Author Note:

Disclaimer | I own this story. The title and backline story is from The Wedding Date with Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney. And as stated earlier I do not own the World of Naruto.

Original Cast | Ryuu Kino | Akio Takahashi | Akira Tanaka | James Tanaka | Leigh Tanaka | Mebuki Haruno

Note It takes place in the "World of Naruto" but it is modernized.

Sixteenth Date | Enlightening Cadence

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Her left eye twitched as she heard the other woman huff behind her.

"Yes, behind the door." Mebuki followed the woman down the aisle and towards the doors to the chapel.

Sakura took a deep breath and tried to find her center. She knew where that little umph of strength had come from. It was her friends surrounding her. But as she started down the aisle, the thought of having to walk towards Itachi . . . she didn't like the thoughts. Could she do that? Pretend to be happy? Pretend.

Acid bubbled in her throat as her gait slowed. She really did not want to be that close to Itachi or Sasuke. And she had done everything she could to keep it that way. Though, it seemed Mebuki had other plans – she usually did though.

"Why are you slowing down?" Mebuki snapped. "We only have the chapel booked for a certain amount of time." A frowned, deep and twisted, marred her lips. "Today, within the next few minutes would be nice." Useless twit.

Sakura flinched and quickened her steps to the doors of the chapel where the bride would enter. She smiled softly at her step-father. This was not how this was supposed to go. But at least he was here with her.

"I'm sorry." He whispered. Rhyuu frowned deeply and let out a slow sigh. "I truly am sweetheart."

Sakura shrugged. "She was like this before she met you." Her head cocked to the side. "Though, she seems to have gotten worse." She wiggled her eyebrows as if suggesting something.

"Still," He chuckled. "She does not have the right to treat my daughter that way." Rhyuu tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. "And you will always be my daughter." He smiled sweetly and patter her hand. "I'm glad it's not Itachi." He kept his voice low as Mebuki spoke with the pastor and pianist. "He was never worthy of you."

She blinked. It was the same thing Gaara had told her. Her father felt the same way . . . He hadn't told her. Sakura sucked in a deep breath. And by the look in Rhyuu's eyes - he had thought she had already known. She swallowed hard before smiling at her father. I'm learning that daddy. "Thanks daddy."

"Oh," He smiled and winked. "I like Gaara." A wide smile took over his features. "I think he is worthy of you."

Sakura smiled softly. She giggled as she was pulled into a tight quick hug.

"You done good kid."

Her smile doubled in size. She beamed brightly like a child on Christmas morning. He approved. That was what he would say when he was beyond proud of her.

When she first learned to ride a bike by herself. When she took karate and made it to black belt in under 6 years. When she had made her first dinner by herself - for him and her. When she had graduated top of her class with honors and a scholarship. When she went to school for a Master's in Creative Writing. When she completed her Master's with honors. When he realized how smart she was for finishing college in such a short amount of time. When she won her first Pulitzer Award.

He approved. You done good kid.

Sakura's emerald eyes turned glassy. "Thanks daddy."

Both were brought from their little moment as Mebuki snapped at them. "Darling," He heaved a small sigh. "Mebuki, calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down Rhyuu!" Her hands plopped onto her hips as she snapped at the two. "This is something that needs to go right."

Sakura giggled softly. "Daddy, you know what she can be like." She shook her head. "Why do you egg it on?"

Rhyuu smiled softly. The wrinkles on his face intensified. "It makes you laugh." His smile widened. "I like it when my baby girl is happy."

Mebuki clapped once more. She held up her phone and began to record - Hinata would need the tips later. She hadn't focused at all when they were going over it at home.

The organ began to play in the background.

"Okay," He whispered as Rhyuu counted to 3 in a soft whisper-like voice before he and Sakura began to walk.

Sakura breathed in slowly and exhaled even slower. She was freaking. Sakura clutched her stepfather's arm in a semi-death grip. She stared at Itachi and a smirking Sasuke. No, she couldn't do this. Her steps faltered.

Rhyuu glanced questioningly as he stalled for a moment.

Mebuki frowned. "Not so slow!"

.

She had changed. She was confident. Confident in herself, in her words, in her meaning, in what she wanted, and in what she accepted in a male partner. Yes, she had definitely changed.

His dear little Cherry Blossom had changed. And changed for the better.

"Who gives this woman away to be married?" The pastor questioned. His dark eyes twinkled as he stared down at the fully grown Sakura.

Sakura smiled. She had always had a soft spot for Pastor Sato.

Rhyuu smiled and grasped Sakura's dainty left hand. "I do." He glanced at Sakura and winked. Yes, he had purposely left out 'her mother and'. Sakura bit her lower lip to keep from giggling. Her mother would only get angry.

Pastor Sato nodded and watched as Itachi moved and took Sakura's hand from Ryuu.

Itachi smiled.

Sakura frowned. What is that look? Her brows stayed furrowed as she watched him.

Itachi pulled her closer and intertwined her right hand with his left. He squeezed it gently.

Sakura quickly glanced back at Gaara.

Gaara frowned. He could see it. Her confidence was fading.

"Stop looking back at the crowd!" Her mother barked at her.

Pastor Sato opened the Bible in front of him and began to read. He looked up and smiled. "We are gathered here today to join two hearts together."

"We are skipping the vows. Hinata and Itachi have written their own vows." Mebuki smirked as she looked at Sakura.

Sakura rolled her eyes. There is no point in rubbing it in; I don't want to marry him.

Itachi smirked at Sakura's response.

Pastor Sato nodded. He flipped a couple of pages. "Do you Itachi Uchiha take. . ." He glanced at Mebuki.

Mebuki shrugged. A slow devious smirk slid across her features. "Just use her name."

"Take Sakura Haruno to be your lawful wedded Wife?"

