Chapter Twenty-Two

Just read, enjoy, have a good laugh or two, have a tear slip here and there; get mad at cliffhangers or at late updates, and review. Even if it's just a one word review :)

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!

"Excuse me," Sakura spoke, "we're here to pick up the dress under the reservation Uchiha."

"Hmm?" The lady behind the counter looked up from her computer. Shock mirrored her features as her eyes widen into saucers. "U-Uchiha-sama!" The lady hustled from her seat and bowed in respect at the young Uchiha.

Sasuke nodded curtly at the woman. Repeating what Sakura had said, "We're here to pick up the dress."

"Ah, yes Uchiha-sama."

"Hn." Looking over at Sakura, he found her among the rows of white dresses. Her delicate hands reached out longingly at the fabric of one of the white dresses. She caressed it with small strokes as a small smile appeared on her face.

Sasuke walked over to her and leaned his shoulder against the metal racks, his onyx eyes following her every move. He became more attentive as Sakura hesitantly withdraw her hand. Seeing this, Sasuke grunted. "What's going through your mind Sakura?"

"Hm?" Sakura smiled. "Oh, nothing in general Chicken-Ass."

"Shut up."

"Make me." Sakura winked.

"You're so annoying -."

"Uchiha-sama," the lady bowed as she held the wedding dress in her hand.

Sakura nodded. "Wow. The Pig sure has good taste." Sakura took the satin fabric between her two hands. Running her hand over the torso where rows of gems decorated the area. Envy filled her as Sakura couldn't help but feel begrudged toward the blond pig.

"Miss, would like to try it on?" Sakura looked at the lady's smile as she began pushing her to the dressing room. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Besides, I'm sure that the dress would look even more gorgeous on you if I dare say it, Miss."

"I-I don't know..." A small blush blossomed on Sakura's face at the lady's comment.

"Miss, you'll see afterwards, I promise you!"

"Well...if you say so."

Sasuke watched as Sakura smiled and giggled with the lady like two schoolgirls. He couldn't help but smirked at the rosette's actions. The girl could just be so childish at times. 'Hn. She wants to be a giggling school girl?' Sasuke looked at the rows of dresses in front of him, "Hn. Let's have some fun."

Looking at one of the other ladies working at the store, he motioned her to assist him. "Uchiha-sama?"

Inspecting one of the white dresses on the rack, he handed it to the lady. Then he went to the nest rack and did the same. Afterwards, he told her to bring them to Sakura to try it on.

Sakura pushed the white curtain aside as she took a peek outside. "Sasuke?"

"Hn?"

She found him sitting on the white sectionals in the outside the dressing room. Sakura looked down at the dress and sighed before heading out. "So how do I look? Pretty decent for a commoner ne?"

Sasuke got up from his seat in a slow manner as he rubbed his chin. Upon getting a closer look, Sasuke turned Sakura around she that she would face the mirror instead. Running his finger down the spine of the dress, he felt Sakura shiver under his touch. Smirking he looked at her in the mirror, "Pretty decent would be putting it nicely."

"Sasuke!" Sakura hissed as she sent a glare towards the young Uchiha. Huffing, she straighten out the bottom of the dress. "I think it looks amazing."

"Hn, if you say so Pink troll." Sasuke turned his back and walked away.

Hearing the girl behind him fume in anger, Sasuke smirk widen. Leaning on the counter, he questioned the lady. "Is there another dress available," he pointed towards Sakura, "like that one?"

"Yes, sir. Would you like me to bring it out?"

"Can I see it?"

The lady nodded as she led him towards the back of the store. Jiggling some of the keys on her wrist, she unlocked the door. The scent of wood and cardboard boxes hit his nostrils. The lady went to one of the racks and pulled out one of the plastic bags that held wedding gowns. She unzipped the bag and showed him the dress inside.

Sasuke nodded.

The bridal shower was surprisingly fun. Sakura had to admit, she was having the time of her life.

"Two more minutes!" Ino shouted, alerting all of the constants of the time.

Sakura threw her head back and laughed as the girls began fumbling with the toilet paper to make the skirt. Everyone was divided into groups of four and they were handed two rolls of toilet paper. The goal was to make the best looking wedding dress out of toilet paper. And it wasn't easy. At least with a material that was so fragile.

"God Dammit!" Tenten exclaimed as part of the skirt ripped. Throwing her hands up, "This is impossible!"

"Aww," Sakura smiled, "you guys can do this."

"Psh...easy for you to say. All you need to do is smile and stand still like a model." The brunette huffed.

"One minute!" Ino's deafing voice drowned out Tenten's complaints as the girls pushed each other to work faster.

Just as the clock clicked down to zero, Hinata adjusted one last piece before steeping back with the girls behind her.

"Stop! And move away from the dress." Ino commanded and smiled. "...Because it's judging time."

"We are so going to win this." Temari smirked, resting her hands on her hips.

