I recommend listening to Pachelbel's Canon on piano whilst reading this. Definitely. Also, this epilogue will be split into two parts and probably renamed at a later date, because it'll be far too long if I keep up like this!
The doves were a bit much.
Sakura was sitting on her window seat, peering out of the window anxiously, watching the men in the street below unloading crates of (humanely) stacked doves. She winced when a crate wobbled and nearly crashed to the floor.
She had a piece of paper in her lap. She chewed her pen and squinted down at what she had written already.
Dear Sasuke,
By the time you have received this letter, I will be married. Can you imagine it? Me, married? And yet, somehow, I've slowly gotten used to the idea over the years. Gaara's been great about everything – even when I burst into tears because we had to change the seating plan for the fourteenth time because we'd accidently sat two of Daddy-Gaara's ex-girlfriends next to each other. I can't lie; this wedding has been one big crisis and stress after the other. Though it is debatable whether stress does cause stomach ulcers or not, I am almost certain my stomach is going to be one big ulcer after all of this planning. Who knew marrying the most influential businessman's son would be so complicated?
I'm glad you weren't upset about not getting an invitation. I don't know whether you would have liked to be here, but I know it would have been nice to have all of my friends here with me today. I understand, though. It's a complicated little situation. Believe it or not, when I asked Gaara if he minded if you came, he just made a face and shrugged like he genuinely didn't care either way. I struggled with the issue for weeks, believe me, your invite caused quite a bit of stress! I'm sorry, I'm complaining like it's your fault you couldn't be here.
Tenten called this morning and asked if I minded if she looked a bit fat in the wedding pictures. I, obviously, told her I didn't mind one bit but I didn't think she was in any way 'fat.' She laughed and replied, "You haven't seen me recently." Guess what? She's pregnant! I couldn't believe it! I'm pretty sure you are shaking your head and wondering why I think you care that Tenten's pregnant. This is why – the baby is Hyuuga Neji's! They've been secretly dating for a year! A year! All of those times Tenten said she had to cat-sit for her neighbour, lies! Don't ask me why they hid it from us. I think it's something to do with Neji's family being a bit conservative. Just look at Hinata – she and Naruto have had plenty of trouble over the years, haven't they?
I hear you've started training to be a physical therapist. I was pleased – I can't think of a job you'd be more suited to. The army, or navy, perhaps? No, I can't imagine anyone forcing you into a uniform. Anyway, if you ever want to reply to this letter, tell me all about your clients. Or patients? Which one? I know you'll want to talk. Your dad can't have been happy about your decision. He wanted you to work in the family business, didn't he? Especially after Itachi defected… I'm proud of you for sticking to what you believed in, even if you were just trying to annoy your father, you little rebel.
I'm sitting here in my bedroom right now, looking at my wedding presents, and sitting on my table, unopened, is the present from you. I'm saving it for last, Sasuke, because I know you will have picked the right thing and every other present won't compare. Ino's present was, quite frankly, filthy and disturbing. Where she got the idea that I (words crossed out hastily) is beyond me. Gaara was curious, however. I had to throw it away very sneakily, and now he won't stop searching through the presents, looking for it. Hinata bought me a gold and platinum bracelet with cherry blossoms charms. I love it, I'm wearing it to the wedding. She bought Gaara matching cufflinks, and though he grumbled about looking girly, he still fitted them to his tux when he thought I wasn't looking. Shikamaru and Temari got me a shougi set (though I prefer Go!) and (Temari's idea, I'm sure) a crib. Ha ha, very funny. Insert baby joke here, if you want. Tenten (and Neji, I suppose) bought us a gravy boat and a toaster. The toaster prints pictures on the bread as it toasts, which will be quite amusing in the morning when I'm irritable and tired, making toast. The gravy boat serves no other purpose other than to pour gravy, I assume.
