I'm so excited for this story to go on air! This was one of the drafts that impressed the publishers as fuck and since this is the place where it all started i wanted to publish here as well. No i haven't abandoned any story or writig it's just busy days left and right.

Your reviews are all so welcomed, I look forward for it. Thank you.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

THE WEDDING SAGA : PROLOGUE

Her pale, shrivelled lips painted with hues of red considered auspicious as if a four clover shivered as she saw her reflection in the mirror. The mirror portrayed the reflection of an utterly gorgeous woman, dressed in all white coaxing a wild, vivacious lady who wanted to scream and cry through the town. Her eyes were barely holding in her tears, her palms clutched multiple times; nails etching into skin. Her fingers never lingered aimlessly, they tried to lift up her heavy dressing and jump through the windows that held the sight of Sakura trees and it's tale of fallen members; soft colored disowned petals.

'I have to do it. ' she has already resigned. Her family's million dollar reputation was laid on this, hundreds of people where invited who held political and social influence like no other. Her 5 year younger sister held stars in her eyes every time she spoke of this, how can somebody break a dream as hopeful as that? At least she couldn't. More importantly her father, Otou-san, her only living parent who bombarded her with trainous schedules since the day she was born, hated her till the very next day and always referred her as 'disappointed' seemed very happy regarding it. He was emotional, which was rare. She couldn't be sparse enough to crush all those with her denial.

'Your mother, my beloved wife could have been so happy if she could be here. She told me what she'd like for your husband to be, I was perplexed, a bit enraged as to why she would say such nonsense in a critical situation but then her placid hands held mine, she smiled and trusted me with her vocation before she ascended heaven. I can rightfully say that I lived long enough to trace those wishes into your life, daughter. ' her father said these words while cutting Bonsais unaware of the tortuous turmoil he pushed her into. The weight of deceased that left her with a pit of grief; someone so exceptional who remained vivid within her prayers even when the last bit of her memories were fading like fog, crushed the lithe voice that came to oppose the commotion. She swallowed her pride, freedom and a love of lifetimes when she uttered the word, 'hai otousan. '

She weeped and weeped until there was no soul, no bones in her body to make her stand. Cold and collapsed on the extravagant tatami mats she realized the dried etched ink of broken words held more weightage on her uncertain future than her own ideals. Every day she gathered a grain of courage that she yearned would reap and sow as hard and sturdy as a tree trunk that would flourish her wants. The nimble seeds were just sprouts when the forest was set on fire.

She heard two pairs of feet padding through the hallways, a soft knock. Her voice trembled, lost alone in a void before she responded with a yes.

Her cousin stood there, stern and flawless. A wave of gratitude washed over her overlooking her cousin who was meet with an accident few months back, he recovered miraculously and she didn't knew what she would have done if he didn't. "Hime-" He looked at her with generational pale eyes but with enough concern and longing her resolve to stay strong almost melted.

"It's o-okay. I'm fine. " Her chants desperately trying to patch rigged edges of mendacity; her cousin was not convinced, he pursed his lips and tightened his jaw: a reminder how helpless he was.

"Oneechan of course you are! Look how pretty you look! " Her sister jumped in glee. She seemed to shimmer in joy; a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Thank you, Hana love. "Her acknowledgment made her sister giggle. She excused herself as to call their father.

"You know there's still time. " Her cousin, Neji prompted. His guilt of not being there for her while her life was gambled like a stack of cards made him loathe himself. He was sent to attend an event on the name of their family, it was a bit suspicious but he knew now. They sent him away, abroad, so he could not interfere in this ruthless marriage that held nothing but demise of his treasured cousin's happiness. He meet with an accident while returning; he couldn't care less. His accident post poned the ritual a few months. When he came to his senses, all his might was invested to talk with her but she was stern she would not bulge from this marriage. She didn't even knew who the groom was, yet. Nothing made sense except whitewashed lies.

