AN: Superb reviews as usual! Thanks guys!...anyway...school's about to start so I wouldn't have a lot of time to make new stories...fortunately I would be able to finish this one so don't worry...I believe this chapter is kinda the climax of the story...hope you enjoy:)

Chapter 9: Wedding Day

The sun rose high, there were no clouds on the perfect blue sky, birds were flying around, chirping. People all around were chatting happily, some preparing for the event that would take place later this day. But for four people, this day, was far from perfect.

She looked at herself in her full length mirror, she was very proud of her blonde locks, but right now...she wanted to shave her head. She was anxious, nervous, and her palms were sweaty. It was her decision to continue with this farce, but...she was also thinking of running away.

What if I leave Konoha and never return?...

I don't know what to do anymore...

This is your entire fault Shikamaru...

Yet deep inside, she knew it was hers as well.

Her gaze went to the bed, lying there was her wedding gown. She traced the white silk with her fingers, relishing the smooth feeling, it had been her dream to finally wear such a fine piece of clothing. Never did she imagine that looking at her dream would give her heart an intense pain.

"You're still not ready?"

She saw Sakura looking at her disapprovingly, her hands were on her slim waist. A rush of guilt added up to what she was already feeling. Sakura was always smiling, but Ino knew her too well for her not to see Sakura's distant looks. She had known Sakura held feelings for Sasuke, and not just a simple one. But she chose to ignore it.

Ino smiled bitterly, she had once accused Sakura of being a lousy friend...not admitting that she was one as well.

"Sorry, there's still a lot of time Sakura."

"No there isn't. You have about five hours left and there's so much to do. Your beautician called and said she's on her way. Now get ready!"

Ino laughed at her, her nervousness carefully hidden in her voice. But Sakura was still able to catch it.

"Fine, fine."

Sakura sat on the bed, she looked at the gown and did what Ino had done a while ago. The day had finally come, the day when she'd loose her bestfriend and the day she'd loose her heart forever.

She had saved the marriage but she had failed to save herself. It was always like this, she just had to be the martyr...Someday, I'm gonna regret the things I've been doing.

He had made her heart race a hundred miles, yet she just couldn't reach him in time.

She had wanted to walk away without leaving anything, only to find her heart willingly detaching itself from her.

Mistakes, she had been making them all her life, but never had she felt such remorse for the one she had recently made.

It can never be and it was a fact she must accept.

It was like dying, to see her heart wither in front of her eyes.

Her world was consumed by destruction, deprived of freedom...she can never find herself again.

But it was a price she was glad to pay, for what she lost was so little compared to what she had gained.

She stood up and went to the window, allowing the rays of sun to shine upon her face, she felt warmed, she looked up and squinted at the bright light. Never again would she feel delight upon seeing the sky so blue.

Because this perfect day brought clouds to her soul and stormed through her heart.

She had a faraway look in her green eyes.

And it was in that moment that Ino came out and saw her.

They were similar in a lot of ways, both were beautiful, both knew each other well...and both tried so hard not to break down and cry.

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He had long ago donned his tux, black as his hair and eyes. He made no further alterations in his appearance except to brush his hair. There was a glass of wine held in his hands.

Sasuke would never admit it, but he was nervous.

Itachi sat in front of him, watching him, as if trying to read what was on his mind at this instant.

He finally felt uncomfortable under his brother's stare, he scowled at him and glared.

"What?"

Itachi only smirked.

"You sure about this little brother?"

Sasuke looked away, his face turned more serious that ever.

"Itachi, I have never been more serious in my whole life."

"Then I hope this turns out well."

His brother stood up and left him alone, but not before gently patting his head and ruffling his hair. He used to be annoyed by this...so it made him wonder why he was actually warmed by his brother's gesture.

"Brother..."

Itachi stopped and looked back at him.

"When...she died, what...how did...what did you feel?"

He smiled at Sasuke and looked at him weirdly before replying.

"I could never put to words how much pain I felt that day. Perhaps it was the same as how much I loved her. But I can say that I also felt like dying. She was the only one...and no matter what I do I can never have her back."

"Didn't you regret falling for her?"

"Sasuke, the only regret I had was that I didn't tell her how much I loved her before she closed her eyes."

"I'm sorry..."

Itachi gave him another weird look.

"You've changed little brother."

Sasuke's reply was a cocky smirk.

It was the first time he felt connected with his brother.

He had no doubts about the wedding, he had after all planned the 'events' that would take place later, but what he was dreading were the reactions of the people participating in it.

He drank the remaining contents of the glass, then he stood up and decided on going to the church early.

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"Ino, I'm all set...I think I'll go to the church to see if there are any more problems." Sakura said cheerfully.

Ino nodded and reminded her not to put any stain in her gown, Sakura just laughed it off and promised she'd be careful.

