Chapter Ten: THE WEDDING

All of you, thank you so so so so much for the reviews! Four more, and we're reaching hundred! Without further delays, THE WEDDING!

The blonde kunoichi sighed deeply.

"Yamanako Ino reporting, Hokage-sama."

"How did it go?" Tsunade asked, "Tell me everything."

"Naruto made me use a jutsu to temporarily transfer some of his memories to Sasuke; in this case all his interactions with Itachi."

"How did Sasuke react?" Tsunade asked immediately.

Ino shrugged, "He was… quiet, for the most part. Naruto told the ANBU to transport him back to the cells. He privately told me that Sasuke needed time."

"The whole of Konoha's demanding his blood for what he did to Naruto, the Last Uchiha aside." Tsunade smiled softly, "The little gaki's awfully popular nowadays."

"If it weren't for Sai-kun, I would so have fallen for him." Ino said with a grin, "Oh, and Hinata has him."

Tsunade smiled widely, "Reminds me of something."

She handed Ino a card.

"On behalf of Naruto. You're invited to the wedding of Namikaze Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata on the Sixteenth of March. Hinata also asked me to ask you if you wanted to be a bridesmaid?"

"BRIDESMAID!? For real!?" Ino screamed, "HELL YEAH!"

Hinata was walking peacefully back to the Hyuuga Compound after a visit to Naruto in the hospital, when she was ambushed by the three girls of the Konoha 11 and Temari.

"Hinata! Hot springs, right now!" They grinned viciously.

Hinata sighed. She knew this was coming.

A few minutes later, the five girls were soaking in the hot spring and sighing blissfully.

"Bridesmaids!" Tenten and Ino squealed.

Temari grinned widely, "I have to say, I'm pretty excited about being a bridesmaid too. As long as I don't have to wear anything pink."

"What about you, Sakura?" Ino asked, "You aren't excited about being a bridesmaid?"

"I'm the Maid of Honor, actually." Sakura grinned brightly.

Hinata smiled, "I haven't decided the color scheme, Temari-san, but it definitely won't be pink."

"Excellent. Knowing you, something purple, right?" Tenten asked.

Hinata blushed faintly, "Maybe."

"When did you and Naruto decide everything anyway? It's only been four days since their fight. Three of which both spent in the ICU."

"Naruto-kun didn't spend three days in the ICU. Thanks to the Kyuubi, he only spent one." Hinata corrected, "Immediately when he was shifted into an ordinary room I went to see him."

"What happened?" Sakura asked curiously.

*FLASHBACK*

"Hi, Hinata-chan." Naruto smiled at her.

She hugged him tightly, "Hello, Naru-kun. How're you feeling?"

"Much better."

"How're you feeling, Naru-kun?" Hinata repeated.

He smiled again, "See straight through me, huh? I'm… relieved, in a way. Sakura hugged me and thanked me again and again."

He took a deep breath and sighed, "But I'm afraid and worried. Sasuke's… beyond the point of coming back mentally. It might take him years to recover, and he might not even do that."

"Relax, Naru-kun. You've done a lot already." Hinata hugged him, "I'm proud of you."

Naruto sighed, "Arigatou, Hinata-chan."

Hinata massaged his back gently, "Relax. Now, what will happen will happen. It's up to Sasuke-san now."

Naruto smiled and kissed her quickly, "So… what do you say about planning our wedding now?"

"W-w-w-wedding?!" Hinata stammered, blushing.

Naruto grinned, "We are engaged, after all. I think March is fine. Gives us enough time, doesn't it?"

"N-Naruto-kun?"

"What? I'm not kidding!"

Hinata nodded slowly, "March is fine."

*END*

"I hugged him and he said we should start planning our wedding." Hinata summarized, "He wanted Sasuke-san to be his best man, but then we decided on Gaara-sama. Shikamaru-san, Sai-san, Konohamaru-kun and Lee-san have already been asked to be groomsmen. Hanabi-imouto's bridesmaid, of course. We're still undecided on who'll be the flower girl and ring man. Naruto-kun asked me to ask Kurenai-sensei if it would be okay to let her little one take that roll."

"Aw… it'll be so cute! That kid is definitely the definition of kawaii." Sakura smiled brightly.

"So, Hinata, when are we going shopping?" Ino asked.

Hinata smiled brightly, "Soon, girls."

"Tell us more about the preparations." Temari leaned forward.