Did you know Daddy-Gaara insisted on doves? I can see a horrible little man in my driveway, trying to force them to fly in sync, for no apparent reason. I'm sure that when I look back on this day, I won't be thinking, "Oh, I can still remember how beautifully those random birds flew as they evacuated their bowels on my guests." I'll be thinking, "Oh, I remember how all of my guests sued me for dry-cleaning bills on my wedding day."
I'm getting a bit nervous, if I'm honest. This wedding is a huge production, and I feel very small in comparison. I keep hearing things like, "Have you heard who's coming to Sabaku no Gaara's wedding?" when I'm in the supermarket. As if we have celebrities begging to attend. To be honest, we only have one, and he's an old family friend, apparently. No one ever says anything about me. It's Gaara's wedding. You'd think he was marrying himself. I'm actually afraid I'll show up to the wedding and everyone will turn around in the church and stare at me like they don't know who I am or what I'm doing here. Am I invited to the wedding? I forgot to ask.
But Gaara's been lovely. He hasn't shown the slightest worry or concern about the wedding. Not a bit of cold feet. I think it's because in his mind, marrying me is simply the next logical step, and nothing to worry about. Ah, romance. I'm not going to lie though, we were engaged for four years and every single one of them was perfect. We celebrated the day we decided we were going to get married every year, and Gaara always managed to surprise me. There was that one year when we had a very pink celebration (in honour of my hair colour, I suppose, which Gaara still can't quite believe is natural, even after – crossed out words-). So, we had pink champagne, which was actually nicer than the expensive stuff Daddy-Gaara serves on tap at his parties, and strawberry ice cream and marshmallows, even though Gaara hates sweets.
It's actually very freeing, writing to you about how much I love Gaara. There was once a time that you wouldn't have wanted to know any of this stuff, and I can't tell you how happy I am that we can talk normally about it now. I still feel nervous, but it's more excited than worried, you know? Anticipation. I just can't wait to see Gaara. I can wait to see Daddy-Gaara, though, because he's been so smug lately, saying things like, "It was only a matter of time," and, "I do believe I should receive some credit for this blessed union taking place?" I mean, as if. Yes, he was very excited to find out that my mother is very smart – he actually squealed, "It's genetic!" – and he approves of me and all that, but I can't help feeling very second best. Or at least, like Gaara's father scraped the bottom of the barrel and just sort of tolerates me. I also don't like how most of our conversations revolve around whether or not diabetes runs in my family (or twins. He would have liked twin grandchildren).
Four years is a long time to be engaged. I'm twenty, and I've known who I'm going to be with for the rest of my life since I was sixteen. Isn't that odd? Sometimes I think it is, but then I look at Gaara and melt (isn't that irritating? After four years you'd think the melting would have become less frequent) and my worries and fears wash away. When I told my mother I was engaged at sixteen, she gave me a look that plainly said, "I'm sorry, I thought you had working brain cells? Please go power them up." I'm lucky that she's been so supportive. I'm also lucky she isn't as supportive as Daddy-Gaara. That would be too much.
This letter's turning into a novel! I've not said everything I wanted to say, so I'll summarise.
Thank you for being my friend. I know it was hard. I know it hurt. Thank you.
I'm glad we're still speaking, even after everything. I understand what I didn't back then.
But I have to be honest, there is still some sadistic part of me that is delighted I beat all of your test scores back in the day. Don't look so upset! You remember my P.E. grade, right? You remember how you aced it and I didn't even get a mark? I held a protest against institutionalised torture in the form of physical education, if I recall correctly. Ino's still annoyed you beat her score.
I've got to go, Temari wants to do my hair and pull at my clothes for a while until she's satisfied I look halfway human.
I'll see you later, Sasuke, and I'm glad this war is over.
Sakura.
She put her pen down and allowed Temari and Ino to pull her to her feet and twirl her around.
"You look beautiful!" Ino squealed, squeezing her best friend tight.
"You'll do." Temari said, high praise indeed from her.
Hinata looked teary, her smile quivering violently as she gazed at her best friend.
