Under the surface
Two striking blondes were screaming at each other while marching fast to reach the unknown destination.
''Do you know where Itachi-san's house is?''
''No. I didn't know he had his own house.''
''Then what did you think? They would live with the parents?''
''Well, no, but Hinata never mentioned it.''
One of them was wearing long, lavender dress, while the red dress was looking really tight despite the blonde's slim figure.
''It's probably somewhere around Uchiha district,'' Ino shrugged.
''Just because Hinata is a woman, it doesn't mean she will stop being Hyuuga!'' Temari frowned to Ino suggestion, making her sigh.
''Didn't you say Sasuke-kun went there? In what direction did he leave?''
''Then again, Orochimaru-sama saw Sakura on his way here,'' Temari was thinking aloud, ignoring Ino's question.
''If you hadn't been obsessed with cancelling the wedding, we would have known where the house is!''
''It was for Hinata's sake, I-''
''Mikoto-san!''
Hearing Ino's terrified scream, Temari got the hint to stop talking.
''Is everything all right, Mikoto-san? You seem a little distracted,'' Ino wondered.
''Of course I am distracted! It's my son's wedding day!''
Ino planted a palm over Temari's mouth to stop her scream after realising the two of them had yelled about cancellation and Itachi's mother could have heard it all.
''Ino-chan?'' Mikoto asked, curious why Ino was preventing Temari from talking.
''I had enough questions about my own wedding, and Temari likes to push my buttons on purpose for fun,'' Ino lied smoothly, smiling widely.
''You shouldn't be buying wedding dresses then,'' Mikoto smiled warmly.
''Actually, that wedding dress was a good idea,'' Temari shared her opinion after removing Ino's palm.
''Sakura-chan thinks the same,'' Mikoto said to Ino, ''but she will tell you soon enough.''
''Hold it a second!'' Temari said. ''You spoke to Sakura? When? And where?''
''Only a moment ago, she was in the dressing room with Hinata-chan.''
''Hinata? They were together?'' Temari asked.
''There is nothing unusual since Sakura-chan is the maid of honour,'' Mikoto smiled. ''Just like you will be, Ino-chan.''
''Yeah,'' Ino stammered, slightly uncomfortable.
''And before I forget, you and Shisui make a cute couple! You certainly don't mind he is a bit older than you, do you?''
''What does age have to do with a pure love?'' Temari faked a smile.
Ino was trying to smile politely and not glare at her friend who was suppressing laughter.
''Well said, Temari-san!'' Mikoto commended. ''Does that apply to your relationship with young Nara?''
That ended Temari's unnecessary blabbering.
''I have to take care of my boys now, see you later!''
With that, Mikoto left confused blondes alone.
''Did that idiot tell the world we were dating?'' Ino muttered angrily.
''There, there, Uchiha Shisui is the best Uchiha left,'' Temari laughed.
''I see you are not so concerned about Hinata now, when you are making fun of me!''
''Hinata!'' Temari startled. ''If she is with Sakura, then the wedding is on, right?''
''I don't know! Let's find the dressing room!''
Of course Mikoto lied to Temari and Ino. There was no need to visit her sons because she had seen their brides and now she was certain they would have lives every mother wanted her children to have; lives filled with love, understanding and patience.
Mikoto wasn't one of those mothers who hated their daughters-in-law. She was completely opposite and for the sake of her good relationship with both Hinata and Sakura, Mikoto had to see them in private before the wedding.
The door of the dressing room was ajar and Mikoto peeked in it, not revealing her presence. What she had seen was the most unexpected. Yes, there was bride, wearing her dress, gazing at her reflection at the mirror. She was beautiful, as always, only now Mikoto could see what she has never seen before. At first she thought Hinata was looking glad because she was dressed up and gorgeous, but when Mikoto stared more closely, she noticed Hinata wasn't gazing anywhere in particular. She was smiling fondly for no reason. Unless she was thinking about her future life and that was making her calm and happy.
