Yay! The much-awaited chappy is finally here… I am so glad.
Chapter 23- I Do at Last!
Early morning of the big day… Everybody woke up at five in the morning to get ready for the big wedding that was going to take place. Ino was taken into Sakura's place and slept there for the night, as not to ruin the suspense when Shikamaru finally sees his bride in a wedding gown. Everyone rushed to get ready as fast as they could, since the wedding was going to start at seven o' clock in the morning. It was still dark and everyone was still sleepy. But for Ino and Shikamaru, it was going to be the best day of their lives. Though they were pretty much nervous about it, they couldn't help thinking how happy they would be together, after placing the ring on each other's fingers.
At Sakura's studio, the girls gather altogether to help the bride get ready for her big break. Sakura made sure that the gown was still in tact and made a few final adjustments and cut out the loose threads. Hinata made sure her make-up wasn't too light, nor too heavy. She worked hard in trying to make the colors suit the wedding dress. Tenten, on the other hand, did Ino's hair and tied it up in a bun. She let down Ino's bangs at the front and placed a clip at the side of her head. Then, when it was finally right enough, she then placed the tiara on her head, which was also attached to the wedding veil. Temari watched all of them working together and prayed that the wedding would be successful.
"May they live happily together…" she mumbled to herself.
Meanwhile, back in Shikamaru's place, the guys were busy getting themselves ready for the big wedding. Shikamaru felt kinda sick and very nervous and every time he would think that his tie was too tight for him to breathe in. He looked dashing in his pinstriped suit, long pants and black tie. Earlier, Sai tried to do something with his hair by placing the ponytail low. Unfortunately, it only made Shikamaru look gay, so the spiky high ponytail you see in each episode stayed.
After fixing themselves up, tightening up their ties, fixing their hair, putting on their makeup, polishing their shoes and having last-minute chats, everyone was finally ready to proceed to the church to start the big wedding!
AUTHOR'S COMMENT: I can't wait for my wedding! I want it to be just as exciting and peaceful as this one… Hahah! With delicious food in the reception! I'd like that!
Guests of Honor: Ino Yamanaka (Bride) & Nara Shikamaru (Groom)
Best man: Mr. Choji AkimichiBridesmaid: Mrs. Sakura Uchiha, Ms. Hinata Hyuuga,, Temari & Mrs. Tenten Hyuuga
Ring bearer: KonohamaruCoin bearer: Udon
Flower girls: Moegi, Tama & Hikaru
Minister (or priest): His excellency Mr. Uzumaki Naruto- in Konoha, it's the Hokage who gets couples married, since they don't have priests or anything like that… Well, that's what I think!
Other people invited:
The Bride's Father- Mr. Inoichi Yamanaka (I mean seriously, I've never seen Ino's mom in the series!)
The Groom's Parents- Mr. and Mrs. Shikaku Nara
Friends- Mr. Sai Setoshi, Mr. Sasuke Uchiha, Mr. Neji Hyuuga, Mr. Gaara, Mr. Kankurou (Mr. Gaara and Mr. Kankurou sound weird… I mean, don't they have a last name?), Mr. Baki, Mr. and Mrs. Asuma Saruobi, Mr. Ebisu, Mr. Kakashi Hatake, Mr. Gai Maito, Ms. Anko Mitarashi, Mr. Izumo Kamizuki, Mr. Kotetsu Hagane, Mr. Ibiki Morino, Mr. Raido Namiashi, Ms. Hanabi Hyuuga, Her excellency former Hokage of Konoha Ms. Tsunade, Mr. Jiraiya, Ms. Shizune, Mr. Chouza Akimichi, Mr. Hiashi Hyuuga, Mrs. Tsume Inuzuka, Ms. Hana Inuzuka & the people from Ichiraku
Many hours were spent on getting dressed and driving to the church. It was already 6:50 in the morning and almost everybody was there. As Shikamaru stood at the church entrance looking good in his tux with the wind blowing his way, Shikaku stood by the doors, crying. His sniffling slowly became louder and louder that Shikamaru heard him and saw his father standing by the door with a handkerchief.
"Uh… Dad? Are you alright?" he asked slightly giggling.
"Huh? Oh no. I'm just really happy my son's finally getting married today!" Shikaku replied, "My son, you've grown up so fast… It seems like just a few hours ago when you were born! You in your diapers, you learning how to walk…"
"Oh dad. Don't even remind me about those times." Shikamaru said, "Even I'm kinda emotional at times, so please stop it before I cry in front of everybody in the cathedral!"
But slowly tears came out of Shikamaru's eyes as he gazed as his father standing right in front of him. "Darn. Dad. Look what you did." He sighed, "Oh well. This is a memorable day and after this you'll be moving back into our old house so Ino and I could live together."
