When she woke the next morning she could hear the other girls already preparing for the enormous day. She slowly made her way to the closet to open it. When she did, there before her hung that perfect dress, but all she could do was stare at it. Standing in that position for what felt like an eternity. Only after Sakura had caught her gazing did Hinata snap back into reality.
"Good morning Hinata," Sakura smiled at her with her eyes closed, head tilted to the left. Hinata turned to Sakura and returned the gesture.
"Today is the big day, so are you just going to stand there and miss it?" She questioned the young bride, stepping into the room to stand next to her.
Still, the only reply she received was another smile, and then Hinata turned her sights back to the closet.
"Ino said she would do your hair and makeup if you would like." Sakura continued, hoping her companion would respond in more then just a grin.
"Tenten went to get more food for the reception, since the boys ate most of it last night while they were here." Just then Ino came into the room. She looked curiously at the dress Hinata's eyes could not avert. Then Ino walked over to the closet and pulled it out.
"Well, don't just stare at it all day, put it on." Ino offered the dress the young Hyuuga. Slowly, Hinata reached for the dress. Impatient, Ino went the rest of the way till it was in the hands of its owner.
The other two girls left the room so she could put it on. However, did not do so, all she did was stand there frozen thinking this couldn't be real.
Hinata knew she had thought this had been a dream that kept getting better from the beginning, but was over doing it. Everything she did in those moments before the wedding were in slow motion. She carefully placed her dress on the bed and gradually unzipped the garment bag it was in.
The young maiden then shed her nightgown and inched her way inside the dress. Then she turned her attention towards the full-length mirror.
"Sakura, Ino, you may come back in." Once the two girls heard her call, they dropped what they were doing and raced back to the room.
Having never seen her in the dress before that moment, they were at a loss for words. They were to astonished to think of anything. Well, other then the fact that Hinata had bed head still, but this was easily fixed.
Hinata turned around after seeing the expressions of the other two women in the room reflecting off the mirror. Her face was red, "What's wrong?" She asked in a concerned tone.
Both shook their heads. Ino walked over and stood next to her. She placed her left hand on Hinata's shoulder and director her attention toward the mirror.
"You look okay now, but something isn't right." Ino pulled out a tiara that matched her dress perfectly. "I peeked at your dress this morning so I'd get you one that would match it. Today you are not only a bride, but a princess as well." Hinata's eyes brightened at this sight and comment. She threw her arms around Ino.
"But a princess shouldn't look like that," Ino pointed to her hair which made the other two girls giggle, and Hinata blush a little.
"Alright, but I could use some help." Hinata suggested to Ino.
"Well, I don't know, this little one has been kicking me all day," She placed her hand on her stomach. The other girls mimicked her movement, placing their hands on her tummy.
"Oh," Sakura jumped back as the kicked had startled her. She then turned red from embarrassment.
"So, enough goofing off, if we continue you won't be ready in time. After all you don't want to keep Naruto waiting at the altar for you to arrive late do you?" Tenten pointed out as she heard the girls giggling in Hinata's room.
"Hi Tenten, you're right, do you think you got enough food? After the boys devoured everything last night, I don't think there is enough food in Konoha to last the first fifteen minutes of the reception." Sakura asked as Ino worked on Hinata's hair. The bride watched the two girls talking from the reflection in the mirror. But her thoughts drifted off to a certain blond haired boy…
Across town Naruto had still been sleeping when Kakashi arrived on his balcony. Knowing Naruto, he wouldn't be one to realize what today was till it were too late, when it came to missions, he was always on the ball, but the rest of the time, you couldn't trust the boy to know his right from his left.
"Naruto, time to get up," Kakashi said while tapping the balcony window.
Naruto popped out of bed, "Oh no, am I late?" Scurrying through his apartment trying to remember the last place he had placed his tux. Once he found it he put it on in fifteen seconds flat and flew out the door, only to be stopped by Kakashi.
"Hold on Naruto, your not late, you've still got plenty of time. I'm just here to make sure you have everything. First of all who is your best man?" He questioned his young pupil.
A shocked look crossed his face. 'Who should my best man be? I wonder if Sasuke has been released from the hospital yet, I'll go there first.'
