"Fate's Crossing

**Chapter 15: The Wedding Day**

Welcome back to a new chapter

**Chapter 15: The Wedding Day**

The morning of the wedding dawned bright and early, filled with excitement and anticipation. Ino's house buzzed with energy as she prepared for the biggest day of her life. In her bridal room, she sat before a large mirror, her cheeks flushed with nervousness as Sakura, Hinata, and Tsunade gathered around her, helping her get ready. Ino's heart raced as she glanced at her reflection, still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that in just a few hours, she would be Mrs. Ino Uzumaki.

Sakura stood behind her, busy curling and styling her long blonde hair into an elegant updo. Her fingers moved swiftly, creating the perfect bridal look while offering some playful banter to lighten the mood. "You know, Ino, after tonight, I bet Naruto's going to be all over you," Sakura teased, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "I mean, look at you. That dress is stunning, and we all know Naruto can't keep his hands off you. Tonight's going to be wild."

Ino's eyes widened, her face instantly turning beet red. "Sakura!" she squeaked, slapping her friend's arm in protest. "That's... that's not something we talk about!"

Sakura laughed, unfazed by Ino's embarrassment. "Oh, come on, we're all thinking it. Right, Hinata?"

Hinata, standing nearby and helping with the final touches on the veil, blushed furiously but gave a small smile. "Um... I think you're embarrassing Ino-chan, Sakura."

Tsunade, sitting across the room sipping tea, smirked as she glanced at the bride-to-be. "Well, let's be honest, Naruto is going to lose his mind when he sees you today. You're going to knock him off his feet."

Ino's heart fluttered. She was excited, of course, but the nerves had been building all morning. She could hardly believe this was happening. She was going to marry Naruto—the same boy she had known for years, who had always been there for her, who had saved her in so many ways. Her mind drifted to the past, remembering how he had pulled her out of some of her darkest moments, always with that unbreakable smile of his.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Sakura's voice, teasing once again. "Speaking of knocking him off his feet... I bet Naruto's going to spend the entire night nursing on these," Sakura quipped, playfully grabbing at Ino's chest.

"Sakura!" Ino shrieked, her face glowing bright red. She slapped Sakura's hands away, completely mortified.

Hinata giggled softly, her own cheeks pink with second-hand embarrassment. "Sakura, you're going to embarrass all of us," she said shyly, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.

Tsunade, watching the exchange with a knowing grin, raised her cup of tea. "I agree with Sakura though. Naruto's going to be in for a shock when he sees you in that dress."

Ino, despite her embarrassment, couldn't help but smile. Her friends were right—Naruto was going to be speechless when he saw her, and she couldn't wait to see his reaction.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Naruto paced nervously in his room. He had been walking back and forth for what felt like hours, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. The excitement, the nerves, the anticipation—it was all too much. In just a few hours, he would be standing at the altar, waiting for Ino, the love of his life, to walk down the aisle.

Shikamaru leaned against the wall, watching his friend with a calm, lazy expression. "You're gonna wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that," he muttered, though there was a smirk on his face.

Naruto paused, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I know, I know, I just... I can't help it. I'm getting married today! What if something goes wrong?"