author's note.

Hey, guys. Emily here. Today was my first day of school, well not really. It was a half day, so I got to meet my teachers and half basically like, a mini-class. I like school, but I'm not really looking forward to going back anytime soon, I guess. So let's see, Marley hadn't read the Tenten chapter yet...so I gave it to her in homeroom, but I still don't think she's read it yet. This was a pretty emotional day for me, so sorry if that reflects in the chapter. I'm starting to update once a day, and there's really only going to be a few more chapters. Marley is super busy with sports and stuff and all of that, so I'm pretty sure that I might be the one finishing up the story. Hope that everyone's having a wonderful day, and if you can possibly cheer me up...then please do so by reviewing. xD

disclaimer.

I do not own "Naruto" or any lyrics by Nick Lachey.

dedication.

To Lizzie.

And I want you

and I feel you

crawling underneath my skin

Like a hunger, like a burnin

to find the place I've never been

Now I'm broken, and I'm faded

I'm half the man I thought I would be

But you can have

what's left of me.

Naruto's heart had never pounded this fast. He had never felt this mixture of emotions together, it was as if anxiety, happiness, sadness, and every other emotion in the entire world was filling his mind. Even though Naruto himself had never been very close to one religion, but they were to be married in a church because it was the cliché place for a wedding, and even if Hinata wasn't very religious either…Naruto wanted it to be close to perfection.

The night before Naruto's family and friends and Hinata's family and friends, including the wedding party of Sakura, Sasuke, Tenten, and Neji had had rehearsal, and then went out for dinner. Naruto's brothers and sisters had approached him and told him that they were sorry that all those years they had shunned him, and they were genuinely proud of him.

Naruto had been sick with anxiety for about a whole week now, and he was so afraid that he would slip up, or say something wrong. He was standing in one of the wedding party dressing rooms, the one designed for the groom. One of his sisters had made him brownies, his favorite, to help ease the nervousness, but Naruto had eaten so many of the delicate rich deserts, his stomach was even more uneasy than it should have been.

Naruto was anxiously fixing his already ready hair, fiercely biting down on his lip. It was only a few more minutes and then someone would come in and usher him out, and then in less than two hours the ceremony would be done, and he would be officially married to Hinata. Naruto felt beads of sweat collecting on his forehead, and to avoid smelling and looking like he had been running laps before the wedding he began pacing back and forth.

About four paces later, Sasuke peered his head into the dressing room. "Hey Naruto," He whispered. "You have to go now."

Naruto swallowed, feeling as if his throat had just incredibly tightened. He nodded, and followed Sasuke. The guests were still filing in, but Naruto took his spot near the priest on the altar. Sasuke looked to his friend, squeezing his arm. "Good luck." He whispered, and Naruto nodded his thanks.

Sasuke then left his friend and walked back to the rest of the wedding party. Naruto watched as familiar faces filed in to the church, and realized how surreal this was. He awkwardly shifted, feeling as though he had been placed into a microscope. Either people were chatting or watching him.

Finally, the organ began to play and Naruto inhaled sharply. This was it. First was the flower girl, Hinata's little cousin, who surprisingly looked like a smaller version of Hinata and Neji. Apparently all of Huyugas looked the same. The ring bearer was really Naruto's sister holding Tenshi and the pillow, but Naruto and Hinata felt it necessary to have the baby in their wedding.

Then came Sakura and Sasuke, arm in arm, followed by a beaming Neji and Tenten. When everyone rose to their feet, Naruto felt his heart beating so close to the flesh that he could have sworn that it was going to jump out. Time seemed to stand still as Hinata quietly appeared at the entrance. The flowing fabric of her gorgeous dress cascaded down to the floor, just adding to her natural radiance.

Her blush was subtle, but he was pleased to see that she was nervous, and probably even more nervous than he was. Naruto only had to walk up onto the altar when no one was really, really watching. Naruto watched as Hinata made her way up the altar so that she was standing next to him, it was way too surreal for Naruto's liking, but there was no bone in his body that wanted to turn back now.

The wedding went by fast, too fast for Naruto's liking, as well. Now, it was time for the rings. Sasuke placed the delicate diamond ring onto Naruto's palm, and he slid it onto Hinata's hand. "I do."

Hinata did the same with his ring, sliding it onto his finger. "I do."

"And now, I present to you for the first time…Mr. And Mrs. Naruto Uzumaki!" The preist said. "You may now kiss the bride."

And for the first time in his life, Naruto took Hinata in his arms and kissed her right then and there. And as applause struck, he knew that for once in his life, he had made the right decision. To spend the rest of his life with Hinata.