Wedding, The
A/N: chuckles nervously Sooo, I suppose you're all wondering where I've been, huh? Hey, it's only been a few months… ok, four. I think I got distracted. And then Between got removed. . Then I got stuck. And, umm … it's all Sasuke's fault! runs away and hides
The Hyuga Main House was the source of her troubles. While Neji's home in the branch house was by no means sparsely furnished, it was obvious that much more money had been spent for the occupants of the main house. On top of that, it was almost obsessively clean. Sakura was scared stiff of tracking in a grain of dirt.
In addition, the Hyuga family was rigidly traditional. Which meant paper walls, which meant that she could hear every word of the 'private' conversation between her fiancé and her soon-to-be in-law. The fact that they were all but yelling at each other didn't help much either.
"…didn't even bother to consult me!"
"It had nothing to do with you." From his tone, Neji seemed perfectly calm and unaffected by his uncle. But Sakura didn't miss the tight edge to his voice that told her he was Not Happy. "In any case, it's too late now; I've already spoken with Sakura's father and he has agreed to the arrangement."
Sakura's eyes flew wide open. Neji had failed to mention that.
Hiashi's voice lowered so she had to strain to hear, "And what about Akane?"
"I told you years ago I wasn't going to marry that bimbo."
"Sakura-chan."
The pink haired Jounin jumped, straightening and trying not to look like she'd been eavesdropping. A smothered giggle snapped her eyes to the left, where a dark-haired, white-eyed teenager had her hands clapped firmly over her mouth. "Ha-Hanabi … sama."
The girl made a face, "Please, just call me Hanabi. All that 'sama' stuff makes me twitchy." She smiled at the older woman before gesturing toward the room where the men were still arguing. "They're gonna be at it a while. Why don't you come have some tea?"
Sakura glanced at the closed door for a moment – "I am not your puppet; I'll do whatever I damn well please!" – before nodding reluctantly.
"Don't worry," Hanabi reassured her, "I'll send someone to tell Neji-niisan where you are when they're done.
"Ok."
Hanabi led them into a small room where a pot of tea was steaming slightly on the table. A maid poured them both a cup before disappearing. At Sakura's questioning look, the girl explained, "I figured you didn't want to just sit there trying not to listen in." She grinned at Sakura's guilty grimace. "Don't worry, it's not like they expected you not to hear. Actually," Hanabi sighed, "Chichiue was probably just going to say a bunch of things aimed to upset you."
"Who's Akane?"
"Like that," Hanabi muttered. She took a careful sip of her tea before continuing, "She's … Neji-niisan's ex-fiancé. It was an arranged thing," the girl added hastily before Sakura could get any wrong ideas. "Most of the Hyuga members have arranged marriages, set up to foster the Byakugan ability."
"Do you?"
Hanabi nodded. "It's ok though, he's cute and actually kind of nice."
"Oh." Sakura stared down into her teacup absently. Neji had never mentioned any of this.
"He probably didn't think it was important," Hanabi snorted. Sakura looked up to see her watching her with a small smile. At the pink-haired woman's look, she just shrugged, before sipping her tea. After a few moments, her demeanor shifted, becoming more serious and … kind of nervous.
"Ah, Hanabi-chan … was there something you wanted from me?" Sakura asked slowly.
The teenager winced. "That obvious huh? Actually, I was wondering … you're friends with Hinata, right?"
Sakura nodded slowly, wondering where this was going. She knew for a fact that Hinata hadn't set foot in the Hyuga household since her father had disowned her years ago.
"Umm," Hanabi continued nervously, running a hand through her hair. "How's she doing?" Then the floodgate opened, "Where does she live? Is she making enough money to support herself? Do you think she's mad at me?"
Sakura blinked, stunned for a split-second before a slow smile spread over her face. "She's fine. She's happily living with Inuzuka Kiba."
Hanabi spluttered for a moment before breaking into helpless giggles. "I knew it!" she gasped as soon as she could. Then, delighted, "Oh, Chichiue would have a fit if he knew!" The girl frowned suddenly, "Not that he really cares. Well, actually, I'm not supposed to care either, but…"
"She's your sister, right?" Sakura smiled at the younger Jounin.
"Yea…"
"You know, you could go visit her sometime. I'm sure we could make it so your Dad wouldn't find out, if that's a problem," Sakura offered.
"I'd like…" Hanabi cut off as the door slid open. Twisting to see behind her, Sakura tried to smile as she saw Neji standing in the doorway. And promptly failed miserably. If she'd thought that he was Not Happy before, he was Supremely Pissed now.
