Rain or Shine
Chapter 7
The Wedding Reception, part 2. (the formal reception for family and friends)
This is for you Naruto, from me." Sakura pointed to a very large oblong box.
Naruto had no clue what something in such an enormous box could be. "Oh Sakura chan, this is-" He couldn't say any more he started laughing so hard. It was a giant pipe, clearly for decorative purposes only, covered in their family crest. He pondered, well, being metal, it could be a defensive weapon. He laughed anew, picturing himself welding it in a fight.
"You like it?" Her eyes danced with mischief. Knowing his sense of humor so well, she had to give him a wedding gift that would make him laugh, but still had a sentiment of power and family to it.
"Absolutely. We'll display it in our living room." It was so funny but cool, she had picked out the best gift. He hoped he had guessed her taste as well as she had his. "This is for you Sakura chan" He handed her a palm sized box.
"Oh they are beautiful, thank you so much." She lifted out a matching necklace and bracelet set. They were both delicate chain metal with a styled red flower and two green leaves made from precious stones hanging from them. "Will you put them on me?"
Naruto was overjoyed, she liked the gift as much as he had liked hers. He gently put the bracelet and necklace on her. He loved the chance to touch her skin and stand so close to her in public.
"Sakura sensei, Naruto sensei?"
"Yes?" They both replied.
"We bought this for you. Sorry we couldn't give it to you until now, but we couldn't agree on anything till this morning. Can we give it to you now?"
"Sure." Naruto said, and Sakura nodded. Sakura smiled slightly. This explained part of what their former students had been conspiring. She didn't doubt her suspicions about the other was true all the same. They'd attempted to peep on them numerous times before!
Sakura unwrapped the gift, a set of 10 high quality picture frames of various sizes. Even with the 6 of them that wasn't a cheap gift. Sakura didn't know if Naruto would be aware of how much the kids had spent, but she was.
Naruto recognized the store name on the box, it was a photography store that catered to wedding and special occasion photography in a upscale market. He knew because he had bought some special display frames for their wedding pictures. It was more than he would otherwise spent on picture frames, but for this occasion it was worth it. He was surprised that the kids had felt such a strong bond to them to spend that kind of money for a gift. It wasn't that many years ago that he was living alone with no family to help him out, on the kind of money their students were making. True, he and Sakura had made sure the two kids in similar situation didn't have to budget so tightly as he had from necessity and Sakura from family strictures. Still, it was kind of surprising. They'd have to be sure to treat them sometime to something really nice.
"Thank you" Sakura and Naruto responded.
The gifts from family and friends already sat in their new home at the Hokage tower. They'd start living there tomorrow, deciding to spend their wedding night in the almost bare apartment. They only had a large futon and overnight necessities for tonight. It was a goodbye to their old life, a last moment to just be a jonin ninja couple.
There would be ANBU guards stationed outside it though, but they had requested those be friends, Sasuke, Sai, Ino, and Yamato taichou. Kakashi sensei had also offered to be part of that guard, even though he hadn't officially been ANBU for some years. They accepted this offer as his wedding gift to them. Kakashi had no idea what he could give them as a wedding gift. He'd only had to get one for one couple before, and Kurenai sensei hadn't been that happy with his choice of Ero Senin's books as a gift. Naruto had a feeling Asuma sensei hadn't been that overjoyed either, from what Shikamaru said.
Shikamaru watched Temari talking to Kurenai. Temari was asking her about pregnancy and other women stuff. Shikamaru was fine with whenever Temari wanted to start their family, but some parts of that he didn't have the first idea about. It was kunoichi things and she needed to talk about it with a woman they both were comfortable with. It was easy to see that would be Kurenai sensei. Temari wasn't quite ready to start their family yet, but was planning on doing that in the coming year. She wanted to be as well informed as possible beforehand. She also planned on giving birth here in Konoha, and had already asked Sakura to be her doctor. Suna was slowly rebuilding the things her father had nearly destroyed, but they still trailed behind Konoha. Even if they hadn't, Konoha had Sakura, who would probably be the best medic nin ever, eventually.
