Chapter 24: Wedding Bells
--Sasuke and Sakura's wedding--
Sakura walked down the aisle with Neji under the admiring gaze of the guests which included their friends. She smiled at Sasuke who waited for her at the altar with Itachi, while Ume waited for Sakura. She was dressed in a strapless gown with golden cherry blossom embroidery. The train was golden and her veil was white with golden cherry blossoms to match with the dress. Once reaching the altar Sakura faced Sasuke with a smile forming on her lips.
'Wow she looks gorgeous."Sasuke thought.
The minister proceeded with ceremony until it was time for the rings instead of doing it the traditional way they decided to give a twist. They had asked Haku if his adopted daughter could be the ring bearer to which he agreed happily. The girl didn't walk down the aisle she danced with a delicate grace mesmerizing the guests, hidden in the sleeves of her kimono she had the rings and upon reaching the couple she bowed with her hands in the sleeves. When she took them out in each hand there were beautiful golden rings with small diamonds. Sasuke took a ring and placed halfway through her finger. And since they had made their own vows they pronounced them for all to hear them.
"Sakura-chan I take you today as my wife, best friend, and soul mate I vow to be always faithful to you no matter what the circumstances are, I swear that I will never leave your side and I will always be with you when you need me and I will strive to make our love grow with each passing moment." Upon saying this Sasuke finished sliding the ring in her finger.
Sakura then took the other ring and placed it halfway through Sasuke's finger and proceeded to speak.
"Sasuke-kun today I take you as my beloved husband I vow to keep my love for you pure as it is today. I promise to be the shoulder you lean on when you are sad and to laugh in your happiness and that I will remain forever faithful and loyal in our marriage, I will not abandon you but I will always stay by your side." Sakura said holding back her tears as she slid the the ring to its proper place.
"I now declare you husband and wife, and now you may kiss the bride." The minister said.
Sasuke took a deep breath and lifted the veil uncovering Sakura's smiling face he planted a soft kiss on her lips and wrapped his arms around her as everybody cheered for the new couple. Haku's daughter stood up slowly and walked a few steps ahead letting flowers fall from the sleeves of her kimono as she started to dance again while Sasuke and Sakura looked at the eleven year old girl with a smile. Then they started to walk down the aisle hand in hand and the people had started to walk out side to wait for them in the steps of the temple. When the walked out the temple doors they were showered by flowers making them smile.
"Sakura." Sasuke whispered.
"What is it Sasuke?"
"I'm so glad I married you." He replied making her smile.
Itsuka smiled and hugged Sakura tightly.
"Welcome Uchiha Sakura." She said and left to Deidara's side who kissed her forehead lightly.
"Now we have another member of the family and soon there will be two more my dear." He whispered with a smile as he placed his hand over the five month pregnant belly his wife sported.
Itsuka smiled and him and walked to her car so they could go to the wedding reception in the Hyuuga mansion since they had a very spacious ballroom. Sasuke and Sakura went ahead in their limo. They all left to the reception. When they arrived Sasuke and Sakura were talking with Hiashi. Ume walked to her uncle's side and gave him a strong hug.
"I'm glad to see you Lady Inuzuka." Said Hiashi with a small smile.
"Oh uncle just call me Ume." She said with a fake pout.
The guests waited for the first dance eagerly and cheered when Sasuke and Sakura took center stage Sasuke placed his right hand on her lower back and held her right hand with his left as Sakura placed her left hand on his shoulder. They started to dance to the soft waltz music and were joined by Itachi and Shizune, and consequently Ume and Kiba. Itsuka just looked at the couples dancing and smiled brightly Deidara held her hand tightly when he saw the smile.
"Are you alright Itsu-chan?" He asked caressing her hand gently.
"Yes Deidei-chan I'm alright." She replied looking at him with a smile when Ume hit her glass.
The dancers went back to their seats and the young Lady Inuzuka hit her glass delicately. Everyone looked at her expectantly.
"I'd like to wish our newlyweds a great married life starting from this moment on and I am grateful that we have friends like you to count on and I for one I glad I met you my best friends." Ume said holding back her tears.
Everyone drank their wine after the toast proposed by Ume who now was being hugged by Sakura as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.
"I'm glad I met you too Ume." Sakura said with a smile.
Ume nodded and looked at Hinata devilishly.
"So Hinata-chan when are you and Naruto tying the knot?" She asked.
Hinata went red as a tomato making Ume giggle when Sakura stood up with her bouquet.
"Okay all single ladies come on." Announced Sakura.
Some girls stood up among them Hinata, Tenten and Temari who were blushing like crazy. Ume was recording the event about to unfold and she couldn't help but snicker.
"Are you ready?" Sakura shouted without facing them.
"Yes." they all replied in unison."
Sakura threw the bouquet which fell into Hinata's hands and blushed brightly while Sakura turned around. Then a seat was brought for Sakura and Sasuke was brought in front of her. It was now time for him to remove the garter. And everyone chanted for him to remove it from Sakura's leg with his mouth to which he gladly complied and went on his knees in front of a blushing Sakura.
"This is gonna get good." Shouted Haku, Naruto and Kankuro at the same time.
Sakura's cheeks went even more red when Sasuke peeked inside the dress asking everyone roar with laughter he got his head inside the dress and reached and reached for the garter that rested in Sakura's left thigh. He slowly took a hold of it and slid it out with ease while people whistled and cheered.
"Itsuka you should be proud of Sasuke." Said Itachi poking her shoulder.
"Yes I should." She replied when Deidara kissed her neck.
"Itsuka my pretty and gorgeous wife I love you." He purred softly as his hand rested on her stomach.
"I love you too my beloved artiste." She replied placing her hand above his.
Once the garter was removed it was the turn for the single men to catch it all the singles including Naruto went to the center of the room. Sasuke glanced around he saw Neji, Haku, Kankuro, Gaara people he knew from high school he turned around and threw the garter which Naruto caught triumphantly but he did not catch everyone's mischievous stares. Apparently everyone was planning something revolving Naruto and Hinata.
"Naruto now would you please place the garter in Hinata's leg." Sakura said with a smile.
"What do you mean Sakura?" Naruto said shocked.
"Well Hinata caught the bouquet and you caught the garter." Sasuke said.
Naruto sighed in defeat and went Hinata's seat with Ume recording his every step.
"Man Naruto you're lucky you'll be the first man to peek up my cousin's skirt." Ume said with laugh as she zoomed the camera to Hinata's blushing face.
Naruto stood in one knee and slid the garter up Hinata's leg as her face went redder. Ume snickered from time to time and gave a thumb up to Sasuke and Sakura who smiled in approval. The celebration went deep into the evening and Sasuke and Sakura went outside for a moment to take a small walk. They held hands tightly and said nothing, Sasuke only stopped and looked at Sakura's face and kissed her softly taking her by the waist pressing their bodies together. Sakura responded to the kiss as tears streamed down her cheeks. Slowly Sasuke separated from Sakura and dried her tears with his thumb.
"I love you Sakura, and I hope these tears are of happiness." He murmured as she smiled at him.
"I'm happy Sasuke being by your side I couldn't ask for more." She replied and placed a hand on his cheek.
Slowly he wrapped her arms around her and kissed her forehead.
"Sasuke I'll love you forever I swear." Sakura whispered with a smile.
"I swear so too my angel." He replied.
They held hands again and looked up to the sky above with a sense of wonder about all that had happened in the past years those experiences had made them grow into better people. For this they were grateful because they knew that this would be passed on to the next generation. They walked back inside the building their hands never separated as they looked forward to a new life together.