(SAKURA)

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

Naruto's eyes went wide with shock as he looked at me. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. When I told him I was marrying Neji, his surprise only grew. Ino echoed his disbelief, repeating what I said as if it were some kind of wild rumor. Yep, it was true—I was marrying Hyuuga Neji. The Jinchuriki had no clue how much he'd thank me for this in the future. Honestly, it was all for you, Naruto.

So here we were, getting ready for the wedding… except there weren't really any preparations happening. Neji completely skipped out on all the fancy Hyuuga traditions and opted for something simple instead—a straightforward cover-up to keep up appearances. And as for me? Well, it wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows.

I dragged 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. To say he wasn't impressed would be an understatement.

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 felt like winning a consolation prize in life. My dad had never treated me well since day one because of that. It stung every time I was reminded of it. He couldn't even hide his disappointment looking at the Hyuuga; it was downright embarrassing to see how my family treated me during such an important moment in my life.

Thankful as always, my mom had been my rock. She tried to soften the blow of family expectations but secretly hoped I'd marry an Uchiha, believing it would make my life easier somehow.

Then there was Neji. He must have sensed the storm brewing inside me because, judging by how he practically leaped to my defense at the dinner table, it was clear he wasn't about to let me drown in family expectations alone.

Without hesitation, he reached out, grabbing my wrist firmly. "Let's get out of here," his voice held a conviction that left no room for argument.

Just like that, we stepped outside into the winter chill that embraced us like an old friend. The contrast between the warmth of my parents' home and the icy air was jarring but refreshing all at once.

Neji wasn't just a contract partner; he was a real man and an amazing friend too. It wasn't only his protective instinct; it was friendship in its purest form that made me feel valued and cared for in ways I never saw coming.

(NEJI)

My uncle was practically losing it over the whole situation, ready to pop a blood vessel at any moment. But I'd made a name for myself by breaking the rules, so I knew he'd come around eventually; he just needed some time to wrap his head around it.

Last week's meeting with Haruno Sakura's family had turned into a drama I definitely hadn't signed up for. Being a shinobi or kunoichi without any special bloodline or real status can make life pretty tough, but sitting there with her made me realize everyone has their own battles. It was hard to watch her struggle for approval from parents who didn't seem to care much about their daughter. There was something about this pink-haired girl that drew me in. She worked 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 understand why she'd want this contract marriage with me; my life wasn't too different from her, and I had my own Hyuuga issues to deal with.

I felt pretty confident that this partnership could help us manage the chaos and pressure from our families together. I was the guy she needed as a buffer—someone who wouldn't get too involved. A fake husband to shield her from the craziness of family life. This arrangement offered us both protection: she would be spared parental judgment while I would steer clear of messy relationship entanglements. We'd have each other's backs since we were stuck in this deal; all she had to do was pretend to be head over heels for me for three years. Honestly, the thought of watching her try to pull that off promised more entertainment than it probably should have!

Winter had always been a season I associated with solitude and quiet reflection, so it felt fitting that my wedding to Haruno Sakura would take place against this crisp, white backdrop. The snowflakes floated gently from the sky, blanketing everything in shimmering tranquility, as if nature itself was celebrating our union—fake or not. I stood there in my formal attire, feeling slightly out of place among the decorations, and a little skeptical about this whole charade.

"Are you ready?" Haruno asked with that stubborn determination of hers shining through her eyes.

I nodded slowly. "As ready as one can be for a fake marriage."

As the ceremony began, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching us. Sure enough, I spotted Uchiha Sasuke lurking in the shadows, looking tense and deep in thought. Most people seemed oblivious to him, but I could totally sense he was there, silently sizing up the whole situation. Turning to Haruno and whispered, "He's here."

Just before we exchanged vows, I turned to Haruno one last time, my heart racing. "Are you really sure about this?" I asked, this wouldn't be a walk in the park. "If you still have feelings for him, why are we even doing this?" Women were complicated—I just didn't get them. But despite my doubts nagging at me like a persistent itch, we went ahead and exchanged our simple vows anyway.

