The Lessons She Taught Me
by Sakuranime
Disclaimer: Honey, you don't need to own it to write FANFICTIONS.
"Quotation"
'Thoughts'
(( Flashbacks ))
Chapter 4: Say 'Cheese'!
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Last entry from Sakura's diary:
The happiest day of my life had also ended up becoming the most surprising day of all.
Things were going smoothly at first; though I had doubts about the person I was to marry, Yamaguchi Keichi. I'm glad I didn't end up marrying him, though, because he didn't treat my friends with any respect. When Sasuke came charging in, I was so surprised I thought the wedding day was just a dream and I was still in my bed, sleeping. It was actually very real. The whole speech about what I told him in the past was really sweet, I have to admit. I realized I could never stay mad at him. After he told me his true feelings, (by this point, I was really convinced this was a dream! Sasuke, human-ice-cube extraordinaire, confessing his feelings, and apologizing?) I was so happy…he really did love me! The priest (I think most people forgot he was even there) announced us husband and wife! Not really the 'romantic wedding' I had planned, but, who cares? I was with the man I truly love.
After the wedding (Surprisingly, Naruto actually brought another tuxedo with him in case the first one got dirty! Sasuke ended up borrowing it instead of the blue one…) was Naruto's favorite part. The party. Which meant food. FREE food. Naruto was scrambling here and there, piling his plate with food. Neji and Tenten looked so good together! Ino and Shikamaru were so funny together…it really is entertaining to see Ino smacking (lightly, of course) Shikamaru because of his laziness and lack of energy. By far, Naruto and Hinata are the cutest couple I have ever seen! (so cute)
The buffet time was actually pretty fun. Ino forgot to get herself eating utensils so she asked Shikamaru, who flat-out refused. (Laziest person I have ever met…Kakashi too) Ino then threatened to take the cable away and that got Shikamaru running for his money. Tenten, being the weapons specialist she was, began practicing with the plastic forks, knifes, and spoons! Neji was smiling the entire time…so that's what got him to notice her. Hinata tried to get Naruto to stop eating so much, but failed, of course! We all (meaning everyone but Naruto) still wondered how Naruto grew up to be so healthy with all the ramen he's been eating…ah well. The world may never know.
Then came the cutting of the HUMONGOUS cake, specially whipped up by Neji! (I know, I couldn't believe it either…Neji can make cakes!) I was so surprised and thanked him. Then he grunted and said something about, "Tenten…kill me if I didn't…" and some other words I couldn't make out. Sasuke and I each took the handle of the knife and cut the cake. Then we kissed! That was the second time in ONE day. I was so happy. While we were eating cake, I accidentally got cake on my nose and guess what Sasuke did? He licked it off me! (Hinata, Ino, and Tenten were all screaming 'KAWAII!') I was so embarrassed.
Guess what happened next? The jerk dipped his finger into his piece of cake and put it on my cheek! I was so annoyed I put some on his cheek. Naruto was laughing so hard I thought he was going to squirt juice out of his nose. That would've been nasty, and thankfully didn't happen. That was before Hinata smacked some icing on his face, laughing all the while. Naruto was so confused; he sat there with a blank expression for a minute before realizing something on his cheek. Then he did the same thing to the still laughing Hinata. A food fight ensued afterward. Everyone almost felt bad for the janitors…ALMOST.
Well, the wedding had almost come to an end, but before that, it was the bouquet throwing ceremony. I turned around, preparing to throw it into the arms of screaming people. When I threw it though, something unusual happened. In midair, the ribbon holding the lilacs, roses, and such came loose, causing the flowers to scatter all over the place. A surprised Tenten caught one, making Neji raise his eyebrows. Ino, who was squealing, grabbed one out of the air after stepping on a poor girl to get it. A stray flower came to Hinata and she caught it. I didn't miss to blushing glance she gave to Naruto, who was stuffing his face with more ramen. That baka will never give up ramen!
By now, everyone was unanimous that the day had been indeed full of surprises. I was having so much fun, I didn't realize I was tired until I tripped on the stairs. That would have been an embarrassing fall…especially since it was the end of the day. Wedding brides were supposed to have grand entrances and exits! Luckily, Sasuke caught me. Then kissed me. I guess that was a grand exit…some girls in the crowd thought so, anyways. What would I be without Sasuke? Nothing.
