Chapter 9:

Then, Now, Forever

A few years passed. The group of friends matured into fine adults, and fine Shinobi. Nagato and Minato, whose abilities stood out from those of their friends as well as from their village's other Shinobi's, were now B-ranked and A-ranked jounin, respectively. Then, suddenly, out of the blue, as it seemed to Yahiko, Nagato proposed to Pinako. In a rush of jubilance, Pinako tearfully accepted.

Months passed. The wedding approached. To nobody's surprise, Kushina and Konan were chosen as bridesmaid and maid of honour, while Minato and Yahiko were chosen as groomsman and best man. Yahiko had thrown Nagato an awesome bachelor party, inviting many of their colleagues and friends from around the village. Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, Inoichi Yamanaka and Hiashi Hyuuga, all higher chuunin or lower jounin like them, were all invited to the wedding, including the two Sannin sensei of theirs, and Yahiko's kenjutsu sensei Sakumo. In a wild night that only the straight-laced Nagato and Minato remembered clearly, Choza ended up smashing a bar with his Partial Expansion Jutsu, Shikaku won a game of cards (by counting cards, thanks to his genius mind) and won a date with a beautiful woman, and Yahiko left early, accompanied by two other women who turned out to be strippers. Nagato, who on his way home had dropped in to check on Yahiko, found him passed out, half-naked, handcuffed to his bed, while the two women were in the process of stealing all his valuables. To teach his brother a lesson, Nagato simply let them.

Kushina, Konan and Pinako grew more and more agitated as the wedding grew nearer, burdened with the stress of planning the wedding. Thanks to the raucous atmosphere and the tension surrounding the three girls (as well as Kushina, who was always quick-tempered), led the three men to decide simply to avoid them until after the ceremony.

"There!" Konan finished, and as she stepped back to admire her handiwork, her heart filled with pride and accomplishment. Pinako stood before her, in a beautiful white dress which the artistic Konan had designed and painstakingly stitched herself. Kushina, who just walked into the room, was amazed.

"Wow, Pinako, you look great! Nagato sure is a lucky dude! Nice job, Konan!"

Konan's face flushed with pride, and she curtsied a thank-you.

Meanwhile Nagato walked home alone, his wedding suit slung over his shoulder, nervous about the upcoming wedding. Would Pinako really love someone like him for ever? Was he worth it? Would she be angry that he hadn't helped out with the wedding? What would happen to her if he were killed on a mission? The thoughts swirled around in the redhead's mind.

"Yo, Nagato!" Yahiko, laid-back as ever, despite being several thousand yen poorer, walked up to the groom-to-be, hands behind his head. "You seem down, man. What's up?"

He listened to Nagato's problems, solemn at first, before being overcome by chuckles. Nagato, who managed to ignore him long enough to finish, finally exploded "WHAT?"

"If those are all your problems, man, you got an easy life. Don't worry about it, willya? You're a catch, any girl in their right mind could see that. Not only are you all gentle and caring and romantic, you're also extremely powerful. You can protect your family. And hey, on missions, you aren't alone. I got your back, remember? That'll never change."

Nagato nodded, head still down. Yahiko frowned. "Aw, come on, stop moping! Tell you what; let's spar. That'll get your mind off of it."

Nagato's face flashed annoyance for a brief second: everything was always about training with Yahiko, before he sighed and accepted his friend was right. As it stood, a hard-fought bout would take his mind off things.

The night before the wedding. The three girls had been living together for about a week now, since they spent all day there anyway and were often too exhausted to go home, so they just crashed at Pinako's apartment. After another day's hard work, what would be the last, they knew, Kushina lay spread out on a mattress on the floor, sleeping soundly. Pinako, however, couldn't sleep. Thoughts of her big day swirled around in her head as they had in Nagato's, creating a feeling of anxiety in her stomach which made sleep impossible. She decided some fresh air might do her good, and stepped out on to the balcony, dressed in her white nightgown.

"Hey girl." Pinako looked around as Konan slid the balcony door shut behind her, silently as a cat. "Nervous about tomorrow?"

Pinako gave a small smile in reply. Konan put a comforting arm around her sister. "Don't you worry about a thing. All you have to do tomorrow, is show up, looking sexy as hell in your dress, and just wow the most amazing man that you have ever met. And trust me; I know Nagato. He will be wow-ed into next week."