Sakura raised an eyebrow and smiled at her friends. They were all wearing bridesmaid outfits – pink dresses Sakura wouldn't dream of wearing (she'd look like a giant pig with her pink hair, cheeks and dress), and their hair had been styled already.
Ino's platinum blonde hair was tightly coiled up in a plait pinned to the back of her head, her long fringe curled at the side of her face, her makeup exquisitely done so that she looked even more beautiful than her usual appearance.
Temari had forgone her usual shaggy bunches of hair and simply left it down, straightened and smoothed within an inch of its life so that it now looked immaculate.
Hinata's hair was also down but curling tongs had been run through her locks, so they now hung in waves down her back. She wasn't very comfortable with makeup, but for today she had brushed some pink sparkly eyeshadow and attempted to thicken her lashes with mascara.
Sakura had done her own makeup herself, but a hairdresser had come round to tame her tresses into something more suitable for a wedding. They'd left her with an elegant bun, bangs hanging either side of her face, a white flowery headband in place, securing the bun. Her makeup was as detailed as a former Student Body President could manage – red lipstick and liquid eyeliner, two things she never normally used and felt weird wearing now.
She shook her hands nervously, wanting to do an anxious little jig on the spot, but forced herself to remain calm. I'm calm, she told herself. I'm calm, calm… oh my God, what if he doesn't show up? She began to freak out, what if he stands her up, leaves her at the altar in her stupidly expensive dress and all of the guests (Gaara's guests, not hers) point and laugh?
I'm so completely calm right now, she thought viciously, and if I'm not now, I totally will be.
"Right, dress now, yes?" She asked wildly, her voice coming out a little strained.
Temari and Ino exchanged worried looks. Hinata put a hand on Sakura's arm, looking at her with a concerned expression.
"Sakura, are you alright?" Ino asked gently.
Sakura was standing the middle of her bedroom, the bedroom that would no longer be hers because she was going to marry Gaara and they were going to move into the house they'd picked out (with too much enthusiasm from Sakura and not enough from Gaara), and she'd lived in it for two years, she rented it with her own money that she earned and now she was going to leave…
"Panic attack," Sakura gasped, clutching her chest, "Minor setback. Give me thirty seconds and I'll be in the dress."
It took over thirty seconds for her bridesmaids to calm her down, Ino clutching her hand, Temari rubbing her shoulders and Hinata mumbling comforting words.
"Right, I'm absolutely fine now, thank you, I just need to lie down – oh God, I can't, not with this hair – I'm fine, let go, I need to get in that damn dress."
"Sakura, you are not fine, you are freaking out!" Ino pushed her back onto the window seat and glared at her.
"Are you getting cold feet?" Temari's expression told Sakura that she would not hesitate to eviscerate her if she even thought about standing Gaara up.
"No! I'm not getting cold feet," Sakura insisted. At Temari's sceptical look, she put her hands on her hips and said stubbornly, "My feet are of a lukewarm temperature, mildly warm, even! Downright toasty!"
"Sakura, it's OK to be nervous," Ino smiled encouragingly, "If you weren't nervous, then I'd be worried."
Sakura considered this. Yes, today was a momentous occasion, in which everything in her life was going to change. It was perfectly normal to be slightly anxious about such extreme change. She was a creature of habit, after all.
"Do you think Gaara will be worried too?" She asked hopefully.
Temari let her down easily.
"No," She said bluntly, "He isn't the type. Once he's got his mind set on something, he'll do it and that's that, no hesitation required. He asked you out the moment he realised he liked you, right? He asked you to marry him aged sixteen, when you didn't really know each other that well, and once you said yes, he just assumed that it was set in stone, not a matter of if but when. If I know him at all, he'll be annoyed at being forced into a tux and having to talk to the guests, but he won't be nervous at all."
Oh. That did sound like Gaara.
"Look, Sakura, why don't you sit down and read a good book or something?" Ino suggested, steering her away from the window seat subtly (presumably so she wouldn't be able to see the dove rehearsal and be reminded of the wedding) and towards a chair, "You've got time till you have to get in the dress, so just give yourself a moment to calm down."