Even when Hinata was trying to make a serious face, her eyes were giving her away. After weeks of stressful organization and preparations when she was faking happiness, today her bright eyes were smiling!
''Mikoto-san!''
Mikoto's other son's fiancée interrupted her peeking.
''Sakura-chan!''
''What are you doing here, Mikoto-san? Please don't tell me a change occurred!''
''It didn't, you don't have to worry!'' Mikoto assured terrified maid of honour.
''Then you are here to see Hinata?'' Sakura asked.
Mikoto's plan was to talk to Hinata, send Sakura upstairs to see her present and promise her she would get an explanation tomorrow.
''I have to show you something first,'' Mikoto said to surprised Sakura and signalled her to go upstairs.
There wasn't only a dressing room for the bride; there was also a small room for the bride's maids, a room where Mikoto was hiding the cake, because no man would dare to come near women's changing room, and one bathroom, reserved for the stuff hired for the reception. Of course, the fireworks and an additional supply of alcohol was also hidden, and an empty room ready for the wedding presents that have been arriving for the last week.
While going to the upper floor, one of the bride's maids spotted her instructor and yelled, in search for advice.
''Sakura-san!'' the girl sounded desperate. ''May I go second? Or third maybe? I will trip and fall if I am the last one!''
''We went through this yesterday,'' Sakura sighed. ''You had a fight about who would go as the last bride's maid to get all the attention.''
''Is that true?'' Mikoto asked the girl and she nodded shyly.
''Which one of you wants to go last?'' Sakura asked.
''None.''
''Good, because the last woman who will show up is the bride!'' Sakura replied, getting annoyed. ''You are going as the last of the bride's maids; consider it as a practice for your wedding day!''
The girl practically ran away from short-tempered maid of honour and Mikoto chuckled.
''I'm sorry you had to hear that, Mikoto-san,'' Sakura apologized, now speaking in normal tone. ''Those girls are obsessed with getting a boyfriend today and they are driving me crazy.''
''You have to understand them, Sakura-chan. They have a hard task to find the right guy now; the best one is getting married today, and the second best is engaged to you!''
Mikoto didn't miss a small frown, as if Sakura didn't agree. And it was natural to disagree because in Sakura's eyes Sasuke was always the best.
''Let's hurry, Sakura-chan!'' Mikoto suggested and led Sakura to the last room at the end of the hallway.
Sakura wasn't impatient to enter the room, still confused about Mikoto's behaviour out of ordinary, and Mikoto hesitated. She already made the decision to be honest with Sakura, because the girl deserved it; Mikoto was pondering about how much she should reveal and in what order.
''Sakura-chan, before I open this door and let you in, there is something I want you to know.''
Sakura became pale as a sheet.
''Don't scare me like that, Mikoto-san. What happened?''
''Everything! You accepted to become Hinata-chan's maid of honour and that changed everything!''
Mikoto didn't have an influence on Hinata because during all this time of preparations and their girlie meetings, Hinata hadn't been happy as she was at this moment. So Mikoto concluded it must have been somebody else, who spent a lot of time with Itachi's future wife, somebody who wasn't ashamed to show her unconditional love, anywhere and at all times.
''Sakura-chan, there is no need to worry! You already did what you were supposed to do.''
''I did?'' Sakura asked warily.
''It doesn't matter if everyone gets drunk or if you spill the drink all over your dress; nobody will remember it in six months. The only detail that will be etched in everybody's memory forever are the bride and the groom together. And that look in Hinata-chan's eyes can't be fake and I know you encouraged her!''
''I did?''
''Of course I had my own opinion about your help to Hinata-chan, since you weren't close friends. I thought you were supportive only so I could like you more, but I misjudged you. Today I can see clearly that your kindness is much stronger than your envy.''
Mikoto raised her hand to prevent Sakura's interpose.
