Hinata stared at the reflection in the mirror. Her lavender eyes stared back at her, surrounded by the most beautiful white dress she had ever seen. There were sequins delicately hidden in the fabric that gave off a glittering effect. She chose not to wear a veil, but a simple lily in her hair. She had several bobby pins in the shape of delicate butterflies stuck in her hair, giving off pinpricks of light. The image was the perfect image of a blushing bride…except for her face, which had incredibly sad eyes looking out. Looking in the mirror, she saw the rosette smiling at her sympathetically from the doorway.

"It's time, Hinata…are you ready?" Sakura asked quietly as she smiled, wearing a simple sheath dress of pale lavender.

Sighing, Hinata nodded. "Yes, I suppose so." Turning around, she put on a brave face as she faced Sakura. The medic nin hugged Hinata tightly.

"Naruto would have loved you in that dress. It's beautiful." Sakura whispered. As Hinata felt the tears well up in her eyes, she simply nodded. It had been two years since Naruto had went missing.

It had been two years since Hinata's life had turned upside down. One day, Naruto had been on one knee, kneeling in front of her, asking to marry her. A few days later, after a rather large lunch informing friends and family that they were finally engaged, Naruto had went off on a mission. Hinata still remembered what his last words to her were…"I'll always return to you, our love is purer than any other." Hinata never saw him again. Reconnaissance missions were sent, and no one could find him. It was as if he vanished off the face of this earth.

Hinata's father gave some time for Naruto to be found. He tried to be patient. However, after a year passed, and no Naruto, her father demanded she find another, suitable husband. She was an heiress to an empire after all…she did not have the luxury to sit and pine her life away. When she couldn't do so, as her heart only belonged to Naruto, her father chose a suitable husband for her. She didn't really think that Gaara was suitable for her, but she didn't have a say in it anymore. So, as the red headed Kage stood downstairs, ready to make a political union, his future bride was upstairs, a hollow shell of her former self.

Going downstairs, she walked out to the front, to her future husband from the sand. Gaara knew of her feeling for him, those of friendship, and not love. He also knew of his brother's feelings for her, of love. Gaara had sworn to Naruto that if anything happened to the jinchurriki, Gaara would make sure to take care of Hinata and see that she was cared for and treated well. This was not exactly what Gaara was thinking of when he made that promise…but when her father came asking to arrange this union, Gaara thought it a sign from Kami, so he agreed.

As the ceremony started, the air was subdued, most of those in attendance aware of the history of the Hyuga and the Uzumaki…and her undying crush and love for the blonde from a very young age. Hinata didn't really hear anything that was being said and didn't really register the heavy atmosphere. All she could think about was Naruto, how much she loved him, and how much she missed him. Flashes of their past together went through her mind…when he saved her from the bullies, when she told him she loved him as he was impaled by Pain's rods, when she gave him the scarf, when he asked her to marry him. As the tears started to fall from her eyes, she could almost hear Naruto's voice.

"Hey…wait…what's going on? Um, aren't you starting without one of the two most important people?" Snapping her head up, Hinata realized that she was not remembering that conversation with Naruto…, as he had never said that. She was hearing it for the first time at that moment. Looking down the aisle, she saw…Naruto?!

Yes, Naruto was standing there, ripped and worn black pants, a mostly destroyed black shirt, dirt all over his face and body, his hitai-ate on his forehead. Seeing Naruto, Hinata was stunned. As Naruto walked up the aisle towards her, his eyes cut to Gaara, and then back to her. Hinata just stared, forgetting how to breathe. Walking up to her, Naruto grabbed her, pulling her into a greedy kiss, which she happily returned. Leaning back, he frowned. "Did you give up on me?"

"N…no. Father arranged this. I wanted to wait for you….but after a year; he refused, taking matters into his own hands." Hinata whispered. Looking down, she frowned. "I…I understand if you don't want me. I was too weak to stand up to him and wait for you." Another tear tracked down her cheek, dripping on the weary ninja's foot. She felt his finger go under her chin, tipping her face up. Looking into those cerulean orbs, all she saw was love.

"I want you, Hinata….always." He whispered; kissing her gently, sweetly, full of longing.

"Ahem…Naruto…let's get you cleaned up so you can rejoin this wedding. I think you two have both waited long enough…don't you?" Gaara's raspy voice broke the quiet.

And just like that, floodgates erupted. People were gathering around Naruto, clapping his back, talking to him, congratulating him as Gaara and Shikamaru forced him out and to bathe and get ready. Sakura took Hinata back to the bridal room. Smiling, but still in a bit of a daze, Hinata quickly got out of her dress and slipped on the white silk kimono she had prepared for her wedding to Naruto. As she changed clothes, she looked at Sakura. Bursting into tears of happiness, Sakura just held the Hyuga as both women cried. After getting Hinata put back together and touching up both of their makeup, Sakura went out to get an updated idea of itinerary.

Coming back a few minutes later, she motioned for Hinata to follow her. As the two went back out to the ceremony, the entire mood was different. Everyone seemed happier, the air lighter. Everyone knew that this was the marriage they were supposed to see. Gaara was sitting down, having changed out of the marriage attire and back into his sand Kage garb. He seemed much more relaxed and comfortable now as well.

As Hinata walked up, Naruto turned, his black kimono billowing in the breeze. His eyes widened in awe upon seeing her, his mouth dropping open slightly. Blushing, Hinata walked up. As he took her arm, the jinchurriki leaned over, kissing her cheek gently. "You look beautiful."

This time, the ceremony went off without a hitch. As the newly married couple made their way through the throng of well-wishers afterwards, heading to the reception, Naruto made a detour and pulled Hinata back under the tree at which he had proposed to her. Leaning over, kissing her gently, lovingly, he smiled, whispering, "I told you, I'd always return to you…our love is purer than any other."

naru/hina: "a love purer than any other" no lemon, romance, pootis