Orange, Spirals and Everything Nice

Forty-One: I Swear On My Word

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or the setting of the story. They all exclusively belong to Mr. Masashi Kishimoto in all its rights.

(A/N: This will be the last blank period after the 'Perfect Day for a Wedding' arc. Only a few more chaps to go. Hee-Hee. Happy reading!)

As the newlyweds appeared before their guests, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. At first glance, one wouldn't think that the wedding before them is that of the Hero of the Fourth Great Shinobi War and the Princess of the illustrious Hyuuga clan of the Hidden Leaf.

Naruto and Hinata felt like they spent more time greeting their distinguished entourage than having the wedding ceremony itself. Yet, having everyone with them to share their special day meant the world to them. 

Just a few days ago, the village was in utter chaos because of the 'present weighing mission' that Lord Sixth had ordered his constituents to choose who attends the wedding. Hinata was devastated by the news when she accidentally learned about it from their friends. Fortunately, the masked leader was able to come up with a brilliant solution that eventually saved the day. 

"It's good to see everyone having a great time, isn't it?" Naruto commented from the stage beside his bride. Ever since they left the waiting room earlier when Hiashi and Hanabi went to fetch them, the hero hadn't let go of the heiress' hand. 

"It really is amazing, Naruto-kun." Hinata smiled as she raised a fist to her chest, feeling it clench from the overwhelming warmth and love that her new reality is giving her. She still couldn't believe it. She actually married her first love, her hero, her sun. 

Hinata had been trying not to get too emotional since she saw her groom in his ceremonial clothes that morning. How she had pictured him standing beside her and smiling that goofy grin of his, countless times in the past. It still felt surreal for the heiress, honestly. 

"Thank you, Hinata." Naruto interrupted her thoughts before he glanced at her and gave her another one of his boyish grins. One that always left her heart pounding and her cheeks heating up in a blush. 

"I'll never get tired of telling you that -ttebayo." the hero added with a wink.

Hinata took in a shaky breath before giving his hand that was holding hers between them a gentle squeeze. She was pouting a little when she looked up at him before saying, "I won't be able to hold back my tears anymore if you keep doing that, Naruto-kun."

The blonde automatically blushed at that before he scratched the back of his head with his free hand. "Sorry, just couldn't help it." he argued with another grin that made her giggle. 

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"Hiashi-san." Iruka called to the clan leader who stood quietly near the stage, watching the newlyweds mingle with the crowd around that magnificent cherry blossom garden. 

"Umino Iruka." the pale-eyed man turned to the teacher and gave him a curt bow and a faint smile. 

"A-ano..." Iruka stammered before he startled the leader by giving him a deep bow all of a sudden. "I know that we already bowed during the ceremony a while ago but I just wanted to personally do this in appreciation for accepting Naruto as a part of your family, Hiashi-san." he rambled on with conviction. Although he made sure that he wasn't shouting in order not to embarrass himself in front of everyone. 

"Thank you very much!"

For a while, Iruka thought that he probably irked the stoic leader with his unexpected greeting because he didn't hear anything from him for what felt like an eternity. It wasn't until he felt a tap on his shoulder and a small chuckle, did he dare lift his head to face the Hyuuga leader once more.