Knowing full well what Naruto was considering, Kakashi chimed in, "Sasuke has indeed been released as of earlier this morning, however, no one has seen him since. Reports say that Hanabi has been seen at Sakura's since that time. You should ask her where he might have ran off to." Naruto nodded, "One last thing before you go, remember that you need to get a ring. That's all, later." And with that Kakashi disappeared into a cloud of smoke.
Hanabi had arrived at Sakura's house just in time to see Ino finish Hinata's hair. Ino was clearing off all the hair supplies she had used to make room for the make-up case. Once she had finished, she pulled out what seemed to be a tackle box.
"What's that for?" Hinata asked curiously.
"Its my make-up case, I like to have options," Ino explained. Hinata thought she could open up a whole store with only the things in that vast case. Ino picked out the foundation that matched Hinata's pale skin and began.
Hanabi came into the room the girls were all huddled a moment later. When Hinata saw her sister enter the room, she quickly turned her chair, thus annoying Ino who was trying to pick the best eye shadow that would match Hinata's eyes.
"Hanabi, where is Hiroshi? You normally have him when you come over here. Did he get sick again?" Hinata went over to her, gently placed her hand on her shoulder and gave her a concerned look.
"Hiroshi is fine, Sasuke was released today so he decided he would have a little father son time. However, word around town is Naruto is looking for him, Anyone know why?" Hanabi looked around the room hoping someone would give her a plausible answer.
Hinata walked back over to her vanity chair, sat down, spun it around so it faced toward the mirror and replied, "He wants Sasuke to be his best man." Hinata looked at Hanabi's reflected eyes in the mirror. Tenten and Sakura, who stood near the younger Hyuuga, looked at each other. They were not sure what to think of this. Sakura could tell that hadn't gotten along to well since he had first arrived. So what was he thinking asking Sasuke to be his best man? Certainly Lee, Kiba or Gaara, who had heard of the engagement and decided to come out with his girl Matsuri, would have been better choices then Sasuke.
"Sakura, can I ask you for a favor?" Hinata looked over at her from the mirror she gazed in. Sakura nodded.
"Can you find Naruto and tell him if Sasuke says 'No' not to force him to do it. I understand that he thinks of Sasuke as a brother, but Sasuke doesn't see that anymore. I just don't want anything else to go wrong. Knowing Naruto, he'd end up in a fight that would make him wind up in the hospital." Hinata gave her a concerned expression. Sakura understood and sped off.
Ino felt another baby kick as she was putting on Hinata's eyeliner. When Hinata looked into the mirror, a line that went down about half way on her cheek was present.
Ino's face turned red, "Sorry, I don't know what's going on, this little one is really acting up today." She cleaned off Hinata face, and reapplied her makeup.
Hinata's look was now complete, and she did indeed look like a princess, but even more gorgeous like an angel from heaven. As she stood in front of the girls the light from the window reflected off her beads and tiara, thus giving her this dreamy glow.
"What time is it?" Hinata asked, as she had felt it had taken an eternity to get ready.
"Time to get going," Tenten pushed her out the door. The other girls followed them as they headed to the wedding site.
'Where could he be?' Naruto thought as he casually walked through the town. In his pocket there currently sat a golden ring. While searching for Sasuke, he figured he might as well get the most important things done first. He had stopped franticly searching for Sasuke after he realized it was probably hopeless. He was now considering any of the other guys around his age.
'If Kiba stood up there he might say 'I do' before I do… Neji is defiantly not a good choice; I don't trust him standing behind me. So that leaves Shikamaru, no, he'll say its too troublesome. I can't see Lee or Chouji being my best man.' Naruto had stopped walking now to stare at the sky.
' Gaara might be a good choice, and I might be able to find the girls to see if Matsuri could be a brides maid. Chi… I still can't shake the feeling Sasuke should be my best man.' He went to his favorite little restaurant to think. And who of all people should be sitting there?
"SASUKE?!" Naruto looked at his friend curiously.
"What are you doing here?"
"I figured you'd be here. Look I came to say I'm sorry. And I assume you were looking for me." Sasuke replied.