Shikamaru still wondered why Kakashi sensei hadn't seen her potential and started her training. It was no secret in Konoha that it had been Sakura herself that had taken the initiative to ask Tsunade to train her. Ino claimed it was because Kakashi had no respect for any kunoichi. Shikamaru didn't know if that was true but Ino had convincingly made the case Kakashi didn't give either Sakura or her the credit they deserved. Temari said she'd witnessed something too, that made her wonder about Kakashi's attitude toward Sakura. Shikamaru shrugged, glad Asuma had been his sensei. Asuma had been the best sensei of their generation.
"Going to the cemetery. I'll be back later. Want to go before we head out in the morning." Shikamaru said to Temari and Kurenai.
"Would you like us to go with you? I'm getting ready to head home soon." Kurenai responded.
He shrugged. He figured Kurenai would want to but he wasn't going to put any pressure on Temari to come. She never really knew Asuma, so he was basically a stranger to her.
Temari shrugged back. "Go ahead. I'll stay till my brother wants to leave. He likes his sleep nowadays, so it probably won't be much longer, plus Matsuri's with him…" Temari rolled her eyes, but grinned. Temari thought Gaara's choice of a future bride was a bit weak for their family, but she couldn't fault the girl's loyalty. She'd tolerate the girl because of that.
Sakura and Naruto readied themselves for the tradition wedding dance- "The Gates of Konoha". The dance actually predated Konoha, and it's old name was "Lovers at the Village Gate". The story behind the dance was a maiden danced for the man she loved to show she had chosen him as her husband. In it's modern version the husband and wife begin the dance separate as a chain of maiden dancers circle around both in two circles that spiral toward each other. The wife dances alone in the center of her circle with a ring with cloth streamers of "flame". The maidens that circle around the husband draw him in closer as the maidens who circle the wife gradually become a double circle and the last inner and outer circling maidens draw the husband into the center of both circles. The husband and wife then dance together holding a ring with streamers of symbolic flame- pink, red, orange and yellow.
Naruto grinned despite his nervousness. He hoped he didn't stumble around like an idiot. He had practiced as hard for this as he had for anything he took seriously. Sakura smiled at him reassurely as the music began. He felt his nervousness slip away. So what if he stumbled a bit, it was Sakura that most eyes would be on. He knew she had practiced as hard as he had, even though she was already graceful at the steps of the dance.
He smiled back at her, when, sure enough, all eyes were drawn to Sakura. He felt a slight bit of jealousy when a few eyes looked to be appreciating the sway of her hips rather than her gracefulness, but shrugged it off. Lee still had a bit of a thing for Sakura, and Jiraiya was an old pervert.
Sakura had glanced around the room and had noticed those stares too, but shrugged them off with an eye roll, and set her eyes on Naruto. Once she looked at him again, she couldn't tear her eyes from him as he drew closer. She could see the fires of lust in his eyes and she gave him back her own. Soon they were dancing with only the small "fire" ring separating them. It was almost as good as making love, Sakura thought.
Ino smirked as she circled around them with the ring of maidens. She was sure only the public venue kept them from getting naked, and doing it right then and there. Tenten was grinning and rolling her eyes as she circled past Ino in the inner circle, doubtlessly thinking the same thing.
Sasuke smiled at his two dearest friends passion for each other. The closer their bond grew the happier and more secure it made him feel. Today his inward joy was nearly as much as theirs. His best friends had made themselves a family now, and they had made him a part of that family, even if that was a secret, he was content.
Sai had to agree, Naruto was right, Sakura was probably the most graceful dancer in Konoha. She might be a woman with an ugly temper, but she was fiercely protective of those she cared about, and Naruto was the one she cared for the most of all. She also cared for Sasuke, but emphatically made it clear that it wasn't the silly crush of her younger years. As a team mate he was family. Sai had been surprised, when despite their personal differences, she had extended that sense of caring, to even him. He still didn't quite understand that, but that was her strange nature. He didn't really understand women anyway, nor heterosexual men like Naruto. The books he read just didn't seem to quite answer those mysteries.
Kakashi had been walking around all day with a stunned expression. His students were all grown up and as of tomorrow Naruto and Sakura would both outrank him. Naruto really had become Hokage, and Sakura the head medic nin. To think Sakura was the most powerful medic nin Konoha had ever had, and perhaps even the greatest medic nin ever. It was the student he had thought the most promising that would perhaps never outrank him- Sasuke. Although, even he might eventually. Kakashi had a feeling Naruto might promote Sasuke to the head of ANBU as soon as he could. To think that Naruto had actually become Hokage though...