"Well, Ichiraku's catering. Don't worry, it won't be just ramen." Hinata assured them, laughing at their previously glum faces, "The Sake's going to be imported."

"Perfect. And?"

"We're inviting the Kages and certain shinobi from the ASF. The entire village will attend the reception, though few selected ones will attend the ceremony itself. Tsunade-sama will conduct the ceremony."

"Have you and Naruto planned the honeymoon yet, Hinata?" Temari asked viciously.

Hinata blushed furiously, "N-N-Nani!?"

"Oh, you know, the honeymoon, with the romantic getaway, and the hotel bedrooms, with the master beds, and the saunas, and the hot springs, and the big baths?" Temari drawled, "And the sexy nightdresses and the long nights?"

Hinata had invented fifteen new shades of red.

"Temari, you can't make her faint right now." Tenten hissed, "We're in the hot springs."

Temari couldn't resist, "By the way, you and Naruto must have discussed if you'll use protection right? How many kids you want, and when you want them?"

With a small eep, Hinata fainted.

The four girls giggled uncontrollably as they hauled their friend out of the steaming water.

"Naruto-kun, we have to decide a color scheme." Hinata reminded her fiancé, "Have you sent out invitations?"

"Yes. I was supposed to send out invitations to the Kages for the ceremony, right?"

Hinata nodded, laying her head in his lap.

They were sitting in his garden, Naruto cross-legged, and Hinata lying across the ground.

Naruto stroked her bangs gently, smiling when he felt her cheeks heat up slightly.

"How many people does that make for the ceremony?"

Hinata counted on her fingers, "Tsunade-sama will conduct the ceremony. Akira-san, the Konoha 10, your team, three people they wished to invite, the flower girl and the ring bearer, the four kages, Teuchi-san and Ayame-san, my father, Hanabi-imouto, Konohamaru-kun, Kurenai-sensei, Gai-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Anko-san and Iruka-sensei, Koharu-san and Homura-san, ten people from my clan, and, oh, the ANBU!"

"The ANBU?" Naruto repeated, puzzled.

"Two to escort Sasuke-san, two for each kage, five for you." Hinata said, "Some villagers. Meaning, um… around sixty people."

"Wow. And we wanted to keep the ceremony small." Naruto laughed.

Hinata smiled, "You forget we've invited the entire village to the reception."

"And that no missions will be handed out on the sixteenth." Naruto smiled blissfully.

Hinata smiled widely, "People are coming from everywhere. Letters are streaming in, demanding to meet me and attend the wedding. All because of you."

Naruto cupped her cheek, running his thumb over her soft skin.

"I love you." He told her softly.

She closed her eyes, murmuring, "We need to decide the color scheme, Naruto-kun."

"White, light orange and lavender."

"You know what your friends will say, don't you?"

"Does it have to be orange?" Naruto made a good copy of Sakura's voice.

Hinata laughed.

Naruto smiled nervously, "It doesn't, if you don't want it to."

"I love it." Hinata smiled blissfully, "It's different, unique, it's us."

"Great. I'll tell Ino. She said that Yamanaka Flower Shop will arrange the flowers for the wedding." Naruto smiled at her softly, "When will you go shopping with the girls?"

"I don't know. We haven't decided. How many months are there, Naruto-kun?"

"Three months, dearest."

Hinata blushed, "W-Where's Akira-san?"

"You really ought to call her ne-san now." Naruto chuckled when her blush intensified, "She's on a date with Iruka-sensei."

"Iruka-sensei!" Hinata repeated.

Naruto nodded, "I couldn't believe it at first either."

"The place is going to be rebuilt." Naruto gestured, "Baa-chan didn't let me argue. Said it wouldn't be as much fun for you otherwise, since you've already seen every inch."

Hinata nodded, smiling widely, "Wow. Rebuilt?"

"Yup. They have enough time. We have twenty five days off for our honeymoon."

"G-Gomen?"

Naruto laughed. Hinata's face resembled a beetroot.

"Relax, Hinata-chan." He ran his fingers through her hair, "Inari and Tazuna sent a letter. They've built us a vacation home in the Wave. We'll go from Wave to Suna to Iwa to Kumo to Kiri and back to Konoha, staying four days everywhere, courtesy of the Kages. Five days for transport."

"W-Wow."

"Uh-huh. Generous offers, huh?" Naruto grinned brightly.

