The day dawned bright - as if it was the harbinger of great things to come. The much anticipated and talked about Uchiha-Uzumaki wedding had arrived. It was to be held that very evening, in the vast expanse of space right outside the Hokage tower. It was a poetic setting - the union of two of Konoha's greatest clans would take place amidst the scenic background of the Hokage mountain. The entire arena had been decorated fastidiously with the sponsorship of the Hyuugas. Hinata's artistic hands and Neji's elegance were clearly visible in the wreaths of flowers, layers of banners and mounds of gifts that spelled great festivity. Most of Konoha would be present; and other important guests as well. The Kazekage and his siblings had arrived two days prior and were housed at one of the branch houses in the Uchiha village. The Daimyo of the Fire Country and other nobles from the Royal Court had also decided to grace the wedding with their presence. Invitations had also been extended and excepted by the Kages of the other hidden villages. The Mizukage, Raikage, Hoshikage and Tschuikage were also present. All in all, an aura of excitement had enveloped the expanse of Konoha. The wedding was cause of great celebration - in fact the next day was proclaimed to be a public holiday for the Hidden Village.
The only black cloud in this brightness was the gossip surrounding the cancelled Uchiha-Haruno union. Why exactly had the younger Uchiha decided to call off his wedding? No one could quite figure it out. Rumors were running around, and people were decidedly curious. Still, one Uchiha wedding was better than none. Kimonos had been ordered, food had been catered and gifts had been brought. Most of Konoha was on a spending binge. After feeling extremely guilty at their treatment of the Fourth's legacy; the villagers and shinobi were going all out.
The Rookie 12 had taken it upon themselves to bring some method to this madness. Whenever a villager would whisper admiringly about Uzumaki-san, Neji or Shikamaru or Kiba or Chouji or Lee would remind them how badly they used to treat him before. Whenever girls would giggle at the hotness of Naruto-kun, Sakura or Ino or Ten Ten or Hinata would snidely remind them how much they used to hate him before this. The shame of the villagers had transcended into admiration and adulation when they realized for the first time - how much of a saint the blonde really was. It was a sad case of how fickle human emotions could get.
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6 PM THAT NIGHT:
Naruto's hands trembled as he adjusted his kimono. The blonde had chosen his wedding dress himself. It was a silky blue - almost the exact shade of his eyes. The accompanying obi was golden, like his hair. The kimono was stylishly short, ending two inches above Naruto's knees. He slipped into his expensive high heeled slippers. Sakura and Hinata were busy styling his hair while Tsunade was applying eyeliner. The three women had insisted on helping him get ready; and with all his persuasive powers, Naruto could not convince them otherwise.
It could be worse, Naruto thought. Getting ready alone and with no one to help him would have definitely been worse. Even Itachi was getting help; Hiashi-sama had politely insisted and Itachi had just as politely acquiesced. Neji, Hiashi and Shikamaru were helping his fiancé get dressed. And Naruto knew that if he was suffering; the Uchiha must be going through hell. Itachi was always an independent person; but he was too well-mannered to refuse. He wondered how his fiancé would look like and blushed at that thought.
"Thinking dirty thoughts, Naruto?" Tsunade asked with a wink.
"No...none of your business," Naruto replied, still red in the face.
Tsunade smiled at him fondly. "When I first saw you, you were nothing more than an annoying brat. Then, you reminded me of my brother, Nawaki. When you grew older and came back, you reminded me of my lover, Dan. Now, with your maturity and strength and power, there is honestly no one I can compare you with. If I had a son, I'd want him to be just like you." she paused. "How would you feel like gaining a ka-san, Naruto?"
Naruto couldn't believe it. Did Tsunade just say what he thought she said?
"Yes," she confirmed. "I recognize you and love you as my very own son. Will you accept me as your mother? Will you do me that great honor?"
Naruto's eyes filled up with tears as Sakura and Hinata stopped their styling. "Ka...san?" he whispered in trepidation, almost afraid to say it. "Yes, Oh my god yes. Thank you ka-san." he said smiling.
