Okay, I'm really excited about this chapter, initially I wanted all the chapters to be of around 3-4k words, which fortunately I could maintain for the last three chapters. Now for the engagement, I had quite a few events in my mind that I'll be including in the chapter, for which I'm not sure if the word limit will exceed or not. I personally want all the world limits of the chapters to be similar, I feel like too long chapter without a break is too much and too short ones are annoying, and I guess 3-4k on average is fine with you guys too?

Anyways I don't want the author's notes to be too long or dragged so I'll just begin right away, let's see what happens. Happy reading!


Chapter 4- Engaged

Alarm clock woke Sasuke up the next morning, damn, he really was exhausted to not wake up before the alarm because that's what he normally did. Before even composing himself he heard a knock on his door. "Sasu-chan, are you awake? Please come downstairs fast, we have a lot of work to do!" Sasuke heard his mom calling him from the other side of the door. 'Oh right, today's the engagement'

"I'll be there in a bit." Sasuke replied as he got up to get ready.

"Itachi, are all the invitations sent? Have you settled things with Kizashi-san about the final arrangements?" Fugaku was confirming the final arrangements of the engagement. It was a private party with not many public figures or media involved. Both families agreed to not involve any media at all even in the wedding and only chose to announce their wedding to the world today, however, invited only some families of some big business owners and partners alongside a few relatives and family friends, besides guests from Sakura's side.

"I did tou-san, everything's good so far." Itachi replied. For the private engagement, only Sasuke and Sakura's close friends were invited, however that didn't stop Fugaku from choosing a very quite magnificent venue, which as well belonged to the Uchihas and was one of their mansions, specifically for holding private parties like these.

Sasuke didn't give much heed to the conversation, he wasn't bothered enough to. He was already bored, the Uchihas took a day off for the engagement arrangements and his friends were probably working. And for the time being, he had no part to take in any other work so he decided to hit the gym instead, until his mother called him to get ready. She really prepared a lot for Sasuke, starting with a warm bath with exotic fragrances to his extraordinary grooming. And Sasuke, even though wasn't a slight bit into it couldn't say no to his mother's requests and pleading face.

It was already almost evening by the time the Uchihas were done with their personal arrangements, after everyone was done getting ready, they gathered in the living room to head out together. Mikoto was the first, along with Fugaku. Her excitement for her son's engagement led her to be the first person to get ready in the family, even before her sons who were still in Sasuke's room, Itachi helping Sasuke get ready along with Naruto, who decided to show up in the Uchiha Residence to accompany Sasuke and Itachi, no way agreeing to leave Sasuke alone. How could you expect me to not be there teme?! What are best friends for?!

"Boys! It's time to leave, isn't Sasu-chan ready yet?!" Mikoto called out. "Give us a minute oba-chan!" Naruto responded in his ever so loud tone. Itachi and Naruto dressed up early to prepare Sasuke, and right now they were adding the final touches while the stoic Sasuke stood straight as per Itachi's command, half annoyed and half accepting his defeat in refusing Itachi.

"Just right there, no not there Naruto, let me fix it. Right there- ah. You're good to go, Sasuke." Itachi said as he fixed Sasuke's pocket square.

"Temeee, you look wonderful!" Naruto squealed taking a better look at the now fully ready Sasuke.

"Hn." Sasuke said in an unbothered tone and left the room, followed by the boys. Mikoto looked like she could cry happy tears at Sasuke's appearance.

"Oh my.. look at my boy all grown up. Sasu-chan, I'm so proud of the man you've become, you look amazing!" Mikoto almost sounded like Naruto now. The compliments had no effect on Sasuke though. Once again he responded with 'hn' accompanied by an unbothered look.

"Come on Sasuke, you don't want people to think your bride eloped or something do you? At least look a bit happy." Itachi pointed out only to be thrown with another 'hn' by Sasuke.

"We'll be late, we better leave now." Fugaku reminded everyone and he left followed by the two Uchiha siblings, and a pouting Naruto and Mikoto thanks to Sasuke's dry responses.

