Chapter Summary: The Wedding.

(SAKURA)

I'm about to enter a marriage of convenience with Hyuuga Neji in less than a week. If you'd told me back when I was 16 that I'd end up marrying the stoic, overbearing and cynical guy, I would have thought you were out of your mind. Seriously, of all people, it's him! But I know what I'm getting into. After losing a dependable comrade like him for seven long years, I can't help but want to give this a try.

Naruto's eyes go wide with shock as he looks at me. He can't believe what he just heard. I tell him I'm marrying Neji, and the surprise only grows. Ino echoes, equally stunned by the news. She repeats what I said, almost in disbelief. Yep, it's true—I'm marrying Neji. Naruto has no clue how much he'd thank me for this in the future. Honestly, it's all for you, Naruto.

So here we are, getting ready for the wedding… except there aren't really any preparations happening. Neji completely skips out on all the fancy Hyuuga traditions and goes for some simple wedding instead. Just some simple cover-up to keep up appearances. And as for me? Well, it's not exactly sunshine and rainbows.

I brought Neji over to meet my parents, and let me tell you—it was super awkward. They sat across from us with skeptical looks that screamed disappointment. My dad always imagined me marrying an Uchiha, definitely not some guy from the branch house with a curse seal on his forehead—someone who wouldn't inherit the clan's powers. Needless to say, he wasn't impressed at all.

Let me fill you in on my family dynamic. I have two older sisters who inherited my dad's bloodline, while I got… well, let's just say it feels like winning a consolation prize in life. My dad has never treated me well since day one because of that. It stings every time I'm reminded of it. He couldn't even hide his disappointment looking at Neji, and it was downright embarrassing for him to see how my family treated me. Thankfully, my mom has always been there for me—she's my rock. She tried to soften the blow but secretly wanted me to marry an Uchiha too, thinking it would make my life easier.

Then there was Neji—he could totally tell how uncomfortable and out of place I felt in my own home. Instead of just sitting there awkwardly, he surprised me by being supportive and protective. Without a second thought, he stood up for me right there at the table, grabbed my wrist, and said something like, "Let's get out of here," urging me to leave all that negativity behind. Just like that, he led me away.

Once we stepped outside my parents' house together, everything clicked for me. Neji wasn't just a contract partner; he was a real man and an amazing friend too. He made me feel valued and cared for in a way I never saw coming.

(NEJI)

My uncle is totally losing it over this whole situation, practically ready to pop a blood vessel. But I've made a name for myself by breaking the rules, so I know he'll come around eventually; he just needs some time to wrap his head around it.

Last week, meeting Haruno Sakura's family turned into a whole drama that I definitely didn't sign up for. I've always believed that being a shinobi or kunoichi without any special bloodline or any real status can make life pretty tough. But sitting there with her made me realize that everyone has their own battles. It was hard to watch her struggle for approval from her parents who didn't seem to care much about their daughter.

There's something about this pink-haired girl that draws me in. She works so hard to prove her worth—not just for respect but also for validation and acceptance from those around her, including her parents. It made me see why she'd want this contract marriage with me. My life isn't too different from anyone else's; I've got my own Hyuuga problems to contend with.

I feel pretty confident that this partnership could help us manage the chaos and pressure from our families together. I'm the guy she needs as a buffer—someone who won't get too involved. A fake husband to shield her from the craziness of her family life. This arrangement gives us both some protection, her from parental judgment and I'll steer clear of messy relationship entanglements. We'll have each other's backs since we're stuck in this deal. All she has to do is pretend to be head over heels for me for three years. The thought of watching her try to pull that off is more entertaining than it probably should be!

As the ceremony begin, I can't shake this feeling that someone is watching us. Sure enough, I spot Uchiha Sasuke lurking in the shadows, looking tense and deep in thought. Most people seem oblivious to him, but I can totally sense he's there, silently sizing up the whole situation. I turn to Haruno and say, "He's here."