Thank you for EVERYTHING.
I love you, Sasuke!
Sakura-chan
-
Naruto rummaged through the cabinets, a goofy smile on his face and singing, "Ramen, ramen, where are you? Ramen, ramen, I'll find you! Ah! There you are!" He reached inside and pulled out an instant ramen bowl covered in plastic. Ripping off the shield, he poured the hot water and added the hot soup powder.
Shikamaru, from his position on the couch, put a finger in his ear to block the singing. "Geez, Naruto, you sure know how to sing…"
The blonde boy walked to the living room, having completed in preparing his ramen. "So what? Your singing doesn't exactly scream, 'Talent!' either."
"Whatever." The ninja was so lazy, he didn't even return the insult. Instead, he grumbled out, "What did Hinata want us to gather here for?"
Ino was sitting beside Shikamaru, lying on the couch with her feet facing her husband. "I wonder where Hinata is, anyways…"
The three friends were currently stationed in one of the many rooms the Hyuuga residence owned. The three friends recapped on the morning's events…
(( Ino was having a wonderful dream about finding a brand new flower for her flower shop and was about to receive the Discovery prize when an annoying ringing sound awoke her.
"Uhh…Ino? Can you get that?" Shikamaru grumbled from the other side of their bed. Muttering about who would be calling at this time in the morning (9 A.M.), Ino picked up the receiver on the table.
"Who is it?" Ino barked.
Hinata answered. "Ino! Is Shikamaru there too? You guys have to come to my house right away! It's important." Her normally calm voice was long gone and replaced with an excited tone.
"Huh? Hinata? Come to your house now?" Ino asked, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"No time to explain now- I've got to call Naruto-kun." Hinata said hurriedly. "Neji and Tenten will be there too. Come now, hurry!" With that, Hinata hung up.
Ino took the phone away from her head and looked at it quizzically. She placed it back on the receiver and turned to pushed Shikamaru. "Get up, sleepy-head. We have to go to Hinata's." Getting up, she walked to the bathroom, turning on the faucet.
"What?" Shikamaru asked, displeased with having to wake up. "What for?" He got up and started to change.
Ino took her toothbrush from her mouth, spit out the foamy-substance in her mouth and answered, "I don't know, but she sounded urgent." ))
(( Ring! Ring! Riiiiiing!
"Alright, alright, stupid phone!" Naruto flopped over on his bed, rubbed his eyes, and picked up his phone. "Hello?" He groggily answered.
"Naruto?" At the sound of his girlfriend's (currently engaged together) voice, he was wide-awake.
"Eh? Hinata?"
"Naruto! You have to come to my house now!" Hinata sounded excited. A blush enveloped Naruto's face. Her house!
Thought Hinata couldn't see it, Naruto started to twiddle his fingers, a trait picked up from her. "T-t-to y-your h-h-house?"
"Yes! Now! I can't wait…"
Naruto's whole body was hot. "H-H-Hinata! W-wait, this is too soon! I know we're only engaged- but…meeting at each other's house and…and…you know! Isn't that a bit extreme at the moment?"
Hinata was confused. "What are you talking about, Naruto? Shikamaru, Ino, Tenten are coming here too. I have something to show you guys!"
The blonde boy smacked himself on the head, a blush still evident on his cheeks. "Oh, alright. I'll come over right now."
"Alright, see you soon, Naruto!" Hinata hung up.
'Damn Kakashi-sensei…giving his perverted-ness to me…' Naruto grumbled, embarrassed, and got ready to depart. ))
The sound of the old-fashioned shoji (the sliding doors) doors that the Hyuuga compound had brought the trio in the room back to reality. In stepped Tenten and Neji, dressed in casual wear. Though Neji was indeed Hinata's cousin and recently dubbed 'overprotective brother', he stilled lived in the branch-member section of the Hyuuga compound.
"Hey guys!" Tenten greeted them with a smile. Neji nodded to the group, his way of greeting anyone.
Neji spoke calmly. "Any idea why Hinata called us?"
Shikamaru's eyebrows shot up. "You don't know? I figured since you're her cousin, she would tell you…"
The long-haired Hyuuga grunted, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "All she did was burst into my room, tell me to get ready, get Tenten, and come here." It was obvious he was slightly perturbed at the lack of information.
