The Monarchy
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Well this is the double wedding chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
Chapter 14
It took three months to organize the double wedding. Sasuke had thought the coronation was grand, but this was madness. At the moment, he and Itachi were making their final preparations. This was a good thing. It gave them some time to collect themselves and receive last minute well wishes from their friends and family.
"Now, Sasuke do be gentle with Hinata on the wedding night. She is an innocent." Kakashi says.
Sasuke twitches. SMACK. Kakashi had that one coming. Honestly, he loved his adoptive father. But the man was such a deviant sometimes! How could he even bring that lewd topic, right before Sasuke's marriage?!
"Well Itachi doesn't have to be gentle. Innocent or not, it's Lady Izumi. I'm more worried about HIM than her." Shisui adds cheerfully.
SMACK. This time it was Itachi's turn to twitch. Honestly, they were surrounded by such deviants.
Gaara just shakes his head at these strange antics. It must be a Sharinganian and Byakuganian thing. Sunaese people would never behave like this before a wedding. Oh well. He would try his best to respect their eccentric customs.
"Well I still think it's nice that Hinata is willing to marry you, despite your disfigurement." Naruto says with a sly grin.
"Disfigurement? Naruto, what are you talking about?" Sasuke demands in confusion and the blonde prince snickers.
"The back of your hair resembles a duck's hindquarters!" The blue eyed man replies.
SMACK. This time Gaara smacked Naruto. It seemed to be a tradition and he was going to respect it. Sasuke looks at the red head curiously, but nods approvingly.
"Well everyone else was smacking everyone. That comment did merit a smack. So I thought I would participate in your custom." The Sunaese King explains.
"Well it's not really something that everyone does. It's not as if everyone is smacking each other, all day." Itachi assures the other man.
Ah well that did make more sense. Gaara nods his head at the explanation. Still he was pleased that the smack had been so well received.
"Ouch! Gaara, that actually hurt. Jeez." Naruto grumbles.
"You shouldn't have said that on the man's wedding day. He's about to get married. I'm certain Sasuke is nervous enough without further agitation, no matter minor it might be." His friend informs him.
The blonde still grumbles. He rubs the back of his head where Gaara had smacked him. He looks helplessly at his father.
"You did deserve that one, my son. Come we should all head out. We do want to have the King Itachi and Prince Sasuke standing at that alter before their intendeds." King Minato observes.
Hiashi nods in agreement. Finally, another practical person. The men all head out. Kakashi walking along Sasuke's right side and Itachi on his left. After all, Kakashi was the father of one of the grooms. Hmm did this make him Itachi's "father" as well?
Sasuke smiles. It was a beautiful summer day. The skies were as blue as Naruto's eyes. The birds were chirping and the flowers were in full bloom. They were quite stunning. Every color of imaginable was displayed by them.
The wedding was being held in the courtyard. Sasuke estimated there were thousands of people packed inside. There were tens of thousands of more outside the castle walls, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couples.
"Are you ready for this, foolish little brother?" Itachi asks.
"I should ask you the same thing. I don't think you can handle Izumi. Shisui is right." Sasuke informs him with a smirk.
This earned him a dirty look from his brother. Sasuke just smiles. It was fun to irritate Itachi for a change.
The wedding was nothing short of grand. Beautiful music was being played in the background by some of the finest musicians in the Five Kingdoms. The tables were piled high with delicious foods and wine. Family crests were displayed prominently, almost everywhere you looked. Yes, this was truly a triumphant day for the Monarchy.
A flower girl came out. She was taking her duties very seriously and throwing the petals everywhere. The ring barer was less than thrilled by this. He sneezed and gives her a dirty look. The flower girl gives him a sassy looking and just tosses the flowers more.
Soon the two of them are walking side by side down the aisle. The purposely smash into each other, to see if the could knock their rival over. This was much to the amusement of the crowd. Somehow they manage to make it down the aisle in one piece.
"Their so beautiful!" Someone cries out from the crowd.
Sasuke and Itachi look up just as Hinata and Izumi are escorted down the aisle. Izumi was being walked down by her father. Her gown was pure white silk that elegantly clung to her body. She had a short white veil and a long train flowing behind her with a tiara linked to the veil.
Hinata had was wearing a white satin gown. It was sleeveless and shaped more like a ballgown than her friend's was. The bluenette had a longer veil, but no train. She was also wearing a tiara as was befitting of both of their stations.
"It was worth living in a monastery for ten years, just to see that sight once." Itachi murmurs.
Sasuke nods dumbly in agreement. He felt the same way about Hinata. If he had known he would end up marrying her, he wouldn't have minded hiding his true identity as much as he had. God, they were both beautiful.