Temari was texting someone whilst glaring at Sakura balefully, and Sakura, seating herself in the comfy armchair and accepting the book Ino found for her, had no doubt she was texting either Kankuro or Shikamaru to report Sakura's cold feet.
It took about an hour and a quick re-read of Pride and Prejudice, but Sakura began to feel the excitement she'd felt in the months before the wedding day, thrilled the day she would finally marry Gaara was coming, having endless discussions with him about what food they'd serve, whether they'd let Daddy-Gaara give a speech or not, what the first dance would be…
The door clicked open.
Sakura dropped the book in surprise and then (quietly mourning her flagrant misuse of critically acclaimed literature) felt a smile break out on her face at the sight of who had entered the room.
Her mother, fussing about with her hat, walked into the room and beamed at her daughter.
"Not in the dress yet?" She asked, her smile teasing, wearing a smart purple blouse and a black skirt, her hat purple and very impressive, a large flower stuck to the side.
"Should I be?" Sakura looked wildly at the clock and then turned agonised eyes on her bridesmaids, "I only have forty-five minutes to get to the church." She moaned, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you were getting irritatingly neurotic." Temari snapped, "Dress, now, come on!"
"Temari." Sakura's mother gave her a steely glare, "I hardly think your behaviour is helpful. It's Sakura's wedding day. Be a little more supportive."
Temari scowled, but looked a little guilty, "Sorry, Sakura," She mumbled, "I'm a little nervous too, I guess. It's my little brother's wedding day."
"How do you think I feel?" Sakura's mother winked, "My little girl is marrying Sabaku no Gaara. Do you know how long it took her to tell me who her lovely new boyfriend was? Years. When I first met him, he was wearing ripped clothing and eyeliner, but after they started going out, he came to my door with a bouquet of flowers, wearing a suit, and formally asked for my permission to date my daughter. I'm so proud of you, sweetheart, for finding someone so wonderful."
Sakura made a face.
Her relationship with her mother had been strained at best since the divorce. It turned out her mother had been hiding the fact that her husband beat her, and she'd only feigned indifference on the subject of who Sakura would live with after the divorce because she knew that Sakura's father would fight for Sakura if he thought her mother wanted her, out of sheer spite.
But the four years they'd spent not really talking to each other, with Sakura being bitter and angry over believing her mother didn't want her, and her mother being upset over the divorce, had affected their relationship, like it or not.
If Sakura needed her mother, she was there, but they had reached an understanding the day Sakura left for university. They spoke every Sunday on the phone, but they didn't try to force any kind of bonding. In time, Sakura hoped, they'd become as close as they used to be.
"Thanks, Mum. Can you help me with the dress?"
"Sure, honey."
xxxxxxxx
They were in the car.
They were on their way to the church.
Where Sakura was going to get married.
Aaaaaaaaaah….
"Deep breaths, Sakura!" Ino urged, "You can't go into the church like this!"
"Like this?" Sakura turned wild eyes on her bridesmaids, chalk-white and sweaty, "What do you mean? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Temari said calmly, "You look beautiful. All you have to do is sit here for a while, then walk up to Gaara. Repeat what the vicar says, smile and kiss Gaara at the end. That's it. Don't worry."
"I- I think you've never looked p-prettier," Hinata said earnestly, "Don't forget how much you were looking forward to today. You told me you could think of nothing better than to marry Gaara. Remember how you said it was like you were both the reigning sovereigns of warring countries and you were getting married to unite –"
"I was young when I said that," Sakura smiled, looking out of the window at the passing scenery, "and more sentimental than I would have admitted. But, thank you. Both of you."
She was remembering the nights she'd spent in Hinata's bedroom, sitting on the floor, engrossed in glossy wedding magazines, engaging in hot debates with Ino and Temari about how much cleavage is appropriate for your wedding day, gazing reverently at pristine dresses behind shop windows.