The ceremony itself was pretty standard until a few mishaps lightened the mood. Our clumsy ring bearer, Naruto, dropped our rings right when we needed them most. The sound of metal clattering against the floor drew laughter from the crowd. And Yamanaka Ino's usual antics had everyone chuckling as she attempted to keep things in order with her exaggerated gestures and comedic flair. It definitely helped ease some of the tension that Uchiha had been carrying; I could see him relax just a little.

As we exchanged rings, I took a moment to slip Haruno a delicate 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'd probably need it for clan events later on, but more than that, it felt like a small piece of acceptance from my family to hers.

Finally, after we took our vows and officially became married, Uchiha quietly slipped away from the ceremony, leaving behind all his unresolved feelings in the aftermath of our union. Watching him leave stirred something inside me—a reminder that this wasn't just about contracts or clan's matter anymore; it was personal too.

And just like that, as snow continued to blanket the world outside in soft white silence, I found myself off the market for good as a married man.

(SAKURA)

I stood at the altar in a rented wedding dress, about to marry Hyuuga Neji. Contract. Marriage. With the stoic genius from my ninja academy days. Absurd, I know, but in this timeline, hesitation wasn't an option. Next to me was the man from yesterday, looking every bit like my future husband in that sharp two-piece suit. He exuded a cool maturity and restrained vibe that was both intimidating but also super charming. As he stepped a little closer, I suddenly noticed just how tall he was. Seriously, why hadn't I realized it before? I was practically straining my neck just to look him in the eye. Thankfully, those intense white eyes of his didn't feel as intimidating today.

Outside, snow flurries danced past the stained glass windows, coating everything in a soft winter glow. And then there was also the small detail from Neji that made me smile—Sasuke really had 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 was, watching this whole charade unfold.

My soon-to-be husband broke through my thoughts with his calm voice. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to kiss you now. How are your acting skills?" He smirked a little too confidently for my liking. What was up with this guy?

"Let's see how you perform under pressure then," I retorted as Neji pulled me closer. His hands found my waist—firm yet gentle. He tilted my head back just slightly. Then our lips met. My heart did this crazy flip-flop thing because wow—his action made this whole fake marriage feel way too real.

A rush of adrenaline surged through me like I'd been zapped by a bolt of giddiness and nerves all at once. It was just a peck—a fleeting touch—but it sent butterflies swirling in my stomach. Definitely not what I expected from my 'fake husband'. It felt like one of those childhood daydreams about finally getting married! Delicate and pure yet so intimate given that we'd only agreed to this two weeks ago. As we pulled apart, applause erupted from our friends and family who believed we were making vows for life. In that moment, everything felt absolutely perfect.

The officiant wrapped up the ceremony, announcing our marriage, and applause erupted all around us again. Our guests cheered, showering us with well-wishes like confetti. But honestly? I was kind of zoning out. My gaze drifted down to the ring on my finger—a shiny piece of jewelry that definitely wasn't part of my plan and certainly wasn't in my original timeline. It felt heavy with meaning. Here I was, tied to my mission and to a guy from the past. Exciting? For sure. Terrifying? Absolutely. But I was really looking forward to getting to know Hyuuga Neji better—the guy who'd given everything for Konoha before his tragic end in the war.

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

I snapped back to attention and found him watching me with those piercing white eyes. "Just processing how completely unreal this is! We're actually married!" A grin spread across my face.

Neji raised an eyebrow as if trying to decipher my thoughts but didn't press for more.

As winter's chill settled over the village, snowflakes began to drift down outside the small chapel where we had just tied the knot. The white blanket covering everything made this moment feel even more surreal—a perfect backdrop for a not-so-perfect situation.

After the ceremony, I decided it was time to capture this moment. Pulling out my phone, I took a photo of our hands with the rings shining bright and tossed it up on socialgram tagging my fake husband because why not? To my surprise, the Hyuuga actually reposted it on his quiet account! That was huge since he usually just scrolled through without ever engaging. Maybe he hoped this would finally put an end to all those random messages he got—offers for dates, blow jobs, or who-knows-what kind of companionship.

My heart raced at what this second chance could mean—for both of us. I knew I wanted to take every chance I could get while we both still had time together in this strange new reality. Three years to focus on my mission and take every chance I could get while we both still had time together in this strange new reality.

Next chapter... Hizashi's will and letter

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