A/N: I finished taking my SAT I's now; but I still have SAT II Bio and US History to take anyway during my senior year. The last time I updated was for chapter 38, which was April 20, 2006. Wow, I've been pretty lazy lately, yes? Anyhow, if you've never seen Nip Tuck, it is one of the best shows ever! I don't have FX, but I just rented the first season DVD and just minus the sex, it's actually a pretty good show. I love the script and each of the characters actually "aportan" something into the plot. Also, this show is also an incentive to raise awareness for those obsessive under the knife patients, because it shows explicit surgery scenes.
Second A/N (Summer Update): I think I'm one of those few and rare anti-Orlando Bloom fans. I almost fell asleep during the first Pirates film and my little sister is begging me to watch it with her for a second time. HAHA, no way. I saw Lake House and it was an adorable film but very lengthy that I found myself adjusting my position in the seat a few times. I took a few dips in the swimming pool and I haven't swam in almost a year! It's time to lose some junior-year weight. OH YES, I AM OFFICIALLY A SENIOR! Time flies, doesn't it?
Third A/N: Anyhow, I hope you like this chapter (as I always hope whenever I write each chapter) and please review, and happy reading!
Fourth and "I promise you" this is the last A/N: This chapter, boy, are you guys in for a treat!
Previously on Dangerously Sixteen: Sakura finally got her wish come true, her father accepts her engagement with Sasuke. Now the wedding is taking its toll, while Naruto and Hinata find their way back to each other, and Ino's mother is still in the hospital.
Disclaimer: The characters that you have never heard of belong to me, and the ones that you have heard of belong to the sole creator of the series of Naruto. However, this story is copyrighted under my possession and should not be plagiarized at anytime and anywhere.
Title: Chapter 39
(If you didn't read my author's note and decided to just get straight to the chapter, I was just saying that you guys are definitely in for a treat in this chapter. Surprise!)
24 hours. 1 day.
168 hours. 1 week.
168 hours + 168 hours--2 weeks.
It's been two weeks since the engagement as Sakura wrapped her fingers tightly around the wooden pencil as her eyes steadily gazed at the thick book on her desk. How was she going to finish this the night before her exam? Her Chemistry practice book had been passed to her from the beginning of the year and she had the first and a half semesters to finish this, however, like any high school student, (in most cases) they put it all off until the night before.
Her emerald eyes were pasted onto every multiple choice question that would inquire of her ability to identify chemical compounds including other myriad fields of chemistry that she had struggled to receive an A in the course.
The pink-haired young woman curled a subtle smile on her face; her answers were similar to the multiple-choice questions. A, B, C, D. If she chose one, she only had a 25 percent chance of choosing the right answer and 75 percent of choosing the incorrect answer. Well, Sakura's options were limited as probably any other student who was doing the same homework tonight.
A--Finish the Chemistry book even if you have to pull an all-nighter. (Hey, at least you can be prepared for the final exam for Chemistry)
B—Bullshit the entire book by circling random answers and writing your favorite song lyrics in the Free Response Questions and Lab Review Analysis (like the teacher reads it anyway).
C—Go to bed, this assignment isn't worth your time. Just skip school tomorrow and get an extra day to finish it. The teacher will understand, given your situation.
D—Fuck this, start planning your wedding:D
As Sakura gazed at her options, she just smiled. Giving a light sigh, she gently rubbed her tired eyes and closed the book and placed her pencil back inside the drawer. She can do this some other night because tonight she had to plan her wedding with Sasuke.
The static of the television set in front of her could not alleviate Ino's worries. She had not heard any news from her father at the hospital for two weeks. Of course, she could only anticipate two kinds of news: the good or the bad. The young teenager only had a 50 percent chance of receiving one or the other, however she only hoped for good news of her mother.
The young blonde turned her head to gaze at the coffee table where many letters and get-well cards were scattered over the surface. It amused her that the school took pity on her family because before her mother was admitted to the hospital, the only letters Ino received were death threats (Just kidding!).
With the remote control in her hand, she turned off the television and casually ensconced her head along the contours of her comfortable couch. Just when she closed her eyes, the sounds of tires screeching signaled Ino to the door.