"Yes. It is about to start. " She understood her cousin couldn't contain the illusory culpability but it was too late to blossom her wishes.

"Why are you doing this? You know I'm here for you-"

"I know. " Her feeble smile dropped from her lips as her knees became wobbly. It wasn't from the weight of an extravagant shiromuku embedded with years of expertise embroidery; a gift from her would to be husband, that dissolved her it was his security that made chaos so thrilling. "But it's okay. It's.. " She broke, her teeth clamped her shivering lower lips. "It's my wedding. Bid me with happiness. "

"Stop- don't say that... " Neji curled his toes, he was too heartbroke to take her consoling. He was supposed to caress her, make her understand he was there for her regardless of her decision, given the decision was hers. This was all manipulated! This was all business! This was all politics! Those sick bastards didn't even let her meet the groom or know his name. They even didn't tell him about her groom hell he knew the name now and all he wanted to do was wrap up his lovely cousin, take her a place devoid of this treacherous people. His stomach churned , acid reflux burnt his very soul.

It was heartbreaking, this departure, this unbridled knot of relations.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

She gulped down her emotional stupor that arose of a heartfelt conversation, it was her father waiting beyond the mahogany doors that lay evident to her inner genocides. She lowered her face, as her family did her dignity.

"It's time." Her father, epitome of patriarchy who single handedly ran a very successful multimillion company was hardly someone she ever related to as a father, as a friend. He stood at the doorstep in all his grace & glory. The only change she saw was a slight shimmer of affection that she doubted was a fine hallucination.

Every breath provoked a scream, her shoulders were ruptured from the weights of her self depreciating thoughts, the nagajyuban barely holding her together. Her uchikake; embroidered carefully with trees, animals and treasures such as orchids, cranes and carriages were said to bring good luck, she couldn't contemplate how antagonist it all became for her.

Her father gently crossed the distance between them, he took a moment to appreciate his euphoric daughter. His old wrinkly, firm hands trembled when he raised them to cover her face with generosity by the wataboshi. "You... " He froze, all his pretense forgotten. "You look like your mother. "

This was it. She couldn't contain herself. A few tear drops fell. She received the highest compliment she never imagined she had the calibre for. Her father embraced her, very gently as if touching a fragile marble sculpture that seemed to shatter on touch. "Thank you. " His voice laced with gratitude pushed her into the cemetery, the cemetery of her self doubts. "This might be the second time I let go of your mother but this time I know I can see her again. "

"Otousan... " Her fracture voice could no longer aid her brain who was perplexed with indebt.

"We shall go. " Her face was covered, she couldn't navigate any further. Just as her little self would she relied all her trust, belief in her father. He lead the way.

Wind chimes rang upon their arrival as the breezy wind flowed in the zen gardens. The smell wasn't imposing but it lead a sweet, prosperous blessing. They halted. Her heart palpitated. She couldn't see him but she did feel his presence. It made her nervous, a little scared. She was child lost in fare.

He, her would be husband, gently held her left hand with his right calloused hand. "With me. "His voice, she has heard it, somewhere. She knew him! It was a gravelly calm rich voice of masculine superiority yet this subtle benign. She wanted to pull out her hand from the vaguely familiar moment. Her fingers twitched; an impulse which displayed amorphous dubiety; he tightened his fingers around her.

He tugged her fingers, her heart shrunk. Slowly they walked through the rock gardens escorted by the shrine masters and traditional music. Every sounds like that resonating through their shoes mimicked her throbbing heart and scattered brain.

When they halted she imagined this to be the entrance.

"Steps." He guided, she took the hint this was the shrine entrance. There were stairs and if she remembered precisely after a few metres of altar there was a small stage, in front of the priest were they would be renowned husband and wife.