Hinata smiled at him, "Because of you."

Two months passed in a blur of preparations, disasters, shopping, invitations and planning. The Kages arrived beforehand; Gaara two weeks before the wedding, and the others within a week.

Finally, the day arrived.

Arrangements of roses, lilies, lavenders, marigolds and tulips colored up the background. More than sixty five people were in attendance, dressed in fancy kimonos or dresses or, in the men's case, tuxes.

Towards the front sat prominent Hyuuga clan members and the Konoha ten, Sasuke with ANBU guards behind him, in no particular fashion or order. Then there were the sensei's (Kakashi with Anko leaning on his shoulder, grinning widely), Naruto's team, and the shinobi invited. Akira sat in the front row also, in a beautiful light blue kimono with green embroidery, with Iruka's arm draped around her waist. The Kages were in the third row with ANBU sitting directly behind them, on the alert.

Others in attendance sat at the back.

Tsunade stood on the platform, facing the audience. She was dressed in her Hokage robes, and was beaming and smiling widely.

Slowly, the music started. Naruto came on the platform, dressed in a black tux, a light blue shirt, and an orange tie. His hair was falling into his face without his headband. He went and stood near Tsunade, smiling widely.

"He's going to wear orange to his funeral." Kiba joked, and Choji laughed.

"He just might."

"For once, Kakashi-sensei's on time." Naruto whispered to Tsunade.

"Relax, gaki. Don't be so nervous. And yeah, I convinced him to be on time or suffer the consequences."

Naruto chuckled softly, "Not nervous. Excited."

Just then, the doors opened, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen stepped out. Ino, Tenten, Hanabi and Temari were clad in dresses flowing open from their knees like curtains, tight and hugging their figures. Light orange lace on the hems contrasted with the lilac of the dress, and the white sequins and jewelry. Their hair was open, held back from their face with flowers.

They were escorted by their respective boyfriends, all dressed in black tuxes with purple shirts and orange ties.

"Orange." Kiba whispered to Choji, laughing quietly.

Then came Sakura and Gaara, Sakura in a dress with a color combination exactly like that of the bridesmaid's, but more formal and grand. Gaara didn't need a difference of clothing to symbolize his higher status.

Then came the flower girl, Fumiko, clad in a cute orange kimono, and with her hair done in buns like Tenten used to wear hers, with her arm tucked in Sarutobi Hiruzen's.

"Your son looks really cute, Kurenai-sensei." Kiba told his sensei in a small whisper.

"They look a picture." Kurenai agreed.

Naruto looked past Hiruzen, eagerly waiting for his bride.

And then Hiashi appeared, with Hinata on his arm. They walked down the aisle, and Naruto's eyes widened at the sight. She looked… beautiful.

She was dressed in a white long flowing gown, with purple netting down the skirt and orange sequins around the waist. Orange lace hemmed the deep v-neck which was so broad it showed off the pale flawless skin of her shoulders. The full sleeves showed off her slender arms. The back was deep, so there was a white net covering her back. Her dress hugged her curves, the neck showing off the cleavage she usually hid. It swept the floor, the white veil on top of it. The veil didn't hide her face, held back with a wreath of orange and purple roses. She wore very little make up, and the little she did intensified her natural beauty. Her hair was knotted gracefully, with her bangs covering her forehead. A white pearl necklace hung around her neck, and two pearl drops hung from her ears. She wore her engagement ring, but otherwise no accessories in her hands.

Naruto stared at her, and Hinata blushed, clutching the bouquet of white, orange and purple flowers tightly. She looked away for a few seconds, then met his eyes and smiled shyly.

Hiashi, in a rare moment of PDA, kissed his daughter and ran his hand over her head, before taking her hand and putting it in Naruto's.

He nodded at the two and took his place.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to celebrate the union of a very loud and noisy knucklehead and a soft-spoken beautiful princess." Tsunade started, and Naruto didn't even give her a glance; too busy gazing at Hinata.

"If there is any here who objects to this marriage, speak now or forever be silent." She glared silently at the crowd, and without pausing continued, "Good. The rings."

Hiruzen stepped forward, holding out the plain gold rings.

When the rings were worn, Tsunade held out the cup of sake, and the couple drank from it.

"Hyuuga Hinata, do you take this man to be your lawful husband, in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, in good times, and in bad, till death do you part?"

