Chapter 42

"Hmm. hmm hmm. Hmm." black gloved hands poured the prepared seals onto the ground

"Why not just kill them?" Said Hidan.

"Because the client's requested it. And they're paying big. More than you could ever afford." Kakuzu checked the seals were correctly in place.

"Wedding. Wedding. Wedding~"

"Shut the hell up you moron!" Deidera shouted.

"But Deidera senpai! Don't you just love weddings?! All the pretty flowers and yummy food – Oh I hope they'll be serving lamb. Do you think they'd be serving lamb Deidara senpai? I've never eaten lamb before!"

"You idiot. We're not going to eat anything!"

"Oh…" Tobi deflated, "then I guess I'll make a dinner request to Itachi-san-"

"NO!" Kakuzu, Hidan and Deidera blanched.

A double wedding.

Siata couldn't believe the plot twist in this way. What had made the two tie the knot? Because of Jiraiya staying in that training camp? Maybe he was planning not to move around as much now. Or was it because Sasuke went to Tsunade's retrieval mission? Hard to believe he'd be some love cupid for the sanin's. But he had received that senbon he'd clearly made an impression on Tsunade-sama.

She hoped it was a good sign, things seemed to be progressing really well despite her existence in the world causing ripple effect changes that she couldn't predict. She wondered what effects the failure of the invasion will have on the future. Or what it meant for Mist's civil war almost coming to an end with this political marriage. Had Haku or Zabuza somehow convinced this to happen? Something had to have because she didn't remember any massive wedding right in the middle of the phase before Sasuke left.

That was the other thing. Siata had been cautiously monitoring Sasuke and Sunshine during the recent weeks but there was no signs of tension between the boys. She'd even kept her senses wide open to see if she could catch any of Oruchimaru's henchmen but didn't even feel a glitch. It was weird. But well it was fine wasn't it? The worst case scenario with Sasuke defecting and breaking the heart of the team apart wasn't happening any time soon. He looked quite happy and excited apprenticing under Kakashi sensei. She huffed and grinned at him as he listened to Kakashi sensei describe some of the tips to use for his lightning chakra.

"You hungry?" Shikamaru's voice broke through her thoughts

"Yeah."

"Here." Shikamaru passed a piece of bread from him pocket.
"Thanks." Siata bit into it. It was soft and slightly salted.

All the Konoha ninja going to the wedding were traveling through the woods. The rookie nine walked together in the large group. Behind them was their jounin teachers chatting away while some of their parents were tagging along.

She could tell Naruto and Kiba were getting bored from the long walk and was already starting to bother Sasuke by playing a rough form of tag. Normally when there was long silences and these kinds of spaces people would get bored to. But her and Shikamaru quite liked the space and simply walked in silence their arms brushing against each other at times.

When they finally arrive at the Land of Waves they booked at a local inn and left their luggage in the rooms. The wedding would be held tomorrow so they had a full day off. Siata said goodbye to Shikamaru and went off with her team to visit Inari.

Inari's family seemed to be doing quite well with a renovated home and lively atmosphere. While Kakashi sensei talked with Tazuna, Inari chatted excitedly with Naruto, Sasuke and Siata. They chatted about how they were going and what their ninja life was like.

Afterwards, Inari gave them a tour around town. The change was amazing. There were interesting, fun shops with huge different assortments of cheese, dangling chimes and fish shops with grocery shop-owners calling out sale prices in the bustling streets.

The people in the Land of Wave seemed merry with happy faces. The market pavements were painted in beautiful colours. Children were running around, and people sat and enjoyed the afternoon near the bridge or by the waters. She bought some of the crackers Naruto and Inari were looking at with starry eyes, and watched them eat it happily.

When Siata looked back she saw Sasuke was gone. She turned to find him.

"Sasuke?"

Naruto, Siata and Inari entered the shop where Siata could sense him. It was a wood shop with interesting inventions inside.

Naruto dashed up next to Sasuke who was closely observing something. Siata went to take a look and saw it was an intricate small wooden contraption.

"Hnn. Useless." Sasuke muttered when they came to take a look.

"Wow it's so cool!" Naruto beamed at it. It had a crank at the side of the box and once you turned it enough the small figures on the wood started moving. Like a small village. The box was only the size of a hand, but the detail was so intricate.