"Yeah, I was, would you like…" but before Naruto could finish Sasuke raised his hand. He looked over at Naruto for the first time since he had arrived to the bar.
"I guess I'll be your best man. After all, if I wasn't there, you'd end up screwing up somehow and any of the other guys would just make it a bigger deal then it needs to be. Knowing the Hyuuga clan, they won't be too happy if their heir's wedding was messed up." Naruto turned red, he could see himself screwing up the wedding.
"Did you get the ring?" Sasuke double-checked the young groom. Naruto started digging through his pockets and pulled out a dark blue, velvet jewelry case. He smiled his silly smile as he showed it to Sasuke.
"Good, but do you remember what time the wedding was?" Naruto froze, was he too late? Annoyed at the fact he knew Naruto wasn't going move without a push, Sasuke got up off his stool and shoved him out the door.
"What did you do that for?" Naruto snarled at Sasuke.
"You were in my way, after all I am the best man in a wedding that starts in thirty minutes. I have to get there on time, even if the groom doesn't." And with that Sasuke was off. Now enraged Sasuke might bet him to his own wedding, he sped off trying to find the fastest route there.
When he arrived, five minutes remained and he began to feel nervous. He had kept his mind on other things all day, but as he thought about the words Sasuke had said to him at the bar, he kept thinking he really WAS going to mess something up. He walked to the top of the aisle with Sasuke behind him. Annoyed at the fact Sasuke did bet him here, but the nervousness quickly swallowed up all other feelings.
Now the moment had come, and the other konoichis began to walk down the aisle along with their escorts. First was Tenten who was escorted by Neji, followed by Ino and her husband Shikamaru, and finally as Naruto took a deep breath, Sakura and Lee made their way towards the front. The wedding march began to play and a white shinning figure appeared directly in front of him down the aisle. This made Naruto smile, knowing that this angel would soon belong to him and him alone. Hinata slowly walked through the doorway, her father escorting her, which made Naruto a little confused, but at the same time relieved he finally respected his daughter and her wishes.
'Either that or he wants to get rid of her, but I don't mind taking her from him.' Naruto smiled at this thought, but never took his eyes off the lovely young bride making her way toward him. The closer she got, the more Naruto trembled. He walked of the first step and offered her his hand. She looked up at him through her vale, but he could still see that blush she always gave him. She took his hand and they made their way to the preacher. Once they stood at the allotted points, Naruto lifted Hinata's vale from her face. She slowly lifted her eyes to meet his with a smile.
Hinata stood there in front of the man she had loved her whole life it seemed, he had grown to be even more handsome then she could have imagined. Although he was still immature, he always had greatness written on him. While others denied this due to fear or ignorance, Hinata never doubted him for a second, one day he'd be the Hokage and she would be by his side. She thought back to when they were at the academy when he was just someone she had admired for his hard work and dedication. Back to the chunnin exams where he had given her the confidence to continue on, even after she had been injured very badly. To the training grounds where Naruto told her his fears, not thinking he was good enough. She smiled at the fact that she had given him the confidence to fight and beat her cousin.
Hinata snapped back into reality when she heard the preacher say, "Do you Hyuuga Hinata take Uzumaki Naruto to be your lawfully wedded husband…" The last year popped into her head, all that had happened and where it had lead them today. In those few seconds she knew she was right where she was supposed to be, "as long as you both shall live?" the preacher finished.
The biggest smile anyone had ever seen appeared on her face, which freaked Naruto out at first but then he started to smile even bigger at her smile. She couldn't get the words out, but just by that smile and the blush on her face, everyone knew the answer. She nodded slightly since she couldn't find the right words to say. Then the preacher turned to Naruto (he had the strangest look of surprise and happiness on his face as well) and repeated, "Do you Uzumaki Naruto take Hyuuga Hinata to be your lawfully wedded wife…"
The words trickled off in his brain. All he could think about was the fact that no matter what Hinata understood or didn't understand about him, she accepted him. She made him realize that despite being different there will always be someone out there that cares about you. He knew he didn't deserve her, but also knew that he couldn't live any longer without her. The last year had been the most difficult yet most rewarding year of his life. He knew that he had an obligation to the nation when he became hokage, but without her by his side there, there would be emptiness no one, and I mean no one else could fill. His eyes wondered off her to one of the bridesmaids that stood behind her. Her light pink hair and green eyes that normally sparkled where dull today. No one could compare to Hinata today.