Tsunade was thoroughly drunk, but still quite aware what was going on. She stood beside Jiraiya, who was in a similar state. Tsunade had seen Kakashi's reaction, and was drunk enough she found it hysterical. She laughed loudly and then drunkenly related to Jiraiya how she had seen Kakashi dazedly mumbling to himself, even before Naruto and Sakura's wedding this morning. Jiraiya laughed so hard he fell on his ass. He and Tsunade were having a grand time tonight, most fun they'd ever had. Maybe it was because for now, nothing threatened and as of the morning Tsunade would be free of the weight of Hokage. Maybe it was the alcohol, but he considered something reckless with Tsunade, asking her if she'd sleep with him, at least for tonight.
Iruka was so proud and happy for Naruto. He'd achieved his dream, and won the heart of the girl he had loved since they had been in the academy. Sakura had turned into an impressive woman. He knew she was destined to become something special with her sharp intelligence. It may not have had the flash of Sasuke's technical genius, or Shikamaru's strategic genius, but he knew under the role she played, trying to be what her parents told her girls should be, was a mind and spirit waiting to burst out in the open.
It had been his idea to put her on the team with Naruto and Sasuke, to bring that potential out. His plan had succeeded. Tsunade sama had really helped Sakura, who was just starting to take her first shaky steps on her own when they met. Sakura knew what she needed, even if she hadn't realized just how perfect a choice she had made. Tsunade brought out Sakura's inner strength and power, making her the most powerful medic nin Konoha had ever had. Tsunade couldn't be more proud that Sakura had exceeded her. While the Hokage was considered a parent to all the village, Sakura and Naruto had become especially close to the Hokage's heart.
Sakura also helped Naruto grow into the man who would take over as Hokage in the morning. He listened to Sakura first and foremost. It was what had made them a virtually unbeatable team. Even from the first day they reunited, after two and half years apprenticing to Jiraiya sama and Tsunade sama, that was evident. Kakashi was astonished at how well they worked together, but Iruka wasn't. Tsunade sama hadn't been surprised either.
"Amazing so many of them made it to adulthood, and jonin rank." Hana murmured.
"If you'd seen them at the Academy you would have known this class was special, and despite all appearances, Naruto the most of all." Iruka responded.
"Definitely a lot more impressive than my class, not one jonin from the lot, and nearly half the class dead before they even made it to the Chunin Exams."
"Maybe part of that was my fault, your class was my first. I did a terrible job with your class. I'd been a Chunin myself for less than a year."
"No, I don't blame you, Iruka, it was the way things were, didn't the same happen with your class?" He nodded and looked even more sad. Hana laid her hand over his.
"We didn't think to look for potential, only the best of now. Those students got the lions share of training, while the rest got scraps here and there. A few of our Genin teachers still reflect that teaching with their teams." Iruka thought of Kakashi, who did train his team that way, much to their detriment in the Chunin Exams.
Hana and Iruka had noticed that neither Naruto or Sakura had trained their students that way, but emphasized being a team, and better yet, working with other teams. Asuma and Kurenai had created that training tactic, and it made those two teams more experienced on that level of missions, something that usually didn't even begin to happen until you reached Chunin.
"Still, part of the blame does go on my shoulders."
"But, unlike past teachers, you realized this was a mistake and worked through how to remedy it, at least in the Academy."
Iruka nodded in agreement. However, the faces of the kids that had died still haunted his dreams, all these years later.
"You know" Hana said with a flirtatious tone, in an attempt to shift the mood, "I had a major crush on you then."
"Me? I was dorky looking and pathetic."
"No you weren't, you were a good teacher and the guy I dreamed about every night." Hana blushed lightly but smiled.
Iruka blushed at the praise. "Me?" He was astonished.
"Yeah, you. No boy my age would give me a second glance, I was plain looking and like all my clan, smelled of dog."
Iruka looked sad. "It has to be especially hard for girls of your clan to find someone."
"That's why our clan usually intermarried, who else would want to be around a person that always smelled of dog. But so many of our clan died in the kyubi attack that no one was available for me or my brother to marry."
