Shimi-chan: Eh. I have nothing to say. So I'll reply to your reviews cuz it looks like I got some funny ones again...
Hinata-dono, You can go ahead and send those man-eating pandas (despite the early update), for they shall have no effect on me. As you can all plainly see, I am a woman.So go ahead and try it if you feel you must. Haha, okay that was lame I'll admit it...
Itami Yatake, Hmm, name sounds familiar...Oh yeah, you cried for Itachi-kun in the last chapter too. Well...after this, you'll only cry more...unless I'm only saying that to raise your anticipation. It could be either one. You'll have to read to find out.
maniacle.woman, I've never been complimented for my AN before...much appreciated! Haha, I try, I try...that sounds too proud, huh? Eh...I'm still working on the big-head thing...
Baka Kyoko-Chan, I'm glad I'm actually any good at writing sad scenes. I'd thought I wasn't...
Nimiko, Yes, one person will get their hearts hurt...and then the author will get herself hurt by the fans of the loser...
ItachiUchiha17, I'm going to assume your penname means you are Itachi and that you're seventeen years old. Which would be why you loathe the decision she made. But she was under pressure! Her decision making skills are almost zero without pressure, imagine what negative number they'd be with it! Anyway, her decision making skills may or may not improve...find out...
Hinata6, Unfortunately, because I don't plan on writing a threesome as some fan (forgot who) suggested incessantly, an Uchiha will get hurt. And then posibly a Shimi-chan...and also Hinata-chan, she will hurt too.
Halinee, ...Someone cried? On my first Naruto fic? Only my second fic ever? And the first was a total dud? And someone CRIED? ...I'm proud...I can make 'em laufh AND cry...-
crystaldrops14, Even I'm not sure where Itachi-kun ran off to...just far, far, away.
Venny9o6, Though it may look like it in other chapters, I'm not a Sakura-hater. I'm actually sad that I had to portray her that way for this story to work. You know what else? I don't like how I made Hiashi-san look...it was necessary, I know that, and not completely unaccurate, but I feel bad for the old man. I'll try to make them both look nicer in future fics. Hina is my fav character! And...I like Sasuke...and Itachi-kun...and Sakura too! In that order.
Inimi, ...I hate you...because you were so right that I had to sit there and stare at your review for a while for it to process. Yes, Itachi-kun shall do as you predicted...only..in a special kind of way...haha, read to find out...!!
kRaZyChangeoFeArt, Hinata is ever the thinker! She'll get out of it!...Ok, so it's partly due to other characters...
Jayfairchild, Thank you! I'm glad you like my story.
Notice how I started answering so originally and ended with a cliche author thank you...? Eh. Who cares. Enjoy!
Chapter Sixteen:
Hinata sighed loudly at her reflection. She stood before a full-length mirror in her mothers' wedding gown within one of the most famous wedding chapels in all of the Land of Fire. It had been a week long ride over by carriage, but since the Uchiha's and Hyuga's were so influential they both reused to have low-key wedding. It had to be big.
Many people had come with them from Konoha, including the entire rookie nine and their sensei's. Sakura had eased up on Hinata since that day, actually congratulating her and Sasuke for their engagement. Currently, Hinata was being pampered by a few maids who were arranging her hair, dress, and makeup, basically doing all they could do to make her gorgeous. Even she herself couldn't deny that she looked good. Some would say her life was perfect.
Then how come it didn't feel that way to her?
"You look beautiful, Hyuga-san."
Hinata smiled half-heartedly at the maid. "Th-thank you."
She received a curt bow in reply and soon the women in the room scampered out, leaving Hinata alone with her thoughts. She brought a hand to her hair, lightly touching the tiara that her mother had worn during her wedding before running her fingers through one of the indigo locks that fell over her face, much in the same way Itachi did whenever he was frustrated. Thoughts of him were quickly banished by the young heiress, soon to be nothing more than the bride to an Uchiha. She might have cried at that, but weeks of doing so had left her no more tears to squeeze out. Instead she closed her eyes tightly and sighed, willing this day away.
A light knock on her door startled her out of her trance. She lifted the skirt of her dress and ran over to the door, heart thumping. Maybe it was him, maybe he forgave her…
He heart sunk when she opened the door to be met by a set of snow-white eyes instead of the onyx black she'd been hoping for. But she masked her pain with a smile.
"H-Hanabi…? Sh-shouldn't you be getting ready?"
"This. Is. So. Gay."
Hanabi was standing before Hinata in the fluffiest, ruffliest, most girlie dress that would make even Barbie cringe. Hinata barely managed to stifle a laugh as she eyes her younger sibling, whose dress was more expressive than her own. But she was unable to stop the corners of her lips from quirking upward, at which Hanabi flushed indignantly.