''I don't want to insult, but let's face it. You are the only child and never had a demanding family, so it's natural you are a bit self-centered. When you heard about Itachi's engagement, you seemed a bit jealous and selfish.''
Mikoto smiled, seeing Sakura uncomfortable.
''No matter how terrible it sounds, it was natural for you to feel that way. If you didn't, that would mean you were indifferent towards Sasuke and I know you are not. Every single person who met you, only for a second, knows how you feel about my younger son.''
Now Sakura wasn't embarrassed, but she blushed a bit anyway.
''That was exactly what Hinata-chan needed to see; your undeniable affection, your lack of restraints, your honest concern and care. That is how love should make you behave, unreasonable, emotional and overjoyed, especially when it is requited.''
''You wasn't sure if Hinata was-''
''Hinata-chan isn't the type who would pretend, don't you agree? I was sure about her honest intentions, unlike the most important person!''
''Itachi-san?''
''You can't really blame him. He's been taught to doubt everyone and Hinata-chan was shy and reserved and I couldn't do anything, but be overly enthusiastic about her so she could feel welcome in this family! From your point of view, it seemed as if I liked Hinata-chan more, but that is not true. I didn't have the reason to show my approval for your relationship with Sasuke; for you, he is one and only and that will never change! I can't even tell you how grateful I am for that and how much you affected his life by being the way you are!''
''Mikoto-san,'' Sakura stared at the floor.
''Sasuke needs compliments, encouragement and endless patience. And again, it's not his fault. It's not easy to be a younger brother and he will always think he isn't good enough. That's why he proposed to you twice, why he is afraid to move in with you and why he will always try to impress you, over and over again.''
Mikoto had to shorten this introduction because the real reason for saying so much right now to a confused young woman was inside the room and the big news would follow after they enter.
''I was thinking about the best way to let you know how much I appreciate everything you have done, and the best I can do is show you what's behind this door.''
Sakura nodded shortly and Mikoto gave her a permission to peek in the room.
''Oh!''
Now the door was opened, but Sakura was too shocked to move, as if she had seen a dragon in a small room. And there was nothing in there, but a single clothes stand and a white piece of clothing on it.
''It will look beautiful on you,'' Mikoto said when Sakura looked at her doubtfully.
''I am not dreaming of this, am I?'' Sakura stuttered.
''You are not.''
Mikoto understood Sakura's astonishment. After all, it wasn't usual for the bride's dress to be bought by somebody different from the bride who would put it on when the day arrived. The mysterious note Sasuke brought to his mother yesterday didn't have many words and to Mikoto it sounded like a plea.
''Little gift for the bride-to-be and tomorrow's maid of honour, so she could get through the day more easily''
That note also had the address of the store. Even if Sasuke had read the note, he wouldn't have come near to the clothes shop, and he didn't seem interested to investigate why Ino had sent this note today. It was obvious; Sakura's close friend wanted to cheer her up with this unique present. And Mikoto sympathized with Sakura; it wasn't her fault others didn't see her as important as Hinata. Mikoto did, because just like every mother, she wanted the best for her sons. Sakura proved more than once her heart belonged to Sasuke and because of her, Hinata would reveal her feelings today as well.
For the following on Mikoto's mind, she shut the door, while Sakura was observing the dress, afraid to touch it, as if it would break or disappear.
''Sakura-chan.''
''Huh?'' Sakura flinched as if she was woken up.
''Listen to me carefully now. What I have said a moment ago was important, but you knew that already, I only pointed it out. What is left for me to say is very confidential and you must keep it a secret. Only until tomorrow, then you can tell it to the world.''
Sakura swallowed nervously, but nodded anyway.
''That is something that I know for the last two weeks and Fugaku wouldn't be thrilled if he found out I told you before tomorrow. Nevertheless, I trust you and I believe you are smart enough to share this with people who are closest to you.''
''Mikoto-san, you are scaring me again.''