"Uncle wishes to speak with you."
Well, she hadn't been expecting that. "Umm, ok." Pushing herself to her feet, Sakura turned back to Hanabi and bowed slightly. "Thank you for the tea, Hanabi-chan. It was very nice."
The girl grinned. "I'm glad you think so. Chichiue says I've been spending too much time with Aunt Guren."
Striding quickly down the hall after Neji a few moments later, it actually sunk in. His uncle wanted to speak with her. And she was damn sure that he didn't plan on welcoming her into the family with open arms. Taking a deep breath to prepare herself, Sakura bumped into Neji, who had stopped about thirty meters from the room where Hyuga-sama was waiting.
She expected a crack about her lack of attention, but instead, Neji kissed her softly, letting his lips linger on hers before whispering, "Don't forget, I love you."
She smirked smugly at him, buzzing from the kiss. "Wow, twice in one day. I'm honored."
He didn't smile, only gripped her shoulders tightly in a half-hug and replied, "Just want to make sure you don't forget." Before Sakura could comment, he said louder, "I'll be outside when you're ready to go." And then he strode away quickly.
Confused, and a little nervous, Sakura knocked on the door where Hiashi was waiting. "Come in," he called.
She obeyed, sitting down when she was bid and hiding her shaking hands under the edge of the table. The head of Hyuga house sat across from her in all his glory, watching her sternly. Sakura pointedly did not fidget; she was, after all, a ninja, and such reactions did not become someone of her station.
Hiashi got straight to the point. "Sakura-san, I'm sorry to say this, but I must ask you to break off your engagement with Neji immediately."
Like hell he's sorry, Sakura thought bitterly to herself. Outwardly, she kept a calm façade, however, as she replied sweetly, "I'm afraid I don't understand, Hyuga-sama." A few more sarcastic phrases came to mind, but she figured it best to try and win the man over first. Besides, she did sweet and innocent so well.
A slight frown passed over his features for a second. "Neji is not in a position to choose whom he marries," he replied. "His marriage must be into a family that will provide an asset to the Hyuga bloodline."
"I'm sure you'll find the Haruno family has plenty of assets." Sakura smiled politely, slightly disappointed when the Hyuga didn't falter.
"Of course, but not the right kind, I think." He returned her smile with one of his own, one that she was just itching to smack right off his face. "So you see, it's only for Neji's sake that I ask you to cancel the engagement."
Sakura allowed herself a small frown. She hated emotional blackmail. "Is it? You want to know what I think this is really about?" Before he could answer, the woman plowed on, "This is about you controlling Neji. You're just pissed that he didn't ask you for permission first, and now you are trying to get back at him by making me break up with him."
All traces of politeness vanished from Hiashi's countenance instantly. "Watch what you say, girl," he snapped. "You know nothing of which you speak."
"And what are you going to do when we get married anyway? Disown Neji like you did Hinata?"
He spluttered, much like his daughter had earlier. Only, Hiashi was furious, not amused. "Hinata asked me…" he began, but Sakura cut him off rudely. She was on a roll and not about to be stopped.
"Yea, whatever. All I know is that you've alienated your daughter for the sake of 'family pride', whatever the hell it is. You're so wrapped up in it that you've managed to forget one important thing: above all else, Neji is your brother's son. His only son."
Hiashi spluttered some more, beginning to turn red, but Sakura continued ruthlessly.
"I am marrying Neji. I love him; he loves me. You can't stop us. Now, you can be an ass about this, or you can go out there and congratulate your nephew. What's it gonna be?" With that, Sakura sat back, crossed her arms, and waited.
For a moment – for a long moment – Sakura wasn't sure whether or not he was going to hit her or have an apoplectic fit. No doubt no one had ever dared to talk to Hyuga Hiashi that way his entire life.
Then, without warning, Hiashi stood and walked out of the room.
Blinking, Sakura stared at the empty chair for a moment, stunned. She felt really sorry for whomever Hiashi decided to take his anger out on, but she had to admit that she was glad it wasn't her. With a shrug, Sakura went to find Neji.
He was waiting outside, as promised, looking bemused as the head of his house bowed to him. "Ah, thank you, Uncle," Neji was saying as his eyes flicked to meet hers for a second. "I'm sure we'll have a very happy life together."
Hiashi nodded to him, spun on one heel and stalked back into the house. As he passed Sakura, however, he gave her a small smile. The woman froze like a deer caught in headlights.
Once his uncle was inside, Neji slipped an arm around her waist. "He gave me his best wishes for our marriage," the Anbu told her. "What exactly did you say to him?"