"Hinata!!" she whined, just like any twelve-year old would. "Do I have to wear this?!"
Hinata smiled pleasantly. "Hanabi, you look adorable."
"I don't wanna look adorable, dammit! I want to look like you!"
Hinata blushed. "Th-thank you…"
"Hinata!!" Hanabi screeched, stamping her feet and indicating to her dress with her hands. "Fix it!!"
Hinata muffled another giggle. "I-I'm sorry Hanabi-chan…Mikoto-san chose that for the flower girl."
Hanabi grimaced. "Was she high when she did? If so—"
"Hanabi, go back and wait to start the ceremony."
Hanabi huffed, but she obediently shuffled back toward the doors. Hinata didn't hold back her smile as she shut the door gently and took one look back toward the mirror. She was getting married. Suddenly her heart leapt, and she started feeling panicky.
She was getting married.
"Oh…God…" she whispered, a frown etching onto her features. "I...I'm g-g-getting married!!" she shrieked, flushing a deep crimson.
--
This was so stupid. Of all the things he's ever done…and it was ironic, because when he'd thought of this plan it had seemed flawless and perfect, but now that he was going through with it…well you were reading, right?
This was just stupid.
He stared at the pink-haired kunoichi indifferently as she struggled against her bonds, screaming what he had no doubt were obscenities against the muffling ropes at her mouth. And her, she just had to be his only option. Ino was far too angry at him for what he'd done to Hinata (Note the heavy sarcasm) to spare him a word. Of course he could have knocked her out…but pretending to be such a cheery person didn't sit well with him. Then there was Tenten, the second one on the list, but if he'd captured her he'd have to deal with Neji. He didn't need that kind of trouble right now, he was trying to be inconspicuous and Neji would not help in that. Temari was the last person he'd considered, but he'd shut it down with a quick no. She didn't know him well enough to come over when he demanded it, and since he wanted to do this as sneakily as possible he knew she wasn't the right one.
Sakura was just perfect for the job. She was upset about the wedding, so he'd of course found her sulking by herself. Good. Then there was her partner, as a bridesmaid: Lee. She was already cruel to him, so Itachi didn't have to say much to fool people. Great. Finally, and here's the best part: she came over. No hesitation whatsoever. He just called out her name, nodded once in an indication for her to come, and she walked over with confusion written all over her face.
Which was why right now she was on the ground inside a broom closet, tied from head to toe and stripped of all her weapons and any means of escape. He allowed himself only one more moment of staring at her distastefully before he slammed the door shut. He couldn't believe he was going to do this. The things he did for that girl…and she'd damn well better appreciate it. Because right now he was about to do something really, really stupid.
And with one final thought of massacring anyone who dared remember this day, he put his hands together to form the seals necessary in order for this to work.
--
The chapel was decorated beautifully with different shades of blue and white to signify the union all members came for. On the grooms side, all sorts of Uchiha's gathered, all whispering silently amongst themselves and all excited for the upcoming ceremony. On the bride's side, many of the elite within the Hyuga clan sat, all silently awaiting the arrival of their heiress without much movement or conversation. Freshly cut gardenia's lined the isle leading up to the front, filling the entire room with its captivating fragrance.
Hiashi stood just outside looking like the epitome of seriousness. He, too, was awaiting the arrival of his daughter, but for a different reason. He was to walk her down the aisle. The ceremony was due to begin any minute, and though he hid it well he was growing increasingly impatient. It seemed his daughter was purposely taking her precious time in preparations. He looked up toward the front, where the minister was practicing his lines, and saw that Sasuke was clearly growing edgy as well. That child better hurry before he was forced to send Neji after her, like usual…
"F-f-father…"
He barely heard the small whisper, which agitated him. He turned to scold his daughter for being so late, but the words died in his throat. Scratch that, they didn't even make it past his thought process. For there was his little girl, two words that could no longer be used to describe her.
She was a woman now.
Hinata was in a full length, purely white gown that made her eyes seem more lavender than colorless. It was a halter top with strings in the front as opposed to a zipper in the back and it was laced up with silk strings, soft to the touch. Her hair was pulled up into a complicated bun with only the two longest strands framing her face and a diamond tiara resting atop her head. Her cheeks were colored a really deep crimson, that hardly seemed necessary…oh no, wait, that was just her blushing. Her lids were colored delicately with a light pink color that matched her lips. Her head was turned downward, but she looked up at her father through her dark, thick lashes. She looked stunning, beautiful, gorgeous, and…
Just like her mother.
"Why are you late?"
…So much for showing pride.
