[Fanfiction:Naruto] The Conspiracy, excerpt from Volume Three
Title: The Conspiracy
Series:Naruto
Pairings: Naruhina, Sasusaku and hints of Shikamaru the pimp.
Warnings: It's AU. Raw and unedited. Created by a person who just drank three cups of ice cold coffee for the warm night.
"Here comes the bride, all dressed in white!"
Hinata emerged from the entrance of colonnade columns coiled with bougainvillea vines as Lohengrine's bridal march played on the organ. Her husband proudly sang made-up lyrics of the famous hymn, exuberantly galloping over the red, freshly rolled-out carpets. Naruto then took his wife's waist, rose her up in the air and brought her towards the altar in glee. This unorthodox taking of the bride from her father scandalized poor Hiashi, nearly bursting a weak artery in his cranium. Fortunately, the crisis was averted when the ceremony finally started.
After the wedding of the lifetime, (where Naruto had replied to the benevolent minister's binding question of "...take Lady Hyuuga as your beloved wife?" with a, "HELL, of course I do, Father!") the dinner was held at a large convention room, illuminated with old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs. These light sources were mounted on antique lanterns at every corner of the area.
Five foot-tall windows were concealed by pale chartreuse curtains, their straw-colored tassels at the sides. Thirty average-sized, round tables, containing about six people each, littered the venue. Elliptical glass centerpieces filled with gold-banded flowers were placed on the middle of tables, their pleasant aroma intoxicating as the scented votive candles gently mingled with the languid scent.
The Hyuuga Clan had generously offered to pay for the half of the wedding expenses when Naruto decided to use his hidden stash of cash in order to prove to his indifferent rival that he could totally beat the magnificent grandeur of the Uchiha wedding three years ago.
Yet Naruto failed to defeat the impression their wedding had, for the Uzumaki-Hyuuga union was short of the expensive giveaways, the savory gourmet, the ethereal elegance of the places and that memorable fairy-tale fantasy situation, a noble man and a commoner to be wed, that had swooned not only the nation, but the whole world as well.
However, even if it didn't have great numbers of foreign guests, vast media coverage and an ostentatious glamor, the small gathering had the most important thing that her ritzy wedding lacked.
It felt like a family.
Naruto, stupid as he may be, was right. It was truly a wedding of a lifetime.
"Lady Uzumaki, can you stand over the platform? Girls, yes, stand behind her.“
After the high pitched giggles, deafening squeals and a few stiletto stomping reduced a bit, the countdown began.
"One."
Bated breaths were drawn.
"Two."
They were ready to leap and fight.
"Three!"
Exuberant ladies, clad in skirts and swirls of canary-yellows and shaded aubergine, prepared themselves to catch (or for others, evade) the hand-tied bouquet.
Ino, Miss Temari and a couple of long-haired females were fighting over that particular spot where the assorted bundle of flowers would land on. She would've laughed hard, but it would be breaching etiquette if she cracked in loud cackles. Instead, she tried not to snicker while finishing her glutinous, savory soup. (The main dish was not safe to be digested with her current physical condition.)
But then, the bouquet of oriental lilies and freesias was not caught by a despairing woman, but an indolent, sleepy Nara Shikamaru.
And Sakura squeaked out a giggle.
Scratching his broom-like dark chestnut hair, he groaned. "Troublesome."
"Good aim there, Lady Uzumaki!" Ino hollered to the flabbergasted bride. "Now we have to catch that clumsy toss from the idi--"
"Oh no, you don't! That garter belongs to me."
"It's mine! She borrowed it from me!"
"The garter?" Neji inquired Tenten, who was holding the blue fringe with a smirk as she gave it to a Naruto who was roaring out in hilarity.
"We give the garter to the rabid girls, then." Tenten grinned in reply, quite entertained with this unexpected occurrence.
The ever enthusiastic Press Secretary Maito Gai that was roving all around the place. Lee, Gai's overenthusiastic cameraman was flashing pictures and directing the video sets in every corner, capturing every detail of the celebration. With the unquenchable fire to produce a well-documented record of the nuptial event, there was no censorship to the furious (embarrassing) cat fight that had almost ensued on the floor.
