Chapter 3

The wedding

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto…nor Shikamaru, Temari, Sakura, Sasuke, etc...

The church's bell rang. Everybody was sitting on Suna's church benches, looking at the doors. Shikamaru was waiting near the priest, with Chouji and Kiba as groom. Everything was silent when the doors finally opened. Shikamaru was astonished. Temari was wearing a sumptuous white dress. She looked radiant. At this precise instant Shikamaru could see nothing but her. He didn't notice Sakura behind her, smiling at Naruto's surprised face, nor Hinata blushing when Gaara looked at her, nor Ino avoiding Suigetsu's look, nor Karin desperately looking for Sasuke. No, Shikamaru had forgotten all the other persons and was only looking at her. She was the most wonderful person in the world, and he was about to live with her forever. She was the one. She slowly came to him, took his hand and they both listened to the priest. Shikamaru felt he wasn't here, like he was floating above his body, seeing himself move but without feeling it, like he was a witness. Suddenly, he heard the voice of his beloved, saying her vows:

_ "Shikamaru, when I first saw you I thought you were a random guy with a pineapple-like head" Everybody laugh" then, during the chûnin exam I discovered how talented you were. And the more I came and spend time with you, the more I discovered new qualities, until I could only see that. And now, more than any time, I know that accepting to marry you was my best choice I ever made."

_ "Temari, when I look at you I can see beauty, kindness, intelligence and perfection. But what I see above all that is the woman of my dreams, the one for who all the trouble in the world are worthy. You are the one that I, and always will, love."

Every girl in the church were in tears

The priest gave them the alliances.

_ I, Temari, accept to take Shikamaru as my husband, to cherish and love him, until death

_ I, Shikamaru, accept to take Temari as my wife, to cherish and love her, until death

_ Then I declare you husband and wife

At this precise moment Jugo whistled and hundreds of doves came in, encircling the new married couple, who were kissing. All the birds pushed them outside and everybody threw some rice on them. Then they sat on a sand cloud made by Gaara to go directly to the cocktail party, still holding on each other. All the girls hurried in excitement, the party was about to begin.

At this moment a lot of events happened simultaneously. For this reason you can pass a story if you can't stand a character without being disturb later (I will summarize in a few sentences). Even thought I would advise to read all, out of curiosity.

The party was in full swing when Hinata saw Gaara getting out of the village square silently. She didn't mean to spy on him but she was intrigued. He was always there but never noticed. He seemed nice but as one of the five kages had also good manners. Without even thinking she followed him, not even knowing why. After a few minutes he turned around a corner and he sat down ( she could tell because of her bakuyan). She decided to get back to the party because she was being ridiculous when she heard.

_ "You followed me since I left, so why hesitate now? Show yourself". Said Gaara in a calm voice

_" I…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I just…"

_ "Hinata?"

_ Yes, hum, I probably should be going, It was stupid, I'm sorry.

_ Why did you follow me?

_ I, I just had a question, but It's not important, really. I … I will just return, she replied, glad he couldn't see her blushing

_ Please, come here and ask me, It's ok.

She started moving, like attracted. She stopped. Gaara was sitting on a cliff, for where you had an astonishing view of the desert. The sun was going down so the landscape was full of pink and yellow rays from the dying sun. Everything seemed peaceful, far from the music and the noise of the party.

_ Please, sit down.

_ This landscape is beautiful!

_ I like to come here from time to time

At this moment Hinata felt a lot of loneliness from the boy, while he was looking at the landscape. But the boy quickly turned his gaze upon her.

_ So, this question?

She blushed

_ it's just that, hum, you and Naruto you, you are so strong and confident, but in order to do that you changed, right?

_ If I didn't change back there I don't think you would come to talk to me.

_ yeah, well I normally don't do that, going to people spontaneously, asking question.

_ I already said it, you can ask me whatever you want, Hinata

The young girl blushed a little bit, gathered some will, and finally ask him, looking directly in his eyes

_ How did you change?

The boy seemed puzzled

_ It's just that I'm trying to change myself, be more self-confident, be more powerful. But I can't. I feel so … useless. I, I have a great power in those eyes but It's like I'm too stupid to use them. Look at Neji or Hanabi, they are so skilled and I feel I don't deserve this power. I'm the shame of the Hyuga clan.

Tears were running on her face. She didn't know why but she had said all this. Everything had exploded. She couldn't keep all those feelings inside of here. She had not been able to stop, like if Gaara's gaze had encouraged her to continue.

_ "I'm sorry," she said still crying"I didn't mean to bother you, I…"

She couldn't finish her sentence because the boy had taken her in his arms, comforting her.

_ " Don't worry. You can change if you want. You just have to believe in yourself. Don't lose confidence in yourself; you're better than you think. When Temari speaks of you, she always says positive things. And she is right, you are a wonderful person. You're just different, that's all."

_" thank you Gaara." She said after she stopped crying.

They stayed like this, sitting together, and looking silently at the landscape. The sunshine was really beautiful. Then Hinata break the silence.

_" Gaara?" she whispered

_ Yes

_ "Are you always this lonely?"

_ "what do you mean?"

_ " It's just that when I look at you I feel a lot of loneliness and It sadden me to see you like this."

_ " Don't worry, I just didn't find the person that will like me for who I am and make me feel good"

Hinata yawned

_ " I hope you will find this person, you really are a nice guy" she said, just before she felt asleep on Gaara's shoulders.

It was getting chilly so he put his scarf on the girl shoulders. She seemed very peaceful. Gaara smiled, she was really cute when she was sleeping.

The other stories will come in the next chapter. By the way, could you review? I know it sounds like I'm desperate but I really need your opinions to get better, so was it boring, nice, lame? Well, I hope you enjoyed.