Hinata lowered her eyes, bowing slightly. "I…I'm s-sorry, f-f-father. It t-took l-longer th-than expected…"
He didn't bother replying her, instead instructing Hanabi to get ready for her debut (if you could call being flower girl that). She didn't say a word as she moved to obey him, but Hanabi gave Hinata a reassuring smile when she was sure her father couldn't see. Hinata managed a frail smile back before lowering her eyes back to the ground in expectance of the scolding she was sure she was going to get.
"You…"
Hinata blinked, confusion and curiosity causing her to look up instantly. Her father never paused in his speech. That was her trademark.
"You…look…"
Hinata's lips twitched upward a bit as she felt tears well in her eyes.
But he turned away, toward the closed doorway. "The ceremony is about to begin. Get everyone together."
She frowned immediately, blinking back tears that were threatening to fall for a different reason than first intended. Nevertheless, she managed to choke them down, opting for the small break her father had offered instead. She bowed once more before rushing off toward the small crowd of bridesmaids and groomsmen chatting. They all looked up at her entrance.
"Um, g-guys, w-w-we're about t-to start…"
Ino smiled warmly at her best friend. "Hinata, you look gorgeous!"
Tenten nodded eagerly in agreement. "She's right, Hinata! Pink looks good on you."
Hinata blushed and smiled shyly. "Th-thank you…"
"Hey, Hinata, thanks for letting me be a bridesmaid. I know we don't know each other that well…"
Hinata directed her smile to Temari. "I kn-know you wanted t-to be w-w-with Shikamaru-san…"
Temari nodded appreciatively.
Hinata looked at them for a moment, brows furrowing. They were missing one, and she was almost afraid to ask because she knew which one, but…
"…um…Wh-where's Sakura-chan?"
They all exchanged confused looks before shrugging for her.
"I believe she went to take a walk in the back, Lady Uchiha."
Hinata blushed furiously at Lee's comment, but uttered her thanks before going out toward the yard so she could find Sakura…and possibly apologize. When she made it out toward the small yard, she did see Sakura in the lilac dress all the bridesmaids had to wear (Ino's idea, she said it would match the surroundings), but she had her back to Hinata.
"…S-Sakura? A-are you okay?"
Sakura whipped her head over her shoulder quickly, clearly startled. She stood there for a moment, staring at her with a deep intensity that made Hinata fidget in place. Sakura took a bold step forward, and for a moment Hinata thought she may strike her.
Instead Sakura said something…just plain weird. "Hinata, you look beautiful."
That's normal, right? Before Hinata had 'stolen' Sasuke, compliments were common coming from Sakura. But…What the hell was wrong with her voice? Sure, it was Sakura's voice, but it was so…Hinata didn't even want to think of an adjective for it right now.
She smiled politely, though it was strained. "..Th-thank you, S-S-Sakura-chan…"
Sakura didn't reply, which was also unusual; Sakura would have normally smiled cheerily and then said 'You're welcome' or something. She wasn't supposed to be…was she…glaring at her?! No, this was…weirder than a glare.
As if Hinata wasn't anxious enough, this happened to be her breaking point. She laughed nervously.
"S-Sakura-san, w-w-w-we have t-t-t-to go…w-w-w-w-we're st-st-starting…"
Suddenly Sakura's eyes narrowed, which was the most normal thing she'd done today. She was, after all, in love with Sasuke. Although Hinata felt guilty, she turned and went back in quickly, turning around only once to see if Sakura was following. And, whether it was good or bad, she was.
So finally the reason they were there could begin.
--
Hinata straightened, looping her arm awkwardly with her father's as the doors opened dramatically. Tenten and Neji entered first clearly pleased with having been incorporated into the wedding. Then came Shikamaru and Temari, Shikamaru putting off his somber walk to look at least somewhat presentable and Temari happily clinging to his arm. Sakura and Lee came next, Lee looking as if he had just won a million dollars and Sakura emotionlessly walking next to him, though she did seem displeased at the fact that she had to hold his arm. The Maid of Honor and Best Man, Ino and Naruto, came last putting on their best faces.
Hanabi had been frowning darkly up until the moment her turn came, where she mustered up all the happiness she'd ever felt in her lifetime to smile. She pranced down the aisle, and with every step she took she calculated the revenge she was sure to extract upon Mikoto. After Hanabi came Konohamaru, the ring bearer, and he handed the box to Sasuke before standing off to the sides along with the rest of boys.
Finally, the bride. All eyes were on the father-daughter pair of Hyuga's as they walked down the aisle to the beat of the Wedding March. Hinata blushed as she tried to avert her gaze, but no matter where she looked she caught someone's eyes. Kiba grinned at her with a 'thumbs up' sign, and beside him Shino gave a curt nod. She blushed as she turned away, catching her own side of the chapel. All the white-eyed members were wearing the patented Hyuga Mask of Stoicism (batteries not included), which unnerved her enough that she turned away from them too.
