Disclaimer: I think everyone gets it by now.

Oh, and I'd like to thank gazelle-badelle. I got the quote from her.


Powerful


Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

-anonymous


Chapter 3

You know, decorating takes more work than most people think. What it really takes is concentration. Of course, I was too busy concentrating on other things to even try concentrating on stapling ribbons.

As so, I have stapled my own finger several times now. Luckily, Neji volunteered to hang the ribbons on the wall. No more falling off stepstools for me, not today at least. Today I had the difficult job of tying bows and stapling them onto the sides of all the pews.

I'm not really sure Neji would have let me continue hanging ribbons on the wall in the first place…Whether to himself or not, I remember him muttering about how much of a klutz I am about ten minutes ago.

Ten minutes ago, Neji called me his girlfriend. HIS GIRLFRIEND!!!A squeal sounded from the fangirl deep within me. I'm Neji's girlfriend! I'm Neji's girlfriend! I'm Neji's girlfriend!

And that's about all I can think about right now…

I'm so nervous. Every time I glance his way, I blush. I hope Neji's not using his Bakuyan. Damn those eyes of his! Those beautiful eyes…

Anzu, Ino, and Sasuke had already left; off to do some other preparation for the wedding probably. I'm pretty sure Anzu and Sasuke are still mad at Neji and I (for only God knows why), and Ino wasn't helping matters.

People were starting to gather outside in the gardens. The wedding would be starting soon.

I turned as the front door opened. It was Naruto. He looked so different in his formal attire, a black yukata. He had grown a little since he bought it, so the hem came a bit above his ankles. Naruto wouldn't get to buy a new yukata for a while, though. Like me, he was having some money troubles.

I was expecting him to have this big, warm smile on his face. Naruto is just a smiling kind of a guy, you know. But instead, his mouth was set in a grim line, almost solemn. I knew it in a second; something was horribly wrong.

"Ohayo Sakura-chan, Neji." Even his voice sounded insufferably solemn. What had happened?

"Naruto," Neji answered, nodding his head.

My boyfriend (YAY!!!) and I exchanged knowing glances before I hurried after my longtime best friend. I caught him just in front of the back door. He was heading to the groom's room, probably.

"Say, Naruto, is something bothering you?" I asked.

I saw his eyes glance around anxiously before giving out an awkward chuckle. "Is it that obvious?"

"Just tell me, Naruto."

"Do you mind if I tell you later? I don't want to ruin your day too…and Hinata's…and Neji's…Is that okay?"

"Sure," I said, a little dumbfounded, "I guess…but promise to tell me later."

"I promise."

And before I could say anther word, he disappeared behind the back room door. I couldn't even fathom what could possibly upset him so. It was his best friend's wedding day; Naruto should be ecstatic.

Well, I would find out sooner or later. But what could really upset me, Hinata, and Neji? Did someone die? No, he would have told me…or someone else would have told me. What could it be? I have to know…


I was being sandwiched by Hyugas. Literally. My entire row was squeezed on this uncomfortable wooden pew. Also, I happened to be the only one on that row that wasn't a Hyuga. Everyone else had the trademark pearly white eyes and dark hair. Imagine a pink-haired, green-eyed woman scrunched between all of them. There, that should give you a clue.

Starting at the end was Hinata's mother; I'm not sure of her name. Next to her sat Hanabi, and then was Hinata. She was on my left, silently twiddling her thumbs and asking me if I was okay. So sweet. On my right was Neji, prim and proper as ever. Then was Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga clan. And then next to him were Neji and Hinata's grandparents; they had been good friends of the late Uchiha clan leaders. All in all, I stuck out like a sore thumb in a mass of family resemblance. It's about the only thing you can see.

I had also wanted Ino or maybe Naruto nearby (thank goodness I had Neji). But Ino was sitting in the front row; she is the wedding planner and has to make sure everything runs smoothly. Naruto was beside Sasuke at the altar; he was the best man.

Now, I'm not saying I'm not friends with Hinata. I am. In fact, we have been good friends for a while. She's so sweet and thoughtful, but she forgets about everyone else whenever Naruto is around. It reminds me of how I used to be around Sasuke, which is something I'm trying to forget.

Anyway, everyone is crowded around in this stuffy little church. For a private wedding, there sure are a lot of people. Most of them are middle-aged or older; I think they were friends with Sasuke's parents when they were alive. I recognize a few of them from the council meetings Tsunade-shishou had let me attend with her. It just goes to show how clan leaders get all the power. Whatever.

The buzz of voices that had filled the church room silenced as the pianist began playing the wedding march. Yes, it is for real this time. The doors opened as the procession began.

As the flower girl, ring bearer, and maid of honor entered, I held up my façade. But when Anzu entered on the arm of her father, I had to look away. And of course, my eyes found their way to him.

It really is amazing; Sasuke always manages to be so stoic, even on his wedding day. I at least thought he'd be smiling…or smirking would suit him better. And he looked so hot in his yukata…You know, I really shouldn't be thinking like that now that I have a boyfriend. A BOYFRIEND!

I'm sorry, I'm still a little excited from earlier.

I glanced at Neji, hoping he would comfort me again. Unfortunately, he was busy talking with Hiashi. Honestly, it's very rude to talk during someone's wedding. Common courtesy, people.

