A/N: All right, guys, this one is UP and LOADED! Yeah! Totally! Just wait for a all the yummy stuff that's gonna happen!


Radio 103.9


Can I jam to your tune?


Neji Hyuuga sighed as he looked at the clock. He reached up to loosen his tie, rolling his neck side to side. He hit the pager.

"Graji? Clock me out. I'm going home." Neji spoke into the speaker.

"Yes, sir, Mr. Hyuuga!"

Neji smirked as he imagined the over enthusiastic assistant saluting to his own pager. Neji stood, tapping his papers into a neat pile before filing them. He smiled one last time at the picture of a young woman with long brown hair before pushing his chair in. He'd be seeing her in a minute anyway.

He stepped out of his office, breathing deeply before turning to go down the hall.

"Neji."

Neji turned to see Hanabi Hyuuga leaning against a door across the hall. He bowed slightly. "Hanabi."

She walked towards him. "Don't be so formal." She walked past him, expecting him to follow.

Despite the fact that Hanabi was nearly eight years younger than Neji, he let her lead and followed her command.

"How are you, Neji? I haven't seen you in a while." She asked casually.

"Well enough." Neji knew she didn't really care. She wasn't exactly the doting young cousin who had just come to see how he was.

"And how's your fiancée? WonTon?"

"It's TenTen." Neji tried to keep the irritation out of his voice. Would she just get on with it? "Is there something I can do for you, Hanabi?"

"Yes." She smiled in amusement. "Were you aware that my sister stopped by earlier today?"

Neji blinked. "Hinata?"

Hinata never came to the company building. The coworkers liked her well enough, but she never wanted to risk the chance that she might run into her father or Hanabi and actually have to talk to them.

"Yes, the only sister I have." Hanabi eyed him. "She wanted to talk to the records department. Apparently, she left with her marriage contract."

Neji stared down at Hanabi blankly. She crossed her arms, tapping her business heels. Hanabi looked like she was twenty-three instead of sixteen when she dressed up in her lilac business suit. She took her family company very seriously.

"Well?" She asked, keeping her patience.

"Why would she want to see her marriage contract?" Neji asked.

Hanabi sighed. "You're the closest to her. I was hoping you could tell me." She turned. "Well, Neji, good seeing you. Tell WonTon I said hi."

Neji set his jaw as she walked away. "It's TenTen."

Neji strode out of the office, barely nodding to the receptionist as he left. He had pulled his cell phone out before he even unlocked the car and was dialing Hinata's number. He held it up to his ear.

He'd just ask Hinata. It was simple as that. She'd probably tell him it was just because her and Kiba had been getting serious lately. Maybe they were wondering about the details or dowry or something. Nothing big.

"Hello?" A male voice answered the phone.

Neji paused. He checked to see if he had dialed the right number. Yes, but that voice was not Hinata's and definitely not Kiba's.

"Hello?" The voice asked again.

"Is Hinata there?" Neji asked, keeping his cool.

"Uh, yeah, but she's kind of busy right now. I'll tell her you called. Who is this again?"

Neji cursed mentally. He didn't want to leave a message. "Neji Hyuuga."

"Ah!" The voice brightened. "Neji! Hey, man, it's great to finally meet you! Well, sort of…at least your voice. Ha ha!"

'Hey man'? Neji quickly interrupted the voices' next sentence. "Who is this?"

"Eh? Oh, right, sorry, this is Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki. You heard of me?"

"Yes." Who hadn't? "I have to go."

"Ok, dude. Maybe I'll meet you some other time, 'k?"

Neji hung up on his laughter. He stared down at the phone in his hand.

Neji jabbed the key into the ignition, frowning as he pulled out of the parking lot and sped down the street.

Hinata, what was going on? Naruto Uzumaki? Why hadn't Hinata told him anything about this? She trusted him, right? Did she realize how much trouble she could get in?

Neji tried to calm himself, trying to reason with himself. Maybe Naruto wasn't the reason Hinata had taken the marriage contract. Maybe…maybe Naruto was Kiba's best man, or something. That had to be it.

Neji calmed down slightly, slowing the car down and then stopping at a red light. He looked around blankly. He was near the mall, so there were quite a few people walking around the streets, crossing during the red light.

Neji leaned forward when he saw a familiar head bobbing through the crowd. Ah, Sakura. She was a nice girl—she took care of Hinata and was friends with TenTen. She'd know what was going on. He was just about to roll down the window to call he over when he noticed a figure walking alongside her.

Neji couldn't see who it was, the guy was wearing a hood, but Sakura was smiling up at him sweetly. It must be Shino.

Just as they were passing the front of Neji's car, Sakura noticed the Hyuuga. Her eyes widened slightly. The man next to her looked around and Neji caught a glimpse of his face. That was most definitely not Shino.

Sakura grabbed Sasuke's hand and dragged him quickly across the crosswalk. Neji looked after them with a vacant expression. Hinata and Sakura? Two of the sweetest, nicest girls he knew. What was wrong with the world?

Neji's tires screeched as he raced ahead when the light turned green. He sped home quickly, thinking of a million questions he would ask TenTen when he got there.

OOOOOOOO

"Sasuke..."

He turned from the mirror to look at Naruto. "What's up?" Sasuke asked, returning to his reflection.

"What are you doing?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing." Sasuke glared at his own reflection before pulling the shirt back off.

"Uh-huh." Naruto said skeptically as he watched a bare-chested Sasuke stomp around the room, digging through his drawers to pull out a different shirt. Naruto glanced down at the pile of discarded shirts in front of the mirror. "What was wrong with those shirts?"

"Nothing."

"Then why aren't you wearing them?"

"No reason."

"Right." Naruto watched Sasuke pull on another shirt. "So, when are you picking up Sakura?"

Sasuke blanched. "What makes you think I'm going somewhere with Sakura?"

Naruto observed him. "Come on, Sasuke, give me some credit." He gestured to the pile. "'Sides, who else would you be worried about looking good for? Which is totally a girly thing to do, by the way."

Sasuke snorted. "What? It's not. I was just looking for this certain shirt. See?" Sasuke held the hem out towards him, as if doing so would make Naruto see reason.

"Whatever you say, Sasuke." Naruto smirked as Sasuke pulled on his shoes and walked toward the door.

Sasuke looked back. "Like you should talk, Naruto. I've seen you go through you're entire closet and mine when you have a date with Hinata." Naruto blushed. Sasuke chuckled and closed his bedroom door.

He glanced down at the shirt he was wearing. Dang it, this one was wrinkly! He grumbled to himself as he walked down the stairs and out to his car, hoping Sakura just wouldn't notice.

