unfortunately.
Chapter 2: Married
She woke at her normal time, just as the sun was peaking over the horizon painting the sky in bright pinks and other shades of red. On a normal day she would clean the sleep from her eyes and get dressed before heading to the training grounds if she wasn't assigned a mission. But today wasn't a normal day, it was her wedding day. Today she was to be married to Sasuke Uchiha, her one-sided best friend and eternal rival. And if this were like any normal wedding the bride would be ecstatic to be married to her fiancé, but Naruko wasn't a normal bride. In a sense she was being forced to marry the teme, because it was marry him or lose everything. So since today was not a normal day, Naruko climbed out of her bed and went straight to the bathroom to shower and wash the grime off her body that had accumulated from her mission. When she had returned and finished reporting in to Tsunade and had a talk with Sakura, Naruko was too tired to shower properly so instead she collapsed onto her bed and fell into a restless sleep.
Thankfully Sakura hadn't been too mad when she learned of the true reason behind the marriage, she did look hurt when Naruko broke the news to her and there was a hint of betrayal in her eyes. And thankfully since Sakura wasn't too upset, she along with Ino and Hinata agreed to help prepare her for the wedding ceremony. Much to Naruko's horror there was going to be an actual ceremony so all of the elders and other important people could attend. So that meant she had to wear a traditional wedding kimono and that's where Sakura and the others came in. After getting dressed in her civilian clothes, a simple pair of black shorts and a white tank top, Naruko glanced at the clock. They would be here in a few hours…great.
Too nervous to eat anything Naruko just sat on her bed until several hours later someone knocked on her door. With a sigh she reluctantly got up and opened the door, all three of her guests were dressed in elegant and elaborate kimonos.
"Time to get you dressed," Sakura said with the best smile she could muster for a day like this. She had decided that she wouldn't be angry over this, since Naruko was in a way forced into this situation. "Where is your kimono?"
"Closet," Naruko replied quietly.
Quickly Sakura walked over to Naruko's closet and slid open the doors to reveal the most beautiful kimono she had ever seen. The second layer was completely white but the top layer held all the beauty. It was the color of the sky on a perfect summer day embroidered with white and dark blue orchids and a white obi, there was also the Uchiha fan embroidered on the back.
Once she was dressed, her three friends started working on her hair and makeup. They kept it simple, using a neutral color foundation, mascara to further bring out her eyes, a touch of blush and a light pink stain for her lips. For her hair, half of it was kept down and flowing in its naturally wavy state with two long strands framing her face. The rest of it was worked into a small braid that hung behind her. After her look was complete Sakura, Hinata and Ino all took a step back and to admire their work.
"Na-Naruko you look b-beautiful," Hinata said as she looked at her friend.
"Yeah, who knew you cleaned up so nicely," Ino remarked teasingly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Thanks guys, I couldn't have done this without you," Naruko said with a smile. "Truly thank you."
"Anything for a friend," Sakura said back, a smile of her own on her face. "Come on, it's almost time." Together the four make their way to Tsunade's office before going to the roof where the ceremony would be held.
"You look beautiful Naruko," Tsunade said with a smile once they all entered her office. "I'm just sorry that it has to be like this."
"It's okay grandma Tsunade, I agreed to do it after all. I just feel a little silly dressed like this. I'm not use to wearing anything other than my shinobi clothes."
"Such a tomboy…Well let's get this over with. After the ceremony and light reception you two will be allowed to return to the Uchiha compound. By the time you get there all of your stuff will have been moved there."
"Figures I'd have to share a house with the teme," Naruko sighed.
"Don't worry, there are plenty of bedrooms. You will only have to share a bathroom, living room and kitchen."
"That's a relief."
"Now enough dawdling, it's time to go." With a deep breath Naruko followed everyone to the roof where the ceremony was to be held. The ceremony itself was going to be short, sweet and to the point, which made Naruko happy.
Upon arriving at the roof, the numerous voices that could be heard in the stairwell immediately died down and everyone stood from their seat as she walked down the aisle that had been created by the rows of chairs and to the front where Tsunade and Sasuke stood. As she walked she could see the many friends she had made over the years standing there with happy smiles on their faces all dressed in traditional kimonos or other fancy clothes. Sitting at the front was Sakura, Sai, Kakashi and the pervy sage along with the elders. A scowl couldn't help but find its way on her face upon seeing them, but it quickly left when reached the front.
Sasuke was also dressed in a traditional kimono. His haori was a dark blue with a large Uchiha fan embroidered on the back with a white obi around his waist and his hakama was a dark grey in color. And of course his hair was still in its usual style.