Aged sixteen, she'd been optimistic and hopeful, not the slightest bit worried about marrying Gaara so soon.
Now, twenty years old, she was far more interested in the emotional and logical ramifications for marrying her first love.
She would never be with anyone else. She'd never have a first date or kiss again. She'd never have butterflies in her stomach upon realising she was falling for someone.
But then she tried to picture herself with anyone but Gaara and failed.
A lot of people had thought she was crazy for going out with Gaara. Sure, just as many people believed Gaara could do better (she was one of them), but she could remember a few of her friends and teachers trying to convince her that Gaara would drag her down, that he was no good, a threat to her good reputation and grades – and she never let them convince her.
After all, she was no man's dream either. Gaara had spent the last four years thoroughly convincing her that he found her attractive, and as she grew older, she found logic triumphed over her self-esteem issues – she had a pretty face and wasn't fat or too thin. So, she was conventionally attractive – big deal. She was also a handful to deal with. She was bossy, insufferable, impatient and impossible to live with, a huge clean freak, totally neurotic and prone to overreacting over everything.
And Gaara loved her anyway, just the way she was.
And she loved him just as much.
Even when his anger management classes weren't going well and he came home with bloody knuckles and an ashamed look on his face, even when his insecurities and jealousy caused arguments, even when his contempt for rules clashed with her morals, even when their personalities proved that living together would always be volatile and difficult.
Because the nights when they sat on the sofa together, her head on his chest, his arm around her, were the best moments of her life, the happiest times she ever had were always with Gaara.
"So, are you alright about the wedding now?" Ino asked cautiously.
She turned her smile on her bridesmaids, "I'm looking forward to it."
xxxxxxxx
The trees around the church were in full blossom, petals floating slowly to the ground on the breeze, thick branches adorned with cheerfully pink flowers. The sky was cornflower blue, the only clouds present were wispy and white, the breeze a soft reprieve from the heat.
As Sakura carefully got out of the car, lifting her dress up to avoid it trailing in the dirt, she could hear insects all around her chirping in song and cameras clicking away.
"Over here, Miss Haruno! How does it feel to be almost a Mrs?" One reporter called out, leaning against a van, his camera pointed in her direction.
Daddy-Gaara's company was still going strong (presumably thanks to both of the potential heirs abandoning the Uchiha Corp.) and because of that, Gaara's relationships attracted the public's interest – especially since Kankuro, Daddy-Gaara's real heir, showed absolutely no interest in creating a scandal – so there had been a few pieces on Sakura in the media.
Her image as a no-nonsense former Student Body President had gained her the affection of the media, who dubbed her 'Miss Haruno' and printed pictures of her looking stern. There were a few catty comments about her sense of fashion (or lack thereof), but, overall, she seemed to be at least liked by the public. At any rate, she hadn't received any death threats for daring to be affianced to one of the most 'swoon-worthy young rich men' in the country, as the magazines liked to put it.
Temari was looking speculatively at the camera, as though judging how long it would take to reach the man and break it, though Ino was smoothing her dress down and preening. Hinata cast the reporters a wary glance, looking away shyly to lift Sakura's train.
"Excited," Sakura readjusted her veil and lifted it to aim a grin at the man, who, with lightning-fast reflexes, snapped a picture. She cursed inwardly, dropping the veil. The papers would have a field day with a picture of the Ice Queen herself, smiling. Damn, "Have you got all the pictures you need for today?" She asked politely.
The man shook his head, "I need a big one of you two leaving the church, with confetti and happy-looking people in the background. Is that possible?"
Sakura, who had up until this point planned to leave via the back door, grimaced and nodded, "Sure. You alright with waiting in this weather?"
"I got a van," The reported shrugged casually, "I tan anyway, I never burn."
"Well, most people think that's a good thing," Sakura began earnestly, "But it's a commonly known fact that a tan is merely a sign of skin damage, and you should always wear sun –"
"Sakura, can we please go in the damn church? Everyone's waiting!" Temari interrupted, rolling her eyes.
