E.I.: Hey guys, are you still in shock?

Sakura: Ah… huh.

E.I.: I have already recovered ages ago.

Neji: You saw it first so it's normal for you to recover first. Damn that was shocking.

Naruto: And scary.

Tenten: You said it.

Ino: Oh my God…

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

----

Everyone choked on their food.

"Wha—what did you say?" Ino said in disbelief and Sakura was slightly pounding Neji's back to help him. Naruto was gulping down a glass of water making Kakashi sweat drop anime style. Chouji was still coughing.

"Nothing." Shikamaru sighed. "Dammit, this is just too troublesome."

"Say it Shikamaru." Kakashi cheered quietly.

"Yeah Shikamaru, you won't lose a body part if you would say it again." Sakura said, smiling and nodding at him. "Better now or never. But I thought you'd go on a romantic escapade or something before you'll propose. This was WAY unexpected."

"Like what you said Sakura, everyone can't be romantic." Shikamaru snapped. "Damn it."

Ino was just staring at Shikamaru with stars in her eyes (not literally of course).

"Wha—do you mean it Shika-kun?" Ino said, clasping her hands together. "You're actually proposing to me…?"

"Troublesome… yes, yes… I want you to be my wife Ino…" Shikamaru replied, trying not to stammer. This was just too embarrassing and he wished he didn't say it here. It just… came out of his mouth. But at least he made Ino happy (Aww… that's sweet).

"REALLY! OH SHIKA-KUN!" Ino screamed, lounging herself to Shikamaru, who was now red… I mean, REALLY red. Sakura was giggling at the scene and Chouji was congratulating the struggling Shikamaru. He was already turning purple from Ino's hug.

"Ino—choking—not—breathing!"

"Oops. Sorry." Ino let go of him and helped him stand up. "Got… carried away."

"Damn woman! You almost killed me!" Shikamaru said while rubbing his hand on his neck. "Your grip is monstrous!"

"Trust me Shikamaru, I know what you feel." Neji said quietly as Sakura glared at him.

"Ah, love birds." Kakashi sighed. When Ino and Shikamaru sat down on their respective chairs, Shikamaru pulled out the engagement ring. A silver ring with a heart-shaped diamond on it.

"I was about to give you the ring but you hugged me." Shikamaru said as he placed it on Ino's finger. Sakura squealed.

"That's just too sweet!" Sakura said. "And you said this wasn't romantic."

Shikamaru just smirked while Ino was checking out the ring. Then, she gave Shikamaru a peck on the lips IN FRONT of all of them. Sakura was now squealing with joy as she hugged Ino while congratulating her. Chouji smiled at Shikamaru.

"Never thought you'd do it here." Chouji started. "I take that back. You do have the balls to do it."

Shikamaru sighed.

"So when is the wedding Shikamaru?" Naruto asked, breaking the ice. Everyone almost forgot that he was there since he became silent.

"I dunno."

"Nah, we won't rush it. Neji and Sakura ramps down the aisle first. Sakura that is. So! Sakura, when are you going to shop for your dress? And for Neji's suit as well… and the caterer… and the flowers…" Ino started, counting.

"Hey Naruto, why did you become silent?" Chouji asked, staring at the fox-boy.

"Something just popped into my mind." He replied roughly, slurping his noodles.

"Is it about Hinata?" Kakashi asked.

"Eh… one more ramen please!" Naruto tried to avoid the topic. "It's not about Hinata; I just remembered that I still had some papers to do back in the office."

"My Naruto, when did you become so smart on lying?" Sakura teased.

"I was SO not lying."

"Don't forget Naruto, Sakura and Neji are both here. They are both good lying detectors." Ino pointed them with her thumb. Neji just smirked while Sakura continued giving Naruto a mocking (not to mention sarcastic) smile.

"Maybe he's thinking to propose to Hinata." Kakashi sounded, making Neji stare at the Kyuubi boy. Naruto felt uncomfortable every time Neji stares at him like that.

"Are you?" His low voice said as Sakura giggled.

A sparrow sounded as Sakura went out from the bar and looked up.

"Hey guys, I need to go, Tsunade-sama's calling me." Sakura said, raising her hand so that the sparrow would land on it. "I dunno why though. Oh, and Neji, don't you have some foot patrolling to do?"

"Oh yeah." He said, jumping out his seat and placed his money (for him and Sakura) on the table and left with her. Naruto sighed.

---

"Tsunade-sama, you rang?" Sakura said as she entered the Hokage's office. Tsunade was having her daily dose of sake again.

"I have something to give you Sakura… as a gift." She said, smiling. "I hope you'll like it. It's some… sort of an… advanced wedding gift."

Sakura raised an eyebrow.

"An advanced wedding gift?"

"Yeah! Shizune!" Tsunade called out with her loud voice as Shizune came in, carrying one rectangular box. Sakura just stared at her with confusion as she placed the box on the table. Tsunade motioned Sakura to come closer.

"What's that?"

"A box."

"No… what's inside?"

"Open it."

Sakura looked at Shizune who was wearing a big smile as the raven-haired woman nodded at her. Sakura sighed as she took the cover from the box, wondering what was inside. Tsunade was wearing a big smile as well.

"Oh… my… God…" Sakura gasped in disbelief as she held the thing and raised it up so that she could see it clearly.

It was a wedding gown.

"Do you like it?"

It was a tube wedding gown with a silver obi (the obi had white embroidered cherry blossom flowers on it with some stroked lines) and it was made of silk. The fabric was really cool, smooth and soft and Sakura loved it.

"This is… beautiful!" Sakura said, looking at the mirror with the dress in front of her. Tsunade nodded and smiled.

"I thought it may suit you. Now try it so that we could see if it would fit. Shizune, please lock the doors in case someone would come in."

"Yes Tsunade-sama."

After 5 minutes…

"Wow Sakura-chan! You look gorgeous!" Shizune clapped. "Of course, we're going to place the veil (?) and on the sides would be real Cherry blossom flowers to complement your hair…"

"Simple but elegant." Tsunade remarked, standing beside her student.

"I agree."

"Tsunade-sama, where did you get this?" Sakura asked, checking her back. "It's so gorgeous that I didn't even know that this gown exists!"

"It was made for me." Tsunade replied monotonously while pouring sake on her glass. "Dan and I were about to get married but he died."

'Oh? If it's made for you then why is the bust not so big?'

"Oh… I'm sorry."

"That's okay. The good thing is, it suits you well. I never thought my student would wear that in such a young age. Are you sure you're up to the marriage Sakura?"

"Oh yes. The Hyuuga family already agreed and it's too late to cancel the marriage."

----

A.N.: Aww… I want that gown!

Sakura: Forget it, it's mine!

E.I.: Someday, I want to wear a gown just like that.

Naruto: Yeah, after fifty years.

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