CHAPTER 02
The wedding venue was a picture-perfect scene, straight out of a fairytale. The sun cast a golden glow over the outdoor setting, with cherry blossoms in full bloom, their soft petals scattered across the aisle. Elegant white chairs were lined up neatly, adorned with delicate pink ribbons, and a canopy draped in sheer fabric stood at the altar, surrounded by cascading flowers. The air was filled with the soft hum of music and the warm murmur of guests.
At the center of it all stood Naruto and Sakura, the bride and groom. Naruto, dressed in a perfectly tailored navy suit, looked unusually dashing, his hair tamed just enough to make him presentable yet still unmistakably Naruto. Beside him, Sakura was radiant in her wedding gown—a simple yet breathtaking dress that hugged her figure and flowed like a dream. Her emerald eyes sparkled with joy as she gazed at him, her usual fiery demeanor softened by the moment.
As Naruto and Sakura exchanged their heartfelt vows, the guests looked on with admiration. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, love, and a sprinkle of Naruto's usual awkward charm that somehow made the moment even more endearing.
Hinata, seated near the front, couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face as she listened. Her mind drifted to a memory from just days ago—her vows, spoken in an entirely different context.
The wedding rehearsal.
She remembered Sasuke's dry muttering as he stood across from her, reluctantly repeating the lines. She hadn't been able to stop herself from blushing then, and the memory still brought a faint warmth to her cheeks now.
Her gaze naturally drifted to Sasuke, who was standing at the front as the best man. His posture was as composed and regal as ever, dressed impeccably in a sharp black suit that seemed tailored to perfection. As Naruto finished his vow with a triumphant "Believe it!"—much to the laughter of the crowd—Sasuke turned slightly, his dark eyes scanning the audience.
And then their eyes met.
And then, everything else seemed to fade away. Her chest tightened as she held his gaze. His expression remained stoic, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of recognition, as if he, too, was remembering the rehearsal.
The corner of his lips twitched as though he was about to smirk. Her small smile widened involuntarily, the warmth in her chest spreading. It was strange, but somehow, in that fleeting glance, she felt like they shared a private moment amidst the crowd.
As the ceremony continued, Hinata found herself stealing a few more glances at him. He was attentive, his posture relaxed, yet his sharp gaze seemed to scan the crowd periodically, always returning to Naruto and Sakura with a semblance of fondness.
But just as she convinced herself that her earlier moment with Sasuke had been nothing, he turned again—his gaze finding hers once more. And this time, she swore his look lingered just a second longer than before.
"You may now kiss the bride," the officiant declared, and Hinata's attention snapped back to the center of the ceremony.
Naruto grinned widely, his trademark enthusiasm shining through. Without hesitation, he swept Sakura into his arms, dipping her so low that a collective gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd. Then, with dramatic flair, he kissed her deeply, earning a mix of cheers, laughter, and whistles from their friends and family.
Hinata smiled softly as she watched the couple, their love so unabashedly on display. Her gaze lingered on their joined hands, the way they laughed together in that moment. It was infectious, pulling a small, genuine smile from her despite herself. The ceremony and all its emotions had been beautiful, but this—a glimpse of Naruto and Sakura in their element—was truly something to behold.
From her spot in the crowd, she glanced toward Sasuke. As the best man, he stood just off to the side of the couple, his posture as calm and composed as ever. But when Naruto looked over at him and winked, Sasuke rolled his eyes so subtly only those paying close attention would notice. She suppressed a giggle at the interaction.
As the bride and groom began their walk back down the aisle, hand in hand, the crowd erupted in applause. Somewhere amid the chaos, Hinata caught Sasuke glancing her way again. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and something unspoken passed between them—a shared thought, a fleeting connection that made her heart skip.
Naruto threw his hands in the air and shouted, "Let's eat already!" earning another round of laughter from the guests as the ceremony transitioned into the celebratory feast.
The reception was alive with energy, a perfect blend of celebration and elegance. The bride and groom's faces were glowing with happiness despite the evident exhaustion from the day's whirlwind. Ever the charmer Naruto was enthusiastically shaking hands and accepting congratulations, while Sakura, though visibly tired, carried herself with grace and an undeniable joy.
In one quiet corner of the room stood Hinata, holding a small plate of desserts. She was content to observe from afar, her presence understated yet impossible to ignore. Her red dress, a deep, enchanting hue, caught the soft glow of the chandelier, making her look effortlessly breathtaking. Her hair, styled loosely, framed her face beautifully, and yet she remained a wallflower—not because she lacked admirers, but because of the silent sentinel standing a few feet behind her.