Sakura grinned sheepishly. "Well, you know how earlier I promised that I wouldn't blow up on him?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Well, I lied."
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Neji flung himself over a fallen tree, putting it between himself and his pursuer as he ran for his life. The obstacle didn't do him any good, the Anbu discovered a few seconds later someone slammed into his back, knocking them both to the ground. Acting purely on instinct, he managed to wriggle out of the tightening grip as they rolled, flipping them over and pinning the attacker beneath him.
"Was there something you wanted?" he asked the glaring green eyes innocently.
Sakura squirmed in his grip. "Let go."
"Not if you're going to try to kill me again."
The woman sighed, glaring furiously before melting into a pout, "Come on, Neji. I'm lying on a rock."
The Anbu grinned at her, leaning closer. "Didn't I tell you once I wasn't going to fall for that?" While he spoke, he watched her face carefully for signs of unease. It wasn't that he actually believed her about the rock, but he knew that she was still twitchy around people and he was pushing it as it was.
With a frustrated sigh, Sakura leaned up and caught his lips with hers.
Surprise loosened his grip on her wrists and she was quick to take the opportunity to wriggle loose before whanging him upside the head. Neji landed on his rear, blinking more from surprise that she'd actually hit him than from pain.
"I can't believe you went behind my back and spoke with my father," she said breathlessly, clutching the hand she'd hit him with dumbly.
Neji held up his hands in defense, "I only went to ask his permission to marry you when you were away. It is the proper thing to do."
"My father doesn't own me! He doesn't run my life!"
"But he still deserves to know about it!" Neji snapped back. "He was surprised when I told him we were engaged. Are you ever going to tell you parents, or just let them figure it out on their own?"
Sakura placed a hand on her forehead as she spun away from him. "Fuck." She sighed loudly, "Yes, I'm going to tell them."
"When?" he pressed.
Another sigh, "I don't know. Look, Neji…"
"Tonight. I'll go with you."
"NO!" Sakura spun back to face him, frantic eyes wide. Calming down a bit, she continued, "I really don't think that's a good idea. Not … not this time, anyway."
Neji stood, placing a careful hand on her shoulder. "Why?"
"My mother's a raving bitch," the pink-haired woman snapped. After a moment of glaring through his shoulder, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "We just … don't get along. At all. There are going to be problems; at least let me get her used to the idea before I introduce you." She looked up into his eyes as she placed a hand over his. "Please?"
Neji couldn't breathe, much less say no. He settled for nodding wordlessly.
Visibly relieved, she hugged him tightly. "Sorry. For hitting you."
"It's fine," the Anbu replied, slipping his arms around her and resting his chin on her head. After a moment, he asked, "Why don't you and your mother get along? Besides the raving bitch thing of course."
His fiancé snorted, pressing her face into his chest for a moment before answering, "Long story short: she thinks every woman should be the perfect housewife."
"Not quite your cup of tea, is it?" he replied with a small smile. He couldn't even begin to imagine Sakura settling down willingly to a domestic eternity, no matter how well she washed dishes. There was something about the pink-haired woman that demanded she be a fighter.
"Oh that's not all. She's also decided that I'm going to marry Sasuke."
Neji lifted an eyebrow at this. "Really? Was that why you had a crush on him as a child?"
"No. She decided this after I declared that I had a crush on him. But I think I got a crush on him in the first place because of my mother's brainwashing about 'the perfect man' from birth." Neji chuckled. "We actually got along fine until I decided I wanted to be a real ninja. Then we tolerated each other until I told her I'd rather kill myself than marry Sasuke."
Neji found himself smirking at that. When Sakura pulled back from their embrace and saw the smirk, she decided that it needed to be wiped away with a firm snog. So that's exactly what she did.
-------
Gritting her teeth, Sakura wiped her damp hands on her pants before knocking firmly on the foreboding door she'd been staring at for the last five minutes. Almost instantly the door swung open, revealing a surprised face. "Hey kid," her dad said cheerfully. "What are you doing here?"
She twisted her hands together nervously, "Well, umm, you know. I just thought I'd drop by. Can I come in?"
Giving her an odd look, her father nonetheless stepped aside to allow her into the house. Just as the door shut behind her, a woman of about mid-forties appeared in the doorway that led into the kitchen. "Who is it honey …?" Sakura's mother paused for a split second as they locked eyes. A smile that didn't quite meet her eyes appeared on her face, "Why hello, Sakura. We were just sitting down to dinner."
The pink-haired Jounin winced inwardly. "I can come back later; I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Nonsense. Why don't you join us?" Her mother's eyes flicked to her husband, "If that's all right with you, dear?"