''I can tell you tomorrow, but I thought you deserved to find out today. I would have told you two weeks ago if there hadn't been for this wedding. I was concerned you wouldn't be dedicated maid of honour, I was terribly wrong, and it is some sort of reward.''
''For me to find out today?''
''Yes, because that way you won't be happy because of Hinata-chan's wedding, but because of yours.''
''Mine?''
''Yes, Sakura-chan, yours. See that wedding dress? You will put it on in six weeks.''
''SIX WEEKS? FROM NOW? MY WEDDING?''
''SAKURA-CHAN!''
''Sorry!'' Sakura shouted her apology as well.
''Confidential, remember?'' Mikoto hissed.
''Uh-huh,'' Sakura nodded, holding both of her palms over her mouth.
''I will repeat it for you,'' Mikoto chuckled, because she has never seen Sakura like this. ''Sasuke and you will get married in six weeks from now, but you are allowed to announce it tomorrow.''
''This is out of the blue, I-'' Sakura was still stammering, but at least she got quieter.
''You learned a lot during the past weeks and I am sure your maid of honour will help you out. You will manage because you have been planning this for quite some time.''
''I have!'' Sakura admitted, chuckling.
''One more thing. When you thank Ino-chan for the dress, you can also tell her about the wedding. Only don't giggle too much during the reception.''
''We won't!'' Sakura promised.
Mikoto knew her warning probably was in vain because it was written all over Sakura's face. And it was natural, because she couldn't wait to become Sasuke's wife. And Sakura tried to deny her effect on Hinata and the two of them obviously had the same face expression.
''There is one more thing I would like you to do.''
''What is it, Mikoto-san?''
''You have already done a lot, but try talk Hinata-chan into saying vows; it is the most romantic part of each wedding and she will blame me for the rest of her life because I wasn't pushy enough about it!''
''I am not sure, I-''
A knock on the door interrupted Sakura's answer.
''It's probably one of the bride's maids,'' Sakura sighed.
''I will take care of her,'' Mikoto offered. ''You stay here and try to calm down.''
''Impossible!'' Sakura chuckled, staring at her wedding dress.
Mikoto opened the door slightly only to see another wedding dress on the happiest bride in the world.
''What's wrong, Hinata-chan?''
''I heard Sakura-chan screaming; is she all right?''
''Oh Hinata-chan!''
Although Mikoto ordered to Sakura to calm down, she herself couldn't hold back any more. She pulled Hinata into the room and leaned on the closed door.
Yes, both Hinata and Sakura were confused and surprised, but they were glowing! It was everything; their fancy frocks, their stylish jewellery, their honest smiles reminded the married woman how it felt to be young and in love.
''Hinata-chan, Sakura-chan is getting married! That's why she yelled, because she couldn't believe she will wear a wedding dress in six weeks!''
''Congratulations, Sakura-chan!'' Hinata hugged overjoyed maid of honour.
''And now, I must leave because I will get overemotional for no reason at all. The last thing you need to know is that I was never worried about you, I was certain you were the ones. But your men are doubting themselves and I was concerned whether or not they will show you how much they need you.''
''But we need them as well!'' Hinata said.
''I know you do, only keep telling them that, that's all I'm asking for.''
Flushed Mikoto, overwhelmed with too many different emotions, opened the door. She looked at the girls over her shoulder.
''And if you could pretend we never talked about this! See you at the wedding!''
Hinata and Sakura, now alone and totally bewildered by Mikoto's sudden change, looked at each other, as if they couldn't believe this whole scene happened. It did; Mikoto literally ran away from them and on her way met Ino and Temari.
''What did you do to Mikoto-san?'' Hinata asked quietly.
''Nothing!'' Sakura defended herself. ''She was feeling guilty for ignoring me because she was focused on you, trying to encourage you to start showing your feelings like me.''
''I don't think that is possible, Sakura-chan.''