Just before we exchange vows, I ask Haruno one last time if she's really sure about this. If she still has feelings for him, why are we even doing this? Women are complicated—I just don't get them. But despite my doubts, we go ahead and exchange our simple vows anyway.

The ceremony itself is pretty standard until a few mishaps lighten the mood. Our clumsy ring bearer Naruto drops our rings right when we need them most, and Yamanaka Ino's usual antics have everyone laughing. It definitely helps ease some of that tension that Uchiha's been carrying.

As we exchange rings, I slip Haruno a hairpin that my mother had left behind for her future daughter-in-law—a little touch to help her fit into my world as my wife. She'll probably need it for clan events later on.

Finally, after we take our vows and officially became married, Uchiha quietly slips away, leaving behind all his unresolved feelings. Watching him leave stirs something inside me—a reminder that this isn't just about contracts or clans anymore; it's personal too. And just like that, I'm off the market for good as a married man.

(SAKURA)

I'm standing at the altar in a simple wedding dress, about to marry Hyuuga Neji. I can't believe this time-traveling adventure has taken me here. Next to me is the yesterday's man who looks every bit just like my future husband in that sharp two-piece suit. He's got this cool maturity and restraint vibe about him that's kind of intimidating but also super charming. Then he steps a little closer, and suddenly I notice just how tall he is. Like, why hadn't I realized this before? I'm practically straining my neck just to look him in the eye. Thankfully, those intense white eyes of his don't feel as intimidating today.

Then there's the little detail from him that makes me smile—Sasuke really did come to see me get married off. How typical of him! Back in my time, he never seemed to react to my feelings at all, yet here he is, watching.

My soon-to-be husband breaks the moment with this cool, calm voice. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to kiss you. How are your acting skills?" He smirks a little too confidently. What's up with this guy? Oh great—now we're playing a game under pressure.

"Let's see how you perform under pressure then," I retort, giggling as he pulls me closer and tilts me back just a bit. My heart does this crazy flip-flop thing because wow—his words make this whole fake marriage feel way too real.

When his lips finally touch mine, it's electric. I get this rush of adrenaline, like I've been zapped by a bolt of giddiness and nerves all at once. Neji's kiss is… honestly beautiful and smooth—way different from what I expected from my 'fake husband'. This feels like one of those daydreams I had as a kid about finally getting married!

As we pull apart, I can hear the applause from our guests and for just a moment… everything feels perfect.

The officiant wraps up the ceremony, announcing our marriage, applause erupts all around us again. Friends are cheering and throwing well-wishes at us like confetti. But honestly? I'm kind of zoning out. I glance down at the ring on my finger—this shiny piece of jewelry definitely wasn't part of my plan, and it certainly wasn't in my original timeline. It feels heavy with meaning. Here I am, tied to my mission and to a guy from the past. Exciting? For sure. Terrifying? Absolutely. But I'm really looking forward to getting to know Neji better—this selfless guy who gave everything for Konoha before his tragic end in the war.

Just then, his calm voice pulls me back to reality. "What are you thinking about so hard?"

I snap back to attention, realizing he's watching me with those piercing white eyes and a curious look. "Just processing how completely unreal this is! We're actually married!" I can't help but grin.

He raises an eyebrow as if he's trying to decipher my thoughts further but doesn't press for more. There's something comforting about his quiet confidence; it makes me feel like we can handle whatever comes our way.

After the ceremony, I decide it's time to capture this moment. I pull out my phone and take a photo of our hands with the rings shining bright, then toss it up on socialgram tagging my fake husband because why not? To my surprise, he actually reposts it on his quiet account! That's huge since he usually just scrolls through without ever engaging. Maybe he hopes this will finally put an end to all those random messages he gets—offers for dates, blow jobs or who-knows-what kind of companionship.

Three years—that's how long I've given myself here with Neji in this alternate universe. Three years to focus on my mission and hopefully find some peace while sharing life with him.

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