Neji Hyuuga stood as if carved from stone, his piercing gaze sweeping across the room, daring anyone to so much as glance at his cousin for longer than a moment. A few brave souls had tried to approach her for a dance, but each time, Neji's piercing glare from behind her had sent them fleeing before they could even utter a word. They retreated as quickly as they came, leaving Hinata in peace, though she hardly noticed the attention she was drawing.
The soft music changed tempo, transitioning into a romantic ballad. Naruto and Sakura had just concluded their first dance. Couples began filling the floor, swaying in time to the music, their laughter and chatter blending harmoniously with the melody.
Suddenly, Hinata noticed a pair of polished black shoes stopped in front of her, breaking her focus on her plate. She blinked and slowly looked up, her pale lavender eyes locking with a pair of mismatched ones. Sasuke Uchiha stood before her, his suit jacket discarded, leaving him in a fitted black long-sleeve shirt that highlighted his lean frame.
"Hyuuga," he said in a calm and steady voice. He extended a hand toward her. "Would you like to dance?"
Hinata froze, her mouth opening slightly in surprise.
Neji, who had been watching the scene unfold, narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. "Are you asking me, Uchiha?" he said sarcastically, his voice dripping with disdain.
Sasuke didn't even bother to glance at him. His focus remained entirely on Hinata, who was still staring at him in shock.
"Well?" Sasuke prompted, tilting his head slightly.
Finally, snapping out of her daze, Hinata let out a soft, breathless, "Of course." She placed her hand in his, her heart fluttering wildly.
Neji opened his mouth to object, but Sasuke calmly took the plate of desserts from Hinata's other hand and handed it to him. Without another word, Sasuke led her toward the dance floor, leaving a visibly fuming Neji behind.
Her heart raced as the soft music surrounded them. As he guided her into the first steps of the dance, she couldn't help but wonder how a moment that felt so surreal could also feel so perfect.
She dared a glance upward, meeting his mismatched gaze, and felt the world blur around them. Sasuke's face remained unreadable, yet his touch was surprisingly gentle on her waist.
"You don't need to be so nervous," he murmured, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "I'm not going to bite."
Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, and she dropped her gaze, her lips curving into a soft, shy smile. "I-I'm not nervous," she lied, though her shaky tone betrayed her.
Sasuke raised a brow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Liar."
Her breath caught at the teasing note in his voice, and she found herself laughing softly despite the butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach. "Maybe," she admitted, her voice barely audible over the music.
The two moved in near-perfect sync, as though the world had orchestrated this moment just for them. His movements were fluid and confident, guiding her with an ease that made her feel like she belonged right there in his arms. For someone so reserved and distant, he danced with an unexpected grace that left Hinata momentarily mesmerized.
Around them, the guests began to take notice. Conversations stilled, curious eyes turned their way, and whispers floated through the air like ripples in a pond.
In the bride and groom's table, Naruto leaned closer to Sakura, his mouth slightly agape as he took in the sight before him. "Since when did those two get so close?" he whispered, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Sakura, arms crossed and eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the scene, replied in a hushed tone, "Apparently, Hinata was my stand-in during the wedding rehearsal."
Naruto blinked, forming an exaggerated "O" shape with his mouth before nodding slowly. "Makes sense now," he muttered, still watching the odd pairing on the dance floor.
Back in the center of the room, Hinata became acutely aware of the eyes on them, her nerves threatening to surface again. "E-Everyone is staring," she whispered, her voice barely above the soft strains of the music.
"Let them stare," Sasuke replied coolly, his hand tightening slightly on hers as if to reassure her. "It's none of their business."
The simple statement sent a warmth flooding through her chest, and she felt her pulse quicken for an entirely different reason. She looked up again, her pale lavender eyes meeting his, and for a moment, she thought she saw something flicker in his gaze—something softer, deeper, and entirely unlike the stoic mask he usually wore.
"You've… become really good at this," Hinata said quietly, hoping to fill the silence with something other than the erratic beating of her heart.
He tilted his head slightly, the faintest hint of amusement in his expression. "Dancing?"
She nodded, the smallest of smiles playing on her lips.
Sasuke scoffed lightly, "With Ino barking orders during the rehearsal? It was impossible not to learn." He glanced at her, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "She was relentless."
She couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped her. The image of Ino sternly instructing them brought a genuine warmth to her expression. "She was pretty determined to make sure we got it right," she replied, her smile lingering.
His gaze softened as he watched her, his voice steady yet tinged with something gentler. "You're not so bad yourself, Hyuuga. Better than I thought you'd be."
The compliment was so casual and disarming that it caught her off guard. Her face heated, and she ducked her head to hide her growing smile. "T-Thank you."