"Dad, I'd like to thank you for everything." He continued, "You've been a really great father and now it's my turn to continue your legacy. I promise I'll raise my child as well as you did with me."
"Okay, son. That's a promise." Shikaku replied, crying even more. "I'm sure you'll be as good as your old man when you and Ino finally have some kids of your own."
With the wavering sky right above them, Shikamaru slowly reached out to hug his dear father. Crying, he held him tightly and said, "Oh dad… I just couldn't thank you enough!"
"The pleasure's all mine, son." Shikaku replied, wiping his tears. "Now, I think you should stop crying like this! It would be a big shame if your bride saw you crying like this."
"You're right. Okay, I'll stop now."
Suddenly, Choji cut into the scene and said, "I think Ino's already on her way here. My god, she looks gorgeous! I think you should proceed to the altar now, Shikamaru."
"Right. Thanks, Choji!"
Immediately, Shikamaru hurried to the altar, leaving his father standing by the door. "Earlier you were just a lazy boy, Shikamaru." Shikaku said, "Now you're a grown man…
"I'm glad you turned out to be a good son."
After a few more minutes, the bride's car finally arrived and everybody began screaming, "The bride is here!" "The bride has finally arrived!" "Here comes the bride!" Shikamaru got more and more nervous as the car door slowly opened. Sweating, he fixed his suit and looked ahead to see his beautiful bride in her white gown. Then, Sai, accompanied by Shino on the organ, began singing and wedding march began with their friends walking at the center aisle, followed by the ring bearer, Konohamaru, the flower girls, the bridesmaids and finally, the bride. Their eyes met meters away and Shikamaru felt like he fell in love for the second time when he saw Ino in her beautiful wedding gown. Choji, who was standing beside him, smiled and savored the moment.
Beside Ino was Inoichi, also feeling as emotional and sentimental as Shikaku was. As he walked, he looked at his daughter in her wedding dress, feeling nervous as she marched to the front to meet her groom. He couldn't help but feel proud. Finally, it was time for them to part.
"Ino, good luck on your marriage." Inoichi whispered softly, "You have all my love, daughter."
"Thanks, dad." Ino replied as a tear rolled down her cheek. Then, she proceeded forward. She saw Shikamaru staring at her sweetly. When she finally reached the altar, Naruto came out in his Hokage robe and began the ceremony.
"Family and friends," he said, "We are here today to bear witness the union of Nara Shikamaru and Yamanaka Ino in the sacrament of marriage, blah-blah-blah…
"Darn, these wedding speeches take so long, they bore me to death! Let's just hurry this up and skip to the part with the rings! Konohamaru!"
Slowly, Konohamaru walked to the altar carrying the wedding rings. Ino was first to put the ring on Shikamaru's ring finger. "With this ring, I will be wed." she said. Then, Shikamaru took the ring and did the same thing. "With this ring, I will be wed."
"Blah-blah-blah…" Naruto said, "These weddings sure are long… Anyways, you guys wanna get married as soon as possible, right? Then let's skip ahead to the I Do's…
"Nara Shikamaru, do you take this woman to be your lawful wife, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better of for worse?"
"I-I do." Shikamaru replied nervously, "I really do. I won't regret a thing."
With a smile, Naruto nodded and looked at Ino. "Yamanaka Ino, do you take this man to be your lawful husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse?"
"I do!" Ino replied, "I won't be regretting anything either."
"By the power infested in me, I now proclaim you…
"Mister and Mrs. Nara Shikamaru. Sworn to serve the village of Konoha and to protect the shinobi name!
"You may now kiss the bride."
They turned to face each other and in front of the waiting crowd, Shikamaru sweetly caressed Ino's face with his hand and said, "Ino. This is the best day of my life as a man. Finally, we could be together and make our dreams come true.
"I wouldn't be who I am now if it weren't for you.
"Let's make this marriage work."
"Sure." Ino replied, "No matter how tough the times ahead of us are gonna be, I'll always love you through thick and thin.
"Now, let's get this thing over with. I think the people at the back are already asleep."
"Okay then. Gimme the best kiss you've got."
Slowly, they moved closer and closer to each other until their lips finally touched and they savored a sweet kiss. Finally they were married. No more lonely sleepless nights. Goodbye to a life being single and hello to a new chapter in their lives. As the couple marched down the aisle, Hikaru and Moegi threw Sakura petals at them and chanted, "Congratulations to the newly-weds!"
"Congratulations to you both!"
"May you be blessed with many children!"
"Fruitful years to the couple!"
"ROCK ON!!! YEAH!!!" –Sai
Sexee chapter coming up next… hopefully. You might wanna make sure there isn't anyone else in the room… Gawd I hope I don't get caught. Good luck to me… and you.