Dinner at Uchiha's

Sakura's room was a real mess as she was trying to find a suitable dress for tonight's dinner at Uchiha's house. The black one was making her look too serious, the pink one too childish, the red one too much like Ino, and in no time, entire wardrobe was lying on the room floor.

She even thought of buying a new one just for the occasion, but since she had reservation for a perfect wedding dress, she had to save money in order to buy it. Ino agreed the dress fits Sakura perfectly, but also is too expensive and Sakura didn't want to borrow money for the dress as her parents were planning to spend a fortune on her wedding.

Of course, if there's going to be a wedding in the first place. Sasuke was acting strange lately and she didn't know why. She didn't want to ask him directly, but she had a hunch his brother's wedding was bothering him too. Maybe as much as it was bothering her. Sasuke was always jealous of his big brother. He would never admit it, but Itachi was stronger than him, and he was an heir of Uchiha clan. Marriage with the heiress of Hyuuga clan made Itachi even more important as a clan member and everyone forgot about Sasuke. Sakura wasn't an heiress or a clan member and all Sasuke could do is start dating Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi. But he wasn't that kind of guy! And it would be awkward. But not as awkward as Ino and-

Door bell.

Sakura looked at digital clock on the night stand. 5.30. Hinata couldn't be that early, Sakura was not ready yet!

''Who is it?'' Sakura yelled, as she was trying to put a bathrobe on in case that wasn't Hinata at her door.

''Are you naked, Forehead?''

Ino slowly opened the door. Sakura met her in the kitchen as she was heading to open the door. It was an advantage of a small apartment, you could go through an entire place in five seconds!

Ino smirked when she'd noticed Sakura was not ready.

''Ino!'' Sakura hissed. ''What do you want? I'm busy!''

''Of course you are! It's an important dinner!'' Ino taunted.

Sakura frowned. Ino was playing with keys that she opened Sakura's door with. Sakura had Ino's spare keys, also. It was their way of exchanging clothes, food and other stuff when the other one was not at home.

''What did you buy now?'' Sakura asked, noticing shopping bag on the floor.

''Something perfect for you!'' Ino said happily and showed Sakura a beautiful blue dress she took out of the bag.

''Well, you shouldn't have,'' Sakura said indifferently, ''because I don't have any money!''

''Don't worry,'' Ino grinned. ''It's a gift!''

Sakura raised an eyebrow.

''Gift?''

''Well,'' Ino leaned a dress on Sakura to see if it fits, ''I bought it on a sale and it doesn't fit me any more! But it's a gift since I didn't get the chance to wear it.''

''Why it doesn't fit you?'' Sakura took the dress from Ino's hand to take a better look. ''You got fat?''

''Of course not!'' Ino snapped. ''It shrunk after washing.''

Sakura gave her another suspicious gaze.

''And now it's too tight, I can barely breathe in it!'' Ino said sadly.

Sakura felt bad . It was a very pretty dress and she wasn't busty like Ino, so it should fit perfectly.

''Come on, put it on!'' Ino rushed her, as she could see Sakura's delighted expression after seeing the dress.

''Fine!'' Sakura said and they went to the bedroom, where the standing mirror was.

Ino didn't comment on Sakura's clothes all around her bedroom. Hers was even worse sometimes.

''But if it fits, what will I give to you?'' Sakura asked, while Ino was zipping her up.

Ino smirked. That's what she came for in the first place.

''Well,'' she began, ''I don't fit in your clothes, but I have a small and simple request.''

Sakura turned to Ino.

''Request?'' she repeated.

''Oh, look at you, you look like a princess!'' Ino clapped with her hands. ''Now you just put on those pretty earrings Sasuke bought you for your first anniversary and you'll be stunning!''

Sakura grinned. Ino thought of everything. She would be so much better maid of honour than her.

''You still didn't tell me what you want in return!'' Sakura asked, while checking herself out in the mirror and Ino was looking for those earrings in her jewellery box.

''It's not a big deal, relax!'' Ino said and gave Sakura earrings.

''I won't do your night shifts this week, forget it!'' Sakura said strictly and put the earrings on.

''I didn't think you would, Forehead,'' Ino said plainly. ''Besides, I need the money.''

Sakura gave her glare. Ino was looking like something was troubling her.

Ino approached her and put her hand on Sakura's shoulder.

''Sakura, you mustn't tell anyone about what I had told you last night!''

Sakura stunned.

''You know, I'm still mad at you for not telling me sooner!''

''You're making a big deal out of it! It's not like we are getting married or anything!,'' Ino said plainly. ''Ever,'' she added with disgust.

''Yeah, when he is-''

''That's exactly why you can't tell anyone!''

''Fine, I won't!''

''Not even to Sasuke-kun!''