"I can buy it for you guys as a congratulations gift for your apprenticeships." Siata picked up two and went over to the counter.

"R-really? But isn't it a bit expensive?" Naruto mumbled but watched as Siata ignored him and started pulling out the coins for the shopkeeper.

"Hey Sasuke, can you believe the Uchiha Siata is actually using her own money for something?" Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"…it's the first time I'm seeing it myself." Sasuke muttered back, "we should get her something to."

"Like what?! She doesn't buy like.. anything!"

The boys stopped scrabbling to buy something when Siata turned back. Maybe some other time, they'd get her something.

"Come on let's go back to the inn." She pulled Sunshine and Duckling's arms and they all grinned walking though the town, happy.

When they got back to the inn the place was in full celebration spirit. She and the boys went directly to get some food. The Inn was packed with returning ninja and civilians for the wedding, telling stories while devouring meat and soups.

"I'll try the fried fish." Naruto looked up to the menu

"I'd like a seafood platter." Said Sasuke
"Oyster soup for me please. Thank you." Siata finished off the menu. They waited for the food to come out and had a look behind the counter at the kitchen. Kettles were bubbling, meat being slammed into bits. The cooks were chopping, stirring and dashing to and fro hurriedly.

"I see Kakashi sensei and Hinata's team over there," Naruto grinned and pointed outside in the more wooden area where a fireplace was with a few makeshift seats with wooden logs.

When they all got their own dishes they carried them off to where everyone was sitting.

Kurenai sensei was teaching Shino how to dance for the wedding. Shikaku-san and the adults were well on their way for their second bottle. Sitting on a large raised platform made of wood where many of the other older men chatting and playing shoji.

Shikaku-san actually asked for Siata to come over and when she did rummaged something in his pockets and pulled out an expensive matcha confectionery box she recognised. Her eyes gleamed as she took it and pulled the lid open. Ensui-san grinned next to him placing his shoji piece down, commenting to Shikaku that he was already beginning to spoil her.

The adults watched her pinch one of the soft white ball of matcha and munch on one. Then another. And another while she shivered in delight. Yoshino-san came over and pinched her cheeks and she caressed Siata's hair saying she'll get plenty more from the shops before they leave and Siata's eyes turned to stars.

"No it's really alright Yoshino-san. I'm really good, thank you-" Siata froze her fingers at grabbing the ninth matcha and looked back to the fireplace where the rookie nine were chatting and playing cards.

"I'll just go share them," Siata pointed to her friends and Yoshino nodded letting her go.

When she came over sitting next to Naruto and Sasuke to share the sweets with everyone they ate it and thanked her.

"The Uchiha Siata is sharing food?" Naruto talked to himself then put the matcha in his mouth,

"Her Chuunin pay is higher so she's calculated that she can afford to share." Kiba answered as Siata's brows twitched.

"Oh I thought it was because Siata-chan was growing generous in her good heart now that she's maturing and everything datebayo!"

"No. That would never happen not with her money." Sasuke shook his head and Siata coughed glaring at both of them, her wide eyes.

Ino laughed while Hinata's shoulders shook. Naruto laughed sheepishly and took one of the blankets and threw it over, so it covered him, Siata and Sasuke. They watched the fireplace crackle while joining the chat with the other rookies.

Siata watched Shikamaru from across the fireplace chatting with his team and smiled when he laughed at something Asuma had said to Kiba. She dozed a bit. It was nice. Warm.

On the wedding date, Yoshino-san smoothed out the green yukata she put on Siata. It was a colour for good luck in the Nara. Duckling and Sunshine weren't allowed to protest as Yoshino-san also slicked back their hair, but when they stepped out to go to the wedding Ino and Hinata seemed impressed by their squealing and puffing over in redness.

The boys really were older now, Siata noticed as she looked over them. Which meant Naruto might be leaving them for Jiraiya-sama, and Sasuke.. she still couldn't predict him. She pushed the thought aside. She could hear Yoshino-san nagging Shikaku-san about his obi colour.

As they all approached the wedding area, it seemed to be on a beautiful open field next to the huge river. There was two raised platforms for the two couples and seats all around the field that made some seated at the far end look like ants.

It was an important symbolic wedding after all, and the civilians were bursting in great numbers which meant they saw what normally wouldn't occur with ninja. Tripping over something on flat grass, children running around without kunai but paper planes. People bumping into each other and spilling their glass and everyone walking everywhere.

