Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters they all belong to MASAHI KISHIMOTO and my spelling slash grammar can be way off at times.

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Put a Ring on it

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Every time I thought of you my heart would become excited and race, but today my heart aches of pain when I think of you. There is nothing left to say, I now understand how stupid I was to think… that perhaps one day… but no more because you can fool me once and I can blame you, but if I fall for it a second time I have no one to blame but myself.

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Chapter 16: Secrets Still Lurk

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It had been a few weeks since Hinata's return and her not a date with the Nara, and the soon to be bride has been nothing but stressed with everything that has been happening and it is up to the pinkette and bluenette to try and keep her as calm as possible, unfortunately for Sakura sometimes it was all up to her when Hinata had to meet up for her shoots with Jiraiya.

The jade eyed beauty sat in her home now taking in the silence, her short pink locks tied back as she meditated for a moment.

How much did she appreciate these moments now, it was just wonderful.

But it didn't last long when a banging on the door interrupted her; "Ugh…" she let out wishing that she would have some more time to herself. Her eyes averted towards the clock and realized that it was still early and she was going to meet Ino in town for lunch, perhaps she had decided to change her mind and come meet her here.

The assault on her front door did not stop "I'm coming… just give me a minute." She shouted at the door and got up with little enthusiasm and walked towards the now 'door assaulter' "Will you calm—

"Finally you answer, where have you been?!" questioned a crimson eyed woman with a glint of frustration in her eyes.

Karin had caught Sakura off guard she had not thought that she would come over without calling, usually she called unless major issues popped up out of the blue… example of this would require you to think of a few months back. "I've been busy with stuff, what's wrong?" Sakura said and moved aside to let her friend in.

Karin walked in and made her way to Sakura's living room and took a seat, "It's been weeks…" she said and looked towards Sakura who took her previous spot. Taking a breath she thought before she asked "…I need to.." she paused again.

Taking a hunch the owner of the house had an idea of what Karin wanted, and if her suspicions where correct then she was asking the impossible of her. "Karin, look I… I have as much blame as you do, I didn't say what I knew." She began and paused. It was not fair that even though she was just as aware of Sasuke's relationship status as Karin was… she kept quiet and in the end caught a lucky break and did not suffer the consequences. Both Hinata and Ino are still in good terms with her and she is grateful for that and has done her best to be what she should have been all along, a good friend.

Life is hard and making friends is a big part of life.

Sometimes that is not easy, it is actually very difficult and she should know firsthand. Growing up she was not part of the 'in' crowd, a big part of her wanted to be part of that world but she had never been accepted into it, no matter what Sakura had tried. As time passed she would try and try again with little to no success that is until she grew up. Only as an adult did she make friends with Ino and Hinata, soon after as life would have it she ran into Karin; the girl who had it worse than she did in school, -and yet not so much- Sasuke had befriend her and allowed her into his small circle of friends.

Keeping that bond was very important to the pinkette "I am staying out of this Karin." She said with a guilty heart.

Ruby red orbs looked into Sakura's jade ones and shook her head "I need to talk to her, I need to tell her the truth of why…"

"I'm sorry Karin, she is doing good… the wound is healing, slowly but" she began searching for the right words to explain why things should just stay as they are. "Hinata has been through so much and she didn't deserve it." Sakura said with a small hint of raged attitude.

Karin took the hint "I know already, I know it was my fault that things got to this but I want to make things right!" she shouted angry that Itachi tells her to let things go. That even though Sasuke will never admit it he holds anger at her, that Sakura just jumped ship while she was left on board to sink alone.

"Karin if fate wants you two to meet again no matter what it will be just like that… you can try and avoid something but if it was for you no matter what you do it will be there and eventually smack you in the face if you try to avoid it." Sakura explained.

The guilt filled woman shook her head again "Seriously, Lee has to chill with his motivation speeches…" she said with slight irritation.

Sakura got puffed up "Well excuse me."

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Sasuke sat in his office in absolute astonishment, out of all the things that he has been through in the past with his rival… this one was just like a slap to the face. He didn't even have any idea that Sabaku no Gaara was dating let alone have a girlfriend, but there is the evidence.

This morning when he arrived at the office his secretary approached him with news of an invitation from his rival, under normal circumstances he would have simply told her to throw it out and simply get rid of it… but shock and curiosity made him keep it.

It's not that he intends to go to the red head's wedding, but who he was engaged to. If Sasuke would have known that he had been seeing… I don't know, Kimmy just to give her a name, if he knew that Gaara had been dating 'Kimmy' then logically this invitation would symbolize that he was starting a life with 'Kimmy' and he would have no curiosity and could have had the invitation thrown out.

But the mystery of the bride was getting to him; Sasuke stopped himself for a minute realizing he was over thinking things. He took the invitation and opened it just to get it over with…

Mr. and Mrs. Sabaku no

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their son

Gaara

to

Ino Yamanaka Yuri

Saturday, the seventeenth of October

At four in the after noon

Held at the Willow Resort

Dark coal eyes could not get past the fact that Ino was his rivals fiancé… he didn't even know that she had any contact to the red head. In all the time that he had known her never once did she mention anything that could have hinted out that she was acquainted with anything that was Gaara.

But perhaps he was over analyzing this, his mind wanted to point anything into the direction of Hinata, this could be a completely different person the possibility of that case was also likely. Then again it has been months since he last had contact with anyone who is close to Hinata, a lot could have happened between now and then. And if Ino was getting married, what could he expect from Hinata…

For all he knew she was happy with someone else, the idea of her being able to move on from what they had made him feel sick at the pit of his stomach.

Hinata has every right to a new life with anyone he doesn't deserve her; he was a big dick for doing things the way that he had. But he can't fix past mistakes if he could he would have long ago turned back the clock and have a redo.