Itachi stared at Sakura. His dark stormy blue eyes turned murky as he bore deep into her eyes. "I . . . I do."

Sakura's eyes widened. That didn't sound...like it was meant for Hinata. She gulped nervously.

"Do you Sakura Haruno take Itachi Uchiha to be your lawful wedded husband?'

Sakura scoffed lightly. More like awful . . . he never could keep it in his pants. Why would a ring stop him? Sakura licked her dry lips. "I don't." She smiled cheekily at Mebuki's huff. "Well," Sakura laughed nervously. "Hinata does."

Pastor Sato chuckled softly.

Sakura smiled and tried to pull her hands from Itachi's hands. "Is that all you need mother?"

Mebuki heaved a sigh. She closed the camera, "it will work." She glanced down at the watch on her wrist. "Thank you Pastor Sato."

He nodded curtly.

"We need to get back and make sure everything is ready for brunch." Mebuki smiled and walked forward. "Here Itachi, hand this to Hinata."

Itachi nodded and took the camera. His brows furrowed slightly. "Sure, but why?"

Mebuki smiled. "I have to stop by Mana's Bakery." She turned towards her pink-haired daughter. A sneer sat on her pink lips. "So, Sakura, how does it feel to see what should have been doing?"

Sakura heaved a sigh and gritted her teeth. "Mother!" She growled. "You know exactly why I am not marrying Itachi or Sasuke.!"

"Darling," Mebuki rolled her eyes. "You're in a chapel. Why do you continue to lie?"

Sakura gawked.

"Mrs. Haruno," Itachi exclaimed softly. "Sakura and I parted because of me. None of this was her fault." His dark stormy blue eyes glanced at a smirking Sasuke. "The reasons for our split are fully mine."

Mebuki rolled her eyes. "I can't believe you. You even have Itachi lying for you." She shook her head.

Sakura closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. She calmed immediately as two arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against a firm chest.

"Hmm," Mebuki scoffed and twisted on her heels.

Itachi's orbs lingered on the pink-haired girl next to him. His brows furrowed. What is this feeling? Something is wrong...

"Come Blossom." Gaara frowned and pulled Sakura closer as he locked eyes with Itachi.

Itachi watched as Gaara pulled a very compliant Sakura out of the chapel.

Sasuke wrapped an arm around Itachi's shoulder. "She's not your little flower anymore is she?"

Itachi frowned. "Shut up. This is your fault."

Sasuke smirked. "How so?" His head cocked to the side. "I didn't sleep with her sister and have a pregnancy scare."

. . .

Hinata shook as she stood over the lake in Konoha Park. She swallowed hard and did her best to stay calm. She knew she was late. She could hear the buzzing of her cell phone. But she couldn't make herself answer. She couldn't bring herself to move. Even Sakura had texted her.

She wasn't ready. Wasn't ready to live this life her mother had planned out for her. A life her mother told her she was going to have. Hinata couldn't bring herself to enjoy whatever happiness her mother thought she should feel. Itachi was supposed to be with Sakura. At least . . . that was how she had always seen it. But then, Hinata had been stupid, so stupid.

Hinata didn't remember anything from that night. She just remembered the horror of waking up in Itachi's arms. Her arms wrapped around her stomach. The nausea that swam through her as she realized she was pregnant. The guilt that ate at her as she looked at the betrayal on her sister's face. The pain of losing a baby. Hinata hugged herself tighter. It had been a regular doctor's visit. They were just checking over everything . . .

The baby hadn't been okay. But no one knew. Not even her mother. She'd lost her baby before she even had a chance . . . Emotional stress, she'd been too hyper emotional and her stress levels were too high. It hadn't been good for the baby, even at that early of a stage.

But, by then everything had changed. And everyone knew about the wedding. It was too late to turn back - according to her mother. That wouldn't go over well with anyone. They would treat her differently.

Hinata had wanted to outright snort at that statement. Most people treated her differently. Especially when they found out that she was marrying Itachi. The glares she had received were all on Sakura's behalf. But she'd kept quiet. Cause truly - she deserved to feel like an outcast.

How could she have done that to her own sister? A sister she had always tried to take care of. A sister she had tried to protect from their own mother. And in the end, she had done something worse than their mother could ever do.

She chewed on her lower lip as she stared down at the running water. She'd have to return home soon. They were expecting to do the wedding party dinner. At least a couple of Sakura's friends would be there. She fussed and whined with her mother to allow at least two of her friends to attend. It was only fair that Sakura be surrounded by true friends at this type of event.

Sakura was going to be surrounded by people she wasn't exactly fond of. Herself, Itachi, Sasuke, Shisui, Naka, Sarada, Rin, and Hanabi. Sakura did not like a single person in her wedding party. Not that Hinata liked them either. Her mother had chosen most of the wedding party. And Hinata had let her - she didn't have many friends. And the ones she had had when she was younger . . . Well they were more of Sakura's friends too. And they had sided with her after what Hinata had done. Not that she blamed them. She never blamed them.

Was it too late for her to back out? Could she really do that? She wanted to. Hinata wanted out. She wanted away from Itachi and her mother.

Hinata let out another breath and stood straight from the railing. It was time to return to the life her mother was planning for her. Whether she liked it or not. Hinata let out a little breath and pushed the button to unlock the car. Keys Rhyuu had handed her without a question, a wink, and a quick shooing motion.

Her spine steeled as she stood in front of the car door. She had helped make this bed. And her punishment for how she had treated her sister . . . was to lay in the bed she had made. Hinata stared at the reflection offered by the car window. She didn't like it. Hinata didn't like looking at the reflection her mother had created for her.

Buzz. Buzz.

Hinata swallowed hard and reached for the handle. It was time to return to the reality that her mother had created for her.