Tenten and Hinata nodded as they observed their masterpiece. Just merely out of toilet paper, they managed to create an impressive strapless dress. With Hinata's artistic ability, the girl created a twisted style top that was tight at the top. As it went past the waistline, the dress began to flow out into a beautiful, big gown. How they managed to create such a thing in a span of five minutes was beyond their knowledge.

Taking just one glance at the dress, Ino said, "My...aren't we gorgeous over here." Winking at Sakura, she continued. "Well, it seems like we have a winner. The Bridal Party are the winners!"

The girls whooped and high-ficed each other. "Mission Accomplished!"

Ino quickly snapped a memory saver of the girls before motioning everyone to the last and best part of the night. The dessert bar.

As the day changed into night, the number of people at shower dwindled down until it was only the girls left.

"Jeez...I'm never gonna be able to fit into that wedding dress now." Ino sighed as she patted her stomach. "But those cheesecakes were amazing."

"Especially the chocolate one," Tenten moaned pleasurably. "It was like...heaven."

Sakura simply giggled at the girls' dazed faces as their minds wondered into the pits of candy land.

"What are you laughing about, Forehead?"

"Oh, nothing in general, Pig." She replied smiling.

"Hey!" Ino shouted. Rolling her pretty, blue eyes, "It's not our fault that we have a low metabolism."

"Not my fault either."

"Oh, just shut up, Forehead!"

"Make me." Sakura grinned as she challenged the blond in a joking amner.

Ino glared at the rosette half-heartedly before grinning herself. "Ehh...I'm too lazy, Chellenge someone else."

With a grin still on her face, Sakura leaned back on the marble counter. Sighing blissfully, she closed her eyes. She listened to the steady breathing of the girls as music played in the background.

For once in he rlife, Sakura felt content with the mishaps in her life. Sure, Ino and Sasuke were getting married tomorrow. And it was something that has been worrying her to death but somehow it was okay until tomorrow. Sakura just wanted time to stop and spend time with her girls, building memories together. The moment was carefree, like how it was when she was a child.

"Hey, Forehead, aren't you worry?" Ino's surprisingly soft spoken voice brought her back into reality.

"Hmm?" Sakura watched as Ino chewed on the bottom of her lips as she stared at her sadly.

"I'm getting married tomorrow." Ino stated.

"I know." Sakura's happy grin faltered.

"To Sasuke."

"I know."

"And once we're married there's no going back."

"I know."

"The why aren't you doing something?" Ino whispered hotly.

"...I don't know." Sakura answered softly.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Ino retorted. "Don't you love him?"

"Yes, I love him."

"Then do something!"

"It's not that easy Ino."

"Yes, it is!"

"Why are you doing this?" Sakura questioned. Giving Ino a weak smile, "I thought you wanted this."

"...I...," Ino stammered. She was quite shock as her quick retort died in her throat.

"See?"

"But that's not important!" Ino replied stubbornly.

"Fine, it's not important." Sakura agreed before countering. "But do you think Fugaku-sama would accept me as his daughter-in-law? Hmm? Tell me Ino, would you want a commoner to be wedded to your son? The sole heir to the most successful company in all of Japan, not to mention Asia?"

Dead silence answered back at her. Sighing, Sakura dropped her gaze to the floor. "Sure, I'm the heir to the Haruno Company but we're not as powerful as you guys. Yes, we're one of the top five in the nation but the Yamanakas are above us. We may have high standards but not up to the Uchiha's standards."

"And isn't this marriage arranged by your guys grandfathers? Wasn't it the only reason that this wasn't announced earlier because it wasn't discovered until recently?"

Ino nodded solemnly.

"Exactly. And aren't you guys the most talked couple around here?" Sakura smiled.

Once Sakura had excused herself for a bit and had walked out of the room. Ino muttered quietly, "No, you guys are."

Sasuke walked into the beach villa and found the girls knocked out on the floor. Raising an eyebrow, the young Uchiha realized that Sakura wasn't with the group. Shutting the door behind him, he walked passed the kitchen and found the rosette swinging on the bench outside. The girl had her knees to her chest as she stared out into the horizon Of course, the sun went into its slumber a long while ago so the moon had replaced its place in the night sky.

Sitting down next to her. Sasuke let himself tangle his hand in her soft, pink locks.

Sakura turned her head and rested her left cheek on her knees. "Hey."

"Hn."

"You're home early." Sakura commented. "Any reason?"

"Hn. Naruto decided to bring strippers into the club."

Sakura barely managed to contain her laughter at the look on Sasuke's face."You're sure you're not homosexual? Because any guy would die for that."

"No." He sent a glare in her direction. "It was a dare made by on the guys. Naruto lost at poker, so the guys made him text his top five most annoying fangirls."

"And they came in the littlest amount of clothing I assume?" Sakura smiled. "Once they saw you, they wanted you instead."

"Aa."

"Well, at least Naruto didn't actually bring strippers." Sakura laughed. "Hinata would have been heartbroken!"