OOOOOOOO

"Jerk. Jerk. Jerk!" Sakura cocked the riffle and fired another round at the cardboard dummy at the far end. The dummy's smile had been punctured so many times it almost looked like a frown.

TenTen raised her eyebrows. "Nice shot."

Sakura growled.

TenTen chuckled. "Calm down, would you? It's over, already."

Sakura sighed, looking up. "Yeah, you're right." Her look suddenly hardened. "Ugh! Just the thought of him makes me mad!" She cocked the gun again.

TenTen watched the head of the dummy fall to the ground. The other club members—of Temura Weaponry Agency—at the indoor shooting range looked at Sakura with wide eyes. She ignored them and just ordered for another dummy to be set up.

TenTen shook her head. "I still don't really understand what this fight was about."

Sakura waited impatiently for her new target. "It was just like Sasuke. He just had to make a big deal out of it." Sakura threw her hand in the air. "I mean, come on! Like it was any of his business! Seriously! Why should he care what I do with my life?" The dummy was put in place. Sakura glared at it. "He had no right," Bam! Bam! Bam! "Insulting Shino like that!"

TenTen sighed at the newly fatally wounded cardboard. "Would you like me to staple a picture of Sasuke's face to your next target?" She asked sarcastically.

Sakura gasped. "Could you?"

"I was kidding!"

Sakura's shoulder's sagged. She dropped the gun into the hands of the terrified attendant behind her and sauntered over to where TenTen was sitting at a small table. Sakura halfheartedly picked up one of the bridal magazines TenTen had spread around.

"It's no big deal." TenTen said while cutting out a picture and setting it with her pile. "Sasuke Uchiha should mind his own business. Just forget about it."

"Yeah." Sakura bit her lip, half itching to go back and get the gun. She'd probably forgive him eventually, but right now it's all she could think about. "Let's just talk about something else. What are you doing?"

"Making a bridal scrapbook." TenTen said cheerily.

"Oh yeah?" Sakura shuffled through the pile of cutouts. There were different colors, pictures of veils, dresses, hairstyles, flowers…"What for?"

TenTen rolled her eyes. "Well, my wedding is in two and a half weeks."

"Oh my gosh. I didn't realize it was so soon!" Sakura gaped.

"Well, apparently, neither did I. That is, until Neji's mother called and asked me what color dress she should buy and what day she should help me go shopping. I kind of panicked." TenTen chuckled bashfully. "So, now I have to go into overload mode."

"I'll help." Sakura picked up a pair of scissors and looked intently through a magazine.

Their pile grew as they giggled over this and that. The club members paid their respects to TenTen as they left or entered, smiling down at her and her friend to congratulate them.

"So, how's Hinata and you-know-who doing?" TenTen asked casually.

"Good, I guess." Sakura turned to her friend. "Do you think honor is more important than love?"

"What?" TenTen gave her friend a peculiar look. Sakura just waited. "I don't really know. Honor is important, of course. But I don't know if love cancels it out. Why?"

Sakura sighed. "The last few days Hinata has been pouring over her marriage contract to Kiba, trying to find some kind of loophole."

TenTen stared incredulously. "What?"

Sakura nodded. "Personally, I hope she finds one."

TenTen looked thoughtfully down at her scrapbook. "Is she sure about this?"

"Yes. Her and Naruto are getting kind of serious. But, even in the off chance she doesn't end up marrying him, she's seen the better side of life. She's not going to go quietly back to being tied to someone she doesn't love."

TenTen pursed her lips worriedly. "Her family won't like this. Not at all."

"Will Neji be upset?" Sakura had been told about his 'little' discovery the other day.

"Probably. But not as much as everyone else. Hanabi won't be, though."

Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister, was second in line to inherit the Hyuuga business. She was better suited, too. Hinata knew it, but she didn't really have a choice, anyway. Though Hanabi would probably jump at the first chance to take it.

"I wonder."

The two snipped and glued quietly, both in thought. TenTen, unable to stay in a bad mood while planning the happiest day of her life, whistled to herself. Sakura listened, wishing the mood would rub off on her.

Sakura cocked her head at the figure she had just cut out. It was a man in a tux, smiling up from the picture. Huh. He looked kind of like Sasuke. What a shame Sasuke didn't smile like that more often—well he did…

…Especially when he was making fun of Shino!

"Grr…" Sakura growled.

"Sakura. What are you doing?"

Sakura glanced down at the decapitated magazine clipping in her hand. "Uh…"

"Oh, Sakura, I was thinking about getting Neji that suit!"

"Oops. Sorry."

OOOOOOOO

"Do you think we should match?" Shino asked.

"I don't think it matters. Wear what you want." Sakura smiled at him. She was lying down on one of the campus picnic tables, looking up at the tree above her. Shino sat on the bench next to her.

They were talking about TenTen's wedding. They had both gotten invitations in the mail that morning, and it was scheduled for that next Thursday—the first of May.

"Sounds good to me." Shino propped his chin on his elbows, looking down at Sakura. "Should we at least arrive together?"

Sakura chuckled. "Relax. I have to be there early, since I'm a bride's maid, but we can hang out at the reception."

"Fine." Shino didn't look too happy, but let it go. "There's going to be dancing, right?"

"Course."

He smiled, satisfied.

Sakura smiled fondly up at him. She cocked her head to the side. At this angle, with the sun behind the leaves, his hair looked almost black.

She ran her fingers through his hair. "Have you ever thought about dying your hair? It'd look good black."

He snickered. "Um, no."

"Why not?" She asked, slightly disappointed.

"'Cause." He leaned down closer. "Do we really have to talk about this, anyway?" He said suggestively, watching her.

Sakura had half a mind to laugh. Was he trying to intimidate her? His eyes had one-eighth the effect on her as someone else's black eyes. He'd have to try harder.

Sakura kissed him back, gently holding the back of his neck. She pulled away after a minute. She pursed her lips. Normally she wouldn't have been the one to do that. But for some reason, it wasn't as satisfying as usual, especially while she was still thinking about those black eyes.

She must just not be in the mood for kissing. Yeah, that was it.

Sakura sat up and pulled out her phone to keep it from vibrating. Speak of the devil. She glanced at the text.

Where are you? It said.

"…and then let's go to that little restaurant down by…Sakura?" Shino looked at her. She was scanning the campus grounds, straining her eyes. "Sakura?"

"Huh, what?" Sakura looked at him, as if she had forgotten he was there.

He chuckled. "I said, let's go somewhere."

"Uh," Sakura paused as she saw the spiky black head of someone walking on the other side of the wall. "No, I-I gotta do something." She jumped off the table and grabbed her bag. She back peddled, pecking Shino on the cheek quickly. "I'll see you later, ok?"

Shino sighed as he watched her hurry across campus and disappear. "Ok."