"Till death do you part?" The preacher prayed for a real answer this time. He wanted to shout it the obvious answer, but knew the preacher wouldn't be able to handle yet another odd reaction from the bride AND groom.
Instead he gave Hinata the same smile he gave her right before the chunnin exams final rounds. Deeply starring into her soft eyes he replied in the lightest and romantic voice "I do." Then pulled out the ring from his pocket and placed it on her finger. "With this ring I thee wed,"
The preacher glared at him. 'He didn't wait for my signal' the preacher thought.
Following her groom, she pulled out the ring she had picked out for him and whispered so only Naruto could hear, "With this ring I thee wed."
The preacher then quickly said, "You may now kiss the bride" but didn't have time to finish the whole sentence before Naruto grabbed his new wife and kissed her passionately.
Then they walked down the aisle and went to the reception that was being held at what Naruto thought was a really strange place, Hinata's house. The main house had been decorated and filled full with tables. There was music and a dance area in front of the tables. A buffet had been set up in the back of the room and there were already people in line.
Tsunade walked over to the newlyweds holding Emi in her arms. She had taken care of Emi for them during the wedding but no longer cared to watch the little rascal.
"Hmm… What are we going to do with Emi tonight? I don't want tonight to be ruined by her crying." Naruto looked down at her in her aunt's arms. Hinata thought the same thing and turned her head toward Hanabi.
'No, she'll probably take off as soon as Sasuke can get her to leave tonight.' By this time, Neji had already figured out Sasuke and Hanabi's relationship and reported it to his uncle. Dissatisfied by both his daughters choices in spouses he went away to clear his head, leaving the main house open for such a momentous occasion. The whole town had arrived it seemed, the place was packed. She scanned the room and saw Ino begging Shikamaru for a dance and him refusing, saying something about the baby being harmed. Across to Sasuke and Hanabi in the buffet line, Hiroshi in Sasuke's arms reaching for his father's food to play with. Just to the right, on the other side of the buffet Gaara and Matsuri getting their food and flirting. Then she looked to the dance floor and found the answer. A young man in a green tux twirling a young pink haired konoichi around the dance floor.
Naruto immediately picked up on Hinata's vibe and shouted, "Hey, Sakura." She stopped dancing to looked over at the young groom. Still holding Lee's hand she walked over to the couple, knowing what they wanted.
Giving Hinata an I-already-know-but-play-along face she asked Naruto what he needed.
"Can you watch Emi tonight?" Naruto scratched the back of his head.
"Well, why I mean, there are two of you can't one of you watch her? I mean its not like tonight is important or anything." She winked at the couple, who at this point were maroon in the face as they stared at each other.
"Oh come on Sakura, We can watch Emi for them tonight." Lee chimed in. This made the newlyweds curious.
"We?!" Hinata nudged Sakura.
"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you guys, I moved in with Lee. My parents got sick of me mopping around the house so they kicked me out. When I told Lee he said I could stay with him." She was now rubbing the back of her head, face red. Never in a million years would she have expected she would be there. Lee was just lucky the day she found out Sasuke had returned.
"Well, okay, we'll watch him while you guys do you know, whatever…" She winked at them once more after taking Emi. Then Lee took her in his arms and they walked to their table.
"Congratulations big sister," She turned around to be surprised by a big hug. "I'm so happy for you." Hinata wrapped her arms around her sister.
"Thank you," Hanabi let go and stood next to her husband and child.
"I think we are going to leave tomorrow Hanabi, I want you to have fun tonight, since we aren't going to be coming back here anymore." Sasuke told his wife. Her face lit up and she threw her arms around him.
"Careful, don't squish Hiroshi." He wrapped one arm around her and kissed the top or her head.
"Hanabi, may I have this dance?" He handed Hiroshi to Naruto who frowned. Hinata took the child and the couple headed off to the dance floor.
"You know, we haven't danced yet either, so why did you take the kid?" Naruto questioned Hinata.