Still the bustling happy chatter of the crowd was infectious. Jiriya greeted everyone with hearty laughs and Tsunade-sama looked stunning in her white Kimono. The Shogan's son was there as well with his bride and Hiruzen congratulated both couples.

"Ero-sanin!" Naruto shouted and waved when Jiriya appeared at the ceremony and Siata pulled him down. They sat amongst the thousands of people as Tsunade-sama and the Shogan's bride appeared and walked along the aisle. Flower petals fell from the sky and the people awed and ahead as the ceremonial vows ended, then exploded into cheers and applause.

When the ceremony was finished the music started to play and the guests ate and celebrated. From the other end of the tables where her team sat, a group of people approached.

"It's good to see you all," Haku smiled. Behind him was Zabuza-san, and a women she knew would become the Mists Kage. A boy with glasses she recognised and- Karen? And Jugo! And Suigetsu?! Siata tried to disguise her surprise as happy shock from seeing Haku. They all exchanged greetings and hugs.

"So you're the one huh, thanks" Suigetsu came over and winked.

"No worries," Siata split a grin, not wanting to push the topic further. She didn't want her team knowing how she'd gotten information on Oruchimaru, no one in Konoha at least. Haku had made sure to her it would be secret.

"Sorry, he's the only one who found out you're the informat. He's promised his mouth shut. We can trust him." Haku pulled Siata over and whispered. She nodded.

"How's your arm by the way?" Haku asked. Siata lifted her arm up and pulled it back until her entire arm started to shake.

Haku frowned at her and tested her arm while pushing in on her shoulder muscles and nodded.

"So the damage is here mostly… I'm surprised you can move that much despite the injury." Haku whispered. Siata nodded and smiled assuring.

"It's gotten a lot better. And I have a sensei who's specialised in working with ninja with permanent injuries. And I'm getting a lot better with the exercises I'm working on right now."

Haku hugged her and sighed, "thank you Siata-san. For everything truly. You've done so much and given me so much time with Zabuza-sama and yet… all I've given to you is this injury."

Siata burst out laughing, "hey now, it was worth it. I'm really really glad your happy Haku. And that you could rescue those people in sound. I wouldn't change a thing. Really." She shook Haku and grinned wide. He chuckled.

"Would you like to dance?"

"Finally someone asked me, I actually love these kind of festive atmospheres." She eagerly went to the platform area, a large circular wooden ring on the grass floor where people were busy dancing to the music. Haku laughed and tagged her along, putting a hand to her waist and they followed what the other civilians were doing. Thigh slapping linking elbows swirling and clapping each others hands. It was really fun.

She caught Sasuke's distress signal and ignored it as he passed, dancing with Ino. While Naruto was bounding away with Hinata-san a bit too fast and Siata shook her head. Then in the sea of people. She saw Zabuza-san dancing quite expressively with the future mist Kage lady and Siata's brows raised high as they passed, seeing how passionately they stared at each other.

"Zabuza-sama is quite preoccupied these days, but in a happy way." Haku explained

"Wow. I mean. That's really great, it's just. I just can't believe I'm seeing this from Zabuza-san… I mean. It's Zabuza-san."
"Oh yes he surprised a lot of us with his latest date ideas with Mei-sama. Going on a killing spree with the mist anti kekkei genkai purists. I wanted to join but he insisted it'd be fun to go alone with just the two of them. They match eachother quite well."

Siata's body shook in laugher and slight horror.

"Wow okay I did not think of that when you told me he was going on dates. I thought maybe you'd seen Zabuza-san's secret romantic side or something."

Haku and her skipped in circles in time with the beat. He smiled chuckling, "that is his romantic side."

Haku tilted his head, his eyes catching something behind her and smiled wider. It was really surreal how pretty he looked.

"That boy with the sharp eyes must be the Shikamaru you've talked about. I think he wants you back."

"Hmm?" she turned and bumped into Shikamaru who casually took her arm.

"Who's this?"

"yeah Shika, this is-"

"Haku, it's a pleasure to meet you Shikamaru-kun." Haku smiled angelically but something in Shikamaru's expression shifted.

"Oh yes I remember. From the wave mission."

A strange tension built and Siata could tell Shikamaru was getting worked up the more Haku talked and apologised even though outwardly they looked perfectly civil. She finally managed to push in.