''I know, because every relationship is different! Only if she had told me any day during last six weeks, then I would have spent the last night doing something else with Sasuke, and not argued with him!'' Sakura muttered.
''You argued with Sasuke-kun?'' Hinata asked, worried. ''About what?''
''About our wedding, but it's unimportant now since the date was settled two weeks ago,'' Sakura shrugged.
''That's great, Sakura-chan!''
''It is,'' Sakura smiled. ''You are also one of the few people who know. Mikoto-san will tell Fugaku-san tomorrow that she told me today because I wasn't supposed to know until this wedding was over.''
''Then why did she tell you now?''
''Because she thinks I deserve it, because she saw you happy and thinks it is my credit! I tried to explain, but she didn't let me.''
''It doesn't matter, Sakura-chan, as long as you are happy.''
''I am. I can't wait to tell Ino!''
''Luckily you have her,'' Hinata smiled. ''And your wedding dress is ready!''
''It is,'' Sakura glimpsed at the dress for the millionth time. ''Wait a second! Ino was the one who bought it! She was the only one who knew I wanted this particular one!''
''She is a really good friend,'' Hinata concluded.
''She is, because the dress cost a fortune! She must have worked day and night to buy it!''
''Well, she was looking a bit tired, and I didn't see her in days.''
''Oh Ino!'' Sakura squealed, looking at the expensive dress.
''Don't forget she was also the one who knew how much you wanted to get married,'' Hinata added.
That made Sakura to take her eyes off of the clothes.
''What are you trying to say?''
''Come on, Sakura-chan, think!'' Hinata chuckled. ''Why is your wedding all of a sudden? Didn't you say Mikoto-san knew about your feelings all along?''
''I did.''
''Then it must have been Fugaku-san who thought of it. And somebody reminded him.''
''I don't understand.''
''Sakura-chan,'' Hinata sighed. ''When did Mikoto-san tell you she thought of the wedding date?''
''Two weeks ago.''
''And what happened two weeks ago?'' Hinata asked pointedly.
''I don't know?''
''We were in the Uchicha district, together. And the only reason we could have been there was because nobody who knows us was present.''
''You mean we were at the-''
''Don't you think it's too convenient that happened at the same time your wedding date was set? You know, it haven't been done miraculously; someone stressed how important that is to you and only one person could have done it for you under any condition!''
''Ino!''
''I thought you would never guess!'' Hinata shook her head, sighing.
''This is the dressing room and it is empty! Is there another room where the bride could be?''
Hinata and Sakura recognized Temari's angry voice.
''Don't yell at the poor girl!'' Ino scolded her. ''She is a bit tense today, sorry.''
''Sakura-chan,'' Hinata whispered, ''I think there will be no better moment than this one to thank Ino-chan.''
Sakura nodded and stormed out of the room to greet Ino and Temari downstairs.
''Sakura! Where is Hinata?'' Temari demanded.
''Upstairs,'' Sakura replied quickly only to give all of her attention to her best friend. ''And you, how should I treat you, when you kept quiet for the last two weeks?''
''What? What two weeks?'' Ino asked.
''Stop pretending!'' Sakura shouted.
''What's with you, Sakura? Have you been drinking? You can't stand a lot of alcohol and-''
''Oh shut up and accept my eternal gratitude!''
Temari just stared silently at Sakura, who was hugging her confused friend. Hinata, who got downstairs in the meantime, led Temari to the empty dressing room, leaving Ino alone in the hallway.
''I can't believe you did this for me! How can I ever repay you?'' Sakura was chirping excitedly, still embracing Ino.
Now Ino finally smiled and pulled away to look at Sakura.
''I will do anything for you, didn't you know that?''
''That is just an expression, but this! Not in my wildest dreams I could think you would be the one doing so much!''
''It's only a dress, Sakura.''
''How can you be so modest?'' Sakura scolded her playfully. ''And I can't believe you succeeded not to tell me anything for the last two weeks!''
''You are overreacting.''
