Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I think I'm gonna cry…
For Always
A/N: I don't know much about weddings, customs, or even terminology so this may be completely inaccurate. Please bear with me.
Part Six: Wedding Night
The day had finally arrived. Naruto stood in his dressing room with his men of honor, Kakashi, Gaara, and Neji, and his best man, Iruka.
He was dressed in a black tuxedo with a deep sage sash and tie. The others were clothed to match. None wore their hitai-ates. Gaara was going to leave his gourd behind, and Kakashi had promised to leave his books at home. It was also one of the few times Naruto was visibly nervous.
"I've been waiting for this day for months, so why is my stomach flipping!" Iruka placed a comforting hand on the groom's shoulder. "It's okay Naruto. It's perfectly natural to be nervous on your wedding night." Naruto glared at him. "Have you ever been married?" Iruka shook his head. "Than how would you know!" Kakashi stepped forward. "Calm down Naruto. You don't want to upset your bride, do you?" Kakashi's words had an instant effect. "Oh." Thoughts of Hinata played across his mind like a soothing mantra. It was all he needed. His stomach stopped it's acrobatics as he calmed.
Meanwhile, Hinata had worries of her own. She hadn't seen her father in a couple months, and still didn't know if he approved of the wedding or not. She didn't think he would. Sakura noticed the upset look in her eyes while she was applying her eye shadow.
"What's wrong Hinata-chan? Having second thoughts?" Tenten and Kurenai stopped styling her hair to help comfort her, if need be. Hinata smiled slightly. "No. I'm marrying my Naruto-kun and nothing will stop me. I'm just worried how Father will take it." Sakura tried to cheer her up. "Don't worry about it. If he hasn't said anything about it, maybe he doesn't mind. Besides, Just think about your future with Naruto-kun!"
Hinata did. She knew having a child so young would be difficult, but she didn't care. She was a kunzite, and a strong woman. With Naruto by her side she would overcome anything. Her thoughts drifted to life with her husband and son. Naruto's face as he changed a diaper was something she was looking forward to. She smiled at the thought. The pride she imagined he would have at the child's first steps almost brought a tear to her eye. She could just hear it. 'See that Hina-chan! Already walkin! What else should you expect from the future hokage's son! He'll be throwin kunai better than me in a month!'
Her son. They hadn't decided on a name yet. They still had five months to think of one. Thoughts of what her life could be filled her with warmth and light. "That's it," she said happily. "Hikaru." The other women looked at her. "What was that Hinata-chan?" Kurenai asked her. "My son's name is Hikaru."
Tsunade walked into the room shortly afterward. "Hinata? There's someone here to see you." The young Hyuga looked up to see Hyuga Hiashi walk into the room. "Father! I didn't think you would come." She sat there stunned. Hiashi looked deep into his daughter's eyes before he spoke again. "I had to Hinata. I owe you too much not to." He suddenly looked very weary. "I have a lot to answer for. When your mother died I made myself hard, to try to block the pain of losing her. I became too hard. I didn't realize that I was about to lose you as well. It took a could talk from Tsunade-sama to make me realize it. When she told me about your relationship with Naruto, and that you were leaving home, I realized how bad of a mistake I made. I left for a private cottage in the mountains and properly mourned for your mother and reflect on my misdeeds. I hope to start making amends for my grievances to you and your sister, and I hope to one day earn your forgiveness." Hiashi then did something now one ever thought to see the once proud Hyuga do. He got on his knees before his daughter. "Please let me try to make things right." Hinata did the only thing she could. She embraced her father, her eyes full of tears. "I love you Father…" she said through choking sobs. "I forgive you…"
-ooo-
Naruto stood before the minister waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle to join him. He snapped out of his daydream when the pianist started playing. Hyuga Hanabi walked in first, trailing rose petals behind her. He saw Hinata come around the door on the arm of Hiashi. His heart jumped into his throat double time. The fact that the Hyuga patriarch was here was a little worrisome to the energetic young man, but the sight of Hinata in her bridal gown took over his entire attention. Nothing else seemed to exist for him as she walked down the aisle.
When the joined Naruto at the alter Hiashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder and smiled before stepping aside. Naruto lifted his bride's veil and was stunned by her radiance all over again. Surly he was about to be wed to an angel! He was so distracted by her beauty that he missed most of the ceremony.
A tap on his shoulder brought him back to the present. "Huh?" he said looking at Iruka. "Your vows boy, your vows. Hop to it!" the chuunin whispered. A sheepish grin came over Naruto's face. He hurriedly reached into his pocket for his vows. "I'm not too good with writing speeches or anything, so I wrote a poem. It may go against tradition, but hey, that's what I'm best at!" He cleared his throat and began.
Darkness filled my soul
I lost all my light.
What can fill this hole?
What can bring me life?
People looked at me,
Their eyes filled with hate.
Yet when you are near
All my pain abates.
To the world I'm just one being
But I'm your world and seem
Just beyond your reach
And I'm too blind to see.
Why does your presence soothe?
Why do you seem to shine?
Could it be the truth
That you are my light?
You seem to fill in
The void within me.
You spark the light within
Forcing night to flee
To the world I'm just one being.
I'm your world and now it seems
Your within my arms
And you are all I need.
Naruto finished and looked into Hinata's tear filled eyes. "I love you Hinata-chan. You brought me a happiness I never knew existed. You're my other half, my missing piece. I will never leave you. I'll be with you, for always." He slipped the ring on her finger as he said these words. The minister motioned for Hinata to read hers.
"Naruto-kun. I've watched you a lot over the years, never having the courage to approach you. You were my inspiration. I drew my courage from you. Whenever I felt lost or alone, I thought of you and it warmed my heart. I promised my self that I would change. I promised I would be strong like you so that one day, I could help you like you helped me. I managed to live up to that promise. I grew into a strong woman, and I the time did come where I would help you through a dark time. I lived up to that promise, and I stand here to make another. I will love you for always, and I will never leave you, lest death take me." She placed the ring on his finger.
The minister nodded. "Uzumaki Naruto, do you take Hyuga Hinata to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and health, for better or worse till death do you part?" "I do." "Hyuga Hinata, do you take Uzumaki Naruto to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and health, for better or worse till death do you part?" "I do." "Well, by the power vested in me by the Country of Fire and The Village Hidden in the Leaves, I now pronounce you Man and Wife. You may kiss your bride." Naruto didn't need to be told twice.
End Part 6