Haruno's

"No no, it doesn't look good, switch the bracelet in her right hand- yes perfect!" If Sakura knew Mebuki would fix each and everything Sakura wore for over ten times to find the 'perfect way', she could've fallen asleep long ago and take a good nap while his mother was at it. However, the two ladies assisting her didn't seem to get tired. Mebuki wasn't exhausted a bit no matter for how long she was standing and observing every bit of Sakura's appearance and Tenten wasn't annoyed about Mebuki constantly asking her to modify it the way she wanted until getting the perfect look either. Rather, both the ladies seemed quite motivated, something the bride to be herself completely lacked.

Sakura has been kept busy since morning with all the wedding preparations, beginning with packing everything up, shopping for her belongings, and getting ready. Mebuki forced her into getting ready soon after they were done picking up the dresses, which were in the shop for final fittings. And Sakura is sitting in front of the mirror ever since, watching Tenten and Mebuki preparing her like this is the last time she is getting ready. Tenten has been there since morning, Ino dreaded to be in Tenten's position, but she was called by her father to complete some office work for which she couldn't make it. Moreover, she was to attend the engagement with Sai, and if she was with Sakura the whole time that wouldn't happen, and Sakura could no way allow that so she practically forced ino to let Tenten be there instead, though that needed a lot of convincing and a little bit of begging. Tenten merely agreed to do so as well, since her parents lived out of town and she only did a part time job besides university she took a day off, which the other girls couldn't since their families were to attend the engagement too, invited by both sides considering they were common friends. And since all of them had business to handle, their fathers kept the children busy too in order to be done with the works early to take the evening off.

"Oh Sakura, see how perfect you look! Sasuke will go crazy over you today!" Mebuki almost screamed with a wink. How delusional can okaa-san get?

"Sakura, it's your engagement! Come on, cheer up now!" Sakura only nodded to Tenten's request. This was something she wanted the least, facing her fiancé. Even though it's been a week since their marriage was fixed, they didn't even talk with each other for once. Nor did either of them put the effort to, it wasn't something they wanted, and Sakura personally didn't even want to think about their encounter. She was trying her best to not think about the possibilities. She decided to not communicate with him for anything and was sure that he wouldn't either. "Sakura, you look good to go, it's about time, we better head out now." Tenten said.

"Neehh wait a minute, just a bit- yes! Now she looks perfect, oh my god! My little baby girl!" Mebuki said while shifting Sakura's neckpiece a little, in a tone that made even Tenten slightly uncomfortable. "Alright girls, let's head out!"

The ladies reached the living area where Kizashi was already sitting on a couch, outside waiting for the limo sent by the Uchihas, more like Fugaku's insistence to pick the Harunos up. "Come on Mebuki, we're getting la- OH MY GOD SAKURA DEAR! You look absolutely gorgeous!" A tear almost formed in Kizashi's eyes as he saw his all grown up daughter, dressed up as the bride to be.

"Come on tou-san, you don't want to look miserable on your daughter's engagement do you?" Sakura managed to say sounding as cheerful as she could to lighten the now beginning to go emotional atmosphere. Her own situation was uncertain, she didn't know how everything will go. And now coming across an emotional situation with her parents was the last thing she wanted.

"Haha Sakura, you're right. The father of the bride must be the happiest person in the venue!" Kizashi said, relieving Sakura and bringing back the grace again. "So everyone, off we go!" Kizashi continued, as everyone headed out. 'Here goes nothing...' Sakura thought as she followed suit, accompanied by her mother and Tenten. She had a long and very much uncertain evening to survive, and now the only thing she could hope for is to be able to maintain the bride like behaviour without breaking down.

Engagement venue

The Uchihas were already greeting the guests who arrived, Fugaku was busy talking to some close business partners he called along with Mikoto. Naruto, Sasuke, and Itachi stuck together, both the boys accompanying Sasuke as the guests approached and congratulated him, Itachi taking over when someone asked about the whereabouts of Sasuke's fiancé, every time responding with the same 'it's almost the time for them to arrive, they will be here shortly.' Kiba joined them as he arrived with his family, followed by the Hyugas and Naras. Naruto got busy with Hinata soon after the Hyugas arrival, Kiba too seemed to be looking for single girls at the party. After a few minutes, the Kazekages arrived too, all of them reaching Fugaku first until Gaara and Temari separated from their parents who were still engaged with Fugaku and Mikoto, and approached Sasuke.

