Wedding bells chimed. There were smiles, laughter, tears of joy, and the sounds of clapping echoed throughout the church hall. The day had finally come for Ino and Sai to get married.

"Congratulations!" Sakura told Ino, giving her a big hug at the reception.

"Thanks, Sakura! I'm still shaking."

"Oh, get over it already!"

Ino suddenly felt a surge of tears and she held it in, hugging Sakura again.

"Even though we used to fight a lot, even though we almost killed each other a few times. I'm so grateful that we started out as best friends and even though we went through a lot of trouble in our academy years, ah wait, I already said that. But! I'm so glad that we're still best friends even now. Thank you for everything Sakura. Thank you, really."

Sakura giggled and patted Ino in the head. "It's not the end yet. But I'm glad as well."

Ino pulled back from her and placed her hands on Sakura's shoulders. "You're up next." Ino then regretted saying what she did as a somber expression fell upon Sakura's face.

"No. I'm not ready for that yet."

Ino crossed her arms and started ranting. "How long has it been since Sasuke's return? A month now? You've finally progressed some after that mission right? You're official now?"

Sakura sighed. "You ask way too many questions."

"I'm just wondering. But really, where is he?"

Sakura looked around and immediately spotted the dark blue-haired man. He was huddled with the other men from their academy class and he looked like he was enjoying himself. Sasuke caught her looking at him and the corner of his lips pulled back, subtly smiling at her and raising his glass of champagne as if indirectly giving her a toast. She smiled back in response and looked at Ino.

"He's over there."

"Right. Kind of figured that out since you were staring off in that direction."

"Ino, what are you doing! It's time to cut the cake!" shouted Temari, who was running towards the ladies' direction.

Ever since Temari moved to the leaf village after marrying Shikamaru, the two have gotten awfully close. Temari had even helped Ino plan the wedding.

"Ah, right! Sorry Sakura, I'll be right back!"

Ino immediately ran off and Sakura watched her. She looked around, admiring the reception decorations and all the people who were in their formal attires. It was indeed one beautiful event.

"What are you looking at?"

She heard footsteps coming up right beside her and she noticed Sasuke from her peripheral vision.

"Nothing."

Sasuke clicked his tongue. "Yeah right." He then looked around and stared at the decorations as well. "Didn't think those two would ever get married honestly."

"Yeah they're both weird."

Sasuke looked at her, feeling some sort of sad ambiance emanating from her. "Hey...what's wrong?"

Sakura looked at him, shrugging. "Nothing." She knew it was pointless to talk about. Ino was the last person out of their original group who had finally gotten married. It wasn't jealousy or anything at all, just that same feeling of being left behind. She couldn't talk to him about that or about her feelings in general. She knew that it would probably just be a burden to him.

"Hmm..well they're cutting the cake."

Sasuke and Sakura walked closer to the cake table. Both of Sai's and Ino's hands were on the handle of the knife and they cut the cake with ease. They cut a big slice and fed each other, smiling at the sweet taste.

"Sakura, is this something you want?"

Sakura's eyes widened and she looked at Sasuke in shock. "What the-"

"She's going to throw the bouquet now!" yelled an excited Tenten. "All the bachelorettes gather round!"

Sasuke noticed that Sakura didn't run to the hoard of screaming girls, wanting to grab hold of those flowers.

"You're not going?"

Sakura laughed, almost forcefully. "Nah."

"But you're the maid of honor. Aren't you supposed to be doing these sorts of things and getting involved in whatever they have in the program?"

"I don't have to. It's fine."

At the front, Ino turned her back excitedly. The girls all screamed and had their hands out, ready for the taking.

"Alright girls! Here it comes!"

With a bend of the knees, Ino threw her bouquet behind her. "Ah! Too strong!"

Ino had completely underestimated her strength and the bouquet went flying backwards and past the hoard of girls who were whining and screaming, running back in attempts to catch it. Surprisingly enough, Sakura and Sasuke were right where the bouquet would land.