Sakura broke into a sprint when Shino was no longer in view. She dodged around students, headed toward the six-foot brick wall at the far end. She grinned at the black spikes poking over the top of it.

She reached the wall, vaulted, and caught hold of the top. She pulled herself up, keeping herself suspended by her elbows.

"Hey!" She chirped.

Sasuke jumped, looking up at her. "Sakura!"

"I got your message."

He smiled. "Did I interrupt anything?"

"Nope." Sakura shook her head.

"Good. Do you, uh, need help down?" He gestured to the slick wall.

She smiled.

OOOOOOOOO

"I said cashmere, you idiot!" Ino held the phone between her ear and shoulder as she scribbled on a little notepad. "Not that fake stuff!……If you deliver fake to me, so help me, your company will never deliver anything again!……Of course I'm being bossy, I have a wedding to help plan!" Ino jabbed the off button with a manicured nail. She paused. She made a mental note to get her nails redone before the wedding.

Oooh, while she was at it she'd make appointments for Hinata, Sakura, and of course TenTen, too!

Ino scribbled in her notebook again before tucking it away in her bag. Her heels clacked against the concrete as she made her way toward the radio station. She checked her delicate silver watch. Almost 5:00! Sasuke would be off work any second!

She hummed to herself as she walked. She wondered if he'd notice the new skirt she'd bought!

She cocked her head as someone crossed her path. He hadn't seen her, but was texting something into his phone.

Ino brightened. Sasuke! She hurried forward, turning the corner and trying to catch up with him. She blinked. Wow, he was fast. He was already far, far ahead of her. She sighed, reaching down to pull off her heels. She jogged the length of the campus wall after him.

She smiled as she turned the last corner and saw him standing just thirty yards away.

"Sas—!" She froze mid wave. Her smile turned to confusion as she watched him talk to Sakura who was perched on the wall above him. Ino's heart lurched. Sasuke was smiling.

Sakura swung her legs over the edge of the wall. Sasuke reached up and eased Sakura to the ground with more gentleness than Ino had ever seen him use. Sakura bounced lightly as she tapped the ground, beaming up at him. He said something to her and they started toward the parking lot. Sakura paused to readjust her bag, before skipping to catch a waiting Sasuke's hand. He didn't pull away, or even look sickened.

Ino stared, aghast, as Sasuke opened the door for Sakura to slip into his car. The heels dropped from Ino's hands as the Ferrari pulled out and drove away.

"…What?"

OOOOOOOOO

"That one looks good." Sakura commented.

Sasuke made a face. "Hn."

"What's wrong with it?" Sakura, realizing again that they wouldn't be leaving soon, picked up her magazine.

Sasuke turned to the attendant. "What else do you have?"

The attendant, with stars in her eyes, quickly replied. "Are pinstripes your thing, Mr. Uchiha? Or maybe plaid, Mr. Uchiha? Oooh, if you'd like something peppier, Mr. Uchiha I could find something!"

Sasuke's eye twitched. "I'm just going to a wedding. All I need is a simple suit."

"Of course, sir, Mr. Uchiha, sir." The attendant pulled off the suit jacket as he walked.

"I'll be back," he said to Sakura before dipping behind the dressing room door.

The attendant handed the next suit to him over the top before skipping back to wait. Sakura glanced up at her. She glared back. Sakura sighed.

She'd been getting that look a lot, lately. Ever since Sasuke had taken her advice and stopped wearing ridiculous disguises when they went out it seemed as though the female population of the world wanted to bore holes in her. Sakura ignored the attendant and looked down at her magazine.

They were in a B&Js Suits store in the mall. Sasuke had 'allowed' her to tag along when he went to pick one up for TenTen's wedding. Naruto had gotten an invitation as well. So had half of Japan's aristocrats. Apparently, this was going to be a pretty well covered event.

So, Sakura sat in a chair at the back of the store, surrounded by expensive suites and angry attendants. A few teenage girls had wandered in when they heard Sasuke Uchiha was in the mall. They were now wandering through the isles, pretending to be interested while secretly giggling and pointing toward the dressing rooms.

Sasuke stepped out of the dressing rooms again. He stood on the platform in front of the three way mirrors. "What do you think?"

Sakura looked up. "It looks good on you." Pfft. Not that he should really ask her opinion—she thought everything looked good on him.

Sasuke turned back and forth, fingering the lapels. Sakura held her breath, mentally crossing her fingers and hoping he would just accept this one so they could leave.

"Maybe." Sasuke marched back to the dressing rooms. The attendant followed, smirking back at Sakura. Sakura groaned, flopping back in her chair.

He was so picky. And she was so bored! She huffed, grabbing a jacket from the discarded pile of rejected suits. She scowled at it, before trying it on.

She stood on the platform. It was huge on her, completely swallowing her in folds of fabric. And yet it had fit Sasuke just right. She thought she could even feel his body heat still on it.

She stood up straighter and twisted side to side. She made a face and tried to imitate Sasuke's voice. "Hn. These petty suits are too good for the Sasuke Uchiha! Bah, my looks will put your little company to shame."

"Ha ha, you're so funny," Sasuke said sarcastically as he rounded the mirrors again.

Sakura continued her fake voice, fingering a nonexistence mustache. "A look alike?" She said looking him up and down. "Hmm, possibly even an assassin to get rid of the Sasuke Uchiha! Very well, I will leave this place, but not until I bore my poor, weak, beautiful friend Sakura to death."

Sasuke rolled his eyes as he stepped up next to her. Drama queen. Sasuke tugged on Sakura's collar. "Huh. I don't think it's really your style."

Sakura groaned again, thumping her head against his shoulder. "Sasuke, I'm so bored! We've been here forever! Can you please pick one so we can go?"

He patted Sakura's head. "You poor, tortured soul."

Get me out of here, Uchiha. Now. She pouted up at him.

He chuckled. The attendant behind them blushed. "Fine." He turned around. "Which one do you think?"

Sakura scanned the two designated 'maybes' the blushing attendant was holding up. "I don't know. They're both good."

"What color is your dress?"

Sakura looked back up at him. "Huh? My dress? It's peach."

"Peach?" Sasuke looked slightly disgusted. She nodded. He shrugged and turned back around. "That one." He pointed. The attendant nodded.

"That one? Just like that?" Sakura let him lead her off the platform and take her jacket. "How come that one?"

"It'll match you better."

Sakura reddened. "Oh."

Sasuke didn't seem to notice. He gestured to the attendant before heading back to the dressing room.

Minutes later, with Sasuke back in normal clothes, he and Sakura stood in front of the counter.

"Here's you receipt, Mr. Uchiha," The same attendant smiled at him. "Your suit will be pressed and steamed, before you come to pick it up. Don't worry," She batted her eyelashes. "It's on the house."