"Congratulations Uchiha." Gaara said while shaking Sasuke's hand, Sasuke only replying with a nod.

"Well if it isn't Nara Shikamaru again." Gaara was interrupted before he could continue as Temari began speaking.

"Temari eh? Long time no see. I do hope your wit enhanced and troublesome nature reduced." Shikamaru responded. For some unknown reason Temari and Shikamaru always had some sort of tension between them, which even though looked like annoyance towards each other, the smarter ones like Itachi, Neji, and even Sasuke himself could sense the romantic vibes, which the boys assumed, those two unknowingly gave off.

"Speak for yourself, lazy sleepyhead, I see your nature hasn't developed much either. Whatever." Temari looked away from Shikamaru, now shifting her gaze towards Sasuke, "You never said we h-"

"Everyone!" The groups' turned to face Ino, along with a guy beside him that half of the group didn't recognize. "It's good to see you again guys, by the way, those who didn't meet my boyfriend yet, this is Sai. Oh and, congratulations Sasuke!" Sasuke nodded again as the group greeted Sai. Ino continued speaking, "I never thought of my common friends to become a family, how exciting!" Before Sasuke could deduce or ask Ino what she meant, the group noticed people's gazes shifting to a certain place at once, some gasping. Sasuke noticed some of the people in the group gasp and even squeal too, others shifting their gaze curiously towards what caused the guests to be awestruck. Sasuke didn't need to make any further deductions on the possibilities when he caught a glimpse of pink flashing in the distance towards the entrance.

The Haruno family entered the venue along with Tenten accompanying Sakura, the place was magnificent. Exotic flowers covered the whole venue, mainly of white colours. The decorations were composed of black, grey, and white theme, which seemed like was done so matching with the outfit Sakura and probably Sasuke too was wearing. Sakura couldn't help her eyes from widening at the much royal decorations beautifully adorning the whole place, however quickly snapped out of her state of awe to a more composed one as she saw the Uchihas and few other guests approaching them.

"Welcome Haruno-sama." Fugaku greeted them followed by a cordial response from Kizashi and Mebuki.

"Sakura-chan, kami-sama! Look at you!" Mikoto squealed as she observed Sakura from head to toe, her eyes glistening with adoration for her soon to be daughter in law.

"Mikoto-san, look at how sweet you look, I see from where those beautiful eyes of your sons came from, from which, I don't see Sasuke and Itachi-chan anywhere?" Mebuki asked hearing which Fukagu immediately called out for his sons but before he could, Itachi interrupted from the back with 'we're here', making their way to the front.

Shortly, Itachi and Sasuke stood right in front of them, eyes focusing on the Harunos. Sasuke couldn't help his eyes from falling on Sakura naturally because she stood out the most. The long, satin black gown adorned her porcelain skin and the contrast made her stand out even more, not to mention her unique pink hair that looked extra silky and wavy, making her look different than the straight hair Sakura he saw a week back. Minimal accessories and makeup were there too, her green orbs popping even more amidst the grey-ish tint of makeup matching with her gown covering the skin around her eyes, accompanied by slight blush and lips matching the colour of her hair. Her shy gaze on the floor could make anyone's expression soften, for she looked ever so innocent. But Sasuke couldn't let any of those features of his fiancé bring a change on his face bearing a very cold expression, which he intended to keep throughout the ceremony. Sure she looked decent, Sasuke had to admit it, but nothing could change his mind. This marriage was still arranged and he still had nothing to do with the girl. He proceeded to greet Sakura's parents, his in laws to be.