Staring at her sister and Sasuke on the dance floor she replied, "Because their relationship is just now starting to become a real one, we have the rest of our lives to dance, and we started on a good note. They started on a sour note and are slowly learning to play the sweet ones." Naruto grinned evilly.
"Well, we all know they hit SOME note when they had twins," He stated obnoxiously.
She giggled and lightly tapped him.
"Speaking of hitting the right notes though," Hinata started to turn red, just like Naruto had planned.
"And now the first dance as husband and wife" Hinata's face turned normal as her husband offered his hand to her. She took it as Hanabi took Hiroshi back and sat down near Sasuke.
They stepped on the dance floor and all the lights dimmed a spotlight on them. Neither seemed to mind though. The only two people they were aware of were each other.
As they danced and spun around the floor, the people in the room were shocked. No one would have thought Naruto would be that graceful of a dancer. At the end of the dance Naruto dipped Hinata and kissed her. The audience clapped and realizing they weren't the only ones in the room they blushed.
As the night and guest began to dwindle Naruto's patience did too. He looked around the room and found that only their close friends remained. The rookie nine along with Tenten and Neji who were talking with Lee and Sakura at their table, Neji had him arm around his fiancé's waist while his head rested on her shoulder. Gaara and Matsuri had also stayed at the reception but where outside stargazing.
"Ok seriously I'm getting really annoyed now, this baby hasn't stopped kicking me all day, hey baby, you can't get out that way." Ino complained. Shikamaru put his hand on her stomach to feel the kicks.
"You're right, it is being troublesome…hmm… Hey Sakura! Come here for a second." Shikamaru called her.
"What is it?" Sakura asked them.
"Put your hand on Ino's stomach." She nodded and did just that.
"Wow," she blushed, she'd never get over that, but she didn't lift up her hand this time. She felt the kicks about a minute a part.
"Hmm… that's strange, you might be going into labor but your water hasn't broken yet." Just then Hinata came over to see what the fuss was all about.
"What's going on guys?" She asked them, "Is Ino going to have her baby?"
"We're not sure, I don't think so, its still got a couple weeks, but we should probably watch her closely tonight." Sakura explained.
"I guess its time to go home, maybe the baby is sick of all this noise, it is awfully late after all." Shikamaru picked Ino up in his arms.
"I can walk you know." She told her spouse.
"No, you can waddle, and I want to get home sometime tonight. Plus isn't it more cozy this way?" She blushed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Bye guys, I hope you two have fun tonight," Ino winked as Shikamaru headed out the door.
"Why does everyone keep winking at you, Hinata?" Naruto looked puzzled.
Her light pink blush shown while she giggled slightly. Sakura and Lee walked up to the couple followed by Neji and Tenten.
"Say goodnight to your mother and father little Emi, your going to stay with us tonight." Sakura handed Hinata the baby. She gave Emi a kiss goodnight on one cheek while Naruto on the other. As they did Hinata saw Hanabi and Sasuke leave the reception. Her eyes shifted back to Emi.
"Goodnight princess," Her parents said at the same time, which made them blush.
"Great minds think alike, Good night guys," Tenten said as she winked at Hinata, which made Naruto frown.
"Seriously Hinata, what is with you girls and winking?"
Sakura took Emi from Hinata and hugged her, "Congratulations again to both of you." Then Sakura winked at Hinata to get Naruto's short fuse to explode.
"Not you too Sakura!" He grabbed his head in frustration as Lee and Sakura left. Shino followed them out the door. Chouji took some things from the buffet before he headed out.
That only left the newlyweds and Kiba. Not knowing what to say to the two. He really wasn't happy. He was glad Hinata had gotten her wish, the man of her dreams, but not happy that man was Naruto. If he left then he knew the next event that night for them, which he really didn't want to think about but ended up thinking about anyway. Annoyed and sluggishly, he stood up and walked over to them.
"Bye guys," He tried to sneak out with just those words but no such luck.
"Kiba? That's all you have to say? No 'just don't hurt her' or 'I'll be watching you'?" Naruto taunted him.