"Neji was there, the Dobe would've been dead."

"True."

"Hey, we're home! -" Naurto announced loudly as he entered. But he was cut short as Ino quickly clamped her hand over the his loud mouth.

"Shh!" The girls hissed, pointing towards the kitchen.

"What are you guys doing?" Naruto tried to whisper quietly but instead, it came out louder.

"Shh!" Ino hissed. "We're spying on them, duh."

As the teens entered the kitchen, they spotted the couple and little Daisuke sitting arounf the kitchen bar playing UNO.

"Plus four again?" Sakura exclaimed. " I swear, you guys are ganging up on me!"

"Hn, it's not our fault you suck."

"Mister," Sakura hissed, "if I were you, I would watch my mouth."

"Hn."

Upon hearing the young Uchiha's signature reply, Sakura frowned. Then she swung at him. Sauke winced internally as her small fist came in contact with his shoulder. 'Damn...the girl may be small but she can pack quite a punch.'

Seeing the girl's emerald eyes narrow, Sasuke smirked. "Hn."

"Uchiha, shut up,"

"Hn."

Twitch. Sakura felt her left eye twitch in annoyance as her temper rose. Whacking him once more on the shoulder, she proceed to tackle him to the ground.

The teens' eyes widen as the couple fell behind the bar, blocking the audience from the amusing show.

In other situations, being tackled to the ground by a girl would have damaged his Uchiha pride but Sasuke had to make an exception for Sakura.

"No struggle, Uchiha?" Sakura mocked as a smirk formed on her lips. "Weak."

"You're annoying."

"But you know you love it."

"Aa."

And to seal the deal, Sakura dipped her head as Sasuke captured her lips into a sweet kiss.

Daisuke let out a cute groan as he quickly covered his eyes. "Eww...Nii-san...Nee-chan, you're so gross."

"Ino-Nee-chan?"

Ino turned around and spotted Daisuke poking his head from behind the door. "Yes?"

Daisuke's feet padded against the carpeted floors as he made his way across and sat on her bed. The little boy grabbed a pillow twice his size and hugged it. "Ino-Nee-chan, do you have to marry Nii-san?"

The questions definitely caught her off guard.

"I mean...," Daisuke began, "Nii-san really likes Nee-chan."

Ino watched as the little boy sturggled with what to say or how to say it. It was quite an adorable sight. Daisuke's brows were pulled together, signifying that he was deep in thought.

"I don't know what love is, but I think it's when Nee-chan steals Nii-san's coffee and takes a sip of it before spitting it all out because it's bitter. And then Niisan would smirk at her before kissing her. They're so gross!" Daisuke said, making a disgusted face at the end. "It's also when Nii-San gives up his cherry tomatoes for Nee-chan. Right, Ino-Nee-chan?"

"You little punk...," Ino mumbled as she quickly wiped away the stray tears that began to form.

Daisuke smiled. "Nee-chan is like a mommy to me. She bakes the best cookies ever for me, and when I'm sad, she would hold me and tell me tstories. Then at night, if she's here, Nee-chan would tuck me in and kiss me goodnight. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."

Nodding, Ino asked, "What about Sasuke?"

"Nii-san? He's always been my big brother and daddy!" Daisuke exclaimed.

Once again, Ino nodded.

"Nee-chan said that there's two kinds of love. One is where you love with your eyes and head. And the other is with your heart."

The boy looked at her in the eyes. "I may be little but you're not happy when you're with Nii-san. Your head is, your heart isn't."

A/N: Little Daisuke is finally back! :) Yes...I'm sorry. I suck at updating...especially for the Countdown 'til Christmas... I'm very sorry about that. And quite sorry about not updating earlier than this. But I just got done with Mid-Term Exams this week T.T" So much work! And competition is coming up too...so yeah. Not to mention rehearsal for Variety Show. Let me tell you, being lifted is not funny nor easy. And I'm a petite size girl. When I went up, I seriously thought I was gonna go through the ceiling...

But anyways, here's the next chapter! Hope you like it. It would've been up earlier if it wasn't for some stupid guy that ran into the power pole this morning, making us lose power for like a whole day! And I was in the middle of typing too! And this wasn't beta either...sorry. Thanks to Cherry for being my 400th reviewer! :) Alright, the empty grey box is just below :) PLEASE REVIEW!

{Thanks to:} SkeleTonQueeN06, uchiha. sakura. 23, ILoveSxS, Sakura -Haruno- Uchiha 10, PervertAnimeOtaku, bbarbie325, JaggerMania, BananaphoneBob, 7TeamSeven7, betty69blue, FallenWing21, Rikato Tojidofukuto, MikazukiDreams, Hearts grow, Dina Sana, MiyatheEarthninja, OnlyForever17, InnocentBlossom, BlackPoppy. 0, mandycandy, Cherry, angellyx13, and Alyssa Michele.

Thank you! The amounts for reviews for Chapter 21 was amazing! Keep it going, you guys are the best!

~KP