Hiashi soon escorts Hinata down the aisle, alongside Izumi and her father. The Uchiha brothers smile at their brides. The Priest takes that as a sign to begin the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on this most joyous day to celebrate not one, but two unions." He begins to roaring applause from the truly massive crowd.
Hinata returns Sasuke's smile. She couldn't believe they were finally getting married. It was truly a dream come true. It was hard to believe that not even a year before, she had been very worried that she might never see him again.
"If anyone has any reason why they object to either or both of these unions, speak now or forever hold your peace!" The holyman continues.
There was silence. No one was suicidal enough to object. The priest nods and continues on.
"Wonderful. Do you Itachi Uchiha take Izumi to be your lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold? To love, honor, and cherish? In sickness and in health? In times of good fortune and bad fortune? To be your lawfully wedded wife and your Queen?" He asks.
"I do." Itachi says with a smile.
The priest nods. He hesitates for a moment. Would it be better to ask Sasuke next or Izumi? Should he marry Itachi and Izumi first or have the couples formerly married at the same time?
Hmm decisions, decisions. Well Itachi was the eldest. He nods and decides to marry them first.
"Do you Izumi take Itachi to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold? To love, honor, and cherish? In sickness and in health? In times of good fortune and bad fortune? To be your lawfully wedded husband and your King?" The priest continues.
"I do." Izumi replies and smiles at her intended.
"Then by the power invested in me by Sharingan Kingdom and God, I pronounce thee man and wife. You may kiss the bride and our new Queen!" The priest says happily.
Itachi didn't hesitate. The kiss scandalized more than a few people in the crowd. Izumi was far from shy either. Sasuke blinks. He didn't know his brother had it in him. The prince decides he was likely going to be an uncle before the year was out and turns his attention back to the blushing priest.
"Yes, well…I sense the Sharingan Kingdom shall have more heirs soon. Do you Sasuke Uchiha take Hinata Hyuga to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish her? To forsake all others? In sickness in and in health? In good times and in bad times? To take her as your wife and as your future Queen, so that you may both rule as God intended?" He asks.
"I do." Sasuke says without any hesitation.
"Wonderful. Do you Hinata Hyuga take Sasuke Uchiha to be your lawfully wedded husband. Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him? To forsake all others? In sickness and in health? In good times and bad? To take him as your husband and your future king, so that you both may rule as God intended?" The man asks.
"I do." Hinata replies and smiles.
"Then by the power invested in me by the Sharingan and Byakugan Kingdoms and God, I pronounce thee man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest finishes.
Sasuke decides to follow his brother's excellent example. He captures Hinata's lips in a heated kiss. Hinata quickly returns it. There were more scandalized gasps, but Sasuke cared naught. She was his wife now. He was allowed to kiss her whatever way he pleased!
"It's so beautiful." Shizune cries in the crowd, alongside Kakashi. (He had returned to her side after escorting Sasuke down the aisle.)
"Yes, it is. Well I suppose we shall be grandparents in a manner of speaking very shortly." He muses cheerfully and his wife laughs.
Hinata and Izumi throw their bouquets. One set of flowers lands in Temari's arms and the second in Matsuri's. Sasuke and Itachi blink at the ferocity that the women fought each other with to catch those damn flowers. It was a little scary.
The brothers throw the garter belts. Gaara and Naruto were the "lucky" men who caught them. Gaara blinks. Naruto shrugs and grins at the crowd.
"Well I didn't see that coming." Itachi whispers to his wife and the newlyweds all head over to cut the cake.
Sasuke watches Hinata like a hawk. He didn't want her to accidentally cut herself. He knew that logically he was being silly, but he couldn't help it.
Thankfully, the cake cutting goes almost without incident. That was until the princess and new Queen decide to shove a slice of cake into the faces of their husbands. This was much to the delight of the crowd.
"You know, that is really good cake." Itachi muses as he tries to lick it away from his mouth.
"You are fortunate that you are wearing that beautiful gown and that I don't want to ruin it." Sasuke says as he caresses Hinata's cheek tenderly.
"I know." She replies with a smile.
"But as soon as we are in our bedchambers tonight, your bottom is getting that swat that it deserves." Sasuke whispers into her ear hotly.
The crowd couldn't hear what the High Prince said, but they saw the blush. It seemed that they all possessed quite active imaginations. Soon enough they were all laughing and calling out good natured suggestions. Thankfully, most of them were fairly tame. (There were children present, after all!)
Soon enough they were all summoned to the tables to eat. It looked like several of the Monarchs wanted to make a toast. Sasuke sits next to Hinata and braces himself for whatever was about to come his way. Hiashi clicks his glass.