She arrived at the church, the stairs leading to its entrance were filled with petals, she marveled at the decorations...but what made her heart jump in her throat was the sight of the man standing atop the stairs.

He looked so handsome in his suit, so formidable...he literally took her breath away.

Her feet started climbing the steps, all the while she was praying that she would go unnoticed by Sasuke, but nothing misses the eye of an Uchiha, specially her.

"You're not avoiding me, are you?"

She almost melted at the sound of his smooth voice, realizing that it had been so long since she spoke with the man.

"That's silly, I came here early to see if there are any problems." But she wasn't looking him straight in the eye.

"Is that so?" He fixed his gaze on her, ignoring the signs which meant she was uncomfortable with that.

"Yes." She replied stiffly

"There's something I have always wanted to ask you Sakura, and please, answer me honestly."

She inhaled deeply then she let it out, it was his cue to continue.

"If I was free, would you runaway with me?"

Her eyes immediately met his after his question was asked. She searched his eyes for any sign that he was joking, but all she found in it was determination, and something else she didn't want to find out.

"W...what do you mean?"

Stalling, avoiding the question that would give her secret away.

"Answer the question Sakura."

She didn't know why, but the way he said her name made her want to blurt out everything that she had tried to hide from everyone, from him. But before her mouth could betray her, she turned her back to him and told him the only thing she could say.

"If you were free Sasuke, then I wouldn't mind you following me around."

Sasuke watched her retreating back, he smirked...he got his answer. That was more than enough for him.

As she was walking towards the interior of the church, she caught someone that shouldn't have been here, she looked again but this time, she found no one. She shook her head to clear her mind.

I must be hallucinating, he couldn't be here, he said so himself...it was not him...right?...

People started arriving, she saw that some of her friends were already present, she checked the time and found that it was almost time. She felt so much sadness once again...

Time...

It was something I've always wanted to stop...but everytime I try to do so...I only end up making it go faster...

She searched for Sasuke and found him in front, near the altar...he was conversing with someone, she could not see the person's face. She walked forward to try to find out who he was speaking with, but she heard something that made her turn her head away from the men.

"The bride is here!" She heard someone shout.

Everyone went to their places.

The wedding is about to start.

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As Ino got out of the car, she saw the admiration in the eyes of the people she passed...telling her how beautiful she was. But she felt otherwise, her heart won't stop beating madly, she was shaking all over.

She searched the crowd for a face she wanted to see one last time before she got married, and her heart ached when she didn't see him.

Sakura went towards her, she saw tears forming in the corners of her eyes, she smiled at her and hugged her.

"This is it Ino, ready?"

"Yes." Ino barely managed to find her voice.

The wedding march began, those in front started walking, and her need to run away increased every second, she felt Sakura squeeze her hand and it somehow calmed her a bit. She inhaled and exhaled repeatedly, trying to focus.

The music coming from a piano somewhere rang in her ears. She saw Sasuke in front and she tried to smile.

Sakura was now walking along the aisle, her eyes were focused at the cross in front, she didn't want to meet the eyes of the raven haired man, she finally arrived at her place and her eyes widened...

Ino was now the one walking, everyone's eyes were trained on her, she felt so scared, she tried to forget her nervousness by thinking of what would happen if she tripped on her gown.

The walk seemed so short, she was almost there, she laughed at herself, she used to think that the aisle of the church was too long. She walked as slowly as possible, but she reached the front anyway, she raised her hands forward to Sasuke...

...but it was not Sasuke who took it.

She heard gasps and murmurs, but she paid no heed to it. All she could think about, all she could see...was the man who was currently holding her hand.

"Shikamaru..."

Ino felt her head spin when he knelt in front of her.

"Ino, I know I have hurt you so many times. I always thought I wasn't good enough for you, but I finally realized my mistake, I shouldn't have let you go. I ask for your forgiveness...and your hand. Marry me."

Just like that and her tears poured like rain, she threw her arms around Shikamaru...and she was in return, hugged tightly.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! What took you so long! Oh I love you so much..."

"I love you too."

Almost all the people who saw the scene dabbed their eyes, mostly the girls...the men...well they just sat there feeling happy for the couple, with the exception of Lee and Gai, who cried harder than the women.

Sasuke admired his work, his plan had worked...everybody was happy including him. He looked across and met questioning green eyes. He smirked at her and earned an angry glare. His mouth only twitched higher...I'll deal with you later. He coughed to get the attention of Ino and Shikamaru.

"I believe it's time for both of you to get married."

Shikamaru gave Sasuke a lopsided smile, thanking him for what he had done.

Ino smiled at Sasuke and uttered a small thank you. Then she looked at Shikamaru lovingly.

"Is this too troublesome for you?"