"Looks like it's yours," Sasuke told Sakura, moving out of the way.

Sakura, astonished, instinctively held out her hands and the bouquet landed right in them.

Ino, who was watching from afar, screamed in excitement. "You're next Sakura!"

"Oh man, can't wait for the next wedding!" A shouting Naruto exclaimed, running up to an already embarrassed Sasuke and pushing him towards Sakura. Sakura and Sasuke stared at each other, speechless.

"Naruto, I'm going to kill you," Sasuke growled quietly.

Naruto chuckled and walked away, leaving the couple awkwardly standing next to each other, completely clueless as to what to do next.

The rest of the reception wasn't as hectic and went quite well. It was simple and it wasn't long after the bouquet catching when the guests started to leave.

"Thank you for coming, Sakura!" Ino hugged her best friend goodbye and Sai waved goodbye as well.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Once again, congratulations." Sakura told them. After Sasuke's shook Sai's hand, the both of them left.

The times they spent alone weren't as awkward anymore.

After arriving at the apartment, Sakura went straight for the kitchen, placing the flowers on the counter and going to the fridge and pouring herself a glass of wine. Sasuke laid on the couch and put his arms under his head and stared at the ceiling.

"Funny how it landed perfectly in yours arms huh."

"It's cause of that damn Ino. If she hadn't thrown the damn bouquet so hard..."

"...what, you didn't want it?"

Sakura sighed. "It's not that."

Sasuke looked at her and found her staring at the glass of wine in her hands.

"Oi."

"Ah." Sakura flinched and looked at Sasuke, who was looking at her curiously.

"What's really on your mind Sakura?"

"Nothing." Sakura gulped her wine down which made Sasuke raise a brow with a concerned expression. She then placed the glass on the counter and was desperately trying to forget what Sasuke had meant at the reception when he had asked her if she wanted something like that. Marriage?

"Oi, be careful. You already drank enough at the reception."

"Mm."

"Hey. I can tell when you're lying to me. What's wrong?"

"I don't know what you mean."

Sasuke furrowed his brows in annoyance. "Now is not the time to be lying to me, Sakura."

Sakura sighed and looked away. "Or what?"

Sasuke sat up on the couch and loosened his tie. "Ugh, damn. Just talk to me. Trust me a little. Isn't that we're trying to work on together? Trusting each other with our worries?"

Sakura impulsively picked up her glass again and poured herself another glass of wine. "It's just weird that we're all getting older and getting married. There, happy? Geez."

"You're acting this way because of age? And stop drinking that and talk to me properly."

Sakura rolled her eyes. She didn't want to talk about it at all and decided to lie to him. "Yeah, sure. Age."

"Is it because of marriage?"

Sakura's eyes widened and she started walking away towards the bedroom, wine in hand. "Way to be frank. Can we just go to sleep now? I'm getting uncomfortable about this whole conversation."

Sasuke caught up to her and grabbed her arm and snatched her drink out of her hand, gulping the wine down.

"Hey, that was mine!"

Sasuke ignored her and threw the wine glass away. Luckily the floor was carpeted and the glass landed unscathed. "Talk to me."

Sakura glared at him and knocked his hand off. "Oh. So you can sulk and pout and give me the silent treatment, but you won't even let me think for myself for just a second?"

Sasuke frowned at her and she realized her mistake. "That wasn't fair, Sakura."

She quickly placed a hand on Sasuke's hand, which was wrapped tightly around her arm. "Shoot...I know, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I drank too much tonight so all the things that are coming out of my mouth are a little off."

"...But I guess if wasn't for your persistence during those times I gave you the silent treatment, I wouldn't be like this right now."

Sakura smirked. "No, if it wasn't for Shinichi-"

"Why do you think I'm doing this right now? I mean sure, that too but still."