"So you have to hope you can find someone that has a mutual attraction outside of the clan." Iruka was starting to realize how serious Hana's flirtation was. He looked at her in a new light. At first it had thrilled him that a woman was even asking him if she could be his guest at Naruto and Sakura's wedding. And her flirting was a big ego boost. But she was serious, she really was attracted to him, and not just for one date.
"Yes." Hana sighed. "Iruka, it's kind of uncomfortable for me to be this blunt about something so personal, but I asked to be your date hoping we would have a mutual attraction."
He smiled. "I understand, and my answer is, yes."
"Do you mean-"
"Yes, I'll marry you." Iruka was overjoyed. He'd come on a date and ended up engaged!
Hana gave a furtive glance around the room, and seeing no one looking their direction, gave Iruka a quick kiss. He laughed and held her hands.
She loved his laugh, it made her heart fill with joy and she laughed with him. Mom would be over the moon that she'd finally screwed up the courage to propose to Iruka. She was more tentative and thoughtful like their father, while Kiba was impulsive and forthright like their mother. Mom had married fairly young, just like Kiba. Dad was the cousin Mom liked best, and she just came right out and proposed, and Dad accepted. Kiba had a bit of dad in him, his proposal to Hinata had taken a while, and was romantic, in a goofy way. Apparently, that was the perfect proposal for Hinata, because she accepted with no hesitation. They were great for each other too, as happy as two gamboling puppies. Hana hoped that Iruka could give her a bit of that joy.
"I did kind of like you that way too, back when you were my student, but I felt it was wrong to approach you back then, you were just 12 and I was 16. Then we both grew up and took on our adult roles in Konoha and I still didn't feel right about approaching you. I had been your teacher, after all. I shut that part of my heart off and immersed myself in teaching the kids. But now, it feels right, somehow."
Hana grinned, "Yeah." She took his hand and they went to find her mother, to tell Tsume the happy news.
Sakura and Naruto were in a back room sneaking in some foreplay, through their clothes, when they heard the door open behind them. They jumped apart, blushing at, yet again, getting caught by someone when they were making out. When they turned around it was even worse then they expected. It was Sakura's parents. Sakura's face turned bright red and Naruto gulped nervously.
"I told you we should have knocked first, dear." Sakura's mother said to her husband with a sarcastic tone.
"Never mind that now. We'll just pretend we didn't see anything. You were the one that was so determined to speak to them now, anyway. I said we should wait till tomorrow. Good gods they're newlyweds, give them some space!"
Sakura sighed. Another argument, and again concerning something about her. "Mom, Dad, it's okay, we're listening, go ahead."
Both her parents grimaced, their daughter was rudely acting like she was the parent, not them. But they'd done their best with her, she was a grown woman now. It was useless to try to train someone like her proper respect for ones parents. At least the shame would be on her new clan's, not on theirs now.
"We came to say that we give our blessings on your marriage, and hope you visit us sometime. When you decide to have children we'll love to see them, and help out when you need it."
Naruto smiled at her parents even though he could sense some lingering distrust and dislike over what he was. Those that knew Naruto would have recognized that this was his false smile, that covered pain and anger. Sakura knew it and gently squeezed his hand reassuredly. Sakura then walked over and hugged them.
"Thank you, we will." Sakura gave them the look her parents expected of her, but in her heart she doubted if she'd see them that often, or take her future children to see them more than what would be considered the minimum proper amount.
Her parents then made polite goodbyes and left, much to Sakura and Naruto's relief.
"Sorry about that Naruto. My parents-"
"Their problems aren't your fault, Sakura chan" He hugged her. He barely knew Sakura's parents. They'd tolerated him but made it clear that they didn't think he was worthy of marrying their daughter. Then her parents had acted like she had shamed them forever, when he and Sakura earned the teasing nickname "the legendary rabbit two", for their tendency to let their passion for each other overwhelm them, even on missions. It was embarrassing getting caught, but most people just teased them about it and found it amusing. Naruto sighed, not everything about having a family now was pleasant. Dealing with Sakura's parents was something to be endured.
"We might as well go back to the party now, Naruto."
He nodded, the excited mood was gone now. Rejoining the party would get the annoyance of Sakura's parents out of their minds. Poor Sakura chan. Maybe she didn't have a great tragedy in her early years, but having parents like that was quite a burden too.