As she ran outside toward the driveway, Ino saw her father emerging from his vehicle. The sun was shining brightly and Ino had to squint in order to get a good view of her father.
"How is she?" Ino asked when she greeted him.
"She's getting better everyday, and how about you Angel?" Mr. Yamanaka embraced his daughter and gently rubbed his nose against hers, "you have nothing to worry about; we have the best medical attention right now. All we can do is hope for the best, ok?"
Ino could not put into words of her gratitude for having a caring father. Tears formed and she furiously rubbed them away but her father only held her tighter.
"Shh, don't cry Angel," her father consoled her with his deep comforting voice.
The young woman buried her tears on her father's chest as Mr. Yamanaka whispered words of solace. Of all the things she had, she was thankful that her father was there for her. She was his Angel.
"I know that I haven't exactly been the greatest Father," Mr. Yamanaka tenderly held his daughter in his arms, "but I will definitely make it up for you,"
Looking up into her father's eyes, Ino joyfully grinned and held her guardian closer.
The continuous tapping of maroon pumps on the floor belonged to the Biology teacher, who wore a white ruffled blouse with a complimentary black skirt. Her daylight glasses were horned at the tip with a purple rim surrounding the square lens as bright diamond gems sparkled as her head made sharp turns.
In her hand held a bright standard twelve-inch ruler which she would occasionally softly beat the instrument on the palm of her hand as if to signal the students to fasten their test-taking skills. After all, they were merely filling out 100 bubbles on a single sheet that will be electronically graded by a ruthless machine that will lash out red marks should a student make careless errors on the science exam.
In the second row towards the middle of the classroom, black sneakers rubbed against the carpet in unison with a student's tapping of a pencil. Nearby, students were attempting to quicken their bubble filling and avoid the teacher's sharp glare as she casually sauntered through the room.
This is the study of the chemicals, chemical reactions and interactions that occur in living organisms.
A—Organic Chemistry
B—Inorganic Chemistry
C—Biological Chemistry
D—Analytical Chemistry
E—None of the Above
Crap, Hinata thought to herself. She knew that she should have studied for the Chemistry test last night instead of taking a walk with Naruto. When she thought of him, Hinata felt her cheeks become warm.
The student took a quick look around her and knew that the other students were also struggling on the Chemistry test. It was apparent that no one studied for the test; hopefully the teacher will curve the test or even throw the test out of their grades.
Hinata gazed at the question again. She slowly sighed and went onto the next question, when she finishes, she could go back to it and hopefully find the right answer. When she turned to her right, she noticed that Sakura wasn't there beside her. There was only an empty seat that greeted Hinata.
Of course, Sakura had been busy planning for her wedding. EVERYONE at school knew; rumors and news fly fast in the student halls. Even though she was her friend, Hinata couldn't help but feel doubtful of the arrangement. However, Sakura was pregnant, for nearly a month now, and Sasuke did the honorable act and proposed to her.
Something did not feel right, Hinata thought. She shrugged off her thoughts and resumed back to her exam when she spotted her teacher two seats away from her.
Everyone was surprised and had never thought that it was possible to plan a whole wedding within a week. However, with Sakura, anything was possible.
Sakura twirled in her shimmering white halter gown in front of a full-size mirror. Her hair was decorated with light curls on the bottom with a diamond necklace that circled her graceful neck. She was stunning.
Ample and glimmering cherry curls rested on Sakura's milky shoulders as her wedding gown glittered brightly within the dressing room with every graceful turn.
"Everybody get your dresses on! Has anyone seen the veil?" Mrs. Haruno, dressed in a sleek lavender dress with a rose pinned on her right pocket, passed through the crowd of bridesmaids that were in the bride's dressing room.
Ribbons, pearl necklaces, pure white heels with fair pearls encrusted on them were scattered over the pristine white carpet. Nearby, Sakura's bridesmaids were giggling as they came into the dressing room to get their finishing touches on their makeup.
"I can't believe that you're actually getting hitched!" Ten Ten grinned as the professional makeup artist was applying blush to her cheeks.
Sakura placed her veil on her head and checked her appearance. The faint white blanket in front of her face almost gave her an ethereal appearance. Behind the veil, the young bride's olive eyes were glimmering with contentment.