They entered through it, she could peep a little if raised her head but it hurt. The hall echoed with whispers of aww and gossips. They were grasps, a few well wishes and probably a handful of curses. She understood it as a sign of something really astonishing which is either her or her would to be husband or them, together. She couldn't mentally prepare herself for 'the moment', most people in here knew who it was maybe not personal but arbitrary. They had to, it was an exorbitant wedding; was the talk of the town since the news got leaked, the elder daughter who is he supposed heiress of this establishment that has been worthed billions, was getting married. It had to be someone of the league.

Yet she couldn't join the dots. After the accident happened she was wholly occupied handling both the sides of business. Her P. As were going crazy at the amount of calls, emergencies they handled and her own secretary who was a graduate from one of the best universities this civilisation had to offer was facing serious difficulties juggling media, clients. She took over being the left hand as well as the right hand side of her father that was chiefly executed by her cousin. This cancelled all her meets with her friends, she knew they investigated a lot on this however she also knew it was her own father who was the mastermind behind this clandestine feat. Rather than leeching holes through his plans she judged it was her responsibility to help him out while one of his hand was decapitated.

All she knew that this was a confidential wedding with very high profile officials to witness -decoding- she had to be on her best behavior regardless of whoever the groom was.

She was escorted and they sat in chairs, her heart thumping loudly. Somebody came and lifted her veil, she had to liberty to see her would to be husband but her neck won't bulge. The huge sleeves of kimono hid well the torture she was imparting to her palms. Maybe she should've meet with her friends.

The Shinto priests announce their wedding to Shinto gods but she couldn't listen their voices over her thumping heart and berated breathing.

The ritual, sakon no gi had three cups of sake that would be drank by both groom and bride. The first cup was handed to him, he drank, she felt her neck muscles cramping with acid refluxs when they asked her to take over the cup. Her fragile hands took over them and her crystal eyes saw him. They widened.

The only person she ever fell in love was a spontaneous idiot who is now an international superstar. Her family hated the idea of a scandal and more than their opinions it was no secret he didn't like her back. She never confessed but carried the burden of grief along with her friendship, he was her sun. Just the way she loved him, he loved somebody else. The girl who he loved was a good friend of her, she was close enough to know that the girl was in love, deeply with another guy; he was sharp and intellectual, had brains of thousands, was very handsome and brought back to life the fallen empire of his family. Their charisma juxtaposed each other; they were the best friends and worst rivals. The guy she fell in love, she vowed to always be in his team, to love him no matter what and that all their friends knew, they rooted for them. Then how? How come his best friend is the person who's sitting beside her, in front of Shinto gods is about to marry her.

Sake was poured on her cup; the first cup, sakazuki is said to be of gratitude to your ancestors by symbolizing heavens.

How is she supposed to thank her ancestors? Fame, wealth, family anything but this marriage? How?

The second sakazuki was signified to earth, a vow of couples to care for each other as long as they live. You care when you love something, you care when you finds warmth and home in them.

How is she supposed to find the belongingness when her heart has been already in debt with his best friend?

The third sakazuki symbolized people and their prayings for couple's fertility.

Can she birth kids, make new lives when her own has been ripped apart into sharp shreds?

The next ritual had a comb wrapped in cloth that she had to wish in. Her mind went vague, what shall be wished? She turned, robotically and stretched her wrists so the groom will take it over. He will offer to Shinto gods as a symbol of how much he's willing to make this marriage work. Will he? Will he make this marriage work? Or will he cheat on her and have his own lady pleasurers? Will he treat her right or let her curl up to cry herself to sleep? Will he kiss her or do a ritual? He held her hand a little too long and made her look into his eyes, his obsidian eyes thay spoke emotions she was not familiar with.

They read the vows next to Shinto God.

She had always prayed, a habit she borrowed from her deceased mother when she was sick was now subconscious practice. No relationship has been as personal to her as with her God. However, today, on a day where she should vow to protect a new beginning, cherish and nurture it, she feels like reciting poem to dead memories.

There we go! I love all your support and I dearly hope you love this piece as well.

Since the first chapter is already written and edited I was hoping I could get it published in here within this week! Awaiting your reviews.