Just then, the shoji doors slammed open and in stepped a heavy breathing Hinata. Where had to normally calm, timid girl they all knew have gone? The other residents in the room wondered as they took in her disheveled appearance. Hinata must have rushed in getting changed for her hair was half-combed and one sleeve of her shirt was sliding off, showing her shoulder.
"H…Hi, guys…" Hinata panted. Naruto rushed next to her, straightening her shirt, earning a blush from the girl and a growl from Neji.
"Breathe, Hinata!" Naruto instructed. A 'ding!' sound was heard from the timer and the fox-boy was instantly at the counter, his ramen ready for him. Everyone sweatdropped at his sudden change in interests, wondering how in the world Hinata had managed to capture Naruto's attention.
Hinata's breath calmed down and she was ready to speak. Judging by her flushed cheeks, she was bursting to tell them the news. "First, will you all sit down? It's a video sent from Sakura and Sasuke." The moment they heard the couples' names, they burst into raucous questions.
Ino shrieked. "Sakura sent us a video tape!"
Tenten was smiling evilly. "I wonder what Sakura has to show us of their honeymoon…" At this, Naruto began to have naughty thoughts, almost erupting in a nosebleed. Neji smirked, also wondering what the tape would consist of. Ino was punching Shikamaru's arm lightly, squealing, "Sakura sent us a video!"
"I have ears to, Ino." Shikamaru said, eying the ecstatic girl warily. Hinata smiled. She knew they would all be happy to hear from Sakura and Sasuke.
It was then that everyone noticed the video tape clutched in her hand. Hinata walked over to the middle of the room, a video cassette slot in the video player. Clicking a button on the wall, a big plasma screen TV slowly descended from a support rod from the roof. Shikamaru, Ino, Tenten, and Naruto all 'oohed' and 'awed' while Neji smirked, feeling superior.
Grabbing the remote controller, Hinata went to the couch where a seat next to Naruto (still slurping his noodles), was reserved for her. They were all seated comfortably on the couch, Ino next to Shikamaru, Naruto and Hinata in the middle, and Tenten and Neji at the end. After everyone settled down, Hinata pressed the 'play' button and leaned back on the comfy couch.
There was black…then a couple of fizzes. The screen was black and white, but the occupants on the couch could hear voices. They recognized them immediately.
"Is it on…?" Sakura asked.
"Hold on a second…" Came Sasuke's voice.
The video showed lush green grass. The image was clear.
"Alright, got it."
Sakura shouted in joy. "Yay!"
"Sakura…" Sasuke's husky voice called from off-camera. "You're not in front of the camera." He was manipulating the camcorder, changing the angles better and adjusting the stand holding the camera up.
"How about now?" Sakura appeared on the TV screen where Hinata, Naruto, Tenten, Neji, Shikamaru, and Ino were watching in anticipation.
"Perfect."
"Alright! Come here, Sasuke." Sakura's hand motioned for the dark-haired boy behind the camera. He appeared from the side view, joining Sakura in front. She waved enthusiastically.
"Hi guys!" When Sasuke didn't say anything, Sakura hit him lightly on the shoulder.
"Oh," was Sasuke's unintelligible answer. He gave a short wave. "Hey." The friends watching the video tape sweat dropped. It was still a wonder how different the normally impassive ninja acted around his wife. A remarkable wonder. One they'll probably never figure out.
"How are you guys? Probably fine, I hope." Sakura half-asked, half-answered. "I knew you guys would be worrying about us so we- actually, me only, decided to send you a video tape. Ta da!" Her hand pointed at the camera with a huge smile like it was an enormous accomplishment.
Sasuke grumbled. "Sakura…do we have to do this?"
"We already started!" Sakura reprimanded him. She faced the camera. "Currently, we're at the Sand Hotel called the Ritz, one of the few suite rooms!"
The three girls gasped in surprise and envy. "WHAT! The Ritz Hotel in the village of Sand? They are so expensive and one of the best hotels of all the hidden villages! I'm so jealous…" The boys just rolled their eyes though they were slightly envious as well.
As if Sakura knew exactly what they said, she replied, "You guys are probably jealous, right? Hah!" Sakura stuck her tongue out. "Too bad! But I promise we'll all go together someday…my treat!"