Sakura caught a glimpse of a clearly bored and annoyed Neiji watching Lee. She knew it was a bad thing if Lee even got a slip of alcohol by accident. His body reacted really weird to it, he'd become an aggressively violent drunk, even long before he should have become drunk. It looked like the party was starting wind down so Neiji's duty shouldn't last much longer. Lee had made a really silly long winded toast to them, with water for him, but he'd meant well. Sakura had graciously thanked him for his kind words.
Neiji was tiring of being Lee's "babysitter", making sure he didn't drink any alcohol by accident. He looked at the clock and was relieved to see it was almost time for Tenten to take over watching their team mate. He was so intent on watching Lee that he hadn't realized his uncle had come up to speak to him.
Hisashi saw his nephew was distracted by his duty and politely cleared his throat as he moved to a point where Neiji could still watch Lee while they had this conversation. Hisashi doubted Neiji would be able to concentrate on watching his team mate through after he passed along this news. It was a warning about the pressure the clan was beginning to consider on who they thought Neiji should marry. Hisashi didn't agree with it, but he had to word this carefully to appear as if he was suggesting it.
"Perhaps it's time for you to marry as well Neiji."
"I'm not really ready to marry yet, uncle."
"Perhaps, not marry, but make a pledge. My younger daughter is unmarried, and is still young enough that a marriage could wait as long as ten years from now."
"She's only thirteen, uncle!"
"As I said, no marriage would be necessary for ten years, only a pledge for now."
"I have no attraction to her."
"Attraction isn't necessary for marriages in our clan. And think about it, your children would be of the main house."
"No. I will not marry her, she is like a child to me."
Hisashi shrugged as if he was giving up for now, "It was merely a suggestion. Perhaps in a few years, when she looks more like a woman you'll feel differently."
Hisashi walked away then, hoping Neiji would figure out this wasn't from him, but a warning about how the clan would soon begin to act, unless he took himself out of the game, like his older daughter had. Hinata was happy with Kiba, and was already expecting her first child. The Hyuuga clan had reluctantly accepted Hinata's choice, as she was the less powerful of the main house's heirs. That had moved Hanabi into the role as main house heir.
Neiji was only half watching Lee now, and when he saw Tenten approaching a desperate plan launched in his mind. If only she'd agree to this, it would put his mind at ease.
"I'm here to take over now Neiji, go enjoy yourself for a while. Hopefully I can get Lee to go home soon."
"I've lost all interest in celebrating now."
"I saw your uncle talking to you. What's happened?"
"I suspect my uncle was attempting to warn me about the clan."
"What are they up to?"
"For now, nothing. But soon they may start trying to get me to pledge to marry Hanabi once she reaches adulthood."
"Oh no."
"Yes." Neiji looked around to check if any of the Hyuuga clan were within earshot. When they weren't he took a deep breath and said quickly and softly, "I want to ask you if you'll marry me."
"Yes." Tenten answered swiftly with no reservations.
Neiji nodded, clearly relieved. "I think we may have to do this far away from Konoha, to insure no Hyuuga interference."
"Yeah." She'd always liked him, even when he was angry and arrogant with most people, strangely enough he hadn't been that way with her. Maybe her feelings had started out as sympathy, the Hyuuga clan, although powerful, was disliked by most other ninja families. They were too arrogant and exclusive, much like the Uchiha clan. But the Uchihas were respected because, despite their clan attitude, they had performed a useful job for Konoha as their police force. The Hyuuga clan only threw around their power and status most the time. Although things had changed in the last few years, at least from Neiji, his uncle and first cousins. That made Tenten think about Hinata, how different she was from a typical Hyuuga. She had always been a nice but shy girl, really unusual for a Hyuuga.
Neiji used to think she was weak, and not just physically, either. After their first Chunin exam though, he changed his mind. Hinata did have some sort of health issue though, something about her heart. Neiji had expressed some concerns about how safe it would be for Hinata to have children. Once Hinata had married Kiba, Neiji spoke about these concerns to Sakura about it, because he knew Hinata hadn't. Maybe Hinata hadn't even considered it because she so rarely thought of her own welfare.