Mr. Haruno's hand landed comfortably on his daughter's shoulder. "Like you have to ask. Always a pleasure having my favorite daughter home."
Sakura snorted, grateful for his unspoken support as he led her into the dining room. "I'm your only daughter, Dad."
"See? That's why you're my favorite." He winked at her. She stuck her tongue out at him in reply.
They would have continued their banter, but at that moment, Sakura's mother walked in with the extra place setting. Obediently, Sakura rose to help her bring out the food. For a while, they ate in an uncomfortable silence, broken only by Sakura's mother's forced conversation and the short, noncommittal answers of her family.
Finally, her mother asked, "So, Sakura, what's been going on in your life lately? Still living with that boy?" The way the word 'boy' came out made it seem like an insult; her mother disliked Naruto, not really because of the demon fox, but rather because of his social status.
Sakura carefully did not roll her eyes. "Technically."
Her mother looked up sharply, pinning her with a stare. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Actually, the reason I came by was…" she paused for a moment, until her father nodded encouragingly to her. With a deep breath, she continued, "I'm getting married."
Her mother squealed in excitement. "Oh, how wonderful! So you finally pinned down that nice Sasuke, did you?"
"No," Sakura spat flatly. Truthfully, she wasn't sure whether to be disappointed or relieved that her father hadn't told her mother about the engagement.
"What do you mean, 'no'?" her mother asked, scandalized. "Don't you ever listen to me? I've told you a thousand times, you're never going to be happy unless you marry someone with means and quit all that ninja nonsense. I didn't, and look what happened to me."
Sakura's father cut in smoothly before she could start yelling at her mother, "Who exactly are you marrying?"
"Hyuga Neji," she replied, wondering if her mother was even listening over her rant.
Turned out she was. "Hyuga Neji, is it? Isn't he one of the branch house members? If you were marrying a main house member that'd be something…"
"Enough!" Sakura shouted, slamming a hand onto the table. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she pulled out a small piece of paper and set it on the table, "Here's your invitation. The ceremony's in mid-April."
Sakura's mother barely glanced at it before smiling sickly sweet. "Oh, I'm so sorry, dear, but it seems we already have plans for that day. Perhaps you should have told us earlier."
The pink-haired Jounin plastered a polite smile on her own face. "Really? That's too bad, because it's too late for us to change the date." She rose, "Well, I really should be going, I didn't mean to intrude." With a nod to her father, she showed herself out.
A few blocks away, she leaned up against the nearest house with a small sigh. She hadn't really expected them to come. Well, she hadn't expected her mother to come, and her father wouldn't out of deference to her mother (or possibly just because he was afraid of pissing her off). Still, it hurt that they wouldn't be there.
Indulging in a moment of self-pity, she didn't notice until too late the hands that reached forward and grabbed her, dragging her into the shadows of the nearby alleyway.
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Shrieking behind the hand clamped over her mouth, Sakura lashed out violently, only to realize that she was vastly outmatched. Nevertheless, Sakura slid an elbow under her captor's arm and shoved violently into the soft flesh. A low grunt was the only response as she found herself back to the wall and staring into a pair of impossibly black eyes.
"Sasuke!?"
He blinked a few times, looking decidedly lost, before slowly releasing her. With a huff, Sakura turned to leave, ready to bolt if he tried to attack again.
"Sakura, wait! I need to talk to you."
The pink-haired Jounin spun back around to face him. "Talk? I don't think there's anything left to talk about."
His eyes narrowed. "You're marrying the Hyuga."
Crap. Sakura crossed her arms over her chest, feigning confidence. "That's right."
"Why?" Sasuke stepped forward, and Sakura took a responding step back. He grabbed her arm mid-step to prevent her from going further. Not that she could move anymore anyway, the look in his eyes had frozen her to the spot. "You love me." Sasuke took another step forward. "You want to marry me." His head dropped to her shoulder as his hand tightened around her wrist. "So marry me."
Sakura's paralysis evaporated instantly and she stepped back in shock. "Is that a proposal?"
"It's what you want," Sasuke replied with utmost confidence.
"You don't know what I want! You never even cared before."
Sasuke snarled, "I won't let you marry him!"
Realization dawned. She softened, "Why do you want to marry me, Sasuke? Do you love me?"
Sasuke was silent.
With a snort, Sakura turned away. "This is exactly why I left you, Sasuke. I don't need to be with someone who can't admit their feelings. Neji loves me, and he's not afraid to say so. And you know what? I love him too."
Before Sasuke had time to reply, she sped away, not daring to look back.