''I am not! You are the best friend I can ever have! And I can't even imagine how much talking was necessary and you hate it!''
What was she saying? It was only an expensive dress that had to make her forget about Hinata's wedding and remind her about her own upcoming wedding. It didn't include talking, only hard working.
''You already proved you are the best maid of honour, you won't have to do a thing in six weeks!''
Maid of honour? In six weeks?
''Sakura, are you telling me you are getting married in six weeks?''
''Yes! But you already knew that because you insisted! Thank you so much!''
Okay. Sakura's wedding was in six weeks. And Ino knew? How could she know about it before the bride?
''Who told you that?''
''Mikoto-san did, right after she showed me the wedding dress! But we are supposed to keep it for ourselves until tomorrow and not talk too much about it today!''
Ino nodded absently, not having a clue what was going on.
At the same time, Temari had a lot of questions on her mind, only now she had to find out about the most recent event.
''What's with Sakura?''
''Mikoto-san showed her the wedding dress and also informed her about another wedding, only six weeks from now,'' Hinata explained.
''Six weeks? When was that settled?''
''Two weeks ago.''
Unlike Sakura, Temari figured it out right away and chuckled.
''I didn't expect a petite girl like Ino to be that powerful. Maybe playing with Sannin wasn't that bad after all.''
''Temari-san,'' Hinata shook her head disapprovingly, ''I think that's more than a game.''
Temari shrugged, not really interested into something that wasn't explaining Hinata wearing her dress and her readiness to become Itachi's wife. Temari wasn't about to ask anything, only observe, knowing Hinata well.
Surprisingly, the bride seemed impatient to share something with her friend.
''Speaking of that time two weeks ago, when we, you know, and I undid your hair?''
Temari was recalling that day quite clearly. And until now she didn't realize she didn't discuss it with Hinata.
''Do you regret it?'' Temari asked warily.
''No, Temari-san, of course not!'' Hinata smiled warmly. ''It was nice and I would do it all over again, but the reason I am bringing that up now aren't your kisses, but your ribbons.''
''What about them?''
''They remained at the-''
''At Uchiha's home?''
''Uh-huh.''
''But those were only ribbons, they can't prove they are mine and that we were together there and-''
''I said you gifted them to me,'' Hinata explained.
''Oh. Smart,'' Temari commended.
Hinata wasn't nervous about that lie, but she seemed overly excited. Temari was thinking hard to connect the dots. To whom Hinata lied about the ribbons? Temari doubted Hinata went to Uchiha's home during last two weeks to look for them.
''And how did you-''
Hinata interrupted Temari's question about her finding the missing ribbons.
''Itachi brought them to me yesterday.''
''Yesterday?'' Temari repeated. ''Weren't you supposed to-''
''Uh-huh,'' Hinata nodded shyly.
''And what about,'' Temari began, but changed her mind. Now she knew what was so different about the bride! Not only she was interrupting Temari, there wasn't a trace of her constant uneasiness! She wasn't smiling, but she definitely wasn't gloomy and there was only one thing that could have caused it!
''Wait a second,'' Temari muttered, not believing the obvious. ''Itachi?''
''Uh-huh.''
That was Hinata's quiet answer, also more than enough to a sharp blonde. Hinata apparently ignored the tradition and met her future husband yesterday, and this was the first time she spoke about him without an appropriate honorific.
So Temari covered her mouth, but it didn't muffle her scream.
''Oh Hinata!''
''I know, right?''
They were squealing and hugging and laughing, both overjoyed and excited.
''But how? And why?'' Temari wanted to know.
''Let's just say we were just two doubtful idiots,'' Hinata chuckled to herself.
''Hinata, I have been waiting for this day for so long! Are you sure you didn't imagine it?''
''Uh-uh,'' Hinata shook her head. ''Sakura-chan is my witness.''
''Sakura? What does she have to do with you?''
''Well, we got carried away and,'' Hinata stared at the floor, ''Itachi really likes love bites.''