"You'll probably use my money, though, right?" Sasuke grumbled beside her, hands crossed across his chest. Sakura pouted.
"Hey! We're married!" Sakura scolded the Uchiha. "Oh yeah, before I forget, remember Gaara?"
Everyone in the room stiffened slightly, except Naruto. Ah yes, the psychotic sand ninja in their first chuunin exams. But they heard he improved mentally these past years.
As if Naruto read their minds, he said, "Hey! Gaara is not psychotic! He just had a really bad childhood…he's actually pretty fun to hang out with." Sakura's voice spoke again, bringing them back into the screen in front of them.
"Well, yesterday, we met Gaara!" This brought a lot of 'What!'s. "And you'll never believe it- he's the new Kazekage!"
"What?" Everyone was shocked. They never dreamed the Gaara would be chosen as the next sand hokage. Naruto, on the other hand, was whooping for joy.
"Alright, Gaara!" Naruto congratulated, even though he couldn't hear him. "Good for you!" When no one else said any word of congratulation, he was fed up. "That's just being discriminating! Everyone has a good side in them, you just got to give them a chance." The others had to agree with him there.
"We met him shopping for food, actually…" Sakura continued with a sweat drop. "He's actually a good guy! Gaara invited us over to his place to talk about things…we cleared up about the chuunin exams! You guys would find him really likable. He's turned over a leaf. Ino, you'll be happy to hear that he really likes flowers- not in a gay way, of course!" She corrected herself. "He finds them really pure. Shikamaru, you'll enjoy a game of shogi with him. He's really good at it!" Sakura glanced at Sasuke. "He even beat Sasuke." She giggled, earning a scowl from him. "Hinata, you'll definitely find Gaara a good reading buddy…you should've seen his library. It was huge!"
Shikamaru looked surprised, then a new look came over him. He always got that look whenever he heard about new opponents in his favorite game, shogi. Ino gushed, completely forgetting about what Gaara did in the chuunin exams to Lee. If anyone appreciated flowers, they were always a friend of Ino. The sound of 'books' caught Hinata's full attention. She had a huge collection ranging from romance novels, proses, poems, adventure and action, humor, and mysteries. If Gaara enjoyed reading as much as she did, she would have no choice but to get acquainted with him at once.
"Also, he actually got an addiction to ramen from you, Naruto." Sakura had a wry smile on his face.
Sasuke grunted. "He had one whole bag full of instant ramen. I was really surprised."
"Ramen!" Naruto crowed, jumping from his seat. "See, what did I tell you? Gaara's a good person!" The few mentioned above nodded in agreement.
"Neji, you'll especially like this small tidbit…" Sakura said. If anyone noticed, Neji's ears perked up in question. "Gaara owns two small- oh, who am I kidding- HUGE dojo for training! One is inside, and the other is outside, near a waterfall. He trains there every now and then. Gaara actually invited us to train there anytime, as a repent for his past mistakes! He's so sweet!" She squealed.
Sasuke looked slightly annoyed. "Sweet? After what we've been through-" Sakura's mouth was suddenly on his, preventing him from speaking.
The girls gushed on the couch.
"I'm just saying that was nice of him! Of course, getting jealous over a guy I call 'sweet' is cute too…" Sakura said, mirth in her voice.
The dark-haired boy who was annoyed a moment ago had a tint of red on his cheeks and had his infamous Uchiha scowl on his face. "I wasn't jealous…"
"You're a horrible liar, Sasuke."
"You are too. Remember yesterday? When we bumped into Gaara, you were freaked out he would kill you that you pretended to be someone else. You tried to act like a man but what sane man would dye his hair pink?" Sasuke retorted.
The group on the couch was amused. They were already acting like an old couple. Time sure flies.
"Ahh…I wish you would stop reminding me…I was so embarrassed when Gaara identified me as 'Pinky'…wait. Is the camera still on? Oh God- tell me they didn't hear that?" Sakura took Sasuke's smirk as a yes. She burned crimson and stared in front of her. "Eh…could you guys pretend you didn't hear that?" She sighed. "Ah well, they're probably going to start calling me 'Pinky'…"
Naruto burst out laughing, pointing at the embarrassed Sakura in the screen. "Haha! Pinky! That's a good one, Gaara!"