Sakura pouted but couldn't keep it up – the anxiety and nerves had dissipated the moment she had stepped out of the car into the bright sunshine and seen the gently waving blossoms – and giggled, covering her mouth with her bouquet, pink roses and baby's breath, with two long white ribbons.
Hinata, as Sakura's Maid of Honour, fixed the train as Sakura took a deep breath and stepped into the church.
She walked through the door, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the sudden darkness. Light poured through the stained glass windows, leaving ripples of light on the floor near the altar. Candles lit the way up the aisle.
Pachelbel's Canon began to play softly on the piano as everyone in the church stood up, looking at her.
Kakashi stepped up to her, his mask absent, wearing a sharp suit and a crooked grin. He offered his elbow.
She took it, shaking with emotion, and began to walk up the aisle as she had practised so many times.
Pure happiness surged through her at the sight of Gaara. Oh, this must be what women meant when they dreamily said the happiest day of their life was their wedding day. Sakura had once felt this was sad – having the happiest day of your life so young surely meant the rest of your life was a disappointment – but she got it now. She could sincerely say she had never once felt happiness like this before.
Kakashi was humming along to Pachelbel's Canon quietly as they walked.
Naruto sat with Kiba, Neji and Lee, all of them sporting huge grins. Naruto's gaze was fond as she walked past him. Neji gave her a little nod of acknowledgment. Lee looked close to tears, thankfully happy ones, since his feelings for her had died down years ago. Kiba winked at her. Tenten sat on Neji's right, one hand caressing her bulging stomach.
Shizune sat with Tsunade, in tears at the sight of Sakura in her wedding dress, Tsunade patting her hand to comfort her.
Daddy-Gaara, never one to follow tradition, stood next to his son despite not being the best man. His expression was softer and more gentle than she could ever have imagined. He gave her the smallest wave. He had been very vocally against her having Kakashi walk her up the aisle, obviously wanting to do it himself, but Sakura had had a quiet chat with him about how kind Kakashi had been to her over the years and he had backed down gracefully, his only act of rebellion had been to release a statement to the press saying Sakura thought of him as a second father, something Sakura did feel but would never admit to.
Shikamaru sat at the front of the church, next to Sakura's mother and the other important guests. His expression was complex – a mixture of happiness and something else Sakura couldn't identify.
She reached Gaara, her eyes focusing only on his handsome face. He wasn't wearing his eyeliner and his hair was neat and free of gel. He wore an exquisitely expensive suit, gloves and a top hat that his best man was holding for him. Though she knew him as a boy who wore ripped jeans and had messy hair, the formal clothes looked natural on him.
She could see him taking in her dress and smiling.
It was heavy, with mounds of glossy white fabric nipped in at the waist, silvery flowers adorning the middle and hem, sleeves made of lacy flowers and a train light enough to walk without needing aid.
She had felt ridiculous in it right up until the moment Gaara smiled at her and then felt like the most beautiful girl in the world.
Kakashi let go of her elbow and grinned at her, backing up.
The vicar murmured some words and it all began.
It felt like it took an hour and she was seeing it all through blurred vision, but later on she could recall the moment she married Gaara with crystal clear precision, right down to the minute details, like the fact his fringe had been combed away from his love tattoo and the way her mother sobbed all the way through the service, along with every single one of her bridesmaids, even Temari, though she later tried to claim she was faking it so she didn't show the other bridesmaids up.
Kankuro had passed them the rings, hers encrusted with diamonds she didn't want and had only accepted after Daddy-Gaara threw a hissy fit and Gaara's a plain gold band he had chosen himself.
Gaara lifted her veil and kissed her slowly.
They left the church as a newly married couple, Sakura's face beginning to ache from smiling so much, Gaara clutching her hand for support as the guests surged behind them, nearly tripping down the church steps.