"Attention. Attention. I would like to propose a toast. To my new son-in-law and King Itachi and Queen Izuni. Long may both couples reign. While Sasuke and Hinata didn't have the most conventional courtship, I am very proud to have him as my son. I wish Itachi and Izumi nothing but happiness as well." Hiashi states.
Sasuke mentally sighs in relief. He was thankful for small miracles. King Hiashi had kept his toast respectable. The same was not true for Naruto though.
"A toast to King Itachi, Queen Izumi, Princess Hinata and her Duck Prince." He says brightly.
"DUCK PRINCE?! HOW DARE YOU INSULT PRINCE SASUKE IN SUCH A FASHION?!" Came howls of outrage from the crowd.
Gaara sighs. He rubs the back of his head sheepishly. Wonderful. Now he had to explain his friend's very strange sense of humor. He just hoped the crowd was an understanding one and that the blonde prince wasn't about to be tarred and feathered.
"It is a jest between friends. I do not believe Prince Sasuke is offended. Naruto meant no offense. He is just a very free spirit." The red head tries to explain.
The crowd immediately looks at Sasuke for his reaction. He sighs. It would serve the idiot right. He should let the prince squirm. But he decides that he wasn't that cruel. Besides, if it wasn't for Naruto, Suna probably wouldn't have helped them take back the Sharingan Kingdom. So he did kinda owe him.
"King Gaara is right. Prince Naruto does love to jest. His sense of humor is very strange. Please do not hold the fact that he was likely dropped on his head as an infant against him. His brain is somewhat addled." Sasuke says with a smirk and Naruto glares at him.
"I would like to propose a toast as well. We have had Sasuke in our home since he was a boy and raised him as if he was our own. We are very happy that you have found love and relieved to see the rightful King on the Sharingan Throne with such a beautiful Queen. Now, make sure to make the most of your Honeymoons." Kakashi says gleefully.
Sasuke and Hinata can feel their faces heated up. Kakashi just had to go and add that last part. It wouldn't be Kakashi, if he didn't. The crowd reveled in the Duke's outlandish counsel.
The grand feast was enjoyed by all. Sasuke sighs in relief when he notices so far the strangest occurrence were a few overly curious children asking Kisame some very inappropriate questions.
"Why is your skin blue? Why do your teeth look like a shark? How did you get so big? Are you a demon? Was your mother or father a shark? Are you going to eat anyone?" Were some of the most common questions.
Kisame was enjoying it though. The man was coming up with some truly outrageous stories. Itachi just shakes his head at his friend's antics. Well he supposed it was mostly harmless fun.
"Should I bring out some more fireworks?" Deidara asks.
"NO! There are too many people here. Someone could get hurt!" Izumi informs Deidara.
"That's no fun, your majesty. Just trying to make everything pretty. Art is an explosion. Yeah!" The blue eyed man continues.
Izumi smacks her forehead. Honestly, Itachi had the strangest friends. She supposed she should count her blessings though. They were all terrors on the battlefield. If it wasn't for them, they might not have won the war and she wouldn't be sitting next to Itachi now. So she would try to indulge their eccentricities.
"TOBI IS A GOOD BOY!" Tobi says as he dances around madly.
"I think Tobi had a little too much to drink." Shisui observes and the brothers nod dumbly.
Konan sighs. Honestly, she wished that they would learn to conduct themselves with a little more dignity. It was a wedding, after all.
"Oh they are just making merry, my love. Don't worry about it." Pein assures her.
Sasori was speaking with the Byakugan's Royal Physician. While he wasn't a healer, he did know all about poisons. So that made him a fascinating conversationalist in the physician's eyes.
"Yes, it's strange but if you want to cure snake venom…you must create the antidote by using venom from another snake of that species." He says.
"Are you certain about that? Wouldn't that just poison the victim more?" The doctor asks skeptically.
"I know that it sounds crazy. But I swear that it is as true. Surely as the Sun rises, you need snake venom to make the antidote." The red head assures him.
Hidan groans. He hated wearing this formal stuff. Kakuzu gives him a dirty look. He knew exactly what was on his friend's mind. He had better just suck it up.
"Quit your whining. Do you know how many people would kill to be in your place?" He demands.
"Shut your fucking mouth. These robes are really uncomfortable. They are so fucking itchy. No wonder most of the Monarchs and Nobles have a stick shoved up their arses!" The silver haired man protests.
Zetsu shakes his head. He really was surrounded by idiots. He downs another glass of wine and decides just to wait it out.
"Hinata, would you like to dance?" Sasuke asks as he offers her his arm.
"I'd love to." The princess replies and heads off to dance with her new husband, away from the complete chaos.