She could hear the ruffles of the bridesmaids' gowns since they were ruffled on the bottom with white sparkles that matched the ladies' pearl necklaces. Each of them had identical hairstyles where their hair colors complemented the hue of their gowns.
It seemed perfect to Sakura, who sat on a nearby stool, and was staring at her glowing reflection at the mirror. She tilted her delicate head slightly to the front to reveal the backside of her white gown, white strips of material forming at multiple x's as if she wore a corset.
In the background, Sakura's mother was ordering the bridesmaids to line up with their bouquet of pink roses as they began to set out from the dressing room. Across the hall was the dressing room where the men were getting ready for the ceremony. The young men, Itachi, Neji, Naruto, Rock Lee, were dressed in sleek gray suits while the bridesmaids, Ten Ten and Hinata, waited in the entrance.
Before Sakura reached for her bouquet, her close blonde friend, whose hair was held up in curls, kissed her on the cheek for luck.
"Go rock it, girl. You'll do fine," Ino flashed a wink and followed the bridesmaids who were about to make their debut to the aisle.
Soft giggles of the young bridesmaids, who were outside of the males' dressing room, prompted Sasuke to get ready for the ceremony. Drawing in a long deep breath, Sasuke straightened his polished black suit and adjusted the white collar of his shirt. His dark orbs took a peek at the mirror and the young groom stood in silence.
Today was the big day for Sakura and he, however, despite the excitement that had been building up to the wedding date, the young man could not resist feeling a tinge of doubt. It was not Sakura that he was concerned about, but the ceremony.
As a person who came from a family of a poorer background, Sasuke had never thought that he would end up as a groom in an extravagant wedding that would be the talk of the town. He had always thought of himself as a town boy, one who is more laid back and not infatuated with the precise details to make a perfect wedding.
Closing his eyes, the groom recollected his thoughts as he tried to block out the sounds from outside the dressing room. Everyone was ready. Sakura was probably ready, but the audience was definitely prepared for the event.
Sasuke reflected that at the age of sixteen, he would be standing at the altar ready to say his vows to love and honor his bride. He never thought that he would be mentally ready to commit his life with only one person—he was too young.
It had been no doubt that his classmates had labeled Sakura and him as one of the popular couples at school. Who could dream of a great combination? A beautiful rich girl turned pregnant teenager with a poor boyfriend who had been in jail twice in a year. The two should star in their own television reality series. (Just kidding)
His childhood male friends, Naruto, Neji, and Rock Lee were there to support him. However it was a shame that Shikamaru had to leave early; Sasuke had wanted Shikamaru to be his best man however Naruto was glad to fill in the role.
This was his wedding and Sasuke scolded himself for having doubts. Maybe it was not the right thing to do, after all, Sakura has been with child for nearly a month and the two could probably raise it together and delay their wedding.
"Damn it," Sasuke cursed himself again. He tried to remove his worries from his mind and paced around the dressing room to alleviate his uncertainties. It certainly would not be pleasant to be with Sakura at the altar and confess that he had never been ready for the wedding nor the engagement.
He could feel his face become flushed with embarrassment and regret at the same time. When he proposed to Sakura, he knew that it was the right moment but now, he wondered whether it was the right thing to do. He and Sakura were never committed to an exclusive relationship; hell, they rushed to the intimate stage already.
"I'm a goddamn jerk," Sasuke whispered to himself when the thought of disappointing his blushing bride came over him. There was an alternative or better yet, a "fact" that could mollify his tension. He could allow the ceremony to continue and honor his vows to Sakura and let things happen from then on.
No matter how many solutions the groom could create, Sasuke still felt hints of doubt and hesitation. When he reached the closed door of the room, a thought came across him that temporarily eased his troubles.
Cold feet.
Yes, of course, the hesitation and doubt that every groom faces before his own wedding. Sasuke wiped the edge of his forehead with his handkerchief and drew in a deep breath. Everything was going to be fine, Sasuke thought to himself.
However, one cold truth lingered on the back of his mind. Through all the events that he had gone through with Sakura including this wedding, Sasuke could not recall ever exchanging the three words that every young woman would long for, with Sakura.