''Hinata!'' Temari screamed, totally shocked.
It wasn't surprising Itachi liked love bites, because Temari knew how pleasant Hinata's love bites were, or because of the fact Hinata dared to perform it, but because she said it out loud!
And there was so much more Hinata wanted to share with her friend.
''There were your ribbons and I was feeling like you were there with me and I actually made the cake, so we could talk about yesterday later today because I didn't think we would have time before! And I won't become a housewife and it is all thanks to you!''
''It's not because of me! You were the one in control the entire time. You were brave enough to ask Sakura to be your maid of honour, you confessed your problems and you listened to our advice! You changed because you were aware it needed to occur so you could be happy.''
Hinata smiled shyly to that bunch of compliments.
''Who undid my ribbons?'' Temari asked pointedly.
''I did,'' Hinata shrugged, chuckling.
''Maybe these were all you needed.''
With that, Temari untied her pony tails one by one and handed her ribbons to Hinata.
''Temari-san,'' Hinata stuttered.
''They are more useful to you than to me,'' Temari explained.
Although Hinata was unaware of their presence, Temari's ribbons were somewhere around in the crucial moments two weeks ago and yesterday. Maybe she should have them today also. Just in case.
Hinata handed a comb to Temari and the blonde took two strands of Hinata's hair to tie them with one ribbon.
''It looks different, but nice,'' Hinata smiled, seeing more of her face exposed.
''Maybe one more,'' Temari suggested and repeated the same.
When Temari was done, there were four ribbons in total in the back of Hinata's head, and each one was holding two strands of her hair from each side of her face. It looked like a net of some kind, with four little bows in its middle.
''Now you, Temari-san!''
Temari was silent while Hinata was combing her hair. She was also observing her strange hairstyle in the mirror. She wasn't feeling comfortable with her hair down, but her ribbons looked perfectly on Hinata's hair and Temari would endure people's staring and questions. All eyes would be on the bride and the groom anyway, she hoped.
''Time to take our places,'' Sakura said, when she entered the dressing room quietly.
''Right,'' Temari said simply and headed to the door.
''I like your hair,'' Sakura said. ''I mean, both hairstyles.''
Hinata and Temari chuckled to that.
''Come on!'' impatient Ino yelled from the hallway. ''We will be late!''
''Don't show up unless you are ready,'' Temari said to Hinata.
''I am not, but I will show up no matter what!''
''That means you are ready,'' Temari said and left the bride with her maid of honour.
''Well, well, well,'' Ino chuckled to Temari's new looks. ''The last time I saw you with your hair down, I had to run away from you all over Sakura's flat. Will I have to avoid you today also?''
Temari didn't find it funny, but she did have a comeback.
''The real question is why you didn't arrange Sakura's wedding earlier, when you obviously have the power to do it.''
''I don't! I have nothing to do with it! I would have told you if I had, same like I revealed to you my plan for the dress!''
''How else do you explain this?''
''I don't know, I have never lied to you,'' Ino shrugged. ''It's not my credit!''
It was a mystery what the real reason for Sakura's wedding was, but no matter how much Ino tried, Sakura didn't believe her and apparently in Temari's eyes, Ino was the one who pulled strings.
''Maybe you didn't ask for it explicitly, maybe you were whining too much, maybe you said it in your sleep,'' Temari recited.
Ino didn't feel like talking about something she knew nothing about, so she changed the subject.
''What were you yelling about earlier? Did Itachi-san have an affair with Sakura this morning?''
''Of course not,'' Temari smirked. ''He only spent the night with Hinata. The one before the wedding.''
''I bet Hinata proposed it,'' Ino chuckled to herself.
Temari forgot to ask, but she was also certain Hinata was the one. Laughing about the most unexpected that happened for real, Temari and Ino were impatient for the wedding to finally begin, so every person could see why two heirs violated the tradition and didn't feel guilty because of it.