"Time for the cake!" called by the surprisingly perceptive Naruto, knowing that distraction was in order.
Naruto grabbed Hinata's hand and the silver cutter as they proceeded towards the towering, three-layered wedding cake. Bread layers, frosted with clotted sweet cream and glazed honey, were topped haphazardly with realistic candy orchids, colorful sliced kiwis and large berries.
The cake was sliced, both of them exchanged a morsel of the cake and the earlier commotion was reduced to collective sighs from the guests.
Glasses were then tapped with every silver cutlery, with bell-like sounds filling the premises.
This prompted the giddy, newly-wed groom to promptly give a kiss on Uzumaki Hinata's flushed cheeks.
"One more ki--?" Naruto wiggled his flaxen eyebrows in mischief to the cheering audience.
A murky, mutinous, foreboding cloud hovered on the nearby table occupied by white-eyed relatives, which dampened the attempt to kiss the bride again.
As if on cue, the relaxing melodies of from the jazz band begun to play their pieces. They mellowed the company those who were at the point of finishing their courses. This prompted the servants to start distributing the needed drinks for the toast.
"Milady?"
Sakura, slanting her head to that elegant angle, turned to the gloved hand that offered her half-filled wine glass.
Knowing that it is rude for the highest ranking lady or man to refuse a drink in such premises, she couldn't decline the offer.
She was about to take the Bordeaux glass when a hand suddenly took the beverage from her grasp.
"Milord!" Sakura glanced at Sasuke, who had already turned to the startled servant.
"Water."
"Ye-yes, Mi-Milord." The poor servant stuttered as he was subjected to the infamous Uchiha's impatient temper.
The guy nearly tripped on his feet as he strode away hurriedly.
"Sasuke," The only temper to stubbornly match the Overlord flared. "That was rude."
He paused on raising the drink to his lips for a taste.
"You shouldn't order them around like that." She fully faced him, with a warning frown.
"Keh."
"There you go aga--" Sakura nearly spluttered out in astonishment. "Wait, that's a new word!"
Her husband merely ignored her as he settled the glass on the table, grimaced and looked at a different direction.
"...annoying." Her ears prickled at the faint murmured word.
"What--?" Obviously nettled, Sakura was about to irritate him further when the scrumptious plate of fruits, berries and cheesecake was laid in front of her. They were showered with a delicate layer of finely-powdered sugar, and then a sea of viscous clout of cream and white cheese layers outlined the graham crackers.
"Finally!"
The four other people, who were expecting her to unleash fury earlier to her surly husband, were slightly scared at the sudden shift of mood.
"I was waiting for the dessert." Sakura grinned impishly as she took the glinting silver fork and pierced the square-cut melon piece. Chewing ir with much gusto, Sakura was happily oblivious to the disbelieving stares.
"Her mood swings--" The eldest (looking) person in their group, the genius lecher Jiraiya, turned to Tsunade, who shushed him with a look.
The Uchiha Matriarch seemed to be enlightened with something as she tried to adjust at what was unfolding while the Uchiha Clan Head seemed to critically gaze at the two, a trace of empathy for the young lord.
Unfortunately, the two of them were not paying any heed to their spectators as they squabbled.
Sasuke, obviously displeased with how Sakura ate her cake too quickly, reprimanded softly.
"Slowly."
Sakura really didn't care if he was so cranky tonight, though.
"I am eating slowly, Milord!"
He handed the glass of iced water to her.
"Don't talk."
She snatched the drink and sipped at its rim delicately.
"Then just let me eat!"
A muffled squeak of mirth made them both look at the source with incredulity.
"The two of you are really adorable."
Mikoto was covering her mouth as she tried to suppress her laughter.
Fugaku, though he appeared stern and exasperated, was quelling the urge to smile, but his twitching mouth betrayed him.
It was not everyday that you see your unshakable son candidly talk in a mundane diatribe, no matter how short his answers were.
The cake slices were distributed, but only the Lady of Nippon-koku enjoyed her piece. Sasuke pushed his dessert aside, his dislike for sweets being apparent while Lady Tsunade was more inclined to intoxicate herself with some rice wine than to eat sweets. As both of the Uchiha elders were now required to mingle with the other invited guests and the council member Jiraiya chose to chase some females instead, three more cheesecakes were left untouched.