"As you all are aware, we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Sasuke Uchiha and Naruko Uzumaki in marriage," Tsunade greeted the audience before continuing on with the ceremony. After a short speech of respecting one another and sticking by each other's side no matter what, they each took a smaller lit candle and lit a larger candle, they then exchanged rings. "You are now husband and wife, as a sign of your union, you will now kiss each other."
Hesitantly Naruko turned to face her new husband with a slight blush on her face. She had never actually kissed anyone before. The time her and the teme had accidentally kissed all those years ago at the academy didn't count because as said it was an accident. But would Sasuke actually kiss her here in front of all these people? What should she do? She could see the slight smirk on his face as he leaned in closer to her, and before she knew it the kiss was over. He had just lightly brushed his lips against hers for a few seconds before drawing back. And even though it wasn't a full kiss, her heart was still threatening to beat out of her chest. After their "kiss" everyone in the audience stood up and started clapping as her and Sasuke walked back down the aisle and to the large hall where the reception would be held.
The reception wasn't extravagant by any means because there wasn't any music to dance to or even a cake. Instead there was a table with some light refreshments for the guests to enjoy before taking their leave. Throughout the so called reception, several people whom Naruko had never met before came up to congratulate them and wish them a long and happy marriage. Sasuke of course just stood there while Naruko would smile and bow politely in thanks for their well wishes. But then a group of four people dressed in shinobi attire that hadn't been at the wedding and whom Sasuke had never seen before suddenly appeared before them. "Congratulations captain," the one with shoulder length chocolate colored hair and bright hazel eyes greeted as they bowed their heads respectfully. Immediately her fake and polite smile turned into a true one that made her eyes sparkle.
"Thanks Haru," she replied happily with a wide grin.
"How long will you be on leave?" another man from the group asked.
"Tsunade said she would give me a week off, but I'll more than likely be back sooner seeing how you four are incapable at functioning without me," she laughed.
"Just as long as marriage doesn't make you soft," a third voice added in, the man smiling.
"Don't worry Seji. I'll still be able to kick your ass whenever I want, even while wearing this horrid dress." At that they all erupted in laughter, but Naruko stopped when she saw the scowl on Sasuke's face. "Thanks for coming you guys. I'll see you all later, still lots of people to greet."
"Forgive us for taking up so much of your time," the one named Haru said politely. "We will take our leave," they all politely bowed their heads before they left.
But their absence wasn't noticed because not a second later two more people walked up, "congratulations to the both of you," the person said smugly. "I hope you have many happy years together."
At having to hear the old woman's smug voice so full of false sincerity, it took all of Naruko's willpower to not draw one of her unseen kunai and carve off the old cow's face. "Thank you lady Koharu," Naruko replied with a deadly sweetness in her voice and a sadistic grin on her face, making sure to have her fangs exposed. Her tone made the pompous elder take a step back in fear for her life which quickly made Homura, the other village elder, bow his head respectfully before he drug lady Koharu away.
OoOoOo
They called her captain, Sasuke mused to himself as the four unfamiliar shinobi greeted Naruko. Looks like the dobe is the captain of her own ANBU squad, she's still weak, his thoughts made a scowl form on his face. Afterwards Naruko politely dismissed the group, however their presence was soon replaced with another.
"Congratulations to the both of you, I hope you have many happy years together," the old woman said smugly.
Shortly afterward Naruko spoke up, the sound of her voice was deadly and it dripped with murder. He also didn't miss how her teeth were fangs. Though he didn't show it, the sound of her voice mixed with her sadistic grin made his blood turn cold. Thankfully the other elder drug the old woman away before things could get out of hand.
OoOoOo
Finally after several grueling hours of people congratulating them before helping themselves to refreshments, the so called reception was finally over. The only guests that remained were Tsunade and Jiraiya. Tsunade only gave her a small smile as she handed Naruko her a set of keys to the Uchiha compound. She then proceeded to glare at Sasuke, sending him silent threats of pain and agony should he harm her goddaughter in any way before she walked away. Jiraiya then placed his hand on Naruko's shoulder, giving her a soft smile before he also left.
When she and Sasuke left Hokage tower the hour was late and the streets were practically empty, with the exception of the occasional drunk trying to find their way home. And though her kimono was comfortable, the plethora of underskirts made it hard for her to walk, soon Sasuke was no longer in her field of vision. He didn't seem to care that she was no longer behind him, nor concerned that she didn't know where the Uchiha compound was. Sighing Naruko closed her eyes and felt for Sasuke's chakra which she found easily. But being not overly eager at having to live with the teme, she took her time and walked around a little while before she finally approached the front gates. Nervously she slowly opened the gate and made her way to the main house which was surrounded by gardens and several koi ponds, fountains included. The grounds were beautiful, even the many buildings that she presumed to be abandoned looked well-kept even though they hadn't been lived in for many years.
