This day came too fast for Naruto’s liking. He felt nervous ever since he had gotten up in the morning. He couldn’t help but feel something was going to happen. When he had reached the kitchen he noticed only Temari was up. Smiling to her hoping she wouldn’t notice his discomfort, she had smiled back.

“So how did you sleep last night?” Trying to beat back the uncomfortable silence that seemed to hang in the air.

“Not too well, seems today came to fast.”

“I know what you mean,” both letting out an exhausted breath. Pouring a glass of orange juice for himself, he offered her a glass.

“That would be nice.”

Naruto began to cook some eggs and bacon. Nothing better to start your day out right. Keeping his back turned to her; she couldn’t help but wonder why he wasn’t as hyperactive as she remembered him being.

“Hey Naruto are you okay?” Trying to keep her voice from showing the small amount of concern she had for him, he was after Gaara’s friend.

“Yeah, why do you ask?” his face taking on a force smile.

“I don’t know you seem a different,” trying to show indifference.

“I guess things are changing faster than I would like, but you know that is part of life. Here is your breakfast I hope you enjoy it.”

Handing the plate of bacon and eggs to her, the rest of the meal had an air of anxiety and troubled minds.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After breakfast Iruka came by the house to escort Naruto to the shrine on Hokage Monument. The walk there was quiet and serious. “You know Naruto you can always back out now.”

Naruto scowled at his old teacher,

“Iruka-sensei, you know I never give up.”

“I know Naruto, but once you go through with this then there is no backing down this is a full time commitment.”

Naruto might not have been the smartest kid when he grew up, but through his travels with Jiraiya he had wizened up. He had taught himself through reading scrolls and books whenever he wasn’t training. He may not have always acted smart, but what fun would that be?

“I know and I am willing to go through with it.” Naruto flashed his foxy smile.

Naruto you have really grown up. I hope that you truly find the happiness that you deserve. “Naruto the only advice I can give you is be honest. The truth is a powerful thing. It can make a person’s day, and yet has the power to destroy them.”

Naruto nodded his understanding. “Thank you Iruka-sensei, you’re the best.” He hugged his former teacher. Iruka may have been a better father figure than he could have ever known.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto was standing there with the Shinto priest. Dressing the traditional black kimono, Naruto kept pulling at it. If there was one thing he never enjoyed doing it was dressing up. He wouldn’t mind killing an enemy on site, but dressing up was going too far. Looking to his left he saw Tsunade, Iruka, Jiraiya, and Sakura standing there looking at him. I can’t believe I am doing this… Well I guess it is too late to back out now.

The doors in the back of the shrine opened. Turning to see who had arrived. At first he was confused, but then things became clear. In came a young girl being escorted by a man of equal age, this was the procession of the maidens. As the procession continued, Naruto finally saw something that made him gasp and the other around him gasp. In came Kankuro, make-up free and bat hat gone, wearing a black kimono. Following him was Gaara and Temari. Temari was dressed in white kimono. Her face was painted lightly white and the ornamental headpiece was in hair sand colored hair. I’m marrying Temari! When she looked up and saw him staring at her, she gave him a small grin. So Naruto is going to be my husband, you have to be kidding me. All Naruto could do was stare back in awe, he felt slightly ridiculous haven’t not been able to figure this out before; albeit the signs were definably very well hidden.

When Temari was standing next to him they turned and faced the Shinto priest. Who bowed respectfully to them and proceeded to begin to chant. Kneeling down, the “close family” turned to face the two in the middle. Naruto and Temari kneeled and listened to the priest. When he had stopped his chanting, Naruto Picked up the small bowl of sake; taking a small sip of it, he handed it to Temari who also drew very little from the bowl. Naruto pulled from his kimono a small scroll. Every girl at some point knew what this was. It was daunting for Temari to see it and yet exhilarating for her.

The scroll that Naruto had pulled out contained the words of Commitment. Unfurling the scroll, Naruto cleared his throat. “My bride, I promise to cherish you, be there for you, and protect you until the end of my days. This I swear with my life.” He looked at Temari, she returned his smile. The priest bowed to the couple, thus ending the ceremony.

Everyone stood up. When Naruto looked at Gaara he could have sworn he saw a small smile on his face. Looking around at his “family” he couldn’t help but smile. It may have been uncomfortable to him, but he still felt a small amount of happiness.

BOOM! Naruto looked in the direction of the noise. Smoke was billowing into the small shrine from where the door had previously been. When the smoke cleared there stood three people dressed in black cloaks.

“Did we interrupt?” said one of the smaller in a girlish voice.

“I doubt that, I don’t think there is anything worth interrupting,” said the other small person.

Naruto’s anger flared, “Who are you and what do you want?”

“We are the Sato family team.” Answered the larger one, “Time to end this little arrangement.” With that he threw a kunai at Naruto, but before it even came close to hitting its mark; Naruto had already grabbed it.

“Nice try, but not good enough.” Smiling he noticed the small one hadn’t moved something wasn’t right. What happened next even Naruto couldn’t explain, but he found himself on the floor with Temari standing over him. Looking up at her he noticed her eyes had a hazed look to them. Looking around everyone looked slightly dazed. What the hell is going on?

“Isn’t love such a strong emotion, one never knows when something bad is going to happen.” Cackled the tall Sato.Now if I can force the bride to kill the groom I can get away scot- free.

“Temari what are you doing? Temari you need to snap out of it.” Glaring at the little band of ninja’s, “what have you done?”

“Nothing much, we are experts at killing. No one is better than us. You see Akira has an ability to take over a person’s body and mind without the donor knowing it. Little Yumi is a master of genjutsu so your little friends have no way of helping you. You are in a pickle dear boy, what will you do? Let your bride kill yourself and friends or will you kill your bride?”

Naruto growled, “I’ll tell you what I am going to do. I am going to kick your ass and your little children’s too!” Brandishing the kunai he leapt for the older Sato. But when he was about to thrust, Temari got in his way. Pulling back just in time, he felt Temari stab him in the chest with a kunai. Where did she get that kunai?Staggering back, Naruto looked at Temari. She isn’t herself; I have to kill those two, but which one is which. Naruto could see his vision begin to fail. Preparing to attack again.

“Boy it is pointless to try to get to us you will only kill your bride if you keep attacking or your bride will finish you off herself.” He laughed manically.

Lunging at one of the small children, “This is it.” Once again Temari got in between him and his target. Kicking off to the right Temari followed, but Naruto had planned this. The shadow clone he sent the clone continued right and while he adjusted and lunged left. Slashing at the robed figure, he felt the kunai hit a solid piece of wood. Transfer jutsu, damn! Looking around he noticed that the little group had disappeared.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Else where in the village. That was a close one I almost lost little Akira. That boy is too strong; I have to complete this mission. I must use the girl next time, but how?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto collapsed on the floor of the shrine. Coughing up blood and feeling like he was out of breathe. She must have ruptured a lung. Before he could see if everyone was okay he fainted from internal bleeding.

Temari woke up from the dream, or rather nightmare, looking at her husband on the floor in a pool of his own blood.

“Naruto!!!!” Sakura had noticed the boy on the floor. “What the hell happened?” Looking around.

“Tsunade-sama, Naruto’s injured.”

Tsunade rushed over to her surrogate son. She could barely feel a pulse. “He isn’t going to make it if we don’t do this quick.” Sakura nodded, both of them placed their hands over his injury. Focusing their chakra to the wound, a green light radiated from their hands. Come on Naruto you have had worse injuries than that, pull yourself together.

-------------------------------------------------------

1623 Words