''Fine!'' Sakura snapped. ''Like he would believe it.''

''And you mustn't giggle or anything when somebody mentions me not having a boyfriend! People are not stupid! You saw for yourself last night how Temari found out and nobody told her!''

''Maybe Shikamaru did-''

''No, Sakura! Nobody knows!'' Ino snapped. ''Except you, Temari and Hinata! And Tsunade-sama!''

Sakura's eyes widened.

''Tsunade-sama knows?!''

Ino nodded.

''But how? Did he tell her? What did she say?''

Ino sighed.

''She caught us one night,'' Ino said, ''at the hospital,'' she added much quietly.

''Ino!'' Sakura screamed.

''See, this is exactly why I didn't tell you! You are so,'' Ino paused, ''so innocent. Almost like Hinata.''

''I am not!'' Sakura snapped.

''I am not saying like it's a bad thing, it's just the way you are,'' Ino tried to sound comforting, ''and it's ok. As long as you're keeping your fiancé satisfied.''

Sakura frowned. It was more complicated than that. But Ino wouldn't understand since she wasn't restraining herself from doing in the hospital something most people were doing at home. Or during a camping trip. But definitely not in the hospital.

''I am on duty till morning, so feel free to pay me a visit if something important happens at the dinner!''

Ino was on her way out of bedroom since it was almost six o'clock.

Sakura didn't reply. It will be the worst dinner ever.

''Or you can use me as an excuse to run from Sasuke-kun again!'' Ino yelled and closed the entrance door.

Sakura sighed. She hated that Ino was making it sounds like she doesn't want to be with Sasuke. She does, just not like this and not right now. It would be so much easier if his family hadn't been so-

Doorbell again. At least this time Sakura was dressed to leave, but still unprepared to spend the evening with Sasuke's family.

''You look very pretty, Sakura-chan!'' Hinata greeted.

''You too, Hinata!''

Sakura hated to lie, but she knew Hinata would have turned red if she had told the truth. Hinata was looking stunning in a simple pink dress which was almost the same shade as the pink morganite ring she had on her engagement finger. Not that she was jealous or anything. Sakura had a nice ring too, a simple white and pink pearl. She really didn't care since she could wear it rarely because of her missions and hospital duty.

''Are we late?''

Hinata shook her head.

''We can't be since the dinner starts after we show up.''

Sakura flinched. She's never heard Uchiha Mikoto letting their guests to arrive whenever they wanted. But this time guest was Hinata, beautiful princess and her eldest son's fiancée.

''Do you know when they got back?'' Hinata asked.

''Yes, I was at the hospital when Itachi-san and Sasuke showed up. It was their turn to justify mission's expenses and turn in the report,'' Sakura replied.

''I see.''

When IOS would go on a mission, Hokage had to provide some extra money for the unexpected events which always occurred. When Shikamaru joined the squad eight months ago, that events didn't stop, but they got cheaper. Just to make it clear, squad wasn't having good time at hot springs, but they always needed more weapons, more medicine, and of course, they were ruining buildings, bridges, farms, even entire villages in order to accomplish the given task. Nobody complained too much as nobody wanted to participate in those kind of missions except them, and those were really highly paid missions.

''How did they looked like? Tired?'' Hinata asked politely.

Sakura smiled, as she noticed Hinata didn't ask about Itachi, particularly. She was so nice.

''They were fine, just interested about their team leader coming back earlier, as he told them he had some business to do with the Hokage.''

Hinata didn't say anything. Sakura smiled again. She should have known Hinata was not a gossip girl. And she noticed how her face was filled with an intent curiosity last night.

''Do you think they know?'' Hinata asked quietly.

''They don't. Ino says it would be better if it stayed that way.''

Hinata nodded. They were now very close to the entrance to the Uchiha district. Sakura took a deep breath and looked at Hinata. She was looking a bit worried.

''Is everything ok?''

''Well,'' Hinata looked at the ground,''We are almost there and you still haven't told me if you are going to be my maid of honour.''

''Oh, no!'' Sakura snapped.

Hinata looked at her sadly.

''I totally forgot about that!'' Sakura added quickly, as she didn't think of the answer yet.

This morning, at the hospital, she was trying not to think too much about how she hates clan's rules and she was keeping an eye on Tsunade since she had a hangover from last night.

When Jiraiya showed up, she had to kick him out because he was bugging nurses to put on their uniform and check his heartbeats. Luckily, Kakashi took him out for a drink to bore him about his upcoming book, which Jiraiya had promised to sign for him last month. Tsunade told her he hadn't even started writing it yet because he was still searching for a muse.

Soon after the old lecher had left, Sasuke came to see her and reminded her about the dinner. When she had got home, she couldn't decide what to wear, then Ino brought her this dress and here they were in front of the entrance to Uchiha district!