Mindful of the poor paparazzi, Sakura pointed them out to Gaara and they posed reluctantly, smiles on their faces as the cameras flashed and confetti rained down upon them, the sun still shining brightly.
The people with cameras cheered as they passed them by, the guests casting disapproving looks their way, some elderly women clutching their handbags because they had mistaken them for loitering youth.
They all spilled out of the church messily, Shikamaru seeking out Temari and grabbing her hand, Naruto surprising Hinata and making her giggle, Neji carefully guiding the heavily pregnant Tenten down the steps and Ino walking alone, looking slightly melancholic despite the happy occasion.
The doves fluttered past and shot into the sky, startling shrieks out of some of the guests, feathers landing on their elegant clothes.
Sakura gave Gaara a quick kiss, surprising him and delighting the paparazzi, who responded by taking frenzied snaps of the two of them in seconds.
The cherry blossoms were still spiralling lazily down to the ground as Sakura and Gaara got into the limo, some petals catching on her veil, the clicking of the cameras never ceasing as the wedding party all began to search the car park, middle aged men in wrinkled suits and matching faces clutching car keys and peering at a sea of identical, expensive cars, young, slim women in sunglasses gingerly stepping into their husbands' jeeps, children rushing about and laughing, getting their formal clothes dirty and enraging their parents.
The limo door slid shut noiselessly and Sakura was suddenly alone in the car with Gaara. Her new husband.
He sat opposite her, looking daunted despite himself. The noise of the guests and paparazzi faded away as the car's engine began to purr, and the married couple grinned sheepishly at each other.
Sakura put out her hand and grasped Gaara's, thumb smoothing over his ring. He did the same with hers.
"Well, that's the ceremony over and done with," Gaara said bluntly, though Sakura could hear the bare relief in his voice that the ordeal of having so many people around him was done, "Just the reception left and we can go back to just you and me again."
Sakura leant forward in the car, the leather seats cool against her sun-warmed skin, and let her forehead rest against Gaara's affectionately as the car slowly drove away from the church.
Well, that's the first part of the epilogue done! It's taken SO LONG to write, you have no idea, and I'm not even completely happy with it yet… Oh well, it all helps me to improve my writing, at least. It's odd, I reread Student Warfare and even though at the time I thought it was pretty good, this time I hated it and thought, oh my God, how could I write so badly?
Seriously, Sakura's love confession comes out of NOWHERE. I was really annoyed at myself when I realised that. I may insert more chapters later on to develop her feelings in advance (can you even do that?).
Yes, Kakashi walked Sakura down the aisle, not Daddy-Gaara. This is because, although he's now her father-in-law and they're pretty close, don't forget he tried to get rid of her in favour of Matsuri once. The only reason the wedding is going ahead is because Gaara didn't play fair. So, I thought that Kakashi was a more logical choice.
Kankuro was best man, Hinata was maid of honour.
Ino and Temari were bridesmaids. (Fun fact: Ino would have been maid of honour had she been there in the four years of suckitude in Sakura's teenage years, but since she contributed to a lot of the angst Sakura felt in that time, Hinata became a more ideal choice. Ino tried to not let it bother her.)
Lee's crush on Sakura was dealt with somewhere in the four years after the events of Student Warfare. Sakura sat him down with Neji for moral support and let him down easy, swearing to find him a nice girl. She has not succeeded yet.
Yep, Neji knocked up Tenten.
And yes, Sakura is writing letters with Sasuke. Does Gaara know about them? Wait and see.
Also, I haven't been to a wedding since I was a toddler, and back then I was more concerned with stealing cheese from the buffet and keeping it in my hat, so I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENS AT A WEDDING. Please do not judge me too harshly; I'm assuming everything is inaccurate :)
Quick poll for THE GOOD OF MANKIND: Tell me some things you want to happen at the wedding party :) Any suggestions, I'm gonna love you for them. Even if they're things like, 'er, aliens could like, totally abduct all the guests and drink all of the punch.'
No suggestions, my dears.