Maybe there was never the right time and moment for him to ever utter those words to her. He had never been much of a romantic but he understood that the words 'I love you' should be used when a couple have feelings in the vicinity of being complete. This thought sent a chill down to his spine and triggered him to wipe his forehead again with the cloth.
Had he ever been in love?
Well, he "loves" the thought of being with Sakura and he knew that he was bound to love the child the two will have. But will he "love" Sakura, as a wife?
Sasuke cursed himself for the third time; he knew that he could sometimes to irresponsible but never had he ever imagined being in a predicament like this. Here he was, on the day of his wedding, he was having second thoughts and the ceremony was going to commence within minutes.
While he paced across the room again, Sasuke heard Naruto knock on the door and remind him that Sasuke was going to have to be at the altar very soon.
"Hey, you all right?" Naruto noticed something was not quite right.
"Yeah, just pre-wedding jitters," Sasuke shrugged it off and covered his thoughts with a smile.
"All right then, I'll see you there in 5," Naruto smiled and closed the door.
Sasuke sighed but was startled when the door opened again.
"Oh, I've been meaning to tell you this: You're lucky, man. Sakura is a great girl and I know that you will make her happy," Naruto's electric blue eyes shone with sincerity.
The groom thanked his best man just as the blonde closed the door.
With one last glance at the mirror, Sasuke closed his eyes and took in another deep breath.
The wedding was going to start and Sasuke knew exactly what he had to do.
With a quick turn for the door, Sasuke groomed himself one last time and opened the door to walk down the aisle.
The grand doors had swung open and the beautiful view of the wedding ceremony took everyone in amazement. The wedding was held in a revered Church where there was a grand organ near the altar. The reverend was adorned with white attire with the bible held closely to his chest.
The aisle was covered with white satin and it was lightly covered with yellow and pink rose petals. The song Canon in D was playing musically in the background as the wedding guests sat amongst themselves and partaking in light conversation as they waited for the bride.
Sasuke and his best friends stood at the altar. The room was full with Sakura's mother and her flown in relatives and many of their loved ones and some with acquaintances. Also, Sasuke's relatives and loved ones were there to support him. Suddenly the young groom found it difficult to swallow as dozens of guests arrived as they checked in at the lobby in front.
Everything was perfect and only Sakura had to be there to complete the picture.
Soon as everyone was settled, the grand organ played its first note to signal the start of the ceremony.
The wedding had begun.
(Maybe listening to Jewel's "This Way" could help you adjust to the mood of the wedding.)
As the grand pianist played the song, every guest turned around to watch the ceremony. The grand doors had opened and the bridesmaids came flowing in with their gorgeous gowns. Their small and slow steps elicited an air of tranquility as the ladies strolled down the aisle in accord to the piano's tune.
When the bridesmaids have reached the altar, the organ changed its melody and began the signal of the bride's presence in the Church. The guests turned around and stood to glance at the blushing bride for the very first time.
From the side of the entrance arrived Sakura with her father in the Church. Clothed in a stunning white wedding gown with a bouquet of roses held in front of her, Sakura linked her right arm with her father. The bride slowly walked down the aisle beside her guardian, allowing for every guest to be paralyzed in admiration of her angelic presence.
At the altar, Sasuke could not manage to swallow. He couldn't think; his mind went blank. All he could do was gaze fondly at his bride, who fixed her eyes on him also.
As Sakura ambled down the aisle, she could hear her heart pound loudly on her chest. With every step she made, Sakura felt as if she was going weak in the knees and was about to fall any moment.
Beside her, Sakura could sense that her father knew what she was thinking. When they almost reached the altar, he held his arm that was linked with Sakura's, close to his chest as if to embrace her by the side.
The moment she stepped into the Church, Sakura locked eyes with Sasuke and did not look away on her trip down the aisle.
As the piano keys slowly finished the song, Mr. Haruno kissed his daughter on the cheek and whispered comforting words before he gave her away.
"I love you, Daddy," Sakura gave her father a peck on the cheek before joining Sasuke at the altar.
Sakura took in a deep breath as Sasuke offered his arm toward her, which she gladly accepted.