"Well, since nobody would eat their share of the cake, it's better if we give it to the most unfortunate ones." Tsunade sighed, raising a hand to call for another servant.
"And those unfortunate ones would be?" Sakura managed to ask after her fifth swallow.
"These are for my slaves at the hospital."
"Oh." With a twirl of her silverware, Sakura had separated that delectable piece of cherry that she'll pop on her mouth. "You still work this late?"
"I need to check upon those bungling interns." Another nervous attendee approached their table tentatively. "They’re expecting me to skip on the rounds, so they’re probably slacking off right now.”
"Um, Grandma," Sakura puckered her lips. "I'll eat Sasuke's share too."
"Of course."
Sakura finally ate the last succulent berry from her own dish, the fork still raised.
"Sakura."
She ignored that warning tone.
Sasuke glowered as Sakura's hand was inching towards his plate.
"Don't eat too much."
"She's supposed to gain weight, Milord." Tsunade managed to suppress her smile, the full plates were now being placed upon the push cart to be taken, sealed in fancy Tupperware and delivered as a treat to her workers.
"See?" Sakura said, as she then childishly stuck out her tongue. "Doctor's orders."
"Cravings." Tsunade apologetically explained to the husband, then turned to the wife with a grin. "But Milady, you know he's right."
"Yes, not too many sweets, I know." She popped another fleshy, syrupy peach piece on her mouth.
"Take it." Lord Uchiha then plopped the plate of cake to the hands of the bewildered servant who was just about to leave with his cart.
"You!" The vindictive from Sakura's tone bristled the table's occupants. "Fine!"
Then she swerved her strawberry-shaded head towards the retreating waiter.
"Bring me some ice cream." Then she felt the almost dark aura floating staring at her. "Make it a mango sherbet!"
"Ye-yes, Milady."
Sasuke was about to cancel the request when Sakura opened her mouth first.
"I know, I know, but Sasuke, if you can't--"
Their arguments were again interrupted when the master of ceremonies on the podium candidly gesticulated to their table.
"May I ask the groom's best man to stand up and give his regards to the couple?"
Naruto, who was currently siphoning the last of his main meal (Super-Duper Bowl of Special Seafood Miso Ramen!), suddenly beamed up.
"No." came that deadly response from the imposing Uchiha.
But it was already too late because that prompted the official media personality to excitedly shove the poor man aside, with a cry of “Dynamic entry!” and a roundhouse kick. The microphone flew out of the grasp of the pitiful emcee, but was expertly caught by the glimmering man on his thirties.
Then Maito Gai took a deep, noisy breath and proclaimed, with confetti, gold glitter and fireworks bursting into life.
"The champion of virtue, the brilliant jewel of youth, from whom the blessing of love had preserved!"
The stage wobbled with his exuberant, overreacting hand waving and fist thrusting on the air.
"Proceed to speak, greatest and wise ruler of our country!"
Lee genuflected in front of the table, where Tsunade's seat was mysteriously empty, as he added in the adulation. "Impart the lessons you garnered from your successful marriage with the ever blossoming Lady Uchiha, our fabulous Overlord!"
He then zoomed his faithful camcorder onto Sasuke's deadly, deadly homicidal expression.
Every type of recording device then followed his example, as they moved at the exact same time to flash, snap and whirl their cameras to the vexed honorable guest.
"Well, our dashing Leader?" Gai, pleased with the litany of praises, gave a manly thumbs-up. "Didn't that introduction perfectly describe your unsurpassed spring of greatness?"
Sakura winced as heartburn scalded her chest insides, as those thin lines on his forehead deepened.
"I'm sure that would've greatly inflated his ego." A lopsided grin from a certain (you're dead!) young, blonde man widened in sheer anticipation as Tenten and Neji dragged the two enthusiastic fools out of their recent high. "Make it good, you bastard!"
Then Uchiha Sasuke stood up.
And the laughing crowd was brought into an abrupt silence.
first draft 130am - 600 am.