Hesitantly, I looked back at the altar, back at Sasuke. And then the weirdest thing happened—our eyes met.

We held each other's gazes for a moment. He was still Sasuke in my eyes, just a Sasuke I had never seen before. I don't know what I looked like to him though. Maybe a deer caught in the headlights? Little girl about to cry? Or did I just look like Sakura? I hope I did…whatever that looks like…

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again: I can get lost in his eyes so easily. It feels like I'm sinking faster and faster down this whirling, suffocating darkness. I mean, I could probably catch fire and not notice a damn thing.

Anyway, then he turned his attention back to his wife-to-be. O, how I hate her. The wedding ceremony continued, not missing a beat. It was almost as if it never happened.

In fact, no one else knew that it happened; so that makes me what? Sole witness? That sounds a bit dramatic, but okay. I mean, for all you know, none of this even happened. Sasuke could have come home and been killed on the spot, or he might have never come home at all. Come to think of it, he might not even exist. I could have just dreamed him up one night when I was sleeping in an insane asylum far far way in the Village Surrounded by Barb-wire Fences. I really could have been, and that's the scary part.

Let me get to the point: You can't believe everything you hear—see—read—whatever. You're just too gullible. Then again, you don't have much of a choice, do you? All you can do is listen to every little thing I say, whether or not it's anything close to the truth. Not that I'm lying to you or anything, just saying.

But think about it, I could very well be tied up in a straight-jacket somewhere in a dank asylum telling you all of these wonderful—or not so wonderful dreams I had.

Makes you really wonder, doesn't it?

Anyway, ions and ions from now, I can remember back when for about five seconds—out of the entire time I have known Uchiha Sasuke—his eyes weren't glaring or cold or emotionless.

Instead, his eyes carried a very strange tone to them…something I had never seen before, not in him, at least…his eyes almost looked…sorrowful…

How very strange indeed…


A shy little girl peeked up at the front door, trying to decide whether or not she should knock. She nervously chewed on her bottom lip; it was a bad habit of hers. Building up enough courage was somewhat harder than she imagined, but she had promised herself she wouldn't back down from this. Not from this.

Little Nahoko was going to apologize to Yurie. Hopefully, they could still be friends. But the only way that was going to happen was if someone (specifically Nahoko) apologizes.

With one last sigh, she timidly reached up her shaking fist to the door. Knock! Knock!

No answer. She reached up again, determined to pound on the door until someone came, when the door suddenly swung open.

In the doorway appeared this lady with light brown hair and brown eyes. She wore a red apron over her sundress. Nahoko recognized her as Yurie's mother; she just couldn't remember her name. "Hello," the lady asked, "How may I help you?"

"M-may I please speak to Yurie?"

"Of course, dear. Would you like to come in?"

Nahoko nodded her head slowly. She took a deep breath before taking a big step inside. The lady led her inside, through the living room, and up a steep set of stairs. She knocked on the door at the end of the hall, softly calling, "Yurie-chan, you have a visitor."

A few seconds later, the door creaked open—to reveal a very shocked Yurie. She turned to her mother for some sort of help, but she was already walking back down the hall and onto the stairs.

Her attention flew back to the hazel-eyed girl, staring at her feet quietly. "Nahoko?" Asked Yurie. This was the girl that had brutally attacked her during recess that day, and the girl had a mean punch.

Nahoko answered, barely glancing up, "Look, Yurie, I'm really sorry about what happened today. I sorta lost control."

"Why did you do it? It couldn't all be over some boy, could it?"

A blush appeared across Nahoko's face. "Oh…"

"Do you think…we could still be friends?"

"I don't know," answered Yurie, "Are you sure you're okay with me and Tatsuki? I mean, I didn't know you liked him that much. You should have told me."

Nahoko let out a soft sigh. "It's okay, Yurie. I acted pretty stupid today. And I've decided to never get so hung up over a boy again."

"So, you won't mind if I keep going out with him?"

"A little…I guess. But still, if you two really like each other, I shouldn't get in the way. It was selfish of me."

"Nahoko…are you okay?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"Nothing. I talked with this woman—her name is Sakura and she's really pretty—and she told me that there are plenty of other and better guys out there. Besides, I don't even know Tatsuki that well."

"Good, cause I like him and I wanna keep going out with him."

"So…we're still friends, right?"

"Of course."

"Say, Nahoko, would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Sounds good."


I know it might hurt at first…but I'll get over him. It's only a matter of time…

Another chapter complete! There are parts of this chapter that I loved, and there are parts that I hate. I kinda thought the Nahoko-Yurie conversation would better suit a show like Full House, but it was necessary. I really loved the whole part about the asylum. Can you say "foreshadowing"? But no, it's different than what you think. I know it's really off topic, but all of the story that is told in Sakura's point of view is through her thoughts. It's gonna be a bit jumpy with a narrator like her. In this chapter, I also sorta hinted at the conflicts to come.To be honest though, you're still not gonna know the first till a couple more chapters. I'm taking my time with this story.

Oh, and thank you for all the reviews! They make me so happy! (sobs hysterically)

I dedicate this chapter to Asuma. I know he doesn't even make an appearance, or have anything to do with the plotline. But still. You gotta love him.

Leave a review on the way out!