Sakura had taken Neiji's concerns seriously and had spoken to both Hinata and Kiba. Tenten had heard from Hinata that Kiba almost broke down in the office when Sakura told them of the concerns. Luckily, when she gave Hinata through tests, it looked like as long as she came in for a checkup every month and took some medication, that having kids should be not too risky. She had a high risk of premature birth though. Late in her pregnancy she might have to go to full bed rest.
It was just the concern that this sort of thing can go undiagnosed that made Tenten go to Tsunade to run tests on her to make sure nothing could cause problems should she want children. Tsunade hadn't questioned her why, but ran the full battery of tests. Tenten was relieved to know she carried no risks and should have no difficulties. She and Neiji could have children with no worries about any health risks.
"We will have to convince Tsunade to return to her office and give us a mission that takes us far away for a period of time."
"Actually, I saw her wander out the door a minute ago."
"Then it appears it's time for us to leave as well."
They found Tsunade a short time later, staggering her way back to the Hokage tower. They fell in step with her and helped her up the steps. Halfway up she loudly proclaimed, "There's too many damned steps in this building! Must be to encourage old Hokages to retire!" She snorted and broke into raucous laughter.
Tsunade wasn't so drunk that she didn't know something was up with these two helping her home. Well it would be home, until the morning. When they reached her office level she turned off to it, instead of continuing up to the next level, her bedroom. She used a bit of chakra to clear her head temporarily as they walked into her office. Once the door closed behind them in her office and she had sat down in the chair she asked them point blank, "So why the desperate need to go on a mission, and one I give you, rather than Naruto tomorrow?"
Neiji hesitated for a moment, but when he saw her face was getting annoyed he spilled out the details, including that he thought it was Hisashi's warning.
"Hmm." Tsunade said nothing but that in response but opened up the mission request books and flipped through the pages. "Ah hah! Here's one. It's been sitting on my desk for the past week and I couldn't find anyone to do it."
Tenten groaned inwardly as she saw Neiji grimace. But he said nothing.
"It's a grain transport escort to Wave Country. C ranked. If Naruto wasn't to become Hokage so soon I would have considered sending him with Sakura there. It would be a honeymoon for the two of them, as they are well liked in Wave Country. All you need to insure a successful mission, is to mention you are friends with Naruto and Sakura. I can extend this mission to a month away from Konoha. That should give you plenty of time to marry and even have a small honeymoon. More than what Naruto and Sakura will get, but their choice." Tsunade shrugged.
Neiji was annoyed at it being a mere C rank, but he swallowed his pride and said with Tenten, "We'll take it."
Tsunade nodded. "You best leave as soon as the gates open in the morning. I'll send a notice to the merchant tonight that he has his escort and you'll be leaving as soon as the gates open. You should go now, pack and get some sleep. And I mean sleep." She said sternly. She didn't know if the two were intimate yet, but sleep was more important than sex the night before setting out on a long slow mission like escorting a grain transport.
After they left and she sent off the message to the merchant, she climbed the stairs to her sleeping quarters, for the last time. Once the door was closed behind her, she dropped the chakra control that she had exerted to make herself sober, reveling in the return of the blissful freedom to get drunk on occasion.
She silently thanked all those that had given her the opportunity to be Hokage. The years and responsibility of it had given her back herself. Dan and Nawaki would be proud of her. The woman she had been for far too many years, stuck deep in grief over their tragic deaths, would have made them sad, as it had Shizune.
She was glad she had returned to Konoha for Shizune's sake as well. Shizune had found happiness and love here. It had been highly entertaining to watch her foster daughter and first apprentice determinedly romance her team mate, Aoba. They'd been married a year now.
With Naruto and Sakura ready to take on her roles in Konoha, she felt the weight of her years of responsibility for the training of those most special to her lifting from her shoulders. Now she would only provide guidance when needed. For Naruto, dealing with the counsel, that would likely be a frequent thing before long. She knew, at first, he'd want to try out leading without her help, to show he was ready to be Hokage. So for a few months she'd be free.
She had picked up on Jiraiya's overtures and wasn't surprised when she turned into her bedroom that he was there.
"Tsunade, if you don't want me here I can leave."
She waved her hand that it was okay for him to stay, as she turned around to get undressed. She knew he was looking and well, it was kind of flattering that he still thought she was attractive. Neither one of them were young anymore.