"Thanks for the dance Haku, it was really good seeing you! See you!" Siata waved while pulling Shikamaru away while Haku waved back.

She pushed Shikamaru into the dance. He was silent but in his fuming silent way not the peaceful silent way. Shikamaru looked down at her.

"What did you guys talk about?"

"Zabuza-san, and his passionate romance with Mei-sama. It's really funny actually have you seen-"

"I saw him testing your arm… you shouldn't let your guard down like that." Shikamaru said seriously,

"I just thought, well he's a healer so there's no need to worry so much Shika,"

"But…" he looked up and was thinking of something. Siata patiently waited

"You know he's still another ninja from a different country right? You shouldn't let him know about your weaknesses so easily."

"Alright. By the way when did you learn to dance?"

Shikamaru smiled, "when did you?"

"I practiced with Sasuke before we came, you?" Shikamaru's smile dropped, "I knew some already from some of the weddings I had to attend for my clan."

"Okay," she nudged him gently and he finally seemed to relax. They danced a few more songs until Shikaku-san came over to dance with her, then Sasuke, and Naruto. Soon she was dancing to those rotational dances and she met quite a few civilians as well.

She was dancing with another civilian when across her partners shoulder she saw someone she recognised. A man with a yellow pony tail stuffing in the lamb in some kind of pocket.

"May I?"

A gloved hand took her hand and she turned, letting the stranger hold her for the next dance, then stilled.

The civilian.

She'd never met him before. But something instinctively told her something was… wrong, as they danced.

"I don't know why your tensing up so much~! I'm a good boy you know!" the man grinned wide. And Siata's stomach dropped.

Her gaze snapped back to where the yellow ponytail man had been, but he was gone, and she flared her senses out and suddenly everything was very very wrong.

The hand holding hers gripped a bit tighter.

Impossibly tight as she instinctively pulled away but couldn't.

"Oh my. I wonder how you knew." His real voice came out. Dark and chilling her to the bone.

Then her senses picked up on another soul signature she knew far too well.

Oruchimaru.

And he was dashing at breaking speed towards something.

Something her gaze flickered to faster than him. The Hokage. She opened her mouth and screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Protect the Hokage!"

A few ANBU jumped up at the alert next to the Hokage just in time before Oruchimaru reached them.

But suddenly there was an explosion of water. The height of the wave about five buildings combined and it crashed down on the wedding, blowing everything and everyone away.

"Save the civilians!" Hiruzen shouted just as the water crashed down and blurred all of their vision.

Siata tried dashing forward and slammed into some kind of barrier.

"The hell?!" Naruto shouted pounding at the barrior as well.

"Who are you?!" Shikamaru jumped back at the plant that suddenly emerged from the ground.

There was some kind of glowing words- a seal on the floor that had snapped up and formed a dome over them protecting them from the water.

Kakashi sensei tried attacking the plant and civilian who had danced with her, but sensei's arm and kunai went straight through them.

The dome was sinking more and more into the ground now, taking them with it, transporting them somewhere else.

"Ino, try possessing him!" Shikamaru thought fast.

"I.. I can't! I can't use chakra?!"

Hinata suddenly slumped to the ground and Sasuke started to sway, Siata felt something draining her from the inside as her vision started to blur.

"What are you after?" Kakashi sensei was still managing to hold on and the Plant grinned,

"Well, don't take it out on us. We're just getting paid for the job, we don't really know what the client wants from you."

"Nighty night! See you soon!" The civilian laughed.

Siata fell to the ground and blinked as Naruto's scruffy hair blocked her view. Her heart pounding in her chest as fear gripped her body. Were they after the Jinchuriki? She scrunched her fist into Sunshine's yukata from behind. She wouldn't let them take him.

But how the hell was this happening. Why was the Akatsuki attacking them so fast?!

Her eyes felt like potato sacks as they started drooping as she fought to stay awake, but failed.

Authors note:

Yes I made it in time- Merry Christmas! Things are about to go down and finally into the real story which I'm feeling so satisfied about. The upcoming events were something I'd decided on from the beginning of the story and critical to the plot so it took me a while to begin writing it and not miss the details. There will be warnings for the next chapter which I will put up as a reminder again. Hope you enjoyed! And thank you everyone for the views and comments! Hope you liked my present :D