"Aa." Sasuke pocketed the receipt without glancing twice at her. He turned leading Sakura out of the store.

Sakura glanced over her shoulder when she felt the heat of the attendant's glare at the back of her head. Sakura stuck out her tongue. She kind of felt sorry for the poor girl, but not that sorry.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Sasuke reached into his pocket as they wandered through the mall. He handed Sakura a small business card.

"Hmm, what's this?" Sakura looked down at it. It was all black, with the words "When you can't stand…" She turned it over. "We do." In small letters in the corner was the name Hokage Hospitals. "Uh, ok?"

"Your clinic is owned by Hokage Hospitals." Sasuke said simply.

"Is it?"

"Yeah. I kind of have connections there, so I called around and they said they'd take your resume." Sasuke quickly looked at her. "You don't have to go, of course. I just thought that you might at least want the choice."

It took a second to sink in. "Wait…you got me a job?"

"Well, an internship, at least. And you'd have to take some extra courses at school."

For a minute Sakura was confused. Then she smiled warmly. How sweet of him, trying to look after her!

"Hold up, how'd you get my resume?" Sakura pocketed the card while squinting up at him, as if looking through his head for some kind of robot inside his brain.

He ignored the question. "Think of it as payment for everything."

She grinned slyly. "That's kind of stalker-ish, don't you think?"

He blanched. "It is not."

She smiled, bouncing innocently as she walked. Stalker.

I am not. He turned away, hiding an embarrassed blush.

She jabbed him with her elbow. Admit it. You're totally stalking me.

Quit it, would you? He pulled her hand away when people started staring. Not that they weren't already. "Let's just get to talking about what we're going to do about the Trixum Three and Naruto during the wedding."

"Whatever you say." She swung their hands forward and back, snickering at his glare. Stalker.

OOOOOOOO

"TenTen Temura, do you take Neji Hyuuga, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for the rest of eternity?"

TenTen, blushing demurely, looked up at Neji shyly. Her veil swung about her shoulders delicately as she nodded. "I do."

"Neji Hyuuga, do you take TenTen Temura, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for the rest of eternity?"

Neji, a nervous wreck smiling dreamily, stared straight into her eyes, completely ignoring the priest. "I do."

Neji's fingers shook slightly as he lifted TenTen's veil slowly. He took her hand carefully in his and slid a thin silver band on it, with intricate weavings holding a diamond securely in place.

"You may kiss the bride."

Neji leaned down, taking his wife in his arms, as she leaned into him. The kiss was so gentle, but also passionate and bursting with love. They reluctantly pulled apart.

The cheer that echoed throughout the hall was deafening. Hats were thrown in the air, grains of rice, flower petals, and small children. Everyone reached forward to plant a kiss on either TenTen or Neji as they passed, both of them smiling so wide it seemed like their faces would split.

Sakura, still standing at the altar next to the rest of the bride's maids and groom's men, held onto Ino and Hinata, tears streaming down all their faces. They laughed and sobbed as they watched their friend exit the chapel on the happiest day of her life.

OOOOOOO

"I hope I can be that beautiful on my wedding day," Ino gushed, watching TenTen and Neji dance with dreamy eyes. It was an upbeat song, but TenTen and Neji were standing close together, nuzzling noses, and swaying softly.

"Yeah." Hinata and Sakura sighed enviously.

TenTen's dress must have cost a fortune. It fit her curves perfectly, twisting all the way down to her ankles in perfect folds. The beading was to die for; her veil was astounding, and the ruffles bafflingly ideal. But nothing could compare to TenTen. Her makeup was flawless and her hair had been done by an imported hairdresser, twisting in perfect curls and locks around the top of her head.

But even if she had been wearing rags she was still be beautiful. She was glowing. Her eyes were sparkling as she watched Neji. Men would have killed to be in front of her right then.

And Neji knew it. He hadn't let her out of his sight since they left the chapel to come to the reception. Although he was probably hoping he could be somewhere else, with TenTen, alone.

"Did you help with all this, Ino?" Sakura looked around at the decorations.

Ino beamed. "Yep. Though most of the credit goes to TenTen and Neji's moms."

The reception was being held at the Hyuuga manor, as their own contribution to the honorable couple. There were streamers of flowers hanging around the top of the 50ft ceiling. There were sparkling chandeliers that reflected off the specially designed and installed stain glass windows, casting the whole room in a soft, golden-brownish glow.

There was a stage for the DJ (Kankuro), a bar had been installed in the back, and there was a platform for the elderly and rich to sit and watch the extensive dance floor. There were rose petals scattered on the ground everywhere, and as people stepped on them, they emitted a flowery aroma throughout the room.

"Oooh, look! There's David Anderson!" Ino tugged on her friends' sleeves. "You know, the foreign movie star? I'm going to go say hi!" Ino walked away, waving the self-important man down.

"Good to see she's back to normal." Hinata mentioned, laughing as they watched Ino unabashedly flirt with David.

"Yeah, she's been acting kind of weird around me lately." Sakura said. "I guess it was just all the stress, what with the wedding and all."

"Ah!" Hinata exclaimed.

"What?"

"Naruto! Coming towards us!" Hinata pointed.

Sakura snapped her head around. Naruto and Sasuke were sauntering through the crowd toward them. Sakura flushed. Even though she'd been there when Sasuke had picked the suit, something about the lighting made it much more alluring. Hinata was having similar issues as Naruto neared in his form fitting, very striking evening-look outfit.

"You remember the plan?" Sakura whispered to Hinata. She nodded. "Good." Sakura made eye contact with Sasuke. Ready?

Bring it on. Sasuke stopped a few feet in front of them. Naruto walked ahead.

"Congratulations!" Naruto greeted Hinata with open arms. As he leaned down to kiss her, she turned her head to the side at the last second, his lips falling on her cheek. It wouldn't look odd for someone to kiss a family member of the groom on the cheek; it was just a sign of well wishing.

"It's not me you should congratulate," Hinata smiled up at him, standing a safe distance away.

"Yeah, well, close enough." Naruto grinned.

Sasuke turned to Sakura as Naruto carried a basically one-sided conversation while Hinata politely stayed away from him.

"Think this is going to work?" Sasuke asked.

Sakura snorted. "Maybe. It's a good thing there's a lot of people here."

"Aa." Sasuke grinned.

Sakura eyed him. "What's that look?"

"Nothing."

"What did you do?"

Sasuke shrugged. "I just took the liberty of copying and sending out a few more invitations."

"You little devil, you!" Sakura bumped his shoulder. "Who else did you invite?"

"Everyone from the A, K, and L sections of the phone book."