"Are you sure about that?" Pinako said in a small voice. "Nagato has done so much for me over the years. He's been the most amazing and sweetest boyfriend a girl could ever ask for, he's always so protective of me, which I love because I often feel I need protecting, and he's always there for me, on missions, or when I'm having problems, or whatever. All I want to do is just see him happy; but I want to be the one to make him happy. I don't just want him to have a good life, I want to be the one who gives him a life he deserves. "

"Sounds like you just wrote your vows. Straight out of an old soap, I have to say" Konan laughed. Pinako looked embarrassed. "Aw, don't worry, I'm kidding. I can understand how you feel."

Pinako looked at her slyly. "Oh? Can you? Felt that way for somebody else, hmm?"

"Whaaaa?" Konan was surprised at how fast the conversation had rounded on her. She blushed. "That's not… you can't… I haven't…"

Pinako teasingly ruffled her hair, talking to her in the manner of a mother talking to her young daughter with her first crush. "My poor dear, Konan, can't even say his name out loud?"

Konan blushed furiously, pouting. "That's not important."

Pinako gave her a puppy-dog look. And NOBODY could resist Pinako's puppy-dog look. Those sweet, innocent eyes just made Konan wanna pick her up and rub her against her cheek and apologise profusely for ever hurting the poor darling.

"Please? You're my maid of honour.. You HAVE to tell me this stuff. You're my best friend! I've always admired you, and looked up to you like a big sister, and respected you.."

Konan rolled her eyes at Pinako's obvious sucking-up, but felt compelled nonetheless.

"Al..Alright. But you can't tell anyone, okay?"

"What're we, in highschool?" Pinako laughed. "Come on! We're chuunin! We risk our lives on a daily basis, yet you're scared of telling me, your comrade, who's known since childhood, who you like?"

Konan gave her a deadpan look which reminded her she was scared of getting married, effectively shutting her up. However, the colour in her cheeks continued to rise. She mumbled a name.

"What was that?"

Konan blushed even more furiously, turning away because she just couldn't look at Pinako. "Yahiko." She said softly.

Pinako had not expected her most admired brother to be the answer, but now that she had heard his name, wondered why she hadn't seen it coming. Not only were the two basically made for each other, Konan would still get nervous around Yahiko, and was absolutely terrified of being alone with him. Pinako found it incredible that Konan, who was incredibly sensible and mature and motherly, who often looked after and advised Pinako and Kushina like a fond older sister, could be so childish and girlish around Yahiko. Without a word, Pinako looked at her friend, who was pointedly looking away. She smiled, and hugged her close.

It was a beautiful ceremony. Nagato, whose pale skin stood out in his black tuxedo, looked dapper and solemn, while his new wife looked elegant and beautiful. The two exchanged vows, and kissed as they were declared husband and wife, causing a flutter of paper doves (courtesy of Konan) to fly around behind them, framing a wonderful picture that would last in everyone's memory. The party picked up at the reception, and the dancefloor was lively, the drinks were flowing, the food was devoured. Yahiko, especially, seemed to be having a little too much fun, and was basically the life of the the party, was already tipsy, calling out to random people, cracking jokes for the benefit of the people around him, occasionally grabbing the microphone and belting out lyrics to all kinds of songs. Kushina, whose skills with a harp were a talent she had hidden until now ("My mom forced me to learn, okay? Now shut up about it!" she blushed angrily as Yahiko teased her mercilessly), serenaded the two lovebirds as they danced for the first time together as man and wife. Minato, who had been appointed designated driver since Yahiko and Jiraiya were sure to be too out of it at the end of the night, chatted with Shikaku, discussing strategy, deciding when to hold their next shogi tournament. Tsunade sat with baby Sukina, watching the ceremony in fond nostalgia, before Yahiko came over, and grabbed his goddaughter, carrying her over to meet all his friends, before performing a solo waltz with the blonde baby in his arms, gurgling happily. Nagato and Pinako were having fun, almost hoping midnight did not come. Yahiko and Minato had arranged for some fireworks to blow off at midnight, when Nagato and Pinako would leave for their specially set up honeymoon suite, before setting off for a beautiful honeymoon at the serene and scenic Land of Rice Paddies.

Konan stood on the quiet balcony, staring up at the starry night sky. The crescent moon shone down on her, and she could not keep a straight face. What a romantic night. The two newly-weds could really never ask for a better setting. Behind her, inside, the party raged on, going strong.

She was surprised to hear the balcony door slide open behind her, and even more surprised to see Yahiko stumbling out. Her heart was instantly aflutter, but she calmed herself. "What's up, Yahiko?"

Yhiko said nothing, only stumbling over to the balcony where she stood. He was looking at her in an odd way.

"How much have you had to drink tonight?" Konan looked at him accusingly.