Sakura's heart was racing. She has never been in such a position where she was the center of attention, all dolled up and with everyone staring. She didn't know how to react or respond, keeping her gaze fixed on the floor, only shifting them while greeting the two elder Uchihas. She ended up shifting her gaze for the second time, this time without wanting or being able to control it when the Uchiha siblings made their way to the front beside their parents. Her eyes fell on her fiancé, who wore a black blazer matching with her own gown and... a pink shirt of the same colour as her hair? If anything, that was a whole another level of matching, which she was sure Mikoto planned, and right in front of Sakura's eyes was the proof of her plan being perfectly carried out. His onyx eyes carried a cold look with no hint of softness whatsoever, not like Sakura expected it anyways. But damn he did look good with all the grooming and perfectly fitting attire, his raven hair shining with perfect bangs reaching till the bottom of his ears, a perfect mixture of pink and black making him look admirable, on top of the good looks he already had. Snap out of it Sakura! The now slightly embarrassed Sakura forced herself out of the trance instantly before anyone could notice. Why'd she care how he looked? Her eyes once again fell on the floor.

"Ah Sasuke, come here. Look at you two matching so well, already looking like a match made in heaven!" A hard blush appeared on Sakura's face now that Mikoto pointed out what she secretly noticed earlier. Sasuke too felt a faint amount of blood rushing to his cheeks. "Come on, let's meet the guests Kizashi, Mebuki-san, Sakura you can join Sasuke, I won't make you guys wait any longer." Mikoto winked and went to the other direction with her husband and the elder Harunos.

"Ah, let's go then? Others are right there." Itachi led the way of the remaining group, with Sasuke beside him and behind were Tenten and Sakura.

By the time they came back to where the group were previously standing Sakura already noticed Ino, Sai, Temari, and Gaara along with two others she couldn't recognize. 'Probably his friends..'

"Forehead, oh my god! You look too pretty to be true. I guess it was a good thing me not visiting you earlier, the surprise view is definitely worth it!" Ino almost screamed before even the approaching group could join them. Forehead? Visit? Ino knew sakura? Sasuke's curiosity kicked in at Ino's unexpected gesture towards the pinkette. Sakura then seemed to calm Ino down saying something quietly in her years as she took her seat beside him, aware of having to keep a fair amount of distance.

"TEME? TEME!? WHERE IS TE- THERE YOU ARE! How did you- oh my god! YOU'RE THE SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto directly pointed at Sakura right after noticing her, making Sakura startled and somewhat scared at the sudden loud and direct approach towards her, she was too shocked at that moment to deduce the fact that he was Hinata's boyfriend Naruto, despite his obvious physical features and loud nature Hinata always talked about.

"Dobe, will you quiet down or make me personally throw you out of the venue?" Sasuke hissed. Of course he wouldn't do that, but he was too annoyed to not say it, he didn't want his loud best friend's voice to earn them more attention than they were already getting from the guests.

"You're too boring teme. Sakura-Chan! You're just as pretty as Hinata described! Maybe more! I'm Uzumaki Naruto! Also teme's best best best friend! Too bad we didn't get to meet before even though teme and you had the same friends. I just got to know a few moments ago from Hinata. Teme! This is unfair! How could you not tell me that Sakura-chan is already friends with Hinata, Ino, Tenten, and even Temari and Gaara! I'm not forgiving you for this!" Naruto said while pouting. 'They weren't wrong one bit when they described Naruto..' Sakura thought thinking about the time her friends who met Naruto described how he was.

Sakura is friends with so many people Sasuke knew? They had mutual friends? How did he never know about her or meet her even after that, even after having so many common friends, on top of going to the same university for years? Sasuke couldn't help but get shocked at the sudden disclosure Naruto made.

"Um.. hello Naruto-san-"

"Oh please! Call me Naruto! You see I'm teme's best friend and I wish to maintain no formality with my best friend's bride!" Hinata standing behind Naruto couldn't help but giggle.

"You look beautiful, Sakura-chan." She said.

"Thank you Naruto, Hinata. And Naruto, I heard a lot from Hinata and everyone else, it's good to meet someone so cheerful in person." Sakura cordially responded to which Naruto couldn't help but grin.