"Naruto, you shouldn't laugh so hard…" Hinata scolded but she was having trouble holding her giggles in as well. Ino was grasping Shikamaru's arm and gasping for breath while Tenten laughed.
"Oh…my god…I can't believe Gaara actually said that…" Tenten said, a smile on her lips.
Sakura was right. Neji was surprised that the formally psychotic red-haired boy owned two large training grounds. All of a sudden he was envious of the Kazekage.
"Anyways, since Gaara invited us over anytime, I thought we could ALL go together whenever we could go to the Ritz Hotel. Tenten, you'll LOVE the weapon collection he has at the training area. The weapons always get cleaned twice a week and get sharpened every week. They're absolutely amazing!" Sakura informed.
Everyone covered their ears at the weapons master's squeal at the sound of 'weapons'.
Sasuke spoke suddenly. "I got to have a spar with him in the outside training ground. He has more total control over the sand but it still protects him instinctively. I couldn't even get in one scratch with all that annoying sand…" He grumbled absently.
It was the guy's turn to shout. "What!" Naruto groaned. "I wanted to fight him sometime soon…"
Neji's eye twitched. He never counted sparring with challenging opponents a waste of time. He would definitely have to plan a vacation of sort to the Sand village and get a chance to fight Gaara. "Damn lucky bastard…" He muttered, crossing his arms.
Shikamaru just sighed and leaned back on the couch. "How troublesome…" The girls rolled their eyes. Men and fighting.
Sakura giggled. "But you would have lost if it wasn't for lunch. Gaara postponed the remainder of the fight for some other time because there was ramen! I think his appetite for ramen rivals even you, Naruto!" Sasuke grumbled about the 'losing to Gaara' part and mumbled something about, 'I would've won…stupid sand…'
"Hah! No one in the world can match my love for ramen." To prove his point, Naruto got a ramen bowl and rubbed it on his cheek lovingly. "Isn't that right, ramen?"
Tenten nudged Hinata with her elbow, a smirk on her face. "Looks like you have some competition, right Hinata?" Ino laughed.
"Well, after that, we left Gaara's house and went to a hot spring called 'Hot Spring Galore'. It's a little walk from the Ritz Hotel…ah! It was so relaxing." Sakura sighed happily. A blush overcame her features.
"Of course you enjoyed it, I was there." Sasuke added, watching with satisfaction at her beet-red face. Revenge was sweet.
"Sa-Sasuke! You didn't need to tell them that!" Sakura buried her burning face in Sasuke's shoulder.
Naruto snickered. "See anything good?"
Hinata blushed at him. "Na-Naruto!"
"Sakura, the tape is going to run out soon." Sasuke pointed at the camera. It looked as if he was pointing at them.
"Oh, well, we'll be coming back to Konoha in a few days, so don't worry too much! Hope you guys don't have too much fun! If you know what I mean…" Sakura said hastily, a grin on her face.
Was it just them or did the room suddenly get very hot?
"Come on, Sakura. Didn't you want to try on your kimono?" Sasuke got up from the grass, Sakura following suit soon after.
"Oh yeah! See you guys, we're going to the New Moon Festival here! It's supposed to be some kind of celebration for something…" Sakura quickly explained.
"Sakura…" Sasuke warned.
"Right, right, you're still a stiff, you know that right?"
"Of course. You still love me all the same."
Sakura groaned. "Yeah yeah…See you guys in a few days!" When Sasuke didn't say anything, she hit him on the shoulder.
An annoyed look was on his face but that soon disappeared as Sakura smiled. Sasuke waved at the camera.
"Bye!"
The screen became black as the tape ended.
Ino snorted. "A festival! How lucky…"
Hinata giggled. "They're going to have so much fun."
"Hmm…I wonder what they're going to do at night…" Naruto looked thoughtful. A dark look overcame them all. Hentai thoughts threatened to overtake the ninja's minds and exploding nosebleeds decided to come out.
"NARUTO, YOU PERVERT!" Everyone, surprisingly even Neji, shouted.
Whacking sounds were heard and the hyperactive-blonde's cries of mercy engulfed the Hyuuga residence.
-
The festival had ended and it was time for the New Moon fireworks to begin. Gaara (they were friends now) had graciously reserved a hill for them as a gift for their wedding. It was a small and low hill, but served as a great view.