"No," He turned to Hinata, hands in his pockets and depression written in his eyes, "seems you beat me in everything Naruto." She could hardly stand this sight. Her eyes began to swell up and a shocked look crossed Kiba's face. She fell to the ground, her hands pressed hard against her eyes. Both boys started toward her but then Kiba stopped while Naruto wrapped his arms around her. Kiba walked over to her. She lifted her face and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I don't want to lose either of you, Kiba. You're my best friend, and I'm sorry that I only ever saw you that way. I can trust you with my life. I'm so glad that you care about me so much. But without Naruto's inspiration, I wouldn't have become the person you know today. He made me stronger, and I don't want to rub it in your face, but I truly love him with all my heart. I love you too, but you are more like a brother to me. I'd never want to lose my brother or my husband." Tears trickled down her face as she spoke the only words she could think of. They made her feel even worse, and her wrapping her arms around Kiba made Naruto jealous. Kiba returned the hug and replied, "I'll watch out for you my little sister, and if your husband isn't cooperating with you," He glared up at Naruto, "just come tell me and I'll straighten him out." He let go of her and helped her up. Then he took Naruto's hand and placed it on top of Hinata's.
"Just remember, Big brother's got your back," She smiled and gave him one last hug, Naruto didn't let go of one of her hands though. He kissed the top of her head and left the compound.
Now all was quite, they walked over to another house but got caught by Gaara and Matsuri who asked if they could stay in one of the houses. Hinata agreed to this and they headed into one. Naruto and Hinata made their way to Hinata's room. The closer they got the more red Hinata got. She was so nervous, she kept reminding herself she loved him and would do anything for him.
They had arrived and there was a short pause before she allowed herself to open the door. Slowly the door revealed more and more of the room. Naruto entered the room very casually; he didn't think much of it. They had slept together for so long that he deserved tonight. He took off his shows and placed them under the nightstand. However, he looked up to the door and saw a frozen Hinata at the door. He chuckled, got up, walked over to Hinata, bent over and kissed her. While he had her distracted he picked her up and continued to kiss her so she couldn't object. When he finally managed to get her on the bed he stopped. She sat on the edge of the bed while he bent down and removed her shoes. He placed them under the nightstand and looked up at a glowing red face.
He leaned in very close to her and whispered, "Don't you think you should get out of that dress?" She looked down at the dress and then back up her love. She nodded and got up, grabbed one of her longest t-shirts and went to the bathroom.
Naruto grunted, 'That's not what I meant.' He then stripped down to his boxers and waited for Hinata's return.
Several minutes passed before she came out with a garment bag her hand. She wore a rather revealing shirt. Shorter then the one Naruto had given her to sleep in. When she went to hang her garment bag in the closet, her underwear was showing. When she felt the breeze she quickly dropped the garment bag with a blush on her face.
"Here, let me help you," He got out of bed, which made Hinata's heart race even more from the sight she saw.
He bent down, picked up the garment bag off the floor and hung it in the closet. Then turned toward his wife. He could tell she was nervous beyond belief. Though he just thought it was cute. Naruto turned at walked back over to the bed, leaving Hinata starring aimlessly at the closet.
'Hinata, you can do it, come on your married now, grow up…' She snapped back into reality and turned toward her husband. She raised her hands and clenched them near her chest. Then, twiddling her thumbs she whispered, "I'm married now." This statement made Naruto smile. She ran over and threw her arms around him.
A shocked Naruto sat there for a moment. Then he slightly smiled and wrapped his arms around her as well. He turned her over and started to kiss her. Mentally, she took a deep breath. Then Naruto threw the covers over the both them as she began to fell more relaxed.
She softly whispered in his ear, "Only for you, Naruto."
Though bed activity that night was not just limited to the newlyweds. At the Nara house, Shikamaru woke up once he felt something wet. Ino, however was still asleep.
"Troublesome woman wake up." Shikamaru got off the bed and shook his wife. Slowly opening her eyes she realized the bed was wet.
"EWW! OWW!" She screamed. "Shika I think my water broke."
"What was your first clue." She glared at him for that comment.
"Geez, well, I guess I'll carry you to the hospital." Shikamaru told his wife while she grabbed her over night bag.
So after Ino finally got EVERYTHING she needed for the short trip, they headed to the hospital.