"Hehe Sakura-chan, you're too nice. I should be glad to see my grumpy best friend being paired with someone as gentle and nice as you! Though I'm not glad about the fact that you will have to bear with this bastard's grumpy nature, but I'm hoping you'll definitely bring a change to that!" Naruto was now happily smiling.

"Hn. I'm right here Dobe." Sasuke reminded as he saw Naruto continuing with his blabbering about Sasuke right in front of him and many others, including his fiancé.

Before Naruto could continue, Temari and Gaara took over, congratulating and complimenting Sakura, followed by Tenten whom Sasuke met a few times during some of his visits with Ino and Hinata.

"Haruno-sama, it's good to see you in person. We have never met, but I'm Neji Hyuga, Hinata-sama's cousin and a friend of Sasuke. I never knew you and Hinata-sama were friends, it's quite a shock that we're mutual friends, and pleasant too." Neji greeted sakura.

"Neji-san, please call me Sakura. It's an honour to see you too. I heard a lot of good things about you from Hinata." Sakura responded, reciprocating the respect Neji treated her with.

As they were continuing with the introductions, another guy popped into the picture. "Hey I heard Sasuke's fiancé is here, oh there you are Sasuke! Oh my god! What a beauty!" Kiba said looking at Sakura. Something hot tingled in Sasuke and suddenly he felt a lot more irritated than he already was. "Hello beautiful lady, I'm Kiba Inuzuka, Sasuke's friend. Please call me Kiba. Sasuke, I'd definitely look for a chance to ask her out or even hit on her if she wasn't your fiancé. Lucky you, paired up with a lady no less than a goddess." Kiba winked. Sasuke couldn't but feel a faint amount of anger beginning to spark within him. Kiba was a flirty one but the person he was flirting with right now is not the right person to do it with. Sasuke just knew it. Sakura was blushing furiously not knowing how to respond to that.

"Shut up, Kiba." Sasuke snapped at him before he could control himself. He didn't know for what or why he said it, his mouth just automatically felt the need to blurt that out. He immediately regretted what he said, an unnoticeable tiny of pink forming on his cheeks as he found everyone around giving a shocked, followed by a playful look at him. Damn, why did he even have to say it? He just did it to save the Uchiha reputation and to stop any guest from interpreting Kiba's friendly and playful gesture into a scandalous one. Yes. That has to be it.

"Damn otouto, I didn't expect you to get jealous that fast and easily you know." Itachi said with a smirk. "By the way Sakura, before anyone else takes the floor to speak, you look marvellous. I hope you don't mind me calling you Sakura?" Itachi asked his soon to be sister in law.

"O-of course not Itachi-san, thank you. Um... Kiba-san, thank you t-too.. I-I'm Haruno Sakura.." Sakura's voice lowered as she began responding to Kiba, still blushing and embarrassed at what happened. Sasuke just did it for the guests to not hear and misunderstand things. He had no other reason to snap like that, of course not. Sakura decided.

"Sakura eh? An absolutely beautiful name matching with your features. And Sasuke, you didn't have to be this irked you know, I was just joking! Of course you can have your wife all to yourself!" Kiba 'assured'. Sakura blushed again. I need to stop blushing like that. She mentally scolded herself.

"Tch, you two are being delusional. Kiba was just being too loud." Sasuke said, although that was not the case, there's no way he'd let even himself convince anything otherwise.

"Um.. hello there? I met Haruno-sama and they said I'd find Sakura here? Oh hello guys!" A guy Sasuke didn't recognize came into the picture, he wore the weirdest green spandex and had large round eyes and bushy eyebrows. But his approach was pretty decent.

"Hey Lee! Sakura is right here, there you go!" Ino responded as some of the people moved to make way for Lee, guess this Lee guy knew both Sakura and Ino, Sasuke thought.

"Sakura! You look absolutely gorgeous! Your youth is popping out even more today I see! You must be Sasuke-san I assume? I'm Rock Lee, Sakura's friend. Oh, you two look absolutely youthful!" Lee shook Sasuke's hand as he praised them both. Sasuke gently nodded at Lee's gesture, Sakura thanked him. This guy is too nice, Sasuke thought. Not at all of my type but I better not come off rude in a party like this, Lee was already being too nice, he thought. The group continued with introductions, surprisingly everyone seemed to click with one another and both Sasuke and Sakura's friends were pleased with the gathering, including both of them as well except that the interaction between Sasuke and Sakura themselves still remained zero.