Some people accused her of using a jutsu to make herself look much younger than her age, but really, especially since she became Hokage, she only adjusted her appearance slightly, about 10 years younger, she didn't want to look ridiculous, like she was trying to still look like she was in her 20's. Now she concentrated more on the internal rather than external. It kept her power at peak level, as long as she safely could. Shizune scolded her because every time she had to do the regeneration jutsu it took away a bit of time from her life, but it was still merely a handful of days now. In another 10 years she'd have to quit using it, so now was the time to retire, while she was still at peak condition. She'd have a good 10 years to be an advisor to Naruto and Sakura, then, unless she got a counsel seat, she'd go off to a private retirement where her only responsibility was to herself. She could become a cantankerous old lady in peace, like Chiyo of Sand did. If she knew Jiraiya though, he'd want to stay in contact with her. Hmm, maybe they could grow old together that way. Might be entertaining. Tsunade smiled thinking about it, it would surprise their apprentices. Might be worth it just to see Shizune and Sakura's shocked faces, might even surprise Naruto! Jiraiya might even be surprised, she smirked.
Back at the party things were winding down. As soon as the wedding pictures were taken Naruto and Sakura planned to leave. Naruto had gone back in the room they had made out in, to do something before the pictures were taken. Sakura had a suspicion it was something silly, but whatever he wanted to do was okay with her. Ino had helped her repair her hairdo and makeup so she'd look nice for the pictures. Sasuke had gone back and picked up his swords and put something on his hair attempt to flatten it out so he'd look more dignified and bodyguard-like. Ino had freshened up her makeup and hairstyle as well.
When Naruto emerged, Sakura burst out laughing. He'd spiked his hair ridiculously and painted his face, in what she knew was a defiant gesture, with nine tails, including one stripe across his mouth, the rest radiating from each side of his nose. Sasuke merely looked mildly amused and shook his head. Ino though, screeched in outrage. "No way in hell am I posing in a picture with someone that looks so ridiculous!"
Ino was firm in her refusal but Sakura did convince her to take a couple of pictures with just the two of them. Sasuke though, merely struck up a menacing bodyguard pose and stood for all the necessary pictures. Naruto grinned in every picture, loving this one chance to have some harmless mischief. Sakura smiled indulgently, he was such a goofball at times but she had come to love that part of him too. He'd even got her to do some silly things over the years. Naruto had this ability to be so charmingly convincing on pranks and silliness. Indulging him on this was just the latest one.
After the last picture was taken, Sakura kissed Naruto. Then they both laughed when they realized his make up had smeared onto her face when they kissed. She picked up a napkin and wiped off the make up, and then wiped off Naruto's before they kissed again. They said their goodnight to the party-goers that were still there, then walked back to Naruto's old apartment. Sasuke and Sai came along as their bodyguards.
A few die hard partiers would probably stay all night, like Ino and Choji. They'd turn it into an engagement party celebration, more than likely. Sakura mused as they walked home, how sweetly Ino's dad and mom reacted to the official announcement of the engagement.
Sakura hadn't realized they hadn't told Ino's parents yet. Her parents hugged both of them and looked close to tears of joy. Ino's dad and Choji's dad had been celebrating enthusiastically ever since the official announcement. They had been a team with Shikamaru's dad when they were growing up, and Ino's dad and Choji's dad had been best friends too. Now they'd be family. Ino was so much more lucky than she was with her parents. Sakura wished she'd had parents like that.
She and Naruto stood on the balcony with Sasuke and Sai and watched the celebrational fireworks. It had been many years since there had been a peaceful transition between Hokages, where the former Hokage was still alive and the country was completely at peace. The fact that their new Hokage was young, handsome and now married made the people feel that much more secure, plus most knew of the strong bond between Suna and Konoha. Even Naruto's status as a Jinchuuriki had been changed in many minds as something that made them safer, not as something to fear- the very thing his father had hoped for, Naruto had created. Who but Naruto could have done that, Sakura thought as she cuddled closer in their side by side embrace.
Right now, things were better than they'd ever been for Konoha. Even the non ninja population of Konoha was in the mood for a major celebration, thus the large fireworks show in their new Hokage and his bride's honor.
Naruto smiled. The boy who had once been shunned was now a man, loved by many and a leader. He looked back in the apartment and could almost see the ghost of that lonely little boy, dancing for joy.