''I don't know,'' Sakura stuttered. ''Have you asked your sister?''

Hinata frowned.

''Hanabi doesn't want to participate. She says I'm the heiress and I should be on my own because this marriage will bring me so much wanted admiration and gratitude from the rest of Hyuuga clan!''

Sakura was surprised as she has never seen Hinata like this before. She was furious and sad at the same time. And her sister! How could she be so selfish? And jealous! This wedding was important for the entire village, not only for Hinata and everyone should- Sakura flinched. She was just like Hanabi.

''Yes, Hinata! I will be your maid of honour!'' she said happily and took Hinata's hand as they sped up to Uchiha's brothers house.

''Hinata-chan! Sakura-chan!'' Uchiha Mikoto had the happiest expression Sakura's ever seen,''Come in, come in, we've been waiting for you!''

Sakura quickly looked at Hinata. Her face already started getting red.

''Well,'' mother of the house began, ''since we have so much to discuss, let's eat first, so the boys don't have to listen about flowers and napkins,'' she giggled to her great idea.

Sakura wasn't thrilled she will have to listen about napkins, but she didn't want to be selfish and jealous. At least, she didn't want everyone to see it.

''Great idea!'' Sakura commended.

''Isn't it, Hinata-chan?'' Mikoto smiled at Hinata.

Once again, Sakura was invisible to Sasuke's mother. Maybe it was the best since she had heard what she wasn't suppose to hear. And she got it totally wrong! If only Mikoto hadn't been at home that day.

Fortunately, Sakura's thoughts were wiped out when she had seen Fugaku waiting for them in the living room. He got up from the sofa to greet them.

''Sakura-chan,'' he met Sakura's gaze, ''Hinata-chan!'' and Hinata's gaze a moment after.

''Sorry I'm late,'' Itachi entered the room. ''Sakura-chan, Hinata-san,'' he greeted them.

Sakura startled. She had no idea Itachi and Hinata were acting so formally.

''Sakura, finally, I'm starving!'' Sasuke showed up also.''Hello, Hinata.''

''Come on, hurry, it will get cold,'' Mikoto rushed them to take their seats at the dining table.

Fugaku took a seat on one end and Mikoto took the seat opposite of him. Their sons sat next to their father, Itachi on his right and Sasuke on his left, and seats left for Hinata and Sakura was next to their fiancés.

As Sakura was sitting opposite of Hinata, who was sitting next to Itachi, she finally had a chance to see them together in a perfectly normal situation. Not like that one she had caught them in, together for the first time, couple of moths ago.

Whatever she's been thinking about their marriage, they were a pretty couple. Hinata, with her long beautiful hair and kind eyes, was one of the prettiest girls in Konoha. And Itachi, well, he was an Uchiha! And every Uchiha was handsome!

But Sasuke was an entire level above them all, of course. She remembered how she almost failed a test at the academy as she was staring at him the whole time! And how proud he was when he became a jounin. And when he congratulated her for achieving the same rank, but a year later. And he wasn't just handsome and strong! He was a good and obedient son and a loyal friend! He would do anything for the clan, his brother and his best friend. Naruto.

''How did the mission go?'' Fugaku decided to end the awkward silence, while Mikoto was preparing rice cups. ''I'm glad you got back earlier.''

''Yes, father,'' Itachi said seriously, ''the squad became more efficient after Shikamaru-kun had become a permanent member.''

Fugaku frowned.

''Nara Shikamaru?''

''That's right,'' Itachi replied.

''And how did he contribute to the team?'' Fugaku asked.

The stupidest question ever! The other three were using their power for destruction and Shikamaru was thinking in advance what's the most effective way for attacking, retreating; he was over-thinking everything.

But Sakura wasn't the right person to speak about that. Sasuke was rash as he always had been and she was relieved when Shikamaru accepted position of the chief commander.

Sasuke always wanted to resemble Itachi in everything and he was doing everything to achieve the same rank as him as soon as possible. Unfortunately, Itachi was very busy as ANBU captain and didn't have enough time to spend in training with his younger brother. And next strong ninja, who wanted to spar with Sasuke, was Naruto, the most imprudent ninja in Konoha's history! Well, thanks to that characteristic and his insane will to protect everyone, Naruto became a village hero.

She will never get off her mind the last thing Naruto told her before he left for Suna couple of months ago: ''Take care of Sasuke, because I will make him to take care of you''.

Silly Naruto. He asked her out on a date so many times! But she was straight with him and didn't want to play with his heart. Or anyone's. He did the same with Hinata. And there they were together, a girl Naruto loved and a girl who loved Naruto, both engaged to an Uchiha. Sakura smirked.

''Something's funny, Sakura-chan?''