Tsunade had tears running down her face as well as she embraced her son. "Don't cry too much, you'll get our eyeliner wet," she cautioned.
Naruto smiled at three of his most precious people. He had come a long way with them. "I love you, all of you." he whispered.
Sakura smiled at him tremulously as Tsunade left the room on Hokage-business. "You know, Naruto," she stated. "Sometimes, I wish I had fallen in love with you and not Sasuke-kun."
"Sakura," comforted Naruto gently. "You can't help who you fall in love with. Take some time off to examine your feelings. Maybe Sasuke will come around when he sees his son."
"I wish" answered Sakura wistfully. "But till then, there's no one to help me with my pregnancy."
"Never say that," said Hinata firmly. 'We're all here, Sakura. If you want help, I can convince Gaara and come down from Suna. Naruto-kun is right here."
"Itachi and I will be glad to help," Naruto offered.
Sakura relaxed as she applied the finishing touches to Naruto's hair. She then applied lip gloss and darkened the eyeliner.
"Stand up Naruto-kun, let us examine you," Hinata requested.
Naruto stood up to be greeted by admiring and slightly lustful eyes.
" I think we did a good job, ne Hinata?" asked Sakura.
The dark-haired girl agreed. "You look really great Naruto-kun," she stated.
" In fact, you look prettier than all the girls I've seen," added Sakura with a giggle.
Naruto pouted, only causing them to giggle more.
When the twin devils left, Naruto finally had some free time to examine his thoughts. It would be time in an hour. In 90 minutes, he would be a married man. Married for the rest of his life - as both he and Itachi had too much pride to emancipate themselves from such a contract. Would he be able to do this? Would he be able to always stand by Itachi and support him? Always love him? Of course I can, thought Naruto firmly, the flicker of doubt vanishing. We're going to be happy. Both of us. We'll have a successful wedding. I promise myself that.
The blonde smirked with amusement when he recalled how much more tolerable his life had become. The entire village was now falling over itself to please him; he had become one of its most powerful members. Only Naruto knew how hard-won this respect was. He had fought tooth over nail for it, and worked hard every inch of the way. He was exultant that his efforts had finally paid off. Finally there is going to be some order in my life, the blonde mused. I'll have a family. Someone to take care of. He hugged himself in excitement and nervousness.
Naruto scarcely realized how the last hour of his single life had passed. Gaara, his best man - had arrived to see him before the wedding.
"You look good," the Kazekage complimented.
Naruto smiled genuinely. "Thanks for being here Gaara," he stated. "It means a lot to me."
"I would be a bastard like Sasuke if I didn't attend the wedding of my first friend" was the blunt answer. "Besides," the Kazekage's eyes twinkled mischievously, "You were my wife's first crush. I'm happy to see you married."
Naruto shook his head laughing softly. Kakashi and Jiraiya entered the door and let out simultaneous whistles.
"You can always remember I'm yours Naru-chan. If Itachi ever makes you sad, Kakashi will comfort you," leered the silver-haired jounin.
The blonde rolled his eyes, enjoying every moment of the friendly banter and brotherhood he had been denied for a long part of his life.
"Naruto," said Jiraiya seriously. "I'm delighted that you've chosen me to be your escort up the aisle. I never got to do that to your father, you know. Its time. Are you sure you want this? You can always back out if you're not sure, no one will think any less of you."
"I'm sure, Jiraiya-sensei." said Naruto with conviction.
Jiraiya nodded, satisfied. He offered him arm to the tiny blonde.
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"Kit," said a voice in his head he knew all too well. It was the voice that the rest of Konoha hated and he adored. It was his lifeline; the voice that had made sure he survived, the voice that had comforted him, trained him and advised him.
"Yes, Kyuubi-sama?"
"I'm happy kit," said Kyuubi. He sounded wistful and cheerful at the same time. "I'm happy for you. With all my demonic instincts, I can find nothing wrong with the Uchiha. He will be a good mate. He will take care of you."
"Thank you Kyuubi-sama. Thank you for everything." Naruto was choked with emotion. Outside, Kakashi glanced at him curiously and Gaara put an arm on his shoulder.