The main house was equally as beautiful and with its old style architecture it had an aura of mystery about it. Feeling nervous again, Naruko swallowed loudly before she opened the front door, once inside her jaw dropped in amazement. The wooden floors, dark cherry in color, mixed with the creamy color of the walls made a feeling of warmth spread through her being. Book cases lined the walls of the main living area, all full books and scrolls whose contents she could only guess at. In the center of the room, four large plush looking couches sat arranged in a square surrounding a glass coffee table, there were also several doors leading to other parts of the house.
"I wonder where my room is…" she wondered aloud to no one in particular.
"The bedrooms are through the door to your right which leads to a hallway and your room is the second door on the left," Sasuke said as he suddenly appeared directly in front of her, making her flinch in surprise. "The kitchen is through this door, that door leads outside," he continued as he pointed to each door. "And then the last door on the right in the bedroom wing is the bathroom."
"Thank you."
"Hn."
Suddenly feeling tired Naruko walked through the door that Sasuke had said led to the bedrooms and then walked up to the second door on the left. Letting out a sigh, she opened the door, expecting to see a plain room with her stuff sitting in boxes. Instead a large bed covered in a giant bright orange plush comforter with many equally plush looking pillows sat pushed up against the far right corner of the room. A thick carpet covered most of the floor, except for the edges of the room the dark wooden floors could still be seen. There was also a simple desk with a chair pushed up against the opposite wall as her bed and the rest of the walls were then covered in more book cases that were overflowing with books and scrolls. Feeling a little overwhelmed, Naruko slowly walked into her new room after closing the door and stood there in awe because her old apartment wasn't even this extravagant. Having noticed another door to her left she slid it open to reveal an enormous closet filled with clothes and a dresser that was also filled with various items, some of the clothes even still had tags on them.
"Where did all of you come from?" she wondered aloud. "Guess I'll ask grandma Tsunade next time I see her. Now, do I want a bath and then sleep or sleep and just take one tomorrow…" a sudden yawn quickly answered her question and after rummaging through her dresser and pulling out a pair of blue boy shorts and a bright orange t-shirt, she quickly changed before she allowed herself to collapse onto her new bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.
OoOoOo
He knew that somewhere along the way Naruko had fallen behind, but honestly he really didn't care, she would find the Uchiha compound…eventually. He did think that she looked beautiful in her dress, the different shades of blue had really brought out her eyes, however he would never admit it to anybody. He would also never admit that he had gotten worried when Naruko still hadn't shown up even after he had already bathed and was preparing to go to bed, but when he finally heard the door open he felt a tiny sense of relief. He had heard her wondering aloud where her room was and only because he didn't want her to snoop he explained what was where before going to the kitchen for a glass of water. He had also seen her standing in the doorway with her jaw hanging open in amazement at her room. After a few minutes she had closed the door and presumably went to sleep. Not caring if her room was adequate enough he went to his own room and collapsed into his own bed, but for some reason he couldn't fall asleep.
The way she looked at that Haru guy earlier, how her eyes sparkled when he walked into the room, there was something about that that bugged him and he didn't know why. The question of what he was going to do with his life was also eating away at his conscious. What should he do now? Tsunade had told him it would be around a year before he would be reinstated as a shinobi, but honestly is that what he really wanted? To go on missions and risk his life for a village he felt no need to protect? Then what about reviving his clan? He wanted to ensure that the Uchiha name would endure and not end with him, and the thought of him doing that with the dobe only stirred up more emotions and questions. He didn't love her and surely would never think of having a family with her and surely she felt the same. He could remember when they were younger that the dobe would talk with Sakura about how someday she wanted to have a big family sometimes during missions. She would go on about how she wanted two boys and two girls in alternating order so they would never be alone and would have someone to talk to, unlike her.
Sometime in the near future the elders, particularly lady Koharu, would come knocking on his door demanding children. Maybe they would allow them to get a divorce once they realized that children between him and the dobe was never going to happen. Then he would be free to marry someone other than her and maybe start a family that way, or he could leave again and make sure this time that nobody could find him. Though if he chose to leave he would be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life and what kind of life is that? Being unable to stop the nagging questions in his mind and becoming agitated from lying in bed chasing after something that wasn't going to come, he rolled out of bed and went to the living room to read one of the many books that called the bookshelves home.