"I do." Hinata's eyes glazed with tears.

"Namikaze Naruto, do you take this woman to be your lawful wife, in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, in good times, and in bad, till death do you part?"

"Believe it!"

There was a unanimous chortle at his choice of words.

"Then I declare you two brat, I mean man and wife. Naruto, you may kiss your bride."

Naruto grinned brightly and whispered softly, "Don't faint."

He leaned forward and draped an arm around Hinata's waist, cupping her face with the other, and kissed her.

They had kissed several times before, each time more amazing than the last, but to the both, there was no kiss more breathtaking than that one.

"Ladies and gentlemen, hereby I announce, Namikaze Naruto and Namikaze Hinata!"

Applause rang out, and they were surrounded by people wishing to congratulate them. Pictures were taken, hugs were exchanged, and then the cake was cut.

Naruto stood with his arm around his bride, smiling at her brightly. She blushed and smiled back, albeit a little shyly.

"I love you." He whispered softly.

"I love you too." She whispered back.

Hinata changed out of her wedding dress, and into a beautiful light blue dress. She quickly put on the matching silver sandals and brushed out her curled hair, reapplied what little makeup she wore, and rushed out to greet her fiancé—oh! Husband.

Her face reddened at the word. Naruto had changed out of the fancy tux too, and now wore a simple white button down dress shirt on black pants.

"Hey hime." He whispered, hugging her tightly, "You look beautiful."

"A-Arigatou." She smiled at him, "You look good too."

"Nah… I look ordinary compared to you." He grinned brightly, holding her close, "Hold on."

And they were gone in a flash, reappearing at the reception.

"Wow, Hinata-san, you looked amazing!" Hanako cried, "Congrats, sensei."

"We're gonna miss you." Katashi put in.

"Keep training." Naruto told them, "We'll spar when I get back."

"Definitely." Fumio grinned up at the couple, "You guys look amazing together."

"You really do." Sakura agreed, stepping out, "Congratulations. I don't know who's lucky, but you both definitely deserve each other."

"Uh-huh. And who knows, maybe Shika-kun and I'll be walking down the aisle too soon!" Temari pulled Shikamaru over and showed everyone the huge diamond ring on her engagement finger.

"Congratulations, Temari!" Hinata smiled at her.

"Yeah, Shikamaru, isn't it too troublesome?" Naruto laughed, "Congratulations anyway."

"Hey, Naruto!" Kiba trudged over, "You managed to get orange into your wedding! I was telling Lee that you'll wear orange to your funeral."

"Maybe I will." Naruto grinned, "You bring a girlfriend over, Kiba?"

"Nah…"

"Congratulations, Naruto." Shino stepped forward, "I trust you will look after Hinata."

"With my life." Naruto replied.

"Good."

"Ne, ne, I want a word with my student too." Kakashi had Anko on his arm.

"Kakashi-sensei! Uh… crazy dango lady!"

"Naruto-kun, it's Anko-san." Hinata whispered.

"Oh, right! Anko!"

Anko just grinned brightly at Hinata, "We want all the juicy details when you get back, understand?"

"N-Nani!?"

Anko just winked.

"Naruto!"

"Hey, ne-san." Naruto hugged Akira tightly.

"Hi." She looked teary, "You looked so handsome! And you, Hinata! You looked amazing!"

"Arigatou, ne-san." Hinata hugged Akira too.

Akira wiped her eyes, "You guys look amazing. I'm going to miss you, Naruto."

"Aw… ne-san, we're coming back soon."

Iruka smiled at his students, "Congratulations, you two. Naruto, your ne-san's moving in with me."

"Really? Wow… great! Congrats!"

"Naruto-nii-san!" Konohamaru rushed over, "Hi!"

"Hey, Konohamaru. Nice going. Landing yourself a Hyuuga too, huh?"

Konohamaru grinned, but blushed slightly.

And so the list went on. Congrats, hugs, kisses, and tears. Then…

"Ladies and gentlemen." Gaara started the address, "For those who do not know me, I am Subako no Gaara, and the groom's best man."

"Naruto was one of my enemies, someone I wanted to kill. As a matter of fact, Temari, my sister, once joked to me that nearly all of Naruto's best friends are those who tried to kill him."

A chortle went around.