"Wha? Are you serious?" Sakura's jaw dropped. "You could have invited some psycho murderer to my best friend's wedding!"

"Don't worry, I did background checks on all of them first." Sasuke took the punch glass that she was holding limply and sipped from it.

"All of them?" Sakura asked, shocked. "Where'd you find time to do that?"

"Well, I didn't do it personally. It's some of the perks of being the heir to a family business."

"You really are the devil." Sakura shook her head in awe.

Sasuke smirked. "Don't forget it." He turned back to his friend. Or where his friend had been. "Where'd they go?"

"You lost them?!" Sakura scanned the room frantically.

"Me? You weren't watching either." Sasuke turned her around by the shoulders. "Chill. They're right there."

Naruto and Hinata were standing beside the stage, chatting with Kankuro. Hinata was giggling as Kankuro's attempt to kiss her hand was quickly thwarted by Naruto.

Sakura sighed in relief.

"Don't worry, Hinata's smart. She can handle herself." He put the empty glass on a passing butler's tray. Sakura frowned but waved the butler away.

"Yeah, well…" She turned back to Sasuke. She fidgeted nervously under his gaze. "What are you looking at?"

"That dress looks awful."

"What?!" Sakura smacked him.

"All I'm saying is it's not your color." Sasuke rubbed the back of his sore head. "Who picked peach anyway?"

"TenTen did!" Sakura said indignantly. She glared at him warningly, daring him to retort. To be honest, she loathed this dress. So did Ino and Hinata. It wasn't exactly flattering but it was the curse of being a bride's maid—you never got to look as pretty as the bride.

But, Sasuke, the jerk, had absolutely no room to talk! She was already well aware that he was better looking than her! And after she had tried to get all dolled up, too…

"I just meant—" Sasuke said, trying to redeem himself.

"It's ok," Sakura said coldly. She crossed her arms, looking around the room. "I was just leaving anyway."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Sakura, come on, don't—" He stopped mid-reach for her arm when she waved to Shino, who had just walked in on the other side of the room. She threw a smirk over her shoulder at him, before sauntering of.

"Shino will think this dress looks good on me…" She mumbled as she walked through the crowd.

Sasuke watched Shino wrap his arms around Sakura, his last words still caught in his throat. He snatched a glass from a butler, downed it, and then stalked off in the opposite direction, watching Shino with a glare.

He hoped someone would step on bug man's foot…

OOOOOOOO

Sakura sat on a barstool, looking toward the dance floor, leaning back against the counter. She had kicked her shoes off, her feet throbbing from walking around in them all night. She had hiked her dress up a bit so she could stretch her legs. It probably didn't look very attractive, but she was tired and she didn't care.

She was watching Hinata and Naruto dance right now. Hinata had her hands on Naruto's shoulders, so that she could keep him a safe distance away, since Kiba was watching from a table on the other side of the room. She had danced with Kiba and Naruto most of the night—and Choji and Lee, and a couple other rich youths, so as not to look suspicious—making sure to keep all her expressions strictly friendly and polite when around both of them. So far neither boys looked ticked off, just a little sad they didn't have her all to themselves. But that was to be expected; she was the closest family member to the groom, and they weren't the only ones who wanted to talk to her.

The bride and groom in question had stopped dancing for the moment and were on the platform, circled by their family. TenTen was sitting with her dress fluffed out around her and Neji was standing next to her, one hand protectively on her shoulder. There were a few little kids in expensive looking outfits giggling behind the couple. The two girls seemed to be arguing over whom got to hold TenTen's veil up off the ground while the boy looked up at Neji in awe.

Sakura giggled. They were probably the most beautiful couple she had ever seen, and this was most definitely the most extravagant wedding she'd ever been invited to. Not to mention the longest and most exhausting. She'd excused herself from Shino a few minutes earlier so that she could sit for a while. He was now standing with some men on the other side of the room while they asked his advice about an expedition they were taking to Brazil to study some new species of beetle.

"Look, look, do you see that ice sculpture! Quick, take a picture of me next to it!"

Sakura raised an eyebrow at the couple that had just passed her, headed toward the sculpture. By the way they were dressed and acting, Sakura would bet anything that their last name started with an A, K, or L.

Sasuke had seemed to disappear after their little tiff. Sakura had looked for him a while ago, but he wasn't to be seen. She had thought that from her view point at the slightly elevated bar she'd be able to find him, but so far she'd had little luck.

She sighed, her head flopping back.

"Hey!"

Sakura opened her eyes, only to be met with upside down, liquid brown ones. "Ack!" She jerked back, nearly falling off the stool. She stared at the girl who had snuck up on her.

"Oh, sorry, did I scare ya?" The girl smiled crookedly. She was standing on the opposite side of the counter, her chin propped up in her hands.

"Uh, y-yeah," Sakura relaxed, easing back onto the stool.

The girl chuckled. It was loud and boisterous, shaking her four blonde pigtails from the mere joyfulness of it. She extended a delicate hand to Sakura. "Temari Suna."

"Sakura Haruno." Sakura smiled. She kind of liked this girl already.

"So," Temari looked at her mischievously. "You're Sasuke's girl, huh?"

Ok, maybe she didn't.

Temari laughed as Sakura picked herself, for the second time, up off the ground and back onto the stool. "Wasn't expecting that reaction!"

"I am not Sasuke's 'girl'." Sakura said firmly, narrowing her eyes for good measure.

"Ha ha! All right already," Temari straightened up. "Can I get you somethin' to drink?"

"No, I don't drink."

"Good on ya. But, hey, no worries. Nothing here is even alcoholic. I guess the bride didn't want to risk a bunch of drunks crashing her wedding. " Temari rolled her eyes at the couple bums sitting on the other bar stools. They were looking down disappointedly at their very safe drinks. "How 'bout a soda or water at least?"

Sakura shrugged. "Ok." As Temari turned around, grabbing a glass and a soda bottle from the mini fridges lines up behind her. Sakura looked at the wines all sat up on extensive racks above her. "Are you working here? I wouldn't think that Temari Suna of radio 103.9 would need to."

Temari laughed as she poured Sakura a bubbling glass. "Naw, I was just bored. I told the barman to take a break and I'd watch out for this little heap."

Sakura followed Temari's gaze as she glanced over at a darker corner of the bar. A man with a mustache and a vest sitting there cringed, trying to hide from Temari.

"Hey!" Temari hollered at him, slamming the soda bottle down. Sakura had to pick up her glass to keep it from falling over. "Didn't I tell ya to get out of here?"

"Well, miss…" The barman looked around sheepishly.

"No buts!" Temari pointed toward the dance floor. "Get out there and meet hot, middle aged women!" She commanded harshly, her free hand on her hip.

The barman looked at her for a minute before slipping off his stool and resignedly walking towards the floor. Sakura burst out laughing.