But what if this was his chance to try again, what did he have to lose he is already at the bottom the only way he can go is up… he sighed and put the invitation down. "Am I really considering going?" he questioned himself, what if this was just a form of… something? Like a formality and didn't expect him to show up?

Then again this couldn't really be the same Ino; not the blonde with a temperament and sassy attitude… it can't be because if this was really her then, logically Hinata would be her maid of honor and last time he checked Ino was protective of Hinata and took things personally when it came to her sister.

So why would she allow him to be on the guest list?

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Hinata sat quietly her heart was in a bit of a knot, "I'm going to miss you…" she said to Ino who was finishing getting ready before they headed out into town for her bachelorette party.

My eyes reflected towards Hinata in the mirror, "Don't be silly we are still going to be together." I tell her with a smile and stopped what I'm doing to hug my best friend.

"It's just that I remember when we first moved in here, it feels like it was so long ago time really flies by." Hinata said with a sad smile feeling now nostalgic "But soon we will be looking back on today… I just want you to be happy." Hinata said and held on to Ino.

I tighten my grip on her, so much of me is nervous excited and scared at what the future with Gaara will hold, but another part of me feels all that and more because Hinata would be on her own… I know that I won't be able to be as close to protect her as I have up to this point in time. "I know what you mean…"

We have been through so much together; this moment reminds me so much of when we first met in the hall while some social workers wanted to evaluate us or something. I remember how sad and scared Hinata was and I was just as afraid as she was… we were both alone in the world. But we didn't have to be because we could have each other, it's silly now that I think back I could have prevented Hinata the chance to a family with my little stunt towards mom, but I think things worked themselves out.

"Hinata are you happy?" I ask her and she doesn't give me any response.

"…Everything is happening so fast, I'm okay. My world has not ended and I have to keep moving forward and maybe someday I can find the happiness that you found." She said with sincerity "Finish getting ready." Hinata says and gets up and leaves to her room I assume.

I know that perhaps it is wrong of me to keep such a truth from Hinata, but I just don't want him to hurt her again. And if she absolutely felt like her world was still destroyed I would have told Hinata what mother found out… even though Sasuke doesn't deserve her. I would not have the guarantee that I have with Shikamaru, I know that he is a good guy and would never do anything that would hurt Hinata.

If my sister is going to give an ex a second chance I will do anything I can to make sure it's Shikamaru, and I think I'm off to a good start. After all no matter what Hinata says she can't deny that they have gotten closer again, grâce à moi

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"C'mon what do you say?" the blue eyed male asked his companion, his smile was really enchanting and would make any woman feel like goo. Naruto was really charismatic something about him just gave off a feeling of acceptance and something along the lines of a magnet affect.

Tsunade loved his smile "That sounds good." She said accepting his invitation.

"Great!" Naruto shouted and held her "It's getting late I should get going and let you rest." He said and got up to head for the door.

"Why don't you stay?" she said in a soft voice how she wanted him.

Naruto could see her sexual attraction to him, but he had to make sure that he had her in the palm of his hand. He let out a laugh "You know I don't want anyone talking about you, what would your neighbors say?" he told her.

"I don't care—

His form became serious "I care though, you are a beautiful intelligent woman who deserves nothing but respect." He told her and gave her a soft kiss in the corner of her lips "Good night Tsunade." He said and exited.

Naruto walked down the street with a big smile on his face, he could not wait to tell Jiraiya how much progress he has made with his old love.

The good thing has been that he got rid of whoever Tsunade had been seeing with little effort, now he is simply playing hard to get.

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Chaos is something that anyone can really expect along with frustration from the nervousness that comes with getting married.

At some point Sakura had been slightly jealous of Ino, she got to boss people around -with reason this time- trying on dresses and having a day that will be all about you. But know she can wait for quite a while…

"Ino it's time to wake up." Sakura said and gently nudged the bride; Ino was out cold and possibly suffering last night's events. The only reason she herself is not in the same position as Ino and Hinata is because she was nominated as the designated 'caretaker' -thanks to Anko who was passed out in the living room- and left her as the sober one of the night.

It was already eight in the morning and there was still so much to do, they had to meet Kurenai at the salon in thirty minutes to begin to get ready. "Ugh!" she growled out and turned towards Hinata who was snugged under a few pillows, "Hinata! Waky waky eggs and baky" she chanted towards the bluenette who twitched a bit at least showing some form of life.

"Ju.. lun.." was Hinata's response and she kept her eyes closed not wanting to open them.

"What!?" Sakura said not having any idea of what she was even saying, she sighed "Okay we are late now, no more." Her tone was firm and serious…

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The salon was like a bee hive, full of busy stylist. The pinkette had a big smile on her face she felt fresh and ready to go.

Anko Ino and Hinata on the other hand were like in zombie mode; looking crappy and just moving because they had to.

"I assume they had a good time last night." Kurenai said with slight smile thinking back on her own bachelorette party hosted by none other than Anko herself.

Sakura smiled as her hair was being done "We did have a really good time." She said happily maybe there was a perk to being the sober one.

They took over five hours getting ready and now it was time to go off to where the reception would be taking place and finish getting ready there. As they walked into the resort Ino noticed all the busy people rushing with all the little details that were still needed before they start, white lights were being hanged still and lanterns were being put into place.

Her wedding was really going to be a memorable one; the theme of a desert night was really starting to come into view.

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A/N: Whoa I have not up loaded in so long, but I have been working on another story that I have yet to up load it's just about done I'm just rechecking and adding and taking things here and there, but know my focus is back on my first project. So more up loads will be happening again and we are almost finished so the conclusion is near.

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