"No problem, kit. No problem. I'll always be here for you, if and when you need anything. Congratulations in advance. I'll talk to you after everything is over."
"Thanks again, Kyuubi-sama."
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Naruto continued walking, when he saw someone waiting for him just outside the entrance.
"Neji?" he asked with a smile.
The Hyuuga smiled affectionately at him, before making a valiant attempt to hug him. Naruto returned the hug, thrilled the normally stoic Hyuuga liked him enough to hug him.
"I'd tell you you look good, but I'm sure everyone's said that." Neji stated.
"Yes, they have."
"There's something you should know," Neji said, suddenly serious. "Sasuke is kind of drunk. He didn't help ojii-sama, Shikamaru and I to dress his brother; he went and got himself inebriated. Ojii-sama and Shikamaru are escorting your fiancé, Kiba and Chouji are monitoring the catered food, Lee, Ten Ten, Ino and Gai are playing the part of good hosts. Anko, Ibiki, Kurenai and Asuma are making sure nothing gets too unruly. Sai, Yamato and Iruka are on their way here right now. They were busy arranging the many gifts you received and welcoming the guests of honor, along with Tsunade, Hinata-sama and Sakura. SO you see Naruto, you should never feel the lack of a family anymore. Because, all of us are your family."
Naruto couldn't believe it. He was the luckiest person he knew to have all of his friends do so much for him. All of his suffering, every bit of loneliness; was worth it. Because the rewards that he was receiving now almost made up for it.
"And before you ask," Neji continued, "Uchiha-sama looks really good in his wedding kimono."
Naruto blushed. "I don't know how to thank you" he whispered.
"Who said you need to?" Neji answered. "You've already done so much for the Hyuuga clan. You gave me a sister and an uncle."
"Naruto" came a voice and he turned to see Yamato, Sai and Iruka.
"Hey, Naruto" Sai stated, greeting him with a kiss on the lips.
"Sai," Naruto squeaked. "You shouldn't do that!"
"You looked too good to resist." the ROOTS member responded coolly.
"Naruto," Iruka started. " It feels like just yesterday I treated you to ramen. You've grown so much."
"Not in size, no." Sai interjected.
Iruka threw him an annoyed glance. "I wish you best in everything Naruto. May you have all the luck and happiness you deserve in your married life."
Naruto smiled tenderly at his former sensei. "Arigato, Iruka. You were one of the first people to give me strength."
Iruka dabbled furiously at a few stray tears. Kakashi tried to comfort him by putting an arm around him. Yamato coughed politely. "Kakashi-san, take your hands off my boyfriend." he stated.
Everyone else looked shocked while Iruka blushed. "Nooo" wailed Kakashi in dismay. "Everyone's taken!"
"I'm not," Sai butted in.
The Copy-Nin looked at him with interest. "True," he replied, brightening up. While Jiraiya advised him to go for women, Neji rolled his eyes.
"We should go, Naruto. Everyone else you will meet probably after your wedding. They're busy officiating. The crowd's getting impatient. All the important guests have arrived and every villager and his wife is present there." Yamato stated.
Naruto nodded at the former ANBU. 'Its true," Sai started conversationally. "Everyone's dressed magnificently. There's almost as many people as the Kyuubi festival itself. There are even food and game stalls, can you believe it? And performances have also been scheduled with both of you as the guests of honor, of course. You have a mountain of gifts waiting for you,"
Naruto looked overwhelmed. "Don't worry too much," said the ever-silent Gaara. "Its all going to go well. We're all here to support you. "
"Thanks, guys." Naruto answered, his eyes showing how much he meant those words.
The blonde was truly excited as he made his way outside. His jaw dropped. Sai had been right. Konoha - every single man, woman and child belonging to it was outside, enjoying the cool evening and the setting sun. As his presence was noted, a huge cheer ran up as people started screaming and hooting. Naruto gulped, tightening his hold on Jiraiya. His moment had come. His moment of fame, of pride, of love, of acknowledgment and respect and he couldn't be happier.