Sasuke thought of his actions at that time with Shinichi and laughed at himself. "Man. I did kind of overreact that time," Sasuke told her, making a strange expression.

Sakura tilted her head worriedly. "Why're you making that face?"

Sasuke removed his hand from her arm and patted her head. "Can I hug you?"

Sakura blushed and pushed him away. "Wait, what?"

"Is that weird?"

"No, not at all! It's just that I didn't think-"

At that very second, Sasuke pulled her towards him, giving her a tight hug.

"Sasuke, too tight. Gonna break. Gonna die"

"You won't die. You're stronger than that...and drunk I guess."

Sasuke pulled back and Sakura avoided his eyes. Sasuke smirked and held her chin, moving her head so she was facing him. However, her eyes still wouldn't meet his. Her heart was racing, not to mention she's had a little too much to drink already. She cursed herself for drinking another glass of wine after already drinking some at the reception. Besides that though, it had been a while since she'd hug Sasuke like this since the first time he got back. Even after that escorting mission, they hadn't been able to see much of each other since they were both busy with work or something else. The only time they'd see each other was during the day after Sakura had woken up and made breakfast for the both of them. After that, it was the same routine all over again.

"Oi. Look at me."

"No. Give me a minute."

"Sakura."

Sakura closed her eyes nervously and opened them again, looking right at him. Sasuke smirked.

"Can I do one more thing?"

"It depends."

"Okay."

Sasuke leaned in, staring at her lips. Sakura knew what was coming and accepted it, closing her eyes as well. For a few seconds, she waited. There was nothing. Confused, she opened one eye to peek at him. But instead, she saw Sasuke, sneering at her. She gasped and pushed him away. Her face was red in embarrassment and Sasuke laughed, taking in heaps of air and clutching his stomach.

"Oh jeez! I'm sorry! Hahaha, sorry Sakura. I'm sorry."

Sakura fumed and started walking away. "You're lucky I'm drunk or else I would have punched you through the roof."

Sasuke weakly stumbled after her, still laughing. "Sorry."

Sakura turned to glare at him, only to be surprised with his head that was inches away from hers, plastered with a huge smile. "Sorry Sakura." Quickly, he placed his lips on hers, much to her surprise. The anger that was welling up inside of her instantly faded away as she clutched onto his dress shirt. Sasuke then put his hands on the sides of her head, sliding them into her hair. The kiss was intense and she was about to lose her breath when she finally pushed him away, panting and covering her mouth.

"Crap." She turned her head to look at Sasuke, who had a lustful look in his eyes.

"Shit...I can't control myself..." Sasuke panted, pushing her towards the bedroom. "Lock yourself in there tonight. I need to cool off."

Sakura frowned at him. "Why?"

"If you don't want me to actually break you, you'd want to stay in there tonight. I'll sleep on the couch."

"Break...?" Sakura then realized what he meant and blushed furiously. "You damn pervert!"

Sasuke turned around and walked up to her, pinching her cheek and pulling hard at the skin. "What'd ya call me? Huh?"

"OW! Nothing!"

Sasuke paused and put his hands on her shoulders, pushing her on the bed. "Listen. I don't want to do this sort of thing to you when you're drunk."

Sakura frowned at him and he sighed, feeling bad. "I'll wait until the right time. I've been holding myself back since the mission for good reasons. Now go to bed."

Sakura watched him lock the door from the inside and walk out as he closed it from the outside. She flomped on her bed and grabbed a pillow, smiling widely.

Sasuke slid down the door and slumped on the floor, sliding his hands down his face. "That was way too close." He then smirked, thinking of her facial expressions from earlier and got up to walk to the couch. He then glanced at the counter and saw the bouquet that Sakura had caught earlier. Looking back at the bedroom, he thought deeply about their relationship...and smiled.

A/N: Thank you for supporting me up till now! Please continue doing so and don't forget to leave reviews every so often. They do brighten up my day and encourage me to do more. Have a good one! :)