As the couple made their way to the altar, Sasuke whispered to her, "Hello, beautiful."
Sakura beamed brightly in response as the Reverend began the heart of the ceremony.
"Dearly Beloved," the Reverend spoke as the guests sat down in their seats, "we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join this man and woman in holy matrimony; and therefore—is not by any—to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly—"
Sasuke turned to fix his eyes on Sakura and held her hands in his own. He could feel a pang of guilt as his gaze on Sakura's lovely face briefly calmed him.
"—But reverently, discreetly and solemnly," the Reverend continued.
Sakura grinned in front of Sasuke and squeezed his hands in excitement. As she gazed lovingly into those black onyx eyes, Sakura could feel her knees tremble. The bride had never envisioned herself with Sasuke at the altar in front of everyone but Sakura smiled; she had found him and felt blissful.
"If any person can show fair cause on why these two may not be joined together," the Reverend spoke audibly, "let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
The room felt quiet.
Sakura drew in a sharp breath and tenderly gazed at her husband-to-be. However, as she looked into Sasuke's eyes, the bride could sense that something was off.
As he stood before her, Sasuke could not help but uncurl his grin and somberly gaze at his bride. He realized that Sakura was catching on because she broke their gaze. Their hands that are locked together suddenly began to feel warm and wet.
In front of the altar, Sakura felt as if her heart was beating softly and she sharply looked away from Sasuke. Thoughts were streaming through her head as Sakura mentally reassured herself that she was imagining things. With a quick glance, Sakura gazed at the young man for assurance. Nevertheless, the young woman recognized that look and she has been dreading to see it again. No, not now, Sakura thought. Today was her wedding and this was happening?
Sasuke held her hands close to him, which the audience mistook it as love and awed, and held it to his warm lips. He did not want her to feel troubled and upset and slowly comforted her. He closed his eyes and sighed; with his warm hands, he gently met his lips against the small knuckles of Sakura's hands to keep them from trembling any further.
Nearby, the Reverend felt that something was uneasy and cleared his throat as he set his eyes on the bride, "Miss Haruno?"
The couple's friends who stood near began to look at each other; they knew that something was not quite right. At this time, the guests began to stir amongst themselves and wonder about what was happening.
A soft tear slowly streaked down Sakura's face and felt her crimson lips quiver with anxiety. Not in a million years had she considered him to be capable of doing this!
"…Why?" Sakura gently shook her head in dismay as her voice felt choked and staggered. She tried to catch her breath and tightened her hands into fists that were still up to Sasuke's chin.
Expecting an answer, Sakura could not conjure a word that could express how she felt at that moment.
Sasuke held her hands closer to his lips and stared deeply into those pools of green and parted his lips to speak.
However, before Sasuke could speak, the loud distant footsteps were audible at the altar. Sasuke didn't recall any extra guest and the bride and he turned to see who it was; when he squinted to see the visitor, his eyes gaped wide open in horror.
The bridesmaids' and the groomsmen's eyes all gawked wide open also. No one had expected this person to land at the entrance of Sasuke and Sakura's wedding.
At the altar, Sasuke could feel Sakura's hold feel weak and realized that she had withdrawn her hands away from him.
Near the entrance, the visitor's lavender eyes shone with malice and were full of hidden surprises. She was the last person, whom anyone who knew her, who would ever be invited and on the wedding invite list.
"I'm ba-ack," the lavender-haired female greeted in a singsong cackling voice imbued with anger and unfinished business. She drew her right hand from behind her and revealed a guest she came with. It was poised and ready to aim.
"So sorry it had to end like this," the female's voice had a wicked sarcasm attached to her words, "but as you know, happy endings NEVER last," her dark eyes gleamed with zeal and vengeance.
"Noo! Stop it!" Sasuke ran toward the aisle to stop her with Sakura screaming his name after him.
It was too late.
The Church became suddenly deaf by the sound of one huge fire and a high-pitched sound of a woman's scream filled the halls of the building--a streak of scarlet sprayed across the ground and tainted the white satin.
A/N: Please review, I would love to hear your feedback! Don't worry, I have the next chapter half written and it would be a heck of a heart-stopper! Please review!