So she decided to look up toward the front, catching eyes with Sasuke. This time, though, she found she couldn't look away as she had with all the others. She'd never before been physically attracted to Sasuke. Sure, she wouldn't deny that he was handsome, and she wouldn't say he wasn't 'her type' (whatever the hell that meant) she just never saw Sasuke like that. That changed in the five seconds it took her to find his dark eyes.
His hair had been combed out so that it fell over his eyes while some of it was tied neatly back. He looked sort of irked at this, but he gave nothing away as he stood in his usual impassive stance, hands in his pockets. He was wearing a black suit and slacks (was that…Armani?!) that contrasted Hinata's outfit harmoniously. Though she wasn't looking at her own outfit right now…she was blatantly staring at him, and being who she was she couldn't cover her surprise.
Since when had Sasuke been…hot?
By the time she'd made it to the front Sasuke had noticed her stare, and was smirking superiorly. As if she didn't have enough reasons to blush. She offered a shy smile before looking back up to the priest expectantly. By the end of his small speech, in which he seemed to use the word 'love' a seemingly pointless number of times, Hinata was blushing furiously while debating the urge to bury her face into her father's arm, her nearest source of comfort at the moment.
"Who gives this woman to this man?"
Her father didn't even bother to look down at the daughter who would no longer be his own, nor did he hesitate when he clearly stated "I do."
Disappointment surged through her as he didn't even kiss her cheek lightly, didn't even look down at her, he only detangled her arm from his and pushed her gently toward Sasuke. She smiled once more, trying to ignore the pang that leaving her father was causing her. Because, despite it all, he was her father.
She must have been pretty transparent, because the priest smiled gently to her before continuing with the charge. Sasuke looked down at her, still smirking, which eased her apprehension a little. This time her smile came naturally.
Throughout the charge and pledge, Hinata could see Sakura glaring. Not that she wasn't expecting it…Sakura did love Sasuke. The weird part was that Sakura seemed to be glaring at Sasuke and not Hinata…freaky…But once both the charge and pledge parts of the ceremony were over with, Hinata and Sasuke found themselves facing each other as the 'vow' part of the ceremony began.
The priest began his prepared speech. "Do you, Sasuke, take Hinata, to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'til death do you part."
Sasuke gazed at Hinata fixedly, smirk a thing of the past, replaced by a serious expression. "I do."
Hinata was by now so embarrassed she might have killed herself if given the opportunity. But seeing as such luxuries seemed to be avoiding her, she opted for finishing the wedding as quickly as possible so she could be alone…well, with Sasuke. Little did anyone notice Sakura behind her making hand signs…
The priest repeated the vows for Hinata to accept.
She tried to hold his stare as he'd done her, found herself looking away slightly.
"I-I-I-I—"
In the five minutes it took her to utter those simple words, she was interrupted. Actually, the entire ceremony was interrupted. The cause? That would be the loud bang of the sleek, wooden entrance doors hitting the wall with what could only be described as the loudest bang in history. Possibly louder than the Big Bang.
And Sakura stood at the scene of the crime, glaring coldly at the bride and groom, causing everyone to tense.
There was a long stretch of silence, where all eyes turned from Sakura up front to Sakura at the door.
Sakura at the door pointed to Sakura up front with an accusing finger. "That's an imposter!!!"
All eyes turned toward Sakura at the front, which had made no negation. 'She' was scowling darkly at the other Sakura. "You should have stayed in your bonds; you would have been safer."
And instantly they all knew which Sakura was real.
"I…Itachi…"
Hinata's wavering voice was easily heard in a room where even breathing at the moment was frowned upon. Imposter Sakura stared at Hinata for a moment before a puff of smoke erupted where she stood. When it cleared, it was indeed Itachi that stood in Imposter Sakura's place. His arm shot out, latching on to Hinata's before pulling her against him, causing her to gasp.
"This ceremony is over."
And though she tried to struggle this time, it was all in vain, as was the room screaming her name. She saw Sasuke try to jump to her, she saw her teammate's spring up and run towards her, she saw her cousin clenching his fists, only to be held back by Ino…
And that was the last thing she saw, Ino smiling like she always had, mouthing out silently among the disruptive crowd 'Be happy.'
And then they were gone, gone to who knows where. There was a long, tense silence.
"…So I guess this means the wedding's over, huh?"
Naruto now received the beating originally meant for Itachi.
Shimi-chan: Thank you Icy, for helping me with the idea for this chapter!! She helped me come up with the whole 'Itachi being Sakura' thing. And be grateful, all you, because I was in a writer's block before that! T-T Those are tears of joy! I like my own ending...haha, thinking of it made me laugh.