"It is. But you're here, and trouble concerning you is always fun."

They both laughed and proceeded with the wedding.

This time though, the nervousness she had vanished...and running away was the last thing on her mind. She was being married to the man she loved, she had never felt so happy in her life.

After hours, the ceremony was finished, and the priest uttered the 'magic words'

"You may now kiss the bride."

And Shikamaru did what he was told.

He kissed Ino on her lips, it lasted longer than expected. But who could blame him? It was their first kiss after all.

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They were now at the reception, Sakura was sitting on one of the tables with Hinata and the others, she looked at the newlyweds fondly. She was glad that everything worked out, Ino was happy, so was Shikamaru...she can now stop feeling torn.

She was happy, but she was also furious. Sasuke had planned this, and she played right to it. So that was what he meant when he had asked her the question...

"If I was free, would you runaway with me?"

And stupid her, she bared herself to him. The hairs on her neck rose, she looked back and saw onyx eyes staring intently at her. She quickly turned her head away and started playing with her food to forget the look he gave her.

"Sakura..."

Ino sat beside her.

"Hey there, I'm so happy for you Ino."

Ino smiled at her and hugged her, she was surprised but she returned it.

"What's wrong?" Sakura asked, she could feel tears on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I knew about your feelings for Sasuke, but I was selfish, even though I love another, I still chose to marry Sasuke...hurting you in the process."

She now understood the reason for her friend's tears.

"Let's just forget about that. It all worked out in the end. You married Shikamaru, Sasuke is now free. There's nothing to be guilty about."

Ino let go of her and looked at her slyly.

"So you're gonna go after him now?"

Sakura gave her an annoyed look, but it quickly turned into a gentle one.

"I...I don't think so."

"What! Why!"

"Remember I told you before that he can't love, I can't take that...because I already love him...I don't want to get hurt."

"Sakura, I think he feels the same, and you know why? Because he wouldn't have done all this if it wasn't for you."

Sakura just looked at Ino for a long time, her eyes were filled with doubt.

"I'm happy now. I want you to feel the same." Ino told her.

"I am happy." She replied.

"You're happy for me...I want you to be happy for yourself...see the difference."

Sakura smiled at Ino.

"I'll be able to do that someday. Ino, I've decided to leave today, just tell everyone I love them so much and I'll miss them."

"You're leaving? Why?"

"I have a feeling Sasuke will confront me, I want to avoid that, please Ino, don't tell him anything."

"Just take care of yourself Sakura, we'll see each other again soon."

They hugged once again before Sakura left the reception. Trying not to meet the eyes that followed her every move.

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Sasuke watched as Sakura left, he stood up to follow her but he was stopped by Ino.

"How did you do it Sasuke?"

"What?" He asked her, a bit irked that he was stalled.

"How did you convince Shikamaru?"

He sighed, he knew he couldn't get away, so he chose to enlighten her.

Flashback...

He drove his car towards that place, it was the only thing that could save everyone. This was something he must do, something that would set him free. He arrived at the doorstep of a house, he knocked impatiently.

The door swung open, revealing a man with a lazy look.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nara Shikamaru, do you love Ino?" He went straight to the point.

"Wha-"

"I can tell by the look on your eyes that you do."

"Why don't you come inside." Shikamaru left the door open and went inside.

He offered Sasuke tea then they went to sit and talk about a few things.

"Uchiha, what do you want?"

"Take my place. Marry her."

He was surprised, and he showed it by dropping his cup on the ground.

"Are you mad? I...I can't...I'm not the one she wants to marry."

"You're wrong, don't ask me how the hell I knew...but she doesn't love me."

"Still...I'm not the one for her, I couldn't make her happy."

"You love her...right?"

"Yes."

"Then quit moping around! Would you rather see her unhappy most of her life! I don't love her Nara, and contrary to what you might think, you do deserve her! Why the hell would she even bother to give her heart to you if you weren't deserving!"

To this, his sleeping heart was finally awakened.

End of Flashback...

He was surprised to see Ino's tears after he told her the story...women are too hard to figure out...

"Thank you Sasuke, You don't know how grateful I am."

"It's alright."

Ino smiled at him mysteriously.

"Do you love Sakura?"

He seemed taken aback by the question. Ino chose not to ask him further. Instead she told him something helpful.

"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but...I know she'll thank me one day. She's leaving tonight."

Sasuke gave a frustrated sigh.

"I knew it." He said to himself.

"Don't give up on her, she's just afraid. She loves you Sasuke."

Sasuke gave her his famous smirk before taking his leave...I had a feeling...

"If you were free Sasuke, then I wouldn't mind you following me around."

"Take care of her for me!" She heard Ino shout behind him.

It was time to do what he liked doing the most...

He was going to follow her once again.