Resonance (Kakashi x OC, Gaara x OC) -- Book 2

Chapter 17: The wedding

Note:

***Warning! Explicit material!!!***

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In a few weeks, shinobi from the Hidden Leaf began arriving in the Sand village, at least anyone that Tsunade could allow to come.

"Nee-san!" shouted Naruto. "The old bat let us come after all. She will be here tomorrow."

"That's good," Keiko smiled, "and...thank you all for the gift," she nodded. She started hugging those closest to her. Neji stood stock still and Naruto shuffled his foot awkwardly. Sakura of course squeezed her tight.

She showed her guests around the village and showed them the hot springs they had worked on a few weeks earlier. Temari joined them when she saw Shikamaru in the crowd.

"I guess that's good because you like water so much," Naruto said.

"Hmm," mused Temari thoughtfully.

As evening rolled around, she led them all to the Palace of the Kazekage to the long dining hall. The staff had made a special meal for the guests. They all talked and laughed and brought up memories. Gaara sat quietly listening and taking it all in. He never thought he would have this day; that anyone would choose to be his wife. Moreover, he never thought he would have someone that cared about him before he was rid of the demon. Part of him still hadn't accepted it.

When it was time for them all to go to bed, the staff showed them all to the guest rooms on the floor below.

He was alone with her now. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He breathed softly into her neck.

"I think it might be bad luck or something to touch the bride before her wedding day," she joked.

"Is it bad luck to tell her he loves her?" he asked quietly in her ear.

Words caught in her throat for a moment as her eyes glistened. "No," she quivered, "I don't think it is." She turned her head and tilted it towards him, and kissed him fiercely. He could feel the wetness from her cheek transfer to his.

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The next day the sun shone and there was a slight breeze. Palm trees had been potted and brought in to surround the place where they were having the ceremony. The archway behind the pulpit looked out on a sea of sand.

"I know it's not the kind of sea you wanted, but it was the best I could get," he said tenderly as they walked through to inspect one last time before guests started arriving.

"It's perfect," she said.

They went to go change as the seats started filling up. Naruto and Kankurō stood up beside Gaara, dressed in all black. Kankurō left his face paint behind. Gaara broke from tradition and wore his usual red, but a more formal style. Sakura and Temari stood in the room that had been erected for their use dressed in silver. They smoothed out Keiko's kimono as she stood there. Inside, she shuddered nervously.

They started the procession as Sakura made her way down the aisle, followed shortly by Temari. Most of the wedding she had set up in western tradition. Keiko had asked for someone to play piano which wasn't customary, but she was glad she did. She found the sound soothing. The music continued to float, resonating in the air. Keiko started down the aisle and the moonstones twinkled in the sunlight.

Gaara felt like he had been punched in the stomach. He couldn't breathe. He put a hand on Kankurō's shoulder for support. He didn't see the silly woman with her jokes that he saw when they were alone together. Her sharp features looked like they were cut from the same moonstone that flowed around her feet. She was so beautiful. Gaara felt like heaven had opened and breathed her into this moment. He didn't trust himself to be able to get out his vows.