"March, mister!" Temari yelled.

"Yes, ma'am." He muttered, looking back longingly one last time before disappearing.

Temari turned back to a hysterical Sakura. She grinned, scratching the back of her neck. "Heh, well, you get the picture."

Sakura took deep breaths. "Temari Suna, it has been a pleasure meeting you."

"You too." Temari shared her smile. "So," She started, pulling out a rag to wipe the counter. "You're really not dating Sasuke?"

"Ha ha, uh, no." Sakura sipped her drink.

"Shame."

Sakura started. "W-why's that?" Her heart was beating faster.

"'Cause that means I owe my boss fifty bucks. We were betting on it." She shrugged. "He was right. Well, he's always right, but, hey, I tend to challenge that idea a lot."

"He's always right? I thought that was a girl thing." Sakura grinned.

Temari chuckled. "It is. But Shika's pretty girly anyway. All he does is drink tea and sit in the park."

"How's that girly?" Sakura didn't know who 'Shika' was but she was getting the feeling Temari was pretty attached to him.

"Well, I guess it's not too bad. But sometimes it's just annoying, ya know?" Temari put her chin back in her hand. "He's a genius, and yet totally clueless. Men. Seriously."

"Yeah, I know how that is."

"I'll bet. Sasuke's the worst at being clueless. Even when girls are basically shoving their feelings under his nose."

Sakura shrugged. "That's true."

Temari tsked. "It must be tough for ya, Sakura."

"Uh, heh heh…"

"But hey!" Temari held up her fist. "We girls gotta stick together! It may not be easy, but we'll rope our men eventually!"

"He's not…" Sakura stopped when she saw Temari's eager face. She sighed. "Yeah." She smiled slightly, bumping Temari's fist.

"That's the spirit!"

"So, who's Shika?" Sakura said, trying to change the subject.

"The most insufferable, irritating, obnoxious man ever!" Temari huffed, but she was smiling.

Sakura grinned as Temari launched into a heated story. She really liked this girl.

OOOOOOOO

"Hey."

Sakura and Temari turned from their conversation as Sasuke approached.

"Sasuke!" Sakura said surprised. She frowned. "Hey, where have you been, huh? I've been looking all over for you!"

He smirked, looking at Temari. "Yeah, I can see that." He said sarcastically. Temari just gave him a peace sign.

"Anyway, if you're finished, I've got someone I want you to meet," He motioned back the way he'd come.

"Oh, yeah?" Sakura hopped off the stool without thinking twice. "I'll talk to you later, Temari."

"Sure thing. We should hang out—I'll call ya or somethin'." Temari clasped Sakura's hand.

"Definitely." Sakura waved to her new friend as she followed Sasuke into the crowd.

"Where'd you disappear to?" Sakura asked him.

He shrugged. "Just talking with some coworkers. Why, you miss me?"

She snorted. "No! But you were supposed to be helping me watch Naruto and the others!" She was ticked, even though it was her who had left him in the first place.

"I knew you could handle it," He grinned and placed a hand on her head. "But if you wanted to be with me, all you need to have done was ask."

She waved his hand away. "Just tell me who we're meeting."

He smiled and she inwardly sighed. Fine. He was forgiven for being a jerk.

"You'll see."

He led her across the ridiculously long room to a side she hadn't explored before. There was a door leading down a hallway with several rooms on either side. They were only sheltered by a velvet curtain hanging across the doorway, and you could hear groups of laughter or heated discussion wafting into the hallway.

"What's this place?" Sakura asked.

"When the Hyuuga's hold balls and parties these rooms are used for meetings or business trades, because it's a little quieter down this way. Here it is," Sasuke said as they neared a particularly loud room. He lifted aside a curtain for Sakura to enter.

"BWAHAHA!!"

Sakura jumped as she was met with loud, boisterous laughter. The room beyond was well lit, with round couches circled around a coffee table. There were five people sitting, some with their feet on the table, a couple strewn across the sofas, all of them with pink cheeks and holding a half empty wine glass.

Sasuke, who are these people?
Trust me.

"Hey, hey, hey! Sasuke's back!" A man with a shock of white hair and a scar over one eye raised his glass in Sasuke's direction.

"Oooh, and he brought a friend," Another man with shaggy white hair, his face red from drinking, looked her up and down.

Sasuke glared at him. "Leave her out of this, Jiriya." He growled, guiding Sakura around and sitting her down at a relatively safe distance from the man.

Sakura stared at her new company. Besides the two white-haired men there was a busty, blonde woman laughing loudly; a woman with short brown hair staring at her still full glass like it was poison (which it basically was); and a beautiful, exotic woman sitting in the arms of the scarred white haired man.

"Sakura," Sasuke started. "You already know of Jiriya, Naruto's uncle."

"Hey, babe!" Jiriya said a little too loudly. Sasuke glowered at him.

"Uh, hi," Sakura was glad Sasuke was sitting next to her.

"That's Kakashi, my agent." Sasuke pointed. "And that's Rin next to him."

"So, you're the infamous Sakura?" Kakashi smiled at her, but had to pause to hiccup. The woman nodded at Sakura, but didn't say anything.

"And that," Sasuke pointed at the tipsy blonde woman and quiet girl. "Is Tsunade and her partner Shizune."

"Hey, girly, good on ya, snagging Sasuke! Bwahaha!" Tsunade cackled when Sasuke flushed.

"It's good to meet you, Miss Haruno." Shizune said solidly, the only one in the room other than her and Sasuke that looked sober.

"Thank you," Sakura smiled, shaking her hand.

"Bwee!!"

Sakura toppled backward, staring in shock up at the large pig that was contenting itself with licking her from neck to forehead.

"Get down!" Sasuke shoved the pig off the couch. It snorted up at him piteously.

"There, there," Shizune patted its head. "Sorry, he didn't mean to startle you."

"I-it's ok." Sakura sat limply, waiting for Sasuke to hand her a towel. Rich people and their weird pets…

"So," Jiriya gulped his drink. "You're the one Naruto babbles about all the time?" He paused looking toward the ceiling. "Or is that the other one, Himada, or something…"

"Ha! Jiriya, I don't know why they let you raise that boy. It's a miracle he's nothing like you. Not that it matters—you don't resemble anything about him either way!" Tsunade crossed her arms.

"I know more about him than you do about Shizune!" Jiriya hollered back, his words slurring.

"True, but she's not her daughter so it doesn't matter." Kakashi pointed out, feeling proud of himself for forming a full sentence.

"I don't even want to talk to you, ya old hag!" Jiriya turned back to Sakura with a leering smile. "I was talking to the lady."

Tsunade punched him. Hard. "Stay away from my new intern, you perv!"