The song began to slow, and his hand on her waist lingered, neither of them willing to let the moment end. The room, though filled with people, felt entirely theirs. And as the final notes of the music faded, Sasuke leaned in just enough that only she could hear.
"For the record," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear, "you look stunning tonight."
Her heart stopped, her breath hitching as his words sunk in. Before she could respond, Sasuke stepped back, his expression calm and unreadable. He held her gaze for a brief moment longer before turning and walking away, leaving Hinata standing in the center of the dance floor, her heart racing and her cheeks burning.
From the sidelines, Naruto nudged Sakura with his elbow, his grin widening. "Told you Sasuke wasn't as cool and aloof as he pretends to be."
Sakura smirked, her eyes following Sasuke's retreating figure. "He's definitely full of surprises." She stood up and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I'll be back."
She cornered Sasuke near the edge of the reception hall, her sharp green eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms. "Alright, Sasuke, what gives?" she asked, her tone demanding answers.
Sasuke shrugged, his expression unreadable as always. "Nothing."
Sakura wasn't buying it. Her brow arched, and she leaned in slightly, her voice taking on a steely edge. "Listen, Sasuke. Hinata is the nicest, most genuine person I know. If you hurt her—" She knocked her knuckles lightly against her palm for emphasis, her gaze unwavering. "—even Naruto won't be able to save you."
He gave her a flat look and replied with a simple, "Whatever." His tone was dismissive, but his gaze betrayed him as it flickered across the room. He wasn't paying attention to Sakura anymore—he was searching for someone.
She followed his line of sight and found Hinata being dragged from the dance floor by Ino. It was obvious Ino wanted to gossip. Her stern expression softened, and her lips quirked up in a knowing smirk.
At that moment, Naruto sauntered over, draping his arm lazily over Sakura's shoulder. "Hey, hey, hey," he said, grinning broadly. "Why are you hogging my bride, huh?"
But Sasuke didn't even glance at him, his eyes locked on the scene unfolding near the dance floor. Hinata was visibly flustered, her cheeks tinged a deep pink as she kept shaking her head and waving her hands in protest. Ino, on the other hand, stood firm with her hands on her hips, clearly determined to get whatever juicy gossip she was after.
Naruto raised an eyebrow, following his best friend's gaze. The moment he spotted Hinata, a wicked grin spread across his face. "Oh-ho," he murmured, glancing sideways at Sakura. "I see what's happening here."
Sakura rolled her eyes, though she couldn't suppress her own amused smile. They exchanged a quick glance that said more than words ever could.
Naruto cleared his throat dramatically, drawing out the sound to grab Sasuke's attention. "So, Sasuke," he began, his voice filled with exaggerated cheer, "How about we join our families? We could be in-laws in the future. How nice would that be?"
"Hn," Sasuke responded absently, his focus still at the corner of the room.
Encouraged, he leaned in closer, his grin growing wider. "Imagine it. Our kids growing up together—your future daughter marries my future son. That would be something, huh?"
Sasuke even didn't flinch. "Hn."
Naruto bit back a laugh. "I'm serious! Who knows? She could take after Hinata, be all gentle and graceful. And she'll—"
At the mention of Hinata's name, Sasuke's attention snapped to Naruto, his usually unreadable expression now slightly furrowed. "No daughter of mine will be Uzumaki," he said firmly, his voice carrying a rare hint of finality.
Naruto blinked, taken aback for a moment by the intensity of Sasuke's words. "What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you were all about the whole 'family thing.' You're telling me your daughter won't be Uzumaki?"
Sasuke's gaze remained cool, unyielding. "Your daughter. My son. That's it."
Naruto let out a loud, incredulous laugh. "Teme, you're really something else."
Sakura, who had been watching the back-and-forth with a mix of amusement and disbelief, couldn't hold back any longer. With a dramatic roll of her eyes, she crossed her arms. "You two are ridiculous," she muttered, not even bothering to hide her exasperation.
But despite her words, there was a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she glanced between the two men. It was a rare moment of Sasuke actually showing any emotion related to his future kids, and even more rare for Naruto to actually get under his skin with his incessant teasing.
Sasuke, without a word, turned his gaze back toward near the dance floor, his attention immediately drawn to Hinata again.
Naruto grinned triumphantly. "Yup. Totally hooked," he muttered to Sakura, who gave him a light shove.
"Leave him alone, Naruto," she said, though her amused smile lingered. "He's already got enough to figure out."
But the gleam in Sakura's eyes as she glanced back at Sasuke said she wasn't entirely done watching this unfold either.
A/N: So now I can definitely say I can imagine Sasuke dancing :)
I hope you enjoyed reading this should-have-been-a-one-shot-but-im-a-liar-like-hinata-so-here-we-are story. I have a short epilogue too! I'm out, bye!