Corrections and criticisms are be welcome.
Series:Naruto
Pairings: Naruhina, Sasusaku and hints of Shikamaru the pimp.
Warnings: It's AU. Raw and unedited. Created by a person who just drank three cups of ice cold coffee for the warm night.
"Here comes the bride, all dressed in white!"
Hinata emerged from the entrance of colonnade columns coiled with bougainvillea vines as Lohengrine's bridal march played on the organ. Her husband proudly sang made-up lyrics of the famous hymn, exuberantly galloping over the red, freshly rolled-out carpets. Naruto then took his wife's waist, rose her up in the air and brought her towards the altar in glee. This unorthodox taking of the bride from her father scandalized poor Hiashi, nearly bursting a weak artery in his cranium. Fortunately, the crisis was averted when the ceremony finally started.
After the wedding of the lifetime, (where Naruto had replied to the benevolent minister's binding question of "...take Lady Hyuuga as your beloved wife?" with a, "HELL, of course I do, Father!") the dinner was held at a large convention room, illuminated with old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs. These light sources were mounted on antique lanterns at every corner of the area.
Five foot-tall windows were concealed by pale chartreuse curtains, their straw-colored tassels at the sides. Thirty average-sized, round tables, containing about six people each, littered the venue. Elliptical glass centerpieces filled with gold-banded flowers were placed on the middle of tables, their pleasant aroma intoxicating as the scented votive candles gently mingled with the languid scent.
The Hyuuga Clan had generously offered to pay for the half of the wedding expenses when Naruto decided to use his hidden stash of cash in order to prove to his indifferent rival that he could totally beat the magnificent grandeur of the Uchiha wedding three years ago.
Yet Naruto failed to defeat the impression their wedding had, for the Uzumaki-Hyuuga union was short of the expensive giveaways, the savory gourmet, the ethereal elegance of the places and that memorable fairy-tale fantasy situation, a noble man and a commoner to be wed, that had swooned not only the nation, but the whole world as well.
However, even if it didn't have great numbers of foreign guests, vast media coverage and an ostentatious glamor, the small gathering had the most important thing that her ritzy wedding lacked.
It felt like a family.
Naruto, stupid as he may be, was right. It was truly a wedding of a lifetime.
"Lady Uzumaki, can you stand over the platform? Girls, yes, stand behind her.“
After the high pitched giggles, deafening squeals and a few stiletto stomping reduced a bit, the countdown began.
"One."
Bated breaths were drawn.
"Two."
They were ready to leap and fight.
"Three!"
Exuberant ladies, clad in skirts and swirls of canary-yellows and shaded aubergine, prepared themselves to catch (or for others, evade) the hand-tied bouquet.
Ino, Miss Temari and a couple of long-haired females were fighting over that particular spot where the assorted bundle of flowers would land on. She would've laughed hard, but it would be breaching etiquette if she cracked in loud cackles. Instead, she tried not to snicker while finishing her glutinous, savory soup. (The main dish was not safe to be digested with her current physical condition.)
But then, the bouquet of oriental lilies and freesias was not caught by a despairing woman, but an indolent, sleepy Nara Shikamaru.
And Sakura squeaked out a giggle.
Scratching his broom-like dark chestnut hair, he groaned. "Troublesome."
"Good aim there, Lady Uzumaki!" Ino hollered to the flabbergasted bride. "Now we have to catch that clumsy toss from the idi--"
"Oh no, you don't! That garter belongs to me."
"It's mine! She borrowed it from me!"
"The garter?" Neji inquired Tenten, who was holding the blue fringe with a smirk as she gave it to a Naruto who was roaring out in hilarity.
"We give the garter to the rabid girls, then." Tenten grinned in reply, quite entertained with this unexpected occurrence.
The ever enthusiastic Press Secretary Maito Gai that was roving all around the place. Lee, Gai's overenthusiastic cameraman was flashing pictures and directing the video sets in every corner, capturing every detail of the celebration. With the unquenchable fire to produce a well-documented record of the nuptial event, there was no censorship to the furious (embarrassing) cat fight that had almost ensued on the floor.