Sasuke smiles. He wraps his arms around her waist. Hinata's hands are soon around his neck. The two sway to the beautiful music together.
It was amazing how easily they could ignore the complete chaos going on around them. The Akatsuki were truly the life of the party. But Sasuke didn't care anymore. He had his princess in his arms and that was what mattered most.
"Shall we, my dear?" Kakashi asks Shizune and leads her off for a dance as well.
"Yes, my love. Lets." The pregnant woman says as she joins the Duke in a dance.
Soon enough other couples begin pairing off. Everyone was in good spirits thanks to the beautiful music, good food, excellent wine, and the special occasion. Some people were arguably in too good a mood because there were some things that just couldn't be unseen. Tobi attempting to dance was one of them.
"Should we try to help him? He looks rather intoxicated." Hinata whispers to Sasuke.
"Nay. If he seems too mad, I'm sure one of the others will tend to him. I think he just had too much to drink." Sasuke whispers back and sways with his beautiful wife in his arms.
Itachi twirls his new Queen. The two of them were the picture of regal grace. Which was odd because Sasuke had come to associate Izumi with sassy fiery aggression. Tonight though, she was simply a woman in love.
"Don't forget your promise, Your Highness." Jugo says as he walks by.
Hinata hmpfs. She glares daggers at Jugo. She said she was sorry! He just wasn't going to let it go apparently.
What was she supposed to do? Did they honestly think that she was just going to hide while Sasuke was in danger? No. She couldn't possibly do that Hinata had needed to know he would be alright. So she had done what was necessary and she would never regret having done so!
"He is merely teasing you, my love. Don't fret on the matter." Sasuke says and kisses her forehead.
"I know. I should give his arse a smack for it though." The Byakugan Princess says and leans into Sasuke's embrace.
"I'd rather you didn't. I am your husband, not him." He chides her gently.
Hinata blushes at the implication. Well she supposed she should have expected such lewd suggestions from the Sharingan Prince. Kakashi had adopted him after all. God knows that man could be quite outlandish!
"You truly are adorable when you blush. I love you." Sasuke whispers and Hinata smiles.
"I love you too. I'm so glad you are safe and that the war is over. Now we can really begin a new chapter in both of our kingdoms' histories." The bluenette informs him.
Sasuke nods in agreement. Danzo was dead. He knew that Itachi would be a fine King. He wondered if somewhere Mikoto and Fugaku could see them. He hoped they could and that they would be proud.
"What are you thinking about? You've grown rather somber all of a sudden." Hinata observes.
"My parents." He says simply and Hinata kisses his cheek comfortingly.
"I know they would be very proud of both of you. They might be a little concerned about Itachi's odd friends, but they would be very proud." She assures him.
Sasuke smiles and nods. That much was true. Odd was putting it rather charitably. He blinks. Had Hidan just raced across the courtyard in only his undergarments?
He looks again. Yes, yes Hidan had actually done that. He quickly covers Hinata's eyes. Honestly, how much wine had that man had?!
"My love, perhaps it is time for us to be off. We should be off. It looks as though things are about to get rather chaotic." He muses.
"Alright. But we should bid farewell to your adoptive parents, Itachi, and my father." She says.
Sasuke nods in agreement. He walks over to Shizune and Kakashi. He lightly places his hand on his adoptive mother's rounded belly and smiles.
"We are going to be on our way. Stay safe father, mother, and little brother." Sasuke says.
"Of course. Enjoy your Honeymoon." Shizune answers him in kind and hugs her eldest tightly.
"My love, you are going to squish him to death. Come back to us safely. Oh and Hinata, you be sure to keep him in line." Kakashi says and rubs the back of his head sheepishly.
"I will." The princess informs him and they walk over to the other royal couple.
"I take it that you are going to depart as well?" Itachi muses and his younger brother nods.
Itachi couldn't blame them. The wedding was now taking a turn for the bizarre. Even he couldn't believe that Hidan had actually pulled a stunt like that. Streaking at a royal wedding? Hidan must be half mad.
"Yes, we are. We wanted to say farewell first though." Sasuke says.
"Of course. We shall see each other soon." Itachi promises and the brothers embrace as the their wives exchange well wishes.
Sasuke leads Hinata off to their carriage. He opens the door for her and darts in after his wife. As he was getting in, he noticed a hawk flying through the sky.
"A good omen." Sasuke observes.
"A very good omen for our Honeymoon." Hinata agrees and kisses his cheek.
Sasuke smirks. Indeed. A very good omen for their Honeymoon. He hoped that the ride was a short one. The gown was beautiful, but he was rather eager to get her out of it.