"And that may well be true. Because Uzumaki Naruto has something that I don't think any of us possess. The power to forgive. He forgives those who try to kill him, he forgives those who killed his friends, who mistreat him, who abuse him and ridicule him, to the extent that it astounds each and every one of his enemies. So many people have been changed by his special power. His selflessness is a true model for each and every one of us."

"One who suffers deserves the best. Therefore I cannot describe how happy I feel to see him so happy, and I have never seen him happier than he is today. Congratulations to my brother, and his wife. I wish you both the best in life."

Next was Sakura.

"I, unfortunately, was one of those who hurt and abused Naruto for a long time, not understanding the precious character he held inside. Only after missions did I understand the love he held for a friend, and the lengths he would go to to protect someone. I don't have many words to say, just… thank you, Naruto, and may you have all the happiness you deserve."

After Tsunade, Hiashi, Iruka and Kakashi, Naruto stepped up.

"I know that usually the groom doesn't make a speech, but I don't go by traditions. I wanted to thank you all. All of you. Each and every person in this room has contributed some way in making me who I am now. All the villagers; Granny Tsunade; Kakashi-sensei; Iruka-sensei; the Konoha 11; Teuchi and Ayame; Hiashi-san, my dad; the Konohamaru Corps; Hinata-chan, who's done so much; my mother and father, the Yondaime and Uzumaki Kushina; Jiraiya-Ero-Sennin-sensei; Neji; Nagato; all the people who died in the War, everyone. Arigatou gozaimasu."

Tears glistened in the eyes of almost everyone present. Uzumaki Naruto had as usual moved the hearts of everyone he met.

"C'mon, Hinata-chan." Naruto grinned at her brightly, "We have to get in Waves before nightfall."

"How are we getting there, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked.

"Hiraishin, of course." He replied and kissed her cheek gently, "Ready?"

She nodded, and he closed his arms around her tightly. With a flash, they were gone.

They reappeared at the spot Inari had placed the kunai sent to him via a toad, on the Great Naruto Bridge.

"Wow… The Great Naruto Bridge."

"How does it feel to be walking on top of me?" Naruto kidded.

"Naruto!" A loud voice yelled.

Naruto grinned widely, "Inari! Old-man-Tazuna!"

"C'mon, c'mon! Kaa-san's waiting!"

"We're going straight to the place you built for us?" Naruto confirmed.

Tazuna nodded.

"Oh, yeah! Hinata-chan, this is Inari, and Tazuna. Guys, this is Namikaze Uzumaki Hyuuga Hinata, my beautiful wife!"

"Nice to meet you." Hinata bowed deeply, "Thank you for the house."

"It isn't a problem, Hinata-san! C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, we have to go!"

The house was huge, near the ocean, and luxurious. There were three bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and an area for the hot springs.

"It's amazing, Naruto-kun!" Hinata cried, "Arigatou, Inari-kun, Tazuna-san."

"Hey, Hinata-san, why don't you go and see the rooms upstairs?" Inari asked.

She nodded. Naruto kissed her warmly, and whispered, "See ya in a mo."

Blushing, she nodded again and made her way upstairs. Her mind went back to when she had gone shopping with the girls, for lingerie.

*FLASHBACK*

"Hinata! How about this one?" Ino held up a sheer lacy nightdress which made Hinata blush furiously.

"In orange." Sakura put in, "Naruto told her she looks sexy in orange."

"UGH! Naruto and orange!" Ino cried, frustrated, "Fine, we'll get some in orange."

"Hey, Hinata, check this out."

Tenten appeared with a dark purple thong set.

"Hey, hey, this one too!" Temari waved a bikini at her.

"Temari!" Hinata said, horrified, "That won't even fit me!"

"Oh it'll fit you, dear. It just won't hide much."

Ino stared at Hinata's chest.

"I must say, though, let him take advantage of your plentiful assets. I swear, I haven't seen a figure as great as yours!"

"Yeah, girl, show off some cleavage! At least for your man."

Pretty soon, Hinata was surrounded by sheer, lacy, embroidered, fancy undergarments. With a face redder than… well, red, she fainted.

*END*

Hinata blushed bright red, but smiled devilishly as she un-summoned her sexy nightwear. Naruto was gonna have fun tonight.

And... end. Too much lavendar, orange and white, huh? LOL, my sis kept saying, no more orange and lavender, PLEASE! And I was laughing my ass off. I've gotten addicted to purple and orange, I swear! Review, guys! We wanna reach a hundred!