The elders called them to the center of the venue shortly, which was specifically decorated for Sasuke and Sakura to exchange rings in that particular area. Sasuke and Sakura stepped forward to the center as Mikoto and Mebuki guided them, with their families surrounding them and the others gathered at the back forming a circle. The pair stood facing each other, both ensuring that no eye contact occurred. Sakura's gaze was still on the floor and Sasuke kept shifting his gaze everywhere except where his fiancé stood.

Itachi and Mebuki held Sakura and Sasuke's rings in the boxes respectively. Cheers and praises could be heard from everywhere but the couple seemed to pay no heed to that. Both of them just somehow knew that they both wanted to get this over with. Itachi handed Sasuke the ring first, Mikoto squealed quite loudly when Sasuke took the ring in his hand. Sakura's heart was racing even faster at this point. What was she supposed to do now? Quite unrealistic but Sakura was wondering if Sasuke will just say no and run away because of the interaction about to happen between them? How was she supposed to react in that situation? Nonetheless, that didn't happen. Sasuke faced Sakura once again with the ring in his hand. It was a beautiful diamond ring somewhat in the shape of a flower, many small diamonds embedded in it with details around the corner, the white gold making the ring look even more elegant and beautiful. Sakura felt a sudden push on her shoulders, noticing that it was her mother indicating to move her hand forward, she realized that Sasuke was waiting with the ring in his hand. Sakura blushed, embarrassed for spacing out like that and getting noticed too. Shakily she extended her hands, eyes now fixed at her left hand. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, Sasuke extended his own hand, holding Sakura's lifted left hand with his own. The contact sent shivers down her spine. Even his hands are cold. This was the first time they were making physical contact. No. This was the first time they were making any sort of contact at all. Sasuke then quickly slipped the ring into Sakura's ring finger, quick but gentle. Everyone cheered and clapped as Sasuke slipped the ring and withdrew his hands back to its original position.

Mebuki nudged Sakura's arm with hers and indicated her to take the ring as her turn came. Sakura shyly took it and faced Sasuke again, her hands shaking and eyes fixed on the ring. Sasuke knowing what to do moved his hand forward, waiting for Sakura to slip the ring and getting this over with. This is taking forever. And frankly, Sasuke was getting more embarrassed with time due to the unwanted attention he was getting. He saw the trembling hand of his fiancé moving forward and for the second time, he felt the warmth and softness of her small hand on his as she gently held the area around his wrist with one of her hands. Sasuke could clearly notice the obvious fear within her. Her trembling hands and lowered gaze made him wonder what made her so frightened. Tch. Who cares? The crowd cheered once again as Sakura slowly and gently slipped the white gold studded diamond ring into his fingers. The crowd probably thought Sakura's approach was as gentle as her name, named after a flower, but only Sasuke could tell it was only because of how she was trying to control her constant trembling, which Sasuke didn't know for what reason. The faint hint of curiosity washed away when he realized they were done with this awkward part of the ceremony, as Sakura withdrew her hands and the crowd cheered again.

Relief washed over Sasuke and they finally moved away from each other, after Mikoto encouraged them to join in the dinner table. Sakura's trembling seemed to lessen as well. Both Sasuke and Sakura were content with being able to bear the much awkward part of the evening without messing up or involving in any unwanted and extra interaction and getting past the ring exchanging part of their wedding ritual successfully.


Author's note- Finallyyy! This took the longest to write so far and I kinda exceeded my self made word limit too hehe! However I hope you enjoyed it, Sasuke and Sakura finally interacted (a little) lol xD but there will be more interactions in the coming chapters, just wait, I've planned a lot of things for them ;) do drop your views about their engagement and their interaction as well! Stay tuned!

Ps- THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT!! I really appreciate all your reviews on the story, it warms my heart! Love you all!

Next chapter release date- 1st May, 2021.