Fugaku's voice made Sakura froze.

''The food is great, so I wondered,'' she began to blabber, ''if it's complicated to prepare it, since I'm not so skilled in the kitchen!''

Fugaku chuckled.

''Sasuke is not so picky about the food,'' Fugaku lied, as Sakura knew Sasuke's stomach very well.

''I can give you a recipe, so you can make it yourself,'' Mikoto offered.

Sasuke giggled. Sakura kicked him with her foot under the table. He knew she couldn't cook.

''Or Hinata-chan can help you,'' Mikoto added. ''I already gave her some tips.''

Sakura forced a smile. Of course, perfect Hyuuga princess was a great cook, also!

''All right, I see you girls can't hold it any longer,'' Fugaku began, ''so I'll be quick with my part. Hinata-chan, I have spoken to your father this morning.''

''He told me,'' Hinata said quietly, not looking at Fugaku.

''We came to a solution for a wedding ceremony.''

Everybody at the table, except Fugaku and Mikoto, startled. It was an important issue.

''We won't insist on a traditional Uchiha ceremony as long as Hyuuga clan does the same.''

Hinata nodded.

''What does that mean?'' Sakura asked hastily.

''That means,'' Mikoto began, ''a completely different ceremony has to be chosen for the wedding.''

Sakura looked at Hinata. Sakura wasn't sure how Hinata felt about this, but she was certain she wasn't happy. Itachi, on the other hand, looked completely uninterested in the matter. Sasuke was pretty much the same. She couldn't believe it, the wedding ceremony is important! But then she remembered what Sasuke had told her. Itachi wanted just to get over with as he was waiting to get some time off after he gets married. She remembered how mad she got about that, also, but Sasuke said it was fine.

''And how do we decide?'' Sakura jerked.

''We?'' Itachi asked, a bit astonished by Sakura's question.

''Yes, Sakura-chan will be my maid of honour!'' Hinata announced happily.

''That's wonderful!'' Mikoto said, maybe too loud.

It was the first time she was happy about Sakura's been involved into something. It included Hinata, but it was a nice change.

''I've already done some research,'' Mikoto quickly got up and returned to the table with a really thick book, ''and I want you two to take a look at my suggestions!'' she said happily.

''Can we be excused?'' Itachi asked indifferently.

His mother gave him glare, but his father chuckled.

''Mother, Itachi has some business to do with Kakashi-sama and this,'' Sasuke pointed with his hand at the book, ''sounds like it's important to the bride and not to the groom.''

Sakura chuckled when Sasuke mentioned Hokage. She doubted they didn't finish with their report this afternoon, but no one could blame Itachi for trying to get away from bouquets and maid's gowns.

''That's right! He'll end up married to a beautiful princess of Hyuuga clan whatever ceremony you three pick out, so I have to take his side,'' Fugaku grinned.

Sakura looked at Hinata. Fugaku wasn't scary at all, he was just making Hinata red on purpose. She guessed that's what was scary in Hinata's case.

Fugaku stood up to give Itachi permission to leave. Itachi stood up, also.

''See you later,'' Sasuke whispered in Sakura's ear, as he was also getting up.

''Father. Mother. Hinata-san. Sakura-chan.''

Itachi was always so formal! Sakura couldn't believe how Hinata liked that! Sakura was staring at them, but Itachi was so serious the whole time, she was sure he didn't accidentally put his hand on Hinata's thigh under the table like Sasuke did on hers! She kicked Sasuke for that as the time and place was very inappropriate, but at least he was showing some affection! Itachi, on the other hand, had the same face expression during the entire evening. And if she says something about that to Ino or Temari, they will accuse her for being jealous and self-centred!

Men left the table and Mikoto cleared it in a flash so she could open the thickest book in the world in front of them to see.

''I found some really great traditions you may like, Hinata-chan!'' Mikoto said cheerfully.

Hinata met Sakura's gaze and shrugged her shoulders quickly.

''You do want a white dress, don't you?'' Mikoto asked, but she wasn't waiting for an answer. ''The only thing your father asked for is that Hokage is the one who will marry you.''

Hinata nodded.

''But we have two of them!'' Sakura mentioned.

''Good thinking, Sakura-chan!'' Mikoto commended.

Sakura was stunned. She got a praising from Uchiha Mikoto!

''And what about the vows? It would be wonderful to hear Itachi's vow, don't you think, Hinata-chan?,'' Mikoto continued and brought a small notebook to write something down. ''Sakura-chan, you will help her out about everything, won't you?''

Sakura looked at Hinata. This was torturing for Hinata as much as it was for Sakura.

''I will, Mikoto-san!''

''Great then! Let's start from the beginning!''

Sakura sighed. It's going to be a long night.