Sakura looked up at Sasuke surprised. He nodded. A flash of newspaper clippings and documentaries about Tsunade Hokage rushed into her mind. A genius, they called her. She had helped to perfect the CAT Scan nearly two decades ago, and was said to be closing in on a cure for cancer. Sakura had always looked up to the woman, but now that she was meeting her in person…

"Oooh, new intern? I might have to stop by your hospital more often," Jiriya gave a catlike smile. He rubbed his chin while imagining everything immoral you could do at a hospital.

"You're already there pestering my patients all the time! Even so," Tsunade pointed smugly to a glowering Sasuke and a disgusted Sakura. "Good luck getting through Sasuke."

"Ha ha! Naw, me 'n Sasuke are buds!" Jiriya grinned at him. "You'll share with me, right, Sasuke?"

"NO." Sasuke said immediately and Sakura scooted closer to him apprehensively.

"Aw!" Jiriya pouted and Sakura was reminded of something Naruto would do. She still couldn't believe they were related. "Fine," Jiriya wrapped an arm around Shizune's shoulders. "You'd let me visit you, wouldn't you, Shizune?" He cooed.

Sakura's eye twitched when she saw Shizune squirm. Being the only person here whom she felt remotely obligated to (not to mention she was in the hands of the most disgusting, perverted jerk in all Japan. Scratch that, the world) made Sakura snap.

Sakura picked up the closest thing to her and chucked it with all her strength at Jiriya's puckered lips—the pig.

The pig, in turn, flew through the air willingly, 'bweeing' a battle cry. It landed ferociously on the man who was attacking his mistress.

"Gyack! Get this porker offa me!" Jiriya struggled with the pig while everyone else ignored him, staring at Sakura with wide eyes, Sasuke shaking with silent laughter beside her.

Sakura flushed when she realized she was the center of attention. She mentally cursed herself when she realized what she'd just done: she had thrown a pig at one of the most famous and richest men in this entire reception.

Sasuke laughed harder, covering his mouth to try and hide it.

Sasuke! What do I do? She clutched his arm desperately. What if he sends his bodyguards after me? Or mercenaries, or aliens under his allegiance, or—

He smiled down at her. Don't worry so much. You're basically one of us now.

Tsunade, who had frozen with an empty bottle ready to crack over Jiriya's head, cackled. "Ha ha ha! Well, Sakura, I do believe we'll get along swell. That is if you decide to join us." She stared Sakura down, waiting for an answer.

"She'll decide later," Sasuke interrupted, saving Sakura. He was standing up now, offering a hand to help her up. Relief washed over her as she took it.

"Sasuke, you've caught yourself a winner!" Kakashi, who had been laughing at everything said up till now, said cheerfully.

There were catcalls and jabs sent their way as they walked to the door.

"Yeah, yeah," Sasuke called back, gesturing for Sakura to hurry and go out. "Whatever."

"Don't do anything we wouldn't do!" Jiriya, Kakashi, and Tsunade all called at the same time.

Rin, speaking up for the first time in a sultry voice, said, "Don't do anything they would do." There was laughter and pouts and slaps on the back and Sakura shared a smile with Sasuke.

"Ah, Miss Haruno?" Shizune said softly after following them out.

"Yes?"

"I hope we haven't scared you off, tonight," Shizune smiled gently. "We really would love to have you join us. I'd understand if you decided not to, though. Feel free to call anytime."

"All right," Sakura nodded. "Thank you."

"Of course." Shizune smiled again. "Good bye." She bowed slightly to Sasuke. "Mr. Uchiha." She dipped back inside and slid the curtain shut.

"Was that totally weird for you?" Sasuke asked as they were walking down the hall.

"Yeah." Sakura chuckled. "But it was ok."

"I thought you might want to see what you were getting yourself into before you agreed to it." Sasuke shrugged.

"I'm still thinking about it, but this helped. Thanks." She smiled fondly up at him.

They broke through to the main ballroom, only to find everyone was standing near the door, cheering and chatting loudly. They headed over, wondering what was going on.

"Was it bad for you, though?" Sakura asked as they walked.

"Me? Why?"

"Well, you know, showing your aristocratic friends your geeky little pedestrian friend. Kind of embarrassing for you, right?" Sakura didn't know why she was asking—she didn't really want him to agree with her.

He shrugged. "Hadn't even thought about it. Besides, I was more worried that they would like you more than I was they wouldn't."

Sakura's chest swelled. She took his hand lightly. They'd come so far from when they had barely liked each other. Now they were friends, and he even trusted her enough to introduce her to his associates.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her. Why are you always so smiley?

You make me smile.

OOOOOOOO

"Oh, TenTen!" Hinata gushed as she hugged her friend. "I hope you have a wonderful time on your honeymoon!" She let go and moved on to latch herself to her cousin.

"Don't be silly, of course she will!" Ino winked at her knowingly.

"I'll miss you guys," TenTen said as she hugged Sakura next.

"Whatever, you won't even have time to remember us." Sakura squeezed her tightly.

Ino, with the help of some coachmen and butler's, lifted a long, fuzzy cashmere cloak around TenTen's shoulders.

"Thanks guys," TenTen said as she turned and looped her arm through Neji's. "I love you all!"

"We'll see you when we get back." Neji smiled, leading his bride away and out the door.

As Hinata, Sakura, and Ino clapped along with the crowd, Hinata asked, "Why the cashmere?"

Ino huffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "It's all for the effect."

As they watched TenTen and Neji walk out the door and down the path to the limo, the sidewalk lights flickered on. Ino had taken the liberty to order the bulbs to be replaced with soft-light ones. Added to the blue light of the moon it reflected around the garden, making it glow around TenTen and Neji. At the last second a fawn bounded across the path and doves were suddenly released, flying into the air with beautiful brilliance.

With the billowy-ness of the cloak and veil, the whole scene looked like a midnight wedding facade between a beautiful maiden and her prince. One would almost expect a pumpkin carriage to be waiting for them.

As the crowd 'ooed' and 'awed', Ino smiled smugly.

"Nice, Ino." Sakura nodded in appreciation.

Ino looked at Sakura tensely before saying, "Thank you!"

"Where'd you get the fawn?" Hinata asked as the crowd dispersed, returning to the dancing and the food.

"Hired a guy from the zoo. He was willing to work for cheap." Ino shrugged as if it was no big deal. Knowing her, they should be surprised she didn't install a creek and an enchanted forest as well.

Sakura stretched. "I think I'm ready for some dancing again." She searched the crowd for someone.

Ino laughed. "Me too. Hey, I think I saw Shino wander over that way."

"So?"

"So, aren't you going to dance with him?" Ino rolled her eyes.