"Time for the cake!" called by the surprisingly perceptive Naruto, knowing that distraction was in order.
Naruto grabbed Hinata's hand and the silver cutter as they proceeded towards the towering, three-layered wedding cake. Bread layers, frosted with clotted sweet cream and glazed honey, were topped haphazardly with realistic candy orchids, colorful sliced kiwis and large berries.
The cake was sliced, both of them exchanged a morsel of the cake and the earlier commotion was reduced to collective sighs from the guests.
Glasses were then tapped with every silver cutlery, with bell-like sounds filling the premises.
This prompted the giddy, newly-wed groom to promptly give a kiss on Uzumaki Hinata's flushed cheeks.
"One more ki--?" Naruto wiggled his flaxen eyebrows in mischief to the cheering audience.
A murky, mutinous, foreboding cloud hovered on the nearby table occupied by white-eyed relatives, which dampened the attempt to kiss the bride again.
As if on cue, the relaxing melodies of from the jazz band begun to play their pieces. They mellowed the company those who were at the point of finishing their courses. This prompted the servants to start distributing the needed drinks for the toast.
"Milady?"
Sakura, slanting her head to that elegant angle, turned to the gloved hand that offered her half-filled wine glass.
Knowing that it is rude for the highest ranking lady or man to refuse a drink in such premises, she couldn't decline the offer.
She was about to take the Bordeaux glass when a hand suddenly took the beverage from her grasp.
"Milord!" Sakura glanced at Sasuke, who had already turned to the startled servant.
"Water."
"Ye-yes, Mi-Milord." The poor servant stuttered as he was subjected to the infamous Uchiha's impatient temper.
The guy nearly tripped on his feet as he strode away hurriedly.
"Sasuke," The only temper to stubbornly match the Overlord flared. "That was rude."
He paused on raising the drink to his lips for a taste.
"You shouldn't order them around like that." She fully faced him, with a warning frown.
"Keh."
"There you go aga--" Sakura nearly spluttered out in astonishment. "Wait, that's a new word!"
Her husband merely ignored her as he settled the glass on the table, grimaced and looked at a different direction.
"...annoying." Her ears prickled at the faint murmured word.
"What--?" Obviously nettled, Sakura was about to irritate him further when the scrumptious plate of fruits, berries and cheesecake was laid in front of her. They were showered with a delicate layer of finely-powdered sugar, and then a sea of viscous clout of cream and white cheese layers outlined the graham crackers.
"Finally!"
The four other people, who were expecting her to unleash fury earlier to her surly husband, were slightly scared at the sudden shift of mood.
"I was waiting for the dessert." Sakura grinned impishly as she took the glinting silver fork and pierced the square-cut melon piece. Chewing ir with much gusto, Sakura was happily oblivious to the disbelieving stares.
"Her mood swings--" The eldest (looking) person in their group, the genius lecher Jiraiya, turned to Tsunade, who shushed him with a look.
The Uchiha Matriarch seemed to be enlightened with something as she tried to adjust at what was unfolding while the Uchiha Clan Head seemed to critically gaze at the two, a trace of empathy for the young lord.
Unfortunately, the two of them were not paying any heed to their spectators as they squabbled.
Sasuke, obviously displeased with how Sakura ate her cake too quickly, reprimanded softly.
"Slowly."
Sakura really didn't care if he was so cranky tonight, though.
"I am eating slowly, Milord!"
He handed the glass of iced water to her.
"Don't talk."
She snatched the drink and sipped at its rim delicately.
"Then just let me eat!"
A muffled squeak of mirth made them both look at the source with incredulity.
"The two of you are really adorable."
Mikoto was covering her mouth as she tried to suppress her laughter.
Fugaku, though he appeared stern and exasperated, was quelling the urge to smile, but his twitching mouth betrayed him.
It was not everyday that you see your unshakable son candidly talk in a mundane diatribe, no matter how short his answers were.
The cake slices were distributed, but only the Lady of Nippon-koku enjoyed her piece. Sasuke pushed his dessert aside, his dislike for sweets being apparent while Lady Tsunade was more inclined to intoxicate herself with some rice wine than to eat sweets. As both of the Uchiha elders were now required to mingle with the other invited guests and the council member Jiraiya chose to chase some females instead, three more cheesecakes were left untouched.