Sasuke was in a blue kimono with a dark blue haori with the Uchiha fan on the back and a dark blue hakama. His raven-black hair was as messy and pointy as ever but that's what made him handsome. In contrast with his dark colors, Sakura donned a light pink kimono, with cherry blossoms dancing across. Encircling Sakura's mid-rift was a red obi, which in turn was stabilized by an orange obi-jime, a small silken cord. Her hair was up in a messy bun with styling chopsticks, short tendrils of pink framing her face. In his eyes, she looked stunningly beautiful.
The couple trudged up the steps to the hill, Sasuke holding Sakura's hand and holding food in the other. Soon after, they reached the top.
"Wow…" Sakura breathed as the two reached the top. "It's a wonderful spot for seeing the fireworks!" She spotted a shed and let go of Sasuke's hand to explore. A moment later, she came out with tatami mats and a jar of sake. Frantically setting the mat and sake on the soft grass, Sakura beckoned the dark-haired boy to sit down.
Sasuke placed the food next to the sake and sat down. Sakura's head immediately found a spot on his shoulder and she snuggled into him. She breathed deeply, and sighed contentedly.
"You smell good…" Sakura said. He raised a brow, to which she giggled. "This is so perfect…"
"Aa." Sasuke agreed.
She shook her head. "You really need to extend your vocabulary."
"Hn."
"Seriously." She laughed unexpectedly. "I never thought I would be here, enjoying the New Moon festival with you…"
A contented silence took hold.
Sasuke couldn't believe it. How had life sent him to where he was? At first, everything was about revenge. Itachi. Training. Getting stronger. Avenging his clan. Restoring his clan to its' former glory. How in the world did he manage to kill Itachi? How in the world did he manage to confront Sakura despite his pride? How in the world did he manage to be with the one he loved, Sakura, watching the fireworks under the night sky? He didn't know, but neither did he care. For once in his life, he was happy, and that was all there is to it.
After eating the food, an assortment of dango, chips, and other sweets, they decided to drink sake while talking. This time, Sasuke didn't mind if Sakura did all the talking. He was content to just listen to her rhythmic voice. After the sake was done (they weren't drunk, surprisingly), Sasuke leaned on the bark of the tree, Sakura's back on his stomach. She gasped as a single firework whistled in the sky, then exploded in a brilliant light of colors.
"It's starting, Sasuke!" Sakura said, absolutely giddy with excitement. Sasuke gave her one of his signature miniscule smiles.
Sakura watched in awe as the fireworks streaked into the sky, lighting the black space with green, red, yellow, white, blue, pink, purple and more. Sasuke watched in silent satisfaction, pulling her closer by the waist.
"Sakura?" Sasuke asked the girl in his arms.
"Hm?" Came the reply.
Sasuke paused. Should he tell her? She'll definitely kill him for this…
'It's you funeral, you know.' The inner voice bluntly stated.
'Shut up.'
Sasuke cleared his throat. "Well, you remember the time when you asked me to walk you home and I said I had better things to do?" (You guys might not remember, it's around the beginning in Chapter 2!)
Sakura shifted and gave him a curious look. "Yeah?"
"Uhh…well…" Sasuke stammered. How un-Uchiha-like. "You know what I did when I came home?"
"What?"
"I played ping-pong."
Silence. Then…
"OW! Did you have to hit me?"
Sakura giggled, turning back to the fireworks above. She was truly happy. Sasuke encircle his arms around her, looking above as well. A genuine smile adorned his lips.
Thank you, Sakura, for teaching me those lessons.
The bubble-gum haired girl gasped in surprise. "Sasuke, you're smiling!"
Live with intention.
The Uchiha looked at her, a scowl replacing the smile. "So? Does it surprise you?"
Listen hard.
Sakura nodded, a blush on her cheeks. A white firework burst in the sky, the light illuminating her face. "It suits you."
Laugh.
Sasuke raised a brow. "Really?"
Appreciate your friends.
"Definitely." Sakura laughed melodically. "It's just that it's rare to see you smile. You're always smirking, glaring, frowning, staring, growling, muttering-" Sasuke's lips crashed onto hers, making her eyes widen.
Do what you love.
He broke the kiss, smirking at the owlish expression Sakura had on her face. "Maybe I should smile more often, if it makes you smile."
Sakura smiled broadly, Sasuke following suit. He couldn't help it. The smile was infectious. "Thank you." The last firework exploded, creating a large red heart- shape around the couple.