"Oh…right…" Sakura blinked. Before turning to follow Ino she said to Hinata, "You ok?"

"Me? Yes."

"How's everything with oblivious-man and dubious-boy?"

Hinata flinched at the nicknames. She didn't mean to be leading them both on. "Good."

"Ok. I'll be over here if you need my help." Sakura smiled at her friend and turned walked into the crowd.

Hinata sighed and rubbed her arm. She bowed and smiled politely when people came to shake her hand or said her name but otherwise just stood there. She was getting tired of playing cat and mouse. She just wanted to rest, and possibly be with Naruto. But her family members were all watching like hawks and everyone else here would just relay the information if they saw it.

Hinata stiffened when she spotted Kiba a few yards away. He was looking over the crowd, most likely for her.

Hinata subtly slipped behind an old fat man as he walked. She ducked between groups of people, feeling guilty, but not enough to let Kiba catch up with her. Hinata paused. Oh no, there was Naruto! She'd have to run from him too; otherwise it'd be kind of sketchy.

Naruto had seen her, though, and he smiled. He gestured towards her, and then pointed toward a pair of double doors. He disappeared behind them.

Hinata shifted from foot to foot, waiting a safe amount of time before casually walking across the room. She stepped out onto a balcony, carefully shutting the doors behind her. She looked out across the vast, green courtyard. She put her hands on the old fashioned stone railing. "Naruto?" She called quietly into the night.

"Hey, Juliet," Naruto chuckled when she jumped slightly. He had hopped the railing and was standing on the other side. They were on the first floor, so the balcony was barely two feet off the ground, making it so Hinata was looking down at Naruto.

"What are you doing?" Hinata asked, glancing over her shoulder nervously.

"Come on," Naruto jerked his head toward the gates in the distance. "Let's get out of here."

"Wha?" Hinata stared at him like he was crazy.

"Yeah. Let's go somewhere."

Hinata's heart beat at the idea. She pursed her lips, torn at what to do. Her family would be furious, but would they even notice? Surely they were to busy looking good for their guests. But, she realized at the last second, even if they did notice, she didn't care.

Hinata looked around frantically. "I c-can't believe I'm doing this."

Naruto chuckled as he helped her slip over the railing. "Let's go."

Hinata's beamed, her heart racing as Naruto took her hand and they rushed across the grass.

"Well," Hanabi said, leaning against the balcony's doorway. "That was interesting…" She watched her older sister and Naruto exit the gates, hand in hand. She raised a sly eyebrow.

OOOOOOO

"Can I cut in?"

Sakura stared blankly up at Sasuke as he asked the question. Shino looked at him, surprised. They had been nicely dancing together, chatting, and enjoying each other's company when Sasuke suddenly showed up.

"Can I cut in?" Sasuke repeated, now slightly annoyed.

Shino looked at Sakura. "You know him?"

"Uh," Sakura was brought back to reality. She smiled at Shino encouragingly. "Yeah, it's ok."

Shino nodded and cautiously stepped back. He watched with narrowed eyes as Sasuke took his place.

Sakura blushed at his closeness. She swallowed, trying to keep her head clear as Sasuke expertly spun her around. She'd been just fine with Shino, but he had to come and disgruntle her heart. In her flustered-ness she snapped, "Sasuke, what's with this? I was dancing with Shino, you can't just—"

"Naruto's gone." Sasuke interrupted.

"Huh?" Sakura looked up at him. His face was serious. "He left? Well, that's ok, then Kiba won't—"

He cut her off again. "Hinata's gone too. They left together."

Sakura's eyes widened. All the airy, happy feelings she had felt while dancing with him left in a whoosh. "What?" She said weakly.

"They left a while ago."

"How do you know?" Sakura said, catching the seriousness of the situation. "Did you see them? Did they say where they were going? Did anybody else see them?"

Sasuke shook his head. "No one else. I was told by a reliable source. He won't say anything to anyone." He looked toward the edge of the dance floor. Temari was there, standing next to a man with a spiky brown ponytail. Both were watching them with grim expressions.

Sakura looked back. "Well, what do we do? Should we go after them?"

Sasuke thought about it for a second. "I think the Hyuuga's are a little too busy to notice. And the reception is almost over, so Kiba will probably just think that Hinata's gone up to the main manor."

Sakura exhaled slowly. "Hopefully nothing major happens between now and then."

"Right."

Luck didn't like them very much tonight. As soon as the word left Sasuke's mouth, a man on the stage at the far end of the room tapped on a microphone to get everyone's attention.

"Oh, crap," Sasuke hissed. He looked at Sakura bleakly while everyone around them gathered in front of the stage. Sasuke blinked when Sakura was whisked away right under his nose by Shino. He frowned, but tried to focus on the speaker.

"Thank you, friends, for coming to celebrate with us tonight," Hiashi Hyuuga, Hinata's father, addressed the audience. Even though Hizashi, Neji's father, should have been the one to do so, Hiashi was the company owner and host. "We thoroughly approve of Neji's choice and fully support it. Thank you, Temura family, for…" He went on, thanking, and congratulating, and well wishing, etc.

Sakura glanced over at Sasuke. It doesn't look like anything's wrong.

Sasuke nodded in agreement. But then Hiashi threw them off.

"We hope, of course, that you're all willing to join us for the next Hyuuga wedding. We promise to feed you again, if you do." The crowd chuckled. "So, we'd like to formally announce the engagement between my daughter, Hinata Hyuuga and Kiba Inuzuka!" The crowd clapped, some surprised, others nodding their approval.

Hiashi turned and held an arm out. Kiba was already walking on stage with a grin, but his 'fiancée' was nowhere to be seen. Hiashi looked towards the group of Hyuuga's gathered behind the stage but they all just looked up, equally confused.

Hanabi Hyuuga casually walked on stage instead, tiptoeing to whisper something into her father's ear. For a split second, a look of anger crossed Hiashi's features. Hanabi turned as if nothing was wrong before stepping off again.

Sakura looked at Sasuke frantically.

"Well, then, son," Hiashi continued, patting Kiba's shoulder. "It seems you've danced her to exhaustion." The crowd exhaled in laughter.

Sakura tuned out whatever it was Hiashi was saying next, looking at Sasuke anxiously. Does he know?

I don't know.

Does Hanabi?

I don't know.

What do we do?

Sasuke ran a hand through his hair. I don't know, Sakura. I don't know.

Beyond their thoughts the crowd continued to laugh as Kiba and Hiashi shook hands and chatted on stage. Somewhere far away, Hinata was sitting in a booth next to Naruto, happily sipping her ramen in her bride's maid dress.


A/N: Oooooh, oh no, look at all the drama that's beginning to happen! What's up next, what's up next??? Just keep reading! And REVIEWING!