"Well, since nobody would eat their share of the cake, it's better if we give it to the most unfortunate ones." Tsunade sighed, raising a hand to call for another servant.
"And those unfortunate ones would be?" Sakura managed to ask after her fifth swallow.
"These are for my slaves at the hospital."
"Oh." With a twirl of her silverware, Sakura had separated that delectable piece of cherry that she'll pop on her mouth. "You still work this late?"
"I need to check upon those bungling interns." Another nervous attendee approached their table tentatively. "They’re expecting me to skip on the rounds, so they’re probably slacking off right now.”
"Um, Grandma," Sakura puckered her lips. "I'll eat Sasuke's share too."
"Of course."
Sakura finally ate the last succulent berry from her own dish, the fork still raised.
"Sakura."
She ignored that warning tone.
Sasuke glowered as Sakura's hand was inching towards his plate.
"Don't eat too much."
"She's supposed to gain weight, Milord." Tsunade managed to suppress her smile, the full plates were now being placed upon the push cart to be taken, sealed in fancy Tupperware and delivered as a treat to her workers.
"See?" Sakura said, as she then childishly stuck out her tongue. "Doctor's orders."
"Cravings." Tsunade apologetically explained to the husband, then turned to the wife with a grin. "But Milady, you know he's right."
"Yes, not too many sweets, I know." She popped another fleshy, syrupy peach piece on her mouth.
"Take it." Lord Uchiha then plopped the plate of cake to the hands of the bewildered servant who was just about to leave with his cart.
"You!" The vindictive from Sakura's tone bristled the table's occupants. "Fine!"
Then she swerved her strawberry-shaded head towards the retreating waiter.
"Bring me some ice cream." Then she felt the almost dark aura floating staring at her. "Make it a mango sherbet!"
"Ye-yes, Milady."
Sasuke was about to cancel the request when Sakura opened her mouth first.
"I know, I know, but Sasuke, if you can't--"
Their arguments were again interrupted when the master of ceremonies on the podium candidly gesticulated to their table.
"May I ask the groom's best man to stand up and give his regards to the couple?"
Naruto, who was currently siphoning the last of his main meal (Super-Duper Bowl of Special Seafood Miso Ramen!), suddenly beamed up.
"No." came that deadly response from the imposing Uchiha.
But it was already too late because that prompted the official media personality to excitedly shove the poor man aside, with a cry of “Dynamic entry!” and a roundhouse kick. The microphone flew out of the grasp of the pitiful emcee, but was expertly caught by the glimmering man on his thirties.
Then Maito Gai took a deep, noisy breath and proclaimed, with confetti, gold glitter and fireworks bursting into life.
"The champion of virtue, the brilliant jewel of youth, from whom the blessing of love had preserved!"
The stage wobbled with his exuberant, overreacting hand waving and fist thrusting on the air.
"Proceed to speak, greatest and wise ruler of our country!"
Lee genuflected in front of the table, where Tsunade's seat was mysteriously empty, as he added in the adulation. "Impart the lessons you garnered from your successful marriage with the ever blossoming Lady Uchiha, our fabulous Overlord!"
He then zoomed his faithful camcorder onto Sasuke's deadly, deadly homicidal expression.
Every type of recording device then followed his example, as they moved at the exact same time to flash, snap and whirl their cameras to the vexed honorable guest.
"Well, our dashing Leader?" Gai, pleased with the litany of praises, gave a manly thumbs-up. "Didn't that introduction perfectly describe your unsurpassed spring of greatness?"
Sakura winced as heartburn scalded her chest insides, as those thin lines on his forehead deepened.
"I'm sure that would've greatly inflated his ego." A lopsided grin from a certain (you're dead!) young, blonde man widened in sheer anticipation as Tenten and Neji dragged the two enthusiastic fools out of their recent high. "Make it good, you bastard!"
Then Uchiha Sasuke stood up.
And the laughing crowd was brought into an abrupt silence.
first draft 130am - 600 am.
Corrections and criticisms are be welcome.