Live as if this is all there is.
They kissed.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
SA: (blows in tissue) WAAAHHH! That was so sweet! (pats Sasuke) I never knew you had it in you!
Sasuke: (scowl)
Sakura: Aww, it wasn't that bad! It was soooo CUTE!
Naruto cast: (tear) So…good!
Hinata: Aren't y-you forgetting something…?
SA: Eh? What?
Naruto: HAHA! You baka, remember? The responses at the end?
SA: Oh yeah! Here are the responses for the reviewers who helped me get through the story!
Sakuranime responds!
too lazy to sign in – cuito: OMFG…CUITO? THE CUITO? (squeal) I loved your 'Past Midnight' story! I read it and it was SO. GOOD. WAAAHHH! You love my story! I could just faint…! (faints)
little wolf blossom: GASP! You want to read more! I feel so loved…(smile)
tenten-kun: Awww, it was? Don't worry! It'll be happy at the end! Thank you so much for the hilarious comment! I tried to be funny to lighten the mood at the end…I never do like serious scenes!
tenten-kun: Well, it's sorta too late to answer your question cuz you already know the answer! Basically, they're all at the wedding of course, but since I wanted to keep this story short, I didn't personally name all of them. Well, wish received! Tenten and Neji are a couple! YAY!
kApiNkc0w: Yes…Sasuke's ooc…but you forget, they're all 29 IN THIS FANFIC…of course there's bound to be some changes, right? (blush) Thank you for the compliment! And what's the 'sigh' for?
lexy499: Thank you so much! Sadly, this fic has come to an end…(sob) But it's been so much fun!
Pair of Dice: Hmm…now that I think about it, it does sound like 'We Belong Together'…(smile) I love that song!
Star Cherry: Short, but to the point! Thank you!
natsumi: Thank you, I'm glad you like this fic! So do I…(grin) Of course it's a happy ending! Sad endings make me cry…(boohoo)
ellamoony: Of course it's Sasuke and Sakura! Here you go, the fourth installment of The Lessons She Taught Me!
Jellybean89: Thank you for your compliment! It's always welcomed, thank you!
Sakurachild: WAAAAHH! I made you cry? Aww, I'm so sorry! At least their happy tears. Oh yeah, about that idea about the priest, I was thinking that too. When I read your review (I read everyone's review) and thought about it some more, I decided it wouldn't hurt to add it in! So I went back to the third chapter and edited it, go check the ending part again, the changes are there! Thank you!
nhil: I'm glad you think so. I love hearing from the readers!
lexy499: You must've been the fifth person to say that…thank you! LOL. I tried to make it really fluffy…I love those sweet stories. Don't they make you all gushy and mushy inside? I start squealing in front of the computer and my brother stares at me weirdly…(smile) I wonder why?
springninja: Aww, gee, thanks! Here's the next chapter, as promised!
silver04: Brilliant minds think alike…(grin) We all know deep down Sasuke has feelings for Sakura…he just needed a little push…more like a smack in the head, actually! Nice wedding scene? Really? Thank you!
kristi: Sadly, this is the last chapter! Sequel, huh? Maybe…I have a ton of summer assignments I didn't do…gah. I'm the next Shikamaru!
End of Sakuranime responds!
SA: (sob) This is so sad…this is the LAST CHAPTER of The Lessons She Taught Me!
Sakura: (tear) I know…I'm gonna miss this story!
Sasuke: Oh get a hold of yourself…it's just a story…
Naruto: Just a story! What have you been smoking? I, THE GREAT UZUMAKI NARUTO, was in this story! (blows into tissue)
Shikamaru: So troublesome…
Ino: Aww, you can just make a new one!
Hinata: Y-yes, don't you have another one in mind called- (Naruto puts hand over her mouth)
Naruto: Hinata-chan! Shh! Don't give it away!
SA: Well, this has been a WONDERFUL experience! ARIGATOU to EVERYONE who reviewed or will review! (bows)
Naruto cast: (bows) ARIGATOU GOZAIMASA!
SA: (waves) Please review! Ja Ne, minna-san!
Complaints? Suggestions? Comments? Just want to blab anything? GREAT! REVIEW and blab away! Randomness is welcome! (evil crazy laugh)