Yahiko chuckled. "A little. Not enough that I'm not in full control of what I'm doing and thinking."

She looked at him curiously. "And what are you thinking?"

He looked up at the sky, his words mirroring her earlier thoughts. "What a romantic night."

He looked at her again, standing with her hands behind her back, polite and quiet. "On a night like this, love blossoms. Not just between newly-weds, but between those who are too afraid on another night."

He was being uncharacteristically mysterious and philosophical. Konan merely waited for him to continue.

"Do you remember how we met?" he asked suddenly.

Konan was surprised at the question. Yes, she remembered crystal clear.

She was stumbling around in the rain, lost, afraid, and miserable at the fate of her parents. She found some shelter in an alleyway and curled up, knees to her chest, crying herself to sleep. She awoke to find a boy poking her forehead. She looked at him with her big eyes, and he grinned down at her, offering her a loaf of bread. Ravenous, she grabbed it and wolfed it down.

He taught her to steal things as he did, only enough to survive, never in excess. He protected her when she got in trouble. He gave her shelter, food, and most importantly, comfort. It was then when she fell in love with him.

Yahiko looked up at the moon, as Konan was lost in her memories. "I remember thinking you were the most beautiful creature in the world." Konan's head jerked up. What?

"Up until I met you, I was a wreck. I had lost my parents, I had no one. I had to steal to feed myself, and I'd often get hit by the shopkeepers. People rejected the homeless little orphan. I was lost and miserable. Then I saw you, and I knew you were just like me. And I knew you needed someone like me."

Konan couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her fingers absent-mindedly began playing with the silver locket she always wore around her neck, out of habit. Yahiko noticed, and reached down and took the locket in his hands. He clicked it open. There was a picture of the three of them, the orphans of the Hidden Rain, and their fatherly Sensei, Jiraiya. He smiled fondly as her remembered when they had taken it.

"For the longest time, I've waited to give you this." She looked at him as he spoke. Her heart was hammering against her ribcage, hard and fast. Her legs shook.

"Close your eyes."

She closed her eyes, but merely seconds later, they were jolted open.

Yahiko's lips were pressed against her forehead. For a moment she stood, her mind completely wiped clean, her hands clasping her locket, pressed against his body, as his hand held her chin and his other hand at her back, pressing her against him. Then, like a curtain falling, she pushed him away. "No! You can't do this… Not while you're drunk.. You can't.."

She backed away from him. He was shocked at her rebuke, but his eyes softened, his lips curved into a gentle, warm smile. He pursued her. She backed away faster, but he was relentless.

"For the past ten years, each time you and I have had the opportunity to do this, you've always pushed me away. You've lied to yourself, and to me. You've protected yourself, and guarded yourself. Don't you see? That's all useless. Because…"

She was against the wall now. In a flash he was on top of her, his hand at the back of her head, other hand holding her chin, as he pressed his forehead against her. He smiled.

"Because your heart belongs to me. And mine belongs to you. You can run, you can hide, but no matter what you do, I'll always grab you and drag you back. It doesn't matter to me what you do."

Her eyes grew wide. She felt trapped, but oh, this is what she had wanted, what she had desired for so long! She simply melted to his touch, his authoritative hands, his gentle yet subtly compelling and commanding voice. He knew, as she blushed in the most adorable manner, he knew she was his.

"I will always love you. Then, now, forever."

Midnight struck. Fireworks exploded. The procession herded the newly-weds out of the building to where the limousine stood waiting. Ecstatic, the two embraced and shared a deep, intimate kiss. On the balcony above them, two others stood. Their lips met. It was as if their bodies melted, their souls connected and fused as one. Two great love stories, only just beginning to bud.

And Konan's mind simply rung with his words: "Then. Now. Forever."

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Took me some time to put this chapter out there! A little mushy compared to the others, but I promised romance between Yahiko and Konan, and here it is! Expect the next chapter to be similarly romantic, so if it isn't your thing, I'd recommend you just skip it. It's my first time writing romance, so I don't know if I managed to capture the moments, but I hope you all enjoy reading. As always, please review.

On a side note, I've finally crossed 1,000 views on this story! As it stands, the stats read 1,055 views, with 15 reviews, 10 favourites and 13 followers! Maybe a modest following by this site's standards, but that is astounding for me. I'm so glad, thank you all. I'm also glad to see I'm getting more and more reads as each chapter is released. I can only hope this trend continues. Look forward to the next chapter! (credit to the WWE for ripping off their tagline :P also, I might as well add that I don't own Naruto or any works related. Apply this to all chapters, past and future.)