Hey. I'm alive. I have no excuse for not updating other than I'm lazy as all hell. Please accept this and coming chapters as my apologies. Please enjoy.

This Is It

Itachi stood seemingly stoic at the head of the crowd waiting along with them for his bride. The bright sun shone off his smoky black montsuki, glaring a sharp red where the rays touched the emblazed family crest on his haori. Sasuke stepped to stand slightly beside his brother. (1)

"Are you ready?"

"Ready?" Itachi half-scoffed, "I've been waiting my whole life for this."

Smirking, Sasuke stepped back to stand next to their father in the first row.

The Hyuuga elder looked at Itachi, "It is time, Itachi-san." Itachi nodded before Elder cleared his throat,

"Hello, and welcome. Thank you for being here on such a momentous day. Today, for the first time in history, the two most powerful clans in Konoha will finally unite. Today, we celebrate the union of the Uchiha and the Hyuuga." The Hyuuga elder paused for the crowd's applause, "Please be seated, and let us make welcome for our bride, Hyuuga Hinata."

For once, Hiashi looked at his daughter without malice. Even he had to admit, she looked beautiful. Her shiromuku wrapped her in a white gleam, like fresh snow fall. He only wished her mother were there to lower her veil. (2)

"Are you ready, Hinata?" She smiled up at him, her eyes gleaming.

"Yes, Father."

"Wait," He looked at her, and for a single, fleeting moment, he smiled. His long fingers eased her fragile veil over her eyes. "Now, you're ready."

Wistful music lofted softly through the garden, announcing her arrival. Her hands clutched nervously at Hiashi's arm as they walked towards her groom. She tried to keep her pace steady. Many appreciative murmurs could be heard as she passed, glowing like a goddess. Through her veil, she could see Itachi watching her. Her heart began to race, and she felt blood redden her cheeks.

The closer they became the more lightheaded Hinata felt. She thought she might pass out. But then, the music stopped. She was standing in front of Itachi and the elder, with her father to her side. Itachi bowed, deep and practiced, to Hiashi, and Hiashi returned the gesture before turning to sit with Hinabi and the other Hyuugas. (3)

The elder pressed a cup of sake into each of their palms and bowed his head. In silence, Itachi and Hinata intertwined their arms, tipping the sake into one another's mouth. The elder smiled then,

"Uchiha Itachi, repeat after me; This woman I marry."

"This woman I marry."

I will love this person, respect her, console her, help her. Until death, I promise my fidelity."

I will love this person, respect her, console her, help her. Until death, I promise my fidelity."Itachi smiled, staring into Hinata's wide eyes, "Chikai masu." (4)

Tears were threatening to pour from Hinata's eyes. Behind her veil, she gazed in awe at the man in front of her, unable to believe that this day, the one she'd waited years for, was finally happening. And that this man, who was so kind and handsome and gentle, was saying those words to her. Though repeated and traditional, she knew Itachi's promise ran true.

"Hinata Hyuuga." The elder interrupted her thoughts, "Please repeat after me; This man I marry."

"This man I marry."

I will love this person, respect him, console him, help him. Until death, I promise my fidelity."

I will love this person, respect him, console him, help him. Until death, I promise my fidelity."

The elder smiled, his ancient white eyes wrinkling at the corners.

"Uchiha Itachi, will you marry this woman and become her partner? Will you in peaceful times, in war times, in sickness and in health, give your love, respect, comfort and help to her? Do you swear to fulfill this promise until death relieve your burden?"

"Hai, chikaimasu."

"Hyuuga Hinata, will you marry this man and become his partner? Will you in peaceful times, in war times, in sickness and in health, give your love, respect, comfort and help to him? Do you swear to fulfill this promise until death relieve your burden?"

"Hai, ch-chikaimasu."

"Itachi," Elder said, "you may now kiss your bride."

Itachi took a small step towards Hinata, lifting his hands to the sides of her short veil. As he pulled it up, her eyes were drawn into his. Ebony met ivory and he flashed her a smile that sent her pulse racing. His forehead touched hers delicately.

"This is it, Love." She smiled back, letting him take her shaking hands and pull her body to his.

"Yeah."

The millimeter between them closed, and Hinata felt her head spin and her knees give way. Itachi pulled her deeper into him, feeling her pulse against his own. She was dizzying, intoxicating. He slowly parted from her, but never looked away from those colorless eyes.

Elder held out his arms in a grandeur motion, "For the first time, please give welcome to the blended clan union, Uchiha Itachi and Hinata." The guests blew up in an uproar of applause, cheering for both the couple and for the beginning of a new era.

It was late when Itachi stepped into a building on the East side of town, with Hinata in his arms. It was somewhat isolated, but large and spacious. Hinata could see the sun beginning to set over the mountains. It was beautiful.

"Welcome home, Love." She stared up at him with starry eyes.

"Home?" He chuckled and gently put her on her own two feet.

"Yes. I know you didn't want to live in either of our families compounds. So, I thought we should start our own."

"Itachi-kun…" Tears poured down Hinata's face, falling to the bamboo floor with tiny plinks. Itachi just smiled down at her, raising his hands to cup her cheeks.

"What do you say?" His thumbs smeared the drops from her face, "Our own place for our own little clan. A place for the first Uchiha-Hyuugas to make a home." He paused to tilt his head at her, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Itachi-kun!" She flung herself at him, knocking him to the ground with the surprise. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her forehead rested on his.

"I love you, Itachi. More than anyth-." Her whisper brushed his lips as he kissed her, cutting of her words. When he laid his head back on the floor, she was blushing like she'd never been kissed. Itachi thought about the first time he'd kissed her eight years ago. It had all been so innocent then. He'd never imagined that that little awkward girl would become such a beautiful, strong woman. He'd never thought that this woman would become his wife.

His hair was disheveled, his haori had slipped open and Hinata was sitting on his stomach. But Itachi Uchiha could not have been happier. That moment, looking into the eyes of the girl her loved, knowing they were going to spend the rest of their lives living and loving each other, was now more than just a dream.

"Itachi-kun?" Hinata broke him out of his reverie. "Why are you crying?"

He smiled, "Because this can't be real." She smiled and shook her head.

"This is real," Hinata slid her hands to touch his chest where the haori left it bare, "This is it, Itachi-kun. The rest of our lives." She was grinning like she'd won a prize. Itachi found her smile infectious. His hands settled around her waist, pulling her down for yet another kiss.

"I love you, Uchiha Hinata."

Fin.

So, the montsuki is the groom's kimono, and the haori is the kimono 'shirt' or 'jacket'. You also may be wondering why Sasuke stepped back. In a traditional Japanese wedding, there are no groomsmen or bridesmaids.

The shiromuku is a wedding kimono for the bride. It is the last privilege of the mother of the bride to lower her veil for her.

The groom and the father of the bride are to bow to one another.

"I swear" or "I do"

Not bad, eh? I had to do some research to find out what a traditional Japanese wedding is like. The vows are typical ceremonial vows that are roughly translated. I've been thinking about doing a lemon for this story and posting it separately, as not to disturb the fluff. What do you guys think?

As always, thanks for reading and please give me your feedback.

-Princess